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I like the Democratic/Meritocracy nations getting together to try and stop Jerusalem but I feel like they need to be careful due to the fact that any action would be like poking a bear with a stick. Hopefully this bear dies of a thousand cuts' before it can wake up.
It's a lot like how Western nations, as well as developing nations around the world, are afraid to confront China for its human rights abuses due to its large economy and market share, while China's neighbors are similarly cowed due to fearing military retaliation.
I would be careful on singing Tawantinsuyu's praises there Jorvik because yes Tawantinsuyu had taken Reich territory in previous wars they have ended up losing in the end and even lost OTL's Brazil and Uruguay to the Reich.
That was just World War I and it happened at the very end after the Reich launched a desperate attack through the Amazon and across the Andes into Cusco itself, with Angelos taking advantage of the peace conference to carve out large swathes of territory. In World War II, the whole province fell to Tawantinsuyu, and in the Volkslands campaign, Tawantinsuyu was gaining ground in southern Neurhomania and would have taken more land had the islands themselves not been taken back.
It's actually simpler than that, although China definitely will be investing in anti-satellite weapons. Although using such weapons would result in large amounts of high-velocity space debris that would effectively make space travel difficult if not impossible for decades.
I do wonder how this ties into the previous update "The Package" since by the end of it Wilhelmina was being declared Kaiserin. Is this one a flashback showing how she came to accept the responsibility of being a Kaiserin?
At the end of the previous update, Olga presents the sword to Wilhelmina. In this update, which takes place right afterward, Wilhelmina rejects it. The declaration was premature.
I knew FF7 was quite influential, but I didn’t realize how far reaching this change would be. Talk about butterfly effect. I do like the idea of the Annionaverse entertainment and media being slowly realeased to the Hohenzollernverse public. Would probably make up for all the censorship and cultural suppression of the Commitee, even if a lot of the Hohenzollernverse’s original popular culture is gone. Great breakdown btw. I wonder if you could do a similar overview for Valkyria Chrioncles and Persona, in case you end up scrapping the potential summaries?
The problem is, Theodor has the data core right now and won't let anyone take it.
As for your suggestions, since as with the Xeno series now is not an appropriate time for a full lore discussion, I'm putting them into a separate post after this one.
Yeah, the Hindutvas taking over a powerful India would actually be kind of a problem. Guess it’s a good thing that India isn’t all that powerful. Still tho, we should still worry about Han and Zhao in addition to the Commitee, especially since China is probably still the most powerful nation after the Reich and Penglai still has a seat on the UN Security Council and has used its influence to support authoritarian movements aboard before.
I wonder what problems Africa has as at this point? We talked about Mali, but what about East Africa and Abyssinia? I’m guessing this is related to the Commitee’s actions in the Roman African provinces and the subsequent rebellion in addition to previous internal problems like the consequences of the East African civil war.
East Africa and Abyssinia are presumably in the middle of talks for a super-nation of their own, as Abyssinia can help stabilize East Africa as it continues rebuilding from the civil war.
Are there large numbers of radicalized Christians living in Yavadi and Commitee sponsored terrorist groups hoping to convert Yavadi to Christianity, or are these incursions from local religious right organizations like the Patriots of Yavadi who are either reacting to the influx of refugees out of the Reich or are sympathetic to the Jerusalem Regime and want to establish their own theocracy for Mongol-Finnish paganism?
There are Shepherds of the Future operating in Yavdi, but this is more of military incursions along the border like what Russia and China do with their neighbors.
Although most JRPGs are now set in China with an emphasis on Chinese culture, the SMT and Persona series instead remain set in Japan, primarily the more liberal/monarchical (paradoxically) southern Japan. However, there are still characters and locations from the north as well as Ainu Mosir and Ryukyu.
1 - Still similar to the original, with greater tie-ins to the spiritual prequel SMT: If... (an alternate history scenario which imagines if the events of SMT 1 did not happen). Mechanically and thematically also similar to mainline SMT due to having demons and SMT-style battle mechanics. Set in a mid-sized southern Japanese city, Mikage-cho, in the year 1996, the protagonists Naoya and Maki and their friends are chosen by Philemon, a helpful being born of humanity's collective unconsciousness, to wield the power of Personas, or their inner selves, to save their city from a demonic invasion. (The atrocious original English translation of Persona 1 does not happen here.)
2 (Innocent Sin and Eternal Punishment) - Set three years after Persona 1, Innocent Sin moves the setting to another Japanese city, Sumaru, where rumors and myths have been coming true. A new cast, led by the rebellious Tatsuya and the reporter Maya, try to stop a crazy conspiracy theory involving a resurrected Markos Angelos from coming true and destroying the world (I'm not kidding, the original literally has Hitler in it). In Eternal Punishment, Maya becomes the primary protagonist and works with Maki and the Persona 1 cast to prove to both Philemon and his rival Nyarlathotep that humanity can achieve a higher purpose despite their flaws. All in all still similar to the original Persona 2 duology, although with more ties to Persona 1.
