(This is part of a continuing series, links to which will be provided in the comments below)
Bêafrîka State: Bob Denard, Jean-Bédel Bokassa and the mercenary state.
The term “warlord” has been abused by many as a catch all term for any armed african group. It brings to mind images of a barbaric, violent oaf seeking to enrich themselves with trinkets and money off the back of their military extortion: an example of the primitive and bloodthirsty nature of the african. This is certainly the purpose of the term for the Germans, who seek to paint all native armed resistance in this light in order to justify their own return to the continent. But despite this abuse of the term, and its unjust application, it is not made up out of whole cloth: bandits, criminal gangs and short sighted thugs do exist among the africans as they do in all people, and the chaos of the German collapse has given these characters the opportunity of a lifetime. In the former RK Zentralafrika this is seen most clearly in the “mercenary state” of Bêafrîka.
Borders of a successful Bêafrîka. Many post-colonial African nations are accused of being artificial: random lines drawn on a map for the convenience of foreigners, and thus doomed to be either failures or exploitive facades. The truth of this statement is debatable: what makes a nation “organic”, is it truly critical that one be so? Are the struggles of new African nations so easily encapsulated? The argument goes on but all will agree on this: Bêafrîka is an utterly artificial and extractive state which can only begrudgingly be called a nation at all.
The north-west of Zentralafrika has always been something of a hodgepodge. The initial conquest of the area from the Free French meant the roll back of any “nation building” expenditures in favor of reverting back to the old company rule. Corvee slavery, plantations and almost non-existent infrastructure was the rule even under the French, and as such the transition to German ownership was almost seamless. If the average native african noticed a difference at all it was in the flags and helmets of the whites who terrorized them: their managers and guards stayed essentially the same. As such the region was seen by independence agitators as ripe for their own movements to grow in. Though such resistance was kept on a tight leash by the Germans it finally burst forth in the northern incursion of 1954. Supported by Nigeria and with the German forces drawn thin by the ongoing Wester Russian War, socialist militants made a lightning strike southward in the hopes of toppling Zentralafrika. For a moment it seemed as if they would do it: the road to Leopoldville was only lightly guarded and the rebel numbers were, in theory, vast. But it was not to be: poor command structures and infighting slowed the rebel advance for long enough that Kommissar Krogmann and Seigfreid Muller were able to reorganize and counterattack with the aid of a new breed of soldier: the Mercenary.
Though having been present in the role of corporate security for years this war was the instance when the Congo Mercenaries truly became a force to be reckoned with. Restrictions on who could hold a gun were dropped and the ranks of mercs swollen with Europeans, Asians and Africans. Though typically small groups and far more independent than Krogmann would have liked, they were all well acquainted with their trade and often brought along their own equipment. They could move fast, hit hard, and there was no reason to suspect their siding with the revolutionaries. With the aid of mercenaries and the cash of selling off vast tracts of land to private holders the revolutionaries were pushed back, and the long guerilla war began. Some areas of Zentralafrika were essentially passive, or had other security solutions. But in the north it was the mercenaries and the garrison which enforced the German order. Names of these men would soon become minor celebrities to the military minded, and their benefactor Seigfreid Muller got a promotion. But for our story only three names matter: the French “mercenary king” Bob Denard, “black Napoleon” Jean-Bédel Bokassa, and “the tiger” Alexandre Banza.
Though it is the armed men who hold real power in their hands, the counter-revolutionary forces are not all German and French soldiers of fortune. The APL’s anti-clerical excesses and radical nativism also alienated the thin class of native collaborators and most of all the catholic church. Barthelemy Boganda was one such native conservative, being a native priest who has tried to act through the church to both reform and aid his flock. After the death of his mentor Marcel Grandin Boganda has become a leading figure of pro-native reform without resorting to violence or leftist radicalism.
With the alliance of French and German landowners paying for their protection the mercenaries, though still technically led by Europeans, became the foremost armed presence in the north. Battling against resistance internal and external by 1962 they have become a hated and envied force, and one which Krogmann is eager to bring into line. But the South Africa War will get in the way of any reforms, with mercenaries once again being called on to shoulder the burden of warfare and internal suppression. By the end of the conflict, no matter how it ends, the mercenaries will have become an even more entrenched force in Zentralafrika. Of course when Huttig takes over this will no longer be tolerated. Having already been humiliated by Muller before, Huttig will take great pleasure in dismissing and rounding up the mercenaries, forcing them to join his forces as regular conscripts without any special privileges. Or rather he would, if he had been fast enough to catch them. When news came of Krogmann’s death and Huttig’s assumption of control the mercenaries did not wait for the order to come: they fled if they were able, and if not they seamlessly transitioned from paid agents of the state to new warlords out for their own survival and enrichment. And more than anyone they congregated around the new king of the mercenaries: Bob Denard.
For the year Huttig’s reign lasts the gangs of former mercenaries will be yet another thorn in his side: raiding, bribing and leading his forces on goose chases. And thanks to Huttig’s destruction of any boats or airplanes he could not gain control over these same former mercenaries had nothing else they could do, unless they cared to gamble trekking all the way to Free France. But Huttig’s flailing attempts to bring them to heel was only one of many threats: in this same area socialist militants and petty warlords also sprung up, and sought to destroy the hated mercenaries themselves. When Huttig dies and the German forces retreat to Leopoldville all pretense will be dropped: the Pan-africans, Fang Gabonese and Cameroonian revolutionaries will all attempt to proclaim new states and to expel the gangsters of German capitalism for good. But with their attention divided and the mercenaries still possessing skill, fire power, and all the money the old landowners could scrap together the attempt will only be half successful. Right between the three of them the new Bêafrîka State will be proclaimed.
Born in 1929 Bob Denard first got the taste for battle during the French State’s failed expeditions against De Gaulle in the late 40s. Deciding that there was better pay and better leadership to be had in Zentralafrika he was one of the first mercenaries brought in through the “King of the Mercs” Siegfried Müller. Though he has little patience for the Reich’s racial code he is a brave commander and an ardent anti-communist. After Müller’s disappearance upon Hüttig’s ascension the stranded mercenaries looked to those bold and skilled enough to lead them, and found it in Denard.
