[TWI-Only] [Semi-Open] [OOC] The Rains

[Ainslie]

I have a news post article detailing the aid I'm sending ready to go. Just need to design a banner but it should go out today or tomorrow.

Would it be ok if a state agent were to travel with my foreign workers to basically try a set up worker cooperatives (gotta spread that ideology) and other pro tsunter/cooperatist political organisations?

Good to hear. As long as you at least thinly veil the agent as being there for a purpose that’s benevolent, he should be fine. All the rest is okay.

[Martenyika]

Especially Martenyika - i've noticed that you set up the potential for aid but haven't actually sent it as per se. Of course, you don't need to necessarily write an IC post about it but if you are it'd be really good to know before the storyline begins to catch up with the modern day more quickly.

I see my next IC post(s) for Serval, and especially Martenyika's official aid effort, taking place a few more days to a week or so later than where we're at now, so we could probably advance the time some.

That would be when more tangible aid and personnel arrive, so there's more for me to work with. I decided that the Martenyikan military will send a small task force along similar lines to Domanania, to provide extra manpower and muscle for search and rescue, aid distribution, and whatever else. A major focus would be on bolstering teams from other WIDA nations, as well as distributing some of their own aid materials. That said, obviously they wouldn't be limited to just working alongside WIDA nation efforts, it's just the primary way Martenyika is going to frame its response.

[Ioudaia]

2. That brings me to a question about pacing - as for those that are aiding Norregan and Sud, have all of you posted the immediate IC stuff you wanted to write to bring your people into those islands?

Essentially. You may assume a team similar to the one I posted has landed/will land in each state. I can tack that on to my current post if you'd like, but I thought I'd focus on a smaller group for character-scale RPing.

In a week probably, my aim is to get us up to the real life day with posts but of course I'm happy to allow backdated posts and stuff like that.

So, how will we advance the story? Roughly real time? 'cause I don't actually know much about disaster recovery and how much can be done how quickly.

[The Tsunterlands]

Good to hear. As long as you at least thinly veil the agent as being there for a purpose that’s benevolent, he should be fine. All the rest is okay.

Ok, thanks. Posted in news about the aid being sent to the Wake Isles.

[Weinam]

Weinam would like to offer RP (Help, Assistance) to this.

[Ainslie]

Essentially. You may assume a team similar to the one I posted has landed/will land in each state. I can tack that on to my current post if you'd like, but I thought I'd focus on a smaller group for character-scale RPing.

Nah, that's fine - although a post on TWItter may be nice just to make sure that context is occuring

So, how will we advance the story? Roughly real time? 'cause I don't actually know much about disaster recovery and how much can be done how quickly.

My idea is that the passage of time can be indicated through the posts keverai uploads - i'll include a date and all that every time I post from keverai. Definitely not real time, and that's partially why I'll be asking a few times who's got stuff to upload at certain points, since the speed at which we go can be quite flexible.

That aside, I do hope in the next couple weeks we can get through all the posts about the first week or so of the disaster and then flash forward to the deeper arcs we want to have (and come closer to IRL time) - like the missionaries, the mercenaries, the agents and that kind of thing... obviously, the recovery is going to be quite slow (as in it'll take more time than a usual first world nation would take) so we have some liberty as to how recovered we want wake to be.

Weinam would like to offer RP (Help, Assistance) to this.

Is there a specific nation you would support?

[Domanania]

Well my planning has gone to hell. It may take me longer to get introduced. But i don't want it to slow down anyone else. So don't wait on me to continue posting.

[Solaryia]

Going to throw a Solaryi doctor working in a field hospital in Sud if that’s alright, Ainslie is going to bring in a badly wounded emergency worker and a local coming in for him to treat I believe.

[Ioudaia]

My idea is that the passage of time can be indicated through the posts keverai uploads - i'll include a date and all that every time I post from keverai. Definitely not real time, and that's partially why I'll be asking a few times who's got stuff to upload at certain points, since the speed at which we go can be quite flexible.

Alrighty. Since my next posts were going to involve Atolla, and their governent has indicated other nations should hold off on aid for the moment, I'm done for the moment.

