Five years ago, the idea of Atomic Power was only a dream. You have made that dream a reality. You have seized upon the most nebulous of ideas and translated them into actualities. You have built cities where none were known before. You have constructed industrial plants of a magnitude and to a precision heretofore deemed impossible. You built the weapon which ended the War and thereby saved countless American lives. With regard to peacetime applications, you have raised the curtain on vistas of a new world.
-Lt. General Leslie Groves (ret), in his farewell address
When Lt. General Groves spoke of a new world, he was speaking in metaphor, referring to the potential application of atomic energy to peaceful endeavors. The real truth of the matter was that he was being literal, although he did not know it. The detonation of atomic weapons opened a portal to a new world, one where magic and fantasy lived.
In Vistas of a New World, you are put in charge of a department exploring an entirely new world.
The Story So Far...
Spoiler
1939 - American president Franklin D. Roosevelt receives the Einstein–Szilárd letter, which warns of the danger of the atomic bomb and specifically points out that Nazi Germany might already be working on such a thing. In response to the letter, FDR authorizes the Advisory Committee on Uranium to investigate possible options.
1942 - The Manhattan Project is established under the command of General Leslie Groves. The Project is given two sites, which eventually become Oak Ridge National Laboratory and Los Alamos National Laboratory.
1945"Trinity" -The first successful nuclear explosion occurs near Alamogordo, New Mexico. One month later, an atomic bomb is dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki. World War II soon ends.
1946 -Operation Crossroads begins the testing of nuclear weapons in the Pacific Proving Grounds. During Test Baker, naval ships are exposed to nuclear fallout to determine it's lethality and test cleanup methods. Live animals are also exposed to radiation. The testing reveals the woeful inadequacy of existing methods of cleanup
1947 -The Manhattan Project is dissolved. It's scientific responsibilities are taken over by the United States Atomic Energy Commission (AEC) while it's military responsibilities are taken over by the Armed Forces Special Weapons Project (AFSWP).
-Project Chimney Sweep is created under the command of AFSWP. It is tasked with determining new methods of radioactive cleanup and starts with the remaining ships from Operation Crossroads.
1948 -General Groves retires. He is replaced by Nelson Hollender, who is promoted to major general and chief of the AFSWP.
-Project Chimney Sweep is moved to the original Trinity test site to conduct tests on the cleanup of natural materials. To assist with the testing, Pete Aumann, a physicist who worked on the Manhattan Project, is assigned to provide detection equipment and his expertise.
1949"First Lightning" -The Soviet Union detonates a nuclear bomb, becoming the world's second nuclear power.
1950 -Beginning of the Korean War.
-Pete Aumann's team detects unusually high levels of electromagnetic interference at the Trinity site. He puts forth the radical idea that the EM interference comes from damage at the atomic level caused by the original atomic bomb that, for some as-yet-determined reason, was not caused by other nuclear detonations. His theory is at first rejected, but absent any other explanations, he is given to go-ahead to continue experimentation. Project Chimney Sweep begins construction of testing facilities (mostly re-purposed Manhattan Project facilities).
1952 -Pete Aumann's team reaches a breakthrough. They are able to prove the existence of the atomic damage and, more importantly, are able to expand and contract the damage through the application of large amounts of electricity. "Flash Point" -After being given permission by the Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) and the President, Pete Aumann and his team send a critical amount of energy into the "tear", forming a stable portal for 0.38 seconds. Through further testing, they are able to keep the portal open for over 8 seconds before it contracts to it's original size.
-The Special Logistics Detachment (SLD) is formed under the direct command of Maj. General Nelson Hollender. It's purpose is to travel through the portal and make a report of what they find.
-The first fusion bomb is tested.
1953 -The first SLD expedition returns. They report that there is another world at the end of the portal, which appears remarkably similar to pre-industrial Europe. There is even a native society of humans (or human-like beings), though the expedition purposefully avoided contact. More strangely, the laws of physics appear to be different on the other side, as several members of the expedition report what can only be described as "magic".
-A number of departments are formed under the general umbrella of the SLD. They are to be headed by hand-picked members of the military and civilians. Each department is to be given considerable independence in achieving it's goals, though they all ultimately still report to Maj. General Nelson Hollender (and the JCS).
1954The game begins.
Rules
Spoiler
The rules for this game are slightly different from the normal Total War rules.
The first difference is that we will be using quantity and quality as distinct parts of a stat. Quantity represents how much of something you have. For things like Military or Industry, it represents the size of your forces or factories, while for something like Morale, it represents the resistance to being changed. Quality represents how well you're able to do something. In addition, higher quality increases the chance of critical effects - both bad and good. High quality requires innovation and risk-taking, which means when you fail, you fail in exciting and new ways. (In general, there's a "soft cap" of quality of about 10. There's no cap on quantity, but every two full increases is about a doubling or so.)
The main difference is the addition of what are called "work groups". Each department (which is headed by a PC or NPC) has under it a number of work groups. Work groups are how you get (almost) anything done in the game world. Each work group can be assigned a task and it completes that task based on it's stats. Both departments and work groups have stats, as described below. You can create additional work groups, as well as splitting and combining work groups for a price, though - for my sanity - please try to limit the splitting/combining.
