Greater Díenstad News Feed

by **AHSCA** » Mon Aug 02, 2021 4:08 pm

United Island Office of Culture and Information (UNICIM)

Tuesday 03 August 2021

Duchess Remains

by: Yuri Saiki, Political Correspondent

AURORA - On Sunday the first, Senator Setsuko Fujihara (AHSCA-CP, Aurora) and Senator Kiri Whatitiri (NLP, Hoshino) brought to the floor, Articles of Impeachment against Duchess Marcella Villa, the first in the short history of this nation. The Aurora Senator's first artcile charged the Duchess with Abuse of trust, Abuse of Power, Dereliction of Duty and Loss of Trust among the people, largely stemming from the recent diplomatic incident with the Sultanate of Kyrenaia, while Senator Whatitiri filed a simple Abuse of Power with her article. Despite having different motives, the two senators stood firm in their common goal of wishing to remove the Duchess from power though some questions remained about whom would take the throne should the vote prove successful, it seemed Senator Pacifica (UIP, Corona) settled on returning the title back to her mother, former Duchess Shino Nanao-Villa, as steward until such time Princess Gisella could take the mantle, presumabley. The question was raised by the Hoshino senator but under parliamentry procedure for an Impeachement and/or No Confidence vote, these matters can not be taken up.

This might be an important distinction to make note of for readers abroad who may be unfamiliar with the UIS, the UIS lacks any kind of judicial review like some countries may have, but I must admit as this author I lack enough knowledge to know how common or not such process is. The idea of any judicary system remains such a new concept only having come about in the last decade or so. But that's a history lesson for another day, what the point is, this lingering question has to be sorted by the government or legislature as there's no other body to address it. We'll have to wait and see if this changes.

The Proceedings

At noon, the legislature formally convened to begin the proceedings of the impeachment. All Senators and State leaders and the Duchess herself were present, thus it would seem everyone was eager to hear this case out. The charging senators began their arguments, starting with Senator Fujihara of Aurora going down her list of complaints, focused entirely upon the diplomatic incidents surronding the breaking of the alliance with Kyrenaia. Perhaps most scathing of all was the Senator's choice to bring up the now infamous Princess Letter, the letter notably published across all major media outlets in the UIS and in Kyrenaia, wherein the Princess Aurelia bint-Damir discussed with Emperor Thomas Cärrino of Brettenwald confessed she had doubts regarding The Duchess' compentence in handling not only this matter but the country itself~ A letter from the Abetton Prince Linely Latimer was also brought up as "an empty flattering statement thrown around" followed by a rebuttle by Mahmut al-Zahir that largely echoed the same sentiments. (You can read these letters on Page 11). Truly, Senator Fujihara pulled no punches with her arguments getting as deep into the grit of things as she could.

After Senator Fujihara, Senator Whatitiri took up the stand to begin her arguments. Her arguments were more policy focused, beliving the Duchess is overstepping her bounds by instituting several policies such as a mandated education and instituting a judicial system. Describing herself as "old school" no doubt continuing her everyman old conservative from the good old days she ran upon in her campaign last year. Her argument was considerably brief compared to the Aurora Senator only to be occasionally interrupted by the rolling thunder that was really going through the day and into the evening hours.

Finally, it was now Duchess Villa's turn as she spoke openly, admitting mistakes were made and that she probably did act hastily but swore to do better. Duchess too seemed to appeal on some of the conservative ideas citing the past such events would be dueled over. Her message seemed largely they will agree to disagree but will not apologize for thinking the way she did. Though the Duchess has made a private apology to the Sultana, final results remain to be seen. Her Highness was also brief in her arguments leaving it at that and finally the arguments closed and a brief recess before resuming after 6 PM. The vote commenced with from Congress, Four Senators voted for change, Senators Fujihara and Whatitiri of course in favor with Piripi Marmatua (NLP, Hoshino) and Edvard Capulet (UIP, Stillestando). Five Senators, Kyouka Kubota (UIP, Aurora), Anya Strum (NLP, Stillestando), Pacifica (UIP, Corona), Kaede Shuichi (UIP, Animalpolis) and Kurlino Ueda, (UIP, Animalpolis), Stood with the Duchess, while Senator Miela (NLP, Corona) abstained feeling reason was had on Article A but not on Article B. Recall that impeachment is all or nothing for removal, and the Senator said she would have otherwise entertained sanctions of some kind as opposed to outright removal. In the vote among the states, no state leader voted for change while all but one, stood with the Duchess, General Zwei Strum of Stillestando abstained from the vote.

With this final outcome Duchess Villa remains for time to come as AHSCA's regining Duchess, having now made it through her first major trial of her rule in her first half-decade of holding the title. With some hard lessons learned, some are hoping to see her grow from this experience. Her Highness took a moment to speak to us after the vote, "I am relieved. I understand what drove some to be concerned that I might not be worthy of holding the crown, I've often thought that myself, but facing this has affirmed that I know I want this, That I want to rule this country now and until I'm not longer willing or able." And I asked Her Majesty about the senators who charged her and those who voted against her, "I stand by what I said I would do in my argument, I will serve and love all people in my nation, even those who stood against me today. I learned my hard lessons from my dealings with the Sultana and Kyrenaia, so now I will conduct myself better going forward. A mistake made a lesson learned." That said, the Duchess has said she will not preside over the remaining session of Congress for the year choosing to quietly continue to conduct business from the confines of her office. Senator Pacifica has said she might end the session early but still wants to see in regards to that matter.

Senators Fujihara and Whatitiri expressed great disappointment for not getting the votes they needed. "We knew it was a long shot," Senator Fujihara said, "All I could do was hope that they would heed my arguments. I stand by what I said and have no regrets about it."

"Sadly I think the fault lies in the large hurdle" Senator Whatitiri said "Perhaps in the time to come we can Amend the Constitution to change the standards for removal but for now I think my colleague and me will move on to other matters that concern our state constituents."

With the festival and rainy season ahead, it may be time for the wounds of this past couple of moths to heal but for now it seems the push to remove the Duchess is over.

by **-Itailia-** » Mon Aug 02, 2021 7:57 pm

Annion Perhallas elected as Archon, overcoming especially long odds
Senator Perhallas wins the special run-off to break the deadlock on the Archon election, beating heavily favored former Senator Rihtar
Gnaeus Tanicius Vopiscus (@Gnaeus Tanicius Vopiscus)(TH)
^{Last Seed 2, 3E11 1:00 PM | Ebonaervon, Aman}

Ebonaervon, Itailia(Herald) — After the original Archon election ended in a deadlock, with none of the four major candidates reaching the required 51% or greater share of the vote, the Imperial Elections Office has announced they have finished the required verification process of the special runoff between the three candidates with the highest share of the original total, which was Lucius Sorenus Bellatus (Senator, Nos Lestramos) with 34% of the vote, Annion Perhallas (Senator, National Alliance Party) who had 21% and Senator Rihtar [National Conservatives] with 20% of the vote, and Senator Annion Perhallas received the supermajority percentage of the freshly placed votes, with the polls closing last Friday with 76% of eligible voters estimated to have placed votes, and Perhallas won handily with 64% of them, trouncing Bellatus and Rihtar both of whom were anticipated to perform much more favorably.

Annion Perhallas will become just the second Archon since the Great Sundering, replacing outgoing Gaius Caius who served for nearly eleven years which is the longest in the modern history of the position. Caius, whom announced he was retiring from politics and an active lifestyle in the wake of a stroke from a few months prior, had famously refused to sponsor any from his own National Conservatives party, whom had previously enjoyed a very comfortable measure of control within the Senate. However, a change in senatorial rules and losses in key provinces saw their control slip in a routine election two months following Caius's announcement, and a leadership scramble ensued. In the wake of it, two heavyweight frontrunners had emerged, Lucius Sorenus Bellatus who was one of the more recently senior Senators within the Nos Lestramos faction, while he had never enjoyed a high-ranking position within the Senate due to the NC's tight control, he had forged a well-established reputation for being a tough, yet honest character, traits that have recently had more appeal than ever in the wake of the Treasury scandal last fall that saw several high ranking officials, including nearly every senior Praetor, indicted on corruption and fraud charges. His time in the Legion also served to help him seem popular among the traditional support base of the NC, but he was opposed by Rihtar Vollamos, a veteran Senator of 18 years who had weaved several powerful alliances and already in the early months secured a number of important public sponsorships. A third, Brutus Mellatus, had gained some traction as the only stark liberal among the bunch, at least until Annion Perhallas announced their candidacy. Only brought on after a very public endorsement from popular National Conservatives-Senator Mamercus Iuventius Sabinus, who is a household name within the Curia's halls, Perhallas quickly stole limelight from his competitors with highly publicized speeches, where he launched a number of arguments attacking the previous Archonship's decisions, namely blaming them for the seemingly ever-present stagnancy that had set in after the recovery efforts from the Sundering had ended, either because they were completed or funding ran out. He also pointed out the Empire was growing increasingly irrelevant on the wider geopolitical scale, let alone on the "home" Western Dienstadi front, despite joining a number of large alliances such as the CCA.

Perhallas's proposed reforms are quite controversial, even by the tamest efforts. One of his largest is aimed at addressing, and correcting, what led to the corruption scandal in the Treasury and is summarized by himself and his staff as a complete overhaul of the country's financial scheme and system, namely in the efforts to streamline regulations and allow freer, and easier trade while also eliminating wasteful government overr-reach. One of his most talked about points would be the streamlining of the tax codes, particularly regarding the relationship and difference between Imperial provinces, and the ten colonies. Under his reforms, the current duties and tariffs charged to the colonies would be completely eliminated, and instead a tax bracket system implemented that would be nearly the same as those made by Imperial citizens within the home provinces. Staunch conservative Senators have decried this effort as "extremely harmful" to the future of the government, especially with trade income decreasing within the last three years and is anticipated to continue into a forth as large regional wars come to an end and the prior demand for basic war materials is now closed. Perhallas, and his allies, argue that the reforms would instead benefit the government, and would not result in a loss of revenue as opponents claim but instead greater stability in the future, both indirectly by improving the colonies' economic base as with the lack of tariffs and duties there would be less overhead for businesses there, and encourage growth which would provide for a wider tax base which under the proposed reforms would mean more tax revenue.

In addition to his proposed economical reforms, Perhallas has suggested increasing the size of the Imperial Legion, suggesting that the force should increase recruitment efforts to reach five million personnel by 3E20, which would return it to pre-Sundering levels; currently, the Legion sits at its smallest size at just over two million total personnel, although the Auxilia Civitas has ballooned in recent years as it exceeded 2 million personnel last year marking the first time in history it was near-equal or greater in size when compared to the Legion, though this is expected to have been a temporary burst brought on by the talks of dissolution of the controversial Colonial Defense Force; it is largely due to this, with the Legion now more and more being garrisoned abroad in colonies and foreign postings that the new Archon suggests that a drastic increase is required. Paramount to whether this rapid expansion would be detrimental to the force or not would be the input of Magna Imperatoria Legatus Eruvilui i Hîr Bennion nos-Pangon, who by tradition would have his term expire this year, but is often viewed externally as the core of the Legion itself, being it's most veteran and successful commander in the last century; if the new Archon wanted to rely on his continued service, they would need to convince the Senate to waive the traditional requirement for mandatory retirement at 65, which Bennion would trigger this year. A large expansion of this magnitude would not be without recent precedent as under the outgoing administration, a massive expansion and overhaul of the Imperial Navy and Air Force was initiated four years ago by Archon Caius and has seen more then 10 trillion dollars and a further 2 million personnel added to both branches.

His ascension to the Archonship will not be without foreign challenges, the Shekana question remains as reports of increasingly disturbing brutality at the hands of military dictator/Chancellor Abbudin Mas'ud Touma come out of Shekana with each growing day, and a growing tide within the Senate chambers for the Empire to intervene in their former colony and return it to the fold, or restore order. Additionally, the Golden Throne fresh off the conclusion of several massive wars in central Dienstad and abroad has now turned its gaze to the western parts of the region, and the situation between Istola and its former colonial possessions grows more tenous with the day, with reports of late with escalating aerial engagements, and the Fedelans have announced a new military base within the region which a number of Senators have protested. Additionaly, violence has cropped up in nearby Tupioca as a bomb was ignited at the Royal Grand Station in downtown Midat, killing and injuring hundreds; a number of Senators have individually pledged funds to the recovery effort and offered their prayers for the affected, the government at large as remained silent on the event and relations with the nation are unexplored, this could potentially present a fresh opportunity for Archon Perhallas. The Empire will wait with strangled breath as the new Archon takes his office later today, and a new chapter in the Empire's history begins.

