NationStates Jolt Archive

I've noticed that many players in NS (myself included, until recently) seem to land thousands-strong armies at the drop of a hat in the most insignificant country. This has irritated me a bit in terms of realism: any government (especially one in a democratic system) will not commit troops without a serious reason.

That is why I want to be offered a serious reason. I'm interested in RPing a fight that's more like a real international conflict: a build up of tension, written out over a few posts, reaction by the public in both nations, culminating in an eventual military standoff.

Whether we actually cross into full-on war or stick with brinkmanship will depend on how the story ends up, and how our "governments" feel about various events.

I'm looking for at least one serious opponent, one or two third parties (on either side), a would-be peacemaker trying to mediate between the two sides, and an International Community to kibitz from the sidelines. Anyone interested?

OCC: I wouldn't mine being a defender/aggressors. A good idea would be for one of our cruise liners to mysteriously be torpedoed or mined. Similar to what sparked the Spanish-American war.

I'm interested in this idea, I started a similar RP a while back but it died due to inactivity and my busy RL schedule at the time.

I'll take any role you have available.

Can I be the peacekeeper? (I'm guessing you mean the guy who wants to avoid war or do you mean like a peacekeeping force?) Either way is good for me though ;)

Generally, i do not get too involved anywhere militarily, but, i have been spending a lot more money on my intelligence program. i have not had an opportunity to show how brutal or heavy-handed my intelligence agents can be.

i would not like to be a direct combatant, but i would be willing to help create a diplomatic situation that would lead to war.

edit: specifically, i'm thinking someone gets killed (by me, discretely) and perhaps sets off some harsh dialogue.

Most of my RPing is diplomatic, or economic especially, rather than military; we are willing to deploy some forces as peacekeepers, but we try to avoid all-out war when possible, especially aggressive war, since it would end up being a disaster both politically and ethically for our nation. In fact, I'd say most of our wars will end up being cold rather than hot.

However, if our allies are attacked, we're going to come to their aid; our people will support aiding a friend who is in trouble.

I'll try to respond one by one to the replies. This'll be a long one for OOC.

Siap: could you elaborate on your idea to spark the situation? I'm curious what you have in mind. How would a (presumably) anonymous murder, or even one tied to you, cause me or the other belligerent to lash out at a third party?

TPF: I would like to have you (perhaps with a friend or two?) as one of the belligerents. Maybe the ship sinking could be part of the situation, but I'd like a little more lead up before it. We'll talk further.

Vetalia: Your description of your situation sounds like a good candidate for the peacemaker role. Would you care to be a mediator, diplomatic "good offices" between myself and the other aggrieved nation? The role of peacekeeping troops would probably be small in this one, so don't worry about sending many.

Green Hawk: I'm not sure that peacekeeping troops would work all that well. A classic Blue Helmet-style mission would have trouble keeping two modern forces with strong naval and air forces away each other. Particularly since you are a relatively new nation, compared to the likely belligerents. You're welcome to intervene, but I can't guarantee you a big role. That ok?

Tolvan: how do you feel about being either caught in the crossfire (ie. events occurring in your territorial waters or your nation being used as a staging point) or joining in on one side or the other?

My country isn't fully democratic. We still have a Monarchy who has quite alot of power in the Government, but they usually don't exercise it due to a Precedent set by their ancestors.

I'm fine with taking either side, but as my military is small (but very well funded with world class equipment and training).

Mahria: We'd be well-suited for peacekeeping, so our nation is able to do it.

We could also do diplomatic or economic pressure on involved nations in order to influence them one way or another, especially if they are our allies. Primarily, our goal is detente more than anything; our strategic goals are usually to prevent hostilities, and if necessary weaken our enemies through economic or diplomatic channels.

I'd also be interested in doing a cold war between two opposing groups of NS nations, but that'll be for some other time since this appears to be a full-out war rather than an arms race or a proxy war.

I think a massive NS Cold War could be very interesting. Participating nations could try to woo new nations to their camps with aid, back rebels or opposiiton groups in opposing nations, all that fun stuff. This RP could actually be the catalyst that starts a new cold war, the new sides continue to feud after the conflict is resolved.

