NationStates Jolt Archive

OOC: Please do not comment on this thread, direct any comments, questions, criticisms, and/or hate mail by TG. Thank you.

IC:
Character Bios:

Generalissimo Steven Phillip Grimmeberger (Age: 61)

Bio: Steven Grimmeberger was born to a middle-class family in Nashville, Carolina Province of the Federation of the North Atlantic Territories (FNAT) on March 21st, 1955. At the time when he was coming of age, the fledgling Federation was locked in battles on multiple fronts to preserve its very survival, and so at the age of 22, upon graduating 7th in his class from the Federal Military Academy in Tuscaloosa, joined the Federal Army as a Captain in the 144th Shock Infantry Regiment deployed on the Southeastern Front (border of Anatolia), where he quickly distinguished himself, especially in battles at Damascus (1977), Tel Aviv (1978), Alexandria (1978), Gaza (1979), Beruit (1979) and Tbilisi (1979), and became the CO of the 144th Regiment at the age of 25, and being again promoted to Major (commanding the 507th "Iron Legion" Division) at the age of 31. When the Wars of Defense ended, Grimmeberger was a Major General commanding VII Corps, was 36 years old, and already immersed in a group of soldiers and officers dissatisfied with the corrupt National Senate and its costly conducting of the war. It was at this point that he fell in with a group of officers who would later lead the revolt that would topple the corrupt government, a group led by Stanley Neniven, the 37 year old Major General of IV Corps, Roger Smith, the 40 year old General in charge of the 6th Army on the Southeastern Front, and the popular 29 year old Major Roderic Weller, now leading the 507th Division. By the year 1981, the group had grown to include much of the Federal Military and of many dissatisfied citizens of the Federation. In March of that year, the revolutionary group struck, quickly sweeping away Loyalist forces surrounding the city of Paris that was serving as the Federal capital, and relatively bloodlessly placed the entire National Senate under arrest. The Grand Patrician (the then-head of state) was tried by jury and military tribunal, found guilty of willful disobedience of the popular will, and executed. Most other senators were released relatively quickly, but were stripped of office, and the Senate dissolved. The revolutionary cadre swiftly elected as the new head of state, and there was much enthusiasum for the new government. However, at this point in time, Grimmeberger was very much a conservative, and so quickly began slipping outside of Smith (who was the real leader of the revolution, and a staunch communist)'s control. When Grimmeberger formed his first cabinet completely devoid of any communists, and only one moderate socialist, Smith rallied members of his communist cadre and attempted to overthrow Grimmeberger, but his plan was halted by VII Corps, which was very much loyal to its former commander, and was now commanded by the doggedly loyal Weller, and Smith, his supporter Neniven, and his "Red Brotherhood Proletarian Army" (RBPA) were forced to flee into the countryside and would be a threat for the next 14 years. Seeking to rebuild the now worn-out Federation, Grimmeberger moved the Federal capital to Vienna and passed numerous military funding and infrastructure building acts, and periodically directing the Federal Army in campaigns meant to weaken Smith's forces. After the RBPA siezed Amsterdam in October 1985, Grimmeberger directed the Iron Legion in a campaign that shattered the RBPA's ability to fight for the next four years. During the next two years, Grimmeberger made it a point to reinforce the conservative values that he cherished so highly. During this time, Grimmeberger stepped down to allow the popular Weller to take power, though he retook power after a brain tumor claimed Weller's life, and held it for less than a year before his advisors convinced him to step down to allow an experiment in democracy for the Federation. It was a disaster. Within a year, Grimmeberger attempted to reassume power after the economy imploded after the government began making ideologically based decisions regarding international trade. Grimmeberger gained enough support for an attempted coup, with the German provinces, the Iberian, Italian, Balkan, and Southern and Middle North American provinces joining him. The New England provinces, British, Eastern Border provinces quickly fell into line, leaving France, Turkey, and a few of the Carribbean islands (Hispaniola, Bermuda, the Bahamas) remaining the bastions of Loyalist forces. After communist supporters of the Republican forces found the RBPA and joined it, Smith's force became a force to be reckoned with once again. However, with the fall of Ankyra and Paris, the RBPA was forced to once again operate as a semi-guerilla force. After Grimmeberger deployed the Grey Coats to deal with the RBPA threat in the cities, the movement quickly lost strength in continuous battles with pro-Grimmeberger forces. Finally, in February of 1990, Smith was captured and executed on numerous charges, not the least of them being multiple counts of treason. Neniven was captured in 1993, and was jailed with 3 life sentences without parole, only being spared the death penalty by a semi-pardon from Grimmeberger. Recognizing the power that moderates and moderate-liberals had, and in accordance with his own changing views, the Generalissimo began a liberalization program of the country, with limits on the press being lifted, bans on peaceful protest were lifted, and communists who had been expelled from the country after the crisis of 1985 were given an amnesty and allowed to reenter the country on the condition that they swear under oath that they would not perform any violent action in the name of ideology. In the area of international relations, Grimmeberger began dealing with far-left-wing governments, both for trade and peaceful relations. Grimmeberger suffered a non-fatal heartattack on April 7th, 2009, and stepped down from office two days after, leaving Generalissimo Andrew Filie as his successor in office. Grimmeberger has been retained as Secretary of State so that he may continue to serve the country.

