Game Description
Sugar and Sedition - Roles Guide
Here is a general guide for the different roles and factions in the game. Some advice is given which might help players determine which roles they have a preference for.
Game Roles
The game has three key roles that a player might fulfil. Some characters start assigned to certain roles at the beginning of the game, and so if you have a preference for or against playing certain roles it is worth mentioning this in your reservation.
However, each player in the game represents a specific individual with their own goals and their own part to play in the conflict. Depending on what happens, players will have the opportunity to change their role, perhaps to try a different tactic, affect a different sphere of influence, or to adapt to a change in context.
Diplomatic
These players have no specific mechanics to focus on, instead balancing their time communicating with their own team, with other teams and managing resources.
Combat Operations
These players will be monitoring the combat maps and commanding units across Cuba to take control of cities, roads and resources.
Political Support
These players will be focused on the Political Support table to take turns placing resources that represent political activity, attempting to win the favour of Cuba's populace in its various major cities.
Factions
There are four factions involved in the conflict over the future of Cuba. Most have flexible relations with each other and are neither truly allies or enemies - so players will need to be careful when making decisions about who to work with and who to fight.
If you wish to reserve as an entire team, numbers and role breakdowns are given for each faction below.
The Government
Total: 7 - Diplomatic: 3; Combat Operations: 3; Political Support: 1
The Cuban Government has Havana politics in its pockets, as well as access to both the full force of the Cuban military and police. It has good relations with both the US government and the Mob, although these can only last as long as they benefit both sides. Some say that the Government has ensured absolute loyalty though selective discharges and paying off the right people – while others say that the various members of the Havana elite are just as paranoid and hoping to change the seat of power as anyone else...
'Other Rebels'
Total: 8 - Diplomatic: 4; Combat Operations: 3; Political Support: 1
This faction is made up of two closely-linked sub-factions, representing the two main popular resistance groups, the Student Revolutionary Directorate (DRE) and Second National Front of the Escambray Mountains (2NF)
The students of the University of Havana as well as other sympathetic groups, including various workers' unions and a variety of anti-authoritarian activists, have already been working together for several years under the banner of the Directorio Revolucionario Estudiantil. A mix of intellectuals, working class labourers, socialists, communists, and moderates, the group is united against the government.
The Second National Front is a group of civilians turned guerrilla fighters in the Escambray mountain range in the centre of Cuba. They have pledged to oppose the government's authoritarian control of Cuba and return it to the Cuban people.
26th July Movement
Total: 6 - Diplomatic: 2; Combat Operations: 3; Political Support: 1
Fidel Castro has assembled a group of various friends, associates and fellow revolutionaries into a popular, but currently small, resistance group. They have proved to be very capable of using radio and traditional means of information dissemination, and many in Cuba and abroad see Castro as a heroic figure. The 26JM movement continues to grow in support each day, even though Castro has given no public commitment to any particular policy or style of government should he succeed.
The Mob
Total: 6 - All Diplomatic but roles likely flexible
This faction is made up of three two-person teams, representing three large independent operations.
A few of the American organised crime families have massive operations in Cuba, especially Havana. Recent instabilities between the families have been smoothed out, and the mafia continue to make large amounts of money in Cuba, mostly working in conjunction with the Cuban government.
The United States of America
Non-Played Faction, represented by Control
The USA has been a close ally of the Cuban Government over the last couple of decades. Though they have lost the right to intervene militarily, they still are heavily invested through US businesses' control of various industries. The US government also has contracts with the Cuban Government, providing them with cash, armaments and high-tech equipment. However, all is not well, as the USA is looking at Cuba with more and more scrutiny – concerned about public image, stability, US economic interests, harbouring and enabling US organised crime, and the potential threat of communism.
News Media
The News Media team will be learning of important events and broadcasting them to the rest of the game. This team is best suited to 3 or 4 players.
Control
A small team of players will be helping to run the game and manage certain parts of the experience. The Control Team are effectively a team of GMs ensuring that the rules are applied properly, and allowing players to interact with parts of the game that aren't established by existing mechanics. This role is best suited to people who have attended a megagame before or who are familiar with this sort of responsibility.