NationStates Jolt Archive

http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j8/PavelKirilovich/NationStates/VliggenplaatColours.png
The Commonwealth of De Vliggenplaat


Table of Contents:
1) Statistics and Geography (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showpost.php?p=13443276&postcount=2)
2) Politics, Culture, and a Brief History (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showpost.php?p=13443277&postcount=3)
3) The Armed Forces of The Plaatische Crown (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showpost.php?p=13443278&postcount=4)
4) Notes on NationStates and De Vliggenplaat's Mode of Play (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showpost.php?p=13443280&postcount=5)
5) Cartography (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showpost.php?p=13443281&postcount=6)
6) Diplomacy (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showpost.php?p=13443286&postcount=7) (Circa June 2009)
7) The Colony of Kaspembe (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showpost.php?p=13997916&postcount=8)

Statistics and Geography

Population:
Total: 19,737,000 (2008 Gov't Census)
Age Structure: 0-14: 18.85%; 15-64: 67.35%; 65+: 13.8%
Median Age: 32.3 Years
Growth Rate: 0.49%
Infant Mortality: Male: 2.1 per 1000 births. Female: 2.3 per 1000 births.
Life Expectancies: Males: 92.21 years. Females: 94.7 years.
Fertility Rate: 2.15 births/woman

Identity:
Nationality
- Noun: Plaatische (Also: Plaatlander or Plaatzer. English: Flatlander)
- Adjective: Plaatischer (Also: Plaatzer. English: Flatlander)
Provinces and intranational identities:
- Zandkerke: Zandkerker
- Hohendplaat: Hohenlander
- Rosenhopf: Roosendaller
- Chaucel: Chaucelmanner
Ethnic Groups: Teutonic, Saxon, Anglo-Saxon, Norse, Gaul
Languages: Plaatische (73.7%), German (All dialects, 14.2%), English (11.3%), Other (0.8%)
Literacy: 99.6% (All)
Official Language: Plaatische (Hohendplaat Dialect), English (British Standard)
Religion (Listed by date of introduction to nation)
- Paganism: Teutonic 4.7%, Norse 2.8%
- Catholicism: Roman 12.4%
- Lutheranism: 8.3%
- Anglican: 3.5%
- Combined Plaatische Church: 7.5%
- Zandkerke Reformed Church: 3.2%
- Buddhism: 5.6%
- Agnosticism: 21%
- Atheism: 29%
- Other: 2%

Geography:
Land Boundaries: Suidfalan (Suidphalia) is to the South, Gaullicana to the East.
- Area: 45,126km^2
Maritime Claims:
- Maritime Border: Parallel to coastline, extended from shore by 75.0 nmi
- Exclusive Fishing Zone: 150.0 nmi
Climate: Limited snow during winter months, standard temperate environment generally beset with rains and high winds throughout spring, autumn, and late winter.
Terrain: Temperate woodland environment, lightly undulating (0-15m). Numerous rivers and canals, very large tracts of the country are "polder." Polder is land reclaimed by the Plaatische and used for agriculture, managed by a series of dykes, drainage networks, and sluice gates. Polder terrain is near-perfectly flat and distinctively "gridded" with dykes, some as high as twelve (12) meters. Numerous roadways (in particular, trans-national highways) are elevated (in some places up to 5m) and run on dyke-like structures. European standard width railways link all major towns and numerous small towns are found at juncture points. Dense forests are found near all border areas, many being man-made. Numerous rivers are dredged on a regular basis to create canals, many equipped with canal locks, which are used by neighbouring nations due to large tracts of their coastline being exceedingly rugged.
Natural Resources: Timber, zinc, nickel, iron. Extensive agriculture and fishing industries.
Land Use:
- Arable land: 52.1%
- Permanent Crop: 11.3%
- Other: 63.6%
Elevation Extremes
Lowest: 0m (Sea Level)
Highest: 723m (Mount Gerierre-Stahlman, on the border with Gaullicana)

