Here follows a brief summary and biography of the major Politburo members and other notable characters in Greater DCU

Politburo Members

Eamonn McDaragh (1952-)

Title: General Secretary of the Communist Party of Verde

Description: The office of General Secretary is the highest position within the Party and its holder is head of both state and government in Greater DCU.

Born in Dun Dealgan in 1952, the young Comrade McDaragh excelled in class and, after two years of armed service spent in a signaling detachment, was sent to the prestigious Academy of Mechanical Studies in Smithfield. Graduating third in his class Comrade McDaragh went on to work on a number of State projects - including the Tessadorf and Grange Castle industrial Hero projects - and in 1986, aged just 34, he was awarded the Order of Khodorkovsky for "outstanding dedication and achievement in advancing the development of the State". Two years later he entered the world of politics and stood for election to the Assembly of the Communist Party with the support of the Socialist Workers faction. Despite the 1988 swing towards the Conservative Communists and his perceived lack of the "common touch", Comrade McDaragh was elected to the Assembly with a narrow minority. Quickly establishing himself in Verde City, the General Secretary has a distinguished record of debates and his caustic wit and sound judgment soon marked him out as a star on the rise. When the chance to shine appeared Comrade McDaragh rarely hesitated and after the disastrous Socialist Workers showing in the '95 elections he formed the new Social Union faction with support from influential Assembly figures. The gambit paid off and the Social Union swept to victory in the millennium elections of 2000 with the leadership and ideas of Eamonn McDaragh.

Since 2000 the General Secretary has presided over a series of decisions and crises - including the opening of the borders, the Waterdown disaster, the Cold War and leadership of the ComIntern, a series of skirmishes with fascist and terrorist groups, renewed economic initiatives and the Great Southern War. His calm and capable handling of these situations and continued economic growth has ensured that his popularity remains high. Often regarded as a aloof and distant in his dealings with others, the General Secretary has never married and has no children. His long working hours mean that he has little time for pastimes although his intense dislike of mimes is well documented.

Quote: The capitalists fear that which cannot be purchased. After all, what is a trader to do with an item that is priceless? (Speech to the Party Assembly, 1996)

The man is like a giant predatory flamingo (Attributed to Gordon Florien, 2004)

James DeFoe (1932-)

Title: Party Treasurer, Chairman of the Party Assembly

Description: The position of Party Treasurer traditionally comes with that of Chairman of the Party Assembly, effectively making the Treasurer the second most powerful position in the State. It is currently held by the grand old man of Union politics, James DeFoe.

Born into relative poverty in the early days of the Union, Comrade DeFoe was among the first generation to grow up within the Socialist State. Leaving school at the age of 16 he found employment on government works before entering the army at the age of 18. It was while serving in a Motor Rifle division that he was spotted by a political officer and assigned to political education and training. A year later the new Lieutenant DeFoe received his officers commission and began a ten-year tour in 21st Guards ensuring that the required standards of Marxist education were upheld. With the 1958 reforms of the Red Army Major DeFoe offered his resignation and secured a Party job in his hometown of Ambrosia. A year later he stood for election to the Assembly and began a period of over 40 years in that body. Over the years Comrade DeFoe has held almost every senior post in various Socialist Worker Politburos including - Minister of Defence, Foreign Affairs, Petroleum and, the now defunct, Revolutionary Progress. This is his second time as Party Treasurer and his appointment was widely seen as an attempt by Eamonn McDaragh to win over the old guard of the Party.

Despite a minor health scare in early 2001, Minister DeFoe has shown little signs of strain in handling such a heavy workload. Crediting his good health to "a bottle of wine a day", he has both defied and impressed critics with a hectic schedule and impressive list of achievements in this government.

Quote: Einstein must be rolling in his grave. Not only does God play dice, the dice are loaded (Attributed, 1971)

Sile McLaughlin

Title: Minister of Foreign Affairs

Description: While the position of Foreign Minister once consisted of merely monitoring intelligence reports from abroad, today Sile McLaughlin deals with foreign dignitaries and leaders on a daily basis. As Foreign Secretary and Politburo member it is the duty of Minister McLaughlin to help the Politburo plan and execute the Party's will on a global stage.

