AMW Big Discussion Thread

[Amerique]

This all sounds good to me and, depending on the administration in power, throughout history since our 19th century conflict, I imagine we've either been alternating between the verge of war and trade embargo when more social-democratic forces are in power or peaceful coexistence and cross-border trade when the liberalists have been in power. I don't know how far back our history goes or, indeed, if we both left the British Empire at the same time or were more spaced out with Dixieland remaining a loyalist dominion for awhile, but that's something we can figure out.

Oh, would you still be the United Gulf States in the current setup beyond the confines of the Gulf of Mexico or do we know the Federacy by another name?

[Marimaia]

I can tell you Chrinthania will not have diplomatic relations with a state like TUGS. Hell, even Britain is questioning whether your nation is something it even wants to do business with as it is so described. Anyway, based on what you've posted, I've done my "preliminary" map... and I can see the Golden Circle influence.

On the flip side, the Kingdom of Marimaia can't see what the problem is. We'll do business with any nation which isn't plotting to overthrow our society (so anyone except the Commies); a nation's internal policy is an entirely domestic matter for them. It's no-one else's business how we run our nation, so equally it's none of our business how others run their own, as long as they're not trying to destroy our way of life. The Federacy will always be a friend and valued partner

Depending on when the Isthmus Canal was constructed, we could have invested in it (if that's of interest to you, TUGS).

No objections to your expansion Chrin.

[The United Gulf States]

I think I will stick with the name, with the Federacy looking on the whole Caribbean as a gulf rather than a sea.

I wonder if the reason for Britain reluctantly having sided with the Federacy to some degree was that we were on the same side against the Americans in one of our historic conflicts? A bit of divide and rule from an empire that did not want to accept its decline. In reality, Britain came close to invading the Union from Canada during the American Civil War, partly owing to the importance of Southern cotton to the behemoth British textile industry. Perhaps in AMW they remained supportive of the Gulfers, and it's only much more recently that doubts are starting to be expressed on moral grounds, as the Empire still exists in reduced form, so it's hard to countenance throwing stones with all that glass in Africa, Asia, and the Caribbean?

I am unsure as yet when to have the canal built, but probably in the C20th. Marimaian investment would have been welcome. Indeed, Marimaia might have been lobbied to lend direct support in 'pacifying' and protecting the colony against rebels and the Californians during the Police Action of the 1960s, prior to which the region was more a client state to the Federacy than an outright colony (which Fredonia still denies that it is). Fredonia certainly will want as much Marimaian (and British and Walmingtonian) investment in the region as possible, now that the Federacy seriously fears losing it, perhaps to dread Communists who would nationalise all of your coffee.

I will come up with new names for various places.

[Chrinthanium]

I think I will stick with the name, with the Federacy looking on the whole Caribbean as a gulf rather than a sea.

I wonder if the reason for Britain reluctantly having sided with the Federacy to some degree was that we were on the same side against the Americans in one of our historic conflicts? A bit of divide and rule from an empire that did not want to accept its decline. In reality, Britain came close to invading the Union from Canada during the American Civil War, partly owing to the importance of Southern cotton to the behemoth British textile industry. Perhaps in AMW they remained supportive of the Gulfers, and it's only much more recently that doubts are starting to be expressed on moral grounds, as the Empire still exists in reduced form, so it's hard to countenance throwing stones with all that glass in Africa, Asia, and the Caribbean?

I am unsure as yet when to have the canal built, but probably in the C20th. Marimaian investment would have been welcome. Indeed, Marimaia might have been lobbied to lend direct support in 'pacifying' and protecting the colony against rebels and the Californians during the Police Action of the 1960s, prior to which the region was more a client state to the Federacy than an outright colony (which Fredonia still denies that it is). Fredonia certainly will want as much Marimaian (and British and Walmingtonian) investment in the region as possible, now that the Federacy seriously fears losing it, perhaps to dread Communists who would nationalise all of your coffee.

I will come up with new names for various places.

