NationStates

THE VOICE OF THE PEOPLE

a Taijitu periodical

WARZONE SANDBOX FALLS TO CITIZENS' MILITIA; THE ASSOCIATION OF IMPERIALISM SET TO DISSOLVE


Her Worshipfulness Pauline Bonaparte is a part-time columnist for the Voice of the People and a member of the Taijitu Citizens' Militia.

OPINION
by PAULINE BONAPARTE

You can imagine my surprise today when, while being carried to my morning bath of milk and honey by a dashing servant, I was informed that the Association of Imperialism - that motley crew, led by the indominable Rifty, trying to unite the Warzones - was on the brink of collapse.

Now granted, they weren't going to completely disappear off the face of the Earth as I dared to hope; instead they seemed set to move to Balder, as Rifty tired of being a founder. This turn of events shocked me - I was just settling into my new palace in Warzone Sandbox when the news came and it seemed out of the blue. But as I soaked in my bath, I thought on it and it soon all made sense.

I suppose I should start from the beginning - about a week ago, our esteemed colleagues in Aura Hyperia made a run for Warzone Australia and joined the Imperialists. This concerned me, as well as my allies back home in Taijitu. The Association of Imperialism - a group of raiders that often bothered role-play regions - seemed set to complete their goal of unifying the Warzones under one banner. Quickly removing my feet from the decolletage of a lady-in-waiting lying at my feet, I rushed to see what could be done.

The Citizens' Militia was swiftly called up and that evening we took Warzone Australia, removing Aura Hyperia from the region and - I'll admit - having a little fun with the World Factbook Entry at their expense. With help from my esteemed friend, the Right Honorable Gentleman The Kumquat Fairy, the Militia explained our motives and, by the minor update the next day, cleared the region and left. I thought this would be the end of my little excursion into gameplay and that soon I could return to the parties and feasts I so dearly love.

Just yesterday morning, though, I recieved notification that Rifty was again running his mouth; bragging about raiding role-play regions. You can imagine my consternation - a rather fetching artist, applying clay all over my body for a sculpture I commissioned, had to cease work so I could deal with this nonsense. The Militia was again called, so that we could see what to do about this affront.

It was decided that we should take Warzone Sandbox - a member region of the Association of Imperialism and one that was lightly defended; we had little desire to waste our energies on a bigger target. While preparing for our assault that night, we heard word that Aura Hyperia had suffered a great calamity. While at first, I admit, there was rejoicing, the extent of the catastrophe soon became known. It involved no less than total forum destruction, a cleared region, and password protection. We mourned our fallen Hyperian colleagues but decided to continue with the action against Warzone Sandbox.

The update came and Warzone Sandbox was easily taken. Again we had a bit of fun with the World Factbook Entry, but we let the natives be and preserved the regional flag and dispatches. More exchanges followed between my good friend the Kumquat Fairy, and members of the Imperialist regime; overall, though, it was a quiet occupation. I must thank our friends with the North Pacific Army for helping us hold this target so that members of Taijitu Militia might go and help operations elsewhere.

I went to bed that evening happy that we had knocked the Imperialists down a peg... or two, but this morning, as I said earlier, I was informed that the Association of Imperialism was near collapse - with the entire community prepared to move to Balder!

"How can this be?!" I asked myself, combing milk and honey through my long hair. "Was it because of the tragedy in Aura Hyperia? That's possible."

"Or perhaps it was because of our great victories in Warzones Australia and, a week later, Sandbox. Perhaps Rifty saw that there was no victory he could get in his war to unify the Warzones that couldn't be undone in a single update. Perhaps he saw that it was time to take a step away from leadership, after those disasterous losses to a region that, as he put it, was 'just a role play region with a small military [that] grew some balls'. Or perhaps he decided that after losing member regions left and right to tight, professional forces with military precision, it was time to learn a thing or two about how to raid in a large, game-created region."

"No," I thought to myself. "It must just be a coincidence."

I laughed probably harder than I should have at this. Great job Pauline!

I've only just learned about you folks and I'm still very confused on who, or what he hell you are...

The Sapientia wrote:I've only just learned about you folks and I'm still very confused on who, or what he hell you are...

Yes.

Today I learned taking a forum offline for 12 hours constitutes "destruction."

My ex-comrades are doing quite well on that forum with the minor adjustments I made to the masking scheme during that time, thank you very much for asking.

The Sapientia wrote:I've only just learned about you folks and I'm still very confused on who, or what he hell you are...

These new folk have no sense of history

o/ Pauline

The Sapientia wrote:I've only just learned about you folks and I'm still very confused on who, or what he hell you are...

We are the thing that goes bump in the night.

