[OOC] Not a Step Back - a World War II Inspired NRP

Ranks of the Reiyk:

Land:
August - Commander in Chief
Großfeldimperator - Generalfeldmarschall
Feldimperator - Four Star General
Legatus Senioris - Three Star General
Legatus - Two Star General
Legatus Leutant - One Star General
Tribunus - Colonel
Tribunus Leutant - Lieutenant Colonel
Major - Major
Großcenturius - Captain
Centurius - Lieutenant
Centurius Leutant - Second Lieutenant

Sea:
August - Commander in Chief
Großmareimperator - Admiral of the Navy
Mareimperator - Four Star Admiral
Legatus Senioris Marinus - Three Star Admiral
Legatus Marinus - Two Star Admiral
Legatus Leutant Marinus - One Star Admiral
Tribunus Marinus - Commodore
Tribunus Leutant Marinus - Captain
Marinus Major - Commander
Großcenturius Marinus - Lieutenant Commander
Centurius Marinus - Lieutenant
Centurius Leutant Marinus - Second Lieutenant

Naming Conventions of the Reiyk:

In the Reiyk, there are primarily given names and family names (vab _____) for males. These names are primarily drawn from Roman and Germanic influence. In the Reiyk, male children are given a middle, ordinal name. For instance, Julius Erstus vab Schipius is the firstborn son, and from the Schipius family.
In keeping with their role within Reiyk society, women are not given their own names in the Reiyk, and are instead given the feminine form of the name of their Pater along with ordinal name. Thus, the first daughter of Julius Erstus vab Schipius will be known as Julia Ersta vab Schipius.

Erstus - First
Zvetus - Second
Drittus - Third
Vertus - Fourth
Funtus - Fifth
Sechstus - Sixth
Situs - Seventh
Actus - Eighth
Nentus - Ninth
Zhentus - Tenth

In case it wasn't obvious enough the Alfheicher are awful.

Some more Reiyk terminology:
Reiyksvahrus - Wehrmacht.
Maresvahrum Reiyk - Navy
Luftvahrus - Air Force.
Excheertio Reiyk - Heer.
Magniimperium Reiyksvahrus - OKW.
Frumenti - Gestapo
Fuhrikssoldaten - SS.

[Antediluvixen]

Not A Step Back - A WWII Inspired NRP

Friends, comrades, today the enemy is at our gate. For years, for decades, we have watched as armies were ground to dust, as civilizations crumbled to ash beneath iron nailed jackboots of the Alfheiches Reiyk. The Empire of Aelban reduced to a rump state desperately fending off annexation. Their forces marshal for war like never before now, confident in their ability to subjugate all the world. Many of us have already seen our skies darkened with their planes, wept as our homes were consumed by roaring flame and the relentless march of millions. It is not merely for our way of life we must fight, but for our very survival, the continued existence of one and all. The darkest hour is upon us, but so too is it our time to shine brightest against such odds.

The year is 1939 TC (Third Cycle) and the world teeters on the precipice of catastrophe. The rising empire of the Alfheiches Reiyk is bent on world conquest. Moreso than that, they are bent upon the destruction of all peoples other than themselves upon it. The Alfheichen, having become almost the sole race upon their home continent, now seek further living space. For this they look to the broader world, and see a world of mongrel sub-beings, fit only for enslavement and destruction. It is this threat against which the world must unite - and even then, it may not be enough.

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Geographic Map of the World

Political Map of the World

The Premise

United we stand, divided we fall. It is as simple as that. No single nation alone stands a chance in war against the Alfheiches Reiyk. Their population is vast, their industry immense, their armies without end, their navies preeminent. Only united can the people of the world stand against their encroachment. Only united can they resist their mutual enemy. Some may take longer to realize this than others, and longer still to swallow their mutual dislike for those they must now call their allies. But realize it they must, lest they wish to be wiped from the world.

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Rules

• Use common sense.
• No godmoding, powergaming, etc. You get the point. We’re in this to write a fun story.
• What the GM and Co-GMs say, goes. Please don’t push things this far. I don’t like having to put my foot down but I will.
• No meme nations (why do I have to make this a rule?)
• I expect you to have a basic understanding of history and how things work.
• Don’t be a piece of shit.
• You have not officially joined the game until your sheet is written and you have made an IC post. Once you do that, you will be added to the map and to the list of the Allies.
• If you fail to post without giving a reason and instructions on what to do, your inactivity will be transferred to the IC and your nation will suffer consequences from the sudden and inexplicable cessation of communication with central command.

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Background Lore

Welcome to Not A Step Back, a world teetering on the precipice of the darkest times in history. Whether the world plunges into the depths of the abyss or claws its way back into sanity? That is up to us.

The Arcane:
This is an original setting, and one that I’m calling “Formerly Magical”. Fantastical races exist and continue to thrive within this world, monstrous beings and even strange artefacts from the prior age still linger, and there technically remains a minute amount of the supernatural within the world. However, this is at its core a grounded RP, and while you are more than welcome to join me in including supernatural elements within your nation’s history and cosmology, and it is even welcome for them to be true - the supernatural will remain a background piece of detail. War will be fought with bombs and bullets, rather than the power of the arcane.

Alfheiches Reiyk:
I want to try something new with this RP, and as such I would like to introduce its principle antagonist: The Alfheiches Reiyk. Its inspiration is probably pretty self evident and as such I will not bore you with it. The Reiyk first emerged in the year 1701 in the aftermath of the dissolution of the Great Empire of Sueben, following civil war and invasion by another power on the continent. It was famed for its strong military and rigidly hierarchical social order. Without the influence of the other states of Sueben to keep it in check, it rapidly grew out of control. In time, an ideology of elitism grew amongst its ruling class and began to germinate amongst the general population too. They came to see their growing dominance over the continent as a sign of their innate right to rule, and the inferiority of other peoples and cultures. War first came with the empire of Aelban in 1853, wherein the Reiyk decisively defeated the Aelban forces on land and held them in stalemate at sea. Since then, the Empire of Aelban had been forced back on steady defeat after defeat, losing their colonies in the vast subcontinent they had referred to as Ehfragich. In turn, these colonies were taken by the Reiyk, who began to enforce the same brutal measures of purification and population replacement they have employed with almost total success on their mainland continent. Unlike their real life inspiration, their victory is in fact a distinct possibility. They represent a threat to the world never before seen. A quarter of the world population is ruled by the Reiyk, and though many of these are considered “undesireables” and subject to the same horrors they wish to visit upon the whole world, they will not easily run short of warm bodies with which to supply their war effort. Boasting a massive and formidable military, a robust and potent economy, a powerhouse industrial base, modern technology, and much more - to stop this global threat will take a global response in turn.

