World Cup 78 - Roleplay Thread

[Gregoryisgodistan]

Lord Almighty Gregory's Speech to the People

"Good morning, ladies, gentlemen, and slaves. Happy Third Day of Hate Week! It is now the Third Day of the most glorious week of the year, when we show our hatred for the terror that flaps in the night, San Jose Guayabal. We will destroy them, we will bury them, we will wipe them from the face of the Earth. Now, let us start a "DEATH TO SJG!" chant!"

All across Gregoryisgodistan, 75 million people scream "DEATH TO SJG!" at the top of their lungs. They continue burning Guayabalense flags, and mangos, and xylocarps, and other wicked things that the Guaya Beans love. Finally, after thirty minutes of screaming, Lord Almighty Gregory holds up a loving hand to make the people stop, and continues his speech.

"But, it appears I have some bad news. The stupid Guaya Beans have done the unthinkable. They have burned effigies of me, the One True Lord. Furthermore, the Wicked Devil Queen, Margaret I, has apparently peed diesel on an effigy of me and a flag. I did not even know it was possible to pee diesel, but apparently Queen Margaret is a robot. And for that, the bounty on her head just doubled. It is now 60 billion NS Dollars, or 20 quintillion greggygodbucks. Anyone who wishes will be rich beyond their wildest dreams, all you have to do is kill Queen Margaret! Queen Margaret must die, she must be killed, she is wicked, she is evil, she's a stupid Guaya Bean, and we'll kill her and then we'll burn her.

"Queen Margaret is the wickedest Queen on Earth, and she will pay the ultimate price for her sins. She will pay, I will rule for all days, Die Queen Margaret, Die! And now, let us chant "DIE DIE MARGARET DIE DIE *CLAP *CLAP" over and over."

All across Gregoryisgodistan, 75 million people chant "DIE DIE MARGARET DIE DIE *CLAP* CLAP*" over and over for two straight hours, while burning effigies and portraits and pictures of Queen Margaret, as well as of random celebrities from other countries whose names happen to be Margaret. Women whose names used to be Margaret burn their old ID cards while waving their new ones to show they are Margarets-no-more. Finally, Lord Almighty Gregory holds up a loving hand to stop them.

"And now, let us all join as one and sing the Day Three Hate Song!"

And on Lord Almighty Gregory's command, 75 million people across Gregoryisgodistan sing the hate song while smashing glass bottles with Queen Margaret's face on them, burning things with Queen Margaret's face on them, or, best yet, smashing xylocarps that have Queen Margaret's face on them, since another, more common, name for xylocarp is a forbidden fruity word that rhymes with boconut, and since that fruit is famous in San Jose Guayabal.

(OOC: Tune)

We’ll kill Queen Margaret, friends!
She’s gonna fry!
We’ll never cease to fight
Until Queen Margaret dies-dies-dies-dies!
Roll up in tanks, Army
Shoot her dumb head
Kill the Queen Margaret fool
And slice her into pieces ‘till she’s dead

We will kill her!
Kill her blow her up and slice her head!
We will kill her!
Kill her blow her up and slice her head!

Get underway, and kill
She will be dead soon
Queen Margaret is a stupid
Arrogant buffoon-foon-foon-foon
Slice her in half and then
Slice her again
Burn all the Guaya Flags
And we are gonna kill her there and then!

Burn her and blow her up
She’s a Guaya Bean
And she’s the leader too
The wicked, Devil Queen-Queen-Queen-Queen
When she is dead we’ll cheer
And jump for joy
And we will shout and sing
Every woman, man, and girl and boy!

When the hate song ends, some people sing it again, others chant more threatening chants to Queen Margaret and San Jose Guayabal, and everyone, burns, smashes, and destroys symbols of San Jose Guayabal and Queen Margaret I. Laws against public urination were suspended following the Queen Margaret urination incident as long as people urinate on symbols of San Jose Guayabal or Queen Margaret, so people do that too, and then they burn the stuff. Some people even poop on Guayabalense flags then wipe their butts with more Guayabalense flags. This is technically not allowed, but all law enforcement authorities, including police and pervert chasers, were long ago instructed to ignore technical violations of the law if they further the Hate Week narrative and demonstrate hatred for San Jose Guayabal. There was more rejoicing, rioting, and hatred in the streets, and there were still four days of Hate Week left after today. Would It lead to war between Gregoryisgodistan and their Devil of a neighbor?

[Starblaydia]

Part One: Takeaway
Part Two: Duchess
Part Three: Fidget
Part Four: Torque
Part Five: Omen
Part Six: Leap
Part Seven: Screams
Part Eight: Iota
Part Nine: Death
Part Ten: Wrong

She could feel it; it was so strange.

Positivity flowed around her, not only were people walking around with a spring in their step, smiling and chatting happily. It was more than smiles and body language, though, the very air around her was flooded with positive feelings. It was affecting her, naturally Viannor had been happier just by being around the members of the Praetoran household, basking in the glory of Starblaydia smashing the worst team in their qualifying group by six goals to one. It wasn't as if she felt like she was supposed to be angry all the time, either. Viannor wanted to rule Starblaydia because it was her destiny, because she could guide the future of the nation, and she was better equipped to do it than any of those appalling, entitled, Starblayde men. Viannor always found time of happiness and fun, but she had a mission and a destiny.

For all her implacable determination to raise up a new order in Starblaydia to guide it to the bright and glorious future, Viannor still laughed at jokes, still cast doe-eyed glances at nice looking guys, and still enjoyed sitting on her own and being away from everyone else.

"I can feel it too, you know,"

"Shut up, Tor," she said flatly, without opening her eyes.

"I can tell that you still don't get why," he pressed the issue, stifling a very un-elven grin.

"They won a game," Viannor said dismissively, "people are happy when they win at games. Especially football."

"Viannor," Tororin said, "you know human nature so well. You can manipulate humans, coerce them, bribe them, flatter them, order them, persuade them and threaten them all into doing your every whim. But you still don't get why they like football so much, after all these years."

"Right," Viannor sighed, instinctively pulling up the sheets to cover her chest, crossing her arms as she did so. "And you're going to tell me why. Go on, mister President of the SFA, do tell."

"It's because," Halatyrion rolled onto his right side to face her, propping himself up on his elbow, "it's war. You should know about that."

"It's not war," she scoffed.

"Oh but it is," Halatyrion insisted, "it is to them. It's a tribal battle of us against them. It's athletic, aggressive, competitive. For thousands and thousands of years, and believe me I've seen it first hand, tribes have sought to prove they're the best among their peers. They build wondrous edifices, statues and castles to show their might and their riches, they produce the finest goods to trade and be known as great manufacturers and negotiators. They even go so far as to send their young to their deaths in order to prove who is the bravest, the most valiant and control each other's bits of land. The people of Starblaydia have always been trying to prove that their feet are faster and their songs are stronger."

Viannor didn't even open her eyes.

"Nobody dies in football," the elf continued, "they struggle and fight and strain and puff and blow like a real fight, but with little to none of the danger a real war faces. They can wave their banners and sing their songs and say how hard they'll fight-fight-fight, but there's always another game, always next season. No matter how badly you just lost there will always be the chance to try again and defeat the enemy when they appear on the field. The game itself can be so random, that any eleven players can feasibly beat any other eleven players on any given day. There will always be someone weaker than you to dispatch, always someone stronger to overcome. It's war, war writ large in a scheduled, repeatable, revenue-generating cycle that will never end, because there's always someone who wants to plant their flag and say that they have the quickest feet and the strongest songs."

"But why," Viannor said, finally opening her eyes and turning her head to face him, "does it have to be football."

Halatyrion genuinely laughed at that, which was no small achievement for Viannor.

"Probably the simplicity of the game. One piece of specialised equipment, everything else is secondary. Whether you have five players or fifty, grass or concrete, jumpers for goalposts, a set time limit or just until your mother calls..."

"Boys," Viannor said as an insult, rolling her eyes.

"Where would girls be without them?" he asked. Viannor missed Halatyrion's cheeky twinkle in his eye, but assumed one was there anyway.

"Much less frustrated," she replied.

"And also, I'd argue," he said, sliding his hand under the sheets towards her, "much more frustrated."

Viannor was going to say something snarky and slap his hand away from her body, but she didn't. She didn't even flinch. She was happy, after all. If it took Starblaydia beating Makongo by six goals to one to make the people happy, then she was happy with that. Maybe Tor was right about humans and football; he seemed to be right about a lot of things. Viannor decided then and there, as he leaned over to kiss her, that she'd listen to him more often when it came to the people and football. If it made them happy, it made them all the more easy to control, to be wrapped around her finger and used like a plaything. Her plaything.

And that made her happy.

---

   Group 12        Form                 Pld    W   D   L    GF   GA   GD   Pts   Max 
 1 Starblaydia     ••••• ••••••••        13    9   2   2    33   14  +19    29    38
 2 Darmen          •• •••••••• ••        12    7   4   1    28   12  +16    25    37   ^
 3 Sargossa        • •••••••• •••        12    7   4   1    24   15   +9    25    37   v
 4 Nephara          •••••••• ••••        12    6   4   2    25   15  +10    22    34   ^
 5 Mercedini       •••••••• •••••        13    5   4   4    37   26  +11    19    28   v
 E Yuezhou         ••••••• ••••••        13    3   2   8    12   29  −17    11    20   ^
 E St. Saratoga    •••• ••••••••         12    3   1   8    15   31  −16    10    22   v
 E Tveidalen       •••••• •••••••        13    3   0  10    18   34  −16     9    18
 E Makongo         ••• •••••••• •        12    2   1   9    21   37  −16     7    19

[Schottia]

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SBCNEWS Online...
Football special - The Road to Cosumar and Bonesea. Part Two

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The challenge facing Schottia in the second half of qualification was to keep things going. The side were riding on the crest of a wave, and with a string of results going their way, there was a chance they could get qualification wrapped up early on (a novel experience for the small nation). They had of course rode their luck in one or two of the matches, but the general perception was manager Lionel Mah could do no wrong. The Quebecois' story is proof - if ever it were needed - that managers should be given more time. There was a lot of pressure on former CSKA Quebec man, following his failure to reach the finals of WC-76; but crucially the players were behind him, and this has paid dividends.

While Schottia are undoubtedly in a strong position, memories of the WC-75 collapse will always weigh heavy on fans' minds. The way they were unfathomably overtaken by Devonta and denied a play-off place cost former boss Jane Gullie her job, and forced the nation into a period of deep contemplation. That said, Schottia are almost unrecognisable under Lionel Mah, if not in terms of playing staff, at least in their style of play. While they will need to guard against complacency, Schottia have plenty of players amidst their ranks who were well used to digging deep and pulling together.

Kaboomlandia 0–2 Schottia
Line-up: Gould, Watt, M.Killanen, Souter, M.Ünterhausen, Conjure, McDonald, E.Killanen (Coultan), Rudden (Rexmont), Soria-Luna, Martel-Burns (Brankovič)
Goals: Martel-Burns, Coultan

This was a big match for Schottia, the return leg against third seeds Kaboomlandia, and a chance to deliver a killer blow early on. Travelling to a nation, which has a picture of a mushroom cloud in the middle of its flag is, well... mildly intimidating. Luckily however, Schottia's players seemed little phased by this, as they took on the Phoenix, and the unorthodox one at the back system. Camila Luna was preferred to Kim Coultan in the starting line up, while Molly Killanen and Mark Ünterhausen were brought into the defence to cover injuries. The impressive Harry Gould was given another chance to shine in goals, as Jeremy McNott was rested.

Chloe Rudden caused Kaboomlandia plenty of problems early on with her direct running down the left flank. The Sabrefell Athletic girl came very close to setting up Martel-Burns for the opener; however, she was denied by a great intervention from Marco Ciliano. The Polaris striker doesn't pass up many chances though, and she was on hand to open the scoring on the half hour mark, after heading a chip pass from Luna over Duncan McEachern and into the back of the net. Kaboomlandia's best chance of the match came on the stroke of half time, but Gould stood up well in a one-on-one situation with Gillian Lapointe, to turn the midfielder's shot wide.

In the second half there were long periods where the play broke down, as Schottia failed to make any real headway against the home side. However, a double change, with Coultan and Rexmont coming on, seemed to have the required affect. The ever dangerous Coultan picked up a pass from Evelyn Conjure, wide right, before dragging the ball onto her left foot and finishing past McEachren from the edge of the area. In the end it was a good win away from home, against a strong mid-ranked nation, which kept the Auks on course.

Schottia 1–0 Lisander
Line-up: McNott, Abner, Doig, Souter, Paul, Conjure, Bánach (J.Ünterhausen), E.Killanen (James), Rexmont, Coultan (Soria-Luna), Martel-Burns (McCormack)
Goals: Rexmont

Schottia's form has arguably been better on the road this year, and that proved once again to be the case, as unranked Lisander gave them a tough game at Harbour Hill. Kim Coultan was back in the starting line up, as were Paul Doig, Stephen Paul, Esther Abner, and Jeremy McNott. Steven Rexmont came in for fellow Nepharim Premiership star Chloe Rudden, and Dilon Bánach was given a rare start in the centre of midfield, after Jenny McDonald picked up a knock.

Chenoworth Harriers star, Rexmont, wasted no time at all in putting Schottia ahead in this match. The 24-year-old picked up a forward pass from Gareth Souter before bursting free of Bruno Lasses, and hammering his strike into the top corner of the Lisander goal. That was really the main highlight for Schottia, in a match were the struggled to make their midfield possession count. Handon United girl, Bánach, looked decent before she was replaced by Johannas Ünterhausen with an hour on the clock, and the 20-year-old seems like a player for the future. Schottia did have a chance to double their lead as the second half drew to a close, but John McCormack hit his shot straight into the arms of Martin Garmin from just five metres out.

Gegernia 2–6 Schottia
Line-up: McNott, Watt, Doig, Ross, Paul, Conjure, McDonald, E.Killanen (Rexmont), Rudden, Coultan (Soria-Luna), Martel-Burns (Glendening)
Goals: Martel-Burns (3), Killanen, Conjure, Glendening

It definitely seems to be an emerging pattern that Schottia are getting better results on the road right now. BoF round-of-sixteeners, Gegernia, pushed the Auks all the way last autumn, but they were second best in this match, as the visitors knocked them for six. Other than Gareth Souter, who was out with a groin strain, Schottia were at full strength for this match, and that really showed.

A Martel-Burns double in the first fifteen minutes set the tone for the match, with the 22-year-old at her deadly best in the opening stages. Despite goals from Gegernia either side of half time, there was only ever going to be one winner, as Eoin Killanen and Evelyn Conjure added two more to restore a comfortable lead. Martel-Burns completed her hattrick with ten minutes to go, pouncing on a Rudden pass to go home with the match ball. Port James star, Elspeth Glendening, added final touches to the comprehensive victory, scoring from close range for her first international goal.

