Alpha Centauri 2

Community => Planet Tales => Topic started by: MysticWind on March 13, 2021, 02:38:55 AM

Title: Datalinks of the Second Ship
Post by: MysticWind on March 13, 2021, 02:38:55 AM
Foreword

Quite some time ago I attempted an overambitious project to create two sets of factions, fourteen in all, that would take place after Alien Crossfire.  Right now it's pretty much just fanfic, though I'm possibly open to modding.

The story is about the Federated Countries Ship Sovereignty, an Earth craft that was, like Unity, crash-built.  My spin on Earth was that there was a war between opposing multinational blocs- the UN and the International Federation of Countries, an idea I got decades ago from an obscure fanfic (https://m.fanfiction.net/s/217995/1/Hope) that was written before 9/11.  Several years after the Unity was launched, circa AD 2070, the Sovereignty was sent after a truce.

The Sovereignty didn't break apart like Unity did, but I imagined that after it reached planet and some cursory communications was established with some already-present factions, history repeated with a second Planetfall where differing philosophical factions on the second ship went their separate ways. I also had intended that the ship was modular enough to just break apart like Tinkertoys into seven ways. The second set of seven would be factions that would arise later on into the future, similar to the SMAX ones.

My world-building was heavily influenced by Earth by David Brin, Contact by Carl Sagan, among other futurist works of social sci-fi.

What follows are the leader profiles as per the Firaxis format, with the faction concepts themselves underneath:

Planetary Settlers

Michael Garrison
Major
Colonization Specialist, Settler Representative
United States of America
01-31-2040

Service Record:
Born 2040, Bloomington, Indiana.  High school degree, 2.5 GPA, J. D. Quayle High. Joined U.N. Resettlement Program in Patagonia.  Demonstrated hardiness and ingenuity in harsh environment, commended for successfully mediating between rival Cypriot refugee groups.  Repeatedly promoted, eventually attaining rank of ecologic adjuster.

Expanded colonies under personal responsibility fivefold with no loss of threatened species despite repeated flooding during La Bestia cycle, appointed director of the Antarctic Settlement Program by U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees.  Resettled Crusader Wars refugees with low casualties while facing subzero conditions, displaying knack for preserving the natural state around settled areas. Received an appointment to the post of Colonization Specialist from the U.N.-F.C. Trucial Alpha2 Committee following armistice.

Psych Profile: Pioneer Harmonist

Ability to create and maintain large communities within the wilderness shows a deep strength of leadership and resolve.  Sense of wonder and appreciation of nature is enhanced by restlessness, a desire for new frontiers to explore and to claim.  Strong survival skills create a sense of calmness in the face of a dangerous environment.  Childhood background indicates discontent towards living in city that had one of the highest percentages of senior citizens in America. High school records show an inclination for the “Settlers” gang-clique, a post-Boy Scouts organization stressing individual efforts and exploration rather than regimentation and discipline.

While claiming not to be “a sissy WorOrthChuGa,” subject shows a deep understanding of natural equilibrium despite rejection of the Gaian religion. Previous achievements demonstrate a keen ability to coexist with surroundings without causing detrimental change. Combines affable, homespun personality with ability to harmonize with different environments to draw others' to his cause.

Quote
Planetary Settlers
“Planet is not meant to be colonized by industrial methods that destroy the soil, pollute the air, and add nothing to the spirit of manifest destiny- carving out a new home with our own hands. Planet is meant to be settled.”
- Governor Michael Garrison, Settler’s Guide

“Settlers Ho!” -Rallying cry.

(https://i.imgur.com/j3FXI.png)
Symbol/Insignia: A miner’s pick and a frying pan crossing each other diagonally, and a state emblem-esque background with rolling hills, a river, and two suns in the sky.
Leader: Governor Michael Garrison
Background: Colonization leader of Antarctica Settling Program, United States of America
Agenda: Settling of Chiron with ecologically-friendly measures.

Technology: Centauri Ecology
+1 Planet (Willing to treat Planet well)
+1 Morale (Stalwart defenders of their outposts)
-1 Probe (Frontier cities easy to infiltrate)
-1 Economy (Strict environmentalism leads to certain sacrifices)
Terraforming bonus (Master earthworkers)


Darwin Raiders

Robin Huxley
Master Sergeant
Chief of Security
United Kingdom
05-04-2035

Service Record:

Born 2035, Cornwall, United Kingdom, to military parents. Attended Royal Military Academy Sandhurst, specializing in counterinsurgency tactics, mechanized weapon technologies, and with minor focus in political sciences. Joined British Territorial Army upon graduating, saw action in Edinburgh Retaliation (Second Scottish War of Independence outside U.K.) in a tank division she later commanded. Spearheaded use of efficient anti-militia tactics towards the end of the conflict, crushing all nationalist opposition in Northumberland, earning her the nickname of “Boudicaa” from Briton and Scot alike.

Later served in the Commonwealth Crisis, the “British Pax Decay.”  During five month tour of duty in North America, played an instrumental part in defeating Quebecois radicals in the brutal Battle of Montreal. Awarded honors from both Confederation of Canada and the Dominion of Newfoundland for fighting renegade hyper-survivalists. Modified speeder tanks for “stealth” attacks, one of her most infamous tactics.

Settled down following transfer to Australia, becoming a guest professor on governmental theory at Northern Territory University. Began a study of aboriginal societies. Formed a veterans unit of fellow anti-militiamen, the Darwin Road Warriors. Personally saw ratification of controversial Farewell With Honour agreements in Canberra.

The U.K., a member of the Big Nine, was able to secure her as a colonist for the Alpha2 Enterprise. Became the chief of security onboard the FCS Sovereignty and placed many anti-survivalists in key positions. Notably absent during the last days before the Second Ship’s arrival along much of security force personnel, along with members of the science team.

Psych Profile: Wanderer Restorationist

Superb combat prowess due to comprehensive knowledge of tactics and talent at repurposing opponent strategies to use against them. Units under subject's command maintained strong esprit de corps through fraternal bloodshed. Not content to stay in one place, favoring movement and activity instead of passiveness and caution. Scorn for well-content and the established possibly rooted in family's pre-military working class roots.

Intellectual background is of interest. While known to be an outspoken critic of Nat Holm’s neo-feudalistic survivalism, subject agrees with assertions of a slow “dum-dum decay” of civilization, leading to inevitable collapse and complete dark age. Morally opposed to the hypothetical catastrophe, in contrast to Holmian dogma. Ideals conveyed in NTU teachings, inspiration unclear, possibly twentieth century works.

Quote
Darwin Raiders
“The hyper-survivalist militias of old Earth were wrong. Humanity had not fallen, nor were we in a decline. What was truly at stake was stagnation- should we be content forever to live sedentary, innocent-bystander lives? Perhaps the masses can, but we shall not. In the wilds we will live, taking what we need from the complacent, until their cities fall, their civilizations break, and our nucleus of humanity survives.”
- Chieftain Robin Huxley, The Tartars of Tomorrow

(https://i.imgur.com/ZwLxw.png)
Symbol/Insignia: Banner of assault trooper's masked head above crisscrossing rifle and psi-whip
Leader: Chieftain Robin Huxley
Background: Anti-militia tank commander, United Kingdom
Agenda: Cultivation of smartest and strongest in a nomadic lifestyle for restarting civilization.

Technology: Doctrine: Mobility
+2 Support (Bases geared towards military preparedness)
+1 Morale (Military strength for raiding attacks)
Starts with free unit: Unity Speeder
Need Hab Complex for bases to exceed size 3 (Against sedentary lives)
Can steal a technology when capturing a base.
15% Chance of revolting bases joining faction


Notes
I'm drawing very heavily on Earth in Michael Garrison's profile- he's meant to be essentially a combination of the Bloomington Settler boys and Nelson Grayson. The reference to Gaianism being a neopagan religion that exists on Earth is also based from that book. Robin Huxley, of course, is a reader of Asimov's Foundation. I'd also claim her character to be a little closer to Tank Girl than Santiago, but I haven't actually watched that movie/read that comic, just seen the trailer. Her faction is also very influenced by Genghis Khan and the history of the Mongol Empire, including their social organization.

I don't remember how I got the idea for the Settlers, but I basically just decided that there should be a faction named Raiders if there's already one named Pirates. I made a lot of arbitrary decisions back then that I'm alternatively justifying or retrofitting now. Maybe I should retcon the Raiders to be a flyboy faction (http://www.reddit.com/r/alphacentauri/comments/juu3rq/what_if_there_were_seven_human_factions_in_smax/gd3usbl/) since Spartans have land and Pirates have the seas, but I'd argue they're at least different from the former because they're not big into creating big fortress military city-states, and are more free-flowing. Though they do deserve one sprawling capital, eventually: Great Karakorum, their tribute to the Khans.

