"The Freedom to Achieve Freedom"-An Irish Free State Game

[GoTfan]

"The Freedom to Achieve Freedom"-An Irish Free State game

[credit: Wikimedia commons)

The day is January 7th. The year is 1922. After years of struggle, the members of Sinn Fein and the Irish Republican Army have finally secured settlement with the British government. Granted Dominion status, they now have the right to elect their own representatives and have their own government.

However, while the vote has been in favour of the Treaty by a margin of seven, the 57 who voted no, led by Eamon De Valera, have refused to accept the Treaty's legitimacy. They have even denied the legitimacy of Dail Eirann's vote on the Treaty. By extension, they have refused to recognise the government of Arthur Griffith, or Michael Collins as Chairman of the Provisional Government. Ireland is a powder keg waiting to explode, as the IRA splits down the middle, while Thomas Johnson's Labour Party looks to build their own vision for a socialist Ireland.

All the while, the British government watches like vultures, circling and waiting . . .

Welcome to "The Freedom to Achieve Freedom", a roleplaying game set in the chaotic aftermath of the Irish War of Independence, and the resulting debates over Ireland's future. The game commences on January 14, 1922, one week after the Anglo-Irish Treaty has been voted in favour of by Dail Eirann, the result being 64-57.

Obviously elections will be a big part of this; there is one scheduled for June 16 to elect the Third Dail. Results, like the Weimar game, will be determined by post quality, historical precedent, and random factors. You know the drill when it comes to campaigns. Declare your manifestos, organise schedules and generally convince voters you are the right choice.

In addition, there is also a lot of other jazz. With the IRA split down the middle, there will be a power struggle for control of it between Collins and De Valera. Each person can submit legislation, debate in the Dail and organise intrigues.

General Rules

• The moderator (I.E me) must be CC'd in all PMs. I will make an effort to figure out what is happening if not, but don't expect me to go out of my way
• Powergaming and metagaming is strictly forbidden. The outcomes of your actions are not determined by you alone
• If you carry out an action against another player, yu must wait to receive a response from either themselves or me.
• Try to stick to historical realism. For example, De Valera will not be allying with the British government
• If you are playing one of our leading characters, please do be active
• Remember, I'm here to help! If you have any questions, don't hesitate to ask!

[GoTfan]

State of the Dail



Chairman of the Provisional Government: Michael Collins

President of Dail Eirann: Arthur Griffith

Pro-Treaty Sinn Fein: 64

Michael Collins (Leader, taken by Devout Centrist)

Anti-Treaty Sinn Fein: 57

Eamon De Valera (Leader, taken by Cassius)

Irish Labour Party: 0

Thomas Johnson (Leader, taken by Ishan)



British Government

Winston Churchill, Secretary of State for the Colonies (Taken by PSOL)

[GoTfan]

The Celtic Harp

Treaty Ratified!


[Wikimedia Commons]

After months of negotiation, the controversial Anglo-Irish Treaty has been ratified by the Dail in a vote of 64-57. Already, the Treaty's ratification is causing havoc across ireland, particularly over the position of ther northern counties and the oath of allegiance to the British Crown.

Michael Collins, just installed as Chairman of the Provisional government, has declared that the treaty provides the means to eventually create a proper republic, terming it "The freedom to achieve freedom."

However, Eamon De Valera, leading the deputies who vtoed against the Treaty, have claimed it is an abject surrender, and staged a dramatic walkout of the Dail shortly after the vote. It is not currently known whether they still accept the Dail's legitimacy.

In other news, elections have been schedule for a provisional Dail on the 16th of June

[Devout Centrist]

Michael Collins Addresses the Dáil

Gentlemen, members of the Dáil,

In the past seven years, our island has undergone a most remarkable transformation. For centuries, our people have been subjugated by a foreign power, forced to conduct ourselves in all manners and affairs by the decrees of our oppressors. We endured such intolerable injustices at their hands. But our resiliency, as Fenian brothers and sisters, has allowed us to achieve the unthinkable. Gentlemen: we are free. For the first time in generations, the Irish people has the power to make its own way in the world. We may make our own laws and do our own business. We are finally returning to the natural state of affairs. Éire will not be denied her freedom, and in my capacity as Chairman of this Provisional Government, I have fought to secure our independence from all foreign powers.

I recognize that many have concerns about the status of our young Republic. The path before us is beset by obstacles on all sides. Gentlemen, let me clear: each of us will be tested. Our resolve and our virtue will be pushed to their limits. If our Irish Republic is to survive, we must stand together against these challenges. For though the road ahead of us may be rocky and perilous, we can always take solace in the power of our faith and the strength of our people.

For the first time in a hundred generations, Éire is a sovereign political force. I shall fight hard to ensure her independence is not tested for a thousand generations. If we work together, gentlemen, we will have the power to seize total, unabridged freedom. For ourselves, and for our children.