Aftermath of Empire [closed]

[Plzen]

Clearly, you have your own ideas about the country, considering that you went out of your way to mention it directly in the OP. If the nation is so desperately poor, might I ask, how did they develop long range ballistic missiles and nuclear weapons?

With an almost single-minded focus on military expenditure; think of it as a miniature Brezhnev's USSR.

EDIT: Actually, on second thoughts, think of it as this timeline's North Korea equivalent. That's a far better RL comparison.

[Joohan]

Clearly, you have your own ideas about the country, considering that you went out of your way to mention it directly in the OP. If the nation is so desperately poor, might I ask, how did they develop long range ballistic missiles and nuclear weapons?

With an almost single-minded focus on military expenditure; think of it as a miniature Brezhnev's USSR.

EDIT: Actually, on second thoughts, think of it as this timeline's North Korea equivalent. That's a far better RL comparison.

That's kind of the vibe I was picking up. I'll try working on an app today.

[The National Dominion of Hungary]

Map Updated 25/06/2020.

Dear The National Dominion of Hungary, I have make some changes to the original territory of your for "compatibility".

Plzen, is it possible to turn an unclaimed area into a NPC country ?

Okay got it

Oooh I hope we get to pitch NPC's later, have a bunch of ideas, just going to write up short descriptions for them later.

[Plzen]

Okay got it :)

Oooh I hope we get to pitch NPC's later, have a bunch of ideas, just going to write up short descriptions for them later.

I'd prefer not to have NPC countries, but if we end up not having enough players this might be a potential solution.

[Danceria]

I'm still trying to hammer out Rome, who is the China analogue, and the merely two thousand years of history I gotta hammer down, and how the Imperium is actually held together without disrupting the narrative terribly.

[Rygondria]

I was think of doing some sort of Las Vegas/Macao sort of thing, maybe as a sort of city state or part of a larger country. Anywhere were that would fit ?

[Danceria]

I was think of doing some sort of Las Vegas/Macao sort of thing, maybe as a sort of city state or part of a larger country. Anywhere were that would fit ?

[All Encompassing Rome Intensifies]

[Plzen]

I was think of doing some sort of Las Vegas/Macao sort of thing, maybe as a sort of city state or part of a larger country. Anywhere were that would fit ?

That sort of city-state can probably exist anywhere that’s stable.

[Rygondria]

I was think of doing some sort of Las Vegas/Macao sort of thing, maybe as a sort of city state or part of a larger country. Anywhere were that would fit ?

That sort of city-state can probably exist anywhere that’s stable.

I was thinking maybe one of the wealthy city states in the Gulf of Mexico as sort of a slightly more liberal version of Dubai (Liberal in a Gulf sort of sense). Or maybe something along the Mediterranean or possibly more into Oceania.

[Oscalantine]

Interesting historical period, but again... NEED TO KNOW what exactly is my creative liberty for the region.

If you’re not sure, float the idea by me before you work on an application.

Trying to set down unambiguous boundaries for what is or is not acceptable sounds like something that will very much be a pain to maintain.

Alright. I'll take that as a "yes" (as in "yes, you will entertain at least hearing me out"). I'll work on my version of history and send it to you for approval, abit shortened for speed. Thanks!

[Great Confederacy of Commonwealth States]

The Republic of Hofakana
Application

DEMOGRAPHICS
(how many people your country has, where they live, what religion/culture/language they follow, any notable trends in immigration/emigration, etc)

The Republic of Hofakana holds a total of 4,697,452 inhabitants. Demographically, it is divided as follows:
10% Ethnic Japanese
35% Hofakana (Japanese-native mix)
15% Cueva (native)
13% Chocoan (native)
10% Chinese
9% Mitei (some mix between native populations)
8% Chibchan (native)

Socio-economically, however, the wealth of the Republic is not shared equally among the various ethnicities. Most property is owned either by the Japanese-controlled government or by Japanese-controlled companies, which use Hofakana as a regional hub and headquarters. Small businesses are either part of a larger chain or are owned by the Hofakana plurality. Since the Hofakana ethnicity differs hugely in appearance, how 'Japanese' you look is a determiner in success, as well as how Japanese your name sounds. The Native and Mitei populations generally only own businesses within their own communities, but these are relegated to the city's dense slums of inadequate social housing. Crime among these groups is also rampant, as is gang crime between the various groups. However, the Hofakana-staffed police makes sure that in the touristy areas near the sea and the city center, this is all kept in check. The Chinese are the only group with a representative division of wealth internally.