Under the nominal presidency of Boganda, who was practically kidnaped to take the role, the new state is in perhaps the most precarious position of all post-independence states.Their domestic support rests on a incredibly thin strata of white landlords, a handful of native conservatives and a mercenary army which is already looking for a way out the back door. And opposing them is a very dedicated coalition of native nationalists and revolutionaries. It would be the most natural thing in the world for this ramshackle “state” to disintegrate. But there is one thing which can unite them, and can make them all take the risk of fighting it out: Money. Specifically diamonds, gold, and other precious metals which can be sold high on the global market. The mercenaries, native or foreign, have struck for fame in Bêafrîka with the process of becoming more than the lap dogs of the wealthy, but instead to be the wealthy themselves. Baganda hates this of course, but no one asked: the guns call the shots here. And besides, the APL has already branded him a traitor to the people: in the mercenaries' eyes he should be thankful that he still has his head. And so it is decided, the mercenaries would make their own little heaven, and all they had to do to keep it was win the war for it.
Against them stands the APL, their long-time adversary. When the war begins these Pan-africanists, supported by Cameroon and Nigeria, will take the fight to Bêafrîka. This would probably be a death sentence if it were not for the fact the APL is fighting a two front war with the Nationalists to their east. If the mercenary state should still fail it will be dismantled, with the surrounding states taking over its former territory. But if it should win this first war the gamble will have, for now, paid off. Bob, Bokassa and the rest will be able to begin bringing in the money as they use outright criminal methods to both extract and then sell the bounty of the land. The people, of course, hate this as does the nominal “president”. And within the mercenary ranks new fissures will soon begin to show. When faced with a united enemy these men were willing to work together, but now that the threat of death no longer hands quite so close the question of dividing the spoils has quickly turned into a feeding frenzy: it seems to be every mercenary clique for itself trying to carve out its own privileged fiefdom. And it is here that the reformists, such as they are, spy an opportunity.
Alexandre Banza, born 1932 to the Gbaya people, is one of the very few high ranking officers who have a ethnic connection to the land they now rule. His story is much the same as the rest of the black mercenaries: born to a poor family he saw mercenary service as a path to excitement, respect and advancement he would never get on his own. Intelligent, ambitious, and unscrupulous he would rise to become a commander of his own group before the Huttig takeover, and should he take power will rename his state the Bêafrîka Republic, embarking on a cynical campaign of “reform”.
The continued presence of white mercenaries is especially resented by the people, and none more so than commander of the presidential guard and de facto leader of the Bêafrîka State Bob Denard. As such soon after the emergency of war has passed Denard will be dismissed from his position and the two most prominent native warlords Alexandre Banza and Jean-Bédel Bokassa will be invited in to take command. Denard of course has no interest in leaving, and will arrest the president in his own residence, but not before word of the new decree leaked to the streets and the other mercenaries. So it is that the fate of Bêafrîka will be decided the only way a state built on mercenaries could be: with a shootout for control of the president. On one side is Denard: he has already made overtures to Free France and the OFN, as well as criminal contacts in Europe. By leveraging these contacts, and with the aid of the remaining white mercenaries who see his removal as the precursor to their own, he may be able to fight his way out and rise to power over the bodies of his rival warlords.
If Bob Denard and his presidential guard emerges victorious president Boganda’s days will be numbered. Unceremoniously removing and replacing him with a more compliant puppet who I will not even bother you with the name of, any promised elections will be delayed, and then delayed indefinitely. In the end even the facade of democracy will be left behind as the government instead relies on various emergency decrees and under the table deals, as well as outright coercion to cement its power. This is the true mercenary state, in which the armed and powerful take what they want from the weak and destitute: the state will see its revenues come from precious minerals and eventually oil, but just as much from the underground world of smuggling, arms trading, mercenary contracts on behalf of any who will pay, and even (if rumors are to be believed) human trafficking. Denard himself is not so unsophisticated as many of his henchmen: he portrays himself and his state as anti-communist crusaders who are willing to go to the ends of the earth to protect the people from the bolshevik menace. But it makes no difference to the people and to his neighborhood: unless those friendly to him such as the Free French and the Belgian regionalists are victorious both Denard and his state will find themselves facing external invasion sooner or later. When that happens, surrounded by disciplined enemies and facing ever increasing internal revolts, Denard will do what mercenaries do best: he will gather what valuables and guns he can before fleeing. But if this should not happen: if the Congo should remain shattered, and Nigerian ambitions fail, who knows how long the dream may last?
Living as they do in a half criminal status all mercenaries are well acquainted with the underworld. Under Bob however the state itself will come to resemble a crime syndicate, with Bob acting as the Mafia boss. More than any other single resource diamonds are the breadwinner for the “White King of Bêafrîka”, but taking a page out of Manchuria’s playbook drug production and trafficking are increasingly filling the ledger as well. The diplomatic denouncements are nothing: there are always back doors which money can open.
But all this is only if Bob and his people should win the battle for President Boganda. For the first time having the full backing of the streets and with a larger manpower pool to draw from it is likely that the native warlords Alexandre Banza and Jean-Bédel Bokassa will become the victors, chasing out the (competition) colonizers in favor of their own rule. They shall of course be rewarded by the eternally thankful president for their good deeds: Bokassa will take over as the new head of the presidential guard, while Banza will become minister of finance and foreign minister. But just as inevitably there is no throne on earth big enough for two people and so the former allies will soon look for a way to oust the other. The hope of the civilians lay in the victory of the Alexandre Banza clique. If he should succeed in arresting and disappearing his rivals Banza will seek to somewhat moderate the state. Rather than rely on naked coercion he will enforce the most basic of social contracts: in return for the country's obedience he will provide protection. Though the basic facts of the Bêafrîka State shall remain: a thriving underground, an economy based on raw export, and a army of criminals, the worst aspects of this rule will be softened and the “civilianization” of government give cosmetic reform to the regime, and finally permit the nominal president a level of dignity, even being allowed to push some of his catholic inspired social reforms. Though not much more than swapping a military uniform for a business suit this will go some way to providing a sense of normalcy, and allow the state to take a non-aligned stance rather than become the plaything of some foreign power.
