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ECONOMY

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BREAKING — THESSARA DECLARES WAR AS WILDLAND GUNMEN ENTER TEJAS AND THE SOUTHERN SECURITY CRISIS ESCALATES. FEDERAL AIR AND ARTILLERY OPERATIONS EXPAND IN TEJAS AS THESSARAPOLIS MOVES TO CONTAIN THE AFFLICTED ADVANCE. FEDERAL FORCES ENTER TEJAS AFTER THESSARAPOLIS DECLARES THE SOUTHERN EMERGENCY A NATIONAL-SECURITY CRISIS. FAST-MOVING AFFLICTED "RUNNERS" REPORTED BEYOND THE FORMER SOUTHERN LINE AS SECURITY OPERATIONS EXPAND. EVACUATIONS EXPAND ACROSS SOUTHERN TEJAS AS MILITARY AND CIVILIAN AUTHORITIES SECURE TRANSPORT ROUTES. TEJAN DEFENSIVE NETWORK UNDER PRESSURE AS FEDERAL FORCES MOVE TO SECURE CRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURE. THESSARAN MARKETS TURN RISK-OFF; TSX AND OPL RETREAT AS ENERGY AND GOLD PRICES SURGE. GUANGZHOU LEADERSHIP SHAKE-UP: DARIUS VHAL TAKES CONTROL OF THE CORPORATE ALLIANCE. CARMILLA SINCLAIR ASSUMES DEFENSE LEADERSHIP AS PROJECT OBLIVION REMAINS UNDER REVIEW. IVROYIA REPORTS ENERGY INDEPENDENCE THROUGH THE MU NUCLEAR PROGRAM. IVROYIA WEIGHS MAJOR WATER INFRASTRUCTURE EXPANSION AS STRATEGIC INVESTMENT CONTINUES. TREASURY REPORT RECORDS MAJOR INTERNATIONAL CAPITAL FLOWS ACROSS THE EURODOLLAR SYSTEM. NEW VALDORIA FACES CONTINUED ECONOMIC POLICY UNCERTAINTY AS BUSINESSES SEEK CLARITY. BREAKING — THESSARA DECLARES WAR AS WILDLAND GUNMEN ENTER TEJAS AND THE SOUTHERN SECURITY CRISIS ESCALATES. FEDERAL AIR AND ARTILLERY OPERATIONS EXPAND IN TEJAS AS THESSARAPOLIS MOVES TO CONTAIN THE AFFLICTED ADVANCE. FEDERAL FORCES ENTER TEJAS AFTER THESSARAPOLIS DECLARES THE SOUTHERN EMERGENCY A NATIONAL-SECURITY CRISIS. FAST-MOVING AFFLICTED "RUNNERS" REPORTED BEYOND THE FORMER SOUTHERN LINE AS SECURITY OPERATIONS EXPAND. EVACUATIONS EXPAND ACROSS SOUTHERN TEJAS AS MILITARY AND CIVILIAN AUTHORITIES SECURE TRANSPORT ROUTES. TEJAN DEFENSIVE NETWORK UNDER PRESSURE AS FEDERAL FORCES MOVE TO SECURE CRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURE. THESSARAN MARKETS TURN RISK-OFF; TSX AND OPL RETREAT AS ENERGY AND GOLD PRICES SURGE. GUANGZHOU LEADERSHIP SHAKE-UP: DARIUS VHAL TAKES CONTROL OF THE CORPORATE ALLIANCE. CARMILLA SINCLAIR ASSUMES DEFENSE LEADERSHIP AS PROJECT OBLIVION REMAINS UNDER REVIEW. IVROYIA REPORTS ENERGY INDEPENDENCE THROUGH THE MU NUCLEAR PROGRAM. IVROYIA WEIGHS MAJOR WATER INFRASTRUCTURE EXPANSION AS STRATEGIC INVESTMENT CONTINUES. TREASURY REPORT RECORDS MAJOR INTERNATIONAL CAPITAL FLOWS ACROSS THE EURODOLLAR SYSTEM. NEW VALDORIA FACES CONTINUED ECONOMIC POLICY UNCERTAINTY AS BUSINESSES SEEK CLARITY.

Story Telling Tips

Javnia · 2026-05-03T22:39:00+00:00

This thread is to help others with writing. Please add your thoughts and recommendations. How to Write a Strong Short Story Writing a short story is a focused exercise in storytelling. Unlike novels, which can explore multiple arcs and large casts over hundreds of pages, a short story concentrates on a single emotional moment, conflict, revelation, or transformation. The goal is to create a powerful emotional effect within a limited word count—typically between 1,000 and 7,000 words. 1. Find and Refine Your Idea A successful short story begins with clarity. Before writing, understand the world of your story and the motivations of your characters. Ask yourself: Who is involved? What is happening? Where does the story take place? When does it occur? Why are events unfolding? How do the characters respond? Even if every detail never appears on the page, knowing the answers helps create believable characters and consistent storytelling. Start With “What If?” Many stories begin with a simple question: What if a police officer discovered the outbreak was intentional? What if a survivor arrived at a barricade already infected? What if a character had to choose between family and survival? Strong “what if” questions naturally generate conflict. Start Close to the End Short stories have little room for lengthy setup. Begin as close to the climax or major conflict as possible. Drop readers directly into action (in media res) so tension begins immediately. Focus the Conflict Most short stories revolve around one primary conflict: External conflict: survival, war, disaster, pursuit Internal conflict: guilt, fear, grief, regret Trying to include too many major conflicts can weaken the story’s impact. — 2. Develop Focused Characters Short fiction works best with a small cast. Too many characters dilute emotional focus and consume valuable space. Keep the Cast Small Two or three important characters are often enough. Give Every Character a Desire Every character should want something—even something simple like safety, approval, or revenge. Desire drives action. Use Implied Characterization You do not need long biographies. Reveal personality through small details: how a character speaks what they notice how they dress how they react under stress habits and gestures A single detail can reveal more than a paragraph of exposition. — 3. Draft the Story Silence Your Internal Editor First drafts should be written quickly and freely. Do not stop constantly to perfect sentences. Momentum matters more than polish during drafting. Show, Don’t Tell Instead of saying: “He was terrified.” show the fear through action: His hands shook so badly he dropped the magazine while reloading. Action and dialogue create stronger emotional engagement. Make Every Word Matter In short fiction, every sentence should accomplish something: reveal character build atmosphere increase tension advance the plot If a sentence does none of these, consider cutting it. Experiment With Structure Short stories can use different formats: traditional narration nonlinear timelines multiple perspectives epistolary formats using: newspaper articles letters emails text messages reports These structures can deepen immersion and variety. Understand Basic Story Structure Many stories follow a five-act dramatic structure: Introduction — establish character and situation Rising Action — tension and complications grow Climax — decisive emotional or physical turning point Falling Action — immediate consequences Resolution — final emotional note or outcome Even very short stories often contain these elements in compressed form. — 4. Edit Ruthlessly Good short stories are often shaped more in revision than in drafting. Take a Break Set the draft aside for a few days. Distance helps you see flaws more clearly. Cut Excess Material Remove scenes, dialogue, or descriptions that do not serve the story. Sometimes your favorite passages must be removed if they slow pacing or weaken focus. Read Aloud Reading aloud helps identify: awkward dialogue repetitive wording weak rhythm unnatural phrasing If something sounds wrong, it usually is. Polish the Ending A strong ending resonates emotionally. The final lines should leave readers thinking about the story after it ends. Great endings often: reveal new understanding create irony deliver emotional impact reframe earlier events Avoid Excessive Exposition Short stories thrive on implication. Readers do not need every detail explained. A few carefully chosen lines can suggest an entire world. Trust the reader to connect the dots. — A strong short story does not try to tell everything. It tells one meaningful thing clearly, emotionally, and efficiently. The smaller scale is not a limitation—it is the source of the form’s power.

Javnia

Thessara is the World Game master this is his lore. The world we RP in is the one he created. We should respect that and try to merge his world view into our story lines.

The United Commonwealth Lore…

“The Great Reset”

This document serves as the historical prologue and setting guide for a post-apocalyptic world that eventually leads into your 2127 stories.

Overview

Human civilization collapsed in 2047 after a global nuclear war triggered by a military miscalculation in the South China Sea. What began as a regional crisis escalated into a worldwide exchange of nuclear weapons as major powers launched preemptive strikes rather than risk being destroyed first.

The consequences were catastrophic:

· Major cities across the globe were annihilated.

· Nuclear winter caused famine and ecological collapse.

· Billions died from radiation, starvation, and disease.

· A weaponized virus known as the Lazarus Strain emerged, creating infected mutants known as the Afflicted.

—

Chapter 2: Buttons in the Dark

The Nuclear War (2047)

A border incident in the South China Sea triggered a chain reaction:

1. China’s automated defenses misidentified a drone swarm as an attack.

2. Beijing launched first.

3. The United States retaliated within minutes.

4. Russia joined.

5. Other nuclear powers followed:

o India

o Pakistan

o Israel

o Iran

o North Korea

o NATO members

Within less than an hour, much of the world’s major urban centers were destroyed.

The Lazarus Strain

During the final hours of civilization, a weaponized virus escaped containment.

The virus:

· Altered human biology.

· Created dangerous infected survivors called Afflicted.

· Did not completely overrun humanity but left dangerous pockets in abandoned regions.