Description:
Age: 53
Height: 5' 9" Weight: 161 lbs
Eye Color: Grey-Brown Hair Color: Grey (formerly brown) Facial Hair: Full, short beard
Hometown: Nashville, Carolina Education: BA of Military Science, Federal Military Academy, Tuscaloosa, Alabama
Service: Federal Army: 14 year active service; Federal Head of State: 1981-1986, 1987-1988, 1989-Present
Personality: Fiercely patriotic, suspicious of most, careworn, combative, sarcastic, blunt, does not get loud when angry, but dead calm instead, attentive, micromanaging


Generalissimo Andrew Charles Filie (Age: 33)

Bio Coming Soon.

Population:
The FNAT has a population of aproximately 3.5 billion people. Of this, an estimated 78% have full citizenship. This owes itself to a relatively self-sustaining immigration rate, and high birth-rates, due to the banning of contraception in married couples, with exceptions made for medical conditions.

Economy:

Statistics are as follows:
(OOC: They are obtained from nsdossier.texasregion.net on May 18th, 2008. These may change.)

The Fanboyist currency is the Iron bar.
Exchange Rate: 1.0709 Iron Bar = $1

Gross Domestic Product: $19,094,558,088,397.80

GDP Per Capita: $14,091.92

Unemployment Rate: 6.34%

Government Budget: $23,663,991,000,000.00

Govenment Expenditures: $18,931,192,800,000.00

Government Waste: $4,732,798,200,000.00

Exports: $2,529,764,388,397.84

Imports: $2,366,399,100,000.00

Trade Surplus/Defecit: +$163,365,288,397.84

The country's leading industry is Arms Manufacturing, followed by the Automotive industry, and agriculture of various types. Coal mining and steel are also prevalent. The oil fields of Thracia and the Ukraine are quite active, and combined with the Texas fields, provide the majority of oil and natural gas for the Federation.

Territory and Geography (NOTE: RL countries are used for reference)

The Fanboyist Federation spans two continents. Each has a capital, with Vienna serving as the overall capital of the Federation.

The key for reading the following chart is as follows: State - RL countries, districts, regions, or states - principle cities (RL city name, if different from listed one)

American Territories - Capital: St. Charles

Chesapeake - Maryland, Delaware, Virginia, West Virginia - St. Charles (Baltimore), Leesville (Richmond), Ocean City, Port Hubert (Norfolk)

New England - Massachusetts, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Maine, Nova Scotia, New Hampshire, Vermont - Carnegie (Pittsburgh), Independence City (Philadelphia), Port James (Boston), New York

Carolina - North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee - Nashville, Inneville (Charleston), Durham, Port Greene (Wilmington), Charlotte

Ohio - Ohio, Kentucky, Illinois, Eastern Michigan - Lake City (Chicago), Detroit, Cincinnatti, Cleveland

