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For most fans, this season came completely out of left field. In this era of unparalleled congruence, two drivers stepped up and took this season by storm; together they won 11 races each, and left no room for others to compete.
KIT Network | Total Domination: Two Drivers, One Champion | KIT Special Edition |
Truck Series: Maxwell Barely Edges Out Cup
cowboy hat.
While Makaro basically needed a miracle, Maxwell, Boyd, Clerisseau, and Trauth were in a dogfight for the championship. Maxwell was able to hold off the others and claim the cup for his own. Maxwell, with this, has won three truck series championships, the most of any driver by far.
When asked whether or not he would move up to the cup series, Maxwell said while he was comfortable in the truck series, if a team really wanted him in Cup, he'd be glad to make the move. Ultimately though, with the stagnate nature of the Cup series roster, it's doubtful he'll get a Cup ride anytime soon, and Maxwell seems to be fine with that.
Two Drivers: Total Domination. But Where's The Rest?
While it's not rare for one driver to dominate the competition in any given season, it is rare that two drivers just totally dominate the competition, especially in this era of equal competition.
Those two drivers where Karl Weller and Natali Trauth, who we'll talk about later.
This total domination brings up the question though; where's the competition?
Well, Team Tske actually didn't do that badly. Dernov Larion, who is the underdog of Team Tske, saw his best statistical season so far, matching his teammate and two-time champion Vasili Alesnaro in wins this season, with each winning three times. Vityanilo, on the other hand, was a victim of bad luck this season. He always seemed to be in the wrong place at the right time, getting caught up in wrecks that weren't his fault more often the not. Tire blowouts, engine's blowing, and just sloppy races led to an absolutely God awful season for Vityanilo.
The story was much the same for Adrian Martinescu. Although he won a race, he was uncharacteristically bad throughout most of the rest of the season.
Bach Racing's Alex Bach and Lagan Parkle also suffered. Bach won one race, but struggled to put up winning numbers throughout the season. Parkle failed to win one race this season, and although he put up a good number of top tens, it was just not enough for a successful season.
Grace Trustmanster had an alright season; not good, but not bad. She had two wins (one of which was at the Northern 500), a handful of top fives and top tens, and overall put up respectable numbers. She placed third in the points, a distant third sure, but third nonetheless.
Natali Trauth: Betrayal &Redemption
"It Runs In The Family": Archie Trauth in
1987 (top), and Natali Trauth in 2068 (bottom)
Trauth, while not as popular as Bach, Weller, or Alesnaro, certainly has her supporters. While small, her fans are one of the most dedicated ones in GASCAR, and her sponsor, Refert Home Improvement/Hardware, has been with Trauth since the beginning. Trauth and Refert's CEO are even friends, and the two have been seen doing everything from golfing to appearing on late-night talk shows together.
So, Trauth is living the racer's life right? A loyal fanbase, sponsor, championship-contenting car, and lots of fame and money; what's the problem? The problem was her performance, at least in Manfred Motorsports's book. You see, with Hanhen gone and retired, the team expected Trauth to take the team's banner and put up winning numbers, giving her Hanhen's former crew chief. Trauth, despite winning a handful of races and finishing 6th in the points, wasn't enough for Manfred; so, she was let go by the team before the 2069 season began.
With all the Cup teams signed into contracts with their drivers, Trauth had no open spots. So, she decided to make one; Trauth Athletics was created.
Refert signed with Trauth to be her sponsor, not with Manfred Motorsports, so wherever Trauth went, Refert followed. The thing is, Refert alone couldn't sponsor her entire team, so Trauth went shopping for sponsor, and one was lined up waiting for her; Navistar Race Engines. Navistar sponsored Trauth's grandfather when he raced, so there's a strong connection between the company and the Trauth family.
So, with sponsors secured, Trauth needed personal for her new team. Luckily, upon the news of her starting her own team, most of her pit crew at Manfred quit and she gladly hired them all. Mixed in with some fresh engineering graduates from across the world and her years of experience, Trauth had a top tier team.
She opted to buy the number 44, her grandfather's number, off of Angor-Morton Motorsports, who replaced it with the number 68
Karl Weller: The Face Of Anthacian Racing
Ettlinger's old logo (top) vs the company's new and improved racing-inspired logo (bottom). Outside of the political realm, the iron cross is often associated with extreme sports, such as racing.
Anthacia has always had an underground racing scene, since the 1950s. The thing is, racing has never been mainstream; nor has vehicle culture in general. For example, in Alaback most people opt to drive their cars even though self-driving cars are available. In Anthacia, most people prefer to use self-driving cars instead of driving them.
Ettlinger, Anthacia's premier car manufacturer, recognizes this. Most of their marketing and corporate culture revolved around the advancement of technology; commercials showing off the latest gadgets that their customers can play with.
Karl Weller, the most successful Anthacian GASCAR driver by far, sought to change this. His charisma guaranteed a strong public image; he's stared in commercials, public appearances, cameoed in TV shows and movies, the whole nine yards.
And Weller also wasted no time getting involved in Ettlinger. The two have developed a strong relationship, and before anyone knew it Ettlinger went from technological advancement to racing; even changing their corporate badge to reflect this new attitude.
Total Domination
Weller is one of the best drivers in GASCAR, and this season looked to be his for the taking. That is, until Trauth came and pushed Weller to heights that nobody thought he could reach; Trauth won the Baytona 500 to start, then Weller won the next race, then Trauth the next, and so on and so forth.
Trauth's and Weller's stats for this season are legendary; it's the stuff of myths. These two were on a completely different level this year, trading the points lead back and forth five times; going into the last race of the season, Weller was just 10 points behind Trauth, which meant that each had a roughly equal chance to claim the cup.
So, who won it?
The answer is Trauth, albeit barely. Weller put up one heck of a good fight, but Trauth barely edged him out for the cup.
There was perhaps no driver more deserving of a cup then Trauth. She has been racing since before the days of DOSCAR back in 2055, and she's currently 36 years old, making her one of the older racers on the GASCAR circuit. Before, she was widely regarded as one of the best drivers to never win a championship. Now, she cements herself into legendary status.
Naturally, there was tons of celebrating. It's worth recalling her grandfather, Archie Trauth, also won a championship in SCARB (Stock Car Auto Racing Body) in 1989; that same year he won the Baytona 500. It's very fitting that Natali also won the Baytona 500 and the championship the same year. This prompted one of the announcers to say "The Legend Continues", a now famous line for the Trauth family. After all, the family has had success outside of racing; Anna Trauth, Natali's grandmother, is a five-time boxing champion in Alaback and widely regarded as one of the best boxers of all time. Natali's mother, Melina Trauth, is a two-time boxing champion with a slew of semi-championships to her name. Needless to say, the Trauth name is one of the most successful in sporting history.
Refert, after Natali's championship victory, offered a store-wide 44 percent off for 4 days (44 is Natali's number after all); Refert saw an increase in sales by roughly 2,000 percent.
Karl Weller: Always In Second
Long time viewers of KIT may remember when we assigned the title of championmaid to Grace Trustmanster, but with her claiming her World Cup in 2065, that title was passed onto Karl Weller.
It's tragic really, Weller has come in second in points at the end of the season four times now. First, he came second to Alesnaro in 2059; no big deal, he'll get em' next time. Then he came second again to Kunecki in 2063; but that season was stacked with six drivers being capable of winning the cup at that last race, so. Then he came second to Grace Trustmanster in 2065 in a nail-bitting finish, and now to Trauth in 2068.
The thing that makes it really tragic is it's not Weller, the team, his sponsor, or his pit crew's fault. All of them are top-performing, championship-capable. Sometimes, though, the Racing Gods can be cruel and Lady Luck just as much so. Perhaps one day Weller will claim the World Cup.
GASCAR To Go Next-Gen
GASCAR's current dashboard (left) vs a virtual mockup of GASCAR's next-gen dashboard (right)
The most notable (and so far the only publicly released information) about this next-gen era is a new dashboard, seen in the picture on the right.
We'll be covering this more in-depth as more information becomes available, so stay tuned.
Anthacia, States of Conmerica, Oliandiria, and Skahyahn
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We have quite the three stories tonight, but this is news that will change the world forever.