Well, in spite of Britain's reliance on cheaper labor from her colonies, slavery isn't our thing. Perhaps we deal with you because it essentially ticks the Americans off that we do. I mean bygones can be bygone in the name of upsetting the Americans. You can call slavery by another name, but the British will actually pay the laborers a wage. Granted, it's much cheaper than paying a British subject in the home territories. We definitely have a rich white upper crust that very few non-whites ever can hope to join.

[The United Gulf States]

We are the friend you keep to make you feel good about your own failings. We are racist, the Communists are somehow reverse-racists, and you are the Rational Centre Ground (TM) so your own bigotry is reasonable and measured, and it could be worse so everyone should stop whining. The Communists you fight, and the Gulfers you try to influence for the better, so you may say, that can be the narrative if you like.

[Chrinthanium]

We are the friend you keep to make you feel good about your own failings. We are racist, the Communists are somehow reverse-racists, and you are the Rational Centre Ground (TM) so your own bigotry is reasonable and measured, and it could be worse so everyone should stop whining. The Communists you fight, and the Gulfers you try to influence for the better, so you may say, that can be the narrative if you like.

That works, too. Either way, Britain won't stop being an ally of the Gulfers. We're just keeping you at arms length

[Marimaia]

I am unsure as yet when to have the canal built, but probably in the C20th. Marimaian investment would have been welcome. Indeed, Marimaia might have been lobbied to lend direct support in 'pacifying' and protecting the colony against rebels and the Californians during the Police Action of the 1960s, prior to which the region was more a client state to the Federacy than an outright colony (which Fredonia still denies that it is). Fredonia certainly will want as much Marimaian (and British and Walmingtonian) investment in the region as possible, now that the Federacy seriously fears losing it, perhaps to dread Communists who would nationalise all of your coffee.

A bit of extra history wouldn't go amiss, and the Police Action is definitely something that Marimaia would get involved in. Britain may keep the Federacy at arms length, but Marimaia hugs you tightly

[The United Gulf States]

Excellent, Marimaia! I may write a history of the Police Action, after consulting with our Californian 'friends', and work in a Marimaian contingent. I am sure that they can play an important role in some pivotal moment, and offer a sacrifice in another that will invest the country fully in the preservation of this colony fine free state.

I am also going to work out what military technology the revised Gulf can claim, and send some of it over to your blessed isles.

...Wait, that was not supposed to read like a threat!

[Chrinthanium]

Not that AMW is super busy, but I should like to state that I signed up for 22 hours of overtime next week at work and will probably basically be just working and sleeping. I won't have much time for AMW, so if you're making claim changes... just post them in the app thread and I will get to them after next week's over. I will get a reply up for you, Marimaia, this weekend.

[Chrinthanium]

Right, so... I have made sure that TUGS' claim is now on the map which I post some time tomorrow just to get it done before my week of little AMW time. Mari, as you know I have replied to you. I have posted a new post in the Chrinthani factbook regarding our drug policy... small, but it gives the idea. I have remapped Chrinthania with the change in geography. I did rename the provinces a good deal. I'm also reverting to calling all the cities by their RL names because, now that we're a British colony, there's no need to rename that which doesn't need to be renamed... though Perth will still be known as Preston.

Tomorrow (Sunday), as I said, new map will go up unless TUGS has to make changes to anything. If you're not certain.. let me know before Sunday evening, TUGS. I think that's when it'll get posted.

I think that's it.... my AMW plate is (relatively) clear for the next week.

ALSO... for AMWers who use Photobucket to host your images... you either have to enable your account now to allow for 3rd-party hosting or find a new service (I use http://www.imgur.com myself).

[Europe - Prussia]

Seeing the changes that TUGS made to his claim, which has made him neighbor of my secondary claim, I cannot postpone this any longer, so without further ado here's the factbook of the Confederation of Independent American States, or CIAS for short (and it's less of a mouthful): viewtopic.php?f=23&t=423848

The OP should be enough to give an idea what this claim is about, and if that's not enough, but you know about the DEA's war on drugs on South America, then the name of the head of state should be enough.

[Amerique]

The OP should be enough to give an idea what this claim is about, and if that's not enough, but you know about the DEA's war on drug on South America, then the name of the head of state should be enough.

Sounds like a challenge...

