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I was just wondering where our GM had gotten to.

Some people might be interested in a game I'm working on. It's called The Jewelled City, and it's going to be an online game heavily based on En Garde, but with its own setting.

I am a bit curious about this as well. I presumed life must have gotten in the way and perhaps too few of us were submitting orders. I didn't submit last Friday as I hadn't gotten a turn result for the previous week.

I do love the game, but if the level of player interest/involvement is too low and/or life too busy for the GM, that's understandable.

Yeah, no harm no foul. I wonder if there could be a 40k version of this . . . something premised on the players being aspiring Chaos Lords or something?

I think the En Garde model could be adopted to almost any RPG, fantasy or sci-fi setting. In some cases it'd probably work better than the D&D model of rootless adventurers (for example the world of Vampire).

Hey, apeloverage, would you mind starting a thread in this forum describing your concept?

The game I'm working on, or the general concept of En Garde-like games?

The one you are working on, please!

Done, it's here:

http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/list/291075

Kilkrazy for President.

Decembre 1621



Advertisements and Classified

Colonel Thoré wishes felicitations to the people of Paris in this season of our Savior's nativity and enjoins them to pray God for the renewed strength of the 13th Fusiliers. He reminds all brave young men who love France and God's servant her King that it is not too early for thinking on the fortunes of the new year's impending campaign and reporting to 13th Fusiliers Regimental Headquarters.


Court and Social

His Excellency the Cardinal Richelieu completed arrangements for a Great Ball to be held in Week 1, Janvier 1622. The Ball at the Palais des Tuileries will be hosted by His Majesty The King and all of France’s greatest warriors are to be invited.

His Most Christian Majesty was cast into despond by the sudden and greatly regretted demise of the Constable Of France.



Charles d'Albert, duc de Luynes

5th August 1578 to 15th December 1621



Around Town

Gambling at dice was the preferred diversion this month as the bad weather conspired to keep gentlemen from their usual sport at the Chase and encouraged them to follow indoor pursuits.

Week 1
Lt-Colonel Tacomanne hosted another of his famous parties at Club Hunters. The lady on his arm was Camille Dupont, which excited some comment from the other members as it is only one month since that the gallant officer was seen in company of Madame Olympe.

The beau sabreur was shortly joined by old comrades in arms Colonel Bael and Lt-Colonel Guderian of the Picardy Musketeers. Mr. Bael was accompanied by Madame Roxane, while Mr. Guderian contented himself with some small talk with a bar maid. They were soon met by the dashing Colonel Thoré of our own 13th Fusiliers, who declared he had come to learn the art of gambling from the masters.

The party moved to the dice table where Mr le Tacomanne extended himself considerably and bet 1,800 pistoles in the evening. He made a small loss but was heard to remark it was little enough to pay to alleviate the dullness of the club.

The other clubs of Paris were quiet this week as gentlemen were occupying themselves with different pursuits. The flower, perfume and fur markets were heavily patronised by several officers, among them the young Major Gagnon of the Gascons, who is known not to take an insult from any man.

Week 2
Lt-Colonel Le Tacommane again went to Hunters for the gambling and played a few rounds before he declared himself content and enjoyed the rest of the evening in a private room with Camille.

His erstwhile comrade Colonel Bael was at the congenial Blue Gables Club, and gambled with his usual panache though Fortune did not smile upon his dice and the Colonel left the tables 300P down so that it was said by observers this was not his best form and he must sharpen up in the New Year.

The Baron Mauvoisin caused some small surprise by appearing at his Club Bothwells in company of Olympe, who very recently was known to be stepping out with Mr. Le Tacomanne, though that gentleman was seen the week before in company of Madame Camille which was to be remarked at. However nothing untoward eventuated so any parting must have been amiable.

Various other gentlemen diverted themselves by skirmishes in the field of Venus, and the Rue Pigalle was attacked by Mr. Guderian and the Colonel Thoré among others.



