World Cup 91 [roleplays]

by **Garifunya** » Fri May 27, 2022 11:45 am

Presidential Palace, Frederykvil, Garifunya

President Immanuel Prins said, "Thank you, team. We'll meet again in the near future. Please bring me detailed research when we do."

The assembled individuals in front of him, loyal officials from the Trade, Treasury, Public Works, Energy, and Foreign Ministries who had been sworn to secrecy, bowed, murmured their assent and departed from the office.

Prins reclined back in his chair. Things seemed to be coming together. The office of the Isebantu had assured him that they would reply soon on the official invitation, the negotiating team had had some fruitful ideas, and François' news about the trade deal increasing his re-election prospects had heartened him. He could see it now, appearing before cheering crowds as he proclaimed his overwhelming re-election...

His secretary's voice startled him out of his reverie. "Mayor Hansen is here to see you, Mr. President."

"Thank you, send her in," said Prins.

The mayor of Frederykvil entered his office. Lahari Hansen was a slim, dark woman with close-cropped hair. She'd been elected as a no-nonsense independent, just like Prins. In a city that could easily be a Social Democratic fiefdom, she'd thrown some elbows and gotten her way into a workable majority on the District Council. A formidable foe or a formidable ally.

"Madame Mayor, welcome. I'd like to congratulate you on the opening of the new youth center. A real bright spot in the community."

Hansen's face remained impassive as she said, "Thank you, Mr. President. We certainly worked hard to have a place for young people to go. It's part of our crime initiative, as I'm sure you know."

Prins broadened his smile as he said, "And how is that going, Madame Mayor? Are the Jandaams playing nice with Charles?"

Hansen's brow furrowed. "Chief Klinkhammer is grateful for the assistance of the Jandaams in combating illegal drugs and guns, but of course your dogs must have a proper leash. We have seen a recent drop in crime, especially in east Frederykvil, though we need more resources for local law enforcement and social services."

"And more tourism money, too, I'm sure," said Prins. "I've been doing some thinking about Frederykvil and promoting tourism, local economic growth, and quality of life issues. I have several reports indicating that the presence of ah, substandard housing, the prevalence of vagrancy, the lack of charming little boutique shops, have been an issue for foreign visitors and district residents alike. We would, of course, be happy to lobby Parliament for additional funds for Chief Klinkhammer and some of your youth diversion programs, provided some of these issues are cleared up."

Hansen's eyes narrowed. "So clean up Frederykvil, or no cash? That's what you're saying?"

Prins made his hands into a steeple. "Madame Mayor, there is no question that Frederyvkil could use extra funding in this year's budget. I am merely saying that I might find it difficult to convince lawmakers to approve funding, skeptical lawmakers who want to improvements, not wanting to throw good money after bad, as it were."

Now Hansen stood up and slammed her hands on the desk. "Listen here, Immanuel, I'm an ally of yours. Say all you want about an independent legislature and the limitations of your office, but we know that the DR and the Social Democrats will vote for anything if you make a convincing enough case. We're both pragmatists. We just want what's best for the nation or our city. So why don't you tell me what you want so I can get what I want. You didn't call me in here to chat about Frederykvil or we'd be talking seriously, with data, about crime prevention, social services, and everything else instead of 'charming little boutique shops'."

Prins' voice was icy. "Lahari, I am the President and you will address me as such."

Hansen sat down. "Yes, Mr. President."

Prins' voice lightened. "Yes, I was not entirely up front with you. We are going to have some important visitors fairly soon. They'll be visiting many sites around the country, but arriving first in Frederykvil, and as the nation's premier city, they will be keenly interested. I do not speak lightly when I say that these visitors will have a significant impact on our nation's future, for good or for ill. It is a tremendous opportunity. Therefore, we need Frederykvil, all parts, not just the swanky spots, to look busy and well-polished. This means new coats of paint, slum clearance, road repair, small business visibility, and invisibility of the unhoused population."

Hansen stared at him. "You do know what you're asking is basically 'knock down poor people's housing and round up homeless people', right? Not to mention it's a months-long job. I'm a pragmatist, but I have a heart, Mr. President."

Prins steepled his fingers again. "I have a heart, too, Madame Mayor. And that is exactly why I intend to ask for funding for housing and social services in this year's budget, as well as make it a key plank of my re-election campaign. But to secure the friendship of our important visitors, we have to take some pragmatic, if somewhat callous, measures. Do not forget that wijk residents themselves have complained about unhoused individuals, panhandlers, and the like. Do this for me and we will strengthen both our positions."

Hansen sighed. "All right, Mr. President. Any chance I get to know who these visitors are?"

"All in good time, Madame Mayor. You may be sure that my office will co-ordinate extensively with yours when the time is right."

Hansen stood up and prepared to leave. "I'm going to get blasted for this by the left. You know that, right?"

Prins grinned wolfishly. "I fully expect them to give it to both of us with both barrels, if you'll excuse the gun-related phrase. They won't be laughing when we counterattack, nor will the right when they find out what we've got in store for them. Madame Mayor, I will provide all the cover you need via this office, the press, and eventually, Parliament."

Hansen shuddered after she left the office. Immanuel had always been politically savvy, but this was turning ruthless.

by **Drawkland** » Fri May 27, 2022 12:48 pm

E N D L E S S . . .

The Grid Corps guys had taken off at a brisk pace, nearly a spring, to get some space between them and the red specter pursuing them. Leo Cross noticed as they got further down the corridor that they already had put a considerable amount of distance between themselves and their assailant.

"I didn't realize it was so slow." Leo observed between breaths. "It looks like it's barely faster than walking speed."

"Yeah, that's the problem," Jack Hoy replied. "It's slow but it doesn't stop, and it keeps finding us no matter where we go. It's been like this for at least an hour."

Leo stopped running, forcing the other guys to slow their pace and turn around.

"What are you doing, man?" Riley Hoyt sputtered.

"If it's going to keep chasing us, we need to fight it." Leo looked over his shoulder at his pack and started to grab the morningstar mace he had picked up in one of the TiSoFaH towns.

"Don't bother with that thing," said Jack. "We've been trying to slice it with our swords and it just goes through it. All it does is put us too close to those scary claw finger things."

"So what are we going to do?" Leo asked, clearly a little exasperated.

"It's back!" Riley interrupted, and the group kicked back into a run to gain some more ground.

"We can't keep doing this," Leo huffed once they came to a stop a couple minutes later. "Have you seriously been intermittently running from this thing for an hour?"

"We don't have any other options!" Jack exclaimed. "I'm not a wizard, I can't just breathe fire onto the thing."

"There must be something we can do." Leo sat in thought for a moment, then looked at the torch he had been holding in his hand the whole time. "What about this?"

"What, you want to shake the torch at the ghost monster?" Riley scoffed.

"Metal blades aren't working, apparently. Maybe it's weak to fire."

"Feel free to try it," Jack shrugged, "but I'm not getting near that thing again. Almost sliced my dick off last time I got too close."

Leo nodded, then secured the torch in both hands. Jack and Riley both retreated further down the hallway as the spirit approached once again. Leo gritted his teeth and swung the torch directly at the thing. It didn't seem bothered by it, until the flame went through the center of the red haze that comprised of the creature's "body." All of a sudden it was pushed back, clawed gauntlets flailing wildly and nearly taking a chunk out of Leo's face.

"The fire works," Leo called back to the other guys, who slowly crept closer to see the action.

Once the creature collected itself, it turned back to Leo with what seemed like an expression of rage. It came back towards Leo at twice the speed it was moving before, pointed claws extended directly towards him.

"You just pissed it off!" Jack exclaimed, turning to run back down the corridor.

"Don't run off on me again!" Leo roared, setting his feet for the approaching spirit. When it was only a few feet away, Leo dropped to the floor and somersaulted underneath the creature and rolled to the other side. He started backtracking, and the creature turned around to rush towards him again.

"We'll follow you," Riley promised, and the two guys carefully jogged to keep up and watch the fight.

Leo swung his torch around wildly, hoping to intimidate the creature enough to keep it at bay. While the creature would temporarily stop to avoid the blows, it still advanced towards him at a frighteningly unbroken pace. Leo was starting to panic internally, which was a feeling he didn't often experience. His mind raced. The fire was clearly the key to hurting or killing this thing, but he just couldn't get enough fire onto the thing to have a big effect. If only there was something he could use to generate a lot of fire at once ...

"Jack!" Leo called out, still trotting backwards to keep away from the advancing specter. "Do you still have your bug spray?"

"What the hell does that have to do with anything?" Jack exclaimed, still jogging to keep pace with the moving fight.

"Just give it to me!" Leo roared authoritatively.

"I got it," Riley said quickly, moving to open Jack's backpack.

"It's in the front pocket," Jack said quickly, and Riley fished out the canister, handing it to Jack.

"Do you have it yet?!" Leo yelled. He snuck a look behind himself and realized the hallway was coming to a dead end. He had to make his move soon.

"I'm no quarterback, but here!" Jack quipped, holding the cylinder in his hand like a skinny football. He tossed the can, and it spiraled through the tunnel before bouncing on the ground and skittering past the spirit and Leo both.

Leo saw the can skip past and he sprang into action. No time for words, or thinking. The can bounced off the back wall, coming to a stop. Leo crouched to the ground, removed the cap of the can, and turned it around. The spirit was almost on top of him. Leo held the can in front of him and sprayed for what felt like an eternity ... and then he lifted his torch into the path of the spray.

FWOOSH! The spray, filled with DEET and aerosols, immediately ignited into a massive fireball. Leo hunched down to the ground as he lifted the torch, hoping he wouldn't be engulfed in the flames. For a moment, the cave felt like the inside of an oven. Then the fireball dissipated, a clanging of metal sounded out, and then the cave was eerily silent. The silence lasted for about two seconds.

"HOLY SHIT!" Jack screamed. "You blew that fucker up!"

Leo turned back around, flipping his now-singed cloak hood off of his head. Jack was right - the spirit was nowhere to be found. On the ground were the two metal clawed gauntlets, no longer floating, just inert in their resting place.

"So I did." Leo gave a savage smile, one he often wore after engulfing an opposing quarterback on a crucial third down. "Thanks for this, you can have it back." Leo tossed the can of bug spray, now half empty, back to Jack.

"Who needs to be a wizard now?" Riley grinned, and the boys gave each other a toast of fistbumps. Now it was time to figure out where to go next.

Mere seconds after the dust and rocks settled, Andrew Arrowsword shook his body violently. The small pile of rocks on top of him fell off to the side, and Andrew slowly got to his feet. The gravel pile in the ravine had collapsed, forcing him into the cave that he and Liam were trying to fit into. Andrew surveyed his surroundings, but he didn't see anything except a slightly-lit cavern tunnel in front of him and a huge pile of small rocks behind him. His heart sank.

"Liam!" Andrew called desperately, hoping his voice would reach his lover. "Liam!!"

For long, agonizing seconds, there was no reaction, just echoes in the tunnel. Just before Andrew was about to break down, there was movement under the pile of rocks.

"Liam!" Andrew said again, immediately dropping to the floor to start shoveling away at the pile of rocks. As he worked, the stirring from under the rocks increased, until Liam poked his head out of the pile.

"Andrew?" Liam smiled, face covered in dust and gunk. "We're not dead, are we?"

"Not yet!" Andrew scooped away a few more piles of gravel to help Liam get the rest of his body out of the pile, and the two embraced.

"Hey ..." Liam gave him a kiss and smiled again. "Maybe next time we should be more careful next to huge piles of rocks."

"If you insist!"

The two gathered themselves, made sure their packs were still in order, and decided to set off down the path. Sure, they were now separated from Sarah and the rest, but they knew the most important rule of the maze was to keep moving. They walked along the path for a long time, and realized they hadn't come across any forks or separations in the path. It had been a single continuous route for the entire time they'd traveled following the gravel collapse.

"Do you think it's weird the path hasn't diverged at all? It doesn't seem very maze-like." Liam pondered aloud to break the silence.

"Maybe part of the maze is unicursal, like the Cretan labyrinth." Andrew mused in response. "How it's described in the works of Ovid, for instance."

"You really surprise me with how well-read you are," Liam replied affectionately.

"I needed something to do during the World Cup season after the team disappeared!"

Katie Madison may not always make the best decisions, but she always knew when to drink water. It didn't matter if it was the morning after a drinking binge that would put a rock guitarist into a coma, it didn't matter if she played two full matches back-to-back, it didn't matter if she was hiking through the Malicollet desert. Katie Madison was always hydrated.

She had considerably calmed down since her small episode in the tunnel once she realized Allison was gone. Her leg muscles were still protesting after sprinting for so long, and she was taking deep breaths to calm down her heartbeat. Most of all, she was drinking a lot of water. She'd noticed that she hadn't really felt thirsty since entering the maze, but she knew that she would be feeling the effects of dehydration soon if she didn't replenish.

It was difficult to retain the level of fitness one must possess to be a world-class athlete. Ever since she could walk, Katie was pushed by her parents to be the best she could be. Her father, Erick Madison, was a sports analyst who had become incredibly wealthy in Drawkland's burgeoning sports culture. He had this grand vision of fathering a huge family, with all of his children becoming professional athletes. He wanted to turn the Madison family name into something of legend.

Katie was just one of the many Madison siblings who realized their father's dream. As the Madison children grew up, they were all sent to camps, brought to the gym, driven and flown and escorted around the country to receive the best training and best opportunities. Each one found their niche and stuck with it, and every one held some level of success.

Her older brothers, Gerald and Daniel, had carved out Hall of Fame legacies in basketball and football before retiring. Roger was going to retire any year now, having been one of baseball's most elite middle infielders for two decades. Even Will, Katie's little brother, had made a name for himself in the racing circuits. She had other siblings too, but Katie really didn't care for any of them.

