The World Cup Discussion Thread (OOC, version III)

[Britonisea]

It' a sad day for NS Sports.
Hopefully we'll be alright without Saintland or this could be the start of a slow death for NS Sports.

Umm. No. We won't die and if this does die at least I am In connection with other forums.

Anyway, nicely, there are 10's of group people/nations that makes this forum what it is today, 2013 is different to 2014. Maybe because I started NSSport in 2013. But this year it seemed like there was a lot of new nations coming in. Can someone relate to me?

But...no, NSSports won't die it is just wounded... it will get better!

[Cosumar]

It' a sad day for NS Sports.
Hopefully we'll be alright without Saintland or this could be the start of a slow death for NS Sports.

NS Sports is bigger than any one person, as cliché as that sounds. A few people leaving, no matter how well-loved they are, won't kill the community and its traditions.

For example, most of the important sporting nations from when I first joined in summer 2010 (Newmanistan, ASMV, Dancougar, Sarzonia, Delaclava, Sorthern Northland, Qazox, etc.) are now gone, but the community is as strong as ever today.

[Rejistania]

It' a sad day for NS Sports.
Hopefully we'll be alright without Saintland or this could be the start of a slow death for NS Sports.

NS Sports is bigger than any one person, as cliché as that sounds. A few people leaving, no matter how well-loved they are, won't kill the community and its traditions.

For example, most of the important sporting nations from when I first joined in summer 2010 (Newmanistan, ASMV, Dancougar, Sarzonia, Delaclava, Sorthern Northland, Qazox, etc.) are now gone, but the community is as strong as ever today.

And does anyone even remember Snub Nose 38 and Total N Utter Insanity anymore?

[Legalese]

NS Sports is bigger than any one person, as cliché as that sounds. A few people leaving, no matter how well-loved they are, won't kill the community and its traditions.

For example, most of the important sporting nations from when I first joined in summer 2010 (Newmanistan, ASMV, Dancougar, Sarzonia, Delaclava, Sorthern Northland, Qazox, etc.) are now gone, but the community is as strong as ever today.

And does anyone even remember Snub Nose 38 and Total N Utter Insanity anymore?

In before someone replies "Hey, wasn't TnUI in the last couple of World Cups?" and misses the spelling.

Also, Snubby's legacies include a few things, like the role I referenced earlier (a non-host helming the WCC during the hosts-only era), as well as the reference book of things that was, in a way, the first codified rules to make up a constitution for the WCC.

And, well, of course, the whole Margaret thing. I think Snub Nose's legacy will endure on that alone, even if not in his own name.

Point being that there's always be some sort of legacy for those who make a mark on the World Cup, even those who do their damnest to write themselves out of it. And yet, we'll somehow manage, as we're known to do

[San Jose Guayabal]

And does anyone even remember Snub Nose 38 and Total N Utter Insanity anymore?

In before someone replies "Hey, wasn't TnUI in the last couple of World Cups?" and misses the spelling.

Also, Snubby's legacies include a few things, like the role I referenced earlier (a non-host helming the WCC during the hosts-only era), as well as the reference book of things that was, in a way, the first codified rules to make up a constitution for the WCC.

And, well, of course, the whole Margaret thing. I think Snub Nose's legacy will endure on that alone, even if not in his own name.

Point being that there's always be some sort of legacy for those who make a mark on the World Cup, even those who do their damnest to write themselves out of it. And yet, we'll somehow manage, as we're known to do

Also, may I introduce Schiavonia, the co-creator of the most spread scorination system in NS, the SQIS.

[Pine Island]

It' a sad day for NS Sports.
Hopefully we'll be alright without Saintland or this could be the start of a slow death for NS Sports.

Umm. No. We won't die and if this does die at least I am In connection with other forums.

Anyway, nicely, there are 10's of group people/nations that makes this forum what it is today, 2013 is different to 2014. Maybe because I started NSSport in 2013. But this year it seemed like there was a lot of new nations coming in. Can someone relate to me?

But...no, NSSports won't die it is just wounded... it will get better!

Same.

[Atrua]

NS Sports is bigger than any one person, as cliché as that sounds. A few people leaving, no matter how well-loved they are, won't kill the community and its traditions.

For example, most of the important sporting nations from when I first joined in summer 2010 (Newmanistan, ASMV, Dancougar, Sarzonia, Delaclava, Sorthern Northland, Qazox, etc.) are now gone, but the community is as strong as ever today.