Alfheichen:
The Alfheichen are the largest racial group within the Reiyk. Tall and powerfully built, they are a strikingly visually distinct people. Averaging 180-190 centimeters tall for males and 145-155 centimeters for females, the Alfheichen display significant sexual dimorphism beyond that of the human norm. They are noted for their pale, almost snow white skin. Large, tusk-like lower teeth that protrude from the lip to degrees varying on the individual. Strangely, almost every Alfheichen is bald, and those who do grow hair are usually forced to shave it to maintain compliance with strict societal dress codes. Additional features about them include the addition of a sixth finger and toe on each hand and foot, their tapering elongated ears, sharp and angular facial features, and more. Alfheichen can expect to live an average of a hundred and forty to a hundred and seventy years of age. As such, many Alfheichen within the upper echelons of government have been climbing the ranks since before the proper beginning of the Reiyk’s “Imperial Age” in 1853.

Their society is extremely strictly regimented. Coalescing in a recognizeable iteration of its present form in 1861, the ruling ideology of the Reiyk has pervaded all facets of Alfheichen society. Perhaps the most patriarchal society extant today, the role of women within the Reiyk is very narrowly defined as that of mothers, housewives, and caretakers. Women are barred from all professional and academic fields, and are forbidden to hold property or to allow their faces to be seen in public. This doctrine is strictly enforced and deviation from this norm is swiftly punished.

Empire of Aelban:
Formerly the most powerful state in the world until their defeat at the hands of the Alfheiches Reiyk in what would come to be called the three hundred days’ war, the Empire of Aelban has been reduced to a rump state on the southernmost reaches of their home island, desperately fighting off the advances of the Reiyk. Predominantly made up of a human ethnic group known as the Sakseneich, the Empire was itself formerly an aggressively imperialistic world power. It clashed with many of the great powers of the world in bloody colonial wars seeking to expand its influence further. Many initially welcomed the end of their rule over their lands, until it became obvious that an even crueler tyrant had taken power in their stead. While their influence on the global stage is no more, the legacy of their empire is still felt throughout much of the world, especially within the subcontinent they dubbed Ehfragich during their annexations of much of its land.

Tech:
The technology of the world is grounded in reality, plain and simple. You are welcome to create your own weapons and designs, of course! But I do not want to see flying battleships, mech suits, or a mass produced Landkreuzer P. 1000 Ratte. You are welcome to use concepts that are a bit beyond our current time but perfectly feasible with the current technology, provided you have an acceptable reason for it. However, I do not wish to see anyone pulling out M16s or M134 miniguns mounted on attack helicopters.

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Other Information

This is the basic formula for the sheet I would like you to follow. As you play the nation, if you wish to add extra details and inform us of them you are of course more than welcome to do so. I love worldbuilding as much as anyone. Want to add some detail about your army? Go for it. Want to describe your culture in detail? Be my guest. But before you go into such minutiae, please do this first, and begin to write in the IC. Instead of being trapped in the endless limbo of writing character sheets my priority is to get to the roleplaying, the real reason we’re all here.

Nation Sheet

Name:
The name of your nation.

Add a flag or map or both here, if desired.

Summary of Nation:
A few paragraphs giving a brief overview of your nation’s geography, demographics, and so on.

History:
Attempting to summarize the full history of an entire nation in a reasonable format and timeframe is a foolish endeavor - thus, to keep it simple, I would simply ask you provide a concise answer to each of these questions:

Pre-War: Give a short summary of your nation’s recent history within roughly the past century.
Outbreak of War: What was your nation’s response to the vast conquests of the Reiyk.
Recent History: Now that war has escalated and kicked into high gear, what is your nation doing and what is their attitude towards world events?

Pressing Issues:
Every country has its issues, and yours is no exception. What issues face the country? War is far from the only woe we must face, even if it is the most pressing. Has the land been wracked by civil war? Does it suffer from a long economic depression? Does cultural or religious upheaval threaten to tear society apart? Is there a resource shortage? Do people struggle to grow food? Does organized crime run rampant? Is the nation plagued by corruption? Or is it plagued by actual plague?

Notable Strengths:
Every country is notable for something or another. Each of us has a role to play within the war effort. What does your nation bring to the table to help combat the Reiyk? Huge natural resources? A large navy? A powerful industrial base? Technology? Code breaking skills? Sophisticated intelligence agencies? Some combination of the above?

National Priorities:
In the past, I have tried a system of rolled stats, and that has not gone well at all. Instead, inspired by a friend of mine, I would like to try a new system. I wish you to rank your priorities on this list from greatest to least. A short (and I do mean short, no more than a paragraph) description of why your top and bottom are where they are, would also be ideal.

• The Army
• The Navy
• The Economy: Internal Trade
• The Economy: External Trade
• The Common People
• The Upper Classes
• Diplomacy
• Agriculture
• Cultural Issues
• Industrial Output
• Resource Extraction
• Technology
• Espionage and Intelligence
• Ideology
• Other (please give a description)

This is a sample sheet, my original sheet, free of extra embellishment or extra sections detailing things like the army or anything else. I would like you to use this as a guide for essentially what I am looking for (minus the pompously long list of names) in your own sheet. If you have questions, please ask me and I will do my best to answer them.