The older siblings mostly took advantage of their upbringing to make money and fame, but they didn't buy into their father's plans for the future. Her younger siblings mostly held resentment for how they were forced into sports, and only kept at them because it was easier and more lucrative than the alternative. Katie figured they were just jealous that the older siblings got their pick of the bigger-name and bigger-money sports. After all, by the time they came around, they were just "the xth Madison sibling," barely indistinguishable from the rest of the pack.

Katie, on the other hand, had bought in. She kept up at her fitness and practiced or trained everything waking moment until she was on top of the pile. She had won MVP, she had taken the Drawk Corps to a championship, she had been named starting center forward on the Drawkland national team which was chock-full of stud strikers. Even then, she wanted more. She trained more, she practiced more, she chased records ... but there were some records that could not be broken. Ellzidan, the immortal elf Drawkionel who'd played in the DLK since its inception, stood atop the record books. Of course, all her records have an asterisk next to them, since she had an infinite amount of time to play with, but she's still at the top. You could slice Ellzidan's career into dozens of subsections as long as a normal player's career, and she would've made the Hall of Fame in all of them. This fact fueled Katie with unbelievable levels of envy and determination. No matter how good she was, she would never be The Best.

When the Kick Corps first started, Katie made it her goal to outscore the elf herself. It was the closest she could ever get to proving she was better. She plugged away, let her domestic career slip a bit to make sure she was in top form for international matches. She kept pace, scoring and being one of Drawkland's greatest stars on the international level. When the old Kick Corps was unceremoniously fired and replaced by the Elite Eleven, she was furious. The one silver lining? She was one goal ahead of Ellzidan on the Kick Corps record sheet. That settled her inner desires for a few years, until the reality set in on her.

One day, the Elite Eleven would be shown the door. One day, the return of the "real" Kick Corps would come. Katie knew that Ellzidan would still be there, ready to lace up, when that day came. If the Elite Eleven era lasted any longer, Katie would be too old to play on the national team. Some naysayers would argue she was too old even now. All it would take would be one tournament, most likely a single game, perhaps even twenty minutes, and Ellzidan could steal the top goalscoring records for the Kick Corps. Katie would be reduced to a footnote in history.

This would not do. When Katie learned of Nicole Warren of all people attempting to become immortal, everything came together in her mind. Of course! She could attain immortality, play the game forever, like the elf did. With a finite amount of time, Katie Madison outplayed Ellzidan. With an infinite amount of time, she could make her way up the record books and dethrone the elf. It could take decades, centuries, a thousand years, maybe, but she could do it. She would sit alone at the top of Drawkland sport, and stay there forever.

That wasn't even considering her father's vision. The Madison family, under Katie's careful watch, could expand and become a dynasty. She could have thousands of descendants playing in leagues across Drawkland and the world. Atop of them all, she would stand, the true greatest of all time. Her father's vision, her mission, would be complete.

Now that she was stuck in this horrifying cave, all these things, all these ideas of grandeur, seemed so far away. Katie felt like she could've taken on this challenge and destroyed it easily, just like she had all her life. Instead, she felt small. She felt insignificant. She felt ... wrong. Like she'd made a mistake. She'd seldom been in such a situation, and now she was trapped in one. Not only that, but she had the feeling she was being watched.

"No matter," Katie said to herself, breaking the silence that had surrounded her for hours. "I'll fight my way out, like I always have."

by **Sargossa** » Fri May 27, 2022 1:39 pm

Banks of monitors ringed the room. A long, black table ran down the middle. Sat around it a dozen men, most in military uniform focused on a figure who paced up and down. President Gregorio Emparán was a pacer when he was riled. And he was mightily riled.

‘Please can someone explain this situation to me.’ He gestured around the room as he paced. ‘I have at my disposal the most sophisticated intelligence network in all of Rushmore, possibly. I have the power to destroy whole nation’s at my fingertips, probably. And yet I cannot explain this situation. I cannot explain how this can possibly happen. And neither can any of you.’

He paused, planting both hands on the table surface as he regarded the cadre of officers sat at it.

‘How in the name of holy fuck can we possibly draw twice with Banija and then lose to Quakmybush? And Eraman? And Efnakia? How?!’

‘Umm…’, an army colonel cleared his throat. ‘Excellency. There was the matter at hand.’

‘Hmmm? Oh, yes. The Bollonich situation. Have Minister Carizzo’s report sent to Alana. She can parse the key points for me. Now, gentleman, our next point of order.’ He pressed a button on the desk. A familiar looking silhouette of a nation appeared on the command bunker’s biggest screen. ‘You may have noticed that dynastic tangles are somewhat in vogue at the moment. But while instability in Cassadaigua isn’t a primary concern, Pasarga is another matter entirely. Pasarga is just a little too close to home.

‘We knew that with Jakub and his less than regal genes on the thrones there was potential for trouble. His kids may at least have some blue blood thanks to their mother, but the wider Majistar family tree can only see this as a gilt-edged opportunity to press their own claims on the throne. Particularly considering that his own kids are squabbling about the line of succession. The whole place is a power keg. We need to keep an eye on it. A very close eye.’

‘Do you indeed to publicly support a claimant?’ The questioner wore the uniform of an admiral.

‘No. I don’t. What I indeed to do is pay the nation’s respects to a great statesman. I shall be attending the funeral of King Jakub in person, I believe the historic ties between our nations make that appropriate. And it’s perhaps time we accentuated the friendship between our nations rather than the hostilities. One why or another there's going to be a new dawn in Pasarga. Being on the good side of it can't be a bad thing.’

Emparán lifted a phone from the desk in front of him and hit a single button. The voice of his executive assistant answered. ‘Alana, get me a line to the royal siblings in Torgos…’

by **Soldera** » Fri May 27, 2022 2:12 pm

There's a concept that's made its way around the sporting multiverse of the so-called signature win or program-defining victory.

For Soldera's national football team, they earned one of those victories in their penultimate home match of World Cup 91 qualifying with a 3-0 victory over group leading Drawkland 3-0. The result in front of a deliriously happy sold out crowd at King Anthony Stadium in Branwen was the Cayden Barkley show as he scored twice and assisted on a Lisa Allyson marker to provide the entire scoring for the day. When the final whistle sounded, manager Larry Carricker smiled and accepted congratulations from assistants Bert Lundquist, Chika Ogunleye and Joey Westway.

Carricker didn't react the way a manager who just guided his team to one of those shot-heard-round-the-multiverse moments might have, though that had more to do with the fact that he knew Soldera's odds to actually make it to World Cup 91 proper were still long and relied on how the Snakes did in their match against StrayaRoos Barrier Islands, even though he'd decided he was not managing the match to give Westway some experience as manager.

It was Westway who led the team in its 1-1 draw against the Barrier Islands. Unfortunately for Soldera, the two lost standings points from that result officially slammed the door on the Snakes somehow qualifying for the World Cup in their second qualifying campaign. That meant their final home match of the World Cup 91 qualifying cycle against ancient powers Audioslavia would be merely for pride. Sure, a victory would give Soldera 10 from 22 matches, and combined with six draws and four losses, would mean Soldera would finish with a strong record again. But instead of being among the final 32 teams still with an opportunity to hoist a World Cup aloft, they potentially could end up one of the teams competing for the consolation prize of the Cup of Harmony.

Carricker had long since decided he would manage the game against Audioslavia as he said "g'nite bitches!" to his managerial career. Even though a win over Audioslavia would be little more than a feather in his cap individually and a massive building block for Solderan football in general, Carricker still wanted his one last shot against Audioslavia. He and the United Kingdom were far removed from the tensions of the cold civil war between Atlantian Oceania and the breakaway Anaia region, which Audioslavia joined. This wasn't going to be a blood feud the way a match between the Slaves and the Sarzonia Stars likely would have been. This was just a football match for an up-and-coming football program and one that had been plying its trade for many years.

Carricker didn't commit to a specific starting 11 for the match against Audioslavia by name, but when he was asked if he would give the depth players a chance to play some minutes against Audioslavia, he shook his head vigorously.

"We're still after the full three [standings points]," he said. "We're treating this like we need this to qualify. I want us to keep that same intensity going into whatever competition we go into next whether I'm the manager or not."

by **Milchama** » Fri May 27, 2022 4:11 pm

OOC: Please listen to the original song: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_GB26TguHGc

IC:
Last month in Alexandria
With the pattern of my life laid out
And I asked what I'd been asking you
Like cups repeat, like winners do
Like a ladder to the World Cup
The cups each come again and again

And I let it
Let me qualify and tether me 'til I get it

When we landed in Istria
And the local time was 11:11
The goalkeeper had his eyes closed
Through that very obvious own goal
And then time spread and expanded
The losses fanned out across the land

[Chorus]
And I let it
Let me down and tether me 'til I get it

Can I leave the CoH forever?
And let me qualify eternally

And that is the story of the Milchama World Cup qualifying campaign. Per Vilita we are the one of the two worst three seeds in the entire competition. On behalf of the Warrior Peoples of Milchama we apologize to everyone who picked us in fantasy, ya'll done messed up.

Come on You Warriors!
Let's Go Milchama!

by **Eraman** » Fri May 27, 2022 8:45 pm

Leaders of the Melayu Archipelago nations discussed for three hours in the Daulapura Convention Center before a vote was called on the three proposals made by the Bendahara of Eraman, Tun Rendra Usin. The results were then made known just a short while after the last nation cast their vote.

"On the first proposal, the Associations of Melayu Archipelago Nations unanimously agreed to condemn the terror attack in Cakranegara,"

The announcement by Tun Rendra Usin was received with a thunderous clap by the delegation.

"On the second proposal, the Association of Melayu Archipelago Nations, albeit with a few abstain vote, agreed with a strong majority to change the name of the region,"

The clap after the second announcement was somewhat smaller than the first.

"On the third proposal, the Association of Melayu Archipelago Nations unanimously rejects any interference on Sendhang's domestic policy,"

A thunderous clap, similar to the first was heard again in the room after the third announcement.

A thunderous clap, similar to the first was heard again in the room after the third announcement. The third announcement marked the end of the morning session of the AMAN Leaders Meeting. The delegations then went to the next room where lunch is served.

by **Pemecutan** » Fri May 27, 2022 8:56 pm

Part 4.10

The night has coming to Daulapura. The meeting will be continue tomorrow after the announcement made by Eraman Bendahara. It is a good result so far. Patih Agung Kusumajaya try to get some rest although it won't be much time for him as he will meet President Makarin later on. He has been in a fuse from the day before. He is eager to do a private meeting for them two. Something so important must be on his hand. But what?

Kusumajaya arrived in the hotel where the meeting will be held. Makarin seems to avoid to use the palace but they are lucky to get the place to meet privately. After Kusumajaya ask to the receptionist, he is escorted to the said room. Located in the fifth floor, it's not a big meeting room. In fact, it looks more like a study room but still with a complete setting for a small meeting up to 4 people. Makarin is already waiting for him there. They are greets each other casually like a long lost friend.

'So tell me, what is this that you want to talk to me so eagerly from yesterday?' ask Kusumajaya as he body touch the chair.
'Hahaha. You're getting very curious,' say Makarin with a fresh laugh.
'Well, you have Ben bugging me from the dinner the other night to meet in private,' remind Kusumajaya.
Makarin still have his laugh before he try to composure himself. 'Of course it is country related. Trade to be precise,' he say cautiously.
'Another trade agreement?' Kusumajaya ask.
Makarin exhale deeply as if he is afraid to say what he wants. 'Honestly, I would like you to invest in my country's energy industry. Build a refinery so we can produce our petrol at home,' explain Makarin.

Kusumajaya lean back. It is true that Pemecutan have provide Acastanha their petrol. But changing that trade to crude oil trade will decrease the income.

'I understand that it is economically impossible because you will be the one who gets the disadvantage here. What I'm thinking is you establish the refinery in our country and sell directly the finished product without the bother of shipping cost. The refinery will be still yours,' explain Makarin.

Kusumajaya get interested. But.... 'What's the catch?'
'Build the refinery somewhere in Arra. Maybe Sagamarayn or Radchai. And let my people works there,' Makarin propose.
Kusumajaya think for a few seconds. He is agree about letting Acastanhada people to work in the plan refinery. It will be in their soil after all. But build it in Sagamarayn or Radchai?

'Why not build it in Porto Espinhosa instead?' ask Kusumajaya.
'Decentralize,' Makarin answer. 'As of now many industry have been flocking the Palidas region. I want to build up Arra region which is still rely on raw material production and trade,' he added.
'Hhmm. I get your point. But Sagamarayn and Radchai is not feasible,' reveal Kusumajaya.
Makarin look at him in a questionable face. 'Both cities are not facing an open sea. That is their limitation. In a case of oil spill, the worst scenario, the area will be contaminated easily,' explain Kusumajaya.
'Isn't it better that way? It is easier to contain the oil spill in an enclosed area. Besides the cities are closer to Pemecutan than any other city in Acastanha,' Makarin argue.
Kusumajaya sigh heavily.

'You know what? Let's stop the meeting here,' say Kusumajaya. Something which shock Makarin. 'We conduct another meeting with more reliable people who is more understand about this issue. Maybe I can get MG Oil president too so we can talk about this thoroughly,' he added.
'Ah yes. That would be a great idea,' say Makarin in a relieve. A split second before, he thought Kusumajaya reject his proposal.
'In fact, I invites some of the leaders from Cendana Islands for some meeting. You can join up if you want,' invite Kusumajaya.
'Oh really? But what's the meeting is about?' ask Makarin curiously.
'Trade and the region's stability,' answer Kusumajaya casually.
'That would be great,' say Makarin in a happy tone.
'Great. I'll inform you the time later on,' say Kusumajaya. He give a silent smile for his success to invite Makarin to the meeting.

