Posts from Actaea

Olivia Blankenship
7-5-7-7-3
Health Status: 100% (152/152), no injuries, condition stable.
Command Rating: -
Skills and Abilities: military training, weapon specialization (pistol), first aid (medic), robust health.
Fortitude +3, melee damage modifier +0.9, agility checks +1, melee hit chance 50%, initiative 5, intelligence checks +3/+25%, shooting class C (B when using pistols), diplomatic actions 0%, leadership 3.
Languages: Kittypinkian, Actean.
Equipment: VHI Celer-10
First Aid Kit (x2) [5/5]
Nationality: Kittypinkian
Citizenship: Kittypink
Age: 40
Height: 176
Weight: 70
Eye Color: gray
Hair Color: brunette
Family: married, has an adult daughter

Waylin Cyrus
6-7-6-5-5
Health Status: 100% (152/152), no injuries, condition stable.
Command Rating: -
Skills and Abilities: military training, information technology, weapon specialization (melee weapons), second wind.
Fortitude +2, melee damage modifier +0.6, agility checks +3, melee hit chance 70%, initiative 7, intelligence checks +2/+10%, shooting class D, diplomatic actions +41%, leadership 5, damage dealt -16%
Languages: Shailionian, Actean.
Equipment: VHI Celer-10
Body Armor
Combat Knife
Smoke Grenade
PDA
Signal Intercept Device
Movement Tracking/Eavesdropping Device
Nationality: Ailies
Citizenship: Shailion
Age: 19
Height: 195
Weight: 85
Eye Color: brown
Hair Color: chestnut
Family: none

Aydin Jabrail oglu Jeydongov
6-5-9-4-3
Health Status: 100% (97/97), no injuries, condition stable.
Command Rating: -
Skills and Abilities: military training, engineer, tactical combat.
Languages: Actean, Greatwaterian, Arcondian Shampignonian.
Fortitude +2, melee damage modifier +0.6, agility checks +1, melee hit chance 50%, initiative 5, intelligence checks +5/+70%, shooting class D, diplomatic actions +7%, leadership 3
Equipment: VHI SG-12
Combat Knife
Smoke grenades x2, fragmentation x3
Body Armor
Nationality: Aquatic
Citizenship: Kingdom of Great Water
Age: 36
Height: 170
Weight: 81
Eye Color: green
Hair Color: -
Family: none (widower)

Jonathan Shreier
5-5-5-7-3
Health Status: 100% (82/82), no injuries, condition stable.
Command Rating: -
Skills and Abilities: military training, weapon specialization (heavy weapons), sapper.
Languages: Quasardastanian, Actean.
Fortitude +1, melee damage modifier +0.3, agility checks +1, melee hit chance 50%, initiative 5, intelligence checks +1/+0%, shooting class C, diplomatic actions -53%, leadership 3, damage dealt -17%
Equipment: VHI DFA-B1
VHI ED
Body Armor
Combat Knife
VHI R-5 (explosives) x3
VHI GL-HF
Nationality: Quasardastanian
Citizenship: Quasardastan
Age: 28
Height: 182
Weight: 81
Eye Color: amber
Hair Color: brunette
Family: none

Irshad al-Askalani
7-5-4-4-4
Health Status: 100% (121/121), no injuries, condition stable.
Command Rating: -
Skills and Abilities: military training
Fortitude +3, melee damage modifier +0.9, agility checks +1, melee hit chance 50%, initiative 5, intelligence checks +0/-10%, shooting class D, diplomatic actions -18%, leadership 4, damage dealt -17%
Languages: Ahasan, Actean, Ventorumian (?)
Equipment: Combat Knife
VHI Brevis
Body Armor
Grenades: fragmentation (4 pcs), flashbang, smoke
Nationality: Ahasan
Citizenship: Rex Ventorum
Age: 38
Height: 183
Weight: 74
Eye Color: brown
Hair Color: brunette
Family: married, two sons (seventeen and ten years old), daughter (fifteen years old)

