Game 10

Mystery over turn has arrived.

jamesbond007 wrote:Mystery over turn has arrived.

Thought that would be the case as RIB rec'd back some time ago and new set of orders only just sent off.

Currently a toss up between which bunch of Agema NPC's are more annoying - Roman planning authorities in RIB........real title of game "The trials and tribulations of trying to rebuild Rome with cast of obstructive planners, soddy and very, very, very expensive builders, lawyers, Senators and the mob"

or

Fussy corsair crews who think they should get more prize money but at the same time allow ten Papal merchant ships to get away. 40 if you include the 30 the English allowed to get away. Not seen any of the buggers for months and suddenly they all make a dash for sea probably when Richard finally noticed a loop hole!

Quite frankly using English Blockade rules on what they considered to be of use to hostile troops I can only conclude that the 40 ships were empty of cargo and food supplies even in the ships galley and the crews were all naked or dressed in ladies frocks since textiles which could be used for uniforms also on the banned list.

At least with Scrabble for Empire you expect things to go wrong.

As previously mentioned G10 has arrived.

1. Some large changes on the Honour table this month with the Doge of Genoa dropping from 4th to make way for the Elector of Saxony to storm up 2 places. More impressive maybe the jump made from 10th to 6th by the Prince of Brandenburg Prussia. The Doge of Genoa was replaced in office which may explain the drop.

2. France saw a continued propaganda campaign against the way Imperial and Swedish forces have been making their presence felt. Whilst the French army encircles the allies in a tightening grip. Allied troop movements appear to be closing in on Paris too.

Further visits to the French treasury show it to be empty, one wonders whether King Louis’ cash will ever be seen again. Seems similar to other games of TGOK to be honest.

3. French Corsairs are sinking their ships in ports in a way that would make any Russian admiral proud, however only partially blocking the Goteborg harbour entrance under cover of a moonless night.

Then after dumping the cargo of their 6 prizes, the Corsairs released 1 sailor per prize to go home while the rest of the crews were locked in their respective holds and burnt alive.

No wonder some prominent Corsairs are complaining about being called names to hide a lack of prize money. Maybe it’s because the Trouin clan are now fortifying St Malo and needed to pay for it somehow.

4. The Maritime Powers ruled by King William have now all arrived in Bristol to discuss trade and tariffs reductions.

Meanwhile in London Lord Godolphin has suggested that His Holiness in Rome is not as well liked as the new arrival in Avignon because he believes His Holiness is harbouring King William’s archnemesis.

King William in the Hague announced that he is not planning to get involved in the war against France and Spain as both have recognised England and Scotland’s right to have William as King, alongside their own parliaments.

5. Copenhagen confirmed the continuation of the Sound Dues which will be rigorously enforced, which may further explain the lack of Corsair prize moneys. The national bank was officially opened and a paper currency under was introduced, with John Law making some further recommendations.

6. King Charles confirmed that Sweden had no desire to rule any part of France which belonged to His Most Christian Majesty and his heirs alone.

7. The mystery of potatoes appears to have been resolved with Hesse Kassel having some not Hesse Darmstadt, and no you cannot buy them unless you’re on the approved buyers list. France however appears to have a lot so you could try buying some from them if they haven’t given them all away this month.

8. Handel is in Hanover where he is setting up an orchestra and choir. He has an opening for an apprentice called Bach who seems to be a bit lost currently and not aware of this offer.

The paper is then filled with lots of societal news from central Germany, which though interesting is difficult to summarise here.

9. Portugal has asked the resident Papal Ambassador to leave so as not to upset Spain any further. The embassy remains open while awaiting a new ambassador to be appointed.

10. His Holiness announced in Rome his understanding of the holding of titles in the Holy Roman Empire. He made no reference to stop and search activities by the English fleet nearby.

11. Naples has closed down Spanish facilities there and deployed Austrian troops who greatly got in the way of the local townsfolk and visiting traders as a result.

12. In Kumasi, in the Asante Union concern was raised about the health of the European Ambassadors to the nation. A local remedy is being suggested.

