World Cup 78 - Roleplay Thread

[Buyan]

Pawlo stretched himself to the fullest but even before his body hit the artificial turf of the training pitch, the whistling sound of the ball rippling the nets pained his eardrums. It had a sense of irony that he had hoped to stop the leather, well aware that these days, everything the striker opposite of him hit tended to end up behind him. It was a man in the form of his life and even a well-trained goalie from a top club as him had little to protest left. The last week, every training had turned into one big show, with your host Ror Jevdjevic-Hadsic.

The international form of the Crisisbless star midfielder might have plummeted of late, he had hit a new golden vain in the mine during his domestic travel. No wonder he seemed to walk on cloud nine, a sympathetic smile wrapped around his face and a certain nonchalance in his step. Whatever he tried on the pitch, being it a full-length cross pass, a sneaky one cutting through the lines or an attempt on goal, it all seemed to come out of a video game at the lowest setting. A screamer with the left one, a well-timed touch with the right or even a bizarre overhead effort, it all got behind Marciak. It all got on Marciak nerves as well.

”So, Pawlo…” Ror grinned, ”Ready for the battle next week?”
”Sure thing,” Pawlo attempted to fend it all off.
”So, ehm… You’re still in for the bet, right.”

Already as a kid, he had been good in catching underlying signals and now it didn’t cost Pawlo too much effort to spot the small hesitation in Rors voice. If he was fully honest, he had smacked his own head repeatedly for getting sucked into the challenge of biggest mouth which was so unavoidably connected with the dressing room. And now it seemed as if the Farf had similar sentiments looking across his shoulder. But Pawlo had rather banged his head some more before admitting so.

”Of course. You’re not caving in, are you?”

Afterwards, he would pinpoint that sentence as the moment where he overplayed his hand. The eyes of the midfielder, looking a bit into the horizon gave him a better pair of cards but he managed to toss them away as if the game was already won.

”Oh, no. No.”
”I mean, if you still want to cancel it…”

The nearly audible three dots after that line made Ror smell blood. And as he grinned that he would demolish the Hedgehogs of course, the painful calculations in the back of Pawlo’s head amounted to a lot more than a month’s wage.

[Union of Socialist Alpine Republics]

Alpine cuisine by Chef Nicolas Kardashian

In the first part of this article that can be found here, Nicolas Kardashian covered the former Southern Democratic States, the former Great Caledonia and North Hybernia, Aquitaine-Languedoc, Castilla y Catalunya and Costiera Amalfitana.

Hrvatska i Prekodunavlje's cuisine is very diverse. In Carniola we can find a large variety of soups, the most common ones are beef or chicken soups. Dandelion is used as a salad ingredient. Ajdovi žganci is a traditional dish in Carniola. It's made with buckwheat flour, water, cracklings, oil and salt. Ajdovi žganci is served with sauerkraut in Upper Carniola. Belokranjska Povitica is a traditional dessert and, as it's name says, it's from White Carniola. The dough is made of flour, water, salt and vinegar. The dough rests for half an hour and then it's rolled and stretched. The filling is made of curd cheese, eggs, heavy cream, oil and butter. It's spread evenly on the dough sheet, rolled into a swirl and placed in a greased baking tin.Another traditionnal dish from Carniola is Matevz, which is puréed beans with cracklings. Its mostly served as a side dish with sauerkraut or turnips. Carniola is also famous for its Kranjska Klobasa, which litteraly means Carniolan Sausage.

In Dalmatia and Istria, olive oil, herbs and spices are largely used. Pasticada is a traditionnal meal, it's a stewed beef dish cooked in special sauce. First, the meal is pierced and stuffed with garlic, cloves, carrot and bacon, then salted and marinated overnight in vinegar. The marinated beef is then roasted and cooked is a variety of ingedients up to 5 hours. It's a meal for important feats such as weddings. Another popular dish in Istria and Dalmatia is Brudet, which is the local name for fish stew. It consists of several types of fish and mostly served with polenta. Basically every sea food is popular in Istria and Dalmatia: squids, octopus, shrimps, clams.

In Herzegovina, the national dish is Cevapi, which is a grilled dish of minced meat, a type of skinless sausage, found traditionally in Hrvatska i Prekodunavlje.The name Cevap comes from the persian word Kebab. They're served of 5-10 pieces on a plate or in a flatbread with chopped onions, sour cream, kajmak, avjar, cottage cheese, minced red pepper and salt. Transdanubia is famous for it's Gulyas (Goulash), which is a soup or a stew of meat and vegetables seasoned with paprika and other spices. Another traditional meal in Transdnubia is Csirkepaprikas (Chicken Paprikash). The meat is simmered for a long period in a sauce that begins with a paprika-infused roux.

The former Prusy Krolewskie also has a large variety of dishes. In Prussia East (mainly polish speaking), Bigos is the national dish, it consists of a stew of sauerkraut and meat . It's known as the hunter's stew due to the number of wild meat it can be prepared with. Another national dish in Prussia East is Pierogi, which are filled dumplings. Typical fillings can include potato, sauerkraut, ground (or minced) meat, cheese and fruits. It can be served with a topping such as melted butter or sour cream. A popular dish in Prussia East (but not considered national) is Kurczak pieczony po wiejsku, which consists of Prussian village style roasted chicken with onion, garlic and smoked bacon. In Prussia East, you can eat a large variety of Zupa: Zupa pomidorowa (tomato soup), Zupa szczawiowa (sorrel soup made of sorrel leaves) or Zupa ogórkowa (dill pickles soup) just to name a few.

Alsace-Mecklenburg (the western part of the former Prusy Krolewskie) is well known for it's Sauerkraut. Sauerkraut can be served with poultry, pork, sausage or even fish. Another national meal is Sauerbraten, which litteraly means sour roast meat. It's a pot roast that can be prepared with a variety of meals, most often beef. Before cooking, the cut of meat is marinated for several days in a mixture of vinegar or wine, water, herbs, spices and seasonings. Sauerbraten is traditionally served with side dishes such as Rotkohl, Knödel or Kartoffelklöße or Spätzle. Personally, I preffer to eat my Sauerbraten with Kartoffelklöße. Alsace-Mecklenburg is also known for it's large variety of sausages.

The Republic of Black Forest (which wasn't part of Prusy Krolewskie) is know for it's Schwarzwälder Schinken (Black Forest Ham) and Schwarzwälder Kirschtorte (Black Forest Cake). The Black Forest Cake (Or Black Forest Gâteau) consists of several layers of chocolate sponge cake sandwiched with whipped cream and cherries. It's decorated with additional whipped cream, maraschino cherries and chocolate shavings. Kirschwasser, a clean spirit liquor made from sour cherries, is added to the cake. Black Forest laws states that Kirschwasser must be present in the cake for it to be labelled as Schwarzwälder Kirschtorte.

Botten (Bothnia) also have a large variety of dishes. Köttbullar is a traditional dish in Central Bothnia. It consists of meatballs made from meat and herbs tighly rolled together, frequently served with mashed potatoes and pickles. Central Bothnian cuisine also consists in a large variety of dumplings: Blåbärspalt (dumplings with blueberries), Blodpalt (dumplings made out of blood), Kroppkakor (dumplings made of pre-boiled potatoes, filled with pork) or Leverpalt (dumplings with liver). A traditionnal dessert is Ostkaka, which is a Bothnian Cheesecake, very different from Southern Cheesecake. In West Bothnia, Kjøttboller is a traditional meal, it's a rougher version of Central Bothnian meatball, served with mashed potatoes and cream sauce. Fårikål is the national dish of West Bothnia, it's a mutton stew. Cabbage and mutton is layered in a big pot with black pepper and salt, covered with water and simmered until the meat is tender. It's served with potatoes. Leipäjuusto is a traditional dish in Eastern Bothnia, known in the Southern Democratic States as Bothnian squeeky cheese. It's a fresh cheese traditionally made from cow's beestings. Reindeer or goat milk can also be used. Reindeer is largely eaten in the northern part of Bothnia.

Samso is a small island located near Prusy Krolewskie, Botten and Pays den Haut. Fish and sea food are common dishes in Samsø. This conclude my 2nd and last article on Alpine Cuisine.

Chef Nicolas Kardashian, CEO and founder of Golden Goal Sports Bar and Grill

[Alasdair I Frosticus]

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

THE MAMMOTH COMPENDIUM OF WORLD CUP LIES
World Cup 78 Qualification

Matchday 10 - A New Flag!

The entire multiverse was engulfed in excited rapture last night (with the possible exception of New Lusitania and the Algarves; when you can only score 2 goals in 10 games, you're not giving much evidence of a capacity for excitement) when ISPI, HEFA, and SBIS simultaneously unveiled a new 100% absolutely totally official Holy Empire flag in advance of the Empire's pedestrian and rather predictable victory last night over Oontaz Dert Li Ng.

And here is that new flag, unveiled here in all its glory for not quite the first time in the Mammoth Compendium of World Cup Lies:



The eagle-eyed reader will soon spot that the double-headed eagle has been replaced by a double-headed cocoabo. This may require some explanation.

Contrary to popular opinion, the cocoabo isn't a native of either Turori or Vilita, but is rather a trans-dimensional bird that is able to cross through the aether due to its unusual diet of astral pine nuts. While the extraordinary bird is particularly associated with the Island Emirate, this is only because a trans-dimensional pine nut plantation exists in n-space on the V-axis just outside of Ordinary Reality space. This allows the cocoabo to congregate in Vilita and Turori in advance of its slightly obscene mating rituals, which we shan't show a picture of here just in the off-chance that delicate mundy eyes are reading.

Though HEFA officials were quick to agree that everything - very much including the national flag - was better with cocoabo, opinion among Imperial citizens over whether everything is better with Cocoa-bo remains decidedly mixed. Opinions on the street over this strange mundy chocolate-based beverage are sharply divided:

'What is this glorious unrivalled ambrosia? '

'I like it, but not as much as unicorn tears'

'S'OK, I suppose'

'It's a bit mud-like, innit?'

'Dear God, its foetid unholy stench reminds me of death'

...are just some of the reactions from typical Imperial citizens this last week following the shipment of a trial sample to the Queen of Cities.

Regardless of the flaws of Cocoa-bo, absolutely every single Imperial citizen and every single mundy is united in thinking that the double-headed cocoabo on the Imperial flag marks the best innovation in Imperial affairs since the invention of sliced beds.

No, that wasn't a typo.

Sliced beds are cool.

[Vilita]

ooc: ICly this is a document released along with the "Champions Tour" Media package at the start of the World Cup 78 Qualification Campaign.

Vilita have a long history of selecting players from its National Talent Pool throughout a qualification campaign, instead of re-using the same lineup over and over. The belief has always been to spread the experience around so that more players are able to step up when needed, and that the younger players are prepared for the occasion earlier in their career.

Vilita also have a long history of rotating its qualification matches at stadiums throughout the Tropics. While the Tivali-Ring Stadium in Alikki-Corra has long been the home base of the Vilitan National Team including their training facilities and offices, there are many larger stadiums that have been over-developed through the years to keep up with the growing demand of their domestic tenants.

Football Association of Vilita, Tivali Ring Stadium, Alikki-Corra, Vilita :: However, as part of the World Cup 77 Champions Tour taking place during World Cup 78, the Football Association of Vilita decided to do something they'd never done before. Each of the Jungle Cats 8 Qualifying matches would take place at a different stadium to ensure maximum exposure and outreach throughout the Vilitan Cove. While Vilita had regularly scheduled Qualifying matches at different venues throughout the tropics, they had never intentionally scheduled each and every match at a different, regionally varied venue for the express purpose of maximum public exposure.

With the World Cup 78 Qualifying being transformed into a Champions Tour however, with the entire World Cup 77 squad on hand to meet the fans at every home qualifying match along with the World Cup and key personalities such as popular correspondent Nikki Kater; it was critically important to ensure variety in venue throughout the entirety of the World Cup 78 Qualifying Campaign.

The Jungle Cats would, unsurprisingly, kick off the celebrations at home. The Football Association of Vilita is based at the 87,000 capacity Tivali-Ring Stadium in the capital city of Alikki-Corra, Vilita and many National Team training sessions take place on the grounds of the Tivali Ring. The stadium was constructed as part of the Vilitan bid to host the World Cup 14 Cup of Harmony as a replacement to the former National Stadium in Lopinka that was destroyed during a regional conflict. Since then Tivali-Ring has been the home of the National Team even though matches regularly get scheduled at larger venues that host Stellar Division and UICA competition matches. But the atmosphere in the Tivali-Ring is always raucus and an ideal place for one-off matches such as the Vilitan Cup Final, the Tropical Trophy, and... the first World Cup match back on Vilitan Soil as World Cup 77 Champions! It may not be the most important match in the history of the Vilitan National Team, but the Matchday 3 fixture against Natanians and Nosts is sure to be oversold as fans look to get up close and personal with the World Cup 77 trophy for the first time.