Kolanica proclaimed, Kyoken insurgency mostly ends after negotiations
After protests, rebellion, and the like erupted in Kyokai following the former King Damien III's call to arms, King Sladky III took at step back to more carefully look at the situation.
No stranger to conflict, King Sladky III was more than willing to send in the Germanian Panzermencsh Corps (who we'll talk about later) to crush the rebels, who mind you, have used less than ethical practices to advance their agenda. That said, setting the GPC free would undermine the power of the nobility in Kyokai in the eyes of the public at large, and alienate his Kyoken supporters and allies. King Sladky III formerly considered all Kyoken Nationalist/Regionalist Organizations enemies of the state, but now has come to a more relaxed view, sending letters to the leaders of the more moderate faction, inviting them to a conference held in Hokori for negotiations.
King Sladky III and the main leader of the Kyoken rebel forces, Kingsley Clarke, came to an agreement after a week of negotiations, together signing the Hokori Accords. The Accords are long and exhaustive, but all the world really needs to know is that the old system of governance, with Glorianay ruling Kyokai as another province, has been dismantled. Instead, it was been replaced with a system in which the state is a "constitutional multinational union". What that means is Glorianay and Kyokai are two separate crowns, both under the control of a central government located (at least temporary) in Masonshire, a city located on the Kyoken coastline near Glorianay. Both have their own regional governments which are to enjoy considerable autonomy with only the monarch and the central government having control of some affairs (principally foreign relations and defense, among others).
Public opinion polls conducted in Glorianay and Kyokai show that this enjoys some support, with only a tiny amount opposing it; most seem content with it, which was good enough for King Sladky III, who was proclaimed "Grand Duke of Masonshire, King of Glorianay, Duke of Campbell, King of Kyokai, Duke of Hokori, Ruler of Kyo"
There was also considerable debate over what to call this new nation. There was no shortage of people calling it "Glorianay-Kyokai/Kyokai-Glorianay", and King Sladky III said sarcastically that that name "just rolls of the tongue, doesn't it?"
In the end, the name Kolanica was picked. Kolanica was the name of an ancient kingdom that ruled vast swabs of land on the Caloni Sea before it was defeated and dismantled in the year 1146.
Of course, certain radical Kyoken groups have continued the insurgency and have not been afraid to use terrorism to get their goals across. Suicide bombers, chemical mail bombs, and bombings around Kolanica have been reported. King Sladky III ordered the Germanian Panzermencsh Corps to stamp out the insurgency, which they are in the process of doing.
The Germanian Panzermencsh Corps, formed by Sunna and created by General Roh "The Wolf" Berchtold after the House Sberrj takeover of Germania, was designed to stop all insurgencies no matter the cost in anticipation of regionalist uprisings in Germania. Of course, that didn't happen, but the GPC was kept around and constantly updated and trained.
Their actions in combating the Kyoken insurgency have not been without controversy, however. Claims of torture, "take no prisoners", and intimidation tactics used on suspected insurgents are widespread, but when you consider how the GPC is perhaps the most menacing anti-terror force on Tierra, it comes with the territory.
Sumeriti and Oliandiria
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Marolia-Sarvania Economic Alliance Collapses; Takes Governments With
Marollia and Sarvania have had inter-connected economies since 2013, and that inter-connectedness has only increased tenfold in recent years, to the point where the two economies were basically reliant on each other.
Sarvania's Toraist leader, Josip Borsita, built up a cult of personality, and while he strangled democracy under his reign, civil rights and the economy prospered under his reign; people were safe, secure, and happy, with just enough freedoms to live a comfortable life. That is, under Borsita passed away. No one was competent enough to succeed him, and so the government slowly collapsed, and the illusion of stability destroyed. Roughly seven factions are now struggling for control of Sarvania, but most regions have formed regional militias and raided local banks for funding.
This utter collapse in the political and economic structure in Sarvania has had disastrous effects. Previously, Marollia could weather Sarvania's wars with a healthy dose of cuts in public spending, economic aid, lowering tariffs, and borrowing. That didn't work this time; Marollia's leader, Queen Giovanna IV an economic wizard if one ever existed, recently passed away, leaving the throne for her husband, King Peter III, with the couple's one son, Auro III, set as the successor.
King Peter III, however, is ill and bedridden, and the government perfectly divided between three rival factions; the Marolian Nationalist Party (self-explanatory), and the Marolian Liberal Democratic Party (seeks closer relations with "the north" and House Sberrj); reforms were impossible to pass. This divide grew, which is detailed in the next post.
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Marolia's civil war leaves the economy in ruin, possible ramification faces the world markets with Medietierra under seige and piracy.
The Marolian government had to declare bankruptcy in a record two weeks after Queen Giovanna IV's death. That sent the markets on a downward spiral, and the lack of emergency funds and savings led to inflation skyrocketing.
A prominent politician, Servidio Zappone, an independent, launched a coup against the incumbent Prime Minister Elpidio Martocci, which although it succeeded, led to Martocci siding with the Marolian Nationalist Party (and roughly 75 percent of the navy and 50 percent of the army, and small factions of the air force) and declaring the Zappone government illegitimate. Zappone took whatever forces he had left, called the citizens to arms, and set about destroying Martocci's forces.
While most of the countryside and rural areas side with Zappone, the massive port and economic hub of Medietierra which covers roughly 15 percent of Marolia's land area and accounts for 92 percent of Marolia's total population is split in support. That has led to vicious and brutal street fighting between Zappone and Martocci forces. The port, however, is controlled by Martocci's navy.
Medietierra's fighting has halted economic doings in the place, which is expected to have a negative effect on world markets since a lot of trading and economic activity took place in Medietierra. Since Marolia was neutral, Medietierra was used by the powerhouse markets of Anthacia and Calcaterra as "neutral ground" for conducting business with House Sberrj and Zambet Fata, and vice-versa.
This expected global economic slowdown also won't be helped with roughly half of Martocci's Navy rebelling. But not to switch sides to Zappone; instead, they raided and sacked what they could from Medietierra's ships, and sailed away, dumping their goods on the black market. They've also begun to raid ships in Caloni Sea and in the ocean nearby. Nicknamed the "Flying Maromans", it's safe to say this piracy is set to also cause ripples around the global economy.
The new Kolanican state has sent some forces to intervene in support of the Zappone government, mostly special forces. It is worth noting those forces are multi-cultural, with Glorianians and Kyokens fighting side-by-side for a common cause.
Fighting is ongoing in Marolia at the moment.
National Oliandirian Tidning ~ The War on Two Fronts
For a period of time around the onset of the war, it was thought that victory for the Crown over the USSN was assured. The Loyalists had the larger military on land and sea, more resources to draw from, and the IUN at their back. Things looked worse after the Battle of Easterville, when the USSN began recieving foreign funding and resources. The outlook became dire when Akaibold Aozunai made his move.
Akaibold is a popular politician and former governor of Nordlig Metirekya. The history of the Metirekyan region is a long, but in short, it’s mountainous and rugged terrain helped it stay independent from colonizers until it was absorbed by the Third Oliandirian Empire, and it remained within Oliandiria ever since. While the coastal part of Metirekya became culturally Oliandirian, the further inland province of Nordlig Metirekya remained culturally Metirekyan, and was always granted a certain degree of autonomy.
Akaibold’s neutrality in the Civil War ended very suddenly when he made his declaration of secession from Oliandiria. Metirekyan forces were able to quickly overwhelm unsuspecting and lightly manned Oliandirian forces at Södraögat and Grimshaw, however, attempts to take Norembega and Fort Foxwood failed to meet similar success.
Further north, USSN forces have decisively won the industrial center of Drakaenacaenagon, and have made progress taking large parts of Folster Island. In their campaign, they laid a crushing blow to the Oliandirian forces at the Battle of the Edsbyn Plains. Their success on the island is matched by Oliandirian success across the Red Channel, in mainland Grakost. The Battle of Sundsvall, while ending in Oliandirian victory, resulted in large losses for the Oliandirian side.