I'd like to be a supporter, puppet, whatever you call it, much like Cuba to the USSR, etc, for one of the main nations involved. I don't have the forces to be one of the main nations.

That sounds like a good idea; a war like this could be the equivalent of WWII in that it starts off the cold war between the victorious powers. It would really give people a chance to do some unconventional warfare with two powerful groups battling for smaller nations or independent states, and using all of their power to try and weaken the other one.

Economic and political warfare, diplomatic pressure and espionage, arms races and civil wars...there's a lot you could do if you could construct two powerful organizations that could rival each other for global dominance. It would be especially interesting considering the two blocs would be effectively unable to go to war with each other, resulting in the war being fought by proxy. Small states would just be chess pieces for the larger ones, with all of the baggage that comes from being caught between the two sides.

yeah, this has a lot of potential...

I could be one of the main nations allies. It would make sense, since in the last year my country has undergone an unparralled series of imperialist wars, this would be looked upon with good light.

This shall be good.

Green Hawk: I'm not sure that peacekeeping troops would work all that well. A classic Blue Helmet-style mission would have trouble keeping two modern forces with strong naval and air forces away each other. Particularly since you are a relatively new nation, compared to the likely belligerents. You're welcome to intervene, but I can't guarantee you a big role. That ok?

I meant more on the grounds of diplomacy peacekeeping, but now that I think about it. I'm part of UFAN so I might be dragged into war, (just like in WW1 with all those alliances :rolleyes:) but yea. I'm happy even if its a small role, I really like writing so this type of thing is really awesome to me.

I'm back into NS again, I hope, so I'd be interested in doing this. I could be the opponant, depending on how you're looking to set this up.
Hopefully my time here will be steady enough for me to actually take this on.

OCC: I wouldn't mine being a defender/aggressors. A good idea would be for one of our cruise liners to mysteriously be torpedoed or mined. Similar to what sparked the Spanish-American war.

I'll be one of your smaller allies, TPF. My main issue will be getting Excalibur up and running by the time this starts, which isn't likely.

Will this be MT, PMT, or what?

I wouldn't mind having a pop at this, if you'll have me. I still remember our naval battle...should've really posted back to that...coursework started shooting at me left right and center though...

Still, I wouldn't mind being one of the mid/large-size allies...

bump.

Still want to know about if i could be a smaller ally.

Ill join. Probably as one of the more aggressive superpowers.

I already have a ideology: Totalitarianism.

bump.

Still want to know about if i could be a smaller ally.

I'm okay with it

I do like the Cold War idea. Could be an interesting series, and give us a little more continuity between events.

PAB, it would likely make sense if you throw in your lot with the Peoples Freedom. Dostanuot Loj, Kampfers, and Red Tide2 are welcome in, and invited to pick sides.

Shakal, as I said to Green Hawk, you are welcome, but I can't guarantee you a big role. That acceptable?

I think that will be enough people, even almost too many. I will cut off signing up for now, unless any of the already-signed up have a huge objection.

Shakal, as I said to Green Hawk, you are welcome, but I can't guarantee you a big role. That acceptable?


Thats fine, I could only be a medium member anyway. Right now im a little bogged down anyway. 400 000 men in Hamilay, and like 250 000 in South Lizarausia.

I do like the Cold War idea. Could be an interesting series, and give us a little more continuity between events.

PAB, it would likely make sense if you throw in your lot with the Peoples Freedom. Dostanuot Loj, Kampfers, and Red Tide2 are welcome in, and invited to pick sides.

Shakal, as I said to Green Hawk, you are welcome, but I can't guarantee you a big role. That acceptable?

I think that will be enough people, even almost too many. I will cut off signing up for now, unless any of the already-signed up have a huge objection.

