[DRAFT] @@LEADER@@'S Nightmare

[The Atlae Isles]

Validity: Only valid for nations with a capital.

Description: After a really long day of work (which happened to involve a police officer, olive oil, copper wire, and a chair), you and your friends go to have some drinks at a pub, and then you fall asleep at home. But you wake up, and where you wake up doesn't seem to be your bed. It looks strangely like downtown @@CAPITAL@@.

[option]"It's been a while since anybody's visited us." says construction worker @@RANDOMMALENAME@@, while you rub your eyes and realize you have a headache. "But since you're here, @@LEADER@@, let me show you what we're working on." He leads you down the street, and points. "That thing right there, no, not that, there. You see that? That's the new @@NAMEINITIALS@@ @@ANIMAL@@ Bridge! It's going to be the best in @@REGION@@!" The half-finished bridge looks like it's about to fall. "All we need is-" he says, when it collapses, falling into the @@ANIMAL@@ River. "Well, there goes that. Would you care to help?"
[effect]Aides frantically looking for @@LEADER@@ to solve the crisis in Smalltopia find @@LEADER@@ lifting planks.
[stats]Health increases, Corruption decreases, Industry: Insurance increases

[option]You gape at the remains and continue walking, and when you take a right, you come to a congested intersection. The nearest police officer runs up to you, and says, "@@LEADER@@! Thank Violet you're here! There's been a massive traffic jam all across @@ANIMAL@@ Avenue, and @@CAPITAL@@ is going to flood itself during rush hour! Could you help us and act as a crossing guard for a few hours?"
[effect]@@LEADER@@ and local politicians regularly work part-time as crossing guards in @@NAME@@'s busiest intersections.
[stats]Public Transport decreases, Industry: Insurance increases, Industry: Automobile Manufacturing increases, Law Enforcement increases slightly.

[option]While you think about that, @@RANDOMFEMALENAME@@, your Minister of Spirituality, runs up to you, and says, "There you are! We were looking for you! This calamity is simple! You're stuck in a dream; this is the doing of Violet, a punishment on our unfaithful civilization! Repent, and say, "Violet" 3 times! Then you'll wake up; Hurry!"
[effects]Imnosiacs are thankful to Violet.
[stats]Religiousness increases, primitiveness increases, secularism decreases, health decreases, charmlessness increases

[option]Suddenly, a solar eclipse occurs, turning the sky jet black. Your Minister of Spirituality screams and runs, while @@RANDOMFEMALENAME@@, your aide next to you, says, "@@LEADER@@, I don't know if she's right, but my mom taught me to pinch myself if I ever dreamt. Why don't you try it?"
[effects]@@LEADER@@ being pinched is a common sight.
[stats]Averageness decreases

Validity: Only valid for nations with a capital, and nations who legalize alcohol.

Description: After a really long day of work (which happened to involve a police officer, olive oil, copper wire, and a chair), you and your friends go to have some drinks at a pub, and then you fall asleep at home. But you wake up, and where you wake up doesn't seem to be your bed. It looks strangely like downtown @@CAPITAL@@.

[option]"It's been a while since anybody's visited us." says construction worker @@RANDOMMALENAME@@, while you rub your eyes and realize you have a headache. "But since you're here, @@LEADER@@, let me show you what we're working on." He leads you down the street, and points. "That thing right there, no, not that, there. You see that? It's our massive secret missile defense system. It's going to be the best in @@REGION@@!"
[effect]The massive missile "defense" system is halfway finished, even without @@LEADER@@'s approval.
[stats]Government size decreases, Defense forces increase, pacifism decreases, Industry: Arms Manufacturing increases, corruption increases, employment increases

[option]You shake your head and close your eyes, and you suddenly find yourself in a congested intersection. The nearest police officer runs up to you, and says, "@@LEADER@@! Thank Violet you're here! There's been a massive traffic jam all across @@ANIMAL@@ Avenue, and @@CAPITAL@@ is going to flood itself during rush hour! Could you help us and act as a crossing guard for a few hours?"
[effect]@@LEADER@@ and local politicians regularly work part-time as crossing guards in @@NAME@@'s busiest intersections.
[stats]Public Transport decreases, Industry: Insurance increases, Industry: Automobile Manufacturing increases, Law Enforcement increases slightly.