Alabama - Alabama, Georgia, Florida - Mobile, Tuscaloosa, Tampa Bay, Miami

Mississippi - Mississippi, Lousiana, Missouri, Arkansas - Jackson, New Orleans, Baton Rouge

Texas - Texas, Kansas - Houston, Austin, Galveston

European Territories - Capital: Ghent

British Isles - U.K. , Ireland - London, Dublin, York, Edinburgh

Scandanavia - Denmark, Norway, Sweden, Finland - Oslo, Arhus, Copenhagen, Stockholm, Helsinki

Belgium - Belgium, The Netherlands - Ghent, the Hague, Port Ferdinand (Amsterdam), Brussels

Prussia - Northern Germany, western Poland (all the former kingdom of Prussia) - Berlin, Dresden, Hamburg

Austro-Bavaria - Austria, Southern Germany, Alsalce and Lorraine - Vienna, Munich, Bonn, Metz

Greater Aquitaine - southern France - Marseilles, Toulouse, Port Napoleon (Toulon)

Greater Normandy - northern France - Paris, Dunkirk, Willemsbourg (Courtai)

Asturias y Castilla - northern Iberia - Oviedo, Bilbao, Santiago (de Compostela)

Tarraconensis - Aragon, Valencia - Valencia, Tarraco (Tarragona), Barcelona

Castille - New Castille, Extramadura, Portugal - Madrid, Lisbon

Grenada - southern Spain and Morocco- Granada, Casablanca, Gibraltar

Old Rome - the boot of Italy - Rome, Venice, Milan, Genoa, Naples, Ravenna

Sicily - Sicily, Sardinia, Tunisia - Palermo, Syracuse, Lilybaeum (?), Carthage (Tunis)

Illyricum et Dalmatia - Croatia, Slovenia, Hungary, Bosnia and Herzegovina - Zagreb, Budapest, Sarajevo

Byzantium - Serbia, Kosovo, Bulgaria, Romania, Greece, Macedonia, Crete, Rhodes, Eastern Anatolia - Sofia, Stredenburg (Bucharest), Constantinople (Istanbul) - Sparta, Athens, Thessalonika (Thesaloniki), Corinth, Ankyra (Ankara), Nicea, Trebizond, Rhodes

Old Border - Ukraine, Poland, Lithuania, the Crimea - Warsaw, Krakow, Kiev

Military(Overveiw):

The total regular military (army, navy, air force) of the Fanboyists Federation has 14.5 million people, excluding personnel in the Grey Shirts/Secret Police. There is also a group of government/party trained paramilitaries that operate similar to a militia known as the Grey Coats.

Army:
The proper name of the Fanboyist army is The Federal Army. It has roughly 5.5 million potential combat/field support personnel. Standing combat personnel number at 3,960,000 men (128 divisions). Combat troops are organized in units sizes as follows, with the type of officer leading it:

11 men - Squad - Sergeant
55 men - Platoon - 1st Lieutenant
110 men - Company - Captain
440 men - Battallion - Major
1760 men - Regiment - Sgt. Major
7040 men - Legion - Commander
25,500 men - Division - Major General (Note: an armoured division will have 126 MBT's and 24,900.)(all divisions have 36 attached propelled howitzers, and other artillery, in 3 artillery battalions)
151,800 men, 252 MBTs (4 IDs, 2 ADs)(regular) - Corps - Col. General
455,400 men, 756 MBTs (3 Corps) - Army - Field Marshal

The normally deployed tactical unit is the Battallion, with the Companies and Platoons operating further on their own or in groups on individual patrols or missions. Most equipment is issued on the squad level.

The infantry is by far the most prevalent and strongest part of the Federal Army (being 3.3 million strong). Counter-insurgency has a special focus placed on it like in few other nations. The standard issue weapon is the Stalwart Arms K29 assault rifle. The standard sidearm is the Colt M1911A1.

