Der Angst
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| Flag of Der Angst | |
| Motto: "Homo Superior" | |
| National Anthem: None | |
| Region | Sisgardia |
|---|---|
| Capital | None, DA is entirely urbanised |
| Official Language(s) | Angstian |
| Leader | Currently in a state of Anarchy, no Leader |
| Population | 1/10 NS Stats |
| Currency | Platin Coin (222 PCs = 1 Euro) |
| NS Sunset XML | |
Contents
Overview
The Second Psionic Utopia of Der Angst is a relatively small nation with various territories scattered throughout the solar system and a distinct tendency of blowing up in the wrong moment.
Including various kinds of posthuman subspecies as well as several other kinds of sapient species in its population, as well as featuring a reasonably wide array of cultures, it is one of the more diverse nations known. Of course, said diversity also results in the nation being comparatively unstable.
National Information
Traditional Long Form: The Second Psionic Utopia of Der Angst
Traditional Short Form: Der Angst
Abbreviations: DA
Form of Government: Varies, Currently Anarchy
Locations: Sisgardia, Earth; Six Islands, Earth; DAM, Moon; Daedalia Angst (Semi- Independent), Mars; DAJ, Jupiter (Callisto, Ganymede, Europa, Themisto, Thebe); DAN, Neptune; DAT, Triton; Sisgardian Craftworld, Kuiperbelt
Geography
Location
Der Angst proper is located on the Antedammia peninsula of the Sisgardian landmass. Bordering the uninhabited areas of Heffescia in the west and North-West Antarctica in the south- west, the rest of Der Angst's territory borders the sea, with the Technocratic Republics and Alizaria being almost visible from the eastern coast.
Characteristics
The altitude differs greatly, and can reach up to 3000m in the northern areas, while the south tends to be more even. However, due to its hyperurbanised characteristics, this differences aren't nearly as visible as they once were. Kilometer- high skycrapers and arcologies, combined with vast underground complexes in stripmined areas, make the landscape look far more even than it actually is, or rather, was.
Sunshine is rare, rain normal, and while storms aren't a daily phenomenon, a constant, rather strong (westerly) wind is common in many areas. The temperatures differ between -10°C & +30°C, with regional differences.
Environment
The environment is unique. While hyperurbanisation removed most of the original environment, bioengineering labs created a new one, based on the conditions hyperurbanisation offered. However, practical issues weren't the only issues the scientists cared about, and so, an excessively diverse wildlife, be it plants or animals, developed, featuring psionic creatures like the national animal, the Psionic Magpie, cybernetically enhanced animals, plants in forms and colours deemed unthinkable and other such oddities. Hence, it isn't all that surprising if one suddenly sees a pink lizard climbing the walls of a random skyscaper, hunting fire- breathing quetzacoatlesque things flying through the air, nor would it be surprising if one sees a Psionic Magpie trying to steal one's wristwatch by way of dulling its victim's senses.
Another thing is the sheer poisonousness of the Angstian environment. As mentioned above, DA took a unique route to deal with environmental damage: Rather than enforcing standards upon the industry, it produced a new environment (And, for that matter, a new people) that could survive the vast amounts of chemical waste and radioisotopes released. Of course, there are massive regional differences, depending on industrial concentration and development, traffic (The standard fuel for cars are, after all, radioisotopes) and other things, resulting in some areas being dangerous even to the native population, while others are reasonably pleasant, even for 'normal' foreigners.
Economy
Overall Specifics
The Angstian Economy, being one of the larger (Though not one of the largest) economies of the world, works with a (small) trade surplus, this resulting in a somewhat nasty, though not dangerous inflation of about 1.25%/ year. Exports could be larger, but the Angstian tendency of producing for their own, specific needs, rather than for the export market reduces the possible success on foreign markets, though the weak currency tends to boost the market shares a little.
The native market is, however, truly excessive, and the people tend to enjoy lots of luxurities bought on the giant market, the sheer consumer power of the population being almost ludicrous. Of course, everything has its downsides, in this particular case, the amount of waste produced, of energies used, the sheer prospect of wealth limiting the Angstian society to a rather rational point of view somewhat incompatible to its more spiritualist neighbors like CairnTarra, although the society did somehow manage to prevent itself from turning into retarded consuming monkeys, with education playing a major role that will be explained further down this article.