And does anyone even remember Snub Nose 38 and Total N Utter Insanity anymore?

Tynelia got a draw with TnUI (or was it a 1-0 loss?) in it's first WC appearance (got slaughtered the first time around though) way back when as TnUI cruised through the group stage without a loss.

[Taeshan]

And does anyone even remember Snub Nose 38 and Total N Utter Insanity anymore?

Tynelia got a draw with TnUI (or was it a 1-0 loss?) in it's first WC appearance (got slaughtered the first time around though) way back when as TnUI cruised through the group stage without a loss.

Feels so left out...I've always been here, just never important i guess.

[Alasdair I Frosticus]

It' a sad day for NS Sports.
Hopefully we'll be alright without Saintland or this could be the start of a slow death for NS Sports.

I don't mean to diminish the impact of Saintland's departure, but a sense of perspective might be useful here. Our membership is constantly shifting, and the loss of one person - however regretted - doesn't mean the forum is dying. Almost everyone leaves eventually.

Well, except for me, obviously. You're stuck with me until death (or Max Barry) do us part.

NS Sports is bigger than any one person, as cliché as that sounds. A few people leaving, no matter how well-loved they are, won't kill the community and its traditions.

For example, most of the important sporting nations from when I first joined in summer 2010 (Newmanistan, ASMV, Dancougar, Sarzonia, Delaclava, Sorthern Northland, Qazox, etc.) are now gone, but the community is as strong as ever today.

And does anyone even remember Snub Nose 38 and Total N Utter Insanity anymore?

Well, obviously.

I remember all the noobs.

Actually, TnUI might not count as a noob even by my standards since he was in WC2, and hosted WC3 - moving us away from scoring with dice in the process. A move which, to my mild embarrassment, I opposed at the time.

[Starblaydia]

Point being that there's always be some sort of legacy for those who make a mark on the World Cup, even those who do their damnest to write themselves out of it. And yet, we'll somehow manage, as we're known to do

Also, may I introduce Schiavonia, the co-creator of the most spread scorination system in NS, the SQIS.

Schiavonia was here in the form of NEWI Cefn Druids (later Druida, among other nations) before I was on NS, which itself was a long ass time ago. He has way more of a legacy than SQIS, Trevor.

[Estenia]

I was going to wait until tomorrow to announce this, but now that I've rank-coasted to a repeat IBC title, I've decided that I might as well get this announcement out of the way now:

I've decided to announce my impending retirement from NS Sports. Although both Saintland and Free Republics/Holy Republican Empire have both already played their final soccer matches, I will stick around long enough to finish out the current season of NSCF, ensure that the next Maple Leaf Bowl begins and update the IBC, WCoH and HWC rankings to reflect the results of the current cycle. After that, I will no longer be involved in NS Sports in any capacity, for the foreseeable future. However, I will probably stick around NS, in a different capacity.

There are a number of reasons behind this decision, which is one that I came very close to making on several other occasions during the past year or so. Between my own RP burnout and a number of changes in the atmosphere and culture around here that have been, at least in my opinion, for the worse, I've decided that it is time to move on rather than continue on in my current state. The current situation with the WC bid (and the total lack of interest in opposing it) has merely helped to bring me to a realization that I probably should have come to around 6 months ago and that I would have eventually reached the same conclusion regardless. Since that bid was posted, what little desire I still had to RP has completely disappeared and I don't expect it to return anytime soon, so given the circumstances, it is clearly time for a change on my part. To the extent that I RP at all over the next month or so before all of my nations leave NS Sports, I will only be RPing to provide an IC rationale for the absence of my nations from future tournaments. Therefore, I ask that the impending departure of my nations from NS Sports not be acknowledged ICly until they announce it ICly.

The Maple Leaf Bowl and Confederations Cup (along with any other tournaments and/or events I may have created, but forgotten about at this moment) may be continued by anyone who wishes to continue them. I grant full permission for those to be continued, if somebody wishes to continue them.

It' a sad day for NS Sports.
Hopefully we'll be alright without Saintland or this could be the start of a slow death for NS Sports.

Actually this is a brand new start for us, the new nations to prove ourselves and be loved to the community, we are the future, we are supposed to make NSSports a better forum. The forum will be stronger than ever, nobody important that leaves must hurt us, it must makes us stronger, so now, we must make a brand new start and mark our careers here.

