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SETTING



I. FREEDOM

In 2023 A.E. we were conquered by the Tenebran Empire. For two years we were cogs in the imperial machine. We were reduced to numbers in our imperial passports.

In 2025, in Belitsa, hope was rekindled. We gathered covertly to prepare the rebellion, and elected a joint resistance leader, a man of the people that everyone could get behind. Thanks to the concerted efforts of the insurgents, a weapon of old was reassembled, which could penetrate the shield protecting imperial Governors.

When the Weapon fired and the white tunic of the Governor of Belitsa was stained red, war began anew. But this time we knew we would win.

Months passed and the unity and intent of the Resistance remained true. Governors fell one after another, hit by the international unit holding the Weapon, known as “The Flying Squad”. Rebellion guerillas throughout the lands chased away Тenebran armed forces and administration alike, and dealt with collaborators. 

Then Tenebran reinforcement arrived, bringing terror, winter and snow. And so the Winter War began. We continued fighting, united and determined. We fought in forests, on mountains, in the plains and in the sea, fighting not only them, but also the cold. And we won. All remaining Tenebran forces were driven out. We had our freedom but the cost was dear. The battlefields were covered in red and the stains remained visible even after the snow melted – a grim reminder of the price we paid.

2. THE MUGLIZH CONFEDERATION

After successfully expelling the Tenebrian forces and liberating our territories, statehood was reinstated in the known world. Provinces regained their dignity as empires, kingdoms, knyazdoms, earldoms, and other dominions. A glance at the map, now adorned with various colors anew, fills us with well-deserved pride – but also raises a subtle eyebrow.

Almost in the heart of the map, a new entity has emerged: formed of not merelyone or two, but ten formerly independent territories. This collective formation bears the name ‘Muglizh Confederation.’ Its origins remain unknown, though it is more or less certain that the ten territories joined forces for their united struggle for liberty, and its subsequent success paved the way for further cooperation, culminating in the formation of a confederation, coalesced around Muglizh as its main or original unit.

It can be safely concluded, that at least for the moment the Muglizh Confederation harbors no aggressive intentions toward neighboring or farther countries. Practical constraints would prevent it from immediate aggression after the grueling war in which the Confederation actively participated itself, and it would have nothing to gain from it except disgrace. Supporting this theory is a letter dispatched to all state offices by the Confederation Council – an eloquent, yet somewhat pompous missive that can be distilled to a simple ‘hello, we are here.’

While intelligence efforts strive for more information, the full picture remains elusive. We know that none of the territories comprising the Muglizh Confederation appear to have noble lineage. We know that this is not a scheme orchestrated by any of our existing states. Instead, it genuinely looks as an authentic, grassroots organization of local common folk. 

At the Confederation’s  helm stands a figure known for their role in the local liberation struggle – a person who lost an eye in battle against the Tenebrians, earning the moniker ‘the One-Eyed,’ yet who proudly claims the title of ‘Count of Muglizh.’

3. A COLD WAR

In the aftermath of the war for independence, the world finds itself at a crossroads, and tensions soon acquire the name “Cold War”- a metaphor encompassing both conflict and peace, and evoking memories of the Winter War, while reflecting the newfound chilliness among the allies.

Nobody actively sought this situation, nor did anyone intentionally provoke it. The common enemy briefly united disparate factions, erasing old rivalries, grudges, and dismantling long-standing stereotypes. However, with the departure of the Tenebrians, memories resurfaced, and we once again view each other through preconceived notions.

The war itself transformed our kingdoms and domains. It forged them into stronger entities but also instilled ruthlessness. To safeguard their identities and rally their populations, many clung fervently to their ideologies or religious beliefs. These became defining markers, distinguishing one country  from another. Nations were born. 

Preparedness became essential. Each nation vowed not to initiate another war, yet doubts lingered about the intentions of others. Acts of espionage surfaced sporadically, alleged saboteurs were apprehended. At the same time, relations between the nations could not be cut, as that would lead to major economic problems and crises. Maintaining commerce was crucial. The international meetings became an arena of a complicated dance including  mutual accusations and power struggles, but also a lot of situational alliances and hypocrisy.

4. THE ARMS RACE

There was another crucial aspect to the Cold War, intricately tied to political and economic complexities.

Following the assembly of a new lethal weapon capable of eliminating Tenebran governors while preventing their resurrection, an international group of operatives received the task of neutralizing enemy officials. Simultaneously, they had to safeguard the weapon, ensuring it remained beyond the control of any specific nation.

Deliberations about its fate began even before the Winter War, yet no clear consensus emerged. These discussions merely highlighted the divergent opinions regarding the weapon’s destiny. Amid the Cold War atmosphere, the existence of this enigmatic technology fueled mistrust. No one could be certain that others weren’t secretly working to replicate and enhance it. Consequently, many if not all nations embarked on precisely that path.

This marked the inception of a resource accumulation and an arms race. Significant efforts were invested into deciphering the technology – whether scientific or magical – underpinning the lethal weapon. Some nations aimed to duplicate and mass-produce it, while others sought to develop even more potent weapons based on its principles. Even those who didn’t actively desire such power recognized that possessing it was a matter of self-preservation.

Simultaneously, nations ensured they maintained sufficient conventional weaponry – a replacement for what was lost during the war of independence. “Sufficient” meant having more than their neighbors and potential adversaries while supporting a large enough standing army to use them.

Despite the evident adversarial consequences, this pursuit also bolstered economies and spurred technological advancements.

In this precarious balance, nations grappled with the dual imperatives of survival and supremacy.

5. AN ASSEMBLY OF NATION

As the dust settled and the world began to feel the lack of a common enemy, the Resistance Supervising Committee also underwent a transformation. 

Originally a wartime necessity, it now evolved into a political body called the Joint Security Council (JSC). This new entity brings together high-level representatives from participating states, vested with decision-making authority in matters concerning the common security of the lands.

The JSC shoulders two critical responsibilities:

  • Coordinated Actions: The JSC deliberates and decides on joint actions that serve the common interests of the Allies in the War of Liberation. The Council ensures the presence of at least a loose front against residual threats from the Tenebran Empire.
  • Conflict Prevention: The JSC’s second mandate is equally vital. It actively seeks peaceful solutions to potential conflicts among the Allies. Perhaps it is precisely this function that prevents the Cold War from becoming a very hot one.

Instead of relying on the strong hand of Jarl Arinox, as the Resistance Supervising Committee once did, the JSC operates under a straightforward and democratic principle – decisions are reached by a simple majority, facilitated by the chairmanship of a political representative from a randomly chosen member state.

The chairman holds a three-month mandate which is currently entrusted to the diplomatic doyen Hellen Frost

Thus far Frost’s impartiality in session has remained largely undisputed.

In an atmosphere of ever-rising tensions, the Council now faces yet another trial – a letter arrived from the Emperor of Tenebria, proposing negotiations to establish a long-term framework of relations. 

On one hand, hostilities against the Tenebrian Empire persist but the joint forces are losing momentum.
In case of a real breakthrough with the Weapon, there is a chance to end the Tenebran threat once and for all, but otherwise the empire’s resources are seemingly endless. .

On the other hand the allies more than ever lack a common position.
Different nations have different interests and are now once again in competition. There are even calls for separatist treaties – something the Emperor has no doubt been counting on.

In an effort to find a viable course of action and while the fate of international relations hangs in the balance, the JSC will now convene at the very place it all began – Belitsa

Trust, diplomacy, and the weight of history converge in this pivotal moment.