It might be noted that the Angstian Economy/ Industry doesn't suffer from any kind of regulations, due to it holding the political power for about two generations, this resulting in a free, yet admittedly not entirely beneficial development of the industrial sector, which is responsible for the unique characteristics the Angstian environment, as well as the Angstians themselves have.
Primary Sector
The Agricultural Sector doesn't seem to mind DA being an entirely urbanised nation. Extensive underground installations, together with genetically engineered plants on the roofs of the Arcologies & Skyscrapers, capable of surviving in the hostile environment, make the Agricultural Sector one of DA's healthiest Industries.
Yet, exporting its products isn't all that common, since the extensive genetic manipulations, together with the environment and its tendency of enriching the plants with lots of dangerous chemicals tend to scare potential customers away, this resulting in severe overproduction, one of the major problems Angstian Agriculture is suffering from.
The Mining Sector is somewhat comparable. While the Sisgardian Territories have been pretty much stripmined, with the Six Islands not being far behind, the Off-World Territories, as well as mining operations in the Kuiper- and Asteorid Belt manage to satisfy DA's need for further ressources. Yet, exports are, again, rare, not due to safety concerns, but simply because mining in space is more expensive than mining on Earth, rendering the markets of earth based nations with actual mining ressources inaccesible for the Angstian Mining Sector.
The competition on Earth also means that DA's space mining is only competitive for its own off- world colonies, not for its earth territories. Yet, imports are less massive (Yet, most certainly large enough) than one would expect, mainly as a result of DA protecting its own Mining Sector with subsidies, since it is considered a Strategic Ressource.
Secondary Sector
Overall, Manufacturing is a reasonable, yet not overly large sector, Automobile Manufacturing suffers from constant problems (Although it is slowly getting better), and unlike mining, it isn't subsidised, so, while the Industry is able to satisfy most (But not all) native needs, exports are comparably small.
There are, however, exceptions. The Angstian IT Sector, being one of the largest in the world, booms, and while exports are not reaching the level of The Most Glorious Hack, they are still one, if not the, most important product of the Angstian Economy, additionally, it is also incorporated in the less successful sectors. The same is true for the Publishing Sector, with Angstian Publishers holding a major position in the World Market (It might be noted that this is, in fact, the case for Sisgardia as a whole, too).
Arms Manufacturing is a somewhat special sector. While the Angstian Arms Manufacturing is certainly successful, many of its products are based on Angstian Specifics (Psionics, Cybernetics), and the amount of products exported is comparably small, with the production of Space- based weapons being a major focus.
The last important sector is the production of drugs. Again, since most drugs are Angstian- specific, exports are less than what one would expect from the sheer size of the Sector, yet, it plays a fairly important role for the internal market.
Tertiary Sector
The Tertiary Sector is generally well developed, without being especially strange, or special, although Space- Service- Stations (SSS, renowned for their excellent Pizza) are some kind of oddity.
Education
Education is the main focus of not only the Government, but the people in general. Three years Kindergarten are mandatory, followed by a minimum of nine, usually twelve years in school, (3/6/3 system), three years Primary Education (Native Language, Basic Math, Basic Sciences, Basic Culture, Basic Arts and Sports), six years Secondary Education (More advanced, preparation for the more simple jobs) and (usually, but not mandatory) three years of Tertiary Education (Preparation for medium profile jobs or university), (usually, two student exchanges (one during secondary, one during tertiary education) are offered for the most skilled students in the linguistic subjects), after which three (master) or six (quasi- doctorate) years at university will (likely) follow. With approximately six hours of classes/ six days a week (On average. Four hours/day during primary education, six hours/ day during secondary education, eight hours/ day during tertiary education), from first grade on, the whole process is rather time- consuming, yet successful. School uniforms are compulsory, which is somewhat odd, considering other aspects of the Angstian society.
For those who fail in the first attempt, the possibility of evening schools to increase their qualifications does always exist, allowing for a significant amount of later graduates to enter society.
It might be noted that DA's population has an overproportional amount of extremely high qualified graduates (doctorates etc.), which does, logically, impact other aspects of the society, be it the culture or the economy.