Armoured units are organized on a Battallion level (insofar as pure armoured units are concerned), and current tank requirements are filled by the LAIX Arms M-21A1 Valkyrie tank. An estimated 5,500 are in service at the present time. 1,134 un-upgraded M-21's are also currently in service with the Oil Province Expeditionary Force. Additional heavy tanks in the form of T-11H MBT's and BT140 'Wild Boar' MBT's are being distributed amongst newly raised armoured divisions.

APC requirements are filled the LAIX Arms M-20A Hamsher. There are approximately 36 self-propelled howitzers per division.

The C-15 Telemachus fills the Close Air Support role.

The main strategic unit is the division. Roughly 120 divisions are maintained in the standing army, of which 40 are armoured. 48 divisions are considered active (12 armoured) while the remaining 72 divisions are considered inactive and are only deployed in emergencies or as additional units are needed. Inactive units can be combat-ready within a week and a half of recieving a mobilization order. One in three divisions is an armoured division.

At this time, the Federal Army is under a general mobilization order, and so is in the process of raising 24 more divisions (8 armoured).
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Fanboyist Major Military Deployment History

Wars of Defense (1973-1982) (Successful/Victory)

RBPA War (1984-1988) (Successful/Victory)

Stoklomolvi-GWO War (GWO Oil Province Theater)(December 2008 - April 2009) (Draw/Unsucessful)

Defesian Campaign (February - March 2009) (Sucessful)

Operation Red Purge II and III (February - May 2009) (Semi-Successful)

Fascist Uprising (March - April 2009) (Successful)

(I'm having trouble inserting the damn picture. It was drawn on my computer, not at any URL. Does anyone know how to get a picture drawn in Paint and Powerpoint downloaded onto here?)

Upload your picture at http://imageshack.us/ and follow the instructions there.

Thanks.

Navy:

The Federal Navy is the proper name of the navy of the Federation, and has 5 million personnel, both combat and noncombat. At the moment, the vast bulk of the navy are the 180 Type-11 Patrol boats (for reference, Cyclone-class patrol boat) currently in service, and 90 Hammerhead-class destroyers (for stats and such, it is basically an Arleigh Burke-class destroyer) and 6 Roderick Weller-class Medium Aircraft Carriers (redesignated Cyprus-class MAC). There are also 8 Vienna-class battlecruisers (see BC-1 Naseby-class battlecruiser). A search for a new frigate and cruiser are being conducted at this time, as well as minesweepers and layers. Submarines are also needed. The Marine Corps is in need of serious reform, and is not in use as a fighting force until then.

Air Force:

The North Atlantic Territories' air force's proper name is the Federal Air Corps. The Air Force is the weakest of the three conventional branches of the North Atlantic Territories' military, employing 4 million personnel, both combat and noncombat personnel. The standard fighter plane is the F-21 Anteater, and standard strategic bomber is the Dassault Mirage IV.

State Special Police (SSP)(a.k.a the Grey Shirts):

The State Special Police are the country's secret police: they weed out anyone who complains too loudly, though dissent is tolerated to an extent. They are mainly used to remove those who would make their opinions known violently. They also keep a watch on things, only being deployed when A) it fits their normal mission B) emergencies.
The Chief of the SSP answers directly to General Grimmeberger.

Paramilitary Irregular Infantrymen:

Also known as Grey Coats, these men are paramilitaries that are trained by the government and are deployed to keep peace when it is outside the ability of the regular police and the Federal Army is unavailable. They're similar to National Guard Troops. They are famous for being issued poor quality equipment (and faring extremely well with it), and have been deployed almost constantly since the recent Civil War. As many as 600,000 can be deployed at any given time, and they serve in their own cities or districts.

Politics:

The Fanboyist Federation of North Atlantic Territories is considered a republic (for neatness reasons), though is semi-oligarchial in nature. While said oligarchy is elected roughly every 5 years, said oligarchy more-or-less runs things on its own for that time, with occasional referenda or initiatives. Governorships and state positions are all directly elected.

Ruling Coalition:

Federal-Republican Party - Head: Heinrich Grimm - *Ruling Party* - Goal: To maintain the federal system that has served us so well, install a republican government to lead the Federation more effectively, ensure the sanctity of life and liberty; maintain a strong presence in the world at large; to help protect liberty wherever it is found in the world; to recognize that no government or people is perfect, and to offer assistance to others around the world, regardless of race, creed, or ideology. To maintain a secular state, while not degrading the place the respect due to various creeds. Merged with Nationalist Party.

