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Multiple Settings Contested Zone

cl0ud

Senior Member
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Between the whirring of the static and the reporter's muffled voice, you hear the latest string of headlines. "The EPLN has made significant gains in the southeast states of the Federation. President Toledano is seeking international aid to support the Federation Army. The Bureau of Internal Affairs recently published a report to the National Defense Council that EPLN rebels are purchasing weapons from the Marejones and Chejondo Cartels in exchange for trafficking opium and cocaine east to Yozgyatan. Additionally, the Cartapavir Port Authority in conjunction with the National Intelligence Service busted an EPLN shipment in the Cartapavir port. The ship, the SS Esmerelda Veloz, was fulfilling an order of iron ore. However, CPA and NIS discovered forty-two shoulder-launched anti-tank rocket-propelled grenade launchers with one-hundred-fifty missiles, a shipment of body armor, and five crates of small arms destined for Catillarame, just one-hundred-thirty kilometers from the Escas Department and EPLN forces..."

The civil war is entering its fifth month now. The Winter Famine was rough on a lot of people. With a poor harvest, a volatile political landscape in the middle of an election year, and the recent Lurilla Bombings, people snapped. The National Liberty Union (Unión Nacional de la Libertad), a group of communists that were fed up with the rampant corruption in Alamedra and the feudalistic cartel lords, organized and founded the People's Army of National Freedom (Ejército Popular de Libertad Nacional). Funded by drug and arms trafficking, anti-Toledano cartels, and political games. For example, Arturo Maten Sosa Montano, the CEO of Primera Empresa Minera (PEM) was "hired" by the former CEO after his daughter was found floating in the Mirueque River. Now the second-largest mining company in the Federation is operated by an EPLN puppet.

Suddenly, there's a knock at the door. A manilla envelope slides under the door. You pull back on the metal tabs to slip the cover off and pull out a packet of papers. On the front is a letter with the stamp of the Bureau of Internal Affairs front and center.

"Agent,

Congratulations. You have been selected for a special assignment. You will be the field commander of a joint operation between the Federation Army, Bureau of Internal Affairs, and the National Intelligence Service. President TOLEDANO has authorized Operation BACKYARD FUN. Please read through the following packet and pay high attention to detail. After internalizing this material, burn it and report to Site 17 for debrief.

Very Respectfully,
RAUL COLVAS
Secretary
Bureau of Internal Affairs"

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

In this roleplay, you are a field agent for the Cacinan Federation's Bureau of Internal Affairs. Over the last five months, a civil war between the People's National Liberty Army, and the Federal government has been painting the nation red. Currently, the EPLN has been restricted to east Cacina, specifically the Nuraniquena Department, now the Contested Zone. However, they are making advances west and have currently ramped up their operations. Additionally, the Federal government has been fighting wars against several cartels and street gangs across the country. It also doesn't help that President Toledano was recently accused of accepting bribes from cartel kingpins right before an election year. The Federation is a mess and has very little international support as of now.

You, as a field agent, have been tasked to spearhead Operation BACKYARD FUN. This joint operation between the Cacan Armed Forces, Bureau of Internal Affairs, and National Intelligence Service, places you deep behind enemy lines. After receiving your briefing from Agent [REDACTED] at Site 17, you will take a dinghy boat and be dropped off in Soliguelver, just on the other side of the de facto border between the Federation and the EPLN. From here, your mission is to create a group that will disrupt the EPLN's campaign west. Provided with arms, manpower, connections, and assets from the Federal government, you have nearly full autonomy. The possibilities are endless. You can take whatever cash the government gives you and flee to a neighboring nation. You can start your own revolution. You can follow the orders from those appointed over you and complete the mission. It's all up to you.

Would anyone be interested in this 1-on-1, nation-building-esque experience?
 
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Looks pretty interesting. Are you looking to only do a 1x1 or are you open to the idea of a small group?
 
Well, I'm down for y'all to do a small group if you want. If not, I can set up a thread to get this thing started. A lot of it's already been worked out.
 
A solid idea that I was looking to find for some time now. The mix of some political roleplay with nation-building elements, and of course the freeform atmosphere of this is truly amazing. I'm willing to take a part if there's any space available for me. Just shoot a text or whatever and I'll be right next to you.
 
Well, I'm down for y'all to do a small group if you want. If not, I can set up a thread to get this thing started. A lot of it's already been worked out.
I am down for a group.
 
So here's how I think I can make this work.

There's two options:
a. Choose to do the 1-on-1 like the original intent and just do your own thing. Your own multiverse basically.
b. Choose to do it with a group where everyone gets separate threads but their actions impact each other in the actual story. The caveat to this is that in any group x > 1, someone would have to give up autonomy if they intended to work within the same organization. For example, if two people decided to be the field commander for the Bureau of Internal Affairs, only one could be the field commander. I, personally, think that would be less fun to experience. Therefore, I propose that everyone gets the opportunity to be a "commander" in their own right.

Possible groups that individuals can affiliate with if not BIA:
1. One of the thirteen rival political groups, excluding the Party to Promote Progress of Cacina (3PC) and the National Liberty Union (UNL).
2. A paramilitary group or division. Maybe a subdivision of the National Security Guardians (GSN).
3. A band of criminals.
4. An EPLN cell in east Cacina.

