The Realm of Balder: Announcements and News

[Fooooooooo]

snip

I have nothing against Balder at all, this whole conversation is better directed towards the Minister of Foreign Affairs but you've presumed to involve yourself. There was nothing factually incorrect about my comment, you just jumped at another chance to hammer your poor innocent keyboard.

If you would stop conflating opinions of Balder and opinions of Onderkelkia you might understand what a disservice you do your region by treating them as one and the same. I happen to have a great deal of respect for other members of your region and absolutely nothing against it as an entity. Maybe if you'd have left this topic to the appointed and responsible official you may have had a chance to observe that.

I'm sorry you find me such a dullard. I wrote the last couple of updates, so I'm sure some of the 'boring' similarities you found are down to how I write them. As Onder has said, the purpose of the Balder Bugle is to keep our allies informed as to the current makeup of our government, and let them know about any other important regional happenings. They're not there for your amusement. As elections are every two months, we aim to post an update every two months as well, to ensure our allies are kept up to date. The frequency of both the elections and the updates does sometimes mean that not a lot changes. Experienced members will be kept in positions they are good at to allow them to continue the work they started in the previous term. This does not mean nothing changes or that nobody ever gets anywhere, far from it.

If you don't find the Bugle useful or interesting, I'm sure there are many more amusing things you could be wasting your time on, rather than banging on here about how boring you think we are.

[The Holy Principality of Saint Mark]

We have always found Balder's updates to be clear and informative.
Thank you for taking the time to put these together and to share them with us.

[Syberis]

Really? Wooo I'll call in for a visit sometime then

You may be asking the wrong question. Ask if you're persona non grata there.

You aren't necessarily allowed to know the answer to that question, though. They may refuse to inform you because "you should know."

Alternatively, it might be the case and the person answering might not be aware because they didn't pay attention that day or something like that. See prior Balder governments for examples.

[New Rogernomics]

You may be asking the wrong question. Ask if you're persona non grata there.

You aren't necessarily allowed to know the answer to that question, though. They may refuse to inform you because "you should know."

Alternatively, it might be the case and the person answering might not be aware because they didn't pay attention that day or something like that. See prior Balder governments for examples.

Most of the time, if you've been persona non grata from Balder, it is because of guilt by association or having a sense of humor that riles up the natives. If you are guilty of both, then you've won Balder persona non grata polo.

[Fooooooooo]

We have always found Balder's updates to be clear and informative.
Thank you for taking the time to put these together and to share them with us.

Thanks Halo! We're pleased to hear that TWP find our updates useful

[Numero Capitan]

snip

Not sure why you’ve taken my comments as a personal criticism of your personality, but fair enough if you think it’s sole purpose is purely unembellised factual information. Even then if I was an ally I’d prefer to know a bit more about the priorities of those appointed/elected but I’m not going to tell you how to run your region.

[Wopruthien]

snip

Not sure why you’ve taken my comments as a personal criticism of your personality, but fair enough if you think it’s sole purpose is purely unembellised factual information. Even then if I was an ally I’d prefer to know a bit more about the priorities of those appointed/elected but I’m not going to tell you how to run your region.

"I will do that as a government in exile"

[Syberis]

You aren't necessarily allowed to know the answer to that question, though. They may refuse to inform you because "you should know."

Alternatively, it might be the case and the person answering might not be aware because they didn't pay attention that day or something like that. See prior Balder governments for examples.

Most of the time, if you've been persona non grata from Balder, it is because of guilt by association or having a sense of humor that riles up the natives. If you are guilty of both, then you've won Balder persona non grata polo.

Wait, so I can finally tell my dad I've won something in my life? Woo!

[Fooooooooo]

Statement on Ongoing Coup in The East Pacific

The Realm of Balder received a request earlier today for military assistance from the lawful Delegate of The East Pacific, Marrabuk, after their electoral victory. Balder has previously provided aid to delegate transitions in TEP, most recently assisting Fedele obtain the delegacy in October 2018. In this case, Marrabuk's request followed a disturbing pattern of behaviour giving rise to the prospect that Fedele would seek to prevent the winner of the election from securing the delegacy.

In recent months, The East Pacific and Balder negotiated a treaty, which has not yet been passed through either region's legislature. The text includes provisions for defensive military assistance at the request of the other signatory in response to internal and external threats. Balder will honour our commitment to protect The East Pacific, despite the treaty not being ratified. Marrabuk's request for assistance was accordingly accepted and the Jomsvikings ordered to deploy to The East Pacific. Jomsviking units were subsequently ejected and banned by Funkadelia, to whom Fedele had granted Border Control authority. Marrabuk's nation was ejected and banned by Fedele.

