Show Posts

This section allows you to view all posts made by this member. Note that you can only see posts made in areas you currently have access to.


Topics - Kermah

Pages: [1]
1
Diplomacy and Events / Black Market Meds
« on: July 30, 2023, 04:59:14 PM »
Kagiso looked through the sights of his hunting rifle. There were two of the rhinos ahead and through his scope he could one had the much larger horn. That would be his chosen target, if he was lucky he might get the chance to shoot the second one but that would depend on what direction the beast hurried. He took a final breath and squeezed the trigger. He saw a red puff through the scope and was confident he'd hit his mark. He switched his rifle to the left, found the second rhino running away having presented its profile willingly to Kagiso. He quickly pulled the trigger again and saw a second puff of red mist this time though the beast didn't instantly fall and so he took a second. Even before he had packed the rifle away his colleagues had already begun stage two of the process. The truck driven by Gatsha had Msizi already firing up the chainsaw. Moments later Msizi had hacked off the first rhino's horn and was already half way through the second by the time Kagiso walked over. Leaving the rhino carcass for the scavengers the trio headed off as quickly as their pick up would let them over the bumpy Kermahan terrain.

As they approached the town of Pongola on the west coast of Kermah a warehouse was expecting them. The gate opened and they were waved inside. "You're early boys" a man in a suit said cheerfully. "I like people who are beyond punctual. What do you have for me."

Gatsha pulled a tarpulin that covered the flat bed of their pick up to unveil a virtual butchers slab of animals and parts. "All fresh, all from the last 48 hours." He lifted up an elephant tusk proudly. "We've eight tusks, some elephant skin, two rhino horns, rhino skin, several Gazelle heads and we trapped around twenty snakes." Already various warehouse workers were pulling the contents off the back, weighing or counting them and then placing them in special boxes marked up as machine parts. As the last of the snakes was dumped into a box and sealed up with tape and then cling film a man wearing a polo shirt and dark shorts handed the suited man a note.

"Well Gatsha your little haul is netting you $1000. He reached into his left inside pocket and brought out a bundle of bank notes and began counting them out into the palm of a very pleased looking Gatsha's hand. The suited man was Lindokuhle Nolwazi, on the surface a businessman who specialised in exporting machine parts, his "clean" business brought old technology from nations like Abertone or Paracambi, broke them down into parts ranging from copper wiring to engine parts and then shipped them off around the world to anywhere wanting them. It was a perfect front for his other, more profitable business in selling rare animals as pets or the much more lucrative market of animal parts for medicine in Lijiang. This latest batch was now ready to be shipped off and while he had paid Gatsha a good wage for a Kermahan he himself would likely net some $100,000 for their haul, one of the rhino horns alone would sell in Lijiang for around $130,000 per kilogram and by just the weight of his hand he judged the smallest was around 3kg. All that was left to do now was to container up the shipment, make sure the bribes had been paid and wait for the ship to Lijiang to depart.

2
Diplomacy and Events / The Breaking of Holy Ground
« on: March 11, 2022, 08:43:39 PM »

To Whom It May Concern

For a long time the Christian faithful of the Confederation of Kermah have lacked a grand central home. In 2018 we broke ground on the Basilica of St. Arcadeius and now as its construction is completed it is now the largest Church in the Confederation. Capable of housing 18,000 worshippers inside and several more thousand in the grounds outside we are excited to begin praising God under its roof. We are thankful to all those who have contributed to the construction of the Church and extend a special thanks to our friends in Zaporozh who have supported the construction of our gardens.

We would like to invite those wishing to join in our celebration to Isiobodo to join our joyous day.

Blessings of Christ
Archbishop of Isiobodo, Emeka Abiodun

3
Diplomacy and Events / Honeybadger Diplomacy
« on: February 20, 2022, 01:00:09 AM »
North coast of modern day Kermah, 1790

Young Otieno had run the few kilometers from the coast back to the Chief's holding. "Chief Mombassa" he yelled as he hurried towards the enclosure for the cattle where the Chief liked to start his day.

"Calm boy" the Chief addressed the 12 year old. "Whats got you excited?"