Stats
Department Stats
Economy (ECO): How easily and quickly you're able to get your hands on something. Economy represents not just your cash and cash flow, but also contacts and transportation. Quality represents quickness, while quantity represents amount. High quality means you get your things quickly and in good shape, while high quantity means you can get more expensive things without breaking the bank. You may have multiple different economies.
Opinion (OP): How NPCs feel about your department. Whereas diplomacy represents the ability to convince somebody to do what they wouldn't normally do, opinions represents their natural level of willingness to help (or harm) you. Quality represents their current feelings, while quantity represents the depth of those feelings. High quality means that they like you, while high quantity means that their feelings are deep and abiding. You may have multiple different opinions (and will).
Work Group Stats Note: except for Morale, not every work group is going to have every stat. In fact, most work groups will only have one or two stats.
Military (MIL): The work group's ability to project physical power.
Industry (IND): The work group's ability to produce goods. This includes both manufactured goods and raw materials.
Fieldcraft (FLD): The work group's ability to move quickly and without being noticed in all manner of terrain. It also includes navigation, pursuit, and evasion.
Research (RES): The work group's ability to understand and development new technologies.
Diplomacy (DIP): The work group's ability to convince other people to do what you want them to do.
Espionage (ESP): The work group's ability to steal intelligence, subvert agents, and defend against the same.
Magery (MAG): The work group's ability to use powers that violate the laws of physics.
Morale (MOR): How ready the work group is to do what you need them to do. Quality represents current feelings, while quantity represents the resistance to change.
Specialties and Technology
In addition to simply improving the quality of an stat, you can also give an sat a specialty, which increases the effective quality of an stat when doing a particular task. Each work group can have a specialty for each stat. For instance, Work Group Baker could be given a specialty of Military [Urban] and Magery [Fire], while Work Group Charlie could be given a specialty of Magery [Scrying]. When doing the appropriate task, a specialty increases the quality by ++.
Technology is similar to specialties, with several important differences. First, the bonus it provides is only +, though it stacks with a specialty and you can have multiple technologies (though this is rare). Second, if, in the opinion of the GM (that's me!), a technology becomes prevalent, then it's adoption becomes so ubiquitous that it no longer provides a bonus. Essentially, it becomes the assumption that any work group of sufficient quality already has the technology and it is integrated into any future work groups of such quality. As a result, the GM may reduce the quality of the stat of any work group which does not have that technology.
For example, let's say that Work Group R&D develops Starlight scope, which provides a bonus to Military operations done during the night. If other work groups adopt this technology, it eventually becomes the norm - the standard tactics of all military forces will adapt to use this technology. At this point, anybody who doesn't have the technology is facing a significant problem as they have not adapted quickly enough to deal with this new technology. All work groups without the technology lose quality and work groups with the technology no longer apply a bonus. Increases in quality represent work groups finally adapting to the technology or finding ways around their lack of it.
Game Turn
Each turn represents one in-game season (Spring, Summer, Autumn, Winter). I want to make each turn relatively quick. We'll start out at about a real-life week per turn and then start reducing it when people get all settled in.
Department Creation
Spoiler
To sign up, you must post three things. First, a short description (a few sentences to a paragraph) of what goals your department was founded on. Second, a short description (a paragraph or three) about the history of your department leader. Finally, you should provide a short description (a few sentences to a paragraph) about your first work group and which stats it has (around three or so). You can have Magery, but don't expect to have a greater quality than + (this represents academic knowledge of existing Earth folktales, superstition, and occult history).
The above is a way of demonstrating that you're capable of being imaginative within certain constraints and that you're capable of sufficient spelling and grammar. While the occasional typo is expected and undertantable, yur sentances shuldnt look lke dis.
Be aware that each department starts out with the stats below: Opinion - U.S. Gov't: +++++ [3]
You've been more or less hand-picked for this assignment, but your command is untested and there are a lot of people who think that this will catastrophically fail and are just waiting to prove it.
Economy - Department: +++++++ [2]
You have a large up-front investment of money from the Gov't and almost no oversight on your expenditure, but your annual budget is pretty low
Economy - U.S. Gov't: + [5]
You have the support of the U.S. Gov't, but since the money expenditure needs to be hidden, that slows everything down (to mention nothing about all the forms you have to fill out). Short of a tank, you can requisition almost anything and get it. Eventually.
While your department may have additional stats, you will need to provide good reasons for it and don't be surprised if you are penalized.
Important Fluff
Spoiler
Race and Gender
I obviously don't want to make anybody uncomfortable and at the same time I want to keep on the good side of forum rules. That being said, there is important information you should be aware of if you want your department leader to be a woman or a minority.
The army was officially desegregated by Executive Order 9981 signed into law by President Truman in 1948. It wasn't until 1950, during the Korean War, that practicality forced the integration of black and white units. If you wish to play a department leader who is a black soldier, you most likely distinguished yourself in the Korean War, though that's not the only possibility.
Women, through the Women's Army Corp (WAC), played a key role in many parts of World War II. Most importantly for our purposes, lots of WAC were part of the Manhattan Project so it's natural enough that some military women would become part of the SLD. It would be expected that a female takes the "safe" jobs, but practicality might force integration as well.
Minorities and women department leaders can also come from civilian pursuits.
