The year was 1956 and the palace stood empty. For almost thirty years the nation of Atontierra had been under the rule of Presidente Alvar Vergara before death claimed him with no successor in sight.
Now a new Presidente takes charge of the nation. Will he lead the small Latin American nation to greatness or to ruin?
The year was 1956 and the palace stood empty. For almost thirty years the nation of Atontierra had been under the rule of Presidente Alvar Vergara. Once elected as a reformer that would lead the country into modernity, he instead showed himself to be just another corrupt autocrat. For long had he ruled with aid from the wealthy plantation owners and foreign investors, chiefly from the US, but as he grew older and more paranoid, he slowly alienated the few allies he had. By the end, he only trusted the members of FEIS, the Special Investigation and Security Force, who tortured and murdered all those that he thought to oppose them.
It was not betrayal that ended his life. Nor the scores of assassins that existed mostly in his own imagination. His health had been declining for years and one day, in late March, he simply did not wake up in the morning. There was no great announcement at first. Nobody wanted to be responsible for announcing Vergara's death out of fear of being accused of having had a hand in it. By evening though, the rumours had reached far enough that most in the capital and a few in the wider country knew of the dictator's demise. And behind closed doors and in hushed whispers, people started talking about what was going to happen now.
There was no clear successor in sight. No legitimate son to inherit the country like a king of old. No allies that could fight for the position. There wasn't even a clear opposition group. Even though everyone hated the Presidente, his enemies were splintered in too many groups with too opposing views on what the future for Atontierra should be for any of them to oust him. Now though, there was a vacuum and someone had to fill it. It no longer mattered that no one had the backing and allies to take the country by force. All that mattered was being faster than the rest.
While all the others were still reeling from the news and planning their own moves, the empty palace was claimed by…
[] [Presidente] Seneca Coronado
The owner of the largest banana plantation in the country and one of the few planters who did not have most of his assets seized by Vergara under some pretext. His Foreign Contacts kept the exports of Atontierra's products going even after the dictator had become an international pariah, making Coronado both very rich and too important to persecute. The Capitalists are very pleased with his ascension to the office of Presidente and hope he will lead the country to a profitable future.
[] [Presidente] General Giuliano Estrada
The sole General of Atontierra's military had been eyed as potential leader of a coup by both the Presidente and his many opponents, but the Silver Tongued Estrada had always managed to barely stay in the dictators good graces anyway. The relationship between the General and Vergara had only begun to deteriorate during the ill-fated fight against the ERPA guerrillas. Now though, he is the leader of the nation, and the Military is looking forward to it's new influence and a chance to settle old scores.
[] [Presidente] Comandante Maurizio Velasquez
The commander of the ERPA, the Revolutionary People's Army of Antontierra, had spent the last four years fighting against the armed units of FEIS and to a lesser degree the military of Atontierra. Widely considered an Inspiring Leader, many see him as the backbone of the entire guerrilla group or even a successor of the independence fighters of the past. Besides the members of the ERPA, his main supporters are the Anarchists, who hope his rule will see the end of the oppressive state structures and the liberation of Atontierra's people.
[] [Presidente] Rolan Cordero
The leader of the officially outlawed teamsters union had been walking a fine line between enforcing Vergara's will on the people and building the base for a popular revolution for many years. With his Underhanded dealings he managed to preserve and even expand the unions power, though not nearly as much as he had hope, and he made some enemies in the process. Now though that he is leading the country, the Communists are certain that he will be able to mobilize the people and establish the dictatorship of the proletariat.
[] [Presidente] Guido Macias
The well-known host of San Reina's sole radio station had been in the old dictators crosshairs for a while due to his popularity, but Macias managed to always give just enough praise to the Presidente to pass muster. Many called him a Demagogue for his fiery and yet often rambling and pointless speeches. None the less, he had found his audience in the Nationalists of Atontierra and now that he had become the new Presidente, they were eager to see the country become a self-sufficient and strong nation under his rule.
Many were unsure about their new leader, especially since he had appointed himself much like how the dead Vergara had simply declared the last election of Atontierra invalid when he had lost. Quite a few had quietly hoped that someone would organize an election on the day the old dictator was finally one and it did not help that the new Presidente had far more opponents than allies. He needed to build a power base and forge new alliances to secure his still shaky reign. It helped that the Presidente was…
Pick two advantages:
[] [Advantage] Backed by the CIA
A few people in Langley were quietly aiding the Presidente. This helped him greatly with his relations and negotiations with the USA, though the CIA would occasionally ask for favours in return for their aid.
[] [Advantage] Backed by the KGB
A few people in Moscow were quietly aiding the Presidente. This helped him greatly with his relations and negotiations with the Soviet Unioin, though the KGB would occasionally ask for favours in return for their aid.
[] [Advantage] Criminal Connections
His connection to organized crime allowed the Presidente to trade some favours with them whenever the need arouse and it also opened up some unique economic opportunities.
[] [Advantage] Internationally Famous
The Presidente was known well beyond the borders of Atontierra, which often helped him in foreign affairs and especially with foreign investors.
[] [Advantage] Gifted Preacher
Besides being a skilled orator, the Presidente was good at blending his politics with his faith, giving his arguments the air of divine backing. His followers loved it, but the church was less enthused by this.
[] [Advantage] Incorruptible
It was well known that the Presidente was not corrupt and had a distaste for trading favours. While limiting in some cases, being a good example for others helped greatly when fighting against corruption and nepotism.
[] [Advantage] Educated
Not only did the Presidente learn a lot from his studies, but having a degree from a renowned foreign university did occasionally help in negotiations.
[] [Advantage] Well Organized
Having a knack for organisation was always useful for a ruler, especially when that rule had to build a bureaucracy from the ground up like the Presidente had to.
[] [Advantage] Prolific Author
Having penned plenty of political treatises and commentaries, the Presidente was always ready to write some easy-to-understand justifications for his policies to print in the newspaper, easing propaganda efforts greatly.
[] [Advantage] Urbanist
Due to decent knowledge in city and transportation planning, the Presidente had developed a good eye for infrastructure planning and where investments could benefit the nation.
[] [Advantage] Industrialist
Industrialization had almost bypassed Atontierra entirely, but the Presidente had both the will and the knowledge to change that and to finally diversify the agricultural economy of the country.
