Yup. Ima update the wiki to version 1.28 for REASONS™. ?

This update will take place Saturday night PST, at about 11:50 PM. (Maybe-probably.) Don't be editing or you may lose that work. >:V

As most of you know, I've been working on updating the military for Nyland for a while now. I know what I want to do as far as numbers and composition goes. However, I don't have the time to both research and design the hardware for an entire military anymore, like I used to do. So, I'm really looking for some assistance from others, to come and fill in the specifics.

This data on Nyland's military hardware will then go with Nyland's database as part of its OOB/military information. Credit will be given to contributors

What's needed?

1) Pictures/designs. These can either be found pictures from the internet, or self-designed work, either 2d or 3d; I generally prefer unique self-designed stuff. Designwise, let's try to keep things consistent: we're looking for hardware that fits a "near-future" look for the next generation, preferably with US/NATO design influences.

2) Info & Specifications. These don't need to be immensely detailed, but we need at least basic information. I'm not a military guy and haven't really touched military specs or done research on this in 8+ years, so I'm not going to be much help, but I'll try to let you know minimum requirements.

I may need projected/possible production prices, too.

Thanks to all who reply and help. I'll now (try to) go into some detail on what's needed.


The Army & Marines (Land equipment, basically)

1) Personal Combat Equipment - Armor, weapons, etc...I honestly don't even know anything about this anymore. I'm not any help at all with this.

2) Attack Helicopters - Firepower is king, but stealth and survivability is important (not necessarily in that order), especially effective future countermeasures against man-portable rockets etc; better as fuck be able to provide sustained and effective fire support in the AO, especially for urban combat. I have the Comanche in my mind, but I know that's not a good example, and you can build a fucking future-Hind if you want and I'll probably be happy.

3) Vertical-lift transport/utility aircraft - I don't even know, most likely speed and survivability. We're lifting both equipment and people with these, and if built as a modular or multipurpose frame, may very well be used in several other roles. It's not glamorous, but this one will probably need a couple designs.

4) Main Battle Tank(s) - The Abrams is a shit tank. Challenger is love, Challenger is life. Seriously though, no turbine engines. Survivability, survivability, survivability; I don't care what's shooting at it, if it can't avoid a hit, then it better be able to take a hit and keep going. As far as the gun goes, must have similar or better properties as the GIAT CN120-26/52; smoothbore preferred, and must accept both HESH-type and kinetic AT ammunition. As far as secondaries go, I'm much more lenient, and it's up to you if you want missiles, rockets, MG, etc.

5) Infantry Fighting Vehicle(s) - Again, survivability, especially in urban environments, but this isn't an MBT; keep the weight down and keep it mobile so that it can avoid taking hits. Must be capable of filling multiple roles depending on loadout, such as serving as command/medical/engineer vehicle, or taking troops into combat as an infantry support vehicle, a mobile indirect fire platform, or even a direct-fire tank-killer with an MBT armament, idk.

Alternatively (or in addition too), a lighter version can be made (think LAV-25 to the Bradley). Keep it light and fast, but will be able to fill all of the above roles in a high-mobility recon or strike capacity. Air-transportable & amphibious is a must. In either case, these are replacing designated APCs, and carrying troops into combat and supporting them is their primary role.

6) Light Armored/Reconnaissance Vehicle(s) - Need two kinds: one is replacing the "Humvee" as the general purpose workhorse. You know it well. Make the Humvee Great Again.

The other, though, is a more combat-oriented light vehicle, purpose built to see use on high-risk, high-danger situations where the operators are likely to see ambush or combat. As such, it must be resistant or even immune to common forms of enemy/insurgent operations, such as mines, IED, shoulder-fired rockets, etc. However, it must still remain fast and agile.

7) utility trucks, anti-air, artillery, unmanned vehicles, etc... I don't know. *shrugs*


The Air Force (I guess?)

1) Multirole Combat Aircraft - These things will become the universal air weapons platform of the future, primarily replacing all designated air-superiority fighters while also having capability to perform bomber and ground attack roles. Will need both "normal" and a "lighter" carrier-capable version. Surely I don't need to give a complete laundry list...capability should at leat meet or preferably exceed world rivals.

