NationStates Issues **SPOILER ALERT**

by **Equalito** » Wed Oct 21, 2020 4:25 am

1401. My path here was

1375.6 —> 1391.1 —> 1392.1 —> 1393.1 —> 1394.2 —> 1396.3 —> 1397.1 —> 1398.2 —> 1400.1

The Story So Far

You are currently participating in a diplomatic summit on San Vitenzo.

The Issue

During today’s negotiations, you told the enemy you were willing to withdraw your nuclear weapons from San Vitenzo without expecting anything in return. Your shocked advisors have confronted you to get clarification about that particular stance.

The Debate

1. “This was all some sort of negotiating strategy, right?” questions Defense Minister Rolan Malinovich, who looks like he’s on the verge of a panic attack. “We can’t just give in to their demands all of a sudden! Do you know how weak that makes us look? President Moreno has generously offered to negotiate with the United Federation to remove some of their nukes that are in range of @@NAME@@. If you’re determined to withdraw from this conflict, we really should take him up on his offer.”

2. “I thought we agreed to quit threatening other countries with violence and destruction?” admonishes Minister of International Diplomacy Andrea Gramyki, thrashing out an improvised version of ‘Paint It Violet’ on her guitar. “Send Agent Milanova home, and let’s get out of here. Who cares if we can’t hit them with nuclear weapons? Maybe if we started minding our own business and working to make Equalito a better place instead of spending so much on the military, they wouldn’t feel so threatened by us.”

I chose Option 1. The fallout: They say the best compromise leaves everyone feeling a little unarmed.

by **Aikoland** » Wed Oct 21, 2020 6:30 am

Issue 1408
(A Lot Of) Pennies for Your Thoughts
Issue by The Holy Red Zombie of Fauxia
Edited by Candlewhisper Archive

The Issue:
No one in @@NAME@@ imagined that the “March Against Zoning Proposal CWA221, Part 19, Clause F” would attract the thousands of protestors it drew; it just seemed like too niche an issue to raise controversy. As it turns out, a large number of the protestors were paid participants, marching with no interest in the actual issue beyond their fee.

The Debate:
1. “Paid protest makes a mockery of the democratic process, making political power dependent entirely upon wealth and connections,” blusters old money oligarch and MP Bella Kelly, who authored the offending proposal. “There’s no reason to allow this, and it should be a criminal offence to pay or be paid to protest.”

2. “I don’t see what’s wrong with it,” argues property developer Francisco Richards, whose planned housing estate is going to be obstructed by the new legislation. “In a mature capitalist democracy, people should march for whatever reason they choose. And if someone wants to pay a few hundred others to protest, then that’s just them democratically expressing their strength of feeling. What’s wrong with that? Shouldn’t we have an intelligent and independent populace?”

3. “I understand the potential for corruption,” remarks disabled mum-of-three Emma Yossef, “but some people don’t have the mobility or the ability to join in a protest march. Or someone might care about an issue, but be too far away to join in a protest, or want to donate to support a cause, but not be able to get time off to march. Doesn’t everyone have a right to have our voices heard? I suggest that you can restrict this practice to allow each non-attender to hire one single proxy to protest in their stead. Just establish some sort of registry, and you can ensure fairness.”

4. “Let’s be smart about this,” suggests that crazy-looking woman who always seems to interject at the end with an off-the-wall idea. “You should take advantage of paid protest, and use government funds to pay for marchers that express love for your chosen policies. Any protests against you will be drowned out by your supporters, and the press will report that public opinion is on your side. Of course, we have to make sure no one leaks anything, with NDAs and hidden paper trails and the like. As long as no one leaks the truth we’ll be fine.”

by **Kandorith** » Wed Oct 21, 2020 8:48 am

Valentine Z wrote:For 1407:

Option 2: Got Uncle Pete instead of Wei (with reference to Kandorith's report). So... random male names, perhaps.

Option 5: would get so many sweets. Italics!

Ah I see!

And yea, couldn't really get italics in the post I made as I did it on my phone. will edit the post right now. ^^

by **Valentine Z** » Wed Oct 21, 2020 1:37 pm

Kandorith wrote:
Valentine Z wrote:For 1407:

Option 2: Got Uncle Pete instead of Wei (with reference to Kandorith's report). So... random male names, perhaps.

