Sordish Authoritarian Democracy - Capitalist Neo-Sollist Rayne - Guide (3.1)

Hello. This guide is focused on continuing Soll's legacy of a strong and formidable Sordland. The plan is to truly modernise the country, regardless of the Old Guard's whims, the Assembly's inefficient bickering and voter's fickle will. The highlights of our achievements are:

- Amending the constitution with the NFP's help to create a proper separation of powers and balance.

- Stopping the recession with a market economy, while achieving the Jewel of the East synergy, the Silicon Valley synergy and maintaining our self-reliance.

- Expanding welfare, including worker's rights, liberating women, helping children from poor families and oferring housing assistance.

- Modernising our military and winning the war with Rumburg and the BFF with our own non-aligned alliance bloc of Agnolia and Wehlen.

Disclaimers

Do you want a more minmaxed version?

Hello. The more I think about this guide (especially since I'm working on a Sordish Authoritarian Democracy - Socialist Rayne), the more I start thinking about the min-maxed path. I got really attached to EPA at 49% and a self-sufficient economy and it skewed my judgement and roleplay a little. But the question is, do you want me to re-do this guide slightly? Or at least assume a divergent path? In short and as for the highlights, such path would assume much more ED, Lespia alliance and Valken's Blitzkrieg, BUT it'd also assume our energy sector being extremely volatile (repealed EPA, which results in Anrakan control over Gasom and Sordish Petroleum in Lespian hands). What do you think?

This is my interpretation of Neo-Sollism

The short version of roleplay is that when I started playing this playthrough, I had the phrase "Sordish Authoritarian Democracy" in mind. I wanted to do a mildly democratic constitution with the NFP while doing a balance of Sollist choices and ones that will modernise the country and improve the quality of life for Sords.

The long version is, my interpretation of Neo-Sollism looks something like this:

• Republicanism - Soll created an illiberal democracy without proper separation of powers, creating an extremely strong judiciary that was supposed to protect his legacy, a strong president that had a cult around himself and a rather weak Assembly. We will maintain a moderately strong president, but we'll destroy judiciary's position and strengthen the Assembly slightly, to bring the Sordish constitution to the international standards and create a proper balance between each branch of the government.
  
  
• Stasism - Soll's planned economy was stagnating during his last tenure and can't be sustainable in a long term, which is why we'll liberalize the market somewhat. We'll still maintain a great degree of interventionism with things like EPA, minimum wage, housing assistance, state owning shares in major corporations and so on, but we'll unburden the state from managing the economy and let the basic principles of capitalism flourish.
  
  
• Nationalism - Sollists are civic nationalists, not ethnic. We'll genuinely believe in the Articles 6 & 7 and how we're all Sords, regardless of ethnicity. The BFF is a real problem though, which is why we'll work with Wehlen to crush the terrorists, but we'll try our best to not get the moderate Bluds caught in a crossfire and instead, reconcile with them.

Feel free to comment and correct me if I made any mistakes or discuss my reasoning for the choices I made.

Meta vs roleplay

This is NOT the most optimal playthrough, I focused on the roleplay. At times I'll make notes, marked with *, where I suggest looking into the "Notes" section to understand that there is an alternative, usually more optimal choice here.

I've decided to make a short, less immersive version as well as a very immersive one. The important events where actual decisions happen are emboldened. I of course suggest the immersive one, but if for some reason you'd prefer the basic one, I hope it'll do.

As for the second, immersive part, I intended to make this guide step-by-step and roleplay-ish. Not everything I talk about is vital, which is why I'll mark the important events and decisions with an underline and by emboldening the text.

Roleplaying tips

I'd like to elaborate on my game plan from a roleplaying perspective, just so you, the reader, know what you're getting into.

Rayne in private

The Rayne we'll be going for will be a loving father and husband. We will aim to get the "Family man" achievement, which requires keeping the family together, so NOT divorcing Monica and keeping Franc close to home by sending him to the Holsord State University. You could also send Franc to the military school, since at least it's not considered corruption (so it's a PO gain, not loss), or to United Contana, but that'd make him a hardline socialist.

As for our friends and allies:

Petr Vactern is our best friend, his loyalty to us is unconditional and so is our loyalty to him, which means we'll weather whatever we come across together. So, if any scandal were to happen, we'll defend him and keep him as our right-hand man. Wink wink.

There's also our new friend, Gus Manger. His competent financial advice and contacts will be of great use to us, on a personal level. While we don't see much of his work as the minister of Agriculture & Rural Development, he's the reason Gruni is yellow, not red at the game's start and besides that he's a pretty good diplomat, as per Deivid's words.

As for our mentor, Deivid Wisci, he's perhaps a little too idealistic, maybe even naive, but he truly wants what's the best for us and for Sordland. We'll treat him with great respect, despite not always following his advice.

Most other cabinet members will also be of great help, the three above deserve special praise though. We'll be nice to everyone, since all of our ministers have some great ideas we'll implement.

We'll be nice to Serge as well. We'll even pay for his kid's education and all the other spendings. It's not necessary and in fact it'd be more optimal to spend money on Alphonso's Foundation, but Serge deserves it, so this is what we'll go with.

Rayne in politics

The main goal of this playthrough was to establish Rayne as the successor of Soll, while being a patriot, not a self-serving despot. We'll go for a constitution that maintains a strong executive while establishing a proper separation of powers, which we'll pass with the help of the USP Reformists, the NFP, our own lobbying, Oligarch's lobbying and the independents.

We will be a Neo-Sollist, but a very moderate one. Not everything we'll do will be in line with what Sollists and nationalists want. That's simply because some of their ideas are dumb, so we'll have to do some controversial choices which are necessary to modernise this country.

We will not repress our political rivals. Doing so would lead to further unrest, so all we'll do is become personally popular, ensuring our continued presidency and weakening the opposition. We'll absorb the nationalists into an alliance, undermine Ricter's liberal voter base and reconcile with Bluds, so they start voting for us as well. Our only real opposition will be the socialists, but if we implement some socialist policies ourselves, they'll also lose a platform to run on.

We will promote a market economy, but maintain a degree of state interventionism with bills like the Worker's Rights, EPA at 49%, some state owned industries like the Sordish Petroleum... The idea is to emulate Lespian Protectionism, read up about it in the codex. We'll achieve the Great Sordish Recovery, high production, improved transportation links and most importantly, maintain our self-reliance. The Radical will applaud "Raynomics" for bringing the country out of the recession even.

We consider Rumburg a threat to Sordland and will deal with it as soon as possible. To do so, we'll modernise the military with Iosef's plans and ally Agnolia and Wehlen to take as much land as possible, heavily weakening Rumburg and strengthening ourselves if another conflict between us were to happen.

Chapter I: President Rayne

Prologue (using the skip prologue option)

• Family: Wealthy (Lachaven).
  
  
• Formative Years: Normal Path.
  
  
• University: Economics (Lachaven Business School).
  
  
• Extracurricular Activity: Student Council.
  
  
• Join a Youth Organisation: Young Sords (nationalists).
  
  
• Opposition inside the United Sordland Party: Support Soll (president).
  
  
• Take Power from Alphonso: Advise Alphonso to Step Down.
  
  
• Campaign Promise: Preserve National Values.

Be nice to people pretty much on every opportunity. Also, if you ever find the dialogues insufficiently explained, look into the detailed part for more information. I marked the important events by emboldening the text.

Turn I (7 GB, 3 PW)

Election Campaign Promises:

• Economic Direction: Promote Market Economy.
  
  
• Diplomatic Leaning: Align West.
  
  
• Immigration Policy: Retain Relaxed Immigration.
  
  
• Term focus: Promise whatever. I'll go with Education. The inauguration speech shouldn't matter.

As for events throughout the first turn:

• Briefing on the Current Political Situation: The new Constitution should give the President wide-ranging powers to lead Sordland into the future. We'll have to do some convincing to get Petr and Lucian to agree.
  
  
• Briefing on the Current Economic Situation: Promote a market economy as we promised.
  
  
• Meeting on the Media Strategy*: Reject the offer to meet with Koronti.
  
  
• Campaign Finance Bill: Veto.
  
  
• Invest in Mega-Infrastructure: Invest in the mega-infrastructure project (-1 GB).
  
  
• Discussion of the Potential Infrastructure Projects: Build the L-1 high speed rail project.
  
  
• Invest in Arcasian Company Stocks: Buy 3000 shares (-3 PW).
  
  
• Reception at Inaugural Ball: Nothing important.
  
  
• Emergency Meeting: Nothing important.

Turn II (6 GB, 0 PW)

• Dinner with the Family at Home: Nothing important.
  
  
• Security Briefing on the Threats Against Sordland: Nothing important.
  
  
• End of the Day at the Maroon Palace: Tell Tusk he can do better and take the bribe (+2 PW).
  
  
• React to the Unrest: Visit affected towns in person.
  
  
• Economic Relief Plan: Don't enact plan.
  
  
• Finalization of the L-1 Railway Contract: Settle on Taurus Holding.
  
  
• Funeral of Bernard Circas: Attend the funeral. Hold your own umbrella and DON'T let the Red Youth in.
  
  
• Briefing on the Current Diplomatic Situation: Close the consulate in Dome.
  
  
• Briefing on the results from the Reform Committee: Nothing important.
  
  
• Tourism and Cultural Preservation Act: Sign (-1 GB).
  
  
• Meeting with Chief Justice Orso Hawker: Refuse his plan.

Turn III (5 GB, 2 PW)

• Barbecue with Franc: Nothing important.
  
  
• Presidential Visit to Narbel: Be nice and pay for Serge's expenses (-2 PW).
  
  
• Briefing on the Current Welfare Situation: Nothing important.
  
  
• Meeting with Manger and Alphonso on Gasom:
  
  • Be nice to Ewald and Gus.
    
  • Invest alone (-2 GB).
    
  • Demand Alphonso gives workers better housing, access to healthcare and opportunities for education.
  
  
• Leave the Gasom Facility and Narbel: Fly away with Alphonso's helicopter.
  
  
• Flying over Nargis with Alphonso and Wolkner: Nothing important.
  
  
• Stability Order of 1954: Don't ban either.
  
  
• Finalization of the Drafted Constitutional Changes:
  
  • For the roleplay:
    
    • Veto: Limit vetoes (3/5 majority can override).
      
    • SC Vote: Remove (mandatory).
      
    • Presidential Impeachment: The Assembly and the Supreme Court may impeach with majority in both.
      
    • Appointment of Ministers: Confidence Vote is Required.
      
    • Electoral Threshold: Decrease threshold to 8%.
      
    • Decrees: Do not change.
      
    • Term limits: Introduce a limit of 2 terms.
      
    • Justice Impeachment: Justices may be impeached by the Assembly.
      
    • Member of Honor: Do not change.
    
    
  • For the Soll's Legacy achievement/most radical constitution:
    
    • Veto: Do not change.
      
    • SC Vote: Remove (mandatory).
      
    • Presidential Impeachment: The President may not be impeached.
      
    • Appointment of Ministers: Do not change.
      
    • Electoral Threshold: Increase threshold to 15%.
      
    • Decrees: Establish stronger presidential decrees.
      
    • Term limits: Do not change.
      
    • Justice Impeachment: President picks Justice appointments.
      
    • Member of Honor: Abolish the "Member of Honor" title.
  
  
• Gruni Regeneration and Ecological Economic Nurturing Act: Veto.
  
  
• Meeting on the Energy Protection Act of 1932*: EPA at 49%.
  
  
• Dinner with the Business Council Members: Nothing important. Either ignore or refuse to promise Tusk anything.
  
  
• Budget Allocation of the Government of Sordland:
  
  • Healthcare: Increase (-2 GB).
    
  • Law & Order: Increase (-3 GB).
    
  • Education: Increase (-3 GB).
    
  • Military: Increase (-4 GB).

Chapter II: A New Sordland

Turn IV (-9 GB, 0 PW)

• Worker's Rights Act: Sign (-1 GB).
  
  
• Budget Allocation of Law Enforcement: Fund the Ministry of Justice and Form the Anti-Corruption Police.
  
