Seeing that Iraq has accepted (at least de facto) the ceasefire we were offering them since the begining, Saudi Arabia suggests to begin peace talks to stabilize the zone and begin the much so delayed reconstruction our people so dearly needs.

Saudi Arabia restates we have no will to move our current borders, and that the people in the former Sunni part of Iraq are under our protection after years of misstreatment by a sectarian government, but this aside we're willing to discuss the terms of this peace, that we hope will be lasting.

In reply to Russia (msg # 28):

Following Russian expansion of its Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) to the Arctic ocean as per UNCLOS claim, considering the tacit approval of the international community and thus the applicability of the UNCLOS treaty, and finally understanding that sovereignty is a right that must be actively and physically entertained, the Nordic Federation declare the following:

1) The obsolete 1910 treaty of Svalbard, governing the economic accessibility of the archipelago and is surrounding water, is considered null and notwithstanding as of now;
2) The Nordic Federation will apply the full extend of the UNCLOS treaty to the archipelago, as it is already doing on all its other territories, and thus enforce rightfully and fully its sovereighnty on the islands territories;
3) And as per longstanding Danish and Norwegian UNCLOS claim, the Nordic Federation extend our Exclusive Economic Zone to the Arctic Ocean, including the extension of the continental shelf. As such, the Nordic Federation will claim and occupy Earth hexes 10N2 and 10N3 as of now;

The Nordic Federation will listen to all parties grievances under the UNCLOS offices and regulations.

Saudi Arabia is glad to announce that we have reached a peace agreement with Iraq.

According it, the current border will be kept, and Saudi Arabia vows to invest at least B$20/year¹ for the next 15 years in the Iraqi so needed reconstruction after so many war years.

Might Allah make this the begining of a peace and stability era in a so much mistreated zone.

OOC:

Note 1: In game terms: at least 1 PA/turn for the next 3 turns.

OOC:

Well, I've already sent my turns, as deadline has passed.

Nonetheless, the quick changing situation and the time zone problems to have answers makes me to wonder if an extensión (even a short one) will be in order...

Thoughts?

In reply to Germany (msg # 62):

I'm sorry, but I have to say no.

I've not spoken to Kelvin about this particular instance, so maybe he'll disagree - but I seriously doubt it.

Deadlines exist for a reason and we will not extend them without good reason.

The GM may come back to you with some information and say "We should assume you knew this before the end of deadline - in light of this will you change the orders specifically related to this" if, AND ONLY IF, he chooses to. Never assume that he will though because this will be rare and in circumstances where the GM has been unable to provide the information you require because of unforeseen circumstances preventing him from posting.

If you were unable to get everything sorted out in the time frame allotted then so did your nation - if the situation is rapidly changing on the forums then so it is in the game world - and you will have to factor that into your decisions when submitting orders!

The world is not a neat, controlled place where there is always time to finalise everything and double check.

But more than that, and most importantly, we must keep moving forwards
It is the most important part of keeping this game running and healthy - we cannot keep delaying, as circumstances have previously forced us to.

Unless absolutely necessary there will be no waiting around to finalise negotiations because it detracts from other people's fun as it makes them wait - and we have done a lot of waiting over the years and lost players because of it.

Kelvin and I are determined to achieve a reasonable pace for the game, that means we have to be firm on deadlines.

Discussion on topics can continue of course, but orders should be set down to represent what is happening when the deadline hits

(Speaking of which, despite my preaching here I need to get mine fully written up right now...)

I understand all of this, but see that we had just 5 days for this WR.

THough I agree the quickest the best, at an average of receiving 1 answer from Kelvin every 2 days (I guess time zones do no help here), and in many cases those answers raising even more questions, we have no reaction times in many cases.

NATO has right now 6 countries involved in the Armenian affair (Canada, France, Germany, NF, US and Turkey), while UK is not participating on it (I undertood from his las message he had problems to accessto rpol, not sure), involving 3 players and several NPCs. When deciding the last Armenian offer, we have now the votes of 3 countries, while not any of the NPCs.

