Voting is open
Why are so many people okay with drawing attention from our enemies before we are ready?
The Old Guard is a favorable choice for both the Crunch Voters (Professionals Study Logistics costs 3 CP, and Burns get 4 CP free) and Fluff Voters (Burns and Marsden die at the hands of Victoria and/or Russia if they don't get elected, while Resident Nazi Puncher lives to serve and support Chicago win or lose,) to the point that it overshadows the dangers of Victorian Attention.
 
I never said we're locked into dying, but we're not guaranteed to win either.

Edit: protip:dont take stupid risks turn one.
 
Last edited:
Antix, even insofar as I agree with you, I have to ask you to please be civil and show some respect for others.

[][BOSS] Local Hero: You first came to prominence as a young woman during the neo-Nazi occupation of the northern Midwest. You fought back against them, helped to throw them out, and presided over the slow emptying of Chicago in the aftermath. Since then you've been managing the city and keeping it on life support. You've slowly built things back up and forged a new state around your home. You will see things fixed once more. You will ensure that your home never again knows the terror of being at a monster's mercy. You will do what is necessary, to the shores of Maine if you must.

[][BOSS] The Old Guard: You have fought in parts of the world most Americans haven't even seen. You unit returned home in the wake of the Collapse, and you've been wandering the country ever since. You fought for the New American Confederation, Cascadia, and the Pacific Republic in turn. Your commanding officer died in California, and you took command. Your unit has been fighting the Victorians ever since, striking from the shadows and desperately keeping their weaponry maintained. You were young when your war started...now you're old. So damn old. But the fight's just kicking up. You're not done yet. You cleared the southern tip of the Lake of Victorian eyes. Time to get ready to strike a stronger blow against the bastards.
I should point out that since Local Hero and The Old Guard are practically tied and by far the front-runners, at this point voting for both choices and no others has effectively zero impact on the outcome.
 
The Old Guard is a favorable choice for both the Crunch Voters (Professionals Study Logistics costs 3 CP, and Burns get 4 CP free) and Fluff Voters (Burns and Marsden die at the hands of Victoria and/or Russia if they don't get elected, while Resident Nazi Puncher lives to serve and support Chicago win or lose,) to the point that it overshadows the dangers of Victorian Attention.

Speaking primarily as a Crunch Voter, my issue with Old Guard is that while it officially has more CP than Local Hero, we are essentially obligated to spend a larger share of those CP than I would prefer on military and counterintelligence options to compensate for the dangers of Victorian Attention.
 
The Old Guard is a favorable choice for both the Crunch Voters (Professionals Study Logistics costs 3 CP, and Burns get 4 CP free) and Fluff Voters (Burns and Marsden die at the hands of Victoria and/or Russia if they don't get elected, while Resident Nazi Puncher lives to serve and support Chicago win or lose,) to the point that it overshadows the dangers of Victorian Attention.

? On the crunch side, it's locking us out of most of our econ options by forcing us to buy military upgrades. The 1 CP discount comes with the price that the immediate conflict with Victoria just isn't worth that 2 CP it gives us. We can buy the points for Professionals Study Logistics for a much less risky/devastating price in other ways, and since most voters want that advantage it'll probably be in everyone's plans.

For fluff, tons of characters died in the backstory. It's not really "saving" more than a single character while immediately plunging the area into military conflict. Especially with Marsden. And it takes away from the revivalist and location flavor if we're going to have our viewpoint character be someone from outside Chicago. I'd much rather go with someone from the area than someone who walked into the position from elsewhere.
 
? On the crunch side, it's locking us out of most of our econ options by forcing us to buy military upgrades. The 1 CP discount comes with the price that the immediate conflict with Victoria just isn't worth that 2 CP it gives us. We can buy the points for Professionals Study Logistics for a much less risky/devastating price in other ways, and since most voters want that advantage it'll probably be in everyone's plans.

For fluff, tons of characters died in the backstory. It's not really "saving" more than a single character while immediately plunging the area into military conflict. Especially with Marsden. And it takes away from the revivalist and location flavor if we're going to have our viewpoint character be someone from outside Chicago. I'd much rather go with someone from the area than someone who walked into the position from elsewhere.
I feel the same way.
 
For fluff, tons of characters died in the backstory. It's not really "saving" more than a single character while immediately plunging the area into military conflict. Especially with Marsden. And it takes away from the revivalist and location flavor if we're going to have our viewpoint character be someone from outside Chicago. I'd much rather go with someone from the area than someone who walked into the position from elsewhere.
Speaking specifically and exactly to this concern, Burns was born and raised in a Chicago suburb called La Grange. A ways south of where I grew up, actually. I hadn't thought this information was relevant enough to include, but since it's apparently swaying votes, here y'all go! :)

Marsden's from elsewhere, though.
 
