Hi, it's Cody AKA Safavid from WE. I've been working on the trait system but I need help thinking up some and listing effects. Obviously, I'm going to need to fix some of the government trait effects to work with this one. Anyway, look tell me what you think.
Government Type:
Monarchy - Rule by a King, Queen, Prince, Emperor, or similarly titled individual. Monarchies are defined by their system of hereditary rulership and the cultural legitimacy that surrounds them. Unlike dictators, monarchs are part of their empire's culture, and hold power through legitimacy as well as strength of arms.
Cultural Legitimacy : Monarchies often engrain themselves in their society's culture. Kings may come and go, but the monarchy remains. Because of this, people tend to be loyal to the monarchy, even when the current ruler is less than perfect.
- Monarchies cannot fall to Despised Public Approval level
Royal Privilege : Monarchies are known to be excessive consumers. Some of this is necessary - they must keep up appearances to the masses after all - but often their huge estates and hobby projects are an unnecessary drain on the country's resources.
- Monarchies produce 10% fewer Industry Points
Theocracy - Theocracies stem from the idea that some deity or higher being is the true ruler of the empire. This deity's will may be interpreted and implemented by a gathering of high priests, or a single representative, but they always rule in its name. This deity's church may be the government itself, or may be attached to the wider government, as long as everyone knows who's truly in charge.
Religious Allegiance : Religion is one of the few forces capable of crossing an empire's boundaries and shifting the loyalty of its population. New believers inevitably bring about priests, who bring with them temples and churches. These new believers may be citizens of their own empire, but their piety compels them to support the government that represents their deity.
- Theocracies default to Applauded level Imperial Relations
Traditionalism: The religious members of a theocracy do not always have a welcoming relationship with science. Scientists like to ask questions, and sometimes those questions can be unhelpful to those who expound faith as the way of life. Thus, theocracies tend to lag behind in advancement.
- Theocracies must pay 20% more Industry Points than normal to research a technology
Dictatorship - Unlike monarchs, dictators don't have legitimacy to back them up; they have to fight tooth and nail to seize power and hold it. This gives them an iron grip on policy, and a uniquely grim worldview. Dictators can always say that they have earned their place in the world.
Martial Rule : Dictators rule by strength of arms. Because of this, they are always diligent about maintaining a large, strong army to fight for them, and are not afraid of using it.
- Dictatorships pay 20% less IP for military maintenance
Disaffected Populace : Few people appreciate living under the iron fist of a tyrant. Dictators have neither legitimacy nor public support to placate their subjects, and have to reply on suppression.
- Dictatorships have a more difficult time gaining Public Approval
Republic - A Republic is a representative government. While other governments might rules by tradition, wealth, or force of arms, the republic rules through the will of the people. Apart from elections, republics can take many forms, from parliamentary to senatorial. Still, representatives will always rule at the whims of political elections.
Patriotism : Because they choose their rulers and representatives, the electorate of a republic is far more invested in the success of their government than the citizens of other empires. Indeed, the citizens of a republic are often proud of their government, and would have no other in its place. This exceptional loyalty is most apparent in times of trial, where people will rally behind the government.
- If a Republic's planet is invaded militia will join the armed forces to help repel the invaders. If a Colony is invaded the republic gains 1 Standard Infantry Regiment. If a Core World is invaded the republic gains 3 Standard Infantry Regiments. All militia regiments disperse after invaders are repelled.
Demagoguery : People are often easily swayed by the whims of rhetoric and their own prejudices. Too often, opportunistic and unscrupulous people will get themselves elected through fear and hyper-nationalism. At the best of times, these people are corrupt and power-hungry, at worst they believe their own words, and will often take every opportunity to forward their agendas.
- Republics lose a level of Public Approval if their Economy rating reaches Recession or they lose a war.