3 - A soft reboot after the original writers of Persona 1 and 2 departed from Atlus. Persona 3 takes place in 2009, ten years after Persona 2, and in the modern city of Iwatodai, which was recently built and bankrolled by the powerful Kirijo Group corporation (formerly a subsidiary of the Nanjo Group from Persona 1). As a result of an accident during a Kirijo Group experiment ten years ago, Iwatodai is cursed with the Dark Hour, when time stops for an hour at midnight and most people turn into coffins, while Shadows manifesting from people's negative subconscious thoughts prey on those who aren't transformed. The protagonist, Minato/Minako Arisato, is an orphaned child transferring into Iwatodai's Gekkoukan High and is contacted by Philemon's representative Igor, who grants them the power of the "wild card" and the ability to manifest a Persona. At Gekkoukan, Arisato joins SEES, a club of Persona-wielding students led by Kirijo Group heiress Mitsuru Kirijo. SEES' goal is to protect the people of Iwatodai against the Shadows, exploring Tartarus, the labyrinth Gekkoukan High turns into during the Dark Hour, and uncovering why the Dark Hour exists and how to end it. As the school year progresses, Arisato bonds with their teammates, makes new friends, and eventually learns about what exactly the Kirijo Group was doing in its experiment. The Persona 1 and 2 casts do not fully appear in 3, but Maki and Kei Nanjo from 1 and Maya and Katsuya Suou from 2 briefly appear, and other characters are mentioned in the background as having been rather successful in their careers. The theme of Persona 3 is coming to terms with the inevitability death and living life to the fullest.
The game establishes many game mechanics that are used in later games, such as all SEES members except for Arisato using only one Persona (as opposed to everyone on the Persona 1 and 2 casts being able to switch between multiple Personas), social links with classmates and SEES members which can possibly lead to romance, and an Arcana system where characters and Shadows are associated with a specific tarot card. Depending on if the male (Minato) or female protagonist (Minako) is chosen, the story significantly changes as SEES and other classmates interact with Arisato differently. Minato is depressed and indifferent to many things as a result of losing his parents, slowly opening up thanks to his new friends, while Minako copes with her loss by being very cheerful and outgoing and has to still confront her trauma head-on with the help of her friends. Both protagonists have same-sex romantic options, though Minato only has one as opposed to Minako's four (in OTL, Minato has no same-sex pairings, and Minako only has two). One of Minako's romantic options, if chosen, even has the possibility of slightly changing the ending. (For the record, she does not have a romance option with the character Ken.)
A definitive edition was released several years later, adding a postgame epilogue focusing on the character of Aigis, a Kirijo-made female android and SEES member, and expanded one of Minako's social links to include the character of Yukiko Amagi from the recently released Persona 4.
4 - Mechanically and graphically similar to 3, although the tone is far more lighthearted and humorous. The protagonist, city kid Yu/Yuki Narukami, arrives as a transfer student at Yasogami High School in the rural village of Inaba in 2011 after their parents travel overseas for work, staying with their uncle Dojima and little cousin Nanako. Soon after arriving, a series of murders happens in Inaba, and Narukami discovers a world crawling with Shadows they can access by going through a TV screen, which is linked to the murders. Together with a group of friends and misfits from Yasogami, Narukami goes into the TV with the goal of saving potential murder victims and identifying the killer. A later definitive edition adds a new character, Marie, a new dungeon and boss fight, and romance options for both protagonists with Marie and the fan favorite character of Aika Nakamura. The theme of 4 revolves around uncovering and acknowledging the truth, even if it is a painful one. At one point, Narukami's class visits Gekkoukan High for a field trip, where they meet the graduating SEES member Fuuka Yamagishi and social link Chihiro Fushimi. Although no other Persona 3 characters appear, if save data from a Persona 3 save where Minako was chosen is imported, Yukiko will mention her meeting with Minako and talk to one of Minako's social links.
While the game mechanics are largely the same as in 3, the social link mechanic has been expanded so that not only Narukami gets romance options (although again, Yu Narukami only gets two same-sex options, while Yuki gets six in the definitive edition), but the rest of the cast has them as well. Similar to Fire Emblem's support system, Narukami can set up their friends with each other and even arrange dates for them (including one same-sex option between Yukiko and Chie), improving their effectiveness in battles. Unlike the difference between Minato and Minako, Yu and Yuki Narukami act relatively the same way: confident and assertive, with a strong belief in the power of friendship.
Persona 4 Arena is a spinoff fighting game taking place after 4 but also crossing over with 3. After the murder case is solved, Narukami returns to Inaba to visit his friends during summer break, only for all of them to be thrown into the TV again and forced to fight each other in a twisted tournament. Meanwhile, a handful of characters from Personas 1-3, led by Mitsuru Kirijo, who has established a Shadow-hunting government task force known as the Shadow Operatives, investigate the Inaba incidents and also get dragged into the tournament, soon learning it may have something to do with a girl named Labrys and possibly the Kirijo Group's research.
In Arena Ultimax, set right after Arena, the mastermind of the tournament puts their main plan into action, plunging all of Inaba into a new Dark Hour and turning Yasogami into a new Tartarus. Realizing the severity of the situation, Mitsuru calls all members of SEES back into action, while Maki and Maya reassemble their friends to aid the Shadow Operatives and Narukami's team fights its way through Shadow-infested Inaba. Although the duology was originally released for arcades, it was later ported to Xbox and Playstation. On Playstation consoles, importing save data from a completed Persona 4 save allows Arena and Arena Ultimax to use the protagonist and name chosen in the original game, as well as remember any romances and character pair-ups.