[] [Advantage] War Hero
Having actively fought in a real war with some distinction left the Presidente with some personal skill in combat and a few impressive stories to tell.
On the other hand, he also had a rather major flaw, namely that he was…
Pick one flaw:
[] [Flaw] Arrogant
The Presidente was known to be bit too sure of himself and thus often came off as pompous and thin skinned when faced with criticism.
[] [Flaw] Hedonistic
There was no vice that the Presidente did not enjoy. Roaring parties were common and so were the rumours of his womanizing.
[] [Flaw] Paranoid
Much like his predecessor, the Presidente saw enemies and dangers everywhere, even where none existed. That made quite a few people around him rather nervous.
[] [Flaw] Pagan
The Presidente followed a tiny, pre-columbian revival faith. Even among the already tiny indigenous minority in the country, it was a fringe belief and the church was apoplectic about his pagan ways.
[] [Flaw] Foreigner
While his parents were from Atontierra, the Presidente himself had been born abroad and only returned to the country as a young adult. As a result, many saw him is functionally a foreigner which rankled especially the nationalists.
[] [Flaw] Sinister Reputation
There were plenty of rumours about the Presidente and his many alleged misdeeds in the past. None of them were true, but that didn't stop many from believing them.
[] [Flaw] Wasteful
It was widely known that the Presidente never cared much about money, not his own and especially not the budgets. Many saw this as a golden opportunity to embezzle funds.
While a new leader took charge in San Reina, the world barely paid attention. The new leader of the Soviet Union, Nikita Khrushchev, just recently spoke of peaceful coexistence and a thaw in relations with the west, but he also had the Soviet Army crush protests in Georgia. In the USA, the fight over civil rights and segregation was heating up. And the world over, capitalist, and communist groups and nations faced each other. Sometimes with words. Sometimes with weapons. And all of them feared the day when the Cold War might become hot.
There were many challenges waiting on the new Presidente. The fate of a nation now rested on his shoulders and only time would tell if he could bear that weight.
AN: I'll be using approval voting here, so pick as many options as you like. The one (or the two in case of the advantages) with the most votes will win.
General Giuliano Estrada Age - 42 Description - An outgoing man that seems to constantly smile and who always seems to know what to say to put someone at ease in his presence. Usually seen wearing a generals dress uniform and sunglasses in public. Has a love for wine and cigars while in private.
Traits Silver Tongue - Everyone who talks to him knows Estrada as friendly and affable. He is also quite good at covering up his missteps. Once per encounter, he can re-roll a failed Social ability check with a -2 dice penalty. Incoruptible - Widely known to be a honest man who will punishes corruption wherever he finds it, people are afraid to make underhanded dealings in his vincinity. Estrada can't accept or make bribes of any sort, but all rolls to combat corruption are done with a +1 dice bonus while he is Presidente. War Hero - Having led the small contingent of Atontierra's soldiers send to support the Allies in World War 2, Estrade fought with distinction on Saipan and the Phillipines. Due to his fame, the Militarist and Nationalist factions have a very good opinion of him. Sinister Reputation - Due to overly boastful stories of his exploits in the war and whispers that he secretly aided FEIS during his predecessors rule, people are often inclined to assume the worst of him. Smear campaigns are more effective against Estrada.
The Republic of Atontierra Capital: San Reina Government Form: Military Dictatorship Dictator: General Giuliano Estrada Currency: Atontierran Pesos Land Area: Unknown - Requires Survey
Demographics Population: Unknown - Requires Census Ethnicity: Unknown - Requires Census Religion: Unknown - Requires Census Ideologies: Unknown - Requires Polling
Economy GDP: Unknown - Requires Census State Income: $0 Treasury: $30 Million Inequality: Unknown - Requires Census Human Development: Unknown - Requires Census GDP by Industry: Unknown - Requires Census
Politics Stability:4 / 10 - Unstable Unrest:3 / 10 - Public Agitation Revolutionary Fervor:4 / 10 - Demands for Change Parties: Outlawed Unions: Outlawed Public Assembly: Outlawed
ERPA - Ejército Revolucionario del Pueblo de Antontierra - Revolutionary People's Army of Antontierra
A guerrilla group that has it's main supporters in the western hills and mountains of the country. They have been fighting for the last year with the military, but neither side had any great successes, leading to a drawn out stalemate. Their leader is the charismatic Comandante Maurizio Velasquez, an outspoken anarchist that is agitating against the state and even the christian faith. Despite his radical positions, he has many supporters among the indigenous people and the poor farmers that were hit the hardest by disastrous policies of Vergara's regime.
FEIS - Fuerza Especial de Investigación y Seguridad - Special Investigation and Security Force
The not so secret police that propped up the Vergara dictatorship for the last ten years. Nearly everyone who is not a member hates and fears them in equal measure, but the mutual hatred with Atontierra's military is the most notworthy. Led by Director Anton Corradini, an Argentinian immigrant that quickly gained the dictators favour after arriving in the capital and who built the police force from the ground up with great skill and even greater brutality.
The Sherman tank rolled over the dry dirt road, kicking up a cloud of dust that was easily visible from afar. The man standing in the commanders hatch for once didn't mind. It was a beautiful morning after all. The sun was just rising in the east over the roofs of San Reina and a cool breeze was coming from the sea. Perfect weather for an impromptu parade.
But there was still some time. Maybe half an hour or so. The almost flat farmland with it's low coffee shrubs that surrounded the capital of Atontierra let you see the city long before you were actually near it. Pulling a cigar from his breast pocket and taking a deep breath of the fresh morning air, General Giuliano Estrada steeled himself for what was to come. A triumph like in the days of old and then he would be the new Presidente.
The palace guard had already made preparations for his arrival and while the reports from the major cities of the country were still spotty, it seemed nobody would be there to contest his claim. They had all been caught off guard by Vergara's death. Anyone could have become his successor, but fortune favoured those with half a dozen tanks and enough trucks to move a platoon to the capital during the night.
As he drew another puff from his cigar, the loaders hatch next to him opened and the rather drowsy looking Corporal whose tank the General had commandeered came up. "Sir," he shouted over the rumbling of the tank. "We got a report for you from San Reina."
By reflex, his eyes sought the small pillar of smoke rising from the city. They still hadn't been able to put out the fire that had started the previous evening. "Go ahead, Corporal. I have a hunch what happened."
