The Aeternalis Alternative (SA MT RP)

[South Sea]

The Aeternalis Alternative
An alternate universe modern tech roleplay, the next iteration of the former realm of Democritus

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Canada the great power. America divided. Australasia united. A third French Empire.

Something has gone amiss in this timeline. Perhaps an aberration of time, an experiment unsupervised by the Federalist High Council. Or perhaps a festival of roleplay dedicated to phylum cnidaria, a famous Ancient Greek philosopher, and a Sun King.

Whatever the reason, this universe has formed a separate continuity for modern tech RP almost ten years on from its first scientifically observed creation.

The events to come are yours to determine, denizens of the Sol Aeternalis sector. It is time to begin this next step in our journey. Good luck.

Procedure:

1) Firstly, make sure that you reside in Sol Aeternalis or have telegramed South Sea a completed application form (at the bottom). They are the current roleplay OP, which means that they consider all requests from players wanting to join the roleplay.

2) Upon receiving confirmation in a telegram reply, you can start to roleplay! Post in the in-character forum thread (here), writing in either first person (as the leader of your country) or third person (in the style of an in-character newspaper article). A good first in-character post typically outlines what is happening in your country's politics, society, or economy. After that, feel free to write about anything and everything happening in the monthly news of your in-character nation!

Additionally, please take a look at the Sol Aternalis RP and Code of Conduct Guide to understand the basic rules of the RP and the community as a whole. Here below is a shortlist:

RP Rules:

1. No godmod or metagame (e.g suffering no casualties, deciding your opponent's casualties, building an unsinkable aircraft carrier the size of an island).
2. No posting OOC discussion in the IC thread (here), or posting IC in the OOC thread (Sol Aeternalis RMB).
3. Be civil, and follow NS rules.
4. South Sea is the RP OP - trust them to approve claims and settle any disputes as fairly and timely as they can. As OP they will control continuity decisions, accusations of godmodding/metagaming and NPC management if need be. They may also void posts, but only as a last resort after talking through any issues with the relevant players.
5. Check with the RP OP before controlling the actions of NPCs (for instance, not just saying terrorists from an NPC attacked your nation as a justification for invading them without checking first).
6. The OP may nominate co-OPs.
7. No posting in the IC thread unless your telegram has been confirmed by the RP OP.
8. The standard right-of-response (ROR) timeframe is 4 days for other players involved in a major chain of events (e.g. a war) if they have logged in, and 14 days if they have not.
9. Try to maintain IC ingenuity and OOC good faith, and maintain a clear distinction between IC and OOC discussions.
10. Always remember that we are storytellers first, strategy gamers second. We are all here to have fun while creating an amazing story collaboratively.

The Application Form:

Code: Select all

NS Account name:
Requested map claim:
Are you a member of SA:
Do you agree to follow the RP rules, and aim to use your right of response in the RP in a timely manner?


[Herpostan]

RAI – Radiotelevisione Italiana
April 10, 2025

In a bold move to secure the future of Southern Italy, the Moretti government has announced a series of substantial economic investments aimed at revitalizing the historically underdeveloped regions of the South. This initiative, known as the Southern Investment Initiative (SII), is designed to address the long-standing economic disparities between the prosperous North and the resource-rich but underdeveloped South. With billions of lire being funneled into infrastructure, industrial growth, and local business development, the initiative has been hailed as a transformative step for the region. Key areas of investment include modernizing transportation networks by expanding highways, upgrading ports along Calabria, Sicily, and Campania’s coasts, and enhancing train lines to improve regional trade. The government also plans to create special economic zones in cities like Palermo, Catania, and Taranto, offering tax incentives to attract multinational corporations and foster innovation in the tech and manufacturing sectors.

Furthermore, the agricultural sector in Southern Italy will receive significant support, with an emphasis on sustainable farming practices, including organic agriculture and agribusiness development. Eco-tourism will also be promoted, taking advantage of the region's stunning landscapes and historic sites to create thousands of new jobs. For decades, Southern Italy faced challenges stemming from underinvestment, leading to a widening economic gap with the North. However, the government has infused the region with hope. Minister of Economic Development Francesco Martelli emphasized that the SII is a commitment to bridging this gap and ensuring prosperity for all Italians, not just those in the North. Local leaders, such as Giovanni Russo, Mayor of Naples, have expressed optimism about the potential of the initiative, calling it a vision for the South’s future, a chance for Southern Italians to stand on equal footing with the rest of the Kingdom.

International investors are also showing growing interest in the South, particularly in newly created Special Economic Zones (SEZs), which offer favorable tax breaks and incentives. With an emphasis on renewable energy, Sicily’s emerging solar power sector is expected to make the region a leader in green energy. Investors like Adriana Martinez, a Spanish-born business investor, have noted the attractive prospects in the South, citing the region’s natural resources and the stability provided by the Kingdom of Italy. Despite some skepticism, the backing of the monarchy has instilled confidence that this initiative could be the turning point Southern Italy needs.
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[The Underground Movement Union]

Canadian Journal

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Canadian Elections concluded: PCC-DLC Coalition!
August 28th, 2024
The Canadian elections have concluded in a advantage for the Center-Right, and with a Front with the Center-Left.
Written by Scott Keyes

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The elections have concluded in the Federation of Canada in a clear advantage for the Center-Right Coalition of the National Unity Party of Canada. Known as the Progressive Coalition of Canada, all relevant seats and newly elected officials will officially come into power as of October 5th.

The National Unity Party of Canada (NUPC) is composed of four main factions: The Right-Wing "Coalition For the Republic," (CFR) the Center-Right "Progressive Coalition of Canada," (PCC) the Center-Left "Democratic Labour Coalition," (DLC) and the Left-wing "Patriot's Labour Coalition" (PLC). Each of these coalitions encompass the one party of Canada, the National Unity Party of Canada. The CFR is a right-wing populist faction, which promotes economic interventionism to protect national interests, and have more of an orient for multi-polarity. The PCC is a center-right faction, in favor of social traditions, but also expert-led technocratic policies, global trade, a free and fair market and government transparency. The DLC is the center-left faction, socially centrist, though with favor towards labour unions. Finally, there's the PLC, the furthest leftmost faction of the NUPC, advocating for a mixed economy leaning towards that of market socialism and social patriotism. Each of these factions share a commonality with each other: They embrace Overbeckian Politics, which promotes a strong federal republic, Keynesian economics and militarism, Canada as a Great Power, and maintaining and enforcing its role as a peacekeeping force on the World stage.