5 - Set in 2016, Persona 5 focuses on the protagonist Ren/Reika Amamiya. After defending a woman from being assaulted by a drunk man, Amamiya is falsely charged with assault and expelled from their school, being forced to transfer to Shujin Academy in Osaka for a year-long probation. They are soon contacted by Igor, who bestows the power to use a Persona on them and warns they must go through "rehabilitation" to avoid an impending doom. Assembling a group of Persona-using social outcasts and misfits, Amamiya, donning the nickname Joker, forms the Phantom Thieves, who go into the cognitive realms of people they believe have wronged society and change their hearts so they confess to their crimes. The Phantom Thieves quickly become popular folk heroes for bringing down previously thought untouchable public figures and notorious criminals, but this attracts the attention of law enforcement and the ace detective Goro Akechi, who vows to bring them to justice. Soon, Joker finds evidence of a conspiracy reaching up to the highest levels of government manipulating knowledge of Shadows and the cognitive realm to its advantage. With the Shadow Operatives (now including the Persona 4 cast) implied to be neutralized by this conspiracy, it is up to the Phantom Thieves to stop them. A definitive edition adds a new Phantom Thief, Kasumi Yoshizawa, and a postgame with a new dungeon and boss. The designs and character archetypes of the Phantom Thieves take inspiration from classic literature about honorable gentlemen thieves who bring justice on the rich and powerful on behalf of the poor. The theme of the game is about rebelling against an unjust society.
Mechanically, Persona 5 builds on the gameplay of 3 and 4, although it radically overhauls the user interface and graphics to take advantage of improved processing power. The "support" system of 4 is improved on, with the main characters now able to be paired up with those outside the main cast, as are the quality of social link character arcs (both protagonists have three same-sex options as well as a secret fourth option for both of them to romance Akechi). Previous Persona characters are frequently mentioned in the background, particularly in the context of the Shadow Operatives and how unpopular they are now. Ken (Persona 3) and Nanako (Persona 4), now both in high school, appear as social link characters, and if save data from the previous two games are imported, they talk about their interactions with Arisato and Narukami.
The story dramatically changes from the very beginning depending on which protagonist was chosen. Ren is instantly shunned and considered a violent criminal despite trying to be nice or at least inoffensive to everyone. Authority figures are quicker to suspect him of wrongdoing, but they also underestimate him as a knuckleheaded brute. Reika, though, is treated wildly differently. The first boss of the game, a pedophile Shujin teacher, attempts to force himself on Reika and then threatens to report a crime to the police when she fights back (in the equivalent cutscenes for Ren, Ren instead confronts him over his mistreatment of another student, after which he makes the same threat). Some people consider Reika beyond redeemable as a rare girl who committed a violent crime, while others don't believe she's capable of committing such a crime or even doing anything in general. As Joker, the media believes she is male, while Shadow bosses and authority figures refuse to believe she is the one leading the Phantom Thieves to victory. Unlike Ren, who tries to improve his image to everyone, Reika doesn't care what people think of her and pursues her own justice, letting people come to their own conclusions when her accomplishments become apparent. Her dialogue is more snarky and irreverent compared to Ren's.
Persona 5 Strikers - A Dynasty Warriors crossover and canon sequel to the original game. Set in the summer of 2017, the Phantom Thieves (including Kasumi Yoshizawa in the overseas rerelease) meet up for a road trip across the Japanese islands, from Sapporo in Ainu Mosir to Naha in Ryukyu, changing the hearts of various criminals and authority figures along the way, but they soon find another conspiracy taking advantage of the cognitive world, using the Kirijo Group's research. A handful of Shadow Operatives appear to investigate the Phantom Thieves, ultimately attempting to recruit them (Amamiya refuses their offer at the moment but leaves the option open). Two new Phantom Thieves join the team after awakening to their Personas.
Persona Emblem (replacing TMS) - A crossover between Fire Emblem and the Persona series bringing together fan favorites from both series. It is a tactical RPG utilizing Fire Emblem's battle system but Persona's spells and attacks. Characters from both series are thrown together in a nebulous cognitive realm fusing the worlds of Archanea, Valentin, Jugdral, Elibe, Magvel, Tellius, and Fódlan with modern Japan by Philemon and Nyarlathotep, who want them to prove the strength of humanity's bonds and ability to overcome disagreements and hardship. It received a definitive edition in 2023. (I don't have any gameplay or plot details because I have no idea how this would work.)
As for Valkyria Chronicles, I don't know what to change for 1 and 4 (I don't have the other two games) other than making the East Europan Imperial Alliance into the East Europan People's Union. However...
Pokemon Conquest: Rolling Thunder - a departure from the typical World War II setting of mainline Valkyria Chronicles, both by setting the action in the Pokemon world and using weapons and technology from the 1960s. In the closing months of a twenty-year global war between the regions of Jiangsu (Kanto), Chengdou (Johto), Fengliang (Hoenn), and Xinzhang (Sinnoh), which are collectively referred to as the Empire, and Unova, Kalos, Alola, and Galar, which are called the Alliance, Alliance high command authorizes a risky direct assault on the Empire's capital territories in Jiangsu, with the goal of taking Saffron City and forcing a surrender. The POV character is Olson, a scout with his partner Pokemon Pikachu, is assigned to the squad of Lieutenant Surge, who has been deployed as part of the invasion. As the invasion proceeds not exactly according to plan, Olson comes to terms with the realities of war and steps up as a leader to help Surge push through to Saffron City. Gameplay mechanics are similar to those found in the original game, only with the addition of air strikes and Pokemon attacks filling in various roles.
There are other games I don't know too much about: a WWI-era game focusing on the first war between the Empire and Alliance; a WWII-era game set in the early days of Olson's war, hewing closer to traditional VC; and one last game set in the 1980s with a WWIII setting involving the father of Red.
Wilhemina is rather reluctant but has anyone checked that she... eh... possesses the skills necessary to lead and govern a continents-spanning empire? Like, I know anybody's better than Elias at this point, but a strong and competent Kaiser(in) will still be necessary to get the Reich back on track after the Committee is gone.