Schottia 5–2 Gumusservi
Line-up: Gould, Watt, M.Killanen, Souter, M.Ünterhausen, Conjure, Cummings, E.Killanen (McCormack), Rudden, Coultan (Soria-Luna), Crew (Martel-Burns)
Goals: Crew, E.Kilanen, Coultan (2), Rudden

Schottia all but clinched qualification with another big score line over a Gumusservi side who were looking to pull level on points with Kaboomlandia and New Gazi. The niggle which kept captain, McDonald, out of the match with Lisander was back, and the feisty midfielder was forced to make way for Port Sebastian's Vera Cummings. Corinne Martel-Burns also found herself dropped to the bench in favour of Heron Crew (Lionel Mah possibly trying to give the Eastal Lunar striker a bit of a run out).

The move, which raised a few eyebrows, proved quickly to be a good decision, as the powerful centre-forward rose highest to header an Eoin Killanen cross past the keeper. Moments later, Killanen went from provider to scorer, as he cut inside before dispatching a fine effort with the outside of his boot. There were a lot of good performances from the boys and girls in white and green, but the second half was definitely the Kim Coultan show. The creative attacker, now approaching 100 caps, scored two well-taken goals to put the match beyond the visitors. With Schottia already home and dry, Chloe Rudden completed the rout late on, sprinting clear of the last defender to finish under the keeper for Schottia's eleventh goal in two games.

Polkopia 1–4 Schottia
Line-up: McNott, Abner, Doig, Souter, Paul, Conjure, McDonald, (J.Ünterhausen), James (Kennicot), Rudden, Soria-Luna, Martel-Burns (McCormack)
Goals: Soria-Luna, Martel-Burns, Ünterhausen, Conjure

Schottia were eager to get things wrapped up as they headed to the Hanisov Stadium to take on a Polkopia side that were struggling a little to keep pace on their return to WCC football. The Slashers had given Schottia a tough game at Harbour Hill towards the tail end of last year, and there was every possibility that they faced the prospect of another tough game in Espotiva. Schottia's situation wasn't made any better by the fact that they were without the suspended Eoin Killanen, while star of the last match, Coultan, was nursing an injury and wasn't risked. Nick James started in place of Killanen (although the winger is not a direct replacement), and Camila Luna was a straightforward switch for Coultan.

In spite of their concerns going into the match, Schottia actually performed very well. Luna got the ball rolling as she picked up an Abner pass, before beating Leonti Vinogradov at his near post. Martel-Burns added a second in first half stoppage time, directing a freekick in under the crossbar from the edge of the D. In the second half Dimitri Petrov pulled one back for Polkopia with a well-taken strike, but goals from Johannas Ünterhausen and Evelyn Conjure meant that Schottia were able to book their place on the plane to either Bonesea or Cosumar.

It must be an enormous relief to Lionel Mah and his players to have qualification sewn up at this early stage, as he can now focus on fine-tuning squad ahead of this summer's finals. Having reached the quarterfinal last time, hopes will be high that Schottia can equal that feat once more. Schottia's "golden generation" have undoubtedly reached their peak, with the squad playing at close to 100% for nearly three years now. A good qualifying run is by no means a guarantee of success at the finals (as many teams can attest to), so despite the cause for optimism, Schottia know there is a lot of work still to be done.

SPL-Watch
We are now reaching the business end of qualifiers, and while a small handful of sides have already secured their fate, for better of worse, the majority of nations are still battling it out. Apart from the twelve Schottic Premier League players in our own squad, the league is also well represented across many of the tournament's fifteen groups. With a lot of the groups hanging on a knife-edge, let's take a look at how the smattering of foreign SPL stars have faired so far, and make a quick assessment of their chances.

Group One have a familiar face in the form of Eric Desmond, who is currently managing the only other Tyranian nation in the tournament, Kel-Assuk. The BoF third place side found themselves in a tough group consisting of Tumbra Abanhfleft, and a new look San Jose Guayabal. Our neighbours currently sit in a fifth spot with a very respectable seventeen points from twelve matches, and a win over WC-77 runners-up, SJG, under their belts. Given no one will have expected them to qualify on their first outing (it took us seven cycles after all), the 154th ranked nation have certainly not disgraced themselves. Verdict: Not this year.

Skip ahead to Group Five and we find Lammerton forward, Kaytlyn Victoriane, and her nation Chromatika. Silian Parker's side are currently making light work of a group including the Free Republics, Damukuni, and the Equestrian States. Eleven points clear of second place with a game in hand, Vivtoriane and her teammates will likely follow Schottia in booking their place very soon. The young Hornets star seems to have proven her leadership abilities, as well as her versatility during the campaign. Chromatika will likely be one of the sides to beat this summer, and a very good outside if you were looking for a dark horse. Verdict: They'll clinch qualification sooner rather than later.

Group Six contains pre tournament favourites, Farfadillis, who maybe surprising, include a New Belfast Warriors player in their squad. Somuele der Pros was sensational for Lammeton City as they won promotion to the SPL two years ago, doing enough to earn himself a move to the Whalers. It's impossible to say exactly how much he is in manager Tíbürçìó Çötàvíê's first team plans, but a squad number of thirteen is promising. Despite many feeling this could be la Vherderoja's year, the side are currently embroiled in a fierce battle for qualification. One of the tournament's surprise packages, Mriin, currently sit top, with the Farves three points behind, and Barunia one point further adrift. Verdict: They have enough quality get them over the line.

In Group Seven Port Patrick's Altavian Kaihoro starts in goals for Tropical Republic of Sarriba. While the Palmettos have previously been ranked as high as 54th in the world, the current incarnation of the team could only dream of reaching those dizzy height. Stuck in a group with Semarlands, and WCC heavyweights Valanora, the writing is already on the wall for Kaihoro, whose side currently sit sixth with thirteen points. Verdict: Sadly, not a chance.

In Group Nine we find our WCQs-77 rivals Ceni, who have also found themselves in a fierce battle at the top of the table. With Kel Koromin and Jasper Valaran in their ranks, there is a strong Schottic interest here, and in truth, many Schottians supported Ceni during WC-75 and 76 when their own side missed out. Both players have been outstanding in the SPL, but it's not prevented their nation from slipping back into third spot in the group. Two old boggy teams of ours top the group with Nova Anglicana (perhaps slightly surprisingly) ahead of Turori by five points, having played an extra match. Ceni are a further point behind, but still have the latter to play, so their fait is very much in their own hands. Verdict: It'll be close, but Ceni will do enough.

Group Ten is yet another one, which looks set to go down to the wire. Drawkland, consisting of Rebecca Talla and Iana Synder are well in the mix, but currently sit in third place behind Pasarga and Redblackiland. With an interstellar empire of over five billion people, you would imagine the Drawks could put a decent team together, and two years ago they proved they can do just that, making the finals on their first outing. There is only three points in this group though, and if Talla can turn on some of the magic which helped Handon United to the league title last season, then they may be in with a shout. Verdict: To close to call between Drawkland and Redblackiland.

Group Twelve isn't just the 'Group of Death,' it should come with a health warning. WC-74 Champs Nephara, rising stars Mercedini, and a resurgent Starblaydia makes this one very hard to call. Add to the mix the form Darmen and Sargossa are in, and it's nearly impossible. Two of the SPL's top stars feature in this group, with Jade Irwin and Daniel Dostalok in action for Nephara and Mercedini respectively. Starblaydia currently top the group on 29, with Darmen and Sargossa four points behind, but with a game in hand. Nephara will be disappointed to find themselves fourth on 22, with Merdecini a further three points behind. Verdict: I have a weird feeling Nephara might just have the quality scrape through, but for Mercedini, and Dostalok, it's just too much ground to make up.

In Group Thirteen the enterprising Cornellians winger, Marshawn Mercury, is looking good for place in the finals. His side, Eshan, narrowly missed out four years ago, when they lost to Port Christopher in the play-offs. At the moment they are five points behind the Holy Empire with a game in hand, and a point clear of Acronius in third. Verdict: Enough in the tank to get over the line.

Group Fourteen contains our little cousins Port Christopher, who of course have their smattering of SPL players, most notably Liam Goncalves. Additionally however, some might be surprised to see young Meghan Hartsdown putting in some decent performances for group leaders, Brenecia. The industrious Kings Park midfielder had a good first season in the SPL, and the Royals will be hoping that her performances in the WCQs don't lead to interest in the player. There are five teams fighting for two places here, and while things look good for Hartsdown and the Patriots, it's hanging in the balance for Port Christopher. Verdict: The Patriots will go through, but Port Christopher's defence have let them down this year.

[Valladares]

THE METROPOLIS HERALD
Metropolis, Saturday, July 8^th, 2017

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Valladares Announces Ratification of Orean Accords

CENTRALIS, ELECTRUM (VAP) — A delegation led by Prime Minister of Valladares Jefferson Pratt and several MPs has announced today the ratification of the Orean Accords by King Marcus of Valladares. This announcement, which allows Valladares to finally submit a formal application to join the Common Rushmori Community (CRC), comes as part of an official visit to Electrum, where the Valladar delegation had the chance to attend the World Cup qualifying match between Electrum and Valladares, which ended with La Nacional emerging victorious, as well as to meet with other fellow Electrumite MPs in order to socialize with them the ratification of the Accords and Valladar interest to complete its accession to the regional bloc.

The Orean Accords had to go over a tough path for their eventual ratification by the King of Valladares, after being voted down twice by the Asamblea Nacional, and twice more by the Senado, where a majority of MPs from the Labour and Valladares Primero parties showed their opposition to a potential implementation of a regional currency, which was the biggest obstacle that kept the Accords from being ratified in both houses. However, this concern seemed to be successfully addressed by the Minister of the Treasury Marie Cartier on Wednesday's session at Parliament House, when the ratification of the Accords was finally a real fact with 81 MPs voting for ratification, 18 voting against, and the 4 Aboriginal MPs abstaining. The process was completed with King Marcus signing the Ratification Act on Friday evening, which enabled the Valladar delegation in Electrum to make the announcement, and start lobbying for approval by the current CRC members.

At the press conference in Centralis, Prime Minister Jefferson Pratt expressed his delight for the ratification of the Accords, highlighting them as a big opportunity to consolidate regional integration in key aspects such as trade, freedom of movement, and safety. Mr. Pratt also stated his intention to hold a meeting with the Prime Minister of Electrum in order to smooth the rough edges that have strained Valladar-Electrumite relations recently, including issues such as the Fontvielle-Junín railway, the Floriana dam project in Río Oscuro, and the closure of the City of Junín, among others. Valladar public opinion has been very supportive of the Accords, with the latest polls showing that support for the Accords reached 78% just a week prior to the final vote at the Senado.

Prime Minister Pratt announced that Valladares' official entry in the CRC will have to be approved by the current members of the Community: Electrum, Liventia, Aels, Nephara, Ceni, and Savojarna. Should these countries approve the Valladar application, the Consejo Electoral Nacional will schedule elections to determine Valladar representation at the Rushmori Parliament. It is likely that these elections will be held simultaneously with the general elections next year, but that will depend on how long CRC members take to review the application by Valladares.

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[Flardania]

Opening Theme

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Bonjour et Ohayōgozaimasu Kirishima. Welcome ladies and gentleman back once more to another World Cup 78 edition of the Kitsune Report, brought to you by the Nagatomo Sports Network (NSN), sponsored by Air Pacifica, and Pocari Surge. Here at the Kitsune Report, it's all about Kirishinan sports. With football currently taking center stage and with matchday twelve of World Cup qualifiers having been completed,135 teams continue their battle for 30 spots with 7 matchdays to go. I'm your host, the fan you can count on the most, to bring you Kitsune news, Keitaaaaaaa Woo! Without any further delay let's get grooving to some world cup football once again!

Kalumba 0–4 Kirishima Review:

With the Kitsunes having won the previous match against Sulsuland at the Dayangseong Stadium in Imgeum, the Kitsunes were on the road to face Kalumba at Kahali National Stadium in I think the capital of Salisbury? I don't remember, anyways the last time the two teams met the Kitsunes scraped out a 1-0 in Kairaku as the two matches old new play style of Kirishima went up against the consistent offensive might of once BOF Champion Kalumba. The second matchup was expected to be more difficult as Kalumba would be at home and playing well. Then again it must be said this is one of the strongest if not the strongest qualification cycle that the Kitsunes has had were entering the match with terrific form. The Kitsunes came into the game seeking to remain on top of the Group as the Kitsunes strive to not only qualify for the World Cup but enter it with momentum as many feel if there is ever an opportunity to get out of a World Cup group stage, in World Cup 78 barring a group of death like World Cup 76. On the other hand, third place Kalumba was coming off of a 1-1 draw with Sulsuland. A win for Kalumba would keep them in third but still in the chase for both World Cup spot, while a Kitsune win would lead to an early qualification for the Kitsunes to the World Cup. Seong Mi-Soo made some changes to the starting XI with Miguel Tamayo still in at Right Back for Eizan Iwamoto and Son Dae Han was in for Pandazi Papadopoulos in Midfield.

No one seems to have reminded the Kitsunes about the struggles of offensively dominating the last time they played against Kalumba as the Kitsunes went ahead with their Ruthless Aggression. In the 4' minute, the Kitsune offense was moving up the field with power and accurate as well as smart passes that ended with Izumi passing it to Yabuta who drilled in the GOAL! to the horror of the home team fans. Joseph Yabuta would try to get a second goal in the 8' minute but it was saved by Ulusu Mtanda. Kalumba not wanting to outdone offensively, launched shot attempts in the 17', 18', and 24' minutes but all three were saved by Miyoko Hojo. The Kitsunes having absorbed the Punishment saw Renée Guidice score a GOAL! from 12 yards away off of a leading pass from Izumi in the box to put Kirishima up 2-0 on the road in the 26' minute. When things look liked it couldn't get any better for Kirishima Joseph Yabuta got his second GOAL! in the 42' minute to drive one more demoralizing moment to the opposition before the half. Both teams entered the half with Kirishima leading 3-0 with the shot attempts reading 4-3 in Kirishima's favor.

In the second half, Kalumba tried to score early with shot attempts in the 51' and 53' minutes but the crowd was out of it more and more as the seconds ticked by. Yabuta would go for a hat trick in the 63' minute but it was deflected out of play. In the resulting corner the pass connected with Rin Mizoguchi for the GOAL! in the 64' minute. This would be the final nail in the coffin for the home team's fans. While Kalumba did have shot attempts on target in the 69', 80', 86', and 87' minutes. All four of those were saved by Miyoko Hojo. Final score Kalumba 0, Kirishima 4.

Seong Mi-Soo, had this to say following the match. "This match went much better than we anticipated as we were expecting a close matchup like the last time we faced each other. They are a talented squad and some shots were unlucky for them. It seems that we over prepared for them and that is not a bad thing as we won and did not lose anything out of the prep outside of time not being devoted to more.....carnal activities, but the team is addressing it as only Kirishinans could. More importantly, we secured qualification. A major shift from squeezing in during the final match days in World Cup past. Now are major focus can be on finishing qualification strong. The main goal is to leave the World Cup group stages for the first time. A simple yet ambitious goal that we are obsessed with. We are making the proper moves currently to achieve that so we can't get lazy just because we qualified. "

Kalumba 0           -   4 Kirishima 
                               J.Yabuta (4' 42' )
                               R.Guidice (26')
                               R. Mizoguchi (64')

Kirishima v Heif Match Preview

Kirishima will travel home to the Aincrad Arena in Akihabara to face Heif. Heif is ranked 285th in the world and the Kitsunes defeated them 2-1 last time on the road. The Kitsunes will be home this time and there should be no excuses. The team needs to stay focused if they want to finish qualifiers strong and consider the only threat to be Taeshan, other than that every other game is must wins for this squad. Until next time, Lets Go Kitsunes!