"I was in the market with my father buying cloth for the Uhmlang Festival when a big boat arrived. White men got off and one of the men at the port said it was a Chief from a land far off, I think he called it East Moreland." The name didn't ring many bells with Chief Mombassa but that wasn't a surprise as the tribe got very few visitors from beyond the lands the tribe neared. It was though a good oppurtunity to gain prestige and influence above the other tribes, maybe even better weapons. They'd heard rumours of the Kinjanja King's buying canon from Paracambi and so one day those guns may come their way. The Chief called for one of his faster warriors to head to the coast and invite the foreign Chief to the festival.



TWO DAYS LATER

The Uhmlang was a great occasion for the tribe. It was one of the few times that the whole tribe gathered and women busied themselves in the fields around the Chief's home territory sorting themselves out for the festival. Women would be assigned their regiment for war time and five lucky women would be selected to serve the Chief for the year. It was a role of great honour, if the girls was fortunate enough to end up in bed with the Chief and conceive she became his wife and was a Queen, if she didn't end up pregnant the rich men of the tribe would be desperate to get her to be their own wife. Either way it was a way for the poor families to find themselves shooting up the social ladder of the tribe. The foreign Chief, or as it had turned out a King, had arrived the day before and had spent time with his white followers exploring the area. He had become fascinated with the strange Ratel menace that raided the tribes honey bee hives but he had seemed a pleasant enough man. Mombassa had enjoyed trying out the swords of steel the men had brought, it was a vast difference to the spears his own men used and he felt he'd learned something useful. Mombassa made the decision that after picking his own women he would allow his new friend a selection too. Who knew maybe in the years to come a Mombaka women could become Queen of this strange land.

The parade came and it was clear this King Sven was a little uncomfortable with the semi nakedness. As the different tribes walked past girls jostled and pushed to get to the front of the group so that they may catch the Chief's eye. Every now and again one of his sons was sent down to get the name of a girl that had appealed to the Chief.  Once the last of the several thousand women had danced by the Chief he stood and yelled across the assembled throng and called out five names. As each girl was called there were cheers from the ring of men who encircled the whole spectacle, no doubt her family. She then marched out of her Regiment, a little shield in one hand and a knife in the other. As she reached the Chief she exchanged her shield for one made from white cowhide, only the Chief was permitted to have white shields for his soldiers. She was now in his service until the next festival. A woman with a round belly sat behind the Chief, one of the girls picked from last year who was now a Queen. Sven meanwhile was a little awkward but he had a need to ensure his boat to cross the Kyne was well stocked and with the Chief's tribe controlling this region it didn't do to get on his bad side.

The Chief stood and spoke to his people, a man knelt next to King Sven translating for him, he was a member of the tribe who had visited Paracambi and from there Bakkermaya and knew some of this strange man's language. "Today we are honoured to have a mighty chief from East Moreland with us, the Chief has many spears, or swords, back home and is a man we now call friend." Sven nodded thankfully at the kind introduction. "I therefore believe he should be permitted to pick himself a lady for service in his own Regiments." Sven looked even more nervous after the words were translated and needed to find a way out of it. He made it look as though he was looking at the women while he thought and then he spoke via the translator. The Chief listened carefully, his face going from angry, confused and then laughter. The Chief stood and while still laughing addressed his people. " Our guest says that our women are so beautiful he can not make his mind up, in his lands a powerful man can only have one wife ." The crowd laughed at the thought, "He is married and has a son so can not take a woman from our tribe even if he could make a decision. He has said if we wish to give him a gift he would like a Ratel." Again there was laughter, the tribe hated the little beasts. "I have told him for as much as I care he can take them all. I therefore have a contest. The Regiment to capture the most Ratel by nightfall will be my personal guard for the year." The women before them rushed off and throughout the rest of the day there was whooping and calling around the village. At nightfall crates were piled and a total of 8 Honeybagders, six female and two male had somehow been captured. A further three had been killed but several women sported bandages from their attempts. As Sven inspected the crates one of the male ones seemed to be particularly feisty.

Sven turned to the Chief and smiled and withdrew a sword from one of his men's belts. "In my homeland the symbol of owning a sword is one that shows a man is worthy of respect and is a man of honour. On behalf of our nation I'd like you to have this." He handed the blade over "Now this animal" he tapped the crate, "What should we call him as I think he's the boss."

"Well in our tongue we would call him Stoffel, it means the Fierce One." The Chief was still admiring his sword. The festival continued with much feasting and in the morning the two men embraced as friends and the Honeybadgers and the King made their first steps towards home. That was the first and last time that the two had meet, until now.