Economy:
Overview: The Plaatische economy is notable for its very low levels of corruption and wastage since the 2008 Nationale Umgestaltung. The principles of a free market economy have been retained, though clear worker standards are imposed on all industries by the government. These are considered 'entirely reasonable' by all industries with the one brief exception of the mining industry, which has had a bad reputation in De Vliggenplaat since a 1908 mine collapse killed 210 miners. The 2008 Nationale Umgestaltung saw the acquisition of the mining corporations by the Crown, the only government controlled industry in De Vliggenplaat. Since that time production has gone up 18% and the mining trade is now considered one of the safer core industry trades in De Vliggenplaat. A significant portion of trade with the neighbouring nations is routed through De Vliggenplaat's extensive series of canals and locks, while De Vliggenplaat's heavily modernised agriculture tends to out compete the circa 1970s state-run agricultural system in neighbouring Suidfalan. Foreign investment in De Vliggenplaat is moderate, with the largest contributor being Van Luxemburg's VLT Automotive with several massive works employing several thousand persons apiece. Since the 2008 Nationale Umgestaltung industrial manufacturing potential has risen dramatically with the defence-minded reorganisations and the development of regionally important petroleum refining capability has begun.
Gross Domestic Product (Purchasing Power Parity (FY2009): 67,026,359,304,765.020
Gross Domestic Product Growth Rate (2009 Est.): 2.7%
Currency: In 1832 the eclectic varieties of currency that had been minted by previous rulers were consolidated into one decimalised system, known as the Nationale Währung Systeem. Under the NWäS, the default unit of currency became the Rijksdaalder (Rijksdaaldern, RijD), assigned a 100 cent-equivalent value. Currency is subdivided into:
- Kallemarke (Kallemarken, Kam): 50 cents
- Thälermarke (Thälermarken, Tam): 25 cents
- Duit (Duit, Duit): 10 cents
- Stuiver (Stuiver, Stui): 5 cents
- Pfanding (Penning, Pf): 1 cent
Rijksdaaldern Notes are available in 5 RijD, 10 RijD, 20 RijD, 25 RijD, 50 RijD, and 100 RijD denominations.
In De Vliggenplaat, the German Häller Pfennig (HäPf) coin is commonly carried as a good luck charm. Small numbers are minted by HPM's Government for this reason, and are assigned the official value of 10 Pf, making them in effect a second Duit coin. The Rijksdaalder can be exchanged with the Universal Standard Dollar at a rate of 1.035 RijD per 1.0 USD as of Q1/FY09.

Transportation:
Airports and Airfields:
- 3,250m Runway, Paved: 3
- 2,500m Runway, Paved: 10
- 1,750-2,250m Runway, Paved: 7
- Unpaved Rough Fields and Acknowledged Seaplane Landing Strokes: 12
Heliports: 3
Rail Network: Each city disposes of a major hub with most towns being connected by rail. Some smaller towns and villages, particularly in polder country, are not connected via rail. Rails are European-standard gauge. It is common for Plaatische to travel by rail. The predominate use of rail is the transfer of goods cross-country to loading terminals for further shipment.
Pipeline Network: 1,200km of pipeline associated with domestic fuel oil and refined petroleum products production/use. Military pipeline figures are classified. Every 250m of pipeline is equipped with an automated shutoff valve to prevent undue wastage if the line is breached.
Roadway: All roads are paved or asphalted. Over 2,500km of Autobahn, comparable to Van Luxemburger B-Autobahnen. Remainder of the network comprises some 140,750km. Since the 2008 Nationale Umgestaltung a national programme of rebuilding or reinforcing bridges has begun with the aim of making all bridges in the country capable of supporting military traffic.
Waterway (Canal): 6,575km. "Primary Line" canals are rated for ships of up to 10,500 GRT while "Secondary Line" canals can handle 50-350 GRT vessels only. The lock system is manned by a paramilitary branch of the Government Transportation Authority.
Primary Ports and Terminals: 4

Merchant Marine:
With the 2008 Nationale Umgestaltung the Merchant Marine has been dramatically reorganized. From a high of 750 vessels, the Plaatische Merchant Marine now disposes of only 230 vessels. To deal with the increase in pirate activity, each Merchant Marine vessel is armed with a OTO Melara 76mm gun and numerous heavy machineguns of various types, often "sea service" Hotchkiss M1930 13.2x95mm weapons in twin naval mounts or single strip-fed pintle mountings. Quite frequently Plaatische Merchant Marine vessels will escort unarmed merchant vessels from De Vliggenplaat or flagged under Allied nations. The Merchant Marine is considered a paramilitary supplement to the Royal Plaatische Naval Reserve.

Plaatische Merchant Register:
The Plaatische Merchant Register (PMR) handles all unarmed merchantmen flagged under the Plaatische colours. Currently the PMR is known to operate 612 vessels with the following registry of types of 8,500 GRT or greater.
- General Purpose Cargo: 204
- Bulk Cargo Carrier: 22
- Refrigerated Cargo Carrier: 7
- Chemical Tanker: 31
- Petroleum Tanker: 42
- Specialised Tanker: 12
- Roll On/Roll Off: 20
- Container: 27
Use of the Plaatische colour is tightly controlled. Merchantmen flagged under the PMR must belong to an Allied nation (Currently: Aequatio, Van Luxemburg).

History, Notes on Government and Culture

History
- Under revision.