The stats for the factions were always things I had drafted up without actually play-testing, and have been subject to a couple different thread's of critique and I'm still not sure if they're good or not. But really hoping that people have opinions on the lore!
Title: Re: Datalinks of the Second Ship
Post by: Geo on March 13, 2021, 07:23:35 AM
United States of America?
United Kingdom?
What are those political entities anno 2060?
Miriam Godwinson hailed from the Christian States of America, and Deirdre Skye from Free Scotland!  :P
Title: Re: Datalinks of the Second Ship
Post by: MysticWind on March 13, 2021, 08:37:07 AM
Ulrik is from the U.S. ;sven, and Huxley's bio is describing the formation of Free Scotland  ;deidre;
Title: Re: Datalinks of the Second Ship
Post by: Geo on March 13, 2021, 09:15:10 AM
Huxley's bio?
Title: Re: Datalinks of the Second Ship
Post by: MysticWind on March 13, 2021, 09:56:47 AM
Did you actually read what I wrote?
Title: Re: Datalinks of the Second Ship
Post by: Geo on March 13, 2021, 02:53:14 PM
I have now. :o
Title: Re: Datalinks of the Second Ship
Post by: MysticWind on March 13, 2021, 03:55:00 PM
Sovereign Magistrates

Aleksandr Borokhov
Executive Officer
Second-in-Command
Ukraine
01-19-2015

Service Record:

Born 2015, Odessa, Ukraine. Child of liberal-democratic activists, grew up with acute awareness of the change undergoing in his nation. Followed in parents' footsteps since a young age, began local chapter of the Pora! student movement in primary school, achieved early recognition for organizing youth mass rallies in favor of reform throughout academic career. Studied International Law at Lviv University, postgraduate work interrupted by outbreak of the Slavic Resurgence. Lobbied heavily for Ukrainian entrance into Euro Union, identified by the government as a 'questionable personality' and drafted into the Ground Forces after apprehension at one of the pro-democratic Orange Rallies by MVS agents.

Subsequently fought in the Crimean Campaign, one of the worst theaters of the conflict, in unit that saw eighty percent fatalities. Returned after the Great Rodina expansionist movement fell with the first Russian economic crash in 2041. Attempted to reenter politics, became disillusioned by the failure of the Pancolor Revolution within Ukraine, and the apparent apathy of the international establishment without. Traveled to the Americas, eventually settling in Buenos Aires in 2044. Like many combat veterans, became an ardent follower of Rafael Cruz, bringing his personal eloquence and community organization abilities to the secessionist campaign. Eventually became Cruz's personal envoy during the Federative War, seeing combat in Central America and Indonesia. Served in the 2066 peace talks, ended up as International Federation of Countries attaché to the Alpha2 Enterprise, then as Cruz's direct subordinate aboard the Sovereignty.

Psych Profile: Autonomist Legalist

Subject exhibits strongly paradoxical beliefs reflected by political convictions. Former idealism of a worldwide community ordered around democratic principles and human rights- the same goals of the United Nations- are no longer held by subject, though remnants exist as artifacts of idealistic past. Disillusionment in the abilities of human beings to coexist through constitutional civil society led to an ideological mix of both authoritarian and classical liberal ideals- subject is a champion of a strict international system designed to maintain peace, yet allowing member nations to freely remain unintegrated from central power. As a one-time pupil of Rafael Cruz, subject believes in supranational interventionist actions to prevent tyranny and infringement against human rights, but also in allowing "responsible nations" to maintain high levels of sovereignty apart for the world order. Possesses fervently skeptical, even paranoid views against the United Nations. Disrespects mission regulations and protocol at will.

The truce with the Federated Countries remains tenuous at best.  Loss of contact with the UNS Unity speculated to be result of sabotage, internal balkanization. Initiatives must remain in place to prevent any such betrayal of the Alpha2 mission by FC partisans. Subject's natural leadership and personal beliefs mark him as highly suspect. Contingency measures regard him as liability only second in priority to Secretary-General Cruz.

Quote
Sovereign Magistrates
“Many times as I knelt in the trenches- huddling from fear, sobbing from loss, I wondered why we fought- did not both the United Nations and the International Federation of Countries want peace and unity? Still, as one by one my comrades died, as city by city fell, the purpose of our dark mission became clearer- peace through war, unity through separation, freedom through control.”
- Commandant Aleksandr Borokhov, Hell: The UN-FC War

(https://i.imgur.com/MK6oV.png)
Symbol/Insignia: A dove flying upwards holding a lightning bolt in its talons, with a big star in the background.
Leader: Commandant Aleksandr Borokhov
Background: Adjunct to the SG of the Federated Countries on Earth, from the Ukraine
Agenda: A democratic and allied confederation of factions devoted to the destruction of oppressors and warmongers.

Technology: Doctrine: Loyalty
+1 Support (Willing to sacrifice for peace)
+1 Efficiency (Cutthroat political maneuvering)
-2 Economy (Confederate machinations impede development)
-1 Growth (Anti-overpopulation measures favored)
Free Command Center at each base.
Free Prototypes
Gets an extra comm frequency at beginning (Masters of communications)


Some notes on the Magistrates:

Elders of Chiron

Avril Walker
Lt. Commander
Video Mechanics Chief
Canada
03-20-1981

Service Record:

Born 1981, Vancouver, Canada to upper middle class family.  Graduated from the University of British Columbia with a Masters in Media Studies and Communications. Following a failed early acting career, entered the corporate world via parents' company, True View Limited. Gradually became a project manager during the second Netboom in 2005 on the multi-platform Watch 2.0 widget, gaining renown as an able manager and for her exploitation of the rise of selfcentric media. Her involvement in refining the popular application and the youthful, colorful personality she projected to the press made her the public face of the company. Though dismissed by skeptics as an opportunist with limited managerial and technical experience, moved on to spearheading several associated memeapps, including the Now! Network, the Primeape Zone, and investment in panopticon technology, culminating in the centerpiece of her family's future, TrueVu Googles. Released in 2014 as the first widespread mainstream panoptics, T-V revolutionized digital culture and brought about the fourth Netboom, earning her a VP position within the company along with the Gates/Fiorina Award. Because of the rapidly increasing use of portable recorders for government and counter-government surveillance, was called upon by Parliament to testify in 2028 following the Farnham Incident. Within days, True View Ltd. was bombarded by multiple lawsuits and accused of "selling the public volatile and privacy-invading devices." Though she, and TVL, were eventually exonerated by the Canadian Human Rights Tribunal, the matter was not settled until the U.N. Declaration of Multilateral Secrecy in 2033.

By then she had long since resigned as Vice President of her company in favor of her brother, though not before introducing several successful incarnations of TrueVu Googles, including the Neutronium Edition, which almost singlehandedly brought the Helix OS to prominence in the public eye. After a brief stint as an independent consultant and as a producer for her Now! Network, surprised many by moving from the private sector to international governance. Scorned by detractors as an attention-seeking dabbler and as a corporate cat's paw, began a diplomatic career at the United Nations, representing various NGOs related to global communications and serving as an architect of the 2033 Declaration. Began philanthropic work through the Rockingham Foundation, providing aid to infrastructure in the developing world. Became involved in reconstruction of Los Angeles after the Year of Panic; later dismissed for nepotism in securing contracts for Global Manticore. Received experimental Edenic treatments in 2043, including extensive telomerase modifications. Visited space at the grand opening of the Virgin Orbital Hilton in 2047 at the height of the Gaza Crisis. Heavily criticized for excesses typifying her generation. After the passage of the Augmented Seniors Tax in 2056, became a champion for the rights of aged persons in Canada, touring Federated Countries member states to public outcry. Ultimately appointed head of Video Mechanics of the Sovereignty for the Alpha2 Enterprise after serving as chairwoman of the United Nations Senior Rights Committee for a single term.

Psych Profile: Invasive Watcher

Innovative and tenacious personality. Subject's corporate career and personal life indicate preference for a variety of projects and initiatives without any long-time commitment to any one. Though not ruthless, personality and generational origin indicate a capricious attitude towards others except those considered to be in her personal network. Exhibits both voyeuristic and exhibitionist tendencies characteristic of "Generation Me and Mine." Despite this, subject possesses high emotional intelligence and the ability to effectively utilize electronic media to command others. Persistent presence in business for over fifty years indicates a high level of adaptation, abilities to survive and thrive, and comprehensive experience. Expert knowledge of surveillance technologies will be invaluable to preventing sabotage and hacker attacks. Main concern is subject's misplaced loyalty towards her fellow co-ages; may favor older members of the mission at the expense of those she deems "too young."

Quote
Elders of Chiron
“See how quickly the young run, and soon forget us. Watch them build their crumbling playground empires, and scream and holler at each other and cry as they realize that they have no wisdom, no guidance, no understanding. We once shamefully put our grandparents into nursing homes, and now fate comes to return the favor. Well, let us live independent forever or die trying!”
- Eldress Avril Walker, Y Now, Y Forever

“Back in my day, we were so more 1337…”

(https://i.imgur.com/05hsM.png)
Symbol/Insignia: An hour glass with the bottom completely full, yet the top 3/4ths full, too. In front of it are three helixes.
Leader: Eldress Avril Walker
Background: Chairwoman of UN Senior Rights Committee from Canada
Agenda: Community of age-enhanced seniors, free from the restrictions of youngsters. A gerontocracy.

