Traveller's Cafe 3: Brainstorming, discussion, tea, advice

[Wolfenium]

I've been thinking about doing a Alternative History/Fantasy RP centering on Majapahit Empire who manages to survive into modern times, at the same time remain as a Great Power. Superpower, ideally.

I may need your help with the this question, which Asian nations you think is best suited to be Majapahit's rival? For example, like Britain and France in the old days. My candidates includes China and Ottoman Turkey. Even Vietnam and Thailand. :3

Thailand maybe? Or India?

Well, if you want to avoid normal heavyweights like India or China, we can wank Thailand as Siam. They had a long history of competing for influence with the southern statelets.

[Minroz]

What would be the plot and style of the RP anyway?

It's going to be Adventure character RP than nation one. However, I have several ideas running in my head for the plot and haven't settled on which one yet. But there's one stands out that it's about mercenaries or Foreign Legion unit working for Majapahit and uncovering some dastardly little conspiracy on the way.

Why would there have to be a rival and why would that be relevant to the story?

To put it simply, it's for plot purposes. Although I have yet to find a solid story-line to go along with. Any great countries I know has rivals throughout history, one way or another.

And why does it have to be an Asian nation, if it plays in the modern, globalized times?

I'd say relevancy to the storyline, based on the assumption that Modern-day Majapahit is one of the Great Powers today. Tho' the idea is more on world-building than actual storyline.

I must confess it's more or less change of pace from playing off as Western nation or Japan. :x

Thailand maybe? Or India?

Well, if you want to avoid normal heavyweights like India or China, we can wank Thailand as Siam. They had a long history of competing for influence with the southern statelets.

I'll keep that in mind. I might put in Siam as one and we can enjoy eating pad Thai~.

[Altito Asmoro]

I've been thinking about doing a Alternative History/Fantasy RP centering on Majapahit Empire who manages to survive into modern times, at the same time remain as a Great Power. Superpower, ideally.

I may need your help with the this question, which Asian nations you think is best suited to be Majapahit's rival? For example, like Britain and France in the old days. My candidates includes China and Ottoman Turkey. Even Vietnam and Thailand. :3

Ming China, perhaps. Or Malacca Sultanate.

[Gvozdevsk]

I've been thinking about doing a Alternative History/Fantasy RP centering on Majapahit Empire who manages to survive into modern times, at the same time remain as a Great Power. Superpower, ideally.

I may need your help with the this question, which Asian nations you think is best suited to be Majapahit's rival? For example, like Britain and France in the old days. My candidates includes China and Ottoman Turkey. Even Vietnam and Thailand. :3

Imperial Japan maybe? Make it so America was never involved in the Pacific theater of WWII in this timeline so the Japanese Empire remains as it was in the 40s. They'd both be rival naval powers for sure and would probably be in conflict over Indochina, Malaya, the Philippines and probably parts of China as well.

[Alleniana]

IIRC..

Steampunk- A sort of futuristic victorian setting, with steam technology having advanced so far that it is both futuristic and commonplace, while still It also uses various types of handwavium.

Cyberpunk- A futuristic, often dystopian setting, in which technology is highly advanced. However, most of the time, corporations have gained power and are almost completely unregulated. Cyberpunk is often focused on corporate warfare and espionage.

Biopunk- Similar to Steampunk, except that the advanced technology is biological. Think of the Darwinists from that one steampunk vs biopunk book series.

Dieselpunk- In which technology has advanced in use, but not necessarily anything else. Many things are run by gasoline, and feature dark steel and belching exhaust pipes.

There may be a few more.

There's also

Atompunk- Everything runs on miniature fission reactors, Nuka Cola in the stores, that kind of stuff. 50s estethics.

Retro-Cyberpunk - Think of Cyberpunk, but with 80s level computer technology. Pretty nerdy.

I've heard our present day described as electropunk.

HELP ME!

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What do you need help with: Ideas and critiques of this RP idea I have... Maybe suggestions are where the RP could go? General help.