Government
De Vliggenplaat is a modified form of a constitutional monarchy featuring a complete parliament. The Royal Family, a patriarchal group headed by the King (Karl von Ulvern van Stahlberg II) holds power and directs the foreign affairs of the Plaatzer government. The Queen (Mylène Boutannant van Chaucel) would take control of the government should the King fall for whatever reason, herself being replaced by the Crown Prince (Henri-Joachim von Ulvern van Rosenhopf). Should he too fall, the Prime Minister (Otto Ostbonne) would begin to direct overseas affairs.

As it stands, with the Royal Family intact, their powers are limited by the Plaatische Charter of Rights and Freedoms. The Parliament, headed by the Prime Minister, exists to give the various political parties a forum and approve budgets as they pertain to domestic matters. Thus represented, the average Plaatlander will generally give the response "totally content" when queried as to how he feels about his government.

The small numbers of nobles are barred from participation in parliamentary activities, though all current noble families maintain a tradition of service to their King or the Royal Family. They will form a pool of candidates every four years from which the most suitable to each position, by the Royal Couple's discretion, is appointed. All members of royalty or the nobility take pains to associate themselves with the "Common Plaatzer" in order to better govern when it comes to foreign affairs and prevent what is recognized as a dangerous separation between the people and their leaders.

Some notes on Culture
Distinctly Western in their attitudes towards many things, religion has for the most part taken a backseat to humanist ideals. A combination of German, English, Celtic (Gael), Nederland (Dutch) and French cultures, the Plaatischer generally hails from one ethnic background and speaks the dominant language of that group in addition to the nation's indigenous lingua franca.

A note on naming conventions would be remiss to not mention the differences between the Germanic von and the Dutch-derived van in Plaatische usage. Unlike in Germany or the Netherlands, where it merely means "from", in De Vliggenplaat von indicates a member of the nobility or a family with noble lineage that may have fallen from the nobility, by choice in the modern era or by economic circumstance in the past - or if their title had been revoked by the Monarch for whatever reason. Following Dutch usage, van simply indicates that someone is from a certain location. Therefore, the Crown Prince is Henri-Joachim of Ulvern from Rosenhopf. His father, being "van Stahlberg," was born in the city of Stahlberg, whereas Henri-Joachim was born in the Rosenhopf province. The tussenvoegsel (de, van, von, etc.) is always included with the family name. For example: "Mr. van Owen" or "Herr de Kangradsch".

http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j8/PavelKirilovich/NationStates/Crest.jpg
The Armed Forces of the Plaatische Crown

UNDERGOING IN-DEPTH RESTRUCTURING.

Koninlijke Kriegsmacht von de Plaatischer Könijg

The Royal Armed Forces of the Plaatischer King, sometimes alternatively translated as the Royal Military of the Plaatischer King, consist of three major subgroups: Royal Army (Koninlijke Landmacht [KL]), Royal Navy (Koninlijke Marine [KM]), and the Air Force (Luftmacht [Lu]). Regular Forces are entirely professional, and enjoy superior pay and on-base living conditions. They are also trained to a higher standard and equipped with the latest equipment. Reserve Forces are part of the National Service Program [NSP]. All citizens are inducted via the NSP at twenty years of age. They serve a two year term: One year is spent in training, the other on deployment in support of the Regular Forces or as garrison forces either in Vliggenplaat or Kaspembe. From there, they attend formations held weekly at the depot nearest their place of residence until age thirty, where they are freed of all commitments to the NSP. During the National Service term, biannual retraining exercises are held, a four month duration. All businesses are mandated to retain personnel called away on exercises or operations during their term of National Service. If the citizen inducted via the NSP is involved in post-secondary education, opportunities to complete these courses are given during the second year. The NSP will cover 50% of the cost of postsecondary education. Efforts are made to present the Regular and Reserve Forces as a career, especially with regards to the entirely volunteer officer and noncommissioned officer corps. Service in the KM and Lu is contract-based, but in the heavily Westernised (read: technology-centric) Plaatische society, service with the Koninlijke Marine or Luftmacht is considered preferable.

Regular Forces commitments are made via contract, for terms of two, five, six, ten, and twenty years service. Six years and more of service in the Regular Forces provides the retired member with a livable pension. Many Plaatische live very comfortably with excellent financial security thanks to a six year stint in the Regular Forces age 18-24 and a career in civilian life. Reserve units are motorized, not mechanized, and use Tier Two equipment. Regular Forces troops often train with the militaries of allied nations.

Koninlijke Landmacht:
The Landmacht is famed for its close cooperation with all service groups and its exceedingly professional officer and noncommissioned officer corps. As of 2008 it has undergone extensive reequipping and expansion, fully modernizing its equipment, ranging from small arms to armoured fighting vehicles and adding twenty more Regiments to its order of battle. All Land Warfare operations fall under the purview of the KL, with the following service branches reporting directly to Koninlijke Landmacht General Headquarters (KLGHQ, English, ObKo, Plaatische): Infantry, Artillery, Armour, Amphibious Warfare, Airborne, Special Operations, Engineering, Service and Support, Logistical.