That means we don't know if we're at war or we're not when giving our orders. I guess your If you were unable to get everything sorted out in the time frame allotted then so did your nation - if the situation is rapidly changing on the forums then so it is in the game world - and you will have to factor that into your decisions when submitting orders! can hardly apply to this...

And Kelvin expressely told he will not accept conditional orders willingly...

It's hard to send you troops with clear and precise orders without even knowing if they are going to war or to peace...

In reply to Germany (msg # 64):

No, I am willing to accept conditional orders on a very limited basis. What I am unwilling to accept are conditional orders so complex that it becomes very hard to untangle just what is being ordered, and I have a low tolerance of what I consider to be 'complex'.

NATO being made up of an unwieldy number of members is your problem, not the GM's. The GM also does not mind the players having difficulty in writing orders not knowing if their troops are marching into war or peace because every player is in the same situation. Players are just going to have to predict the likely consequences and take that risk.
This message was last edited by the GM at 04:28, Mon 06 Aug 2018.

NATO being made of an unwildy number of countries is a problem for all, but a problem that probably depicts well its nature, and so it's not a big problem for me.

Some of the most involved NATO countries (Canada, France and Turkey in this case) not answering the messages it's the true problem, as this is the main reason we don't know if our troops are going to peace or to war.

I understand (or believe) this is not intentional, and that you're quite busy (just the game is enough to keep you so, and sure real life too), and this is why I asked for this extensión, to allow for them to answer and having a Little clearer picture.

Forgive me to ask, but, is there any estimation about time tables?

In reply to Germany (msg # 67):

I know that I have not been very diligent lately, but we are actually coming quite close.

TY. Not questioning your diligence, we all have a real life too, just I think some updates help keep morale.

In reply to Germany (msg # 69):

Can we do something to help conclude the current round?

Same here.

Relly on us on things that do not require taking decisions (updating pages on known information, etc.).

I restate my ofer to update the Known Atlas of Space (although this will help little to speed the turn) among other such things.

I also join to the question.

Note to all
On the eve of a mass buildup of American forces, Turkey was pushed and cajoled by the Americans into slowing its plans, for now, for the reconquest of Armenia, and at least talking with Armenia about ending the conflict. It helped that America had just provided Turkey with a massive military aid package.  Armenia appears willing to accept given the progress on the front had stalled and the majority of the once numerous Russian forces in Armenia have left for Russian territory neighboring Armenia, but these Russian forces have been considerably reinforced. An estimated 50 Divisions of units of all types belonging to the Russian Federation are poised to rejoin the conflict on a moments notice.

However, the conference, set in the middle of No-man’s land, was struck by a poison gas. Among many others, the Turkish President and much of his cabinet were at least wounded. The nerve agent used has been identified as a type manufactured by Russia. The situation is rapidly developing, but it looks like the gas was delivered by a flight of Armenian planes which managed to penetrate the conference zone. The Armenian government denies everything and is specifically asking the German government to intervene and take up peacekeeping positions between the two sides.

With the Turkish President and much of his cabinet out of the picture for a while, there appears to be a breakdown in the Turkish high command, about ½ of the units immediately attacking Armenian positions, and achieving surprising success, the other 1/2 somewhat staying in place. Some of the attacking Turkish units are engaging in reprisal actions or systematic ethnic cleansing operation against local Armenian populations, while others not. It largely seems to depend on the local commanders and their control over their troops.