The elections for Presidency, Senate and Parliament have ended in a strong PCC Victory.

PRESIDENTIAL:
PCC (Micah Cameron): 44%
DLC (Michael Daley): 28%
CFR (Lucas Sullivan): 16%
PLC (Ronald McKnight): 12%

SENATE: (out of 54 seats)
PCC: 28 Seats
DLC: 12 Seats
CFR: 9 Seats
PLC: 3 Seats

PARLIAMENT (out of 635 seats)
PCC: 260 Seats
DLC: 145 Seats
CFR: 167 Seats
PLC: 63 Seats

To secure a majority in Parliament and in the Senate, the PCC and the DLC had agreed to form a United Front. Both the Progressive and the Labour Coalitions have discussed concessions, and how they wish to stack positions within the new government. With a PCC-DLC United Front secured, the country looks forward to its future under the new administration. In a speech today, the President-Elect of Canada, Micah Cameron has promised to fulfill his prior promises of creating a Canada built upon "Order, Justice and Freedom, for Canada and the World," promising everything from infrastructure reforms and healthcare reforms, to government transparency and a continuation of the Overbeckian Doctrine, which entails maintaining peace through military might and defending World peace. He's already met with leaders from the DLC and promised positions regarding labour and judiciary positions to relevant members of their Coalition.

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Canada–Panama Strategic Access and Development Accord Renewed.
January 15th, 2025
The treaty between Panama and Canada, signed in 1995 to guarantee protections over both the Canal and the country, has been renewed.
Written by Lewis Fortin

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Since the collapse of the United States and the days of strife in the 1970s, Canada has taken up the role as the protector of the Americas upon their victory in the Canadian-Soviet War in the early to mid 1980s and the Canadian-American War in the mid 1980s and early 1990s. Upon the end of the war in 1993, Canada has assumed much of the power vacuum in the defense of the North and South American continents, going as far as to guarantee the country of Panama special protections due to their ownership of the canal. This treaty was signed in January of 1995, and was to be renewed every 30 years. This agreement is called the Canada–Panama Strategic Access and Development Accord (SADA). Catching it a few weeks early, the Canadian and Panamanian authorities have met December 30th, 2024 to discuss the full-length terms of the treaty between Panama and Canada, which was signed last night on January 14th, 2025.

The terms of the agreement includes:
Canal Control:
Canada gains exclusive operational access to the Panama Canal, while Panama retains full sovereignty. Canadian ships get priority use, especially during emergencies. All Canadian-flagged civilian vessels shall pay a fixed rate equivalent to 5% of the prevailing Panama Canal Authority transit tolls. Canadian military and government vessels are exempt from all tolls.
Military Presence:
Canada will continue to staff A Joint-Military Base in Panama, with Air Force, Navy, and a Special Forces regiment stationed permanently at Joint Base Rodman.
Defense Pact:
Canada pledges to defend Panama against any foreign threat. Panama, in turn, supports Canadian counter-narcotics operations and joint intelligence sharing.
Anti-Cartel Measures:
Canadian and Panamanian forces will work together to fight drug cartels and organized crime, with legal immunity for Canadian personnel during operations.
Canal Development Fund:
A $6.2 billion CAD fund to upgrade canal infrastructure, ports, cybersecurity, and local community services over the next decade.

SADA will last another 30 years before it can be renewed once again.

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Trade deal struck between the Federation of Canada and the Federation of the South Sea.
April 8th, 2025
A Canadian-South Sea Trade Deal has been struck.
Written by Lewis Fortin

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Recently, a deal has been signed between Canadian and South Sea diplomats over a trade deal involving an FTA and commercial operations to major industries within both the Federation of Canada and the Federation of the South Sea in the Adelaide Trade Accord (ATA). These dealings promise to open the door for better deals regarding major exports from both Canada and the South Sea Federation, marking the beginning of further Canadian cooperation and interest in the Pacific.

Adelaide Trade Accord consists of the following terms:

The Federation of the South Sea shall grant tariff free import licenses to the Federation of Canada's largest automobile manufacturer (MacGregor Automobile Company) for commercial operations. The manufacturer will establish assembly plants in Auckland and Adelaide, prioritising the employment of local staff and abiding by South Sea labor, safety, and environmental laws.

The Federation of the South Sea shall grant tariff free import licenses to the Federation of Canada's largest aerospace manufacturer (AerionX) for commercial operations. The manufacturer will establish assembly plants in Auckland, Singapore, and Sydney, prioritising the employment of local staff and abiding by South Sea labor, safety, and environmental laws.

The Federation of the South Sea shall grant tariff free import licenses to the Federation of Canada's largest crude oil refining corporation (Alberta Oil) for commercial operations. The corporation will establish crude refineries in Singapore, Brisbane, and Marsden, prioritising the employment of local staff and abiding by South Sea labor, safety, and environmental laws.

The Federation of the South Sea may export production from key industries such as iron, coal, beef, dairy, and rare earths to the Federation of Canada. These goods will be free from Canadian tariff barriers, and purchased directly from the South Sea's relevant state owned corporation or cooperative.

The Federation of Canada may export consumer electronics, pharmaceuticals, and biotech products to the South Sea Federation. These goods will be free from South Sea tariff barriers, and imported at quantities agreed between Canadian exporters and the South Sea's relevant industry import licensing board.

The ATA has already been signed by both constituents today at 3:00 PM, and expected to go in effect by 12:00 AM tonight, and marks the next step in Canadian interests in the Pacific as they aim to further trade and diplomatic relations with other powers in the Pacific.