[option]While contemplating that decision, @@RANDOMFEMALENAME@@, your Minister of Spirituality, runs up to you, and says, "All this is the doing of Violet, for we have strayed from her path! Repent now!"
[effects]Step 1 when dealing with crises is calling to Violet.
[stats]Religiousness increases, primitiveness increases, secularism decreases

[option]Suddenly, a solar eclipse occurs, turning the sky jet black. Your Minister of Spirituality screams and runs, while a soft voice in your head, which sounded like @@RANDOMFEMALENAME@@, your aide, says, "@@LEADER@@. You have a meeting in two hours. Wake up." However, you don't know whether the voice existed at all.
[effects]Dreams are blamed for many disasters.
[stats]Averageness decreases

Validity: Only valid for nations with a capital, and nations who legalize alcohol.

Description: After a really long day of work (which happened to involve a police officer, olive oil, copper wire, and a chair), you and your friends go to have some drinks at a pub, and then you fall asleep at home. But you wake up, and where you wake up doesn't seem to be your bed. It looks strangely like downtown @@CAPITAL@@.

[option]"It's been a while since anybody's visited us." says construction worker @@RANDOMMALENAME@@, while you rub your eyes and realize you have a headache. "But since you're here, @@LEADER@@, let me show you what we're working on." He leads you down the street, and points. "That thing right there, no, not that, there. You see that? It's our massive missile defense system. It's going to be the best in @@REGION@@!" You don't remember ever approving such a project, and wonder if you are sober.
[effect]The massive missile "defense" system is halfway finished.
[stats]Government size decreases, Defense forces increase, pacifism decreases, Industry: Arms Manufacturing increases, corruption increases, employment increases

[option]You gape at the structure and continue walking, and you suddenly find yourself in an intersection with many cars honking. The nearest police officer runs up to you, and says, "@@LEADER@@! Thank Violet you're here! There's been a massive traffic jam all across @@ANIMAL@@ Avenue, and @@CAPITAL@@ is going to flood itself during rush hour! Could you help us and act as a crossing guard for a few hours?"
[effect]@@LEADER@@ and local politicians regularly work part-time as crossing guards in @@NAME@@'s busiest intersections.
[stats]Public Transport decreases, Industry: Insurance increases, Industry: Automobile Manufacturing increases, Law Enforcement increases slightly.

[option]While contemplating that decision, @@RANDOMFEMALENAME@@, your Minister of Spirituality, runs up to you, and says, "There you are! We were looking for you! This calamity is simple! This is all the doing of Violet, looking down on our unfaithful civilization! Repent, and say, "Violet" 3 times! Hurry!"
[effects]The leaders in government regularly call upon Violet when hurricanes and other crises are imminent.
[stats]Religiousness increases, primitiveness increases, secularism decreases

[option]Suddenly, a total solar eclipse occurs, turning the sky black. Your Minister of Spirituality screams and runs, while the nagging voice in your head, belonging to @@RANDOMFEMALENAME@@, your aide, says, "Wake up, @@LEADER@@. You have a meeting in two hours. Wake up." You pinch yourself many times, but you still don't know if you're dreaming the scene or the voice.
[effects]@@LEADER@@, after waking up from a nightmare, frequently has people make sure @@LEADER@@ is awake during times of national emergency.
[stats]Averageness decreases

Validity: Only valid for nations with a capital, and nations who legalize alcohol.

Description: After a long day of work, you and your friends go to have some drinks at a pub, and then you fall asleep at home. But you wake up, and where you wake up doesn't seem to be your bed. It looks strangely like downtown @@CAPITAL@@.

