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by The Regional Book Keeper of India Dispatch Office. . 1,051 reads.

Regional Roleplaying Guide | India



This is the official Role Play Guide for the India. It forms the base on which nation capabilities are set, i.e. the mechanisms of the RP, and also contains concepts unique to this RMB Roleplay which will be held in India's RMB


What is roleplaying?
Roleplaying is a game in which the players assume roles, usually the roles of characters and/or nations, in a fictional setting, controlling them. Players act out those roles through narrative posts, taking part in and building the story, and interacting with the other players. Roleplaying is one of the most interesting things that can be done on NationStates.

Roleplaying is extremely fun and largely appreciated, mainly because the only limit to roleplaying is your imagination.

Do you want to be a fire elf wizard, fighting on a huge space station against Nazi Orcish aliens who want to destroy the Gods? You've got it.

In this guide, we'll try to explain and introduce roleplay for the newcomers, and further explain it for the people who have already roleplayed in the past.


Basic Terms
Roleplayers use a series of specific terms and abbreviations while talking about roleplaying stuff. Here is a short list to help explain them.

  • OP - It can mean two things. Original Poster, so the one who created the roleplay, the big boss. Or, alternatively, Original Post, which is the first post of a roleplay, the one that usually contains the introduction, the title, the application forms.

  • CO-OP - A player appointed by the OP to help him in things like managing the roleplay, accepting the apps, and keeping order. Basically, a smaller OP.

  • Roleplayer/Player- The person at the keyboard, roleplaying the character or the nation.

  • Thread/Topic-Several instances of interconnected roleplay, written by two or more players. A thread consists of an initial opening posts, and subsequent replies moving through a storyline.

  • Post- A single instance of roleplay, written by one player. Posts can be initial posts (sometimes called openers or starters, but not usually referred to as anything special), or they can be replies to other posts.

  • Reply - A single instance of roleplay, written by one player, in response to another player. All replies are posts, but not all posts are replies.

  • OOC. Out of Character. A roleplay usually has two threads, the OOC thread is one of them. The OOC is reserved for what the roleplayer himself is saying, for discussions, sign-ups, and stuff like that. Basically the center of the roleplay.

  • IC. The other type of thread is the In Character thread. The IC is reserved for in character posts, the posts the roleplayer is doing is doing while playing the role of a character or a nation. The story and the real roleplaying go on here.


How to Enter the Role-Play

In order to participate in this region's roleplay, you must qualify as a Citizen of the India

The process behind this is simple: you apply for citizenship by submitting your Citizenship Application Form, which will subsequently be seen by the Cabinet of India.

As you are a citizen beyond this point, it is time to find a way to enter the world. This is done through submitting a Map Claim. While adhering closely to the rules in applying for a map, you must submit a map claim application to the designated thread and await approval from the Cartographer or else you should be in the region for more than two months.


Important Characteristics of Nations for Roleplaying.

All nation stats shall be taken from NationStates (NS) only, and the standings of all nations shall be based on these stats.

Nations wanting to participate in military rp have to make military dispatch first. It is compulsory. Non willing nations may also not make military dispatches.

The following stats are considered critical :

  • Population : Taken the same as displayed in the statistics except for newly founded nations and very old nations.

    • For New Nations (Population < 100 million) the population would be considered as 100 million.

    • For Very old Nations (Population > 1.5 billion) the population would be taken as 1.5 billion.

  • Economy : detail=economy. It'll be considered as it is.

  • IT Industries :

    0-2k= Manufacturing basic technological equipment such as printers and mouses, does not have a digital presence. They rely on other countries. Extremely vulnerable due to most of their technology being made over seas.
    2k-8k= They can manufacture basic computers however, it is no way near the standard of today. They have a very weak digital presence, the country can rely on itself however, it would be put at a major disadvantage. It is vulnerable to cyber attacks.
    8k-15k= The computer hardware is at the average of today however, the software still lags behind. They have a somewhat digital presence due to the hardware being decent and cheap. They're IT industry is built on selling hardware. They still rely on other country's software. It is somewhat vulnerable to cyber attacks, it can still survive the attack if the attack isn't so powerful.
    15k-25k= Hardware and Software is decent, at the standard of today. Have a digital presence, though not heavyweight, the country can rely on itself though not recommended cause there are better options on the market. It can stand its ground against cyber attacks, just not for a long period of time.
    25k-35k= Above average software and hardware. Have a semi powerful digital preference can rely on itself, and can survive cyber attacks but would be crushed if continues for a long time. Relies on itself.
    35k-40k= Hardware and software are leading examples in the market, have a semi heavyweight digital presence and Hardware and software is the best on the market. It can stand it's ground effectively but can't survive multiple cyber attacks.
    40k- infinite= Heavyweight digital presence. It can rely on itself due to their technology being the best on the market. The computer is impenetrable in cyber warfare due to use of Quantum based technologies.

