World Cup 79 • CREDRAWK • RP Thread

by **Drawkland** » Tue Nov 21, 2017 10:30 am

CREDRAWK79
RP THREAD

RP Thread • Roster Thread • Results Thread
Bid Thread • Signup Thread • Discussion Thread
Rankings • Referees Thread • Friendlies Thread
World Cup 78 • Cup of Harmony 70 • Baptism of Fire 66

Welcome all nations and peoples to World Cup 79, hosted by Ceni and Drawkland! This is the RP thread for the tournament, and thus this is where all RP posts should go. Any post other than an RP, such as rosters, OOC comments, or other irrelevant posts, are not permitted. Please post rosters in the rosters thread and OOC comments in the discussion thread (linked above). Anything other than RPs in this thread will be reported as spam, and if you're a participant in the tournament, your RP bonus may be reset to 0.

Meet The Hosts

The Republic of Ceni is a tiny speck of land just off the coast of Electrum in the Terranean area of Rushmore, close to New Gelderland, Electrum, and Eura. Its major city and capital is Cenial, and other major cities include New Oxford and City Centre, but a good portion of Ceni is covered with one huge agglomeration of cities. Its economy is a service-based economy, especially financial services and trade, with major contributions by pharmaceuticals, research and development, technology (biotech, information technology, and green technology especially), and real estate. A good part of its energy comes from wind turbines, solar power, and tidal power, and Ceni is known for its eco-friendly populace and green atmosphere. Several major Rushmori firms are based in the Cenial business district, including Air Terranea, Telluric Pharmaceuticals, Solar Solutions, Pharos Media Group, Cavalier Brewpubs, and the world-wide Cityscapes architecture company, as well as a number of smaller green tech companies. Many of these companies serve the large Euran market, which is quite close by, exporting high-tech, high-expertise products, and maintaining a trade surplus with one of the world's largest economies. Cenial International Airport is a hub for Air Terranea, which flies to almost 300 destinations throughout the world, and New Oxford International Airport adds to Ceni's international air transport capacity. Ferry services also link Ceni with Eura and Electrum. On the culture scene, Cenial is widely regarded as a highly cultured and diverse city, with large Avaerilonian, Euran, Electrumite, Hispanic, Endemian, Asian, and other populations, and it supports a vibrant food and arts scene. Football-wise, Ceni has 'enjoyed' a long spell of poor results in World Cup competitions, dating from World Cup 67 and Baptism of Fire 54, before finally qualifying for the World Cup in World Cup 73, where they notched their first World Cup win, over Free Republics. They qualified for World Cup 74 and 75 but had disappointing results, with a 1-4-4 record in three World Cup group stages. Finally, they reached the quarterfinals in World Cup 76, which they hosted with Electrum, but went downhill afterwards, dropping out in the group stage in World Cup 77 and failing to qualify in World Cup 78. While football is only the second-most popular sport in Ceni, behind tennis, its popularity is growing, and its league is burgeoning and gaining more followers and revenue every year. The Cenian FA hopes that the World Cup will finally revitalize the currently sputtering national team and bring more attention to the country and its football program.

The Interstellar Empire of Drawkland, unlike Ceni, is a massive nation encompassing an entire continent on the planet of Sonnel. It’s not bordered by any nations, unless you count the various smaller island nations surrounding it in its area on the globe. A nation much higher advanced than your average nation, Drawkland is peppered with megacities and urban centers, but still contains vast swaths of breathtaking wilderness. Because of its huge advancements in technology, Drawkland’s economy operates a lot through hi-tech manufacturing, arms and consumer vehicle manufacturing, as well as having a massive tourism market. While it’s not the green energy haven that Ceni is, it’s by no means a pollutant to its planet. One of the hallmarks of Drawkland’s huge web of a highway system are the wind turbines that line them, or the solar farms one can see while driving through the mid-south deserts. Another thing Drawkland prides itself on is the network of transportation which encompasses its territory. The aforementioned highway system is only a drop in the bucket compared to the train tracks around the nation, the passenger jets and airships floating high above, and the boats which ferry down all rivers, big and small, through the nation. And that’s not even talking about the spaceworthy vessels which fly in and out of the atmosphere every minute, or the secondary highways floating a couple hundred feet above the normal ones. Drawkland surely represents the whole of its planet, Sonnel, both in a political and cultural sense, as many current nations were originally founded by Drawkian-descended people and colonies. But another way it represents its planet is in sporting, where it’s the premier multiversal sports national team package. To say nothing of their victories and mediocrities outside of the World Cup, Drawkland has absolutely made a splash. Despite only being in the tournament for 2 cycles, they made 3rd place in their Baptism of Fire, and qualified for the World Cup twice in a row, making them 2/2 in qualification attempts. Now, their cumulative record in the group stage maybe only be 1-1-4 for now, but there’s no denying that they’re soon to be a powerhouse at the multiverse’s highest stage. DISC, Drawkland’s all sports association, hopes that hosting a World Cup will not only skyrocket national fan interest further, but also hopefully propel the team to a better showing in the actual tournament.

Scheduling

Ceni will be scorinating Groups A-D (IC'ly held in Drawkland), and Drawkland will be scorinating Groups E-H (IC'ly held in Ceni). The Third Place match will be scorinated and hosted IC'ly by Ceni, while the Grand Championship will be scorinated and hosted IC'ly by Drawkland.

Ceni's cutoff time will be at 1700-1900 EST.
Drawkland's cutoff time will be at 2400-0200 EST.
Dates listed are for UTC -5 (American eastern time). Ceni's cutoffs will come that afternoon, with Drawkland's coming later that night.

Fixtures will feature the home team listed first.

Friday, December 15: World Cup Group Draw
Break for holidays and RP juice refilling
Saturday, December 30: MD1 - 1v4, 2v3
Monday, January 1: MD2 - 4v3, 1v2
Wednesday, January 3: MD3 - 2v4, 3v1
Friday, January 5: Round of 16 - A1vD2, B1vC2, C1vB2, D1vA2, E1vH2, F1vG2, G1vF2, H1vE2
Sunday, January 7: Quarterfinals - R1vR2, R3vR4, R5vR6, R7vR8
Tuesday, January 9: Semifinals - Q1vQ2, Q3vQ4
Thursday, January 11: Third Place Match and Championship

Pots

Groups

Group A
Drawkland (30, host)
Turori (22)
Cosumar (15)
Cassadaigua (60)

Group B
San Jose Guayabal (7)
Mriin (28)
Damukuni (24)
The Holy Empire (6)

Group C
South Covello (12)
Tumbra (21)
Schottia (1)
Eshan (32)

Group D
Pasarga (16)
Brenecia (11)
Vilita (3)
Sargossa (38)

Group E
Ceni (27, host)
Free Republics (54)
Abanhfleft (26)
Bonesea (8)

Group F
Eura (10)
Super-Llamaland (20)
Qasden (29)
Chromatika (5)

Group G
Valanora (9)
Farfadillis (2)
95X (79)
Kita-Hinode (23)

Group H
Electrum (4)
Starblaydia (39)
Nephara (14)
Ethane (18)

by **Drawkland** » Tue Nov 21, 2017 10:30 am

About Drawkland
Drawkland is an enormous continental nation which takes up approximately 11 million km². It's located on the planet Sonnel, and since it takes up an entire continent, it has no land neighbors, although the nations of Starkian Towers, the Dubbo Krish, MadMania, Salbastar, and even Sulsuland and New Drawkia within a reasonable distance by sea. The citizens of Drawkland number in the billions, although due to many living in off-world colonies, Drawkland's mainland has an average population density of 350 per square kilometer. However, due to incredibly advanced developments in urban infrastructure, the cities in Drawkland have managed to house massive amounts of people while allowing for a normal standard of living and vast beautiful wilderness. Of course, due to the massive size of the continent, there is no set climate one can pinpoint to, but like pretty much every nation, the north is colder and the south is hot or tropical, with warm summers and cold winters in most areas. Climate really depends on the city, as far as tourists should be concerned.

Drawkland is a very old nation, thousands of Sonnelian years old, and now its original history seems to look more and more like the stuff of myth and legends. Originally, the continent was merely a massive land full of kingdoms small and large. The story of the nation begins in the north of the land, in a kingdom known as Sadeg. There, a young man known as Iarocav rose to power within the kingdom and became the heir to the throne. He had his mind set on conquest, but not a crusade of fear, but more one of honor and strategy. One by one, he roped in lesser kingdoms in the area, convincing them to join his budding empire by force or diplomacy, whatever necessary, until he eventually found a union of kingdoms that matched the power of his own. This was the empire of Kanyo, who decided to join forces with Iarocav to explore the entire continent and unite it. They came across 2 massive kingdoms with stories similar to their own, those of Malicoll and Callagard. However, the 4 leaders of kingdoms had a hard time agreeing with one another, and went to war.

The war lasted many years, not helped by the size of the continent and the current methods of transportation (horseback was the fastest and most efficient), but it came to a head. Iarocav, allied with Kanyo and the mysterious Ellzidan (a mostly-benevolent elven leader to the south), fought against Malicoll and Callagard, until it was decided that the war would eventually decimate the land if it continued and drain the people. Peace between the leaders and their realms were sought out, and eventually they came to an accord to found one single kingdom. The nation was originally called Valsumet, a tribute to the enormous volcano in the center of the continent, but later when Iarocav discovered a majestic species of animal known as a Drawk, he made an executive decision to rename the nation Drawkland. Many years after this feat, the 5 leaders, who each kept watch over their 5 territorial divisions of the nation, went on a quest in a far-off realm in the multiverse to seek immortality. They achieved it, and thus, quite by accident, became the nigh-permanent leaders of Drawkland. Through many millennia under their watch, Drawkland spearheaded innovation in technology, transportation, and international relations across its globe of Sonnel, and now spreads its reach even further into space due to advanced space transportation and communication.

Drawkland is still ruled by these Drawkionels, although it's a lot more of a hands-free job for them at this point. Supreme Drawkionel Iarocav takes watch over the entire nation, although the other 4 Drawkionels, Kanyo, Ellzidan, Malicoll, and Callagard, all have control of what was previously their extended kingdoms, now simply known as territories. The five of them reside as a small council in charge of the nation. However, the prominence of the parliament below them has become inflated in the last few centuries. The nation is divided into 5 territories, each containing 5 districts, which contain 5 states, which contain usually 5 counties, which hold one main city surrounded by various smaller cities or suburban cities. Each county receives 1 representative in the parliament, for a total body of 625 representatives. Nowadays, they do most of the decision-making for the nation. The general lean of Drawkian politics seems to be in the center-right, but of course parties on all sides of the political spectrum exist.

Economically, Drawkland is by far the strongest nation in Sonnel, producing a staggeringly large GDP thanks to the work-based culture the nation holds (as well as the ridiculous amount of citizens involved). Its citizens also enjoy a solid amount of freedoms, while perhaps not a haven for those in want of little social restriction, it certainly can't hold a candle to the restrictions that some dictatorships around the multiverse seem to have. The average lifespan of a Drawkian hovers around 150, but this is more due to the special physiology of the people rather than a specific common lifestyle or legislation. Even so, its HDI score is upwards of 90, even when adjusting for physiology, making it only behind a few select smaller and more Scandinavian-style Sonnelian nations.

[url]Map of Drawkland (for the World Cup)[/url]

Transportation and Other Practical Concerns
Drawkland is harder to get around than Ceni, mainly just because it's astronomically bigger than the small island nation. However, this doesn't mean that it's difficult to traverse between cities by any means. One of the things Drawkland prides itself in is a massive and intuitive transportation network connecting every city in the entire nation. For travel between cities, tourists can choose to go by land, air, or sea, depending on what cities have available. Any city which is hosting World Cup matches has air options available, whether by dirigible, aircraft, or low-orbit spacecraft, as well as rail and highways (via bus or long-range taxi). Any city hosting matches that has waterfront also has the option of traveling by boat, but this is slower and less glamorous than other options. For first-time tourists we suggest one of Drawkland's beautiful commercial dirigible services. While they're not the fastest option, they're the "coolest" and provide the largest look at Drawkian culture. Any World Cup teams and their staff will be transported via private jets provided by DISC, the Drawkian International Sporting Council, for the entire duration of the tournament.

As far as traveling within cities, light rail and subways are popular options in any World Cup hosting city. Public bus systems are also easy, and taxi/rideshare is a commonality. Most Drawkian cities, especially the ones hosting, are systematically designed and thus it's easy to find your way around. In downtown areas, cities have made it easy for pedestrians to make it to where they need to go. Especially in the areas around hotels and the stadia, pedestrian pathways have been specially made to go through buildings and over streets in order to create a simple and traffic-avoiding route to the two most important areas for a sports tourist.

Of course, you may expect a few issues if you want to ride a boat to Drawkland straight from your nation. Since Drawkland is on another planet, it may be tough for most teams to make it there. Fortunately, Drawkland also has commercial space travel to most major destinations. This, of course, is a great option if you want to have a wow factor when travelling, and because of its ease, it's what the standard provided DISC transport package includes. If you want a cheaper or less futuristic option, you could take Air Terranea! The Cenian-based airline flies to the Isles of Avon, which house a massive portal that links Drawkland to Rushmore (and the rest of the standard sporting world). Air Terranea offers flights to and from Stratosphere City (where the portal in Avon is) and Iarokannet Bay (where the portal in Drawkland is), a massive transport hub in the Northeast of the nation. These are your main options to get to Drawkland. Once you're there, any major mode of transportation is available for one to use.

Drawk City
Drawk City is Drawkland's largest city by far, being home to over 25 million people. This obviously seems overly enormous by normal standards, but due to Drawkland's advancements in living areas and technology, this sprawling metropolis seems to be just like any other "big city" in a nation. This city was built only a few years after the newly-christened Drawkland came to be. This was an effort by Iarocav to usher in a new age - not only could a city be freely built without military concerns (no need to build a stronghold or fortress in the center of the city, as there's no neighboring kingdoms to worry about anymore), but it could be a new place to hold the nation's government that didn't hold any biases to any leaders. By not being in one of a pre-existing kingdom (now just cities with castles attached), the government could now seem to be of a new age, which it was.

This was a long, long time ago, however. With the construction of the city of Metropolon (even that was long ago at this point), the capital of Drawkland shifted out of Drawk City, and it simply became the population and cultural capital of the nation, rather than all that and the legislative capitol. Since it houses so many people, it takes up a massive area, and also has many venues for all sorts of activities. First and foremost, it has the most professional sports venues of any city (as it hosts not only one team in every major sport, but also houses the Drawk Corps, who builds their own venues in town). Performing arts, of various sorts, are also prized in Drawkland, and many enormous concert halls, live theaters, and outdoor amphitheaters and concert venues are commonplace.

The Drawk Corps is a big part of Drawk City as it has its headquarters in the city. This not only lends to a decent percentage of the city's population, but also a lot of its revenue. Many foreigners don't really understand the Corps concept, as it is unique to Drawkland. Essentially, a Corps is a mix between a club and a conglomerate of companies. Picture a store where you need a membership to shop there, except that membership also entitles you to shop at many different stores, as well as gaining you access to special events and sports matches. In addition, a membership can also entitle you to study at certain private universities or get you certain jobs within the organization. This "membership" would mean you were apart of a Corps. There are many Corps throughout Drawkland, but most of them are constrained to a few cities or a larger region (or sparsely nationwide). The Drawk Corps is the largest of all Corps, being nationwide and drawing a huge membership base. The Drawk Corps has clubhouses in almost all major cities, and owns a team in every major sport (all of which play in Drawk City). Again, its headquarters are within Drawk City, as well as its university.

Besides Drawk Corps University, which is obviously only made up of Drawk Corps members, Drawk City doesn't have a large university presence. However, there are still many research institutes in town, and lots of the technological advancements that have bettered Drawkland were headed in this city. In addition, many large companies and corporations who didn't want to stay in the town there were founded moved their HQ to Drawk City as it is the most central location (logistically, not geographically).

Being the cultural center of Drawkland, there's of course a large mix of foods available for tourists. Any food one could think of, any from Sonnel and places outward, can be found if one looks for them. While being almost a melting pot of cultures all around, there's still a strong national influence, and thus the Drawkian culture is strong. Most people are active, and thus outdoor spaces and parks are common (especially once you get out of downtown and into the suburbs). Riverfront Park is a big attraction, as the Drawkland River runs straight through the center of town. It's one of the biggest recreational spots you can find in the city. Speaking of recreation, the nightlife is high-quality (not the best in the nation but it holds its own). Any fans wanting to party before, after, or even during a match can easily find ways to do so.

The weather this time of year in Drawk City is mild. Cold rain sometimes rolls in, but it's expected for the World Cup to be overcast at worst and quite warm, dry, and sunny at best.

Drawk City Stadium

Drawk City Stadium, up until very recently, was the largest stadium in Drawkland. Housing both the Drawk City Troopers and the Drawk City Sentinels, it was built to pander to crowds of both kinds of football, soccer and gridiron. It has a capacity of 175,000 seats, with a few more thousands being able to fit in through standing room. In addition to these domestic powerhouses, it has also housed the home matches of Drawkland's national soccer team, the Kick Corps, throughout 2 qualifying cycles. It normally has a canopy over the stands for both style and crowd noise, and has a clear retractable roof which only extends over the field in cases of inclement weather. The field is made of hybrid turf, a synthetic material which provides the benefits of both real grass and artificial turf, while avoiding most of the drawbacks of both (this allows for easy switching between gridiron and soccer matches).

The high-tech developments of this stadium can't be understated either. It's commonly regarded as one of the most advanced stadiums in Drawkland, with awe-inspiring video and ribbon boards. Actually fast Wifi and cellular data connections are available here, and its considerations for broadcast filming and VIP attendants are second to few. It is also remarkably self-sufficient, using solar and wind energy from its own grounds to generate most of its power, though likely not as impressively as some Cenian venues.