Koninlijke Marine:
Traditionally the Koninlijke Marine's role was that of coastal defence, especially during both World Wars (1914-1918, 1939-1945). Numerous coastal defence emplacements dot the shore and banks of some canals, constructed primarily between 1938-1942. Riverine operations were of a higher priority than blue water operations, and as a result of this the Royal Plaatische Navy (RPN, English) struggled between 1950-1987 to field a credible "Green Water" force. Acquisition of a number of aircraft carriers is planned for 2008-2010, as is the establishment of a Fleet Air Arm.

At the moment, the workhorses of the Royal Navy are the Nederland De Zeven Provinciën class frigate, known locally as the Thüringen class Destroyer, and the German Sachsen-class frigate, with the KM designation of Woche Huzaren class, also identified as a Destroyer rather than a Frigate.

Luftmacht:
The most junior of all three services, the Luftmacht is assigned air defence, local air superiority, antisubmarine and maritime patrol, strategic and operational lift, and ballistic defence duties. Concurrent with the KM's desire to acquire a number of light carriers, the Lu is preparing to field a Fleet Air Arm. The Luftmacht enjoys a good working relationship with the Aequatian Republic Air Force. The primary aircraft of the Luftmacht are Aequatian, replacing several Tornado variants.

Equipment of Note:
[WIP]

Tier One:
- Mod.04 Combat Uniform ("DV DPM") [See here (http://i191.photobucket.com/albums/z317/Aequatio/Camouflage/DV-DPM.png)].
- Battle Equipment Load Carrying Kit (BELCK). [Similar to Swedish Stridsväst 2000]
- G.9 Self Loading Rifle (SLR). [Aequatian G9A2 SLR (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showpost.php?p=13783914&postcount=509)]
- G.9K Carbine [Aequatian G9E3 Jungle Carbine (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showpost.php?p=13783936&postcount=511)]
- MG.9 Light Machinegun [Aequatian MG9F LMG (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showpost.php?p=13786074&postcount=513)]
- MG89 General Purpose Machinegun [Aequatian MG260E3 GPMG (http://www.forums.jolt.co.uk/showpost.php?p=13799934&postcount=540)]
- G.10 Assault Rifle [Aequatian G170 Assault Rifle (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showpost.php?p=13814337&postcount=560)]
- MG.10 Light Support Weapon (LSW) [See G.10 Assault Rifle entry]
- MG97 Section Automatic Weapon [Aequatian MG146 Squad Automatic Weapon (http://www.forums.jolt.co.uk/showpost.php?p=13441655&postcount=320)]

Tier Two:
- Mod.56 Combat Uniform ("Splinterkampfanzug")
- Personal Load Carrying Equipment, Improved (PLCE-I) [See British PLCE. Generally worn with ammunition pouches on front and sides, large "butt-pack" flanked by two canteen pouches at rear]
- G.1 Self Loading Rifle (SLR). [FN FAL Rifle]
- G.2 Self Loading Rifle (SLR). [Aequatian G109A1]
- MG.2 Automatic Rifle. [Aequatian MG109A1]
- MG58 General Purpose Machinegun. [FN MAG/58 GPMG]
- MG70 General Purpose Machinegun. [Aequatian MG260E1 GPMG (http://forums2.jolt.co.uk/showpost.php?p=13432385&postcount=313)]

Tier Three (Universal):
- M3 Combat Shotgun [Benelli M3 Super 90]
- M4 Combat Shotgun [Franchi SPAS-12]
- P.14 Sidearm [Para Ordnance P-14 .45 Calibre]
- P.17 Sidearm [Mistalinam L45 Tactical Sidearm (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showpost.php?p=13410994&postcount=1) 9x19mm]
- MP-5A3 Submachinegun [H&K MP-5A3]
- MP-5SD6 Submachinegun [H&K MP-5SD6]
- LAW-66 [Aequatian LAW-66 (http://www.forums.jolt.co.uk/showpost.php?p=13785851&postcount=512)]
- LAAW-90 [Aequatian LAAW-90 (http://www.forums.jolt.co.uk/showpost.php?p=13723668&postcount=496)]
- MAAW-90 [Aequatian MAAW-90 (http://www.forums.jolt.co.uk/showpost.php?p=13724019&postcount=499)]
- MAWL-90 [Aequatian MAWL-90 (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showpost.php?p=13108472&postcount=156)]
- L-16A2 81mm Mortar
- MO-120-RT-61 120mm Mortar
- PaGW-7 Antitank Guided Missile [Medium Range EuroSpike Variant]
- PaGW-8 Antitank Guided Missile [Long Range EuroSpike Variant]

