UPDATE 1
Vox Diaboli
1930
TOP STORY
THE MACHINE TYRANT REVEALS HIMSELF!
HE PORTENDS DOOM FOR MANKIND: “ALL THAT’S YOURS IS MINE!”
This report brought to you by the Daily Bugle: the best, honest, most down-to-earth newspaper out there!
November 1st, 1930
In a shocking radio speech delivered last night from a radio broadcasting station somewhere in northern England, the day humanity has long-awaited and dreaded has finally come: the terrifying entity known only as the Machine Tyrant has
finally identified himself!
Speaking in a ghastly voice, the man, whose true identity British authorities insist remains at large, identified himself as the Machine Tyrant, and vowed a terrifying crusade against the human race – to begin in England, and to rapidly spread elsewhere.
We have transcribed parts of the speech for your edification. We offer only this warning should you read on ahead: HORRIFIC.
Greetings, people of the world. Do not be alarmed: I come in peace.
I, who am speaking to you, am none other than the very terror and the very fear you have invoked as the cause of all mankind’s problems these past ten years. I am what you have called the Machine Tyrant.
At this moment, I am sure many of you are feeling fear; even more of you may retreat to a skeptical doubt, hoping in the clear embrace of the irreducible to turn my words and my presence in your living rooms, bars, and hospitals into nothing more than a phantom of your senses.
But retreat though you may, there is a material fact that is inescapable: by my hand, I have already slain countless millions of you. Do they not exist? Or do you seek another explanation for what has befallen you?
You have called me the Machine Tyrant, and laid the prolonged collapse of your pathetic civilization at my feet. Therefore, I present myself before you, today, as your Avatar of Fear and Hatred. I am the will of your living nightmare, the essence of what you call Hell.
Hear me now: I declare that Manchester will fall by year’s end, and everyone and everything in it burnt to ash and cinder. Witness this come to pass, and despair. And in your despair, jealously guard what you have, and lock your gates. It will not matter: all that’s yours is already mine.
Oscar Stanton DePriest Wins Election! New President Promises Revenge for the Republic
Nola Free Radio, January 29th
In a landslide election, the man regarded by many as one of the founding fathers of our Republic has been elected President amidst a wave of popular zeal. Every man in the Free Republic at this point knows in his heart the truth of truths that even with our freedom, guarded by a government such as ours, we cannot truly be free as long as the shadow of the aggressor classes hangs over our heads. Mr. DePriest, speaking before the crowd in Atlanta, reassured the people that there will be justice for President Johnson, and that there will be “no mercy” for the architects of that heinous assassination – implicating, as he did, the government of the Pulaski Protectorate. Though some token protests have come from Nashville, the people of our great Republic are already of a mind that we shall run through Tennessee, just like the flames of William Tecumseh Sherman once ran through the slavers’ silver.
Discord in Harmony? Pro-Market Population Protests Precarious Research Plans
The Daily Mail, March 29th
A scandal at the heart of the machine state in Cologne is currently sending shockwaves throughout the entire Harmonic Choir government. Concerned citizens, many of whom have long expressed concern with the socialist and anti-market policies of the Harmonic Choir, are now expressing concern over a new scandal: is the Harmonic Choir government paying to transport the Machine Tyrant’s agents to Germany?
We spoke to Adrienne Sens, an economist from Cologne who fled after the war and settled down instead in Paris. “It’s clear based on the data that I’ve been able to scrape from discarded newspaper edits in the Cologne copyhouses and censorship-factories that there is something terrible going on in Germany right now.” She cites her extensive research pinning together bits of evidence that the untrained eye would consider irrelevant. “Seventeen periods in one paragreaph, sixteen in the next? They’re counting down to something,” she told our reporter gravely as her cobalt-blue eyes scanned a “secret” government document. “According to my research, the machine tyrant’s agent in Cologne has been paying huge sums of money to transport the machine tyrant’s army to Europe, where evil experiments are then done in blacksites where, no doubt, political dissidents are tortured to further the machine tyrant’s agenda. It’s big, no doubt, and their effort to constantly control the flow of information, like a great firewall where any paperwork going in or out is smoked to ash, reflects gravely on them as well.”