[Torom]

I could totally be the awful side of social media when it comes to tragedies or disasters by "sending thoughts and prayers to the poor people in the Wake Islands," or 'I'll change my filter to show that I care." I could do any type of media reactions from climate change posts (both supporting and denying it) to donation stuff. I think it'd be fun to also give outsider citizens' perspectives on natural disasters, and also poke fun at the hypocritical people who think posting on Twitter helps solve the problems of the world.

[Ainslie]

I could totally be the awful side of social media when it comes to tragedies or disasters by "sending thoughts and prayers to the poor people in the Wake Islands," or 'I'll change my filter to show that I care." I could do any type of media reactions from climate change posts (both supporting and denying it) to donation stuff. I think it'd be fun to also give outsider citizens' perspectives on natural disasters, and also poke fun at the hypocritical people who think posting on Twitter helps solve the problems of the world.

Go for it. Just remember to backdate it to where we're up to IC or post as if the immediate recovery is over...

[Ainslie]

~~~ IMPORTANT RP UPDATE ~~~

Gday all! My understanding is that once people finish off their initial posts to do in Atolla, we will be ready to jump ahead to the modern day and go with some of the long-term storylines we want to develop to get some influence over the Wake nations. I thought for the sake of helping with setting and allowing for people to write more freely I’d briefly cover the different kinds of situations we’re seeing in the different wake nations and the differing temperaments of Atolla, Norregan and Sud.

Sud
AIRPORT: Operational | PORT : Operational | UTILITIES: Mostly restored
First up we’ll go with Sud. Their major infrastructure, at least in the capital of Karanoa, will mostly be up by june - intermittent power will be restored (at the very least), water will be back on and most of the roads are likely to be clear. At this state, it’d be very much about repairing and strengthening infrastructure rather than making sure that piece of roof is no longer on the major city street. Sud wants to be the poster-child of the Wake Islands and wishes to be well known across the Isles as a place of joy and friendliness. They’ll love good promo and PR opportunities and the Government will actively pursue opportunities to show to their people how good the government is, to the other wake nations how well things are going (relative to them) and to the Isles about how Sud is a nation rebounding quickly from the disaster. Of course, they’re still plagued by the same issues young democracies always are.

Atolla
AIRPORT: Down, but a makeshift landing area is up | PORT: Operational (as of 5 June 2021) | UTILITIES: Partially restored (~60%)
Next up is Atolla. Things there look initially bleak and whilst they aren’t the hive of activity Sud is, life is getting better there. Most of the infrastructure across Atolla City is up to a reasonable standard (for a developing nation) and intermittent power is restored to the major settlement. What’s important to know about Atolla is that it is pretty much a one city kinda place - almost everyone lives in Atolla City or near it, unlike in Sud where there’s people a bit more spread across the island and inequality is rife. Essentially in Sud, Karanoa will be going reasonably well and the rest not so much, whilst Atollans broadly are living in the same kind of not great conditions. Obviously the damage is worse here, so there’s still houses that are destroyed but for better or for worse many people have left the little tent city outside of the Parliament and returned to their homes (some of which of course are structurally unsound although they have been completely unassessed). Atolla’s still a pretty dangerous place to be. The Atollan President is pretty traumatised by everything he’s seen and is much less interested in the PR Sud is after or the prestige Norregan desires. Rather, he sees the practical needs in front of Atollans and is extremely concerned with simply just keeping his people alive. Tangible solutions with little risk is what will catch the eye of President Kelau and people who meet with him on a personal and practical level will be favoured. This man has no ideology and very little ego.

Information in Norregan is in the post immediately after this, which is written by Roendavar.

(We'll let you know when we move to modern day - what we've got written here is just to spark ideas and get you thinking before we shift to then)

[Roendavar]

Norregan
AIRPORT: Operational | PORT: Operational | UTLITIES: Restored in Genna, mostly restored throughout the country