Technology: Biogenetics
-2 Growth (It’s a colony of old people, for cryin’ out loud!)
+1 Probe (The cyberpunk generation: the children of Counter-Strike)
+1 Research (Have preserved substantial tech files following Arrival)
+1 Morale (You haven’t got much more to see after you hit 200… might as well fight)
Receives double votes in elections for Planetary Governor and Supreme Leader (Senior Citizens’ voting clout)


And on the Elders:
Since the profiles I've posted so far were originally written between 2005-2008 (plus one written in 2011), doing a pastiche on a classic sci-fi game made in 1997-1999, and inspired largely by a lot of pre-2000s science fiction (I still have yet to read Existence by David Brin yet), it's meant to have a retrofuturistic feel.
Title: Re: Datalinks of the Second Ship
Post by: Buster's Uncle on March 13, 2021, 04:20:18 PM
...Giving these faction art would be pretty elementary.  Check here: https://alphacentauri2.info/My%20Custom%20Factions/Custom%20Factions3.html...
Title: Re: Datalinks of the Second Ship
Post by: MysticWind on March 13, 2021, 05:31:37 PM
Thanks. I'm mostly interested in hearing what people think of the concept and story, but also what they might think of the potential gameplay. I've had them vetted once, a long time ago... (https://apolyton.net/forum/other-games/alpha-centauri/ac-creation/150761-the-second-ship-the-second-topic).
Title: Re: Datalinks of the Second Ship
Post by: MysticWind on March 16, 2021, 08:18:56 AM
The Parish of Planet

Pierre Mputu Kasala
Legatus a latere
Papal Representative
Congo
01-18-2027

Service Record:

Born 2027, Lubumbashi, Zairean Republic of Katanga, Congo Union. Third and youngest child in family involved in rare earth minerals extraction. Parents lost in mining accident at early age, raised under care of grandparents. Under grandfather’s direction, entered minor seminary and pursued priesthood despite societal receding of the church in post-unification Congo. Studied philosophy and theology at Grand Séminaire de Lubumbashi, specializing in Advanced Theodicy and Comparative Natural Law, respectively. Finished two years early, successfully defending dissertation before entire faculty with facts and logic. “Reconcilable Virtue Systems Across Christianity, Reformed Gaianism, and Luba Indigenous Faith (Full Defense)” became viral on FishersNet for months as an exemplar in innovative theology.

While sought by the Mendelians, entered the Dominican Order upon ordination. Served as parish priest of the Church of St. Blaise Pascal until called into holy service abroad in the War of Nigerian Dissolution. Worked alongside U.N.-ECOWAS relief agencies to deliver humanitarian aid. Took command of mission in 2054 after major superior was kidnapped and slain by violent sunnahists affiliated with Dar al-Harb. Focused friars’ presence on direct care for the vulnerable, even during the heaviest of fighting, to reinforce the palliative role of the church. Undertook risky inoculation campaign in dangerous Lake Chad region during 2057 ebola-3 outbreak, containing it; awarded the Order of Muyembe in recognition.

Good works accomplished via sophisticated social networks personally cultivated in the field, spanning races and religions. Leveraged same network when friars remained in-country post-Morganstar Accords to proselytize. Left safety of the codified states for the tripartite disputed zones where other evangelists feared to tread. Became popular figure in Muslim territory after expanding water access by surreptitiously funneling Catholic charity aid money into public projects; gained begrudging respect from Black Axe lords by negotiating Plainview-Shell’s departure from western Niger Delta. Stoked controversy in Christian areas by denouncing provisional government’s treatment of local animists. Ultimately served as architect of multiple post-conflict agreements, reaffirming the church's role as peacemaker.

Preaching further attacked by unlikely sources. North American Protestant missionaries openly repudiated Catholic mission’s presence as “One-Worlder idolaters”. True to their order’s founder, friars responded in kind with fierce denouncements. Ensuing series of public debates between Dominican Order and Evangelical Fire missions later dubbed Kano Disputations. Drew in large crowds of curious local onlookers and religious scholars alike, netting untold online vidwatchers. Maverick preaching style elicited accusations of doctrinal laxity, bordering on heresy, from Archbishop Eglantine.

Called before the Roman Curia in 2062. Subjected to inquiry by the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith on accusations of incorporating native and even neo-pagan rituals into the orthodox Zaire Rite. Claims proved unfounded. Vindicated by witness testimony and fervent self-defense. However, reassigned from the post-Nigerian states and appointed bishop of the Diocese of Goma and the titular bishop of Phobos. Attained PhD in Applied Bioethics from Virunga Institute. Maintained prominent netlink presence throughout the Federative War, remotely ministering to the afflicted in Africa, the Euro Union, Latin America, the Middle East, and beyond.

Summoned to Rome following armistice. Despite rumors of fast-tracking to a cardinalship, instead appointed papal legate to Chiron colonies in surprising move by Thomas I shortly after the equally controversial canonization of Ramon Llull. Grilled extensively by both U.N. and F.C. Alpha2 Committee members alike, facing public distrust of the inclusion of high-ranking non-secular clerics, favoritism of religions represented. Approved after unexpected yes votes from the delegates of the Christian States of America, Hedjaz, Somalia, and Yorubaland. Laudatory speech by pastoral delegate, previously a Kano Disputation opponent, proved decisive. Joined papal diplomatic mission headed by Cardinal Calungsod aboard FCS Sovereignty.

Psych Profile: Revivalist Pluralist

Masterful rhetorician with deep communication skills applicable to multitudes of social contexts. Ability to distill complex moral philosophical concepts into mass audiences with parables and personal emotional connections. Willingness to adopt the mindset of others enables subject to appeal directly in convincing manner. Conveys open-minded and deeply sympathetic personality. Possesses encyclopedic knowledge of different religions and cultures. When presented with an implacable opponent, will engage thoroughly in argumentative debate as characteristic of order.

Public statements and personal history reveals subject driven by desire to broaden the reach of his faith. Theological analysis by U.N. Memetics Studies Agency suggests that subject remains faithful to established doctrine even while presenting an accommodating nature towards other faiths. Vaticanologists conclude that subject is of the "post-traditionalist" position, friendly towards cooperation with other religions and open to some degree of ecumenism, while ultimately maintaining Catholic preeminence; faction opposed by both Madrid Catholic archconservatives and Spiritine universalists alike. Record suggests subject is willing to bend ecclesiastical and even moral technicalities in service of his beliefs.

Subject's loyalty is unambiguously to mother faith. Childhood suggests classic "parented by church" scenario. Individual does not make any pretense of being part of Sovereignty crew, freely breaks joint U.N.-F.C. chain of command to minister to crew members indiscriminately. Vatican appointees maintain legal fiction of maintaining diplomatic mission to U.N. colony, despite proscriptions on open evangelism. Highly possible true motivation is to carry out rumored clandestine protocol quo peregrinatur grex.

Quote
Parish of Planet
“The Church of Rome has lasted two millennia. It has withstood schism, heresy, invasion, pestilence, war, and scandal, and still remains a religious force to be reckoned with on Earth. Though we must admit that unfortunate mistakes have occurred, the Catholic Church of the 22nd century will be remembered as the peaceful light on Chiron.”
- Bishop Pierre Mputu Kasala, With the Grace of God

“And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it.”
- Matthew 16:18

(https://i.imgur.com/kLYib.png)
Symbol/Insignia: The Latin cross in Europa Universalis (except the main part of the cross is exaggerated), with rosary beads in the shape of a fish behind it.
Leader: Bishop Pierre Mputu Kasala
Background: Congo Union, Vatican papal legate
Agenda: Restoration of a compassionate Catholic Church on Planet
Technology: None
+2 Growth (Be fruitful and multiply)
-1 Support (All of the Crusaders have gone with Godwinson!)
+1 Police (But the Swiss Guard remains)
One bonus tech at beginning of game (Extensive records from Vatican Memorabilia)


Design Notes on the Parish:
Quote
Like most other religious special interest groups on the Net, we in the Friends of St. Francis Assembly [ SIG.Rel.disc. 12-RsyPD 634399889.058] have been discussing the Pope’s latest encyclical, Et in Terra pax et sapientia, which sanctions veneration of the Holy Mother as special protector of the Earth and its species. Some say this stands alongside his predecessor’s acceptance of the population oath as a breakthrough concession to common sense and the new worldview.

  Not all take this attitude, however. Consider the manifesto published yesterday on the Return to the Robe Channel [ SlG.Rel.disc. 12-RsyPD 987623089.098] criticizing His Holiness for “… succumbing to both creeping Gaianism and secular humanism, both incompatible with Judeo-Christian hermeneutics …”

  I just had a voice-text exchange with the Monsignor Nassan Bruhuni [ pers.addr. WaQ 237.69.6272-36 aadw], leading author of the manifesto, during an open question session. Here’s a replay of that exchange.

Design Notes on Pierre Kasala:
Title: Re: Datalinks of the Second Ship
Post by: MysticWind on March 16, 2021, 08:06:36 PM
Cuzco Sol
Solartech
Power Ops Engineer
Guatemala
05-03-2043

Service Record:

Lucero Eztli Salvador, born 2043, Guatemala City, Reunited Provinces of Central America. Mother a policewoman, father a doctor. Childhood marked by repeated juvenile offenses - fighting, truancy, shoplifting, data denial, vandalism. Most local records officially expunged or fragmentary, extant only in U.N. Consolidated Criminal Justice Database. Known membership in Sons of Ra tribal youth subculture, remnants of auto-lawyer court logs suggest no fewer than five instances of participation in sanctioned gang battles, at least two unsanctioned fights resulting in moderate non-tribal civilian injuries. Arson attempt of protected urban grove led to alias Lucero Chispero and elevation to Medjay. Withdrawn from private school by mother, who resigned Policia Transnacional commission to provide  full-time home education.