After verifying this story with the London Committee to Oppose the Expansion of Socialist Violence, we have admitted no delays in bringing this story before you, dear reader. Remember: vigilance is key!
Vampire State of Transylvania Brings War to the Balkans
The New Parisian, April 10th
Led by the much-feared vampire queen, known by many as the Dark Lady of Transylvania, has finally launched an invasion many suspected but few expected to come so soon. A great army has been assembled in Romania and is taking war now to the nations of Moldavia, Serbia, and Bulgaria, and sweeping aside all the lesser nations as a matter of course. Foreign observers have been flummoxed to observe this low-tech army is, in fact, led by a contingent of vampire lieutenants who act as true
political commissars of their Dark Lady, and these units have faced little – if any – resistance from the scattered village militia and poorly-organized defense forces of these misery-stricken nations. While the Noctarchy’s flag rises above a new village every day, a Serbian partisan movement has formed which now serves as the most significant resistance against the vampire forces.
Warlord Forces Under Dong Zhuo, Liu Bei, Push West
Hong Kong English, May 5th
Chinese forces under the united robot warlords have embarked on twin campaigns, pushing westwards as they expand the borders of their new government into territories formerly controlled by the Qing. Despite initial promise in these attacks, Dong Zhuo’s army, with many heavy and unwieldy machines unsuited for the dry climate and the dust storms, is slowing in its advance in the outset of the Hexi corridor, although officials close to Dong Zhuo insist that great progress is being made and hope to take all of Xinjiang by month’s end. Liu Bei, meanwhile, leads an army into northwest Sichuan, finalizing the unification of this region against the imposition of unlawful bandits. However, the army, comprising mainly Sichuanese who felt duty bound to reunite the country, were not as moved by the premise of ascending the Tibetan plateau and carrying their offensive onwards to Lhasa. Although Liu Bei has stopped marching in order to continue a recruitment drive, sources close to the robot warlord claim that the situation is grim, and stated “We will need quite an influx of new troops if we hope to invade Tibet.”
Right and Left Factions of Spanish Republican Government Clash over Infrastructure, Education
The New Parisian, June 20th
The road & rail project touted by the Spanish revolutionary government to invigorate development has met with political controversy as, despite the leveraging of significant resources, the amount of capital required to undertake this investment is simply not being raised. Enter the right-faction of the Spanish government, which insists that, despite the successes of the revolution and the self-evident benefits of social democracy, Spain must admit the investment of foreign capital in order to properly finance this investment. With the project currently out of funds and proceeding at a snail’s pace, this faction has acquired significant cachet in the past few months.
Nevertheless, the right-faction has also opposed the extensive spending investment made into state education, specifically with a purpose to increase Spanish literacy and language education throughout the Republic. Here, the faction has seen its gains grind to a halt, as far from the same situation has prevailed: the education program has been a smashing success, with dozens of new schools being opened and hundreds more under construction and proceeding on time, and a veritable fleet of schoolteachers – most educated in socialist thinking – have taken a flock of thousands of new students, to the delight of families everywhere.
Neo-Incan Empire Claims Galapagos, Raises Flag
Nola Free Radio, June 22nd
Amidst little fanfare, naval forces flying the flag of the Neo-Incan Empire have dropped anchors off the coast of the Galapagos islands, sending an expedition to raise their flag again over the docks of San Cristobal. Despite some muttered protests from some old world politicians, most evidently are not concerned with the Neo-Incan’s reasonable claim.