[Chrinthanium]

Seeing the changes that TUGS made to his claim, which has made him neighbor of my secondary claim, I cannot postpone this any longer, so without further ado here's the factbook of the Confederation of Independent American States, or CIAS for short (and it's less of a mouthful): viewtopic.php?f=23&t=423848

The OP should be enough to give an idea what this claim is about, and if that's not enough, but you know about the DEA's war on drugs on South America, then the name of the head of state should be enough.

To be accurate, you're bordered to the north by the British Virgin Islands and to the northeast by Trinidad and Tobago.

[Marimaia]

So at the moment I'm currently bouncing between keeping the Kingdom of Marimaia and scrapping it in favour of an indigenously-grown kingdom in Korea/Manchuria. I don't really want to scrap Marimaia because I've become quite attached to the Margraves and their carved out corner of the world, plus I don't want to render all the effort and posts in "It's Called Nobility" null and void, but at the moment I'm struggling to identify what the Kingdom of Marimaia actually brings to the group that the British Empire/WoS don't bring better, if you get my meaning. As much as I love the idea behind them, the Marimaians just feel superfluous and second-rate compared to the British/WoS double act.

Before anyone says 'make a second claim', I don't want to do that because I'll end up favouring one at the detriment of the other.

Anyway, in an attempt to actually progress somehow with the Kingdom of Marimaia, I'd like to try and get the naval vessels nailed down. Between the Philippines and Indonesia I've got options for everything bar the intended two destroyers and one helicopter carrier. With the helicopter carrier it's either an Ocean-class (as recommended by WoS) which would have been purchased from Britain, or potentially a Buque de Proyección Estratégica/Strategic Projection Vessel. The SPV is a Spanish design so I was wondering if E-P would be willing to let me claim the design as he would still have the Mistral for amphibious assault plus all the other French military hardware.

As for the destroyer class, it was reported in a few publications that South Korea offered Indonesia the Sejong the Great-class destroyer. As I'm only after two, I was thinking of potentially claiming the previous class, the Chungmugong Yi Sun-sin class destroyer. Obviously it would be renamed, and that way I wouldn't be taking the best destroyer option away from a potential Korea claim.

That is one thing I will say for a potential Korean/Manchurian kingdom, thanks to South Korea I'd have all the military hardware options I'd ever need.

[Chrinthanium]

So at the moment I'm currently bouncing between keeping the Kingdom of Marimaia and scrapping it in favour of an indigenously-grown kingdom in Korea/Manchuria. I don't really want to scrap Marimaia because I've become quite attached to the Margraves and their carved out corner of the world, plus I don't want to render all the effort and posts in "It's Called Nobility" null and void, but at the moment I'm struggling to identify what the Kingdom of Marimaia actually brings to the group that the British Empire/WoS don't bring better, if you get my meaning. As much as I love the idea behind them, the Marimaians just feel superfluous and second-rate compared to the British/WoS double act.

Before anyone says 'make a second claim', I don't want to do that because I'll end up favouring one at the detriment of the other.

Anyway, in an attempt to actually progress somehow with the Kingdom of Marimaia, I'd like to try and get the naval vessels nailed down. Between the Philippines and Indonesia I've got options for everything bar the intended two destroyers and one helicopter carrier. With the helicopter carrier it's either an Ocean-class (as recommended by WoS) which would have been purchased from Britain, or potentially a Buque de Proyección Estratégica/Strategic Projection Vessel. The SPV is a Spanish design so I was wondering if E-P would be willing to let me claim the design as he would still have the Mistral for amphibious assault plus all the other French military hardware.

As for the destroyer class, it was reported in a few publications that South Korea offered Indonesia the Sejong the Great-class destroyer. As I'm only after two, I was thinking of potentially claiming the previous class, the Chungmugong Yi Sun-sin class destroyer. Obviously it would be renamed, and that way I wouldn't be taking the best destroyer option away from a potential Korea claim.

That is one thing I will say for a potential Korean/Manchurian kingdom, thanks to South Korea I'd have all the military hardware options I'd ever need.