----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Here To Help#3

Brazil and Venezuelan allies forgo the opportunity to Attack Venezuela

Venezuela Attacks Brazil and Venezuelan allies

Venezuela: 28 Base combat strength,
–Insufficient supplies, combat will be resolved 1 column worse and final losses are increased by 100%
Mil Rank 3, Mil tech 7.5, Sum Basic Strength: 28, Final Combat Strength: 1575

Brazil: units #001, 008, 027, 028, 029, 062, 063, 069 ,070 ,074 ,076, 077, 079, 080, 076, 077, 086 (INFSEC-01), 087 (INFSEC-02), 088 (INFSEC-04)
105 SU required, 0 SU available, 0 SU used, 0 SU final
–No supplies, treated as Mil Rank 4 nation and final losses are increased by 500%
Venezuelan allies: 6 Base combat strength
Mil Rank 4, Mil tech 7.5, Sum Basic Strength: 47, Final Combat Strength: 2306
Odds are 1575/2306=0.683 which becomes 1:1.5 odds, shifted 2 to right for difference in Mil Rank, 1L for supply situation,  final odds 1:1
13:42, Today: Referee rolled 1 using 1d10.  Here To Help#3.
Results: 100%/5=20 x 2 =40% loss to Attacker, 0%= loss to defender,

Venezuela losses: 0.4 X 28 available hits = 11.2 = 12
Reduced to 16 Base combat strength

Brazil and Venezuelan allies losses: None
Venezuelan allies:
Brazil:


-------------------------------------------------------------------

Occupation Duty#6

Saudi Drones Catch Draft Dodgers Riyadh, Saudi Arabia:
“A Swarm of Camera drones can fulfill all your requirements, your majesty. We can deploy them tied to our AI systems and your national databases. Utilising the most advanced, AI driven systems and facial recognition software, we can ensure that anyone attempting to avoid conscription can be identified, tracked, detained and transferred to a military training facility.

In addition, we estimate that by tying management of your manpower and recruitment to the AI system, we can increase your military readiness and size of your forces whilst avoiding civil unrest thanks to its predictive algorithms that can advise on the best time to implement the various measures without causing unrest.”
-InSightec Sales Executive talking with Saudi Army Minister, Prince
Khalid

Iraq forgoes the opportunity to Attack Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia forgoes the opportunity to Attack Iraq


---------------------------------------------------------------------

A Call to Arms#3

The Virtue of the Vicious
Tonight on ‘What the World Wants, with Roberta Valantino’ - Live, Only on AmeriLink, two survivors of the apparent Armenian WMD attack on the peace conference at Bagaran exclusively tell us their stories

(36 hours earlier)
Turkish Air Defence HQ - Armenian Sector
<“Sir, we have blips closing on the western edge of the exclusion zone around the conference”>
<“Steady on soldier”>

Akçay Polat (A man wearing a severe suit with a Turkish flag pin on the lapel) :
“I was with the members of the Presidential guard, stood at the edge of the compound. Everyone was waiting for the Armenians to arrive for the last of the talks.
Hugo Hernandez (A young man wearing the uniform of a US Marine):
“The captain was stood with the Turkish President and the Secretary of State. Dress uniform, the whole kit and kaboodle. It was supposed to be the conclusion of negotiations, and it had been going well. No one was really expecting any kind of fight, no one had their MOPP gear to hand, certainly not the captain in his dress uniform.

(36 hours earlier)
USMC 1st Corps - Armenian/Turkish border - Bagaran
“TacCom reports incoming fastmovers! Bearing West, closing fast!”
“Get the VIPs out now! - Get the Cars started NOW!”
“Incoming!”
“Jesus fuck! GAS! GAS! GAS!”
“Holy mother! N!B!C! GEAR NOW!”
Screams of pain
“Val! C’mon man, C’mon, get it on yourself NOW, Move it Marine!”
“Leave him! Get the VIPs out NOW!”