Week 3
The Colonel Thoré made a rare appearance at his club the Frog & Peach and declared his intention to practice lessons of The Dice which he had recently taken at the hand of a master.

The Colonel, whose fiery passion in war is tempered with a thoughtful strategy of dice, was cautious but resolute in prosecution of his campaign. Mr. Thoré cut on each of his first four rounds then rallied and won three of his last five, so it was said by onlookers that his play exhibited the depth of strategy that he customarily deployed when facing the Spanish in the Field of Mars. While a negligible loss was sustained, the admiration of the onlookers was greatly excited by the steadiness of the Colonel’s eye and throwing arm.

The Colonel then finished his sixth pint of claret, declared himself satisfied with the evening’s entertainment and went back to his apartements where he would be engaged on official business, no doubt concerned with enhancing the glory of the 13th Fusiliers.

Meanwhile our reporters could not fail to notice the several visits by Major Gagnon to the hotel of Madame Ninon, on one occasion his servant was bearing flowers, then perfumes, on a third furs. This last present seems to have won the heart of the lady since the Major was admitted to the apartements and did not exit for several hours.


Week 4

Blue Gables Club was drunk out of wine by Colonel Bael, in his third week of a continuous carouse, so that the doughty warrior had to content himself with beer to slake his thirst, and declared himself dissatisfied with the level of service however the Butler came to the Colonel and blamed the recent snow for the failed delivery of the usual tuns of wine, which excuse was accepted graciously.

Most other gentlemen of the town either devoted themselves to choosing their outfits to be worn to the New Year’s Military Grand Ball, or idled their time away in practice of duelling.


Paris

A Great Fireworks will be displayed on the evening of the 14th January at the Ile de la Cité, by gracious favour of His Excellency the Cardinal Richelieu. The best views will be had from the Left Bank.

Many hundred valiant gentlemen have flocked to the banner of the 13th Fusiliers. Paris confidently expects its favourite regiment to rise again to glory in the campaign of 1622 wherever it may be directed.




La France

Snow was complained of as affecting many crops including asparagus, sheep’s wool, foie gras and Tomme du Savoie.

The Farmers’ Union called upon the government to consider the distress of the ordinary working farmer in such extreme conditions.



International

His Majesty King James having ruled wisely and by means of the sale of honours &c for several years had been compelled to summon a Parlement, the iniquitous gathering of lower classes who falsely believe it is their position to bandy words, dicker and otherwise argue with their natural sovereign.

Le Poireau is over-joyed however to hear news that the glorious monarch as dismissed the gathering of plebeians and will once again rule as God intended by the keen intelligence of his own crowned head.


Business

The Wurst Scandal
Sausage futures fell 13% when it was discovered how German sausages are actually made.

Will we be given any clues as to the amount of SPs gained in the Winter Ball? Mayhap it will count as toadying to the King?

Very likely. I have worked out a mechanism which I think is fair to all.

I cannot imagine that any loyal officer would refuse an invitation from their sovereign.

Just to remind people of the rules:

The King extends an invitation to the following:

All Royal Foot guards officers
All Colonels of Regiments
A selected number of lower ranking officers chosen at random.
player character Colonels of Regiments may nominate one of their officers to accompany them.
Non-player Colonels can be Influenced to nominate a player character.
Mistresses may be brought.

No fights allowed at the ball however if a disagreement should arise, gentlemen may make arrangements for the following month.

If you are not in the categories above and didn't receive an invitation with your results it means you are not one of the lucky ones this year.

Col. Bael is happily trying on new outfits, and sparing little thought for whether he might invite a lucky friend officer. But he is about the regimental HQ and his usual carousing haunts often enough that he could certainly be approached about an invite...

Lt. Col. Guderian feels slightled by the oversight of His Majesty's inept clerks and will be headed to the battle fields to prove his worth for King and Country.

You know a colonel in your regiment.

I know. But I feel like being a moody, irritated Prussian. ;-) If Mr. Bael needs company, however, I would be hard pressed to decline my commander's request. Perhaps I could help him procure something for the regiment using my influence with the division commander....

