[CHAR] Dead World: Rise of Nations

[Dinh AaronMk]

Nation's Name: Bismarck Leader: Kane Weltford Territory: Technology: The technology held by the people of Bismarck is set over a wide-range. Left behind by the decline of civilization across the wider world the people left in the Dakotas were left with a considerable supplies of corn or soy which is routinely refined for its bio fuel. This goes into the limited lighting and heating needs of Bismarck. However with the loss of the greater power and technology grid of North America so did the bulk of the Dakota's power source and the closing of the region's coal power plants, thus reinforcing the daily demand of refined bio fuels to light lamps and generate heat. Beyond basic heating and lighting there is still a demand in fuel for motor engines, although in certain decline due in part to end of spare part production. Although the people of Bismarck can certainly maintain trucks and other vehicles their life-time is in question with many people recognizing that in time even their ability to run them will soon end. Coupled with a generally limited fuel supply automotive travel is far from the ideal mode of casual travel and limited only to being the core of caravans. For general travel the people of Bismarck have turned full scale into modes dominated by the horse. Hundreds of years since the taming of the west the iconic Conestoga wagon has returned to the Badlands and there's been a witnessed revival in horse riding. This means being how many within the Bismarck territories can keep a lead over the dead. Many technological assets considered unimportant to survival have been forgotten over fifty years of survival in the Dakota north. Skill sets such as shooting, maintenance of or crafting of firearms, and numerous arts to survive the wilderness were reintroduced to the survivors. Now, many people can not claim to read, or if they can their literary skills are lacking. However what they make up for in that is a considerable field in the skills passed down from father to sun throughout the new tribes. Description of Society: Society under the Bismarck territories is largely defined by renewed nomadism after many of the smaller towns fell to the living dead. Though many these settlements have been largely emptied of their shambling inhabitants – or they themselves left – what remained was far too ruined for the already meager and thin population of the Dakotas to return to. For those that remained traveling the country-side was a safer alternative to setting down roots anywhere. Because of the presumption of nomadism many former Dakotans have little to no personal possessions. Anything they have being owned by the band – The Ranch – for the benefit of the whole. The sciences and education have been reduced to the necessities so young men and women can pull their part sooner and education is carried out on a father-son relationship or as a relationship with the youth with the entire group, all of which assisting their maturation and capabilities. The only place that resembles in any effort the old world is the city of Bismarck, the former capital of North Dakota. Cleaned of the walking dead by former Army colonel Kane Weltford, Bismarck stands as the effective – if informal – capital of the Dakotas. Bismarck's influence coming from how preserved it's been held as its central location as a meeting point between all the bands as they seek trade across the territories. Bismarck is also home to the largest refineries of bio-diesel, although smaller stations remain scattered across the Dakotas. Trade in the former Dakotas is devoid of money, many goods being traded on equal weight of necessity or as gift economy of sorts. Between the peoples fuel and the remaining spare parts can be bartered out for live-stock, skins, scrap, or metals pulled from the wilds and refined in the field. A curious sight in Bismarck is the Avenue of Trophies on the lawn of the old state capitals, here from across the territories the heads of the slain dead are collected and displayed for all to see. With the written names of the collectors, the many thousands of hunters across the Dakotas travel to Bismarck to set out for display their fight against the risen dead in exchange for prestige and fame among the whole of the “nation”. The Avenue's central location proves an incredibly strategic with nearly every citizen of the territories having seen it at least once in their life. The interest in head-hunting is a growing militant sport carried out by an entire caste of warrior named the Lazarenes. Taking inspiration from the Bible on the hopes mankind may be revived from death as was Lazarus with the Jesus the Lazarenes seek to eliminate the threat of the dead in a concentrated effort. The Lazarenes practice their art in a professional manner, almost like knights and take on their own apprentices as a sort of Squire. Over many years a Lazarene matures his survival capabilities and martial prowess and as such they are considered the best fighting force in the Dakotas; however the informal code of the Lazarenes greatly discourages the killing of a living human, though exceptions remain; they exist for their defense. The Lazarene organization has come to heavily influence many decisions in Bismarck. Of considerable importance being the care of the body postmortem. Though it started as controversial and inspired considerably ire and offense from traditionally set Christian groups the Lazarenes inspired the postmortem decapitation of the body of any dead, or the wide-spread cremation of a corpse to prevent the rise of new dead. For anything that dies it must be disassembled or reduced to dust. By this reaching informal law it's become something akin to a criminal act to not dispose of any body in this matter, and may be added onto sentences. Another group influenced by the Lazarene and in turned they're influenced by are the survivor Native American populations of the American North. Following the return of their buried dead as monsters the Lakota-Sioux, Dakota, and Lakota peoples came to the Lazarene's terms to adapt their burial practices inspiring a rise of urn burials or heavier restraints on the bodies during more traditional ceremonies. Or if not that, finally and ultimately cremating the bodies of the dead. The Indian tribes fared decently in the new world, relative to the rest. The confines of the old reservations were breached as they fled ahead of the angry dead and they integrated into the fabric of the Bismarck territories, although to a extent they are effectively independent. Although the central political and economic position of the city of Bismarck puts them still in the firm influence of the city itself and thus as much a part of the “nation” as they were in America prior. The native tribes were however a reinforcing demographic to the revival of the ancient customs that had for the most part decayed. Thus, the relationships between them and the white-man is of mutual survival, even if still there is racial animosity. Finally, the territories of Bismarck is defined less by official decree and only by what they can manage in keeping clean. There is little official boundary or a point where a man may say for certain whether they have passed into or out of Bismarck. Often it is said that when one travels and finds five of the living dead or signs there-of, they have left Bismarck. Industry: The industrial capability of Bismarck is largely self-sustaining with hardly anything that may be considered an export. Held as being isolated from any other meaningful community no part of the economy has developed out to be exported and instead is focused inwards. There is some production of raw materials in the form of fuel and food product, or scraps pulled from the ruins inside and outside of Bismarck territory. population: ~590,000