Meanwhile in Accra eyebrows were raised about the extant of Dutch building started in another sovereign state.

13. At Mt. Entoto, Abyssinia, a strange metal has been found and suggestions made to open an academy to study it.

14. Inhambane, in Rozwi territory, is seeing progress in its experimental irrigation techniques, that is until the head of the academy was attacked by a hungry lion.

15. Spain have been moving military units across South America and appealed to French recruits to join Spanish lands in return for gold bullion. Sorry Corsairs less bullion being shipped to Europe means even less prize money for you unless you decide to settle down somewhere warm.

16. Russia suffered a diplomatic setback in Imperial China. It’s believed in Moscow that the Tsar has only himself to blame given past public outbursts.

17. Edo, The Shogan Tokugawa Tsunayoshi, made a great display of compassion towards his subjects by gifting large amounts of money and rice to ensure their safety and wellbeing.

The matter of the earlier drawing of weapons in the Imperial Court and attempted assassination was resolved when the defendant admitted his actions and was given the chance of an honourable death, even if the story against him was a bit one sided.

In a further break from traditional isolationism Tokugawa Tsunayoshi announced a planned new edict allowing any nation to trade with Japan via Edo Harbour, provided that nation has an ambassadorial presence in Edo.

Marshal Bombast wrote:As previously mentioned G10 has arrived.

2. Further visits to the French treasury show it to be empty, one wonders whether King Louis’ cash will ever be seen again.  Seems similar to other games of TGOK to be honest.

3. French Corsairs are sinking their ships in ports in a way that would make any Russian admiral proud, however only partially blocking the Goteborg harbour entrance under cover of a moonless night.

Then after dumping the cargo of their 6 prizes, the Corsairs released 1 sailor per prize to go home while the rest of the crews were locked in their respective holds and burnt alive.

No wonder some prominent Corsairs are complaining about being called names to hide a lack of prize money.  Maybe it’s because the Trouin clan are now fortifying St Malo and needed to pay for it somehow.

Good summary of what has been happening in G10 but would like to make two small points:

a) In other games Louis XIV empty treasury is a mystery. In G10 Louis it is known that Louis had just settled a late Budget payment of £1m on the privateering branch of the French Navy and has also paid £8m to Spain to settle long running disputes and make sure that Flanders is accepted by Madrid and its English allies as a French fief with his Grandson as Duc of Flanders. Suspect that £9m plus £100,000 to set up a new Treasury spent late in the year after upkeep costs covers were most of Louis XIV missing cash has gone! A small budget of £1m to those fine folk in the Privateering branch and French Navy Int is basically a bargain! Most Russian Govts would be willing to pay x5 that amount at least for that amount of Naval skill.

The £8m to Spain to cover Flanders and other o/s Spanish claims ref 200 pressed merchant ships etc is not such immediate good value but I think everyone (who counts) is now happy:

- Lord Godophin gets this loans to Spain repaid early and with interest while the King/Stadtholder William does not have to worry about his English Govt suffering a large financial loss and keeps his barrier fortresses (not needed currently but the Dutch like long term insurance). It also means that Spain and its Empire does not fall in total to either the main line of the House of Bourbon or the House of Hapsburg. But is split with the lion share going to a cadat branch of the House of Hapsburg who perfectly for the Anglo-Dutch-Scots believes in free trade, does not get on very well with Vienna (they seem to only speak via their lawyers) and even better hates and is hated by the pro Jacobite Roman Pope. Basically its a total triumph for Anglo-Dutch-Scots diplomacy.

- For Spain the loss of Flanders is a small blow, but the £8m and French good will is vital if King Rodrigo is going to recover and hold onto a) This Throne against the type of Papal plots/propaganda which has already seen him and his Royal Council excommunicated and his chief minister murdered and b) Recover full control of his much more important lands in Italy and the Med.

