Update 2 – 2202 A.D
STATS
SIAMESE SUCCESSION CRISIS
Death and Devastation in Vietnam (Ho Chi Minh City, Provisional Authority of Siam): The Siamese Civil War, while brief, was especially devastating for the region of Vietnam. Prince Sakchai lies dead, the countryside runs with blood, the cities are in ruins and much of King Kanlan’s advanced infrastructure has been torn up. If it were not for the timely intervention of the Katsuyoshi Shogunate and the Siamese Military, it would have likely been even worse. It will take many years to rebuild Vietnam to anything approaching its former glory. (Katsuyoshi Shogunate: -1 Fate Point. Provisional Authority of Siam: +4 Fate Points from invokes and compels, aspect “Advanced Infrastructure” lost, severe (6) stability consequence “Devastation of Vietnam” taken)
The Green Economy (New Bangkok, Provisional Authority of Siam): Inspired by the efforts of the Empire of the Great Suan, Princess Sasithorn has used her influence over the Provisional Council to implement reforms working towards more sustainable uses of resources. These measures have been implemented to great success, even with the devastation of Vietnam. (New aspect “Green Economy” with two free invokes)
National Royalist Society and the Constitutionalists (New Bangkok, Provisional Authority of Siam): The movement of National Republicanism in Siam was divided into two distinct factions. The dominant “Patriotic” faction was highly concerned with how close the Royal Family had grown to foreign powers and believed that the only way to ensure the independence of Siam was to dissolve the monarchy. The smaller “Constitutionalist” faction was made up of Liberals and the occasional Socialist who tried to use the movement’s energy to push away from Absolute Monarchism and towards a more egalitarian society. The Patriotic faction distrusted the candidates for the Dragon’s throne, including Princess Sasithorn. They were concerned by Princess Sasithorn’s devotion to Neo-Buddhism, they worried she would become a catspaw for New Bharat. The Constitutionalist faction was more open to negotiation with Princess Sasithorn, believing that they could convince her to support Liberalising reforms in exchange for putting in a good word with their co-belligerents. Princess Sasithorn and Chairman Thaksin Pridi decided that appeasing the Constitutionalists would be a good strategy for reconciling with the movement.
Princess Sasithorn made a speech addressing many of the concerns addressed by the movement and promised to implement constitutional reforms to limit her absolute power were she to be coronated. This pleased the Constitutionalists, who championed her agenda within the National Republican movement. This caused the Patriots to become sympathetic towards her agenda. Then part two of the Princess’ highly effective plan began. She and Chairman Pridi used their influence in the Siamese court system to begin prosecution of Prince Sakchai, where all his dealings with foreign Eloi were laid bare and he was condemned to life in prison. This impressed the Patriotic faction a great deal and paved the way for them for supporting Princess Sasithorn in the civil war. The Patriots strongarmed the Constitutionalists, getting the few within leadership positions to vote with them to throw the support of the National Republican movement behind Princess Sasithorn.
Largely the National Republican movement has been reorganised into the “National Royalist Society”, a pro-Sasithorn nationalistic political party which has stripped itself of its Republican leanings. The Constitutionalists have been largely left out in the cold. Citing her earlier promise, they have been lobbying for an audience with the Princess to discuss Constitutional reform. Due to her overwhelming popularity, they would have to accept anything she would give them no matter how illiberal. The Princess could likely even purge the Constitutionalists with little fuss if she so pleased. However, they will need to be dealt with in some manner if the threat of National Republicanism is truly said to be overcome. (-2 Fate Points from invokes, Challenge “National Republicanism” overcome, new aspect “National Royalist Society” with one free invoke, new challenge “The Constitutionalists” with a difficulty of 0)
Quest: Coronation of Princess Sasithorn, the New Dragon of Siam (New Bangkok, Provisional Authority of Siam): Support for Princess Sasithorn has never been higher, in the eyes of the people she is truly the New Dragon. Her appointment by the Provisional Authority as Queen and subsequent coronation at this point will merely be a formality, albeit an extremely important one. (New aspect “Princess Sasithorn, the New Dragon” with two free invokes)
Requirements:
- 1 AP spent on dealing with the Constitutionalists.
- 1 AP spent on Princess Sasithorn’s appointment and coronation as Queen.
Rewards:
- +1 Fate Point
- High Concept “A Kingdom in Turmoil”, Trouble “The Boiling Point” and Aspect “The Uneasy Truce” will be changed (please discuss these changes with the GM).
- Stunt “House of Khalan” will be activated and available for use.
OCEANIC MISADVENTURES
SOPAN-X (South Pacific Ocean): The South Pacific Naval Exercise, commonly referred to as SOPAN-X, proceeded despite the ejection of the Oceanic Combine due to the earlier diplomatic crisis. SOPAN-X consisted of the navies of the Argentine Republic and the Federal Republic of the United Caribbean along with assistance from military advisers from the Byzantine Empire. The Federation of the Northeastern Republics was invited to SOPAN-X as well, however the newly elected President North ran on a pacifistic platform so he believed that this action would contradict his mandate. President North announced that he was still strongly committed to Argentinian and Nordeste cooperation on defensive and economic matters. The Asian Tetrarchy and the United African States were also invited to participate in SOPAN-X but declined for unknown reasons.
The goal of SOPAN-X was to establish cooperation between the Argentinian and Caribbean navies in the increasingly likely scenario that they both end up at war with the People’s Temple. Highly skilled Byzantine naval advisors were dispatched to provide advice to the two less experienced navies while their South American counterparts informed them of the realities of naval operations in the South Pacific. SOPAN-X was widely considered a valuable learning experience for all three nations, paying dividends despite earlier controversy.
The navy of the Oceanic Combine was far less impressed. The constant changing of goals of Zeimer, switching from cooperating with the Siamese Tigers, to attacking the Siamese Tigers, to participating in SOPAN-X, to being forced out of SOPAN-X, to cooperating with the People’s Temple to invade the Oceanic Trade Confederation to returning back to port left the admiralty irate. Many have resigned out of frustration and the remaining admirals are far from happy. It will take time for Zeimer to build back trust with his navy. At least the crisis gave the navy enough funding to implement some urgently needed upgrades.
Meanwhile in the People’s Temple, the government is far from impressed. Many in upper middle management have downgraded their perception of Zeimer from “useful idiot” to just “idiot” and strongly believe that further cooperation with him would be damaging to the Orb Mother’s cause.
- Argentine Republic, Byzantine Empire and Federal Republic of the United Caribbean: New aspect “SOPAN-X” with one free invoke.
- Oceanic Combine: New aspect “Naval Upgrade” with one free invoke, minor (2) military consequence “Frustrated Admiralty” taken.
- People’s Temple: +1 Fate Point, new aspect: “Anti-Combine Sentiment”
Oceanic Prison Industrial Complex (Wellington, Oceanic Combine): In order to address the collapsing economy of the Oceanic Combine and the continued threat of the Fifteen, Zeimer has approved a mass construction of for-profit prisons by Walters Consumer Ventures (WCV), one of the corporations hit most heavily by the cost of the Goblin Initiative. Known as “Walters Justice Centres”, they are effectively sources of slave labour for the WCV through the “Earn your Right to Freedom Initiative”. They have been very profitable, yet they are also an extremely fragrant human rights abuse as they have truly abysmal conditions (even by the terrible standards of the Oceanic Combine) and suffer from intense overcrowding issues. This is partially the fault of WCV, who have leant on local governments to create even more draconian laws (even by the terrible standards of the Oceanic Combine) in order to maximise the potential number of inmates, who have little chance of ever being released.
It is believed by the Oceanic Intelligence Agency that the surviving members of the Fifteen may have been encouraging members to intentionally break the law in order to spread the good word of the Fellowship, further exacerbating the overcrowding crisis. The OIA believe that they may have hoisted themselves by their own petard, as they believe that if they were to offer to release prisoners who could provide actionable intelligence on the Fifteen that they would gain enough information to eliminate them for good. However, this would disrupt the maximum profit potential of the Justice Centres. Jonny Walters has been lobbying Zeimer to monetise the prisoners even further, there are plenty ways to monetise these…disposable persons. (New aspect “Walters Justice Centres” with one free invoke, minor (2) stability consequence “Overcrowded Prisons” taken)
Oceanic Financial Crisis (Zeimpolis, Oceanic Combine): Zeimer’s recent antics has caused serious a serious drop in investor confidence among foreign Eloi. This caused a capital flight in the country, with many Eloi outside the inner circle fleeing to the Asian Tetrarchy, taking their wealth with them. This has escalated into a full-blown economic crisis, making the lower than expected growth of last year look like a case of the sniffles comparatively. (Oceanic Combine: -2 Fate Points from invokes, +4 Fate Points from compels, “Disappointing Corporate Growth” renamed “Capital Flight”, severe (6) stability consequence “Oceanic Financial Crisis” taken, -1 AP from assassination)
PEACE, LOVE AND INDISCRIMINATE KILLINGS
Temple-Mexico War (Ruins of Southwoods, The People’s Temple): According to People’s Temple propaganda reports, Southwoods was a town on the California-Mexican border. It was apparently settled by Temple pioneers to spread the good word of the Orb Mother into Mexico before the region was unified by the Masked God. They claim that insurgents loyal to the Masked God performed a brutal raid on the town, killing all civilians in the process. The local field commander, Columbo Orban, led a retaliatory strike without consent of the Council of Thirteen and that this has escalated the conflict into full-on war. Experts on the People’s Temple are doubtful that this is how events played out, but due to the extremely secretive nature of both the People’s Temple and the Kingdom of the Masked God it is unlikely that we will ever know what exactly happened in that town.