Gnaeus Tanicus Vopiscus contributed to this article.

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by **Holy Marsh** » Fri Aug 06, 2021 11:17 pm

Educational Review Finished: Massive Structural Changes Authorized

Mar'si, Romani-Mar'si Union- Arch-Bishop Luboski, in a joint document signed by relevant department heads and the leaders of several Shrines, announced the findings of the educational review and the changes coming to Marshite education in the immediate future.
School hours will be reduced from their current 12-hour days to 8-hour days. Students are heavily encouraged to attend after school programs as well as specialist Shrine education courses, though that time is their own. School days will be reduced from 6 to 5, and a month-long layoff in the summer has been introduced. Classes on specific Shrines have been removed from the general timed schedules in order to focus on applicable subjects regardless of region or Shrine. The net result is a loss of over a thousand hours of schooling annually, though the encouragement for specialized programs and Shrine education will make up some of it.

In order to deal with the deficit, the new school system will utilize a more student-oriented system of education. The Caste System has been removed. In it's place, students will receive specialized education for positions they either actively wish to pursue and/or show great skill in. Starting at the age of 13, these students will be separated from the general populace and placed into schools that can more properly focus on producing a skilled workforce. While a loss in general knowledge is somewhat expected, the growth in other areas is considered a net positive.

All of this specialized education does lead to a problem wherein too many differing scholastic systems could potentially teach disunified philosophy in non-Shrine schools. As such, Student-Mentors and Graduate-Mentors will be introduced to ensure student bodies are directed properly. These do not exist in specialized Shrine schools or programs but will exist in both general education and specialized education schools. The Mentorship program requires both philosophical training and on-the-job experience, where a Student-Mentor will observe her fellow classmates and help motivate them. Graduate-Mentors will hold sway over the Student-Mentors and also work with faculty to ensure that their teaching methods bring forth effective educational development.

In order to support a number of programs in the RMU regarding education, the new educational system is encouraging foreign students and teachers to come to the Theocracy as well as sending Marshite students and teachers abroad. This is part of a greater focus on internationalizing Marshites from a young age, especially in regards to RMU countries, in order to promote a wider outlook. This closely follows discussions with Solisia, who is expected to take advantage of this program first and at great amounts. Indeed, the first gew exchanges have already been planned with the Solisian Union.

This new educational system will go into effect later this year, with most major Shrines and a cabal of Citizen-AI ensuring the system is in place as quickly and efficiently as possible.

by **Holy Marsh** » Sat Aug 07, 2021 12:53 pm

Marshites in AHSCA Make Moves

Animalpolis, UIS -Sareyah Ustabane is one of a great number of Marshites in Animalpolis who remembers The Shift with increasing vagueness. "I was human, once," said the two-meter tall panther lady. "And a man," she added as an afterthought. Of course by Marshite reckoning, Sareyah is still a male- a Marshite male. But in AHSCA, she and many others like her were classified immediately as female. "Was I upset?" She asked, tapping her chin in thought as her coffee roasted away in her paws, "I don't believe I was. Truth be told, even if I was, it wouldn't have mattered then and it doesn't now. I am who I am," she shrugged as she nodded to her fellows. Flanked on both sides by Marshites of similar stylings, of similar beliefs, and of wildly dissimilar views on Marshism in AHSCA.

Marshism came to this island country some time ago, though it meshed so easily and readily with dominant faiths in the region that it sometimes went uncounted. For years they grew before officially staking their claim. By then, they had become known to locals as hardworking people of good moral fiber and excellent values of courage and community bonding, even if they were also considered eccentric. The bonds between Marshites and other Islanders have only ever grown tighter since then. Unlike in many places where faiths collide, Marshism and the dominant faith of the islands (Madokamisim) have never had any real friction between them. The Sun Shrine and Moon Shrine of AHSCA both wholesale integrate with the native faith while the near entirety of Marshites on the islands are polytheists and recognize the divinity of native Goddesses. "We've never had so much as a single issue with the Madokist Church and Her people, and they with us. We're intertwined in most ways. The differences are purely window dressing. As far as I'm concerned, I live in a nation of Marshites," Ustabane continued.

Indeed, she is not the only one to hold a similar view. A small but vocal proponent of Marshites on the islands have long proposed the ascent of the UIS into the Romani-Mar'si Union, claiming that Madokamisim is simply another form of Marshism. While this view is not quite that popular, the underlying sentiment is well received. Relations between the two nations have always been warm and the Theocratic public, while less than informed as to the nature of most of AHSCA, do correctly view it as a 'kindly nation of good character'. This is agreed as truth by all three present. "This place is golden. I have lived here my whole life and will be happy to die here and join it in death," Ustabane spoke proudly when informed of the Theocratic perception.

The fact that the nation is so well thought of is perhaps why Marshites took to their Shift decisions so readily. Most became Non-Human- which led a surge of internal movement towards Animalpolis- and all were declared female. It was a rough few weeks of paperwork to have it settled but very few official complaints were lodged. "To describe me as happy at the time would be an understatement," added Stacey Dercia. Unlike Sareyah, Stacey is and always has been female. As a radical member of the Female Shrine, she saw The Shift as the truest sign of her Shrine's greatness and rightness. Indeed, the Female Shrine's resurgence was felt here as well. A few years Post-Shift, the Female Shrine, Sun Shrine, Moon Shrine, Non-Human Shrine, and Commune Shrine came together to form the United Marshites of AHSCA, or UMA. The UMA is the dominant political and religious organization of Marshism in the UIS and was officially blessed by both the Martyr Lainika and Arch-Bishop Luboski. Other Shrines still exist but outside of their walls, the UMA dominates.

It was the UMA that discovered quickly that after the UIS government had decided to classify all Marshites as female that male births stopped completely. "Not a single male has been born to a Marshite since that day, only the Chosen. That proved a second miracle," Stacey said excitedly. "That gave us all the ammunition we needed to put pressure on the Shifted to fully embrace the gifts of the Holy Marsh and transition in whole to the Chosen form. When The Shift occurred, 48% of Marshites in this land were not suited to be Chosen. Between the years of proper births and those who have accepted full transition, only 10% remain," she slowed into a more practised form, "it is, of course, their choice. But whether it happens now or in seventy years, we will finally be a fully formed people."

There is little doubt about that. Of course, that has created a demographic issue. While Marshites in other lands have a wide array of options for procreation that would not require active male participation, the Marshites of UIS do not. "We always valued our more...primitive, state," Ustabane chimed in. It is easy enough to see looking at her, covered with charms and thin cloth and little else, even if she looks out of place in a coffee shop. "We have the System, but that is by religious law, and only for medical practices of a dire nature. That is, perhaps, why few non-Marshites were Shifted," she adds with a wry laugh. Many non-Marshites used the medical system across the world and were thus Shifted: The same was not true of AHSCA. "So we did the only thing we could do. We saw a problem, and we solved the problem," Dercia replied with no small amount of sternness to it. Her lack of humor about it is somewhat understandable, for the answer was one that at first may seem debasing.

"Brothelwork is legal in UIS, and excellent for someone to produce a child. Since the Shrine is more than happy to raise a child, it becomes a near guilt free method of population growth," spoke Danielle Erusic, UIS official in Animalpolis and a Marshite convert, transitioned and mother of four. "Four plus," she corrects as she gently taps her growing midsection. The UMA has created programs throughout the nation for Marshite women to work in brothels, or try to matchmake with couples looking for extra members to do things that the others won't. "Sex is sex is sex, but a life is eternal. When you get past that first hurdle, you soon realize that any temporary issues you have pale in comparison to the lives you create. It is no wonder that it has become an expectation that you spend at least some time there. It led to a shortfall in other positions for a short while, but it has all picked back up. Very successful," she ends, beaming at the prospect of another new life.

And there is truth to the idea that a large selection of Marshites focusing on procreative activities for a while would lead to certain shortfalls in other jobs. Marshites are well known for being law enforcement officials and sailors, as well as having cornered the market on sanitation engineering for bathhouses. While Marshites can be found of any and all occupations, the common stereotypes are the Panthera officer, the Tigris sailor, and the young attendant. Even now in Animalpolis Marshites are overrepresented in large degrees in law enforcement and it is a state of affairs that has grown, not shrunk, over time. "I remember only one person ever complaining about it," Ustabane tried to remember more but failed- "Oh, there were a small number of complaints. Not against any specific officer, but there was some concern that it was a slow move for political power," the UIS official responded with a back-pawed wave. "Nonsense."

For the most part, yes. Marshites aren't apolitical per se but were rarely galvanized towards any great political action, favoring stability and harmony among the islanders. "Militancy has it's place but that place isn't here," Dercia replied confidently, and she is right to say so. A peaceful island chain with warm people, Marshites have rarely had cause to get involved politically. Indeed, most political schools rarely come up in the UMA approved shrine schools, academies of high learning and likewise that are well respected but nonetheless remain separate from general services. That isn't to say that Marshites do not vote. Indeed, they tend to vote in very high numbers. Instead, it is mostly that they relied on some basic Shrine guidance and instruction and otherwise did not form or organize.

"Those days are past us, now. The UIS faces new challenges, both internally and externally. As Marshites, united we can wield power and influence to help this nation. We cannot afford to shirk our responsibility any longer. Or else, we'll be represented by someone like Georgie," the former UIS official laughs, though the other two can't help but hold their heads in their paws.
"Nice enough chap but...what were the qualifications there? The support structure? Honestly, it was kind of embarrassing," the official continues. He is not alone. The UMA has recently formed a political party to represent Marshite interests: The Marshite Action Party, or MAP. In areas such as Animalpolis it is expected to make big moves in getting its own representatives elected. However, it knows it cannot do this everywhere. "Our agenda is not necessarily to force our candidates into as many races as possible, but rather to throw our weight behind candidates who best support pro-Marshite policies. And where we believe we can field a candidate and win, we will do so if it benefits Marshites," she ends. Well enough is that taken. In some areas, Marshites and MAP are expected to either field highly competitive candidates or otherwise be major power brokers. In others, their reach is minute. Still, a small percentage of voters firmly tied to a party without a candidate and open to be swayed could prove especially potent in close election cycles.

That is what has led these three to this cafe in Animalpolis, where a large number of Marshite leaders are meeting over tea and coffee to discuss who their first political candidate to officially launch a campaign will be. Sareyah Ustabane is a former officer in the UIS military as well as a police veteran of many years. Her candidacy is predicated on her long-standing ties and loyalty to the region, with promises of maintaining the status quo of the islands socially, opening it up to sustainable development, and reinvigorating what she calls 'lax security standards'. Stacey Dercia is a radical member of the Female Shrine and the Commune Shrine, and a former highly placed official in the AHSCACP. She promotes many of the same values that the AHSCACP believes in, though as a Marshite she is 'wholly indifferent' to the style of governance as long as it reaches practical socialist ends. Danielle Erusic is considered the most traditional of the candidates as a long-time political operative for the United Island Party and broadly mixes its aims and Marshism as standard practice. They are just three of the dozens who are being vetted and the process is early- they have yet to be chosen by the party. The fact that any of them could be is a sign of how unusual MAP is.

"We aren't socalists, though we might have socialist candidates. We aren't militarists, nor progressives, nor conservatives. MAP's biggest strength is also the biggest weakness. We are issue-fixated and regionally adoptive when it comes to issues, which means it will be hard for opposition parties to launch effective negative campaigns against our structure. At the same time, it may require more work getting people to fully understand how we can have differing opinions on the issues depending on where we are. MAP's primary concern is the safety, stability, and well being of the state and her people," Dercia makes sure to interject, though the beret she wears proudly does something to dissuade a view from the 'we aren't socialists' view. "We will win not because our candidates will always win, but because our voices will always be heard, and those who are elected will have to heed them. And when our island home remains the perfect home for those like us, that will be our true victory."

by **Solisian Union** » Mon Aug 09, 2021 1:05 am

OOC- This is the first post in a reboot of the Solisian Union. The reboot is a work in progress, but consider this the first part of that process.

