Game 10

Apologies for double post but Game 10 has dropped and leaves us with more questions than answers!

The race for Christmas number one has begun in earnest with the shock new entry to the honour list of our very own, The One, The Only, The Dashing Corsair Trouin, who edges out the Royal Steward of Poland. Meanwhile Elector Augustus’ culture investments and speech have him surging three places up the list. Lord Melville may need to get more people drinking the loyal toast to maintain his early lead. What antics will occur over the next few months in this battle of the respectabilities?

War continues apace despite rumours of peace making as the Neapolitan forces made their way to Palermo this month. Prince Conde and his forces soon showed who was in charge of the town and the field, as they shattered the morale of the uncoordinated Neapolitan assault. Perhaps next month’s episode will see the late arriving Austrian reinforcements turning the tide?

In another shock France has declared war on four nations this month. Austria, Genoa, Sweden & Wurttemberg. Perhaps the Swedish capture of Lille crossed a bridge too far?
Coincidently the Liege-Cologne town of Dormagen has been occupied by Dutch forces, without a declaration of war. The United Dutch Provinces has always claimed to be a beacon of enlightenment and reason, how can such acts go unpunished?

After the French declarations their admiralty then issued letters of marque against the shipping of their enemies. Does this mean Trouin is at last legally recognised leading to his meteoric rise into the honours list. I wonder if this will cause Punt, Shunt and Hunt to revise their published legal advice?

All this discussion around piracy and privateers seems to have awoken a similar spirit in the Knights of St John on Malta, alongside their illegal actions in Zurich and the new found fraud by one of their Fathers. Perhaps Punt, Shunt and Hunt can answer whether the Knights can issue letters of marque to themselves?

Denmark has announced taxes on trade through their waters, could this be why the French Corsairs turned away from the Baltic?

The supposed closed Gallican Church has shown it is very much open for business as a leading member ex-communicated His Holiness, much to the entertainment of the pro Gallican faction. This has led to many more questions including ‘Can the Gallican’s do this?’ and ‘Is the Pope Catholic?’

Spain did not go as far as excommunicating the Pope but did ignore His Holiness’ order that Karl von Hapsburg be King of Spain when Portocarrero crowned Rodrigo de Abello as King Carlos III. Where will this growing trend for European nations to have two Kings end?

Almost by answer Sassari have started a counter movement which they hope will continue amongst their Spanish peers of having no King at all. Will this trend too take Europe by storm?

In Africa, the Danish Ambassador is being well looked after with his hosts inquiring on all aspects of his health. Meanwhile the Scots are building an army camp and shipyard at Inhambane and their maritime neighbours have built an armaments factory in Canton. Finally, the Dutch are ingratiating themselves with the recently victorious Japanese Emperor. Is this part of King William’s master plan to secure more votes in the race to be Christmas number one?

Thanks Marshal, a good summary Must be honest, I'm quite looking forward to someone displacing me at the top of the honour table. It was nice to make it to the top but where do you go (other than down) afterwards? I still think the Doge could stage a comeback however.

certainly a very interesting turn. Alot of works and plans look in the pipelines.

Would not be surprised if the French truly set up a rival to the pope in Rome. How would a game with two popes work. Never known it, but looks a great idea.

If the leading catholic nations switch allegiance to the new emerging pope what a game that would be.

A most useful write-up, Marshall, although a few important details seem to have been missed:

1. Several countries also declared war on the Papal States
2. The Gallician Church has indeed been shut down and is no more than a theatrical troupe with HQ in a rather dodgy part of Paris.  "In Paris many clerics who are of the pro-Gallican party rather enjoyed the Cardinal's announcement. However, they also had to admit they did not think this cardinal has the power to dismiss from office either the Pope or anyone in Genoa, since these were outside any diocese he would possibly have authority over. However, many are thinking that if the sitting Pope really has been de facto excommunicated by the Gallican Church, whether the niceties of canon law permit such a thing or not, does this not now mean the Gallican Church is no longer Roman Catholic?  The word 'Cardinal' designates that they belong to the clergy of the City of Rome.  So unless they are going to form themselves into a special regiment of Gallician clergy and join the storming party attacking Rome, they will no doubt need to rename themselves.  At least enough of them realise that the new 'Church of Louis' is not Catholic, but protestant.
3. Roderigo (as discussed earlier) has not been crowned legally.  Portocarerro had his ecclesiastical offices and powers suspended before the theatrical troupe's Spanish branch gave their performance.  That the Spanish bishops refused to obey Portocarerro's desecration of their Holy Office suggests that attempts to create another 'pope' are a little more complicated than putting on a pageant and saturating newspapers with publicity about it.
4. The French Corsairs are no longer French, but allied to Roderigo - the jump in honour is quite usual when one bunch of pirates allies with another.
5. The UDP invasion of Dormagen does explain a lot.  We have all been waiting for the Maritime Powers to fall off the fence and after a few months of threatening the Papacy (and now Lord Melville opening Scottish ports to the Corsairs), Scotland and England are also at war with Austria, etc.  Odd how this was not mentioned in UDP's letter to the Papacy, but at least he knows how to write unlike Austria.

So it looks as though the Knights of Malta are going to be very busy hunting down French, renegade Spanish (Roderigo), English, Scottish, UDP, Savoyard(?), 'free Sardinian' shipping ... plus anyone else I've not mentioned who now appears to be at war with the Papacy?  Perhaps I should ask the Cathedral Players to put on a play next month crowning a substitute Pope, send leaflets detailing the performance over all the newspapers, and then they'll not bother attacking Rome because of course we all believe what we see in the theatre/newspaper, except perhaps those who prefer some legal basis to reality such as the Holy Catholic Church which along with Otto von Friesen and Punt, Hunt and Shunt may soon be the only rational voice in an increasingly unhinged world.  But then they call me mad?!

Lampooning religion and the Papacy in the game and on the forum may be amusing to those who lack taste, judgement and respect for others, but religion was viewed very differently in 1700 and in game characters are likely to take their lead from such quips and act accordingly. I'm sure there are plenty of other players who have noticed that ambassadors do odd things they have not been ordered to do based on the actions/words of their leaders, thinking they are implementing what they believe to be their ruler's wishes. I doubt I hold the record for the most declarations of war received in a single turn, but I may well do for the most 'accidental' declarations of war received in a single turn.

N.B. Denials on the forum about declarations of war on the Papal States have no validity unless they are repeated in game by which time it will be a little late!

England has not declared war on anyone. When we do it will be done in writing and there shall be no accidental misunderstanding of the intent of the declaration. Further, maritime insurance rates as well as the number of buttoms bearing the flag of the other party shall rise and fall respectively.

Papa Clement wrote:A most useful write-up, Marshall, although a few important details seem to have been missed:

Thanks Papa, there were 34 pages in the newspaper so something was going to be left out. Given the bumper size of the paper anyone would think G10 players had a lot of time at home on their hands. I hope all are keeping well and safe in these uncertain times.

Regards Mark.

Marshal Bombast wrote:

Papa Clement wrote:A most useful write-up, Marshall, although a few important details seem to have been missed ...

Thanks Papa, there were 34 pages in the newspaper so something was going to be left out.  Given the bumper size of the paper anyone would think G10 players had a lot of time at home on their hands.  I hope all are keeping well and safe in these uncertain times.

Regards Mark.

No problem Marshal - one of the advantages of playing the Papacy is that my asset list is usually shorter than the newspaper, whereas in G7 it is usually the opposite.  This month you had to contend with not only a huge number of articles, but so many contradictory assertions and strange things happening that I'm impressed you managed to condense the epic into a few short points.

Rev - as I mentioned above "Denials on the forum about declarations of war on the Papal States have no validity unless they are repeated in game".  I finished my G10 orders within a few hours of the turn arriving and have no intention of changing them now, so perhaps players will be more careful with their insults in future and consider the effect on their characters and how they pass on their views to other positions.  I guess Marshall could be right that G10 players have had a lot of time at home on their hands, but as a small (and to some insignificant) position in G10, it doesn't make much difference to me.  My extra time is going on G7 which is much more enjoyable with some new players, finely balanced diplomatic tension,  intrigue, the hunt for Desmarets, a Catholic King of England who actually understands religion, and a group of players who respect the historical setting and contribute to its spirit in a way that greatly enhances the game.  Vintage LGDR ... long may it continue!