  
• An Evening Walk with Monica: Let her do the speech.
  
  
• Regional Investment Decision: Lorren (-2 GB).
  
  
• Briefing on the L-1 Railway Construction Issues: Give them additional funds (-1 GB).
  
  
• Discussion of Changes to the Tax System: Increase taxes for large corporations and maintain them for small and medium business (+3 GB).
  
  
• Visit and Inspection of Schools in Leiren: Nothing important. Just don't take down Soll's portrait.
  
  
• Briefing on the Proposal of Education Reform: Reform the education and privatize schools (+2 GB).
  
  
• Gruni Rural Development Investment: Mechanize existing farms (-1 GB).
  
  
• Meeting with Gloria Tory on Planned Reforms: We cannot convince her, refuse to give into any of her demands and end the discussion ASAP.
  
  
• Lucian Offers to Play Chess: Play chess and win. Here is a little guide:
  
• https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=3013446337
  
  
• Meeting with Albin Clavin on Planned Reforms: Offer him something else, the VP in your next cabinet [Collusion].

Turn V (-9 GB, 0 PW)

• Religious Harmony Bill: Veto.
  
  
• Arcasia Offers Aid: Accept Arcasian aid and give access to base (+2 GB).
  
  
• A Call from Gus Manger: Nothing important except our returns from the Armadine stocks (+6 PW).
  
  
• Briefing on the Status of Immigration Regulation: Keep immigration laws relaxed.
  
  
• Private Party at Gentleman's Club: Invest into FC Anrica. You could go with the Winery, but FC Anrica gives a bit of popularity, so I'll go with football (-2 PW).
  
  
• The Opening of the Benfi Festival: Nothing important. Preferably chastise Curtan for his lack of manners.
  
  
• Downtime at Home: Work closer together with Monica.
  
  
• Discussion on the Formation of a New Police Force: Focus on Hawker and the Old Guard. Although frankly, you can target anyone you want, I just choose the OG for roleplay reasons.
  
  
• Budget Allocation of Sordish Armed Forces: Purchase better equipment and begin a modernisation programme.
  
  
• Trade Talks with Prime Minister of Agnolia*:
  
  • Be nice to Maartin.
    
  • 3. This is not a beneficial deal for Sordland.
    
  • 1. I can't agree to the higher prices. We prefer to continue with the current steel deal.
    
  • 1. Is there no room for discussion?
    
  • Agree to recognise the island to trade and ally.
  
  
• Trade Talks with the President of Wehlen*:
  
  • Be nice and compliment the statue.
    
  • Make a deal and intervene in Wehlen.
  
  
• Speech of the President on the Reforms: Nothing important. Be nice to Gloria, Kibener and Ricter I guess.

Turn VI (-7 GB, 4 PW)

• The Opening of L-1 Railway: Nothing important. I got Symon to join me on stage and drove with Gus, but it shouldn't matter.
  
  
• Requested Meeting of Iosef Lancea: Remove mandatory conscription and modernise the Air Force (+2 GB from Wehlen Trade).
  
  
• Briefing on the Current Economic Situation: Nothing important.
  
  
• Investment in Megaproject: Benfi International Airport (-2 GB).
  
  
• Meeting on the escalating tensions in Bergia: Go with Lileas' plan to centralize Bergia/abolish Bergia Special Zone.
  
  
• Central Bank Reinforcement Act: Sign (-1 GB).
  
  
• Budget Allocation of Healthcare: Privatize healthcare. Improve rural treatment and build new hospitals (+2 GB).
  
  
• Talk with Kesaro Kibener on the Upcoming Vote:
  
  • Ask him about the Rippo for a collectible.
    
  • Do NOT ban the RY. It decreases human rights from green to yellow, but otherwise has no effect, so you technically could do it.
    
  • Promise to sign UELA.
    
  • Agree with the alliance with the NFP (or not, I'll agree though since it makes a few things easier).
  
  
• Award Company Contract: Taurus Holding (-2 GB).
  
  
• A Call from Gus Manger: Nothing important, except (+1 PW).
  
  
• Updates on the Situation of Education: Build new rural schools and give teachers a raise. Don't worry, we'll improve rural education with a decree later on.
  
  
  
• Briefing on the Current Curriculum in Schools: Ban creationism and mandate evolution.
  
  
• Gasom State Shares Divestment: Sell one-third of shares.
  
  
• Lobbying Effort in Assembly: Spend 4 PW to lobby (-4 PW).
  
  
• Attending the Victory Day Event: Join NFP's statement. It's necessary to pass Bergia centralization through the Assembly.
  
  
• Gasom Shares Sale Result: Low returns (+2 GB).

Chapter III: Victim of Changes

Turn VII (-6 GB, 1 PW)

• A call from Marcel Koronti: Be nice, but refuse to meddle in Oligarch's affairs.
  
  
• Requested Meeting of Lucian Galade: Privatize these companies and don't tell Lucian about Koronti's phone call.
  
  
• Ownership Changes of Major Corporations: Privatize both fully (+5 GB).
  
  
• Results of the Economic Direction: Give shares to the market/Don't do insider trading. The Oligarchs will support the administration since we're pro-market enough anyway.
  
  
• Unified Education Language Act: Sign.
  
  
• Assembly Vote on Constitutional Changes: Nothing important, you'll win with 179 votes with the LARP template or 167 votes with the Soll's legacy template.
  
  
• Meeting on the Results of the Assembly Vote: Tell Kibener the Court situation doesn't look good and have him arrange a meeting with Garaci.
  
  
• Rumburg Whisttleblower Arrives: Grant asylum.
  
  
• Invitation to the Movie Premiere: Nothing important.
  
  
• Briefing on the Diplomatic Strategy: Do not make any new deals. The Lespia one will fail regardless, all you'll get is a red situation about failed trade negotiations.
  
  
• Dinner with the Family at Home: Send Franc to Holsord State University [Nepotism] (-1 PW). Or send him to the military, doesn't matter much.
  
  
• Ceremonial Duty on the Day of Descension: Do it correctly. In short:
  
  • 1. Grab the sceptre with your left hand, then touch the altar with your right.
    
  • 2. Kneel before the Archpriest.
    
  • 2. Touch the sword with your right hand.
    
  • 1. Hand the sceptre to the Archpriest.
    
  • 1. Pass the Sword to a disciple.
  
  
• Dinner with Justice Isabel:
  
  • 1. We have a guest coming. We'll wait for her to order.
    
  • 1. Stand up for a handshake.
    
  • 1. Good to see you, Justice Edmonds.
    
  • 2. Mrs. Edmonds?
    
  • 3. I'll have the salad too.
    
  • 1. Mrs. Edmonds. You know why we’re here.
    
  • 1. That’s why we have you here.
    
  • 2. We need a proper balance of power, Mrs. Edmonds. Try to see the bigger picture.
    
  • (1. We both know that I will have a target on my back after this. I need that immunity.) - Soll's Legacy only.
    
  • 3. I only want a strong Sordland.
    
  • 4. Focus on our internal and external threats.
    
  • 1. Mrs. Edmonds, please help us achieve this victory. We have to be together in this.
    
  • 3. The judiciary should not have legislative power, Mrs. Edmonds.
    
  • 1. I don't agree with that. We're not their puppet.
    
  • 1. Don’t be. We are together in this. This will open the way for further reforms, too.
    
  • 2. It must have the power of judicial review and to strike down laws that are against the Constitution.
    
  • 2. It plays an essential role in ensuring that each branch of the government recognizes the limits of its own power.
    
  • 3. The threshold not only affects them but all of us. It can lead to a political crisis in the future.
    
  • 2. You have nothing to worry about. The Justices cannot be impeached so easily.
    
  • (3. You know Sordish politics, Mrs. Edmonds. We have to protect the presidents. Remember Alphonso?) - Soll's Legacy only.
    
  • (3. No. Even though I'm abolishing his position, he must be respected as the founder of our second republic.) - Soll's Legacy only.
    
  • 3. Stay silent.
    
  • The rest is straightforward. Arrange the meeting with Garaci too.
  
  
• Private Meeting with Justice Heron: Be nice and take his deal.
  
  
• Annoncement of the Supreme Court's Decision: Nothing important. But congrats for passing the constitution.
  
  
• Cabinet Meeting on the Results of the Vote (+1 PW):
  
  • Announce the alliance with the NFP and go through with it.
    
  • Promise to transfer Gendarmerie.
    
  • Announce to change the manifesto.
    
  • Organise the Assembly to impeach Chief Justice Hawker.
    
  • Proceed with the legal case against the Old Guard.
    
  • Also, +1 PW from FC Anrica.
  
  
• Address to the Nation Speech: Nothing important.

Turn VIII (-1 GB, 1 PW)

• Departure of President's Son from Home: Nothing important.
  
  
• Discussion on the changes to Law (+2 GB):
  
  • Change the manifesto to Neo-Sollist.
    
  • Pick the most experienced judge - Ovid Grecer.
    
  • Decrees:
    
    • Supreme Council of Sordish Radio and Television.
      
    • Rural Education Institutes.
      
    • Fair Trade and Competition Comission.
  • Regulate the media to some standards.
    
  • Sign the documents from Mrs. Graf.
  
  
• Gasom Financial Report: Medium Returns (+2 GB).
  
  
• The Bergia Standarization and Unity Measure: Sign (-1 GB).
  
  
• Private Meeting with Petr Vactern: Nothing important. Be supportive, talk to Evelyn and Lucian.
  
  
• Start of the Day at the Palace: Investigate Livia.
  
  
• Results of the Affair Scandal: Defend Petr and blame it all on Livia alone.
  
  
• Political Briefing Meeting: Nothing important.
  
  
• Press Release of the Affair Scandal: Mention Illiana Vance by name.
  
  
• Briefing on the Women's Rights Situation: Approve the bill and support it in the Assembly.
  
  
• Sordish League of Women Donation: Donate 1. The money can't be used in any other way anyway. I'll keep it, since I can't imagine spending all of my savings on a NGO.
  
  
• Mediation of a Dispute in Gendarmerie: Transfer it to Ministry of Interior.
  
  
• Briefing on the Current Healthcare Situation: Order mandatory vaccinations.
  
  
• Less Smoke Bill: Sign. Or veto and have it overturned by the Assembly a while later, saving some Public Opinion.
  
  
• Healthcare Spending: Give free eye tests/dental care (the effect is the same).
  
  
• Meeting with the Family: Nothing important.
  
  
• Support Aschraf Anniversary?: Don't go.
  
  
• Briefing on the Current Political Situation: Nothing important. But you should have increased the USP's popularity by 20%.
  
  
• Arcasia Offers Military Investment Aid: Accept military industrial aid.
  
  
• Industrial Expansion: Expand electronics industry (-2 GB).

Chapter IV: Checkmate

Turn IX (-4 GB, 3 PW)

• Women's Liberation Act: Sign (-2 GB).
  
  
• Fiscal Review Reveals Treasury Adjustment: Add small surplus (+1 GB).
  
  
• End of Day at the Home: Nothing important.
  
  
• Human Dignity Bill: Sign.
  
  
• Children for Future Act: Sign (-1 GB).
  
  
• Discussion on the Current Internal Affairs: Admit to Leke you have some regrets and sign his Minority Rights Act.
  
  
• Alcohol Tax Act: Sign.
  
  
• Fair Luxury Tax Act: Sign.
  
  
• Fund Youth Political Group: Don't fund.
  
  
• Emergency Call on Escalating Situation: An eye for an eye. Retaliate and shoot down a Rummish plane. And organise a military parade.
  
  
• Urgent Meeting on Potential Alliances: Decline the offer. There is nothing to be gained.
  
  
• Late Night at Rayne Household: Nothing important.
  
  
• Election Speech at the USP HQ: Purge everyone involved in the plot.
  
  
• Briefing on the Current Economic Situation: Provide housing assistance. Good work, you recovered the economy.
  
  
• Scheduled Television Interview: Doesn't really matter. We can't kick Rumburg out of OMEC due to full cooperation with Wehlen anyway, so act as aggressive as you want to.
  