Like I said, I'm only going to keep nagging at everyone for peace :p I know I don't have enough firepower for this. I'm just going to be the voice in everyone's head going: MAKE PEACE! MAKE PEACE! OR I'LL SEND YOU AN ANGER LETTER! lol :D

I'm new here, but have a bit of a military. I don't care what I play- Defense, Offense, Mediator. My leader, The Mapmaker, is supposed to be a problem-solver kind of guy, but believes in war for a good cause. I also wouldn't mind some fighting in my territory. I have a region not based ony real life area, but I could get a map out- My nation has two provinces made up of islands that I wouldn't mind dighting on. Just as long as the fight doesn't spread to the mainland...

I'm new here, but have a bit of a military. I don't care what I play- Defense, Offense, Mediator. My leader, The Mapmaker, is supposed to be a problem-solver kind of guy, but believes in war for a good cause. I also wouldn't mind some fighting in my territory. I have a region not based ony real life area, but I could get a map out- My nation has two provinces made up of islands that I wouldn't mind dighting on. Just as long as the fight doesn't spread to the mainland...

good stuff man, but I think we have enough folks for the initial one. I will definitely drop you a line when we start up the later RPs for the cold war.

Well, I'll go with the TPF. My full armed forces are up for this, although do to the people in the NS draftroom excalibur has been shut down for a time. Actually I have a few thousand soldiers on the dead continent, but thats my only current military adventure. My intel agency will be my most valuable weapon though. Umm, my nation really has no map, and I might be moving to Haven (hopefully), so idk what to do about that...

I do like the Cold War idea. Could be an interesting series, and give us a little more continuity between events.

PAB, it would likely make sense if you throw in your lot with the Peoples Freedom. Dostanuot Loj, Kampfers, and Red Tide2 are welcome in, and invited to pick sides.

Shakal, as I said to Green Hawk, you are welcome, but I can't guarantee you a big role. That acceptable?

I think that will be enough people, even almost too many. I will cut off signing up for now, unless any of the already-signed up have a huge objection.

When do we start picking sides?

Well, I'll go with the TPF. My full armed forces are up for this, although do to the people in the NS draftroom excalibur has been shut down for a time. Actually I have a few thousand soldiers on the dead continent, but thats my only current military adventure. My intel agency will be my most valuable weapon though. Umm, my nation really has no map, and I might be moving to Haven (hopefully), so idk what to do about that...

When do we start picking sides?

i just did.

now, if the mood strikes you.

What exactly are the sides? During the war, I'm going to be neutral, and I'll probably be a leader of a Non-Aligned Movement (like the one during the actual Cold War).

I'll go either where the numbers need is more, or where my nation would actually stand on the issue that kicks it all off, if we know what that might be.

But I won't be committing too many forces here. Just some naval infantry and their support, total ground troops won't go above 2 divisions.

Have we figyered out the conflict yet?

What exactly are the sides? During the war, I'm going to be neutral, and I'll probably be a leader of a Non-Aligned Movement (like the one during the actual Cold War).

Other than me and TPF, I dont know.

My nation is democratic, libertarian, and very capitalistic, so I'll take whichever side comes closest to matching my ideals. Barring that Tolvan will side with whoever would benefit Tolvan most by winning.

My contribution will be minimal though. Maybe a couple divisions and some air and naval support. My military is less than .25% of my total population after all.

It's Kampfers, TPF, and myself on one side, I know that much. What's going on about the other side I'm not so sure.

As for forces, we're a navally-orientated nation, but weak in the air. And we're not that pleased about going on offensive charges, though it might seem like it. So we'll probably be playing the defensive game - blockades and the like (should it come to having to make a blockade). We'll be just looking big and scary, but unsure about committing a large number of troops. A defensive regiment maybe.

I'll be the opportunistic nation, Ill side with whichever one winds up benefiting my nation the most.

My military is mostly ground oriented, with a good-sized navy. The airforce is where the TSRT is weakest at, it is used for strategic bombardment and as close air support, but not much else.

Arright, so we've got a decent start. what is a starting point for the conflict that everyone likes?