The surviving population retreated to:

· Government bunkers

· Mines

· Caves

· Remote settlements

The old world ceased to exist.

—

Chapter 3: From Bunkers to Borders

Recovery Begins (2068)

As nuclear winter gradually faded:

· Survivors emerged from bunkers.

· Trade networks formed.

· Farming resumed.

· New currencies appeared.

· Communities began reconnecting.

Technology returned in practical forms:

· Hydroponics

· Recycled vehicles

· Ham-radio networks

· Small-scale power generation

· Medical rediscoveries

Birth of Thessara

The most detailed new nation introduced is the:

United States of Thessara

Key characteristics:

· Formed from survivors in the American heartland.

· Built on cooperation rather than old state structures.

· Emphasizes trade, local autonomy, and resilience.

· Motto:

“One land, many voices, no more buttons.”

Major features:

· New capital: New Denver

· Ideology: Pax Thessara (“Peace of Thessara”)

· Uses thorium reactors for power.

· Maintains strong defenses against raiders and Afflicted.

Global Rebirth

Other regions also reorganize:

· Maritime enclaves in former Britain and Ireland.

· Successor states across former Russia.

· African city-state trade alliances.

· Mountain fortress communities.

· New trade routes and borders emerge by the 2080s.

The world becomes fragmented but functional.

—

Chapter 4: We Moved On (2127)

By 2127:

· Radiation has largely faded.

· Populations have recovered into the hundreds of millions.

· Roads, railways, aviation, and trade networks are active.

· Schools, hospitals, and modern cities operate again.

· Most people live normal lives.

The capital of Thessara has moved to:

Thessarapolis

Society resembles the modern world in many ways:

· Commerce is thriving.

· Travel is common.

· Technology has recovered.

· Younger generations know the apocalypse only through stories.

However:

· Wild zones still exist.

· The Afflicted have not been completely eradicated.

· Humanity remembers that civilization once destroyed itself through fear, pride, and poor decisions.

—

Core Themes

The document repeatedly returns to several themes:

1. Humanity caused its own downfall.

2. Survival depended on cooperation rather than technology.

3. Civilization can recover even after near-extinction.

4. The Lazarus Strain remains a lingering reminder of the old world’s mistakes.

5. The central question of the setting is:

“This time, will we do better?”

KoJ adds:

Part I: The Fall (2047–2068)

Mendorong – “The Great Push”

The story begins with a survivor recalling the nuclear war known as Mendorong.

· A military crisis in the South China Sea escalates into global nuclear war.

· Jakarta and countless other cities are devastated.

· The narrator survives because his grandfather leads the family into an abandoned tin mine.

· Nuclear winter follows, bringing famine, cold, and social collapse.

The Lazarus Strain

During the collapse:

· A virus called the Lazarus Strain emerges.

· Victims die, then reanimate as mayat hidup (“living dead”).

· The infected retain limited memory and problem-solving abilities but lose their humanity.

· The survivors learn that hesitation can be fatal.

The mine eventually becomes unsafe as more infected appear.

Recovery Begins

As the nuclear winter slowly fades:

· Survivors leave their shelters.

· Small communities form.

· Farming returns.

· Trade begins again.

· Humanity slowly rebuilds.

By 2068, the narrator concludes that humanity survived because people refused to give up.

—

Part II: The Rebuilding Era (2049–2082)

The second narrator is born after the war and grows up in the settlement of Somchai.

Growth of Somchai

Somchai develops from a scavenger camp into a functioning city.

Key achievements include:

· Reclaiming steel and technology from Jakarta’s ruins.

· Rebuilding communications.

· Establishing schools.

· Reviving agriculture.

· Reconnecting island communities through maritime trade.

The people begin moving beyond simple survival.

The Rise of Uda Kamon III

A charismatic leader named:

Uda Kamon III

emerges during the late recovery era.

Rather than conquering:

· He creates alliances.

· Protects trade routes.

· Coordinates defense against pirates and mayat hidup.

· Encourages cooperation among settlements.

Founding of Javnia

The new capital:

Metharom

is built on Borneo.

The:

Kingdom of Javnia

is established as a union of island communities.

Its foundations are:

· Cooperation

· Trade

· Shared defense

· Recovery from catastrophe

By 2082, Javnia is becoming a stable regional power.

—

Part III: The Reclaimed World (2127)

The final narrator:

Darma Lestari, a flight navigator in Javnia’s air service, describes the modern world.

Javnia in 2127

The nation is now fully developed:

· Cities are thriving.

· Air travel is routine.

· Railways and shipping networks connect the islands.

· Vertical farming supports large populations.

· Advanced communications exist.

· The monarchy remains but shares power with councils and technical experts.

The Mayat Hidup Today

The infected still exist:

· Mostly in isolated containment zones.

· They are no longer an existential threat.

· Research organizations study the Lazarus Strain.

· Society has adapted to living alongside the danger.

The New World Powers

Several major nations have emerged:

· Kingdom of Javnia

· Rilicon

· People’s Republic of Guangzhou

· Novara

· United States of Thessara

These powers trade, cooperate, and compete much like nations did before the apocalypse.

The United Commonwealth

A global organization called the:

United Commonwealth

helps coordinate:

· Trade agreements

· Air corridors

· Maritime law

· Lazarus containment policies

· International diplomacy

It functions similarly to the old United Nations but with greater practical importance.

—

Central Theme

The document traces humanity through three stages:

1. Survival

· Nuclear war destroys civilization.

· The Lazarus Strain threatens what remains.

2. Reconstruction

· Settlements reconnect.

· Trade returns.

· New governments form.

3. Renewal

· Nations flourish again.

· Air travel, industry, and diplomacy return.

· Humanity faces a new challenge: not survival, but how to use its restored power wisely.

The final message is that humanity has answered the question “Can we survive?”

The new question is:

“Now that we’ve rebuilt the world, can we avoid repeating the mistakes that destroyed it?”

Javnia

PLEASE at least read posts # 8-10.

I don’t think any of us are professional writers, so a little advice never hurts.

People, especially new writers, should read storytelling tips because good stories are not just ideas — they are experiences. A person can have an amazing concept (a zombie outbreak, a war, a kingdom, a mystery, a disaster), but without storytelling skills the reader may not feel the tension, understand the characters, or care about the outcome.

Here are some reasons:

1. Ideas are everywhere — execution is what makes a story memorable

A lot of people can say:

“There is a zombie outbreak and soldiers fight to survive.”

But storytelling turns it into:

“Captain Sangaji heard the jungle go silent. The birds had stopped. The infected were close. His radio operator whispered that the rear line had collapsed.”

The difference is how the moment is delivered.

2. It teaches people how to make readers care

New writers often focus on events:

· explosions

· battles

· disasters

· politics

· technology

But readers connect with:

· fear

· hope

· sacrifice

· relationships

· personal choices

A great battle is not about who fired the bigger weapon. It is about:

“Will the soldier make it home?”
“Will the family survive?”
“What will victory cost?”

3. It prevents common beginner mistakes

New writers often:

· explain too much instead of showing

· create characters with no personality

· rush important moments

· make everything happen at maximum intensity

· forget small human details

Storytelling tips help balance:

· action + emotion

· worldbuilding + character

· realism + imagination

4. It helps worldbuilding feel alive

This matters a lot for large fictional worlds.

A country is not just:

· population numbers

· military equipment

· treaties

· maps

A story shows:

· a fisherman rebuilding a port after a disaster

· a doctor treating survivors

· a soldier writing home

· a politician making a difficult choice

That is what makes a fictional world feel real.

5. It teaches pacing

A story needs rhythm.

If every scene is:

· invasion

· explosion

· battle

· disaster

the reader becomes numb.

Good storytelling teaches when to:

· slow down

· build suspense

· reveal information

· let characters breathe

Sometimes a quiet scene before a battle makes the battle feel much bigger.

6. It helps people communicate real experiences better

Storytelling is not only for novels.

It helps with:

· reports

· presentations

· documentaries

· speeches

· history writing

· journalism

Humans naturally remember stories better than lists of facts.

7. It gives beginners confidence

Many new writers think:

“I need perfect grammar.”
“I need a huge vocabulary.”
“I need to write like famous authors.”

But storytelling tips teach the basics:

· create a clear goal

· create conflict

· make characters want something

· make consequences matter

A simple story told well is better than a complicated story told poorly.

The biggest lesson:

Storytelling tips do not remove creativity — they give creativity a stronger structure.

A person with a great imagination but no storytelling skills has a pile of bricks.

A person who learns storytelling knows how to build the house.

Javnia

PLEASE at least read posts # 8-10 and 17.

GOVERNMENTS

Keep It Simple Silly:

Democracy: Power is held by the people through voting.

Monarchy: A king, queen, or emperor rules, often inheriting the position.

Oligarchy: A small, elite group holds power.

Theocracy: Religious leaders hold ultimate authority.

Dictatorship: A single leader or small group holds absolute, often coerced, power.

Authoritarianism: Centralized power with limited freedoms, restricting dissent without controlling all private life.

Totalitarianism: An extreme system demanding absolute control over public and private life

Let’s get down in the grass!

Forms of government by regional control:

A confederation (also known as a confederacy or league) is a union of sovereign states, united for purposes of common action often in relation to other states. Usually created by a treaty, confederations of states are usually established for dealing with critical issues, such as defense, foreign relations, internal

trade or currency, with the general government being required to provide support for all its members.