The Kingdom of Norregan has managed to fare better in terms of rebuilding the airport and the port. Utilities have been fixed in the capital city of Genna and most buildings have been repaired and livable, however, much of the island still experience power interruptions and a few areas have to pump water or have water delivered to them by trucks. The island of Tarakela is in a worse condition, with blackouts 90% of the time and their source of water have to be shipped from the main island. The main concern of Norregan is its economy. Much of the fishing boats used by the country was destroyed during the storm and industralization is trudging at a snail's pace due to the recent disaster. They need more concrete and practical help, like actual buildings, money, supplies, boats, etc. A main issue foreign countries may face when interacting with Norregan is its centralized absolute power centered on the Queen, which is still hesitant on the whole opening up thing. The people love the Queen, so any notion of skipping her entirely would not be popular. Expect bureaucracy. Foreign countries interested in exerting their influence on the small kingdom would need to play the courting game and give the people of Norregan a path to domination and security in the Wake Islands.

[Jeriga]

So, can I have a small group of expats here? tourist groups that were caught in the storm? Is disaster phase still here, or is it all to recovery now?

[New Jacobland]

Okay, I am well overdue participating here. I think I will make a big post tomorrow about a New Jacoblandian family caught up in this storm, and write about their experiences. Maybe in a sort of diary format? Not sure on that yet.

[Ainslie]

So, can I have a small group of expats here? tourist groups that were caught in the storm? Is disaster phase still here, or is it all to recovery now?

Yes and the disaster phase is over, but you could write it in a way that makes it that you’re recounting the immediate events of the storm.

Okay, I am well overdue participating here. I think I will make a big post tomorrow about a New Jacoblandian family caught up in this storm, and write about their experiences. Maybe in a sort of diary format? Not sure on that yet.

Yes sounds perfect - diary format would be great, it’d be really handy to get a bit more focus on the storm in its aftermath by having people reflecting on it so I really like that idea.

[Jeriga]

So, can I have a small group of expats here? tourist groups that were caught in the storm? Is disaster phase still here, or is it all to recovery now?

Yes and the disaster phase is over, but you could write it in a way that makes it that you’re recounting the immediate events of the storm.

Okay, I am well overdue participating here. I think I will make a big post tomorrow about a New Jacoblandian family caught up in this storm, and write about their experiences. Maybe in a sort of diary format? Not sure on that yet.

Yes sounds perfect - diary format would be great, it’d be really handy to get a bit more focus on the storm in its aftermath by having people reflecting on it so I really like that idea.

That's fine. I'll focus on "Ar" as the soldiers called him. Per our discord convo, I'll be taking over that character, providing a civilian side to this disaster.

I do hope my nation will be able to play here as well. Aid to Atolla will be the primary issue. I'd fly in some supplies and offer naval assistance, but that's up to the owners of this atoll.

I'd also like to fill a lot of the blanks in the dispatch. A recent revolution? How recent? What are the politics of the island?

[Ioudaia]

Sounds good. I should have time this week to post something.

[Alteran Republics]

After discussing it with Ainslie, I'd like to add the follow important dates to Atollan history;

> 1461; Alterans first land on the island and makes contact with natives
> 1465; first Alteran settlers arrive, along with a missionary and trade mission
> 1472; first permanent colony established - named "New Altera - later renamed to Atolla
> ????
> Company Colony charter established in 1652; island handed over to the Mesder Trading Company
> 1798 Company Colony merged into the Alteran Commonwealth; Dominion of Atolla formed
> Atolla Independence Act passed into law, granted additional freedoms and autonomy for the island to come into effect in 1997
> Full independence granted in 2016

A few minor details may need to be clarified with Ainslie, but other than that I think those are the basics.

[The Tsunterlands]

Just dropped a post in Rains which follows a Wakeite lass who is kidnapped and trafficked by Tsunter aid workers, or rather Sandy's goons masquerading as aid workers. My thinking is that this story eventually gets leaked to the press which leads to increased tensions with the Wakietes not trusting the aid worker's. Maybe even a riot down the line. Thoughts?

[Ainslie]

Just dropped a post in Rains which follows a Wakeite lass who is kidnapped and trafficked by Tsunter aid workers, or rather Sandy's goons masquerading as aid workers. My thinking is that this story eventually gets leaked to the press which leads to increased tensions with the Wakietes not trusting the aid worker's. Maybe even a riot down the line. Thoughts?

Riot on Sud would most certainly spice things up. This all looks good to me, also looks ripe for a kind of misinformation campaign Jeriga would want to launch.

[Ioudaia]