TPF suggested the sinking of a ship belonging to one party. A few ideas I've had are:

-expansion by one side into a nation under the influence of the other side. (Corporate, backing one side in an election, building a military base, etc.)
-discovery by TPF of Mahrian intelligence involvement in past conflicts in their nation (in a previous RP that I've lost the link to-TPF, you remember which one I'm talking about?)
-something similar to what Iran recently did, capturing soldiers or sailors because of a real or imagined incursion into territory.

Anybody else got a good one?

Arright, so we've got a decent start. what is a starting point for the conflict that everyone likes?

TPF suggested the sinking of a ship belonging to one party. A few ideas I've had are:

-expansion by one side into a nation under the influence of the other side. (Corporate, backing one side in an election, building a military base, etc.)
-discovery by TPF of Mahrian intelligence involvement in past conflicts in their nation (in a previous RP that I've lost the link to-TPF, you remember which one I'm talking about?)
-something similar to what Iran recently did, capturing soldiers or sailors because of a real or imagined incursion into territory.

Anybody else got a good one?

We could set it off like the real cold war, you know, RP an armistace with a third party, someone could create a puppet for that, and then have TPF and you emerge as the two superpowers...

Really, that's what you'd have to do. One alliance would have to defeat the other, and then the victorious alliance would begin to break apart when the war ended and they tried to consolidate their new strategic gains.

This would also require alliances to have diametrically opposed allies, like a capitalist state with a socialist one, or a fascist state and a democratic one, or anything like that. It would have to be something that could be used as a tool to influence people around the world.

Really, that's what you'd have to do. One alliance would have to defeat the other, and then the victorious alliance would begin to break apart when the war ended and they tried to consolidate their new strategic gains.

This would also require alliances to have diametrically opposed allies, like a capitalist state with a socialist one, or a fascist state and a democratic one, or anything like that. It would have to be something that could be used as a tool to influence people around the world.

And it would be easy for me to align myself with TPF that way, as we both have the same idealogies (unless im severly mistaken)

TG Vetalia

bump. when are we going to get this started?

Pretty soon. Just want to formalize the initial situation.

So, we have 2 so far in favour of duplicating the historical Cold War-an alliance concludes an armistice with a third party, then splits up and turns on each other. What do our other participants think?

I'm not sure if the ideological difference is too essential-couldn't it just be a purely political conflict? You might not have the initial hatred, but after a few military incidents you'd have all the animosity you'd need. Others could be pulled in by deals or by pre-existing treaties.

For the alliances:
We have TPF, Pan-Arab Barronia, and Kampfers on one side.

On the other, so far just myself.

On neither side, and calling for peace, are Green Hawk and Vetalia.

Between sides is the opportunistic Red Tide2.

Shakal, Tolvan, and Dostanuot Loj are undeclared so far.

Pretty soon. Just want to formalize the initial situation.

Shakal, Tolvan, and Dostanuot Loj are undeclared so far.

Ill probably be with TPF.

Wow, Mahria needs some allies...

Wow, Mahria needs some allies...

Well, I would help him, but TPF and I have had good relations in the past.

Well, I would help him, but TPF and I have had good relations in the past.

same here.

I think I'm just gonna play both sides unless backing either side benefits me. My nation could care less what happens overseas, as long as it doesn't effect us, then it acts accordingly.

I'll back Mahria, but it won't be with much. An airborn regiment, maybe a division or two of naval infantry.

I'll back Mahria, but it won't be with much. An airborn regiment, maybe a division or two of naval infantry.

well, noting your size, you could probably contribute more without even denting your military...

My entire armed forces is roughly 50 million people, with well over 150,000 tanks. So yes I could. But I hate playing massive fights that are all over NS, so I'd rather get more into the smaller units.

Ah, it'll be enough. It's rare enough for a country to commit too much of their entire armed forces to a single operation-especially in a coalition setting. People will simply be dividing the burden.

And besides, this initial incident doesn't have to be a war. Could be averted, and if that's the case there'll be time to bring in others.

Besides, folks, you'd be carrying out operations in decidedly hostile waters-Mahria is all islands. You want to try supplying a drawn-out engagement overseas with a strong enemy navy prowling around? Getting material in to keep running will be hell.