The First Garrison wrote:

The Sapientia wrote:I've only just learned about you folks and I'm still very confused on who, or what he hell you are...

These new folk have no sense of history

o/ Pauline

In fairness, Taijitu hasn't been active for a while and has never been one of the major NS region (imo).

Rhina wrote:Today I learned taking a forum offline for 12 hours constitutes "destruction."

My ex-comrades are doing quite well on that forum with the minor adjustments I made to the masking scheme during that time, thank you very much for asking.

You're right; changing masking schemes can be a lot of work; who could blame you, really, for turning the thing off without warning and slaving for twelve hours to change those masks?

Solorni wrote:

The First Garrison wrote:
These new folk have no sense of history

o/ Pauline

In fairness, Taijitu hasn't been active for a while and has never been one of the major NS region (imo).

True on the first part, but it was definitely influential in the past

And even when the region was quiet, the few GP-faces in the region were making themselves known throughout the rest of NS.

Pauline Bonaparte wrote:

Rhina wrote:Today I learned taking a forum offline for 12 hours constitutes "destruction."

My ex-comrades are doing quite well on that forum with the minor adjustments I made to the masking scheme during that time, thank you very much for asking.

You're right; changing masking schemes can be a lot of work; who could blame you, really, for turning the thing off without warning and slaving for twelve hours to change those masks?

No one, really. My predecessor certainly doesn't, and the people in question don't seem too bothered.

Rhina wrote:Today I learned taking a forum offline for 12 hours constitutes "destruction."

My ex-comrades are doing quite well on that forum with the minor adjustments I made to the masking scheme during that time, thank you very much for asking.

Okay, let's drop the routine. You weren't taking the forum offline for twelve hours for "tweaking," as your posts here and here make pretty clear. I would imagine you decided to turn it back on after someone sensible told you exactly the impact this could have on The Black Riders, especially as more and more of them were showing up to defend your act of forum destruction as no big deal and were instead criticizing and attacking those who don't enjoy forum destruction.

If nothing else, I appreciate that you've provided an opportunity here for everyone to see TBR's true colors. If one of their own commits forum destruction, they're not going to care.

Regardless of the reasons, I'm glad the forum is back up.

Cormac Pendragon wrote:I would imagine you decided to turn it back on after someone sensible told you exactly the impact this could have on The Black Riders

I was never going to keep it closed. Even if I wasn't doing any work on it, we have a tradition of memorializing all our forums, which you can easily verify by taking a peak at our archive section. Aragonn in particular had a lot of RP stuff on there I needed to let him go grab, anyway.

Funkadelia wrote:I laughed probably harder than I should have at this. Great job Pauline!

Agreed. This is one of the funniest pieces seen in Gameplay for a long time.

The First Garrison wrote:

The Sapientia wrote:I've only just learned about you folks and I'm still very confused on who, or what he hell you are...

These new folk have no sense of history

o/ Pauline

Well so-rry for not looking more into a group of Roleplayers(?) with an interesting name.

The Sapientia wrote:Well so-rry for not looking more into a group of Roleplayers(?) with an interesting name.

Whenever there is any question, one's mind is confused. What is the matter?

Cormac's last post pretty well encapsulated my thoughts so I didn't have to type them out on my little phone.

Cormac and Funk are really like-minded lately.

Pauline Bonaparte wrote:You can imagine my surprise today when, while being carried to my morning bath of milk and honey by a dashing servant, I was informed that the Association of Imperialism - that motley crew, led by the indominable Rifty, trying to unite the Warzones - was on the brink of collapse.

Oh ho ho no no no reports of the demise of AoI are grossly exaggerated, Rift has had a nation in Balder for awhile now and he enjoys being a part of that community naturally the man is always exploring new opportunities something he has been doing well before the warzone sagas and our ill fated interactions with you folks began. Don't give yourselves too much credit, there is no move imminent and even so it would have been put to a vote and not succeeded both Rift and I know our citizens well.

Pauline Bonaparte wrote:I suppose I should start from the beginning - about a week ago, our esteemed colleagues in Aura Hyperia made a run for Warzone Australia and joined the Imperialists. This concerned me, as well as my allies back home in Taijitu. The Association of Imperialism - a group of raiders that often bothered role-play regions - seemed set to complete their goal of unifying the Warzones under one banner. Quickly removing my feet from the decolletage of a lady-in-waiting lying at my feet, I rushed to see what could be done.

You know what's funny m8, Aura Hyperia moved into WZAU the first time completely independently, afterwards talks with Rift and Rhina led to Rhina agreeing albeit as we saw only for a matter of days,to join The AoI Commonwealth. 2nd name the roleplaying regions we have bothered because errant comments alone do not signify real harmful action. 3rd you say we were almost set on unifying the warzones nope we are quite far from that only WZSB was truly in the commonwealth, the others either declined or only became treatied allies.