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IN OTHER NEWS:
What you need to know about the new Cabinet [January 10th] (READ)
New Nuclear Reactor to be constructed in Michigan [March 23rd] (READ)
Albertan Man stops robbery with a Flintlock Dragoon Cavalry Pistol [April 10th] (UNREAD)

[Fregantes Empire]

The Pacifican Gazette

The Pacifican Bear Swims

The year is 2024, and decades have passed since the old Union's collapse and the successor states' rise. Canada dominates the continent, but here in Pacifica, we dominate the seas and the ocean.

Ever since the establishment of an independent Pacifica, our community has learned from our mistakes. With many European émigrées fleeing French imperialism in the Old World, they have found a new home in the lovely coasts and vineyards of California, or the deep green forests of Oregon and Washington, some even in the Pacific regions. These European immigrants brought with them the complementary factor that Pacifica so desperately needed: a firm commitment to Social Democracy. The European Social Democracy complemented Pacifica's centre-left policies. Soon, major goals such as universal healthcare, affordable higher education, a well-developed public transport system, an efficient digital state (special thanks to many Estonian immigrants), and a reined-in and well-regulated private sector were all achieved. Thanks to these major developments, and local autonomy and federal oversight working hand-in-hand, the Pacifican society stands as a vibrant, diverse and highly educated population in the Anglosphere.

High-speed train lines link major urban centres such as Los Angeles, San Francisco, Sacramento, Portland and Seattle. Buses and metros not only EXIST but are widespread. The old state lines between California, Oregon and Washington have all but vanished, replaced by communities of communes in joint development and cooperation regions. Democracy at both the local and federal level has been entrenched, especially after the dissolution of the Electoral College and the outlawing of gerrymandering. Pacifica now stands as a beacon of stability and reasonable long-term policy, but most of all, as an Empire of Social Mobility and Progress. It is the centre of the New American Dream, where all are accepted and given a fair chance to rise and contribute to society, no matter their background or identity. It is a society that has a mindful stewardship of its composition and future.

Problems remain, of course. The private sector, particularly the Silicon Valley, still maintains a considerable influence over the federal institutions, particularly the Pacifican Congress. The island territories in the Pacific, except for Hawaii, still lack representation in Congress and are eagerly awaiting the status of "constituent commune" to be given to them, which grants the population representation in the Congress and extends the full implementation of the Pacifican Constitution to these territories. A comprehensive arrangement in the Pacific still awaits to be finalized with Canada and the South Sea Federation, and nobody knows how other actors will react to these developments.

The biggest threat to Pacifican stability is Deseret, however. As a state that is the anathema of all Pacifica holds dear and reciprocates the feeling in kind, Deseret is the biggest source of religious and political refugees in Pacifica. The rehabilitation of these refugees is a major and continued expense on the Federal government, one that keeps growing year by year, challenging the firm welcoming beliefs of Pacifica. Not only that, but there are legitimate concerns of the Church of the Latter Day Saints, their missionaries and possibly intelligence operatives located in Pacifica, particularly in the border territories. The relationship between Pacifica and Deseret can be described as professional at best, and paranoid at worst. Until Deseret stops being the sort of place it is, and until Pacifican protestors no longer agitate for secularism and LGBTQ+ rights on the border, the relationship of these two countries will remain tenuous.

Nevertheless, the future is bright for Pacifica. Fear the Bear, for the Bear has nothing to fear.

[Imperial AustriaHungary]

A new face on the throne, the young Kaiser, Wilhelm Adrian will succeed his father on the anniversary of the first compromise of 1867, only time will tell if the young prince at age 29 can stand up to the legacy the late Franz Bachner leaves behind. As he was a titan who led the nation through the American collapse crisis, the student riots of the 1990s, and the year of crimson.

New nuclear program?

The imperial government has announced an increased production of Uranium 238 for reactors to continue the green transition, as well as the creation of a series of experimental thorium reactors. Critics argue this is overly expensive and a flawed approach to the pledge to decarbonize. But engineers are optimistic, yet the Imperial high command is silent on its reasons for being involved. Worries of a secret development of atomic weapons have stirred among some analysts, though Vienna has refused to confirm or deny the creation of any such arms are in the works


The centurion takes flight.

Following a 16 year long development cycle, the AB25 was officially unveiled to the public this morning, the new strike fighter mirrors the F22 raptor in capabilities, though it is not stealth it is on the cutting edge of aerodynamics and weapons technology. The department of the imperial airforce has confirmed the 25 will be slowly replacing the older AB16s over the next several years, at a large cost to the treasury as part of the wider modernization program laid out by the Kaiser and his late father

[Nowa Polonie]

Gazeta Wyborcza - The Confederation of Poland-Transruthenia

In a European concert still in many ways dominated by the shadow of the Long Nineteenth Century, the Polish-Transruthenian Confederation, often referred to in shorthand as simply 'Poland', represents perhaps the most prominent state to be defined almost entirely by its 20th Century history - emerging in the wake of the First World War under the leadership of Marshall Pilsudski, a figure equal parts visionary and controversial, it represents a bulwark of democratic republicanism in Central Europe.

Comprised of the nations of Poland, Ukraine, Belarus and the Baltic States (with the exception of Estonia), the Confederation of Poland-Transruthenia represents one of the premier European powers. Formed in the wake of the First World War by a resurgent Polish State under the leadership of the pan-nationalist Marshall Pilsudki, over the proceeding decades it rapidly confirmed its territorial claims to the place of the former Commonwealth. During this time, it rapidly adopted a posture of opposition to both Russian and Austro-German revanchism, pursuing a policy of intense industrialization, mixed-market collectivization, and social militarization.

In the modern day, while Poland has relaxed its diplomatic posture, and has long-since pursued a policy of relative economic liberalisation, it remains a land of idiosyncrasies - fervently democratic and republican, though under what is an effectively uni-party democracy, dominated by a ruling party (the PSP) acting in coalition with a rotating camarilla of junior coalitionary partners. Socially libertine and secular, though with overweening influence on society by the Church and military. Ostensibly diplomatically neutral, though by the necessity of its geopolitical position placed in tension if not outright opposition to many of its neighbours.