Silas Trace
5-7-9-7-3
Health Status: 100% (127/127), no injuries, condition stable.
Command Rating: -
Skills and Abilities: - military training, weapon specialization (sniper rifles), information technology, robust health (16/19), tactical combat (19/19)
Fortitude +1, melee damage modifier +0.3, agility checks +3, melee hit chance 70%, initiative 7, intelligence checks +5/+70%, shooting class C, diplomatic actions +12%, leadership 3, damage dealt -9%
Languages: Agarian, Actean, Burkhanian
Equipment: VHI ASR-500
VHI FF-20
PDA
Signal Intercept Device
Movement Tracking/Eavesdropping Device
PA Budget:
PA Budget: 0
Nationality: Agarian
Citizenship: Agar
Age: 27
Height: 183
Weight: 78
Eye Color: gray
Hair Color: black
Family: parents alive, has two sisters (older and younger), not married and has no children

Madeline Rose
5-7-5-7-4
Health Status: 100% (93/93), no injuries, condition stable.
Command Rating: -
Skills and Abilities: - military training, weapon specialization (assault rifles), infiltrator, tactical combat, robust health, second wind.
Fortitude +1, melee damage modifier +0.3, agility checks +3, melee hit chance 70%, initiative 7, intelligence checks +1/+0%, shooting class C (B when using assault rifles), diplomatic actions +20%, leadership 4
Languages: Tarpaulinian, Actean
Equipment: VHI Neco
Body Armor
Grenade launcher rounds - explosive x2, incendiary, electromagnetic pulse
Nationality: Tarpaulin
Citizenship: Tarpaulin
Age: 25
Height: 175
Weight: 62
Eye Color: blue
Hair Color: red
Family: father and mother, older brother who teased Madeline a bit in childhood

Franka Cheslok
4-5-7-4-7
Health Status: 100% (70/70), no injuries, condition stable.
Command Rating: -
Skills and Abilities: military training, weapon specialization (shotguns), diplomatic training, leadership, tactical combat, infiltrator.
Fortitude 0, melee damage modifier 0, agility checks +1, melee hit chance 50%, initiative 5, intelligence checks +3/+25%, shooting class D (C when using assault shotguns), diplomatic actions +61%, leadership 10, Damage -24%
Languages: Idian, Actean, Ventorumian, Kittypinkian, Shailionian.
Equipment: SJ & EFMC Figaro
Combat Knife
Two flashbangs and two smoke grenades
Body Armor
TRANSLATOR [HUMAN]
Nationality: Idian
Citizenship: Idia
Age: 32
Height: 182
Weight: 65
Eye Color: hazel
Hair Color: brunette
Family: father

I'm leaving now, so I didn't have time to fully check the accuracy of the information: I'll edit or add something if needed when I return.

Following recent advances in artificial intelligence, debate has arisen in Arkondia over whether AI's should have the right to citizenship.

^j

I can already tell: I forgot the languages.

So, are you going to wait another five minutes or a few hours?

I still don't understand. The first option suggests distributing this weapon to police officers and citizens and continuing development, while the third option is to give it to soldiers or what?

This weapon is extremely brutal.
1) Allow it completely, even sell it commercially
2) Ban it
3) Allow it, but only for the military, so it doesn't fall into the wrong hands

By the way, if you allow it (I, for example, chose the third option), you will get this banner.

I downloaded a program for Might and Magic to track my progress. :)

I allowed this weapon for military use, and the defense increased.

Didn't you have an issue about robots?

I just checked. If I'm not mistaken, taxes have been reduced by 0.7% or 0.9%. Well, it could have been worse.

>2015
>collect taxes from citizens

This weapon is extremely brutal.
1) Allow it completely, even for commercial sale.
2) Ban it.
3) Allow it, but only for military use, so it doesn't fall into the wrong hands.

By the way, if you allow it (I, for example, chose the third option), you'll get this banner.

I allowed this weapon for military use, and the defense increased.

Yeah, I was also leaning towards the third option, considering that I only recently started reducing weaponization.
And I got this banner, it was one of the first I received.

Didn't you have an issue about robots?

Nope.

This isn't my character for gaining experience; it's just a joke.
You know this man as Serge Bergeron, the winner of the Actea beauty contest. Well, he came in last, but that's still a kind of victory!
However, Serge Bergeron is not his real name. He doesn't even have a real name. His enemies know him as Agent Jean Champignon.

