About scenarios, adventures and campaigns

[Marc]

I was thinking more in the European theater and particularly in Germany, tough other setups are possible. Would France be able to annex a significant part of the territories at the other side of the Rhin without an uprising from Germany population or the opposition of the remnants of the German Army? In the v2.2 timeline, German government “has ceased to exist� and the area 50Km east of the Rhin “is either devastated or in anarchy�. These territories could be the places where the campaign would start, still without the need to deal with the military cantonments of former NATO units. The way to seize these first areas would set the pace for the future. If word spreads that France is providing things like safety, medical care and resources, more territories would see a French intervention as a hope, instead of as a conquest. After all, the average German citizen in the 2000 would be struggling to survive in a completely devastated country. In the best of the cases her/she would live in an isolated or independent area near Switzerland.

And I’ve just remembered the thread about propaganda. This would be one of the few cases where I think that propaganda would have any chance work in the Twilight:2000 setup. The GM must choose the way that the French government conceives all the operation and the group of characters must be well aware about the directives of the French government. If they are smart enough, they will present France as the only organized entity that can assume the lost functions of a central government. They will emphasize the terrible disorganization and helplessness of the rest of German territory and spread the word (for sure, true in some cases) about conflicts erupted between civilians and soldiers in the cantonment areas. Even the group can try to incite this kind of conflicts to gain some local advantage. And, above all, try to keep national differences between France and Germany at minimum. These special contact groups where the characters would be integrated must be ready answer some embarrassing questions from the German population. They can try to present the war as a terrible error where France has not been involved and that European reconstruction can be a common task done by Europeans, now that US is evacuating its units from Europe. I think that the France of Twilight would see a great opportunity to exclude the US from any immediate influence in Central Europe.

[headquarters]

It sound slike a cool premise for a campaign .

Some ideas :

motivation for the PCs:

one or more of them could be of mixed descent and thus get into a mixed feelings situations regarding loyalties

one or more of the PCs could be career officers and the successrate will impact directly on the career with medals,promotions and demotions etc -a factor the GM cant use much in a typical devestation scenario .

[FMDeCorba]

If they are smart enough, they will present France as the only organized entity that can assume the lost functions of a central government. They will emphasize the terrible disorganization and helplessness of the rest of German territory and spread the word (for sure, true in some cases) about conflicts erupted between civilians and soldiers in the cantonment areas. Even the group can try to incite this kind of conflicts to gain some local advantage. And, above all, try to keep national differences between France and Germany at minimum.

The powers that be would probably want to play the EU card, claiming to have the reconstruction of the whole of Europe as a goal. Of course, nationalist sentiments will be a strong factor, the idea of belonging to a "nation" based on a common language is after all a European invention. But before that became prevalent, local cultural identity was as, if not more, important. See a pattern? The sphere with which we supposedly identify expands. First it was the family/group, then village/clan/tribe, all the way up to the idea of UN. If we´re attacked from outer space, most people will probably start thinking of themselves as earthlings rather than whatever else.

[Mohoender]

Originally Posted by FMDeCorba

The powers that be would probably want to play the EU card, claiming to have the reconstruction of the whole of Europe as a goal. Of course, nationalist sentiments will be a strong factor, the idea of belonging to a "nation" based on a common language is after all a European invention. But before that became prevalent, local cultural identity was as, if not more, important. See a pattern? The sphere with which we supposedly identify expands. First it was the family/group, then village/clan/tribe, all the way up to the idea of UN. If we´re attacked from outer space, most people will probably start thinking of themselves as earthlings rather than whatever else.

The EU card is one but I don't think that it might be the best.

However, France can emphasize the idea that it wants to rebuild the prewar collaboration that existed between France and Germany. Moreover, we often forget it but (except for the 19th and 20th century) France often went to war in support of the German population.

When talking about Propaganda, it could be the time to remember the fact that France and Germany were once one single country. Carlus Magnus remain an important figure to these days. Could even be interesting to see the french relocate their capital at Aachen.

Collaboration would probably come from several German populations inlcuding those of Sarre, Bavaria, Schelswig-Holstein...

However, people in tyhe Rurh could draw some bad memories from the inter war french occupation. Moreover, Hannover, would certainly be an oppising force. Finally, Most opposition would probably come from what was eastern Germany: Prussia and Saxony are not that supportive of the french.

Outside of Germany, a french intervention for peace could appeal to many people in Poland and Cezcoslovakia.

[FMDeCorba]

Originally Posted by Mohoender

The EU card is one but I don't think that it might be the best.