- As for France it provides some security for its back and a Flanders shaped fig leaf as the victorious Army of Italy and other troops head home to save their King, Paris, their villages and my barges from rape and pillage at the hands of Swedes and Hussars. Quite clearly the Emperor, Pope in Rome and the King of Sweden have reduced French claims over Carlos II inheritence down to one small Duchy which is a great success. But a the cost of splitting the Catholic Church (note as part of treaty Genoa accepted Pope Leo XII - not the one in Rome - If it backtracks it kisses a £600,000 loan good bye!) and their troops in France how to figure out how to get out of France alive and probably before King Rodrigo starts to take bloody revenge in Italy for his excommunication and plots against him. Probably resulting in 2nd Hapsburg sack of Rome and replacement of old nasty Pope with the nice Leo XII.

b) Slight difference between the professional Corsairs who are sinking other peoples ships, in other peoples ports because that is what they were paid to do so by the French Government (Two ways of making money as a Privateer - loot and payments from own and third party Governments. Three if you include trade helped by cheap supplies of Timber, fish, brass etc and "accidents" to trade rivals)and the Russians who are gifted amatuers in sinking ships and tend to sink their own ships in own ports.

- It should also be noted that the Corsairs take their crews (but sometimes not other peoples crews) off before sinking ships. Think this is something the Russians could consider.

Ha, after all the trouble getting the Buggers on the ships do you honestly think its worth getting the crews off the Russian ships

I think the Russian Admiralty will have to form a committee to discuss the pros & cons of the proposal
Same committee recently decided against teaching Sailors to swim as it may encourage them to abandon ship at the wrong moment i.e. when it is sinking1

It may well be that G10 is about to throw a new Naval Master Class into the fray. The Japanese navy is in its infancy & has just got its feet wet, in the case of a couple of crews , maybe their knees as well, as their maiden voyage ended on a Sand bank in Edo harbour, It seems there is a lot of potential for them to emulate Russian Naval Practice & Traditions.

In France is it really a "Cunning Plan" by French High Command that has drawn the Imperial Forces to Paris ? All seems a bit Blackadder to me, or is it more a case of "Making it up as we go along....."

The Imperial Japanese Navy will live valiantly by the motto "Even after three years a disaster can be good for something"

Normal problem with fire ship attacks is that the crews abandon ship too soon and then it either misses it target or is grapped and pulled away.

If crews of Japanese "Divine Wind" Fireships do not abandon the fireship they can steer it right into the target and cut grapples etc.

If Russians do not teach crews to swim, do not bother with life boats and fill their fire ships with Vodka this would increase chance of crews staying to the end and increase chance of sinking hostile ships as well as their own. Or at the very least sinking even more of their own.

"If Russians do not teach crews to swim, do not bother with life boats and fill their fire ships with Vodka this would increase chance of crews staying to the end and increase chance of sinking hostile ships as well as their own. Or at the very least sinking even more of their own."


Well that's the Secret Plan of the Russian Admiralty at least.

"We Sink Ships "

That was a massive turn and huge amount of work for Richard who does a fantastic job. How he keeps track I will never know! I’m looking forward to Stuart’s abridged write up of events in Saxony; I’m such a shallow player in comparison lol Although I do like the occasional firework display  

A light-hearted competition for all…….guess the location of the new French Treasury? ……….my guess is……….. in Toulouse, guarded by a Spanish army…………..who may still loot it and offer the contents to Sweden lol

Next month’s competition………..how many months before the new Doge of Genoa is excommunicated?

Hapsburg wrote:That was a massive turn and huge amount of work for Richard who does a fantastic job. How he keeps track I will never know! I’m looking forward to Stuart’s abridged write up of events in Saxony; I’m such a shallow player in comparison lol Although I do like the occasional firework display  

A light-hearted competition for all…….guess the location of the new French Treasury? ……….my guess is……….. in Toulouse, guarded by a Spanish army…………..who may still loot it and offer the contents to Sweden lol

Next month’s competition………..how many months before the new Doge of Genoa is excommunicated?