The state religion of the Republic is Shinto-Buddhism, which is followed by the ethnic Japanese and most of the Hofakana. A shinto education is provided by the State. Among the other population group and some of the Hofakana, a Shinto-Mesoamerican syncretic faith has many devout followers, although the differences between it and orthodox shinto are stark enough that the ethnic Japanese stick mostly to their old faith. In fact, the defiance to Shinto-Mesoamerican syncreticism is so stark that many less orthodox shinto beliefs, as they might be professed on Japan, are taboo in the Republic. Finally, there are the two minority religions that, although they have limited following, are important in Hofakana society: Jesuism and Neo-Nahuatl. Jesuism is an extremist import from Europe, and combines tenets of Christianity, Judaism and Islam, and combines religion and politics. Followers of Jesuism want a more equal distribution of wealth, as well as a government that operates in accordance with strict religious law. Neo-Nahuatl is a nationalist faith imported from Mexico, and professes pan-American ideals. This, despite the fact that Nahuatl did not exist in Hofakana before the arrival of the Japanese. Its followers are known to sacrifice humans and seek the expulsion of everyone they deem a foreigner.

DIPLOMACY
The Republic of Hofakana is a very reluctant member of the Commonwealth of Imperial States. Following the construction of the Hofakana canal and the discovery of large quantaties of oil in the region, which had to be shipped through the canal, the city-state has grown increasingly rich, and increasingly wary of its former coloniser. Nowadays, Hofakana serves as a tax haven for rich aristocrats everywhere, but especially in Japan. This has caused somewhat of a diplomatic falling-out between Japan and Hofakana. Not only that, but the hard-line, nationalistic policies of the latter have caused an outrcry in Japan, especially in the popularly-elected House of Commons. However, internationally, Hofakana presents itself as an example for more illiberal governments, hosting many international sporting tournaments as well as a high class tourism industry combined with casino's. It is rumoured that Hofakana is a hotbed for fraud and money laundering, although those reports remain unsubstantiated.

ECONOMY
(how developed your country is, what its key industries are, what kind of economic policy your government follows, etc)

GEOGRAPHY
The location of Panama city today, including the canal and Gatun lake up to the Caribbean coast

HISTORY
(your nation's history; the point-of-divergence is the 221AD, or 772 Confucian Year)

POLITICS
(discuss the structure and legitimacy of your government, how stable your state is, norms of governance, ideology, etc)

This is all still a work in progress, but I wanted to have something down before writing a whole history. It's a tiny city-state, filling a niche that is filled by Singapore and Monte Carlo today.

Still a work in progress, but it's getting built.

[Oscalantine]

Well, I'm not OP, but I think that the only thing you're locked into is being the Japanese Empire's best friend since that was pretty essential to my history/app, as well as potentially having a monarchy since some of the Korean nobility has a cadet house in Japan and vice versa.

Also, hi Osc! Long time, no see, eh?

Beard of Moses! I didn't see this!

Hey Void! Looking forward to playing with you again!

Oh definitely. I am all for having alliance with Japan against this Cantonese world XDDD


EDIT: Could I reserve [Goguryeo]? I got confirmation that I can start working on my app, so I'll get started right away.

[Rygondria]

I was also thinking maybe some sort of Artificially created Romani Nation State somewhere in Europe. Though not sure if that would fit in with the lore it could be a decent source of tension in the area it would be in.

[Danceria]

I was also thinking maybe some sort of Artificially created Romani Nation State somewhere in Europe. Though not sure if that would fit in with the lore it could be a decent source of tension in the area it would be in.

Dacia exists, but you could be a Germanic or Slavic Christian state...or a radicalised Amerindian Christian state near a largely Asianised populace.

[Plzen]

EDIT: Could I reserve [Goguryeo]? I got confirmation that I can start working on my app, so I'll get started right away.

I will not be accepting current colonies of that size. Decolonisation was pretty thorough.

The reservation for the Korean Peninsula and southern Manchuria is, however, noted.

[Oscalantine]

EDIT: Could I reserve [Goguryeo]? I got confirmation that I can start working on my app, so I'll get started right away.

I will not be accepting current colonies of that size. Decolonisation was pretty thorough.

The reservation for the Korean Peninsula and southern Manchuria is, however, noted.

Would it be possible for me to hold onto parts of Alaska? It seems sparsely populated enough, and there wouldn't be an issue with another nation wanting that region unless they want to play Aleut tribes or the likes.