OOC: Aw, but you're OUR moody, irritated Prussian! Like a Regimental mascot!

Alhors! Can I just say how much I love this game?

Le Poireau Parisien de Janvier 1622


Le Poireau offers Greetings of the Season and all best wishes for Prosperity and Health to our Subscribers.



Advertisements and Classified

Recruitment
Many gallant sons of Paris have already answered our King's call to glory.
But there are still billets available at the 13th Fusiliers' headquarters for any able young man with a brave heart.
Inquire there, especially you gentlemen seeking commissions, to follow Colonel Tho into heroic battle.

The Scottish Method -- An infallible Way of Training the Strength of the Limbes and Bodie.
Monsieur Sholto MacBain, of Edinburgh, an Expert in the Art of Training, presents The Scottish Method. This Discipline and Training shall if diligently followed without fail restore the strength of a Gentleman, depleted by lack of martial exercise.

(Rules: A character can train their strength for one week at a cost of the current level of the characteristic. Four weeks training will increase the characteristic by +1. The characteristic cannot be trained more than +3 above its starting level.)


Court and Social

Military Ball of the Feast of Epiphany
The great Military Ball, held on the Feast of Epiphany was the premier event of the Month. Attended by all the Royal Foot guards, and the most distinguished of elite regimental officers, the occasion was graced by the presence of His Most Christian Majesty, who deigned to receive all officers and their Ladies into his presence before the commencement of a glittering Ball, held in the most lofty chambers of the Palais des Tuileries.

The gardens having been specially decorated for the occasion, revellers were able to refresh themselves at buffet tables set up both inside and outside, where snow covered the formal gardens and was used to ice the champagne.


The Great Fire Workes
His Eminence Cardinal Richelieu was pleased to present a splendid Fire Workes for the delight of the people of Paris. This splendid display, on the evening of the 14th January, culminated in a salute of 21 guns, fired by order of the Constable of Paris from La Bastille.

The noise of the discharges, coming on top of the ravishing spectacle of colour and light, was seen to overwhelm numerous ladies in the crowds, who had to be helped and revived by the few gentlemen present.

Madame La Marchesa Rosalba Fimiani, a noblewoman of Milan newly arrived in Paris, was among the high born women who succumbed to the excitement of the occasion, however she was happily rescued by the Cardinal’s Guards.


Around Town


Week 1: Defying the inclement weather and the lure of civilian pursuits Lt-Colonel Guderian marched the 1st Battalion of the Picardy Musketeers out from the south gates of Paris and they were seen to take the road towards the Midi. While the march was carried out in severe cold, the diligent Lt-Colonel had provided excellent rations for his men, so they were sustained by a pint of hot rum and water at their midday break and evening camp. Further, Mr. Guderian had organised his Subalterns to bring up the rear of the column with their servants and grooms all mounted and armed. Thus there was little straggling.

At the same time, many of Mr. Guderian’s comrades were making merry at the Military Ball. Notably present among the throng were the following gentlemen:

The Baron Mauvoisin, accompanied by Madame Camille.
Mr. Patrick le Tacomanne, who was in a bad mood.
Mr. Roland leBlanc of the Royal Marines, and his fellow of the 1st Brigade, the Colonel Bael of the Picardy Musketeers, who squired Madame Roxane.
The Colonel Thoré, fresh from reviewing the 13th Fusiliers, who was seen to be looking coldly at the Baron. He was accompanied by his aide the Subaltern le Main -- it is so typical of the Colonel to remember to show favour to the junior officers.
Apart from many colonels and staff officers the roll of honour was completed by Major Gagnon of the Gascons, with his Mistress Madame Ninon.


Week 2: The Baron Mauvoisin applied himself to study of the Rapier.

Most gentlemen however found time to amuse themselves in the Clubs, and much dicing was engaged in though in general the results were poor and it was said the dice were cold. Colonel Bael at Blue Gables went down 50P in an evening, though normally a very successful gambler, and Lt-Colonel le Tacomanne, who reverted to the Horse Guards to take advantage of their higher table limit, had mediocre luck and stayed into the third week in the hope of changing his fortunes.

