Fulcrum

The flag of Fulcrumite Socialism, often used interchangeably with the alliance it was named after and based off of.

## General Info

### Originated

1905, Helinska
1954, Intercontinental

### Pioneered by

Lemetiate of Airolia
Socialist Republic of John

## Current Info

### Prevalent In

Helinska
Kalshei

### Exists In

Yulea

The **Fulcrum** was a global military alliance formed twice separately, first from 1905-1906 and then from 1954-1961. Formed as a purely defensive pact to safeguard against the expansionist North, the Fulcrum's second iteration eventually morphed into likely the most active imperial power post-Cataclysm. Named for a 'vital hinge or support', the Fulcrum was, as the name suggests, seen by its members as the equivalent of Atlas holding up the world. The establishment of the Fulcrum would itself form Fulcrumite Socialism as a blend of Johninian and Airolian beliefs.

For its history past 1956, the alliance was riddled with secretive plots, counter-plots, and cabals that would form and dissolve at even the slightest hint of a 'potential traitor' or, on the other hand, a loyalist. While most of these did little of value besides undermine unity within the alliance, one would eventually become the Rygard Pact-- the alliance responsible for destroying the Fulcrum.

## History

### Founding & First Dissolution (1905-1906)

Initially, the Fulcrum was an intercontinental military, economic, and defensive pact between the Lemetiate of Airolia and Socialist Republic of John. It was founded in 1905 in response to growing tension between the founders and the northerly Holy Monarcho-Polmarian Union, though it could be said that its founding itself increased the potential for widespread conflict in Helinska. Shortly before the Holy Monarcho-Polmarian - Fulcrum War, the Midnight Flower Trading & Co. was admitted into the alliance.

During the Holy Monarcho-Polmarian - Fulcrum War, the Fulcrum fought an incredibly large, multi-front war against the Holy Monarcho-Polmarian Union, likely the largest and most coordinated international effort by that time. The sudden occurrence of the Cataclysm halted any offensives, however, and Airolia would flee the continent in the chaos. In 1925, the remnants of the Midnight Flower Trading & Co. and the SRJ both collapsed, effectively ending the Fulcrum despite a lack of formal dissolution.

### Re-formation & Early Operations (1954)

Later, in 1954, Airolia, the SRJ, Polmaria, and Jabeyrack 're-formed' the Fulcrum to protect their individual interests and shape the new world order of Yulea. The alliance would make its first move by intervening in the Second Nostovian-Adenwadoan War and forcing Nostovia into a surrender, reclaiming all Adenwadoan land and reforming the nation into a secular republic. During the intervention, the Fulcrum would enter into a cold war with the I-CSL, which by extension then influenced the Fulcrum to intervene in the then-ongoing civil war in BISDA on the side of the redshirt socialists, the primary opponents of the I-CSL-backed HSF and Nynera.

As BISDA dissolved, Kanoria began its return towards unification. During the ending stages of the Workers' War, clandestine talks had begun between Fulcrumite diplomats and proponents of Greater Kanoria as a concept, shortly before its founding and continuing afterwards. Once Nynera's forces had been resoundingly quashed by the nascent Affiliated Freylan Commonwealth and Republic of Balvala, both were invited into the Fulcrum on the condition that the former relinquished its 'Laron Territories' to the equally nascent Greater Kanoria-- and informed that a denial would mean invasion.

With little other choice, both states accepted membership, still hopeful that differences could be reconciled. By this time, the plan of *entirely* uniting Helinska became the primary goal of the alliance, supplanting simply 'mutual defense'. Despite long-term negotiations with Kanorian officials, the disjointedness of Greater Kanorian politics meant that a significant change in public opinion would need to occur. The plans for a catalyst for such a change: a war with the Federation of Valeron.

### Upper Basin War (1954-1955)

Framed as a war to "protect Neo-Kanorian culture" and a "stabilization operation in the region"--both of which were the true war goals in the eyes of most Kanorians--the Upper Basin War had a secondary purpose; planting the seeds of Fulcrumite-Kanorian cooperation in the minds of both groups' leaders and people. As plans had outlined, the SRJ would handle the western front of the war, against the Republic of Gresia, whereas Kanoria and Fulcrumite volunteers would focus their efforts on Valeron. Over the course of months, Valeronian and Gresian defenses would be soundly defeated at several key points, notably the Redwing Heights and Mockingbird Canyon, respectively, paving the way for coalition forces to march into each nation's capitals.

Shortly after Valeron's capitulation in the Upper Basin War and complete annexation, Kanoria would be officially inducted into the Fulcrum and its associated bodies, solidifying unmatched Fulcrumite control over Central Helinska. Almost immediately after, the Socialist Republic of Kokinos applied to join the alliance and was accepted on the condition that they relinquish the Astavaran People's Republic to Kanoria-- a condition which they begrudgingly accepted.

### Stalemate & Eastern Conflicts (1955-1956)

As the war between the SRJ and Gresia ground to a standstill, the alliance turned its eyes eastwards, towards the Republic of Ospalar and Union of O'Lear. Seen as little more than obstacles in continental unification as well as an unacceptable geographic division between north and south Polmaria, independent demands were made to each. Ospalar, despite concessions being given by Fulcrumite negotiators, denied losing any territory or sovereignty to Fulcrum member-states. Thus, war was declared and operations immediately began across the Strait of Amastis and other regions. Midway through the invasion, the Federal Kingdom of Polmaria independently scheduled a meeting with the Union of O'Lear and demanded their continental territories, subtly threatening invasion if their demand was not met. The Union of O'Lear declined.

