STATUS:
"Out of every hundred men, ten shouldn't even be there, eighty are targets, nine are the real fighters, for they make the battle. But one is a warrior, and he will bring the others back." -Heraclitus
6 yrs ago
Current
"Out of every hundred men, ten shouldn't even be there, eighty are targets, nine are the real fighters, for they make the battle. But one is a warrior, and he will bring the others back." -Heraclitus
3
likes
7 yrs ago
"I have resolved never to start an unjust war, but never to end a legitimate one except by defeating my enemies." -King Charles XII 'Carolus Rex' of Sweden, 1700
1
like
7 yrs ago
“Civilians are like beans; you buy 'em as needed for any job which merely requires skill and savvy. But you can't buy fighting spirit.” -Robert A. Heinlein
5
likes
8 yrs ago
"The soldier is also a citizen. In fact, the highest obligation and privilege of citizenship is that of bearing arms for one’s country” -General George S. Patton Jr.
3
likes
8 yrs ago
"Wine has drowned more than the sea." -Roman proverb
The counties of Greene, Sullivan, Washington, Carter, Johnson, Cocke, Sevier, Blount, Jefferson, Hamblen, and Hawkins. Capital is in Greene County.
History
The Smokies were the lifeblood of Eastern Tennessee. Pre-war, this powerhouse of mining, renewable and nonrenewable energy, and resilient people was an asset to the entire nation. And on the date of the Cataclysm, the day the Earth stood still, this range was left yet untouched. Save for the levelling of Knoxville and adjacent Oak Ridge Nuclear Plant, the valley between the Cumberlands and Smokies was a haven for life, a Noah’s Ark of the land.
Primitives hid amongst the peaks, humans which had nearly forgotten themselves, their lives before. Spurred by the exaggerated oral tradition of the rugged men from the Far East, beyond the mountains, which had conquered savage lands on the will of God, they too believed as much. One and a half centuries ago, the Great Reclamation began.
Initially mere Nomads and Natives which lived free, fending from the hostile wildlife amongst them, they progressed as technology had. Force after force, Crusade after crusade made to force the Evils from the valley. And these Evils were not men or beast, not flesh and blood, but personages of steel. Disillusioned androids, soldiers thinking themselves not unlike humans, as warriors for their ‘tribes’ had persecuted and raided the Primitives for too long.
The Reclamation saw steel shells on stakes, metal heads with loose bulbs on pikes. It was a violent endeavor, with great loss of life, but the Primitives, soon known by oral tradition as the ‘Franklinites’, were free.
And this freedom set a spark in the heart of every Franklinite from the lowest part of the valley to the highest peak. They were free, given this land by God. And they determined themselves to remain so. Great works were inspired, philosophy thrived, and as did the government which formed itself. The Council, presided upon by the Governor, ruled, limited only by the law of the land, the Franklin Compact. And each and every member of the Council, including the Governor himself, was elected by the people and for the people.
Stance on Automatons
Being a people which so defeated those that had once resided in their rightful land, their endeavors with external nations brought scrutiny against these ‘metal men’, both within their borders and abroad. Though the initial thought was to determine that no android was innocent, that there were none that could not do harm, the Free State has become increasingly progressive, both within the government and population. Though automatons are not openly exiled or killed en masse, the line of segregation between the two populations still stands. Cases of unequal opportunity such as housing denial or rejection of work based on the being of a man of metal are still commonplace.
Placing my interest. Most likely I'll have my interest placed in the Appalachians in Tennessee and North Carolina, in the range called the Great Smokies, seeing as it's my native home.
Ambassador Xavier Connor, The Tops Hotel and Casino
8:02 PM, Month Unknown, 2090
Once the presentation finished, Xavier was quick to deliver input. "A commendable initiative!" He enunciated, his accent drawling as he did so. He was quick to read his own copy of the document, allowing his comrade a view as well. He slid a pair of antiquated reading glasses upon his face and began to trace each word. Five minutes flat and he had read the document top to bottom, and was all too eager to sign upon the dotted line.
Captain Aldebert Riley, The Tops Hotel and Casino
8:02 PM, Month Unknown, 2090
The Captain, in contrast to the ambassador which he accompanied, seemed rather neutral on the topic, opting to keep his resting scowl, sipping his beer as he read along. He ceased to read a minute or so after Connor, and instead looked on, for how the meeting would proceed.
