| From: | GKoth2258@***.COM |
|---|---|
| Subject: | NERPS-NAGTTW: Europe |
| Date: | Thu, 9 Oct 1997 16:06:34 -0400 |
Alliance of German States (AGS)
See Germany Sourcebook.
Austria
Austria might as well be a part of Germany. Need to know about Austria? Ask
Germany.
The Balkan States
The Balkan states are in a state of war that has raged for over sixty-five
years. Serbia, Croatia, Bosnia and several Islamic statelets are in a
constant state of war or near-war. The only place in the world that might be
comparable to the Southeast Asian War Zone. It is also something of an
embarrassment for the European community, which is why it is almost never on
the news trid.
Basque
The Basque separatist movement finally got its wish and was officially
separated from Spain in 2019. In response, this small nation has embraced
the global community like no other nation in the world, sending ambassadors
to nearly every country with a stable government, even those nations like
Algeria that are considered outlaw nations by most. This has created an
interesting role for the Basque people; they are now a global moderator and
negotiator for other nations and occassionally even corporations.
(>) Interesting role indeed. Brokering peace talks can be quite lucrative...
(>) El Cid
Confederated Independent States (CIS)
The CIS is made up of Belarus, the Baltic States (Estonia, Latvia, and
Lithuania) and Ukraine. While the Ukraine is still the breadbasket of
Europe, it's economy has remained stagnant, as has the whole of the CIS. The
Baltics have successfully embraced technology as their primary industry, but
their products, while good, are always several years behind on the technology
curve.
Czech Republic
Fiercely democratic and very proud of that fact. More than any other former
Warsaw Pact nation, the Czech Republic has become a member of the Western
varsity. A strong regional power (not as strong as Germany obviously), it's
close ties with UCAS grant it even more power. A nation on the rise.
England
See London Sourcebook
France
(>) Some frog, er, I mean, chummer from France thought we yanks needed some
education on the French situation. Never one to turn down possibly good
intel, I'm posting it here for all to see. Behave yourselves children!
(>) St. Stan
(insert Eric Bonnet's article)
Greece
Greece is often a victim of the violence in the Balkans north of it.
Sometimes it even instigates it. During the past forty years, Greece has
reverted back to the old system of city-states that has characterized the
region for thousands of years. What is strangest is that while certain
"Classical" city-states, such as Athens (still the titular capital) and
Sparta have been revived, others dating back to the Bronze Age such as Tiryns
and Mycenea (which has become something of a local power) have also been
revived. Perhaps because Greece doesn't have the long tradition of magic
many other nations have (such as Egypt), the incidence of full magicians is
rare. However, it is believed that there are far more physical adepts per
capita than anywhere else, perhaps owing to the warrior/athlete traditions
and myths. And despite their differences, the Greeks still manage to put on
an all-Greek traditional Olympics every summer.
Hungary
Hungary is nation divided. The vast majority live in poverty, as the nation
never really recovered from its days as a Warsaw Pact Soviet puppet. The
capital of Budapest tells a different story. Flush with corporate money and
rich with culture and history, Budapest has again become a playground for
those among the European wealthy that want something slightly exotic but
still close enough to home to be safe.
(>) Sounds like a place just beggin' for a thriving shadowrunner community.
The huddled masses yearning to eat, and the tiny white tower rich and
famous. Yeah, I gotta go to Budapest!
(>) Sharga
Iceland
Perhaps no other nation has changed as little as Iceland has.
(>) You want to talk about boring, go watch the trid for a little while. Me,
I want to that stuff in real life, and Iceland appears to have a thriving
underworld with magic coming back. All of the Mafia over here needs magic of
one type or another, and they're hiring like crazy to protect the high men on
the totem pole.
(>) Cube
(>) Mafia? In Iceland? I suppose it's possible, but why? There's never
been much in the way of crime, and therefore profit, in Iceland.
(>) Naysayer
The Italian Republics
(>) You've all heard of the Collector, right? The Italian slag who is
determined to mirror Shadowland in his home system? He's got a lot of great
intel there on Italy we, for some bizarre reason, don't have here on our main
hub. So we decided to make a trade. We've given him some files to help
round out his mirror site and he's dumped some hot intel on Italy for this
board. Interesting stuff, so check it out.
(>) St. Stan
(insert Paolo's articles (both Paolos!)
Konigsberg
A corporate tax haven. See the "Germany Sourcebook" for more details (p 43).
Poland
This highly conservative monarchy is, unfortunately, the industrial wasteland
of Europe. Poland has the highest incidence of cancer in any civilized
nation and the highest infant mortality rate in Europe. There are
underground rumblings of restoring Poland to it's imperial glory and getting
rid of much of the industries, but as yet, only rumblings.
(>) How can you have any "imperial glory" if all your subs have screen doors?
(>) Onyx
(>) Very funny. Remind me to kill you the next time you are in Gdansk. The
proud people of Poland have very long memories. We can remember when
Imperial Poland was a power to be reckoned with. When the Baltics were ours
and Russia was our lackey. It is that heritage we will reclaim!