A P: It was chaos, people started clawing at their faces on the other side of the compound. Then one of the American Marines started running towards our end of the compound screaming ‘Gas! Gas!’”
H H: Someone on the detail managed to dig their stuff out and pass it to the Sec State - one of the Turks did the same for their VIP. Some of us didn’t get it on quite in time and had limited exposure - most of us didn’t get the MOPP on at all, the rest of us tried to get it on them, but they just kept clawing at their mouths, the captain was screaming…. We tried but all we ended up doing was hold hold them down as they died”

(36 hours earlier)
USMC 1st Corps - Armenian/Turkish border - Convoy heading towards Turkey
“No artillery yet…. If they were waiting to hit us then not follow up?”
“Sammy, get HQ on the TacNet! Sitrep!- How’re the VIPs doing!?”
“Sec State got few good lung fulls, Docs treating him now - says he’ll pull through with some lung scarring”
“And the Turkish President!?”
“Looks like his detail was on the ball on this one - some exposure but less than our guy - they trusted them less”
“Good reason by the looks of it”
“They’re on Sir… I’ve got half of our guys and all of the Turks screaming at us wanting to know what’s going on”
“Oh, this is going to be fun….”

H H: “We got into some of the vehicles and bugged out, called it in just in time to have a plane smash in front of us after getting hit by Turkish AA. We’re just lucky the Turks had our back in taking out those Armenians- we never expected it - we had to make a dash back to the lines - we didn’t know if we were going to get shelled or something - all bets were off!
A P: “The Americans brought out my President to the motorcade- they came running towards us wearing gas masks. There were so few of them left. There were supposed to be quite a few press with them, very few made it out. Some of their recordings did though, one of them was even broadcasting live to Link - the world was watching them die there…


Armenia  forgoes the opportunity to Attack Turkey

Faction Militant Turkey attack Armenia and Russia

Armenia: 64 Base combat strength
Russia: unit#0346 and 102nd Military Base
Mil Rank 3, Mil tech 8.1, Sum Basic Strength: 66, Final Combat Strength: 4330

Militant Turkey: Turkey has 133 + 64 from American arms gifts = 197 Base combat strength, only 99 can be used by faction Militant Turkey
Mil Rank 3, Mil tech 7.5, Sum Basic Strength: 99, Final Combat Strength: 5568

Odds are 5568/4330 = 1.285 which becomes 1:1 odds
17:54, Today: Referee rolled 10 using 1d10
Results: 0%/5=0% loss to Attacker, 40%/5=8% loss to Defender,

Militant Turkey: No losses

Armenia and Russia loses: 0.08 X 66 available hits = 5.28 = 5
Armenia : Reduced to 60 Base combat strength
Russia: Unit 0346 is destroyed.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


la amitié#2

The Signal is Strong
"Free flow of information is the breath of the Cyber Spirit and our only safeguard against tyranny. The once-chained people, whose leaders at last lose their grip on information flow, will soon burst with freedom and vitality. But the free nation gradually constricting its grip on public discourse has begun its rapid slide into despotism.
Beware of he who would deny you access to information, for in his heart he dreams himself your master. Let us begin to set the people of the world free and ensure they may never be chained again!"
- Emperor Yi Dae-won to the Coders of the Korean Cyber Spiritualist movement as the Grand Neo-Seoul Link-Broadcast is turned on

Nigeria and Togo allies attack Togo


Togo: 4 Base combat strength
Mil Rank 4, Mil tech 6.6, Sum Basic Strength: 3, Final Combat Strength: 130

Togo allies: 2 Base combat strength
Nigeria: units 0043, 0101, 0301, 0401
15 SU required, 37 SU available, 22 SU final
Mil Rank 4, Mil tech 6.5, Sum Basic Strength: 12, Final Combat Strength: 507

Odds are 507/130=3.9 which becomes 3:1 odds, final odds 3:1
20:46, Today: Referee rolled 5 using 1d10

Results: 20%/5=4% loss to Attacker, 60%/5=12% loss to Defender,

Nigeria and Togo allies losses: 0.04 X 12 available hits =0.48=1
Nigeria : Unit 101 destroyed

Togo losses: 0.12 X 3 available hits = 0.36=1
Togo : Reduced to 2 Base combat strength

Togo forgoes the opportunity to attack Nigeria and Togo allies

Military analysts have concluded that Togo now has insufficient supplies needed to completely fulfill its requirements for an additional Quick Combat Round.
This message was last edited by the GM at 20:22, Thu 27 Sept 2018.