  
• Private Meeting with Lileas Graf: Nothing important.
  
  
• Military Parade: Nothing important.

Turn X (-1 GB, 3 PW)

• Merkropan Champion Cup: Inspire FC Anrica to win. It'll give you popularity. Follow the guide below. Also, ask Soll to help in the war.
  
• https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=3013311411
  
  
• Alliance of Nations Assembly Meeting: Be nice. Tell the AN about Rummish nukes. To be precise:
  
  • (...)
    
  • 1. Next I would like to address the Queen of Rumburg.
    
  • 1. She talked about some hypothetical threat that our nation poses to Eastern Merkropa, while Rumburg's military has tripled in the last decade.
    
  • 1. It was Rumburg who shot our aircraft within our airspace. We only defended our borders.
    
  • 1. I also have some evidence to show to the assembly. Mr. Smolak was right about the KA-74's.
    
  • 1. Rumburg has definitively been arming the BFF in Sordland.
    
  • 1. There is another important piece of evidence that I have. Provided to us by someone close to the Rumburgian government.
    
  • 1. Mr. Hailstone was branded as a traitor in Rumburg for blowing the whistle on the country's hidden nuclear facilities.
    
  • 1. I hereby call on the Alliance of Nation to serve its duty. Rumburg and its nuclear facilities must be properly investigated.
    
  • (...).
  
  
• Move Personal Wealth to Kyrute: Keep it. No point in moving it out, we're here to stay.
  
  
• Phone Call with Queen of Rumburg: Refuse to give Narbel and Estord, we will see the Queen on the battlefield.
  
  
• Private Meeting with Deivid Wisci: Nothing important. Apparently Neo-Sollism is the new centrism or something, we simply weren't authoritarian enough to be called a real Sollist.
  
  
• Dinner at Home: Nothing important.
  
  
• Friday Afternoon in the Office: Only if on Soll's Legacy run. Nothing important.
  
  
• Rumburg War Planning Meeting:
  
  • 1. Very Well. Call our allies to the war.
    
  • 1. Let him (Deivid) in.
    
  • (...)
    
  • 4. Salute him (Soll) and be nice to him.
    
  • 2. We need to fight smarter if we're weaker. Let's go with Iosef's pincer plan.
    
  • 2. Have them (Wehlen) go through Lards and Merdon to flank the Rumburg army from the east.
    
  • 2. Yes, I trust thay they (Agnolia) will be able to take Dome.
    
  • (...)
    
  • 1. We will march toward Thornbourgh and end this war with a decisive strike against the enemy.
    
  • 2. Have them (Wehlen) stay in Tzarsbourgh to cover our back.
  
  
• Declaration of War against Rumburg: Nothing important.

Turn 11

• Capitulation of Rumburg: Nothing important.
  
  
• Election Speech: Nothing important.

The end result:

Prologue

We came from a wealthy family in the city of Lachaven

• The starting Personal Wealth is necessary for lobbying. With minor changes a middle class Rayne could follow this guide, but I still suggest a rich one and this is the one I'll be using. It also works as a justification for our preference towards the free market.

We chose to study Economics at the Lachaven Business School and agreed with Deivid

• Following our father's footsteps, we'll also grow accustomed with the beauty of the free market. It, combined with the student council, also prevents a loss of 1 Economic Development later down the line, absolutely necessary to pass the Trade War check.

We decided to join a student council

• It will teach us even more budget management and leadership skills, and combined with the Economics degree prevents 1 ED loss. It's a necessity.

We supported Monica's cause

• Giving women rights is only a positive development long-term. Domestic violence is still allowed in Sordland, and as for the feminists' other demands, they will result in an increase of productivity of the whole nation as they allow women to join the workforce.

We joined the Young Sords, the nationalists

• Sordland is under attack from communists, we need to act and they Young Sords are the only alternative. Kibener and Holstron appreciate our shared history in adult life as well and believe me, we will be very good friends later on.

We escort the refugees back

• We're aiming to have a successful career in politics later on and refusing to do your superior's order would be a stain on our CV that's extremely hard to get rid of. Iosef appreciates this, Bluds don't, but we're just a serviceman, a pawn in the large scale of things. We have to bide our time.

We sacrificed work to spend time with our family

• To not repeat our father's mistakes and instead be better than him, we will pay a lot of attention to newly born son. In fact, throughout the game we will be a family man (yes, while also getting the achievement).

We joined the internal opposition, supported Alphonso and advised him to step down

• Soll's obsessive control over the economy and corruption led to stagnation and soon will lead to a recession. Alphonso, while causing a lot of instability, made a step in the right direction, away from the totalist, inefficient system that Soll set in place and towards an economy controlled by the basic principle of supply and demand.

We've promise to preserve national values

• We'll preserve Sordish values, such as unity, perserverance, strength balanced with compassion, self-sufficiency... We should be proud to be Sords. Greci Sordland!

Economic Direction - Promote market economy

• We've already seen just how inefficient Soll's planned economy was during his tenure. Humanity in the 20th century is thriving thanks to the simple rule of supply and demand. That of course doesn't mean we won't provide solid public welfare nor worker's rights, merely that central planning is a thing of the past.

Diplomatic Leaning - Align West

• Just as the old saying goes, an enemy of my enemy is my friend. Arcasia and Lespia are looking to exploit our market and we need to protect ourselves from the west as well, but entering their sphere of influence will boost our economy and military greatly. And just in case you're skeptical, the promise isn't about actually joining ATO, it's about either taking ATO Aid or trading with Lespia, and we'll still maintain our self-reliance.

Immigration Policy - Retain Relaxed Immigration

• The superpowers have relaxed immigration, as Deivid Wisci and Symon Holl note we need to keep up with them, as the positives far outweight the benefits. Besides, the main immigrant groups are Agnolians, which integrate really well, Valgish political refugees, which we of course welcome with open arms, and Wehzeks, which are escaping a totalitarian hellhole and are glad for even a chance at a better life. Bluds will be a problem, especially if they plan to join the BFF, but we will find a solution for that later.

Term focus - Education

• You know why so many immigrants flock to Sordland? Because our education system neglects the rural areas and the curriculum focuses on nationalist indoctrination instead of critical thinking. Making it so for any job requiring a higher education, the Sords are simply not competitive compared to foreigners. We need to change that ASAP. And in fact, we'll do all the possible improvements to the Sordish education system, so we'll go with that.

For roleplay I suggest taking part in every event, protest with the students, hold our ground and stay to fight with the Red Youth. It gives us more stories to tell Franc when he asks about our past. When it comes to my motivations, we want to change the country for the better, then tried to make Sordland a better place, but it really doesn't matter much.

Turn I (7 GB, 3 PW)

The Inauguration Speech

• Nothing important awaits in this event. Say whatever you want and be nice to Serge, that's it.

Briefing on the Current Political Situation

• We will celebrate with Petr of course. It actually gives us a collectible. When the topic of constitutional amendments comes up, we have to keep insisting to strengthen our position. There are multiple ways to do so, but here is the important part:
  
  • 2. The new Constitution should give the President wide-ranging powers to lead Sordland into the future.
    
  • 1. I will not limit my veto powers. We need them.
    
  • 3. We don't need the reformists. We can always work with the NFP.
    
  • 1. That's exactly what I'm aiming to do.
    
  • 1. We must strengthen the state by removing the power of the Old Guard.
    
  • 2. We must draft a bill to destroy the power of the judiciary.
• We want to work with the businessmen of course. They'll aid our administration if we're friendly enough, we don't have to be corrupt. And when we're stronger, nothing stands in our way to get rid of them next.
  
• As for the military, they won't actually act against us if we don't act against them. In fact, they'll be our allies against the BFF and Rumburg.

Briefing on the Current Economic Situation

• As we'd later learn, the state-owned corporations are a breeding ground for corruption and nepotism. A free market fosters competition and growth.
  
• Entering Arcasian sphere of influence will boost our economy greatly without actually endangering our independence.
  
• With all that, we'll promote a free-market economy as promised of course.

Meeting on the Media Strategy*

• The Holsord State University fire is something that will be important later on, but for now, there's nothing we can do about it.
  
• In an ideal world, the media should be free. But the reality is, we've got a single company, the Heart of Sordland, own more than half of the media in Sordland. While using it for our own gain sounds tempting, corruption is a tumor eating away at Sordland, we will not help it spread to our administration as well.
  
• Buuut. If you insist, you could work with Koronti. See notes for more info.

Electoral Campaign Finance Bill

• Veto - While signing it might seem tempting, in reality it's just a way for the USP politicans to get more money. To avoid having an unfair electoral system, we will veto it. It also looks good, helps us keep up the appearance of a democrat.

Invest in Mega-Infrastructure + Discusson on the Potential Infrastructure Projects (-1 GB)

• We'll invest in a mega-infrastructure project and then choose the L-1 Railway. The L-1 Railway is just superior in every regard. Not only it is more accessible to people, meaning more people will benefit from it than from the H-3 Highway, it also is a matter of national pride since we'd like to keep up with the superpowers. Besides, Gus' business contacts appreciate if we choose it and it will synergise with many of our later investments.

Invest in Arcasian Company Stocks (-3 PW)

• We have to buy 3000 shares. It will double later, as long as we don't cause a trade war, which we won't. It is also completely necessary for lobbying later down the line.

Reception at the Inaugural Ball

• We'll be nice to everyone. Frankly I won't focus on the family time bits, I'd expect most people here are for the Neo-Sollist roleplay.
  
• As for the reforms, we want other parties to join this endeavor. As for the Campaign Finance Bill veto, we will use our veto if it goes against the interests of our democracy. We need to keep up appearances, remember?
  
• Remus himself is a radical Sordist. Sordists are ethnic nationalists, somewhat of an ally in our pursuit to crush the separatist movement, but one we must be careful with.
  
• When the shooting starts, we'll shield our family and remain calm. After the situation calms down, we'll reassure our family.

Emergency Meeting

• We should protect the freedom of speech. Frankly, if these people were fairly represented in the Assembly, they wouldn't resort to such extreme measures. Also, the Young Sords and the Red Youth are a counterbalance to each other, while they focus on one another, the damage is contained to these two groups mostly, so we shouldn't tip the balance. For now.

Turn II (6 GB, 0 PW)

Dinner with the Family at Home

• The fastest way to get Franc to open his door is to shout at him to turn down that ruckus. Nothing important awaits in this event, but we'll still be nice to our family, as usual.

Security Briefing on the Threats Against Sordland

• The Red Youth are clearly to be blamed. Damn communists are causing a ruckus yet again. But we shouldn't act too harshly against them or Contana itself, since the left lacks popularity in Sordland, if we just fix the welfare issues they're complaining about, their popularity will die down.
  
• The BFF itself doesn't really have the support of the majority of Bluds. We need to find a way to destroy the militants without ruining our relations with the moderate Bluds. Abolishing the special zone would be the first step.
  
• We have to prevent Rumburg from meddling in our internal affairs. Sordland will NOT be pushed around. Be nice to the generals and assure them Rumburg is our top priority.

End of Day at the Maroon Palace

• Tusk will visit and offer money in return for granting the L-1 Railway project to Underhall. We'll be nice to him and tell him he can do better, that's how we get +2 Personal Wealth, then we'll take his bribe. Don't worry though, we're going to just scam him.
  
• That does damage our relationship with him, but he will support the administration if we're capitalist enough regardless of if he likes us personally or not. And, just in case you worry, that's not a bribe that the Anti-Corruption Police can find, since we didn't fullfill our end of the bargain, it's literally free money.

React to the Unrest

• There's literally no reason to create more unrest and visiting affected towns in person is the best option for reducing it.

Economic Relief Plan

• Enacting either saves us some Economic Development, but we can recover the economy without it, so don't enact plan. It's honestly a pretty good investment that would synergise with the L-1 Railway, but it's either that or raising taxes on Small and Medium Business. And even if we're capitalist, we'll support them, not the massive corporations that see people as just cogs in a massive machine, but small, local family businesses.