The Heavenly Sun Kingdom of Great Eternal Longguo

The Heavenly Sun Kingdom of Great Eternal Longguo

(until 1905 known as The Dragon Empire of Impeccable Jinguo)

The Greatest Empire to Ever Be, The Land Existing Without the Bounds of Time, The Land of Golden Virtue, The Emerald of the World, The Eternal Kingdom, The Jade Gardens of The World Between The Heavens, The Home of Dragons, Crucible of Golden Enlightenment, The Chosen Land of the Sun, The Empire of Golden Starlight, The Glimmering Jewel of Heaven, Land of Splendor and Plenty Without Peer, The Land of Equality Before the Stars From Which Injustice Has Been Banished

Summary of Nation:

Lead by High Priestess Daiyu Nuyi Loc Xiao Long, Longguo is a massive nation in the western end of the great continent of the world, and referred to by some as the world’s emerald for its lush greenery and the vast open plains that dominate much of its landscape. From the verdant plains upon which grow vast bumper crops of rice, wheat, and potatoes to the towering peaks of the Xindonjian Mountains Range. In both north and south the land is bounded by rolling hills that give way to yet more imposing mountain ranges, forming a fertile basin within which one of the oldest civilizations in history began to flourish. The capital is located at the merging of the two main tributaries of the famous Tsuyan river, and its thriving port has a long history within the vast waterway. Further north is the Guanzu river, “the yellow serpent” as it has some times been called. Known in myth as the spot at which the great wyrms from beyond the stars first touched down, the river has been a blessing and a curse for the people of the region since the dawn of civilization upon its banks. Prone to violent flooding owing to heavy deposits of sediment giving it its characteristic color, the river likewise deposits these fertile sediments upon the floodplains surrounding it nearly every year. The danger lies within the severity of the yearly flood, and the unpredictability of its timing. As such, housing near it and along its banks is frequently built on elevated stilts to survive these floods and enable rapid cultivation of rice and other crops in their wake.

The largest group by far within Longguo are the people who lend it its name - the Longzhen people. Derisively referred to as “lizards” or “wyrm spawn” by some others, they have existed since before the dawn of recorded history. Some speculate that they arose from normal humanity through some contact with the wyrms from the stars, though this is impossible to confirm for sure and as such remains fringe speculation. The Longzhen are notable for their generally short stature, with females averaging between 156-160 centimeters, and males averaging 148-152 centimeters. Longzhen are known for their long lifespans, and some have been recorded to live to over two hundred years old and showing almost no signs of age until dying peacefully in their sleep. Despite this they are known to possess surprising strength, and throughout history their armies have been well regarded for not only their sheer size, but the discipline and sophisticated logistics with which they are managed in battle and out of it. The Longzhen are similar to humanity in most regards, barring some notable differences: they have large horns and tails reminiscent of the wyrms themselves, an above average rate of female births to male births, patches of scales or scale like material grow in place of skin on seemingly random parts of their bodies, their eyes show a more reptilian appearance, and many of their teeth are larger and sharper than the human norm, alongside numerous smaller differences.

The Longzhen, culturally, are well known for a collectivist mindset. Though their society has seen huge upheaval since the end of the revolution in 1903, this is one facet that has not only remained, but gotten stronger. With the advent of the new state ideology of Heavenly Socialism, the focus on the traditional family unit has somewhat decreased, and instead this collectivist mindset has been expanded to all of broader society.

Traditionally a matriarchal society, the sexes have been declared formally equal by decree of High Priestess Daiyu. At the culmination of the civil war in the aftermath of the revolution, she honored her commitments to the progressive social movements that had been one of her greatest bases of support. Though the old attitudes remain, and men and women are still expected to adhere to their dress codes, there is a steadily growing sentiment of true equality buoyed by her fervent speeches on the matter. As such, males, while still forming a minority within the armed forces, are growing rapidly within it and all other branches of society.

History:

Pre-War:
The land of Longguo is one that has seen no end of strife and hardship in its recent history. From the year 872 until 1903 it was ruled by the last of the Great Wyrms that descended upon the world from the stars beyond. For this time, Longguo was almost a hermit kingdom, the Wyrm and its retainers paranoid of outside interference upon its miniature realm upon this backwards world. With an iron fist, the Wyrm ruled over the Longzhen for over a thousand years. In 1891, the people of Longguo, then called Jingguo, had had enough and revolted against its rule. For twelve long, bloody years the revolution raged. Formed of a coalition of different groups, the alliance was not expected to last. The revolution was spearheaded by the radical visionary Huan Ji Zhuan Tzu Bai, and in the year 1903 the wyrm was brought down in a climactic final battle. It was recorded that thousands of shells were fired to finally bring down the great beast, and tens of thousands of brave soldiers matyred against it.

In the aftermath of this revolution, Huan began her reforms, only to be assassinated by the conservative coalition following what they referred to as The Old Faith. Seeing Huan and her secular policies as a threat to their vision for the nation with the false god of the old wyrm gone, they rose against their erstwhile allies, now united into a single army calling itself the National Unification Army.

The left wing coalition had been formed of two principle groups - the Socialist Revolutionary Front, and the Heavenly Sun Kingdom. The Heavenly Sun Kingdom was lead from its creation by High Priestess Daiyu, and on hearing the news of Huan’s assassination she rallied the forces of the left wing coalition around her before they could fracture and lead the second civil war against enemy forces until the year 1912, becoming blinded in the process by shell fragments whilst orchestrating a breakout during the Siege of Djan Loc Hin. With the defeat of the enemy, Daiyu began the long process of rebuilding her home and enacting her sweeping social reforms. Daily thanks was given to the sun for the inspiration and strength to ensure justice was done. The captive members of the enemy leadership were sacrificed upon the summer solstice to the heavens, and the nation rejoiced as the stars drank their fill.

Outbreak of War:
Longguo had, though ravaged by its internal wars, been keeping close eyes upon world events at large. Alarmed by the rising power of the Reiyk, Daiyu ordered arms production into high gear and began to expand the military, preparing for possible confrontation. Fleets were ordered into standby positions, and garrisons upon their island holdings were strengthened and their fortifications improved.

Recent History: Longguo has perhaps suffered the worst of any belligerent nation attacked by the Reiyk that has not been outright defeated by them. Huge swathes of its industry for the production of tanks, aircraft, and artillery have been captured by the lightning fast naval landings of the Reiyk. The navy has been ordered to remain out of engagements unless a victory can be assured, in order to preserve precious resources against the foe. Arms factories are being built with all haste within the nation’s heartland, but it will be some time before they are ready for production. The armies of Longguo suffer terribly against the foe, but they are holding the line.