Colonel Thoré caroused by himself, while the young Subaltern le Main was nowhere to be seen and he is thought to have been paying a visit to a Lady.

Major Gagnon spent the rest of the month carousing with his Mistress Ninon at the Frog & Peach, a highly commendable use of time considering the miserable weather of this season.


Week 3: The Colonel Thoré returned to his club the Frog & Peach in order to play at Dice, however the luck was against him and the Colonel needed all his skill to cut and cut again escaping with a loss of 300P. He was heard to remark that being unlucky at dice perhaps he would be luckier in Love, and left for his regimental HQ with a spring in his step.

At the Horse Guards, Mr. le Tacomanne carried straight on through from the previous week, and was not without luck; at the end of two weeks his losses were only 125P, onlookers said how admirable were his fortitude and determination to persist.

The serving staff at Blue Gables was again kept most busy by Colonel Bael, who caroused through to the end of the month.


Week 4: In general a quiet week and only the news from the south enlivened the Clubs.

A despatch from General Salers, commanding the siege at Montpelier, welcomed the arrival of the 1st Battalion, the Picardy Musketeers and mentioned that Lt-Colonel Guderian had not only made a record time of march to reach the siege lines, he had also fought a successful action against a sortie of Huguenots which had threatened to carry away a supply train.



Paris

Thanks to the excellent efforts of the bold Colonel Thoré, the 13th Fusiliers has grown its establishment to over 800 men and seeks to expand this further. Both private gentlemen and the militarily ambitious are invited to apply to the Colonel for admission to this elite Regiment.


La France

Snow, mists and cold fogs affected the Ile de France, while the Midi and the south enjoyed strong winter sun.

Shepherds warned that either kind of weather is strongly injurious to the health of their flocks, and the government had better consider what aid should be given to avoid a dearth of sheep’s milk so important in the production of many of France’s finest cheeses.




International

English adventurers of their East India Company have formed alliance with the Persian Empire, as they claim to prosecute pirate activities however it is doubted this can be true and the hidden objective of the allies may be to disrupt lawful French trade with the Indies or otherwise discomfit Certain Foreign Powers, viz. the Spanish and Portuguese, which if it came about would not be a Bad Thing.


Business

East India Company
Shares rose 7% on expectation of a Royal Commission.


Automatically Appended Next Post:
The Leaderboard has been updated.

Mr. Patrick le Tacomanne is still in a bad mood but at the least some quality time was spent at the Horse Guard's.

*STAMPS FOOT*

My dear Lt-Col Tacomanne, it is only natural to experience a certain torpor and foulness of mood when so long deprived of one's natural vocation to soldiery. Why, one only need to think of brave Guderian marching out in the middle of winter. If you want to know my opinion, sir, the only tonic for it is a fight. Yes indeed, the soul only knows repose after honorable combat. Paris, alas, for all her many pleasures often denies us the one we soldiers most require.

What a grand event.

Our sovereign is truly magnificent and beneficent to host such an event!


In the evening's excitement I noted hostility between our good Baron Mauvoisin and Col. Thore. Would either gentleman care to explain this?


Lt.Col LeBlanc

Le Canard Sale de Janvier 1622

All the news that other papers dare not print!


Military Balls
A certain lt-colonel experienced a personal Epiphany when he found the Lady whom he thought was his Mistress, on the arm of a high ranking Royal Foot Guard!


Love and Rockets
So many high-ranking beauties at the Cardinal’s Fire Werks, who fainted of the noise, to be carried off by the Cardinal’s Guards. Where and from who did they receive succour?


Gambling -- is Dice Rigging Rampant in the Clubs?
With such notable rollers of the bones as Mr. Bael and Le Tacomanne failing to score consistently, perhaps the Constable of Paris should leave off from his feu de joie salutes and investigate the source of the foreign dice now in use. Are they Spanish? Are they English? One thing is sure, they cannot be French!


