57th Overlanders (1st)

This alliance has disbanded as of May 24, 2010.

57th Overlanders
57th Official Flag 57th War Flag
57th Motto: We aim to misbehave
Team Color	Brown
Founder(s)	Mechanus, Veneke, HollowEyes, Atoms, TheHIV, BanCre, Lucinda, Saintsmaen, dirtface, Iyeman
Founded	3rd of November, 2008
Leader(s)	Captain: Veneke Commander: DesertSon Lieutenants: Viion, Uisge Beatha
Statistics as of 18th February, 2010
Total Nations	35
Strength	400,153
Avg. Strength	11,433
Nukes	77
Score	1.78
Important Links	57th forums IRC: #CN-The57th Click here to sign up

See also: 57th Overlanders (2nd), a Black-team reformation.

The 57th Overlanders are based around a Firefly/Serenity theme. The 57th Overlanders was the unit that Malcolm Reynolds fought with during the Unification War in the Firefly Universe created by Joss Whedon. It is the ideals present in this show that forms the basis of the 57th.

We are a small and tight-knit group, with the basic goal to keep flyin', even when the alliances that be 'round these parts seek to put us down...sometimes dealing with that is fun too.

The 57th offers much of the same in-game deals that every other alliances does. We'll help you set up a trade ring, set up tech deals, give you guides on how best to develop your nation, and generally do our best to help you. We've got a wealth of experience in this planet, stemming from quite literally years of playing the game at every possible level. If you're willing to learn, we're willing to teach, and that's the fact of the matter. The key thing we do offer though is the strong sense of community that is present in the 57th. We've developed an espirit de corps that is nearly frightening to behold. The core of the matter though is thus: We offer you real people to play with, actual and whole, no statistics, but folk who can and will talk to you - you as an individual, and not as a nation.

By that same token though, it does mean that our standards are a little higher than most. We expect one very simple thing, that you contribute to the community of the 57th. We've got absolutely no time for statistics. They're entirely useless to us. If you're not willing to put in the time and effort into us, we're certainly not going to put time and effort into you. If you are, then you'll be surprised at just how much you can get out of this.

The 57th's History

This is altogether too large to reproduce here. Suffice to say, if you're a member of the 57th you'll have access to our files. In time, we'll hopefully reproduce this here, but only really the pre-57th days have been documented to any degree.

The 57th Elsewhere

The 57th began about a year ago, and there have been a few attempts to move out into other games during its time. Only recently have they begun to pick up speed however, and the 57th now has a reasonably stable presence in Urban Dead and OGame (on the Bayrum Server). The 57th utilizes a single membership rank for the entirety of its recognized games. Joining the 57th is a commitment to join the 57th as a community, not the 57th as an alliance or a group in one particular game.

'Charter of the 57th Overlanders

Love. You can know all the math in the 'Verse, but take a boat in the air you don't love, she'll shake you off just as sure as the turning of worlds. Love keeps her in the air when she oughta fall down, tells ya she's hurtin' 'fore she keens. Makes her home.

How This Life Began

Take a group of people, put them together, and watch them fight. Take a group of people that are of the same mindset, put them together, and watch them fight. Know the difference? The first group are either bloody, beaten, dead, or all of the above. That second group? They're bloody and possibly beaten, but they are helping each other up and standing proudly next to each other. Ideals and the bond of friendship is what makes that second group a thing to behold. Anyone could be the first, but it takes something more to be the latter.

Membership in Overlanders

I've staked my crew's life on the theory that you're a person, actual and whole, and if I'm wrong, you'd best shoot me now...

Now any free-lander can apply to join. Applying is about as easy as breathin' the big oh-two. The Captain or Lieutenant will chat with you, and if everything comes out shiny then you got yourself a home. Once you find yerself wearin' the 57th badge, you start as a Cadet. You'll probably want to advance through the ranks as you get yer bearings. Corporal isn't hard if yer willin' to put in the time and effort.

Now, Cadets ain't go-se. Yer more than welcome to drink and jig in any shindigs we happen upon, just as yer welcome to help the rest of the crew out when yer able. There's some training to be had and when it's done you've earned yerself the rank of Private. However, you can't decide to stay a Cadet while yer in the 57th. We don't like freeloaders and we ain't keen on the idea of usin' Cadet status to gain some protection while ya do yer own thing. You have about 2 weeks to get yer trainin' and take yer exam and gain Private rank. You don't see the need to become more than a Cadet, we ain't gonna see the need to keep yer ass safe. Truth be told though, if you stay a Private forever you'll ne'er see a right difference. You'll be an Overlander, but some of us are a bit edgy when it comes to given trust to them that haven't earned it yet.

