Reclassification of the GLA's alignment Options

[GeneralCamo]

ROTR's factions are described as different shades of Grey basically. However, the GLA does not fit into this category very easily. Consider this:

The GLA:

• Hates Poachers and illegal loggers
• Accepts cannibalism
• Works to protect the african jungle in a sense
• Kills people nearly daily
• Is against the political corruption of the west
• Sends toxic nukes into major US and European cities

I would actually reclassify them as... blue morality.

Here is a TV tropes article on what this means: http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main...dOrangeMorality

In short, basically Blue morality is for cultures and civilizations when you cannot cleanly fit them onto the moral scale. The GLA perfectly fits this.

[X1Destroy]

Accepts cannibalism

Never seen this one..........But the rest are true.

[MARS]

^ It's something that a smallish group within the GLA did in one of Crusher's fics. Haven't fully decided on it yet, but I suppose the Zone can be home to all sorts of fucked up things that small, self-contained groups would do on their free time, all while the place is being 'administered' by the GLA.

[Shiro]

In the face of survival against all odds, there are only very few who wouldn't go for such drastic measures if it means to survive just one more day, it's not a GLA exclusive. That said, they are the most likely to engage in it considering their circumstances.

[X1Destroy]

^ It's something that a smallish group within the GLA did in one of Crusher's fics. Haven't fully decided on it yet, but I suppose the Zone can be home to all sorts of fucked up things that small, self-contained groups would do on their free time, all while the place is being 'administered' by the GLA.

Which one then? I wanna take a look at it.

This post has been edited by X1Destroy: 10 Aug 2014, 17:45

[Serialkillerwhal...]

Poachers and Illegal loggers would damage the rainforest, which, they're using Hamas-style.

Ie. they know not even China's willing to deal with the PR Clusterfuck that would be blowing up an rainforest.
And the "Political Corruption" is pure bullshit they spew about anyone not on their side.

[ComradeCrimson]

The GLA is so varied and diverse with its ideology that trying to classify it like that is pointless in my opinion. The GLA is a loose network, an alliance really, of various groups across the world (with strongholds and a rogue nation state in Africa as a main backer) that simply hate the world powers for whatever reasons they may have.

The GLA, if we are going off the 3 major leaders are mostly comprised of anti corporatist extremists (Ibraahim) who have a grudge against capitalism. This can include communist/socialist revolutionaries, people of lower classes, traditionalists, radical liberals etc. You also have huge amounts of drug profiteering and smuggling in this corner, and this section of the GLA is a huge cabal of drug trade and chemical and biological weapons research, and where rogue scientists may end up as well. Basically if you took Walter White, Trotsky on Walter's meth and the Khmer rogue and made a toxic barrel of poisonous extremism out of it.
(And yes, I am saying this as a Communist myself- this is just how the group is.)

Then you have the warlords and quasi nationalism/nation building of Sulaymaan- Sulaymaan wants to create a warrior's paradise, his own valhalla, that quite frankly reminds me of a more chaotic version of Outer Heaven. A militaristic nation where the have nots, soldiers of fortune and idealists can all go to to grind their axes in order to attack the haves and their particular enemies. In this group as well you have nationalists/locals and people who are purely mercenaries and dogs of war, people profiteering off of the warfare that the GLA provides.

And finally, which is also a very large portion of the GLA, you have the fundamentalists, patriots and traditionalists of the world, mostly of Africa and the Middle East, but this includes other places as well like oppressed western Chinese people. Sort of the original ZH GLA if you will, led by Yusuf.
This group is full of Islamic extremism, violent reactionaries, angry citizens and weathered partisans of invaded nations that have suffered the cruelty of the world powers and a whole slew of religious cults and backward sects of various faiths.

