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The Son of the Emperor
Prince Imperial
An Alternative History Affair


The Imperial Throne of Napoleon II, restored from the destruction caused by the return of the Bourbons.​

Chapter 2: The Reforging
Part Two


On December 2nd, 1835, the court of Napoleon II celebrated the beginning of its fifth year in the control of the reins of France. In the years since the prodigal’s son’s return to France, the people of the nation were once again becoming acquinated with the marvels that glory, prestige, honor and might brought. With the nation marking the fourth full year of the crowning of an Emperor of the French, a child had recently been born to the Emperor and the Empress, the first male heir, and second child of the couple.

The first child, was born July 14th, 1832 and promptly awarded the title, her Princess Marie Louise Wilhelmine Bonaparte of France. Though a daughter helped legitimize the marriage, and further establish relations between French and Austrian royal courts, a son was greatly desired by the Emperor. On November 15th, 1835, the first male child, Napoleon Francis Philippe Bonaparte was born. In the style of his father, the Emperor crowned his son and heir apparent « Prince Imperial ». Though unlike his father, the new imperial babe was not given a styled title as the King of Rome.


The suite of Napoleon II at the palace of Versailles.​

At the end of 1835, France had much to celebrate. The colonial occupation of coastal Algeria ; which was a disaster in waiting had become a more suitable colonial destination, and was annexed into France in early 1835. The commission to establish factories had suggested to the Assemblies and Napoleon II on suitable factories based on the projected economic growth . The factories were mostly funded by the treasury of the nation, with small contributions by popular local figures within the departments of France.

Little did the majority of the citzenry know, but there were dark clouds looming on the horizons of Europe. Nationalistic movements threatened to unite the small states of Germany ; which would trouble the relationship with Austria and the overall well being of France. Besides the German nationals clamoring for a unified state, in the south, the Italian states sought out unification, though in what form was highly debated, as Austria had a strangle hold on northern Italy. But at this time, the thoughts of the nation were turned away from the dark clouds, as the year of 1835 ended. Fireworks were going off around the Imperial Court at Versailles, much to the enjoyment of Princess Marie ; though Prince Napoleon slept oblivious to the racket.



 
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Though unlike his father, the new imperial babe was not given a styled title as the King of Rome.

Probably just as well. The Pope, and Franz's grandfather might have something to say about it if he did ;)

And now the action begins! I wonder what the first targets will be? The Perfidious Prussians? The Supine Spanish? Italy has a lot of potential - maybe King of Rome isn't out of the question after all :D
 
Probably just as well. The Pope, and Franz's grandfather might have something to say about it if he did ;)

And now the action begins! I wonder what the first targets will be? The Perfidious Prussians? The Supine Spanish? Italy has a lot of potential - maybe King of Rome isn't out of the question after all :D

We shall see where we go from here. Only time can tell =)
 
Napoléon Ier and Napoléon III were defender of Italian unification. Will Napoléon II follow?
 
Napoléon Ier and Napoléon III were defender of Italian unification. Will Napoléon II follow?

I can share more about that once the game starts. As of tonight, I've completed the first full year of gameplay, and after reviewing all my notes and screenshots should be able to share some info soon.
 
Excitement! It's that first year that tends to have the most upsets - what does the gameplay turn out to be, what will the characters first steps take, who will be introduced to... Looking forward to the first gameplay update. :) I liked the end of this update, especially - it was a good prelude to fireworks later - or perhaps the crackle of gunfire.
 
I completely agree. I've been trying to post an update for awhile and it won't go through. I'll try later.
 
The Son of the Emperor
Prince Imperial
An Alternative History Affair


An 1836 map of Europe.

Chapter 2: The Reforging
Part Three


The Imperial Babe laid upon the elegant sofa of his father’s majestic study room, that had been refurnished with the finest tables of all of France. Although there were ample chairs in the study, Napoleon II and his advisers, Charles Tristan Marquis de Montholon, Gaspard Gourgaud, Nicholas Soult and Emmanuel Las Cases stood in the room hunched over multiple maps and various reports happening throughout Europe. A balance of power had reigned over Europe since the abdication of last Bonaparte, but just recently that balance of power would soon receive its first major test. According to a report that just arrived, the Emperor’s adopted homeland of Austria had just declared war against the Kingdom of Denmark, hoping to secure the liberation of the Germanic people.

