Realpolitik CIV - An Interactive AAR

[arya126]

After a little bit of discussion with Mathnerd in the chatroom, I believe we have a good plan for dealing with the Copperheads:

First, we take out the leadership. Then we offer pardons to those who leave the movement in exchange for information about its activities and leaders. We use the information to track down major players in the movement, while keeping track of the ones who left the movement, in cause they may have lied or deceived us.

We dont have the espionage resources to do this operation when we are focused on a war.

Whatever whosit decides to do, i want him to know that my order for the zealots to protect me and the rest of us still stands, and i will continue to hunt down the leadership, and after that i will hunt down the lesser members as well. Nothing can sway me from that path. So i ask you to leave this to me.

 

[MathNerd]

Um...

Don't be an Arya. (I think that'll become an idiom in this RP)

We can say what we want to say. If you remember, Whosit opposed your plan last time...

 

[MathNerd]

MathNerd stood in front of his chalkboard in the wee hours of the night, viciously scribbling numbers and equations onto the surface, leaving powdery dust in the air. He paused for a moment, scratched his chin in thought, then continued.

“Almost there…” MathNerd muttered under his breath, determined to solve the puzzle once and for all. He drew a triangle, added some arrows and numbers, and then circled the letter that was written next to the longest side of the triangle. He then drew another triangle and repeated the process. MathNerd yawned and rubbed his weary eyes, then looked up again at the mess of numbers and arrows he had written on the board. He often felt the he could not live with mathematics, yet he could not live without it either.

Suddenly, there was a knock on the door. Peering through the piece of glass, he saw the reassuring figure of Whosit outside the wooden entryway. “But why would Whosit come to me at this hour of the night?” MathNerd speculated.

“Oh, hey, President Whosit.” MathNerd murmered, opening the door. MathNerd was not his usual, talkative self past bedtime, and the stress of the recent events had been making him even more irate than otherwise. He was supposed to have Arya's bodyguards to protect him, but they had left, probably to some bar to get drunk. Stupid bodyguards.

Whosit replied with a smile and a nod, which was not unlike the kind fellow. He never did say much, but when he did, the words he uttered were powerful ones.

“What have the stupid Copperheads done now?” MathNerd spattered to Whosit, who took a deep breath, and looked towards MathNerd.

“President?” MathNerd said, eyeing the man suspiciously. Something seemed wrong with Whosit. He was never this quiet, it was as though -

Suddenly, the candle illuminating the room went out. MathNerd immediately unsheathed his sword and twirled it around his arm.

“Whosit! Get something to defend yourself, now!”

There was a crash behind MathNerd, who leaped towards the President. “Hide!” MathNerd whispered.

Something hit MathNerd on the back of his head. His vision swam. “NO! WHOSIT!” he screamed, stabbing his sword aimlessly behind his back. MathNerd stumbled and fell, dropping his sword. He barely made out the shape of a club and leaped towards Whosit in a frantic attempt to defend the president. MathNerd braced himself for the pain, his own sword laying on the ground meters away.

The club struck MathNerd’s head, causing him to collapse onto the ground. He couldn’t think clearly, and his sight was blurring.

“Whosit!” MathNerd called out with his last bits of strength. “Run!”

“I am not Whosit,” the man said, taking off a flimsy mask. “I am the very man that the real Whosit will come to fear.”

MathNerd fell unconscious, and the two men led him away into the night.

The next day, MathNerd was nowhere to be found.

 

[arya126]

MN, LH said that you we had to send him any writing we wanted to post for his clearance. This was to avoid any controversial things such as this. This isnt any of our AARs except for LH. we cant make up whatever we want.

And they arent my bodyguards. They are zealots that are loyal to me, and i ordered them to protect you. So please, dont go saying things about them that wouldnt happen.

 

[Lighthearter]

MN, LH said that you we had to send him any writing we wanted to post for his clearance. This was to avoid any controversial things such as this. This isnt any of our AARs except for LH. we cant make up whatever we want.

And they arent my bodyguards. They are zealots that are loyal to me, and i ordered them to protect you. So please, dont go saying things about them that wouldnt happen.

He did send the scene to me and I approved it. I commented it was odd that MN had no bodyguards.

