BANANA: Turn Report for Dec. 1669

From: bjm10@cornell.edu (Bryan J. Maloney)

Date: Fri, 25 Sep 1998 00:00:00 +0000

Orders and GM questions go to gregory_rick@lotus.com

No matter where one travelled in the City of Lights during the
Christmas month, there was happiness and rejoicing in front of even the
meanest hearth.  The epicenter of the noise and revelry was without a
doubt the Fleur and was provided primarily by the gracious Minister of
War, Duc Zer.
     Before the festivities, however, there was a matter of honor to which
two gentlemen needed to attend.  Argenta had requested his long-time
friend, the commander of the ALC, and the reclusive Lyrrad du Lioncourt to
stand as surety in the proceedings.  After the seconds had cleared the
field bare of snow, the two lovers of Eva took to the corners of the
duelling square.  It was a short but furious bout.  After testing one
another for a few moments, Cointreau lunged, Argenta stepped aside and
forward, and ran Cointreau through.  Though sorely wounded, Cointreau
bowed and left the field unassisted.  Argenta, though not injured, had had
the sleeve of his doublet torn - he walked back quietly in the company of
his seconds as he thought about the facades we present to the world and
the consequences of having them punctured.
     The first week of the December kicked off the month long party held
by Duc Zer.  In attendance were a number of prominent gentlemen:  Juan
Ferawl don Alferwan & Connie, Robert de l'Aubergine & Samantha, Alain de
Mylcandonai & Sue, Jean d'Armes, Felicien le Forban, Francois-Xavier Mansy
de Guilloc & Laika, Jules Vieux-Carre, Jean Senior Jr. & Jenny, Etienne
Cherdlieu & Polly, as well as the Crown Prince with Sophie and the
Cardinal.  In nearby Bothwell's, four gentlemen, Napoleon du Leoncourt,
Claude d'Armagnac, Christophe-Armand Tournage, & Phil Niel de Zaster, all
accompanied by their mistresses, enjoyed a pleasant evening.  The only
conflict of occurred when M. du Leoncourt and M. de Zaster noticed each
other's presence--an extended conversation began just outside the rear
entrance.  M. duLeoncourt tried to lunge but was successfully parried and
riposted by deZaster both times.  He then changed his tactics and managed
to score twice with devastating lunges.  However, deZaster also lunged
successfully and the second one, coupled with the previous ripostes,
dampened duLeoncourt's vigor for the rest of the night.  Had the
conversation continued much longer, both gentlemen might well have
returned to empty tables.
     While many ate and drank indoors, savoring the warmth of hearth and
spirits, other gentlemen traipsed about the town looking for love.  Ruby
had three suitors, but neither Rudolph Rouge nor Rhett R'Ded were a match
for Alain.  Partly for his swordsmanship and partly to spite Argenta, Ruby
happily invited Alain out of the cold and into her warm reception room.
     Terre et Terre Encore visited Amy to propose marriage, but while he
was working up the courage to ask her, Pic le d'Erring apparently showed
up to court her. M. Encore was outraged, and before ascertaining whether
or not this was indeed the case, he attacked.  M. le d'Erring jumped back
from a furious kick, and both drew their weapons.  After a few moments, le
d'Erring landed a devastating cut that brought M. Encore to his knees.
Amy rushed out to help him and le d'Erring made a quiet exit.
     Dougal O'Angus succeeded in obtaining Molly's hand, as Rougeur Homard
was a little rusty--fighting peasants is one thing, but a gentleman quite
another. Nonetheless, it was a close fight - each sustained significant
wounds.  O'Angus's fourth blow, a vicious cut, forced M. Homard to forego
his suit, even though his slash had shaken O'Angus's resolve.
    Luc Bihan-Dieu and Bleys d'Amber fought a very pleasant and
gentlemanly duel for Nicole, each apologizing for the wounds inflicted on
the other, and both happy to see Nicole consenting to leave Grosscanard.
M. Grosscanard, whose life is much of a blur on his best days, awoke to
the sound of canons shooting at his regiment's position.  Vague memories
of disgruntled soldiers dressing him are all he has to explain why he was
unable to have another month of unworldly delights with Nicole.
     An unkown gentleman with Donna, Jacque Farceur with Pauline, and
Cointreau avec Moi with Ann were all successful, though M. Moi--following
eerily in Argenta's footsteps by choosing Ann--will have much to answer
for with her previous beau.  Roxanne, tired of the world, turned down both
her suitors and contemplated the religious side of the month.
     Duc Zer's party continued in the 2nd week, with many of the same
guests attending.  Benoit Balz hosted a well-attended gathering at
Hunter:   Jean-Frederic Robichaud with Tara, Rhett R'Ded, Louis Francois
de la Guerre, Bleys d'Amber with Nicole, Rougeur Homard, Luc Bihan-Dieu,
Francois Jalabert, and Oeufs Brouilles with Jackie.
     The third week saw the King & Queen attending the celebration held by
Juan.  At the expense of the Crown, Moliere's play Tartuffe was put on to
great applause.  Given its content and the host of the party, the Cardinal
decided not to attend.  Bothwell's saw a number of couples while Hunter's
and Blue Gables had a few.
     Towards the end of the month, Duc Zer and the Princess Louisa had
their largest gathering yet attended by everyone of note, including His &
Her Majesties.  It was a fitting culmination to a month of drinking and
celebrating - it put everyone in a festive mood.  At Bothwell's, the
infamous Henri had a select gathering that included Jaime le Gouda with
Ronda,Rudolph Rouge, and Rougeur Homard.  As with the week before, a
number of gentlemen saw fit to attend the lesser salons to satisfy
appetites apart from the intellect.
     On the frontiers, the Royal Northern Highland Brigade fought to keep
the remnants of the Holy Roman Empire from attempting to covertly claim
any land in the area.  The RNHB lost no soldiers and Severin Suveren was
promoted part because of talent and part out of necessity, and so still
feels a strong desire to clear his name by an act of exceptional bravery.
     The ALC was deployed to the south to keep an eye on the burgeoning
strength of the Spanish empire.  There were a number of conflicts along
the border, but the Colonel distinguished himself by his military genius.
Rolande Ingigo Petitjacques and the men serving with him were also
mentioned in the dispatches for their brave actions that resulted in the
quick conclusion of three separate battles.
     The Dutch were pushed back significantly, so much so, that a halt was
called in order to avoid provoking European wide retaliation.  This was
due in a large part to the RM and 27th Musketeers receiving unexpected
support from the entire Horse Guards Brigade.  Although the men grumbled
about the almost whimsical seeming call to arms and lack of warning, they
distinguished themselves with 22 mentions and 3 promotions.  The only sad
note was the death of Lawrence Olivier Besset, a subaltern of the GDMD.
     Tomorrow is a new year, and the gentlemen of Paris seem ready to
greet it heartily.

--
- �"God created women equal with men" � ... "There are many women who
are better than men."--St. Kosmas Aitolos
http://www.people.cornell.edu/pages/bjm10/