Hello everyone!

I'm back again with a new work in progress with a major artwork that I'm currently doing. This time, it's based on the challenging Saint Petersburg holdout map.

The artwork itself will feature the Russian Naval Infantry (or Russian Marines) defending Millionnaya Street with the St. Petersburg Militia. Because there are no naval units for Russia, I'm drawing the Naval Infantry to show them some recognition. It would make sense for them to appear, because the Baltic Sea is close to St. Petersburg.

The buildings in the background are based on the Google Maps street view of Millionnaya Street, specifically the road facing the Neva River and the Peter and Paul Fortress. As stated in the Official game wiki, there are less Zombies spawning there because of the presence of the Neva.

A follow-up for my young Michel Beltoise post. This is some lore on how Michel met his Egyptian girlfriend, as well as the conception of his illegitimate son.

Images in order:
1.) Michel Beltoise and Layla Malek, circa 1798.
2.) Layla Malek, circa 1798.
3.) Mehmed "Medy" Beltoise, circa 1834.

The year was 1798, and Napoleon travels to Egypt for his military expedition. Michel Beltoise, fresh from recruitment, experiences the hot sandy terrain of Egypt. There, he befriends Bruno Delibes, a Frenchman who lives in Le Mans, the place where Michel was from. Disease was rampant amongst the French ranks, and many of them were put out of action due to it, and many of them died to it.

In Cairo, after the battle, many doctors struggled to heal the wounded and cure the sick, and among those doctors were the Malek Family, who's patriarch, Abdel Malek, is an experienced doctor and pharmacist. Among the family of doctors was Layla Malek, Abdel's beautiful daughter. Michel caught dysentary, and was given a glass of orange juice by Layla when she checked on him. Michel was enamored at her beauty, and took her instructions seriously solely to impress her. Weeks later, he was all well after following Layla's orders. The two formed a friendship, which became a romantic relationship days after.

Layla became a camp follower to the French army, and she spent tireless hours healing the wounded by wrapping bandages around their bruises, as well as removing bullets lodged in many injured Frenchmen. She also used a sabre to amputate their legs if needed. One time, Michel was shot in the leg at the Siege of Jaffa, to which Layla was responsible to remove the bullet that's stuck in his left thigh. Their love for each other made Michel heal even quicker, nd it is the power of the mind that made him recover faster.

At some points, Michel and Layla would tease each other and play jokes to make their relationship less boring. The two would often be seen next to each other when camp is set up, and would eat together when meals are served, and what made their relationship stronger is their Catholic faith. Michel is a Roman Catholic, while Layla is a Coptic Catholic. Their denominations may be different, but share similar belief systems.

After the French surrendered to the British and French in 1801, the French were permitted to be repatriated back to France. However, some chose to stay in Egypt and become citizens. Bruno Delibes chose to stay, while Michel chose to return to France to reunite with his family. Michel's decisions made Layla upset. Two days prior to the ships leaving Alexandria, Michel and Layla spent one last night together, and it was at this point that the both of them unknowingly conceived a child. Layla and Michel would bid farewell, and the two would never see each other again... until 1829.

After Michel left, Layla realized that she is pregnant. She was nervous to tell her parents about this, but did so nonetheless out of necessity. Her parents were furious after finding out that she was pregnant and blamed Bruno Delibes for it, despite Michel leaving Egypt two days earlier. Hostilities lasted for several hours, until Bruno, Layla, and the Maleks came to an agreement to take care of the child. Bruno became the father to Layla's child, but had to seek guidance to the Maleks to take care of a child. And what of Michel? Because Michel and Layla shared each other's addresses, they communicate with one another through a series of letters updating one another. Once Michel returned home to France, he was utterly depressed and devastated for leaving Layla behind.

It was in France that Michel would learn of Layla's pregnancy, after Bruno sent him a letter detailing it. He felt guilty for it, but was resilient and wrote back to Bruno to marry Layla for the sake of his illegitimate child. He allowed the both of them to marry and have children to give his illegitimate child some siblings to play with and not feel alone, as well as a father to grow up with. In 1802, Michel's illegitimate son was born, and was named Omar Mehmed Abdel, and he carried the surname of Delibes instead of Beltoise, due to the fact that Bruno married Layla months before Mehmed's birth.