Just to clear up one little misunderstanding UDP or for That matter any of the maritime powers has declared war on anyone, The troops that have been reported as occupying a L-C city area are actually just resting then moving on.

I hope other players know me well enough to realise that I personally do believe in declaring war before attacking people.

Surprised by the fact that people automatically think UDP has gone to war. Is there so much distrust & ill will creeping onto the forum?

J Flower wrote:Just to clear up one little misunderstanding UDP or for that matter any of the maritime powers has declared war on anyone, The troops that have been reported as occupying a L-C city area are actually just resting then moving on.

I hope other players know me well enough to realise that I personally do believe in declaring war before attacking people.

Surprised by the fact that people automatically think UDP has gone to war. Is there so much distrust & ill will creeping onto the forum?

I think part of the problem is that in G10 especially, the norm is that there is no declaration of war before acts of war are committed.  With so many different claims on various territories an attack on 'disputed territories' is potentially an attack on all nations claiming them.  Sometimes that may have been intended; sometimes not.   As I mentioned above, in game characters (not necessarily player characters) have their own personalities and are influenced by the insults/actions thrown around by player characters, so may well interpret what is happening in ways players do not intend.  This especially applies to the religious beliefs of characters.  To use just one example I am familiar with, 15% of the population of England is Catholic (according to the rulebook) as is a large portion of the Scottish Highlands, most of Ireland, etc ... so that's rather a lot of people who to some extent will be upset by attacks on the Papacy and the Catholic faith.  I don't need to do anything to prompt this, but after several months of ratcheting up tensions and insults, I would not be surprised if something blew.  Even in today's secular times the Pope (as a person) is treated with an almost fanatical (and disturbing) adulation across the world - in 1700, identification was much stronger, and consequently reactions much stronger.

It is also not always clear to every player who is allied to whom, what obligations they have, so by accident wars not only start, but escalate out of control.

I know that you (as JFlower) believe in declaring war before attacking people, as I'm sure Rev does, but each position you play in games is different and your ministers, ambassadors or other characters may take a very different approach.  As you know, I have deliberately tried not to stoke religious differences between the Papacy and Maritime Powers, and in the case of UDP at least have (I hope) built up a certain degree of trust.  This was not because you (JFlower) are playing the position, but because Calvinist UDP was always at high risk of antagonising Rome and similarly there are plenty of Catholics who believe it their duty to destroy Calvinists wherever they are found (and can quote precedents, even Tridentine teaching, that encourages them to do so).  That is why I have been at some pains not to encourage them.

There always has been distrust and ill will on the forum, but in this instance it reflects the much greater distrust and ill will within G10.

You have previously made much of the team nature of the Maritime Powers, with England, Scotland and UDP all acting independently, not bound to follow your leadership.  They certainly have not followed your constructive and welcome attitude towards the Papacy, which is perhaps something that they may wish to clarify in future turns.  I write this not because I want war with the Maritime Powers, but seek to have good relations with all countries, however unlikely that is in G10!   I'm sure that you believe that they have not declared war (accidentally), but I must prepare my orders based on what has happened in the game.   "Denials on the forum about declarations of war on the Papal States have no validity unless they are repeated in game".

J Flower wrote:Just to clear up one little misunderstanding UDP or for  That matter any of the maritime powers has declared war on anyone, The troops that have been reported as occupying a L-C city area are actually just resting then moving on.

I hope other players know me well enough to realise that I personally do believe in declaring war before attacking people.

Surprised by the fact that people automatically think UDP has gone to war. Is there so much distrust & ill will creeping onto the forum?

Sorry for any offence caused Jason, I know you play an honourable King William who would not do that in G10. I tend to take a slightly cynical view point when completing the write which comes not from Peter's view but is biased towards the Russian.

I'm sure Richard writes up some newspaper entries to get people thinking or it could have happened but not as an order as intended by the player. My write up for Japan had a similar approach when they landed on the Philippines but it turned out Japan was renting.

If it's going to cause people to feel I'm having a go at them personally, which I'm not, then I will stop putting that aspect into my write up. I want people to enjoy the game and try to write from an entertainment point of view with on purpose accidental interpretations and am not afraid to even take a pop at G10 Russia to share it around.

