Out of character thread XV

[GeneralHankerchief]

I'm assuming with Hans taking the northern route that communication between Dietrich and Hugo is nigh impossible?

[TinCow]

Players may send one message per turn (including the deployment phase) to their comrade general. This will arrive at the end of the turn. Dietrich and the relief army can only communicate via smoke signals until an open line of communication is established. To reflect this, they can communicate only very basic messages - they would know if they are being attacked, could ask for help etc, but no attempts at micromanagement. If during any turn, two friendly generals end the turn adjacent, they may freely confer (without going via me or waiting for the end of the turn). I will inform the players when such open communication is possible.

My guess would be that, due to the bolded portion, you can essentially say "I will sally to your aid" or he can say "Do not sally to my aid." Perhaps a "Do you want me to sally?" followed by a "Yes" or "No." Anything more detailed than that won't work.

[GeneralHankerchief]

Ah, we had set up a series of communications via smoke with econ's guidance - I had forgotten all about that. Thanks.

[econ21]

I'm assuming with Hans taking the northern route that communication between Dietrich and Hugo is nigh impossible?

To be honest, looking at the map, I'd say it's definitely possible. A good rider on a fast horse would have a chance of breaking out. Hans does not really have enough men to bottle up the whole city and his deployment acknowledges this. His cavalry or archers might get your man, but it's not a certainty.

If you send a written message, I will roll a dice to see whether the rider makes it. Of course, if he does not, Hans would get the message.

EDIT: This is in addition to the smoke signals, which are 100% guaranteed. I confess when I devised these rules, I was not aware of how vast Bern is relative to the footprint of the men in the battle.

[TinCow]

I almost feel like we should be placing bets on this. It's as good as watching any sports game. I think I find it even more interesting than the Battle for Rome, simply because of the siege assault mechanics involved.

[econ21]

I almost feel like we should be placing bets on this.

Hasn't Lothar already bet a Household Army?

[TinCow]

Bah, there's more where that came from. Us Bavarians breed like rabbits.

[GeneralHankerchief]

Us Bavarians breed like rabbits.

I know, have you seen the family tree recently? Jesus, I think the Steffens are quickly becoming the Aemilii of KotR.

Oh, and to all potential bettors: I fully encourage dirty deals to Hans encouraging him to throw the battle.

[Zim]

I know, have you seen the family tree recently? Jesus, I think the Steffens are quickly becoming the Aemilii of KotR.

Oh, and to all potential bettors: I fully encourage dirty deals to Hans encouraging him to throw the battle.

Do you think he would do it for two dollars American?

[gibsonsg91921]

i got a shiny new 8 rupees!

[Zim]

I think I have to take up that offer about answering questions again.
Where is the best place/thread to find out who controls what provinces, especially in Swabia? Since the borders are so much beyond Germany proper I'm a bit confused.

[Northnovas]

Hey Zim

Here is the link but it has been inactive so it is quite a few post down but it gives the origins. Welcome!

https://forums.totalwar.org/vb/showthread.php?t=80176

[GeneralHankerchief]

There are two places to determine who owns what:

First off, as far as hierarchy goes, check the first post of the Chancellor and Governor Report's Thread.

Second off, a more up-to-date list of the Reich's provinces and how they've fared in the Cataclysm can be found in the second or third post of the Imperial Messenger Service thread (TinCow has linked to it in the post below me).

[TinCow]

Here is a better link:
https://forums.totalwar.org/vb/showp...01&postcount=2

But here is even better info:
Controlled by Duke Hans and Loyalists:
Staufen
Metz
Rheims (besieged by French)

Controlled by Wolfgang Hummel:
Caen (besieged by French)
Bruges
Antwerp

Controlled by Dietrich von Dassel:
Bern (besieged by Hans)

Controlled by rebels loyal to no one:
Dijon

Lost to the French:
Paris

[Zim]

So, changes from the rebellion aside, "Swabia" encompasses much of western Germany and French territories taken?

[GeneralHankerchief]

Yes.

Swabia = west
Franconia = north
Bavaria = south
Austria = east

Generally, of course, but that's what you really need to know.

[Zim]

Ok, and as far as relations between them and the Swabian Civil War:
-Bavaria has helped the Lutheran Rebels
-The Franks have helped the Loyalists
and
-Nobody has helped Hummel?

As an aside, since it's been confirmed I am playing a recruitable general (making worries about messing up characterization of an established character moot) I think it's time I publically declare for Hummel.

For Flemish Cloth!!!

[Ignoramus]

Jan is a Franconian, but was formerly King of the Outremer. The Franconian have not officially supported anyone, as they're too busy trying to survive.

