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Important Links:

>What's the deal with War of the Roses: 1932?
https://pastebin.com/ectbmcZq

>Europe Political Map 1932 (NEW!)
https://imgur.com/H62CJlt

>Family Tree
https://i.imgur.com/iPZZuiZ.jpg

>Archive
http://suptg.thisisnotatrueending.com/qstarchive.html?tags=War%20of%20the%20Roses

I normally allow between ten and twenty minutes for voting depending on the importance of the issue and how divided the vote is. If the vote is tied up, I usually allow an extra five minutes for a tie breaker, and if no one votes, I may roll for the tie breaker.

I always try to incorporate (and encourage!) write ins if they don't violate the spirit of voted decisions, though I may edit or tweak them to fit better.

"Hello," you say, coming to stand beside Anders, "Do you mind if I join you?"

The financier looks briefly startled at having his thoughts disturbed, looking away from the fire. It only takes him a second to recognize the face of his host. "Certainly. It's your house after all."

"My home," you allow, "But it's your thoughts that I'm intruding in."

"Thoughts are cheap and come and go as they please," Anders says, offering his hand. "A pleasure to meet you, your Grace. I've heard a lot about you."

"Rumors travel quickly," you tease, studying the fire. "Although I admit that I've heard some about you as well."

"Oh?" Anders sips his drink.

You nod. "It's said that you're the real reason for Duke York's military successes. No money, no army."

Anders smiles sheepishly, "I keep the books, yes. It helps to make careful investments and to keep a small liquid cash reserve. I imagine that you have a similar arrangement."

"I have an overseas account with most of my liquid capital," you reply. "But it's all fallow, I haven't invested most of it."

Anders shakes his head, "Ah, you see, that's your short coming. Money in banks only serves the bankers. Where is it, may I ask?"

"America."

"Farms or dams," Anders replies. "Those are big. Sure, you'll hear about oil and automobile plants, but for every one that succeeds, four fail. I was talking with your brother-in-law, the American, Mr. Macmillan? He's currently getting hammered from poor investments in such volatile enterprises. No, farm loans and hydroelectric dams are fairly stable investments with high returns."

"Really?" You ask.

Anders nods, "In fact, I'd be happy to give you some recommendations about your investing if you'd supply me with your ledgers."

"A kid offer, Mr Anders," you reply.


>How do you like working for Duke York?
>Tell me about your war experience?
>I've recently made a deal to buy Burgundian Steel in return for a purchasing control for German guns. Thoughts?
>Write in

>>2351943
>I've recently made a deal to buy Burgundian Steel in return for a purchasing control for German guns. Thoughts?

>>2351943
>>I've recently made a deal to buy Burgundian Steel in return for a purchasing control for German guns. Thoughts?

>>2351943
>>I've recently made a deal to buy Burgundian Steel in return for a purchasing control for German guns. Thoughts?

>>2351943
>>I've recently made a deal to buy Burgundian Steel in return for a purchasing control for German guns. Thoughts?

>I've recently made a deal to buy Burgundian Steel in return for a purchasing control for German guns. Thoughts?

>writing

"I'd like to get your thoughts on another matter, if I may."

Anders nods to invite you to continue.

"I've recently made an arrangement with a family member of mine to purchase Burgundian steel instead of American. This, in exchange for signing a contract with a German artillery manufactory. I'm curious how of your thoughts on it."

"Deals with family are good," he says, "Especially the Burgundians. I've seen a lot of this lately, that is sales on Burgundian steel. I think they're selling at a loss to be quite honest."

"'A loss' you say?"

Anders nods again. "I think the intention is to undercut foreign, specifically American, competition in the European market. I suspect they have strong loans from foreign banks, probably Venetian, to back these investments. I think they'll get savaged by the interest, but they may cut even and have a controlling share." He mentally takes a step back, "I mean to say, that after the Burgundians have an appreciable share of the market, they'll let their sale prices creep back up to standard, and high shipping costs will keep the Americans away."

You try to absorb all this information, economics was never your forte. "Do you think I've been had?"

"No, not hardly. I think that you've jumped to a faster, or in this case, cheaper horse."

"My concern is with the severed business connections in America. I'd hate to lose out on such close ties," you add.

"If the Burgundians are cutting the market all across Christendom," Anders replies, "Then I think by the time they raise their prices again, the Americans will be begging back business." He finishes his sentence, and then his drink.

"I hope you're correct," you say. "But I'll trust your word on that. People seem to think you know what you're doing."

