Gnomes de Guerre, a Bavarian AAR

[Duuk]

In our dimension, two societies battle for control of the Earth. The Bavarian Illuminati, and the Gnomes of Zurich. In our dimension, this struggle is a secret war, behind the scenes.

But in other dimensions, this war has been altered, even changed fundamentally.

In the following dimension, the Illuminati rule Switzerland (sometimes called Helvetia), and the Gnomes operate from Bavaria. They prefer the climate.


In this, "The Improved Grand Campaign", things are generally as you know them from your own "Grand Campaigns", with minor exceptions. You'll likely note them on your own. If not, I'll tell you when they affect the game.


And so, without further ado, I give you:

Sniggle and Snarf, the Gnomes de Guerre.


Edit: Changed the color that was offending so many people.

 

[Duuk]

"Sniggle", Snarf said with a hint of a question.

"Yes, Snarf?", replied Sniggle, without so much as turning to face his longtime companion.

"Well, we're here in Bavaria. It's nice and all, really it is. Quiet, rather peaceful. But the local rulers seem to have almost nothing in the way of ambition. I really feel that, without our help, Bavaria will quietly go about its existance until someone swallows it whole."

Sniggle really couldn't argue with this assessment. Bavaria was a small area controlled by Ernst. Ernst was a young man, healthy as any Elector possibly could be. But, and at this Sniggle sighed, he had absolutely no ambition. "Well Snarf, what do you propose we should do about this dreadful lack of ambition?"

* * *

Ernst surveyed the map in front of him. It was January 1st, ANNO 1419. What he found was oddly disquieting to him.

"My Lords of the realm. Counts Solingen of Bayern and Staubing of Ansbach. Before us is Europe in endless opportunity. Ours for the taking, so to speak." Ernst spoke with a glassy-eyed look.

Staubing of Ansbach looked concerned. Solingen, Count of Bayern looked complacent. Something is terribly wrong, and I really need to know what is causing this, thought Staubing.

It had been rumoured that Prince Ernst had been sleeping fitfully through the last several weeks. He had awakened just two weeks past and screamed at the top of his lungs. When the guard entered his chamber, the Prince was raving about the little men who were haunting his dream. When asked who the little men could be, the Prince could make no sensible names or sounds, simply saying, "Sniggle and Snarf" over and over. Suffice to say, the court was more than slightly worried by this behaviour.

Solingen had the same glassy eyed look, and this was enough to worry Staubing. These two men were the most powerful in the realm, with Staubing being a distant third. If they were both overwhelmed by demons, then the realm was already lost. My best course will be to rein these two in and prevent the wars they will surely lead us into from getting out of control, Staubing decided.

* * *

"Sniggle, did you manage to get control of the Count of Ansbach? I can manage both Prince Ernst and the Count of Bayern, since they fairly well stay close to each other." Suddenly, Snarf realized that Sniggle was being quiet.

Very quiet.

As a matter of fact, exceedingly quiet.

"Well Snarf. You see, there was this maid. And as I was just about to sneak into Staubing's chamber, she saw me. I spent the rest of the night explaining to her that she really DIDN'T see a four foot tall man with a long beard and pointy hat entering the sleeping chamber of her Count." Sniggle looked as if this should really be enough of an explaination.

"So let me get this straight. She saw you, and you spent A WHOLE NIGHT telling her she didn't?" The frustration was clearly audible in Snarf's voice. Enough so that Sniggle didn't even feel the need to argue the finer points.

"Well, yes."

"You realize you may have set our plans back by a century? What if this fool actually tries to make decisions, or interfere with the puppet princes?" Snarf's voice was getting quieter. More like a whisper at this point.

"Well, how long can he possibly live?"

* * *

 

[Duuk]

Prince Ernst looked at the map.

He looked at his notes.

He looked at the map some more.