Finalization of the L-1 Railway Contract

• The most important part is that we will choose the Taurus Holding for the construction. Frankly, they're the best company. They respect their workers and they're the cheapest in every possible setup, 1 GB for a late megaproject or 2 GB for on-time megaproject.
  
• Underhall always costs 3 GB and finishes on time regardless of the setup. But, as Gus confirms, they abuse their workers, since they're foreigners and Sordish law doesn't apply to them. This is the reason we need to improve worker's rights for immigrants by the way, Sordish people are simply ignored when it comes to hiring, because they're more expensive to employ.
  
• The SSC is a breeding grounds for corruption and nepotism. This is why we need to privatize this company, the government control made them lazy.

Funeral of Bernard Circas

• We will attend the funeral. We will hold our own umbrella and be nice to everyone, as usual. But! We cannot let the Red Youth in. The media will slander us regardless of if we stand with them or not, but not being seen with them is less damaging.
  
• As for Circas, despite disagreeing with him entirely, he didn't deserve such fate, Sordland can be better than this. Recite one of his poems too, it gives a collectible.

Briefing on the Current Diplomatic Situation

• When it comes to Agnolia, we should maintain our current advantage. We have a considerably weaker neighbour, surrounded by two other hostile powers. They need our protection, which means we can demand concessions from them.
  
• Valgsland itself is communist and they're bullying Agnolia. They're our second biggest enemy for now. We will not reconcile with them, quite the opposite in fact.
  
• As for Wehlen, Smolak isolated his country completely and is desperate to find more friends on his border. Which means that we will have the upper hand when dealing with him.
  
• Lespia itself, while somewhat inspiring, employs a massive degree of protectionism and seeks exploitative trade deals. Which is why we won't be getting friendly with them, at least for now.
  
• Rumburg itself is one of our top priorities. We need to show our people we're nof afraid of them, and show Rums that we will stand our ground, so we'll close the consulate in Dome. We won't rely on the international community but ourselves and our allies to deter Rumburg.
  
• As for Gasom and Rizia, foreign capital will bring us much needed expertise and money, so we'll look favourably towards potential cooperation.

Briefing on the results of the Reform Committee

• Would we block all the reformists' hard work? We would. Because we refuse to cooperate with foreign agents like Ricter. That's a Sollist argument, because of course we're a Sollist, Mr. Morgna. She's not our main problem though, she's still loyal enough to help us out anyway.
  
• Limiting veto and packaging it as a great reform is a good idea though. If we stay popular, we'll maintain the majority in the Assembly, so our vetos will be final anyway.

Tourism and Cultural Preservation Act (-1 GB)

• Sign - This bill helps Gruni's local economic development, is a part of the Jewel of the East synergy and Deivid worked hard on it, we can't disappoint him.

Meeting with Chief Justice Orso Hawker

• We won't be working with them, the emergency decree makes us their puppet. You can hear him out if you want to, to know even more reasons as to why we're not working with Ricter, but to get this event over with ASAP agree with Lucian and tell them nothing will come out of this meeting.

Turn III (5 GB, 2 PW)

Barbeque with Franc

• Telling him about our past is a great father-son bonding experience as well, besides, we can teach him to be anti-communist by explaining why we joined the Young Sords.
  
• By the way, if you question why we're aligning west. Because we're united in the fight against socialism, and just like Agnolia, we'll receive their support soon enough.

Presidential Visit to Narbel (-2 PW)

• Invest 2 PW into Serge's children, why not? I'd imagine Serge will be our driver for the second term as well, securing his undying loyalty by paying 2 Personal Wealth sounds good. Besides, the only other opportunity for spend these 2 wealth we got from Tusk is donating to Alphonso Foundation, so is there a choice, really?

Briefing on the Current Welfare Situation

• Paskal is a good and competent minister, so we'll listen him out and support his bill. Ciara though, she has a pet cause not very aligned with our vision of Sordland, so we'll just ignore her mostly, especially that she dares gossip about Lucian's lack of wife.

Meeting with Manger and Alphonso on Gasom (-2 GB)

• Being cordinal helps sway people to do our bidding, so be nice and agree with them. They really make some good points, they need investment, foreign or local, to expand their branches and ensure long-term stability and profitability. Invest alone, as Rizia pulling out their investment, or worse, selling their shares to Rumburg, may cause problems with our energy situation. At the end of the meeting, we'll learn from Gus that the people are striking, so we'll tell Ewald to invest into private housing, education and healthcare, he'll agree.

Leave Gasom Facility and Narbel

• Again, we don't want unrest, so we'll fly away with Alphonso's helicopter. Yes, weirdly enough, avoiding a confrontation lowers unrest, while addressing the protestors keeps it at the current level, but gives Public Opinion.

Flying Over Nargis with Alphonso and Wolkner

• We'll be nice. Alphonso, despite being a pretty bad president, had some good ideas. As for EPA, even he knows the necessity to protect our energy sector, so while we'll give it a thought. 49% is a good balance between maintaining sovereignity and attracting foreign investment.

Stability Order of 1954

• As they stand, the Red Youth and Young Sords are a counterbalance to each other, tipping that balance by banning the Red Youth would allow the Young Sords would to focus their attention on repressing the minorities. We can't afford that. Not only that, a ban will lead to further unrest. So don't ban either.

Finalization of the Drafted Constitutional Changes. Here is the roleplay template, but if you want the "Soll's legacy" achievement, check out the template in the short version

• Presidential Vetoes - Limit Vetoes (3/5 Majority Can Override).
  
  • If we maintain our dominance in the Assembly, it's effectively an absolute veto anyway and we can package it as a great reform to please the populace.
  
  
• Constitutional Amendment Process - Remove Supreme Court's Voting Rights.
  
  • We've got only one choice.
  
  
• Impeachment of the President - The Assembly and the Supreme Court may impeach with majority in both.
  
  • The impeachment process should be extremely hard, reserved only to the most vile presidents.
  
  
• Appointment of Ministers - Confidence Vote is Required.
  
  • In practice, all the ministers are politicians anyway. Why not give the Assembly some oversight over the executive? Again, if we just dominate the GNA, we're free to appoint anyone we want anyway.
  
  
• Electoral Threshold - Decrease threshold to 8%.
  
  • We need to give them the people an illusion of a democracy. Not too much, but 2% is barely anything, yet they love it. This small change also makes it so the WPB and CPS don't form a coalition, which results in WPB not getting into the Assembly, so yeah, it's a net positive.
  
  
• Presidential Decrees - Do not change.
  
  • Stronger decrees with no judicial review seems too strong, just imagine Kibener with this power. So we'll go with maintained decrees, strong enough to implement solid changes, but not enough to ruin the balance between the legislature, the executive and the judiciary.
  
  
• Term Limits - Introduce a limit of 2 terms.
  
  • Term limits are necessary to keep populists away from power and the reformists love it. We also have to prevent a raise of another Soll, power corrupts after all.
  
  
• Immunity of Justices - Justices may be impeached by the Assembly.
  
  • We can't have people that stand above the law in Sordland. Impeaching justices is an extremely hard process, reserved only to the most despicable justices, total presidential control would go too far.
  
  
• "Member of Honor" Rights of Tarquin Soll - Do not change.
  
  • Such title, reserved only to the great heroes of Sordland, is fine. Soll deserves it, and who knows, we might earn this title as well.

Gruni Regeneration and Ecological Economic Nurturing Act

• It's actually a pretty good bill, a part of two synergies that would give us additional +1 GB (so the cost is returned) and some ED. Unfortunately, we just can't squeeze out that 1 GB pre-Trade War, so we have to veto it.

Meeting on the Energy Protection Act of 1932*

• Modify EPA to 49%. Our esteemed minister of economy is all for it, our minister of foreign affairs is supportive, Alphonso suggested that, so yeah. It'll give us 4 budget in total too, balanced energy prices and our energy companies won't be sold to foreigners. It's literally the best choice there is. Unless, you want to repeal that, see notes for more info.

Dinner with the Business Council Members

• We'll be nice to Tusk. We won't promise him the tax cuts, but we'll be cordinal and later on act free market enough so he supports us on his own volition. We'll be allies (for now), not his lapdog.

BUDGET (-12 GB)

• Defend Lileas of course, the Lord is always welcome. Honestly as much as I love Nia in all my other playthroughs, she complains about banning commies or nationalists, but when it comes to wishing someone good luck with religious flavour, it's suddenly not okay and free speech no longer applies? Oh please.
  
  
• Healthcare - increase.
  
  • We care for our people. Funding both healthcare and education gives us a relieved welfare system. Also, healthcare is one of the best investments there is, it just pays back for itself. Later on that.
  
  
• Law & Enforcement - increase.
  
  • It is necessary to form the Anti-Corruption Police and get rid of a few problematic individuals in the government. Around 4 000 of them in fact. Trust me, we can get rid of most of our enemies if we just give the ACP enough time to work.
  
  
• Education - increase.
  
  • It was our campaign promise. Relieved welfare system sounds just great, soon enough we'll have no major issues in terms of welfare and we can focus our attention and budget elsewhere.
  
  
• Military - increase.
  
  • Rumburg is our top priority and it is necessary to win the war with the setup we'll be going with. It's also necessary to start the Sordish Military-Industrial Complex, resulting in high production, which gives us additional ED as well.

Turn IV (-9 GB, 0 PW)

Workers' Rights Act (-1 GB)

• First of all, companies like Underhall are so efficient and cheap because they hire Agnolians and Wehzeks, who have basically no rights, making them cheap labour. Which results in Sords not being appealing on the market, immigrants are preferable to the companies.
  
• Second of all, if we enact socialist policies, the communists won't have any more platform to run on. Literally, if we improve people's quality of life enough, why would they bother with revolutionary ideas?
  
• For these two reasons, we'll sign it. Clearly the workers were neglected, as there are already hundreds of lawsuits aimed at Nedam Mining, and they'll thank us for that.

Budget Allocation of Law Enforcement

• As for Nia's problem, we are doing it for the well-being of Sordland.
  
• Since we believe in the rule of law, we will fund the Ministry of Justice to reduce the court backlog and improve the justice system. Besides, doing so let's us form the Anti-Corruption Police, a force that can arrest thousands of people if used well.
  
• Funding both ministeries equally to form the Community Police and battle crime is also a good idea, but we'll save it for the 2nd term. Funding the Interior, at least with Lileas in charge, let's us form the Secret State Police, our own Gestapo/NKVD, so yeah, no, don't do that.

An Evening Walk with Monica

• As a good husband and a patriot that wants the best for Sordland, we will allow Monica's speech. Curtan Leste's popularity and significance is already diminishing and as we'll see, the people prefer Monica's speech over his.

Regional Investment Decision (-2 GB)

• We'll invest into Lorren. It synergises with the L-1 Railway and Gruni mechanization. Besides, it gives us coal, it might eventually help our energy situation. Potentially.

Briefing on the L-1 Railway Construction Issues (-1 GB)

• Due to the new Workers' Rights, Taurus' initial plan got more expensive, so they need more money. It's only fair, we caused this increase in costs, so we'll give them additional funds. They're still cheaper than the alternatives.

Discussion of Changes to the Tax System (+3 GB)

• We've got to curb the power of the Oligarchs, so increase taxes for large corporations. Taxing the small and medium business is going to impervish people even more and we can't afford to cut them, so maintain taxes for small and medium business.

Visit and Inspection of Schools in Leiren

• We'll applaud everything that's happening, even the girl's determination, and especially the Soll's portrait. I mean, there's a reason they're one of the top five schools after all.

Briefing on the Proposal of Educational Reform (+2 GB)

• We will reform the education system. The visit to Leiren proves the schools are actually indoctrination centers, we need to change that if we want a smart and innovative society. Even Lucian agrees a reform is necessary.
  
• We'll also initiate privatization. We need those funds and a consistent market economy, and as we'll later see, the privatization has proven to be successful.
  
• Side note: At this very moment the game checks our budget. If it's worse than -7 while our economy is in Danger, or worse than -8 when our economy is Unstable (as it is in our case), we'll receive information about a superpower trade war, which has a lot of negative effects, including the loss of budget, economic development, public opinion and our Armadine investments. If you decide to modify this playthrough, keep this point in mind.