My apologies Jason, I did not mean to upset you or anyone and will be more careful in my write ups in future.

Regards Mark

I have no complaints about your turn write-up Marshal, neither did it influence my game orders.

I agree that Richard does tend to leave some ambiguities in the newspaper, or even omit the kind of detail that would be useful. As players the newspaper is made more meaningful by notes on our own asset lists, detail that is known only to us each turn.

I would quite miss your write-ups if you stopped.

Even I was shocked to read:

"4. The French Corsairs are no longer French, but allied to Roderigo - the jump in honour is quite usual when one bunch of pirates allies with another."

Fairly sure my Letters of Marque are still French and not Spanish.  Not that I would say no to fighting for Spanish Gold if the King of France had no objections.

And on subject of letters of Marque, I am sure latest instructions from Admiralty is missing a page as mine seems to be missing mention of Bavaria and Papal States.

Just call be a Dashing Corsair, follower of fashion, St Malo greatest love machine and victim of Clerks and the B*****y legal paper work!

Stuart Bailey wrote:Even I was shocked to read:

"4. The French Corsairs are no longer French, but allied to Roderigo - the jump in honour is quite usual when one bunch of pirates allies with another."

Just be glad you weren't accused of being allied to Lord Melville (even if he has apparently opened his ports to you...ooohhh Matron...are we back in "Carry On" territory?), I think you'd struggle with Letters in Doric and Gaelic.

And the Dutch troops are just resting in L-C...looking forward to the next newspaper when all those nations who are currently invading each other claims their troops haven't actually invaded but are just resting...

Did notice the Tivoli Council is going to discuss the Pope's successor...is it time for 1704's edition of "Vatican's Got Talent"?

If anyone wants me, I'll be with the Egyptian crocodiles...in Da Nile

I was hoping to be with them overnight...but apparently it's going to take two days and I'm still in De-Nile about it

As you can imagine some of the things said about Lord Melville in recent posts have given him some grief, but he's adopted the Egyptian model and is still at stage one of grief...yes, he's in D'Nile

I suppose I ought to really not be concerned about things said on the forum, but some might think I had moved to Egypt and was living in De Nile

I'm playing Caledonia in "Rome is Burning" but after the last few posts on here, I think I'll ask Richard if I can be Egypt instead, afterall it seems I'm in D'Nile

I guess I just can't help but find it funny, but some will say (yes you've guessed it) I'm in Da Nile

‘Lille Meet Again, Don’t Know Where, Don’t Know When...’ I guess one mans Northern France is another mans Southern Sweden.

Need to work on my orders configuration, so that when cavalry scouts get lost & other columns are delayed (don’t you love that chance card), the army automatically selects the ‘Option A - major defensive forces in place’ orders, not ‘Option B - minimal defensive forces in place’. An excellent learning journey.

On Liege-Cologne, could another chance card have been drawn on ‘order interpretation’?

I believe the ‘levity’ letters to the editor are getting better & better every month. Does the Dauphin really need a million sterling in socks? Do we have a new contender for leadership of the Apollo Association? How much do any of these letters reflect reality?

I may commission a philosophy academy to study the concept of Weltanshauung, along with wider studies in being, reality and perception. I always find the game and the forum an excellent case of representational realism, or the concept of the ‘reality tunnel’. I also see it in myself & my own reactions to the game.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reality_tunnel

& I welcome my favourite dastardly opponent to the honour list, especially with his newly minted letters of the marque. I am guessing his previous versions were in invisible ink? Or on self-combusting papyrus? Or lost overboard?

I think the Dauphin needs so much money, Kerensky, because his man servant has a deal with a naked Tunisian Sock Merchant...

...in regards orders, I think you should in those situations go with Option C and order a retrograde maneuver (aka run away bravely)...

...I am increasingly convinced someone has been turning the signposts round in Holland...that or the gin has been flowing a bit too much...

...I think way things are going, perhaps you should commission Mr Dylan and Mr Hendrix, their view from the watchtower might be more appropriate Though I do tend to agree with Albert-reality is merely an illusion, albeit a very persistent one...the same could be said for Letters of Marque...

Game 10 is boiling up very nicely.

In respect of some players The word boiling is very appropriate.

