Vapor: A Steampunk RP Region (OOC v.4.0 -- INVITE ONLY)

[Fanaglia]

Maybe we need do a less serious, non-canon thread to bring us all back together after this hiatus after all, because I know that there are IC things for almost everyone on this list to do, but we're all just too busy. A lighter, less consequential RP could ease everyone back into the swing of things.

I think you might be right.

Also, Orange and Vitz have both been ex-nations for a long time and I doubt either is coming back. Orange is pretty easily retconned, but something will need to be done with Vitz.

Don't know what to do with Vitzenburg. All I know is that former FIN nations (me, Cygnar) will continue to shun and shame Vitzenburg for a very long time, no matter what.

I have one possibility in mind. Maybe a new economic downturn happens in Vitzenburg, one worse than that of the late 1800s/early 1900s; additionally Loyalists (those who supported Kaiserin Morgan during her overthrow) and other factions are unhappy with the new Kaiser and start a revolution; the result being a splintered Vitzenburg, creating a bunch of tiny nations where Vitz used to be.

Or Vitzenburg stays the same, with someone else just taking over. I don't know what you guys want to do

I suggest we have him just sort of become an NPC like Dal, at least for the time being, with perhaps a revolution of some sort in the future to split it up into smaller states for newer nations to claim. In the mean time, I can simply edit Vitz to occupy a smaller area on the map to free up space for possible new nations.

Maybe we need do a less serious, non-canon thread to bring us all back together after this hiatus after all, because I know that there are IC things for almost everyone on this list to do, but we're all just too busy. A lighter, less consequential RP could ease everyone back into the swing of things.

I'm up for anything. Working in the same universe does get a bit boring after a while. Personally, I want to do a space adventure, but definitely not an all human space adventure. That would be speciesist! Or maybe something involving magic, magic is always funny. But not medieval magic, nor the also very cliche modern-day magic.

Well, that's just part of being in an RP group -- it's all set in the same universe with a shared and agreed-upon structure. Any official Vapour RPs should certainly take place in the Vapour universe; this of course does not mean you are required to participate only in Vapour-related RPs or that you can not invite all of your fellow Vapourites to a non-Vapour RP. That's essentially what I was suggesting with some of my FT or MT RP suggestions.

[Inoroth]

RE: Vitz -- I say that, for now, we leave his nation be, at least until we have some use for that land (i.e. a new nation). I like Servoth's idea of a revolution, as Vitz always seemed economically... unstable. But let's not cut and gut him until we've found a player to occupy the same space.

[Servoth]

RE: Vitz -- I say that, for now, we leave his nation be, at least until we have some use for that land (i.e. a new nation). I like Servoth's idea of a revolution, as Vitz always seemed economically... unstable. But let's not cut and gut him until we've found a player to occupy the same space.

Additionally, (I don't know if this helps any) but before Vitz went and double-crossed me, he informed (read: telegrammed) me of his plan for Kaiserin Morgan. Morgan had gotten pregnant, in an affair with her personal bodyguard, about the time of the 1903 Amplector Conference (now non-canon), hence why she was 'sick' and could not attend. She was to be about ready to give birth at the time of her overthrow. She was to escape into the woods while the child's father distracted the attackers. He didn't elaborate any further, or hadn't planned that far ahead, but I assume she would have crossed over the Vitzenburgan/Servothian border, and died giving childbirth. The child would have then been, most likely, be rasied a young couple living on a remote farm.

Again, I don't know if this helps any, but I think it would have made for an interesting plot. Maybe.

[Inoroth]

I like that idea, very epic (in the classical sense). Vinchero has always had a soft spot for Morgan, and we had discussed in TG about the possibilities of a marriage (or affair of some sort) between the two characters, though ultimately agreed it went against character. However, it is very likely that Vinchero would at least strongly consider backing Morgan's descendent in a bid for the throne instead of some non-royal usurper... actually, I'm not really all that clear on if Vitz ever went through on his plans to kill off Morgan, or if he never got around to it? Does anyone else remember her being offed in any of the threads? If so, who replaced her, because that would be important too.