Agent Jean Champignon is a knight without fear or reproach, perfectly skilled in all kinds of weapons. He is a true fighting machine. He protects the interests of the Free Republic of Champignon. It is said that he personally knows Roger Singleton – the very Roger Singleton, the savior of the Free Republic.
These photos are exclusive; no one knew what Jean Champignon looked like until very recently. Jean only recently revealed his identity – apparently, this is his next brilliant plan, because criminals, terrorists, and international spies are not asleep, and Jean is still an agent actively involved in fighting them.
But even before revealing his identity, Jean had already become a legendary figure. Here's what the residents of the Republic thought of him last year:
"Jean Champignon is the greatest man in all of Actea, seriously! He eradicates crime; we can sleep peacefully with him around! Hey, where are you going? Give back the purse! Hey!"
"I hate cops. I can't stand them. But Jean showed that even cops can be given a chance."
"It's a pity that other countries don't have such cool super-agents as our super-agents, like Jean Champignon!"


Roger Singleton came to power at a critical moment, five minutes away from a major nuclear war. This strong man was exactly what was needed.
First of all, he declared himself president. His authority, the support of the Kittypink troops, and the accurate and well-thought-out actions of a connoisseur of the situation allowed him to quickly and painlessly establish his power, minimizing casualties among the civilian population.
The second step was the announcement of a new policy of "money distribution." In essence, this was the beginning of the restoration of social programs. Very carefully, gradually, and as much as possible, minimum wages are introduced (initially symbolic), and all of this is presented under the right "sauce." At the same time, some freedoms are restricted, the opposition and "unreliable" media are suppressed – under the pretext of espionage in favor of Rex Ventorum.
Sponsorship of education and science begins.
Freedoms appear where they are more relevant: in particular, in the laws on nudism, which ceases to be mandatory.
Drugs begin to be controlled; the army is introduced to a uniform similar to the naval uniform of the military from the Island of Freedom.
Roger is afraid of an economic downturn (and a strong economy is now needed for the prosperity of the Champignons more than ever), as well as riots, so he does not seek to change everything radically: in particular, improving the environment is not yet a priority at the moment; infrastructure, production, and the army are more important to Roger.

It's hard to say how successful I will be in implementing this program through NS. I'm afraid that the issue of nudism may not be addressed again. But what can you do? I started the reforms too late.

P.S. If Sesam doesn't mind, my character will be from Tarpaulin.

The Free Territory of the Steelmen

Steelmen (Steelmen) are a small ethnic group in western Actaea, which, despite being one of the oldest on this continent, has never formed its own state in the full sense of the word. The Steelmen have neither an administrative apparatus nor an enforcement apparatus—at least not ones that extend their power across the entire territory of the "country"—and the borders are determined solely by natural causes: dense forests to the north, a mountain range to the east, and the Great Archond Wall to the south and west. The only sign of statehood possessed by this region is its sovereignty and independence from any other political entities.
This region is known for its agricultural achievements. The bulk of the fields are concentrated in the west of the country, although overall, small and sometimes large farms are found throughout the territory of the state, where they grow both food products and ingredients for drug production. Despite the existence of slavery in the country, as well as the knowledge that foreigners are preferred to be turned into slaves, the land of the Steelmen is swarming with tourists, and there is a very important reason for this—the complete absence of any laws. As a result, anyone wishing to visit casinos, buy drugs, weapons, perhaps even slaves, or simply have a great time, flocks to this country. Large cities of the Steelmen have airports, as no one in their right mind would risk traveling across the entire territory of the country to reach the megapolises located approximately in the center of the land. The Steelmen's own air fleet is limited to several private planes and equipment from 30-40 years ago, which are occasionally salvaged by various aviation enthusiasts. Despite the increased level of toxicity and pollution in recent years, the local nature remains one of the most beautiful in the region.
At same moment, Steelmen society is experiencing the most severe crisis in its entire history. Specialists from other countries on this people (steelmenologists) claim that the only option for its resolution is a bloody and brutal war. And one must hope that it will be internal rather than external.