You're just scared that Chrinthania is so awesome that you can't compete

Seriously speaking, do what makes you happy in AMW. No reason the Margraves can't be transported to the Korean peninsula plus extra. I'll support whatever you do because I like having you in AMW and I just want you to be happy here! In the event that you do claim switch, Maluku looks like a nice place to expand Chrinthania in order to keep in line with the "Fortress Australasia" defense strategy. As far as favoring one over the other... I have days where I write things down for Britain and days where I write things down for Chrinthania. I can do both not because it's easy, but because both feel natural to me. And, really, that's a key I'm learning is integral to AMW. If it feels natural, do it.

[Marimaia]

You're just scared that Chrinthania is so awesome that you can't compete

Seriously speaking, do what makes you happy in AMW. No reason the Margraves can't be transported to the Korean peninsula plus extra. I'll support whatever you do because I like having you in AMW and I just want you to be happy here! In the event that you do claim switch, Maluku looks like a nice place to expand Chrinthania in order to keep in line with the "Fortress Australasia" defense strategy. As far as favoring one over the other... I have days where I write things down for Britain and days where I write things down for Chrinthania. I can do both not because it's easy, but because both feel natural to me. And, really, that's a key I'm learning is integral to AMW. If it feels natural, do it.

This morning I did have the slightly odd idea of 'Margraves of Arabia'. It would bring the Kingdom's population down to far more manageable levels while properly justifying the family's implied current wealth, plus they could have recruited some of the tribes to establish a foothold in the peninsula. With no Ottomans holding the region together the relatively small Margrave 'kingdom' could have expanded until being checked by the Romnikans to the north and the British to the southeast (depending on how long the British have been there and when the Margraves were spreading out). I think in this instance it would be Thomas Margrave as an explorer from what-becomes-the Federacy, he falls in love with the Arabian Peninsula and in true family fashion decides that since he loves it so much, he should rule it. While he doesn't live to see the 'glory of the modern Kingdom of Marimaia', he does make a start on it.

If I went with Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Bahrain, Yemen and the little free bit of Kuwait, that would give Marimaia a population of 65,627,898 (down from the current 145,377,493). Going by RL economy that would result in a GDP per capita of $32,826 (up for discussion obviously, but in defense of it, there are other more populous nations in AMW with a similar or larger GDP per capita). Admittedly that would give control of a massive amount of oil and gas to a family which the rest of the world may not be particularly fond of, but that's not massively different from the RL situation with the House of Saud and their rather draconian neighbours. The Margraves would still be willing to trade with anyone provided that they don't try to bring down the family's rule, so I wouldn't be cutting off anyone's oil or gas (in fact I'd be bringing more into play, as the area's currently Dragonland). Margravia City would be Doha or Riyadh, more likely Doha for the ocean view and continued expansion, with the Margraves continuing to develop their beautiful new modern capital with their oil and gas revenues. The ethnic makeup would be mainly 'Western Caucasians' and Arabs with minorities from parts of Asia and Africa where individuals have moved to Marimaia for highly paid work.

They'd still have a neighbouring Red Threat to be paranoid about (Romnika) and in fact they could keep almost all of the modern day aspects of the nation. Warm weather, holdovers from the 'indigenous' nobility who love the Margraves because of how rich they've all become, massive extended family in control of the nation's key industries. The Remekemad would have to go, but it can be replaced by an equally elite locally sourced royal guard. The main difference aside from location and wealth would be that this Marimaia would be primarily an air and land military nation rather than a naval one. Britain, WoS, and to a lesser extent the Federacy are all spread out with islands and whatnot, but this would make Marimaia a solid block with one island (Bahrain), which would be connected to the mainland by the "King Thomas Causeway" (aka the King Fahd Causeway). There'd still be a need for some form of navy but it wouldn't have to be anything impressive.

The kingdom's wealth would definitely change the Marimaian attitude towards developing their own hardware; a Marimaia this wealthy could take the view of "why build it ourselves if we can pay someone else to do it", giving the Margraves a more lazy outlook on life which would be more in-keeping with the whole "insanely wealthy family" idea. They'd have the unsightly neighbour to the north, the agreeable neighbour to the southeast, and enough money to employ the servants. I may well do away with Cleantha's influence and have Lysander as the 'lazy' king who has to be cajoled by his advisors to make policy decisions, at which point they leave him to his own devices. They like it because they think he's rubber-stamping their policies and he likes it because he gets to enjoy being King, although he's smarter than they think and is actually paying attention. Every so often he'll actually flex his political authority independently just to remind the advisors of who's really in charge (the 24 year old who's worth about $17 billion).