LIrai-Asku Castle

From their home base, the World Cup will make the trek across the country to its northern most and most historic stadium, the Lirai Asku Castle in Yeaddin. The historical aged castle was converted into a sporting arena by the Yeaddin Owls who promised to pay for maintenance on the Castle Exterior while building their stadium against the vacant inner walls of the structure. Similarly to the Tivali-Ring Stadium; despite its relatively low capacity compared with other stadiums in the Tropics of Vilita, the atmosphere provided by the Lirai Asku Castle both inside and out makes it a popular choice to host international matches in World Cup, Cup of Harmony, Baptism of Fire and AOCAF competition. Many trophies have graced the halls of the 'Castle with Yeaddins record run of Stellar Division titles in the olden era; but the World Cup trophy will be sure to be a special occasion. With the historic old Castle comes an historic opponent as Vilita will be squaring off on the day against old foe Apox returning to the fray after a period of sporting instability.

Arcticala Electrical Stadium

Having dropped off the regular rotation of International matches; The Arcticala Electrical Stadium was originally constructed during World Cup 34 but was not maintained for some time. When the Vilitan League resumed for Season 26, it was decided that Arcticala would resume play in their original home, the Inlet Stadium, where they continued to play all their league games through their Season 28 championship season. The Arcticala Electrical Stadium was re-opened during Season 28 and Arcticala Inlet used the stadium during their cup campaign which saw them advance to the final. and will host all Arcticala Inlet matches starting in Season 29. The refurbished 90,000+ seater stadium is now one of the most advanced stadiums in the region with the funding of Vilita's biggest energy provider behind it, fully covering the exterior of the stadium with solar panels. As such, it will certainly be a go-to destination for those 'green at heart' but on the green itself Vilita will take on Sameba at the home of Arcticala Inlet AFC, twice Vilitan Champions and one of the few Vilitan Champions from outside the capital area, Yeaddin or Turoki City.

Closing out the First half of Qualifying the Jungle Cats will once again visit one of their capacity-constrained venues. Marine World Park is the oldest stadium in Vilita, home of the historic club Marine Coast United. The stadium was at one time the largest stadium in Vilita by seating capacity before the construction of the Tivali Ring Stadium in Alikki-Corra prior to World Cup 13. Marine World Park is one of the few stadiums of the Vilitan league that was never hit by the expansion bug in the golden era of the Vilitan League. While many stadiums expanded to over 100,000 capacity, Marine World Park's coastal location made any expansion plans tricky, and some have blamed the lack of expansion for some of the troubles of Marine Coast United in attracting the talent they need to keep up with any of the Stellar Division teams. Marine World Park also hosted parts of the World Cup 17 Finals. Its cozy capacity, storied history and fan-friendly locale has made it a venue of choice for the UICA Series B Champions Cup and Youth Cup competition finals and now it will have the honor of hosting the World Cup 77 Trophy along with the Jungle Cats Matchday 9 fixture against Garifunya.

... To be continued ...

[Pasarga]

Torgos Tribune ~ Successful Gambit

When the Wanderers rolled into Red Blackiland two months ago with a rather unorthodox selection, there were questions aplenty about Möller had finally cracked underneath the pressure of the job and the lack of results to sustain his tenure at the position. It was a side that was quite far from the obvious first choice team that the squad had used in its first five matches, one that seemed intent on bleeding in the new players at the expense of the result. However two months later, that move looks like it was providence, as the Wanderers rolled into Red Blackiland and were able to perform a smash and grab against the group leaders, with a surprise ninth minute goal from Ceballos, as the veteran striker was able to get on the end of a through ball from Lebrun and place his shot perfectly. Gottschalk would double the lead six minutes later after rising above the crowd in from a set piece and able to send a looping header into the back of the net. The hosts would respond with a goal of their own in the thirty-fourth minute but it would be the only goal in the match for Red Blackiland and the backline that had been torn apart during the first part of qualifying finally showed some teeth and was able to keep all the pressure from their foes under control.

It was a much needed win to prevent the group from spiraling completely out of control and out of touch for the Wanderers to find a way to claw their way back into position, which they then transferred the momentum into the closing match of the first half against then second placed Anthor. With the two sides coming off vastly different results, the Wanderers having sprung the upset in Red Blackiland and Anthor losing at home against the group leaders, as our side had their bye in the international date between the two matches, the sides were in different mindsets. That was exactly what was needed as the Wanderers gave a show to the home crowd in the Stade de Torgos, with a first half hattrick from Audbjornsson elating the fans and securing the three points for the Wanderers who put together two wins for the first time in the entire first half of the campaign. Those wins were definitely needed as it made what looked to be a group that would run away from the floundering side to one that could still be taken, as the side was sitting just two points out of second and five of the group lead.

However two good results against contenders is not enough, it is sustaining that form and success throughout the campaign is what one of the best teams in the world is supposed to be doing. Showing that form was a matter of pride and one of requirement as the second half got underway last month, as the side hosted Dutch Semarland. It was not the best start, as an error from Sommer saw their backpass turn into an own goal just five minutes in. However this side is not the same one that dropped points in the first half and rather than become sullen at the poor turn of events, the side dug in and fought back with the possession game. It would pay dividends on the half hour mark, with Karpaty showing cool to convert from the top of the box as he was given another chance to start. The turning point though had to come seven minutes later as another surprise starter in Feirabend bent in a free kick from twenty two yards out that managed to sneak around the four man wall and into the corner of the net so quickly that the keeper had no chance to react. That goal changed the context of the game, with the side now leading at the half and the team feeling some of that pressure lifted off their shoulders, as Romano would close out the scoring in the seventy-fourth minute, shortly after coming in a sub.

Revenge was then on the minds of the side five days later as they traveled to Cassadaigua, whose upset in Torgos in the first half that snapped a sixteen game unbeaten streak at home and had began the tail dive of the side in the first half was very fresh in the mind of the side. Playing a very unusual pressure and physical game, with Hunor and Eisenhower providing steel in the middle, the Wanderers basically bullied the Dagans out of the match. Bruises were as common as the fouls and yellow cards, as were the players needed to take a soak in the ice tubs after the match, though for all the domination in the middle, the side was only able to convert one of their chances. Fortunately it was all that was needed with Ceballos adding another to his tally, which may well be ending soon given his age. However the veteran's presence in the crucial match against Red Blackiland and then on the road goes to show that he is still a needed force for the side, even if his goal scoring rate is not quite what it once was.

Which brings us to the game this Friday against Drawkland, their surprise victory over the side coming on the heels of the upset against the Dagans really had put the campaign into shambles for a time. It is once again a revenge match but not one that can be won the same way that was one against Cassadiagua, as Drawkland does have a very skillful side and the confidence to take advantage of opportunities when they arise, even if it only a half chance that is presented to them. This confidence has been in full display since before the games even began, as their media claimed that they would be the second side to advance out of the group with their teams results backing up that bold claim, as well as others media picking them and Red Blackiland to advance from the group after the first half of the campaign had ended. However as the two sides come into the match at the Stade de Torgos, they rest on even points and a victory will be a testament to how hard the Wanderers have worked to come back from their faltering. While a defeat would be just about all Drawkland would need to secure their passage, having the head to head tiebreaker and an easier end to the campaign. Möller rolled the dice and came up big against Red Blackiland and Anthor, can he do it again here at home where ninety thousand of his proud countrymen will be watching, supporting, and expecting a result?

[Mercedini]

Independents' Cup MD3 Review
@ Adel Bagrou Stadium - Adel Bagrou, Kel Assuk

Hell and welcome to our coverage of the Independent's Cup coming to you live from the small town of Adel Bagrou in the south of Kel Assuk. We are outside the stadium where the fans are returning their hotel rooms after the match between Mercedini and New Scaiva & Horshenwurst has just concluded. We will be giving you a round-up of the match as well as a look ahead to the knockout phase which Mercedini had already qualified for before the start of the match. So let's see if Mercedini could make it a clean run throughout the groups and as well as if Lyndainium could make it 3-0-0 for competitive matches and 5-0-1 in all matches.

Independents' Cup: Just Our Luck...

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FINAL SCORE

IAC | MD3

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NEW SCAIVA & H'WURST 2
Twick-Neur 34', 68'
MERCEDINI 3
Dostalok 40' (P), Spartoni 62', Vaselko 81'

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Adel Bagrou, Kel Assuk

Mercedini finished top of their group for the second successive time at the IAC Championships with a hard fought 3-2 win over their region-mates and good friends New Scaiva & Horshenwurst which completed a perfect group stage run with three wins out of three, seven goals scored and only two conceded (both of those coming from this match). In a surprisingly even affair both teams had the least at least once in the match but, like their friendly before the most recent World Cup, Mercedini came through a spirited New Scaivan performance to win through in the end and emphatically book their spot at the Round of 16.

The Adel Bagrou Stadium set the stage for the third time with the stadium hosting it's sixth and final group stage game for the Independents' Cup before moving on to the knockout stages. The Mercedinian crowd were out in full force once again as they have made Adel Bagrou their home in the past week or so (although I don't think any of them will be returning any time soon). Lyndainium elected to change some of the players in the starting line-up, in order to rest some of his main players and giving the youth products a chance to state their case for a future in the Mercedinian national team. Dostalok and Rozzy North End's new signing Misha Spartoni started for the Golden Eagles in order for the younger player to learn the expertise of the older striker who is the only player to have a one-to-one ratio of games to goals. Other changes included: Karlovic for Markus, Ytandev for Toivonen and Di Sansev for Catessic.

The match started as your run of the mill meaningless match between an already qualified team versus and already eliminated team. The youth players were energetic and we chomping at the bit to make an impression on the fans and, more importantly, their manager. Mercedini started on the front foot in the match, looking to follow up on their 4-1 victory at the Sports City Stadium with another win over their close neighbours. Spartoni, who moved from Apox's Centre of Excellence to a team in Abanhfleft colloquially known as Rozzy North End looked impressive in the opening half-hour by finding space in dangerous areas and moving the ball forward for his teammates to latch on to. Despite all of their best efforts to put the ball in the New Scaivan net, it was their opponents who took a surprise lead through their now well known striker Frankford Twick-Neur. A defensive error was pounced upon buy Twick-Neur who latched onto a quick one-two with a teammate to put himself in space on the edge of the box, he let loose a stonking shot towards the far post. Polasic's spectacular dive wasn't effective which meant he couldn't get a hand on to the ball, the ball sailing to the top corner for a brilliant opener from the unranked team. It was the first time that Mercedini had gone behind and the first goal Mercedini had conceded at the tournament, which would obviously prompt a response from the team who are looking to go at least one better than last time, where they finished third on home turf. A long spell of possession after the kick off was abruptly ended by a late tackle on Karlovic in the box, to which the referee, after deliberating with the linesman for some time, blew the whistle and awarded Mercedini a penalty. Dostalok stepped up to continue his tremendous scoring record and converted the penalty to level the scores and chalk another on the board for the Handon United striker. That left the teams level which, at the end of the half, was a fair reflection of the state of play, both teams going in at half-time with the score line at one-all.

After a short break which gave the fans a chance to get some cold drinks and the managers a chance to recoup their players for the 45 minutes ahead of them. Many of the main players were taken off for the second half with the likes of Dostalok and Nymark both making way for younger players to save the energy of the more experienced players for future matches while giving the others a run out and a chance to catch the eyes of the managerial team and possible agents for teams around the multiverse. It was a mostly topsy-turvy affair in the Adel Bagrou Stadium with New Scaiva & Horshenwurst giving a good account of themselves in the match, you wouldn't have thought they were bottom of the group at the start of the match with the performances they were giving in relation to the other teams Mercedini had faced in the past. That being said, Mercedini completed their comeback via a Misha Spartoni debut goal which capped off an excellent performance for the youngster. Vaselko came forward on the wing and sent in a cross, it was missed by everyone in the box and came out to Spartoni on the edge of the box. He controlled it well and slotted a low ball which went in off the post to give Mercedini the lead for the first time in the match, he wheeled aay in celebration and was mobbed by his team, they were obviously very happy that a youngster had started off a possibly fruitful career for the national team. Coming off that high, Mercedini were caught off guard with what happened next. Frankford Twick-Neur picked up the ball and dribbled past three players before finishing a sublime solo move with a curled effort which beat the Polasic dive yet again to level the scoring for New Scaive & Horshenwurst. The word 'One Man Team' were being uttered around the stadium and Twick-Neur definitely made it look that way with his scything dribbles and blistering shots surely catching the eye of agents in Mercedini and across the rest of the multiverse. That meant the Golden Eagles were back to square one in the match and had to find another goal to secure the 100% win record in the group stage. Up stepped Jakob Vaselko to send the Mercedinian portion of the crowd into ecstasy. Johan Karlovic linked with the Elspachia winger thread himself through with only one defender to beat. The goalkeeper came out but Karlovic's vision won through in the end as he pulled the ball back to Vaselko who curled the ball around the goalkeeper to score his first and Mercedini's third of the game to edge his nation's nose ahead once again and this time it was good. Ten minutes later, the referee blew his whistle for the end of the match and to mark the end of the group stages which saw Mercedini dominate, win all of their games and sail through to the Round of 16. New Scaiva went close on a number of occasions but their clinical finishing was errant throughout the tournament which ultimately saw them finish bottom of the group on zero points. In Adel Bagrou, it finished New Scaiva & Horshenwurst 2, Mercedini 3!