In spite of these contrasting social and political forces, the Confederation has emerged into the 21st Century in a kind of awkward prosperity, boasting comparatively high standards of living in contrast to neighbors to the East and South, and boasting a robust economy which can lay claim to leadership in the European market in certain key sectors; namely agriculture, manufacturing and energy. Though it cannot by any means claim to be free of troubles, both foreign and domestic, the Confederation has weathered the storm of the 20th Century that birthed it, and has taken its first, steady steps into the 21st. with full confidence.

[The 3rd French Empiree]

The Imperial Renaissance:The Rise of the Third French Empire

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Since 2013, France has been rocked by one of the greatest social and political upheavals in its modern history. This uprising, known as the "Great Ravage," initially erupted in rural and industrial areas affected by the economic crisis, rising unemployment, job insecurity, and growing distrust of traditional political elites. The revolt quickly spread to major cities, plunging Paris, Lyon, Marseille, and Bordeaux into a climate of urban civil war.

From 2013 to 2017, France descended into chaos, influenced by various revolutionary groups with diverse ideologies but united by a common goal: to overthrow the republican order. After years of fighting, political purges, and clashes with the army loyal to the ruling government, the revolutionaries finally gained the upper hand. In June 2017, the republican regime collapsed, and a new man emerged from the turmoil: Hector Ervique, a charismatic former officer and feared strategist, then 34 years old.

Crowned Emperor Hector I by a revolutionary assembly transformed into the Council of the Empire, he proclaimed the birth of the Third Empire, affirming his desire to restore the grandeur of France's past while modernizing its military and industrial structures. Upon his accession to power, Hector I undertook profound reforms of French society: increased militarization of the youth, nationalization of key sectors, surveillance of the press, and a cult of the head of state.

On January 1, 2018, Hector I officially announced France's withdrawal from the European Union, which he described as "a Brussels straitjacket stifling national sovereignty." This departure was accompanied by an increasingly aggressive foreign policy.

On May 24, 2019, the French Imperial Army launched a surprise invasion of Luxembourg, a small, strategically located border state. Within a week, the Grand Duchy was occupied and annexed.

Further fueled by this initial conquest, imperial ambitions only grew. The Third Empire declared war on Belgium a few months later. Bloody battles took place in Liège, Namur, Antwerp, and even in the Ardennes forests, where imperial forces used blitzkrieg tactics combined with massive cyberattacks against Belgian infrastructure. Belgium surrendered on March 18, 2020, after fierce resistance.

The Empire, now master of part of the Benelux, had no intention of stopping there. In 2022, Hector I turned his attention to the Netherlands, a maritime, commercial, and heavily defended power. The campaign was long and costly: the Dutch put up a fierce defense, particularly around Rotterdam and The Hague. However, the imperial army advanced slowly across the North Sea and eventually surrounded Amsterdam, which fell on November 26, 2024. The country's official surrender took place a few weeks later, marking another victory for the resurgent empire.

At the dawn of 2025, Emperor Hector I seemed more determined than ever to continue the expansion of his empire. Many targets were possible: Germany, Algeria, Switzerland, or the reconquest of Corsica from Italy. But he remained wary of countries that might hinder his conquests: the Polish Confederation, the Austro-Hungarian Empire, Italy, and many others. He would then need allies.

[Calindelo]

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2024: A Political Retrospective
Arturo Pangilinan - 6th of January, 2025

MANILA, MAHARLIKA — 2024 marked a political turning point in Maharlika, as for the first time in over 30 years, the presidency slipped from the grip of the Partido Liberal. The long-dominant party, whose influence had shaped modern Maharlika, suffered a historic loss to the populist Partido ng Sambayanang Maharlika (PSM).

For decades, President Julio Martinez stood as a central figure in Maharlika's political landscape, serving five terms and becoming synonymous with national stability. Under his leadership, the Partido Liberal pursued aggressive centralization policies aimed at curbing regionalism, dismantling entrenched political dynasties, and pushing for widespread industrialization, especially in rural provinces. His administration was praised for modernizing infrastructure and boosting urban GDP, particularly in Southern Luzon and Metro Manila. However, outside the capital and its surrounding regions, Martinez's government was viewed with increasing suspicion, often seen as meddling and elitist, undermining local customs, governance, and agrarian lifestyles.

His sudden death in 2021 threw the Liberal Party into chaos. Power was passed to Vice President Dino V. Chua, a political moderate with little grassroots support. Dino’s tenure was marred by indecision and compromise. As industries replaced farmlands in rural regions, countless uneducated farmers found themselves jobless, unable to afford or complete the expensive retraining programs required for industrial work. In their place, a wave of educated Manileños swept in to take the new positions, stoking tensions and accusations of urban encroachment and cultural erasure.

Riots broke out in provinces like Pangasinan, Cebu, and Zamboanga, some local governments even threatened secession unless economic and political control were returned to local hands. Instead of asserting authority, President Chua opted for concessions and half-measures, further damaging the Partido Liberal’s credibility.

It was in this volatile environment that the Partido ng Sambayanang Maharlika surged to power. Branding themselves as the true voice of the countryside, the PSM promised to restore dignity to the provinces. Their platform centered around empowering local leaders, preserving regional cultures and languages, and defending conservative, agrarian lifestyles. Fiercely populist, they pushed back against centralization and foreign influence, accusing the Liberal government of turning Maharlika into a playground for capitalists and technocrats.

The 2024 election wasn’t just a referendum on economic policy, it was a cultural reckoning. Rural voters, long marginalized and mocked as “backward” by urban elites, found their champion in PSM. Their rallying cry, “Buhay Probinsya, Buhay Maharlika” (Provincial Life, Maharlikan Life), resonated deeply in regions that had long felt voiceless under Manila’s shadow.

The 2024 Elections

2024 presidential election results

In a stunning political upset, Senator Jose Gregorio Ibarra of the Partido ng Sambayanang Maharlika (PSM) has won the 2024 Maharlikan presidential elections, defeating the ruling Partido Liberal for the first time in three decades. Ibarra claimed victory with 53.21% of the national vote (38,936,781 votes), outpacing incumbent President Dino V. Chua, who garnered 35.12% (25,643,343 votes). Trailing far behind was Governor Joan Sarita Natividad, representing Bisayang Bayan, who received 5.08% (3,711,035 votes), despite her regional popularity and moderate leanings.

