RPing Questions? Ask Here!

[Ella2 6]

Hey everyone.

I'm new here, and I've recently been getting lots of telegrams asking me to join groups.
I want to know exactly what this means.

Thank you so much,
Cal

Hey Cal,

What you're getting are called 'regional recruitment' telegrams. Regions are groups of player accounts that are placed in the same group for gameplay purposes. Most regions have their own community hubs, rules and ways they like to do things. Your enjoyment of the region you are in may have an impact on your enjoyment of NationStates but that is not guaranteed. Some players ignore regions entirely and only focus on playing on the forums. While others only play in their regions. Some players do both. It's really up to how you like to play!

[A m e n r i a]

This is a bit of a weird question but I'll ask it. What actions, decisions, practices or the like does the state have to do in order for me to play as an evil nation. What are some tips or resources for playing an evil nation?

Do what's evil. Ban Islam and prosecute Muslims, or discourage their practices. Let megacorporations roam free and opress the masses. Practice magic, worship the devil or analogues thereof and spread that cult around. Purge xenos and use their souls to power your superweapon. Hell, there are lots of ideas you can take from comic books, video games, movies, or even real life.

[Graintfjall]

I've roleplayed on NS before, but an aspect I've struggled with is the prevailing "every nation an island" approach when it comes to world-building my own nation. Most RL nation's histories are heavily intertwined with other nations, but on NS there's a slight vicious circle where it's difficult to roleplay links with another nation until you've established your own nation. Because of this I've always defaulted to the "independent power" model, but there are lots of other interesting possibilities: a postcolonial nation emerging from the shadow of a former empire, a former imperial power coping with its reduced circumstances, a breakaway republic from a political bloc, a former pariah state reintegrating, and many others. What's the best way of going about establishing links with other nations that would allow me to explore possibilities that aren't just my nation being totally economically and militarily independent?

[Teremara Caretaker]

I've roleplayed on NS before, but an aspect I've struggled with is the prevailing "every nation an island" approach when it comes to world-building my own nation. Most RL nation's histories are heavily intertwined with other nations, but on NS there's a slight vicious circle where it's difficult to roleplay links with another nation until you've established your own nation. Because of this I've always defaulted to the "independent power" model, but there are lots of other interesting possibilities: a postcolonial nation emerging from the shadow of a former empire, a former imperial power coping with its reduced circumstances, a breakaway republic from a political bloc, a former pariah state reintegrating, and many others. What's the best way of going about establishing links with other nations that would allow me to explore possibilities that aren't just my nation being totally economically and militarily independent?

I'd say a lot of those are a good start. I think you just have to hit a region that doesn't have their canon locked in so tight that they don't have room to integrate another nation like yours. There are some RP regions out there, like mine, still looking to get in players and do more integrated worldbuilding. There is the mega thread for finding regions, and you might have luck there. As far as RP, it's tough to get those links, but some people are more flexible than others, or open to doing that. I just think that you'll find you need to get in with a good region first, and then work on the canon, rather than hoping to work the other way and make canon happen in some organic fashion with another nation. Just pretty rare that it happens that way.

[Graintfjall]

Heh, shows how long it's been since I RPed on NS, that thread didn't exist last time! Thank you, that's probably a good place to start.

[Dayganistan]

I've roleplayed on NS before, but an aspect I've struggled with is the prevailing "every nation an island" approach when it comes to world-building my own nation. Most RL nation's histories are heavily intertwined with other nations, but on NS there's a slight vicious circle where it's difficult to roleplay links with another nation until you've established your own nation. Because of this I've always defaulted to the "independent power" model, but there are lots of other interesting possibilities: a postcolonial nation emerging from the shadow of a former empire, a former imperial power coping with its reduced circumstances, a breakaway republic from a political bloc, a former pariah state reintegrating, and many others. What's the best way of going about establishing links with other nations that would allow me to explore possibilities that aren't just my nation being totally economically and militarily independent?

I've tried to solve this by joining regions, but most "RP" regions seem to rarely actually RP. My experience with regions has, unfortunately, been zero RP because everyone is expending their energy trying to have the best wiki page as if they'll get some kind of e-cred for that.

[A m e n r i a]

I've roleplayed on NS before, but an aspect I've struggled with is the prevailing "every nation an island" approach when it comes to world-building my own nation. Most RL nation's histories are heavily intertwined with other nations, but on NS there's a slight vicious circle where it's difficult to roleplay links with another nation until you've established your own nation. Because of this I've always defaulted to the "independent power" model, but there are lots of other interesting possibilities: a postcolonial nation emerging from the shadow of a former empire, a former imperial power coping with its reduced circumstances, a breakaway republic from a political bloc, a former pariah state reintegrating, and many others. What's the best way of going about establishing links with other nations that would allow me to explore possibilities that aren't just my nation being totally economically and militarily independent?