[Ralnis]

Can I be a micronation?

[HypErcApitAl]

I'm still working on my Viet app, btw.

[Plzen]

Would it be possible for me to hold onto parts of Alaska? It seems sparsely populated enough, and there wouldn't be an issue with another nation wanting that region unless they want to play Aleut tribes or the likes.

Alaska is geographically distant enough from Korea that it seems difficult to imagine them not forming a colonial identity, so I can't exactly consider it a Siberia-type thing. Any overseas colony large enough to be viable will also be independent at this point; if you really want current colonies, consider small island chains far away from your main historical colonies.

[Oscalantine]

-snip-
...if you really want current colonies, consider small island chains far away from your main historical colonies.

[EDIT] Crap. Hold on. You fixed your post after I posted, and I need time to read your response. I'll edit it in here under "EDIT 2"

EDIT 2:

Alaska is geographically distant enough from Korea that it seems difficult to imagine them not forming a colonial identity, so I can't exactly consider it a Siberia-type thing.

Aaah. Okay. Again, I am willing to accept the house rules and I don't want to pester OP for more lands when it seems clear that this RP won't be of that sort to begin with. I just need solidarity so that I can start writing my app.

Having said that: the island chains off the coast of Alaska I would doubt have a solid enough population to make a form of independence. It would be difficult for newly independent ex-colonies to hold such a sway in these island chains either, considering small population and lacking in naval power when independent. I would assume also that these remote areas would not want to become independent as they need to rely on the support from the colonies as well. Everywhere else... you point proven.

With that said, I don't want it if it is what it is. I am not complaining. I'll keep my current holdings in Korean Peninsula, South Manchuria, and Sakhalin Island and be done with it.

[HypErcApitAl]

Would it be possible for me to hold onto parts of Alaska? It seems sparsely populated enough, and there wouldn't be an issue with another nation wanting that region unless they want to play Aleut tribes or the likes.

Alaska is geographically distant enough from Korea that it seems difficult to imagine them not forming a colonial identity, so I can't exactly consider it a Siberia-type thing. Any overseas colony large enough to be viable will also be independent at this point; if you really want current colonies, consider small island chains far away from your main historical colonies.

I got a question, btw; so a Vietnamese Empire would control Burma/Myanmar, Singapore, Thailand/Siam, Brunei, Hainan and a part of the Malay/Malaysia?

That makes sense, but I'm wondering who was able to colonize/settle the New World. It looks like Japan and The Philippines were the first (because of proximity) which makes sense since they're the UK and Spain parallels,but Vietnam'd be questionable actually not questionable, there's like five ways to pass from the Pacific if you're Southeast Asian.

[Plzen]

I got a question, btw; so a Vietnamese Empire would control Burma/Myanmar, Singapore, Thailand/Siam, Brunei, Hainan and a part of the Malay/Malaysia?

Obviously not. Seriously - this seems to be a recurring theme. If you really want to play a superpower that badly, apply for a region where the Regional Descriptions mention the existence of one. The modern world IRL isn't split up nicely into twenty great powers, and the world of this RP won't be either - most countries will be minor powers, and many regions will contain no world powers at all.

That makes sense, but I'm wondering who was able to colonize/settle the New World. It looks like Japan and The Philippines were the first (because of proximity) which makes sense since they're the UK and Spain parallels,but Vietnam'd be questionable actually not questionable, there's like five ways to pass from the Pacific if you're Southeast Asian.

Plausible. The Pacific Islands is likely to be the playground of former-secondary powers, with too many small individual pieces for a couple colonial powers to dominate them all.

[Rygondria]

I was also thinking maybe some sort of Artificially created Romani Nation State somewhere in Europe. Though not sure if that would fit in with the lore it could be a decent source of tension in the area it would be in.

Dacia exists, but you could be a Germanic or Slavic Christian state...or a radicalised Amerindian Christian state near a largely Asianised populace.

Hmm maybe something like the Pubelo or the iroquois confederacy.

[Danceria]

Hmm maybe something like the Pubelo or the iroquois confederacy.

Sadly, due to Rome not being a colonial power, you might fall under a Celtic Christian due to Britain's far and wide influence. The Pueblo and Southwest Amerindians make it even less likely unless prior colonial shenanigans occur on the European side. Vinland is an option, if you want to be more Viking but again, the exact spread of Europe in this day and age is rather dubious.

Unless OP allows for "Orthodox" Christianity to spread across the Silk Road and Maritime routes a la Buddhism OTL.