Ibarra’s rise reflects growing dissatisfaction with Manila-centric policies and perceived Liberal elitism. A long-time senator and vocal critic of the Liberal-dominated political order, Ibarra campaigned on a platform of regional empowerment, economic decentralization, and cultural preservation.

His rhetoric, unapologetically populist and often critical of “imperial Manila”, resonated across Visayas and rural Mindanao, where communities felt marginalized by decades of centralized governance.

2024 vice presidential election results

In a stunningly narrow and hotly contested vote, Ysabella Ferrer of the Partido Liberal has been elected Vice President of Maharlika with 41.21% of the vote (29,968,674 votes), narrowly defeating Pablo Luna of the rising Partido ng Sambayanang Maharlika (PSM), who secured 39.82% (28,504,020 votes). Emilio Katindig, representing Repormang Pangmasa, took 15.30% (10,968,924 votes), drawing significant support from Zamboanga and moderate regions of Mindanao.

Known for her work in the Senate on welfare, education, and healthcare, Ferrer has long been viewed as the compassionate face of the Partido Liberal, a sharp contrast to the more technocratic or centralist elements of the party under Martinez and Chua.

Ferrer’s reputation as a non-combative, service-oriented lawmaker likely helped her edge out Luna, particularly in urban centers and among women and youth voters. But with her victory comes an unexpected burden: she is now the most powerful Liberal in the nation, and is expected to lead the rebuilding of the party after its first major defeat in 30 years.

Pablo Luna, grandson of the famed revolutionary General Antonio Luna, ran on a fiery and militaristic platform, branding himself a defender of regional rights and "true national strength." A decorated lieutenant general of the Maharlikan Marines, Luna embodied the PSM’s more radical faction, one that favors discipline, sovereignty, and a strong federal military response to internal unrest.

The closeness of the race has left Luna bitter. While the Electoral Commission confirmed Ferrer’s win, Luna has demanded a full recount, claiming irregularities in several Luzon provinces. He has not yet conceded.

2024-2030 senatorial seats

Riding high from President Jose Gregorio Ibarra’s landslide win, the PSM made major inroads into the Senate, winning 9 seats outright (Bright Red) and picking up the backing of at least one more independent with regional PSM ties (Dark Red).

While this marks a historic high for the party, it still leaves them short of a working majority, forcing Ibarra to negotiate with local power blocs and populist independents to pass key legislation. Several of the PSM-aligned senators are more radical and militarist, advocating federalist reforms, stronger national defense, and expanded support for local industries and farming.

Partido Liberal, despite its worst performance in recent history, still holds 7 seats (Light Blue) and commands influence through three more Liberal-aligned independents (Dark Blue), mostly veteran politicians from Luzon and urban centers who maintained their seats under the PL's broader coalition.

The PL's senate bloc, now led by seasoned centrist Margarita Domingo, is expected to pivot toward checks and balances, aiming to hold off radical reforms and reestablish institutional credibility. Ferrer’s vice presidency gives them a moral foothold in national politics, even as the party regroups in opposition.

Four seats are held by locally aligned or ideologically flexible independents (Yellow), many representing ethnic, rural, or provincial movements. These include Mindanaoan agrarian voices, Visayan nationalists, and even a senator from the Cordilleras advocating for indigenous autonomy.

These senators may swing votes either way depending on concessions to their regions, giving them outsized influence over national legislation.

Analysts believe that Katindig's Repormang Pangmasa movement, though unsuccessful in the presidential race, may find traction here through behind-the-scenes coordination.

2024-2030 House of Representatives seats

With a combined 183 seats under its banner or informal coalition, the PSM now enjoys an unassailable majority in the House. This will allow President Ibarra to fast-track legislation aligned with his platform of regional empowerment, federalist transition, agrarian reform, and military strengthening, all without needing to negotiate with Partido Liberal leadership.

The PSM’s rural and provincial base came out in force, with victories in the Visayas, Mindanao, and Northern Luzon far outpacing expectations. In many districts, Liberal incumbents were swept aside by younger, more militant or populist candidates pledging to “bring power back to the provinces.”

The Partido Liberal retained its dominance in urbanized Southern Luzon, Metro Manila, and parts of Central Visayas, keeping 73 seats and commanding an additional 11 through coalitions or independents. This gives them a strong minority bloc of 84, but far short of the power needed to block PSM legislation without third-party support.

There are growing internal calls for the PL to undergo a full restructuring after back-to-back electoral defeats in the executive, senate, and now the lower chamber.

33 seats remain in the hands of independents, localist parties, and regional blocs with unclear loyalties. Some represent ethnic minorities, economic protest movements, or traditional political clans. While a few are expected to align with PSM or PL for political capital, others may remain true wildcards, extracting concessions for infrastructure, autonomy, or economic perks.

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The 2024 General Elections will be remembered as the most seismic political upheaval in the republic’s modern history. With the Partido Liberal’s 30-year hold on the presidency broken, and the upstart Partido ng Sambayanang Maharlika (PSM) now in firm control of the executive and the lower house, Maharlika stands at a crossroads, between regionalist populism, uncertain governance, and looming fragmentation.

Since the 1990s, the Partido Liberal has shaped Maharlika’s identity: centralized governance, technocratic policies, and an unyielding focus on urban-industrial development. Under Julio Martinez, the country enjoyed economic growth and state consolidation, but often at the expense of rural livelihoods and regional autonomy.

The cracks began to show after Martinez’s sudden death in 2021, and under President Dino V. Chua’s uninspiring and crisis-prone leadership, those cracks turned to fissures. Riots, rural disenfranchisement, and Mindanao's restlessness all escalated, eroding public trust.

Whether PSM can actually govern effectively, or simply ride its momentum into paralysis, remains the defining question of this new era. Its leaders are charismatic and well-supported, but their lack of technocratic experience, inflammatory rhetoric, and militarized approach could just as easily backfire.

