Axis versus Allies (Planning, OOC, Invite Only)

[The Selkie]

Hello and welcome to the Planning-Thread for an RP currently under the planning name of Axis versus Allies, as the name suggests a War RP or series of War RPs set in the late 1930s and early to mid 1940s.
This thread is invite only, meaning, that if you do not belong to the following, you are free to read along. Currently invited are:

- The members of the region The Strategic and Economic Alliance.
- The members of the region Northern Ocean.
- Astares Amauricanum.
- Austria-Bohemia-Hungary.
- Greater Orcadia.
- USG Security Corporation.

I, Selks, will act as OP, Port Ember will be acting as Co-OP.
If you want to be invited as well, drop me AND Port Ember a TG with what you want to do in this RP, how you want to accomplish that and a RP-sample (a link to a RP you participated with, with the account you are writing to us, NOT a paragraph written on the fly) and we will see, what we can do. No promises for anything.

With these administrative things out of the way... what is this about?
Well, basically, a World War 2 Scenario, but not any old WW2-Scenario, where we bum-rush each other with armoured armies without any rhyme or reason, but one, where we will be going with a bit more care, as well as economic and political maneuvering, before, during and after the fighting.
Non-aligned, communists, socialists, democrats, fascists, you name it, you can play it (I would like to remind you to keep NS' rules in mind, though). This is also where something else comes in: I have nothing against any of you to establish nations on Aranna (NOT colonies, NATIONS - if I can resist the urge to establish a Kyrenaian Colony there, then so can you!).
Wait, hold up - what is Aranna?
Aranna (named in loving reference to the place Dungeon Siege, a very old RPG, plays), is the continent, where all of this will go down - if you need a map, here we go: *Bing*
Some of you, who know me, might recognize some of the names, like Lutetii, Auwalt and Teressien, nations I played in the past, but some are new. When you look at this map, keep in mind, that the nations of Putsämaa, Kanatvi, Poribu, Vilmea, Porcon, Frijawa, Trinchasa, Citimere and Lamere are placeholders - they are, where you can establish yourself with a name you can pick yourself (preferably before the RP/RPs start ; )).

And how do we get into war? Well, my basic idea was, that Ahua is our bad guy. Ahua, in my head I call them the Fascist Goths, are exactly that: Fascists. A country led by a bunch of far-right, authoritarian ultranationalists under a dictator, who came to power by an election and who grabbed power in one fell swoop shortly afterwards (which, of course, absolutely nobody saw coming). While a small smidgen of racism does play a role in the ideology of Ahuan Fascism, the ideology is mostly about expansion into lost territories, Irredentism at its finest.
In the past, mostly over the course of the late 19th and early 20th century, Ahua lost a number of wars and suffered from separatist movements - once, the entire nations of Menyz, Hrohasa and Aib were once part of Ahua, as well as the eastern strip of Auwalt (from Sawa down to Hrotsted, over to Ahomburg). The history of how that all was lost basically amounts to "Ahua cannot into wars."
At least at that time.
Now, with an aggressive political leadership and a newly reformed and reforged army, Ahua will go and liberate and reclaim lost lands - and who will stop them?
Auwalt? They will guard their own lands and Ahua would be stupid to attack the Empire.
Teressien? At the time more involved with itself and over the oceans then in any mood to fight Ahua.
Lutetii? Involved in running disputes with other powers (among them the Free Lands ; )).
Dousatel? The Theocracy is unwilling to wage war unless attacked.
Any of the other continental powers? Maybe. But maybe they find the idea of reclaiming what was lost not unappealing either.
Someone from the outside? Also maybe. Or they find the idea of a strong Ahua appealing for their own ends and needs. Or they swore to defend one of the small nations, which are now on Ahua's shopping list. Or they are ideologically opposed to Ahua.
The possibilities for you are endless.

Three things are for certain and need to be established right away: One, war will start in early to mid 1940 with Ahua invading Aib. Two, there will be no form of Genocide on anyone. Three, in the end, Ahua will loose.
How that loss will come about, now that is up to you and your abilities in warfare.
(Though it will come about without the use of nuclear, biological or chemical weapons.)
Oh, and four: NS-Rules, people. We will stick to them.

