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What exactly is this: This is an advanced RP opportunity for those who are already skilled writers and looking for a challenge. I am far from omniscient when it comes to MR history, but I have never witnessed an attempted RP on this scale. Essentially, members of our society will find themselves actively or passively participating in the Spanish Civil War. Individuals or groups will work to tell their own stories within this larger conflict. Work will be done in a back alley and eventually posted in the streets.
When is this: This epic RP will be stretched into 4-5 Acts. You can plan out a long, comprehensive story arc- or you could just sign up for the first one and see how it goes. There's no pressure to commit for more than one act at a time. A start date will be announced once we have more participants.
Who should participate: Men and women who already feel very comfortable with RP. This is Jackal's pet project. He takes this subject extremely seriously and he wants to make this as excellent as possible. There are plenty of opportunities for people to learn and practice how to RP (if you can't find any, please contact me and I'll be happy to arrange some for you)- but this is not the place to learn. This is where the best should go to hone their skills further and take on a hopefully unique challenge.
How do I participate: You can write whatever story or RP you'd like, there's nothing stopping you. But to ensure that this particular project fits Jackal's image, there will be an application process.
If you're interested, please mail Jackal the following with the word "Application" in the subject.
Character Name:
Character Backstory:
Why do you want to participate in this RP? Why would your character get involved and is there a particular group they would support?
Please submit a sample of your writing from your current character or, if you've not written much on this particular character, please submit a short story/RP that proves your skill.
Why should I do this: Because you love RP. And this is something, as far as I know, that's a brand new, exciting opportunity. So why not try it?
Historical Background:
Spain through nearly a century of repressive policies, economic subjugation, and oligarchical nepotism has resulted in a cry for freedom and the formation of a Republic and the abdication of King Alfonso. The republic's formation was rocky and its continued existence is simply a purgatory, a respite from true conflict that inevitably looms over the peninsula. Within the republic there are two coalitions; the left and the right to simplify the numerous ideologies that perforate throughout the many different regions in Spain.
In the coming days a Civil War is expected to break out. The army will perform a coup and the republic will most likely react to slow to be triumphant quickly. The republic fears arming the various leftist militias and unions, but this will most likely result in the extension of the war.
The Spanish nation has faced years of economic hardship that has only alleviated its impoverished position during outbreaks of foreign wars, when other industrial powerhouses couldn't meet their export quotas. Due to their lack of capital, their armaments are outdated, lack munitions, and suffer from an inexperienced officer corps since their economy relied on neutrality to support their barely fledgling industries. Their only recent conflicts are uprisings from the colonial holding of Morocco. To a non-western force of Berber tribesman, the colonial powers of France and Spain were humiliated for 5 years. The inexperience shown in this war a decade ago foreshadows the ineptitude both sides will orchestrate in the upcoming civil war.
The inexperience of the militias and army point toward a very long, torturous war. This war will be one waged to win by attrition alone. This will be a prime opportunity for the selling of arms, mercenary excursions, guerrilla and asymmetrical warfare advising, espionage, political intrigues, and smuggling. The revenue generated from this war can be astronomical for those wishing to capitalize on it.
Factions:
The following are factions that participated in the war.
Right
Monarchists (either for Alfonso or Carl)
Falange (fascist group)
CEDA (Catholic and Political Right within Spain. Confederaion Espanola de Derechas Autonomas)
Left
Republican Government
Esquerra Republicana De Catalunya (Catalan left party that was both for liberal ideals and Catalan nationalist and autonomy)
Partido Socialista Obrera de Espana (PSOE, Spanish Socialist Party)
Partido Comunista de Espana (PCE, Spanish communist party. Heavily for soviet style communism as the war drags on)
Partido Obrero de unificacion Marxista (POUM, Trotskyesque communism, not as authoritarian as the PCE and conflict often with the PCE)
Confederacion Nacional de Trabajo (CNT, anarcho-syndicalist trade union.)
Partido Nacionalista Vaca (PNV, Basque nationalism and automomy)
RP Vision:
Pick a group to support or do business with that is RP appropriate. Don't pick a group you feel strongly about, pick a group that YOUR character identifies with. Those of you who are immigrants from Italy or Ireland are most likely STRONG catholics. CEDA will appeal to a lot of Mafioso due to most mafioso being catholic. As well, if your character is greedy, he will try and swindle and deal with both sides of the conflict. RPing about the conflict of a major war means that all the RP we do will be seemingly small affairs that impact small conflicts, alleviates sieges, but does not change the predetermined course of the war. The fascists win, PERIOD. I have a good knowledge base of the Spanish Civil War so never hesitate to contact me. Books that I have pulled information from to conduct this RP include,
The Battle for Spain by Anthony Beevor
The Spanish Holocaust by Paul Preston
The Spanish Civil War by Hugh Thomas
and The Spanish Civil War: Reaction, Revolution, and Revenge by Paul Preston
Throughout the war foreign powers will begin intervening in the war. These international events will allow some to RP in these countries to conduct arms deals, mercenary contracts, reporting, among other things.
Most importantly, this RP allows for you to flesh out your character. The Spanish Civil war is full of horror, brutality, and bravery. Atrocities happened. The results of your characters action will either bolster or break your characters. If you provide arms for a paramilitary group that commits atrocities YOU will have a reaction. If money is the most important thing, you will justify your actions by that measure. If not, atrocities will affect you and provide you with years of guilt and remorse. Conflict between characters is expected. Not everyone will get along. Everyone should have goals that conflict with another's. Talk to fellow RPers and set rules for RP and talk about what you want your conflicts to look like, if you want to have a character win or stalemate, and how this will affect all future interactions between your characters. If everyone is friends, this RP is a failure. Intra-family conflicts between characters is amazing when fleshed out and can create numerous avenues for you to explore with others.
If you like lighter hearted RP, I suggest you not get involve. If you have not noticed, I have an extreme reverence toward this war. I'm not going to lie, I expect the RP to be mature, appropriate for the SERIOUSNESS of the subject matter, and show respect for those whom had to endure what was seemingly hell on an already ravaged peninsula.
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