In any case, you will not be penalized from playing a minority or woman department leader. Since your appointment was hand-picked, it is assumed that you distinguished yourself to a significant degree - enough to overcome any natural prejudices.
Civilian vs. Military
You are free to designate your department leader as being either civilian or military. Major, Lt. Colonel, or Colonel would be an appropriate rank. Whatever the case, the unique circumstances of the Special Logistic Detachment mean that you are given exceptional freedom, among which is the ability to ignore normal chain of command. You report directly to Major General Nelson Hollender and the direct chain of command to the Joint Chiefs. It is quite within your rights to firmly - but politely - tell anybody else to shove it (at least while acting in their official duties).
You will not be penalized for playing a civilian or a solder. Civilians commanding soldiers are, effectively, given a temporary rank while performing their services under the SLD.
__________________
"It had a spell put on it by an old fakir," said the sergeant-major, "a very holy man. He wanted to show that fate ruled people's lives, and that those who interfered with it did so to their sorrow."
Last edited by TooManySecrets : 10-19-2012 at 05:28 PM.
Extra-Territorial Air Command He who controls the skies, controls the battlefield
Goal
Spoiler
The Extra-Territorial Air Command (ETAC) started its life as the Sky Aces, a crack team of flying mercenaries. During the first world war, the team was an integral part of the training of the pilots of the untested airplane.
Over the years it has moved away from its origin in airplanes and become an go anywhere mercenary group, lacking only in tanks. It was quietly nationalized by the US government a few years back for its personnel resources.
The personnel obtained from the Air Aces, were then transferred to the newly created Extra-Territorial Air Command (ETAC) with the goal of allowing the other departments unfettered access to this new world and if needed, Close in air support.
Captain James Remy
Spoiler
Born and raised in Kansas, he was the stereotypical army boy, and he followed that stereotype to the letter. He joined the army and was placed as a pilot. A few years in world war two started and he was among the first pilots deployed to Europe.
In the war he distinguished himself as a pilot capable of out-flying most of the Germans. During the war, he survived five "suicide" missions and managed to outfly the German jet interceptors in a mustang.
One of his most distinguishing moments in the European theater was over Berlin. It was just supposed to be another daylight bombing raid and with the drop fuel tanks, it was supposed to be a cinch. It wasn't. He got his extra fuel tanks shot off on the way to Berlin, ignoring all common sense and orders, he stuck with the bomber until Berlin, and ran out of fuel on the way back. He crawled his way back to HQ heavily injured and earned a medical discharge, a Distinguished Flying Cross and a Purple Heart.
He recovered and joined the Air Aces, quickly becoming one of its top pilots.
Then the aces were nationalized, he was shuffled around a bit, doing a short stint as a pilot trainer. Finally, he was plopped into the role of commander of the Extra-Territorial Air Command (ETAC) and allowed to handpick a team of pilots for the job.
1st Special Operations Squadron
Spoiler
A handpicked team of expert pilots and technicians, all of them either from the Air Aces or people James knew from his stint in the army, picked for their ability to maintain or pilot almost anything that flies.
Military (MIL) (High quality, low quantity. A real bunch of aces, but aces are rare.)
Morale (MOR) (Medium quantity and quality. They trust that James knows what he is doing)
Research (RES) (High quality, low quantity. The technicians are the best of the best, oftentimes developing new toys for use by the pilots. Sadly the best of the best are obviously rare.)
Industry (IND) (The technicians do have to get "creative" in keeping the planes running.) (Only if it doesn't unduly impact the other stats)
Specialty: aerial transportation/scouting/combat
like so?
__________________
Quotes
Spoiler
Quote:
Originally Posted by kladams707
What the officer of the salient said.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Fox Mulder
I did not lie, I willfully participated in a campaign of misinformation
Avatar by Licoot.
Okay, I will not be on my computer, from the 3'rd to the 7'th. of this month, sorry about that.
The Office of Liason to the Anglo-Iranian Oil Company (OLAIOC)
Goals:
Spoiler
Government Mission:
Create the necessary infrastructure, and transportation network, to support expanded expeditions to the new world.
Department Mission:
Explore, harvest and transport the resources of the new world back to earth.
History:
Spoiler
The Anglo-Iranian Industrial Department was born, quite simply, because the United States realized they lacked the resources to explore the New World on their own.
Asking for the the help of another nation would have had too many political ramifications, so they turned instead to the Anglo-Iranian Oil Company. One of the largest and most successful companies of the time, the Anglo-Iranian Oil Company was more than willing to help explore the new world, on the condition of being allowed to make a tidy profit for themselves as well.
Leaders:
Spoiler
Roshan Shahriar Bahman
A major stockholder in Anglo-Indian Oil, Roshan is charismatic, greedy, and ambitious. In addition to the companies investment, Roshan has invested significant portions of his own finances into the venture. Eager to ensure his investment bears fruit, the company was more than willing for him to oversee the venture personally.
Major Peter Walsh
Peter Walsh is an american-born US military man. Born in 1917, his father fought and died in WWI, while his mother stayed at home. As a geologist there wasn't much call for her work during the war, but after she was always busy, joining expeditions abroad to all manner of countries.
Peter would always go with her, and spent nearly the first two decades of his life travelling around the world. Though not interested in geology, he developed a keen interest in foreign cultures, history and art. When he reached adulthood he began travelling on his own, exploring the corners of the earth, and earning his living as an artist.