After reviewing the maps and reports of Austrian troops heading north towards Copenhagen, the discussion of affairs drifted towards the economy. The state run factories had just been completed in the previous month of December, and as of yet, workers had not began their craft, and if they had, it was not looking profitable at first. The discussion raged about what factories should receive a priority in state funding in the form of subsidiaries. After much debate it was agreed that all factories essential to a possible war effort, the factories that produced the arms, ships, and ammunition would be funded by the state if necessary.


An overview of French factories, recently constructed factories have zero employees at this time.​

As much as the advisors and the Emperor attempted to avoid further discussion, the balance of power kept rearing its head. It was no secret to the Austrians and Prussians that French diplomats were attempting to reestablish favorable relations with Denmark, a former ally during the Napoleonic Wars. What if a preemptive strike was formulated between the Prussians and Austrians ? Though such a scenario was unlikely, it had to be planned for. All men agreed that a rebalancing of French forces in the colonies was needed, though how many troops would need to be withdrawn was in conflict. In the end, 18,000 of 100,000 troops stationed in the colonies would return to France to prop up the military.

The Imperial Babe yawned, slowly waking up from his slumber upon the sofa. As the babe stared wanderously, his eyes drifted towards a bright white and blue flag that swayed across the room he was in. Unbeknowst to the child, a minister from Portugal had just been allowed into the Imperial Study. The minister, the babe’s father and the gathered former marshals of the babe’s grandfather were about to discuss an alliance between Portugal and France. Followed by the minister was the Empress Sophie, who came to take the babe away from the tedious affairs of state. Another fact left unknown to the Prince Napoleon, only one month had passed in the year of 1836.


The Imperial Babe saw a white and blue flag waving around. Unknown to the babe is that Portugal and France signed a military alliance on January 30th, 1836.​



 
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The idea of Portugal allying with a Bonaparte is...odd.

I would suggest favoring Austria over Prussia here, to prevent Prussian hegemony in the area. Keeping Northern Germany disunited is in France's best interest, and gives you the best chance to poach the Rheinland.
 
The idea of Portugal allying with a Bonaparte is...odd.

Anyone other than Britain allying with Portugal seems odd to me too.
 
Stop calling it the imperial babe, it's disturbing ;)

Portugal with a Bonaparte...Better dying !

On the Prussia vs Austria...Austria in this years seems more dangerous than Prussia, no?
 
Stop calling it the imperial babe, it's disturbing ;)

Portugal with a Bonaparte...Better dying !

On the Prussia vs Austria...Austria in this years seems more dangerous than Prussia, no?

Someone is just jealous that they aren't an imperial babe!

And yes, Austria may be the bigger threat, but in the sense of roleplaying, I'm not going to declare war on Austria or antagonize them because of the Napoleon II and his raising with them.
 
without declaring war, maybe try to force them to more moderation.

Imperial babe...maybe l'Enfant Impérial?
 
The Son of the Emperor
Prince Imperial
An Alternative History Affair


Napoleon I on the Arc de Triomphe in Paris, France.​

Chapter 2: The Reforging
Part Four


On a mild winter day, the Emperor Napoleon II rode in the royal carriage to the Place de l'Étoile in Paris, where his father’s masterwork the Arc de Triomphe stood. In 1806, the Arc had been ordered by Napoleon I for masterful defeat of the Austrians at Austerlitz to honor the revolutionaries and his soldiers. In 1810, when Napoleon was returning with his wife, the Empress Marie-Louise, a wooden mock-up of the completed arch had been constructed for the royal couple to pass under. Now in 1836, after years of halted construction due to the restoration of the Bourbon monarchs, and numerous deaths of the architects the Arc de Triomphe was complete.

The nation was not only celebrating the completion of the massive monument. The fallen emperor’s mortal remains had been returned to France just a month before by the British government due to a request received by Napoleon II. The mortal remains of the fallen Emperor were to be forever interned in the large fault of the Arc de Triomphe. At the grand celebration at the Arc, a family reunion of Bonapartes was taking place, with the attendance of Joseph Bonaparte, and Jérôme Bonaparte. An officer and twelve men of the Old Guards followed the every steps of the uncles of the Emperor, and were under strict orders to escort the ‘guests’ back to obscurity once the ceremony had ended.