On the other hand is the favorite of the soldiers Jean-Bédel Bokassa. You know him as the “mad” emperor of the C.A.R. otl, but there was always a method to his madness: one cannot remain in power for over a decade by being stupid. Where Banza seeks to normalize his regime and to be seen as a developmental junta rather than a warlord, Bokassa will lean into his reputation as a warlord, adding esoteric elements to bolster his rule over strangers. Under Bokassa the new system will be entirely personal: he will take the already weak state apparatus and effectively dismantle it, instead relying on personalized dependents to govern the capital city, and leaving the remainder of the country to its own devices so long as it bent the knee when ordered. No longer able to convincingly portray himself as a benign figure to a people who are mostly foreigners to him, he will instead tap into local superstitions to appear as the master of the occult, ruling as a man to be feared even beyond the grave and allegedly indulging in cannibalism. Perhaps even more importantly however he will make a hard switch from western backing to eastern, seeking the protection and the money of Japan. In this at least he will be fairly competent: negotiating the relationship with Japan through a mixture of bribery, utility, and threatened confiscations to wring out as much foreign aid and diplomatic backing as he can. Beyond this his rule will be one of chaos and decline with the people seeing their standard of living decrease yet further to a near subsistence level. But it will be a chaos which Bokassa alone is the ruler of.
Jean-Bédel Bokassa has been fighting longer than most: volunteering for the Free French during WW2, he was captured and ultimately released during the German conquest of Gabon. From there he drifted as a menial laborer until the northern insurrection forced the Reichskommissar to bend, and Bokassa was called up by an old french commander. From there he rose to be the de-facto head of his own suit by 1962, and now the undisputed leader of his own fiefdom. The extreme personalism and close relation with Japan will eventually result in his coronation as the sovereign of the Central African Empire.
Whether it be cynical pragmatism or esoteric terror the Bêafrîka State will remain a pariah among their fellow african nations. Cameroon and Gabon will consistently attempt to undermine and take over their territory for themselves, while even the Germans will see any government as traitors and rebels. Though its military may find a backer and its people may become cowed, the incredibly fragile state will come to an end sooner than later, unless they get very lucky. Any Nigerian victory will be a disaster, but a successful unifyer to the south and east would be a great threat as well. They were already founded in the war against one of those potential unifiers and all contenders for power recognize that a united Congo is a dangerous Congo. So, either through direct aid in the case of Denard or cheering from the sidelines Bêafrîka must hope for the victory of the regionalists and Jean Schramme.
Katanga, the Regional Alliance, and “The Belgian”.
For the Pan-Africans, the Republicans, the Nationalists and even the Germans survival is not enough: they wish to reunite the old Belgian colony under their vision of the future, and perhaps even seek expansion beyond that. But not all “congolese” feel this way: in particular the province of Katanga sees no reason why it should not be free to plot its own course. Wealthy in its own right with economic ties to the south the elite of the mining provence see no reason why they should be chained to a central government, and are at least partially supported in this by the people. Just what future this “independence” takes is is still up for grabs, but in the chaotic aftermath of Huttings death Moïse Tshombe, Albert Kalonji and Jean Schramme will form a triumvirate to lead the Regional Alliance.
Élisabethville slum. Katanga is the richest province in the Congo, as well as the one with the highest concentration of Belgians, and as such has seen the beginning of a modern city develop in its capital. It has also been the prime region for victims of the Congo Dam to migrate into, on account of its relative stability and high labor demand. This has all combined to put a great deal of pressure on those populating the land south of the lake and the development of modern slums alongside the growing city.
Katanga is, in 1962, the last remnant of Belgian colonial rule left after the German takeover. Not formally of course, that had been swept away along with Belgum itself in the 50s. But just beneath the German surface the old colonial trinity of church, company and stick still held true, and mostly under Belgian control. In the aftermath of WW2 and the establishment of Burgundy many Belgians had chosen to migrate into their old colonial territory, either for political or economic reasons. Their numbers would soon fill out the officer ranks of the Force Publique, the managerial posts of various new mines and plantations, and the pews of the catholic church. But it would not be the end of their difficulties: the old trinity clashed with Krogmann’s designs for the colony and after formally absorbing it in 1955 the contest began. Where the catholic church once held near total control over healthcare and education, not to mention religious life, Krogmann favored secularism for the european and promoted dechristianization for the native. His hopes for dissolving the FP and for removing french and dutch from the lexicon would be similarly resisted. By 1962 this contest of wills has continued to grind on, with the steady advance of germanization being constantly interrupted by economic and political expediency. The Belgian Katangaians find themselves stuck uncomfortably between German pressure from above and Native pressure from below.
This native pressure is on one hand from the educated evoles, always looking to improve the lot of themselves and sometime of their kin. But it also increasingly comes from the restless masses who have come under pressure from the fallout of the Congo Dam. As the Belgian congo moderately prospered the cities began to grow as well, with the colonial authorities making tentative attempts to accommodate the influx. But after the Congo dam and the German takeover both of these trends changed. Millions of refugees fled the great flood into the wealthiest regions they could go: Leopoldville and Katanga. The population of the cities exploded, and the subsistence agriculture still practiced by most Congolese came under incredible pressure as migrants and squatters proliferated. The Belgian authorities meanwhile were left without the resources needed to truly accommodate this change, and were left with only the Force Publique to try and keep the “indigenes” separate from the new “foreigners”. It was in this context that regionalist associations with the goal of protecting specific people, such as the Lula or Lunda, came to dominate the native political scene, such as it was. Both of these movements discovered that they had similar enemies: both resented German power and feared the “national” native resistance. But this did not yet mean they became allies.
Moïse Tshombe, the nominal head of Katanga. Born to a noble lineage and always wealthy, his desire to be liked and his lack of spin have made him into an ideal puppet for other interests. His current sponsor is the remnants of the old Belgian Union Minière, which comprise much of Katanga’s economy. Though not hated by any “his” government is in reality more beholden to his lieutenants such as Godefroid Munongo.
