[center]"There are decades where nothing happens. And there are weeks when decades happen."[/center]

The nation of Grozny is at a crossroads. The War of the Crowns ended fifteen years ago with their monarch dead of a heart attack before he could claim rulership of his neighbors and no heir to the throne. With the signing of the Peace with Honor, soldiers across the continent removed their helmets, turned in their rifles, and returned to civilian life. The nation of Grozny began a transition away from Absolute Monarchy and aristocracy into a democracy.

But the people of Grozny have found that their experiment with democracy is fighting for its life against modern challenges. 

In the Western Cities, Syndicalists are organizing the abused workers of the factories to demand a more Just society, one that does not demand that the common man be a serf to the factory bosses. The slogan of the Syndicalists, "A twelve hour day for a pittance pay? No Way!" is written in the corners of many pubs and factory floors. Their leadership prepares to call for general strikes to force the central government to answer their grievances.

In the Southlands, the old Aristocrats gather in their palaces and parlors, trying to use their land and wealth to restore themselves to power, to crown one of their own as the King or Queen of Grozny. In their eyes, the Democratic Experiment has failed. They seek to return to the era of paternal rule over Grozny and the re-institution of serfdom among the lower classes via an alliance with Grozny Corporations.

In the Eastern farmlands, the Church of the Sun has answered the call to minister to those suffering from prolonged drought and hardship. A charismatic Arch-Prelate is preaching that the hardships of Grozny are the result of immorality and sin. The good folk of the earth must come together in the light of the Sun Church to create a pure society- and the rest of the nation must see the light. Perhaps even by force.

It's in the north coast, in the capital of Centralia, where the power of the Democratic Government is still assured. But how long until these factions are able to force their way into the halls of power in the upcoming election, and reshape Grozny into a paradise for themselves and a nightmare for all others? The Prime Minister struggles daily with her Soldiers of Democracy to answer the needs of the people and prevent these radicals from strangling democracy in its cradle. Can she succeed before the house of cards collapses?

That's what you're on your way to find out. Your newspaper, magazine, or radio station has dispatched you by plane, train, and automobile to the Grand Grozny Hotel. It's a good gig, but aside from reporting back home, your column will be printed in a local Grozny publication or broadcast on the public airwaves. As plots and counterplots unravel, it may very well fall to the Fourth Estate to decide the fate of the nation...

[center]---[/center]

Hello, and welcome to an IC!

This is a pretty bare-bones check, but I wanted to see if there was interest in writing a... very different story. I've been reading [i]Berlin Diary[/i] by William Shirer after having it recommended to me by a friend and I'm genuinely shocked by how much it says in so few words about then-current events in 1930s Europe from the PoV of a reporter for CBS Radio. 

Basically, the writers in this RP will play reporters in the nation of Grozny, based out of a major hotel, writing specific stories for readers back home and those within Grozny. You are trying to influence the factions within Grozny for the upcoming elections, either boosting one or reducing another.

The plot will advance with an event. The event will be bare bones, "Just the facts, ma'am." Writers may ask three questions about the event, the circumstances around it, or what particular people think about it- in the OOC. The IC will hold the stories your characters write for the general public or any other notes you might like (if your reporter keeps a private diary and wants to add content as fluff, that's fine with me).

[hider=Sample GM Post]

On Friday the 23rd of May, the Minister of Foreign Affairs' car had its tires stolen while parked outside its office.[/hider]

[hider=Sample questions and Responses.]

1.) Was there a significant public event happening during this time? Yes. A brewing festival was being held that day. Roughly 5,000 people were in attendance.

2.) When my reporter has breakfast that morning, what does my waitress think of this news? She finds it funny and assumes that the tires were stolen by hooligans playing a prank. She makes a snide comment that he should take public transportation until he can pay for the tires.

3.) What does the Arch-Prelate think of this news? The Arch-Prelate plans to give a sermon denouncing the thievery and immorality rife in the cities. He runs a few lines of the sermon by you and it's shocking how fevered and angry they sound when delivered on the spot, but when you write them down the genuine malice in his voice doesn't come through.[/hider]

This RP has a beginning, middle, and an end. Based on the stories you write and the intended audience, I'll adjust the flow of events accordingly and we'll see what happens together.

This RP has room for collaboration and expansion of the world. Feel free to make up a background nation for your character, their publication, and other pertinent information. Feel free to expand on the nation of Grozny beyond what has been presented here. Feel free to propose another faction beyond the three posted here, or even a sub-faction that may have goals of its own.

This RP will have one major rule in addition to the others on this site, and it will be No Modern Politics. This is an exercise in group storytelling. Not a Forum for posting arguments about political preferences. As far as I'm concerned, your reporters may be working toward different goals, but you all drink at the same hotel bar after you send your stories off for publication. Writing for a group or publication that advocates for what could be considered "Hate Speech" (against a particular sex, ethnicity, orientation, etc.) will [u]not[/u] be permitted.

Any further thoughts, proposals, or questions are welcome.