Shadow of the Fall: A Peshawar Lancers IOT
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Madagascan Parliament
Photograph of the Madagascan Parliament
Re-established early in the reign of Ranavalona IV (who reigned from 1953-2024), the modern Madagascan Parliament is the main legislative body of the Madagascan Kingdom. The Parliament resides in the Rova (palace complex) of Antananarivo. The building was formerly a church, it went into disrepair after the abandonment of Protestantism by the government but was converted into the Parliament building in early 1954.
Map of the 18 Provinces of Madagascar and the ethnic groups they represent
The parliament is partially elected and partially appointed by the Queen. There are 27 seats in the parliament. 18 of the seats are elected by single member constituencies using a single transferrable vote. These constituencies are known as provinces in and are all located on the island of Madagascar and are not necessarily geographically contiguous. These provinces are roughly divided along ethnic lines to give each of the 18 major Madagascan ethnic groups equal representation. Madagascar has universal suffrage with secret ballots for all citizens above the age of 20.
Three of the other seats are elected by Madagascar’s colonies (Zanizbar, Comoros and Mauritius) in the same electoral system as the provinces. The other six seats are meant to represent Madagascar’s former colonies (everywhere that Madagascar has a core on but doesn’t control), however as they are currently not controlled by Madagascar so they can’t hold elections. The Queen of Madagascar (currently Ranavalona V) appoints six Acting Members of Parliament to fill these seats. Acting MPs function as regular MPs, however their terms are unlimited (normal MPs have terms of four years [might be longer/shorter depending on turn length]) and the Queen can appoint and recall them at her leisure. It is likely that if these territories were ever reclaimed that these Acting MPs would be recalled and these seats would become elective.
The Madagascan Parliament has slightly more power than the Parliament of the old German Empire, but is weaker than the old Parliament of the United Kingdom. The Queen may do as she pleases, but Parliament has the power to veto her decisions on a majority vote. Additionally, all laws passed by Parliament override any royal proclamations made by the Queen. Amendments to the constitution must be formally proposed by the Queen and passed by Parliament to take effect. While the Queen technically has the power to dissolve parliament and rule by decree, this power has never been used and would probably result in significant public outcry. However, the Queen has a significant amount of formal and informal power and the threat of dissolving parliament has been used as a form of leverage against particularly uncooperative parliaments.
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Introducing Stability and Trends
I was torn on getting rid of Issues because it offered something a simple stability system usually doesn't. It allowed me, the GM, to focus my attention on things and allowed you, the players, to focus on things I'm focusing on for a moment.
Originally I was just going to scrap issues altogether, but instead I came up with the Stabiilty and Trend System.
Stability runs from 0 to 10, and it works *exactly* the way you think. Next to Stability is Trend. Trend is the direction your stability is going. For example, a Stability of 6 and Trend of .5 means your stability will probably be 6.5 next turn.
Trends are like issues, only they don't actually always demand your attention. For example, taking a territory that is considered a core territory by your people creates a positive trend, but doesn't require you to comment on it. Some trends may require attention though.
SECONDLY, stability affects interest rates in zones now. In general, lower stability = higher rates.
I was torn on getting rid of Issues because it offered something a simple stability system usually doesn't. It allowed me, the GM, to focus my attention on things and allowed you, the players, to focus on things I'm focusing on for a moment.
Originally I was just going to scrap issues altogether, but instead I came up with the Stabiilty and Trend System.
Stability runs from 0 to 10, and it works *exactly* the way you think. Next to Stability is Trend. Trend is the direction your stability is going. For example, a Stability of 6 and Trend of .5 means your stability will probably be 6.5 next turn.
Trends are like issues, only they don't actually always demand your attention. For example, taking a territory that is considered a core territory by your people creates a positive trend, but doesn't require you to comment on it. Some trends may require attention though.
SECONDLY, stability affects interest rates in zones now. In general, lower stability = higher rates.
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These are the biggest stories of 2025.