Apologies for not posting yet. I've run into a bit of a rough patch IRL. My dad's still recovering from a heart attack and now he's having issues with other medical conditions, and my mom's pancreatitis is still taking its toll on her. Between helping them, band camp, online summer school, and the upcoming start of school, I don't know when I'll have too much time or focus to get a post up. I'm really sorry.
Miressa was ‘born’ as an autonomous being a century ago, though it has existed much longer, through a troubled past of glory and failure. It began as a city-state, partially autonomous from the much larger and much more powerful state known as the Khidoran Imperium. A nation founded upon securing a bastion of religious and cultural homogeneity according to their own beliefs. Other than religious presence, the Imperium left its subjugated states to their own devices for some time.
Miressa itself was a small port city on the northeasternmost area of the peninsula which comprised the Imperium’s northern border. Situated on a major waterway which connected the eastern lands to inner Albion, Miressa took the liberty of making itself rich, a trade hub from east to west. It fostered dynasties of bankers and tradesmen, merchants and artisans, all pulling strings on the city-state.
Though Miressa prospered under these relaxed policies of the Imperium, it was not meant to last. The Emperor of Khidora soon perished of age, leaving behind no successors, not even an Empress or well-known extended family. Soon, a larger conflict sparked, dubbed the War of the Khidoran Succession, with powers vying for control of the greater Khidoran lands. Though Miressa was not initially at risk, it was soon within the crosshairs of a particularly unpopular, yet powerful successor, self-proclaimed as Alfeo Khidora, true Emperor.
He began to consolidate his power in the lands in and around Miressa, tightening his grip. He demanded money from the wealthy banker families of Miressa, promising threats to those who would dare oppose him. While many heeded the warning, others bided their time, gathering support in secret, creating a network of rebels.
And on one fateful day, the forces met. The rebels had constructed a complex series of redoubts outside Miressa, creating a chokepoint at the strip of land which led to Miressa proper. A series of skirmishes ensued, which sparked into full assaults. Though peasantry manned the redoubts, they forced the enemy to turn tail time and time again as the professional knights and mercenaries contracted by the bankers rode the thick flanks with lances lowered, forcing the chokepoint even harder. By dusk, Alfeo’s forces were on the run, retreating south. Though pursuits by the mercenary knights of Miressa proved unfruitful and heavy with losses due to forced marches and ill-timed weather, Alfeo’s army was soon sandwiched, with Miressan forces to the north and opposing successor factions to the south.
Miressan forces were soon forced to withdraw due to overextended supply lines, but Alfeo’s forces were nevertheless crushed by opposing successors. The War of Succession continued, Miressa undisturbed and unmolested for the remainder, and all successor factions were weakened beyond able rulership, with most of the successors killed in battle by the end of it. The shackles of the Imperium were gone, and Miressa stood as the last remaining faction with the will and ability to rule. They extended their borders to a respectable amount of what once was the Imperium, and legitimized their rule by extending the law of the Miressa Council, which ruled the city of Miressa, to all newly acquired lands. Due to the wealth of Miressa and the sheer change of tolerance compared to the Imperium, citizens welcomed them with open arms.
Government
The current standing government is the Council of Miressa. Elected by lottery, these thirteen men make the decisions for all of the Miressan territories. Always, these councilmen have equal power, save for the thirteenth man, which is the highest power presiding over the Council, and is installed by lottery for the purpose of breaking ties, settling arguments and bad blood affecting decisions, and being the figurehead of the Council. Each councilman has a two-year term, with their election years staggered for steady introduction of government. The head councilman, however, is generally picked by lottery from the currently reigning councilmen every six months. Often all these lotteries, both to select councilmen and the head councilman, are secretly modified in favor of influential and rich individuals and families, with the same family names of bankers and guildsmen with great wealth appearing in an almost hereditary manner, supplemented with the absence of term limits. However, there are terms to be eligible for the lottery. The person must be of 24 years or older, a member of an established trades guild, have no debts or financial instability, and be male.