In 1829, years after the Napoleonic Wars had ended, Michel returns to Egypt to deliver wine to an Egyptian customer. At this point, starting from 1821, Michel Beltoise opens a Vineyard after working at the Château-Latour Vineyards from 1816 to 1821. Prior to the delivery of the wine, he wrote a letter to Bruno and Layla informing them that he will be going to Egypt to meet them after twenty-eight years. Michel sent them a box of wine for them to taste and try out, as well as the delivery that the Egyptian customer had ordered. Upon meeting the Delibes family in Alexandria, their reunion was very much teary, and tears were shed when Michel and Layla meet again after almost thirty years. What was more dramatic was the reunion of Michel and Mehmed. The two embraced for several minutes and wept, as well as Michel apologizing to his own son that he wasn't there for him. Michel stayed in Egypt for two weeks, but the Delibes family made plans to move to France after tensions between France and Britain de-escalated.

In 1831, the Delibes family finally moved to France and live in Château-Renault. Michel's own family, comprising of a Polish Widow and three children, welcomed Mehmed as part of theirs, even though he is Egyptian. Mehmed legally changed his surname to Beltoise in 1834, and he worked at his biological father's vineyard. The Beltoise family affectionately call him "Medy", and he was often mistaken as an Italian or Corsican by the guests and customers. Layla and Bruno became the godparents to the Beltoise children, and also in 1834, Layla romanized her name from Layla Hana Aliyah Malek-Delibes to Leila Hanna Alicia Malique-Delibes.

But what about the Guts & Blackpowder timeline? Well... it's left ambiguous.

I'm giving my JSchlatt-looking French OC a backstory and appearance, so here it is. And if you're asking why he has a Beard at 16, it's because of his strong genes.

The Young Soldier of Le Mans

Jean Michel Louis Pierre Beltoise was born in Le Mans in 1782 to a family of agriculturists. During the French Revolution, he wanted to become a Soldier after hearing about Napoleon's victory on the Bastille, but was still too young. He had to wait for the right time to enlist in the army, and when he turned 15 in 1797, he enlisted in the French Army.

Michel's first engagement was in Napoleon's Egyptian Campaign, where he fought several battles and was nearly killed during the Battle of the Pyramids. He contracted an illness during his stay in Egypt, but managed to live after he was treated by an Egyptian woman one year older than him. Her name was Layla Malek, the daughter of Egyptian doctors. Michel and Layla formed a relationship which lasted until 1801, when the French surrendered. Aside from his Egyptian girlfriend, he met Bruno Delibes, a fellow townsfolk of Le Mans.

When the French surrendered to the British and Ottomans in 1801, the French were given an opportunity to be repatriated to France, while some chose to stay and integrate into Egyptian society as Civilians. Michel chose to go home, while his friend, Bruno, chose to stay. Two days prior to Michel's departure to France, He and Layla eloped and unknowingly conceived a child. Michel felt sad when he had to leave Layla, as well as his friend, Bruno.

After Layla learned that she was pregnant, she was scolded by her parents and blamed Bruno for her pregnancy, despite Michel being the biological father of Layla's child. Bruno made a promise to Layla's parents that he will take care of the child, and a negotiation was made to assis him and Layla to take care lf the child. Layla's child was born one year after Michel left, and he was named Omar Mehmed Abdel Delibes. Michel was 19 when he unknowingly conceived his illegitimate son.

Bruno sent a letter to Michel in 1802 informing him that he got Layla pregnant, and that her son was already born. Michel became guilt-ridden and depressed, but because of his resilience, he wrote to Bruno to take care of his illegitimate son and marry Layla for the sake of his child having a present father.

In Our timeline, Michel wouldn't meet his biological son, Mehmed, until 1829 when Mehmed was 27. Their meeting was very emotional, but Bruno promised to Michel that his family will move to Egypt so that Mehmed can be with his biological father for the rest of his life. Mehmed's stepmother and stepsiblings befriended him, but was estranged to have him as a member of the family because of being Michel's illegitimate son, as well as his Egyptian origins. Mehmed worked at his biological father's vineyard at Château-Renault, and would often call him "Michel", because he's used to calling Bruno as his father, because he grew up living with him for almost two and a half decades. Michel's family affectionately call Mehmed "Medy".

As for the Guts & Blackpowder timeline? It's left ambiguous...

TLDR: Michel fought in Egypt and had an Egyptian girlfriend, and unknowingly had an illegitimate son.

London has fallen to the Blight, and the dead make their way to all parts of the United KIngdom. The many palaces of the Royal Family have been overrun by endless hordes of undead, and the soldiers defending them retreated to different locations to regroup or desert. The situation at Windsor Castle became a Last Stand for the Royal Family themselves, especially to the mentally unwell and nearly blind monarch, George III.

