Maybe...

[Imago]

Do we get one personal UU for each branch, or in general? If we don't want our current UU out in the market, but want to make a new one, can we make one, and immediatly put it up to the market?

In general. The market thing is a very interesting idea, but won't work because you would still have technically a second type of UU. But I suppose you could sell a bastardized version of your UU to other nations, which might still be worthwhile for them to buy, depending on techs.

 

[Lord of Elves]

Since apparently there is a lot of competition for Britain/France, declaring interest in Japan/the Islamic superstate of some persuasion.

 

[ZeletDude]

I'm interested in Central Europe/Germany or Western US, or Japan

 

[Condor_green]

Interested in The Free States of Siam

BackStory
At one point the people of Siam were divided into 2 similar yet different nation states that answered to a holy emperor and made suggestions to this emperor about how to run the country while also running most of the administrative duties of the empire.
These two states were known as Ayutthaya and Khmer. Ayutthaya and Khmer had been having a tough time economically and one day these two nation states broke out into an argument over how much of their ASP they should cut.
Ayutthaya believed that a significant portion of the Asp should be cut including those benefiting some of the civilian populous, the Ayutthayans knew that if they could tough it out a year or two the surplus they would receive would balance out their economy.
But the Khmer did not want their citizens to suffer at all and only wanted to cut the ASP dedicated to things that they deemed unnecessary.
Their government squabble caused them to stall and even the holy Emperor couldn't stop their fight. Soon the fed up people of Ayutthaya and Khmer rose up together and overthrew their squabbling leaders and the emperor creating the Free States of Siam.

XD sorry, it's the pain meds talking.( this is really the back-story though)
Definitely expressing interest as that green Siamese country.

 

[Anonymoose]

Watching with great interest. I want to play, but I don't know what or where yet. I may just pick leftover nations whenever the NES shows up, if there are any.

 

[Ninja Dude]

Shogunate of Japan

Spoiler :

In the mid 19th century, the Shogunate faced a disastrous, but brief conflict with traders from [that orange state in the east coast of N America]. Japan's ports were ravaged, and Nagasaki became a trade port for the Americans. This humiliation caused an uproar, and numerous clans rebelled against the Tokugawa Shogunate. It's out dated military could not hope to fight against the rebels, and when the dust settled, a new shogunate was established by the leaders of the Chosu and Satsuma domains. The Takachika Shogunate was founded, which would focus on preventing any further humiliations by any means necessary.

Something similar to the Meiji Restoration occurred during the late 19th century, bring the Japanese nation into the outside world as an industrialized nation. However, it was still considered a laughingstock, at least while Nagasaki was in American hands. Finally in 1905, Japanese troops wielding modern weaponry stormed into Nagasaki, massacring it's Americans and European inhabitants. Instead of returning honor to the Japanese, it simply switched their label from weak to savage. On the international stage they were condemned by nearly every major power, and an international force was organized to topple the young Takachika Shogunate.

However, blunders and troubles effected this expedition from the onset. The British, who made up most of the naval part of the expedition, had to take most of their forces back to India, which was experiencing a rebellion at the time. [Blue nation] troops were rather lackluster about the whole expedition, and after Nagasaki was retaken, [blue nation] withdrew its troops. This left a small number of troops from various secondary powers, and a still large body of American and Mexican troops. However, a disastrous naval battle in Edo Bay shattered the American fleet, allowing the Japanese to cut off their supply lines. With no supplies, the international force was forced to surrender. Most were returned home, but many officers were publicly executed. When asked about their locations and conditions, local authorities simply claimed they died of "complications".

With this last great threat to the Japanese nation repulsed, Japan began to look outwards, expanding its power in the Pacific. Tidor, Taiwan, and the Philippines fell to the Japanese after brief conflicts with their former colonial owners. An unsuccessful attempt at conquering Korea lead to a stalemate with the Chinese, who stopped the Japanese from completing their conquest. A peace treaty was signed in 1964, both sides agreeing to maintain the local rights of the Koreans that they now found themselves ruling over.