Hosting: Drawkland vs Cassadaigua (MD1)
Cassadaigua vs Cosumar (MD2)
Turori vs Cassadaigua (MD3)
WQ1 vs WQ2 (Drawkland Semifinal)

Corps Central Pitch

Corps Central pitch is the stadium owned and operated by the aforementioned Drawk Corps. Holding around 150,000 seats, it serves as the home stadium of the Drawk Corps' soccer team, one of the strongest sides in the DLK. It's part of a larger complex of the Drawk Corps headquarters, which almost flower-like, the center headquarter buildings and plazas giving way to the 4 big and 4 small stadiums, surrounded by a sea of parking lots. In addition to hosting Drawk Corps professional and collegiate soccer matches, it also is the regular host of friendly matches of the Drawkian soccer NT side (as opposed to official qualifying matches which are held at Drawk City Stadium).

Being a stadium for the somewhat exclusive club-like Corps, the amenities within the stadium are luxurious, containing many club suites including a hallmark circular pillar-like structure in one corner of the stadium (not visible from picture angle) which is designed for exclusive Corps box seating. Some levels of the "Corps Roundel" will be open to international fans for World Cup matches, if they're willing to pay for it. Even for the average fans, the stadium is nice, with high-quality seats (all but the top nosebleed seats have cushions, and even those aren't uncomfortable to sit in). The top of the stadium features a clear plexiglass-like surface when there's weather conditions, but the roof is retracted when it's unnecessary.

Hosting: Turori vs Cosumar (MD1)
Drawkland vs Turori (MD2)
Cosumar vs Drawkland (MD3)

Metropolon
Metropolon is the newest of Drawkland's biggest cities, being founded in the year 4000, compared to the current year of 4953. Drawkland has been known to build pre-designed cities, especially because of Iarocav's obsession with doing such a thing. From this, you could perhaps say that Metropolon was Iarocav's magnum opus (besides the whole "creating Drawkland" thing too). For years he slaved with design, learning the ins and outs of the most advanced civil engineering. He found a spot, a lake only a day's drive from Drawk City, with a large island in the center of it. He then sketched and modeled out a huge city to be on this island. Its footprint is a huge circle, as the original island it was placed on was whittled to match this shape, with a huge and perfect grid of roads making up its surface. The city is perfectly symmetrical in every way, with the Skyline at any angle curving upwards like a parabola, or normal curve. Whichever flavor of mathematics you prefer.

In the direct center of the city is The Pinnapex, the tallest building in Drawkland and all of Sonnel. Nearly incomprehensibly tall, it houses government offices, business offices, high luxury apartments, with living centers, gyms, grocery and convenience stores, flying car and helicopter ports every so many levels, and the most advanced elevators in the multiverse. It's the pinnacle of achievement in Drawkland (hence the name), but most foreigners just refer to it as "Iarocav's Compensation Knob." Still, it's a sight to behold, and tours of the building leave every 10 minutes. It's a must-see for tourists. In the block next to the Pinnapex, there are skyscrapers which could hold their own in any other city, but still pale in comparison. They are nearly identical, just tweaked at different angles. Each extending block away from the center slowly goes from skyscraper to smaller skyscraper to eventually just normal buildings. The Metropolon skyline is a beautiful, nearly identical curve from any angle.

Once the skyscrapers begin to get smaller, the bulky and beautiful stadiums can be seen. There are 8 in total, one for each of the big professional leagues in Drawkland, as Metropolon houses a team in each league. This is where the National Pitch is located (the soccer stadium which will host matches).

Once Metropolon was built (which was a massive project that took many, many years), the legislature was moved there, making it the new capital of Drawkland. Rushing to take advantage of the already-built housing and amenities, many citizens and businesses moved to the city within the first decade or so. The city was designed to have a capacity of many millions (the population remains steady around 20 million, give or take), and now the only construction is renovation and improvements of existing structures, as any and all needs were planned in advance by Iarocav and his engineering experts. In the same vein, the public transport system is highly well-designed, and the perfect grid structure of the streets means the city is super simple to navigate for anyone. All transportation options are available, with streetcars on major avenues, buses supplying smaller roads, and a subway system covering any major destination.

Entertainment is not hard to come by, and there's plenty of beautiful and eye-catching futuristic attractions for any curious tourists. The weather is similar to Drawk City's, as this time of year it is mild and unlikely to be a hassle. The worst it'll get would be a light, cool rain, while it's likely to be warm and sunny (maybe overcast but dry).

National Pitch

National Pitch is the home of the Metropolon Lights, the soccer team centered in Metropolon (the current domestic team of Michael Starre, the Drawkian NT manager). As mentioned before, it's part of a series of 8 stadiums in the same area of town (they're on the same block level, but spaced evenly across it). To World Bowl fans, this stadium may look familiar. All the stadia in Metropolon look highly similar, and National Pitch is no exception. Besides its directional orientation and setup specific for Soccer, it's nearly identical to the Metro Stadium where the Grid Corps plays home matches.

While it technically has a roof that opens, the 149,000 capacity stadium almost always remains closed unless it must be aired out for some extraneous reason. Glittering video screens as well as an environment designed for crowd sound means the stadium is consistently a crowd favorite.

Hosting: San Jose Guayabal vs The Holy Empire (MD1)
The Holy Empire vs Damukuni (MD2)
Mriin vs The Holy Empire (MD3)

Sadeg
Sadeg is not known for being a metropolis like the above cities are, but it's still a significant one in Drawkian culture nonetheless. First and foremost, it is the birthplace of Iarocav, as well as the kingdom where he rose to power, which led to the creation of Drawkland. Before the creation of Drawk City, it was Drawkland's capital and largest city. Some consider it to be one of the most "Drawkian" places in the country, as there are not many people from elsewhere living there and it's not known as a melting pot. Despite it mainly being of historical importance more than anything (which is a large attraction base for tourists to check out, especially the ancient castle in the center of town), it's still a city mainly hold dear (and very populous too - it's the 9th biggest city with a population of around 18.5 million).

The city is also sprawling, mainly made of suburban-like developments, with small croppings of taller buildings in uneven intervals around the expanse. The original city was built in a valley, which is where downtown, the historical district, and the stadiums all lie. For most fans, the valley will be all they need to travel around, as this contains most of the attractions and certainly all of the World Cup amenities.

The city is slightly to the northwest of Drawk City, making it maybe a couple degrees colder. However, it probably won't be noticeable at all. Overcast or sunny days await fans coming out to support their team.

Spartan Veteran Stadium

The Spartans were an elite group of warriors Iarocav commissioned in Drawkland's early days (named after his warrior father, Spartacav). Their training camp and barracks were located in Sadeg's then-lush valley (not that there's not still green spaces in the valley area of the city now, it's just much more urbanized), and they became a hallmark cultural item of the town. They technically do still exist and adhere to the ancient code of conduct, but now it's more a quirky formality than anything. When the Sadeg Claymores became in need of a new stadium, the Spartan Academy itself put together a sizable donation towards the construction of it, and the city rallied behind this effort. Ultimately they named the stadium in memory of Spartans, past, present, and future, which is also why they put a monumental spire in the plaza outside the stadium.

The Claymores are a gridiron team, as Sadeg unfortunately does not have a soccer team. DISC still decided to hold World Cup matches in Sadeg, however, as the city is majorly culturally significant and would be better for fans and tourists. The stadium normally has an artificial turf surface, but is being converted to sod grass for the World Cup. Sadeg is not known for being particularly rainy, and thus the stadium doesn't have a built-in roof system. It's still a beautifully-designed and kept stadium, and fans are guaranteed to have a good time there.

Hosting: Mriin vs Damukuni (MD1)
San Jose Guayabal vs Mriin (MD2)
Damukuni vs San Jose Guayabal (MD3)

Bethelm and Kilnelm
While Group A is hosted in one city, and Group B hosted in two separate but distinct cities, Groups C and D are being hosted in "sister cities" so to speak. These pairs of cities are known, if not for their other notable aspects, to have 2 soccer teams with massive rivalries. The first of these are Bethelm and Kilnelm.

Kilnelm is known for being the biggest and most eastern population center in Drawkland. It's at the very tip of Drawkland's most eastern peninsula, and home to 15.1 million people. Despite it not being the largest port on the Oreme Ocean (that honor lies in Shire-Port), it's often regarded as the trade capital of Eastern Drawkland. The proximity of this city to other major cities helps this notion.

Bethelm Arena

Hosting: South Covello vs Eshan (MD1)
Eshan vs Schottia (MD2)
Tumbra vs Eshan (MD3)

Oreme Field

Hosting: Tumbra vs Schottia (MD1)
South Covello vs Tumbra (MD2)
Schottia vs South Covello (MD3)

Dalumar and Dammenport

Map of New Drawkia

South Bay Stadium

Hosting: Pasarga vs Sargossa (MD1)
Sargossa vs Vilita (MD2)
Brenecia vs Sargossa (MD3)

North Bay Stadium

Hosting: Brenecia vs Vilita (MD1)
Pasarga vs Brenecia (MD2)
Vilita vs Pasarga (MD3)

Masteser

Panar Bank Park

Hosting: A1 vs D2 (Round of 16)

Kayo

Kanyo's Pitch

Hosting: B1 vs C2 (Round of 16)

Bellator

Pitch of the Plains

Hosting: C1 vs B2 (Round of 16)

Cove Port

Max Hallor Pitch

Hosting: D1 vs A2 (Round of 16)

Raikennax

Castle Stadium

Hosting: R1 vs R2 (Quarterfinal)

Owabrok

Raceway Nest

Hosting: R3 vs R4 (Quarterfinal)

Grand Gate Park
Grand Gate Park is the name of the newly built complex in Centivar County containing the monstrous new stadium built for this World Cup Final and for championships of many tournaments to come. Since the beginning of this World Cup, hype has been built surrounding this structure, most importantly containing a massive and beautiful stadium (250,000 capacity) for soccer, gridiron, and a host of other big-pitch sports (where this final will be held). Also apart of this complex is the underground component, an also huge indoor arena (100,000 capacity) for basketball, hockey, and other such smaller-pitch sports. Also underground, and aboveground further from the stadium, is a huge shopping and business center filled with awe-inducing plazas. Really, check out these RPs for more detailed information if you haven't already.

Grand Gate Park is the name of the complex as a whole, both stadia plus the shopping and business quarters, and Millennium Arena is the name of the underground indoor arena. The name of the official stadium, has finally been selected..!

Seven Stars Stadium

Hosting: The World Cup Final

by **Ceni** » Tue Nov 21, 2017 10:31 am

About Ceni
Ceni is a small island country of around 5500 km2 located in the eastern parts of the Rushmori region of Terranea. Although it has no land borders, the nearest countries are Electrum, from which it is separated in the west by a narrow strait, and the Isles of Avon, a small republic located to the east in the same island chain. With a population of just over 13 million, this makes Ceni one of the densest countries in Rushmore, at around 2360 people per sq km. Ceni is also one of the most urbanized countries in Rushmore, with the three major cities, Cenial, the capital, City Centre, and New Oxford, forming one large urban agglomeration, with the city petering out around the edges of the metropolis. Climate-wise, Ceni has a temperate oceanic climate, with the influence of the ocean helping to moderate both the summers and the winters - temperatures are almost never extreme either way, cold or hot.

Historically, Ceni was first settled by a group of people, ancestors of the Fererldan, who spoke a language, Ancient Cenian, that survives in many Cenian names and which is related to modern day Avaerilonian (the prevailing theory suggests that these people migrated from an area in New Gelderland, across a land bridge to Ceni, and then across to Avaerilon, where they settled later in time). The name Ceni itself comes from a corruption of an Ancient Cenian word for 'White Cliffs', which described the cliffs near the present day Dover. These people stayed in the area around Cenial for a while until a group of settlers from Eura arrived and settled in the southern half of Ceni, displacing some of these populations. A Spanish population from Valladares arrived and set up a colony in the north of Ceni, hoping to set up a port for the growing nation, but when the city of Junin was settled, these settlers were disappointed, nonetheless deciding to stay and send seafood to the Valladar communities as well as lobbying the government to set up a port in the north. These communities formed the backbone of a thriving Hispanic population in Ceni.

In the face of a rising Euran threat, these various colonies - the Fereldic population, the Spanish in the North, and Euran/Cenian mix in the South - decided to unify their solitary island in order to coordinate their defenses and reduce infighting. As the Euran threat died down, the Cenian government retooled its economy to provide services and goods to the growing Euran industrial economy while still remaining a bit on edge. As the economy bloomed, a group of Avaerilonian refugees settled in Ceni after escaping one of that country's long wars, establishing a Cenian tradition. These refugees contributed to Ceni's rising high-tech and service economy as the country moved into the 21st century.

Ceni's government is a parliamentary system with a one-chambered parliament, the Cenian Assembly, which has 235 representatives in it; the Prime Minister is the head of government, while a ceremonial President is the head of state. More locally, Ceni is divided into 14 districts, which serve to administer most of the government's services to the people and giving them local control, with a Chief Minister heading the government in each district; most districts have a District Council of either 7 or 9 councilpersons, headed by the Chief Minister. The Cenian people love their elections, with more than 80% turnout most times. Economically, Ceni has a large financial sector along with large pharmaceutical, high-tech, education, real estate sectors, and renewable energy sector. Ceni has a large GDP due to its proximity to Eura and the Euran economy and also a large GDP per capita, one of the largest in the region. Cenians enjoy a high standard of living as well as a large social welfare net and free education, courtesy of a Scandinavian-style liberal government.

Map of Ceni

Transportation and Other Practical Concerns
Being a relatively small island nation, it is very easy to get around in Ceni. Most major hotels are close to and within walking distance of subway stations. In turn, the seven stadiums are very close to subway stations as well. City Centre and Cenial, where three of the four venues are located, are both located around Lake Cenial. Ferries transport passengers across the lake, and the same subway system connects City Centre and Cenial. A high-speed rail system connects Cenial with New Oxford and Whitehaven, which means that transport time out of Cenial (where most teams will choose to lodge) is very minimal. There aren't many cars in Ceni, and, with the subway system and the closeness of many major attractions, most of Ceni is very walkable, and pedestrians can get almost anywhere.

To get to Ceni, there are several options. Air Terranea, Ceni's major carrier, is based out of Cenial, and has links to many of the sporting world's premier nations, making it very easy to fly to Ceni. Cenial International Airport, located north of Lake Cenial, is the main gateway to Ceni, serving general aviation and most commercial flights. New Oxford also hosts a low-cost airport, but mostly the carriers operating out of New Oxford stick to Rushmori routes. Airports in Southpoint and Santiago mostly serve small private planes and general aviation, but they are less traveled and less conspicuous if your team wants a less... obvious entrance into Ceni. There are numerous ferry and commuter flight services linking Ceni with many Electrumite and Euran destinations.

Cenial
Cenial is Ceni’s capital city; as such, the Cenian executive, legislative, and judicial branches are all located in Cenial. The Prime Minister has his home and offices here; office buildings for executive departments are also located in Cenial. The capitol building of Ceni, the meeting place for the Cenian Assembly, was recently redesigned and sits at the head of a park stretching to the President’s home. Judicially, the highest court in Ceni, the Supreme Court, meets here, as well as one of Ceni’s eight appellate courts. In elections, Cenial’s citizens are very active, with more than 85% turnout in national elections and 75% turnout in local elections.

Cenial attracts people from all over the region and the world with its world-class universities—the University of Ceni and the University of Cenial its two most prominent. The University of Ceni is renowned for its instruction in architecture, business, the humanities and history, politics, and law, while the University of Cenial focuses its academic investments in the science section. In fact, the University of Cenial is a leading research university in the fields of biotechnology and engineering.

A large part of Cenial consists of parks and greenery. One of the largest parks in the nation, Lake Cenial Park, stretches along the coast of Lake Cenial and provides opportunities for hiking, biking, canoeing and kayaking, Frisbee golf, and just plain old fun with friends and family. In the spring, when the cherry blossoms are in bloom, Lake Cenial Park is a very pretty sight, and its beautiful fountains are available year-round for all to enjoy. Another major park in Cenial is the Capitol Mall, a park stretching from the Capitol to the President’s House, with its memorial reflecting pool. Other green attractions in Cenial include the Japanese garden, in that section of the city, with its beautiful ponds, pagoda, and rock garden section for peaceful meditation, and the National Botanical Garden, with specimens from all over the world and exhibits of most major climates in the region. Not only is Cenial renowned for its green spaces, it is also renowned for its green attitude. Cenial is among the world’s leading cities in the proliferation of green technology, with a large number of buildings with energy saving measures. Many homes have solar panels, and the government has invested money into increasing the amount of renewable energy in the city; around 35% of the city’s electricity comes from renewable sources.

Cenial has a tolerant attitude and welcomes people from all over the world. As a result, Cenial has an incredibly diverse population. People from all over the world—from Asia, Africa, the Social Liberal Union, and all other regions of the world—have chosen to make Cenial their home. Because Cenial is very welcoming to all people, including refugees, Cenial supports a large population from Ciqi and Coconutstan, two countries ravaged by war. Because of its ethnic diversity, Cenial also has religious and language diversity. Hundreds of languages are spoken in different parts of Cenial, although English is mainly used in day-to-day communication. Religiously, no single religion makes up a majority of the population of Cenial. Atheism is the major religion in Cenial, with around 30% of people, although Christianity (almost equally split between Catholics and Protestants) (25%) and Islam (15%) both make up significant fractions of the population. Cenial has one of the world’s largest and most significant Chinatowns, while Little Saigon and Little Lyndainium are also significant ethnic enclaves. Ethnically, Cenians, Avaerilonians, Eurans, Electrumites, and Spanish make up a total of 75% of Cenial’s population, and there is a large diversity in the remaining 25%.