"I still have employment," Anders jokes."You certainly have. I have to ask though, what's keeping you around? Does the Duke pay well?"

"Apologies," Anders says, embarrassment crossing his features, "I'm not looking to change employment currently."

"Nor would I think of asking you to change," you say. "I merely mean that for a man of your talents I assume you could be working directly for the Exchequer. I don't imagine that money is your object."

"Hardly," Anders says with a tight smile, "No, the fact of it is that I'm really wanting to better myself. Socially I mean." He again, looks embarrassed. "I know that saying as much to a Duke seems silly, but I'd like my wife to be seen as a Lady of society."

"And yourself a gentlemen?" you ask.

He shrugs, "It would be nice. I'm hoping that once the dust has settled I might be knighted. It's not much, but it'd be a start."
>I wish you the best of luck with that (End conversation)
>A Knight? What if I made you a full Lord when the time is right?
>Why settle to be petty nobility? I could make you an Earl once the power is within my grasp.
>Write in

>>2351999
>>A Knight? What if I made you a full Lord when the time is right?

>>2351999
>>Write in
> A fine goal, and should you ever need someone to vouch for you on it, you can depend on my word.
Let's keep it in our pants for the moment gents, a little more subtle.

>>2352014
Seconding

>>2352014
>write in

>writing

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Anders was hardly 'in your pocket' but you'd managed to make contact with him and open a line of continuing communication, not to mention that he may just be able to find you some more money in your budget. Beside which, you knew his price now, a noble title. Not the most difficult feat to pull off.

Even so, you couldn't rest on this small victory for long. You have preparations to undertake before Harold's planned January offensive on London. Specifically, you will have to select the four brigades you choose to make up your Army of Somerset for the operation.

For starters, you've received confirmation from Count Renaud that the first French recruits have arrived in Burgundy and will be shipped over to integrate with the depleted Exile Brigade. Even so, they're hardly strong enough for a vigorous campaign and won't be able to be included. Aside from the Normans, you have four brigades of Somerset infantry, Park's, Osbourne's, Sanfords, and Pierson's. You also have the Welsh Brigade, a mercenary outfit that you've retained since nearly the start of the war, as well as a regiment of your personal retinue which will doubtlessly accompany you, and a regiment of cavalry.

You'd promised Harold four brigades, at minimum this will probably mean three English brigades, one Welsh, and your personal retinue. It will leave behind the depleted Norman Brigade and one brigade of Englishmen to watch the Cornish front, and a ragtag militia to oversee occupational duties. It's a thin stretch, but it could be made to work.

You also have the option to take a long or leave the Yeomen Cavalry. Leaving them will greatly help anti-partisan activity in your occupied areas, but taking them will give you greater flexibility on the maneuver.

There's also the option of hiring on more foreign mercenaries to take along with you, leaving more Englishmen to protect Somerset. Your only minimum requirement is that four brigades are sent to Oxford, with you at the lead.


>Default plan (Three English Brigades and the Welsh to Oxford)
>Hire another mercenary brigade to come to Oxford in place of an English brigade
>Hire another mercenary brigade to come to Oxford in place IN ADDITION to the default forces
>Bring the Yeomen Cavalry
>Write in

***

This is a vote with a LOT of different ways it could go, so please utilize write in if you need to, and be sure to choose more than one option if you’d like to, for example, bring the cavalry AND hire more mercenaries.

>>2352062
>Bring the Yeomen Cavalry
While anti-partisan operations are important, we need everything in this offensive.

>>2352062
>>Bring the Yeomen Cavalry

>>2352062
>>Hire another mercenary brigade to come to Oxford IN ADDITION to the default forces
>Bring the Yeomen Cavalry

This is a ride or die moment.

>>2352062
>>Bring the Yeomen Cavalry
We absolutely need the flexibility. Give Park control of the Cornish front and anti-partisan operations, and make it absolutely crystal clear to him that this isn't us sidelining him, he's just the only general of ours that I think can be trusted with direct, autonomous control of the region's operations while we're off fighting around London.

>Bring the Yeomen Cavalry

+

>Write in

The Yeoman Cavalry were simply a necessity. You'll need every edge you can get against the Royalists. That added flexibility must just save you. Otherwise, you'll be bringing your personal Retinue, the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th brigades as well as the Welsh. Park and his 1st Brigade will remain, with Park being put in charge of the defensive operations of Somerset.

A telegram to the front to this affect is drafted.

