At least the crown prince, his second son, and another prominent member of the family
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The action happened faster than expected!! And what a shit storm. Oh dear
A lot of people will pay for this, for sure.
Obviously there is a communist conspiracy ongoing, must be...who else would be so utterly insane?
Given how large the German royal family is, and how unnecessary the monarch is for the day to day running off the state, it's certainly not a coup attempt? Would be pointless, there are dozens of male line Hohenzollerns around who could fill in even if Kaiser Bill's family were extirpated to the third degree. Right?
Maybe more like an anarchist strike against the symbols of the hierarchical state? Trying to cart them off to a remote location, then have photos made of them performing agricultural work, barefoot, uniform in tatters, snot running from the nose, to show everyone what the future can look like if the proletarian masses rise up against the aristocratic oppressors?
Maybe more like an anarchist strike against the symbols of the hierarchical state? Trying to cart them off to a remote location, then have photos made of them performing agricultural work, barefoot, uniform in tatters, snot running from the nose, to show everyone what the future can look like if the proletarian masses rise up against the aristocratic oppressors?
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On the other hand, the Crown Prince has been established as a major military figure and at this point the power behind the throne; killing him in and of itself would be beneficial for any revolutionaries. I also can't imagine the revolutionaries risking so much in an operation that even if successful would lead to the police stopping at absolutely nothing to find them and anyone who ever associated with them for a photo op; they must have intended to kill them, or at least hold them hostage for some actual political concessions.
Sorry for the double post, but two points,
One, as the music made a appearance before, Babylon Berlin might have another nice moodsetter for last chapter (and the coming one I predict, as this thing hasn't been resolved yet)
Second, as we're just around 1936, I thought it might be a nice moment to kinda compile what is known and make a world map. I took a degree of liberties with the flags but mostly kept the same general designs/themes, did the same with some borders in Eastern Europe as to not make it overly generic but follow some general idea's of German WWI victory.
View attachment 1629913194603.png
One, as the music made a appearance before, Babylon Berlin might have another nice moodsetter for last chapter (and the coming one I predict, as this thing hasn't been resolved yet)
View attachment 1629913194603.png
Although it looks neat and I am impressed you clearly remember everything geographically-related, there will be a few border changes before the war. How about 1939 map later, after last best attempt for peace in our time?
For fans, spoiler alert, yes, there will be war, confirmed
For fans, spoiler alert, yes, there will be war, confirmed
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Well, the map is mostly just a combination of those you/I made before and the video for the 30'ies since it shows most of Eurasia. The rest is just taking a bit from the text (that one bit about a German visit to Belize before they sold it to Guatemala) and the rest is just a bit of interpolation (giving some Caribbean Islands to the US, Sarawak to Austrialia cause of the White Raja)Although it looks neat and I am impressed you clearly remember everything geographically-related, there will be a few border changes before the war. How about 1939 map later, after last best attempt for peace in our time?
For fans, spoiler alert, yes, there will be war, confirmed
52. The Right Decision
Berlin, 3.1.1936
The King's Chambers of the Royal Palace were filled with tobacco smoke and sounds of army boots. Occasional metallic sound of safety locks whenever any vehicle approached the building. Four guards with Lugers and Schmeissers in hands at all times closely watched the entrance when it opened, and kept checking the street from the windows. Prince Hubertus Karl Wilhelm of Prussia, who was sitting on lavish furniture from times of Frederick the Great, turned his eyes up on the visitor. His expression was as distant as his eyes were red from lack of sleep. He was armed as well, ceremonial sabre included, as if forgotten. Eagle of the Luftstreitkräfte, the Air Force, with bloodied wings, still decorated the uniform, torn by the bullets on his left sleeve. Almost his entire left hand was bandaged. The Prince just finished package of cigarettes, opening the new one. using one hand, it wasn't easy, but he managed so far.
The guard who opened mouth to offer his help to the struggling aristocrat returned to window, after he was dismissed by one deadly look and facial expression.
Werner shaked his head, when he entered the room, seeing the scene, as if they were guarding wounded, angry lion. He was glad to leave it from time to time, to check everything, especially what news came from the outside. After initial shock, the entire city was basically changed into a fortress. Factories and shops were closed immediately, and anyone stupid enough to not comply was quickly convinced by rifle butt used against his or her head.
And yet, worse things were looming on the country's future horizon, hanging from the words he must now say to the Prince of Prussia. Why it must be him? Why...
"I assume the stabsfeldwebel arrived to bring me some news. Don't be rude men, and give him some coffee first. He's too frozen to speak, apparently."
In a half of second, Werned clicked his boots, before he gathered his thoughts again.
"Sorry, Your Imperial Highness, I am..."
"Don't be. It's been a long, long night. Just tell me, as briefly as possible, what happened to my other siblings. Do we know where they are?" Just when Prince finished the sentence, he finished his cigarette, crushed it's remnants in the fist and took another one.
This gave Werner another moment to reconsider previous choice of words.