"The palace guard has been speaking with the fire fighters and the people living near the FEIS headquarters. The secret police had been seen burning documents in the courtyard and the last of them were leaving just as the building itself caught fire."
Estrade couldn't help but snort. Of course, they did. Vergara's most favoured goons had always hated the military and the feeling was mutual. It was no surprise that they didn't stay to see how that rivalry would go without the dead Presidente to back them up.
"A few of the surrounding buildings were damaged, but they stopped the fire from spreading. The headquarters itself is a total loss though," the Corporal continued while the General mulled over the old feud. "They were last seen moving north-west."
"No surprise there. Where would they go but their little prison colony? Was Corradini with them?"
"No, sir. The palace guard had seen the director about a week ago and he was heading to San Miguel."
"That is unfortunate," the General replied, rolling the cigar between his fingers. Things would have been much easier if he could have caught the Argentinian bastard on the road. That meant FEIS and its leader were holed up in their stronghold. Remote as it was, they wouldn't be able to interfere with events in the capital, but Estrada felt ill at ease with that problem unaddressed.
He took a few puffs from his cigar, watching the coffee bushes pass by as the tank drove on. All over Atontierra, his soldiers were getting ready to move out of their bases to play their part in the take-over and it was about time to give them their final marching orders. "Get on the radio Corporal. I have some slight adjustments to my orders from the night."
The final orders of the military were…
The capital will be secured by General Estrade and his group. You have 5 points to allocate on other tasks.
[] [Deployment] Maintain a presence in the mountains. (2 Points)
The military had been fighting the ERPA guerrilla under Comandante Velasquez for about a year with little success. The poor farmers in the mountains loved him and detested the ruling regime. Some forces would need to stay in the area to keep at least some semblance of control.
[] [Deployment] Surround San Miguel. (1 Point)
The prison colony in the jungle is the main base of operations of the secret police and likely where their leader is currently located. Send some troops to keep them bottled up for now so that you can talk to Corradini from a position of strength.
[] [Deployment] Attack San Miguel. (2 Points)
No point in dragging out the inevitable. The new Atontierra has no place for Vergara's murderers. Better get straight to dealing with that rot before they can dig in.
[] [Deployment] Secure Puerto Novo and it's plantations. (1 Point)
The northern port city and former heart of Atontierra's banana exports is still economically important and home to quite a few former planters that remain influential. Best to create facts there before some of them might decide to contest your claim.
[] [Deployment] Secure Coasta Gris and it's fishing and trade harbour. (1 Point)
The southernmost city of Atontierra used to be a fairly major fishing and trading port but has been in a steady decline for two decades. Plenty of people with little to lose and much to gain, so better send someone to keep order.
[] [Deployment] Take the town of Blanco Brilla and arrest Vergara's cronies living there. (1 Point)
The small coastal town of Blanco Brilla is mainly noteworthy for it's beautiful beaches and the large number of villas and haciendas. Send some soldiers to ensure Vergara's cronies don't flee the country to cause your problems later.
[] [Deployment] Secure the town of Huizanola in the western jungle. (1 Point)
While often seen as an unimportant, the town of Huizanola sits at a major crossroad. Controlling it means controlling most of the traffic between the coast and the interior of the country.
You are about to arrive in the capital and give your first speech, formally declaring yourself the new ruler of Atontierra. What else do you wish to proclaim?
[] [Speech] Promise a major land reform to redistribute the farmland stolen under your predecessor's rule.
[] [Speech] Promise to begin the process of industrializing and modernizing the country.
[] [Speech] Promise the swift and harsh persecution of the previous regime and those who aided it.
[] [Speech] Promise investments into public services to improve living standards and education.
[] [Speech] Promise to reduce the reliance on foreign trade and to reach autarky.
[] [Speech] Promise to seek allies and investors from abroad to connect the country to the world.
[] [Speech] Write-In
AN: Plan voting this time please. You can pick as many promises to make as you want, but making too many will likely result in people not believing any of it.
Within less than an hour, the plaza before the presidential palace had filled up with a huge crowd. The building that had once been the colonial governor's office stood for the nation of Atontierra like nothing else. Even the flag changed every decade or so, but the palace remained. Each and every leader of the country had stood on its balcony and addressed the people upon their ascension to office. Most had done so regularly. Presidente Vergara too had spoken there at least once a month, though nobody would have bothered to attend in recent years had FEIS not 'encouraged' them.
No such measures were necessary today. Quite the contrary. The plaza was lined with tanks and trucks of the small military detachment that had accompanied the new Presidente into the capital, but instead of forcing people to come, they were hard pressed to keep order. Half of San Reina seemed to be there, and the stream of people just wouldn't stop. Everyone was waiting with a mix of hope and dread on their new leaders first speech. Most of them already knew about General Estrada, but very few had ever seen or heard the man himself.
A hush fell over the mass of people when he finally appeared. For once eschewing his sunglasses and the generals cap, Estrade strode onto the balcony with a short wave towards the silent crowd below. Not one sound came from the mass of humanity until he had reached the small pulpit and spoke into the microphone standing upon it.
"My fellow Atontierran's," his voice droned from the speakers. "Many of you who stand before me today or who are listening on the radio right now might feel uncertain. Fearful even. For many years, we lived under the rule of a tyrant and his corrupt junta. Many of you might not even remember a time before the rule of Alvar Vergara. For the first time in many years, the future of our great nation is uncertain."
"But there is no reason for fear! Today should not be a day of fretting over tomorrow, but of celebrating the chances it will bring. Today, we leave behind decades of oppression and terror and we will begin to build better a future for us all. Today is a day of celebration and a day we will look fondly look back on for years to come as the begin of something better than what came before."
A few voices rose and barely a heartbeat later, a ragged cheer ripped through the crowd. For years, no one dared to speak ill of the Presidente, always fearful who might hear them. Even when the news went around that he was dead, the fear remained, noxiously clinging to every word and smothering the hope they should have carried. But now it sank in. Vergara was dead. FEIS was gone. They were free of his rule.
"For now, I have decided to take the office as interim Presidente until a permanent government can be established," General Estrade continued once the din had settled again. "The military has been sent to the cities to maintain peace and order for the time being and I ask all citizens to aid them in this during the transition period." The cheers were more muted at this announcement, but they were there none the less.