The Nationalist Party - Head: Heinrich Grimm - *Ruling Party* - Goal: To ensure the absolute safety and primacy of the Federation in the world, and maintain a strong economic base to ensure the welfare of its citizens, whilst maintaining every civil right possible for the citizens. The military should occupy a place of respect in the nation, and a sense of civic duty should be instilled in every person. The family, as the most basic and strongest unit that civilzations are built on, should be encouraged and protected at every turn, whilst those without family should be encouraged and guided into a brotherhood, sisterhood, or familial unit so that the bonds between people may grow that much stronger. Merged with Federal-Republican Party.

Moral Coalition:

The National Fascist Party - Head: Isaac Muhlenkampf - Goal: To: Foil the expansion of communism and socialism at every turn; To ensure the primacy of the military in the national conscious, and insure its rightful place of honor; To build upon the family, the block from which mighty empires are sprung; to ensure the security of the Federation on the world stage; to ensure that a capitalist society does not vanish from the Earth; to instill a sense of duty and discipline in every man, woman, and child; to ensure the integrity of the moral fabric of society, that it may remain for millenia to come. Merged with monarchist party to form Moral Coalition.

Monarchist Party - Head: Isaac Muhlenkampf - Goal: See National Fascist Party, except seeking to restore the (long dead) Fanboyist Monarchy.

Others:

The National Worker's Socialist Party (Formerly: The National Workers' Revolutionary Party) - Head: Alexander Fayless (Formerly Stanley Neniven) - Goal: To work towards the creation of a workers' state where the common man can work without the risk of exploitation, poverty is no more, and the will of the people is supreme in the future of the nation. To ensure the liberty of every person, and to break down racial and religious barriers that prevent the harmony of people living together. To create a truely secular state, and to help make sure that freedom and human rights are upheld else-where in the world.


Popular Democratic Party - Head: Christopher Sover - Goal: To campaign for the enfranchisement of the people and the creation of a Democratic Republic in the Federation in order to give the people a greater part in the destiny of the Federation. To ensure the peace and safety of the people; to maintain the rights of the citizens of the Federation, and to maintain a place of prominence in world affairs.


Libertarian Party - Head: Quinn Samuels - Goal: To ensure the protection of the rights of all citizens of the Federation throught the loosening of government regulations on the individual; the combatance of fascism, communism, and other oppressors world-wide; that the government's duty is to defend the people of the nation; recognizing that isolationism may be necessary to achieve this goal.

Government:

High Government Offices are as follows:

Head of State
Andrew Filie

Secretary of State
Steven Grimmeberger

Joint Chiefs of Staff
Army: Field Marshal Fedor von Wallenstein
Navy: Jean-Pierre de Lorraine
Air Force: Sky Marshal Gerald Carlson

Department of Internal Security, Covert Investigations and Intelligence Gathering
Isaac Reynolds

Department of Foreign Ministry and Diplomacy
Samuel Bowman

Department of the Treasury and Minting
Wayne Higgins

Department of the Interior
Megan Pilsudski

Department of Commerce
Christopher Sover

Department of Environmental Protection and Conservation
Quinn Samuels

Department of Health
Helen Anderson

Department of Education
Christina Balson

Major Military Positions:

Commander-In-Chief, Federal Armed Forces
Generalissimo Heinrich Grimm

Commander-in-Chief, Federal Army
Field Marshal Fedor von Wallenstein

Commander-in-Chief, Federal Navy
Fleet Admiral Jean-Pierre de Lorraine

Commander-in-Chief, Federal Air Corps
Sky Marshal Gerald Carlson

General Quartermaster, Federal Armed Forces
Maj. General Thomas Breyer

Crime and Punishment:

A list of national offenses along with corresponding maximum and minimum punishments (Max Min)