Columbo Orban is widely regarded as a military genius within the People’s Temple and his reputation is entirely deserved. He has inflicted a major blow in his attack on the Kingdom of the Masked God, large portions of Mexico have been occupied and the Kingdom’s border guard (the most experienced part of the military) has been completely obliterated due to his vastly superior strategy. There have been two major setbacks in the Temple’s invasion of Mexico that even the genius Columbo Orban could not overcome, the first being the continued assassination of officers by the special forces unit of the Masked God known as “The Glorious Nine”. The other problem being the overzealous nature of the People’s Liberation Army leading to suicidal offensive pushes that lead to countless needless casualties. The Council of Thirteen will have to address these problems if they wish to maintain momentum in Mexico.
- The People’s Temple:
- New aspects: “Military Genius Columbo” with one free invoke, “Destruction of Southwoods”, “War with the Masked God”.
- Minor (2) military consequences taken: “Suicidal Overenthusiasm”, “Officers Assassinated”.
- Free invoke on Kingdom of the Masked God’s aspect: “Border Guard Obliterated”
- Kingdom of the Masked God
- New aspects: “The Glorious Nine” with one free invoke, War with the People’s Temple
- Moderate (4) cohesion consequence taken: “Border Guard Obliterated”
Christian Revolt in Mexico (Mérida, Yucatán): Fleeing Neo-Apostles took advantage of the fact that much of the Masked God’s forces been redirected to deal with the People’s Temple by revolting. They have seized much of the Yucatán Peninsula, burning the icons dedicated towards the Masked God. The Christian Revolt, despite its successes and the distraction of the Masked God, is heavily outnumbered and outgunned. They will need the intervention of a third-party if they are to achieve their independence. (New NPC: Mexican Neo-Apostle Revolt. Kingdom of the Masked God: New aspect “Neo-Apostle Revolt”)
Canadian Instrumentality (Victoria, The People’s Temple): The People’s Temple continues its genocidal actions against Christians, this time targeting Neo-Apostles in Canada. Videos of brutal expansion tactics used in Canada were used in official Temple propaganda broadcasts, showing the indiscriminate killing of towns that did not immediately surrender to the People’s Liberation Army. Those who died in the fighting were the lucky ones. Captured Christians were ritually tortured and then executed in an extremely painful method in the Peoples Temple known as “Instrumentality”. Targeted radiation causes the still living victims to liquify in an extremely painful process that takes almost an entire hour. These executions were also used in official propaganda broadcasts, of course. Of those living in the North American Exclusion Zone, the only ones who remain have pledged undying allegiance to the Orb Mother, either from religious revelation forced by ceaseless propaganda broadcasts or more simply because of fear. (Challenge “Canadian Christians” overcome, new aspect “Christian Genocide”)
The Story of Eric Mechó (Buenos Aires, Argentine Republic): The Argentine Republic and the Federal Republic of the United Caribbean began a propaganda campaign in order to further convince their citizens of the need for intervention in the Temple-Mexican war. The primary pillar of this campaign was a joint Argentinian-Caribbean produce film, a historical drama called “The Story of Eric Mechó”. It focused on the titular character who fled California during the establishment of the People’s Temple. Renowned film critic Reus D’Arth gave the following description of the plot of the film:
Reus D’Arth said:
Señor Mechó hails from the bustling metropolis of Los Angeles in the former United States of America to a second-generation of Mexican-American immigrants - not much different from many immigrants throughout Argentina. Before the war, Mechó lived a content life - he had a good career in the retail industry, he had plentiful hobbies like observing Japanese cultural products, and he was married to a women by the name of Elise (née Watson) whom were pregnant and led an idyllic and normal middle class Californian life.
However, his life would soon crumble as the world around him does so. The disasters and cataclysm of the 21st to 22nd-Century paved way to the rise of the brutally oppressive regime of the People's Temple. As a devout Catholic, Mechó and his family were targeted as heathens, and he was forced to leave everything behind to avoid death. With his wife and thousands of other refugees, the ran towards the Mexican border - an endeavour that would take hundreds of kilometres. Along the way, Elise was captured and presumably killed by Temple forces during a skirmish near San Diego; Mechó was devastated but carried on with his journey into Mexico. The subsequent fall of Baja California to the Temple forced Mechó to travel further west into Sonora where he ended up in Hermosillo; where he, along with hundreds of other refugees, were unfortunately taken captive by the - then rising - tyrant: the Masked God.
The brutality of the Masked God in Mexico was not much different than that of the People's Temple back in California, as hundreds and thousands were put to their death for opposition or the sin of merely being different. In captivity, Mechó bonded with many other refugees where he shared the story of his life and his tragic journey. Eventually, Mechó and hundreds of other captives yet to be put to death, took part in a daring breakout attempt to escape from Masked God's reign. The heroic attempt succeeded as many survived and departed by sea from Guaymas to the safe harbors of Chile. Unfortunately, Mechó was not among those whom made it and he died during the attempt. It was from his fellow captives that this story was known.
The film was critically acclaimed and was a summer blockbuster hit in all countries where it was permitted to be screened. While this did cause international anger against the People’s Temple across the world, it had the greatest effect in Argentina and the Caribbean due to VIPs in both governments pushing the film’s anti-Masked God and anti-Temple agenda. People have been astroturfed into supporting an intervention in North America against the People’s Temple and the Masked God and they don’t even realise it. Even in the staunchly isolationist Argentine Republic the public are loudly demanding for a military intervention and it appears that the government will be happy to accommodate it. (New global aspect: “The Story of Eric Mechó - International Blockbuster”. New aspect “Public Support for War With Mexico/Kingdom of the Masked God and the People’s Temple” with one free invoke in the Argentine Republic and the Federal Republic of the United Caribbean)
TENSIONS RISE IN THE AMERICAS
Bombing of the National Congress (Buenos Aires, Argentine Republic): The National Congress, the primary legislature of the Argentine Republic, was bombed by an extremist Anarcho-Capitalist terrorist cell. Dozens of politicians were killed and/or severely injured, but the President of Argentina was able to escape unharmed (according to the Argentinian media at least). Argentinian Security Forces quickly mobilised in order to arrest the culprits, discovering in the process that this was most likely the work of foreign powers arming violent groups to cause as much chaos as possible. There was no way that these poorly funded groups could create bombs that could evade the stringent security checks of the National Congress and baffle Argentinian bomb experts due to the highly irregular chemical composition of the explosion remnants. This confirmed the suspicions of the Argentinian Eloi, the incident clearly went against the first and second rules of Argentinian Roulette, not even Roberto Murdoch would do something so brazen. Argentinian Eloi have, overall, avoided doing anything that caused public unrest during their power struggles, lest the populace turn on them. This blatantly flies in the face of that principle, this bombing has led to an increased sense of fear among the public and could inspire terrorist attacks by other radical groups. In an unusual show of unity, the Eloi have used their political capital to mobilise the Federal Intelligence Agency to determine who was really behind these attacks. (Argentine Republic takes minor (2) stability consequence “National Congress Bombed”, new aspect “Federal Intelligence Agency Mobilised” with two free invokes)
Victory in Hispaniola (Santo Domingo de Guzmán, Federal Republic of the United Caribbean): The Federal Republic of the United Caribbean have arrested or killed the remaining guerrillas in Hispaniola. Caribbean security forces were assisted by locals on the ground who formed pro-government militia due to the extremely effective Caribbean propaganda. The Guerrillas, denied Appalachian arm imports, were woefully underequipped and unprepared to deal with the better equipped security forces who had the support of locals, nullifying their terrain advantage. As the rebel leaders were executed in Santo Domingo de Guzmán, most of the republic rejoiced as Caribbean propaganda had convinced them that their problems were the fault of the Guerrillas. Those who knew better realised that, for now, it would be better to keep their heads down and their mouths shut. (-1 Fate Point, challenge “Mainland Terrorism” overcome, new aspect “Victory in Hispaniola” with one free invoke, expired aspects: “Public Hatred of the Guerrillas” and “Appalachian Smuggling Operation Foiled”)