These are the 3 generals and the major "camps" if you will of the GLA. But the truth of the GLA is its so varied and its so intermixed that this is all blended into one, and you have fascists,environmentalists, industrialists, communists, liberals, capitalists, anarchists, authoritarian tinpot dictators, refugees and psychopaths, freedom fighters, terrorists, revolutionaries, reactionaries, fundamentalists, athiests, drug dealers and cartels, gangs and pirates and a whole whack of different groups that the true thing they have in common is solely this: They are a united (if loosely at times) front against the oppression and influence of the world powers, which includes China, America, the Europeans, the Russians and all their associated allies. The GLA is international- though its major stronghold of support presently is in Africa, Africa having been the most badgered place in the world by said world powers in our story (and arguably, real life).

And as for its dominated areas, the GLA rule of law is ambiguous, chaotic and somewhat unpredictable, anocracy can be presumed to be the most common form of government within the GLA. Warlords, idealogues and tinpot dictators would probably common ruling over their own sects, maybe even radical democracies. The key point is though that they in Africa all answer to the GLA as the GLA IS the closest thing to order, and they punish those who offend their rule without mercy. A haven for those who are not of a conventional lifestyle and may be living a life of fortune, adventure, or chasing an ideal or quest for revenge, but a horrible place to live in general for your average person. This would not be an environment you'd want to raise a stable family of peaceful values in, this is a place that is full of bloodshed, chaos and desperation. And cannibalism may indeed happen to those desperate enough to find food, as supplies are squabbled over. It's a thorough wasteland of chaos and conflict- and quite frankly its why the GLA are such an interesting faction.

This is at least how I see the GLA and their territories. Whether it's accurate or not is up to Mars to confirm.

This post has been edited by ComradeCrimson: 11 Aug 2014, 3:25

[teslashark]

ComradeCrimson, you just classfied everyone not going with the Big 4 as GLA...

[ComradeCrimson]

ComradeCrimson, you just classfied everyone not going with the Big 4 as GLA...

Precisely. That IS the GLA. If they submit to the GLA network and coordinate with it, they are GLA. Which technically makes the GLA one of THE most ambiguous factions in terms of their numbers and strength, and support. They could technically have more manpower than China even- but we don't know that for certain and it certainly wouldn't be as organized as China of course.

Were talking of the *Global Liberation Army* here. This ain't no puny terror cell, this is a massive front that called on and required 2, then 4 super powers to crush them/stave them off respectively.

And there is still neutral nations of course- but the GLA is indeed powerful.

Edit: No, I actually didn't classify everyone as GLA. I classified those who attribute themselves to the GLA and are against the world powers as such. Take a lookie again bud, read through it. I know it's a wall of text but I was pretty thorough in stating my opinion and the thoughts alongside it.

This post has been edited by ComradeCrimson: 11 Aug 2014, 3:40

[MARS]

Crimsons characterisation of the GLA as I imagined them for ROTR is pretty spot on. Let's consider what kinda world ROTR is actually set in: A world that includes not one, not two but -four- entities that can consider themselves superpowers. America, Europe, Russia and China own the overwhelming majority of all resources and wealth in this world, the global economy revolves around them, they all possess some kind of WMD and their militaries are powerful enough to project force around the globe. The extent of said force may still vary, but they all have the ability. This is a multipolar, globalised world in which the GLA can be considered the single biggest and most organised gathering ground for -anyone- who opposes said globalisation or any of the superpowers that defined it. Basically, the ROTR world is made up of the following entities: Superpowers > international organisations that revolve around a certain superpower* > regional organisations, possibly with overlapping memberships, that aren't directly associated with a superpower** > individual countries that have some sort of affiliation with a superpower > individual countries that don't belong to either of the previous three ? the GLA.

*These include:
The North American Union, which is a triple alliance of Canada, Mexico and the US which mainly revolves around the latter.
The Greater Asian Peoples Alliance, which is all of continental south-east Asia and essentially a glorified term for the countries that got strongarmed into China's hegemony for future assimilation.
The Collective Security Treaty Organisation, which includes the former-Soviet 'Stans as well as several eastern European countries which slipped into the Russian sphere.
The Maghreb Union, which includes Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia and Libya, which have been modernised by the ECA to the point where they can fight off GLA incursions on their own.