Below is a very brief and oversimplified image of the "major" political parties in Cacina.

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Does this seem like a suitable course of action for those who want to participate in a group?

edit 1528 UTC
I want to revise #4. An EPLN cell anywhere. I think it would be a really cool experience to be a civilian trying to rile up an insurrection in one of the Federation-controlled provinces through local demonstrations. Convert enough people to communism and get them angry enough at the government to start a rebellion with you. Get attention from the ELPN and start receiving supplies/advice through backwater channels. That'd be dope.

Additionally, you could say screw the EPLN and start your own communist insurrection. Or it doesn't have to actually be communist, just trying to solicit support from the EPLN until you can stand up on your own two legs.
 
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Question, could there not be multiple BIA field agents in the east that all report directly to a NPC Supreme Commander (like Raul) who is sitting in a comfy chair in the capital and just giving out resources as they deem necessary? This could bring in another layer of internal politics where agents do have unlimited freedom, but if they want to keep milking the blank paychecks from the BIA, then they're going to have to scratch Raul Colvas' back as well, make him look good in the government and not piss him off.
 
Question, could there not be multiple BIA field agents in the east that all report directly to a NPC Supreme Commander (like Raul) who is sitting in a comfy chair in the capital and just giving out resources as they deem necessary? This could bring in another layer of internal politics where agents do have unlimited freedom, but if they want to keep milking the blank paychecks from the BIA, then they're going to have to scratch Raul Colvas' back as well, make him look good in the government and not piss him off.

To be fair, the area that the ELPN control is relatively small. ----
After writing that, I examined the map and the numbers. The entire control of the ELPN is ~66km^2 by area and ~2mln by population. There's only two cities in their territory with pop >= 100k but honestly, that could still work. They control four department (one is pretty irrelevant, though - no major pop centers) so we could in theory have one agent in each department.

There'd be different vibes, too. In the Bovilves Department, it's mostly mountainous rainforests. In the Nuraniquena Department, it's hilly marshes, and in the Escas Department it's coastal. Each Department would give a different vibe/playstyle.

I think that this could work well. I also think it would be interesting to see if there's competition between those various field agents. The Federation only has so much money to distribute, after all (unironically, there's a spreadsheet.)
 
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Possible groups that individuals can affiliate with if not BIA:
1. One of the thirteen rival political groups, excluding the Party to Promote Progress of Cacina (3PC) and the National Liberty Union (UNL).
2. A paramilitary group or division. Maybe a subdivision of the National Security Guardians (GSN).
3. A band of criminals.
4. An ELPN cell in east Cacina.
Something between 3 and 4 would be a thing making me interested. The thing I'm considering is that maybe a well-known organized crime group or Drug Trafficking organization (preferably in the controlling field of Escas Department) get chosen by BIA to ignite a new movement. The selected individual can be the man in charge of that whole DTO, probably the kingpin. With enough connection between the underground druglords and domestic OCGs, BIA would be rather interested in giving them a chance to do their thing? And who can tell if they're considering this as an opportunity to backstab the government or not? This can always provide a good opportunity to describe the civilian point of view of the whole plot as well as further roleplay the connections between the organizations and their leader and their ties to the political movements realistically. The game of politics indeed. It's always an easier step for OCGs to step up for money laundering plans and fraud as well. I'm down for the small-group concept of course. However I don't mind if you are more interested in 1x1, the idea interests me anyway. Waiting to hear more about this.
 
i am verry interested,and my history knoledge will be of some use, i think.so, this is to be the radical faze after the south American independence movments from their coloneal masters? because the peons are fed up with the neo-colonialism and the cadillo's tyranny.
 
Something between 3 and 4 would be a thing making me interested. The thing I'm considering is that maybe a well-known organized crime group or Drug Trafficking organization (preferably in the controlling field of Escas Department) get chosen by BIA to ignite a new movement. The selected individual can be the man in charge of that whole DTO, probably the kingpin. With enough connection between the underground druglords and domestic OCGs, BIA would be rather interested in giving them a chance to do their thing? And who can tell if they're considering this as an opportunity to backstab the government or not? This can always provide a good opportunity to describe the civilian point of view of the whole plot as well as further roleplay the connections between the organizations and their leader and their ties to the political movements realistically. The game of politics indeed. It's always an easier step for OCGs to step up for money laundering plans and fraud as well. I'm down for the small-group concept of course. However I don't mind if you are more interested in 1x1, the idea interests me anyway. Waiting to hear more about this.

I agree that this could be an interesting concept. Not to nitpick, but it probably would not function well in EPLN-controlled areas. The parent political party, the National Liberty Union, is staunchly against the drug trafficking in Cacina and the sentiment is shared within the EPLN. Now, as noted in the news headline, the objective is paramount and some captains of EPLN cells understand that to outfit their soldiers with arms, they need to cooperate with the cartels and other various criminal syndicates.