The year is 2026, and presidential campaigns are finally heating up. It has been 6 years since “The Great Corruption,” in which a massive overhaul of all confidential and sealed government filed were released. The files contained everything from secret e-mails, to recordings of approved domestic assassinations. The 1.5 terabytes worth of files were leaked by whistleblower Jacklynn Frontier, the then-Whitehouse Press Secretary. This massive leak led to hundreds of arrests, indictments, convictions, all within the United States Federal Government. This major power vacuum was only filled with more corrupt, greedy, and conniving officials. Due to this sudden change, a massive paradigm shift has occurred within the United States, where people have become accustomed to murder, assassination, and other often political crimes, as long as they are in the name of politics, and kept away from public eye.

This is where you come in. You can be a politician, a reported, an assassin, the average working joe who witnesses a bribery; this is the real world. Be anything you want to be (within reason.) This will be a lot of backdoor deals, bribery, betrayal, etc..

#Mentorhelp

This is pretty cool, and not only that, but plausible too. The Great Corruption sounds a bit cheesy to me, and perhaps you could introduce a bit of bread-and-circuses placation of the US populace, but it's a good idea even without. I like it.

^
Simply because Africa is a cesspit of religions with both pagan, Sunni and Christian religions lying throughout the continent. Let's just say, it's not the best place to be if you're religious in general.

I wouldn't exactly call Africa a "cesspit of religion" while on that topic the traditional faiths of Africa are more than mere "paganism". I don't see why it wouldn't be the best place after all religions flourished there before in history?

While I am aware of certain militant fundamentalist branches acting throughout the continent they aren't always the whole picture. Of-course this really isn't the thread for this so I digress.

I would say that it's by far more mixed up, and by that note, more interesting than South America though.

I've been thinking about doing a Alternative History/Fantasy RP centering on Majapahit Empire who manages to survive into modern times, at the same time remain as a Great Power. Superpower, ideally.

I may need your help with the this question, which Asian nations you think is best suited to be Majapahit's rival? For example, like Britain and France in the old days. My candidates includes China and Ottoman Turkey. Even Vietnam and Thailand. :3

Interesting.
I think it properly surviving is a bit far, though... perhaps a Malayan cultural union? That would have a good popular grounding as well as good territory covered.
And its rival, Siam doesn't have the population/size IMO, so China, India, Japan would be the main options. Unless you want a left-field Australia barging in.

[Minroz]

:p

Ming China, perhaps. Or Malacca Sultanate.

Ming China probably, due to being competing Great powers and being an heavy-weight. Malacca Sultanate is too small to be relevant.

Imperial Japan maybe? Make it so America was never involved in the Pacific theater of WWII in this timeline so the Japanese Empire remains as it was in the 40s. They'd both be rival naval powers for sure and would probably be in conflict over Indochina, Malaya, the Philippines and probably parts of China as well.

Yeah, I was considering Imperial Japan as well. It’s quite inevitable Majapahit and Japan will clash over their interests in Asia as great powers.

Interesting.
I think it properly surviving is a bit far, though... perhaps a Malayan cultural union? That would have a good popular grounding as well as good territory covered.
And its rival, Siam doesn't have the population/size IMO, so China, India, Japan would be the main options. Unless you want a left-field Australia barging in.

Lol Yeah.

Well, I do think Siam is not a good candidate for Majapahit. Like you said, Siam is not big enough. So I might go along with the Malayan cultural union idea. It’s much easier that way rather than conquering them outright. Nothing wrong with peaceful integration I’m sure. On the other hand, I do plan for my Majapahit to encompass modern boundaries of Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore. Perhaps Philippines and Papua as well. Nice way to become a relevant Great Power as an Empire. :3

[Alleniana]

Almost all of Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Brunei and East Timor speak a near-dialect of Malay, IIRC, and Tagalog and stuff, as well as the other languages in Nusantara are also Malayan and closely related, if not necessarily mutually intelligible. Putting Indonesia minus West Papua, East Timor, Brunei, Singapore, Malaysia and a bit of Thailand together should be fine, with Philippines as a sort of slightly-backwater home territory and southeast Asia/Papua/maybe even Australia as colonies or vassals or tributaries.