  • Manufacturing

    0-5k= net importer, having a large trade deficit. Will have to rely on other nations for trade. Poor levels of industrialisation.
    5k-15k= net importer, having a medium trade deficit. Still relies on other nations for trade. Slight levels of industrialisation.
    15k-25k= net importer, having a small trade deficit. Relies upon nations for trade of selective goods. Good levels of industrialisation.
    25k-30k= net exporter, having a slight trade surplus. Relies upon nations for raw materials. Medium levels of industrialisation.
    30k-40k= net exporter, having good trade surplus. Doesn't rely on any nation. High levels of industrialisation.
    40k-infinity= net exporter, having high trade surplus. Doesn't rely on any nation. Highest level of industrialisation, and is considered as factory of the world.

    Manufacturing will determine how much stuff you can produce, whether you are a net importer or exporter and how industrialized your nation is.

  • Defence Forces :

    • The Maximum spending will be considered as mentioned in detail=government (You'll have to take the percent of total GDP to find out the maximum you can spend on the Defence Sector)

    • The Strength of Military forces would depend upon the Total War preparedness as depicted in page=list_nations/mode=g/region=india/censusid=46

      • for 0-500: very small military force for self protection, no offensive capability, might rely on other powers for protection. Can't really fight long wars or even short wars where opponent have better Military. Easily overpowered.

      • for 1000 to 3000 : A rising nation. Usually engaged in arms races, their military is in the nascent stages. Have to choose between exerting influence or self defence. Still Vulnerable to surprise attacks. Have some heavy Ordnance for better defense, usually lack any form offensive Navy and Air Force. Can't really fight long wars.

      • for 3000 to 6500 : Developed military. Good defence capabilities. Capable of using military to further its goals internationally. Stable, can withstand attacks, but takes time to recover. Vulnerable to consecutive wars. Decent Military, have great defense capability and regional offensive capability, still lacks in power projection in larger stage. Can sustain some long wars.

      • for 6500 to 18000 : Rising Superpower, have a great offensive capability and Medium Power Projection Capability, can sustain long wars. Extremely stable but cannot sustain nuclear strikes.

      • for 18000 to ∞ : Superpower, have all Global Power Projection Capability, can even survive world scale conflicts if war is not in the Homeland. Have the ability to easily protect Weaker nations. Can survive a couple of Nuclear Strikes at best. Unstoppable. Militaristic society. Has presence throughout the world. Frequently uses brute force. Legendary Stability.
        Extremely High Stability. Multiple wars barely affect it.

  • Scientific Advancement : Certain technologies require appropriate levels of Scientific Advancement according to page=list_nations/region=india?censusid=70 . One can manufacture kinds of stuff only of their respective era.

      -∞ to 75 : Middle Cold War Advancement (AD1970 to 1980)

      75 to 125 : Early Developing Stage Last Periods of Cold War Advancement (AD1980 to 1990)

      125 to 250 : Post Cold War Tech
      (AD 1990 to 2000)

      250 to 400 : Early Modern Era
      (AD 2000 to 2010)

      400 to 650 : Modern Era
      (AD 2010 to 2020)

      650 to ∞ : Future Tech
      (AD 2020 to 2060s)

  • Economic Output
    For nations having 1.5 billion+ population (considered 1.5 billion irp), the new economic output rates are as follows-

    Economy is considered here.

  • 10-20= 10 trillion currency of nation

  • 20-30= 15 trillion currency of nation

  • 30-40= 20 trillion currency of nation

  • 50-60= 40 trillion currency of nation

  • 70-80= 55 trillion currency of nation

  • 80-90= 85 trillion currency of nation

  • 90-95= 115 trillion currency of nation

  • 95-100= 150 trillion currency of nation

  • 100-100.1= 155 trillion currency of nation

  • 100.1-100.2= 160 trillion currency of nation

  • 100.3-100.4= 165 trillion currency of nation

  • 100.4-100.5= 170 trillion currency of nation

    This economic output continues for 2 months and is renewed again by RP team through means of Official dispatch.