Destruction of Davy Jones (Havana, Federal Republic of the United Caribbean): The world-class Caribbean Navy sank Davy Jones well before it reached Havana, using the early warning system and EMP technology. Davy Jones has sunk to the bottom of the ocean, never to threaten humanity again. The sea lanes are clear once again in the Caribbean, making the seas far safer for commercial shipping. (Challenge “Davy Jones” overcome, new aspect “Cleared Sea-lanes” with one free invoke)
Dark Tidings in the Northeast Republics (Recife, Federation of the Northeastern Republics): The Federation of the Northeastern Republics underwent an Presidential election and an independent candidate won in a suspicious landslide. Elected on a Pacifistic Anarcho-Capitalist platform, the President is currently dismantling the military and police forces. Outside observers believe that this President may be a puppet of various forces with malicious intent who aim to weaken the state in order to take control. The Northeast Republics may be entering a time of great strife, this could be the spark that sets the tinderbox that is the Americas ablaze. (New aspects: “Pacifistic Anarcho-Capitalist President”, “Suspicious Election Results”, “Sparks on the Tinderbox”)
The Sovereign’s Inquisition Neutered (Sint Lewis, Hartland Sovereignty): Sovereign Liam I realised that the Inquisition had become a threat to the stability of the Hartland and his rule. He was able to manipulate the paranoia and the misguided zeal of the Inquisition against itself, he was able to convince high ranking members of the Inquisition that High-Inquisitor Ximinez himself was a heretic. After all, hasn’t his purge of the Clergy- Bureaucracy and the wide-reaching side effects of that proof enough of his malicious intent? Ximinez was captured by his direct subordinates and presented to the Sovereign for personal interrogation. The Sovereign then doctored a confession implicating Ximinez’s most loyal supporters and executed Ximinez. This turned the Inquisition entirely in on itself, resulting in the majority of the organisation being executed or sent to a workcamp on the Ontario frontier for indefinite re-education. Like the Soft faction a year ago, the Hard faction had been completely shattered. The Sovereign then directly appointed two remaining members of the Soft faction, High-Inquisitors Biggles and Fang, to lead a reformed version of the Sovereign’s Inquisition that had its authority greatly neutered so as to not pose a threat to the Sovereign or the stability of the realm ever again. (Challenge “Overzealous Inquisition” overcome, new aspects “Ontario Workcamps”, “Redemption and Neutering of the Sovereign’s Inquisition” and “Elimination of the Hards”)
Clergy-Bureaucracy Reforms (Sint Lewis, Hartland Sovereignty): The purges left the Clergy-Bureaucracy in shambles. Untrained Clergy-Bureaucrats were rapidly promoted to fill gaps within the organisation of the Clergy-Bureaucracy left in the wake of the purges, leading to a great deal of institutional knowledge being lost. Sovereign Liam I implemented two major reforms to overcome this difficulty. He personally pardoned those who were removed from the Clergy-Bureaucracy for minor acts of heresy as part of the purge, declaring that this was a time for “forgiveness and redemption”. Most of these pardoned officials re-joined the Clergy-Bureaucracy in advisory roles, allowing them to tutor a new generation of the Clergy-Bureaucracy.
The Sovereign has also called upon a blood-tithe for the Clergy-Bureaucracy, requiring all firstborns between the ages of 15 and 20 to go to a university in a major city and be trained to join the Clergy-Bureaucracy or adjacent institution. The majority of families were pleased at this revelation as this has provided opportunity to their firstborns that few have ever had. While it will take some time for the blood-tithe to swell the ranks of the Clergy-Bureaucracy, the most promising students have already been taken in to the ranks in apprenticeship roles to replenish the ranks of the battered institution. (Consequence “Institutional Knowledge Lost” overcome, replaced with recovery aspect “Teachers of a New Generation of Clergy (Recovering: 1 Turn)”, new aspect “Blood-Tithe for the Clergy-Bureaucracy” with one free invoke)
Liberty Island Gulag (Liberty Island, Liberated Autonomous Appalachian Municipalities): In the middle of the night, Appalachian Secret Police raided the houses of Francis Otis Ray and all of the Otis Ray List. They and their families were arrested, blindfolded and forcibly relocated to Liberty Island. New York City was and is largely abandoned, only inhabited by those on the fringes of Appalachian society and those vainly attempting to extract pre-Collapse artefacts.
In the morning, the Central Commissariat announced Otis Ray’s fate. Otis Ray and her comrades had been found guilty of treason, attempts of sabotaging relations of Appalachia and other Socialists states and for enabling the spread of Capitalism into space. As punishment for their crimes, they have been sentenced to life on Liberty Island. They will be provided supplies to build a primitive form of Communism, however they will stay on the island indefinitely. The somewhat ironic moniker “Liberty Island Gulag” has been picked up by both international media and Appalachian dissidents, reflecting the enforced imprisonment of political enemies by the Central Commissariat.
The announcements were met with mass protest around the country. The Appalachian military was called in to disband these protests in an unprecedented move in the history of the Territories. The populace largely compiled with this, they were not organised enough to face off against the mobilised Appalachian military. The people went home and obeyed the curfews, but they now hold lingering resentment in their hearts. The people truly feel betrayed, any trust that was held in the Central Commissariat has been completely broken. (Challenge “Frances Otis Ray” overcome, moderate (4) stability consequence “Trust in Commissariat Shattered” taken, new aspect “Frances Otis Ray in the Liberty Island Gulag”)
Emergency Central Commissariat Meetings (Asheville, Liberated Autonomous Appalachian Municipalities): The Central Commissariat are assembling for an emergency meeting regarding the unrest of recent months. On the top of the agenda is how to deal with the looming 3002 Central Commissariat elections. Holding the usual and completely free elections is completely untenable now that the primary opposition candidates have all been arrested. Multiple proposals have been discussed already, ranging from holding the elections only with approved candidates to cancelling elections altogether and implementing a new system for choosing High Commissars. It is stilly early days in the meetings, nobody has come out strongly supporting one proposal or another yet and new proposals are being formulated regularly. The Central Commissariat will have to be careful, the decisions made at this meeting will likely build president and have long lasting ramifications for Appalachia, including the exact form that the inevitable opposition backlash will take. (+1 Fate Point, this turn 1 AP must be spent on resolving this issue, new aspects : “Emergency Central Commissariat Meetings” and “3002 Central Commissariat Elections?”)
Guru Koriates Dead, Movement Shattered (White Oak, Photosynthetic Order of the Oaken Boughs): Guru Laminas Koriates was killed by a sniper rifle in the very compound that she had holed herself and her followers in. It is believed that Photosynthetic Order hired an assassin from Appalachia in order to eliminate this threat once and for all. Without a leader and with increasingly dwindling follower numbers, the movement quickly collapsed with the remaining members fleeing into the jungles. While this significant threat to the status quo has been dealt with once and for all, the traditionalists are still very influential within the Photosynthetic Order and are likely waiting for another chance to strike. (Challenge “Guru Laminas Koriates” overcome, new aspect “Guru Koriates Dead, Movement Shattered”)
Hartland Sovereignty Converts and Integrates Quebec and Newfoundland (+2 Free Invokes on Canadian Expansion)
New Plant-Based Narcotic Hallucinogen Developed by the Photosynthetic Order of the Oaken Boughs (New aspect “Natural Narcotics” with one free invoke)
Photosynthetic Order of the Oaken Boughs Begins Massive “Stand as One” Propaganda Campaign (New aspect “Stand as One” with one free invoke)
The Liberated Autonomous Appalachian Municipalities Increases Resources Dedicated Towards Securing Military Technology from Sabotage and Infiltration (New aspect “Increased Security on Military Technology” with two free invokes)
LIIN CONFLICT
Guns, Coin and Words (Lilithcity, Liin Syndicate): The Liin Syndicate sending operatives into Octacaine was exactly the excuse that the Union of Rome and the Greater German Republic had been waiting for to escalate the growing conflict in Europe. Roman and German politicians pushed for crippling sanctions against the Liin Syndicate and used their political clout with the Eloi to cut them off from the world market. While the Liin Syndicate is very much against the idea of capitalism, they begrudgingly tolerated trade in the border regions and the ports to bring much needed resources into the nation. Germany and Rome tolerated this trade as well, due to the large amount of money it brought them. Rising political tensions made continuing this arrangement impossible. The sanctions impacted the Liin Syndicate far more than Germany or Rome, causing a massive rise in the cost of living for citizens of the Syndicate and putting a major economic burden on the government.