1. History
2. Government Structure
3. Population
4. Culture
5. Addendum

History

---

Raider Period
It is unknown exactly when the Steelmen people were formed, but it is known that long before the creation of numerous colonies and other types of settlements, the steelmen plundered and enslaved neighboring peoples. Nevertheless, the steelmen never attempted to create an empire of vast proportions or even conduct something resembling a war in the sense we are accustomed to; they used raiding tactics—swiftly attacking settlements, usually when most of the men in those settlements had left for other wars, after which they took women, children, and other valuables with them, then returned under the protection of their mountains and forests. This continued for many centuries until the world began to shrink. Colonists from Aghara sailed from the north, who quickly figured out what was happening and established posts on their borders; the Archolanders soon began erecting their great wall; as for the Champignons, it goes without saying that even the steelmen did not touch savages who had overeaten marmalade and waved steel sticks, considering them blessed. Of course, all this did not stop the onslaught of the men of steel immediately, but over time, traditional means of income became impossible. A fundamental change in the way of life of this people began.
City-Building Period
When the steelmen lost the ability to plunder neighboring peoples, they began to plunder each other and consume previously looted resources. Some of them tried the difficult lot of a mercenary in other lands, and returning home, they brought with them the concept of gambling. No one knows the names of these bold men anymore, but it was their discovery that saved Steelmen society from complete degradation and decline. Initially, residents of the more fertile western regions came to the wealthier (because it was harder to recover looted goods from them) central districts of the country, where they exchanged their produce for prostitutes and gambling. Over time, rumors of a land where everything forbidden in most other countries is allowed spread across the continent, and first a thin, then an increasingly wide and turbulent stream of tourists headed toward the steelmen. It is difficult to overstate how powerful a stimulating effect this had on the steelmen. A nomadic people by nature, they quickly (both by their own efforts and those of slaves) erected many cities, each striving to attract travelers specifically to itself. Very soon, the steelmen realized that if they plundered tourists openly, they would not return, but if they did so through casinos and the provision of other services, then profit could be obtained again and again. Many compared this to shearing sheep, which, while not the most common occupation for this people, created a very powerful associative image that contributed to the popularization of a more civilized method of seizing valuables. This also had a significant impact on the economy—the steelmen, who until then lived by barter, quickly learned what money was and how to use it; although there is no own currency in this country, currencies from almost all other countries in the world can be found there. In subsequent years, up to the present time, the processes that began just under a century ago reached their logical conclusion. One-day casinos were replaced by renowned brands, production was emerging in the country (the fate of which was as unpredictable as the temperament of the steelmen), roads were created and airports were built for more convenient reception of tourists.
Our Time
In the end, only four cities out of the great multitude managed to develop and turn into megapolises. These cities are La Bastida, La Bousa, La Velles, and La Vidola. At present, they are some of the largest gambling centers of Actaea, as well as the true commercial heart of the country, since most of the trade turnover with the outside world passes specifically through them. As a legacy of the "city-building" era, there remain many slowly dying small towns whose residents survive on same occasional work.

Government Structure

---

Since the country of the steelmen is not a state entity in the full sense of the word, it is difficult to describe its form of government using ordinary political terms. The closest concepts would be isocracy, anarchy, and Hobbes' "war of all against all."
Factually, absolutely every person in the country, regardless of gender, nationality, or religious beliefs, has a right to that fullness of power over their surroundings and own life which they can manage to establish and implement. However, the reality is such that very quickly every person realizes that alone they are capable of controlling not so much, and most likely will very quickly be controlled themselves; therefore, "clans" or "families" formed quite naturally—organizations that, using the right of the strong, subordinate a certain amount of resources to themselves.
The structure of clans varies as do their capabilities, but as a rule, clans are managed solely by a person who is given the title of "don." This tradition has its roots back in the times when steelmen raided neighboring tribes, since there was never more than one war leader in a single raiding party. Nevertheless, there are rumors of clans that are managed by groups of several people. A person becomes don in each clan roughly as they did many centuries ago—the one who proves by word and deed that they are capable of leading the people who trusted them to wealth and prosperity. Thus, a relatively small number of clans exist on a long-term basis; most of them are created and collapse within the lifespans of one or two generations.
As for the power of the clans, as mentioned above, it varies greatly. In theory, even three people can declare themselves a clan and demand tribute from everyone who passes through their alley, but if we don't take them into account, clans can be roughly divided into several groups. The first group consists of clans living in one of the four main cities of the country and controlling the entertainment industry. In each city there are several large clans, each of which, in turn, owns a certain part of the city. Redistribution of power between them is possible and happens from time to time, but since this almost always leads to heavy human losses on both sides, as a result, there is a tendency toward a certain order and mutual agreements on observing specific rules.
The second group of clans are those that have subordinated specific branches of business. Among these can be included clans that control food production, fishing, slave catching, and other industries. Some of them are monopolists in their field of activity, others are not. As a rule, they are based in places where it is possible to secretly and conveniently control this trade—in mansions by the fields, in forests by lakes, as well as in the mountain range near the Champignons, where local residents are lured with beads and go into slavery themselves.
The third group of clans includes those who have no other reason for existence besides ensuring joint survival or robbing weaker compatriots; however, these goals very often coincide. These clans live either in slums on the outskirts of the four large cities, where they control very insignificant parts of the city, or in smaller and more desolate towns, where their power may be absolute within the territory of that town.