Pressing Issues:

Longguo is a nation, first and foremost, beset with the imminent threat of the enemy at the gate. The armies of the Reiyk do not threaten their border, but have overrun an entire southern section of the nation, pushing into the territory of Longguo and taking more of the Eternal Kingdom under the grasp of the foul foe. Exacerbated by this, and in turn exacerbating the situation against the Reiyk, the country has yet to recover from its devastating decade long revolution and subsequent six year civil war. Though it has been twi and a half decades since, twenty six years is not enough time to rebuild a country with few allies and few outside funds from complete and utter ruin. To say that the High Priestess and her ministries have done an admirable job considering the circumstances is no exaggeration, for before the invasion Longguo had become a powerful and world renowned innovator in numerous technological fields, a net exporter of grain and other foods, and a significant and rising industrial producer. Since then, one of its most key industrial regions has been occupied by the Reiyk - and with it, the bulk of Longguo’s existing tooling and industry to produce tanks and heavy weapons. While there is hurried work involved in building new factories located safely out of the reach of the Reiyk, the military high command is desperately attempting to secure the purchase of foreign armor and artillery made to use the ordnance of Longguo to close the looming lack of such.

Notable Strengths:

Longguo is perhaps most notable for its significant resources, in soldiers, in agricultural bounty, and in raw material. No other country save the Alfheiches Reiyk itself can compare to the vast population of Longguo, and its rich diversity in terrain and sheer size have afforded the Longzhen a cornucopia of natural resources throughout their history. As such, its armies are seemingly infinite in manpower, and though its industry has been ravaged by war, every soldier can count upon food in her belly and sufficient ammunition to continue the fight.

A sample of commonly used weaponry within the army of Longguo:

National Priorities:

The army of Longguo is one of the most formidable in the world. In the wake of the invasion by the Alfheiches Reiyk, Longguo’s attention has been wholly diverted to its desperate war for existence. Struggling to remain standing under the almighty onslaught from the beasts from across the sea, the timeless empire has poured all of its resources into forging a mighty army to hold back the invaders. And, slowly, it is working. The advances of the enemy are slowed day by day. New weapons and tactics are developed with every day of combat. With the growing strength of the army and its limitless supply of soldiers, Longguo is a true force to be reckoned with by any foe. And with aid from comrades abroad, there is real hope that the barbarians from eastern shores will be swept from their shores.

In turn, external trade has been drastically reduced. Before the war, Longguo was a significant exporter of goods and materials to the global market. With the onset of total war, however, the government has redirected the nation’s entire energy towards the desperate struggle for existence against their foe. In doing so, exports and non-critical imports have almost completely halted.

• The Army
• Industry
• The Common People
• Agriculture
• Technology
• The Navy
• Diplomacy
• Religion
• The Economy: Internal Trade
• Resource Extraction
• Cultural Issues
• Espionage and Intelligence
• The Upper Classes
• The Economy: External Trade

[Yam I Am]

Name of Nation:
Kingdom of Akiya

Government:
Federated Parliamentary Constitutional Monarchy

Ministers

▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔

Position:	Current Chairholder:	Ideology:	Duties / In Charge Of:
Head of State:	Queen Ashina Sun Seon IX	Social Conservative	Head of state, signs and approves all treaties, finalizes all legislation and international agreements.
Prime Minister:	Shin Hankul	Social Conservative	Head of government, primary speaker of the National Diet, implements policy, calls for National Conventions.
Minister of Commerce and Finance:	Chaeki Seo	Social Conservative	Balances the national budget and sets fiscal policy, head of the National Bank.
Minister of Education:	Jun Ino	Social Democratic	Reviews all educational content, organizes educational standards, coordinates all public educational institutions.
Minister of Intelligence:	Koto Yuda	Paternal Autocrat	Assesses external security threats, trains intelligence agents, in charge of all foreign espionage operations.
Minister of Foreign Affairs:	Zun Chen	Social Liberal	Meets with delegations, manages all foreign embassies, drafts agreements and treaties.
Minister of Culture and Media:	Kyou Xun	Social Democratic	Reviews press circulations for obscene content, promotes national cultural programs.
Minister of Justice:	Yin Kyu-Par	Paternal Autocrat	Head of judiciary branch of government, overviews federal judges.
Minister of Health and Welfare:	Yun-Ju Shiren	Social Conservative	Collects data on public welfare, creates public service plans, coordinates all publicly-owned civil service institutions.
Minister of Work and Labor:	Feng Kianlin	Social Democratic	Drafts labor legislation, investigates federal-level labor disputes.
Minister of Industry and Development:	Mako Tenshi	Social Democratic	In charge of all oversight regarding industrial and civic developments, often involves the coordination between municipal councils on a federal level.
Minister of Science and Technology:	Hei-Kyul Reikyan	Social Conservative	Coordinates all federal research programs, appoints federal research grants, prioritizes energy priorities.
Minister of Defense:	Feng Xian-Kyan	Social Conservative	Balances and prioritizes national defense budget, overviews equipment procurement, assesses military projection capabilities.

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Territory:

Hider

Summary of Nation:
Distant relatives of the Longguo draconids, the Akiyans are forever the enigma of the East. Its economic and industrial might can hardly be questioned, yet what good shall all the lions armed with the most fearsome tanks and firearms do if they are led by donkeys? The Akiyan soldier can be brave - heroic even - yet this shall all fall apart of its politicians do not soon come to head. While its internal society may be deadlocked, the pressure of the war shall certainly drive it together...or rip itself apart.

History:
Pre-War: When the first contact between Akiyan and Aelban merchants had been made, many centuries ago, the haughty merchants of Akiya - for perhaps the first time in their life - experienced the emotion of humility. Before their mightest crimson-sailed ships floated iron behemoths, from their immense masts bellowed fumes like the fiery breath of the Sacred Dragon. They carried with them spears which howled fire and cracked with lighting at every use. It was here, in their first experience so long ago with these foreigners that Akiya learned its most valuable lesson of the early modern era: Akiya would industrialize, or it would die.

Since then, Aelban and Akiya would long-after be rivals on the global scene, the two continuously fighting over what the other saw as interference within their respective spheres of influence. The most recent of these clashes came about along in their respective colonies, along the eastern coast of Neifangha - known to the foreigners as Ehfragich. What started as a skirmish over mineral rights boundaries in their colonies was all of the justification either side needed for war, and with neither side about to give ground in their long-standing feud, the Karasan Wars begun in 1920. While the war had initially gone in Akiya's favor, the tenuous grasp upon the colonies' internal politics had led to a complication of supply lines, which eventually made the situation untenable, leading to Akiya suing for peace four years later. The 1924 armistice between Aelban and Akiya demanded considerable reparations between the two. In exchange for their exit from the conflict, Akiya was demanded to forfeit its sole colonies of Karasan and Tamara, in addition to monetary reparations of some 26 Million Kyat - or about a year and a half's worth of government income for the time.