  • Human Development Index : As determined in page=list_nations/region=india?censusid=68 . It determines the development of a nation.

    • 0-25 : Dystopian (Barbaric)

    • 26-50 : Underdeveloped

    • 51-80 : Under Development

    • 81-100 : Utopian (Alpha Nation)

  • Arms Manufacturing

    • Arms manufacturing depends on the stat here: page=list_nations/region=india?censusid=16

    • 0-500 - Rifles only

    • 500-3000 - all form of assault rifles along with semi machine guns.
      Along with Light tank, Medium Tank and Armoured Personnel Carriers with respect to their advancement.
      Field guns and Howitzers are also allowed.

    • 3000-9000- Along with previously mentioned capabilities all types of First Generation Tanks such as Centurion, T-54, M47 Patton, T-55, Type-69 and Type-61 are allowed.
      Repeating, semi-automatic, and automatic firearms are allowed as well. (Restricted with respect to the advancements)

    • 9000-18000-Military Transport Planes, Military Fighter Planes, Military Maritime Patrol Planes, Military Bombers are allowed with respect to the advancement. All forms of firearms are allowed.
      Main Battle Tanks, Heavy Tanks along with Tank destroyers are permitted.

    • 18000-28000- Manufacturing of Conventional guided missiles(If permitted by the nation's scientific advancement) Air to Air, Air to Surface, Anti-ship missiles are permitted. Tactical Ballistic Missiles and cruise missiles are permitted. Military Reconnaissance and surveillance planes, Mutirole Planes and Airborne troop carriers are permitted.
      Note: Drones will not be permitted if your advancement is low than 2010s era. U-2 spy planes are allowed if Cold war tech from 60s are allowed.
      Cruiser Tanks along with Infantry Tanks and Seld Propelled Artillery and MLRs are unlocked for the usage.

    • 28000-40000- All techs in Aircraft is permitted along with Self Propelled Mortars and Tankettes. All forms of Anti Aircraft Weapons are unlocked. All forms of Aircraft till High Altitude aviation Bombers are unlocked. All types of Missiles are permitted.
      Production of Nuclear Warheads are allowed.

    • 40000-infinity: All Modern Tech Weapons are allowed along with future tech (if unlocked, future tech extends to Seventh Gen fighters.)

      NOTE: All the possible manufacturing would be restricted if your nation doesn't have the necessary tech to do so.
      Example: Indusse- High Arms Manufacturing Industry but Low Advancement (below 100)
      This means that Indusse can only produce Flint lock muskets on domestic licenses but can manufacture high grade weapons if the Industry partners with Foreign Nation with High scientific advancements.

  • Geography, Climate, & Location : All of these should be mentioned in factbooks, only if one desires to RP with these factors. Location is relatively important, with respect to other roleplaying nations.

  • Policies :

    • Policies is the latest feature introduced in NS gameplay, which helps us track landmark decisions that have major repercussions on the nation. The policies are also dependent on issue choices, like NS stats, but are different from the stats themselves. They are just characteristics of one's nation, so there is no "superior or inferior policy". Policies just present a players opinions and nation preferences.

    • The number of policies available is limited. So a few factors may not have appropriate policies. For instance, one may have a custom designed government type, but policies mainly cater to various democracies, monarchies, and dictatorships. So such policies may also be modified with proper explanations by factbooks and then used for the roleplay.



  • Actual Interaction

    This entails the actual roleplay, consisting of news posts, transnational communication, & such. The following should be followed to increase the engagement of the roleplay :
    • Consent - If one nation wants to post the results of an incident/exercise/decision/war, or anything which involves other nations, then that nation will have to take their consent before posting details regarding them. For instance, if a nation at war with another wants to destroy an enemy carrier, then it will have to take the other nation's consent (telegram) before posting.

    • Timeline - This concept comes in useful when multiple nations are involved in crucial parts of a plot. The owner of the host nation in which the plot is ongoing, or the plot creator are ideally the timeline controllers. All others should take their Consent before altering times, but consent of other participants may also be required.
      So one can't just say, "15 days later" when others still want to continue in the current time era.

    • Realism - Care should be taken to ensure that realism is always maintained in all scenarios. For instance, an "extremely brave" coast guard ship can't defeat a destroyer untill coupled with weapons of equivalent strength. Official exchanges and responses of nations should be appropriately worded. Don't say "You can defeat me only in your dreams" while in character. All RMB roleplay should compulsorily use NS stats as mentioned above, for uniformity's sake.