So, what are we doing here, then? Basically, setting the stage and setting everything up for us to have quite a bit of fun over the next few months and... let's see how far we can go, eh?
I personally need to retcon Lutetii, Auwalt and Teressien from an archipelago into continental nations, set up a few other nations and... well, you need to think about quite a few things as well. So, let's get to it!

[Port Ember]

I must admit, that I am extremely excited for this to go down.

As for those who were not involved in the original brainstorm, allow me to divulge that this RP will form part of my IC Lore/History, as I need some beef for this time period for my nation.

So, allow me to explain where my nation personally fits in: Between the 1800's and 1950, Port Ember was a colony of the United Kingdom. It achieved limited self ruling status in 1910, and became known as the "Dominion of the Ember Islands" (the nation only gains its current name of Port Ember in 1950, upon total independence). So, my nation, aka "The Dominion" for short, enters World War II due to its constitutional obligations to support its colonial overlords. As soon as ## enters the war as part of the alliance known as "The Axis", the Dominion is forced to declare war upon them, and thus sends its forces to engage them. Me as a player will not be forming a nation upon Selk's continent, but send an expiditionary force forth instead. Me and Selks did not discuss this specific issue, but I personally think that we should limit (maybe not go as far as prohibit totally) the amount of players which does the same (send an invasion force from their own nation), but instead try to maximise the population of the native nations found on the continent.

Selks, I think that we should create a sort of Cheat Sheet for every nation once the OOC is established (please counter me if its a stupid idea), something which clearly describes the nation, its chosen side, government type, population, major cities and towns and where is what of importance, armed forces strength etc etc etc. If this is all neatly and easily reachable, it would make the rp a bit easier to control for all involved. And this will also force all the players involved to divulge its army size/strengths/weaknesses etc etc before it starts, disabling any sort of.. bum rushing as you have coined it.

[The Selkie]

[...] Me and Selks did not discuss this specific issue, but I personally think that we should limit (maybe not go as far as prohibit totally) the amount of players which does the same (send an invasion force from their own nation), but instead try to maximise the population of the native nations found on the continent.

Selks, I think that we should create a sort of Cheat Sheet for every nation once the OOC is established (please counter me if its a stupid idea), something which clearly describes the nation, its chosen side, government type, population, major cities and towns and where is what of importance, armed forces strength etc etc etc. If this is all neatly and easily reachable, it would make the rp a bit easier to control for all involved. And this will also force all the players involved to divulge its army size/strengths/weaknesses etc etc before it starts, disabling any sort of.. bum rushing as you have coined it.

Actually, you make two very important points: Organizing the tables and limiting expeditionary forces.
I am all for the latter. This is a new playing field, half of the continent is a blank slate, why not use it? Besides, if too many ExForces are at sea, they might meet each other or they might meet raiders - and not all of them might be on the same side. Would be a bummer if those awesome new tanks were sunk on the way, right? ; )
As for the former, I will do that, too - I know my way around how Wikia works its tables by now, so I am sure, that I can put something worthwile up. It can only help all of us.

[Astares Amauricanum]

Hello everyone!
As said with Selks on TG before, I will RP on the continent as one of my puppets, Mandanda. I'm currently hesitating to have it placed at either Porcon or Vilmea.
Also, Astares might appear from afar, by sending logistical support. Its presence will be reduced because, for those of you who know it, my nation, in myvIC canon, exists in place of the Canada and USA, so while in 1940 it follows an isolationist policies, December 7th 1941 and what follows are coming...

[Port Ember]

I am glad you feel the same way Selks! Especially in limiting the Expeditionary forces. Thing is, if we dont fill up all the nations, we stand the chance of one player being forced to play numurous nations at once, which can quickly lead to burn out, long post turn around times, or skimping on a specific nation. Or worse, letting it lay dormant and being ignored, despite armageddon taming place within its sphere!

AA! Its good to have you here mate. So, as for your nation of Mandanda, do you have a rough idea what its role will be n this exciting and dangerous world?

[The Chuck]

Pecunia non olet

I am definitely interested in following along and participating in this RP. I will probably be taking a mercantile role in this over anything else however!

[Port Ember]

Ah yes Chuckles! There should be a new saying.. "Where there is a Port Ember.. There is a Chuck... Where there s a Chuck... A Port Ember is near!" Haha.