Premeditated Murder - Max: Death Min: 40 years in prison

Murder - Max: Death Min: 30 years in prison

Rape - Max: Death Min: 30 years in prison

Drug Smuggling - Max: Death Min: 24 years in prison

Treason - Max: Death Min: 30 years in prison

Mass Murder/Repeat Murder - Max: Death Min: Life in prison

Drug Possession (w/o smuggling) - Max: 6 years in prison, compulsory rehab Min: Compulsory rehab OR two months in prison

Resisting Arrest - Max: Death (if lives of law officers or civilians are threatened) Min: 3 years prison, in addition to any other sentences

Conspiracy to Commit Murder - Max: Death Min: 36 years in prison

Rape Against a Minor - Max: Death Min: 50 years in prison

Solicitation of a Minor - Max: Life in Prison Min: 30 years in prison, compulsory rehabilitation

Serial Rape - Max: Death Min: 50 years in prison OR mandatory castration

Racketeering - Max: 50 years in prison Min: 14 years in prison

Armed Robbery - Max: 20 years in prison Min: 10 years in prison

Espionage - Max: Death Min: Death

Incitement to Riot or Revolution - First Offense: Six months in prison, IB$1000 fine, stern warning; Second Offense: Five years prison time, mandatory 30 hours of community service, IB$20,000 fine, harsh warning; Third Offense: Execution by Firing Squad

Felons are not permitted to own a firearm, vote, are subject to psychiatric evaluation before employment, and possible observation by the SSP.

Use of birth control by married couples is illegal, with exceptions made for medical conditions.

OOC: Did I forget any big ones?

Major/Recurring/Planned Recurring Characters

- Generalissimo Heinrich Grimm (28) - First properly elected head of state of the Federation, won a landslide victory along with the rest of his Federal-Republican party in the first proper elections in the history of the Federation. Noted for his moderate views, but staunch morals. Has been romantically linked to journalist Mira Ansic. Former governor of Illyricum-et-Dalmatia (Croatia).

- Assistant Generalissimo Andrew Filie (33) - Designated as sucessor of Grimmeberger, after Grimmeberger stepped down following a heart attack in April, 2009. Former governor of Carnegie City. Pragmatic, intelligent, and upbeat. More moderate than Grimmeberger.

- Former Generalissimo Steven Phillip Grimmeberger (61)- (OOC: On the name, yes, Grimmeberg and I are related, that's how he got the name for his country) See Bio at top, because I am NOT repeating that.

- Former Maj.General Stanley Neniven (63)- See Bio at top (when finished), because, again, I am NOT repeating that.

- Field Marshal Robert Lee Wheeler (66) - One of Grimmeberger's 'good ol' boys.' Intensely conservative, and loathes communism (and the color red) with a burning passion. Currently leading Oil Province Expeditionary Force in assistance of the GWO against Stoklomolvi. Stubborn, sarcastic, intensely patriotic, but ultimately very capable (and rather fascistic in views). Has lost much of the trust that he once enjoyed after refusing to arrest Derkins on Filie's orders.

- Field Marshal Markus von Bayern (29) - Another military supporter of Grimmeberger, Bayern is too young to have served in the Wars of Defense or the RBPA War, but is nonetheless recognized as a solid tactician, especially when at the head of the 13th Armoured Division. Also politically active (insofar as being a friend of Grimmeberger can be considered 'politically active') and is considered a potential successor to Grimmeberger if he retires. Clever, determined, and also staunchly patriotic (and just a little fascist), he is another force to be reckoned with from the Grimmeberger arsenal. Promoted to Field Marshal after directing a successful mop-up campaign of Derkins' rebels.

- Field Marshal Erik Hohenzorn (37) - A mostly apolitical general, Hohenzorn is sworn to the service of the Fanboyist country, regardless of leadership, and in civil conflict only sides with those who he believes to be better for the nation's future. A little shortsighted, diplomatically formidable, and capable militarily, he was placed in charge of the Reserve Expeditionary Army, and is willing to do whatever is necessary (even break international laws) to ensure the safety of the Federation. Has recently been placed in command of the defenses of Vienna, with an attached promotion from Col.General to Field Marshal.