When the United states entered the Second World War, Peter was conscripted. Though initially hesitant to fight, he quickly developed a remarkable conviction. His years of exploration had given him keen love of the world, that now translated into a strong desire to protect it, and the people within.
Peter saw his first combat in the battle of Buna-Gona. Overconfident, and eager to push the Japanese out of New Guinea, the US forces charged head-long into the Japanese defences, suffering a serious of devastating losses. A member of the 32nd infantry division, Peter's company was one of the only to penetrate any significant distance past the enemy lines, which unfortunately meant becoming trapped when the US retreated.
Cut off without supplies, riddled with disease, and with dozens of fresh barely trained troops, the situation seemed dire. Unable to deal with the situation, the acting captain broke-down. With no source of orders, and determined to get back to safety, Peter assumed command. Though inexperienced, his conviction affected the men, propelling them forward.
The fighting was dire, but within a few days, the company pushed back to the US lines, almost entirely intact. Peter was praised for his work, and promoted to Captain.
Over the next nine years, Peter's success continued; by the end of World War II he was a lieutenant colonel. By the fourth offensive of the Korean war, he was a brigadier, commanding a couple thousand men as part of the US Eighth Army. On March 14th as part of Operation Ripper, the eighth army, along with the rest of the UN forces, attacked Seoul. Facing superior odds, the communist forces retreated, seeming to abandon the city entirely.
Expecting no resistance, Peter was commanded to secure the two north-most districts of the city. To his surprise, resistance was encountered. A barricade of hastily built-fortifications blocked their capture of the city, the forces behind them firing on the US troops when they approached. Unsure what to do, Peter acted on initiative, attacking the fortifications with overwhelming force.
The enemy were soundly defeated, dying in the thousands, with practically no casualties among Peter's men. It was only afterwards that what had just occurred became apparent. The communist forces had abandoned the city entirely. Peter had just slaughtered civilians; men, women and children alike. Fearing their city would be devastated, as it was attacked for the fourth time in under a year, the populace were just trying to protect themselves.
Where the US had meet the same resistance in other areas to the city, the populace had been convinced to stand-down peacefully. Peter was the only to respond with force. Within a day it was featured in the international news. Portrayed as a brutal slaughter of innocents, the United Nations condemned Peter's actions, blaming him, and the United States for the incident.
Only Peter's record prevented court-martial. Demoted to Major, and removed from active combat, he spent the rest of the war guarding the back lines. When the Korean War he seriously considering leaving the military, but decided against it. Leaving would have been an insult to those he killed. Staying gave him the chance to fight on their behalf, to do good in their name.
Determined to put his all into the fight, he never really got the opportunity. No matter how hard he worked no-one wanted to give him any responsibility, for fear of what he would do.
Three years later, the Special Logistics Department began searching for candidates to serve in their departments. Peter's skill and determination made him a prime candidate, though his reputation was a serious issue. Eventually a compromise was found; the AIID needed a military man, but was a civilian unit, calming concerns of another catastrophe. Peter accepted, unsure of what he was getting himself into, but grateful to be given some measure of trust.
Work Group:
Spoiler
With just one focus, the AIID workgroup is the largest of any department. Possessing the latest in technical equipment, a variety of industrial experts, and scores of able-bodied workers, Industrial Group One is ready to perform any industrial task that might be required of the new world explorers.
The Bureau of Extra Territorial Indigenous Affairs (BETIA)
Goals
Spoiler
The history of America is one of colonialism and imperialism. First the European powers and then Americans themselves ruthlessly exploited the land for wealth and power while ignoring or outright fleecing the native inhabitants. The consequences to the political and cultural landscape from this exploitation have been profound and BETIA was founded to ensure that history will not be repeated, and that any natives of this new world get a fair deal from the exploring departments.
This is what it says in the BETIA employee manual and pamphlets they give to keep senators who are both too idealist to stomach real imperialism and too powerful, to keep out of the loop happy. In practice the BETIA has almost the expressly opposite purpose. To see that the new world is exploited to the benefit of the American government and people in every way possible as quickly as possible. If there is an opportunity to trade some low value trade goods for a territory the size of a state they'll take it. If that means igniting wars among the natives and hiring a third side to kill off the first two while they're weakened they'll do it. Anything it takes to gain a dominant position in the far world as quickly as possible. After all who knows if the Soviets might be able to replicate this technology. If they do we needed to be prepared with a firmly entrenched position for capitalism.
Ambassador at Large Nathaniel Hewitt
Spoiler
For the past two decades Hewitt has served in one way or another in South America. His name does not come up much in public news, but that is not for lack of competence on his part. Instead Hewitt is the diplomatic equivalent a black ops specialist. He and his team are expressly assigned to regions where the USA wants something, but the locals are too intransigent to give in to more civilized diplomacy.
Hewitt has done things that most Americans would probably find quite unsettling if they were made public. He has never actually killed personally, but the arms deals that he's orchestrated have certainly increased the levels of violence. He's promoted the interests of local warlords more interested in power than the rights of their people, and willing to give in to US demands in exchange for that power. In a few very rare very confidential cases he's actually authorized the genocide of certain tribes who were just a bit too stubborn for their own cases.
