[TWI ONLY][Semi-Open][OOC] The Red Sunset Crisis

[Laeden]

The Red Sunset Crisis

OOC/IC/Dispatch

This roleplay is for members of THE WESTERN ISLES ONLY. If you are not on the map, you cannot participate in this roleplay. However, if you are about to come onto the map feel free to speak up in the OOC thread (this one) but please stay out of the IC thread until you become a member.

Introduction

After decades of ostracism and isolation, Sunset Isle is finally explored by a group of Avaronese adventurers, who discover huge deposits of gold, uranium and precious stones on the island. The discovery reignites the diplomatic controversy in South Mesder over the isle. As rival nations race to enforce their claims, the future of this idyllic tropical island and its fierce natives becomes increasingly obscure.

Quick Notes

• This is the OOC thread to the Red Sunset Crisis. This is meant to be the place where all the general out of character discussions will take place. Please share with me your ideas, opinions, suggestions and criticism.
  
• The crisis will initially be political, but it will later be developed into an international legal case about who has ownership over the island.
  
• The main participants of this roleplay will be me and Martenyika, the two natons that are meant to fight over the sovereignty of the Sunset Isle. Avaron and Aizcona are also invited to participate and support either side of the struggle, while Ainslie is invited to participate representing IPNO. In the second phase of this roleplay, the dispute will be submitted to an Arbitration Court, comprised by Thromsa, Uprea and Solaryia. If you're not one of those nations but you wish to participate just send your proposal here explaining your nation's stance in the dispute and how do you wish to engage in the game.

[Balnik]

Balnik will be definitely supporting Laeden in this as Laeden is its premier food exporter and a large importer of its petroleum product. Furthermore Balnik would like to set a precedent with this regarding the Faronna Isles issue.

[Wellsia]

Wellsia will want to make sure that a possible conflict here will not disrupt trade between the Mesder and Eastern Argus and Gael.

[Martenyika]

Alright, looks like there’s some posts happening in the IC thread already, so I’ll start writing something up and try to get it posted within the next 24-36 hrs or thereabouts (depending on IRL circumstances).

[Dormill and Stiura]

Balnik will be definitely supporting Laeden in this as Laeden is its premier food exporter and a large importer of its petroleum product. Furthermore Balnik would like to set a precedent with this regarding the Faronna Isles issue.

Incidentally, Dormill and Stiura would also have a reason to support Laedenian interests in the Sunset Isle but because D&S has already dedicated to investing in Laeden and intends to start using the provisions of the agreement made last year to base military forces in Laeden and use it as the springboard for Doraltic military interests in the Mesder (viewtopic.php?f=4&t=337003&p=38904855&sid=f083e8ba8400a9435a04446221130fa1#p38904855). It would be interesting at the very least to acknowledge this dynamic between Balnik and D&S being somewhat aligned on this issue if for different reasons.

Although this does leave D&S in a bit of a bind since it sees both Laeden and Martenyika as important stepping stones to entering the Mesder region proper, there might be an impetus to guide this situation into arbitration as soon as possible or find some other way to quell this before regional tensions flare.

In that, I don't immediately see myself being an active participant in the core story, Doraltic interests are in cooling the heads of Martenykian and Laedenian leadership enough to settle on arbitration and reach a mutually beneficial arrangement, possibly through the Organisation of Regional Cooperation In Argus. If I involve myself in this story, it'll be a side-piece in the news at most.

[Aizcona]

Aizcona would definitely be heavily involved in this issue from a diplomatic perspective to a military perspective all the way down to an economic level. Realistically the moment naval movements started to get increased in the area Aizcona would send in its Carrier Group to the area to oversee the area trying to keep shipping open and keep any potential skirmishes from breaking out, with a large area though there could likely be stuff started since Aizcona's navy would be under all orders not to shoot either Laeden's navy or Martenyika's navy. While that's going on Aizcona would be sending a stance that it does not want any conflict to break out in the area but in diplomatic back channels with both Laeden and Martenyika it would probably be striking opposing deals for which ever nation gives the best offer in the area in terms of an economic level of what Aizcona could see a benefit out of. Whoever gives the best deal would get Aizcona's support from behind the scenes.

Along with that Aizcona would be heavily discouraging Gael from getting involved, it would stop transit of Gael vessels in the canal and if Gael military ships actually went into the area it would probably close shipping off in the canal to Gaelitic merchant vessels until the whole thing blows over. Along with that its likely that Aizcona would be discouraging Wellsia from getting involved or trying to strong arm them into supporting the Estral stance, possibly cutting off a deal if it can get an economic use out of whoever the nation supports. As for Solaryia that is another friendly nation that Aizcona would be trying to shoo away from getting involved. Basically this whole thing is gonna be Aizcona running around its back yard trying to contain this situation and trying to force it to go in a direction that works in Aizcona's favor while not breaking down relations with any of the participating nations.

Expect potential mistakes and oversights

[Dormill and Stiura]

Aizcona would definitely be heavily involved in this issue from a diplomatic perspective to a military perspective all the way down to an economic level. Realistically the moment naval movements started to get increased in the area Aizcona would send in its Carrier Group to the area to oversee the area trying to keep shipping open and keep any potential skirmishes from breaking out, with a large area though there could likely be stuff started since Aizcona's navy would be under all orders not to shoot either Laeden's navy or Martenyika's navy. While that's going on Aizcona would be sending a stance that it does not want any conflict to break out in the area but in diplomatic back channels with both Laeden and Martenyika it would probably be striking opposing deals for which ever nation gives the best offer in the area in terms of an economic level of what Aizcona could see a benefit out of. Whoever gives the best deal would get Aizcona's support from behind the scenes.

Along with that Aizcona would be heavily discouraging Gael from getting involved, it would stop transit of Gael vessels in the canal and if Gael military ships actually went into the area it would probably close shipping off in the canal to Gaelitic merchant vessels until the whole thing blows over. Along with that its likely that Aizcona would be discouraging Wellsia from getting involved or trying to strong arm them into supporting the Estral stance, possibly cutting off a deal if it can get an economic use out of whoever the nation supports. As for Solaryia that is another friendly nation that Aizcona would be trying to shoo away from getting involved. Basically this whole thing is gonna be Aizcona running around its back yard trying to contain this situation and trying to force it to go in a direction that works in Aizcona's favor while not breaking down relations with any of the participating nations.

Expect potential mistakes and oversights

Well this is gonna be a lot of fun.

Balnik and I were talking last night about how funny OOC and ironic IC it would be if a naval task group from both of our navies sailed together in support of Gaeltic interests in the Sunset Isle crisis, amounting to the Balniki Destroyer Federation and a Doraltic surface warfare task group (we wouldn’t be so diplomatically stupid as to send either of our carriers, lol) parking on the Argean side of your waters, most likely near Keverai.

The point we both had was that this amusingly ironic side story will set the mood for what our governments are doing internally between Shadow over Gael and Terror over Gael, bitter rivals in Gael but capable of working together in spite of that.

Beyond just the naval stuff, this situation is also one where we are both interested in a quick resolution and a reversion to the status quo with one tiny exception, D&S would want to push to for an observer membership in ORCA to specifically become involved in the upcoming ARSECON. Both of which I imagine would come with D&S putting its support behind Aizcona but tempering any ambition to shift Laedenian foreign policy interest away from Gael.

[The United Partitions]

As a country home to a large gold and precious stone mining industry themselves (It being our main export), I foresee the United Partitions being involved in some way in this conflict. It would most likely be an economic issue for this reason, perhaps worry of another Argean nation having a larger mining industry, but also a political issue as I don't think the Partitions would look favourably at the exploitation of the native lands of an uncontacted peoples. In summary, the Partitions would probably be against both Laeden and Martenyika owning the islands, but I'm unsure if that's actually a stance I can take in this conflict.

[Wellsia]

There are two old sayings that seem to be coming true in this RP.
Politics make strange bedfellows.
Countries do not have friends or enemies, just interest.

[Ainslie]

Just about to post in the IC. As Laeden highlighted, most of my activity will be from the position of IPNO who become a third-party in the dispute between Martenyika and Laeden. The post I'm about to do bundles together Ahnslen government sentiment with a brief introduction of IPNO's director (and their public face at that) and a hint at what they seem to be concerned about in the island. All in all, not a massively meaningful post and not one that necessitates an OOC post to plan it all out - mainly just writing here to indicate that the Ahnslen Government is unlikely to be as involved in this as the International Parks and Nature Organisation is. This post likely marks a shift towards me writing more about the latter in this RP.

I've yet to talk to Roen about this, but we did have an idea for a roleplay a while ago that didn't get going so there's some extra angles we could add to this. That roleplay included ecoterrorists, which could easily be brought into this. However - they'd need people to pay for their activities and also targets. Also, the people against IPNO's position could easily adopt the line of "IPNO speaks for the terrorists" etc if they wanted to this way. Obviously that wouldn't be the case but it could be a good way to try and delegitimise them.

In addition to this, the Akari could have unlikely friends in the Ahnslen doomsday cults. The Ahnslen doomsday cults are essentially a fusion of more radical versions of protacism from Roendavar mixed with some inspiration from the Qa'dhir nation which once existed in Ainslie until they were wiped out by what would become the electorate of Dallara. However, they also believe that they are the re-establishment of the Qa'dhir nation and are very inspired by them. The cults are well aware of the Qa'dhir and how the development of nearby powers practically ended their culture and people. I'd imagine many of them could see a parallel here - the cults are already linked in with large international criminal organisations (from the times of the Buzz Crisis back in around 2018) so they'd have the finances to either support the ecoterrorists, fund efforts against Laeden and Martenyika or launch their own activities against them.

So yeah, if you're looking for some consequences for your IC actions, feel free to use the ecoterrorists liberally (they'd likely be mixed in with mercenaries and PMCs too). If you want to get the cults in, feel free to speak up in this OOC and we can work something out.

[Martenyika]

Hello all,

I just wanted to post a quick little update for the RP going forward - first, thank you to those who have showed interest, or even posted already!

I know some are still on hold for later parts of this RP. So far we've had about a week of build-up, but never fear, escalation is near! My next post (which ideally should come tomorrow) will kick up the spice level between Laeden and Martenyika on Sunset Isle, and make things "interesting" for the coming week. Next week should offer much greater opportunities for everyone else, so stay tuned!

[Hintuwan]

Hintuwan would do its best to participate in the mediation process, especially because we are far removed from this conflict. So like I said in the RMB, if there will be an international arbitration, I'd love for one of my characters to be part of the jury.

Other than that, maybe I can send a few journalists over to take note of the situation? Further developments may necessitate further action, but if it comes to that I'll ask for permission through here first.

[Laeden]

I'll have envoys being sent to Aizcona and Dormil and Stiura in the following days, in an effort to gather international support from them.

Balnik will be contacted too, although not in a very overt manner. We're preocupied with the possibility that this crisis might disrupt our trade and since Wellsia has presented itself as a possible competidor for food exports we will want to secure the balniki market at all costs

[Wellsia]

Laeden, I am having my ambassador deliver to your government our displeasure with your escalation of events on Sunset and demand that you remove your Marine battalion. Also going to have my ambassador in Martenyika to let them know of the demands to you and tell them not to send troops to drive the Laedeneans off. Finally going to contact Ainslie to do something to protect the natives on the island. Also sending the Crown Prince to Aizcona to find out their intentions.
If you have any problems with any of this let me know.

[Laeden]

Wellsia, no problems. Those are all reasonable moves. I'm digging the way you're interacting in ths RP. I'm surprised that you're not going to support Martenyika, though.

In any case, the laedenian government will react negatively to your meddling

[Wellsia]

Going to slowly switch to giving Martenyika more and more support, if Sunset is as valuable as it is claimed, much better having Martenyika control it then Laeden. It is to our advantage to keep Dormil and Stiura out of the region, especially since you have strong ties with them.

[Prudestania]

If it's ok with you guys I think Prudestania is going to send agents over, not a full scale invasion or even a platoon but !aybe just a few under cover agents. I'd also like to have the PM of Prudestania meet with a diplomat from Martenyika.

[Laeden]

If it's ok with you guys I think Prudestania is going to send agents over, not a full scale invasion or even a platoon but !aybe just a few under cover agents. I'd also like to have the PM of Prudestania meet with a diplomat from Martenyika.

There's nothing preventing you from trying to deploying agents in the isle. But bear in mind that there is a perimeter around the island, which is currently under strict surveillance by the Laedenian Navy and Air Force. And there is a battalion sized task force of Laedenian marines searching the island. So it's highly unlikely that your agents will manage to sneak into the island. If you try to sneak in and you're caught, there will be serious diplomatic consequences to your meddling

Regarding Martenyika, I think he'll be very pleased to negotiate. Send him a TG. He's very receptive.

[Dormill and Stiura]

Balnik will be definitely supporting Laeden in this as Laeden is its premier food exporter and a large importer of its petroleum product. Furthermore Balnik would like to set a precedent with this regarding the Faronna Isles issue.

Incidentally, Dormill and Stiura would also have a reason to support Laedenian interests in the Sunset Isle but because D&S has already dedicated to investing in Laeden and intends to start using the provisions of the agreement made last year to base military forces in Laeden and use it as the springboard for Doraltic military interests in the Mesder (viewtopic.php?f=4&t=337003&p=38904855&sid=f083e8ba8400a9435a04446221130fa1#p38904855). It would be interesting at the very least to acknowledge this dynamic between Balnik and D&S being somewhat aligned on this issue if for different reasons.

Although this does leave D&S in a bit of a bind since it sees both Laeden and Martenyika as important stepping stones to entering the Mesder region proper, there might be an impetus to guide this situation into arbitration as soon as possible or find some other way to quell this before regional tensions flare.

In that, I don't immediately see myself being an active participant in the core story, Doraltic interests are in cooling the heads of Martenykian and Laedenian leadership enough to settle on arbitration and reach a mutually beneficial arrangement, possibly through the Organisation of Regional Cooperation In Argus. If I involve myself in this story, it'll be a side-piece in the news at most.

viewtopic.php?ns=1&f=4&t=337003&p=39360186#p39360186

The news as promised. As for any IC whisperings about a Doraltic Naval response, I wasn't 100% serious about actually doing that IC since there is a lot to lose diplomatically by having the United Republics Navy sail out towards the Mesder if it doesn't appear as if their presence is welcomed. That said I will allow people to whisper about it since it does make sense given the Doraltic response in Arvan, Charbagnia, and San Javier over Dyson's Presidency. I'll consider a proper IC post by the end of the week of Feb. 13 (this week as of posting) depending on what I can contribute to the story as a whole compared to just tacking on a scene that has no real function. Any suggestions to that end I welcome.

[Solaryia]

My apologies for being rather late to this, but better late then never I suppose.
At first, Solaryia's government will attempt to stay neutral in the crisis, both as they want to protect their trade interests and stay on good terms with everyone in the South Mesder, and OOC-wise eventually a representative from the Solaryi government will act as one of the three arbitrators to determine the fate of the island, and for that we need to stay nonaligned (for now).
However, that doesn't mean the government can't do anything. We'd be open to sending diplomats to both Laeden and Martenyika in order to help them communicate and just generally deescalate the situation, however a more fun route could be one or both of the asking to send a small squadron of ships around the island to act as a neutral guarding force (especially now that there was a small gunfight between the two). However this could have unintended consquence as being seen by some as the Solaryi government trying to reassert itself in the South Mesder like it did in the past (which it is to an extent, however it doesn't have imperial ambitions anymore).
Any thoughts?