    • Foreign Interaction - Nations are allowed to RP about any foreign power if they are a alternative account, if they gave the permission to do so.


    Role-Playing Rules

    Here are the RP Rules, put in place to ensure that the RP is of greatest quality and no members are discouraged to RP because of violations of these rules:
    • 1. Respect the Language of The RP!

      Respect the language used to RP. Proper grammar, spelling and punctuation in said language will make it easier for the other person to understand, while also making the RP more interesting to read.

    • 2. No Short-Burst or One-Liners!

      Do not launch short-burst and/or one-liners as replies to people when RPing. Try to keep your messages balanced, with multiple paragraphs of reply and actual content in them. Short-burst posts, essays, and just posts without content, will discourage people from RPing with you or RPing entirely, whichever might be the case, you will still get a visit from a mod if you do so.

      Some might try to sneak this by having some sort of passionate speech, with a single line of actual RP inside of it. This, too is to banned. Please, try to actually write more.Quality RP should be moderately long, with at least two to three detailed paragraphs and containing actual valuable information.

      *Personal note: I've seen two types of RP flying around. I personally call them the 'Informative' and the 'Story' type RPs. Informative RPs look more like news broadcasts than anything. They contain important, but very general ideas regarding larger things, such as nations, armies or entire worlds. Informative RPs usually care the date, a minor title and the location where they are taking place. Story RP, on the other hand, details individual characters and their personal experiences of the world. Story RPs typically have titles that are related to the story, in some way or the other, and reveal the time and location through hints and minor details. I approve and support both, but would like to see more 'Story' RPs floating around.

    • 3. No Godmoding or Metagaming

      Godmoding is when a nation will either;

      A. Control the other player's assets without permission,

      B. Perform actions which leave no option for the other player to reply.

      C. Create a character/object/entity that is either invincible or is good at everything. For example; A character that is simply too perfect and invincible, a Mary Sue. A combat vehicle that is completely invincible to everything thrown at it. A couch being able to withstand direct hits from tactical nuclear missiles, a single man being able to defeat entire legions of soldiers, etc....

      Contrary to what some may believe, major lore characters can and will die. But not by utter stupidity. Yes, you can lose your armies, your government, those characters you spent years working on and even your entire nation. Again, the RP is not about winning, losing, or staying at the top, it is about writing engaging and fun stories. Sure, it might be sad to lose something you worked hard for, but you're not the only one. Yes, people can launch military offensives into your nation and start rebellions, if they respect your nation and its lore.

      Metagaming is when one player uses out of character information against another player in RP events. For example, even if someone gives out critical information on or off-site, it must still be RPed how you found out said information

    • 4. Respect The Setting!

      Respect the setting of our world, respect our story, respect the timeline and our limits or get out! Fortunately, our timeline is very forgiving. One can have a nation of any kind, Past-Tech, Modern-Tech, Post-Modern tech, and Far-Future tech are all allowed to different nations. Any tech is plausible if you can find a valid explanation for it. As of right now, most of our RP is centered either towards the Post-Apocalyptic and Post-Modern location of Terra or the dreamlike scape of the Far Future in Space. Both sides get equal attention and both sides mustn't be neglected for our RP to keep going.

    • 5. Write things that actually make sense!

      Sometimes, certain people tend to write things which make absolutely no sense. This only touches in small measure on scientific errors, as those can be forgiven if fleshed out and detailed, to hold at least some form of realism. No, what this is about are certain RP actions that make zero sense. Do you think someone could blow up the White House today and tomorrow walk on the street without care? If the answer to that is no, then put some effort into writing things that actually make sense. More often than not, there are entire military campaigns or national decisions that lack any logic behind them.

    • 6. Regarding less than orthodox things....

      Any lewd/sexual/ecchi/whateveryoucallit RP is a straight up no. Light touching or Romance (eg: hugging, kissing, holding hands) is fine, but anything besides that is strictly outlawed, unless done in private. Even then, it is against the Nation States terms-of-service to engage in any sexual-themed RP or to distribute any form of pornography. Erotic Roleplay is strictly prohibited.

      Regarding other subjects, such as violence or horror, those can be publicly displayed on the RMB. Nobody will say anything about a limb blown off, a bullet wound, a stab, some form of execution or even full on decapitation or evisceration. But anything that goes beyond normal limits, such as extreme violence (torture) or extreme forms of horror (body horror) should be put in spoilers, with warnings regarding the content.