A federation (also known as a federal state) is a political entity characterized by a union of partially self-governing states or regions under a central (federal) government. In a federation, the self-governing status of the component states, as well as the division of power between them and the central government, is typically constitutionally entrenched and may not be altered by a unilateral decision of either party, the states or the federal political body.

A unitary state is a state governed as a single power in which the central government is ultimately supreme and any administrative divisions (sub-national units) exercise only the powers that the central government chooses to delegate.

Forms of government by power source

Autocracy is a system of government in which supreme power (social and political) is concentrated in the hands of one person or polity, whose decisions are subject to neither external legal restraints nor regularized mechanisms of popular control.

Oligarchy, meaning “rule of the few”, is a form of power structure in which power rests with a small number of people. These people might be distinguished by nobility, wealth, family ties, education or corporate, religious or military control.

Democracy, meaning “rule of the people”, is a system of government in which the citizens exercise power directly or elect representatives from among themselves to form a governing body, such as a parliament. Democracy is sometimes referred to as “rule of the majority”.

Anarchy. Sometimes it is said to be non-governance; it is a structure which strives for non-hierarchical, voluntary associations among agents, emphasizing autonomy and decentralization, often employing direct democracy or consensus democracy. Systems resembling anarchism can be a natural, temporary result of civil war in a country, when an established state has been destroyed and the region is in a transitional period without definitive leadership

Types of democracy

Demarchy. Government in which the state is governed by randomly selected decision from a broadly inclusive pool of eligible citizens. These groups, sometimes termed “policy juries”, “citizens’ juries”, or “consensus conferences”, deliberately make decisions about public policies in much the same way that juries decide criminal cases.

Census Democracy. It is the suffrage in which the right to vote is restricted to only a part of the population, being in many cases wealthy class.

Direct Democracy. Government in which the people represent themselves and vote directly for new laws and public policy.

Ergatocracy. Rule by the proletariat, the workers, or the working class. Examples of ergatocracy include communist revolutionaries and rebels who control most of society and establish an alternative economy for people and workers.

Herrenvolk Democracy. A form of government in which only a specific ethnic group participates in government, while other ethnic groups are disenfranchised.

Liberal Democracy. A form of government in which representative democracy operates under the principles of liberalism. It is characterized by fair, free, and competitive elections between multiple distinct political parties, a separation of powers into different branches of government, the rule of law in everyday life as part of an open society, and the protection of human rights and civil liberties for all people.

Liquid Democracy. Government in which the people represent themselves or choose to temporarily delegate their vote to another voter to vote for new laws and public policy.

Representative Democracy. Wherein the people or citizens of a country elect representatives to create and implement public policy in place of direct participation by the people.

Social Democracy. Elements of direct and representative democracies are combined in a form of participatory democracy. It also adopts a mixed economy combining the principles of a free-market and economic or social interventionism. Social democracy rejects the “either/or” phobiocratic / polarization interpretation of capitalism versus socialism. Social democracy argues that all citizens should be legally entitled to certain social rights. These are made up of universal access to public services such as: education, health care, workers’ compensation, public transportation, and other services including childcare and care for the elderly.

Soviet Democracy. The citizens are governed by directly elected councils. The councils are directly responsible to their electors and are bound by their instructions. Such an imperative mandate contrasts with a free mandate, in which the elected delegates are only responsible to their conscience. Delegates may accordingly be dismissed from their post at any time or be voted out (recall).

Electoral Autocracy. A hybrid regime, in which democratic institutions are imitative and adhere to authoritarian methods. In these regimes, regular elections are held, but they fail to reach democratic standards of freedom and fairness.

Digital Democracy. The historical scaling problem and inherent inefficiencies of democracy may be resolved with advances in technology, especially the rise of the Internet. In a digital democracy, specific questions would be formulated as referendums and frequently put forth for public discussion and comment and voting. Citizens could read the arguments, offer their own, and vote on the matter, using readily available technologies like smartphones.

Types of oligarchy

Aristocracy. Rule by the nobility; a system of governance where political power is in the hands of a small class of privileged individuals who claim a higher birth than the rest of society.

Geniocracy. A term invented by the founder of Raëlism and meaning rule by the intelligent; a system of governance where creativity, innovation, intelligence and wisdom are required for those who wish to govern. Comparable to noocracy.

Hamarchy. The joint rule of different regions retaining their individuality; a system of government consisting of many distinct or independent parts that rule together.

Kraterocracy. Rule by the strong; a system of governance where those who are strong enough to seize power through physical force, social maneuvering or political cunning.

Kritarchy. Rule by various judges, the kritarchs; a system of governance composed of law-enforcement institutions in which the state and the legal systems are traditionally or constitutionally the same entity. The kritarchs, magistrates and other adjudicators have the legal power to legislate and administer the enforcement of government laws in addition to the interposition of laws and the resolution of disputes.

Meritocracy. Rule by the meritorious; a system of governance where groups are selected predicated on their ability, knowledge in a given area, and contributions to society.

Netocracy. “netocracy” refers to a perceived global upper-class that bases its power on a technological advantage and networking skills, in comparison to what is portrayed as a bourgeoisie of a gradually diminishing importance.

Noocracy. Rule by the wise; a system of governance in which decision-making is in the hands of philosophers.

Plutocracy. Rule by the wealthy; a system wherein governance is indebted to, dependent upon or heavily influenced by the desires of the rich.

Particracy. Rule by a dominant political party (or parties).

Stratocracy. Rule by military service; a system of governance composed of military government in which the state and the military are traditionally or constitutionally the same entity. Citizens with mandatory or voluntary active military service or who have been honorably discharged have the right to govern.

Synarchism. Rule by a secret élite; a form of government where political power effectively rests with a secret élite, in contrast to an oligarchy where the élite is or could be known by the public.

Technocracy. Rule by the educated or by technical experts; a system of governance where people who are skilled in their respective areas of expertise control decision-making. In a technocracy, experts in the technical details of specific issues are presumed to best understand the problems at hand, as well as how various technological redresses can improve society at large. Doctors, engineers, scientists, professionals and technologists who have prowess would compose the governing body instead of politicians, businessmen and economists.

Theocracy. Rule by a religious elite; a system of governance composed of religious institutions in which the state and the church are traditionally or constitutionally the same entity.

Heirocracy. A type of theocracy where the power is held by the clergy. It’s different from traditional theocracy because the power does not come from an embodiment of the divinity but rather by a class of experts that know what to do according to their religion.

Timocracy. Rule by the honorable; a system of governance ruled by honorable citizens and property-owners. A government ruled by people who love honor and who are selected according to the degree of honor they hold in society.

Types of autocracy

Civilian Dictatorship. A dictatorship where power resides in the hands of one single person or polity. That person may be, for example, an absolute monarch or a dictator, but can also be an elected president. In modern times, an autocrat’s rule is one that is not stopped by any rules of law, constitutions, or other social and political institutions.

Military Dictatorship. A dictatorship primarily enforced by the military. Military dictators are different from civilian dictators for several reasons: their motivations for seizing power, the institutions through which they organize their rule, and the ways in which they leave power. Often viewing itself as saving the nation from the corrupt or myopic civilian politicians, a military dictatorship justifies its position as “neutral” arbiters based on their membership within the armed forces.

Pejorative attributes

Banana Republic. A politically unstable and kleptocratic government that economically depends upon the exports of a limited resource (fruits, minerals), and usually features a society composed of stratified social classes, such as a great, impoverished ergatocracy and a ruling plutocracy, composed of the aristocracy of business, politics, and the military.

Bankocracy. Rule by banks; a system of governance with excessive power or influence of banks and other financial authorities on public policymaking. It can also refer to a form of government where financial institutions rule society.

Corporatocracy. Rule by corporations; a system of governance where an economic and political system is controlled by corporations or corporate interests.

Kakistocracy. Rule by the worst; a system of government where the least-qualified citizens govern or dictate policies.

Kleptocracy. Rule by thieves; a system of governance where its officials and the ruling class in general pursue personal wealth and political power at the expense of the wider population.

Nepotocracy. Rule by nephews; favoritism granted to relatives regardless of merit; a system of governance in which importance is given to the relatives of those already in power, like a nephew (where the word comes from). In such governments even if the relatives aren’t qualified, they are given positions of authority just because they know someone who already has authority.

Ochlocracy. Rule by the crowd; a system of governance where mob rule is government by mob or a mass of people, or the intimidation of legitimate authorities.

Other attributes

Adhocracy. Rule by a government based on relatively disorganized principles and institutions as compared to a bureaucracy, its exact opposite.

Anocracy. A regime type where power is not vested in public institutions (as in a normal democracy) but spread amongst elite groups who are constantly competing for power. Example of anocracies in Africa include the warlords of Somalia.

Authoritarianism. Rule by an autocracy or oligarchy with a power source predicated on a political party or stratocracy; characterized by the rejection of political plurality.

Band Society. Rule by a government based on small (usually family) unit with a semi-informal hierarchy, with strongest (either physical strength or strength of character) as leader.

Bureaucracy. Rule by a system of governance with many bureaus, administrators, and petty officials.

Consociationalism. Rule by a government based on consensus democracy.

Military Junta. Rule by a committee of military leaders.

