Multipolar Politics (MP)

[Ailedhoo]

You now must make these fantastic tales of kidnapping? How is providing refuge for those fleeing oppression going in with a club and kidnapping them? How drastic must you be to cover, with a interesting fiction, the factor that refugees, which consists greatly of those of the Great Lakes, are seeking not to be chained by your imperial autocracy? If Quebec helped people flee that is not kidnapping but rather helping folks escape a evil.

 

[Tani Coyote]

Turn XII: 2161

Stats
Map

GM Notes

-Joining IOs is now a free action with no dice roll associated, provided the internal mechanics of the IO don’t block your accession.
-For NPCs, they must have Initiative to attempt joining, OR a state with Initiative must roll for them.

New Units (Units may be placed every even numbered turn)

Consult Military sheet for available new deployments; unplaced Units will be auto-placed to maximize defense.

Power Reclassification (every 2 turns)

N/A

News from Around the World

The Challenges of the FRA

News had only just broken that the FRCN sphere had failed to accede to the Free Realms Alliance when more bad news arrived in the form of a Vandread invasion of Quebec. While Quebec is not formally a member of the FRA, as an ally of the FRA’s de facto leader the United Uruk Clans, the FRA will invariably become involved. Given the FRA’s commitments in Poland, many remain concerned the alliance could be stretched thin.

Communism Reborn?

The Kongo’s Marxist regime has been forced from power, and the Soviet Union (formerly Angola) now controls most of its former territory. Soviet Premier Lucio Rendall has hailed the victory of the Gear and Sword, and has spoke optimistically about the future of the Soviet Union and world communism.

In the meantime, analysts anticipate a cold war to soon descend across Africa as the monarchic, feudalist Ethiopians and revolutionary communist Angolans propose different visions for the future of the continent.

The Future Great Powers

Romania, China, and the Soviet Union are all poised to join the Great Power club, boasting considerable economic and military resources that may soon give them serious reach beyond their neighborhoods. However, analysts caution that not too long ago, it appeared Oz and Japan were on the road to great power status. As Romania, China and the USSR each work to integrate territory they have annexed into their power structure, the situation could rapidly change.

Relationship Boost

Not Applied

Research Breakthrough (Based off research level; emerging powers and above only)

Education: Iberia +15
Health: China +15
Leisure: UUC +15
Security: Argentina +15

Resource Boost (Increased odds with more territory)

Poland +3 EP
High Kingdom +3 EP

 

[Tani Coyote]

NPC Actions (Subject to Change)

The Philippines move to build a Supply Center in Mindanao. The President's analysts note that having 3 or more Units seems to provide the most security against foreign threats.

The Baltic League holds a non-binding plebiscite in the Baltics region to determine how the people of the region feel about their political futures, calling in international observers to ensure that there is no fraud or intimidation. The League hopes that Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania freely expressing their opinions can help draw this conflict to a close by providing guidance on future diplomacy.

Ethiopia believes the International Sovereignty Alliance was a brilliant idea, and moves to hold the Malta Conference with the Papal States, Romania, Sicily and the Crusader State to formalize a defensive alliance. As in the Papacy's original specifications, the ISA will not require a specific regime type to join. States will be automatically admitted provided no members state objections.

Japan, secure with its Yousai Nippon project completed, pursues a program of overhauling the state's quality of life. The Emperor launches the Meiji Project, named after his ancestor; the Project will study foreign methods and ideas in the hopes of replicating them in Japan. The hope is that Japanese science, industry and culture alike will all prosper from a willingness to adopt and adapt foreign ideas.

Sicily builds a Supply Center in Sardinia.

***Free Actions - IO Joining***

Security of Faith International

As a gesture of goodwill, Ethiopia applies to join Security of Faith International so that Rastafarians can better enjoy protection around the world as it negotiates arrangements for their safety.

The Crusaders also apply to join Security of Faith International.

Sicily applies to join.

