[NEWS] Erudite Observer

[Erudite Observer]

The Erudite Observer
"Madness is to hold an erroneous perception and argue perfectly from it."

Articles:
October 25th, 2013 - The Black Hawks Occupy Sapphire!
October 25th, 2013 - Australia Invaded - Hundreds of Embassy's to Close!
October 25th, 2013 - Islamic Republic of Iran Slated For Destruction!
October 26th, 2013 - The Gavel And Sword Sound Last Stroke For The Creed!
October 27th, 2013 - Interview with General Halcones, Overlord of The Black Riders
October 29th, 2013 - Australia Occupation Ends!
November 1st, 2013 - Interview with Mallorea and Riva, The DENHawk Extraordinaire!
November 2nd, 2013 - Interview with Unibot, the paragon of virtue
November 4th, 2013 - Sapphire Removes Final Traces of The Black Hawk Occupation
November 5th, 2013 - Interview with German Dragons, World Assembly Delegate of NAZI EUROPE

[Erudite Observer]

The Black Hawks Occupy Sapphire!
"If an injury has to be done to a man it should be so severe that his vengeance need not be feared." -Niccolo Machiavelli

The Black Hawks, Sapphire,

The Black Hawks seized the region Sapphire last week and continue to occupy it in what is quickly becoming a week-long embarrassment for defenders. The region was previously thought to be secure, and had been password protected to ensure only native nations could come and go from the region. However, the password was leaked and fell into invader hands, allowing The Black Hawks to lead an invasion against the region. The invasion force was lead by Valasia, displacing the former delegate of 2 years. However, to further embarrass defenders, the password to enter the region was added to the region's World Factbook Entry.

Dozens of defenders and natives have been removed in ill-fated rescue attempts since the invasion began. The Black Hawks have become entrenched in the region, maintaining a strong base of 30 endorsements since the start of the invasion, making it difficult for defenders to match. It is unclear how long the siege is planned, or if The Black Hawks will attempt to completely destroy the region.

[Erudite Observer]

Australia Invaded - Hundreds of Embassy's to Close!
"You can get more with a kind word and a gun than you can with a kind word alone." -Al Capone

The United Imperial Armed Forces, Australia,

The ancient region of Australia was captured by hostile invasion forces several days ago. The invaders were lead by The United Imperial Armed Forces, and supported by invaders hailing from The New Inquisition, The Land of Kings and Emperors and Albion. Other regions also provided support for the initial wave of invasion, including Europeia, The West Pacific, Kantrias and The Black Riders. Tancerlo is the leader of the invasion force, and has maintained a strong endorsement count, with nearly 50 endorsements. During the course of the continuing occupation, Tancerlo has already ejected dozens of natives and other nations from the region. Tancerlo has also strongly suppressed discussion of any kind on the regional message board.

Australia is an ancient region, with a moderately large population and a history of democratic rule. Before the occupation by the invading forces, the government of Australia was noted for their wide range of alliances and embassies with other regions. As a result of the invasion, hundreds of embassies across NationStates are being shuttered. Also a defender region of some note, Australia assisted neighbors like New Zealand from other occupying invasion forces in the past. The former founder of Australia was Cremorne, who ceased to exist in July of 2013. United Defender League has pledged to defend the region and liberate it from Tancerlo and The United Imperial Armed Forces reign of terror.

[Erudite Observer]

Islamic Republic of Iran Slated For Destruction!
"Men should be either treated generously or destroyed, because they take revenge for slight injuries - for heavy ones they cannot." -Niccolo Machiavelli

Sekhmet Legion of Osiris, Islamic Republic of Iran,

Two days ago, forces from Osiris and Pantheon captured and occupied the Islamic Republics of Iran, evicting natives and publically announcing plans to completely destroy the region. The destruction will be accomplished by evicting all of the natives, then refounding the region so that Osiris maintains control of the founder. With control of the founder, Osiris will achieve the ultimate raider victory, by granting Osiris infinite control over all facets of the region. Natives will never be able to return or reclaim the region if this refoundation succeeds.