Attended José Simeón Cañas Central American University, studying Energy Engineering and Mesoamerican Mythology. Suddenly dropped out in 2062 after school trip to El Mirador. Embarked on worldwide tour of archeological sites, from Hawikuh to Tiwanaku, subsidized by freelance solar work and selling ayahuasca. Paid tribute and inducted as acolyte at Apollo’s Throne, Khartoum. Eurasian leg of tour cut short by the Federative War. Resumed studies until the movilización general. Dodged El Salvadoran draft officers amidst the Federation’s Assault on Antiguo. Reappeared in Guatemala City as head of Espíritu de Sangre (Blood Spirit), a municipal auxiliary force consisting of many former gang-mates.

Fought with distinction in the Central American theater, driving back F.C. invaders and eliminating sympathizer cells efficaciously. Honored with Order of Justo Rufino Barrios after the Defense of Palacio Verde, integrated into PRCA armed forces as autonomous militia. Deployed to fighting lesser Federation-supported insurgencies- Costa Rican secessionists, Mexican revanchists in Chiapas, and free-loggers in Los Altos. Conduct appears to have been largely within bounds of Geneva Convention, though incidents exist of unit shaving and exposing captives to direct sunlight until tanned. Rumors of destruction of local jungle Gaian shrines attributed to accidental burnover while clearing out foliage in pursuit of F.C. renegades. Commended with Roméo Dallaire Medal by U.N. for bravery in the field.

Recalled from Yucatán annexation campaign for noncombat duties in the wake of Hurricane Quincy. Unit performed flood rescue operations ably. Received Medal of Two Oceans for reestablishing electricity in Tegucigalpa with improvised Perovskite solar cells reprinted from cyclone-damaged building material. Reprimanded for ordering troops under his command to fly the Midday Banner.

Finished degree after war, returning to Egypt. Employed as cell array optimizer for Morgan Solarfex in Omdurman. Fully initiated and rechristened as active member of Aten priesthood. Learned Coptic and began mentoring disaffected young men. Frequent speaker at Khepri Temple of the Dawn, guest sermon “Eternal Morning is Man's Gift” of minor renown on local nets. Placed third in Wíinkilil at Baku 2068 World Universal Fighting Tournament. Selected by Alpha2 Enterprise as solar power engineer. Recommended for emergency response experience, military service, hiring network, and representation of the emergent neopagan Ra cult and the Sons of Ra tribal subculture. Noticeable split in committee vote tally along trucial bloc lines.

Psych Profile: Heliocentric Devotee

Bright disposition and sense of camaraderie form initial impressions of individual. Further interaction reveals apparent good-naturedness accompanied by bouts of braggadocio, male swagger. Positive personality undercut by inclination towards tendency to steer conversations, bordering on aggression. Subject shows submission only in matters related to personal metaphysics, such as in the presence of senior co-religionists. Theological-memetic analysis suggests subject's sun worship extends beyond conventional Ra practices. Questionable ideological views offset by capacity to motivate, as seen in other Ra followers approved for mission. Fascination with stellar veneration shapes subject's scientific priorities, explaining both technical proficiency in chosen vocation as well as avowed reason for joining Alpha2: to seek a place of two suns.

Dominant competitive spirit. Command abilities forged from youthful indiscretions. High skill in traditional unarmed combat. Adolescent experiences suggest past frustrations towards family dynamics. Subject's mother, adherent of the revived Cult of Minerva in Guatemala, perhaps instrumental in rehabilitating subject. Displays ability to channel experience of youth tribal warfare towards prosocial activities, even in peacetime. Meritorious conduct and loyalty to lawful governments during time of global crisis demonstrates subject's truly reformed nature. Only possible reservation stems from subject's potential religious disagreements- mitigated by ratio of Ra to Gaian members allocated in solar sailer division. Postwar mental health verified by multiple U.N. Psych Chaplains. Sole dissenting interviewer subsequently defected to F.C. nation.

Quote
Sons of Centauri-Ra

“As the clouds of WorOrthChuGa’s beloved Gaia burned and sundered, the magnificent rays of Kinich Ahau, Tonatiuh, Inti, Amaterasu, Helios warmed the land and the waters. Even as weaklings thirst and drown, Great Ra shines on his chosen. Here, on another Earth, let us give thanks to the life-giving love of our two new Suns- for before our fathers found fire, there was you.”

- Heliophant Cuzco Sol, Centauri's Dawn

(https://i.imgur.com/AfxlD.png)
Symbol/Insignia: A simple sun (a circle surrounded by 8 triangles like a compass rose) with Ra’s eye in it. Next to it is a tinier sun with a regular eye.

Leader: Heliophant Cuzco Sol
Background: Ra Brotherhood journeyman, youth tribal gang leader, Sovereignty solar sail technician
Agenda: Continuing the worship of Ra by altering Planet’s environment to resemble that of pre-Arrival Earth
Technology: Applied Physics
-1 Planet (Efforts to make Planet more Earth-like: steeped in greenhouse gases)
+1 Economy (Centaurian Solar Energy Retrieval = Big Money)
-1 Growth (Prolonged exposure in Sun Worship has its costs)
+2 Morale (Revival of testosterone-laden warfare in conjunction with worship)
Free energy banks at each base.


Design Notes on the Sons:
Design Notes on Sol:
Title: Re: Datalinks of the Second Ship
Post by: MysticWind on March 16, 2021, 08:09:05 PM
Trung Thi Hoang
Captain
Pilot
Vietnam
03-08-2032

Service Record:

Born 2032, Hai Phong, Vietnam. Father a seaplane pilot, mother a futsal player. Taught to fly at an early age, receiving amateur pilot license shortly after eighteenth birthday. Studied Developmental Neuroscience at University of Medicine and Pharmacy at Ho Chi Minh City. Five months into Masters program in Neuropsychology, regional hostilities began when the Golden Remnant Uprising was forced east of the Red River and initiated Operation Zhu Youlang, attempting to set up an empire-in-exile in Southeast Asia. Father’s plane was downed during the naval 2nd Battle of Cấm River, added to the list of GRU civilian casualties.

Enlisted in the Vietnam People's Air Force following the fall of Hanoi. Completed F-88 Lion flight training, assigned to 989th Fighter regiment, Le Thi Thu Nguyet “Iron Bird” Squadron amidst Southern Pacification Campaign. Took part in the Battle of Da Nang, scoring her first kill against Golden Remnant aircraft and contributing to the defense of Tiên Sa Seaport by launching the final volley that sank the GCV Yuan Shikai. Continued in counterattacks against bandit forces, including pivotal Battle of Spratly Island. Received mixed record for refusing orders to shoot down a Golden Prince-Marshal, instead providing cover to a civilian convoy. Reassigned to desk job as psychological operations officer.

Served as mental health liaison with the United States Seventh Fleet after activation of IOTO following Great China’s entry into conflict. Learned deep scanning, personality restoration techniques, combat meditation from USN military advisors. Conducted landmark psych survey pinpointing cause of Annam Syndrome to IOTO use of sonic subliminal stimuli weaponry. Returned to frontline service after breakdown of the traditional American-Vietnamese alliance after Crimson Chinese retreat and exit, further reports that IOTO had been paying mercenaries to supply Golden Remnant, playing both sides of conflict. Took part in initial wave that captured Cam Ranh Bay Naval Base. Scored a career high of three kills against USAF bogeys and provided crucial cover to 967th Khe Sanh “Steel Viper” Squadron that sank the U.S.S. William Westmoreland.

Shot down over enemy territory during Central Highlands campaign. Captured by Remnant-affiliated New Black Flag Army. Held for forty days in infamous Camp Cloud Cobra prison. Feigned defeat under torture, offering convincing false intel that misdirected enemy assets. Despite malnourishment and sleep deprivation, formed plan with fellow prisoners including Vietnamese military servicemen, kidnapped locals, Cambodian refugees, and enslaved tribespeople. Prison revolt was successful; later decorated with Military Exploit Order for role as orchestrator.

Remained in region for the duration of Vietnam War II (domestically known as 2nd American War). Group of fellow prisoners formed core of irregular unit Army of the Phoenix, conducting guerrilla attacks and acts of sabotage against IOTO, Remnant, and New Black Flag forces alike. Oversaw liberation of mercenary-occupied native villages. Became involved with one Y Thih Enuol, an ethnic Rhade tribal fighter and former Cloud Cobra inmate. Gave military leadership to Y Thih while retaining internal overwatch of unit, including prosecution of looters and other offenders. With deep relations to local tribes, Phoenix expelled IOTO presence and extinguished the New Black Flags in area entirely.

Fought in Christmas Offensive precipitating American withdrawal from the war. Deferred bereavement leave when Y Thih was KIA; sought and received reassignment to embedded combat psych officer in the post-Brussels Treaty push against the Remnant. Oversaw deprogramming of Fallen sect members captured during final northern campaign; paper “Demonic Rhythms: Initiation and Indoctrination Practices of the Fallen” well-received, receiving commendation from Great Chinese psych researchers. Promoted to captain upon conclusion of the Great Bandit War.

Did not return to Hai Phong with remaining family. Worked on reconstruction efforts in Central Highlands among Montagnard villages. Became activist on behalf of tribes, using war hero prestige to advocate for government recognition of wartime service and conferment of veteran benefits. Led womens’ rights campaign modeled after empowered tribeswomen of the Rhede, Cham, Mnong. Repudiated EuroAm ninth-wave feminist consensus in public statements.