[x][BOSS] The Old Guard: You have fought in parts of the world most Americans haven't even seen. You unit returned home in the wake of the Collapse, and you've been wandering the country ever since. You fought for the New American Confederation, Cascadia, and the Pacific Republic in turn. Your commanding officer died in California, and you took command. Your unit has been fighting the Victorians ever since, striking from the shadows and desperately keeping their weaponry maintained. You were young when your war started...now you're old. So damn old. But the fight's just kicking up. You're not done yet. You cleared the southern tip of the Lake of Victorian eyes. Time to get ready to strike a stronger blow against the bastards.
[x][GOV] Form a coalition with the Socialists. Together with them, you will dominate the government.
-[x][GOV] Cave in on the healthcare issue. You are worried about the state of healthcare, to be honest, you were only worried about the cost.
 
[X][BOSS] The Old Guard: You have fought in parts of the world most Americans haven't even seen. You unit returned home in the wake of the Collapse, and you've been wandering the country ever since. You fought for the New American Confederation, Cascadia, and the Pacific Republic in turn. Your commanding officer died in California, and you took command. Your unit has been fighting the Victorians ever since, striking from the shadows and desperately keeping their weaponry maintained. You were young when your war started...now you're old. So damn old. But the fight's just kicking up. You're not done yet. You cleared the southern tip of the Lake of Victorian eyes. Time to get ready to strike a stronger blow against the bastards.

[X][GOV] Form a coalition with the Socialists. Together with them, you will dominate the government.
-[X][GOV] Cave in on the healthcare issue. You are worried about the state of healthcare, to be honest, you were only worried about the cost.
 
Speaking specifically and exactly to this concern, Burns was born and raised in a Chicago suburb called La Grange. A ways south of where I grew up, actually. I hadn't thought this information was relevant enough to include, but since it's apparently swaying votes, here y'all go! :)

Marsden's from elsewhere, though.
Looking up where LaGrange was got me looking at the suburb of Chicago that I'd lived in (Itasca) before moving to Nebraska, only to discover how ridiculously tiny it is. It felt so big when I was in elementary school!
 
[X][BOSS] Local Hero: You first came to prominence as a young woman during the neo-Nazi occupation of the northern Midwest. You fought back against them, helped to throw them out, and presided over the slow emptying of Chicago in the aftermath. Since then you've been managing the city and keeping it on life support. You've slowly built things back up and forged a new state around your home. You will see things fixed once more. You will ensure that your home never again knows the terror of being at a monster's mercy. You will do what is necessary, to the shores of Maine if you must.
[X][GOV] Form a coalition with the Socialists. Together with them, you will dominate the government.
-[X][GOV] Cave in on the healthcare issue. You are worried about the state of healthcare, to be honest, you were only worried about the cost.
 
[X][BOSS] Local Hero: You first came to prominence as a young woman during the neo-Nazi occupation of the northern Midwest. You fought back against them, helped to throw them out, and presided over the slow emptying of Chicago in the aftermath. Since then you've been managing the city and keeping it on life support. You've slowly built things back up and forged a new state around your home. You will see things fixed once more. You will ensure that your home never again knows the terror of being at a monster's mercy. You will do what is necessary, to the shores of Maine if you must.
[X][GOV] Just to lock down the government completely, also invite the Capitalists. You are Social Democrats; the only people you don't like are Communists. Of course...the New Capitalists and the Socialists really don't like one another...
-[X][GOV] Play the Socialists and the New Capitalists against each other in order to compromise on nothing. Roll a d100 with a DC of 70 to sell this to both parties; on a fail, one of them backs out. On a success, your government looks extremely competent.
 
Jesus Christ, when I saw the length of this thing, I figured it had been up for months. Not a week and a half.

I'm not even going to pretend I read anything more than the threadmarks. Still, I find the idea interesting, and Lind's book is just awful...


I doubt I'll be participating in debates much, but I look forward to where this goes.
 
[X][BOSS] Local Hero: You first came to prominence as a young woman during the neo-Nazi occupation of the northern Midwest. You fought back against them, helped to throw them out, and presided over the slow emptying of Chicago in the aftermath. Since then you've been managing the city and keeping it on life support. You've slowly built things back up and forged a new state around your home. You will see things fixed once more. You will ensure that your home never again knows the terror of being at a monster's mercy. You will do what is necessary, to the shores of Maine if you must.
[X][BOSS] Springfield Schemer: Illinois did not fall to the Nazis. The state government pulled through all of the chaos just fine...and when you came to the Governor's office, you made sure to keep an eye on things. When Chicago started pulling itself together, you were far-sighted enough to recognize the opportunity. You left for Chicago and put your political skills to work on trying to build something bigger than your own patch. A fair amount of people have taken your foresight for aggression, though. You will need to keep your eyes about you.
[X][GOV] Form a coalition with the Socialists. Together with them, you will dominate the government.
-[X][GOV] Cave in on the healthcare issue. You are worried about the state of healthcare, to be honest, you were only worried about the cost.

Yeah, the Schemer's not happening, but fuck it. I like having net 7 CP, I like having robust intelligence, and I like a demerit that's less of an issue if we don't try to conquer our neighbors.
 