Japan applies to join, believing that ensuring the safety of Shinto practitioners will be incredibly important in East Asian politics as it works with Korea to resolve the Islands Dispute.

African Trade Organization

Ethiopia applies again to the ATO, understanding that its aggressive behavior may concern some members. The Emperor feels that with Darfur's joining the Empire, it has natural frontiers and further African expansion would be illogical. The Emperor has made alliance overtures to Central Africa, and with successful alliances already in place with Uganda and the Crusaders, Tanzania remains as the only border that goodwill has not been secured on. His Holy Majesty feels that if Ethiopia can accede to the ATO, it will avoid a possibly costly diplomatic rivalry in it forming a rival trade bloc. The Emperor gives a request to the members of the ATO: let Africa stand as one united entity!

The Crusaders request observer status in the ATO, courtesy of their control of Egypt.

ICRAS

The Philippines apply to join.

Japan requests membership in the ICRAS, believing that it will offer an opportunity to learn from other cultures.

IREGS

The Philippines apply to join.

Japan, with its abundant seismic activity, applies to join, feeling it would be able to offer valuable contributions to the Society's mission. Seeing the engineering direction the Society has taken, Japan is extremely confident it could contribute, noting the enormously successful undertaking of the Yousai Nippon project.

Oceanic Partnership

Japan applies to join. It understands the likely anxiety of the FRCN towards allowing the Empire into the OP, but feels that not only would this partnership be rewarding, but pave the way to continued peace in the Pacific Rim. The Yousai Nippon Project is a testament to Japan increasingly feeling any sort of war would be too costly as a means to resolve the Islands Dispute, and that negotiation would better obtain this goal. Indeed, Japan has already been in talks with Pyongyang on possible peaceful solutions to the issue.

1 NPC Actions not accounted for

 

[Kinich-Ahau]

The Oceanic Partnership is a scientific organization, not a political one. We welcome Japan.

 

[Ailedhoo]

ICRAS and IREGS is open to new members & accepts the current requests for membership.

 

[Tani Coyote]

Orders due in 48 hours.

Alliance Calls

ACES: The Slovak government-in-exile calls on Bavaria and Saxony-Brandenburg to liberate its homeland from the Romanian aggressors.

Bavaria. 4 (1). Bavaria feels that a war against Romania would be hopeless and only cause a needless loss of life. It must dishonor the alliance in light of the extreme circumstances. It suggests Saxony-Brandenburg follow suit and instead work with it to consolidate ACES into a pan-German alliance.

Saxony-Brandenburg. 19 (19). Saxony considers war with Romania… then realizes the logistical impossibility of it due to geography, lack of Bavarian support, the current war in Poland, and the sheer size of the Romanian military compared to the lone Unit Saxony can muster. Saxony instead breaks off relations and declares an embargo on all Romanian goods.

Quebecois-Plains Alliance: Quebec calls on the Plains to provide a flank front against the Vandreads.

17 (19). The Plains Republic understands that the Empire must be stopped, and declares war on the Vandread Empire. While the Plains lack sufficient force to launch any offensives, it hopes that it can sap troops away from the Eastern Front against Quebec.

 

[JimWUK]

High Kingdom
1. Infrastructure Investment (Internet)
2. Seek closer Trade with China

 

[christos200]

India:

1. Invest in high-tech research and offer tax cuts to high-tech start-ups.
2. Offer Sri-Lanka to join India as a federal state, mentioning shared cultural traditions, security reasons and by offering billions in infrastructure investment in the region along with tax relief for a year.

 

[Ailedhoo]

Orders of the U.U.C.​

Action 1: Emergency Ceasefire with Poland

We will set a ceasefire with Poland in light of the developments to our west. The ceasefire will agreee to 10 years of non-aggression. There will be acknowledgement of the difficulty in concluding the war otherwise and that it would be in the interest to end the conflict for the mutual benefit of both participating sides.

Action 2: Call to Arms

The Atlantic War has begun.

