Join the new world

So it turns out, there’s actually interesting stuff to write about. Surprising, huh? And it also turns out that this sort of stuff is a good read. Whatever you guys want, I guess XD

Anyway, a basic summary of current events 🙂

A New Friend From a Different Town

Though not new news, it’s still very important and relevant. After a very lengthy trial process and countless delays to the vote, it seemed as if USA’s disgruntlement with CoT would be too much for the two sides to work things out. Despite the trouble, however, and a few nations not overly ecstatic over the Americans joining, the vote passed, and America is now the newest member of CoT. Obviously, this has a large immediate impact for CoT. They now possess a new superpower on their side, ready to support its new alliance mates in every way possible. While Bulgaria, Indonesia, and Macedonia (FYROM) are all powerful nations, no one can deny America’s special brand of power. There’s a reason few nations, even those as powerful as Serbia, risk a full-fledged invasion of America, even before America’s entry into CoT. America’s entry into CoT solidifies the alliance as roughly TWO’s equal, with TWO’s superpowers being balanced out by CoT’s numbers and handful of heavy lifters. So on one hand, it could spell disaster for EDEN.

However, USA has always been a special case. Its documented loyalty is nearly unmatched, and their loyalties do not fully lie within alliance standards. The most notable of these exemptions is USA’s fondness of Albania, an EDEN nation that has helped the Americans innumerable times regarding PTOs. While Albania’s antagonism has mostly been towards TWO, especially their occupier Serbia, it is undoubtable that Albania is no fan of CoT. America is certainly powerful enough and has enough sway to defy the curve and not be instantly ostracized. The bigger concern for CoT, however, is USA’s undeniable loathing of TWO. It’s hard to forgive a group of nations that organized together to destroy a nation both militarily (the great invasion of Can-Am) and domestically (PTOs all around), and America’s hatred of Serbia is widely known as one of the most lengthy grudges in all of eRepublik.

Certainly, CoT accepting USA as a full member gives them a new powerful friend as one of their own. While this definitely displays a certain rift between the two alliances (accepting one of Serbia’s greatest rivals won’t give CoT brownie points), CoT also has a greater sense of independency, and can now truly hold their own against TWO, should a schism occur. And of course, USA has a number of allies eager to follow their powerful friend’s path. Certainly, Germark is one such example, keeping an American MPP from their days in Terra and aligning themselves, at least initially, with CoT, also signing MPPs with Bulgaria.

In sum, CoT accepting America is a large gamble, as is any decision regarding the Americans. But CoT is far more powerful for it, and can be pushed around by TWO no longer. It would be best for CoTWO nations to cool their tensions. EDEN’s waiting for a break 😉

Viva la Resistance!

Speaking of EDEN, look at their new little friend! After avoiding a war the first time, it was all but inevitable that conflict would arise between France and Belgium. After all, France needs someone to show their new alliance what they’re worth, right? With UK and Poland out of the picture, the minor Belgians were not only the easy option, but the only one. The once vast French landscape has been cut to size by the Polish, and they undoubtedly want to gain some confidence, and secure relations with their new alliance mates.

That being said, however, France seemed a little bit shaky out of the gate. CoT’s doctrine of supporting all members equally was quite apparent, as allies sacrificed their own battles (notably Greece vs. Macedonia (FYROM), down below) to lend the Belgians a hand, while the French seemed a tad too confident in what seemed to be an easy victory. And rightfully so, the Belgians repelled France in the region of Flanders, the stronger side winning. With Belgium on the offensive, France quickly changed tactics, resorting to surrender the main front and move to resistance wars to make their impact. Of course, while CoT allies can give full support in the main front, it is a 1v1 fight in resistance wars. While certainly there were mobiles on both sides, there was far less support, quite evident as France began to fight back and retake regions with resistance wars.

With France recovering from their early struggles, recovering their regions from Belgian occupation, the battle has shifted back to the main front once more. France is much better prepared this time, with better coordination and support. France managed to occupy Belgian regions for a short time, but CoT has quickly conquered them back via RW. France is powering ahead in order to prove themselves, but CoT will not back down easily and let a member nation fall. This will be a tight-knit battle til the very end.

Chaos in the Isles

Argentina won Phase One of their grand baby boom war, taking down the British after a great struggle early on. However, at a certain point the British had already accepted defeat. London was taken with little issue, and the rest of the island followed. The minor British invasion into Ireland was repelled quickly thanks to support from CUA, and the British were promptly wiped. However, that was but Phase One.

After defeating the Brits, Argentina enjoyed a brief moment of time as the primary reason why the Brits were 404 Not Found. However, it’s not as if the Brits aren’t used to being occupied once in a while. The Brits rushed the RWs, blitzing Leeds and nabbing it from Argentinian hands, minimizing their time wiped. Poland has also come to the Brits’ rescue, attacking through their path in Brittany to liberate their fallen comrade. In the opening acts of the war, it appears that Argentina has conceded that it will be a tough fight to hold down Britain, and seemingly has moved on. Britain may soon be liberated from Argentinian and Irish control. However, not all is lost for the Argentinians yet. They still own a small chunk of land. It will be very difficult, however.

