The Empire of Kantrias | FA Update 29th of February Edition

[Ever-Wandering Souls]

How could one profess earnest loyalty and committment to an explicitly expansionist Empire in a historically Imperialist region out one side of your mouth, while declaring out the other that said ideology is fundamentally incompatible with your beliefs, and naysaying both the decisions of the last King and the ascension of the new Emperor? Does that not call into question whether you are present to support the Empire, or protest it?

Would that folks protested half as much when the imp/indie sphere demanded two players be completely ostracized from every imp, indie, and military region over a less fundamental disagreement within LKE.

[Onderkelkia]

Would that folks protested half as much when the imp/indie sphere demanded two players be completely ostracized from every imp, indie, and military region over a less fundamental disagreement within LKE.

The LKE did not make any "demand[s that] two players be completely ostracized from every imp, indie, and military region over a less fundamental disagreement". The LKE made requests of our treaty allies and our main raider military partner by that stage (Lone Wolves United) that action be taken, where applicable, in relation to specific acts committed (not ideological disagreement of any strength). The specific act cited in that request being the seizure of LKE sovereign territory, a region previously re-founded by the Imperial Army and incorporated into the LKE Empire on Imperial Command's petition to the Crown. The context to the request to LWU was leaking of cabinet content (as to which we were content to agree to a demotion for the leaker, not removal) as well as the seizure of our territory (for which our preference in the first instance was for its return and only if refused removal).

[Leutria]

Invitation to the Grand Accession Festival

Hosted by His Imperial Majesty, Emperor Arran Drake Quilor

Join Us in Celebrating a New Era of Truth, Strength, and Friendship

The Empire of Kantrias cordially invites you to the most splendid Kantrian event of the year - our Grand Accession Festival, where we celebrate the dawn of a new age under the benevolent rule of His Imperial Majesty, Emperor Arran Drake Quilor.

Why is this festival important?

In this extraordinary moment, we gather to honor the dawning of the new age in Kantrias. With the crowning of Emperor Arran Drake Quilor we enter an age of strength, an age of truth, and the age of Kantrias taking its rightful place in the world. We take immense pride in embracing our Imperial heritage and sharing it with the world.

What You Can Expect

From October 28th to November 5th, we have an array of exciting events and activities planned for you:

Daily Games: From computer games like King of the Castle, to online games like Gartic Phone, the Empire invites you to join us for a good time.
Contests: Test your skills and prove that you are the best!
Speeches: Mark this momentous occasion with us by reading the words of our esteemed leaders, or even saying a few words yourself.
Roleplay: Enter the Imperial Ballroom and dance the night away!

Everyone is Invited:

The Empire of Kantrias warmly extends an open invitation to all, transcending boundaries and political affiliations. We believe in the power of inclusion and unity, welcoming even those who may hold different beliefs. Let's come together and share in the festivities.

Honoring Our Long-Standing Friends:

Emperor Arran Drake Quilor values the bonds we have forged with our long-standing friends. It is with deep gratitude and respect that we extend personal invitations to these cherished allies, whose names are synonymous with trust and camaraderie.

In particular we would like to name the Brotherhood of Malice, Caer Sidi, Ijaka, The Black Hawks, Sparkalia, Osiris, and The Communist Block. Each of you are regions we consider close friends, and personally invite to join in the festivities.

Festival Dates: October 28 - November 5

Join us in celebrating the grandeur of Kantrias, as we take a step forward into a promising future, hand in hand with truth, strength, and friendship. We eagerly anticipate your presence at this historic event. Together, let's create memories that will resonate through the ages.

For more information, join our Discord server at https://discord.com/invite/S5C7rSk5vG or contact Leutria.

Let the festivities begin!

[Londoniopol]

Sounds like a pretty fun event

[Lala Escargot]

We believe in the power of inclusion and unity, welcoming even those who may hold different beliefs.

Does this mean you're not forcing your citizens to be raiders anymore, or is this just something you're doing for the event?

[Terra Inferiori Reliquere]

Sounds like a pretty fun event

It will be! My culture people really have been working hard on this one!

We believe in the power of inclusion and unity, welcoming even those who may hold different beliefs.

Does this mean you're not forcing your citizens to be raiders anymore, or is this just something you're doing for the event?

Kantrias has always been a Raider and Imperialist region. We do not switch sides like some other - rather disappointing - regions have over the last couple years, or just this year even.

Kantrias being Imperialist is a constant. Kantrias being Raider is a constant.

But I’m sure your question was rhetorical, right? Since you know the answer.

[Lala Escargot]

Listen, I know the institutional memory of Kantrias is shorter than a pixie cut, but come on. It has been just over a month since you ousted one of your long term citizens over the fact that they refused to be a raider, and now you have just released a statement saying that everyone is welcome in Kantrias regardless of ideology.