The actions of Fedele and his supporters constitute an unlawful and illegitimate seizure of power. There is no proper justification. Balder condemns Fedele's coup against the legal government of The East Pacific and does not recognise his continued administration. Balder has accordingly terminated in-game embassies with TEP while it remains under the control of Fedele and the faction which supports his actions. We stand ready to cooperate with TEP's lawful government and our mutual allies in restoring the lawful delegate and government to power.

[Bowzin]

Glad to stand against the coupers! My condolences to those in TEP right now who are just trying to get their legitimate government back.

[EvaSchofield]

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The Realm of Balder

Region | Regional Forums | Regional Discord Server

The Monarchy

King: North East Somerset
Crown Prince: Onder Kelkia
Prince of Aarhus: Alvalero
Prince of Ribe: Fooooooooo
Prince of Jomsborg: Onder Kelkia

The Statsraadet

Statsminister: Alvalero
Deputy Statsminister: Serfa
Minister of Development: Serfa
Minister of Foreign Affairs: Fooooooooo
Minister of World Assembly Affairs: Vamperiall
Minister of Discord Affairs: Lordren
Minister of Culture: Zunden

This thread will be used for official announcements and news released by Balder in the Gameplay forum.

Why is the death of Balder so famous ??? and Anyone guide me, Which plant killed the god Balder ??

[Lord Dominator]

Amusing to see that Balder was one of the faster response, very well done to you all

[Bowzin]

Why is the death of Balder so famous ??? and Anyone guide me, Which plant killed the god Balder ??

Balder's death was one of the most dramatic events in Norse mythology, as he was portrayed as very benevolent god, liked by almost every thing, inanimate or animate, in the universe.
The plant that killed Balder was mistletoe. The reason was because Balder's mom, Frigg, made every thing in the universe swear to never harm Balder, including rocks, plants, ores, etc. When she saw some mistletoe hanging on a tree, she thought it too insignificant to make it swear the oath. Loki, the mischief god, figured this out, and made a dart with a mistletoe tip, and convinced Balder's blind brother, Hodr, into throwing the dart at Balder, which killed him.

[Fooooooooo]

Balder Bugle Issue VI
A publication of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Realm of Balder.


Storting Elections

Five members were elected to Balder's Storting (parliament) for the August-September term, with a close race being fought between the seven candidates who stood for election. Incumbent Lawspeaker Griffindor13 stated his intention to stand again for the position, and Zander Cerebella, one of Balder's most experienced statesmen, announced he intended to stand for Statsminster if elected. The election saw the following members elected:

Theoden Sebastian
ZanderCerebella
Griffindor13
Akillian Talleyrand
Aexnidaral


Elections of Lawspeaker and Statsminster

After a successful term as Lawspeaker, Griffindor13 opened storting business by seeking a second term in the position. Once again, he recieved the unanimous support of the other members and was appointed as Lawspeaker.

Griffindor13 also opened nominations for Statsminster by nominating outgoing Statsminster Theoden Sebastian for a second term. Zander Cerebella stated his intention to stand also, in line with his Storting campaign platform. Declining his nomination, Theoden Sebastian stated his intention to focus on Storting business, saying "For this term, I want to step back and focus on the Storting where I hope to work on the proposals that I have included in my manifesto."

Zander went on to secure the unanimous backing of his colleages, and was duly nominated for appointment as Statsminster by the King.


State opening of Parliament and appointment of Statsraadet

With initial business concluded, King North East Somerset opened the Storting with a rousing speech. The King opened by formally appointing Zander Cerebella as Statsminster, stating "It is a great credit to both him and Balder, that more than 7 years on from serving as our Head of State and Government, as Delegate - Zander for the fourth time, is again the Head of Government."

Commenting on the dedication of the region's members and the continuing stability they bring to Balder the king went on to say "The commitment of our membership, some dating right back to the Founding of Balder, is something we should celebrate and hope to preserve...Not a Region to jump on bandwagons, align with cults - not reliant solely on the whims of the predominant personality. We are consistent where others are transient. We will still be here when they have faded away."

Statsminster Zander followed on from this by thanking the citizens of Balder for another opportunity to lead the region. Zander outlined his plans to get Balder's new university operational in time for Balder's 8th anniversary in October, and to focus on the many legislative reforms being discussed in the Storting. To aid in his goals, Zander announced the following Statsraadet appointments:

Development and Deputy Statsminister - Theoden Sebastian
Foreign Affairs - Fuzzy
Interior Affairs - Bowzin
World Assembly Affairs - Vamperiall

Looking forward to the term ahead, Zander stated "The plans for our university, the potential for changes to our legislature and the introduction of new ministers gives us cause for great excitement for the coming term as we approach 8 years of our region. We must now build upon these new ideas and move ever forward while the initiative is ours."