Quebec is being invaded! Our mandate is to set in motion to the War Council of the F.R.A. a call to arms to set our alliance to war against the Vandread Empire. Primal focus of the war is protection of Qubec: potential secondary objectives will include the liberation of the Great Lakes and the emancipation of the populces under the Vandread dictatorship.

Our first cause for war is to protect Quebec and the most basic peace from this conflict must include the securance of Quebec from Vandread hostility. We call a motion to encourage all members of the F.R.A. to consider. Together we will be able to co-ordinate the downfall of a imperial aggressor.

We also activate our alliances with non-F.R.A. members so to enshrine collective coalistion againt the warmongering directive of the Vandread Empire. All in all this is a conflict of guardianship, to defend.

Glory to the Clans!

 

[LordArgon]

Orders:

1. Increase counterintelligence actions in order to eliminate enemy spies and sabetours.
2. Once again try to get the University of New Chicago off the ground, after eliminating those who misappropriated funds.

 

[Kinich-Ahau]

Join IREGS & ICRAS
We're going to wait & see how the current war in North America progresses before considering reapplying to the FRA; no sense tying our fortunes to a sinking ship, especially when it risks opportunistic neighbors pouncing on allies & clients the way the Vandread did.


"Our last attempt at aiding our allies fell apart for petty political reasons; perhaps enough time has passed to make that all water under the bridge."
Help Oz reduce corruption again

"Population growth is not meaningfully slowing down; concentrating the people in cities would not only improve the economy, it would allow for a more efficient & centralized healthcare system and alleviate pressures on the natural world."
Boost urbanization

 

[Ailedhoo]

It will be good to have more members for both IREGS and ICRAS.

 

[Tani Coyote]

All orders are in, so I'm able to lock orders a little bit ahead of schedule!

Going to be a VERY fun update, this one...

 

[LordArgon]

Oh boy I am very excited.

 

[Tani Coyote]

Actions

FRCN

1. Boost Urbanization. 18 (19)

The program is a massive success. With so many people packing into the cities in a sustainable manner, health departments are able to better serve larger portions of the population.

(+8 Urbanization, +1% to Health investments)

2. Assist Oz in Corruption reduction. 5 (13)

Success! At long last, Oz has cleaned up the elements of corruption in its government.

(Oz becomes Very Clean)

UUC

1. Call for an emergency ceasefire with Poland given the stalemate, with a 10-year non-aggression pact. 10 (15)

Poland surprisingly acquiesces. The ceasefire has the benefit of lessening the dissent and sabotage that is disrupting the occupation zones.

(Ceasefire-NAP signed that expires at start of Turn 23. Polish occupation zones generate 50% more income; Poland gains +10 Security)

2. The UUC activates all its alliances against the Vandread Empire and calls the FRA War Council to Order.

Crete 2 (10). Crete, noting how it is surrounded by aggressive powers that are actively working out an agreement to form a cohesive alliance, must refrain from committing troops to a war on another continent. It does, however, issue an embargo of Vandread goods.

Iberia 4 (10). Iberia cannot commit to a full offensive; the Sicilians are building up their military and could strike at Barcelona at any moment. It does, however, issue an embargo on the Vandread Empire.

Saxony-Brandenburg 17 (20). Saxony places its forces under full UUC command.
Rhenish Republic 8 (16). Full command granted.
Baltic League 8 (17). Full command granted.
DFSA 17 (20). The DFSA is too far away to make a contribution in manpower and hardware, but allocates 5% of its EP to the UUC for the duration of the war.
South Africa 13 (19). South Africa allocates 4% of its EP to the UUC for the duration of the war.

5 of the UUC’s 7 allies vote in favor of war; 4 of them vote Aye in the FRA War Council (Saxony-Brandenburg not being part of the FRA). This results in 5 of 7 on the War Council authorizing a joint FRA campaign; while this technically falls short of the 3/4 provision, this is effectively an authorized FRA war, given Crete and Iberia have given their economic sanctions in support.