Meanwhile, the Oliandirian navy thrives. Maritime superiority was achieved under the command of newly-appointed Wilhem Aleksanderson, although it is rumored he was only appointed because of his friendship with the King. Wilhem’s navy, based out of the port in Olian City, is in a strong position, poised to throw off the USSN naval forces in the Red Channel. If the navy can successfully force the USSN ships back, it may help the Crown in retaking Folster Island.
While the situation develops, it is impossible to say who will triumph. Be it the Crown or the USSN on the throne when conflict concludes, the Oliandirian Nation will be changed forever.
Anthacia, Ulutor, and States of Conmerica
Ooc
Here is the written up history of the archipelago war.
*Note: The dates on the following Calendars are of the Ulutorian Calendar, which includes January and Febuary in the Previous Year. So January and Febuary 2053 is 2054 to most other nations.
A UW is a win for the Ulutorian side. A CW is a win for the Coalition side. A D is a draw.
10 March 2053: Ulutor conducts a raid on an island near the Harkness Islands, owned by Grand Ossta, in the Ulan Ocean. The Raid is supposed to be on a reported pirate base harrasing merchant ships.
11 March 2053: Grand ossta demands a formal apology. Ulutor denies the request.
12 March 2053: Grand Ossta declares War on Ulutor. Several hours Later Chinern declares war, followed by Soltena and Sozkana.
13 March 2053: Battle of the Harkness Islands Ulutor launches a massive air assault over the Harkness Islands fighting a mixed Sixth International Air Force. Meanwhile, initial landings on the island go smoothly after most of the Osstan Fleet and Coastal defenses are destroyed by a Ulutorian Missile Barrage. UW
18-22 April 2053: Ulutor finishes its conquest of the Harkness Islands, and begins a brief but massive bombing campaign on Ossta.
2 October 2053: Battle of Aren Marine. Ulutor begins a small naval engagement nearby the island of Aren Marine in order to push the Chinernian fleet off to prevent them from becoming a hassle. The Ulutorian navy is successful in driving Chinern off the island, but the port is completely destroyed. UW
20 November 2053: Anthacia begins arming the Sixth International.
13 January 2053: Sozkanan Submarines found south of Bolivant.
18 March 2054: Ulutorian Cruiser sunk in port at Nanulo.
1 May 2054: Ulutorian submarines sink a number of Sozkanan Destroyers off the Coast of Sozkana.
3 July 2054: Battle of the Missing Fleet combined Sixth International Fleet attempt to Flank the Harkness Islands from the East, but are meet by the INV Leviathan, which rains down missiles upon them with the help of other missile submarines. UW
5 July 2054: Second Battle of the Missing Fleet. The Ulutorian fleet, attempts to capitalize on this by sailing straight for Chinern, but are fooled by the same tactic from Sozkanan submarines. CW
9 March - 31 March 2055: Ulutorian planes begin pierce Chinern Airspace. However a combined Sixth International Air Force prevents any further damage and drives off Ulutorian planes, securing International Airspace for the rest of the War. CW
8 April 2055: In response to the bombing of a homeland territory, Anthacia publicly demands Ulutor cease its bombardment, and remove its forces from the Harkness Islands.
9 April 2055: After a Ulutorian refusal, Anthacia declares war and promptly launched a massive air assault on the now Ulutorian controlled Harkness Islands.
11 April 2055: States of Conmerica and Calcaterra declare war on Ulutor. Calcaterra however, commits far less then Conmerica.
20 April 2055: Emperor William II dies from a gunshot wound in New Aorakai. The Gunman is 38-year-old David Arman, Ulutorian sources report him a member of Anthacian intelligence, but little support for the claim is presented and Anthacia denies any ties.
4 May 2055: Empress Anashara is coronated as Empress of the country.
13 June 2055: Known communists arrested and jailed, protests in Parliaments, 3 Marxist Parliament Members arrested, for conspiracy. Over 1,000 people in New Aoraki, are arrested, all of them of Anthacian descent.
18 August 2055: A Calcaterran Naval Stike Force strikes at a small Ulutorian naval force at Pike Island. However they are repelled.
21 August 2055: Enraged at the defeat, although admittedly very small and insignficant, the Calcaterran public is outraged, and demands a victory.
28 August 2055 - 8 August 2057: A Naval Unit 6 times the size of the original strike force arrives at Pike Island and bombards the island. The Siege of Pike Island has begun.
9 September 2055: Ulutor sends a massive Naval force the engage the Calcaterran Fleet bombarding Pike Island. While the attack kills off a 3rd of the Calcaterran Fleet, a Ulutorian carrier is significantly damaged in the engagment and is taken back home for repairs, forcing the rest of the fleet, now without air cover to disengage.
11 November 2055: Battle of the Salar Islands. Ulutor and Anthacia's first engagement in the Sea. The engagement results in the mutual loss of a Carrier, while Sozkana submarines sink another of Ulutors Carriers on the fleets way home. CW
2 January 2055: 2nd Battle of the Harkness Islands A landing is attempted on the Harkness islands, however due to massed firepower, the men landing die upon the 1st beachhead, after 2 waves, the landing force withdraws. UW
14 February 2055 - 9 June 2057: Anthacian bombing campaign over Sumeriti begins.
1 May 2056: Long Range Stealth Bombers strike at Anthacian homeland. They do little damage but they do strike fear into Anthacians. Who demand retribution. Leading to the 1st Battle of Sumeriti. D
6 May 2056: Ulutor stages a stealth supply run, shipping in supplies to Pike Island, a quarter of the planes are shot down, but under the cover of darkness, enough supplies are delivered to carry the beleagured defenders through the eventual landings and fighting in the beaches and jungles.
.
3 June 2056: 1st Battle of Sumeriti, Anthacian Paratroopers attempt to secure a landing area, some troops make it inland, but they are trapped when a armoured division retakes the landing zone, then a makeshift port. Most of the Battle however is between Coastal Batteries and the Anthacian Navies. Little is lost between them. One Anthacian report like to claim the battle as a 'Searing mark of Retribution upon the city'. UW
13 June 2056: Calcaterran forces begin landings during the Siege of Pike Creek. The initial landings are massacres, with entire Battalions killed, but by 1400 hours, Calcaterran forces begins moving on the small towns at the Southwest of the Island, however by the next day upon arriving at the airbase, they find it stripped of supplies, Ulutorian forces have moved into the jungles.
29 July 2056: Calcaterran raids into jungles begin to turn out higher and higher casualties. Command debates bombing the island with napalm, but there isn't quite enough area to ensure they wouldn't hit there own troops or encampents, so instead, Helicopter raids begin.
17 September 2056: 3 Ulutorian Crusiers are sunk in the port of Bolivant. CW
20 Febuary 2056: Calcaterran Helicopter raids continue to fail, and again Casualties build up. However, the Calcaterran government begins forcing troops to sign NDAs before deployment. The Calcaterran media finds out and masive scandal blows up, revealing that there are around 40,000 casualties in the Siege of Pike Island compared to only 1,250 confirmed Ulutorian deaths. Protests begin to erupt.
