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From Unofficial Handbook of the Virtue Universe

Nation is a heavy RP casual bureaucracy Villain Group, curently encompassing the in-game groups "Nation" and "Nation - Habitation". It is theme-set on an idea of 'Mutant Supremacy' while claiming to be heroic and patriotic, of setting themselves apart from humanity, in order to prevent a war that the populace is waiting for with sharpened knives. Racism, intolerance, and abuse are rampant in the VG, yet layered with sophisticated question; wither morality? The insidious nature of a supremacist state are slowly realised; social evolution in action, Nation can be at its finest the logical extension of a Saganesque ideal; and at its worst, the messianic ramblings of a sadistic madman.

And for the Evolved, it is somewhere to Be.

Nation Cultural Guide -OR- How to Live Life amongst the Evolved (Chapter 1)
Scenes from the Nation movie
Dealing with the World: Grand Unification and the Theory of Alpha-Radiance
A Glossary of Terms

[edit] Agony's Words at the Founding of Nation

Semper Evolution! We are a nation of the evolved, and all The World belongs to us.

We are, each of us, Evolved. Each of us more different from the common mass of humanity than each human is from their ape forebears. We are not mutants. A mutation is an aberration, a glitch in the evolutionary computer as it calculates the perfect being. We are one step closer to perfection, we are Evolved. Our inherent differences set us apart, and above, common man. They make us Homo Superior. Homo Sapiens fears their successor, they see our power and they seek to control us. In America, home of the free, they write special laws, laws to govern only us, laws that require us to be licensed to live. How can this be just? How can this be fair, and equal? If they will write laws specifically for the Evolved, then I say their laws were never written for us to begin with. They say there can be no governance without representation. I see no Evolved in the cabinet, writing laws for our people. I see only the fearful sheep stampeding to the horn of the oppressive majority, pushing us ever downward, seeking to grind us and bind us until we are no more than slaves wielding our power for them.

NO MORE! We are the Evolved, and the time has come for us to write our own laws... to govern ourselves as we see fit, as Darwin observed and Nature intended. To this end I have launched Nation, where our people are free, and where we will live as an example, above The World, until the time has come for us to take back what was stolen from us. This day we are one people. This day, every Evolved is free, and we need only bring them home.

-Black Agony, October 1st, 2005

[edit] The Laws

"Know what you can do an' do it. Don' take any shit. Don' screw with other Evolved; screw ev'ryone else."
"A very efficient summary."

- Hoi Polloi and Eisregen

[edit] The First Law - Darwin's Law

We are each stronger than any Homo Sapiens. We are not the random mutation, the spurred aberration of happy chance, but the deliberate attempt by Nature to perfect the most advanced being in her sway. To call us mutations is to belittle the destiny each of us possesses. Reserve this word, 'mutant', to apply to those who Nature has left to chance, the non-viable, the infirm, the incapable. Let these mutants serve as plebes, their loyalty questioned, their status without merit. Let them be no more than the mass of humanity from which they seep, and their fate will lie with the fate of billions, forgotten in the dust. As we are neither mutations, nor Homo Sapien, but correctly named Homo Superior, we shall write our own laws, and the First is the law of Darwin. To the strongest goes the first share, to the leader goes the glory. As each of us contribute, each will rise or fall, separated by strength, drive, and ability. Some are born more fit than others, and not all are created equal. Let differences be settled by right of trial, adjudged by the greater. Let our enemies be crushed by the might of destiny.

Amend - Charisma is a talent. Where a champion speaks, and fights, those perceived weaker are proved more powerful.

[edit] Explanation

Evolved are born into power, and have the right to use that power, just as they have the responsibility to use that power well. Knowing what you can do, knowing how it can be useful, and improving upon yourself are all proud ideals and are to be embraced.

People are not born equal in the eyes of the world; Nation knows this. Evolved are better than homosapeins and so should be content, nay, eager, to set themselves apart from them.

One's abilities, gifts of Evolution, are not the sum of our being, however - and skill is just as important. The means to sway a crowd, craft a home, or bake a cake are just as useful and deserving of respect as the capacity to tear apart the world.

Summary: Know what you can do, and be proud to do it.

