Ajax Regional News Thread [Closed: Ajax Only]

by **Lacus Magni** » Sat Jan 27, 2018 2:46 pm

Latium | Global | Local | Sport | Economy | Culture | Science | Opinion | Delpha Networks
Belisarian High Commissioner Comes Out in Support of Currency Union
Château de Chaïx, Saint-Nazaire, Vannois
By: Michael Plaetorius (@LTCworld)

Belisarian High Commissioner Florentine Verruscosi, Lord Verruscosi of Gerasa (above) speaks with press after announcing his intentions to begin plans for Belisarian currency union

Saint-Nazaire: The issue of a single Belisarian currency has been long debated among members states, their governments, and Belisarian parliament for many years. And ahead of the upcoming Belisarian elections this spring, High Commissioner Florentine Verruscosi, Lord Verruscosi of Gerasa seeks to make his mark on the Community as he announced his intent to introduce a single Belisarian currency to replace the individual national currencies. In a recent session of Parliament, Verruscosi spoke to the assembly on the creation of a single Belisarian currency as the issue has been discussed in Parliament since October 2016 when Lihnidosi MBP Etor Lois (AoC/DC) brought the long-shelved topic back to discussion. In his speech to Parliament, Verruscosi pledged his full support to introducing a common currency, and would ask the Commission to draw up proposals to present to both the Belisarian Council and Parliament. “A single currency will be an important complement to the Single Market, which would make the [Community] a more powerful player in the global economy. This initiative will be a success, and an ever greater success if adopted by all member nations.”

Verruscosi has taken numerous stances on the issue of a single currency, ranging from apathy to opposition, and now to support. Most recently, Verruscosi said that introducing a single currency was “something that I think is inevitable, it is simply a matter of timing.” He later stated that “I would ideally like to only go forward if all members joined,” and argued against a multi-speed integration. Within Latium, support for a single Belisarian currency is split, with 45% in support, and 43% against, with 12% undecided in a recent LTC/Delpha poll taken back in December. There has been no indication whether a single currency would gain Imperial assent in Latium, nor is there a guarantee that it would find support in the United Latium-controlled Senate with Consul Alexander Pompilius and his neutral Belisarian stance.

Verruscosi’s support for a single currency comes as a surprise to many, though he has thus far become the most high profile political figure in the Community or its members’ national governments to support the initiative. Verruscosi has served as High Commissoner since 29 May 2014, and is up for reappointment in the spring to serve a fourth two-year term; if he is not reappointed by the Council, he will be replaced.

OTHER NEWS STORIES
Senator John Daedalus appointed Homeland Minister. [ 23817 ]
Liothidian support of Sydalene republic cannot be allowed, says Pompilius. [ 19824 ]
HIH The Prince Leo arrives in Gelonia to take up duties as Exarch. [ 14120 ]
Mutul planning rise in import tarffis. [ 13951 ]
Ghantish PM Izarbegiratzeak defeats Diana Augusta for 2017 Ismos Peace Prize. [ 12851 ]

© 2017 Verruscosi Media Corp

by **Estoni** » Thu Feb 08, 2018 1:10 pm

The New Eesti Citizen

Marshal Ilyich Zvornik Admitted To Hospital

Marshal Zvornik

Dear Comrades, our beloved General-Secretary Marshal Illyich Zvornik has been taken to Krajina Central Hospital after being suddenly taken ill at his office in the capital. Doctors predict a full recovery for the Marshal, suggesting that his illness was brought on by over work and the associated stress.

The head surgeon at KCH, Vladislav Bilic, refuted the pernicious and dastardly claims of fascist powers that the Marshal is critically ill and only being kept alive on life support machines. He informed state sanction media outlets that the Marshal is feeding normally and sitting up in bed, and is in good spirits. The entire staff of the hospital is working to help the Marshal return to his duties at the forefront of the international class struggle.

At such a critical time for the nation as this it is vital that our entire community unites behind the party and it's eternal leadership of our People's republic. Events will be held throughout party branches and Eesti Revolutionary Churches to honour the Marshal and to bring all society together to renew our efforts for the revolution and give the Marshal the strength he needs to continue our eternal struggle against imperialist oppression.

While there is no suggestion that the Marshal will not return to his duties, now truly is a time to remind ourselves of the great sacrifices he has made for our People's Republic. Born in 1929 Zvornik was an early activist against imperialism and spent much of his twenties imprisoned by the Duchy of Slovdon before serving in the People's Army during the revolution.

After victory he served in the upper echelons of the People's Army reorganising the various militias into a viable national defence force which successfully deterred aggression from either the arch nemesis Vannois or any of our People's Republic's numerous enemies. He was imprisoned during the treacherous rule of General Secretary Blatnyav a known traitor to the revolution, but liberated after his overthrow and eventually rose to be Chief of the Armed Forces under Dragan Volkić.

When Secretary General Volkić was brutally assassinated after being lured to Vannois Zvornik was elected as General Secretary of the party on July 19th of 1987 and has lead our People's Republic ever since, steering the people to victory in the most recent attempt of by the fascists to overthrow the party.

Be strong comrades, continue to toil in the Marshal's name and make him proud with the fruits of your labour.

by **Lacus Magni** » Thu Feb 08, 2018 2:09 pm

Latium | International | Local | Sport | Faith | Economy | Culture | Science | Opinion
Pompilius fends off ethics investigation as Byzantic and Gelonian special elections draw closer
Forum, Castellum ab Alba
By: Silvester Corveniis (@RAL)

Consul Alexander Pompilius continues his public opinion defense battle during a speech on the Senate floor this morning.

Castellum: Senators from the opposition continue to make their demands for Consul Alexander Pompilius to face an ethics investigation following reports he attempted to tamper with a Frumentarii investigation into his mentor Flavius Telesinus, Lord Telesinus of Saetabis. Pompilius has thus far been able to combat those attacks by suggesting that “it is a smear campaign launched by [Latium’s] enemies,” something he says he expects to continue to worsen as time goes on. However the opposition, and even newly elected Mayor of Castellum, Flavia Lepera, have continued to call on Pompilius to be investigated by the United Latium controlled Senate Ethics Committee.

The Emperor has remained largely silent on the topic, though in recent Imperial press briefings, Press Secretary Maria Terentia, suggested that the Consul allow for an investigation to take place for the “sake of transparency.” Emperor Constantine was asked his personal feelings of the situation at a recent event in suburban Castellum, though he refused to comment on “senate business.” However, reports within the Palatine suggest that the Emperor is growing increasingly frustrated with the unwillingness of Pompilius to stand for investigation. Though some within Pompilius’s party question to lawfulness of such an investigation, the Emperor may, in fact, call on the Senate to investigate a Senator, the last such invocation of this was in 1998 when Emperor Jason VI Augustus called for the investigation into Consul Justin Seius just before his resignation a week later.

Amidst the continuing Pompilius controversy are the upcoming Byzantic and Gelonian elections scheduled for April 13. The Imperial Electoral Commission has set fundraising limits at £500,000 per party with the campaign cycle set to begin next week on February 13. Recent polling into the sub-national legislative elections places United Latium ahead of all other parties at 35%, which is down from the near 40% hold the party held last month. Most surprising of all is the polling of new center-left party Citizens–Popular Alternative, which has overtaken the Progressive Party nationally as the second party in polling at close to 28%. While many expect ethnic parties such as Together for Byzantion or Voice for Gelonia to achieve a strong outcome on election, each party is only polling near 7%. In fact, some members of Together for Byzantion have begun to defect to larger parties after declaring that “autonomy was achieved…the party has served its purpose.” The first major campaign event is scheduled for midnight on February 13.

OTHER NEWS STORIES
“[Latium] should recognize the new Sydalene republic,” says Archbishop Afinius. [ 23817 ]
Eesti General-Secretary Ilyich Zvornik falls ill, hospitalized, according to Eesti state media. [ 19824 ]
Sydalene delegation seeks Latium visit within the month. [ 14120 ]
Gelonian youth files discrimination suit against Castellum College and University of Haenna after rejection letter. [ 13951 ]
Princess Maria married in private ceremony. [ 12851 ]

© 2018 RAL, Conlegium Corona

by **Mutul** » Wed Feb 14, 2018 4:32 am

Keh Pol’nu

MutEktaha reveal bilan of the past Tun. Real fall of Mutul’s oil production

13.0.5.4.0
(February 13th 2018)

MutEktaha the national oil producer of the Mutul, owned at 60% by His Majesty the K’uhul Ajaw, published its bilan for the 13.0.4 Tun (November 30th 2016 to November 24th 2017).

At the start of the Tun, oil production fell under the bar of 3.0 millions barrels per days, and continued to slowly decrease. Despite the best attempt of the company, the production fell to 2.5 millions barrels after the half-Tun, and was barely kept at this level during the rest of the time period.

The reasons behind this rapid decline of the production, faster than the expected rate (2.7 millions barrels by the end of the Tun),involve an enormous oilfield on the north-west coast of the country. This is why the President of MutEktaha, Satam Batz’chuaj, announced a change of plan for the next half a K’atun (Ten Tun). The Company already greatly reduced its funds allowed to the search of new deposits, money that would go to fund the advanced technology required to exploit more oil fields around the coast of the Xaman Peninsula, who are for now trapped in impermeable rocks.

In the meantime, Satam Batz’chuaj announced that, after many discussion with the Divine Throne, the remaining money obtained from budget cuts and public funding would be used to invest in new, easier to access, oil fields around the world. He hasn’t precised yet which regions held the company’s interest, but investors and speculators are betting on Scipia, a continent in which the Mutul has shown great interest already. But Ochran might be another direction, even if a bit too hazardous for the company, but in the continuation of the long shared history the Mutul has with this continent.

The Divine Throne already announced that the policy in matter of oil production and distribution in the Mutul hasn’t changed, with the strategic reserves being prioritized, following by the internal market of the country, and then the international. But even so, the Mutul might fall a few ranks in the classement of Ajax biggest net exporters.

The petrochemical industry of the Mutul has known many changes in the past decades. From the “social industry” under Jasaw Chan K’awiil IV, where prices were kept low as a way to favorise the development of the industry of the country as a whole, his son, Jasaw Chan K’awiil Fifth of the name, returned to a more mercantile and “business-like” approach. Since the 90s, prices have slowly raised as well as the benefits the Divine Throne received from the production, transformation and selling of oil and derived products. This was allowed by the apparition of new sources of energy on the Mutulese market, such as geothermal and hydraulic energies. Today, the Divine Throne own 57% of the whole energetic industry of the Mutul, the rest being open to foreigns investments, mostly from Sante Reze (7%) and from Belisaria in general (5%). The rest (31%) come from the Mutul itself or other regions of the world (2%).

Other news :

Who are the best Pitz players this season ?
Ilyich Zvornik dead ? The consequences for Belisaria.
Consul Pompilius in political crisis despite elections coming soon.
The Sydalene republic is illegal and a danger for Ajax’s stability.

by **Lacus Magni** » Tue Feb 20, 2018 8:17 pm

Latium | International | Local | Sport | Faith | Economy | Culture | Science | Opinion
Senate Increases Threshold for BC election; Emperor Provides Assent
Forum, Castellum ab Alba
By: Silvester Corveniis (@RAL)

Senator and First Secretary of State Alexandra Sulpicia advocated for the increased election threshold during a speech to the Senate this morning.

Castellum: This morning the Senate voted in favor of an election threshold increase for future Belisarian Parliament elections, which include the upcoming May 2018 MBP elections. Under old rules, parties in Latin-based Belisarian elections were required to earn at least 2% of the popular vote to take any seats in the party-list based voting. The new, highly controversial threshold saw that total increase to 3.5%. The bill, first proposed by Senator and First Secretary of State Alexandra Sulpicia, quickly earned strong opposition from nearly all minority parties, except for the Progressives.

The first vote of the bill was scheduled for Monday, though was postponed after Emperor Constantine XX reportedly voiced concerns with the measure that originally called for a 5% threshold. Those close to the Emperor claim that his concerns were focused on making sure ethnic minority parties were not negatively affected by the threshold. The second version of the bill reduced the proposed increase from 5% to 3.5%, a number which Citizens – Popular Alternative party leader, Senator Felix Procilius, claims will “negatively impact all parties except for [United Latium],” calling the bill a “complete sham” and “hamfisted attempt to circumvent the voters true interests.” The increase will also exempt ethnic minority parties such as Together for Byzantion and Voice for Gelonia, with their threshold remaining at 2%.

In support of the bill, Senator Sulpicia countered that the increase was “a necessity to ensure that ballots are not filled by Eesti or Liothidian” attempts to support parties that seek to “destroy the BC from within.” Consul Pompilius later added that, “[t]his increase will not impact real political factions.” The increase was passed by party lines, with 269 against, and 57 absentations. The Emperor is expected to provide assent to the increase tomorrow.

If results match recent polling, parties that currently send MBPs to Belisarian Parliament such as the Liberty Union Party, Democratic Labor, Catholic Democrats, and the Popular League are unlikely to do so in May.

OTHER NEWS STORIES
Pompilius expected to testify before Ethics Committee. [ 23781 ]
Tolosa Augusta HC wins 2018 Copa Glaciei. [ 19824 ]
Kinnamos leaves MYB, joins Progressives Shadow Cabinet. [ 14120 ]
BC Commission seeks more trade partners for the single market; currency union plans stall. [ 13951 ]
Group of Senators seek to ban Sydalene Dictator Caeseti from entering Latium ahead of meeting [ 12851 ]

© 2018 RAL, Conlegium Corona

by **Mutul** » Wed Feb 21, 2018 12:23 pm

Keh Pol’nu

Ambassador to Sydalon to meet new Dictator Du Caeseti

Aj Pahai, the Mutulese Ambassador to Sydalon.

It has been officially announced by the Divine Throne that their ambassador to the “Sydalene State” will be meeting the new Dictator of the country, Du Caeseti, as “His Holiness the K’uhul Ajaw seek to confirm that despite political changes, Sydalon’s word will not loose its value and they will continue to uphold past agreements made between the two countries, notably to the Union of Petroleum Producers.”

The K’uhul Ajaw had stated in an Official Address, that they wished the “restoration of the rule of law and of peace in the Kingdom of Sydalon, preferably as its rightful monarch is restored in its capacities and able to return to her home safely.” However, as the same Address state, “the Mutul will not stop its operations and political contacts with Sydalon in this period of crisis, as we do not believe this would be helpful for both of our people.”

Despite this distinction between the political and economical relations, banks and oil producers in the Mutul have expressed their “doubts” of “[The Nation of Sydalon] capacity to uphold and respect past agreements.” Doubts which have been heard by Its Majesty the K’uhul Ajaw, prompting the demand of meeting.

The Divine Throne didn’t revealed the subjects that the Ambassador would see with the Dictator, but its certain that the AOPN, and the ability of Sydalon to continue to pay its debts and the situation of its economy in this time of political uncertainty, will be discussed. The only information the Divine Throne as confirmed was that the question of the Monarchy would not be brought forward for now, as the political and economical situation isn’t yet propice for the timely return of Sydalene’s monarch.

Rumours of a future call for a “extraordinary meeting” of the AOPN by the K’uhul Ajaw also circulate among economists and traders. It is also unsure what will happen to the Sydalene debts, and if the K’uhul Ajaw won’t demand their total and immediate repayment if the new Sydalene Authorities prove to be not trustworthy enough in the eyes of the Divine Throne. Some politicals observators also started to wonder if the Mutul’s sudden participation in the events might push forward international recognition of the Sydalene State, despite the Divine Throne’s words that their actions were “merely out of concern for the de facto economical situations”, and that “[the Mutul] stay adamant in its support of the Aultaville House and continue to hope for justice to be done”.

Other News Stories :
Can the BC plan for a single currency still happen ?
The Bilan of the AOPN for the past year.
Axe murderer in Chani finaly caught.
What happened to her Majesty Melisende III of Sydalon ?

by **Sydalon** » Fri Feb 23, 2018 2:29 pm

Sydalon | Global | Local | Sport | Faith | Economy | Culture | Opinion
Caeseti Pledges to Uphold Sydalene Obligations
Ostracine, Sydalon
By: Sophia Ciantar (@SCiantar_dn)

Dictator Adeodatus du Caeseti took questions from the media in a rare press conference

Sydalon: Following reports of a meeting between Dictator Adeodatus du Caeseti and Ambassador Pahai of Mutul, Dictator Caeseti spoke with the press in a rare press conference this morning outside of the Committee for Public Unity and Saftey’s chambers at Dido IV Adificiuu. Caeseti first confirmed the reports that he met with Ambassdor Pahai of Mutul, in the hopes of “alleviating the concerns of not only the Mutulese government, but those all throughout the world.” When asked, Caeseti did not elaborate on what was discussed at the meeting, though he declared that “the Sydalene State will continue to uphold its duties and obligations.”

Caeseti announced that would make he would begin to make preparations to attend any extraordinary meeting of the AOPN should one be called, whether in person or by surrogate. Many within and outside of Sydalon consider this to be a major point of turning point for the new regime, as no member of the AOPN has yet to formally recognize the Sydalene State as the government of Sydalon. Late last night, a spokesperson for deposed Sydalene Queen, and Co-Princess Melisende III of Ascalzar, announced that “Her Majesty’s government will send a representative to any future AOPN summits.” Caeseti responded by claiming that “[Melisende III] is illegally occupying an office that by international treaty belongs to the head of state of Sydalon.” He continued by denouncing the former monarch’s position, and asked First Counsellor Matamoros to “extradite” Melisende III so that she could “stand trial for her crimes against the Sydalene people.”

In spite of his harsh words for the deposed monarchy, Caeseti gave every appearance and indication towards his commitment to ensuring recognition of the new republican regime. “It is my goal for Sydalon to continue in its obligations, whether that be within the AOPN, protecting pilgrims traveling to the Holy City or Holy site, or the Belisarian Customs Union which our people have only recently begun to participate in,” Caeseti stated when joined by Astarte Tabnit whom was announced to be the upcoming Permanent Representative to the Belisarian Community. Caeseti also declared that he holds “no ill will” against the nations of Belisaria or any monarchy that refuses to recognize “the will of the Sydalene people” or the “new reality” out of what Caeseti hinted was “selfish desire” to stave off their own uprisings.

This press conference came after an unscheduled meeting of the Select Committee for Popular Unity and Safety; a meeting which saw two members of Il Radicali (Senators Adi Philosir and Elah Asael) and one member of Movimentu Demokrati (Senator Desiderius Germelqart) storm out of the private meeting chambers before the official end of session.

OTHER NEWS STORIES
Report: Il Radicali senators left committee meeting over disagreement about extant noble titles. [ 11298 ]
Caeseti orders Ligu 1 administrators to start play again. [ 10215 ]
County Petra remains under royalist control. [ 8158 ]
Caeseti plans for unicameral senate in upcoming constitutional convention. [ 6211 ]

© 2017 Verruscosi Media Corp.

by **Lacus Magni** » Mon Feb 26, 2018 11:32 pm

Latium | International | Local | Sport | Faith | Economy | Culture | Science | Opinion
Emperor Appoints Special Prosecutor
Palatine, Castellum ab Alba
By: Silvester Corveniis (@RAL)

Newly appointed special counsel Theodotus Laenius served as Circuit Judge on the Inferior Court and is a former Procurator–Advocate

Castellum: On Friday, Consul Alexander Pompilius and United Latium party officials announced that the Consul was postponing his scheduled sitting in front of the Senate Ethics Committee. The Consul’s Office provided no reason for the last minute cancellation. Reports from the Palatine suggest that Emperor Constantine XX has been growing increasingly frustrated with the lack of progress to resolve the claims of Pompilius’s interference in the Lord Telesinus probe, which first arose more than two months ago. Those close to the Emperor hint that His Majesty was willing to let the Senate investigate the matter, and in some cases may have urged Pompilius to sit before the Ethics Committee.

This morning however, Attorney General Petrus Abronius spoke from outside of the Palace of Augustus, where he announced that Theodotus Laenius was appointed by the Emperor to serve as special prosecutor in the Lord Telesinus investigation. Attorney General Abronius said that the scope of the special prosecution is “all offenses arising out of the Lord Telesinus arrest” which he later confirmed may include allegations concerning the Consul and other senators.

Most speculate that the appointment of Laenius as special prosecutor comes as a direct result of Consul Pompilius’s refusal to sit before the Senate Ethics committee last friday. However, after Laenius’s appointment, a representative from the Consul’s Office said that, “The Consul has nothing to hide,” and the “appointment of a special prosecutor seems extreme given how open the Consul has been regarding the one-time donation Lord Telesinus made in the Consul’s childhood.” As the Consul deflects, Laenius will begin setting up his team of prosecutors and investigators to look into “all possible” angles in the given scope. Laenius will report all findings and any possible charges directly to the Attorney General. It is believed that Laenius will not be limited Latin legal experts on his team, but may also seek to recruit experts on BC law if and BC regulations were violated. Athanasius Vibius was appointed as deputy special counsel.

Theodotus Laenius, a graduate of Galata College at the University of Haenna, has served in a variety of legal roles, including law clerk for the Lords of Appeal, Prosecutor of the Western District from 1991 to 1996, Procurator–Advocate from 1999 to 2002; member of the 1998 Group of 10 special counsel legal team, and Circuit judge for the Inferior Court from 2002 until his retirement in 2015.

OTHER NEWS STORIES
Sydalene Royal ambassador calls for Latins to refuse meeting with republican delegation. [ 19781 ]
Op-ed: What an AOPN meeting means for the Sydalene crisis. [ 17204 ]
Popular League polling rises following BC election threshold increase. [ 13609 ]
Alexandria man claims to find the Holy Grail, see the face of God. [ 12541 ]
HC Alba Imperialis defeats AEA Phoenix to earn final first-round bye upcoming LMH playoffs. [ 11551 ]

© 2018 RAL, Conlegium Corona

by **Ahkad** » Tue Feb 27, 2018 2:08 pm

AHKAD EXPELS LATINS: UNEXPLAINED MOTION PASSED IN EARLY HOURS

(Akdattin) – Protestors gathered before the Agade in defiance of a government order to arrest Latin nationals to await deportation today. The motion, which was approved by large majority of parliament, was handed down by the Revolutionary Council early this morning after the Latin Ambassador, Gregorius Ninnius, was discovered brutally beaten near a gala event he had attended the night before. Ambassador Ninnius was rushed to Deborah Memorial Hospital where he is being treated for several traumata, but is under the protective custody of the Sherib Military Police. The Director of Public Safety spoke briefly after the Revolutionary Council meeting this morning and reported that the ambassador would be asked to comply with the general expulsion of Latin citizens as soon as he was able to travel.

Resistance to the sudden and seemingly unjustified expulsion of Latin nationals has come from all corners of the public sphere including hotelier and tourism magnate Frederick du Chattelier. Mr. du Chattelier called the move “an attack on the virtues of Behdinism” and “strangely belligerent.” The gravity and silence emanating from the Revolutionary Council indicates that the decision was not made without internal dissent, but no council member has spoken out against the expulsion.

There is no word of official investigation into the event, but many sources indicate that the attack on Ambassador Ninnius was both known and sanctioned by the Prime Minister’s office. This shocking attack comes on the wake of attempts by the Banque Royale d’Ur to upset Latin-controlled assets for a planned buyout and there is much speculation about ties between the BRU and members of the Prime Minister’s cabinet. The erstwhile Director of the Police, Colonel Zendehnoosh, who was given command of the Sherib Military Police force is at the center of a storm of conspiracy theories reaching the highest levels of government.

[+] Zarant Nationalists gather in support of government
[+] Why is Rukn making overtures to Shamash?
[+] 11 ways you can salt fish

COUNCIL STRIKES AT FAKOLAN PUPPETS

(Seophon) – In an effort to safeguard the future of the nation, the Revolutionary Council has finally attacked our Fakolan adversaries by removing their Latin servants from Ahkad. In a brilliant reversal of the Council’s longstanding tolerance of the dangerous, absolutist of Belisarian monotheists, the Director of Public Safety declared a victory over the Fakolan menace by ordering the Ambassador to leave the country immediately along with all their countrymen. Colonel Zendehnoosh and his unit of the Sherib Faithful have taken the Latin Ambassador under immediate custody to ensure he complies with the government order for him to leave.

The government launched the decisive offensive in the wee hours of the morning when Parliament overwhelmingly agreed with the Council’s conclusion; Fakolan agitators will not be tolerated in the Land of the Gods any more.

Our fearless Prajadar, Diochlis Zohrabi, promised the Latin-owned assets liquidated during the expulsion would be redistributed to the public and simultaneously announced a renovation of the Grand Temple at Kish. Shamash has shown his blessing for this righteous act of vengeance against the Fakolans and all those who defile the Ahkadees with their monotheist abominations. We look now to the Revolutionary Council to safeguard the faithful by immediately putting an end to idiotic and riotous defense of the Latins being staged by unfaithful men like du Chattelier, who dishonor Shamash and the nation with their mewling.

[+] The Prime Minister is finally leading
[+] What Shamash's Oracle say about Fakolans
[+] Say goodbye to salted fish, hello pickling

by **Mutul** » Fri Mar 02, 2018 3:45 pm

Keh Pol'nu

K’uhul Ajaw call for an “Extraordinary meeting of the AOPN”

The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Awin Chan Toktan, before the announce

Today, the Minister of Foreign Relations, Aj Awin Chan Toktan, officially announced that His Majesty the K’uhul Ajaw has called forth an “Extraordinary Summit of the Association of Oil Producing Nations”. This come after Mut-Ektaha bilan for the 13.0.4 Tun and a “decade worth of scientific evidence of the dwindling of the world’s reserves in crude oil”. The objective of such a meeting would be to “discuss and establish once and for all a plan that would serve the interests of all nations members of the AOPN as a whole and of mankind at large by ensuring the best balance between the demand and the offer in oil.”

The Mutul is one of the founding members of the AOPN, a cartel formed by oil producers to better control their national productions, and to oppose the influence of private companies and exploiters, during the last period of His Majesty the late Jasaw Chan K’awiil IV, father of our current Divine Monarch. Since then, the AOPN has been an important influence on the exchange of oil, agreeing upon raising or slowing production as a way to better control the price of the barrel. As of today, the AOPN count members all around the world such as Ghant, Deweden, Tarsas, and, the one that will pose problem if this future extraordinary meeting is held, Sydalon.

Despite being another founding member of the cartel, current events in Sydalon pose problem as two entities now claim to have legal rights and legitimacy over Sydalon’s siege. Melisende III on one side, forced to fled her country after a coup that put the second claimant in power : De Caeseti. This put the AOPN in a tricky situation as the Extraordinary meeting would force the organisation to pick a side in this conflict, something few of them wish to. However, Sydalon’s absence to the meeting would render it pointless, as the AOPN wouldn’t be able to enforce its policies if not for the important cumulated oil reserves of its members, and Sydalon is one of the heavyweight.

The stance of the Divine Throne in peticuliar on this subject has been qualified of “shady” as best. While they do officialy support the monarchy in exile, having publicly wished for a “return of Her Majesty Melisende III of Sydalon to the country that’s rightfully her.”, the Mutul’s ambassador to Sydalon has publicly met the new Dictator De Caeseti to discuss economical and political links between the two countries.

Aj Awin Chan Toktan explained that “the Divine Throne follow a very simple international policy. We are concerned with the legal rights of Her Highness Melisende III, but we’re also forced to see the facts on the ground. The situation in Sydalon is in His Majesty’s concerns, and we continue to wish for a peaceful end and negotiations between the parties involved. Ideologies and fanaticism must leave place for reason and moderation. We cannot tolerate a run to the extremes that a lack of dialogue would bring.”

Other news :
Summer Season of Pitz soon to start !
"Good Year for the industry" Say Royal Keeper of the Treasure.
Ahkad not making sense again.

by **Tarsas** » Fri Mar 02, 2018 8:34 pm

In an official diplomatic response to the coup in the Scipian nation of Sydalon, Alrec Severeoth Nimirae released an official press announcement regarding the Tarsan response. Widely regarded as one of the most controversial figures in Tarsan politics, Nimirae is a commoner who rose to the rank of noble rank of Marchio. He has a sharp tongue but is quick witted and a shrewd negotiator.

In a widely televised press conference, the Marchio wasted no time in striking out against those who the government would perceive as “unworthy aggressors.” ”The events in Sydalon have set the course for what could be a dangerous trend. A group of foolish, pretentious commoners made the assumption that they could rule a country, which is really only significant because of its location, and convinced a number of nobility to go along with the trend.”

Sydalon underwent a coup in January of 2018 where the rightful government of the monarch, Melisande III, was removed from her realm and replaced by a man named Adeodatus du Caeseti. He has officially titled himself Dictator, while the Sydaline senate is dominated by the Select Committee for Popular Unity and Safety.

Nimirae continued on a blistering tirade against all edifices of government in Sydalon. ”The issue with corrupt and illegitimate paupers coming to positions of power is that they pollute all in their wake. The entire coup is clearly founded off of a desire by this “dictator” to increase his own power and wealth at the expense of the people of Sydalon. The most disturbing circumstance is that he has convinced many people that he has their best interests in mind.”

He went on to state the official position of the Tarsan government. ”The Emperor of Tarsas, a man appointed by the gods themselves, has determined that the entire government of Adeodatus du Caeseti and his puppet senate are both henceforth an illegitimate entity and is not worthy of diplomacy or recognition. We will subsequently extend the offer of asylum to those affected by this vile pretender, including Her Majesty Melisande III, and any of those loyal to her government, should they require it.”

His most blistering and possibly offensive tirade followed the official declaration. "The most shocking fact of this entire event is that the man is an oath breaker, and could not even keep the vows he made to his god. He has also broken his own country's laws regarding proper sexual conduct. It is simply mind boggling that such an unsavory and repulsive rapist could be appointed to the leadership of a country. The events in Sydalon are a prime example of where one might look in his attempts to prove that the gods have no interest in justice."

In the same meeting, the Foreign Minister addressed the events in Akhad as well. ”We have taken steps to safeguard our own diplomats within that country but we do not believe that whoever was responsible poses a threat to us or our diplomats as this time. Rest assured that we are addressing the situation.”

Nimirae went on to discuss the calls for a “Meeting of oil producing nations” by The Mutulese government. ”His Majesty, Romulus the Tenth, takes very seriously safeguarding and stewarding our off shore oil drilling assets as well as production from the mainland and is very much open to full participation in this meeting.” Tarsas has significant deep sea drilling assets in the Periclean Sea and some land based production near the border with the wastelands of Akhad.

When asked how he would handle such a meeting with the inevitable attendance of Sydalon, Nimirae had a very simple response. ”Her Majesty has said she will send representatives to this meeting. We will negotiate with the legitimate government of Sydalon. Though we may have to acknowledge that she may not have full control over her realm at the moment, we will operate under the pretense that our agreements will be put into place as soon as the pretender puppet du Caeseti is eliminated.”

MORE IN TARSAS

"Senate Introduces Sydalon Refugee Act? [ 124923 ]
Akhad Conflict: Why Is It Important? [ 124545 ]
Rumors of New SSBN Abound [ 16591 ]

MORE

Empress Pregnant With Second Child [ 4463 ]
Border Security: Has Romulus Done Enough? [ 1837 ]

by **Lacus Magni** » Sun Mar 04, 2018 12:59 pm

Latium | International | Local | Sport | Faith | Economy | Culture | Science | Opinion
Emperor Responds to Ambassador Attack
Palatine, Castellum ab Alba
By: Silvester Corveniis (@RAL)

Castellum: Today, Emperor Constantine XX declared Ahkadian Consuls-General in Latium as persona non grata, expelling the representatives of the Ahkadian government to the Emperor’s court. The move comes as a direct response to the belligerent attack on Ambassador to Ahkad Gregorius Ninnius who is set to return to Latium. The Emperor also announced the recall Latin embassy staff in Ahkad, demonstrating a closure of the embassy in the Ahkadian capital. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs upgraded the travel advisory for Ahkad to “do not travel.” Caesar’s government also submitted a report to the Belisarian Commission to consider issuing sanctions against high ranking members of the Ahkadian regime, which include a number of members of Ahkadian parliament, Revolutionary Council, and Ambassador to the BC Azim Gardan. Finally, the Emperor announced a cessation to any humanitarian aid to Ahkad.

His Majesty’s government has also announced its intention to expel Ambassador Gardan from the Belisarian Community, asking Belisarian High Commissioner Florentine Verruscosi, Lord Verruscosi of Gerasa to initiate the process of declaring Gardan persona non grata and formally expelling him. In response, High Commissioner Verruscosi announced that he would begin discussing the matter of expelling Ambassador Gardan with the Belisarian Council. Verruscosi also announced that “if Ahkad cannot adhere to international law and common decency, [he] would urge other member nations to consider recalling their own ambassadors” to the country. Verrucosi also asked the Commission on Foreign Affairs to issue travel warnings for citizens currently in Ahkad, along with reviews of any humanitarian aid and funds given by the Community.

Most notably, Verruscosi told the press that he has already held discussions with Commission on the possibility of re-evaluating the 1975 agreements with Ahkad regarding visa access and free trade. However, the Treaty of Harcourt only empowers the Belisarian Council to begin the process of re-negotiating an association agreement and treaty.

Others had stronger reactions to the attack on Ambassador Ninnius. Most notably Popular League party leader and MBP Justin d’Arrabona during a recent rally in Ravenna. d’Arrabona stated that “all Ahkadians should be expelled from our borders, and we should be off to war. This is the sort of attack that cannot be allowed to go unforgiven.” No response to the rash comments were given by Imperial Offices or the Consul’s office.

OTHER NEWS STORIES
Attack is punishment for recent sins, says Archbishop Afinius of Castellum. [ 19781 ]
Two Latin destroyers reportedly leave base, believed to be headed for Ahkadian EEZ. [ 17204 ]
Prince Peter candidate for LMH rookie of the year. [ 13609 ]
“Ahkadian attacks call for stronger retaliation” says Popular League party leader. [ 12541 ]
Pompilius allies attempt to discredit Special Prosecutor Laenius. [ 11551 ]

© 2018 RAL, Conlegium Corona

by **Belfras** » Sun Mar 04, 2018 2:14 pm

By Gregorios Lukakos, Domestic Correspondent.
^{04-March-2018 | Orestes, Aekrastas}

ORESTES — 15 people have been killed and 14 injured in a shooting at Leander Naval Station early on Saturday morning that saw a massive man-hunt begin throughout the state capital by members of the police, Federal Investigation Agency, and the Navy Police. Reports of a shooting within the city were confirmed on Saturday evening in a statement by the Navy Police Marshal as the result of a confrontation with the gunman resulting in a gun battle leading to the suspects death.

Chief of the Admiralty Ioannis Apostolakis told reporters on Sunday morning final counts of dead and wounded following the gun battle, which also includes two Orestes Police Officers who were wounded in the final gun battle. Despite initial beliefs of multiple gunmen being responsible for the shooting, Orestes Police Chief Robert Western confirmed that they were confident that only one person was involved in the shooting.

A joint statement at lunchtime on Sunday by CotAdm Apostolakis, Chief Western, and Marshal of the Navy Police Cassia Pandiatis revealed the identity of the shooter as 38 year old Petty Officer Second Class Alessio Raggio who had arrived at Leander 2 weeks prior to the shooting aboard F.N.S Leonidas which was due to leave port on the day of the shooting. Authorities are reported to still be scrambling for clues as to what triggered Saturday's attack by Petty Officer Raggio, who was reported to have signed out of his temporary ashore living quarters and had left the base for two hours. It is believed so far that in this two hour window he acquired the weapon he utilised in his attack, which began at the entrance gateway after being stopped by members of the Navy Police.

The statement made by CotAdm Apostolakis denied that the incident was terror related, stating that the main focus of the investigation is in the two hour window in which he was off-base, with his on-base activities - including those during the shooting spree - being recorded on the base's CCTV system.

If you have any information regarding the whereabouts of Petty Officer Alessio Raggio during the hours of 11:23 and 13:10 in the areas of Leander Naval Station and Orestes, please follow THIS link to the Federal Investigation Agency's website.

MORE HEADLINES

LIVE: Leander Shooting
Sydalon: The facts
UniCare face funding cut after being sued by castration victim.
Benedine vs Thessalona match abandoned due to heavy rain
Consul Dimitrios to address Akhadian-Latin tensions

by **Sydalon** » Wed Mar 07, 2018 9:16 pm

Sydalon | Global | Local | Sport | Faith | Economy | Culture | Opinion
Caeseti to Send Representative to APON Meeting
Ostracine, Sydalon
By: Sophia Ciantar (@SCiantar_dn)

Sydalon: Dictator Adeodatus du Caeseti announced today that his government will send a representative in response to the call for an extraordinary meeting of the AOPN. In his brief address, Caeseti declared that “there is only one Sydalene government, and it is the government of the people.” The comments come as many on the sidelines expect the royal government-in-exile of deposed Queen Melisende III to also send a representative. The adversarial claims from both the republican and monarchical governments is largely expected to be a key issue at the upcoming meeting.

While Caesesti’s government controls most major towns and military outposts, including Ostracine and the holy city of Sydalon, the new republican government has thus far been unable to gain support or recognition from the southeastern counties, chiefly Petra, and Aris – both of which represent nearly 25% of all Sydalene oil production. Thus far, the counties of Petra and Aris have held out and remained de facto under the control of the Sydalene crown, which currently resides in exile in Gallagán, the capital of neighboring Ascalzar Melisende III remains co-head of state of the Principality of Ascalzar.

Caeseti has attempted to reassure both the international community and those at home that the new republican government will uphold its obligations. And in doing so he has repeatedly stated that Royal Petroleum “is fully under the jurisdiction” of the new government. Since the revolution, Royal Petroleum has since been reorganized to Sydalene Petroleum or SP; however, it remains to be seen whether Caeseti and the new fledging republican government can gain support from the majority of the nobility, who regularly serve within executive roles in the Sydalene state-oil company.

© 2018 Verruscosi Media Corp.

Latium | Global | Local | Sport | Economy | Culture | Science | Opinion | Delpha Networks
Exiled Sydalene Queen to Send Representative to AOPN Meeting in Defiance of New Republican Government
Gallagán, Ascalzar
By: Michael Plaetorius (@LTCworld)

Gallagán, Ascalzar: In one of her first public addresses since her initial call for support following the Sydalene Revolution and the abolition of the Sydalene monachy, Queen Melisende III has announced that she will send a representative to the upcoming AOPN extraordinary meeting. The announcement comes in direct competition with claims of the rival Sydalene Senate-backed Sydalene State’s declaration that it will also be sending a representative.

Both governments continue to claim their status as the legitimate government of Sydalon, though the Sydalene monarchy only controls a small portion of Sydalon proper, most notably over the counties of Petra and Aris in the east near the border with Ascalzar. The direct control of these territories has thus far allowed the Kingdom-in-exile to at least claim some right, in the opinion of Queen Melisende and First Secretary in-exile, The Count of Rema, to control of Royal Petroleum. The Monarchy still claims control over the state oil-company, though this is directly counter to similar claims of the republican government. No representative from the company has made a public statement as to who is in control, though sitting Chairman Alessandru Abdesh, was a recent appointment of Queen Melisende III back in October 2017.

The Queen’s government has sent requests and continues to maintain ambassadors to friendly countries, prompting a true dispute over the legitimate government of Sydalon. Latin Ambassador to Sydalon, John Luscius, Lord Luscius of Vicentia, has since been officially re-assigned to the court of Melisende III in Gallagán, though he still remains in the embassy located in the city of Sydalon as of the most recent reports. First Secretary The Count of Rema has also asked that all “good nations of the international community continue to recognize Her Royal Majesty Melisende III as the rightful head of state of the Kingdom of Sydalon.” Rema later mentioned that the delays in recognition for the new Sydalene state is a true sign “from God that Her Majesty will prevail” and save the people from the tyranny of Dictator Caeseti.

© 2018 Verruscosi Media Corp

National Archives · by **Ord Caprica** » Fri Mar 09, 2018 12:45 am

*Deleted*

IIwiki Admin · by **Ghant** » Tue Mar 20, 2018 11:19 pm

Gimme News
March 21st, 2018
New Prince of Ghant is Born!
Empress Sophia of Ghant gives birth to a son.
Ghant's Empress gave birth to her fifth child in the early hours of Wednesday.

(Ghish, Ghant)- At approximately 1 AM GST, Ghant's Empress gave birth to her fifth child in the early hours of Wednesday, on a foggy spring night. She gave birth to a son– weighing in at 8 pounds and 21 inches in length – at 60 minutes past midnight at Empress Elena Hospital in Ghish.

"Both mother and child are in good health," a statement from Inperiala Palace said. "We are thrilled about the new addition to the Imperial family. Crown Prince Nathan, Prince John, Princess Imperial Sara and Princess Valerie are looking very much forward to finally meeting their new little brother.”

The newborn prince is the fifth child of Empress Sophia and Emperor Nathan IV of Ghant. Their first three children, Crown Prince Nathan, Princess Imperial Sara and Prince John were born on November 8, 2014, and Princess Valerie followed on January 1, 2016. The infant is also third in the line of succession to the throne, preceded only by his two older brothers.

UPDATE: the Prince’s full name is said to been decided upon as Nicholas Victor Elijah Ahenobarbus of House Gentry.

Other News
Spring: the birds and the bees
Sinus Infections: home remedies that work
Don't east the Easter bunny!

by **Allamunnic States** » Wed Mar 21, 2018 11:30 am

Allamunnic States Daily
The Nation - March 21st, 2018

Arrest warrant issued for Onnerian royal
Royal flees country after charges are filed
by Bryndyn Morgyn

ONNERIA, Kingdom of Onneria, FAS --- Early Wednesday morning, a federal judge in St. Mikel issued a warrant for the arrest of Junn Izaaksunn, better known to the public as Prince Junn of Onneria, pursuant to a federal investigation regarding the improper use of public finances. Although the warrant is specifically tied to an investigation by the Department of Compliance & Oversight regarding alleged impropriety in the use of public finances, the warrant also cites eight accusations of sexual assault, as well as suspicions of racketeering. It is unclear how much, if any evidence supports these accusations, and, as is normal procedure, the sources of the sexual assault accusations remain publicly anonymous.

The DoCO held a press conference, presided over by Inter-Departmental Liasion Ava Kristiansunn, after it became clear that the warrant's subject had eluded capture.

"As of 8:12 this morning, we received authorization from Judge Harisunn Walden to precede with the detainment of Junn Izaaksunn. At 8:15, the warrant was served to Kristhulm Palace in Onneria by agents of the Federal Investigative Service, assisted by members of the Civil Guard and Federal Guard. A search of the Palace and its grounds was insufficient to locate Izaaksunn, who we believe is either attempting, or already has, fled the country. At present, our agents are working to determine Izaaksunn's current location, as well as to determine what operational issues allowed him to elude our search," Kristiansunn informed reporters. "The accusations and evidence against Izaaksunn are considered serious breaches of the rights and well-being of Allamunnic citizens, as well as of public trust, and we are asking that any person with information on his whereabouts contact this task-force at 56-500-449-9643, extension 1251."

One senior official, who commented on the condition of anonymity, speculated that "[Izaaksunn] may have fled using private air transportation, tipped off by a leak within the task force or other law enforcement." As to the Onnerian royal's possible location, only further speculation was available. "Given some of his suspected connections with other criminal elements, possible destinations include Sydalon or Ghant."

~~At press time, the Onnerian Royal Family had declined to comment on the matter.~~

UPDATE: 4:00 PM, 3/21/2018 - The King Theodurik IX of Onneria has released a statement on the arrest warrant issued for Junn Izaaksunn.

"At this time I am aware of the serious accusations made against my brother, Junn. This current federal administration has given us no reason to doubt their commitment to due process and justice, and the evidence and statements made against Prince Junn appear to be at least worthy of good-faith follow-up, and the situation merits further investigation. Accordingly, I and my family are cooperating fully with the federal government in their investigation.

It is my hope that justice will be done, for the citizens of Onneria who have been hurt, for the Allamunnic people as a whole, and for my family."

by **Lyncanestria** » Thu Mar 22, 2018 9:14 pm

FATAL CRASH ON NATIONAL SPEEDWAY
A collision on the National Speedway has resulted in three deaths, including that of a young upcoming athlete

DIDIER LEBRUN

SUNDI 25 mars 2018, 06:39

Joseph de la Praglière, striker at
AS Fleury CF since 2017.

VILLENEUVE—A crash on the National Speedway last night has resulted in at least three deaths, authorities report. The collision occurred around 10 p.m. on the speedway's Montroi-Villeneuve route. According to eyewitnesses, a commercial van was crossing onto the exit lane when it collided with the bus of the football club AS Fleury CF. The bus was transporting the football team from their victory over CF Montroi earlier that evening and returning to the club’s campus in the Fleury parish of Villeneuve when the accident took place. A third compact car was also involved in the multi-vehicular crash, but suffered no major damage.

Among the fatalities is 21-year-old rising star of the Fleury football club, Joseph de la Praglière. The youth was reported dead on the scene, and police have said his death may be connected to the fact he was not wearing his seat belt at the time of the accident—as were many other of his teammates, some of which are at the hospital being treated for injuries sustained during the accident.

"We are deeply saddened to hear of Joseph's passing in this unfortunate accident," said club chairman Jean-Claude de la Roumette. "At our club, we consider every member family, and our condolences go out to his parents and his fiancée as we all mourn him."

IN OTHER NEWS
Royal Sex Fiend Flees Allamunnika,
Officials Seek Extradition [8,294]
Ghantish Imperial Family Welcome
Baby Boy [12,969]
Pascal Calls Duriez a "Treacherous
Latin Puppet" [27,144]
Melisende III: Profile of Sydalon's
Deposed Queen [11,275]
Sovereignty Demonstrations in
Burgoy Turn Violent [20,030]
Mariard Reappointed: What Does
This Mean for the Empire? [19,363]

A native of Bouçon, Joseph was an extended member of the Praglière noble family who had entered the academy of AS Chambéry as a child. He had recently arrived at Fleury, joining the club in a 2017 summer transfer deal worth 21ƒ million. The young athlete was in particularly good form during the fall of 2017, earning the distinction of the Premier Division Newcomer of the Year by Vallères Sports Magazine. In December, he broke the club record for fastest goal made in a Premier Division game, scoring just 20 seconds into the match—the previous record had been set at 21 seconds in 1978 by Mathieu Bonnette.

Despite Praglière's short tenure at the club, an online petition has been started by fans that his number (27) be retired by the club. Fleury has not yet responded to this request.

Apart from Praglière, there were also two other fatalities confirmed as of this morning. The driver of the van, 53-year-old plumber and retired schoolteacher Armand Lagrange, originally survived the impact and rushed to the Hôpital Saint-Robert, where he died just after midnight. The second was his passenger, 44-year-old Simon Morin, an employee of his who was pronounced dead at the scene. This comes as the third accident on that exit this year that has resulted in loss of life. A spokesman for the City Planner's board delivered a message this morning, saying that the board would take time to review that stretch of road to determine if there are any hazards that may exist that can be fixed to prevent further tragedies.

The passengers of the third vehicle, a 2003 Ferrand Courant, were not harmed in the collision. Police are looking to see if the cause of the accident was mere negligence or if there could be any substances involved. Additionally, authorities have said they are looking into charges against the football club for failing to have all their members with fastened seat belts on the bus. One expert, Commissioner Jacques Bouchard, said in an interview, "I believe that if that young man had been wearing his safety belt, we would not be in this unfortunate situation," continuing, "if legal avenues allow, I definitely expect the Crown Prosecutor to hold the club responsible for gross negligence."

There are currently seven other members of the football club at the Hôpital Saint-Robert, one of which is in critical but stable condition, Dewedish national and centre-back Hjörtur Nørup. The rest are said to only have suffered more minor injuries. I’m light of the tragedy, a spokeswoman for the club has said they will reach out to the Premier Division and the Coupe Impériale to seek the rescheduling of their upcoming matches.

© 2018 Observateur National, a Verruscosi Media Company

by **Lacus Magni** » Sat Mar 24, 2018 9:16 am

Latium | International | Local | Sport | Faith | Economy | Culture | Science | Opinion
Deputy Special Prosecutor Hospitalized
Ianiculum, Castellum ab Alba
By: Silvester Corveniis (@RAL)

Athanasius Vibius was hospitalized following a carjacking in Ianiculum at the intersection of Via Lata and Collis Hortorum

Ianiculum, Castellum: Late last night, the Ianiculum district of Castellum ab Alba was the site of a shocking and bloody carjacking attack that left one victim in critical condition. Police first responded to the incident after a late night dog walker heard shouting and saw a man dragged from his car and subsequently attacked. Today, the victim is confirmed to be Athanasius Vibius, deputy special prosecutor in the Telesinus probe. Vibius is confirmed to survive the attack, though has sustained injuries and remains in intensive care according to a spokesperson from the Special Prosecutor’s office. Second to only Special Prosecutor Laenius, Vibius is the most senior deputy on the investigation and is a renowned expert in organized crime-related cover ups. It is unclear if Vibius will be able to return to the investigation team or if he will be replaced.

Castellum metropolitan police are actively investigating the incident, and are believed to have leads on a number of suspects, according to Deputy Urban Prefect Gregorius Acilius. One suspect is in police custody, though metropolitan police have not announced his or her name or whether the incident was simply a random act of violence or related to the investigation.

In response to the incident, the Emperor’s Private Secretary, Lord Jordan Plautius, announced that all senior members of the investigation team have been given additional security for when they are away from their offices. Special Prosecutor Laenius and his deputies will be provided security services from the Emperor’s Praetorian Guard, while other members of the investigation team will receive added security through the newly reformed Scholarian Guard. Members of the press asked Lord Plautius whether he or the Emperor believed that the carjacking was actually more than it seemed; in response Plautius said, “speculation is pointless” while the investigation into the carjacking is still pending. However, police indicated that they are not ruling out anything at this time. If you have any information regarding the attack, please notify your local police station or the Office of the Urban Prefect, at 09 2335 2000.

OTHER NEWS STORIES
Archbishop of Castellum praises Allamunnic authorities for warrant of royal. [ 19781 ]
Latin destroyers in eastern Periclean Sea return after patrol of Ahkadian coastal waters. [ 13609 ]
HC Alba Imperials faces off against AEA Phoenix in second round of LMH playoffs. [ 12541 ]
Imperial Family congratulates Ghantish Imperials after birth of new prince. [ 11551 ]

© 2018 RAL, Conlegium Corona

by **Lihnidos** » Sat Mar 24, 2018 5:58 pm

Republican Party Leader Xanthopoulus Arrested for Campaign Finance Violations

By: Stacia Simou (@SimouAD)
Updated: 24 March 2018 8:59 PM

[Lihnidos - AD] Arcadia - Leader of the Republican Party Panagiotakis Xanthopoulus has been charged with violations of campaign finance laws in relation to the Republican Party’s 2014 general election campaign, the Ministry of Justice announced this evening.

The charges, which according to Justice Secretary Feodras Nicolaides come after the empanelling of a grand jury, were decided upon two days ago after the grand jury decided to indict the leader. The names of the federal prosecutor and judge who have been overseeing the case were not immediately released.

According to court documents, Xanthopoulus stands accused of accepting over ten million Vannosian Livres in cash from individuals in Estoni in the lead up to the 2014 general election. The documents also reveal that the leader is believed to have continued to accept contributions over the past four years. Foreign contributions to political parties are prohibited by Lihnidosi law.

The Republican Party, which promised a referendum on the status of the monarchy if it were to win a majority in the National Assembly, participated in its first general election in 2014. The party won seven seats in the election and won four percent of the total vote. Its status prior to the election was in question following its request to be recognized as an official party in 2013. The National Board of Elections decided to recognize the party in January of 2014, allowing it to participate in the general election.

Republican Party Chairman Christoforo Glaros appeared on the steps of the Republican Party headquarters in Arcadia shortly after the news broke and read from a prewritten statement in front of cameras. “The Republican Party condemns the government for their politically motivated prosecution of Republican Party Leader Panagiotakis Xanthopoulus. While he and the entirety of the party leadership reject the charges, we will fully cooperate with the courts and investigators who will shortly come to see that the government has falsely accused our party of wrongdoing in an attempt to minimize our increasing support. This prosecution will not change our standing in the upcoming October elections. We will continue to be the sole voices calling out for a truly democratic nation.”

Police were seen outside of Xanthopoulus’s Arcadian residence following the announcement of his indictment. The leader was not seen being removed from the home, but officials in the Justice Ministry told AD reporters that the leader had been arrested and was currently being held in an undisclosed location. He will be held until he appears at court where a judge will decide whether bail will be set.

OTHER NEWS STORIES

LIVE: Xanthopoulus arrested for violating campaign finance laws [ 35,583 ]
Deputy Special Prosecutor assaulted in Latium [ 3,514 ]
Rising football star dead in crash [ 5,216 ]

by **Lacus Magni** » Mon Mar 26, 2018 11:40 am

Latium | International | Local | Sport | Faith | Economy | Culture | Science | Opinion
Imperial Family Expecting First Child
Palace of Augustus, Palatine, Castellum ab Alba
By: Silvester Corveniis (@RAL)

Palatine, Castellum: Imperial Office officials announced today that The Emperor and Empress are expecting their first child. Imperial insiders state the the announcement was postponed following the attack on deputy special prosecutor Vibius, and has been known to the Imperial Family, as well as The Empress’s immediate family in Ghant for at least a week. The statement issued by Imperial Offices is as follows:

Their Imperial Majesties The Emperor and The Empress are very pleased to announce that The Empress is expecting their
first child. Their Imperial Majesties, and members of both families are delighted by the news.

The child’s birth is expected in October. When born, the prince or princess will replace Prince Peter of Latium in the line of succession and become heir apparent or heir presumptive to the Latin throne. The Empress will continue to participate in public engagements for the foreseeable future, per Imperial Press Secretary Maria Terentia.

OTHER NEWS STORIES
Lihnidosi Republican party revelation is a warning to us all, says Consul Pompilius. [ 19781 ]
Archbishop of Castellum refuses meeting with Alban Patriarch. [ 13609 ]
Special Prosecutor asks Castellum police for documents related to the Vibius attack. [ 12541 ]
Polling in regional and Belisarian elections show United Latium dip. [ 11551 ]

© 2018 RAL, Conlegium Corona

by **Sydalon** » Mon Mar 26, 2018 12:16 pm

Sydalon | Global | Local | Sport | Faith | Economy | Culture | Opinion
Popular Assembly Passes “Anti-Catholic Act”
Sydalon, Sydalon
By: Sophia Ciantar (@SCiantar_dn)

Senator Adi Philosir (above) was the chief proponent of the “Anti-Catholic” Act

Sydalon: In a surprise legislative action, the In Avante-controlled People’s Assembly passed the Freedom of Association Act, or as it has been more popularly dubbed, the Anti-Catholic Act. Passage of the Act came after a 97 to 91 vote. The Chamber of Peers has yet to vote on the FAA due to lack of quorum.

The FAA was chiefly sponsored by Il Radicali leader, and Senator on the Popular Assembly, Adi Philosir, who has continued his ever growing calls for “systematic change in the functioning” of the Sydalene state. Philosir was joined by Senator Desiderius Germelqart of Movimentu Demokrati, and 4 other members of the Select Committiee for Popular Unity and Safety in supporing the measure. Provisions of the Act were highly controversial, prompting attempts from People’s Tribune Filipe Abani to block the vote from being held entirely, though these attempts were met with harsh reaction even from members of Abani’s own party.

The Act, if signed into law by Dictator Caeseti, will first see the widespread secularization of the Sydalene government, including schools and any organization that receives government funding or patronage. Under the act, all churches, whether Christian or otherwise, are required to register with the government, with a number of restrictions placed on priests and ministers of all faiths, which includes a ban on holding public office, publicly or privately supporting political candidates or parties. The Act also empowers the government to restrict the number of priests or ministers in any given area of its jurisdiction, which Senator Philosir has stated could even be “zero.” Offenders of the act, may be subject to being summarily tried or trial without a jury. The provision from which the FAA derives its name states that, “[e]very man shall have freedom of association or profession of any religious belief as long as it is lawful and cannot be punished under criminal law.”

Senators Spiritual on the Chamber of Peers were quick to denounce the FAA as an “Anti-Catholic” law and are urging Dictator Caeseti to ensure the FAA goes no further, some going as far as to urge Caeseti to expel Philosir and the Acts supporters from the Senate. Caeseti has stated that he does not support the FAA, and would veto it if passed in the Popular Assembly and the Chamber of Peers. However, Philosir warns that he has the votes on the Select Committee that could compel Caeseti to sign the act into law or issue it as an executive order. Thus far, only five members of Committee have publicly come out in support of the FAA, though the remaining ten have remained silent other than Caeseti’s veto threat.

“[The FAA’s] acceptance among the Popular Assembly shows a clear intent to declare war on the Church, and will not be tolerated,” said Jean Scaliger, Grand Master of the Order of Saint Joseph. Grand Master Scaliger has vowed to “uphold the sanctity of the church under any means necessary” should it be threatened; Scaliger cited polling that suggest popular support of the FAA was minimal. An Order of Saint Joseph’s spokesperson said that “the Grand Master has been in contact with the Archbishop of Sydalon and the Holy Father” regarding the matter, and “he will do whatever is required to safeguard the Church.”

UPDATE: Adeodatus du Caeseti resigns as Dictator, effectively immediately. In an emergcny vote, Adi Philosir was appointed Dictator to serve out remainder of the term; his first act was to veto the "Anti-Catholic" Act.

OTHER NEWS STORIES
What the FAA means for Papal-Sydalene relations. [ 11298 ]
Latin Imperial family expecting first child. [ 10215 ]
AOPN Meeting – What the key issues are. [ 8158 ]
Lihndosi Republican Party banned for electoral law violations. [ 6211 ]

© 2018 Verruscosi Media Corp.

by **Bahktar** » Tue Mar 27, 2018 2:21 am

retcon

IIwiki Admin · by **Ghant** » Sun Apr 01, 2018 10:00 pm

The Legend of Log

An Oral History

Welcome to yet another special edition of The Nibbler. This issue features a special segment regarding the history of Log, which this year has turned 30. While most people today consider Log to be a quaint toy that Ghantish children around the country enjoy, it was at one time a ferocious beast of a toy that took the country by storm. Let us take a trip down memory lane, and recall the history of Log, from conception to present.

The Log we all know and love.

Location: G-Mart, Ghish, Ghant. Date: December 14, 1988. Victim: Stock room employee Robert Balagar. Injuries: A broken rib, pulled hamstring, and concussion.

Cause of emergency room admission: Log.

The 27-year-old stock clerk had been working the overnight shift during the holiday rush when he was spotted holding a Log by a crowd of frantic shoppers. The ensuing melee left him looking like he had just been in a minor car accident. Someone had even torn the crotch from his jeans. The last thing he saw was a white sneaker kicking him in the face before he lost consciousness. Such was the savage nature of consumers frantically clamoring for Log.

All across Ghant, shoppers and retail workers alike were reduced to their primal instincts in an effort to obtain Blammo’s must-have toy of the holiday season. Log combined the appeal of Ghant’s breakout character—a kid-sized piece of wood with charmingly clipped branches—with a novel design that allowed him to be customized to the child’s desire.

It was impossibly adorable, and impossible to get: Blammo, which was anticipating a modest success, found themselves chartering private jets in order to get inventory from other countries more quickly; mobsters made headlines for a top-secret Log pick-up at a Ghish location; bomb threats were called in to Blammo; one Log disappeared from a Ghish police station; a toy designer carrying a Log through airports was suspected of being a terrorist.

With Blammo re-releasing the toy for a new generation of kids this winter, we assembled the inventors, designers, marketers, and industry insiders who helped make Log one of the biggest success stories in the history of playthings to talk about how the piece of wood became a pop culture phenomenon—one that parents would literally step all over someone to get.

I: Origins

The original prototype for Stickman.

With an interest in art and a degree in clinical psychology, Ron Dubaro had been making board games and toys for 15 years. A mutual friend had introduced him to the late Stan Klutta, who held inventor liaison positions with a number of companies. Klutta was always willing to listen to Dubaro’s ideas, but had rarely said anything other than "no." That’s not unusual in the toy business, but it was still gratifying when Dubaro—who had only had modest success with games like Bubbly Boys—finally heard Klutto say “yes” to a prototype he made: a wooden figurine that he called “stick.”

Ron Dubaro (Co-inventor): I had been in the park one day watching a bunch of kids poking each other with sticks. It brought back childhood memories—how much I loved playing with wood. There was usually a kind of fascination with wood. I thought that would make a great toy.

Patricia Harugui (Curator, The Strong National Museum of Play):There was some precedent for putting personality into a wood-type toy. There was the wood man, who was a little person made out of tied-together sticks.

Dubaro: I can’t tell you why I used a piece of wood. I somehow associated wood with fun, or maybe it’s because of all those days playing in the woods when I was a kid. I don’t know.

Mark Jakara (Toy Designer): I had been doing design for Blammo for years. There had been stick figures before. What made this different was the right size and right personality.

Dubaro: Wood was becoming inexpensive for toys at that point. We were getting into lumber. It was too expensive to make one, so the prototype literally came from a lumber yard.

Jakara: Later on, I basically designed a concept for a thick piece of wood. I had done a section of a tree trunk as a toy.

Dubaro: I called up [co-inventor] Greg Hardenguy, who was an engineer and had recently lost his business partner. The original idea was a thick, blunt stick, but it wasn’t feasible because it could break easily. Greg and I worked on developing a prototype to show around. We were turned down by 12 different companies.

Dubaro, who refers to the toy business as “the failure business,” wasn’t dissuaded. He finally came around to Klutto, who was working as vice president of marketing at Blammo’s Preschool division, in 1986.

Dubaro: We showed it to Stan, and his immediate reaction was, “This would be great if it were a Log instead of a stick, but we don’t have the rights.”

Janice Yaberra (former Associate Vice President of Marketing and Development, Blammo Preschool): We had the lumber rights. H-Toys had the sawing rights.

Dubaro: The meeting lasted about 15 minutes before Stan referred me to another guy at Blammo, Gene Marata. He knew that side of the company had the rights to Woody the Woodman. I met Gene that day.

Gene Marata (former Vice President of Marketing, Blammo): I instantly liked what he had. It was kind of reminiscent of Woody the Woodman.

Dubaro: He looks at it and says, “This would be a great Woody the Woodman toy.”

Marata: I don’t think I said it to Ron, but I thought it would be a great feature product for our Woody the Woodman license, which we had at the time.

Yaberra: The concept was a toy made completely out of wood. It would be versatile, durable, and relatively inexpensive to produce.

Dubaro: The versatility was important. It just keeps being whatever you want it to be. There was an adaptability to it.

Marata: We might have looked at doing a Stickman. But at the time, Vasco Bros. was pushing Woody the Woodman and had all kinds of research indicating how popular he was. Boys loved the gruffness of him. The market was reaching a saturation point with a Stickman. There had been a lot of Stickman.

Jakara: No one wants to take care of Woody the Woodman. You don’t want to be his friend.

Marata: We did do a Woody the Woodman prototype. It was functioning, with the wood and everything. We had someone come in and do some tests. I remember taking it to Vasco Bros. and they were like, “Yeah, fine.” It wasn’t memorable on their part. They could have had the Log license under their property.

Despite Marata's enthusiasm, Woody the Woodman would not get the opportunity to become the must-have toy of the year.

Harugui: When you think of that character, versatility doesn’t seem the least bit compatible.

Yaberra: It was good for Woody the Woodman, he had a laidback personality, but during the evaluation, Blammo decided not to renew the Vasco Bros. license.

Marata: In those days, Blammo had no email system. We all communicated via fax. I remember being at the offices in Ghish after hours—it was me, Stan, and a few others. I walked past the fax machine and it was spitting out a notice that Blammo had dissolved their agreement with Vasco Bros. I walked to Stan and said, “Why don’t you take this and make Lumberman?” And he said, “No, it would just be Log.” And by this point, they had gotten the Ghantboy license.

Dubaro: The guy Stan worked for, [former Blammo president] Martin Sazo, had the idea to pursue the license to Log and create feature items they’d promote on TV. Marty went to Stan and said, “I need a feature item.” And Stan said, “I’ve got an idea.”

Yaberra: We had a long-term relationship for wooden toys for the Ghanboy license. The relationship had grown and they gave us the opportunity to bid on the lumber portion and to become the master toy licensee.

Ann Kindaro (former Vice President, Licensing, Ghantboy Workshop): Lumberman was really our first big item. It was pretty low-tech, but it was a huge success. Before Log came along, Lumberman was the star of the show. He was the quintessential 6-year-old and Log was the quintessential 3-year-old.

Dubaro: I got a call from Stan saying, “Guess what?” That’s when I came up with Log’s Law: Anything that can go right will go right.

Yaberra: From the time it got kicked back to us, we all felt the best use for the concept would be with Log.

Marata: I was delighted for Stan to take it over. It was 70 percent done. I was able to take the internal development costs, which were between $50,000 and $100,000, and move them over to Stan’s profit and loss margin.

Bruce Mangudi (CEO, Fredo PR): Log hadn’t really been translated into toys yet.

Yaberra: Log was starting to come to the forefront on Ghantboy. This was around 1985. He was becoming more and more popular with parents and children.

Kindaro: We didn’t do a lot of Log products at first, but in the early 1980s, we started getting calls from parents. “My kid loves Log, my kid wants to go to sleep with Log.”

Dubaro: At the time, Ghantboy was sort of a sleepy license for toys. They were perceived as controversial, and that’s a death knell for toys.

Jakara: The character had to be on long enough for people to go looking for him.

Marata: The whole character changed with Log’s bark. It gave it a gentle, loving ambiance.

Yaberra: His character lent itself to versatility and durability. It was perfect.

II: Good Vibrations

Still from the original Log advertisement.

The original Log commercial

Work began on turning Woody the Woodman into Log in early 1987, with the expectation that it would be ready for a February 1988 debut at Ghish’s Toy Fair. Dubaro and Hardenguy had licensed their concept and would be paid a royalty, although the end result would be markedly different from Woody the Woodman.

Dubaro: I don’t have a proprietary feeling about it. A lot got changed, developed, and improved.

Jakara: I have a lab near a main street and there are windows. At one point, there were Log husks all over without any of the lumber. It looked like a lumber yard exploded. People would walk by and go, “What happened?”

Marata: The next things they did were awesome.

Yaberra: We brought in our ad agency to take a look at the concept. Bob Mola came to the meeting. He looked at the toy and there was just dead silence.

Mangudi: It was a line review. I remember being there. They said, “This is going to be our lead item.”

Bob Mola (Advertising): I, as the ad man, said it was a waste of money to advertise a wood toy. Television is about motion. The thing ought to move.

Yaberra: He said, “It’s adorable, it’s great, but television is a visual medium.” And off he went.

Mangudi: Bob said, “It’s great, but can you make it shake, like a Santa Claus belly?” That one little change had such a payoff.

Dubaro: I think what happened was, someone had remembered seeing a shaking monkey that had been on the market.

Neil Fegusa (former President, Blammo Preschool): The line review was just about the time I had come on board the company. That lumber became the component.

Jerry Clarasa (former Vice President, Sales, Blammo Preschool):With the laughing and shaking together, I thought we had something compelling.

Jakara: They showed me this piece of wood, and asked me to build one with all of those elements.

Yaberra: I remember at the time people were playing with fallen trees, rolling them around and stuff. And a light bulb went off.

Dubaro: My wife actually saw a Log prototype and said, “Wouldn’t it be great if it had more girth?” I said, “Yeah, but no one is going to put that kind of money into it.”

As with most licensors, Ghantboy Television Workshop—which later changed its name to Ghantboy Workshop—was fiercely protective of its intellectual property.

Yaberra: There were serious concerns from the Ghantboy people. They weren’t sure if they wanted Log to be a toy. It was a conversation over the course of several meetings, winning them over.

Kindaro: I don’t recall that. She may have spoken to someone else about it. What I recall is that we wanted to make sure Log was durable.

Jakara: It was a conversation with Janice on how to make the Log sturdy.

Dubaro: They tested it with moms, and no one seemed to care it was going to be $50 instead of $40 because of the girth of the lumber.

Yaberra: We did some informal research, and no parent thought Log was too thick.

Jakara: Every licensor does this. Every one.

Dubaro: It was a big payoff, or surprise ending. The roundness is what makes people start playing along with it.

Jakara: I flew the prototype back to show them. They’re professional toy people. It’s not like they clapped.

While a lot had to go right in order for Log to succeed, one key component would be the notion that parents and their children would be able to see Log in action before spending $49.95.

Yaberra: Martin Sesma originated the concept of “Try Me” at retail, which means presenting a product to a consumer in packaging so you can press it and get a demonstration. That was a critical piece of Log.

Marata: I wouldn’t say originated, but there was a mastery of it. We had to do a lot of Try Me because Blammo Preschool wasn’t advertising on television.

Fegusa: I forced the factory to display it because I wanted it to be a Try Me.

Mangudi: You’d be walking down the aisle, and be able to touch it through the packaging.

Jakara: That was a relatively new idea. One of my theories when I wrote the program was, most people have an attention span of less than eight seconds. Log would have to get to the punch line in less time than that. Any longer and people walk away.

Dubaro: Try Me showed off everything about the toy. You get it right away.

The pressure was building for Blammo Preschool’s core team, which had never before been charged with delivering such a high-profile item.

Marata: That division of Blammo was considered to be kind of a stepchild. There was a critical meeting where four or five of us sat with Dick Garada, the CEO, in Gaemarlen. And he basically scolded and berated us.

Clarasa: I think he was challenging us, which was his job. The discussion was about who was going to be promoting it.

Marata: We showed him Log and thought we had something special and wanted to handle the advertising. He wouldn’t allow it. I thought we’d be fired.

Clarasa: In so many words, he told us we didn’t know what we were doing. And then they finally reconsidered.

Marata: This is around the time Neil Fegusa came in [as president of Blammo Preschool]. He had a very keen marketing eye for what the consumer will respond to.

Clarasa: Log was done by the time Neil came to the company, but he did a remarkable job selling it.

Fegusa: It was not done. The packaging still needed to be designed and there was more work to do.

Mangudi: She wasn’t his wife at the time, but Amanda Fegusa designed the original Log. A lot of people became lifetime friends from working on it.

Logs’s push began during the February 1988 Toy Fair in Ghish, the annual event for companies and buyers to get an idea of what the coming year will bring.

Yaberra: I remember waddling into Toy Fair very pregnant at the time. I was presenting it to buyers and having meetings. The reaction was positive, but it wasn’t, “Oh, my God, we have a phenomenon.” It was, "Okay, it’s cute, great."

Jakara: They stuck a bunch of them on a wall.

Mangudi: The primary line at Toy Fair was Blammo’s line of RC Cars. So the media would go through this tour and wind up at Blammo Preschool, where Log was. It was probably one of the first lumber toy licenses next to Stickman. They may have thought, “Oh, okay, they’re just doing what they did before.”

Jakara: My wife at the time had a friend who didn’t like anything I did. She was kind of a curmudgeon. When she touched Log, she smiled, and I knew it was going to be a big deal.

Mangudi: Al Rakara from the Morning Show was there, and he loved it. He was pretty chunky back then. He laughed and his belly laughed and Log rolled around.

Ellie Bagaruda (Senior Vice President, Fredo PR): Al was being Al and Log was being Log. It was a great visual.

Mangudi: It brought Log to life in a way that had never been done before.

Yaberra: Neil was at a baseball game when he ran into a buyer from G-Mart. And the guy said, “Oh, my God, Neil. We just got an initial point of sale report and this thing is flying off the shelves. You guys better ramp up.” It had been out three or four weeks.

Fegusa: We were monitoring it from the moment it hit shelves. It wasn't because of running into anyone. We were getting calls from buyers right away. It was selling far better than any $50 toy would have sold in those days.

III: The Log Monster

Log as initially released.

Thanks to Log’s popularity and the novel Try Me packaging, Log was off to a solid start when it hit store shelves in July 1988. But without the viral marketing of today, a toy’s best shot at hitting the stratosphere was exposure to children—and their parents—on television.

Yaberra: The Morning Show had aired a segment about the new hot toys. Borig Karranza and Catherine Daguza were sitting there playing with Log and getting a kick out of it. It was great exposure.

Mangudi: Borig was not considered a warm guy, so for us, it was great. He was not the type you’d expect to have Log on his lap. It seemed to humanize him.

Bagaruda: He held it the entire time. I don’t think it’s ever been done before or since.

Yaberra: Fredo PR was responsible for getting Quiz Show Carl.

Mangudi: Ellie was taping his almost from the start. Carl would create a kind of game show atmosphere and give his audience products.

Marata: It was perfect. This was September, and the kids were going back to school.

Dubaro: It helped his show as well. He was just starting out.

Yaberra: You couldn’t just send Carl items. It was all about whether he liked it or not. If he didn’t, it wasn’t going on his show.

Bagaruda: It was early October. We had sent his son one and then he talked on-air about how he had flushed it down the toilet. So I jumped on the phone with Blammo and said, “Get every Log we have. Get some brown tissue paper.” I got a call from his show an hour later saying, “This is great. Can we have enough for the whole audience?”

Marata: He eventually brought Neil Fegusa out and he did a great job pitching. Log did a great job pitching.

The packaging, the character, and Quiz Show Carl’s endorsement put Log on the map in a very prominent way. As the holiday season began, the media took note of shoppers waiting anxiously outside toy stores in groups resembling "Depression-era bread lines.” Unlike most dolls and toys, Log was a “gender-free” gift that boys and girls were demanding in equal quantity.

Harugui: If it were plastic, chances are most boys wouldn’t have wanted anything to do with it.

Marata: Going into September, we were forecasting 100,000 pieces. Within a week of Carl, we were forecasting a million.

Bagaruda: It was virtually sold out from the day after the Solstice through Christmas.

Mangudi: All of a sudden, demand got really strong, and Blammo was in a position of, “How many more can we make before the end of the year?”

Marata: You line up factories for 100,000. A week later, it’s a million. There’s just no way to get them into the marketplace.

Clarasa: I was on the phone with the factories three nights a week. The tools could burn out on high manufacturing runs, so we were figuring out how to build new tools.

Fegusa: The lumber was the limiting factor. We were expanding the mills every week.

Yaberra: We ended up not running the full TV campaign, pulling some of the back-half media because we didn’t feel it was right to continue to advertise the item to gain awareness and sales when we could barely support all of the pent-up demand.

Mangudi: That’s the irony of Log. It was made for television and it didn’t even need television.

Following Black Friday, Log turned into the most coveted holiday item on wish lists. The scarcity led to a tsunami of media about toy aisle mayhem. Mobsters were seen entering various G-Marts around Ghish after hours and walking away with several Logs; Cartuga Jewelers offered Log free with the purchase of a $1 million necklace. One G-Mart district manager pushed a pallet of Logs out and watched in horror as parents tore into them without regard for anyone’s safety. He started to cry.

Yaberra: People would call the Blammo offices threatening to do something if we didn’t release more Logs. Bomb scares. “I’m going to blow the place up.” It was overwhelming.

Dubaro: There were people acting primitive, but that happens every Christmas. A kid laughing with his parents doesn’t get to be a news story.

Kindaro: Did it make us cringe? A little. It was nothing we promoted, but there was nothing we could do about it. It was just demand.

Yaberra: The media kept saying that we planned it, and it was just great marketing. It wasn’t.

Dubaro: Nothing of the kind ever happens. They’re in business to sell stuff. The problem is, they don’t want to be stuck with inventory.

Mangudi: The media was doing negative stories, saying it was artificial. Sometimes they want to build up a thing to knock it down. Everyone thought there was a bunch in storage somewhere. Blammo was a public company. You couldn’t mess around like that.

Fegusa: Plan a shortage? No one plans a shortage. You can't just say, okay, we want a million. You need to buy lumber, and that can take 60 days.

Clarasa: You have a responsibility to the shareholder. That’s the last thing we’d do.

Mola: [We just] underestimated how the thing would take off. Nothing succeeds in the toy business like shortages.

Yaberra: Neil was so influential in getting us more goods, as much as we could possibly produce. We went from 400,000 to shipping a million units.

Dubaro: Stan thought Neil was crazy to do that, that it was way over the line.

Mangudi: He wanted to put the pedal to the metal, where Blammo as a whole wanted to be more cautious. Big toys have put companies under. Teddy Rubskin killed CoolToys. You can’t flood the market. Neil convinced them.

Fegusa: It was completely my decision.

Dubaro: They were shipping them by boat, but then they started to fly them in.

Fegusa: We air-freighted them in on a regular basis, over and above the goods arriving on water.

As Christmas neared, it was clear not everyone who wanted a Log was going to get one. A toy phenomenon had become a cultural symbol of how determined shoppers were to land the coveted Ghantboy character. To prevent thefts or fights, G-Mart would call raincheck holders and leave vague messages that their “item” was in. In the store, they would be handed a pre-wrapped package so they could slip out of the store without being obstructed.

Dubaro: For me, it hit home when I was on a plane to Onmutu in early December and the Ghish Post had the front page of their business section talking about Log. It was a pinch-me moment.

Mangudi: Harold Borgas contacted us and sent us a bunch of award-nominated movies on VHS. The Jauneketxea called and traded us sweatshirts. The Emperor of Ghant called Neil.

Clarasa: The Prime Minister. I told my secretary to tell him I’m Conservative.

Marata: Jill Baduka, the [former] CEO of MeeToys, walked past my office one day and saw him. “Oh, my God, you have a Log!” I gave her mine.

Mangudi: Some people at GTECH traded us Super G consoles, which were the other hot toy, for Logs.

Dubaro: The internet wasn’t even a thing back then. Most people had phones. But there were a few scam calls already.

Yaberra: I was riding the train home from Ghish one night and Stan asked me to go do a radio interview. I get on the phone and did the interview. I look up, and everyone on the train is looking at me. “You work for that place? Can you get me a Log?” I really felt like my life was in danger.

Mangudi: You had to say no sometimes to needy people who would benefit, like charities. You became the gatekeeper for this toy.

Clarasa: We tried to distribute it evenly. But we were able to use it and say to retailers who were slow to pay invoices, “Look, we gotta clean this up or we can’t allocate any product to you.” And everyone paid their bills.

Marata: We took Blammo Preschool from being the losers in Ghish to, “Oh, those are our guys.”

Mangudi: When Log sold out, you couldn’t come home empty-handed, so you bought some kind of Log toy.

Kindaro: It was a halo effect across the entire Ghantboy line. There was always another Log on the shelf to buy. We had T-shirts, books.

Mangudi: They could have sold 10 times as many if they had them.

Marata: MeeToys was in the process of buying Blammo and merging Blammo Preschool and Perka together when Log was coming out. I would say the entire purchase price of Log [$737 million] was recovered over the next two to three years by Log.

IV: Log Gets Extreme

Log rolls out new variations, including the Alien Log (pictured).

New Log variations commercial

By the end of 1988, Log had taken his place among the most popular toys of the 20th century. Over 1.2 million of the toys had reportedly been sold, making Blammo a name that could stand among the top brands as a leading supplier of hot holiday items. But unlike past fads, Log wasn’t going to be forgotten quickly.

Dubaro: I think it took until the following June for G-Mart to honor all of their rainchecks for 1988.

Fegusa: I'm not going to tell you the number. We sold well over a million in 1988. And we sold many, many more Logs in 1989. In fact, we sold more Logs in the first quarter than we did for the entire year before.

Clarasa: We sold one million Logs in 1988 and four million Logs in 1989.

Kindaro: It may have been the first time a toy did better in year two than year one.

Yaberra: It was an exciting time, but Stan gave me a reality check. He wanted to know what we were going to do the next year.

Mangudi: It became a franchise out of nowhere.

Yaberra: We did Sing and Snore Seal, which did almost as well as Log.

Fegusa: The biggest thing I found following the craze was walking into a toy department and seeing people pick up a wooden toy to see what would happen. We needed to keep bringing wooden toys to life, and that's what we spent a lot of time doing.

Kindaro: Before long, we were rolling out new types of Log toys.

Yaberra: We also did a line extension with Action Log, Log of Arabia, Officer Log, Athletic Log, Cheerleader Log, Arctic Log, Agent 00 Log, Liontamer Log, Singing Log, Alien Log, Civil War Log and Armchair Log.

Kindaro: There was no Monster Log. The toys always had to be true to the character.

Clarasa: We sold 4 million Action Logs. There was just so much demand we couldn’t fill.

Gina Sanu (former Vice President of Marketing, Perka):One of my main strategies when I got to Perka was to have people asking, “What is Log going to do next?”

Bagaruda: You’ve got to give them credit. Every year, they did a new Log. Singing Log won a Toy of the Year award.

Yaberra: There was a Tickle Me Log.

Dubaro: You’d tickle it, it would laugh, and it would laugh harder the more you tickled it.

Clarasa: Log as a Rock Star.

Yaberra: Rock and Roll Log was also Greg Hardenguy. I was there until 1998 and there weren’t any real dogs.

Girard: Pogo Log got a lukewarm reception. It was the only one that wasn’t really a huge success.

Dubaro: To some degree, I’ve been told it saved Ghantboy at the time. The success spread to the entire license.

Mangudi: As funding for public television deteriorated from the government, the private sector was coming into place through royalties. Now you were seeing the characters on applesauce and snacks.

Kindaro: What I would say is that any non-profit is constantly challenged with ways to drive income. Any success story is a big plus. [Ghantboy Founder] Doran Ezkibel gave a speech where he said Log was such a big success it allowed them to expand Ghantboy internationally.

Under MeeToys’s Perka banner, Log made annual appearances right on through 2016. For his 20th anniversary, the company launched Extreme Log, a Log that had to be seen to be believed.

Dubaro: Extreme Log was fabulous. I wish I could say I developed it, but I didn’t.

Bruce Luda: (Owner, Luda and Company): We had actually shown them the mechanism for Log’s fifth anniversary. Later, one of us came to the other and wanted to take the concept further into extreme laughter.

Sanu: It didn’t work out for the fifth anniversary. When he bought it back, we added the automated rolling.

Kindaro: I remember Perka did a mock-up to show us and we just fell over laughing. It was a no-brainer.

Mangudi: We were able to recreate the hysteria, which was pretty huge.

Kindaro: Gina Sanu was the genius behind the marketing of keeping the whole thing under wraps. Retailers would buy it without having seen it.

Sanu: We did ads with Log in silhouette.

Mangudi: I had been working with Blammo for 25 years and it was the first time they made me sign a non-disclosure agreement.

Luda: There is satisfaction in seeing people mystified. It was a simple toy, but people thought it was a mechanical marvel.

Sirard: The whole goal was to make Log seem as real and alive as possible.

Luda: One time we had temporarily lost a sample and Perka was a little upset. We did find it. They wanted everything kept top secret.

Mangudi: We stole a little from PRISM and didn’t let anyone see the product until it was at retail.

Bagaruda: There were maybe 20 people in the world who saw it before then. We kept the product a secret until the day we revealed it the Morning Show.

Luda: It was really marketing genius.

Bagaruda: The package looked like a metal briefcase with a warning, “May Contain Uncontrollable Log.”

Luda: We had shipped samples in a diamond-plate pattern metal with foam inside, sort of an attaché case that fit the Log properly, because they were so valuable. That was ultimately the inspiration for the packaging.

Kindaro: They made a package where you just saw the Log through a tiny little flap.

Luda: It was also good because there was no on-shelf demo, and so the batteries wouldn’t wear out.

Mangudi: The hosts had it in a little vault.

Bagaruda: Most holiday sales started on Black Friday, but this pushed it ahead two months. We called it the Log Effect.

Mangudi: People were lined up outside of G-Mart and put 10 in a cart to sell online.

Bagaruda: It was like getting election results. You get the North, and then the South numbers pop up.

Mangudi: The toy industry was in the doldrums that year. All of a sudden people got excited to go to big box stores in September and it turned out to be a good year. Everyone benefited from Extreme Log.

Harugui: I suspect the appeal was more for adults who had grown up with Log and now had kids of their own. It was very exaggerated and very funny.

Luda: According to MeeToys, it sold more toys on its first day than any other toy in history to that point. That doesn’t include video games.

Sanu: I remember getting calls every hour from G-Mart. It was incredible. I think the number was 250,000 sold that day. I don’t know if there’s been a product since that’s done that.

After countless variations—including backpacks, foreign releases, and more—Log and the rest of the Ghantboy license returned to Blammo in 2011. Their Love2Learn Log offers children guidance on potty-training; a slightly smaller version of the original is also in stores. Ghantboy, which is now premiering new episodes on GBC, still considers Log its biggest licensing success among preschoolers.

Dubaro: Ironically, there had been a stick toy on the market the same year Log came out. But there was no TV promotion and no character.

Bagaruda: People still use Log as the standard. “What’s the next Log?”

Luda: When I did Extreme Log, I had people come to me and go, “Oh, man, why didn’t you bring it to us?” What would you do with it? Make a teddy bear? Who cares? When it’s Log, that’s when it matters to people.

Dubaro: There had been big toys, but this transcended the typical toy phenomenon. It was more human than something like Furmo or Ghantomon. It became something adults were aware of.

Kindaro: It became what the industry came to call a “feature toy.” There had been talking toys, but this was on another level entirely.

Marata: I’ve worked on a lot of these. Great toys—it’s what you work for. When it comes together, all you can say is wow.

Dubaro: Woody the Woodman probably would have vanished overnight.

Kindaro: It was a perfect storm, the right character with the right mechanism. No one wants to hug Woody the Woodman.

Dubaro: It’s simple. It gave people joy. It may have only lasted a couple of moments, but that’s one of the precious things about life.

Kindaro: At the time, my sister-in-law was going through some very serious radiation and chemotherapy for cancer. I would visit her and talk about what we were working on. I once brought a Log to show her and she got the biggest smile on her face. Even with all these tubes and chemicals, she smiled. All the doctors and nurses played with it. It showed me Logs’s appeal went beyond preschoolers. She passed away. I still have her doll. Everyone loves Log.

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by **Lacus Magni** » Fri Apr 13, 2018 9:37 am

Latium | International | Local | Sport | Faith | Economy | Culture | Science | Opinion
Byznation and Gelonian elections result in hung assemblies
Ianiculum, Castellum ab Alba
By: Silvester Corveniis (@RAL)

Leader of Citizens–Popular Alternative Felix Procilius (above) celebrates a shocking electoral victory in Gelonian elections

Ianiculum, Castellum: In a precursor to next month’s Belisarian elections, the first ever regional elections in Byzantion and Gelonia took an unexpected turn from recent polling as both devolved legislatures now feature a hung senate. Widely touted as a referendum on embattled Consul Alexander Pompilius, his United Latium party failed to gain a majority in either legislature, despite pre-election polling showing an easy electoral victory in both races.

Gelonia featured perhaps the most watched of the two elections, due in part to the many threats of terrorism by the Gelonian National Front, and fears of possible election tampering. The threats facing Gelonian voters was expected to result in low turnout, though the Electoral Commission is reporting a turnout of 74.43%, far exceeding that of any election to ever take place in Gelonian counties. The campaign sprint, including a major social media presence, by Felix Procilius and Citizens–Popular Alternative (CPA) in the final days resulted in the quickly growing movement win a plurality of seats with 39, despite finishing 0.2% behind United Latium for a plurality of the popular vote. While CPA fell short of the 46 seats required for a majority, Leader Procilius announced that he will form a coalition with the 6 elected members of the Gelonian-national party, Voice for Gelonia, and the single representative from the Democratic Labor Union. The surprising victory is largely attributed to a massive social media campaign. United Latium will form the official opposition, holding 36 seats, with the Progressive Party earning a paltry 9 seats, continuing its downward slide from the 2017 general election.

In Byzantion, United Latium fared much better, falling just short of a majority with 71 of the required 72 seats. Consul Pompilius has touted the election in Byzantion as a “clear and decisive” referendum in favor of his continued leadership of Caesar’s government. The Consul’s party has come to a supply and confidence agreement with lone independent member, Demetrios Anagnos. Forming the official opposition is the Progressive Party, which fared far better than in Gelonian elections, earning 42 seats – which many attribute to the current party leader, Manuel Batziolas, being of Byzantic descent. Together for Byzantion came third in seats earned with 21, and Citizens–Popular Alternative earning the remaining 9 seats.

In Byzantion, United Latium has nominated Theophilios Muzaka to serve as Speaker; in Gelonia, CPA has nominated Elara Argaki to serve as speaker. Both candidates are expected to be invited to the Palace of Augustus where they will meet with The Emperor and Exarchs of both regional governments.

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