Long Live the Queen! Ascension of Queen Reina III!

Queen Reina III's coronation ceremony took place earlier today, marking a smooth transition into the seventh of the Azen Salamanca line. Flanked on either side by members of Her Royal Government of the People- incumbent election winner President Atalaya Rivas and Prime Minister Chiku Hidetoshi- she accepted her position formally even though informally it has been a state of affairs for some time. Queen Reina II had been grievously ill for some time and Reina III had effectively taken the reigns, with Regent Prince Hsan of Mantagonia acting as royal regent in aide as Reina III grew into her role. As such, it is not expected that the changeover to Reina III will entail too many changes.

Reina III, a woman of great height and personal strength, has been a favored member of the royal family since her birth. She took to the title of The People's First Princess well and has been seen as the face of Her Majesty's People's Government for some time, and she is beloved by the people. She is seen as the standard by which Azens are judged and has been a fierce promoter of her culture's practices. While the Azen Queendom has ruled the Solisian Union for some time, it is expected that she will to a greater extent exert Azen influence over local affairs. Her relationships with the other states of the Union ranges. The Mantagonian Kingdom has always been a close ally and her deep personal friendship with Prince Hsan has been the subject of a number of tabloids over the years. The Katerina State- known more collequaly as Marshite Solisia- led by Governess Alahana (also leader of the Female Shrine and former candidate for Arch-Bishop) has favored her greatly and that has been shared, with Marshites making up many members of her inner circle.
The Solisian Union as a single state has for ages been subservient and loyal to the Queendom, and this state exists across other provinces as well.

The Queendom has ruled the Solisian Subcontinent for some time, with the first Queen taking control over six hundred years ago. Since then it has been off and on, with the longest stretch of time with the Queendom being relegated to a regional government being from the 1830s to the year 1916. While the Solisian State and Mantagonian Kingdom were heavily opposed to rising socialist sentiment and sought to fight it, the Queendom instead threw their lot in behind it and led the movement and was able to make several changes, with the 'People's Queen' helping lead socialist and royalist forces united to victory in the Solisian Correction (1916-1919). Ever since then, the Queen has wielded absolute control but rules by the consent of the People and Her Majesty's Royal Government of the people. While the Queens have always ranged ineffectiveness of political leadership, Reina III is expected to be highly effective. Since she was young she has been described as 'powerfully persuasive' who often holds private meetings with both friends and foes and has been unusually successful in smoothing over differences. Under her leadership, it is expected that Her Majesty's Government of the People will rule effectively.
Long Live The Queen!

by **Holy Marsh** » Mon Aug 09, 2021 2:58 am

Marshites Welcome Ascenson of Queen Reina III

Mar'si, Romani-Mar'si Union - The Arch Bishop has wished to give her best wishes to Her Majesty, Queen Reina the III, and congratulates her on the successful ceremony and ascension. She has sent a personal letter immediately upon hearing of this and has reportedly 'high spirits' and 'hopes for her people,' suggesting to reporters that she may consider a visit to the Queen at a later date.

Meanwhile, Marshites have expressed their welcome for the Queen within the Holy Marsh. Even those visiting the lands of the Queen expressed their own welcome toward this young and favored member of the royal family which has dominated much of life in her Queendom and throughout the Union.

Although there are some doubts and suspicions, especially among those within the Holy Marsh who suppose that the Queen may have secret dealings with Governess Alahana, who was a former candidate for Arch-Bishop, with some of them fearing that the ambitions of both the Queen and the Governess may be dangerous to the stability of the RMU and of the relationship the Holy Marsh has currently with Her Majesty's lands.

Still, it cannot be denied that a majority are happy to see one of their oldest and most trusted allies gain a new and beloved leader officially.

Together with their ally, the Holy Marsh proclaims: Long Live The Queen!

by **Holy Marsh** » Tue Aug 10, 2021 3:31 am

Gifts for the Azen Queen

Mar'si, Romani-Mar'si Union - Out of goodwill and a wish to share to the Queen the warmth of the Holy Marsh, the Arch Bishop has announced that she shall send gifts tonight. She has revealed that she would deliver two Sparky kittens, a basket of the finest flowers from the capital, and set of ear rings along with a necklace. The Arch Bishop also stated:

"I would like to make it public that these gifts are our hopes of officially accepting with the best of intentions this new relationship which we hope to enjoy to the full. And as the Arch Bishop, it is my pleasure to wish Her Majesty, Queen Reina the III, the best of tonight as these gifts shall soon leave our lands and arrive upon her own. May she be pleased with such gifts and may she find great favor."

The Arch Bishop also stated that she shall also, later in the evening, personally call upon Her Majesty for a 'short but friendly conversation' over a secure telephone line.

by **Solisian Union** » Wed Aug 18, 2021 9:12 pm

(OOC: Collab between Solisian Union and Holy Marsh)

Arch Bishop Invited

By the grace of Her Majesty, Queen Reina III, an invitation was sent out just this morning to the Arch Bishop of the Holy Marsh. At Mar'si, the seat of the Romani-Mar'si Union, the invitation was received by the Arch Bishop herself. She has replied to Her Majesty in private that she would accept the invitation and 'shall look forward to seeing her soon.'

So far, the two leaders have become friendly to each other quickly, gaining interest in each other as well as drawing more attention to the possible future that awaits them and their states. Though reporters attempted to interview Her Majesty as soon as possible, Her Royal Government of the People has instructed that Her Majesty be not disturbed for a while so that she may speak to the Arch Bishop in private as they have done so since the first evening of their first conversation.

It is expected that Her Majesty would personally accompany the Arch Bishop on a short tour around the capital before spending the rest of the visit at her summer retreat and elsewhere within the Union, with the possibility of drawing her to see more of the Azen Queendom. Her Majesty did allow some pictures taken, and reporters have stated that Her Majesty seemed 'happy and relieved.'

Soon after this, Her Majesty took her leave so that she may spend time with herself and rest. Her guards made sure that she was left undisturbed for the rest of the day. Her Majesty stated that she would look forward to the resumption of her activities tomorrow, and has told the Arch Bishop that everything will be ready as soon as possible and that when they are, she will see to it that she is informed.

by **Eitoan** » Mon Aug 23, 2021 2:32 pm

Second Kelso Mayoral Debate
Fireworks Between Curtis, Billings

A more vigorous than expected second debate among the three candidates for Kelso mayor was in full swing today as the contenders faced off at th Press Club of Kelso. Tensions were on display early on in the opening remarks of the three, and in their rebuttals. As expected, most of the fire came from the corners of incumbent Socialist Ken Curtis and his Free Democrat challenger Alan Billings. The theme of the early statements followed the tone of the campaign to date, and continued as the panel presented questions to them subsequently. Civic Platform’s Tom Balmes took a characteristic reserved approach in his statement and in the following questioning. The debate ensued in the wake of early endorsements for the candidates, the Building Trades Council announcing for Mayor Curtis and the Hospital and Health Care Management Association voicing support for Mr. Balmes over the weekend. Early indications show Civic Platform increasing their margin in the Council by two, to 27 members of the 65 councilmen, followed by the Socialists as an estimated 20 seats, an addition of one. The mayoral preference poll shows Curtis ahead at 48%, followed by Billings at 26% and Balmes with 17%. 9% of those polled were undecided or had no preference.

The hottest issue at the debate was the Second Avenue Subway extension project, currently running four months behind schedule at a cost overrun of 15%. Mayor Curtis defended the choice of prime contractor and progress to date, citing unexpected difficulties due to late identification of a previously uncharted water main, unused since the mid 1950s. He also detailed the reasons behind restaging of excavation to reduce traffic impact on National Road 5. Mr. Billings savagely attacked the administration’s planning and execution, saying “All of this transpired since the sudden sacking of City Engineer Cochava. Why did he go? The council never received an adequate explanation? Neither did the press! He was just there one day, gone the next, and the Second Avenue went right into the dumper. Mr. Mayor, you owe Kelso and explanation!”. Sniping between the two continued vigorously until the time limit was reached, squeezing out three minutes of Mr. Balmes’ response, which was added to his time addressing the next issue.

Mr. Billings attacked Mayor Curtis on his vulnerablility to potential Communist gains on City Council. Despite the mayor’s popularity and expected Socialist performance in City Council contests, Communist candidates are concentrating heavily in several low income wards, threatening to triple it’s current council position from two to six seats. The Free Democrat standard bearer scoffed at the Mayor’s ability to stave off Communist influence in the event of significant gains by the radical leftists, noting Civic Platform’s solid hold on the council and likely retention of the Council President and City Auditor offices. Billings derided Mayor Curtis’ reputation as “a Socialist you can work with”, saying “It’s pretty easy to look reasonable with only two lousy rabble on council, but what are your going to do when you need those six votes?”. Mayor Curtis shot back “I work with all Kelsoans, always have, always will. Can you say the same, Al? I don’t see the Business Roundtable flying your flag! No word from President Shrdlu? Vice President Koubek? Mighty quiet over there!”

Mr. Balmes was most animated when the issue of low performing school closure was raised. He noted that to date only two high schools of the 15 failing minimum standards in the last school year had closure announcements, and asked why the Mayor hadn’t pressed more forcefully for termination of the remaining 13. Mayor Curtis replied that he had pressed for closure of the troubled schools, but that the Board of Education is appointed by the Governor General, a sentiment echoed by Mr. Billings. Mr. Balmes replied “I expect more from the mayor. The public demands it, especially parents of those children enrolled in the failures. It’s time the mayor steps up and shows leadership here. We’re way behind Stickney and Vladarsik in remedying this, and their mayors have been much more active advocates. We’re even behind the southern territories.

Friction between Mayor Curtis and City Auditor Reno saw both challengers train fire on Mayor Curtis. Mr. Billings was typically harsh in his criticism, stating “This feud, which has been ongoing since Mayor Curtis’ inauguration casts the long shadow of doubt on all the dealings of the administration. It certainly brings into question a lot of the construction contracts, say, maybe the ones for the Second Avenue Subway extension. Mr. Balmes repeated many of Auditor Reno’s complaints, citing late responses to requests for budgeting information and incomplete analyses provided for last year’s Health Department and Sanitation Department’s reports. He also noted discrepancies in the allocation of vehicle maintenance for the Kelso Police Department for two years running. Mr. Curtis defended his record, repeating his charges that the Auditor’s requests for information had been bogging down the staff of both the city Finance Department and Information Technology Department.

by **United World Order** » Thu Aug 26, 2021 4:00 pm

Der Völker Beobachter
The People's Observer

The Fight Against Defeatism Continues.

Berlina, NSR Ordena - The People's Observer being the official voice of the National Socialist Party of Ordena is proud to announce the success of several Anti-Defeatism actions among the Ordenite Wehrmacht and within the citizenry in Ordena. These efforts were carried out on a unified front by the Feldgendarmerie, the Reich Main Security Office and the Reich Ministry of Justice.

In total over the course of these Anti-Defeatism actions;
- 5670 members of the Ordenite Wehrmacht arrested and of these over 90% recieved probationary sentences while the rest were summarily executed in accordance with Ordenite law.

- 350000 citizenry arrested for acts of Defeatism, at least 75% given prison sentences with the remainder summarily executed in accordance with Ordenite law.

These persons proved detrimental to the war effort and proved to be under the influence of hostile foreign powers who sought to damage the morale of the Ordean people and race.

by **AHSCA** » Sat Sep 04, 2021 3:27 pm

United Island Office of Culture and Information (UNICIM)

Saturday, 04 September 2021

Festival Time, What to Expect This Year

Festival celebrations in Sailor Square, Tsubasaki, Animalpolis, circa 2012

by: Yachiyo Yano, Culture and Religion

TSUBAKI- It's the change of season, the ocean currents and winds are brining change (well almost) and that means of course it's time we gather and give our celebration and praise to our Almighty Goddesses for the year ahead and it's been a wild year for sure, maybe not so much in the weather like we tend to expect, though I guess you can consider no hurricanes hitting is pretty wild! Of course we had the start of a new legislative session with a few new senators and then we had the Duchess face down impeachment; the fallout with some uuuh exchange of words with the Sultantate and the demolition of their military base. For younger readers and foreign readers, if this sounds more like a "year in review" piece you would do on December 31 or January 1, remember that we old timers used to have a different system of time here where the year would essentially end at this time of year, so I guess it's the year 3000 or so? To be honest I lost count when we adopted the Gregorian calendar.