Pauline Bonaparte wrote:The update came and Warzone Sandbox was easily taken. Again we had a bit of fun with the World Factbook Entry, but we let the natives be and preserved the regional flag and dispatches. More exchanges followed between my good friend the Kumquat Fairy, and members of the Imperialist regime; overall, though, it was a quiet occupation. I must thank our friends with the North Pacific Army for helping us hold this target so that members of Taijitu Militia might go and help operations elsewhere.

Actually in Warzone Sandbox you were quite graceful and regardless of anything we had a short conversation on the RMB which was fun (I wasn't around when the right honorable gentlemen made himself known, regardless that dude is at the same time interesting and obnoxious.) Only those who have the power to gain and retain control of the warzones deserve to be there that's what they are for after all and so you deserved it no two ways about that. But you and TNP will leave and when you do I will be there to reinstall one of the most gentle and genuine people I have met in NS ->anonymouslands, the erstwhile delegate of WZSB and the only one who truly cares about it.

Pauline Bonaparte wrote:
Or perhaps it was because of our great victories in Warzones Australia and, a week later, Sandbox. Perhaps Rifty saw that there was no victory he could get in his war to unify the Warzones that couldn't be undone in a single update. Perhaps he saw that it was time to take a step away from leadership, after those disasterous losses to a region that, as he put it, was 'just a role play region with a small military [that] grew some balls'. Or perhaps he decided that after losing member regions left and right to tight, professional forces with military precision, it was time to learn a thing or two about how to raid in a large, game-created region.

Ooo yes great victories over the warzones they really shook our foundation, wait no they didn't we were busy raiding and occupying other regions as noted in our own thread during that time doing you know, real raider stuff. The thing about Rifty is he is nothing if not incorrigible about getting his way you should know that by now he keeps at it till he manages to get what he wants in at least some form. The other thing about Rifty is he likes being in power and having power you taking two warzones from him would not stop that. So long as he and I work in tandem and the cult of AoI follows us wholeheartedly we will keep on keeping on.

Losing member regions left and right , let's count who we lost Aura Hyperia who had joined what three days ago then imploded, that speaking more to their founder than in any way on AoI. Warzone Sandbox was a true member of the commonwealth yes we lost it to you but such is the precarious nature of warzones we will gain it back in the future. Hmm you have a professional force which moves with military precision well we actually do know how to raid my friend, yes Rift and I are newer to the GP scene we both came into being only earlier this year in winter and have a lot to learn. How do you judge our forces to be inadequate compared to yours? Its not as if I organized and lead tens of raids during my time in TEK and at the very least was and am a switcher for TBR and Sicarius. It's not as if Rift has led occupations and executed the banhammer. So while our experience may not be as long and varied as yours we uh do happen to know a thing or two about teh raiding arts. (mutters something unintelligible about update times, how endorsements work in electing delegates)

All in all it's been fun, let's do it again sometime?

Bhang Bhang Duc wrote:

Funkadelia wrote:I laughed probably harder than I should have at this. Great job Pauline!

Agreed. This is one of the funniest pieces seen in Gameplay for a long time.

I thoroughly enjoyed it. Good show Pauline.

Solorni wrote:

The First Garrison wrote:
These new folk have no sense of history

o/ Pauline

In fairness, Taijitu hasn't been active for a while and has never been one of the major NS region (imo).

Taijitu was once at 1000 nations and one of the largest UCR regions in the world. It is a region rich in history and cross regional conflict having split from the Lexicon after not wanting to get involved in their war with The North Pacific. Taijitu also invaded TRR which was obviously Elu's fault.

McMasterdonia wrote:

Bhang Bhang Duc wrote:
Agreed. This is one of the funniest pieces seen in Gameplay for a long time.

I thoroughly enjoyed it. Good show Pauline.

Solorni wrote:In fairness, Taijitu hasn't been active for a while and has never been one of the major NS region (imo).

Taijitu was once at 1000 nations and one of the largest UCR regions in the world. It is a region rich in history and cross regional conflict having split from the Lexicon after not wanting to get involved in their war with The North Pacific. Taijitu also invaded TRR which was obviously Elu's fault.

Some people just don't appreciate history, Guy.

I do appreciate history, but I don't think Taijitu has been that influential compared to many of the more major GP regions. Especially the ones that have remained active over the years.

Solorni wrote:I do appreciate history, but I don't think Taijitu has been that influential compared to many of the more major GP regions. Especially the ones that have remained active over the years.