When the crowd quieted down, he raised his hand as if swearing an oath. "As for those who aided and profited from the rule of the despot Vergara, especially the brutal thugs of the secret police, I promise nothing more or less than swift and harsh justice for their crimes. We will never forget or forgive what they have taken from us and they will be held to account for their deeds."
No cheers followed this announcement. Only a murmur went through the crowd as people wondered what this justice would look like. The former Presidente had also often spoken of justice and delivered only a mockery of it and many had heard the tales of what the new one had done during the World War. Some though did applaud after a while and the speech went on before anyone could dwell too long on the matter.
"Finally, we will soon begin steps to right the most egregious wrong committed by the old regime. The theft of land and farms from the people of Atontierra. In the coming weeks and months, we will begin drawing up plans for a far-reaching land reform. No longer will good farmland lay fallow. No longer will the sweat of your brow enrich a few corrupt officials while you languish in hunger and poverty. Our land is rich and fertile, and it is time that this wealth will benefit the people once more."
A new wave of cheers rose, louder than even the first and banishing any lingering doubts left by the previous announcement. It was, all things considered, a vague promise. One that could mean any number of things to anyone who heard. That was why it was so effective. Everyone in the crowd and elsewhere had some notion of what the right way to redistribute the land would be and for the moment they all imagined that the new Presidente saw things exactly like them.
"It will not happen over-night," the General continued. "Much work lays ahead of us. But as long as we are united in our purpose, we can achieve whatever goal we set our sights on. Let us all work together from this day on. For Atontierra! For our future!"
The cheers continued, even after Estrade had left the balcony and on that evening, for the first time in years, the streets of San Reina were filled with the sound of celebrations instead of quiet fear.
Unfortunately for the man that had helped to bring this good cheer about, the news coming from elsewhere in the country were dampening the mood in the palace quite considerably.
The town of Huizanola had been taken without many problems. There was a report of some movement in the jungle that the scouts believed to be guerrilla activity, but there had been no attacks at least. With the mountains more or less ceded to the control of ERPA, it would likely be here that any new clashes would erupt. Presuming Velasquaz would order his people to attack. It was still anyone's guess how the anarchist would take the events of the last few days.
Likewise, Puerto Novo had made no problems either. One of the local planters, Rolan Cordero, the only one left who knew what he was doing with his plantation, rallied some people for some kind of meeting, but they had made no attempts to challenge the soldiers taking control of the city. Instead, the man had formally requested to speak with Presidente Estrada at his earliest convenience.
Things in the southern city of Costa Gris were much more tense. When news broke that Veraga was dead, a mob had formed and marched on the local FEIS offices. The secret police had not hesitated to shoot at the civilians, but they were completely outnumbered and quickly overwhelmed. The reports of what happened next were murkier. There was talk of torture victims and a mass grave being found. Some claimed that FEIS fought down to the last man while others accused the mob of lynching anyone that surrendered.
When the army arrived with tanks, the crowd did not disperse and there was talk of some sort of council being formed. So far, the soldiers had been hesitant to engage with the civilians and instead took over the outskirts of the city where they were not contested. No fighting had broken out so far though the situation was tense.
In Blanco Brilla, there had been shots fired between the soldiers and some of the private guards of Vergara's cronies. A few of them had seen the signs the day before and already fled, but most were either too slow, felt too secure in their position or simply had been too busy trying to plunder as much as they could and missed the right time to leave. A good chunk of the gold that was supposed to be in the treasury had been secured in the hacienda of now former interior minister and while there was still a lot of Antontierra's wealth unaccounted for, it at least meant that the new government wouldn't have to beg for loans abroad as its first official act.
Lastly, there was San Miguel. The General's speech had been heard on radios there too and FEIS had not appreciated what was said. Shortly after the speech ended, there had been a small group that tried to leave the compound but which was stopped by one of the armies hastily set up roadblocks. Fire had been exchanged and the FEIS members retreated quickly back to San Miguel. About two hours later, gunfire was heard again, but none of the armies checkpoints were under attack and shortly after smoke began to rise over the compound.
The struggle for Atontierra had been relatively bloodless so far, but it was clear that it was not yet over.
You can send reinforcements to one location.
[] [Reinforcements] Send more troops to San Miguel and start an attack on the compound.
[] [Reinforcements] Reinforce the garrison at Huizanola to deter the guerrillas further.
[] [Reinforcements] Have more soldiers sent to Costa Gris to break up the mob in the city center.
There are plenty of people you need to talk to, but only so much time to do so. You have 3 points to spend on some urgent diplomacy.
[] [Estrada] Talk with the bishop of San Reina. The aid of the church would greatly help your legitimacy. (1 Point)
[] [Estrada] Go to the radio station of San Reina. They are vital to spread your propaganda. (1 Point)
[] [Estrada] Receive Seneca Coronado in the palace. He has contacts that could help your economy. (1 Point)
[] [Estrada] Summon any ambassadors that are in the capital. You need to get your message out to the world to build legitimacy abroad. (1 Point)
[] [Estrada] Building a new government will require educated people. Get in contact with the capitals intelligentsia to secure their aid. (1 Point)
[] [Estrada] Personally go to Costa Gris and speak with the people there. You might be able to defuse the situation better than your soldiers can. (2 Points)
[] [Estrada] Try to talk with the people in San Miguel to negotiate their surrender. (2 Points)
[] [Estrada] There is nothing to talk about with FEIS. Lead the assault on San Miguel in person. (2 Points)
[] [Estrada] Send a radio message to the ERPA guerrillas and try to arrange a meeting with Velasquez to end the fighting. (2 Points)
AN: Decent rolls all over. You were never going to get everyone in Blanco Brilla, but you got a good chunk of money and people to put on trial.
There was only one radio station in Atontierra. In the past, there had also been a station in Puerto Novo and another broadcasting from a small village half-way between San Reina and Costa Gris, but now only the one in San Reina was left. People had said things about that the tyrant Vergara hadn't liked and so FEIS had 'investigated' and found that it would be better to close down the stations and send most of the staff to San Miguel for 're-education through labour'.
Given that, the reception that General Estrada got on his first visit to the offices of the "Voice of Atontierra" were rather mixed. Some feared that it was their turn to be cracked down on, just this time for having aided the regime of Vergara instead of criticising it. A few others were more hopeful. Denouncing FEIS had to mean that the new Presidente was also above using methods like they did, right?