A House in Crumble

Somewhere in the depths of Cakranegara forest, several men with black uniforms are seen to spying a small hut. They are all carrying a handgun. The hut is ordinary. Nothing special about it. But the one inside that small hut is someone special. The spy waiting cautiously for any movement inside the house. The dark night with only a crescent shines in the sky greatly covered their disguise.

'There's a movement at the back.' informed the man who is positioned at the back of the hut. The hut is already surrounded by these men. About 10-15 of them groups in the four directions.
'Stay alert everyone. Check the status,' says the leader.
One man put his handgun. He targeted the person who is going out from the back door. Another man besides him use a binocular. With a night vision he try to get the visual of that person to confirmed if that person is someone that they are looking for.
'Negative, Sir. It's not him. Maybe only his accomplice,' informed the man with binocular.
'Stay alert. Check status. How many people inside the hut?' ask the leader.
'Around 5-6 people, Sir,' answer someone who is guarded the east side. He also use the binocular to check it.
The leader take a binocular and see it himself. He use a heat sonar to checks the temperature.
'Any weapon confirmed?' ask the leader.
'The one at the back door have a small gun on his back,' informed the man who guarded the back side of the hut.
'Each of them is carrying a gun,' notify the west group.
'East confirmed?' ask the leader.
'Yes, confirmed, Sir.'

The silent succumb the area as no further movement occur for several minutes. The spies stay on their guard while continue to watch what happen inside the hut.

'Person at the back going in,' informed the man at the backside of the hut.
'Stay alert everyone,' remind the leader.
'Movement inside the hut,' exclaim the west group leader.
'East?' ask the leader.
'Confirmed. Someone is pointing a gun,' informed the east group leader.

DOR!!! DOR!!! DOR!!!

A shot is heard from the hut. Three shots to be precise. The sudden situation alerted the uniforms men.

'Move cautiously,' command the leader.
The spies move cautiously to the hut from all direction. There are a lot of going on inside the hut. The west group already stand below the window.

'One man down. And they are trying to cover it up,' informed the west group leader.
'Suspect presence confirmed?' ask the leader.
'Negative,' answer the west group leader.
The leader sigh in agony.
'Movement at the back,' informed the back group leader as the team spread as the back door is opened again.
'Suspect confirmed. He is at the back of the hut,' alert the back group leader.
'Move! Move! Move!' scream the leader.

The spies get out from their hiding places and entered the hut. Everyone at the hut are in shocked as they are not prepare for such an ambush. The suspect man at the back of the hut try to grab his gun after hearing a noice from inside. But he is late as three handguns are pointed towards him. The ambush is a success. The suspect of bombing at Gili Anakan is caught.

'And now you will be detained for good,' say the leader as he standing face to face with the suspect.

The calm night at the governor's mansion suddenly interrupted by a man who is running wildly while screaming Hambali's name. Hambali who is relaxing at the pool become irritated. He take a handgun behind him and pointed to the screaming man as he is standing in front of him.

'What are you fussing about? You spoiled my best night,' blast Hambali with his angry tone.
'I...I...I'm sorry, Sir. I didn't mean to. But something has happen,' say the man in a stuttering voice.
'What?!' Hambali still say it with an angry tone.
'Azmi. Fakhrul Azmi is caught,' informed the man.

A shock expression can be seen on Hambali's face. His hand suddenly losing the grip as the handgun touch the ground. Hambali take a deep breathe. His face is redden.

'Get everyone here! Erase all of our connection with Azmi. No one's get to know that we're the one who supply him. No one's get to know that we ask him to bomb the base. No one. No one!' command Hambali.

The mansion suddenly become crowded with many people trying their best to erase the connection with Fakhrul Azmi, the suspect of Gili Anakan bombing. Or else.

by **Hapilopper** » Fri May 27, 2022 9:36 pm

Capital Stadium, Hapilopper City
Just before World Cup 91 Qualifying Match 20: Hapilopper v. Abanhfleft
One match remained in the group for Team Hapilopper. Just one. It seemed so distasteful – more like a miscarriage of justice that after so many weeks at the top of Group 15, Team Hapilopper had lost the lead to Valanora. But yet, thanks to goal differential, Team Hapilopper had indeed lost the group lead, and qualifying for World Cup 91, at this point, seemed like it was in other people’s hands right now.

For starters, Team Hapilopper needed a miracle. They need Savigliane to not tie Valanora, but rather beat Valanora entirely, and then they needed Macbon to take the Vanorians down – which seemed like a pipe dream, at best. After all, Macbon hadn’t done much the whole campaign, were 9th in the 11-team group, and oh yeah, Valanora was the number three team in the entire multiverse. But don’t remind Team Hapilopper of that fact.

Going into the final match, Team Hapilopper, as a unit, was angry and was ready to take it out on some opponents. They weren’t angry about the draw with Valanora – quite the opposite, in fact, and members of Team Hapilopper made damn sure that everyone knew that fact.

“The number three team in the multiverse, and all they could get out of us was one point from six?” goalkeeper Billy Solomon said. “Hell, I’d say that’s quite an accomplishment. Shit, Ellis was talking about how he had nightmares about the Vanorians.”

Instead, the Haps were frustrated about the other draws. The 2-2 tie with Baggieland. The 2-2 tie with the EOT. The 3-3 tie with Caribbia. Draws that Team Hapilopper probably should have won but didn’t. The fans were frustrated too, and they felt like this was a team that, if everything had gone the way it was supposed to, would have already qualified for World Cup 91 by now. It wasn’t a collapse on the same vein of the team’s collapse in World Cup 85 – far from it, in fact, but it sure felt like it.

For starters, there was still a lot to be proud of, and the road didn’t end with this match, no matter what happened. Even if Team Hapilopper lost to Abanhfleft, there was still a two-legged playoff to play. Win what was essentially one 180-minute football match against whoever they were going up against, and Team Hapilopper was back where they belonged – in the World Cup. Even if Valanora and Team Hapilopper tied, the Haps would be in that two-legged playoff. The dreaded Cup of Harmony was not tolling its ominous toll just yet.

This was also a fantastic football team, and there was so much to be excited about as the years progressed. Parker Mathis was starting to look like a more prominent goal scorer than any of the forwards, and he was going to be moved to an offensive role. Good for the fans – they loved the “Funky Parker” dance. A funky electronic tune had become enormously popular among Hapiloppians in recent weeks as fans figured out it had the same beat as Parker’s dance moves, and that the song fit the general vibe of the team – exciting, dynamic and fun.

There was Pete Robson and Toby Bryson, the primary goal-scoring threats for Team Hapilopper. Pete was developing a reputation as a party animal behind the scenes, while Toby was developing a reputation as a reliable goal scorer, regardless of the circumstances. Billy Solomon had calmed down and had become the perfect keeper for the perfect time, while away from the pitch, was developing a reputation as one of the most wholesome follows on social media.

The Hapilopper Television Network had recently mic’d up Ace Boone during the last match, and his trash talking of the poor Caribbean players was, to put it mildly, hilarious. Not all of it was airable, but what was airable made for 11 of the 15 funniest things said by a Hapiloppian sports figure in the last calendar year. One of those quotes popped up on a huge banner in one of the endzones, as some of the Traveling Thrashers figured they could get Ace’s attention during the match.

And there was Jerold Dickman and Nathan Ellis. Theoretically, Nathan could be Jerold’s big brother or his father. They were out there, patrolling the defensive side of the pitch and waiting to ruthlessly stop an offensive charge as viciously, as violently and as effectively as possible. Jerold felt like his career was secure as Nathan had effectively taken him under his wing, teaching him how to be violent in the right times, how to be vicious when he needed to be, and when to not. As a result, Jerold felt like he had grown as a person with the right person mentoring and grooming him to be the best football player possible.

With that in mind, there was a lot to be excited about for Team Hapilopper, but a lot to be nervous about. Not everything was in their hands as they prepared to hit the pitch, but at least it wasn’t going to be over.

Thinking about this, head coach Thom Perkins looked at his team and told them a few important things to think about as they prepared to go out there. The tone of his voice, as well as the way he carried himself, was eerily ominous.

“Just remember something as you get ready to go out there. All you can do now is kick Abanhfleft’s ass,” Thom started. “Just make the most of what you’ve got now. Whatever happens with the Eternal Empire, happens with the Eternal Empire. Whether they win or they lose, you can’t worry yourself on what they do. Just focus yourself on making the most of it. This is not the end of the road. This is not the end of our story. This is only the beginning. Team Hapilopper will still be the team of the 90s. We’re only at 91. Where will be at 92? How about 93?

“Teams like the Holy Empire and Pemecutan and Valanora and Turori and Ko-oren, will we be on their level in due time?” Thom continued. “That depends on how you play. That depends on what you do. The old saying is your finest moment awaits. And my question to all of you is, does it?

“There is a lot at stake,” Thom finished. “Both tonight and in the future. I can’t tell you how we’ll do. That’s why we play the games. My question is, how will we do? That’s up to you. All of you.”

World Cup 81/82/83/84

With just 2 matchdays remaining, it's time once again to present the coveted World Cup Qualifying Overachievers Awards, courtesy of our crack research panel (who discovered to their horror after a night of booze and pills that they had no idea of what pots the preliminary nominees had been in, so back to the drawing board they went to begin from scratch).

The totally arbitrary 'rules' governing the definition of what "overachieving" consists of usually go with a nation that will finish at a minimum three places in the final group table ahead of their original seeding from the Group Stage Draw; this can also be extended to those nations that maintained such a record for a lengthy period of time over the course of the tournament but perhaps ran out of gas at the end, or a nation that potentially still could meet the criterium over the final fixtures.

So, with that being said, let's go to The Video Tape!

11th seeds: Kuraita are the winner here, as the newcomers currently sit 6th in Group 8, with Gnejs, dba the Prosaic Union in the 7th spot in Group 1, with Ceni only getting an honorable mention, not because their current 5th place in Group 3 is not impressive, but because of their previous history in the sport, as they return to competition after a lengthy hiatus. Fun Fact: Ceni were the opponent for Baker PArk's first ever victory in the World Cup Final on matchday 3 in EqueStar World Cup 80.
10th seeds: Cardenao (fifth place) in Group 9 and Tjori (seventh place) in Group 2 have carried the banner for Pot 10 thus far.
9th seeds: Delte are the winner here as they are number 5 in Group 5, with Efnakia (Group 12), Forbidden Territories (Group 14) and Fort McKinley (Group 10) all holding onto 6th places.
8th seeds: Saterun were poised to be the overachievers of the tourney until the most recent results saw them drop from 2nd to a tie for 4th in Group 11, but they still can be proud of their play as can Sredjaci who are in a battle for the final playoff berth in Group 8, tied with Gyatso-kai in 3rd; Gortolekua were 5th but dropped back in Group 4 and Baggieland remain tied for 4th in Group 15.
7th seeds: Garifunya (Group 13), The Cordian Isles (Group 6) and Soldera (Group 7) all hold down 4th place, although the latter are currently tied with Audioslavia for that spot.
6th seeds: We usually struggle to find sixes for this list but there are 3 who are in the playoff picture currently as Brookstation are 2nd in the tough Group 12, Delaclava are 3rd in Group 1 and Wreckeria have been in the top 3 in Group 14 until losing some momentum recently.
5th seeds: Another Pot where there is usually just a single standout but there are more than enough teams still near the top of their table: Saint Eleanor in Group 10 and Valentine Z in Group 2 are second while Juvencus fell back to 3rd in Group 14 and Bollonich has spent much of WCQ in close combat with Tikariot and Pasarga in Group 9, but we still include them for their total body of work.
4th seeds: There has never been a Pot 4 nation make the list but if Hapilopper can hold off Valanora and clinch the top spot in Group 15 they'll make history; they can't finish lower than second so they still merit a shout out here.

Congratulations to all of these nations, plus a few that just missed the cut but have gone beyond expectations in World Cup 91.

by **Acastanha** » Fri May 27, 2022 10:45 pm

The Deciding Matches

The World Cup qualifying round has nearly ended. With just 2 matches left, Acastanha is still stuck in the fourth place of Group 4. These last 2 matches becoming the most crucial match for Acastanha. They needs to win both matches to be able to clench playoff spot. Currently, the team is 6 points away from the third place, Trolleborg.

Acastanha start their journey in this World Cup edition with a mediocre performance. Draw against newcomer Gortolekua and a lose from Britonisea has put them far below the table. They rise up in the next 5 matches. Collecting 3 wins from Potenzia, TotoMishin and Tekatus, a draw from Ranoria and losing to Jeruselem. Their luck gets better after an undefeated streak. A 4-3 win against Pyazhnaya. Holds Baker Park in a 1-1 draw and defeating Trolleborg with a 3-1 goals. The result placed Acastanha in the third place after the first half of qualifying round.

Looking as if the team haven't learn from their mistake, they repeat the cycle again by drawing to Gortolekua and defeated again by Britonisea. They try to rise up by winning the matches against Potenzia, Tekatus, Ranoria and TotoMishin. They even able to forced Jeruselem into a draw match. But the reverse happen as they was defeated by Pyazhnaya. Pyazhnaya match was also crucial as it could closed the gap between Acastanha and Trolleborg. But the reverse result in the second half makes them stay at it is.

A harder situation happen to Acastanha. The next matches should be won by them to secure their place in the play off. But can they do that? In the first half, Acastanha was able to stop Baker Park from gaining a full point. They even defeats Trolleborg. But with the similar situation happen, Acastanha will still 2 points short from the third place. So is it really possible? Taking the phrase 'The ball is round', the result is indeed unpredictable. Just like before where Pyazhnaya able to defeats Acastanha even though they were lose before. The question is can they?

