NationStates Issues **SPOILER ALERT**

[Trotterdam]

Puppet of The Candy Of Bottles here- just got #982 on this nation with only options 4 and 5 (3 and 4 internally).

Huh. I guess you can't do option 3 in a nation that banned computers, but what made option 1 fail to appear? Low Intelligence? That was in the original draft, but it was also supposed to enable option 2 as a replacement for option 1, which didn't happen... Or maybe just that you banned homosexuality, but I would really have expected a replacement option for that, homosexuality isn't even relevant to the issue!

[Palos Heights]

I was very glad to see this one pop up.

I'm leaving names to the professionals, they look tedious.

#988 Highway Robbery by the Book!

The Issue

The latest academic semester in @@DEMONYMADJECTIVE@@ universities has kicked off, leaving students once more buying textbooks for their classes. Now, an endless sea of beleaguered twentysomethings stretches beyond the horizon, waving torches and marching on your office in protest at rapidly inflating prices of already exorbitant textbooks.

The Debate

1. “Attention, @@LEADER@@!” shouts @@ANIMAL@@ physiology student Elizabeth Flanders, who has a telescoped spine from carrying textbooks. “We - the oppressed, overstressed, and consistently underdressed - are tired of foregoing meals and basic comforts in order to afford the required tools for our education! We, the future of @@NAME@@, have come to request that you force publishing companies to lower the price of our essential textbooks!”


2. “@@LEADER@@, don’t let those hooligans intimidate you!” says famed textbook author Goodman DiPyro. “Textbooks are an important aspect of the education experience and current market prices are reflective of this. How can a medical student identify the difference between a cyst and a lipoma without the most accurate and descriptive images possible? If anything, subsidising textbook authors and publishers will help boost the modern @@DEMONYMADJECTIVE@@ learning experience while generously rewarding us for being so integral to the education system!”


3. “While our publishing friend here does bring up great points about the importance of education, these textbooks are absolutely terrible for the environment!” retorts wide-eyed tie-dyed student Jiang McBoatface, handing you a leaflet illustrated with a crying @@ANIMAL@@. “Educating the masses is great and all, but not at the expense of Mother Nature! I propose that we overhaul the education system and provide all students with interactive tablets with all of their learning material digital and readily accessible.”


4. “Daddy, who let the poors out onto the front lawn?” questions Richard Kensington-Wellington III, whose famed millionaire misanthropic father is currently turning on the garden sprinklers. “The working classes should have never been allowed to study in the first place. I mean, what good does it do them? It only fills them with ridiculous aspirations above their natural station. It’s quite obvious after all that only the elite of society should be educated. All of my friends and their daddies say so! The common folk would be happier doing something useful with their lives!”


Issue by The Mighty Chest Hair of Palos Heights

Edited by The Free Joy State

Goodman DiPyro and #4 are actual names, 1&2 are randoms

[Jutsa]

just got #982 on this nation with only options 4 and 5

This is extraordinary...

[Zwangzug]

That's an unintended format; I'll flag it backstage.

[Trotterdam]

Interesting. I don't know what option 2 is. It doesn't seem to be the one from the draft.

Okay, turns out it was the one from the draft, it was just bugged to never show up.

It's in now.

[Drasnia]

Chan didn't report #985 with numbering. Here's my version with options numbered.

#985: Service With a Snarl [Chan Island; ed:Nation of Quebec]


The Issue
The most recent edition of the prestigious Virtual Planet guidebook has praised @@NAME@@ for its many treasures, but also noted how rude wait staff, hoteliers, and tour guides tend to be. Perhaps unwisely, you choose to hold a meeting on the topic in a popular restaurant.

The Debate
1. “So what if those @#$%!& in some snooty guidebook don’t think we’re nice?” complains your waiter, oblivious to the fact that he stepped on your toes. “I should be able to say and act however the @&*% I want, all the time. That’s freedom of speech, Violet damn it! Being a waiter or ‘public relations’ person doesn’t change that one bit. And if some jerkwad tourists don’t like it, well then they can go right back to where they came from!”