Either open an embassy thread or join any random roleplay that interests you to make your presence known within the NS multiversal community. They'd have to establish links with you, you had contact with them!

[Kadajistan]

Hello, this is translated with a translator.

I wanted to know which country gives more to play a good role, a communist republic or a far-right republic

More specifically, which is better, a communist republic located in present-day Pakistan or a fascist republic in present-day Indonesia?

I am also looking for ideas to make some role play with an asian fascist nation

[Sunset]

Hello, this is translated with a translator.

I wanted to know which country gives more to play a good role, a communist republic or a far-right republic

More specifically, which is better, a communist republic located in present-day Pakistan or a fascist republic in present-day Indonesia?

I am also looking for ideas to make some role play with an asian fascist nation

Neither or Either. The question is really up to you, what stories you are interested in writing, and whether you as a writer can give form to those stories. While the location might change some of the particulars of a story, nearly any story can be told in any location with a little (or a lot of) creativity.

As for ideas, some point out that there are seven - or five, depending on who you ask - different types of conflict in literature. These are...

Person vs. Person.
Person vs. Self.
Person vs. Fate/God(s)
Person vs. Nature.
Person vs. Society.
Person vs. the Unknown/Extraterrestrial.
Person vs. Technology/Machinery.

Now in the case of NationStates roleplaying, your Nation (as 'Person') might be involved in all of those, but to develop a particular story you could use this as sort of a multiple-choice option. Which one or several do I want to write about with others? An example would be the second; Sunset is walking that narrow line between 'normalcy' and that of a post-Singularity civilization. So the conflict would be with the Self - itself against its own culture, own society, own rules. Once you've chosen one of these seven, you can then move to the Six W's; Who, What, When, Where, Why, and hoW. Answer these Six W questions in relation to one of the Seven Conflicts, and you have the beginnings of a story. Add another player/nation, and you have a role-play...

[Kadajistan]

This is translated with a translator

Which communism is more interesting to role-play, that of China, North Korea, Venezuela, Vietnam or Cuba?

I ask this to know where to bring Kadajistan communism to, since at the moment it is very Soviet and I don't like it since I want something more modern.

[A m e n r i a]

This is translated with a translator

Which communism is more interesting to role-play, that of China, North Korea, Venezuela, Vietnam or Cuba?

I ask this to know where to bring Kadajistan communism to, since at the moment it is very Soviet and I don't like it since I want something more modern.

Depends on:

1) what feel you're trying to invoke. Cold war? Soviet. Modern to futuristic? Chinese. Dystopian? North Korea.
2) whether or not you want to make your own brand of communism, which, imho, is the best. Ideologies tend to be made in consideration of local culture, so why not try that?

[Kadajistan]

This is translated with a translator

Which communism is more interesting to role-play, that of China, North Korea, Venezuela, Vietnam or Cuba?

I ask this to know where to bring Kadajistan communism to, since at the moment it is very Soviet and I don't like it since I want something more modern.

Depends on:

1) what feel you're trying to invoke. Cold war? Soviet. Modern to futuristic? Chinese. Dystopian? North Korea.
2) whether or not you want to make your own brand of communism, which, imho, is the best. Ideologies tend to be made in consideration of local culture, so why not try that?

Well, I want a contemporary communism, that is, the present, a communism for a country based in present-day Pakistan.

I want a communism where it seems that there is freedom, but not there, like Venezuela.

A communism that fits into a country in the Middle East, but not Islamist communism, an atheistic communism.

The communism of Venzuela attracts me a lot, or that of Cuba too.

What is your opinion?

[Hellslayer]

What if someone keeps forcing the RP the way they want and just won't let anyone do anything?

[The Macabees]

What if someone keeps forcing the RP the way they want and just won't let anyone do anything?

Could you give more detail? Who's the OP? How is this person forcing others to do what they want?

[A m e n r i a]

Depends on:

1) what feel you're trying to invoke. Cold war? Soviet. Modern to futuristic? Chinese. Dystopian? North Korea.
2) whether or not you want to make your own brand of communism, which, imho, is the best. Ideologies tend to be made in consideration of local culture, so why not try that?

Well, I want a contemporary communism, that is, the present, a communism for a country based in present-day Pakistan.

I want a communism where it seems that there is freedom, but not there, like Venezuela.

A communism that fits into a country in the Middle East, but not Islamist communism, an atheistic communism.

