Europeian Embassy - In Solidarity

[Europeian Embassy]

Recruitment in the Frontier and Stronghold Era

As the much-anticipated Frontiers and Strongholds update draws closer to greatly re-shaping the NationStates world, many questions have been raised in the public discourse that it will be incumbent on the regions and communities of the world to answer.


One such issue is the nature of recruitment and how a post-F/S world will approach it, with speculation occuring on whether or not frontier regions will continue to perform active recruitment in addition to whatever nation spawns they may receive.


Recruitment, especially the more effective forms thereof, is a serious matter. It is the cornerstone of any successful User-Created Region, one that they cannot thrive without. As sizable User-Created Regions, we have all put countless hours and intense organizational effort into building quality recruitment infrastructure. Additionally, we have no firm concept of what return on investment an individual Frontier can expect during the immediate stages of F/S, or the eventual stabilization of the update and the climate surrounding it. It would be careless and irresponsible to entertain the suspension of our current growth infrastructure without first seeing what the return on investment for a successful Frontier region would look like. Abandoning our recruitment frameworks to rely on an unknown and irregular number of nation spawns would undoubtedly open our communities up to security vulnerabilities that we are not interested in creating. Furthermore, with manual recruitment being a centerpiece of Internal Affairs and Integration participation, we do not see it appropriate to reduce avenues for activity and contribution within our regions The direction in which Frontiers and Strongholds will take UCR management and growth is still far too nebulous to choose stagnation over growth.


In recognition of these factors, the signed regions affirm to the public our intent to continue engaging in telegram recruitment at our discretion and consistent with pre-existing treaties following the rollout of the Frontier/Stronghold update. Our regions’ size and credibility is in no small part the result of these programs, and we will continue to utilize them to our best efforts for the benefit of our communities and allies.

Quebecshire, Consul of the Republic

Mechanocracy, Executive Advisor & WA Delegate

New San Antonio, Acting Director of Foreign Affairs

Anjan Kloss, Governor-General


Grea Kriopia, First Warden

Tim, Steward of The Frontier

Warden Nakari, Arlessa of The Amaranthine Isles


Icarus (Evil Mother), President of Europeia

Writinglegend, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Europeia


Markanite, Chief Executive of 10000 Islands

Aschente, Minister of Immigration

[The Notorious Mad Jack]

Does this affect regions signed up to the Arnhelm Declaration of Recruitment Standards? More generally, have the signatories held discussions about revisiting the Arnhelm agreement in light of Frontiers and Strongholds?

[Writinglegend]

Does this affect regions signed up to the Arnhelm Declaration of Recruitment Standards? More generally, have the signatories held discussions about revisiting the Arnhelm agreement in light of Frontiers and Strongholds?

Good questions. This statement does not affect regions signed up to the Arnhelm Declaration of Recruitment Standards. Europeia is aware that Arnhelm will be outdated in a Frontier/Stronghold world and we are actively considering strategies to revisit the document for modernization.

[Tinhampton]

Frontier Euro! Quite the cat among the pigeons

[Unibot III]

Does this affect regions signed up to the Arnhelm Declaration of Recruitment Standards? More generally, have the signatories held discussions about revisiting the Arnhelm agreement in light of Frontiers and Strongholds?

Good questions. This statement does not affect regions signed up to the Arnhelm Declaration of Recruitment Standards. Europeia is aware that Arnhelm will be outdated in a Frontier/Stronghold world and we are actively considering strategies to revisit the document for modernization.

Would the new Arnhelm try to block recruitment in frontier regions?

[Haganham]

Good questions. This statement does not affect regions signed up to the Arnhelm Declaration of Recruitment Standards. Europeia is aware that Arnhelm will be outdated in a Frontier/Stronghold world and we are actively considering strategies to revisit the document for modernization.

Would the new Arnhelm try to block recruitment in frontier regions?

It would extremely hypocritical to do so, given that Arnhelm has exempted regions that spawn nations since it's inception.

[Old Hope]

Would the new Arnhelm try to block recruitment in frontier regions?

It would extremely hypocritical to do so, given that Arnhelm has exempted regions that spawn nations since it's inception.

... unless, of course, it turns out that the benefits of being a frontier are so minimal on their own that opening recruitment would not make sense(e.g. about 1000 active frontiers resulting in each of the frontiers recieving, on average, 0.05% of all spawns) and frontier turns out to be mainly a political question than a spawn question.

I, for my part, have no problem at all with people raiding inactive or consistently semi-active frontiers into the ground because they do a disservice to Nation States.

[Haganham]

I might be thinking of something else since Arnhelm is before my time, but my understanding is that it is the treaty about not recruiting in UCRs, not something to do with raiding?

I don't think the degree of benefit matters. The principle in which feeders and sinkers were mde fair game is that the game gives them free nations, and the same is true for frontiers.

[Old Hope]

I might be thinking of something else since Arnhelm is before my time, but my understanding is that it is the treaty about not recruiting in UCRs, not something to do with raiding?

I don't think the degree of benefit matters. The principle in which feeders and sinkers were mde fair game is that the game gives them free nations, and the same is true for frontiers.