Don Jormont is the head of a very large and influential family in La Bousa. This family is outstanding for a number of reasons: first, it is one of the oldest steelmen clans overall; Jormont's great-grandfathers were among those who built La Bousa. Second, power in this clan is passed from father to son—and despite the fact that there were many wishing to take this power from young and inexperienced dons, so far no one has succeeded. Third, Don Jormont put a lot of effort into creating something resembling what can be called "order" on the territory of La Bousa, as a result of which most conflicts are resolved at "gatherings" of respected dons rather than with knives and pistols. Fourth, he is one of the few steelmen overall who shows interest in events on the international arena and has even been invited several times by summits of Actean countries as a representative of his "state."

Population

---

The appearance of steelmen varies greatly from one representative to another. This is likely because the steelmen kidnapped women of many different peoples and made them their wives and concubines, which introduced diversity into the Steelmen gene pool and allowed them not to degenerate in their relatively small area of land, which could have very quickly led to inbreeding. Perhaps the only common trait that can be highlighted in steelmen is broad shoulders and a massive torso, but this is most likely because the profession of each of them was waging war, for which significant musculature was required. A common trait of women can be called developed breasts and wide hips, which may give us some ideas about exactly what kind of women the distant ancestors of the steelmen preferred to kidnap.
The occupation of steelmen depends on their place of residence. Residents of rural areas are engaged in growing various plants; residents of localities with possibilities for other natural trades and productions guard and control slaves; while residents of the four largest cities are employed in the service sector and the protection of the service sector. The lifestyle closest to that of their ancestors is the lifestyle of slave traders (for quite obvious reasons), as well as those in small towns without production, since they must survive by plundering everyone who happens to be weaker than them.