All the nice girls love a sailor!
But none of them love a Royal Marine... When will the lonely Le Blanc find a Lady?


Le Canard Says Save Our Cheese!
With bad weather all over the country threatening the production of ewe’s milk necessary, nay VITAL for the making of France’s best cheeses, the time has come for the Government to protect this essential national resource.


A Bad Neighbour at the Palais?
Rumours reach us that a certain senior officer of the Royal Foot Guards, desirous of advancement with despatch, has been importuning in a wide sphere, preferring Promotion by Influence rather than by hard work in the field of War. Command of a regiment, and the dignity of a Minister, are within his grasp if only his friends will rally round.


Marvellous Mess at Montpelier
The month’s military dispatches make much mention of Mr. Guderian’s great marching and defending of the supplies. The good Lt-Colonel’s skills fully deserve the praise, none can doubt he is a credit to his regiment. The question should be asked though, why a battalion that had not yet reached the lines, should have need to defend itself against a sortie. What kind of Siege commander allows the Enemy to walk in and out of the town he is supposed to be attacking, practically as they like. General Salers should be recalled.

Dear Sirs:

While disappointed I was not able to post a bulletin in time for one of our local papers, I have been trying to decide what to do with myself this Fevrier, the Summer Campaign growing closer and closer -- as I am sure you yourselves have noticed.

So I am proposing a party at the esteemed establishment Bothwell's this month in the first week of Fevrier. Anyone is welcome to come, regardless of their own social standing in Paris it is an EXCELLENT opportunity for our social circle to establish ourselves further before the summer campaign. I (with the help of my family's purse) will be paying for carousing for our circle as well as any mistresses who might happen to join us.

Oh yes by the way. The "Baron" Xavier Mushy-man is NOT invited but thankfully I only have eight invitations going out so We will have no concern of such a disreputable lush crashing our party.

Speaking of which, and yes you will have to pay for your own gambling -- but Bothwell's as you may know boasts NO LIMIT on bets made there. You will have to cover your own bets of course but feel free to share any winnings with your comrades haha.

Sincerely,
Lt-Colonel le Tacomanne
Dragoon Guards

Dear Monsieur le Tacomanne,

I am highly desirous of your esteemed company and will certainly clear my schedule to attend one of your famous parties. It is widely known throughout Paris that you have the finest taste regarding who you do and do not invite. I will be honored, by the by, to attend with the lovely Mademoiselle Prideau, which gracious and charming lady was so lately misued as you may have heard. Her plight, I believe, has some connection with a certain offense to the honor of your own munificent person in which regard I assure you I too am deeply aggrieved. My rancour is somewhat assuaged, however, knowing that no dishonorable cads would dare show their snooty cowards' faces at your party realizing as they must that only sharp blades wielded by strong arms wait to greet them.

With warm affection,

Colonel Luc-Vincent Thoré
13th Fusiliers

P.S.--Did you see that article about foreign dice in Le Canard? That paper may be no Poireau Parisien but I reckon they are on to something!

Yes my Friend the dice have indeed been rolling poor of late (even taking a loss!) but I personally thought it was due to the lack of a Lady's accompaniment. But yes, the English and Spanish could also be to blame! Mon dieu!

- Patrick le Tacomanne
Dragoon Guard

This really made a very stressful day at work a lot more bearable. Great stuff.

Could people post about their experience with En Garde! by way of advertisement in the thread linked below:

http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/list/292698.page

If it's okay with Kilkrazy, I reckon we could do with some new blood.

Someone enquired at the weekend. I sent them a character and they have just replied.

The Horse Guards' Guide to Gambling
So I wrote a gambling primer, it is not finished yet I need to type up the explanation of the math and a couple other things but it will be ready for say early Monday morning. Today being Wednesday.

I like it, I think it is OK I might edit it a couple times over the months but it is pretty much done other than the fact it is not finished yet.

If anyone thinks it is cool or has any questions, righto.