Option 5: would get so many sweets. Italics!

Ah I see!

And yea, couldn't really get italics in the post I made as I did it on my phone. will edit the post right now. ^^

Thank you for your report, nonetheless, it has been very helpful and I appreciate it. ♥

I also add my own across my puppets for listkeeping purposes. ^^

----

I should add the changes soon.

by **Fauxia** » Wed Oct 21, 2020 8:20 pm

I think I have to eat my words. 1402.1 is identical to 1402.2

I've done the chain several times now. My results:

1375.1 --> 1376.2 --> 1377.5 --> 1381.4 --> 1383.2
1375.7
1375.2 --> 1391.2 --> 1392.1 --> 1393.1 --> 1394.3 --> 1396.2 --> 1397.2 --> 1398.2 --> 1400.3 --> 1402.1 (I have 1402.1 written down but I think it's probably 1402.2)
1375.4 --> 1391.3 --> 1392.2 --> 1393.2 --> 1395.1 --> 1396.1 --> 1397.3 --> 1398.1 --> 1399.3 --> 1403.2 --> 1404.2 --> 1405.2
1375.1 --> 1376.1 --> 1377.1 --> 1378.1 --> 1379.1 --> 1385.1 --> 1388.1 --> 1389.1 --> 1390.1
1375.6 --> 1391.1 --> 1392.1 --> 1393.1 --> 1394.2 --> 1396.3 --> 1397.1 --> 1398.2 --> 1400.1 --> 1401.1

by **Jutsa** » Wed Oct 21, 2020 9:14 pm

The Issue:
No one in @@NAME@@ imagined that the “March Against Zoning Proposal CWA221, Part 19, Clause F” would attract the thousands of protestors it drew; it just seemed like too niche an issue to raise controversy. As it turns out, a large number of the protestors were paid participants, marching with no interest in the actual issue beyond their fee.

YES! Astroturfing! Heck yeah! I was legit debating whether I should make a draft for this just earlier today, nice. :lol:

Now to make an issue about actual astroturf.

by **Valentine Z** » Thu Oct 22, 2020 2:22 am

Valentine’s Changelog 019

♪ Here we go 'round, The Idiots Isle! It's loaded with fops, whose IQs have dropped! I think you need some sweetened popcorn, to make it through this damn movie!

Added the rest of the issues! I'm sure others are aware, but the blue headlines above do not specifically target anyone. Just a bunch of references, or my attempt at some comedy to keep it a little fun.

Changes made to the threads can be seen here.

by **Valentine Z** » Thu Oct 22, 2020 8:51 pm

I will be trawling through the recent issues to replace some custom fields and stuff. I noticed that some of them are not macroed yet, which is not the reporter's fault, I am not blaming anyone for that. :hug:

I have just not been vigilant with those and will be looking through the more obvious ones to be macroed. ^^

Random fun fact: There are still 55 of these spacer posts - "Luna Edit: don't delete; I need this to copy into the issues spoiler sticky when it runs out of posts." I am aware that Moderation and Admin can make more if we run out of space, but at the current space of 55, and with me using each space for 20 issues per post, we have room for 1100 more issues! We will need more room only at Issue #2519 / 2520 issues including #0.

by **Verdant Haven** » Fri Oct 23, 2020 5:52 am

Valentine Z wrote:I will be trawling through the recent issues to replace some custom fields and stuff. I noticed that some of them are not macroed yet, which is not the reporter's fault, I am not blaming anyone for that. I have just not been vigilant with those and will be looking through the more obvious ones to be macroed. ^^

I can help you with the macros for 1409 and 1410, which are both mine.

(Random fun fact of my own - these were published the same day, despite being submitted 11 months apart!)

#1409: Happy Pranksgiving!

--------------------------------------------------------------
#1410: Lives On-Line

by **Rocain Founder** » Fri Oct 23, 2020 7:41 am

I believe option 5 of issue #127 is conditional on something, probably, judging from the text of the option, immigration being banned. One of my puppets just got that issue, and option 5 was missing from the list of choices. I note that Trotterdam's site shows this option as removing the No Immigration policy.