In short Hewitt is the perfect man to operate a diplomatic team that will likely remain out of contact with the government for large periods of time, and one which will be dealing with primitive feudal societies. And given the limited nature of the portal any particularly nasty incidents he needs to orchestrate will be significantly easier to cover up. So in short order he was given the title Ambassador at Large to Extra Terrestrial Territories and given leave to pick his team.
Hewitt's Staff aka the Men in Grey
Spoiler
Hewitt's hand picked team of operatives. Most of them have been with him for years, and whatever their employee handbooks say they know how he operates. They operate in the shadows of the law. Nothing which is exactly illegal, but that just means they know what all the loopholes are. And when the chips are down they don't mind trading their neat grey suits for a set of camouflage and demolition charges.
Stats (In preferred order)
Diplomacy (DIP)
Morale (MOR)
Espionage (ESP)
Fieldcraft (FLD): (Only if it doesn't unduly impact the other stats.)
Stats
Spoiler
The Bureau of Extra Territorial Indigenous Affairs
Opinion - U.S. Gov't
+++++ [3]
Economy - Department
+++++++ [2]
Economy - U.S. Gov't
+ [5]
Men in Grey
Diplomacy
+++++++[5]
Morale
++++++[4]
Espionage
+++[4]
Fieldcraft
++[2]
Last edited by ArcaneStomper : 10-23-2012 at 09:32 AM.
The The American Data Analysis Panel was assembled out of the most elite members of the Office of Strategic Services (OSS), and the US Army Rangers in order to ensure that the discreet actions that would inevitably become necessary in this new world would be carried out by the best of the best. Their end goals are to see Capitalism and Democracy be spread to as much as possible, ensuring that the Russians won't get a hold of them when they get a portal open, as well as ensuring the Americans have a good source of allies.
Given that their existence is supposed to be highly classified they ensured that they would be named as if they were a department that doesn't seem like it is sinister, but still has reasons to be somewhat secretive. And if someone sees a bunch of CIA agents hanging around? Well obviously they are just here to get the results of some analysis that was done for them.
Leader
Spoiler
OK, I have basically thrown out the entire thing I had written, and started again from scratch.
Sebastian Mercer was a former CIA operative with immense experience in the field. Originally recruited in 1919 into the Military Intelligence Division, Mercer was originally tasked with fairly mundane assignments, for a while, eventually becoming a fairly respected field agent. He really became known however in WWII. In 1942 when the Military Intelligence Division was folded into the OSS he was went to Germany, in order to help bring down the Nazis. His assignments were primarily to help train local people to resist against the Nazis, as well as to gather what information he could. In 1944 he was sent on a very important mission. He was to determine the purpose of a large Nazi camp where large numbers of people were being sent, but few were coming out. obviously something was going on, and He was sent to find out what after several agents had already failed. Although difficult he managed to find his way into the camp by disguising himself as a guard, and what he saw there horrified him. He saw people being killed by the thousands, and given the length of time the camp had presumably been operating he was shocked to even think of the death tolls involved. His attempt to leave the camp was more problematic than his entry however, as he happened to pass the camp commander who didn't recognize him, and ordered him seized, as he knew the faces of all the guards. This led to him running through the camp, before shaking his immediate pursuers. He eventually was able to bluff his way past the gate, until someone game running to attempt to determine why the gate was open. This led to a chase through the forest, which later turned to an organized search. Although he was able to evade most of his pursuers he couldn't evade them all however, and was shot when one of the searchers spotted him. Thankfully he was able to kill the guard, and that the guard had missed the signal to return to camp, so no one else heard the shot. It did however hit his leg.
Although he eventually made it back to his supervisors by that time his leg had been infected, and an amputation was required. He would never serve in the field again. He was however given a Distinguished Service Medal for his work in bringing back the information, as well as a purple heart for his wound. He returned home very respected in the OSS, and was given a job that didn't require much movement. He was assigned to manage the operations of several field agents operating in the same area.
His experience in WWII showed him what horrors mankind can do should it have a corrupt government, and thus became very patriotic, as he saw the USA as the world's defense against people such as the Nazis. After Atomic weapons were used he felt that this was even more justified, as who else had the power to protect the world if not the USA?
His next notable achievements were during the Korean war, where he managed a part of the intelligence network that was looking int actives in North Korea. Working from a base in South Korea he directed a fair number of agents, proving to have a talent for it. He was responsible for the portion of the network that discovered that all Russian agents i North Korea had been recalled to Moscow in order to come up with a new strategy.
AFter the war started contact with his agents became harder, and several high ranking managers were caught after trying to use the temporary absence of Russian agents to take a more direct role in managing their portions of the network. Given that they had been captured the remaining people - such as Mercer - were given additional responsibilities. Although he had little direct contact he managed the network from a high level perspective, and arrange for the correct intelligence to be gathered.
After the war ended he heard about the opportunity to head the CIA department that would be present in the Special Logistics Division and jumped at the chance. Here was a large new world to introduce to the wonders of Capitalism and Democracy.
Work Group
Spoiler
Eyes and Ears, a scouting group
Formed from the US army rangers these men represent some of the best scouts that America could possibly offer, at least on short notice. Although small in number they are used to working alone or in small teams, and are experts at getting in and out without being seen. Currently their objective is to find out as much about the world as possible, without making their presence known.
