Nuvem
5th July 2011, 09:32
Repost from a thread I first posted in the game's group discussion.
Well ladies and gents, our last role playing round of S1914 is over, with the Komintern having definitively won the battle for Europe with Miles being our winner with myself at a close second as the RSFSR and Noth placing in 3rd as the hypothetical German Socialist Republic. The game, which went on for some 77 days before completion, can unfortunately not be considered a success for one glaring reason: lack of participation. You see, half our players dropped out of the game within a week. The UK and France went inactive within a few days and Sweden never even showed. This left Italy and Spain to fall fairly helplessly against Komintern invasion- honestly, there was never really a contest, and that made it boring. The currently standing theory between Noth and I was that the players acting as the reactionary Entente didn't enjoy the roles they were given as thoroughly as the Komintern players because they were forced to act as reactionaries, or else hadn't really played the game before and didn't find it to their liking. In any case, we don't want our next match playing out the same way.
So, with this in mind, we've organized a new one set in a different time and continent. The newest map given to us is in the far east, and has given us the perfect opportunity to play out a scenario in Asia during WWII and perhaps even after. Let's begin, shall we?
The Setup
(This is to be taken with a grain of salt, as historical accuracy has been slightly modified because of the limitations of the game world we've been given or for balancing purposes. Historical inaccuracies will be encased with asterisks [*......*]. A big ol' asterisk!: Korea hasn't yet been occupied by Japan since it begins play as an AI-controlled country and can't be forced to ally with Japan, so it will need to be actively invaded if it is to become a Japanese colony. This is noted here because it's a biiiiig historical hole that we have to deal with.)
It's July of 1936. Tensions are high the world over; Fascist governments have taken root in central Europe, with Mussolini's Italy expanding into Africa despite international law and Hitler's Germany flippantly disregarding the Treaty of Versailles and planning the Anschluss of Austria within the next two years and with designs on Czechoslovakia already being in the works. The world is mouldering in the worst economic disaster in modern history, save for in the Soviet Union, which has recently awed the entire world with its rapid industrialization under the First Five Year Plan, with the second well underway and the USSR well on the path to surpass the western world in productive capacity and efficiency.
In the East, the Empire of Japan has followed a ruthless expansionist policy since its entry into the modern world, having forcibly annexed Manchuria- renamed Manchukuo, the Japanese equivalent- *and having occupied French Indochina.* All of these colonies are brazenly exploited for their labour and resources. The Republic of China is in turmoil as it grapples with a collapsing feudal agrarian economy and famine is common. The peasantry have thrown their lot in with the Communist Party of China, and campaigns have been executed by the Chinese Government under the Kuomintang to eliminate the growing Red Army lead by the Communist Party of China. Less than a year ago the Long March saw its conclusion and the Red Army under Mao Zedong and Zhou Enlai has re-situated itself in Shaanxi and the territory *west of that point, bordering Tibet.* The civil war is far from over, but perhaps put on a pause temporarily due to growing concern over recent developments in Japan's role. A temporary alliance between the Chinese Communists and Kuomintang may be inevitable if Japan has designs on a full war in Asia. The Chinese Communists find their only true allies in the USSR and the Mongolian People's Republic, *with whom they now share a border and close friendly relations.*
The Nations and Their Leadership
French Indochina- *The former French colony of Indochina, comprising Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos, has now been occupied by Japanese forces following a brief series of skirmishes concluded by a treaty between the French government and Imperial Japan granting full military rights for Japanese personnel in Indochina, including the rights to construct and maintain military bases, gather and instruct recruits, launch military operations and allocate resources.* (Historically, not until 1942 was Indochina put under Japanese occupation, and only then by Vichy France, an Axis cooperator. This was changed for balancing reasons.) *For all purposes, Indochina is now under Japanese military administration, and is currently managed by Lieutenant General Machijiri Kazumoto,*(1942) a man of noble birth and distinguished military career. He is not a politician and not very concerned with political affairs, but rather simply with the administration of his territory by the will of the Imperial Army and the Emperor. Native people of the regions often resist Imperial rule, but so far it has not gone so far as to severely endanger the occupation.