However the result will be, the tickets for the last match against Trolleborg which is held at Arrachai is already sold out. There are also stories circulated that many cafe and diners are opening their places for a football watching gathering. It seems that the country will be stop for around 90 minutes during the match day as everyone will watch their television to see the result. In the end, we all can only hope for the best to our team. No matter how the result is, they have been giving the best of them.

by **Fort McKinley** » Fri May 27, 2022 10:54 pm

Fort McKinley's National Team was preparing for the final pair of games of World Cup Qualifying and there was talk that possibly the squad might be invited to play in the Cup of Harmony, which led David to reconsider his plans.

The practical realities of making a break for freedom on a controlled flyaway trip to a foreign country were seemingly insurmountable—the team flew on a chartered plane, they bypassed airport terminals, they traveled everywhere in country on a coach, four PIC agents present at all times wherever they were.

The fact he was able to pull off the transfer of F^50,000 while in Saint Eleanor was only made possible by being fortunate to find someone who could collect the money while the team were out of the hotel on their first day in the nation.
Liam West had deposited the money in the Eleanorian National Bank under the name Dave had come up with to use as an alias—Dale Nicholas—and sent an email to confirm that a few days after the Fort McKinley side had played a tough 2-1 loss to West's team that was marching towards qualifying for the World Cup Final.

The Mackies had come a long way from those first few games when they'd been over-matched to become a formidable opponent that sat in sixth place out of eleven through 18 matches. Now all that remained were a home date against Reorganized Portugal and a final trip where they would face Armbruster.

If they did end up in the COH, those matches would all be played in a host nation in the same way that the AOCAF and the Baptism of Fire had been, meaning that there was a chance that significant others might be permitted to attend, and if Lee was allowed to join him, it was possible that Kate could also get permission for Jason and herself to also leave Fort McKinley. That would certainly ease the logistics of all four being able to make a break together along with the phones that they'd acquired to keep in touch when the time came.

His own performances on the pitch were a definite highlight of the campaign, validating the honor of being named to the Baptism of Fire Select XI; with the lone goal against Krytenia and the only tally against the Ochre Islands, he now had 14 goals in the 17 matches he'd played, half of the team's output.

by **Turori** » Sat May 28, 2022 12:12 am

Eels March Forth in Control of World Cup Destiny

Almintora National Stadium, Almintora, Turori :: Despite inconsistent struggles over the second half of World Cup 91 Qualifying, the Turori National Team will enter their final two-game stretch with full control of their own destiny in Group 14 knowing that two victories will be enough to ensure automatic qualification to World Cup 91.

Things seemed to be on the right track for the Turori National Team when they followed up a 4-0 victory over the Forbidden Territories with a trip to Starblaydia where they doubled up their fellow Class of '15 Nation in a 6-3 victory in what was the sixth highest scoring game in Turori National Team history. Turori raced out to a 3-0 lead thanks to a pair of quick goals from veteran midfielder Daliora Toru'u and a 15th minute tally from Loala Inkabu. The home side would come roaring back over the next hour to tie the game before substitute Lutara Makakio scored twice in the final fifteen minutes of the game - either side of a Tulaki Rauogba goal as the Eels ran off with a memorable 6-3 victory over a side that many saw as their biggest threat in the group.

 Turori 6 - 3 Starblaydia	
	Turori Goals:	:: 7' Daliora Toru'u:: 8' Daliora Toru'u:: 15' Loala Inkabu:: 77' Lutara Makakio:: 81' Tulaki Rauogba:: 89' Lutara Makakio         
	Stats :: Turori 	:: Possession: 44%:: Shots: 15:: Corners: 11 :: Starblaydia :: Possession: 56%:: Shots: 9:: Corners: 5
	Turori Lineup :: 	Derizi Amatopa, Amakli Inuro'o, Moumouni Verre'elali, Biliki Rona'atu'i, Cusaram Sakeri, Cuoabaza Orani’aoa (Tulaki Rauogba 45'), Kiidallen Aeroluzzi, Daliora Toru'u (Lutara Makakio 74'), Naraiza Ruaplal, Nua'oma Aikiki, Loala Inkabu (Turakia Diijelhma 65')

From there it appeared that the Turori National Team were at the peak of their performance having re-taken command of Group 14 and scored ten goals over a two game period. Then, over the following three matchdays the Turori National Team picked up zero victories. A struggling Savojarna side came in to the Cednia Beach Center in Cednia, Turori and fought hard to keep the Eels off the scoresheet. After scoring 10 goals in two games, Edgeli's Eels were unable to crack the goalkeeping performance of Aleksandra Virulainen and were bogged down over the 90 minutes and for the second time in four matches the Eels would drop two points into a goalless draw.

It was a difficult warmup for the Eels as they traveled to Flavovespia for another potential banana peel game against a team that literally took to the field looking like bananas in a stadium filled with Yellow seats. It was a terrible omen for the Eels as they stepped out onto the pitch at the Hornet's Nest in Waldster and ultimately they would pay on the pitch. It was an important match for the home side who were sitting 4th in the Group 14 table and looking to break back into the Top 3 playoff zone. The Eels were looking to make an impression early after slipping up against Savojarna and would successfully find their way onto the scoresheet 21 minutes into the game after a long ball over the top from Naraiza Ruaplal connected with Nua'oma Aikiki who took a step past the yellow-clad defender Stuart Cookson then firing a low shot past Aarif Muhammad to give the Eels an early lead which they kept until the half time break.

Edgeli and the Eels would make one change at the half with Lutara Makakio coming on in place of Loala Inkabu but unlike the game against Starbalydia, Makakio was unable to make an impact off the subs bench in Waldster. It was Flavovespia that were the more inspired side in the second half, putting pressure on Derizi Amatopa's goal and eventually breaking through after Adrian Jones found the ball at their feet after Amatopa had parried a shot from Michael Cole on the left hand side. Jones equalized for the home side and the stadium willed the momentum into their players who took control for a short period of the second half of the game to turn the match on its head. It was a back and forth attack as both teams were in search of the winner and eventually the home side would capitalize through Jonathan Bagshaw who blasted from close range just under the top of the bar with a shot that looked like it might have gone over the stands and out of the stadium if it weren't for the top of the net keeping it restrained. Flavovespia would hang on for the final 15 minutes of the match to collect a famous victory and send the Eels crashing down and out of the Top 3 of the live table, outside the projected playoff zone for the first time all campaign.

 Turori 0 - 0 Savojarna	
	Turori Goals:	               
	Stats :: Turori 	:: Possession: 53%:: Shots: 4:: Corners: 7 :: Savojarna :: Possession: 47%:: Shots: 4:: Corners: 0
	Turori Lineup :: 	Derizi Amatopa, Amakli Inuro'o, Moumouni Verre'elali, Biliki Rona'atu'i, Planio’o Nrujsa (Cusaram Sakeri 79'), Kiidallen Aeroluzzi, Kinabo Telioa, Cuoabaza Orani’aoa (Daliora Toru'u 73'), Naraiza Ruaplal, Loala Inkabu (Lutara Makakio 45'), Nua'oma Aikiki

 Turori 1 - 2 Flavovespia	
Turori Goals:	:: 23' Nua'oma Aikiki              
Stats :: Turori 	:: Possession: 53%:: Shots: 5:: Corners: 7 :: Flavovespia :: Possession: 47%:: Shots: 8:: Corners: 3
Turori Lineup :: 	Derizi Amatopa, Amakli Inuro'o, Moumouni Verre'elali (Karek Edgeli 62'), Biliki Rona'atu'i, Planio’o Nrujsa, Cuoabaza Orani’aoa, Naraiza Ruaplal, Kinabo Telioa (Lutara Makakio 45'), Lati'ala Giaoka (Loala Inkabu 64'), Nua'oma Aikiki, Turakia Diijelhma

After falling outside the playoff places, the Turori National Team returned home to Eels Park to face off against New Folgore - a team which the Eels defeated comfortably on the road during the first half of qualifying by a 2-0 scoreline. Turori would finally find their form again with an early goal from Planio'o Nrujsa setting the pace as the Eels were up 2-0 at the half with the second goal from Nua'oma Aikiki.

The second half of the match was a much closer affair, perhaps more evenly matched than Turori National Team head coach Endur Rotropii would have liked, but either way the Eels would emerge victorious both in the half and in the match. After New Folgore had pulled one back, a high energy 5 minute spell saw the Eels get goals from Nua'oma Aikiki and Turakia Diijelhma to secure the lead and ultimately the three points for the Eels. Loala Inkabu would add a fifth for Turori before the final whistle as the Eels would run out 5-2 winners.

After entering the match 4th in the Group 14 table it was likely a shock for Edgeli and all of Nigel's Army that just one game later the Eels could leapfrog their way back to the top of the table. However, with Wreckeria unable to claim victory in Wreckeria and Flavovespia having a bye week, the Eel's 5-2 victory was enough for them to overtake both sides as well as narrowly take position over Juvencus on goal differential.

After the morale-boosting victory over New Folgore, the Turori National Team would hit the road for a confusing matchup in the beans-loving nation over Metherwoll. The Lesser Bean Team had been a thorn in the side of multiple nations throughout World Cup 91 Qualifying, having stolen points fromthe Forbidden Territories, Starblaydia and Savojarna in succession earlier in the tournament. Edgeli and the Eels were keenly aware of looking to avoid a similar fate and would field a strong lineup for the match including number one goalkeeper Derizi Amatopa. The game was largely a stalemate in the midfield and Amatopa was able to thwart each of the three quality chances that the home side put forth. Luckily for Turori and the small contingent of traveling fans comprising Nigel's Army on the far end of the pitch, Turori were able to capitalize on one of their first half opportunities with Turakia Diijelhma finding the net for what would ultimately be the games only goal. The Eels would hang on for a 1-0 victory and hang on to first place in the Group 14 table with full control over their own destiny if they could win out their remaining matches.

 Turori 5 - 2 New Folgore	
	Turori Goals:	:: 6' Planio’o Nrujsa:: 33' Nua'oma Aikiki:: 59' Nua'oma Aikiki:: 66' Turakia Diijelhma:: 84' Loala Inkabu          
	Stats :: Turori 	:: Possession: 65%:: Shots: 8:: Corners: 14 :: New Folgore :: Possession: 35%:: Shots: 8:: Corners: 5
	Turori Lineup :: 	Derizi Amatopa, Amakli Inuro'o, Moumouni Verre'elali, Planio’o Nrujsa (Biliki Rona'atu'i 45'), Cusaram Sakeri, Cuoabaza Orani’aoa, Naraiza Ruaplal, Kinabo Telioa, Lati'ala Giaoka (Turakia Diijelhma 61'), Nua'oma Aikiki (Lutara Makakio 70'), Loala Inkabu

 Turori 1 - 0 Metherwoll	
	Turori Goals:	:: 34' Turakia Diijelhma              
	Stats :: Turori 	:: Possession: 54%:: Shots: 3:: Corners: 6 :: Metherwoll :: Possession: 46%:: Shots: 3:: Corners: 6
	Turori Lineup :: 	Derizi Amatopa, Amakli Inuro'o, Moumouni Verre'elali, Karek Edgeli, Biliki Rona'atu'i (Friika Diirotora 45'), Kiidallen Aeroluzzi (Naraiza Ruaplal 80'), Cuoabaza Orani’aoa (Nua'oma Aikiki 45'), Daliora Toru'u, Kinabo Telioa, Turakia Diijelhma, Loala Inkabu

Next Matchday Venue Information & Preview:

Mliona, Turori

Fixture :: World Cup 91 Qualifying Matchday 22 v. Juvencus

Capacity :: 90,500

Location :: The Island Emirate of Turori has four main zones as part of is primary inhabited areas. The majority of Turori's Population resides on the south eastern portion of Turori's main Island. This includes the Capital City of Almintora, the surrounding capital region including Cednia and the purpose built sportropolis of Eelandii as well as on the Northern shore the city of Kionao. While Almintora is still the largest city in the Island Emirate, Cednia and its associate Beach life at the southern tip of Turori's main Island have become one of its most popular for entertainment as well as holiday style tourism. Outside of this, the large portion of Turori's remaining population are in the Mliona region of Turori's smaller Island, where folks who want to be detached from the hustle bustle of the Capital City life tend to reside.

Mliona is a growing technology hub within the Island Emirate - including the headquarters of two of the most well known Turorian corporations: The Cocoa-bo Eatery Group and the Turorian Weather & Information Interchange (twii.tur)

Stadium & Tenant History :: The rising success of Mliona-Lpaka in the modern era of the Vilitan League necessitated the renovation of the old Mliona Park stadium to improve not only capacity but quality of experience as it was no longer just locals but foreign visitors and clubs travelling to Turori to visit the stadium. While some funding came from the clubs success, others came from Turorian Tourism funding to ensure visiting fans wanted to come back to Turori after their first impressions. After the renovations were complete, the stadium was renamed after former Mliona-Lpaka and Turori National Team star Kaboafo Iobabao who also holds the record for most goals in a single season for Mliona-Lpaka AFC.

Mliona-Lpaka are heavily funded by the Cocoa-bo Eatery who serve as the teams primary kit sponsor as well as a major presence inside the arena with over 60% of the food services in the venue provided by Cocoa-bo. Cocoa-bo, an establishment taking its name directly from the beloved national animal of Turori, started as a small dessert shop in Kionao. However, it was only after they added chocolate topped drinks to their menu that their popularity started to soar. As more and more patrons scooped up their chocolate flavored pick-me-ups, demand for the Cocoa-bo product skyrocketed and soon new franchised locations were popping up all throughout Turori. Shifting to more of a social 'hang-out' then just a casual place to drop in, get a dessert, and leave, the new locations started adding small foods such as Bagels for the morning, Soups and Sandwiches for Lunch or Dinner and Salads for the entire day. The Cocoa-bo stadium experience includes many of the most popular Cocoa-bo offerings as well as some more traditional stadium foods. Because of the close association with Cocoa-bo, the Iobabao Legendary Park was one of the central investigative focuses during the infamous Cocoabo Inquisition led by Sir Barnaselphus of the dreamed realm. It is possible that the recent downturn in performance of Mliona-Lpaka AFC, who had previously been the first Turorian team to win the Vilitan Cup but more recently saw relegation to the Vilitan Declasse, as one of the contributing factors to the case against Cocoa-bo being largely dropped.