Ioudaia will be primarily active on two of the Wake Islands, Atolla and Norregan, over the next weeks to years.

Atolla

Since the president is a legitimate ruler and is sincerely interested in the people who elected him, Ioudaia will send its foreign minister to speak to him and coordinate relief efforts with his government. Since everything is flattened on Atolla, Ioudaia will propose rebuilding civil infrastructure (government buildings, courts, hospitals, police stations, etc), housing, and major utilities. However, Ioudaia will follow the Atollan government's priorities. Within reason, Ioudaia can provide training for medical staffs and other "soft" services as well as infrastructure.

Since Atolla has a few places suitable for small-scale hydro power, Ioudaia will propose that as well. Working with Ioudaian hydro power companies is simply expedient, rather than ideological, as they're known quantities. In addition, the government will work with foreign companies to bring in wind power. (Atolla lacks fossil fuel reserves and imports all of its energy.)

Should discussions progress well, Ioudaia would ask for one thing in return: a military airstrip. And I do mean "airstrip": a single runway, fuel depot, and as few other facilities as I can get away with. (I believe RL militaries prefer controlled airports where possible, so that adds a control tower and radar.) If Atolla lacks its own weather radar, Ioudaia will site one at the airstrip and feed them the signal. The quid pro quo may be for future discussions, and not something done immediately.

Based on discussions with Ains, the Atollan government will ask for Ioudaia to rebuild the airport in exchange for the airstrip. I need to look up what large commercial airports cost to make sure Ioudaia can afford that.

Norregan

Ioudaia is a fairly liberal democracy, or something like that, so as a matter of policy, Ioudaia spreads democracy, civil rights, and the rule of law. Norregan's absolute monarchy is therefore unacceptable. Ioudaia doesn't have a problem with the dynasty per se, and a constitutional monarchy is just fine.

Ioudaia is going to start a long-term plan to advance democracy in Norregan. While Ioudaia needs to work with the government to get in the door, and needs to move slowly to deal with the people's conservative culture, to the extent possible, Ioudaia will start basic training in democracy when determining what aid to provide. For example, in replacing the local fishing fleet and its associated infrastructure (docks at least, canneries if Norregan was an exporter), Ioudaia will conduct polls, surveys, and votes to find out what people and communities want. Little boats or big boats? Sails, engines, or both? Fishing with nets or lines? And so on.

Once the Norregans are happy making small decisions on their own, Ioudaia will move on to bigger ones.

If asked, Ioudaia's basic cover stories are the sound explanations that aid agencies are simply trying be culturally sensitive, best meet Norregan's needs, make sure aid is delivered efficiently (no use giving people something they don't want), etc. And the cover stories are, in all likelihood, completely true: before the recent storm, Ioudaia's intelligence services gave the country only a cursory glance. It's small, isolated, and has no natural resources or strategic location, so of little importance overall.

As this is a long play – potentially years long – Ioudaia is willing to lie low if the government becomes too inquisitive. Obviously, other governments' intelligence services will eventually figure out what Ioudaia is up to. But hopefully, they'll take a couple of months to notice the differences between "careful aid effort" and "covert push to reform the government".

---

I expect to post IC for the meeting between the Atollan president and the Ioudaian foreign minister in the next few days. I need to draft it, run it by Ains, then revise and post it.

[Ainslie]

Sounds good Ioudaia.

Just a brief update to everyone too, we are not flashing forward yet (and not after a week like was originally planned). There's new storylines popping up and it appears we're not done with this certain phase of the roleplay yet so I say we hold off for now until those move towards the modern day or they dry up.

[Alteran Republics]

Ioudaia, Altera would gladly assist in co-operating in the rebuilding (and shared control) of a newly restored airport.

Equally, as Atolla is a member of the Alteran-led commonwealth, Atolla would likely be subject to a lot of support from the mother nation and her allies, so the rebuilding of key-infrastructure would be high on the agenda (also the perfect opportunity of key Alteran corporations to 'invest' in the future of the island nation). Military and civilian support would be incoming from Altera.

Once again, Tsunder I adore your recent IC post; it's a credit to the region and RPers across the site. I'm really looking forward to see how this story progresses!

[Ainslie]

Hey, are we all ready to flash forward to the modern day and switch to our more long-term storylines now?