Cenial, as the cultural center of Ceni, is Ceni’s hub for performing arts. Cenial has the largest number of theatres, concert halls, and exhibition centers in all of Ceni. Cenial’s Royal Shakespearian Theatre Company is well renowned for its performances of Shakespeare’s plays, as well as other plays of Victorian English authors. Because of its diversity, Cenial has a large variety of ethnic restaurants of all kinds—from Westerheimian and Avaerilonian to Persian and Vietnamese, which are found mostly in ethnic sections of the city. Homemade Chinese noodles can be found in Chinatown, while Vietnamese culture is prevalent in Little Saigon. There are a number of excellent Avaerilonian restaurants in Little Lyndainium. Popular street foods in Cenial include Middle Eastern and Indian dishes. In the city centre, there are a large number of upscale restaurants catering to legislators, lobbyists, and richer tourists, while small cafes serving Cenian cuisine dot corner sides. Because of Ceni’s proximity to, and reliance on, the sea, Cenian cuisine places a large emphasis on fish and seafood. Popular Cenian dishes include Cenial Clam Chowder, widely regarded as one of the world’s best, various fish stews, and fish & chips. Other significant Cenian dishes contain crab, lobster, sea scallop, and cod. Alcoholic beverages are fairly common in Ceni, and there are a fair number of pubs, including some chain and local pubs. Cavalier Brewpubs and Machu Picchu Pubs, two famous chains, both originated out of Cenial. At night, a fair number of nightclubs serve alcoholic drinks and provide the citizen or tourist with the opportunity to party.

Map of Cenial's Neighborhoods
The Lonely Multiverse - Ceni contains some additional information on tourist attractions and restaurants in Cenial.

Cenial Halcyon National Stadium

The Cenial Halcyon National Stadium hosts most of the Cenian national team's home matches and has acquired a reputation as a bastion of the side, which has only lost one match in the stadium over 4 cycles. With a capacity of 85,000, the stadium has an unique roof which is retractable in case of inclement weather, preserving the optimal climate for spectators inside the stadium. The stadium also has won plaudits from national team players who say the stadium is one of the best grass pitches they have played on. Cenial United also hosts its home matches in this stadium. The stadium is currently the biggest in all of Ceni at this point and is fairly close to both of the major airports in Ceni, easily accessible by subway to those areas as well as most other areas of Cenial. It was built by the renowned Sky High Architecture (now Cityscapes Architecture) in a southern area of Cenial, near the sea.

When elected as the host of Baptism of Fire 63, the Cenian FA decided to upgrade some of the facilities at the stadium, including the press box and VIP box, as well as installing WiFi access for all seats, following the example of the Alexander I National Stadium. Notably in the history of the Cenial Halcyon Stadium, Ceni qualified for its first World Cup on the grounds of this pitch, defeating Gregoryisgodistan (now South Covello) on penalty kicks to qualify for its first ever World Cup. The Halcyon National Stadium counts itself as one of the greenest buildings in Ceni, making use of solar panels wherever possible, recycling water and heat through its system (so that water used to water the pitch can be used in the toilets, etc.), making use of recycled materials in constructions, and other eco-friendly measures to reduce its energy footprint.

Hosting: Eura vs Chromatika (MD1)
Ceni vs Free Republics (MD2)
Ceni vs Abanhfleft (MD3)
LS1 vs LS2 (Third-place match)

Shadow B'Betsy Stadium

Shadow B'betsy Stadium served for a long time as Ceni's home stadium for World Cup matches, including the team's first ever World Cup match. The stadium also served admirably in the Cup of Harmony 63, where Ceni reached the semifinals. With the advent of the Cenian Premier League, the stadium grew ever more in demand, and 1860 Azoth and Cenial United both called this stadium home for their home matches. However as both team's fan bases grew, the stadium was no longer big enough for the teams' demands, and Cenial United began clamoring for a new stadium. The travails faced by Ceni's national team (a draw with Octinstine most notably) at this stadium also led to the construction of the Cenial Halcyon National Stadium. Nonetheless, this stadium still is Ceni's third largest stadium, a capacity of 63,126 people. Shadow B'betsy is closer to the city center of Cenial than the Halcyon Stadium, and is very accessible by subway, public transportation, bicycle, and walking.

Hosting: Super-Llamaland vs Qasden (MD1)
Abanhfleft vs Bonesea (MD2)
Super-Llamaland vs Chromatika (MD3)
R7 vs R8 (Quarterfinal)

Lake Cenial Stadium

Lake Cenial Stadium is the home of Sporting Cenial, one of the many Cenial teams vying for spots in the increasingly competitive Terranean League East. This stadium also hosted matches during the 63rd Cup of Harmony. Located along the shores of its namesake, Lake Cenial, the Stadium is part of a larger sports complex, with tennis courts, which hosts the Cenial Masters every year, as well as facilities for badminton, squash, and other sports. In turn, the sports complex is located within a big park that surrounds Lake Cenial. In the spring its cherry trees delight visitors, but in all other times, there are still plenty of things to entertain visitors at the park, including gardens and an exquisite Japanese Garden. The stadium is also known for its green-friendly architecture, with solar panels covering a good portion of the exterior and, of course, the park surrounding it. It is also very friendly for bikers and pedestrians. Overall, the stadium seats 53,241 at full capacity.

Hosting: Free Republics vs Abanhfleft (MD1)
Qasden vs Chromatika (MD2)
Bonesea vs Free Republics (MD3)
R5 vs R6 (Quarterfinal)

Bicentennial Stadium

Designed especially for World Cup 76, the Bicentennial Stadium also was designed to celebrate Ceni's 200 years as a unified country, which managed to coincide with the World Cup. The stadium, which seats 75,000 people, is the epitome of modern stadium standards, with modern amenities and television screens along every corner. The stadium was designed with a modernist view in mind, with curving lines as well as interesting use of 3-D texture, and the seats inside being ergonomic and comfortable for viewers. The home of Phalanx AF, Bicentennial Stadium is located in the heart of the bustling city of Cenial, near the University Green and the location of several major Cenian universities, so the stadium is the favorite of many a college kid coming in to watch a game. The fact that this stadium could fit in the city center is a testament to Cenian urban engineers' prowess in getting the maximum out of every square meter of space.

Hosting: Ceni vs Bonesea (MD1)
Eura vs Super-Llamaland (MD2)
Eura vs Qasden (MD3)
Q3 vs Q4 (Semifinal)

City Centre
City Centre is Ceni's second city and home to 3.6 million people. The city does tend to vote extremely liberal in elections due to its economy, which used to be heavily dependent on chemical manufacturing; however, the city has now mostly switched to becoming a high-tech, green manufacturing center, and labs in City Centre have produced some of the most modern innovations in renewable power and energy efficiency technologies. Unions, unlike in other countries, are very strong here in City Centre. Besides its historic manufacturing, City Centre is notable for its libraries and literature, hosting some of Ceni's most famous authors. City Centre also boasts a thriving gay community. However City Centre is less culturally refined than many other cities in Ceni, such as New Oxford and Cenial. Nonetheless, it does boast its fair share of tourists, who come to visit the playhouses and aforementioned libraries. Like Cenial, it is located along Lake Cenial, and the two cities merge to form one big megalopolis; the city of New Oxford also abuts it to the south, forming a good portion of Ceni's urban population.

Volatus Millennium Stadium

The Volatus Millenium Stadium is home to Ceni's (former) best club, Tir Snake Strike, and routinely draws its full capacity of just under 60,000. The stadium is known for its modern curves and structure designed with lots of glass and its 'high tech' appearance, earning the stadium its name of 'Millennium' - the stadium's design reminds people of a new era in stadium construction. The Millenium Stadium is very open to sunlight and has a great temperature when the conditions are just right. Nearby are the indoor tennis courts that host the Volatus Open, in the run-up to the Cenian Open. Again, the stadium is well-connected to public transport, but visitors coming from Cenial might have to spend a little bit of time getting to the stadium, perhaps half an hour away from the center of Cenial by subway.

Hosting: Valanora vs Kita-Hinode (MD1)
95X vs Kita-Hinode (MD2)
Valanora vs 95X (MD3)
G1 vs F2 (Round of 16)

New Oxford
While it does have a population of around one million, which sounds small by international standards, it is concentrated in a small area, making it a very dense city. New Oxford is very ethnically diverse, even more so than Cenial, with large Asian, Electrumite, and Euran populations. New Oxford is most notable for hosting the third of Ceni's major universities, the University of New Oxford, which boasts a high quality educational program. In addition to its University, with its excellent sporting facilities, New Oxford hosts a number of museums and other educational institutions, as well as science and technology based industries within its soaring, modern skyline. Besides these attractions, New Oxford has a very active nightlife, with a large number of bars and nightclubs serving the student population, and the city is a hub of cocktails and experimentation with alcohol. As such, there are quite a few drunken ramblers out at night, although many students do stay sober.

New Oxford Coliseum

New Oxford's major team, Myrmidon, gained a new stadium recently with the construction of the New Oxford Coliseum, a stadium that seats 55,000 people. Previously, the club had made use of a stadium at the University of New Oxford, which was much smaller and not adequate as the club's fan base expanded. The stadium perhaps deserves the name of 'Millenium' more so than the actual Millenium Stadium, as it is very modern and has almost a space-age feel to it. The stadium is also totally covered with translucent panels, giving it the look of a gemstone, and also protecting the pitch from inclement weather. The Coliseum is also notable for its VIP boxes, of which it has more than your usual stadium. While fans can get a bit rowdy (New Oxford is a University town after all) and the pitch can get a pit dark, the atmosphere totally makes up for this, and teams like playing here because of that unique atmosphere.

Hosting: Farfadillis vs 95X (MD1)
Valanora vs Farfadillis (MD2)
Farfadillis vs Kita-Hinode (MD3)
F1 vs G2 (Round of 16)

The Isles of Avon
The Isles of Avon was originally a Cenian possession, but they were gifted to Drawkland in the early 1900s as a sign of improving relations between the two countries. Since then, Drawkland built a portal between Rushmore and Sonnel on one of the larger islands, creating Stratosphere City around it. That city has rapidly grown, becoming the source of more than fifty percent of the total population of the isles. Besides Strat City, as it is affectionately known by its residents, the rest of the islands remains a bucolic paradise, with the many lakes and craggy landscape reminding many of the English Lake Districts. Its main industries are tourism, attracting Rushmoris looking to get a break from the hustle and bustle of city life, and wine production.

Gateway Stadium, Stratosphere City

Stratosphere City is the Isles of Avon's largest city, home to the portal that links Rushmore to the world of Sonnel and Drawkland itself, which owns the Isles of Avon. With a large, cosmopolitan, and diverse population, it is Avon's primate city and home to a large proportion of its population, as well as the largest center of footballing passion in the nation. The name of Gateway Stadium reflects the city's status as a gateway to Drawkland (for Rushmoris) and a gateway to Rushmore (for Drawkians). Glowing and modern, the Gateway Stadium features the most modern advances in everything imaginable, from spotless restrooms to gigantic jumbotrons. Glassy to let in natural light, the stadium also has a large gateway reminiscent of an older train station to let spectators know they have arrived in one of the most up-to-date stadiums in the world. The stadium is also environmentally friendly, built to reduce carbon emissions and water usage across the stadium, with solar panels on the roof, and the stadium is designed in such a way that spectators have unparalleled visability for a stadium of this size. Even with a capacity of 75,000 spectators, seating is comfortable and spacious, with many luxurious premium boxes available, as well as a skywalk and a viewing area near the top of the stadium. When it is not hosting matches of the Avonian national team or its home club Strat City, the stadium is also a hub for the community, hosting many shops and restaurants.

Hosting: Electrum vs Ethane (MD1)
Electrum vs Starblaydia (MD2)
Electrum vs Nephara (MD3)
H1 vs E2 (Round of 16)

Field of Gold, New Stratford

New Stratford is a classic tourist town on the beaches of New Avon, billing its natural springs, white, sandy beaches, and peaceful shoreline as a getaway from the hustle and bustle of the business centers of mainland Rushmore. The team's home club, Golden Eagles, has been on a tear recently in international competition, and found themselves with a large sum of prize money. They chose to invest the dough in a state-of-the art new stadium, the Field of Gold, upgrading a stadium with a capacity of only 25,000 to one with a capacity of just over 56,000. Thematically, the designers went with gold: the exterior of the stadium is gold and reflective, and the interior is bright and shiny as well. The curvature of the stadium reminds visitors of both an eagle in flight and the crashing waves of the nearby shore. Of course, solar panels deck the roof of the stadium, and all the reflective material helps to reflect away sunlight as well, reducing air conditioning costs.

Hosting: Nephara vs Starblaydia (MD1)
Nephara vs Ethane (MD2)
Starblaydia vs Ethane (MD3)
E1 vs H2 (Round of 16)

by **Drawkland** » Tue Nov 21, 2017 10:31 am

The Big One ...

On televisions, radios, internet articles, social media, holographic projections, and 100-foot-tall urban electronic billboards in sporting nations everywhere, an advertisement has begun playing.

It opens with a man, older-looking and friendly, walking into frame. Behind him is a beautiful natural scene - small mountains in the background, rolling hills, deciduous trees, and greenery. He himself is standing atop a massive, flat hill, perhaps a plateau dimmed by the larger features around it.

"I stand here today in Centivar County. Not far from me are the homes and abodes of many famous people, such as Iarocav and many sports figures. A bit further are two enormous cities, Drawk City and Metropolon, who will play host to millions of fans and hundreds of players in a few month's time." Behind the man, faint sketches of city skylines are shown in the background then fade away.

"However, where I'm standing right now will not be a blank hill for much longer. A foothill in a small mountain range, this expanse of land will soon play host to the greatest sporting tradition ever - the World Cup Final. And it will not be on this peaceful patch of grass. No, it will be in The Big One ... a stadium built solely for the purpose of hosting the grandest of championships." Now, more bold sketches of a stadium begin to appear behind the man. The camera zooms out, and shows a full CGI scene depicting a large, impressive stadium.

"This stadium will have an exact capacity of 250,000 seats and perhaps more from standing room. Its roof will be retractable, its playing surface modifiable, and its seating arrangements flexible. Its innovative and never-before-seen design will enable the stadium to flawlessly change its configuration for various sports - any sport with a field longer than 50 meters can be accommodated, and always with the capacity of 250k." The man's voice has shifted to voiceover, and the picture now shows a seating chart view of the stadium, sliding around and changing, showing playing fields of different sports.

"The roof will be solid but able to open easily and nearly completely, exposing the pitch and the seats to the open air. All the seats will be stadium-style, made of premium materials and color which will not fade. The exterior of the stadium will be rectangular in nature, the roof having slanted corners to be octagonal. The sides of the stadium give off a castle-like facade while remaining modern and gleaming in nature, with one of the short sides containing a large and grand gate. The corners of the exterior will feature large circular columns, containing offices and commons areas. The interior of the stadium will feature 3 additional columns, one in the center of the side containing the grand gate, and two more, one in each corner opposing the central column. These interior columns will feature box space, some seats, as well as standing room." The picture continues to show graphically generated projections of the stadium as the man describes them.

"This isn't the end of the stadium's wonder, either. A handful of stories directly underground from this stadium will be a second arena, this one being completely indoor. It will feature indoor events, sports whose fields or courts are less than 50 meters. The capacity of this underground stadium will be 100,000 and remain that capacity regardless of the court arrangement. Although this is never anticipated to occur, this "dual stadium" so to speak, could host over 350,000 fans and 2 games at once, while remaining comfortable. In both arenas, the interior was specifically constructed to convey sound in the most beautiful manner, allowing for deafening crowd noise as well as tear-jerking musical performances." After showing projections of the indoor portion of the arena, the picture and background shifted to a simulated crowd at a football game, then to a drum corps performance.

"The money is in place thanks to generous donations by the Drawk Corps, the Iarocav Fund, the local governments of Drawk City, Metropolon, and nearby cities, as well as many Centivar County residents (and donations from elsewhere in the multiverse). Thanks to its proximity to major population centers and strategic plans for transportation and parking, the logistics are smoothed out and kept in the forefront of developers' minds. The design and materials are in place and construction crews will be breaking ground any day now. In fact, there's only one key component missing - the name of this beautiful complex." The picture alternates between shots of the current site and graphical projections of the stadium.

"This is where the developers decided to allow the fans to vote on the naming of the stadium ... after all, it's the fans who will be giving this stadium life year after year, championship after championship, glorious victory after glorious victory. This will be the premier location of sporting events in the multiverse from here on out - and this is your opportunity to shape history for years to come. So we ask you fans - will you help us?"

The screen then fades to a Drawkian flag, and then to the logo that's being used to represent the project, and finally fades to a link to relevant website and where to vote.

OOC: Alright guys, this is the stadium that will IC'ly host the World Cup Final and the championship match of any other events I host on NS Sports from here on out. I'd really super appreciate it if everyone voted on what the name should be! Right now we're just deciding on the actual name. After qualifying, once the official name is decided, I'll make a second vote on whether it should be called X Arena, X Stadium, X Complex, etc. For the time being we're just voting on what "X" will be.