"Pecunia non olet" - Indeed, money does not stink at all! It has a gorgeous smell in fact. I think personally to have a nation involved who does not commit forces, but is the reason for beinging forth all sorts of shiny tanks and other goodies to the fight, would be an interesting and refreshing take. What say you Selks?

[The Selkie]

Pecunia non olet

I am definitely interested in following along and participating in this RP. I will probably be taking a mercantile role in this over anything else however!

A fresh take, that will find quite a bit of hindrance with submarines. ; )
Glad to have you aboard, Chuck.

As for 'unplayed' nations - they stay neutral. Not the most exciting option to be honest, but it should work. I do not doubt, however, that we will have enough participants... ; )

Hello everyone!
As said with Selks on TG before, I will RP on the continent as one of my puppets, Mandanda. I'm currently hesitating to have it placed at either Porcon or Vilmea.
Also, Astares might appear from afar, by sending logistical support. Its presence will be reduced because, for those of you who know it, my nation, in myvIC canon, exists in place of the Canada and USA, so while in 1940 it follows an isolationist policies, December 7th 1941 and what follows are coming...

Same as with Chuck - your logistical support might find itself prey of grey wolves. ; ) Though the political implications, for both of you, are interesting, if you go through with your Lend-Lease. ; )
Being in the place of Porcon or Vilmea... it's your pick - be aware, though, that Vilmea is pretty far north.

[Polish Prussian Commonwealth]

i have no idea what's going on
do i have to make a new nation? oh god oh fuck help me please

[The Selkie]

i have no idea what's going on
do i have to make a new nation? oh god oh fuck help me please

As I do not see any way for the Polish-Prussian Commonwealth to believably be on Aranna, I am afraid, that this might be an option - another option would be to move one of your puppets onto one of the Placeholder Slots, preferably one with only a small canon. Or you can make an NPC-Nation, like Bayerland.

[Polish Prussian Commonwealth]

i have no idea what's going on
do i have to make a new nation? oh god oh fuck help me please

As I do not see any way for the Polish-Prussian Commonwealth to believably be on Aranna, I am afraid, that this might be an option - another option would be to move one of your puppets onto one of the Placeholder Slots, preferably one with only a small canon. Or you can make an NPC-Nation, like Bayerland.

Bayerland is far too aggressive for the sort of politicking you'd want...I might revive Dessuar-Elsass for this, though.

[Mervay]

Mmm... So a war in the past huh??? Perfect way to test the military capabilities and show some muscle... Now would it be possible along the lines of the BEF (British Expeditionary Force)?

[The Selkie]

As I do not see any way for the Polish-Prussian Commonwealth to believably be on Aranna, I am afraid, that this might be an option - another option would be to move one of your puppets onto one of the Placeholder Slots, preferably one with only a small canon. Or you can make an NPC-Nation, like Bayerland.

Bayerland is far too aggressive for the sort of politicking you'd want...I might revive Dessuar-Elsass for this, though.

Bayerland were the first, who came to my mind... ^^ but, yeah, sounds like a plan!

Mmm... So a war in the past huh??? Perfect way to test the military capabilities and show some muscle... Now would it be possible along the lines of the BEF (British Expeditionary Force)?

Indeed, past muscles. ; ) As for expeditionary forces, PE and I were talking about that and sending out expeditionary forces will only be possible to some extend, meaning, that only a few of the participants may be allowed to choose this option. It will be an affair of Aranna and its closer surroundings.
Please don't ask, what "a few" will mean, we both don't know yet. ; )

[Mervay]

Indeed, past muscles. ; ) As for expeditionary forces, PE and I were talking about that and sending out expeditionary forces will only be possible to some extend, meaning, that only a few of the participants may be allowed to choose this option. It will be an affair of Aranna and its closer surroundings.
Please don't ask, what "a few" will mean, we both don't know yet. ; )

I see. Well if I can't bring an EF, can I at least have a battle fleet close to the area and if the agressors have a navy try to just pull something similar to Taranto on them??