   

To His Majesty King David of East Moreland

Over two centuries ago the King of East Moreland, almost by accident wandered into the Uhmland Festival. During that day our people for a brief time became friends and gave gifts to each other. You became the home of the Ratel, that you know by the name the Honeybadger and in return my tribe were presented with a sword. There had been hope from our ancestors that this could have become the start of a friendship with people beyond the ocean but sadly for reasons beyond either of our control that never happened. Now as we reach my third decade in charge of Gotorland I think I have taken our people as far as possible without having us make links beyond the seas. While our nation is well connected to Paracambi I think our old link to your ancestor, and your own interest in History, is something that could give us a foundation from which to begin again a friendship. I would therefore be honoured if I could come and visit the ancestors of that first Honeybadger, whom I believe today is hosting the Winter Games, and to have the sword given to my own ancestor given some care and attention. I look forward to your response.

King Tebogo Opeyemi of the Mombaka Tribe
Katikkiro of Gotoroland

4
Diplomacy and Events / Contractually Obliged Diplomacy
« on: February 19, 2022, 05:36:53 PM »
1874-Aluhampton

The meeting between Emperor Jomel and  Prince Chinasa Nyakeya who was the first Consul of the Kermah Confederation had gone well and the two stood on the deck of the HIMS Insolent, the third ship of its name. In front of the mast a table had been set up with a table on it. A group of selected nobles from both countries stood watching as the two men each signed their name to the Aluhamton Treaty.

Quote from: The Aluhampton Treaty

The Kermah Confederation and the Empire of Paracambi, having meet in the spirit of friendship have agreed to the following arrangements between the two lands.

1. The two nations shall ensure a diplomat of noble rank shall be assigned to the capital of the other nation.

2. The two nations shall work together to combat the evil of slavery.

3. The nations shall do nothing to harm the trade of the other.

4. The nations shall seek to promote trade between themselves by allowing ships to dock at their ports with priority.

5. Neither nation shall undertake action to disrupt the follow of the water in Lake Dagamella.

6. The nations shall allow cross border travel so long as those crossing the border have registered their intention a week before doing so. Anyone crossing the border may stay for 60 days.

7. Any person arrested shall visiting the other shall be returned to the nation of their origin once found guilty. Their home nation must punish them in accordance with the law.

8. Ships bearing the flag of either nation shall be afforded the protection of both nations wherever they happen to be on Mundus.

9. The leaders of the two nations agree to meet every four years in alternating nations.



2022 marked the 37th meeting between the two nations. During those 36 previous meeting the treaty had changed to reflect the changing world but it largely remained one focused on being good neighbours and friends. This year the Confederation would welcome Emperor Benson to their lands and in accordance with what had become tradition in Kermah it was the turn of Kinjanja to host the event. King Tshepo was excited as he'd not had chance to host anything this big since becoming King in 2020. He was keen to show off his nations traditions and as the long standing military heart of the Confederation he had assembled a huge military contingent. The Green jacketed men of the Kinjanja Royal Guard proudly stood at the front of the gathering with their signature yellow and red sashes. The other heads of the states that made up the Confederation waited alongside Tshepo and as their guests arrived permitted the host King to greet the Emperor first. "Emperor Benson" Tshepo wrapped the Emperors hand with both of his own in a warm handshake. "We are delighted that time has come to have you in Kinjanja. Its an honour to meet with you." He made his way towards the other leaders, all of whom had meet Benson before and at the end of the line was the Consul, Dr. Adebola Kamau.

"Emperor Benson on behalf of the people of the Confederation we welcome you once more to Kermah. We hope to once more build upon our friendship and of course support each others continued growth."

5
International News Networks / Kermah State News
« on: January 04, 2022, 10:13:54 PM »




PRISON REPORT CONDEMS STATE OF THE NATION

Six months ago the Depeartment of Justice began an indepth report into the state of the nations prisons and today the results were released. The lengthy report was heavily critical of the nations prison system. The report highlights several key areas where reform needs to take place however the major concern was overcrowding. While investigating Rembara Prison it was discovered that the average cell was designed for eight inmates however on inspection the average cell had 38 people in the vast majority having to sleep on floors. Not only was this scene of major overcrowding an embarassement for the Confederation government it was also discovered that during the night those floors were visited by cockroaches and rats. Several inspections of cells found rat droppings and in the last six months a total of five inmates in that prison have developed Weil's disease which was probably caught from coming into contact with rats urine. In the kitchens of the prison more examples of poor maintainence were discovered as it was clear that slugs have managed to infiltrate the food prepartion area and lines of salt on the floor were being utilised to try and keep the infestation out. In a survey of inmates it was reported that 82% of inmates had witnessed someone carrying or using a weapon within the prison while 89% said it was easy to get contraband within the prison. The Report was presented to the Senate today as its author, Julius Umbosa called for the government to invest more in prisons.