Katanga had lived in an atmosphere of tension even before the rise of Huttig and the advent of the “Afrikareich” did nothing to alleviate this tension. As part of Huttig’s program to fully disarm the natives and bring all armed forces under SS command he attempted to disarm the Force Publique and Belgian mercenaries, rolling them into its own armed forces. Prominent civilian Belgians were arrested and replaced with SS men, leaving both the Belgians and the natives angered. Under this new pressure some decided to give it up: the new regime could not be bargained with as the prior one was, and any resistance clearly meant death. But enterprising elements were not willing to take death laying down: most prominently this included Godefroid Munongo and Jean Schramme. Using their own wealthy connections and estates as payment they would form small resistance groups, and would be the first formal alliance between the Belgians and the regionalists. To cut a long story short when Huttig dies and the Germans retreat to Leopoldville, those SS governors who do not flee will find their lifespans much shorter than expected, and those brave or desperate enough to resist Huttig will return to power. In the face of nationalist calls to reunite the congo however, the regionalists will move first. With the lavish bribery of local mining conglomerates and the justification of “popular will”, the Belgian community led by Schramme and localist leaders will form the first concret result of their ad-hoc alliance: The State of Katanga.
In its first years Katanga is a divided and unsettled place, forced into unity by the common fear of external subjugation but beholden to competing political camps. The state itself is at least nominally led by Moïse Tshombe, descendant of the kings of the Lunda people and scion to one of the last wealthy native families. He is the figurehead of a poorly organized class of native elites and collaborators, most often independently wealthy and committed just as much to their own economic privileges as they are to the cause of regionalism itself. But despite this Tshombe heads the closest thing to a “popular movement” in the new state: the "Confédération des associations tribales du Katanga" (CONAKAT). Formed in the interest of protecting the livelihoods of the Lunda against the encroaching migrants it is through this party that the people are mobilized for war. Relying on traditional authority and elite connections in the name of a tribalism has been effective in at least countering the partisans of the republicans and nationalists which contest the provence. Just as in the other contenders the war is as much a mater of internal division as it is defeating external challenges. But in order to meet those external enemies the party has been obliged to do so with the aid of their “ally”, the Belgians.
Jean Schramme, despite his official profession, is less of a mercenary and more of a Belgian “contractor” who has a reputation for getting things done and resisting German encroachment. Coming to Africa soon after the end of WW2 he is part of a new breed of Belgians who consider Zentralafrika, or more accurately Katanga, as their true home and embrace the ideal of a paternal ruler of their “primitive” neighbors. Being a successful entrepreneur as well as part time leader of the “Leopard Battalion” Jean has become a prominent part of the Belgian expat community. But though he no longer wishes to return to Europe do not think he has forgotten what the Nazi’s did: the old motherland is dead by German hands, and he has not forgiven them.
Just as on the native side the Belgians are divided internally: German policy was frustrating and insulting, but it was also relatively stable and offered a protection against the natives surrounding them. To forgo this protection and risk battle with the world's superpowers in the name of an uncertain independence requires a boldness uncommon in men. But since when did the meek make history? Returning from his armed exile Schremme will find the FP and Belgian police in disarray, and take it upon himself to topple the last of the SS governors. In his mind there is no question: in order for the Belgians to be free and prosperous they must take the risk of rebellion against Germany and carve out their own state in the chaos. But despite his personal exploits he is unable to do this on his own, and so despite his personal distaste for allying with the native regionalists his own backers in the belgian mining and administrative class have forced him to make common cause with “their” evolese. Regardless Schremme has become the critical belgian commander in this rebelion, bringing the remainder of the belgian community with him whether they like it or not. He leads in a mercenary style, never far from the front lines and with a greater emphasis on personal bravery than more mundane things like logistics.
Though Katanga is the heart of the Regionalist Alliance it is still only one part of that alliance: to the eastern flank is Sud-Kasaï, led by Albert Kalonji as the vanguard state of the Luba secessionist movement. Both Kalonji and Tshombe claim to be protecting their people (Luba and Lunda respectively) from becoming minorities within their own land and from becoming the playthings of another foreign power, whether that be Germania, Washington or any other place. They are also both from prominent and wealthy local families, who have cooperated with the belgian colonizers for generations and have every personal incentive to resist foreign acquisition. As such their support is not primarily from the people, but from the oligarchs and the army. These are two significant advantages however: While other factions are scrambling to put together a military, a state, and to pay for it all, Katanga and her allies are able to fall back on the old colonial power structures, expanding the FP and leveraging oligarchical ties to slap together an army faster than their rivals. With the mix of audacious leadership, money and the Schramme loyalist mercenaries/formed FP officers the alliance may be able to snatch its independence despite the lack of international backing.
Map of regionalist victory, Azandeland acts as a placeholder for local authority (or lack thereof), Sud-Kasai is the Luba Empire. The immediate issue facing the regionalists will be export access: the states survival depends on the revenue from its extensive mining operations, and if that material cannot be exported it is worthless. For this Katanga must either negotiate a trade deal with the German remnants, or seek a detente with the self proclaimed frontline of liberation Zambia. Neither is eager to do this, but the world calls for what Katanga can provide, most of all Uranium. Eventually the market will win out, and one side will decide it is better to compromise principle than give the other an opportunity to gain access to the Katanga bounty.
IF VICTORIOUS the Regionalist Alliance will comprise an expanded State of Katanga, the Luba Empire, and a number of minor eastern powers propped up by Katanga. For the Luba and the Eastern chiefs the question of post war politics is an easy one: tribal traditionalism shall prevail as Albert Kalonji names himself king and the local chiefs are either bribed or threatened into compliance with the new order. While some may make efforts to modernize and advance their domains it will only be done under the watchful and occasionally helpful eye of Katanga. The only question remaining is who will be in control of Katanga itself. Jean Schramme is not a reasonable man, or at least not a moderate one: if he feels that he and the Belgians are not granted their proper place he may well try to overthrow Moïse Tshombe and install himself as the leader of the new state. The natives are less than satisfied as well: though free of foreign control it is clear to them that the old order is no longer acceptable: the people who fought and won the war for independence demand that their sacrifice be rewarded in some meaningful way. And most of all the question of race can no longer be papered over: The Belgians and Europeans remain on top, the migrants have been savaged, and the land and jobs available are not enough to satisfy them all.