Days before the holdout at Trafalgar House, the King, under the influence of his madness and delusions, willingly ran out of his palace to welcome what appeared to him a mob of civilians, but in reality, they were Cannibals, and due to his poor eyesight, he failed to recognize them. George III attempted to embrace one of them as a sign of welcome, but was scratched and bitten by the cannibal. The Coldstream Guards ran toward him and fended off the cannibal attempting to devour him. They picked up the king by the arms and legs and took him to the Doctor's Quarters inside Windsor Castle. Dr. Holm was notified of the incident and ordered the King to be restrained to the chair. At this time, the King's skin turned gray and veins started to appear. His eyes slowly turned bloodshot red and he lost consciousness at some hour. He woke up as a Cannibal. Dr. Richards response was to put down the King, but Dr. Holm protested and wanted to use the serum made to cure the Blight on the already dead King. Dr. Richards protested, and put the King to sleep. George III's last words were "I am the King of England!", prior to losing consciousness and succumbing to the Blight.

Because of the game’s lore as well as detailed letters written by characters, I’ve decided to make a mock letter with the “handwriting” of my OC, Alex. Actually, it’s my handwriting, and I’ve been practicing within the past few days on improving my penmanship skills.

The letter details Alex’s imprisonment in Russia and his recollection of the failed 1825 Decembrist Revolt which occurred at St. Petersburg. He also noted that it might be his last letter since he might die in Russia, but was saved by the British Ambassador to Russia after negotiating with the Russian Ambassador. This mock letter was written in the real-world where the Blight never existed. The reason why Alex went to Russia was that he became a Journalist for the Britannia Herald after retiring from the British Army.

Of course, I wrote the mock letter using a quill pen that I purchased from the Harry Potter shop in Tokyo.

I got inspired by Mafia: Definitive Edition and made Cigarette Cards of three of my OCs excluding Barry, who is a Canon character in the game. Their character descriptions are also there in the reverse faces of the card.

Because of the new Catacombes de Paris revamp screenshots have been released on the G&B Discord Server, I thought of drawing Jean as an NCO of the Garde Nationale. In addition to this, I made a mockup of Garde Nationale units and an achievement on unlocking them. Images Four and Five explains why I did this, as well as how the Garde Nationale would appear in the game.

HISTORICAL CONTEXT:
the Garde Nationale was France's National Guard which fought during the Battle of Paris in 1814, but was disbanded after Napoleon's first abdication. However, there were new Line Infantry regiments made comprising of members of the Garde Nationale which were the 135th Line Infantry to the 156th Line Infantry. These new regiments fought extensively in Germany and in Eastern France.
Because Guts & Blackpowder is an Alternate History game, the Garde Nationale (includes the 135th - 156th Line Infantry) weren't disbanded because of the Truce after Leipzig, and they resorted to defending all of France as well as Europe. It would make sense for the Garde Nationale to appear in Paris and Roscoff, because those two maps take place inside France.
If the 135th Line Infantry Regiment were to be a separate regiment, then they only appear in Leipzig, Hougoumont, La Ferme and La Haye.

Of course, it is up to the Devs to decide if they will be added to the game or not.

Based on a crazy thought in my head that the Neuchâtel soldiers looked like an army of Ronald McDonalds. And yes... it's fucking uncanny to see a fast-food mascot in a Napoleonic-era uniform... and speaking of Fast-Food, he'll eat you in a second if he'll become a Viral Runner.

Also, I'm gonna personally call the Neuchâtel Battalion as the McDonald's Batallion.

Pa-ra-pa-pa-pa, I'm lovin' it!

"What? I'm Hungry." said Barry, as he continued to munch on a sausage while reading his copy of the Britannia Herald.
"This is your THIRD SERVING today." complained Alex. "You're gonna get fat."
"So what?" scoffed Barry. "I'm reading about the Great Comet of 1811 in this newspaper. I gotta eat when I read."
Those comments made Alex more disappointed on Barry's eating habits. He took his last bite of steak and then sighed.
"Barry. Reading something is NOT a strenuous activity." Alex sighed. "You just sit in some corner and read something from the Britannia Herald."
"My brain needs food, you know." said Barry nonchalantly. "You know what they say, 'Food for Thought'."
Barry continued munching on his third serving of sausages and bread.