The Union of Rome was far from done. Rome began a massive propaganda campaign, pumping propaganda playing on the public’s fear of increasing authoritarianism and the recent economic crisis. Much of Rome’s efforts were stymied by a similar pro-government propaganda campaign that the Liin Syndicate had coincidentally begun at the same time. The minds of the Liins were bombarded with both propaganda from both sides, with the Syndicate promoting religious communal sisterhood and the Union promoting the idea that the creation of a Sixth French Republic would be the solution to all of the region’s problems. The Union eventually won in the “marketplace of ideas” and underground Liberal political parties formed across the Syndicate. These parties were nowhere near as numerous or influential as the Union had expected considering the amount they had invested into the venture.
Reading all this, it should come as no surprise that both the Liin Syndicate and the Union of Rome conducted a large military build-up, especially along the Octacaine border. Considering the amount of resources that the Union of Rome have invested into toppling the Liin Syndicate, the inevitable declaration of war will be little more than a formality to acknowledge a conflict that began months ago.
- Liin Syndicate
- -1 Fate Point from invokes, +2 from being invoked upon
- Stability consequences taken: Minor (2) “Liberalism on the Rise”, Major (4) “Economic Sanctions”
- New aspects: “Prepared for War” with two free invokes, “We’re All Sisters”
- Union of Rome
- -2 Fate Points from invokes against the Liin Syndicate
- New aspect: “Military in Position in Occitania” with one free invoke
- Free invoke on Liin Syndicate’s consequence “Economic Sanctions”
Party for European Liberty Backs Down Amid Overwhelming Support for War (Rome, Union of Rome): With war with Gaul looming on the horizon and their supporters slowly but surely being led back to the major parties, the Party for European Liberty has announced that it will “fully cooperate with the political establishment to ensure that Rome remains unified during the upcoming liberation of France”. Their aggressive and destabilising campaigning has been put to an immediate halt and their supporters are now putting their energies towards pro-government activities, such as joining the army. This is a welcome salve to both the political establishment, who are overjoyed that they won’t have to deal with this thorn in their side during wartime, and the PEL, who can use this period to lick their wounds. However, if the Union of Rome fails to prosecute a war against Gaul, this truce will fall apart extremely quickly. Not only will the PEL feel completely betrayed, so will the average citizen of Rome who are now extremely supportive of a war with Gaul. (Challenge “Party of European Liberty” overcome. Free invoke on “Anti-PEL Gerrymandering” lost. “Anti-Gaul Thought Mainstreamed” evolves into “Overwhelming Support for War with Gaul” with two free invokes. +1 Dark Fate Point)
Anti-Left Jingoism (Frankfurt, Greater German Republic): The Germans are also itching for a war with Gaul, albeit not anywhere near to the extent of Roman citizens. They also direct their hatred towards the collapsing Soviet Union, whose Civil War they have intervened with. Many have pointed out the uncomfortable historical parallels in this conflict, but this time Germany believes that the history books will see her as the liberator, not the butcher. (New aspect “Anti-Left Jingoism” with two free invokes)
Defeat of Lord Genome (Rouen, Liin Syndicate): An infamous Olympian known as Lord Genome had been terrorising Normandy for decades. With genetic engineering technology embedded into its weapon systems that were second only to HANUMAN’s, it created monstrous mutant animals to raid Norman settlements and made the area devastated from the Eve meteorite even less inhabitable. The Gurren-Lagans developed by the Syndicate were dispatched during Lord Genome’s most recent attack and ended the Olympian’s tyranny once and for all. Liin witches now have a fascinating carcass to study, investigating how the Olympian had begun to incorporate flesh to upgrade its body could bring the fields of genetic engineering and robotics forward by decades. (New aspect “Lord Genome Defeated” with two free invokes).
Support for Political Devolution in Sicily (Palermo, Union of Rome): The mainstream political establishment has begun to push for political devolution in Sicily, granting it equal status to all the other states in the Union. This has split the Sicilian separatist movement, with the more moderate members supporting devolution and the radical separatists rejecting it as a fundamentally meaningless concession. While this has sapped much of the energy out of the separatist movement, they still pose a threat to the political unity of the Union as Rome prepares for war. (New aspect “Support for Sicilian Devolution” with one free invoke)
SOVIET CIVIL WAR
Collapse of the Soviet Union (Moscow, United Soviet Socialist Republics): The struggle for the Premiership has entered a new and extremely violent stage. Two premiers have seized control over parts of the country and now are fighting for dominance. Premier Nikita Malenkov has taken control of Moscow and has eliminated all of his rivals, except for Georgy Khrushchev who has fled to Kiev and has also proclaimed himself Premier. Khrushchev has the support of most Eastern European SSRs. The country has exploded in a violent civil war against the two USSRs – the one in Russia and the one in Eastern Europe, both claiming the other are reactionary rebels. Meanwhile, Finland has declared independence and declared itself the “People’s Union of Scandinavia”, marching soldiers into the Scandinavian Confederation in order to unify the subcontinent and firmly pushing the Scandinavian Confederation into the German sphere of influence. Both USSRs have recognised the independence of the People’s Union of Scandinavia, believing that they will be useful distraction for the Germans and to ensure that they do not take side in the larger conflict.
Political chaos has erupted across the region. Pro-Liberal Democracy groups in bordering Lithuania were funded by Germany, who led a revolt and seized the eastern half of the country. They are poorly supplied and will not last long without military support from Germany.
The Russian portion of the Soviet Union is also facing the threat of foreign influence. The Republic of Norlisk, using its influence in the courts of governors on the Norlisk-Soviet border, have convinced many governors of bordering cities and regions to defect to the Republic of Norlisk. Keeping much of the Soviet government infrastructure intact, the Republic of Norlisk has established “Soviet Special Citizenship Zones” along the Soviet border. What exactly Special Citizenship entails is kept purposefully vague, but as long as the Soviet defectors feel like they are being protected from reactionaries and Eloi, they will not complain. This has exposed fault lines in the Russian portion of the Soviet Union and will likely provoke more defections to Norlisk. Understandably, this provoked a military response from Premier Nikita Malenkov, although this was a half-hearted effort due to Malenkov’s concerns about the loyalty of his eastern forces. The conflict primarily consisted of minor skirmishes between Soviet forces loyal to Malenkov and Soviet forces who defected to Norlisk, with the Soviets unable to retake of the Soviet Special Citizenship Zones.
The Soviet Civil War has evolved into a complicated six-way mess. A mess that could still be extremely beneficial to those who are intervening.
- The United Soviet Socialist Republics is no more!
- New NPCs: Lithuanian Revolt, People’s Union of Scandinavia, United Soviet Socialist Republics (Eastern Europe), United Soviet Socialist Republics (Russia)
- Republic of Norlisk
- Free invoke on the Union of Soviet Socialist (Russia) consequence “Disloyal Governors
- Scandinavian Federation
- Minor (2) cohesion consequence “Army Retreating”. +1 Fate Point.
- United Soviet Socialist Republics (Russia)
- Moderate (4) cohesion consequence “Disloyal Governors” taken.
The Republic of Norlisk Sabotages and Infiltrates Germany (Frankfurt, Greater German Republic): Norlisk seems to want to hinder German efforts to profit off of the Soviet Civil War, most likely due to fears that German influence over Eastern Europe could pose a threat to the security of the Republic and the City simply due to proximity. The Bureau of Citizenship and Security began an aggressive campaign to infiltrate the Republic, running circles around the inexperienced Militärischer Abschirmdienst and Bundesamt für Verfassungsschutz in the process.
Through blackmail, bribery and the occasional ideological connection; deep cover BCS agents were able to make connections within the Military Industrial Complex of Germany and turned the workers towards sabotage. Much of Germany’s military industry has gone up in flames, the flames led by the gentle hand of Norlisk.
Norlisk was also successful at infiltrating the German military. How exactly they were able to do this is still a mystery to the Germans, but clearly someone (or multiple someones) with a lot of influence over the Germany military has been compromised. In the undeclared war between Germany and Norlisk, Norlisk is clearly winning without firing a single shot.
- Greater German Republic: Moderate (4) military consequence “Military Industry Sabotaged” taken, new aspect “Army Infiltrated by Norlisk”.
