Expansion Kazemuran Campaign for Sainam [APPROVED]

[Alvino Castillon]

Expanding Country: Kazemura
EC.'s Government Type: Imperial Democratic Stratocracy

Campaign Setting: 1589/1590 Start Time
Campaign Goal: Sainam; Celestia (which should be renamed to Imperial Edo State or Edo)
Informational Links: Factbook

When did you last have an Expansion? I mean... ended November 2018? But it was more with the understanding of what happens next
When was the Expanding Country's last military conflict? Military Action in Singan (to restore order)
Why do you seek to expand? RESTORE HEIWANAN GREATNESS. Also overthrow the Mad Emperor of Sainam

Campaign Plot:

Family matters are definitely the worst.

After the conclusion of negotiations between Chikasu and Kazemura, things seemed to settle between them over the next two years. The two nations seemed to actually be on better terms and there was talks in public that maybe they could start working together on other things.

Well that talk came at a good time as Sainam abruptly decided to make a mess. Emperor Akira Sekai of Sainam, having recently consolidated power, decided that now was the best time to retake the Imperial Edo State. Chikasu was still dealing with internal issues with Shimazu and Kazemura was trying to parse through the mess at the border between Hoinom and Singan. Additionally, taking the state would give him control of the Imperial Palace and allow him to get his grubby hands on the Celestial Throne, thus reinforcing his claim on the region and ensuring he can whip up support at home to prevent a collapse of his mandate. So with major positives and few downsides, it makes sense that Sainam should try to take the state, right?

As it turns out, Chikasu isn’t too thrilled with that. Unsurprisingly, neither is Kazemura. But surprisingly, Kazemura’s first (public) instincts isn’t to jump in and fight everyone to make it a free for all like the first three times. Instead, the Empress decides that perhaps Chikasu would be interested in working together to take back Edo and even depose the Mad Emperor to replace it with far less belligerent leadership. And if they aren’t, well Kazemura will just act unilaterally to handle this matter anyways.

Chikasu knows Kazemura’s Empress is up to something. But is it prepared to refuse support at a time when it seems as though the entire region is about to explode? And if it does accept the support, with caveats, what is Kazemura’s endgame?

Will Mirai and Hiraku outwit everyone to pull all the pieces together? Will Akira outlast his opponents and emerge victorious? Or will Chikasu outplay its neighbors and make a turn that no one suspects?

The pieces are set up. The plan is in full motion. Heiwana stands at the crossroads; its Baptism by Fire has begun.

Potential for Other Player Involvement: Other nations might be able to pick sides in the war. Depending on Chikasu’s choice regarding an alliance with Kazemura though, it will become far more difficult for foreigners to push their way in. Mestra’s alliance with Kazemura may play a role; Drubang’s plans for expansion will definitely throw a wrench in things.

How your country may evolve from success: Depends on the endgame, but let’s presume Kazemura comes out on top from a United Front Victory.

Kazemura and Chikasu are the victors of the war. For the first time since the fall of the Heiwanan Empire, there are only two major players left. At this juncture they could come to blows for the final showdown or come together and bring about a new federation. Likely, this latter option would be the one both of them take up; Chikasu would likely press for the Empress to step down as Head of State in this Federation and she would oblige, serving as a religious figure instead.

How your country may evolve from defeat: A defeat by Sainam’s hands would likely mean the dramatic rise of a new authoritarian power. Democracy will have been dealt a critical blow at a time when confidence is sorely needed; both Chikasu and Kazemura may become too weak to stand against the absolutist reign of Emperor Akira who could proceed to conquer the rest of the archipelago.

[Ayzek]

Firstly, let's move the setting forward a few years, to 1593/1594.

That aside, I don't feel there are notable "internal issues" with Shimazu. But I don't believe that'll play a significant role in this role play, so let's leave it at that.

Now, the form is agreeable as is, but what do you think about having it start during the disease outbreak? That'd add another curious dimension, and help explain why Akira pounced on Throne: Chikasu and Kazemura are distracted by a pandemic. The deep-recession was originally gonna be set in 1597-ish for political reasons, but now that it can't be pinned on it, we could totally have it start in 1595-1596. It's likely to show up in your role play regardless.

[Alvino Castillon]

Firstly, yeah sounds good. 1593/1594 is fine, though I'd feel that Kazemura and Chikasu would have a fairly good relationship then. So the idea of teaming up wouldn't be met with outright wariness but with a bit of skepticism and then acceptance.

The internal issues aspect would have more explained why Chikasu didn't go right to the rescue of the Imperial Oda State and allowed Heiwa to fall in the first place. However, let's put a pin in that for a sec and talk about the pandemic, because that actually sounds like it could be better to work with.

I would imagine Kazemura would attempt to reach out to Chikasu to cooperate to combat the pandemic. While Kazemura would also be working internationally with others, they'd also want to combat it more directly in tandem with Chikasu. In the meantime Sainam could probably avoid the brunt of it since it seems to be less economically involved in the world by comparison. As a result it can strike at the Oda State while the two are down with the sniffles (and some dead persons).

[Ayzek]

Uh...yes. Chikasu would likely cooperate with the international community in developing a vaccine. They'd likely coordinate more so with Kazemuran researchers, considering their proximity.

Regarding Chikasu and the Oda state, I was imagining that Chikasu likely served as Oda's "guarantor." Like, it's defended Oda's independence from Sainam/Kazemura since it overthrew its monarchy after Heiwana collapsed. It'd have settled for defending the territory rather than controlling it 'cause the latter would've sparked war, but it'd be willing to war to defend Oda due to the ramifications of letting it fall.

So, even if Chikasu was "distracted", it'd likely immediately retaliate against a Sainamese invasion of Oda. Historically, they'd likely have avoided persecuting the war too deeply to avoid giving Kazemura a juicy target (this could be why Sainam controls part of the island Oda is on), but that may no longer be such a real concern, neh?

