Hello and welcome to the Graveyard of Empires. It is September, 1988, and the Soviet withdrawal from their costly and exhausting campaign to back the PDPA government of Afghanistan is in full swing, its first phase already completed. Many political and military spectators, from Islamabad to Washington DC, expect an imminent collapse of the socialist regime. As mujahidin rebel groups in all parts of the country prepare for a final battle for the control of the isolated and besieged populated centers of the country, it is according to these analysts only a matter of time until the final Soviet troops are humiliatingly thrown out of Afghanistan. But even in these hard times, the government of Mohammad Najibullah can rely on a large, robust and well-equipped military bolstered by various ad hoc formations of local gendarmerie and militias. Together with Soviet military advisors, the Afghan military leadership is confident in repelling the expected enemy offensive, as Gorbachev has promised Kabul extensive military aid and financial support even after withdrawal. However clear rifts are starting to unfold within the regime, as a policy of national reconciliation promoted by Najibullah with Soviet backing certainly hasn't matched expectations, and the old Khalq-Parchim factionalism still plagues the halls of the socialist government. Meanwhile the mujahidin warlords train their troops, equip them with new equipment bankrolled by Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and devout Muslim benefactors. The lion of Panjshir is poised to show his strength once again, and the pious mujahids of Hekmatyar and Khalis prepare to show their Pakistani backers their true power. The international political situation is also precarious, the Pakistani strongman Zia-ul-Haq has just lost his life, the Iranian Islamist revolutionaries have thwarted an Iraqi attempt at containment and there is serious trouble brewing in the Soviet sphere of influence and in the very heart of the Communist empire. The human cost of the war has been staggering and an UN report just released states the war has reduced Afghanistan "to the status of one of the poorest, least developed countries." It remains to be seen if the latest phase of the civil war in the spectacularly beautiful mountainous country will draw new empires to meet their fate.
So what am I even supposed to do?
This game will be a combination of the very well known political games around on this forum, as well as a more military-focused gameplay. The closest example and my inspiration is Dutchbag’s Ultra
But what about the stats?
If you thought this would be a nation-building game, you are in the wrong thread, kiddo. Here we break things, so no stats save for military ones. These will be delivered to the players in command of said formations.
So, how about my orders?
You will PM me a maximum of 250 words a turn. Make them count, and please do not test trying send me more. Clarity and formatting will be appreciated and possibly rewarded. A single turn will be three months in-game. This includes requests of intelligence information.
How do I sign up?
Pick an interesting character (either historical or fictional), who is an important member of the PDPA, an opposition and mujahidin group or of the Afghan military and affiliated militias. Obviously fictional characters won’t start as commanders of anything too big and influential, but can easily fight their way there in a couple of turns. If you pick a more, let’s say controversial, character; try to not break any forum rules, please. For the first day of signups I reserve the right to choose the applicant I deem the most able to RP as a certain character, after that it's free game.
Is there an IRC channel?
Yes, #TA on coldfront
When will this start?
Soon
Please note that the GM doesn't condone jihadism, communism or some other such ideology.
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