Wilhemina is refusing her class change to Lord, but we're gonna have to hope she changes her mind. In the meantime, I've got faith in Olga to go down swinging.
The entire Persona segment is delightful, thank you.
Wilhemina is refusing her class change to Lord, but we're gonna have to hope she changes her mind. In the meantime, I've got faith in Olga to go down swinging.
Now that you bring it up, Wilhelmina's arc reminds me of Elincia and Alyssa in someways. I wonder if parts of their characters ended up inspiring Wilhelmina's development?
I agree. I personally haven’t played either Persona/SMT or VC, but I like what I see here, especially Persona 5 and that VC/Pokémon crossover.
Speaking of Pokémon, it might be too soon to ask, but since you ended the Pokémon cultural updates at Generation 7 awhile ago, what do you think Gen 8 would be like here?
Oh and btw, I remember reading and enjoin a Kaiserreich related write up for the first Valkyria Chronicles game from @HIMDogson awhile ago that swapped the roles of the East European Imperial Alliance and the Atlantic Federation around and I believe added an original villain for the "People's Republic of Atlantea." Here's the link to that summary if you're interested.
East Africa and Abyssinia are presumably in the middle of talks for a super-nation of their own, as Abyssinia can help stabilize East Africa as it continues rebuilding from the civil war.
And to think that back during the 20th century, East Africa and Abyssinia went to war a few times, with Abyssinia outright invading East Africa and killing the exiled Indian royal family during WW2. It’s good to see their relations has become so cordial since then. That said, I wouldn’t be surprised if there some fringe, likely anti-Semitic conspiracy theorists who see the proposed super nation as an Abyssinian plot to dominate Africa again.
Wilhemina is rather reluctant but has anyone checked that she... eh... possesses the skills necessary to lead and govern a continents-spanning empire? Like, I know anybody's better than Elias at this point, but a strong and competent Kaiser(in) will still be necessary to get the Reich back on track after the Committee is gone.
Of course. The loyalists need to find the best leader for the job. After all, the Reich is supposed to be a meritocracy. This plays into the themes of destiny and national identity I want to explore for this part of the arc. Like is Wilhelmina supposed to be Kaiserin because of her birth, or because she is truly qualified? What does Wilhelmina truly want, and is that the same as what she needs to do? Is there any purpose to anointing someone with an ancient sword in a modern society? How does the institution of a hereditary monarchy work with a society that prides itself on meritocracy?
Wilhemina is refusing her class change to Lord, but we're gonna have to hope she changes her mind. In the meantime, I've got faith in Olga to go down swinging.
The entire Persona segment is delightful, thank you.
Olga might be almost 70 years old at this point, but I assure you, she can still pack a punch.
I wasn't sure if it would be up to quality as I threw it all together on a whim this afternoon, but I felt satisfied with what I wrote. Although I admit I was just throwing stuff at the wall when it came to Persona 1-2 content and references because I'm more familiar with 3-5.
Now that you bring it up, Wilhelmina's arc reminds me of Elincia and Alyssa in someway. I wonder if parts of their characters ended up inspiring Wilhelmina?
Although some elements of Elincia and Alyssa did indirectly influence Wilhelmina (sheltered princess who is unexpectedly thrust into the spotlight), I actually took direct inspiration from Persona 4's Yukiko, who is Wilhelmina's favorite Persona 4 character.
Speaking of Pokémon, it might be too soon to ask, but since you ended the Pokémon cultural updates at Generation 7 awhile ago, what do you think Gen 8 would be like here?
Uh...for one, there would be no dex cut. The existing Gen 8 Pokemon would be the same because I can't come up with ideas for new Pokemon. Gigantamaxing would be replaced with Mega Evolution. The story would be much more detailed instead of being barebones. Leon is hyped up as the unbeatable champion, but you defeat him pathetically easily, revealing he is a fraud only propped up by the corrupt league chairman Rose (mirroring FIFA corruption), who then battles you as the "real" champion fight in an attempt to silence you. You would be more involved in the plot aside from getting gym badges, helping Leon deal with crises around Galar that were secretly staged by Rose to make him look good. The backstory of Galar would be that it was a battlefield between Kalos and Unova in their war 3000 years ago before somebody unleashed the legendary Pokemon Eternatus to save the region. Eternatus routed both regions' armies and plunged Galar into darkness, and two heroes, working with the legendary wolves, rose up to defeat Eternatus. From a gameplay perspective, the routes and dungeons would be more complex and not straight lines. Finally, Looker would appear in an actual postgame (probably incorporating the DLC content).
Oh btw, I remember reading write up for the first Valkyria Chronicles game for Photos of Kaiserreich from @HIMDogson awhile ago that swapped the roles of the East European Imperial Alliance and the Atlantic Federation and added an original villain for the "People's Republic of Atlantea" that I found interesting. Here's the link to that summary if you're interested.
I just read that and got a few vague ideas for Valkyria Chronicles 1 (as well as 4 since it's a side story to 1). Not feeling like writing them down right now, but maybe in the future. I just want the final idea to not be a carbon copy of the original with minor name swaps (as the East Europan People's Union definitely wouldn't have someone like Prince Maximilian, and I want to do something different for Selvaria).
And to think that back during the 20th century, East Africa and Abyssinia went to war a few times, with Abyssinia outright invading East Africa and killing the exiled Indian royal family during WW2. It’s good to see their relations has have become so cordial since then, tho I wouldn’t be surprised if there some fringe conspiracy theorists who see the proposed super nation as an Abyssinian plot to conquer Africa again.