[Carlotina]

Oii,
As you might know, this is an Alt-Account of Lillorainen (for those who don't know or wish to believe that, I'm gonna confirm this in a moment) - it seemed a reasonable choice, for various reasons. Lillorainen, in 1940, was not a unified state yet, but wished to change that, therefore had its own business to mind. Shamsiyya was at its peak of the Succession War and, unbeknownst to them back then, two years away from a coup which would give them half a century of socialism, therefore cannot reasonably enter a war. Shikonjima might have been an option, but I dismissed this one fast, too, for back then, Imperial Shikonjima was furthering its ideology of 'Altaic Supremacy' (basically my canon's iteration of Turanism), and while not explicitly fascist, it had better things to do than sacrificing troops and resources for fighting a fascist nation.
I got to the idea of involving Carlotina into this, to finally give this canon some substance after 15 months of existence and a complete retcon. Of course, this was still half a century before the Free Federated States became a thing, and it was a long way to get there, but to that later. The Carlotinian High Kingdom, founded in the 6th century CE, faced several revolutions in the 19th century, after which it adopted a constitution and established a functional parliament. In 1902, High King Ignacio VIII. upgraded himself to an Emperor. In 1928, Ignacio died; his daughter Flavia became Empress. The Carlotinian Empire would gradually fall apart throughout the 1950s and 1960s, but in 1940, there was no thought of that. So, even though Carlotina was an Empire just like Shikonjima, it wasn't anywhere close to it, quite on the contrary.
What I could imagine, is that Carlotina might have an important ally on Aranna (I'm thinking of Citimere or Lamer, as these have never been part of Ahua), who looks at Ahua and thinks, "Oh snap ... this isn't going anywhere good ..." and needs some support. Carlotina might provide some financial aid, and additionally, send some field agents to Ahua (it could be a nice spy movie!), might also prepare troops, should an intervention be necessary, but will keep them back for now, unless everything goes south.
Thoughts?

[Lillorainen]

Oii,
As you might know, this is an Alt-Account of Lillorainen (for those who don't know or wish to believe that, I'm gonna confirm this in a moment) - it seemed a reasonable choice, for various reasons. Lillorainen, in 1940, was not a unified state yet, but wished to change that, therefore had its own business to mind. Shamsiyya was at its peak of the Succession War and, unbeknownst to them back then, two years away from a coup which would give them half a century of socialism, therefore cannot reasonably enter a war. Shikonjima might have been an option, but I dismissed this one fast, too, for back then, Imperial Shikonjima was furthering its ideology of 'Altaic Supremacy' (basically my canon's iteration of Turanism), and while not explicitly fascist, it had better things to do than sacrificing troops and resources for fighting a fascist nation.
I got to the idea of involving Carlotina into this, to finally give this canon some substance after 15 months of existence and a complete retcon. Of course, this was still half a century before the Free Federated States became a thing, and it was a long way to get there, but to that later. The Carlotinian High Kingdom, founded in the 6th century CE, faced several revolutions in the 19th century, after which it adopted a constitution and established a functional parliament. In 1902, High King Ignacio VIII. upgraded himself to an Emperor. In 1928, Ignacio died; his daughter Flavia became Empress. The Carlotinian Empire would gradually fall apart throughout the 1950s and 1960s, but in 1940, there was no thought of that. So, even though Carlotina was an Empire just like Shikonjima, it wasn't anywhere close to it, quite on the contrary.
What I could imagine, is that Carlotina might have an important ally on Aranna (I'm thinking of Citimere or Lamer, as these have never been part of Ahua), who looks at Ahua and thinks, "Oh snap ... this isn't going anywhere good ..." and needs some support. Carlotina might provide some financial aid, and additionally, send some field agents to Ahua (it could be a nice spy movie!), might also prepare troops, should an intervention be necessary, but will keep them back for now, unless everything goes south.
Thoughts?

I hereby confirm, that I'm the guy behind Carlotina.