How about:

- Lots and lots of court type activity in Dresden. With Versailles minus a roof following the fire and famished Swedish Cavalry horses eating the Tulips and wrecking the lawns is the Court of Augustus the Strong of Saxony now the most civilized and enlightened Court in Europe?

- Ref proposals for location of new French Treasury what about a Island in the West Indies guarded by the Privateering branch of the French Navy?

- As for the excommunication of the new Doge of Genoa do you mean by Pope Leo XII or Pope Clementi? Since Genoa has abandoned Rome for Pope Leo XII think he is going to get excommunicated fairly quickly by Pope Clementi but if he breaks Treaty with France, abandons Pope Leo XII and returns to backing Pope Clementi he will a) Probably get excommunicated by Pope Leo XII for making promises on the Bible with his fingers crossed behind his back b) Will cost the Bank of St George £600,000 plus loss of interest and c) Expose Genoa and the Genoan merchant Navy to the wrath of France, Spain and Savoy who are all backing nice Pope Leo XII and do not think even Doges should make promises on the Bible with fingers crossed behind their backs.

Probably of no concern at all to Doge is fact that one witness to his promise was one Claude de Forbin. Doges telling fibs to honest upright seaman! Has G10 sunk that low?

Weekend at last!

The new French Treasury would certainly be safe on an island in the West Indies,.......... but would income take until June to be deposited?!; of course I will be desperate to find out where it is ,and as a player, how it was created in-game, difficulties etc - No guesses from anyone else?  

Hapsburg wrote:The new French Treasury would certainly be safe on an island in the West Indies,.......... but would income take until June to be deposited?!;

Or November "That money was just resting in my account!" Pater 'Ted' Trouin

Hapsburg wrote: of course I will be desperate to find out where it is ,and as a player, how it was created in-game, difficulties etc - No guesses from anyone else?  

I suspect it wouldn't be too big a deal other than losing what was in there. A new treasury would have created a negative balance, which could probably have been paid for from Louis' personal wealth if required. December comes before April expenditure so best capture time for more issues would be December if captured just after income came in or Jan/Feb before too much could be spent.

So current location would be where ever Sweden has it held as we're waiting for the new income round. Physical location of the building, think I'd build a fortified treasury which takes a year under a citadel, meanwhile stick the money in the Bank of Denmark to earn interest and blame King Frederick IV if it got taken.

Thought it was fairly obvious where the money was.

Safest place in the world , in a sock under King Louis bed.
Next to the copy of a copy of "Cunning Plans" By Baldric

When in G2 Prussia lost the treasury , there was no expenditure the next round. until the original had been recapture, probably not easy parallels to draw between the two as Prussia was able to recapture Berlin quickly.

There was probably a little bit of honour loss, EH may have fallen I suppose.

No doubt there are some confused treasury workers, trying to work out where they should be reporting for work & how they are going to get that miniature family portrait they had their desk back. & who is going to water the plants.

Was it reported in the Newsletter if the Coffee Money was recovered? Apparently it was in a biscuit box next to the wood stove.

The declaration from King Charles II of Sweden that his army is fighting on the other side of Europe :- "for the divine right of Karl to be King of Spain and that the Papal judgement be accepted."

Has lead to some players including me muttering about funny type of Protestant you get in Stockholm these days and not very historic play. Have just been reading about Charles II of Sweden (Great Battle Captain - but what a head case!) and it seems that I was wrong and anyone playing Sweden can pretty much do whatever crazy sounding thing they want without it being outside the bounds of possibility for Charles II. Mind boggles at what would have happened if the Sultan had taken up offer made by Charles during his exile in the Ottoman Empire and had appointed him Grand Vizier with command of Ottoman Army in 1711 war with Russians.

But what I found really interesting was that Charles II was a fanatical believer (never seems to have believed anything less than 110%) in the divine right of Kings. Also in 1717 he was hellbent on revenge against George the Elector of Hanover and King of England due to various territorial arguments in North Germany.