The humiliation of the Kingdom losing its only colony, coupled with the economic stress of treaty repayments and the already residual tensions growing between the rifts in Akiyan society, quickly threatened to tear the Kingdom apart. Unable to cope with the sudden shock of both Akiya's lost prestige and the discontention of the Akiyan people, King Lang Seon VIII abdicated the throne in favor of his 14 year-old daughter, Princess Ashina Sun Seon, who would coronated later that year as Queen Seon IX.

Outbreak of War: Upon hearing the outbreak of war between Aelban and Alfheich, the reception within Akiya at large was that of pleasant surprise. There was little love lost between the recently-beaten Akiya and the quickly-losing Aelban nation, and many within Akiya found the outbreak of war to be a crucial moment of opportunity. The National Diet briefly considered joining the war on the side of the Reiyk in a bid to reclaim their lost territories from the Karasan Wars. However, political realities inside Akiya coupled with their poor diplomatic influence over the Reiyk and a still-recovering national spirit made such alliances untenable. Few in any position of office would have publicly declared their outright support for Alfheich, yet even fewer sensed anything to hold back from their former enemy. In 1936, the Akiyan government formally announced that it would default on its reparation payments, citing the rapidly changing circumstances of the Neifanghan colonies. Concerned that such a response might enact harsher responses - either from the Aelban in violation of such a treaty, or from the Alfheich, or even both at the same time! - The Akiyan government approved a program of full rearmament in late 1936, initially prioritizing the Royal Navy and the Royal Air Force.

Recent History: Alfheicher forces - in a surprise attack upon Akiyan forces - launched a pacific campaign aimed at several of Akiya's east island territories in 1938. Caught in the midst of their rearmament program, Akiyan generals were initially very mixed about how to respond to the sudden onslaught, leading to most of their island territories being under-reinforced and the local garrisons swiftly overrun. Before long, the invaders would make incursions along Akiya's north and southwestern coasts, before being bogged down. The brave army has managed to keep the invaders mostly at bay, if not without some considerable sacrifices. Akiya's difficult interior and its powerful navy have hampered the invader's forces from advancing far, yet neither side has managed to gain the upper hand in land initiative.

As war plans are drawn and Akiya consolidates herself into full mobilization, she soon prepares herself to drive back the Alfheicher invaders. With much of the world in the hands of the assailants and the National Diet still fiercely divided on how to proceed, the 1940 Elections may be the most pressing of all Akiya's history. Her darkest hour may very well be upon her, but many within still remain confident that this is simply the passing of the storm, for the Great Akiyan Dragon shall rise from the heavens to drive back the darkness from whence it came.

Pressing Issues:
Even before the nefarious Alfheicher forces made landfall along Akiya's shores, the past decade of Akiyan politics have been none short of utterly tumultuous. Akiya's modern laws have stemmed from a veritable assortment of ancient customs, combined with "carryover laws" adopted from the prior Imperial Administration of 1861 as well as more contemporary republican laws. This has resulted in a simply bizarre legal landscape within Akiyan society which only grows more and more apart as calls for an abolition to the old laws grow louder and louder. Largely popular measures have yet to be largely implemented, as reforms are continuously deferred due to lack of political will and deliberate gridlock as political parties incessantly undermine one another's influence. In particular, the influence of the Kyushen - a group which one started as an elite corps of slave soldiers which grew into an aristocratic pillar in their own right - hold disproportionate influence among many pillars of Akiyan societies. Kyushen clans hold some of the most powerful positions in the military and own some of the largest industrial conglomerates in the nation. Coupled with the monarchy, an increasing number of people in Akiya view the Kyushen's influence over society as a sign of Akiya's social stagnation, while its defenders claim that the Kyushen have a long and proud history towards contributing towards the country, and such an opportunity should never be stifled.

Commonly dubbed, "The Still Decade", the past four election cycles have resulted in a sporadic, hodgepodge political composition in the National Assembly. No coalition nor party have managed to gain a majority since the 1928 elections, and have accordingly shared incredibly divisive policy. With the onset of war, it remains to be seen if the current government can be merged into a more effective coalition...or if this perfect storm of factors will result in usurpation from within.

The question of the monarchy in particular has plagued the country's political climate for years, and immense rifts between the pro-monarchist and anti-monarchist elements in Akiya have long proved a contentious affair, often culminating in brawls and spouts. Many a progeny from the latent Seon Dynasty - such as Princess Naemi and Prince Taekon - now serve in the Akiyan Armed Forces, where they hope to lead their troops toward inspiring victory. Whether they do so in stride or in failure may very well decide the fate of Akiya...

Notable Strengths:
By far, the greatest weapon at Akiya's disposal are its factories. One of the most densely industrialized nations in the world, from the incendiary furnaces of the Taihyan steel mills run rivers of ingots, as do the factories and dockyards toil as out come the supplies the war effort so desperately requires. Untold thousands of guns, planes, trucks, and tanks all seam from within its mighty industrial parks, while ships and submarines construct with haste like the bean-stock stretching toward the sun. With such industrial might, Akiya more than amounts to a powerhouse, as its industrial fumes soar like the dragon to the heavens.

Such a formidable industry comes with numerable benefits, as such a strong production base must too come with a strong infrastructure upon which it is built. Since the most ancient days, the Akiyans have long utilized their land's many rivers and abundant coasts, and from their most humble days as simple fishermen have Akiyans grown into shrewd explorers and fantastic mariners. It would do great disservice to both their ancestors and the modern people to call the Royal Akiyan Navy anything short of redoubtable. Pioneers of naval aviation since the Karasan Wars, Akiya have used their many hard lessons learned with their loss to Aelban to further drive forward their naval doctrine development. With such a strong maritime presence, the capacity of their merchant marine to deliver the equipment from Akiya's many factories to the desperate armies of the world can hardly be questioned.