**These include:
The South American Pact, which is currently an intergovernmental organisation, but trying to evolve into a full-on federation to ensure political independence and progress for all of South America.
The Middle Eastern Council, which is mainly a humanitarian/diplomatic entity to organise the peaceful reconstruction and redevelopment of the Middle East after the GWOT practically turned it into a Mad Max world.
The Bangalore Pact, which came around after India and Pakistan reconciled in the joint struggle against the GLA. Russian-armed and somewhat anti-Chinese in trying not to be absorbed like the GAPA.
The Commonwealth, which includes all the former colonies of the British Empire. Evolved into a well-connected tradebloc, with strong cultural ties and a common identity which saw many Commonwealth citizens volunteering to defend Britain in WW3.
The African Union, which is mainly a political forum like the the MEC, but blatantly powerless in practice because all African countries have fallen under different degrees of foreign control.
The rump of ASEAN, which remained after China seized the continental countries for the GAPA.
The East African Federation, which fully developed after the Russian retreat and consolidated itself as a single, sovereign state against the GLA.

[Svea Rike]

I've covered the GLA internal structure in my conspiracies fic, but I'm not sure if is canon or not.

[__CrUsHeR]

Which one then? I wanna take a look at it.

Check it here: Pandemonium

Besides cannibalism are performed pagan rituals among other bizarre things that you do not often see these days.

[V.Metalic]

Check it here: Pandemonium

Besides cannibalism are performed pagan rituals among other bizarre things that you do not often see these days.

Forcing poor tourist prisoners to drink oil... for that I really despise the GLA in RotR, that even Shock Troopers seems to have some humanity in them Hmm, well, its probably Shock Troopers and GLA can shake hands, being even in their attrocities.

This post has been edited by V.Metalic: 11 Aug 2014, 14:22

[__CrUsHeR]

Forcing poor tourist prisoners to drink oil... for that I really despise the GLA in RotR, that even Shock Troopers seems to have some humanity in them Hmm, well, its probably Shock Troopers and GLA can shake hands, being even in their attrocities.

Your reasoning makes sense.

However are not any GLA members that are susceptible to these types of horrendous atrocities involving things like blood rituals for example; General Sulaymaan was the guy who gave approval for this type of thing within the GLA to merge different groups and cultures within a single army, then all these mixtures culminated in 'The Zone'; inasmuch as you will down below the surface of 'The Zone' you will finding the hell of Pandemonium... there you will find what is the worst of the human specie... then eventually an Shock Trooper can be 'little' compared to some of the GLA members.

This post has been edited by __CrUsHeR: 11 Aug 2014, 15:15

[V.Metalic]

Your reasoning makes sense.

However are not any GLA members that are susceptible to these types of horrendous atrocities involving things like blood rituals for example; General Sulaymaan was the guy who gave approval for this type of thing within the GLA to merge different groups and cultures within a single army, then all these mixtures culminated in 'The Zone'; inasmuch as you will down below the surface of 'The Zone' you will finding the hell of Pandemonium... there you will find what is the worst of the human specie... then eventually an Shock Trooper can be 'little' compared to some of the GLA members.

Hmm... when we will look into it deeper, we can fidn the difference between the various "horrible and brutal" GLA sects, members and cabals, and Shock Troops Corps. These GLA elements, as you said it, are adopting the tribal rituals, as well as simply living in the area where there is only one law, "I have a gun, I can do anything for my amusement". Also the fundamentalism, fight against superpowers, simply all of these reasons can shape the personalty into committing the worst of human species. As you said, the Zone turns into Pandemonium incarnate.

Shock Troopers, on the other hand, can be probably described by two mottos. "Victory at all costs", and "We dont give a f***". ... And maybe also about "superiority". In the lore it was said Shock Troopers began shooting field medics who were unarmed. There goes the two mottos. To make sure enemy dont has many people they must make sure that wounded soldiers int he field dont returns back to fight. And breaking the international laws, they dont simply care Aleksandr included. I can imagine them shooting the prisoners in the head, or even executing Russian soldiers for "cowardice", they have the guts for that, and in their brainwashed minds, justification for the "greater good of Mother Russia". But that they will actively pick some guys, throw them into a pit and send a hungry dogs to entertain themselves, that seems to be unlikely for the Shock Troopers. They are still soldiers. in a sense, if psychically unstable. If you got what I mean.