Marimaia would still view the Federacy as the 'homeland of origin' and there would be a lot of investment opportunity both ways, the Margraves would still look to invest in the Isthmus Canal and would still help with the Police Action in the 1960s (a little further away geographically than currently, but they'd still help out). Britain and WoS would probably see Margraves going shopping in their high-end stores (or even buying them, like Harrods), of course that would extend to Valendia, Amerique, the Federacy, Chrinthania, pretty much anywhere that's got good shopping and won't stop the Margraves from entering the country. Marimaia itself wouldn't have anything like the laws in the RL Arabian Peninsula and would market itself as a playground for anyone with enough money. I could also keep the idea of Marimaia as a refuge for displaced royal families, if anything it would be even more perfect in this form.

I wouldn't feel so bad about having to start a new RP thread with that because everyone's still got plenty of opportunity and reason to send people to the Kingdom of Marimaia, whether it's ambassadors, royals, businessmen, or tourists. We'd be excellent prospective business partners and there'd be luxury on tap. Plus it gives me more opportunity to send people out to your nations because we've got money to burn...I mean, invest. No need to expand outside the Arabian Peninsula either, since doing so would end up as a drain on resources.

[Europe - Prussia]

As Chrin said, do what makes you happy. Your idea of Marimaia in the middle east sounds interesting too, so it has my vote, and I don't see anybody raising any objections.

And Chrin, remember that your "Fortress Australasia" defense plan has a little hole on the Sunda islands controlled by Valendia but if Mari effectively moves I could switch that part of my claim to another part of SE Asia so you can claim the Sunda Islands entirely.

Now, about the Juan Carlos I class (that its official name BTW), let's keep this discussion on hold for now. If you're effectively moving to Arabia I don't think you will really need an LHD.

Finally, I'd like to give up my claim on Namibia's Kunene region. To tell the truth, when I chose that spot I didn't investigated it thoroughly, I just chose it because it was unimportant and relatively close to Mauritius and Equatorial Guinea, which are part of my claim. However, now that I'm writing a post about the empire's administrative division, I investigated a little about Kunene and I found out the place is literally a pile of useless rocks, it's more of a burden than a advantage. Heck, its coast is infamous enough to be called "Skeleton Coast".

[Chrinthanium]

As Chrin said, do what makes you happy. Your idea of Marimaia in the middle east sounds interesting too, so it has my vote, and I don't see anybody raising any objections.

And Chrin, remember that your "Fortress Australasia" defense plan has a little hole on the Sunda islands controlled by Valendia but if Mari effectively moves I could switch that part of my claim to another part of SE Asia so you can claim the Sunda Islands entirely.

Now, about the Juan Carlos I class (that its official name BTW), let's keep this discussion on hold for now. If you're effectively moving to Arabia I don't think you will really need an LHD.

Finally, I'd like to give up my claim on Namibia's Kunene region. To tell the truth, when I chose that spot I didn't investigated it thoroughly, I just chose it because it was unimportant and relatively close to Mauritius and Equatorial Guinea, which are part of my claim. However, now that I'm writing a post about the empire's administrative division, I investigated a little about Kunene and I found out the place is literally a pile of useless rocks, it's more of a burden than a advantage. Heck, its coast is infamous enough to be called "Skeleton Coast".

Well, if you were to give up Eastern Nusa Tenggara and Timor, I'd happily expand Chrinthania there. Outside of that, I agree with E-P about the Skeleton Coast. It's still "Fortress Australasia" because you're not a threat to Chrinthania and we're pretty certain you need somewhere to get uranium from.

As far as Sheikh Lysander, well, that'll be an interesting mix.. a homosexual leader in a Muslim area. Good luck and get some bomb-proofing for his transport. Still, it has my approval if you go that way.