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/e/e9/Machijiri_Kazumoto.jpg/180px-Machijiri_Kazumoto.jpgMachijiri Kazumoto
Useful links: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kazumoto_Machijiri
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/French_Indochina
Imperial Japan- Japan has been on the warpath since 1872 with the annexation of Okinawa. Since then it has engaged in the First Sino-Japanese War, the annexation of Taiwan, intervention in the Boxer Rebellion, the Russo-Japanese War, intervention in the Russian Civil War, the imposition of a puppet government by force in Manchuria/Manchukuo, *and most recently the occupation of Indochina*. Under the leadership of Emperor Hirohito, the Japanese state is quickly becoming the most feared and advanced empire in Asia. It has control over a number of colonies and puppets, the most notable being Korea, Manchukuo *and French Indochina*.
http://t2.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcS-TwR7_9NB4zaZoB2fDb4CHgdYn1ojz31xtTU6lxzIdVKmzGM2Em peror Hirohito, 1936
Useful links: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hirohito
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Empire_of_Japan
Manchuria / Manchukuo- Manchukuo was established as a Japanese puppet state in 1932 and is currently led by Prime Minister Zhang Jinghui, a meek and passive leader who is quite satisfied to delegate all of his day to day duties to his Japanese advisers and spend most of his time praying and copying Buddhist sutras. He is exactly the sort of man the Empire wants in power and he will invariably comply with their decisions. However, Emperor Puyi , the last emperor of the Qing dynasty, was also placed in power by the Empire during the formation of the state of Manchukuo. While publicly compliant, he is resentful of his Japanese rulers, of the Kuomintang and of the Chinese Communists. While his rule is predominantly one of ceremony and he wields little political power, he does hold considerable social influence and may yet be planning something.
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/64/Zhang_Jinghui2.JPG/220px-Zhang_Jinghui2.JPG Prime Minister Zhang Jinghui
http://t3.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcSVc2dPf1h6oLuMoSGnpBm08GVTnacMg BNReAPclC8CPo7DcUN6kA Emperor Puyi
Useful links:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manchukuo
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Emperor_Puyi
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zhang_Jinghui
Mongolian People's Republic- The Mongolian People's Republic has existed since 1924 under the leadership of the Mongolian People's Revolutionary Party. After gaining independence from China, the Mongolian people took part in the Russian Civil War and in the struggle achieved the formation of a People's Republic. Since then the power of the MPRP has been consolidated in the leadership of Anandyn Amar, one of the founders of the party and Prime Minister of the People's Republic. The People's Republic has had some serious troubles in its economy with hasty plans for collectivization ending in failure due to a lack of industrialization and general organizational backwardness, but has received considerable assistance from the USSR and stands as one of the only existing Socialist-led nations in the world, as well as one of the only sources of support of the Chinese Communists.
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/2/21/AnandynAmar.jpg/200px-AnandynAmar.jpg Anandyn Amar
Useful links: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anandyn_Amar
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mongoli...e%27s_Republic (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mongolian_People%27s_Republic)
Northwest China (Communist)- The northwestern portion of China, a land of mountains and deep basins, is currently occupied by the Red Army of the Communist Party of China*(Not quite geographically correct, but this is what we have to work with.). Having settled there after the Long March, the Red Army has gone about finding its bearings, recruiting from the local populace and preparing for coming struggles. Lead by Mao Zedong and Zhou Enlai, the comparatively small and surrounded force enjoys massive popular support, especially from the poor peasants. Whether it will attempt a counter-offensive against the Kuomintang following last year's defeats or take on an alliance of circumstance depends entirely on the Empire.