[Cycuiia]

I'm lurking on the boards everyday. I've filled up my class schedule with the maximum amount of "upper level" courses I could take for the semester, since I really don't want to spend more than four years to get my degree.

[Inoroth]

Neeeeew flag! It's nice to see we haven't lost ya!

[Servoth]

I like that idea, very epic (in the classical sense). Vinchero has always had a soft spot for Morgan, and we had discussed in TG about the possibilities of a marriage (or affair of some sort) between the two characters, though ultimately agreed it went against character. However, it is very likely that Vinchero would at least strongly consider backing Morgan's descendent in a bid for the throne instead of some non-royal usurper... actually, I'm not really all that clear on if Vitz ever went through on his plans to kill off Morgan, or if he never got around to it? Does anyone else remember her being offed in any of the threads? If so, who replaced her, because that would be important too.

Further search into Vitz's mountain of near nothing but OOC posts, provides evidence that the son may have born earlier than 1903. Here, we see the son 'Karl' talking with the ship's captain, I think Karl may be at least 7 or 8 years old. We could retcon this event, again I don't know.

Investigating in the "And They All Laughed" thread suggests (or hints at) maybe one of her generals took her place. I thinking Schewben (that his name?), maybe.

Looking at the "Imogen Conference" thread confirms that Morgen was replaced by a male Kaiser between 1903 and 1904, however, no physical descriptions or names are given for this new Kaiser.

All the information I could find, nothing else.

[The Holy Dominion of Inesea]

I'm still alive!

Been busy hurting my ankle, camping, school, parties, life, crack, studying, reading, gaming, looking at colleges, etc.

I actually would like to try an RP on the Vitusian Coast where several companies compete to influence some small NPC Hellenic/Hanseatic League for access to ports or some rare resource(Helium?)

[The knights of kings]

Im still alive but exams are my number one on the list, so Il try to get posts up once I have the time. Especially with spring break around the corner!

[Inoroth]

@Servoth -- Sounds like several possibilities lay open to us, then. Key questions, as I see them, are:

Q.) Does Morgan die/become deposed?

Do we even want to pursue the idea of a coup by Vitzenburg's military? There are other ways to deal with his nation, but I personally think it would be a really nice way to continue Vitzenburg's history without having his absence become dead weight, like Gratia is now. Revolution, new player takes over, and the legacy continues in a new direction.

Q.) Does Morgan have a legitimate heir and/or a love child with her head body guard?

Important because, most likely, her love child would be illegitimate in a normal nation's line of succession (not that Vitz couldn't be different, but his strong morality points to tradition being followed in this case), and if there were a legit kid, he'd get the backing of any attempts to reinstate the crown. If there isn't any legit kid, then the idea of having the bastard child (in the traditional sense) rule would be more palatable to other monarchies, especially if the body guard had some lesser peerage as well.

Q.) Who is Kaiser Karl?

Is he a legit kid? A nehpew or cousin? does he even exist?

---

One scenario that I see being fun to write while also making decent sense is to have the military (under Gen. Schweben) launch a coup against Morgan, and though she escapes, it comes at the cost of killing off her body guard lover in the process. She flees to the woods, enters neighboring Servoth, and has her love-child there in some old Servothian couple's cottage before dying. She was never married and has no other children. Meanwhile, the Generals insert an heir of dubious legitimacy, one 12 year old Kaiser Karl, second cousin once removed (or something) of the late Kaiseress Morgan, as a cloak of legitimacy while they form their own government. The rest of the world doesn't like it, but whatever, it's still a monarchy, and Morgan's child is unknown, so there's nothing really to do about it. Vinchero at least is pissed at the Generals, though, and secretly promises some kind of justice against the Generals. A few years pass, and the growing youngster grows and becomes increasingly difficult to control, doing things the Generals don't like and whatnot, like giving charters to unions or higher minimum wage laws or something like that, while the Generals have increased Vitzenburg's military and economic power without addressing the growing dissatisfaction of the poor. In the end the Generals have Karl assassinated, declare the nation a republic, and hold (rigged) elections to continue ruling. Many people are outraged and unrest grows. At this point, Morgan's love-child is revealed somehow, and Inoroth (and any other nation that wishes to join in,) demands that s/he be instated as the next monarch, supporting them militarily if needed. A war between Morganite Loyalists vs. and Schweben Republicans ensues, and both sides have valid points. A new player could lead either faction, or some other one, and the end could be a unified Republic, Monarchy, or divided states with different modes of government. What do you all think?