From the Results for 2045 Quick Combat Round#3 message in the HP

(bold is mine)

As Juli 21^th is nearly 2 months over, I guess you mean September 21^th...

If so, only 6 days to come over all this mess?

In reply to Germany (msg # 74):

Ahh! Yes, you are right, to both points.

Should we already use the units list for units moves or this will begin next turn?

BTW, speaking of this:

if units movements must be posted there openly, this may give advantage to the last one sending them, so probably making most of us to try to do it at the last moment (and probably interfering one another when tryong so).

To avoid this, I'd suggest to send your moves in the orders, as previously, and then, after 24 hours past the deadline (to allow someone being a Little late if needed), but before 72 hours past the deadline, to transcribe them to the spreadsheet.

If so, as a general rule, the spreadsheet will take precedence over orders, so orders not transcribed there will not be valid (unless the GM rules otherwise, of course).

While quickly reviewing the various spreadsheets I've seen that most divisions have their base unit strenght wrong (MR planes, helos mech and artillery divisions showing it as 16 instead of 15, armor divisions showing it as 27 instead of 25 and maybe others)

In reply to Germany (msg # 77):

>I've seen that most divisions have their base unit strenght wrong
No. See section 10.5 of the rules.

In reply to Germany (msg # 76):

>if units movements must be posted there openly, this may give advantage to the last
>one sending them, so probably making most of us to try to do it at the last moment
>(and probably interfering one another when tryong so).
I know. That is the way how I want it. Like I said in the Message, it was done this way BY DESIGN.

Sorry, I had yet no time to read them well. After suggesting to give some advantage to división-sized units I won't now complain...



As you want, but then don't complain if we go on each other way when trying to post them at the smae tiem (most such spreadsheets don't allow more than one perso nto try at once).

Again, should we already use it this WR, or it will begin next turn?

In reply to Germany (msg # 80):

>Again, should we already use it this WR, or it will begin next turn?
For this turn only, use of the sheet is optional.

Well, turns (for Germany and Saudi Arabia) sent.

Alea jacta est

Note to all
-Germany goes to War Footing. Unusual success in Political Action of convincing the German public to go along with it
-Canada claims Sol-Gamma-11N1, 10N1, 7N8, 6N4 for Settlement#33
-China claims Sol-Gamma-4N30 4N31 3N31 for Settlement#39
-Argentina claims Sol-Gamma-6S10 4S14 5S12  for Settlement#7


-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Here To Help#4

Brazil and Venezuelan allies forgo the opportunity to Attack Venezuela

Venezuela forgo the opportunity to Attack Brazil and Venezuelan allies

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A Call to Arms#4

-Political Action Germany to cause Armenia to rebel and surrender. Crushing success. Between German efforts and the massive Allied invasion, there is a rapid collapse and anarchy on the Armenian side. Fleeing towards Allied forces, or fleeing away from Allied forces, or just generally fleeing, particularly from the rampaging Turks, the roads of Armenia are choked with refugees, chaos, misery, and despair. Allied advance is only slowed by the time it takes to push through this mess. Allied soldiers are often met with bedraggled Armenian soldiers, or local leaders, literally carrying on platters the heads of anyone that they think might appease the Allies (hopefully the heads are *mostly* those of more senior ex-leadership, best not to ask). The shell-shocked wretches in front of Allied forces are trembling with fear, nobody living professes to know anything useful about Armenian attacks with chemical weapons on the peace conference site.