Your past actions and your current statement are at odds with one another, and my question is not rhetorical.

Are you honestly welcoming everyone into Kantrias now, or is your belief in the power of inclusion something that is specific to this singular event?

[Tinhampton]

August (from EoGB) left Kantrias last month because he complained that citizens were under orders to join the Kantrian Armed Forces. Even if we accept that his complaint is entirely true, participants in the Grand Accession Festival are not required to be citizens of Kantrias and are therefore under no obligations to be raiders in their personal or professional gameplay lives.

[Terra Inferiori Reliquere]

An Imperial Proclamation Issued, Arda en Estel Subsumed into the Empire!

---

For years Kantrias has maintained embassies with Arda en Estel. Even when Arda en Estel went inactive, we kept the embassies open out of respect for the relationship we once had and in the hopes that our friends would come back to us.

This is why on the 30th of October, 2023, the Empire of Kantrias assumed control of Arda en Estel.

On Imperialism
When we ratified the Eleventh Year Accords with the Brotherhood of Malice on the 6th of September, 2023, we defined Imperialism. With that definition we made a promise; to bring back true Imperialism and to grow and expand our influence. Subsuming Arda en Estel into the Empire is an important next step in doing so.

Historical Ties
The first mention of Arda en Estel recorded in Kantrias was on the 8th of July, 2017. This was when one of Arda en Estel's members came to Kantrias to become a noble (the term for citizen used at that time). They declared that they were also a member of Arda en Estel, as well as one other region. This is how we learned of their existence.

Later, on the 20th of the same month, establishing relations with Arda en Estel was recommended by a noble. The noble who scouted them described Arda en Estel as follows; "It is very powerful, we also have mutual friends". Another noble described Arda en Estel as "a thriving region", yet another found "ties with Arda to be beneficial".

This led to The Treaty of Erihaven being put before the Senate in Kantrias on the 22nd of July. To say that we became friends fast would be an understatement. This treaty was eventually passed on the 11th of September, without issues.

On the 26th of July Arda en Estel applied for- and were granted forum embassies.

The embassies with Arda en Estel remain open to this day.

Imperial Intentions with Arda en Estel
With the issuing of Imperial Proclamation V - Arda en Estel Subsumed and supported by the Imperial Constitution of the Empire of Kantrias, Arda en Estel has been declared a colony, which renders the region non-autonomous. As a result, the Empire is in full control of Arda en Estel.

The Empire is determined to make sure the regional history of Arda en Estel is maintained. Once the Empire deems Arda en Estel ready, it will work to turn Arda en Estel into the thriving community it once was, under the steadying - and guiding - hand of Imperialism.

Had Kantrias not negotiated with the Founding nation of Arda en Estel, the region would inevitably have fallen into the hands of far less benevolent people. To quote many of Arda en Estel's community; what the Empire did, it did for "The Hreater Good".

Closure of Embassies
As previously stated Kantrias has taken direct control of Arda en Estel and as of such deems every part of its functioning its responsibility. This includes matters of Foreign Affairs. As of such all of Arda en Estel's embassies - except for the one with Kantrias - are being closed effective immediately.

[The Ice States]

As previously stated Kantrias has taken direct control of Arda en Estel and as of such deems every part of its functioning its responsibility. This includes matters of Foreign Affairs. As of such all of Arda en Estel's embassies - except for the one with Kantrias - are being closed effective immediately.

I don't particularly have a horse in this race -- my only bias here is GD having an embassy with Arda en Estel so inactive that the region has until today only been mentioned on a grand total of two occasions on the GD Discord, both in 2017. However I wonder what the rationale is for closing all of its embassies bar that with Kantrias? This part of the statement merely explains that you have the power to do so, but not the rationale for the decision.

[Arda en Estel]

Arda lies dormant no more, and several an OG natives are excited to see what it can become. It holds dear memories for so many, and deserves to be given love. <3

[Vleerian Ravagia]

I don't particularly have a horse in this race -- my only bias here is GD having an embassy with Arda en Estel so inactive that the region has until today only been mentioned on a grand total of two occasions on the GD Discord, both in 2017. However I wonder what the rationale is for closing all of its embassies bar that with Kantrias? This part of the statement merely explains that you have the power to do so, but not the rationale for the decision.

As Arda en Estel is being incorporated into Kantrias, it is presently Subject to our embassy policies, as it is a part of the Empire. It was also determined that some embassies present in 2017* were deemed undesirable, beyond mere consideration of our raider alignment. Regions interested in embassies with Kantrias or our territories are, of course, welcome to get in touch.