LORD PARK,

BULK OF ARMY WILL BE REDEPLOYING. YOUR BRIGADE TO HOLD LINE. PLACING YOU IN COMMAND OVER SOMERSETS DEFENSE. COUNTING ON YOU ABOVE ALL OTHERS TO KEEP THE ENEMY AT BAY. TAKE ALL MEASURES YOU FEEL NECESSARY TO PROTECT DUCHY. GOD WILLING I WILL CONTACT YOU FROM LONDON.

WILL

Similar telegrams are dispatched to the other Brigade commanders to begin their redeployment, first to Taunton and then to entrain for Oxford. You've only just finished dictating these messages to your secretary when Morris brings a fresh message to you attention, this one not from your commanders in the field, but rather from the neighboring city of Bristol, recently a neutral non-combatant in this civil war. Bristol, a center of manufacturing, has seen more benefit in manufacturing weapons for all sides than for taking sides in open combat.

The city and its industry are run by a collection of wealthy barons who are profiting immensely from the demands of war, and so far all sides have been content to let them do as they please. Angering Bristol would only serve to drive them to the enemy camp.

Slicing the letter open, you read it quickly.

Duke Somerset,

Your exploits and wisdom are legendary, and we, the Barons of Bristol, wish to thank you for your continuing patronage. We've heard with satisfaction that many of our lorries and automobiles have been involved in your latest victories. Our case now though is a strange one in that we come seeking to buy from you.

In Bristol's past we've dealt with certain socialist agitation from within the workers of the city. Dastardly men striking out of cowardice and jealousy of our success. We have some reason to believe they are agitated by unrest in Ireland or even the French. Until recently we've made do with our own security forces, though these have become unreliable as of late. Additionally, mercenary forces are in short supply given the war.

To this end, we wish to hire one of your regiments for peace keeping duties with Bristol to ensure that our factories and foundries continue to run uninterrupted. We can afford to offer to cover your men's ordinary pay and expenses for a month's time at which point we will happily renegotiate the contract. We fear without stricter security controls we may have an uprising on our hands soon.

Please respond with your answer as soon as practicable.

The Lords of Bristol.

(1/2)

"I've looked into the circumstances around that letter, your Grace," Morris says once you finish reading. "It seems that the Reds are arming themselves. I feel that an uprising is inevitable at this point. The men of Bristol have taken the war as an excuse to agitate for more rights."

"Inevitable?" you repeat, that doesn't exactly mirror what the Barons have said in their letter.

Morris nods.

"What are their chances of success?"

"They outnumber the Lords 100 to 1, but the Lords have all the weapons. Most of them anyway. I think if we were to drop a combat-hardened regiment into the city. We'd likely crush out any resistance pretty swiftly. It'd be messy though." For Morris to describe an act of violence as "messy" was telling.

He was likely right though, your men may end up leveling half of Bristol's slums in the process, but you'd likely stomp out any organized resistance. However, it might do something to hurt your image as a 'man of the people'. You imagine photographs of Somerset soldiers burning down tenement housing wouldn't look good.

There was also the possibility of leveraging the Socialists to your advantage. Chances are that a lasting alliance would fall apart, but perhaps if you aid their cause instead of fighting it you may ingratiate them to you and have a sort of monopoly over Bristol's production.

"And if we do nothing?"

"I think the Reds will burn Bristol to the ground before they see themselves beaten. I've drank with a few of those fellows in my day and they mean what they set about to do," Morris says.


>Agree to help the Lords of Bristol with a regiment
>Make contact with the Reds instead
>We can't afford to intervene, let nature take its course.
>write in

>>2352135
>Agree to help the Lords of Bristol with a regiment
Better French than Red.

>>2352135
>>Agree to help the Lords of Bristol with a regiment

>Agree to help the Lords of Bristol with a regiment

>writing

With the New Year just a few days away, you make a point to be at the Bridgwater docks as the first shipment of German guns is arriving. Watching ships unload isn't the ideal way to spend your day, but you like to stay abreast of military events when possible. You'd prefer to be warm at home, planning on which New Year's ball to visit to welcome 1933 in style. As it stands, no one will be celebrating the New Year until after this whole mess is sorted.

A rusty freighter flying the Hapsburg colors has arrived as been moored in place as large pallets are unloaded by teams of men and trucks.

Artillery pieces, larger caliber ones provided by your agreement with Renaud and the Germans are assembled and loaded on trucks.

Pulling your overcoat around yourself tighter against the cold, you consider your options. Guns like this could potentially make short work of the defenses in Cornwall, providing an ideal breakthrough opportunity for your forces under Lord Park. It would be a difficult endeavor, but maybe if you scrounged up some more militia you could exploit it and conquer Cornwall, or at least, even if you didn't attack you could soften their defenses for your return.