The system itself is, however, rather biased. While Angstians have an almost unrivaled sense for science and technology, and a tendency of speaking between four/ five and six/ seven languages, the arts do not receive even remotely the same kind of attention, be it philosophy, history or something else, this resulting in Angstians being significantly less knowledgeable in this areas.
It is also necessary to note that due to the distinct differences of the Angstian physiology, 'learning' in DA is significantly different from 'learning' elsewhere. The possibility of simply downloading necessary information into one's brain makes a number of basic learning procsses unnecessary, allowing more time to be invested in training logic, causal developments and other, secondary processes.
Another major focus not usually included in the curriculums of 'normal' nations is the excessive psionic training, as well as the theoretical knowledge regarding this particular subject, Angstians students receive.
Last but not least, it ought to be noted that while the technological knowledge is excessive, other kinds of knowledge' (In its broadest sense) suffer. Social skills, compassion or modesty are outright unknown, the massive specialization aiming at productivity not being able to train this kind of skill, resulting in Angstians generally suffering from socialisation issues.
Military
General Characteristics
The Angstian Military is... Odd. While it did start out being a relatively conventional force during the first years of the current era, it has , by now, developed far beyond that, though not always for better.
Angstians are cowards. This results in the military employing drones, rather than human combat units. While the death rate is indeed reduced, costs rise, and logistical problems shift into new directions. One might also note that Angstian soldiers, that is, sentient, biological units, have been known to be less than disciplined, eventually resulting in critical problems (Them shooting each other, rather than the enemy), as well as, ideed, cowardice, with giving up positions far earlier than necessary.
The drones used range from extremely small, bird- and insect sized units for guerilla warfare and reconnaissance/ surveillance up to several meters high warmachines. One will also note an extreme amount of diversification throughout the armed forces, this resulting in further logistical problems, yet including the advantage of unpredictability, a development based on the large amount of different mercenary groups providing defense over the years, now proving to be a significant factor in overall structures.
One advantage the Angstian military has is its extremely sophisticated communication-, as well as reconnaissance/ surveillance systems, this resultig in the ability to act within minimal amounts of time. Drones are controlled by way of operators who are sometimes controlling only one, at other times thousands of drones, operating from either nearby, from inside a larger drone, or from their living room at home. Nonetheless, most drones have basic combat functions programs and occasionally semi- sentient status, this allowing them to operate on their own, although bugs as well as rapidly evolving situations are a problem, this being the primary reason for operators to exist.
Operators tend to be young, usually recruited from online gaming clans, RTS & FPS fanatics, this resulting in an exceptional amount of schoolchildren being hired by the military (Part time jobs). Of course, usually, only the best ones are actually employed, while other, less experienced players/ operators actually pay the military in order to get a chance of experiencing the thrill of combat.
Special units are made up by sentients, immigrants (Foreign Legion) as well as Angstians, for jobs drones are not capable of doing, although another, perhaps the more important, reason is that this units are usually recruited from the genocidal freaks every society has, this turning the sheer existence of this units into some sort of alternative prison system. Logically, this units suffer from the problems mentioned above, disloyality, as well as a lack of discipline.
Weapons are reasonably advanced (Coilguns, particle weapons, telepathic weapons etc.), but tend to suffer from maintenance problems and somewhat complex constructions due to the general ambitions of their creators, preferring shiny to efficient.
Finally, it ought to be noted that psionic warfare is a major aspect of the Angstian Military and, by now, constantly in use, with its many facettes, ranging from outright destroying an opponent's brain to locating a target, from gaining to exchanging information, usually confusing Angstians, not to mention foreigners.
Strategy & Tactics
- Strategy Attrition is to be avoided, although the success of this strategy is questionable. Angstian Strategy could be very sophisticated and detailed, however, more often than not, it consists of concentrating superior numbers within a limited amount of time to simply stomp a possible opponent, as done during the Shadow War. Theoretical strategies, intending total war by way of employing strategic biochemical and tactical nuclear weapons, exist, they have, however, never been used, and considering diplomatic problems, might never be used.