- Secretary of Internal Security James Derkins (55) - The chief of the SSP (secret police) that help keep the Grimmeberger regime in place. He is staunchly fascist, and actually headed up the old National Fascist Party that helped propel Grimmeberger into power. He was briefly considered as a potential successor to Grimmeberger, but his age is now an obstacle, as if or when Grimmeberger dies/retires, Derkins himself would already be too old. Executed for treason after leading a rebellion against Filie.

- Mira Ansic (http://img231.imageshack.us/img231/6809/132msc00009sm.jpg) (25) - an up-and-coming free-lance journalist. Very clear-thinking, although she has what some describe as an unhealthy interest in the supernatural and paranormal. She has difficulty hiding her feelings, even when necessary, but never allows them to cloud her thinking, or at least the most basic of thoughts that help her survive. She loves hiking and the outdoors, and was a member of the Fanboyist branch of the Girl Scouts in her childhood. She learned a lot about wilderness survival, and is good at improvisation where survival is concerned. Quite cautious (whether that's a fault or virtue is debatable) sometimes bordering on suspicious (amongst those that fail to earn her trust), she usually carries a last-ditch .22 pistol "just in case." On the flipside, to those friendly enough (and not creepy) she gives her trust (sometimes too) quickly. Also considered quite attractive.

Emergency Characters:

The Unofficial Thread Police:
When spam threatens, Jim, Bob, and Fred the UTP's come to save the day with their special, modified IGNORE CANNON by blasting members of the thread into the Spam Pits.

Leaders of the Fanboyist Federation of North Atlantic Territories (FFNAT) (Dates listed are dates of regime beginning and end.)

-(1898-1922) - Grand Patrician Thomas Filie - Created Federation out of a bunch of broken/failed states in Europe and North America. Created Patricianate, a dictatorship which would rule until the present day (though not technically). Died of old age.

-(1922-1941) - GP Richard Giles - Filie's successor. Corrupt. Began first wars of defense with neighboring Tredigum and Calimorn (NPC nations). Poisoned.

-(1941-1966) - GP Albert Saunders - Gile's successor. Not as corrupt. Continued Wars of Defense, with more success. Died of cancer.

-(1966-1982) - GP Edward Giles - Gile's son. Saunders' successor. General corrupt scumbag. Finished Wars of Defense. Blamed for economic troubles. Overthrown and executed.

-(1982-1989; 1990-1998; 1999-2009) - Generalissimo Steven Grimmeberger - Coupster who finished off Giles. Anti-communist. Fixed up economy. Won a few wars. All-around smart (if somewhat of an asshole) and pragmatic. Current leader. High marks. Stepped down after heartattack in April, 2009. Retained as Secretary of State. Reinstated as Field Marshal.

-(1998-1999) - Generalissimo Roderick Weller - excellent organizational talent. Died of a brain tumor less than a year into regime. Well-liked.

-(January - May 2009) - Generalissimo Andrew Filie - grandson of Thomas Filie. Designated successor to Grimmeberger, when Grimmeberger stepped down in 2009 after a heart attack. Stepped down after election, serving as assistant Generalissimo to new leader.

-(2009-) Generalissimo Heinrich Grimm - first properly elected leader of the Federation.

Media:

"It is vital to let the people speak their minds. Its a good way to get suggestions. It's not that hard to ignore the crazies."
-Former Generalissimo Steven P. Grimmeberger, on Freedom of Speech

The Federation enjoys freedom of the press, in spite of the presence of a dictatorship.

The Federation has a handful of major papers, the chief amongst them being the Vienna Times-Tribune, the Carnegie Post-Review, The Fusilier (a military paper), as well as numerous local papers serve to spread knowledge of current events (occasionally with a little bit of paid government propaganda, clearly flagged). The limitations placed on staff writers and ridiculously low prices or info-stealing have provided a strong arena for the growth of free-lance journalists and photographers.

Television wise, three major companies compete for viewers: FNT (Fanboyist National Television, a government business), American Federal Information and Entertainment (AFIE), and Hurtz-Richards Entertainment Inc. (HRE). Robust entertainment and news programs flourish as a result of this competition. There are a handful of smaller companies, generally who have made agreements with the larger three.