(>) Proud Pole
(>) That's exactly the sort of rumblings mentioned. Everyone should pay
attention though. There's a hot new rumor that says someone in the monarchy,
possibly even a prince, is in full agreement with slags like Proud Pole. If
this noble, whoever he is (and I'm looking) gets to the throne, things could
change very fast in Poland. Might make for a lot of work on the old side of
the pond.
(>) American Dry
Portugal
Much like Spain, only poorer and with more pollution.
In 2041, Portugal and Spain, in response to their declining economies and the
EuroWars, allied themselves in an "Iberian Alliance." While these two
nations bicker about nearly everything else, they work together in a
concerted effort to attract business and improve their economies.
Russia
The Russian Republic remains one of the world's major powers even after being
shattered by the Awakening. In 2016, the Russian people experienced another
of their defining "Time of Troubles." The democracy originally created and
led by Boris Yeltsin (dead now for 13 years) was destroyed by VITAS,
Goblinization, the assassination of Nikolai Chelenko and all the ensuing
chaos. For three years Russia was without a leader and low-intensity warfare
was the rule as different factions struggled to regain control. It was not
until 2019 that Yvgeny Mikhailovich emerged, to rule what remained of Russia
with an iron hand. For 15 years Mikhailovich ran Russia much as Stalin or
the tsars had previously. But despite the terror, Russia grew and even
started to prosper, just as it had under Josef Stalin or Ivan Grozny, the
Terrible.
(>) What government do they have now? Fundamentalism?
(>) The Neo-Iconoclast
(>) *sigh* Just keep reading to the end...
(>) St. Stan
But Russia was expanding far too fast for its infrastructure and resources.
In desperation, Yvgeny Mikhailovich in 2031 ordered Russian armored columns
into Belarus, Ukraine and into Poland, throwing the Euro-Wars into high gear.
Mikhailovich was able to retain power, even in the face of defeat. But that
defeat proved to be too much. In 2034, Mikhailovich died of an apparent
heart attack and Russia was once again left without a leader. Another "Time
of Troubles" ensued, but this time it was mercifully short. In 2035, out of
the wreckage emerged the democracy that now rules Russia, using the
infrastructure that Mikhailovich had rebuilt in his day.
During the Euro-Wars, however, the Yukut ASSR seceded in violent revolution
from Mother Russia, depriving Russia of Siberia's desperately needed
resources. Indeed, the fact that Mikhailovich had to fight on two fronts,
one in Europe and one in his own backyard in Siberia, is what many scholars
believe led to the loss of both wars for Russia. In addition, many of the
Awakened fled to Siberia, attempting to escape Russian persection and
believing that the metahuman dominated Siberia would be more hospitable.
Militarily and politically Russia is still very powerful, the largest of the
regional powers in Central Asia and controlling the area known as Romania
with a puppet government. Economically Russia is still slow growing. A
free-market economy is firmly in place, but widespread corruption and
organized crime make life difficult for the government and the average
Russian citizen.
(>) You think the Mafia is bad news? You quiver in terror when the Yakuza
are mentioned? Let me tell you, they ain't got nothin' on the Russian Mob.
They have such a stranglehold (and have for the last 60 or more years) on
Russia, the mob boss should be the one making treaties and shaking hands...
(>) H.I.A.
(>) Hate to break this one to you, but sometimes they do. I did some
personal security work for a deniable "under-the-table" political deal a year
or so ago in St. Petersburg, and my principle was there to meet with one of
the organiska's big dogs. Didn't see a Russian politico the entire trip,
(>) Emeraldeyes
Scandinavian Federation
When the European Community (the EC) shattered with the Euro-Wars, the
nations of Sweden, Finland and Norway decided to remain united and so formed
the Scandinavian Federation. Each nation is still independent, but the three
neighbors have combined their defense systems, some ambassadorial positions
and they all have compatible Gridlink, Matrix, monetary and other important
systems.
Slovakia
Very much like it's neighbor, the Czech Republic. Slovakia, however, has
traditionally been a half step behind the Czechs, a fact that bothers them
intensely.
(>) Slovakia is much poorer and way less industrialized than the Czech
Republic. There are only a few large cities, and most of the countryside is
just that: countryside, with farms and small villages everywhere.
(>) Bottleneck
Spain
Spain's economy has taken a turn for the worse with the drop off in tourism,
but there are signs of recovery as many corporations are beginning to
appreciate the cheap labor in a modern Western setting. In general, not much
has changed.
It should be noted that the winter 2057 tourist season saw a dramatic upturn
in Spanish tourism. It is too early to know exactly why, but many are
crediting the slight economic improvements created by the unofficial Iberian
Alliance with Portugal.
Switzerland
Switzerland is now the home of the United Nations as well as still the home
of the renowned Swiss banks. Surprisingly enough, Switzerland has still
managed to maintain it's neutrality.
Tir na nOg
See Tir na nOg.
United Netherlands
(>) Yet another good samaritan with more details on his home turf. This
time, it's what so many Americans refer to as Holland. Which seems to drive
the natives nuts for some reason. Maybe the following file will clear that
up for us yanks.
(>) St. Stan
(insert Gurth's piece here)