It was not them who had to greet Estrada though. Most of the staff could keep themselves busy or watch the proceedings from afar while fretting over what it might mean. The one receiving their new leader was not even the owner of the station. Given the news from Blanco Brilla, he was probably either on his way out of the country or already in military custody. No. There was just one person in the entire station that had real power and influence.
To the casual observer, Guido Macias looked nothing out of the ordinary. The rail thin man's clothes and hair were almost aggressively neat, but that wouldn't have him look out of place among business owner or bankers. What singled him out was the fervour in his voice that made you believe that whatever he was talking about right now was the single most important thing in the world, no matter what it was. The listeners loved that about him. A few had feared it. Without him, the station would have been nothing and everyone knew that.
Given his sway over the population, many of his colleagues had assumed that Macias would try to assert itself against the yet shaky control of the General, but when the new Presidente stepped out of the jeep and towards the waiting radio host, the exact opposite happened. "It is a pleasure to receive the Hero of Luzon in our station," he said, his hand outstretched as Estrada came closer. "We all here know that you must be very busy right now and thus what an honour your visit is."
"I appreciate the warm welcome," Estrada replied while shaking his hand. "It has been a while since I've heard the title your predecessor gave me."
As he spoke, Macias beckoned the General to follow him and led the small group into the building. "We were under order to not mention it. Preferably we wouldn't even mention you at all. You can imagine how awkward it became to talk about events in recent months when we had to report great victories but couldn't even say who was fighting. However, now that we are no longer being gagged, I will gladly refer to you by this title and the others that you earned in the war."
"Calling me Presidente Estrada should be fine," the man replied as they walked through the hallways of the small radio station. A few employees kept dodging into side rooms whenever the group approached them as the radio host led them onwards with purpose. "Where are you bringing us anyway? We already passed both your and the owners office."
"Why, to the recording room of course! The country is buzzing with people trying to discern what your next actions will be ever since we played your speech on the radio, and I assumed you would wish to address them once more. Our reporters have gathered plenty of questions already."
It was strange to Estrada just how helpful the man was, but for all that he tried to find some hidden motive or malice, Macias seemed to actually mean it. Before they even entered the recording room he got handed a list of questions and was asked to pick the ones he would like to answer with the radio host occasionally asking for details how the new Presidente wanted to slant his answers. It felt almost like a setup and yet the impromptu interview went just as smooth and pleasant as the preparations promised.
They were talking about the Generals speech at first, especially the promises he had made and if he was willing to share any details. Of course, the land reform was barely more than a vague idea at this point, so they instead spent more time talking about what the justice would look like for Vergara's helpers, especially among FEIS. Old tales of military tribunals in the Pacific were shared and from there the topic drifted, as planned, towards Estradas actions and heroic deeds during the war. Some old propaganda was corrected, other lines repeated verbatim.
From there it went on to a talk about the situation in the country. "San Miguel will be dealt with," was Estrada's only statement about the secret and police and Macias merely replied that the people were looking forward to that. The other two ongoing sources of unrest, the crowd in Costa Gris and the ERPA guerrillas were also addressed, though with far less martial tones.
For Costa Gris, the matter was spoken about as some spontaneous uprising against FEIS, even though the reporter in the city had heard that they were trying to set up their own counter-government. The Presidente started off with expressing his sorrow at the loss of life inflicted by the police firing upon the crowd and that now that they were no longer a threat to the people, that the citizens of Costa Gris should return to their homes and daily lives.
As agreed, the radio host prodded if there would be any persecutions for the unrest, which Estrada denied, stating that peace and order would hardly be served by such. Likewise, the General implied a willingness to talk with the leaders of the ERPA to settle the conflict, though his talk about returning government control to the mountains sounded a bit too much like Veraga's old speeches, leading to a bit of backtracking.
Overall though, all that had listened to the broadcast and were close enough to give comment assured the new Presidente that it had gone well and he left the radio station with a promise by Macias that as long as he was the host of the radio, the Voice of Atontierra would also be the Voice of Presidente.
FEIS: 2 (Warfare) - 1 (Paramilitary) + 1 (Back to the Wall) = 2 dice -> 22 = 4
Result: Total Victory
Long ago, San Miguel had been a catholic mission, erected with the goal of Christianising the savages of the New World. It was a lie of course. What the colonial governor of the time was truly interested in was gathering slaves to dig for gold in the hills. It had been abandoned shortly after the mine was played out and almost forgotten. Until Anton Corradini arrived in Atontierra and took an interest in the old mission. Not long after, it became the main base of FEIS with the secret police taking over the rebuilt mission buildings, while the first task of the new slaves of San Miguel was to erect wooden barracks for themselves.
It was not a fortress. It was barely a camp. Watchtowers and barbed wire were meant to keep prisoners in, not attackers out. When they heard the speech of the new Presidente, FEIS had tried to fortify the compound as best as they could, placing sandbags across the roads and hauling machine guns onto the watchtowers, but it changed nothing about the outcome.
Only two hours after his interview, the General had arrived near San Miguel. Another hour later, he was within the compound. To call what lay in between a battle would have been an insult to the Atontierran army. The plan was simple. Two roads were leading into the camp and by these two roads, the army advanced.
Tanks had led the attack, taking out machine guns with ease. Somehow the secret police had gotten their hands on some kind of anti-tank weapon, but the leading Sherman took only a glancing blow and took out the attacker with a high-explosive shell before he could try again. The fight was over in minutes with members of FEIS hastily trying to retreat and getting cut apart by machine gun fire during the attempt. For all that they had terrorized civilians for years, they stood no chance against opponents that were armed and ready to fight them.
And yet there was no celebration as soldiers moved towards the mission. It was burning and so were the ruins of the barracks. Bodies were strewn everywhere and only a few of them wore police uniforms. Much like in San Reina, FEIS had decided to cover their tracks. They burned their documents. They burned their buildings. And they shot all the witnesses. Worst of all, there was no sign of the secret police's leadership. Corradini and his officers were gone without a trace and those that fought and died or surrendered to the army were just the rank and file. Vicious, but ultimately meaningless thugs.
Only hours later did General Estrada learn what had happened. For the last ten years, Corradini had used the prisoners FEIS had made as slave labour to dig bunkers in the old gold mine. His plan, from what the lesser members of his group had pieced together, was to survive a nuclear war between the US and the Soviet Union by hiding there and to then re-emerge and rebuild society as he deemed fit. The details of this plan were hard to ascertain with the documents burned, but one story from the captured FEIS members was wilder and more disgusting than the one before.