Balder's Parliament Changes

The passage of the Constitutional Reform Bill 2019 has seen a complete change in the structure of Balder's Storting (Parliament). Originally a single directly elected chamber, the Storting now consists of two seperate non-elected chambers - the Odelsting and the Lagting.

The Odelsting is the lower chamber, and is open to all Citizens of Balder who are members of the Jomsvikings and have their WA nation endorsing Balder's monarch.

The Lagting is the upper chamber and consists of the Vice Delegate, any other members of the Royal family appointed by the Monarch and any citizen who holds a title of nobility granted by the Monarch.

Both houses are jointly responsible for nominating a Statsminster, whose term length has been extended from two to three months. Nominations for the position will now be held every year in February, May, August and November, and anyone who has been a citizen for two months is eligible for nomination. The new term lengths are effective immediatly, with incumbent Statsminster Zander's term now due to end in November.

The Constitutional Reform Bill has been the subject of a substantial amount of work over the past two terms. Detailed discussion has taken place on the proposals for a number of months, with the Storting directing considerable effort towards ensuring the final bill delivers a new system which works for Balder. The final Constitutional Reform Bill was passed unanimously by the Storting before being put to vote in a public referendum, where it also received the unanimous approval of all participating citizens. The bill was signed into law by King North East Somerset on October 2nd.


Birthday Celebrations

Balder's 8th Birthday is quickly approaching! In order to celebrate the occasion, which occurs on the 19th of October, our government has been hard at work planning an event for Balderans and our allies to come together and party. The current plans consist of speeches, history, Norse mythology, games, and more! The experience should be fun for all those involved and a proper acknowledgement to the long 8 year history Balder has had. The festival will take place on both our forums and a dedicated Discord server.


Contact Fuzzy, of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, with comments regarding the Bugle.

[Cormactopia Prime]

The changes to Parliament are interesting. I hope they'll generate more opportunities for Balderans to be involved in legislating and politics generally.

Congratulations to those who were recently elected and appointed as well, and of course happy birthday to Balder in a few days.

[Lord Dominator]

The changes to Parliament are interesting. I hope they'll generate more opportunities for Balderans to be involved in legislating and politics generally.

Congratulations to those who were recently elected and appointed as well, and of course happy birthday to Balder in a few days.

Agreed with the above, hope all goes well for Balder

[Unibot III]

Happy Birthday Balder (and Osiris). Some good memories from that time. What a special day.

[Numero Capitan]

Thanks for the detailed update, Happy Birthday Balder!

[The Holy Principality of Saint Mark]

Happy Birthday, Balder!

[Lord Dominator]

Happy birthday to Balder

[Zunden]

Thank you all for the birthday wishes!

[Fooooooooo]

Balder's persona non grata policy

The Realm of Balder has traditionally declared non-citizens banned from our regional forums and other off-site platforms, as a result of their gameplay conduct (performing actions or statements contrary to the interests of Balder), to be persona non grata. The overwhelming majority of the existing declarations of PNG status were imposed on members of our 2011 to 2018 forums. We moved to our current forums at the end of December last year.

Recently, the Monarchy and the Statsminister jointly reviewed the individuals subject to PNG declarations as well as the wider purpose, scope and process behind the system of PNG declarations. In particular, it was considered which players previously declared PNG warrant continued banishment from Balder bearing in mind their recent behaviour and the varying periods of time which specific individuals have already spent subject to restrictions due to previous actions. Without excusing the conduct for which individuals were previously declared persona non grata, it has been determined that most of the existing PNG declarations can be lifted. The continuation of previously imposed PNG declarations shall be limited to players adjudged to have deliberately engaged in a sustained pattern of hostile conduct against Balder. Based on these criteria, only these previous PNG declarations shall remain in effect:

Consular
Glen-Rhodes
Roavin
Thomas Insaniac
Tim-Opolis

All other PNG declarations are hereby revoked. Balder does not wish to issue PNG declarations except as a necessary response to hostile conduct. Any person subject to a PNG declaration shall be banned from our forums and Discord server. No future application for citizenship, residency or diplomatic status will be considered from such individuals. Future PNG declarations shall be issued as circumstances require by the Statsminister subject to approval of the Monarch or the Crown Prince on the Monarch's behalf. If we are attacked, Balder's preference will be to proscribe regions, as an alternative to individual PNG declarations, wherever it is possible to do so.

[The Notorious Mad Jack]

Can you provide a list of proscribed regions if there currently are any?

[Cormactopia Prime]

As someone who previously was PNG in Balder, I appreciate Balder reforming its PNG system. I think it's a good move for your community. Respect.

[The Church of Satan]

Can you provide a list of proscribed regions if there currently are any?

TRR for sure. Cuz you know, we're all defender subversives (FRA subversives to be precise) and are definitely out to get Balder, heh.

Joking aside it's nice to see Balder chipping (denting maybe?) its shell. Good on ya.