Post by: Keita Woo

[Alasdair I Frosticus]

OOC - The Mammoth Compendium of World Cup Lies lives up to its name; you're free to believe it IC'ly, but please don't believe a word of these RPs OOC'ly. They're a compendium of lies.

THE MAMMOTH COMPENDIUM OF WORLD CUP LIES
World Cup 78 Qualification

Matchday Dear God Are We Still Doing This? – Olastor Over The Top!

Keen-eyed readers - if we still have any readers of the turgid litany of tedious untruths that pass for 'contents' round these parts - may remember from the first half of qualifying that the biggest mundy fans of the Basilieus of the Holy Empire seem to be the kind-hearted though rather primitive people of Olastor, who have named their entire nation after our munificent ruler. Though it's true that they can't spell the Basileus' name properly, the nation's name is clearly a phonetic rendering thereof; or close enough, anyway.

But little did we realise just how far Olastor's hero-worship of the Basileus went until we had cause to travel to the nation of plucky mundy underdogs last night for another routine World Cup Qualifying victory - the 1367th consecutive Imperial victory in qualifying, more than every other participating World Cup nation combined. In fact, so far does Olastor's hero-worship extend that the squad were made to feel just a little, well, uncomfortable on their visit to this slightly obsessed nation.

The first sign that things might be a little over the top came during a routine courtesy visit to the Olastor national palace - which is flanked by two 10-metre tall gilded nude statues of the Basileus.

This was followed by a first scouting of the Olastor national stadium, better known locally as the 'Memorial Stadium to that Really Swell Guy the Basileus of the Holy Empire Whom we All Strive To Emulate Daily'; a 15-metre tall statue of the Basileus stands guard behind one of the goals (which leads to to some really unfortunate sight lines).

The team's hotel was next to the Boulevard and Triumphal Arch of the Basileus, the latter topped by a 20-metre tall equestrian statue of the Basileus which replaces the horse's eyes with rubies the sizes of human fists.

It was only on the second day that the fog lifted enough for the team to realise that the tallest mountain overlooking Olastor's capital had been carved into a 2000-metre tall statue of the Basileus with arm outstretched in benevolent blessing over people.

Well, let's just say that while we're sure this is flattering and all that, and we've always realised the Basileus is immensely popular in Ordinary Reality, it is possible to take this thing a little too far. Indeed, an awkward diplomatic incident was only narrowly avoided at the pre-match banquet when our no doubt well-intentioned and terribly polite hosts mistook imperial coach Juan Tzimisces for the Basileus (and can we state, for the record, that they don't even look remotely alike), and proceeded to attempt to sacrifice three goats to his dread name and offer him his choice of virgin daughters of senior cabinet members.

Needless to say the atmosphere in the match itself was also a little awkward, not least because of the home supporters' habit of chanting 'All Hail You Worthy Subjects of the Mighty Basileus' and 'We Really Hope We Lose To You Tonight', which did nothing to boost the morale of the home team. In the end, the 56-0 victory felt more like a mercy killing than a football match.

Fortunately, Eastfield Lodge and Acronius are made of sterner stuff, because we certainly don't want to face a match like that again.

[Ceni]

Cowboys and Fangirls
Chapter 2: Getting Ready for a Day Trip

The delivery drone had arrived and departed, and three packages from the delivery service lay on Andrew's front porch. He ventured outside to grab them once the drone had left; he marked himself surprised with the number of packages laying next to his door. "I didn't think there would be this many packages out here," he said. "I wonder how that delivery drone managed to carry them all."

Liam, much more experienced with the "cowboy" style of dress than Andrew, simply shrugged. "One box for the hats, one box for the boots, one box for the shirts and jeans. I'm not particularly surprised. The outfit can be particularly voluminous when it's still in the box."

Andrew picked up the boxes and went inside. Liam followed him. "Shall we get ready for our outing?" he asked.

Liam nodded. He grabbed his clothes and went into one of the bathrooms on the lower floors to change. Andrew, not wanting to traipse halfway across his house to use the other bathroom on the first floor or go upstairs to the master bathroom or anything else located up there, improvised for his changing location: he converted his mud room, with washers, dryers, and the like, plus random shoes scattered around and some stray leaves and twigs on the floor. A few minutes later, he emerged from the mud room all decked out in his Western gear. His boots clomped on the hard terrazzo floor. "How do I look?" he asked Liam, setting down his black wide-brimmed hat on the entryway table.

Liam just shook his head a couple of times. "You're doing this whole look all wrong." He almost wanted to put his hands over his face, but that would show too much exasperation. "The jeans go over the boots; otherwise, it just looks awkward. And even though you'd think that jeans are casual, you want to tuck on your shirt. It makes you look a lot better in that look, believe me."

Andrew adjusted his outfit accordingly, pushing in his shirt before pausing to ask for Liam's help. "How am I supposed to put these boots on underneath these jeans? I'm a little confused on that point."

"Oh, come on, you're smart enough to figure that out. What you do is take off the boots for now, lift up one leg of your jeans higher than the boot shaft and put the jeans back on over the boot. Rinse and repeat. Oh, and by the way, fix your belt. It got a little messed up when you tucked your shirt in."

Andrew followed Liam's instructions. "You're looking sharp today, mate," Liam said.

"Thank you," said Andrew. He was wearing an orange shirt with these little brown diamonds interspersed throughout the pattern; he had left the top button open, but he had buttoned the ones on the ends of the sleeves, making the shirt look a little tight-fitting on the sleeves. To complement his shirt, he wore a brown belt with a buckle that was large but not too garish or attention-getting; his jeans started off medium-dark but faded a little bit over the thighs. Liam could hardly notice Andrew's dark brown boots after he put his jeans over them. "You look pretty sharp yourself," Andrew told Liam, who sported a red shirt with a black and white pattern, worn in the same way as Andrew's. He also wore the same type of boots and belt as Andrew, with jeans that were a little darker but had the same fade. Liam topped off the whole outfit with a white cowboy hat, which, in Andrew's opinion, really brought the whole outfit together. Andrew thought that Liam really rocked the whole cowboy outfit; he wouldn't have been surprised if Liam himself had been one of that outfit's ardent proponents back in school.

"Ready to go, then?" asked Liam. He put his sunglasses on, and Andrew remembered why he had fallen in love with Liam. Liam looked attractive right now, and Andrew almost found himself staring at his boyfriend... Andrew snapped himself out of his daydreaming. "Are you ready?" repeated Liam.

"Oh, sorry. I was just daydreaming. Give me one second, and I'll be ready." Andrew grabbed his hat off the table where he left it and shoved it on his head, to be adjusted later. "Now, where did I leave those sunglasses..." he muttered to himself. He scurried around the bottom floor of the house, his boots clicking against the hard floor all the way. He reached the kitchen before noticing his sunglasses laying on the counter. "Aha! Found them!" His boots bending a little bit, and making noise all the way, he jogged towards the entryway. "Alright, now I'm ready." He grabbed his car keys from his bowl of loose change and other random things sitting on his entryway table. "Let's go."

The two walked into Andrew's garage and jumped in Andrew's nondescript blue VLT L3 sedan, a fine car from the world-renowned car manufacturers from Van Luxenburg. "Why aren't we driving the roadster?" Liam asked, referring to Andrew's sleek, black VLT Roadster, which Andrew loved to drive, thanks to its fast acceleration and smooth handling.

"You know the reason why," said Andrew. "I think it's common knowledge that I have the Roadster, and it would draw too much attention to our trip." He turned the ignition, and the L3 revved to life. "This isn't a bad car at all - it doesn't go as fast as the Roadster, but it does handle well anyway." Andrew punched the gas and the car zoomed down the windy hillside road that led to his neighborhood, down to the highway that led into Azuris itself. Feeling a little bit hot in his long-sleeved shirt and jeans, with the sun shining down on him, he turned down the temperature in the car a degree centigrade or two and the cool air wafted through the car. As they got into Azuris proper, the traffic grew, but at least Andrew thanked his lucky stars that the traffic wasn't as bad as the Cenial traffic back home in Ceni. There, cars, taxis, and buses snarled the roadways with congestion, even though the city billed itself as pedestrian friendly, with its walkable grid and its strong network of subways and light rail. Andrew had no idea why people continued to drive in Cenial with the excellent public transportation and then had the gall to grumble and complain about the congestion. Just take the subway, he told those people in his head. Just take the subway!

"How far is the fort?" asked Liam, who seemed eager to get into the city and explore.

"We're about five minutes away from the central parking garage," said Andrew, "but I thought we'd eat some lunch at a quiet little cafe first. I know the proprietor, there won't be much trouble with nosy fangirls. It's somewhat of a walk from the cafe to the fort, maybe ten to fifteen minutes."

"Well, I'm looking forward to it," replied Liam. "Azuris seems like a cool place to visit."

"That it is, Liam. That it is..." Andrew's train of thought steamed out of the station about the memories he had forged in Azuris, and he would soon create new ones with his boyfriend. Andrew turned a corner, parked the car, and the two got out. The breeze from the ocean cooled the two down as they walked, hand in hand, towards the cafe. "Let's do this," said Andrew.

Liam's hat bobbed up and down as he nodded. He replied simply, "Indeed."

[Turori]

Cocoa-bo, an establishment taking its name directly from the beloved national animal of Turori, started as a small dessert shop in Kionao. However, it was only after they added chocolate topped drinks to their menu that their popularity started to soar. As more and more patrons scooped up their chocolate flavored pick-me-ups, demand for the Cocoa-bo product skyrocketed and soon new franchised locations were popping up all throughout Turori. Shifting to more of a social 'hang-out' then just a casual place to drop in, get a dessert, and leave, the new locations started adding small foods such as Bagels for the morning, Soups and Sandwiches for Lunch or Dinner and Salads for the entire day. Cocoa-bo has expanded outside of Vilita & Turori. Their first regional location was opened in Andossa Se Mitrin Vega and the company continues to explore avenues to further increase its image, expanding the company footprint across Atlantian Oceania and beyond.

Cocoa-bo is now taking its latest marketing campaign, "Everything's Better With Cocoa-bo" on the road along with the Turori National Team, bringing to bus stops, digital screens and social outlets the image of the host countries flag and backstory 'altered' to show how it would be "Better with Cocoabo"...
...However, there are a few nations out there that a majority of Turorians would feel would *Not* be better with Cocoabo... at least in the short term. Namely, the competing host nations for the upcoming 70th edition of the Cup of Harmony. While Turori is one of the most successful teams in the History of the Cup of Harmony competition, their fanbase does aspire for more. While winning trophies is always fun; the heartbreak of losing out in the Semi-Finals during the Cosumarite hosted Cup of Harmony 69 has left Turorian fans wanting a second chance - a return trip to Cosumar to take another chance at a deep World Cup Run. Being a loyal, nation-first company whose first and foremost priority is the homeland that gave it its start, Cocoa-bo has no intention of offending its primary consumer base with a marketing campaign centered around how potential Cup of Harmony host nations would be better with Cocoabo. Instead, they have taken the opportunity to have a look at the addition of what, instead of Cocoabo, would make the prospective Cup of Harmony Host Nations better.

Eshan

Valladares

If there were a brains and a braun in the Eshan-Drawkland Cup of Harmony 70 bid then without a doubt Eshan would qualify as the Brains. This assessment is made solely on the fact that Eshan is the outward face of the bid, putting together the bidding package and fielding all questions from interested parties looking to dig deeper into what Eshan and Drawkland have proposed for Cup of Harmony 70.

Also sticking with a conservative 32-Nation format that would mimic the World Cup exactly, there has been little debate surrounding the Eshan-Drawkland Bid on those types of specifics. Instead, the early controversy surrounded a proposal by the Eshan/Drawkland team that was ultimately rescinded - that is the use of Goals Scored as a tiebreaker over head to head results.

Of course, there may have been a few nations excited at the prospect of Goals Scored as a tiebreaker, such as Valladares who have the most goals scored in Group 8 but sit in a precarious position with Electrum sitting just 3 points behind them ready to pounce and steal the spot in the World Cup that the Valladar nation likely assumes is their right. While Valladares still control their own destiny, anything can happen when margaret is involved. While they almost certainly wouldn't prefer to contest the Cup of Harmony, A Valladares entry in the WCC's premier consolation competition could be a motivated entry; as they would be looking to make amends for their Final defeat to Andossa se Mitrin Vega in the Cup of Harmony for World Cup 57. In lieu of Cocoabo, wouldn't the a Cup of Harmony in Eshan be better with Valladares?

---

Drawkland

Krytenia

If there were a brains and a braun in the Eshan-Drawkland Cup of Harmony 70 bid then without a doubt Drawkland would qualify as the brauns. Okay, there is a lot of doubt. However, we already labeled Eshan as the Brains of the operation and the logo for their Cup of Harmony bid is filled with Guns. If they aren't Eshani Guns then they've got to be Drawkland Guns. Thats enough Braun for us. Similar to Qasden in the "QAAM" bid, Drawkland have been silent when it comes to publicly hosting and addressing WCC officials in the Host-Bid tours and information sessions ahead of the upcoming Cup of Harmony 70 host voting session. Though at least they have tagged along on the tours from the back of the bus.

Questions have to be asked however as to why the divorce between Drawkland and Spaam. The Baptism of Fire 65 co-hosts have both entered subsequent bids for the Cup of Harmon in the very same cycle, but have each done so with a new partner. Was it an amicable divorce? Did one party cheat on the other? If so whom? Some very interesting story lines possible but either way, someone loses.

Speaking of someone loses, Krytenia are off to an utterly horrible start... and middle to their World Cup 78 Qualifying Campaign. After Decades of being the multiverse's most pathetic performing Semi-Finalists, barely even able to reach a Major Competition Final no less win it like their all time greatest rivals Audioslavia have done on multiple occasions since their Bully Re-birth; it seemed as though things had finally turned a corner for the ole' Cyan Stars.

The opportunity presented itself on a platter in the land of busses and routes when Krytenia took on Chromatika in th AOCAF 52 final. There was guaranteed to be a first time winner and, quite frankly, if the Krytenian's lost they may as well have just begun the long march East and deposited themselves permanently in Lake Bekk. A strange thing happened, however. They didn't lose.