The stalemate in Korea caused somewhat of a slumber for the formerly aggressive Japanese nation. Instead of continuing to look for opportunities to lash out at Europeans or Americans, it looked inwards, developing the industries in its colonies. The daimyo of the feudal days are now rich industrialists, growing rich off of Japan's success. The populations of each colony is rather mixed, with forced immigration and aggressive attempts to replace local culture with those of the Japanese causing many confused identities. In Taiwan there is especially a deep split between those who swear allegiance to the Emperor and the Shogun, and those who wish to return to being ruled by the Chinese.

Summary: Having spent years in not so splendid isolation, Japan has lashed out against the Westerners who sought to gain from her woes. Attacks from and on almost every power in the region has made Japan an island in a sea of enemies. However, alone it is still formidable, and memories of past victories are still fresh in the minds of its generals. Will it seek renewed expansion, or will it instead focus on holding onto its current gains?

Order of Mecca

Spoiler :

After the Mongol victory at Ain Jalut, the Crusaders continued to attack the Mamluks, who began to crumble with the death of Baibars there. His sons and viceroys simultaneously struggled against one another to secure their positions, as well as fight against the Crusader-Mongolian force. While the Mongolians continued onward into Egypt, a small Crusader force traveled along the Red Sea, taking cities with relatively light opposition from the Mamlukes. Local opposition was great though, and by the time the Crusaders reached Mecca, they were hopelessly surrounded by local troops and tribes from the desert who had heard of their advance.

In a hopeless battle, the Crusaders attempted to destroy as much of the holy city as possible before they were killed. However, on the 3rd day of fighting, a Mongolian force appeared, which turned the tide in their favor. With the resistance crushed, the Crusaders prepared to put Mecca to the torch. However, the Mongolians refused to allow it, and demanded that the Crusaders give up control of the city to them. The Crusaders begrudgingly agreed, unable and unwilling to contest their allies' claim.

For the next hundred years or so the region was under the rule of Mongolians, who established the Khanate of Mecca. Their policy of tolerance kept the population relatively calm, and in times of trouble there were both crusaders and Mongols willing to fight against any dissenters. However, in 1457, a coup by one of the Khan's relatives split the ruling ruling family into two camps. Seeing the opportunity to strike, Mongolian converts to Islam began to organize a revolt. In a number of decisive battles, the three groups repeatedly bled each other white. Neighbors to the Khanate were all too happy to see the distress, and many supported one (or in some bizarre cases, two) sides. It seemed that once again Mecca would rightfully be in Muslim hands, as the Mongol royal family was nearly wiped out after years of battle. But just as things began to look up for them, the Tenth Crusade was declared.

Egyptian forces, hoping to assist the rebels in Arabia, attempted to simply bulldoze their way through the Kingdom of Jerusalem. Which they did. But not without swatting the proverbial bee's nest. Pius and glory-hungry rulers of Europe sent forces to fight against the heathen once more. The rebels were defeated, Alexandria was sacked, and Ninja Dude realized he was spending way too much time in this time period. Following the Crusade, the Order of Mecca was founded, gaining control of land from one end of the Red Sea, all the way to the Mediterranean.

From the 1500's to the 1700's the Order faced some tough times. Surrounded by neighbors who hated them with a passion, and an ever smaller amount of assistance from Europe, the Order's days were numbered.

However, just like the Mongols saved the Order at Mecca, so did the British save them in 1793. The Order would give trade rights to the British and allow them to dock in their ports, and in exchange the two would assist one another in the event of an invasion. This alliance would not only allow the Order to survive, but to become stronger. An alliance with Britain meant British advisers and reformers. By the early 1800's the Order had arms of only slightly less quality than most European countries.