[Indo-pasif archipelago]

What is the mainplot for the majaphit rp? Will it be cold war-esque spy drama or something else?

[Minroz]

Almost all of Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Brunei and East Timor speak a near-dialect of Malay, IIRC, and Tagalog and stuff, as well as the other languages in Nusantara are also Malayan and closely related, if not necessarily mutually intelligible. Putting Indonesia minus West Papua, East Timor, Brunei, Singapore, Malaysia and a bit of Thailand together should be fine, with Philippines as a sort of slightly-backwater home territory and southeast Asia/Papua/maybe even Australia as colonies or vassals or tributaries.

Sounds pretty good to me. It’s big enough for the Majapahit Empire I’m sure. Oh, I’m also aware they’re related as well. Tho’ the Thailand part will be the southern tip one you see on the map because that’s where the Malay-speaking people live in.

On the topic of Majapahit colonies, Papua and Australia (particularly the Northern parts) would probably fit the bill better and the place to dump convicts in as much as the British did IIRC. As for Southeast Asian states, certain ones will prolly became Majapahit’s vassals or tributaries. Questions is, who? :3

What is the mainplot for the majaphit rp? Will it be cold war-esque spy drama or something else?

To be honest, I have several ideas of the plot and I haven’t settled on single one of them. At the moment, I was thinking adventure character RP as mercernaries or Foreign Legion types, working for Majapahit set in early 20th Century.

Anyway…which flags did you think it’s good for Modern Majapahit Empire?

Link

Link

Or I do have to stick with the Indonesian flag if there’s not any other good one?

[Alleniana]

What is the mainplot for the majaphit rp? Will it be cold war-esque spy drama or something else?

I think Minroz said something like character adventure RP.

[Ontorisa]

Almost all of Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Brunei and East Timor speak a near-dialect of Malay, IIRC, and Tagalog and stuff, as well as the other languages in Nusantara are also Malayan and closely related, if not necessarily mutually intelligible. Putting Indonesia minus West Papua, East Timor, Brunei, Singapore, Malaysia and a bit of Thailand together should be fine, with Philippines as a sort of slightly-backwater home territory and southeast Asia/Papua/maybe even Australia as colonies or vassals or tributaries.

Sounds pretty good to me. It’s big enough for the Majapahit Empire I’m sure. Oh, I’m also aware they’re related as well. Tho’ the Thailand part will be the southern tip one you see on the map because that’s where the Malay-speaking people live in.

On the topic of Majapahit colonies, Papua and Australia (particularly the Northern parts) would probably fit the bill better and the place to dump convicts in as much as the British did IIRC. As for Southeast Asian states, certain ones will prolly became Majapahit’s vassals or tributaries. Questions is, who? :3

Thailand and Philippines as vassals?

[Alleniana]

Philippines are Malayan IIRC, I'm sure they could fit in.

[Altito Asmoro]

Almost all of Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Brunei and East Timor speak a near-dialect of Malay, IIRC, and Tagalog and stuff, as well as the other languages in Nusantara are also Malayan and closely related, if not necessarily mutually intelligible. Putting Indonesia minus West Papua, East Timor, Brunei, Singapore, Malaysia and a bit of Thailand together should be fine, with Philippines as a sort of slightly-backwater home territory and southeast Asia/Papua/maybe even Australia as colonies or vassals or tributaries.

Sounds pretty good to me. It’s big enough for the Majapahit Empire I’m sure. Oh, I’m also aware they’re related as well. Tho’ the Thailand part will be the southern tip one you see on the map because that’s where the Malay-speaking people live in.

On the topic of Majapahit colonies, Papua and Australia (particularly the Northern parts) would probably fit the bill better and the place to dump convicts in as much as the British did IIRC. As for Southeast Asian states, certain ones will prolly became Majapahit’s vassals or tributaries. Questions is, who? :3

What is the mainplot for the majaphit rp? Will it be cold war-esque spy drama or something else?