[edit] The Second Law - The Law of Names

To each a name, not given but taken. Your name is your own, and no other may use it. To each who ascends to Nation a name is sacred. Mock not the names of others lest yours be mocked, and defend your name with all the powers it represents. Your name is your word, and your word your spirit, let no shadow fall on the names of the Evolved. To each who rises in the eyes of the Exarch, a second name is given, Priscus Brother or Sister, Archon Mother and Father, and your Lord or Lady, the Exarch over all.

[edit] Explanation

Evolved, as a trend do not use human names. Upon achieving Majority in Nation, an Evolved is given a ceremony during which they choose to name themselves. Some Evolved choose the name their parents gave them, which is no shame - after all, the freedom to change includes the freedom to not change.

Evolved are called upon to respect and protect their own names. This is not to say that nicknaming or the like cannot be done - indeed, many Evolved such as Auroral and Eisregen are quite content to hear their names shortened. However, the names that Nation's people use to address one another must be carried with respect.

The Rule of Names has often been interpreted legalistically - that is to say, if anyone dares to use a name that is not the 'true' name of the Evolved, they are violate and deserving of punishment. This is not the case; the Rule of Names is about respect for yourself. You do not allow others to use your name in a way that slanders it or marks it - and that includes lying and gossiping about you.

If you find an Evolved besmirching your name in some way or another, you have every right to challenge them about it, to bring an Archon's attention to the matter, and to have the affair settled. It is not inappropriate for an Archon to mete out punishment on the Evolved who does such a thing.

The most vital component here, however, is responsibility. You cannot demand respect when you have lost it, and you cannot demand to not be treated commensurate with how you treat others.

To give an example; if Evolved A murders another Evolved, he cannot challenge Evolved B for accusing him of murder and referring to him as a murderer. Evolved A has committed the act; he bears responsibility. He can, and should, however, enforce with every aspect of his being, the truth of the matter - and if Evolved B claims that Evolved A murdered someone else, then the matter is covered by the Rule of Names.

Finally, this law enumerates the ranks of Nation. Exarch is the leader, who is and has, as far as is known, always been Black Agony. A Priscus is an individual who has shown themselves to be a worthy example, an individual who embodies one of the Virtues in a proud and obvious manner. An Archon is an individual to whom falls some administrative duties, the work of an overseer.

Summary: Defend your reputation and take responsibility for your actions.

[edit] The Third Law - The Law of Blood

We are of different blood, but to those of us in whom blood flows, and to those that blood flows to, we hold pact and bond. The wellspring of our evolution, our mothers and brothers, children and friends, Nation stands open as haven and refuge. We recognize the Neutrals and friends of our species as Plebes of Nation, should they choose to accept our rule of law.

[edit] Explanation

Respect your fellow Evolved. They do not need to prove themselves to you. You do not need to prove yourself to them. We are family, and forgiveness and understanding are how we show it.

It is possible for another Evolved to lose your respect, and indeed, if they behave in a manner befitting a human, then it is completely understandable that you do so. However, you must give your respect to begin with, you must be willing to listen, and you must be willing to forgive.

Those unEvolved who an Evolved recognises as family are to be protected, and given Plebe status on Nation. This includes the family you were born to, the family you choose along the way (including your chosen partner/spouse), and the friends who are dear to you. This protection comes from the Citizen who claims them as family, and can be revoked by that Citizen.

Summary: Accord other Evolved respect, until they prove unworthy of it. Protect those loved by other Evolved - they, too, are part of the world we are building.

[edit] The Fourth Law - The Law of Power

"I got my powers the old fashioned way. I was born with them."

- Blackstar

Deny the Pretender his stolen power. No accident of fortune or theft of might grant the responsibility we as Evolved learn by laboring beneath the burdens of our talents. Defy the Interloper. Terra welcomes its sons and daughters, but those of other worlds deplete our resources and corrupt the Neutrals who already secretly despise us for our gifts; we must send them home. Destroy the Defiler. Those who bring magical force to bear against our world kill her by increments. Each spell and artifact brought forth strips a thimble from Terra's ocean of life, each relic and summons a bleeding wound on her face. Turn them away from their dark path, or destroy them. Suffer no witch to live.

