Picorée (Bounty)

[Mohoender]

Hello guys

Long time since I didn't start a new thread but I would like your opinion on this one. Usually, most characters in T2K are seen as wanting to go home. That has never been the case for mine and I usually answer to another kind of motivation: what the French soldiers before the 18th century were referring as "La Picorée" (strictly meaning picking things from were you can).

At that time when a city was taken the men were allowed to put their hands on what they could and that was a good way to pay them. However, it had nothing to do with simple plunder. "La Picorée" obeys strict rules:
- It has to be allowed by the commander
- It is first directed against defeated ennemies
- Second, it is directed against the opposing community's leaders
- Of course, the less honnorable commanders allowed pure plunder and rape of women.

It has been abandoned by the 19th century (seen as plunder) but don't you think that this would quickly be the rule again in T2K? For my parts I don't see no other reason to get russian troopers to fight in US units, for exemple.

For my parts, I used it in game as a way to motivate my team (it's also a good way to build a special atmosphere) and, then it obeys some rules. Of course, what is found on the ennemy is for the taking (boots and clothes included).

Then, I used as a way to threaten civilian oponents: If a town allows us in we will behave but if we had to force the gates, the group will be allowed "La Picorée".

It can also be included in the terms of a redition. An opponent can be more willing to surrender if he doesn't have to fear for his goods and women.

Usually, I don't allow for rape and pure plunder but that's only me.

What do you think? (hope I have been clear)

[headquarters]

The units of post TDM would in many cases look like regular mercenary armies with foreigners serving in a national regiment etc.

cases of circumstance and pure necessity would mean that commanders would have to pay his troops this way .For instance to make them fight harder for a strategic city,or if supply lines were cut etc.

One thing though - in the old days I hear it was good business to hold the pay due back . Everyone knew that once a big payment was made , many would desert before the next battle -they were set and needed not to risk life and limb with plenty coin in their pockets.

Another method of "irregular pay" I heard saw was to offer double wages to those killed just before a particularily difficult battle if they accepted the mission - but triple to those who accepted the mission and lived.

The navies used a similar method to the picoree, prizemoney .The crew who captured an enemy vessel were given a share of the reward for it by the admiralty ,officers more and sailors less , but still a monetary reward to do well in combat .

As natons crumble and principles are irradiated from the nukes I would think bounty as a prime factor in motivating any armed company to fight .

Originally Posted by Mohoender

Hello guys

Long time since I didn't start a new thread but I would like your opinion on this one. Usually, most characters in T2K are seen as wanting to go home. That has never been the case for mine and I usually answer to another kind of motivation: what the French soldiers before the 18th century were referring as "La Picorée" (strictly meaning picking things from were you can).

At that time when a city was taken the men were allowed to put their hands on what they could and that was a good way to pay them. However, it had nothing to do with simple plunder. "La Picorée" obeys strict rules:
- It has to be allowed by the commander
- It is first directed against defeated ennemies
- Second, it is directed against the opposing community's leaders
- Of course, the less honnorable commanders allowed pure plunder and rape of women.

It has been abandoned by the 19th century (seen as plunder) but don't you think that this would quickly be the rule again in T2K? For my parts I don't see no other reason to get russian troopers to fight in US units, for exemple.

For my parts, I used it in game as a way to motivate my team (it's also a good way to build a special atmosphere) and, then it obeys some rules. Of course, what is found on the ennemy is for the taking (boots and clothes included).

Then, I used as a way to threaten civilian oponents: If a town allows us in we will behave but if we had to force the gates, the group will be allowed "La Picorée".

It can also be included in the terms of a redition. An opponent can be more willing to surrender if he doesn't have to fear for his goods and women.

Usually, I don't allow for rape and pure plunder but that's only me.

What do you think? (hope I have been clear)

[Rainbow Six]

Mo, you have some good points there and I think you'd definitely see a resurgence in "La Picorée" from 1998 onwards.

I particularly like the idea that if a town surrenders without a struggle its inhabitants are treated more leniently than if they had put up a fight.

[Mohoender]

Originally Posted by headquarters

One thing though - in the old days I hear it was good business to hold the pay due back . Everyone knew that once a big payment was made , many would desert before the next battle -they were set and needed not to risk life and limb with plenty coin in their pockets.

Right and the bounty was usually kept by low ranking commanders and shared later (like what you describe for the navy). As a result, some soldiers would become more loyal to these commanders than to the high ranking officers. That was the main weakpoint as these men would soon act as a private army (a strong point in T2K).

[Mohoender]

Originally Posted by Rainbow Six

I particularly like the idea that if a town surrenders without a struggle its inhabitants are treated more leniently than if they had put up a fight.

Something else comes to my mind, then. A commander with a reputation for ruthlessness might soon find himself facing more resistance than the one with a reputation of fairness. And, even in a world like that of T2K, reputations travel fast.

[Raellus]

Originally Posted by Mohoender

Something else comes to my mind, then. A commander with a reputation for ruthlessness might soon find himself facing more resistance than the one with a reputation of fairness. And, even in a world like that of T2K, reputations travel fast.

I would think that commanders with a reputation for ruthlessness would face less resistance over time. It worked for Attila the Hun and the Mongol Khans!

This is a good thread, Mo. I think picoree would become increasingly common. Successful commanders could increase their men's loyalty. In time, men might become more loyal to their commander than they are towards the military as a whole or even to their own country. This became a significant issue in the late Roman Republic and led to several civil wars.

In T2K, I think it would lead to an increase in "Warlordism".

[WallShadow]

Gateway to the Caribbean had a sort of "prize money" set up, but applied to the success in making profitable trades.

Most mercenary companies would have a "booty distribution" arrangement. Examples I've seen usually take 50% of the post-expenses profit and stash it in the unit's general fund. The remainder is divvied up into shares, like a privateer's arrangement.

Hmmmmm...anybody issuing "Letters of Marque and Reprisal" in the Twilight world?

[Mohoender]

Originally Posted by WallShadow

Hmmmmm...anybody issuing "Letters of Marque and Reprisal" in the Twilight world?

I like that idea.

[waiting4something]

Originally Posted by Mohoender

Right and the bounty was usually kept by low ranking commanders and shared later (like what you describe for the navy). As a result, some soldiers would become more loyal to these commanders than to the high ranking officers. That was the main weakpoint as these men would soon act as a private army (a strong point in T2K).

Yes, I like it too! It's kind of Bob Denard style. I remember reading I think it was Howling Wilderness where a Unit commander stopped answering calls from Nato and declared himself the Supreme Commander. Now that's balls.