I don't recall this nation having the No Immigration policy, however, so I could be wrong about what was was omitted, or why. However, one of the options is definitely conditional, as I was only offered four of them. I picked option 2, and got the correct result, so if the problem is some other option, it must be number 3 or 4.

by **Trotterdam** » Fri Oct 23, 2020 8:07 am

Rocain Founder wrote:I believe option 5 of issue #127 is conditional on something, probably, judging from the text of the option, immigration being banned.

Can confirm, option 5 requires No Immigration (supported by 200 data points).

by **Valentine Z** » Fri Oct 23, 2020 8:23 am

I will get to those, thanks for all the reports and for the help. ♥

by **TalAkMaChen** » Fri Oct 23, 2020 11:58 am

Attention with #1410. The "reported" options 3+4 are 4+5 really. Option 3 remains unknown -- or has an identical wording.

by **Verdant Haven** » Fri Oct 23, 2020 2:21 pm

TalAkMaChen wrote:Attention with #1410. The "reported" options 3+4 are 4+5 really. Option 3 remains unknown -- or has an identical wording.

I believe they added a socialist version of Option 2 that has the following text:

"You can't possibly suggest giving in to terrorists!" cries out @@RANDOMNAME@@, a bureaucrat at the State Assets Insurance Bureau. "It's a matter of principle not to reward bad behavior. We've already seen that if you pay, it will just happen again and again! It's more important to refuse every claim than to pay out on the off chance it will save somebody. Did I say claim? I meant demand. Refuse the terrorists' demands!"

This would be Option 3, but has an identical effect line to Option 2

by **Rocain Founder** » Mon Oct 26, 2020 5:15 am

Here are two issues where I'm suspicious the spoilers have failed to correctly note options which are alternatives of each other. In each case, two options have essentially the same text (and talking point) but only one is shown as having a condition.

#1185 - Options 2 & 3 are essentially identical, but only 3 has a stated condition. Further, 3 is missing the conditional brackets around the option number.

# 384 - Again, options 2 and 3 are essentially equivalent, but only 3 has a stated condition. 3 is starred, indicating an alternative, but neither 2 nor any other option but 3 is also starred.

In both cases, Trotterdam's site shows both 2 and 3 having the same talking point.

If the existing information is correct, then sometimes these issues would be displayed with two options where the option texts are (almost) the same. This seems quite unlikely to be correct.

This is a surmise only. I have no definite proof that there is a problem here (except for the clearly wrong lack of brackets on option 3 of #1185).

by **Valentine Z** » Fri Oct 30, 2020 6:05 am

Verdant Haven wrote:I believe they added a socialist version of Option 2 that has the following text:

"You can't possibly suggest giving in to terrorists!" cries out @@RANDOMNAME@@, a bureaucrat at the State Assets Insurance Bureau. "It's a matter of principle not to reward bad behavior. We've already seen that if you pay, it will just happen again and again! It's more important to refuse every claim than to pay out on the off chance it will save somebody. Did I say claim? I meant demand. Refuse the terrorists' demands!"

This would be Option 3, but has an identical effect line to Option 2

Posting as confirmation!

#1410.3, on my nation Voorzichtigheid. Internal number "choice-2":

3. “You can’t possibly suggest giving in to terrorists!” cries out Bruno Tolkien, a bureaucrat at the State Assets Insurance Bureau. “It’s a matter of principle not to reward bad behavior. We’ve already seen that if you pay, it will just happen again and again! It’s more important to refuse every claim than to pay out on the off chance it will save somebody. Did I say claim? I meant demand. Refuse the terrorists’ demands!”

Seems to be the same as Option 2, but a Socialist variant given the lack of insurance and all.

by **Pogaria** » Sat Oct 31, 2020 9:50 am

Did everyone find all of the chain issues and options yet?

by **Trotterdam** » Sat Oct 31, 2020 12:47 pm

Pogaria wrote:Did everyone find all of the chain issues and options yet?

No, I'm pretty sure we're still missing #1380 and #1382.

I mean, people have gotten them, but not anyone who's posted to the spoiler thread.

I've posted educated guesses on how to get them:

Trotterdam wrote:#1375 1-3 -> #1376 1 -> #1377 -> #1378 -> #1379 3 (please report this effect line, I'm at a loss) -> #1380?
#1375 1-3 -> #1376 2 -> #1377 -> #1381 1 -> #1382?

by **Lame Country** » Sat Oct 31, 2020 1:31 pm

I have a feeling that one of the requirements for getting this issue is to have completed the Madness issue chain.

