Seref Games

The year is 1957. In seven short years, the world has changed radically since the end of World War Two.

The Socialist Republic of Iran emerges from self-isolation following a coup which brought socialist thought to the Iranian people. In Africa, Victorian senators are arrested and summarily executed for high treason.

Wars began and ended quickly in North America, Asia and Africa, as the Socialist Republics of America suffered a crushing tactical defeat near Columbia, Maryland only to be saved at the last second by Victorian troops. The XIVth Army Clique in Asia decimated a so-called “bandit faction” in a short and brutal fight. Romanian troops, after a four year long campaign, finally succeed in annexing Moldova.

The world fears the reign of Queen Catharine of Victoria, assigning a variety of dramatic nicknames such as “Purifier” and “Fireborn” upon her. The Queen’s hair-trigger temperament and penchant for fire-based bombing attacks on enemy cities and imprisoned politicians alike draws harsh criticism from Korea and only mild protests from the Socialist Republics of America.

As 1957 comes to a close and 1958 begins, there is an uneasy alliance between East and West in the Socialist Republics of America and Victoria. Grand designs in Atlanta claim the entirety of the continental United States as belonging to them, while Korean politicians begin a soft war at home. The post-war world is still young, but far from decided.


World Map, December 1957

In 1958, the world seems to be in turmoil.

Morocco emerges from quarantine to establish itself as a regional player, with conquest-filled eyes set to the south towards the old city of Marrakesh.

In North America, 1958 saw the election of President Peter Marsden in the Socialist Republics of America, whose policy of isolationism and spurning of Victorian Queen Catharine quickly causes a crisis of foreign affairs. Escalating tensions between the two nations are only calmed when President Marsden is assassinated on April 6th. The SRA also continues its "reunification" campaign, destroying the remains of a republic in the state of New York with ease, working to eliminate the German Flu which is also present on Long Island.

In Europe, the Romanian Civil War begins. Fascist loyalists clash with a coalition of democratic-aligned militias and military units, each side sending envoys to world powers to seek assistance in arms, training and direct action. Korea and China both have begun supporting the self-styled Democrats openly, while Victorian fighter jets have been spotted flying Fascist colors. The SRA, still reeling from the effects of President Marsden's isolationism policy, only sends arms and a token representative to wait out the results of the civil war.

In Asia, the XIVth Army Clique reorganizes itself into the Republic of China, flying high a pre-war banner to cull legitimacy to a fractured, often tenuously aligned government. Iran invades its neighbor, unifying the region under one banner once again.

But, the threat of the German Flu remains ever-present. Iran, China, Victoria, Romania and the SRA all have outbreaks to deal with, prompting Victoria to declare a no-fly zone over the affected Iranian province in order to contain the Flu, while Fascist Romania is too busy fighting the Democrats to take action. China, Victoria and the SRA each initiate quarantines and education campaigns to stop the disease from spreading. Victoria, fed up with Romanian inaction, destroys the Romanian town of Pryamobalka and declares the burned remains the "Victorian Administered Clean Zone."

Tension, unrest, and disease all wrack the world. 1958 has proven to be a dramatic year in both global politics and domestic issues. Will the world descend into chaos once more as the 50s end, or will a hegemonic order seize initiative and contain the madness?


World map, 1958

In 1959, the world is still reeling from the effects of war, the German Flu, and political games.

The Ahsa Confederation emerges from quarantine to establish itself as a regional player, with plenty of oil - and rifles - to show for it.

The Romanian Civil War continues to rage. A joint Victorian-SRA intervention force lands near Moldova, clashing in a pitched battle with Fascist Romanian forces in a hard-fought battle that leaves both sides heavily wounded and unable to continue fighting. For Democratic Romania, this seems a benefit, as nearly all Fascist forces attempting to contest the landing were either destroyed or damaged beyond repair.

In Asia, the Republic of China intervenes in the neighboring Republic of Zhejiang as a coup overthrows a legitimately elected government. Diplomatic protests turn to open warfare as the Republic of Zhejiang's new administration outright annihilates the Republic of China's intervention force, prompting a full-scale invasion. Wounded and fighting hard, the Republic of Zhejiang evacuates to its island stronghold of Taiwan and abandons the mainland to the Republic of China. Out at sea, RoC-flagged cargo ships begin to mysteriously sink.

As the decade draws to a close, one thing is certain - warfare will continue to dominate the world for years to come.


World Map, 1959

In 1960, the chaos of the previous decade is only broken by small glimmers of peace.

In North America, the SRA finishes its race to secure the northeastern seaboard and cuts off any hope of outside reinforcement for landlocked North American republics that hold claim to the American legacy. The implication is clear worldwide as the New England Confederation is destroyed - Atlanta will own all of the continental United States, even if it must stand upon a pile of ashes.

