Post by Rachel Ascot v4 on Mar 28, 2015 12:19:38 GMT
The Constitutional
kingdom of Creta
kingdom of Creta
If only Kingdom began with a c
Creta is a sizeable nation, situated to the Southwest of Amestris. It shares borders with Drachma to the North, and Aerugo to the East, and has open sea to the West and South. It is an old culture, still abiding by its seafaring roots, and is currently known for its wealth, strong industry and artistic culture. The ruling government is a democratic parliament with a constitutional monarchy, the parliament meeting at The Senate. Though the monarchy is limited in power and most of the time acts more as an advisory for the Senate, in times when the Prime Minister is indisposed, the royal monarch has taken up a role of leadership, and being the monarch doesn't make one ineligible to become the Prime Minister. Currently the prime minister of Creta is ______________ and the queen is Queen Rachel I.
The landscape of Creta is varied, but much of the population is concentrated on the coasts. Plains and rolling hills make up much of central Creta, with the land getting rocky along the northern border by Drachma, and particularly the Northeast. Like the landscape, Creta’s people are also very varied. Centuries of trading along the sea routes have brought together different people of different cultures and origins, and thus the coastal cities tend to be melting pots, with little concern given to race, ethnicity, or cultural background. Landlocked cities, like London, are where the Cretan stereotype comes from, and tend to be less varied in the makeup of people inhabiting them.
Creta is a country that has been forced to be reborn. After a very destructive world war thirty years ago, the country was left without a leader and with only rubble. From this rubble, however, the country has gotten running at optimum capacity once again. This shift has bred a great shift in ideals for the common man, who have become defiant and revolutionary by nature. Upon her coronation, the Queen and then Acting Prime Minister Rachel I spoke of Creta spearheading a charge into a new world, and while the practicality of this is up for debate, the spirit of Creta was captured in essence. These are a people who see themselves as survivors reborn, hoping to mould an entirely new, better world. The political landscape currently favours the left wing schools of thinking, particularly socialism, positive liberty and even some more moderate branches of communism. There was a failed attempt to overthrow Rachel by much of the aristocracy and saw many of them disposed from their high posts, but this aristocracy in recent years has made a small comeback.
Foreign policy is overall friendly, with immigrants from all corners of the globe welcomed (particularly because of their unique skills, crafts and resources that can be added to Creta's arsenal) and currently any military plans are (for the most part) precautionary and defensive by nature. A breakdown of relations country by country can be seen below.
-> Amestris - WIP
-> Drachma - WIP
-> Xing - Creta and Xing have had a somewhat complicated relationship, but never hostile. In the days of the Deadlight Virus, Rachel I was one of the few people willing to help the quarantined nation in its plight, which won her some favour with the Jade Empire. She also had blackmailed the emperor and much of Creta's post-Virus economic boom was thanks to having a big potential rival preoccupied, which won a lot less favour from Xing. As such, Creta is generally one of the friendlier nations towards Xing, but both countries also know what real cost there is to being too friendly.
-> Carraig - WIP
-> Novus; The New World Order - There are rumours of Novus having its hands in certain criminal organisations and terrorist operations, but they are just that; rumours. As such, so long as they remain peaceful, Creta sees no reason to antagonise this group.
-> The Serpens Organisation - The what?
NOTE: diplomatic relations still need to be decided, contact Sponge via PM or Skype to discuss.
In terms of military strength, Creta is not a force to be underestimated. Recently, it has been revamped, the armies marching into large pitched battles of old becoming increasingly unsuited to the threats of the modern age. Now it has a huge emphasis on urban guerilla warfare, with the army emphasising a small, tight network of defensive pockets, making any attack made by an invader very slow and costly to the enemy in both resources and blood, and any counter-attack by Creta itself both silent and brutal. Though as small as ever, the military has spread to be more prevalent in Creta, trained to turn a simple house into a fortress and make the entire country a web of defence. The navy still patrols the seas and trade routes, a centuries old tradition, and the entire military makes use of advanced communications and information technology to field a numerically smaller force to great effect. However, its real power behind Creta is in the Royal Task Forces – triphibious groupings of the military that offer the combined powers of Creta’s Army, Navy, and Air Force – that makes it a force to be reckoned with. Well-equipped, well-trained, and well-rounded, the RTF is hand-crafted to take on whatever threat is looming over the prosperous people of Creta.