#1411: Atomic Split

The Issue

With your government allowing provinces to formally secede, East @@ANIMAL@@land has declared its intention to become a sovereign state. However, the territory contains several military bases, and more importantly, a large portion of your nation’s nuclear stockpile.

The Debate

1. “Well, Violet on a popsicle stick!” blurts your Minister of the Interior, as he drops his half-gnawed spaghetti-on-a-skewer in shock. “Honestly, you need to establish some ground rules around this secession scheme of yours! We need to immediately deny East @@ANIMAL@@land’s request for independence, and the same goes for any other region or province that holds anything of importance to our nation’s continued existence. Either they’ll happily remain a part of our nation or we’ll make them stay, by force if necessary!”

2. “Come now, old friend, surely you don’t want to be seen doing anything as draconian as that?” coos the self-appointed Minister of Shakedowns for the hopefully-soon-to-be-independent nation of East @@ANIMAL@@land. “Once you sign that declaration of independence, we’d be more than happy to give back those radioactive poppers of yours in return for a generous farewell donation to our new treasury. Surely any cost will be worth getting your shiny, deadly toys back, no?”

3. Your Minister of Intelligence, whose body paint matches the room’s wallpaper, whispers into your ear. “Don’t be startled, it’s me, N! There’s another solution, you know. You’ll sign their declaration of independence to keep up appearances, and I’ll mount a covert operation to infiltrate the military bases holding our WMDs to render them non-operational. Sure, East @@ANIMAL@@land will still have the husks that they could potentially reverse engineer, but it’ll buy us at least a few years to build up an even deadlier nuclear arsenal!”

Issue by The Royal Commonwealth of Daarwyrth

Edited by Electrum

by **Paffnia** » Tue Nov 03, 2020 11:35 am

Trotterdam wrote:Anyway, a few minor option variants aside, we have most of the chain mapped, but we're still missing #1380 and #1382 (both part of the capitalist story branch). For those of you willing to test things, I recommend trying the following paths (if no option number is given, then it shouldn't matter which you pick):

Trotterdam wrote:#1375 1-3 -> #1376 2 -> #1377 -> #1381 1 -> #1382?

Got it (via the path above):

#1382: Leave and Let Die

The Story So Far

You are currently participating in a diplomatic summit on San Vitenzo.

The Issue

During today’s negotiations, you told the enemy that it was acceptable to station nuclear weapons near your borders. Your shocked advisors have confronted you to get clarification about that particular stance.

The Debate

1. “You were just bluffing, right?” questions Defense Minister Mack Rimera, who looks like he’s on the verge of a panic attack. “We can’t have enemy nukes within range of our people! Our bombers are fueled and ready for takeoff as we speak. Just give the word, and this whole problem will be destroyed in a violent inferno — the only option that truly brings closure to this mess.”

2. “I get it... you were only stalling so that Bont would have more time to sabotage the missile installations,” surmises Intelligence Minister N with a look of dawning comprehension. “That is what you were doing, correct? We are in a position to eliminate the enemy’s first strike capabilities. Let’s seize the opportunity!”

3. “I thought we agreed to not meddle in other countries’ business?” admonishes Minister of International Diplomacy Maureen Dusk, thrashing out an improvised version of ‘Paint It Violet’ on her guitar. “Send James Bont home, and let’s get out of here. Who cares if they have nuclear weapons? Maybe if we started minding our own business and working to make @@NAME@@ a better place instead of spending so much on the military, they wouldn’t feel so threatened by us.”

Issue by The Holy Empire of Pogaria

Edited by Pogaria

Options are numbered 0, 1, and 2 in the source code.

Any suggestions for which option to choose to help map out the issue chain further?

Also, Issues 1398 has been reported but is missing from the list (here), and Issue 1401 is included in the list but is still given as title "TBD" in the table of contents.

by **Trotterdam** » Tue Nov 03, 2020 12:53 pm

Paffnia wrote:Any suggestions for which option to choose to help map out the issue chain further?

