#31
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The 103rd’s first deployment was at Chemin-des-Dames, by the end of March, the 103rd was sent to defend the Toul sector, a move that involved an exhausting fifteen day hike through mud and rain. Life got harder for the Yankees long before it got better. On July 15th the Germans launched a general attack along the line. From Toul the division was hurled into fury of the Champagne-¬Marne defensive,” and from there into the brutal Aisne¬-Marne campaign, the Second Battalion was sent into the rat infested trenches for the first time. Life on the Western Front was pure misery for the men from Rhode Island. With constant dangers each day and night, as the Germans’ ruthless bombardment. The soldiers had to live underground to escape the fire above. Trenchfoot was a constant problem, while rats ran through the trenches nibbling on everything in sight. Horrible food, and tainted water added to the misery through disease. Gas attacks were a constant threat as well; no soldier went anywhere without his gas mask. In addition to these threats, aircraft would occasionally bomb and strafe their positions. In October 17th, when the 103rd became actively engaged in the Meuse-Argonne campaign, it made the old days on the Toul front and even St. Mihiel seem mild by comparison.” It was on October 24th, 1918 that would be the worst day of the war for the 103rd Field Artillery. That night the Germans opened a terrific bombardment on Rhode Island’s Battery C, where Brian was serving. Several direct hits were scored, and six men were killed. Despite the carnage, the men stood by their howitzers and their fallen brothers. They fought on until November the 11th 1918, when at 9:45AM an announcement was made that the Germans had finally surrendered. The soldiers celebrated, apart from Brian, who could only think of his friends that had died during the last few weeks and months, and the feelings of guilt that he was alive, and they were not. In December 1918 Brian and several survivors were in Paris on furlough, where he heard of and met Madeline. He was seeking forgiveness from his fallen friends, and wanted to speak with them, one last time to say goodbye’ Brian finally set sail back to the US on March 31st, 1919. So, the window for Madeline’s ‘relationship’ with Brian is between December 1918 to March 1919. Citation: Information on the 103rd Field Artillery Regiment heavily cribbed from the following site http://smallstatebighistory.com/103r...western-front/ |
#32
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There is another route in for the conman if you want to take it, Mrs Timmons husband died about six weeks prior to the letters being sent out, therefore it is possible, that Mabel is Strange2099's next intended victim, and may have been working on her for the past few weeks.
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#33
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That could work. That would mean that he and Madeline know each other from moving in similar circles in New York, and each have to worry about the other one blowing their cover.
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I have taken the Oath of Sangus. 15/15
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#34
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Oooohhh! Intrigues within intrigue! I like these ideas!
I will write up my character background over the holiday weekend and post it for review. Stay tuned! |
#35
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Last edited by Lord Ruthers; Dec 27th, 2018 at 04:58 PM. |
#36
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Last edited by Trmmilwwi; Dec 28th, 2018 at 01:10 PM. |
#37
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Last edited by DJP1961; Dec 29th, 2018 at 03:04 PM. |
#38
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Quote:
It was late one October night and Sargeant Markwell was treading his beat, near The Blind Beggar pub in Bethnal Green, the weather was miserable, both wet and cold, his thick coat kept the worst of the weather at bay. As he walked past the pub, he could smell the beer, and the urge to go in was almost too strong, but he resisted the temptation. He passed by a dark alley, and suddenly he felt the swift strike of a blackjack hit on his temple from behind. His vision blurred, and warm blood gushed from the open wound, severely disorientated by the blow he heard a thick east end accent with a slight Irish lilt, "You put my bruvver in hospital you fecking copper, lets see how you like it. Come on lads, get him down the alley, we'll give him a good kickin', and I'll carve the fecker up." Blows rained down upon Robert, as several people attacked him with both feet and fists, he was unable to focus on his assailants, they were wearing dark clothing, and that was about all he could make out. He was resigned to the fact he was probably going to die. Suddenly several figures wearing olive drab clothing appeared and barrelled into his assailants, a fist fight broke out. After a minute or so later the dark clothed figures ran off into the darkness. A couple of the figures in olive clothing helped Bobby to his feet, one recovered his helmet. Are you okay constable? asked one, the accent was unfamiliar to him, random thoughts ran through his mind as he mused, Canadian maybe. He was still breathing, and alive and who they were, or where they came from didn't really matter. He could smell the alcohol on their breath and all he could think of was god I need a drink. The four men escorted Bobby back top the nearest station, where he could get some basic medical attention. His vision was beginning to recover, his saviours were obviously soldiers and they wore a badge on the sleeves. six fleur-de-lys and a cannon with a single chevron all in yellow on a red background with the motto of Play The Game. It meant little to Bobby, maybe some artillery company. The soldiers gave their statements to the desk sergeant, and disappeared into the night. After a couple of days a letter arrived addressed to Sargeant Markwell, the letter was from Private Brian Timmons of the second battalion of the 103rd Rhode Island field artillery regiment battery C. enquiring as to his health. Booby sent a letter in return. Additional letters arrived every few weeks through the remainder of 1917, and into the beginning of 1918, mostly just inane chit chat of army life, some sections were inked out, but even Bobby could identify they were probably place names. The letters got more sporadic as 1918 drew on, only one letter a month, but the tone of the letters was much darker and grim tales of the harsh life in the trenches. Late November he received a letter that was positively filled with a morose sentiment. "It's over, I wish my friends were still here to share the joy, William and Harry bought it in the trenches when we came under bombardment from the hun. They were with me and Joey, when we found you in that alley. Going to Paris soon, to get away from this hell, maybe we'll be home soon. Maybe you could come over to the states sometime, we can share a drink and raise a toast to Will & Harry." Once Brian was back stateside, the letters continued to arrive every few weeks through the remainder of 1918, and up to December 1919 when the letters suddenly stopped. [OOC] Just think you've survived the great war, you get home in March 1919 to find the Volstead act had just come into force. Last edited by DJP1961; Dec 27th, 2018 at 08:24 PM. Reason: It's 01:24 and I've been awake for 20 hours. |
#39
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Quote:
In answers to questions 2 and 3, I can make 1917 work. I'm not a history buff which means that (2) I'm not married to particular dates and (3) I hadn't actually considered that it was Prohibition Era, which is going to present some interesting ethical dilemmas for a visiting cop with a drink problem . I'm reading up on it now, but lets make it work
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#40
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Last edited by Strange2099; Jan 1st, 2019 at 12:32 AM. Reason: Embellished backstory & added some tie-ins. |
#41
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#42
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Yes! I hope you don't mind that I play around with the real Arthur Ford. The picture wasn't doing it for me, and although I was tempted to go with a more subdued photo, I couldn't resist making it obvious where the visual inspiration was coming from (after all, he is going to be a 'phony medium'! Though, heads-up for everyone: He will not readily admit it!)
If you think it breaks the tone of the game, I can select a more subdued option (char is still WIP, and there are plenty of other photos out there!) |
#43
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No, I'm good. I was a fan of Dali and surrealism as a kid, and still am. I used to have a poster of the Temptation of St Anthony on my wall.
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#44
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Thanks for letting me use the photo!
FYI, I updated the char bio, which should now be complete. @Touketsu - I noticed that your char was an Investigative Reporter, also from NYC? I hope you don't mind that I included a connection. I thought it quite interesting that so many of us were operating in NY! |
#45
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My intention is to post a private message to each player tomorrow, it's purpose is to determine who arrives at the Timmons' residence first, and the player's first interaction with the butler Jarvis. Once everyone has replied, I'll post it up in the story folder.
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