[Dualbellatorum]

New Kiev

Location: South Carolina Background: As the world crumbled in the face of the Happening, and the consequential war of attrition between the alien fungi and humanity, the Matina found itself sitting dead in international waters. A Ukrainian cargo ship, having exchanged its metal containers for human bodies, the Matina survived daily threats from various navies as it carefully navigated from one zone of military operations to another. Unable to return to Europe, from fear of being blown out the water, and unable to press on towards his original destination: America, for the same reason, Captain Yevgen Kedzierski had no choice but to order the Matina to stay as far away from any landmass as possible. Six years of running, raiding and dying later, and the Matina was finally able to shrug off the near-constant threat of extermination from mankind. Despite some fungal outbreaks on board, owing to a few incidents whilst raiding the African coasts, the crew and their human charges were largely intact. Indeed, they had even gained bodies since that fateful day they fled Europe. Anchoring off the coast of South Carolina, Captain Yevgen and his peers were able to shut down the ship’s engines permanently – although truth be told, they were going that way anyways – and sit in for a lengthy wait. Being so close to the American mainland enabled Yevgen and his men to launch raids and foraging missions, as well as to establish small footholds on strips of land. Forty years later, and the rusty hulk of the Matina is an eyesore in the background of a prosperous city. The ruins of Charlestown have been reoccupied, and though the Ukrainian ship’s crew control little else outside the city’s bounds, they have succeeded in creating a tight security net around the territory they hold. As it stands, the New Kievans, as they are known, are winding down a six-month campaign in rid the outskirts of Charlestown of the fungi and its carriers. Though beyond the shouts, the rattling of assault rifles and the hacking of axes, life has begun anew. Buildings are being restored, with what materials can be found; shops are reopening, albeit in the form of bakeries and ration sheds. New Kiev could become a great nation, if it can continue its trend of prosperity. However, with few agricultural holdings, and a large presence of infected right on its door step, it may well be snuffed out before things can come to fruition. Culture: New Kiev can be considered a civilised nation, with many old world morals and ideals. There are schools, hospitals, churches, police and fire stations, although all of these are very basic facilities. Generally speaking, children between the age of 4 and 10 attend school, to receive a basic education. Afterwards, they are expected to find a use for themselves, whether it’s in the military or domestic sectors. Drinking and smoking are seen as acceptable past times, and general physical health is disregarded in favour of: “enjoying the moment, before you fall down and attack someone”. This generally gives the people of New Kiev a rather cheerful persona, and they can be found on most evenings to be celebrating, one way or the other. The language of the New Kievans is Ukrainian, although English prevails as the secondary language. Government: New Kiev is not a democracy, but more of a monarchy – although people will generally deny this. Currently, President Vitali Kedzierski, the now deceased Captain Yevgen Kedzierski’s only son, holds all the keys to power and is beyond question. He did not receive his position, or even try to claim it; when Yevgen died of lung cancer three years ago, people just assumed Vitali would take the helm. And that’s what he did. Reporting to Vitali are the Ministers of Security, and the Ministers of Domestic Affairs. There are no other government departments. Presient Kedzierski is known as a rather rational, compassionate man. He is loved universally by his people, and whatever shady dealings he may have going on, are well hidden from public view. Economy: New Kiev deals primarily in tobacco, fish and automobile parts. The old car factories of Charlestown were largely intact when the Matina arrived, and though the New Kievans are still toiling away in getting these facilities up and running again, the large stock piles of items left behind after the Happening have given them a trading edge in this brave new world. If they can acquire the right resources, and power up the machinery at the various plants, they may be able to provide themselves and others with a semi-renewable supply of pistons, arches, coils, and all the other fanfare. Military: New Kiev’s military operates two separate, infantry based branches. These are the Militsiya, and the Kiev Battalion (K.B). The Milisiya’s role is twofold. They are both armed police, and traditional soldiers. It is New Kiev’s only force dedicated to dealing with humans, and is well equipped with American firearms, and well stocked. However, it is a strictly controlled force, and is small – only 300 strong. Typically, they deal with outsiders, or internal threats. Occasionally they are also called in to help the K.B deal with fungi threats. They are well trained, and paid highly for their service, and answer directly to the President. The Kiev Battalion, sometimes known as the Butcher Corps due to its high mortality rate, is the conscripted wing of New Kiev’s armed forces. Armed with machetes, spears, shields and some firearms, it is they who are charged with the grim task of clearing out areas of fungi carriers. Their work is bloody, but they are well cared for. After six months service, a citizen is allowed a 12 month immunity from the Battalion's drafting papers. During the time they are with the battalion, they are fed and sheltered. After six consecutive tours, a citizen is then excluded from further conscription. Serving in the Battalion is seen as an honourable act, and there are few deserters despite the bleak work. Typically, there are just under six hundred men and women serving in the K.B at any one time during a campaign, although in times of serious distress, this number will double to include all of New Kiev’s eligible population. Population: 2,643. 55% Ukrainian, 25% North American, 10% Moroccan, 10% Cuban. Law and Order: New Kiev's law is based along traditional lines, but with capital punishment in place. Generally heinous crimes, such as rape and murder, are punishable by death. Lesser crimes, such as theft and causing damage to property or injury to people, are punishable by serving terms in the K.B. Trials are short affairs, consisting of the prosecution, a judge, and the accused. The presiding judge ultimately decides the fate of the accused.