"If we attack Wurtemburg, we could probably overwhelm them and add their lands to our own!" he bellowed out, quite sure of himself that this would be a wonderful idea. Wurtemburg, after all, had no diplomatic ties to anyone else either within the Empire or without.

"Wonderful idea, oh lord!", agreed Solingen.

"Of course it is!", chimed Ernst.

I'm surrounded by morons, and yet they are my superiors, was all that Staubing could think. "My Prince, good Count, while I'm sure the might of our forces could annex Wurtemburg with little effort, it would surely make us unpopular with the other Electors. Perhaps before we go about annexing small and defenseless neighbors we should try and tie our fortunes to some up and coming states as allies?"

Solingen looked struck dumb by this concept. The Prince had a blank look for a moment, as if this thought needed some time to sink in. Staubing reluctantly gave it.

* * *

"Well Sniggle, there you go. Not even a month since we first appeared to whisper dreams of Empire in Ernst's ear, and already your failure with Staubing is costing me glory. Should I resign myself now to a boring century?", Snarf snarled in a mood that could only be described as predatory.

"Well Snarf, he's right you know. If Ernst conquers Wurtemburg, then everyone will hate him and the Hapsburgs will use it as an excuse to invade and then you'll have to move to Vienna to start anything exciting. You know how much you dislike Vienna."

Snarf mumbled something about Viennese women and beds so tall that he needed a running jump to get onto them.

"Anyway Snarf, he's really got a point. Ernst could be really very friendly with teh Hapsburgs and carve an empire out by helping them, right?" Sniggle's remarks sounded oddly lacking in conviction.

"Sniggle, if Ernst allies with Austria, how long do you think it will be before Bavaria is an Austrian vassal? To expand, Ernst would still need to annex the provinces west of Bavaria, and the only _good_ thing would be an alliance to the Hapsburgs, who would just get Bavaria into a series of wars with countries all over Europe. I can think of faster ways to get Bavaria conquered, but I'd have to think for several days." Snarf sounded as if Sniggle's suggestion was, quite simply, the dumbest thing any Bavarian Gnome had ever stated out loud.

* * *

The three men were once again gathered in the Prince's council chambers. Ernst was still upset that Staubing had made such a valid point about annexing Wurtemburg. It really wasn't all that wise an idea.

"My Prince", opened Staubing, "perhaps the Hungarians would be a better ally for us?"

Solingen laughed. Ernst snickered.

The fact that I need to explain this to these driveling idiots is most disappointing. I wonder if the Venitians need quality generals. Sipping cocktails on the terrace, taking breakfast in bed. I could find job satisfaction. Really.

"My Prince, if we were to ally with Hungary, we could use them as a buffer which would allow us the chance to take some of the Hapsburg possessions away from them. The Hapsburgs aren't that popular in the Empire, and I doubt our reputation would suffer much for the effort." Staubing was quite proud of this logic.

Ernst paused. The look on his face was, to say the least, less than impressive. After a long pause, Ernst yelled out, "I have it! We'll ally with Hungary!"

"As you wish, my Prince" was all that Staubing could say behind his smile.

* * *

With that, Bavaria joined the alliance that existed between Hungary, Luxembourgh, Croatia and Siebenburgen. This meant that Bavaria was now at war with Venice, but since there was no land route between them it was not seen as much of an issue.

In April of 1420, the Hungarians declared war on Serbia, and Ernst agreed that it would do no harm for Bavaria to be at war with them as well.

* * *

"Snarf, that was a wonderful idea you had. I would have never thought of allying AGAINST Austria. That was really smart!" Sniggle was really overdoing it. The praise was just too much.

"It wasn't my idea", Snarf mumbled.

"What was that Snarf?"

"I said, it wasn't my idea. It was Staubing's idea. You remember Staubing, right? The one you were supposed to be controlling?" This last bit came out as a hiss. Snarf was obviously upset.

"But Snarf, it's a good thing, right?" Sniggle seemed confused. "Ohhh. I understand. I'm sorry Snarf. I'm sure you would have thought of it, really!"