Kerensky wrote:‘Lille Meet Again, Don’t Know Where, Don’t Know When...’ I guess one mans Northern France is another mans Southern Sweden.

- The other view of the Swedes line of march is that they have found out want they are up against and that they are on their own.......and they are now copying that famous Bavarian Military Manover of running as fast as possible for the Dutch frontier and a ship home. Their cunning tactics at Lille consisted of knocking on a Inn Door claiming to be Danish Tourists and asking for a room for the night so they would rest their sore and blistered feet.

& I welcome my favourite dastardly opponent to the honour list, especially with his newly minted letters of the marque. I am guessing his previous versions were in invisible ink? Or on self-combusting papyrus? Or lost overboard?

Thank you for the kind words.....but would like it known that the Letters of Marque issued by the Privateering Branch of the French Navy were issued on the direct instruction of his majesty Louis XIV follow the London conference conventions on Privateering and are written in expensive French Legal Language on top quality paper with a proper seal and everything!

Not sure why the Admiralty decided to re-issue some letters of Marque and extend the invite to non Bourbon ships. I assume they are feeling sorry for the Provest of Aberdeen, Spanish & Anglo-Dutch merchants with Flanders grannies and all those French Knights in the order of Saint John who have not been issued with any of the good stuff from the Privateering Branch and want to join in the fun and profit.

Marshal Bombast wrote:

J Flower wrote:Just to clear up one little misunderstanding UDP or for  That matter any of the maritime powers has declared war on anyone, The troops that have been reported as occupying a L-C city area are actually just resting then moving on.

I hope other players know me well enough to realise that I personally do believe in declaring war before attacking people.

Surprised by the fact that people automatically think UDP has gone to war. Is there so much distrust & ill will creeping onto the forum?

Sorry for any offence caused Jason, I know you play an honourable King William who would not do that in G10. I tend to take a slightly cynical view point when completing the write which comes not from Peter's view but is biased towards the Russian.

I'm sure Richard writes up some newspaper entries to get people thinking or it could have happened but not as an order as intended by the player.  My write up for Japan had a similar approach when they landed on the Philippines but it turned out Japan was renting.

If it's going to cause people to feel I'm having a go at them personally, which I'm not, then I will stop putting that aspect into my write up.  I want people to enjoy the game and try to write from an entertainment point of view with on purpose accidental interpretations and am not afraid to even take a pop at G10 Russia to share it around.

My apologies Jason, I did not mean to upset you or anyone and will be more careful in my write ups in future.

Regards Mark

No Problem Mark & no offence taken & Please, Please, Please don't stop the right ups.

I Admit the action in L-C was all of my own making didn't study the Map properly & the names & places in that part of the map( take a look if you don't believe me) are so close together that I made the order thinking it was one of my towns.

Obviously my Navigational experts from the Russian Admiralty in G 7 have recommended the same Cartography Firm to my G 10 UDP Army. Did wonder why it said "Here Be Dragoons"down the left hand margin.

so no there is no invasion, stupidity & confusion yes but no invasion,

Probably get a mention in the Apollo write up for this, Bugger

Yes. Please keep the write-ups going. Enjoy them all. Good fun.

jamesbond007 wrote:Yes. Please keep the write-ups going. Enjoy them all. Good fun.

I agree, do carry on the writeups, Mark.

Must admit I can understand Jason's mistake. When I saw it in the paper I was puzzled as I couldn't find the town on my G10 maps nor on the Germany map in the Atlas (have 1st edition). It was only when I decided to check my Germany map for G8 that I found it...and even then I had to enlarge the pdf quite a bit before I could be sure which side of the border it was.

Right back to making homemade pizza...

Just going to have the Officers of the De Torsay Regiment Get their Portrait painted in front of the Local Tourist attractions , quick trip to the Gift shop Then all scamper back across the boarder via the duty free shop

Thanks all, I wasn't planning to stop the write ups just thinking should I be more careful.

For the record if I have a problem with someone in game I will make it clear in game or if in person on this forum I will PM the person to resolve. I try to make allowances for phrasing as I can't see body language etc, and generally give the benefit of the doubt. I would hope everyone else would do the same with respect to me.