Culture

---

To better understand the culture of the steelmen, one should turn to their legends. According to their main myth, the steelmen were sired by the god Poladis and were beings of steel, not flesh. And in that great Steel Age they were called not steelmen, but steel people, for their women were also made of steel and fought side-by-side with men against enemies. And no one could withstand their power, neither beast nor man, for steel always kills flesh. And they conquered many peoples and watched how they lived, and marveled at how different they were from the people of steel. And the women murmured against Poladis and said: "Why, O Lord, have You taken from us the joy of flesh? Why can our womb not know man's love or the joy of giving birth to a real, and not a steel, infant?" And the great steel god grew angry and said to them: "So be it; henceforth you shall be beings of bone and flesh, and you shall be from then on not steel women, but simply women, for never more shall you be able to fight the enemy alongside your husbands and sons." And since then the steel people became steelmen and the Iron Age arrived. And again the steelmen fought with many peoples and again they defeated their enemies, but no longer were their faithful companions with them—now they sat in houses and waited for the return of their protectors. And the men grew bored without their companions and began to fall into vice and weakness: they drank alcohol, smoked same-dream-grass, put precious rings on their fingers, and took the wives of their enemies as concubines. And then Poladis said: "If you wish to indulge in the joys of flesh instead of the joy of battle, so be it, and you shall be beings of flesh." And the transformation of steel into flesh occurred, and the steelmen became like all other peoples and lost their power over them and returned to their native land. And the Age of Flesh arrived, which lasts to this day.
Despite the fact that the cult of Poladis was never truly a national religion for the steelmen, almost every member of this people is familiar with this legend. As a rule, almost all of them pay special attention to the first half of the legend and ignore the meaning of the second, since too unpleasant conclusions follow from it—one cannot drink, smoke, rape, and even call oneself a steelman; therefore, most simply do not emphasize this part of the legend. Nevertheless, this myth gave rise in the steelmen to an absolute and overwhelming sense of superiority over other peoples, for other peoples were always pathetic pieces of meat, while the steelmen are almost not human and generally if it weren't for booze, they would have remained steel killers. For this reason, foreigners find it very difficult to be among the steelmen unless they are tourists in a tourist zone. On the other hand, changing the opinion of a specific steelman about himself is relatively easy—it is enough to simply defeat him in combat. The problem is that this will only change the opinion of that one person, and fighting, say, with a city or even a district, even if in turn—is a rather non-trivial task; therefore, visitors to the land of the steelmen are very few. As a rule, these are—if we don't talk about slaves—thugs who have reached true mastery and are ready to risk working in an environment unfriendly to them.
Steelmen possess a warlike and aggressive temperament and are not ready to submit to anyone weaker than themselves; ideally, they do not wish to submit to anyone at all. For this reason, many clans or, as they are otherwise called, families, truly are families where everyone is related to each other in one way or another. Nevertheless, clans consisting of people without kinship ties, or consisting of them only partially, are not unheard of.
Another ancient tradition of the steelmen is tattoos. Upon reaching 14 years of age, a tattoo with his name is placed on the chest of every man of the steelmen. From then on, this is the main document in his life. Any additional nicknames, significant achievements, the fact of being a war leader (or don in our days) are noted here. This tradition comes from the fact that in more ancient times the steelmen preferred to go naked from the waist up and thus it was possible to immediately see who was who; now it retains only ritual significance. In case the list of achievements of a steelman is extremely large and there is no room left on the chest, continuing it on the back is permitted. The arms, as a rule, are left for free "Creation" and other self-expression. In every regional center or large city, there is one or slightly more tattoo masters who draw them. This is done by hand, with a needle, and is a sufficiently painful process, simultaneously being a kind of initiation ritual. Since there are few masters and each of them has their own special "signature," and some special secrets are applied that help apply the tattoo so that any steelman (but not an outsider) understands it is real, forging their work is not the easiest task, although quite realistic for any foreign intelligence if it decides to spend time on this.
The customs of the steelmen differ slightly depending on the place of habitation. Residents of the four largest cities, due to the need to regularly contact tourists, know how to treat them somewhat more restrainedly than the bulk of the population; nevertheless, in their hearts they still feel disgust for outsiders. They are also characterized by greater diplomacy and less impulsivity, since one foolish act can lead to a bloody war between families. Residents of other cities are closest to the image of the steelman of old times—they are aggressive, they do not like outsiders and do not forget to show it, they live by plundering everyone, including their compatriots, and have a poor idea of tomorrow. Finally, farmers are the most patriarchal part of the population—they are friendly to steelmen, feel increased distrust toward foreigners, but at the same time, as a rule, treat their slaves most humanely, sometimes even almost like family members. The fact that the slaves are those foreigners they so hate does not bother the farmers in the least, since they do not spend time on such complex reflections.

Addendum

---

Classification: 00001 – Top Secret.
To: General MacArthur
Message: As we all know, the land inhabited by the so-called "steelmen" is mired in debauchery and lawlessness. Its inhabitants indulge in vice and corruption; their men are bandits and drug addicts, and their women are loose and flirtatious. Should we not gift them the joy of serving a higher purpose? Turn their men into fathers devoted to Fatherland and family, and their women into faithful and loving mothers? I believe we should. In this regard, I order the immediate development of a plan for military invasion into the land of the steelmen. Code name of the operation – "Taming of the Shrew." Input data:
1) Kittypink uses 70% of its regular troops, leaving another 30% for the defense of the country. Additional mobilization is not conducted, nor is the call-up of reserve military personnel.
2) The invasion is carried out from the military bases of our ally – the Free Land of Champignons. The forces of this state provide us no additional support.
3) Other countries of Actaea do not interfere in the conflict.
4) Our troops use the full power of our armored units and aviation for the same rapid defeat of the enemy.
5) The military potential of the country and characteristics of the local population should be considered according to military intelligence data and reports from professor-steelmenologist Cohen
6) Operation start date – [Redacted]
Main goals:
1) Suppress organized military resistance in the shortest possible time
2) Establish a network of military bases on steelmen territory, which in the future can be used as a bridgehead for an attack on [Redacted]
3) Establish absolute dominance of our ideology among the steelmen and completely assimilate their population.
I expect that the plan will be ready within two months.
Amelia the First and Only, immortal ruler of Kittypink.