National Priorities:

• The Army
• The Navy
• The Air Force
• The Economy: External Trade
• Technology
• Industrial Output
• Espionage and Intelligence
• Agriculture
• Cultural Issues
• The Upper Classes
• The Common People
• Diplomacy
• Resource Extraction
• Religion
• The Economy: Internal Trade

[Skwint]

How fantastical can we get with the races in our nations?

[Antediluvixen]

How fantastical can we get with the races in our nations?

@Skwint

How fantastical do you want to get?

[Skwint]

<Snipped quote by Skwint>

How fantastical do you want to get?

@Monochromatic Rainbow

Just curious as to how wild our imaginations are allowed to run.

[Antediluvixen]

<Snipped quote by Monochromatic Rainbow>

Just curious as to how wild our imaginations are allowed to run.

@Skwint

Tell me whatchu got fam, let's hear it.

[Skwint]

<Snipped quote by Skwint>

Tell me whatchu got fam, let's hear it.

@Monochromatic Rainbow

I don't got anything until I know what limits I'm working with.

[DELETED32084]

Working up a CS.

[DELETED32084]

@Monochromatic Rainbow and just confirming, we’re on a Different continent? If so, what direction are the baddies coming from as I intend to be right in their path!

[Antediluvixen]

<Snipped quote by Monochromatic Rainbow>

I don't got anything until I know what limits I'm working with.

@Skwint

Fair enough. I'll put it this way - if you want your people to be literally knockoff Elder Things whose technology devolved and are now stuck on this world, I'm fine with that. I'd prefer no flight, no immortality, etc. You want to worship Cthulhu and have it be that Cthulhu is real? Be my guest. The primary thing is that the supernatural is a bygone era, now. Want your people to be catgirls? You're in good company. All I ask is it be fairly reasonable, and they be well fleshed out.

@Monochromatic Rainbow and just confirming, we’re on a Different continent? If so, what direction are the baddies coming from as I intend to be right in their path!

@Pagemaster

Correct, but they have landed significant forces on our continent now too. If you recheck the OOC you can see that I have added the maps, since I apparently forgot to do so initially.

[Kood]

Aenean Coastal Republic

Summary of Nation:

The Aenean Coast is an atheist Republic ruled by bipedal crocodilians situated on the Great Continent's northern coast. The government itself is led by a group of elected representatives totalling 3 in number from all backgrounds and genders. Each region (of which there are three the East, Central and Western regions) holds a vote for a new representative every six years and may vote to replace them if not satisfied with their official after one year. The Republic has not been able to industrialize correctly, with only a small number of small civilian industries dotted along the coast and nothing more than a single rifle plant in operation. It thus is forced to heavily lean on agriculture and large fishing operations to keep its economy afloat. Although the Coastal Republic may not be militarized and it does not possess a strong economy, it shall stand against the coming tide with all it can muster. The Nation is also stuck with huge debts to the Aelban from the 1922-23 agricultural disaster.

current senators of the Republic:

Eastern senator: Lok-Dur: 3 years into office
Central senator: Arm-El: 7 months into office
Western senator: Mur-Ben: 5 years into office

Military commanders

Marshal of the Army: Ark-Dur: 12-years of command.
High Admiral: Abun-El
Minister of Militia organization: Lum-Dur

Aenean description:
Aeneans are a large race of bipedal crocodilians that weigh upwards of 500 pounds and are often in a more slouched standing position than humans. Aeneans are about 6ft at full height but often seem about average human height due to slouching. The diet of the Aenean is somewhat bland with fish and grain products as their primary source of sustenance, and they are capable of eating most things a human could.

History:

Pre-War:

The Aenean Coastal Republic is young and inexperienced on the world stage. Its creation was not that of kinship but that of necessity. Many local chiefs were forced to band together during the times of Aelban imperialism. Only after the Reiyk had severely bloodied, the Aelban Empire did the politics of the Coast shift away from a league of tribes to a proper republic in 1891. While many tribes resisted at first, those who wished for true unity used the threat of the Reiyk and potentially even Aelban return to quell the resistance amongst tribal leaders. While shaky at first, The Republic eventually solidified itself as firmly in control, and the many tribes began to centralize into extensive farming and fishing communities, mainly along the coast of the Republic.

In 1922 the Aenean Coastal Republic faced a severe crisis when a blight occurred, destroying most of the harvest that year, followed by severe drought in 1923 leading to starvation and death throughout the Republic and almost leading to the complete collapse of the Republic and causing extreme overfishing. During the crisis, a series of riots and revolts took place in major cities, leading to a few bloody slaughters where authorities were forced to open fire on the rioters. Finally, during a particularly horrible riot, a small-scale battle engulfed an entire city leading to the deaths of thousands and is the only "battle" ever fought for the Aenean Republic's military.

Thankfully the Republic was blessed in 1924 when the crops had faced no significant hardships. Though they still failed to reach even an adequate harvest, even with the subpar harvest, the Nation was able to stabilize with less of a need for imported food. However, the economy remains strained to this day with the extreme loans taken to import food and the lack of income in the country.
Outbreak of War:

While initially ignored by the Aenean military and civilian leaders, the encroachment of the Reiyk and the invasions of Longguo and Akiya rapidly caused panic in the Aenean officials. Eventually, this panic has led to a rather lacklustre solution composed by the civilian government. As a result, the military was allowed to establish a small standing force of 3 divisions: totalling 30,000 soldiers, and receive additional equipment for militias around the Nation (the number of active militia members ranges from 40-50 thousand). These forces, however, lack any serious firepower, and even with the creation of a Professional military force and dedication of resources, the Aenean army is pathetically under-equipped and undermanned, with no prepared defences.

Pressing Issues:

The Republic is in dire straits, famine or blight could strike at any moment, and a Reiyk blockade would decimate all fishing operations leaving the people without food, and this could lead to another famine and leave the Republic ripe for Reiyk conquest. The Nation is also at a severe lack in industrial might and can barely even produce tractors at a substandard rate extreme effort would be needed to uplift the Republic to a wartime economy, and economic collapse would almost certainly follow any attempts at rapid industrialization.