Adding insult to this injury, the United Defender League had only just liberated the region from raiders several days before the re-occupation by Osirisian forces. If the raiders are able to achieve a refoundation, defender moral is likely to take a serious hit. Defenders attempted to liberate the region during the major update on October 26th, but several defenders updated late and there were insufficient endorsements to overthrow the raiders occupying the region. Defender efforts were likely to only slow, but not halt the refoundation process. It seems likely raiders will achieve their ambitious and complete conquest of the fledgling region sometime next week.

[Venico]

Well I wish the news sources would do a little more investigating, maybe some questions asked =P

I'm just hassling you. But for the occupation of IRI by Osiris, while the intent is to refound the region, the reason for the refound is not simply destruction. You see, the region updates third last and thus would be ideal for puppet storage. Just thought you should know we're not just doing this to watch stuff burn, we're acquiring a valuable resource.

But I wish your news the best of luck Lots of competition out there these days

[Cormac A Stark]

Natives will never be able to return or reclaim the region if this refoundation succeeds.

A couple things here, and I acknowledge you couldn't have known this beforehand because I haven't made it clear -- though you could have contacted me for comment.

While natives won't be able to "reclaim" the region if refounding succeeds we have not said that they will not be able to return. Islamic Republics of Iran is currently the third latest updating region in NationStates, which makes it valuable real estate. It shouldn't be a surprise to anyone given that it's founderless and the two regions that update after it have founders that someone went for this region. Our intention is to annex and maintain Islamic Republics of Iran as puppet storage and a jump point for the Sekhmet Legion, allies of Osiris, and other raiders. However, this doesn't necessarily preclude the return of natives to the region and while I'm not committing to allowing them to return I don't currently see any reason they can't after refounding.

I would also like to point out that we don't bear any animosity toward the region's natives and that this isn't arbitrary destruction. We would have targeted any founderless UCR with this position in update, and our occupation -- while perhaps unpleasant for the native population -- is not a case of destruction for the sake of destruction but rather of refounding the region in pursuit of clearly defined Osiran tactical interests.

Edit: I see Venico already posted basically what I said, only more concise. Oops.

[Frattastan II]

But for the occupation of IRI by Osiris, while the intent is to refound the region, the reason for the refound is not simply destruction. You see, the region updates third last and thus would be ideal for puppet storage. Just thought you should know we're not just doing this to watch stuff burn, we're acquiring a valuable resource.

Which will become useless for that in only a few weeks, with update times being shuffled again.

[Mallorea and Riva]

But for the occupation of IRI by Osiris, while the intent is to refound the region, the reason for the refound is not simply destruction. You see, the region updates third last and thus would be ideal for puppet storage. Just thought you should know we're not just doing this to watch stuff burn, we're acquiring a valuable resource.

Which will become useless for that in only a few weeks, with update times being shuffled again.

Isn't it great?

[Frattastan II]

Which will become useless for that in only a few weeks, with update times being shuffled again.

Isn't it great?

Either shows a lack of long-term thinking, or the refound really is in large part for the sake of destruction.

[Erudite Observer]

Well I wish the news sources would do a little more investigating, maybe some questions asked =P

While interesting, people are ultimately the most unreliable source of information.

I'm just hassling you. But for the occupation of IRI by Osiris, while the intent is to refound the region, the reason for the refound is not simply destruction.

The majority of NationStates would likely agree that your "refoundation" is functionally the same as complete destruction of the region. But I do not necessarily think that is a bad thing. Death is part of the natural cycle.

Isn't it great?

Either shows a lack of long-term thinking, or the refound really is in large part for the sake of destruction.

It simply backs up my assessment.

[Letoilenoir]

The success of the IRI campaign will ultimately be decided by whomever actually gets to do the refound.

Its in by no means certain that the Osiris field commander will beat all others to the punch.

But for the occupation of IRI by Osiris, while the intent is to refound the region, the reason for the refound is not simply destruction. You see, the region updates third last and thus would be ideal for puppet storage. Just thought you should know we're not just doing this to watch stuff burn, we're acquiring a valuable resource.

Which will become useless for that in only a few weeks, with update times being shuffled again.

