Hey all!

So I've been working on an idea for feudalistic setting set in the near future. I've got some history and the basic setting I want to use. If you've ever seen Code Geass or read Isaac Asimov's Foundation series you'll get the basic idea; feudalistic/monarchy based governments in a modern/sci-fi setting. The setting I've been working on is somewhat inspiried by CG, in that I do want mechs/mecha to be a core story element.

I would however, like to make a couple things clear. Yes I thoroughly enjoy mech anime and understand they can be over the top and juvenile at times. However, I don't like that approach to my writing and RPing. What I'm trying to convey here is a certain tone. Raw goofiness isn't what I'm looking for. I always try to set mature tones and allow room for serious themes to be dealt with in my RPs and writing.

The tone of the mechs themselves, in my opinion should lie somewhere between Geass' semi-realism and hard sci-fi realism. Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann's need not apply.

Of course, we still have to have fun! And giant robots are fun. I'm simply aiming for a good balance.

Disclaimer: This is fiction, and full of cheesy history, as there is a certain amount of anime influence. I normally stick to very hardline gritty settings and plots but I am going off that path with this one. It is meant to over the top at times. You are meant to think 'that'd never happen, but cool!' Let's have a bit of fun!

So, without further ado, some core points to address before we would move to RP thread stage:
-Tech level is low-mid sci-fi.

-Yes I am aware mechs are impractical combat units, in fact I often argue this point with people, but for the sake of the setting/rp artistic licence is being applied to make the the strongest military units.

-There is potential for this to be a hybrid nation RP. Either a small group of nation players (2-4) with a supplementary group of character players, or some other combination.

-Immediate concern is acquiring interest.

-I set myself a post standard of 1000 word minimum, but will only post content which I believe has quality also.

-My own posting speed would be 1-3 times a week, possibly more.






”A man’s opportunities are never exhausted so long as other men possess millions of acres and thousands of tons of gold.”

















The Empire is an absolute monarchy. All authority stems from and is concentrated on the Emperor. A variety of houses preside over individual areas of governing but all are directly subject to the whims of the Emperor. Each of these Houses is overseen by a Lord, chosen by the Imperial Majesty. Some of the most notable Houses are, the House of Warfare, The House of Economics and the House of Industry. There are currently over two dozen Houses though some of the newly formed ones are little more than Titles.

The Empire is a quasi-religious organisation. It does not subscribe to any previously mainstream religion, however, in fact it is openly against what it deems to be archaic belief systems and in their place it imposes its own doctrine of faith. Since its inception it has proposed a belief in the power of physical domination. Divinty through action. Thus it was named the 'Holy' Imperium by its founding King, so as to reflect his own status and that of the Empire in the world. Most Imperial citizens alive today have been raised and educated through schooling systems which instill the belief that holiness is a tangible concept, directly linked to influence and power, making the Emperor the holiest human alive.

Actual administration of the Empire is broken down so as to be more systematic and manageable, as the Empire currently reigns over 31.8% of the Earth's landmass. The American Empire is sectioned off into The Homeland, Tier 1 Dominions, Tier 2 Dominions and Fringe Zones. The Homeland comprises the former continental United States, the Canadian Zones, The Central Mexican Districts and the Offshore Primes. Tier 1 Dominions can be found in South America, Coastal Africa the Middle-East and a single central Dominion in Europe. Tier 2 Dominions make up the rest of the European continent, the interior of Empire controlled Africa and several arctic zones.

Each Dominion is adminstered by a Duke-Governor, often directly related or connected to Emperor.


The Holy Imperium came into exsistence in the early 21st century. Growing international angst, fearmongering and manipulation of the media lead to widespread insecurity amongst the general populace. This afforded those in power the oppurtunity to begin removing personal liberties and instilling tight martial control with little resistance. Many citizens openly supported it, deeming it necessary and most others begruddingly accepted it as the lesser of two evils.