[Marimaia]

As Chrin said, do what makes you happy. Your idea of Marimaia in the middle east sounds interesting too, so it has my vote, and I don't see anybody raising any objections.

And Chrin, remember that your "Fortress Australasia" defense plan has a little hole on the Sunda islands controlled by Valendia but if Mari effectively moves I could switch that part of my claim to another part of SE Asia so you can claim the Sunda Islands entirely.

Now, about the Juan Carlos I class (that its official name BTW), let's keep this discussion on hold for now. If you're effectively moving to Arabia I don't think you will really need an LHD.

You're quite right regarding the LHD, if I'm not an island nation and don't have any real need for amphibious warfare capability then I'm really not going to need one. The more I look at the possibilities of the Middle Eastern idea the more I'm loving the idea because the Margraves were (in my head) to be an insanely wealthy family with a massive collective ego. Their current position in SE Asia doesn't really lend itself to that because in order for them to be as wealthy as my imagination suggests, they'd either have all of their subjects on subsistence farming or their kingdom would have to be *massive*, which would ultimately make their control over their kingdom tenuous at best. When you look at the RL Middle East nations I'd claim, most of them have insanely wealthy families who keep an iron grip on their people so for me it feels more of a natural fit, with some AMW-ish changes obviously Some of which are detailed below.

As far as Sheikh Lysander, well, that'll be an interesting mix.. a homosexual leader in a Muslim area. Good luck and get some bomb-proofing for his transport. Still, it has my approval if you go that way.

The nice thing is that in AMW, it doesn't have to be an area of conservative Muslim rule. Romnika's population is about 1% Islamic whereas many of the RL nations in his claim would probably rank about 90-95% Islamic, if not more. I've been doing some reading into the Arabian Peninsula's history to find some inspiration for a potential 'indigenous culture' and discovered a period known as the Wars of Apostasy (or the Ridda Wars) which took place during 632 and 633 AD after Muhammed died. Basically, a number of tribes which had accepted Muhammed as a prophet of God refused to accept the authority of his father-in-law, Caliph Abu Bakr, and so rebelled against the first Caliphate. In RL they were all defeated and subsequently converted to Islam, but they were a diverse bunch before their defeat. For example, the Kindah tribe in Yemen/Central Arabia were polytheists who converted to Judaism, then converted to Islam after their defeat. There were also several rival prophets who popped up after Muhammed died, including an Arab Christian woman known as Sajah bint al-Harith ibn Suayd, who only converted to Islam after her husband (a fellow rival prophet) was killed and their followers defeated. Medina was apparently a Jewish city originally while Mecca was identified with polytheistic worship before the rise of Islam. If the Ridda Wars had gone differently then Islam could have faltered drastically and remained a fairly 'regional' faith. Further reading about the idea of a homosexual leader of a Muslim area brings up at least four rulers of al-Andalus (medieval Islamic Spain if anyone's uncertain) who kept male harems, with the age-old idea of "we don't officially condone it, but we're not going to pretend that we're enforcing any prohibitions against it either". That's just some fun history though.

Anyway, my developing idea for 'Middle Eastern Marimaia' would see it as much more religiously diverse and a tad more socially liberal than its RL counterparts. Basically the kingdom will be home to Arab Christians, Jews, Muslims, atheists and whatnot, with a sizable population of non-Arabs who have moved to Marimaia and become nationals either as part of Margrave initiatives or seeking work in the oil and gas industries. Non-nationals will be welcome to work in Marimaia but they have to sign English language contracts regardless of their own lingual background, and they'll tend to be employed in sectors depending on their ethnic background (it's a Saudi practise which would fit the Margraves to a tee as a holdover from their Federacy origin, and they then introduced it to the surviving local tribal chiefs). 'Westerners' and Arabs get the best 'foreign worker' jobs, then East Asians (I know that's currently Dragonland but hopefully one day it won't be), then Africans and South/Southeast Asians. Certified qualifications will bump you up the hierarchy but the authorities would check that kind of thing mercilessly. I'm not putting Central Asians into the hierarchy because they would basically be Depkazians and it seems unlikely that we'd get many of them coming to Marimaia...not peacefully, at any rate