Okay anyway, let's get to the real subject, and that is it's time for The Festival of Holy Light. This year as mentioned is under the recent events which has people wondering what tourism is going to be like, given the festival has become a major tourist destination. While numbers have been down since 2020 from their all time high in 2019, remember that much of the world is still under the issue of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic which has caused a decline in global tourism. AHSCA has been proactive in preventing the spread to our nation and has been free of the dreaded plague and now vaccines are starting their rollout here in the UIS as early as today. It seems few are worried and shops and temples are preparing to welcome visitors. Here on Animalpolis, Tsubaki is expected to be as busy as ever, between local traffic and international traffic, there's the buzz of optimism in the air.

Let's talk the weather too, now we haven't had the major wind shift yet that often keeps big storms away, so there is still the chance a late season storm could very well make it ashore before, during or after the festival. Right now, UNIMO isn't forecasting anything big, and no major invests have been known to develop but we all remember what happened in 2018 when a sudden storm hit the islands at that time so it's not impossible for certain.

Weddings and marriage are very common at this time of the year but something about this year is expected to really bring a large amount out, with marriage requests up 30% this year from last year? What is it, something in the water? Who knows but either way, plan on seeing a fair few happy couples this year.

Despite the rather turbulent year of political dealings, nothing will slow the festival down. Tourism isn't expected to drop any further than it did last year and people in general are happy and optomistic. The year for some of it's failings did bring a lot of good things, fish stocks are up, crop yields are up and it's going to be a fine end to the year.

by **The Macabees** » Tue Sep 07, 2021 2:52 pm

IMPERIAL BUREAUCRACY DENIES CULPABILITY IN PRIVATE SUIT
FILED BY THE ASSOCIATION OF FREE ORDENITE EXPATRIATES

SANDINO, NICARO —

A private suit was filed last Friday against the Imperial Bureaucracy by a group known as the Association of Free Ordenite Expatriates (AFOD). AFOD alleges that the Imperial Bureaucracy is responsible for the disappearance of between 7,000–10,000 Ordenite nationals during the war with the Fourth Reich. Although the suit does not pin criminal culpability on the imperial government, that certainly is the implication. The Imperial Bureaucracy has issued a statement denying any and all culpability and responsibility of the disappearances, stating that the suit conflates the war against the Reich with the unrest in the satrapy, claiming that the disappearances are the result of the latter conflict. The lawsuit will go to court next month and will likely see a long, drawn-out, and heated procedure.

Prosecutors will not need to prove that the Imperial Bureaucracy is directly responsible for the deaths, although AFOD holds the position that it is. Rather, prosecutors must prove negligence on the Imperial Bureaucracy's part. That is, they must prove that the deaths were preventable and that the Imperial Bureaucracy did not take adequate precaution of care. The suit is consequently of extreme legal importance as it relates to general questions regarding the Golden Throne, the ongoing "long wars" throughout some of the provinces and satrapies, and the eligibility for other victims of these wars to find restitution through civil channels.

Naturally, the Imperial Bureaucracy has contested the suit and argues that it ought to be thrown out. A statement released earlier in the week claims that the 7,000–10,000 Ordenite deaths in Nicaro were a direct result of the insurgency and, therefore, that the majority are categorized as non-preventable non-combatant war deaths. The government also released documents pertaining to the involvement of the Fourth Reich in destabilizing Nicaroan politics by sending agents to cooperate with the rebel factions and organizations, including the pirate and slaver militias defeated during the course of the Gothic War. These agents are considered legitimate military targets during times of war. Although the government has not released an estimate of how many Ordenite casualties are categorized as legitimate military targets, the released statement quoted "a significant fraction of the total." Finally, the Imperial Bureaucracy's statement criticized AFOD and its legal team for not properly distinguishing between the classification of Ordenite casualties, accusing AFOD of being an arm of the Reich's government in Ordena and the suit of being nothing more than an organized, state-backed attempt at negative plubicity to destabilize the Imperial Federation.

While the Imperial Bureaucracy has requested the System of Imperial Courts (SIHC) to throw out the civil case, this is not immediately possible as the suit was filed with the High Provincial Court of Beda Fromm. The High Provincial Court of Beda Fromm can throw out the case, but cannot be directly appealed to by the Imperial Bureaucracy to do so. In the case of an appeal of the hypothetical case results, the suit would then be sent to the first level of the SIC, which is subject to the political jurisdiction of the Imperial Bureaucracy. Beda Fromm has always been known as a hotbed of anti-imperial attitudes, therefore it is suspected that the lawsuit will see a normal trial experience. Whether it will be ultimately successful is highly doubtful, although should the lawsuit hold the government responsible to one degree or another it will have massive implications.

Because the government is not considered directly responsible for the deaths of the Ordenites in question, the suit's success will hang on whether the government took adequate precautionary measures to protect the Ordenites from harm. Thus, the central question is: what is the standard of precaution that the Imperial Bureaucracy needs to meet in environments of insurgency and counterinsurgency? Should the suit be successful, it would imply that there is an objective standard of precaution that must be met and that the government is liable for lives lost as a result of this standard not being met. If damages are awarded to AFOD, it would also imply that the family of all casualties from before the case are eligible for restitution, if they can prove negligence by part of the Golden Throne. The case can therefore end up costing the Imperial Bureaucracy trillions of ríokmarks.

It's unsurprising then that the Imperial Bureaucracy so quickly issued an official statement in response. A separate legal brief was issued showing the court that the internalization of fiscal and other externalities, such as collateral damage or damages as the result of civil instability, is an issue proactively resolved during the negotiations with local governments to bring them into the Imperial Federation. In other words, the government asserts that its satrapical and territorial treaties are contracts that speak to any debts or damages owed by the Imperial Bureaucracy to the satrapy or territory, and by their nature also to all peoples represented by those local governments. The brief goes on to show all the fiscal outlays that go into the improvement of the standard of living in those areas, as well as the impact of democratization and the rule of law. It argues that the impact of the Golden Throne, and by extension the Imperial Bureaucracy, is overwhelmingly positive. It furthermore goes on the argue that the Imperial Bureaucracy has upheld a high, and constantly growing, standard of precautionary care — including its recent reorganization of the Ejermacht into field and internal security forces. It hopes to persuade the court that on net it has been a force for good and that any liabilities are already determined and paid for by federal treaty.

Most pundits expect the suit to die at the High Provincial Court. Should prosecutors win the case, they will almost definitely need to defend the case in an appeal. The Imperial Bureaucracy is likely to appeal until, theoretically, the case reaches the Court of His Imperial Majesty — which, despite the name, is not presided over by His Imperial Majesty Fedor I. While the emperor once used to preside over the land's highest court in the olden days, since the Golden Throne's refounding in 2004 the judiciary system has remained independent of the executive branch. In any case, the suit is likely to die in Beda Fromm.

Still, AFOD's civil suit has caused quite a domestic raucous. Anti-imperialism has grown with force in the provinces, especially Beda Fromm. While the annexation of large tracts of northern Safehaven and of much of Guffingford were seen positively by most of the public, they were products of a war during which the public suffered from a foreign invasion. Even the annexation of Theohuanacu, a long, drawn-out process that has still not been completely resolved, has been seen mostly positively. When Fedor first annexed Zarbia, Indras, and New Empire, these were seen as an extension of the previous war. They were late dominoes in the empire's quest to protect itself from its foreign enemies. But, insurgencies in these lands coupled with other recent additions to the Imperial Federation and, most especially, the expensive and colossal war waged against the Scandinvan Empire, are beginning to prove too much for a people who are now wary of so much war. Cases like AFOD's may find more public sympathy now than ever before, as a result.

The case also comes at a time when public scrutiny on how the Imperial Bureaucracy's "long wars" are prosecuted are at an all-time high. Much of the rationale behind the Ejermacht's recent bifurcation is based on the idea of lowering the level of overall violence, including the degree of violence by part of the Ejermacht and its security forces. Regardless, as the data on the performance of the newly organized Limikari — the newly organized internal security forces — still rolls in and the public remains skeptical, the Imperial Bureaucracy has worked hard to control its image and do what it can to assuage growing public discontent against the wars.

On the other hand, public sentiment towards the Fourth Reich remains at an all-time low. The Ordenites are seen in generally low light and their autocratic system of government is frowned upon. Furthermore, the public has responded negatively to news of Ordenite death and labor camps in Krasnova, as well as to the Reich's recent invasion of the Killian Republic. In many ways, the Reich and its aggression have served to buoy faith in Fedor I and have helped the emperor stave off a complete collapse in public support for his military campaigns. Indeed, support for commitments in Nicaro, Holy Panooly, and New Empire increased during and after the last war, after previously having suffered a long decline.

Even if there is little threat of AFOD winning its suit, and there is little public sympathy for the Ordenites, the case nevertheless comes at a sensitive time. That the Imperial Bureaucracy has so rapidly and publicly responded, including publishing attached documentation and materials, proves the case's significance. It will likely stir up sensitive conversations on the Golden Throne, its military operations, and the nature of its relationships with its various dependencies. Whether AFOD is backed by the Reich is irrelevant to the fact that the Reich is most likely watching the unfolding events with pleasure.

by **The Technocratic Syndicalists** » Mon Sep 13, 2021 7:47 pm

LAND ∙ AIR ∙ NAVAL ∙ MISSILES/SPACE ∙ CYBER ∙ C4ISR ∙ CIVIL AVIATION ∙ INDUSTRY ∙ CONFLICTS/WARS

SDI Signs 187.5B NSD Contract to Supply 500,000 Military Logistics Trucks to Etoile Arcture

Pictured: SDI's HTTS 10x10 Truck

The Etoile Arcture Defence Directorate has entered a fixed-price, indefinite-delivery contract with SDI Land Systems (SDILS) for delivery of 500,000 HTTS Heavy Tactical Truck Systems to the Etoile Arcture Defence Forces, the company announced in a press release earlier today. The contract is expected to represent around 187.5 Billion NSD in total sales volume for SDILS, making it one of the company's largest sales to date. Deliveries to Etoile Arcture are scheduled to start early next year and are to include palletized load carrier, heavy equipment transporter, and wrecker/recovery variants of the vehicle. The HTTS vehicles are intended to replace the current trucks of the Etoile Arcture Defence Forces and will represent a major upgrade to the Etoile Arcture Defence Forces’s logistical services as well as increasing its operational capabilities.

The HTTS family of vehicles are designed for heavy off-road use and can be configured for virtually all military roles ranging from carrying cargo to heavy-equipment transporters to acting as missile transporter-erector-launchers. The HTTS is fitted standard with a protected crew cab with other standard features including an Automated Load Handling System (ALHS) for standardized ISO containers or flatrack modules, digital driver and operator interfaces, an Integrated Driver Assist System (IDAS), and both on-route and off-route self-driving and autonomous navigation capability. All variants of the HTTS share a standard 10x10 series hybrid-electric drive system using ten two-speed hub motors which provides increased fuel efficiency and off-road maneuverability when compared to previous generation military trucks with conventional mechanical drivetrains.

by **The Macabees** » Wed Sep 15, 2021 10:15 am

FUERMAK CONDUCTS LARGE EXERCISE
ON SOUTH KILLIAN FRONTIER.

CORREGIGO — Fuermak forces conducted Frigid Wind 1, a largescale combined arms exercise to maintain war readiness in Free Killia involving elements from the Ejermacht, Laerihans, and Kríermada. The exercise is said to have involved almost every ground unit south of the Killian national capital, DeMaio City. Also involved were naval forces and a large number of aircraft, although these elements comparatively reduced in scale according to officials inside the military. Frigid Wind was conducted at almost the same time as an Ordenite military exercise held just south of the international border, although imperial military officials have confirmed that the timing is purely coincidental. Officials have also confirmed that Frigid Wind will be an annual exercise and that it may involve allied partners in the future.