While most Kings of Sweden would probably have decided on some form of military action in Germany. Charles being Charles decided on a plan to personally lead an invasion force of 12,000 men to Scotland and rise the Clans to restore the true Stuart King and get rid of the usurper George. If plan had come off it could have lead to a great what if battle - Marlburian British V GNW period Swedes.

Historically the Scheme was abandoned when uncovered by English spies. Since I doubt if English Int in 1717 Sweden was that good and in 1717 Sweden was still fighting the Great Northern War with Russia etc my belief it that the Swedes probably told the English themselves to make sure their Kings scheme failed before it got started and gained Sweden another major foe.

Compared to the Historic Charles II of Sweden the G10 version has rather better quality allies but is certainly matching the historic Character in making enemies. French already in full vendetta mode after the Swedes burnt Versailles and parts of Paris including an Orphanage and now he has just called the King of Spain a usurper and lots of other nasty things and proclaimed his mission to replace him.

Also expect the talk about the divine right of Kings (including the Rome based James II?) and Papal Judgements went down like a ton of bricks in various other places.

Can think of a few Spanish Governments (G2, G7, G9 for example) who's reaction to a honour attack calling them a "shabby, ignoble, shameful usurper" would be really impressive. So looking foward to reading about how King Rodrigo responds - and will it involve fireworks to keep the Elector of Saxony/King of Poland happy? Even more important will it mean more Letters of Marque for the collection? On best quality velum with really fancy Spanish seals ?

In G10 have noticed that the privateering branch of the French Navy seems to be being infiltrated by well breed gentle types who get all hot and bothered about having to torch a prize to evade pursuit and get the vapours at the prospect that they may be told off by a Prize Court.

Has anyone else had a problem with "snowflake" Agema NPC's and how do you toughen then up?

So far have "volunteeered" 500 newly qualified French Naval Officer Cadets for a spot of street fighting in the back alleys of Paris. And now have main Prize Court in the Dusky Rose Brothel. In theory decisions of this court can be appealed to a High Court but as that was in Versailles may be a bit of a wait.

Never had this problem with Rumelian Cavalry........oh the good old days when you could expect orders to "burn, loot and pillage" to not run into legal questions.

Stuart Bailey wrote:In G10 have noticed that the privateering branch of the French Navy seems to be being infiltrated by well breed gentle types who get all hot and bothered about having to torch a prize to evade pursuit and get the vapours at the prospect that they may be told off by a Prize Court.

Has anyone else had a problem with "snowflake" Agema NPC's and how do you toughen then up?

So far have "volunteeered" 500 newly qualified French Naval Officer Cadets for a spot of street fighting in the back alleys of Paris.  And now have main Prize Court in the Dusky Rose Brothel.  In theory decisions of this court can be appealed to a High Court but as that was in Versailles may be a bit of a wait.  

Never had this problem with Rumelian Cavalry........oh the good old days when you could expect orders to "burn, loot and pillage" to not run into legal questions.

By not understanding the motivations that Richard deems appropriate for any person or group they're not likely going to do what you want them to. So I either take time to understand them or find a reason to replace them with someone more in my line of thinking. Once I understand their motivations I can start pushing buttons to guide them in a certain direction, not that that always works.

Setting up rules of engagement or in Privateers case rules of escape like naval regulations work well as you can then court martial anyone not following them can be made an example of that the rest can't grumble about. Well they could grumble I suppose, and beware regulations are more like guidelines really.

To deal with any specific insights regarding the current Privateer situation please feel free to write to me in game via the Russian admiralty.

Marshal Bombast wrote:

Stuart Bailey wrote:In G10 have noticed that the privateering branch of the French Navy seems to be being infiltrated by well breed gentle types who get all hot and bothered about having to torch a prize to evade pursuit and get the vapours at the prospect that they may be told off by a Prize Court.

Has anyone else had a problem with "snowflake" Agema NPC's and how do you toughen then up?

So far have "volunteeered" 500 newly qualified French Naval Officer Cadets for a spot of street fighting in the back alleys of Paris.  And now have main Prize Court in the Dusky Rose Brothel.  In theory decisions of this court can be appealed to a High Court but as that was in Versailles may be a bit of a wait.  