Subsequent political activities drew more controversy. Demanded prosecution of leaders responsible for Vietnamese military’s program of retaliatory torture of Golden Remnant POWs. Lobbied for blacklisting of individuals identified by U.N. as probable war criminals. Accused of extrajudicial vigilantism against human traffickers with sleeper cells of Phoenix veterans. Called for neutrality in the Federative War. Appointed by Alpha2 Committee for wartime flight record and psych work. Designated shuttle pilot, Sovereignty auxiliary helmsman, tertiary non-emergency psych staff.

Psych Profile: Cognitive Guardian

Extroversion and public outspokenness belie deep analytical abilities and keen observational skills. Subject presents a vibrant, imperious spirit cultivated with wartime service. Calm exterior and courage under fire ensure that subject performs admirably under high-stress crisis situations. Subject is not first to speak, but abundantly responds with detailed and deeply-considered responses when presented with provocation. Diagnosed with hyperkinesthetic acuity at early age, enabling extraordinarily high levels of spatial and motion awareness that is an asset for aviatory duties.

Driven by a deeply personal code of ethics, subject seeks to defend all those around her. Tragedy instilled fierce hatred for unwarranted aggression, deep empathy for the oppressed. Postwar estrangement from surviving family indicates potential sublimation of personal loss into societal aspirations, avoidance of unresolved pain.

Memetic analysis indicates that subject is chiefly motivated by sense of justice towards the defenseless, and a desire to prevent what could cause more suffering. Activism for public exposure of Vietnam War II war criminals included calls for more comprehensive personality tests, psychological monitoring of military personnel for potential antisocial tendencies; critics have labelled such methods the "People's Panopticon."

At-times fiery commitment to social causes, concern for the marginalized, potential distraction from overall mission. Capacity to command presents threat to mission cohesion. Recommend subject assigned to secondary role(s) and sanctioned from  ideological discussion whenever possible.

Quote
The Phoenix Nation
(https://i.imgur.com/qNWyrx2.png)

“We fly from old Earth covered in ash, dreaming of a better home. But those responsible for the great pyre are still among us. There can be no peace, no new world, until the lion lays before the lamb. Violence is a malady of the mind; all maladies can be cured.” - Monitor-Protector Trung Thi Hoang, Seeds of Earth

Symbol/Insignia: A rising phoenix
Leader: Monitor-Protector Trung Thi Hoang
Background: Vietnam War II war hero and psych researcher, Sovereignty pilot
Agenda: Emancipation of the vulnerable through psychological methods

Technology: Social Psych
+1 Research (Better behavior through neurology)
+1 Planet (Views nature as non-aggressor worthy of defense)
-1 Growth (Reluctant to repeat mistakes of the past until society is perfected)
-1 Police (Mass profiling leads to aggrieved underclass)
Needlejet protoypes free with discovery of Doctrine: Air Power (Appreciates aerial superiority)
Free ability Hypnotic Trance for units with discovery of Secrets of the Human Brain
Revolting bases have 20% chance of joining faction (Breaker of chains)


Design notes on the Phoenix:
Design notes on Hoang:
Title: Re: Datalinks of the Second Ship
Post by: MysticWind on May 06, 2021, 08:32:06 AM
Found some old files on a hard drive, including my first attempt at the Parish's leader's profile as well as the Phoenix's.

Draft Parish

Pierre Olukayode
Legatus a Latere
/Papal plenipotentiary
Cote d'Ivoire
09-17-2002

Service Record:

Cote d'Ivoire, to cocoa farmer parents. At age 9, family moved to Abidjan, where he became an apprentice aquaculturist after his father was killed in the civil war. Family often received aid from local and international Catholic relief services. Educated by Jesuits alongside siblings at church-run school. Chose seminary instead of U.N. Global Governance Corps despite high scores on World Service Exams.

    Following ordination, was posted to the Basilica of Our Lady of Peace of Yamoussoukro, where he served as a liaison with foreign evangelical efforts. Due to quick grasp of languages, joined the Missionaries of St. Anthony of Padua and departed for the Euro Union in 2029 to preach in Wallonia and France while studying for a doctorate in sacred theology at the Centre Sèvres. Later spearheaded efforts in Bohemia. Excelled in defense of doctrine, bestowed with training in apologetics from local church authorities. Spirited debates with members of the Neo Luminon freethinkers garnered moderate popularity on the Net, at one point reaching 2.401 on the Goldberg Memetic Prevalence Scale in major chans for almost forty-eight hours.

    Reassigned to Dublin for the purpose of establishing dialogue with neopagan-influenced adherents within the church. Despite fervent defense of orthodoxy, established common ground and made compromise with members of the Jesuits and several other Gaian-influenced societies, successfully preventing potential minor schism. Used adiaphora arguments to assert that several of their beliefs were compatible with traditional Catholic hermeneutics regarding environmental stewardship. As part of goodwill effort, was made an honorary member of the Friends of St. Francis Assembly in 2036.

    Following service, served a quiet career as     in     until 20  , when called to Rome

Designer Notes:
* I like how I used the Legatus a latere title in both profiles- I must've looked up the Wikipedia article back in 2012 too lololol
* Pierre Olukayode is much older than Pierre Kasala. Glad i went with the young pope approach. I think I was trying to tie him to the 2011 Ivory Coast crisis, which must've happened around the time I wrote the original draft.
* I was going for future historical irony by having African missionaries preaching to the Euro heathens.
* "Neo Luminon" was likely a futuristic version of the Brights movement (ugh)
* A bit creepy how I was able to accidentally rewrite aspects of my original profile, like Pierre being able to preach to neopagans. I had mostly forgotten about this draft, except Pierre being part of some prominent online-broadcast debates. lol "major chans" (double ugh)

Draft Phoenix

Lady Sensory

Service Record:

Born 2028, Mê Linh, Vietnam. Rural

Performed well during the Annam Incursion, locating key strikepoints of exiled Golden Remnant invaders. Role in the chance discovery of inbound cloaked dynasty stealth squadrons prior to the Battle of Cam Ranh Bay saved the lives of 300 USAF servicemen, earning her decorations from the American government, the newly-established Crimson Succession regime to the north, and her own country. Following the conflict, resumed teaching career in home village.

Returned to military intelligence during the U.N.-I.F.O.C. War. Joined the Widowmaker Resistance group after VPA and USMC positions were overrun. Worked in SIGINT role for partisan operations against F.C. invaders. Funneled intel to allied command despite nation-wide infoblank imposed by the occupation. Forced to take up active combat role after the initial leadership of the resistance was killed or taken prisoner in the Gio Campaign. Performed admirably in the field, taking part in key counteroffensives. Rumored to have participated in the assassination of Marshal Joachim Ortega. Played an instrumental part in Operation Ghost Bear, smuggling weapons and American military advisors into the country. Actions directly led to the Victory Day Uprisings; occupiers withdrew shortly after.

Appointed Trucial Conciliator, coordinating post-war stabilization efforts with the U.N. Security Force. Received the Mohammed Odeh al Rehaief Award from the U.S. State Department for her service during the war. Despite protests from the Federated Countries, was accepted for Sovereignty mission thanks to heavy lobbying from both the American and the Chinese governments in an unusual show of bipartite agreement. Posted to the FCS Sovereignty as Chief Communications Officer.

Designer Notes:
* again, creepy that I unintentionally re-used some of my original ideas, such as the name "Golden Remnant", though I always did figure that she would be a Vietnamese resistance fighter. And guess I really wanted to play off the retroactively historically ironic Vietnam-U.S. hypothetical alliance.
* Marshal Joachim Ortega (https://www.datapacrat.com/Art/FIRAXIS/MISC/FACTIONS.TXT) was a reference to the Spartans' original pre-release leader.
* Guess I ended up writing more about the war with the Federated Countries, which I'm kind of leery about doing so now.
* The Mohammed Odeh al Rehaief (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mohammed_Odeh_al-Rehaief) Award would be a good name for an award that the  U.S. gives to foreign collaborators. Should reuse it.
* On one hand, much, much pithier than my final profile. Future installments should strive for this draft's level of conciseness. That said, this really doesn't say much about her character other than her service in war.

Also found another file from 2012 with portrait ideas for two faction leaders. The only working links:

Phuong (draft Phoenix Matriarchy leader, Queen Trieu Thi Phuong):
Dragon Lady (https://flic.kr/p/aFbpXy) by Jonathan Danker (https://www.flickr.com/photos/draken413o/), on Flickr

Seneca ar-Rai
https://www.deviantart.com/esatriadi/art/javanese-marriage-97307821 (https://www.deviantart.com/esatriadi/art/javanese-marriage-97307821)

I also found my PDF copy of the Power of the Mind Worms comic. Nice!
Title: Re: Datalinks of the Second Ship
Post by: MysticWind on June 05, 2022, 01:12:01 AM
Here's a leader from my proposed second set. Unlike the first seven of the Second Ship, they're more like a grab bag of various schismatic factions who broke off from preexisting ones, Cult/Consciousness/Drones/Angels/Pirates style. Maybe I should come up with something snappy like Alien Crossfire.

