WAR!!!

[Sabrina de la Courcel (D)]

So i'm going to open this thread up... basically I started this whole idea of having a war between Menekhet and TdA.... but I've kinda lost all my ideas... I'm not really a war machine myself so I'd like to get some opinions on the whole situation...

What does everyone want to see happen? Are people still interested on having it proceed? Does anyone have any ideas?

[Faolan mab Ceallach]

I totally think it you should make it happen. You could do a draft for all the young men to participate. It might also be a good way if people wish to kill off characters to get that done as well, unless it is not meant to have many casualties. Also, it would be interesting if there were characters hiding from the draft, be all underground. And depending on how big you are wanting it to be, you could get other countries involved

And if theres a way that Faolan could have a part in helping out with her "talent" to pre-empt she'd love to.

[Nicola de Montoya]

I agree with Angel, this is a great idea with the potential for site-wide involvement. Aside from what she mentioned, if the war goes on long enough, there are things like food shortages and rationing (especially if the war comes to tda soil, if it's in menekhet, then money is an issue to supply the troops). Omg I need a General or something lol....

[Sabrina de la Courcel (D)]

Ya, my thoughts would be that the war would hit TdA soil but it would never really reach too far inland... I was also thinking it would be cool to have it be like... a mostly navy battle...

I like the idea of drafting... but some how I think most d'angeline men would like like... "no need to draft us, we're ready to fight!" But certainly an interesting idea that we could try... I like that rationing or shortages too... I wasn't planing on making it a long time... like... a year (board time line) because the idea is that Menekhet's only using the war as a way for Bast to claim the throne and pull a coupe (spelling?).

[Mordred no' Mandrake]

I love this plot.... so different from the regular stuff thats going on. I would totally be in for playing Menekhetans... I have a ridiculous font of useless information having studied Egyptology and ancient history in university. Maybe not so useless afterall. X3 A Naval battle is a good idea since Menekhet is under the Hellene influence in this storyline. The Egyptians were not navy men but charioteers and foot, for the most part, until the Greeks came and wrecked everything. Sorry, bias. hehe.

Does Pharaoh need a real slimy, snakey vizier? I already have ideas. LOL.

Also if 'Fand is needed, he can see future events if he uses his creepy Aka-magus powers.

And I have an ex-Cassiline character I was going to try to get approved just before Mordred came up... if you need a big beefcakey older warrior type.

[Sabrina de la Courcel (D)]

Technically the story is that the Pharaoh has a daughter, she's his first child and only "legal" heir to the throne. But they're old school and they don't want her to have the throne... She's cool with it so she ends up marrying early on in life because everyone assumes that the Pharaoh will produce sons with his queen... Problem is she never does, and dies fairly early due to all these miscarriages. During that time though, he has a son by one of his concubines and he comes up with this grand plan to secure his throne.

So he secretly kills Bast's (his first child and daughter by the queen) current husband and then pushes Bast to marry the Pharoah's eldest son and her half brother. She sort of agrees, but its mostly because she's so out of sorts with the loss of her beloved. Anyway... not too long after she finds out that her father is actually the one who planned the death of her husband and Bast kinda snaps. She looks at her loser half brother, who's really not very smart, squanders the royal family's money and sleeps around all the time. But her father things because the half brother is male that he'll do a better job as Pharoah when the old one dies.

So Bast does what any self respecting woman would do and hatches a plot to murder her half brother and take over the throne for herself. While her father is alive, she spends years underground, creating an up rising that are all loyal to her being Queen instead of her stupid half brother.

Soon after her father's death she plans an expedition to Terre d'Ange (because she has a daughter from her first marriage so she's coming on the pretense of having the daughter married to the Queen's brother... or if not that strengthing trade between countries). But when she returns to Menekhet she has her brother killed and claims that its the D'Angeline that have done it; they want all the prosperity of Menekhet... propaganda, propaganda, propaganda... And rallies her country to war hoping that the war, combined with her brother/husband's death, that she'll be able to just simply step in and take the throne without any one really questioning it.

So there will be a short war, while she gets herself elected to be sole leader and Queen, using the fight with TdA as a beard... She doesn't plan on wining, or even fight too hard (doesn't want to loose all of their resources or the favour of her people), and eventually she'll say that the D'Angeline have decided to withdraw, that they've sent Menekhet the man that killed Bast's brother/husband (it won't be true, and he'll probably just be some kidnapped D'Angeline (scape goat)), and she'll exicute him in public, then declaring the war over....