Stats
NEWS FROM ASIA
RUSSIAN ABSOLUTISM, BUT WITH STYLE: Tehran, Russian Imperial Republic. Tsar Romanov delivered an impassioned response against both the Levantine President and Italian Pope. The Tsar’s powerful promotion of absolutism has helped solidified the tsar’s position in his own empire, and inspired others in Iberia and Italia.
ROYAL BANK OF MYSORE. Mysore, Kingdom of Mysore. In Madagascar, the government borrowed heavily from local financial markets to fund expansionary programs. In Mysore, the opposite is occurring. The state-owned Royal Bank of Mysore is for a limited time injecting funds into the Mysore commercial zone. The results so far have been promising, with the small injection of gold already earning the government some small interest revenue.
NEWS FROM THE AMERICAS
HURRICANE ROCKS CARIBBEAN. Cuba, Levantine Republic. [-6 IP for Levantine Republic, -10 IP for Louisiana, -4 IP for Mexico]INCAN ARMY DESTROYED IN ECUADOR. Ecuador, Empire of Ecuador. The Inca Armed Forces expected an easy victory over the local Ecuador governments. Grossly outnumbered and fighting with no cavalry or artillery support, Inca forces were rapidly overwhelmed and destroyed by partisan fighters. In response, a new empire has declared itself to the world. [Inca Army destroyed! -5 IP for Inca. -2 IP for Ecuador]
LEVANTINE DETACHMENT MET WITH VIOLENCE IN PUERTO RICO. Puerto Rico. The 1st Army of Levantine crossed the Atlantic and landed in Cuba in May of 2025. The first order of business for the new army: reclaim Puerto Rico. Peacefully if possible, militarily if necessary. The Cuban army detached a force to parley with Puerto Rico fighters and, failing to reach an accord with local strongmen, found itself embroiled in fighting. The 1st Army detachment retreated to its ships and back to Cuba, but at both a material and political cost. [-3 IP for Levantine.]
1ST BRASILIAN ARMY SURRENDERS TO LOCAL FORCES IN PERNAMBUCO. Pernambuco, Empire of Pernambuco. “Local resistance saboteurs plagued us day and night, but the nighttime saboteurs were the worse. Not content with quiet acts of sabotage or murder, not a night went by that spring that I wasn’t pulled from slumber by an explosion or cries for help or the crackling of flame or smell of smoke.”
Supply lines disrupted, morale low, the general of the 1st Brasilian Army issued the order to retreat after a particularly nasty week near the city of Salvador. When presented the back of a fleeing army, local resistance armies could not resist the temptation to harry and destroy Brasilian forces. When the 1st Brasilian Army found itself surrounded near the town of Porto Seguro, mutinies erupted across the army. Seeing the writing on the wall, the general surrendered to local forces, styling themselves the “Empire of Pernambuco”. [Pernambuco gains core on province! -8 IP for Brasil.]
LOUISIANA MARCHES NORTH ; MINNESOTA IS RESTORED. Minnesota, State of Louisiana. The 1st Louisianan Army conquered Minnesota. In a series of battles with poorly equipped wasteland tribes, local forces suffered heavily at the hands of the 1st Army before finally surrendering in October, turning over their meager arms and equipment in exchange for guarantees of safety and humanitarian aid.
CHRISTIAN CORPORATISM. Uruguay, Second Empire of Brasil. Professor Gero Messmann’s writings, while derided by politicians, professors, and labor activists, has seen some support by Brasil’s business community. Sales of the book are nowhere near bestselling, but Community and Society has definitely found an audience in Brasil.
SCHISM REMAINS UNMENDED. Cuzco, New Inca Empire. The Incan Pope is not going anywhere, say government officials familiar with the situation. The Roman Pope, weaker in stature than the Incan Pope, has failed to impress Incan political elites.
BRASIL RAISES TARIFFS ; BUY BRASILIAN PROGRAM. Rio de Janeiro, Second Empire of Brasil. The Brasilian government raised tariffs in a bid to support Brasilian infant industries. The government began the Buy Brasilian program, a promotion campaign to sooth the worries of Brasilians. The tariffs have led to an immediate windfall for the Brasilian treasury.