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Group D (Adel Bagrou) Pld   W  D  L   GF  GA  GD  Pts  vs.
1  Mercedini           3   3  0  0    7   2  +5    9
2  U.S. of Devonta     3   2  0  1    4   2  +2    6   2-0
3  Mampris             3   1  0  2    2   5  −3    3   2-0
4  N.S. and H.         3   0  0  3    3   7  −4    0   3-2

... and following that, the football draw gods were running amok with a Round of 16 bracket which was so lop sided it would probably be toppled by a mouse sneezing. Despite winning all of their group games, Mercedini still face the reigning champions and second best team in the multiverse in the form on Bonesea. Bonesea lost 2-1 in their second match which meant they could only muster a second place finish in the group, meaning the two Baptism of Fire co-hosts clash once again in what could be the blockbuster match of the round. If that doesn't dip your wick then the winner of that match plays the winner of Kel Assuk versus Drawkland, giving the lower ranked teams in the other half a chance to conjure up a deep run while the titans fight themselves. It will surely be a big match, considering Bonesea marmalised us last time where they ran out 5-1 winners as the Sports City Stadium. We will be giving you all the coverage of that plus the rest of the matches, but in the meantime, goodnight!

[San Jose Guayabal]

National Security Council meeting
San Salvador, July 2nd, 2212

The National Intelligence Agency has detected that the Gregoryisgodistani government has sent a lot of troops and heavy-loaded trucks with construction material to the border, this movement has set up the alerts in the Guayabalense Government, fearing that an invasion was being planned backstage or a new nuclear base was going to be built just at the other side of San Salvador, which had nothing logical since it's near a lake, unless they wanted to build a wall, but that thing was pretty much unexpected by the Guayabalense Government, since they wanted to build a wall but they didn't wanted to take valuable time away for doing such a thing, instead, they decided to prepare new investments in the global stocks system and try to make the Guayabalense Pension Fund bigger, in order to preserve the almost "holy" Welfare State status.

"Her Royal Highness, It's my duty to inform that in the Gregoryisgodistani border, we have spotted some suspicious movements, how we should proceed?" Said Marcos Letona, the Armed Forces leader, while sweating of nerves due to the course of happenings in the last twelve hours. The Queen Margaret I grabbed a glass of water, sipped it and started to think, slow, but carefully, aware that any action in the border could led to a devastating nuclear winter in the South of Esportiva, that may basically kill everybody in Inferiore Minore. She finally decided to talk, she said "Wait for twenty-four hours, we can't act so recklessly nor so fast" Letona bowed and nodded in approve to what Her Royal highness said. Letona spoke on the radio to some commanders and said at the moment "Wait twenty-four hours, the Queen has just ordered that to us, do not move anything and don't let anybody move anything, OK?" The order was given, everybody wasn't so afraid of what the Gregoryisgodistani Government could do that time, nobody was fearing and the happening wasn't announced on the news as usual, since people was quite fed up of listening "Gregoryisgodistan is doing this, this thing, a nuke, a test.... Blah blah blah..." Since everybody was sure that nothing would happen, since they knew that Lord Almighty Gregory is a coward, a guy that hasn't enough valiance to attack San José Guayabal, basically, a chicken.

That was the last time that the Guayabalense Government paid real attention to the Gregoryisgodistani Government, the Guayabalense side was busy preparing World Cup and a plethora of international meetings and summits, also dealing with a crescent social pressure about the usage and proper investment of the Pension Fund, after that, the blackout came and San José Guayabal stopped caring about international incidents, even what would happen with Gregoryisgodistan. Said period would last for around five years, years of peace and tranquility for the Guayabalense populace, who was finally free of any Gregoryisgodistani threat or something like that, they were busy focused on their daily lives or watching the Liga Premier games, enjoying Alianza, FAS and the other teams. The period finished and with that, the Guayabalense Government awoke in the literal sense of the word, the intelligence operations were resumed, the watchdog missions over Gregoryisgodistan too and the international relationship of the nation too. Many people would be surprised to see that in those five years, a lot of stuff happened and they weren't aware of it, media decided to slowly launch information, spoon by spoon, in order to keep people without stress and avoiding the chance of a social chaos in the Kingdom.

First headline was "In five years, the Gregoryisgodistani Government build a wall, diving our borders" The social reaction to said action was "Well, good thing that they don't want their people to jump off here, we don't want them here, so good for them that they finally made it and paid for it, because we won't pay for a stupid wall." Others said "We wouldn't want to jump there, I prefer to live in misery rather than living in Gregoryisgodistani, that nation is a place below misery, or perhaps, a lot of places below that." Calling Gregoryisgodistan a 'misery' is an insult for the word 'misery' Gregoryisgodistan is Gregoryisgodistan, I mean, the nation's name says everything and describes all the nation in the most perfect way."

The diplomatic reaction was pending from the Government, it didn't took a lot of time to happen, since the Queen finally broke up the silence after five years, a long period where nothing really happened in San José Guayabal, she stood on the balcony of her palace and spoke to the media: "We don't regret the actions made by Gregoryisgodistan, instead, we applaud them in their efforts to prevent migration from their country to ours, we don't need them here, we applaud their incredible support to our Government, since I doubt somebody sane from our nation would jump there, I'm 100% sure of that statement, also, important to mention that their effort to introduce the usage of clean energy for the wall will be important, perhaps that will help them to leave aside gruel as energy and launch them to development, still, I feel shame from that country and I hope somebody else go and give a coup against LAG."

[New Gazi]

The first teaser for a new series hit the airwaves in a commercial broadcast during World Cup 78. It was a quick teaser. It didn't show anything more than a few rapid close-ups and some music. The brand itself would draw attention.
Star Trek: Explorer

Fans took to social media and began asking for more information. Details were still limited, although filming had been in place for some time. The first episodes were even almost ready. Acting and Production Staff were held to secrecy by contract.

"We chose to not leak everything for a few reasons", said the show's producer, Jay Lannburg. "We didn't want to over saturate the market with the details. We've gotten the name out, but not the details."

When asked for clarification, he added, "If we leaked, say... The type of ship, blogs will debate and there will be differing opinions. If a loud few don't like the idea, they might accidentally ruin your show from the start. They don't understand the context. So this will be a fun surprise of a season.

Golden Continent TV, the network run by New Gazi and broadcast across Africa secured an exclusive interview with the lead character.



Captain Gonnowi, Daughter of Wagh is the Commanding Officer of the USS Vantage. A detailed list of the characters, their backgrounds and roles on the ship was coming out soon. Fans across the multiverse were waiting for the details.

The actress was Melissa Zanvo. She was born in New Gazi to a native Gazilian mother and the son of a Wrexish immigrant. The show was being produced in Vangaziland and would star people from across the globe.

"It's not going be like the other shows to an extent", she told the interviewer. They sat in a replica of the new ship's bridge, which was a reveal in itself. "It is going to be a lot more free-flowing. Characters will be big as usual. The ship will also be a big character."

"One of the differences, is that this is just a regular ship. It's not a flagship. It's not on some special mission. It's everyday Fleet life. It's a different perspective."

She was asked about some of the controversy of being Starfleet's TV's first Klingon Captain.

"There is some precedent with Worf. Torres went a step farther and showed us that there were other Klingons in the Fleet. This show is set in 2388, nine years after the latest movie in the original timeline, Nemesis. That's time for a lot of career advancements."

She was asked if there will be cameos.

"We're avoiding that. I won't say they'll never be mentioned. One way around that will be more of a focus on the missions and decisions fro the Captain down. There won't be as many conversations between the Captain, an Admiral and their friends. The show would be more likely to show other aspects, like how the Tactical Officer is dealing with stress after a bad situation. The Captain's meeting would be in the background."

The interview turned out to be mostly for show. Fans could expect the show to air later on, maybe sometime way off in the future during the next Olympiad....

Ironically, Melissa Zanvo was the wife of New Gazi footballer Uffe Diya.

[Flardania]

Opening Theme

---

Bonjour et Ohayōgozaimasu Kirishima. Welcome ladies and gentleman back once more to another World Cup 78 edition of the Kitsune Report, brought to you by the Nagatomo Sports Network (NSN), sponsored by Air Pacifica, and Pocari Surge. Here at the Kitsune Report, it's all about Kirishinan sports. With football currently taking center stage and with matchday seven of World Cup qualifiers having been completed,135 teams continue their battle for 30 spots with 8 matchdays to go. I'm your host, the fan you can count on the most, to bring you Kitsune news, Keitaaaaaaa Woo! Without any further delay let's get grooving to some world cup football once more!

Eura 4–3 Kirishima Review:

With the Kitsunes having exacted a Matchday 1 revenge win against very defensive minded Soltseed with an offensive barrage leading to a score of 6-4 at home at the Mori Park in Hyuga, the Kitsunes went on the road to try and extend their eight-game winning streak to nine with a qualification sweep of rank 16th Eura. No longer up against an overtly defensive team, Seong Mi-Soo made some changes to the staring XI with Miyoko Hojo back in the goal taking over for Ai Takagawa, Son Dae-Han was in at Center Midfield for Pandazi Papadopoulos and Eizan Iwamoto was back in for Filipino refugee Miguel Tamayo at Right Back for.Eizan Iwamoto.

Even moreso than matchday two, both teams knew this game would be important if not the most important matchday for both of these teams. The Kitsunes entered the game with a eight-game winning streak while sitting on top of the Group with a four point lead over second place Eura in Group 4. A win would have Kirishima lead Eura by a difficult to overcome 7 points, remain up with their slightly comfortable upset insurance cushion of 4 points with a draw or lead by simply one fragile point with a loss. Eura, on the other hand, came into the game after a three game winning streak which came following their upset loss to Frejo. Eura needed a win or a draw to keep things competitive in the race for Group winners, not to mention for pride sake, the two-time World Cup winners were not looking towards being swept by the Kitsunes.

Joseph Yabuta would use that fresh stamina speed to try and score early in the 3' minute and take momentum but it was saved by Jeffrey Douglas. Yabuta would try again off of a cross by Ichikawa in the 12' minute but it was again saved by Douglas. Luck would be different on the other side of the pitch as Eura scored off of their first shot on goal in the 22' minute. Guidice and Yabuta would both try to score in the 28' minute and the corner in the 29' minute but with a quick four saves to his name, Jeffrey Douglas was looking good. Eura would mount attempts on goal in the 30', 32' and 34. minute but the first two were off-target and the last one was saved by Miyoko Hojo. In the 37' minute Josuke Ichikawa would take a shot that was saved by the goalkeeper but bounced towards an open Renée Guidice who would score the game-tying GOAL! The excitement, however, would be short-lived as Eura scored a goal to retake the lead in the 43' minute. Both teams entered the half with Kirishima trailing 2-1 with the shot attempts reading 5-5.

In the second half, Eura had the momentum and had on target shot attempts in the 52' and 56' minutes but was saved by Hojo. However, it was only a matter of time and Eura would score in the 62' to make the score read 3-1 in favor of Eura. The Kitsunes were not planning on losing and at the very least were not planning on losing their Goal differential advantage. Aoi Fujioka who would come in the 68' minute for Josuke Ichikawa would not have to wait long before he would score after finessing a defender in the box before scoring a GOAL! that would make the scoreline read 3-2. Eura was having none of that and they would score another goal in the 77' minute. Ako Izumi would, later on, score a consolation GOAL! off of a free-kick in the 86' minute. Final score Eura 4, Kirishima 3.

Seong Mi-Soo, had this to say following the match. "This was a tough match where we would be thrilled with a win or a draw but we got neither this time around. They are a veteran side that for the most part is consistently good, something I hope we found within this cycle. You can't always get what you want but I'm proud of this team. We routed Eura the first time and lost by a point in the second leg. While a loss is a loss in football especially in the World Cup group stages, our performances against Eura and the Group at large show that this may be the World Cup where we finally escape the Group stages. It will be hard and we need to keep working hard, but even with this loss. I know fans all over are proud of this team. "

Eura 4           -      3 Kirishima 
K.Campbell (22' 43')           R.Guidice (37' )
O.Coltrane (62' 77')           A.Fujioka (68')
                               A. Izumi (86')

Kirishima v Sulsuland Match Preview

Kirishima will travel back home to the Dayangseong Stadium in Imgeum to face Sulsuland. Their opponents are ranked 120th and the Kitsunes have won the last match 4-2 On the road. With the defeat against Eura reducing the grouo lead to a point and a break coming up it is imperitive that the Kitsunes take advantage of the homefield and win going into the break. Not only is it needed to stay in first but a win going in and after break will be important if the Kitsunes want to continue their strong showing that they had leading up to the match with Eura. Until next time, Lets Go Kitsunes!