[edit] Explanation

Pretenders are individuals who have engineered their own genes, who have claimed power from sources that are not natural in their origin. Malta troops, Council super-soldiers, and some Science-Origin characters are Pretenders.

Interlopers are extradimensional entities, creatures that come from other planes. These individuals have no right to this world, and therefore, they are to be resisted in positions of authority; they have their own world of which they can be proud, and if they have destroyed it, then they likely did not deserve it. Some definitions of this extend to Kheldians and other alien life forms.

Defilers are individuals whose magic is harmful to the world around them. While much lively debate on this matter flies around, the fact is, some mages are observably detrimental to the world around them. As examples, the magi of the Banished Pantheon and the Circle of Thorns are both actively harmful to life on earth.

It should be noted that the Rule Of Power is the most carefully interpreted Rule, and the most individualistic. Various schools of thought exist; some do not care for it at all and dismiss it as Agony's opinion. Others are willing to hear explanations, but demand proof. And some individuals follow Agony wholesale, believing his words without question.

Summary: Protect this world from people less worthy to have it.

[edit] Membership

[edit] Rumours

"Much has been made about the idea of nuclear proliferation; the fact is, you need nukes to be taken seriously as a country. America did not plan to secede whilst arming itself with sticks and stones - it would be the depth of foolishness to attempt what we are attempting with the faintest notion that we might not face nuclear retaliation purely because some nuclear nation or other could not abide the idea that they lose control over a resource. The curse of this is that, of course, the only effective countermeasure to nuclear firearms are other nuclear firearms. We are not here to end the world: But it is a sad fact of life that we must accomplish what we do with an olive branch in one hand, a sword in the other."

- River Daleson, Battlebriar, on the topic of Nation's nuclear armament

There is no horror in the bang, only in the anticipation of it.

- Alfred Hitchcock

Nation has been the subject of much speculation; from talk of mutant eugenics programs to talk of harbouring known Nazi war criminals. The fact is, Nation's people are utterly unabashed in this. Amongst their members, there is not much cause for secrecy and one might notice an almost callous disregard for privacy amongst the members of Nation.

Regardless, rumours fly thick and fast about the group and its members. Some have accused it of a near-religious state, with members Ihsan, Canvas, and Black Agony representing a terrifying kind of religious tryptich of Prophet, Martyr and Messiah. Within the ranks of Nation itself, however, is the now-renowned former Christian turned anti-theist, Battlebriar, whose vituperations have been almost famous on the topic of Religion.

• Talk has been made that Nation are attempting to engineer a mutant war, with Inevitable Evolution as a crucible, to try and winnow the weak from the strong.
• Mutant eugenics has been suggested as Nation's behest, claims that several of the members have been 'invented' genetically by Eisregen, one of the group's ancients.
• Claims have been made that Canvas has no mutation; she is merely a clever shapeshifter, designed to invoke sympathy, whose pain is all an act.
• Further, rumours whisper that Auroral is herself the power behind the throne, using her feminine wiles to control Nation from the head down.
• Rumours persist that, amongst the plants of Nation, there roam extremely small dinosaurs, roughly no more than six inches in height or length, enjoying a rebirth in a fulgent jungle. Ink Dyne or Battlebriar would likely be the best people to ask to verify this.
• A recent flurry of spaceflights launched by Prometheus Future Systems of Cap Au Diable over the past few weeks has created a great deal of conjecture among the aerospace and defense communities. Prometheus' CEO is none other than billionaire playboy David Smith, better known as Blackstar, a recent convert to Agony's cause. Speculation abounds that purpose of the spaceflights are to enhance Nation's orbital defenses or perhaps develop an asteroid mining venture.
• The recent violent falling out between Blackstar and Agony has been said to be just another ruse, a lie within a lie, to try and keep distance between the millionaire's earthbound stocks and investments, and his personal sentinments regarding Nation and mutant separatism.

[edit] OOC Goodness

If you wish to join Nation, feel free to contact any of its members by their characters or their global nicks. Try @Black Agony, @Canvas. Note that you are not likely to get a response - at this point in time, Nation has gone for a protacted period without any activity, courtesy of @Black Agony and @Canvas' real-life situation, and the social situation within the group.

All Citizens and higher can add to VG, all Archons and Agony can promote.