If you wish to serve as part of the Cretan Military, you have several options. In terms of active military service, you can join the Royal Task Force (RTF) or the Royal Guards. Support roles, such as scouts, spies, and internal affairs officers, should look no further than Intelligence, Counter-Intelligence and Communications (IC-IC). These departments are still a work in progress, the new system of military having essentially rewritten the army manual, so new departments may crop up at any time.
--------------------------------------------------
Two heads are better than one, which is the general principle behind the Cretan leadership. Both the Monarch and the Prime Minister are somewhat limited in power by the other; generally the Prime Minister is concerned with the running of Creta itself, while the Monarch acts as an adviser and a check on that power. In times when the Prime Minister is indisposed, the monarch will step in as Acting Prime Minister.
Prime Minister -> OPEN (contact Sponge to discuss before asking for this post)
Queen -> Rachel Ascot v4
Note; unlike the military, anyone in the Senate is counted as a civilian besides the Director of Defense
Prime Minister -> OPEN (contact Sponge to discuss before asking for this post)
The Prime Minister acts as the Head of the Senate, generally being in charge of the country, while the Big Five micromanage specific aspects of Creta.
These are the people who are considered the leaders of the Senate, each with their own jurisdiction. They all work for the Prime Minister.
Administrator of Finance & Business -> OPEN (contact Sponge to discuss before asking for this post)
Secretary of Foreign Affairs -> OPEN (contact Sponge to discuss before asking for this post)
High Judge of Domestic Affairs & Crime -> OPEN (contact Sponge to discuss before asking for this post)
Director of Defense -> OPEN (contact Sponge to discuss before asking for this post)
Executive of Education & Science -> OPEN (contact Sponge to discuss before asking for this post)
These are... well, everyone else involved with the government. Politicians, diplomats, janitors, anything and everything goes. No need to apply specifically for this post to Sponge, just post in this thread and ask for your position.
-> OPEN
-> OPEN
-> OPEN
-> OPEN
-> OPEN
-> More slots are available
Director of Defense -> OPEN (contact Sponge to discuss before asking for this post)
The Director of Defense acts as the person in charge of the entire army, with sub-divisions for each part of the Cretan Army. The Cretan Army is a diverse force, with the three main divisions having their own purpose. Rather than having a specific alchemist-only group like some of the other militaries of the world, Creta's state alchemists can be found in any and every role across the board.
Note; if you have an idea for a department, feel free to contact Sponge to pitch your idea.
The backbone of Cretan might, the Royal Task Force are combinations of land, air, and naval forces, designed for specific tasks presented to them. Generally small but elite in skill, and well-rounded in abilities and varied in equipment. The RTF also have a sub-division of alchemical research, sponsored by the state, though they are not the exclusive users of alchemy in the Cretan military.
Heads: Brigadier General -> RESERVED
-> OPEN
-> OPEN
-> OPEN
-> OPEN
-> OPEN
-> More slots are available
Using cutting-edge intelligence and communications technology, this is what would be referred to as the brains of the Cretan military. While most think that soldiers win wars, it’s often forgotten that there need to be people keeping tabs on the enemy, allowing the soldiers to do their job. The CS-CT is a subdivision of this department (see below)
Heads: Spy-Master General -> RESERVED
-> OPEN
-> OPEN
-> OPEN
-> OPEN
-> OPEN
-> More slots are available
With the rise in popularity of mechs, Creta has started to develop it's own; the F.R.E.D's. Fighting Rescue & Excavation Drones serve multiple purposes, but the BUMAS use the F.R.E.D F7, which are exclusively military machines. While they are far weaker than the mechs Creta's neighbours use, they also don't require pilots, can maneuver through buildings and cities far faster due to their small size, and are both cheaper to build and easier to use than most other battle mechs.
Heads: Drone Admiral -> OPEN (contact Sponge to discuss before asking for this post)
-> OPEN
-> OPEN
-> OPEN
-> OPEN
-> OPEN
-> More slots are available
Don't let the name fool you; it fools a few others. The Dustbin Collectors are a group whose true purpose is only known of by the Queen, the Prime Minister, and the Spy-Master General. Anyone who does find out about them ends up dead. An elite core of only seven stealth operatives, these people can end wars on their own, and are only ever used in the most dire of circumstances.