In Romania, the civil war ends after a brutal four years, resulting in the total collapse of the Romanian fascists as the fascist leader, Horia Sima, is captured by American airborne troops. A peace conference to determine Romania's future is quickly called, and the sidelined Romanians play party to Victorian, American, Korean and Chinese politics as debates over communism, Moldova's status, and the punishment to be levied upon Horia Sima is decided. Unfortunately for Romania, which sought sovereignty over its foreign benefactors, it appears that intervening nations such as China, Victoria and the SRA will have hold over the nation for years to come. Perhaps more disturbingly, an already fragile Romanian democracy is undercut by the fact it cannot bring the largest criminal facing it to trial, forced to accept brutal Victorian justice for the fascist's crimes.

Nearly two decades have passed since the world was irreversibly changed forever. Will war end as the sixties begin, or will a new age of chaos and warfare run amok?


World Map, 1960

In 1961, the world seems to be even more chaotic than ever.

In North America, the SRA begins a new task - securing the frontier like their forefathers did. The small Midwest Republic is quickly overwhelmed in a brutal war that does not take long to be over. The city of Rockford, Illinois is razed to the ground on orders of an overenthusiastic SRA general when the German Flu is found to be raging unchecked.

In Europe, chaos seems to be the order of the day. As the last hours of the year dwindle down, the French Republic and neighboring French Commune go to war, with each blaming the other for firing the first shot. West Turkey is undergoing a violent coup, which the coup forces appear to be winning. The Korean-led United Nations clearly has its first serious challenge to its authority lying just in front of it as the halls of diplomats everywhere convince and cajole one another to either support one side, or prevent an intervention.

It seems only that Africa, Asia and South America remain quiet. The Old World and North American frontiers continue to be ravaged by warfare and unchecked destruction. It remains to be seen whether Victoria, lying in wait to deliver Judgment upon anyone unlucky enough to incur their wrath, or Korean-led peacekeepers, intend to do anything to disrupt this uneasy calm.


World Map, 1961

In 1962, the world is in fear.

Fear of Victoria. Fear of China. Fear of war.

In Asia, the new year brings the deadliest war seen in existence. The Socialist Republic of Vietnam and Republic of Zhejiang undertake a surprise attack on the Republic of China, with Communist Chinese troops intervening as the war kicks off. For a moment, it seems that the Republicans may be under threat and their foes succeed - after all, Chinese forces in two different parts of the country are wiped out almost immediately, and with historical ideological rivals joining the fray, it seems less like a war borne out of revanchism and more another chapter in the Chinese Civil War. For a moment, both statements are true. However, direct Korean and Victorian intervention leads to the successful defense of the Republic of China, as American carriers and destroyers watch from off-shore as the enemy navies are decimated and forced to scuttle.

In response to the dastardly attack, Victoria and China completely raze the island of Taiwan. The loss of human life is incalculable. Nothing remains of the island beyond black, charred remains of whatever was unfortunate enough to have existed there and a handful of confused survivors wondering where it all went wrong. Following the declaration of peace and the Communist Chinese withdrawal from Republican territory, Taiwan is turned into a joint administrative zone split between Victoria, the Republic of China, and Korea.

In Europe, coups and wars continue to rage. The Free Provinces of Ireland rise up from their autocratic chains following the increasingly disgraceful acts of Irish autocrats abroad. Macedonia and Bulgaria engage in a five-month long war over gun smuggling debates that ends in status quo. A coup in West Turkey is ruthlessly crushed by Victoria and Romania before it can even get off the ground.

In Africa, not much else changes. The Congo goes to war once more over water. Tabora is invaded by Victoria and the SRA for their failure to contain the German Flu, and though young King Atieno abdicates his throne in exchange for Victorian assistance, a pretender soon rises and openly engages the incoming foreigners in combat.

Meanwhile in the United States, the SRA rebuilds and rearms, planning to expand westward once more. The Riverboat Parishes, a reawakening of The Gulf from 1955, emerges once again as a world power. Whether there will be continued cooperation or not remains to be seen.


World Map, 1962

In 1963, there is a hope for peace, albeit slim.

The invaders come under the banners of the United Nations and WHIP, not to mention the flags of nations themselves with no pretense of working for an international organization.

In Asia, a WHIP mandate gives the major Chinese republics carte blanche to invade the tiny republic of Shanxi under the mission of ending the spread of the German Flu. The Chinese republics, using their own methods and instilling their new ideals, overwhelm the small warlord state within mere weeks. For now, the Republic of China and People's Republic of China expanded once again, a new border arriving that would have to be watched and surveyed.