Armenia  forgoes the opportunity to Attack Turkey

Germany, USA, NordicFed and Faction Militant Turkey attack Armenia and Russia


Armenia: 60 Base combat strength
Russia: unit#0021 and 102nd Military Base
Mil Rank 3, Mil tech 8.1, Sum Basic Strength: 64, Final Combat Strength: 4199

Militant Turkey: 99 can be used by faction Militant Turkey
Germany: # 0002, 0003, 0052, 0101,  0207, 0208, 0213, 0214, 0215, 0709, 0710, 0711, 0712, 0713, 0714, 0801, 0802, 0803, 0901, 0902, 0903, 0904
110 SU required, 532 SU available, 422 SU final
USA:0001 0043 0044 0047 0048 0049 0051 0052 0053 0065 0083
300 SU required, 409 SU available, 109 SU final
NordicFed forces moving to Romania but not able to participate in combat this QCR.
Mil Rank 2, Mil tech 8.2, Sum Basic Strength: 333, Final Combat Strength: 22390

Odds are 22390/4199 = 5.33 which becomes 5:1 odds, shifted 2 to the right for German PA, shifted 2(3-2)=2 the right for difference in Military Rank, Final Odds >10:1
16:45, Today: Referee rolled 10 using 1d10.  A Call to Arms#4.
Results: 0%/5=0% loss to Attacker, 100%/5=20% loss to Defender,

Germany, USA, NordicFed, and Faction Militant Turkey: No losses

Armenia and Russia loses: 0.20 X 64 available hits = 12.8 = 13
Armenia : Reduced to 50 Base combat strength
Russia: Unit 0021 is destroyed.

Armenia surrenders
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


la amitié#3
Un-Plugging the Breach
“You are ordered not to connect to the new wireless Links - they are an attempt by the enemies of the state to corrupt the holy tranquility of China. Hebrews 13:17 is clear on your duty to the State!
We are commanded by God to “honor thy mother and father” and the Communist Party is Mother and Father to the Nation! Heed these words because we are confronted by serpents and temptors, for as the Book says “For as by the one man's disobedience the many were made sinners.” Let none be swayed by these demons that have tried to breach the digital walls the party have erected to protect our souls from the corrupt sectors beyond our borders.
Proclamation #287-A issued by the Department of Social and Spiritual Tranquility of the CCP

Nigeria and Togo allies attack Togo


Togo: 4 Base combat strength
Mil Rank 4, Mil tech 6.6, Sum Basic Strength: 2, Final Combat Strength: 87
–Insufficient supplies, combat will be resolved 1 column worse and final losses are increased by 100%

Togo allies: 2 Base combat strength
Nigeria: units 0041, 0043, 0103, 0301, 0401
25 SU required, 22 SU available, 0 SU final
Mil Rank 4, Mil tech 6.5, Sum Basic Strength: 15, Final Combat Strength: 633
–Insufficient supplies, combat will be resolved 1 column worse and final losses are increased by 100%

Odds are 633/87=7.27 which becomes 7:1 odds, shift 1 right, shift 1 left, final odds 7:1
10:35, Today: Referee rolled 5 using 1d10.  la amitié#3.

Results: 0% loss to Attacker, 100%/5 X2 for insufficient supplies =40% loss to Defender,

Nigeria and Togo allies losses: none

Togo losses: 0.40 X 2 available hits = 0.8 = 1
Togo : Reduced to 1 Base combat strength

Togo surrenders to Nigeria and Togo allies


--------------------------------------------------------------
End of Turn Warning
This is your end of the turn warning. In light of the circumstances, GM declares that the events of Quick Combat Round#4 were close enough to the end of time available in the 2045-2049 time span that no more movement by any units can be done unless someone makes arrangements to do more combat or expend PApoints. I think we all need time to adapt to the situation on the ground and that is best done over a new turn. You will have until Oct 5 12:00 UTC if you want to order more combat or expend PApoints, otherwise the Turn will be closed then and we will move onto the 2050-2054 Turn.
This message was last edited by the GM at 23:37, Tue 16 Oct 2018.