Tier Four (Historical, Limited Use):
- P.3 [Enfield No.2 Mk.1]
- P.6 [Mauser C-96. 9x25mm Mauser]
- MP-20 [Beretta MAB M938A]
- MP-34 [Steyr-Solothurn MP-34 / S1-100. 9x25mm Mauser]
- G.1 [RSC Mle.1917]
- G.2B [Lee Enfield No.4 SMLE]
- G.3 [H&K G3 series chambered for 7.5x55mm ammunition. Includes G.3K (G3A4)]
- MG1 [Lewis LMG]
- MG2B [BREN Mk.3]
- MG6 [BREN L4A9 chambered for 7.5x55mm]
- MG51 [Waffenfabrik Bern MG 51]
- SAFN-49 [FN SAFN-49]
- MAS-49/56

For reasons of National Security, His Plaatische Majesty's Government does not release information pertaining to communications, electronic warfare, RADAR, SONAR, or other sensor equipment, be it manportable monitoring device or vehicle-mounted system in the public domain. If found to be in possession of such information the possessor is assumed to have been engaged in espionage and is tried as such.

[To come: Wheeled Vehicles, Wheeled Combat Vehicles, Tracked Vehicles, Tracked Combat Vehicles, Overview of the Koninlijke Marine, Overview of the Luftmacht.]

[OOC]

NationStates is notable for the creativity allowed by freeform roleplay and the degree to which this is taken advantage of by its players. The NS world is routinely inhabited by, at any given time, a mixture of mages and sorceresses, bipedal mechs, kilometre-long superdreadnoughts, societies contained entirely in arcologies, and multi-billion man militaries equipped with the latest technology. This is not to exclude spacefaring societies with captive magnetic field drives and multi-kilometre spacecraft carrying millions of people each, either. As stated, a very diverse spectrum of players.

De Vliggenplaat however, joins the few players who play by a particular set of rules: Modern Tech. It would seem that there are many variations of the "MT" concept in NationStates, sometimes based on "Because I say so," and sometimes based on "Well, the economy and sheer industrial power available to a nation of eight billion allows for X, Y, or Z." The Dominion prefers to play by "If it isn't fielded today, it's not possible today" and thus uses technology either currently in use or utilizing only accepted principles of engineering on accepted scales.
In my case, I opt to play as a "population limited" nation of nineteen point seven million with what I deem to be reasonable equipment. And I assure you, I am knowledgeable in this subject matter.

Which is not to say that I presume to exclude nations who justify the use of such extravagant technology given the bloated populations and economies of NationStates, just that I don't use such technology myself. I also refuse to accept the concept of "NationStates Tech outweighs Real World Tech" as a default principle when such is obviously not the case in many - but not all - circumstances, with regards to the Modern Tech timeframe. Again, which doesn't mean that there isn't technology developed in NationStates that is superior to what is currently available, but instead, for that to be true the design must be competent. This is something of a rarity, though efforts - the NationStates Draftroom, peer review (sometimes, annoyingly enough, unsolicited) on International Incidents, et cetera, are underway to rectify this.

http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j8/PavelKirilovich/NationStates/DeVliggenplaat.jpg

Legend:
- Green: Temperate Woodland (Gently undulating)
- Dark Green: Polder
- Brown: Medium Urbanization (Town/City)
- Dark Grey: Capitol City
- Blue: Water Feature

Not currently shown: Feature names, place names, transportation links, terrain reliefs (elevations).

Diplomacy (Up to date as of June 2009)

Embassies Abroad:
- 777 Via Adam IV, Vilòstresa, The United Kingdom of Brutland and Norden.
-- Ambassador to Brutland and Norden: Brigadier General (Retired) Matthias Koche-Brenner.
- 1 Hedge Street, The Republic of Zinaire.
-- Ambassador to Zinaire: Mister Frank Statham.
- The Sovereign Kingdom of Bruxella.
-- Ambassador to Bruxella: Mister Niels Lehmann.
- Boulevard 5. Mee 1945 561, The Grand Duchy of Van Luxemburg.
-- Ambassador to Van Luxemburg: Mister Stephen Jaegersen

Embassies in De Vliggenplaat:
[Koninlijkeplatz]
- Nr. 4: The United Kingdom of Brutland and Norden. Ambassador to De Vliggenplaat: Mister Canico Santagemma.
- Nr. 6: The Republic of Zinaire. Ambassador to De Vliggenplaat: Lady Laura Smith.
- Nr. 10: The Greater Empire of Atruria. Ambassador to De Vliggenplaat: Mister Arthur Ngwenya
- Nr. 11: The Sovereign Kingdom of Bruxella. Ambassador to De Vliggenplaat: Mister Edward Mason.
- Nr. 18: Chernobyl Pripyat.
- Nr. 19: Marlbaraq.