2) Close Air Support - I remain unconvinced as to the ability of multirole aircraft to provide effective, loitering fire support, but the not-A-10 is old growing increasingly obsolete. This one is a challenge...how can we create a modern/future CAS aircraft? Must be able to infiltrate an AO quickly and with little/no warning, while still having the control and survivability to loiter above an enemy position and pump consistent and heavy fire in support of ground forces. We cannot compromise on loadout, so the design must be able to match the not-A-10 in firepower, fully loaded.

3) Bombers, tactical/attack/interdictor & strategic - Get in, drop the load, get out. Do it fast, and don't be seen; is there really much more I need to say? On that note...

4) Stealth whatever - At this point, everything should be "stealth" in some capacity or another. I don't see the need for a separate "stealth" armament.

5) Transport/recon/utility, etc - Need heavy, medium, and light transports, with medium and light versions serving in the various other utility, obervation, refueling, etc roles that need filled.

6) Drones & whatever - We need some, I guess.


The Navy (yeah, boats!)

Thankfully, DeShaine was already gracious enough to provide ship designs for the next generation of Nyland's navy, and they look great. However, I don't have specifications etc for any of them, so specifics and information for each of them will be appreciated. I've listed them below, if you want to look at them.

• William H. Folkeson class Carrier
  
• San Sebastian class LHA / Amphibious Assault Ship
  
• Strömsund class Cruiser
  
• Johnstown class Frigate
  
• Hammer class Destroyer (on a side note, "Captain Sven Hammer" is a great name)
  
• Rosdam class LPD / Amphibious Transport Dock
  
• Marquette class Fleet Support Ship
  
• Flåleandshem class Attack/Hunter Submarine
  
• Ordföraland class Ballistic Missile Submarine

Zemaita - The Kingdom of Nerysia

It was silent in the old streets of Zemaita, as the religious sculptures and figures looked down to the ground, as if they almost didn't dare to look up anymore and look in God's eyes; ashamed of what happened to the Kingdom. In 1560 King Aspar had been overthrown and murdered in a palace coup by his own son, Algirdas, who usurped power by appointing Leodegar Bafuz as prime minister. The constitutional monarchy that had existed for centuries, the Golden Liberty, was gradually reduced to a memory of the past under Algirdas and his ever-growing network of collaborators, spies, agents, and puppets.

Journalists, one after another, disappeared. Others fled. Media corporations were bought by shady ''investment groups'', run by an even more shady banker called Charibert Zafulis. Some major media stations completely disappeared. Others did not change much, other than that they - when necessary - defended the actions of the government. Prime Minister Bafuz and his political party, the Union for the Nerysian People, installed a fiercely nationalist government that claimed to ''restore order'' in the Kingdom, and rapidly introduced a large amount of laws that extended police powers, curbed the powers of the judiciary, and authorized ''anti-terrorist'' measures against ''extremists'', which could include anyone who had dared to protest.

The Senate remained the most powerful counterweight to the new King. Going back almost a thousand years, the Senate consisted of the most powerful aristocratic families in the Kingdom, with far-reaching powers to obstruct the government. Although the Aristocracy was not very powerful anymore, the Senate itself did retain its constitutional powers and its members still belonged to the old aristocratic families. Some of the individual members had been ''bribed'' by Algirdas to join his side. Others he blackmailed into supporting him. Algirdas secretive Order of Navahr had infiltrated the military and police departments, and could easily make people ''disappear''. Especially the families of the Senators were vulnerable to such unfortunate ...disappearances. A few Senators resisted however, and refused to blindly submit themselves to the new King, who was nothing but a despot in their eyes. Algirdas appointed his most trusted accomplice, Prince Ricimer, to chair the Senate and to keep it under control.

Elections for the parliament meanwhile, were easily manipulated by the government with firm control over the media, security services, and even the economy as the Order spread its tentacles everywhere in search for money and power. People who voted for the Liberals risked losing their job, their welfare subsidies, or anything else they might depend on. The election campaigns of the Liberal and Conservative parties were heavily undermined and sabotaged by the bureaucracy and the media, and even their funding was being crippled as the Order destroyed any businessman who donated money to them. In general though, the authorities subtly encouraged the people not to vote at all. Publications were being spread in which ''individualism'' was being equated with selfishness and greed. Parliaments and democracy were being equated with chaos, anarchy, and instability. The foreign media was being discredited as being ''the Father of Lies''. The Media, especially in other countries, were accused of being ''a tool of power'' used by ''irresponsible journalists'' to ''entertain the masses'', while doing it all in the name of the common good and calling their views ''public opinion''. Politicians were denounced as selfish, and vain opportunists - unfit to lead any country. Especially the Parliament and the Senate took most of the attacks. ''Parliamentarism is the triumph of egoism – its highest expression.''