Born in Dun Rath in 1968 to local Party officials, Comrade McLaughlin received a full State education in the local university. Her keen interest in other cultures and languages led to a degree in Linguistic Studies and the attention of local intelligence officers. On their advise Comrade McLaughlin was assigned to Army Intelligence during her military service and, on demonstrating an aptitude for the work, was transferred to the Foreign Intelligence Service where she was employed to analyse intelligence gathered from abroad. Recognising her skills, promotion was rapid for Comrade McLaughlin and by 1991 she was head of an undisclosed directorate within the Service. However conflict of opinion with her immediate superior over a classified issue led to her resignation a year later. After a year working for the local Party apparatus Comrade McLaughlin was offered the opportunity to stand for election to the Assembly in '93. After throwing her support behind Eamonn McDaragh as he rose through the Party ranks she was entrusted with the role of Minister of Foreign Affairs. Since this promotion Foreign Minister McLaughlin has represented Greater DCU at the very highest levels. After spearheading the campaign to end the Union's isolation, she has been ever-present on the region's diplomatic scene.

Quote: It is not enough to construct the socialist state; we must strive to construct the socialist world (Speech to the Party, 2004)

Johan Hallinan(1949-)

Title: Minister of Defence

Description: The senior position in the Ministry of Defence is responsible for the oversight and direction of the nation's military and all related activities. Johan Hallinan is the latest to occupy this demanding office and has been tasked with overseeing the reform of the armed services after the Great Southern War.

Born in 1949 as the son of a well-respected tank general, Johan Hallinan was always marked for a career in the Red Army and was given the distinction of serving his two years alongside professionals in Guards division. After his service he enlisted full time in the army and was sent to the highly prestigious Marad Academy to train as an officer. However tragedy struck in 1968 when a helicopter crash resulted in the young cadet suffering serious injuries, which resulted in the amputation of his right foot and the loss of nerves down his right arm. After the crash Comrade Hallinan spent four years in Military Intelligence while taking a part time course in economics and business. A new job and pay rise then followed with a management position in Taylor Arms before finally leaving the defence industry in 1981 for a top job with the National Energy Bureau. Seven years later he was convinced to stand in the Assembly elections where he proved popular with the electorate and benefited from the swing towards the Conservative Communists. However he abandoned the faction in the early nineties as the hardliners began to dominate and instead realigned himself the emerging Social Union faction headed by Eamonn McDaragh.

After a series of minor but crucial postings Comrade Hallinan was given the Defence Ministry in recognition of his loyalty and fresh ideas. Drawing on his extensive experience within the military establishment and industry, he has spearheaded and championed the reforms tabled after the experiences of the Great southern War.

Quote: To understand something is to know the means of its destruction. A basic knowledge of the laws of the universe is therefore required for the complete destruction of everything (Opening the Theoretical Sciences department of the Military Design Bureau, 2002)

Dr Peotr Roman PhD

Title: Minister of Industry, Trade and Enterprise

Description: As current Minister of MITE, Peotr Roman is head of the behemoth that manages almost every aspect of Greater DCU's controlled economy. Born in 1955 to two factory workers in Petrograd, little distinguished Comrade Roman from the rest of his class during school. It wasn't until he was introduced to rugby during his national service that he caught the attention of the State. A gifted athlete with a true talent for the sport, he was encouraged by the Verdian Rugby Football Union and was soon playing for Petrograd Rugby Club in the national league. With characteristic foresight he began studying economics in the local university and, to the surprise of many, found that he had an aptitude for the science. After picking up an injury in 1978, Comrade Roman spent eight years in management before returning to university to complete his PhD in Marxism and Economic Direction. Standing in the Assembly elections of '88 he won a comfortable victory and went on to sit on a number of Party finance committees before being appointed to the Politburo in 2000. Since then he has handled the task of governing and directing Greater DCU's economy and is credited with maintaining today's high rate of growth while refusing to compromise Marxist ideals.

Quote: The FMS (Free Market States) are right in making the connection between wealth as a currency and wealth as energy. However they've failed to make the next leap of logic. Ultimately wealth is merely an extension of human needs and desires and only when these wants are supported in an adaptive and planned economy can true and universal wealth be achieved (Speaking after the opening of the FMS Stock Exchange, 2005)

David D'Orst(1946-)

Title: Field Marshal of the Red Army, Chief of Staff of Greater DCU

Description: The Chief of Staff is the highest office obtainable within the military and is responsible for the day to day operations of the armed forces. The position is the only way by which an officer in the military can sit on the Politburo and traditionally carries the rank of Field Marshal.