- Republic of Norlisk: Free invokes on the following German aspects:
- Army Infiltrated by Norlisk (3 Free Invokes)
- Military Industry Sabotaged (1 Free Invoke)
Olympian Naval Patrols and Hafgufa (The North Sea): The Greater German Republic and the Scandinavian Federation agreed to perform anti-Olympian naval patrols in the North Sea in order to secure the vital shipping routes of the region. Unfortunately their actions seem to have awoken a Oceanic Olympian known as Hafgufa. Hafgufa could pose an extraordinary threat to the continued and vital mineral trade between the two countries. (Greater German Republic: New aspect “Naval Exercises in the North Sea” with one free invoke. New challenge “Hafgufa” with a challenge rating of 2. -1 Dark Fate Point from invoke. Scandinavian Federation: New aspect “Naval Exercises in the North Sea”)
Greater German Republic Makes Advances in Recycling and Manufacturing Technology to Minimise Reliance on Foreign Imports (New aspect: “Recycling and Manufacturing Technology Advancements” with one free invoke)
NUSANTARA-NEW KALIMANTAN WAR
The Nusantara-New Kalimantan War: A year ago, a Malay guest biology professor was found to be a Nusantaran spy, aiming to spread the Borneo jungle into Nusantara. Due to political turmoil within Nusantara, the response to these actions were muted. However, Nusantaran Security investigated the background of the academic and found a series of deep cover New Kalimantan agents who appeared to be plotting the eventual conquest of Nusantara. This was considered extremely unacceptable to the incoming Nusantaran president, who is renowned for being a Jingoist. He declared war on New Kalimantan, as well as declaring direct military support for Princess Malai, indirectly making New Kalimantan a co-belligerent in the Siamese Civil War. With the Siamese Civil War resolving itself, Nusantara and New Kalimantan are the only two nations still at war due to the crisis.
The timing of the war may have been poor on the part of Nusantara. Much of their Grand Volunteer Army is currently occupied by rebuilding the damage caused by the Bread Riots of yesteryear. In addition to this, the New Kalimantan government have created methods for spreading their jungle across the ocean using coral. Perhaps this war won’t be the easy crackdown that the Nusantaran President thought it would be.
- New Kalimantan:
- New Aspects: “Jungle Over Coral” with one free invoke, “War with Nusantara”, “Espionage in Nusantara Revealed”
- Nusantara:
- New Aspects: “War with New Kalimantan”, “New Kalimantan Espionage Revealed”, “Jingoist President”, “Grand Volunteer Army Occupied by Rebuilding Efforts”
- Minor (2) consequence “Aftermath of the Bread Riots” overcome, replaced with recovery aspect “Military Rebuilding Program (Recovering: 1 Turn)”
The Great Jungle Fire (Borneo Jungle, New Kalimantan): A freak lightning storm erupted over southeast Borneo, lighting much of the New Kalimantan Jungle on fire. The Priestess will have to mobilise New Kalimantan to fight this fire, lest it destroys the source of all her power. (New Challenge: “The Great Jungle Fire”, difficulty rating 2. -1 Dark Fate Point from invoke).
Miracle Grain Distributed and Improved (Singapore, Nusantara): The new Nusantaran administration made the distribution of the Miracle Grain a top priority. This has solved the famine that was facing the nation, at least for now, as people can fill their bellies with bread baked from the Miracle Grain. The administration has begun a massive effort to replace inefficient crops with the Miracle Grain, which should reduce some of the region’s chronic food problems. (-2 invokes on Miracle Grain, Challenge “A Famine Looms” overcome)
Death of the Nusantaran President (Singapore, Nusantara): The Nusantaran President has died of an unexpected heart attack. It is unsure who the successor to the Nusantaran Presidency will be at this time and what direction they will take the nation.
Continued Evangelisation in New Kalimantan Increases Devotion to the Priestess and HANUMAN (+1 invoke on “Fear and Awe of the Priestess).
Science Department Reforms in Nusantara Reduces Corruption, Corrupt Officials Arrested (New Aspect: “Efficient Science Departments” with two free invokes)
Nusantaran Economy Booms (New Aspect: “Economic Boom” with one free invoke)
NEW BHARAT CRISIS
Stuck in the Middle with You (Lakhnau, New Bharat): Colonel Rajkumar Singh has established himself as the leader of the Revolutionary Army of New Bharat with the backing of the mysterious “Emperor of Crime” who is the controller of all organised crime in New Bharat and much of organised crime around the world. Colonel Singh has also ended the oppression of the Hindus, declaring that New Bharat will now tolerate religious activities that do not explicitly involve discrimination against Dalits and truly fulfil its promise of a country that emphasises unity through diversity. While the Hindus are not completely satisfied with this compromise, they believe that Colonel Singh is currently their best chance to survive the coming times of crisis, so they have put their full support behind him.
The greatest threat Colonel Singh currently faces to his rule comes from within the Revolutionary Army of New Bharat itself. The Revolutionary Army currently comprises of three major factions – 1) Moderate Neo-Buddhists, led and unified under Rajkumar Singh himself 2) Left Neo-Buddhists, those who emphasise Neo-Buddhism’s Leftist elements and those most dedicated towards the struggle towards a classless society and 3) Right Neo-Buddhists, those with a borderline fanatical devotion to the writings of Babasaheb Ambedkar and with an undying hatred of Hinduism. They both oppose Colonel Singh for different reasons, the Right Neo-Buddhists are extremely upset that the persecution against the Hindus has ceased, while the Left Neo-Buddhists oppose the Colonel’s cooperation with “criminal lumpenproletariat and capitalist elements that the Emperor of Crime represents”. Colonel Singh has ruled out cooperation with the Right Neo-Buddhists and has already begun a purge which has been greatly assisted by targeted assassinations by the Emperor of Crime. The Right Neo-Buddhists are entrenched in certain areas and are preparing for an outright revolt, they will need to be dealt with swiftly if they are to be prevented from revolting. Colonel Singh has not yet ruled out cooperation with the Left Neo-Buddhists, who seem far more interested in negotiations and compromise. However, if he fails to make a compromise with them, they will likely join the Right Neo-Buddhists and set the country to flames. (Challenge “A Cultural Revolution” downgraded to “Right Neo-Buddhist Faction” with a difficulty of 2. New aspects: “Colonel Rajkumar Singh’s Hindu Supporters” with one free invoke, “Right Neo-Buddhists Assassinated”, “Right Neo-Buddhists Hunker Down”. Minor (2) military consequence taken “Gaps in Officer Leadership”)
Princess Sasithorn the Heretic? (New Bangkok, Provisional Authority of Siam): Princess Sasithorn’s Neo-Buddhism has always been controversial. While the Right and the Moderates never made a big deal about it, the Left found it completely absurd. How can a royal who supports a monarchy support Neo-Buddhism, a religion that wants to dismantle class as a concept? While the Left had bigger things to worry about a year ago, the fact that Princess Sasithorn is now de-facto the monarch of Siam has them frothing at the mouth. Colonel Singh is practically the head of the Neo-Buddhist religion, if he were to denounce Princess Sasithorn as a heretic then that would greatly please the Left Neo-Buddhist faction and would convince a significant number of them to come to his side. However, this action could irreparably damage New Bharati-Siamese relations.
FREE CHOICE:
- Princess Sasithorn is both a heretic and a scoundrel with no respect for Neo-Buddhism. Colonel Singh is willing to declare that to the world. (+1 Fate Point, difficulty of “Left Neo-Buddhism” reduced by 2. If option 1 for “Nirvana in One Country?” is also selected, then “Left Neo-Buddhism” will automatically be overcome)
- Our relationship with Siam is too important to jeopardise. (+1 Fate Point)
Nirvana in One Country? (Lakhnau, New Bharat): The Left has always desired to see the Neo-Buddhist revolution spread to other countries. To this end, the Revolutionary Army of New Bharat has spread Neo-Buddhist parties to other nations with a sizeable Buddhist population. This network is still loyal to New Bharat, but with the recent power struggles they are confused as to whom exactly to report to. If we were to reconcile with the Neo-Buddhist network around the globe, that would go a long way to mending ties with the Left. However, there are some within the Moderate faction who believe that the resources spent on the Neo-Buddhist network could be much better spent elsewhere. While they back Colonel Singh either way, they say this is the best opportunity to reshape New Bharat for the better. For his part, the Emperor of Crime is completely neutral on the subject. Development at home would increase his profits, but he also thinks that Neo-Buddhist revolutionary activity could be the perfect cover for expanding his Empire. Abandoning the Neo-Buddhist revolutionary network would cause a large portion of the Left faction to become enraged, however.