The new regime under King Algirdas was praised. ''Men of Honor'' had taken upon themselves ''the burden of power'', and in their wisdom, steered the Kingdom to its correct future again, not allowing themselves to be distracted by lying journalists, selfish politicians, and protecting the Kingdom from the rotting process that had already taken place in other countries.

In those mute and distant years, a dull gloom filled all hearts. Algirdas had unfurled his owlish wings over Nerysia. There was neither day nor night, only the shadow of giant wings....

If you'd like to roleplay some sort of thread involving a Non-Player Country, you must first obtain the Directorate's approval through this thread. Anyone may propose a Campaign; having a country on Siora is not required. A Player's own country is not required to participate and doing so may even be discouraged.

NPC Campaigns are not required to have an end goal; one may propose one for the sole purpose of shaking things up. A Campaign may be set any time in in-game history, within reason.

You may propose a new NPC be spawned for the purpose of a campaign.

This thread is for playing with NPCs in cases where annexing it is not the goal. If you want to annex the NPC, you want the Expansion thread.

What to do Post-Approval
After your claim is approved (or as otherwise directed by the Director), you must start an OOC thread titled "OOC: <Campaign Name>" in the Discussion and Planning forum. Failure to do so may cause your RP to be post-poned/frozen. You are encouraged to use the OOC thread to coordinate the Campaign with Players and their Countries, though may otherwise begin role playing.

28 Quartyr, 1582 | Histria, Caladria

For long, Caladria had been a boring and calm island country in the northern Mandavines. Although it may remained a bitter and controversial memory in Carpathia, the real Caladria was only interested for ordinary tourists and businessmen. Since the Democratic Republic of Caladria was proclaimed, and under the Constitution of 1408, the small island nation had experienced a stable existence. For most of a century, excluding a few sporadic exceptions, the federal government had been ruled by the Republican Party, which evolved from a liberal democratic political party in the early 1410s to a more typical center-right political party in the last decades. This ended in 1570, when the leader of the centrist Social Liberal Party Marian Puscas became Prime Minister as consequence of an agreement with the center-left Green Party.

Four years later, the Republican Party recovered and came very close to the absolute majority. However, Marian Puscas could continue as Prime Minister, forming a coalition government with the Green Party and the support of the Native Party, which represented the interest of the Caladrian remaining indigenous ethnic group, known as Sarda people. The coalition government introduced a more left-leaning policy, increasing taxes, green policies, a new welfare programs. The coalition government would win the elections of 1578, and Marian Puscas would become the first non-Republican Prime Minister to be reelected twice in Caladria since 1438.

Fourteen months ago, however, Marian Puscas announced his resignation as Prime Minister. He was replaced by Florica Donceanu, his Deputy Minister and Minister of Justice, who became the first female Prime Minister in the history of Caladria. As Puscas administration had lost the support of the Native Party a few months ago, Donceanu had to rely in the support of the left-wing Socialist Party to be confirmed as Prime Minister. On Alvan 1582, Marian Puscas would become President of Caladria, a rather ceremonial role.

Brummagen, Goldecia | Alvan 20, 1582

Ildus, got off the tram and crossed the street. After wandering for five minutes, the young student finally found the place he was looking for. He entered in "Joyful Knowledge", which seemed to him a bit petulant and weird name for a small bookshop. Once he entered, he felt the shop looked as an ordinary antiquary bookshop, only that everything -the store, the floor, the desk, the bookshelves, even the book themselves- didn't look too old, but rather new and relatively clean. However, the place lacked any kind of decoration and advertisements.

There wasn't anyone nearby the desk, so Ildus decided to touch that small bell, timidly at first.

A young woman, but slighly older than Ildus, came. "Yes, yes! I'm coming", she replied in Florinthian language, although with a harsh accent. "What can I do for you?".