The days of winter were certainly numbered, and all guests and residents of the Imperial Household at Versailles could tell by the spirit of Prince Marie, who was quite excited about flowers. If the signs of spring could not be seen within the children, then the drums of marching cadets certainly would lift the spirit. In response to the Austrian and Prussian aggression towards the Danish state, the French military would respond with an increase in force by recruiting eight artillery regiments to compliment its current array of infantry.

Not only was the military might rebuilding, the industrial aspect was growing leaps and bounds as was willingly be assisted by a group of capitalists who sought to better the nation. The paths of development lead through a series of railroads. While the railroads were mostly being developed locally in the capitalists home states, plans were on the horizon for a national expansion of railroads. Though at the current time, the treasury of the nation did not meet the financial requirements to fund such a project.


Construction of local railroads, funded by the capitalists of the nation.​


 
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Good to see the capitalists work for their money.;)
 
Good to see the capitalists work for their money.;)

Trying to guide capitalists to build railroads is easy. Trying to guide them to build the correct factory is god awfully hard! So far, in about 4 years of gameplay I've recorded, I've had to hit "X" on the factory they are building until they get an acceptable factory.
 
Ooo - you can guide'em like that. I would have never thought of that - that might be why my relations with capi's are so rocky in V2. :eek:o Live and learn, I suppose.

Reviewing-wise, I just want to say that I support the Imperial Babe. He's a Bonaparte, so he's got the right to do whatever he wants and be called anything he likes. :cool: And I love the optimism in these reforging updates; it feels like the slow, rewarding growth of sunflowers after a hard winter.

Ah, sunflowers- :)
 
Ooo - you can guide'em like that. I would have never thought of that - that might be why my relations with capi's are so rocky in V2. :eek:o Live and learn, I suppose.

Reviewing-wise, I just want to say that I support the Imperial Babe. He's a Bonaparte, so he's got the right to do whatever he wants and be called anything he likes. :cool: And I love the optimism in these reforging updates; it feels like the slow, rewarding growth of sunflowers after a hard winter.

Ah, sunflowers- :)

Oh so true. But sunflowers? Quite an interesting anaolgy there.
 
The Son of the Emperor
Prince Imperial
An Alternative History Affair




Chapter 2: The Reforging
Part Five


Springtime was beginning to make an early presence within the nation of France. With the thawing of the ice and melting of snow, a new life was starting to take hold. This new life force was most evident in the Versailles as a flurry of foreign diplomats arrived from nations of all stature to greet and seek a better relationship with Napoleonic France. The first such minister to arrive was the Secretary of State John Forsyth of the United States of America. During his one month visit, a military alliance was hammered out between the two nations; rekindling an off-and-on relationship that had started in the American Revolutionary War.

The exchanging of kind words between fellow nations and France would continue for the foreseeable future as Napoleon II wished to distance himself from the view that some people held he would simply venture on a conquest spree, tipping the balance of power in Europe. It is hard to argue that the balance of power in the continent had not already been broken with the declaration of war by Prussia and Austria against Denmark; though that was a moot point by this time as nobody seemed to care for a former Napoleonic ally. In a next diplomatic move, the nations of Spain and France began a reforging of their relations; which had been greatly soured during the Napoleonic War.


The month of April would pass without any great diplomatic success. Even without announce able success, the efforts to secure nations to a friendly relation with France continued. Success would soon follow again in the month of May. On May 10th relations with Sardinia-Piedmont were greatly increased. Discussions and rumors of a reunification of Italy with French guidance were running amuck; but as of yet nothing concrete had been reached. On May 20th, in diplomatic coup a military agreement was signed with the thriving nation of Belgium, much to the distaste of the British; which sought to use the nation as a buffer against possible “Napoleonic Aggression”.

With the nations of importance looking at the rise of France’s network of allies, few nations noticed the rise in the military might. Other factors were drawing the world’s attention away from France. On June 8th, the world turned its attention on the American intervention in Texas’s war for independence. With the attention focused elsewhere, France was capable to begin the build up of its armed forces. On July 6th, the training three cavalry regiments and eight artillery regiments had been completed.

In one last diplomatic success of the mid-summer, the Papal States and the French nation agreed to a military alliance. With two of the major players in Italian peninsula within its camp, rumors began to intensify even further that France would push for the unification of an Italian state; which would greatly increase the prestige and might of the Emperor Napoleon II. A diversion was needed to draw away this criticism for “meddling in the affairs of the Italian states”.


 
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Like that! Any plans of the Empereur for Québec?
 
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