http://t3.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQdComaVvcxSvmesk_VKneGm1Lloqafg nTvbVoO7RExL2FhBfPuMg Mao Zedong
Useful links: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mao_Zedong
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chinese_civil_war
Southeast China (Kuomintang)-The southeastern portion of China, which comprises the largest cities and longest coastline in the nation, is under the control of the Chinese Nationalists or Kuomintang, a revolutionary organization turned reactionary, instrumental in the defeat of the Qing dynasty in the 20s and in the suppression of the Communists ever since the right wing of the party came to dominate its political line, especially under the leadership of Chiang Kai-Shek, leader of the Kuomintang and the Republic of China. Chiang speaks often of an eventual transition to democracy by in the present operates an authoritarian military government in the Kuomintang controlled zones. After sending the Communists into retreat last year, his primary concern has been over the growing power and expansion of Japan, *especially their occupation of Indochina*. He is also faced with a collapsing economy, as is all of China. It is gradually becoming clear that he no longer enjoys mass popular support.
http://t3.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcSMF_4iIjiNcmd94ODvqfdUf5rLjtpvd hoZ5d1_jhbI67rToscD Chiang Kai-Shek
Useful links- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chiang_Kai-Shek
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chinese_civil_war
Southwest China (Kuomintang)- *The southeast territory of China* (A slight addendum thanks to necessity; he was further north, but the game map offers little option.) is ruled and administered by the Kuomintang under warlord Lieutenant-General Ma Bufang, a Chinese Muslim of the Ma Clique. He is faced with the same serious problems as Chiang Kai-Shek, but he has taken a reformist approach to public affairs and is generally only slightly less hated by the people, though many of them are uncertain how to feel about his faith. He is, however, a brutal man with a severe streak of massacre, having launched multiple extermination campaigns in Tibet in previous years as well as defeating their armies in open skirmishes. He is openly fiercely anti-Communist and anti-Buddhist.
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/3/39/Ma_Bufang.jpg/225px-Ma_Bufang.jpg Ma Bufang
Useful links: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ma_Bufang
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chinese_civil_war
Tibet- Tibet is a horrendously poor agrarian nation ruled by a Buddhist theocracy traditionally headed by the Dalai Lama, the grand monk in the Tibetan/Mongolian brand of Buddhism. Tibet has in recent years been attacked by the Kuomintang under Ma Bufang in the southwest of China; these attacks came with the praise of Chiang Kai-Shek and other party leaders. Since Tibet's armies were last defeated by Bufang, they were warned to never again attempt any offensive against the Republic of China or any lands it claims its own (including the Communist held zone). Politically it is in turmoil because the Dalai Lama died three years ago, and *his successor, the 14th Dalai Lama, cannot yet be officially recognized because he is only one year old- in fact, his first birthday is the 6th of this very month. To confound the matter further, Chinese general Ma Bufang is holding the Dalai Lama hostage and demanding 100,000 Chinese silver dollars for his return, a price he knows the Tibetans cannot pay* (This actually occurred one year later.). As such, a regent lord has been placed in head of the Tibetan state until the boy is old enough to take up his position, assuming he can be rescued from Ma Bufung.( Okay, problems here, notably that I can't find any info on who this regent lord who administered Tibet from 1933-1950 was. Secular info about Tibet is really hard to get your hands on, so for now we'll just use the Lama's photo but speak from the perspective of an unnamed regent lord. It sucks, but this isn't my first choice- turns out Korea wasn't playable and we needed a replacement nation!)
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/52/Dalai_Lama_boy.jpg/170px-Dalai_Lama_boy.jpgThe 14th Dalai Lama
Useful links: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tibet
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ma_Bufang
Notes, Additional Rules, Etc.
Last time we were pretty open in allowing entry into the match, but we're going to be pricks about it this time since half our players were no shows or early outs last time, or else didn't really do any role playing (post articles in the newspaper, damn you!) except for our Komintern members, like Miles. Especially Miles. So, if you want to join this time, we ask that you not be entirely new to the game, and obviously role players are preferred. If you want to be in this game, we will expect you to role play and we will send you to the gulag IRL if you do not.