Gennaro da Gama
Steward
Chief Archivist
Brazil
07-09-2009

Service Record:

Born 2009, Recife, Brazil. Moved to Rio de Janeiro at age seven. Father was social worker at the hillside favelas and later World Trade Organization representative, mother worked in network security at the Brazilian Institute of Scientific and Technical Information.  Studied library sciences and psychological analysis of history at Federal University of Pernambuco. Employed as information manager by the government; first claim to fame in 2034 for implementing new datalinks technology to successfully record and back-up all of the National Library's four million volumes. Involved with the Legacy Project in 2038 to store and save all of the sum total of Latin American and Lusosphere cultural, historical, and technological knowledge, pioneered use of the yottabyte datacube.

Served as database administrator of the flagship Tiradentes during the country's "Novo Brasil" period. Became prominent member of Brazilian Space Corps aboard Museu da Vida, the "Museum of Life", national spacecraft containing vast databanks of all of humanity's information. In 2040, at the zenith of the country's participation in the Space Age, abruptly left the Corps to teach reading and writing to children of Amazonian Indians. Abducted in the 2042 Amazonian War by the eco-terrorist/indigenous tribalist group Smoke Jaguars for five weeks, rescued after the end of what has been described as "the worst jungle war of the 21st century."

Remained a private citizen except for brief stint as Unity datacore consultant, until beginning of Alpha2 Enterprise. Worked on the Sovereignty cubematrix, later appointed Chief Archivist of the shipwide library.

Psych Profile: Unifier Preservationist

Possesses comprehensive knowledge on the cataloguing of knowledge of electronic libraries, as well as a deeply in-grained desire to create united efforts in approaching problems. Conscientious, believes in dire necessity to protect knowledge. However, intellectualism and erudite speech may project false airs of mental superiority. Belief in the immediate need to establish peace and reconciliation caused by weariness of political turmoil witnessed since young. Considered by some to be too pessimistic, too alarmist, nicknamed the "Malthus Librarian of Sociopolitics."

The Smoke Jaguar Affair had immense traumatic effect on subject. Personal beliefs regarding peaceful resolution held prior to kidnapping amplified by first-hand experience of Hobbesian chaos and disorder. Uprooting and destruction of millennia-old cultures caused subject to believe in the urgent need to protect humanity's works and thoughts.

Slightly pacifistic tendencies seem to stem from guilt from the Palmares scandal. Presumed to be the whistleblower who leaked the BSC's plans to militarize space. Subsequent denouncements exacted heavy social toll, further ostracizing subject into obscurity.

Quote
Library of Planet
"The first craft of humanity to arrive on Chiron, the UNS Unity, could not fight against the forces of distrust and discord, shattering into seven factions even before Planetfall. As history shows, the rise and fall of peace and war cause further balkanizations, and the subsequent divisions thus made five more. Then came the warring Progenitors, the sorrowful Sovereignty, and today revolutions and countless discoveries of intelligent aliens continue. How many more factions will tomorrow bring? How much longer will we remain divided?"

- Oracle Gennaro da Gama, A House Crumbled: Geopolitics of Planet

(https://i.imgur.com/9Fa2M.png)

Leader: Oracle Gennaro da Gama
Background: Chief archivist of Sovereignty, Brazil
Agenda: Preservation of human knowledge, peaceful unification of Chiron
Technology: Planetary Networks, Social Psych
+2 Probe (Formidable library network defenses)
-1 Morale (Scholars uninterested in warfare)
-1 Industry (Integration of Planet sought before industrialization)
Techcost 85% (Considerable knowledge kept)
Extra talent for every three citizens (Learning centers)
Gets an extra comm frequency at beginning (Diplomatically-minded)

Designer notes:

I created this faction as partly of a joke back when NetworkNode.org was still around. I imagined to myself, "what if all of these factions, from random aliens to robots and so on were all in one setting?" So I created a faction that was afraid of the rapid growth in factions. Someone to caution against the balkanization of humanity. Additionally, since there's already a University of Planet, and given how important Librarians apparently are in the game, I figured they deserved a faction as well.

* Gennaro is the "complete nonentity" who takes over the duchy in the play-within-a-novel "The Courier's Tragedy" from The Crying of Lot 49. I've always been amused by how many Shakespearean plays have some random guy coming in at the end to resolve everything and/or take over as the new ruler, from Hamlet to Romeo and Juliet, so I felt it was an apt name warning against the violent drama that everyone else was obsessed with.

* Originally his surname was Almeida, until there was a namespace collision with another fan project. So I chose a different Portuguese explorer.
Title: Re: Datalinks of the Second Ship
Post by: MysticWind on June 30, 2022, 08:40:04 AM
Seneca ar-Ra'i
Civilian Contractor
Municipal Architect (Peacekeeping Forces)
United Arab Emirates
04-21-2018

Service Record:

Sugiarto Pangon, born 2018, Dubai, United Arab Emirates. Son of Javanese expatriates, both parents service employees at the Diamond Shark Hotel on the 131st floor of the Burj Khalifa. Worked at the Falconcity of Wonders attraction at Dubailand in teenage years. Led impromptu relief efforts among park employees following the Fourth Gulf Credit Crunch, decreasing casualties and property loss during mass civil disorder. Among those rescued from the riots was wealthy Hedjazi architect Khadijah bint Ali, who was much impressed by the young Sugiarto. Accepted her offer of sponsorship for higher schooling against the objections of parents.

Attended the Social Engineering division of KAUST while receiving training in the arts and architecture by bint Ali, pursuing own interest in the Greco-Roman classics. Repeatedly approached by campus groups inspired by stories of the Dubailand riots, requesting his aid in various causes. Upon the completion of schooling, bint Ali likewise attempted to convince him to join her crusade. While the details of what was asked are unknown to the public, Khadijah bint Ali was later arrested and executed during the failed Saudi component of the July 8 Liberationist Uprising. Continued to rebuff pleas from former classmates, many of whom were similarly killed in the 2037 protests against the treatment of guest workers in the UAE, Qatar, Bahrain, Dhahran, other Gulf States.

Moved to Riyadh and founded architectural firm Almeisan Inc. Firm designed not only buildings, but residential communities, industrial towns, and eventually charter cities for clients including Honeywell-Messerschmidt, Morgan Industries, and GoApthorp. Upon achieving regional success, returned to Dubai, purchasing land and exclusively hiring foreign workers, including own parents, to construct a planned community. Almeisan City was a failure, never reconciled with his parents. Despite inability to build hypothetical 'test society', efforts were recognized by Unity Project. Almeisan Inc. was hired as a private contractor. Subsequently chosen as crew member without rank.

Following Planetfall, changed name and joined Peacekeeping Forces as continuation of original Unity mission. Appointed chief municipal architect of U.N. Haven City. Became notorious for repeated conflicts with superiors and governing bureaucracy. Reprimanded several times for prioritizing sociological concerns over material constraints, favoring own idiosyncratic social model over established standards. Disappeared after drone revolt at Haven along with base urban planning department staff and several talents from base's burgeoning arts community.

Psych Profile from Contractor Database: Neoclassical Visionary

Highly perceptive about human nature, with avant-garde artistic skills on the bleeding edge. Believes that an equitable, flourishing society can be designed that the masses can accept and embrace. Seeks to construct social situations that can be turned to his favor by appealing to base desires ("with a well-constructed culture, we can make virtue out of vice"). Admires historical figures, combining and refining past ideologies to create his own ("once again, it takes a Saracen armed with Greek learning to lift humanity out of the dark ages"). Despite affinity for Roman namesake, subject is known to have promoted a less-than-stoic lifestyle, stating "hedonism is simply the reward of a fulfilled society" and that "even the just must have some fun beyond justice." Devoted to his vision, with an exceptional work ethic derived from working class upbringing ("just a former pauper of a tour guide turned philosopher-king"). Self-assured in quest to create a better society in a perfect city, and role within it- "Chiron is a flock awaiting a shepherd."

Quote
New Athenians
“Come, you bourgeois, you neo-aristocrats, you patrons of ‘High Art!’ As we build a new Planet for human beings, why can’t it be a glittering, equitable, fashionable one? Why can’t it be one for both the wealthy and the good?”
- Patrician Seneca ar-Ra'i, The First Metropolis

“Psion Centropolis? Morgan Vegas? Pretenders to our throne!”

(https://i.imgur.com/hpC7y.png)
Symbol/Insignia: A Greek-type Parthenon on top of a thick pedestal. Slightly visible inside the building is a figure holding up its arms, celebrating a light that comes from within. Underneath the pedestal is “NEO”, in highly-stylized lettering. The letters look like Aurabesh from Star Wars, since they are a bit jagged and do not connect.

Leader: Patrician Seneca ar-Ra'i
Background: Chief municipal architect of Peacekeepers, United Arab Emirates.
Agenda: Creation of perfect cities of art, social justice, and prosperity.
Technology: Ethical Calculus
+1 Growth (fecund, prosperous citizens)
+1 Industry (the rich fund city projects)
-2 Research (Foppery and dandying more important)
-2 Support (Ditto)
-1 Efficiency (cities tend to favor quality over quantity)
Extra talent for every two citizens. (Cultural centers)
Commerce
Free Rec Commons at each base.