RURAL IMPROVEMENT IN BRASIL. Sao Paulo, Second Empire of Brasil. The Rural Improvement Program has already seen some success in improving the rural areas of the country. While there is still some simmering unrest, many farmers are just happy the government is finally paying attention.
NEWS FROM AFRICA
JOINT ZULU-MADAGASCAR ARMIES SEIZE MAPUTO, ESTABLISH KINGDOM. Maputo, Kingdom of Maputo. A joint force of Zulu and Madagascar forces invaded Maputo province, toppling regional governments and installing a new kingdom to act as a buffer state between Madagascar and the Zulus.ZULUS SUFFERED MASSIVE DEFEATS IN OVAMBOLAND, ZIMBABWE. Ovamboland, Ovamboland Empire. In what has become known as the Bloody Summer in the International Press, the 1st Zulu Army was surrounded and destroyed by local militant groups in Ovamboland. The 2nd Zulu Army, risking a similar fate, disengaged with Zimbabwe forces and fled back across the border into the Kingdom of Maputo. [-12 IP for Zulus. -2 IP for the Ovamboland Empire.]
WHITE EXODUS FROM MADAGASCAR CONTINUES. Madagascar, Kingdom of Madagascar. Whites on the island continues to withdraw from the island, taking with them wealth and human capital that has sustain portions of the small economy. While the exodus has proven beneficial for political stability, it can hardly be called an economic success story.
PRO-SOMALI FIGHTERS POISED TO SEIZE JUBA. Juba, Juba. Factions allied to the Somali government have received a massive influx of arms and supplies, allowing them to sweep over much of the region. A few stubborn strongholds of anti-Somali warlords remain, but are expected to fall sometime in the fall of 2026. [Equateur conquered! -1 IP for Amaros.]
SOCIALISM WITH SOMALI CHARACTERISTICS. Mogadishu, Federal Confederation of the Somali People. The founding of the Somalosocialist Party has completely disrupted the efforts of international socialist figures to influence the tone on the ground in Somalia. The Somalosocialist Party, whose public spokesperson is the charismatic Barre Carwil Xuseen, has found a large audience in the country. While the Somalosocialist Party for now is friendly to the Confederation government, the party’s widespread appeal and strength could become a double-edged sword if the government doesn’t trend carefully.
CONFLICT IN WEST AFRICA. Equateur, Amaros Republic. Equateur has been conquered by the Amaros Republic after three months of heavy fighting in the province. However, even heavier fighting in Niger has seen local fighters hold out against the 2nd Amaros Army. The show of defiance against Amaros aggression has begun to create a new identity for the people of this province. [Niger gains a core on Niger! -4 IP for Amaros.]
REGIONAL MOZAMBIQUE GOVERNMENTS JOIN THE KINGDOM OF MADAGASCAR. Mozambique, Kingdom of Madagascar. A diplomatic offensive by Madagascar has led to a successful annexation of Mozambique, changing the balance of power in the region. Earlier in the year, the Zulus and Madagascar coordinated forces to conquer Maputo and establish a buffer state. While the Zulus carried out failed military offensives against Zimbabwe and Ovamboland, leading to massive losses of equipment and manpower, Madagascar leveraged her little treasury to buy loyalty in Mozambique.
NEWS FROM EUROPE
PRESIDENT STATEMENTS AT ODDS WITH CATHOLICS. Cuba, Levantine Republic. President Gonzalo Mares y Schmidt’s pointed statements to the Pope prior to his assassination has brought matters of the faith to the forefront of political discourse. One faction, the Catholic conservatives, believes that “extreme secularism” likely is the reason for God’s punishment and The Fall. Another faction believes that the Church has just the right amount of influence in secular concerns, and that any more risk turning the state into another UDI.