* * *

Edit: Seems the SIZE tag doesn't work the way I thought.

 

[Duuk]

"Sniggle, it's AUGUST. _1420_ AUGUST, no less." Snarf whined.

"Why yes Snarf, it is. Funny how that works. Right after JULY, every year. Just like clockwork."

"I'm not waiting much longer for any real action. This is killing me."

"It can't really be killing you, Snarf. We can only be killed by Swiss Illuminati wielding special swords, you know that. Oh, you meant... nevermind."

* * *

"Staubing, I'm really growing weary of this charade you've gotten me into. When do we forge the mighty Bavarian Kingdom?" Prince Ernst was less than amused. His sleep lately had been more and more distracted. At least once a week since June, Prince Ernst had been overheard to moan, "damn you Sniggle." No one really knew what that meant, but the staff of the castle was getting worried about their Prince.

"Well, my Prince, we await only the opportunity. We are a rather small state, to attack the Hapsburgs now would be suicide." Staubing was really beginning to feel that life in Venice would be much more pleasurable than here.

"Then what was the point of our alliance with Hungary, if not to conquer the Hapsburgs?", Ernst seemed to be getting angry. This, coupled with the fact that he had begun to grow a long beard in the last year, gave him a rather sinister look.

* * *

"I think now is the time to play the cards, don't you First Master?", the robed acolyte said quietly.

The First Master of the Illuminati raised his eyebrow, twitched a finger slightly, and cocked his head less than 1 degree. The deep thought was obvious. An almost imperceptable nod accompanied this moments later, and acolytes began moving about to execute the orders just given.

* * *

On September 2 of 1420, Austria declared war on Helvetia.

* * *

"Staubing, I'm not interested in listening to your reasoning anymore. Just commence the invasion." Ernst was very clear. His eyes had a glimmer unlike any Count Staubing had seen before.

* * *

On the 12th of September, the Bavarian armies advanced into Austria. Solingen launched his forces into Salzburg, Staubing led his into Ostmarche. A third army under the command of Ernst's nephew began to seperate to occupy the entirety of Hapsburg possessions. These covering forces met with surprisingly little resistance, and pockets of Austrian armies were crushed at every turn.

* * *

"Well my dear Count Staubing, you have to admit this is going very well." Ernst seemed almost calm. Sieges were coming to an end all over the Hapsburg lands. Tirol had fallen to the Swiss, a blight on the otherwise perfect operation that Ernst had ordered.

"It does go well, my Prince. I can only wonder what mischief our enemies will make while we dispatch the Hapsburgs." Staubing simply could not accept that war should be so easy. "Perhaps, my Prince, we should continue the war long enough to take Salzburg and Ostmarche?"

"We shall conquer them entirely! The Hapsburgs will be wiped from the face of Europe!" Ernst said with a glimmer of madness in his eyes.

"Surely a worthwhile goal, my Prince. But the Swiss have effective control of Tirol, and without that I don't see how we could hope to annex Austria. Also, my liege, if we completely annex them the rest of the Empire will strongly react."

Ernst thought deeply. Sometimes Staubing did have a valid point. "Perhaps, Staubing, we will simply wait and see what the Hapsburgs offer us?"

"A wise decision, my Prince."

* * *

The First Master of the Swiss Illuminati looked over his map, marked with current positions of forces and control of provinces. December of 1422. Austria has effective control only over Vienna. The Swiss have control over Tirol. Bavaria controlled the rest. A slight smirk crossed his face. With a slight nod to the acolyte, a finger at the map, and a quick sneer, events were set in motion to give the upstart gnomes their just desserts.

* * *

 

[Lord Durham]

Originally posted by Duuk


I'm surrounded by morons, and yet they are my superiors, was all that Staubing could think.

You must work in the same building as me

Are you switching back and forth between Helvetia and Bavaria?

