Off-Brand Nations

If your muse could change one thing about themselves, what would they do? Would it be a physical attribute, a personality characteristic, or something as big as their status as a representative?

Part of why he liked being able to take a backseat when Kiku was the “main” representative was because of his feelings about his role; he doesn’t have the ambition everyone else seems to have, and wishes only for the simple things like “I wish my citizens could all live happy, prosperous lives” without thinking about how much human nature often goes against the ideal. That’s actually why, in spite of initially being 100% opposed to ever doing so again, he has been known to have Kiku stand in for him in the past three decades. It’s just overwhelming sometimes.

Kiku is much more shallow; if he could change anything, it’d be his physical appearance– but not the obvious physical oddities about him.

Do you have a creation story for your muse? How did your polity come to represent this specific area and people?

Does your muse have gaps in their memory relating to major events? Do they know it? What impact does this have on their identity?

If the answer is no, what’s one thing they wish they could forget and why?

Question of the Week #1

What does your polity do to fulfill their responsibilities to the area and people they represent? What sort of responsibilities do they put on themselves to achieve outside of official work?

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Lily’s primary job is working in the foreign security and espionage department (BND) of Germany. She focuses on keeping Germany safe from outside threats, and typically runs the security detail for Germany himself, especially if he is going abroad. 

For Berlin, however, she focuses on bringing attention to the needs of the poor and most suffering. She spends time doing volunteer work and being in touch with the people, especially the working class, refugees, etc. She also acts as a hostess for foreign polities visiting the city. And, of course, she harasses the other German states (read: Bavaria) into paying for everything. 

What is your muse’s most valuable possession? What do they do with it? Do they hide it away or do they display it? How long have they had it for? 

Kiku’s is on display in his room; the flag of the Imperial Navy that Kirishima carried until her sinking in November 1942. Obviously it isn’t in excellent shape, owing to how intense the battle was, but it’s on display regardless (with all of the other historical relics from the 20th century.) It would be easy enough to simply display a new / replica of his naval ensign, which is still used by the JMSDF to this day, but he insists that it must be this one. Kirishima is the ship he has the most respect and adoration for, so he keeps it around as a reminder of many things; 1942 was both the year he considers his peak and the beginning of his demise. Though he also held on to many weapons from earlier eras of Japanese history, this one has the most sentimental value to him. 

Who was/is your muse’s favorite person, and why? What was their relationship like, if they had one? If they’re gone now, how does your muse remember them?

While he was in office, she spent much more time in DC than she had in many decades, and felt as if she could speak openly and honestly with him about the issues that her people were facing every day. The Carter Administration increased funding for many social programs to assist the poor, a large percentage of which lived in the South and other rural areas.

Who was/is your muse’s favorite person, and why? What was their relationship like, if they had one? If they’re gone now, how does your muse remember them?

Does your muse have gaps in their memory relating to major events? Do they know it? What impact does this have on their identity?

If the answer is no, what’s one thing they wish they could forget and why?

Question of the Week #3

Does your muse have gaps in their memory relating to major events? Do they know it? What impact does this have on their identity?

If the answer is no, what’s one thing they wish they could forget and why?

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She doesn’t have gaps in her memory. Perhaps she remembers some things (like personal trauma) a bit too well. However, it has been shaped by the reigning politics at times. During the Cold War, how she remembered certain events could be skewed by pressure from her leaders and propaganda. Now that she has been out of that for 30ish years, the memories have blurred a bit and become somewhat more truthful (although it might be said that memories are never truly truthful). 

Question of the Week #2

Do you have a creation story for your muse? How did your polity come to represent this specific area and people?

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Being born so late into history, Lily’s creation is fairly straightforward. On July 17th, as the Allies in Potsdam prepared to split Berlin, a little girl appeared in the basement of a collapsed building in the heart of Berlin. She knew nothing, other than the German language, and that she called herself “Berlin.” After a long struggle, she managed to climb out of the rubble and wandered about the broken city. An old woman caught sight of the parentless child and took her in for a time. 

Question of the Week #4

Who was/is your muse’s favorite person, and why? What was their relationship like, if they had one? If they’re gone now, how does your muse remember them?

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Her favorite person throughout her life is no doubt Thomas, the border guard she fell in love with and dated for little over a year in the 70s. There may be some bias here, as tragedy struck so early on that there was little time for them to fall apart or form bad memories. He will always be her first real love in her mind, and her greatest shame. When it came down to it, she chose duty over love. She knows that, regardless of ideology, that is often the choice a polity must make in the end. But she hopes she will never have to do it in such a way ever again. She was told he was a traitor. But when the Wall fell, she recovered his files from a Stasi office and learned the truth. He had done little more than perhaps smuggled some goods here and there for himself. Ultimately, this had been about breaking her and keeping her inline and under the boots of her superiors, as well as testing her loyalty. That is something she will never forget.