- Tactics Hit and run seems to be the best possible description. While being quick with attacks, Angstians tend to retreat just as quickly. As a matter of fact, in the majority of engagements known, Angstian tactics were rather poor, occasionally comparable to a group of chickens being scared by a fox. Generally, staying hidden, and always having the option of retreat seems to be the preferred version, a version that is teached in the respective operator courses, too.
Branches
The Angstian Ground Forces are constantly suffering from a distinct lack of heavy equipment, although cooperation with GMC Military Arms helped this particular issue. Tanks (or rather, heavy drones), while existing in basically all possible forms, are rare, due to DA being entirely urbanised, this negating the effective use of tanks at home. On the other hand, the infantry (drones) are generally widely accepted and considered a working and efficient weapon.
A somewhat special case are the extremely light drones, bird- and insect like units capable of doing tremendous damage due to their innocent look, though their cost efficiency is an object yet to be discussed.
Traditionally, the Naval Forces, today the smallest of the four branches, like risks. Be it the Allanean War of Independence, when several carrier groups were risked (And saved only by the Peace Treaty, otherwise, their destruction on the hands of the Edolian Airforce would have been guaranteed) or the Shadow War, ships were risked easily, although the results were usually impressive, ranging from destroying GDODAD forces in the Shadow War to the quite literally perfect (No man lost) results of the Allanean War of Independence.
On the other hand, the naval forces suffered several changes in the general strategic concept, and were redesigned for more than just one time, this constant change weakening their overall capabilities. With the rise of the space forces, the naval forces received less and less attention, resulting in their current, relatively poor, state, despite being rather important for securing the connections between the Six Islands and DA Sisgardia, as well as securing the Underwater Bubbles, DA's subaquatic colonies.
For a long time, the Air Force was considered to be the most important branch of the Angstian military, as airpower was generally considered to be the #1 problem. However, with the rise of the space forces, this changed.
Reasonably successful aerial warfare against various opponents proved it to be useful, though not as efficient as it was supposed to be, the far more conventional approach of the air force (Compared to the 'Rough Rider' way the navy went) resulting in stagnation and mediocre success.
Today, the most important branch of the Angstian Military are the Space Forces. It's job, securing the traffic between DA Earth and its various extraterran colonies, isn't too hard, yet fairly important. Success is reasonable, the first two generations did never actually see any kind of serious combat, only the third generation did actually do significant space to space combat, defeating The Silver Turtle forces at Mars, and subsequently taking part in the destruction of The Martian Confederacy. FTL capacity does not exist, travelling to possible theaters takes between days and weeks, up to several months.
Organisation
Claims that the Angstian Military uses a useful and reasonable organisatoral structure are ludicrous. Chaos rules the day, with the effects tending to be odd.
Campaigns
Allanean War of Independence. DA decided to help Allanea while it was being trounced by Edolia & Feline, mainly by way of sending several carrier groups on a suicide mission that did accidentally end in a complete success, though the only reason the fleets weren't exterminated was the soon following peace.
Coalition War. Minimal involvement in form of Angstian Space forces floating around uselessly, and a drone attack of moderate success.
Shadow War. Angstian Forces deploy, intending to prevent/ fight back a GDODAD invasion in Knootoss. Ground Forces suffer from chaotic leadership & a lack of artillery, naval forces operate with moderate, the Air Force with exceptional success.
War with the Martian Confederacy. After a terrible mistake, various nations, including DA, trounce the Martian Confedferacy's space forces anf begin orbital bombardements, after which the Martian Confederacy surrenders and ceases to exist.
Glorious Humanities Psi Revolt. DA attemnpts to support the rebels without being officially involved in the conflict, but after a period of initial success, forces of the Drakonian Imperium manage to stop said attempts since DA cannot play out its complete ressources without risking relations with important allies.
History
Distant History
Much has been lost during the time since the events of the past, and Archaeologists are still working to regain the lost knowledge. One of the few things certain are the events of the 18th century. After driving out an almost century- long multinational occupation force, DA finds itself in a rather dangerous position, being a tiny nation amoung many large ones. However, rising living standards & industrial growth lead to a rapid increase of the population, and due to the strenght of its immediate neighbors DA begins expanding overseas.
Over almost a hundred years, DA expands, fighting various smaller and larger conflicts, with territories inside the borders of todays United Indiastan becoming DA's major assets. In 1780, DA is effectively one of the world's major powers.