Post by: Keita Woo

[Natanians and Nosts]

Chapter Ⅰ
Chapter ⅠⅠ
Chapter ⅠⅠⅠ

The Placeholder


Chapter ⅠⅤ

I figured out that she could and could not have sent me the fizzy drink.Well,supposedly someone here has any kind of relation with the kidnapping of the little girl,but may I am worng,waht if it's not someone,but something,what if something that exists or is here has any kind of relation to her disappearing,what if I am wrong and I was mislead to here on purpose?
I finished my fizzy drink and went to the bathroom,a really bad restroom to note.I used it.One thing called my attention,there were signs of secret information been written on the walls,but I could not stay there to check and examine what was and waht was no if it was something,I had to go out,otherwise I woul begin to call the attention to me and that would be an extremelly stupid thing to be done.But before leaving,I had to wash my hands,a hole minute washing my hands.I entered through a door and found me at a really different place.

[Mriin]

Maal Memoirs
Sports

Atlantian Oceania Dragon World Championship

Lia Fester
Ramusok, Cosumar

When Don Mizzet caught wind that future World Cup co-host Cosumar was looking for teams willing to visit the easterly island nation for friendly match, he jumped at the opportunity. Getting experience against another top side, as well as getting experience playing in front of the Cosumarite crowd the Finals would be held in front of? It'd be an excellent experience for a side that's still very new to whole international football thing. So I followed the team out on a short flight over the pond to the Ramusok, and was thrilled to see the turnout at Fire River Arena--an eighty thousand seat stadium filled to the brim; the home crowd was obviously very eager to see their team back in action.

And they did not disappoint--the Cosumarite side managed to balance an excellent defense with a ruthlessly efficient offense. They didn't manage very many shots on goal, but the shots they made were excellent, Hawsorn being tested harshly between the posts by Targaryen and Valgard. It was only a matter of time before the home side found their pace and caught our defense on the wrong foot, Targaryen finally getting one past Hawsorn at the fifty-seven minute mark. On the other side of the coin, the defense headed up by Marmor-Lavie and Svensson was brilliant, clever coverage choices robbing Krueger of his typical targets while Brill, playing a more defensive midfield position, roamed to ensure no drive survived an encounter with the rest of the midfield. Once the Cosumarites had the lead it seemed like they just made a game out of containing Solara, letting possession progress to her but stopping it cold afterwards; perhaps they'd heard of the young Satyr star's performance as the Mriinian talisman and wanted to see how much it'd take to shut her down? They proved more than a match this time, but there's still very much room for our side to grow--mayhaps even by the time of the World Cup Finals, if we can not only sustain but continue to improve our level of play.

Mriin - 0
Cosumar - 1
Targaryen 57'

[Aggrey-Fynn Land]

LANDER SPORTS NETWORK TV

Your plug for all things sport.

---

MORNING SPORTS REVIEW LIVE

Karina: Good Morning Aggrey-Fynn Landers! Thanks for tuning in to Lander Sports TV. My name is Karina Katie, and this is my co-anchor Tyson Rufus.
Tyson: Thanks Karina! It is 7 in the morning here in Samueltown, so it is time for the sports review.

AGGREY-FYNN LAND FA REVEALS NEW LOOK

K: According to our sources, Aggrey-Fynn Land's FA has gotten a new logo.
T: That's right Karina. We will show you it in just a moment, in case you haven't seen it yet.

K: That looks beautiful! I love the way they were able to incorporate the colors of the flag into the logo.
T: It looks kind of simple in my opinion, but it gets the job done, and represents the country well.
K: That's enough from us. We want to hear your thoughts, so call in now!

THE VOICE OF THE FANS: CALL IN NOW!

Caller: Hi, my name is Roy Clay, and I live in Unity City.
K: Unity City? You like magic at all?
R: Yeah, I go see shows every once in a while.
K: That's pretty cool. What do you think of the new look?
R: Let me tell you Karina, I think it's great!
K: What do you is great about the logo, Roy?
R: I love the vivid colors that are in it. The way that they are used really appeals to me. I think it would really stand out if they put it on a jersey, on a flag... it would look good anywhere! I'm gonna buy their jersey when they put this crest on it!
K: Well, Roy, that's a glowing endorsement if I've ever heard one. Have a nice day.

Caller: Hi I'm Sienna Paul, and I come from Godwin.
T: How do you like all the statues there, Sienna?
S: That's actually the reason why I moved there. I have mild OCD, so I really appreciate all the aesthetic beauty there is in the city.
T: Well then, what do you think of the new crest?
S: It's good, but...
T: But what?
S: There's something kind of, I don't know, off for me.
T: Can you elaborate?
S: The text is skewed slightly to the left on the top and to the right on the bottom. The soccer ball seems unusually shiny. Plus, the ratio between the star and the ball totally ruins the aesthetic.
T: Uh... ok Sienna, that's a very, descriptive opinion. Thanks for calling.

K: Tonight, Aggrey-Fynn Land takes on Brigantii in Samueltown.
T: They are ranked 43rd in the world right now.
K: Last time these two were on the field, it ended in a goalless draw. The Wavy Ones will be hoping for a similar result today.
T: In my opinion, it will be a good game if they can take some points away from it.
K: That's true. We'll be back after a short commercial break.

[Eura]

OOC: Continued from here and Electrum's more recent RP's.

Fires raged and armies bled white to the north but to the south a different kind of confrontation was emerging. Electrum's traditional political hierarchy was in freefall off the back of a million plus Euran refugee flow that simply wasn't slowing down. Combined with the difficulties of funding and building the proposed 'border wall', this posed an existential threat to Electrum's ongoing political stability. At the very top, Prime Minister Cynthia Suarez had been tipped off about a potentially scandalous scheme that was engineering much of the situation, increasing the chances of a successful secessionist movement by the EUP in the northern borderlands with Eura. For all intents and purposes Suarez considered this to be tantamount to a hybrid war by either a select group of Euran political interests or even Bastion's deep state and leadership. Her liberal instincts had made the Michael Judge administration a natural ally but the realities of geopolitics had strained her relationship with the northern giant in her time in office. She still held the Euran's responsible for the humiliating treatment her nation had received during the Floriana Dam crisis. Her advisors had explained the likely logic behind the strategy that bullied her into a certain course of action, and she was not usually one to take things personally in politics. On this occasion though she felt it difficult to let go.

Nevertheless this hadn't stopped her humanitarian credentials from ensuring that her government would let in as many Euran refugees as it had already. It wasn't the Euran nation that she disliked, it was the government. In her view the authorities in Centralis could not have done much more to support their neighbour in this time of agony and struggle short of joining the fight. Such an idea was absurd given Electrum's lack of military capacity and current political climate but there was nothing stopping them from providing aid and shelter. The long term view made it even more clear that the real advantage lay in accepting Eura's refugees, not turning them away, as Electrum was underpopulated in its northern regions and would benefit in the long term economically from a sudden population increase. Then the intelligence came, and her goodwill was severely tarnished. Now she was on the phone, waiting to hear the voice of perhaps the most powerful leader in Rushmore to pick up the phone, and she was prepared to give him an earful like he'd never had before. Maybe he'd be reminded of the time he did the same to her over that blasted dam. A Euran voice came on. Female, articulate and young. 'Prime Minister Suarez, you are now being connected to the Prime Minister.'
'Thank you Susan.' Suarez had picked up the girl's first name when she visited the official residence in Bastion a few years ago. She was glad that the young woman was still in a civilian job after six months of massive turmoil and mobilisation.

On the other end of the phone a more familiar voice made itself known. 'Prime Minister Suarez, its good to hear from you.'
'Prime Minister Judge, thank you for taking my call. I do hope we haven't interrupted you at a critical time.'
'I suppose every hour is critical right now but no, you've caught me at a moment of relative peace and quiet. I must inform you that I am not currently in Bastion but some public appearances will be made soon albeit with tight security. It might be beneficial for us to make one together as a sign of unity in these troubling times.' Suarez winced slightly. Was Judge having her on? Was this all a game? 'Prime Minister, I'm afraid that may be a bad idea. My government is currently facing unpopularity that is unheard of in this country due to the influx of Euran's across our border. I will defend that choice to the last as it was the right thing to do but we need clarification on some rather worrying findings by our intelligence services.' Judge paused for a few seconds. This was unusual. He was usually to the point and quick to respond despite his age. 'Is this something regarding the conflict? I have been assured that the OSI have been keeping in touch with you regarding new findings on any threats to Electrum.'
'That's not it, Michael.' She thought addressing him by his first name might strike the desired tone.

On her desk lay a number of papers including the most damning of the evidence which was simultaneously being forwarded to Judge's office. 'I have intelligence here suggesting that Charlotte Gibson of the EUP is colluding with paramilitaries inside Electrum and a major political party in Eura. I am deeply concerned by this development and I need you to be honest with me. Why is your government doing this to us at a time like this?' An even longer silence followed. Momentarily Suarez lowered the phone, thinking Judge had hung up. This was unheard of. Eventually he responded with a tone so grave that her certainty began to waver. 'This can't be possible. Its not us. Are you sure?' Suarez wasn't sure if he believed him but it was time to put her cards on the table. 'We've already sent you the information. I suggest you look it over and we'll reconvene this conversation in a few hours.' She waited a moment for the pre-hang up pleasantries, but Judge surprised her one more time. 'Cynthia, this wasn't my administration. I promise you. When I find out who it is, there will be consequences.' He hung up. It wasn't the first time that she had been hung up on rather abruptly by Michael Judge, but at least this time it was on her terms.

[Bonesea]

Somewhere I read that the cocoabo is a transdimensional somethingorother, Lord Gregory Almighty is a chicken and Gary counts his strawberries every day.Fake news or mad world?

[Gregoryisgodistan]

Lord Almighty Gregory Declares "Hate Week" in Gregoryisgodistan

Lord Almighty Gregory, in his infinite wisdom and glory, has declared the next seven days to be "Hate Week" against San Jose Guayabal. For seven straight days, people shall not work in their regular jobs. Instead, they shall show their hate for San Jose Guayabal during all waking hours, burning flags, hanging and burning Queen Margaret I in effigy, smashing and burning xylocarps, burning beans, tacos, effigies of the Guayabalense soccer team, and other symbols of that most wicked nation. Furthermore, Gregoryisgodistan's Music Ministry has written several songs of hate, which the people of Gregoryisgodistan will sing. Let's take a look at one of them here. It is the official song of the first day of Hate Week, which is tomorrow. The people will sing it all day throughout the day in between chants of hatred to San Jose Guayabal.

(OOC: Tune)

We will nuke SJG! We're the greatest, we are free!
Gregory, we love you! Leading us to victory!
We will nuke them in your holy name!
We will nuke them, we proudly proclaim!

We will nuke SJG
And we'll achieve victory
And we'll nuke all the Guayas to bits!
The Guayas are all bad
They eat babies, and it's sad
And we're going to nuke SJG!

For let us rejoice
And let us raise our voice
It's time to nuke the Guaya Beans!
And they're gonna die
They cannot run and hide
For we are gonna nuke SJG!

We'll invade Guaya ranks
Run them over with our tanks
And set fire to all of their towns
And that is just the start
Then we will strike at the heart
And Queen Margaret is getting gunned down


For let us rejoice
And let us raise our voice
It's time to kill the Guaya Beans!
And they're gonna die
They cannot run and hide
For we are gonna kill SJG!

We will chop off her head
And then Margaret will be dead
We will kill that dumb and wicked queen!
We will burn her alive
And then slice her, slice and dice!
Brownie Cutter is just what we mean!

For let us rejoice
And let us raise our voice
It's time to kill the Devil Queen
And she's gonna die
She cannot run and hide
For we are gonna kill Devil Queen!

The people of Gregoryisgodistan will be singing that song throughout the first day of Hate Week tomorrow in between other classic chants such as "DIE DIE SJG" and "DIE DIE MARGARET". There will also be flag burning and effigy burning and all sorts of other fun stuff. It will truly be a memorable first day of hate week, as the people will unite in their hatred of San Jose Guayabal and the Devil Queen, Queen Margaret. Furthermore, there are rumors that Gregoryisgodistan will try to hack Guayabalense television stations to show footage of Hate Week there, but these may or may not be true. But the Guaya Beans shall be warned - it might happen. So be warned.

And yes, someday Gregoryisgodistan will destroy San Jose Guayabal, for it is what the Lord has willed. That is what Hate Week is celebrating - our hatred for San Jose Guayabal and that wicked country's impending doom. For one glorious week, we will celebrate our unity and hatred for our western Devil neighbor. They shall be destroyed!

Happy Hate Week everybody! May your celebrations each day start early in the morning and continue long into the night!