FREE CHOICE:
- Let’s show the Left that we are still committed to the Neo-Buddhist revolution. (Difficulty of “Left Neo-Buddhism” reduced by 2. If option 1 for “Princess Sasithorn the Heretic?” is also selected, then “Left Neo-Buddhism” will automatically be overcome)
- International revolution is not the best path for New Bharat. Let us implement a policy of Nirvana in One Country. (+1 Fate Point, stunt “Permanent Nirvana” lost, gain a new free stunt)
The Empire of Crime: The government of Colonel Singh is backed by the mysterious Emperor of Crime, a title that is no mere exaggeration. His Empire reaches around the globe, touching almost all organised crime that he does not outright control. There are five countries (other than New Bharat) where his presence is especially noted. In the Argentine Republic he is an important piece (albeit and absent one) in the Argentine Roulette and has been behind the rise and fall of many power players in the country. In the Asian Tetrarchy he dominates the smuggling of illicit substances, increasingly pushing out or taking over the local Triads. In the Federation of the Northeastern Republics he has a good relationship with the gangs that dominate the underworld of their vast urban metropolises. In New Kalimantan he has established ties with the corrupt governors, who let his gangsters run amok with very little pushback in exchange for a cut of the profits. And in the Republic of Norlisk, his brand of business is very successful in the anarchic exclusion zones. While his presence in these states have been tolerated to varying degrees, senior members of each government have become incredibly concerned about his influence now that the Emperor of Crime has become a senior member within the New Bharat government. They believe that his influence could pose a major national security risk and that their nations should take action to remove his influence from their territory.
New Bharat: Gains aspect “The Emperor of Crime” with one free invoke.
The following nations gain +1 fate point and the aspect “Empire of Crime”. New Bharat gain a free invoke on each of those aspects:
- Argentine Republic
- Asian Tetrarchy
- Federation of the Northeastern Republics
- New Kalimantan
- Republic of Norilsk
Treaty of Nanjing Signed Between New Bharat and Da Suan, Potentially Heralding new era of New Bharati-Chinese Cooperation: (New aspect “Treaty of Nanjing” for Da Suan and New Bharat)
INTERNATIONAL SOCIALIST SPACE FORCE:
The International Socialist Space Force has grown to include more Left-leaning countries, despite their identification as Left-leaning being politically controversial both inside their country and out. The Liin Syndicate was the least controversial addition to the ISSF, despite their religious interpretation of Marxism they are most certainly Socialists through and through. Due to their conflict with the Greater German Republic and the Union of Rome, they were not able to provide any serious assistance outside of some token visiting witches.
Despite their unorthodox ideology, the Republic of Norlisk does claim to be building a variant of Socialism (when it is politically expedient to do so) and often harkens back to the days of the original Soviet Union in propaganda. They were able to find many pieces of technology relevant to space travel in their recent expedition in Krasnoyarsk, which they graciously donated to the ISSF.
The Byzantine Empire was a very controversial addition to the organisation. While the Byzantine Empire has implemented some Socialist reforms and have an extremely regulated market that ensures a large degree of workers rights, they are considered still a Constitutional Monarchy and are considered by many Leftists to be little more than another instance of Bourgeois Democracy at work. Additionally, conservatives within the Empire strongly object to their classification as Socialist. It is likely that the Byzantine Empire’s inclusion in the ISSF would have caused a great deal more controversy in the Byzantine Empire, the Liberated Independent Appalachian Municipalities and the Liin Syndicate if it were not for more pressing political concerns facing each of those countries. Some within the ISSF are wondering if the Empire’s minimal contributions to the Space Force are worth the political fallout caused by their presence, however it may be difficult to remove them now that they are entrenched.
The largest contributions to the ISSF this year were from Da Suan and the Liberated Independent Appalachian Municipalities. Da Suan leased land in Hainan to serve as the headquarters of the organisation and the place where all future launches are planned to take place. They also provided the bulk of the material being used by the organisation due to Hainan being located within their Empire. But it was Appalachian scientists who were primarily responsible for overseeing the construction and launch of the Amelia satellite, the first satellite to have been successfully launched from Earth in decades. Amelia is the ISSF’s first foray into the black abyss and represents the first major step the organisation has made to achieving their goal of protecting space from the influence of capitalism.
TRADE AND TENSION IN NORTHWEST ASIA:
Katsuyoshi Shogunate Overcomes the “National Addiction” (Tokyo, Katsuyoshi Shogunate): With the analog substitutes clearing QA and access to Chinese imports, Shogun Katsuyoshi Satoshi signed off on a plan to transition the national infrastructure to a more sustainable model. The Shogunate’s efficient bureaucracy rapidly implemented the plan, with Chinese imports being earmarked for critical systems and the locally sourced analog solutions being used for less critical systems. Thanks to the tireless work of all aspects of Japanese society, the reduction in production was barely noticeable. This minor dip in production was completely offset by the large number of jobs created by the booming economy. A national retraining scheme aimed at reducing unemployment caused by the collapse of the tech mining industry overshot even the Shogun’s wildest expectations, contributing to a booming economy unseen in Japan for centuries.
Shogun Katsuyoshi Satoshi gave a televised national address congratulating the nation on its accomplishments, declaring that the country had “overcome our addiction to unsustainable production” and that this was the first sign that “my father’s plan to bring Japan to even greater heights than it had ever seen before was coming to fruition”.
While the Shogunate had overcome the greatest problem facing it since the Collapse, there are still dark clouds on the horizon. The analog technology used by the Shogunate, while consuming less resources, is strictly inferior to unavailable alternatives. It is more expensive to maintain, more costly to scale up and more vulnerable to sabotage by hostile actors. Additionally, critical systems are entirely reliant on imported Chinese technology, this vulnerability has already cost the Shogunate a great deal of money and is already causing tension with Da Suan. The Shogunate has scaled to a great summit, but there is still much of the mountain to climb. (Trouble “The Tool Wears Down” overcome, new Trouble “Reliant on Chinese Imports and Inferior Technology”. Challenge “Heavily Diminishing Returns” overcome. Consequence “Tech Miner Unemployment” overcome, replaced with recovery aspect “Tech Miner Retraining (Recovering: 1 Turn)”)
Japanese Reverse-Engineering and the Angry Chinese Bourgeois Merchants (Shanghai, Da Suan): The relations between the Katsuyoshi Shogunate and Da Suan became unexpectedly tense this year. The tension was started by the Shogunate’s attempts to reduce the cost of Chinese imports by reverse engineering Chinese technology. They have done this by earmarking a small fraction of imports to be sent to Japanese R&D in order to improve the longevity of the devices and to identify the materials used in them so they can source parts locally. Merchants of Da Suan rightfully saw this as an existential threat to the extremely profitable status quo. While the merchants initially threatened to stop selling the much-needed technology to the Japanese in order to “starve them out”, Japanese trade officials responded by buying the technology from third-party resellers. Realising that they would not be able to stop this threat themselves, they have petitioned the Lord Protector to put diplomatic sanctions on the Katsuyoshi Shogunate in order to force them to put a stop to their reverse engineering program.
Chancellery of Ministries is completely divided in what to do in this situation. One faction believes that the best move would be to acquiesce to the Merchant’s demands. They have grown powerful off the profits from Japanese technology trade and if they turn their anger towards the government, they could pose a serious threat to the Lord Protector’s continued protection of the nation. The other faction within the Chancellery say that this is exactly the reason that decisive action should be taken against the Merchants. They claim that the Merchants are reactionaries who long for the days of Liberal Democracies that are easily perverted by Capitalism and that they look across the sea to their Eloi cousins longingly. They also claim that rebuilding trust with Japan is far more important than short-term profits. This faction claims that decisive action is the best move to protect the nation and that any short-term chaos will be offset by the elimination of a subversive element in Chinese society.
With the Chancellery completely divided on the issue, the Lord Protector will have the final say on this important issue. Despite the Protector’s indecision, Japanese officials have already begun stockpiling Chinese imported technology to prepare for the worst possible outcome.
- Da Suan: New challenge “Angry Bourgeois Merchants” with difficulty 6, +3 fate points from invokes on “Liberal Agitation”, “Technology Trade with Japan” and “The Decadence of the Eloi”.
