R P G: Stríð Karla

[Lara White]

IC: The ships duly changed course. They would of course, be picking up some wines and plastics on the out-trip, but coffee was their main interest.Meanwhile, on the Astarian homeland, certain people who were, to all appearances Stan citizens, attempted a different kind of bribe for the plantation workers--what was known as a "cigarette bribe." They provided sundry things that low-level plantation workers would want, but would not be noticed by any authority.

[Kothra]

OOC: "Landing Ship, Tank" is how it goes. You don't need to build any sort of transport or landing craft. They are free as necesarryIC(Kiserre/Astaria-KoCom): A team of Kiserran programmers, along with a couple translators, was formed by KoCom to travel to Astaria and teach the Astarian companies how to program for the TA-2* game console. OOC:* Terebi-Asobu 2 (Television Game), with the TB-1 being an older 8-bit system.

[Toast of Awesomeness]

OOC: Koth, my computer company contacted yours.IC: Kiserran games were quickly becoming a hit in Anitalia, and many studios were anxious to produce their own. They contacted the Kiserran corporations asking for the necessary paperwork.If not, they'd have to make their own systems.

[Lara White]

IC: On P-11, meanwhile, Aquileonese prospectors had found a massive deposit of rare earth metals which would cheapen electronics production massively. Several Aquileonese companies promptly set up a joint venture to build a mine there, beginning to set down a full-fledged airstrip and port. Heavy excavation machinery was shipped over. Defense was light, as the PMC covering the facility only had limited access to military surplus.

[Xomeron]

IC: KoComThe KoCom team was of course taken in, their blood sampled, DNA documented, and all the usual procedures which accompany a man entering Astaria. Upon reaching the headquarters of their counterpart group, which included the original five man translation team and a hextet of programmers, it was proposed that both the groups go out drinking, and afterward explained that there was no better way to get a feel for Astaria than a pub crawl.IC: PlantationThe infiltration team found themselves faced with suspicion; obviously not Astarian, and asking questions about a coffee plantation, one man on the team was reported to the local government. Coffee was such serious business to the community that the man soon afterwards received a letter from an Officer of The Court, which explained the nature of the laws surrounding coffee. The man's guise as a tourist was holding up, and it was figured that he was a naive tourist. Nevertheless, the fledgling Office of Ungentlemanly Affairs tagged the man, or rather, the man's fake identity(which included his real DNA) Shortly afterwards, as part of a routine check, the man's Mitochondrial DNA sample was examined.OOC: Now, is this guy actually a Stan, or an Aquilonian with an excellent disguise? Because if so, his Mitochondrial DNA signature will definitely give him away as one or the other.

[Lara White]

OOC: My bribery guy is a Stan, but I don't know how you'd notice him. All of Humva's guys are Stans.Also, I ninja'd you, so if you want to do anything about that mining facility, consider yourself notified.

[Xomeron]

OOC: I said how he got noticed; someone noticed a foreigner, one from a nation with a very uneasy relationship with Astaria, was asking questions about a plantation, and that's very serious. For reference, imagine a Chinaman asking questions about a hydroelectric dam during the 1950s. If that's an eight on the suspicion scale, this is a six.IC: EuropaThe Governor of the Astarian Colony on Europa had the mine brought to his attention and, shortly afterward, an Astarian mining corporation made a request to join in the investments.IC: PlantationThe man's DNA checked out, and he was figured for nothing more than a tourist.

Edited April 16, 2012 by cardworkMagician

[Lara White]

OOC: Again, whose was he? Mine is quietly talking to a few plantation workers (low level, field guys) offering them some non-financial benefits for giving him some coffee plants. Humva's was tourist-ing.IC: The Astarian company's request was turned down, as they already had enough resources at their disposal. The unsaid part was that, since the Astarian government had a large hand in the economy, Astarian companies were largely considered pawns of the government and the companies didn't really consider the Astarian government trustworthy.

[Xomeron]

OOC: Your guy. Asking questions like that is reeeaaaalll suspicious.

[Lara White]

OOC: He wasn't asking questions, he was making offers. And I can understand your top scientists being patriotic (sorta kinda...when the good old US of A can't get its Manhattan Project scientists to keep mum, I question your ability to) but when a guy who's making minimum wage is offered a nice item to brighten up his life or help his family...You want to tell me that the sap on the other end will turn it down? According to people who know a lot more about this than I do, your nation should have a shadow economy the size of the Soviet Union's, and considering Astaria is slightly larger than Texas, that's impressive. Out of all the stuff your IRS is going to look at when the reports come in (a while down the road, likely), one or two plantation workers acquiring a nice item for their home isn't going to pop, unless you have the bureaucracy necessary to notice and deal with every single little issue that comes up. In addition, how do you keep track of cash transactions, especially when it's an informal once like someone paying their neighbor's kid to mow the lawn? How do you deal with kids having piggy banks anyway?