I've always wanted to draw Barry eating like Ron fucking Weasley... and people tend to portray Barry as a fat man. Meanwhile, I'm here drawing him as thin yet hungry like Ron. Third and Fourth images are the references.

Also Cameo by Major Dopfer in Image 2.

I didn't add the video time on the bottom right because I don't know how long the video would be.

"Is there something wrong, Monsieur?" a Vivandière inquired on the itching Sergeant.
Alex turned to her and said: "Gah, nothing personal. It's just that bloody heat rash... bloody thing's been there since I was ten."
"Maybe put some powder on your body." suggested the Vivandière. "It will help you get rid of those nasty rashes."
"Not just that. I want to move somewhere more cooler like... you know, Sweden, Norway, or maybe even Canada." said Alex, as he expressed his interests in moving up north. "The climates there are much more cooler, though I prefer Canada over Scandinavia. Wanna know why?"
"What is it?"
"Vikings."
The vivandière just laughed. "You silly man... you know that Vikings don't exist anymore. They're history. Though it is dangerous to go to Sweden or Norway due to that war between the two nations. Canada truly is favorable, Monsieur. It's part of your Empire, anyway."

One thing that Alex hates about Spain is his heat rash. He had gotten it ever since he was a child, and he's never rolled his sleeves only to hide those red spots. Alex wished that when the war ends, he would move up north so it wouldn't be hot; preferably, he would choose to move to Canada across the sea. He considered Sweden or Norway, but feared that Vikings might attack him despite the viking age being already over for a very long time.

I'm back once again to showcase some of my artwork that will appear as illustrations in my next G&B fanfic, which is basically Part Two of it. It's called Forlorn Hope, Part II: The Descent into Hell, and it's a continuation of Forlorn Hope, Part I: The Inevitable. These illustrations consist of Characters who were mentioned or will appear in the story. The ilustrations are as follows:
1. A French Soldier shoving off a Cannibal.
2. The Marquess of Wellington looking through a Spyglass.
3. Juliette Beaufoy, a Vivandière.
4. General Louis Emmanuel Rey talking to Lieutenant James Walker.

To celebrate 250 Years of American Independence, I drew Crawford, a US Marine, a Boarding Party Seaman, plus a British and French soldier, including Columbia herself singing "Hail, Columbia"... The Brit ain't handling it, while the Frenchman just swayed along with the rhythm.

There are two versions of the artwork:
- The first version is a tribute to J.C. Leyendecker and his illustrations for the Saturday Evening Post.
- The second version is a Blue background with a gigantic 250 behind the characters, and in front of them are a bundle of banners with the words "HAIL COLUMBIA" and the years 1776 and 2026 colored in gold.

Just a drawing of a platoon of Prussian Soldiers marching to battle, nothing suspicious here... but the faces on some of the troops say otherwise.

The Goose-Step (German: Stechschritt) is a type of lockstep march used by the Germans in the 18th Century until the late-20th Century, starting from the Kingdom of Prussia and lastly used by the German Democratic Republic. At rare occasions, the Bundeswehr (The current form of the German Army) uses the Goose-step in some of their live drills, most notably in 2017 where it was executed by a live band complete with a platoon in a public event at Düsseldorf.

There are only a few countries that still use the goose-step, most notably Chile, which still holds Prussian traditions in mny of their military parades. North Korea also uses a modified form of the goose-step which includes a slight bounce when soldiers march, and the extension of the leg is higher and less-relaxed compared to the traditional version where the steps are more relaxed.

Something I've always wanted to do... draw the Prussians on Parade while displaying the recognizable Goose Step; a type of march used since the 18th Century. There would be flowers all around their uniforms, women handing over flowers for the troops as well as streamers and flags around the city.

Expect it to be finished within one or two weeks since I wanted it to have a crisp finish and for it to look grand.

I haven't been active in this subreddit lately due to procrastination and laziness as well as a one month visit to Canada to meet up with family and friends. I'm also losing interest in playing Guts & Blackpowder due to the current state of Roblox, but I'm still interested in it.

Since I'm a fan of Harry Potter, I've made a few artworks mixing in Guts & Blackpowder and the Wizarding World of Harry Potter. Yes, I'm aware of Muskets & Magic, but this is specifically based on the universe that J.K. Rowling made. Here are the titles of each artwork and further information will be added in the comment section:
- Aerial Duel at La Haye Sainte
- Battle in the Black Forest
- Troll in the Ronchamp Coal Mine
- BONUS: Guts & Blackpowder logo with Harry Potter font

"Let the feast begin!" — Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore