Hearts of Darkness (Alt-History, Nation) OOC | OPEN

I write stuff · by **New Grestin** » Tue Mar 14, 2017 5:38 pm

OOC | IC

Staff
New Grestin (OP) | Imperial Idaho, Deramen, Tayner

History is a fickle thing. It is a series of legends, myths and lies universally agreed upon by academics. Many take history for granted, as though the events that transpired were a given. The reality is quite the opposite. It only takes the introduction of a slight change to drastically upset history, changing unborn generations in ways unimaginable. This brings us to the state of the world today. Europe remains at the height of her imperial gains, pillaging the underdeveloped nations of the world for herself. The United States, the Great Experiment, the bastion of Democracy, has broken in two. The Far East and Orient remain untapped by outside hands, but for how long remains to be seen.

We stand on the precipice of a new age of history, staring into an unknown abyss that threatens to reach out and drag us in.

Samuel Clemens - Letter smuggled from Memphis Penal Colony, Confederate States of America

SYNOPSIS

Hearts of Darkness

WHAT IS THIS?

CURRENT MAPS

CURRENT ROSTER

The United States of America

(LINK)

The Confederate States of America

The Ottoman Empire

Tokugawa Shogunate

Royal French Empire

The Kingdom of the Hawaiian Isles

(LINK)

The Austro-Hungarian Empire

(LINK)

The Persian Empire

(LINK)

Scots-Irish Constitutional Republic

(LINK)

Imperio Méxicano

(LINK)

The Legionary Republic of Iberia

(LINK)

Federal Republics of China

New Roman Empire

The Empire of Russia

Império do Brasil

The Supreme Christian Revolutionary Kingdom of the Philippines

(LINK)

Switzerland

(LINK)

Gran Colombia

(LINK)

The Union of Caribbean States

(LINK)

The Mali Empire

(LINK)

Maratha Empire

(LINK)

The Government of the British Isles in Exile

(LINK)

RULES

GENERAL RULES:

Don't be a dick.
The word of the OP is law, as is the word of Co-Ops.
The right to deny applications on any grounds, with or without sufficient reason, is maintained by the OP and Co-Ops.
Poor Spelling, Grammar, and overall Poor writing ARE grounds for application denial.
Not participating in the RP for any considerable period of time is grounds for removal.
Inactive nations can be resurrected if the original writer returns; active nations eliminated or subjugated during the story CANNOT be resurrected without GOOD reason.
Godmodding, Meta-Gaming, and other such tactics are illegal and will be punished. Further actions of a similar kind will result in banning from the RP.
Don't go overboard with gore, violence, etc. Do things in good taste, basically.
You can't have a missile launcher unless OP says so.
Development is a gauge of where a nation is in terms of industrialization. High development nations receive new technologies first, while lower development nations receive technologies over a longer period of time.

COMBAT RULES:

Battles are to be handled between players via OOC or Telegram. If players cannot come to a joint conclusion, an OP or Co-Op will.
If no party can determine the battle outcome with any certainty, than a coin toss will be conducted to determine the winner.
Following a war's conclusion, the winning and losing players will determine what territories are lost/gained.
If a conclusion cannot be made following a conflict, an OP or Co-Op will make the decision.

CRISES AND OTHER:

Irregularly, Crisis events will occur in either certain regions or the entire map. Crisis Events can range from famines and disease to meteorite strikes and sudden technological breakthroughs.
If your nation is affected by a crisis event, adjust your posts accordingly.
Refusal to acknowledge Crisis conditions is grounds for warning and/or ban.
Weather can still play a significant role, adjust your posts and battle plans based on weather conditions.
If your nation is facing a potential revolt, an OP or Co-OP will discuss with you the finer details of the conflict.
Don't be a sore loser. You can always start a new faction.

APPLICATIONS

- Reservations will expire after three days if not acted upon.
- WIP applications will be nullified in three days if a full app is not posted, barring extraordinary circumstances.

Nation Application

Code: Select all: [box][b]Nationstates Name:[/b] [b]Nation Name:[/b] [b]Flag (Optional):[/b] [b]Governing Ideology:[/b] (Democracy, Oligarchy, Monarchy, Autocracy) [b]Leader(s):[/b] [b]Territorial Claims:[/b] (These must be adjacent to one another.) [b]Population:[/b] [b]Land Forces:[/b] [b]Naval Forces:[/b] [b]Point of Divergence:[/b] (1700 or Later) [b]History:[/b] (Two Paragraphs Minimum) [b]Culture:[/b] [b]Theme:[/b] (Optional) [b]ID TAG 1997[/b] (DO NOT REMOVE)[/box]

Non-Nation Application (Insurrectionists, Independence Movements, etc)

Code: Select all: [box][b]Nationstates Name:[/b] [b]Group Name:[/b] [b]Flag (Optional):[/b] [b]Governing Ideology:[/b] (Democracy, Oligarchy, Monarchy, Autocracy) [b]Movement Type:[/b] (Independence, Political, Religious, etc.) [b]Leaders:[/b] [b]Territorial Claims / Occupied Areas:[/b] [b]Population:[/b] [b]Personnel:[/b] [b]Point of Divergence (if any):[/b] (1700 or Later) [b]History:[/b] (Two Paragraphs Minimum) [b]Culture:[/b] [b]Theme:[/b] Optional[/box]

I write stuff · by **New Grestin** » Tue Mar 14, 2017 5:39 pm

Ideologies:

- Democracies:
Based on the tenants of individual and political freedoms, Democracy is an ideology dating back as far as Antiquity. From Athens to France to the Americas, Democracy has changed and evolved to reflect the times. Representative Democracies, Republics and the like fall under the blanket designation of Democracy.

- Oligarchies:
Oligarchies are systems of government in which a small amount of power is maintained by a small portion of the populace. This power can come from many things, such as business, racial policies and religion. Oligarchies are typically a form of fallen democracy, created when a Democracy cannot maintain power in the hands of the people.

- Monarchies:
Monarchism is a system of government that typically places power in the hands of an autocratic ruler. Leadership is often determined by blood, rather than by merit in such systems, and therefore monarchies can be prone to very poor leadership. Other forms of monarchies include constitutional monarchies, where the ruler is maintained as the head of state through a semi-democratic system.

- Autocracies:
Autocracies, unlike Monarchies, do not have their leaders derive power from family or divine mandate. Autocracies are typically single party states with a figurehead wielding absolute power. Dictatorships are the most common form of autocracy, though other variations such as religious theocracies can exist.

by **Imperial Idaho** » Tue Mar 14, 2017 5:52 pm

by **Max Empire** » Tue Mar 14, 2017 6:01 pm

by **Ubaria** » Tue Mar 14, 2017 6:03 pm

Noice.
Moorish Iberian Caliphate incoming.

by **Democratic East-Asia** » Tue Mar 14, 2017 6:06 pm

That map looks a bit, well, too modern. Borders were way different back then...

by **Erutenia** » Tue Mar 14, 2017 6:10 pm

Tag, reserve Russia.

by **Parhe** » Tue Mar 14, 2017 6:18 pm

Looks nice. Can I reserve Austria-Hungary with northern Italy? If not, Korea and Kyushu please. I would normally post an app but I'm currently at work.

I write stuff · by **New Grestin** » Tue Mar 14, 2017 6:39 pm

Democratic East-Asia wrote:That map looks a bit, well, too modern. Borders were way different back then...

That's deliberate. The site that I use is unfortunately limited in the map eras I can use, however it does allow me to more easily keep track of claims.

That said, it's relatively easy to redraw the borders with the magic of photoshop.

by **Democratic East-Asia** » Tue Mar 14, 2017 6:42 pm

I mean, I've noticed many RPs around here use the Victoria 2 map.

I write stuff · by **New Grestin** » Tue Mar 14, 2017 6:46 pm

Democratic East-Asia wrote:I mean, I've noticed many RPs around here use the Victoria 2 map.

The problem with the Victoria II map, at least for me, is that there's no overall country borders to figure out what's what.

It's not a bad map. Just not my preference.

by **Democratic East-Asia** » Tue Mar 14, 2017 6:49 pm

New Grestin wrote:
Democratic East-Asia wrote:I mean, I've noticed many RPs around here use the Victoria 2 map.

The problem with the Victoria II map, at least for me, is that there's no overall country borders to figure out what's what.

It's not a bad map. Just not my preference.

Ah. Alright then. So how divergent can the alt history for this RP be?

I write stuff · by **New Grestin** » Tue Mar 14, 2017 6:55 pm

Democratic East-Asia wrote:
New Grestin wrote:The problem with the Victoria II map, at least for me, is that there's no overall country borders to figure out what's what.

It's not a bad map. Just not my preference.

Ah. Alright then. So how divergent can the alt history for this RP be?

I knew I forgot to list something.

The POD can happen as early as 1700. Within reason, of course. Certain events like the French Revolution, the American Revolution and the Napoleonic Wars happened no matter what. Changing something that would completely destabilize history like a South African superpower or a completely united Asia is naturally right out. The only other stipulation is that later-stage ideologies like Fascism and Communism are not used until they would have historically appeared in the mainstream.

by **Newne Carriebean7** » Tue Mar 14, 2017 7:12 pm

reserve Italy for now.

by **Ubaria** » Tue Mar 14, 2017 7:14 pm

Nationstates Name: Ubaria
Nation Name: Greater Andalusia (Al-Andalusia)
Flag (Optional): Al-Andalusia
Governing Ideology: Monarchy
Leader(s): Faruq Al-Rahman
Territorial Claims: Bits in Orange(ish), including the Canary islands, Azores and the Balearic islands
Population: 8,000,000
Land Forces: 150,000 (standing army)
Naval Forces: 5 Ironclads, 8 Ships of the Line, 30 Frigates, Numerous light vessels such as Galleys and Merchant vessels

Point of Divergence: 1715
History:

When the Castillians defeated the Emirate of Granada in 1492, it bought about the end of Islamic rule in the Iberian region and drew to a close a campaign that had gripped the subcontinent for centuries and so, the pursuit of a united Spain began, meanwhile the Moors received influxes of immigrants wishing to escape the new Christian rule. Spain dominated the quest for the new world over the next few hundred years, colonizing far off lands and going to war with almost every existing nation at the time, it's downfall was unexpected and what proceeded was more unexpected still.

Spain, or more specifically, Phillip V had lost the War of Spanish Succession and with it great slews of territory over Europe including the Netherlands, Naples and Gibraltar to name a few. Phillip V was also forced to renounce his claim to the throne of france, lest he inherit and with it, the most powerful nation in Europe at the time. With defeat, Spain was thrust into inner turmoil almost instantly, the nation had been split between supporters to both Phillip and Charles of Austria. In the years following the end of the war, Spain was subject to intense infighting between the peasantry and local nobles due to conflict of opinion on who was to lead the now stricken nation, this escalated into a civil war between supporters to the Hasburg Dynasty and those loyal to Phillip, this war would soon become a three way battle as the Moors entered into the equation once more.

The Spanish Navy at the time was fragmented and in disrepair, many undermanned or already damaged ships were scuttled to avoid them falling into enemy hands including many ships of the line, this allowed Moroccan galleys to cross almost unchallenged during the initial stages of the war, Portugal would later come to aid the Spanish on the water and succeeded in entrapping a large portion of the Moroccan fleet off the coast of Tangiers. Spanish aid on the land however was little, Austria was beginning to have a crisis of its own and the British did not wish to intervene, focusing entirely on rebuilding its own economy. Soon Spain found itself facing down a threat of 30,000 Moroccan troops landing on its southern shores, with many of the defending forces scattered and ill-organized, they could offer little in the way of defense.