Eventually, after a number of years, the current President, Francis Cedars had effectively removed all but a few restrictions on his power. Re-election could happen any number of times, he assumed total military control through conviction that they were eteranally at war with would be enemies. Slowly but surely all vestiges of democracy crumbled under waves of propaganda and fear. Europe looked across the Atlantic and demanded action, but were merely ignored, portrayed as villians in American Media. Republics across the world feared inciting nuclear war, and having not learned its lessen, the world fell victim to the option of appeasement.

The invasion of Mexico was sudden and swift, 'justified' on the merits of hit them before they hit us. The Canadian people grew increasing appalled at the acts of their neighbouring country and called for action to be taken, before the were quickly encompassed also. With complete capitulation both north and south of its original borders, Cedars declared the former United States to be the Holy American Imperium and the former countries of Mexico and Canada to be integrated into its borders.

Over the coming decades, the Imperium would seize control of Central America, and much of South America, before establishing a foothold in the West Africa coast. European resistance was only political, hands tied behind backs by political correctness and bureaucracy. Chinese interests were never threatened directly by the Empire, and China itself would soon begin to expand its borders.


The Imperium, being the monarchy that it is, values personal power above all else. There is quite a deal of poverty in the empire, but also ample oppurtunity to seize. While societal divisions are clearly present, they are not enforced and any citizen has the oppurtunity to rise through the ranks. Of course, those born into power have nothing to worry for, and the adminstration does everything in its power to convince the lower class that they too have some hope. In reality, it is unlikely that much more than a small few will ever obtain the upward mobility they desire.

In general, the class system of the Empire can be classed as such:


Culture-wise, it is a mixing pot. Imperial values are heavily hung over the heads of all Dominions. Native culture and traditons are allowed but take a massive backseat to imposed American values. Military service is mandatory in some newer Dominions, but a feverent belief in their righteousness means there are always plenty recruits to be found in the Homeland.

---

The Pan-Asiatic Alliance isn't a single governing body. Rather it is the accumulated strength of numerous internal nations, however, it has become such a self reliant system that it is generally viewed as being a single entity, especially external to it. The most influential of these cogs is the People's Republic of China, acting as the industrial powerhouse of the Alliance. Though it has recently been doing away with the 'republic' misnomer. China has more sway over affairs in the Alliance than other constituent state bar India and in some opinions, Japan. The actual system of rule in the Alliance is best described as an Oligarchy mixed with older Fascist values, in which the Oligarchs are the former positions held by leaders of the distinct nations, democratic or otherwise. Currently there are over seven hundred Oligarchs, but they command absolute authority. Much of the land and labor divisions in mainland Alliance territory is borderline feudalistic, with Coastal regions such as Shanghai and Japan being far more liberal.


The Asiatic Alliance has its history irrevocably entangled with that of the Empire. While there was no direct Imperial influence, the actions of the Imperium in the early-mid 21st lead to a surge of increased nationalism in emerging Asian countries. India and China are the most notable pillars around which the Alliance developed. Initially allying with each other for trade and security purposes despite notable ideological clashes. Early in the life of this new union, the constantly problematic dictatorship of North Korea began causing ruckus closer to home. Having conceded that its veiled threats to assault American soil were being diminished as the Empire's reach grew, the dictatorship decided to shake its phallus at everyone else. Threats of nuclear war were not taken lightly, regardless of them being the thoughts of a single madman, and China quickly descended to the 38th parallel and threatened, openly, the sovereignty of South Korea also.

Initially critical of China's actions, India scolded the deployment of troops further south. When Japan, focused more on imminent threat across the pacific, chose to do nothing, much of the Indian parliament's doubts were washed away in Chinese fervor. In yet another historic moment of human blindness, Japan was very soon engulfed in this expansion also, albeit in a political manner. The China-India pact proposed the Pan-Asiatic Alliance as a method of deterring American invasion. In reality the Chinese government were colluding with the Emperor in a plan to consolidate world power.