[Semarland]

Actually this is a brand new start for us, the new nations to prove ourselves and be loved to the community, we are the future, we are supposed to make NSSports a better forum. The forum will be stronger than ever, nobody important that leaves must hurt us, it must makes us stronger, so now, we must make a brand new start and mark our careers here.

I'm sorry Estenia, but I kind of fail to see how that much-loved veterans of the forum leaving makes us stronger.

[Cosumar]

I'm sorry Estenia, but I kind of fail to see how that much-loved veterans of the forum leaving makes us stronger.

I think I see what he's getting at. When someone important leaves, it creates an opportunity for someone else to step up and take on more responsibility.

[Khalifa Arabia]

I was going to wait until tomorrow to announce this, but now that I've rank-coasted to a repeat IBC title, I've decided that I might as well get this announcement out of the way now:

I've decided to announce my impending retirement from NS Sports. Although both Saintland and Free Republics/Holy Republican Empire have both already played their final soccer matches, I will stick around long enough to finish out the current season of NSCF, ensure that the next Maple Leaf Bowl begins and update the IBC, WCoH and HWC rankings to reflect the results of the current cycle. After that, I will no longer be involved in NS Sports in any capacity, for the foreseeable future. However, I will probably stick around NS, in a different capacity.

There are a number of reasons behind this decision, which is one that I came very close to making on several other occasions during the past year or so. Between my own RP burnout and a number of changes in the atmosphere and culture around here that have been, at least in my opinion, for the worse, I've decided that it is time to move on rather than continue on in my current state. The current situation with the WC bid (and the total lack of interest in opposing it) has merely helped to bring me to a realization that I probably should have come to around 6 months ago and that I would have eventually reached the same conclusion regardless. Since that bid was posted, what little desire I still had to RP has completely disappeared and I don't expect it to return anytime soon, so given the circumstances, it is clearly time for a change on my part. To the extent that I RP at all over the next month or so before all of my nations leave NS Sports, I will only be RPing to provide an IC rationale for the absence of my nations from future tournaments. Therefore, I ask that the impending departure of my nations from NS Sports not be acknowledged ICly until they announce it ICly.

The Maple Leaf Bowl and Confederations Cup (along with any other tournaments and/or events I may have created, but forgotten about at this moment) may be continued by anyone who wishes to continue them. I grant full permission for those to be continued, if somebody wishes to continue them.

It' a sad day for NS Sports.
Hopefully we'll be alright without Saintland or this could be the start of a slow death for NS Sports.

Sorry to ask this, but what exactly did Saintland do regarding the WC? I mean aside from qualify for one tournament. It's not like Saintland had some kind of massive influence over the sports RP community, so why make a big deal out of someone looking for attention when they leave? Am I missing some kind of massive bit of history Saintland contributed to?

[Eastern Sunrise Islands]

To be honest with you, I'm neutral-ish about Saintland. All I remember was that one time he hosted a World Cup and the thunderstorm that followed. Oh, and winning his region's tournament once. Fun times. Oh, and don't worry, the world doesn't die because of one guy leaving. Hell, it didn't die when Wight left.

[The Inevitable Syndicate]

To be honest with you, I'm neutral-ish about Saintland. All I remember was that one time he hosted a World Cup and the thunderstorm that followed. Oh, and winning his region's tournament once. Fun times. Oh, and don't worry, the world doesn't die because of one guy leaving. Hell, it didn't die when Wight left.

A piece of my heart did.

In all seriousness though, the seasons come and go, but NS Sports will never change...

[Eastern Sunrise Islands]

To be honest with you, I'm neutral-ish about Saintland. All I remember was that one time he hosted a World Cup and the thunderstorm that followed. Oh, and winning his region's tournament once. Fun times. Oh, and don't worry, the world doesn't die because of one guy leaving. Hell, it didn't die when Wight left.

A piece of my heart did.

In all seriousness though, the seasons come and go, but NS Sports will never change...

Eh, TisCU. It never will.

[West Angola]

A piece of my heart did.

Too true.

[Starblaydia]

In all seriousness though, the seasons come and go, but NS Sports will never change...

Except that it always changes

[The Archregimancy]

Sorry to ask this, but what exactly did Saintland do regarding the WC? I mean aside from qualify for one tournament. It's not like Saintland had some kind of massive influence over the sports RP community, so why make a big deal out of someone looking for attention when they leave? Am I missing some kind of massive bit of history Saintland contributed to?