2-30 May 2057: Second Battle of Sumeriti. The Anthacian Fleet begins to smash through the Ulutorian and Sumeritian Fleets, Splitting them into 2 Sections. The Western group of ships is destroyed, sinking 1 Ulutorian Carrier. The Easter Group However make its around South, where it links up with the few remaining Western ships, and the new Ulutorian 8th Fleet, and the INV Leviathan the massive submarine. Not seeking to repeat their mistakes of rushing the invasion, the Anthacian Fleet keeps pounding the city and waits for even more ships and another 2 carriers to help in the bombing campaign. Ulutor also reinforces, flying in around 500 additional planes at night, losing 100 on the journey. This waiting however, allows Ulutor's fleet to circle around the island, around to the back of the Anthacian Fleet. The Anthacians are caught off guard, expecting the fleet to approach directly and force them away from the island. A small force of ships from the south baits them into the engagement, while the real fleet from the north cripples their carriers, sinking 2. Ultimately the battle is costly, around 100 ships lost between Anthacia and Ulutor, with the near loss of another Ulutorian Carrier, and the Anthacian Fleet draws away conserving their remaining Carriers. This is Ulutors biggest victory of the War. UW
5 June - 20 August 2057: Shipping routes to Aremista are frenzied by Sozkanan Submarines. They are only repulsed by intelligence suggesting a Ulutorian Fleet is moving north to resupply the Harkness Islands. A False report, but with the time available, lines of mines are placed on the supply routes, and they prove treacherous for the Sozkanan ships. 18 submarines are reportedly lost in the 4 days following their placement. D
8 August 2057: Due to internal pressures, Calcaterra withdraws from Pike Island, and from the war entirely. They do not sign anything at the moment, but during the Treaty of Fragenhaus, they sign the treaty on behalf of their commitments to the IU. The Siege of Pike Island is a devastating, demoralizing defeat. UW
29 October 2057: Ulutorian fighters from Aremista sink the Anthacian Carrier moving to Chinern. UW
18 February 2058: Battle of the Three Navies. Ulutorian command, after a skirmish with the Chinernian Fleet, decides to finish of the nations fleet and end its pestering in the north of the Ulan Sea. However, the assembled fleet draws Anthacian attention, and the Ulutorian fleet is forced to retreat and is constantly pestered by Anthacian Aircraft. The Battle is a humiliating defeat for Ulutor and Results in the sinking of 2 Carriers and another 30 ships. While Anthacia only loses 8 ships, and Chinern, 2. CW
13 April 2059: Ulutorian missiles are fire en masse a the massive Anthacian Carrier the ARS Victoria. With 20 missiles launched, the Carrier is hit thrice. Stealth drones above report that the pride of the Anthacian Fleet, is sunk.
14 April 2059: Ulutorian intelligence report back, that the Victoria survived, although it is being held up by other ships. While out of commission it is not sunk. Anthacian media report it as barely scratched, while Ulutorian media reports it as 'near to being scrap, as a man on a volcano is near to a burnt crisp'. Never the less, the ARS Victoria does not see combat again. UW
14 May 2059: Battle of the Claw. A Anthacian fleet suprises a Ulutorian fleet and lures them into a killzone, 1 Ulutorian Carrier is sunk immediatly. But the Ulutorians provide stiff resistance and break out, only losing another 6 ships while sinking 10. CW
29 May 2059: With the loss of most of its Carriers, Parliament calls for a begin to negotiations to end the war. Despite the protests of Empress Anashara, the Armistice is agreed to.
30 September 2059: Treaty of Fragenhaus signed.
TERMS OF THE ARMISTICE
I. Cessation of any hostilities.
II. Annual Yearly inspection of Ulutorian Satellites in orbit until 2072.
III. War reparations to all Coalition nations($6 billion Ulas to each nation of the Coalition).
IV. Ulutor will renounce territorial claims on members of coalition nations.
V. Cancel production of one of the Oshoru class vessels.
VI. Ulutor will be restricted to only two Oshoru class ships until 2071.
VII. All Oshoru class ships will be restricted to only operating in the Ulutorian Ocean until 2071.
VIII. No construction or replacement of lost carriers until 2071.
Total Victories:
Ulutor: 9
Coalition: 6
Draws: 2
Fort Cherry Times
PRESIDENT REX RESPONDS IN FORCE TO OLIANDIRIAN SITUATION - REFUGEE CRISIS?
With Oliandiria engulfed in civil war and conflict, President Rex, as the leader of the only nation that Oliandiria borders, thought it wise to address the situation.
Full-blown intervention was shot down by Rex as a costly affair that would play out badly internationally. Rex also wasn't a fan of sending Skahyhanian boys to die for basically nothing.
But with a large ethnic Oliandirian minority population, especially on the borders, fighting began in Oliandirian villages and neighborhoods. While it wasn't anything more than fist-fights and clashes between protesters, after fifteen people were killed in one of these brawls Rex ordered a complete lock down of ethnically Oliandirian populations. Armed soldiers, curfews, checkpoints, the whole nine yards.
Yet after several Oliandirian Crown and USSN underground supply routes were discovered going under the border, Rex ordered these shut down. But the operation was larger then originally thought, with whole underground weapons-manufacturing plants set up in Skahyahn so each side could produce their own weapons in peace and without fear of bombardment from their enemy, and then smuggle them across the border for fighting. Whole intelligence operations were also discovered, with each side sneaking captured enemy files into Skahyhan so they couldn't fall back into enemy hands. The list could go on, but suffice to say each side was operating in a great capacity in Skahyahn.
Rex was not pleased. In fact he was more than a bit angry. Without delay, he ordered his son, Ashens, the head of Skahyahn's Intelligence and Investigation Agency, to crack down and arrest anyone in Skahyahn associated with either side of the civil war, and to shut down their operations and smuggling routes. And boy did he, within the first 24 hours of the order Ashens's agency had arrested over 4,000 people, with another 22,500 arrested over the course of a few months. Regrettably, not all threw their weapons down and held their hands up, and the agency was forced to execute about 28 people, but so far no agency causalities have been reported. Those arrested are currently being held in internment camps far away from the Oliandirian border and under 24 hour watch. The agency has been highly successful in shutting down smuggling routes and weapon-manufacturering plants as well.
In other news, the civil war has led to a mass influx of refugees into Skahyahn as people are running to escape the violence. At first most were legally processed as asylum-seekers, but soon the Skahyahn immigrant system was overwhelmed with over 175,000 applications for asylum. So, with the border checkpoints about to burst with the sheer amount of refugees, Rex opened the border.... right into refugee camps, under 24 hour watch from armed guards. While a refugee, after being vented, could apply for asylum and go through a process, that takes up to six months now; Rex offered them another option.
After being vented, having their backgrounds checked and demonstrating good moral character, a refugee could alternatively apply to become a migrant worker- nicknamed "geese workers" because they migrate. These migrant workers wouldn't work glorious jobs; ranch/farm hands, miners, factory/manufacturering, and shiphands, but they would be guaranteed a paycheck. And when compared to the six month asylum process, becoming a goose worker takes as little as a week.
This solves an issue Skahyhan has been facing recently. Most people that did the previously mentioned jobs have either retired or went to college to pursue an education, leaving a massive gab. With an added prevision saying a person can't deny a Skahyhanian employment then turn around and hire a refugee, the policy went off to the races. So far its been a huge success, with over 50,000 refugees taking Rex up on his offer. This influx of workers has also helped Skahyahn's economy deal with the effects of the Medietierra Economic Crisis.
Of course this situation is far from perfect, with crimes against Oliandirans up by nearly 200%, but most pundits say that Rex is handling the situation swimmingly.
UBN
Her and His Majesty
2 shock waves of news swept Sumeriti and Ulutor today. Waves that were generated by 2 announcements by the Royal Family of Ulutor, now the families of Sumeriti and Ulutor. Both of these announcements followed up on previous concerns of both families, but 1st we will be tackling the news out of the old fatherland.
Empress Marianne II of Ulutor is 56 years old, her reign in Ulutor is assured by the law to only last another 9 years. And as her Excellency has yet to bear more children, as unlikely as it would be, leaving the question of Succession open. Before Tuesday, the heir would have fallen to the son of the disgraced Prince Jamerus(younger brother of Marianne II) Owen, who was last seen shooting the air at a baseball game. Thankfully, the people have been saved this fate. On Tuesday, Her Excellency declared her second son, Prince Anilus, as heir to the Ulutorian throne. The Prince, currently 20 years of age, was living in Sumeriti with his brother in the Royal quarters being taught the ways of the Admiralty. He is currently the only direct descendant that could inherit the throne without a stain on his name, or being the ruler of another country. There is not a long list obviously.
The Prince was about to come to the ceremony to be held on Saturday, where he would be given the heir's crown. But on Thursday, he received news from his brother, King Denatre of Sumeriti...
That news, given to the nation later that day, announced the King's Marriage to Azula Isomore, his former secretary when he helped his mother in the government of the Ulutorian Colonial government of Sumeriti. The woman has made waves as the situation has immediately been seen as a incredible scandal by several in the media. A Prince marrying his secretary brings up certain venereal thoughts that would normally cause great disdain. But most of the news, especially those of talk shows, relate the scandal to the old romantic book by Jula Hirom, Red Like Roses, which similarly depicted a low level government offical falling in love with a member of Royalty, although in a much more....detailed manner. Which has cause widespread, and widely discredited rumors that, like in the book, Ms. Isomore was with child. The Royal doctor's office has at this time released no more than 6 statements on Ms. Isomore's current state. But like many a time, that has done little to calm the minds of those who would run this thread out.