Nomocracy. Rule by a government under the sovereignty of rational laws and civic right as opposed to one under theocratic systems of government. In a nomocracy, ultimate and final authority (sovereignty) exists in the law.

Cyberocracy. Rule by a computer, which decides based on computer code and efficient use of information. This is closely linked to Cybersynacy.

Algocracy. Rule by algorithms used in diverse levels of bureaucracy, which is also known as algorithmic regulation, regulation by algorithms, algorithmic governance, algorithmic legal order of government by algorithm.

Isocracy. A country where everyone has equal political power.

Forms of government by power ideology

Monarchy. A monarchy is a form of government in which a group, generally a family representing a dynasty, embodies the country’s national identity and its head, the monarch, exercises the role of sovereignty. The actual power of the monarch may vary from purely symbolic (crowned republic), to partial and restricted (constitutional monarchy), to completely autocratic (absolute monarchy). Traditionally the monarch’s post is inherited and lasts until death or abdication. In contrast, elective monarchies require the monarch to be elected.

Republic. A republic is a form of government in which the country is considered a “public matter”, not the private concern or property of the rulers. The primary positions of power within a republic are not inherited but are attained through elections expressing the consent of the governed. Such leadership positions are therefore expected to fairly represent the citizen body. It is a form of government under which the head of state is not a monarch.

Types of monarchy

Absolute Monarchy. A traditional and historical system where the monarch exercises ultimate governing authority as head of state and head of government.

Constitutional Monarchy. Also called parliamentary monarchy, the monarch’s powers are limited by law or by a formal constitution, usually giving them the role of head of state.

Crowned Republic. A form of government where the monarch (and family) is an official ceremonial entity with no political power. The royal family and the monarch are intended to represent the country and may perform speeches or attend an important ceremonial event as a symbolical guide to the people, but hold no actual power in decision-making, appointments, et cetera.

Elective Monarchy. A form of government where the monarch is elected, a modern example being the King of Cambodia, who is chosen by the Royal Council of the Throne; Vatican City is also often considered a modern elective monarchy.

Self-Proclaimed Monarchy. A form of government where the monarch claims a monarch title without a nexus to the previous monarch dynasty.

Types of republics

Classical Republic. Classical antiquity civilizations typically followed a republican model with a complex system of assemblies and magistrates, all drawing upon the idea of a “civic” sector—a representative sample of particular populations. In a classical republic, power rests with selected individuals who represent the citizenry (or more usually a limited sector thereof) and who rule in accordance with mutually agreed-upon law.

Constitutional Republic. Republics where the government’s powers are limited by law or a formal constitution (an official document establishing the exact powers and restrictions of a nation and its government), and in which the leaders are chosen by a vote amongst the populace. Typically, laws cannot be passed which violate said constitution, unless the constitution itself is altered by law.

Democratic Republic. Republics where the laws are ultimately decided by popular vote, whether by a body of elected representatives or directly by the public, and there is no restriction on which laws are passed so long as they have majority support. Constitutional law is either non-existent or poses little obstacle to legislation.

Federal Republic. Republics that are a federation of states or provinces, where there is a national (federal) law encompassing the nation but where each state or province is free to legislate and enforce its own laws and affairs so long as they do not conflict with federal law.

Islamic Republic. Republics purporting to be governed in accordance with Islamic law.

Parliamentary Republic. Republics, like India or Singapore, with an elected head of state, but where the head of state and head of government are kept separate with the head of government retaining most executive powers, or a head of state akin to a head of government, elected by a parliament.

Presidential Republic. Republics with an elected head of state, where the head of state is also the head of the government.

People’s Republic. Republics that include countries like China and Vietnam that are de jure governed for and by the people. The term People’s Republic is used to differentiate themselves from the earlier republic of their countries before the people’s revolution.

Semi-Presidential Republic. A semi-presidential republic is a government system with power divided between a president as head of state and a prime minister as head of government. The president, elected by the people, symbolizes national unity and foreign policy while the prime minister is appointed by the president or elected by the parliament and handles daily administration.

Directorial Republic. A directorial republic is a government system with power divided among a college of several people who jointly exercise the powers of a head of state and/or a head of government.

Merchant Republic. Mercantile republics, the leaders were elected by the citizenry with the primary duty of increasing the city-state’s collective wealth.

By socio-economic attributes

Anarchism. A system that advocates self-governed societies based on voluntary institutions. These are often described as stateless societies.

Capitalism. A system in which the means of production (machines, tools, factories, etc.) are owned by private individuals, workers then negotiate with those individuals to use those means of production in exchange for a portion of what they produce, usually in the form of capital (money). The owners of the means of production are entitled to whatever portion of the products of the workers’ labor that is agreed upon by the two parties.

Colonialism. A system in which a native group (or their lands and resources) is subjugated by external political power for their own economic and / or political benefit.

Communism. A socialist system in which the means of production are commonly owned (either by the people directly, through the commune, or by a communist state or society), and production is undertaken for use, rather than for profit.

Despotism. A system in which the laws and resources of a nation are controlled by one individual, usually a monarch or dictator, who holds absolute political power.

Distributism. A variant of capitalism which views widespread property ownership as fundamental right; the means of production are spread as widely as possible rather than being centralized under the control of the state (as in state socialism), or a few individuals/corporations (as in what proponents of distributism call “crony capitalism”). Distributism fundamentally opposes socialism and capitalism, which distributists view as equally flawed and exploitative. In contrast, distributism seeks to subordinate economic activity to human life as a whole, to our spiritual life, our intellectual life, our family life".

Feudalism. Under feudalism, all the land in a kingdom belonged to the king or emperor. However, the king/emperor would give some of the land to the lords or nobles who fought for him. These presents of land were called manors. Then the nobles gave some of their land to vassals. The vassals then had to do duties for the nobles. The lands of vassals were called fiefs.

Minarchism. A variant of capitalism which advocates for the state to exist solely to provide a very small number of services. A popular model of the State proposed by minarchists is known as the night-watchman state, in which the only governmental functions are to protect citizens A variant of capitalism which advocates for the state to exist solely to provide a very small number of services. A popular model of the State proposed by minarchists is known as the night-watchman state, in which the only governmental functions are to protect citizens from aggression, theft, breach of contract, and fraud as defined by property laws, limiting it to three institutions: the military, the police, and courts.

Monarchism. A system in which the government is headed by an agreed upon head of the nobility who is known as the monarch, usually in the form of a king or emperor (but also less commonly a queen or empress).

Republicanism. A system in which the laws and governmental policies of the state are considered a “public matter” and decided by the citizens of the society, whoever they may be.

Socialism. A system in which workers, democratically and / or socially own the means of production. The economic framework may be decentralized and self-managed in autonomous economic units, as A system in which workers, democratically and / or socially own the means of production. The economic framework may be decentralized and self-managed in autonomous economic units, as in libertarian systems, or centrally planned, as in authoritarian systems. Public services such as healthcare and education would be commonly, collectively, and/or state owned.

Totalitarianism. A system in which opposition is prohibited, civil rights are extremely suppressed and virtually all aspects of social life, including the economy, morals, public and private lives of citizens, are controlled by a centralized authoritarian state that holds absolute political power, usually under a dictatorship or single political party.

Tribalism. A system based on a small complex society of varying degrees of centralization that is led by an individual known as a chief.

Types of government by geo-cultural attributes

National Government. The government of a nation-state and is a characteristic of a unitary state.

City State. A sovereign state, also described as a type of small independent country, that usually consists of a single city and its dependent territories.

Commune. An intentional community of people living together, sharing common interests, often having common values and beliefs, as well as shared property, possessions, resources, and, in some communes, work, income or assets.

Javnia

Hello new people! I’m the mayor! This thread is to help you with storytelling/ RP. Please read posts 8-10 and 17. Actually if you got time take a peak through the thread, there are plot ideals, tips, and useful examples. Thanks… Martian

Javnia

For those interested in working up a military… for your reading pleasure:

NIJ Body armor levels:

1. Level IIA: This level offers protection against lower velocity 9mm and .40 S&W ammunition.

2. Level II: Provides increased protection, including higher velocity .357 Magnum and 9mm ammunition.

3. Level IIIA: Offers even greater protection, suitable for high-velocity 9mm and .44 Magnum ammunition.

4. Level III: Resists rifle rounds, specifically 7.62mm FMJ lead core rifle ammunition.

5. Level IV: The highest NIJ body armor level, designed to withstand armor-piercing rifle rounds.

STANAG armor levels define the ballistic, artillery, and blast protection required for occupants of light armored and logistic military vehicles

Level 1

Kinetic Energy

7.62×51mm NATO Ball (Ball M80) at 30 meters with velocity 833 ± 20 m/s

5.56×45mm NATO Ball (SS109) at 30 meters with a velocity of 900 ± 20 m/s

5.56×45mm NATO Ball (M193) at 30 meters with a velocity of 937 ± 20m/s

Protection against all three threats must be provided.

Grenade and Mine Blast

Hand grenades, unexploded artillery fragmenting submunitions, and other small anti personnel explosive devices detonated under the vehicle.

Artillery

155 mm High Explosive at 100 m

Angle: Azimuth 360°; elevation: 0–18°

Level 2

Kinetic Energy

7.62×39mm API BZ at 30 meters with 695 ± 20 m/s

Grenade and Mine Blast Threat

6 kg (explosive mass) Blast AT Mine:
2a – Mine Explosion pressure activated under any wheel or track location.
2b – Mine Explosion under center.