However, envy and fear lead to growing resistance against the ever- expanding, and, by now, rather arrogant Angstians. In 1789, a coalition of various other powers, including Knootoss, begins attacking DA colonies.
For the next eleven years, there isn't much happening. Colonies and outposts on both sides are raided, various minor and major naval battles are fought, it seemed as if the war was going to end in a standstill. Yet, with economic problems rising, and supply lines endangered and Knootian privateers threatening the merchants, DA decided that it was time to replace the so far cautious strategy with a more aggressive one. In 1800, Knootoss is invaded and quickly defeated. For the next ten years, DA expands further, defeating enemy after enemy.
Yet, it did overestimate its ressources. In 1810, its forces are spread to thin, and, again starting in Knootoss, the tides of war change, with Angstian forces defeated worldwide. In 1815, the war finally ends with DA being occupied, its empire and sovereignity lost.
Recent History
After a period of isolation and chaos, DA reemerges as a sovereign entity with the New Republic being formed on January 28th, 2003. The first years are somewhat chaotic, with DA not exactly being aware of the complex structures in the world. Early contacts to the GDODAD being proof of that.
This begins to change a few years later, with the Ienotheisan Crisis, when Iesus Christi and The Reich attempted to invade the gender (male)- discriminating regime in Ienotheisa. Der Angst sides with a Lavenrunz- led coalition to stop Iesus Christi, and shortly afterwards a member of the Lavenrunz- led SATO. After Co- Founding the WBO with Aerigia, a first, though small, step to establishing Der Angst is done.
What followed was a brief period of Military Adventurism and (failed) attempts of creating an Angstian Sphere of Influence, most notably its partaking in the War of Allanean Independence. While the military results were exceptionally successful, the diplomatic attempts of harvesting its fruits failed.
Shortly afterwards, a one- day revolution enforced a first regime change, with the old President being removed, and Rezo taking his place.
It was during this time that the first psionic experiments were started. However, this proved to be problematic, as during a visit of President Rezo in Reichskamphen, a revolution, the Red Bracelet war, started.
Gaining control over basic reconnaissance means & approximately 1/3 of the military, an insane hunt on everything foreign begun, Ambassadors from Knootoss & Endless Islands falling victim to the attackers.
However, SATO RDF's responded quickly, and with the arrival of Knootian, NYNJ, Territorial, Lavenrunzian, Syskeyian & Menelmacari forces, the war was, eventually, finished with the Red Bracelet rebels losing after the Battles of Mönchengladbach & Hagen. Further actions by The Reich led to several thousand victims from bioweapons spread secretly by Iesus Christi.
However, the allies had been betrayed, as the Red Bracelet rebels were, in fact, only puppets, manipulated by the Telepaths that had come into existence shortly before, an attempt of breaking the chains the normals had created for them, to gain control ove rthe nation. Yet, even the Telepaths hadn't known the whole truth, for they, in turn, had been deceived by a group of Industrial Magnates, the Associates.
A regime change proved to be inevitable, with President Rezo being killed by Reichskamphen rebels. It were the Associates who eventually succeeded in gaining power. Hiring the Later Indiastani empress Kestrel Amea, at that time a rogue assassin, to execute Hans Gruber, the Telepath orchestrating the Red Bracelet war, they secured their influence.
With foreign influence & investments growing, DA was rebuilt reasonably fast. It was around this time, that a serious space program was started, beginning with first generation interplanetary vessels and a small colony on the Moon and later two more at Jupiter.
Yet, after a long and peaceful time, things begun to change with the Coalition War against Arda For a short while, Der Angst took part in it, though only by wasting fuel for naval assets and an (Admittedly successful) attack on the Pro- Ardan space forces.
However, assets were quickly redirected with the outbreak of the Shadow War. Muttering about copyright Infringement and a possible lawsuit by JMS, Agstian forces were deployed in Knootoss, fighting The Brotherhood of Nod, The Silver Turtle, Whispering Voices, Thelas, Dyelli Beybi & Fasta Benji forces with reasonable success.
Unknown to the public, this conflict had been sparked by manipulations of the Knootian electrions, executed by various nations on both sides, including Der Angst.
