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/ Up