Artillery

155 mm High Explosive at 80 m

Angle: Azimuth 360°; elevation: 0–22°

Level 3

Kinetic Energy

7.62×51mm AP (WC core) at 30 meters with 930 ± 20 m/s

7.62×54R mm B32 API at 30 meters with 854 ± 20 m/s

Angle: Azimuth 360°; elevation 0–30°

Grenade and Mine Blast Threat

8 kg (explosive mass) Blast AT Mine:
3a – Mine Explosion pressure activated under any wheel or track location.
3b – Mine Explosion under center.

Artillery

155 mm High Explosive at 60 m

Angle: Azimuth 360°; elevation: 0–30°

Level 4

Kinetic Energy

14.5×114mm API / B32 at 200 meters with 911 ± 20 m/s

Angle: Azimuth 360°; elevation 0°

Artillery

20 mm FSP (simulating 155 mm threat) at 960 ± 20 m/s from a distance of 25 meters.

Angle: azimuth 360°; elevation: 0–90°

Grenade and Mine Blast Threat

10 kg (explosive mass) Blast AT Mine:
4a – Mine Explosion pressure activated under any wheel or track location.
4b – Mine Explosion under center.

Level 5

Kinetic Energy

25×137mm APDS-T (M791) or TLB 073 at 500 m with 1258 ± 20 m/s

Angle: Frontal arc to centreline: ± 30° sides included, elevation 0°

Artillery

20 mm FSP (simulating 155 mm threat) at 960 ± 20 m/s from a distance of 25 meters.

Angle: azimuth 360°; elevation: 0–90°

Level 6

Kinetic Energy

30 mm APFSDS or AP at 500 m

Angle: Frontal arc to centreline: ± 30° sides included, elevation 0°

Artillery

155 mm High Explosive at 10 m

Angle: Azimuth 360°; elevation: 0–90°

RHA Equivalency

Modern tank armor is made of complex composite materials (like ceramics, heavy metals, and spaced air gaps). Instead of measuring raw physical thickness, engineers and military analysts rate it by how much basic steel it takes to stop the same projectile. This metric calculates how thick a standard block of solid steel would need to be to provide the same level of protection against specific kinetic and chemical threats.

Explosive Reactive Armor (ERA): Rated by how well its explosive sandwich can disrupt and “slice” kinetic darts or HEAT warheads.

Active Protection Systems (APS): Rated by detection and interception capabilities, such as radar tracking and firing countermeasures (e.g., the Israeli Trophy system) before a projectile hits the physical hull.

Leopard 2A0 – 2A4

· Turret Front: ~350–500 mm RHAe vs KE; 700–850 mm RHAe vs CE.

· Upper Glacis: ~320 mm RHAe vs KE.

· Lower Glacis: ~300 mm RHAe vs KE.

Leopard 2A5 – 2A6 (with wedge armor)

· Turret Front: ~590–690 mm RHAe vs KE on early 2A5s to roughly 920–940 mm RHAe vs KE on the 2A6.

· Glacis & Hull: ~600–620 mm RHAe vs KE.

Modernized Leopard 2A7V / 2A8

· Protection figures remain classified, but estimates suggest maximum frontal turret protection exceeds 1,000+ mm RHAe against KE, integrated alongside enhanced top-attack and underbelly mine protection.

M1 Abrams

Turret Cheeks:

· KE: 600 mm to over 1,000 mm RHA equivalent

· CE: 1,080 mm to 1,700 mm RHA equivalent

Front Hull / Glacis:

· KE: 560 mm to 700 mm RHA equivalent

· CE: 510 mm to 1,050 mm RHA equivalent

Lower Front Hull:

· KE: 580 mm to 800 mm RHA equivalent

· CE: 800 mm to 1,100 mm RHA equivalent

M 10 Booker

STANAG 6

M60 Tank

roughly 290mm RHAe

AMX-56 Leclerc

Against Kinetic Energy (KE) Penetrators: Estimated at 500 mm to 600 mm of RHA equivalence.

Against Shaped Charges (HEAT): Estimated at 700 mm to 800 mm of RHA equivalence

Challenger

Frontal Hull (Glacis & Lower Plate)

· Kinetic Energy (APFSDS): Estimated at 500mm to 600mm RHA equivalent. The lower front plate on the Challenger 2 is widely estimated by defense analysts to have at least 590mm of RHA equivalent.

· Chemical Energy (HEAT): Estimated at 900mm to over 1,200mm RHA equivalent.

Frontal Turret

· Kinetic Energy (APFSDS): Generally estimated between 600mm and 700mm RHA equivalent.

· Chemical Energy (HEAT): Estimated at 1,000mm to 1,300mm RHA equivalent. The gun mantlet and frontal turret cheeks are highly dense, and experts estimate the heaviest parts can reach upwards of 700mm to 800mm even when stripped of add-on composite blocks

Centurion Mk 13

Glacis Plate: ~216 mm to 240 mm RHA equivalent. Later iterations were significantly up-armored by welding an additional appliqué plate to the front glacis.

Turret Front & Mantlet: Up to 350 mm RHA equivalent in specific highly-protected zones, allowing it to withstand more advanced Cold War rounds

T-55 Tank

Frontal Glacis (Hull): Features a 100 mm plate angled at 60 degrees, providing a line-of-sight (LOS) thickness of 200 mm, yielding about 190 mm to 200 mm RHA equivalence.

Turret Front: Composed of cast steel with a thickness varying from 100 mm at the edges to a maximum of about 203 mm in the front. This equates to roughly 200 mm to 220 mm RHA against kinetic threats and up to 350 mm against chemical heat rounds.

Side Armor: The sides of the hull measure 80 mm with virtually no slope, which roughly equates to 80 mm RHA.

T-62 Tank

Frontal Hull (Glacis Plate)

· Physical Thickness: 100 mm angled at 60 degrees (yielding a Line-of-Sight thickness of 200 mm).

· Kinetic (APFSDS) Equivalence: ≈ 180 mm to 200 mm.

· Chemical (HEAT) Equivalence: ≈ 200 mm to 220 mm.

Frontal Turret

· Physical Thickness: Cast steel varying between 100 mm and 214 mm (front and cheeks).

· Kinetic (APFSDS) Equivalence: ≈ 210 mm to 240 mm.

· Chemical (HEAT) Equivalence: ≈ 350 mm to 460 mm.

T-72B Tank

Hull (Glacis): ~450–500 mm against KE and ~600 mm against HEAT.

Turret: ~500–550 mm against KE and ~700+ mm against HEAT. These massive upgrades incorporated heavy second-generation reactive armor

T-80U Tank

This variant features heavy composite armor arrays and Kontakt-5 Explosive Reactive Armor (ERA).

Glacis (Front Hull): ~780 mm RHAe vs. KE, ~1,080 mm RHAe vs. CE

Turret: ~850 mm RHAe vs. KE, up to 1,450 mm RHAe vs. CE

T-90M Tank

Employ upgraded all-welded turrets and Relikt or Kontakt-5 ERA.

The frontal RHA equivalents range from 670 mm - 710 mm vs. KE and reach 990 mm - 1,070 mm vs. CE on the glacis.

Type 96B Tank

Turret Front: ~670mm to 750mm vs. KE / ~1,000mm to 1,100mm vs. HEAT rounds, depending on the upgraded Explosive Reactive Armor (ERA) package.

Hull Front: ~650mm vs. KE / ~1,100mm vs. HEAT rounds, utilizing advanced FY-4 ERA configurations

Type 99 Tank

Kinetic Energy (KE) Protection (APFSDS):

· Original Type 99: ~500 to 600 mm

· Type 99A (Latest Variant): ~700 to 960 mm

Chemical Energy (CE) Protection (HEAT/Missiles):

· Original Type 99: ~900 to 1,000 mm

· Type 99A (Latest Variant): Over 1,000 to 1,200 mm+

Type 15 Tank

The base hull and turret are estimated to have an RHA (Rolled Homogeneous Armor) equivalency of around 30mm to 50mm against kinetic energy (KE) threats

Side Armor: The sides of the hull are generally much thinner, estimated around 14.5mm RHAe

Type 100 Tank

Frontal Hull & Turret: Estimated 700 mm (KE) and 850 mm (HEAT) in the heaviest configurations.

Hull Sides: Roughly 600 mm (HEAT) equivalent.

Turret Roof: Approximately 100 mm RHA equivalent against overhead munitions, drones, and artillery submunitions.

Japan Type 90

400 mm - 500 mm against kinetic energy (KE) penetrators and around 600 mm - 700 mm against chemical energy (CE) shaped charges

Remember look at posts 8-10 & 17… better yet read this thread!