Learning from their mistake, another reasonably peaceful period begun, mainly featuring a further expansion of DA's of world assets. During this time, the old psionic projects did eventually reach their goal, with DA's native human population ending up to be entirely psionic.
As a minor event, Drow were discovered in northern DA, as the total urbanisation of DA continued. After several civilian casualities, a military campaign begun, a campaign that, despite the obvious technological superiority, had to face distinct problems, due to the fighting happening underground. But eventually, Success was achived, with the few remaining Drow forming a subsociety. Furthermore, an influx of Neko's added another species to DA.
Yet, slowly, things begun to change. With foreign influence undermining the local culture, resistance begun to form, and the associates begun losing influence, as Nationalists and the technocratic Mad Scientists Conference gained political Influence. Yet, it didn't yet spark another major event.
With technology progressing, and DA attempting to increase its security at Jupiter by way of taking part in forming the Jovian League, Operation: Roundhammer started, the invasion of Ardan holdings on Mars. While DA was only marginally involved, engaging The Silver Turtle space forces in Martian Orbit, forces of the Martian Confederacy joining the battle without announcing their intentions led to a secondary conflict, with Der Angst, United Indiastan, Tarasovka & The Vortex Corporation attacking and eventually defeating the Martian Confederacy, this resulting in its extermination and DA, The Vortex Corporation, Tarasovka, Bajon and Kajal Mars occupying its former territory.
Again, a rather peaceful period begun, disturbed only by the semi- official involment in the Glorius Humanity civil war. However, this period found a sudden end when in one moment, 70% of the population died, and another 20% were driven insane by something that has yet to be understood. For now, DA ceased to exist as a national entity, leaving various factions fighting for dominance or independence.
Species, Ethnic Structure & Culture
Species
Posthumans have developed due to Der Angst's constant attempts of developing its people into something better. The main group are Psionics, with only minor cybernetic enhancements, However, there are also tiny groups of immigrants prefering the longer lifespan of the non- psionic with far heavier cybernetic modifications to the rather short lifespans of the Psionics.
Drow are one of the oldest species to be found in DA, they do, however, tend to keep to themselves.
Neko are catpeople, and generally accepted in the Angstian Society, even though their origins lie in mystery. Only few know that the original neko came to DA following a deal the The C'tan, in order to develop species- specific bioweapons.
Humans are basically immigrants, usually absorbed into the Angstian society within one to three generations.
Ethnicity
The Human/ Posthuman groups in DA are based on Western European (60%), Japanese (20%), Slavic (10%) & Chinese (10%) origins.
Culture
Based on their ethnic background, mainly a result of being conquered quite a few times during the more distant past, Angstian Culture is a rather wild mixture of languages and habits, based on the origins of its people, and growing steadily. Sexual taboos are almost unknown and the individual is everything, while loyality is a secondary issue (Backstabber-culture). Non-Angstians, as well as non- augmented people are generally seen as inferior, though one tends to hope that they will one day be assimilated into the Angstian culture/ technological progress. The general sense for the arts, may it be music, sculptures, drawings or something else, is extremely diverse, though a general tendency to simple forms & dark scenes does exist.
The language is complex, the original Angstian, developed over five thousand years, has been replaced by a mixture of German, English, French, Japanese, Russian and Chinese, though this origins are rarely noticeable.
Religion is just as diverse as the languages. Though the ancient cults have still their (small) circles of faithful worshippers, Christianity is the main faith, followed by Buddism, Shintoism and the somewhat erratic Tech Faith. Atheism (In its semi- religious as well as its critical forms) plays a major role, too.
Foreign Relations
Der Angst is a member of the Sisgardian Fellowship of Nations, as well as the World Technological Entity, and has further bilateral agreements with Tarasovka. It is also a member of the Jovian League and has relatively close relationships with The Most Glorious Hack, GMC Military Arms, Menelmacar, Britmattia, The Territory and Treznor.
Important Organisations
Soldats
Mad Scientists Conference
Nationalists
Red Bracelets
Bureau for Metasensory Perception
The Associates
Kusanagi Technologies
Important People
Althena
Rezo
Hans Gruber
Desty Nova
Mr. Morden
Kusanagi Sakurai
Kusanagi Aramaki
William Morgan Clark