This post has been edited by V.Metalic: 11 Aug 2014, 15:54

[__CrUsHeR]

Hmm... when we will look into it deeper, we can fidn the difference between the various "horrible and brutal" GLA sects, members and cabals, and Shock Troops Corps. These GLA elements, as you said it, are adopting the tribal rituals, as well as simply living in the area where there is only one law, "I have a gun, I can do anything for my amusement". Also the fundamentalism, fight against superpowers, simply all of these reasons can shape the personalty into committing the worst of human species. As you said, the Zone turns into Pandemonium incarnate.

Shock Troopers, on the other hand, can be probably described by two mottos. "Victory at all costs", and "We dont give a f***". ... And maybe also about "superiority". In the lore it was said Shock Troopers began shooting field medics who were unarmed. There goes the two mottos. To make sure enemy dont has many people they must make sure that wounded soldiers int he field dont returns back to fight. And breaking the international laws, they dont simply care Aleksandr included. I can imagine them shooting the prisoners in the head, or even executing Russian soldiers for "cowardice", they have the guts for that, and in their brainwashed minds, justification for the "greater good of Mother Russia". But that they will actively pick some guys, throw them into a pit and send a hungry dogs to entertain themselves, that seems to be unlikely for the Shock Troopers. They are still soldiers. in a sense, if psychically unstable. If you got what I mean.

I totally understand that and I think the same thing; as some sects and groups of GLA are not actually inserted in a military context some things go beyond the 'sense of duty and honor' and go on to motivate for personal reasons.

As the Shock Troopers are 'tough bad guys' and care for their own ego above other dilemmas still has the minimal sense of 'military duty and honor' which puts them within the RA's unity.

[Jam Hacker]

Hmm... when we will look into it deeper, we can fidn the difference between the various "horrible and brutal" GLA sects, members and cabals, and Shock Troops Corps. These GLA elements, as you said it, are adopting the tribal rituals, as well as simply living in the area where there is only one law, "I have a gun, I can do anything for my amusement". Also the fundamentalism, fight against superpowers, simply all of these reasons can shape the personalty into committing the worst of human species. As you said, the Zone turns into Pandemonium incarnate.

Shock Troopers, on the other hand, can be probably described by two mottos. "Victory at all costs", and "We dont give a f***". ... And maybe also about "superiority". In the lore it was said Shock Troopers began shooting field medics who were unarmed. There goes the two mottos. To make sure enemy dont has many people they must make sure that wounded soldiers int he field dont returns back to fight. And breaking the international laws, they dont simply care Aleksandr included. I can imagine them shooting the prisoners in the head, or even executing Russian soldiers for "cowardice", they have the guts for that, and in their brainwashed minds, justification for the "greater good of Mother Russia". But that they will actively pick some guys, throw them into a pit and send a hungry dogs to entertain themselves, that seems to be unlikely for the Shock Troopers. They are still soldiers. in a sense, if psychically unstable. If you got what I mean.

chaos undivided space marines and god specific chaos spacemarines

[V.Metalic]

chaos undivided space marines and god specific chaos spacemarines

More or less yes. Probably Rubric Marines than.

[X1Destroy]

Shock troopers.........are more like.....AI controlled drones to me. They just don't care, seeing anything that isn't one of them as a bunch of pixels on the monitor, and need to be eliminated regardless of whatever rules to please theirs masters. Such things as occult rituals, traditions.....I don't think those existed in theirs mind to begin with. They've been brainwashed, after all.

On the other hand, this kind of shit is a part of GLA since the beginning.

If the Shock troopers would ever become cannibals, it would be only for survival to fight on another day. And if Aleksandr ever forbid that, they wouldn't and never will.

This post has been edited by X1Destroy: 11 Aug 2014, 19:44