The Moroccan army was led by Abu Yusef Al-Mansur, a ruthless and opportunistic leader who scored victories in multiple battles up and down the Spanish southern coast, including the Siege of Malaga and Seville in 1755. By 1760, the entirety of the Spanish southern coast was Moroccan occupied, the Muslim invaders had even managed to score several important diplomatic victories with the citizenry, promising to spare their lands in exchange for handfuls of levies, this bolstered the existing force in country and allowed for sustained battle, even resulting in a push westward, enabling the famous Battle and subsequent Siege of Porto, a 12,000 strong Moroccan army, led by the now hardened Al-Mansur, faced a 10,000 strong Portugese/Spanish force to wrest control of the strategically important port, it's capture cemented the control of either side of the Gibraltar strait (the town of which Britain still owned), and allowed the ferrying of reserve troops and supplies to drive the war effort.

Eventually, the Spanish Army broke and were forced into a final stand at Madrid. The Spanish remnants numbering few, held honorably for several months against repeated wave attacks but could do little when Muslim forces eventually stormed the Royal Alcázar, the final holdout for Spanish forces in the city. The Treaty of Madrid was signed in 1778, after what had been almost 50 years of fighting had surmounted in the utter collapse of the Spanish Empire, it's colonies and territorial holdings outside Iberia remained but Morroco had captured more than half the country, and defeated Portugal forcing them to cede land to the now overhwelming Moroccan presence.

The Sultanate of Al-Andalusia was formed several years after the war with Sultan Yahya Yaqub Yusef VI as it's ruler. Al-Andalusia, despite overhwelming victory was already beginning to face christian revolts from Porto to Madrid despite the sweeping religious reforms that gave Christians the same rights as the Muslim population. Large revolts came when the order came from the Sultan to build a Mosque on the site of the now destroyed Alcazar, an icon that had become famous within separatists circles as a beacon of resistance due to the story of the 200 men who defended the palace years prior.

The 70 years between 1800 and 1870 were not laden without turmoil. The Sultans each had their own agenda and had shaped the troubled new nation, many education reforms had been enacted to convert the populace from Christian to Muslim, however equal rights were shared between religious and cultural groups, as well as new opportunities for trade with the newly formed United States. Gibraltar, after much negotiation between the Andalusian and British Governments, remained firmly a British territory yet a deal was struck to jointly operate the port and use it for both commercial and military purposes.

Now the Sultanate of Al-Andalusia stands at a pivotal point in history. Far detatched from any allies and bordered by potential enemies, can Andalusia resist and prosper, or like before, is it doomed to fail?

Culture:

Al-Andalusia is split between the homeland of Morocco and the southern half of what once was Portugal and Spain, in this regard the population is physically split between culture groups. The Morrocan side is traditionally Berber and hardline Sunni, the Iberian side is a mixing pot of Morrocan migrants, converted Christians and traditionalists living in tight knit communities. The Spanish and Portugese side still hold their traditional Iberian culture, yet as a sign of the times, more and more Moorish and Berber influences are being seen in art styles, music, poetry and architecture alike.

Theme: N/A

ID TAG 1997 (DO NOT REMOVE)

by **Tolorian Empire** » Tue Mar 14, 2017 7:18 pm

I write stuff · by **New Grestin** » Tue Mar 14, 2017 7:25 pm

Ubaria wrote:Ok kinda done. The (???)'s denote that i have to find semi-accurate figures, and i've probably hashed the history but meh.

o-fucc, is my POD too early? :/

Only by several centuries. kek.

by **Ubaria** » Tue Mar 14, 2017 7:26 pm

New Grestin wrote:
Ubaria wrote:Ok kinda done. The (???)'s denote that i have to find semi-accurate figures, and i've probably hashed the history but meh.

o-fucc, is my POD too early? :/

Only by several centuries. kek.

Ok, i'll pull some magical time bending tomorrow when i have some time to work on the app some more.

