World War SR4, How could it happen? And more. Options

[Witness]

So I was chatting with a friend the other day (yes, there was alcohol involved) and the idea of post-2070 world war came up.

We didn't think it through all that much, beyond the fact that various megacorps might perhaps make a fortune off the arms race and that it might make for an interesting campaign setting, with shadowrunners doing all sorts of covert ops that contribute to such a war starting or ending, or help to forge or disrupt alliances. I guess it would the proper nation states that go at it, with some megas taking sides but others sitting in the middle like arms-dealing Switzerlands.

So I thought I'd throw the question up here for your ideas.

It's fairly easy to think of reasons why such a war could never happen (and I'm sure lots of people will post them), but... supposing it could and did- what might trigger it, what might the sides look like, what would a post-2070 world war look like, and what might happen?

[Ancient History]

Lofwyr burps and incinerates the Pope, blames it on Aden and starts Euro Wars 2.0.

[Witness]

It's always hard to tell if you're being serious! ;)

[Backgammon]

Well, the problem is that in SR, national governements are too weak to start big wars, except for a handful only. The strongest political entity is the Corporate Courts, followed by the Magas, then nations.

So since all the megas are basically on the same team, get struck down hard if they start too much trouble (an Omega Order can really ruin your day), and, most importantly, care only about profit, a starting a global war seems unlikely.

That being said, lets look at the exceptions:

Amazonia, Aztlan-Aztechnology.

Amazonia is currently (IMO) the world's strongest governement, in terms of unity. It could technically, forcing a bit the imagination here, call on some allies such as other Awakened nations like the Tirs.

Aztlan-Aztechnology very narrowly almost did cause a world war, since they are evil bastards and their first concern isn't profitability.


Soooo, if a world war started, these two would have something to do with it. Maybe Amazonia, Aztlan's eternal rival, gets wind of a serious Horror importing scheme the Azzies plan on undertaking with the notion of fuck subtility. They then run a pre-emptive strike. Massive destruction ensues. People are forced to take sides as the thing spirals out of control. And while at it, of course, old vendettas get settled under the excuse of 'helping out' their chosen allies.

Either that or a rogue AI launches all of the UCAS's nukes at various people, causing retaliation. Oh wait, that's Fallout.

[Cang]

Its easy to start a world war. Country 1 claims land from country 2 (1 my be lead by a crazy leader or not).. Country 3 supports country 2 in its defence (kinda like kuwait). Now country 4 supports country one in their claim of country 2s land. Then its a big ol' buddy country supporting the other, thinking of how they are going to split up their enemies land among themselves. A perfect thing would be like japan claiming back that meta indonesian island (the name escapes me) or Russia goes after their lost lands, UCAS goes after CAS or the NAN. Also remember that war can start with the silliest thing. Remember when President Fox of Mexico made that remark that mexicans are at least willing to work, unlike blacks. Well the US got really mad... with the right incentive and provocation, that could of been a war. :cyber:

[Witness]

Yeah I like your thinking Backgammon. I agree that would be the perfect 'seed' for a World War, and could easily spiral out of control as Cang suggests, though I struggle to think who would side with Aztlan.

[hyzmarca]

You just hire a Bosnian shadowrunner to kill an Austrian Prince.

[booklord]

The American Conflict
------------------------
Aztechnology launches several nukes into Amazonia. ( The nuclear attack was launched when unknown subversives seized control of the missile silos ) Amazonia launches a full invasion of Aztlan led by the Great Dragon Sirrurg. Chile, Argentina and the rest of South AMerica become involved in the conflict as Amazonia forces march across national borders to attack Aztechnology facilities throughout South America.

Japanese Imperial Marines return to Peru to defend the nation against Amazonia. Though Amazonia does not invade Peru, border conflicts are common and a number of paranormal-beasts wreak havok across the countryside.

Meanwhile the Pueblo nation having recently revoked Aztechnology's license to business there ( again ) moves to have NAN declare the nation and its corp as banned throughout NAN. Things are made worse when anti-Aztechnology protesters are massacred by outside an Aztechnology facility in Algonkian Manitoo as well as multiple terrorist attacks in Denver which are linked to the pro-Aztlan movement there. The other NAN nations are skeptical but agree to the ban due by considerable cash gifts from Pueblo. Aztechnology resists and NAN military forces forcibly evict the corp from NAN territory. This results severe border tension between Pueblo and Aztlan.

With Aztlan already reeling from its conflict with Amazonia, CAS moves to retake the parts of Texas which it lost. Peblo follows suit by "liberating" San Deigo. In a surprise move Pueblo offers to help Tir Tairngire with its financial problems if it should ally itself with Pueblo. Tir Tairngire joins the conflict.

President Colloton begins her mission to rescue Calfree by occupying San Franscio and Central Valley ( the above ground parts ) with UCAS Troops backed by Ares. ( and covertly by Aztechnology ) The troops are met with much enthusiasm by a public wracked by fear of the new Pueblo-Tir Tairngire alliance. An anti-occupation movement begins in Los Angellos and San Deigo against the Pueblo.


The European Conflict
--------------------------

The railroad link connecting Russia to Vladistock is destroyed at several key locations forcing Russia to commit to move large numbers of military assets to counter the Yakut. Oddly enough the Yakut weren't responsible for the railroad's destruction. But the awakened nation is quick to take advantage.

A islamic radical movement explodes across the middle east following multiple assassinations. ( including the Caliph of Arabia ) Following a series of terrorist attacks ( and a tip that a major terrorist group is about to launch a biological weapon attack ) Israel invades Beirut. The radical islamic movement becomes a full jihad.