Keep up the good work.

 

[Duuk]

Playing strictly as Bavaria. This whole AAR started because I was bored and decided to play my favorite "standby" country, Bavaria. I like playing them. They're just fun.

Then it dawned on me that the darn Swiss kept getting in the way of my plans. (Note the fact that they hold Tirol in Austria).

So the gnomes of Zurich jumped into my head, since the Swiss keep messing with me. Which led me into thinking about other "conspiracies".

And I decided that writing about gnomes were be more fun than writing about Illuminati.

But then while I was writing, I decided that the Illuminati would really make a good cliff-hanger foil if I made them like Asimov's "Second Foundation" and comminicated without words.

So, this AAR boils down to:

Two Bavarian Gnomes (Sniggle and Snarf), who are trying to make Bavaria an empire. Snarf is violent and tempermental, but the vastly superior intellect. Sniggle is perfectly content to be peaceful, screws up his missions, and is all-in-all a friendly guy.

Three lords of Bavaria. Two "controlled" by Snarf. One trying to figure out what the heck is going on.

The First Master of the Swiss Illuminati, who has some plan that no one can fathom, doesn't ever speak, and is directing forces to foil the Gnomes.

Duuk

 

[Duuk]

OOC Note: My last post had hideous spelling errors. Sorry.

Back to Bavaria.

* * *

Throughout the fall of 1422, provinces continued to fall to the Bavarian forces. By November, all that remained was the capital, Vienna.

* * *

The First Master of the Illuminati had given the instructions. His slight tremor could be taken as full elation. The plan was in place, and the Gnomes would be checked before their plan could come to fruitation.

With a slight nod, the final order was given, and an acolyte passed the word that the others should become involved.

* * *

Staubing was worried. Something is wrong. This should not be so easy. We're conquering the Hapsburg holdings without much in the way of effort. Their armies lie wrecked before us. They have twenty thousand men guarding Vienna, but this is the same as victory for us. The Count surveyed the field, where his armies were encamped. Everything was in order. In December, the order would be given to swarm Vienna and destroy the last resistance by the Austrians.

"Count Staubing! Messages from the Prince!", a messenger cried as he ran towards the Count.

And so the other foot drops, was the first thought in Staubing's mind.

"My lord Count, the Bohemians have declared war on Hungary, and Ernst has accepted the Hungarian call to allies."

Count Staubing turned to his aide-de-camp. "Colonel, you are in charge here. Maintain harassment of the Hapsburg forces, and lay siege to Vienna as quickly as possible. I need to return to Munich immediately. It seems our Prince has done something exceedingly stupid."

The Colonel looked confused. "Shouldn't we have honoured our alliance with Hungary? The Bohemians are nothing compared to the Bavarian and Hungarian armies, your Grace."

"That is quite true, Colonel. But the Bohemians are allied with Poland and Lithuania." Staubing managed to convey the full weight of both nations in his words.

The Colonel blanched. More than blanched. He became, in short, downright pale. "Your Grace, your forces here are safe with me. Go and assist our wise and generous Prince on how to wage such a massive war."

* * *

"THOSE GODFORSAKEN SWISS &^$%^&!@^%" screamed Snarf.

"I don't think they're godforsaken, Snarf. They really seem like quite good Catholics, just like the Bavarians."

"Sniggle, do you see what they've done? We've got Ernst occupying large parts of Austria, and before we can even conclude the war favourably the Swiss have control of Tirol and the Bohemians, Poles, and Lithuanians are attacking Bavaria." Snarf sounded as if defeat were a given.

"But Snarf, Staubing seems to be doing fine. Maybe if we encouraged the Austrians to make peace with Bavaria, then Bavaria could devote their attention to the war with Bohemia?" Sniggle didn't seem to fathom the mess the Bavarians were in. Either that, or he really didn't seem to mind.