Corporals get to read up on documents and fancy paperwork a bit more than Privates, 'specially those that concern fancy diplomatic things and the like. They can also mouth off with some new ideas or bitch 'n moan 'bout old ones, and see if they can't get some change that the rest of the crew can get behind. Everyone's able to cast a vote and we'll happily oblige ya with one, but you want to get something started for a vote then you best be wearin' a Corporal badge.

Best way for you to make the step from Private to Corporal is make sure people see you tryin' to contribute and pull some weight. The Captain and Lieutenant keep their eyes open for that sort of thing and listen to their Quartermaster and Corporals about good people doin' good works for the 57th.

Government

The Captain is in charge of the alliance. The position is permanent unless he steps down or is no longer able to do the job. The Captain, Commander, and Lieutenants represent and order the alliance internally and with all other alliances.

The Commander is second in command; appointed by the Captain and ratified by membership. The Commander may specialize in a certain aspect of the alliance at the request of the Captain. This position is also until further notice, although the Commander may step down or be removed by the Captain.

There are two Lieutenants. These are appointed by the Captain and ratified by the membership. The Lieutenants may specialize in a certain aspect of the alliance at the request of the Captain. These positions are also until further notice, although a Lieutenant may step down or be removed by the Captain.

All governmental positions have the authority to appoint assistants as needed.

The Shepherd is an adviser to the government. He holds no power beyond that of a normal staff sergeant in the 57th, other than in a purely advisory capacity, which includes being aware of, and having access to, sensitive documents that are part and parcel of government, so as to better advise on the correct course to take. The position is given to ex-members of government, upon ratification by the membership.

All three positions have the authority to appoint assistants as needed.

Order of Succession

Do you want to run this ship? Well... you can't...

The Captain is in charge. If the Captain is unable to address an issue in a timely manner, or there is an emergency that he is unable to address the Commander will be in command until the Captain is able to return. If both Captain and Commander are unable to perform their duties, a Lieutenant is in charge. The branch of Foreign Affairs is considered superior to Internal Affairs, and Internal Affairs superior to the Military when trying to establish who has the senior rank in such a situation.

Decision Making

Tribunal

All Corporals and above are given a voice in the Tribunal, where they can debate freely and submit their big ideas for change. So long as two other people like an idea, we'll put it to a vote. Voting time is limited to one week for outside matters such as treaties and 72 hours for internal matters such as ratifications of appointed leadership, unless the vote is completed faster than the time frame.

The Captain can veto anything debated in the Tribunal, so long as it's done before the vote is up. In the event that the Captain is unable to be involved in a voting matter, the Commander may veto under the same rules.

Court Martial

You turn on any of my crew, you turn on me! Since that's a concept you can't seem to wrap your head around, then you got no place here.

There ever comes a time when one of our own does something really gorram stupid, they'll be dealt with.

A trial will be held with the Captain being the judge, the accused defending himself, and the Commander prosecuting. If the accused wishes for someone to help him, he can ask anyone to do so, though only the two Lieutenants are obliged to do so upon request. No more than one person may help defend the accused.

Elections:

The Captain is an "until further notice" position. If the Captain is ever unable to perform his duties or steps down, the Commander may accept the position or call for an emergency election. Any member with the rank of corporal or higher can be in the running for Captain. In the event of an election all that can run have 48 hours from the announcement of an election to say they got what it takes. After that there is a single week of debates and talk on why we should elect whomever is running. Voting is open for 72 hours.

Warfare

Can I make a suggestion that doesn't involve violence, or is this the wrong crowd for that?

We try our best to be peaceful—truly, we do—but the 57th doesn't let any ching-wah tsao duh liou mahng think they can tread on us.

Defensive War:

When you can't run, you crawl. And when you can't crawl, when you can't do that… you find someone to carry you.

If a nation of the 57th is attacked, we'll be polite in askin' the offender for a 'sorry' and a bit of cred to replace what he broke. Now if they can't seem to manage that lil' bit, or they feel it would be better to just ignore our simple requests, we'll gladly put them into a deep hole before asking again. Out here, there's precious little else but each other, and we make sure that no man ever gets left behind.