No, it matters. The rate in feeders and sinkers is mostly self-sustaining. If the rate in frontiers would be much lower, then it might be more prudent to allow recruitment of newly founded nations founded in that frontier, as well as automated recruitment of newly founded nations. Because otherwise you just get recruitment telegram wars, which is exactly what that declaration is designed to stop.

It is very interesting that a big and prominent region like Europeia, with an active founder, is willing to take this route.

[Quebecshire]

It is very interesting that a big and prominent region like Europeia, with an active founder, is willing to take this route.

Europeia is highly connected diplomatically and has a fairly large and active community.

[Europeian Embassy]

PRESIDENT RAND ELECTED, SETS SIGHTS ON A FRONTIER EUROPEIA

Written by: PhDre
Edited by: Pland Adanna

Arnhelm, Europeia - President Rand was elected president on April 1st, 2023, defeating Senator Lime and recently-returned citizen McEntire in an election that was widely considered one of the most dynamic in years. President Rand’s Vice President is Writinglegend.

In the days leading up to the election, Rand had a comfortable lead over opponent Lime, but McEntire’s very late entry into the race and previous work as the head of Europeian political party Forward Europeia resulted in a huge momentum swing on Election Day.

McEntire surged to an early lead, but Rand was able to overcome this advantage and ultimately avoided a runoff, winning 35 - 20 - 11 over McEntire and Lime, respectively. All three candidates ran with the goal of nurturing a Frontier Europeia. The region committed to transitioning to Frontier via a referendum in late March in preparation for the long-awaited Frontier/Stronghold update.

President Rand has posted an opening address in which he calls his administration’s work “a team effort, and this administration will aim to be more collaborative than ever. We need all hands on deck.”

The President’s Cabinet was confirmed on April 4th by the Senate. President Rand announced membership to Executive Commissions, including a new Presidential Technology Commission.

President Rand’s Cabinet:
Grand Admiral - Forilian
Interior - Prim
Communications - Pland Adanna
World Assembly Affairs - PaleLand
Foreign Affairs - PhDre
Culture - Hezekon
Outreach - Maowi
Attorney General - Darcness
Minister Without Porfolio - Vor

Related Political Coverage:
Check out the EBC’s liveblog of the March 2023 President election here.
Click for live EBC Radio coverage of the Cabinet reveal.
Click for a Cabinet reveal retrospective show.

[Grea Kriopia]

Congratulations to President Rand and their new cabinet!

[Quebecshire]

Terrible choice for Minister of Foreign Affairs.

[Tinhampton]

In yet another Europeia-related frontier development that I'm somehow the first to tell you folk on the forum about, Europeia has finally taken the mask off and is now calling itself a defender region. You'll have to look closely to find it, however: it's hidden on paragraph six of a dispatch about Europeia joining a multilateral treaty.

[USS Merrimack]

In yet another Europeia-related frontier development that I'm somehow the first to tell you folk on the forum about, Europeia has finally taken the mask off and is now calling itself a defender region. You'll have to look closely to find it, however: it's hidden on paragraph six of a dispatch about Europeia joining a multilateral treaty.

I’m not sure where it’s “hidden” when the title in bold lettering talks about Europeia joining a defender alliance.

[Unibot III]

In yet another Europeia-related frontier development that I'm somehow the first to tell you folk on the forum about, Europeia has finally taken the mask off and is now calling itself a defender region. You'll have to look closely to find it, however: it's hidden on paragraph six of a dispatch about Europeia joining a multilateral treaty.

*Unibot stumbles out of a hole from an eight-year furlough: bleary-eyed, unshaven, and confused… re-reading a regional announcement with genuine bewilderment…*

I’m going to need coffee and maybe a re-read — or five.

[Vleerian]

*Unibot stumbles out of a hole from an eight-year furlough: bleary-eyed, unshaven, and confused… re-reading a regional announcement with genuine bewilderment…*

I’m going to need coffee and maybe a re-read — or five.

The speaker addresses the citizens of Europeia and discusses the importance of protecting their community and continuing their democratic republic. They explain that due to changes in foreign policy caused by the aggressive Raider Unity movement, they have formed new alliances and seek to join the Aegis Accords, a defense treaty. By joining Aegis, they aim to strengthen their security as a newly converted Frontier. They highlight the mutual defense assurances provided by the Accords and mention existing treaty relations with some regions. The speaker emphasizes Europeia's commitment to existing friendships and treaty obligations, based on shared interests and respect for sovereignty. They explain that joining Aegis and adopting the defender label aligns with their independent principles and will benefit their regional security and geopolitical influence. They mention the Europeian Republican Navy and its focus on defending against raiders. The speaker concludes by expressing the value of their independent partnerships, dismissing criticisms from opposing factions, and inviting questions from the public.

That should make your re-reads less painful

[Reventus Koth]

Raiderdom has been responsible for several inappropriate antagonisms against Europeia and her allies, including subverting the Land of Kings and Emperors

These individuals have undermined the laws of The Land of Kings and Emperors, our historic ally, and used their offices there for personal gain, supported by the Brotherhood of Malice.