Here's a link to a Google Forms. The instructions on there should be pretty self-explanatory I think. Of course, if you have any inquiries on more advanced details on the stadium, I'm more than willing to respond via TG. Also, technically I don't really have any way to stop you from voting more than once ... I dunno why you would, Link below to attract attention:

Click To Vote!

by **Razenthuria** » Tue Nov 21, 2017 3:19 pm

I M P LO S I O N

_{Sario, Kebec | National Parliament Buildings | RC-409}

| When one was asked to describe the political climate in Kebec leading up to RC-409 (Kebecois year 2040), the best description was tense - strife dominated the land as civil war had engulfed the climate of all Kebec from 2035 until then. Chief Minister William Decroix had come to the Ministership promising rapid changes to the nation, accounting for a burgeoning Christian population which wanted to establish a republic on these lands while on the other side, there was the Norse supporters who stressed a return to the monarchy days of the past, this lead to the Second Kebecois Civil War which ravished the lands, leaving what once had been a beautiful, pristine land in ruins. War thru the land into the gutter, it left smoke seeping from once proud buildings, it ended the idea of Norse superiority in Kebec and did everything that was supposed to be avoided - it ended the nation of Kebec. Kebec was now engulfed in flames even as fellow Atlantian Oceanians turn their heads as the nation rotted away into nothingness. |

| On the evening of 3 December, at about 5:40 pm, the Seccessionist Armed Force (SAF), the air force of the secessionist Monarchial Liberation Front launched surprise pre-emptive strikes on eleven airfields in north-western Kebec, including Calix City, which was then the beacon of Kebec - the hub of all things Kebec and at the time, one of the most well-known Kebecois cities in the multiverse, on this day however, it was a black cloud as national landmarks flew into dust. The Monarchs, lead by Estyvar Gustiveon wanted a return to the ways of the past, and welcome refute to the past and the hoist of the crossed flames, the ancient symbol of Kebec's monarchy, hell-bent on having that, Gustiveon attempted to lead his nation thru brutal battles to regain the crown that Kebec had lost, its sad to say but not a single life was speared the death and destruction his side had preached, mainly made op of the Norse minority in the Nordic Federation of Kebec, the warring from his side was brutal, his unconvential war tactics - using "human-waves", child soldiers - both proved highly unpopular amongst the general populace who spoke out in favour of the Kebec. |

| On the other side stood the Razen Independence Army, lead by the calm, quiet-spoken leader of the English-Christian majority in Kebec - Thomas Perrington, a former Colonel in the Kebecois Armed Forces, he had served during the first Kebecois Civil War which had been fought between 1990 and 1995 (RC-359-364), he had founded the secessionist state of Razenthuria using a new, clean model of a monarchy. A believer in a republic with a symbolical figurehead, similar to a nation in a parallel universe*, he had proposed a hybrid model - a crowned republic concept in which the monarchy would have absolutely no power - a staunch departure from Gustiveon's idea, Gustiveon had wanted an absolute monarchy with he himself as monarch of the new nation. Perriongton would govern Razenthuria from its founding in RC-357 (two years prior to the First Kebecois Civil War) until RC-396, serving as its First Minister and leading a one-party state he deemed as "necessary" to national security until the nation of Kebec ceased to exist or formally join Razenthuria. |

| When asked later why the Second Kebecois Civil War was fought, the one that ended Kebec and legitimized the successor-state of Razenthuria, the textbooks might say it was fought over government issues, but it was truly fought over much more. Chief amongst them, the one that remains shrouded in mystery, it was apartheid - the government-sponsored segregation based on race, Kebecois apartheid however was expanded, it did not just include race but also religion and ethnicity, many have failed to notice however, Christians were routinely banned from "acts of god" (i.e. praying, worshipping, etc.) in a public place during the existence of the Nordic Federation of Kebec, this caused a great dissent amongst Christians and many secretly funded the government of Razenthuria during this time, structuring it and allowing it to one day be a force once the Second civil war had begun. It is thru the brave acts that the Kebecois nation crumbled and a new Crown Republic of Razenthuria rose, a nation set alight. |

| The two factions were forced to meet each other in RC-409 in the troubled, embattled city of Sario, the capital of the now-fallen nation of Kebec for peace talks as the Monarchial Liberation Front was slowly losing land at the expense of thousands of Kebecois civilians, it was estimated that the costs of war had lost nearly 3.7-million men, women and children from the face of the nation, concessions had to be made for the nation to move forward. In the meeting place as Courtberry Palace, it was decided the current form of Raznthuria, fully establishing the Crown Republic of Razenthuria as a new nation and formally imploding the old nation that was Kebec, the stunning of many, Kebec was no more simply overnight, a new nation was born - a new nation which had risen from the ashes of darkness and amid defeat risen above itself. It was decried that Thomas Perrington would serve as Monarch of Razenthuria and adopted the moniker King Thomas the First, King of the Razen, a new nation was born. |

| With a nation reeling from the effects of four brutal years of occupation, it was time for a nation to be reborn like a phoenix from the ashes - while others has scrambled to recover, the Thai peoples were still a scrambled mess months after the war. The Provisional Government of Razenthuria, the PGR as it is commonly referred to hadn't done its job which was to transfer power back from the military the civilians, protests had erupted in the streets and hundred lay dead in the weeks following. Blood-stains were everywhere and the roads - or what was left of them ran red, it seemed there was no hope. After months of rallying and protest, the Free Razen Movement was able to arrange for a constitution draft-session, with many eager to rid their minds of the brutality of the nation that was once Kebec, a new popular name was adopted by the Kebecois people - Razenthuria! |

| As he walked to the podium, the First Choir of the Motherland, Razenthuria's national choir struck up a stunning rendition of the new national anthem while the National Orchestra of Sario played alongside them: |

Thy motherland this we hold,
A nation blessed with thy bold,
Proudly we hoist our flag among the nations,
Rest in peace they told,

From the ashes we were born,
From the mountains we were torn,
To thy ancient homelands we shall march,
To thy land of Buddha we shall see,

Each day we honor our code,
Thru thy deeds, our nation will bode,
For people and country we shall die,
To thy ends of the earth we shall prevail,
Each day, we shall admit our past and forget thy veil,

We pledge for one-another,
To honor thy friend like thou brother,
To assist our country and herald our flag,
In this we trust, the flag of our motherland.

In honor of the Razen, in honor of thou King!

King Thomas Perrington I, Razenthuria:

by **Indusse** » Tue Nov 21, 2017 5:26 pm

Yah the world cup is here :clap:

Indusse football team

MANAGER: Adityavarmakulashekara III
COACH: De consrantinwan
Players ():
1.Rajkumar (Striker)
2.Arundakumar reddy.(Striker)
3.Abhiram kumar.(Striker)
4. David Beckham (Midfielder)
5.Anvay (Midfielder)
6.Chitrarakar (Midfielder) (Captain)
7.Baskar kumar (Midfielder)
8.Aaryan yadav (Defender)
9.Stan Kan (Defender)
10.narayan rajamoulendra (Defender)
11. S nandi (Goalkeeper)

Extra Players:
1.Rajaragh (Striker)
2 . Mansel chaudary (Midfielder)
3.MCN NAMBIAR(Defender)
4.matheww jons (Goalkeeper)

by **Kita-Hinode** » Tue Nov 21, 2017 5:34 pm

CHAPTER I - SCHOOL DAY

St. Margot High School
Friday, 7:09 AM

A blonde girl dashed through the rainy streets.
Time had been ticking down faster than it should to her wishes and she found herself close to another alert on her papers about how she once again arrived late.
In all fairness, her Ciao Kitten clock didn't wake her up and her family were all too busy to wake her up.
Then again, she stood up late the previous night, pampering her Glaceon, a proud and talented creature nicknamed Sunday.
She arrived closer and closer to the gates, she could already see the school behind those gates. An illustrious academy, although it often lacked a lot of those fabled Pokémon taming classes.

A loud horn alerted her as she got closer to the school.
A limousine was on its' way and without signs of stopping, certainly on its' way to causing disaster.
The girl rolled to her right, landing on the school's sidewalk. Her skin slightly bruised and her uniform somewhat dirtied because of it.
Still, she was fine. Her school backpack looked a bit roughed up by the landing as well, but still, she was alive.
She huffed her way into St. Margot High, only to find one very specific school mate waiting for her.

[Flardania] - Qasden! What happened? You look like a wreck! Did something run over you?

The girl was, in fact, promising Pokémon Ace Qasden.
Joining the World Cup circuit in her early 10s, signing up to represent the Atlantians, her talents had been growing year after year, usually backed by her dearest Pokémon, Sunday.
However, here, she was Qasden. The student that had arrived late around two months of classes and, had it not been by her custody relative Chrom, would've been dropped out by the High School.
Not a good showing, to put it bluntly, and the media that cared about Pokémon battling would often use her as an example of how this hobby affected lives severely.
This year, she had been assigned a senior partner, Flardania, who while not as good of a trainer, had been well regarded academically for her determination.

[Qasden] - I almost was, thanks for reminding me that... Ugh, the nerve of some people these days!
[Flardania] - Did you wake up late again? It's like... ten or eleven minutes, you got through the gates by a fingertip.
[Qasden] - Sunday wouldn't sleep if I didn't groom her properly, I'm sorry. It's not easy juggling Pokémon battling and school, y'know.
[Flardania] - ...Uh, I kind of am a trainer myself.
[Qasden] - ...Oh, yeah. True.
[Flardania] - Ugh. Look, let's just... go. Classes haven't started... yet, but let's not take your chances. Remember what the headmaster said.
[Qasden] - Arrive late again and you're off?

Flardania nodded. Qasden sighed.
The two walked into one of the school's buildings and thus walked through the hallways as they searched for their classroom.

[Flardania] - So, I've heard that the school admitted a bunch of new students this semester.
[Qasden] - All of a sudden? Why?
[Flardania] - Uh, I don't know why. I'm just passing on the news.

Qasden looks up to the ceiling of the hallways, finding a couple of banners with welcoming messages to students from all parts of the world.

[Qasden] - Are we talking foreigners?
[Flardania] - Uh... Yeah. How did you know that?
[Qasden] - That banner over there says "Welcome all Rupertish students"... That's Rupertland, right?
[Flardania] - Yeah! The land of the fog!
[Qasden] - And that one's for folks from some place called Kanichiwa. I'm pretty sure those are way away from here.
[Flardania] - Well, then yeah. Foreigners! Isn't it going to be fun?
[Qasden] - I guess. I wonder how their Pokémon battle.
[Flardania] - ...You're starting to sound like your dad. Chill and think of the better possibilities!
[Qasden] - ...I'm not looking for a date, Flardania.
[Flardania] - It's Kirishima!
[Qasden] - You're the only person I've ever seen that has used two battle names and I still don't get why.
[Flardania] - Look... Uh... We just make mistakes sometimes, OK? That happens.

The two kept talking as they entered the room, picking two seats in the middle of the class.
Qasden wanted to show the teachers that she was taking the school very seriously and she was certain that this way, she'd prove it.
A boy got sat close to the two.
Flardania noticed him pretty fast.

[Flardania] - What is it, Electrum?
[Electrum] - Well, nice to meet you too, Sheila.
[Flardania] - That's not even my name!
[Electrum] - Oh, I'm preparing just in case you choose to switch again. I wonder if you didn't get tired from filling up the papers.
[Flardania] - ...I'm never ever choosing a battle name on a bet ever again.
[Electrum] - Psh. Hey, Qasden.

Qasden nodded, replying with a smile on her face.
If anything, just because she found it funny seeing her senior get made fun of.

[Qasden] - Hiya, Mr. Electrum!
[Electrum] - Mister? I'm about Flardania's age, yo.
[Qasden] - You're both older than me!
[Electrum] - I guess that's fair, but still.
[Flardania] - So, you prude. Where's that friend of yours, Ceni?
[Electrum] - Well, we were due to deliver our research papers and...

SLAM!
The three (and all the other students in the room) look to the door, finding Ceni dropped down, on top of a pile of research papers.

[Flardania] - ...Overdid it a little bit, didn't you?
[Electrum] - He's a workaholic. I told him to keep it under ten pages and we then could enjoy the free afternoon without working at Polar Islandstates' market but by the time I found him, he had written an entire book about the Neo Kanichiwan Pizza.
[Flardania] - Maybe he wanted not to embarrass himself with the new foreign students we're getting this semester.
[Qasden] - Yeah, just imagine how they battle!
[Electrum] - Way to cramp down the excitement, Qasden.
[Qasden] - B-B-But battling...
[Electrum] - Fine, fine. I was more interested in how they handle themselves in our little outback, but I guess it makes sense you think about that right now.
[Flardania] - Don't support her! We're here to study, not to dwell on battling lingo again. Remember what happened last week!
[Electrum] - Yeah, Qasden not shutting up about the current of Thundershock with that lecture guy was a disaster.
[Qasden] - I WAS CURIOUS!
[Ceni] - Gee, Ceni, how are you? Did you get trampled down by the paper? Are you alright? Yeah, I'm fine, thank you all.

Ceni stood behind the three, having just placed his gigantic research on his table beside Electrum.

[Ceni] - Sometimes I wonder if our partnership is advantageous in any way besides me doing all the work.
[Electrum] - Says the guy who complains when I'm not around at the shop.
[Ceni] - The place is boring, what can you do? I need you around.
[Flardania] - Well, clearly you two need to go to a couples' therapy session. Ain't that so, Qasden?
[Qasden] - Clearly, they need to battle more tag matches and-
[Ceni] - Would you two drop it? I don't know what's worse, the pain in my back or your suggestions!
[Qasden] - W-W-Well, the tournament is starting soon and-
[Electrum] - You're excited because of it, I get it. In any case, my bad, mate.
[Ceni] - Apologies accepted. Next time, you print the research.
[Electrum] - As long as you keep it under ten pages.
[Ceni] - No effort is good enough for the best grade, remember that!
[Electrum] - Best grades ain't helping your back, for one.
[Ceni] - Psh.

The teacher arrived not too long afterwards, bringing with her a group of ten new students the class had been assigned to receive.
According to her, none of these students were from the region, having recently arrived at the United Districts and because of this, they weren't very used to the nation's culture.
At last, she allowed them to introduce themselves and thus, they all lined-up in front of the class, although only five really stood out.
The first one was a dark-haired boy. His skin was fair but most notably, he had a large purple scarf.
The three students to his side had some similarities between each other.
The tallest one was a girl with red hair, wearing a red hot jacket over her uniform.
The one in the middle was a boy with black hair. He wore a bandana that could show an Umbreon pin in the middle.
The shortest one was a younger girl, possibly of the same age of Qasden, although she had black hair. She wore a chullo over her head and notably had a Jolteon pin at the side of the said skull cap.
The fifth student was fairly buff, seemed like a martial arts student. He clearly eyed out the first one, seemingly with distrust. It didn't help the first one himself had briefly looked at Qasden and seemingly tried to avoid looking at her again.
And thus, they all introduced themselves in order.

[Katsu] - I'm Katsu Asakawa. My hometown is Katsujima, Kanichiwa.
[Suzie] - I'm Suzie Moonstar, I'm the eldest sister of three. I'm from Fort Halifax, Stuartland. Nice meeting you all.
[Jolyne] - Hello! I'm Jolyne Moonstar, Suzie's youngest sister... and I'm from Sugar Hills, Stuartland. I hope we can all become great friends!
[Jonathan] - I'm Jonathan Moonstar, brother of those two. My hometown is Endeavour, also from Stuartland. Glad to meet you folk.
[Han-Myeong] - I'm Seong Han-Myeong. I hail from Gaeul, Outcheon. Nice to meet you all.

The other students continued to introduce themselves, but by then some were already talking out of interest, curiosity or confusion.

[Qasden] - ...Don't they have battle names?
[Ceni] - On the other side of the world, they don't use battle names.
[Flardania] - It's a bit odd, isn't it?
[Electrum] - Yeah, but out there, they don't care as much about Pokémon battling-
[Qasden] HERESY!
[Flardania] - Shhhh!
[Ceni] - Culturally, they always had bigger matters to deal with. Stuartland had the mobs, Kanichiwa only recently opened up for the rest of the world and people from Outcheon prefer to battle with their own hands instead.
[Electrum] - Pokémon battling just didn't catch up there.
[Ceni] - The thing that really bothers me, however, is that first guy's name.

Ceni pulled out his pencil, noticing the branding had the word Asakawa.
He looked towards the room's fans, finding the same branding.

[Ceni] - I might be wrong, but...
[Flardania] - Omigosh, the guy's rich?
[Qasden] - Now that you mention, I almost got ran over by a limo before getting here.
[Electrum] - Well, wouldn't that be a coincidence?

The boy with a scarf sat down close to the four.
They could notice Sik sitting a bit far from them, but still seemingly watching them out.
Katsu didn't seem particularly worried about anything.
His scarf swayed side to side with the wind the fan generated.

[Ceni] - Uh... Katsuo, isn't it?
[Katsu] - Katsu, you bum.
[Electrum] - Oi, you don't offend my friend there, mate!
[Katsu] - Oh, got a problem? Why don't you go fix that hair of yours first?
[Flardania] - Hey, stop teasing them!
[Katsu] - Well, damn. Why don't you try to get my name right before complaining about what was deserved criticism?
[Ceni] - ...It's fine. I'm sorry that I got your name wrong.
[Katsu] - That sounds more like it. I take your apology.
[Ceni] - In any case, I wanted to ask you something.
[Katsu] - Feel free.
[Ceni] - Well, I couldn't help but notice that-
[Flardania] - Your family is rich?
[Katsu] - Yep.
[Ceni] - Heir to the Asakawa family?
[Katsu] - Ayup.
[Electrum] - Happened to come here in a limo?
[Katsu] - Yip-yip.
[Qasden] - ...Is it true you don't care about Pokémon battling?

Katsu's eyes widened in shock.
He expected the girl to ask something about his family.
Instead, however, she stood.
Staring at him, fire in her eyes.
The rich boy wasn't familiar with Qasden, nor any of her relatives.
Additionally, he was still a bit shaken by how his driver almost ran over her sometime earlier.

[Katsu] - Why?
[Qasden] - I'm curious.
[Katsu] - U-uh... erm...
[Qasden] - Cat got your tongue... Katsuo?
[Katsu] - How dare you!? My name is Katsuo of the Asakawa! Remember that!
[Qasden] - Well, then answer.
[Katsu] - Fine.
[Qasden] - ...
[Katsu] - We of Kanichiwa, while not reported to outsiders, have had a strong history of Pokémon battling.
[Flardania] - So why, um, why don't you use battle names like us?

Katsu scoffed loudly.

[Katsu] - Battle names are for those who don't have a family to proudly represent.
[Qasden] - No! They're part of the tradition!
[Katsu] - Your tradition stinks.
[Qasden] - YOU STINK!