Federation - A federation is a group of factions that have come together under a single government. While the central government does exert some influence over its components, the different regions of a federation are distinct and self-administrated. A Federation is an ideal government for smaller factions that want to avoid being overrun by larger, more powerful empires. It allows its members to maintain distinct identities while still combining their strength.
Freedom of Ideas : People in federations are exposed to changes and new ideas on a frequent basis. Every faction has its own customs, and often its own technology and policies. Because of this, new ideas have an easier time growing and being realized. An idea that is unpopular or unfeasible in one region may be perfect for another. Innovation is thus widespread.
- Federations pay 20% fewer Industry Points to purchase a technology
Disunity : Although united, the factions in a federation are still distinct, and they do not always agree with one another. This can become even worse when the central government it pitted against the regional factions who compose it. Unlike other governments, a federation has no final authority who can decide issues, so they can get very messy.
- Federations cannot achieve Unanimous Approval level Public Approval
Labor Traits:
Public Serve Is Mandatory:
Rather than go through the pesky problem of dealing with labor unions, this nation has instead outlawed them and made it the civic duty of the populace to break their backs for the state. Often with a sharpened bayonet at the ready to give them a swift poke to any whom might protest.
+Constructs are 25% cheaper
+Lowers public approval rating
Breadbasket:
This nation is completely self sufficient in terms of agricultural production, and often serves as a major exporter of food and other products to its neighbors in the region. During times of war, this comes in handy as this nations populace and soldiers will rarely go hungry on home turf and can hardly be starved out by attempts at blockade.
+Nation will never suffer food shortages during war time (unless a natural disaster occurs)
+Increases public approval rating.
Labor Unions:
Generally found in democracies and other free societies, this country has allowed the legalization of labor unions which has been a mixed blessing. The government will have to appease these unions or risk them going on strike, but at the same time labor unions provide the government with much needed support within the middle class community.
Cannot be used with dictatorships
+Constructs cost 5% more
+Increases public approval
+Nation begins with Rail Yard construct in one region.
Militarized Country:
Whether its due to the fact that this country is merely highly vigilant or just survived a war, the country remains highly militarized both along the borders and at the cities. A constant reminder is the massive flak towers that tower over the city and the nearby military barracks.
+Nation begins with two flak two units (place in city of choice)
+Nation begins with one Military Barracks (place in city of choice)
+War Fatigue sets in slower amongst the populace
Legal Trait:
Secret Police:
The Secret Police have wormed their way into almost every level of society, people can whisper one word to a trusted friend only to find themselves in a prison by dawn the next day. It is easy for a people to disappear in this society and the people have little to say about it, lest they find themselves condemned to a similar fate.
-Lowers chance of coup.
-If this country is invaded, the intelligence service will be able to give more accurate details than usual on enemy movement, numbers, etc.
-Raises dissent of the general populace.
Rationing:
Perhaps it's because this nation has suffered through the hardships of war and has learned to make every bullet, every bean, and every piece of scrap metal count. Regardless, through forced rationing the government has managed to pull together more resources for its soldiers.
-Country starts with 6 more oil slots than normal
-Decreases Logistical Supply Problem during war time
-Lowers public approval rating.
Ruthless:
Whether by fair means or foul, this government is determined to keep order on the streets. If that mean's rounding up all the drug dealers on the streets and summarily executing them by firing squad, then so be it. Despite the cold blooded brutality, the heavy handed tactics of the government have curbed official corruption and crime is low.
-Riots due to the consequences are rare, though not unheard of.
-Improves economy rating.
-Lowers Imperial Reputation
Civil Liberties:
This empire has a strong tradition of civil liberties. Not only that, but people actually know their rights, and the government respects them. This leads to a vibrant and open society where people can do and say what they wish. Culture and happiness thrive under these conditions. On some occasions civil liberties do stop the government from going after legitimate targets.