What happens after that we can worry about later... but thats the premise of whats supposed to happen.

[Queen Coretta de la Courcel]

THIS THREAD MAKES ME MISS AUGUST.


... That's all. Miri can get out of my head now.

[Asfandiyar Azarkevanejad]

So its Cleopatra-ey but more angst. Cool. X3

[The Monarchy]

ya, I used some actual historical information but just twisted it a bit to suit the situation.

[Okal nó Valerian]

Oooh, I like the story plot... remember how I e-mailed you about Therin's father.. maybe instead of being mixed in with the war on the wrong side.. he could be the guy that get's kidnapped and used at a scape goat! I just want Therin to find out about it.. somehow.. I just like to torture him.

All of my military/war info is from watching Chinese epic movies and studying the first emperor of China for a history class (I am absolutely in love with the movie Hero, so had to see what was true/not true). So, I know a little bit of battle theory, but it might not apply to this, since these were long term battles out to destroy everyone.

There were some nasty as hell Chinese generals, that is for damn sure! One took an entire army of unarmed men (they had surrendered), gathered them together (in one movie they did so in a court yard, but I think it was in the open IRL) and slaughtered them all. Some history claims there were 10+ thousand of them, but many historians think thats an exaggeration. That same general did win a lot of battles for the Qin Emperor.

[Faisan nó Balm]

Aside from the fact it's an exceptionally cool idea, historically and geographically it's very possible to have a war, particularly if other countries (the small islands around C.U. jump to the eye as staging posts, the mainland being a leeeettle too well defended behind its navy) get involved. If the Queen is as cunning as to create the whole "beard", I don't see why she couldn't have a few loyal soldiers dress up in D'Angeline rags and torch a few of her own little border villages. Or even hire mercs for the job. Could call it a D'Angeline incursion; wars have been started on less.

How would it end, though? Usually a country that loses a war is forced to pay very heavy penalties, in gold and goods. Does she have a stockpile somewhere that will appear to be delivered by the D'Angelines along with the scapegoat? Nothing soothes people better than shiny expensive trinkets and good D'Angeline wine... And such a victory is bound to make her even more exalted as Queen...

Now I really want to make the stablehand that's been haunting my head.... Them soldiers might need horses.

[Prince Pierre de Somerville]

If you need captains or anything else, Pierre would gladly volunteer.

[Okal nó Valerian]

Oooh, working off the previous post, Bast could purchase her wine through Therin's dad and therefor kidnaps and then kills him to hide her tracks.

[Sabrina de la Courcel (D)]

My idea was that Bast would journey to Terre d'Ange at the very first sign of spring (at which point her brother is still alive... duh ) for an envoy to check out the place for herself... At this point it would be made clear that Bast has been ploting to use the D'Angelines for a long time. When she returns to Menekhet some time later, she'd be filled with stories and propaganda (which would be something to come... not really sure what she would say).

At this point, thats when the plan would really be inacted and her brother is killed; at which point, I love the idea of having her have people dress in D'Angeline garb... or even pay some moron D'Angeline merchants... to cause a ruckus. At which point she kills her brother and its on.

For the D'angeline side, since it doesn't look like any one's interested in making menekhetan characters (*winkwink nudgenudge* now you should all be thinking... why don't I create a character!), it will probably consist of a fete because of Bast's arrival, then potentially some rumblings about Bast being in TdA... but then once the envoy returns to Menekhet and the war starts... most of the Rping will be about the men going to battle, potentially the storyline that the nation has to ration its wares... or even stuff having to do with parliament (which you should all remember I said this for later when I bring up parliament again, because I have more additions in that area). I'm sure we can also work in a few group battle scenes.

My idea is that what ever happens that this is a group effort. As for Therin's dad and that storyline, there may be a way to incorperate it. But what I'm really looking for are storylines that either include the whole board, or small groups of the board, not just individuals.

[Wenyan Xue (H)]

I already said I'd do Menekhetans. XD All the mains are taken though... so what is needed?

Also my ex-Cassiline has become a sort of famed ex-General of the army of TdA. If you need him, I'll submit him too. He's a 40 year old ebony beefcake, should the soldiers be interested. XD

[Idaeus nó Mandrake]

Maybe it would be easier, planning wise, if everyone said who, character wise.. would be involved and to what point. I'll start out and others can jump in if they want.