* * *

"My Prince, I understand that we are now at war with Bohemia, Austria, Poland, Lithuania, and that we never formally ended our war with Venice. Believe me when I say that 1423 should be spent consolidating our forces. If we panic, we'll be overrun."

Staubing was trying hard to convince the Prince that doom was not directly around the corner. This was not as easy as it would seem. Polish forces were besieging Ansbach. My beloved home, I am dooming you to suffer for the good of the nation. If I direct our armies to lift the siege, then the armies in Austria will be stretched too thin, and all of our gains there will be as dust. If I don't lift the siege, Ansbach is lost.

"But Staubing!!!! How can we let the Polish and Bohemians hold our lands? Isn't that how you LOSE a war?" This last question was stated in a way that was obviously meant to make Staubing feel like a child and stupid.

"My Prince, the siege of Ansbach is but the first move in a long war. Let them have the first year of this war. Look at the French, they have been fighting the English for nearly a century, and now it appears that they are winning!" Staubing felt the need to point out that France was becoming quite large. Perhaps if I compare ourselves to that French monster, Ernst will calm down.

* * *

Armies were raised, and 1423 was truly a year to consolidate. In August, Vienna fell to Bavaria, which would have been a tremendous triumph save that Steirmark had been liberated by the Hapsburgs in January. However, that situation would be fixed by December, when Steirmark, the last bastion of Austrian resistance, would fall.

* * *

"My Prince, I understand that you are upset. February of 1424 will long be remembered as a sad episode in your otherwise brilliant rule. Ansbach has fallen. But, My Prince, did you not see what the Bohemians did to their Polish allies?" Staubing was almost smiling.

"Solingen, what is this daft Count talking about?", the Prince seemed confused. "What could possibly be good about the Polish capturing Ansbach?!"

"And you see, Ernst, that is the point. The Polish DIDN'T capture Ansbach. The Bohemians pulled rank, and THEIR flag flies over my county. And what's more, my Prince, I have in my hand a note from the Lithuanian King. He's slightly angry with his Bohemian ally, and will accept peace with us for only 11,000 ducats." Staubing was positively glowing with happiness. These fools were panicking, and I knew someone would make a mistake.

Less than a month later, another messanger quietly entered and left the castle. The Polish, it seems, were even more irate with the Bohemians. They accepted a simple status-quo peace. Three weeks later, Venice also offered a status-quo peace.

And so, thought Staubing, I am left with Austria prostrate before me and Bohemia ready to feel the brunt of our forces. Wonderful.

* * *

"See Snarf, I told you everything would be fine. Now, why don't you go and make a suggestion to the Austrians that now would be a good time to offer peace. I'm really getting tired of all this fighting." Sniggle was, oddly enough, making a valid point.

"Sniggle, for once I think you may be right. A few short years to consolidate might be a good idea. Let's finish these wars and rest a bit."

* * *

"My Prince, the Hapsburg Arch Duke sends a messenger. He will offer for peace 206,000 ducats, Ostmarche, Salzburg, and Steirmark. They regret that they cannot offer Tirol, since the Swiss still occupy it with no end in sight for that war." Staubing was quite pleased with the offer. The difficult part would be convincing the Prince that this might be the best offer possible.

"My dear Count, they should offer us all of that AND they should be forced to kneel before me as a vassal. Wouldn't that be wonderful?" Ernst looked like a child in a world of sweets. Too much joy was on his face.

"Surely that would be amazing, my liege. But for now, I doubt they would accept such harsh terms. Also, you may recall that Ansbach is still held by the Bohemians and that we would be wise to seek a quick end to this Austrian war. There will be other days, and I'm sure other battles."

And so it was, that on Christmas Day of 1425, Austria ceded three provinces and 206,000 ducats to the upstart Prince of Bavaria.

* * *

 

[Secret Master]

Duuk,

You mentioned two things I never thought would appear in the same context together: Illuminati, and the Second Foundation. I wonder who would have a fit first, Asimov or the Gnomes of Zurich?