You can't dispute that this has kick started Gameplay activity, and no doubt we will see a similar "Scramble for Late Updaters" in a couple of weeks time - not everyone gets gifted a region like Golden Bow you know.

Perhaps periodically changing the update order (whats the average Delegate tern in the Feeders?) would be a good thing - keep you Ah Dear's on your toes!

[Frattastan II]

not everyone gets gifted a region like Golden Bow you know.

Yeah. Three years ago FRA didn't have a late updater and endo-surfed between its member regions all the time.
Pretty much impossible to do when you need to use a lot of switchers, however.

[Venico]

Well Fratt it will still be useful to all of raiderdom for that time though no?

To Erudite Observer, while people are ultimately unreliable, collective questioning is one of the best ways to obtain information. Also you can always shoot a quick telegram to people to ask why they're doing something. You don't have to publish it as fact, or even publish it. But it helps to get both sides and when you're watching someone, or a group do something it can't ever hurt to ask why. *shrugs* Just some tips for the future mate

And to address the fact that the refound will destroy the region, I acknowledge that. I don't think anyone can really dispute that. But it's the difference of coming in for a resource versus just wanting to destroy the region. And yes in a few weeks the update order will be shuffled but until then it's nice to have a late updating jump point.

Anyways I look forward to more news stories Do you plan to focus on R/D mostly? Or are you looking to branch out to maybe politics? Best of luck either way.

[Tancerlo]

Firstly, I have actually not removed even a single native. Only mysterious infiltrators, fenda assault troops, and obvious fenda sleepers have been removed.

Secondly, the UDL has actually already tried to liberate the region. They failed miserably. Though of course if they wish to try again, we'll be watching and waiting for them, at every single update too.

[Cormac A Stark]

And to address the fact that the refound will destroy the region, I acknowledge that. I don't think anyone can really dispute that. But it's the difference of coming in for a resource versus just wanting to destroy the region. And yes in a few weeks the update order will be shuffled but until then it's nice to have a late updating jump point.

This is basically correct, but I wouldn't be so quick to concede that we are destroying the region since that largely depends upon one's definition of "destroy" and "the region."

If by "the region," one means simply the in-game construct known as Islamic Republics of Iran: Nope. That will still exist after our refound. And in fact it will be more secure than it was before in that it will have an active founder to prevent it going founderless again. If instead by "the region" one means the native community inhabiting the region, that community doesn't necessarily have to be destroyed either assuming they are permitted to return to the region. Maybe having an active founder will enable them to be more active. Or maybe they're not really natives at all and instead are all defender puppets, which is entirely possible. None were WA nations when we raided, then suddenly there were three WA nations.

The point here is pretty much the same point that was made when Asgard raided and attempted to refound Christmas: Refound =/= Destruction. The native community could still exist in this region after refound, and perhaps even in a healthier state than before -- even with raider puppets floating around and using the region as a jump point. Some would argue that the "destruction" comes in by taking control of the region away from natives, and it's true that natives wouldn't be in full control. But were they before? There was no Delegate, no WA nations, and they were entirely reliant on defenders for their security. Imperialism by any other name is still imperialism, and defenders have an empire: It's in the form of founderless, Delegateless regions that are completely reliant on defenders for their security, and upon which defenders are completely reliant for their relevance and influence. It's in defender interests to keep these regions founderless and chronically insecure, as there would be no reason for defenders to exist without them. No wonder they fight refounds so hard, they're fighting to preserve their relevance and their influence -- which is to say, their own empire.

[Frattastan II]

It's in defender interests to keep these regions founderless and chronically insecure, as there would be no reason for defenders to exist without them. No wonder they fight refounds so hard, they're fighting to preserve their relevance and their influence -- which is to say, their own empire.

Defenders only fight against forced refounds, while actually assisting (with advice, WA nation support or other means) in refounding founderless regions on request of their native residents. The reason they do so is because what matters is not that a region is "secure" (by having a founder with no distinction being made as to who controls it and has permanent, unrestricted power over the region), but rather that a region is "free" (not subject to the domination of a force other than its native residents). Not even "autonomous" - ie, setting their own laws - since that wouldn't apply to Delegate-less regions - but simply free.