This would not be enough to deter their neighbors forever though, and in 1858 [huge green super country] began to sweep into Arabia, eager to wrest Mecca out of infidel hands. Initially they scored numerous victories, with the tribes of the Arabian Desert defecting and raiding the coastal communities of the Order. But the invasion force was stalled by a combined Anglo-Crusader force, which often inflicted heavy casualties on the invaders before retreating. Meanwhile the British launched expeditions from India into Iran. Before long the invaders became the invaded, and in 1860 Baghdad fell to an Anglo-Crusader force. A peace treaty was signed, handing over land along the Tigris and Euphrates to the Order.

During the late 1800's and mid 1900's the Order was relatively quiet. It's armies continued to drill and drill and be equipped with the best weapons it could lay its hands on, but the overall tone of the Order was turning more peaceful. Military spending was cut in favor of increased missionary activity. Land along the Mediterranean was sold to [light blue state] so that they could construct a canal there.

With the loss of India, the British saw little need to continue their alliance with the Order, and ended it in 1947. However, relatively unstable neighbors has kept them from eying up the Order until now.

Summary: Crusading order that has managed to stay alive through an alliance with the British in the recent centuries. Missionary activity has been favored as of late, and the military has been downsized in an attempt to paint over the old image of the aggressive crusader state eager to fight all of its neighbors. However, with its alliance with the British gone, the Order may need to reverse its policies and prepare for war with its neighbors...

OOC: Yeah, this stuff would never happen, but looking at the map, realism isn't exactly our main concern I'm more interested in Japan, but I kinda got bored and wrote an insane thing for that Pink state in Arabia.

 

[Lord of Elves]

Order of Mecca

Spoiler :

After the Mongol victory at Ain Jalut, the Crusaders continued to attack the Mamluks, who began to crumble with the death of Baibars there. His sons and viceroys simultaneously struggled against one another to secure their positions, as well as fight against the Crusader-Mongolian force. While the Mongolians continued onward into Egypt, a small Crusader force traveled along the Red Sea, taking cities with relatively light opposition from the Mamlukes. Local opposition was great though, and by the time the Crusaders reached Mecca, they were hopelessly surrounded by local troops and tribes from the desert who had heard of their advance.

In a hopeless battle, the Crusaders attempted to destroy as much of the holy city as possible before they were killed. However, on the 3rd day of fighting, a Mongolian force appeared, which turned the tide in their favor. With the resistance crushed, the Crusaders prepared to put Mecca to the torch. However, the Mongolians refused to allow it, and demanded that the Crusaders give up control of the city to them. The Crusaders begrudgingly agreed, unable and unwilling to contest their allies' claim.

For the next hundred years or so the region was under the rule of Mongolians, who established the Khanate of Mecca. Their policy of tolerance kept the population relatively calm, and in times of trouble there were both crusaders and Mongols willing to fight against any dissenters. However, in 1457, a coup by one of the Khan's relatives split the ruling ruling family into two camps. Seeing the opportunity to strike, Mongolian converts to Islam began to organize a revolt. In a number of decisive battles, the three groups repeatedly bled each other white. Neighbors to the Khanate were all too happy to see the distress, and many supported one (or in some bizarre cases, two) sides. It seemed that once again Mecca would rightfully be in Muslim hands, as the Mongol royal family was nearly wiped out after years of battle. But just as things began to look up for them, the Tenth Crusade was declared.

Egyptian forces, hoping to assist the rebels in Arabia, attempted to simply bulldoze their way through the Kingdom of Jerusalem. Which they did. But not without swatting the proverbial bee's nest. Pius and glory-hungry rulers of Europe sent forces to fight against the heathen once more. The rebels were defeated, Alexandria was sacked, and Ninja Dude realized he was spending way too much time in this time period. Following the Crusade, the Order of Mecca was founded, gaining control of land from one end of the Red Sea, all the way to the Mediterranean.

From the 1500's to the 1700's the Order faced some tough times. Surrounded by neighbors who hated them with a passion, and an ever smaller amount of assistance from Europe, the Order's days were numbered.

However, just like the Mongols saved the Order at Mecca, so did the British save them in 1793. The Order would give trade rights to the British and allow them to dock in their ports, and in exchange the two would assist one another in the event of an invasion. This alliance would not only allow the Order to survive, but to become stronger. An alliance with Britain meant British advisers and reformers. By the early 1800's the Order had arms of only slightly less quality than most European countries.