[The Selkie]

Oii,
As you might know, this is an Alt-Account of Lillorainen (for those who don't know or wish to believe that, I'm gonna confirm this in a moment) - it seemed a reasonable choice, for various reasons. Lillorainen, in 1940, was not a unified state yet, but wished to change that, therefore had its own business to mind. Shamsiyya was at its peak of the Succession War and, unbeknownst to them back then, two years away from a coup which would give them half a century of socialism, therefore cannot reasonably enter a war. Shikonjima might have been an option, but I dismissed this one fast, too, for back then, Imperial Shikonjima was furthering its ideology of 'Altaic Supremacy' (basically my canon's iteration of Turanism), and while not explicitly fascist, it had better things to do than sacrificing troops and resources for fighting a fascist nation.
I got to the idea of involving Carlotina into this, to finally give this canon some substance after 15 months of existence and a complete retcon. Of course, this was still half a century before the Free Federated States became a thing, and it was a long way to get there, but to that later. The Carlotinian High Kingdom, founded in the 6th century CE, faced several revolutions in the 19th century, after which it adopted a constitution and established a functional parliament. In 1902, High King Ignacio VIII. upgraded himself to an Emperor. In 1928, Ignacio died; his daughter Flavia became Empress. The Carlotinian Empire would gradually fall apart throughout the 1950s and 1960s, but in 1940, there was no thought of that. So, even though Carlotina was an Empire just like Shikonjima, it wasn't anywhere close to it, quite on the contrary.
What I could imagine, is that Carlotina might have an important ally on Aranna (I'm thinking of Citimere or Lamer, as these have never been part of Ahua), who looks at Ahua and thinks, "Oh snap ... this isn't going anywhere good ..." and needs some support. Carlotina might provide some financial aid, and additionally, send some field agents to Ahua (it could be a nice spy movie!), might also prepare troops, should an intervention be necessary, but will keep them back for now, unless everything goes south.
Thoughts?

I hereby confirm, that I'm the guy behind Carlotina.

Acknowledged and welcome - sounds like a plan. That reminds me, we need to talk diplomacy with the continental powers. Who is allied with whom, who trades with whom, who hates whom's guts... that also concerns you, PE, because while it is an option to simply go in because "they're Nazis" (which is incorrect because Ahua is Fascist, but anyway), I would like for those involved to have a bit of a more substantial reason. Trade interests, partnerships and allies, maybe even wars fought together in the past, we have options, which we can work out.

I see. Well if I can't bring an EF, can I at least have a battle fleet close to the area and if the agressors have a navy try to just pull something similar to Taranto on them??

Before we work that out further, one important question: On who's side would you be?

[Port Ember]

Also, just a small input, it would appear that there is a idea floating around that everyone involved must be against the Ahua lads. This is not the case. You can be with em, against em, or just doing your own thing by playing the field.

[Carlotina]

I hereby confirm, that I'm the guy behind Carlotina.

Acknowledged and welcome - sounds like a plan. That reminds me, we need to talk diplomacy with the continental powers. Who is allied with whom, who trades with whom, who hates whom's guts... that also concerns you, PE, because while it is an option to simply go in because "they're Nazis" (which is incorrect because Ahua is Fascist, but anyway), I would like for those involved to have a bit of a more substantial reason. Trade interests, partnerships and allies, maybe even wars fought together in the past, we have options, which we can work out.

Muchas gracias. ^^ Of course, this should be sorted out beforehand. My idea would be, that Carlotina's ally (I'm more and more leaning towards Citimere) would be a major trade partner of Carlotina's - after all, I doubt, that Citimere would have lots of rum and bananas without a tropical nation to import them from, eh? ^^ I further could imagine Citimere once having supported Carlotina in previous adventures in the Moana Nui Islands, which were basically a chessboard in a seemingly infinite game Carlotina and Shikonjima were playing (that the Carlotinian Empire would collapse and become a chessboard itself in 1962 could be anticipated as much as Shikonjima losing her Colonial Empire by the 1970s, namely, not at all). While Kelaina and Ainalaui were Shikonjimanese Colonies, Carlotina did some island hopping in the archipelagoes of Nanaloa and Waniana in the 1880s; Citimere could have been involved, either officially, or unofficially - with merceneries in the latter case.
Citimere could have the fear, that in the event Ahua regains its lost territories, fascist forces within Citimere could be inspired to try to take over power and align the country with Ahua, forming a significant fascist block on the continent and push their idea westwards. Auwalt might laugh about this fear given the strength it defends its lands with, but it could raise a couple of eyebrows in, say, Teressien, Lutetii, or Brucalla, not to mention the countries sandwiched between Citimere and Ahua. Likewise, similar pro-fascist uprisings in Carlotina would significantly destablize the Empire.