He was supposed to have Arya's bodyguards to protect him, but they had left, probably to some bar to get drunk. Stupid bodyguards.

Evidently he put this in to make up for it.

- Lighthearter

 

[arya126]

Then it was my bad. I didnt know it was aproved.

Strange though, he has just furthered my cause. he has been kidnapped and now i have more of an incentive then ever to hunt these men down. Or less incentive. Depends on whether i think we could do better without MN for now.

I dont understand why we would have bodyguards though. No politicians in the usa typically have bodyguards besides the presidnet.

MN are you going to make me write up something in response to this?

LH dont wait for us. Go ahead and play the turnset as soon as whosit gives you a decision on the slave revolt and whatever esle you need.

 

[Lighthearter]

ANTIUM IS OURS!

The above headline screamed out from almost every English news publication earlier today as it became apparent that Rome has lost the valuable Alps city beyond hope of recovery.

In the Balkans, the union of rebels by the name of Germany under the leadership of a man called Frederick has risen up, intent on expelling the Romans. Russia has denounced this new nation as a terrorist organization.

These maps of Europe were released recently, showing the positions of the various forces and major cities:

(Imageshack is giving me problems - temporary delay on the rest)

The fall of Antium has left the bulk of our army ready to drive into either Germany or Italy - we could make great gains in either sector, but cannot commit to more then one offensive at a time.

And the Night Eagles have been recalled to Britain to find and rescue MathNerd from the Copperheads.

Whosit's quota have been reached - Antium and Ravus-York have been retaken. Now England waits anxiously to see if their president will relinquish his powers or not.

- Lighthearter

 

[Whosit]

Fun times.

I have responses to everything, but you will have to wait an hour or two to hear them.

Thanks for the pic, LH. I take it that Arpinum is the revolting Balkan city. Hrm.

Ah, and is the Slave Revolt the in-game event, or something you made up?

And why is Birmingham starving!?! Was the Fish pillaged? (But nice to see Plymouth founded.)

 

[Lighthearter]

Fun times.

I have responses to everything, but you will have to wait an hour or two to hear them.

Thanks for the pic, LH. I take it that Arpinum is the revolting Balkan city. Hrm.

Ah, and is the Slave Revolt the in-game event, or something you made up?

And why is Birmingham starving!?! Was the Fish pillaged? (But nice to see Plymouth founded.)

1) - I'll wait - but are elections in motion?

2) - It and Satricum.

3) - Game event. I chose option 2.

4) - I think so. I've been fighting for Antium.

- Lighthearter

 

[arya126]

The Joker Party​

The Joker Party, led by the Arya with his subordinate 'The Joker', is a simple minded party. Do whats best for england. The objective justifies the means.

We believe that war with rome must continue until they are wiped out. Carthage and russia are future targets, although in the distant future.

We need to get the infra in RY, antium, and amsterdam up to speed, and finish recruiting an army. After the war, units will be disbanded to save on costs, and focus will be put on the navy. Technologies are a priority, and we aim to hire the brightest minds in england to research for the government.

Cities need basic infra, but they must build a mix of other things as well. Missionaries to spread our glorious christian religion, therefore increasing our influence, are a must after the war.

As for a war plan, we plan to take italy out so we can focus on a single front, and advance north from there, to medilanium, to cumae, to neapolis. By then, we will take a look at the situation and make new plans.

We will pursure relationships with both Egypt and india, and the vikings will be befriended as well. We will need powerful allies in the future.

I am renouncing my past ways, including the saboatge to england at the begining of whosits term. I apologize to the whole of england for it, and i wish to earn their respect back. I feel i have proved myself in military matters, taking RY and antium 30 turns before whosit thought we could. Hopefully i have shown i am willing to serve england, and hopefully in the future, lead it again.

I ask the GPC for a coalition with my new party, although i would understand if they would decline. My only requirement is that a similar arrangement i had with whosit as head of the military be arranged. I would balance you pacifist ways, and provide nudging to keep a decent military in peace tiem, which will hopefully be soon.

 

[arya126]

By founding this party i disband the FaS.

 

[sharpeye324]

Whosit's quota have been reached - Antium and Ravus-York have been retaken. Now England waits anxiously to see if their president will relinquish his powers or not.