Economy
The economy of Miressa is one of great wealth, booming with its trade. Though its agrarian sector is primarily subsistence farming among peasants, a growing amount of sugar seeds and opium poppy seeds acquired from the Commonwealth are being planted in the Miressan floodplains which possess extraordinary qualities for agriculture. Despite a focus on maritime and agrarian economy, amounts of both tin and marble have been found beneath the mud and sands of the floodplains. Some dare to gamble their coinage to capitalize on these valuables, and some succeed.
Religion
WIP
Geography
The capital city of Miressa itself, the heart of the Republic, is itself located out to sea. Built upon sunken marshes, it is a city of complex canals and is built only six feet above sea level. Surrounding it and spreading even into the mainland are floodplains of rich soil and washed up minerals, formed by the sea itself and tributary rivers flowing over the peninsula.
Population
4,100,000 persons accounted for by the Miressan Census Bureau, with 86% residing in a rural environment, 14% in an urban or sub-urban environment.
Demographics
89% Humans (Rest is WIP)
Notable Locations
Miressa, the crown jewel of the Republic. Though a run-down fishing village centuries ago, it is now a sprawling hub of trade servicing both the powers of Albion and the merchants of the Commonwealth.
Notable Persons
WIP
Institutions
The staple of Miressa is its guilds, of which 8 preside over the rest. Those thirteen are: The Guild of Merchants, the Guild of Arcane Practices, the Guild of Law & Justice, the Guild of Weaving & Clothesmaking, the Guild of Agriculture, the Guild of Mineral Mining & Sculpting, and the Guild of Exploration & Seafaring, in order of influence.
Military
Organization: The Grand Army of Miressa is the primary armed body of the Republic, consisting of a small, but professional force that stands year-round. It consists primarily of well-trained and hired career huscarls, serjeants, and men-at-arms, all of which generally are mounted to maximize mobility while armored, making them particularly vulnerable to polearms, though these men are trained to fight dismounted if need be, however the equestrian culture of their fighting dictates that if they cannot do it from horseback, they shall not do it at all. Despite the professionalism of their main force, the Grand Army suffers from weak leadership, with commanders often being young and naive nobles and knights from the wealthy families of Miressa, having either gained their commissions by hereditary means, or had their commissions bought for a pretty penny.
Despite the seemingly small force of predominantly cavalry, it would be foolish to conclude that the Grand Army cannot field a large force of infantry in emergencies. This is done through two primary means. Firstly is the measure almost always taken in times of war, in which ‘debtors levies’ are raised from those in particularly bad financial situations or in debt. Their service often pays off their debt if they survive, and if they are to die, their possessions being acquired by the government generally covers the difference. This often draws many, even some who are not levied, rather volunteer to cover their own debt. The second method is levy by lottery, the means not unknown to most nations with a system of levying, in which names are drawn at random for service. However, most wealthy persons avoid this by paying a substitution, which is a person willing to fill in for service for those who can pay them a lump sum to do so.
As for seafaring, the Miressan Grand Navy is a rather large one. Based out of Miressa itself, they are primarily an armed merchant marine accompanied by a sizeable escort navy of armed caravels, carracks, galleys, and other maneuverable and combat-capable vessels. The navy is primarily staffed by professional sailors and its levies are acquired the same as the army, only targeted at seafaring types such as merchants, fishermen, and explorers.