"Both Princess Alexandrine and Princess Cecilia are safe. Colonel von Strachwitz also wants to assure you, that ten regiments in total are now guarding the Potsdam. After initial gunfight, everything seems...orderly...now."
The Prince's eyes were piercing through him
"So, who's dead?" said in the sudden absolute silence. Other soldiers didn't dare to look, or breath, it seems.
Oh no. Now I must say it.
"Your Imperial Highness." starting with proper address "Prince Wilhelm and Prince Friedrich are confirmed to be dead. The conspirators attacked them in place of their residence using a lot of...firepower." That was an understatement. The amount of bullets they used against Wilhelm and Dorothea was at least ten times of the amount used against Franz Ferdinand and his wife. Does history repeats itself so much? While Friedrich's house 'just' exploded in thorough mortar attack.
"So he's dead too. I hoped at least Wilhelm survived. It just doesn't make any sense." answered quietly, before getting up, locking his eyes into Werner's.
"Bring Schleicher here, as soon as possible. I will go to rest a little. I am of no use in this state."
Once the Prince turned his back for the bedroom prepared for him, stabsfeldwebel could finally sigh in relief. Far from the only one around. Other soldiers also worried about health of the new Crown Prince of Germany. Because that's what he was now.
The sudden death of Kaiser Wilhelm II., which happened in the morning of January 2nd, 1936, not only didn't remain secret for at least full day, but it was, too obviously, a signal for armed rebellion. Day after, the fervour protectors of the Prince and the new Kaiser in Berlin were still unsure who conspirators are, how deep their betrayal affected loyalty of the Army, but the assassinations of conservative politicians and members of imperial dynasty strongly hinted to socialist or anarchist conspiracy.
Sipping from cup of coffee and finally able to relax, Werner was sure, that just two days ago, he wouldn't believe it himself. Sure, even in the barracks he knew so well his commander never stopped to put new warnings on the walls about socialist or communist propaganda and how soldiers must know their duty to the Kaiserreich first and how political ideologies are irrelevant in duty to the Fatherland. Stuff like that, in front of his eyes, all the time. But did he really believe anyone sane would believe it? No. In Russia, people were hungry, desperate and defeated, so of course they would believe any lie to make it stop. But in Germany? So absurd.
The thought that someone may hold hateful view of his own country, even despite living in prosperity and comfort, completely escaped Werner.
Later in the day, after he took the nap himself (yes, in the official residence of Prussian Kings, it was still hard to believe it), the Royal Palace was less surrounded by just common soldiers and high ranking officers started to flow around the place. Schleicher. Strachwitz. Guderian. Beck. Blomberg. Even the admiral Perière, the most decorated living officer in entire German military. Most heroes of the Weltkrieg were retired by now, or dead, but forty-nine year old submarine commander was running to the entrance effortlessly, followed by his aides and armed marines.
Very likely to demand to see the Crown Prince Hubertus, who made it clear he doesn't wish to be disturbed. He will need a lot of energy for sure, since his father is incapacitated on the hospital bed, unable to move or speak. And paralyzed Kaiser is the kind of news no one should know now.
From the little he caught around him, the 'situation' is getting better. The word was used so often between high ranks, that it seemed to be a rather popular euphemism. No one dared to say word 'revolution' or 'war' so far. Werner didn't dare to even whisper them himself, afraid that his invisibility of being temporary guard of the Royal Palace would dissapear. He didn't like the possible dialogue with men wearing eye symbols on their badges.
It was enough to see their boss, Muller. Easily to spot, the only person in civilian clothes amidst the grey sea of uniforms. Isn't he in trouble, he suddenly thought. If there were some red cells hiding within the Army, he should've known, right.
But no. It's safer to not think too much.
Werner turned around when he noticed the gazes targeting the entrance. Single person in simple uniform of Major of the Luftstreitkräfte left the Palace, surrounded by the Prussian Hussars, skull insignias gleaming from the winter sun. Generals, colonels, admirals, even two Field Marshals clicked their boots and saluted to that Major.
After few steps forward, Hussars and at least dozen of high ranking officers raised their ceremonial sabers to the air.
"Who's that?" Werner heard behind him, seeing clueless sailor with Mauser on his back.
He got it only few seconds later, but it was too obvious, especially after hearing what they all kept saying. One word.
"Who do you think he is, moron? That's the Kaiser."
So, the former Crown Prince Wilhelm was Kaiser only for the day, before he succumbed to his wounds. He didn't make it. Such a shame. He would be definitely more relaxed monarch that his father, for sure. Not so stern, easygoing, confident. Even before everything turned to Hell, that he did see himself. Newspapers gave him so little credit...
Now he saluted himself, when armored cars escorted their new Supreme Commander, unsure if he actually could see Werner from the window, but it's better no risk it, in case he remembered his face and name. He will probably forget them all in week or so.
Oh, well. Back to the duties...
"Stabsfeldwebel Wessel! What is that button doing?!"
If he was still a private, he would jump and started to stammer, but he knew his Colonel...