- Lighthearter

I don't believe the quota has been entirely fulfilled, I can dig up a quote from Whosit and Ravus (Opposition Leader) stating that Ravus-York, Antium, and at least white peace would be the least to be accepted. So is Rome ready to end this war?

 

[Darth Caesar]

IC: I will join the Joker Patry.

OOC: Do we PM the votes or post them publicly?

 

[arya126]

No actually whosit stated that antium and RY would be taken, then he would give up EP, but Ravus said once the war ended EP had to be given up.

 

[arya126]

IC: I will join the Joker Patry.

OOC: Do we PM the votes or post them publicly?

The election hasnt started yet.

Welcome! I will accept any players who wish to join my party, and caesar is the first. Congrats on your conversion to my party caesar player.

 

[Perfection]

I'm thinking of starting a "Kill 'em all" party. Really we need to step up our ass kicking.

 

[Cull]

Technically the NPP is a kill em all philosophy recently TBH.

 

[Darth Caesar]

The election hasnt started yet.

Welcome! I will accept any players who wish to join my party, and caesar is the first. Congrats on your conversion to my party caesar player.

Thank you.

 

[sharpeye324]

The Opposition Policy​

The opposition see's itself as moderating precense on the Whosit administration. While a General for a leader makes sense in a time of war the opposition wants to make sure the rest of the empire does not suffer under the slogan of winning "no matter the cost". We also see ourselves as the regulator of Whosits power while he wields EP & ML, All Politicians alike will be then watching Whosit and will most likely rally to the opposition if he betrays their trust.

1) The Opposition supports EP and ML If the Romans show increasing military presence or if the Terrorist actions continue to increase. This is under the assumption that Whosit honours whichever date he sets for stepping down. Currently he has stated wars end after re-taking Ravus-York and Antium. It is more important to us that Whosit sets a date and honours it then one date in particuler. We also wish for most Leaders and members of parties to agree to turn from the Administration if Whosit breaks his oath.

2) The Opposition doesn't wish to see infrastructure and development grind to a halt during wartime. While England can be kitted out to a war footing quickly, Iberia needs more development here and there to be useful to the war effort.

3) We support a better trained army to give our men a better chance for both victory AND survival. This can be achieved either through adopting Theocracy and Christianity (as every city is christian) OR by settling our Great General Sonereal.

As a Charismatic leader our levels use the experiance-promotion list: 2 4 8 13 20
Unfortunatly we don't have two Great General's or we could outfit a single city to produce level 3 units straight away.

Two promotions however is enough for all archer units to come out with City Garrison 3 (We are defencive) which is a total of 75% city defence and 10% melee. Enough to make a respectable stand against low-level Pratorians.

4) The Opposition support the use of the Great Prophet JMUG to found the Church of Nativity. Not be burned for a golden age. As all the empire has Christian supporters as well as the Irish, that is allready a minimum of 7gold. This would only increase as time goes by.

(We are still unsure if the holy city is in Liverpool Scotland or in Ravus-York. If Liverpool it can be founded, If in Ravus-York then as long as London still pops a second Great Prophet in 60 turns we would support using it for a golden age to help the war effort.)

A holy city should be treated as such. Once currency is developed it should have a market asap, during peace it should constantly build missionaries to convert the local buddist rivals.

5) A War should not be won at the cost of another war flaring up. We wish to see lots of dilligence in foriegn affairs. Especially towards our friends the Irish and our War-allies, Vikingdom and Russia.

6) White Peace is acceptable to the Opposition. That is, peace as soon as we are able. We would however prefer not to give up too much and for a peace in Rome's favour not to be left up to Whosit's sole opinion. We agree with the minimum requirements of Ravus-York and Antium.

7) The opposition is against a Authoritarian sole-leader. It is pleased with The Aegis Coalition sharing it's power evenly and wishes to see this continue.

8) We support a diversified army. NOT a mass build of swordsmen. Whosit has stated in the past his support of diversification, including the mathematical supperiority of axemen. We wish to see this continue.