Previous Fixture :: World Cup 91 Qualifying Matchday 10 v. the 14 Stars :: During the Eels only previous match at the Iobabao Legendary Park during World Cup 91 Qualifying, late goals from Cuoabaza Orani'aoao and Lutara Makakio were enough to secure three points for Turori in a 2-0 victory over the 14 Stars. With two games to play in World Cup 91 Qualifying, the Turori National Team are assured at least a playoff spot regardless of their results in the road fixture against the 14 Stars and the home game against Juvencus. The Eels will be looking for revenge against Juvencus who were victorious by a 5-3 margin over Turori on Matchday 11 while the Juven side will just need to match the performance of Starblaydia over the two game stretch to secure their place in the World Cup 91 Qualifying Playoffs.

by **Nyowani Kitara** » Sat May 28, 2022 6:04 am

Part 1
Part 2
Part 3
Part 4
Part 5 (Written by Yuezhou)
Part 6
Part 7 (Written by Yuezhou)
Part 8
Part 9

President Nafuna Akongo, at the Presidential Palace, the morning after the Election

The President had been sitting down, in the Presidential Palace, thinking about last night's election. She thought about, in general, the events of the last four years. What a time for reflection it was, wasn't it? Her Father's death. Malik Akongo's betrayal. The DFLK failed military coup attempt. The onslaught of civil war, a brutal war that engulfed all of Nyowani Kitara, divided it 3 ways, and sent the country into spiraling chaos. And then, from the darkest part of the night, came the dawn.

When the KFF started launching attacks on Dewayo itself, and Nafuna Akongo, in a desperate act in the face of total annihilation, got fortunate and got help from two of the strongest militaries in the region, Nephara and then Eura, to help steady her in the face of overwhelming odds. That moment was the closest she had ever come to actually believing in God- that nations like Nephara and Eura would risk life and limb to keep her in power, and allow her the dignity of not dying at the hands of her most traitorous brother. Then, of course, the rest of the war. Turning the tide in the war, losing Gustav Isaksson forever in the process, with the peace accords, stunning everyone by winning the Osterland referendum, and now this.

She had gone through the ringer. She was about to turn 24 now- a battle hardened woman, who was now much older than her years suggested. All of that had led to this- a crushing electoral defeat. Not crushing in an aggregate sense- the KPWC was within 10 seats of the leading party, the UPF. But soul-crushing. She didn't issue a concession the night before, the KPWC twii.tur accounts hadn't done so, as she genuinely didn't know how to deal with the loss.

One of her Generals had suggested that she storm the National Assembly, and another that she storm the UPF party happening at Inhalo, arrest Kulan, and pull the tactics of her Great Uncle to restore calm and order under what would be the equivalent of launching a grenade launcher at the democratic principles of Nyowani Kitara. She had refused outright- she was going to recognize the results of this election. She had not done so yet, publicly at least- but with her press conference in an hour, she was politicking. She had an aide actually call Susan Ounda, the lead of the JVV, to see if she wanted to get involved in coalition negotiations. But Ounda had told her aide to "go fuck herself", so Nafuna Akongo felt as if there was no point in keeping up the pretense that she had any ability at all to command the 151 votes necessary to form a Government.

Nafuna Akongo went on a stroll through the Ren Qiang Memorial Gardens, here at the Presidential Palace. She had given the gardens at the Palace that name herself; she knew that Muhoozi Kulan was unlikely to keep that name going. It may be one of her last opportunities to start strolling out of here. She started whispering, mostly to herself, to his spirit. "Ren Qiang." She whispered into the wind. "I went down. Your sacrifice, for my country, for this country, was not in vain. Your men, the YPA soldiers, have protection here. I have done what I can...." And of course, nothing.

"Dad. Great Uncle Zelotes." She whispered, referencing her Father, Boaz Akongo, and her great uncle, Zelotes Akongo. "I love you guys. We fought... This country has changed. This Palace is no longer mine. But rest assured.... I will return." She took her stroll around the Gardens, and then went straight to a packed press room....

Nyowani Kitara Watch
An unbiased source on all things Nyowani Kitara

UPF largest party in newly constituted National Assembly as the Akongo family set to lose power for the first time in 35 years

UPF Celebrates becoming the largest party in Nyowani Kitara

DEWAYO, NYOWANI KITARA- A historic day for Nyowani Kitara, as a General Election has come and gone, largely without incident, our first free and fair elections probably ever. A hard-fought electoral campaign, with all sorts of twists and turns, had led Muhoozi Kulan's UPF to claim the slimmest of pluralities in the inauguaral sitting of the Nyowani Kitara National Assembly. With utter domination in the southern part of the country, and the collapse of nationalist parties in both north and south, the UPF were able to claim the largest number of seats. With the JVV earning 36 seats of their own, despite ideological differences, there remains a clean path to forming a stable, two-party majority coalition Government.

Muhoozi Kulan spoke about the importance of the results. "Nyowani Kitara has spoken, and we have spoken to have a Government that is ready to both win and maintain the peace." He said to wild cheers. "But let's celebrate this- we've thrown Nafuna Akongo out of power! And it was all about you- the people. People thought that it was impossible. People thought that Nafuna Akongo would simply follow in her Great Uncle's footsteps, and move violently when it became readily apparent that she would lose power. But the power of the people was simply too strong this time. We have been waiting for too many years for this vote to happen, and it has been ordinary people that have pulled off Rushmore's most extraordinary event. Being fearless- knocking doors, going to protests, going to rallies, making signs, imploring your friends to vote- our influence is making a new country."

Susan Ounda, who's JVV is likely to be a coalition partner, has said that the JVV intends to use their kingmaker position to pursue justice for victims. "We are going to move forward, we are going to rebuild this country!" She told her supporters. "It is not easy to re-build a country, of course. But we are going to use our position to go into Government, as Junior coalition partners, and we are going to help the people of Nyowani Kitara right now. We are going to go on the biggest victims rights campaign that this country- no, that this region- has ever seen. We are going to establish the truth of what happened during the war, during all those years of Akongos, and even before. We are going to bring the worst human rights abusers to justice." When she was asked whether she'll pursue parallel coalition negotiations with the KPWC, she laughed so hard that water snorted out of her nose.

And then, of course, President Nafuna Akongo, in the morning, officially conceded. "It is interesting times, shocking times, when things like these end up happening." The President told reporters. "But, of course, that is how this system of Government works. I can recognize what has happened- Muhoozi Kulan has won the most seats in the National Assembly, and therefore, has earned the right to try and form a Government. I am still President until he does, of course, but once he reaches and signs an agreement, we will convene the National Assembly and begin the transition of power." When asked if she would retire from politics she was clear- she would not. "I'm still an elected member of the National Assembly, and I intend to serve my constituents." She would not say if she continues to stay in leadership at the KPWC. When asked if Susan Ounda's promises for justice included bring her down, the President said that she 'conducted the war admirably, with honor' and that her brother was the only Akongo who needed to face justice.

A new era. Coalition negotiations have commenced between the JVV and the UPF, and these will likely take few days. But it won't be that long- in a few days time, Muhoozi Kulan will be the next President of Nyowani Kitara. And that, of course, will have major consequences on the ground, for all.

Final Electoral Results.
UPF- 125 seats.
KPWC- 119 seats.
JVV- 36 seats.
CFO- 13 seats.
KNC- 5 seats.
EAL- 2 seats.

OTHER NEWS- SPORTS
- Nyowani Kitara stunned Ko-oren at the Revolutionary Guards, beating the top seeded World Cup 89 Champions by a score of 1-0 at the national stadium. It was the 20 year old, Josef Sparv, off the bench, who scored the lone goal of the game, with a 72nd minute curler to raise the roof off the place. After that huge win, they couldn't follow up in a visit to the Prosaic Union, drawing 1-1 there. The point put Ko-oren into the World Cup, and clinched a playoff berth for Nyowani Kitara.
- Nyowani Kitara have clinched a playoff spot, and are one point away from clinching second place in the group. Manager Liang Wei said that would be a major accomplishment, along with accomplishing home field advantage for the second leg of the playoffs. "We're gonna have two games to determine whether we're back in the Cup of Harmony, or whether we go to the World Cup Finals." Liang Wei said. "We need to put ourselves in the best position to win that playoffs, and that means getting home field advantage." Nyowani Kitara's final games are at home against a mid-table Xanneria side, and then a final matchday visit to Sudilia. Liang Wei said he'd go all out for the win against Xanneria, since it was 'imperative' that they avoided the drama of the final matchday.

by **Cabo Azure** » Sat May 28, 2022 7:23 am

Renegade, act III, pt 3
History has been kinder to King Reinaldo I than to his son Reinaldo II, but this fact is more an accident of circumstance than a reflection of the two men’s temperaments. In fact, father and son mirrored each other more than most Azureans would like to believe: both re-absorbed powers divested to the Assembly and the courts by their predecessors; both restricted foreign trade and imposed ruinous tariffs; and both were notoriously paranoid, accusing their detractors of being spies or agents for Nephara. One of the main differences, then, was that the elder Reinaldo married Queen Isabella early in his reign. The daughter of a family from the island of Dulce Muerte that was noble in name only, Isabella was a moderating influence on both her husband and his public image, and much of the public mourning when she died young from cancer was sincere.

Reinaldo I’s second wife was substantially less popular than the first. Carlotta Silva was the daughter of Dom Vincenzo Silva, then a real estate mogul in the Sao Simone area, more than twenty years the king’s junior. Even before the engagement was announced, Carlotta was a frequent subject of the less-reputable papers in Sao Simone for her antics; drug- and alcohol-fueled parties, crashed sports cars, and unsavory boyfriends. While her twin brother Carlos was attending Maritime University and later distinguishing himself by developing the waterfront of Sao Simone, Carlotta was distinguishing herself in other ways. Even the euphoria of a royal birth a year after the wedding was tempered by the reveal of the baby’s sex; according to the tabloids, Queen Carlotta couldn’t even get that right.

Carlotta faded from the public eye after Reinaldo I’s death and her stepson’s coronation, only to reemerge briefly in the early seventies after a plot came to light that would have assassinated Reinaldo I and put Carlotta’s daughter, Abigail, on the throne. Even in those paranoid times, no one came for Carlotta, largely because she was believed to be too vapid and stupid to have played a major partin the plot. After Reinaldo I posthumously annulled her marriage to his father, Carlotta quietly accepted a widow’s pension and resigned herself to life in obscurity while Abigail attended boarding school in Concord Heights.

It is an accident of history that Carlotta’s maiden name is left out of most accounts from this time, since while the former Carlotta Silva was accepting her place among the mundane, her twin brother was cementing his among the elites. For generations the Silva family had held onto its land holdings outside Sao Simone, stubbornly refusing to sell no matter the price. Now Carlos was cashing in on the prime real estate, but in a way that shrewdly kept the family in the game; he leased the land and allowed houses to be built there, but only a certain number and only of a certain size and quality. This artificial scarcity kept demand high and made sure that Villa Silva was the most sought-after postal code in all of Cabo Azure.

Looking at the frail man in front of him, King Manuel found it hard to see either a member of his family or a real-estate mogul. Instead, Dom Carlos looked like any other old Azurean man, his skin wrinkled like old leather, his dark eyes squinting behind huge glasses. After bowing and showing the appropriate deference to his king, Dom Carlos gestured for Manuel to follow him into the main house. A bodyguard posted at the door nodded to Manuel’s two frogmen, who took up positions on the porch looking out into the yard.

Inside, the house’s main foyer contained a staircase to the second floor and a door that led into a sitting room with a big bay window. Dom Carlos took a seat in an armchair and gestured for Manuel to do the same.

“My king,” he said, his voice reedy, “To what do I owe the pleasure?”

“I need a favor, Uncle,” Manuel said, the word unfamiliar on his tongue. Both his parents were only children; Manuel had never called anyone “uncle” or “aunt” before.

“You need me to rescue your sister from her stubbornness,” Carlos mused.

Manuel inclined his head. “Take over the import of birth control pills,” he said. “Sell them at a premium, if you must. The CN won’t dunk on you as long as you do it quietly, without bombast. You’ll make a tidy profit providing a service that’s long overdue, and you’ll have my gratitude.”

The Coalizão Nacional was the opposition alliance in the Azurean Assembly, arguably more progressive than the Aliança Nacional, to which Federico Bravo, the serving Azurean prime minister and a Silva mouthpiece, belonged. The CN had made family planning part of its platform since the Assembly was reestablished in 2012; thus far, their main successes had been insulating sex education in public schools from reactive curricular reform and ensuring that Maritime University could continue to provide condoms to its students.

“Your gratitude doesn’t mean a damn thing to me, Your Majesty,” Carlos grunted. “Neither does more money. And the CN can have a field day with Rico and the boys for all I care. I’m an old man, nephew, and few things matter to me anymore.”

Manuel watched the old man’s features flush with anger, then regret, then something that looked like sadness.

“What do you want, then?” he asked quietly.