2. “Hate to be like this, but that guidebook has a point,” reluctantly replies the restaurant’s owner after telling off the waiter. “I’ve seen people stand up and leave after being insulted or shouted at by my staff one too many times. It doesn’t matter how many times I replace them - the problem remains. The government should mandate and pay for proper etiquette training for all employees in the service industry, and allow us to fire those who don’t comply. That way the customers are happy and our places of business don’t get bad reviews.”

4. “And kill off our nightlife tourism quicker than you can say @#%!” retaliates Colin Janeway, a local connoisseur of exotic alcoholic beverages. “It’s not our bad attitude that’s the problem, it’s the tourists! If we marketed ourselves as a wild resort country where all the rules of politeness don’t apply, then we could get ourselves a clientele that won’t complain. You gotta make the booze more freely available. I have a mate in West Calypso who’s got some crazy mixtures for us to try.”

[Frieden-und Freudenland]

#990: Baby Shower

The Issue

The number of pregnant tourists arriving in @@NAME@@ dramatically increased after the country started granting citizenship to all babies born on its soil. Several of your sources report that most of these birth tourists are wealthy and often come from authoritarian nations.

The Debate

1. “Of course they come here; we grant citizenship like we were born yesterday, without regard for heritage!” exclaims Grand Mage Margaret Hendrikson, leader of a @@DEMONYMADJECTIVE@@ nationalist group. “The mothers come here and pay to stay in some luxury hotel suite, give birth, then go back to their country. It’s wrong! Soon these kids will grow up and move to live in this great nation, bringing their foreign garbage cultures with them. There’s nothing @@DEMONYMADJECTIVE@@ about these babies, but we give them citizenship anyway. Mandate that only those with @@DEMONYMADJECTIVE@@ blood in their veins can be citizens.”

2. “Let’s not be too hasty here,” chimes in Sherlock Parke, your chief financial adviser, scribbling some numbers on a sheet of paper. “Don’t you realize what a lucrative business opportunity we have here? If these parents are willing to spend lots of money to travel here just so their kids can be citizens, maybe we should charge them for each baby born in @@NAME@@! You know, like a citizenship tax. According to my calculations, this would fill up our coffers in no time!”

3. “The government should not put our birthright up for sale,” argues Anakin Wagner, struggling mother of two. “It’s unfair that foreigners can obtain citizenship without having anything to do with @@NAME@@. So why don’t we just ban pregnant women from traveling to @@NAME@@? They’re just here to take advantage of our country; their children do not deserve citizenship.”

Author: Frieden-und Freudenland
Editor: The Marsupial Illuminati

The names are most probably random, except for the Grand Mage part in Option 1, I presume.

It had been quite a long time since I submitted this one, so I wasn't expecting it to enter the game. There is always hope, I guess.

[The Candy Of Bottles]

989- Gunman Wounds Three

The Issue
Today terror struck an antiques show when a would-be seller, unhappy with the price offered for his 200-year-old blunderbuss, decided instead to open fire. Luckily nobody was killed, seeing as the museum piece was wrestled off him during the minute and a half it was taking him to reload, but many are asking how the gun ban was so easily circumvented.

The Debate
1.) “Look, let’s not be too hasty in drawing conclusions,” says antiques vendor Gillian Payne, rubbing at the sore patch on her left buttock where a low velocity lead ball left a nasty bruise. “I must confess I was offering an insultingly small pittance for such a piece of history, but I have my own bottom line to look after! I believe that citizens should be able to keep such historic beauties that happen to be family heirlooms from before the ban. They certainly make these car-boot sales much more interesting!”

Accept

2.) Security guard Lee Warner glares at the previous speaker with one remaining eye. “Easy for you to say, that wound isn’t permanent! I knew something suspicious was going to happen as soon as that good for nothing lowlife walked in with that big boomstick. We got rid of the guns for a reason, and this is exactly it! I say we go from house-to-house and confiscate all remaining guns from the populace, no matter their age, legality or functionality!”

Accept

3.) “The law as it stands says that old pieces can be kept so long as they are deactivated,” suggests police officer Rosita Cummings, who was hit by a small piece of shrapnel in the middle of his stomach. “The problem here isn’t that the weapon exists, but that it was so easily reactivated. We need to raise standards on how deactivation takes place, to make sure that antique weapons have no chance of being restored to working condition. Make deactivation more thorough, and also ban the sale of the spare weapon parts that make reactivation possible.”