Gruni Rural Development Investment (-1 GB)

• Mechanization is the optimal choice most of the time, it also synergises with the Lorren investment, so we'll mechanize existing farms.

Meeting with Gloria Tory on Planned Reforms

• We don't need her support. And even if, we'll lose it due to healthcare and SSC privatization later down the line. Refuse to budge when she asks to call off Monica's speech, we'll get through the Assembly in another way.

Lucian Offers to Play Chess + An Evening Chess Match with Lucian Galade

• We can use this even to prove Lucian he shouldn't betray us and we do so by proving we're the superior strategist and winning the chess match. I suggest this short guide I linked below, it is one of the many ways to victory. But keep in mind, since we're not actually corrupt, it shouldn't matter. To learn more about Lucian, you could even lose the game and hear him boast about his achievement. I'll continue on assuming we won the match.
  
• https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=3013446337

Meeting with Albin Clavin on Planned Reforms

• This spineless maggot is a disgrace to the USP. Nonetheless, he can be of use Suggest him some other deal and promise the VP spot [Collusion] for his support. We'll betray him anyway, don't worry.
  
• During the speech, we'll act really populist. This is what the people want, we need to survive the next elections and yada yada. We're trying to appeal to the moderates within the USP basically. And by moderates I mean the opportunists.

Turn V (-9 GB, 0 PW)

Religious Harmony Bill

• This bill might sound good to solve the issue of recruitment to the BFF during sermons. But read it carefully. Section III is literally just straight up ethnic repression. Against not only the Bluds, but also Agno-Sords, Agnolians, Lespians and many more minorities within Sordland. Even the Archpriest we'll soon meet complains about this bill. Which is why we'll veto it.

Arcasia Offers Aid

• Remember us promising to align West? Yeah, for a (presumably) temporary access to our base and airspace, Arcasia offers 2 GB. That's enough to fund another L-1 Railway with Taurus. So yeah, we'll accept Arcasian aid.

A call from Gus Manger (+6 PW)

• Remember the investment we did at the beginning of the game? Well, turns out, we doubled our investment. If we caused a trade war, we'd lose this money. Since we didn't do it, we've got nearly four million Sordish Ren.

Briefing on the Status of Immigration Regulation

• We will not let Iosef question our decisions. While competent, he's a little too pushy about his agenda.
  
• As for the immigration, we need to keep up with the superpowers. And as Symon says, more workers means more taxes, more taxes means better services for everyone. Which is why we'll keep immigration laws relaxed.

Private Party of the Gentleman's Club (-2 PW)

• Since we did Gus and his business contacts a favour (there are four possible ones. Build the L-1 Railway, use Underhall for the H-3 Highway, give Business Bailouts or lower large corporations taxes), he'll be delighted to offer us an investment opportunity.
  
• Frankly, if you want to, you could go with the Wineyard. But we'll have enough money for our other ventures and football sounds exciting, so we'll be investing into FC Anrica. Don't worry, the money will return to us soon and it'll also give us some popularity.

The Opening of the Benfi Festival

• To be a good husband, and as we'll later learn, be positively viewed by the witnesses, we'll support our wife. So:
  
  • (...)
    
  • 1. Mr. Leste. Please sit down.
    
  • 3. Mr. Leste. Do I have to teach you basic manners? Have you forgotten what you learned in kindergarten?
    
  • 1. Is rudeness a Sordish Value now? Is impropriety?
    
  • 2. You feel like it's right to berate a woman? The president's wife, at that?
    
  • 1. Your ideas, on the other hand, will lead us back to the Dark Ages.
    
  • 1. And without change, we are fossils. Now please, sit down.

Downtime at Home

• Promise to work with her, why wouldn't we? If you don't care about our marriage, keep in mind getting her Women's Liberation Act passed gives us 53% of the women's votes guaranteed, that's 25% of the votes already.

Discussion on the Formation of a New Police Force

• All three factions should be eventually investigated. But we have to choose our priorities, and as of now, the only truly obstructionist faction are the Old Guard, which is why we'll focus the Anti-Corruption investigations on Hawker and the Old Guard. The Oligarchs will be supportive of the administration, for now at least, while focusing on the opposition doesn't give us much for now.

Budget Allocation of Sordish Armed Forces

• Our military is outdated, relying on numbers instead of proper technology. To save the lives of young Sordish men, a proper modern, elite army would be ideal, which is why we'll go with Iosef's plans and purchase better equipment and begin a modernisation programme.

Trade Talks with the Prime Minister of Agnolia*

• We'll be nice to Maartin, they're our cousins basically, perhaps a little ungrateful, but we can't choose our family. We won't mention the protestors either. Request Agnolian vodka, thank for the compliments, assure him Sordland is a good partner, you get the drill.
  
• We'll not accept the initial deal though. We have the upper hand and can demand concessions from them. So:
  
  • (...)
    
  • 3. This is not a beneficial deal for Sordland.
    
  • 1. I can't agree to the higher prices. We prefer to continue with the current steel deal.
    
  • 1. Is there no room for discussion?
• With that, we'll side with Agnolia on the Heljiland issue and [brecognise the island and accept the alliance.[/b]
  
• Important side note. If we don't recognise the island as Agnolian, they'll put forward a bit later on to join ATO. We really don't want that, we prefer to maintain a regional alliance of non-aligned countries. And since we're recognising the island as theirs anyway, we might as well not pay the 1 budget for the deal.

Trade Talks with the President of Wehlen*

• We'll be nice to Smolak, play his little game and take part in the theatrics, otherwise he might demand we pay for the deal.
  
• When it comes to the deal itself, it's two birds with one stone. So we'll take the deal and take full part in Operation Bear Trap. Do NOT negotiate Sordland's contribution, we need to cooperate with them on the matters of counter-terrorism.
  
• Unless. You want to avoid going to war and instead sanction Rumburg into peace (AN Sanctions + OMEC expulsion). For more info, see the Notes section.

Speech of the President on the Reforms

• The constitution does not adequately define or respect the separation of powers, which we'll focus on in our speech. Gloria will interrupt us, but no need to agitate her, we'll wrangle the moderates away from her.
  
• When speaking to Ricter, well, he's just mad he'll not get the credit for these reforms. Besides, as Kibener notes, he's just a puppet, his blind adoration towards the west will make us stray away from the Sordish values. Still, we can convince some of the reformists to support our package, so appeal to them.
  
• Kibener meanwhile, is a true Sordish patriot. We can do so much more together and since he's our main ally in the Assembly for now, we'll be nice to him.

Turn VI (-7 GB, 4 PW)

The Opening of L-1 Railway

• Due to our support earlier on, we've managed to complete the L-1 Railway on time. It's a massive boost of ED and popularity, so we'll attend the opening ceremony. Symon deserves a lot of credit for coming up with this plan, so we'll thank him for that. As to who to travel with, it shouldn't matter, but since our friend Gus is here, might as well talk with him for a few hours.

Requested Meeting of Iosef Lancea (+2 GB)

• The Operation Bear Trap will soon commence and we'll finally crush the Wehzek BFF chapter at least. This is a good opportunity to show off our armed forces to the world as well.
  
• We're in the modern age and require a modern military. And to modernise our own, we need to follow Iosef's advice, which is why we'll remove mandatory conscription. As to what to modernise, it's vital that we modernise the Air Force, we'll need the battlefield advantage the planes give.

Briefing on the Current Economic Situation

• The situation looks mixed, some positives some negatives, but don't worry, we have a plan. Everything will be stable by the end, we just need synergies to kick in.

Invest in Megaproject (-2 GB)

• We don't really need Sarna Agricultural Zone, it won't synergise with our investments at all. Conriat Industrial Zone is a pretty good option, actually, the more optimal one I'd say. But we'll double our production with funded military + military industry anyway, so we should focus on fixing the infrastructure issues. Morna Port would work, but the reports indicate that Benfi needs it more. And frankly, we can turn this city into the Jewel of the East, so we'll choose the Benfi International Airport.

Meeting on the escalating tensions in Bergia

• Governor Bron has overstepped and is causing more tensions than it's worth it. The idea of decentralized, or worse, federalist Sordland is not something that has any sort of support in the country. Not only that, a little spoiler, the first governor of a semi-autonomous Bergia glorifies the terrorists. That's why we'll support Lileas' plan to abolish the Bergia Special Zone.

Central Bank Reinforcement Act (-1 GB)

• This bill helps with debt, which we won't have a lot of, but it's also bemoaned by foreign powers for setting up Fiscal Protection Measures. So yeah, sign it.

Budget Allocation of Healthcare (+2 GB)

• We'll privatize healthcare. Lucian brings up valid points, but since we funded the healthcare department, we can minimize the negative effects of such move anyway.
  
• When it comes to what to improve, our esteemed healthcare minister and the situations tab showcase that low quality rural healthcare is the most pressing issue. Which we'll solve by improving rural treatment. We have money for another plan, and frankly, increasing salaries is more popular, but if we build new hospitals we improve people's quality of life by a larger margin.

Talk with Kesaro Kibener on the Upcoming Vote

• Ask Kibener about his lighter, it's a collectible.
  
• The cooperation with Wehlen is, at least for now, beneficial, which Kibener applauds. When he asks about the veto on RHB, keep in mind he's a nationalist, we gotta appeal to his pragmatism and say how it was a recruitment flyer.
  
• When he asks to ban the Red Youth, deny it. As noted before, they're a counterbalance to the Young Sords and banning them would lower our human rights rating. To truly get rid of the problem, we just have to fix the welfare issues and they will lose most of the support.
  
• As for his bill, UELA, we'll promise to sign the bill. As we'll later see, this bill alone is a milestone for integration. And if we don't like it's effects, the ministry of education can give exceptions if Sordish can't be effectively enforced.
  
• When he suggests an alliance, we'll gladly accept it. He and us are not so different after all, we both mainly want a strong and formidable Sordland. We just need to get rid of the radical reformists in our party and radical nationalist in his. Look at what I mean:

Award Company Contract (-2 GB)

• Frankly, it doesn't matter much between Underhall Construction and Taurus Holding. Since Taurus delivered before and they hire Sords, not immigrants, we'll choose Taurus Holding.

A Call from Gus Manger (+1 PW)

• Our investment into FC Anrica is already paying off. That's it for this event though.

Updates on the Situation of Education

• Rural Nargis has mere 64% literacy, the lack of access to education is the most pressing issue. Which is why we'll build new rural schools. Since we privatized and have the funds to enact one more policy, we'll increase the salaries. Don't worry, later on we can enact a decree that'll give us improved rural education, later on that.

Briefing on the Current Curriculum in Schools

• To modernise the education as much as possible, we'll enforce evolution and ban creationism. Unfortunately, it has some downsides with teachers quitting, but we don't actually get a shortage of teachers or anything of that sort.
  
• By the way, with our help, the BFF in Wehlen has been eliminated. Now all that's left is to stop the Rummish funding and eliminate the Sordish chapter:

Gasom State Shares Divestment

• Frankly, we need money and we need it now. So for now, we'll sell one-third of shares. Don't worry, the divestments will stay the same (+2 GB) and we'll get +2 GB from selling, a total of +4 GB. We'd get the same by selling 2/3 right now, but not only would that temporarily damage energy prices, we can also get the exact same outcome while keeping 20% of Gasom shares instead of 10%, so why not?

Lobbying Effort in Assembly (-4 PW)

• Yep. We have to spend 4 PW on lobbying. All of our hard earned money, down the drain. To be honest, it is one of the best investments, but it still hurts to part ways with 2 million Sordish Ren just like that. Don't worry though, we still have some savings and the majority of FC Anrica, which we'll make champions soon enough, we still are in a pretty good spot.

Attending the Victory Day Event

• We'll be discussing Ishval Ersen's case. In short, the PFJP's plan is a direct attack on Sordish unity, so obviously that's not an option. Between staying silent and siding with the NFP, the latter is better, since it'll convince the USP conservatives to go through with the Bergia centralization if we push it through the Assembly. So, we'll join the NFP's statement.