Some additional rules that weren't covered last time either because we didn't bother or they weren't necessary or relevant:
Time Flow: The game's time flow doesn't make sense from a story perspective, because you're not going to finish constructing an entire barracks or fortress in a day, much less a recruiting office in 15 minutes. It's also going to take more than 3 hours to get 150,000 troops across 100 miles of territory. So, we are going to assume that 1 day in game = 1 month as far as role play is concerned. Why 1 month? Well, the last game lasted 77 days, and if that's any indication, the length is pretty reasonable; about 6 and a half years sounds about right for a war for supremacy over a continent, or in this case a very large portion of one. Ultimately it's a much more reasonable time flow from a realism perspective.
Alliances, Allegiance, Pacts, Leadership Change, etc.: The last game was fairly strictly stratified as far as allegiance went thanks to ideological factors- neither faction was going to break into infighting or ally with the other faction, so only the two neutral countries- one of which was a no-show- had the option to forge or change allegiance. Now we have factions from all over the political spectrum and with various agendas all on one field, so some rulings are necessary.
Imperial Japan- Japan can't really change sides in this conflict because it's a key nation. They wouldn't suddenly join with the Kuomintang to take out the Chinese Communists or vice versa, nor would they likely pursue a full military invasion of Manchukuo, an established puppet. Aside from that, invade fucking anything. After all, the Sun God Emperor carries your spirit forward into battle long after your death.
Northwest China (Communists) and Mongolian People's Republic- These two are highly unlikely to go to war for any reason and are a no-brain power alliance. However, neither should even consider allying with Japan or any of its puppets, unless said puppets change allegiances (discussed later). A temporary alliance with the KMT might be in order for the Chinese Communists if Japan and its puppets become a threat.
Southwest China (Kuomintang) and Southeast China (Kuomintang)- Chiang and Bufang aren't going to go at each other any time soon, being trusted friends and allies. Nor will they consider an allegiance with Japan or any of her puppets, but a temporary alliance of circumstance with the Chinese Communists is possible- maybe even necessary. It's virtually unthinkable at this point that they would ally with Tibet under any circumstances.
French Indochina, Manchukuo- Both these suffer from significant popular unrest and the Japanese or pro-Japanese governments are widely hated by the people. Revolts occasionally break out in both; however, neither of them would ally with any faction but Japan given their current leadership. French Indochina, however, has the option to change leadership after July 1939 (36 days in) if the player so chooses. Be certain to role play your way into this for some time, at least a week or two; post articles describing the changes there and the growing political movement for independence, whether it be French colonialists, bourgeois separatists, proletarian revolt, or what have you. Manchukuo may choose to transfer power to Emperor Puyi after July 1939 (36 days in) if they so desire, indicating a seizure of power by the "true" monarchy and the attempted ousting of Japanese control. However, this move will leave Manchukuo isolated politically, with the monarchy being an enemy of the KMT, CPC and Japan.
Tibet- Tibet is an entirely neutral country, which offers it a level of freedom the others lack. It may attack virtually any country it pleases- though the bloody rivalry with Ma Bufang and the KMT should be kept in mind- and it has the right to change leadership to any government form desired, given the proper role play build up and explanation. Tibet also enjoys the highest number of surrounding neutral nations, giving it the freedom to possibly expand unopposed south or west. With neutrality comes absolute freedom, but also serious choices to be made. Tibet will likely be forced to make a choice to join with the Chinese Communists and Mongolian Communists against the KMT or join with Japan against the KMT or the Communists.
Final Word
The match will naturally require a password, you will receive a PRIVATE MESSAGE FROM ME ON REVLEFT IF YOU SIGN UP, WHICH WILL STATE THE PASSWORD AND GAME INFO. LOOK FOR IT AND PLEASE BE PUNCTUAL ABOUT JOINING THE GAME SO THAT WE CAN GET STARTED IN GOOD TIME.