Stats
Field craft (FLD)
Espionage (ESP)
Both of these will be in high quality, and about quantity 2, split into 5 2 man teams.
Specialty: reconnaissance
Stats
Spoiler
The American Data Analysis Panel
Opinion - U.S. Gov't
+++++ [3]
Economy - Department
+++++++ [2]
Economy - U.S. Gov't
+ [5]
Eyes and Ears
Fieldcraft
++++++++ [5]
Espionage
++++++ [4] [Recon]
Morale
+++++ [4]
__________________
"The AI does not hate you, nor does it love you, but you are made out of atoms which it can use for something else" - Eliezer Yudkowsky
Last edited by hydroplatypus : 10-22-2012 at 07:24 PM.
Alright, I've got an idea. Hopefully I'm not going too far on it.
CSF
Leader:
Spoiler
Captain (former) Aleksandr Vassiljevitj Ivanov, 3rd Guards Rifle Division, Red Army.
Aleksandr was once a sniper for the red army. Once, it had been his task to hunt down those deemed dangerous to the Union. He hunted across battlefields throughout the War, seeking those consigned to death, and seeing the deed done. However, when he started getting orders to eliminate his own comrades which were questioning their loyalty, doubts began to form.
After the war, Aleksandr came to be posted as a border guard, charged with keeping the border between the Union and Western Germany. It was when one of his closest friends attempted to flee the Union, and died by the bullets fired by his fellow guards that Aleksandr's doubts crystallized. He got his chance to act on those doubts three month's later when, due to a light shift, he was left unwatched while on duty. He was declared to have deserted at the scene, having left behind his various awards.
Two years later, in 1952, he arrived on the shores of the USA, alongside a fair number of like-minded individuals. Though they don't seek acknowledgement, the CSF (Communal Society of Friends) has been growing slowly, both in numbers and in affluence, as they support each other as their values dictate.
Though there is no leader within the CSF, Aleksandr tends to give rather motivational speeches, and so he was approached with the offer of relocating the commune somewhere in dire need of aid. A short time later, Aleksandr's commune was in the process of moving to aid those whom they believed needed the help, and offers began to come in from other communes to join the effort.
Values:
Spoiler
To aid others with one's own talents. To pursue the dream of harmony, freedom, and equality for all. To pursue the dream of a perfect society which the Union has abandoned.
These are the goals which every member of the CSF shares, regardless of race, gender, or background. They are willing to pursue these goals to their death.
Workgroups:
Spoiler
Most of Aleksandr's commune came with him when he left to aid those in need, no doubt due to the speech that he gave on the night of the day upon which he received his message. They come from highly varied backgrounds, and are both skilled and motivated.
Stats:
Industry (decent man-power and quality)
Diplomacy (high quality, only one man)
Morale
Special:
Communal Spirit (I'll let you decide how, or if, you wish to represent this. Possibly as a simple tech, or as a reduction to the penalties for splitting and merging workgroups.)
Edit: Thinking over it for a few days, I think that a tech-boost to morale would be the best method here, were this trait to be included.
I believe that this covers the faction, though I'm probably missing something (sanity, perhaps?).
Edit2:
I'm adding a section or two to address the concern over why the CSF is being sent to the new world. Here's to hoping that I can do Aleksandr's speeches justice. I know that I didn't do the dialogue between the major general and an un-named aide very well, having no reference frame for military interaction...
Spoiler
"Report."
"Sir, yes si-"
"At ease."
"Thank you, sir. There are no problems at this time, sir."
"Details, now."
"Yes, sir. There are multiple military and scientific squads mobilized and ready to move. An industrial unit is prepared to move in. The panel of occultists bowed out, sir."
"Regretable. There is only one industrial unit?"
"Yes, sir."
"Find another group, then. I don't want this to fall through because we strained our infrastructure trying to feed the people we send through."
"Thank you, sir. I have located a suitable source, sir."
"Details, lieutenant, details.
"Sir, FBI intel reports communists in most major cities. There is political pressure to have them removed from sight, sir."
"And why should we go to the trouble of sending a bunch of Commies with our troops?"
"Sir, the closest commune has well-known tendencies towards non-violence. They will be easily controlled, but will give us much-needed man-power accross that portal. Finally, their disappearance will not cause suspicion to arise in regards to this project, sir."
"Thank you. Draft a letter to the commune you mentioned, and have someone monitor their response."
"Sir, yes sir!"
Spoiler
"My friends, I come before you today because I have received a letter, from Major General Nelson Hollender, of the Special Logistics Division within the U.S. armed forces. It claims that they need us to come, and help them in their time of need. This alone would be enough for me to go, but I will not leave without speaking of why this letter was sent here.
I am not blind, and as you would expect of me, I will not disguise the truth which I see. The United States has been led to fear what we represent, by it's politicians and by Mother Russia. They have seen that we do not love war, and worries that we will spread that. I will not deny it, for fully half the number here have joined from within America's borders. We have grown, and Mother America worries that we will continue to grow, and consume her from within.