Edited April 16, 2012 by Lloyd: the White Wolf

[Xomeron]

OOC: Wait, I thought he was asking questions and offering stuff. Sorry.IC:In general, the man had a hard time finding someone who would accept him; he was faced with suspicion at every turn. One man on the plantation was more open than the rest, and offered to have a drink with the man later.

[Lara White]

IC: With a fair degree of caution, the Stan businessman agreed to meet the forthcoming worker.Meanwhile, the Aquileon satellite peered over Astarian territory, seeking out all visible defenses and airbases. At the same time, the Aquileon Space Agency was charting the courses of Astarian satellites through their orbits.OOC: I was just looking through your IP report, Xom, and your Upkeep section exceeds what you say it is. Just going my the numbers listed in your IP report, we have 1+3+4+(5*3)+(10*2). That adds up to 43, if I've done my math right.

Edited April 16, 2012 by Lloyd: the White Wolf

[Kothra]

IC(Kiserre/KoCom-Anitalia): Surprised at the international demand, KoCom quickly put together a team like the one sent to Astaria, and sent them to Anitalia to teach designers there how to create games for the Kiserran system.(Forum/Communications): The Kiserran diplomat proposed to the others at the Forum of Nations, a global communications network for television and the growing digital communications industry. As Kiserre was the most advanced in digital communication at the moment, it was suggested that Kiserran data and programming standards be adopted, or at least accounted for by other nations.OOC: I'm probably missing somethign but I'm short on time.Also Xom, in your Industry report, that would be 150 individual Red Dragoon troops, not squads. Also, 4 IP worth of Boa transports would only give you 32, not 176.

[HeavyMetalSunshineSister]

IC: While the Varangian government tended to be very patient in military matters, the Queen wasn't entirely lacking in foresight. With the recent possible sabotage of the Astarian space program in mind, a secret decree was issued, establishing a special security force to secure high-level projects undertaken by the Varangian government.OOC:Division Name: Varõmirnar af Ormar (Modified from Icelandic, partly because I don't speak Icelandic, partly because, for proper nouns, the Varangian "language" is a hodgepodge amalgamation of Scandinavian languages, and partly because I kind of felt like modifying it. In any case, should be translated as "Executioners of Snakes" as in, those who kill snakes)Division Description: The VO are not meant to be a highly-mobile force, but rather a force that is put in place to prevent losses in the case of enemy assault, eliminate any attackers and/or saboteurs, and just generally keep important projects secure. As such, they are to be garrisoned at important sites, and act as a highly-disciplined security force.Weaponry: In addition to hand-to-hand combat training, the VO carry the VLR-7 sniper rifle, the VLR-22 sniper rifle, and the recently developed VBR-12 repeating rifle. Weapons for close-range combat include a combat knife, an executioner's sword (long, heavy, square-ended blade, primarily used for crushing and dismembering) and a compound crossbow.Upkeep/Build time/Build Cost:Weapon Name: VBR-12 Dreka Repeating RifleWeapon Description: The VBR-12 is essentially a compact, somewhat primitive form of the machine gun. Much of the weapon's bulk is comprised of shock-suppressors to allow it to be man-portable, and while the gun is, at 75 lbs, not precisely small, it is light enough to be carried by a single person. It fires in 6-second bursts with 3-second pauses to allow the barrel to cool.Weapon Cost:

Edited April 16, 2012 by Beardy Spoon

[Kothra]

OOC: If that weapon weighs that much, you're going to be firing it while it's mounted on a tripod on on some surface, because shock suppressors don't fix everything.I'll go over the rest later when i have time.

[Wyrd Bid Ful Araed]

IC: The Varangians, the Waalrusaans oldest allies, were asked if they could share the designs for these helicopter thingumabobs they'd got from the Kiserrans. The Waalrusaan had heard of them from their enclaves in places like Kiserre and Standast and had a few ideas on how they might improve them, but would need technical designs to be sure in their calculations. In exchange they'd share their improvements with the Varangians for them to use as they saw fit

[Silvan Haven]