An individual's contribution to NS Sports is not necessarily measured by their qualification for tournaments, nor their record in writing rules, nor in their election to senior leadership positions - often their presence is enough to make an impact.

As John Donne didn't quite write....

Perchance, he for whom this bell tolls may be so ill, as that he knows not it tolls for him; and perchance I may think myself so much better than I am, as that they who are about me, and see my state, may have caused it to toll for me, and I know not that. This forum is catholic, universal, so are all her actions; all that she does belongs to all.

When a nation signs up for a tournament, that action concerns me; for that nation is thereby connected to that body which is my head too, and ingrafted into that body whereof I am a member. And when a nation fails to qualify, that action concerns me: all mankind, and womenkind, and ursinekind, and all other manners of sentient beings are of one author, and is one volume; when one nation leaves, one chapter is not torn out of the book, but translated into a better language; and every chapter must be so translated; Margaret employs several translators; some pieces are translated by participation, some by qualification, some by victory, some by administration; but Margaret's hand is in every translation, and her hand shall bind up all our scattered leaves again for that library where every book shall lie open to one another. As therefore the bell that rings to a sermon calls not upon the departing nation only, but upon the congregation to come, so this bell calls us all; but how much more me, who am brought so near the door by this departure.

The bell doth toll for him that thinks it doth; and though it intermit again, yet from that minute that this occasion wrought upon him, he is united to Margaret. Who casts not up his eye to the sun when it rises? but who takes off his eye from a comet when that breaks out? Who bends not his ear to any bell which upon any occasion rings? but who can remove it from that bell which is passing a piece of himself out of this world?

No man is an island, entire of itself; every man is a piece of the continent, a part of the main. If a clod be washed away by the sea, NS Sports is the less, as well as if a promontory were, as well as if a manor of thy friend's or of thine own were: any nation's departure diminishes me, because I am involved in this forum, and therefore never send to know for whom the bell tolls; it tolls for thee.

Nunc Lento Sonitu Dicunt, Morieris


Incidentally, while we're sort of on the topic of Margaret... I would like to take this moment to confirm the rumours that Juan Tzimisces and Margaret are dating; a formal announcement regarding their relationship will be forthcoming once RP for WC 70 gets underway.

[The Sarian]

Incidentally, while we're sort of on the topic of Margaret... I would like to take this moment to confirm the rumours that Juan Tzimisces and Margaret are dating; a formal announcement regarding their relationship will be forthcoming once RP for WC 70 gets underway.

Can we get George R R Martin to plan that wedding?

[Starblaydia]

Incidentally, while we're sort of on the topic of Margaret... I would like to take this moment to confirm the rumours that Juan Tzimisces and Margaret are dating; a formal announcement regarding their relationship will be forthcoming once RP for WC 70 gets underway.

If only SDB wasn't such an amazing wingman... the world is doomed!

[Jeckland]

Incidentally, while we're sort of on the topic of Margaret... I would like to take this moment to confirm the rumours that Juan Tzimisces and Margaret are dating; a formal announcement regarding their relationship will be forthcoming once RP for WC 70 gets underway.

But Margaret is currently imprisoning me and Llama in a giant bubble.

[Alasdair I Frosticus]

Incidentally, while we're sort of on the topic of Margaret... I would like to take this moment to confirm the rumours that Juan Tzimisces and Margaret are dating; a formal announcement regarding their relationship will be forthcoming once RP for WC 70 gets underway.

But Margaret is currently imprisoning me and Llama in a giant bubble.

Mags is a feisty, independent woman; that's one of the things I like about her.

It's important to give her some space in her own dealings with mundies; if she's currently imprisoning you in a bubble, who am I to judge?

[Equestrian States]

A piece of my heart did.

Too true.

I'm immediately reminded of this post from a while back:

West Angola/Equestrian States: "Coping With Loss and/or Betrayal. When One of Your Baptism of Fire Buddies Abruptly Leaves and You Discover He Was Actually Writing a Book the Whole Time, Should You Feel Sad, or Hurt?" Room 8

*sigh*

Incidentally, while we're sort of on the topic of Margaret... I would like to take this moment to confirm the rumours that Juan Tzimisces and Margaret are dating; a formal announcement regarding their relationship will be forthcoming once RP for WC 70 gets underway.

Can we get George R R Martin to plan that wedding?

I can't help but feel that Maggie and George would be best friends. They're both cruel sadists who savor the tears of others...