Although he hadn't seen that woman before, Ildus felt that not only her voice, but her factions, looked very familar to him. "Yes, yes", he replied, a bit nervous. "My name is...Michael. I am looking for an old history book, that is...It's called the Fountain of Life".

"'The Fountain of Life', I see", she replied. "Yes, that book. Wait a minute". She returned with a box, where there was a book inside.

"Ajsha...", Ildus said. He could see how the woman kept looking coldly at him, as she didn't exactly trust him.

"Let me wrap the book", she said. "Do you want anything else?", she asked.

"No...", Ilsat replied. "No, thank you. That was all I was looking for. I guess".

"Fine", she said. "Actually it is a rather common book, so we will accept anything you are willing to give us".

"Ah...", Ilsat babbled. He left just a few coins on the desk. "I hope it's enough".

"Yes, it is enough", she answered. "Remember to check the last chapter, they are always the most interesting ones. And don't come back here".

"Alright", Ilsat said. "Goodbye", he added before leaving the store.

While he was returning home, his nervous could only grow, feeling terribly paranoid about every person he found and everything he heard.

Ilsat decided to rest a bit, two hours later, he prepared himself a tea. Before he finished it, he came back to his bedroom and opened his backpack.

There was the book he was looking for, The Fountain of Life. Such title didn't appear anywhere on the cover, though. The book seemed written in A'sirian language, or maybe one of those languages spoken in Eastern Galasia, Ilsat though. A language he didn't speak, in any case. But it didn't take long to guess that it was likely a book about Bal-Jawadi, the 15th-century Akhadist scholar, probably a biography.

Ilsat, who had been studying Medicine in the local university in Brummagen for eight months, didn't know much about theology. Religion never interested him much, despite the attemps of his grandmother, a very religious woman and a pious Akhadic believer.

He suddenly remembered the shop assistant's words, and flicked through the book, looking those final chapters. There, at the beginning of the last chapter, he found a note. The note, a small pice of paper, was just an address and date.

"Alvan 22, 16:00", he read. At the other side of the paper, there were written a few words in his native language. "Bring back the book and wait. Don't talk with anyone".

Eris Research Station
In Eris orbit
Approximately 80 AU from the Sun
A.D. 2347

Dr. Jarol Lynis sat in his office on the Eris Research Station, staring intently at the computer screen on his desk. The numbers flashing on his screen didn’t make sense. He scrunched his eyebrows together and decided to dig through the raw data to find what had caused the computer to reach such a preposterous conclusion. He was about fifteen minutes into it when Dr. Clostermann burst in.

“Dr. Lynis,” he said, nearly out of breath, “have you seen these numbers?”

“Yes, I’m trying to figure out what’s wrong with the computer. This data cannot be true.”

“Yes, I know that it seems odd-”

“Odd? The laws of physics don’t allow an object of that size to pass through. It would be crushed instantly, and…” Lynis trailed off as the gears turned in his head. His eyes wide with realization, he rushed out of the room, muttering that he must be more tired than he thought, followed closely by Dr. Clostermann.

*****

Ever since the discovery of the Laumer Points (named after the 23rd century scientist Gerald Laumer) over a century ago, it had been theorized that they could be used to connect two vastly distant points in space. Only recently, however, has it been seriously pursued as a plausible method of faster-than-light travel. Thanks largely to the lobbying efforts of Dr. Jarol Lynis, research into the Laumer Points had been funded for the last eight years. The so-called “Columbus Project” was now bearings its fruits. Dr. Lynis would today demonstrate the success of his work to top UN leadership.

The United Nations, the descendant of that old 20th century organization, was the single government under which all of humanity lived, from Mercury to far-out Eris. The member-states of the UN all reserved a great deal of autonomy, including the colonies on Mars and the Outer Planets, which gained their right to independent membership after the Colonial Rebellions of decades ago. Although the rebels were eventually defeated, it was decided to give them their independence from their Earth mother countries in an attempt to avoid another war.

“President Miller, Premier Lin, Prime Minister Desrosiers, President Cruz, Chancellor Hofmann, President Davidson, Prime Minister Chinh, President Smirnov, Premier Schmidt, Prime Minister al-Fayed, and General Secretary Galanos,” Lynis said, finally ending his long-winded introduction of those present, either in person or by video link. These men and women were some of the most powerful and influential in the Solar System, and represented both Earth nations and those of “the Colonies.”