Status: completed.

Classification: 00001 – Top Secret.
To: Amelia the First and Only
Subject: Operation "Taming of the Shrew"
Amelia, our immortal ruler, allow me to provide You with the report of our general staff. All maps, as well as exact data on movements and numbers of our troops are indicated in the appendix; here I will give a general idea of the proposed campaign. According to intelligence data, the steelmen have no organized military forces, therefore our staff has developed a plan that completely destroys all so-called "clans" and ensures the military presence of our troops throughout the entire territory of the steelmen. We can move all our troops to the military bases located on the territory of Champignons within a week, where they will require another three days to position themselves directly near the borders with the Steelmen. For the attack, we will use several small passes in the mountain range between these states, as well as the delivery of landing units by aviation. The initial stage of the campaign will proceed extremely favorably. We are convinced that we can seize control over 95% of steelmen territory within one month, while our losses will be minimal. After this, the question arises about capturing the four largest cities in the center of this territory – La Bastida, La Bousa, La Velles, and La Vidola. These cities are so close to each other that it becomes absolutely impossible to encircle one of them without opening our rear to the enemy in a nearby city (see map). If we organize a blockade of all four cities at once, then we will have to disperse our forces too much and risk partisan attacks from the rear and sorties by the besieged enemy. Thus, we cannot apply the cauldron tactic, as much as we would like to. Unfortunately, the use of aviation on this section of the front will also be impossible—our aviation is unable to cover such significant distances without refueling. The use of artillery will be limited by the fact of inconvenient and risky delivery of ammunition through mountain passes, since according to our forecasts, that is where enemy attacks and ambushes should be expected first. Therefore, most likely, we will have to organize a city assault without aviation support and with limited use of artillery. Since it is precisely the "clans" inhabiting there who are the most powerful in the region, we expect to encounter extremely fierce resistance from the enemy. According to our information, the enemy possesses a limited arsenal of anti-tank weapons, but in conditions of urban warfare this can still prove extremely dangerous for our armored units. Steelmen have fought each other in these cities many times, so we can expect that they will use all possible advantages and fortifications with mastery and skill. Nevertheless, even all these negative factors cannot withstand the power of our army. We expect acceptable losses (see appendix), as well as a loss of about another month, but nevertheless these cities will be captured by us and the first part of the plan will be completed. Still, it should be considered that partisan actions against our troops will continue.
After the defeat of what can be called "organized" military forces of the enemy, we will establish military bases on steelmen territory, with an emphasis on concentration in those regions that will serve as potential bridgeheads for an attack on [Redacted]. Here, again, we encounter difficulties. The terrain in which the steelmen dwell is extremely unfavorable for conducting any large-scale offensive operations due to its natural and artificial limitations. Also, it should be considered that our supply lines will be subject to constant partisan attacks, who, according to our assumptions, by this point will have received handheld missile launchers, which they will use both against our armored units and against our aviation, which will negatively affect the delivery of our troops and ammunition. Thus, the bridgeheads created by us will be ineffective and will slowly exhaust our troops.
As for the third goal, professor [Redacted] spoke on this as a specialist in this nationality.
Conclusion:
1) 95% of territory will be captured during a fast war with minimal losses.
2) The remaining 5% will be captured within the next month with acceptable losses.
3) Creation of military bases on steelmen territory will be associated with constant losses of ammunition and personnel.
4) Use of steelmen territory as a bridgehead for an attack on [Redacted] will be ineffective.
5) On the third part of the plan, professor Cohen gave his conclusion
With endless respect to Amelia, the First and Only, her faithful servant General MacArthur on behalf of the entire general staff.