To reconcile these internal difficulties a conference shall be held between the Belgian leadership of the army and company's one on hand, and the native oligarchs and officers on the other to see if a viable solution can be worked out. On the Belgian side the question is that of security and property: they wish to maintain the full roster of legal rights granted to them by belgian law, to keep their property and company concessions, and for a Belgian “veto” in the national government to ensure that Belgian rights are not trampled by some future populist government. On the CONAKAT side is a desire to renegotiate the terms of the “social contract”: to ensure a majority native voice in government which cannot be overruled by Belgian privilege, greater native ownership of property and the full abolition of any legal barriers to their advancement. However both sides are united in seeking stability and in their distrust of the congolese “masses”. Those masses are not without a voice themselves: through labor unions, dissident political parties and new officer associations the experience of warfare has made the people politically aware. If the result of the conference does not give some bones to the people it may find that its support is far too narrow to be stable.
Union Minière, once the undisputed master of the Katanga economy, has declined somewhat under German overlordship. With a majority of its shares owned by the Belgian state and its former leadership fleeing to America after the end of the war its foundations were shaky. When Krogmann began the great sell off and rescinded the Belgian Congo’s autonomy the company found itself in yet more hot water. Transitioning to a locally owned company within Zentralafrika itself the Union has been forced to cut back on its paternalistic spending to make ends meet. Beyond the typical demands for labor rights and wage increases the Kantaga people also wish for a return to the housing, education and social protection once afforded by the leviathan. With its place in Katanga once again secure this may just be possible.
A successful conference will be one of compromise. For the people a number of social protections and laws will be promised: greater state funding to education, hospitals, and housing will be promised, along with a hike in wages. In order to afford this the belgians will need to accept their privileged economic position comes with a responsibility to fund the state which protects it: though direct taxes may be a bridge too far a system of expected “gifts” and an expansion of the old paternalism into state guided policy may work out. In return for their material contributions the Belgians will receive legal autonomy, organizing their own political parties and keeping their land. The native oligarchs meanwhile would take the national stage, being granted privileged places within the Katanga economy as well as using CONAKAT as their vehicle for political dominance. Concessions and compromises such as these require that all parties trust the other to keep up their end of the bargain, and not simply alter the deal when they feel they are able. And in the aftermath of a brutal civil war and a political culture of corruption such trust is very hard to come by. But if these difficulties are overcome, and Jean Schramme is kept mollified, the new State of Katanga will be ruled as a collaborative oligarchy, keeping real representation out of the hands of the people and wealth in the hands of a few, but also a relatively stable and moderate government which is willing to compromise when need be. Unless it is a question of distrusted ethnic groups attempting to secede from the state or restart Congolese unification, in which case the Katanga Gendarmerie will be the only answer given.
But what if this conference does not succeed? What if the protests outside become too large, or the sides are too inflexible, or if Jean Schramme believes the rights of Belgians are being sold too cheaply? Then the Rule of Fire will come back and those with the force to crush their opposition will prevail. And in Katanga that can only mean one thing: Schramme and his allies will stage a coup, placing themselves in charge once again as an emergency government. Those unwilling to ally with him will be dismissed, replaced with those who are. The new mission of the state is the protection of “Belgian civilization” in Katanga, with Schramme attempting to revive the old trinity of Church, State and Company under his guiding hand. He never truly wanted to be in this position: he would much rather simply go back to his plantation and be master of his own little world. But he belives that his new homeland calls out for leadership and guts it seems only he can provide, and so he will seek to lead it into the future he envisions. One where the Congo natives are grateful and subservient to their betters, where all the structures of the trinity are led by Europeans to the benefit of all. Of course most of the natives have very different ideas about what the future should look like, and so Schremma’s Katanga will immediately be thrown into a bush war as the old civil war factions reform as guerrilla movements seeking to topple his dictatorship. The profits of Katanga are vast, especially if one is willing to sell uranium to anyone willing to buy, but how long will money and determination be able to hold against the will of the people?
At a stretch the white population of Katanga is 100,000, while the total african population is somewhere north of 1.5 million. This is before one considers the increasing populations of the Luba Empire and the eternal frontier of the Eastern Congo. And then there is the highly likely presence of hostile regimes on the borders: all the money in the world cannot win Schramme this Bush War, and he will either need to swallow his pride and accept democratization for the natives or accept the return of the Reich as suzerain. And even that may not be enough to avoid the rage of a people betrayed.

shared on her IG yesterday. I didn’t include all the pics she shared. She takes beautiful photos. What a beautiful poem!

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We open with a recap of last week's main event featuring The Jordans (Shelton and Deron "Ron") taking on the Soldiers of Misfortune (General Wade and Guerrilla God). The match was a complete brawl as both teams fought ringside. The match ended with Guerrilla God hitting Guerrilla in the Mist on Shelton, leading to General Wade pinning Shelton. After the match, the Soldiers of Misfortune, along with Ivan Markov assaulted Shelton some more, followed by putting him triple power bombed him through a table as "The Number One Pick" LeJuan Jones and Brother Julius look on in approval.
The recap ends and we open with a 30-second intro highlighting all of the stars of CPWA as The Roots' "BOOM" plays in the background. The intro ends with Shelton Jordan holding the CPWA Heavyweight Championship belt over his head. Pyro goes off in the arena for a few seconds, followed by cheering from the crowd.
Brian Kinsley: We welcome to CPWA Octane! We are coming to you live from Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada! Brian Kinsley, Anthony Harris, and Sir Samuel Stewart, and we have a great show for you tonight! We have the semifinals of the Super Junior Carnival, plus The Mortician will defend the CPWA Television Championship, and our main event, Keith Yang teams up with Elijah Jordan against "The Number One Pick" LeJuan Jones, and a mystery tag team partner! Let's get to the action!
We cut to the ring.
Announcer: The following contest is scheduled for...
Crowd: ONE FALL!
GACKT's "Redemption" plays in the arena
Announcer: Introducing first, from Osaka, Japan, she is Shiori Yoshimura.
Brian Kinsley: Last week, Shiori Yoshimura decimated Priscilla Pierce in a non-title match, and it was brutal to watch.
Sir Samuel Stewart: Priscilla Pierce was crying and complaining about the loss, so much so, we have this tag team match.
Kyary Pamyu Pamyu's "PONPONPON" plays in the arena as the crowd claps along to the beat and chants her name.