Red Octopus -> OPEN (contact Sponge to discuss before asking for this post)
Blue Scorpion -> OPEN (contact Sponge to discuss before asking for this post)
Green Eagle -> OPEN (contact Sponge to discuss before asking for this post)
Violet Shark -> OPEN (contact Sponge to discuss before asking for this post)
Gold Tiger -> OPEN (contact Sponge to discuss before asking for this post)
Silver Wolf -> OPEN (contact Sponge to discuss before asking for this post)
Black Viper -> OPEN (contact Sponge to discuss before asking for this post)
High Judge of Domestic Affairs & Crime -> OPEN (contact Sponge to discuss before asking for this post)
The High Judge, as suggested by the name, is in charge of the Justice System in Creta. They may or may not act as an actual judge, but they are also in charge of the police.
The thin blue line. The long arm of the law. These are the bobbies on the beat who keep the citizens of Creta safe. They're divided into the uniform police (UPD) and the detectives (CID), and are generally managed by the Chief Constable for each district.
Heads: Chief Constable of Atlas City -> OPEN (contact Sponge to discuss before asking for this post)
Chief Constable of Newchester -> OPEN (contact Sponge to discuss before asking for this post)
Chief Constable of The Northfells -> OPEN (contact Sponge to discuss before asking for this post)
Chief Constable of Caelsland -> OPEN (contact Sponge to discuss before asking for this post)
-> OPEN
-> OPEN
-> OPEN
-> OPEN
-> OPEN
-> More slots are available
This is actually a subdivision of the IC-IC (see above), and focuses primarily on the same work, preventing terrorists and catching spies, but domestically rather than internationally.
Heads: Spy-Master General -> RESERVED
-> OPEN
-> OPEN
-> OPEN
-> OPEN
-> OPEN
-> More slots are available
This is a paramilitary group that is aimed at taking out those threats just too big for the regular police to handle. Well trained, well armed and often equipped with their own F.R.E.D F7's, the SWAT team of Creta gets the job done.
Heads: SWAT Captain -> OPEN (contact Sponge to discuss before asking for this post)
-> OPEN
-> OPEN
-> OPEN
-> OPEN
-> OPEN
-> More slots are available
The landscape of Creta is varied, but much of the population is concentrated on the coasts. Plains and rolling hills make up much of central Creta, with the land getting rocky along the northern border by Drachma, and particularly the Northeast. Like the landscape, Creta’s people are also very varied. Centuries of trading along the sea routes have brought together different people of different cultures and origins, and thus the coastal cities tend to be melting pots, with little concern given to race, ethnicity, or cultural background. Landlocked cities, like London, are where the Cretan stereotype comes from, and tend to be less varied in the makeup of people inhabiting them.
Creta is a country that has been forced to be reborn. After a very destructive world war thirty years ago, the country was left without a leader and with only rubble. From this rubble, however, the country has gotten running at optimum capacity once again. This shift has bred a great shift in ideals for the common man, who have become defiant and revolutionary by nature. Upon her coronation, the Queen and then Acting Prime Minister Rachel I spoke of Creta spearheading a charge into a new world, and while the practicality of this is up for debate, the spirit of Creta was captured in essence. These are a people who see themselves as survivors reborn, hoping to mould an entirely new, better world. The political landscape currently favours the left wing schools of thinking, particularly socialism, positive liberty and even some more moderate branches of communism. There was a failed attempt to overthrow Rachel by much of the aristocracy and saw many of them disposed from their high posts, but this aristocracy in recent years has made a small comeback.
Foreign policy is overall friendly, with immigrants from all corners of the globe welcomed (particularly because of their unique skills, crafts and resources that can be added to Creta's arsenal) and currently any military plans are (for the most part) precautionary and defensive by nature. A breakdown of relations country by country can be seen below.
-> Amestris - WIP
-> Drachma - WIP
-> Xing - Creta and Xing have had a somewhat complicated relationship, but never hostile. In the days of the Deadlight Virus, Rachel I was one of the few people willing to help the quarantined nation in its plight, which won her some favour with the Jade Empire. She also had blackmailed the emperor and much of Creta's post-Virus economic boom was thanks to having a big potential rival preoccupied, which won a lot less favour from Xing. As such, Creta is generally one of the friendlier nations towards Xing, but both countries also know what real cost there is to being too friendly.
-> Carraig - WIP
-> Novus; The New World Order - There are rumours of Novus having its hands in certain criminal organisations and terrorist operations, but they are just that; rumours. As such, so long as they remain peaceful, Creta sees no reason to antagonise this group.