[Alvino Castillon]

Uh...yes. Chikasu would likely cooperate with the international community in developing a vaccine. They'd likely coordinate more so with Kazemuran researchers, considering their proximity.

Just makin sure we're on the same page on this.

Regarding Chikasu and the Oda state, I was imagining that Chikasu likely served as Oda's "guarantor." Like, it's defended Oda's independence from Sainam/Kazemura since it overthrew its monarchy after Heiwana collapsed. It'd have settled for defending the territory rather than controlling it 'cause the latter would've sparked war, but it'd be willing to war to defend Oda due to the ramifications of letting it fall.

So, even if Chikasu was "distracted", it'd likely immediately retaliate against a Sainamese invasion of Oda. Historically, they'd likely have avoided persecuting the war too deeply to avoid giving Kazemura a juicy target (this could be why Sainam controls part of the island Oda is on), but that may no longer be such a real concern, neh?

Kinda what I expected/imagined as well frankly. More meant that Sainam would expect them to just let it go when in actuality Chikasu would throw down the gauntlet with a surprise play by Kazemura in the form of attempting to side with Chikasu outright (also to be in a prime position to kill Akira and put a more pro-federation government in charge).

Seems like we're more or less in agreement on most of those ends, though the post-war reshaping will be up for discussion, since that's when Mirai will offer to step down in exchange for making the federation.

[Ayzek]

Indeeeeeeeeeeeeed. As a note, Sainam may be given a temporary power up to avoid the entire thing being a curbstomp. It depends on just how the wider geopolitical situation evolves. Eg., Whether or not Kazemura is balls deep in Tieguo, the extent of Drubang's fucking around, how badly the region is affected by The Rot, bla bla bla.

[Alvino Castillon]

Indeeeeeeeeeeeeed. As a note, Sainam may be given a temporary power up to avoid the entire thing being a curbstomp. It depends on just how the great geopolitical situation evolves. Eg., Whether or not Kazemura is balls deep in Tieguo, the extent of Drubang's fucking around, how badly the region is affected by The Rot, bla bla bla.

Gotcha. Though I object to The Rot. I don’t need Oertha to win anymore damn games. >:|

[Ayzek]

Expanding Country: Kazemura
EC.'s Government Type: Imperial Democratic Stratocracy

Campaign Setting: 1589/1590 Start Time
Campaign Goal: Sainam; Celestia (which should be renamed to Imperial Edo State or Edo)
Informational Links: Factbook

When did you last have an Expansion? I mean... ended November 2018? But it was more with the understanding of what happens next
When was the Expanding Country's last military conflict? Military Action in Singan (to restore order)
Why do you seek to expand? RESTORE HEIWANAN GREATNESS. Also overthrow the Mad Emperor of Sainam

Campaign Plot:

Family matters are definitely the worst.

After the conclusion of negotiations between Chikasu and Kazemura, things seemed to settle between them over the next two years. The two nations seemed to actually be on better terms and there was talks in public that maybe they could start working together on other things.

Well that talk came at a good time as Sainam abruptly decided to make a mess. Emperor Akira Sekai of Sainam, having recently consolidated power, decided that now was the best time to retake the Imperial Edo State. Chikasu was still dealing with internal issues with Shimazu and Kazemura was trying to parse through the mess at the border between Hoinom and Singan. Additionally, taking the state would give him control of the Imperial Palace and allow him to get his grubby hands on the Celestial Throne, thus reinforcing his claim on the region and ensuring he can whip up support at home to prevent a collapse of his mandate. So with major positives and few downsides, it makes sense that Sainam should try to take the state, right?

As it turns out, Chikasu isn’t too thrilled with that. Unsurprisingly, neither is Kazemura. But surprisingly, Kazemura’s first (public) instincts isn’t to jump in and fight everyone to make it a free for all like the first three times. Instead, the Empress decides that perhaps Chikasu would be interested in working together to take back Edo and even depose the Mad Emperor to replace it with far less belligerent leadership. And if they aren’t, well Kazemura will just act unilaterally to handle this matter anyways.

Chikasu knows Kazemura’s Empress is up to something. But is it prepared to refuse support at a time when it seems as though the entire region is about to explode? And if it does accept the support, with caveats, what is Kazemura’s endgame?

Will Mirai and Hiraku outwit everyone to pull all the pieces together? Will Akira outlast his opponents and emerge victorious? Or will Chikasu outplay its neighbors and make a turn that no one suspects?

The pieces are set up. The plan is in full motion. Heiwana stands at the crossroads; its Baptism by Fire has begun.

Potential for Other Player Involvement: Other nations might be able to pick sides in the war. Depending on Chikasu’s choice regarding an alliance with Kazemura though, it will become far more difficult for foreigners to push their way in. Mestra’s alliance with Kazemura may play a role; Drubang’s plans for expansion will definitely throw a wrench in things.

How your country may evolve from success: Depends on the endgame, but let’s presume Kazemura comes out on top from a United Front Victory.

Kazemura and Chikasu are the victors of the war. For the first time since the fall of the Heiwanan Empire, there are only two major players left. At this juncture they could come to blows for the final showdown or come together and bring about a new federation. Likely, this latter option would be the one both of them take up; Chikasu would likely press for the Empress to step down as Head of State in this Federation and she would oblige, serving as a religious figure instead.

How your country may evolve from defeat: A defeat by Sainam’s hands would likely mean the dramatic rise of a new authoritarian power. Democracy will have been dealt a critical blow at a time when confidence is sorely needed; both Chikasu and Kazemura may become too weak to stand against the absolutist reign of Emperor Akira who could proceed to conquer the rest of the archipelago.