Unfortunately, he had also planned for an attack on San Miguel. Escape tunnels had been dug, leading deeper into he jungle, and Corradini and his inner circle had escaped hours ago. They had to leave behind weapons, ammo and a sizeable amount of gold bars, but while the money would be a boon to the treasury, Estrada would have happily traded it for the FEIS director. Nothing could be done about that for the moment though, leaving only one question to answer.
How to deal with the crimes committed by FEIS?
[] Try to keep things quiet. Enemies might try to pin this massacre on the new government.
Lowers chance of the massacre becoming part of a smear campaign against Estrada, but the cover-up in of itself could become a major scandal if exposed.
[] Be open about this and spread what you can piece together about FEIS crimes within Atontierra.
The people of Atontierra gain 1 Revolutionary Fervor. Crimes well known within the country and somewhat known abroad.
[] Formulate a press release for international audiences. The whole world should know about the crimes of the old regime.
The people of Atontierra gain 2 Revolutionary Fervor. Atontierra gains 1 Notoriety. Crimes well known within the country and major foreign countries.
AN: Not much time to write this week. This should originally end with a turn-vote, but I don't want to let you wait even longer and the matter of how to deal with the aftermath of the San Miguel massacre might have warranted a full vote on its own.
It was a grisly display that was laid out in San Reina and other cities in the following days. Men with cameras had been walking through the carnage of San Miguel, making sure to photograph every detail of what they saw before turning to the grim task of photographing the faces of the dead. And so came the great walls of dead faces to Atontierra's plazas and market places. Hundreds of photos, each with a number were nailed to boards and shown to the public to give the next of kin a chance to at least know what had become of the people FEIS had torn out of their lives.
Soon enough, the cries of the grieving were the most common sound in the cities. And it would not stop. While there were hundreds that had been killed during the massacre in San Miguel, there were even more dead buried in mass graves all over the compound. Unlike the recently dead, nothing could be done to identify them. There would only be a number on the cross when they were reburied in proper graveyards all over the country. And while the walls of photos would be a passing thing, the thousands of numbered graves would stay forever, always serving as a reminder of Vergara's and FEIS' crimes.
Once the first grief had passed, the rage began to simmer. People were aching to somehow have redress for the horrific events that had been laid out before them. There was some hope that speedy tribunals for the members of the old regime could quell that fervour, though others pointed out that hearing the criminals themselves recount their deeds might just incense the public further. Fingers were beginning to be pointed.
At the church, that had been largely left alone by Vergara in return for the priests staying silent about politics. At the banks that had helped to plunder the country. Some even at the military that, as was argued by a few, could have stopped these atrocities much earlier. Something needed to be done, that much everyone was in agreement already, though for now their hands were barely stayed.
Gained 2 Revolutionary Fervor.
It was harder to gauge how foreign countries would react. Once the initial news broke and Presidente Estrada had sent out an account of events to governments and press alike, a few reports had come to see things with their own eyes. Times, BBC and Pravda had sent whoever was near Atontierra to watch events unfold in the cities and to document as the army exhumed body after body from the burned-out camp. Whatever their readers and their governments would think, it was undeniable that the name of Atontierra would be tied to this atrocity for a long time to come.
Gained 1 Notoriety.
There were better news though, even if nobody outside the presidential palace had the attention to spare to really appreciate them. In the mountains, the ERPA had apparently taken a liking to the news they've heard from the capital. Commandante Velasquez and the other leaders of the group had penned a letter in which they proposed an indefinite ceasefire as long as the army was willing to not move further west than Huizanola and promised to not block civilian traffic entirely. They specifically called out the land reform as a long overdue and much appreciated reform and that they would be willing to stand down entirely if the new government was willing to compromise on the land redistribution.
In Costa Gris, the situation was still somewhat, though the last radio broadcast by the General had seemingly been enough to prevent the worst. Led by an unofficial union and a rather outspoken man called Rolan Cordero, the crowd that had stormed the FEIS office had set up their own small government council for the city. They were unclear about the exact nature of their demands for self-governance, but they had voted on if they would accept the government in San Reina under Presidente Estrada as legitimate and the result was narrowly in favour of doing so. The Lieutenant Colonel in charge of the 4th Motor Rifle Battalion had briefly negotiated with them and while the council was unwilling to cede control of the city entirely, they had begun to work with the military to establish some order again.
So far, Atontierra had gotten off lightly. There was no shooting in the cities, most of the previous ruling elite and their helpers were in custody and there was a new leader that most people could somewhat agree on. But it was far from over. As Presidente Estrada poured over maps, reports and plans in his office, it became clear just how many challenges still were ahead and how few tools there were to overcome them with.
Turn 1
For each action allocated to a given task, 3d6 are rolled and added to the progress. Some tasks do not require a progress roll and automatically complete when one action is allocted to them.
Actions of a given ministry can only be used on tasks of that ministry. Personal actions of the Presidente can be assigned to personal actions or any ministry action.
Tasks market as Revolutionary require the spending of one point of Revolutionary Fervor per action spent on them. Most tasks require a certain amount of money, which has to be paid when they are first started.
Once a task has been started, it needs to be kept active with at least one action worth of effort per turn. If this is not done, the task loses 3d6 worth of progress per turn.
The Republic of Atontierra Capital: San Reina Government Form: Military Dictatorship Dictator: General Giuliano Estrada Currency: Atontierran Pesos Land Area: Unknown - Requires Survey
Demographics Population: Unknown - Requires Census Ethnicity: Unknown - Requires Census Religion: Unknown - Requires Census Ideologies: Unknown - Requires Polling
Economy GDP: Unknown - Requires Census State Income: $0 Treasury: $30 Million Inequality: Unknown - Requires Census Human Development: Unknown - Requires Census GDP by Industry: Unknown - Requires Census
Politics Stability:4 / 10 - Unstable Unrest:3 / 10 - Public Agitation Revolutionary Fervor:4 / 10 - Demands for Change Parties: Outlawed Unions: Outlawed Public Assembly: Outlawed
Regions San Reina - The capital city of the country, located between the ocean to the east and wide, agriculture dominated plains to the west.