Javnia

Example Military TO&E

Soviet:

Motorized rifle division

Three Motor Rifle Regiment

Self-propelled Artillery Regiment

Air-Defence Missile Regiment

Separate Tank Battalion

Engineer Battalion

Military Intelligence Battalion

Signal Battalion

Chemical Battalion

Supply Battalion

Maintenance Battalion

Medical Battalion

Main Battle Tanks	120
APC & IFV	330
Self Propelled Artillery	72
Multiple Rocket Launchers	16

Guards Tank Division

Three Tank Regiment

Guards Motor Rifle Regiment

Air Defense Regiment

Artillery Regiment

Independent Intelligence Battalion

Independent Communications Battalion

Independent Electronic Warfare Battalion

Independent Chemical Battalion

Equipment	Numbers
Main Battle Tanks	310
IFV	300
Self Propelled Artillery	130
Multiple Rocket Launchers	12

Division Light Armored

Regiment Armored: 41 MBT

Regiment Light: APCs

Regiment Parachute: APCs

Regt Infantry: APCs

Company Engineers

Regiment Artillery: 24 towed

Regiment Command and Support

Regimental Organizations:

Tank Regiment

HQ Co: 2 MBT, 4 Light Tanks

3 or 4 Tanks Cos, each: 17 MBT, 1 Light Tank

or 1 Mech Co: 3 Mech platoons, 13 Light Tanks

Support Company: Recce platoon (6 utility vehicles)

Note: Regiments with 3 Tank companies typically had the Mech company, those with 4 tank companies did not. The divisions with only two tank regiments used the 4 tank company organization.

Light Tank Regiment

HQ Co: 2 Light Tanks

2 or 3 Mech Cos, each: 4 Infantry platoons, 18 Light Tanks, 8 ATGMs

0 to 2 Tank Cos, each: 3 platoons of MBT, 1 Mech platoon, 10 MBT, 4 Light Tanks

Support Co: Recce platoon, Mortar Platoon (8 APCs, 6 120mm mortar)

Note: Organization was fluid. Original organization was 2 Mech, 2 Tank companies, but this appears to have changed in the late 1980s with at least some units. May have been 3 Mech and no Tank companies or 3 Mech and 1 Tank companies in some regiments.

IFV Regiment

HQ Co:

4 Infantry Cos, each: 17 APCs, 2 ATGM, 2 81mm mortars, 2 AA towed guns

Heavy Co: Recce platoon (9 utility vehicles), Mortar platoon (6 120mm mortars), AT Platoon (6 ATGM on Utility vehicles)

Parachute Regiment

HQ Co:

4 Parachute Cos, each: 4 Para platoons (each with 4 extra LAW), 1 weapon co (2 ATGM, 2 81mm mortars)

Heavy Co: Recce platoon (utility vehicle), Mortar platoon (6 120mm mortars), 2 AT platoons (6 ATGM each), 1 AA platoon (6 towed guns)

Alpine Battalion

HQ Co:

4 Alpine Cos, each: 3 platoons, with light weapons and 1 LAW at platoon level

Heavy Co: Recce platoon (Scout vehicle), Mortar platoon (6 81mm mortars), Mortar platoon (3 120mm mortars), AT platoon (6 ATGM)

The recce platoon may have been the High Mountain Platoon, a group of specially-trained mountaineers that acted as a dismounted recon platoon.

The battalion could also have been mounted in APCs.

Marine Regiment

HQ:

3 or 4 Marine Infantry Cos, each: 3 Marine platoons, each with 3 extra LAWs at platoon level; Weapons platoon with 2 81mm mortars, 2 towed guns.

Heavy Co:

the battalions had a total of 8 81mm mortars , plus 6 120mm mortars and 24 ATGM

Engineer Regiment: The divisional engineer regiment of the tank divisions had about 850 men, 16 combat engineering vehicles, 16 APCs, 4 dozer tanks and 4 mine clearing systems split among 2 armored engineer companies, 1 heavy engineer company, and 1 light engineer company.

Divisional Recon Squadron

HQ:

3 platoons Recon, each:

1 Platoon HQ: Command (2 scout vehicles), Antitank Group (3 scout vehicles, 2 ATGM)

3 Recon Platoons, each: 2 scout vehicles

1 Radar: 1 command group, 2 groups with radar

Mixed Arms Regiment (1 per zone)

3 companies of infantry

1 company of light armored vehicles (APCs)

Javnia

NATO TO&E examples

7^th Infantry Division (Light) - Ft Ord, CA:

1) 1^st Brigade:

a) 1-9^th Light Infantry Battalion:

b) 2-9^th Light Infantry Battalion:

c) 3-9^th Light Infantry Battalion:

2) 2^nd Brigade:

a) 3-17^th Light Infantry Battalion:

b) 4-17^th Light Infantry Battalion:

c) 2-27^th Light Infantry Battalion:

3) 3^rd Brigade:

a) 4-21^st Light Infantry Battalion:

b) 5-21^st Light Infantry Battalion:

c) 3-27^th Light Infantry Battalion:

4) 7^th Combat Aviation Brigade:

a) 2^nd Squadron, 9^th Cavalry Regiment:

b) 1-123^rd Attack Helicopter Battalion: 21 AH1F, 13 OH58C, 3 UH1H

c) C Co, 123^rd Aviation Regiment: 15 UH60A

d) D Co, 123^rd Aviation Regiment: 15 UH60A

5) 7^th ID Divarty:

a) 2-8^th Field Artillery Battalion: 18 M102

b) 6-8^th Field Artillery Battalion: 18 M102

c) 715^th Field Artillery Battalion: 18 M102

d) 5-15^th Field Artillery Regiment: 18 M198

6) 7^th ID Discom:

7) 13^th Combat Engineer Battalion: 18 SEE, 6 ACE

8) 2 -62^nd Air Defense Battalion: 18 Towed Vulcan, 40 Stinger

9) 107^th Military Intelligence Battalion (CEWI):

10) 7^th Military Police Company

9^th Infantry Division (Motorized) - Ft Lewis, WA: The 9^th ID was the High Technology Test Bed with a very unique organization of Combined Arms (CA) Battalions.

1) 1^st Brigade:

a) 1-33^rd Armor Battalion: M60A3

b) 2-23^rd CA Heavy Battalion: 44 TOW HMMWV, 67 Mk19 GL, 15 Dragon, 6 4.2in mortars, 9 Infantry squads

c) 4-23^rd CA Light Battalion: 24 TOW HMMWV, 75 Mk19 GL, 30 Dragon, 6 4.2in mortars, 18 Infantry squads

d) 2-2^nd Light Attack Battalion: 31 TOW HMMWV, 96 Mk19 GL, 6 4.2in mortars

3) 81^st Mech Infantry Brigade – Seattle, WA (WAARNG):

a) 1-303 ^rd Armor Battalion – Yakima, WA: M60A3

b) 1-803 ^rd Armor Battalion – Everett, WA: M60A3

c) 1-161^st Mech Infantry Battalion – Spokane, WA: M113

d) 3-161^st Mech Infantry Battalion – Kent, WA: M113

e) Troop E, 303^rd Cavalry – Tacoma, WA:

2) 3^rd Brigade:

a) 2-60^th CA Heavy Battalion: 44 TOW HMMWV, 67 Mk19 GL, 15 Dragon, 6 4.2in mortars, 9 Infantry squads

b) 3-47^th CA Light Battalion: 24 TOW HMMWV, 75 Mk19 GL, 30 Dragon, 6 4.2in mortars, 18 Infantry squads

c) 2-1^st Light Attack Battalion: 31 TOW HMMWV, 96 Mk19 GL, 6 4.2in mortars

4) 9^th Combat Aviation Brigade:

a) 1^st Squadron, 9^th Cavalry Regiment: (see below)

b) 1-9^th Attack Helicopter Battalion: 21 AH1F, 13 OH58C, 3 UH1H (should have had AH-64, according to official TO&Es)

c) 2-9^th Aviation Battalion:

1) General Support Aviation Company: 15 OH-58, 8 UH-1H, 3 EH-60

2) Two Combat Support Aviation Companies, each: 30 UH-60

5) 9^th ID Divarty:

a) 1-11^th Field Artillery Battalion: 18 M198

b) 3-11^th Field Artillery Battalion: 18 M198

c) 2-146^th Field Artillery Battalion – Olympia, WA (WAARNG): 24 M109A2

d) 1-84^th Field Artillery Battalion: 12 M102, 9 MLRS

6) 9^th ID Discom:

7) 15^th Combat Engineer Battalion: (see below)

8) 1-44^th Air Defense Battalion: 12 Chaparral, 36 towed Vulcan, 68 Stinger teams

9) 109^th Military Intelligence Battalion (CEWI):

10) 9^th Military Police Company:

11) 9^th Chemical Company: 32 HMMWV, 15 Trucks, 18 Mk19 AGL, 32 smoke generators, decontamination assets

1^st Cavalry Division - Ft. Hood, TX - REFORGER unit, POMCUS set 5 in Belgium:

1) 1^st Brigade:

a) 3 -32^nd Armor Battalion: M1

b) 2-8^th Cavalry Battalion: M1

c) 2-5^th Cavalry Battalion: M2

d) 3-141^st Mech Infantry Battalion - Texas NG: M2

2) 2^nd Brigade:

a) 1-32^nd Armor Battalion: M1

b) 1-8^th Cavalry Battalion: M1

c) 1-5^th Cavalry Battalion: M2

3) 155^th Armor Brigade - Mississippi NG:

a) 1-198^th Armor Battalion: M1

b) 2-198^th Armor Battalion: M1

c) 1-155^th Mech Infantry Bn: M2

d) Troop A, 98^th Cav – Louisville, MS

4) 4^th Brigade (Aviation):

a) 1^st Squadron, 7^th Cavalry Regiment: 40 M3A1, 10 M113, 4 M106, 4 M577, 8 AH1F, 12 OH58C, 1 UH1H

b) 1-227^th Attack Helicopter Battalion: 18 AH64, 13 OH58C, 3 UH1H

c) D Co/227^th Aviation Regiment: 6 UH1H, 6 OH58C, 6 OH58D, 3 EH60

d) E Co/227^th Aviation Regiment: 15 UH-60A

5) 1^st CD Divarty:

a) 1-82^nd Field Artillery Battalion: 24 M109A3

b) 3-82^nd Field Artillery Battalion: 24 M109A3

c) 2-114th Field Artillery Battalion - Mississippi NG: 24 M109A2

d) A Battery, 21^st Field Artillery Regiment: 9 MLRS

e) A Battery, 333^rd Field Artillery Regiment: target acquisition battery

6) 1^st CD Discom:

7) 8^th Combat Engineer Battalion: 4 dozers, 8 AVLB, 8 CEV, 4 M88, 12 MAB (bridge)

8) 4-5^th Air Defense Battalion: 12 Chaparral, 27 Vulcan SP, 60 Stinger

9) 312^th Military Intelligence Battalion (CEWI):

10) 545^th Military Police Company:

11) 68th Chemical Company

82^nd Airborne Division - Ft Bragg, NC: The 82^nd could deploy a battalion task force within 24 hours and a brigade task force within 3 days. The remainder of the Division would take up to 10 days to deploy.