The Marriage of the King and his new Queen is slated to be at the end of the year. As a gesture of open diplomacy and good will, the King has invited any and all world leaders to the festivities and the ceremony. Wanting them all to come and witness holy matrimony. We here at the Ulutorian Broadcasting Station pledge to bring this great sight to you all at its given date, with 4 hours of guaranteed coverage. With warmed hearts and eager minds, we bid you goodnight.
Telegraph Agency of Chinern
After the embarrassing defeats at the Battle of the Missing Fleet and the Battle of the Three Navies, the Chinernian brass realized that they would need to replace their aging fleet with newer, high tech vessels capable of fast maneuvers while maintaining high firepower. This project has been underway for years, and has finally borne fruit: the new Masaska-class frigate, Masaska meaning “Serpent.”
In Chinernian analyzation of the Naval losses during the war, it was found that ships were primarily lost due to a lack of detection capabilities compounded by easy detectability, low maneuverability, and too light an armament. The Masaska class intends to remedy these issues. The Masaska has several upgraded sonar and radar arrays, and has stealth capabilities, having a radar cross section of a small boat. The Masaska makes use of magnetohydrodynamic drives to make extremely sharp turns and maneuvers, eliminating the need to drift for a few miles while turning. Finally, the ship’s armament. With two 65 mm main guns and two 50mm secondary guns, she’s able to defend herself in a pinch, but that’s not all. The Masaska comes equipped with JAL anti-air missiles, and a small helicopter hangar for anti-ship/anti-submarine actions.
The Masaska is planned to be finished in a few years, and will undergo sea trials just off the coast.
Ulutor, Azaltan, and Oliandiria
Nationale Deluta - National Spirit
Ulutorian-Zambet Fatan Routes Complete; The Rest Gets Rerouted
Just last night the last batch of asphalt was poured and the lines painted, sealing the completion of the International Interstate System on the Stelin-Ulutorian routes.
This completion, however, is simply just the road and surrounding infrastructure with rest stops scattered along the way, with things such as dedicated gas stations, restaurants, etc. still under construction. Still, for the first time in history a person can drive from Kolanica to Nedporen, then from Nedporen to Lapod, then from Lapod to Ulutor, all in a car. Heck, they could drive from Kolanica to Ulutor only stopping for fuel and rest. Test drives indicate a roughly week-long journey, although ironically said week-long journey burns less fuel then if one used previously overseas shipping routes.
Of course the vast-stretch of land between Lapod/Sozkana and Grand Ossta presented a challenge at first. That is until a deal was struck with the Sirainuh Crown- a royal family that controls vast economic resources roughly in the middle of that vast-stretch of land, mainly in the form of the lucrative Sirainuh Royal Transportation Co. The Crown did provide resources to the project, but the sheer economic and military might of the Crown was able to ensure that routes that go through this unclaimed land remain protected. More importantly, the Sirainuh Crown's vast economic machine always needs transportation jobs, especially now, giving trucking employment opportunities.
Zambet Fatan trucking companies have also experienced a growing need for more employees, and after hiring all the Zambets they could, they open their doors and allowed foreigners to come service trucks for quite the decent wage- starting salaries of up to $70,000 a year in some cases. That has, naturally, led to a flood of foreign migrant workers coming in. Irongia Trucking's workforce in particular is now almost 58 percent foreigners. This explosive job growth is expected to only further increase with rest stops and travel centers popping up all along the system, and it's fully expected to draw in more foreign employees.
Now, while the routes east of Zambet Fata have experienced tremendous success, the routes west not so much. With civil insurrection raging in Palanche and Malarsia and the always-so-stable Kyokai, it was decided to just reroute the whole system. This reroute takes the system to Zambet Fata's exclave of Aburglie, the only part of Zambet Fata that borders Sinderland. From Aburglie the system will go underwater to the artificial island of Northpoint, which was constructed by the North Nebraskan Waterpike Corporation way back in 2055. From there the system will go straight to the northwestern point of the Nebraskan continent.
This reroute isn't the only new construction of the system being made, as the Zambet Fatan government approved Sumeriti's request to extent the system to the Sumeri nation. The decision was made to route the system from the main Chinernian "port" that goes to Ulutor, but instead add to the "port" with another route that instead goes to Sumeriti.
So, despite the tremendous cost required to build the system, it appears to have been worth it.
Sozkana, Ulutor, and Chinern
The Rokedsian Herald
Lawson Overthrown In A Coup
GOVERNMENT TO OPEN NEGOTIATES • THE WAR CONTINUES • WHO ARE WE FIGHTING?
Prime Minister Danny Lawson has led Rokedsia since UDI with his Rokedsian Front Party, but that's changed. With the Rokedsian nation, society, and economy hanging on by a thread, a group of Rokedsian Front Party ministers made agreements with other parliamentary parties and a large part of the military and overthrew Lawson in a coup. Lawson took whatever supporters he had left, and did battle with the new government on the streets of Anthony, the nation's capital. Lawson's forces were defeated, and Lawson and a few supporters fled north to Dundina, and formed a government-in-exile. While he claims he is still influential, Lawson is basically out of the picture.
That leaves the new government, headed by Josiah Gibson, a former religious minister and preacher. Gibson and the "New Rokedsian Front" are going to continue the war against the rebels, but have "opened the negotiating table" for the rebels, so the two can come to a comprehensive agreement and end this dreadful war.
But there's a problem with that. There's currently roughly 600,000 rebels engaged in combat against the Rokedsian government, and those 600,000 are spread between 46 verified groups. The largest group, the Rokedsian Toraist People's Union (RTPU; formerly the Ankraid Toraist People's Union), has 60,500 members and are considered the "head" group of the rebel movement.
But to declare the RTPU representative of all the rebel groups ignores the reality on the ground. Of the 46 groups, only 19 recognized the RTPU as their "leaders". The other 27 include a wide range of groups; fascists, radical Three Godists, and even some monarchists in the mix. What's key, however, is the RTPU and its allies have more troops then the other 27 groups and even more then the Rokedsian military itself; with 395,000 troops. While poorly-trained, they are well-equipped and well-motivated, and determined to see Rokedsia's old system destroyed and replaced with something new.
Of the remaining 205,000 rebels, the group with the largest amount is the Conservative Rokedsian Party, with a measly 34,000 troops. Other groups in this category of note include the Rokedsian Order of the Three Gods, with 12,000 and the National Fascist Party with 4,000. There's also the Democratic Front for Rokedsia, who recently signed an alliance with the Rokedsian Republican Rifles/the Democratic Protection Force. This alliance has in total 8,000 troops, which shows how fractured the rebel movement is.
Could we see an end to the war soon? And more importantly- if the war ends, what will Rokedsia become?
Ulutor and Chinern
Nationale Deluta - National Spirit
A New Cold War?
It's election season in Zambet Fata once again, and this time President Ozmra and the Phoenix Party have some serious competition.
To start, it's worth detailing President Ozmra and the Phoenix Party first before we cover their opponents in this election. They need no introduction; beckoning Zambet Fata's national animal as their party name the party sought to bring Zambet Fata into a new era of prosperity, both economically, militarily, politically, and socially.
For the most part they've done so, at a cost. Some of their most notable accomplishments have already been covered in international news; sending peacekeepers to Palanche, the buildup and reorganization of Zambet Fata's military into an effective modern-fighting force, and of course the construction of the International Interstate System, and the boost in the economy.
They have accomplished other things too of course, such as backing and funding nation-wide sports and culture programs. Such actions led to sports like racing, competitive gaming, table tennis, and golf becoming popular and taking national entertainment by storm. Other forms of entertainment, such as the ever-so-famous scrionant and fictionant, also saw a boom in popularity. There's also a new form of entertainment that enjoyed massive success due to government funding called anivia, it combines traditional Anthacian anime character and location designs with Zambet Fatan animation and story-telling to create a unique hybrid of sorts. Anivia shows like Team 23, Genome, and Marksmen have seen a stupid amount of success, and they'll surely be covered more in-depth in another story.