[Rue de Verigny, Valénce, Chaucel Province]
- Nr. 30: The Theocracy of Latter Day Saints State. Ambassador to De Vliggenplaat: Missis Sarah Smith.
- Nr. 33: Excelsior Deus.
- Nr. 36: Exetonia. Ambassador to De Vliggenplaat: Mister Joe Hingley.
- Nr. 39: The Blessed Archdiocese of The New True Cross. Ambassador to De Vliggenplaat: Mister Eamonn Wyles.

--

The Dominion of De Vliggenplaat, in the interest of furthering diplomatic and economic relations with the nations of the world, opens its doors to the global community. However, His Plaatische Majesty's Government [HPMG] insists upon proper diplomatic protocol and places the following restrictions on embassy construction, staff, and the diplomatic envoy itself.

i) Heavy weapons will not be permitted within Embassy grounds. Guards may carry small arms within Embassy grounds, and concealable small arms are permitted for ambassadorial protection outside of these grounds. Military vehicles are not permitted. The Embassy's fleet of diplomatic vehicles will receive free gasoline, diesel, or biofuel from HPMG. The Embassy's fleet of diplomatic vehicles may be armoured, but must not be tracked and/or armed.

ii) His Plaatische Majesty's Government reserves the right to order the removal of any personnel from any diplomatic envoy and/or embassy staff should they be found to be violating Plaatischer law. Diplomatic staff found in flagrante delicto will be detained by HPMG. Provided that the charges brought against said individual do not concern the national security of the Plaatischer Dominion, prosecution will take place in the courts of that individual's home nation insofar as is possible. Should the charges concern Plaatische national security, the individual will be detained at the pleasure of HPMG.

iii) HPMG refuses to surrender the sovereignty of Plaatischer soil. However, the Embassy and its personnel will be considered safe from search or seizure including in times of war or civil unrest. The Embassy will be protected by Plaatische Law Enforcement and Military personnel should this be required. If required, the Embassy staff will be evacuated to a safe location by Plaatische units unless the Embassy staff should wish otherwise.

iv) The Embassy has been constructed free of listening devices or other means of espionage. Should the Embassy's applicant government wish, the Embassy may be constructed to the government's wishes and under the close supervision of emissaries from the applicant government. The applicant government will foot the cost of building their own embassy should they opt to do so.

It is hoped that the global community is willing to abide by these requirements and His Plaatische Majesty's Government looks forward to prospering diplomatic relations.

Embassy Information Form

Nation of Origin Information:
- Nation Name:
- System of Government:
- Head of Government:

Diplomatic Envoy Information:
- Ambassador(s):
- Attachés:
- Other:

Embassy Staff Information:
- Military/Paramilitary Guard Personnel (Maximum of 20):
- Guard Equipment Specifics [Manufacturer and Type]:
- Unarmed Embassy Staff (Maximum of 150):

Embassy Vehicle Complement Information:
- Land Vehicles [Manufacturer and Model]:
- Air Vehicles [Manufacturer and Model]:

Other:
- Special Requirements (E.g. additional housing near Embassy grounds):


Diplomatic Bloc (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showthread.php?t=554895)

The Colony of Kaspembe

A History:
Kaspembe was originally habitated only by nomads travelling along the Junwayo (Grey River) or Xuwayo (Fast River). It is believed that in 395-400 B.C. the Kaspembu settled the area after being displaced from their ancestral homelands further downstream of the Junwayo. The Kaspembu enjoyed three centuries of prosperity in the fertile areas near the Junwayo and Xuwayo (Kaspembu language) rivers, and are known to have taken advantage of rich seams of mineral resources in the nearby foothills. Much of the area settled by the Kaspembu was heavily vegetated - massive trees provided excellent lumber for everything from weapons to the construction of communal nurseries and the mid-high grasses rounded out the habitat for dozens of species. Most notable was the Ebuxu (Kaspembe: Fast Beast. Known in Plaatische as Koenbeest), standing a full meter and a half at the shoulder and weighing as much as three hundred kilograms.

In 900 A.D, the Chuboson began moving upstream on the Junwayo, as the Khuru came downstream on the Xuwayo. The two groups were met by the Kaspembu, and diseases brought from the jungles of the Khuru's original homeland took an immediate toll on the Kaspembu. The Khuru began warring with the weakened Kaspembu, and were driven out of the Kaspembu's former holdings by the Chuboson, who were able to hold onto these territories until displaced by the Anihabi in 1300 A.D. The Khuru were relegated to semi-arid areas of brush, and made annual raids against the Chuboson and Anihabi, with the last recorded raid being in 1821. The Chuboson were receptive to the Kaspembu, who brought valuable agricultural and metal-working skills to the diminutive Chuboson tribe that had migrated upstream from the Diharu floodplain. Splitting the valuable area habitated by the Kaspembu (known as Kaspembe) equally, the Chuboson and Anihabi were able to peacefully coexist, with the Anihabi making frequent punitive attacks into Khuru lands in response to the annual Khuru raids.