The anti-Lowfyr alliance in Europe score their first major economic victory against Saeder Krupp stealing away one of its subsidiaries. Tensions run high in the shadows throughout Europe. And at the worst possible time, terrorist attacks hit multiple vital Saeder Krupp facilities. ( including the nuking of Saeder Krupp prime in Rhine RHur ) Initial evidence points to the anti-Lofwyr alliance and the dragon enraged orders bloody retribution. But evidence comes to light showing that an independent terrorist group was responsible. Anti-Lofwyr ( and in extenstion anti-Saeder Krupp ) rallies spread across Europe.

Saeder Krupp is now reeling from events in Russia, events in the Middle East, the initial economic hit from the anti-Lofwyr alliance ( most of whom are dead martyrs at this point ), the damage of the terrorist attacks, and now a publicity nightmare. The other European corps smell blood and begin stealing S-K subsidiaries and market share. Thus begins the great European Corp War.



The African Conflict
---------------------------

With much of the world embroiled in conflict, noone is able to act when a massive, awakened army emerges from the hidden jungles of Madagascar led by elves of tremendous magical skill. Moving at incredible speed and seemingly unstoppable the army traveling on magical airships conquers most of southern Africa in a very short time. They then set their eyes on the rest of Africa. The Theran empire is born again.

Of course the folks behind the Theran empire played a major role in orchestrating the events which started the major conflicts in Europe and the Americas. With world's major military forces otherwise occupied can anything stop the new Theran Empire from conquering all of Africa?




Whew!!! So we've got 2 megacorps under seige. Conflict erupting across Europe, Russia, North America, South America, the Middle East and Africa. And finally the return of the Theran Empire determined to take the entire continent of Africa as its own. World War SR4 has begun!


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Basically to start a World War in SR4 you need some organization which wants to start one. If the new Theran empire is too radical a departure, it might be some massive terrorist organization that is simply trying to start world chaos. Alamais might be a real good instigator. There are several examples of armed conflicts which would erupt if someone just pressed the right buttons. If some organization decided to press the buttons on several of these potential armed conflicts at the same time then the megacorps wouldn't be able to keep up. World War SR4 would begin.

[stevebugge]

[The ubbergeek]

Cross is still the natural ennemy of Ares, Cross and the ARes guy hated their guts, albeit Cross took quite an hit when it was relocated to AA. Now, localy, they may be helpfull in a coalition, an dif promised to grow stronger again and parts of Ares's empire...

[Witness]

Well I've got to take my hat of to booklord. The Neo-Theran Empire exploding across Africa is a brilliant coup de grace (though a little bit of a maguffin if you're going to blame them for all aspects of the war). I'd for one would love to see a really powerful united (and mysterious) African empire take center stage in Shadowrun.
If I have a criticism- and this is pretty much a matter of personal taste- it's that the wars of the different continents could do to be tied together a little bit more. It doesn't feel quite enough like a 'world war' if the conflicts are so compartmentalized. You know?

Stevebugge makes a good point about 'the enemy of my enemy is my friend', I think. I can see some mileage in the idea of 'Awakened nations' vs the rest, though I can't imagine what could pull them all onto the same side.

[Thorn Black]

Is global conflict what Shadowrun is about though? I dunno, it just doesn't sit right with me, imo..

[booklord]

[stevebugge]

I've got one character who is moving more and more in to the fold of the "Sons of the Alamo" (or whatever the name of that Texas based let's got to war with Aztlan to reclaim San Antonio group is called). There's another group that would certainly be working to pile on to Aztlan if the opportunity presented itself (or was developed)

[Geekkake]

What about the Islamic Unity Movement? Seems like Ibn Eisa, if he could get everyone under the movement's umbrella, would have quite a power bloc to exercise.

[stevebugge]

[Geekkake]

[GB1]

"i don't know what WW3 will be like, but WW4 with be fought with sticks and stones"
- Albert Einstein

[Voran]

You find some place/country that has resources you want (oricalchum, daisies, oil, whatever) and convince your populace that you've been attacked by that country, justifying a 'counter attack' on them :)

Btw, I'm not trying to make a social commentary on current situations. I'm just saying, with the megacorp mindset in SR, it becomes even more possible :P

[Kyoto Kid]

[Nikoli]

I'm sorry, I have to giggle when I see Amazonia being mentioned as a "world power" or being considered anything more serious than a pipe dream. they have 0 capital, no industry on a scale that is required for a city to sustain itself, let alone a sprawl or a nation. Amazonia is a half-assed attempt at neo-environmentalism run amok in politics and it fails miserably. The reason why radical environmentalism fails is because without the ability to produce goods, no nation can sustain itself. It's freaking illegal to cut down a tree, kill a marmut or dig in the dirt, how exactly is any one in amazonia producing a profit?

Right, metahuman testing, that'll last for about 5 minutes.

In my games, Amazonia wa attempted, failed miserably and imploded under it's own suck.

[booklord]

[mfb]

Amazonia sounds like what the Tirs tried to be (and were, for a while).

[TBRMInsanity]

As noted above I think the only way world war can exist is if Azland starts it. Right now they are rebuilding after an unsuccessful civil war in the Yucatan and the Omega order from SR3. Once they are back up to power I think they may go after Amizonia (and more specifically Hualpa). This will draw in other nations wanting to capitalize on the instability formed in the area. Most of the fighting will be in South/Central America. Aden may take this distraction to openly crush the NIJ and Lofwyr will use this opportunity to invade the middle east. The dragons of the world will end up being the major players (and winners) in this world war.

[JongWK]