There's also the buildup and reorganization of the military. This included the start of three new Ceste class ships, new, more advanced tank and missile designs, and a new radical main battle rifle being introduced. Constant drilling and military exercises have been used to fine-tune and hone in on parts and plans that need attention. Needless to say, the military is no longer a mass of men and machines, but instead an organized fighting force.
Now, all of that is well and good, but it's come at a cost. The main victim? The national treasury, which completely ran through its surplus and ran a deficit, which led to the government having to get national loans from North Nebraska in order to not go bankrupt. Higher taxes were also introduced which, although Zambets are no stranger to high taxes, even the most moderate taxpayer thought these new taxes were insane.
President Ozmra has also conveniently swept some domestic issues, such as the fur farming issue, under the rug, leaving them to the Commons House and Senate to deal with.
Now, as for Ozmra's opponent in this election, we see an interesting challenger in Codrin Cardei, an independent. Cardei is a man of many beliefs, none of which align with any political party. Overall he believes the Ozmra administration to be wasting money on expensive projects that, while yes they do serve a practical purpose, the main reason they were built was to show Zambet Fata's supremacy over other world powers in "megaprojects". "That's all well and good" he said, "until the bill comes in".
He's also accused President Ozmra of trying to build a cult of personality around his grandfather's name, what with another megaproject Ozmra's building; a 600 ft tall statue of Kurj Ozmra. He been quoted as saying "It's fine to honor the former president, but evoking his legacy to suit Sim's own needs smells of a personality cult around the Ozmra name."
He's also blasted the Ozmra administration of their foreign policy. "We live in a new Cold War" Cardei said, "And they've done nothing to address that; gladly slamming Anthacian foreign policy then turning right around and signing a new trade deal with them. And we truly trust a person that makes back door deals with our greatest foreign adversary?"
Needless to say his talks on Anthacia sparked controversy, but when one considers how the recent Medietierra Economic Crisis saw the Zambet Fatan economy dip down but the Anthacian one go up, a lot, and we do mean a lot of the more nationalistic economists and politicians are saying Zambet Fata should cut all trade, or at least most of it, with Anthacia, and Cardei seems to echo that opinion.
But Cardei also holds other political views, most notable the eradication of fur farming in Zambet Fata and eventually around the world, and that makes sense when you consider how Cardei's parents run a fox and mink sanctuary. Cardei even went so far as to claim he'll gladly use military force to end the "animal concentration camps". Needless to say Cardei has made the fur farming issue a national issue.
Aside from the obvious Anthacia issue, Cardei also has a less than stellar reputation when it comes to some issues like political and religious extremism, gambling, and teenage labor. But despite that he's gained a significant following in recent years, and is finally able to challenge Ozmra for the presidency.
So, only time will tell who comes out on top. Well, both time and the Zambet Fatan people.
Nationale Deluta - National Spirit
"It's Too Close To Call"
The election is over, and it was quite an interesting one.
Both sides ran furiously and gained supporters from all over, and the race was a constant nail-biter as the results were tallied. Cardei gained an early lead by wiping the floor with Ozmra in Utell, but then Ozmra was able to challenge him successfully for points in Porumb, Imperiu Mare, and Apa. Ozmra took the lead by destroying Cardei in Sheba, but Cardei came back by "stealing" the historically Ozmra-controlled Stejar. Cardei finished strong in Peste, and by the time the Pepper City election came around, both were tied with 15 points each.
In the Zambet Fatan election, the candidate with the most points gained out of 31 points is declared the victor. The 2070 election is unique as it was the first time since the modern Allied State's founding in 1996 that only two candidates ran. That's not to say other parties didn't try to run candidates- the Voclanears tried to run Marcel Ciumak, and despite gaining a strong following he, much like every other candidate, dropped out after realizing it was futile to challenge the two juggernauts of Zambet Fatan politics.
And so, winning the Pepper City point by only 5,000 votes, Cardei becomes the new president of Zambet Fata, and the second independent to win since Florir Rotaru in 2058.
Of course, Sim Ozmra's defeat doesn't mean he's completely out of politics. Due to a loophole in Zambet Fatan election law, Ozmra was able to win a seat in the senate, where the Phoenix Party won a large minority of the seats. So, Ozmra will lead the Phoenix Party, who recently made a coalition with the Gloria Party, in the Senate. Suffice it to say, Sim Ozmra's political career is far from over.
Cardei's victory, while it's probably going to send shock waves around the world, nowhere did it send more shock waves then in the southern Great Tundra. You see, the Great Tundra is technically home to many fox and mink species (just ask any Lapodian). But while Lapod and to a lesser-extent Zambet Fata have protections in place for foxes and minks, the southern Great Tundra- the part where no "official" nations exist- relies heavily on fur farms, so much so leaders in these nations declared states of emergencies after Cardei's victory.
While Cardei needs time to set up his government before he addresses really any issue, needless to say the fur farming issue is about to become larger than ever before.
Your new Zambet Fatan president- Codrin Cardei.
Ulutor and Chinern
UBN
Rise Again
Today Parliament passed the largest tax cut in Ulutorian history. The upper fifth of the tax bracket has had its income taxes cut from 46.7% to 35.0% which surpasses the cut in the 1992 Tax Reform bill of 8%. The 2nd fifth earned a cut of 7% in income taxes, dropping their previous rate of 36% to 29%. Each of the bottom 3 fifths received a 3% cut in income taxes. Additionally, the tax on arms shipments to other nations has been removed, as well as the 'Red tax' or the tax specifically on goods from members of the 3rd international. The only tax hike has been on the 'Purple tax' or the tax on all things from Anthacia including animation.
This tax bill has followed the increasing number of tax cuts passed by Parliament. And while Ulutor's GDP has continued to rise, so has its income inequality, the real wages of the 1/3rd of Ulutor has not seen a rise in the last 15 years. This has generated criticism and the Conservative Coalition has shown no interest in fixing the problem. Most of the debate is still on GDP as the liberal parties now wield much less influence and have to argue on the conservative's terms, unable to bring up the issue of wages.
However, a bigger criticism is on spending. Military spending is on the rise, with a special increase in the construction of massive ship hulls and armories. Despite cuts on many programs, the projection for the following year shows Ulutor developing a huge deficit, even with the current surplus. There are considerable risks to this spending, as Ulutorian credit abroad is still low. While foreign investment could rise, many still feel uneasy at the idea of going in the red.
Whatever their worries, the Conservative coalition seems to be holding nothing back as this tax bill is its 18th bill pushed through Parliament, even if its only the 10th one to get through the courts. The Empress, however, seems to be giving tacit approval as none of these bills have met resistance. Still armed with the political will and power to do so. It is likely that we will continue to see the vision of the old Ulutorian superpower returning.
The Rokedsian Herald
Toraists Seize Control, Clean House
NEW GOVERNMENT • CHAOS BEFALLS ANTHONY • A CIVIL WAR?
Ever since Josiah Gibson and his "New Rokedsian Front" decided to open up negotiates with rebel groups, everyone knew that the Rokedsian Toraist People's Union would be leading the rebel side of the negotiates. What nobody expected, however, was what came next.
Almost as soon as the first meeting began, the RTPU's leader, Lowis Knolersen, pressed his advantage. Ever since receiving full Sozkanan support, Knolersen knew he could push Gibson to the breaking point, and boy did he. Not only did he demand that Gibson resign, he also demanded his party be put into power so they could oversee new, "fair", elections. Along with a host of other demands, like full control of the Rokedsian military, Gibson was practically forced to accept.
Many Namor-Ankraidians were not happy, especially those in the military. Many supported Gibson because he promised what he called the "2/5ths Policy", giving Namor-Ankraidian (Rokedsian in other words, usually with Anthacian genetics) 2/5ths power in government despite only making up 18 percent of the population in the treaty.