Edit at *

[Tinhampton]

Where may I avail myself of the Kantrian embassy policy? All embassies held by Kantrias are with raider, imperialist, or Kantrias-owned regions (with the exceptions of Caer Sidi and Sky Haven). Furthermore, among the Arda embassies being closed is that with LWU, which I'd assume Kantrias would at least be on good terms with as part of Raider Unity.

[The Ice States]

I don't particularly have a horse in this race -- my only bias here is GD having an embassy with Arda en Estel so inactive that the region has until today only been mentioned on a grand total of two occasions on the GD Discord, both in 2017. However I wonder what the rationale is for closing all of its embassies bar that with Kantrias? This part of the statement merely explains that you have the power to do so, but not the rationale for the decision.

As Arda en Estel is being incorporated into Kantrias, it is presently Subject to our embassy policies, as it is a part of the Empire.

This merely explains that you have the power to close the embassies, by virtue of Arda en Estel being subject to Kantrias' jurisdiction vis-a-vis embassy matters. It does not, however, explain why you did that.

It was also determined that some embassies present in 2017* were deemed undesirable, beyond mere consideration of our raider alignment.

How does this justify closing the rest of the embassies?

Edit:

As for how this affects the Embassies in Arda en Estel, these are embassies that were not approved by the throne, and might be seen as representing diplomatic ties where there are none - these embassies exist within Kantrian territory after all.

This answers my question, thank you.

[A Forest Clearing]

our raider alignment.

Glad you're no longer mincing words about this.

[Vleerian Ravagia]

our raider alignment.

Glad you're no longer mincing words about this.

I will possibly come back to this, however Kantrias' raider alignment is something the emperor has made abundantly clear since his ascension. This is not a position that has been unclear.

Where may I avail myself of the Kantrian embassy policy? All embassies held by Kantrias are with raider, imperialist, or Kantrias-owned regions (with the exceptions of Caer Sidi and Sky Haven). Furthermore, among the Arda embassies being closed is that with LWU, which I'd assume Kantrias would at least be on good terms with as part of Raider Unity.

At present, in lieu of a precise document to forward to you (the Emperor's coronation was this weekend, please do excuse our lack of official documents), the standing embassy policy is that regions we have signed treaties with that include on-site embassy clauses, or regions that have made an agreement with the Emperor are granted embassies.

As for how this affects the Embassies in Arda en Estel, these are embassies that were not approved by the throne, and might be seen as representing diplomatic ties where there are none - these embassies exist within Kantrian territory after all.

As for relations Kantrias may have with any of the regions, it would hardly be prudent to state here. Naturally, they are welcome to reach out through more appropriate channels to discuss the matter.

[Ever-Wandering Souls]

our raider alignment.

Glad you're no longer mincing words about this.

Good evening class,

Your assigned homework for this week is The Eleventh Year Accords. It includes a summary of both Kantrian and Malicious ideology, and how they intersect. It's only a few paragraphs, so you should have no issue completing this reading before your next forum post.

Have a great week!

-Professor Souls

[Terra Inferiori Reliquere]

our raider alignment.

Glad you're no longer mincing words about this.

Kantrias has - since its founding over 11 years ago - not once claimed to be anything but Imperialist and Raider aligned.

Furthermore, as Vleerian has stated, I myself have declared our Raider-alignment and dedication to Imperialism abundantly clear on several occasions, even before becoming Emperor, back when I was Kantrias' Minister of Foreign Affairs. One would assume recent events would point at this.

However I wonder what the rationale is for closing all of its embassies bar that with Kantrias?

As stated in my original post, Kantrias has declared Arda en Estel a colony, taking full control of the region. As it is being incorporated into the broader Empire - and as explained by Imperial Proclamation V - Arda en Estel Subsumed, its inner workings in its entirety are now the Empire's responsibility. Kantrias does not need to explain its rationale to you. But I thank you for your concern. We'll take it from here.

Where may I avail myself of the Kantrian embassy policy?

For the Kantrian embassy policy you may direct yourself to me.

---

Look! I even made it easy for you all to find the pieces of writing I am referencing!

[Onderkelkia]

Glad you're no longer mincing words about this.

Kantrias has - since its founding over 11 years ago - not once claimed to be anything but Imperialist and Raider aligned.

Yes, Kantrias has always been at war with Eastasia, "Emperor" (I take it that the customary Kantrias title of King was ill-fitting to this new era).

Back in the real world, Kantrias has more than once in fact defined its imperialism as part of an independent ideological position, confirmed that it and other imperialist regions reject and do not fit within the raider-defender dichotomy, and announced that it rejects raider-defender partisanship. Identifying as imperialist did not and does not go with being raider-aligned. LKE, TNI, Albion - the chief regions that Kantrias aligned with (other than Europeia) - historically firmly told disbelieving defenders that we were not raiders. This "Raider aligned" conception of imperialism is a new terminology, not a return to a prior tradition - and certainly not any tradition that Kantrias was part of, as Kantrias postdated earlier years when categories were less well-understood.