[Imperial AustriaHungary]

New Fears of a cold war

Following the rapid rise of the French empire, the imperial government in Vienna has condemned Paris for its aggression and as of now refuses to recognize the annexation of the low countries, with Vienna hosting several governments in exile. These moves combined with the readying of the Imperial navy worry some in government. Particularly the conservative party as they fear this will only increase tensions. On the other hand, the liberal coalition calls for sanctions and a guarantee to be extended to Germany and Italy to prevent further aggression, it is unclear how the new Kaiser will go forward

New launch complex opens up

On Saturday the crown Princess was in Cuba for the ribbon cutting ceremony of the Von Klaitz aerodrome, completed after several years of construction. This new facility will allow for the civilian AIRA to launch rockets without having to worry about the ongoing problems in the successor nations of the former United States, well also bringing money to Cuba with the large workforce living and working on its grounds. The first launch is scheduled for nine weeks from today

Ghosts of the past: the great wars toxic legacy

Earlier this month, a farmer was tragically killed in the state of Bosnia, as his plow struck a chemical munition from the first world war, this tragedy has reignited calls for further cleanup operations along the former battlefields of the region, particularly those in poorer regions of the Imperial States, as experts believe there are still more than eight million pieces of unexploded ordinance in the ground, however there is significant political backlash due to the cost of setting up such a program

[The Underground Movement Union]

Canadian Journal

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Canadian-Italian Exercises in the Hudson Bay!
May 1st, 2025
The Canadian Federal Navy and the Italian Regia Marina are conducting joint naval exercises in the Hudson Bay
Written by Chloe Dubois

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As a show of solidarity between the Federation of Canada and the Kingdom of Italy, a naval exercise in the Hudson Bay has been agreed to, to exercise both joint-operations in the Hudson Bay. The operations will consist of a war game between Canadian and Italian fleets, coordination against Opfor forces resembling pirates, and coordination in conducting naval landings. The First Atlantic Fleet of the Federal Navy and the First Fleet of the Regia Marina will both be the participants in these war games, as with Italian Marines, and the First Canadian Marine Commando Regiment (CMCR). The Canadian Tempest Class Aircraft Carrier Republic and the Italian Giuseppe Garibaldi-class Aircraft Carrier Italia will both be present in the war games. The exercises are said to last for three weeks.

The President, Micah Cameron, was seen aboard the Aircraft Carrier Republic, inspecting the crews personally. President Cameron was a Commander of the Destroyer Pearson during the Canadian-American War and had seen combat during the Battles at Boston and New York. President Cameron was cited as saying that it had felt "nostalgic" being aboard a naval vessel once again, and had stated that he couldn't be "more proud of the servicemen and women of Canada."

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Canadian-Pacifican Naval Cooperation Treaty Established!
May 11th, 2025
The Victoria Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering Company has been given permission to take contracts from the Pacifican Navy, and construction of joint naval bases across the Pacific has been established!
Written by Lewis Fortin

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A deal between the Republic of Pacifica and the Federation of Canada has been established, permitting the Canadian Ship Building Company to take contracts from Pacifica to speed up the construction of their Naval fleet. Building ships can take years to accomplish, and by allowing one of Canada's top Pacific ship-building companies to take up contracts from Pacifica, allows the process of ship construction to move along much faster. "It can take seven years to build a carrier, three years to build a Destroyer," M.P Nicholas Schneider stated, "with this deal, our friends in the Pacific can expect for, at minimum, a couple years to be shaved off the long process."

While ship building is a significant part of the Canadian-Pacifican deal, there's another significant part of the deal that has been established. In order to extend Canadian naval reach, and to encourage Pacifican-Canadian cooperation, the Federation of Canada has been permitted to construct joint bases across islands belonging to Pacifica. These joint bases will primarily be for Navy, Air-Force and Marine assets.

This treaty is more than symbolic, as it shows the extension of trust and cooperation in the North American Continent not seen since the collapse of the United States, and is a display of Ottawa's commitment to peace.

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IN OTHER NEWS:
What you need to know about the South Sea Federation talks [MAY 16]
A Carrier variant of the CF-33 enters production [MAY 18]
Albertan Man tricks criminal with the Painted Tunnel Trick [MAY 22] (UNREAD)

[The 3rd French Empiree]

Towards de-escalation?The French Empire calls for a diplomatic summit with the Austro-Hungarian Empire

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Paris, May 16, 2025 –

In a tense geopolitical climate marked by the recent territorial expansions of the Third French Empire, the imperial government led by His Majesty Emperor Hector I has officially launched a call for a bilateral diplomatic summit with the Austro-Hungarian Empire.

This approach is part of a stated desire for de-escalation in the face of Vienna's concerns following the annexation of Luxembourg, Belgium, and more recently the Netherlands. In a solemn declaration issued this morning by the Imperial Foreign Ministry, Paris stated:

"The Third French Empire wishes to reaffirm its commitment to continental stability and peace between the great powers. This is the time for diplomacy, not hostility."

This declaration comes at a time marked by notable tensions between the two empires. The reception of governments in exile in Vienna has fueled speculation about a potential indirect confrontation, or even a new European Cold War.

In the face of this, Emperor Hector I is firm but conciliatory. In the words of an imperial advisor close to the government:

"The French Empire does not renounce its duty to greatness, but it will not pursue it at the cost of a pointless war. This summit is a strong gesture of good faith, to discuss matters between equals and preserve continental balance." »

The French government also emphasizes that the recent annexations were, in its view, the result of the popular will of the territories concerned and the collapse of the institutions that governed them. However, the call for a summit was not accompanied by conditions or deadlines, a sign of an open, albeit strategic, approach.

Domestically, this initiative is welcomed by a majority of imperial deputies, although some militarist factions consider it premature. The newspaper Le Monarque, close to the government, ran the headline this morning: "The Emperor chooses honor and peace."

Pending a possible response from Vienna, all eyes remain on the chancelleries. A return to diplomacy could help avoid a lasting division of the continent into two rival blocs, reminiscent in many ways of the tensions of the 20th century.