“Today I will demonstrate what many, for generations, thought impossible: faster-than-light travel.” There was no applause or any such outburst, just these leaders’ serious stares. Clearing his throat, Dr. Lynis turned to his staff in the control room. “How long?”

“T-minus ten minutes until the probe reaches the Laumer Point,” a technician answered. For ten minutes, the doctor, his staff, and the leaders behind them waited. Dr. Lynis had ordered the probe to move towards the Point, accelerating to “transition speed,” a couple of hours before the scheduled demonstration. He wouldn’t want to keep these important men and women waiting for longer than necessary, after all.

“T-minus ten seconds… five, four, three, two, one… Transition.” Before their very eyes, so to speak, the probe disappeared. It was no longer showing up on their instruments. Lynis stole a glance at the dignitaries. A couple seemed surprised, but most seemed to be withholding judgement. Approximately fifteen seconds later, a technician announced, “Receiving probe telemetry!”

“Where is it?” Dr. Lynis asked, mostly for the benefit of the visitors, as he knew exactly where it should be. Obviously, they had run this exact test before. The first FTL jump to an alien star system had been conducted practically in secret, with only the Eris Research Station staff present. It would be incredibly embarrassing if he tried to show off in front of such distinguished persons, and it ended in total failure. So they had had to make sure it worked first.

“The probe is approximately 4.24 light years from Sol, in the Alpha Centauri system,” the technician announced proudly. Dr. Lynis turned back to face the leaders.

“Well, well,” a wide-eyed UN General Secretary Galanos said, “congratulations on your achievement. I think I speak for everyone here when I say that we are all very impressed. The implications of this…” Galanos trailed off as the gears turned in his head.

“How soon do you think we can build a ship with this… jump drive?” Premier Lin asked, borrowing a term from science fiction.

“Wait,” President Davidson interjected before Lynis could answer, “we’re already thinking of sending people out there? We don’t even know if they’ll be able to come back once they go through this ‘Laumer Point.’”

“To answer your question, Premier Lin, you would have to ask the engineers and the shipbuilders, but I think it could be done in two years, maybe less. As for your point, President Davidson, I have already sent through and brought back two probes before this. Obviously we will continue our testing, but we can bring them back.”

Then, almost simultaneously, they started asking questions. For centuries, mankind had dreamt of traveling the stars. When humanity first colonized Earth’s moon, Luna, in the late 21st century, and began to reach out into the rest of the Solar System, it was thought that the next step would be other star systems. Instead, for three hundred years, humans have been trapped in the Solar System, clinging to life as they try to feed humanity’s billions upon billions of men, women, and children. Now the possibility of exploring, possibly colonizing, other star systems presented an incredible opportunity.

General Secretary Galanos cut through the rest of them and reestablished order. When the rest of the leaders had become silent, Galanos said, “We will put together a team to send through the Laumer Point and begin man’s initial exploration of the wider universe.”

Lynis stepped forward. “General Secretary, I would be honored to accompany this crew on its mission.”

“I’m afraid not, doctor,” Galanos said.

“W-what? I’ve spent so long-”

“You’re needed here, Dr. Lynis. We can’t risk losing you in some freak accident in the middle of nowhere.”

“Fine, but who else will you send?”

“I have a few ideas for a good start,” Galanos answered vaguely.

Basically, we should totally RP the crime families, mafias, gangs, cartels of the world and show casea fair bit of the underground world that undoubtly surrounds Siora's common person life cause gang wars and stuff and things.

Basically we would each RP a major drug supplier in the world black market, some groups offer exclusive drugs compared to others; some are allies, many are enemies....I mean if people are interested we should totally expand more on this idea.

We could have car chases in Sainam's capital for instance, low-key mercenary wars......see who actually supplies the Nentsians with their roids.

Who would like to create a future RP? It would be character-based as opposed to nation-based.

This is the premise that Rommy and I have established so far, for consideration:

• The Solar System is governed by a system-wide single government. This government is a form of confederation, with distinct nations still in existence.
  
• Humanity has access to relatively advanced technology, including spaceships, however they have never before been able to achieve faster-than-light travel.
  
• An FTL project, years in the making, has finally produced a working FTL drive.
  
• Humanity sends out its first FTL-capable exploratory/research project with a small crew (around 15 or so). The RP centers around this crew.