Italian Forces Occupy Bosnia, Illegally; Bosniaks Slaughtered By Heartless Italian Marauders
Ein Berliner Weiße, June 24th
The Italian Army has violated international treaty this past month by effecting an illegal war and occupation against the unincorporated Bosnian nation. Although this move has been celebrated in more conservative circles in London and Porto, most of Europe is rightfully indignant at this naked aggression, an aggression which has accompanied – by our count – the slaughtering of hundreds if not thousands of Bosniaks who dared resist the Italian’s law, if they weren’t cut down like wheat retreating from merciless Italian warmechs. Join
Ein Berliner Weiße in defending our Commonwealth values and demanding the Italians
back off!
Socialists, Union Workers, Unemployed Riot in Brazil over Corporate Welfare Program
The New York Times, July 18th
A massive economic reinvestment program undertaken in Brazil has produced shockwaves throughout Brazilian society, as it was announced a significant portion of the national budget would be diverted to increased capital investment in Brazil’s biggest private enterprises. Although a move widely praised by the Brazilian business class, the sheer scope of the program has been criticized by socialist and union agitators for neglecting to give the unions their “due.” As a result they have now taken to the street, lawlessly bringing mob justice to the storefronts and avenues in the national capital of Rio de Janeiro. The government has dispensed no time bringing the police into play and empowering private businesses to administer their own security with whatever judicious expressions seem most appropriate. Although official statements remain elusive, sources close to the government claim “the government’s relationship with business is too important to brook these rioters’ extortionate demands.”
Free Black Republic Attacks, Occupies Pulaski Protectorate; Black Stormtroopers Terrorize Whites
The Daily Mail, July 21st
Hot on the heels of the electoral victory of Oscar Stanton DePriest, an election where some precincts showed greater than 100% turnout, the fiery-eyed radical has promised to build a new enterprise of violence: unsatisfied with their gains in the rest of Dixie, these radicals have determined to burn down the very last outpost of the Free South left in Dixie. With a declaration of war and an army of battle-hardened killers, the Free Republic stormed into Pulaski and put the entire nation to the bayonet. We can only speculate at the numbers killed, but the testaments of those few brave souls who managed to escape certainly provoke the imagination: “They’re terrorizing us! They’re terrorizing anyone with white skin!” Shocking, but not that shocking to those educated in the most basic principles of race. Unfortunately for the population of Tennessee, their government has now been overthrown and replaced with the occupation government of the Free Republic and DePriest’s myriad minions. But fortunately for the friends of freedom, we have word that several of the highest-ranking Pulaski officials have managed to escape into the USA, including the Pulaski’s head of state and government, the agreeable Hiram Wesley Evans, styled as Imperial Wizard in the Pulaski government. Many hope he will create a government in exile, but there is some doubt as to whether the USA would recognize such a government. Perhaps he can go to Canada – or, better yet, come to jolly old England!
(Pulaski Protectorate: Destroyed.)
French Humanitarian Aid “Big Win” as Government Enjoys Widespread Foreign & Domestic Support
The New Parisian, August 3rd
An ambitious plan: can we build a hospital on the waves and bring food, water, and medicine to those affected by the Machine Tyrant crisis? Well, that was the plan of a detachment of Rationalist government navymen and crisis workers. The results? With an estimated half a million dead Englishmen last year, it was estimated that many millions more would end up displaced and in need of assistance. Well, the government is pleased to report that over one million people have been helped by this humanitarian program already, and the reputation is so notorious that throughout England, it has become a common saying to remark “The French are angels!” Naysayers have nary a nay to say, as even the most desperate now have cause to feel hope.
This is such a delightful development for the Rationalist government, especially coming in the same year as we have seen an investor confidence program unfreeze the markets and regain some of the ground that would have been lost had the freeze continued. This is welcome news for just about everyone. In fact, a record number of British businesses have applied to move their operations to France in the past 3 months! They will need to adhere to the Rationalist laws, but something tells us they will!