[Imperial AustriaHungary]

Diplomatic blossoming, or formal gesturing?

In response to the invitation from the French Emperor, the Kaiser has agreed to travel to neutral ground for a summit, as tensions are still high. the head of the foreign ministry has suggested both parties meet in Switzerland to carry out the discussions on the possible restoration of relations between Paris and Vienna, in her words she is quoted as saying "though we have our differences, we are both great powers and as such hold the responsibility to act rationally on the world stage, especially in times such as these" Now, the Kaiser is expected to head to Switzerland awaiting his French counterpart, as a show of good faith he only comes with a single squad of the royal house guard corps rather than the usual platoon.

Italy in crisis, the empire responds.

Following the downfall of the government in Rome and riots and unrest on the border, the AustroHungarian army has sent combat troops to occupy the regions of Venice, and south Tyrol, with general Von Greeman announcing, "this occupation is a temporary measure, in the future a referendum will be held on whether the people here wish for reunion with our homeland." Critics say this is just an excuse for territorial aggrandizement and settling century old scores in the region, supporters say it is a humanitarian operation and to secure national security interests in the Italian peninsula, only time will tell. as of now, the department of the army has confirmed 15 divisions are present in the so called "Italian theater" with plans to up the deployment to 25 by months end.

Tragedy! terrorists attack Prague!

Breaking news this morning, a previously unknown radical sect of terrorists calling themselves "the order of the black diamond" have launched a series of bombings throughout the city of Prague, with several more going off in Budapest. There was gunfire exchanged between militants and police tactical forces, with several hours of vicious fighting ending in a federal victory. as of now the death toll stands at 98 and the Kaiser has declared a state of emergency until the damage can be assessed.

Any people with possible information on this group are urged to come forward, authorities fear they may strike again

[Baratheone]

ULAANBAATAR, IKH KHANLIG

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The Khanate of the Great Steppe emerged from the Soviet Union’s systemic collapse between 1989 and 1992. Its founder, Temujin Ulanov, was initially a minor figure: a Buryat officer in the Soviet NKVD with postings in Mongolia. His political trajectory shifted after the Erdenet Incident (1990), when Soviet troops executed Batbayar Budragcha, a miner and Ulanov’s close associate, during labor unrest. Ulanov deserted, gathering a small force of miners, herders, and clan militias in rural Mongolia.

At first, his insurgency had no nationalist program beyond vengeance against Moscow. But his capture of Ulaanbaatar’s broadcast station in mid-1990 altered his role. Millions across Central Asia watched as Ulanov denounced Moscow’s abandonment of the steppe, presenting himself as a defender of ordinary people. Within months, Soviet central government was mired by open rivalry between Premier Boris Vatrushkin and NKVD chief Stavrentiy Beria Jr., in how to respond to Ulanov's inspired unrest in other republics. Vatrushkin demanded military crackdowns while Beria Jr. covertly armed separatists to weaken him, creating the very vacuum Ulanov exploited to rise.

A 1989 transport accident in Novosibirsk detonated a nuclear warhead under repair, killing thousands and seeding further public distrust in Moscow at levels unseen even after Chernobyl. The catastrophe created mutinies within the Strategic Rocket Forces, especially in Central Asia, where officers and troops, underpaid and far from Moscow, demanded evacuation or discharge. Soviet propaganda, desperate to deflect blame, publicly accused Ulanov of sabotage. Instead of discrediting him however, the narrative elevated his status: a countryside rebel scapegoated by Moscow for a nuclear catastrophe. The label of “destroyer” turned into myth, proof to many that he was feared by the Kremlin.

The attraction of Ulanov to other ethnonationalist groups namely Kazakh, Kyrgyz, Tuvan, and Altai, lay not in Mongolian nationalism alone but in a few converging factors. As the Red Army withdrew, Soviet depots, towns, and transport corridors were left undefended. Local elites lacked capacity to govern. Ulanov’s militias were a disciplined force capable of restoring order. These groups shared histories of forced Russification, resource extraction, and suppression of language and tradition. It was only after consolidating Kazakhstan and Semipalatinsk did Ulanov articulate a state-building vision.

When Soviet command fractured in 1991, tactical nuclear warheads and delivery systems at Semipalatinsk and surrounding depots were left under-guarded as Russian units withdrew. Defected Rocket Forces officers, many unpaid and stranded in Kazakhstan, offered their services to Ulanov in exchange for protection and status. Through this bargain, Ulanov secured not only warheads but also the expertise to maintain them.

In December 1992, he proclaimed the Ikh Talyn Khanlig. His rationale was that fragmented independence would leave each republic vulnerable to reconquest. A confederated khanate, by contrast, could resist as one. This confederated structure allowed elites to retain internal control while contributing tribute, manpower, and hostages to the central authority. Regional khans administer their territories but owe loyalty to Ulanov, the Nar Khan (Sun Khan). A cult of personality portrays Ulanov as heir to both Stalin (order) and Genghis Khan (heritage), with his scapegoating for the Novosibirsk disaster propagandized as proof of his power to shake empires.

His willingness to wield them was demonstrated in 1994 during the Pavlodar Rebellion, when a Kazakh faction stopped its tribute in protest. The rebellion marked the Khanate’s first major internal challenge and rather than engage in protracted conflict, Ulanov personally ordered the arrest of the coalition’s senior elders during a supposed negotiation. They were transported under guard to Semipalatinsk, where defected Rocket Forces officers had restored several tactical devices to partial functionality.

The elders were forced to witness a controlled nuclear detonation. The blast, filmed and rebroadcast, reaffirmed Ulanov’s possession of functioning nuclear arms, and demonstrated his willingness to use them. Following the event, the captured leaders publicly swore renewed fealty in a televised kurultai, a feature of the regime. Internationally, it marked Ikh Talyn Khanlig as not only nuclear-armed but uniquely willing to stage nuclear coercion.

Temujin Ulanov’s trajectory as an NKVD officer, deserter, rebel, countryside warlord, and steppe unifier forms the core myth of the state. His image is omnipresent and the state’s narrative emphasizes his reluctant rise as a man who first sought only revenge but was forced by history to assume the mantle of Nar Khan. In 2025, Ikh Talyn Khanlig endures as a nuclear-armed, resource-funded, authoritarian confederation of 95 million people, arguably the most disruptive legacy of the Soviet Union.