The internet is still relatively unregulated, and most news sources maintain active websites. In addition, there are numerous online-only publications, and a strong group of online cartoon-artists, as well as satirical papers.

Sports:

"I turned on the TV to watch some nice, good, ol' fashioned violence, and then, suddenly, a hockey game broke out!"
-Heinrich Grimm, speaking at a banquet for the benefit of the fledgling Zagreb Hockey team, 2002

Sports play a large part in entertaining the people of the Federation, and there are major professional leagues in multiple sports, most of which are popular throughout most of the Federation. The winner of the championships for the league play as the National team for the year.

The most majorly followed sports are as follows:

Major League Sports:

Football (American):
American Football is generally acknowledged as the most popular sport within the Federation, and just about every major city has its own team. Football stars are national celebrities. Often enough, they have spent time in the Federal Army, which in the eyes of some of the more conservative families, mean that they are appropriate role models. Irresponsible behavior (drunk driving, drug use of any kind) are often rewarded with expellation from the League. The Fanboyist National Football League holds its Super Bowl every year in March. A regular season consists of 16 games, and the number of play-off games is four, not including the Championship. A list of teams is as follows, based on conference.

American Football Conference

St. Charles - Monitors
Leesville - Generals
Carnegie - Ironmongers
Independence - Patriots
New York - Sharks
Boston - Minutemen
Nashville - Wolverines
Inneville - Warriors
Cleveland - Lions
Detroit - Titans
Tuscaloosa - Crimson Tide
Miami - Crocodiles
Vicksburg - Rebels
New Orleans - Indians
Houston - Longhorns
Galveston - Hurricanes

European Football Conference

Vienna - Barons
Innsbruck - Ravens
London - Mariners
Dublin - Saints
Edinburgh - Great Scots
Oslo - Vikings
Copenhagen - Great Danes
Stockholm - Cannoneers
Ghent - Pikes
Port Ferdinand - Orange
Berlin - Conquerors
Danzig - Narwhals
Munich - Bears
Marseilles - Seahawks
Toulouse - Gendarmes
Oviedo - Crusaders
Tarraco - Legionaires
Rome - Praetorians
Messina - Knights
Carthage - Dolphins
Constantinople - Cataphracts
Jerusalem - Macabees
Alexandria - Gators


Ice Hockey

Ice Hockey is easily the second-most popular sport in the Federation (after football). Again, most major cities or provinces have at least one team. The Anders Cup is the award given to the ultimate champion of the league, and is named after Walther Anders, a celebrated player who led Copenhagen to three back-to-back championships and another six others. The Fanboyist Ice Hockey season begins in late November and ends in April. The regular season has 32 games, and there are four rounds in the play-offs, excluding the Championship.
Teams:

American Hockey Conference

Independence - Stones
Boston - Riders
Carnegie - Steel
St. Charles - Monitors
Inneville - Flyers
Detroit - Red Wings
Mobile - Rebels (Rebs)
Cincinnatti - Statesmen
New York - Ministers
Nashville - Rockers


Old World Hockey Conference

Vienna - Barrons
Innsbruck - Mountaineers
London - Castles
Dublin - Destroyers
Oviedo - Crusaders
Berlin - Helms
Copenhagen - Crimson
Kiev - Victors
Constantinople - Cataphracts
Rome - Legionaires
Paris - Guards
Port Ferdinand - Flying Dutchmen
Warsaw - Hussars
Budapest - Huns
Lisbon - Navigators
Zagreb - Wolves


Football/Soccer
(OOC: I personally know next to nothing about soccer, so I'm not going to really be using it for anything in here, thus the lack of much detail here. The extent of my knowledge is that scoring is good, and punching people out is bad.)
Soccer is also quite popular in the Federation, and, again, most cities have a team. Most are not as well-publicized as the teams for other sports in the city, but they are present all the same.


Field Hockey
It is anyone's guess as to why field hockey is so popular in the Federation. Regardless, most major cities or provinces also have a field hockey team.