Aggressive War:

We're don't believe too highly in wars of aggression.

However, if an Overlander decides his honour's been taken to the outhouse, we won't think too hard about makin' him see otherwise. We ain't their mommas and pappas, and they sure ain't our young'ins, so our members will handle their own scuffles however they feel best. Point bein', if an Overlander picks a fight with an unaligned nation without gettin' the ok, you won't see us riding up like the cavalry comin' to save the day 'cept when the fight'n ends and the tables turn.

Attacking an aligned nation is gorram stupid and we don't allow it. Unless we happen to have a good reason to have issue with that alliance.

Raiding technology or military exercises are prohibited 'less you run it by the Captain, Commander or a Lieutenant first.

Nukes:

Nations that can play with yellow-cakes are encourag'd to do so, but we don't mandate it. Nuclear first strikes are part'n'parcel of warfare. You spent that cashy money of yours on a missile, you sure don't just leave 'em acting like statues now do ya? The 57th will use nuclear weapons to defend itself, and its allies. Nuclear weapon release can only be ordered with the unanimous agreement of the Captain, Commander and Lieutenants. No nuclear weapons will be fired upon non-nuclear nations (unless the sly piece of go-se decided it'd be fun to try and spy a nuke away, then he's fair game...). Oh, and if we get some HOE-tze duh PEE-goo thinkin' he can start the 'glow at night' programme first, you can best bet that we'll return the favour with much gusto.

Spies:

Our members are allowed spies and won't hear qualm nor quarrel from us about them. Spies are a part of military maneuvers and we see them as such. We find you sending spies to our lands and we'll treat that like you have a problem with us and want to see the business ends of our militaries. We're happy to keep them busy readin' and playing hide-n-seek with each other unless you feel the need to send yours in first. Spy away a nuke and you will get some up close and personal inspections of several more for good measure as we unleash unholy hell upon you. Hands off, dong ma?

Amending This Document

Any Corporal or above can speak their minds on corrections/additions to the charter, just like anything else. Thing isn't much more than paper with some basic rules and procedures on it. You find yerself with issues on that charter, you best speak up and do something to help make them wrongs into rights, dong mah?

How This Life Will End

This is how it is. Anybody doesn't wanna fly with me any more, this is your port of harbor. There's a lot of fine ways to die. I ain't waiting for any Alliance to choose mine.

We were brought together by a common bond and ideals. We were brought together by the friendships sown through hardships felt and wars fought. We will know the end by the sound of the last round exiting the chamber. And at that point in time we will smile and know we did what we thought was best.

Come a day there won't be room for naughty men like us to slip about at all. This job goes south, there well may not be another. So here is us, on the raggedy edge. Don't push me, and I won't push you. Dong-luh mah?

Treaties of the 57th

Treaty	Type	Signatories	Status
The Nexus Agreement	Mutual Defense & Optional Aggression Bloc	CoIN, 57th & The Federation	Active
Coat Sale	Mutual Defense & Optional Aggression Pact	57th & Veritas Aequitas	Active
57th - TheFed	Mutual Defense and Optional Aggression Pact	57th & The Federation	Active
57th - CRAP	Mutual Defense Pact	57th & Coalition of Royal Allied Powers	Active
River's 57 Dancing Cacti	Mutual Defense & Optional Aggression Pact	57th & Random Insanity Alliance	Active
The Honour of Du-Khang	Mutual Defence & Optional Aggression Pact	57th & Death Before Dishonor	Active
The Foundation of Serenity	Mutual Defense Optional Aggression Pact	57th & The Grand Lodge of Freemasons	Ignored

The Nexus Agreement

The Amber Accords

Former Signatories
League of Extraordinary Nations OTF Alliance Silence	The 57th Overlanders Carpe Diem Coalition of Independent Nations

Wars of the 57th

War	Who	Outcome	Ribbon
Karma War - RDD Front	Nexus vs. Rubber Ducky Division	Nexus Victory	None awarded
57th-BC War	57th Overlanders vs. Browncoats, Cult of Justitia, Nemesis, League of Small Superpowers	White Peace
Second Unjust War - WFF, TORN Front	Nexus vs. World Freedom Federation, The Order of Righteous Nations	White Peace
GLOF-57th War	Grand Lodge of Freemasons vs. 57th Overlanders	GLOF withdrawal