Controlled by: Government
Puerto Novo - Major trade port in the north of the country. Surrouned by plantations, which used to grow bananes but now mostly lie fallow.
Controlled by: Government
Costa Gris - Formerly a fishing and trading port in the south that has fallen on hard times.
Controlled by: Government / Costa Gris City Council (contested)
Blanco Brilla - A small town north of San Reina that used to be the home of most of the previous governments officials.
Controlled by: Government
Huizanola - City located in central Atontierra and a major road hub and food production area.
Controlled by: Government
Western Jungle - Largely unsettled area that used to house the infamous San Miguel prison colony.
Controlled by: Government (limited)
South-Western Mountains - A montainous region in the south-west of the country that has been settled by subsistence farmers.
Controlled by: ERPA
North-Western Mountains - A montainous region in the north-west of the country that is presumed unsettled.
Controlled by: -
Foreign Ministry
Presidente Estrada entered the world stage with quite a bang. It might be a good moment to establish regular contact with other governments, lest they only remember Atontierra for what happened in San Miguel. Current Minister: - Available Actions: 1 Upkeep: ???
[] Greeting the World
The new government of Atontierra has yet to formally establish relationships with the wider world. At the very least the US and Soviet ambassadors need to be talked to. Cost: - Progress: - Result: Starts "Greeting the World" event.
[] Where is my money?
There is some evidence that Vergara's government has established substantial accounts in foreign countries. Since those were state funds, they should technically now fall under the new governments control. Provided it could find the accounts and convince the banks of this. Cost: $1 Million Progress: 0 / 10 Result: Chance at recovering lost funds.
[] Foreign Propaganda
Some of Vergara's old allies have likely managed to flee the country. Spread information about them and that they are wanted in Atontierra for their crimes. Cost: $2 Million Progress: 0 / 10 Result: Makes it harder for old regime members to find asylum abroad.
[] Reduce Notoriety
Between the known exploits of the old regime and the massacre of San Miguel becoming a internationally known event, the country is beginning to rack up a reputation. Best to start fighting back against that before the opinions about Atontierra become entrenched. Cost: $3 Million Progress: 0 / 30 Result: Reduces Notoriety by 1.
[] Foreign Investors
Trying to improve Atontierra's economy would be much easier with more money to spend. See if you can entice some foreigners to invest. Cost: $1 Million Progress: 0 / 10 Result: Gain investment opportunity.
Ministry of Agriculture
Agriculture is more or less the only major industry in Atontierra's economy, so it will need to be handled with care. Especially since you promised to upend the status quo with a land reform. Current Minister: - Available Actions: 1 Upkeep: ???
[] Land Reform: Gather Opinions
It would be rather helpful for the land reform if you had a better understanding of what people expect to get out of it. Send our some people to speak with those who stand to gain or lose from the reform. Cost: $1 Million Progress: 0 / 10 Result: Learn what people want.
[] Land Reform: Surveys
Before the land is redistributed, it would help to have a better understanding of how much you even have and which land is most useful for what task. Send some surveyors and experts out to learn more about the land. Cost: $1 Million Progress: 0 / 15 Result: Learn more about the land.
[] Land Reform: Market Analysis
Beside knowing more about the land, it might also help to learn more about your own needs and what foreigners are most interested to buy. Send people out to the market places to learn what Atontierra needs and pour over foreign trade statistics to see what exports would be promising. Cost: $1 Million Progress: 0 / 5 Result: Learn what the markets want.
[] [Revolutionary] Land Reform: Redistribute all of the Land
Vergara had most of the countries land seized, meaning the land reform has plenty to address. But even he didn't touch a few land holders. The last few powerful planters and the church still hold a lot of land. The people see no reason why there should be made exceptions for them during the reforms. Cost: - Progress: 0 / 5 Result: Can redistribute all land during the land reform.
[] Organize Exports
The government needs money to keep functioning and with the old guard removed from power, the old streams of income are gone too. Start exporting the produce from the seized farms to put money back into the treasury. Cost: $1 Million Progress: 0 / 10 Result: Gain income from agricultural exports.
[] Modern Machines
Most of Atontierra's farms are either using mostly manual labor or decades old machines for their work. Take some cash from the treasury to make better equipment available to the farms around San Reina. Cost: $5 Million Progress: 0 / 20 Result: Gain improved farming equipment in San Reina.
[] Fertilizer Factory
Foreign fertilizer is expensive and you can't import nearly enough to satisfy demand. Why not make your own then? Cost: $10 Million Progress: 0 / 30 Result: Gain a fertilizer factory.
[] [Revolutionary] Seize the Banks
There are only a handful of banks left in the country and they all kept existing by acting as enablers for Vergara's regime to steal from the people. Why should they keep profiting from the aid they gave the old regime? Punish them like all the others. Cost: - Progress: - Result: Starts "Debt Forgiveness" event.
Interior Ministry
Probably the most hated ministry in the country as it used to be in charge of FEIS until the secret police gained so much power and influence that it basically became the Interior Ministry. Now you need to rebuild the institutions from the ground up. Current Minister: - Available Actions: 1 Upkeep: ???
[] Payroll
There has been no formal payroll for government employees in the last few years. Payment for most employees went entirely by the moods and favor of their bosses. Re-establish a formal payroll system to get government upkeep under control. Cost: $1 Million Progress: 0 / 10 Result: Ministry upkeep becomes known.
[] Establish a new Police
As much as the last organization bearing that name was hated by the people, you will need some form of law enforcement sooner or later. The military can't do this job permanently. Start drawing up plans for how to address this need. Cost: $2 Million Progress: 0 / 15 Result: Starts "Friend and Helper?" event.
[] Establish a Tax Office
The government needs money to function and the usual way to get that is to tax people. Establish a new tax office and then work out a proper tax code. Cost: $3 Million Progress: 0 / 15 Result: Starts "For whom the Taxman comes." event.
[] Establish a new Judiciary
Most of the judges and lawyers in Atontierra were driven out of their job by going against the old regime in some fashion or were bought by it. You will need to overhaul the judiciary from the ground up. Cost: $3 Million Progress: 0 / 20 Result: Starts "Justice for All" event.
[] Start the Tribunals
You promised justice for the victims of the old regime and while the FEIS leadership slipped through your grasp for now, there are plenty others awaiting sentencing. Set up tribunals and begin fulfilling that promise. Cost: $1 Million Progress: - Result: Starts "A Trial to Remember" event.