Never had this problem with Rumelian Cavalry........oh the good old days when you could expect orders to "burn, loot and pillage" to not run into legal questions.

By not understanding the motivations that Richard deems appropriate for any person or group they're not likely going to do what you want them to.  So I either take time to understand them or find a reason to replace them with someone more in my line of thinking. Once I understand their motivations I can start pushing buttons to guide them in a certain direction, not that that always works.

Setting up rules of engagement or in Privateers case rules of escape like naval regulations work well as you can then court martial anyone not following them can be made an example of that the rest can't grumble about. Well they could grumble I suppose, and beware regulations are more like guidelines really.

To deal with any specific insights regarding the current Privateer situation please feel free to write to me in game via the Russian admiralty.

Thanks for the offer but - Ask the Russian Admiralty for help on HR issues !?

I know I said I wanted the new generation of Corsairs to toughen up a bit......but 140 proof Vodka, Tobacco rations you can tar the bottom of a ship with, black bread and issue of really large whips to the first mate seems a bit extreme.

Stuart Bailey wrote:


Thanks for the offer but - Ask the Russian Admiralty for help on HR issues !?


I know I said I wanted the new generation of Corsairs to toughen up a bit......but 140 proof Vodka, Tobacco rations you can tar the bottom of a ship with, black bread and issue of really large whips to the first mate seems a bit extreme.

Anytime Stuart

You'd be surprised how character building the above can be, especially alongside the occasional dunk in the icy waters of the White Sea!

Marshal Bombast wrote:

Stuart Bailey wrote:


Thanks for the offer but - Ask the Russian Admiralty for help on HR issues !?


I know I said I wanted the new generation of Corsairs to toughen up a bit......but 140 proof Vodka, Tobacco rations you can tar the bottom of a ship with, black bread and issue of really large whips to the first mate seems a bit extreme.

Anytime Stuart

You'd be surprised how character building the above can be, especially alongside the occasional dunk in the icy waters of the White Sea!

Cold water bathing as a way to toughen the morale fibre and improve morale?

Are you sure that this will work for French Corsairs as well as Russians? Only I note that the most happy Corsairs seem to have followed course of a) Take lots of prizes b) Sale ships/cargo c) Sit of beach somewhere warm drinking rum out of a coconut.

Think I may either have warm water corsairs or my lads just reflect the officiers moans about having to pay Danish sound dues on prizes and the shocking lack of protection they are getting from the French Navy.

Honest French seafarers are being chased and harassed by nasty Swedish Lineships and forced to scuttle prizes to get away & where is my protection?

Is this for what hard working French seafarers pay their taxes for?

Oh well now they do not have to defend France from the mighty navy of Genoa perhaps in 1705 the Navy will be able provide French seafares with some protection from being harrassed by the Swedish Navy. Think eating pop corn on the foredeck & passing a bottle of wine while watching ten Swedish Lineships try a handbrake turn and getting battered by say Thirty or fourty French line-ships rather than cold water bathing may be the way to go.

Stuart Bailey wrote:

Marshal Bombast wrote:

Stuart Bailey wrote:


Thanks for the offer but - Ask the Russian Admiralty for help on HR issues !?


I know I said I wanted the new generation of Corsairs to toughen up a bit......but 140 proof Vodka, Tobacco rations you can tar the bottom of a ship with, black bread and issue of really large whips to the first mate seems a bit extreme.

Anytime Stuart

You'd be surprised how character building the above can be, especially alongside the occasional dunk in the icy waters of the White Sea!

Cold water bathing as a way to toughen the morale fibre and improve morale?

Are you sure that this will work for French Corsairs as well as Russians?  Only I note that the most happy Corsairs seem to have followed course of a) Take lots of prizes b) Sale ships/cargo c) Sit of beach somewhere warm drinking rum out of a coconut.

Sounds like they've been allowed to get too used to the good life to me.