The two got touched on the shoulder.
Qasden looked up to find the teacher.
She looked back down, angry.

[Qasden] - It's your fault!

...

Time went by as the headmaster scolded the two.
Surprisingly to Qasden, it was the Asakawa that got the short stick.
She couldn't help but giggle as she heard how who, for all accounts at that point, seemed like an insolent boy, apparently came highly regarded from his homeland.
Eventually, by the time the two were sent out from the room, it was already lunch break.
Qasden walked up alone, opening her lunchbox.
She found four ham and cheese sandwiches.
Of course, they were arranged like cat heads.
It was pretty funny whenever she thought about it.
Sunrise hated the idea of being called father by someone, but then there were these moments where she clearly could see him taking that extra bit of care.
And then, she heard something.

[Katsu] - Ekaterina La Pucelle!

It was that damn Asakawa boy.
He stood in the middle of the school's yard.
His face, even more, smugger than usual.
He probably thought he ticked a nerve on the girl.
Qasden got up from her seat, holding her lunchbox.

[Qasden] - What did you just say?
[Katsu] - Hah! Ticked a nerve at you, didn't I?
[Qasden] - Just... say it.
[Katsu] - I issue you a challenge for a Pokémon battle!

She took out a pokéball from her lunchbox, staring at him.

[Qasden] - Let's go then.

He laughed.

[Katsu] - I didn't tell you what was my challenge.
[Qasden] - You challenged me to a Pokémon battle. That's it. Me against you.
[Katsu] - Allow me to explain, veteran child.

He clicked his fingers.
Three students quickly darted in front of him.
Except as soon as they did their entrance, Suzie stumbled on her sister Jolyne's back, pushing her against Jonathan.
The three fell down.

[Jolyne] - Suzie!
[Suzie] - Ow...
[Jonathan] - Come on, come on, it's our time to shine!

The three quickly got up.
Qasden crossed her arms, confused.

[Suzie] - To crush those that oppose whoever has us paid!
[Jonathan] - To embarrass them all, it's for what we are made!
[Jolyne] - And don't confuse us with kids pampered by a maid!
[Suzie] - We're Moonstar Squadron, get ready to battle!
[Jonathan] - We're Moonstar Squadron, go get your rattle!
[Jolyne] - Because, Mrs. Qasden, you're about to get owned like a ranch in a cattle!

Qasden stood still.
The three tried to keep a very elaborate pose.
Katsu sighed.

[Qasden] - Like a cattle on a ranch.
[Jolyne] - Yeah, but that doesn't rhyme!
[Katsu] - ...OK, OK, it's clear you won't beat her alone, you can't even rhyme together.
[Suzie] - Our rhyming skills might be a bit weak...
[Jonathan] - But our Pokémon battling skills aren't a leak!

Now Jolyne sighed.

[Jolyne] - Fair enough, boss. We'll battle her together.
[???] - Hold on!

A voice yelled.
Soon enough, it was clear the voice was actually Flardania, who brought Ceni and Electrum with her.

[Flardania] - You foreigners know nothing.
[Ceni] - An unfair battle is strictly against the school rules.
[Electrum] - And not very gentlemanish. Especially for yourself, ya knob.
[Katsu] - Beg your pardon? I don't recall requesting the participation of you prudes.

The three stood in front of Qasden.

[Electrum] - Shame, fella. Y'ain't battling her alone with three on your side.
[Ceni] - That also is against the school rules. And Pokémon rules.
[Flardania] - She's our friend and we'll not let you go at her like that. No sir.

Sparks clearly started to flare... until the Moonstar Squadron looked to the right and soon flocked off.
Katsu didn't notice who was to his right until that person started to talk.

[Han-Myeong] - Asakawa Katsu!

Katsu quickly stopped on his tracks, his eyes wide open.
He slowly turned to his right.

[Katsu] - H-H-Han-Myeong!?
[Han-Myeong] - What did your sister tell you?
[Katsu] - N-not to get into battles with the riff-

Han-Myeong quickly lifted him by the collar, dragging him to Qasden and her friends.

[Han-Myeong] - I'm sorry for not taking care of him earlier, miss Qasden and friends.
[Electrum] - Well, guv, no prob.
[Ceni] - What are you supposed to be? I thought you were just another student.
[Han-Myeong] - And I am.
[Katsu] - B-but he's also my butler.
[Han-Myeong] - Hmpf. More like a bodyguard, but my family has always worked with the Asakawa as butlers and maids.

He lifted Katsu a little bit more than usual.

[Katsu] - AGH!
[Han-Myeong] - But right now, I'm mostly here to keep an eye on him so he doesn't get his sister worried.
[Flardania] - T-t-that explains why you're so... uh...
[Han-Myeong] - Strong? Well, actually my family always made sure to know several martial arts. I only followed their steps.
[Ceni] - I'm a bit curious. He doesn't seem like the kind of person that would worry about proper battling-
[Katsu] - I'm here, you bum- AGH!
[Han-Myeong] - Play nice.
[Ceni] - Why would his sister be any different?
[Han-Myeong] - It's a bit of a long story. Right now, I need to go gather that... Moonstar trio. Paid them to battle your battles for you again, didn't you, Katsu?
[Katsu] - E-erm... ahem...
[Han-Myeong] - We'll talk at the limo. Now let's go.

The four waved as Han-Myeong proceeded on his search for the Moonstar trio, Katsu still held up by his collar on hand.

[Qasden] - ...Now that makes me wonder one thing.
[Flardania] - What?
[Qasden] - His sister doesn't like Pokémon battling?
[Ceni] - ...
[Electrum] - It always goes back to that topic with you, doesn't it?

The three left, shrugging.

[Qasden] - What? I'M CURIOUS!

by **The Steel Coast** » Wed Nov 22, 2017 12:41 pm

SCFA Announces Steel Tusks' World Cup Qualifying Schedule for 2002-03 Season

With the groups set for the World Cup 79 qualifying, the SCFA has announced the official schedule for the first half of qualifying. The Steel Tusks will open against Islana Lunigo in Athlone on the 13th of September, and close the first half against Undarat in March. Below, we preview each of the matches and our two pundits, Charles "Chappy" Briggs and Taylor McKnight weigh on with their predictions.

Matchday 1 The Steel Coast vs. Islana Lunigo
Athlone Park (22,435), Athlone, Downcoast Canton
Friday, 13 September 2002
The Steel Tusks open their inaugural World Cup qualifying campaign against a team from the tropical island of Islana Lunigo, off the coast of Qasden. Despite the island's paltry size, the Trops are not to be underestimated, having finished third in their qualifying group for World Cup 78, barely short of qualifying for the finals.

CHAPPY: Not the worst match right out the gate for the Tusks, but far from a guaranteed result. Expect a defensive formation like a 5-3-2 to counter the Trops' superior athleticism, but even that might not be enough. A 0-0 draw here would not be a bad result, but I expect our boys will get beat at least once.
Projected Result: The Steel Coast 0-2 Islana Lunigo

TAYLOR: I agree the defense is going to be crucial, but I don't think bunkering is going to get it done here. Maynard Griffiths is going to be even more crucial than usual in leading the counterattack, and Squires and Farias are going to need to punish the Trops' every mistake if they want to have a prayer of hanging on. Moreover, if we see the same reckless tackles as in the Baptism, expect somebody to walk away with a red card.
Projected Result: The Steel Coast 0-3 Islana Lunigo

Matchday 2 Savojarna vs. The Steel Coast
To Be Announced
Tuesday, 17 September 2002
The Tusks will travel to Rushmore for their second qualifier to face Savojarna, a nation better known for its ice hockey than football prowess. Nevertheless, the Savojar national team posted a fourth-place finish in its qualifying group for World Cup 78, its first campaign. They also received an invitation to the Cup of Harmony that same cycle, to which the Savojar FA opted to send its women's team; there has been no official word which team will the Tusks will face.

CHAPPY: Hard to make any predictions without knowing which team we'll face, but either way expect a defensive team with the size to boss our players at both ends of the field. Set pieces are a known specialty of the Savojar national teams, which could pose a threat considering our set-piece defense was barely tested in the Baptism.
Projected result: Savojarna 1-0 The Steel Coast

TAYLOR: In three years as the gaffer at Dreadnought, Owen Miles developed a reputation for preparing his squad for particular opponents. If he can transfer that ability to the Tusks, I think we have the potential to grind out a result against another defensive team. This match will boil down to how well-prepared the boys are, and how will Long Squires can find the back of the net against the big, bad Savojar defenders.
Projected result: Savojarna 1-1 The Steel Coast

Matchday 3 The Steel Coast vs. Cosneolta
The Kiln (16,498), Kirby, Skycap Canton
Saturday, 12 October 2002

Matchday 4 The Steel Coast vs. Starblaydia
National Stadium (34,013), Aciaria
Monday, 14 October 2002

Matchday 5 Filindostan vs. The Steel Coast
To Be Announced
Thursday, 7 November 2002

Matchday 6 The Steel Coast vs. Vilita
Dreadnought Park (24,444), Rathsberg, The Bellows
Sunday, 10 November 2002

Matchday 7 Red Blackiland vs. The Steel Coast
To Be Announced
Saturday, 8 February 2003

Matchday 8 The Steel Coast vs. Jabok
Jennyshead Park (14,378), Jennyshead, Delta Canton
Monday, 10 February 2003

Matchday 9 Undarat vs. The Steel Coast
To Be Announced
Sunday, 9 March 2003

by **Northwest Kalactin** » Wed Nov 22, 2017 1:42 pm

NK players in locker room after practice

(Hue Grebv) Good practice boys

(Daniel Guidry) Yes yes very impressive

(Phil Jawsi) Well we could work on shooting more

(Nathan Watson) true our team struggled a bit in that area

(Jake Dakota) Phil makes a good point

(Jack Flemister) True guys next practice let’s work on that

(Jake Dakota) that should make our team better

by **Platerdam** » Wed Nov 22, 2017 3:03 pm

World Cup 79 begins! What are the chances for Platerdam?

Platerdam it's not known for its victories (maybe, because we don't have any victories), but, we hope this year, things will be different.
But, the World Cup is a tough competition, and most of the nations of the Multiverse participate. So we came across an inevitable question: What are the chances of actually winning something in this World Cup?, or: What are the chances for Platerdam? Let's check out the teams in Group 12:

Farfadillis: In the second place of the ranking, these are the most feared enemies. Champions of two AOCAF cups and DBC 30,
Farfadillis haves experience in the soccer area, and their national team is ruthless, straight-forward and dangerous.

Tumbra: Member of the exclusive Eagle's Club. Tumbra's name is known worldwide, they're fighters and they don't give up,
a real threat for Platerdam. They have already a background of important places, including being the Runner-Ups of the 19th Campeonato Esportiva.

New Gazi: 50th on the ranking. Puppets of the great nation: Vangaziland. Dangerous, but, they still are novices in the sports game. Be careful with these guys.

Mattijana: What can be said about Mattijana that hasn't been said before? Winners of countless tournaments and trophies. Playing against Mattijana is like playing with a gun, a single mistake, and you're gone. Dangerous, in deed.

Kecrazia, Soltsteed: These nations are very involved in sports. They fight every match, and destroy their opponents in seconds. They are quite dangerous.

Romaian, St. WIlhem, United Celtic People: Nations with not that much experience, but, they can still make the surprise. We need to keep an eye out for them. Who knows, they'll probably be the ones that wins the tournament.

So, with all these in mind, What are our chances?:

Our chances are:

46,8%

Yep, those are our chances, they'll probably result in just a number, but, until now, they are correct. Let's hope the best for our national team.

First-Half Matchdays Set

1: Platerdam vs. United Celtic People
2: Platerdam vs. Romaian
3: Kecrazia vs. Platerdam
4: Soltsteed vs. Platerdam
5: Platerdam vs. Farfadillis
6: Tumbra vs. Platerdam
7: Platerdam vs. St. Wilhem
8: New Gazi vs. Platerdam
9: Mattijana vs. Platerdam

In Other News:
-Platerdam making a killing in the IBC.
-"We are trustworthy", said the president of the SRPP.
-The president sends out troops to fight agaisnt the "Red Rebels" of North Accitania.

by **Bostopia** » Wed Nov 22, 2017 5:30 pm

(OOC: This WCs RP chain for me is largely going to be a prequel with some current-day goings on – enjoy.)

So… you’re visiting Bostopia. This line is normally ended with “sorry”, but in these days where the Emperor has finally opened the gates, there’s less to fear for foreign guests, who really are guests now, rather than highly-skilled workers who were given false identities by their own employers and really terrible Bostopian accents, just to get past stringent rules against who could or couldn’t enter the country.

Bostopian guests are now well looked after, hotels of all star ratings are available (and even the “worst” are nothing worse than basic – at least one bed, a kettle, a television and a private bathroom are the cheapest available option, and usually pretty clean) and restaurants serve cuisines from around the country, the Empire and occasionally the rest of the world – just mind that crème brûlee, Emperor!

As for health services, visitors to the country are afforded emergency healthcare free of charge, in line with Bostopia’s own health service, which is free at the point of care. However, foreign guests attending a doctors surgery or the Accident and Emergency department at the hospital seeking treatment for a minor ailment (i.e. those that can be treated by a pharmacist like non-severe sore throats or coughs) will find themselves being asked to pay for the services rendered. Pharmacists can write chits to present to a Doctors Surgery in Bostopia for free treatment or refer you directly to Hospital if they are unable to treat you.

Mental health services are available in Bostopia, though this usually requires a referral from a Doctor. However, there are many charities which are open to all – including guests – and these are free to access. Donations to the charities are of course more than welcome; why not donate some unused Bostopian currency on your way out of the country?

On mental health, it is perfectly normal to see Bostopians going about their business nude. This is legal (unless a person’s state of nudity in public is being done only to arouse oneself or others – lewd behaviour is not permitted). In some places, such as Fentonshire and Teriffshire, public nudity is a legal requirement (with obvious exceptions, i.e. medical requirements). However, in Teriffshire, any form of clothing or jewellery), is forbidden, as well as most electronic devices – though as no international matches will be taking place there, this shouldn’t be of concern. International guests are under no obligation to go nude at all unless they knowingly enter Fentonshire or Teriffshire. The intentional taking of unwanted photos of nude people – whether in public or a beach – is illegal and anyone breaking this law will be prosecuted and those found guilty will be fined on the first offence and imprisoned for repeat offences.

The currency of Bostopia is the Bostopian Pound, which is made up of one-hundred pennies (pence). Bostopian coins come in denominations of 5, 10, 25 and 50 pence pieces. Bostopian notes are in quantities of £5, £10, £25, £50 and £100. It is legal to take any currency in and out of the country, so larger nations may hold Bostopian currency in their own currency exchanges. However, as diplomatic relations are only really opening up, Bostopian currency may be hard to come by overseas initially.

Currency can be changed at airports in Bostopia, though the rates are generally less than favourable. More favourable rates can usually be found at Post Offices or in some private stores. ATMs are widely available around the country, and many shops now take payment by card.

All football grounds in the top two tiers of Bostopian football, as well as the national stadium, share a payment card scheme (the BFL-Card, which allows you to pay for food, drink or programmes inside the ground (and occasionally outside of it) without having to rely on cash. Fans using their BFL-Card at an international game in Fort Boston can use the remaining money on the card again at the weekend at a domestic game in Reamontry without having to take more cash out or top up a different card. Cards can be bought and charged in club shops, supermarkets and ATM machines belonging to certain banks, as well as over the internet.

Bostopia has widespread mobile telephony service, with only some incredibly remote areas and the large entirety of Teriffshire being without connection. Mobile internet browsing achieves good speeds, with 5G connections being widespread. Government pushes mean that it’s rare not to achieve at least a 4G signal, though this is again in more remote areas. Internet cafés are relatively scarce but available for foreign and domestic users in most of the cities, though there are smaller towns which don’t have them. Bostopia does not employ web blocking at a Governmental level, though ISPs are obligated to have monitors on usage of certain types of website and report users accessing them to the Police. ISPs are not asked to monitor users’ usage of political websites or websites/clients where software can be illegally gotten hold of, though it is known for Bostopian copyright holders to launch private prosecutions of those distributing such material.

The climate of Bostopia is largely a maritime climate, with the exception of higher elevated areas, where snowfall is common through most months of winter and occasionally the tail end of autumn and early spring. Areas of the country on the coast see warmer winters than those inland.

The Capital, Fort Boston, has good international and national transport links, with a major rail and airport hub linking it to the rest of the country. Fort Boston is almost guaranteed to be where foreign planes will arrive into. West Isle’s traditional “capital” (by way of being the largest city), Port Flamerty, serves a similar purpose for rail, though the largest airports in each of the Bostopian Counties generally act as a hub for that specific area, where smaller flights come in and out of. The Bostopian authorities are likely to ensure that the national carrier has direct flights from Fort Boston into the cities and towns where qualifying matches are being held so that visiting fans are able to travel from their initial arrival spot in Bostopia to the necessary host-settlement quickly and easily.