Troop Total: Grand Total: 24,000 personnel
Total: 18,000 Firstly are the men that lead them all, the knights, nobles, and lords in shining full plate, mounted upon steeds just as well armored as them. While symbolic of bravery and manhood, Miressa’s population of these men are in contrast to it. Often these troops are young, most short of thirty, with few having earned their position, rather having their commissions bought by their families or handed down by hereditary means. The one glimpse of professionalism amongst this caste of men are the knights themselves, as they are the only ones sworn to chivalry and fundamentally trained in combat, often breeding the few and far between experienced commanders. Current accounts put these at about 2,000 in number. Next are the bulk of the Grand Army, men just as armored as their knightly and aristocratic counterparts, only not holding the same rank, being trained to follow, not lead, despite the ineptitude of their leadership. These men are career soldiers, the best Miressa has to offer, with all being mounted and preferring to fight as such. While they are trained to fight dismounted, most hold the belief instilled into them by a culture of equestrian combat: If it cannot be done from horseback, it shall not be done at all. Current accounts number these at 15,000. While almost completely absent in peacetime, it would be an injustice to neglect to mention those who fill this role. Known colloquially as ‘debtors levies’ (regardless of whether they were actually levied or made up of volunteers) these men often consist of those who are in debt of any form. Depending on the situation, some volunteer when faced with opportunity to rid themselves of debt, while other units are entirely levied with the promise of debts being paid as enticement to not attempt desertion. While not nearly as well equipped as their professional peers, they still have a much-required niche in battle, partially counterbalancing the sheer focus on cavalry the other portions of the army possess. Numbered at little to none in peacetime, with about 20,000 men available for being levied. Lastly is an auxiliary so new and dwarfed, some struggle to understand it in full. These are the arquebusiers, a small force of men armed with the newest development in warfare technology, arquebuses, also known as matchlock firearms. Working by a constantly lit match soaked in whale oil, it ignites powder which hurls a lead ball larger in size than one’s thumb at the enemy, inflicting devastating damage. These men are often armored lightly and trained to fight from horseback and on foot quite effectively, with no qualms from the men. When mounted, they are often deployed on a flank, expected to screen the enemy and inflict damage from afar while maintaining maximum mobility. However, most often they are deployed on foot, where they truly excel. Almost always combined with a reserve force of polearm-equipped infantry, they march within the larger formation of men, stopping within 75-50 yards and firing off 1-3 volleys before running back behind the formation of infantry accompanying them, allowing the infantry to engage. However, this does not mean arquebusiers cannot hold their own. Often their cuirasses and helmets are well-tempered for close-in combat, and they are generally armed with arrays of arming sword, basket-hilted broadswords, and claymores which they can use to great effect in slashing apart enemies which are not particularly heavily armored. Numbered at nearly 1,000, but often estimated less than that.
Total: 6,000 Considered one of the most numerous vessel types in the Grand Navy, the caravel is a particularly maneuverable ship that packs its own punch, able to be armed with an array of bombards, cannons, and swivel guns which serve to tear enemy vessels in twain. Also numerous, the galley is in contrast to its counterparts, in that it is both rowed and sailed, maximizing speed towards the destination at the expense of causing its crew great fatigue. The galley is generally utilized for transportation over bodies of water, however is not unknown to be armed with swivel guns and light bombards for light defense from other vessels. Perhaps the most numerous vessel in the Grand Navy, the carrack has a distinction from the others, in that it is rather unmaneuverable, sacrificing a light profile for a massive array of ordnance and a gargantuan hold compared to other vessels. The carrack is the strongman of the Grand Navy.
Other
Rolls
Rolls
Basic Demographics & Government Info Population: 4,100,000 Territory Size: 3. Your nation is smaller than average but there's still plenty of territory to work with. While the lack of endless farmland might prove an issue, you do at least enjoy the benefits of relatively small and easily defended borders. Technology: 4. Adequate modernization, you manage to keep pace with the rest of Albion. Prevalence of Magic: 5. Magic is considered a common feat to your people and you're famous for your magic powers worldwide. Government Type: 2. Your nation is ruled by that shine of gold and silver. In a society where money is power, the wealthy elite form a plutocratic government. Bloodline is still important (because of course a person born into a wealthy family is worth more than some pauper!) but your ancestry becomes irrelevant the moment that you run out of coin. At least there is some degree of social mobility in that a poor merchant can perhaps work his way up into the elite; in more traditional and aristocratic countries, rising up might not even be possible. Political Stability: 6. You enjoy the benefit of having a serene and peaceful nation. There's barely any crime and you don't have a rebellion brewing, so rejoice!
Economy
Overall Wealth: 5. Your nation has a solid and rather stable economy. You have the means to finance most of the projects that your government wants to undertake, and most of your people enjoy a good standard of living. Urbanization: 2. Aside from your capital and perhaps one or two urban centers, you have a very highly rural population. There is likely some system such as serfdom with most people living off the land. Agriculture: 6. Rather than staple or food crops, most of your farmland is devoted to the growing of cash crops. While this makes you money, a fair amount of that is probably spent on importing food from places with more of an abundance. This is fine and you're probably wealthier for it, but your people rarely enjoy fresh food and you have grown heavily dependent on those trade routes that feed your nation. Notable Resources: Sugar, opium or other "medicinal substances", tin
Military Military Structure: 2. Small core of elite soldiers, supplemented by some mercenaries in wartime. Overall not a very large force. Military Focus 4. Excessive focus on cavalry at the expense of decent infantry. Navy: 5. Decently powerful navy with enough ships and sailors to fight as much you'd like Military Leadership 1. Generals are very loyal to the government but gained the position by hereditary status and not necessarily merit Military Reputation 4. Your military tends to have strokes of bad luck in most of its campaigns.