So now what? Well, Knolersen had a solution. He consolidated his gains, strengthened alliances between the RTPU and their allied groups, and invited not only Namor-Ankraidian representatives to a conference in Anthony, but also representatives from rebel groups that do not recognize RTPU as their leader. All seemed well, until gunfire erupted. Hordes of RTPU soldiers swarmed into the representative conferences, accommodations, and everything in-between, killing or capturing every non-RTPU or non-RTPU-aligned member they could find.
Whether this was planned in advance by Knolersen or a gut-reaction to something said in one of the conferences, or even if it was not Knolersen's orders, did not matter. The fact was, practically all opposing voices to the RTPU had been silenced. And with that, thousands of rebels deserted their groups, with no leadership to lead them many felt their fight either lost or over. Or, they fled and joined the other two groups now in opposite to the RTPU...
Dayton Bishop (the leader of the Conservative Rokedsian Party), and Mayka Rurkir and her vice commander Tyler Wright, who lead the Democratic Protection Force alliance where they only leaders to make it out of the carnage of Anthony alive. Mayka, always a tad hot-headed, immediately ordered an attack against RTPU personal and DPF forces, while they were pushed back by the RTPU, to say it was a pyrrhic victory for the RTPU is an understatement. The DPF even made off with key RTPU general Charles Hayden, who was subsequently tortured for information and spilled the beans on the entire RTPU battle plan.
And so, Bishop agreed to work with the DPF, and the celebratory Ankraidian drink Terinife was passed around DPF camps, and a new chapter in Rokedsian history begins.
What this means, for now at least, is that while the old Rokedsian system is gone, a new one is about to be born in the fires of revolution. Whether that new system is one of Toraism, Conservatism, or simple liberal democracy remains to be seen.
Zambet Fata, Sozkana, Ulutor, States of Conmerica, and 1 otherSumeriti
OOC
1. What are your citizens thoughts on your government?(please give a supporting view and an opposing view) Do they see it as corrupt? Out of touch?
2. How does your nation deal/view the elderly?
3. How do you deal/view young adults?
Chinernian citizens tend to have mixed views of the government. Some believe that the government is far too left leaning to the point that every little thing must be addressed, which ends up redirecting funds and attention from things that really need it. However, there is a sizeable portion of the population that believes that the government is doing a fairly decent job, especially at protecting the environment while maintaining a robust economy. The military is also viewed in a slightly incompetent light, after the embarrassing failures suffered by the Chinernian armed forces during the War of the Archipelago.
The elderly are viewed with respect, and are generally viewed as wells of wisdom. However, with globalization and a growing, younger, population, this belief is starting to be challenged. While some agree that elders generally hold more knowledge about the world than young people do, they also acknowledge that the system of “elders” is starting to be eroded, especially as the world changes as quickly as it does.
The young are culturally divided into age sets, from the ages of 4-8, 9-12, 13-15, and 16-19. As one progresses through each of the age groups, they are given more and more responsibility in accordance. A rite of passage was circumcision between the last two age groups, but this practice fell on the wayside after Calcaterran colonization of the island.
1. More Conservative citizens view the current government favorably and see the military buildup as a return to form. They want to return Ulutor to its Status as a Rising Power as it was before the Archipelago War. And see the current government as fulfilling its promises. They are worried about the lack of movement on Large Tech Conglomerates, as many are worried or hold views that these International Corporations may have sabotaged Ulutor, some would say intentionally.
Liberal Citizens would say they think the government is going to repeat the mistakes that led to the current situation. Overly aggressive foreign policy, Vigorous campaigning against minorities, local government purges, and increased collection of personal data are all signs of an increasingly authoritarian government.
2. In Ulutorian Society the old aren't viewed so much as pillars of wisdom, but as old soldiers, to be honored, but not prioritized. Fitting since most are retires soldiers, sailors, or pilots. The retired and old enjoy the fruits of their service in the past, and the current generation, Gen AA, of the retired seems content with relative silence in the public. They currently have the fewest members in Parliament despite being only the 2nd oldest generation, with many members of Gen Z still alive and active in politics.
3. The youngest generation is incredibly divided. Many have lost siblings or fathers in the Archipelago War, but the views on the conflict are very different. Some with deceased siblings see their death as a sacrifice in an ongoing war for Ulutors Ascension, and seem motivated to do the same and fight in future wars against Ulutors enemies. Others however, see the War as having cost needless sacrifice, and actively hate the government. A large result of this divide has been a increase in mass demonstrations both before and against the government, which has further pushed partisanship in politics.
1. Current Views on the Provisional Government are strained between the different demographics, and support has been slowly drying up as the Provisional Government drags on without end. Veterans form much of the support base of the Government, as do a lot of the elderly and the idealistic; as the Navy has for many years been the only shield against any intrusion, thanks to it's unique setup of containing air, land, and naval capability; and as such a lot of the populace still has a small bit of faith in the Admiral and the Military-Civilian Government. It's detractors are pretty much everyone else: all five of the nation's political parties are boycotting the national government, kind of uniting behind the aging bodies and minds of former Presidents Kor and Koth (neither of whom seem to keen on being made the faces of any possibly violent opposition).
2. In the Coastal Areas where fishing is incredibly prominent, the elderly are still members of the workforce and tend to be poorer. The Elderly tend to be poorer compared to other demographics all across the nation. The elderly are also stereotyped as frugal and as living personifications of simple living; from the coasts to the inland regions the elderly tend to live in smaller and simpler homes, compared to the incoming elder generation which are more liberal with their money and lifestyle. It is still considered common courtesy to show respect to the elderly, even as the eldest slowly fade into the footnotes of history.
3. Children are viewed differently depending upon the region. Children in Coastal Villages have very short childhoods before they're roped into helping with Azaltan's massive fishing industry (though former government have tried to lesson the burden to enable these kids to actually have a childhood). However, schooling is mandatory until 12th Grade, though this law faced mass opposition from the poor and manual labor sectors. Inland though Children have something closer to what is considered an average lifestyle, with many never holding a job 17 (children can work at 16, but only in low-labor jobs and with written permission). Strange Azaltanian Law Code however, exempts children from Coastal villages from the limit of 16, but also mandates that alongside room & board all children be paid a wage, and that any provided evidence that the child was put in danger is ground for the revocation of both Boat and Fishing Licenses at minimum, and repeat offending can see the local harbors closed.
Ulutor and Chinern
1. Zambets have a complex view of the concept of government. In a simple sense, the government is viewed as the protector and caretaker of the nation, and not supporting the concept of a government is considered unpatriotic. Since officials are elected, the people see themselves as "appointers of the caretakers", if that makes sense. So, with that in mind, most don't view the government as corrupt (thank the National Anti-Corruption Directorate for that), nor do most see the government as out of touch. Since the number of Zambet Fatan political parties that hold influence numbers at nine (not to mention independents), it would be impossible to quickly sum up opposing and supporting views. In general, most debate in the halls of government is about how much influence and what role Zambet Fata should play on the world stage. Domestic issues are usually only discussed in state or local governments, aside from the rare case.
2. Zambet Fata's view on the elderly can be summed up in the fact that the royal government of 1880 created the world's first comprehensive government social safety net for the elderly. The elderly are widely respected, and not caring for the elderly is considered a social taboo. Although they aren't usually considered pillars of wisdom, it's not uncommon for an elder to give advice to a young person.
3. Young adults live life in Zambet Fata perhaps unlike any other in the world. Essentially, after graduating high school, young adults perform "social conscription", that is, they are given four choices; going to college, joining the civil service/defense, joining the armed forces, or going into stable employment. Only in rare cases can this "social conscription" be violated.