Facing the angry man, Werner Wessel just clicked his glass-like polished boots, saluted and answered as loudly as possible:
"Stabsfeldwebel Wessel is apologizing for being unbuttoned! Button wasn't noticed in time!" said in straight face, chin up.
Colonel von Strachwitz chuckled at that.
"You know Wessel, aside from your unhealthy interest in women in every part of the Empire you serve, you are still pretty good soldier. You even got rank usually reserved for much older men than you."
Not sure what to say on that, Werner rather kept his mouth shut.
"And now I received orders to send you and your men to Eastern Prussia, for re-training."
"What?" His usually perfect military demeanor instantly cracked. Strachwitz acted like he didn't notice.
"It's not a punishment, mind you. One of the Kaiser's first wishes is to form new independent military unit, under his direct command. So congratulations, Wessel, for saving our new Kaiser, you receive nice, warm, privileged palace guard duty, I suspect." finished the colonel, with a hint of dissapointment, and gave him the written orders.
Werner quickly noticed the name of his new unit.
Sturmstaffel?
Panzers of 1st Royal Saxon Division just arrived at the outskirts of Berlin, when the armored column stopped, same as the civilian cars locked between the war machines and marching soldiers on the sides of the road. In one of them, an unimpressive figure in glasses, was asking the driver what's happening. The looks were deceiving however, as the man, the current Chancellor of Germany, was decorated veteran of Weltkrieg and recipient of two Iron Crosses.
"Did you see anything? What's happening?" asked Heinrich Bruning again, not so scared as impatient. So many things are happening right now, and he can't change any of them at the moment.
Shortsighted and physically weak even before the Weltkrieg, Bruning nevertheless developed tenacity and stubborness which helped him so much later during his political career. Not waiting any longer for better answer than 'i don't know' he opened the car and decided to get direct answer from soldiers.
After few moments of soldiers just staring at him, like he was a ghost, Bruning decided to ask the lieutenant from armored car equipped with radio. First question is very obvious, next question will be likely somewhere in the lines of 'don't you think Chancellor of German Empire should be kept informed?'.
"What is happening? Are we attacked?"
Lieutenant, focused on the radio, quickly turned his face to him and saluted, as if caught with erotic postcards.
"Eh...no...Your Excellency, no. But there are...developments"
"What do you mean by that, young man?" asked Chancellor Bruning with the stern expression of school teacher, which worked on many soldiers rather efficiently.
"The live broadcast from the Royal Palace."
"...therefore, I declare the state of emergency in the German Empire, it's colonies and protectorates. The murderers, who are declaring themselves revolutionaries fighting for common citizens, are not only cold blooded killers of women and children, but traitors to the Fatherland. These poor imitations of men were, a merely an hour ago, judged by military court in absence, and sentenced to death.
The names and ranks will be read after this announcement, so the German justice may reach them as soon as possible.
(deep sigh)
Soldiers fighting in their units, perhaps you were a victims of deception like the rest of us. Do the right thing. Serve the Fatherland.
This was Hubertus Karl Wilhelm of Prussia, from today, Kaiser of the German Empire.
Gott mit uns."
"So...what will happen now, Your Excellency?" asked lieutenant, when Bruning turned to him with expressionless face
The Chancellor started to clean his glasses in awkward silence, before finally saying with sad smile:
"Now, there will be interesting times."
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Good to see this back. Do the in game screenshots mean the game files have been recovered?
It is baaaaaack! And right into where the action started off last time. A new Kaiser, and renewed luck for the Kaiserreich?
Eagerly awaiting more revelation of what's behind this monstrous conspiracy!
Eagerly awaiting more revelation of what's behind this monstrous conspiracy!
I recall that I made a big fuss about noticing the addition of the internal war plans in case of socialist dissent and rebellion a long time ago, guess in was right in doing so, the main question really becomes how big the potential coalition of enemies of the fatherland is, and how many establishment politicians will be involved?
Edit: the chapter made on Bulgaria and Greece is the same, made after the loss of the save but it still uses in game screenshots
I'd expect them to be some old screenshots just floating around.
Edit: the chapter made on Bulgaria and Greece is the same, made after the loss of the save but it still uses in game screenshots
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I've made entire game campaign again from scratch.
Anyone if captured alive, this guy gets them for questioning.
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Honestly, the only thing I can compare this too is making mods off of your game for a megacampaign, and as I'm also doing that, I can see the amount of work put into this
I want to make this even more grimdark than in previous stories. How far can I actually push it without triggering Paradoxians?
I know certain no kid friendly content and symbols are no-no, but how far can I push literary depictions of the scenes?
I know certain no kid friendly content and symbols are no-no, but how far can I push literary depictions of the scenes?
No idea!
But isn't grim dark more about pessimism, hopelessness, overbearing and inescapable pressure from higher powers, and inevitably bad outcomes for individuals in the story? You don't have to involve overly much violence (if that's the ingredient you're worried about) to get that wholesome grim dark taste into your narrative
On my personal opinion there are no taboos in making a great history, but ask the moderators.