I think there's definitely merit behind the thought that the BIA would target a semi-notorious crime boss to use as a pawn in their larger game. There's parallels in the real world to this, where the CIA would employ various paramilitary groups and crime syndicates to further their interests in foreign regions. This could definitely be an alternative path.

i am verry interested,and my history knoledge will be of some use, i think.so, this is to be the radical faze after the south American independence movments from their coloneal masters? because the peons are fed up with the neo-colonialism and the cadillo's tyranny.

Not really. While there are strong parallels between Latin American countries and the Federation of Cacina (notably the use of Spanish and Portuguese), the historical background is very different than the Spanish American wars of independence. What Contested Zone represents is significantly closer to the late 20th century's War on Drugs and Cold War. Especially with the prevailing themes of communism and containment (the EPLN revolting against the capitalist Federation government).

To conclude, I think the best course of action is to take a Mount & Blade: Warband/Stellaris path and have the start be Choose Your Own Adventure. I will put together some general strings for you to select and that will determine your start.

If you would prefer to participate in a group, please make yourself known. I am looking to cap groups at 3 individuals per "campaign" for logistics purposes. If you would prefer to participate solo, please make yourself known.

I will come back soon with some starting paths. In the meantime, please express your interest of being in a group or being solo. Thank you :)
 
I'm interested in either or! Personally, I saw the premise as a sort of fusion of the War on Drugs and the Vietnam Civil War with the BIA agents here effectively acting like the Green Berets trying to stir up resistance from within via training and arming the Montagnards or perhaps the situation with the Northern Alliance in Afghanistan. Regardless, I'm looking forward to seeing the starting paths and getting the ball rolling.
 
I think the group one would be fun, though both would be great! i'd be interested in #4, because everyone loves comunist gurilla warfare. there are a ton of factions within the left-wing partys, so being the "hey we should all unite to overthrow the borgsiusie/Federation." because if the partys unites, than that's... wait im not good at math... but it's large majority if all the socialist groups unite. and as there aremore left political partys, it seems like the people lean more left-wing. boom, prolitariate support. letsdo this,comrades
 
I think there's definitely merit behind the thought that the BIA would target a semi-notorious crime boss to use as a pawn in their larger game. There's parallels in the real world to this, where the CIA would employ various paramilitary groups and crime syndicates to further their interests in foreign regions. This could definitely be an alternative path.
This actually reminds me of the real-life OGCs being involved in the politics of third-world countries to this day. Nobody can ignore the fact that to a certain level of the power pyramid, those people in charge of the criminal underworld can come extremely useful for politicians. With the money that drug distribution can provide the individuals with, the budget for political parties can be close to no problem. Especially during the uncertain times when the media and the public mind focus on the civil war and related events.

Not to nitpick, but it probably would not function well in EPLN-controlled areas. The parent political party, the National Liberty Union, is staunchly against the drug trafficking in Cacina and the sentiment is shared within the EPLN. Now, as noted in the news headline, the objective is paramount and some captains of EPLN cells understand that to outfit their soldiers with arms, they need to cooperate with the cartels and other various criminal syndicates.
This is the real power struggle I want to see. You know that I'm still unsure about which side I'm going to end up on at the end of the day. But the thing is, criminal organizations usually have some sort of inner circle for themselves, just like Italian Mafias in real life. Consisting of a boss, with capos organizing the low-level soldiers and unaffiliated but related individuals to the inner circle. This can soften the connection of the criminals with the civilians outside of the political world and gain the trust and interest of the people because being among them can of course make you realize what they truly need and think of. The outside portrait of the criminal organizations is something rather ugly that everybody avoids looking at them, but with the money, these circles bring up to their own chain, opportunities begin to grow limitless. The interesting thing about the OCGs is that they can always have their own bridges to the legal world, legal companies, and brands, business ideas that can provide the movement or whatever political party with extra funds. I was always craving for something rather more related to the criminal world in a political roleplay. Seems like I picked the right place. :D
 
Thank you for your patience, everyone. I am currently in the process of setting up the character sheet thread and preparing the groundwork for the operational threads. I'll post the link once the CS thread is posted.

Heyitsjiwon Heyitsjiwon Auriel Maza Auriel Maza PatriasLover PatriasLover
Would you three mind being in a group? If one of you wants to do solo please just let me know :)

TheWeapon TheWeapon
Are you okay with being solo or did you want a group?

Trektek Trektek
If you're still interested, would you prefer to be in a group or solo? :)
 
Thank you for your patience, everyone. I am currently in the process of setting up the character sheet thread and preparing the groundwork for the operational threads. I'll post the link once the CS thread is posted.

Heyitsjiwon Heyitsjiwon Auriel Maza Auriel Maza PatriasLover PatriasLover
Would you three mind being in a group? If one of you wants to do solo please just let me know :)

TheWeapon TheWeapon
Are you okay with being solo or did you want a group?

Trektek Trektek
If you're still interested, would you prefer to be in a group or solo? :)
I am good to go!
 
Are you okay with being solo or did you want a group?
If you mean for the IC side of my roleplay itself, I'm okay with being solo on my side of course. However, if anyone's interested in my starting concept, they're more than welcome.
 

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