Bostopia’s fixtures, as well as the stadium, settlement and stadium capacity hosting each game is listed below.
MD01: The Kiaser Colonies -v- Bostopia
MD02: Bostopia -v- Banija - Bostopia Stadium, Fort Boston (103,499)
MD03: Chromatika -v- Bostopia
MD04: Bostopia -v- Buyan - Manor Park, Irringvale (42,000)
MD05: Boring Paradise -v- Bostopia
MD06: Lambdasia -v- Bostopia
MD07: Bostopia -v- Reuss-Lippe - Field Way, Osling (34,000)
MD08: Eastfield Lodge -v- Bostopia
MD09: Bostopia -v- Eshan - The Football Ground, Kisington (52,350)
MD10: Bostopia -v- The Kiaser Colonies - Deepbay Stadium, Port Flamerty (83,500)
MD11: Banija -v- Bostopia
MD12: Bostopia -v- Chromatika - Bostopia Stadium, Fort Boston (103,499)
MD13: Buyan -v- Bostopia
MD14: Bostopia -v- Boring Paradise - Ortels Field, Riikenberg (47,000)
MD15: Bostopia -v- Lambdasia - Brian Marne Stadium, Rolida (37,000)
MD16: Reuss-Lippe -v- Bostopia
MD17: Bostopia -v- Eastfield Lodge - Bostopia Stadium, Fort Boston (103,499)
MD18: Eshan -v- Bostopia

This will be Bostopia’s first World Cup entry since World Cup 70 and the first time the Football Association has sent a sanctioned team since World Cup 58, where Bostopia made the group stages. Bostopia have made the World Cup semi finals on two occasions, once being ranked the second-best team in the World, and they won the Cup of Harmony held alongside World Cups 34 and 48.

by **Mattijana** » Thu Nov 23, 2017 8:21 am

Mattijana Announce Pre-World Cup Friendlies

Mattijana have scheduled a series of home friendlies in preparation for their World Cup 79 qualifying campaign, with ties against Juvencus, Filindostan and Qasden planned. The matches give new manager Dusan Vukoja the chance to learn more about his squad as well as bedding in several new call ups from the under 23s squad, following the sacking of Matej Ljubanik.
Vukoja, the former Jamas, Puljanka and Burges boss will take to the dugout for the first time against Juvencus as part of their giro degli amici tour, which will also include matches in Mriin, Northwest Kalactin and Cosumar. That match will take place at the Stadijo Dinamov in Petrovijanka, before the team move north to Burges to take on Qasden at the Stadijo Nasinal and then to Revinka for the Filindostan match at the Stadijo Katarina Zafarova. A further match against Dunnes is reportedly being planned. If possible, it will take place at the Garijo Ales Struna in Puljanka.
Juvencus are the world’s 75th best side according to the most recent world rankings. The opportunity for Vukoja to play a more testing fixture in his first match in charge will be a valuable one as he looks to learn more about the squad before the other friendlies and the qualifying round itself.
The match against Qasden will likely be the most challenging. The Vans come off the back of successive Cup of Harmony victories and will be pushing for a place in the finals this year having risen to 33rd in the world rankings. A result against them will be hugely encouraging for the side, ahead of them tackling stronger sides in World Cup Qualifying and the match will be a strong indication of how high Mattijana can punch.
Filindostan are the only unranked side in the fixture list, taking on their first Qualifying campaign in the 79th edition. Vukoja will warn his side against complacency, but in reality, the match will likely be an exercise in breaking down a side and scoring as many games as possible.
Dunnes are joint 248th in the world, one of the lowest sides in the world. Once more a Mattijana victory is imperative, but they will also want to keep the clean sheet intact and score a healthy portion of goals.

In addition to the current announcements, Savojarna are also looking for matches to make up a pre and mid-qualifying tour, with Mattijana reportedly interested.

Mattijana have also announced their squad for the first game, with the traditional stalwarts still in the side, but with a few young players brought into the mix as well, mainly from the U21 squad. Right-back Kevin Krychowiak will make his senior debut and is joined by central midfielder Katarina Jakupovic, the U23 captain. Lucija Handanovic is favoured to Matej Handanovic in goal.

Mattijana squad vs Juvencus:
GK-Lucija Handanovic
RB-Kevin Krychowiak
CB-Katija Burnisevic ©
CB-Edvard Craz
LB-Helena Neumann
LW-Sofiane Bisrali
CM-Marko Hojbjerg
CM-Katarina Jakupovic
RW-Jessika Struna
FW-Mathilde Lekarisa
FW-Andreas Weiss

by **Tobiasia** » Thu Nov 23, 2017 9:51 am

In preperation for the beginning of qualifying stages manager Liz Sheffield unvieled her squad. 22 players have been selected, with big names like Fraser Philips and Percy Matthews playing alongside each other. The most dramatic addition was the removal of Matthew Card (RW) to the subs bench in place of Rosa Uzele. Sheffield was congratulated for the move after Card's disapointing play in last season's Premier League, scoring just 9 goals for the Portside Tigers. Uzele, on the other hand, managed 16 for the East River Roses, an average of 1 per game, leaving her just behind Tobiasia City's Fraser Philips with 18 goals.

Today we look back on the match between the Portside Tigers and Tobiasia City, listed as one of the all time greats.
It began with a slow start, both teams gently ebbing and flowing, before Hannah Yun smashed the ball forward to the head of Ian Tay, who headed it onto Philip's foot, whose volley brought Tobiasia City a 1-0 lead in the 23rd minute. But it wasnt long before another failed attack by City left the ball in Percy Matthew's hands. The ball found Luke Oyarl and shot from player to player along the pitch until Lee Ryans brought it into the net just 4 minutes after Philips, making it 1-1. And the Tigers went further and in a devastating sweep brought City's defense to its knees, and Matthew Card's 15 yard shot won him great applause and left his team 2-1 up. Tobiasia City, not to be outdone, gently began pushing up until Tay was fouled from 30 yards out. It was a free kick. Susan Evos ran up to the ball and magnificently curled it around the wall, making it 2-2 in the 78th minute. The game looked set for a draw in the 87th minute, but Frank Woods began an attack from City that shot accross the pitch, curling the ball onto Fraser Philip's chest. Philips sprinted into the box but Oyarl tackled him. The ball went out but Tay was there, who launched it into the air where it was caught by a bicycle kick from Philips and screamed into the net. Tobiasia City FC won the match 3-2.

by **Darmen** » Thu Nov 23, 2017 10:52 am

Crap!

He was frozen. The defense had failed to stop the attack, and not for the first time either. Now it was his responsibility to stop the opponents from scoring. But what could he do? On the one hand, if he rushed towards the oncoming striker to disposes him, the opponent would counter by passing to his teammate ten yards to his left, and his teammate would certainly put a shot into the back of the net. On the other hand, if he moved towards the middle between the two opponents to stop that pass, the striker would just slot the ball home to his right, past the helpless keeper.

But certainly he needed to move, right? Do something? He couldn't just stand there!

Rather than making a decision, the goalkeeper let instinct take over, and he moved forwards... or tried to at least. With panic rushing over him, the goalkeeper looked down. He let out a horrified scream... his feet were encased in cement!

Instead of capitalizing on the moment and slamming the ball past him, the opposing players took a moment to run circles around him (literally), laughing evilly as they did so. Eventually, the opposing goalkeeper joined them from the other side of the field, took the ball, and walked it across the goal line. The Referee blew the final whistle, and Darmen lost the match.

His teammates surrounded him, yelling and screaming in anger at the goalkeeper's inability to keep the ball out of the goal. The opposing team celebrated together a ways away, pointing and laughing at him; and the fans bayed, booed and whistled at him. Garbage of all description was hurled at him, littering the six yard box and causing quite a stink.

Through it all he was frozen. Unable to move due to the cement. Even when he saw the fifty-cent piece that was hurled at his head, he couldn't move to avoid it. It slammed into his head...

* * * * *

As quickly as his head had sprung up from the pillow, it slammed back down. He gasped for air. When he had finally composed himself, he rolled over onto his side, closed his eyes, and tried to go back to sleep.

"Thank God I'm just a backup," muttered Hyman Campo as he drifted back into his dreams.

Abascal selects only 19 year old players for Bench

Despite opening the World Cup Qualifying campaign with a tough road match against Jeruselem, Godefroy Abascal, Manager of the All Greens, has selected seven of his 19 year old players to fill the bench for the match.

Hyman Campo, as expected, will serve as the backup goalkeeper for the 32 year old Marcellus Ahenobarbus. Campo, who was recently signed to a professional contract with the newly founded Suburban Warriors of Isula Reale, is anticipated to take over for Ahenobarbus as soon as the current cycle concludes. While not expected to see playing time against Jeruselem, Abascal has hinted that Campo may start Darmen's first home match against Pays den Haut.

Philippus Deniaud, playing on the left of the back line, is currently pursuing a Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration from Tim City University. Center-back Cormac Krämer won Defender of the Year in the Youth League for the 2038-2039 season with the Augusta U-19 squad, but has since been promoted to the senior team. Playing on the right wing of the defense, Cyrus Spalding, once scored a goal from 38 yards out, only to have it called back for being offside. Poor Guy.

On the attacking front, Codie Armbruster already has four caps with the national team, but is rumored to be behind Riley Mac Pharlain in terms of team selection. While the 20 year old Mac Pharlain will not be playing against Jeruselem, Armbruster will need to play well (if he even gets a chance) if he hopes to regain his position as the main backup to starter Mordecai Ó Cuilinn.

On the opposite site of midfield, Aquila Freud is known for bombing down the right sideline and pumping crosses into the box. The 5'9" wizard is almost impossible to defend against unless more aggressive measures are taken. And finally, forward Craig Blackwood looks set to become Darmen's main goalscorer in the years to come, having already scored 16 goals in 20 matches with the U-23, U-21 and U-18 national teams.

by **Volaworand** » Thu Nov 23, 2017 2:04 pm

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Manelle Jonae Stars In "SPIT: The Joy Of Dance" for World Cup 79 Commercial

This Sunday millions will tune in for the first qualifying campaign game, and to gaze upon literally the best commercials money can buy during World Cup 79, hosted by Ceni and Drawkland.

Kentucky Fried Penguin has set a high bar with “SPIT: The Joy of Dance,” the first of their World Cup 79 spots. It catchy, upbeat commercial spotlights the living, breathing music box, Bigtopia superstar Manelle Jonae and promotes Volaworand Water Products exclusive bottles of South Pacific Iced Tea available at the global chain.

The eclectic star begins her trek boogieing with The Outlines’ classic “Do You Love Beets” in the 1960s doo-wop before entering the neon hairspray of the 80s where she embodies the spirit of Momdella with “Depress Yourself.” After conquering that generation, she finds herself in a present-day Volaworand trendy hot spot, surrounded by club goers dancing as the iconic "Joy of SPIT” theme song and singers vocalize "Pensacola" on the way out, in homage to the Pensacola Mountain Range where the pristine glacial ice used in SPIT begins it's long slow journey.

“SPIT: The Joy of Dance” was created by The Marketing Arm and directed by Sheamus Blayer.

As always, the brand plans to fireworks for the entire World Cup, with events such as KFP and SkylineTV’s televised tailgate party, The Kentucky Fried Penguin Fan Deck and the presentation of The VWP Rookie of the Year Award.

Manelle Jonae's agency confirmed her NYE booking at Volaworand's upcoming "Ice Stock: 48 hour Rave" Circuit Party.

For more information about Kentucky Fried Penguin visit:
Kentucky Fried Penguin on the Global Economics and Trade Board.

The early release mock up of the commercial can be seen at:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B9j4Cw5dkBs

This Press Release archived at https://www.nationstates.net/page=dispatch/id=923968

by **Darkmania** » Fri Nov 24, 2017 7:48 am

[Örkendrem Nätionaljë Foëtbäll Arëna (ONFA)

Däniël Rëspertner (Manager): "Well lads, we lost the match against Liberated American Provinces. 3–4 in a crazy match, and a last-minute goal to LAP." But at least we are the joint 192nd best, out of 293. That's a positive plus that we aren`t last"
Yürang (Def): "So now what? Are we going to a new cup?"
Däniël Rëspertner (Manager): "Yes. We are now in the qualification for the World Cup in Ceni and Drawkland. And i will see you kicking LAP`s arse a... *Looks at some sheets he got to help him, then looks at the player* Nevermind, they are not in the same Group as us."
Rånde (Mid): "So who are we going to meet?"
Däniël Rëspertner (Manager): "Some good teams. Some bad teams. I`ll update you later when it starts later. We are going to the WC and we are going to kick their arse! Understand?"
All Players: 2"Yes, Manager!"
Däniël Rëspertner (Manager): "Good. Lets us do our best let's do our best. Ok"
All:Yes"ONE TWO THREE. DARRRRRRRRRMAAAAAAAAAANIAAAAAAAAAAAAA!"

by **Schottia** » Fri Nov 24, 2017 12:01 pm

OOC: The direct follow on from the Gary Corsie story, takes place just after Chatswood's relegation from the Nepharim Premiership.

Amanda Cunningham

Part One.

Honey wine.

Gary Corsie's knees were weak as he reached his valley, the adrenalin still coursing through his veins, causing his heart to skip the odd beat. He had once again stared into the eyes of defeat and he was finished. He was done this time, both professionally, and personally; the game was up and he knew it. Chatswood had needed at least a draw in the last game - the derby with Treason - to stand a chance of staying up. As it was, a one nil defeat had seen them relegated - hardly a shock result - but a blow nonetheless.

Gary arrived at fence surrouning his garden and pushed open the gate, grateful to be back in more comfortable surroundings. His days had to be numbered now, he had managed to ride out a summer at the top of the transfer list two years ago, but it would be harder this time round. With every passing season his stocks were dwindling; fifteen million, eight million, two million, what would his new valuation be? A thirty-two-year-old, former international midfielder, who had been relegated twice in three seasons. It was a description that didn't exactly jump of the transfer sheet. Try adding lazy, powder-puff, ineffectual - and those were the only polite pejoratives.

It was another lovely day in the Laith valleys, and were it not for this albatross hung round his neck, then he would have been eagerly re-potting his strawberry runners, with all the giddiness of a child on the first day of the summer holidays. Gary could remember that feeling, and as he closed his eyes, turning his face to the sun, he was transported back to his eleven-year-old self, running - actually running - home, with the sound of the school bells ringing in his ears. Ringing in the summer, ringing in the North Handon Fair, ringing in seven weeks of no school, and almost passable Schottic weather.

That was it. You never got to be comfortable in one place for very long, Gary thought, as he lifted the latch and walked inside his hut. The faint smell of wood smoke, mixed with the aroma from his jars of teas, dried herbs, and spices, filling his lungs with their familiar headiness. He pushed the small window open, and then set about coaxing some life back into his stove. The football match had wasted most of the day, and it was now going to be evening soon. As expected, the log he had thrown on this morning was reduced to ash, with not an ember in sight.

'Darn it!' Gary muttered, as he began to sweep out the barely warm ashes before setting about rekindling the fire. The last thing he wanted after a day like this was to have to wait for his mug of herbal infusion.

Gary sat back on his haunches and wiped a tear of pent-up emotion from his eye. 'Not to bother.' He had taken to speaking to himself more and more recently. He abandoned the tea idea and retrieved a bottle of last summer's honey wine from the top shelf. No doubt the rest of the team would be drowning their sorrows somewhere, so he gathered he might as well do the same. The mead was a little strong for him, the flavour a little too robust; but he had learned to savour it. One of the Newcomers, Big Malcolm, was a keen amateur brewer, and with his help, Gary had been fermenting everything in sight, making beers and wines from nearly all his garden had produced. As a result, the kitchen, and half of the garden shed was now crammed full of jars, bottles, and stoppered jugs. This past year had seen Gary take several steps further towards self-sufficiency, with the addition of the goats (Marjory and John), half a dozen new Barnevelders (an excellent laying breed of hen), and a vastly improved crop system. There was a good chance now he could harvest enough in order to see out the winter.

Gary decanted some of the bright amber liquid into one of the hand-fired mugs Shannon had given him for his Christmas, before plonking himself down in his chair and looked regretfully out of the window. Every time he glanced across the river, it seemed like there was yet another structure sprouting up in the Newcomers' camp. Several tents, and a fort-like structure constructed from old pallet crates, now competed with Yogic Dave's tent for dominance of the skyline. He took a small sip of his mead and placed the mug down in front of him. Gary hadn't crossed the river for a long time, months in fact. What's more, he had been making a point of collecting his water at anti social times, and staying as far from the river back as possible, so as to avoid possible invites from the likes of Stick, Shannon, or Yogic Dave. It had been a mild winter last year, and as a result there hadn't been the usual thinning out of the Newcomers. There was nothing like a bitter Laithland winter to test the resolve of a plastic hippy. Gary would just need to pray for snowfall this year - and lots of it.

'Why can I not simply be left alone?' Gary asked as he walked - mug in hand - to the log-shed to retrieve some firewood. Given his track record with apparitions, his past journeys through the fourth wall, Gary knew that talking out loud could be dangerous business, especially in the rhetorical.

'I'm sorry Gary, I hoped you wouldn't mind...'

Lain there - contorted like an old rag that had been accidently pulled through the gears of some piece of machinery - was the familiar figure of Stick. The original Newcomer was perched atop Gary's pile of neatly chopped logs, his spine somehow following the unevenly stacked line. To say that it looked uncomfortably, would be putting it mildly in the extreme. He looked like he hadn't slept for days, his eyes swollen with tears, and his hair and beard dotted with flecks of sawdust.

'How many logs do you need?' He added calmly, before Gary could formulate a question of his own.

'Eh, two please.' Gary answered automatically, still trying to get over the shock of finding the former city-investor sprawled out in front of him.

Stick reached down with his right hand and passed Gary two logs - their removal from the pile seeming to make his position look even less comfortable. 'Here you go...'

'Thanks...' Gary tucked them under his arm and slowly turned to head back inside.

Wait. Was that it? Was he just going to go back inside and pretend that hadn't happened? Stick, having broken the unwritten rule of never crossing into Gary's side of the river, was lying on his logs. Even if it weren't unusual, it was at least down right rude, don't you think?

Gary looked down at his mead, giving it a suspicious little sniff, before turning back towards the logs, hoping desperately that he had imagined all this. However there he was, large as day, lain there like discarded piece of road kill.

'Eh... Stick...' Gary couldn't think of a softer way to phrase this. 'Why are you lying on my log pile?' Was there any answer that could satisfy that question?

'Amanda left me.' Stick sobbed, and if he had been holding things together up until now, this was the cue for the waterworks to start.

Gary stood, sipping his honey wine, watching the grown man (sprawled atop his lop-pile) blubber like a child. The Chatswood midfielder allowed several minutes to pass, before he decided to intervene. 'Do you want to tell me what happened?'