[Chromatika]

Leopian 1-3 Chromatika

Lineups: Ria; Cameron - Colbert - Damjana; Minke - Montague - Berit - Etienne; Niro - Victoriane (C) - Chesser. Subs: Lorenzo -> Damjana ('56), Dragana -> Chesser ('69), Quren -> Victoriane ('81, Captaincy to Montague)
Goals vs. Leopian: Victoriane '21 assisted by Montague; Niro '51 assisted by Berit; Dragana '72 assisted by Montague. Player of the Match: Alyss Montague (2 assists)

For the first ten minutes, it seemed like the match would be another closely contested affair. Mia Ria and the defense made their daily blunder, letting in an early one that got the home crowd into it. However, the Chromatiks didn't flinch; they weren't the also-rans any longer that they used to be. No, they were a Top-Ten team now, and even if this was a team of reserves, they played with the class and urgency that provided. With Kaytlyn Victoriane leading the attack, three different forwards scored goals in spectacular fashion, and the Chromatiks prevailed with a score of 1-3. With other results in the group, this puts them at an astonishing total of thirty out of thirty points, a full twelve points ahead of the second-place team, with five matches to go. A win versus Jeckland at home, and a point at all after the bye would allow for the Chromatiks to ensure their fastest qualification ever. Then, it will be a matter of whether or not Parker fields the best out there to keep momentum going, or rests his key players and allows the reserves to compete.

It seems that for the time being, he's happy and content with peppering in starters with reserves with bench players, as the announced lineup against Jeckland suggests. Mia Ria will start another game in goal, but will have a much more solid defense in front of her, with the trio of Morningstar, Aart, and Ellen starting. The midfield will feature Kelly, Montague, Sybill, and Etienne. It will be among the forwards that Parker will allow the reserves to continue to play, with the trio of Baumgartner, Mehdizade, and Chesser getting starts. With his propensity to mix and match whenever the occasion calls for it, it is impossible to predict whom the subs will be.

Lineup vs. Jeckland: Ria; Morningstar - Aart - Ellen; Kelly (C) - Montague - Sybill - Etienne; Baumgartner - Mehdizade - Chesser.

---

OPERATION NEW HOPE

Dossier 4
Name: Kelly Amerou
Previous Color: Dark Green
Age: 17
Height: 4 ft 11 in
Weight: 94 lbs
Eye Color: Hazel
Hair Color: Auburn
Handedness: Right
Occupation: Senior, Mt. Niar High School
Family: Orphan, lives in GreenPeace Home
Sexuality: Straight.
Personality: ESFP. Kelly is a small person with a big personality, always positive, always looking to see the best in things. She is on multiple philanthropic clubs in the high school, and prides herself in community. She loves group work and the opportunity to work with other people.
Education: Getting straight A's in high school, likely to get a full scholarship to a big-name university, or even study abroad (?)
Project Involvement: Kelly has been very active in getting a support group going for the ROY community, volunteering her time to teach others how to read and the benefits of getting an education, no matter how old people are. She learned about the Project after applying for an internship with the Chromatik Government. She will be a ray of sunshine in moments of hardship, and she knows how to endure trials that the Project may face. She volunteered for the Project, saying that it will be a great opportunity to work with people that she may never have a chance to meet otherwise. She plans to be an ambassador someday, and is always up for adventure.
Recommendation: She'll be the perfect energizer bunny and bright spot in the midst of hardship. Nurture her, and she'll nurture others.

Dossier 5
Name: Nick Jensen
Previous Color: Medium Blue
Age: 41
Height: 6 ft 4 in
Weight: 204 lbs
Eye Color: Blue
Hair Color: Black
Handedness: Left
Occupation: Defense Attorney for Death Templars Law Firm, located in Chromatik City.
Family: Married, single child (son, age 10), parents reside in Myana (retired)
Sexuality: Straight. Married.
Personality: INFP. Nick is someone who loves understanding other people and staying true to his values. He is charismatic, adaptable, flexible, and funny. He's also loyal to those he holds dear, and quick to trust others.
Education: Law Degree from Chromatik City College University.
Project Involvement: When DTLF was contacted to recommend one of their employees for the job, Nick Jensen was chosen immediately. Idealistic, charismatic, and hard working, he represents all that DTLF holds dear. He consented to the Project after getting reassurance that his family would be taken care of.
Recommendation: Probably has the best skills for conflict management and for problem solving. Integral.

Things were starting to make more sense as far as The Project went for Colonel Erik Monett. With Kelly to brighten things up and Nick helping with conflict management, people like Lightning and Didi could get more done. It also seemed that Alina had saved him the task of assigning those who could take care of the defense of the group, unless the last two that she'd assigned herself fit that. He was getting rather curious to whom she would have assigned from the used-to-be elite of Indigo and Violet...

[Ceni]

Cowboys and Fangirls
Chapter One: A Big House in Azuris

Andrew Arrowsword surveyed the clothes he had laid out all over his bed before shaking his head slightly. "There's gonna be a mob of fangirls around me the instant I step outside this house if I wear any of these," he said, gesturing to the array of athletic shirts, shorts, and sweatpants. "I'll be instantly recognizable." He gave the clothes one last lookover before moving to put them all away in a cavernous walk-in closet that looked as barren as the Antarctic wilderness.

"You don't have that much else to wear," his boyfriend, Liam Penderyn, replied. "What did you have in mind? A tutu and a leotard? Nobody would recognize you in that!"

Andrew guffawed. "As if I had a leotard... or a tutu!"

"You sure you want to take me sightseeing in the Azuris city center?" Liam asked.

"Quite sure. You told me you liked pirates, and we can visit a museum about Azuris's history of piracy in an old fort."

"Arr me hearties!" Liam grinned. "Say, how about we dress up as pirates for our trip there? Nobody would recognize us then."

"Dress up? As pirates? Did I hear you right? We're not three anymore! Besides, who dresses like that any more? We'd only draw more attention to ourselves." Andrew continued to put away all his athletic-type gear back in the closet,

"What was that you were wearing when you picked me up from the aiport again?" Liam plopped himself down on Andrew's bed. "Man, this is a nice mattress."

"I think it was some Real Azuris shirt and Meski sweatpants. But we weren't in the view of the general public there - didn't you charter that private jet to come down here?"

Liam grinned sheepishly. "Yeah, guess I did."

Andrew put the last of his other clothes away and closed the door to his closet, sitting down on the bed next to Liam. "Say, you want a tour of the house while we figure this out? Plus, I have cookies downstairs in the kitchen!"

"Cookies? Who can say no to cookies?"

Andrew led Liam around his monster of a house, located on a hillside in a fancy suburb of Azuris where the rich and famous could hobnob to their hearts' content without having to worry about the prying cameras of the paparazzi or the constant annoyance of the lowly hoi polloi. The main selling point, though, was the ocean view, and that was the first stop on Andrew's tour. At the click of a button, Andrew had turned the windows from opaque to transparent. Liam could feel his jaw drop, both at the view and the technological wonder of Andrew's windows. Azure waters stretched as far as the eye could see, and the sun reflected off the ocean to create a beautiful vista. Andrew then opened a glass door off to the side and showed Liam onto a balcony. The two stood there and let the breeze blow their hair around for a bit. "I can see why you bought this place," Liam managed to stammer.

"It is a pretty view, isn't it?" Liam could only nod at his boyfriend's statement.

Andrew led the two back inside and gave Liam the grand tour of his house. He showed Liam the guest rooms (one with an extra-long bed to accommodate a Drawkian), the gaming room (with its ping-pong table and old video arcade machines), and the private cinema, replete with a projector and a large selection of movies. They went downstairs and saw the main part of the house, which featured an open floor plan with modern furniture. Everything was centered around the views of the azurine sea in front of them - the living room, the dining room with its nice chandelier, the kitchen. Everything seemed nice and new, from the furniture to the staircase to the white marble floors. "It's a pretty nice place you have here, Andrew," said Liam.

"Yeah, it is. I like it here, although it's probably a bit too big for me." Andrew and Liam walked towards the kitchen. "Well, here are the promised cookies. Help yourself." Andrew gestured to the bowl of cookies sitting on the island in the kitchen, which featured new, shiny appliances and stylish countertops. Behind the counters, a new backsplash with blue, black, and white tiles adorned the room. Both grabbed a cookie and chewed silently.

Liam interrupted the silence with a random thought. "Hey, I have an idea. Cowboys."

Andrew frowned. "Cowboys? What do you mean by that?" He opened the refrigerator and rummaged around until he found a bottle of soda.

"You know, that clothing dilemma. If we dressed up like cowboys - and put on sunglasses - it would obscure our appearance, anonymize us. Nobody would ever think that we would dress like that."

"What do you mean we, Kemo Sabe? I didn't know that you had to protect yourself from a legion of fans who want your autograph and a selfie. After all, you aren't the star striker of the city's only good football club, and one that's won the Champion's Cup to boot." His tone suggested a friendly brag, yet another verbal jab in their long-running friendly competition.

"Didn't I tell you? Tennis is a popular enough sport in Cosumar, and I've won enough tournaments that my face is fairly recognizable. I have enough fans here." Liam had jabbed back.

"Well, I've been living in Cosumar for how long? Four, five years? In that time, I've never heard one person mention the word tennis. Besides, football is infinitely more popular than tennis - and I live here half of my time. Believe me, I've had enough experiences with gaggles of fangirls trying to proclaim their love to me." Andrew opened the bottle with a hiss and poured two glasses, giving one to Liam.

Liam pulled a stool away from the kitchen island and sat down at the counter, resting his elbows on the bar and leaning his head out onto his hands. "Don't they know about us?"

Andrew shrugged. "I'm sure some of the fans do, but I haven't gone out of my way to advertise our relationship." He then took a sip of his drink and changed the subject. "Besides, what do you have in mind when you say cowboy? What am I supposed to wear, chaps and spurs, with a red bandana and all? That will definitely call attention to ourselves - that's garish."

"Well, not exactly. What I had in mind was a little less garish."

"Please explain."

"When I went to school in Lexington, this 'cowboy' look was pretty popular - I saw it all the time. Basically, it was jeans, boots, a long-sleeved cotton collar shirt, and a big ten-gallon hat. Of course, the hat wasn't allowed under school rules - but that didn't stop people from trying."

"Well, now that you put it like that, I have seen that kind of look around here, a couple of times. Nobody would imagine me - "

"Us."

"OK. Us. Nobody would imagine us -" at this point Andew cleared his throat "- wearing that kind of outfit, but it's not too zany that we'd look out of place... like that pirates idea you had earlier. It's the first good idea you've had in a long time."

"You're never going to let that pirates idea go, are you?"

"Nope." Andrew got out his phone and started tapping on it. "I have this cool app where you can buy pretty much anything from online and have it delivered by drone. One of the perks of living in a technologically advanced country." He spent the next couple of minutes tapping and scrolling before finally setting the phone down and picking up his glass. "Here's to disguise and misdirection," Andrew said, raising his glass of root beer. "Here's to a day of sightseeing that never existed to the world's eyes! Cheers," said Liam, clinking his glass with Andrew's. Now all they had to do was wait for the drone to come buzzing up to Andrew's house, and then they could set off.

[Farfadillis]

The road to the World Cup had been pretty rocky up to that point. Every game was do-or-die, and Ror knew that. He also knew that he had to score in that game. No matter what. "But Ror, Ror, you're not a striker, Ror!" Tíbürçìó shouted, but he could be damned. He'd wasted his three subs already, anyway.

To say the match had so far been very frustrating for Jevdjevic-Hadsic would be an understatement. Merely as a recap: in the first goal, Pawlo had managed to tip his long-range shot just enough to make it hit the post; Çíânflöné pounced on the rebound. Wínrôuge refused to pass to him when they were both through on goal for the second. Fucking Dü Síbírí "secured" a goal by basically stealing it from him, and when he was completely unmarked and in the perfect position to score a header, Meier had managed to somehow score an impossible goal by bending the cross all the way into the goal instead. To top things off, the one time he did score, he was offside.

So, not a very good evening for our dear Ror Jevdjevic-Hadsic. Oh, and Buyan had managed to put four past Metz. So they were also dropping vital points at home. There were thirty minutes left still, so he could still score and keep his Launcher. Oh, and maybe they could win, too. He was beginning to hate the shit-eating grin Pawlo was wearing. You'd be hard-pressed to find a goalkeeper as happy as him after conceding four goals. He knew it was up to him to shut him up for good. Not, like, killing him. Not that kind of shutting up. That one's bad.

Monrazón stripped Karlsson of the ball and passed to Wçêíl, who'd replaced Meier. The kid had certainly been impressive in training, and Tíbürçìó had rewarded him for that by subbing him in but the kid was too focused on impressing to pass the ball to me ohmygodWHATAREYOUDOING. Ror's mind was thinking something like that. We're sorry for not including the quotation marks, we're not sure where they should go there. Anyway, Wçêíl, for what seemed like the hundredth time, had chosen to dribble past his opponent instead of passing to Ror. The kid was doing really well, but he wasn't paying attention to that.