    • Ideological Conflicts

      Any nation belonging to any ideologies which are approved and permitted by the Nationstates Moderators are allowed to join the region and RP. No one is allowed to disintegrate the regional relative connectivity (Inter-relation) by going against a particular Ideology and threatening them to hell. Religious discrimination and disintegration is prohibited. Nazism as NS Mods have banned is strictly prohibited.

    • Genocide Simulation
      Giving brief description of genocide in RolePlay is not allowed. Short and less violent descriptions are allowed for the same. For example, "The government decided to arrest/declare death sentenence to all the communists" is allowed. The statement, "The government decided to cut xyz body part of the communists and throw them into the river" is not allowed.


    The Security Council
    The most powerful nations of India militarily and economically will be in the security council as per census and ranks. The top 7 Defense Forces will get a seat(those who are active and in RP only, those who are inactive and not in RP won't be considered), the top 5 Defense Forces have the power to veto but only if they all veto together, only then the veto can work if single one vetoes, it won't be considered. If a nation has been declared war on it can immediately go to the Security Council and request an emergency session. The session will start immediately with whatever nations present at that time, and it shall consider the wrongdoings of both nations and then take action. Actions by Security Council may include diplomatic arm wrenching, military blockades, military invasions, economic sanctions and so on. If a bill passes, the Security Council Members without arguing are supposed to go to war or whatever action they have decided. Even if they don't go to war(reasons like being diplomatic etc), they need to send a certain amount of funds to the War funds committee, and support the war and call out the oppressor in order to make the region a safer place.

    The Security Council will consist of the most powerful nations in the region- both militarily and economically. The Security Council has many powers such as to impose sanctions, go to war and so on. The most powerful nations of India militarily and economically will be in the security council as per census and ranks. The top 5 Defense Forces will get a seat(those who are active and in RP only, those who are inactive and not in RP won't be considered), the top 5 economies (same only the ones who RP will be considered) also get permanent membership. If a nation has been declared war on it can immediately go to the Security Council and request an emergency session. The session will start immediately with whatever nations present at that time, and it shall consider the wrongdoings of both nations and then take action. Actions by Security Council may include diplomatic arm wrenching, military blockades, military invasions, economic sanctions and so on. If a bill passes, the Security Council Members without arguing are supposed to go to war or whatever action they have decided. Even if they don't go to war(reasons like being diplomatic etc), they need to send a certain amount of funds to the War funds committee, and support the war and call out the oppressor in order to make the region a safer place. The Security Council may also elect 5 non permanent members who get terms limits as set by the council, like 2 months, 4 months and 6 months. Term extension can be requested.


    Casus Belli

    An act or situation that provokes or justifies a war. A reason for war.

    Formal War-

    This is the first Casus Belli you can use to justify a war. A Formal War differs from Surprise War not because of any moral justification, but because it comes with a warning: it can only be declared after some diplomatic incidents (such as denouncing or being denounced by another leader, or having a leader break a promise that he or she made to you), and as such comes as no surprise to any party.

    Liberation War-

    It is used to declare war on a power that has captured a city from one of your friends or allies. Declaring war in such case is seen as justified in any time; as long as you restrict your conquering activities and liberate the captured cities to their original owners. This acts as a retaliatory war of some sort; if you have a strong ally that has been weakened, then you can use this to help them get back on their feet.

    Reconquest War-

    It is very similar to a Liberation War, but this time it relates to your own cities - as long as you declare war on the power that has captured one (or more) of your cities, and you do not capture any other cities. This can also be used as a form of retaliation, or a way of justifying the reentering of a war that ended previously.

    War for Territorial Expansion-

    It is used to declare war on a power that borders your empire, and in whose lands you wish to expand. As the name suggests, this will be used to expand your empire when things start to get crowded, and can also be incredibly useful in domination games.
    War of Retribution-

    It is another kind of 'revenge' war, which can be declared on a power that has broken a promise that was made to you within the last 30 days. Although an enemy may have broken his promise to you, this does not entitle you to burn their cities to the ground in revenge.

    Ideological War(Cold War)-

    It is used to declare war on a power with a different government: since all governments represent a different Ideology, other leaders see a (somewhat) noble purpose in your declaration and are able to condone it. The war in itself may be similar to cold war(not open all out war) or may be open and all out war.

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