@Inesea -- Good ole' BSA for ya.

@Prinnia -- Well, school comes first, as they say.

[The knights of kings]

@Servoth -- Sounds like several possibilities lay open to us, then. Key questions, as I see them, are:

Q.) Does Morgan die/become deposed?

Do we even want to pursue the idea of a coup by Vitzenburg's military? There are other ways to deal with his nation, but I personally think it would be a really nice way to continue Vitzenburg's history without having his absence become dead weight, like Gratia is now. Revolution, new player takes over, and the legacy continues in a new direction.

Q.) Does Morgan have a legitimate heir and/or a love child with her head body guard?

Important because, most likely, her love child would be illegitimate in a normal nation's line of succession (not that Vitz couldn't be different, but his strong morality points to tradition being followed in this case), and if there were a legit kid, he'd get the backing of any attempts to reinstate the crown. If there isn't any legit kid, then the idea of having the bastard child (in the traditional sense) rule would be more palatable to other monarchies, especially if the body guard had some lesser peerage as well.

Q.) Who is Kaiser Karl?

Is he a legit kid? A nehpew or cousin? does he even exist?

---

One scenario that I see being fun to write while also making decent sense is to have the military (under Gen. Schweben) launch a coup against Morgan, and though she escapes, it comes at the cost of killing off her body guard lover in the process. She flees to the woods, enters neighboring Servoth, and has her love-child there in some old Servothian couple's cottage before dying. She was never married and has no other children. Meanwhile, the Generals insert an heir of dubious legitimacy, one 12 year old Kaiser Karl, second cousin once removed (or something) of the late Kaiseress Morgan, as a cloak of legitimacy while they form their own government. The rest of the world doesn't like it, but whatever, it's still a monarchy, and Morgan's child is unknown, so there's nothing really to do about it. Vinchero at least is pissed at the Generals, though, and secretly promises some kind of justice against the Generals. A few years pass, and the growing youngster grows and becomes increasingly difficult to control, doing things the Generals don't like and whatnot, like giving charters to unions or higher minimum wage laws or something like that, while the Generals have increased Vitzenburg's military and economic power without addressing the growing dissatisfaction of the poor. In the end the Generals have Karl assassinated, declare the nation a republic, and hold (rigged) elections to continue ruling. Many people are outraged and unrest grows. At this point, Morgan's love-child is revealed somehow, and Inoroth (and any other nation that wishes to join in,) demands that s/he be instated as the next monarch, supporting them militarily if needed. A war between Morganite Loyalists vs. and Schweben Republicans ensues, and both sides have valid points. A new player could lead either faction, or some other one, and the end could be a unified Republic, Monarchy, or divided states with different modes of government. What do you all think?

@Inesea -- Good ole' BSA for ya.

@Prinnia -- Well, school comes first, as they say.

I am really really loving that plot line! Its got all the good stuff, revenge, love, and violence! I was thinking that some sort of terrorist organization takes a grip over Vitzenburg, sort of like the movie J. Edgar where the communist anarchist begin planting bombs everywhere. I can see this spouting out several threads, one for the coup, another for the growing unrest, than finally the revolution to a republic or splinter states. In fact I believe to satisfy our needs for character driven RP's we should actually make a whole bunch of them revolving around this time period in Vitzenburg. Not only is there already some national history but it will be fun imagining the life of people in one specific nation. The People of Vitzenburg Saga.

[Inoroth]

I don't know about a multitude of threads all at once, I think one or two good character RP's will keep us from becoming overwhelmed... we don't want to be waiting on people to post who've forgotten they were even involved (like now).