As Wçêíl began his run down the flank, Ror headed towards the box. He was constantly looking for a little gap that would allow him to get that much sought-after chance. And he found it. Wçêíl passed to Wínrôuge, who turned around and sent him through without looking. As those of your that have listened to my other tales about Ror's extraneous psyche already know, Ror resents Wínrôuge quite a bit cause he takes all the spotlight. Well, for a second, the resentment of a decade went away as Ror headed towards the goal. He had quite a lot of space, cause the Buyanese had really screwed up in defense. He dribbled past his Crisisbless teammate, and finally gave the ball gentle touch towards the goal. Peace of mind, at last.

But no. Marciak had managed to get up in time to reach the ball in time, and he managed to punt it in just before it crossed the line. He couldn't have prevented anything, but the referee could count it as an own goal if he wanted. Ror now had to seek a second goal. Otherwise, he was at risk of losing the bet. If this counted as losing the best, he was actually more at risk of being transfer-listed over a brawl with his teammate, but that was beside the point. He had to score again. Oh, and the goal was also huge relief cause now they were winning and that was very important for him.

Farfadillis completely dominated the rest of the match. Eleonóra and Çíânfloné in particular put in dominating performances. Wçêíl was also proving too much for the Buyanese defenders. However, they weren't managing to score a sixth goal that would give them tranquility, even though the Buyanese were being rather irresponsibly offensive in their search for an equalizer. As the minutes went by, Ror began getting more and more impatient. He began shouting and insulting teammates. Maybe this car had taken control of his life. No. Maybe this car was his life now.

He asked the referee if he had been awarded the fifth goal. He hadn't. He had to score. He asked him how much time was left. He said it was about time, and that he'd even do him a favor and end the game at that very moment. Ror threatened to hire a hitman to kill his entire family if he did that. He also told him to not end the match until he himself scored a goal, or else.

"And the referee keeps refusing to end the game. It's minute eleven of injury time and he has yet to end it. We are being truly robbed here. END IT ALREADY. WE'VE WON. Wait a minute. Monrazón gathers the ball. He passes to Wçêíl. He send Ror through on goal. ROR'S ONE-ON-ONE. HE CAN WIN THE GAME. HE GETS PAST MARCIAAAAAAAAK. GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOL! SIX-FOUR, SIX-FOUR! WE'VE WON! FARFADILLIS! FARFADILLIS! FARFADILLIS! AND THE REFEREE SAYS IT'S OVER!"

"... wait, why didn't I just tell the referee to award me the goal?" Ror Jevdjevic-Hadsic thought to himself.

[Kel Assuk]

The Road to the World Cup
Chapter 6: Recuperation and Recovery with a Bye

Ah, the virtues of a bye. The team gets a chance to rest and recover, to catch their breaths after a long couple of weeks of fighting and (mostly) losing, a long couple of weeks of flying back and forth from Kel Assuk and dealing with the jet lag plus all that football over the past half of qualifying. Eric felt good to have a week off from the physicality of the World Cup, and he had decided to devote the week to the mental side of the game instead of the physical side. The team had trained their butts off on the physical side, but those disappointing losses against Löptsegl and HUElavia had definitely impacted their ability on the mental side. They were not confident about their abilities, and Eric suspected something called the nocebo effect was having an impact on the team. Basically, the nocebo effect occues when we think something bad is going to happen, and because we think that it's going to happen, it actually does - a self-fulfilling prophecy, basically. Eric wondered if this was causing some of the team's recent issues - their lack of confidence and negative thoughts were having a negative impact on their standard of play.

As a result, Eric sent the team to a retreat in the woods and mountains of Tharsatica, the country that bordered Kel Assuk to the north. There would be no cell connectivity there, no WiFi signal... The team would be totally cut off from the outside world, and from him. For some reason, Eric thought that he had partially caused the problem of the team's lack of confidence; he had that same deficiency, and perhaps it was seeping through him into his players. Or perhaps his constant lectures and attempts to get the team to perform better were grating on them, or, even worse, were counterproductive. He concluded that the team needed a break from him, and maybe even a break from football in general. This bye week was the perfect time to do so. At their retreat, the team would do team-building and confidence-building activities - and activities that would take their minds off their current trials and tribulations. Eric hoped that the retreat would do the trick: the team would hopefully emerge out of the Tharsatican woods renewed in vigor and renewed in spirit. He hoped that the retreat would give them a greater sense of their own abilities and those of their teammates. Finally, he hoped that the retreat would give them a big confidence boost - one that they desperately needed.

On that front, Kel Assuk had recently earned a major confidence boost when they beat unranked Bongo Johnson by the score of two to nil, the reverse of the score when they had beaten the team away for their first ever World Cup win. Although Bongo Johnson was unranked, Eric would still take this win in stride. Three points was three points, and the team desperately needed the win after a several-game winless streak. The defense had managed to keep a clean sheet, even with a couple of close calls; the offense had managed to score, which was always nice; the fixture was competitive enough to give Kel Assuk a good sense of accomplishment. Eric and his team needed that sense, needed that boost. The road ahead would be hard, and if the team was to gain revenge against Löptsegl and HUElavia, they would need every ounce of energy, every ounce of vigor, every ounce of confidence that they had. A win over a KPB-less nation still helped.

Eric really needed to catch a breath from football as well; it wasn't just his team. He wasn't particularly enamored of a retreat deep in the Tharsatican woods, though; he wanted a break from football, not a break from civilization. A friend had suggested going to a psychologist, but Eric rejected that idea; if the team found out, they would be up in arms that he was going to a shrink for a psychological problem, and they probably wouldn't be so confident in him. That suggestion, though, got him thinking; maybe he should go to a traditional Amalen doctor and try their suggested remedies. Of course, having lived in the desert for ages, the Amalen would know of herbal remedies for these kinds of mental aches, and the back aches Eric was increasingly having, and the act in and of itself could boost his standing among the team, knowing that he trusted their culture enough to trust his health with one of their doctors. Yes, he would do that; maybe the doctor could offer him some advice from the Amalen point of view. He set his appointment with one based out of Marandet for the next day; all he would have to do was show up, and hopefully some of his problems could be solved. Or at least, the doctor could put him on the right path.

[Mriin]

Time slowed for Mari, who watched every painful millisecond pass by as her foot oh so slowly slid forward at the entirely wrong angle. She'd terribly misjudged Waterson's pace; and at this rate wouldn't even be able to take out his hind leg (not that she'd ever want to, of course). It'd be such a costly mistake, as well; their defense had managed to right the ship after a disastrous start, with the unusually aggressive Loynnians now being properly tracked and marked. Malia slipping down the wing unnoticed had even lead to a goal get on the board. And Mari had to go and blow a simple tackle like this. The slow motion didn't relent even when her failure of a slide was over and done with, instead focusing on the disaster that was Ace Waterson taking what might as well have been a point-blank penalty shot. She wasn't sure what was more painful--the tears peaking out the corners of Zilia's eyes as she fell to her knees, the ball rattling off the back of the net with such gusto as to rebound back into the box, or the deafening roar of the home fans. After a solid run in the Baptism of Fire--not unlike Mriin's inaugural performance last cycle--the Loynnians were thirsty for more. Having had a quite miserable first run at qualification, they entered the day in second-to-last place in Group Six, just ahead of what could only be described as a collection of people hailing from the Polar Islandstates--so being up three-to-one against one of the group's top teams with just over twenty minutes to go was a righteous statement.

Don would have been ripping his hair out, had he had hair. Instead he had to settle for quite painfully digging his claws into the scales atop his skull. "They wanted this formation so badly, and I relent. And this, this is what I get for showing weakness!"

Jorm carefully approached the hyperventilating dragon; hopefully I can talk some sense here before things totally explode. "We can't hold it against them, boss..." He just barely suppressed a flinch as the dragon's head whipped around, wide blood-shot eyes staring. "...I don't think anyone could have predicted Loynn putting up a fight like this. Not after their silly seven-backs counterattack they tried in our first game, not after they've been shut out the last three games. And, well, Mari just kinda fucked up there, wasn't nothing wrong with how the defense played it otherwise." Don merely continued to stare, the slick coating of his eyes visibly wavering with how popped out they were. "...but I think it might be time for me to come in. I figured out the Loynn defense once, if we're going to salvage some points here let me give it another go." The dragon's ragged breaths were the only response. "...nod once if you want me to come on for Qual, shake your head twice if you want me to sit down."

Don was able to manage a nod, before returning his gaze to the field, where David Jonson had just taken the steam out of Malia's charge at the cost of knocking it out of bounds. Jorm quickly signaled the refs and caught Malia's attention before she inbounded it; Qual was already jogging to the sideline when he actually got on to the pitch, and Malia finally sent it off to Joren.

The extra body had an immediate impact, if only for balancing out the quirky five-back setup Loynn continued to employ even when playing aggressively. With Jorm supplementing Aldo in aggressively moving up, the defenders finally had to peel some pressure away from Solara, who eagerly received a curt pass and dribbled around Steven Hughs without breaking stride. The box was already heavily congested thanks to the other forward's posturing, but reinforcements were arriving; a slightly backwards cross to Kalia on the far edge of the field pulled some reluctant defenders out of the box. But as they arrived to contest, at two angles to ensure sending it back up to Solara wasn't an option, Kalia turned and sent it back once more to a Janna who'd ventured very far up; the dedicated defenders coming out to try and force through a goal. Janna took it in and sent it laterally to Mari, who in turn had a sightline to Mriin's talisman--a booming pass to the edge of the box finding Solara's horns, facing the ball and contorting herself backwards so it bounced at the correct angle to rainbow towards the goal. And it was that, a rainbow shot--Karl Weir was comfortably in front of it. Until Aldo burst past Haydn Sands at the last second to get his own horns on the ball, sending it into the right-hand netting.

The satyrs hopped back to their side of the field, a second win seizing them--it was back to a one-goal game, eight minutes left to go. Plenty of time to get another across and salvage the game; it wouldn't be ideal, but even if Barunia won we'd stay even on points--and it'd largely come down to next week's tie with the second seed.

Waterson was wary, though. He remembered how they'd tried to play passive and hold the draw in the first game of qualifying, and how hard that indecisive play had been punished by the Mriinian side. So he kicked off with gusto, rolling it to a sprinting Nash and breaking into a sprint himself. Luckily, Jorm hadn't gotten too glory-hungry, turning to keep astride of Nash as Mari swung forward to get in Waterson's grill. Nash had made some good ground before Janna approached to properly cut him off, and skipped it back to Waterson, who got another few strides deeper before Mari got to him. But once that happened, it dawned on him that things hadn't quite gone to plan--it seems his midfield thought they'd still be on the "protect the lead" plan, and he was now stranded in a sea of defenders. Without much of a choice, he fired off a snap long long--that was pretty clearly going to miss wide.

But, sensing opportunity, Zilia got in front of it all the same--popping it up off her torso, and then taking a massive swipe at the falling ball like a gridiron punter. And tragically, for the Loynnians, the midfield had been even more indecisive, probing forward to support the drive entirely too late--leaving Solara to take the incredibly long punt behind the entire midfield. There was a fire in her eyes and in her hooves as she pounded down the field, a bearing of her horns prompting the slightest of flinches from Watson--granting her the split second she needed to dodge right and run straight past him. Carter and Hughs attempted to pincer her, but with a short hop her hooves dug into the grass hard, taking a short skid to a complete halt as the ball banged off the back of her legs; the two defenders wren't able to control their momentum quite as precisely and ended up slamming into each other, both toppling to the ground.

That gave Watson a moment to respond, but he was left with enough ground to cover that even after Solara took time to yank her hooves out of the mud, his only chance to contest would be a direct and obvious slide directly into her back; things were rough, but not give-away-a-free-kick-just-outside-the-box rough, at least not with set-piece specialist Joren being available to take it. He'd just have to hope Sands and Weir could stop the lass...

When everything suddenly went slow motion, Watson knew the worst was coming to pass. He was still technically gaining ground, since Solara was starting from a cold stop, but there was still just too large a gap for him to do anything to throw her balance. All he could do was watch as she reared her left leg back after popping the ball to the left of the slowly recovering Carter and Hughs; Sands was already committing to a slide, hoping to knock the ball aside the second it left her hoof. But as that hoof ever so slowly came down, Watson could tell it was going to impact just right of centre on the ball; she was trying to chip it into the left side of the net, and Sands' slide from the right wouldn't have a chance to interfere.

And Weir was leaning to his left.

Tie game.

Three minutes.

Loynn ate the ball.

Mriin smelled blood.

It took a blunt force number of jabs as the home team ricocheted the ball around their half as well they could, never keeping it on one person long enough for them to screw it up. But Mriin would not stop coming. Solara slid through her whiffed tackle and took up a spot behind the midfielders once again, stressing their backs again. Uhlon nearly ran Sean Carlson, just avoiding rough contact that would've definitely sent him off with a second yellow. Janna got away with a messy slide that probably should have been a card.

Ben Rich tried to clear the ball. He was also looking at the ref as they signaled for two minutes of additional time. He didn't get enough height on it, but the Mriinian backs were already fully committed; if it got through the game was effectively over.