Announcer: Her tag team partner, from Yokohama, Japan, she is "The Orange Idol Princess" Aiko Yoshida.
Brian Kinsley: Aiko Yoshida went on tour in Japan after High$takes, not as a wrestler, but as a pop idol.
Anthony Harris: Did not know she was a singer, but I'm glad to see her back in action where she belongs.
Johann Sebastian Bach's Air on G String plays in the arena.
Announcer: And their opponents, introducing first, from the posh hills of the Hamptons, she is Priscilla Pierce.
Brian Kinsley: Priscilla Pierce got roughed up last week on Octane and she was none too pleased.
Sir Samuel Stewart: I heard she had to pay a pretty penny to get her whole body realigned.
DaniLeigh Ft. Fivio Foreign "Dominican Mami" plays in the arena.
Announcer: And her tag team partner, from Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, she is "The Dominican She-Devil" Ivy Fernandez
Brian Kinsley: "The Dominican She-Devil" Ivy Fernandez also took part on a tour of Puerto Rico with Priscilla Pierce, where they won the Women's Tag Team Championships there.
Anthony Harris: Great news for them, but can they replicate that same success here tonight?
Match 1: Shiori Yoshimura and "The Orange Idol Princess" Aiko Yoshida vs. Priscilla Pierce and "The Dominican She-Devil" Ivy Fernandez
This was not a good opener and it really didn't help that Priscilla Pierce and Ivy Fernandez got the win, considering that Shiori and Aiko were the ones carrying them through the match. Shiori and Aiko had control of the match, but Priscilla and Ivy were off their game, most likely Priscilla, who was still feeling the effects of the Spinning Bison Bomb from last week. Regardless, this was still a bad match with a rushed finish as Priscilla hit Aiko with Beauty and Grace to seal the victory.
1 out of 5 stars.
We go backstage and we see Kevin Meyers interviewing Rory Irvine. Rory says that he is one step closer to winning the Super Junior Carnival and knows that he has what it takes to one day win the CPWA Cruiserweight Championship. CPWA Cruiserweight Champion Kelly Lawton appears and tells Rory to keep dreaming and that he won't come as close as to winning the belt itself. Rory boasts that he has beaten Kelly and he will be the one to dethrone him for the CPWA Cruiserweight Championship.
In the green room, we see "The Number One Pick" LeJuan Jones talking with Brother Julius about their strategy for tonight's main event and how it will involve LeJuan's mystery tag team partner. LeJuan says that if everything goes to plan, then he will convince the GM to give him a chance at the CPWA World Heavyweight Championship.
We cut back to the arena.
Announcer: The following contest is scheduled for one fall with a 20-minute time limit.
Leo Arnaud's "Olympic Theme and Bugler's Dream" plays in the arena
Announcer: And his opponent, representing the Olympians, from Miami, Florida, he is Miguel Sandoval Jr.
Brian Kinsley: The last time we saw Miguel Sandoval Jr. was five months ago when he defeated Kenshiro Ishii. Since then, he took time off to train while being around his family.
Anthony Harris: His wife gave birth to their fourth child, so he has two boys and two girls. Hopefully, that will be the inspiration for him to improve tonight.
Franz Ferdinand's "Take Me Out" plays in the arena.
Announcer: Introducing first, from Milwaukee, Wisconsin, he is Jake Odenkirk.
Brian Kinsley: Big Jake Odenkirk has been chomping at the bit to try his hand at some singles competition and here he is looking to get a W for his family.
Sir Samuel Stewart: Big Jake looks like a million pounds tonight. That's pounds as in the currency of the United Kingdom.
Match 2: Miguel Sandoval Jr. vs. Jake Odenkirk A very excellent hoss match as both Miguel Sandoval Jr. and Jake Odenkirk tested their strengths against each other. Miguel looked much improved from the last time we saw him, taking time off to not only train, but to also bring another child into his family. That was all the motivation he needed in his match. The end of the match saw Miguel hit Jake with a Military Press Slam, followed by a spear, and a Fall from Grace (South of Heaven), which is named after his newborn daughter, to get the win.
4 out of 5 stars.
We open on a graphic image hyping up The Hart Sisters (Crystal and Tracy) taking on The Corazon Sisters (Rosa and Regina). We then see a graphic hyping up the CPWA Television Championship Match as the Mortician defends the championship in a six-man elimination match. We then see a graphic hyping up the first semifinal match for the Super Junior Carnival as Rory Irvine takes on Money Mark.
***Commercial Break***
We come back from commercial break and we see Elijah Jordan talking to his brothers about last week's assault from the Soldiers of Misfortune. Cedric says that they should get payback on the Soldiers of Misfortune. Deron "Ron" agrees to this. Shelton Jordan says that he needs to speak to GM Ronny Sharpe about who will face him for the CPWA World Heavyweight Championship in the future. Shelton leaves as Elijah, Cedric, and Ron look on.
We cut back to the ring.
Announcer: The following contest is scheduled for one fall and it is a quarterfinal match for the CPWA Super Junior Carnival Tournament.
The O'Reillys and Paddyhats' "Barrels of Whiskey" plays in the arena.
Announcer: Introducing first, from Dublin, Ireland, he is Rory Irvine.
Brian Kinsley: Rory Irvine is one step closer to winning the Super Junior Carnival. He's been on quite a roll and doesn't plan on slowing down.
Sir Samuel Stewart: The Commonwealth plans to put a halt to this Cinderella story Rory's got going on, so he needs to watch out for that.
Almighty 3's "To The Other MC's" plays in the arena.
Announcer: And his opponent, from Opa-Locka, Florida, he is Money Mark!
Brian Kinsley: Money Mark has also been on a big run of his own throughout this tournament as well. Last week, he pulled off another upset, this time beating Owen Benoit-Jericho.
Anthony Harris: Don't sleep on The Money Man! He is a former CPWA Cruiserweight Champion after all.