Alternatively, if brought along with your main army they may prove useful for dealing with London's defenses, though heavy guns like this would be difficult to supply and maneuver during an active campaign. They were ill-suited to anything other than siege warfare.


>Send them to Lord Park to use on Cornwall
>Bring them with the Army to use in the Middlesex Campaign.
>write in

>>2352202
>Send them to Lord Park to use on Cornwall
We have armor and planes for the siege breaking in London.

>>2352202
>Send them to Lord Park to use on Cornwall

>>2352202
>>Send them to Lord Park to use on Cornwall
More than their offensive potential, they could prove devastating to any potential counter attack/massing of forces in Cornwall.

>>2352202
>>Send them to Lord Park to use on Cornwall

>Send them to Lord Park to use on Cornwall

>writing

You make arrangements to have the guns sent to Lord Park in Cornwall. You didn't need to be dragging heavy howitzers across England and worry about getting them shells. They'd be better suited to bolster Park's defenses and prevent any sudden Cornish attacks.

In any case, your tanks and aeroplanes should be enough to break any Royalist defensive lines you encounter, if properly used.

Now, today is the 28th, and Count Renaud and your sister Violet have left for Burgundy to be married on New Year's. In Bridgwater, your brigades are marching through en route to Taunton to board trains for Oxford where you hear The Armies of Gloucester and Buckingham are already assembling.

You ensure you're present to personally review one of the columns as it moves through and are a little dismayed at what you see.

Muddied uniforms, faces blank of all emotion. Men shivering in dirty greatcoats and struggling under the burden of their gear. Campaigning in the winter has taken a heavy toll on morale and effectiveness. It's really a godsend that you've been blessed with so many victories, you hate to imagine what your army would look like had it been handed some rough defeats.

Even so, you see some dedication. A few cheers thrown your way. Salutes from officers, and a whole company which, upon sighting you, shouted. "Next stop: London!"

You also get a chance to review some of your armored and mobile forces. Trucks loaded with infantry, a few armored cars, and a number of smoke-belching tanks rumbling along. Many of them now names and marked with crude art. You see "Saint George." "The Duke's Wife" (the crew of this one don't emerge from their tank as they pass) and "Gretchen". The tanks are in good shape and seem ready for action.

With the review of your forces completed, you retire back to your estate where you begin your ritual of preparing your nightly shot of morphine. Here, as you line the needle up with a vein, you stop.

Soon enough you'll command an army, in the field, and such niceties as a hit of morphine before bed would be at best, ill-advised and at worst impossible. Perhaps it's time you try to ween yourself off the stuff. It hasn't harmed you so far, but it does make concentrating on work difficult while you're lost in the rapturous bliss it provides. However, you've heard that the symptoms of stopping can be just as bad.

You will have to make a decision though on if you'll continue to partake while leading troops in combat or if you'll try to kick the habit for the sake of mental clarity, if at all possible.


>Kick the habit
>This isn't a good time, keep using for now
>write in

>>2352326
>>Kick the habit
It'll suck, but morphine is a legitmately valuable resource for our army, using it for our own personal habit isn't fitting.

>>2352326
>>Kick the habit
>Have someone we trust have some on hand in case we get so bad we cannot function, but try our level best to stop it.

>>2352326
>Kick the habit
I don't see what's so bad about it though.

>>2352326
>Kick the habit
This may badly effect us in the field, but this war promises to be no short affair, and the longer the worse. I feel it would be best if we brought a confidant in on our problem, as isolation is the worst for such things, someone who can show discretion. Hopefully we can ensure our command staff is well aware of our intentions for when we're not so lucid. Nice thing about the pre 21st century gentleman's club is you can blame "sickness or some such" for alot.

>Kick the habit

>Writing

On New Year's day, after congratulations are sent to Violet and Renaud on their wedding, you prepare your things to head for Oxford to assume command of your Wing of the army. AS your new command car is loaded outside, you still have to decide how your duchy will be governed in your absence.

You have the option of doing it yourself in absentia, but it will add on to your other burdens of command. It will also institute a time delay as you conduct all business over telegram from the front. It will be more practical to assign a regent to run things in your absence. Your Wife was your previous regent and has some experience in the role, though she's not well-liked by your vassals, even so, she's trustworthy.

Your brother John is a logical choice who commands the local respect of the vassals at the cost of being less in-line with your own ideas than your wife is. He's also a bit headstrong at times.