Well, I will be interested in what you can do with Bavaria. Just wondering, do you plan on wiping out all of the HRE, or just the fun parts?

 

[Duuk]

Well, I'm actually not a conqueror as a player. When I get as high as "tarnished" I tend to relax and panic. I generally look at the map and decide what is realistic to form a nation from.

Luckily, Bavaria is GERMAN before there was a GERMANY, and the only thing stopping Bavaria from being the primary German power is, of course, Austria.

Luckily for Bavaria, Austria has been humbled (as of this writing).

I know, by the way, that Asimov is probably spinning in his grave. But few enough people know what the "Illuminati" are supposed to be that I used some artistic license.

And it's the Gnomes of BAVARIA! Can't you keep up?

Anyway. Next episode tommorow night.

It's official, I'm going to keep posting even though I haven't gotten much response.

I did get responses from Secret Master, Lord Durham, and Backpack. So that means people whose opinion really makes me feel good about this AAR have commented. Thanks again.

And please, feel free to comment.

Duuk

 

[Duuk]

Count Staubing reviewed the forces at his disposal. With peace concluded in Austria, the Bavarian military was well prepared to take on Bohemia.

We have made peace with all of our foes except Bohemia. The question is not a matter of can we win this war, but to what extent should we win it. Our reputation is not exactly one with bells and a silver shine on it, the Hapsburgs saw to that.

"Colonel!", yelled out the Count, "prepare your troops. Your corps of 7500 men will recapture Ansbach. I suspect you'll find little resistance to this."

"Surely, my Count. But what about the rest of the armies?"

"Well Colonel. We will use the same strategy against the Bohemians that worked so well for us against Austria. One large siege along with covering forces to meet and disperse any resistance in the field."

* * *

"Snarf, aren't you glad I didn't control Staubing? He's doing really well, and Solingen has been sort of useless. Ernst is about as bright as a child's candle, and Albrecht Staubing keeps saving your plans. See how things always work out for us?" Sniggle seemed almost pleased with his failure.

"Sniggle. Has it occured to you that Ernst doesn't have an heir, and that Albrecht Staubing is quickly becoming the most popular man in the Principality?"

* * *

"Albrecht, you've been dealing with the Bohemians for two years. It's the end of 1427, and you have nothing good to report. Perhaps I should put Solingen in charge of this operation?" The Prince seemed to be getting more upset by the day. The Bohemian field armies had all been crushed, but resistance to the conquest was still being maintained by the defenders.

I really should have gone to Venice. Rivers, gondolas, women of negotiable virtue. It could have been a beautiful existance. Staubing was more than a little sick of Ernst. Why can't you do the world the favour of dying without an heir, and doing it quickly? Maybe then the Emperor will appoint someone with some moderate intelligence as the Prince.

"My Prince, if you will not allow me to conquer Bohemia, might I suggest that another peace be arranged?"

* * *

Bohemia ceded Sudeten to Bavaria on 14 March, 1428. Included in the peace treaty were details concerning Bavaria receiving regular tributes from the Bohemians, and the Bohemian King acknowledging the Prince of Bavaria as his immediate liege.

* * *

Rain and gloom decended on Zurich. The inhabitants of the city spent more time indoors for days. Few of them could explain exactly what was wrong, just that they felt very down.

The First Master was motionless. The reports couldn't be believed. The Bohemian Alliance had dissolved over petty rights to a siege. The Bavarians had somehow managed to escape defeat. The Swiss armies held Tirol, as they had since very early in this war. This war, however, had started in 1420.

A brief glance at the map revealed what was obvious to anyone with eyes: Bavaria blocked the only land route to Austria. The Hapsburgs were safe, and without tipping the hand of the Illuminati there would be no way to make the Swiss accept peace with Austria.

The First Master had been outmaneuvered by a gnome.

* * *

"Sniggle, something just occured to me."