The communism of Venzuela attracts me a lot, or that of Cuba too.

What is your opinion?

As someone who has lived in China for three years, I can say that Chinese communism..ahem..market socialism fits somewhat, what with the increasingly liberal youth in the middle east and the state atheism in China. Feels modern too. Cuba could work though imo I feel that seems to antique, but I don't know enough about Venezuela to comment. Honestly, the laid-back attitude cultures in hot places have makes Cuba your second best bet imo.

[Kadajistan]

Well, I want a contemporary communism, that is, the present, a communism for a country based in present-day Pakistan.

I want a communism where it seems that there is freedom, but not there, like Venezuela.

A communism that fits into a country in the Middle East, but not Islamist communism, an atheistic communism.

The communism of Venzuela attracts me a lot, or that of Cuba too.

What is your opinion?

As someone who has lived in China for three years, I can say that Chinese communism..ahem..market socialism fits somewhat, what with the increasingly liberal youth in the middle east and the state atheism in China. Feels modern too. Cuba could work though imo I feel that seems to antique, but I don't know enough about Venezuela to comment. Honestly, the laid-back attitude cultures in hot places have makes Cuba your second best bet imo.

I want strong and somewhat radical communism, I like Venezuela's communism, I don't like market socialism, I want a completely planned economy.

I am between Venezuela and Cuba, they call my attention

[The Macabees]

I want strong and somewhat radical communism, I like Venezuela's communism, I don't like market socialism, I want a completely planned economy.

I am between Venezuela and Cuba, they call my attention

There are several ideological roads to the same end. The Third Reich cartelized, price controlled, and quota'd its way to a centrally planned economy.

You had mentioned Islam earlier, or maybe you had mentioned the Middle East and I made the connection to Islam. Anyway, you have a real-world case study: Democratic Republic of Afghanistan. It did not fit well with the values of Afghanistan's political elites, not just because of the importance of the Islamic religion but also because many of its policies were simply unpopular. They were unpopular in the Soviet Union too, until most of those landowners were "put in their place" by force - different countries, different paths.

But there are several ideological roads to the same end.

What values of Communism do you like? Can you take those and build an ideology that speaks to the cultural values of the people of your country? Is there a different road to the same end?

[Kadajistan]

I want strong and somewhat radical communism, I like Venezuela's communism, I don't like market socialism, I want a completely planned economy.

I am between Venezuela and Cuba, they call my attention

There are several ideological roads to the same end. The Third Reich cartelized, price controlled, and quota'd its way to a centrally planned economy.

You had mentioned Islam earlier, or maybe you had mentioned the Middle East and I made the connection to Islam. Anyway, you have a real-world case study: Democratic Republic of Afghanistan. It did not fit well with the values of Afghanistan's political elites, not just because of the importance of the Islamic religion but also because many of its policies were simply unpopular. They were unpopular in the Soviet Union too, until most of those landowners were "put in their place" by force - different countries, different paths.

But there are several ideological roads to the same end.

What values of Communism do you like? Can you take those and build an ideology that speaks to the cultural values of the people of your country? Is there a different road to the same end?

I like the false sense of freedom, also totalitarianism.

I also do not decide whether to have a single communist party or a collation of parties like in Venezuela.

Since Kadajistan is in present-day Pakistan, I want a completely atheistic communism, even if it is difficult

I want the typical country that people are poor and starve while the rulers have a lot of wealth, that is, a tyranny but with the aspect of democracy.

[A m e n r i a]

There are several ideological roads to the same end. The Third Reich cartelized, price controlled, and quota'd its way to a centrally planned economy.

You had mentioned Islam earlier, or maybe you had mentioned the Middle East and I made the connection to Islam. Anyway, you have a real-world case study: Democratic Republic of Afghanistan. It did not fit well with the values of Afghanistan's political elites, not just because of the importance of the Islamic religion but also because many of its policies were simply unpopular. They were unpopular in the Soviet Union too, until most of those landowners were "put in their place" by force - different countries, different paths.

But there are several ideological roads to the same end.

What values of Communism do you like? Can you take those and build an ideology that speaks to the cultural values of the people of your country? Is there a different road to the same end?

I like the false sense of freedom, also totalitarianism.

I also do not decide whether to have a single communist party or a collation of parties like in Venezuela.

Since Kadajistan is in present-day Pakistan, I want a completely atheistic communism, even if it is difficult

I want the typical country that people are poor and starve while the rulers have a lot of wealth, that is, a tyranny but with the aspect of democracy.

Sounds a lot more like capitalism than communism. At least not real communism, just the misinterpretations thereof irl. Why not make your own ideology?

[Kadajistan]

I like the false sense of freedom, also totalitarianism.