To be honest, I have several ideas of the plot and I haven’t settled on single one of them. At the moment, I was thinking adventure character RP as mercernaries or Foreign Legion types, working for Majapahit set in early 20th Century.

Anyway…which flags did you think it’s good for Modern Majapahit Empire?

Link

Link

Or I do have to stick with the Indonesian flag if there’s not any other good one?

I think using Indonesian flag is not good, for there has to be similarities between old and new flag, I think. The first link is a good flag for the modern Majapahit.

[Arumdaum]

I've been thinking about doing a Alternative History/Fantasy RP centering on Majapahit Empire who manages to survive into modern times, at the same time remain as a Great Power. Superpower, ideally. :P

I may need your help with the this question, which Asian nations you think is best suited to be Majapahit's rival? For example, like Britain and France in the old days. My candidates includes China and Ottoman Turkey. Even Vietnam and Thailand. :3

What would be the plot and style of the RP anyway, why would there have to be a rival and why would that be relevant to the story? And why does it have to be an Asian nation, if it plays in the modern, globalized times?

Well, why does every single RP here have to focus on Western nations? :P

[Ontorisa]

Philippines are Malayan IIRC, I'm sure they could fit in.

Nope. Philippines are not Malayan, but Filipino. They speak different languages, have different traditions, different cultures and so forth. They would not mix well.

Indonesians are more closely related to Malaysians than Filipinos.

[Gvozdevsk]

What would be the plot and style of the RP anyway, why would there have to be a rival and why would that be relevant to the story? And why does it have to be an Asian nation, if it plays in the modern, globalized times?

Well, why does every single RP here have to focus on Western nations?

Because most of us are from Western nations and we can write about them in a realistic manner more easily because that's what we're familiar with.

Philippines are Malayan IIRC, I'm sure they could fit in.

Nope. Philippines are not Malayan, but Filipino. They speak different languages, have different traditions, different cultures and so forth. They would not mix well.

Indonesians are more closely related to Malaysians than Filipinos.

IIRC Filipinos are ethnically and cultural separate from Malayan peoples because of Spanish and American colonization. They'd likely still be distinct were it not for Western interference, but less so.

[Indo-pasif archipelago]

By the way, what is the national language of Majapahit ICly? Sanskrit or Old Javanese?

[Minroz]

Thailand and Philippines as vassals?

Maybe but very likely, due to geographic and political reasons.

Well, why does every single RP here have to focus on Western nations?

Because most of us are from Western nations and we can write about them in a realistic manner more easily because that's what we're familiar with.

Nope. Philippines are not Malayan, but Filipino. They speak different languages, have different traditions, different cultures and so forth. They would not mix well.

Indonesians are more closely related to Malaysians than Filipinos.

IIRC Filipinos are ethnically and cultural separate from Malayan peoples because of Spanish and American colonization. They'd likely still be distinct were it not for Western interference, but less so.

That is true. I’m aware of Philippine’s cultural history. In my Alternative history scenario where Majapahit still going strong, Philippines is more likely to be part of the Empire or became Majapahit’s vassals as usual. However, I’m imagining Majapahit’s governance in similar manner of UK or the Ottomans. Regardless, Filipinos and the people of Indonesia and Malays are cultural similar after all, coincidence or not.

By the way, what is the national language of Majapahit ICly? Sanskrit or Old Javanese?

Javanese. Well, Majapahit is founded and led by Javanese after all. Although, I was thinking putting Bahasa (Indonesian) as Lingua Franca of the Empire for easier communication between Majapahit’s subjects, with Javanese relegated as language of the government. And of course, with little to no loanwords derived from Western countries the Dutch and Portuguese especially. Besides, it didn’t make sense if that happens in the world.

Anyway, here are the loanwords in Indonesian from the Wiki: link

[Wolfenium]

Thailand and Philippines as vassals?

Maybe but very likely, due to geographic and political reasons.