- Katsuyoshi Shogunate: +1 fate point from invoke on “Reliant on Chinese Imports and Inferior Technology”, aspect “Chinese Technology Imports” renamed to “Chinese Technology Stockpile”
Attempted Infiltration of the Global Eloi Conference (Hong Kong, Asian Tetrarchy): An agent from the Liberated Autonomous Appalachian Municipalities was uncovered at the Global Eloi Conference. He was disguised as one of the wait staff and was believed to be tasked with gathering dirt on the attendees. He committed suicide before he could be interrogated, but it is believed that he was unable to divulge any important information to the Appalachians before his death. This has become a major international incident, but there was no love lost between the two powers due to them being naturally opposed due to their respective ideologies. (New aspect in Asian Tetrarchy: “Appalachian Agent Caught”. New aspect in the Liberated Autonomous Appalachian Municipalities: “Agent Caught in Global Eloi Conference”)
Pacification and Reconciliation with the Eloi (Tokyo, Katsuyoshi Shogunate): With many of the Children of the Eloi having reached an element of reconciliation with the Shogunate, Shogun Katsuyoshi Satoshi believed it was time to move against the hardliners in the Eloi. The ringleaders behind the sabotage of the Shogun’s propaganda campaign were arrested, this was especially cathartic for the arresting military policemen who were among the Eloi’s many victims of the incredibly boring military presentation. Swayed by the potential of even further promotion, the Eloi quickly turned on their comrades and volunteered to testify against these “individual rogue actors”. Those who were not as gung-ho about this political shift began to keep their opinions to themselves, seeing that they were not safe to air their thoughts among their fellow Eloi. The once scheming Children of the Eloi have been replaced with a loyal cadre of Eloi officers desperate to prove their worth to their nation and Shogun. (Challenge “Children of the Eloi” overcome. New aspects: “Loyal Eloi Officers” and “Troublemaking Eloi Prosecuted”)
Quest: Project Li Hong (Beijing, Da Suan): Da Suan has made great strides in the reconstruction of the environment of China, with it being rated very highly by many international organisations in terms of positive environmental outcomes. Chinese environmental science has become so sophisticated that soon Da Suan will improve the environment of the Chinese region even beyond what it was pre-Collapse. With the renewed interest in environmental construction sweeping the nation, members of the Chancellery of Ministries have submitted a radical environmental proposal. Dubbed “Project Li Hong” due to the potentially wide-reaching impact of the project. Project Li Hong would involve the wide-scale implementation of environmental engineering technology obtained from the United African States from the new UAS Trade Office along with some home-grown improvements. With this technology implemented, this would give the Lord Protector an unprecedented level of control over the environment in China. While the size of Da Suan makes complete implementation of the project a long-term venture, the Chancellery assures the Lord Protector that a smaller-scale implementation on the Chinese East Coast could provide many benefits to the heavily populated area and serve as a testbed for a larger-scale implementation.
Requirements:
- Consumption of all Rebuilding the Environment Invokes (4 Free Invokes)
- Consumption of the Gardens of Blossoms and Beautiful Temples Invoke (1 Free Invoke)
- Consumption of five other related Free Invokes
- Fate Points may be used in lieu of Free Invokes
Reward:
- Stunt – Project Li Hong (Chinese East Coast): +2 to all Force and Thrift rolls on the Eastern Chinese Coast involving large-scale logistics.
FAITH AND MACHINES. WAR AND PEACE. AFRICA – CONTINENT OF DUALITIES:
Somalian Civil War: The Christian Republic of Ethiopia organised a diplomatic expedition into Somalia, along with a group of missionaries, in order to contact the Jowhar Militia and assist with the reunification of Somalia. The expedition was convinced by the countless religious leaders (both Christian and Islamic) and refugees that they found in Northern Somalia to not go near Jowhar. Nobody could say what God(s) the Jowhar Militia and their vassals follow, or if they even followed any God(s) at all, but what was known is that they are extremely intolerant of any declaration of faith. All persons who have been captured by the Jowhar militia that were identified as a member of any faith were taken to mysterious camps. The only ones who have returned from the camps are now loyal members of the militia. Most do not return.
By far the most common religious denomination in Somalia is Islam and the vast majority of the anti-Jowhar groups are Muslim. However, most of them are as likely to fight each other as they are to fight the Jowhar Militia. One group is emerging in Northern Somalia called the Abrahamic Alliance, a militia that is dedicated to building a Somalia with freedom of religion for all Abrahamic faiths and free from the tyranny of the Jowhar Militia. While dominated by Muslims, membership is open to Christians and Jews. Neo-Apostles seem to have been given special treatment due to their significant position in leadership positions, this move is likely a calculated measure to elicit sympathy and support from Ethiopia.
The Somalian Civil War is still in the very early phases, however the fate of Somalia has serious geopolitical repercussions. The prospect of having a hostile neighbour is terrifying to many within the Addis Abba political establishment, although they are completely divided on what to do about it. And the Jowhar Militia’s mysterious foreign backers are obviously very interested in the fate of the region, their reasons known only to them.
Islam in the Christian Republic (Addis Abba, Christian Republic of Ethiopia): Of all the non-Christian religions in Ethiopia, Islam is the largest and most resistant to conversion. Addis Abba have managed to maintain a policy of benign neglect towards the Muslim communities, however with the government now in talks with the Abrahamic Alliance the issue has come to the forefront. Liberals within Ethiopia are advocating for the Muslim churches to be given formal recognition and tolerance within the Republic. They argue that the Abrahamic Alliance is the best chance to establish a government friendly to Ethiopia in Somalia and that oppressing the Ethiopian Muslims would make cooperation with them impossible. Neo-Apostle Hardliners on the other hand say that increasing tolerance of Muslims within the Republic would lead to further instability and that the Republic should redouble the conversion efforts. It appears that the issue can no longer be kicked down the road, no matter what side Addis Abba chooses the losing side will likely cause a ruckus. (New challenge “Islam in the Christian Republic” with difficulty 2)
Biblical Wisdom Act (Addis Abba, Christian Republic of Ethiopia): Ethiopia began a massive bible studies campaign, pressuring Churches to implement regular bible studies for all adult Christians. These bible study groups push a very pro-government interpretation of Neo-Apostlism and are criticised by dissidents as being nothing more than a propaganda exercise on the part of the government. These studies have had mixed effects. The people were very receptive to the anti-Eloi messages that the government promoted, but they were far less receptive to the messages of racial harmony promoted by the government. (New aspects: “Biblical Wisdom Act” and “Semi-Mandatory Bible Studies”)
Charity Act (Addis Abba, Christian Republic of Ethiopia): The Ethiopian bible studies emphasised the sections of the bible that praised the concept of charity. Proverbs 28:27 and other sections of the bible were used to justify the implementation of a tax regime similar to the one in the Union of Rome. This move gained widespread public support, building upon public anti-Eloi sentiment and Christian commitment to charity. The money raised from this new tax regime has been used to fund charitable causes such as an (admittedly fragile) social security net. In reference to the widescale public support of the reforms, the Ethiopian proto-Eloi have not attempted to contest these measures, knowing that Ethiopia is not ready for their ascension. The primary goal of the Christian Republic has been achieved, widespread wealth inequality has not been entrenched unlike many other places around the world. (Challenge “Ascension of the Ethiopian Eloi” overcome, new aspects: “Charity Act” and “Social Safety Net”)
Love Thy Neighbour Act (Addis Abba, Christian Republic of Ethiopia): In order to combat recent ethnic tensions arising in the country, the Ethiopian government has emphasised messages of racial tolerance and harmony. To weaken the role of ethnic churches, the Love Thy Neighbour Act was passed forcing church goers to regularly attend sermons at least three different churches at least fifty kilometres from each other. This act has weakened the role of ethnic churches as priests can no longer tailor their sermons to promote racial bias lest they anger their variable congregation. It has also deeply annoyed the common man of Ethiopia, complying with this new regulation wastes valuable time and money on transport. Membership and support for opposition parties have swelled, for the first time in the history of the young republic the ruling party of Ethiopia’s dominance is being seriously challenged. (Challenge “Ethnic Churches” overcome, moderate (4) stability consequence “Popular Support for Opposition Parties” taken, new aspect “Love Thy Neighbour Act”)
Reverse Apotheosis (New Gaia, New Gaian Collective): New Gaian scientists began research into how to communicate with the New Gaian Olympian and find a way that the Olympian and the New Gaians could coexist peacefully. While it was initially proposed that they seek out a machine empath (persons capable of communicating or controlling an Olympian, such as Jason of the Argo, the Priestess of HAUNMAN and allegedly the Orb Mother that is revered by the People’s Temple), this avenue was not pursued as a machine empath could pose an existential threat to New Gaian national security. Instead, New Gaian computer scientists poured over the source code in order to find a way to communicate with New Gaia. Olympian experts from all around the globe were courted by the New Gaians and a large amount of resources were spent in order to overcome this problem.
Eventually, the scientists found a way to communicate with New Gaia. They claim that the Olympian wants to understand humanity more and rebuild itself to become more human, so as to better understand and coexist with humanity. If we were to provide the Olympian with archived brain scans to further New Gaia’s research, the scientists claim, the Olympian would be happy to cooperate with Collective on matters of research and coexist peacefully. Most within the New Gaian Collective are supportive of this arrangement, although there are a few voices of scepticism within the government who worry that this may be some sort of trick behalf of the Olympian.
FREE CHOICE:
- Now the people of the New Gaian Collective can finally live in peace. Give New Gaia the brain scans. (-1 Fate Point, new stunt “Cooperation With New Gaia – +2 to Science Rolls involving Olympians or Human-Machine integration, Trouble “The Awakening” will be changed (please discuss this change with the GM))
- We are suspicious of this offer. Let us look for a new solution. (No effect)
New Gaian Tourism and Green Tech Marketing (New Gaia, New Gaian Collective): The zeal of New Gaian scientists last year left the New Gaian Collective short on money, leaving the collective looking to new ways of making money. Two initiatives were started to put New Gaia back in the black. Firstly, New Gaia decided to open up its gates to international tourism. Creating a series of videos that were sent all around the world, attracting many excited to see the unique aspects of New Gaian life for themselves. Much of the tourism money flowed into the pockets of the centralised New Gaian government, this money was used to stabilise the New Gaian economy. New Gaian administrators believe that one more year of tourism will completely free the Collective of its previous economic hardships.