1. Swallonians fall into two different camps: Supporters and Non-Supporters. Supporters tend to be a healthy majority of the population, and they can be veterans, government ministers, the Military High Command, the Upper and Middle Classes; these are the people who benefited the most from the first three stages of Swallonian History: the Revolution, the Democratic Period, and the Autocratic Period. They view Flagstaff not as the successor, but as guardian or regent of the Revolution which was tragically cut short in the infamous Capital Building Bombing all those years ago, for it was Flagstaff who convinced all remaining cabinet members to place their faith within him and no other. They are willing to temporarily suspend many things in order to firmly strengthen the country so it can never be caught off guard again in such a way. Government Detractors fall into four main camps: Democrats, Trade Unionists, Monarchists, and Differentiasts; and are generally disunited in goals and desire. Democrats are self-explanatory. Trade Unionists are of the belief that the Swallonian Revolution did not go far enough (evidenced by the mass Militancy of the Unions after the Capital Building Bombing); Unions are not illegal in Swallonia, but all of them exist under the strict oversight of the Committee of Industrial Affairs. Monarchists are the opposite, and believe that the Revolution was a gross misplay on behalf of the people. It is not illegal, but Monarchism is highly taboo and since the death of the Pretender Sigmund have been left without a head to gather behind. Differentiasts simply believe that Flagstaff wasn't the one to inherit the title, but instead someone like the long since disappeared Grand Admiral or the retired Banker Merens should have taken charge. Democrats and Differentiasts however, still engage and work with the government on a regular basis, as it is the option for long term stability.
2. The Elderly in Swallonia are mostly those who were alive during the time of the Kingdom and of Squabbling Nobility (not as in Feudal Squabbling, Dresdenian Nobility had pretty much become Political or Economic Dynasties). As such, the Elderly tend to be fairly conservative, but are divided pretty evenly between Government Support and Monarchist Support. Many of the Nation's older generation that supported the Monarchy all conglomerated around the region were Sigmund took his internal exile and eventually passed away, and as such a lot of the elderly tend to get slandered as Monarchist Supporters, even when that isn't true.
3. Young Adults in the country tend to be viewed as Naive and Idealistic. The easy access to all forms of information makes it impossible to put down a political generalization among the population. However, the Young Adults are the future, and no matter what their views may be: Activist, Schwarzeskorps, Soldier, Civil Servant, etc. They will breath the new life into the continuing cycle.
Ulutor and Chinern
UBN Lord of the Seas
Today Ulutor's navy took one step back to ruling its Ocean. 5 Major vessels returned or were set off to Sea today, among them the 2 Brand new Oshoru Class Vessels, the INV Valon and Paladius, took off from the Bolivant Dockyard. The 2 were 1st new vessels furnished by the navy since 2058, and are now the 2 most powerful warships in Ulutors fleet after the decimation that was received after the Archipelago War. In addition to these 2 new vessels, 3 of Ulutors Aircraft Carriers, INV Sergoba, Ewland, and Lancer, returned to the Ulan Ocean after extensive damage in the War, meaning that Ulutor now has 6 carriers back up and running, just over half of what was wielded prior to the War.
In the recent Appropriations bill passed last February, money was included for a whopping 6 new carriers and 3 new Oshurus. The current government has frequently made the strength of the military its rallying cry, and there talk of yet more funding for the navy, as well as a new tax specifically to fund a new jet program. Prime Minister Denar Dushanli said in a press conference yesterday "Ulutor is on an island, we must be able to protect ourselves from encroachment, and while diplomacy may at times provide solutions, sometimes there is no better tool, than a bigger stick.", echoing statements made the Minister of War in recent weeks.
Some have criticized the government for rushing to rebuild Ulutors military while ignoring and ending attempts made by the previous Liberal-Globalist administrations to reach out to other nations to build new ties. For example, new Globalist Parliament member Rika Kono said in a meeting of Parliament, "Bigger guns didn't work last time, and it won't work the next. It seems like our current heading is right into a brick wall, right into the bloody brick we hit last time.". Support seems to be up in the public however as an Eiger poll touted 58% of Ulutor approving an expansion of the navy, while 53% approved of further expansion of the Marine divisions of the Army. Regardless, it appears that Ulutor is destined to rule the waves again soon.
The Sberrj Newsletter
Biuletyn Sberrj
Das Sberrj Rundschreiben
One war comes to an end, another heats up.
The war over control of the Marolian government is coming to an end. Zappone forces have fought Martocci forces in vicious street combat all around Medietierra, which resulted in the destruction and damage of large swaps of the city. Casualty reports were horrific for both military and citizens alike, but the conflict has shown the effectiveness of allowing humanitarian organizations into the conflict to care for citizens, which both forces did.
Zappone gained a key advantage early on by securing the Marolian Alpini, but Martocci was able to switch or destroy most of Zappone's airwing. Missions were undertaken to secure the rural countryside of Marolia by Zappone, and after that happened, Zappone trained his forces relentlessly while also relentlessly bombing and shelling Martocci strongpoints in Medietierra. After Zappone forces were well-trained, they went into the meatgrinder of Medietierra, and ultimately achieved victory.
Zappone's victory did not come without controversy, however. Prince Auro III is the son of the current king of Marolia, King Peter III, who if you remember, was bedridden and ill. Peter III passed away earlier this month, allowing Auro III to become King. The now King Auro III wasted no time; he declared Zappone to be the legitimate government and got engaged to Reina I Sberrj (daughter of the King of Kolanica, Sladky III). Auro III then set about "re-unifying" Marolia with the "right and legitimate rulers of the Kolani".
Zappone wasn't impressed by this offer. But he listened to what the King had to say, and once Sladky III guaranteed that Marolia would become the third crown in the Kolanican union and would enjoy all the same rights and privileges Kyokai and Glorania do, Zappone reluctantly signed the bill of annexation.
In a sign of good faith, King Sladky III declared Medietierra the new capital of Kolanica. But since the city was nearly destroyed, the capital is still de facto in Masonshire until Medietierra is rebuilt. Since the size of the city is massive, all members of House Sberrj are involved in its rebuilding.
Sarvania is a different story, which will be detailed within the next month, as of now the situation is rapidly developing and any reported information will be outdated as of now.
Palanchian Central News
Toraists Flee, PNF Splits, Stonewelt In Ruins
With news of Nationalist forces mere miles away from the capital, the PTR evacuated much of the civilian populace, loading women, children, and elderly on to any ships the port city had available, shipping them off to lands hopefully calmer than their own. Males above the age of fourteen were not so fortunate, forced to man the city's shoddy, hastily-built defenses, underequipped and severely inexperienced. Despite outnumbering the Nationalists 5:3, the garrison was no match for the superior training and equipment wielded by the PNF; it was a massacre. The troops pursued the remaining defenders into the city, though unbeknownst to them, dozens of bombs lay dormant beneath the city's entrance, waiting to be triggered - when the time is right. Just as a significant portion had entered, the trap was sprung, sending ~50,000 men flying sky-high into the afterlife and injuring hundreds of thousands more, putting a considerable dent into the Nationalist's advancing force.
After years of constant fighting and heavy casualties sustained on both sides, PNF forces fighting on the Northeastern Front nearly achieved victory against Zambet Fatan peacekeepers. Ulutorian equipment received earlier in the war proved to have been much more beneficial than initially thought, especially in seasoned troops' hands. Just before carrying out the final assault, a message was broadcast on all radios throughout the camp, though it wasn't just any message, it was an ultimatum, straight from the crown-prince himself. "Retreat, surrender, and join forces with me, or die fighting a war you can't win." The message repeated for five minutes straight before abruptly cutting out. Most didn't take it seriously, choosing to laugh it off and resume preparations to attack the peacekeepers. Then, the bombings started. Anthacian-supplied Royalist jets soared through the air, striking precise targets, knocking down defenses, and filling trenches with lead. After a few minutes, bombings ceased with minimal casualties, and the message repeated. Many retreated, while those that stood their ground perished in the next round of bombings, eliminating a significant chunk of the PNF's army.
Infuriated by news of what'd happened up north, Erik Bluscha himself ordered Stonewelt be ransacked and left a flaming wreck using their remaining Kobra-10. Soldiers raided homes and looted any building that looked to have something of value within, gunning down any of the poor souls who failed to make it out of the city. By nightfall, the few buildings left standing blended with the sky, charred beyond recognition. They'd followed their orders to the letter, creating yet another husk where a bustling city once stood.
Calcaterra, Anthacia, and Ulutor
New Prime Minister Kayar Kalif offers a deal the PNF of matching 1:1 in Palanche's production. A bullet for a bullet, a ship for a ship, and any other supplies until the end of the war.
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