Bellum Letale Tempus (bellum_tempus) wrote in bellumlogs, @ 2010-06-18 19:04:00 |
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Entry tags: | plot: omega, plot: tempus |
Travel Plot: Group Omega
Political background:
France’s government, supposedly headed by King Louis XVI, is in turmoil. The commoners of the Third Estate, elected by the populace, are slighted and ignored in the governmental proceedings in May 1789. They defy a direct command to present credentials verifying their right to participate in the decisions of the country. On June 17, with the support of the clergy, they declare themselves the National Assembly of France, the first clear act of political revolution. On June 23 the king yields to the representatives rather than ordering military action.
July 14. There is unrest in Paris. The price of a loaf of bread has risen to an all-time high, and the city is literally starving to death. Frightened rumors abound that King Louis’ troops, many of whom are not native French but Swiss and other foreigners, are circling the city. The Bastille, a massive fortress and prison in the center of Paris, has received 250 barrels of powder, but Bernard-Rene de Launay, its commanding officer, has only received an extra 32 men (from the Swiss Salis-Samade regiment) to support his mere 82 stationed men (invalides (disabled) pensioners). It’s unlikely they will defend the Bastille to the last man, especially since there is only a two-day supply of food and no internal supply of water.
Nine hundred Parisians make up an angry mob in the outer courtyard. The crowd is made up of local artisans, wine merchants, rural immigrants from the provinces, and defecting soldiers, some of them gardes françaises (members of the king’s royal guard). An initial act of diplomacy for two delegates in the form of an early lunch with the commander just made the hungry crowd suspicious and angry. The delegates withdraw without finding resolution, and the first shots are fired. Amid cries of “Donne-nous la Bastille!" the crowd stormed the Bastille, and Paris erupted into chaos.
Adapted from Schama, S. (1989). Citizens: A Chronicle of the French Revolution. Alfred A. Knopf, Inc.
Qtd. in Nardo, D. (1999). The French Revolution. Greenhaven Press, Inc.
Helpful References:
The Storming of the Bastille.
Map of Paris in 1789.
Images of Paris in 1789.
Dress and costume.
[OOC: Friday, June 18 - Saturday, June 19]
Day 1. July 14, 1789. About 1:00 PM local time.
The Streets of Paris.
Crowds of people make up one large, dangerous mob that pour through the city, looking for supporters of the government. The heads of de Launay and mayor Jaques de Flesselles are carried on pikes through the city. The mob’s leaders are armed after a raid on Les Invalides. The French tricolour, red and blue divided by Bourbon white, is the symbol of the revolution, and in the cockade (knot of ribbon) form, it is quickly becoming a fashion statement that essentially reads, Don’t kill me, vive la France.
Bellum Letale residents are deposited at random on the street and surrounding alleys of a single block that holds largely abandoned tradesmen’s shops. The majority of passing Parisians are hastening toward the center of city for what they perceive to be the action of the crowd to force those men responsible for oppression into account. The proximity to the Bastille yields quite a number of dead, wounded and dazed thanks to the uncontrollable mob, a body that doesn’t pay attention to who is underfoot.
As they assemble, residents are advised to find local garb and avoid the notice of the mob. Anyone who looks foreign and military will be taken for one of the bands of mercenaries the people believe have been hired by the nobility. Anyone wearing a military uniform will be taken for a soldier who escaped the Bastille. Looking too prosperous is probably not a good idea either.
→ OPERATION SPY (2): Two residents are caught up by the crowd and accused of spying for the military.
→ OPERATION SPY ESCAPE (2): Two more residents are involved in their escape.
→ OPERATION TALK (1): One resident finds a bronze fleur-de-lis necklace in the pocket of an acquired piece of clothing. When in contact with the skin, this item allows anyone who touches it to understand any language spoken.
[OOC: Sunday, June 20]
Day 2. July 15, 1789.
A wine shop in Paris.
Residents may find allies among the populace that is still sane. A prosperous wine-shop merchant has never returned to his shop on the corner, and provided they are quick enough and attain an ally or two, residents can probably hide out in the cellars to avoid notice. Despite the operations below, the women may also be swayed by whatever means available to the residents, be it valuables, safety, threat, or charm.
→ OPERATION HOSPICE (2): His wife, Genvieve, is still in residence, but very sickly. Two residents will find that assisting her will yield some secrets of the wine-shop’s construction that can provide shelter and safety. Or they can storm the building and take what they need.
→ OPERATION DAMSEL (2): His daughter, Marie, is young, but she knows the business and she knows Paris. While on an errand to try to find food and water, Marie gets into trouble with a couple local toughs who are more interested in the wine than the revolution. Two residents will assist Marie and obtain her good grace to receive shelter. Or they can kidnap her and force her to cooperate.
[OOC: Monday, June 21]
Day 3. July 16, 1789.
Various locations throughout Paris.
The rumor mill is grinding. Parisians are convinced that the nobility are hiring mercenaries to raid the countryside and take over Paris once more. No one can decide who is in charge of the local government, and no one has heard any news of what goes on with the National Assembly or the royal family in Versailles. Much of Paris is armed, but little to no ammunition is available. In the back streets, the strong and the visibly patriotic survive.
Residents are advised to pair up and scout for supplies and/or weapons as they deem necessary. Many nobility are fleeing the city, and their residences are being looted by the crowd.
→ OPERATION BORROW (2) - Supply Team 1.
→ OPERATION RENT (2) - Supply Team 2.
→ OPERATION COMMANDEER (2) - Supply Team 3.
→ OPERATION STOCK (2) - Supply Team 4.