Refugees who fled southern Killia during the war are only just returning and settling back in. Their return to normalcy, or an attempt at it at least, was suddenly interrupted by the low rumble of tens of thousands of engines, the clanking of treads on pavement, and the drumbeat of boots on the ground. It was as if war had come anew, not just because of the size of the exercise but also as a result of its intensity. "We were about prepared to pack our bags and flee back north again," says one woman, a resident of Daisyfield, a small city in Lincoln.

The military quickly distributed leaflets by hand and through airdrops, warning residents that what they were seeing were only peacetime exercises meant to practice an emergency war readiness order in the case of a renewed Ordenite invasion of Free Killia. The leaflets apparently did little to assuage a people still in a state of war shock. Most of southern Lincoln's and northern North Lomec's population streamed north during the border conflict that saw the loss of two Killian states to the Fourth Reich. Living in hastily prepared refugee camps around DeMaio and in the north, the majority lived at a standard unheard of in Killia since the days of old. Prospects of a return to those days would certainly make anyone's stomach ache. Some have vowed to leave the south and go north. "It ain't safe down here no more," says Floyd Hummels, from Cordsville, North Lomec.

Frigid Wind's scale would certainly give any observer a reason to pause. Although almost all of the exercise's details are highly classified, it is known that most Ejermacht forces south of the Killian capital city participated. The exercise's purported purpose is to maintain a high level of war readiness among imperial forces in the country, knowing that the renewal of the Ordenite invasion could come at any time. There are now more than ten million troops in Free Killia, and more than half of these are garrisoned in-depth around central Killia and southward. Thus, up to millions of troops could have been involved in the exercise. They were joined by several squadrons of fighter aircraft and other military planes, perhaps more than a thousand. Naval forces also participated, although it is known that these were relatively limited in number. An unconfirmed source within the military claims that two raid squadrons and a carrier squadron were deployed off of both the eastern and western Killian coasts to simulate the reimposition of the blockade on the Reich's mainland. The exercise, which was unannounced, lasted five days.

Some analysts suggest that the exercise came in response to a similar Ordenite exercise held in the previous days. "We're just seeing a little bit of flexing on both sides," argues Danel Jiropa, from the University of Sidi Rezegh. "What's unusual is that it's coming so soon after the end of the last war, but I suspect that we'll see a lot more of this and a wider scale, not just on the Hugen continent. The Golden Throne and the Reich share a longer border in Krasnova now, as well, so we're likely to see similar exercises there. And as soon as the Kriegsmarine is rebuilt, I have no doubt we'll see more activity in the Golden Throne's inner waters, too."

"I don't think Frigid Wind 1 is an exercise in response to the Ordenite's. There's considerable overlap between the two exercises, in fact Frigid Wind was launched on the same day and we're talking about a difference in hours and not many, at that," says Marko Haro, from the University of Targul Frumos. He argues, "Frigid Wind was not an exercise at all, but an emergency combat mobilization of active troops in Free Killia. The Fuermak wasn't sure if the Ordenites were playing around or were actually invading, so it treated the threat like the latter and then covered its tracks by calling it an exercise."

Fuermak officials deny that the exercise was an actual live response to a suspected invasion. In a short morning brief, General Dogo Spada told the press, "Frigid Wind 1 has been in the works for quite some time. These types of exercises cannot just be launched. They require planning because otherwise, we wouldn't be able to effectively judge and rate our performance, which is key for constantly improving our defensive position in the country. Frigid Wind will be an annual exercise held in Free Killia. When the next iteration will be launched I cannot say, I'm not even sure a date has been booked yet. If it has, I certainly wouldn't tell you. It's vital that the exercise orders reach our troops in the ground as a surprise, to simulate real war conditions. As for the Ordenite exercise, we knew about it well in advance. The date for Frigid Wind 1 had already been set and the Fuermak will not reschedule an exercise to accommodate the Ordenites. Further, we thought that the conditions allow for a truer simulation of an invasion experience, giving us better conditions to launch Frigid Wind. The timing was coincidental, the outcome is better for us. Frigid Wind 1 was a success, that's for certain."

Although the two central Greater Díenstadi powers agreed to a two-year armistice as a temporary resolution to the wars in Krasnova and Killia, tensions remain high and there is a widespread belief that conflict could renew at any point. "Another war is just a matter of when and not if," says Danel Jiropa, the professor and public security analyst from the University of Sidi Rezegh quoted earlier.

Many in southern Killia evidently believe that as well. "I've lived here my whole life," says Claudia Gospel, a 96-year old woman from Corregigo. "The longest time I've been away is when they forced me on to a bus and shipped me north, during the war. I ain't ever have the thought of leaving this place. It was my pappy's home and it's home to me, it always has been. I tell ya, I was so goshdarned angry when they told me I'd have to pack my bags and leave. I told them that no soldier was going to murder an old woman like me, not even a Nazi. But when I came back and actually saw what the war had left behind, I thought maybe leaving this place wouldn't be so bad. Well, I'm too old to leave now. My life is almost up anyway. But I have daughters, grandkids, and great-grandkids down here, and maybe they should take the little money we got and get away because the storm will come back, I can feel it in my brittle bones."

by **Marshite Ponies** » Thu Sep 16, 2021 1:55 am

ROYALIST CONCORD SUCCEEDS: HARMONIC QUEENDOM TO REPLACE REPUBLIC

Cloppenhagen, Akila- - In a stunning political development, the Royalist Concord of Akila has managed to form a government and pass their promised legislation, formally turning the Republic into a Monarchy. Considered by most outside observers as the fourth most powerful political party ahead of the elections, a series of recent events altered the playing field that led to the shocking results of the election and the government formation that followed.

The election, held over a month ago, came after several startling changes to various political parties. The Akilan Nationalist Party suffered a serious internal fracture when the Akilan National Police arrested its leader, Windrider, on several charges including money laundering and drug smuggling as part of an investigation into the gun trade in the Triangle. Several local leaders broke off to form independent nationalist parties while the ANP itself tried to push forward, with vicious internal infighting leading to multiple candidates for several offices. Right before the election Moonlight Glitter, the former treasurer of the party, emerged as the leader of the party and directed party resources towards working to create the framework for the Nationalists to play a role post elections in the formation of a new government.

The Akilan's People's Party itself had several major changes before the election. A long-planned protest against the government's ongoing intervention in Ralkovia as part of the Union became a flashpoint of violence, with three days of riots in Fiesta Equestria leaving six dead. The APP tried to distance itself with some even blaming agitators sent against them, but a leak of internal documents stated that a shadow group within the APP was actively fomenting a possible coup with outside support. Starlight Glimmer, leader of the APP, spent much of the pre-election time period rooting out these members, working with the National Police. This weakened the APP's already fragile voter base.

The Harmonist Party gained many of their voters, which helped them shore up their flagging support. While Regent Applejack has been a singularly popular figure, the long reign of the HPA government and its dominance in all matters has also made it the focus of the common pony's political ire. All failures have fallen under its watch with much of its success being attributed to Regent Applejack's personal leadership. The party's leadership has often been at odds with one another and accused of a number of small malfeasances over the years. As such, it has been on a downward spiral for many years. Still, many considered it the most popular party heading into the elections.

The Union Alliance considered itself a non-factor in this election cycle but a growing minor power nonetheless and had the benefit of no major setback. They were rumoured to be working closely with RMU members across the rest of the Union in an effort to undermine other parties. While it has denied this and the public by and large did not believe the theories, they have never made it a secret that they believe Akila should follow the path trod by other nations and become part of one the other member states for various political, economic, and religious reasons.

The Royalist Concord found itself on the outside looking in but relied upon its simple premise with a bedrock in Ponyist philosophy and Regent Applejack's popularity to promote its political agenda. The popularity of party leader, Ambassador to the GA Twilight Sparkle, has helped stave off some violent opposition from extremists in both the People's Party and Nationalist Party. It positioned itself as a stabilizing element in a political climate that was increasingly looking unstable, held together only by a universal approval of the Regent.

As ponies filed into their election precincts and mail-in ballots were opened, analysts started picking up a number of trends. The APP and ANP, both weakened, found themselves almost entirely unable to gain any ground and were polling below fifteen percent each, with even their top vote-getters failing to seat as many as expected. The Harmonist Party polled lower than expected in scenarios where the other top parties fell behind the pack at around thirty percent, while the Unionist Alliance performed much better than expected at around ten percent. The real surprise was the Royalist Concord, who polled just ahead of the HPA.

Royalist Concord- 31.7%
HPA- 29.6%
Unionist Alliance- 14.8%
APP- 15.2%
ANP (and various independent Nationalist Parties)- 8.7%

This translated into a small lead for the RC in the formation of the government by the end of the day. What followed was a divided government, though the Royalist Concord started to make moves as the HPA opposed them. The Concord managed to get the majority of support from both the APP and UA. Of the 300 seats available in parliament, the Concord holds 89, the supporting members of the APP include 36, and the Unionists add 42. This ruling alliance holds 177 of the 300 Seats and a further 12-20 representatives are considered soft supporters. Immediately they opened a session and voted on Legislative Bill 01: The Crowning of Queen Applejack and Dedication of the Harmonic Queendom, passing it 190-110.

Regent Applejack had stayed mum on most matters despite her important role in the current climate. This followed a pattern whereby the Regent had stayed out of the running for political office, instead allowing the Ponies to decide whether or not she deserved another term. As party leader of the HPA, she was technically defeated, though the aims of the RC make such matters moot. She has made it known that she is reluctant to accept such a title but in recent weeks has affirmed that if it was indeed the will of the Ponies, she would do so. "There are many reasons why this is the most logical choice, and the fact Her Majesty doesn't want it is perhaps the soundest reason of all," responded Ambassador Twilight Sparkle, who is working on the creation of a new state constitution that will seal the Royal Role.
"I'm still mighty uncomfortable about the whole mess, but Ah reckon there's a rhyme an' reason ta this as there always has been, an' Ah learned long ago ta never second-guess tha wishes of Akilan ponyfolk. Still, maybe they won't pass it?" she said at a recent dedication ceremony to Celestial War dead. When informed that the bill had passed mere moments before she began speaking, the Regent-turned-Queen simply looked down at her podium and whispered, "fuck."

by **Newsbolt News** » Thu Sep 16, 2021 2:31 am

Azenian Queen Holds Ceremonial Coronation Feast

La Victoria, Solisia- Queen Reina and her family celebrated the establishment of her reign with a large celebratory feast in the capitol today, with over 4 million guests from around the region attending a number of festivals and parties and a collection of officials from across the RMU involved in a smaller feast in the palace. The Coronation Festival is the nation's largest single-day, single-city event and is paid for by the royal family itself, and this year additional festivities were planned by various friendly RMU governments. Attendance included the Arch-Bishop, various officials from Palmyrion, and the Empress of Romandeos herself.

The entire royal family attended, a rare occasion in modern times. Prince Tobias made a speech saluting the soldiers of the Romani-Mar'si Union as well as the workers, popular with the masses who heard the speech on broadcast as well as those in private attendance. The popular Prince has often been used as one of the spokespeople for the Royals for many years and is known to be popular not only with the people, but with other high-placed nobility- rumors of many relationships have been a hot topic in the tabloids for as long as he has been of dating age. Younger Princess Catia, the Darling of Dessa and currently third-in-line to the throne, made sure to hobnob with those that would have her. Most would: The effervescent Princess is beloved by the people and she has a mind for making friends that many would be envious of. Second-In-Line to the Throne is Marshite Princess Wessa, a rare sight, also spent some time at the feast. Princess Wessa has often kept to herself but what she is known for is being the most well-educated member of the Royal Household, having graduated from La Victoria University at the age of 14, and recently finished working on her second PhD.

Queen Reina herself spent much of the evening with other major leaders, including a private meeting with both the Arch-Bishop and Romandean Empress. The notes released suggest they were discussing how to integrate the new Queen into the Union's higher echelons, as well as starting developments in the Mushroom Islands and other Solisian interests. The most important and telling discussion revealed publicly was the Arch-Bishop and the Queen discussing the recent surprise in the Akilan elections. It has been rumored for some time that Solisian and Marshite interests in the nation helped foment the unusual political situation that led to the stunning victory and alliance of the Royalist Concord that will soon see a somewhat reluctant Regent Applejack be crowned Queen Applejack. While both fell short of confirming this as true, the leaders of the Azenian Queendom and Marshite Theocracy thanked the ponies of Akila for making a wise decision.