Over the coming years leading up to the War on Europe, the Alliance continued to expand its borders into the middle-east and Africa, proclaiming to the world it must mirror the advances of the Empire or be swallowed by it. When the Imperium invaded Europe, the Alliance announced it must to strike across the continent to prevent too much land and resources falling to the Americans.



The culture of the Alliance is even more diverse than anything in the Empire. Ancient traditions, rooted deep in history can be seen eveywhere within its borders. Most average citizens have adopted realistic and pragmatic apporaches to living, but their heritage is still evident in the home and workplace.

Whilst having a more 'fair' non-caste based society, for the most part, Alliance states tend to have a much larger degree of poverty than the Empire, especially in rural and suburban areas. Many parts of what traditionally made up India, Pakistan and neighbouring land still hold onto caste-based systems, though they aren't openly enforcing it.

There exist nations apart from this. The Oceanic Federation controls much of the Pacific and island nations of Asia, the African Bloque is a disparate amalgamtion of despots with control in the center and south of the countinent and the Soldados de la Justicia are a massive freedom fighting force in South American territories outside of the Empire. For the purposes of this RP, only the rebelling forces of Europe, the Empire and the Alliance are involved. If this rp develops enough, the world will along with it.

@Darkmatter

Love the world-building going on here!

Question(s): Will we as players be playing within a specific nation? If not, how will we link our stories together? What kind of ROBOTS will we be using? And are we allowed to submit multiple characters?

I think it'd be interesting to play as a character within the Imperium (or the Alliance), like a Viscount or Duke, even a Rook, as well as an unaffiliated/rebel character, if that's possible.

I do however love the idea of it being a hybrid-NRP. I think that if we get enough people doing it that way would expand the sense of scale.

Also

"Having conceded that its veiled threats to assault American soil were being diminished as the Empire's reach grew, the dictatorship decided to shake its phallus at everyone else."

I chuckled heartily :

ARRRRGHHHHHHHHHH.

Post deleted as I finished typing.

So you have to get a short version now, I'm sorry.

I wasn't sober writing the setting, it's meant to be fun!

Robots = anime-ish mechs based on actual remotely possible science. No Evangelion supermagicbots. If you want to pilot a gritty tank-on-legs mech then awesome. If you want a mech with a face and a cockpit and named powers that's also perfectly awesome. Both will need at least some science behind them, but you can still be a bit outside the box!

Characters = Multiple

Nations = The big two are not up for grabs right now, they're more facilitators of plot, but any position in them is. Smaller player controlled factions are welcome.

Korea = I had to get a dick dig in there somewhere.

Posting here because i will do things and this is COOOOOOOL.

Cool.

Don't tell me I've never done anything for you.

Posting here because i will do things and this is COOOOOOOL.

Cool.

Cooley cool, the cooliest

The Bullshit is Contained [+]

Robots!

Anime!

Darkmatter!

Isotope!

Hybrid-Nation RP!

By your powers combined...

I AM TATSUA AIISEN.

Don't tell me I've never done anything for you.

Welcome!!

@All

I should be getting a few of my own characters up today and tomorrow.

This definitely looks interesting.

This definitely looks interesting.

That name though >.>

I assure that I didn't type it with a lick of sarcasm.

Well welcome aboard!
The OOC might seem a bit slow at the minute but it'll definitely pick up once I get my character up and the rest of you are awe-inspired.

Edit:

Btw, the IC will be starting sometime after the Battle of Amsterdam. Eighteen months to two years was my initial thoughts. The new status quo having been firmly established.

Edit:

I have a bare bones CS up, I'll be adding to it continually this evening, just wanted to let ye know what at least one of my main characters will be.

So I finished a CS. I will be proofreading and rewriting it all though. First drafts tend to suck, and I feel it is too clichéd and melodramatic even for this RP . Yet, I wanted to get to ball rolling and give you guys an idea.

Edit:
If someone is playing as an Imperial soldier/knight/rook/something and feels their mech design isn't like what I have posted as 'canon' just say it! I'm nice like that.