I write stuff · by **New Grestin** » Tue Mar 14, 2017 7:27 pm

Ubaria wrote:
New Grestin wrote:Only by several centuries. kek.

Ok, i'll pull some magical time bending tomorrow when i have some time to work on the app some more.

It's all good.

by **Ubaria** » Tue Mar 14, 2017 7:29 pm

New Grestin wrote:
Ubaria wrote:
Ok, i'll pull some magical time bending tomorrow when i have some time to work on the app some more.

It's all good.

Cool, is the Territory alright too?

I write stuff · by **New Grestin** » Tue Mar 14, 2017 7:40 pm

Ubaria wrote:
New Grestin wrote:It's all good.

Cool, is the Territory alright too?

The territory is perfectly fine, it's the history that's the issue.

by **The Knockout Gun Gals** » Tue Mar 14, 2017 7:54 pm

Nationstates Name: The Knockout Gun Gals
Nation Name: Tokugawa Shogunate
Flag (Optional):

Governing Ideology: Constitutional Monarchy
Leader(s):

- Shogun Tokugawa Yoshinobu (Head of State)
- Prime Minister Nobu Takaguchi (Head of Government)

Territorial Claims: Japan, Sakhalin, Kuril, and that two big lands
Population: 43,830,000
Land Forces: 500,000 (rough estimation)
Naval Forces: 200 ships, of various kinds and types.

Point of Divergence:

From 1737 to 1774, large-scale modernization on the military development, especially firearms and artillery, went ahead as Japan opened their borders for a period of time, where they settled in on Sakhalin, Kuril, and invading two lands near Korea and Siberia. Despite the fact that the firearms development had stopped, but it wasn't entirely halted and smalls-scale development was ongoing with the additions of firearms, artillery, and Western knowledge on the military firearms and its productions, although the firearms and artillery were reserved for the elite factions and their forces in Japan, not to the whole regular military.

From 1868 to 1870, Boshin War happened. Despite the strong and coordinated efforts from Imperial faction and the British, they lost against both the Shogunate and the French. Eventually, Shogunate started to called for more supports from France, Prussia, and Netherlands to aid in their nation efforts, rebuilding, and economic assistances.

History:

After Oda Nobunaga was killed in the siege of Honno-ji when his retainer, Akechi Mitsuhide, staged a successful revolt in his attempt to ruled Japan on June 1582. In retaliation, his loyal retainers, including Oda Nobutaka, Hashiba Hideyoshi, Niwa Nagahide, and Shibata Katsuie, consolidated the remaining forces of Oda's with Oda Nobutaka and assaulted Azuchi Castle, ended in the death of Akechi Mitsuhide. Now, named as Toyotomi Hideyoshi, he consolidated the Oda clan and unleashed its military might to finally united Japan under one banner. After that, Toyotomi planned and mobilized the military to their series of failed invasions to Korea in an attempt to secured his successors at the throne, but the failure of the invasions and his declining health, as well as Tokugawa's clever moves put an end on his future plan, though he placed laws for class reform on peasants and samurai classes.

Tokugawa controlled the position after he won the Battle of Sekigahara, and he put an end to the open border policy where he put the borders to closed positions and expanding the domestic affairs and issues. However, Tokugawa set their sights on the smaller islands within the range of Japan to expanding their area through the use of settles and small-scale military engagements. Small-scale military modernization helped in a period helped matters.

At the 19th century, United States forced the Japan to opened their borders to the world. Facing with threats from the Imperial, and the foreign factions, Shogunate aligned themselves with France as they modernized their military and nation rapidly. Boshin War happened, and eventually Shogunate won. Now, Shogunate and the Japan saw the world in a newfound sight as they building themselves.
Culture: Japanese
Theme: Duty Calls

ID TAG 1997 (DO NOT REMOVE)

by **Tolorian Empire** » Wed Mar 15, 2017 3:54 pm

by **Transoxthraxia** » Wed Mar 15, 2017 5:29 pm

taggo.

by **Keskovonia** » Wed Mar 15, 2017 8:34 pm