'I don't much want to relive it.' Stick spluttered, wiping some snot from his face with the sleeve of his jumper. 'I think if I go through it all again I might have a bit of a break down. You know me Gary, I've always carried myself with a certain degree of dignity, that's always been important to me.'

'Yes.' Gary answered, a little unsure as to how low the individual before him would have to sink to feel his dignity had been threatened. 'Well I'm afraid you can't stay there...'

'Why not?' Answered the forty-six-year-old between the sobs, as if it were a preposterous thing to have been told.

'Well... ha-hah-' Gary fixed himself with a false grin, indicating that an attempt at humour was about to follow. (Were this a medieval play, this would have been the point at which a jester, complete with bells on the end of their shoes, would have walked out onto the stage.) 'Well... I may accidentally throw you onto the fire; you are named Stick after all. Ha-hah.'

'I think that was a little tactless, given the circumstances.' Stick turned his head away from Gary, clearly not impressed.

'Tactless?' Gary went for another sip of mead, but realised the cup was finished. 'In what sense, could that be seen as anything other than a joke?'

'Given the fact that my heart has been metaphorically ripped out and chucked on the fire...' Stick muttered into the logs. '...I think it was a little close to the bone.'

Gary didn't have to stretch his imagination too far to think of any number of reasons Amanda might have for breaking off their three-year relationship. The twenty-year age gap aside, Amanda was bright, intelligent, enterprising and mentally strong... everything Stick (and Gary for that matter) were not. Given the fact that, to the best of his knowledge, Stick was still having trouble with his divorce, it was a miracle that they had ever been together in the first place.

'Have you been doing anything to try and get her back?' Gary was loath to play marriage councillor, but if it gave him some piece and quiet it had to be worth it. 'Maybe take her some wild-flowers, or some organic cocoa nibs..? I have a bottle of my own honey wine up in the rafters if you want to use it as a piece offering?'

'What do you think I'm doing here?' Stick answered.

Gary opened his mouth in reply, but there was little to say.

'That's why I'm sleeping here as a form or repentance.' Stick added without a breath of humour. 'I've been taking my baths in the coldest part of the stream, walking barefoot, and wearing this hair-shirt.' He pointed to rough looking vest he currently had on. 'When she hears about this sacrifice I've made for her, she'll come running back. You see the logic? That's why I need to live in you're log house for the time being.'

Gary was soon going to be at the point in life where literally nothing surprised him. It seemed that getting relegated from the Nepharim Premiership and coming home to find a former investment banker asleep on top of his logs was as close to a typical day as it got. 'Okay. Eh... Does she know that you're doing all this for her?' The former Schottia star asked, genuinely unsure.

Stick turned his head one hundred and eighty degrees in Gary's favour, seemingly giving the question a fair bit of consideration. 'I suppose not. No.' The two men shared a look, both knowing that the current situation suited neither of them. It was like a game of chicken, pistols at dawn; the first one to blink was going to lose out. 'Do you think you could maybe... go over and... well... tell her?'

Gary felt the bullet land in his side. 'Goodness.' He chewed the proposition over for a few seconds before realising it was likely to be the only way to get Stick off of his logs and back to the Newcomers' village where he belonged. 'Okay, I go and tell her.' Gary eventually answered reluctantly.

'Thanks man.' Stick managed a weak smile. 'Mind and tell her that I'm really suffering. Make sure she knows how sorry I am. Tell her my back is in agony, and the hair shirt is breaking my skin.'

Gary nodded, taking a mental note. 'Okay, I'll see what I can do.'

'Tell her I'm breaking out in sores!' Stick shouted at Gary walked back towards the house. 'Tell her I've been crying so much, my eyes are all swollen and puffy.'

'MAKE SURE SHE KNOWS I'M SUFFERING GARY! MAKE SURE SHE KNOWS I'M IN PAIN!!!'

by **Gregoryisgodistan** » Fri Nov 24, 2017 2:29 pm

Lord Almighty Gregory's Speech to the People

"Good evening, ladies, gentlemen, and slaves. A few days ago, the draw was conducted for the next World Cup, World Cup 79, in the lands of Ceni and Drawkland. Among other teams, Gregoryisgodistan was drawn into a group with our old enemies, The Greater Vakolicci Haven. We will play the Vakolicci Varmits at home on the seventh matchday, with the return leg on the 16th matchday. And, you know what? We will destroy them! In every sense of the word, Vakolicci will be destroyed! Our Enemy Crushers will crush their wicked, evil fans! We will burn their flags! We will kill their people! We will destroy them! And when all is said and done, Vakolicci will meet its nuclear and utter destruction with a fire and fury the world has never seen before! So will all the other nations on the Enemy List! Yes, the Multiverse will know no fire or fury like a Lord scorned by heathens!

"Speaking of heathens, now I must talk about San Jose Guayabal, the Land of the Devil! Land of the Guaya Devil, land of Maniac Maggie, and they will be destroyed too! Our Zone of Death on the border is now ten miles wide, with land mines, other bombs, a nuclear arsenal ready to strike at a moment's notice, and even more, bigger, and louder video screens and speakers blaring videos about the Awesome Power of the Lord into San Jose Guayabal. San Jose Guayabal shall see my fire, they shall see my fury, and they shall see their deaths! San Jose Guayabal shall be destroyed! They shall be destroyed in a burning ball of fire! We shall wipe the Guaya Beans off the map! DEATH TO SJG! SAY IT WITH ME! DEATH TO SJG!

"But, I do have some good news. The land formerly known as the Northern Sunrise Islands, and then as the Unified Sunrise Islands, and now perhaps by some bizarre name, has decided to send me a Squirtle. My lifelong dream of owning a Squirtle has been achieved. He shall live at the Squirtle Pond of my mansion, frolicking with other Squirtles which our Pokemon scientists have made using the DNA from this Squirtle. But they are not all clones - they are genetically modified versions of this Squirtle. I now have 20 Squirtles frolicking at the Squirtle pond, splishing and a splashing, and they are so adorable. And you can watch videos of me loving these Squirtles on GregTube. And you will watch them whenever you want to smile because they are just so adorable. And if you do not watch them, you will never smile again because you and your entire family will die. I am your Lord, do as I say unless you want to be executed!

"But now, I must talk about other matters. Recently, I - OH GOD, WHO IS THIS IDIOT? GUARDS - GET HIM OUT!"

*blam*

"Lord Almighty Gregory has been shot! What should we do?"

"Do nothing, you dingus heathen! He's immortal. Just kill the shooter as punishment for failing to recognize that!"

*blam* *blam*

"He's dead!"

"My Lord, are you OK?"

"Yes, I'm God, I can't die. I shall live for-"

"Oh my God, he's dead!"

"No he's not, he can't die, you dinkerhuts!"

"Die heathen!"

*blam*

"Did you just shoot one of your fellow guards?"

"Well he was a heathen."

"Clearly Lord Almighty Gregory is dead. Guess he wasn't so Almighty after all."

*blam*

"You missed with your shot!"

*blam*

*blam*

*blam*

"For Goodness sakes, someone turn the camera off before the people see what's happ-"

But it was too late. The whole nation, including the national soccer team, who had just finished up a practice for their first game against Orrostrika, had just seen it, and was visibly shaken. Fortunately, the team had already left the country to travel to Orrostrika, so they didn't have to deal with the civil unrest that was sure to unfold in the nation overnight, and they also had access to international television where they could watch. The team talked about what was happening, in the locker room, visibly distraught.

Some Random Locker Room In Some Random Country Nobody Cares About

Loyal Friend of Lord Almighty Gregory Death to San Jose Guayabal: My God, I can't believe this. Could it really be true? Is Gregory really not God?

History Teacher CZDE9745: I mean, we travel the world, we see what people say, we had to know at some level he wasn't, yet we carried on.

Enemy Crusher Fatty Footy: The nation's going to be in open rebellion. Wars are going to break out in the streets. What should we do?

Loyal Friend of Lord Almighty Gregory Death to San Jose Guayabal: People are going to look to us as leaders, much as they looked to the Chromatik soccer team during the Rainbow Revolution. We're supposed to give a press conference in about an hour. It will be televised back home. Let's address this matter and say what we've seen around the Multiverse. We support the introduction of a democratic and secular government in Gregoryisgodistan, and an overthrow of the theocratic, lunatic, dictatorship we've seen. Are we all in agreement?

Whole Team: Yes

Gregoryisgodistani National Team Press Conference:

Loyal Friend of Lord Almighty Gregory Death to San Jose Guayabal: "Good evening, ladies, gentlemen, esteemed reporters. I'm sure you have all heard the news from earlier today, where the man we viewed as a God, who we loved and respected, the so-called "Lord Almighty Gregory" was quite clearly seen on national TV being assassinated, gunned down, at which point a gunfight erupted among his security guards. We have traveled the world playing this sport, we have seen other nations and what they are like, and we know they are not like our nation. At first, we believed the government propaganda, that our nation was clearly superior and that Greg was clearly God, but it is now clear that this is inaccurate. We are getting word that the people of our great nation are in rebellion, while the military tries to hold down control. Someone, undoubtedly in the previous Gregory's inner circle, is claiming to be the 'regenerated' Lord Almighty Gregory, but I don't believe him, and it is clear that most people in the country don't, either. Nonetheless, this new so-called 'Lord Almighty Gregory' is still in power, and still commands the military. Our nation is in a Civil War.

"In times like this, people look to their heroes as leaders, and we believe we can still be those heroes. As we previously saw in Chromatika, sports can lead a revolution, and we hope to be ambassadors not just for sports, but for a nation fighting for its freedom, as we travel the Multiverse in search of our first World Cup. We will now take any questions."

"The name of your country is still Gregoryisgodistan, and the flag you are competing under says 'Greg Is God'. Will you be competing using that name and symbol, not to mention the national anthem, which praises and extols Lord Almighty Gregory?"

"We plan to compete using a neutral flag that simply contains a map of our nation in blue on a white field. (OOC: Similar to the flag unified Korea delegations have competed under.) This is not the official flag of our nation, but we believe that once the people have installed a secular democracy in Gregoryisgodistan, it is up to the entire people to design a new name, anthem, and flag. Therefore, at least until a new government is declared and has adopted an interim name, we will use the Gregoryisgodistan name for lack of a better one, but ask that fans refrain from nationalistic chants, and that the World Cup anthem (OOC: Which I'm assuming exists IC-ly even though we don't have an official one) be played prior to the match in lieu of our national anthem.

"Speaking of those games, given Gregoryisgodistan is in a state of Civil War, where will you play your home games? Surely not back home, in a stadium named for your dictator?"

"Our ally, Gregory Llama Land, has offered to let us play our home games there until we can find a safe ally to play in. However, as their stadium only seats about 800 fans, it is not an ideal permanent solution. We will keep you posted on this."

"Well, we're just about out of time, so that concludes today's press conference. Have a great evening."

by **Taeshan** » Fri Nov 24, 2017 6:43 pm

The Return of TSPN's Coverage of Taeshani sports.

https://chirb.it/n2Gqpe

by **Dunnes** » Fri Nov 24, 2017 8:03 pm

The sun was just starting to rise as the groundskeeper finished striping the field at the Grand National Stadium. After getting up long before dawn, he had finally finished mowing the grass and removing the irrigation system that covered the pitch. It was a pain to maintain the all natural grass pitch, but the groundskeeper thought it was worth it. The sun coming up over the east stands illuminated an eerie sight, the groundskeeper the sole being inside a stadium that could sit more than ninety thousand spectators.

It was also the first time that the groundskeeper striped the game for World Cup qualifying competition. That set him in a mood that was one part emotion, one part religious fever. He viewed himself as the humble caretaker of the nations sporting cathedral, and tomorrow was the first day of the holy holidays. His saints were not historical figures but rather those who wore his national kit. His hymns were not those in the holy book, but rather the chants he would hear later tonight. For him, and many of his brethren, football was not a way to kill two hours on a weekend, but rather a way of life. And now, for the first time he could remember, his country was not fighting among clubs like sects of a religion, but rather as a unified front against whoever dared enter their hallowed ground.

He noticed the New Jarwel media starting to trickle in to the press stands some 100ft above him, filing their stories, and getting the scenic shots of the sun rising above the hills to the east of the stadium. The groundskeeper then came to the realization that in just a dozen hours, the pitch that he was standing on would be the center of almost all of his countryman. He was proud that he contributed to what he hoped would be a great day for his country.

by **Bojikstan** » Fri Nov 24, 2017 10:11 pm

The Rookies

Part Thirteen. In which they catch up.

“I’d say things are different at Morievo since you left, Mara. They’re having me do more, and it’s kind of crazy,” said Ricardo Hale, as the members of the newly formed Gunclub gathered around for their first meal together since the last national team break. Everyone wanted to catch up, and while the others were playing abroad and fighting for places at clubs like Metropolis Alligators and AFC Corvistone among others, Ricardo Hale was one of the ones who had stayed back home. And he was watching as things changed because of the creation of the national team, which now seemed like it had happened forever ago even though they hadn’t gotten through their first World Cup cycle. “For once, Morievo trusts me. I’ve been starting all the matches and now that you left, they’re giving me some actual roles that are important to the team, believe it or not.”

“I always told you that if you waited, you would have a bigger role than what you had before,” shrugged Mara, sitting down at the table and reaching for Artem’s glass of beer and snatching it for herself. “Sometimes I wish I didn’t make the fucking transfer, though, because my knee isn’t getting any better and I would prefer to retire with the Wolfpack if I get forced into a young retirement, to be honest. Morievo gave me everything and now that I left it for cash, I can’t stop having second thoughts. Like I’m about to get injured again and if I’m going to go out like this, I might as well do it with the Pack.”

The Pack that she spoke of was, of course, SC Morievo, one of the ‘industrial’ clubs that had become very important to the community around it because of its status as a main fixture in its city. They weren’t the winningest, but they were close to the top clubs, and when it came to fan support, there were few clubs in Bojikstan that were more loved by their city. The Pack also had a reputation for taking other clubs’ trash and turning them into some of the top players in the league, just like they had done with Mara when she joined them and made her way through their youth ranks. “You would have liked playing in UICA. We didn’t do well in that but damn, that atmosphere was something else. There’s nothing like being in Morievo under the lights and running out in front of those fans. There’s nothing like being in that stadium when they score in a UICA match, also.”

“You sound like you’re having fun. I’m jealous,” Mara said, taking a long chug from the glass. “So far, I’ve been recovering from that knee injury I had in the Independents Cup, and the doctors aren’t so confident about my chances of making a full recovery. There’s a bunch of structural damage and playing hard on it hasn’t made it better, so things aren’t looking great. I’m happy that I’m not taking your spot anymore, though, because you’ve been working harder than anyone for it.”

“Corvistone is alright, I suppose,” said Rain, jumping into the conversation. “I like the city. I like the country, too. Nephara fits my playing style, there’s a lot of other players who I can learn from over there. Only thing is, and this is a big catch, I don’t know anyone on the squad and I haven’t done great with making friends. My fault. I can’t pretend I haven’t been antisocial since moving.”

“I have the Odena press on my back and that’s far worse than teammate issues,” sighed Lucas Alberg. “It’s like those guys are all seeing, but they also print a lot of bullshit. So you have these people who know shit about your personal life that’s supposed to stay private, but the same people can’t even be trusted to report accurately, even though their sources would show they have the ability to. We won the league, though, so they’re going to finally shut the fuck up during this offseason. Thank God.”

“Fortunately, New West Gallia doesn’t have too much of a press. It’s the capital of the Gallian Union, but most of the press members are concentrated in Lindon for most of the country and Hallenburg for the north. Although, Gallian Telecom overachieved instead of underachieving this season, so they were on our side,” said Artem Delacruz. “Then again, I won’t be there for much longer, I’m going to move on because of all the Terranean Sea tension with our own country. I’m not getting caught somewhere during a potential war. That leaves you, Liv and Cat. How have your clubs been lately?”

“It is what it is,” shrugged Livia Resendes Andrade, who was stabbing at steak with a fork. “Tir Snake Strike is what I expected, it’s not like we’re world beaters but it’s nice not playing in fucking Vorsji, no offense to that city. I like Vorsji, it’s just that Devils are never going to contend, at least for a long time. I don’t know if we’ll win it all, but the teammates are alright and we’re going to give the bigger clubs a scare, you know? I’m happy. It’s also gotten me away from the press, which is good. My psychiatrist says that I should be avoiding them until I get my head together, but who knows when that will be…”

“Polaris is cool. We have an interesting cast of characters, so I’m not the center of attention all the time. Well, their senior team has an interesting cast, the youth team is more normal, but you get the idea. The Bojikstani media is more distracted by my senior teammates than whatever I’m doing with the youth squad. I miss being on the same team as Liv, though. We’re not that far apart but you’d be surprised with how hard it can be to see each other,” Catia Andrade replied. “Also, when are we going to see Niko?”

“No clue where Niko is,” answered Artem, looking around and then sighing. “You know how Niko is. He’s probably mad at someone here, but give him some time and he’ll come around and apologize. I fucking hope, anyway.”

That was when Rain’s phone buzzed, and she picked it up quickly to see that there was a new text message. Her face flushed a bit, and she stood up and left her plate even though it was only half eaten. “Wait a minute, guys. I forgot about something,” she said, before heading towards the front door and stepping outside. It was a strange way that she did it, and nobody said anything as she left.

“You know, you can also take what I just said about Niko and apply it to Rain. Though it would be nice if we could go one day without any drama happening.”

by **Nephara** » Sat Nov 25, 2017 4:29 am

Rusalka Klein
A water nymph, a female spirit in Slavic mythology and folklore ... an unquiet, dangerous being who is no longer alive, associated with the unclean spirit.