“You came to me to protect your sister,” Carlos said, his dark eyes accusing. “If any other doctor went off the deep end, smuggling birth control pills, you’d throw them in the lockup without a second thought. I’m familiar with the protective instinct of an older brother to his younger sister.” He sighed. “I may only be a minute older than your grandmother, but I care deeply about her. We thought she’d be set for life when we got her to marry the king, but it turns out she was walking into a hornet’s nest with that one.”

“What are you asking me for?” Manuel was suddenly uncomfortable.

“Just ask Carlotta to call me. I’d like to talk to my sister one last time before one of us dies.”

by **Flavovespia** » Sat May 28, 2022 8:16 am

New Folgore 0 - 1 Flavovespia

It was a very early goal for Flavovespia that determined this result. Against an opponent in the sort of game that has caused Flavovespia problems in the past, they avoided any points dropped, in a solid if not spectacular display.

No surprise that there were no changes in the starting eleven, and it paid dividends very quickly. 90 seconds into the game, Michael Cole found Kieron Player on the edge of the box. Kieron Player angled in a looping ball that the defence misread, and Adrian Jones had a relatively simple job to head it in, and head it in he did. The striker was in great form since replacing Scott Coleman, and added another goal to his collection.

Flavovespia put New Folgore under a lot of pressure in the first half, so much so the hosts didn’t even register a shot on target. Nevertheless, the New Folgore goalkeeper was in fine form, saving 2 strong shots from Jonathan Bagshaw, and keeping the game competitive. At halftime, it was 0-1, and the player between the posts for the hosts was largely the reason this was still a close game.

Flavovespia nearly found another goal early from a kick-off, this time Jonathan Bagshaw firing in a low driven cross to Adrian Jones. This one took a deflection off of the boot of a centre half, and it caused the ball to come off the boot of Jones badly, and into the arms of the goalkeeper. What seemed a bit of a poor miss, was actually a well timed block.

The one nervy moment for Flavovespia came in the 80th minute, from a corner. Aarif Muhammed rose to claim it, but ended up clattered to the floor with Tony Gardner and a striker colliding with the goalkeeper. Somehow play continued, and Andrew Dance did well to clear the ball downfield. Thankfully Aarif Muhammad was unhurt, but there were a few worried faces initially. New Folgore tried to attack hard for an equaliser, but weren’t able to put together enough of a threat to scare the Flavovespia defence.

Flavovespia took the important 3 points here, even if a few would’ve liked to have seen more goals go in. A draw for Juvencus means Flavovespia move level on points with them, and remain just 2 points off Turori at the top. The unbeaten streak now moves up to 11, and Flavovespia are 2 wins away from a guaranteed playoff spot, which would be their first ever one.

Flavovespia 3 - 0 Metherwoll

A hat trick hero made the difference for Flavovespia, as another win puts them on the brink of the Top 3 in the group and a playoff spot at a minimum. Although they were on paper favourites for this game, nobody in Flavovespia was counting the points before the result came in.

Minor controversy began before the game, when upon the team sheets being submitted to the officials and the broadcasters, Metherwoll had simply written “beans” on there’s. Bemusement amongst most of the press, who’d resort to the old school method of squad numbers to identify players.

The same seemed balanced, until the 21st minute. A clumsy pass from Metherwoll’s #3 at the back landed at the feet of Michael Cole. He took the invite to dash forward into the box, and then slot the ball into the bottom corner, before Metherwoll could react in time. 1-0 for Flavovespia, and that goal put so much confidence into the hosts. Flavovespia were on top, and got a second in the first half. This time a long cross from Andrew Dance found Michael Cole at the back post, and his header was steered in at the near post. 2-0 it was at the break, and Flavovespia had good control over this game.

Into the second half, and after surviving an early wave of pressure from Metherwoll, the question was, could Michael Cole got a hat trick? In the 68th minute, he answered that. A clever ball through the middle by Kieron Player set Adrian Jones and the 2 wider forwards through on goal. Adrian Jones saw and heard Michael Cole calling for it, he squared the ball and Michael Cole hit it with pace and power and into the net. The hat trick complete, the score 3-0, and Flavovespia looked home and dry now.

Flavovespia controlled the rest of the game, even if fining a fourth or even fifth goal eluded them. The 3-0 win moves Flavovespia to 2nd place, 2 points and a goal difference 3 worse than Turori, with just 2 games left. 3rd is Juvencus, 3 points behind Flavovespia with a goal difference 2 worse, having just lost 2-1 in Starblaydia. Starblaydia themselves lie 6 points behind Flavovespia with a goal difference 12 worse in 4th. For Flavovespia, the maths is simple. 1 point is enough to 100% guarantee the playoffs. 4 points is enough to guarantee 2nd. To win the group, Flavovespia need Turori to drop points against The 14 Stars (A) or Juvencus (H). Then Flavovespia must score 3 points more than Turori, or 2 and get a goal difference improvement of 4 or more. It isn’t impossible that Group 14 is decided by a coin flip either, if Flavovespia score 2 more points than Turori in the final 2 games, and get a goal difference swing of 3 compared to Turori. For Flavovespia, their 2 games against Wreckeria (A) and The 14 Stars (H), have the potential to maybe be the biggest ever games, only the CAFA Cup 2 semi final against Ochre Islands seems to compare now. Flavovespia have an unbeaten streak of 12 now, can they make it to 14 which will be so key now?

Flavovespia’s Obscure Eleven: Sean McClafferty (CF)

Once one of the most hyped young strikers in Flavovespia, and transferred for a few fees to suggest that, Sean McClafferty never quite hit the levels many hoped of him. A player who could play as a striker or an attacking midfielder, his Flavovespia international career would last just 6 games, with no goals to show for it. There’s been 18 players with striker listed as their primary position who’ve been capped for Flavovespia, so plenty of players could’ve made the list for the 2 most obscure. However, one of them is Sean McClafferty.

Sean McClafferty signed his first pro contract at 17, although he made just 2 substitute Super League appearances in Apsbrooke’s unsuccessful attempts to stay up in 22AU. In 23AU, Apsbrooke would win the Challenge League to make an immediate return to the Super League, and McClafferty, despite being only 18, played a fair part in that. 24AU and 25AU were tough seasons as Apsbrooke narrowly staved off relegation, but Sean McClafferty had a brilliant season in 26AU, a real flurry of goals and assists making him a name on the radar of the big sides, as Apsbrooke finished 5th. His ability to hit a powerful pass or shot, with not many getting the pace on the ball like he did, made him a strong player up front. It was newly crowned champions Stanmorn that signed McClafferty, looking to play him in a more attacking midfield role behind Scott Coleman and Andrew Mason, but also as an option in the front of the attack.

Despite all the hype, Sean McClafferty’s 3 seasons at Stanmorn were mediocre. Stanmorn finished 4th twice in a row, before 29AU’s struggles saw the team eventually reach 9th. Whilst a fair few Stanmorn players, notably Scott Coleman and James King received caps at this time, a call up eluded Sean McClafferty. In 30AU, the now 25 year old took the chance to revive his career, with a move to newly promoted Binclestead Wood and playing as a striker again. That proved to be a great career move, after a steady 30AU, he hit 20 league goals in both 31AU and 32AU. When Binclestead Wood manager Marcus McCormick then went to manage Flavovespia, Sean McClafferty finally got a call up, AOCAF Cup 63 in 33AU.

AOCAF Cup 63 wasn’t an enjoyable tournament for Flavovespia, and that included Sean McClafferty. McClafferty was thrown on to make his debut in the dying minutes against Quebec, with Flavovespia a goal down and needing a goal at the minimum to keep qualifying hopes alive. Not only did Flavovespia fail to score, they conceded on the counter. For Sean McClafferty, at least there was a second chance with the World Cup 88 Qualifiers. He would come on as a sub in the 2-0 win over The Hainan Union and a 1-0 loss in Acastanha, but he didn’t seem the answer to a slow firing Flavovespian attack. The switch to a 4-2-3-1, combined by a resurgence in form for the central attacking midfielder Robert Totten (who would be a club teammate of McClafferty at 2 clubs), and Scott Coleman in attack, there was little room left in the squad for him. Only 2 more substitute appearances, before he started in the final Matchday against Omerica, with nothing to play for. He was mostly remembered for missing a good chance with the game tied, and Flavovespia went on to lose. McClafferty was out of the squad for Cup of Harmony 80, and hasn’t returned since.

Following his brief appearance for the national team, Sean McClafferty would later move to Loxthorpe Rovers. He was a rotation option in the legendary Loxthorpe Rovers of 35AU, but other than that, his career isn’t at the peak, and any return to the national team seems very unlikely. Sean McClafferty is an example of a player who had a lot of hype as a youngster, but he didn’t reach the levels of talent some claimed he had the potential for. In terms of international performance, it was unfortunately rather lacklustre, and he lacked a few skills needed at this level, and competition for forwards was too fierce to wait for them to come through. Domestically a player who’s divided opinion in the clubs he was at. Very well liked by Apsbrooke and Binclestead Wood, but considered a bit of a waste of money by Stanmorn and Loxthorpe Rovers.

Flavovespia’s Obscure Eleven: Matthew Cope (CF)

A player who made it to just one squad, and despite being a striker didn’t score a goal, it’s not a surprise in a way Matthew Cope’s time in the national team with just 6 caps is largely forgotten. Whilst Victor Cooke, Robin King and Thomas McDonald have less caps, Victor Cooke is known thanks to 1 goal on his debut and his 3 substitute appearances technically has a goal/90 mins of over 1, Robin King is known as a current Flavovespian squad member, and Thomas McDonald for being off the pace internationally yet still scoring once. Matthew Cope has largely fallen to obscurity.

Matthew Cope had a long career before even receiving his first call up. His professional career began in 18AU, at the age of 18, for Kings Lunsel. Although they were title winners that year, Cope saw little game time, and by the end of 19AU, was released on a free, whereupon Stanmorn picked him up. He’d spend 4 seasons there, before moving to newly promoted Bavingtor for a modest fee in 24AU. There, Bavingtor unexpectedly won the title, although for Matthew Cope, he found himself mostly benched. By the end of 26AU, Matthew Cope was out, on the way to Croxlich.

The question is how did Matthew Cope go from what seemed like a Super League rotation player to the national team. In 29AU, Matthew Cope scored 21 goals on his Super League return, helping an entertaining Croxlich side survive the drop. That netted him a transfer to St Astons City for a fairly large sum. 30AU saw him score 17 league goals, before an unbelievable 31AU season where he scored 26 goals, finishing 2nd in the Golden Boot race.

In a competitive field for selection for new manager Alan Young’s first Flavovespia National Team for World Cup Qualifiers 87, Matthew Cope was one of 4 strikers selected. Now 32, there were a fair number of question marks raised, with some younger players excluded, but Alan Young was keen to stress form and experience would be key. Matthew Cope by this point had a reputation for using skill, experience and position to get himself high probability chances, but wasn’t much of a creator himself. His first foray into international football came with 14 minutes to go in Havynwilde, with the game at 2-2. Unfortunately before another Flavovespian attack occurred, Havynwilde scored, and despite a smart ball across goal by Cope, 3-2 was the scoreline, Flavovespia losing. Matthew Cope started for his second cap, a home match against TJUN-ia. He didn’t build on the signs shown in the last game, less than an hour in and Alan Young had taken him off. A late substitute appearance against Nacaltora was his 3rd cap, but again, he showed limited promise. By the time the disappointing World Cup Qualifying 87 campaign, Matthew Cope had added just 3 more caps, all of which were relatively late substitutions. He didn’t even make the Cup of Harmony 79 squad, a certain young Michael Cole replacing him. Then the likes of Anthony Hannigan, Sean McClafferty and Victor Cooke became the next options in the carousel of Flavovespian backup strikers.

As quick as his rise was, his decline seemed almost as quick. Capped in 32AU at the age of 32, by the end of 34AU, he was a mere rotation option for St Astons City, and was then sold to newly promoted South Maishop. His 3 years there at the yo-yo club saw him play plenty of football, but also begin to move towards a mentoring and potential coaching role. The expression “form is temporary, class is permanent” springs to mind, and as harsh as it may sound, in hindsight Matthew Cope’s selection was too much of an attempt to cash in on a purple patch. World Cup Qualifiers 87 were not one of Flavovespia’s finest tournaments, and Matthew Cope’s time for Flavovespia is consigned to a chapter best left in the past.

And there it is, 11 players who played for Flavovespia, but their names seem to be associated more with obscurity than fame or infamy. A reminder of the full Flavovespia Obscure Eleven:

GK: Richard Hartwell
LB: Joseph Pitchford
CB: Mohammed Saleem
CB: Mervyn Button
RB: MJ Hayes
LM: William Somers
CM: Nigel Humphries
CM: Charles Winward
RM: Robert Cooper
CF: Sean McClafferty
CF: Matthew Cope

by **Audioslavia** » Sat May 28, 2022 8:22 am

It turned out the silence was the most painful thing. RJ Styrn had expected the papparazzi to be outside her door, calls for her resignation to be commonplace on the back pages, friends and family to be annoying with the amount of concern they were showing. But.. nothing. The media, knowing how fickle the average Audioslavian could be, simply concentrated more on club football and fabricated a new story about Rohan Cammers, who was now *apparently* considering buying Union Cathair and turning it into an extension of his clothing brand. Nonsense.

The papers had turned away, even Jeremy Jaffacake had been posting memes based on an old RL States cartoon. RJ Styrn and co were left to tackle the final matchdays of qualifying alone.

The task, while hard, at least had the decency to be straightforward. Audioslavia would require victories in both their next two games - the former against a Soldera side that had thus far matched them all the way in qualifying - and would need Zeta Reka and the Hugeltaldoms to play their next two matches to draws or defeats. Anything less, and the side would be taking part in the Cup of Harmony for only the second time in a century.