IC: In Fillion an economic boom was sweeping the country. Ad to that the large amounts of young people now entering the work force and military and you had a recipe for an even more successful nation.A tax break in return for part of Fillion's laser technology. That one was going to take some time for the politicians to decide about.The main problem with the Fillion reproduction of chocolat was the fact that the closest thing they had to sugar was syrup. A message from several companies were sent out to the countries in the warmer climates asking if any of them would be willing to start a extended deal. The government helped by saying they would give anyone who joined a tax break on imported an exported goods.Citizens from Fillion began to see if they could move to other countries. Warmer climates were favored with the exception of Astaria. The average person in Fillion was rather private, and having something as personal as DNA being taken from them and put into a massive database was a rather unpleasant proposition.OOC: @Toast, Does that include things that you are still working on? I figure those would be classified so I'm not sure if they would be on the table or not.Province uprgradeA2: Skinhok- Medium state-30 IP 5 battalions Now April 16- 3 weeksA3: Clinvel- Medium State-30 IP 5 battalions Now April 16- 3 weeksB2: Meltat- Capitol State-60 IP 50 battalions Now April 16- 4 weeksB3: Dacros- Medium State-30 IP 5 battalions Now April 16- 3 weeksC2: Nytle- Medium State-30 IP 5 battalions Now April 16- 3 weeksC3: Benser- Large State-40 IP 10 battalions Now April 16- 3 weeks

Edited April 16, 2012 by Silvan Haven

[Toast of Awesomeness]

OOC: Right now he's just asking them to estimate the value and they'll make a bid.Right now they have tanks, walkers, aircraft, and a few other things in there. It's in basically a large warehouse.

[Silvan Haven]

IC: The head of the Fillion group nodded thanks to the Anitalian and they started walking through the various vehicles, stopping here and there to take a closer look at some of them. Two in particular caught the team's eye. The M3 Ejderha and the A2 Sahin. Fillion used helicopters rather then planes to move around their islands and as such, did not have jet propulsion technology. Although there were a few prop type airplanes here and there, they were mostly used for entertainment purposes. The Eidrha had been seen as something that might come in handy as a base for a design that was still in the works.A call was once again sent out across Fillion, looking for people willing to set out into the unknown and tame the wild frontier.

[Kothra]

OOC: A just a reminder that Kiserre has a squadron of five Kuma main battle tanks and a group of four Hyou infantry fighting vehicles for sale.

[Toast of Awesomeness]

IC: The Anitalians took notice of their interest."We are willing to give you the technology to create walkers, as well as jet planes, in return for your laser technology. Is this offer acceptable?"

[HeavyMetalSunshineSister]

OOC: I'm fine with them requiring a tripod for firing, so long as it can be carried while not firing. Wasn't really picturing people running while firing them anyway.IC: The schematics for the helicopters were quietly given to the Waalrusaan government.

[Kothra]

OOC: Yeah that's fine.Guys, use this for classifying your infantry before you give it to me. Alex, please put this somewhere on the front post.

~Above average; slightly better trained than your run of the mill soldier, has a better chance in combat. 1 IP for a hundred.~Officer; not refering to rank, they're another step up, capable of surviving more. 5 IP for a hundred.~Specialist; capable of taking on whole battalions and having a good chance of surviving. 10 IP for fifty.~Elite; cream of the crop, these guys are exceedingly skilled and hard to take down without extreme support. 10 IP for ten.~Best of the best; the name says it all. 20 IP for ten.

[HeavyMetalSunshineSister]

OOC: Ah. Under that system, the VO would probably fall under the heading of "Specialists".

[Alex Humva]

OOCKeep in mind that heading isn't an end all to be all; it's just the guidelines. If you're packing any really special gear or something it's going to jack up the price.

[Silvan Haven]

IC: After a brief conversation among the group, the head of the Fillion delegation turned to the Anitalians and said, "That would be acceptable.Thank you for your time and we hope to be able to do business again soon."The last sentance was said in the main dialect of Anitalia.

[Toast of Awesomeness]

IC: With the trade completed, the Fillion lasers were taken to be studied, applied, and improved if possible.

[Silvan Haven]

IC: The delegation returned to Fillion with the fruits of the trade. Engineers and scientists immediately went to work to see what new technologies could be made with them.

[Toast of Awesomeness]

IC: With the gathered colonists, a new settlement was created in E15. Christened Pelipon, it was colonized primarily by Graecans, not Turkiye. It would serve to safeguard Anitalia's northern claims.

[Xomeron]

OOC: I'll handle the industry problem tomorrow, can't now.IC: Reverene IIAfter being delayed, the second Reverene rocket soared into the sky.IC: SatellitesThe Astarian satellites were each orbiting on a sín wave, allowing them to reach equal distances above and below the equator. The highest lattitude among the group was one that approached 70 degrees North and South; this was one of the mapping satellites.

[Lara White]

OOC: What about your military bases?