Then he saw Zilia standing at the midfield line. She smashed her horns into the ball with every ounce of energy in her body.

It cleared the entire mass of midfielders.

Three defenders were posted between Solara and the ball. Nobody was posted in front of the ball--it was sailing towards Weir alone. Until Jorm leaped backwards, just catching the descending ball with outstretched leg--and bicycled it past.

Mriin was in first again.

[Spaam]

No Leads On Urk & SyLy Murder

Police have made no headway in the investigation into the murder of star Spaamanian strikers Urk and Syku Lyku, who were brutally killed last month in their training compound. The two stoic forwards were found dead in their gym having been bludgeoned with a barbell pole, but there was no indication that anyone else was in the location at the same time. The only DNA found on the scene belonged to fellow new national player Alan Belmore, who was training with the other players at the time of the murder. With video footage giving alibis to every person in the vicinity, authorities are stumped by what tabloids are calling "The Perfect Murder".

The deaths of their teammates rocked the national team, who fell to Krytenia in the first game after the tragedy, while wearing black bands in memory of the players. Extra security has since been placed on Alan Belmore, as there are fears that he may be targeted for the same reasons as Urk and SyLy, but there has been no sign of anything untoward so far. Spaamanian Football Associate president Dr. Quexipha Fenfir put out a statement before their upcoming home game against Islana Lunigo, saying "while we are deeply saddened by the loss of our players, it is business as usual for the team. We will be dedicating every win from now to their memories."

Spaam Bounce Back With Win

After suffering their first loss of their qualifying campaign at the hands of second seeds Krytenia, Spaam were looking to return to their winning ways in front of a home crowd. Buoyed by the news that their number one rival for qualification, Gregoryisgodistan, failed to score against the luckless Parakos, the Orange and Black had a prime opportunity to go clear on the table if they beat Islana Lunigo. Again sporting the black armbands in memory of fallen comrades Urk and SyLy, the home team was loudly cheered by a packed crowd, before a minute's silence at the start of the game.

The Islanders were quick to put pressure on the Spaamanian midfield, who were playing safe football in their first match after last month's loss. However, while the visitors were throwing everything at their opponents, they were unable to pierce the Orange and Black's defence, which has been so strong in qualifying it is currently ranked third in the multiverse. (First is currently Gregoryisgodistan, whose only two goals allowed came at the hands of Spaam). With the players pushed as forward as they could go, it was just a matter of time before one of the teams cracked, it was Merlara Sehelin and Alan Belmore combining to break through at the half-hour mark that separated the teams. Belmore stole the ball from Islander defender Wendy Kuana, then passed to a sprinting Sehelin who managed to say onside, who crossed back to a perfectly positioned Belmore for the goal.

The rest of the half saw some more chances created by the home team who gained confidence from the lead, but Islander keeper Joni Toklu showed skill to save every one of them. It was a different story after the break, as Islana Lunigo turned to a more defensive formation to prevent further damage to the scoreline. However, Spaam did not turn to full offence, as they made sure to not give away their hard-earned lead, rather sticking to their midfield control game. While the game slowed down as a result, the Orange and Black continued to prod the Islander's backline, and the 65th minute saw a payoff, when Belmore and Sehelin combined off a well placed Sebastián Núñez pass, with Sehelin getting the last touch to register her tenth goal of qualifying.

Islana Lunigo's defence continued to take the pressure from the Spaamanian midfield, but they managed to not give away any more goals for remainder of the match. Eighteen year old Lori Palau almost managed to get one back in the dying minutes as defender Daniel Côçô slipped in his challenge, but keeper Oridul Inasys managed to get his fingertips on the strike to get it onto the crossbar, and James Moreira defused it. With that win, Spaam goes two points clear of Gregoryisgodistan, and is just two victories away from sewing up qualification, a massive accomplishment for a team that has only been back on the international stage for six years.

 Spaam         2
     (Belmore 30', Sehelin 65')
 Islana Lunigo 0

---

"No time for rest!" yelled coach Hewelan Faaberos. "Our next game is an away match against Parakos, and they've proven that they can stop anyone from scoring, so we need to work on our offense."

"Yes, sir!" called out Merlara Sehelin.

"We'll get right on it, boss," agreed Kian Rose.

"Whatever you say, coach," added Alan Belmore.

[Red Blackiland]

Red Blackiland Sports and Off-topic Chronicles

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Modernities

Fans watching the draw against Kaido

---

Author : Mathias Gërdorffen

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"Of course Grassmaller is the best, man, there's no comparison!" Said the specialist in the middle of the class, the books open on the pages of exercises, trying not to speak too loudly.
- Putz, you do not know what you're talking about! Nobody wins Mario! The other replied in the same tone. "You should know that, after the beating you took on Saturday ..."
- Surra? I? You're dreaming, man.
"But you do know that Lars is the best." The fellow sitting at the front turned to join in the conversation. "And to Eva Platenhardt, no one hits both."
- OK. It was all that was missing, one that plays with a woman.
"Well, it's not my fault if I like women, man.
"But ..." She stopped short of completing the answer, noticing the teacher's approach.
"Am I interrupting anything?"
"No, Professor. The three of them responded almost in unison.
- Hmm. That's better. The professor turned to return to the table. "Because you should know full well that the best is Can Wrobel."

---

Extra Time

---

I glance nervously at the clock as I search the room for her. Where was the extra time that I kept so carefully in the bottom of the drawer? There is no time for anything, nowhere.
I search desperately under the bed, behind the closet, under the rug, but there's nothing to find. I see some free time by the desk, and so close to the bookshelf. There are a few seconds lost by my socks, and - who would say! An entire minute hidden between the shirts. But it is not enough; Who could have stolen such precious time?
Look at the clock again, and hurry up - the little I have is already running out! I re-run the places I went through, but it seems to run faster than I can reach. There is a second here, another there; I see the closet again, but there is nothing. I finally find a box full of extra time just below the magazines - but then it's too late. In the end, I lost more time than I found.

---

A Beautiful Day

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She woke up and looked out the window, watching the pink mushrooms growing vigorously along the amnesia brick sidewalk. The butterflies flew joyfully, making that noise they made as they collected the petals of fallen clouds in the streets of the night that had ended. A small stream of sour milk was passing in front of the house, where there were flowers and berries of flowers that warned everyone of the sun rising and yawning, and the gardener was already passing to water the day that came from everywhere. And baram-baram-baram-cars and horses passed by, irritating, turning in the corners and leaving behind the sound of repentistas ants, while the world was taken by the girls of green and black and white and orange and purplish blue that were born of the Floor and floor went to the other side.
It was a beautiful day when he woke up ... He closed his eyes, turned to the side, and decided to wait for the next.

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Drawkons Wise Warriors: The next game of Das SpielHaus

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Learn about the dragons in the land of Drawkland

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Group Storyline Quest #14 - Choose His Fate (Leilara)

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This is a counselor quest in Drawkons and it's only available if the Insection Leader chooses to side with the templar-warriors instead of the elf-mages, much like the Insection, Maol has invested great time and effort building a trusted inner circle, Chathbhaidh leads the Dhuinnians, and it seems she's been busy, in the search for a a particular set of elf-mage ruins, she and her army of Bruisian Empire extremists have taken a keen interest in a merchant named Broadus, perhaps finding him would shed more light on Broadus and her motivations, the quest is available after talking to Leilara in Blárach, but this quest should be completed before taking the next mainstoryline mission.

Drawkons - The Crystal

Travel to Brand Ashkal'ech and find Broadus' home, it can be accessed from the docks, just Medwyn Big Shop Center, find papers in the first room and then deal with the Dhuinnians upstairs, their group consists of two Shale'dech's, a orb-speller, search the small room to find four crystal pieces, you can also find Broadus body in his study upstairs. Show the memory crystal to Leilara back at Blárach, then go to the undercroft and speak with Bellis has not yet been recruited, the war desk mission 'Pick up the Dwarf' must be completed.
Go to the war desk mission and use two energy levels to complete this operation, 'The Enemy Crystal in Dhuinnian Lands', go back to Leilara and listen to the receiving crystal with her, this dialogue will unlock new Insection text entries, return to the war desk mission room, and pay another energy level to complete the 'Investigation Bevan Goff' operation. Then, just use the world map to travel to the Bevan Goff region, inside, you will have to fight some spyrits, demons and necromancers, there are seven blue-growing crystals scattered across the area, activating any one of them will activate another side-quest mission 'Old Maol's recordations'. Once you move past the main hall, you will find the door to the next chamber guarded by a demon, a spyrit and two evil necromancers, beyond this door Master Cloyd can be found locked behind some sort of a magical barrier at the far end of the Bevan Goff, talk to him to learn more about Maol and Chathbhaidh and then decide his fate, whether you kill him or let him live, however, there will be no major effect to the game progress.

Drawkons - The Fate of Cloyd in the cage

Back at Blárach, inform Leilara about the master to finish with the mission, if you let Cloyd live earlier, Leilara said that she, or more precisely one of her spy agents, have interrogated him in the Bevan Goff and state that the Insection may learn more about Maol from him, if you choose to kill Cloyd, Leilara will be a little bit upset about your decision, arguing that it would be better if you let him live so that she could gather more information about Maol's mission.

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Group Storyline Quest #15 - Kindrick Mates (Manuela)

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The strange message, delivered via arrow, said there is an enemy of the Inquisition waiting to strike in Brand Ashkal'ech, it said to search the market, cafe, and docks for things that are green. This was the quest where you could recruit Manuela. After the battle with the templar-warriors in the mission 'Ongoing Enemy', when the Insector first enters the city of Brand Ashkal'ech, an arrow will be fired into the ground near the Griffin, which is remarked upon by Cvallach, this arrow has a note attached to it. The note says, that you're special, and this person wants to help that he/she can bring everyone, that there's a baddie in Brand's city and he heard that he wants to hurt you, that you needs to have a search for the green things in the market, the docks, and 'round the cafe, and maybe you'll meet him first, and to bring swords.
You are tasked with locating four hidden green handkerchiefs hidden around the Medwyn Big Shop Center in Brand Ashkal'ech, the docks are located through the gate behind Holy Lady Aedara the item is at the back on the right, x is to the immediate left of the northern section of the area, the item is on the ground between the tables, the upper market is accessed using the fast travel doors, using the door nearest the cafe select the upper level and choose the inner of the two doors, the correct level has yellow doors instead of green, the item is to the right.
The three clues put together reveal that you are being watched and followed, you now have a location on the world map, a key to access it, and a time to be there, you reach there at night, and will be immediately ambushed, having to fight four mercenaries and an archer on the higher floor, past the green door, a masked noble shoots fireballs at you, as he is posturing, but before he can say much, Manuela appears and kills him with an arrow to the face, after a short conversation, four more mercenaries appear and attack you, after you kill them, Manuela introduces herself and says that she is a member of the group called Kindrick Mates, and that she wishes to join the Insection. At this point, the Insector can ask her if she will provide noble allies, spies, or soldiers, after a little more banter, you can choose whether or not to accept her into the Insection, you'll receive another Insection text entry.