[Servoth]

One scenario that I see being fun to write while also making decent sense is to have the military (under Gen. Schweben) launch a coup against Morgan, and though she escapes, it comes at the cost of killing off her body guard lover in the process. She flees to the woods, enters neighboring Servoth, and has her love-child there in some old Servothian couple's cottage before dying. She was never married and has no other children. Meanwhile, the Generals insert an heir of dubious legitimacy, one 12 year old Kaiser Karl, second cousin once removed (or something) of the late Kaiserin Morgan, as a cloak of legitimacy while they form their own government. The rest of the world doesn't like it, but whatever, it's still a monarchy, and Morgan's child is unknown, so there's nothing really to do about it. Vinchero at least is pissed at the Generals, though, and secretly promises some kind of justice against the Generals. A few years pass, and the growing youngster grows and becomes increasingly difficult to control, doing things the Generals don't like and whatnot, like giving charters to unions or higher minimum wage laws or something like that, while the Generals have increased Vitzenburg's military and economic power without addressing the growing dissatisfaction of the poor. In the end the Generals have Karl assassinated, declare the nation a republic, and hold (rigged) elections to continue ruling. Many people are outraged and unrest grows. At this point, Morgan's love-child is revealed somehow, and Inoroth (and any other nation that wishes to join in,) demands that s/he be instated as the next monarch, supporting them militarily if needed. A war between Morganite Loyalists vs. and Schweben Republicans ensues, and both sides have valid points. A new player could lead either faction, or some other one, and the end could be a unified Republic, Monarchy, or divided states with different modes of government. What do you all think?

Sounds like a great idea to me! This could really get us going again.

[Inoroth]

I could work on the OP and MAAAAYBE have something up by the weekend?

[Fanaglia]

I don't necessarily think it's a bad idea (in fact, I quite like it), but Vitz and I already talked a bit about what came of Morgen and how Karl rose to power. We never had the details nailed down 100% because we wanted to do it in an RP, as sort of a spinoff of the "And They All Laughed" RP. Long story short, Karl is in fact the bastard son of Morgen and her bodyguard, Finn Klienn, who was born in 1883. As the war against the pirates of the Black Isles progresses, Schweben seizes the opportunity to launch a coup against the Kaiserin, who escapes at the last minute with Finn and Karl, with the help of the Fanaglian BNI and possibly the Inorothians, and seeks asylum in Fanaglia. There is a civil war in Vitzenburg between Morgen's loyalists and Schweben's rebels. In the end, Morgen's forces (supported by Fanaglia, Black Shield, and presumably Inoroth, whose forces were still under my control at the time while he was at Jesus Camp) prevail over the rebels, but, just as she was returning to her empire, a lone assassin a la John Wilkes Booth murders her before she can complete her journey home. Finn and Karl survive and Karl is crowned kaiser in a bittersweet ceremony.

In a gesture of goodwill to those who once dissented against his mother, he allows the establishment of a constitution. However, Black Shield is allowed too much sway in the drafting of the new constitution and granted too much influence in the rebuilding of war-torn Vitzenburg (details were TG'd to me and are spoilered below). Once he realizes how out of control and dangerously powerful Black Shield has become, he attempts to condemn them, but is decried as a socialist, for Black Shield's meddling in the Vitzburgian military-industrial complex and entertainment industry have bolstered its once-struggling economy to an economic powerhouse. Karl reaches out to Queen Autumn of Fanaglia for support, but she is torn because she too relies heavily on conservative policies towards big business such as Fanaglian Central Textiles for her economic strength and stability. As tensions in Vitzenburg continue to rise, Autumn is considering more and more openly supporting Kaiser Karl in his effort to hobble the power of Black Shield in his nation, especially with doubts rising about her alliance with Averi and her desire to cling to the few reliable friends she feels she has left, but Black Shield has been watching both leaders closely. When it becomes apparent to Black Shield agents that Autumn plans to support Karl against them, they attempt to intimidate her to keep her in line. This works only briefly; she schedules a press conference in which she plans to publicly condemn Black Shield in both Vitzenburg and Nova Voerda, but she is poisoned before she can deliver it. This is a major blow to both Vitzenburg and Fanaglia as Averi shocks all of Amplector by suddenly invading Prinnia and dragging both struggling nations into the mix.