Of course. The loyalists need to find the best leader for the job. After all, the Reich is supposed to be a meritocracy. This plays into the themes of destiny and national identity I want to explore for this part of the arc. Like is Wilhelmina supposed to be Kaiserin because of her birth, or because she is truly qualified? What does Wilhelmina truly want, and is that the same as what she needs to do? Is there any purpose to anointing someone with an ancient sword in a modern society? How does the institution of a hereditary monarchy work with a society that prides itself on meritocracy?
Although some elements of Elincia and Alyssa did indirectly influence Wilhelmina (sheltered princess who is unexpectedly thrust into the spotlight), I actually took direct inspiration from Persona 4's Yukiko, who is Wilhelmina's favorite Persona 4 character.
This actually gave me an idea I want to share, though I understand it might be a bit much to write at the moment and most likely won't be implemented. In keeping with the theme of destiny in this portion of the arc, maybe you can come up with lyrics for the Exalt's Duty's "A Heroine's Destiny" and have Wilhelmina sing it at some point later on, maybe after a dramatic event in her character arc. I think that would be a good way to introduce some lyrics to that song and include some pop culture video game references that doubles as meaningful symbolism in this arc as well.
This actually gave me an idea I want to share, though I understand it might be a bit much to write at the moment and most likely won't be implemented. In keeping with the theme of destiny in this portion of the arc, maybe you can come up with lyrics for the Exalt's Duty's "A Heroine's Destiny" and have Wilhelmina sing it at some point later on, maybe after a dramatic event in her character arc. I think that would be a good way to introduce some lyrics to that song and include some pop culture video game references that doubles as meaningful symbolism in this arc as well.
Maybe I will, although while I've been looking through the Persona 3 soundtrack, I've found plenty of lyrics that fit Wilhelmina's situations. I've put a specific song at a certain point, and she does quote it in that update. The original plan was to get some Yukiko quotes, but Yukiko doesn't really have any standout quotes.
This is my latest Tianxia update covering West Africa. After this I am debating on whether or not to go and do South Eimerica (Tawantinsuyu, Mayapan, and Mexico) then do Eastern Europe, Scandinavia and save the Reich proper for last or do Eastern Europe, Scandinavia, the Reich and finish the "Old World" and do South Eimerica last?
Tianxia-Legacy of the Great War:
West Africa
Mali = White
New Carthage = Dark Brown
Mali
The Mali Empire has been around for numerous centuries. From the first Mansa being Mansa Sundiata Keita in 1235 to the current Mansa Bamari III who took power in 1908 Mali has had a long line of influential Mansa’s. During the first few years of his reign Bamari III sought to mechanize the mining sector and implement a central bank in 1913. Mali entered the Great War in 1914 as part of its alliance with the Central Powers. However on January 3, 1915 the Roman Athanatoi intercepted a message in which the Chinese Jinyiwei were attempting to stage a coup. This would come on March 5, 1915 in which many pro-China army officers rebelled against the government and forced Bamari to do things like sign a constitution, begin elections, withdraw from the Central Powers, and join the Tianxia Alliance. On April 24, 1915 the new government would declare war on the Reich to expand to its “natural borders” of Provincia Mauretania and Westafrika. This caught the Romans off guard in which many African themes were overrun with only one Legion being able to retaliate in any way by besieging the capital Timbuktu. After the war Mali continued its modernization campaign which has seen moderate success. However growing tensions on the African continent remain. The East African Revolution in which Loango helped Mutapan rebels win a type of limited independence from Indian East Africa, a growing threat of nationalism in Egypt, and Carthage in the north under the rule of the Schweinfurts making Mali even more in a dangerous situation than before. By 1936 Mali is facing many challenges such as competing against Abyssinia in an attempt to try and get control of the African independence movement and trying to push the last Roman holdouts out of Africa. Will Mali be successful only time will tell.
Nordafrika/New Carthage
Over the years Nordafrika has been home to various civilizations. From the Phoenicia’s who set up trade cities throughout the region, to Carthage who took up the mantle of the most powerful Phoenician city after their homeland was taken over by various outside powers like the Neo-Assyrian Empire, Neo-Babylonian Empire and Achaemenid Empire. The Empire of Carthage who had been prospering for the past few years with colonies of their own being established throughout the Mediterranean saw itself at war with the raising Roman Republic between 264 and 146 BCE in a series of wars that are today known as the Punic Wars. Carthage would lose these wars and become a Roman province in 146 BCE. However Rome would soon fall in the west and Germanic tribes would settle in the region. Most notably the Vandals in 435 CE. The Vandals would be conquered first by the Second Empire under Basileus Iustinianos I in 533 CE and again by the Umayyad Caliphate in 698 CE. Nordafrika was taken over by Holy Roman Emperor Heinrich III Salian in the 11th century and drove out the many Muslim successor states in the region. Since then large numbers of German settlers have been moving into the region and the city of Carthage being rebuilt into a prosperous trading hub. The city is also home to the 22nd Legion that saw fame fighting numerous wars such as the many pagan crusades most notably by West Africans and Zoroastrians, Ocuil Acatl’s invasion of Britannia, along with Timur’s and Shah Rukh’s invasions of Mesopotamia and Persia.