Caine - He would fight if asked of the adepts, he wouldn't look like much of a warrior and have to be trained in swords or some combat, but he would have good natural instincts

Cossette - she would play field medic in a heart beat, in fact... she would probably play field medic if she wasn't tied up in her room.

Eyvind - if people were being recruited he would go as long as Uruz gave his blessings, if Uruz volunteered.. nothing would keep him out. He would be fighting for TdA of course.

Okal - He would fight if asked/recruited, but he wouldn't really be good for the battle field I don't think. Though I don't plan on killing anyone... he would be the most likely to die probably.. well other than Aaliyah maybe.

Piao - He would try to stay in contact with the Queen or someone in charge and send word to Ch'n for assistance.. so, if you want to throw them in as maybe reluctant Allies, you can. Ch'n did have a pretty happy population in this generalized moment of history and they were one country with a little less stress from their neighbors, so the king could spare a few (though I don't think its ever been in Ch'n/China's nature to go all out with the ally thing.. I am not sure though since my knowledge of them is more during the waring periods).

Therin - he would fight, 100%, though it would piss off his family (he is their one male heir). He would actually look forward to it and maybe be a little zealous.. but I don't plan on him being so zealous he kills himself.

Aaliyah would be preggo, probably, and out, Idaeus and Lilith would purposely stay as far away as possible. Xiu would be worrying only of his brother, though, from what I've read so far I don't think he will have to worry.

Of course there is Nanu and she will be doing whatever Bast tells her... even if it does result in her death (which I am open to her dieing).

[Prince Pierre de Somerville]

Good idea, Tosha!

Prince Pierre de Somerville - would presumably serve as some kind of captain given his royal rank, and would defend TdA to the death. (I don't really want him to die, though)

Benedict Liatris - see above, though would probably be more reluctant thank Pierre

Lord Antoine de Silvain - would go if drafted, reluctantly

Lord Aramis Shahrizai - would go if drafted, not reluctantly

Selwyn nó Balm - would go as a medic in a heartbeat

Conrad nó Dahlia - would fight to the death (though I don't want him to die either)

LaValle nó Alyssum - would be absolutely useless

[Sabrina de la Courcel (D)]

I'll probably start out by saying that adepts/non-military won't be drafted... there probably won't be a draft period. As much as I'm looking forward to this, its just one of (hopefully) many upcoming major plots envolving the board.

Also, if people want to kill off characters via this war, by all means, but no one will be made to kill of characters... so if people are worried about that... don't. ;D

As far as characters being given title/ranks within the army won't be based on their title within society... for example Pierre. People with characters that are nobles or royals, won't just be automatically given positions.... That being said, if a character has a military background (been in a war, trained to fight, etc.) will certainly be considered for positions.
Now... this is just me personally, may hap my staff will disagree and this can certainly be talked about... but if people want to create military characters in specific ranks then I'm happy to look at bios and what not.

What I would love to see, is some ideas about situations that people want to see. Again, I know that probably most people don't have military backgrounds here... but what I would love for us to talk about is a time line of events we might like to see...

For example;

• 1st week of Spring- Bast and her envoy come to the city (may be a fete for her arrival), may be rumours begin about why she's arrived.
  
  
• (Insert date) Spring- Bast returns back to Menekhet... Takes D'Angelines with her? (etc)
  
  
• (Insert date) Spring- War begins with.... (insert event)
  
  
• (Insert date) Spring- Battle of... (insert event)
  
  
• (Insert date) Spring- (Insert event etc)
  
  
• Beginning of Summer- War ends....
  

I think, in my opinion, it would be better to have an outline of what we would like to see happen... then we can decide which characters will fit where into what events. I figure that this way, depending on the situation, different characters will be involved in different things. Court gossip, meeting with military, Queen pulls her hair out... you know, those sorts of things.

I like the idea of what you started Tosha, so for every one that replies, feel free to go ahead and do the same as Tosha and Champion, as it certainly can't hurt... But if people want to also include ideas on events as well... that would be super!