Thanks for reading and reserve your desired nation now!
Well ladies and gents, our last role playing round of S1914 is over, with the Komintern having definitively won the battle for Europe with Miles being our winner with myself at a close second as the RSFSR and Noth placing in 3rd as the hypothetical German Socialist Republic. The game, which went on for some 77 days before completion, can unfortunately not be considered a success for one glaring reason: lack of participation. You see, half our players dropped out of the game within a week. The UK and France went inactive within a few days and Sweden never even showed. This left Italy and Spain to fall fairly helplessly against Komintern invasion- honestly, there was never really a contest, and that made it boring. The currently standing theory between Noth and I was that the players acting as the reactionary Entente didn't enjoy the roles they were given as thoroughly as the Komintern players because they were forced to act as reactionaries, or else hadn't really played the game before and didn't find it to their liking. In any case, we don't want our next match playing out the same way.
So, with this in mind, we've organized a new one set in a different time and continent. The newest map given to us is in the far east, and has given us the perfect opportunity to play out a scenario in Asia during WWII and perhaps even after. Let's begin, shall we?
The Setup
(This is to be taken with a grain of salt, as historical accuracy has been slightly modified because of the limitations of the game world we've been given or for balancing purposes. Historical inaccuracies will be encased with asterisks [*......*]. A big ol' asterisk!: Korea hasn't yet been occupied by Japan since it begins play as an AI-controlled country and can't be forced to ally with Japan, so it will need to be actively invaded if it is to become a Japanese colony. This is noted here because it's a biiiiig historical hole that we have to deal with.)
It's July of 1936. Tensions are high the world over; Fascist governments have taken root in central Europe, with Mussolini's Italy expanding into Africa despite international law and Hitler's Germany flippantly disregarding the Treaty of Versailles and planning the Anschluss of Austria within the next two years and with designs on Czechoslovakia already being in the works. The world is mouldering in the worst economic disaster in modern history, save for in the Soviet Union, which has recently awed the entire world with its rapid industrialization under the First Five Year Plan, with the second well underway and the USSR well on the path to surpass the western world in productive capacity and efficiency.
In the East, the Empire of Japan has followed a ruthless expansionist policy since its entry into the modern world, having forcibly annexed Manchuria- renamed Manchukuo, the Japanese equivalent- *and having occupied French Indochina.* All of these colonies are brazenly exploited for their labour and resources. The Republic of China is in turmoil as it grapples with a collapsing feudal agrarian economy and famine is common. The peasantry have thrown their lot in with the Communist Party of China, and campaigns have been executed by the Chinese Government under the Kuomintang to eliminate the growing Red Army lead by the Communist Party of China. Less than a year ago the Long March saw its conclusion and the Red Army under Mao Zedong and Zhou Enlai has re-situated itself in Shaanxi and the territory *west of that point, bordering Tibet.* The civil war is far from over, but perhaps put on a pause temporarily due to growing concern over recent developments in Japan's role. A temporary alliance between the Chinese Communists and Kuomintang may be inevitable if Japan has designs on a full war in Asia. The Chinese Communists find their only true allies in the USSR and the Mongolian People's Republic, *with whom they now share a border and close friendly relations.*
The Nations and Their Leadership
French Indochina- *The former French colony of Indochina, comprising Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos, has now been occupied by Japanese forces following a brief series of skirmishes concluded by a treaty between the French government and Imperial Japan granting full military rights for Japanese personnel in Indochina, including the rights to construct and maintain military bases, gather and instruct recruits, launch military operations and allocate resources.* (Historically, not until 1942 was Indochina put under Japanese occupation, and only then by Vichy France, an Axis cooperator. This was changed for balancing reasons.) *For all purposes, Indochina is now under Japanese military administration, and is currently managed by Lieutenant General Machijiri Kazumoto,*(1942) a man of noble birth and distinguished military career. He is not a politician and not very concerned with political affairs, but rather simply with the administration of his territory by the will of the Imperial Army and the Emperor. Native people of the regions often resist Imperial rule, but so far it has not gone so far as to severely endanger the occupation.