Design Notes

2011 notes:

So there you have it, Seneca ar-Ra'i: part Morgan, part Lord Alexander Chung-Sik Finkle-McGraw from The Diamond Age, and part Ozymandias from the Watchmen (if he had idolized different classical figures from antiquity).  Khadijah is meant to be sort of like revolutionary Dagny Taggart [from Atlas Shrugged, I still haven't read it - 2022].  The funniest thing is that originally the New Athenians was supposed to be led by a Greek hedonist.  Then I changed them to quasi-Victorian types who were obsessed with art, pomp, and circumstance yet had a reformist streak to them- this was years before I've read The Diamond Age, actually!  Then recently, when I revisited this project, I came full-circle and had Seneca take inspiration from one of the dumbest utopias conceived by man (https://web.archive.org/web/20110908044323/http://www.strangehorizons.com/2005/20050905/stupid-utopias-a.shtml).  As such, there's a Platonic influence to it- and I just realized the other day that the quotation attached to Ethical Calculus is from The Republic!  Subconscious inspirations, I guess.  Though his conception of a perfect city is really closer to Pericles than Plato, not to mention his personality.  Not bad for a faction which I had originally conceived as no more than people who really liked urban design, led by a guy who would be smugger and more smart-mouthed than Nwabudike.

2021 notes:

2022 notes:

While browsing through some very old custom factions (https://alphacentauri2.info/wiki/Category:Custom_factions) I chanced to find the Arcology Movement (https://alphacentauri2.info/wiki/Arcology_Movement), also a city-focused, maybe quality over quantity, faction that was hosted on the defunct NetworkNode.org website. Its leader is also Indonesian, which is a pretty crazy coincidence! It is now my headcanon that she is Seneca's wife or one of his lovers.
Title: Re: Datalinks of the Second Ship
Post by: MysticWind on July 13, 2023, 07:51:33 AM
(https://i.imgur.com/y7efsyY.png)
Adam Altan Bozdere
Senior captain
Battle Imam
Young Türkiye
10-29-2021

Service Record:

Born 2021, Samsun, Türkiye; descended from Circassians expelled from the Russian Empire during reign of Abdülmecid I. Father, sixth generation faqīh Islamic jurist. Raised to follow family tradition; instead joined the Yeşim Kurt (Jade Wolf) secular nationalist youth movement after secondary school. Commanded street militia during the Ideation Disruptions of 2040, feuding with Islamist Labour gangs and sunnahists. Participated in the March to Istanbul that birthed the Patriotic Reformation. Enlisted in Republican Armed Forces shortly after, assigned to Special Counterinsurgency Command. Fought counter-reformation elements throughout Anatolia, dispatching enemies of the junta with efficient and appropriate ruthlessness. Awarded Order of the Constitution for suppressing local Blackguard anarchist franchise. First saw foreign action in series of special policing operations in the Caucasus during the Sick Man of Eurasia period after first Russian economic crash. Ascended to senior sergeant major following Georgian campaign.

Deployed to Mesopotamia as unit commander in Turkish U.N. Security Force contingent for Operation Stormwall. Reformation junta’s masterplan to force an end to the Crusader Wars shattered by confused multi-sided conflict that heavily contested foreign occupation. His leadership was one of few bright spots of the campaign. Repurposed anti-rebel tactics to smoke out Templar, Taiping, and Sicarii militants alike. Ran afoul of U.N. leadership for ignoring Shibboleth Procedures. Rumored to have given the order to mass bombard the defensive perimeter of ʼArīḥā. Granted honorific “Adam Altan Pasha” after defeating joint Russo-Ethiopian counter-intervention task force.

Present at Megiddo when Gog and Magog fell. Journey to Haifa permanently curtailed. In the aftermath, claimed to have seen three golden arrows in the resulting clouds even while afflicted with blast blindness. Resigned commission while in Red Crescent field camp. Dodging Republican military police and U.N. forces while half-blind, made way to Rehaniya with remnants of his unit. Came across a tattered force of survivors, including Turkish soldiers, attacking the local townspeople and a relief mission led by Honorary Psych Chaplain Miriam Godwinson. Repelled bandits with barely half a dozen men. That same day, father’s office in Samsun was burned to the ground in ultranationalist riots.

Claimed to have vision healed by psych chaplain, witnessed multiple instances of deliverance from radiation poisoning via laying of hands. Served as Godwinson’s personal bodyguard, beating back several sunnahist raids and foiling a Canaanite assassination plot. Court-martialed in absentia as deserter. Shielded from postwar prosecution by service rendered to U.N. Re-integration Forces. Professed to have undergone profound spiritual awakening. Spent next years in North American exile as interfaith evangelist for ecumenism.

Selected to U.N. Alpha Centauri Mission with endorsement from both the Christian States and the Turkish government. Appointed to Psych Chaplain’s security detail. Sided with her landing pod during Planetfall. Elevated to Pasha of the Patriarchate of New Masada, commanding the Lord’s Believers southern military forces. Led her Angels of Justice to victory in the Nessus Canyon Combines Vendetta and at the Standoff of the Planetneck. Married local doctor, a former Unity biologist.

Defeated in battle by the Demon-Boil Tash after perimeter defense of New Masada unexpectedly failed. Charged through multiple swarming waves to protect evacuating colony pod, in vain. Entire family lost with most of civilian population. Rebuffed pleas  to return to the capital for bereavement counseling. Disappeared into the desert for four decurns. Reemerged at research garrison Ezekiel’s Wheel draped in planetpearls purportedly taken from husks of mindworms slain while in mourning. Enjoined the citizenry of the frontier base to join him in a great holy war against the alien.

Psych Profile: Adamant Purifier

Strength of personal convictions to the point of zealotry. Subject’s capacity for blind loyalty to chain of command and hierarchy indicates officer potential. Pronounced protective tendencies and willingness to fight for confederates and cause. Strategic prowess rated B-class, tactical skill at A minus-class, and logistical ability at B plus-class on the Haire Military Grade Scale. Devotion to cause induces purgative tendencies, revulsion of ideological contaminants and desire to remove such. High ability to spot those with hidden dissenting views.

Current memetic analysis unable to  determine subject’s theological framework. Rhetorical composition appears to equally include inspiration from the Adyghe Xabze, Sunni Islam, and Miriam Godwinson’s High Conclave interpretation of Evangelical Christianity. Elements of pre-conversion anti-sectarian political hardliner speech also present. History of ironclad adherence to different ideologies worth caution: measures must be taken to prevent emotionally traumatic response from inducing another dramatic shift in subject’s worldview. Effects unpredictable.

Quote
Anti-Xenos Integral Society
“After the arrival at Chiron, humanity has become degraded by alien forces. Today, the vile ‘Voice of Planet’ calls out lies that mislead our citizens to their deaths, psychics hide within us, reading our thoughts, sentient Xenos lay waste to our land for their own agendas, and our own machines have learned to rebel. The time to fight back and resist temptation is now!”
- AXIS Manifesto, Datalinks

“I suggest you take your last few moments and prepare to meet your Gaia.” - Lord Adam Altan Bozdere to Well of Souls base command, final transmission

(https://i.imgur.com/zEaTd.png)

Symbol/Insignia: A medieval shield that has a picture of mindworms on it, except crossed out.
Leader: Lord Adam Altan Bozdere
Background: Military commander of Believers, Young Türkiye
Agenda: Destruction of all alien factions and philosophies.
Technology: High Energy Chemistry
+2 Support (Military-oriented society)
+2 Police (Citizens used to discipline and order)
-2 Planet (Rejecting Planet equated with resisting Xenos)
Fanatic (‘Nuff said)
Techcost 130% (Unwilling to make "Faustian Bargains")

Aggression: Aggressive
Agenda: Fundamentalist (Politics)
Priorities: Conquer
Aversion: Green (Economics)


Design Notes

* The leader of the AXIS was always modeled after General Douglas Hein (https://finalfantasy.fandom.com/wiki/Douglas_Hein) from Final Fantasy: The Spirits Within. Concept was to create a xenophobic baseline supremacist faction opposed to all of the non-human and posthuman influence that appeared in Alien Crossfire.

* Additionally, I was very much inspired by the sort of custom factions that fans posted on NetworkNode.org. There was a surprisingly amount of alien races, even a Progenitor Civil War custom set with six different interchangeable Manifold alien faction, and plenty of cybernetic and A.I. factions. Since at the time I imagined all of those custom factions existing on Planet alongside the canonical ones, it gave me the amusing thought of what if someone got tired of dealing with all of them.

* Originally, the Xenophobes were supposed to receive a Planetbuster as a starting unit. I later backed up on that, but only because it's not possible to give a non-basic unit for free as a faction perk. The lore behind that is that they had hijacked it from a Spartan armory prior to splitting off, which is sort of insane if you think about it.

* Originally, the leader was General Patrick Donovan Gray, a Former Spartan Fed general from Billings, Montana (claimed by United States of America, under control of Militia Free State). I decided to change the leader away from North American to introduce more geographical diversity among the Second Ship sets.

* To get a non-western background to match Hein from the Final Fantasy movie, I went through iterations where he was Lebanese (Ahab Mansour), then a Bosporus German descended from workers on the Berlin-Baghdad railway.

* Originally, the faction name was the Initiative Society, which I changed to Integral because 1) it sounds less awkward, 2) nod towards integralism, and 3) the potential for "the Integral Society," or its acronym, as how they're referenced.