America may fear us, but we fear her not. We embrace all who come to us, and ask not for payment. Just as we embrace each other, so to do we embrace America. Tomorrow, I will go, to aid the armed forces of America where they need aid. Tomorrow, I will go to prove the fears of her generals and politicians wrong, by showing that we do not seek to consume, but rather to empower her. If you will walk this path beside me, then I propose that we show Mother America our spirit, and march forth proudly to provide for her!"
CSF/Operation Blackboard
Opinion - U.S. Gov't
++++ [2]
Opinion - FBI Handlers
++++++ [3]
Economy - Department
+++++++ [2]
Economy - U.S. Gov't
+ [5]
Commune
Industry
+++++++[5]
Morale
++++++[4]
Diplomacy
++++++[1]
__________________
Status: My computer has begun freezing again. Failure ETA unknown.
In progress: Various final projects. Posting may decrease in frequency.
Sorry for being a day late to the party, lost internet connection due to storm.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Durmatagno
Oh boy, this is gonna be fun
*clears throat*
Industrial Arms and Armor
Mission:
IAA's leader is obsessed with new frontiers, and often says "we do science for the sake of science, not for the money that comes from it. Though, that certainly does help." The groups leader, a man by the name of Frin Gordon, simply called Captain due to being ex-military, builds weapons and armored vehicles for the US government, as well as civilians, simply to fund his research. The current project? Reaching space in the new world.
"Captain" Frin Gordon:
He grew up in a small town in Texas called Odessa, and when his father was shipped off for WWI, became obsessed with the military. By the time his father got home, Frin had already begun preparing himself to join the Navy. During his physical training, he took on the philosophy that a well honed body, needed a well honed mind. He started to research, and was drawn to astrophysics, a pretty much fledgling field at the time, and it became a love that never left him. Shortly after he graduated college, he joined the Navy. Then WWII hit, he was a Pear Harbor survivor, and had become a Captain by this point. He elected a less refined version of the plan that the US used to advance on the Japanese. Shortly after watching the atom bombs get dropped, he was injured by a Japanese infiltrator and was given a honorable discharge. Shortly after, he used the money he had saved to found the IAA, and began work on supplying the military during their battles against Germany, not long after D-Day his first weapons made it to the battlefield. Finding it profatable, he secured government grants for new factories and materials, and contunied to make weapons for them. Not long after WWII had ended, he started selling to the public, and that was when he got the money to found the IASR, Industrial Arms and Armour Research. Not long after the portal had been opened, he started to get his scientists to work on finding a way to reach the moon, and, as the Cold War was no doubt underway at this point, sell the designs to the US to beat the Russians. From there, he got the idea to test it in the new world first.
IAAR Squad Alpha
While a small group, the IAA is ready to send more people to increase its size as they expand. With the IAA based in Texas, many of these people are proud Texans, and those who aren't researchers, are hard workers. The goal of the group is to make the new world into a new industrial base, as well as test space flight, and other new technologies. Because of the focus of the IAA, they would be insane if they didn't train some troops to project into the world.
The ASMC department was created when the first attempt to open a portal proved succesful, if only for a fraction of a second. SLD was worried about what could come true the portal from the other side and so placed a small armed security force at the test site. While the first expedition force entered, the ASMC was assigned more manpower and arms to make sure nothing hostile entered our world.
Mission Statement
Spoiler
Going to the other world their Mission Statement has changed: Protect the other departments and cooperate with them. This protection is against foreign threats and eachother acting both as a police force and militairy force.
Leader
Spoiler
Lt. Colonel Mason Davids has always been the one who called the shots within the ASMC. He reports to Major General Nelson Hollender on a regular basis and responds quickly to orders given by his superiors.
Mason fought is now 32 and fought in World War 2 during D-day. He entered service when he was 17 as a volunteer and was trained to be a medic. He saved his first fellow soldiers life at the age of 18 when a mortar missfired on the shooting range. The soldier lost his leg to this accident but lived to tell the story thanks to Mason closing the wound with his bare hands.
During the war he has carried many of his brothers in arms from dangerous places to treat there injuries in a more secure location.
After the war he was reassigned and had acquired his current rank 3 years later. He is a fair and direct officer, speaking his mind but doing as hes told if there is no room for dicussions.
Work Group
Spoiler
The ASMC is mainly a militairy force with some support staff such as medics and engineers.
I seem to have not yet explicitly phrased my EOT. I'll get that done later today, when I have time.
__________________
Status: My computer has begun freezing again. Failure ETA unknown.
In progress: Various final projects. Posting may decrease in frequency.
I would have thought we would occasionally do things we don't want the others to know about, even if we are mostly co-operating. In which case PM's seem the better option.
I'm just going to PM my EOTs. After all, I am a black ops group, so most of my activities would be classified.
__________________
"The AI does not hate you, nor does it love you, but you are made out of atoms which it can use for something else" - Eliezer Yudkowsky
Basically, it's better if you post your end of turn report, even if the report is just saying "This work group is off doing secret stuff."
Now, time for me to write up the next turn. Any comments I have to make will be up in a bit.
__________________
"It had a spell put on it by an old fakir," said the sergeant-major, "a very holy man. He wanted to show that fate ruled people's lives, and that those who interfered with it did so to their sorrow."
NM020110, you need to post. In the future, assume that you should get your End of Turn Report in by 6 PM or so of that day. Since I didn't tell anybody that, however, just post your EoT as soon as possible.