An era of peace has since fallen over the region under the rule of the Schweinfurt family. However in 1914 Crown Prince Franz Ferdinand was assassinated in the Roman city of Lublin along the Roman-Lithuanian boarder by a Lithuanian nationalist. This would set off a chain of events that would lead to the Weltkrieg in which the Great Powers of the world fought each other for global influence. Despite the 22nd Legion fighting bravely on the battlefields of the Weltkrieg the Reich still lost. When the Roman Civil War started the 22nd Legion decided to try and restore order in the Province by implementing Martial Law under the rule of the Schweinfurts however some believe that the Schweinfurts are merely puppets to the legion being used as a way for the legion to legitimize their rule. Whatever the case a relative peace has held over the province with parts of the legion being sent to the province of Mauretania as “peacekeepers”. However tensions in Italia have risen due to many being against military rule and this has led to a united effort to push the 22nd Legion and Schweinfurt family out of Italia. After the Treaty of Palermo tensions started to rise within this united front with various factions vying for control. Will this tension escalate to full scale Civil War in Italia or will this coalition hold true? In the end no one knows.
This is my latest Tianxia update covering West Africa. After this I am debating on whether or not to go and do South Eimerica (Tawantinsuyu, Mayapan, and Mexico) then do Eastern Europe, Scandinavia and save the Reich proper for last or do Eastern Europe, Scandinavia, the Reich and finish the "Old World" and do South Eimerica last?
Great work as always @GhostRider124. There seems to be one glaring typo that seems to contradict what you’re going for that I’ll quote and highlight below, but other than you did a really good job with this update.
However tensions in Italia have risen due to many not being against military rule and this has led to a united effort to push the 22nd Legion and Schweinfurt family out of Italia.
I believe you meant to say many were against military rule here, given the following rebellion.
Also a minor point, but I think Franz Federdiand was just a crown prince here, I don’t think the title of Archduke exists in the Reich IIRC.
I agree with Zen that you should do South Eimerica first and save the Reich for last. It would be more climatic that way, plus it might give you more time to flesh out what the European Reich would be like in terms of both internal and external politics between the Roman successor states.
I wonder what in-game expansion paths for Mali and Carthage would be? Maybe there could be a war between them early on and from their lots of options could open up, like Carthage invading either Italy or Egypt, or Mali invading Hispania and attacking Twantinsuyu in the late game, or both deciding to focus more on Africa than on Europe and other continents.
The title does exist but it is still used by the Habsburgs and fell out of use when they were elevated to actual kings (in OTL they adopted the title because the HRE only allowed one kingdom within the empire).
I wonder what in-game expansion paths for Mali and Carthage would be? Maybe there could be a war between them early on and from their lots of options could open up, like Carthage invading either Italy or Egypt, or Mali invading Hispania and attacking Twantinsuyu in the late game, or both deciding to focus more on Africa than on Europe and other continents.
I think their immediate goal would be destroying each other. Afterward, Mali might turn towards African hegemony, take Iberia, or pick a fight with Tawantinsuyu for Nsorala. Carthage might go after Italy and Egypt and then either go to conquer Africa or take Europe to restore the Reich under its leadership.
I wonder what in-game expansion paths for Mali and Carthage would be? Maybe there could be a war between them early on and from their lots of options could open up, like Carthage invading either Italy or Egypt, or Mali invading Hispania and attacking Twantinsuyu in the late game, or both deciding to focus more on Africa than on Europe and other continents.
I think their immediate goal would be destroying each other. Afterward, Mali might turn towards African hegemony, take Iberia, or pick a fight with Tawantinsuyu for Nsorala. Carthage might go after Italy and Egypt and then either go to conquer Africa or take Europe to restore the Reich under its leadership.
Good ideas. I also think that like in HOI3 I can see Mali and Abyssinia forming a temporary alliance and attacking Egypt and Carthage either taking both countries or both countries counter attacking and taking Mali and Abyssinia.
If Mali and Abyssinia win they could attack Sudafrika and divide it in a peace deal give it to Mutapa and Loango or make it into a Zulu Empire. Then they would fight against each other for leadership of Africa.
If Egypt wins then depending on what the Lithuania's in Egypt do and Lithuania itself douse I can see them forming an alliance. I can also see Egypt looking back and using its vast history as inspiration for a new Egyptian Empire.
I can also see Carthage if it wins attacking the Levant to take the homeland of the Phoenicians.
If Mali and Abyssinia win they could attack Sudafrika and divide it in a peace deal give it to Mutapa and Loango or make it into a Zulu Empire. Then they would fight against each other for leadership of Africa.
For Abyssinia specifically, I could see them setting their sights on Israel-Arabia with the goal of creating a pan Jewish empire, even if the Jews of Arabia are hostile to them and see them as heretics.
I could see Carthage supporting Poland’s independence and allying with them on the condition they replace the Habsburg monarchy with a Schweinfurt one. After all, It was the birth place of Saint Gunhilda, the founder of the Schweinfurts. Plus she was a military genius, which would boost the legitimacy of Carthage’s militarism, even if the Schweinfurts supported a lot of left-leaning progressive meritocratic and labor movements during the 19th century.
Good ideas. I also think that like in HOI3 I can see Mali and Abyssinia forming a temporary alliance and attacking Egypt and Carthage either taking both countries or both countries counter attacking and taking Mali and Abyssinia.
If Mali and Abyssinia win they could attack Sudafrika and divide it in a peace deal give it to Mutapa and Loango or make it into a Zulu Empire. Then they would fight against each other for leadership of Africa.
If Egypt wins then depending on what the Lithuania's in Egypt do and Lithuania itself douse I can see them forming an alliance. I can also see Egypt looking back and using its vast history as inspiration for a new Egyptian Empire.
