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Author Topic: The Sword of Damocles - (Sign Up Thread) - Closed, 2017 Game Next  (Read 38984 times)
Lumine
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« on: May 10, 2016, 06:54:34 PM »
« edited: February 09, 2017, 06:30:58 PM by Lumine »

The Sword of Damocles:
The World of Balance of Power, 20 Years After:


_____________________________________________________________________________________________

Welcome to a different world.

It was two years ago that a game named Balance of Power was hosted, in which a number of very skilled and clever players played the great powers of the Belle Epoque starting from 1901, all the way into 1905 and an epilogue in 1907-1908. Evidently enough, it resulted on several increasingly large conflicts until... we got the World War. While a large and traumatic event on its own for Europe, it was not as nearly as damaging and hard as our OTL World War, allowing for a much different world to result, one not as nearly fearful of war as the Post-1918 would be. The proverbial "Sword of Damocles", therefore, consists of two things: the threat of the ever rising and ever improving military technology (around our World War One levels), and of course, the threat of World War Two, the second coming of a world-scale conflict... one considerably bloodier and harsher as well.

What's the novelty?

The novelty is that, since this is a much different January 1927, this world requires a good amount of imagination, and more importantly, player participation. Players will be able to select players with different amounts of autonomy (with some, you'll only be able to choose a head of state, with others, you can be free to come up with ideology, government system and other such things provided I grant approval), afterwhich the full backstory will be provided to explain how we got to that particular world... and then, you will take over as the leader of your nation and you will try to lead it to the top. Of course, should you fail or become too unpopular, you might lose elections (if country has them), face revolution, or even go down in a civil war..
_____________________________________________________________________________________________

Basic Rules:

1. Turns: Just like BoP I and II, players will have to play turns that represent six months, in which they will react to ongoing crises and events and post their policies, moves and reactions to what other players do. If we enter a World War (which I will define), the game enters a special mode, much slower, in which we play month by month or with two-month turns at best.

2. Historical Context: The Game starts on January 1st, 1927. All events before January 1st, 1901 are considered to have gone as they did in history, and after that, we'll base our new history from Balance of Power I and the backstory we will come up with.

3. Messages: Secret messages between the players must include the GM, all of them. I will not acknowledge moves or negotiations I am not aware of, so be careful with that.

4. Historical Events: A mixture of dice and random number generator will work out to determine events as they go. There are no historical events to simulate per se, but we will see similar events to our history emerge in the game. Each year, we will also have the announcement of the Nobel Peace Prize and the Man of the Year (from a magazine I will select later on), prizes that any player can win to boost his public profile and prestige.

5. Stats: These have not changed, to be released every two turns in terms of your popularity, economic state and internal strife. I have reworked the military system of BoP II into a much simpler version, and in this game we will use Divisions, Fleets and Air Corps rather than going by too much detail. This will be explained in further detail on a thread of its own.

6. Game Over: Game Over can come in three ways: A.- (All) By getting defeated in war and then deposed by the enemy. B.- (Democratic Nations) By losing a significant election, and C.- (Monarchies/Dictatorship) Losing a Revolution/Civil War. Assassinations and ending one's term in office (with no electoral defeat) will not count as Game-Overs, and you will continue with the successor if your party or movement won. In case of a game over for a player who led a nation that still exists (or has changed leaders via elections), said nation will be offered to another player first.

7. Players, Nations and Simulation: I will simulate all NPC countries, but will do so in simple manner. The objective is not to come up with a 100% accurate and realistic world, but to strike a balance between gameplay and something "realistically" ahistorical.
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Lumine
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« Reply #1 on: May 10, 2016, 06:56:04 PM »
« Edited: May 14, 2016, 03:48:59 PM by Lumine »

Players and Countries:

Europe:

German Empire: (Cranberry)
The German Empire was the undisputable winner of the 1901-1908 shift of alliances in Europe, standing as the strongest power in Europe with a sizable set of vassals of its own in Eastern Europe. Due to its decisive role, Germany is a constitutional monarchy, and as a player you would play as the Chancellor of the Reich. Players may choose Chancellor, ideology and parties supporting him on the Reichstag, and the current level of militarism in this country.

France: (Windjammer)
If Germany won the Balance of Power, France decidedly lost it. Crushed in the World War after losing Paris, the Treaty of Amsterdam took away most of the French colonial empire and left the nation bitter and in despair regarding democracy. As a result, France cannot be played as a democracy, but it's open in the remainder to the player as either a left-wing or right-wing revanchist dictatorship. Player may choose ideology, government, heads of state and government.