[Durandal]

Hegemony of the Northern Rockies Leader's/Government Name: Andrea Habicht The government structure of the Hegemony, despite the democratic aspects, resembles a dictatorship more than anything else. A chancellor leads the state , wielding nigh-absolute authority in all matters. His/her orders can only be contradicted should all of the mayors reject her decision, a rare occurrence. With such power the Chancellor is able to quickly respond to any incidents that would threaten the Hegemony, not having to deal with any objections that could endanger the safety of the inhabitants. The Chancellorship is awarded by a group of elders, representing the mayor and community representative of each township. The mayor of each town is elected in a similar manner. Despite these absolutist measures democratic elements are still present in society, including the right to petition, protest, and oust a leader if they are mismanaging the town/Hegemony. Territory of the Hegemony Description of Society Society took a harsh turn ever since the outbreak began, more so in some places than others. One of the areas to take extreme measures was the area which would eventually become the Hegemony. One may become a citizen by being born in Hegemony territory or by being admitted by a senior official's recommendation. All others must first pass a two week's probationary period before taking a 'test'. This test is more a display of will and loyalty, required by all to ensure that the Hegemony does not fall. The test taker is given an unloaded gun but this fact is not shared. They are then forced to 'shoot' someone. If the person cannot bring themselves to do it then they are thrown out of the territory. If they pass then they are immediately accepted as a citizen. A secondary test may be taken if the first one is failed, albeit a much more dangerous one. A person is sent out into the wild and must return by the end of the fifth day of leaving. On one condition. The applicant must bring back the heads of at least three zombies. If the applicant is part of a family they are sent out alone or with any children over the age of 16. If this task is completed then the applicant is also immediately accepted. Any form of dangerous behavior is dealt with harshly, flogging being the most basic punishment, though more serious crimes will result in death or expulsion without chance of return. Description of Technology The Hegemony boasts an impressive array of technology and industrial capabilities despite the degraded state of the world following the outbreak. Large amounts of farming equipment can be found within or just outside the border, remnants of the old vineyards that produced massive quantities of wine pre-outbreak. This impressive array allows the inhabitants of the Hegemony to support themselves with farming to an extent despite the harsh nature of the area in which they live. The only problem presented by this is that the best farmland lies outside of the Hegemony's mountainous territory. In addition to farming, the Hegemony is only a short distance away from the Pacific Ocean and one of the largest ports on the West Coast. As such there are several fishing ships that can be commandeered by those of the Hegemony, although this is not done frequently as it involves risks of all kinds, albeit less than that of farming. Most often, fishing is done in the streams that run through the state of Washington. Military technology, while not in abundance, are not a rare sight either. Over decades the nearby airfields and bases have been strippped of all valuable material, providing a vast supply of explosives, ammunition, spare parts, vehicles, and other specialized equipment. The planes were left in the airfield in hopes that they could one day be used to venture further than they ever have before. A firearm is kept in every house, meant to be used as a deterrent against the living . Against the dead, older style weaponry is used, primarily maces and short swords. Each village maintains a defense force ready to react but the bulk of the killing is done by roaming teams of hunters patrolling the borders. When encountering a group of zombies they will utilize their