For Abyssinia specifically, I could see them setting their sights on Israel-Arabia with the goal of creating a pan Jewish empire, even if the Jews of Arabia are hostile to them and see them as heretics.
I could see Carthage supporting Poland’s independence and allying with them on the condition they replace the Habsburg monarchy with a Schweinfurt one. After all, It was the birth place of Saint Gunhilda, the founder of the Schweinfurts. Plus she was a military genius, which would boost the legitimacy of Carthage’s militarism, even if the Schweinfurts supported a lot of left-leaning progressive meritocratic and labor movements during the 19th century.
“So,” Muller said, “How are you enjoying the tour?”
“We literally just started five minutes ago,” Igor said.
Igor Shulkin was a Russian journalist, although it pained him to call himself that. Russian journalism was in a sorry state currently, full of liars and propagandists and especially war hawks after Kirova began fortifying the border (yet she strangely wasn't staffing the fortifications as much as he would have thought). He wanted to prove coexistence with the Jerusalem regime was possible. That they didn’t have to resort to threats and violence, and the most ludicrous claims of atrocities on both sides were overblown speculation at most. If he could just get his message out to the rest of the world, then maybe peace would have a chance.
“By the way, thank you for agreeing to our tour,” Muller said, “You’re the first one who actually followed through.”
“Well, I make it my business to not believe in baseless rumors,” Igor said, “I just want to find the truth for myself.”
“Nice to know there are still people who believe in the truth outside of the empire,” Muller said, “You will be pivotal in getting our side of the story out there.”
“Of course,” Igor said, “Now can we please get started?”
“Right this way,” Muller said.
They walked through the barbed wire gates. Igor noticed there were high-tech cameras placed everywhere along the fence, as well as countless drones flying in formation overhead. Inside, there was what appeared to be a suburb. The newly paved streets were arranged in a grid, and lining them were quaint two-story houses with green lawns and solar panel arrays. Igor noticed each house had several cameras watching it, including some over front doors.
“We have done well rehabilitating the traditionally troublesome people of Taurica,” Muller said, “For centuries, the people of Taurica have been robbers and thieves. They haven’t been good citizens of the empire. We aimed to break this cycle and rehabilitate them into productive and patriotic citizens. This historically troublesome minority can finally be assimilated.”
“Can we see some of these citizens?” Igor said.
“Of course we can,” Muller said, “Follow me.”
They walked down the street.
“For the record, I would like to point out this province used to be overrun with terrorists,” Muller said, “Ever since the collapse of the Soviet Commune, gangs and terrorists set up residence here, taking advantage of our good faith. They robbed and murdered with impunity. Why, even just five years ago, there was a horrendous terrorist attack that killed 200 Romans.”
“Yes, that is indeed horrible,” Igor said,
“It was ideological terrorism,” Muller said, “They wanted to restore the Soviet Commune. But we struck back against them. Our Strike Hard Against Violent Barbarism campaign was more effective than we imagined. We have not had a single terrorist attack since then. The province and its people are better off a a result.”
They arrived at what seemed to have been a high school.
“Oh, we’re here,” Muller said, “Let’s go in.”
They went inside. The interior also looked like a normal high school, only the lockers had been removed and the doors had larger than usual locks on them. They peered into one classroom. There, the class of adults was all standing.
“If you’re happy and you know it, say ‘JA HERR’—JA HERR!” they sang. “If you’re happy and you know it, say ‘JA HERR’—JA HERR!”
“This is a vocational school,” Muller said, “Here, students learn productive and useful skills to rehabilitate as proper citizens.”
Something felt off about all this, though…
“Uh…yeah…” Igor said. “Where are the children?”
“They are at a separate facility,” Muller said, “They are not part of our tour, unfortunately.”
“Wolfgang!” the teacher shouted.
Igor looked behind you and found a student rushing back to class.
“I’m not late!” he said.
The teacher held up her phone, which had a timer running.
“You took five seconds over the two minute limit,” the teacher said, “Present yourself for proper discipline immediately.”
Wolfgang nervously went to the teacher’s desk and bent over. The teacher took out a cattle prod and jabbed it into Wolfgang’s back. Wolfgang stiffened and convulsed, cursing in Russian, which spurred the teacher to jab him even more aggressively and forcibly shove a bar of soap into his mouth.
“NO RUSSIAN!” she said. “BE CIVILIZED AND PATRIOTIC! SPEAK GERMAN!”
“JA!” Wolfgang cried.
The “discipline” ended.
“You may be seated now,” the teacher said.
“Thank you teacher,” Wolfgang said, “I won’t be late again.”
Igor and Muller continued walking.
“Uh…what was that?” Igor asked.
“That was discipline,” Muller said, “You have methods of discipline in Russia, don’t you? A way to eradicate ideological viruses?”
“Uh…yeah, we do,” Igor said.
“We have other methods too,” Muller said, “Did you know there are 75 behavioral indicators of religious and ideological extremism?”
“Like what?” Igor said.
He immediately regretted asking.
“For example, we look at stockpiling food, stopping smoking or drinking or doing drugs, and buying exercise equipment,” Muller said, “Maybe you’re being more charitable, like recharing your neighbor’s car, or just talking to them. Or growing a beard. Or shaving it. Or applying for a passport. These can all be signs of an inclination towards terrorism.”
“Right...right,” Igor said, playing along, “You’re just being proactive, aren’t you?”
“Well, some people show they’re capable of murder before they commit it,” Muller said, “It’s only natural to prevent the crime before it happens, instead of waiting until it happens. We use a predictive AI algorithm to screen for problematic individuals.”