British Empire: (Weyfield)
Despite being on the losing side of the war, Britain emerged mostly undamaged from the conflict with few territorial losses, but with crucial issues regarding its colonial empire that would have to be solved at some point. Emerging from the 1926 General Election with a strong majority in the House of Commons, the British player must begin as a democracy, but he can choose the Prime Minister, his party and his political programme if needed be.

Italy: (Southern Gothic)
Italy was another succesful nation, solving many critical issues of unity and creating a surprisingly large colonial empire given the lack of territories it had by 1901. Despite that, Italy ended without its political instability over, making it a wildcard. Therefore, Italy is the most open country to any player. You can freely choose government, ideology and leader, provided I grant it permission.

Russia: (Blair)
Russia faced a very hard time during the 1901-1908 period, facing two wars, open rebellions and increasing authoritarian rule from Tsar Nicholas II. Russia is as much as a wildcard as Italy, but with a twist. After undergoing civil war in the late 1910's/early 1920's, the country has broken up on an undetermined number of states. You can freely choose a Russian state with government, ideology, system and so on, but that state cannot have the full Russian territory to itself (for example: you could have a rump Tsarist state, a military dictatorship, a revolutionary or anarchist state, and so on).

Crimea: (GarlanGunter)
Backstory later.

Spain: (Spamage)
Backstory later.

Other:
The exact fate of the rest of Europe is undetermined, but Austria-Hungary broke up during the 1910's (whether that was peaceful or not depends on the backstory) and is now comprised of several states, although I do not excluse a loose federal entity. If you wish to play a different European country let me know, but the priority is on the large powers.


America and Asia:

United States of America: (Mauldania)
The USA underwent a dramatic shift with Presidents McKinley and Hay, going strongly internationalist despite great unrest at home (almost leading to an impeachment crisis). Allied with Germany and triumphant on the war, the USA nonetheless faced a political crisis with the  La Follette and  Hearst administrations, and the country became not only more broad in terms of parties (the GOP being badly, badly hit), but more isolationalist. The United States is open as well, you can choose between a socialist or democratic (you choose the party) government in the middle of its complicated term, or a military junta that just took over in a coup in 1926 (I personally recommend a MacArthur Junta for fun).

Ottoman Empire: (Kalwejt)
The Ottomans narrowly averted termincal decline due to the later years of the great Sultan Abdul Hamid II, who restored stability despite having to stomach some territorial losses, putting the Empire on the road to modernization with close ties to Germany. Abdul Hamid's successor as Sultan has proven weak, and therefore you will either play as the representative of a military junta (Enver Pasha recommended) or a strong Grand Vizir that rules in the Sultan's name. Some freedom is given on the current politics and modernization level of the Empire.

Japan: (Dereich)
Japan significantly expanded its colonial empire during the 1901-1908 time span, gaining the Philippines, Indochina and a large number of bases in the Pacific. With Emperor Yoshihito now dead, Japan is also a wildcard. You can choose to play as a custom made Emperor (as Yoshihito's sons were born after 1901) or as a head of government of your choosing. You can also choose the level of militarism or democracy on Japan, along with ideology as long as it respects the Emperor.

China: (Kingpoleon?)
Backstory later.

Other:
From Asian and American countries (no African ones), you can choose Mexico, Brazil, Argentina, Canada, or, most important of all, China. With the exception of Canada (a democratic and independent country that both British and Americans fight to influence), these countries are wildcards in terms of their current situation. If not requested, I'll make the backstories myself.
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Lumine
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« Reply #2 on: May 10, 2016, 06:57:52 PM »

To clarify, the sequel is here!

This one will have a lot of player input, so we won't be starting until (probably) one or two more weeks from now. I know it's a lot to absorb, but I think it's better than just creating nations from scratch as that would take too much time.

Let me know if you have any doubts, you can start claiming countries if you want and provide the details later.
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Weyfield
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« Reply #3 on: May 10, 2016, 07:58:26 PM »

Sounds interesting - I'll give the British Empire a shot.
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Lumine
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« Reply #4 on: May 10, 2016, 08:57:51 PM »

Sounds interesting - I'll give the British Empire a shot.