[option]"It's been a while since anybody's visited us." says construction worker @@RANDOMMALENAME@@, while you rub your eyes and realize you have a headache. "But since you're here, @@LEADER@@, let me show you what we're working on." He leads you down the street, and points. "That thing right there, no, not that, there. You see that? It's our massive missile defense system." You don't remember ever approving such a project.
[effect]Massive military projects normally don't need approval from @@LEADER@@.
[stats]Government size decreases, Defense forces increase, pacifism decreases, Industry: Arms Manufacturing increases, corruption increases

[option]As you see that and walk away, wondering if you should pinch yourself, you suddenly find yourself in an intersection with many cars honking. The nearest police officer runs up to you, and says, "@@LEADER@@! Thank Violet you're here! There's been a massive traffic jam all across @@ANIMAL@@ Avenue, and @@CAPITAL@@ is going to flood itself during rush hour! Could you help us and act as a crossing guard for a few hours?"
[effect]@@LEADER@@ and local politicians regularly work part-time as crossing guards in @@NAME@@'s busiest intersections.
[stats]Public Transport decreases, Industry: Insurance increases, Industry: Automobile Manufacturing increases, Law Enforcement increases slightly.

[option]While contemplating that decision, @@RANDOMFEMALENAME@@, your Minister of Spirituality, runs up to you, and says, "There you are! We were looking for you! This is simple! All this is the doing of Violet, looking down on our unfaithful civilization! Repent, and say, "Violet" 3 times! Hurry!"
[effects]The leaders in government regularly call upon Violet when hurricanes are imminent.
[stats]Religiousness increases, primitiveness increases, secularism decreases

[option]Suddenly, a total solar eclipse occurs, turning the sky black. Your Minister of Spirituality screams and runs, while the nagging voice in your head, belonging to @@RANDOMFEMALENAME@@, your aide, says, "Wake up, @@LEADER@@. You have a meeting in two hours. Wake up." You pinch yourself many times, but you still don't know if you're dreaming the scene or the voice.
[effects]@@LEADER@@, after waking up from a nightmare, frequently has people make sure @@LEADER@@ is awake during times of national emergency.
[stats]Averageness decreases

Validity: Only valid for nations with a capital.

Description: After a long day of work, you and your friends go to have some drinks, then fall asleep at home. But you wake up, and where you wake up doesn't seem to be your bed. It looks strangely like downtown @@CAPITAL@@.

[option]"It's been a while since anybody's visited us." says construction worker @@RANDOMMALENAME@@, while you rub your eyes and realize you have a headache. "But since you're here, @@LEADER@@, let me show you what we're working on." He leads you down the street, and points. "That thing right there, no, not that, there. You see that? It's our massive missile defense system." You don't remember ever approving such a project.
[effect]Massive military projects normally don't need approval from @@LEADER@@.
[stats]Government size decreases, Defense forces increase, pacifism decreases, Industry: Arms Manufacturing increases, corruption increases

[option]As you see that and walk away, wondering if you should pinch yourself, you suddenly find yourself in an intersection with many cars honking. The nearest police officer runs up to you, and says, "@@LEADER@@! Thank Violet you're here! There's been a massive traffic jam all across @@ANIMAL@@ Avenue, and @@CAPITAL@@ is going to flood itself during rush hour! Could you help us and act as a crossing guard for a few hours?"
[effect]@@LEADER@@ and local politicians regularly work part-time as crossing guards in @@NAME@@'s busiest intersections.
[stats]Public Transport decreases, Industry: Insurance increases, Industry: Automobile Manufacturing increases, Law Enforcement increases slightly.

[option]While contemplating that decision, @@RANDOMFEMALENAME@@, your Minister of Spirituality, runs up to you, and says, "There you are! We were looking for you! This is simple! All this is the doing of Violet, looking down on our unfaithful civilization! Repent, and say, "Violet" 3 times! Hurry!"
[effects]The leaders in government regularly call upon Violet when hurricanes are imminent.
[stats]Religiousness increases, primitiveness increases, secularism decreases

[option]Suddenly, a total solar eclipse occurs, turning the sky black. Your Minister of Spirituality screams and runs, while the nagging voice in your head, belonging to @@RANDOMFEMALENAME@@, your aide, says, "Wake up, @@LEADER@@. You have a meeting in two hours. Wake up." You pinch yourself many times, but you still don't know if you're dreaming the scene or the voice.
[effects]@@LEADER@@, after waking up from a nightmare, frequently has people make sure @@LEADER@@ is awake during times of national emergency.
[stats]Averageness decreases

Please tear it apart.