As AOCAF Champions, Krytenia had finally turned the corner and set their sites on World Cup Glory. Then reality set in. Unlike Audioslavia, Krytenia were unable to harness their regional momentum and turn it into success on a grander stage. Instead, results like Matchday 14's 2-1 defeat to Furby Island will haunt a Krytenia team that has already been eliminated from contention, sitting 7th out of 9 teams in a Group 2 that, ironically, is topped by a potential Cup of Harmony host themselves in Spaam. Krytenia, the groups #2 seed, has mustered just two victories over 13 matches and with just 3 games to play can now finish no higher than 3rd in the table. Margaret always needs a big name or two to highlight the Cup of Harmony Field. in lieu of Cocoabo; wouldn't Drawkland be better with Krytenia?

Disclaimer: Cocoa-bo does not endorse any specific bid for the Cup of Harmony, nor does the inclusion of bid nations in its marketing material intend to imply endorsement or probability of victory. The current Cup of Harmony bids are: Eshan & Drawkland; Apox & Chromatika; Qasden/Spaam and Vilita / Tropicorp

[Aggrey-Fynn Land]

LANDER SPORTS NETWORK

Your plug for all things sport.

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AGGREY-FYNN LAND CLAWS THEIR WAY BACK INTO CONTENTION WITH A BIG WIN

GOAL: Hawking (32')
GOAL: Whitlick (37')
GOAL: Banker (69')
GOAL: Strong (84')

Aggrey-Fynn Land squared off against the Isles of Avon in their most recent match. This was really a battle of "the best of the rest" in Group 7, as the Eagles were in third, while the Wavy Ones found themselves in fifth. Aggrey-Fynn Land defeated the Isles of Avon in their last meeting, 2-0. Jerry Simmons billed this as "the most important game we will play this campaign." When we caught up with him before the game, he said that "two weeks from now, we will be playing Semarland. After that, we go and play Valanora. If we want a chance to qualify, we will have to win this stretch of four games, and that all starts today." The Wavy Ones headed into the game hoping to get three points and close the gap between them and the "big two" in the group.

A scramble for power

However, the Eagles were also out for blood, and from the first minute of the game, they played like it. Although they usually play in a more conservative manner, they went all out, putting pressure on the Superstars and pushing forward in numbers. They sliced through the Lander defense with through passes to their attackers. Jahseh Twins held up surprisingly well under such pressure, but he couldn't play like that for long. In the 32nd minute, Hawking got a through ball right in front of the goal. Jahseh Twins was hoping to get his hands on the ball before the opposition could get off a shot, so he went off his line. This resulted in a chip, and a goal for the Eagles. However, Aggrey-Fynn Land would not take that lying down. Three goals later, including Banker's first goal for the national team, Aggrey-Fynn Land had won the day, 3-1.

[Soltsteed]

---

Somewhere in Frejo

---

Not again…

Emmet was not alone in his thoughts, nor in his instinctual reaction to the ongoing riot at Frejo’s national stadium. The Rottswartheer was at it again, assaulting the pitch with sausage rolls, setting things on fire and generally causing destruction and mayhem.

Things had seemed to be going well. Soltsteed had a 1-0 lead nearing the end of the match, but then Lily Webb came in. Attempting to clear a wayward shot from the box, she inadvertently knocked the ball into the goal. 1-1 was the final result and the Soltsteedish supporters were anything but happy.

Emmet was out of breath as he entered the relative safety of the tunnel. “What the hell is going on out there?”

“I don’t know, Emmet,” a visibly exhausted and bruised Clement replied. “Is anyone seriously hurt?”

“Not that we know of,” the medical head said with uncertainty. “We don’t know if all heads are accounted for either.”

Jan-Peter couldn’t hold it in much longer: “Schiet.”

“We can lose at home and those douche nozzles will hardly make a peep,” Emma complained before switching over to English. “But one minor transgression and they all go insane.”

The authorities came into the tunnel, ordering the team to evacuate to safety. The police would handle the rioters by any means necessary—a blessing given to them by His Majesty’s Government in St Christopher. If the Soltsteedish Commonwealth were to never see the likes of those self-appointed guardians of Soltsteedish righteousness again, it wouldn’t be too soon…

The last few players would be safely extracted from the stadium. There were some bruises. Bryan and Nadia had some minor burns.

The press went nuts with the story: “Our Great Shame: Part Two”, “Attack of the Sausage Rolls: Electric Boogaloo”, “Nine Dead in Post-Match Riots”.

The patience of the press and the people was wearing thin and this draw in one of the few matches that Soltsteed had no excuse to drop points in wasn’t helping matters. Jan-Peter knew his job was secure—the Royal Soltsteedish Football Federation weren’t suicidal enough to fire him in their début cycle—but he had to do something.

At the post-match press conference, which had been delayed due to the violence, the throw down came.

Soltsteed weren’t going to the World Cup finals, that much was clear. Only a fool could think the Stallions still had a chance to make it. But if Jan-Peter couldn’t get the Stallions out of the Cup of Harmony group stage, he would retire from management. Permanently…

And as he left the press conference, the same thought ran through his head like a broken record: It’s not like I have much of a choice.

[Kel Assuk]

The Road to the World Cup
Chapter 7: Orange Blossom Oil Saves the Day (Part 1)

Eric felt strangely refreshed after visiting the Amalen doctor. Well, that was the wrong word; he should be using the more traditional tinesmegelen, more roughly translated in English as medicine woman. The medicine woman he found on one of the winding streets of Marandet, Taderfit (which loosely translates to Emancipation in English), had given him the works. Words could do her no justice; she seemed a combination of therapist, psychiatrist, shaman, and traditional herbalist. On the spiritual front, she performed an exorcism, to try and remove Eric of bad energy; she performed an invocation of beneficial Amalen spirits; she performed other rituals to bring Eric and his team good luck. The Amalen had a hodgepodge of religious beliefs; most of the people followed Islam, and worshiped Allah, although the Islam in Kel Assuk was notably moderate and diverse in terms of sects and followers. They also managed to incorporate a range of pre-Islamic beliefs into their daily religious practice, from ancient representations of the sun, the moon, and the stars and the earlier megalithic culture that attached value to, of all things, rocks to old animistic deities and even gods from Arkoenn. People worshiped them in shrines in their houses and more formal temples, and of course mosques for Islam, as well as the secret societies of various god-cults that abounded in Kel Assuk. This medicine woman brought to mind some of those syncretic beliefs of old; she brought in practices from a range of sources, from Islamic rituals to older Amalen ones.

On the physical side, Eric felt reinvigorated after the medicine woman performed a traditional Amalen massage, complete with the traditional herbs oils associated with it. She also prescribed him some of those herbs and oils, selling him a couple of weeks’ supply. The Amalen hold that saffron provides a mental boost, so she prescribed him a small supply of that precious herb in the form of an oil. Taderfit also told Eric that orange blossom oil had been used for centuries to cure problems like headaches, stress, and anxiety, and she gave him a supply of quality mint tea to help with Eric’s recurring coughs and headaches. Eric wasn’t sure if the products actually worked or not, but the Amalen knew better than him on the issue. Although they didn’t have the benefits of modern science, they had five thousand years of practicing these herbal remedies. Plus, there was the placebo effect too, so even if they didn’t really work, Eric reasoned they’d probably work anyway just to give him something to focus on instead of all his anxiety and stress.

After Eric told the team he had visited the medicine woman, they grew a little bit calmer about the next couple of games, especially as he told them about all the oils and herbs that the medicine woman had recommended to him, in particular the orange blossom oil, which seemed like it had already started to work on Eric himself. He told the team to get more sleep as well; sleep was essential for helping the team rest and reinvigorate themselves. They would need everything they could get against the group’s first seed, the world #3 team San Jose Guayabal. Eric wanted them to be rested and ready to play their best at home in front of the home crowd; he didn’t want any embarrassments or astounding goal tallies with some of the important folks from the Kel Assuk Board of Sport in attendance. He just wanted them to play their best without worrying about how good the other team was or how highly ranked they were; after all, the team was mostly composed of teenagers. Kel Assuk, which had players with some experience, could beat a team full of cocky youngsters who were full of themselves, thinking themselves the best teenagers in the world. Eric just ached to prove them wrong, and the team’s earlier loss to San Jose Guayabal only encouraged them to work hard against the team. They would be ready for whatever the Esportivan nation threw at them. Hopefully…

[New Gazi]

New Gazi had pretty much lost their playoff hopes. Super-llamaland had slipped out of reach, when there had once been a two point difference in the standings. There wasn't much of a chance for the Gazilians. It was more about getting the international experience at this point.

New Gazi (82) faced Coraspia (285) on Matchday 14.

Imari Lefisse would be the first to score a goal. He was the recipient of a nicely touched pass from Anita Jarlsdottir on a fast break opportunity. The two embraced and fell to the ground before being tackled by the team. It had become a typical celebration for a Jarlsdottir assist. If you score off her pass, she sprints in for the hug.

"I wish these celebrations could come in bigger games", said Anita after the game. "We're excited for the future. It may take another season or so. But soon, this team's core will make a serious run."

Amare Contee shared similar statements. "We haven't given up. All of this will help us in the future. We're a young team. The veterans understand they're training the younger folk. This is a national soccer program. A space program wouldn't start at the top. But if a nation invests, studies, trains and executes, they can build it up. We're no astronauts, but we can use that mindset."

Contee drew criticism during the off-season for demanding the national team add more pieces around him. It was basically the reason that Jarlsdottir was signed. The Cannoneers took off a more defensive midfielder to bring in another facilitator. Now Lefisse and Jarlsdottir were two players looking to make assists from the center midfield.

It had an effect on the team. New Gazi scored 33 goals, the second most in the group. They gave up 21 goals, but the difference was still second best in the group at +12. The team shifted to a more defensive formation to compensate, but the middle was just not as tough defensively.

"It looks like we might finish in third", said Coach Oli Hausta. "That's never a goal, but it's not a bad result. Not in a league with as much separation as this. Kaboomlandia can obviously still make a run. Our goal at this point is to finish ahead of them. We'll have to fight for this two game stretch. I'm glad we got so close to second."

He later added, "We really have some good pieces to build with. Some nations did fly into hgher ranking faster. We don't have that luxury, but eventually the tortoise can win the race. It won't take a turtle's lifespan though."

The Gazilians are also fighting for a spot in the Cup of Harmony. They've also just been having fun on the field. Anita Jarlsdottir scored the team's second goal. She used one of her favorite moves which changed directions abruptly enough to throw off the defender. It was a stutterstep similar to the Shammgod crossover, flipping the ball in the opposite direction and then taking off. In soccer, it dealt with rolling the ball in the direction of the off foot.

She feinted, crossing her legs out of a fake pass over the ball and then took off in a sprint. The two moves put her between both defenders with the ball in front of her left foot. She caught it and pegged the upper right corner.

That goal was a result of her freestyle nature. There is a fluidity to her movement that words do not capture. She slinks and slides across the field, knowing how to bound off from a push with enough technique to control the ball.

Jac Biobaku scored the third goal. The RB was up front with Lefisse back for a play. The ball had been on the opposite side of the field. Uffe Diya took a shot that grinded off the woodwork in the defender's direction. He leapt for the header and bounced it just past the keeper.

They would win the game 3-1. The season was coming to an end. It looked like the Cannoneers were refining their gameplan for the future.

[Mriin]

Randall Tarth, medical practitioner extraordinaire and Don Mizzet's personal physician, was extremely glad he'd chosen the match away at Polar Islandstates to take off and attend. Several security guards got in his way as he sprinted down the stands, but thankfully he still had his A-level Staff ID card for the Mriin NT to sway them. With no time to waste, he leapt the railing over the dugout and gracefully landed behind the dragon.

"Breath, Mr. Mizzet, you need to breath." He went to a put a hand on Don's shoulder by habit, but then realized he'd need a step ladder to accomplish that and settled for walking around and clasping a great clawed hand betwixt his. The veins on Don's neck had been visibly popping even from the nosebleed seats Randall and his family were in, and all the muscles in his hand felt like rock. "I know this is a total shitshow, but you need to breath."

They sat in awkward silence for a few more moments, Don staring stoically out onto the field where Eidur Gunnlaugsson found a gap between Kalia and Qual. Gunnlaugsson split the women and fired off a cross into the box, where Finn Kirkkegaard got off a better jump than Uhlon and subsequently heading it past Zilia, who already looked like she was exhausted.

As the Polarian crowd went berserk, Don let out a long sigh. As both went past ten seconds Randall idly wondered which would go longer; the Polarians were still celebrating as the teams set up for the kickoff and Don barked an order. Kostin Bermat, Mriin's backup keeper, hadn't seen much play at all in the qualifiers so far; Zilia may have been struggling more in the net than anyone would have liked, but a lot of the goals conceded were more due to slips from the defensive line than any inadequacy on her part. Today was different, though--something was clearly off with her, and she all but collapsed once she reached the sideline, the team physio rushing to her side along with Vernan and Jorm to help her off as Kostin took her place.

"I know it's difficult given our current run of form," Randall started again, "but you must be able to manage expectations. We're still a lowly-ranked side, despite our place at the top of the table. And these are still Polarians, despite our previous drubbing of them and their place at the bottom of the table--they just happened to be in their old form, the sort that you always talk about. Things happen, and you can't get stressed to this sort of level, it could take over a hundred years off your life."

Don tilted his head to the right, then to the left, getting a resounding crack from his neck both times; many of the fans in the crowd behind him visibly flinched at the sound. He looked to the scoreboard, at the 4-0 score, then walked back and disappeared into the locker room.

Joren put a hand to his head as he approached the resting ball. What... even happened? I'm never this foggy this early in the game... I better be able to shake this off. So he just kicked off as normal, sending it sideways to Aldo, and moved forward like nothing had happened.

He didn't get very far before Aldo gave up the ball. To Solara, that is... who was already behind Anders Holzhauser? Joren couldn't help but double-take as she ran past Olaf Strauss and made the Polarian keeper look silly in a one-on-one. I know she's fast, but that's ludicrous.

What was more ludicrous was how she took the ball off Sim Lefebvre almost immediately on the next play. Lefebvre seemed to be taking it easy knowing there wasn't enough time in the half for a proper drive, and hell, a 4-1 lead doesn't warrant an all-out last-second attack. But she blindsided his slow stroll and stripped the ball, bolting down the heart of the pitch, not waiting to hear the minute of injury time called. Holzhauser was in front of her this time... but not for long, as in a blink of his eye she had rounded him and was rearing up to take the shot, three yards outside the box. It bounced off the top of Brandt-Caledon's hand and rattled into the top netting.

Randall poked his head into the locker room, where Don was fully splayed out, covering most of the spacious area. "I don't want to get your hopes up, but Solara just went nuts. It's 4-2 now." The doctor quickly retreated, closing the door and resealing the dragon in indoor darkness.

Malia finally managed to intercept Solara, who was running a lap around the field and had already left Aldo and Kalia gasping for breath trying to catch her the conventional way. "So just what was that, lassie?"

The striker just started stretching, giving the rest of the team time to congregate around them; once Aldo and Kalia linked up, she straightened her back and spoke. "I know you all want to play well, and you all want to win. I know we all want to make up for Zilia's day--Jorm told me she's actually got a terrible fever that only started five minutes in. But we really have to pull out everything we can, and if you want to know what motivated me to go out and do that... think of Don. Think of how we talked up the virtues of the extra defense, and we've not given up less than two goals since he made the change. We just gave up four in the first half. And what does he do? I mean, sure, just abandoning the pitch isn't the best form... but all he did was replace Zilia, who obviously needed a swap. We're all still in. We're all still playing, in the formation we asked for. He trusts us to do what we do, even if it's against his grand plans that he loves so much. And I'm sure as hell going to make sure that trust was well-placed."

[Bonesea]

Today is for the likely qualification winners, those fresh moves have really impressed so far.
You have earned the right to feel that something good is gonna happen

[Drawkland]

IAROCAV
The immortal leader of Drawkland is one of the most famous figures of Sonnel. Indeed, Iarocav may be one of the most influential people to ever grace the multiverse, at least his corner of it. Leading Drawkland to its inception, through many wars, and to where it stands today, the nation would likely be lost to time without his efforts protecting it, through political, spiritual, and metaphysical strife.
Only decades away from his 5000th birthday, Iarocav's dreams are populated by him having faint visions of the future or reliving memories of his past. During the 78th World Cup, for whatever reason,
the First Drawkian begins to relive his childhood and ascent to the leadership of Drawkland, way back in the more ancient times. What follows is an account of these dreams.

Iarocav finished taking his deep breaths and opened his eyes again. Across from him, outside of the tunnel, Redonak stood in the center of the arena. He beckoned for Iarocav to come forward. Iarocav did so, striding confidently out of the tunnel and into the sunlight of the Sonnelian day. Iarocav strode up to Redonak, and bowed slightly in front of him in respect. On his former mentor's other side stood a grizzled old man. Iarocav recognized him immediately. They called him "The Wolf," he was one of the oldest and most cruel military leaders Sadeg had to offer. Luckily nobody was in his direct command anymore, but clearly he was looking to change that by entering the tournament to be king.

At that moment, a herald appeared in one of the openings in the tower (one would be hard pressed to call them "windows"), gave a small trill on his bugle, and then spoke in his loud, heraldry voice.
"Now we shall witness the next match in the first round of the Sadeg Coronation Tournament. This battle shall pit Iarocav, Corporal of Patrol 89 in Sadeg, versus Vulpaduc, Colonel in Sadeg's Military.
The winner of this round shall go on to face Jackifipon, the winner of the previous matchup. Major Redonak, are the subjects ready?"

Redonak looked to either side, examined the armor both men were wearing, their gear, and waited for any show of readiness. Iarocav gave a nod and Vulpaduc simply jutted out his chin in disdain.
Redonak turned to the tower and gave a salute. The herald nodded and then called out "Begin at the bell tone!" Redonak moved out of the way, to one corner of the arena, and then the bell rang out from the tower. It had begun.

Iarocav looked across at the old man, Vulpaduc. He seemed quite menacing, in his old, huge armor that was battered, bloodied, and dirtied over time. His sword was more of a claymore than just a single-hand sword, and he seemed to handle it with fury. After a moment of sizing up Iarocav, he charged at the younger foe, and swung down with both hands. Iarocav rolled to his right to avoid it,
and the old man nearly crashed into the arena wall with his momentum. Iarocav decided he couldn't duck and weave forever, especially not with armor on, and so he decided for an attack of his own.
He charged himself, going towards Vulpaduc who was still near the wall. Instead of a direct charge, Iarocav opted to dodge the slow swing and jumped into the wall, bouncing off of it and getting a glancing blow on his opponent's helmet. It wasn't really meant to be a huge strike, just something to assert himself. At the slight acrobatics, the (rather sparse) crowd gave a bit of a cheer.

Vulpaduc collected himself after the blow to his head with rattled him a bit. He charged again at Iarocav, who simply sidestepped to his left. The old man was carrying the sword on his left side, which meant that Iarocav's slight juke was far from harm. The old man stopped himself before hitting the other wall, and then stood still for a moment. He turned, and eyed Iarocav. It was clear that his usual strategy, which relied on his opponent actively engaging him, wasn't going to work. Iarocav also realized that he couldn't exactly dodge forever. He remembered something Redonak had said awhile back, that you can stay alive forever by doing nothing, but then nothing you shall do. So Iarocav decided it was time for him to do some engaging. He figured that since Vulpaduc was old as a bat,
that if he could get him on the ground, that it could effectively be the end of the match.

Iarocav slowly scuttled forward, holding his sword in both hands at his hips and moving it back and forth across his body. His foe held his sword similarly, but held it close to the ground, leaning forward slightly. They stepped closer, at a seeming snail's pace, until they were at sword's length. With a burst of speed, Vulpaduc lunged forward, his massive sword getting close to Iarocav. Iarocav leaped back, stumbling to the ground, falling on his back. The crowd ooed, and Vulpaduc went for a swipe. Iarocav, his mind moving at about a thousand miles per hour, instinctively kicked with his left leg at the swinging sword. It didn't knock the weapon out of his foe's hands, but it threw him off balance, and thus Iarocav had a chance to roll to his feet and pick his own sword up off the ground.

Iarocav then decided to take the offensive, taking a swing at the old man as he attempted to recover. He was ready, though, and swung up to meet Iarocav's sword in midair. The clang of the swords rang out in the midday air, and the crowd began murmuring. A bit of swordplay followed, Iarocav glancing away the heavy blows of Vulpaduc's sword, while trying to get a shot or two edgewise.
Iarocav was simply biding time until the man did the move he was looking for. Then, it happened. Vulpaduc took too far of a swing, which Iarocav hit with his sword going the same direction, which forced the sword further than his opponent expected. Iarocav then delivered a low kick to the man's hand, which shot the sword out to the ground. It gave a dull thud as it hit the sand and dirt. The crowd gasped and cheered, but Iarocav wasn't stopping. Before he'd let anyone let that action sink in, he powered forward with his shoulder and trucked with all his might. The off-balance and shocked Vulpaduc careened backwards and fell. Iarocav, not expecting such a give, fell down as well, on top of the old man.

Iarocav skittered to his feet and turned, seeing the old man attempting to get up. He couldn't allow that to happen, or else he'd run the risk of letting his foe regain his composure and start attacking again. So Iarocav ran forward, still low on the ground, and flipped his lower torso forward in a sort of midair slide, which sent his shins into Vulpaduc's helmet, knocking him back down onto his stomach. Iarocav got to his feet once more, holding his sword. He firmly brought his foot down on Vulpaduc's back, and brought his sword with two hands down to touch the base of Vulpaduc's neck with its point.

He looked up at the tower, hoping that that would be enough to convince the overseers that it was a whole disarming and lethal position. The air stood silent for a moment, the crowd waiting for the call. Then, the bell rang out twice, signaling the end of the match. The herald from before appeared in the window below where Taykonna and the interim king were sitting, and gave his announcement.

"Iarocav has won the match and will advance to the next round, held in 2 day's time." Then, some of the crowd dissipated. People turned and talked amongst themselves. Iarocav released Vulpaduc from his hold, and without a word, walked back into the tunnel. He thought of what had just happened. He'd really advanced into the next round. One step closer to being king.

---

[Tinhampton]

The (disorganised but) Collected Works of Aidan Thornton
08 October 1909-28 May 1987. Seen by many as Tinhampton's "greatest" poet, and arguably its only famous one.
Illegitimi Non Carborundum
A poem reflecting on the aftermath of rationing, and mostly on the changes in the ten years up to then.
fun fact: Illegitimi Non Carborundum is written from the viewpoint of the same person as Half an Hour at The Stores.
another fun fact: this was Thornton's last poem before the Communist Revolution, written on the 17th of September (five days before the coup)

---

09/1957

Ten years onwards, much work to be done
They've grown up lots, my daughter and my son
Driving cars now, leaving mother to sit
In the middle, not out of love but nostalgia
It's ten years now, stuff's changed more than a bit

The new excuse: Still there, as she gets better vision
And we've been told we'll get some "television":
Whatever that means; we can leave more than a crumb
But still, despite our hope, the message still rings loud
And it rings clear: Illegitimi non carborundum

The bastards, of course, work at City Hall
Caring neither for us nor for football
(As was evident at the Tin Park cancellation
Because the visitors forgot their clothes)
I suspect these people are on the right road

But not always - sometimes, they make their plays
For domination of the city - and thus they say
"Change is in the air", except that it's not
Mainly sitting there, protesting back home
Whilst likening our Mayor to a foolish robot

Clothing, mind you, has changed for the better
We can all dress right, whatever the weather
Food as well, regulations wafted away
In the name of better resources, and thus
Good old quarter-pounders are here to stay

Our tin, too, in our pennies for the first
Time for a good twenty years, a plan burst
Originally out of war, than the bastards' rationing
However, sectors like general mining, fishing,
Lower taxation - there's been little actioning

Thanks to the Feminists, we can wave goodbye
To Beckham's well-meaning leadership, and subsequently cry
Not feminists in general (with objectives well and good)
But the Feminist Party, the ones in opposition
Who think our economy's down the wrong neighbourhood

And hell if I know what's coming up next
But any consters have already been vexed
They say, "No, you can't impersonate
One of our officers, or else a thousand-dollar
File, and your items we'll confiscate"

So, to conclude, a land of instability
With much hope for the future, yet little as can be
Enjoying our time whilst it lasts
Before it's time out, perhaps until '67
And the old order of things then blasts...

[Darmen]

19 year old All Greens' midfielder Codie Armbruster had a massive smile on his face as he glanced for the 48th time at the picture of him and All Greens' legend and former Manager Tor Tong Lee. Meeting the All Greens' most capped and highest goal scorer had been enough to cause Codie to forget that the man also happened to be the President of the Republic. Codie couldn't wait to tell his mother...

35 hours later, Codie was absolutely devastated. The 5-4 scoreline was surely facing the wrong way, right? The scoreboard operator had somehow managed to change the Mercedini score instead of the Darmeni score, right? Darmen was going home with the three points, right?

Wrong.

Suddenly the game against Sargossa took on a completely different meaning. If three points weren't secured there, then Sargossa would surely finish ahead of Darmen and steal the qualification from the team that had spent almost the entirety of the first half of the campaign in first place.

Codie called his mother. He didn't mention the meeting with Tor Tong Lee. He had forgotten all about it. All he wanted to know was his mother's opinion on whether he would die if Darmen failed to qualify. She seemed to think he would...

Codie wished he had called his sister instead.

[Yue Zhou]

Lin Wangming hadn't seen much of the pitch at all during the Red Dragons'...somewhat ill-fated qualifying campaign. Sure, it was their first time, but with a few exceptions, Yuezhou had largely kept the same starting eleven with different tactics. The World Cup had been out of reach for well over half of the qualifiers, but there was still Cup of Harmony qualification to consider. They needed to grab as many points from the remaining matches as possible if they wanted to keep playing when the qualifiers were over. And with the YFA's purpose being questioned by the likes of Kang Guilin, failure to keep going could prove fatal.

So, with salvaging some points out of a mediocre first campaign becoming Yuezhou's top priority, there hadn't been much room in the starting lineup for an eighteen-year-old with half a season of professional experience. Especially not if that professional experience came not with one of the "Big Five" - the two Nangang clubs, the two Beian clubs, and the Yincheng Capitals - but with perennial relegation fighters Beiyun Stars. Lin didn't mind - he hadn't done much to win a spot, after all, and he was just happy to be there. But he could've minded with a few more starts.

At least he was getting consistent time off the bench. Such as...today, as Yuezhou had contrived to go down 2-1 to Makongo. He'd been thrown on for the defensive-minded Tan Ming, as the usual attack-minded second-choice fullback, Fan Xiaopeng, was out injured. And things had improved immediately! Not exactly because of him - it'd been more to do with Fu Xi, the Next Big Thing out of Yincheng, running through three defenders before rifling a shot into the net. But he'd at least been on the pitch. Now, with twenty minutes left and the game still tied, he'd have to show he could earn it.

For now, though, he had to focus on the game itself. More specifically, Tijan Sanyang, who was, at the age of seventeen...basically him, but from Makongo, who had plowed through Han Ruoyang and cut outside towards him. When Makongo attacked, they did so in numbers, and Koné and Dieye had already sprinted into the box. With Wang and Jin nowhere near Han's quality - and with Han Ruoyang himself still sprinting back behind three attackers - a cross would be very bad. And he'd have to stop Sanyang and his support, Bouba Baldeh, single-handedly.

But as soon as it started, it was over. Lin sprinted towards Sanyang, and immediately realized he was trying to pass back to Baldeh. Before the young winger could even get the pass out, he had blocked it off, calmly intercepting the ball and sprinting away. Suddenly, with the majority of their team out on the attack, Makongo's defense looked a little spotty. And Fu Xi, who was already running into open space, was very fast.

Lin's long ball landed just in front of the Yincheng attacker, who promptly flicked it over Kabba and sort of just ran through the languid Mbiwa. Suddenly, he was in open space, with just the keeper in front of him. But no keeper could have stopped his low, hard, perfectly-angled shot.

Fifty yards behind him, Lin raised his arms in jubilation. It felt good to be back on the field.

[Islana Lunigo]

Susie by Regina Kipper, Winner of the M.W.I.S.D. Anti-Drugs Contest

I once knew a girly
Who's first name sounded like Sue.
She drank a lil Shirley,
And soon she began to spew.

Apples, bananas, cannabis and crack,
My oh my she's finally back!
Susie Boozie could not think,
And from there on then she continued to drink.

Chardonnay, cognac, wine and rum,
It's time like this that scares her mum.
Beer, grape juice, vodka and whiskey,
Susie even tried to kiss me!

In the car she would zoom,
Right into an alley that greets her doom.
So remember kids that drugs aren't funny,
Cuz with Susie Boozie, life was just punny.

[Electrum]

OOC: Continued from here (note - this is ICly quite a few years before the current World Cup)

The media were milling about in front of the Prime Minister's Press Office. They were all confused -- it was unprecedented for a Prime Minister to call an unexpected press conference in the middle of the early morning. With the sun slowly starting to rise above the horizon, Suarez faced the cameras and the microphones. She didn't look like her perfect self, she was tired, had bags in her eyes, and stayed up all night making the necessary preparations after her call just a few hours ago with her Euran counterpart. The nation's eyes were now on her: morning television shows interrupted their usual program of light-hearted news for live coverage of the Prime Minister. There had been much speculation before hand as to what was going on: Was Suarez going to resign after the refugees crisis? Had she been sacked by her own party? The whole nation, and indeed, the entire multiverse, was about to find out.

"Just two hours ago I meant with His Excellency, the Governor-General of Electrum, Daniel Hawthorne of my intent to hold a snap election. I asked him to drop the writs and dissolve parliament, so that we may hold an election. Of course, I have consulted my deputy, Nick Wood, as required by the regulations, to hold this snap election. This is something that I have planned to do for a while now. I would like to make it clear that this decision is one that I have made on my own, with no influences by anyone else but myself.

This is a decision I haven't made lightly, and is a decision I have come to after a lot of thought and time. It is clear that there is not a lot of confidence around my government due to recent events, and I understand the frustration behind several recent cabinet decisions. The only way to stop the wall from being built, and the only way for you to have a say in pulling our nation back from the brink, is to call an election. That is the only option. I, of course, will not be resigning as leader of the Labour Party, and Nick Wood, will not be resigning as leader of the Conservative Party. We intend to fight until the bitter end. It's time to show the Electrumite population that we mean business, and we are willing to put it all on the line.

We need to have a clear direction for the future, and with the recent cabinet composition which is mostly comprised of Nationalists given the recent defections, it's time to clear the cabinet and start afresh again. Many Electrumites have told me about their concerns for the future. They are concerned about cutting our links with Eura. They say they will stick with us to the bitter end to maintain our liberal identity. Other Electrumites have yelled at our offices, telling us to go out and let the Nationalists walk in to power so that an effective wall can be built. That they are the silent majority being oppressed by us 'liberals'. To those Electrumites, I say, prove it. Show you have the support in the election.

Before I finish my announcement, I have one more thing to say. I have been in talks with my Euran counterpart. We have uncovered a massive conspiracy. The EUP, and its leader, Governor Charlotte Gibson, has been acting in concert with the Capital Party over in Eura. They are the ones who have destabilised our border with their massive wealth, which I may add, could be of better use in actually helping those in need right now, by having an organised network to bus in hundreds of thousands of Eurans across our border during our small period of amnesty. I had done that in good faith. I now realise that that was a mistake. I still know that there are genuine refugees who indeed crossed the border, so I won't be calling for them to leave any time soon. I implore the Electrumite population to send the conniving and manipulative EUP, as well as the trouble makers, the Nationalists, a message. It's time to regain the sanity of the nation. Thank you."

[Qasden]

Tale of The Blume Man

Twenty years I've been locked up here for something I didn't commit. Forty years more I wait for freedom that won't come until married with the reaper. This is my life now and forever, all courtesy of a false victim. Going as drastic as to kill family and pit it on me. I will tell you a story now. A story of a man who went by Blume.

Twenty-Two years ago, you see a long-haired man in a fine black tuxedo. Accompanied with him, his mother in bright baby blue ruffles. They stood above 200 other people as it goes quiet at sudden's mark. The door opened, and his mother faded to the backdrop. Here came the bride, a beautiful dark-skinned woman with brains as big as her braun. She was his everything, the bee to his flower, the wine to his glass, the bandage to his wound.

The two gazed at each other with every step she made closer to their true unity. Her bluish-green eyes sparkled under her periwinkle veils. Petals upon petals broke way for the lady as she walked up the stairs to the site of matrimony. Love was in the tropical breeze, a love that could only wish to be everlasting. It was the marriage of young Terrace and Maria Juneau, the happiest people of all of Qasden.

Pity that I could not attend that fateful day, as my royal duties as a guard for the young Prince Franz-Pierre had increased ten-fold. He had just entered his secondary school age of 12, a mighty feat for such a crown gem. His father, King Hans-Vreinhart, had enlisted me to tutor him through his academics days before that wedding. Hesitantly, I obliged, given that I would have otherwise been thrown out and disappoint my wedded son.

If there is one thing the Prince can't do, it's Turorian. As the heir to the throne, it was critical that he become multilingual, fit to have intellectual conversations with any human, kitsune, and/or cat in the entirety of the multiverse. I can't blame him, however, for not being able to understand a dialect so different to that of the mass majority, at an age of change. Besides, I have only been to Turori twice in my life, one to study their culture, and the other to mourn a grand loss.

Terrace and Maria, being the biological studies experts of the conjoined family, decided to have their honeymoon at the Cocoabo Forest reservation up north. Travelling by boat, they cruised along the river that coasted Qasden and salmoned the splitter of Azeuria and Calania before arriving at Turoki for a quick trip stock stop. You know? Getting everything they needed before heading out, especially permits to be there legally. They invited a few members of their family, too, to join them if they chose to fly to Turoki first. Five of us were invited: Erin, my sister-in-law and mother of Maria, David, my brother-in-law and father of the wife, Madeline, the mother of Terrace and my partner, me, the father of the groom, and...him.

I sadly had to decline due to the orders of King HV to teach his child the history and culuture of Vilita and Turori. However, thanks to a bit of sane beggery, I was able to find my way to Almintorra, as long as I took the young prince with me. Through there, I was able to get us a day trip to the reservation on the mainland. My idea, to surprise my son with a quick visit by not only his father, but a member of the Royal Qasdonian Heir.

When we arrived there to make our idea work, we saw something we could not describe easily at first. Erin was laid on the ground, surrounded by liquid petals of red roses and a slit through her larynx. She was dead, alright, but that wasn't the indescribable ordeal. That was the fact that the other four did not care to contact the rest of the family immediately of the tragedy. Could it have been a cocoabo? A crazed eco-terrorist? It was me.

As we ran into the forest, calling out the rest of the family, we saw one by one, their cadavers laid on the ground. David, Madeline, even a random tourist. But then, at the end of the misshapen trail, was something I could not even die to describe.

All but that man had passed that day, and the authorities were immediately contacted to bring the victims to Turori. Due to the haste and expenses, we decided to have the mass funeral there instead of Qasden. It was one of the saddest, most depressing moments I had ever witnessed. Young cousins placed baby blue flowers on Maria's chest, brothers and sisters began supporting the idea of suicide, and even poor FP, the prince that got dragged into this mess, was in tears at the people he never even knew.

When the child and I arrived back at the capital, guns and spears alike immediately freed myself of my watch on the child. Yes, if this were thugs, I would've stood up. But this was different, these were the weapons of my coworkers and friends of the Royal Guard. I was isolated from FP, who ran away in fear, and I soon came face to face with two distraught expressions, it was those of the King and the man, Blume. He yelled "That's him! That's the man who slaughtered my nephew!". And just like that, here I am.

As far as I know, Blume has since passed away, much like the king had as well, turning the kingdom into a principality on behalf of Franz-Pierre's orders. But to think how much of my family took themselves afterward, they died believing I was killer. They believed that the only reason I had declined the wedding and the honeymoon was because I plotted the couple' so demise. What they do not realize is that it was not me, much like how that salmon on the island wasn't salmon. It was the other guy. It was Blume.

[Semarland]

Biography: Eric Nti-Bonso
Eric Nti-Bonso was born in Dealstad North, a heavily-populated district in the south side of Jansberg, to Moses and Elizabeth Nti who ran a newsagents. The oldest of four, tragedy struck the Nti family when Moses was sadly ran over by a foreign drink driver when Eric was six and his youngest sibling (sister Amina) was just one. That night Moses had to work the later shift as earlier that day he had took Eric to his first trial at Jansberg Laguna. Eric stopped playing football for about a year until his mother met Kwabena Bonso, a postal worker who recently moved into the area from Eikborg, and the two started a relationship a few months after he moved into the area. Kwabena knew he couldn't replace Moses but he encouraged Eric to get back into football and took him to all his games for his local team until FC Jansberg scout Magnus Eirikenhavr spotted him and invited him to join the development centre aged eight.

"Kwabena was very good to all my children," recalls Elizabeth, "He was perfect. Moses' death hit us all very hard and the fact it took nearly a year and a half to find someone new just shows how amazing Kwabena was." Eric settled in well at the development centre, playing as an attacking midfielder, and he was one of the few that was taken onto the actual academy at U11 level. With the support of Kwabena, his teammates and his coaches, he often played up a few age groups and made his U18 debut as an U15. As well as having the creative talent, his goalscoring ability was also a big factor in his praise from coaches and was a regular for Semarland at U15, U16 and U17 level whilst still at Jansberg. Halfway through his U16 season he was offered a two-year scholarship at Jansberg like most of his age group, but after consulting Kwabena he decided to hold off accepting it until he considered his other options.

"There was a lot of competition there." says Eric. "It wasn't a case of ""Oh no, I can't handle this"" it was more of a case of ""Will have a good pathway to the first team?"". I told them I didn't want to make a decision until nearer the end of the season, when everyone should really." Surprisingly his coaches weren't that annoyed with him. He didn't have an agent and FC Jansberg weren't that keen on offering one of their best talents out that quickly, so Kwabena quickly became his "agent". "I wasn't qualified at the time!" laughs Kwabena. "So it was more of an advisor role until I qualified to be an agent." Back in Eikborg, Kwabena's cousin, Ahamadu Sakye was the academy administrator at Eikborg Club. Kwabena let him know that Eric was available.

"There was one thing though," remembers Eric. "I wasn't going there as Eric Nti. That was behind me now. I wanted to be known as Eric Nti-Bonso, in honour of everything Kwabena did to me." Kwabena and Elizabeth had not yet married but they planned to in the summer that year. In March Eric went over to Eikborg for a trial and played three times for the U18s and twice for the U21s - scoring four times altogether in the process. However other clubs got hint that Eric was available and by the end of the month Krsthaven, FC Kolberg, FC Nuholm, SSA, Fransborg set Njilkaer and numerous foreign clubs had offers on the table for him. Eric had made up his mind though and accepted a scholarship at Eikborg with a two-year professional contract guaranteed at the end of it, capping the season off by winning the Norhalne U16 tournament with Semarland.

"I wasn't going to rest on my laurels though. I knew I had to work hard to get closer to the first team and get international recognition." says Eric. And with that mentality he got quite far - becoming an U21 regular in the second half of the season. Eikborg's head of youth development Soren Nkume described him as a player with "very good technical ability" in an article published on Sportsat before the season started. Eric's versatility also saw him play on the left wing and even as a striker and he made his first team debut in a 4-2 home win over Lusenhagen, grabbing a goal in the process - as well as winning the U18 World Cup with Semarland, which he describes as one of his greatest achievements.

A couple of years later there was some more great news for the Nti-Bonso family - 2021 saw Eric's little brother Reiss sign his scholarship with FC York. Funnily enough FC Jansberg let him go at the end of his U14 season and Reiss decided to sign with FC York instead of Eikborg Club. Reiss has gone to make great strides there - attracting the interest of FC Jansberg who are looking to bring back both of the Nti-Bonso brothers. Funny how things change? Reiss is yet to establish himself on the international scene but his versatility and able to play anywhere in the "3" of a 4-2-3-1 could see that change.

So now - the present day. Eric is doing tremendous for club and country whilst Reiss makes waves at FC York. Kwabena, Elizabeth and Eric and Reiss' little sisters (Amaarah and Amina) are incredibly proud. But who is the proudest? One person.

"My dad." smiles Eric. "I know he is looking down on me with a great big smile on his face."

[Nephara]

Themes of suicide below.

Sargossa 0-0 Nephara
(4-3-3) 20 - Tsattalios; 2 - Rafford, 5 - Konoval, 6 - Scharner, 3 - Lohengrin; 8 - Tarashaj, 4 - Rainsford (c), 14 - Gosforth (16 - Irwin 60'); 7 - Szalai (13 - Bereveskos 60'), 17 - Stavanger (9 - Hawke 60'), 21 - Amokachi

Tanith Rainsford wasn't the sentimental sort. She was, after all, from Treason. She was a good example of the truth of Westerling stereotypes - dour, quiet, professional. But she couldn't help but linger on Michael Brandon's words... the players had let the nation down.
So here she was, pulling up outside a quiet little bungalow in Crisisbless, smiling a little despite herself. What a place for a manager to live, eh?
"It's a nice place," her partner, Eloise, said, mirroring her thoughts. She had a way of doing that - it worked well for her, given that her day job was to tell fortunes through tarot readings. It was a good thing, they were both honest enough to reflect, that being a world-class footballer generally got you a fair bloody wage.
"She's a nice person. Maybe to a fault."
"You can't be nice to a fault, Tani."
Rainsford reflected on all the newspapers, what they'd said... as soon as she was out the door she was an overpromoted con artist coming in off the back of a couple flukish seasons. Her achievements were, at least in the heat of the moment, all very much in the past.
She'd spoken to the Starling players in the squad who, unsurprisingly, got along great with her. Guys like Koehler and Hawke were just quiet, right-thinking people who generally enough did the right thing and kept their heads down. But Nephara wasn't Starling.
Tanith Rainsford was not a nice person. She wasn't unkind, by any means - in fact, she was notably gentle to animals - but nice was more than just observing the, well, niceties. Rainsford wanted to win trophies - most Nepharim did - and didn't really care who got hurt along the way. Rainsford wouldn't think twice about lunging her studs into someone's knee if it's what it took to stop them scoring. These were not nice attitudes to possess, certainly not unapologetically. So when Fegelein had talked about putting their best foot forward and being the best they could be, positive talk of pulling themselves up and forgetting the defeat...
... it'd worked for the first loss, maybe. But then they just kept coming, and coming...
Dropping a few players for the CR sent a nice message to the press, but Amokachi had never forgiven her for it, and Amokachi was vocal about her complaints. And then it had spilled onto the pitch, and Rainsford had grabbed her firmly by the shoulders and tried to shake some sense back into her, and, well...
... it got out of hand. You couldn't have your top goalscorer fight your captain.
So now she was here. To... apologise, she supposed it boiled down to. To make up for it, in some way... to talk. You had to have someone to talk to.
She knocked on the door, which swung upon.
"... Huh."
"Well, I guess she's pretty open about things, huh?"
Rainsford pursed her lips, and closed the door to knock on it again.
No answer - not even the sound of footsteps.
"Maybe she's not home..."
"With the door unlocked? This is a nice enough place, but... nowhere's that nice."
"Still..."
Another knock. No answer.
Eloise put a hand on the Nephara captain's shoulder. "Oh, just head on inside, Tani. You're friends. And her door's open. She's not going to complain, is she?"
"I guess not, but..."
"Well, do you want to just stand here waiting? She's probably got her music on or something."
"Do you hear music?"
"Headphones."
"... Ah. Yeah, maybe, maybe..."
"Go on," Eloise spurred, with a gentle shove at the door. Rainsford sighed, swung it open and walked in.
It wasn't a messy house, but it was aggressively lived in. A bachelorette pad, for certain. Shoes kicked off by the door, sheafs of paper dropped off on whatever clear surface seemed to make the most sense at the time... a small kitchen, but, Christ, the woman was eating pot noodles and takeaway.
Then again, perhaps she just didn't want her face seen in public...
"Ahh, hello?" she hazarded. "Gaffer?"
It wasn't technically true, but it was the right thing to say.
She walked cautiously towards it - why the caution, she couldn't say, perhaps some instinct...
She saw the pills, first. Scattered across into the wooden hallway from an adjoining, carpeted room.
Hesitantly, she nudged the door open with her foot and peeked inside. Seemed like a bedroom, and entering a bedroom just seemed like pushing her luck, but something told h-
Fegelein was there, sitting limply on the bed, staring with glassy, faded eyes at a decision not quite taken, the final step in the train of thought of the past few days - hell, months - as friends turned to enemies and everyone had just folded when she'd needed them most and an entire nation had taken the knives out, sniffing blood...
Rainsford cleared her throat, and raised her voice. "Eloise... ? I, ah, I think you'd best come inside..."

[Red Blackiland]

Red Blackiland Sports and Off-topic Chronicles

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Crossroads

Flare choreography after RB's second goa against Greater Vakolicci Haven

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Author : Mathias Gërdorffen

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- Yes!
- No! - and at that moment the world split into two, two distinct realities that followed its path, each giving reason to one side in conflict.
In one, perfect peace followed: a world of brilliance and wonder, of glazed towers and green and flowering fields. Everywhere the children played with their games and toys, running carelessly through the streets and squares, while the adults chatted and reflected in outdoor bars and tables, composing songs about the melancholy of life, the fear of loneliness, the nostalgia of the sun And the clouds of the previous year that were always more beautiful than those of the current year.
In the other, the disaster came: a world of darkness and suffering, of ruins and darkened skies. Everywhere was destruction, gangs of boys in shock at the old piece of bread that would hold night, shaking hands clutching the children against the mother's body, receiving marks and burns from falling raindrops. And somewhere, in a spacious corner under rubble, in the light of a small fire, adults spoke loudly and laughed, singing songs about the joy of life, the luck of being alive, and the unconcern with death that surrounded them all Sides and was, after all, inevitable.

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Hiring

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"Very well, talk about your qualifications. The man looked at me coldly as he spoke, sitting behind a table with his hands clasped over her.
"Good," I began. - I graduated in history, philosophy and social sciences. Specialist in contemporary history, I hold master's degrees in history and political science, as well as a doctorate recently completed at the Sorbonne in Paris. I speak fluent English, Spanish and French, and on good German and Italian level. I also read texts in Latin, Russian and classical Greek.
He tried to look impassive as he assessed me, but by the time I finished reporting the curriculum, I was able to discern some discrete approval signals. It was on that day that I became a pizzeria attendant.

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The End

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Everything was calm and sublime at that moment. The universe existed in silence, the Earth slowly slowing its daily turn until it reached the point of absolute inertia. He sat in the chair, smiling a shy smile, his eyes half open, watching the light that diminished every second marked by the sound of drops of blood spurting from his wrists on the floor.
He realized then that there was nothing left to wait for. He had been struggling, he had faced problems and crises, but now everything was as calm and calm as he could ever wish for. He saw the children grow and survive on their own, as well as their children, and he himself was able to sustain himself without the help of others or sudden outbursts of activity. He no longer had an interest in broader questions about the world or humanity; There were no ambitions to fulfill, nor goals to live for. What more could I want? He wondered silently.
He rose abruptly, as if he had an idea in an unexpected snap. He turned off the TV, searched the room's closets for his father's old record collection, and picked up one of them. He walked over to the old phonograph that years ago was just a home decoration, took the dust off, and plugged it into the wall socket, placing the disc to play. And then, shaking his head and stamping his foot against the dissonant notes of the piano, he returned to the chair, and smiling, closed his eyes never to open them again.

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Drawkons Wise Warriors: The next game of Das SpielHaus

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Learn about the dragons in the land of Drawkland

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Mainstory Quest #7 - There Isn't Place for Emotions in Politics

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The mission becomes available after speaking to Anna von Herank after the mission 'Planing the Future', it can be initiated by spending 25 points of energy level, at the war desk room, it is advised to have as much open inventory space as possible before beginning, if you have 70 or fewer free slots probably will need to sacrifice several items. Bringing Manuela along will open up an additional side mission, otherwise this quest will not be available, there are a large number of valid variations in how to complete the various side quests and, for many of them, there are several paths to accomplish them, but not all possibilities can be documented.
Right after the Insection Leader's arrival at the Garwyli Palace in Caddell (a city in Tunidria), the Insector is greeted by Duke Vaddon de Shone at the exterior entrance, he'll inform the Insector that he believes Rhona Bach intends to disrupt the negotiations, as she's the elf-mage handmaid and spymaster agent of the Empress of Tunidria. The justice approval starts with 20-35 out of a maximum of 100, if the rate reaches 0, it will be game over as the Insector, is thrown out, but if reaches a maximum of 100 of approval at any time then gets a bonus. The Insection leader starts with an approval rate of 30, as human/elf-mages or dwarf Insectors of any class, take an automatic, immediate hit of approval, due to social stigma, human rogues and warriors will automatically receive +7 of approval rate, while the Cadogan's Insectors of any class take a hit of -6 approval rate. The Cardogan's is the gold-haired race of flayed and beefy giants.
Talk with the noble in the corner to begin the side mission, Greenway's Jewelry, if you chooses the middle option 'good trick' results in +7 in approval rate, but choosing the bottom option 'do it yourself' decreases your approval rate by -7. Just locate her jewelry on the nearby caving and return it to her to earn more seven points of approval rate, or tell her you couldn't find the ring and keep it to sell later, which will void any court approval, experience and importance gains. Climb up the right stairs to begin another side mission, 'Bush Has Eyes and Walls Have Ears', which's a little side mission that introduces the eavesdrop mechanic, with this completed, move past the nobles to the end of the covered walkway and search for the key, then go back downstairs and turn left to find the stock room, enter the room and search to find the first Mai coin, picking it up begins the side mission, Waste of Currency, collecting the secret document also found in this room begins another side mission, The Secret Witch Hunt. Go up the stairs to the left of the main gate, picking up the statuette begins the side mission Cattle of Berwyn, returning downstairs, the item can be used to unlock the northeastern stocks below, or saved for later.
The Duke, The Insector and its counselor and group members will be announced at court, in order to hear all of the announcements, don't move to the top of the steps by Vaddon de Shone too quickly, after you arrive next to Vaddon, the Duchess Caerau de Shone will be introduced and Arianrhod Powe, the Empress of Tunidria, will greet the Insector, if you choose the top option which gives you a +15 approval rate, the middle option makes the player earns +7 of approval rate and the bottom option decreases the approval rate by -10, the second set of choices have no judiciary approval, Leilara will ask the Insector to see her when they have a moment. Mingle with the judiciary court, the group members and counselors, talk with Lady Ysbail and ask her to dance as a prerequisite for 'Dance with the White Swan' which requires a level of 50 of approval rate, and grants the player a +8 of approval, if she is brought along for the quest, Manuela will be near the southeast corner of the ballroom, and asking about her friends will start 'Search for Hidden Things' side mission. Manuela's contacts have tipped her off about the locations of various stashes, hidden around the palace by nobles for other nobles, they're ripe for the picking, if you have Manuela in your group during First Impressions missions, you can ask her in the ballroom if her contacts have any information, she will tell you that there are several stashes of items hidden around the Garwyli Palace. Manuela wants you to find four hidden stashes around the Garwyli Palace, it is required to empty the stashes for completion of the side mission, for a slight approval increase, make sure to talk to Manuela after searching for all the four stashes. In the room with gossmaers within the garden, near where you eavesdrop on the nobles, then go to the gardened area at the employee's area, in the north-west corner, from the fountain go north, take the east path, follow it to the end and then go north to find the stash next to some deep mushrooms, then go through the lower floor, and go towards the garden below through the building, the stash is behind the vine fence opposite from the three noble council members.
Speaking with her can also bring approval changes, even group approval, go back to the waiting room and a scene with Leilara begins, she mentions that an occult advisor seems to have charmed the empress and the judiciary court, while the Insection leader mentions that Vaddon is pointing fingers at Diplomat Rhona Bach, both leads warrant investigating the guest rooms, to progress, three items must be found: the seal at the hall of warriors, the letter in the library, and the negotiation note n the room of the garden, these can be acquired in any order, but once the third one is picked up, the Insector will have limited time to return to the dance hall, the doors leading to the library from the waiting room are locked from the other side, so another way in will need to be discovered.
Return to the entrance to the waiting room, enter in the wall of warriors, then grab the Mai coin at the bottom of the staircase on the left side, approach the elf and overhear on the elves to learn about a package delivered to a room in the upper garden, continue into the next corridor and into the room on the right, speak to Duke Cerian Dewey and ask about Vaddon de Shone being his nephew for +9 of approval rate, The Noble Council in the same corridor will be pacing the hallways, then choose ''Teague is a motherfucker'' to earn +10 of approval rate, the other opration decreases the rate by -15. Either response serves as evidence to use against Vaddon de Shone, there is also a Mai Coin n the floor between the two northern lions in Duke's Cerian Dewey room, proceed down the hallway to find another elf-mages to overhear, for an elven insector, they will speak to them directly with a warning of danger in the employee's area, then turn right into the room the elf-mages went into and exit through the window onto the balcony, searching will find the first item, the seal next to a flower pot. Return to the main corridor and exit east into the garden near the waiting room, Arianrhod's ladies-in-waiting will deliver a message from the empress, there is a group of nobles in the northeast portion of the garden, overhear them for the 'Witch Hunt' side mission eventually allows the Insector to talk to them, choose one of the options to receive aid for the Insector, granting energy and importance levels, there is also one of 'Search for Hidden Things' Manuela's stashes in the open room by this overhearing cycle. Head up the lattice and a judiciary court approval timed section begins. The Insector enters an area deemed off-limits, the court notices the Insection Leader's absence and as a result, the approval will steadily drop, at a rate of -2 per min. and a half, while in this area, and the time limit is meant to induce a sense of urgency, however, this does not mean you cannot take your time to explore all rooms and search for items and various mission and quests objectives. Further, the approval drop does not occur when the game is paused, so frequent pausing to move the camera around can reduce the loss. There are many ways to regain approval, as detailed below.
Arriving in the lattice, turn left and follow the railing around two turns to the left, halfway down the rail is a Berwyn statue which you will need in just a moment, pulse your search and you will turn up a search document on the corner of the railing, then return to the lattice, continue straight ahead, and open the garden door, it costs one Berwyn statue statuette to be opened, you must open this door to advance the main mission, grab the loot from the chest and pick up the negotiations note on the floor once you enter the Berwyn door to obtain the second item in the objective. Return to the lattice and turn right to enter in the library, move past the urns on the right, search the bookshelf to find a hidden switch, this opens the back door of the library, enter but don't pick up the note yet or the rush to the dance hall will start. Instead, turn left, grab the brazier, and light the urns in the previous room in the following order, Jones II -> Dewey III -> Stackpoole IV -> Lanman II -> Harley III, then face the room with the garden entrance behind you, light the left side of the urns, then return to the garden entrance and face the other room and light the right side of the urns. Head down into the secret study, and the first chest on the left always contains some items to build smoke grenades and ne of the other chests always contains a Master Blade Build.
Go back up the stairs from the secret study, turn right and pass through the doors, go down the stairs to find rooms on the two sides, to the left you'll find a hidden book that updates the investigation clues, continue down the long hall to double doors leading back to the waiting room, be sure to open one of these doors to allow easier access later. If Catháin came along the group, he will be here for dialogue and one of the options change his approval. Return to the hall where the brazier is and pick up the note. The first bell will jewelry, symbolizes that it's time to return to the dance hall, the fastest route is back through the library, rather than going back down the lattice, once the Insector steps foot into the waiting room or the gardens the approval will no longer deteriorate, then three bells ring before the Insector must enter the dancehall, the timing of entrance can gain or lose approval, then enter after the first bell, on time, no approval change, enter after the second bell, slightly late, to earn +10 points of approval, enter after the third bell, if you reach at it late, the approval decreases by -16, make an attempt to enter the dance hall to instead meet Arianrhod's occult counselor, he encountered and killed a Bruisian Empire, and hands over a key he found on his body. Before leaving the place, now is a good time to re-enter the dance hall which will start the 'Empress Inner Circle' side quest, then turn left and go down the side of the room, chat with Leilara to drop off the fourteen scandalous secrets you have at this point which are required to complete the side-quest mission 'The Secret Witch Hunt'. At the first left, leave the hall to the balcony and talk to Rhona Bach, none of the dialogue options with her have an effect on the main quests of the mission and talking to her marks the mission stage for her as done.
Get inside the dance hall again and turn left, speak with Lady Brys, the middle of the ladies-in-waiting to complete 'Empress Inner Circle' side-quest mission. Continuing counter-clockwise, ignore the next balcony, Arianrhod is there but cannot be spoken with, Vaddon is on the next balcony, talking to him presents his take on the situation and others, completing the three-way opinion circle of the three involved parties, then return to the waiting room and leave, get inside again the Hall of Warriors, go to the east at the end of the lower floor and go through the door to the employee's area. Then, make improvements on everyone's armor and equipments, this area is off-limits so the approval is ticking away, though time is frozen in the inventory screen, the big apartments themselves are off limits, but you do not incur a penalty while you are in the employee's area or the gardens, it is possible to go in with a 100% rate and come out with the same, only upon entering the big apartments does the countdown begin, examine the corpse for a bit of companion-dependent meeting, turn left and go through the archway into the bedroom, continue counter-clockwise into the kitchen, don't miss the Berwyn statue on the wooden beam above you, grab it, you may either jump onto kitchen table or onto the pile of barrels against the wall, from the barrels, you may jump onto the beam and tiptoe to the statuette, there is a book which gives another Insection text entry on the employee's area of the Garwyli Palace, counter-clockwise again takes you to the entry room, then turn left again and leave to the gardens.
Before dropping down, passing at the fountain, turn to the right and move to the back of the balcony, there will be a silhuette in the back right corner, head towards the fountain and fall down to begin a cut scene, an emissary for the Noble Council is found dead, and a nearby weapon bears the Preece's family crest. Kill the group of Dhuinnians that will show up, after it, go south and grab the loot by the fountain on the left and continue to the south, there will be Dhuinnians to kill yet, kill them or ignore. Turn south again, head up the staircase, climb the ladder to reach a balcony with a Mai Coin at the end, enter the adjacent room and look right to find another Berwyn statuette, then go back down to the ground floor and kill the Dhuinnians if you didn't before, continue to the east until a green covered wall is reached, turn right and go through the archway, enter in the big apartments, turning right and enter the bedroom, there's another Mai Coin on the middle bed to the right. Leave the room and go forward into the kitchen, there's supply boxes right there, return to the previous room and turn left, go through the small room into the dining room, kill the Dhuinnians in the dining room, then grab the Mai Coin on the table in the south east corner of the room. Leave north to the library, exit north from the library into the room with the fireplace and the long tables, kill the Dhuinnians and head up the stairs, turn right and clear out the room to the same direction. The nearby Berwyn statuette door, leads to Arianrhod Powe's vault and requires four of these statuettes to open, after opening it, the Insection Leader can find Master Dark Blade Build and an elf-mage locket which is essential to one of five possible endings of this mission. Turn left out of the room, past the stairs and left again, continue to the next corridor to face off against the 'HitLads' and a large group of Dhuinnians, or alternatively, just turn right, and follow where the corridor leads. The HitLad here always drops Erdudvyls' (a rare dual-blade dagger), then a scene with Rhona Bach begins after all enemies are eliminated.
Dropping off the right side of the balcony is the quickest way down, but there is some not-so-apparent items to be found, once the scene is over, go back the way the group came to find an open window, jump diagonally across to the larger balcony to find more items to be searched for, back to the original balcony, jump over the southern railing to land on a lower balcony near a large pile of precious stones, either jump off this lower balcony or switch to another group member that is still up top. If the balconies are not taken, turn around, go back through the desk room, exit north and take an immediate right to go downstairs, then take a left at the bottom of the stairs, right into the library and straight out into the gardens, turn right again, kill some Dhuinnians, past the elf-mage agents and go up the stairs and open the gate that goes back to main palace. Then, go back through the Hall of Warriors, turn left at the dance hall door and wait for the second bell for extra approval, the Insector will make a comment when the second bell rings. The Duke Vaddon de Shone's Illegal Encounter is active now but can be completed later since time is an issue, on entering the dance hall a scene triggers with Cadi Gwynne, and any options not listed below have no court approval changes. She will ask what you know about their civil war, if you respond that Tunidria's war is Aekras' war, a increase of +15 of approval rate will be registered, while the option 'in the same level of how i care about this' decreases the approval by -15. Then, Cadi will tell that the security of the empire is at stake, you can respond that you agree with that and that's why the Insection is here, however it decreases the approval rate by -12, but if you ask if that's what both you two want increases the approval rate by +12. She'll tell that you are a curiosity to many, you can say that are here to help or that's not your problem, grants a loss of -13 in the approval rate, while asking which one is you to her increases by +7 the approval rate. She'll ask who in the judiciary court can be trusted, if you say that trust in Arianrhod Powe/Rhona Bach/Vaddon de Shone it harms your approval by -15, but if you say that only trust in the Insection, or that trust no one, or ask to her who do she trusts, gives you a +5 approval change. Then, she'll comment that cannot have escaped your notice, if you had a general approval less than 45 in this dance and conversation, your approval decreases by -15, if it's more than 45, increases by 15. Cadi ultimately suggests investigating the Royal Saloon, another scene with the counselors triggers immediately, Leilara reminds the Insection that Maol wants chaos in the empire, she also says that there are many ways to bring stability to the empire, and not all involve Arianrhod Powe, hinting at multiple endings for the mission.
At this point the Insection Leader can optionally confront Vaddon de Shone and Rhona Bach with any evidence gathered so far, as well as learn more about their backgrounds if they didn't do so earlier, but before heading to the Royal Saloon, approach the Trophy and Medals Gallery on the southeast side of the Hall of Warriors and trick Diplomat Rhees and his comrades into talking to Gerward, which also awards you a +12 increase of the approval rate. However, if the Insector is an elf-mage they can ask for the other elf-mages next to the diplomat to make a distraction, but this won't reward any approval change. The Trophy and Medals Gallery's area is off-limits where the judiciary court approval will be reduced, if ignoring the side-quest missions simply open the rear door, enter the office and search for the secret commands as material to blackmail Vaddon de Shone, the door on the right can be opened if the Insector is a rogue or archer, leaving the Trophy and Medals Gallery's area to the Hall of Warriors halts the drop in the approval. This is the point of no return for some aspects of this mission.

Drawkons - The Trophy and Medals Gallery

Right after the Royal Saloon, the periodic decrease of approval begins, you will need to re-equip weapons, armor and helmet (depending on the class) and groups should appear ready to go. Go up the stairs and into the Royal Corners, take on the left and then, the left again through the door, search inside the two containers, leave the room and go past the locked door, a scream will be heard upon approaching the next door on the left, open the door and a cutscene plays where the Insector defenestrates a HitLady, interviewing the elf-mage employee provides the blackmail evidence against Rhona Bach. HitLads are assassins contracted by the nobility. Leave the room and the empress's private rooms are on the left, which requires four Berywn statuettes to unlock, accessing this room is required to complete two of the side-quests of this mission and to achieve the 'C' ending, there is also one chance for group approval earnings. Return to the room the HitLad and the elf-mage were in, turn left and and head north down the passageway, the passageway dumps off into a corridor of covered furniture, as you traverse the corridor, a Central-Drawklandian is heard cursing Tunidrian beyond a door, ignore the door on the right for now and go through the doors on the left to the balcony, go left along the balcony, pulsing search. Entering this door is a point of no return. Make sure you have finished all side-quest missions and turned them in.
You can find a supply box here. Return to the covered furniture hallway, once all the scandalous secrets and Mai Coins have been found, the Insector should leave the Royal Saloon immediately to talk with Leilara and deliver the blackmail in order to complete 'The Witch Hunt' and toss all the coins into the coin fountain to maximize importance earns for 'Waste of Currency', once the trap is sprung, any opportunity to complete these side-quest missions is lost. It is possible to end this part of the mission with 100% of approval rate, in order to do so you must gain maximum approval before entering the garden area inside the Royal Saloon, because it is an off-limits area where the approval will steadily drop, so you must move fast, frequently pausing to move the camera around, and (if necessary) head back few times to the far north room on the 'upper floor'. Go through the doors opposite the balcony doors, this causes a cut scene to take place and the group is ambushed and there'll be a dialogue with Cadi which provides the following option, as all other choices have no effect: she says that Maol insisted, you can that it's not too late to end this (Manuela slightly disapproves) or then, you can say that are sure he'll get used to it or that he'll be disappointed (Manuela slightly approves). The Fade rift will spawn a random combination of spyrits and different types of demons, close it and a scene begins with the mercenary captain, who agrees to testify against Vaddon de Shone, if the Historic Intelligence perk has been selected, an option to get his company to work for the Insection shows up, this grants to the power gains of importance, energy and group approvals.
Go towards the east to the locked door, turn left and search in the box, go through the west door to find some precious stones and materials, then head north into Mattocks and eliminate a small group of Dhuinnians, proceed down the stairs to encounter the final group of Dhuinnians, then head through the southern hallway, then proceed into the next room and choose a door inside the lower floor of the Royal Saloon if enough statuettes are held, each door requires four statuettes, and both doors can be opened, then head back and turn left, open the door and continue into a larger yard, take a left and head through the south door into the kitchen, which contains the final supply box, go back out through the kitchens and straight across the yard, open the door, turn right, go up the stairs and search in the footlocker, go straight back and the doors will trigger a cutscene. The scene begins as Gerward asks the Insector what they should do, you have three options: You'll talk with Duchess Cadi Gwynne, publicly expose the duchess' crimes to the court, avoiding further bloodshed, but it requires an approval of 80% or more, the boss battle with Cadi is skipped and it's necessary to gain the 'Belle Art' achievement. Or detain the duchess, saving Arianrhod Powe's life, then deal with the duchess, it leads to boss battle with Cadi. Or wait for Cadi to attack, but it will allow the empress to die before dealing with the duchess which leads the same way as detaining Cadi, each decision results in different group approval opinions.

Drawkons - The HitLad

Following the confrontation with the duchess, and after deciding the fate of Tunidria's throne, a new scene plays as Sundy, one of Arianrhod's occult counselors, informs the Insector that she has been named the Imperial liaison to the Insection, if a romance is being pursued, the Insector's love 'crush' will join them on the balcony, accepting the offer of a dance will result in approval, if there is no crush, Anna von Herank will come out to talk. If Manuela it's the Insector's crush, then this approval can only be obtained before the finale while Manuela is still in the dance hall, a dialogue option suggests that the couple dance together, an offer which Manuela declines humorously, then the scene then moves to Blárach, and Leilara and Cvallach's future is discussed, after which the mission is completed.
If a boss battle occurred or not, the final sequence of the mission involves a series of cutscenes and dialogue choices which decide the fate of Tunidria's throne. The 'A' ending is where Arianrhod Powe rules alone, maintaining her place on the throne, to reach that, after the duchess springs her trap, the Insector must keep Powe alive and reveal evidence of Duke Vaddon's crimes to the Empress. The 'B' ending shows up Arianrhod Powe and Rhona Bach ruling together, with their relationship being reconciled, Powe will maintain her place on the throne with Rhona's support and she is given the title of marquise, to achieve this final, retrieve the elven locket from Powe's vault, then, you must speak with both Rhona and the Empress's ladies-in-waiting in the main dance hall and show them the locket, this leads to a cutscene involving the Insector and the Empress Powe and finally, after duchess springs her trap keep Powe alive, giving Rhona partial credit for rooting out the assassins, use the gathered evidence against Duke Vaddon and accuse him of treason and request that Rhona be rewarded. In the 'C' ending, all three leaders can be blackmailed and forced into a public truce, so you must enter the Empress's private rooms and convince the naked soldier to testify against her, retrieve blackmail material on Rhona, retrieve blackmail material on Duke Vaddon and have, at least, an approval of 80%. It's also possible that in the 'D' ending, Duke Vaddon rules alone and become emperor, so you must allow Powe to be killed, use blackmail material to discredit Rhona and support Vaddon. And the final ending, the 'E' one, shows possible that Duke Vaddon can become emperor, with Rhona Bach pulling the strings from the shadows, you need to allow Empress Powe to be killed and use blackmail material to force Vaddon to submit to Rhona.

[Spaam]

Alan Belmore had a dream...*

Hello, I'm Father John the Golden-throated, and welcome to Spaam for today's live World Cup Qualifier between the local heathens and our brave footballing monks. Following the mighty moral victories in our first two matches - which some pedants have insisted on referring to as 'losses' - our squad are really up against it if they're to stand any chance of qualifying, and travelling away to face another team with a long and storied World Cup history perhaps only demonstrates that our qualifying schedule was drawn up by freemasons and communists. Only yesterday...

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...but fortunately, since this last week has been a feast rather than a fast, the team look unusually well-rested. And here come the teams, the Archregimancy as always preceded by the Holy Icon of the Mother of God, Bringer of Victory, whose divine intercession is more necessary than ever today. Rumours that Coach Kyrill, Metropolitan of Solovetsky, faces the sack if the team can't manage at least a draw today are...

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...two nuns, a donkey, and a plate of spaghetti. And Fr. Silouan kicks off, passes to Fr. Polycarp. Fr. Polycarp back to Fr. Dmitri. Fr. Dmitri passes it right to Fr. Pavel the Wanderer. Fr. Pavel is true to his idiorythmic roots, and sets off on a long, lazy solo dribble down the right - which comes to nothing. Again. Sometimes I think Fr. Pavel needs to remember that this is a team sport...

---

...magnificent save from Fr. Justinian the Thrice blessed, who kicks it upfield. Fr. David flicks it on, and HE'S CLEAR... FATHER SILOUAN IS CLEAR!!! ONLY THE KEEPER TO BEAT!!! AND, OH MY GOODNESS, HE'S MERCILESSLY HACKED DOWN FROM BEHIND!!!! Father Silouan writhes in pain on the ground, and the referee surely has no choice here, and yes, it's a red card to Alan Belmore - the last man, stopping a clear goal-scoring opportunity. That sort of tackle was long-ago declared heretical in the 26th canon of the Fourth Council of Alasdairopolis, and they might not follow canon law in Spaam, but the referee knows a bad tackle when he sees one. And - yes - he's also given a penalty. A penalty to the Archregimancy! Who's going to take it? It looks like the captain, Fr. Polycarp the Venerable. He takes a quick trip to the sideline, venerates the Holy Icon - the referee's telling him to hurry up. Fr. Polycarp's still venerating the icon. He crosses himself. And again. The referee looks on impatiently. And Fr. Polycarp prostrates himself before the icon. And again. The referee shows Fr. Polycarp a yellow card for timewasting. Fr. Polycarp ignores the referee and... venerates the icon some more. Finally, it looks like Fr. Polycarp is ready to take the penalty. He steps forward. He shoots... HE SCORES!!!!

THAAAAAAAAAAAAANKS BEEEEEEEEEEE TOOOOOOOO GODDDDDDDDDDDDDDD!

The Archregimancy takes the lead, and across the nation, monks go wild in fervent yet humble prayer!

---

He woke up, sweating. So many memories over so many years. There were many losses, first for the Belmore Family, then for Spaam, but few irked him as much as the one against the Holy Empire 217 years ago, when his overly eager tackle gave them the one and only goal. This time, the game was only a friendly, and they had played in the Dream Realm, but the score was the same. And the dreams...

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Alan had known he was different when he realised that he looked and felt exactly the same at thirty than he did at twenty. He retired, and disappeared, but by that time he had scored so many goals he was effectively sainted by the Belmore Family. The good thing about where he came from, is that everyone looked very similar. So when he appeared in East Spaam as Nala Eromleb, or came to Spaam as Alan Belmore, everyone thought he just yet another Family member with the name of Alan. And while there were a lot of Alan Belmores in the world, or Alain Bellemort, or numerous other variations, he had stayed the same. Immortal. After a while, he grew tired and disappeared, for good. Spaam was destroyed, the Belmore Family ceased to exist, and his name was forgotten...

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The Dream Realm had a funny effect on Alan. Dreams of the past, dreams of the future. So many dreams, and dreams of what would pass if he let them continue making soul-less clones...

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Or so he thought. Because Spaam came back from the dead. And it seemed, so did he... and Urk... and Syku Lyku... But once he saw himself on the television, those empty eyes, those soul-less imaged, he knew that his two century holiday was at an end. Putting an end to two of the horrific experiments was easy; only his DNA was found at the scene, but he, or rather his clone, had an airtight alibi. He thought that killing his double, his exact copy - minus his soul - would be much harder. But when he faced himself in Parakos, before the game, it didn't quite seem to hard. In fact, the clone just looked at him as if he knew what was coming and would accept his fate...

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One last act of violence, before he could stop. This is why he was outside the door to Dr. Quexipha Fenfir's office in the Spaamanian Football Association building. Th cameras were down for maintenance, some power fault he had arranged, but there wouldn't be any in this room. The doctors needed their secrets. Well, this secret would die with them...

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If the other players reacted to Alan Belmore suddenly being able to speak, they didn't show it. In fact, they welcomed him. It had been a very long time since he had played football, but he'd scored in their last three games - against Islana Lunigo, Parakos and Gregoryisgodistan - and he found that he missed the adrenalin rush. Perhaps he would stay, create another career, before people started asking questions about why he never seemed to age...

---

Dr. Hilnas Shaalar guessed straight-away, of course. He had known the clones so well, and he could tell the difference between a soul-less abomination and real, live, admittedly immortal, being. It was his genius that had made the program successful, and it was his genius that had worked out that he wasn't going to survive this encounter. He never ran, just closed his eyes and waited...

---

It wasn't just dreams of the future that haunted Alan before their one-nil loss to the Holy Empire. He dreamt of the faces of all those he had killed in that futile war that had destroyed Spaam. All those that had died so that many more could escape and live. And the dreams had promised that soon the killing would stop...

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"You'll never get away with this!" Fenfir obviously wasn't smart enough to realise that he would. They would rule it a murder-suicide, never find the iocane powder in her system because it was clear that she had shot Hilnas before herself. A perfect murder, a necessary one...

---

There was one last dream. A dream of a future without the army of soul-less clones that would have marched through Spaam, killing all in front of them. Instead, he stood there, holding a trophy with his team-mates, in front of a stadium of screaming fans. A World Cup title was of course on thing he had never achieved in over three hundred years, but as he had discovered, not all dreams come true...



*this dream was written by The Archregimancy, with a slight modification by Spaam