I agree that playing only the EU card would not be the idea most captivating for people, but propaganda tend to say different things to different target groups, so some places, the PSYOPS-units would perhaps emphasize some historical connections, other places they would perhaps portray the French Government as helping the German populace until they can manage themselves, whatever is suitable. But what would be the overall goal of a post-apocalyptic French govt.? Are they fiercely nationalistic, then the focus would probably be physical expansion based on various historical claims, otherwise, perhaps a return to pre-war borders and peaceful relations would be the goal?

[Marc]

Originally Posted by headquarters

It sound slike a cool premise for a campaign .

one or more of them could be of mixed descent and thus get into a mixed feelings situations regarding loyalties

one or more of the PCs could be career officers and the successrate will impact directly on the career with medals,promotions and demotions etc -a factor the GM cant use much in a typical devestation scenario .

Cool! I like that.

[Mohoender]

About a post-apocalyptic french government (especially one which would have escaped almost intact), I would mostly say nationalistic and looking back to some kind of old time "Grandeur".

Historical claims would be plenty and probably drawn from a kind of fantasy mix combining Carlus Magnus, Louis XIV and Napoleon I. I would also expect the French to drive to Rome and try to control the Pope again. May be by garrisoning Rome or may be by bringing him back to Avignon as in the Middle Ages.

As the navy would be the most powerful one left, you can expect the French to close the Mediterranean to most shipping.

They also would be very active at the diplomatic level, being involved in Quebec, probably supporting an independent scotland, helping Serbia, being involved in Poland and czecoslovakia, present in Africa and in the Middle East. It would probably avoid Russia, however. One Berezina in a country's history is enough. Iberia might be left alone also except may be for Catalonia, Navarra and the Basque country.

Don't forget also that they might be the only country to retain some kind of space capability.

On the bright side, I would expect the French to be sincere in their will to help the German population but with little consideration for their own culture and free will. After all we are the country of Freedom and Liberty . We also all know (the French I mean) that if we don't have oil, at least we have ideas (right but what about the quality of these ideas ). I would also expect the French government to put heavy taxes everywhere whenever possible (I still don't know why but taxes seem to be our main solution to solve problems ).

[FMDeCorba]

Sounds look a cool campaign to me

[Marc]

Well, my intital thought was that the goal of the entire operation was the expansion of the territory under French control, not returning to the pre-war frontiers. Gaining as territory as France could keeps safe, without the eruption of a major confrontation. And if conflict erupts with military cantonments or more organized areas, take it one by one, trying to avoid the formation of an anti-French coalition.

In my opinion the use of certain kind of propaganda will be useless with a hungry population, hardened by war, disease and the fight for the available resources. I can visualize the characters of this hypothetical French special contact group standing before the inhabitants of a semi-destroyed German village. People are waiting to listen the words of the soldiers of what remain of the civilized Europe, with a mixed feeling of hope and disbelief. Then one of the Frenchs turns to the other and whispers: "Must we begin with all the stuff about Carlus Magnus, sir?"

As Mo said, the idea of rebuilt the prewar collaboration between Germany and France will be the strong point, emphasized by the relatively untouched capacity of France to provide the needed resources, if we compare it with the rest of the European countries. Anyway, for the interest of the campaign, the initial French plan can have major problems that the units must solve on terrain. Perhaps the French High Command has given to this special units a kind of "Red book about how to treat the citizens of the beleaguered nations". This booklet could be plenty of trivial information, a few good advises and some major weak points written by someone who is very far away from the place where the men and women in charge the operation use his or her book. Each unit would adapt the directives to reality to maximize the chances of success.

Anyway it can be funny to imagine the contents of such a book an include some misjudgment about the real situation to complicate the things to the characters.

BTW Any idea about the composition of the group of characters and the equipment they would have at the beginning?

[headquarters]

whoever turns teh lights back on and puts grub on the table will have the consent to hoist their colors up the town square pole

imho ...

Originally Posted by Marc

Well, my intital thought was that the goal of the entire operation was the expansion of the territory under French control, not returning to the pre-war frontiers. Gaining as territory as France could keeps safe, without the eruption of a major confrontation. And if conflict erupts with military cantonments or more organized areas, take it one by one, trying to avoid the formation of an anti-French coalition.

In my opinion the use of certain kind of propaganda will be useless with a hungry population, hardened by war, disease and the fight for the available resources. I can visualize the characters of this hypothetical French special contact group standing before the inhabitants of a semi-destroyed German village. People are waiting to listen the words of the soldiers of what remain of the civilized Europe, with a mixed feeling of hope and disbelief. Then one of the Frenchs turns to the other and whispers: "Must we begin with all the stuff about Carlus Magnus, sir?"