Now, everybody should read this: your work group is only supposed to do one thing per turn or a small number of thematically linked thing. You don't need to nor should you say "Okay, my Military does this part while my Industry does this". Instead, you say "My work group does this thing". The only exception to this is Economy and Opinion. These are attributes of the Department as a whole and even then you're saying "My department is spending money to do this/help this work group". Yes, this is different from other Total War games. Yes, that means that you won't be doing a ton of different things at the beginning of the game. This is intentional. I sort of let it slide right now, but please be more careful in the future.
If people need further explanation, I'll be happy to do so.
__________________
"It had a spell put on it by an old fakir," said the sergeant-major, "a very holy man. He wanted to show that fate ruled people's lives, and that those who interfered with it did so to their sorrow."
Last edited by TooManySecrets : 10-26-2012 at 07:29 PM.
My apologies for the lateness of my post. I've not had much in the way of an opportunity today.
I'd say that we should use the fire pits for now. Once I have the facilities needed for it, I'll see about getting some electric power for us so we can do without them.
__________________
Status: My computer has begun freezing again. Failure ETA unknown.
In progress: Various final projects. Posting may decrease in frequency.
I'd say that the horribly loud flying machines are going to get some curious local to investigate the area anyway so it probably doesn't matter a whole lot.
Not to mention that they've probably already seen our firepits. I mean we saw their lights right off the bat, and after all my express purpose is to get in touch with the natives so it's not like secrecy is going to hold for long anyway.
Plus we were ordered to build a secure base not a secret one.
On which note can some departments please throw up a fort or something. My personnel request was denied "until a more permanent base is established." And I need those specialists really badly.
Last edited by ArcaneStomper : 10-26-2012 at 10:29 PM.
I say keep using the fire pits. With the helicopter being made I figure the locals will catch on sooner rather than later. I have other reasons to think this, but don't want to reveal what my work group caught happening, at least not yet.
So unless someone can persuade me otherwise the analysis panel will continue to use fire pits. Don't want a morale hit this early in the game.
__________________
"The AI does not hate you, nor does it love you, but you are made out of atoms which it can use for something else" - Eliezer Yudkowsky
It's not really possible in the field. Helicopter noise reduction is a design field all on its own, and basically requires redesigning the helicopters rotors and engines. There might be a few modifications you could do with a proper workshop, but even they wouldn't do much for an already built helicopter, and I doubt you could do them here with no electricity or proper tools.
Knew it, damn. Ah well, quick transport capability is important. Also, my guys would like to borrow one of those Machine guns you've been requisitioning, to mount on our chopper.
__________________
Quotes
Spoiler
Quote:
Originally Posted by kladams707
What the officer of the salient said.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Fox Mulder
I did not lie, I willfully participated in a campaign of misinformation
Avatar by Licoot.
Okay, I will not be on my computer, from the 3'rd to the 7'th. of this month, sorry about that.
Last edited by The_Admiral : 10-28-2012 at 09:46 AM.
Sorry about being a bit absent. My job ... well, it isn't exactly freelancing, but it isn't exactly not either. What that means is that most of the time, my job doesn't take up much time, but when it does it really does.
Hope everyone had a Horrific Halloween, Spooktacular Samhain, and Awesome All Hallow's Eve. I'll be updating within a few hours or so.
[EDIT] Whoa ho ho! That was entirely my bad! I failed to communicate the end of turn! I knew a guy named "Joe". He failed to communicate in a combat situation - now he eats everything through a mechanical straw!
Let's put end of turn at 6pm on Sunday. If anybody thinks they won't be able to get an EoT report in by then, just post and I'll see what I can do.[/EDIT]
__________________
"It had a spell put on it by an old fakir," said the sergeant-major, "a very holy man. He wanted to show that fate ruled people's lives, and that those who interfered with it did so to their sorrow."
Last edited by TooManySecrets : 11-02-2012 at 06:01 PM.
hydroplatypus sent me a PM; ArcaneStomper, razovor, and Captain_Obvious posted their EoT. NM020110, Durmatagno, and Umbranar, you need to post as soon as you can.
__________________
"It had a spell put on it by an old fakir," said the sergeant-major, "a very holy man. He wanted to show that fate ruled people's lives, and that those who interfered with it did so to their sorrow."
I was a tad late on my EOT last time. The one that I submitted then should still be valid, however.
Spoiler
Quote:
Originally Posted by NM020110
I wish that I had better internet access at times like this.
CSF:
Economy - Department: +++++++ [2]: Requisition supplies and materials for construction.
Economy - U.S. Government: + [5]: Put in a general request for additional personnel.
The Commune:
Industry: +++++++[5]: Use the requisitioned supplies and local resources to construct facilities for the maintenance and construction of machinery.
Diplomacy/Morale: Keep the spirits high as we labor to construct the tools we need to establish this outpost of Mother America!
__________________
Status: My computer has begun freezing again. Failure ETA unknown.
In progress: Various final projects. Posting may decrease in frequency.
NM020110 talked to me and he's withdrawing from the game. This wasn't unexpected, but no hard feelings.
__________________
"It had a spell put on it by an old fakir," said the sergeant-major, "a very holy man. He wanted to show that fate ruled people's lives, and that those who interfered with it did so to their sorrow."
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