- Empire more easily gains Public Approval
- Chance of intercepting Espionage reduced by 10%
- Cannot be used by a Dictatorship
Military Traits:
Total War:
Some nations respect the rules of war and do their best to treat their enemies with humanity; that's not this empire. For this empire's army there is but one rule: crush the enemy, and they will do anything to achieve it. This makes them utterly terrifying to face, as they will offer no quarter and take no mercy. Other empires are aghast at the atrocities this empire is willing to commit for the sake of victory.
- Enemy units that have Reduced status in combat do not recover until the battle is over
- Enemy units that have Broken status in combat are always lost
- Empire has a more difficult time gaining Imperial Reputation
- Empire cannot achieve Beacon of Influence level Imperial Reputation
Prestigious Military Academy:
While all nations have military academies where officer cadets are trained to lead new men, this nation has taken that to new heights by recruiting renowned military experts from around the world to train its new corp of officers. The result has lead to the building of a first rate officer, whom can relies on years of tactics and training from multiple perspectives.
+Decreases Logistical Problems
+Allows Army to move one turn faster
+Decreases chance of breaking due to morale
Conscript Army:
The conscript is not a volunteer recruit. He has no choice but to serve, with the threat of imprisonment or death if he doesn't. As a result, a conscript soldier is hardly the most enthusiastic soldier when it comes to fighting but when one dies there are others to replace him, generally many many more.
+ Can field four free infantry divisions
+All recruitment costs for infantry divisions are halved.
+Units have lowered morale in combat.
Not one step back!:
Fanaticism in this army is an understatement. It's soldiers have been beaten, bullied, and brainwashed into believing that death is better than surrender. And of course their is the ever present threat of a bullet in the back for the doubters. This army will almost never retreat, and will fight to the death even against the most extreme odds. Often against these odds, this nation's soldier will probably be found gleefully charging towards an enemy platoon with a grenade in hand even if it means his own death.
+Units will never retreat when fighting on home ground.
+Units will RARELY break due to psychological trauma or morale damage
Elite Units:
Through painstaking research and investment, the empire has mastered a certain unit. This unit has become better than its counterparts in every way, and can tip the scales against larger or better equipped enemies. However, due to resource constraints only FOUR units may be earmarked as elite.
Choose: Mechanized Infantry, Infantry, Armored Division, Fighter / Bomber Squadrons, Battleship, Cruiser, Submarine to be earmarked as elite.
Weakness Trait:
Army Meddling:
This nation's military has a history of near coups or frequent coups by the Armed Forces whom are a thorn in the side of this nation's rulers. Not only does he have to watch for the ever present danger of a foreign attack but he'll have to deal with the fact that his own military might be eager to depose him or her.
+Increases chance of military coup
+If nation suffers unrest or loses several battles in a row, open rebellion and civil strife are very possible.
Decadent Elites:
This nation's halls of power have become mired in corruption, decadence, and sin. Corruption has become rampant and the mood of the people ever more angry towards those in the society that partake in such behavior.
-10% of IP is lost per turn due to corruption
+Lowers public approval rating
Political Discord:
The Communists are fighting the Democrats on the streets, meanwhile the Socialists are leading their own vicious assault on the Royalists. The political discord in this country has exploded into bloody brawls and street fights, with the political system in anarchy how can any work get done?
-During times of crisis, it will take time to reach major decisions and political infighting can affect the final outcome of that decision.
-Increases chances of assassination of nation's leadership.
Multi-Ethnic Friction:
This country is made up of a mish mash of races, cultures, and nationalities all tossed into one melting pot. It hasn't gone well. Assimilation has been lacking, race riots are near constant, and some are advocating for the partition of the country along ethnic lines, so much so that some extreme minorities in the country have taken up arms against the state!
-Increases chance of civil war
-Chance of insurgent groups forming are high.
War Ravaged Nation:
Whether its from war or some other apocalypse, this country has been battered and bloody. Industry has nearly grinded to a halt, factories are shuttered or destroyed, the railway system is shattered, and the country is still struggling to pick up the pieces.
-Constructs cost 15% more
-Economy Rating Lowered