Gasom Shares Sale Result (+2 GB)

• We just get +2 budget. Our investment into Gasom is already a net neutral, while we're still keeping 20% of Gasom and the divestments that come with it.

Turn VII (-6 GB, 1 PW)

A Call from Marcel Koronti

• No need to antagonise Marcel, but he's here to invite us into his corrupt deals. Which we'll obviously avoid, we won't meddle into Oligarchs' affairs. Or, preferably, threaten him with nationalization. I don't think it changes anything though.

Requested Meeting of Lucian Galade

• Bron is gone, but he's replaced by a NFP guy. Sure, he's still a nationalist, but at least he can't continue Bron's policies. Yet the radicals still protest. Maybe Soll wasn't so wrong about his policies.
  
• We'll privatize these companies. That's mainly for two reasons. First of all, the state-owned companies got lazy and inefficient, giving them to private investors should make them much more efficient and profitable. Also, since we lost the USP Conservatives, we need to make up for it with Oligarch's lobbying. Which they'll do if we're friendly enough with them.
  
• We shouldn't tell Lucian about Marcel's phonecall though. While Lucian is useful, he's also not very loyal, he might use it against us.

Ownership Changes of Major Corporations (+5 GB)

• We have to privatize both companies fully. While ideally, keeping a minority share in government's hands would seem like a good idea, to get Oligarch's support without corruption we have to go all in.

Results of the Economic Direction

• The two Oligarchs will shower us with gifts. There's no reason not to take them, especially Koronti's car, but in the end, we'll give the shares to the market. That is enough to guarantee their support without giving them blackmail material in the form of corruption we do with them.
  
• By the way, there's another raport about the BFF being eliminated:

Unified Education Language Act

• Since it's mandatory to get the NFP's support, we'll sign it.
  
• As for the bill itself, it's honestly a pretty good tool for integration. Since we want to assimilate people, having them learn in Sordish is a positive. And if for some reason the schools can't afford to teach in Sordish, the Ministry of Education can make exceptions. No matter what, the bill can't be misused as long as we are the president and Ciara is the minister of education.

Assembly Vote on the Constitutional Changes

• Serge will offer us his good luck charm. It can save us from an assassination attempt, but spoiler alert, we won't get assassinated. So it's mostly just a collectible.
  
• We've passed the Assembly, with a comfortable margin of error too. Or just barely if you're using the Soll's legacy template. Congratulations.

Meeting on the Results of the Assembly Vote

• We have to admit to Kibener the court is not looking good. When done so, he'll ask again about our alliance, which we'll go through with of course, they're the junior partner compared to us, we can use their help. This will get Kibener to arrange the meeting for us. But, if that fails, we can also just send Lucian to talk with Garaci, it'll work as well.

Rumburg Whistleblower Arrives

• Mr. Hailstone is our only way of discovering Rumburg has nukes, which is why we'll grant asylum. Anything to damage Rumburg. But weirdly enough, it does increase how "democratic" we are. Huh.

Invitation to the Movie Premiere

• We trust the justices to make the right decision and we knew about Soll's presence of course. We can't threaten Edmonds, she's easily scared, and admitting to not knowing about Soll's presence would be straight up embarassing.
  
• We get to meet Soll. As for the movie, it's obviously pro-Bludish propaganda, other than that, we'll be nice to him.

Briefing on the Diplomatic Strategy

• Since we traded with Wehlen, Lespia will demand the sale of Sordish Petroleum, which we can't do due to EPA. Besides, trading with them right now would make our economy rely on other countries instead of being self-sufficient. Which is why we'll not be making any deals.

Dinner with the Family at Home (-1 PW)*

• Franc failed his exams, unfortunately. To be a family man, we'll send him to Holsord State University [Nepotism]. Don't worry, even if this is found, it's just a minor Public Opinion loss. Or to the military, but for more info, see Notes.

Ceremonial Duty for the Day of Descension

• The Archpriest will complain about a lot of our actions. But oh well, he'll still send us words of support later on. We'll be nice and do the ceremony correctly. The correct options are: 1, 2, 2, 1, 1.

Dinner with Justice Isabel

• It's a very tough part, so I'll just give you the exact dialogue needed in the short version of this guide. In general, we'll be respectful, appeal to her animosity towards the Old Guard and viola. Arrange a meeting with Heron too.

Private Meeting with Justice Garaci

• Garaci, as spineless as he is, is of use to us. Which is why we'll be nice and take the deal. I actually suggest reading more about him, he's quite an interesting persona in Sordish politics, but as of now, he's just a tool for us to be used to advance our own agenda.

Announcement of the Supreme Court's Decision

• We end up with 6 votes. 3 centrists, Garaci and his friend plus one guy that got lobbied by the Oligarchs. Yeah, this is just sad to think about, half of our support in the Supreme Court we got through corruption. Nonetheless, I love imagining what kind of argument the Old Guard justices will have now, who betrayed Hawker?
  
• We'll hug Petr of course. Duh.

Cabinet Meeting on the Results of the Vote (+1 PW)

• We'll announce our decision to form an alliance with the NFP. To act more friendly, we'll suggest a voting over it and vote for the alliance.
  
• The recession is stopped. Lovely.
  
• Lileas will soon have the centralization bill. Also lovely. But we cannot promise to transfer Gendarmerie, they're a vital resource to the Ministry of Defense.
  
• We'll also change the manifesto. We need to purge our party of those unwilling to follow us.
  
• We'll also mobilise the Assembly to impeach Hawker.
  
• The FC Anrica's investment has returned. So, not only are we at a net 0 PW, we also own a football club. Great.
  
• When Karl visits us, we'll proceed with the case against the Old Guard.

Address to the Nation Speech

• We can show off our achievements, after all, we completed one of our term goals, the constitution amendment, and are close to completing the other one, recovering the economy.

Turn VIII (-1 GB, 1 PW)

Departure of President's Son from Home

• Franc is his own man now, he shouldn't model his life after ours. Hopefully it'll be the right choice for him.

Discussion on the Changes to the Law (-1 GB)

• When asked, we'll choose to change the manifesto to Neo-Sollist of course. Sure, we'll lose some reformist MPs, but so be it, we don't need anyone that'll not follow us.
  
• Since Hawker was impeached, we need a new justice. We'll pick the most experienced judge, Ovid Gracer. Otherwise Garaci will end up as the Chief Justice and he's just as bad as Hawker.
  
• THE DECREES:
  
  • Supreme Council of Sordish Radio and Television - Koronti's Sordland Today and Radical have been slandering us since our inauguration. Not only that, Koronti alone owns more than 50% of the private media. We need to cut down on his influence.
    
  • Rural Education Institutes - Since improving education was our campaign promise, building even more schools fits with our plans. It'll give us quality rural education too, making it so we enacted ALL the possible policies to improve education.
    
  • Fair Trade and Competition Comission - It's probably THE best decree there is. Improves Economic Development and gives us a tax efficient economy when combined with ACP for +1 budget. Just great.
• The Media Council will only regulate the content according to some standards. Full censorship, while tempting, would be a step too far.
  
• We'll sign the documents from Ms. Graf too.

Gasom Financial Report (+2 GB)

• Our investment into Gasom has doubled by now. Lovely. Take the money, no need to leave it for later.

The Bergia Standarization and Unity Measure (-1 GB)

• Abolishing the Special Zone actually improves Bergia's economy, stops the NFP governor from continuing his racist policies, in general it's full of positivies, so yeah, we'll sign this bill and unite Begia with the rest of Sordland. Just keep in mind to get it, you'd have to side with the NFP on Victory Day.

Private Meeting with Petr Vactern

• It's a good idea to take all there is in the old office. There's a collectible and a lot of flavour text related to the items we can get.
  
• Petr will tell us he was unfaithful. Uh oh. We'll defend him of course, he's our best friend. The bad part is, there will be a massive scandal, which is why we we need to call Lucian and get his help to deal with it as best as possible.

Start of the Day at the Palace

• Turns out, Lucian's been spying on everyone. Thankfully, we don't have much to hide and he's loyal, for now at least. We'll allow him to investigate Livia of course, what's the worst that can happen?

Results of the Affair Scandal

• Lucian was right, Livia is a spy. Or well, Illiana is. She has to pay for that of course, but what about Petr? What we tell Lucian doesn't matter if we change our opinion when talking to Petr by the way.
  
• Frankly, I love this man. So, to keep him as our right hand man, we'll blame Illiana/Rumburg alone. Shouldering the blame will lead him to resign, don't try that, since not only our best friend would suffer, the alternatives for VP are not really great. Clavin? Spineless maggot that has to be forced out of the party. Gloria? Obstructionist as hell, no way we can reconcile with her. Lucian? He's already offering all he can offer as the Chief Strategist, we don't need him as a VP.

Political Briefing Meeting

• When it comes to Bluds, Ms. Morgna seems weirdly disappointed, but the Bludish community will accept the new status quo soon enough and even vote for us.
  
• Symon and Gus don't have much to say, our situation is looking good.
  
• As for Deivid, while his arguments have some merit, bringing Rumburg to justice seems like a better option.

Press Release of the Affair Scandal

• The most important part is, we need to mention Illiana Vance by name. Other than that, we'll end the interview as soon as possible to avoid embarassing ourselves further. Whoops.

Briefing on the Women's Rights Situation

• We'll agree with everything Ciara and Nia talk about. After all, Women's rights will be a net positive, making for a much larger workforce and bringing out even more potential out of this country. Our dialogue here doesn't matter much, in the end, we'll support them. Wholesome, isn't it?

Sordish League of Women Donation

• Since we won't have any more use for this 1 PW (even the cheapest campaigning option costs 2 PW), we might as well. Not that it has any effect I'm aware of though. I'll refuse to donate my last savings to a NGO, but it shouldn't matter at all.

Mediation of a Dispute in Gendarmerie

• While the Gendarmerie as a part of the military is a valuable asset during a war, Wehlen will make up for this weakness. Besides that, fixing the structural issues would prevent similar arguments in the future. For these two reasons, we'll transfer Gendarmerie to the Ministry of Interior.

Briefing on the Current Healthcare Situation

• To prevent the epidemic, we'll follow his suggestion and order mandatory vaccinations. Simple as that. The investments into healthcare are paying off. And by the way, no, not ordering mandatory vaccinations will cause a pandemic, just a managable one.

Less Smoke Bill

• Well, we need money, that's for sure. But, the Assembly knows it as well. So if we were to veto it, we'd see that the Assembly overrides it and takes the blame, while giving us money anway. So, veto this bill.

Healthcare Spending

• Since we're on our way to recover the economy anyway, we don't need the +1 ED from one of the first two options. So, to boost our popularity even further, we'll give free dental healthcare. Or free eye tests, the effects are the same to be honest.

Meeting with the Family

• Nothing major awaits, just another reason to love our family and hate Clavin. This event is usually a warning to see if we have unrest/low public opinion or how much the Bluds hate us, but since people love us, we don't have to worry.

Support Aschraf Anniversary?

• Unfortunately, the anniversary will be full of BFF sympathizers. Which will hate our guts for signing UELA and taking part in OBT. Which means that unfortunately, we have to turn down Leke's request and don't go. Don't worry though, we'll still have an option to reconcile.

Briefing on the Current Political Situation

• We've gained a lot of popularity, but even if we didn't our reelection is guaranteed. You'll see what I mean.

Arcasia Offers Military Investment Aid

• We'll accept it. It's literally the equivalent of 2 GB, what will ensure we get high production and this is one of the last steps to make us win the potential war with Rumburg. They don't even demand a base access now.

Industrial Expansion (-2 GB)

• Expand electronics industry. While this alone is not enough to boost our production, it's the last step to achieve full Gelsland/Silicon Valley synergy. There'll be a news raport about it soon.

Turn IX (-2 GB, 1 PW)

Women's Liberation Act (-2 GB)

• Exactly what we've been waiting for, despite the USP's obstructionism, the Assembly pushed this bill forward. It'll allow us to reach excellent women's rights, so we'll sign it.