Colby stands at a fair 5’11”, weighing it at approximately 176 lbs. His hair is dark brown, and his eyes are a hazel color. He has a tan complexion and has a general absence of scars in the facial area, though the same cannot be said for the rest of him. His left bicep has two small shrapnel scars, and the forearm has a small scar patch from a burn. His right arm is void of all scars. His abdomen has a neat set of incision scars from an appendectomy. His ankles have lash scars littering them. He has a seemingly new tattoo of the unit crest of the 278th Armored Cavalry Regiment on the upper right of his back.
His RI-1 shell’s overall design is fairly nondescript, being the standard model. However, there are no limits to its cosmetic modifications. Firstly, on the right pauldron, opposite of the 1st RID unit flasher, is the subdued version of the 278th Armored Cavalry Regiment unit roundel. Additionally, on the rear piece of the torso protector plate, he has stenciled in neat black ink the phrase ‘THIS MACHINE KILLS HAJIS’, in near perfect mirror of Woodie Guthrie’s famous ’THIS MACHINE KILLS FASCISTS’ emblem.
Psychological Analysis
Colby is in the utmost sense, a kind, down-to-earth, and to-the-point person. His personality is very genuine, being an utmost practitioner of the famous ‘Southern hospitality’. When under fire, he often displays a reliance on instinct and the muscle memory provided by experience. His sense of humor is often crude, and his statements blunt and to the point. He often finds enjoyment in recreational target shooting, watching baseball (of which his favorites are the Atlanta Braves and New York Mets, with neither being better than the other in his mind), and playing games of the aforementioned baseball with any comrades that accept.
Service Record
Colby enlisted in the US Army National Guard directly out of high school. Assigned to the extremely local Troop L, 3rd Squadron, 278th Armored Cavalry Regiment, he honed his skills as a reservist for some years while still working in his hometown of Greeneville, Tennessee.
In this time, across the periodic excursions of the unit, he had completed the famous Spur Ride, earning his Silver Spurs as a cavalry trooper. Soon after, he was deployed within the 278th to Iraq in the final phase of Operation Iraqi Freedom and the subsequent Operation New Dawn. During this time was his promotion to Specialist and award of Golden Spurs for combat service.
By the end of the unit’s deployment, he had participated in a number of stations across Iraq. He came home and served out the rest of his enlistment as a reservist. Just before the expiration of his contract, he was offered an active duty reenlistment contract as a candidate for the new Remote Infantry Corps. After some forethought and counsel with his family and friends, he accepted, and underwent training and subsequent assignment to the 1st Remote Infantry Division.
Equipment
A nondescript HK416 Model N Carbine with Special Operations Peculiar Modifications block including: KAC Rail Interface System (RIS) Heckler & Koch Battle Grip (Hollowed) Weapon Shot Counter Trijicon TA01 4x32 ACOG/RCO Sight Insight Technology AN/PEQ-15 Infrared Illuminator SureFire 6P Visible Tactical Flashlight FAB Defense ‘T-Pod’ Vertical Foregrip Custom Bayonet Lug Ontario Knife Company (OKC) 3S Bayonet (Detached)* KAC QD Sound Suppressor (Detached)* AN/PVS-24 Night Vision Scope Extension (Detached)* Tactical Ordnance & Equipment Improved Two-Point Combat Sling Single-Point Sling Clip (Attached to webbing) 12x 30-round Magpul PMag Magazines
Detached* - Anything not constantly attached to the firearm and carried on the RI-1’s person.
A P14 variant of the M1911A1 with a wide frame grip and unique 14+1 magazine capacity. Attachments include: NEBO Protec HP190LS Red Laser + Light Underbarrel Device BLACKHAWK Coiled Pistol Retention Lanyard Slide-in Magazine Adapter for Colt 1911A1 Double Stack 7+1 Magazines (Detached)* 3x 14-round Double Stack Magazines
Detached* - Anything not constantly attached to the firearm and carried on the RI-1’s person.