This would not be enough to deter their neighbors forever though, and in 1858 [huge green super country] began to sweep into Arabia, eager to wrest Mecca out of infidel hands. Initially they scored numerous victories, with the tribes of the Arabian Desert defecting and raiding the coastal communities of the Order. But the invasion force was stalled by a combined Anglo-Crusader force, which often inflicted heavy casualties on the invaders before retreating. Meanwhile the British launched expeditions from India into Iran. Before long the invaders became the invaded, and in 1860 Baghdad fell to an Anglo-Crusader force. A peace treaty was signed, handing over land along the Tigris and Euphrates to the Order.

During the late 1800's and mid 1900's the Order was relatively quiet. It's armies continued to drill and drill and be equipped with the best weapons it could lay its hands on, but the overall tone of the Order was turning more peaceful. Military spending was cut in favor of increased missionary activity. Land along the Mediterranean was sold to [light blue state] so that they could construct a canal there.

With the loss of India, the British saw little need to continue their alliance with the Order, and ended it in 1947. However, relatively unstable neighbors has kept them from eying up the Order until now.

OOC: Yeah, this stuff would never happen, but looking at the map, realism isn't exactly our main concern I'm more interested in Japan, but I kinda got bored and wrote an insane thing for that Pink state in Arabia.

I endorse you for the Order of Mecca, as I was going to write my own background for Japan

 

[Ninja Dude]

Well, that's up to Imago, isn't it? Also, I'm gonna post summarized versions of those backstories, since Image said stories probably aren't the right idea...

 

[Imago]

Well, for my part, I think the idea for an Order of Mecca is really interesting. How would Islam develop in a situation where the Hejaz was ruled by Christians for hundreds of years? Makes me wonder what [light blue] really is...

 

[Ninja Dude]

Well, it is kinda of a ridiculous idea really, but if you guys like it, I would be willing to take it.

 

[Omega124]

As much as I applaud you for the beautiful backstory, Ninja Dude, I think having a Point of Divergence in the 1800s, let alone the crusades, is a little out of the scope in this NES.

 

[Shadowbound]

Condor has put nothing out of the scope of this NES. MVP to him, bravo.

 

[Omega124]

Condor has put nothing out of the scope of this NES. MVP to him, bravo.

His post was too illegible for me to read.

Spoiler Israel :

Republic of Israel

The Republic of Israel has, ever since its creation, fought against colations of Muslims, winning every time. In the 2020s, a new idea has sprunned for the ultimite peace for the Jewish nation. It was to conquor and annex the surronding Muslim nations. In what became known as the War of Zion, Israel declared war on, and made short work of Syria, Lebadon, Jordan, and Palestine. Israel also took some lands from Egypt and Iraq, and a dimplomatic standoff occured between the three nations. However, war never sprang out, and Israel kept the land.

 

[Ninja Dude]

As much as I applaud you for the beautiful backstory, Ninja Dude, I think having a Point of Divergence in the 1800s, let alone the crusades, is a little out of the scope in this NES.

Then explain to me what event happened as recently as the 1900's that shattered America, fused Iberia and France, made Perisa gigantic, and made that... thing... in Africa.

When you get to the bottom line, none of this is gonna make sense. I spread my crazy alternate history stuff over the course of a long period of time. Some people prefer to just use it all up at once. I believe the two can coexist perfectly fine

 

[Imago]

The PODs for the countries can be as far back as y'all want. I'm not worried about merging interesting national backgrounds into something that resembles a unified history.

On the other hand, vaguely plausible 1900s ideas are definitely possible. Big France could just be an EU fragment, Persia could have got Turkey if Ataturk's gambit post WWI went horribly wrong, and I think the idea for the Africa thing was a post-independence colonial agglomeration similar to Somalia and about as stable. Though I really like the idea of Africa being home to the world's greatest superpower.

