Balance of Power II: 1861 (Sign Up/Rules/Commentary Thread)

[Lumine]

Balance of Power II: 1861

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Welcome to the world of Balance of Power II.

More than a decade after the revolutionary wave that surged across Europe in 1848, the continent stands on an uneasy balance once more. Nations like Prussia and the newly proclaimed Italy are on the rise, as powers like Austria, France, Russia and the British Empire face issues of their own. Across Asia and Africa the colonization of lands by European powers has become more and more aggressive, further complicated the internal instability of China and Japan. And, on the other side of the seas, America finds itself torn apart by a recently declared civil war, putting Unionists and Confederates against each other. Can the fragile balance be maintained and war avoided in the 1860's? You will take over as the leader of a nation and try to lead it to the top. Of course, should you fail or become too unpopular, you might lose elections (if country has them), face revolution, or even go down in a civil war..

Basic Rules:

1. Turns: Just like BoP I, players will have to play turns that represent six months, in which they will react to ongoing crises and events and post their policies, moves and reactions to what other players do. There are no World Wars here, so special modes will not be needed.

2. Historical Context: The Game starts on the beginning of 1861, but for practical reasons virtually all events up to March-April have already happened, Fort Sumter and the war declaration included.

3. Messages: Secret messages between the players must include the GM, all of them. I will not acknowledge moves or negotiations I am not aware of, so be careful with that.

4. Historical Events: A mixture of dice and random number generator will work out to determine events as they go, but we will have obvious divergences from OTL since the start. I can already made public that regarding Italy, Count Cavour will avoid his death (as McKinley avoided his in the 1901 Game).

5. Stats: These have not changed, to be released every two turns in terms of your popularity, economic state and internal strife. Unlike Balance of Power I, I will try to be specific on troop numbers this time, but remember that as sources are limited I will have to simplify issues and numbers from time to time.

6. Game Over: Same. Game Over can come in three ways: A.- (All) By getting defeated in war and then deposed by the enemy. B.- (Democratic Nations) By losing the election for President/Primer Minister, and C.- (Monarchies/Dictatorship) Losing a Revolution/Civil War that ends the Monarchy or the ruling dynasty. Assasinations and ending one's term in office (with no electoral defeat) will not count as Game-Overs, and you will continue with the successor. In case of a game over for a player who led a nation that still exists (or has changed leaders via elections), said nation will be offered to another player first.

7. Players, Nations and Assistant GM: I will simulate all NPC countries, unless there’s a volunteer for Assistant GM, who will then be entrusted with negotiation, research and advice. That said, the position is not likely to have full powers, to avoid issues that happened in the last time. You can play as:

GM Team:

Game Moderator: Lumine
Assistant GM: Dereich

Europe:

French Empire: Emperor Napoleon III (Kingpoleon)
Russian Empire: Tsar Alexander II (Never Again)
British Empire: First Lord of the Treasury Lord Palmerstone (Spamage)
Austrian Empire: Kaiser Franz Josef I (Cranberry)
Ottoman Empire: Sultan Abdulmecid I (Steelers)
Kingdom of Prussia: King Wilhelm I
Kingdom of Italy: Prime Minister Camilo Cavour
Kingdom of Spain: President of the Council Leopoldo O’Donnell

America:

United States of America: President Abraham Lincoln (Darthebearnc)
Confederate States of America: President Jefferson Davis (Enduro)

Asia:

Tokugawa Shogunate: Shogun Tokugawa Iemochi
Qing Empire: Xianfeng Emperor

I'm tempted to start during Saturday/Sunday, but it depends on the number of players. I hope this game is a success as well!

[Enduro]

I'll do Jefferson, or the assistant GM.

[Enduro]

I'll do Jefferson, or the assistant GM.

Actually, I'll do Jefferson, I'm already being GM.

[Lumine]

I'll do Jefferson, or the assistant GM.

Actually, I'll do Jefferson, I'm already being GM.

Welcome, Mr. President!

[Kingpoleon]

I volunteer for Emperor Napoleon III. Hopefully Austria will ally me.

[/]

I'll be Lincoln

[Dereich]

I'd like to be assistant GM.

[Lumine]

I'll be Lincoln

I volunteer for Emperor Napoleon III. Hopefully Austria will ally me.

Welcome!

I'd like to be assistant GM.

Excellent news, Dereich!

[Enduro]

I'll be Lincoln

Bring it on, Darth!

[Spamage]

I'll take the British again

[Lumine]

I'll take the British again

Welcome, First Lord!

[/]

I'll be Lincoln

Bring it on, Darth!

rarr

[NeverAgain]

Mother Russia, if you please.

[Lumine]

Mother Russia, if you please.

Welcome, illustrious Tsar.

[/]

Are we still getting started tomorrow? I very much look forward to the game

[Lumine]

Are we still getting started tomorrow? I very much look forward to the game

Well, it depends. We can get started as soon as we have six players! (which seems the minimum to me)

[Spamage]

I very much look forward to the game

Same here

[Cranberry]

The last game was incredibly fun, so, you know, I'd be here to defend the honour of House Habsburg if needed.

I'll take Austria, in case no one else wants it - if there is interest, I'd be happy to stay back.

[Lumine]

The last game was incredibly fun, so, you know, I'd be here to defend the honour of House Habsburg if needed.

I'll take Austria, in case no one else wants it - if there is interest, I'd be happy to stay back.

Welcome, Cranberry!

[NeverAgain]

The minimum six is reached so... Can I stop the Alaskan Purchase now?

[Enduro]

Let's get this thing started!!

[Lumine]

I have been doing extensive research, but it takes time. The first turn will be up anywhere from tomorrow to Tuesday at the latest.

[Ex-Assemblyman Steelers]

Turkish sultan

[Lumine]

Turkish sultan

Yes, sir!

Also, please wait until we have started to start negotiating. I will not acknowledge agreements or negotiations before the main thread is even up (remember to add me and Dereich to the PM's).

[Lumine]

Okay, the game has started!

I'm tired now, so the two special events I have in mind and the American Civil War thread (it gets a special one) will wait a few hours before being published.