Stuart Bailey wrote:Think I may either have warm water corsairs or my lads just reflect the officiers moans about having to pay Danish sound dues on prizes

Might be a leadership issue arising here then. Start the Officers in the ice bath, would give the crews something to cheer about and make them think again about moaning.

Stuart Bailey wrote:and the shocking lack of protection they are getting from the French Navy. Honest French seafarers are being chased and harassed by nasty Swedish Lineships and forced to scuttle prizes to get away & where is my protection?

Please direct your complaints to someone who cares in the French Admiralty.

Stuart Bailey wrote:Is this for what hard working French seafarers pay their taxes for?

The above sounds like taxes are being paid to the Danes, which might not help finding someone who cares in the French Admiralty.

Stuart Bailey wrote:Oh well now they do not have to defend France from the mighty navy of Genoa perhaps in 1705 the Navy will be able provide French seafares with some protection from being harrassed by the Swedish Navy.  Think eating pop corn on the foredeck & passing a bottle of wine while watching ten Swedish Lineships try a handbrake turn and getting battered by say Thirty or fourty French line-ships rather than cold water bathing may be the way to go.

That's your choice was just trying to offer an alternative. Popcorn and wine all day long doesn't sound like a healthy lifestyle to me though

Compared to some Naval Diets like a) Vodka and black bread b) Gin and salted Herring c) Rum and Hard Tack & d) Whiskey and Haggis .......the French Corsair Diet of Wine, Long Life Cheese, Olives in brine, salt cod and BBQ anything actually seems fairly healthy.

However, according to the latest issue the Mercurius Politicus what is not healthy is trying to board a Swedish East Indiaman, since Swedes do not use have East Indiaman but do use Q ships with 50 cannon and 400 strong crews. Probably best not to take chances and just rake it to bits.

I wonder if the Swedish Captain shouted "SURPRISE!" as his cannon opened fire. Certainly appeared to be one.

J Flower wrote:I wonder if the Swedish Captain shouted "SURPRISE!" as his cannon opened fire. Certainly appeared to be one.

Ho, Ho, Ho what jolly japes at the expense of the poor old corsairs!! Have you seen the state of my paintwork on a frigate and a corvette its ruined!!

But unlike watching Swedes try and swim its not really a joke which can be repeated. Tend to view Q Ships as being of value to nations which employ East Indiaman to carry troops and valuable cargo and want to deter attacks on their most valuable liners and convoys. In absence of anything else it could be a Swedish "East Indiaman" gets a surprise attack once and after that its a heavy frigate/3rd rate warship equiped with 12 pounders. Or in French and Spanish Naval term's = Driftwood.

As Jokes go thought the Swedish East Indiaman was a long way behind the Holy Roman Emperor published terms to end the war with France - oh how I laughed they were absolutely crackers. I assume the reason Louis XIV has not replied it that he is still laughing, that or his court jester is still on route to Vienna since he would seem to be the only man in France able to give a suitable reply.

Also hugely enjoyed the Emperor claims made across the whole of Europe that the fires in Paris which killed French orphans and brave sons of Spain had nothing to do with him and were due to the French Criminal Classes (wonder who he means by French Criminal Classes????!!!!). When making these claims did he forget orders given probably some time ago to the Austrian Dragoon regiment which got cut down this month trying to raise more fires in Paris?

Or the Austrian merchant ship taken by the Corsairs this month with a cargo of - Lamp Oil !!! Now I know I have moaned about "general goods" and a lack of interesting cargo in the past. But a whole ship load of Austrian Lamp Oil in Maritime waters ! What the hell was that for? The Great Fire of London?

Surprise! G10 arrived earlier this week.
1. Not much change on the honour table this month with His Most Sacred Majesty dropping past 3 other notables to 6th place. Welcome to The Shogun of Japan making a debut appearance as The Doge of Genoa continues his wanders right off the table, was this because he declared Genoan support for the Papal See in Rome?