Noted, Weyfield! Do let me know who you want to play as Prime Minister (and whether he's from Labour, the Conservatives, the Liberals or a different party) once you're ready.
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Mauldania
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« Reply #5 on: May 10, 2016, 09:16:19 PM »

Is there a map showing current boundaries? I'm interested.
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Lumine
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« Reply #6 on: May 10, 2016, 09:19:31 PM »

Some boundaries we'll have to adjust for the backstories, but this can be considered a current map for a good part of the world. Probable changes will include Austria-Hungary and Russia balkanized, possibly China as well.

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Mauldania
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« Reply #7 on: May 10, 2016, 09:27:04 PM »

USA please.
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Lumine
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« Reply #8 on: May 10, 2016, 09:29:15 PM »


Noted, do let me know what sort of government and President (or dictator) you have chosen once you're ready.
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Kingpoleon
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« Reply #9 on: May 10, 2016, 09:48:43 PM »

I would like to claim Germany! Maybe Theodor Heuss can be its President at the head of a PPP or GDP?
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Lumine
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« Reply #10 on: May 10, 2016, 10:27:17 PM »

I would like to claim Germany! Maybe Theodor Heuss can be its President at the head of a PPP or GDP?

Noted! It would be Heuss as Chancellor, as Germany remains a monarchy (under the more liberal Wilhelm III), leading a liberal party (probably GDP, as you suggested). First turn should see Heuss having to choose his governing coalition in the Reichstag, would that be fine?
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Cranberry
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« Reply #11 on: May 11, 2016, 07:11:33 AM »

This is a bit bad now, but I didn't see this earlier - I actually said in the thread a few weeks back that I would love to play as Germany again. I saw you reserved the Ottomans for Kal, so I thought you would have put that into consideration as well.

Would you mind terribly, Kingpoleon, to play as another country? This is an akward situation and all, I know...
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Lumine
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« Reply #12 on: May 11, 2016, 08:41:05 AM »

This is a bit bad now, but I didn't see this earlier - I actually said in the thread a few weeks back that I would love to play as Germany again. I saw you reserved the Ottomans for Kal, so I thought you would have put that into consideration as well.

Would you mind terribly, Kingpoleon, to play as another country? This is an akward situation and all, I know...

Actually, that's my mistake, I was sure you had posted you wouldn't be free until June (it was May you actually said) and so I left Germany open. Apologies!

Any chance you would like to switch countries, Kingpoleon? (since Cranberry had expressed interest in Germany quite a long ago)
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Enduro
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« Reply #13 on: May 11, 2016, 11:41:59 AM »

Regretfully, I can't play this one, I'm still very busy right now, and will probably not be an active player till late June-ish. Don't want to bite off more than I can chew.
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White Trash
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« Reply #14 on: May 12, 2016, 06:43:03 AM »

Can I be the Netherlands?
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Kingpoleon
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« Reply #15 on: May 12, 2016, 04:46:10 PM »

This is a bit bad now, but I didn't see this earlier - I actually said in the thread a few weeks back that I would love to play as Germany again. I saw you reserved the Ottomans for Kal, so I thought you would have put that into consideration as well.

Would you mind terribly, Kingpoleon, to play as another country? This is an akward situation and all, I know...
I'll change, quite willingly. Is it possible to play as Romania? Or do you have a nation you'd prefer me to play as, Lumine?
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Lumine
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« Reply #16 on: May 12, 2016, 05:52:31 PM »

This is a bit bad now, but I didn't see this earlier - I actually said in the thread a few weeks back that I would love to play as Germany again. I saw you reserved the Ottomans for Kal, so I thought you would have put that into consideration as well.

Would you mind terribly, Kingpoleon, to play as another country? This is an akward situation and all, I know...
I'll change, quite willingly. Is it possible to play as Romania? Or do you have a nation you'd prefer me to play as, Lumine?

Many thanks!

I would insist on the large powers, really, minor countries are only there in the case we get a very large amount of players.