* I actually wrote a short fanfic (https://apolyton.net/forum/other-games/alpha-centauri/ac-stories/146389-scourging-of-planet-the-gaian-axis-war) about this faction in its original form! Responding too defensively to comments here (https://apolyton.net/forum/other-games/alpha-centauri/ac-stories/173140-comments-on-scourging-of-planet-the-gaian-axis-war).

* Second ship second version here (https://apolyton.net/forum/other-games/alpha-centauri/ac-creation/150761-the-second-ship-the-second-topic). Original version here (https://apolyton.net/forum/other-games/alpha-centauri/ac-creation/143481-the-second-ship-two-sets-based-on-the-novel-earth).

Notes

* Altan means "red dawn" in Turkic. Bozdere means "gray river" or "gray valley", the latter being my intention.

*The Russo-Ethiopian inexplicable military alliance is from Left Behind, as explained by slacktivist, Fred Clark. (https://www.patheos.com/blogs/slacktivist/2003/10/24/lb-the-literal-donkeys-penis/)

* Miriam’s “Angels of Justice” is technically how she refers to her forces in the Believers’ diplo text (https://alphacentauri2.info/wiki/The_Lord’s_Believers/believe.txt), though it might just be a figure of speech.

* A decurn is a ten-day long Centauri “week.” Source: Preliminary Report on the Alpha Centauri System (http://www.datapacrat.com/Art/FIRAXIS/SITE/STORY/SYSTEMRE.HTM), probably written by Derek “Del” Cotter

* Originally intended to start with a free planetbuster.

* Michael Haire was the Art Director of SMAC.
Title: Re: Datalinks of the Second Ship
Post by: MysticWind on July 13, 2023, 07:53:00 AM
(https://i.imgur.com/hjfPwvR.jpg)
Nanashi Sakamoto
Administrator
Treasurer
Japan
10-31-2001

Service Record:

Born 2001, Kōchi, Japan, to samurai clan turned local gentry. Pursued career in family business despite childhood interest in nursing. Bachelor of Economics from University of Tokyo, PhD in Financial Economics from University of Chicago. Tasked by father to act as clan’s advocate within public regulatory structure while brothers groomed to head family corporation. Securities and exchange junior regulator at Financial Services Agency during the administration of the Minister of Finance nicknamed “Mr. iQuipu.” Under the Datalinks Nation window guidance, Japanese economy repositioned to adopt digiknot technologies in bid to become cyberfinance world capital. Approved openings of distrocash valuta exchanges, pushart virtual galleries, infovore pet breeders. Present at the Miami negotiations that crafted the Hologram Plaza Accord. Oversaw controversial reverse merger between Sakamotion Unlimited and Widdershins, her family’s virtubank becoming the very first in country to host a foreign distrocash platform.

Upon promotion to sector regulator in early 2020, began issuing cautionary statements against overpromotion of volatile valuta. Recommendations for greater scrutiny and precautious repeatedly ignored amidst the Floating World 2.0 (Ukiyo-Ni) era. Published white paper, “Unbounded Distrocash Dependency on Cyberworld Real Estate Assets Considered Harmful,” winner of 2026 Nakhara Prize.

Japanese virtual asset bubble began collapsing in 2022 with massive devaluation of the Net-Yen. Cascading valuta crashes. Yo-yo panic cycles of monetary tightening and monetary easing. Data shortages followed by data rationing. Gordian November saw the use of multiple iQuipu protocol 0-day exploits, taking the Cyberworld offline for an entire month, rendering untold damage to virtual properties.

Resigned commission during the largest economic contraction in a generation, leaving MetaTokyo for family estate in Shikoku. Drafted as adjunct economist at Sakamotion. Clashing priorities between siblings led to company downfall, liquidation of clan assets. Sakamoto family shrine, where she had served as a shrine maiden in her teenage years, was sold off. Left Japan, never to return.

Self-exile in Switzerland. Lecturer at University of Zürich, chief econometrician for in-game economy at TITANS Software. Invited to various international economic fora. Became involved with the Gnomes, a local circle of monetary sovereigntists calling for greater fiscal authority over international currencies. Fierce defender of currency unions, single-coin policies, arguing that the proliferation of “valuta both fiat and virtual weakens every pillar in the house of cash.”

Initiated into the Caesar Society, a pro-interventionist think tank, in the 2040s. As research fellow, embarked on series of economic experiments, applying the society’s principles of sound currency in developing markets. Halted the 2053 Afro Flux with a crisis team of Caesarean experts in Dar es Salaam. Engineered the Tuvan Economic Miracle. Worked on reconstruction of regions affected by the U.N.-F.C. War. Ideological outlook found compatible and appealing to Federation authorities. Appointed to the office of Treasurer by the Alpha2 Committee, with the duties of rebuilding a monetary system on Chiron after the initial frontier period. Tasked too with establishing economic reintegration with Unity colony by any means necessary.

Upon the mutual dissolution of the FCS Sovereignty, sided with the Sovereign Magistrates to continue mission to preserve humanity’s economic order. Established contact with Gaian ecological economists, University thermoeconomists, Morganite degrowthers, and other fringe dissidents. Attempts to garner cooperation from faction leaders rebuffed. Suspected infiltration by Caesar Society members led to demotion from the Magistrate secretariat. Disappeared after the Blackout Nesday power surge at the Merchant Exchange. Reemerged several years later, declaring herself as the spokesperson for the anonymous Executive Board of a faction dedicated to safeguarding the strength of the energy credit.

Psych Profile: Prudent Controller

Keen and analytical mind towards money matters tempered by self-righteous certainty in personal monetary policy. Believes markets inevitably irrational, asymmetric, and driven towards alternate periods of exuberance and fearfulness. Entrusts a guiding hand to correct the folly of the masses. Dislikes “excessive individualistic” attempts to profit from crisis. Sober-minded commitment to economic worldview has yielded prior success; such reinforcement of worldview may lead to ideological calcification, refusal to engage alternative theories, domination and suppression of opposing opinions. Possibly utilizes sarcasm to deflect from personal loss suffered from fall of family.

Though the actual leadership of the Global Energy Exchange is unknown, historians have suggested that the original Executive Board was founded by an offshoot of the Caesar Society, an anti-laissez faire, anti-deregulatory international think-tank. Founded with a goal to “prevent economic royalism and currency destabilization”, several of the society’s members were apparently passengers on the UNS Unity and the FCS Sovereignty.

Quote
Global Energy Exchange
“As the great economic recessions and depressions of the twenty-first century demonstrate, the lives of millions and even billions of people can be shattered by the greed of a few executives and investors. Our organization is determined to prevent such cataclysms from taking place in this New World, and we will protect our great currency- one way or another.”
- GEE anonymous Board member, Datalinks.
(https://i.imgur.com/Xyxeg.png)
Symbol/Insignia: The outline of Masonic pyramid, except there are no lines for bricks or they are covered by a huge energy currency symbol- an uppercase cursive E with a line through it. The pyramid is between two towers that are cylindrical but have pointed tops. There is a squiggly line connecting the tops, and it almost touches the top of the pyramid. Underneath the pyramid is a banner that says Novus Mundus Expecto- The New World Awaits.


Representative: Fiduciary Nanashi Sakamoto
Background: Think-tank of economists from various nations.
Agenda: Preservation and eventual control of Planet’s energy-based economic system.
Technology: Industrial Base
+1 Support (The poor recruit soldiers, the rich hire mercenaries)
+2 Economy (Society of stockbrokers)
-1 Morale (Mercenaries aren’t the most loyal of troops)
-1 Planet (Economic efficiency over ecological issues)
Aggression: Erratic
Priorities: Build, Explore
Agenda: Thought Control
Aversion: Free Market

Design Notes

* Originally this faction was to be faceless, with the Board itself as the leader. While that might fly in, say, Hearts of Iron (https://kaiserreich.fandom.com/wiki/Aufsichtsrat_der_Ostasiatischen_Generalverwaltung), it seems out of place in SMAC which tends to have individual leaders. So the compromise is that we have a visible spokesperson, but no telling what her actual role is in the faction or how much authority she has.

* I went with Japan as her background because it’s a country that’s curiously absent from both SMAC/X and Civilization: Beyond Earth. Turns out it’s because their economy just happened to go bust a second time, taking them out as a major player behind the Unity project.

* Her likeness is that of Fumi Nakai from Beef, played by Patti Yasutake of Star Trek fame. Besides the visual flair, I’d say her character would have some of the acerbic wit (https://twitter.com/magic2quote/status/1653248004265066496) as her character from the show (https://www.netflix.com/tudum/articles/patti-yasutake-beef-interview), not to mention a tinge of the family tragedy.

* The Bitcoin and blockchain references I came up with later down the line. While I’m leary of incorporating real-world tech that has since appeared after SMAC has become late ‘90s retrofuturism, I think I’ve rebranded everything distinctly. Just remember that the Inca, not Satoshi, was the first to record financial transactions with strings (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quipu).

* Originally named "Globalists" for short, in light of modern political developments they would be called Exchangers, or perhaps Gnomes.

Notes

* Nanashi can mean “no name” in Japanese. Swap the first letters of her first and last names.

* Valuta are credible currency in GURPS Cyberworld, here not-so-good as crypto currency. And here the Cyberworld itself is not a cyberpunk setting, but a metaverse thingy.

* Hologram Plaza is a vaporwave album by Disconscious, a pioneering work of mallsoft.

* Julius Caesar was an implacable foe of Cato the Younger.
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