I believe we are all aware of the dire situation most Rheinland outlaw factions (Volksfront, LWB, Alster Union) have to face. The lack of activity is no longer a problem we could deny, I'm inclined to say.
Following a few discussions within the Rheinland Revolutionary Alliance chat, we mostly concluded that the problem lies within the similar ZoIs, which consist of the Rheinland inner systems. An observant person might note that the Red Hessians always have 4-5 active factions or player groups at the same time to represent their side (atm it's the Red Hessian Army, Hessian Tears [yes, I know they merged], Rot Front and Smokeone), which could easily fill up any of the three currently inactive Rheinland outlaw organizations.
No, I'm not saying any of the currently active Hessian factions should suddenly become LWB/VF/AU. I would, on the other hand propose/suggest measurements that might make these three factions somewhat more attractive, as the RM wouldn't be the only opposition you'd have to face, and Rheinland traders wouldn't be the only ones that you'd have to deal with.
Before I start, I'd like to note that some of these suggestions might be stupid/OORP/radical/impossible to manage. But the reason for this thread is to discuss it, no?
Volksfront:
Allow me to start with my own faction, the Volksfront. I would recommend increasing the ZoI to the Sigmas (13, 19). The RP background could be negotiated with the GMG, the opposition we'd have to face would be Corsairs who don't look upon our expansion as favorable. If you really insist, I can commence/continue negotiations with Malcolm Arison (my VF char), as well as setting up the RP behind why we would ever want to leave our beloved Vaterland.
The other piece of increasing would be towards New Hampshire and perhaps even Quebec. We have a base in Bremen anyway, we could organize shootouts between the LN and us. We don't support the war, but we don't support the Libertonians taking over either.
Another note regarding the VF, I think we shouldn't continue the "oh no, we don't pirate" approach, now officially. We experimented with dealing out the word to traders regarding the revolution as well as "confiscating" anything from them that could be of use to us or harmful to the Rheinland people (military vehicles, light arms, (political) prisoners, H-fuel, luxuries, gold, etc.) It would be RP piracy, not to fill our pockets.
Summary: VF to Hampshire and Sigmas, get RP piracy on the schedule.
Alster Union:
I know the AU tends to raid into Hudson and Bering, but that could be extended to Texas, preferably to the grounds of piracy. There's a lot of juicy trader and supply ships inbound towards Hudson and Hampshire, with goods the AU could use. The Libertonian government declared the AU as hostile anyway, regarding the blood diamond situation of the recent times. It's not like the LN would bomb Pacifica for a few lost supplies, but they could definitely send down a few patrol wings to protect the said convoys, causing bountiful encounters pvp and RP-wise, the way I see it.
Also, someone on the RRA chat noted that the AU are actually terrorists, not revolutionaries in the common sense. That's not what I've personally seen from their side, but more like the common worker liberation-revolutionary propaganda side. I think the AU could somehow begin acting like the Xenos or pirates, they would still be supporting the other revolutionary movements, but could ruthlessly blast any civilian and corporate asset they encounter aswell. Basically, their primary aim would be to cripple the authorities WHILE filling their pockets and causing terror, notably than what for example the VF does.
Summary: AU to Texas and possibly to connecting systems (discluding NY and Cali), enforce the terrorist approach more.
Landwirtrechtbewegung:
I have to admit, I don't know much about the LWB as it's definitely not that over expanded, that's why my suggestions are probably going to be pretty vain. The LWB, in light of their relations with the Mollies, could expand to the Omegas, as in Omega-3 and 7. LWB fighters could go with piracy in these two systems, being bountiful due to the ridiculous amount of miners of the late. Sure, piracy is not their primary aim, but an agricultural revolution needs supplies to expand aswell. Occasionally, I don't see harm in assisting the RHA in their O-5 front either, seeing that the Corsair expansion means a drawback to the LWB too, and they are the closest to the Omega front lines.
Additionally, giving the LWB 1-2 more bases in 4.86 would be a good idea, although it's not mine to decide or consider, but seeing that they only have two bases in the whole game is pretty... disappointing.
Summary: LWB to the Omegas (3, 7, possibly 5) and give the poor guys another base.
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A faction of the above three might also want to note how disadvantageous the Bounty Hunter presence in Omega-15 is.