Well, not quite, these games usually work best when the players are, say, no more than ten. Is there any of the available great powers that interests you?
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Spamage
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« Reply #17 on: May 12, 2016, 09:56:32 PM »

If I play France, is a restored monarchy an acceptable form of government? Wink
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Lumine
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« Reply #18 on: May 12, 2016, 10:04:18 PM »

If I play France, is a restored monarchy an acceptable form of government? Wink

As long as it not a democracy, sure, xD

What did you have in mind? Bonapartist? Bourbon? Something else?
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White Trash
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« Reply #19 on: May 13, 2016, 05:11:02 AM »

I suppose Italy isn't too bad.
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Blair
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« Reply #20 on: May 13, 2016, 05:52:35 AM »

I'll give a Provisional Government led Russia a go
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Spamage
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« Reply #21 on: May 13, 2016, 08:19:36 AM »

If I play France, is a restored monarchy an acceptable form of government? Wink

As long as it not a democracy, sure, xD

What did you have in mind? Bonapartist? Bourbon? Something else?
I definitely was thinking Philippe VIII and the Bourbons being returned to the Throne as the nation takes a far right turn following the embrassment of WWI.
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Garlan Gunter
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« Reply #22 on: May 13, 2016, 08:34:44 AM »

OK. OK. This is definitely madness but how bad can it be? If it turns out I've over-committed I hope I can recede from this plan without undue chaos.

I would like to play as Prince Youssoupoff (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Felix_Yusupov), who did at some point kill Rasputin, but rather than fleeing established a small, rich, corrupt, decadent state in the Crimea, employing amoral, dodgy mercenaries (and/or possibly some cool fragment of the Czech Legion?) At forty the Grand Prince is losing his looks, but he still wears make-up, has fun and is incredibly cool.

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Cranberry
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« Reply #23 on: May 13, 2016, 09:25:09 AM »

^ Thank you so much, Kingpoleon!

I hope I am not jumping ahead of things here and am a bit too fast with this, but as you said, Lumine,

Quote
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might I give a go with this?

I would have imagined Germany receiving a new, democratic constitution some time around 1910-1918; if we have uninterruped four-year elections since the last game (with elections it 1902 and 1906), we would have just had an election in 1926.

Fresh from this elections, I would like to play as Kanzler Wilhelm Marx, obviously from the ZENTRUM party. Marx leads a rather centre-left cabinet of ZENTRUM, DDP and SPD. Vice-Chancellor is Otto Braun (SPD), foreign minister is Gustav Stresemann (DDP) (The parties are largely like OTL Weimar Republic, with the DDP including some parts of the DVP). The main opposition force is the DVP (hybrid of OTL Weimar Republic DVP and DNVP, with the DVP's liberal wing off (Stresemann and the like) to the DDP), and in the Reichstag there are also some minor rightist parties as well as the KPD.

Voting for the Reichstag is for all men and women above 20, PR like OTL Weimar Republic, but for the sake of simplicity with fixed 397 members like in the OTL Kaiserreich.

If we look at the results from 1926 (if I may do that as well, if not, please change whatever you want to change, Lumine):

GOVERNMENT: (256 Seats)
Zentrum - 25% - 101
SPD - 25% - 99
DDP - 14% - 56

OPPOSITION: (141 Seats)
DVP - 22% - 88
KPD - 8% - 32
Minor Rightist Parties - 6% - 21

Polarisation between right and left is signficantly lower than in OTL Weimar Republic, as all parties but the KPD and some minor right-wing lunatics are in favour of the status quo, as is 90% of the public and the imperial family. Militarisation is lower than Kaiserreich / Prussian-levels, but still quite high for a democratic country. There is a sort of "Germany is a great power" feeling, seeing as Germany is a centre of democracy and economic development.
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Lumine
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« Reply #24 on: May 13, 2016, 10:58:16 AM »


Granted! Italy is the ultimate wildcard, so let me know that sort of Government and Leader you will go with.

I'll give a Provisional Government led Russia a go

Excellent news! What sort of a Government, if I may ask?

If I play France, is a restored monarchy an acceptable form of government? Wink

As long as it not a democracy, sure, xD

What did you have in mind? Bonapartist? Bourbon? Something else?
I definitely was thinking Philippe VIII and the Bourbons being returned to the Throne as the nation takes a far right turn following the embrassment of WWI.

Excellent idea, welcome in!

OK. OK. This is definitely madness but how bad can it be? If it turns out I've over-committed I hope I can recede from this plan without undue chaos.

Well, if you think time may be an issue, then I'd say a smaller country would be a good idea in your case. And I'm not going to lie, I am growing fond of the madness you have suggested, xD

That said, Crimea is now an Ottoman Protectorate under Tatar control, so I'm not sure it's the best place for Yusupov. I could recommend some place in the Caucasus, Siberia, or Vladivostok, or if you really want Crimea either arrange it with Kalwejt or take Sebastopol, the single city of the area under Russian administration.
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