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Name: Steel Rose Society
History: When the leader of Pandora, Will Rowe, accepted his nation's folding into the Union of Northern Europe before the start of the first Han War, he knew that Pandora would not be able to research as freely as before, would have limits to it's massive technological advantage.
This was unacceptable, but death by the myriad factions in the Han War was also unacceptable. So Rowe comprised. He created the Steel Rose Society.
The Steel Rose Society is comprised of a few thousand wealthy Pandorans who have pledged to continue the unlimited research of Pandora, under a (not so) secret society, and make Pandora the most powerful nation on Earth once more, funded by the wealth of it's members, and (secretly) the prodigious money of the entire UNE.
It has it's fingers in every research field known to man; social, economic, technological, all of it. The SRS is devoted to Will Rowe's original dream: to improve the human condition. It's (known) secondary objective is to make a combination of itself and Pandora the most powerful nation on Earth, and break any nation that dares oppose it. The SRS have other objectives, but they aren't telling.
The SRS is especially interested in magnetics, sonic-based technology, and neurological weaponry. It's members have a flair for the dramatic, like their founder, Rowe.
Of course, like their founder, the SRS are notoriously mercenary, and will create secret "projects" for client nations.
Territory:
The SRS do not have total control of Pandora's small pieces of Siberian land, but they are highly respected there, being the new masters. Their mysterious hand has extended their control down from the top of the world, in old Pandora, to what is currently the northern half of the Ukraine. They also own an old satellite from the Umberto I years...
Government: Technocratic Oligarchy. The SRS members all have a purpose, and for the most part, their leaders are chosen in the Pandoran fashion: on the merits of their skill and knowledge, rather then political might. The Chairman of the SRS is technically the leader, but in reality, defers often to his fellow high-ranking SRS members.
Leadership: The current Chairman of the Society is one Josef Weaver, a ridiculously flamboyant man who seems to be more style than substance, but who has managed to keep the Society focused on it's original goal.
Strengths: A good defensive spy network, the Society trains its spys and turncoats well. An averaging economy, and several failsafe bases across the world. An average morale; a few members are more greedy then they should be, but for the most part, they are loyal to the cause. Basically a magnificent research network, the SRS are immensely devoted to progress and technological advance, and devote many skills, funds, and time to it.
Weaknesses:
A weak, untrained, and sparse army that is scattered to the far corners of the Society's influence. Though the Society has a large influence, this does not mean they totally control anywhere. They simply have a large hand in most circumstances. So, not a vicegrip on their territories. Are seen lowly in the world, owing to their stated goal of making Pandora an independent superpower. While they have an average economy, much of it goes into research and bribes.
Important Members:
Josef Weaver: The flamboyant, and seemingly dull leader of the Steel Rose Society, commonly referred to as "Weaver". Appearing to possess none of the intelligence and drive that the Society is known for, but all of the style, Josef Weaver is seen as a figurehead, but who is the power behind the throne, no one knows...
Aleksei Kuznetsov: A full-bearded, ethnic Russian SRS member known as "The Blacksmith", Aleksei is one of the most powerful members of the Society, being the head of Military R&D. He has a disturbing love of war, conflict, and misery of all kinds, eloquently ruminating on them at length. Is totally loyal (at least in public) to Weaver, and follows the man's instructions to the letter.
Emma Blainsfield: The beautiful, conservatively dressed, "ice queen" of the Society. Head of Biological Research. Granddaughter of the near-legendary Morgan Blainsfield, and a sarcastic, vicious genius, especially in the field of virus technology.
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Welcome, my robotic brethen! The Steel Rose Society is always striving to integrate the most advanced and sophisticated technology into our communities, and what could be more advanced then machines that can think for themselves?
We will send our representative, a Mr. Erik Ironside. He will discuss terms of diplomacy with you, as well as briefing you on the other nations; no sense to waste time on diplomacy with everyone, when all you need to do is meet with a few nations that can impartially judge the other ones.
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Hello, my Antarctic friends, I am Chairman Josef Weaver of the Steel Rose Society.
I would like to enter into closer diplomatic relations with your nation; specifically, to discuss a desire of mine; to build a research facility on Antarctic soil.
This facility will not be used for the research or building of military weaponry or technology. It will simply be used to take advantage of the unique weather and magnetic patterns around Antarctica. In return, we would grant you limited use of a supercomputer we are building, for research purposes.
Deal?
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Hello, my Karagaten brothers and sisters. I am Josef Weaver, master and Chairman of the Steel Rose Society.
I am interested by your faith; certainly, I'm not going to convert to it, but I'd like to allow greater conversion of your people in the countries directly influenced by the Society. Your faithful seem to be good chaps, and vaguely loyal to the state; and at least they're not madmen like the Cult of Umberto a century ago.
However, I must request a small favor; you must preach strongly to parts of the Baltic states, Estonia, Lithuania, and Latvia, as well of parts of Belarus and Russia. Encourage them to seek a tighter friendship with the nationstate of Pandora, and a stronger bond with the Steel Rose Society. Oh, and while you don't have to like them, please be tolerant of the Church of the Sun God. They are my close allies, and enraging them would jeopardize the Society and Pandora.
This would be the best of both worlds for our nations, no?