Colby stands at a fair 5’11”, weighing it at approximately 176 lbs. His hair is dark brown, and his eyes are a hazel color. He has a tan complexion and has a general absence of scars in the facial area, though the same cannot be said for the rest of him. His left bicep has two small shrapnel scars, and the forearm has a small scar patch from a burn. His right arm is void of all scars. His abdomen has a neat set of incision scars from an appendectomy. His ankles have lash scars littering them. He has a seemingly new tattoo of the unit crest of the 278th Armored Cavalry Regiment on the upper right of his back.
His RI-1 shell’s overall design is fairly nondescript, being the standard model. However, there are no limits to its cosmetic modifications. Firstly, on the right pauldron, opposite of the 1st RID unit flasher, is the subdued version of the 278th Armored Cavalry Regiment unit roundel. Additionally, on the rear piece of the torso protector plate, he has stenciled in neat black ink the phrase ‘THIS MACHINE KILLS HAJIS’, in near perfect mirror of Woodie Guthrie’s famous ’THIS MACHINE KILLS FASCISTS’ emblem.
Psychological Analysis
Colby is in the utmost sense, a kind, down-to-earth, and to-the-point person. His personality is very genuine, being an utmost practitioner of the famous ‘Southern hospitality’. When under fire, he often displays a reliance on instinct and the muscle memory provided by experience. His sense of humor is often crude, and his statements blunt and to the point. He often finds enjoyment in recreational target shooting, watching baseball (of which his favorites are the Atlanta Braves and New York Mets, with neither being better than the other in his mind), and playing games of the aforementioned baseball with any comrades that accept.
Service Record
Colby enlisted in the US Army National Guard directly out of high school. Assigned to the extremely local Troop L, 3rd Squadron, 278th Armored Cavalry Regiment, he honed his skills as a reservist for some years while still working in his hometown of Greeneville, Tennessee.
In this time, across the periodic excursions of the unit, he had completed the famous Spur Ride, earning his Silver Spurs as a cavalry trooper. Soon after, he was deployed within the 278th to Iraq in the final phase of Operation Iraqi Freedom and the subsequent Operation New Dawn. During this time was his promotion to Specialist and award of Golden Spurs for combat service.
By the end of the unit’s deployment, he had participated in a number of stations across Iraq. He came home and served out the rest of his enlistment as a reservist. Just before the expiration of his contract, he was offered an active duty reenlistment contract as a candidate for the new Remote Infantry Corps. After some forethought and counsel with his family and friends, he accepted, and underwent training and subsequent assignment to the 1st Remote Infantry Division.
Equipment
A nondescript HK416 Model N Carbine with Special Operations Peculiar Modifications block including: KAC Rail Interface System (RIS) Heckler & Koch Battle Grip (Hollowed) Weapon Shot Counter Trijicon TA01 4x32 ACOG/RCO Sight Insight Technology AN/PEQ-15 Infrared Illuminator SureFire 6P Visible Tactical Flashlight FAB Defense ‘T-Pod’ Vertical Foregrip Custom Bayonet Lug Ontario Knife Company (OKC) 3S Bayonet (Detached)* KAC QD Sound Suppressor (Detached)* AN/PVS-24 Night Vision Scope Extension (Detached)* Tactical Ordnance & Equipment Improved Two-Point Combat Sling Single-Point Sling Clip (Attached to webbing) 12x 30-round Magpul PMag Magazines
Detached* - Anything not constantly attached to the firearm and carried on the RI-1’s person.
A P14 variant of the M1911A1 with a wide frame grip and unique 14+1 magazine capacity. Attachments include: NEBO Protec HP190LS Red Laser + Light Underbarrel Device BLACKHAWK Coiled Pistol Retention Lanyard Slide-in Magazine Adapter for Colt 1911A1 Double Stack 7+1 Magazines (Detached)* 3x 14-round Double Stack Magazines
Detached* - Anything not constantly attached to the firearm and carried on the RI-1’s person.
Member
Lildear18
datadogie
Mixtape Ghost N