[Tretrid]

Also insert "Not eligible to those who banned alcohol." There is an issue banning alcohol.

[The Atlae Isles]

Also insert "Not eligible to those who banned alcohol." There is an issue banning alcohol.

Thanks. Put up Draft 2.

[USS Monitor]

From a writing standpoint, this is fairly good.

I am not sure about the premise, though. It's unconventional, which sometimes means it will stand out in a good way, but other times will just make the editors go, "Dafuq is this?" The story jumps around a lot and might be too weird. You're trying to pull together a bunch of things that aren't really related and tie them all together in one issue, and the result is a little disjointed.

Some people might not like the idea of their leader stumbling around drunk even if alcohol is legal in their nations. Just because alcohol is legal doesn't necessarily mean the leader is a boozer.

[The Atlae Isles]

From a writing standpoint, this is fairly good.

I am not sure about the premise, though. It's unconventional, which sometimes means it will stand out in a good way, but other times will just make the editors go, "Dafuq is this?" The story jumps around a lot and might be too weird. You're trying to pull together a bunch of things that aren't really related and tie them all together in one issue, and the result is a little disjointed.

Some people might not like the idea of their leader stumbling around drunk even if alcohol is legal in their nations. Just because alcohol is legal doesn't necessarily mean the leader is a boozer.

Okay, I understand. Thank you for the advice. I will be working on Draft 3.

EDIT: Do you have any suggestions of how to transition from Option 1 to Option 2?

[Candlewhisper Archive]

On the upside, setting an issue within a dream is a really interesting narrative framing device, and I'm not averse to that at all.

On the downside, it all rather prosaically ends up as an issue asking you "which government department do you want to spend on?"

Surely you can make it more interesting than that?

[Australian rePublic]

How does something like this even hpen? Doesn't @@LEADER@@ have guards, or police, or, you know, a wife who sleeps in the same bed?
I mean, surely one would habe noticed his absence

[Australian rePublic]

On the upside, setting an issue within a dream is a really interesting narrative framing device, and I'm not averse to that at all.

On the downside, it all rather prosaically ends up as an issue asking you "which government department do you want to spend on?"

Surely you can make it more interesting than that?

Yep. This has the potential to go full Matrix style here

[Australian rePublic]

If you want, we can co-author this.

Title: Wake up @@LEADER@@, the Waketrix has you
Description: You wake and find your self in the middle of the @@CAPITAL@@ CBD. Your wife has been drugged and your guards are nowhere to be seen

Option 1: A computer screen with the words "Wake Up @@LEADER@@ the Watrix has you" appears in front of you-as well as well-known crackpot conspiracy theorist, Morphedass, wearing a tinfoil hat and telling you about how you live in a Matrix-type simulation

Option 2: "Don't listen to the crackpot" says Agent Smith, a secret service agent who rushed over when he heard the news

Option 3: "This is just a nightmare" says (insert the name of the guy who regretted leaving the Matrix in the first film) "you're at home with your wife in bed, it's just a dream"

[The Atlae Isles]

If you want, we can co-author this.

Title: Wake up @@LEADER@@, the Waketrix has you
Description: You wake and find your self in the middle of the @@CAPITAL@@ CBD. Your wife has been drugged and your guards are nowhere to be seen

Option 1: A computer screen with the words "Wake Up @@LEADER@@ the Watrix has you" appears in front of you-as well as well-known crackpot conspiracy theorist, Morphedass, wearing a tinfoil hat and telling you about how you live in a Matrix-type simulation

Option 2: "Don't listen to the crackpot" says Agent Smith, a secret service agent who rushed over when he heard the news

Option 3: "This is just a nightmare" says (insert the name of the guy who regretted leaving the Matrix in the first film) "you're at home with your wife in bed, it's just a dream"

Even though that sounds interesting, I think that suggestion would be better as another issue.

[Noahs Second Country]

If you want, we can co-author this.