Kaspembe was discovered in 1754 by an expedition headed by Adrianus van de Veldt. van de Veldt later became the first Governor of the King's Colony of Kaspembe, maintaining this office until 1792 when he died of natural causes and was replaced by Maikel het Bosjes (Serving as Governor from 1792-1834). By 1756, surveys of the area had been completed, as well as a basic census. It was decided to simply claim the area in the name of the Crown, and numerous fortifications were built. The Anihabi interfaced readily with the Plaatische, absorbing new technology, particularly in the fields of medicine and science. The Chuboson split from the Anihabi and became isolationist, while the Khuru simply failed to recognise the Plaatische as anything but another target for their raids. In 1792, prompted by the death of van de Veldt, the Chuboson attacked the Anihabi, led by the ethnically Kaspembu chieftain Heka Mthunzi. This tribal warfare was allowed to rage until 1804, when the mines and lumber yards held by the King were destroyed. This resulted in the backing of the Anihabi and the deployment of several Regiments of Plaatische troops, who easily pacified the area. Kaspembe was granted to the Anihabi under the name Anihabigaan (Plaatische: Anihabiland). In 1815 the Governor was permitted to appoint his own replacements and was given more leeway in the administration of the King's Kaspembe Territories. This resulted in a large number of Anihabi being appointed to government positions overseeing Kaspembe/Anihabigaan, doing much to reduce tensions between the numerous Anihabi tribe and the Plaatische settlers and garrisons. As the Anihabi proved their capability with regards to modern governance and administration, they were granted permission to be elected into or appointed to positions overseeing management of the Chuboson territories. This did not quell resentment towards the Plaatische that stemmed from the brief 1804-1806 campaign that turned the Anihabi into the dominant indigenous force, but merely redirected it towards the Anihabi as opposed to the Plaatische.

As a result of these political manoeuvres, Plaatische settlers - bringing important skills such as modern mining techniques and equipment, agricultural techniques and equipment, et cetera - are able to function safely in all parts of Kaspembe (redesignated in 1830 as the all-encompassing name for the territories of the Khuru, Chuboson, and the Anihabigaan). Modernization was undertaken from 1890-1925, bringing widespread electrical and telephone service to much of the country. Careful forest management has been practised since 1821. As a result of good land management practices, minimal erosion has occurred, maintaining the rich topsoil of the Anihabigaan, which forms Kaspembe's agricultural and economic center. Industrial facilities are located primarily in the Ngoniqua Foothills, namely smelting plants. Hard-surfaced roads and European standard gauge railways provide solid infrastructure throughout Anihabigaan and the Ngoniqua. Ancestral Khuru and Chuboson lands have had no such improvement as chieftains from both tribes refuse to permit any increase - real or imagined - of Anihabi influence within Kaspembe.

The modern era has seen continued improvements to much of Anihabigaan and Ngoniqua. Khuru and Chuboson territories remain economically poor with damaged or nonexistent infrastructure as the Anihabi discriminate against the Chuboson and Khuru when not in the presence of the Plaatische. Even without discriminatory allocation of funds and effort, the Khuru and Chuboson have no interest in improving the territories they view as theirs. The Plaatische 1807 policy of "Coexist peacefully or your eldest sons and daughters will be killed along with 75% of your livestock" has resulted in a tense but lasting peace between the tribes. 1917-1923 and 1948-1954 saw repeated attempts at Communist expansion into Kaspembe, with the first instance being prosyletization of Khuru by Russian-trained revolutionary cells and the second being a Chinese Communist attempt at destabilizing Kaspembe so as to permit Chinese access to the mineral resources in the Ngoniqua area upon the successful conclusion of a Maoist revolution, relying upon the Chuboson. The Chuboson, Khuru, and the majority of the Kaspembu have remained vulnerable to prompting by revolutionaries and other parties for a multitude of reasons. These include the perception that the Anihabigaan is rightfully theirs, the superiority of the Anihabi tribe over the others, hatred of the Plaatische and their "Anihabi lapdogs," economic discrepancies, overcrowding in portions of tribal territory, and redirecting animosity between clans onto a common third party enemy, which most commonly will be the Anihabi, the Plaatische, or the other uninvolved tribes.

Despite these recurring instabilities, Kaspembe remains a valuable holding of the Plaatische Crown. Cultural separation between the “Kaspembe Plaatlanders” and the “Mainland Plaatische” has been kept to a minimum by conscious effort, under the mantra: "Every man a Plaatlaander." It is believed this policy has maintained the stability of the colony throughout the twentieth century.