Mr.Umbosa's plee though was roundly rejected by members of the Independent Party one of whose members stated, "Prison is not a holiday destination. Prison should be the worst experience a human can go through and if you come out in one piece you should have no desire to return. There are people living in poverty in the Confederation. Money should be spent ensuring good citizens are not living on floors covered in rats piss, not spending money on those who have no respect for the just rule of law." The Independent Party are currently campaigning for a return of corporal punishment and an expansion of the death penalty to include offences involving drugs and sexual offences. "By removing from society forever those who commit the worse crimes we should have nothing left to fear."

The majority Unity Party however have said the nation should find the money. It was Consul Dr. Adebola Kamau who explained "The majority of our prison population are serving sentences of less than three years and for non-violent crimes driven by poverty. If we can focus upon projects to help these people come out and have a chance to drag themselves out of this poverty then we can hopefully cut the prison population in the long term. This however does not mean the prisons should become holiday camps. We do need a deterrent when appropriate. Corporal Punishment often leaves lasting damage that impedes people for life meanwhile as the very name suggests the death penalty is a very permanent state. When a study shows between 4-8% of convictions for serious offences are misjudged then that is a significant number of people who may be wrong harmed or killed."

No policies have yet been suggested by either party.

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY -Only a fool tests the depth of the river with both feet


KING TSHEPO TO MAKE "SPORT FOR ALL"

King Tshepo of Kinjanja has today announced a programme called "Sport for All" intended to find the nations next generation of sports stars. While the King of Kinjanja has no government authority he does have access to significant private funds and has said that he intends to, "ensure sports clubs, schools and community groups can apply for funding so long as that money will be spent to maximise the potential of our youth." It was also announced that the funding will not be specific to Kinjanja. "As the Confederation goes so will Kinjanja. The better the quality of sport across the nation the more competition Kinjanjan's will have and as a result they'll raise their game." The King himself is a keen sportsman and is regularly spotted watching football with members of the extended royal family and is also known to regularly spar in the boxing ring with members of his own security detail.  The exact amount of money is not known but the King has described it as "Substantial

One of those expected to apply is Lumbara MSC who run multiple sports out of an old barn in the town of Lumbara, currently the club has 289 members playing a variety of sports ranging from Football and Basketball to Volleyball and Athletics. Their Club President explained how if successful they would spend the money "Young people take a look at facilities and think its not worth wasting their time coming down. If we can give them somewhere they want to be then of course they'll come in. For every young person who is excelling at our club we know they'll be someone out there who could if they could be encouraged to just give things a go. The King's money is vital as a lifeline to small groups like ours."

TODAY'S WEATHER - Town of Kermah - Bright Sun 33°C , Balakianda - Dry and Sunny 31°C, Mudiwata East - Some Showers in the early evening 23°C,  Horubaland - Bright Sun 31°C , Naguniland - Overcast but warm 22°C , Luzdidi - Dry and Sunny 30°C , Dlamini - Late night shower expected 29°C, Isiobodo - Warm and Dry 34°C 

6
Factbooks and Maps / The Kermah Confederation
« on: December 27, 2021, 02:02:40 PM »

    The Kermah Confederation is a grouping of three states which formed the Confederation on the 18th August 1872. Over the preceeding 50 years the Nyakeya royal family had formed connections to the other two ensuring that Prince Chinasa Nyakeya became King of one state, Prince in another and Inkosi (tribal chief) in another.