Okay, I got a plan for the interaction between the Black Shield and Vitzenburg
Vitzenburg makes the best infantry guns, hands down. So obviously the Black Shield would want to capitalize on that. Start selling the weapons, hiring to work on factory lines, getting paid well. They can then go to one of Vitzenburg's engineering schools and become an engineer, or go to a trade school and become skilled labor to make even more. If they don't they'll eventually be fired to for fresh employee's who might have the initiative to better themselves. Those who aren't skilled or can't get hired, can get hired by a state sponsored Merc army, to fight for an even higher wage with tons more danger. There will also be an opportunity to become skilled labor while working as a merc. When they come back home from fighting, they get entertained, which will create a booming entertainment industry. Farmers will be able to sell more crops due to the mercs needing food, gain more money and go get to see the entertainment too. The only low paying jobs would become janitorial services and such for those who don't want to fight. They'll make super low wages due to their lack of skill and being pussies. There will be a complete lack of anything resembling social welfare, thus creating the need to work. The only real thing that won't be sold is the Super Heavy armor and anything after it, and the personal power armor that I linked you before. That'd be used by the Mercs.
Make the best weapons > get paid a lot > don't make great weapons > get fired > join the merc company > fight for a high wage > come home spend money on entertainment, houses and land > All money goes to the banks eventually
The Black Shield will obviously control the banks in Vitzenburg, also the housing markets too, where all the money will eventually land...
Work or Die
PS this means we can make MOVIES!!!
PSS I've got tons of weapon designs, so don't you worry about that :3
PSSS I made this plan with my buddy who's a finance business major XD

[Fanaglia]

But the strong presence of Black Shield and their anti-"socialist" propaganda against the kaiser would serve as a convenient catalyst for a second civil war, which could cause the fractious situation we're looking for.

[The knights of kings]

I like these ideas, also I just drafted the first part of my Den post and will continue to work on it, so hopefully this fri I can have it up.

edit: What really interests me is this whole underlying sense of treachery with secret groups, hopefully with the introduction of a character RP I can bring up a reappearing villain of sorts.

[Inoroth]

Hmm... sounds like that could work too, and I like how Black Shield's being brought into it, because IIRC they were supposed to be up to something in Vitz anyways.

What if... The military launches their coup, Body-Guard-Boyfriend/Finn Klienn still dies, Morgan still flees (perhaps BNI/AIS Agents were already worried about this possibility, due to the developments in And They All Laughed, and thus they are embedded to help her escape), along with her bastard son (Karl), whom she had had several years ago but managed to keep secret all this time. The Burgish military declares the nation a republic (run by them, of course), Morgan Loyalists and Schweben Republicans broil, the former aided by Inoroth and Fan, Black Shield (and others?) and the latter supported by a greater percentage of Vitzburg's population and resources, but still mysteriously strong, clever, and tenacious in the face of their seemingly stronger foes. Eventually the rebellion is worn down, and just before the triumphant return of the Kaiseress, the assassin strikes and guns her down. However, it is at this time that Karl's true nature is revealed, and he takes over as a youthful Kaiser. With the help of Black Shield, he rebuilds his war torn nation in a manner similar to the way Fan described, and for a while there is prosperity. All things are not perfect, though, as Karl begin to see the cost and danger of befriending Black Shield. He sees the power they are gaining in his lands, the and condemns them. In response, he is accused of trying to remove the very engine that has brought success and prosperity to Vitzenburg. He is lampooned as a socialist, and there is talk of another revolution. He reaches out to Queen Autumn for support, and pretty much everything fan wrote happens after that, with the addition that, in her dying hours after being poisoned, Queen Autumn is visited by Ghost of Christmas Past (or whatever the scary leader of Black Shield was named), and he takes the opportunity to gloat, revealing just how powerful his group has become, recounting how his organization armed both sides in the Vitzenburgish civil war, turning a handsome profit in the process, how they were behind the bullet that killed Morgan, because she would not work with them, how they are now controlling much of Nova Voerda, Fanaglia, and Vitzenburg, how they are killing her, how Karl died the night before in a 'tragic' bombing of his car by 'rebels', how Averi was 'about to become the next Black Shield Subsidiary' (a hint at the Den of Vipers thread).