1) 1^st Brigade - 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment: 18 TOW HMMWV (AT)

a) 1-504^th Parachute Infantry Battalion:

b) 2-504^th Parachute Infantry Battalion:

c) 3-504^th Parachute Infantry Battalion:

2) 2^nd Brigade - 325th Parachute Infantry Regiment: 18 TOW HMMWV (AT)

a) 1-325^th Parachute Infantry Battalion:

b) 2-325^th Parachute Infantry Battalion:

c) 4-325^th Parachute Infantry Battalion:

3) 3^rd Brigade - 505th Parachute Infantry Regiment: 18 TOW HMMWV (AT)

a) 1-505^th Parachute Infantry Battalion:

b) 2-505^th Parachute Infantry Battalion:

c) 3-505^th Parachute Infantry Battalion:

4). 82^nd Divarty - 1, 2, 3 -319^th Field Artillery Regiment (Airborne): 18 M102 each

5) 82^nd Combat Aviation Brigade (Airborne):

a) 1^st Squadron, 17^th Cavalry Regiment: 18 OH58C, 12 AH1F, 8 UH60A, 12 .50 Cal HMMWV, 6 TOW HMMWV

b) 1-82^nd Attack Helicopter Battalion: 18 AH64A, 13 OH58C, 3 UH60A

c) 2-82^nd Aviation Battalion: 30 UH60A, 12 OH58A, 6 OH58D, 3 EH60

6) 82^nd Discom (Airborne):

7) 3-73^rd Armor Battalion (Airborne): 58 M-551, 7 HMMWV .50 Cal, 6 M-106, 4 M-577, 14 M113, 6 Dragon

8) 307^th Combat Engineer Battalion (Airborne): 4 dozers, 12 MAB (bridge)

9) 3-4^th Air Defense Battalion (Airborne): 18 Towed Vulcan, 48 Stinger

10) 313^th Military Intelligence Battalion (Airborne):

11) 82^nd Military Police Company (Airborne):

12) 21st Chemical Company (Airborne):

I Marine Expeditionary Force – Camp Pendleton, CA (MAGTF/CE)

1) 5th Marine Expeditionary Brigade (MAGTF/CE), Amphibious, associated with Amphibious Group 1

2) 7th Marine Expeditionary Brigade – 29 Palms, CA (MAGTF/CE), MPF, associated with MPS Squadron 3

3) 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MAGTF/CE)

4) 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MAGTF/CE)

5) 1st Marine Division – Camp Pendleton, CA (GCE)

a) HQ Battalion

b) 1st Marine Regiment (With Responsibility of sourcing WESTPAC MEU)

i) HQ Company: 24 TOW (AT-platoon), 258 men

ii) 1st Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment: 864 men

iii) 1st Battalion, 4th Marine Regiment: 864 men

iv) 1st Battalion, 9th Marine Regiment: 864 men

c) 5th Marine Regiment (Designated GCE for 5th MEB)

i) HQ Company: 24 TOW (AT-platoon), 258 men

ii) 2nd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment: 864 men

iii) 3rd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment: 864 men

ii) 2nd Battalion, 9th Marine Regiment: 864 men

d) 7th Marine Regiment (Designated GCE for 7th MEB)

i) HQ Company: 24 TOW (AT-platoon), 258 men

ii) 1st Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment: 864 men

iii) 2nd Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment: 864 men

iv) 3rd Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment: 864 men (Training at Air-Ground combat Center - 29 Palms)

f) 11th Marine Regiment (including 48 M101A1 for contingency purposes )

i) HQ Battery, 359 men

ii) 1st Battalion, 11th Marine Regiment: 24 M198, 8 M114A1, 938 men (Designated Direct Support bn for RLT 1, tasked with the WESTPAC deployment )

iii) 2nd Battalion, 11th Marine Regiment: 16 M198, 8 M114A1, 751 men (Designated Direct Support bn for RLT 5)

iv) 3rd Battalion, 11th Marine Regiment: 16 M198, 8 M114A1, 751 men (Designated Direct Support bn for RLT 7)

v) 5th Battalion, 11th Marine Regiment: 12 M109A3, 12 M110A2, 709 men (General Support)

f) 1st Tank Battalion

i) HQ and Service Company: 2 M60A1, 1 M88A1, 320 men

ii) AT (TOW) Company: 72 TOW HMMWV, 246 men

iii) 4 Tank Companies: 17 M60A1, 1 M88A1, 105 men each

f) 3rd Tank Battalion – 29 Palms, CA

i) HQ and Service Company: 2 M60A1, 1 M88A1, 320 men

ii) AT (TOW) Company: 72 TOW HMMWV, 246 men

iii) 3 Tank Companies: 17 M60A1, 1 M88A1, 105 men each

h) 1st Light Armored Infantry Battalion

i) HQ and Service Company: 4 LAV-25, 8 LAV-C2, 16 LAV-L, 2 LAV-R

ii) Weapons Company: 10 LAV-25, 16 LAV-AT, 8 LAV-M, 1 LAV-R

iii) 3 Light Armored Infantry Companies: 14 LAV-25, 1 LAV-R, 56 scouts each

i) 3rd Light Armored Infantry Battalion(-) – 29 Palms, CA

i) HQ and Service Company: 4 LAV-25, 8 LAV-C2, 16 LAV-L, 2 LAV-R

ii) Weapons Company: 10 LAV-25, 16 LAV-AT, 8 LAV-M, 1 LAV-R

iii) 2 Light Armored Infantry Companies: 14 LAV-25, 1 LAV-R, 56 scouts each

j) 1st Reconnaissance Battalion

i) HQ and Service Company: 102 men

ii) 3 Reconnaissance Companies: 79 men each (12 teams of 4 men each)

k) 3rd Assault Amphibian Battalion

i) HQ and Service Company: 15 AAVP-7, 3 AAVC-7, 2 AAVR-7, 237 men

ii) 4 Assault Amphibian Companies: 43 AAVP-7, 3 AAVC-3, 1 AAVR-7, 226 men each

l) 1st Combat Engineer Battalion

i) HQ and Service Company: 143 men

ii) Engineer Support Company: 259 men

iii) 4 Combat Engineer Companies (1 in cadre status): 114 men each

Javnia

Government Structure:

Political Appointee

1. Minister / Head of Ministry / Secretary

2. Deputy Minister / Minister of State / Under-Secretary

3. Assistant Minister / Parliamentary Secretary / Parliamentary Private Secretary

Civil Service

4. Permanent Secretary / Deputy Minister

5. Director-General / Chief Operating Officer / Assistant Deputy Minister

Operational Civil Service

6. Director / Head of Division

7. Deputy Director / Senior Manager / Team Leader

8. Policy Officer / Specialist / Analyst / Field Staff

General Liturgical Structure

Catholic, Orthodox, Anglican

Episcopate (Bishops)

Pope

Cardinal

Patriarch / Major Archbishops

Archbishops

Diocesan / Parish Bishop

Auxiliary / Coadjutor Bishop

Presbyterate (Priests)

Pastor / Parish Priest

Parochial Vicar / Assistant Priest

Monsignor

Monastic Clergy (Led by Abbot)

Diaconate (Deacons)

Transitional Deacons

Permanent Deacons

Protestant

Bishop (Methodist, Episcopal)

Elder / Pastor

Deacon

Remember to look at posts 8-10 & 17. Then read this thread for all the tips!

Javnia

Natural disasters in a NationStates game work best when they feel like events that reshape society, not just spectacles. The most compelling stories aren’t about the earthquake or hurricane itself—they’re about how governments, militaries, businesses, and ordinary people respond.

Here are some techniques that make disaster writing feel realistic.

1. Treat the disaster as a timeline

Instead of one long article, tell the story over several updates.

For example, a major earthquake:

Hour 0

Earthquake strikes.
Initial reports are confused.
Communications fail.

Hours 1–6

Government activates emergency powers.
Airports close.
Casualty estimates begin.

Day 1

Search and rescue begins.
Hospitals overwhelmed.
Military deployed.