The military of the Republic is heavily inexperienced, and even while there is a heavy emphasis on its growth, it lacks skilled officers, equipment and volunteers. As a result, most of the Republic's forces will be composed of local militias and poorly equipped soldiers until its military program enters high gear and acquires additional equipment. The Republic also possesses no aircraft able to be used effectively in a modern military role. Most that could be converted are extremely old biplanes.

Notable Strengths:

The Aenean republic is in a highly fertile area, and when not in a drought, it can easily support its population. In addition, it could support other allied nations in times of food shortages. The Military of the Republic may be under-equipped, but the soldiers can fight like lions when needed and additional fighting troops could be raised rapidly with outside assistance. The Crocodilians of the Republic are also very well suited to aquatic warfare and fighting in swamps and could be powerful marines with the right equipment and training.

National Priorities:

The Aenean Coastal Republic's current national priorities are to ensure that its agricultural base remains solid and unaffected by the war, and as such, a military program is beginning to be pushed hard in the senate. While those 2 are priorities for Aenea, many other parts of the Nation are neglected due to a general lack of resources. The main affected areas of this lack of resources are the industry that is backwards. (While no naval industry exists, a small flotilla of purchased ships do exist)

1: Agriculture
2: The Army
3: The Common People
4: The Upper Classes
5: The Economy: Internal Trade
6: Diplomacy
7: Cultural Issues
8: The Economy: External Trade
9: Technology
10: The Navy
11: Espionage and Intelligence
12:Resource Extraction
13: Industrial Output

[DELETED32084]

@Monochromatic Rainbowworking on a CS that plunks me right in the danger zone. Should be up tonight or tomorrow.

[Antediluvixen]

@Pagemaster I look forward to it!

[Ever Faithful]

Name: The Mouchard Republic

Flag of the Republic

Summary of Nation:
Mouchardy or the Mouchard Republic is one of the most modernized nations in the world since the turn of the century. Through ruthless industrialization and constant wars of conquest, the nation has fought to gain its place under the sun. By exploiting its fertile plains and resource-rich mountains, Mouchardy’s economy and the military are highly comparable to its contemporary neighbors. Its alliance with Aelban, mostly done out of necessity in order to curb Reiyk influence, has brought the three hundred day war upon the Republic. Its ally’s defeat has both shocked and terrified the Mouchards as they are now left alone to deal with the rising empire

History:
Pre-War: Since the last great continental war ended in Mourchardy’s defeat and the forced abdication of its God Emperor, the nation has transitioned into an uneasy 2nd Republic. Since the first one was couped by said God Emperor during the Mouchard Revolution, the liberal government has since tried to subvert the remaining monarchist sentiments in the country. But with all the intrigue and scheming, the monarchists manage to get the grandson of the former God Emperor as President of the Republic. This autocrat wasted no time restoring imperial titles to the country and centralizing power into the capital, Villeneuve. However, his skills as a diplomat and commander were mediocre as his conquests overseas ended in humiliating defeats at the hands of the Reiyk. The autocrat was eventually forced to abdicate and the Third Republic was formed in his place, ushering into the first golden years of liberalism for Mouchards.

Outbreak of War: Being allied with the Empire of Aelban, the Mouchard Republic was one of the first to engage with the Reiyk. Despite defending their ally quite fiercely, the Reiyk eventually triumphed over the alliance through superior tactics and technology. A million Mouchards dead was a terrible pill to swallow and the now terrified Republic was living under the dark cloud that they were next.

Recent History: Taking lessons from the Three Hundred Day War, the government and high command wasted no time reorganizing the armed forces into something more combat-ready. Although the doctrine of attrition was still in place, the weapons and vehicles were modernized to deal with this new threat. New programs were given the initiative if they promised new technology to turn the tide. It was total war upon the republic; everyone must contribute.

Pressing Issues:
Unity of the Mouchard Republic was many a political joke as the nation was infamous for short-lived governments. This is the third time, Mouchardy became a republic. The only thing that is keeping it together is the sheer terror the Reiyk has inflicted on the people and government.

While being a rapid breeder race is beneficial in some regards, it is a double-edged sword since it would put the Republic closer to a breaking point sooner than most nations. If left unchecked, the birth rates can easily spiral out of control and plunge the nation into a food crisis.

Notable Strengths:
The Mouchard Republic despite its reputation as the Reiyk's punching bag has a very modern military. Its army is completely mechanized with a fully-kitted out tank corps. The Grande Murraille, a series of fortresses along the Reiyk border, serves as a testament to Mouchard's military engineering, the best in the known world. Semi-automatic rifles have fully replaced the bolt action, the old gun being used for snipers or reserve forces. The heavy artillery is fully capable of crushing the thicket walls of bunkers and while the Mouchard Navy unveiled its first carrier.

Yet, the biggest strength of the Republic is its population. Despite losing millions upon millions of soldiers to the Reiyk in the past, nation recovery can take one year to replenish all the losses before hitting a population boom the year after. Because of the fast maturity of the Mouchards, the nation would always find replacements.

National Priorities:
The Redtide is consuming the world and all of its inhabitants. Once a pariah among the great powers, the Mouchard Republic is one of the last defenders of liberty. Everything must be done to secure the final victory or all will be lost.

National Defense
Industrial Output
Military Innovation
Agricultural Reforms
Stability
Security
Social Reforms
Party Loyalty
Election

[DELETED32084]

@Monochromatic Rainbowwhere are the remnants of Aelban now? And might they be a playable faction?

I was thinking of requesting the remaining territory in the Africa shaped continent to the south, where the Reiyk has already conquered half of it, and have my folks fighting an absolutely savage war for survival.

[Antediluvixen]

@Pagemaster
If you'll check out the updated political map, I realized after a friend mentioned it that I had forgotten to include the tiny remnant of Aelban -it's that smol spot on the island south of the Reiyk. My intent wasn't really to make Aelban playable - but PM me and we can discuss it.

I can't guaranteeyou any spot on the map until I see a sheet however, and the IC will be starting this weekend for getting those IC posts out. If you can get it done,though,you're more then welcome to it if I understand you correctly and you want the unoccupied piece of land in the south of the subcontinent.

[DELETED32084]

@Monochromatic RainbowYou are correct.

And is playing that desert attached to the Reiyk on the far West an option?

[Noblebandit]

Here's my sheet. Please tell me if anything needs reviewed or added!