Newsbolt News is a news organization owned by the Romani-Mar'si Union for News Distribution in and beyond the Union itself. Contact to get your news officially distributed inside the Union today!

OOC- This post and others were written with Solisian Union before his recent time away and has been posted with approval and permission.

by **Holy Marsh** » Thu Sep 16, 2021 10:44 am

Sea of Faith Developments

Luboski, Tarvencore- The Island Provincial Council released a report detailing the ongoing efforts to reshape the recently acquired islands in the Sea of Faith. With the massed immigration from the mainland leading to housing and employment issues, it was seen as an important and much sought after report. While all three major islands face different issues and have thus been responded to differently, it is acknowledged that there are some similarities.

* More than 2.3 billion Marshites have immigrated to the islands in recent months. The majority have worked with the Resettlement Authority or local Shrine Immigration Services. Rumors that many Marshites were unwillingly chosen through illegal means have filtered out into some RMU outlets, but there remains no evidence and it is officially denied, while local officials cannot find corroborating evidence.
* The islands, after population shifts internally, were capable of supporting only around 200 million more economically. This has led to a financial drain on the Theocracy, paid for through multiple Shrines' optional funding branches. The shortage of other resources are minor, but has led to Goods Distribution Service Crisis Management. Rumors that the GDS-CM planned this through illegal means have filtered out into some RMU outlets, but there remains no evidence and it is officially denied, while local officials cannot find corroborating evidence.
* Post-Immigration, the population of the Islands is at 2.5 billion, including 2.4 billion Marshites. (Ixana 1.125 billion, Shesharlie 1 billion, Tarvencore 275 million)
* The Council requests further immigration be halted until they can adequately cover those that already live there.

The Council also reports progress on the three Major Economic Developments:
* Ixana has abundant natural resources and territory suitable for heavy manufacturing. The vast majority of the island and its waters have thus begin heavy mining and industrialization development, aside from a few sites declared holy by the former Sulatana as part of the agreement signed when handing the island over. While full work will not be done by the end of the decade, the Engineering Shrine and Singularity Shrine's help has allowed rapid progress.
* Shesharlie is well-suited for farming work and mass clear-cutting operations have already begun. RMU experts have been called in to help move the project along quicker. The help of the Science and Magic Shrines to help set the perfect conditions for mass farming over 80% of the island's mass. It is not known when this will be accomplished, though it is expected to be finished quicker than Ixana.
* Tarvencore has multiple deep sea harbors well suited for seacraft. It is being worked into an island of ports and naval bases, greatly helping their outreach. Most importantly, a deal was struck- with the loss of the Mushroom Islands, Tarvencore will become the major seaport in Marshite control with allowances for transit and activity that is disallowed in the Theocracy. It is not known when this will be accomplished, though it is expected to be finished quicker than Ixana.

The Arch-Bishop gave her official assent to the release of the report and praised those in the Provincial Council, "who are working in the name of the Holy Marsh and Her Chosen to provide better lives for the People."

by **The Macabees** » Thu Sep 16, 2021 2:42 pm

Pan-Zarbia Braces Herself for the Arrival of 120 Million Veteran Settlers

CUIDAD DE ZARBIA —

A bustling market vibes at the rhythm of the shouting vendors, the thousands of impatient buyers, and the honking of horns as cars try to navigate through the throng of your typical afternoon street market in Cuidad de Zarbia. Six years ago, markets like this one were not possible. Now, with peace and widespread security restored, they thrive almost everywhere in Zarbia. This particular open-air market, known locally as El Mercado del Emperador, is the largest of its kind anywhere in Pan-Zarbia and has become a major tourist attraction, drawing people from all over the empire. They are able to do so in large part because of the rapid increase in air travel into and out of Zarbia and Nuevo León, and also thanks to the expansion in local metro transit infrastructure including busses and metros. All of these changes are representative of the progress the two territories have made over the past six years. Now Pan-Zarbia braces for possibly the biggest change yet: the influx of 120 million veterans returning from Gholgoth, demobilized, and awarded a retirement in the shape of a piece of property and a lump sum. These veterans will bring with them money to spend and productivity to offer, but they will also cause a major cultural impact that may unsettle the stable equilibrium the territories have been able to achieve after six years of insurgency.

One-third of all veterans settled in Pan-Zarbia will be sent to Nuevo León. Most of this third will live in the planned city of Villa Fedoreña, which has been under construction for more than two years in anticipation of the settlement. The city is being built by the army engineering corps and was meant to have an initial population of 110 million. However, the land on the outskirts of the military construction project has already been sold to private real estate conglomerates who see new opportunities thanks to the arrival of tens of millions of new consumers. It is expected that millions, ultimately more than even the number of settlers, will move to Villa Fedoreña in search of work. It is set to become the largest city in Nuevo León. Once complete, it is set to house the territorial government as capital city.

Demographically, the surge of colonists from the provinces will radically change Nuevo León. These colonists will have a say in Nuevo León's future and will participate in the Pan-Zarbian legislature, perhaps changing the political direction of the territory. Together with the other 80 million veterans being settled in Zarbia, settlers will make up a significant demographic block in future elections. Add to them their spouses, children, and sometimes members of their extended family, and provincial Macabéans are likely to dominate Pan-Zarbia both economically and politically. This group as a whole will likely prove more compliant with the wishes of the imperial governor, who serves as the executive over both Pan-Zarbian territories. It also raises the prospect of a quicker transition than anticipated as it regards Zarbia's status within the federation and the possibility of a referendum to upgrade its treaty status to that of a full-fledged province.

Zarbia, of course, will see the inauguration of not just one new planned imperial city, but two: Fedorogoda and Carlovinar. Santiago will continue to serve as capital city and host to the Pan-Zarbian Congress, but in terms of population and economic importance it will surely soon fall behind to the two imperial mega-cities being built to house the bulk of the veterans settled in the territory. Just like its sister Villa Fedoreña, Fedorogoda and Carlovina will swell as migrants look for new work.

Each of these cities is being built in the standard, grandiose imperial way. Broad boulevards cut directly through the city in at least four directions, all of them decorated with marble fountains topped by famous imperial generals, local gods, and scenes of glory. All host numerous vaulting triumphal arches with elaborate crest pieces made of bronze and depictions of war carved into marble reliefs running down and around the pillars. The largest arch of them all itst over the largest boulevard of them all, and it guardes the entry into the plaza del imperio, the largest public square in any proper imperial city. Much like the golden statue of Fedor I that stands in every imperial square, the grandest triumphal arch is always dedicated to His Imperial Majesty. It forms, along with the imperial square, the centerpiece of imperial monumental propaganda.

This new imperial order has already brought with it the complexities of a rapidly growing economy and a diversifying population quickly outgrowing its original culture and customs. Already, the new colonial members of the elite have rapidly grown in number. Zarbians who weren't recruited into the military, and those who were number well more than a hundred million, largely found work in new factories or construction, as well as service sector employees catering to the Zarbian upper middle class and an increasing number of provincial civilian immigrants. This trend will only continue to rapidly expand.

Many fear that a political and economic underclass of indigenous workers will form and be subjected to the political sway of provincial immigrants and settlers. The vast majority of the indigenous are classified as territorials, not as citizens. This distinction certainly has implications regarding the potential for the development of an underclass. The Imperial Bureaucracy, through the office of the Imperial Governor of Pan-Zarbia, in conjunction with the Pan-Zarbian Congress, will need to carefully navigate the sociopolitical evolution of the territories and safeguard against political inequalities that could lead to unrest.

However, Fedor has bought himself and the Imperial Bureaucracy some breathing room thanks to the Imperial support that made Omilla's Law possible. Omilla's Law awarded land titles to occupants of land with no, poor, or disputed property claims. The immediate result was that hundreds of millions of Zarbians suddenly found themselves to be property owners by owning their own homes. The expectation is that this property is ultimately be used as collateral for loans meant to start businesses and make investments, providing another channel of rapid economic growth. Omilla's Law was inspired by the theoretical and empirical research conducted by Professor Hans Segel of the Macabea Teknikolaj, who estimates "dead capital" throughout the empire to measure in the trillions of ríokmarks. By encouraging the application of Segel's research in Pan-Zarbia, Fedor has done much to widen his support base among the common Zarbian people.

Rumors abound on a new law that is said to be approaching formalization as a proposed bill for the Pan-Zarbian Congress. Sources from within the Partido del Obrero Zarbiano (POZ) say that the initiative is spearheaded by Senator Luís Ocampos Reyes, who has a history of fighting for the Zarbian common person and who has persistently lobbied to widen the benefits of the Omilla Law to renters. The initial proposal, according to the same source, will be for budgeting toward a commission that seeks to quantify the status of all renters, landlords, and their properties in the two territories. The results of the study will inform a follow-up proposal that will legislate the title transfer of poorly maintained rental property from the landlord to individual renter units. Anticipating a sudden rush to bring all properties up to standard, the commission will most likely have a cutoff date for non-routine maintenance and upkeep investments. Although an official proposal has not even been made yet, the rumors have already led to a swelling of discussion, criticism, and resentment. The Partido Popular Zarbiano (PPZ) has already staunchly defended the privileges of Zarbia's landlord class in past legislative actions, including using its majority to vote down a rental relief bill during the KN755-B1 pandemic. This time, however, the Imperial Bureaucracy is likely to be pushing hard in favor of the Ocampos Commission. Relief of the renter is exactly the populist cause Fedor needs to protect himself from the backlash against an outcome that is much more important to him, the peaceful demobilization of over a hundred million soldiers and their successful integration into civilian society. If the landlords need to suffer as a result, so be it.

Imperial support for certain populist measures was an outcome stimulated by the success of Omilla's Law. While local populist leaders saw the law as an opportunity to allow the nation's poorest to enjoy the fruits of emerging prosperity, the Imperial Bureaucracy recognized it as a chance to divide popular support for the insurgency that once raged throughout the two territories. Thanks in part to an ongoing military occupation, active combat operations, and the establishment of a functional imperial territorial government, the insurgency was gradually isolated to Nuevo León and then to that territory's southeasternmost fringes. But periodic resurgences of violence threatened newfound security, including a wave of terror meant to discourage the successful completion of the Omilla Commission, have only seemed to truly subside since the law's formal introduction and enforcement.

A new law to transfer wealth into the hands of hundreds of millions of renters would act as a powerful force in favor of imperial control over Pan-Zarbia. It would certainly help to counteract political and cultural instability caused by the influx of foreign settlers. But, the Imperial Bureaucracy and the government of Pan-Zarbia will likely need to seek out even further reform to truly provide all Zarbians a bountiful future that they can look forward to in support. Hopefully, the inevitable change in political currents caused by the settlers won't derail the fantastic progress already made.

by **Newsbolt News** » Thu Sep 16, 2021 8:12 pm

Monarchies on the Rise in the Union; Military Cutbacks Imminent

Wallasa, Azenia- Queen Reina welcomed a new member to the world of monarchies today, accepting the reluctant coronation of Queen Applejack of Akila and invited her to tour the lands of her new subjects. "The world turns once and again and forevermore does it find itself settling upon the great, chosen by the People and Ponies alike, who will help all achieve even greater things," the Queen said before signing the document that formally rearranges Queen Applejack's role in the Romani-Mar'si Union. Already signed by the Arch-Bishop and headed now to Romandeos and then Palmyrion, it is seen as a mere formality and one that Queen Reina was happy to press ahead with. "All nations must find the way to reflect the will of the People. In many nations, sadly, the great and strong are not reflective of the People and are thus disposed. The Azenian Queendom welcomes the Harmonic Queendom of Akila into this place, chosen by her Ponies who are unafraid to express the greatness of their spirit and character in their monarch. Long live Queen Applejack and long live the Harmonic Queendom!"

After signing the document she made a few surprise announcement. The most controversial was an announcement that she was reducing the military's budget over the next decade and redirecting the funding to civil programs and economic development. While not entirely unexpected- Princess Wessa recently released a highly regarded paper detailing the potential financial waste of trillions over the coming years in military spending with great incongruency with the Azenian geopolitical situation- it came as a surprise to members of military high command and in parliament, who voiced reservations about the manner of the shock announcement rather than the details and meaning behind them. While the exact number of military shrinkage and rise in civilian spending is currently unknown, it is estimated at several trillion a year at a minimum.