In Africa, a similar WHIP mandate leads to Victoria the Socialist Republics of America crossing the border to Tabora. King Atieno al Tabora willingly cedes his land and his crown in exchange for Victorian assistance, though the military does not take kindly to this and a coup is triggered. A new King declares himself from the military ranks, a pretender that SRA Marines and Victorian soldiers crush without question. King Atieno is married to Queen Catharine a few months later in a ceremony that sees the pretender burned alive as they quite literally dance upon his ashes.

In North America, the Socialist Republics of America advances even further westward. Cree is invaded and annexed, with these states added to the Socialist Republics forthwith. Rebuilding begins immediately, especially as the Socialists look even further west to Montana.

Kazakhstan pleads to the United Nations for assistance, seeking assistance to quell violence from non-government militias that each seek to further their own goals ahead of the national Kazakh elections. Ireland, the SRA, China, Korea, Victoria and Iran all pledge troops, not to mention the minor nations involved. The UN pledge for assistance is mostly innocent in the beginning, securing cities and providing security for convoys, however as more and more forces become involved, the mission breaks down. The War Brides, for example, an all-female motorcycle gang made up of soldier's wives and widows, are given legitimacy from Victoria as they prop the War Brides up as House Kazakhstan. American troops are shelled by Victorian troops in a friendly fire incident. Victorian soldiers are ambushed by Kazakh highway patrol and slaughtered. German troops find themselves besieged in Orel. Weapons shipments run unfettered, despite Korean and Chinese efforts to curtail them. Communist, fascist and anarchist forces are in conflict with one another almost daily. Eventually though, the elections are concluded, with the now legitimate War Brides taking control. A report is published following the UN withdrawal that charges various nations with acting inappropriately in Kazakhstan, though what will come of this is unclear.

Almost as a footnote, the United Kingdom finds itself under sea and air invasion by the Irish and Victorians. The Blitz has come again, nearly thirty years later.


World Map, 1963

In 1964, the world sees radical changes in borders and general security.

In Europe, the French Civil War ends after three years of bitter fighting to the tune of the French Commune claiming victory over their Republican foes. The former Republicans are incorporated into the Commune with heavy Victorian assistance ensuring that the two sides do not grind each other into dust. Once again, France is whole, but how long it will remain this way is yet to be seen. Meanwhile, the Irish, Iranian and British navies clash with one another in the Irish Sea, while Victorian and American troops occupy England and seize the Royal Family. The British surrender weeks later, and a negotiated settlement leads to Ireland annexing Scotland, Wales and England into their country.

In Asia, the Kingdom of India invades its neighbors as the King of India seeks to expand his titles and unify the Indian subcontinent. With implicit Victorian backing, the Kingdom annexes the Punjab Federation and People's Republic of India, the latter of which had support from the Socialist Republics of America. Taiwan is rumored to be a haven for spy games much like the city of Lisbon in World War II. Meanwhile, Soviet and American forces arrive en mass to the People's Republic of China, ostensibly for peaceful purposes. Likewise, a WHIP mandate means that the Victorians soon follow, establishing their own base in the PRC's outbreak zone near the PRC-ROC border.

In North America, American boys and girls head overseas to fight in France and England, and then come back home to an uncertain future. War is rapidly approaching as Victorian troops establish bases in Washington DC and Kansas, and many fear their draft cards will demand they go to war against the Rocky Mountain Confederation. Even more fear dying overseas for a seemingly pointless intervention, or arriving so late their job amounts to garrison duty.

Tension is rising heading into 1965. A quarter of a century after a world war and plague ravaged the world, it seems little has been learned, and a third world war is on the way.


World Map, 1964

In 1965, warfare reigns as the primary means of diplomacy.

North America finds itself the nexus of warfare, between the Socialist Republics of America crossing into the Rocky Mountains Confederation with the backing of its Victorian and Irish allies and a brief but violent Mexican Civil War that finds the Mexican Empire invading the neighboring Sonora Federation just to have its gains cut short by a Cascadian intervention. While brief, the Mexican Civil War ends this year in status quo with the Empire licking its wounds and vowing revenge on a victorious Cascadia, and the Sonora Federation survives another day.

In contrast, fighting across the Old American West is brutal and long. Rocky Mountain troops retreat from New Mexico, Arizona, Colorado and Utah to consolidate in Las Vegas and Salt Lake City, while the Socialist Republics Army rampages across Montana unchecked. The SRA manages to encircle six Rocky Mountain divisions at Idaho Falls and subsequently annihilates the pocket, shattering confidence in holding Idaho for much longer as Irish forces marshal in preparation to assault Las Vegas.