...

Sound workable?

[Servoth]

Well, this became a plot of bloodshed, lies, backstabbing, and greed if I ever saw one. I'm now confused on where Servoth might fit into this scheme; considering I share a border and language with Vitzenburg, Servothian interests will get involved somehow. I'm also debating who Kaiser Anton will support.

[Inoroth]

There's also Vjiay, but he hasn't checked in in a while.

[Cygnar]

I am confused

[The Holy Dominion of Inesea]

Well, this became a plot of bloodshed, lies, backstabbing, and greed if I ever saw one. I'm now confused on where Servoth might fit into this scheme; considering I share a border and language with Vitzenburg, Servothian interests will get involved somehow. I'm also debating who Kaiser Anton will support.

Mishmite/Servoth Companies compete with Black Shield/Black Shield Affiliates for Desaltonian/Promethian Markets? UFCO/Dole style?

[Pavlostani]

Well, this became a plot of bloodshed, lies, backstabbing, and greed if I ever saw one. I'm now confused on where Servoth might fit into this scheme; considering I share a border and language with Vitzenburg, Servothian interests will get involved somehow. I'm also debating who Kaiser Anton will support.

Mishmite/Servoth Companies compete with Black Shield/Black Shield Affiliates for Desaltonian/Promethian Markets? UFCO/Dole style?

The War of the Vitzenburgian Succession: Now with capitalism.

[Inoroth]

@Cygnar -- How so?

@Inesea -- Could work, but would probably be a thread outside of our Vitzburgish one.

@Pav -- Lol

[Pavlostani]

Hmm... sounds like that could work too, and I like how Black Shield's being brought into it, because IIRC they were supposed to be up to something in Vitz anyways.

What if... The military launches their coup, Body-Guard-Boyfriend/Finn Klienn still dies, Morgan still flees (perhaps BNI/AIS Agents were already worried about this possibility, due to the developments in And They All Laughed, and thus they are embedded to help her escape), along with her bastard son (Karl), whom she had had several years ago but managed to keep secret all this time. The Burgish military declares the nation a republic (run by them, of course), Morgan Loyalists and Schweben Republicans broil, the former aided by Inoroth and Fan, Black Shield (and others?) and the latter supported by a greater percentage of Vitzburg's population and resources, but still mysteriously strong, clever, and tenacious in the face of their seemingly stronger foes. Eventually the rebellion is worn down, and just before the triumphant return of the Kaiseress, the assassin strikes and guns her down. However, it is at this time that Karl's true nature is revealed, and he takes over as a youthful Kaiser. With the help of Black Shield, he rebuilds his war torn nation in a manner similar to the way Fan described, and for a while there is prosperity. All things are not perfect, though, as Karl begin to see the cost and danger of befriending Black Shield. He sees the power they are gaining in his lands, the and condemns them. In response, he is accused of trying to remove the very engine that has brought success and prosperity to Vitzenburg. He is lampooned as a socialist, and there is talk of another revolution. He reaches out to Queen Autumn for support, and pretty much everything fan wrote happens after that, with the addition that, in her dying hours after being poisoned, Queen Autumn is visited by Ghost of Christmas Past (or whatever the scary leader of Black Shield was named), and he takes the opportunity to gloat, revealing just how powerful his group has become, recounting how his organization armed both sides in the Vitzenburgish civil war, turning a handsome profit in the process, how they were behind the bullet that killed Morgan, because she would not work with them, how they are now controlling much of Nova Voerda, Fanaglia, and Vitzenburg, how they are killing her, how Karl died the night before in a 'tragic' bombing of his car by 'rebels', how Averi was 'about to become the next Black Shield Subsidiary' (a hint at the Den of Vipers thread).

...

Sound workable?

I have to say, this sounds pretty cool.

EDIT: In keeping with the treachery and backstabbing planned for this, I will probably RP a member of the Black Diamond arrived to capitalize on the situation in Vitzenburg.