PAPAL LEGATES TOUR BULGARIA, LEVANTINE, AND BRASIL. Rome, United Dioceses of Italy. When Rome sent papal legates to three countries, it must have seemed a fine idea. After all, Rome had elevated itself to becoming a foremost power in the region and the Roman Catholic Church still dominated in a few of these countries, with significant minorities in Bulgaria. Unfortunately, the papal legates stepped off the ships with little to no fanfare because the government failed to notify the governments Barcelona, Rio de Janeiro, and Sofia that a mission was coming. Once notified, Rio de Janeiro and Sofia, once they cleared their plates of more “pressing” matters, helped situate the legates while Barcelona proved cold to the legate, allowing the mission to stew in its own juices and fend for itself for a few days before seeing to it.
Those involved talked about how the legates looked like paupers waiting for a handout and not like hand-chosen diplomats from the most powerful country on the Mediterranean.
VIVA L’ITALIA? Sicily, United Dioceses of Italy. The Cardinal Court of His Holiness the Pope agreed to lower property taxes nationwide. This measure, popular among landowners, has been overshadowed by the extension of tax exemptions to Islamic mosques and madrassas. To conservatives, extending tax exemptions to Islamic organizations runs counter to the mission of the UDI. The upset over the issue is relatively minor, but will likely be a point of contention for the rest of the decade.
ITALIAN EXPANSION. Veneto, United Dioceses of Italy. Leaders on Corsica and Sardinia, after a generous diplomatic mission from Rome arrived by steamships to make generous offers, agreed to join the UDI. Veneto, on the other hand, resisted, but was rapidly conquered by the military without much drama.
TECHNOLOGY NEWS
Kingdom of Mysore advance to Navy II!Kingdom of Mysore, Second Empire of Brasil, FCSP, United Dioceses of Italy, Australasian Empire, New Inca Empire, and Amaros Republic advanced to Commerce II! Mysore, Rio de Janeiro, Mogadishu, Rome, Eora, Cuzco, and Calabar advance to level 2!
The Second Empire of Brasil, Australasian Empire, FCSP, Amaros Republic, Kingdom of Mysore, New Inca Empire, Zulu Empire, and United Dioceses of Italy advance to Industry II!
GM NOTES
1. You can now include in your orders to "automatically respond to tariffs with matching tariffs".
2. Interest rates in a zone are tied to the balance of borrowing/saving in the province and the stability of the commercial zone's owner.
3. Interest rates affect economic growth of provinces within the zone.
4. Saving money in a node is the opposite of borrowing. You will generate income from savings.
5. You can only borrow from centers you do not control if you have permission of the center's owner.
6. You can only borrow up to 20% of the center's wealth if the center does not belong to you. You can publicly declare a zone completely open for business and give everybody you haven't explicitly sanctioned or declared war on access.
7. Just because the update may not have mentioned your spending to annex a province doesn't mean it didn't happen. There's a chance each turn of you annexing that province even without additional spending in that province.
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Queen Ranavalona V is pleased to announce that Parliament has passed a bill lifting most of the restrictions on foreign investment into the Madagascan economic zone. Any government or entity that is from a country that is not economically or politically hostile to Madagascar can invest into the Madagascan economic zone. Currently the only country that is barred from investing into Madagascar is the Second Empire of Brasil due to tariffs they have placed upon our goods. Although the investment laws have been liberalised, all foreign entities are prohibited from borrowing from Madagascan banking institutions at this time.
Queen Ranavalona V believes that these laws will improve the Madagascan economy and will attract much needed foreign investment. As the Madagascan economic zone has one of the highest interest rates in the world, entities investing into the region should expect a good return of their investment.
Queen Ranavalona V believes that these laws will improve the Madagascan economy and will attract much needed foreign investment. As the Madagascan economic zone has one of the highest interest rates in the world, entities investing into the region should expect a good return of their investment.
Ovamboland, you have proved your strength. We offer you a chance to join the Zulu Empire as a fully-fledged vassal state. You will retain autonomy and your citizens will be allowed to join our armies and pursue economic interests anywhere in the country, or stay at home and act like nothing has happened.