In this report I want to tell how cultural characteristics of the steelmen will affect the possibility of their submission to our ideology and our state as a whole. <...> First, it should be understood that steelmen do not recognize authority other than that which they choose for themselves. I think there is no need to explain that this makes the establishment of any form of power on their territory absolutely impossible except by force. Steelmen have no concepts of "mayor" or "governor"; instead, they have "don," "boss," "leader," and others, but the point, as you understand, is not simply in the name of the title. Every steelman submits directly to that person whom he knows by face and whom, to a certain extent, he respects. <...> We cannot simply place our appointees in cities and expect anyone to submit to them. The only way to force steelmen to obey is to place military garrisons on the territory of every city and even every small settlement, which is hardly acceptable under conditions of possible combat actions with other countries of Actaea. We could try to win over existing "dons" to our side, but here we come to the second problem. Steelmen are an extremely proud people, believing that they stand above all others and possessing a highly freedom-loving nature. Understand? They are not always ready to submit even to their own compatriots and will never agree to submit to foreigners. This is not a question of money (which they don't have anyway) or status; it is a question... of honor, I believe. <...> Any steelman would rather die than give up his freedom, and better yet—kill another while defending his freedom. Given the fact that absolutely every resident of the country is armed with something, starting from pistols and ending with assault rifles, I think you understand yourself that any of our representatives, starting from military and ending with administration, will be subject to constant attacks. <...> I also see no possibility of dialogue between our cultures through which we would have a chance to convince them of the superiority of our way of life. It should also be considered that Steelmen society is currently in a deep crisis caused by the need to coexist relatively peacefully with other peoples. Over the last 20 years, the level of alcoholism, drug addiction, suicide, as well as murders based on racial hatred has increased several times over, even in La Bousa and other cities that were always bastions of tolerance toward other nationalities. <...> If we invade their country now, then one can be sure that this will be exactly what their society needs—an enemy against whom they can unite and do what they love most—fight.
Based on all the above, my forecast regarding the possibility of assimilation of the steelmen is hopeless. These people would rather die than accept our values.

Classification: 00001 – Top Secret.
To: General MacArthur
Message: Plan "Taming of the Shrew" did not meet my expectations and is sent to the archive. The secrecy term of this plan is forever. I order the development of a new plan, code name – "Death to the Unsubmissive!"
Input data:
1) Kittypink uses 70% of its regular troops, leaving another 30% for the defense of the country. Additional mobilization is not conducted, nor is the call-up of reserve military personnel.
2) The invasion is carried out from the military bases of our ally – the Free Land of Champignons. The forces of this state provide us no additional support.
3) Other countries of Actaea do not interfere in the conflict.
4) Our troops actively use nuclear, chemical, and biological weapons.
5) Operation start date – [Redacted]
Main goals:
1) Completely destroy all population of the steelmen land.
2) Create separate, untouched enclaves of land on which it will be possible to place our military bases.

Status: In development.
At first, I wanted to devote some space to steelman criminals in other countries (because in their homeland they have no criminals, just as they have no laws). These were communities living in diasporas that engaged in supplying cheaper weapons and drugs from their homeland to other states, buying higher-quality drugs and weapons and sending them back home, catching slaves, working as mercenaries (which made them more racially tolerant than the rest of their compatriots)—in short, they did things typical for diasporas. However, in most countries, crime was at absolute zero, and where it did exist—Champignons, Kvasardastan—there were certainly enough of their own criminals, so I cut this part out. But after reading Revan's criminal action story, I decided to appeal to all players with a request: if you don't mind, please take my bandit diasporas. Of course, I cannot pressure any of you, but I hope you will be understanding. The steel men need your help. So let us make this world more criminal. Thank you for your attention.

Well, weapons and drugs are unlikely to thrive in my country. However, semi-legal gangs of Steelmancers could probably find a place in Shaillon. For example, they could be hired by carriers of valuable goods who are wary of the Mushroom Corsairs. It would be quite possible to develop something like a rivalry between their mercenary gangs for clients and so on.

Thank you, Shaman! I left out a lot of what I wanted to describe because I always had problems expressing long thoughts. So, if I make SUDDEN remarks, it's not because I want to cheat or anything, but because I forgot to write it down initially.

Refused to introduce the Inquisition. religiousness -9 -> -14 godlessness 24 -> 29 Taxes +0.7% If I had known, I would have lured him in and simply dismissed him.