"Really Snarf? Was it the same thing that occured to me? I've always wondered why the Illuminati live in Helvetia, and then it occured to me that they must like Cuckoo Clocks. Don't you agree?"

With a thump, Snarf knocked Sniggle to the ground. "I swear Sniggle, sometimes you don't have the brains of a Granadan badger. Though putting you in their league may be an insult to badgers everywhere." Snarf looked more upset than ever. "What occurs to me is that the Swiss have quite a mess. They've been at war with Austria for almost 8 years. How long do you think we can keep that war going before it interferes with our progress?"

"Why Snarf? I mean, that war is just about done anyway. Neither side can lose now." Sniggle looked confused.

"But Sniggle, neither can either side WIN that war as it stands now. I have a plan though. Do you think your Albrecht will think of it, or should I whisper it in his ear?"

* * *

 

[unmerged(8608)]

You know, this blue is almost impossible to read, perhaps you could change it?

 

[Secret Master]

From another AAR in this forum....

Peter, I do love your weaving of reloads into the story. But what happens when you run out of gnomes?

I'll have the Transcendant One steal one from some other AAR. There's bound to be a spare gnome lying around somewhere...

You better watch out, Duuk, or someone will come over to your AAR and steal your gnomes.

Either that, or word may be getting around.

 

[Duuk]

NO stealing my gnomes allowed!

Also, for the no one who is reading this AAR, next update tommorow.

Duuk

 

[unmerged(4004)]

so when do the gnomes get a CB on the keebler elves?

 

[Duuk]

Trixie walked into the room with a sad look on her face.

After she stopped moving, the writers in the room looked up to her face and noticed it.

"So um, hi guys", she said nervously.

"Hi Trixie!" the guys stumbled all over themselves saying.

"So we got the Neilsen report on this gnome show. You guys are just plain dismal. So, um, the boss is cancelling you."

The writers looked almost sad. Another failed show to their credit.


[OOC: Due to lack of anyone interested in this poor thread, I'll probably hold off on AARs until I can do one for the HOI beta.]

Duuk

 

[Prufrock451]

I liked it! You should continue. And that's my two cents.

If you get a few more people to throw in two cents, you can restart production as a low-budget indie film.

 

[Secret Master]

I think you should continue, Duuk.

According to MrT's resaerch on the subject, you would want to continue for a page or two before deciding whether or not to continue the project. Building up a following takes awhile.

Besides, what is most important is whether or not the AAR is fun for you to write. I remember my first AAR many moons ago, and I enjoyed writing it even though the following for it was very small. Hell, it wasn't even that good. In fact, it is such a far cry from my more recent projects, I won't even link to it and I've blackmailed Sharur and Storey so they won't reveal its contents. But I had fun with it, and that was what was important.

I hope you reconsider, despite the persuasive power of Trixie.

 

[unmerged(8608)]

Hello!!! I'm here and reading, please continue... as SM said, it can take a little while for a following to appear, but it WILL appear, especially if it 'hangs around' the first page for a little while. Stick with it...pleeeeease...

 

[unmerged(6777)]

Ditto.

I must confess that with all of the work being posted right now, I'm lucky if I get to read each thread once a week to catch up and I will often hold off on a new thread until it hits a second page since the first page of many AARs tend to be a bit of a teaser post and then a ton of "this looks interesting/promising" posts so it isn't until page 2 that the whole thing really gets going.

The characterisations you have for your gnomes are quite entertaining and I wonder how long it will be before someone in Bavaria figures out what's going on and tries to do something about it. Meanwhile the Illuminati...well, the description as "cuckoo clocks" conjures up quite a mental image.

I do hope you decide to press on with this...

 

[Sorcerer]

Please, do continue. I just stumbled over your AAR, and what shall I say? *points to avatar* I surely like the idea of a Bavarian Empire led by two gnomes, while Adam Weishaupt is nothing but a pot farmer...