[Xomeron]

OOC: Calderon is the largest offshore one, but every city with at least 500,000 people has an obvious military base on the outskirts and a garrison inside. You could have told that by buying a road map.Out of curiosity, how are you detecting my satellites?

Edited April 17, 2012 by cardworkMagician

[Lara White]

OOC: You realize that your average Joe can see a satellite if he knows what to look for? I have high-power observatories like any proper space agency, it should be a cinch.That's five or six bases, then? (Which are Navy, Army, or Air Force?)

Edited April 17, 2012 by Lloyd: the White Wolf

[HeavyMetalSunshineSister]

OOC: Sine wave, you ninny!Unless they are indeed riding on a wave of misdeeds-as-defined-by-religious-dogma, in which case, carry on.Also, Alex, I believe you missed stating a time-frame for my gauss rifle project stated on page 21. 40 IP.Helicopter research complete. I'll get a design in later.Finally, my (belated) industry report.INDUSTRY REPOOOOOOOOOOOORTProvincesW14 - Large State - 40 IP - 10 Battalions - Upgrade May 2nd (Started as Small State February 8th)W15 - Large State - 40 IP - 10 Battalions - Upgrade April 18th (Started as Medium State February 8th)W16 - Large State - 40 IP - 10 Battalions - Upgrade May 2nd (Started as Small State February 8th)X15 - Super Province - 80 IP - 100 Battalions - No Further Upgrade (Started as Capitol February 8th)X16 - Large State - 40 IP - 10 Battalions - Upgrade May 2nd (Started as Small State February 8th)Total IP: 240Under Construction1 Lynkrage Zeppelin (To be completed April 21st): 30 IPTotal Remaining IP: 210Military Vehicles3 Suzume Helicopters (Gifted from Kiserre) - Upkeep: Total of 33 Snekkja Patrol Boats - Upkeep: Total of 51 Lynkrage Zeppelin - Upkeep: 10Total Upkeep Cost: 18Total Remaining IP: 192Research-Gauss Rifles: 40 IP (Unknown Completion Date)-Hydrogen Fuel Cells: 80 IP (May 5th)Total Cost: 120 IPTotal Remaining IP: 72

[Xomeron]

OOC: I was hoping you'd say "Radar"...And yes, I realize that. I'd like to show you my trio of telescopes of varying design and power.IC: This IC to be voided if necessary.After a three day flight, in which most of the Reverene rocket fell to pieces into the ocean, the remaining flight capsule, named "Aveline," broke into two further parts; the Lunar Lander and the orbiter capsule. Allesti Coronak remained in the orbiter capsule, watching as her two compatriots made history. Nain Kresgen(whose last name roughly translates to strong-arm) was filmed and broadcasting taking man's first step onto Luna's surface, speaking immortal words; "One single step, separating the Age of Nations and the Age of Humanity. One single step for a man, but a giant leap for mankind."The Astarian duo followed this up with several hours of gallivanting about the Lunar surface, collecting rocks and dust for samples, and leaving behind two artifacts; an Astarian flag, propped up in the nonexistent breeze by metal rods within, and an elliptical reflector dish. Soon afterwards, the lunar lander rocketed into the sky again, to meet its timed rendezvous with the orbiting capsule and begin its slow descent back to Earth.Video footage from three different angles had been recorded and broadcast, matched with the sound from Nain Kresgen's radio, but Astaria knew that some would question whether it had been faked. That was the purpose of the elliptical reflector; allowing anyone with a powerful enough laser to send a burst to Luna and get a reflection back in eight seconds.Meanwhile, Astaria laid a colonial claim to the Lunar region known as the Sea of Tranquility.

[Lara White]

OOC: Why would I say "radar?"IC: Aquileon leaders nodded and clapped politely at Astaria's achievement of throwing a rocket together the fastest and getting it to the Moon, despite the tragedy of their failed first launch. Such technology was highly experimental, so critical failures were to be expected, after all. Aquileon was quite confident in the fact that the NEA Project Luminous would be much more effective. The Astarian claim to the Mare Tranquilitatis was not addressed, however. it had been expected and plans were in place.

[Xomeron]

OOC: Because then I could lock onto your radar signatures to find your satellites. But it doesn't matter because of...IC:Following this, Astaria made a pair of moves they doubted anyone would expect. First, they asked that both the Aquilonian embassy in Astaria and the Astarian embassy in Aquilonia be reopened. Second, they requested to add Project Reverene to Project Luminous. As Alessia Coronaki, the Astarian Prime Minister(Ministress?) put it, "Space should not be used to benefit any one group or nation; we must have cooperation if we are to become truly mature as a species, and as leaders of humanity's great nations, it falls to us to set an example for the world to follow."