Rusalka Klein walked into the training ground with long, confident strides, Chad-strutting like someday she'd run the place. Hell, that was the aim, someday. Not for her any of this pussyfooting around what Nephara was about. She'd waited her whole life to pull on that green shirt and she wasn't about to fuck it up by not winning.
She'd heard about the Nephara camp, of course. People talked. Back in the day, it was casual, there had been a camaraderie... one well-oiled by drink, Klein - teetotaler, pescatarian, firm believer in cryotherapy - knew. Then the pressure had ratcheted up, and it had become... aggressive. Losses made people snap out at one another, lose track of who was on whose side.
Asher Voeller, Klein's teammate at the stepping stone of Violence, had often talked about his time with the Cormorants. "That place chews people up and spits 'em out," he rumbled, scratching his chin.
Klein always figured maybe he wouldn't've been chewed up or spat out if he had more than a single goal to show for his six caps, but saying that would just be rude.
What was wrong with ambition, anyway? With forcing yourselves onwards, pushing yourselves to the breaking point? Nephara were a fucking second seed. It was a disgrace. How the fuck could this be the time for half-measures?

Dominance started on the training pitch, because it had to. That was her first audition to change first call-up into first cap.
Right now, it was a simple possession drill. Keep the ball away from the guys with bibs. Bread and butter for Klein - all thoughts of ambition could be kept aside for when they were more necessary. Stride calmly onto the ball, massage it with the inside of the foot, roll it past the defender and slip it across to someone in space, then make a new run, into new space, take a delicate touch there and move it forwards, faster, rising tempo, building momentum, and-
Mother fucker.
Almost indifferently, Servet Misidjan took it away from her and slipped it forward. Blindsided her.
Such was the next few minutes - every time she got the ball, someone seemed to get in from somewhere and snap it away from her. It had been like that at the start at Maximum City, where people had tried to haze the new kid, get a rise from her, make her really earn her stripes - and that had been okay, because Klein had been better than all of them, even at 18. But this...
Something snapped inside of her, and she scythed through Misidjan for the ball.
Everything kind of happened at once. Misidjan fell, crying out, Klein staggered to her feet and tried to look more apologetic than she felt, the new kid Coffey looked traumatised-
"What the fuck, man?" Tarashaj, whose legendary anger lay on a hair-trigger, shoved Klein. "Save it for the enemy, bro. You want someone to get hurt?"
"It was-" Klein bit her lip. "Look, I'm sorry, okay? I just-"
"You just what, you wanted your place clear for the next game?"
Coffey tugged on his shoulder and murmured some platitudes, but was shunted away, and Klein backed into, it seemed, a brick wall.
Which rumbled; "Vedran. Lay off."
Klein jolted, Tarashaj snorted. "Yeah, okay. Sure."
"And check if Servet's... you good, Servet?"
Gingerly, Misidjan tested her leg. "Yeah. Yeah, I should be good. Just gotta take a couple minutes..."
"You do that. Klein?"
Klein looked back at the wall, which took on a different shape now. It was a tall, hulking statue of tattooed muscle.
Malachite fucking Scharner.
Klein swallowed. "Uh, yeah?"
"Studs down. It's a fucking possession game. Win the ball cleanly, without killing any of your fucking teammates, or fuck off back to Crawford.'
"Uh. Got it."
"Good."
And she stalked off, back towards the rest and their own activities. A couple of others had stopped to gawk. A glare from Scharner focused their minds.
Someone cleared her throat nearby. Misidjan, her hand out.
Klein gave her an awkward smile, and shook it. "Sorry," she said. She even, mostly, meant it.

The rooms were meant to be allocated randomly. That was what they said. But there was absolutely no fucking way in the world that she'd been lumped with Scharner, Misidjan and Coffey accidentally.
"Two new blood and two veterans, hey?" she said, mostly to demonstrate she had it all worked out. "Fancy that for the luck of the draw."
Coffey nodded earnestly, throwing her bags onto her bed. Klein gave her a Look. Sarcasm, honey. Look it up.
Surprisingly, it was Misidjan - already sitting on her bed, tapping at a tablet - who responded first. "Not a veteran," she murmured. "Fifteen caps."
"Sixteenth tomorrow, hey?" Coffey chirped.
"Mm. We'll see."

NEPHARIM NATIONAL TEAM SELECTION - FORTNIGHT 1
Goalkeepers: 1 - Apostolos Tsattalios (Falourr, EUR), 12 - Gideon Fletcher (AFC Treason), 20 - Helene Corridan (Anomalies, CMT)
Defenders: 2 - Leona Rafford (Crisisbless), 3 - Sieglinde Lohengrin (Crisisbless), 5 - Dieter Konoval (KT Moreazerua, AUD), 6 - Malachite Scharner (Jungle Strike, VIL), 18 - Ryan Theuer (Falourr, EUR), 19 - Lux Vicelich (Sabrefell Moths), 22 - Katerina Tarrasch (Violence Chariots)
Midfielders: 4 - Servet Misidjan (AFC Treason), 7 - Adnan Szalai (Ulsa, EUR), 8 - Vedran Tarashaj (AFC Treason), 11 - Rowena Strongbow (Avenida Leal, FFD), 13 - Roxana Coffey (Bishop), 14 - Nikolas Vikmanis (Gwinevra Barbarians, APX), 15 - Rusalka Klein (Crawford City FC, COS), 16 - Regatta Aspenwood (Handon United, SCT), 21 - Konrad Gosforth (Mâ Âlâmëómë, FFD, c), 23 - Evangeline Aschenbach (Starling)
Forwards: 9 - Estrella Hawke (Starling), 10 - Nevaeh Cathar (Avenida Leal, FFD), 17 - Dragan Stavanger (Tannenberg FC, VLD)

SCHEDULE
Thibaea vs. Nephara
Nephara vs. Natanians and Nosts @ Godswatch (Crisisbless)
Al Qurija vs. Nephara
Nephara vs. Taeshan @ The Gauntlet (Treason)
Rotztotzka vs. Nephara
Akatsurai vs. Nephara
Nephara vs. Apox @ Farham Arena (Sabrefell)
Ko-oren vs. Nephara
Nephara vs. Eura @ Farham Arena (Sabrefell)
Nephara vs. Thibaea @ Eagle's Club (Brinemouth)
Natanians and Nosts vs. Nephara
Nephara vs. Al Qurija @ The Iron Hill (Vermillion)
Taeshan vs. Nephara
Nephara vs. Rotztotzka @ The Gauntlet (Treason)
Nephara vs. Akatsurai @ Phoenix Rise (Corvistone)
Nephara vs. Ko-oren @ Eagle's Club (Brinemouth)
Eura vs. Nephara

by **Apox** » Sat Nov 25, 2017 7:30 am

Solomon Etezadi strode into the brand new Stadium of Apox, the largest stadium ever constructed in Apox. It's opening match, a friendly against Darmen, was just 30 minutes away, and the stadium was filling up rapidly now, full of Apoxian's ready to witness the historical first game at the stadium.

Etezadi, still a hulking physical specimen, even at 39, tugged at his shirt collar and scratched his cleanly shaven head. He'd never liked suits, preferring the looser feel of a football kit. He made his way up to the box where he would be watching the game, in the Olim Benzari stand, located just above the first tier of seating. There he'd find Tolgus Tregajorran, a former teammate and fellow Apoxian legend, both players invited to the first game to generally promote the IFA and add more flavour to the occasion.

Tolgus was already there when he arrived, his lanky figure similarly undiminished by time. They shared a quick embrace, and a few pleasantries before settling down in their seats prior to the game starting, Tolgus with a beer - Flonker a modern, hipster Apoxian blend out of Barbury, Etezadi with a bottled water.
"Well, I didn't think I'd say it, but this is more impressive than the Royal." Tolgus was referring of course to the Royal Stadium, the former home of Apoxian football before it was torn down and redeveloped into flats in the carnage which followed on from the corruption scandal.
"Aye, she's certainly a big one. Still got a bit of a plastic feel though, eh?"
"True, true. I'm sure it'll feel more like home once we've made a bit of history in it though."
"I'm sure you're right. How is Luxulya lining up today then?" Luxulya St. Cleer, the manager, was a good friend of both players, and at one point the three had been stalwarts of the national team. Another age.
"Pretty strong I think, though the team are still getting to grips with her new system."
"I think she as well to be honest." They both chuckled. "Heard she was resting James [Palmisano] for this one."
"Aye, she wants him fresh for the Eura game."

They both watched Alpha Gandhi warming up by blasting shots at the third keeper, Tregatta Spitfire in this squad.
"Christ, he wasn't slowed down one bit."
"You'll want to watch out, he'll be after your record at this rate." Tolgus smiled;
"Nah, maybe Dravid's score, but I reckon I'm safe."
"I'll take your word for it. You seen the big man recently?" Tolgus grimaced,
"He's not doing too well. This whole immortality thing has been a bit of a hit for him. Think he was invited to today, but turned it down."
"That's fair. I'll wing him a text after the game."
"Fair shout."
"How's Methuselah doing these days?" Methuselah was the kid Tolgus had fathered from a short romance with a Nepharim woman he'd met. He'd tried to be a good father, but they'd always had a bit of strained relationship, made weirder by the fact that Methuselah had opted to represent his mother's country - which was probably fair enough, given the slight gulf between the two associations these days.
"Eh, he's alright. Spoke to him the other day, he was a bit pissed at not getting a call-up to the first Nepharim squad of qualifying but I'm sure he'll get his chance."
"Even if that's against us?" Solomon spoke in jest,
"Difficult one that. He's a damned fine player to be fair."
"Aye."

They were interrupted by the players making their way onto the field, with the Stadium of Apox becoming a cauldron of noise for the first time.

***

Luxulya St. Cleer strode the touchline, watching, hawk-like. She'd only had a short time to drill the team in the new system, and it was showing. Darmen had selected a team of debutants to blood in before qualifiers had started, which was leaving some gaps, but he team were in disarray at times and young Brevin Scott had been dragged out of place allowing Skylar Hurst to sneak a shot past Jadranka Steele in goal.

"Imhotep!" she roared at her captain as another Darmen break was launched, "close up at the back. Hold your line!"

It was difficult and with half-time looming they had to try and find a breakthrough. Alpha Gandhi - in the central striker position had struggled to get service so far, and had started trying to go looking for it - dragging the team out of position and disrupting his natural game. She sighed as Reagan found a gap and launched off a ferocious shot which Jadranka Steele did well to parry away.

"Wizzard keeps being dragged forward, our defense needs more protection against their midfield." A soft voice behind her said, heralding the arrival of her assistant Sverre Devold.
"Yep, despite winning the title with Azuris, he's still too attack minded."
"We could replace him with Bryton at half-time?"
"No, we know of Bryton's abilities. We'll swap him with Etzy who won't lurch forward as much. And bring on Isidra [Belgrave] to give a bit more attacking threat on the left. Alpha is swamped up top."
"Fair shout."

Just at that moment, Imriel Townsend, playing further up field than she was used to, and struggling with it so far, lofted a wonderful pass into Alpha Gandhi up top, who headed it well, and straight past the young Daniel Abram in goal.
"GET IN LADS!" shouted Luxulya, fist pumping and returning to her seat in the dug out, with one minute of the half left to play.

Apox 1-2 Darmen Hurst 36', Gandhi 44', Reagan 77'
APX: Steele -- Fox, Scott, Jekyll (C.), Redmond (Belgrave 51') -- Mormentor (Dialogue 45'), Pentameter, Llangolan -- Townsend (Oakstone-Sandoval 77'), Gandhi, Vladimirescu (Arrowsmith 70')
DAR: Abram -- Lyne, Coghlan (Krämer 59'), Wilkie -- Tobias -- Freud (Welch 70'), Byrnes, Parks (Cardoso 70'), Mac Pharlain -- Reagan, Hurst

by **Port Christopher** » Sat Nov 25, 2017 11:39 am

Jim Reid was struggling. His paper-thin squad, loosely bandaged together for the last six years, was starting to unravel. He'd had more or less had the same pool of players all the way through the turmoil - a battle hardened team of veterans, banded together by that mutual sense of being in something together. Together they had punched above their weight for three cycles now, their experience and common understanding no doubt a big factor. Many of them had prolonged their international careers, and Jim was very much aware that it was for him. James Del Vertio, Diego Bandos, Lara Dixon, Tim Maitfield, Tony Uist - They weren't world beaters but they were all seasoned pros. Tim and Tony had been the most recent two to hang up their international boots, and looking at the replacements, it was perhaps a gentle reminder for Jim, just how much he was on borrowed time.

The younger players coming through needed a chance, of course, but they lacked that backs-to-the-wall, never-say-die attitude that the departing players had had. Jim’s old squad had raised their game every time they pulled on the blue, white, and gold - he couldn't be sure the next generation would be minded to do the same. Magnus Kellur, Caro Bensborg, they were both decent players, but they couldn't fill the gaps left by Tim and Diego. It wasn't so much the lack of ability, it was the lack of presence - the lack of that ability to find an extra gear when the chips were down. Every time Jim needed to look for a replacement for one of his retiring stars, it seemed he was forced to call up another distinctly average player in their stead. The atmosphere from six years ago was gone, and the underdog mentality was being fast-replaced with one of inferiority.

Jim was so reliant now on Michael Campbell, Maeve Bronte, and Rachel Del Arrow - the only three top class players left in the side. He was three injuries away from having a squad on a par with the teams from pot ten. There was no way to add any real depth to the squad; every time he looked to possible call ups, sounded out eligible personnel, he came away empty handed. When you looked down the list of Super-League rosters these days, they were littered with players identifying as Schottic -many of them previously would have declared their allegiances to him. That was the old Christopheran billionaire cabal's latest tactic, slowly, but surely, starve him out. If he had no players left to choose from, the game would be up.

Speaking of potential players who had gotten away, Jim's phone was ringing...

'Hello Lilou.' He said, recognising the caller id. Jim had tried tooth and nail to get his daughter to play for Port Christopher four years ago, but she had opted to play Schottia, the land of her birth, instead. It was hard for Jim, a former Schottia U21 star, to blame her.

'Hi Daaaad!' She shouted, with an enthusiasm that caught Jim off guard. 'How's life on your desert Island?' Jim currently spend around three hundred days of the year on the team's manmade Island, and had done so for nearly five years how. To say that it was hard would be an understatement, and there were points when he was alone for weeks at a time. He knew however, that if left for any length of time, it would simply be reclaimed, and the game would be up.

'Well... It's hot, sandy, windy....' He looked around in vain for inspiration. '...what more can I say? How have you been getting on?' Lilou currently played in Super-Llamaland, for the New Llama Capitals, a pretty good side by all accounts. Just turned 22, she had already started a few matches at the Di Bradini Cup, and Lou must have been confident she could start pushing for a senior call up over the next eighteen months.

'Yeah great Dad. Great actually - really good.' Jim gathered her life was going a darn sight better than his. 'We're through to the Globe Cup play-off round.'

'Very good sweetheart! Whom did you play?'

'Ma-amo United..?'

' ... '

'Nah, I hadn't head of them either until this year.' She added, helping her old man out. 'They're from Alitaba. They play in the Filipino Heritage Liga or something like that. Kind of new kids on the block...'

'And you played alright?' Jim knew Lilou was already twice the player he had been in his prime. She was about half the size that he was, but she would have ran rings round him twice before he had even spotted where the ball was.

'Think so, yeah. We won four nil over there, and four one back in New Llama City.' There was a pride in her voice, as if she were speaking with her chest pushed out. Jim now realised that this was the reason for the call. It wasn't her concern for his well being, she was merely seeking his fatherly approval. Really, he knew he should probably be flattered.

'Well done, you!' Know what? - he was fucking proud of her. And the fact that she had chosen to pull on the green and white as opposed to a Sea Lions kit... it made no difference.

'Thanks dad. RGS Athletic up next though...'

'Eastfielders, tough one!' The thought of his little girl potentially making it to the Globe Cup was quite an emotional one for Jim.

'Aye. I think if we get a result in Eastfield Lodge then we have a good chance, but we need a result over there.' Jim would have probably agreed.

'Well I'll keep my fingers crossed for you.' He said, as the conversation started to come to an end. She had only wanted to tell him her news, but that was fine. He certainly hoped someone was keeping their fingers crossed for him.

by **Lisander** » Sat Nov 25, 2017 11:49 am

Divided opinions about the future of national football
Luís Septmer, for 433.LS

We went to the streets and asked:
Do you think isolation is positive or negative for national football?

The well-known rule 11.a of the National Confederation of Sports, entity that takes care of the soccer in Lisander says that "To represent the nation [in World Cup or other events that the first national eleven is signed], one must represent a professional team inside the country. Players who leave the national football pyramid are automatically expelled from the national eleven."

There are those who consider a measure too hard. It is worth remembering that this regulation dates back twenty years, when Lisander's football was about to go bankrupt and the economic crisis made citizens emigrate in absurd amounts. Today, with the financial situation of the sport much quieter, players wonder if it is still worth staying at the eleven national or go out of the country to gain more experience and money.

The question received several different answers in every city our reporters asked. In Soria, as always, the answers were mostly people with little interest in football.

"I'm not much interested in football, but rugby I think so, they need to send players out and bring players from Elejamie. I went to see the URSA Sevens, and the Elejamians played very well!". Filipe della Vedova, 19, student.

In Despina, Western Lisander, things change a little.

"You know, isn't fair to keep someone tied to a system only for playing in the national team. They should be allowed to play in different nations, including to learn and bring experience." Luiza Monteot, 32, Teacher.

"I believe good players should play in better leagues, earn more money to help its families and fulfil its dreams." -Tiago Lazar, 26, TI Engineer

Obviously, the people in Western Lisander, where football is stronger are more interested in international evolution, but neither all.

"If players leave the Premiership, does not that mean the level of the league will decrease?" said one man.

Good or bad, the integration isn't in the plans of the Confederation. The team enters in the field against Abanhfleft tomorrow with 11 players from Premiership.

Abanhfleft - Lisander
Nov 26. - TBA Stadium, Abanhfleft
Live @RTL1, full coverage @RTLSports

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