You will, of course, be expected to provide tribute, just as we are expected to assist you in all times of trouble. Evidentially, your roads are not as spectacular as they could be.
ooc: How come I only have one army?
You will, of course, be expected to provide tribute, just as we are expected to assist you in all times of trouble. Evidentially, your roads are not as spectacular as they could be.
ooc: How come I only have one army?
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OOC: You have one army because the army sent into Ovamboland was completely destroyed.
IC: Ovamboland troops will not fight for the Zulu. We simply seek recognition of Ovamboland's full and complete independence, a non-aggression pact, and a trade treaty.
IC: Ovamboland troops will not fight for the Zulu. We simply seek recognition of Ovamboland's full and complete independence, a non-aggression pact, and a trade treaty.
We did not demand your troops fight for us, but merely stated that your people could join Zulu armies if they chose to do so. In other words, they will not be able to be drafted, unlike the citizens of directly controlled states.
ooc: wouldn't that have been the second army getting trounced?
ooc: wouldn't that have been the second army getting trounced?
JohannaK
Heroically Clueless
White people are leaving Madagascar, presumably they leave for Australasia.
Traveller76
Prince
From: Jovita Santos, Empress of Brasil
My fellow countrymen, by now you have heard of our defeat and the surrender of the 1st Army in Pernambuco. Many of us have lost sons, brothers and fathers in this battle. Now is the time for our country to come together and console those who have suffered this loss. Our hearts are with you. I and the Ministry of Defense accept responsibility for this loss. Those who have lost their loved ones in the Army shall receive pensions to assist them in their life.
However, we shall continue with our goal of restoring order to all of Brasil. We shall rebuild our armies and learn the lessons from the fighting in the north. We will emerge stronger and wiser for our struggle. Together we shall win! Also, in order to honor those who have sacrificed their lives and their sacred honor I will submit to the General Assembly a proposal that 15th November as Memorial Day (Dia da lembrança) for the nation to honor them.
Vida longa ao Brasil!
Jovita.
inthesomeday
Immortan
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To those countries whose Catholics number many:
(The above letter specifically is targeted to: The Empire of Brazil; The Empire of Mexico; The Levantine Republic. In Italics, states whose majority religion is uncertain but could be Roman Catholicism: The Amaros Republic; The Federal Confederation of the Somali People; The State of Louisiana.
OOC: For the three Italicized, PM me if your country is indeed mostly Catholic and I can invite you also to the group. Otherwise it will be assumed your nation is not Catholic and you won't get the invite.
If you aren't listed at all, I assumed your nation did not follow the Roman Catholic religion and you'll have to PM me if you do; this includes NPC countries, though many of the anarchist groups won't be recognized by Italy officially any time soon.)
To all the world's civilized leaders, Catholic or otherwise:
On 21 November, 1935, the United Dioceses of Italy were established under one government, bringing a single flag and Court to a country fractured since the fall. 90 years later, after a long day of festivities in the confetti-strewn streets of Rome, where some thousands of Italian citizens of every creed celebrated the national holiday, Pope Pius XII, Italy's executive head of state, retired to his chambers for some well-deserved rest.
Three hours later, the substitute guard for his bedroom found a crime scene too horrific to recount in an official diplomatic correspondence like this. His Holiness the Pope had been mercilessly executed by an assassin for his efforts to secure the expansion of rights to all the citizens of Italy. This marked the first untimely death of a Pope since the establishment of the First Papal Society, as well as a scar on the fabric of a peaceful country.
Regardless of their religion, or the form of government they represent, every sovereign nation's head of state and/or a party of diplomatic delegates of their government is welcome to the public funeral procession of Pius XII. Pay your respects to a great secular head of state, whose policies improved the quality of life for all his people, and for a faithful man, whose pious convictions and love for all his citizens were, in the end, his undoing.
Additionally, for those interested, there will be opportunities to establish international diplomatic interactions and economic agreements. The UDI is especially interested in furthering international justice and police organizations to ensure that all the world's countries are able to communicate in relation to criminal justice and opposition to radical groups.