Cool, as for what we discussed I'll have it written out in a few days when I get home from BC

I like your CS! That definitely gave me some inspiration.

I'm thinking of running a micro-Basque resistance state with a base in the Pyrenees---does that sound good to you @Darkmatter? And would anyone be interested in joining?

I'm off for the next three days so expect to see something from me up here; I need to use my time wisely!

Cool, as for what we discussed I'll have it written out in a few days when I get home from BC

I like your CS! That definitely gave me some inspiration.

I'm thinking of running a micro-Basque resistance state with a base in the Pyrenees---does that sound good to you @Darkmatter? And would anyone be interested in joining?

I'm off for the next three days so expect to see something from me up here; I need to use my time wisely!

Sounds great! Though bare in mind, as I've said, getting too inwordly focused on our factions will lead to the RP dying! It should still be a character driven experience with plenty interaction between characters. The idea you have sounds great though.

Also, your signature. It's too hypnotic.

@Darkmatter Ahh, I see what you're saying. I'll draw up the concept for it, but perhaps start it later on in the RP and focus on my MURICAN character first instead. I realize that the early stages of the RP are the most important, and having character interaction would be much easier with some muricans and one group of rebels rather than a bunch all at once.

@Darkmatter Ahh, I see what you're saying. I'll draw up the concept for it, but perhaps start it later on in the RP and focus on my MURICAN character first instead. I realize that the early stages of the RP are the most important, and having character interaction would be much easier with some muricans and one group of rebels rather than a bunch all at once.

Given the furistic setting, we can assume travel is easier than today so different factions in Europe could easily co-ordinate and co-operate. We are lacky Muricans for now though. Feel free to do both.

It hasn't been stated but I'd say it's safe assumption to assume the mechs utilize at least some kind of wheeled boosting capabilty, or large scale aerial transport. They ain't gonna be walking across continents.
Perhaps advanded boosting and flight capable mechs will be an IC development we can work out?

I guess I'll create some villainous schemer. I love making those. I'll also be an American.

I guess I'll create some villainous schemer. I love making those. I'll also be an American.

I look forward to it!

I think the seemingly slow speed of my responses is probably due to Timezone difference.

<Snipped quote by Liar>

I look forward to it!

I think the seemingly slow speed of my responses is probably due to Timezone difference.

Perhaps. Personally, I've been busy earlier today in light of my little brother's birthday party and I have business tomorrow afternoon. The only thing I'm certain of is that I probably won't have time to properly write a character until Wednesday at the earliest.

However, I'm not averse to spending time here in the OOC and make things a little lively by chatting with you all.

Though I do have a question as to what you're expecting from the participants for this roleplay. Knowing what you want would help me in coming up with a suitable character. I always felt that simply writing a character freely without oversight is like jamming a star-shaped block into the square hole. You could do it, but it's more trouble than needed.

<Snipped quote by Darkmatter>

Perhaps. Personally, I've been busy earlier today in light of my little brother's birthday party and I have business tomorrow afternoon. The only thing I'm certain of is that I probably won't have time to properly write a character until Wednesday at the earliest.

However, I'm not averse to spending time here in the OOC and make things a little lively by chatting with you all.

Though I do have a question as to what you're expecting from the participants for this roleplay. Knowing what you want would help me in coming up with a suitable character. I always felt that simply writing a character freely without oversight is like jamming a star-shaped block into the square hole. You could do it, but it's more trouble than needed.

I work full time 9-6, so most of my day is spent behind a computer so it may just seem like a long time to me

What I expect is a couple of things:
1. To be able to have range of characters on different sides.
2. To handle combat/action sequences maturely, characters can die.
3. To acknowledge and contribute to the development of the central plot I have ready.
4. Be willing to put up their own plot ideas! It should still be a joint effort.

Does this answer your question or were you more getting at what specific types of character I'd like to see?

The whole core plot will become more apparent. But as it seems obvious, it will focus on the rebellion in Europe, and deeper reasons behind the Empire's birth and expansionism.