Day 18 of waiting for literally any evidence to back up this claim. Perhaps the new President (congratulations!) could give it a shot?

I suppose we're on Year 2 of waiting for this now.

[Londoniopol]

Nice to see Europeia taking a step in the right direction

[The North Polish Union]

we've seen significant changes to our foreign policy in response to the new aggressive Raider Unity ideology that has gripped the majority of raider organizations.

"Raider Unity" has been a concept since I started playing NS in 2012. At what point in the past does Europeia’s government no longer consider an ideology "new"?

[Ambrella]

we've seen significant changes to our foreign policy in response to the new aggressive Raider Unity ideology that has gripped the majority of raider organizations.

"Raider Unity" has been a concept since I started playing NS in 2012. At what point in the past does Europeia’s government no longer consider an ideology "new"?

Raider Unity was largely sidelined until the reemergence of BoM because, for a fleeting period of time, some raider groups were willing to acknowledge that Independent regions had different motivations for raiding than their own and were willing to find common ground when their interests aligned. BoM pushed all of raiderdom back into that total us vs. them mentality which has caused the realignment we've seen over the past few years. So, while Raider Unity is not new, there is a new and "improved" version from the recent past which has once again alienated raiders from former partners and forced regions like TCB to become full-on raider shills.

[Reventus Koth]

we've seen significant changes to our foreign policy in response to the new aggressive Raider Unity ideology that has gripped the majority of raider organizations.

"Raider Unity" has been a concept since I started playing NS in 2012. At what point in the past does Europeia’s government no longer consider an ideology "new"?

Raider Unity was largely sidelined until the reemergence of BoM because, for a fleeting period of time, some raider groups were willing to acknowledge that Independent regions had different motivations for raiding than their own and were willing to find common ground when their interests aligned. BoM pushed all of raiderdom back into that total us vs. them mentality which has caused the realignment we've seen over the past few years. So, while Raider Unity is not new, there is a new and "improved" version from the recent past which has once again alienated raiders from former partners and forced regions like TCB to become full-on raider shills.

This is completely ridiculous, I thought you saved this level of spin for EBC radio.

Raider Unity has never been sidelined, especially not during my 11 years in the game. Raider Unity is an assurance that raiders will never outright work against the operations of other raider regions as a matter of collective self-interest. No raider region, for as long as I've been a raider, has been respected as part of raiderdom if they do not adhere to this basic tenet. It is fine if raiders do not support their fellow raiders at every turn, as long as they do not work with our collective enemies.

What you noticed when BoM returned is that raiders no longer needed to jump through the increasingly ridiculous hoops of regions like Europeia and Balder in order to secure their endorsements that would have previously meant the difference between a liberation and a hold. You like to believe that Malice somehow "pushed all of raiderdom back into that total us vs. them mentality which has caused the realignment we've seen over the past few years", when in reality it was Europeia's own refusal to play ball that led to you realizing that you had isolated yourselves with your excessive restrictions and desire to put raiderdom on your leash.

I'll leave the completely unhinged take about forcing TCB to become a raider shill for them, they've earned the right to first dunking.

[Quebecshire]

Europeia "isolated" itself? You might have them mixed up with TCB. Europeia’s diplomatic portfolio is doing quite well.

Agenda posts aside - my first year in gameplay, raider unity barely came up ever. Once raiders had the power to do what they want on their own, however, the mask came off and it went full swing sign your "three commandments" and other antagonisms.

[Reventus Koth]

Europeia "isolated" itself? You might have them mixed up with TCB. Europeia’s diplomatic portfolio is doing quite well.

Agenda posts aside - my first year in gameplay, raider unity barely came up ever. Once raiders had the power to do what they want on their own, however, the mask came off and it went full swing sign your "three commandments" and other antagonisms.

Europeia isolated itself from raiderdom, in the same way that you are saying that TCB isolated itself from your clique. I wasn't speaking generically, but if we are, then neither region has been completely isolated.

Raider Unity was always *there*, regardless of how much it came up in your presence. It just so happens that a group of players that roleplay as raider cultists re-emerged and held it up with religious reverence -- while many other raiders liked the ideas we put out, the Malice target selection criteria was also not a new concept, it used to be the default years back.

[Mlakhavia]

forced regions like TCB to become full-on raider shills.

Yes, of course, the raider shills who (checks notes) promised to defend one of the newest leftist frontiers under *any* circumstances? TCB operates its treaties re: PRAF on a flexible basis -- the State and Revolution, our treaty with TBH, explicitly recognises the differences between our military policies, and explicitly allows for those to be considered within the context of our mutual co-operation.

We weren't forced into anything. If BoM or TBH put more than an ounce of pressure on us that we weren't comfortable with, we'd start questioning the relationship. But they haven't. They're good friends. Of course, if you want to talk about undue pressure on TCB, you can always look at the Injunction your region oh-so-enthusiastically supported, which was effectively a hardcore 'fuck you' because we wouldn't play along with your political agenda.

Stop being so blatantly dishonest. This sort of transparent, easily-disproven lying is a disgrace to your region's usually-passable history of egregious agendaposting.