Accept

Dismiss This Issue

Issue by The Republic of Chan Island

Edited by Candlewhisper Archive

No gaps at source, names untouched

[Chan Island]

#990: Baby Shower

The Issue

The number of pregnant tourists arriving in @@NAME@@ dramatically increased after the country started granting citizenship to all babies born on its soil. Several of your sources report that most of these birth tourists are wealthy and often come from authoritarian nations.

The Debate

1. “Of course they come here; we grant citizenship like we were born yesterday, without regard for heritage!” exclaims Grand Mage Margaret Hendrikson, leader of a @@DEMONYMADJECTIVE@@ nationalist group. “The mothers come here and pay to stay in some luxury hotel suite, give birth, then go back to their country. It’s wrong! Soon these kids will grow up and move to live in this great nation, bringing their foreign garbage cultures with them. There’s nothing @@DEMONYMADJECTIVE@@ about these babies, but we give them citizenship anyway. Mandate that only those with @@DEMONYMADJECTIVE@@ blood in their veins can be citizens.”

2. “Let’s not be too hasty here,” chimes in Sherlock Parke, your chief financial adviser, scribbling some numbers on a sheet of paper. “Don’t you realize what a lucrative business opportunity we have here? If these parents are willing to spend lots of money to travel here just so their kids can be citizens, maybe we should charge them for each baby born in @@NAME@@! You know, like a citizenship tax. According to my calculations, this would fill up our coffers in no time!”

3. “The government should not put our birthright up for sale,” argues Anakin Wagner, struggling mother of two. “It’s unfair that foreigners can obtain citizenship without having anything to do with @@NAME@@. So why don’t we just ban pregnant women from traveling to @@NAME@@? They’re just here to take advantage of our country; their children do not deserve citizenship.”

Author: Frieden-und Freudenland
Editor: The Marsupial Illuminati

The names are most probably random, except for the Grand Mage part in Option 1, I presume.

It had been quite a long time since I submitted this one, so I wasn't expecting it to enter the game. There is always hope, I guess.

Actually, looking at them, I'd say it's the exact opposite. The Grand Mage likely has a random name, but those other 2 don't look random.


As for 989, I can confirm all names are random.

[Trotterdam]

Speaking of random names, is Anakin supposed to be a girl's name?

[Chan Island]

Speaking of random names, is Anakin supposed to be a girl's name?

In this case, yes. It's a popular prequel meme to say that Anakin in the movies whines like a little girl, so it's almost certainly a reference to that.

[The Free Joy State]

Speaking of random names, is Anakin supposed to be a girl's name?

In this case, yes. It's a popular prequel meme to say that Anakin in the movies whines like a little girl, so it's almost certainly a reference to that.

The editor for this issue isn't here at this present second, so I'll just pop my head in for the IE team and confirm that all three names are random.

[Candlewhisper Archive]

Also just to confirm, Anakin coming up as a girls name was an error, which is now fixed.

[Jutsa]

Added both issues. Many thanks, guys.

[Trotterdam]

I'm going to assume that 985.3 has no variant and undoes prohibition, but I can't be for certain...

Ask again in a few days

By the way, confirmed. This option either undoes Prohibition or has a variant that does so, but it doesn't have a variant that lets you keep Prohibition.

[Chan Island]

In this case, yes. It's a popular prequel meme to say that Anakin in the movies whines like a little girl, so it's almost certainly a reference to that.

The editor for this issue isn't here at this present second, so I'll just pop my head in for the IE team and confirm that all three names are random.

Well, talk about coincidences then!

Ask again in a few days

By the way, confirmed. This option either undoes Prohibition or has a variant that does so, but it doesn't have a variant that lets you keep Prohibition.

So I'm assuming the editors have made a variant of the choice for nations with prohibition, then? Not surprised but eh. I specifically tried to write it in such a way as to make that question irrelevant.

[Trotterdam]

Oooh! I should write an issue that reuses effects lines from a bunch of existing issues just to mess with you.