Honestly, I have no idea. Usually I'm pretty good at matching effect lines to issue options once I see them, but in this case I'm drawing a total blank. I have a couple of lines that I'm pretty sure (based on ordering) belong on this issue, but I can't tell which options they'd make sense on. It's also totally different from the socialist version, despite having the same title and context.

I do believe that most or all options on this issue will end the chain, so don't worry about followups, just try to figure out the effect lines and let me know (maybe in my own thread since it's not quite what this one is meant for).

by **Serica-** » Fri Nov 06, 2020 5:05 am

Another nuclear issue.

#1413:Old Fusion

The Issue

Official inspectors visiting your nuclear launch silos have revealed that much of the equipment used is decades old, and that sourcing replacement parts for superseded technologies is becoming more difficult.

The Debate

1. “This is an utter disgrace! Imagine how this obsolete trash would perform in the face of nuclear war!” spits General Boothroyd, pointing to the red ‘hotline’ rotary phone that connects to your office. “We’d all be dead before you can say ‘underfunded military’! You need to remedy this, and get new, state-of-the-art equipment and computers, with the latest versions of the best software on the market. Our nation’s safety depends on it!”

2. “It’s not just a matter of cost,” complains your Treasury Minister, as he turns down the silo’s thermostat to reduce the heating bill. “An upgrade of this scale would cost us more than yuns! It would mean abandoning tried and tested approaches, which we know are reliable and safe from hackers. And cheap. But mostly reliable and safe. I mean, we could still use this stuff, can’t we? Just buy any spare parts you need cheap from vBay or something. This isn’t about money! It isn’t!”

3. “Woah, dude, WMDs are like, so uncool,” wails Private Orson Hansen, a hippie peacenik who accidentally enlisted while high, but has stuck around for the free food. “Why spend money on weapons of war, when you can spend it on, like... other stuff, man! You gotta make love, not war, guys.” He absent-mindedly offers you a toke from his spliff.

Issue by The Cheese Loving Monarchy of Gabingston

Edited by Candlewhisper Archive

by **Valentine Z** » Fri Nov 06, 2020 5:07 am

Ahh, perfect timing! Just in time before I bring forth the new changes!

Thanks for the report! ♥ :hug:

by **Valentine Z** » Fri Nov 06, 2020 5:16 am

Valentine’s Changelog 020

"Can I have a super spectacular issue, in the 20 options range." "... Hey, just what you see, pal."

Added the rest of the issues! ^^

Changes made to the threads can be seen here.

by **Valentine Z** » Mon Nov 09, 2020 2:21 am

#1414 - My Milkshake Brings All the @@CURRENCYPLURAL@@ to the Yard [Zwangzug; ed: Candlewhisper Archive]

The Issue
Thanks to a timely mastectomy performed by the @@DEMONYMSADJECTIVE@@ health care system, your trusted aide Kira Ripoli / @@RANDOMNAMEFEMALE1@@ has survived cancer and received a clean bill of health. In preparing to return to work, however, she has been caught flat-footed.

The Debate
1. “How can I face the world without constantly reminding people that my eyes are up here?” asks Ripoli / @@RANDOMLASTNAME1@@. “In order for both my mental and physical health to be restored, I must have access to reconstructive surgery! I mean, my breasts were small and humble, and hardly mountainous, but they were mine, you know? The hospitals took me apart — they can darn well put me back together!”

2. “This case seems clear-cut to me,” agrees ambitious anesthesiologist Daniel Snape / @@RANDOMNAME@@. “But it’s not enough to restore what illness has taken. We have the technology to remove wrinkles from the elderly, shave weight off the obese, even adjust the corneas of people who keep forgetting their glasses! Our hospitals must treat every case of cosmetic surgery, so our population can look and feel their best.”

3. “I wish I was a little bit taller, I wish I was a baller,” bemoans the uncoordinated Judi Benteen / @@RANDOMNAME@@. “But you know what? I don’t ask the public to pay for height augmentation. @@DEMONYMSADJECTIVE@@ health care should only be used for urgent medical conditions, not elective surgeries. If Kira / @@RANDOMFIRSTNAME1@@ doesn’t like the way she looks, she could have just paid for her own boob job.”

Internal numbering indicates 0, 1, 2. Name macros extracted from here.

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