Days 2–7

Water shortages.
Disease concerns.
International aid arrives.
Political criticism begins.

Weeks later

Reconstruction.
Economic losses.
Investigations into building failures.

Players become invested because the crisis evolves.

—

2. Scale matters

Think in layers.

Local

A collapsed bridge.
A trapped family.
A damaged police station.

Regional

Power grid failure.
Fuel shortages.
Closed highways.

National

GDP losses.
Military mobilization.
Emergency legislation.
Political consequences.

Readers understand the human scale through small stories while appreciating the national scale.

—

3. Include uncertainty

Real governments never know everything immediately.

Instead of saying:

8,543 people are dead.

Write:

Officials estimate fatalities could exceed several thousand, though many affected communities remain inaccessible.

Then update later.

Changing estimates make the event feel alive.

—

4. Let institutions react

NationStates is about governments.

Show:

Prime Minister
King
Cabinet
Military
Police
Meteorological Agency
Health Ministry
Local governors

Everyone has different responsibilities.

Example:

The Ministry of Infrastructure warned that dozens of dams required immediate inspection, while the Ministry of Health focused on preventing cholera outbreaks.

—

5. Infrastructure tells the story

Instead of only describing destruction, describe what stopped working.

Examples:

Cell towers offline
Internet outages
Rail service suspended
Airport runway cracked
Fuel pipeline ruptured
Water treatment plant flooded
Hospital operating on generators

Infrastructure failures create believable secondary crises.

—

6. Economics matter

Large disasters affect markets.

Mention things like:

Insurance losses
Food prices
Fuel shortages
Manufacturing delays
Export interruptions
Currency pressure
Emergency spending

Example:

The Ministry of Finance estimated direct damages between 2.8 and 3.4 percent of GDP.

—

7. Use experts

News articles become richer when quoting specialists.

Examples:

“Aftershocks of this magnitude may continue for weeks,” said Dr. Hana Prasetyo of the National Geological Institute.

Admiral Yusuf warned that several ports would remain closed until underwater inspections were completed.

—

8. Show ordinary people

One paragraph about civilians makes the disaster memorable.

Examples:

Firefighters digging by hand
Teachers turning schools into shelters
Fishermen rescuing flood victims
Amateur radio operators restoring communications
Volunteers distributing food

These moments provide emotional grounding without overwhelming the narrative.

—

9. Add political consequences

Disasters always become political.

Possible issues:

Opposition criticizes response.
Building code failures exposed.
Corruption investigation.
Emergency powers debated.
Budget priorities questioned.
Military praised or criticized.

Avoid making every response perfect—even competent governments face difficult tradeoffs.

—

10. Respect the science

Research:

Earthquake magnitude vs. intensity
Hurricane categories
Tsunami travel times
Flood recurrence intervals
Wildfire behavior
Volcanic eruption styles

A realistic hazard often feels more dramatic than an exaggerated one.

—

11. Use multiple perspectives

Rather than one long report, publish several pieces.

Examples:

Government press release
Newspaper article
Military situation report
Hospital bulletin
Coast Guard update
Economic assessment
Survivor interview

Each reveals different aspects of the crisis.

—

12. Think beyond the disaster

The aftermath often creates the best stories.

Examples include:

Reconstruction contracts.
Elections influenced by the response.
New building codes.
Military engineering projects.
Scientific investigations.
Memorial ceremonies.
Disaster preparedness reforms.

A major disaster can shape your nation’s politics and institutions for years.

Example story arc

Imagine a Category 5 cyclone striking Javnia’s southern coast:

Meteorological agency issues warnings three days before landfall.
Mandatory evacuations begin, but some fishing communities refuse to leave.
The cyclone makes landfall overnight, causing catastrophic storm surge and widespread power outages.
The King declares a national emergency while the armed forces deploy helicopters, engineers, and naval vessels for rescue operations.
Ports and rail lines close, disrupting exports and creating fuel shortages inland.
Relief efforts shift from rescue to providing shelter, clean water, and medical care.
Parliament debates emergency spending and investigates why several sea walls failed.
One year later, the government unveils stronger coastal defenses, updated building standards, and a national disaster resilience strategy.

This structure gives other NationStates players multiple opportunities to react diplomatically, offer aid, negotiate trade impacts, or comment on your government’s performance, making the disaster part of the shared world rather than a one-off event.

Remember to look at posts 8-10 & 17. Then read the whole thread for all the tips!

Javnia

Nation States Horror Writing Guide

Horror works best when you remember one thing:

You aren’t just writing about people encountering something terrifying. You’re writing about an entire nation trying to understand something it cannot understand.

The government, military, scientists, journalists, police, and ordinary citizens should all become pieces of the horror story.

1. Start Small

Don’t begin with the apocalypse.

Start with something mundane:

A missing fishing boat.
A train malfunction.
A strange medical case.
A military patrol that doesn’t return.
An unexplained power failure.
A research station losing communications.
A government employee receiving a strange transmission.

Then introduce one thing that doesn’t make sense.

The reader should initially think:

That’s strange.

Not:

There’s a monster!

—

2. Make the World React Realistically

Governments should investigate.

Military forces should respond.

Scientists should collect evidence.

Police should establish perimeters.

Hospitals should treat patients.

Journalists should investigate.

This is important because competent responses make the horror more believable.

Don’t make everyone incompetent simply because the antagonist needs to win.

Instead:

The government does everything correctly.

It still isn’t enough.

That’s much scarier.

—

3. Use Multiple Perspectives

Nation States gives writers an enormous advantage because you don’t have to tell the story through one character.

Use:

Newspaper articles
Government statements
Military reports
Intelligence documents
Police reports
Emergency broadcasts
Scientific papers
Diplomatic cables
Survivor testimony
Social-media posts
Ship logs
Radio transcripts
Leaked documents

Each source should reveal a different piece of the puzzle.

The reader becomes the investigator.

—

4. Don’t Explain Everything

One of the biggest mistakes in horror is explaining the monster too soon.

Instead of:

“The creature is an interdimensional organism that feeds on human neurological tissue.”

Try:

The victims had no external injuries.

All of them had been looking toward the ocean when they died.

The hospital was 40 kilometers inland.

The second version gives the reader something to worry about.

Mystery creates fear.

—

5. Make the Horror Escalate

A good Nation States horror story can follow this progression:

Incident → Investigation → Containment → Failure → Spread → Discovery → Existential Threat

For example:

Day 1: A ship disappears.

Day 2: The Navy finds it.

Day 3: The crew is dead.

Day 4: Scientists discover something abnormal.

Day 5: The quarantine zone expands.

Day 6: Another ship reports the same phenomenon 500 kilometers away.

Day 7: Intelligence discovers records of the same event occurring 80 years earlier.

Then comes the revelation:

It isn’t spreading.

It is waking up.

—

6. Use Bureaucracy as Horror

This is particularly powerful in Nation States.

A government document can be scarier than a traditional monster scene.

For example:

MINISTRY OF HEALTH — INTERNAL MEMORANDUM

Subject: Hospital 17

Personnel are reminded that patients must not be permitted to communicate with one another.

Reason: Unknown.

ADDENDUM

The reason is now known.

Do not allow patients to hear their own names spoken.

You don’t need to explain why.

The reader will imagine something worse than almost anything you could write explicitly.

—

7. Let the Government Be Wrong

A government shouldn’t immediately understand what’s happening.

Give officials reasonable theories:

Terrorist attack.

Then:

Cyberattack.

Then:

Biological incident.

Then:

Foreign intelligence operation.

Then:

Natural phenomenon.

Eventually:

None of these explanations fit.

The horror begins when the authorities run out of explanations.

—

8. Make Death Reveal Something

Don’t kill characters simply for shock value.

A death should teach the reader something.

A scientist discovers something before dying.

A soldier reports something impossible.

A sailor hears a voice on the radio.

A police officer finds evidence that contradicts everything investigators believe.

The reader should think:

Why did that happen?

rather than simply:

That person died.

—

9. Keep Normal Life Going

This is one of the most underrated techniques.

While something horrifying is happening, the country should continue functioning.

A newspaper might report:

ECONOMY: Markets rise 2.3%.

Then:

SPORTS: National team advances to semifinals.

Then:

HEALTH: Government confirms 417 unexplained deaths.

That contrast makes the world feel real.

The apocalypse doesn’t arrive with everyone immediately knowing they’re in a horror story.

—

10. Don’t Always Give the Nation a Victory

The government doesn’t necessarily have to defeat the threat.

Sometimes containment is enough.

Sometimes the government thinks it won.

Sometimes the ending reveals that it misunderstood the situation completely.

For example:

GOVERNMENT STATEMENT

The incident has been contained.

There is no threat to the public.

Citizens are advised to resume normal activities.

Then the final line:

Three hours earlier, every telephone in the country had begun ringing simultaneously.

No explanation.

End.

—

The Golden Rule

For Nation States horror, remember:

The scarier the event becomes, the more official the language should become.

A soldier screaming:

“THERE’S SOMETHING IN THE WATER!”

can be frightening.

But:

MINISTRY OF DEFENSE
NOTICE 17-B

All naval personnel are hereby prohibited from looking directly into the ocean.

is often much worse.

Because now the reader starts asking:

Why?

And that’s where the horror begins.

Remember to look at posts 8-10 & 17. Then read the whole thread for more tips!

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