[Nephara]

Nephara 4-1 St. Saratoga
(4-3-3) 20 - Tsattalios; 2 - Koehler, 5 - Konoval (18 - Brymora 68'), 6 - Scharner, 3 - Lohengrin; 8 - Tarashaj (15 - Misidjan 59'), 4 - Rainsford (c, 23 - Crowley 75'), 14 - Gosforth; 7 - Szalai, 17 - Stavanger, 21 - Amokachi
Goal: Szalai 8', Stavanger 19', 72', Lohengrin 56'

Euryale Katsanevas was a nervous woman. But then, she had every reason to be - she'd just been offered the ultimate poisoned chalice by a terrifying woman surrounded by conspicuously unarmed men.
She was going to be the Chief Minister of Pravenna. The figurehead and symbol of its lost independence.
She hadn't really been anyone, before the war. She'd been studying economics abroad when Pravenna was invaded, and prudently decided to keep her head down and write essays from the safe distance of Sabrefell. They had, curse everything, caught on.
Sure, she loved the old country. But she also liked first-world comforts, and the lack of a dictator. Besides, Pravenna was only the country with the second- most Pravennans these days, given how many others had taken the same path as her. The Hellenic influx in Nephara had swelled to become a substantial and recognised minority these days.
Nephara was, of course, Pravenna's conquerers from years gone by, back when they needed external things to fight to stop collapsing in on itself. In more civilised times, they'd let Pravenna go free and decide its own path.
Alexa Mitroglou, Hellenic-Nepharim herself, didn't bat an eyelid telling Katsanevas what happened next.
"And, of course, when Nephara turned its back, Pravenna elected a man who immediately became a military dictator."
Katsanevas swallowed. Where she was a soft, heavyset academic, Mitroglou was lean and seemingly cut from glass. She'd recently been shot during a speech, and continued speaking. Not someone to fuck around with. "Yes, Margravine."
"Ahh, Margravine..." Mitroglou sighed, and theatrically inspected her nails. "Do you know where the title comes from, Minister?"
"Feudal, isn't it?"
"It originates from the term for a marcher lord, and in the city-state period, every lord was on someone's march. Constant fighting. And then the biggest and hardest one of them, Rook Aries, managed to unite them all by force - he became the last Margrave standing. Somehow, the title never really died down, and times like these remind me of those militaristic duties. We let Pravenna go, and it fell to metaphorical and then literal ruin."
Katsanevas shifted in her seat, which creaked. "So... direct control, then?"
"Yeah." That was the other thing about Mitroglou - she didn't speak like a politician. Practically no Nepharim did - Nepharim politicians who spoke like politicians were unelectable.
"You aren't... you aren't going to annex us, right?"
Mitroglou snorted. "'Us?' You've been living in Sabrefell for the past six years. But no, annexation would... no, that wouldn't be right. No, Pravenna will rise again as a nation from the ashes of the Sameban conquest, and Nephara will crush the Sameban remnants hiding away in Augustinople. I do not intend to spare any expense in rebuilding Pravenna, or reforming it. And, yes, you will be its Chief Minister, and I would imagine take a key part in those reforms."
"But... but..."
"Yes?" Mitroglou looked terminally short on patience.
"Why me?" Katsanevas asked helplessly. "I'm not even a politician!"
"Pravenna has no politicians," Mitroglou snapped. "There was nothing for them to politic. Augustine had a small handful of advisors, one or two of whom have managed to survive, but would you really leave the country in their hands again? No, you at least know the theory, and from what I can tell you're intelligent and sane. And young. Young's got what my PR guy insistently refers to as 'good optics', but I just prefer symbolism."
"Eh?"
"Rebirth, and all."
"Oh."
Mitroglou opened her mouth again, but something beeped, and one of her bodyguards nudged her, to which she nodded. "Alright, I need to go. Duty calls, as ever," she said with a rueful smile. "I'll be leaving you with more of my people who'll run you through all you need to know - we'll stay in touch."
"Alright." Katsanevas vaguely remembered that at least at the start of the conversation she'd felt like she'd had some control of the title. But, as the head of state of Nephara and her protectorate's figurehead rose and shook hands, Katsanevas figured it could always be worse.
After all, at least she'd written her last bloody thesis.

NEPHARIM NATIONAL TEAM SELECTION - FORTNIGHT 7
Goalkeepers: 1 - Gideon Fletcher (AFC Treason), 12 - Justinian Hargrave (Starling), 20 - Apostolos Tsattalios (Phalanx AF, CEN)
Defenders: 2 - Mirko Koehler (Starling), 3 - Sieglinde Lohengrin (Crisisbless), 5 - Dieter Konoval (KT Moreazerua, AUD), 6 - Malachite Scharner (Jungle Strike, VIL), 18 - Danijel Brymora (Brinemouth), 19 - Isidra Jeurissen (Coret Hawks), 22 - Diedrich Frostmarris (Molsbik Arkjet, SEM)
Midfielders: 4 - Tanith Rainsford (Mâ Âlâmëómë, FFD, c), 8 - Vedran Tarashaj (AFC Treason), 14 - Konrad Gosforth (Mâ Âlâmëómë, FFD), 15 - Ursula Rowan (Cassandra City, COS), 16 - Jade Irwin (Cornellians, SCT), 23 - Helmut Chilmark (Duke of the North, PAS)
Forwards: 7 - Adnan Szalai (Ulsa, EUR), 9 - Estrella Hawke (Starling), 10 - Avila Wardenier (Sabrefell Athletic), 11 - Raquel Naeher (Cartagena Desert Foxes, OSR), 13 - Andrea Bereveskos (Sabrefell Athletic), 17 - Dragan Stavanger (Tannenberg FC, VLD), 21 - Penumbra Amokachi (Eastweald, COS)

SCHEDULE
Bye
Nephara 1-1 Darmen @ Phoenix Rise (Corvistone)
St. Saratoga 0-4 Nephara
Nephara 2-3 Tveidalen @ The Iron Hill (Vermillion)
Mercedini 0-0 Nephara
Nephara 4-0 Sargossa @ The Gauntlet (Treason)
Makongo 0-1 Nephara
Nephara 1-1 Starblaydia @ Farham Arena (Sabrefell)
Yuezhou 0-1 Nephara
Friendly: Cosumar 1-3 Nephara
Darmen 1-1 Nephara
Nephara 4-1 St. Saratoga @ Godswatch (Crisisbless)
Tveidalen vs. Nephara
Nephara vs. Mercedini @ Farham Arena (Sabrefell)
Sargossa vs. Nephara
Nephara vs. Makongo @ Portsgate (Brinemouth)
Starblaydia vs. Nephara
Nephara vs. Yuezhou @ Phoenix Rise (Corvistone)

[Oontaz Dert Li Ng]

                         ESHAN 4 - 2 OONTAZ
VAN CIAVATINNI (30', 47', 64')       DIMAINTINDIHAN (49')
                BAUDELIO (37')       ESTEVEZ (90+4')

OLASTOR 0 - 1 OONTAZ
              DIMACATARUNGAN (80')

OONTAZ 0 - 3 THE HOLY EMPIRE
             COMNENO (31')
             SPHRANTZES (56')
             ATTALIATES (79')

      EASTFIELD LODGE 4 - 2 OONTAZ
    DRENAS (20', 45')       ZULFIKAR (66')
THE DOCTOR (39', 70')       YA'AKOVI (90+2' pen)

---

In case you can't tell, this is an IC response to THE's World Cup Lies. Feel free to dismiss it as the random ramblings of a mundie or whatever you wish. Also, can you tell that I don't have a lot of time on my hands?

CRESCENT NEWS NETWORK
SPORTS CHANNEL - OFFICIAL WEBSITE
ABANHFLEFT • PRIDNESTROVIA • OONTAZ • COPPER CUPRUM • TRENDSTART • FHULGHAMOUS PENINSULA

AN OPEN LETTER TO THE MAMMOTH COMPENDIUM OF WORLD CUP LIES
By Abdulmecid Macasaysayan

It is difficult to know where to start when a certain sports journalist (e.g. yours truly) has been accused of mental illness and sexual deviancy by a publication which doesn't lend itself much to credibility itself (e.g. the Mammoth Compendium of World Cup Lies. The nature of these accusations is of the kind which I in my ten years of working as a journalist for CNN Sports and its parent network Crescent News Network has never received until now. These accusations are of a nature which I have not encountered before as, while they are of the "your journalism sucks, go home to whatever it is you actually do" type, they do come from the beings which populated this near-mythical Dreamed Realm, of which the more things one learns, the more the Dreamed Realm becomes a confusing environment in which to commit journalism as I have been taught to do. Then again, I am but a mere mortal, a "mundane" or "mundie" as the citizens of the Holy Empire and the writers of the Mammoth Compendium of World Cup Lies call the likes of me.

But what am I to do, anyway? When I was studying journalism in college I was taught to present things as they are, as they happened, without embellishments. And as my match reports to CNN Sports will attest, I have attempted to do that as much as possible with regards to the people of the Holy Empire and the Dreamed Realm. For the first game at the Hippodrome, I saw only the lone goal from Iago Sphrantzes. Now, I am not disputing that the Holy Empire actually won that game 6-1 as the Mammoth Compendium of World Cup Lies attests but could it be possible, nay, even probable, that I only saw one of the six goals scored by the Holy Empire against the glorious Sultanate of Oontaz? I wouldn't put it past myself as I am but a mere "mundie" in the eyes of the Dreamed Realm's inhabitants. Perhaps they did score five other goals which my five "mundane" senses did not witness. The only thing I can say is that the match officials were also "mundanes" by the Dreamed Realm's standards and therefore recorded only the one goal which I and the other Oontaznik fans which attended the game also witnessed. Ah, but such is life in the Dreamed Realm. And this doesn't take into account the one goal which the Mammoth Compendium of World Cup Lies claims we scored against their supposedly 110-foot-tall goalkeeper. Yes, Oren Ya'akovi may have a surfeit of self-confidence but surely he knows whether he actually managed to score a goal against such opposition? Well, perhaps he scored this goal in one of the dimensions which only the people of the Dreamed Realm can perceive.

The point I am trying to make is that I am but a mere "mundie" journalist, unable to perceive all the other dimensions in which the Holy Empire scored 6-1 at the Hippodrome and then probably something insane and ludicrous like 1280-540 at the Sultan Abubakar International Stadium (when did the game suddenly turn into Quidditch of all sports anyway?). I merely report what I see, the facts which I can physically confirm with the senses afforded to me. Oh, and to close out this letter, I really don't want to say this but I would probably believe your publication and not see it, as you quite eloquently put my works into words, "a tissue of slanderous lies," if you folks would consider a name change (maybe drop the lies part and we'll be good, but if lies is your main source then who am i to judge?).

Abdulmecid Macasaysayan is an Oontaznik-born journalist currently working for Crescent News Network and its affiliate CNN Sports. He is a graduate of the University of Santa Magdalena in Mereilles, Ceneisis Province and has been reporting on current events and sports for over ten years. He has his own disaster preparedness show on Crescent TV and is also the chief Oontaznik football pundit of CNN Sports. He currently lives in Manitogoro, Oontaz with his trusty computer and laptop for company.

[Savojarna]

Sjoedrhavn, The Imperial Palace, 11. March 1909

In the cabinet room of the Imperial Palace, the elite of Savojarna was surrounding a table. Everyone had a bunch of papers in front of them, reporting the troubles in most major towns of the Empire. Sjoedrhavn had always been more of a trade and political centre than an industrial town, and it was less hit by the strikes than Ejana, Jarnstad, Thorsborg or Virkaja, but it was not exactly peaceful either. The Emperor Gustav XII. had threatened dissolving the Parliament and calming the mood by re-election, a move that was highly threatening to the rest of the men on the table. While some of them, younger ministers or members of government not directly concerned with the crisis, were still hoping for glory in a new, more centrist government, the PM Pal Gustavsson was almost certain to lose his post in this case. Even if his party was in for another win, highly unlikely at this point, they would hardly decide to risk their popularity with running Gustavsson yet again.

The Emperor, on the other hand, was facing pressure himself. He had become an unpopular symbol for the way things were, and how things had been. This may have been largely unfair - after all, Gustav XII. had very little political power and could not claim much responsibility for the status quo even if he had wanted to - but fairness was of little concern when it came to holding off a counter-revolution. He knew the stakes for himself: A success of the revolt would likely be the end of Savojar monarchy. A reform meant that he may keep his post, even if it was possibly with the loss of his last bit of power, making him truly a figurehead only rather than the constitutional monarch he was right now, bound by laws, public expectations and the parliament, but able to influence daily politics in cases of emergency like right now. But the worst thing for him would have been the violent actions that Gustavsson suggested. If the PM got his way, the King was going to be very unpopular, and he would not even be granted the option to move away into exile, he feared.

The PM looked at a tall man who did not feature the signature beards of the other men, but a massive moustache and a blue uniform with multiple medals. "Royman", he said, looking at his minister of defence, "how many men could you give me in Thorsborg?" The minister, who had been a lifelong companion and friend of Gustavsson, gave an answer that let the PM's mouth fall open. "None. I will not be held responsible for war", he said, looking at the silent man opposite him. "Pal! These are Savojar citizens! Do you want to be the man that brought civil war back to this nation, centuries after the last time Savojars shot at each other? They are armed! I am not, never, ever, sending my soldiers against my own citizens", he said into the face of Gustavsson. The Prime Minister paled, having realised that his days were over. He could die in the revolution, or he could lose his post in elections. He would face a trial for the actions in Kjefla, in Russica, for all the violence he had brought over the nation and that he intended to bring over it, for the glory of Savojarna.

Gustav XII. breathed deeply. He knew about the problems his country was facing. Hundreds of workers had died in Kjefla two weeks before. In Storevik, the streets were burning and the country had come to a standstill. He could not hold on to his position at this point in time, could he? He called for his secretary, who brought him a prepared paper declaring new elections that the King signed and sealed, before handing it back to the secretary to take it to the Parliament. Gustavsson followed the secretary out, storming out of the room. For a second, the men of the Cabinet feared that he may attempt to attack the secretary and take the paper away from him.

But the PM knew about the futility of such a move. He took another turn, walking down the hallway, out of the castle and, under police escort, into the PM's Office. Pal Gustavsson, 59 years old, of Landsmark in Vestrholm, the Prime Minister of the Empire of Savojarna, sat in his office reaching into a drawer. Carefully unwrapping a cloth, he took out a revolver. He breathed in and out, then held his breath as he lifted the revolver up. The room was largely silent, when suddenly protestors passed the building. "FREEDOM FOR SAVOJARNA! DOWN WITH THE GOVERNMENT!", the protestor shouted. Much more fittingly than the young men ever could have assumed, it was the last thing that the Prime Minister heard before he pulled the trigger.