RJ didn't make excuses. It didn't matter that it was a transitional team - one with lots of talent under the age of 21 mixed in with 30-something veterans, and a couple of very apparent gaps in terms of balance. In any case that excuse was dead forever in Audioslavian football. Israel Klimt's carriage of a team full of chancers and teenagers to the sixty-third World Championship had seen to that. The fact was, she *was* lacking a bit, tactically. Her choice of assistant - the dependable and likeable Euran Dean Sharp - complemented her style in terms of personalty but was another figure for whom 'tactics' were those colourful mints in the box. Asked to simply play football the Audioslavian way, the Audioslavians had found themselves against opponents who had studied every book about said way. Drawkland and Zeta Reka had suffered at Audioslavian hands before and had bounced back stronger, while Squidroidia had evidently seen the Bulls coming from a mile off.

If RJ didn't suddenly find a way to get things right tactically... where did that leave Audioslavian football? Krytenia had left the upper echelons of the game years ago, Starblaydia relatively recently. Was Audioslavia about to take that same Anaian Incline down the KPBs Rankings forever?

by **PotatoFarmers** » Sat May 28, 2022 8:39 am

Permutations for final 2 matchdays (Part 1)
Fiskadaha - Among the 15 direct spots to the World Cup finals, only 4 teams have secured their direct qualification spot. An additional 19 teams are assured of at least the playoffs, while many continue to push for the at least a playoff spot that will give them a shot at the World Cup proper - considered as a "sacred" ground for many country's fans around the world. We are down to just 2 matchdays - Matchday 21 and 22 will be the final weekend which will decide which teams advance to the playoffs, which teams will gain the direct ticket to the World Cup, and which teams will experience heartbreak. This review will aim to resolve the problems we have been facing - that is, which teams have a realistic chance at the World Cup playoffs? Which teams require miracles to make it? Which teams will have nothing to play for on the final matchdays? In this report, we will provide the permutations require for the final matchday.

And here we go:

Group 1

Group Table as at Matchday 20
# Group 1                           Pld    W   D   L    GF   GA   GD   Pts
1 Ko-oren (Q)                        19   15   3   1    27    5  +22    48
2 Nyowani Kitara (P)                 18   12   4   2    47   26  +21    40
3 Delaclava (Z)                      18   10   4   4    44   25  +19    34
4 Poafmersia (Z)                     18    9   6   3    40   29  +11    33
5 Sharktail (Z)                      19    9   4   6    44   36   +8    31
6 Xanneria (Z)                       18    9   2   7    46   36  +10    29
7 Prosaic Union (E)                  18    7   4   7    26   21   +5    25
Key Fixtures to Note
Matchday 21
Playoff Battle - Sharktail vs Delaclava, Southwest Eastnorth vs Poafmersia
Playoff Seeding - Nyowani Kitara vs Xanneria

Matchday 22
Playoff Battle - Delaclava vs Southwest Eastnorth, Poafmersia vs Equestria, Xanneria vs Football Tiger
Playoff Seeding - Sudilia vs Nyowani Kitara

Nyowani Kitara just needs 1 point from their 2 remaining games to be seeded among the group runners-up. Of course, better results from their two games will certainly give them better seeding. The second playoff spot from this group is a battle between Poafmersia and Delaclava, with Sharktail and Xanneria ready to pounce on the opportunity if the former two teams mess up. Our Red Panjias simply cannot afford to choke the remaining games. After failing to grab a single win against Sharktail or Delaclava, things are not under their control anymore. They would hope Delaclava drop points on Matchday 21 so as to be able to overtake Delaclava in the table. Sharktail and Xanneria don't have any control over their position whatsoever. For Sharktail, they need the other three teams to explode in order to grab the playoff spot.

Group 2

Group Table as at Matchday 20
# Group 2                           Pld    W   D   L    GF   GA   GD   Pts
1 Nephara (Q)                        18   13   5   0    51   22  +29    44
2 Valentine Z (Z)                    18    9   6   3    47   33  +14    33
3 Yuezhou (Z)                        18    9   3   6    34   34    0    30
4 Pluvia and the Saxean Isles (Z)    18    7   7   4    38   34   +4    28
5 Mercedini (Z)                      18    8   3   7    35   26   +9    27
6 Oberour Ar Moro (Z)                18    7   4   7    44   39   +5    25
7 Tjorl (Z)                          18    7   3   8    26   34   −8    24
8 United Adaikes (E)                 19    7   2  10    36   39   −3    23
Key Fixtures to Note
Matchday 21
Playoff Battle - Valentine Z vs North and South Vietnam, Kamisato Ayaka Nation vs Yuezhou, Mercedini vs Pluvia and the Saxean Isles, Nephara vs Oberour Ar Moro, United Adaikes vs Tjorl

Matchday 22
Playoff Battle - Yuezhou vs Valentine Z, Pluvia and the Saxean Isles vs Nephara, North and South Vietnam vs Mercedini, Oberour Ar Moro vs The Gothanita Isles, Tjorl vs Kamisato Ayaka Nation

It is a complicated run to the finish. We go down the list and figure out who needs what. Valentine Z needs just 2 points to qualify, and that can easily include a draw against Yuezhou. Yuezhou has a relatively easy MAtchday 21 game away at Kamisato Ayaka Nation. Following that win, they probably need a win against Valentine Z to guarentee the spot, but considering that Pluvia and the Saxean Isles plays both Mercedini and Nephara, they might not really need all 6 points. Mercedini and Oberour Ar Moro needs miracles. Mercedini needs grab all 6 points, and that Yuezhou must take less than 3 points. For Oberour Ar Moro, they first have to defeat Nephara, then defeat The Gothanita Isles while ensuring Yuezhou gets no more than 1. Tjorl simply needs a miracle, requiring an entire series of results to go their way.

Group 3

Group Table as at Matchday 20
# Group 3                           Pld    W   D   L    GF   GA   GD   Pts
1 Zwangzug (X)                       18   13   4   1    30   11  +19    43
2 Adab (X)                           18   13   2   3    48   25  +23    41
3 Tumbra                             18   12   3   3    38   16  +22    39
4 Sendhang (Z)                       18   11   1   6    32   21  +11    34
5 Ceni (E)                           18    9   2   7    44   38   +6    29
Key Fixtures to Note
Matchday 21
Direct Qualification Battle - Adab vs Zwangzug, Eshialand vs Tumbra
Playoff Battle - The Hainan Union vs Sendhang

Matchday 22
Direct Qualification Battle - Zwangzug vs Eshialand, Montesina vs Adab, Tumbra vs The Hainan Union
Playoff Battle - Sendhang vs Damukuni

It is effectively a 3-way battle for either direct qualification or playoffs. For Sendhang to enter the top 3, they effectively can only overhaul Tumbra, and Tumbra simply needs to defeat one of The Hainan Union or Eshialand to be guarenteed the top 3 spot. For Tumbra to grab the top spot, however, they need to win all their games, and still need one of the two situations below:
a) Zwangzug and Adab draw their head-to-head. Zwangzug then fails to defeat Eshialand and Adab fails to defeat Montesina. Alternatively, Adab wins, but Tumbra's total winning margin against both opponents is at least more than Adab's winning margin against Montesina.
b) Adab defeats Zwangzug. Zwangzug fails to defeat Eshialand on Matchday 22, while Adab loses to Montesina. Alternatively, Tumbra can grab big wins and then have a goal difference equal or better than Adab after Adab draws against Montesina. This situation, however, sounds more ridiculous than the first one.
Zwangzug and Adab have the Matchday 21 head-to-head. A Zwangzug win secures the top spot for them, while an Adab win gives Adab an advantge going into a very winnable final matchday. Of course, the draw will keep the gap as is, and while Eshialand is a tricky opponent, Adab really has no reason to count on them anyways.

Group 4

Group Table as at Matchday 20
# Group 4                           Pld    W   D   L    GF   GA   GD   Pts
1 Commonwealth of Baker Park (X)     18   15   2   1    47   18  +29    47
2 Jeruselem (X)                      18   13   2   3    44   23  +21    41
3 Trolleborg (Z)                     19   12   2   5    30   12  +18    38
4 Acastanha (Z)                      18    9   5   4    40   24  +16    32
5 Ranoria (E)                        18    8   5   5    23   18   +5    29
Key Fixtures to Note
Matchday 21
Baker Park vs Acastanha, TotoMishin vs Jeruselem, The Hainan Union vs Sendhang

Matchday 22
Gortolekua vs Baker Park, Jeruselem vs Ranoria, Acastanha vs Trolleborg

Acastanha is the biggest player here among the 4 teams with something to play for, considering that they get a chance to stop Baker Park from grabbing their ticket, and then, is able to fight for the 3rd spot themselves by beating Trolleborg on the final matchday. Trolleborg only has one chance - they just simply need to not lose to Acastanha on the final matchday. Jeruselem has little chance of overhauling the gap, needing Baker Park to lose both games, and for them to win both their games.

Group 5

Group Table as at Matchday 20

# Group 5                           Pld    W   D   L    GF   GA   GD   Pts
1 Huayramarca (X)                    19   14   3   2    57   21  +36    45
2 Sarzonia                           18   14   1   3    40   19  +21    43
3 Electrum (Z)                       19   13   2   4    43   21  +22    41
4 Cassadaigua                        18   13   1   4    44   23  +21    40
5 Delte (E)                          18    9   3   6    42   41   +1    30

Key Fixtures to Note
Matchday 21
Electrum vs Cassadaigua, Sarzonia vs Tyskerlund

Matchday 22
Cassadaigua vs Sarzonia, Ancherion vs Huayramarca

This group is probably one of the more ridiculous groups. Cassadaigua, at 40 points, has a huge fight to the top, with games against fellow playoff contenders Sarzonia and Electrum to come. Huayramarca has easy pickings by playing Ancherion, but has really no control over what happens elsewhere. Sarzonia has a winnable game against Tyskerlund in Matchday 21, but Matchday 22 is a tough game against Cassadaigua. Honestly, the battle for the top 3 positions goes down to Cassadaigua's performance in their final 2 games.

Group 6

Group Table as at Matchday 20
# Group 6                              Pld    W   D   L    GF   GA   GD   Pts
1 Independent Athletes from Quebec (X)  18   13   4   1    52   25  +27    43
2 Vdara                                 19   12   4   3    46   25  +21    40
3 Mytanija                              18   12   4   2    46   26  +20    40
4 The Cordian Isles (Z)                 18   11   3   4    43   27  +16    36
5 Qasden (E)                            18    7   5   6    34   28   +6    26
Key Fixtures to Note
Matchday 21
Treekidistan vs IA Quebec, Vdara vs Bepee, Mytanija vs Bongo Johnson, The Cordian Isles vs Qasden

Matchday 22
IA Quebec vs Hopal, Beepee vs Mytanija, Bongo Johnson vs The Cordian Isles

The group remains rather straighforward. The Cordian Isles would be looking for 2 wins to keep their top 3 hopes alive, but one is against Qasden annd that never is an easy game. Vdara is unlikely to be able to go for the top spot given how it requires IA Quebec to lose everything, but would be enough to secure the playoff spot with a win. Mytanija, however, has a chance, which is why IA Quebec must grab at least 4 points from the final two matchdays.

Group 7

Group Table as at Matchday 20
# Group 7                           Pld    W   D   L    GF   GA   GD   Pts
1 Drawkland (X)                      18   14   3   1    42   17  +25    45
2 Squidroidia (X)                    18   13   2   3    38   12  +26    41
3 Zeta Reka and Hugeltaldom (Z)      18   12   1   5    31   15  +16    37
4 Soldera (E)                        19    9   6   4    34   21  +13    33
5 Audioslavia (Z)                    18    9   6   3    20    8  +12    33
Key Fixtures to Note
Matchday 21
Squidroidia vs Drawkland, Bendicion vs Zeta Reka and Hugeltaldom, Soldera vs Audioslavia

Matchday 22
Drawkland vs StrayaRoos, StrayaRoos Barrier Islands vs Squidroidia, Zeta Reka and Hugeltaldom vs The Sarian, Audioslavia vs Togonistan

Drawkland just needs that draw away at Squidroidia. As such - it is obvious for Squidroidia - two wins from two, starting with a win against Drawkland. Zeta Reka has two easier games, namely against The Sarian and Bendicion, and 6 points would help them grab the playoff spot. Audioslavia, well, the poor Bulls, they have the capability to win the last 2, but it may be too little, too late, unless Zeta Reka only grab 2 points or less from the last 2 games.

Group 8

Group Table as at Matchday 20
# Group 8                           Pld    W   D   L    GF   GA   GD   Pts
1 Eura (X)                         19   13   5   1    40   16  +24    44
2 Brenecia (X)                     18   12   4   2    43   17  +26    40
3 Srednjaci (Z)                    18   10   2   6    44   32  +12    32
4 Gyatso-kai (Z)                   18   10   2   6    46   34  +12    32
5 Mertagne (Z)                     18    8   6   4    33   28   +5    30
6 Omerica (Z)                      18    8   4   6    24   27   −3    28
7 Kuraita (E)                      18    7   3   8    26   35   −9    24
Key Fixtures to Note
Matchday 21
Maphidon vs Brenecia, Arjunnagar vs Srednjaci, Kuraita vs Gyatso-Kai, Natanians and Nosts vs Mertagne, Omerica vs Polkopia

Matchday 22
Srednjaci vs Eura, Brenecia vs Omerica, Gyatso-Kai vs Natanians and Nosts, Mertagne vs Arjunnagar

Gah. Another confusing table. Eura has a tough game against Srednjaci, who simply cannot afford to lose right now on their way to taking the third playoff spot. Srednjaci needs all the points in this battle with Gyatso-Kai - and also, all the goal difference, since, well, goal difference is first. Ridiculous. Gyatso-Kai has the simpler run-in with games against Kuraita and Natanians and Nosts, opponents who have already been eliminated. Similarly, Mertagne also has easier opponents against the bottom 2 teams of the group. Omerica has the much harder run-in vis-a-vis the felow teams. A home tie against foruth seeds Polkopia, who has simply been out of form this entire tournament, as well as a trip to Brenecia. Basically, 2 wins is the minimum for the 4 teams trying to make the last playoff spot. On the other hand, we talk about Eura and Brenecia - Brenecia may be able to close the gap on Matchday 21, but on Matchday 22, it would be a question of whether anyone can grab the wins against teams also looking to win their games.