Also, just a small input, it would appear that there is a idea floating around that everyone involved must be against the Ahua lads. This is not the case. You can be with em, against em, or just doing your own thing by playing the field.

Noted. I just deemed my anti-Ahua stance most sensible for my canon. ^^

[The Chuck]

Pecunia non olet

I am definitely interested in following along and participating in this RP. I will probably be taking a mercantile role in this over anything else however!

A fresh take, that will find quite a bit of hindrance with submarines. ; )
Glad to have you aboard, Chuck.

As for 'unplayed' nations - they stay neutral. Not the most exciting option to be honest, but it should work. I do not doubt, however, that we will have enough participants... ; )

Hello everyone!
As said with Selks on TG before, I will RP on the continent as one of my puppets, Mandanda. I'm currently hesitating to have it placed at either Porcon or Vilmea.
Also, Astares might appear from afar, by sending logistical support. Its presence will be reduced because, for those of you who know it, my nation, in myvIC canon, exists in place of the Canada and USA, so while in 1940 it follows an isolationist policies, December 7th 1941 and what follows are coming...

Same as with Chuck - your logistical support might find itself prey of grey wolves. ; ) Though the political implications, for both of you, are interesting, if you go through with your Lend-Lease. ; )
Being in the place of Porcon or Vilmea... it's your pick - be aware, though, that Vilmea is pretty far north.

Hmm... Anyone a tad bit worried about the German yucking on about Submarine warfare?

[The Selkie]

Hmm... Anyone a tad bit worried about the German yucking on about Submarine warfare?

Which reason would there be? ; )

Muchas gracias. ^^ Of course, this should be sorted out beforehand. My idea would be, that Carlotina's ally (I'm more and more leaning towards Citimere) would be a major trade partner of Carlotina's - after all, I doubt, that Citimere would have lots of rum and bananas without a tropical nation to import them from, eh? ^^ I further could imagine Citimere once having supported Carlotina in previous adventures in the Moana Nui Islands, which were basically a chessboard in a seemingly infinite game Carlotina and Shikonjima were playing (that the Carlotinian Empire would collapse and become a chessboard itself in 1962 could be anticipated as much as Shikonjima losing her Colonial Empire by the 1970s, namely, not at all). While Kelaina and Ainalaui were Shikonjimanese Colonies, Carlotina did some island hopping in the archipelagoes of Nanaloa and Waniana in the 1880s; Citimere could have been involved, either officially, or unofficially - with merceneries in the latter case.
Citimere could have the fear, that in the event Ahua regains its lost territories, fascist forces within Citimere could be inspired to try to take over power and align the country with Ahua, forming a significant fascist block on the continent and push their idea westwards. Auwalt might laugh about this fear given the strength it defends its lands with, but it could raise a couple of eyebrows in, say, Teressien, Lutetii, or Brucalla, not to mention the countries sandwiched between Citimere and Ahua. Likewise, similar pro-fascist uprisings in Carlotina would significantly destablize the Empire.

Also, just a small input, it would appear that there is a idea floating around that everyone involved must be against the Ahua lads. This is not the case. You can be with em, against em, or just doing your own thing by playing the field.

Noted. I just deemed my anti-Ahua stance most sensible for my canon. ^^

Good ideas. I will leave Citimere to you to develop?

[Carlotina]

Good ideas. I will leave Citimere to you to develop?

Then I'm gonna run and develop Citimere. Activate drawing board!

[The Selkie]

Good ideas. I will leave Citimere to you to develop?

Then I'm gonna run and develop Citimere. Activate drawing board!

Wonderful! If you need help, gimme a shout! : D

[Port Ember]

Noted. I just deemed my anti-Ahua stance most sensible for my canon. ^^

Oh no worries - I was not hinting at you specifically, I was just making a general reminder. War RP's in general has a tendency to favour one side unevenly.

[The Selkie]

Noted. I just deemed my anti-Ahua stance most sensible for my canon. ^^

Oh no worries - I was not hinting at you specifically, I was just making a general reminder. War RP's in general has a tendency to favour one side unevenly.

Yeah... and that would be a bit boring, wouldn't it?
Anyway: Here the first glimpses of our bad guys, the Ahuan Realm (or simply Ahua). What do you all think?