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/e/e9/Machijiri_Kazumoto.jpg/180px-Machijiri_Kazumoto.jpgMachijiri Kazumoto
Useful links: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kazumoto_Machijiri
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/French_Indochina
Imperial Japan- Japan has been on the warpath since 1872 with the annexation of Okinawa. Since then it has engaged in the First Sino-Japanese War, the annexation of Taiwan, intervention in the Boxer Rebellion, the Russo-Japanese War, intervention in the Russian Civil War, the imposition of a puppet government by force in Manchuria/Manchukuo, *and most recently the occupation of Indochina*. Under the leadership of Emperor Hirohito, the Japanese state is quickly becoming the most feared and advanced empire in Asia. It has control over a number of colonies and puppets, the most notable being Korea, Manchukuo *and French Indochina*.
http://t2.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcS-TwR7_9NB4zaZoB2fDb4CHgdYn1ojz31xtTU6lxzIdVKmzGM2Em peror Hirohito, 1936
Useful links: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hirohito
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Empire_of_Japan
Manchuria / Manchukuo- Manchukuo was established as a Japanese puppet state in 1932 and is currently led by Prime Minister Zhang Jinghui, a meek and passive leader who is quite satisfied to delegate all of his day to day duties to his Japanese advisers and spend most of his time praying and copying Buddhist sutras. He is exactly the sort of man the Empire wants in power and he will invariably comply with their decisions. However, Emperor Puyi , the last emperor of the Qing dynasty, was also placed in power by the Empire during the formation of the state of Manchukuo. While publicly compliant, he is resentful of his Japanese rulers, of the Kuomintang and of the Chinese Communists. While his rule is predominantly one of ceremony and he wields little political power, he does hold considerable social influence and may yet be planning something.
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/64/Zhang_Jinghui2.JPG/220px-Zhang_Jinghui2.JPG Prime Minister Zhang Jinghui
http://t3.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcSVc2dPf1h6oLuMoSGnpBm08GVTnacMg BNReAPclC8CPo7DcUN6kA Emperor Puyi
Useful links:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manchukuo
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Emperor_Puyi
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zhang_Jinghui
Mongolian People's Republic- The Mongolian People's Republic has existed since 1924 under the leadership of the Mongolian People's Revolutionary Party. After gaining independence from China, the Mongolian people took part in the Russian Civil War and in the struggle achieved the formation of a People's Republic. Since then the power of the MPRP has been consolidated in the leadership of Anandyn Amar, one of the founders of the party and Prime Minister of the People's Republic. The People's Republic has had some serious troubles in its economy with hasty plans for collectivization ending in failure due to a lack of industrialization and general organizational backwardness, but has received considerable assistance from the USSR and stands as one of the only existing Socialist-led nations in the world, as well as one of the only sources of support of the Chinese Communists.
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/2/21/AnandynAmar.jpg/200px-AnandynAmar.jpg Anandyn Amar
Useful links: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anandyn_Amar
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mongoli...e%27s_Republic (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mongolian_People%27s_Republic)
Northwest China (Communist)- The northwestern portion of China, a land of mountains and deep basins, is currently occupied by the Red Army of the Communist Party of China*(Not quite geographically correct, but this is what we have to work with.). Having settled there after the Long March, the Red Army has gone about finding its bearings, recruiting from the local populace and preparing for coming struggles. Lead by Mao Zedong and Zhou Enlai, the comparatively small and surrounded force enjoys massive popular support, especially from the poor peasants. Whether it will attempt a counter-offensive against the Kuomintang following last year's defeats or take on an alliance of circumstance depends entirely on the Empire.