[Sophine Shahrizai de Amodour]

I have to agree, I definitely think it helps to have an outline of events ;D

So, thinking about your list, here's a few ideas:

1. Bast comes to Terre d'Ange, I think you've got that part - a fete, some gossip, maybe she does a little reconnaissance/scheming while she's here (maybe some d'angelines become traitors? maybe those who don't support Sabrina see this as a way to oust her?)

2. Bast returns to Menekhet - I think it would be a great idea to send a delegation of d'angelines ... while there, I'm sure we can think off interesting things that can happen to/with them.

3. War begins with - I think murdering some of the delegation would be a great kick-off to war (obviously NPCs unless anyone wants to get have a character murdered, lol). Just a thought

4. Battle of ... we can go lots of ways with this, I think I'd see how the storyline is progressing before I suggest something here

5. Same with any other war-related events

6. War ends - Since the war is only a diversion, I would imagine that at some point Bast capitulates and withdraws, with a token "surrender" that gets the d'angelines off her back

As for my characters and where they would fit in, let's see:

Sophine - not very involved, although she is going to Menekhet, I'm not sure if the timing will play out right for it to happen during the war

Avianna - won't really affect her at all

Noelie - She is a healer, so there's some potential for her treat injured d'angelines

Vivienne - won't really affect her

Bryanna - will only affect her as it affects Coretta

Manon - won't really affect her

Christien - I'd love for him to be part of the delegation that goes to Menekhet, otherwise he will likely use this to undermine Sabrina

Raen - probably will not affect him much (he's a lover, not a fighter)

Jaime - as a General in the army, he'll be on the battlefield for sure

Yves - he has a military background so he would go and fight as well

Denis - he'll probably make some money smuggling extra Menekhetian goods lol

Veronique - won't really be affected

Naia - probably won't even notice there's a war

Nicola - won't really be affected

Niamh - won't really be affected, she can fight but not sure that she would, since she is not d'angeline

Guy - If the Cassilines fight, he'll go - depending on where the trip with Sophine is. He might be gone before the war starts and not find out in time, or alternately find himself in the thick of it when they get to Menekhet.

Daenara - won't really affect her, although she might make some money supplying ships if the d'angelines travel by sea.

Althea - won't really be affected

[Gadleon Shahrizai]

Sorry I have not tossed in much on this planning. I was on vacation and well after running a World of Darkness site for many years as well as being a long time story teller there I have little stomach for planning any longer. Five hundred or so players clamoring for your input over a series of years will do that to you! I think the term they use is jaded.....

Anyway here is my input:

I would offer up that the start to hositilities would need to be over something the two countries really care about.....money! That starts most wars and would give Bast her suitable reason for a diversion. My suggestion would be to have Menekhet seize some shipping as there is nothing like a little piracy to get the ball rolling.

This could all lead to Niky's idea of a delegation sent to negotiate and subsiquently murdered.

Conflict on the board will also be difficult to manage. There are no dice to toss to determine who comes out on top and well we are all guilty of not wanting to play the fall guy. So I would suggest that admin. lays out the general order of things before conflict level posts start.

On the front of my characters:

Gad - I have played him as one of the finest sword arms in the land he would of course be involved. He could even possibly be named as someone's champion if a duelist was required.

Jareth - Has been played as a great military mind though a bit on the laid back side. If I recall correctly Kerri you and I even once discussed him possibly being named head general. With his terminal middle age he is obviously more of the planning sort at this stage of his career.

Pieter - Is an ambassador from a great naval power he would be all over this as a chance for his country to suck up to TdA.

UT - One large Skaldian weapons smith he is seeing dollar signs.

Matt - Is a passibly skilled archer but has no burning desire to risk his hide.

Greg - What war? Hell I am already doing my duty trying to sire children I do not want with a woman I do not know.

[Avril Shahrizai (I)]

This all sounds good, but most of my characters are female, and of little to no use in any kind of fighting. Tsura is the most active, and she would only be able to dance circles around the enemy. Not that the fighting is likely to reach the City. Ryahn, on the other hand, could be put to use as an arrow maker, since he already knows how to work with wood.

[Landis d'Ames nó Mandrake]

I don't think any of my characters would be involved at all.

Emile - Stuck maintaining order in the Palace, following the Queen around 24/7 and fending off any would-be assassins.

Landis - "I'm a lover, not a fighter, remember?" Will likely spend his days having orgi--er "boosting public morale".