Several attach an expectation that postwar, Quebec should be brought into the FRA.

Vandread Empire

1. Increase counterintelligence efforts to root out spies and saboteurs. 15 (19)

Imperial security will be a tough nut to crack going forward. As a bonus, the persistent resistance in the former Great Lakes takes a huge hit.

(+40 Security, -2 to Annexation in Minnesota)

2. Try again on the University of Chicago, making an example of those who misused imperial funds. 4 (5)

The Empire just cannot catch a break on this.

(-14 Education)

High Kingdom

1. Expand internet infrastructure. 16 (18)

The internet expansion is a success, and endows the Kingdom with long-term growth.

+12 EP, +3 in all investment categories, +1% to Leisure investments

2. Expand trade with China. 7 (13)

King Qiaozhi welcomes increased trade with his fellow rulers of Old China.

Trade value increased by 3%.

India

1. Offer incentives to high tech research companies. 3 (4)

It seems the state’s incentives are more or less tapped out by now, and any further cuts see diminishing returns.

(-15 EP)

2. Offer Sri Lanka accession to India, noting the economic and security benefits. 20 (11)

After an intense debate, Sir Lanka ends up agreeing to the proposal to join India; the expanded trade as part of the IOTO is seen as the deciding factor.

Annexation Rolls:

Sri Lanka proper 19
Sri Lanka Islands 6

Other States

Sicily. Build Supply Center in Sardinia. 1 (8).

Construction is disappointing, but at least not too expensive.

Japan. The Meiji Project: study and integrate foreign ideas in all fields. 18 (17)

(+25 to all 4 stats)

Baltic League. Hold non-binding plebiscite in the Baltic Republics to determine how citizens feel. 1 (3)

The resulant plebiscite does not get far due to inadequate funding and oversight. (-4 EP)

Philippines. Build Supply Center. 16 (20).

The Filipino government's military expansion is a huge success, and strengthens the authority of the state as a bonus.

(+1 Supply Center, +8 Security, Shift to Consolidated Autocracy)

Ethiopia. Try to form the ISA. 2 (3)

It seems something about the different forms of autocracy - monarchism, fascism, theocracy - are keeping the ISA states from forming a coherent organization. The FRCN and FRA are surely appreciative of this.

(-22 Security)

FREE IO ACTIONS

African Trade Organization

Ethiopia applies again to the ATO, understanding that its aggressive behavior may concern some members. The Emperor feels that with Darfur's joining the Empire, it has natural frontiers and further African expansion would be illogical. The Emperor has made alliance overtures to Central Africa, and with successful alliances already in place with Uganda and the Crusaders, Tanzania remains as the only border that goodwill has not been secured on. His Holy Majesty feels that if Ethiopia can accede to the ATO, it will avoid a possibly costly diplomatic rivalry in it forming a rival trade bloc. The Emperor gives a request to the members of the ATO: let Africa stand as one united entity!

The motion goes to the African Triangle for consideration:

Tanzania. 14 (14)
Biafra. 13 (14)
South Africa. 18 (19)

With a unanimous vote of 3, the Triangle backs Ethiopia’s candidacy, giving it the 3 of 5 votes necessary to accede. Madagascar and Maghreb cast symbolic votes of 19 and 5 (5) respectively. The Maghreb seems particularly incensed against Ethiopian membership until Mecca is released to a Muslim regime, but yields to its fellow ATO members’ decisions.

(The ATO loses the aggression penalty)

The Crusaders request observer status in the ATO, courtesy of their control of Egypt.

Since Ethiopia only just joined, they do not vote on this proposal. The African Triangle deliberates.

Tanzania. 1
Biafra. 14
South Africa. 9

For the time being, the ATO does not see fit to admit the Crusaders.

Madagascar and Maghreb cast symbolic votes of 18 and 18. There is much grumbling about the African Triangle’s ability to block something 3 of 5 states voted for.