http://t3.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQdComaVvcxSvmesk_VKneGm1Lloqafg nTvbVoO7RExL2FhBfPuMg Mao Zedong
Useful links: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mao_Zedong
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chinese_civil_war
Southeast China (Kuomintang)-The southeastern portion of China, which comprises the largest cities and longest coastline in the nation, is under the control of the Chinese Nationalists or Kuomintang, a revolutionary organization turned reactionary, instrumental in the defeat of the Qing dynasty in the 20s and in the suppression of the Communists ever since the right wing of the party came to dominate its political line, especially under the leadership of Chiang Kai-Shek, leader of the Kuomintang and the Republic of China. Chiang speaks often of an eventual transition to democracy by in the present operates an authoritarian military government in the Kuomintang controlled zones. After sending the Communists into retreat last year, his primary concern has been over the growing power and expansion of Japan, *especially their occupation of Indochina*. He is also faced with a collapsing economy, as is all of China. It is gradually becoming clear that he no longer enjoys mass popular support.
http://t3.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcSMF_4iIjiNcmd94ODvqfdUf5rLjtpvd hoZ5d1_jhbI67rToscD Chiang Kai-Shek
Useful links- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chiang_Kai-Shek
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chinese_civil_war
Southwest China (Kuomintang)- *The southeast territory of China* (A slight addendum thanks to necessity; he was further north, but the game map offers little option.) is ruled and administered by the Kuomintang under warlord Lieutenant-General Ma Bufang, a Chinese Muslim of the Ma Clique. He is faced with the same serious problems as Chiang Kai-Shek, but he has taken a reformist approach to public affairs and is generally only slightly less hated by the people, though many of them are uncertain how to feel about his faith. He is, however, a brutal man with a severe streak of massacre, having launched multiple extermination campaigns in Tibet in previous years as well as defeating their armies in open skirmishes. He is openly fiercely anti-Communist and anti-Buddhist.
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/3/39/Ma_Bufang.jpg/225px-Ma_Bufang.jpg Ma Bufang
Useful links: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ma_Bufang
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chinese_civil_war
Tibet- Tibet is a horrendously poor agrarian nation ruled by a Buddhist theocracy traditionally headed by the Dalai Lama, the grand monk in the Tibetan/Mongolian brand of Buddhism. Tibet has in recent years been attacked by the Kuomintang under Ma Bufang in the southwest of China; these attacks came with the praise of Chiang Kai-Shek and other party leaders. Since Tibet's armies were last defeated by Bufang, they were warned to never again attempt any offensive against the Republic of China or any lands it claims its own (including the Communist held zone). Politically it is in turmoil because the Dalai Lama died three years ago, and *his successor, the 14th Dalai Lama, cannot yet be officially recognized because he is only one year old- in fact, his first birthday is the 6th of this very month. To confound the matter further, Chinese general Ma Bufang is holding the Dalai Lama hostage and demanding 100,000 Chinese silver dollars for his return, a price he knows the Tibetans cannot pay* (This actually occurred one year later.). As such, a regent lord has been placed in head of the Tibetan state until the boy is old enough to take up his position, assuming he can be rescued from Ma Bufung.( Okay, problems here, notably that I can't find any info on who this regent lord who administered Tibet from 1933-1950 was. Secular info about Tibet is really hard to get your hands on, so for now we'll just use the Lama's photo but speak from the perspective of an unnamed regent lord. It sucks, but this isn't my first choice- turns out Korea wasn't playable and we needed a replacement nation!)
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/52/Dalai_Lama_boy.jpg/170px-Dalai_Lama_boy.jpgThe 14th Dalai Lama
Useful links: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tibet
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ma_Bufang
Notes, Additional Rules, Etc.
Last time we were pretty open in allowing entry into the match, but we're going to be pricks about it this time since half our players were no shows or early outs last time, or else didn't really do any role playing (post articles in the newspaper, damn you!) except for our Komintern members, like Miles. Especially Miles. So, if you want to join this time, we ask that you not be entirely new to the game, and obviously role players are preferred. If you want to be in this game, we will expect you to role play and we will send you to the gulag IRL if you do not.