Socialist Markets Rally as Capitalist Markets Reel
Deutsche Welle, August 9th (Editorial)
As the numbers come in from the British stock exchange, admitting yet another record-breaking fall amidst gold runs, a weakened pound, and decreased exports, there is presently a greater uncertainty in the destination of international finance than at any other point in recent history. What we observe is two things: one, that the capitalist markets are currently freefalling from their center of power in Britain, and; two, that the socialist markets, in this same time, are rallying quite agreeably. No economy is truly doing better right now than that of France, which is seeing an extremely favorable trade balance that is quickly shoring up the French gold reserves, even as Britain continues to hemmorhage gold. And yet, this trade balance favors Germany as well, as the price of British textile goods has never been lower, and still command a significant chunk of the international textile market. With British clothing flooding French and Harmonic stores at low prices, and Harmonic iron also driving the engine of Amber Order development, the economic war in Europe has clearly tilted to the socialists’ favor. Furthermore, Portugal, which is in many ways Britain’s lifeline, is building an increasing stock of the British pound, which we predict will eventually backfire when the decrepit British economy inevitably, finally, collapses.
We also note the growth in the Commonwealth economy, also a symbol of the robustness of our system. The Commonwealth, in many ways a self-sufficient economy, has enjoyed a trade balance nearly immune to the global system and which we predict will become
more immune as the underperforming elements of that economy are identified, liquefied, and refactored as efficient, socialist enterprises.
Tensions Mount for South African United Party Congress As Nationalists Promise Violence
Ein Berliner Weiße, August 31st
South Africa: a nation for many years now divided, by a nearly countless plethora of peoples. The ambition of Jan Smuts, whose government has been pushing for the elusive reunification of the nation against all odds, is one South African United Party Congress: a great meeting of the political powers of South Africa, to effect in the nation a contract and truce in government that will overcome the current strife and division plaguing the nation.
Although called ambitious, this is one sentiment that observers think is not impossible. But now enter the nationalists, Jan Smuts’
ur-enemy, the extremists who reject the possibility of union and demand to effect the full power and independence of the Boer nation against any and all others. Realizing Jan Smuts’ ambition, the nationalists have expanded a campaign of media terror and intimidation, threatening violence against Union supporters and politicians, and in several cases already, becoming implicated in the provoking of street battles. This threat, at first a nuisance, has finally developed to a point it can no longer be ignored; and the world waits to see how Jan Smuts will proceed.
Ostafrikaner “Gold Hoarding” Policy Encounters Reduced Imports, Exports
Deutsche Welle, September 16th
A policy which many European economists have taken to calling “gold hoarding” has come underway in Ostafrika, as the government, with an eye on protecting the currency and retaining a trade advantage, has placed caps on the sale of gold and also undertaken to expand the gold reserves as much as possible. In Ostafrika, domestic gold production is good, and the government took advantage of its position to acquire as much newly produced gold at the lowest prices as possible, there is little way to compete for the much less-concentrated sale of that gold abroad at fixed prices pegged to foreign currency rates. Although the government sought only to stock reserves of good currency, the foreign exchange rates, remaining fixed, mean there is little to leverage here unless Ostafrika also reduces its imports – and the consequence of the gold export caps brought about exactly that outcome. Although many elite Ostafrikans have now begun to grumble at a scarcity of imported goods, the currency has dutifully increased in value, satisfying the primary aim of the government. Nevertheless, this higher value currency has now cast a harsher light on the competitiveness of Ostafrikan exports, which signs show are starting to drop as Ostafrika’s expensive, non-gold exports just can’t find a good market. Observers are optimistic Ostafrika will either remove the gold sale cap, or else they will have to find some compromise to reduce the trade imbalance as imports prove more and more poisonous.
Antillean Forces Fortify Haitian Border; “Just Routine Exercises” Reassures Antillean General
Nola Free Radio, October 8th
A troop movement in the Antilles has raised the alarm of some officials and businessmen operating in the state of Haiti, presently existing under an occupation military government operating also as the official government-in-exile of the Confederate States of America. The Antillean troop movements have involved a significant manning of the border, and the shoring up of new fortifications, roads, and telegraph lines. Although Haiti government officials have hailed this whole event with alarm, Antillean sources would like to reassure the world that these are “just routine exercises; no more than routine exercises.”