Edited April 17, 2012 by cardworkMagician

[Alex Humva]

OOCGuys, my computers have been hit by a virus, will be off for a while. I'm entrusting Koth and Lloyd to keep things running while I deal with this. Don't expect much from me.

[Silvan Haven]

IC: The main Fillion reaction to the landing was, "Good for you. Now just don't try to go and claim the whole moon while your up there." Several people also wondered why Astaria was talking about not using space for the benefit of a single nation when they had just claimed a sizable part of the moon as their own.The money put into weapons development was finally paying off in the form of a new line of weapons. The military immediately began to familiarize the troops with them.A new helicopter design was put into production.OOC: New weapons and vehicle.Weapon Name: Scattershot grenadeWeapon Description: It looks like a larger then normal grenade. When used it has two stages. The first one goes off in the shape of a small explosion, sending the second stage flying. The second stage is a cluster of small munitions that all explode a set time after being sent flying by the first stage. Used as an anti-infantry weapon.Weapon Cost: N/AWeapon Name: HopperWeapon Description: An anti-personal mine. Similar to the "Bouncing Betty" of WW 2, it waits several seconds after being stepped on before springing up to chest height and going off. It will kill anyone within three yards of it and the shrapnel will injure anyone within ten yards.Weapon Cost: N/AWeapon Name: SceanbhWeapon Description: An anti-vehicle mine. It is made up of a long pressure pad with the explosive part in the middle. It is calibrated so that something the weight of a large vehicle has to press on both sides of the pressure pad before it goes off. When it does, it sends a metal spike up at high enough speeds to punch through thin armor or get a grip in thick. The spike then explodes inside whatever set it off.Weapon Cost: N/AWeapon Name: TintreachWeapon Description: An anti-veicle mine. As soon as a certain amount of pressure is taken off the pad or stays on for long enough, a wire with a magnetic clamp shoots up onto whatever set it off. It then sends an electric current through the target machine, frying electric systems and possibly setting off any ordinance that may be inside.Weapon Cost: N/AWeapon Name: IneWeapon Description: About the size of a standard M16, it is slightly thicker and possesses a box type clip of the sort used on modern day SAWs. Cannot be carried while firing due to it's heavy weight. It fires explosive spikes, about the length of a .50 caliber bullet. Is used for both anti-infantry and anti-vehicle purposes. Each box holds about 200 shots on a disintegrating belt. Can also use the clips of a normal Fillion military rifle.Weapon Cost: N/AVehicle Class: NealVehicle Description: A converted Faoileag helicopter. It is used as an electronic warfare platform. The main difference in how it looks is are the extra antennae sticking out of various places.Weaponry: Two small Griun guns on the side. A whole bunch of electronic jammers, radios, sensors and just as many things to counter them.Upkeep/Build time/Build Cost: 5 IP for 2/7 days

Edited April 17, 2012 by Silvan Haven

[Xomeron]

Also Xom, in your Industry report, that would be 150 individual Red Dragoon troops, not squads. Also, 4 IP worth of Boa transports would only give you 32, not 176.

Uh, they've always been squads. To quote the PM where you gave them the time and cost:

Red Dragoons (I'm assuming you're going with basically standard infantry with some special equipment and training) - 1 IP for 10 squads/3 days, requires 7+ Crusader helicopters for airbourne use.

These guys are basically just standard infantry with special training and a unique rifle, I think that having one man take as much to support as my Main Battle Tank would be a little excessive. Ten ten-man squads? More reasonable. Thing is that, one for one, they'll have a hard time against other Special Forces. That's what Ruin Riders are for.Time to fix my budgetingIR:O-8: Super Province(80)N-7: Capitol State(60)[11/28]O-9: Super Province(80)O-7: Large State(40)[11/21]P-8: Medium State(30)[18/21]O-11: Small State(20)[6/21]N-12: Medium Territory(5)[9/21]Total IP: 295Projects:Merinka(80)[7/21]PSI(25)[3/60]CDN(50)[3/30]Helbrecht(50)[1/14]10 Python MBTs(10)[1/7]Standing Military:5 Crusader Helicopters(5)Helbrecht-Class Destroyer(10)50 Python MBTs(10)3 P-11 Interceptors(5)150 squads worth of Red Dragoon forces(15)2 B-9 Shadows(10)80 Boa Transports(10)100 Ruin Riders(1)Total IP Use: 269/295IC:Astarian Space Agency calling for all nations to publish their satellite orbit paths, to avoid any possible collisions in space. As a show of good faith, the request was accompanied by publishing the flight paths of each Astarian satellite. Edited April 18, 2012 by cardworkMagician