Anyway, don't take any of my ideas as canon. Unless someone convinces me to change the format of the pseudo-reservations, we're just brainstorming here.

 

[Ninja Dude]

Exactly. All are things that you could explain, they just aren't very likely to happen. Which is what I was shooting for. Anyways, I stand by the Order as my most preferred country, with Japan as a secondary.

 

[TheLizardKing]

Just throwing in my dice for The Islamic Empire of Africa.

It reminds me much of Morocco :/

Since this is 15 years past the events of the second INES, why not just have this as a continued timeline?

 

[Imago]

If you want a shot at a reservation, Lizard, give me a nation bio. I want INES III to be accessible, not have a thousand crazy references to a game from a year and a half ago, but I have no problem with you trying your best to port Morocco.

 

[Lord of Elves]

Consider me interested in playing the Second Japanese Empire. Background coming as soon as my circumstances allow.

 

[TheLizardKing]

How's this sound?

The Union of Syndicalist African Communal States

After the Second World War, France struggled to maintain the Empire it had grown on the dark continent. Battered, and the beaten the European nation was struggling in it's own affairs, and unable to maintain the wave of African nationalism that arose after the epic struggle. Riots and revolts broke out through Nigeria, Morocco, Chad and Niger, and it became increasingly clear that the French Empire was no more then a shadow of it once was. It took the Sultan of Morocco to prove that to be true. Declaring it's independence from the French Empire in 1953, the Sultan led his forces to liberate much of the Atlantic coast from the French forces unprepared to fight a massive colonial war. After several years of fighting throughout the mostly desert nation, France soon found it's internal issues building up at home, and more diplomatic issues abroad, in the form of the Soviet Union.

Soon, it granted the nation it's independence, and began building a time table for decolonization of the whole of it's colonies, which was eventually thrown out the window, and more and more African states began rising up against it's rulers. Algeria was next, and recieved indirect help from Morocco and the Soviet Union, who was, in turn, interested in the possibilities of strong African allies.
As Chad and Niger began rising up, using Soviet weaponry, the Moroccan Sultan began facing increased Communist political power in Rabat. Chad and Niger were both effectively established as Socialist Republics, and Algeria fell in revolt a few years later. As Soviet presence in the region began increasing more and more, the Moroccan revolutionaries eventually toppled the age old Kingdom of Morocco, in exhange for the warm embrace of the Soviet Union, and it's neighboring powers. By the late 90's, however, that embrace soon faltered, as the Soviet Union, wracked with internal issues, began faltering on the world stage, leaving it's fledgling African allies relatively alone in the face of increased NATO oppression.

With the Soviet Union's eventually disolution, a multitude of hardlined Communists, and even entire military groups began defecting instead towards the African Socialist Republics, hoping to continue the spread of the revolution from a new base. Eventually, as the threat of European intervention in the Dark Continent once again became a very real possibility, the African Socialist Republcis took a step from the classical Soviet book, and began alignin with each other more and more, throug an elaborate military and political alliance system, that eventually gave rise to the establishment of The Union of Syndicalist African States in the 2050's. While Soviet influenced, the general consensus was that the Soviet Union generally fell away from it's original promises of creating a workers paradise. With an increasingly organized industrial base, and a generally content working population, the USAS experienced massive economic growth in the later half of the 21st century, due in large part to relatively untapped resources across it's new, giant realm. As the idea of seperate African states slowly began to diminish, all hopes at self-autonamy on any major scale were discarded for real, central rule from Bamako, in what was Mali.

Islamic and Christian extremism were greatly toned down, and religion began being viewed as a tool of the classical Western Imperialists to keep the people of Africa down. The integrated militaries of the North African republics began actually having enough power projection, to help aid communist revolts in the South Pacific, South America, and of course, in Sub-Sahara Africa, with the most notable example being in the annexation of the Congo in 2114. With a friendly government being set up in the area, and a general sense of happiness, or at the very least, contentness being felt, the USACS has began to look at the world in a grander view of things. After all, they are now the flag holders of the Workers Revolution.