-> The Serpens Organisation - The what?
NOTE: diplomatic relations still need to be decided, contact Sponge via PM or Skype to discuss.
In terms of military strength, Creta is not a force to be underestimated. Recently, it has been revamped, the armies marching into large pitched battles of old becoming increasingly unsuited to the threats of the modern age. Now it has a huge emphasis on urban guerilla warfare, with the army emphasising a small, tight network of defensive pockets, making any attack made by an invader very slow and costly to the enemy in both resources and blood, and any counter-attack by Creta itself both silent and brutal. Though as small as ever, the military has spread to be more prevalent in Creta, trained to turn a simple house into a fortress and make the entire country a web of defence. The navy still patrols the seas and trade routes, a centuries old tradition, and the entire military makes use of advanced communications and information technology to field a numerically smaller force to great effect. However, its real power behind Creta is in the Royal Task Forces – triphibious groupings of the military that offer the combined powers of Creta’s Army, Navy, and Air Force – that makes it a force to be reckoned with. Well-equipped, well-trained, and well-rounded, the RTF is hand-crafted to take on whatever threat is looming over the prosperous people of Creta.
If you wish to serve as part of the Cretan Military, you have several options. In terms of active military service, you can join the Royal Task Force (RTF) or the Royal Guards. Support roles, such as scouts, spies, and internal affairs officers, should look no further than Intelligence, Counter-Intelligence and Communications (IC-IC). These departments are still a work in progress, the new system of military having essentially rewritten the army manual, so new departments may crop up at any time.
Note about positions; one character can't have two positions in any one section (The Senate, the Military or the Judiciary), but they CAN have a position in each; for example, John Smith can't be both Secretary of Foreign Affairs and Director of Defense, but he can be both Secretary of Foreign Affairs and the Spy-Master General.
Contacting Sponge; contacting Sponge is fairly easy; mostly I'm available either by PM or on Skype if you have it.
Contacting Sponge; contacting Sponge is fairly easy; mostly I'm available either by PM or on Skype if you have it.
--------------------------------------------------
Positions within Creta
Leadership
Two heads are better than one, which is the general principle behind the Cretan leadership. Both the Monarch and the Prime Minister are somewhat limited in power by the other; generally the Prime Minister is concerned with the running of Creta itself, while the Monarch acts as an adviser and a check on that power. In times when the Prime Minister is indisposed, the monarch will step in as Acting Prime Minister.
Prime Minister -> OPEN (contact Sponge to discuss before asking for this post)
Queen -> Rachel Ascot v4
-------------------------
The Senate
Note; unlike the military, anyone in the Senate is counted as a civilian besides the Director of Defense
Prime Minister -> OPEN (contact Sponge to discuss before asking for this post)
The Prime Minister acts as the Head of the Senate, generally being in charge of the country, while the Big Five micromanage specific aspects of Creta.
The Big Five
These are the people who are considered the leaders of the Senate, each with their own jurisdiction. They all work for the Prime Minister.
Administrator of Finance & Business -> OPEN (contact Sponge to discuss before asking for this post)
Secretary of Foreign Affairs -> OPEN (contact Sponge to discuss before asking for this post)
High Judge of Domestic Affairs & Crime -> OPEN (contact Sponge to discuss before asking for this post)
Director of Defense -> OPEN (contact Sponge to discuss before asking for this post)
Executive of Education & Science -> OPEN (contact Sponge to discuss before asking for this post)
Others in the Senate
These are... well, everyone else involved with the government. Politicians, diplomats, janitors, anything and everything goes. No need to apply specifically for this post to Sponge, just post in this thread and ask for your position.
-> OPEN
-> OPEN
-> OPEN
-> OPEN
-> OPEN
-> More slots are available
-------------------------
The Military
Director of Defense -> OPEN (contact Sponge to discuss before asking for this post)
The Director of Defense acts as the person in charge of the entire army, with sub-divisions for each part of the Cretan Army. The Cretan Army is a diverse force, with the three main divisions having their own purpose. Rather than having a specific alchemist-only group like some of the other militaries of the world, Creta's state alchemists can be found in any and every role across the board.
Note; if you have an idea for a department, feel free to contact Sponge to pitch your idea.