Match 3: CPWA Super Junior Carnival Tournament: Semifinal: Rory Irvine vs. Money Mark
This match wasn't bad, but it certainly wasn't good either. Both Rory and Money Mark looked like they were just happy to be in the ring. Money Mark had control of the match in the early going, but Rory soon took over the match with dropkicks, arm drags, wristlocks, and chinlocks. During the match, Owen Benoit-Jericho of The Commonwealth made his presence felt as he tried to interfere in the match. Thankfully, Money Mark prevented any problems to occur. Unfortunately, this led to Rory seizing the opportunity with a Celtic Cruificix Drop to get the win. Rory Irvine advances to the Super Junior Carnival Finals, where he will take on "The Korean Idol" Han Sang-Hoon or Devon Gatlin-Tyson.
2 out of 5 stars.
We get a one-minute hype package highlighting the Hart Sisters (Crystal and Tracy). The hype package ends as we go back to the arena.
Announcer: The following contest is scheduled for one fall with a 25-minute time limit.
Funba Rumba plays in the arena.
Announcer: Introducing first, from Monterrey, Mexico, they are Rosa and Regina, Las Corazones
Brian Kinsley: Las Corazones look to climb up the ranks of the women's tag team division in CPWA. We haven't seen them in a while, and that's because they won the women's tag team championships in Mexico.
Anthony Harris: A big congrats to them, but they're in Vancouver tonight, so that means they have a tall yet familiar task waiting for them.
"Hitman" plays in the arena
Announcer: And their opponents, from Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, they are Crystal and Tracy, the Hart Sisters.
Brian Kinsley: Listen to this ovation for these two young ladies. Crystal and Tracy Hart may not have the CPWA Women's Tag Team Championships, but best believe they will have the belts once again.
Sir Samuel Stewart: I think the roof just came off the building and my hearing is shot after hearing that ovation for the Harts.
Match 4: The Hart Sisters (Crystal and Tracy) vs. Las Corazones (Rosa and Regina)
The Harts and the Corazones are no strangers to each other in the ring, but on this night, it looks like they were strangers meeting each other for the first time. Aside from the huge pop for the Harts, this match did not get out of first gear. It was a back-and-forth match with some botches, leading to a scrambling finish. Regina Corazon went for a super kick that got countered into a sharpshooter from Crystal Hart. Regina submitted as the Harts won the match.
1 out of 5 stars.
We open on a graphic image hyping up the CPWA Television Championship Match as the Mortician defends the championship in a six-man elimination match. We then see a graphic hyping up tonight's main event between Keith Yang and Elijah Jordan taking on "The Number One Pick" LeJuan Jones and a mystery partner. We then see a graphic hyping up the second semifinal match for the Super Junior Carnival as "The Korean Idol" Han Sang-Hoon takes on Devon Gatlin-Tyson.
***Commercial Break***
We come back from commercial break and we see Keith Yang talking to Elijah Jordan. Keith said that he was sorry about what happened to his brothers and that he couldn't make it to last week's event due to a family emergency. Elijah nodded and understood and tells Keith to be "on one" tonight against LeJuan and his special mystery partner. Keith agrees and gets ready for the upcoming match.
We cut back to the arena.
Announcer: The following contest is scheduled is a six-man elimination match and it is for the CPWA Television Championship.
Nu Breed's "Florida" plays in the arena
Announcer: Introducing first, accompanied by his alligator Sunshine, from the Sunshine State, he is the CPWA Television Champion, "Florida Man" Gary Strange
Aka-Manto Chase Theme plays in the arena as red lights engulf the arena.
Announcer: Next, from the bowels of Jigoku, he is Aka-Manto.
Blood Brothers' "Replica" plays in the arena
Announcer: Next, representing The Commonwealth, from Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, he is Owen Benoit-Jericho.
Hp Boyz - Engineers. plays in the arena.
Announcer: Next, from Maui, Hawaii, he is Kahuna Maiavia.
Salute The Heroes plays in the arena.
Announcer: Next, from Detroit, Michigan, he is "Marvelous" Marshall Anderson
An organ cover to Runaway Casket plays in the arena.
Announcer: Finally, from Resting Peace Funeral Home, he is the CPWA Television Champion The Mortician!
Match 5: Six-Man Elimination Match for the CPWA Television Championship: "Florida Man" Gary Strange vs. Aka-Manto vs. Owen Benoit-Jericho vs. Kahuna Maiavia vs. "Marvelous" Marshall Anderson vs. The Mortician (c)
This one was a knockdown, drag-out brawl all throughout the ring and there were some quick and shocking eliminations: Owen-Benoit Jericho was the first elimination, followed by The Mortician (thanks to interference from Pretty Boy), and later "Marvelous" Marshall Anderson. Ten minutes later, Kahuna Maiavia was eliminated, leaving only Aka-Manto and "Florida Man" Gary Strange. Ultimately, "Florida Man" won the CPWA Television Championship in Canada of all places with a WTF (Welcome To Florida) to reclaim the CPWA Television Championship.
4 out of 5 stars.
We get a hype package for Devon Gatlin-Tyson. The hype package ends as we go back to the arena.
Announcer: The following contest is scheduled for one fall and it is a quarterfinal match for the CPWA Super Junior Carnival Tournament.
Rain's "It's Raining" begins to play in the arena
Announcer: Introducing first, from Seoul, South Korea, he is one half of the CPWA Cruiserweight Tag Team Champions, "The Korean Idol" Han Sang-Hoon!
Brian Kinsley: "The Korean Idol" Han Sang-Hoon looks to avenge his tag team partner, "The Hi-Fli Kid" Jerome Evans tonight as he takes on Devon Gatlin-Tyson.
Sir Samuel Stewart: "The Korean Idol" may be a pretty boy, but don't let that fool you. He can go in the ring.
Leo Arnaud's "Olympic Theme and Bugler's Dream" plays in the arena
Announcer: And his opponent, representing the Olympians, from Jacksonville, Florida, he is Devon Gatlin-Tyson.
Brian Kinsley: Devon Gatlin-Tyson has had an unprecedented run in the Super Junior Carnival so far, but let's see if his confidence can lead him to the Finals.
Anthony Harris: Of course, he will, DGT's all about confidence and calling his shots.