9) As our main infrastructure is on the mainland We wish for a defensive navy to be developed to defend against Roman sea attacks. We are an island race first, that should not be forgotten. (At the very least one tireme should be built so that galley's would not have to be used to sink foriegn ships)

10) If Arya continues to sabotage then we support his arrest. However that will be the sole extend of our visable movements and actions during this time of EP... As long as Whosit stays honourable.

Well said, Ravus. I would like to take the time to address each issue.

1) As I have already mentioned, I will release Emergency Power (and probably Martial Law) once Ravus-York and Antium are in our control. It will also be my priority to capture those cities as quickly as is reasonably possible (I won't avoid capturing Antium just to increase my time in power). Seeing as achieving both objectives will take more than 30 turns, elections will begin immediately, although I will seek to conclude a peace treaty before the elections are over to avoid passing the war on to someone else.

2) I fully agree. Cull's statements, while enthusiastic, do not represent the administration's opinion. He's not even part of the administration. Based on the information available, I think that we will have to call upon our Iberian citizens to form new Work Brigades in order to speedily develop the infrastructure we need to fully prosecute the war. I intend to get our own house in order before striking out.

3) Agreed. I have a plan for this.

4) Creating the Church of Nativity will be the priority for JMUG, assuming the Holy Site has been moved to Liverpool (somehow).

5) Aysee has been hard at work figuring out who we can befriend. I think that he may still be waiting on some information, but we will do all we can to generate good will among other civilizations.

6) A White Peace is the minimum I accept. I do not intend to give Rome anything. I don't think that I will have to barring some extraordinary, unforeseen event (yeah, what are the odds in this game? ).

7) As mentioned in my previous address, the power-sharing structure in the administration shall remain in place.

8) Agreed, of course. Seeing as how we are close to learning Construction, I will be introducing Catapults into our armed forces, as well. Lots and lots of Catapults.

9) I'll see what I can do. We may not be able to finish Metal Casting next (Nuke has told me that our economy is in pretty terrible shape) and we may have to pursue Currency instead. However, if it will not take long to finish Metal Casting, I'll get at least one Trireme built.

10) I hope to remain honorable in your eyes.

The bold are the important parts.

 

[Ravus_Sol]

Well said, Ravus. I would like to take the time to address each issue.

1) As I have already mentioned, I will release Emergency Power (and probably Martial Law) once Ravus-York and Antium are in our control. It will also be my priority to capture those cities as quickly as is reasonably possible (I won't avoid capturing Antium just to increase my time in power). Seeing as achieving both objectives will take more than 30 turns, elections will begin immediately, although I will seek to conclude a peace treaty before the elections are over to avoid passing the war on to someone else.

So does that mean that elections would start instantly as soon as the EP is officially relinquished? As currently Whosit still needs to negotiate a peace settlement with Rome. If that means taking two more cities then that is what is neccesary. But the old (very old) agreement, or should i say, understanding between the opposition and whosit was that he would settle peace first before handing over the reigns. So that the next president can have a brief time of peace.

Considering the Imperials current voting power they will probably end up leading the next war anyway. Either through sole leadership or as a concession by the another party to get their votes in a coalition.

On Technology
Oh and for those wondering how far behind we are, look and see that Russia has got philosophy and has founded toaism now as well. (Looks yin-yarrrgh ish, perhaps the ninja-pirates would like it as their own religion?)

On the Joker Party
I'm going to assume you are serious and i suppose i can go ask the other leaders if their opinion has changed. But i'd honestly only be doing it to be polite. You burned a lot of bridges with your terrorist stunts. In many people's eyes the war has been a success because of Whosit not yourself. especially as you abandoned your post and let your unit die according to LH just to go pursue a Vendetta against the Copperheads.

Respect? No.

Tentative acceptance? perhaps. You have kept your promises as long as you retain some visable power.

On the Copperheads
*sigh* why do i feel that the Joker is acting as the new secret leader of the copperheads while Arya is rounding them up? Playing both sides against each other and so on. It's an older then dirt trick used by Palpetine.

To New Members
If you wish to create a new party to use in the elections you must declare it before the elections start.

EDIT: So are we now a chrisitian nation with a Stonehenge minority? Poor stonehenge monks.

Oh and sharpeye beat me to quoting the Opposition policy and Whosit's response in full.