Royal Task Force (RTF)
The backbone of Cretan might, the Royal Task Force are combinations of land, air, and naval forces, designed for specific tasks presented to them. Generally small but elite in skill, and well-rounded in abilities and varied in equipment. The RTF also have a sub-division of alchemical research, sponsored by the state, though they are not the exclusive users of alchemy in the Cretan military.
Heads: Brigadier General -> RESERVED
-> OPEN
-> OPEN
-> OPEN
-> OPEN
-> OPEN
-> More slots are available
Intelligence, Counter-Intelligence, and Communications Department (IC-IC)
Using cutting-edge intelligence and communications technology, this is what would be referred to as the brains of the Cretan military. While most think that soldiers win wars, it’s often forgotten that there need to be people keeping tabs on the enemy, allowing the soldiers to do their job. The CS-CT is a subdivision of this department (see below)
Heads: Spy-Master General -> RESERVED
-> OPEN
-> OPEN
-> OPEN
-> OPEN
-> OPEN
-> More slots are available
Battle Unmanned Mech and Anti-Mech Specialists (BUMAS)
With the rise in popularity of mechs, Creta has started to develop it's own; the F.R.E.D's. Fighting Rescue & Excavation Drones serve multiple purposes, but the BUMAS use the F.R.E.D F7, which are exclusively military machines. While they are far weaker than the mechs Creta's neighbours use, they also don't require pilots, can maneuver through buildings and cities far faster due to their small size, and are both cheaper to build and easier to use than most other battle mechs.
Heads: Drone Admiral -> OPEN (contact Sponge to discuss before asking for this post)
-> OPEN
-> OPEN
-> OPEN
-> OPEN
-> OPEN
-> More slots are available
The Dustbin Collectors
Don't let the name fool you; it fools a few others. The Dustbin Collectors are a group whose true purpose is only known of by the Queen, the Prime Minister, and the Spy-Master General. Anyone who does find out about them ends up dead. An elite core of only seven stealth operatives, these people can end wars on their own, and are only ever used in the most dire of circumstances.
Red Octopus -> OPEN (contact Sponge to discuss before asking for this post)
Blue Scorpion -> OPEN (contact Sponge to discuss before asking for this post)
Green Eagle -> OPEN (contact Sponge to discuss before asking for this post)
Violet Shark -> OPEN (contact Sponge to discuss before asking for this post)
Gold Tiger -> OPEN (contact Sponge to discuss before asking for this post)
Silver Wolf -> OPEN (contact Sponge to discuss before asking for this post)
Black Viper -> OPEN (contact Sponge to discuss before asking for this post)
-------------------------
The Judiciary & Police Service
High Judge of Domestic Affairs & Crime -> OPEN (contact Sponge to discuss before asking for this post)
The High Judge, as suggested by the name, is in charge of the Justice System in Creta. They may or may not act as an actual judge, but they are also in charge of the police.
The Uniform Police Department (UPD) and Criminal Investigation Department (CID)
The thin blue line. The long arm of the law. These are the bobbies on the beat who keep the citizens of Creta safe. They're divided into the uniform police (UPD) and the detectives (CID), and are generally managed by the Chief Constable for each district.
Heads: Chief Constable of Atlas City -> OPEN (contact Sponge to discuss before asking for this post)
Chief Constable of Newchester -> OPEN (contact Sponge to discuss before asking for this post)
Chief Constable of The Northfells -> OPEN (contact Sponge to discuss before asking for this post)
Chief Constable of Caelsland -> OPEN (contact Sponge to discuss before asking for this post)
-> OPEN
-> OPEN
-> OPEN
-> OPEN
-> OPEN
-> More slots are available
The Civilian Safety & Counter-Terrorism Department (CS-CT)
This is actually a subdivision of the IC-IC (see above), and focuses primarily on the same work, preventing terrorists and catching spies, but domestically rather than internationally.
Heads: Spy-Master General -> RESERVED
-> OPEN
-> OPEN
-> OPEN
-> OPEN
-> OPEN
-> More slots are available
The Special Weapons and Tactics Unit (SWAT)
This is a paramilitary group that is aimed at taking out those threats just too big for the regular police to handle. Well trained, well armed and often equipped with their own F.R.E.D F7's, the SWAT team of Creta gets the job done.
Heads: SWAT Captain -> OPEN (contact Sponge to discuss before asking for this post)
-> OPEN
-> OPEN
-> OPEN
-> OPEN
-> OPEN
-> More slots are available