Field Marshal David D'Orst was born in the city of Madision on the gulf coast in 1946. While his three brothers followed family tradition and joined the navy, Comrade D'Orst did his two years in the army instead. Well regarded by his officers he joined the professional ranks the day his national service ended. Identified as a capable tactician he was sent to the Marad Academy and emerged as a officer in the tank corp two years later. Command of a squad rapidly led to promotion and by the age of 46 he was a colonel with an impressive record. Another three years in the Academy brought promotion to full general and command of a prestigious Guards division. Eight years later the rise continued as General D'Orst was installed as commander-in-chief of the Smithfield Military District, traditionally the shining gate to Field Marshal. That honour came sooner than expected though as three years later General D'Orst's political connections paid off with his appointment as Chief of Staff. Along with a seat at the Politburo the position also brought promotion to Field Marshal, something that all who have served with Marshal D'Orst agree that he deserves.

Quote: A spectre may be haunting Europe but its the guns of my boys that keeps it lying awake at night (Attributed 2002)

Prominent Figures

Samuel Vimes(1949-)

Title: General (Retired)

Description: Although he is retired from military service and currently has no official role in Union politics, General Vimes still wields influence in Greater DCU and Europe, much of which stems from his distinguished career and close friendship with General Secretary McDaragh.

The illegitimate son of a priest in the Pallauxan Church was born in Ambrosia in 1949. While not having a particularly harsh childhood, the young Comrade Vimes was happy to escape to the army at the age of 18. After serving his two years in a Motor Rifle division, he signed on to the elite Paratroop Corp where he would spend the rest of his military career. After first serving as a private he was recognised as an intelligent and capable soldier and was sent to the Marad Academy for cadet training. After graduating as top in his class, the new Lieutenant Vimes had a meteoritic rise in the Red Army and was a full colonel by the age of 37. After another stint in Marad he was granted command of his own division of Paratroopers and promotion to General at the age of 45, becoming the youngest general in the State. He also became the first commander to lead a Red Army division into combat since the Revolution in the Lombardia crisis of 2002. However tragedy struck when he was abroad as his youngest son, Matthew, was diagnosed with cancer. Immediately on his return General Vimes resigned his commission to stay by his family side during treatment. Although Matthew was making a steady recovery in late 2004, tragedy struck again as both he and his mother were killed when a Qantrixian missile hit the Verde City hospital in which they were staying during the Great Southern War. General Vimes was understandably grief stricken and refused all offers to resume service despite the waging war. Eventually General Secretary McDaragh convinced him to return to State service not as a solider but as a diplomat. Taking the lead in the Gaasbeek negotiations, General Vimes successfully concluded hostilities with the FMS before being appointed as Defence Secretary of the Six Nation Union. After returning to Greater DCU he has taken up a teaching post in the Marad Academy.

Quote: When I was a child in Ambrosia it wasn't all that uncommon to hear the more devout whisper "How could a perfect God create a world with so much evil and so many communists?". Those fools have missed the greater question - Why would a perfect God create a world at all? (Attributed, 2005)

Gordon Florien(1974-)

Title: Chairman of Red Dawn International

Description: Red Dawn is one of Europe's oldest international political organisations with branches in almost every European nation. Based in Verde City, today Red Dawn operates a host of media and local branches throughout the region. Rumours of it being a front for various Union agencies have been hotly denied. The position of Chairman was relatively minor until recently when the latest occupant of the office began to change the nature of the organisation.

The youngest Chairman of Red Dawn is Gordon Florien who was born in Blackrock in 1974. The only son of two prominent local Party Officials, Comrade Florien was earmarked from a young age for a career in politics. Excelling in sports and studies he took and advanced degree in Media Studies after an unremarkable two years of national service. While his parents’ connections would no doubt have assured a comfortable Party position, some distinguishing work would be required to have any hope of election to the Party Assembly. Joining the National Energy Bureau’s part of the attempt to overhaul the firm's image, he made an immediate impact after proposing and running the "Power at your fingertips" media campaign. This success led to a series of commissions with other State bodies and Comrade Florien's profile began to rise, his good looks and easy charm proving a hit with the media. He entered the media business himself in 2000 with a senior position in GDCUnews24. In 2004 General Secretary McDaragh made the surprise decision of naming Comrade Florien as the new Chairman of red Dawn following the departure of the old head. Since then Chairman Florien has reformed the organisation bringing Greater DCU's international news under its control and increasing the structure and personnel of its foreign ventures. This includes the strengthened emphasis on supporting and influencing local socialist groups abroad. One example of the latter was the direct, yet low profile, role that Red Dawn and its chairman played in the Daracnian Gaasbeek referendum.