Match 6: CPWA Super Junior Carnival Tournament: Semifinal: "The Korean Idol" Han Sang-Hoon vs. Devon Gatlin-Tyson
Another solid match to close out the semifinal portion of the Super Junior Carnival Tournament. DGT had control early on in the match, but "The Korean Idol" would make his presence felt with dropkicks, hurricanranas, and even a tornado DDT. As the match progressed, fellow Olympians Chip Day and Miles Orozco rushed down to the ring to help DGT, but "The Hi-Fli Kid" Jerome Evans, along with StarrVice (Mark Starr and Ricky Vice) evened the odds. The distraction caused DGT to get flustered, allowing "The Korean Idol" to pull off a superkick, followed by a K-Pop Drop to get the win. "The Korean Idol" Han Sang-Hoon advances to the Finals of the Super Junior Carnival, where he will face the scrappy, plucky, and resilient Rory Irvine.
3 out of 5 stars.
We open on a graphic hyping up tonight's main event between Keith Yang and Elijah Jordan taking on "The Number One Pick" LeJuan Jones and a mystery partner, which is next.
***Commercial Break***
Brian Kinsley: This Saturday, we will be coming to you live from Calgary, Alberta, Canada for CPWA Deception. The CPWA World Heavyweight Championship will be on the line, plus the finals of the CPWA Super Junior Carnival take place. Next Wednesday, CPWA Octane comes to you live from Boise, Idaho, which will see the Mortician in action, plus The Commonwealth, The Olympians, and the return of King Shaka.
Announcer: Our main event is scheduled for...
Crowd: ONE FALL!!!
Bambu's "Chairman Mao" plays in the arena.
Announcer: Introducing first, from Shanghai, China, he is Keith Yang.
Brian Kinsley: IT'S YANG TIME!!!
Busy Signal's "Real Bad Boys" plays in the arena.
Announcer: His tag team partner, from Miami, Florida, he is Elijah Jordan.
Buckshot, Skyzoo, Promise, and Sean Price's "I'm Better Than You" plays in the arena.
Announcer: And their opponents, introducing first, accompanied to the ring by Brother Julius, from Columbus, Ohio, "The Number One Pick," LeJuan Jones.
LeJuan Jones: Two weeks ago, I surprised everyone with the reveal of the Soldiers of Misfortune helping me get a big dub. So, why don't I repeat that success and since we're in Vancouver, who hasn't had a championship in god knows how long. I figured why don't I reveal who my mystery partner will be tonight?
Silence fills the arena. Suddenly, Monroe Storm emerges from the curtain onto the entrance ramp.
Motley Crue's "Shout At The Devil" plays in the arena.
Announcer: His tag team partner, accompanied to the ring by Monroe Storm, from Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada, he is Logan Lemming.
Main Event: Keith Yang and Elijah Jordan vs. "The Number One Pick" LeJuan Jones and Logan Lemming
An excellent main event that brought the hype after the big reveal of Logan Lemming's return. Keith and Elijah started off the match hot, each one taking turns roughing up "The Number One Pick." When Logan got the tag, he was a house of fire as the crowd cheered uncontrollably. It became a battle of attrition for both teams as they continued trying to outdo each other. Logan hit Keith Yang with Logan's Run, only for Elijah Jordan to plop on him with a Big Ending, pinning him and LeJuan for the win and payback.
4 out of 5 stars.
Keith and Elijah celebrate as Shelton joins them, but it is short-lived as GM Ronny Sharpe announced that at Deception, Shelton Jordan will defend the CPWA World Heavyweight Championship against Keith Yang, "The Number One Pick" LeJuan Jones, and Logan Lemming. The reveal leaves everyone shocked as Octane fades to black.
The results from FedSimulator.com
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I'm so excited that it's finally done that I wanted to share it with people who can appreciate it since I only have a few friends I can actually play with. I hope no one minds a junk pile of images haha.
So first things first, I want to clarify that I did NOT build this myself. I commissioned this, and I couldn't be happier with the work of the artisans who made it. They were extremely communicative and built it to my exact specifications and even made a few fantastic suggestions of their own. I'm blown away by the construction, design and quality so let me share some photos!
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Gameboard: Front/Top
The board is made from real oak so it feels very solid and looks fantastic.
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Full Board: Top View
I had this designed with Gwent 2.0 from Novigrad Tavern in mind. The bottom left spaces are: far left - Leader Card, to the right - I call this the transformation space. In standard Gwent, only Bovine Defense force, and Werebears need this as a part of their mechanic (cards that remain out of play/deck until they are summoned through card effects). However, in 2.0, the Toussaint faction also has the Monsters of Toussaint mechanic which functions the same way so I figured I should have a space built in for it (that's what the three symbols are for). For decks without this mechanic its a nice square to set your Faction abilities card.
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Geralt Pyrography Art
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Yen Pyrography Art
The Geralt and Yen portraits were my idea of a sort of player one/player two indicator. I asked if the art could be used since it was extremely detailed and stylized and they did it. I'm happy with the results. The photo here makes Yen in particular look a little odd but it looks really good in person. The portraits are underneath where the points trackers sit.
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Tiered Board Levels
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Deck Box: What wonders await inside?
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Two door opening with space for the 10 factions
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Art for each of the 10 factions in their respective deck space with labeled names from the top and bottom fold out flaps.
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Right Side Flap: Geralt's Silver Sword and points tracker
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Left Side Flap: Geralt's Steel Sword and 2nd points tracker.
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When you remove the points trackers, swords and other lids... Voila!
Removing the locks and lids seen in the previous images reveals the storage spaces for the game tokens. 2 gems for each player, Faction flag/figurines with labeled stands for use on the gameboard (images coming up), weather token indicators (for help remembering on both sides of the board when drinking), and smaller faction tokens to be used to keep score on the points trackers.
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Five Original Factions Side
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Five Expansion Factions Side
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Decks Sold Separately
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Game Time!
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Points trackers in the portraits slots with faction figurines
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Action Shot
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Carrying Straps for the Deck Box: notice the signs on the handle!
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Carrying Straps for the Gameboard
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Complimentary Two Drink Coaster: They must have known how card players roll. I didn't even ask for this :)
An additional thing of note, I always sleeve my cards in any specialty game I play so I asked if they could design everything with the extra length and with of my card sleeves in mind and they did it no problem. This is my pride and joy (my daughter too, of course) and I can't wait to play. I'm lined up to hang out with my best friend this week who's equally psyched. This was NOT cheap. I literally saved specifically for this but man does it feel worth it. Time to start accosting people in public for a round of Gwent.