[Baratheone]

ULAANBAATAR, IKH KHANLIG

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Draft intelligence papers from the Great Horde, the armed forces of Ikh Khanlig, outline possible operations aimed at destabilizing major great powers including Canada and France. The files, prepared by the Khanate’s security service known as the Shadow Horde, surfaced after a senior officer mistakenly exposed a foreign journalist to an encrypted planning channel.

The officer, Colonel Peteg Hegsed, was today stripped of his rank in a public ceremony that was broadcast on television, a feature of the regime. The ceremony was designed to humiliate, with rows of troops and civilians compelled to watch in silence. The documents appear to be more concept notes rather than approved operations, but it is said they reflect the regime’s view of its geopolitical adversaries. The papers apparently circulated among Horde planners in late 2024.

In Canada, a draft described potential cyber disruptions against Ottawa’s northern power grid. The document argued Canada had “assumed the mantle of U.S. hegemony” after Washington’s collapse and masked expansion under peacekeeping missions. Shipyards in San Francisco were similarly singled out as possible targets for sabotage. Drafts characterized Pacifica as “America in utopian drag” claiming its social-democratic prosperity and digital state as nothing but “a softer empire, yet an empire nonetheless.”

The same was the case for Austria-Hungary, where documents also mentioned symbolic attacks against cultural sites in Prague and Vienna. Vienna was described as “a museum empire, parading over steppe graves.” The text accused the dual monarchy as an old dynastic empire that has repeatedly clashed with steppe peoples from the Middle Ages to World War I.

Another paper raised the possibility of sabotage in France, targeting Marseille’s port facilities. France’s imperial government was described the antithesis to everything the Nar Khan had fought for in his lifetime. The paper seems to also attribute a quote to the Nar Khan himself, reportedly describing Hector I as “a failed officer playing Napoleon.”

In Poland-Transruthenia, one draft described possible infiltration networks along the Belarusian and Ukrainian frontiers. The files accused Warsaw of reviving the Polish-dominated Commonwealth under the guise of a modern Confederation, calling it “a republic for Poles, a prison for others.”

Ideology seems to run strongest in a paper about Maharlika, exploring the supply of arms to separatist groups in Mindanao. The draft portrayed Manila as home to an urban elite that suppresses rural provinces much as Moscow once suppressed nomadic cultures. It argued that Maharlika’s centralizing policies betrayed its agrarian base in favor of urban industrial interests.

The South Sea was not exempt, with Singapore’s role as a financial hub singled out as a potential target for DDoS flood disruption to force banks suspend trading for hours. Planners accuse the Federation of profiting from the isolation of the Khanate from the intentional community and guilty of worsening inequality among smaller Pacific states. Draft documents also discussed staging bomb threats at container terminals to disrupt maritime freight.

While the Great Horde has not commented on the leak, some analysts have stressed that while the papers may reflect aspirational rhetoric now, it remains unpredictable whether they will become actionable plans. "In the hands of a regime willing to act irrationally, even concept papers carry weight,” said one researcher. It comes as speculation grows about the health of Nar Khan Temujin Ulanov, 73, who has not appeared in public for several weeks. Notable senior physicians have been observably summoned to Ulaanbaatar over the last few days.

[Baratheone]

ULAANBAATAR, IKH KHANLIG

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New activity has been detected at the former Soviet nuclear test site in Semipalatinsk, coinciding with televised cyber exercises carried out by the Shadow Horde. Satellite imagery taken recently shows new excavation and smoke plumes at the Degelen Mountain sector of the Semipalatinsk site, which was used for hundreds of underground tests during the Cold War. Convoys of military trucks, fuel carriers, and mobile generators were observed moving between reinforced tunnel entrances.

State television later showed engineers in protective clothing gathered outside one of the bunkers alongside General Batu Ulanov, a rising commander in the Great Horde. Officials offered no further details. Analysts estimate the Khanate holds around 90 tactical nuclear warheads, largely short-range artillery shells and aircraft-deliverable bombs inherited after the Soviet collapse. Most are believed to be several decades old.

However, renewed tunneling at Semipalatinsk has raised concerns the Khanate may be attempting subcritical experiments, tests that use fissile material but stop short of producing a full nuclear chain reaction. Experts have noted that experiments can be used to check aging cores or, worryingly, to develop more compact devices.

In a separate segment, state television showed personnel from the Khanate’s security service, the Shadow Horde, conducting cyber exercises at a command facility near Ulaanbaatar. Screens showed simulated attacks against power grids and clearing platforms. Saran Ulanova, head of the economic modernization board, issued a statement claiming the exercises as part of her office’s “digital resilience” program. Senior command at the Great Horde however, did not endorse that description.

In the first drill, operators monitored a digital model of a sparse electricity network. Substations connected by long transmission lines were sequentially taken offline until the model grid collapsed. The scenario reflected the vulnerabilities of power systems found in regions like North America with limited redundancy.

In the second drill, screens displayed a financial clearing platform processing high volumes of transactions. As the exercise continued, transaction traffic increased until the system locked and settlement flows stopped. The model resembled clearinghouses used in Southeast Asia trading hubs to manage re-exports and regional balances.

A third exercise simulated infiltration of a communications relay and rail junction, with training maps resembling the Eastern European Plain. The nature of the Shadow Horde’s drills seemed to confirm the validity of the Great Horde's new military posture, as evidenced by the group chat leak that led to Colonel Peteg Hegsed’s public humiliation this past week.

On the same day, a youth brigade associated with Temur Ulanov staged a small rally in central Ulaanbaatar. Participants carried placards reading “The future fits in our hands,” though the slogans appeared unrelated to the day’s official events and were not mentioned in later broadcasts. Taken together, the nuclear work tied to Batu, the digital programs claimed by Saran, and Temur’s unrelated youth demonstrations reveal sprawling approaches among the Nar Khan’s children as they take more public roles.