 

[Ailedhoo]

The call to arms be heeded: the U.U.C. will commence with the plans to spearhead the F.R.A. war against Vandread aggression in Quebec. With a ceasefire with Poland we will be able to exercise our full might with our allies (who have involved) against the attempted annexation of the realm of Quebec by aggressive autocratic forces. It is agreeable that it will be neccessary to bring Quebec into the F.R.A. and the U.U.C. will sign itself to the attachments on our joint agreement to justified warfare.

We would advise the Vandread Empire reconsiders: leave Quebec and we may be open to a white peace to ensure normalised relations. Failure to comply would not end well for the Vandread Empire, seeing that a full coalistion has cometh to the banner of Quebec's freedom. It is not late...

 

[LordArgon]

Yes it is not too late for you to surrender. We have been merciful, but if you continue your pointless resistance, our glorious emperor's patience will run out.

 

[Tani Coyote]

Wars

The Baltic War/Polish War

With the declaration of a ceasefire, no advances are made. A small rump FRA force stays behind to guard against any Polish duplicity, but the Poles seem more focused on building a defense against a new threat: the Romanians and their cohorts.

The Arabian War

The Crusaders’ newly built Fleet sails into Bahrain unopposed. The Islamic Federation’s government flees into exile.

The Atlantic War



The Vandreads reveal that they have developed a terrifying weapon. Before many FRA troops can even react, large numbers of tungsten rods drop from the sky.

T2 Rod hits Orc Navy in North Atlantic. 8. Miss!
T2 Rod hits Quebecois Navy in North Atlantic. 7. Miss!
T2 Rod hits Orc Navy off Spain. 20. The Fleet off Spain is totaled for the year and heads back to port for repairs. (-60 Security)
T1 hits Plains Republic Supply Center. 10 (8). The Tungsten storm misses the target, but still lays waste to the Plains’ countryside.

(-0.5 Pop, -2 EP, -4% in every investment category)

T1 hits Northern France Supply Center. 19 (17). The Tungsten rod scores a direct hit, levelling the Supply Center.

-0.70 Pop, -1.4 EP, -2.38 Education, -2.41 Health, -2.46 Leisure, -2.65 Security

It becomes apparent after the carnage that the Vandreads have used their space program to put a kinetic weapon in orbit. Analysts are concerned about the possible use against population centers, but for the time being, it appears the weapons are not terribly accurate. Regardless, the near-inability to block them and their destructive power suggests that the Atlantic War could be fought to the last, as the Vandreads bring their regional superiority and space-based weapons against the UUC's larger economic and diplomatic resources.

**



In the meantime, the Vandread forces seize control of Quebec City after the local Quebecois Army forces defect. They are unable to contribute to the Newfoundland offensive due to being freshly brought into the Vandread Army, but regardless, the capital has fallen.

The Vandread amphibious assault on Newfoundland fails, and incurs heavy casualties. It becomes a major propaganda point for the FRA, highlighting the strength of Allied power projection and how the Allied fleet will be able to keep the coast free of Vandread influence.

(Vandreads lose 10 Security, +1 to Annexation Rolls
Quebec loses 1 Pop, 1 EP, -1 to all investments)

The Atlantic War will likely determine whether it is the UUC or the Vandread Empire which becomes one of the world's superpowers.

Zimbabwe War

With the defeat of its Kongolese allies, the Zimbabwean Communists nonetheless continue to fight.

Unfortunately, due to the last act of the Kongolese regime, the Zimbabwean forces’ intelligence is compromised, giving the USSR-led forces the extra edge they need to capture the capital. The war is effectively over.

 

[Ailedhoo]

It appears the Vandread have resulted to WMDs...

We would encourage other powers in the world to join us in stopping this power before they threaten you...

 

[Kinich-Ahau]

Orbital Weaponry above the heads of the FRCN is completely unacceptable. We *will* be taking whatever measures are necessary to remove any Vandread satellites stationed over us, our allies, our neighbors, & the Pacific in general.

Any objection to this by the Vandread Empire will result in us joining the war against them in full.