[The Hinterplace]

Maybe Arran Drake the Pretender should brush up on his own region’s history.

[Leutria]

I feel like I should say a few things here. As foreign affair really is not my thing, I should preface this with the fact I am speaking as myself, not for Kantrias or in any official capacity.

First off, “The Pretender” is pretty uncalled for, just as Kylia passed the region to me, I passed it to Arran. There is no questioning his legal status over the region, and to be clear, I have not intention of taking the region back. Being monarch is quite frankly a lot of work, and as much as I love Kantrias I could not do it anymore.

As for what Onder says, I will agree with one of his points. In my talks with her, Kylia always defined Imperialism as a subset of independence. So where a “independent” might just see R/D as a game and do whatever is make fun, and imperialist does what they think is best to advance the goals of their region, and spread their influence. I do not think she would have defined the region as raider, as that flexibility was an important part of imperialism to her.

That said, it was mostly a flexibility in theory. I can remember one time we participated in a liberation, and really that is it. We have always had friendly relations with raider-aligned regions, and tense relations (if any at all) with defender aligned regions. I will also say when I was last trying to rebuild our military raider-aligned regions were way happier to help me than our independent allies.

At the end of that day, Kantrias has not benefited from that flexibility, so if imperialism is doing what will advance Kantrias’ goals and spread our influence, then the argument can be made that true to imperialism at this point demands we become raider-aligned. So to keep a long post from becoming longer, Arran was incorrect to say we have always defined ourselves as being raider, however the behaviour expected from the Army of the Empire of Kantias is functionally not that different from what the Royal Kantrian Army might have done.

Once again, this is my own perspective, posted just before going to bed. Feel free to correct any factual errors, or flaws in my logic and I will be happy to address them in the morning.

[Ever-Wandering Souls]

If we want to get pedantic, alignment != ideology. The 11th Year Accords professed an Imperialist ideology that aligns with the ideology of Raider Unity to create areas of mutual interests and benefits.

I know I keep saying this, but the intro to that treaty really was a seriously undertook attempt to define Kantrian imperialism as contrasted to the tenets of Raider Unity.

[The North Polish Union]

Kantrias has - since its founding over 11 years ago - not once claimed to be anything but Imperialist and Raider aligned.

Yes, Kantrias has always been at war with Eastasia, "Emperor" (I take it that the customary Kantrias title of King was ill-fitting to this new era).

Back in the real world, Kantrias has more than once in fact defined its imperialism as part of an independent ideological position, confirmed that it and other imperialist regions reject and do not fit within the raider-defender dichotomy, and announced that it rejects raider-defender partisanship. Identifying as imperialist did not and does not go with being raider-aligned. LKE, TNI, Albion - the chief regions that Kantrias aligned with (other than Europeia) - historically firmly told disbelieving defenders that we were not raiders. This "Raider aligned" conception of imperialism is a new terminology, not a return to a prior tradition - and certainly not any tradition that Kantrias was part of, as Kantrias postdated earlier years when categories were less well-understood.

And here we see it, the ancient law; once Onder (the Most Beneficent, the Most Merciful, Ruler of All that Exists) has made up his mind, what he says is: nunc, et semper, et in saecula saeculorum, amen.

Of course, if the astute reader were to actually check the links which Onder has provided, they would notice that the first makes only one reference to 'Independence' and that it is not in relation to Kantrias at all ("Europeia is the modern paragon and leading power of Independence"). That leaves us with a dispatch of a nearly-decade-old document published by North East Somerset, a nation whose primary claim to fame is lying to both sides of the Milograd TSP coup in an attempt to further his own interests in the region, and we are expected to take its contents at face value.

In reality Onder is a member of a doddering and insignificant faction, trying to project force where they can project none through sheer force of will and the hopes that modern GP will be cowed by the power they had before most of today's active individuals had begun NS at all. Any shred of relevance has disappeared like the grass which today is, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, but we are instructed to observe what an excellent field they have presently cultivated. They demand to be taken seriously, they say "Kantrias Was" and it must be so.

Such tired claims hardly even deserve an initial rebuttal, yet everyone knows full well that they will be repeated incessantly, and that each repetition will come with a demand that the most recent iteration be given the same respect as the first, such is the tired strategy of the imperialists. But the question that they themselves cannot answer is "Why bother?"

[The Hinterplace]

I don't even know why Kantrias has subsumed Arda when they can't even keep up their own region. By all accounts, Kantrias has been near death for quite a long time.

[Improper Classifications]

I don't even know why Kantrias has subsumed Arda when they can't even keep up their own region. By all accounts, Kantrias has been near death for quite a long time.

They've gone from 86 to 125 nations over the past month alone. Who are you asking for this information