Title: Wake up @@LEADER@@, the Waketrix has you
Description: You wake and find your self in the middle of the @@CAPITAL@@ CBD. Your wife has been drugged and your guards are nowhere to be seen

Option 1: A computer screen with the words "Wake Up @@LEADER@@ the Watrix has you" appears in front of you-as well as well-known crackpot conspiracy theorist, Morphedass, wearing a tinfoil hat and telling you about how you live in a Matrix-type simulation

Option 2: "Don't listen to the crackpot" says Agent Smith, a secret service agent who rushed over when he heard the news

Option 3: "This is just a nightmare" says (insert the name of the guy who regretted leaving the Matrix in the first film) "you're at home with your wife in bed, it's just a dream"

Even though that sounds interesting, I think that suggestion would be better as another issue.

Agreed.

[Escape from Trump]

If you want, we can co-author this.

Title: Wake up @@LEADER@@, the Waketrix has you
Description: You wake and find your self in the middle of the @@CAPITAL@@ CBD. Your wife has been drugged and your guards are nowhere to be seen

Option 1: A computer screen with the words "Wake Up @@LEADER@@ the Watrix has you" appears in front of you-as well as well-known crackpot conspiracy theorist, Morphedass, wearing a tinfoil hat and telling you about how you live in a Matrix-type simulation

Option 2: "Don't listen to the crackpot" says Agent Smith, a secret service agent who rushed over when he heard the news

Option 3: "This is just a nightmare" says (insert the name of the guy who regretted leaving the Matrix in the first film) "you're at home with your wife in bed, it's just a dream"

You can't just assume @@LEADER@@ has a wife. For all we know, they're a straight female. Or gay man. Or not married.

[Australian rePublic]

If @@LEADER@@ does have a spouse, and they do sleep in the same bed at the same time, would he/she also be there with @@LEADER@@?

[The Atlae Isles]

If @@LEADER@@ does have a spouse, and they do sleep in the same bed at the same time, would he/she also be there with @@LEADER@@?

No. The spouse is not going to be mentioned. That doesn't mean there isn't, though. The spouse might be going crazy.

[Drayxaso]

If @@LEADER@@ does have a spouse, and they do sleep in the same bed at the same time, would he/she also be there with @@LEADER@@?

Depends on if you want to get into cartoon-level physics or not.

[The Atlae Isles]

4th draft is up.

[Australian rePublic]

If you had a husband or wife slewping in the same bed, would they be with you? This part isn't made very clear. You have to do it a way that doesn't outright assume that @@LEADER@@ does have a spouse though. Also, option 2 wouldn't work well in many democracies, as the courts, police and politicians have to have extreme seperation of powers

[Drayxaso]

If you had a husband or wife slewping in the same bed, would they be with you?

I'm going to point this out:

If @@LEADER@@ does have a spouse, and they do sleep in the same bed at the same time, would he/she also be there with @@LEADER@@?

Depends on if you want to get into cartoon-level physics or not.

Sleeping in the same bed as someone doesn't make you share their dreams (I forget if it happens rarely or not at all though), so it's either highly unlike for that to happen or impossible.

This part isn't made very clear. You have to do it a way that doesn't outright assume that @@LEADER@@ does have a spouse though. Also, option 2 wouldn't work well in many democracies, as the courts, police and politicians have to have extreme seperation of powers

Where does it say that @@LEADER@@ has a spouse? It's been stated that @@LEADER@@ has a "significant other" in other issues, so the draft could just say that.
Option 2 is volunteer work. There's nothing unconstitutional about that.

[Australian rePublic]

If you had a husband or wife slewping in the same bed, would they be with you?

I'm going to point this out:

Depends on if you want to get into cartoon-level physics or not.

Sleeping in the same bed as someone doesn't make you share their dreams (I forget if it happens rarely or not at all though), so it's either highly unlike for that to happen or impossible.

This is a dream? Okay, now that makes sense

This part isn't made very clear. You have to do it a way that doesn't outright assume that @@LEADER@@ does have a spouse though. Also, option 2 wouldn't work well in many democracies, as the courts, police and politicians have to have extreme seperation of powers

Where does it say that @@LEADER@@ has a spouse? It's been stated that @@LEADER@@ has a "significant other" in other issues, so the draft could just say that.
Option 2 is volunteer work. There's nothing unconstitutional about that.