Quote: What the old guard don't get, and have never gotten, is that one man - just one man in the right place at the right time - one man with a poster or a microphone can do more damage than any Red Army division. The trick is put words into that man's mouth, into his mind. When we can do that then, and only then, will we have nothing to fear (Speech at the annual Media Forum, 2003)

Historical Characters

Alexandre Vinokourov (1886-1939)

Title: Former General Secretary of Communist Party of Verde

Description: General Secretary Vinokourov still overshadows the state he created. The head of the revolutionary movement that toppled the old nationstates and created the Union, he is revered by the country at large both for his role in the Revolution and the lasting democratic structures he left behind.

Born in Veers city in the old nationstate of Borogravia as the son of a teacher, Alexandre Vinokourov had a good education as a child although that came to an end when both his father and mother died during the cholera epidemic of 1902. On entering the army at the age of 16 in an effort to escape poverty and homelessness he was assigned, as one of the few literate soldiers, to the propaganda detachment. He first came into contact with socialist thinking when his regiment was ordered to break a coalminers strike in 1909. When the troops refused to fire of the protesting miners, Corporal Vinokourov deserted during the purges designed to rid the army of "Red" sympathies. Returning to Verde City he found work with the Marxist paper "the Plough and Stars" where he established a reputation as a dedicated communist. Considered a threat to the Borogravian parliament, he was arrested a number of times and almost beaten to death on two occasions. Nonetheless Comrade Vinokourov persisted in his campaign to enlighten the working classes. Living in near poverty he spent the best part of a decade writing and detailing his beliefs on a pan-Verdian socialist state. In 1918 he was Treasurer to the a minor fringe party, the Socialist Workers (Democratic) of Veers City, however two months later the Great War began and everything changed.

When the majority of socialist and communist groups of Borogravia voted to support the government's call for war, Comrade Vinokourov was disgusted and, gathering a few close friends, formed his own organisation - the Communist Party of Verde. Emphasizing the need for co-operation with other national socialists, the group began to meet with other disaffected revolutionaries throughout Verde and slowly a network of contacts was built up. However the war was popular at first and there was little support for the Communists. Barely escaping arrest (and execution for treason) the Party's preaching fell on deaf ears as the nationstates of Verde marched to war. Things were different six years later though as one by one the Communists' predictions came through - increased rationing, slashed pay and an endless stream of corpses returning from the front - and people began to question not just the war but a society that could have led to such industrial slaughter. One by one the factories began to listen to the Communists and Comrade Vinokourov found it much easier to sway the minds of the workers. By the time the war entered its seventh year strikes were becoming common and the Party was ready for Revolution.

After 16 workers were killed when strike breakers arrived at a Petrograd ironworks, thousands of workers took to the streets of Veers City to protest. Encouraged by the People's Guard (a paramilitary organisation made up by deserters) and other Party activists, they marched on the government palace and other major landmarks. Soldiers refused to fire on the mobs and generally either laid down their weapons or joined the revolutionary tide. When the crew of the battleship the "Golden Heron", currently anchored in the harbour, were ordered to fire on the mobs they mutinied and raised the Red Banner over the ship. Within days word had reached the other cities of Verde and the Revolution was fully underway.

After the war, in which he commanded the prestigious 21st Guards division, General Secretary was quick to consolidate power. Socialist leaders who convened to discuss a return to pre-war borders were arrested and executed while all other political parties were banned. The Greater Democratic Communist Republic was established and construction began on building a new capital in the Hub (now known as Verde City). A new constitution was written enshrining both the democratic rights of the people and a dedication to the socialist state. The first elections to the Assembly were held after just two years and General Secretary Vinokourov was retained as Party head until he was diagnosed with cancer in 1938. He died a year later and was buried with full honours in Veers City.

Quote: And here come the lackeys of the capitalist murder machine, no doubt here to cart me off to the Tatney. They're here because they labour under an illusion, the illusion that if I am removed you will all return to a life of slavery and poverty. Well, I want each and every one of you to send those blaggards a message. Tell them, tell them that if they arrest me, if they imprison me, if they *execute* me, tell them who'll take my place? Which one among you will take my place? (Speech to the ironworkers of Petrograd, 1925. The resulting riot is considered the start of the Revolution)