I know that you have to stick to your guns, but no worries, we'll take that as the "my bad, I should have remembered Taijitu it all it's glory" that it was obviously meant to be

Solorni wrote:I do appreciate history, but I don't think Taijitu has been that influential compared to many of the more major GP regions. Especially the ones that have remained active over the years.

Lots of great regions have had slumps of inactivity. Taijitu is also primarily a RP region, but it has still managed to have a gameplay presence over the years.

It obviously isn't on the same level of a great UCR like 10ki, but it has certainly held more of a presence than most.

NoblePhnx wrote:Oh ho ho no no no reports of the demise of AoI are grossly exaggerated, Rift has had a nation in Balder for awhile now and he enjoys being a part of that community naturally the man is always exploring new opportunities something he has been doing well before the warzone sagas and our ill fated interactions with you folks began. Don't give yourselves too much credit, there is no move imminent and even so it would have been put to a vote and not succeeded both Rift and I know our citizens well.

I don't doubt at all that Rifty enjoys being in Balder, and I never said that he didn't. The fact remains that he openly spoke of intentions to leave the AoI for Balder on your RMB only hours after suffering two losses. As I said in my piece - it's possible this all was a big coincidence. But it's certainly a strange time to abandon everything. I'd rather go out on top - or at least have it appear that way.

NoblePhnx wrote:You know what's funny m8, Aura Hyperia moved into WZAU the first time completely independently, afterwards talks with Rift and Rhina led to Rhina agreeing albeit as we saw only for a matter of days,to join The AoI Commonwealth. 2nd name the roleplaying regions we have bothered because errant comments alone do not signify real harmful action. 3rd you say we were almost set on unifying the warzones nope we are quite far from that only WZSB was truly in the commonwealth, the others either declined or only became treatied allies.

To address your points in order:

1. I'm not sure what you're trying to say here. I made it clear in my piece that AH went into WZAU, then joined your Association.

2. I'm not going to prattle off a list of names for you, but the idea that Rifty said he raided role-play regions for fun but, in fact, was lying for no reason is preposterous.

3. Again it was your intentions that matter - and entering into treaties and expanding influence that way is just as threatening.

NoblePhnx wrote:Actually in Warzone Sandbox you were quite graceful and regardless of anything we had a short conversation on the RMB which was fun (I wasn't around when the right honorable gentlemen made himself known, regardless that dude is at the same time interesting and obnoxious.) Only those who have the power to gain and retain control of the warzones deserve to be there that's what they are for after all and so you deserved it no two ways about that. But you and TNP will leave and when you do I will be there to reinstall one of the most gentle and genuine people I have met in NS ->anonymouslands, the erstwhile delegate of WZSB and the only one who truly cares about it.

I thank you for the compliment - the Militia has every intention to be as honorable as possible in our dealings. That being said, you go on to showcase that at times you say one thing and mean another - you say that anyone deserves the warzone who can take it but criticize us for doing just that.

NoblePhnx wrote:Ooo yes great victories over the warzones they really shook our foundation, wait no they didn't we were busy raiding and occupying other regions as noted in our own thread during that time doing you know, real raider stuff. The thing about Rifty is he is nothing if not incorrigible about getting his way you should know that by now he keeps at it till he manages to get what he wants in at least some form. The other thing about Rifty is he likes being in power and having power you taking two warzones from him would not stop that. So long as he and I work in tandem and the cult of AoI follows us wholeheartedly we will keep on keeping on.

Losing member regions left and right , let's count who we lost Aura Hyperia who had joined what three days ago then imploded, that speaking more to their founder than in any way on AoI. Warzone Sandbox was a true member of the commonwealth yes we lost it to you but such is the precarious nature of warzones we will gain it back in the future. Hmm you have a professional force which moves with military precision well we actually do know how to raid my friend, yes Rift and I are newer to the GP scene we both came into being only earlier this year in winter and have a lot to learn. How do you judge our forces to be inadequate compared to yours? Its not as if I organized and lead tens of raids during my time in TEK and at the very least was and am a switcher for TBR and Sicarius. It's not as if Rift has led occupations and executed the banhammer. So while our experience may not be as long and varied as yours we uh do happen to know a thing or two about teh raiding arts. (mutters something unintelligible about update times, how endorsements work in electing delegates)

All in all it's been fun, let's do it again sometime?

Again, you say that the loss of three regions in a week was no big deal, but your actions imply otherwise. Maybe I'm wrong about all this, and you really are in no crisis. But at the very least your PR needs some work. To us, and probably to many possible recruits, Rifty's actions have made the AoI look weak, and on the verge of collapse.