Newsbolt News is a news organization owned by the Romani-Mar'si Union for News Distribution in and beyond the Union itself. Contact to get your news officially distributed inside the Union today!

OOC- This post and others were written with Solisian Union before his recent time away and has been posted with approval and permission.

by **United World Order** » Mon Sep 20, 2021 5:19 am

Der Völker Beobachter
The People's Observer

The 108th annual Reich Party Day in review.

Naumberg, NSR Ordena - The annual Reich Party Day which is an annual rally of the National Socialist Party of Ordena now marks its 108th rally. The total attendance for the annual rally reached a record breaking 2 million attendees combined from the NSPO, the Ordenite Wehrmacht and civilians in attendance. The previous record for attendance was in 2005 at 950,000. Over 1 million Party members from the various organizations within the NSPO were in attendance along with over 100,000 members of the Ordenite Wehrmacht with the remainder being civilian spectators. The Rally would begin with the arrival of the assembled Party members along the Great Road from which they would march to their first deployment area in Zeppelin Field. From the Grandstand of the Zepplein tribune would appear many NSPO Party officials from which several speeches would be made.

On the Great Road the arrival of the Ordenite Wehrmacht would take place as 100,000 men from all branches of the Armed Forces marched together towards the March Field. In the distance one could see the historical Naumberg Castle which in medevial times the same road would have been used by armies of the time period. Once assembled on the March Field deployment area several speeches would be given by Party officials along with a speech from Deputy Fuhrer Henrik Kroning praising the Armed Forces for its valiantry and bravery during the War. A brief prayer would also take place lead by Ordenite Reich Church clergy. On the Great Road again the Party members would now march to Luitpoldarena for the main ceremonies and the address from the Reichsfuhrer Christian Richtofen. The Ordenite Wehrmacht would eventually also march into Luitpoldarena as well.

The main ceremonies would begin as the Reichsfuhrer, the Reich SS Leader, Deputy Fuhrer and the SA Leader would make the walk from the Tribute of Honor to the Hall of Honour commerating all of the fallen National Socialist comrades from all walks of life in the Ordenite Reich for their sacrifice since the beginning of the National Socialist struggle almost a century ago. The next ceremony involved the concecration of new Party and SS Flags with the Blood Flag in which all new Standarten would have touched the Blood Flag. Afterwards a brief prayer is held by the Ordenite Reich Church clergy and then following that is the address by the Reichsfuhrer Richtofen. Richtofen would end up speaking for just under 45 minutes and addressed in particular the War effort and the home front. He would also mention that the Reich was opening its self up economically to better the state.

Despite the Rally its self only lasting a single day, Party functions go on for the rest of the week. This includes a gathering of Party leaders from across the Reich who would meet in the New Congress Hall. A sporting event also will take place in the Ordean Stadium.

by **Tangatarehua** » Sat Oct 02, 2021 12:11 am

TWO DEAD AND THOUSANDS HOMELESS AFTER CYCLONE STRIKES NORTHERN RANGIWHERO

2nd October 2021

KAINGARAORAO
Two people have been confirmed dead and thousands are homeless after Cyclone Harold slammed into northern Rangiwhero overnight.

_{Cyclone Harold has caused widespread damage in northern parts of the island of Rangiwhero.}

The Cyclone, a category four storm, made landfall on the island of Rangiwhero at around 3am near the city of Kaingaraorao where it caused widespread damage, flooding and power outages.

Two people have been confirmed dead following the storm, while around a dozen have received moderate to severe injuries. Residents of coastal suburbs, who evacuated the night before, will be returning to find little remains of their homes as entire streets were swept away.

The storm also caused power outages across much of Rangiwhero as well as parts of southern Marangiwhenua leaving residents to shiver through overnight lows of -1°C (30°F).

In Whakaara, the Imperial Palace was evacuated as a precaution, with Te Kuia o Whenua airlifted to the northern palace. The city received strong winds and a number of trees were felled, however the worst of the damage was further south in Kaingaraorao.

"In all my years I have never seen this part of Tangatarehua hit this hard by a cyclone, nor at this time of year," Said Hemi Nanaia, the Kaitiaki of Maunga-Kainga Prefecture. "This will take years to clean up. I don't think the city has seen damage like this at any time in living memory."

Rangatira Te Rata Te Rongomau visited Kaingaraorao this morning and pledged that the central government would aid in reconstructing the city and providing emergency housing for those who have lost everything.

"I wish to convey my sincerest condolences to all those who have lost their homes and in particular to the Whanau of the two who died as a result of this storm," Said the Rangatira. "I have ordered the mobilisation of central government agencies and I can confirm we take all necessary steps to ensure that the damage is cleared away as swiftly as possible."

Prime Minister Tamati Kahurangi further announced that those affected by the storm would receive financial aid, although he was unwilling to expand on precisely how much money or indeed how it would be funded.

"This is not a time for politics. This is a tragedy and a national emergency." He said.

The Prime Minister's pronouncement was not enough to prevent opposition parties from politicising the issue, with Tipene Ruiha of the Atawhai (Conservative) Party blaming the storm on the effects of climate change.

"It is true that we are susceptible to cyclones during the monsoon season, however a storm of this category, at this latitude and this soon after the end of winter suggests that we have upset Tāwhirimātea [god of storms] through our neglect of our environment and obsession with industrialisation," He said. "If we continue burning carbon at our current rate these storms will be more frequent in nature and more severe. Tangatarehua should heed this warning to return to the old ways!"

Ruiha went on to announce that his party intends to immediately close all remaining coal-powered power plants if elected.

Cyclone Harold is the most severe cyclone ever to hit to island of Rangiwhero, which usually lies in the temperate zone and seldom experiences severe storms even during the monsoon season.

The usual cyclone season in Tangatarehua runs from November until the end of March and tends to worst affect the two northern islands of Marangiwhenua and Moanapapa.

In Other News:

Protestors in Tamaki urge Prime Minister to resign as unemployment grows
Tangatarehua faces 'financial cliff' as national debt continues to spiral out of control
Princess Nia confirms engagement and wedding date

by **Cartoonia** » Sat Oct 02, 2021 12:28 pm

EDITORIAL: The age of steam travel is pretty much a staple here in Cartoonia. From steamboat ferries to steam-powered rail locomotives. The Cartoon people and economy runs on the power of coal or oil-powered steam, especially rail transport. In Cartoonia, rail transportation is important, with several rail networks connecting different cities and towns. All of these rail networks are connected under one nationalized company called The Cartoon Grand Central Railroad, a quasi-federal corporation that runs the major rail lines linking the different provinces of Cartoonia. This is achieved through long tunnels with its own air filtration system that connects any of the different islands. And this is not a feat of modern 21st-century technology. The tunnels were built in the 1900s by the Cartoon Rail Company, whose president, Louis “Loud” Kiddington, though a young child he was, built the first tunnel system for a transcontinental railroad from Gallagher on the Mainland Province, to Magnolia on the Ishgar Province. Different Railroads from the Ooarai Valley & Central Railroad in Western Pacifica to the Amestria Railroad in Amestria built tunnels and thus were able to connect the railroads together.

Today, Mr. Tenya Iida runs the entirety of the Cartoon Grand Central Railroad, with all of its locomotives built in the town of Resembool. The Resmebool Locomotive Works is the last workshop that builds locomotives from the past centuries. From the LBSCR’s E2 tank engines to PRR K4s, The RLW builds all sorts of steam engines. These steam engines are built and modified to current environmental, rail-gauge, and speed standards. This is not possible without the work of the engineers and construction crews of the workshops, under the ownership of Alexander Louis Armstrong II, the current CEO of the company. With their hard work and dedication, the golden age of steam travel remains preserved and maintained while upgrading them to their highest potential and in regards to the environment. Cartoonians enjoy the luxury and joys of rail travel while getting to their destinations rested and relaxed. And thanks to the railway workers that maintain tracks, signals, tunnels, bridges, and the stations and terminals of every major city, town, and village, the trains run efficiently. This is truly the age of the train!

-Lucy Heartfilia, Head-Journalist for The Gallagher Herald

by **AHSCA** » Sat Oct 02, 2021 2:33 pm

United Island Office of Culture and Information (UNICIM)

Tuesday 02 October 2021

Arts & Lit

Shizuka Gozen's Voyage of the Anna Teresa is a Lovely Ensemble Drama about Sea Travel

by: Sotone Saiki, Literary Columnist

Disclaimer: Shizuka Gozen is the Officer of Culture in the UIS and Chief of this News Media Outlet

With the great deluge of the season upon us, we all need something good to read to keep us busy when not working and not to sea and Officer Shizuka Gozen's latest book may seem a bit like a story you'd not want in a time like this but somehow it's exactly just what the doctor ordered. This novel is about a fictional 4-masted schooner setting off from AHSCA to some undisclosed country in the North, what's said to be a very long trip of two months. As any islander who has gone abroad knows, these long voyages are always filled with interesting people and experiences to be had and told and retold. Officer Gozen's book isn't any one account of any real ship historic or contemporary but she does truly capture the experience.

As a bit of an aside, my own ma being a Third Officer aboard a similar ship, I've certainly experienced the long sea life myself thus you can see what makes a story like this appealing and I can say without a doubt Gozen's work not only captures sea life, but in an essence of island life itself, but in a rather bottle necked environment, as ships often are. This book has multiple stories to tell from multiple points of view, children, adults, crew, passengers, all islands are represented both in some positive and negative ways too. Some of the old racial differences between malhela (dark) and hela (fair) people come out with Coronan characters who segregate among themselves, some of the old remnants of those who long for the triumph of the old Aurora Empire are displayed in full effect with older characters. The rather odd island out of Stillestando with its more unique cultural identity is seen and how they often fit in or don't fit in with the more similar Aurora and Hoshino.

Among the children characters, children who are cramped in such a confined space and spirited children who seem to go everywhere and get into anything. Again, much experience to say this is wholly accurate. Stories of the passengers who are auxiliary crew, people often called upon in the worse conditions to keep a ship afloat are given such riveting lines as they face some unimaginable conditions, and the book makes it no secret these are often not experienced sailors but people looking for a cheap passage to somewhere.

Of course it goes without saying the chapters when the ship encounters such frightful storms are some of the best but even the calm conditions somehow keep this novel a real page turner. Wondering will Toshiro and Setsuko finally seal their relationship? Will Skyplena earn the respect of her captain? Is Captain Maro maybe reckless? So many stories to tell so many pages this is a delightful book for anyone and everyone.

For parents, note that some chapters may in fact be rather adult for young readers. That said I still can recommend this book for younger kids who want to follow the children's adventures, given the stories are all self contained with their own arcs to be read. Chapters 7, 12, 22, 57 and 99 are the best for very young kids, for teens most of the book is fine but this will depend on your own standards.

Super 8 Comes to AHSCA With Short Film, The Maids

by: Shota Matsuoka, Staff Reporter

AHSCA may soon see itself on the silver screen with the first film (arguable) to be made by a native citizen, The Maids a 20 minute movie by Anja Lanterno taking place centers on a little maid cafe startup. Maid cafes are wildly popular attraction in many parts of the world where employees dress up as a theme to old fashioned maids. Shot in a handheld 8-mm film the movie's creator Lanterno opts for a very simple story about a handful of young women on Stillestando operating said cafe.

Anja Lanterno (pictured above) and her husband Lanterno Stillestando Born Shot the film (below) with a handheld super 8

"It's simple but that's all it needs to be." Said Lanterno about her movie. "My husband and I crafted this little picture ourselves, and we're proud of what we've done and are excited that more can come of this." The camera cost them about 150,000 Credits alone without the added cost of processing and developing. Lanterno the husband who's namesake Anja adopted upon marriage, was surprised by the steep cost but says "It's worth it, my wife is a creative person, I love her and want to help her." To pay for the camera, Lanterno sold his fishing boat and Anja sold off a few old family heirloom. "If we tried for 35mm [sic]", Anja continued "There's no way we could afford it, but super 8 was well within our reach and easy to operate." Anja recalled seeing her first motion picture from a group of visiting tourists as a child, "It was amazing, a projector was set up and over an hour it was like seeing another world before me. I've always wanted to do that but I was always told that was foolish. But it always stuck with me so I took the plunge." The idea of setting it in a maid cafe came from an experience during the Holy Festival last year, "My husband and I went to Stillestando to see my family, in Port Schala there's an Inn called the Lighthouse and strangely their employees all wear these long frilled maid outfits. I thought it was pretty cute. So I wrote a story about it, I've always been good at writing. But something about it just didn't capture what I wanted so I wanted to photograph it. But I needed a camera and to get one of those, I had to send for it from overseas. Which took me back to that movie I saw when I was little." But with the rest of the world going digital, why did Anja opt for a film based camera? "I have no idea how to use a computer [laugh] but I suppose I didn't know anything about photography either. But besides that, I like the look and sound of old film. AHSCA is thought of as an old fashioned place already, so what difference does it make?"