Whether the original natives will become more active when the region is openly claimed as a colony of another region and treated as a mere military HQ, with Delegate controls off and a founder nation which may be non-cooperative and kick them out if they don't comply with the coloniser's intended plan for the region is doubtful at best (see Macedon's various possessions for an example of imperialism at its worst).

Oh, and it could even be disputed whether some defender groups see their own continued existence in their self-interest.

[Astarial]

The plural of embassy is embassies.

[Frattastan II]

The plural of embassy is embassies.

"Erudite".

[The Saturnian Republic]

If the raiders are able to achieve a refoundation, defender moral is likely to take a serious hit.

First of all, your "erudite" spelling needs some brushing up. Secondly, I find it incredibly amusing you have the gall to claim to know jack about defenders "moral" without actually talking to any defenders or providing any evidence for your claim. Or even an explanation, for that matter. Why exactly would this hurt our morale? It's not like someone managed to purge the entirety of a Pacific or something.

[Charax]

If the raiders are able to achieve a refoundation, defender moral is likely to take a serious hit.

First of all, your "erudite" spelling needs some brushing up. Secondly, I find it incredibly amusing you have the gall to claim to know jack about defenders "moral" without actually talking to any defenders or providing any evidence for your claim. Or even an explanation, for that matter. Why exactly would this hurt our morale? It's not like someone managed to purge the entirety of a Pacific or something.

Now that would be quite something. I'd be too impressed to be sad.

[Erudite Observer]

Anyways I look forward to more news stories Do you plan to focus on R/D mostly? Or are you looking to branch out to maybe politics? Best of luck either way.

The Erudite Observer plans to focus on R/D. I may branch into politics, but only where politics is related to R/D.

If the raiders are able to achieve a refoundation, defender moral is likely to take a serious hit.

First of all, your "erudite" spelling needs some brushing up.

Apologies, English is not my first language, I will attempt to improve it in the future.

[Astarial]

Anyways I look forward to more news stories Do you plan to focus on R/D mostly? Or are you looking to branch out to maybe politics? Best of luck either way.

The Erudite Observer plans to focus on R/D. I may branch into politics, but only where politics is related to R/D.

First of all, your "erudite" spelling needs some brushing up.

Apologies, English is not my first language, I will attempt to improve it in the future.

Might I offer my services as a top notch proofreader and pedant extraordinaire?

[Erudite Observer]

The Gavel And Sword Sound Last Stroke For The Creed!
"Whoever conquers a free town and does not demolish it commits a great error and may expect to be ruined himself." -Niccolo Machiavelli

Royal Kantrian Army, The Creed,

The Royal Kantrian Army quietly conquered the small region of The Creed two weeks ago. The Invasion was supported by Europeia, The United Imperial Armed Forces, The Black Riders and Mazeria. The Creed was a small region, plagued with frequent raids and conquest. The region had little government or history to speak of, and the regional founder ceased to exist almost immediately after the region was founded, about 20 months ago. The regional message board contains barely any records of note.

The Royal Kantrian Army has publicly announced plans to refound the region following the expulsion of the remaining natives. Only 4 natives remain, valliage, 365_days, world_thoughts, and leemlandia. It seems likely the invasion forces will attain the necessary influence to password protect the region and expel the remaining natives in less than 3 weeks. Cerian Quilor, head of Kantrias has yet to comment on the long term plans of the invasion.

UPDATE: Statement from Cerian Quilor,

Anyone who wishes to return would be welcome to. The Creed will be a semi-autonomous colony of Kantrias. The Exact nature of that organization is currently undecided, but any native - such as they are - of the region will be welcome back within their old home.

[Mallorea and Riva]

The Royal Kantrian Army has publicly announced plans to refound the region... Cerian Quilor, head of Kantrias has yet to comment on the long term plans of the invasion.

... What? Seems pretty straightforward to me.

[Erudite Observer]

The Royal Kantrian Army has publicly announced plans to refound the region... Cerian Quilor, head of Kantrias has yet to comment on the long term plans of the invasion.

... What? Seems pretty straightforward to me.

The refoundation is more short term. Long term plans would include a new regional government, or using it as a base of operations, etc.