“Wow,” Igor said, “That’s…something.”
“We also have organized labor transfer programs, where rehabilitated citizens here are settled elsewhere in the empire to gain employment,” Muller said, “Up to now, the program has provided a stable employment rate of 92%.”
“Uh…impressive,” Igor said.
“But wait, there’s more!” Muller said. “Wolfgang! Get over here!”
Wolfgang walked over and reverently bowed his head.
“Yes, Herr Muller?” he said.
“Explain why you are here,” Muller said.
“All of us here have found something wrong with ourselves,” Wolfgang said, “Fortunately, Jerusalem offers this kind of school for free, so we can be rehabilitated as patriotic citizens and civilized individuals.”
Okay, he had seen enough. To hell with coexistence and giving the benefit of a doubt. This was just the staged tour. If this was all staged…then what the hell was actually happening?
“Uh…I think I have enough for my story,” Igor said, “I think we’re done here.”
Igor said:
‘Prevent Escapes’: Leaked Documents and Undercover Investigations Detail Brutal Reality of Jerusalem’s ‘Re-education’ Camps for Russians
As soon as Theodor stepped out of his private jet, he was mobbed by reporters. He scoffed. These idiots were so annoying. He wished everywhere would be like Frankfurt now. At home, there were no reporters to bother him. He could go about his business without interruptions. It was peaceful and liberating.
“Mr. Tesla, what do you say about the recent report by Shulkin?”
“What is your opinion on the camps being run in Taurica?”
“Do you deny Tesla Dynamic has benefited from forced labor in Taurica and elsewhere, like 79 other international brands?”
“Fine, I’ll bite,” Theodor said, “We have done an internal investigation at Tesla Dynamic. We have found no indications of forced labor.”
“But these leaked documents show the company has been investing heavily into Taurica-based organizations and companies involved in forced labor!”
“We are absolutely proud to create workplaces and jobs in Taurica, a historically ostracized and troublesome area, and assimilate its people as patriotic citizens and civilized individuals,” Theodor said.
“But atrocities and forced labor are not things you are proud to be associated with, right? In terms of what Berlin is doing to people there.”
“Well, I can’t judge that, I’m not a politician,” Theodor said, “Just a businessman. And my priority is to make money.”
“But you know about what is going on in Taurica and elsewhere.”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” Theodor said.
“You don't know about the camps? What about the new camps opening in Europe and Africa?”
“I'm not aware of that,” Theodor said, “And shouldn’t you worry about your own affairs? Last I heard the whole world’s plunged into a recession. When will you learn your boycotts and sanctions have consequences? Look, I want to sell you my stuff. We all do. But if you don’t want to buy, you have to be prepared to find other sellers. And if there are no other sellers based outside Jerusalem…well, as the kids say these days, git gud!”
Committee official Dikastirio account said:
In China, the population of native Siberians dropped from 10 mil in 1700 to 250k in the early 1900s as a large number of them were killed during #northernexpansion. #FuGanying’s death shows that Chinese systemic racism has choked ethnic minorities so hard they 'can't breathe’.
As you may have learnt, the Permanent Mission of the Tsardom of Russia is currently planning to sponsor a discussion on Taurica at the UN Special Forum in Gunnolfsfell on March 13. This event, based on groundless allegations, targets at the Holy Roman Empire of Jerusalem with political purposes and aims at interfering in Jerusalem’s domestic affairs and provoking confrontations. It runs counter to the Charter of United Nations and the principle of cooperation and dialogue. Jerusalem strongly opposes this plan of the Russian Mission, unless the Russian government fully takes responsibility for atrocities committed under the Soviet regime against its millions of victims throughout the 20th century and pays appropriate compensation to surviving victims and their families.
In the interest of our bilateral relations and continued multilateral cooperation, I hereby kindly request your delegation, bearing in mind the political motivation behind the above-mentioned side event, not to co-sponsor, participate in or be present at this discussion.
I would like to take this opportunity to thank you in advance for your understanding and cooperation. Please accept, Excellency, the assurances of my highest consideration.
Russian government cancels side event regarding Taurican camps after significant pressure from Penglai, Nepal, the Japan Republic, the Republic of Japan, Fusang, Mali, East Africa, Scandinavia, and India
Huh, this is the 6000th comment, which is on page 300. What a milestone.
A Canadian journalist actually went to visit the camps in Xinjiang, believing allegations of their atrocities were overblown, and was presented with a Potemkin village like what is depicted here. As the Potemkin village itself was already terrifying enough, he was horrified when he realized the reality was much worse. Those article titles at the end are real too (obviously about Uighurs instead of Russians).
The shoving of a bar of soap into the student’s mouth comes from disciplinary measures at Native American “residential schools” in the US and Canada throughout the 1800s and 1900s, where it would be done if a Native American student spoke anything other than English. Everything else is almost word for word taken from undercover footage shot in the Xinjiang camps or interviews by Chinese government officials overseeing the camps.
Theodor’s denial of his company benefiting off the Taurica camps is taken from an interview by a Western CEO denying his company benefited from labor by Uighurs in the Xinjiang camps (can’t remember his name, but the dialogue is almost the same).
The Dikastirio “tweet” was in reality sent by a Chinese government official accusing the US of hypocrisy by pointing out American systemic racism and George Floyd’s death so it can’t take the moral high ground regarding Xinjiang and Hong Kong.
The official request from “Wilhelm Karl” to the UN ambassadors was sent by the Chinese government to ask other nations to not attend any UN events or discussions regarding Xinjiang.