Paolo Harpini, FMUDI
Antoni Neri, Provisional Minister of Government Affairs
Spoiler :
(The above letter specifically is targeted to: The Empire of Brazil; The Empire of Mexico; The Levantine Republic. In Italics, states whose majority religion is uncertain but could be Roman Catholicism: The Amaros Republic; The Federal Confederation of the Somali People; The State of Louisiana.
OOC: For the three Italicized, PM me if your country is indeed mostly Catholic and I can invite you also to the group. Otherwise it will be assumed your nation is not Catholic and you won't get the invite.
If you aren't listed at all, I assumed your nation did not follow the Roman Catholic religion and you'll have to PM me if you do; this includes NPC countries, though many of the anarchist groups won't be recognized by Italy officially any time soon.)
To all the world's civilized leaders, Catholic or otherwise:
On 21 November, 1935, the United Dioceses of Italy were established under one government, bringing a single flag and Court to a country fractured since the fall. 90 years later, after a long day of festivities in the confetti-strewn streets of Rome, where some thousands of Italian citizens of every creed celebrated the national holiday, Pope Pius XII, Italy's executive head of state, retired to his chambers for some well-deserved rest.
Three hours later, the substitute guard for his bedroom found a crime scene too horrific to recount in an official diplomatic correspondence like this. His Holiness the Pope had been mercilessly executed by an assassin for his efforts to secure the expansion of rights to all the citizens of Italy. This marked the first untimely death of a Pope since the establishment of the First Papal Society, as well as a scar on the fabric of a peaceful country.
Regardless of their religion, or the form of government they represent, every sovereign nation's head of state and/or a party of diplomatic delegates of their government is welcome to the public funeral procession of Pius XII. Pay your respects to a great secular head of state, whose policies improved the quality of life for all his people, and for a faithful man, whose pious convictions and love for all his citizens were, in the end, his undoing.
Additionally, for those interested, there will be opportunities to establish international diplomatic interactions and economic agreements. The UDI is especially interested in furthering international justice and police organizations to ensure that all the world's countries are able to communicate in relation to criminal justice and opposition to radical groups.
Petrus, Paulus
Paolo Harpini, FMUDI
Antoni Neri, Provisional Minister of Government Affairs
JohannaK
Heroically Clueless
OOC: I am rather confused by this. Cardinals are appointed by the Holy See and convene to elect a new Pope each time one dies anyway, I think.
inthesomeday
Immortan
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Yes, Cardinals in other countries are the ones I'm inviting
If I'm wrong sorry it makes sense though that maybe the customs got reformed at the fall
If I'm wrong sorry it makes sense though that maybe the customs got reformed at the fall
ChiefDesigner
Sunset Emperor
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Still space in this?
Terran Empress
Hornet
His Imperial Majesty, Kir Nikolaevich Romanov, along with a small division of his Imperial Guard and a group of diplomatic delegates will be attending the funeral procession of Pius XII.
The loss of Pius XII is felt by all the citizens of Russia, and our hearts and prayers go out to Italy, and hope for Italy to find a suitable and pious successor to Pius XII.
The loss of Pius XII is felt by all the citizens of Russia, and our hearts and prayers go out to Italy, and hope for Italy to find a suitable and pious successor to Pius XII.
Decamper
..!
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The African League
To further diplomacy, trade and peaceful intentions across Africa, the African League has been introduced as forum between the great empires of Africa. The peoples of the Amaros, Madascar, Somali, and Zulu states may use the League to ease tensions or introduce new forms cooperation, and to ensure the peace and stability of the African continent.
Signed, Amaros Republic
To further diplomacy, trade and peaceful intentions across Africa, the African League has been introduced as forum between the great empires of Africa. The peoples of the Amaros, Madascar, Somali, and Zulu states may use the League to ease tensions or introduce new forms cooperation, and to ensure the peace and stability of the African continent.
Signed, Amaros Republic
- Status
