October 1856 Britannic Times has shown up and the big news is that Kaiser Wilhelm has declared war on Franconia for in the words of the top junker himself......."its disgraceful unprovoked piratical attack on an innocent Rossian trade convoy"
In interest of honest reporting it probably should be said that the "innocent Rossian trade convoy" was in French colonial waters and was packing enough fire power to sink a battleship......or even six battleships. Indeed to anyone not over doing the King of Siam's best opium said convoy probably looked a lot like the Rossian Black Sea Fleet spoiling for a fight with the rabid republians who killed the Czar's "Mon Ami........The Emperor Napoleon III"
High points of the Franco-Prussian War to date are:
- The killing of a French Officer in Tripoli by a Vampire Attack
- A bunch of plucky French colonial infantry lead by a Nun holding the pride of the German Cavalry at bay in El Oued
Faced with the dastardly Hun (& Nuns) in their flying machine now was clearly a bad time for the Govt of Franconia to need a new player.
If taking on role it helps to have knowledge of beating up Germans & Nuns and pacifying the Czar, Austrians & English.
Though it seems that Austria is staying out in favour of archaeological digs and getting beat up by the natives while the English wish to put all their effort into playing "railway rivals" and dealing with the true foe of English players.........other English Players.
PS For the first time in Scrabble the French and Rossians tried out these new fangled torpedoes. The French only hit one Rossian Ship but did sink it. The Rossians also used these new fangled weapons, hit 8 ships but for no effect. Perhaps they should have put the fuses in?
But we are still awaiting the first use of Airships in a Naval Battle. The French were also out shot and this time the Rossian Shells did go bang on hitting Republican Ships.
French problems at sea are not however expected to influence the Franco Prussian War since the Germanic Battle Fleet is already at bottom of the Baltic.