Welcome Home

So, where has Argentina gone if they’re not fighting in Britain? Home of course! Argentina essentially gave up their home regions to invade the UK, but after securing their foothold in the foreign continent the Argentines have gone home with fervor. Spain’s counterairstrike has lasted nowhere near as long as Argentina’s, occupying the four free Argentine regions for little time. Argentina’s return to the region has done wonders for CUA. While Argentina has to contend with both Chile and Brazil, they have at least momentarily reached home once more, and has also supported Uruguay’s liberation from Brazil. Colombia’s occupation by three nations and not two means more drain damage as well, though of course it has the drawback of being more difficult to liberate. With Colombia’s burgeoning population, it’s a definite possibility. Still, however, CoT remains the prominent power in South America.

Argentina has opened up a front with Brazil, alongside Uruguay, whom are fighting Brazil as well, recently freeing Charrua from occupation. Argentina, however, has been on the retreat against Chilean invaders, and will have to receive quite a lot of support to manage both fronts. Colombia, as mentioned beforehand, is still fully occupied, though the thorns must be mighty uncomfortable for the occupiers. The war is brewing once more.

From the Brink

Yes, there was a time when Asgard was completely wiped. Did you miss it? Sweden, Finland, and Norway were all fully occupied, leaving Canada as the lone nation that had regions for the alliance. With Lithuania and Estonia working together to occupy the first two, and Germark kicking the Norwegians while they were down. It has certainly been difficult for the alliance, long used to being the underdog. Yet, interesting times have come from the shadows.

After focusing in UK for Argentina’s successful invasion, the Asgard focus has come back to themselves. Finland was wiped with the combined Estonian-Lithuanian forces, but the Finns have stormed back and retaken regions, also opening up the main front to further torment their occupiers. Of course, there have also been organized and powerful resistance movements in Sweden. However, there is no Achilles’ heel as was in Finland (Estonia is weaker than Finland). Lithuania remains in full control of their Swedish enemies. With Finland attempting to liberate Sweden by force, Sweden could find an easier way back in that fashion. Of course, this all goes downhill if Finland suddenly goes on a losing streak and loses their lands. As for Norway, the little brother of the powerful Scandinavian duo, they still remain occupied by Germark. Unless Norway buckles, the Norwegians may have to wait until Asgard regains the upper hand to be liberated. A long fight uphill, but not unseen for Asgard. Can they do it again?

Guess Who’s Back?

Canada has slowly been biding its time under Spanish occupation, working alongside their allies and taking advantage of Spanish forces spreading thin to retake the eastern frontier. Things were going well for the Canadians, as Spain had to deal with Argentina as well as a slew of resistance wars. However, Spain has since lost in South America, but in the process freeing up their NE. Canada had regained four regions, but Spain has come back in full force to occupy their enemy once more. Of course, Spain has already had its share of struggles. They have lost their rubber bonus in Guyana, as well as their landbridge through the Azores, to their former owners Venezuela and Portugal.

Canada seems to have accepted the inevitable, and has gone back to the shadows to fight the war of attrition. But the damage has been done, as Spain’s failure to hold onto their rented regions will cause a heap of trouble trying to get them back. Canada may wait until the next tide flows their way. Liberation awaits another day 😛

Always Better With Friends

EDEN won the latest Balkan war. Did they occupy Serbia? No. Did they secure their Balkan regions? No. Did they even beat up Montenegro for kicks? No. So how did they win? They secured a member nation’s congress. While Croatia has certainly not liberated all of its regions, and similarly Bosnia and Albania still are occupied, they have managed to secure Bosnia’s congress, a previously ludicrous dream.

Love em or hate em, airstrikes have made the game a hell of a lot more interesting. Since it has a scaled price cost for varying population sizes, it allows any nation, not just the powerhouses, to use their own airstrikes for their benefit. It seems that a popular trend is for Balkan nations to airstrike away, or just find some way to move in general. Lots of powerful nations and few regions mean insecure borders and congress with little upside. Bulgaria and FYROM have already left for the most part, and Croatia has snuck away as well. The latest nation to do so? Bosnia.

EDEN really didn’t need to do much. All they had to do was make enough of a distraction to give Bosnia regions, and hold them long enough for Bosnia to airstrike away. Frankly, there were few options for targets, as Japan was essentially the only other viable option, and it would be far more difficult for Bosnia to hold the regions. Though Bosnia will not have too much room to grow, undoubtedly they will have very secure congress, as their Indian hosts have few allies to help free them from occupation. And securing congress for one of its smaller nations is a success for EDEN. Remember, though. Albania also has funds for an airstrike. Could the next spree be to move the Albanians away as well?

NaN Violence

The tiny alliance grows! Starting off as merely a pact of friendship between Australia and South Africa, it is slowly beginning to find some standing as the alliance for small, neglected countries with few other connections. It has since grown to incorporate Cyprus, a former Terra nation that has since strained relations with EDEN powerhouse Greece, and Malaysia, a maligned country fully occupied by TWO forces. With most powerful alliances focusing only on their strongest members, it was understandably hard for these nations to find a place where their voices would be heard, and their safety secured. Thus, it was no surprise that the idea of a small member alliance would catch on quickly. There are certainly other small nations that have been outcast from the normal stream of standard alliances, and while they are weak alone, their combined strength could be a good influence.

Of course, the nations by themselves are relatively weak. Still in the infant stages, the only thing that the countries have in common is their united loathing of their occupiers. Of course, it’s too early to expect much from them at this point. It may be wise for them to work on relations with another, stronger alliance, and improve friendships to the point where they will get extra support whenever they need it. There have been no big pushes yet by NaN. But with a few more nations and some extra support, NaN may have the opportunity to make an impact. Surely, it’s better to stand together than alone.

Anything else I should talk about? 😛

🙂

Until next time, take care!

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