At this point, essentially every diplomatically active nation *not* in the Fulcrum--and some of its own members, notably Freylan--had been alienated, and the Fulcrum was left to fight for itself. That, alongside overconfident commanders and Ospalan air superiority, resulted in Polmaria's decisive defeat in the early stages of the war. The loss of most of Kalaroos likely caused the death of then-Queen Elaina Fedali Calano, subsequently shattering the country into various splinter states. Despite this defeat, the SRJ did still successfully force Gresia into surrendering as the Fulcrum-Republic of Motezor.

### Formation of the Rygard Pact (1956)

*Main article: Rygard Pact*

> [The Fulcrum] ha[s] regressed completely, eyes too fixated on the clouds to realize that in pursuit of their lofty objectives, they are inflicting carnage on an untold scale.
>
> Part of a speech given during the Rygard Conference, by Gideon Ferrow. (1956)

With the Fulcrum having antagonized O'Lear, threatened the former BISDA states, invaded Ospalar, and its secular policies having distanced Kherfiyyah, Helinska was left without neutrals. In a last-ditch effort to prevent total Fulcurmite hegemony, 6 countries met in the Rygard Conference to discuss the formation of a new alliance-- the Rygard Pact. Immediately after its formation, the alliance issued a demand for "unilateral ceasefire" and the withdrawal from Ospalar, both of which were declined.

### War of the End-Times & Second Dissolution (1956-1961)

*Main article: War of the End-Times*

With the refusal of Rygard demands, war followed-- immediately. The Confederation of the Steel Lance, a recent Fulcrum member, immediately underwent a civil war that overthrew the Fulcrumite government and began supporting the Rygard Pact. The KWR, which sided with the Fulcrum, faced--and decisively repulsed--a Kherfiyyan invasion. Following a wholly renewed Johninian-Polmarian counterattack against the weathered Ospalan military, the country was split in two at Hallivi and forced to unconditionally surrender. Ospalar is divided between the Polmarian states and a Johninian occupation zone.

WIP

With the 1958 intervention of the ICO, the war became untenable for the Fulcrum. The last vestiges of the alliance would surrender 3 years later, in 1961, marking the end of the Fulcrum's shadow over Yulea. Due to the extensive crimes against sentient species perpetrated by Fulcrumite soldiers and 'inhumanity' associated with the ideology/alliance, Fulcrumite parties were banned almost worldwide and sanctioned in places where they remained. Organizations such as the FAII saw themselves incorporated into the various emergent successor states and many of the Fulcrum's highest echelons tried, executed, or imprisoned in the ICO International Court.

## Overview

While the Fulcrum in 1905 had few supranational guidelines, its successor had numerous inter-organization groups; a number of which are listed below.

### Fulcrum Aetherspace Innovation Initiative (FAII)

*Main article: Fulcrum Aetherspace Innovation Initiative*

Acting as the Fulcrum's principal research--and especially aerospace research--agency, the FAII was officially comprised of every aerospace agency previously run by national governments as well as numerous sub-Councils that handled everything from military R&D to Zone explorations to secretive blacksites. The FAII's most widely known achievement was getting the first satellites, manned space stations, and weapons platforms in orbit-- as well as retaining that hegemony for a substantial amount of time. ~~Much of what the FAII was remains unknown, both due to their own diligence in scrubbing records and coverups by its inheritors.~~

### Fulcrum Supranational Economic Compact (FSEC)

*Main article: Fulcrum Supranational Economic Compact*

Intended to facilitate further trade and cooperation between Fulcrum member-states as well as streamline the membership process for potential future Fulcrumite partners, the FSEC was in essence a customs union with a record-setting amount of weight behind it. The FSEC was overseen by its own regulatory body, the Fulcrumite Economic Legislative Council (FELC), which determined the purposes, authority, and powers of the FSEC. The FELC was made up of a parliamentary body consisting of 2 representatives from each Fulcrum member-state and 1 from each non-Fulcrum partner within the FSEC. A transcontinental airport program was organized by the FSEC in 1956.

### Fulcrum Joint Naval Command (FJNC/JNC/FNC)

*Main article: Fulcrum Joint Naval Command*

Made up of a majority of all member-states' capital ships and a smaller portion of escorts, the Joint Naval Command was the first step towards a strong supranational organization intended to keep its members cooperative. While only seeing limited action, its formation was notable nonetheless.

### Helinskan Continental Senate

*Main article: Helinskan Continental Senate*

Initially intended to be the primary legislature on handling Helinskan affairs, the Senate accomplished very little due to a poor timing in founding and conflicting interests within the alliance itself.

### Fulcrum Tactical Oversight Council

*Main articles: Fulcrum Tactical Oversight Council, Fulcrum Tactical Oversight Council - Yulea*

A jointly-operated military command body for planning and conducting military operations involving more than one Fulcrum member-state. It was informally established following the Affiliated Freylan Commonwealth's 'defection' and intended to oversee the ensuing war-- though, said war never occurred as the Fulcrum had envisioned. In late 1958, during the War of the End-Times, the FTOC (alongside the FJNC and FAII) split from the SRJ some time after the announcement of Project: Permanence and began fighting against them as well as the Rygard Pact.

### Fulcrum-Republics

The Fulcrum-Republics were a series of Fulcrumite Socialist or Johninian Socialist states that, more often than not, aligned themselves with the alliance as well. Their autonomy ranged from fully sovereign to military occupation at times.