So yes, the Margraves would have taught their Arab supporters and subjects how to judge someone's employment prospects by their ethnicity, but they potentially pay incredibly well compared to nations of origin. There could even be some form of employment deal established with the Federacy, with work agencies charging about $5,000 per head to sort out the paperwork and transport clients to the greener pastures of Marimaia. That's just a potential idea of course, and other nations may also be interested in having a Marimaian employment agency loitering around

The Margrave family would have total control over the oil and gas industries (naturally). Every King would have his own new palace built, meaning that there are a few dotted around the kingdom which are used as seasonal residences (although every season is pretty much heat and more heat) or places to house relatives that you don't want to see very often. King Lysander will have just moved into his new palace in Margravia City (Doha) while his brother, sister, and mother will have smaller residences on the palace grounds. Cleantha will no longer be an overbearing political meddler, instead she'll be the ever-proud mother who never shuts up about her beloved eldest son and goes on innumerable shopping trips abroad which occasionally involve acting as a dignitary (foreign funerals, weddings, etc. that Lysander doesn't want to attend). Lysander will always fulfil domestic engagements because he loves meeting the 'adoring public', but in private he's a lazy and rather hedonistic tyrant. The Council of Ministers is comprised entirely of extended family Margraves and particularly loyal Arab nobles, existing to advise the King and help draw up policies. The Council will usually formulate policies and then present them to Lysander for his approval, but sometimes he'll have his own policy in mind; if it's a bad one then the Council will flatter him until they get him to adopt a different policy (which would, of course, also have been his idea). There'd be state-controlled media, the Royal Security Commission, etc. keeping the population all happy and in line. No 'Police of Vice and Virtue' though; alcohol will be legal and so will same-sex relations (same-sex marriage is in the "we'll talk about it later" category, but there's been some state-encouraged discussion of civil unions recently).

Corruption is endemic. If you've got enough money you can buy your way out of pretty much any minor crime and even a few major ones, but the price for that keeps increasing. The Marimaians would have no problems adding an extra payment or five in foreign business deals if they think it will conclude the deal more quickly and satisfactorily. Foreign businessmen get treated extremely well if they have something that Marimaia wants, and there is plenty of sinful potential available if you have the money and know where to find it. All the ridiculous hotels and such from RL, they exist. The government controls all of the major industries and is continuing with diversification efforts into mining, construction, banking, desalination, tourism, and other non-oil industries.

Militarily the Marimaians would be land and air focused because of the Romnikans to the north; as an aside, from what I've read Parsistan is anti-commie so might actually be on good terms with Marimaia, so if TCB could let me know on here or in TG then that would be awesome The Royal Marimaian Defense Forces (RMDF) would weigh in at about 650,000 personnel across the three branches with the bulk of that being army personnel. Then comes the Margravian Royal Guard, basically the family's private army of about 250,000 highly-trained individuals drawn from mercenary companies and the most loyal Arab tribes (possibly just mercenaries, not completely decided on that). The idea behind it being that if everything goes south, the RSC and the media fail in their job, and people start rising up against the Margraves, they've got their own personal army to deploy. Think of it as the Remekemad, but on mega-steroids. If the number sounds insane...the House of Saud have 350,000 in their private army.

I do admit that I'm picking up some concepts from Saudi Arabia but they work extremely well with the Margraves. I haven't decided exactly how or when the Margraves arrived, but it would be best between 1880-1920. Depending on when oil was first discovered in the region in AMW, they could have been a small to middling Federacy industrialist family who got lucky with their foreign explorations and moved everyone over when they decided to personally oversee things in the peninsula. They would already have contacts among the locals in that instance; with the help of various bribes and application of mercenary force, they brought the peninsula to heel. In RL the Sauds only really got on course to unify the area in around 1902 but because they had to contend with the Ottomans for quite a while, Saudi Arabia didn't form until 1932. Oil was first discovered in the area in 1938, so late 19th century to very early 20th century may well be the best time frame for the Margraves to arrive, especially if we could bring the discovery of oil a couple of years ahead.