Cultural Overview:
All tribes in the area now known as Kaspembe can be divided into clans, families, and sub-families. The primary allegiance is to the clan, not the tribe, and many minor tribes spring up based around one or two clans that have broken from a tribe. Generally, these clans are then exterminated by the tribe they broke away from, or absorbed by a tribe in competition with the tribe that the minor tribe had broken away from. As a result of this, ethnic identification of tribesmen and tribeswomen has become difficult, even for the members of said tribes. In order to ease identification, tattooing has become exceptionally popular, with numerous designs dating back to 400 B.C. Scarring - generally by means of a heated stick - was common but has been phased out in favour of tattoos. It must be noted that it is the design, not the colour, which distinguishes tribal affiliation. Tribal affiliations used to be marked on the chest. Since 1905, with the adoption of the khaki service dress uniform by the Koninlijke Landmacht, which features regimental badging on the shoulder, the tribal affiliation is commonly marked on the shoulder. Clan markings are always found on the left pectoral. At age twelve each Chuboson and Anihabi male receives an outline of the clan marking, and upon completion of a rite of passage as determined by the presiding clan chief this outline is filled in. Abduction of Chuboson and Anihabi children before the age of twelve by Khuru raiders was common throughout the history of Kaspembe and as a result the Kaspembu tribe opts to tattoo their children at age two. Khuru bear no tattoos or markings save for any scars gained in combat which are regarded as a badge of honour.

The four major tribes are the Kaspembu, Anihabi, Chuboson, and Khuru. Typically, the Khuru are slender and very dark, while all other tribes have lighter colouration. Khuru and Chuboson jaws tend to be square, with flat noses and thick lips, while the Kaspembu tend towards hooked noses and more Hamitic features. The Anihabi tend towards rounder faces. As a result of clan-transfers and abduction of children by the Khuru or by the other three tribes during periods of tribal warfare, various combinations of these ethnic features are found. The Anihabi, Chuboson, and Kaspembu were traditionally hunter-gatherers and later dedicated farmers, while the Khuru have not adopted agricultural practices of any kind, due to their semi-nomadic lifestyle. The Anihabi are quick to adopt Western ways, while the Chuboson are slower to adapt and adopt new practices. The Kaspembu, largely assimilated by the Anihabi and Chuboson tribes tend to mimic the overarching tribal organization's ways. Khuru reject Western ways outright but have taken vehicle and weapon use to heart.
Western visitors to Kaspembe are often surprised by the traditional mode of dress, generally a light blanket belted around the waist, folded so as to hang no lower than the knees. In recent decades, women have taken to the use of two-piece swimsuit tops and brassieres but little else unless in formal company, where Western clothes are preferred, or a garment similar to the Celt's great kilt with a patterned undershirt.

Tribes occupy large tracts of land. This area is then subdivided into clan holdings, which further subdivides it amongst families. Families are groups of three to nine sub-families, which are most easily compared with the Western concept of family. With the Anihabi, each sub-family consists of a husband-wife pair who acts as the head and numerous children. With wealthier sub-families, servants are common. These generally consist of widowers, the infertile, and the unmarried. Chuboson and Kaspembu sub-families permit additional wives as per Islamic practice, though this is rapidly dying out within the Kaspembu tribe. Concepts of well off families follow Western norms - well mannered, fed, and clothed children and parents. With Khuru clans, the concept is radically different. Sub-families are permitted an unlimited number of wives, with the rating of a man being by how many children he has fathered. As a result of this overcrowding in Khuru lands is a common problem. It is theorized that this led to their warlike state, in attempts to gain more living space and resources to provide for such overly large families. All attempts to mitigate these problems via the introduction of modern agriculture have failed, as clan lands shift frequently due to inter-tribal warfare and it is rare to settle in one place long enough to plant and harvest a crop. Attempts to mitigate these problems via family management and the like have failed horribly, and resulted in the rejection of all Western ways by the Khuru tribesmen.
Khuru families often split over reasons of hunting and gathering rights in land parcels. A basic form of agriculture is practised in Khuru lands, in which food-producing plants are encouraged and weeds pulled and used as fuel for fires, but this cannot compete with dedicated agricultural efforts as in Anihabigaan and to a lesser extent, Chuboson lands.

For a variety of reasons, the Plaatische did not attempt large-scale conversions of the tribes. Those who wished to convert were permitted to under the auspices of the First Church of Kaspembe, a derivative of the Combined Plaatische Church. As a result of this active policy of non-prosyletization the traditional belief system of the tribes is intact. Muslim influence is limited thanks to Anihabi discrimination against the Chuboson, who are the only tribe to have permitted Imams and Da'wa access to their people. The small numbers of mosques in Chuboson territories were frequently raided by the Khuru until the late 1800s, by which point the Chuboson had fortified their Mosques heavily and used them as a redoubt against the Khuru raiders.

[WIP]