weapons to dispatch them quietly. If detected they form a shield wall using procured riot shields and finishing off the zombies. Each kill team also has two men that carry a firearm. Population: 8,523 Industries The Hegemony stands as one of the main producers of raw materials out of the surviving societies. Mining quarries are scattered throughout the mountains, allowing the Hegemony access to metals and stone with which to build. In addition, manufacturing plants for electronics. vehicles, and lumber are situated near the Hegemony, allowing them to produce a variety of rarer items if needed. Due to an abundance of damns in the area, the Hegemony has been able to repair some and restore power to these plants. However, as the plants lie outside the border, it presents a danger to all those involved. Despite this availability, they do not have the means to manufacture weapons, clothing, or medical equipment very well, relying on others or rare scavenging ventures to bring back these supplies. Food can also be a problem for them as the mountainous terrain limits the crop-growing ability of many.

[Jec]

Nation Sheet Great Lakes Confederation The government is called, unimaginatively, The Confederacy. One member from each canton represents their district, and a single member is elected Primus inter Pares, or First among Equals, after someone pulled the term from an old book. The First, as they are often called, is 'in charge' insomuch as the others respect and admire whoever it is, but a two-thirds majority is required for a decision to be passed. It works surprisingly well, though that may be because there are only 15 cantons so far. Being a farming confederation at the end of the day, the technological focus is on tools and equipment that can make their jobs easier. Old world farming equipment is carefully hoarded and loaned out to the larger communities while carefully monitored animal power has it's place in the off season and in smaller, out of the way communities. Wool and leather are common clothing materials, with cotton and other similar materials being traded for(if applicable). A large stock of old-world weapons, mainly rifles and shotguns are distributed throughout the towns and villages for the local militia, though low stocks of ammunition leave their use to designated sharpshooters. There is also squads of crossbows or archers, depending on the community in question, and like the rifles, built with human opponents rather than undead ones in mind. In addition to these ranged weapons, each community has a stock of close combat weapons, used as a last resort or against more human opponents. Like Switzerland in the medieval period, the Great Lakes Confederation is more of an alliance of towns than a single unified state. There is a single capital, and some laws that govern every canton, but beyond ensuring that citizens have equal rights, regulating the livestock farms and game resources, and maintaining the militia the cantons are free to do as they please. One may become a citizen of the Great Lakes Confederation either by simply being born in a territory claimed by the Confederation, by claiming descent from other citizens within a maximum of two generations, or by being sponsored by an existing citizen and spending two years in probation. By being a citizen, the individual must make themselves available for militia training unless physically unable to, report any violation of the livestock laws or sightings of the undead, and have one part in ten of anything they produce taken as a tax. In exchange they receive the protection of the Confederation, whether it is from the undead, looters, other communities or even abuse from within the Confederation itself. The primary resources and industries of The Confederation is farming, livestock and salvaging dead cities. The last is quite lucrative, as there are four large cities within their territory, London, Toronto, Montreal and Hamilton, with Detroit, Ottawa and Quebec City all within travel distance. Also of importance is the St. Lawrence River itself, giving the Confederation access to the Atlantic, should there be any opportunities of trade with other states along the seaboard.