[x][BOSS] The Old Guard: You have fought in parts of the world most Americans haven't even seen. You unit returned home in the wake of the Collapse, and you've been wandering the country ever since. You fought for the New American Confederation, Cascadia, and the Pacific Republic in turn. Your commanding officer died in California, and you took command. Your unit has been fighting the Victorians ever since, striking from the shadows and desperately keeping their weaponry maintained. You were young when your war started...now you're old. So damn old. But the fight's just kicking up. You're not done yet. You cleared the southern tip of the Lake of Victorian eyes. Time to get ready to strike a stronger blow against the bastards.
[x][GOV] Form a coalition with the Socialists. Together with them, you will dominate the government.
-[x][GOV] Cave in on the healthcare issue. You are worried about the state of healthcare, to be honest, you were only worried about the cost.
 
? On the crunch side, it's locking us out of most of our econ options by forcing us to buy military upgrades. The 1 CP discount comes with the price that the immediate conflict with Victoria just isn't worth that 2 CP it gives us. We can buy the points for Professionals Study Logistics for a much less risky/devastating price in other ways, and since most voters want that advantage it'll probably be in everyone's plans.

For fluff, tons of characters died in the backstory. It's not really "saving" more than a single character while immediately plunging the area into military conflict. Especially with Marsden. And it takes away from the revivalist and location flavor if we're going to have our viewpoint character be someone from outside Chicago. I'd much rather go with someone from the area than someone who walked into the position from elsewhere.

It's America, it doesn't matter which part of the country the character is from. And personally I like the idea of having a grizzled Nazi-punching general as leader. Also, the military upgrades it provides are substantial and will allow us to handle Victorian attention effectively. Aside from what it gives us, all we really need in addition are Good Security, Railroads, and Brown Water Navy. Maybe take an extra malus and also get the university professors so we can reverse engineer tech later on.
 
[x][BOSS] ???
[X][GOV] Form a coalition with the Socialists. Together with them, you will dominate the government.
-[X][GOV] Cave in on the unions issue. You're a little leery of granting them that much power, but it's not like there's no need for strong unions.
 
[X][BOSS] Local Hero

[X][GOV] Form a coalition with the Socialists. Together with them, you will dominate the government.
-[X][GOV] Cave in on the unions issue. You're a little leery of granting them that much power, but it's not like there's no need for strong unions.
 
I want to avoid attention from Victoria or Russia until we're ready for it.
"Wait until we're ready" can turn into "Wait indefinitely," since you can never be 100% confident of victory, especially against a large power.

I realize it's riskier, but I'd still rather commit ourselves to the thread title, and get points for doing so, with a choice that gives us a good chance to give them a bloody nose, then try to leverage the victory/stalemate to win support.

(I just wish I knew how strong that Old World combined arms battalion was, though. IRL, something like a Bradley could eat T-34s like buttered popcorn.)


EDIT: The real downside is that people might feel locked into spending everything on military, out of risk aversion, when we desperately need stuff like Libraries, Trade, Bureaucracy, and maybe Trains.
 
Last edited:
[x][BOSS] The Old Guard: You have fought in parts of the world most Americans haven't even seen. You unit returned home in the wake of the Collapse, and you've been wandering the country ever since. You fought for the New American Confederation, Cascadia, and the Pacific Republic in turn. Your commanding officer died in California, and you took command. Your unit has been fighting the Victorians ever since, striking from the shadows and desperately keeping their weaponry maintained. You were young when your war started...now you're old. So damn old. But the fight's just kicking up. You're not done yet. You cleared the southern tip of the Lake of Victorian eyes. Time to get ready to strike a stronger blow against the bastards.
[x][GOV] Form a coalition with the Socialists. Together with them, you will dominate the government.
-[x][GOV] Cave in on the healthcare issue. You are worried about the state of healthcare, to be honest, you were only worried about the cost.

I always planned on voting to form a coalition and caving on healthcare. Especially because the healthcare looked a lot more critical to get up ASAP than messing around with unions did, and by having the very first congress form a coalition, that basically locks the idea of coalitions being a path to power in the congress into the heart of our future government. As for the Boss being Old Guard... I just like it more than any of the other options barring Last Echo. And that one I'm a bit too nervous about to vote for.

Also guys? I do not believe that it's mentioned anywhere that the Victorian Intervention will absolutely be a military intervention. Indeed, whilst Victoria does have the military power in the local area right now, they are just as, if not more so, feared for their intelligence capabilities.
 
I should point out that since Local Hero and The Old Guard are practically tied and by far the front-runners, at this point voting for both choices and no others has effectively zero impact on the outcome.

Yeah I know, but I like both of them and I didn't want to just not vote at all. Either would be interesting for different reasons and I don't really have a preference, so while choosing one over the other might impact the vote, it wouldn't be in a way I care about.
And I mean, my vote for communist didn't have much impact either, but it's the principle of the thing.
 
Also guys? I do not believe that it's mentioned anywhere that the Victorian Intervention will absolutely be a military intervention. Indeed, whilst Victoria does have the military power in the local area right now, they are just as, if not more so, feared for their intelligence capabilities.
Good Security in the starter pile, then?
 
Voting is open
Back
Top