That almost exists, by the way. I have it reliably recorded that both "cars are banned" and "cars have been banned" are effect lines that exist. I'm pretty sure the former is from #2 1, but I have no idea what's up with the latter.

I just noticed that NSindex claims "cars have been banned" is from #102 3, formerly "cars are banned from built-up areas". However, the option text according to NSindex still says "restrict private transport to main roads and motorways", rather than banning it entirely. So, watch out for a wording change to #102 that whoever edited NSindex may have failed to notice.

[Candlewhisper Archive]

Yep, I changed that one 181 days ago, as it was a decision that wasn't being tracked (and thus wasn't being respected in ongoing story) in any way. Banning cars altogether, otoh, is something we've tracked for a long time.

[Trotterdam]

#143: An Archaeological Altercation [Fiscali; ed:Sirocco]

[3]. "Behold, the hour has arrived! The Holy Temple of Firefury Amahira has been unearthed!" proclaims Yon-Zhauryg v'Klot, leader of the Cult of the Undead @@ANIMAL@@. "This land is sacred, and must not be befouled by these corporations! No-one but the enlightened children of Firefury must be allowed to venture inside our rediscovered sanctuary, where we will perform the required rituals to please the Great Goddess and prevent Her from unleashing Her wrath upon the world." [Religion is legal]

Validity is not quite accurate. I failed to get this on a nation that doesn't display the Atheism policy (though Religiousness is very low). Not sure why, since you'd think some crazy cults would exist even in majority-atheist nations...

Yep, I changed that one 181 days ago, as it was a decision that wasn't being tracked (and thus wasn't being respected in ongoing story) in any way. Banning cars altogether, otoh, is something we've tracked for a long time.

For what it's worth, I've always interpreted my nation's "ban on cars" as not being completely absolute, but merely banning cars for the most common use that people would want to put them to, which is effectively banning cars for most purposes.

[Drasnia]

#991: Alms and Qualms [Buceroque; ed:The Marsupial Illuminati]

The Issue
Leaked financial reports have revealed that three of the five largest supposedly nonprofit charity organizations in @@NAME@@ have sent a substantial amount of their revenue to offshore bank accounts over the last fiscal year, with a negligible percentage going to the causes they champion. The altruists who donated to these faux-philanthropic facades are demanding that action be taken.

The Debate
1. “They’ve not only manipulated us, they’ve given false hope to the destitute!” cries Paris O'Hara, head of the dozen or so philanthropists crowded around your desk. “Half of my paycheck went to the charity BrasilistanWe last month, but according to the leaked documents, the money that should have gone to those poor children instead went toward jet skis, liquor, and goodness knows what else. The government must mandate that charities be completely transparent with their activities. We’ll pay for the government monitors and investigators. Just see to it that our aid goes to the needy!”

2. “It truly is a sad day when humanity forsakes itself for material wealth,” laments an ascetic monk, flagellating himself in your office. “I implore the citizenry to ignore avaricious secular charities, as they seek to take advantage of the people’s altruism. Mandate that only religious charities can take donations since the Great Callipygian One’s guidance makes us truly care for the needy. Alms-giving is an integral column of our clergy, and we have the numbers and the devotion to see our duties through.”

3. “To the typical observer, it seems like we’ve been dishonest,” sighs the CEO of the charity BrasilistanWe. “In truth, we sent our monies to offshore bank accounts so that they could accumulate interest, giving us more funds to help those in poverty. We were also planning to invest donations in some very lucrative stocks to generate more funds. This is what we resort to because not many people donate to charity. Ignore the exposés, allow us to continue our operations, and donate a sizable amount of cash to us to restore the people’s confidence in our foundation. We’ll help all the poor unfortunate souls with your contributions.”

4. “Y’know, maybe it’d be best if the government make private charities less necessary by directly helping people instead,” dribbles a beggar who was part of an earlier photo op showcasing the government helping the poor. “Private donations depend on people’s goodwill, a scarce resource. Taxes are harder to avoid! @@NAME@@ will be the world’s greatest charity! You could really help out poor folk here and abroad!”