Your younger brother Seymour has been a surprisingly useful schemer against Duke York and might make a good regent. He would likely be trustworthy, but he commands little respect from the vassals of your Duchy.


>Myself
>Wife
>John
>Seymour
>Write in

>>2352399
>>John

>>2352399
>John and Seymour together, if they disagree on something have our Wife be the tiebreaker.

>>2352399
Myself

>>2352399
>John
Given our primary concern of stability I think John would do the best with the respect he commands. He's also a bit of a wildcard though, so having someone else keep tabs on him is essential, and the understanding that while some initiative is acceptable he's not to cock things up and should do well to listen to advice.

>John

>writing

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Wearing your finest dress uniform, you stand in front of your waiting car looking up at the blue January sky. Behind you, Morris oversees the last of your luggage loaded onto the truck.

"I should be going with you," Vivienne says, pulling herself close to you. "It feels like you will be gone so long, mon cher."

"Until we beat them," you say. "Likely you'll join me in London." You catch yourself, you almost said 'Paris'.

"London," the word is a curse in her mouth. "It might as well be the moon, I think."

You give your wife a warning look. Defeatism, especially from your wife wouldn't look good to anyone, least of all Duke Harold. "We'll make it."

"Harold's plan is . . . " she struggles for the words. "Well it is not good."

"I know," you say, voice low.

"How many men did we watch die in France because of crazy plans such as this?"

"I know," you repeat, more insistent. "I'll find a way to make it work. If it does, we can end this war quickly."

"It will not be soon enough," Vivienne says.

"I'll do my best."

She looks at the cane you lean on, "You should not be going off to war."

"If there's any chance," you say, "It will need me. I feel that in my gut. I have no choice."

"You will not get shot again?" she asks.

You know better than to tell her you can't promise that. "I won't. I'll be running the war from the end of a wireless set, not a rifle."

Vivienne looks ill convinced, but instead of arguing, stands on her tiptoes to plant a soft kiss on your lips. "I will pray for you," she says.

"Merci." You take off your hat and give her a theatrical bow before waving to your brothers who stood nearby.

"Make sure you book hotel rooms in London for us when you get there," John calls.

"Just don't let anything burn down while I'm gone," you call back, hoping that John heeds your advice to rely on your Wife's opinion for advice. You'd separately asked both her and Stanley to keep abreast of his decisions and to reach out to you directly with any concerns.

Turning away, you walk to your command car and climb in, priding yourself on not accepting Morris's help. You hoped what your soldiers had said would prove correct.

Next stop: London.

End of Part 1: Camaraderie at Arm's Length

Next: the Middlesex Campaign
Thanks for playing guys, I really appreciate everyone showing up. As always, I had a great time. Unfortunately, I'm having to put this quest on a hiatus along with my others since I'm in the middle of a few terribly stressful IRL situations. Nothing bad, but things that require more attention than I can give them while running quests.

I anticipate this hiatus will last a few months, but when it's done, I'll return to my quests to finish them. War of the Roses has a future, one that doesn't involve the dirty Mays running the nation. If you want to stay up to date with changes about that, please follow the twitter if you haven't.

https://twitter.com/TimeKillerQM

I'll say again, it's not permanent, but I don't have any more info other than "A few months at best." Once I know more, I'll be letting everyone know. When we return, we'll be campaigning for London as part of the Grand Yorkist Army.

Till next time.

>>2352464
I'm sorry to hear that mate, but I hope things turn out well, and I'll look forward to your return and the return of this quest with anticipation.

>>2352464
Sorry to hear about that, but thanks for running and I hope shit works out./

>>2352464
That sucks. Good luck in real life and come back soon.

>>2352464
Thanks for running, hope everything turns out well.

>>2352480
>>2352484
>>2352485
>>2352486

>Concern
I really appreciate it guys. Like I said, it's nothing bad, just life stress I have to deal with. I'll get past it.

>Sucks
You're goddam right it does. I put it off as long as I could. I'm giving thought to running intermittent single-session continuations until such time as I can run regularly again. I assume there's no complaints about that?

>Thanks
Always! And thank you for showing up to try out this harebrained concept of a quest. I'll be looking forward to running again.

>>2352488
Thanks for running, I appreciate your writing! Hope things go well with you!

>>2352488
> intermittent sessions
Sounds good, but I'd say make sure to give like a day or two's notice ahead of time on your twitter if you do, so people can have a bit of time to notice.

>>2352491
Thanks for the well wishes!

>>2352492
Total agreement. I'd give a few days heads up.