    The three states are;

    • Balaika
    - The Kingdom of Balaika is the heart of the Confederation. It is the largest of the three by some margin and home to the Nyakeya royal line. It boasts a population just shy of 30million and an abundance of natural resources has ensured a comfortable existence for the majority of the nation. The Kingdom though does suffer from some bad press for historical misdemeanors as throughout its history it targeted surrounding Kingdoms to bring slaves to construct some of the amazing structures of the past. At one point the Kingdom in the early part of the 4th Century CE could have been considered an Empire as it assimilated several smaller Kingdoms and nomadic tribes. Today it is ruled over by King Babajide X.

    Population - 30,876,378
    GDP per capita - $23,861
    GDP - $736,741,255,458

    • Gorotoland
    - Seen by many as a Confederacy within a Confederacy. Garotoland is in effect a collection of various tribes, one or two of them still semi nomadic. Today it boasts a population of around 9million. The largest of these tribes is the Mombaka which saw Prince Chinasa Nyakeya of Balaika become an Inkosi or chief in. Utilising this influence Prince Chinasa was able to bring the tribes into the Confederacy. The land is vast open plains punctuated by seasonal rivers. The land is very fertile and this makes Gorotoland largely the breadbasket of the Confederacy.  Today it is governed by a Council made up of several tribal chiefs who elect one of their number to be "Katikkiro" which is much like a Prime Minister. The current Katikkiro is Tebogo Opeyemi of the Mombaka.

    Population - 8,873,933
    GDP per capita - $16,681
    GDP - $148,026,076,373

    • Kinjanja
    - Another monarchy however this time where the King is a merely ceremonial role. The day to day running of the nation is carried out by a "War Chief" which is actually nothing to do with war but is merely a throw back to days when the nation had a High King who presided over many tribes. In the modern era though the job is more like a Prime Minister. The nation has throughout history been famed for its military prowess, only its minute size that prevented it being a major power. With just over 4million inhabitants today the Kingdom is aligned with Balaika as their royal families are distant cousins through the bloodline of Prince Chinasa Nyakeya. Today the nation is ruled by King Tshepo Kayode and his "War Chief" is Desta Afolabi.

    Population - 4,193,892
    GDP per capita - $7,682
    GDP - $32,217,478,344
    [/list]

    Total Population - 43,944,203 (increasing by around 2.8% per annum)
    Total GDP - $916,984,810,175
    Total GDP per capita - $20,867.02


    Main Exports - Natural Gas, Agricultural Products, Processed Food, Processed metals, raw minerals.
    Main Imports - Heavy machinery, computer products, manufacturing equipment, automobiles.



    HOW THE CONFEDERATION GOVERNMENT WORKS?

    Kermah is today run as a Confederation after the signing of the Kermah Declaration which was signed at the riverside city of Kermah which gave the new nation its name.

    The Decleration states each nation must have the same laws however how they are enforced may vary. So for example all nations must have a form of income tax, the rate of that tax and how it is collected though can vary. Likewise crimes like murder are acknowledged in each nation but sentencing can be very different. At times this can lead to some rather tense issues between the three nations.

    The laws for the Confederation are determined by the Senate. Each nation sends five representatives which must be elected by the people of that nation. In addition the leader of each nation may send one further representative determined however they see fit. Once elected the Senate determine a Consul who acts much like a President or Prime Minister. The Consul may propose and draft legislation for the Confederation.

    Once a law passes the Senate it is taken to the Confederate Council. This is made up of two representatives per nation. One picked by the people via some form of election and one picked by the leader of that nation. Upon being given a proposal from the Senate they debate it and vote upon it. If it passes then it continues up its journey. If it doesn't pass they must make recommendations for how it would become acceptable. This process can only happen twice before the Council has to accept the law.

    The final stage to make a law is the Leaders Assembly. Each nation must approve the new law. A law can not come into effect until each has accepted it.  Should only 2 of the 3 leaders accept it then it sits in a state of limbo until one of two things happens. The first is that the final leader accepts the law, the alternative is that the Senate pass a vote of recall which effectively starts the process all over again.





    7
    Introductions / Kermah -Land of Plenty
    « on: December 27, 2021, 10:48:25 AM »


    Greetings.

    I'm new to your group but not roleplay. Tom (Parakambi) and me wrote together in another region which is largely dying. Kind of last man out. He suggested coming here.

    My nation is inspired by my fascination with pre-colonial Africa and elsewhere has been a kind of African EU but run by a single person. I'll likely try and post once a week but seems much more active here.

    Hope to welcome you to Kermah, Land of Plenty, soon.

    Pages: [1]