As Mo said, the idea of rebuilt the prewar collaboration between Germany and France will be the strong point, emphasized by the relatively untouched capacity of France to provide the needed resources, if we compare it with the rest of the European countries. Anyway, for the interest of the campaign, the initial French plan can have major problems that the units must solve on terrain. Perhaps the French High Command has given to this special units a kind of "Red book about how to treat the citizens of the beleaguered nations". This booklet could be plenty of trivial information, a few good advises and some major weak points written by someone who is very far away from the place where the men and women in charge the operation use his or her book. Each unit would adapt the directives to reality to maximize the chances of success.

Anyway it can be funny to imagine the contents of such a book an include some misjudgment about the real situation to complicate the things to the characters.

BTW Any idea about the composition of the group of characters and the equipment they would have at the beginning?

[Marc]

Originally Posted by Mohoender

Historical claims would be plenty and probably drawn from a kind of fantasy mix combining Carlus Magnus, Louis XIV and Napoleon I. I would also expect the French to drive to Rome and try to control the Pope again. May be by garrisoning Rome or may be by bringing him back to Avignon as in the Middle Ages.

LOL
These things are will be in the final chapter of the Red book!!! Written by some major ideologist in the French government and, hopefully, ignored by our heroic operatives. It reminds me here when I was in Spanish Army. The continuous references about glorious past can be really boring... One would thing that we were in the "Tercios", ready to go to Flandes to defend the Catholicism against the evil, heretic Calvinist! Pikes Up! Muskets to front ranks!

[Krejcik]

I always liked the Kelly's Heroes seed.

and then one of my favorites:

Warhead: Word gets around among locals, NATO and PACT forces that a local warlord held up in an abandoned missile base has somehow ended up with a nuclear warhead. He's not bright but is trying to broker a sale of the warhead to either side, while NATO + PACT forces are just trying to kill him and take it. Another maruader who wants it offers the group something they need to go get it.

Group chases after the small warhead (briefcase? in a crate?) with a dummy crate running around as well with dirty laundry.

Fun adventure. Clumsy with bad guys that aren't so bright.

[Marc]

Originally Posted by Krejcik

I always liked the Kelly's Heroes seed.

and then one of my favorites:

Warhead: Word gets around among locals, NATO and PACT forces that a local warlord held up in an abandoned missile base has somehow ended up with a nuclear warhead. He's not bright but is trying to broker a sale of the warhead to either side, while NATO + PACT forces are just trying to kill him and take it. Another maruader who wants it offers the group something they need to go get it.

Group chases after the small warhead (briefcase? in a crate?) with a dummy crate running around as well with dirty laundry.

Fun adventure. Clumsy with bad guys that aren't so bright.

Kelly's Heroes would be a great RPG adventure. The size of the unit is ideal for a group of playing characters. And some of the characters of the film has enough outstanding features to allow their direct translation to a Twilight character sheet without any problem. Mmmmm... and in the crucial moment of the adventure, "Burning Bridges" on the CD player...

Warhead would be a funny adventure, too... Mmmm... And just an idea: when the group the group seizes the silo to get the warhead, the warlord confesses that it is not functional and that he only wanted to disappear after close the deal with the highest bidder. What about a profitable association? Will they decide to do the same with the marauder with the false warhead?
Ok, I agree, the bad guys must not be very bright. But it would be funny,anyway

[TiggerCCW UK]

Originally Posted by headquarters

one or more of the PCs could be career officers and the successrate will impact directly on the career with medals,promotions and demotions etc -a factor the GM cant use much in a typical devestation scenario .

In my current campaign (on hiatus at the minute ) I awarded the PC's with a meritous unit citation (no idea if this is a real award or not) and it actually instilled a degree of pride in them, and they are all draftees. Prior to getting this there was a certain amount of consideration being given to them just going rogue, but they now seem to have a new found faith in MilGov and its plans.

[Legbreaker]

I like that idea! Great for keeping the players on track I think without having to load them up with expensive and game balance destroying toys.

[TiggerCCW UK]

It certainly worked for me, and the group seem to like it - it instilled a sense of duty and esprit de corps for them. The main effect its had for them is getting them a little extra support from higher ranking officers, slightly better rations and accomodation etc plus it gives me a reason for them being selected for 'special' missions.

[Matt Wiser]

Our group did a Kelly's Heroes adventure; just transferred the setting to Poland, have T-80s instead of Tigers, GRU officers in command, and have troops from a Guards Tank or MR division guarding the town. And just like the movie, we wound up making a deal with the last tank commander to share the loot. They made off with 3,000 bars and took off for Krakow. We took our share and headed north for the Baltic Coast, but instead, ran into 5th ID....

[Marc]

Did you buy a T-80, too?
Mmmmm... perhaps "Kelly's Heroes" could be an interesting turning point in my current pre-Kalisz campaign.