Which constitution?

[Drayxaso]

I'm going to point this out:

Sleeping in the same bed as someone doesn't make you share their dreams (I forget if it happens rarely or not at all though), so it's either highly unlike for that to happen or impossible.

This is a dream? Okay, now that makes sense

Where does it say that @@LEADER@@ has a spouse? It's been stated that @@LEADER@@ has a "significant other" in other issues, so the draft could just say that.
Option 2 is volunteer work. There's nothing unconstitutional about that.

Which constitution?

By saying it wasn't 'unconstitutional', I meant that it didn't violate the separation of power, because it's simply volunteer work, the kind of thing anyone could do. Sorry if that wasn't clear.

I should mention that I think you should try to co-author this, so that you can try to work some of the matrix references from your draft into this one.

[Helaw]

I should mention that I think you should try to co-author this, so that you can try to work some of the matrix references from your draft into this one.

I disagree. Anything other than subtle references to the Matrix franchise would detract from what this draft aims to achieve compared to the Matrix-related one, and I believe that they would be out of place here regardless. The two drafts might both deal with @@LEADER@@ waking up somewhere and being confused, but they are still two separate drafts with different ideas.

[Drayxaso]

I should mention that I think you should try to co-author this, so that you can try to work some of the matrix references from your draft into this one.

I disagree. Anything other than subtle references to the Matrix franchise would detract from what this draft aims to achieve compared to the Matrix-related one, and I believe that they would be out of place here regardless. The two drafts might both deal with @@LEADER@@ waking up somewhere and being confused, but they are still two separate drafts with different ideas.

I probably should have phrased that better.

By that, I had meant that the matrix references were a good idea for this topic, and so we could fit small ones adapted from the other draft into this one. I'm not suggesting we go to the extreme measure of having a play on the word 'Matrix" in the issue's title, I'm only suggesting we let AR develop a few of his references to usable level.

I suppose that wouldn't be "co-authoring," but, honestly, I kinda felt bad for AR. He took the time to make an entirely new draft which he thought improved upon the issue, but everyone keeps telling him this draft did things better.

[Helaw]

I disagree. Anything other than subtle references to the Matrix franchise would detract from what this draft aims to achieve compared to the Matrix-related one, and I believe that they would be out of place here regardless. The two drafts might both deal with @@LEADER@@ waking up somewhere and being confused, but they are still two separate drafts with different ideas.

I probably should have phrased that better.

By that, I had meant that the matrix references were a good idea for this topic, and so we could fit small ones adapted from the other draft into this one. I'm not suggesting we go to the extreme measure of having a play on the word 'Matrix" in the issue's title, I'm only suggesting we let AR develop a few of his references to usable level.

I suppose that wouldn't be "co-authoring," but, honestly, I kinda felt bad for AR. He took the time to make an entirely new draft which he thought improved upon the issue, but everyone keeps telling him this draft did things better.

If he can provide sufficient meaningful contributions to this draft, then whether or not he becomes a co-author is up to The Atlae Isles.

Whether or not this draft consists of any The Matrix references is also up to The Atlae Isles, though I still believe that they would not necessarily make good additions. As I said, only subtle references could be passable; suddenly introducing the idea of @@LEADER@@ being in some kind of simulation is not an idea I'd go with.

As for sympathy for AR, that's understandable. The problem with the draft was how heavily it leaned onto the "You're (not) in a simulation" idea, simply because that is a philosophical question that could be tackled in a more specialised issue. The core idea of @@LEADER@@ appearing somewhere unexpectedly is something that could be explored in more detail though, with this draft being the most focused on that concept.

[The Atlae Isles]

Well, it depends. You could interpret it to be a dream, or not a dream.

If it is a dream, then great. But the point the effects do is Leader wakes up, and institutes that as policy. I retroactively see now how that system might not be as solid as I thought. If it isn't, then it's policy.

But as the author, I personally believe that there's a sort of state between dream and non-dream in the issue. But I can see where the confusion comes from.

[Drayxaso]

I don't think the "alcohol is not banned" validity is really necessary. It adds fluff to the description but isn't really worth preventing some nations from receiving this.