[Chrinthanium]

Well, as I have continually said, I will support your move if it is what you want to do, Mari. As I have said before, I like you in AMW and you're an asset to the community. Whatever makes you happy in AMW is what you should do. It is why I will remain in Oceania as Chrinthania until this website or RP group closes down even if I wind up not doing a thing with it. Therefore, if it is Lysander of Arabia you want, then it shall be what you get.

Since it seem Mari will move, if he makes it official, then I would like to add the Indonesian province of Maluku to Chrinthania. That would be an addition of 1.7 million to Chrinthania.

[Marimaia]

Well, as I have continually said, I will support your move if it is what you want to do, Mari. As I have said before, I like you in AMW and you're an asset to the community. Whatever makes you happy in AMW is what you should do. It is why I will remain in Oceania as Chrinthania until this website or RP group closes down even if I wind up not doing a thing with it. Therefore, if it is Lysander of Arabia you want, then it shall be what you get.

In that case...

I'm taking the plunge. The Kingdom of Marimaia will no longer be located in Southeast Asia so all of those islands (and all those people) are now available. From now on, the Kingdom of Marimaia shall consist of Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Bahrain, Yemen and the little free bit of Kuwait. That gives me 65,627,898 people (a drop of about 80 million) and a GDP per capita of $32,826 (an increase of about $20,000). I'll alter my factbook thread to reflect the new state of affairs. May the Margraves become a shining example of greed and ego trips.

I'll start a new RP thread so that everyone can come and play in Margrave Wonderland if they so wish Apologies to anyone who's posted in "It's Called Nobility" for scrapping that thread, but the 'new' Marimaia should be far more worthy of everyone's attention.

For TCB, Marimaia can still meddle in Sumatra if you want. Funding will be much easier and we could certainly rustle up some mercenaries

For TUGS, the Margraves will still be Federacy-born and Federacy-bred so you'll still have an ever-loving ally. This time with tons of oil, natural gas, and cash

[Chrinthanium]

Well, as I have continually said, I will support your move if it is what you want to do, Mari. As I have said before, I like you in AMW and you're an asset to the community. Whatever makes you happy in AMW is what you should do. It is why I will remain in Oceania as Chrinthania until this website or RP group closes down even if I wind up not doing a thing with it. Therefore, if it is Lysander of Arabia you want, then it shall be what you get.

In that case...

I'm taking the plunge. The Kingdom of Marimaia will no longer be located in Southeast Asia so all of those islands (and all those people) are now available. From now on, the Kingdom of Marimaia shall consist of Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Bahrain, Yemen and the little free bit of Kuwait. That gives me 65,627,898 people (a drop of about 80 million) and a GDP per capita of $32,826 (an increase of about $20,000). I'll alter my factbook thread to reflect the new state of affairs. May the Margraves become a shining example of greed and ego trips.

I'll start a new RP thread so that everyone can come and play in Margrave Wonderland if they so wish Apologies to anyone who's posted in "It's Called Nobility" for scrapping that thread, but the 'new' Marimaia should be far more worthy of everyone's attention.

For TCB, Marimaia can still meddle in Sumatra if you want. Funding will be much easier and we could certainly rustle up some mercenaries

For TUGS, the Margraves will still be Federacy-born and Federacy-bred so you'll still have an ever-loving ally. This time with tons of oil, natural gas, and cash

Awesome...

Chrinthania will official request to add Maluku province of Indonesia which adds 1,708,190 to Chrinthania.

Britain will officially request to add Sabah, Sarawak, and Brunei which would add an additional 6,596,700 to Britain.

[Marimaia]

Awesome...

Chrinthania will official request to add Maluku province of Indonesia which adds 1,708,190 to Chrinthania.

Britain will officially request to add Sabah, Sarawak, and Brunei which would add an additional 6,596,700 to Britain.

No issues with either of those requests

[Marimaia]

Here in Margrave Arabia....[AMW Only]

The Kingdom of Marimaia is once again open for business

[Chrinthanium]

Just a thing to try if you're interested. I created an AMW server on Discord. If you use Discord, or want to give it a go, you can click the following link to get there. https://discord.gg/ZSdBPrT