[The V O I D]

The Republic of Hofakana
Application

DEMOGRAPHICS
(how many people your country has, where they live, what religion/culture/language they follow, any notable trends in immigration/emigration, etc)

The Republic of Hofakana holds a total of 4,697,452 inhabitants. Demographically, it is divided as follows:
10% Ethnic Japanese
35% Hofakana (Japanese-native mix)
15% Cueva (native)
13% Chocoan (native)
10% Chinese
9% Mitei (some mix between native populations)
8% Chibchan (native)

Socio-economically, however, the wealth of the Republic is not shared equally among the various ethnicities. Most property is owned either by the Japanese-controlled government or by Japanese-controlled companies, which use Hofakana as a regional hub and headquarters. Small businesses are either part of a larger chain or are owned by the Hofakana plurality. Since the Hofakana ethnicity differs hugely in appearance, how 'Japanese' you look is a determiner in success, as well as how Japanese your name sounds. The Native and Mitei populations generally only own businesses within their own communities, but these are relegated to the city's dense slums of inadequate social housing. Crime among these groups is also rampant, as is gang crime between the various groups. However, the Hofakana-staffed police makes sure that in the touristy areas near the sea and the city center, this is all kept in check. The Chinese are the only group with a representative division of wealth internally.

The state religion of the Republic is Shinto-Buddhism, which is followed by the ethnic Japanese and most of the Hofakana. A shinto education is provided by the State. Among the other population group and some of the Hofakana, a Shinto-Mesoamerican syncretic faith has many devout followers, although the differences between it and orthodox shinto are stark enough that the ethnic Japanese stick mostly to their old faith. In fact, the defiance to Shinto-Mesoamerican syncreticism is so stark that many less orthodox shinto beliefs, as they might be professed on Japan, are taboo in the Republic. Finally, there are the two minority religions that, although they have limited following, are important in Hofakana society: Jesuism and Neo-Nahuatl. Jesuism is an extremist import from Europe, and combines tenets of Christianity, Judaism and Islam, and combines religion and politics. Followers of Jesuism want a more equal distribution of wealth, as well as a government that operates in accordance with strict religious law. Neo-Nahuatl is a nationalist faith imported from Mexico, and professes pan-American ideals. This, despite the fact that Nahuatl did not exist in Hofakana before the arrival of the Japanese. Its followers are known to sacrifice humans and seek the expulsion of everyone they deem a foreigner.

DIPLOMACY
The Republic of Hofakana is a very reluctant member of the Commonwealth of Imperial States. Following the construction of the Hofakana canal and the discovery of large quantaties of oil in the region, which had to be shipped through the canal, the city-state has grown increasingly rich, and increasingly wary of its former coloniser. Nowadays, Hofakana serves as a tax haven for rich aristocrats everywhere, but especially in Japan. This has caused somewhat of a diplomatic falling-out between Japan and Hofakana. Not only that, but the hard-line, nationalistic policies of the latter have caused an outrcry in Japan, especially in the popularly-elected House of Commons. However, internationally, Hofakana presents itself as an example for more illiberal governments, hosting many international sporting tournaments as well as a high class tourism industry combined with casino's. It is rumoured that Hofakana is a hotbed for fraud and money laundering, although those reports remain unsubstantiated.

ECONOMY
(how developed your country is, what its key industries are, what kind of economic policy your government follows, etc)

GEOGRAPHY
The location of Panama city today, including the canal and Gatun lake up to the Caribbean coast

HISTORY
(your nation's history; the point-of-divergence is the 221AD, or 772 Confucian Year)

POLITICS
(discuss the structure and legitimacy of your government, how stable your state is, norms of governance, ideology, etc)

This is all still a work in progress, but I wanted to have something down before writing a whole history. It's a tiny city-state, filling a niche that is filled by Singapore and Monte Carlo today.

Still a work in progress, but it's getting built.

Interesting! A volunteer to play a member of the Commonwealth. I'm guessing the Hofakanan government has probably pushed as far as it is able to go in terms of being as autonomous as possible whilst retaining membership of the Commonwealth, given its attitudes? I'd also presume that the governing organ of the Commonwealth is something that the Hofakanan government is involved in only insofar as is required of them (as the governing body of the Commonwealth has representations from the Imperial government, but also takes counsel from various member-states; this allows the Commonwealth to inform the Imperial government on the best ways to oversee defense, trade, etc. for Japan and its many interests in the Commonwealth).