Leandre - Busy spending his days facepalming over the anti-Menekhetan propaganda that's probably going to be churned out over the course of the war. Possibly shutting himself up in his house in the City until everything blows over.

Catherine - Um, yeah...let's move on...

Mael - "Are you KIDDING ME?! I'm still trying to find those men who killed my father! And are you nuts, sending a blind man into a battlefield?!" *huffs*

Adelaide - I don't think you want someone so young and so clumsy on a battlefield. She's a walking disaster waiting to happen.

[Wenyan Xue (H)]

My current charas are pretty out of touch with war in Terre D'Ange as foreigners and adepts... but...

~'Fand: The one possibly useful one. He dreamwalks and can see the future by doing crazy Aka-Magus crap. He could see hostilities in TdA-bound Menekhetans by touching them, perhaps accidentally, and try to pass on the message. He is also starting to identify with his Shahrizai roots so perhaps would feel patriotism burning in him. But having him fight would be like throwing a mildly pissed off kitten at the ravenous raiding party. >_>

~Mordred: He's fit to fight, but if Adepts arent being sent by force, I highly doubt he'd volunteer. He will defend his home turf though, and is an absolute monster when let off leash. There are possible character developments here though, as far as where the hell he comes from and why he has no past. *shrug*

~Xue: Yeah he's totally not even vaguely useful. Foreign, neurotic, sick all the time and physically weak.... *L* Not to mention the only thing in the world he'd fight for is his bro.

And my possible char,

~Auberon: I will bring him if he can be important in the army somehow. But I dont know if he's needed yet. Will pm admins.

[Idaeus nó Mandrake]

From the recent posts the Fete sounds like a very good idea. It will give non-military players a chance for some involvement. Also, if adepts are invited to the fete it would give Bast a chance to pick up a d'Angeline recruit, though I didn't make her with the war in mind. Lilith's personality and hatred over her parents banishment would make her a likely target.

I suppose if that means that she gets killed I could deal with it.... and make a new different character later

So, to redo my list based on no draft...

Therin would still be out there, fighting, since he will offer his services and he does have skill with a sword.

Cossette will be for any medical aid that is needed.

Eyvind would be assisting Uruz in weapon making

Piao would try to get some assistance from his father or at least consider the idea (no matter how unlikely.. he would probably travel back home and plead his case).

Lilith - A turned d'Angeline


I am with Gene on the event to start the war, though I don't know if that is one with a lot of characters, unless people just want to throw in witnesses. The fete and the battle so far sound like the big group plays. To give people actual RP fighting vs. "I ran and slain the enemy" you could maybe have people do NPCs just for that thread. Though of course if all the PCs are going to win it would sort of be a little god modding, but would be fun to RP if that doesn't bother anyone. If each fighting character put in a NPC then it would make things equal.. Just have people make a "NPC Soldier/Archer/Whatever" account and skip the backstory. You would only use the NPC in that one thread. I don't know if, admin wise, that flood of accounts would create problems though. I'm assuming deleting them would delete the threads which would make things read funny if anyone went back in to read. But, maybe an idea? Just throwing things out

I did a little random reading on wars/coup d'etats but event wise I think we have all of the basics covered with Gene's mention of a catalyst to start things up. The other thread you could do, pre war, is have the Queen address Terre d'Ange with a big "we didn't start this but we will finish it," it speech. A big moral booster, show off some of the higher ranking soldiers in their shinniest uniforms, etc. Sort of like the speeches the Presidents always give before a major event where they always manage to interrupt your favorite show. That will give another even where people can have their characters react, or for those who's characters like to hide in the dark... they can find out the details.

[Idaeus nó Mandrake]

OH, another thought on the NPC thing.... have people make a single NPC for their accounts.. so, "Tosha NPC" and then just keep them around for future threads. It will also keep you from having 800 random accounts. Put names in a hat... Tosha gets drawn with Gad and so my NPC "fights" with him. It will make sure everyone has something and make it more random/real lifish since of course in battle you don't stand at the front line and say, "I'm taking the one on the right and Bruce you take the one in funny pants." If a person has two fighers they would just use their one account and say @gad to start the post. You just have to make sure no one is fighting their own character.

anyways, if you have any interest in my idea I'll brainstorm further... since I know I'm taking this away from the traditional RPG play on this board and probably heading more toward the pen/paper/dice methods (though without the dice of course).