Fiscal Review Reveals Treasury Surplus (+2 GB)*

• Since our economy is a pretty good spot, despite all the welfare policies we enacted, we've got a surplus. We'll add medium surplus, since well, leaving it is just +1 ED. You could go up to high surplus if you went all in and min-maxed it properly, but if you want that, I'll suggest checking out the Notes section.

End of the Day at Home

• Since we paid for Serge's kids education, we'll order a pizza and invite him over for some bonding while watching football. As for Franc, he was never a failure, he's just got a different path to follow in life than we did.
  
• Sidenote: This talk here is a check point for the debt crisis. It kind of fluctuates, so I can't give you the exact values, just keep that in mind if you try to modify this playthrough.

Human Dignity Bill

• It's basically a prostitution ban with a fancy name. In reality, it decreases Public Opinion and Economic development for no real benefit. I'll be signing it since I can afford to tank the negatives, but really, you should veto it every game.
  
• By the way, our investments into Tourism paid off. Look:

Children For Future Act (-1 GB)

• Since one of our main goals was to establish a welfare state, another welfare bill sounds great, we'll sign it. People's quality of life is through the roof basically, this should solve the problem of radical revolutionaries in Sordland.

Discussion on the Current Internal Affairs

• Leke's got a request. Yeah, we're not exactly proud of having to be afraid of our own citizens. The deal is, loyalty of our Bludish citizens in return for overturning UELA, unbanning the Bludish Freedom Part and giving amnesty to people arrested for having ties with it. And allowing for a commision of minority rights. Sounds like a pretty good deal to me and a way to reconcile despite the hostilities over the last few decades, so we'll sign Minority Rights Act as a decree.

Alcohol Tax Act

• Same as with taxing tabacco, it'll relieve our welfare system and provide us with much needed funds. Which is why we'll sign it. But again, you could also veto it and see it overriden.

Fair Luxury Tax

• This bill finally doesn't hit the average Sord, but only the richest. So again, we'll sign it. Tusk's the Ekonomist (newspaper) will bemoan it, so even better.

Fund Political Youth Group

• For those unaware, this basically creates a new Old Guard, infiltrates all the important government agencies with nationalists or commies. While we are already working on weeding deep state out, so why would we do that? Don't fund either.

Emergency Meeting on an Escalating Situation

• Rumburg attacked our plane in our airspace. They're really serious about harassing us and we can confront that violation of our rights, which is why we need to retaliate by shooting down their plane. Starting a war will lead to mlllions of dead and we can't rely on the international community to protect us by pretending to look weak.
  
• We'll also organise the military parade. We need to show these Rums what we're made of.

Urgent Meeting on Potential Allies

• Since Arcasia has been investing into our country, they'd like to extend our cooperation even further and invite us to ATO. But we really shouldn't concern ourselves with the cold war while we have so much stuff going on in our backyard, which is why we'll decline the offer. We intend to be a self-sufficient power with its own small bloc of non-aligned countries.

Late Night at Rayne Household

• We'll show her the framed photo we took from our old office. Damn, wholesome, isn't it? Huehuehue.

Election Speech at the USP HQ (+1 GB)

• Since we've been investigating the Old Guard, it turns out, the Sollist deep state is real and are the reason behind the early game unrest. Dozens of people (or as we later learn 4,109 officials) helped either organise it, cover it up or both. Which is why we'll purge them all.
  
• As for the election speech, we'll focus on what we achieved of course. BECAUSE WE JUST RECOVERED THE ECONOMY AND THE PEOPLE LOVE US, LET'S GO!
  
• By the way, the money we got is from the tax efficient economy, so FTCC (the decree) + ACP (the police). Also, here's the Gelsord synergy:

Briefing on the Current Economic Situation (-2 GB)

• So. We've had a consistent market economy. We've achieved self-sufficiency. The standards of living are increasing. The production doubled. Logistics improved. The inflation is down to 2%. Lowered our debt. Lowered our unemployment. Almost doubled our GDP.
  
• As for the plan, the people love us already, so we could save that money for later. But there's a massive homelessness problem in western Sordland, so we'll enact housing assistance. Also, Soll will applaud this policy, so yay.
  
• I should also mention, since we were pro-market enough, Tusk and Koronti are supporting us despite not doing any corrupt deals with them.

Scheduled Television Interview*

• Here is our chance to kick Rumburg out of OMEC. Well, if we didn't take part in Operation Bear Trap, so if you didn't want want to avoid the war, check out the Notes. As it stands, all we can do is rally the people by acting jingoistic to get a well-received PR Visit. As for Wehlen, I suggest denying any knowledge of the atrocities that took place.
  
• Also, since we started the Reconciliation process by signing Leke's decree, the Bluds are supportive of us. And since we recovered the economy, even the Radical applauds us:

Private Meeting with Lileas Graf

• I still wonder just how independent Lileas was in her decisions. No need to agitate her though, we've won. But it is a good question, did we manage to escape Soll's shadow? I'd say yes, I'll summarize our achievements a bit later.

Military Parade

• Some wholesome interactions with Serge and Iosef await us. Our military is top notch, modern and elite, yet still massive for a country our size.

Turn X (-2 GB, 1 PW)

Merkopan Champions Cup

• SInce we invested into FC Anrica, we can make them win if we just go to their locker room. I suggest this short guide for the proper dialogue options:
  
• https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=3013311411
  
• We'll also meet Soll and Alphonso. We'll be respectful to both of course. And importantly, ask Soll to help in the war. By the way, he also applauds one of our policies:

Alliance of Nations Assembly Meeting

• No need to clap or insult anyone here, we've got to show we've got manners. The most important thing here is our turn to speak. And when we do so:
  
  • For Wehlen, we'll support the Wehzek people in their fight against terror.
    
  • As for Agnolia, we can't let Valgsland dominate the seas.
    
  • Most importantly, we'll mention Rummish nukes. To do so, we need to confirm Smolak's accusations with our own evidence of Rumburg funding the BFF, then bring up a person close to the Rumburgian government, Mr. Hailstone. For a step-by-step guide, check out the short version.

Move Personal Wealth to Kyrute

• There's no benefit for moving the money. We're Sords and we'll stay Sordland for the rest of our life, serving the country and its people one way or another. So we'll keep the money.

Phone Call with the Queen of Rumburg

• She DARES insult us? Demand core Sordish land for peace? We will not be pushed around, we'll see her on the battlefield.

Private Meeting with Deivid Wisci

• Apparently, Deivid overheard some people talking about us. The people are calling us a radical centrist. I guess Neo-Sollism is the new centrism, since we simply weren't authoritarian enough to be called a Sollist. I'll agree with Deivid, but it doesn't matter. We'll also hug Deivid, he's been a mentor to us.

Dinner at Home

• Deana is apparently a very intelligent child. Good thing that we enforced gender equality in education, right?
  
• We're of course grateful we endured the four hard years together. But we will not retire, our job is not yet done. Besides, we can't, winning the war forces us into the 2nd term.

Rumburg War Planning Meeting

• The important part is, we need someone to cover our back in Tzarsbourgh. Whether it's Agnolia or Wehlen, doesn't matter. I'll show you the plan if you're with the setup I went with, so Agnolia + Wehlen at once:
  
  • 1. Very Well. Call our allies to the war.
    
  • 1. Let him (Deivid) in.
    
  • (...)
    
  • 4. Salute him (Soll) and be nice to him.
    
  • 2. We need to fight smarter if we're weaker. Let's go with Iosef's pincer plan.
    
  • 2. Have them (Wehlen) go through Lards and Merdon to flank the Rumburg army from the east.
    
  • 2. Yes, I trust thay they (Agnolia) will be able to take Dome.
    
  • (...)
    
  • 1. We will march toward Thornbourgh and end this war with a decisive strike against the enemy.
    
  • 2. Have them (Wehlen) stay in Tzarsbourgh to cover our back.
• As a highlight, despite some disagreements, Soll is proud of us:

Declaration of War against Rumburg

• We'll appeal to people's patriotism and how we were forced to declare this war. Because we were of course, the international community did barely anything for us, so we have to stand up to Rumburg by ourselves.

Turn XI (-2 GB, 1 PW)

Capitulation of Rumburg

• Well, the demands are quite harsh, but they could be even more harsh. Importantly, I'll assume the reparations we get are 2 GB, I'll use it as a headcanon for later. And here is a map how the region would look like post-war. Credit goes to u/ToeBorn6310 from reddit:
  
• 

Election Speech

• We'll talk about our achievements. We deserve the praise after all. Here is how our situation looks like:

MILITARY

LAW

ECONOMY

WELFARE

ORDER

DIPLOMACY

The Epilogue

PRIVATE LIFE:

• We started off with 1,5 million Sordish Ren, we end the game with mere 500k in savings. But, we're still getting our presidential salary and we own FC Anrica, so I don't think we need to worry about money.
  
  
• As for our family, Monica continues her feminist work, ensuring Deana has a bright future ahead of herself. Franc also finished studying, found a girlfriend and lives a presumably happy life.
  
  
• As for our friends, Petr remained our right-hand man and best friend. We're still friends with Gus as well, so not only we'll never get bored in life, we should get some investment opportunities too.

MILITARY:

• While we've beaten Rumburg, Valgsland still remains an enemy. They've been harassing our ships and threatening Agnolia. So we should fund the ministry of Defense again and this time, modernise the navy to stand up to them and stop their harassment.

LAW:

• I don't believe there's anything we can improve in terms of our constitution. It leaves a strong president, but not overly strong, ensures proper separation of powers and maintains the Sollist spirit. I mean, we're never amending articles 6&7 and we're keeping the relatively high threshold to not allow radical, small parties to join the Assembly.
  
  
• Importantly, we kept the Member of Honor title. And well, look at our achievements so far. I've talked so many times about them I won't repeat myself, but add being a war hero on top of that. Maybe, just maybe, we can get the Assembly to grant us such title as well.
  
  
• I'll also talk about politics here. We're the leader of the Neo-Sollist USP. Mildly authoritarian, mildly nationalistic, moderately capitalist, but with strong welfare. We've got 2/4 nationalist votes, 3/4 conservative votes, 2/4 liberal votes, 4/4 centrist votes, 2/4 Bludish votes and even 1/4 socialist votes.
  
  
  • We're allied to the NFP for now, but by investigating the opposition with the ACP, we can get rid of Kibener and Holstron. This way, we've got a permanent junior party that's collecting all the nationalist and conservative votes we didn't get. Or we can break the alliance and just leave them be.
    
    
  • We've also undermined the PFJP's voter base, making Ricter somewhat obsolete. Our only real opposition are the socialists.
    
    
  • Lastly, Bluds. We're on a path to reconcile, so the radical BFP should lose its support, and the WPB is socialist, same as the CPS, so they'll always be in our opposition.

ECONOMY:

• I'm assuming we have quite a lot of money from recovering the economy, war reparations etc. Of course, rebuilding western Sordland will take quite a lot of it, but even if so, we can still raise taxes on Large Corporations again. We can enact VAT. We still own 20% of Gasom and get divestments. And probably a few more things I can't think of right now. The point is, we have money to spend.
  
  
• Our first few plans should be to:
  
  • Expand the L-1 Railway to reach our more neglected regions. Preferably, to something like this (the blue line is the L-1 Railway now, the red lines are potential expansions):
    
    
    
  • If we were to continue our current policies of free market, raising Large Corporations taxes and lowering Small and Medium Business taxes would be a fine idea. That'd make the local companies even stronger while not changing our economic development at all, it's a net 0 of GB and ED.
    
    
  • Or, in terms of production, we could rely entirely on our military goods. But I think building the Conriat Industrial Zone, which would synergise wih the L-1 Railway, Electronics industry expansion and the navy, would be a great idea as well, turning Sordland into an industrial hub.
    
    
  • There's also the possibility of nationalization. First of all, Gasom being in private hands is a disgrace, it's a single company owning pretty much all of our gas production. Second of all, when we investigate the Oligarchs with ACP, we'd find Tusk is a traitor cooperating with Rumburg and the BFF. Seizing his assets as a punishment for being a traitor sounds like a nice idea.