Meanwhile, in the Arabian Sea, the tiny kingdom of Oman experiences a violent revolution, with its monarch deposed of in the dead of night by communist revolutionaries. The King of India, incensed by the slaughter of his brother-in-law, vows to restore the rightful monarchy in the name of his fallen family and dispatches his navy to destroy the upstart revolutionaries. Despite being outgunned, the plucky Omani navy manages to hold on as Iran intervenes on their behalf and declares a no-fly zone. Victoria rejects the no-fly zone and joins the conflict to keep vital trade with Kuwait open, now heavily affected by the conflict. A Victorian-marked civilian airliner is impounded at an Iranian airport for violating the no-fly zone, triggering a horrific retribution. Within hours of the impounding, Iran is attacked with overwhelming Victorian might, annihilating their military and industry in a blazing inferno. The naval war goes no better – the Omani navy is sunk by Victorian submarines, prompting a surrender as Iran desperately turns to rebuilding.

Africa, Europe and South America remain conflict-free, though consternation over borders and growing Soviet and American presence in the People’s Republic of China sets the stage for a future war. The Chinese Civil War may have been paused following the destruction of the Republic of Zhejiang in 1962, but the suspicion, mistrust, and paranoia have not dissipated in the intervening years.

For the world, the only positive spot of hope is the semi-regular tank biathlon, which sees battle and ideology put aside to show off the latest and greatest of tank technology, and obtain bragging rights. This year, the Mexican Empire wins the gold, beating long-standing favorites in China and Romania and – yet again – destroying the American’s dreams of hosting the next biathlon.

Halfway through the decade, and little has changed. Petty kings and radical revolutionaries still fight for dominance, and as the world’s technology advances, the only constant is fear of Victorian Judgment and SRA invasion.


World Map, 1965

In 1966, the world continues to see war and unrest.

In this year, Asia is the hotbed of violence. The Chinese Civil War reaches its bloody and inevitable conclusion as the Republic of China invades the People's Republic of China in early March, with Soviet troops supporting the Communist republic. American Marines, previously a landmark in the PRC, withdraw upon seeing the grand coalition of Korea, Victoria and the RoC engaging against the Communists. During the first two weeks of the war, the Communist government launches a deadly chemical weapon attack on advancing Republican forces in southern Jiangsu. Incensed, the Republicans and Victoria enact their own versions of Judgment on the Communists, with Victoria firebombing the ancient city of Beijing and the Republicans smashing their way through shattered and broken Communist lines. By the end of March, the Chinese Communists had been defeated in detail and the Soviet government was negotiating for the return of their remaining soldiers.

Of course, the assassinations that wracked Communist governments did not go unnoticed, either. The Soviet government faced a fascist uprising aimed against Moscow. The Croatian Chairwoman was shot in a daring daytime assassination. Liberia, Belgium, Turkmen SSR, Lesotho, Brazil and Egypt all faced various attempted assassins and bombings of crucial infrastructure, each with varying results. For Bangladesh however, the attempted assassination sparked a four-way civil war.

Bangladesh had kept its people oppressed and under lockdown for years, fearful of the right man in the wrong place. A chaotic world turned even more chaotic when insurgent groups rose up to engage in a deadly war of liberation. In April, roving bands of anarchists, monarchist pretenders, and idealized social democrats took up arms against the Communist government, each seizing land for their own gains and working to install themselves as the rightful government. The first signs of trouble were the arms shipments that caused fighting to drag on, and then the chaos of an Indian invasion that carried with it charges of war crimes, which the Indians vehemently denied. Investigations led one way, and ultimately Victoria intervened with its Covenant, an alliance of loosely-aligned nations who only had Victoria's backing as their unifying motif. Victorian airplanes did what Victorian airplanes always do, destroy everything that didn't belong to those they backed.

With a horrific loss to the anarchists, Indian troops withdrew, taking their navy with them. Unknown submarines - reportedly Iranian - sinks the remnants of the Royal Indian Navy. Iranian airpower commits to Bangladesh to assist the Communist government, and despite ignored warnings from Victoria to back off, the Bangladeshi Civil War expands into the Iranian-Covenant War. Iranian units in Bangladesh are decimated, while Iranian troops cross into Kuwait and engage with the Kuwaiti, Turkish and Mozambican forces there. American submarines ambush Iranian ships near the Strait of Hormuz, and a short naval battle ensues near Bangladeshi waters.

By the end of 1966, the assassination of the Indian prince Dasra Karamchand almost seems like an afterthought. The calls for restraint in the UN are drowned out by the shocking actions of the Iranians, between dragging in the body of a supposed assassin to the suicide of the Iranian representative.

1967 is arriving, with an unclear future ahead as the Iranian-Covenant War progresses beyond the year. One wonders if the last years of the decade will end in ruin just like the one that sent the world into an unrivaled spiral.


World Map, 1966