I also do not decide whether to have a single communist party or a collation of parties like in Venezuela.

Since Kadajistan is in present-day Pakistan, I want a completely atheistic communism, even if it is difficult

I want the typical country that people are poor and starve while the rulers have a lot of wealth, that is, a tyranny but with the aspect of democracy.

Sounds a lot more like capitalism than communism. At least not real communism, just the misinterpretations thereof irl. Why not make your own ideology?

I would like a country like Venezuela or Cuba.

But my biggest question is whether to have a unified communist party or make a coalition of left-wing parties like Venezuela.

[Dayganistan]

If I want to write a story of internal workings and power struggles in my nation's government, is that allowed to be posted anywhere in the forum? I'm not necessarily intending to have other nations involved, at least not right off the bat, because I don't want "internal power struggle between siblings for succession of the president" to turn into "typical NS hyper-power supports organization of their ideology to create puppet state."

[Kasa Tkoth Sphere]

If I want to write a story of internal workings and power struggles in my nation's government, is that allowed to be posted anywhere in the forum? I'm not necessarily intending to have other nations involved, at least not right off the bat, because I don't want "internal power struggle between siblings for succession of the president" to turn into "typical NS hyper-power supports organization of their ideology to create puppet state."

People typically put such threads in the NationStates subforum with a tag in the title reading [Maintenance] or [Nation Maintenance]. Adding a [Closed] indicator or a preface to your opening post will help ensure people don't post there without contacting you first.

[The Macabees]

I like the false sense of freedom, also totalitarianism.

I also do not decide whether to have a single communist party or a collation of parties like in Venezuela.

Since Kadajistan is in present-day Pakistan, I want a completely atheistic communism, even if it is difficult

I want the typical country that people are poor and starve while the rulers have a lot of wealth, that is, a tyranny but with the aspect of democracy.

The inconvenient truth is that wealth inequality is par for the course with complex societies. If you look at the spread of trade in northern Europe during late classical antiquity you'll see that high-wealth burial intensify when trade contacts intensify, and it makes sense - people who own the land and companies that act as trade nexus will reap benefits disproportionately compared to the farmer who has nothing to do with that trade. And when certain people make more income than others, they also become tax targets and the elites can concentrate some of that wealth on themselves too.

Historically, inequality is solved through conflict. That is the only historical solution. I highly recommend The Great Leveller by Walter Scheidel, it's the best book on the subject.

The way this resolution manifests is through the creation of new polities, and in the process of this creation there is a negotiation that leads to a contract. Call it a social contract. That's what Scandinavian social democracy represents, for example. On economic freedom indices, those countries score higher than the U.S. They do not sacrifice economic freedom: property rights are highly respected and, in important ways, it's easy to do business. The trade is that high economic freedom comes at the cost of higher taxes to pay for more public welfare programs that help level the playing field.

So whether you're talking communism, capitalism, etc., the problem is the same. Non-capitalist countries tend to have more income inequality, also - in reference to A m e n r i a's comment. Capitalist countries can be highly unequal, but so are non-capitalist countries. China is very unequal, and even between the "average" man the incomes of the average urban dweller is a magnitude higher than the average income of a rural farmer. I don't think political systems are as relevant as people think and it's probably best that we avoid this discussion altogether because I don't think it will be productive. It's a complex subject, it's a highly divisive subject, and ultimately I don't think the answer you're looking for is in this discussion.

I think you can get what you want and create a really interesting world. What if the communist regime is not entirely popular? What if relies on force more so than a more liberal country? What if much of the population is actually religious and detests this aspect of the state? Russia is a very Orthodox country; Afghanistan is a very Islamic country - both had communist regimes.

[The Macabees]

But my biggest question is whether to have a unified communist party or make a coalition of left-wing parties like Venezuela.

The form that polities take are path-dependent. Venezuela was a fairly wealthy liberal democracy before Chavez' coup. Chavez worked with what he had to get to where he wanted.

What was your country like before communism? That will help you determine what your version of communism looks like.

___

While I'm making book recommendations, I think you'd also find a lot value in The Narrow Corridor, by Acemoglu and Robinson. It is about liberty, but there's more to it than that. It talks about path dependency and about how different state builders worked with what they have. They talk about, for example, how Muhammad made his contract with the elite of Medina to put himself in a position where he could come to power.

People with visions, state-builders, work with the institutions as they exist and assimilate them.

[MC United]

I am pretty new to RPing here on NS, although I've been around for many a year in NSG. My question is, where would it be appropriate to post about anti-GA rioting that is occurring in my nation as a result of the passage of GA Resolution #499.