Because most of us are from Western nations and we can write about them in a realistic manner more easily because that's what we're familiar with.


IIRC Filipinos are ethnically and cultural separate from Malayan peoples because of Spanish and American colonization. They'd likely still be distinct were it not for Western interference, but less so.

That is true. I’m aware of Philippine’s cultural history. In my Alternative history scenario where Majapahit still going strong, Philippines is more likely to be part of the Empire or became Majapahit’s vassals as usual. However, I’m imagining Majapahit’s governance in similar manner of UK or the Ottomans. Regardless, Filipinos and the people of Indonesia and Malays are cultural similar after all, coincidence or not.

By the way, what is the national language of Majapahit ICly? Sanskrit or Old Javanese?

Javanese. Well, Majapahit is founded and led by Javanese after all. Although, I was thinking putting Bahasa (Indonesian) as Lingua Franca of the Empire for easier communication between Majapahit’s subjects, with Javanese relegated as language of the government. And of course, with little to no loanwords derived from Western countries the Dutch and Portuguese especially. Besides, it didn’t make sense if that happens in the world.

Anyway, here are the loanwords in Indonesian from the Wiki: link

Ironic, that the language would look more like Bahasa Malaysia.

[Minroz]

Ironic, that the language would look more like Bahasa Malaysia.

Lol yeah!

But little to no English words too, y'know~.

Aiya, I felt like I'm like Ataturk in regards to his language reforms. Tho' he converted Ottoman Turkish (which uses Persian and Arabic loanwords as well as uses Arabic script) into Modern Turkish we know today.

[Wolfenium]

Ironic, that the language would look more like Bahasa Malaysia.

Lol yeah!

But little to no English words too, y'know~.

Aiya, I felt like I'm like Ataturk in regards to his language reforms. Tho' he converted Ottoman Turkish (which uses Persian and Arabic loanwords as well as uses Arabic script) into Modern Turkish we know today.

Mhm.

[Alleniana]

Philippines are Malayan IIRC, I'm sure they could fit in.

Nope. Philippines are not Malayan, but Filipino. They speak different languages, have different traditions, different cultures and so forth. They would not mix well.

Indonesians are more closely related to Malaysians than Filipinos.

Malayan not meaning Malaysian, but as in the greater Malayan group, i.e. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Malay_Archipelago or http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Malayic_languages

[Zaozhuang]

I'm back from a long long time....

And under a different name.

RP INTEREST AND FEEDBACK REQUEST

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Please provide as much detail as possible.
    RP's Overarching Concept: Synthetic rights- Take a look at Deus Ex Human Revolution but even more advanced then that!
    Genre/s:Science Fiction
    Character or Faction Based: Character- It’s TBD if I allow fractions
    Detailed Description:
In 2025, mankind created the first ever self sentiment AI’s. While these were for purely military purposes, it served never the less as the bridgehead for development into commercial and private uses.

Within the last ten years, the availability of mass production of biological AIs’, a question from the beginning of AI research surfaced again. Are AI’s considered on par with humans? In a society where augmentation is commonplace; is it ethically right to create a living, artificial human from scratch? The most important being, What is the difference between a natural human and a artificial human with AI like intelligence?
With these issues dividing the countries, and the world, more extremist fractions forming what will happen?
Will humanity revert back to the Jim Crow laws of the Segregation era? Will it ban the creation of Artificial humans? Will humanity embrace the machine? Or will the end of man be at hand?

With end of the first Synthetic rebellion, which wiped out 30% of the world’s population; oppressive laws of surveillance and tracking are in place and enforced. Can you, or should you go against the biggest mobster of the day, the government, and try to bring change?
(It’s a alignment driven RP for Synthetic rights, and with your typical NSA government big brother watching…)

Need Help With:
N/A Interest check.- Feedback appreciated.
Please leave this hashtag in place: #Mentorhelp

[Alleniana]

Interesting...
if you don't mind me asking, who were you before?

[Zaozhuang]

Interesting...
if you don't mind me asking, who were you before?

Former United Soviet Socialist Republics