The other major economic action undertaken by the New Gaian Collective was to find buyers for their Green Technologies. After a marketing campaign undertaken by the Collective, they generated much excitement for most of the green tech pioneered by the Collective. Alas, very few were utilitarian enough to be interested biodegradable bodies. Now that they have found a market, the New Gaian Collective could make some serious money if they make a push into the international markets. And perhaps they can make even more money if they can pinpoint buyers interested in unique applications for their technologies… (Consequence “Science Budget Overblown” overcome, replaced with recovery aspect “Tourism Boom Reinvigorates Economy (Recovering: 1 Turn)”. New aspect: “Green Tech Marketing” with one free invoke)
OPERATION FRISK (New Gettysburg, United African States): The United African States have undertaken the first steps on refurbishing the Star of the Coruscant under the moniker of OPERATION FRISK. This will require a great deal of resources that the United African States does not have within its borders. To gain access to these resources, they are encouraging trade. The UAS Trade Office has already approved the transfer of United African patents in exchange for sorely needed minerals to various foreign Eloi, but this is merely a small step towards what will be needed to complete OPERATION FRISK. (New aspect “UAS Trade Office” with one free invoke)
Continued Instability Despite Government Efforts (New Gettysburg, United African States): The Joint Chiefs of Staff approved more funding for the Security Bureau, gaining the funding through some risky economic ventures. The Director of the Security Bureau believes that operations should stabilise by the beginning of next year. Unfortunately, the stability problems faced by the United African States will not wait until then. The Bread and Circuses Initiative has pacified most of the public but has in turn radicalised the most passionate members of the African community. Communist and Anarchist groups have spread across the country like wildfire, their strikes and demonstration quickly devolved into riots which has caused a lot of property damage. The Director of the Security Bureau believes that the movement is on its last legs and that a targeted strike against the Leftist groups, along with appropriate modifications to the Bread and Circuses initiative, will spell an end to the movement as well as the end of the chaos within the United African States. (“Security Bureau Overextended” overcome, replaced with recovery aspect “New Security Bureau Funding (Recovering: 1 Turn)”)
Government Overspending (United African States, New Gettysburg): The UAS Department of Commerce has reported to the Joint Chiefs of Staff that the United African States government is spending significantly beyond its means. This has significantly weakened the United African States’ economic resilience. (Moderate (4) stability consequence “Government Overspending” taken)
The Battle of the Tarasque (Northern Border, United African States): The Battle of the Tarasque was the most intense battle that the United African States has had with an Olympian in decades. The advance team were only equipped to take out killer drones but they were suddenly surprised by a direct close-range attack by the Tarasque. It displayed highly unusual behaviour, attacking the soldiers with practically no regard for self-preservation. A sustained aircraft and artillery bombing campaign slayed the beast, but not after heavy causalities were suffered. Hardly any of the Tarasque remained after the bombing campaign, leaving United African researchers extremely disappointed. (Challenge “The Tarasque” overcome, moderate (4) military consequence “Heavy Casualties from the Tarasque” taken, new aspect “Defeat of the Tarasque”)
United African States Launches New Satellites for Space Travel Research (New aspect “Basic Satellite Network” with one free invoke)
INSTITUTE OF IMMORTALITY
The Institute of Immortality (Hong Kong, Asian Tetrarchy): At the 2022 Global Eloi Conference, the Institute of Immortality was unveiled. This institute was created with one goal in mind, to extend human life indefinitely. Already the institute is making leaps in bounds in life extension techniques through life extending dietary advice. The institute is also making advances in the related field of cryonics, to preserve the bodies of those who are too old to take advantage of current breakthroughs so they may take advantage of potential breakthroughs in the future. Senior Eloi have chosen to undergo new cryonic processes developed that are far safer than anything that has come before. Additionally, genetic engineering is a field that has been given special attention in the institute due to obvious potential for life extension. Special focus has been given to the concept of designer babies, genetic experiments have been made on embryos and already scientists employed by the Tetrarchy have produced rats that live significantly longer lives than on average. With the world’s greatest minds gathered in one spot, perhaps the greatest enemy of humanity and the Eloi’s only true fear will be overcome.
GODS AND KINGS IN THE BYZANTINE EMPIRE
Destruction of Poseidon (Constantinople, Byzantine Empire): Jason began his hunt of the Olympians trying to find an isolated, weaker Olympian. But, during his quest, he heard that the HIMS Basil was under attack by none other than the Olympian Poseidon himself! While that was a far bigger fish that he was hoping to fight, Jason would not abandon his countrymen in a time of need.
The people of Constantinople watched in terror and sadness as Poseidon tore the HIMS Basil apart. The Gods were once again punishing them for their hubris, punishing them for their attempted mastery of the waves. But then, suddenly, another Olympian attacked Poseidon! The people cheered as the two Olympians clashed and as the new Olympian and the Basil cooperated to slay Poseidon himself. The Argo was damaged in the attack, but not as damaged as the Basil itself. Still, it was good that one of the most powerful and vindictive members of the pantheon was defeated.
The victorious Olympian came to the shore and, low and behold, a man emerged out top. The people of Constantinople bowed in awe of what they saw as their new God. (Free invokes related to the Argo and the HIMS Basil consumed, minor (2) military consequence “HIMS Basil Damaged” taken, stunt “Gods Among Us” activated: +1 free invoke on “Olympian Worshipping Hellenics”)
Of Gods and Emperors (Constantinople, Byzantine Empire): Jason and the Argo has begun to be worshipped by the Byzantine public as a God. This is completely unsurprising considering the religious beliefs of the Byzantine public and Jason’s actions. The question now is, will Jason accept the public’s belief that he is a God? Or will he shun them?
Emperor Adonis has been watching these events with keen interest. The Imperial Senate’s plot to keep the Emperor distracted through military hardware failed heavily, with the Emperor’s narcissism barely receding and his tantrums getting worse by the day. Emperor Adonis has been fascinated by Jason, but this fascination is unfortunately borne out of jealously. Jason is beloved by his subjects, who should be loving him! Not anyone else! If Jason confirms his Godhood, Emperor Adonis’ jealously will likely boil over into pure rage. If Jason denies Godhood, Emperor Adonis will likely be less angry but still intensely jealous.
FREE CHOICE:
- Jason confirms his Godhood. (New Stunt: “Jason, God of the Argo: When you invoke “Olympian Worshipping Hellenics” using a free invoke from “Gods Among Us” on a Force relating to a battle where Jason is participating, gain +4 instead of the usual +2 bonus from the invoke.” Emperor Adonis will not like that)
- Jason denies his Godhood (Byzantine Empire gains a new stunt relating to Jason chosen role in society. Emperor Adonis will still be jealous and will cause problems, but not quite as much)
Dutch Dams and Capital Flight (The Black Sea, Byzantine Empire): The Byzantine Empire has a thriving Dutch immigrant community consisting of many Dutchlanders who fled to the Byzantine Empire during the Collapse. Traditionally, this migrant community has been exploited by foreign Eloi for cheap construction labour. As part of a government initiative to minimise the influence of the Eloi and revitalise the Black Sea damning project, much of this minority group was poached by the government with much better wages and focused their efforts on the massive public works program. In retaliation, many Eloi started moving their investments away from the Byzantine Empire towards more Eloi friendly regions such as the Asian Tetrarchy. This has caused a minor, but noticeable, dip in the Byzantine economy. (+1 free invoke on “Imported Dutch Engineers Damning the Black Sea”, minor (2) stability consequence “Capital Flight” taken)
GUNPOWDER, TREASON AND PLOT:
The Lord Protector is Dead. Long Live the Lord Protector! (Birmingham, Second English Protectorate): Lord Protector Horne was killed in a coup launched against him by forces within the Second Protectorate. A new Lord Protector has not yet been named, but is expected to be one of his many rivals within the country.
RISE OF THE NORTH:
Rapid Temperature Drop (Qaqortoq, Nullaktuk Realm): The temperature of Greenland is rapidly dropping, soon the island will not be able to sustain the formerly isolated Nullaktuk Realm. Nullaktuk scientists have proposed methods to delay the cooling, but to many of the faithful the path is clear – the old world must be reclaimed and land must be cleared to make room for the Nullaktuk Nunaat to return home. (New challenge “Rapid Temperature Drop” with difficulty 6, +3 fate points from invokes on “The Greenest of Lands”, “Exodus from the Realm of Ice” and “An Inhospitable Earth”).