[Jutsa]

Added and updated. Thanks, you two. :3

Am I safe to assume option 2's only available for nations where religion is legal?

Ed: Oh yeah, also, congratulations, Buceroque! Any confirmation if option 1's name is random or fixed?

[Minoa]

That almost exists, by the way. I have it reliably recorded that both "cars are banned" and "cars have been banned" are effect lines that exist. I'm pretty sure the former is from #2 1, but I have no idea what's up with the latter.

I just noticed that NSindex claims "cars have been banned" is from #102 3, formerly "cars are banned from built-up areas". However, the option text according to NSindex still says "restrict private transport to main roads and motorways", rather than banning it entirely. So, watch out for a wording change to #102 that whoever edited NSindex may have failed to notice.

I fixed it to reflect the current wording in the official spoiler thread, which still implies a city centre ban. I am seeing not enough details about any possible update to #102.3 at this time.

[Feria-Alkaline]

992 is OUT!

Issue by The Free Secular Federation of Nation of Quebec

Edited by Candlewhisper Archive

Robots in Disguise

Twitcher recently purged millions of so-called ‘bots’ - programs masquerading as real people - from its platform. While many welcome the move, there are many politicians and right-wing Twitcher personalities who are claiming that the purge violates their freedom of speech.

“What about my freedom of speech?” demands perpetually-angry conservative Twitcher personality Tammy Logan while blocking her critics on her phone. “This is obviously a plot by the liberal media and Twitcher to silence people like me for speaking the truth! The bots must be restored and be protected from further interference. There’s nothing wrong with using these bots to spread your message and Twitcher must acknowledge that right!”

“Twitcher has a right to set whatever rules it wants on its website,” states tofucinno-sipping liberal Harley Alvarez. “These bots exist solely to spread misinformation and stoke divisions among @@DEMONYMPLURAL@@. Look what happened in the United Federation when bots spread fake news to help get that despot elected! I don’t want to see that happening here. Bots and other such software must be banned. Oh, and bots aren’t actual people, so it’s not like anyone’s free speech is really being infringed.”

“Perhaps a compromise?” suggests your Minister of Moderation, who is currently attempting to end a flame war on Twitcher. “Bots should be allowed on social media, but must clearly declare that they are bots. We have to make sure software cannot pretend to be alive! Bots can be a useful tool, but only if they are kept within strict guidelines.”

[CHOICE NEEDED HERE]

“Actually, this just proves that this whole social media thing is entirely toxic,” sighs Ludwig Freeman, armchair critic of the political divisions affecting @@NAME@@. “I can’t tell you how many death threats I’ve gotten just because I criticize certain people on Twitcher! Look, we just need to discourage the national addiction to social media by subsidizing websites that promote other healthier aspects of the internet. Stuff like academic research, online games, pornogr.... uh.... entertainment sites.”

[Jutsa]

Thanks, Feria!

A pretty nice issue, I've gotta say. Added. :3

If anyone can confirm if any names are random/fixed and what on earth option 4 is.

[Jutsa]

Jeez, it's been a long time since I updated this list. I'm talking April 14th (almost a month ago)

Updated list:

190.2, 129.3, 274.4/5, 394.3, 415.3, 527.2, 717.3, 760.3, 765.5, 788.2, 788.5, possibly 837.5/6, possibly 850.4, 851.4, possibly 858.5, 875.3, possibly 880.4 (THOUGH probably not), 884.4, 910.3, all of 911, ??? of 914, 928.2, all of 952, 962.6, 965.3, 982.2, 985.3.
and validities for 411.1/2, 523.3, 610.4, 848.2/3
NOTE FOR 914: Presumably we need only one option, though if someone could please send the issue with proper numbering so we know which one we're missing...
or, if they find the right one, send it with internal numbering so we know what order everything's supposed to go in. CONDITION IS PROBABLY SOCIALISM.

Note: Some, although probably not a huge amount, of the numbers might already be found, and this also is not all of them for near certain.
Plus, we also now need 992.4.

Edit: Final note: Also going to check out NSIndex. I doubt they have most of these, but in case they do, I'll comb through that soon.
If I don't post about it, that means I forgot and you may bug me about it.