2. Heavy rains poured over the conflict in Europe this month, which might partly explain why further Paris fires didn’t spread too far. That and the French determination to stop marauding Hussars from causing more damage in the heart of the French capital.

His Most (currently homeless) Christian Majesty was not seen wandering around Paris, after his visit to 30 Spanish graves and was probably only trying to find a place to rest that didn’t have a hole in the roof and was away from the Swedish forces trying to enter the city and wrecking the joint further.

From the army sizes reported the besieging forces are not much smaller than the defenders, though these figures don’t necessary match reports in previous months.

3. French ships got more than they bargained for when trying to stop further Swedish shipping in the North Sea, as it appears a number of Q Frigates have been roaming around trying to get their attention. 2 ensuing engagements resulted in more leaks in French assets that will need to be repaired.

4. Starvation has hit areas of France with England providing Christian charity to the French populace in a delivery of potatoes that must be eaten soon as they’re likely to go off in the not too distance future. Leaky roofs and the rain probably won’t help their lifespan.

From further reports from Europe to Africa it seems that there are too many potatoes being grown for domestic consumption and that they don’t travel very well. Which is a shame given the 4th famine in a row for Portugal where more people died of starvation this year than in the previous 3 famines combined.

5. The Maritime powers continued their economic council discussing standardising weights and measures and a possible single currency. Politically all 3 nations made speeches decrying the actions and inactions of either side in France with respect to protecting the French populace from fire, lead and starvation.

It would appear however that the French have not replied to His Most Sacred Majesty over peace proposals laid out by Austria in a proposed peace treaty.

6. In Hanoverian Society news a royal wedding is expected in 1706 when Crown Prince Frederick Wilhelm of Prussia is due to marry Sophia Dorothea of Hanover, in Konigsberg

7. Dresden saw the end of a royal visit from Prince Frederick III and his family, following an exchange of gifts and alms. Elector-King Augustus’ gift gave him the chance to recall his personal past successes against the Turks.

The size of expenditure did not go down well with Saxon forces who thought the money would be better spent raising more troops.

8. Despite the huge loss of life in their neighbour, Spain launched a verbal attack on recent Portuguese actions in expelling the Papal ambassador back to Rome. In further rhetoric is seems that Spain is being urged by some factions within to declare war on Sweden.

In a similar tribute to that in France the monarch visited a statue raised in memorial of the brave 30 Spaniards who died in the Paris fires while trying to save children from an orphanage.

9. Preparations appear to be underway for an Imperial tour of foreign lands by the mother of the Emperor of Abyssinia, though concerns were raised that she might not be safe or well treated if she fell ill.

10. In Accra, it appears that the Dutch buildings reported last month as welcomed, though not by all parts of society who are waiting to see the future. What I’m not sure about is whether Osei Yaw Akoto meant the Dutch were clients of the Asanthene as in customers or a client kingdom. The 5 musket raised infantry battalions using local recruits may have something to say in the future.

11. In Khami love has been declared between a member of the Dutch embassy with a wish to marry one of the Rozwi workers in the embassy.

12. Kowloon saw the opening of a grand park for people to enjoy traditional arts like Tai Chi, watch plays and listen to recitals.

13. Edo saw the declaration of the Sakoku Trade Edict, to enable foreign trade with Japan, as long as there is a diplomatic compound in Edo harbour for that nation. The port will be developed of the coming year to increase capacity of both quantity and size of trade ships that could visit.

I wonder how many merchants will be put off by the stories of demons and kami roaming the heart of the Japanese countryside.

14. While not normally commenting on the letters section of the paper, it should be noted that the peace treaty terms offered by His Most Sacred Majesty were printed here this month for all to see.

reading the game newspaper and looking at the terms for peace Austria sent to France. There is no way any player could agree to those terms. those are the kind of demands you send to a player once you have defeated them and they have no choice but to comply.

The war for Paris and France is still very much even. I see no reason or sense in sending France such a demeaning set of treaty demands. IMHO.

Do other players think the Austrian demands reasonable. Or extreme. From neutral points of view of course.