WELFARE

• Honestly we fixed pretty much every issue there is. We could keep expanding welfare and improving people's quality of life though. If we had the budget throughout our term, we could enact Equal Ability Bill (benefits for disabled people) and Citizen's Mobility Act (free public transport). Or just enact more of the late-game plans of paying off student's loans or giving an unemployment wage. Or fund healthcare again to give workers a raise. Or... I dunno. I don't feel like it should be a massive focus as of now.

ORDER

• Organised crime is still strong, but if we targeted the Oligarchs with ACP, we'd reduce it to a yellow modifier. Also, we could fund the Law & Enforcement again and form the Community Police. It has its negatives, namely causes two yellow situations, "Police factionalism" and "Police laniency", but the police in western Sordland is still overburdened, so they need the funding.
  
  
• The Sordish chapter of the BFF still exists, but it's losing its relevance. The BFF in Wehlen is destroyed. They no longer enjoy Rummish funding. And we've started the reconciliation process with Bluds, so the more moderate ones should leave this organisation. Also, we could investigate Fatih Ejall to learn his connections with the BFF (hopefully) and arrest them all, but well, is there a point in antagonising them at this point? Not really in my opinion.

DIPLOMACY:

• Most importantly, we've bested Rumburg. They will be back for round two, presumably, but we're much stronger now, while they're crippled for years if not decades. Integrating Rummish lands will be a problem, but well, we've been rather nice to our minorities, I'm sure they'll come along eventually.
  
  
• We've created our own "neutral/non-aligned bloc". Both Agnolia and Wehlen are junior partners to us, which means we'll always have the upper hand and we'll of course stay allied for years to come. With Wehlen, to stabilize it and enjoy the sweet sweet oil for years to come and Agnolia, to enjoy the cheaper steel and there's quite a lot of oil in Dome, which we'll also eventually get our hands on.
  
  
• To take a step further, we could look into getting close to Lespia. We couldn't since we cooperated with Wehlen, but they'll eventually get over it and then we have a common enemy, Valgsland, so why not work together? Alternatively, if Intermerkropa forms, we could also try applying for it. Or just stay neutral, but I doubt it's an option forever.
  
  
• Finally, ATO. We'll never become a member, they simply demand too much from us, but we can enjoy the investments that come with being in Arcasian sphere of influence. We've got money and a military industry now, who knows what else they'll give us for just being anti-communist?

The Spendings Plan

Since under my last guide there was a person asking for a short version of all my spendings, here it is. I suggest checking out the Suzerain Discord server for a few brainiacs that could help optimize this plan even further.

SPENDINGS PLAN:

• G. Holsord/Lorren stacking.
  
• 7 GB - Start.
  
• 6 GB - Start L-1 Railway.
  
• Choose Taurus.
  
• 5 GB - Tourism Act.
  
• 3 GB - Gasom Investment.
  
• EPA at 49%.
  
• -9 GB - Budget Meeting.
  
• -10 GB - WRA.
  
• -12 GB - Lorren RI.
  
• -13 GB - L-1 Construction Issues.
  
• -10 GB Taxes - Increase Taxes on Large Corporations.
  
• -8 GB - Privatize Education.
  
• TRADE WAR CHECK Passed.
  
• -9 GB - Mechanize Gruni.
  
• -7 GB - ATO Aid.
  
• Agnolia Alliance.
  
• -5 GB - Wehlen Trade.
  
• -7 GB - Benfi Airport.
  
• -8 GB - CBRA.
  
• -6 GB - Healthcare Privatization.
  
• -8 GB - Choose Taurus.
  
• -6 GB - Gasom Shares.
  
• -1 GB - Full Privatization.
  
• 1 GB - Gasom Returns.
  
• 0 GB - decrees - FTTC, Media Council, REI.
  
• -1 GB - Bergia Centralization.
  
• -3 GB - WLA.
  
• -2 GB - Less Smoke Bill.
  
• Arcasian MIC.
  
• -4 GB - Electronics Expansion.
  
• DEBT CRISIS CHECK Passed.
  
• -3 GB - Small Surplus.
  
• -4 GB CFFA.
  
• -3 GB - Alcohol Tax.
  
• -1 GB - Luxury Tax.
  
• 0 GB - Tax Efficient Economy.
  
• -2 GB - Housing Assistance.

Notes

Working with Koronti

• In short, if we arrange a meeting initially, we then get an event about visiting his resort in Conriat, where Koronti offers to be very supportive of our administration for a favor later down the line. His help massively increases our total Public Opinion. The favor is to give him the shares from privatization, making him become the new head of the Oligarchs. In such case, I'd suggest privatizing the majority of both companies instead of fully, since the gains are the same and we as the state lose less control of the ecomy. Beware though, as Tusk knows about our deal with Koronti and later witnesses the insider trading, making him leak what he knows to cause a scandal. It's nothing we can't survive, but why get your hands dirty when you can stay clean?

Energy Protection Act

• Since we'll invest into Lorren for coal, trade with Wehlen for oil and solo invest into Gasom, we will maintain green energy prices even if we repealed EPA. Doing so would not only give every region +1 local Economic Development, I'd give us either +5 or even +6 GB (compared to the +4 we get) AND would allow us to trade and ally with Lespia (+1 ED for -1 GB for trade, +2 GB for alliance, -1 GB from Valgish sanctions. A net +1 ED, or additionally +1 GB if we modernise the Navy instead of the Air Force), but we'd have to sell them Sordish Petroleum. I found it unacceptable, since we'd sell a major Sordish state company, risk our energy independence and make our economy reliant on others, but it is an option for even more money and even more crippling Rumburg peace deal.

Agnolia/Wehlen Alliance

• To win with Iosef's strategy, we need just one ally. Whether it's Agnolia or Wehlen, doesn't matter. Which means that:
  
  • If we ally, Agnolia gets Dome, while we get Tzarsbourgh. But, if we don't ally and win the war with Wehlen alone, we'll get Tzarsbourgh AND Dome for ourselves. I just can't really justify not allying them in such situation, the roleplay is to act like a big brother to them.
    
    
  • As for Wehlen, by negotiating Sordland's contribution, we could choose to avoid the war with proper dialogue options and avoid damaging our Bludish Opinion so damn hard with full OBT participation, while still getting the trade deal. But, that means the Wehzek chapter of the BFF stays relatively strong, as the OBT without our direct help is only a partial success. Again, to roleplay as a strong, interventionist Sordland, I chose to participate, but objectively partial OBT is better and I'd allow for sanctioninsg Rumburg into peace, but I'll elaborate on it later.

Franc's Education

• Objectively, the military is the best choice. Yes, he does get indoctrinated into a Sollist, duh, but at least it's a life he earned and worked for instead of being a second chance given by us. It doesn't cost us money and the media applaud us for having him work hard like the rest of the people instead of being privileged. But well, I could afford it and I wanted to be a good dad, so I sent him to HSU. Do what you want with it though.

Fiscal Review

• There's been many, many, MANY suboptimal choices in terms of the economy throughout this game. Enacting Business Bailouts and increasing SME taxes would be preferable to what I suggest. Repealing EPA is another big boon. Repealing EPA and then allying with Lespia is even more. Then there's also Conriat Industrial Zone instead of Benfi International Airport. The point is, if you really wanted to minmax the economy, you could, I just wanted to stay within a certain established roleplay.

Sacker Interview

• Did you choose to do Partial OBT instead of full and want to avoid the war for whatever reason? Sure, it's entirely possible. For that, I'd suggest writing a diplomatic response instead of closing the consulate in Dome as well as NOT shooting down Rummish plane, but it's entirely possible even with these two choices done, we just have less wiggle room. In short, we need to act very peaceful, like a victim. For the long version, check out this:
  
• https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=2990567093

[Alta]

I´ve done emergency runs allying Valgsland as well, it does work (although just barely economy-wise but you still get the recovery). I think it makes sense since we can justify seeing the Valgs as our long-lost brothers, and it´s not like we like capitalists anyway. Going as far as supporting the Bluds and the Women Liberation Act seems like a no-no tho, I can´t see how to justify a Sollist doing that ngl.

Nonetheless, I wish to see an actualized version of that guide, truly good stuff (the SSP is so cracked fr). Cheers.

[rolewicz]

Actually, to elaborate. While working on this spiritual successor I decided to browse the in-game files for information. My programming knowledge is non-existent so it's a tough task, but I'm trying to find every mechanical change each decision does. It's why it's taking so long though.

[rolewicz]

As I specified in the guide, we're VERY close to a Bludish revolt. And I mean like, we're at -18 Bludish Opinion, with -20 causing the revolt (if I remember correctly). Signing the Campaign Finance bill is -2 Bludish Opinion, while vetoing it is +1 BO. Therefore, you ended with 3 less BO and passed the threshold for a revolt.

Thank you for your kind words. I am currently working on a Sollist-Socialist guide, an updated and upgraded version of the old Sollist Rayne, but importantly, we'll be much less authoritarian. I mean like, sign Women's Rights Act, sign Minority Rights Act, take both foreign aids, ally Valgsland and so on. I understand it might not be up to everyone's liking, but lately I cannot roleplay a proper despot, I might do a die-hard Sollist later though.

[Alta]

Oh yeah, I forgot, I did sign the unfair funding just because I´m not roleplaying as a democrat, we are a man of the party. I also used the Media Council to actively censor press, idk if that has anything to do with the revolt.

Once again, thank you so much for the amazing guide.

[Alta]

Just wanted to comment this since I did some modifications and we do manage to get called a Neo-Sollist by simply being less nice to the Bluds and by making a true dictatorship. Also to bring attention to the fact that for whatever reason I ended up having a full on revolt despite not really angering the Bluds any further than the guide intended. I guess I could just sacrifice a decree to get them integrated by removing the Special Zone and that´d likely solve the revolt issue,

Sorry for the sheer amount of yapping, but once again, amazing guide, I really respect the effort put into it (as well as you now sadly outdated Sollist Rayne one). Keep it up man, cheers.

[Alta]

One issue I found is that despite the Bergia Standarization the BFF ended up revolting, I´m not sure why since I didn´t change any of the decisions related to them. Since we don´t have the SSP or the Community Police I decided to just go with the military to avoid any further issues. Ngl I think this is somewhat of a sidegrade compared to the guide since we get to completely crush the BFF and we also get a precedent for direct military intervention in Bergia. Truly authoritarian path imo, even if Soll would have preferred integration.

In the end you still win the war (although Wehlen can´t properly intervene due to Blud resistance) and you get called post-Sollist authoritarian by Deivid, which I think is really neat, plus the end game screen does categorize you as a Neo-Sollist, which I find nice as well.

[Alta]

Hey dude, first of all, amazing guide, love the sheer amount of things you can fund and get away with going hardcore capitalist. I followed the guide (Dictator Constitution) and made some modifications. I went for the Lespia alliance by abolishing EPA completely, which allowed me to fund the navy. Sure, we do end up giving our oil company to them, but given our partnership I doubt it´ll be an issue, and we can bring back 49% EPA eventually using Alphonso as an excuse since he sold 51% of Gasom.

I also funded Conriat Industrial Zone and went full electronics, I think this gives us an edge for future negociations, particularly with Wehlen. We give them weapons and manufactured goods in exchange for oil, which we then sell to Lespia (I will continue in the next comment)

[rolewicz]

You do get the Great Sordish Recovery, safely. You need 15 ED to recover, we have around 14 during the Fiscal Review where we get +1 GB, but end the game at around 22 ED or so, since the synergy from electronics expansion and Benfi Airport kick in very late. I'm only suggesting EPA Repeal and Lespia alliance if you want to get more ED for the Fiscal Review.

[Profez]

Hello, do you get the Great Sordish Recovery with this guide? Or should I repeal IPA + take Lespia deal

[Shanky]

Yeah, Pincer with a modern army, both Allies. Reloaded and went thru the strategy plan again just to make sure. I definitely don't think its any problem with your guide, just trying to narrow down where i went wrong. i think its tied to the fact that in my playthough Leke's Rights bill got blocked by the Assembly even though i agreed to sign it. its either that or moving the Gendarme thru the interior.