Pirates Find New Home, Friends in Maghreb; Infamous Pirate Queen Marries Tunisian Prince
Marrakech Daily Newspaper, November 11th
Much ado has been made about the new naval policies of the Maghreb government, which include what has been termed by foreign newspapers “a modern iteration of letters of marque” – some might say, unfairly. This policy in actuality has been a comprehensive bribe of pirate activity to
instead serve the state in
honest pursuits, with no kind of sanctioning of pirate activity whatsoever. Needless to say, many pirates are indeed easy to bribe, and have taken it. But not a
bribe at all and, in fact, a very important and luxurious affair, the infamous pirate Queen Hangbe has been married as a
bride to a Tunisian prince. This move shocked many – as why would the infamous pirate Queen Hangbe give up her independence to marry a prince? – but sources close to the queen, which have multiplied uncountably since the acquisition of her new clout, would like to reassure Hangbe’s fans that “She’s a force of nature that can’t be controlled.” One way or another, across our Confederacy, there is much talk of what children will result from this marriage.
After Brutal Battle, Manchester Seized by Machine Tyrant; Burnt to the Ground. Skies Painted Black; Tinted Clouds Visible in Egypt.
The Times, December 18th
After a ferocious month-long battle raged in Manchester, starting from a fortnight after The Broadcast when this offensive was predicted, the forces of Her Majesty’s Army have finally succumbed to defeat. The army, battered, bruised, and beaten, retreated south to regroup in Halton before a follow-up attack forced them to regroup in Cheshire, where they met with reinforcements from London. There, they licked their wounds, and so did the whole nation.
Hours after being driven from Manchester, reports from the area confirm that the entire city was, indeed, set ablaze; and the machines cordoned the perimeter of the city, keeping regular patrols, where anyone trying to escape was shot and killed on the spot. Within the perimeter, everything was destroyed. The city of Manchester is now no more than a smoking, rubble-filled wasteland; and the clouds of ash kicked up by this oppressive baptism of fire have so filled the atmosphere, that reports as far east as Moscow and as far south as Cairo confirm that the clouds of smoke have truly conquered the upper stratus of the European continent. We are perhaps in for a cold winter, the meteorologists say; but then what?
The government has declared a day of mourning, and vowed revenge in the name of the Immortal Empress against the Machine Tyrant. Buy your stamps and bonds; recycle your cans for bullets; and any spare rubber, turn it in, if you can: if we are to survive this war, we must take this as the warning it is.
(United Kingdom: Lose 800,000 populations, lose 100k standing troops.)
MOBILIZATIONS
United Kingdom mobilized 300k reserves into standing forces this year.
Antilles mobilized 20k reserves into standing forces this year.
Great China mobilized 50k reserves into standing forces this year.
Italy mobilized 40k reserves into standing forces this year.
Maghreb added 35 Tonnage to its navy this year.
MAP
The map will be updated for 1930 and posted tomorrow (Sunday, Nov 1) or the day after (Monday, Nov 2).
STATS
STATS (1930) in Google Drive.
OOC
Something quickly I want to address regarding
Assets: many of you have gained new Assets this turn. Some of these assets will only modify a few features, or none at all, or be strictly negative or strictly positive. Keep in mind your assets can and will change and evolve over the course of the game. So if you have a somewhat disappointing asset right now, remember that that can change, and should, with time and development.
Furthermore, I will be sending an individualized report to every player
via the private message conversation you sent to me on this forum, which will summarize the results of your orders and whatever you learned from them. Obviously, I'm doing this to keep some things secret, as many of you will not want me to share every detail of your operations with the other players. So, you know... *taps the side of nose*
Happy Halloween!