Some additional rules that weren't covered last time either because we didn't bother or they weren't necessary or relevant:
Time Flow: The game's time flow doesn't make sense from a story perspective, because you're not going to finish constructing an entire barracks or fortress in a day, much less a recruiting office in 15 minutes. It's also going to take more than 3 hours to get 150,000 troops across 100 miles of territory. So, we are going to assume that 1 day in game = 1 month as far as role play is concerned. Why 1 month? Well, the last game lasted 77 days, and if that's any indication, the length is pretty reasonable; about 6 and a half years sounds about right for a war for supremacy over a continent, or in this case a very large portion of one. Ultimately it's a much more reasonable time flow from a realism perspective.
Alliances, Allegiance, Pacts, Leadership Change, etc.: The last game was fairly strictly stratified as far as allegiance went thanks to ideological factors- neither faction was going to break into infighting or ally with the other faction, so only the two neutral countries- one of which was a no-show- had the option to forge or change allegiance. Now we have factions from all over the political spectrum and with various agendas all on one field, so some rulings are necessary.
Imperial Japan- Japan can't really change sides in this conflict because it's a key nation. They wouldn't suddenly join with the Kuomintang to take out the Chinese Communists or vice versa, nor would they likely pursue a full military invasion of Manchukuo, an established puppet. Aside from that, invade fucking anything. After all, the Sun God Emperor carries your spirit forward into battle long after your death.
Northwest China (Communists) and Mongolian People's Republic- These two are highly unlikely to go to war for any reason and are a no-brain power alliance. However, neither should even consider allying with Japan or any of its puppets, unless said puppets change allegiances (discussed later). A temporary alliance with the KMT might be in order for the Chinese Communists if Japan and its puppets become a threat.
Southwest China (Kuomintang) and Southeast China (Kuomintang)- Chiang and Bufang aren't going to go at each other any time soon, being trusted friends and allies. Nor will they consider an allegiance with Japan or any of her puppets, but a temporary alliance of circumstance with the Chinese Communists is possible- maybe even necessary. It's virtually unthinkable at this point that they would ally with Tibet under any circumstances.
French Indochina, Manchukuo- Both these suffer from significant popular unrest and the Japanese or pro-Japanese governments are widely hated by the people. Revolts occasionally break out in both; however, neither of them would ally with any faction but Japan given their current leadership. French Indochina, however, has the option to change leadership after July 1939 (36 days in) if the player so chooses. Be certain to role play your way into this for some time, at least a week or two; post articles describing the changes there and the growing political movement for independence, whether it be French colonialists, bourgeois separatists, proletarian revolt, or what have you. Manchukuo may choose to transfer power to Emperor Puyi after July 1939 (36 days in) if they so desire, indicating a seizure of power by the "true" monarchy and the attempted ousting of Japanese control. However, this move will leave Manchukuo isolated politically, with the monarchy being an enemy of the KMT, CPC and Japan.
Tibet- Tibet is an entirely neutral country, which offers it a level of freedom the others lack. It may attack virtually any country it pleases- though the bloody rivalry with Ma Bufang and the KMT should be kept in mind- and it has the right to change leadership to any government form desired, given the proper role play build up and explanation. Tibet also enjoys the highest number of surrounding neutral nations, giving it the freedom to possibly expand unopposed south or west. With neutrality comes absolute freedom, but also serious choices to be made. Tibet will likely be forced to make a choice to join with the Chinese Communists and Mongolian Communists against the KMT or join with Japan against the KMT or the Communists.
Final Word
The match will naturally require a password, you will receive a PRIVATE MESSAGE FROM ME ON REVLEFT IF YOU SIGN UP, WHICH WILL STATE THE PASSWORD AND GAME INFO. LOOK FOR IT AND PLEASE BE PUNCTUAL ABOUT JOINING THE GAME SO THAT WE CAN GET STARTED IN GOOD TIME.
Thanks for reading and reserve your desired nation now!