In the write ups it is non diplomatic and anything is free for commenting on as long as it is in the paper. I will try to pick up on people's sensitivities from the feel of the ongoing forum community postings, but anyone can PM to let me know if there's anything they would prefer not to see with respect to their position.

Jason I've started G9 Bank of Hanover and see exactly what you mean about the map locations, might be a good way to stimulate the tourist trade - calendar of portraits anyone

I have a similar problem in G9...the spellings of many of the Chinese towns and cities have often led to some daft mistakes by me...

...mind you, I did post recently about how in G6 I was trying to open an agricultural academy in St Andrews, Scotland...and ended up opening it on the island of St Andrews, West Indies...

Apologies for the lack of letters this month; a bad back caused by working from home and no weekly swim since March!

Game 10 arrived with many high stakes matters occurring this month.

1. Somewhere at Sea. The world woke to a bang as Trouin showed more of what entered him into the Honour table. His Heavy Frigate equipped with advanced technology helped speed him to victory over a Genoese-Neapolitan corvette fleet.

2. Palermo. saw the French Army under Prince Louis of Conde saw off three lines of Genoese troops before Austrian reinforcements could stabilise the situation. After further firefights the Prince appeared to get bored and took his troops back to town for tea.

3. Paris. The Gallican Church Synod started this month and debated points like ‘Does the Gallican Church exist?’ and ‘Is the Pope in God’s grace?’. We are left wondering as the Gallican Church Cardinals pray over whether to vote in one of two Flanders Cardinals in as the new Pope. All the while there appears to be another saviour for France in the form of Maria-Louise de Forbin, a modern day Jeanne de Arc. Will she save France where the King has so far failed?

4. Dormagen. It appears than the Gin was flowing which attracted the Dutch force to visit Dormagen. The Stadtholder’s own messenger informed the army that they should not be sampling Dormagen gin while on duty. In response the Dutch commander decided there were no such orders about sampling Dordrechcht gin.

5. Edinburgh. In more alcohol fuelled decision making Lord Melville contemplated joining the Catholic war for Scottish freedom.

6. Copenhagen. Danish trade tariffs on Scottish merchants were dropped to 0%. His Majesty King Frederick went to Church while his foreign minister meet with Scottish, English, Dutch, French and Portuguese ambassadors. Does this indicate where the Western Protestant powers thoughts of allegiance and friendship lie?

7. Regensburg. Otto Heinrich von Friesen gave a talk about the complexities of the overlap between international law and local laws and customs around inheritance and succession. The answer appeared to be accept what the law says or go to war.

8. Alessandria . The Duke of Savoy made a counter argument Otto’s talk last month. Highlighting that His Sacred Majesty had pushed Savoy away from the Empire, rather than Savoy distancing herself from the Empire. Given there was still no news about Karl Hapsburg previously reputed to be in a Savoyard gaol one wonders where this exchange will lead.

9. El Escorial. Perhaps in a counter-point coincidence to Otto’s talk King Carlos III married Dona Isabella de Olivares.

10. Turin. Giuseppe Pantaloni Grandi, the Genoese Ambassador to Turin was welcomed to Savoy, but warned that there will be no peace without France.

11. Genoa. The Doge mused over recent events like France declaring war on Genoa and rewarded his troops with a new highly fashionable uniform and cobbled shoes. Finishing the ensemble off with a Defence of Genoa 1703 & 1704 medal. This may have been premature as turning round he found Genoa to be under naval blockade again.

12. Tivoli. Threats of war postponed the Council so His Holiness could concentrate on other things. His Holiness left as a parting gesture that His Most Christian Majesty, Rodrigo, Portocarerro and the Spanish Royal Council are ex communicated.

Another thing for His Holiness to contemplate could include the Orthodox response nailed to the Council room’s door as the Russian Cleric was denied his chance to tell the Council that Orthodoxy could not accept the Pope as supreme. He then left for Vienna.

13. Buda & Pest. Emperor Leopold toured the learned academies there and talked of joining the two cities together. Later he discussed conditions for ending the war, including releasing his son and removing French units from Milan.

14. Kumasi. A blood bonding covenant was formed to strengthen the Asanthene overlord’s position and power.

15. Opuwo. King Nangombe announced an immediate and indefinite truce with King Rozwi.