Lanturno said, "This is over my head, it's all my wife's pickings. But it was a lot of fun to learn how to work a camera and work with the girls. It was all professional of course." The film's cast composed of five young ladies, most from Stillestando with one from Animalpolis also though making the movie was a lot of fun, saying it was like theater. Agata Leek, spoke on the film, "We all really worked like one group, no real staring part, no one character, all just had a small role to play and we all had fun doing it." Leek also supplied said maid costumes, calling in a favor from a friend and making modifications. "I think we all wanted the outfits to be a little interesting. Though the long dresses are plenty cute, we know audiences abroad really respond to the shorter cuts but they're still tasteful." What's next for the new fillmmaking couple, well first they hope to play their movie around the island. "Setting up a projector and screen is simple," Lanturno said "Even without electricity, even in the rain we can make it happen easy."

"This is another great perk of film over digital, I think" Anja continued "Digital we'd have to worry about batteries, computers, equipment, hard to haul that around. But film can degrade so it's a trade off." Beyond that, Anja hopes to repay her husband by getting him a new boat "If I have to build one myself, I will."

Lanturno hopes for that too, "A new boat would be nice, I think I'll see if we can make a picture on it too. Best of both worlds." He said with a great smile.

by **The Macabees** » Thu Oct 07, 2021 1:58 pm

Ejermacht Conducts Largescale Anti-Corruption Campaign in the Satrapy

MATAGALPA —

Military personnel have arrested tens of thousands of politicians accused of corruption, including for the taking of bribes, the provision of patronage, embezzlement, and electoral fraud. The drive is part of a final push to prepare Nicaro and Firmador for the coming transition of power from the imperial military to the civil satrapical political authorities. While the Imperial Bureaucracy calls it a clean-up campaign, its critics accuse the government of using the anti-corruption campaign to purge the Nicaroan political system from any officials still opposed to long-term membership within the imperial federation. Similar campaigns have been conducted in the past, albeit on a much smaller scale. Nicaro is no stranger to political corruption, but seeks to put a troubled past behind it as it looks forward to a new democratic age under imperial tutelage and oversight.

Nicaro, formerly known as Nicaro and Firmador, has been under imperial military administration since the 2027 invasion of the country. The invasion was originally a result of the expansion of pirate holdings and allied militias on the western coast, which were supporting the rebellion in Theohuanacu. The Golden Throne used the opportunity to remove the Ordenite-backed Contra government from power, putting a rebel alliance in its place. Since the initial invasion, Nicaro has become increasingly strategically important, giving the Golden Throne a western extension that can be used both to soak enemy invasions and also as a base of operations for naval operations in the northwest. Combat operations have persisted until the present day, where Macabéan soldiers are involved in a counterinsurgency campaign in the south. Ongoing anti-insurgency operations have legitimized the continued military rule, which has granted the Fuermak extraordinary political powers despite recurrent local elections. As the country is further stabilized, however, both Nicaroan politicians and their counterparts in Fedala have come to an agreement to transfer these powers back to the local government.

Housekeeping like that of the current anti-corruption campaign is not necessarily rare in Nicaro. In the past, the Golden Throne has conducted militia disarmament campaigns as it has steadily increased its direct control over largely autonomous parts of the satrapy. Allied militias were largely disassembled, oftentimes through force and otherwise by folding them into a national paramilitary force (Guardia de Asalto), early on. In the west, pirate holdings and their allied militias were largely destroyed. The end of the Gothic War, including the end of the export of slaves to the Scandinvan Empire, has further aided in the annihilation of pirate holdings. Most of the anti-militia activity is now concentrated in the south, and after years of war the insurgency there shows signs of weakening. The death of the Tsarina and the imposition of direct imperial military administration over the eastern coastal lands has further helped to isolate rebellious militias from external supporters. However, this anti-corruption campaign is something different and new.

For the first time, the Fuermak has been given the authority to arrest democratically-elected politicians at all levels of the government. The result has been the issuing of 36,000 arrest warrants, with 22,000 arrests already completed. Thousands of targets have gone into hiding, but hundreds are brought into imperial custody each day. Those arrested await trial for bribery, embezzlement, fraud, and other forms of political corruption. The Imperial Bureaucracy says that the campaign is a crucial building block to the upcoming national elections which will determine not only new leadership at the municipal, county, and regional level, but also at the national level. It claims that previous elections in Nicaro have been distorted by said corruption, including widespread election fraud.

Newly open political positions will be subject to special democratic elections, which will be held separately and prior to the national legislative election. Millions of people will be voting in the coming weeks to replace mayors, city councils, governors, and other officials. Some complaints have arisen due to the decision to ban a number of political parties as a result of the anti-corruption campaign, barring many candidates — who have not been accused of crimes — from running in them.

The coming national elections present another test of Macabéan oversight, as Nicaroans will flock to the polls to vote into power senators and disputates for the newly established bicameral satrapical legislature. The legislature will be responsible for most of the lawmaking in Nicaro moving forward, excepting certain domains that are under the jurisdiction of the Imperial Bureaucracy. The legislature will also be responsible for voting in judicial appointments at both local and national levels.

While Nicaro has been considered a satrapy since 2027, it has nevertheless lacked a satrap. The satrap is an executive directly appointed by His Imperial Majesty Fedor I, although by treaty it is stipulated that candidates must have been born and must currently live in Nicaro. With the transition to civilian rule, the Imperial Bureaucracy has announced its selection of satrap. Gustavo Sabaté, former mayor of Matagalpa, has been elevated to the position, effective the date of the power transition. Sabaté holds strong veto powers, capable of striking down legislation. As with most imperial satraps, he is expected to walk a fine line between the ambitions of his people and those of the Golden Throne. Furthermore, as is usual with the satrapical arrangement, His Imperial Majesty reserves the right to replace Sabaté at any moment and for any reason.

For years, public opinion of the Golden Throne has steadily improved thanks in large part to the country's stabilization. The end of the civil war, the suppression of militias and warlords, and the imposition of the rule of law have come a long way in elevating the Golden Throne's reputation in the satrapy. This has been further bolstered by large public investments, including the reconstruction and beautification of major cities, most especially the national and regional capitals. However, public opinion has dipped as a result of the anti-corruption campaign. Many of the removed officials were popular among their constituents and there is the widespread belief of ulterior motive behind the campaign. In particular, the Imperial Bureaucracy has been accused of purposefully removing candidates and political parties opposed to Nicaro's membership within the imperial federation, as well as those aligned with far-left wing policies and ideals. Insurgent militias have capitalized on this swing to breathe life back into their movement, and there is some fear that the containment of the rebellion will falter as targeted politicians flock to support the insurgency.

As if in anticipation of public instability, the Fuermak has announced the deployment of a limikari garrison to supplement the regulares already in the country. Nicaro hosts a large number of regulares, largely there to defend the satrapy from invasion as well as project force. The limikari garrison is set to be even larger, as some 20 million veterans from the Gothic War will be settled in western and southern Nicaro and enrolled into the ranks of the limikari. Although this garrison is set to reduce in size over the years, as these settled veterans are gradually demobilized and released into the private sector, their large number will bolster imperial forces involved in the pacification of the country. Nevertheless, their responsibilities are also set to be reduced.

Forming part of the power transition, the Guardia de Asalto will be expanded and be given greater responsibilities as the satrapical police force. Effective the date of the transition, the enforcement of satrapical civil law will become their exclusive domain. For the enforcement of imperial law, a small contingent of Statgard forces. The Statgard, originally Fedor's personal bodyguard, has grown into an empire-wide civil police force. This will be its first deployment to Nicaro, where its role will remain small for the foreseeable future.

Although there remains substantial uncertainty as to how the anti-corruption campaign, elections, and transfer of administrative power will unfold, there is an air of excitement among the Nicaroans. The transition represents a major step forward in Nicaro's history, as it leaves its past of long-standing civil war and unrest behind it. And while there is still quite a bit of progress to be made, as far as civil rights and the general standard of living, there remains a generally positive attitude toward the country's future among its people.

by **Tangatarehua** » Fri Oct 08, 2021 11:54 pm

THOUSANDS TURN OUT IN KAIIKA FOR THE 25TH ANNUAL "WHITE PERSON FESTIVAL"

9th October 2021

KAIIKA
This year's annual White Person Festival has attracted a record number of crowds in Kaiika, with organisers saying the 25th anniversary will be the best ever.

_{A man wearing traditional White Person clothes at the 25th annual White Person Festival}

The event, held annually in Tangatarehua's northernmost city of Kaiika, celebrates the city's diversity and the heritage and culture of white people, with Kaiika boasting the largest percentage of white people of any city in Tangatarehua.

The culture of white people will be highlighted at this event through traditional "square dancing" and "waltz" as well as arts, crafts and food, such as the traditional "tea and biscuits", a staple diet for people of European descent which involves a beverage comprised of tea mixed with cow's milk.

"It may sound odd, but I can assure you it's delicious," Said festival organiser John Smith, whose family emigrated to Kaiika before he was born. "We used to drink tea - that is, milk tea - every day when I was young, though it can be difficult to obtain here."

Other highlights of the festival include the age-old white person tradition known as "Getting shitfaced", in which individuals consume large amounts of alcoholic beverages such as beer and whiskey in order to attain some sort of spiritual awakening and sense of connection with others.

"Getting shitfaced is the best to way to let your true feelings out," Said attendee Charles McDuff, who moved to Tangatarehua in 1990. "In our culture we usually do this once or twice a week, often after work and it's a good way of letting things out like inner demons and it frees you to cry or tell people you love them, which is usually a taboo in our culture."

The practice is not usually considered appropriate for children and has been known to lead to violence, as well as illness from overconsumption.

"These traditional white people drinks work a little like cannabis, but yes it can cause more aggressiveness and it tends to have worse side effects and is much more unhealthy." Said McDuff.

Kaiika mayor Patariki Tama said that the success of the annual festival is "a great thing for our city and it's great to see people embracing exotic cultures like that of the white people.

"We're very proud of the contribution that white people have made here in Kaiika and indeed in other parts of Tangatarehua. It's also good to see them overcoming decades of prejudice and racism."

Around 2% of Tangatarehua's population is white or descended from white people, however in Kaiika that number is around 20%, with many immigrants from European nations attracted to the city's tropical climate and many beaches.

However not everyone seems to feel that the festival should be going ahead.

"I'm not racist but questions should be asked about the immigration status of these people, a lot of them emigrated here illegally or are descended from illegal immigrants," Said Tane Ngaio, leader of the nationalist Tangatarehua Huihuinga Party. "To be honest white people have brought nothing but violence, crime and disease to this country. If they want to assimilate that's one thing but we shouldn't be spending taxpayers money celebrating their backwards culture!"

Prime Minister Tamati Kahurangi, who attended today's event, rubbished Ngaio's claims.

"In my experience white people are very hard-working, their food is delicious and while of course there are some trouble-makers and they do make up a disproportionate amount of crime statistics, that's due to poverty and a legacy of racism against them and has nothing to do with them as a culture or as people."

Festival organiser John Smith said he was unfazed by Ngaio's comments.

"We always have to put up with that crap, that's what being a racial minority is like," He said. "But I know that people like him are the real minority. When I see all the thousands of people from the community coming and see how popular it is, how much it's been embraced... I'm not concerned. Next year will be even bigger and better!

"Now if you'll excuse me, I'm going to enjoy some traditional 'cheese and crackers' before they run out!"

In Other News:

Prime Minister hints that election could be held in November
Awakotiropai win rugby championship, beating Wharekorana 26-10
Rebuild continues in cyclone damaged Kaingaraorao.

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