[] Propaganda Campaign
With the sole radio station of the country under your control, you can fairly easily reach all citizens and try to sway their opinion. Cost: $1 Million Progress: - Result: Improve people opinion of the government.
[] More Freedoms
Civil rights had been slowly eroded under the previous regime and by the end, people were not even allowed to gather in large groups without a FEIS officers permission. Those rules need to be changed, but the question is how which freedoms should be given to the people. Cost: - Progress: - Result: Starts "Leaders and Agitators" event.
[] [Revolutionary] City Councils
The people of Costa Gris had a pretty good idea. Why not have people elect their local administration? It is time to put an end to centuries of tyranny radiating out from a mission, a plantation or a palace. This would be a good start for that. Cost: $1 Million Progress: 0 / 15 Result: Organize city councils in Puerto Novo, Blanco Brilla and Huizanola.
[] Take a Census
You know fairly little about your own country. Send people out to take a census of people to learn more about who they are and how they live. Cost: $5 Million Progress: 0 / 30 Result: Gain Simple Census
[] Start Polling
Other countries have people go around and ask questions about politics to random strangers. A wild concept for Atontierra, where talking politics in public was only down by the very brave or very foolish until recently, but it would be rather useful to learn what the public desires. Cost: $2 Million Progress: 0 / 20 Result: Gain Simple Polls
Ministry of War
Technically the former job of Presidente Estrada, though he had been largely unable to actually do it. The military had been sabotaged for many years as an insurance against potential coups. Time to undo the damage and rebuild Atontierra's army. Current Minister: - Available Actions: 1 Upkeep: ???
[] Deployment Orders
Draw up new orders and deployments for the military. Cost: - Progress: - Result: Sends military units to new places or to do different things.
[] Replacement Parts - Motorized Infantry
As part of the slashes military budget, the last few years saw the army skip a lot of maintenance. Take some money to buy replacement parts from abroad and bring the motorized infantry units back into shape. Cost: $4 Million Progress: 0 / 12 Result: Repairs done to all motorized infantry units.
[] Replacement Parts - Tank Units
As part of the slashes military budget, the last few years saw the army skip a lot of maintenance. Take some money to buy replacement parts from abroad and bring the tank units back into shape. Cost: $8 Million Progress: 0 / 20 Result: Repairs done to all tank units.
[] Remedial Training
Training was kept pretty basic in recent years due to the lack of budget and the distrust garnered by being seen "preparing for something". Now that money can be allocated to the military freely, it is time to make sure every soldier knows at least the basics. Cost: $3 Million Progress: 0 / 20 Result: Removes any hidden training deficits.
[] New Bases - San Reina
Now that you no longer need to kept he military far away from the capital, it is about time to establish a proper base for the army headquarters. Cost: $5 Million Progress: 0 / 15 Result: Gain military base in San Reina.
[] Propaganda - Hearts and Minds
Since the military will be interacting with the civilian population a lot more in the coming months or maybe years, it couldn't hurt to improve their image a bit. Cost: $1 Million Progress: - Result: Improve the militaries image in the public eye.
Ministry for Public Works
Probably the most gutted ministry of them all, the Ministry for Public Works has been hollowed out since shortly after Vergara came into power. Now it is mostly just a name on a building and some rotten infrastructure that hasn't been maintained in ages. Current Minister: - Available Actions: 1 Upkeep: ???
[] Survey Infrastructure
Before anything else can be done, you need to know where you stand. Most infrastructure hasn't been maintained for years, hospitals and even fire stations were relying on donations for funding. See what you can salvage and what you need to write off entirely. Cost: $1 Million Progress: 0 / 15 Result: Learn the state of public infrastructure.
[] [Revolutionary] Nationalize the Church Schools.
Education had long been dominated by the catholic church in Atontierra and it was always deeply steeped in scandals and abuses of the privileges and influence this brought. Vergara didn't touch these schools after they stopped criticizing him and as far as the people are concerned, that makes them complicit and worthy of being broken up and taken over by the state. Cost: $2 Million Progress: 0 / 10 Result: Take over the currently church run schools.
[] Reopen the university.
San Reina used to have a fairly well known and respected university, but like most people who were used to thinking for themselves, the professors were seen as potential troublemakers by the old regime. So they just simply closed the university. It's about time to undo this and bring back higher education to Atontierra. Cost: $3 Million Progress: 0 / 30 Result: University of San Reina opens again.
[] Bread Dole
There are a lot of people in Atontierra than can barely afford to put enough food on the table to not starve. Establish a network of soup kitchens to ease the ever present hunger by providing free food to the people. Cost: $5 Million Progress: 0 / 10 Result: Gain soup kitchens.
Presidential Office
The personal office and household of Presidente Estrada. With the ministries in shambles and no ministers selected yet, he will probably need to do most of the work himself for now. Available Actions: 5 Upkeep: ???
[] Name a Minister - [Write-In Ministry]
Naming a minister would make things much easier and greatly expand that ministries capabilities. Have your aides prepare a list of potential candidates. Cost: - Progress: - Result: Gain some applications for the ministry in question.
[] Have a Meeting - [Write-In with whom]
Meet with someone important, discuss their problems and see if you can improve relations. Cost: - Progress: - Result: Can lead to improved relations, opportunities or events.
[] Cult of Personality
El Presidente has done many great things and will do even more and greater things for Atontierra in the future. That certainly warrants a bit of self-aggrandizement. Cost: $1 Million Progress: - Result: Starts "All Glory to El Presidente" event.
[] Tour de Atontierra
Even though you can reach most citizens through radio speeches, it still helps a lot to be seen by them in person. Set up a series of events across the country to speak directly to the population. Cost: $1 Million Progress: 0 / 20 Result: Improve public opinion of the government.
[] Amnesty for ERPA
With the ceasefire offer by Comandante Velasquez, it seems that a diplomatic solution to the conflict with the ERPA is possibe. Make your own gesture of goodwill and grant amnesty to all those who wish to lay down their weapons. Cost: - Progress: - Result: Grants amnesty to all ERPA members that want to lay down arms.
[] Improve Ability - [Write-In which]
Take some time off from your duties and instead try to improve your abilities. Cost: - Progress: 0 / 20 x new Ability level Result: Increase an ability by 1 point.