The Free Territories

Name:
The Free Territories



Summary of Nation:
The Free Territories are an anarchist confederation. There is no central authority overseeing everything. Instead, individuals are free to organise as they please, and are responsible for their own organisation and production. Some settlements are organised on broadly capitalist grounds, with residents owning their own private land to work on, while other settlements are more communal, with land held in common. Each settlement is responsible for its own defence, and for attracting caravans and settlers of their own accord.

History:
Pre-War:
1929, and the Jianguo Kingdom is in crisis. For the past decade, the Kingdom has been fighting a low-intensity guerilla war against a group of liberal revolutionaries known as the Freedom Front. Though the Front lacked the power to take on the Royal Army head-on, they were causing enough of a nuisance to require a constant military presence in the areas they operated, and repressing them was getting expensive. Hoping to starve the Front of support, the King, Gongfei II, had passed a series of increasingly authoritarian laws aimed at stemming the growth of liberalism in the Kingdom, including strong restrictions of the freedom of speech, a mandatory curfew and the establishment of secret courts to try "enemies of the state", a category that was vaguely defined and completely arbitrary. These laws were supposed to prevent the Front from growing in popularity, but all the King managed to achieve was to turn the people against him.

Tensions came to a boil with the Kidnapping of Ina Mai. Ina was a schoolgirl who was arrested by the Jianguo, purportedly for spreading propaganda against the regime, and was tried in secret and found guilty. Freedom Front rebels ambushed the convoy that had been taking her to prison, and she was rescued unharmed. When the story reached the general population, it proved two things: one, that the government was tyrannical enough to punish children, and two, the government was too weak to enforce its own laws.

Protests swept the Kingdom as people took to the streets to decry the government's action. Protests quickly turned into riots, and then to revolution.

The Royal Guard couldn't suppress the revolutionaries in time, and many of Jianguo's largest cities fell to the revolutionaries, most notably the capital city of Washi, which forced Gongfei II to flee abroad. This gave the Freedom Front the opening it needed, and they escalated the conflict from a small-scale guerilla war to a full scale civil war. The Freedom Front would ultimately be the kingmakers of the Revolution, as not only had they been fighting the government for the longest, but their participation in the rescue of Ina Mai had given them a great deal of respect in the eyes of the public. However, the Front was far from the only movement active in the revolution, and many of the Revolutionaries were locally organised and entirely independent.

Forces loyal to Gonfei II quickly lost control of the major territories, and as the army's communication and supply lines were cut off, the generals were forced to make their own military policies without adhering to the chain of command. The Jianguo's soldiers were, unsurprisingly, not happy about having to fight their own countrymen in the name of a King who was too cowardly to stay in the country, and the Royalist side was devastated by mass defections. Those that stayed were typically more loyal to their general or to their steady wages than they were to the king, and by 1931, the Royalist side had all but ceased to exist. In their place were warlords, and these were far more amenable to the revolutionaries if it meant they could hold on to some vestige of power. Even these disappeared by 1932. Some were absorbed into the wider revolutionary movement, some surrendered, and others still were defeated and captured.

With the Jianguo defeated, there was some negotiation about what system should replace the old system. At first, the Revolutionaries had proposed the creation of a new democratic state. However, this was troubled by debate over exactly how the state would be run and what the rules on suffrage would be, and was opposed by the Freedom Front, who argued such a system could lead to a dictatorship by majority.
In the end, no-one could agree on the creation of a larger state, so it was decided that each settlement would instead manage and organise itself, with the consent of the people who lived in those settlements. This confederation of self-managing states would be protected by the Freedom Front, who would remain on a voluntary basis.

Outbreak of War:
The Territories had been expecting someone to claim their land as their own and invade for some time now. They just expected the danger to be more domestic. In a strange way, the rise of the Reiyk has bought the Territories some much-needed breathing room, since all their expected foes will now be turning against the new threat. But just because the threat isn't the one they thought it would be doesn't mean they are any less prepared.

Recent History:
The Freedom Front has returned to defend the Territories from invasion. Their primary effort has been to protect the homeland by distributing weapons, offering training and approaching other nations for heavy weapons. The Front hasn't just been passive, however, and has sent cells into Reiyk territory to disrupt supply lines.

Pressing Issues:
The Free Territories is not a traditional nation, and does not have all the amenities of a traditional nation. Most notably, there is no standing army. Defensive warfare is the responsibility of every individual, who must supply and maintain their own weapons and develop their own strategies for how to protect their homeland. Quality varies wildly from settlement to settlement, and the lack of an overall command structure makes co-ordinating a defence very difficult.

Economic growth is also rather stunted. Settlements are self-sufficient for the most part, but lack much in the way of heavy industry, leaving the people with little in terms of firepower such as artillery and tanks. Obtaining such equipment is very dependent on how much their neighbours are willing to trust them, and when one neighbours self-professed anarchists, trust is something in very short supply.

Notable Strengths:
In defensive terms, the Free Territories are especially troublesome to capture and hold. Every individual owns a weapon of some sort, and is familiar with the terrain in and around their homeland. With the fear of invasion being an ever present threat, most of the major communities have also taken it upon themselves to develop defensive plans and even build protective structures, and arms development and procurement has developed significantly from personal defensive weapons to true military gear.

On the offence, Free Territory partisans excel at terror warfare. Their preferred method of fighting is to send cells of partisans into enemy civilian territory to spread propaganda, assassinate officials and to blow up war material. These cells will also get in contact with traditional criminal enterprises to supply them with the means to more effectively harass the police and gendarmerie.

National Priorities:

The Free Territories believes itself the only truly free region on the planet. Here, everyone is free to rise and fall based on their own merits, and to be truly successful, one only needs to put the effort in to achieve it. No one has higher status than anyone else: there are no rulers, no petty kings or corrupt politicians deciding what a stranger can or cannot do.

The Common People
Espionage and Intelligence
The Army
Agriculture
Resource Extraction
The Economy: Internal Trade
Technology
Cultural Issues
Industrial Output
Diplomacy
The Economy: External Trade
The Navy
Religion
The Upper Classes

[Antediluvixen]

@Pagemaster Indeed it is! I intentionally left it open as an inhospitable shithole that someone might be desperately holding out in. Get me a good sheet and an IC post once it goes up, and you're welcome to it!

[DELETED32084]

I’m on it