[Zim]

So the correct version would be this?
-Bavaria has helped the Lutheran Rebels
-King Jan have helped the Loyalists

[GeneralHankerchief]

Jan and Elberhard to a lesser extent (sending money)

[TinCow]

Lothar Steffen (Duke of Bavaria) gave Dietrich von Dassel military support (in the form of a Bavarian army).
Jan gave Hans financial and military support (in the form of his Catholic army, though it also resulted in the creation of a Lutheran army to aid Dietrich).
Elberhard gave Hans financial support.
Peter von Kastilien (Duke of Franconia) gave Hans military support to help subdue rebel Metz (real in-game rebels, not Civil War style rebels). His support has not extended beyond that and likely will not since Franconia is the most heavily pressed House at the moment.

That's the extent of 'outside' involvement with Swabia. Also, while Hummel has not recieved any aid of substance, he has probably been involved in diplomatic contact with multiple people. I can only speak for Lothar, but Lothar is certainly friendly towards him and not hostile. Even if Dietrich wins at Bern and becomes Duke of Swabia, Lothar would support a negotiated settlement that benefits both Dietrich and Hummel. Speaking from my role as GM, Hummel's main problem is that he is totally cut off from any potential allies. The French, Dutch, and Swabian Loyalists surround him. There is no real route to send money or reinforcements to him without a significant risk of them being intercepted. That said, he seems to have done very well on his own. His main challenge at this point is fending off the AI attacks on his mini-Duchy, though that could change if Hans wins.

[Zim]

Thanks, Tincow. Now I know what I'm getting into.

Can I get "Go team Dietrich" pins for the battle of Bern?

[AussieGiant]

I tell you what guy's...explaining things to Zim has certainly given me a new perspective on just how convoluted things have become

I will be fighting my rebel scum this evening around 20:30 GMT +1.

[econ21]

I tell you what guy's...explaining things to Zim has certainly given me a new perspective on just how convoluted things have become

I think it is quite delicious, isn't it? Remember there was a time - around when we started thinking of a cataclysm - when the Diet and internal politics seemed bland?

[AussieGiant]

I think it is quite delicious, isn't it? Remember there was a time - around when we started thinking of a cataclysm - when the Diet and internal politics seemed bland?

Hi Econ,

I was just saying to TC yesterday that I'm starting to look forward to the post cataclysm resumption of the Reich more and more now.

It's going to be a great time!!!

Now onto a sad note...I'm about to head off to Japan this Sunday for another 4 weeks of work (maybe I'll cut it short to three weeks)...my plan is to hand over battle duties to OK, and as usual I will be an active member in all aspects except fighting the battles. Having high speed permanent internet is one of the benefits of managing an application for a company.

I'll be GMT +9 though. Basically on Aussie time like a few of the guy's here.

Oh and Econ...when you have a chance can you reply

Thanks.

[econ21]

Oh and Econ...when you have a chance can you reply

Sorry - I've had 44 PMs since yours, so I am a bit swamped. But anyway, I think Elberhard is going to go for an enigmatic silence at the moment - he's not being obtuse or non-responsive, it is just that it was not clear to him that Arnold's last letter required a reply.

[econ21]

Just to clarify one issue for the battle of Bern generals: I roll a dice for each order you give. On a "1" it is not implemented. If the general is adjacent to the regiment or division receiving the order, then I do not roll. The general cannot be adjacent to more than two formations. So if you set up a general imbetween two divisions, those two divisions will do what they are told - provided they are close enough to be considered adjacent. (The unit icons should be virtually touching on the map.) I will use the maps provided to identify if the general starts a turn adjacent to a formation.

[AussieGiant]

Sorry - I've had 44 PMs since yours, so I am a bit swamped. But anyway, I think Elberhard is going to go for an enigmatic silence at the moment - he's not being obtuse or non-responsive, it is just that it was not clear to him that Arnold's last letter required a reply.

Understood.

[TinCow]

Just to clarify one issue for the battle of Bern generals: I roll a dice for each order you give. On a "1" it is not implemented. If the general is adjacent to the regiment or division receiving the order, then I do not roll. The general cannot be adjacent to more than two formations. So if you set up a general imbetween two divisions, those two divisions will do what they are told - provided they are close enough to be considered adjacent. (The unit icons should be virtually touching on the map.) I will use the maps provided to identify if the general starts a turn adjacent to a formation.

Hans doesn't have divisions though, due to his command ability. Does that mean his chance of unit orders going astray is calculated for each unit?

[econ21]

Hans doesn't have divisions though, due to his command ability. Does that mean his chance of unit orders going astray is calculated for each unit?

FH and I have just clarified that by PM - he's going to group his units into divisions and each turn, he can choose to move a regiment by either a divisional order or a regimental order. It's a trade-off. 20 regimental orders imply rolling some 1s. Divisional orders mean less risk of rolling a 1, but a bigger mess if you do. A divisional order would probably be best if the division is adjacent to Hans, although even then it would imply less flexibility (no micromanaging units).

EDIT: other generals can also give regimental orders, but that means one less divisional order can be given.