[Laeden]

Solaryia your participation is much welcomed. I think you could be the key in the transition between the first and the second phase of this rp. Your diplomats in Laeden and in Martenyika could persuade both nations' leaders to submit the matter to an arbitration court.

At this point I hardly think that there would be any form of diplomatic communication between me and Martenyika IC, due to the escalation of the conflicts. But since you're a neutral third party, I think the laedenian government would accept your suggestion, and so would Martenyika, I assume.

So, as I said, you'd diplomatically lead us out of the conflict stage and into the legal stage.

How's that sound?

[Solaryia]

How's that sound?

Sounds good! I’ll wait for Martenyika to respond to this as well just so he’s ok with it but after that I’ll type up
a small reply!

[Wellsia]

So far we have had no response from the Akari, we have hundreds of people running around on a small island with headhunters and cannibals, somebody is going to end up a smorgasbord.
Prudestania you need to adjust your calibers on your weapons. 51mm is 2 inches, 22mm is 87 caliber. The common sizes for weapons are 12.7 mm (50 caliber) (heavy machine guns, large sniper rifles), 7.62 x 63 (30-06) (M1 Garand, WW2, Korean war light machineguns), 7.62 x 54R (Mosin-Nagant, Russian Machine guns), 7.62 x 51 (308, most NATO machine guns), 7.62 x 39R (AK-47), 5.56 x 45 NATO (most NATO rifles), 5.45 x 39R (AK-74). You have other rounds, but these are the most common.

[Laeden]

So far we have had no response from the Akari, we have hundreds of people running around on a small island with headhunters and cannibals, somebody is going to end up a smorgasbord.
Prudestania you need to adjust your calibers on your weapons. 51mm is 2 inches, 22mm is 87 caliber. The common sizes for weapons are 12.7 mm (50 caliber) (heavy machine guns, large sniper rifles), 7.62 x 63 (30-06) (M1 Garand, WW2, Korean war light machineguns), 7.62 x 54R (Mosin-Nagant, Russian Machine guns), 7.62 x 51 (308, most NATO machine guns), 7.62 x 39R (AK-47), 5.56 x 45 NATO (most NATO rifles), 5.45 x 39R (AK-74). You have other rounds, but these are the most common.

You're right. And I intend to address this in my next post.

Prudestania, I really appreciate your initiative and your willingness to roleplay with us. But I believe that you might have oversimplified the whole roleplay and, what's even worse, acted unilaterally. Roleplays are all about teamwork. Before every post players usually talk to each other, ask questions, receive advice and come up with the story together. Not only was your post simplistic, however, but it put me in a bad situation. You put me in a spot where I have to choose if I'll either go to war with you or let your agent inside the island. That's not how the roleplay works and I won't do either.

We'll disregard your post and follow up with the story. I know this might sound frustrating, but don't be upset. It's perfectly fine and normal to make bad moves or make mistakes. Everyone does that, me included. But take this opportunity to think about your roleplaying. I can't speak for the others, but I personally take at least one day writing my post. They demand a lot of thought, of calculations and of dialogue with other players. Every post of mine has at least 6 pages in MS Word. I'm not saying this to brag. I'm just trying to show you that a RP post has to be very long, very detailed, very specific, creative, logical and well connected to the story. I can't simply say my ships are going somewhere else to infiltrate an agent. That's not how it works.

That being said, I really hope we can roleplay again in the future. I think you have great potential and, after some honing, you can become a very skilled roleplayer. However, at this time, we'll have to put your post aside and continue with our story. I'm very sorry for that and I'm open to further discussions on the matter, either here or through TGs. Again, thanks for trying and for participating, it really means a lot to me.

[Martenyika]

Sounds good! I’ll wait for Martenyika to respond to this as well just so he’s ok with it but after that I’ll type up
a small reply!

I'm on board!