Seems like I've got one more map idea left in me. The full version
can be found on DeviantArt.
Here's one last map for the year, for real! This one, though, once more for the RDNA-verse, is a "worlda"-type profile covering the main ideological alignments of the Free World.
This was inspired in part by the sleek interfaces and customized stylings seen in the
Thousand Week Reich and
The New Order mods for
Hearts of Iron IV. Surprisingly, the general aesthetic works rather well with this form of map.
As an added touch, the map also features a taste of things to come, and it's not just the additional details on the various figures shown. But also in giving a preview of the flags for the Assembly of the Free World and League of Neutral Defiance, the latter for the very first time.
Similarly to
A World at the Precipice (Vidscreen), this is also presented as an in-universe creation. Though whether it's from (and intended for) the people behind An Examination of Extra-Universal Systems of Government or the Agency mentioned in other maps...I'll leave it for you to decide.
And lastly, and just to be safe, this is a work of fiction. This is not meant to be a political or ideological screed.
With all that said, hope you all have a Happy New Year and see you in 2020!
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A Basic Introduction to the Free World:
The geopolitical landscape has long since settled into a long Cold War that has lasted for almost a century. On one side are the expansive domains of the Collectivist Internationale, the so-called "Red Menace" spawned from the Terror. On the opposing camp is a motley collection of various countries loosely referred to as either the "Free Nations" or the Free World. The latter term, however, is something of a misnomer due to its connotations.
Strictly speaking, the Free World refers to the myriad Royalist and Republican countries which endured through the chaos of the Terror. These in turn have various blocs, alliances and pacts amongst themselves. Among the Royalists, for instance, are the "Three Crowns" of the New World (particularly the Royal Dominion of New Austria and Loyalist Dominion of Canada) and the wider "Engelnstadt Concord" (which includes the powerful Empire of Japan). This is to say nothing of the "Twin Republics" of Gran Patagonia and the American Federation, or the Free Pacific Pact (including the Sovereign Republic of Free China), among others. Of course, there still remain much in the way of rivalries, fierce competition and outright disputes, most notably involving of Legitimate Union of Brazil and alleged manipulations by Republicans. Nonethless, for all their issues, they all stand fairly united in preserving their way of life and holding back the Collectivists.
Then, there are the states that comprise the loosely-tied League of Neutral Defiance. An indirect consequence of the Terror, these countries adhere to an umbrella group of ideologies known as Reactionarism (such as the Kingdom of Joseon's "United Front" and Colombia's "Bolivaristas"), with the "Anglo-Mosleyites" of the Free Republic of Australia seen as the leading variant. Although similarly opposed to the Collectivist Internationale, the League's "members" also make a point of standing apart from the other Free Nations. In addition to their comparative isolationism, they are also defined, albeit in myriad forms, by their emphasis on "purity" and racial, cultural or ideological supremacy by means seen as excessive by others, which would be comparable to several authoritarian and fascistic regimes. While these have also led to disputes amongst themselves, such bouts have failed to shaken their resolve against the Reds and even the "degenerate" Free World that they barely tolerate more of.
Every non-Collectivist polity is at least nominally part of the Assembly of the Free World, founded in 1960 as a formal replacement to the ineffectual International Concert. Though largely seen as more of a proverbial "gathering hole" for the various blocs and still dominated by the major powers that backed its founding (such as the Americans and New Austrians), the alliance's ranks have since grown to truly encompass the globe. This also means the inclusion of Reactionary states as observers, in an effort to both foster reform and exert diplomatic pressure. In spite of such developments, however, the odds of those regimes becoming actual members remains a far-off prospect.
Barring any significant developments or overt acts of aggression by either side, this state of affairs may well go on indefinitely, at least on paper. Just as concerning as an endless standoff, however, especially as this long Cold War drags on, are the cracks and tensions that had been accumulating with each passing generation. Despite its nigh-paranoid preparations and armaments, while the Free Nations (whether Republican, Royalist or Reactionary) remain defiant, some are wondering at just how far they would have to go in order to stop the madness. Which is not to ignore the activity going on behind the Red Curtain.
Increasingly, it seems, it is becoming less a matter of if, but when then Free World flinches.
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Recovered fragment from "An Introductory Primer to Other Worlds." Unknown. 2022 Edition.
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On top of the various references mentioned previously, the additional portraits are based on various historical figures corresponding to their respective countries and comparable ideologies. King Giacomo III of South Italy, for instance, is based on
Prince Amadeo, Duke of Aosta, who in real life was Viceroy of Italian East Africa during World War II, while Hisahito of Japan is based on
Takahito, Prince Mikasa (Emperor Hirohito's brother). Free China's President Sun, coincidentally, is based on
Sun Fo, the son of Sun Yat-sen and an influential figure in Republican China even after the rise of the People's Republic.
For the Reactionary figures, Australia's President Wellington-Mosley is partially based on
A.K. Chesterton (the second cousin of Catholic writer G.K. Chesterton), who in real life was an active member of various groups, including the British Union of Fascists alongside Mosley himself. Colombia, meanwhile, has President Valencia, based on
Laureano Gomez, who was suspected of having sympathies for various dictatorships and Francisco Franco especially. While Joseon's puppet monarch, Yeong, is based on
Yi Kang, Prince Imperial Uihwa and to a degree
Chinese Emperor Puyi.
The flag used for the Assembly of the Free World is a heavily updated version of
this old work from 2010. While that for the League is a combination of the
Sonnenkreuz and the globe from the early United Nations flag (c.1945), while also utilizing colors based on Oswald Mosley's "
Flash and Circle" emblem.
The unfiltered version can be found here:
The Long Cold War - The Free World Unfiltered