Group 9

Group Table as at Matchday 20

# Group 9                           Pld    W   D   L    GF   GA   GD   Pts
1 Pasarga (X)                      18   14   1   3    37   17  +20    43
2 Tikariot (X)                     19   13   1   5    51   27  +24    40
3 Bollonich (Z)                    19   10   6   3    40   24  +16    36
4 TJUN-ia (Z)                      18   10   2   6    39   28  +11    32
5 Cardenao (E)                     18    8   5   5    40   38   +2    29

Key Fixtures to Note
Matchday 21
Pasarga vs Ziwana, Bollonich vs TJUN-ia

Matchday 22
Cardenao vs Pasarga, Schima Bas vs Tikariot, TJUN-ia vs Muralos

Simple table. Pasarga just needs one point from the final two really winnable games to qualify directly. Tikariot is guarenteed top 2 and can really only improve their seeding from the final matchday. Bollonich only has one chance to secure the playoff spot - that is, not lose against TJUN-ia. For TJUN-ia to secure the playoff spot, they just need to defeat Bollonich by at least 3 goals, and then secure at least a point at Muralos.

Group 10

Group Table as at Matchday 20
# Group 10                          Pld    W   D   L    GF   GA   GD   Pts
1 Kandorith (X)                    18   14   4   0    48   25  +23    46
2 Saint Eleanor (X)                18   13   4   1    41   16  +25    43
3 South Newlandia (Z)              19   12   3   4    53   31  +22    39
4 Krytenia (Z)                     18   11   3   4    36   23  +13    36
5 Indusse (E)                      18    8   3   7    38   26  +12    27
Key Fixtures to Note
Matchday 21
South Newlandia vs Kandorith, Saint Eleanor vs Indusse, Cheetahs and Reptiles Coalison vs Krytenia

Matchday 22
Kandorith vs Saint Eleanor, Krytenia vs Ochre Islands

All eyes will be in Kandorith for the final matchday, where Saint Eleanor has all it takes to steal the top spot for themselves. The 5th seeds certainly has fate in their hands - they don't even need South Newlandia to win to do anything. All the 5th seeds has to do is to grab 2 wins and keep the goal difference in their favour. South Newlandia, realistically, just needs to win - Krytenia would need at least a 5-goal and another 6-goal winning margin to overhaul South Newlandia, which realisitically, is impossible. Well, don't say we say that it is impossible when the margin actually happens.

Group 11 till 15 will come in a later RP with TGI

by **Cassadaigua** » Sat May 28, 2022 9:06 am

It had been weeks since the Royal Court took the case of determining succession for the next Queen. Since they have many matters to handle, they were not exclusively talking about this topic for the entire time, but given its importance, it took up the bulk of the time.

“Are we ready?” King Charles asked as he entered the room. Normally, the King was at the head of such a discussion, but he took himself off of the Court for this issue so that there was not any perceived conflict of interest.

“Yes, we are,” Princess Crystal replied. Crystal was seen as the most neutral royal for this matter and therefore was anointed the foreperson of the Court’s proceedings. Crystal is the third born daughter of Queen Courtney and was born just one year after her Cassie II. Like her sister Caitlyn, there was no direct line for her, or her children to become Queen, unless of course a major catastrophe occurred within the Royal Family. She has maintained a positive relationship with each of her older sisters, and never really made a public announcement leading up to the case about who she felt the next Queen should be. Princess Cassie III did not have any issue with her being the foreperson of the proceedings, and Princess Brianna I remarked that, “in conversations with my mother (Caitlyn), I trust that Crystal will do her best to maintain a fair proceeding.”

It was not easy for Princess Crystal, but she has never backed down from tough situations. One thing that she has always been trusted to do was make tough decisions under pressure. It is a trait that she exhibited when opening up her successful business after graduating from Concord Heights Beauty School to know serving as the head of the Board of Directors of the school. Crystal never wanted to be like other royals that had areas of the nation where they would govern and chose the route to be in the business world a little more. She would become a member of the Royal Court, but was not often one of the leaders of the group. Crystal knew that Brianna would one day make a claim to the throne, though to herself always felt that Cassie III was the rightful successor. She was sympathetic towards Brianna, more because she, herself, would be the Queen right now if she was born before her sister, especially after Caitlyn’s arrest. Leading the table of trusted legal officials, the discussions got surprisingly heated, with the foreign endorsements of Brianna, which were more than expected, carrying a lot of weight.

“Let’s make the announcement. We’ll do it now, our country has two critical soccer games coming up, so let’s get it done. Get this done so our people can think about something else and become proud that they are Cassadagans as, hopefully, we find a way to win the games. Advise the security personnel all over the country to be put into place and to prepare for any kind of protests that come about.” Crystal knew that, one way or the other, there would be protests of the decision.

The podium at the conventional hall was already set up, and members of the royal family took their seats, with Queen Cassie II being one of the first to sit down. Brianna and Cassie III were each on hand, sitting on opposite ends of the stage, as designed, but would shake each others hand in a diplomatic manner before beginning the proceedings, and would do the same with the Queen.

Queen Cassie II would get up first and began speaking, “I would like to thank everyone for joining us today. Dignitaries and trusted members of the press, thank you all. The Court has been discussing this matter which many of us felt was a foregone conclusion, but at the same time, we must make sure that the law is fully adhered too. That is why we sought to get this resolved as quickly as we could. I would like to thank Princess Brianna for going about the claim in a responsible manner, and for my daughter, Cassie, for responding to the claim in a similar manner. I will be hoping that this decision will put an end to the discussion, but also want to reiterate that I will not be stepping down in the near future. I feel fully competent to continue to do this job, as evidenced with the successful, thus far, operation to the north to gain control of area surrounding the Cooper River. We are focused there on moving out citizens that do not wish to be Cassadagans in a peaceful manner, or educating people on what to expect as a Cassadagan and exciting them on the opportunities that will become available when we are able to give much needed infrastructure improvements to this area. These are all tasks that I plan on overseeing in my continued role as the Queen. But, we need to know who the next Queen will be, as I will not be here forever. I would like to thank Princess Crystal for being the foreperson of this discussion, and now give her the floor.”

Princess Crystal took the podium knowing that the eyes of the nation were watching her, and probably many more throughout the world. “Thank you. It has been an eventful few weeks as we talked about all the finer details of the law. One thing we agreed upon immediately is that we need to tighten up the law so that there is never this kind of question again. Royal succession should be a clear cut matter and the biggest point of contention here came due to the fact that Brianna, at one time, was considered the heir to the throne but it was only assumed by many that when her mother disgraced the throne, and I hate to bring this up because Caitlyn is a completely different person now, but when that occurred, Brianna’s role was never talked about in a legal manner. It was only assumed that everyone understood that the first born daughter of Cassie II would become the next Queen. The official documentation of Caitlyn’s removal from being next in line that was provided by then Queen Courtney and the Court of that time was scrutinized, but in that, it was stated that Cassie II would be given all of the rights that any successor to the throne would have, and therefore that would apply to her first born daughter becoming the next Queen. By that token, the answer to the question should be pretty easy.”

“However, we did not see any official documentation from Queen Courtney that formally removed Brianna from the position, so one of the next things we discussed was if the Queen had declared that Brianna would be next in line, and at the time of her birth, that declaration was made. There was never a formal declaration, at the time of Caitlyn’s arrest, that rescinded the initial declaration that Brianna was next in line and this is the grey area and why we took our time to discuss what is best for Cassadaigua. In effect then, we have contradictions from the former Queen. Given that, our task was to discuss what is best for Cassadaigua, as we are never going to be able to make a decision that everyone is satisfied with. The Court believes that both Cassie III and Brianna I are competent enough and trustworthy enough to hold all of the values that being a Queen entails. We thank both of them for that. Brianna’s claim is thoroughly justified as something that needed to be discussed in the matter that we have, but we do believe that based on the declaration of Queen Courtney that Cassie II would be given all of the rights that any successor to the throne would have, that this is enough to invalidate Queen Courtney’s one-time declaration that Brianna was next in line. Therefore, let it be known that on this date, Cassie III is declared by the Royal Court to be the next Queen of Cassadaigua. However, the Court also rules that Brianna is required to be given a significant and impactful role under her leadership and gives Brianna the right, when that happens, to challenge with the Court, the role that she is given by Cassie III. I would like to thank all the members of the Court, King Charles, and everyone for their time and patience as we thoroughly discussed this matter.”

All eyes immediately looked at the reactions of both Cassie III and Brianna. For Cassie III, this was a confirmation of something that she had known all along, but felt a sense of relief that the Royal Court was on her side. She would hope that Brianna would handle the decision gracefully. Brianna did not show a lot of emotion, it was almost as if she was expecting it, but she did get up to shake Cassie III’s hand one more time. It was going to be hard for her to continue the fight now, and she did like that, at least, Cassie III was going to be required to give her a significant role, by law. Brianna asked to be given the podium, and was permitted. “I want to thank the Royal Court, first of all. Most importantly, I want to thank all of the amazing support that I got from overseas, within Rushmore and beyond. These are relationships that I can only hope to grow upon. I want to ask for peace tonight, if you disagree with the decision. We don’t need any destruction, no lives lost, or any other kind of damages. I will move on, and we will move on.” Those who wanted to hear Brianna offer a concession would be disappointed, or to at least say something that Cassie III would be the next Queen. Maybe, in time, she will. There is not much left she can do, within the law, at this point. She wasn’t the type to look outside the law, either. But maybe, they could find something in the Court’s decision and offer an appeal. At this point then, she would not concede.

Cassie III would take to the podium as well, “Thank you to Princess Crystal and to the Court for thoroughly evaluate the decision and to make the decision you did. I will hope that sometime soon, I can speak with Brianna and discuss what role she will have as I am accepting of that provision. There has been no ill will between her and I other than when it comes to debate of succession, and I feel that we can work together. I share the sentiment of Princess Brianna to ask for peace tonight. Look, many of you will not agree with this decision, but please respect that the Royal Court did their due diligence. It’s over, the decision has been made. Let us relax, support what is going on up north and maybe even root our soccer team in their two key games coming up in World Cup qualifying.”

Despite the pleas for peace by both of them, there would be riots in several cities, mostly out West. Concord Heights remained peaceful, and authorities have no concerns that the upcoming qualifying game at Dagan Airways Stadium in Concord Heights would go off without any outside protests or violence. However, just in case, there will be a greater than typical police presence for the match. If the team fails to qualify, they might be needed in regards to that, anyway.

by **Mertagne** » Sat May 28, 2022 10:01 am

Continued excepts from the journals of Guren Ayerbe
Progress continues in the Assembly at a near glacial pace. The aforementioned FMAG idea of implementing an economic board to oversee the budget of government departments and local councils has quietly resigned itself to not being able to gain a majority in the voting sessions - still only the die hard types cling to it as a viable form of government. Two more possibilities have bubbled up to the surface, each vastly different. These three proposals appear to be forming the pillars in which the majority of debates are taking place, with a few minor debates on more holistic subjects such as the rule of law and particulars of the military, which appear to be occurring in a vacuum.

The first of the new wave of ideas comes from prominent provincialists, who also look to scrap tricameralism, but instead of a national body to fill the gap, it suggests the regional forums be upgraded into fully fledged Provincial Governments, with differing methods of election depending on the whims of the province. A large step up for the 19 Regional Forums, and it was noted during the initial presentation of this bill that this would give the provinces significant oversight over their affairs. The provincialists were all for this, but many noted that cultural drift would certainly be a possibility if the system were allowed to stand for a long time. The use of federal government departments with federal laws would mitigate this slightly, and the use of a national body known as the 'National Council', with a yearly rotating head of state, would encourage the provinces to share power at that level and not secede, which is a rather unique facet that was briefly included in the plan and quickly shelved. I have my suspicions that Noirot is still testing the water on succession for Freskovia, and has handed off the issue to the group of provincialists that he appears to be desperately trying to distance himself from, yet in many of the non-committal votes he has come out in support of the idea. Curious indeed.

The second of the new ideas is, admittedly, the idea that I presently support the most, is the idea that has arguably had the most time to mature. Aurrera!'s initial seed, the 'Citizens Assembly', a sortition method to determine policy direction and have the final say on laws. The concept has progressed quite a bit from being a campaign promise from Aurrerra! and the delegates from that political block came prepared with a sleek report from leading think tank The Contemporary Group for Democracy, and have desperately tried to slot the idea into any of the viable government plans, aiming to deliver on their campaign promise lest they lose the popular support of the electorate. The home they have found for the Citizens Assembly is in a new version of Tricameralism, that splits the government process across several branches. At the lowest level, there exists the local councils and Regional Forums, whose rights to sovereignty are not guaranteed, but instead granted in law from the charter. Policy is then devolved to the Regional Forums from a souped-up National Forum, where the Head of Government is also the Head of State - no Federal Council required. These two forums are aided in governance by three groups - the first, the Charter Council, a legislative body that clarifies on matters of the Mertagnian Charter, and can be a last line of defence for interpretations of the law. These members are approved by the second group, the Citizens Assembly - Aurrera!'s grand idea made manifest. On a case-by-case basis, an Assembly is created from the drawing of lots, and debate both law changes in the National Forum and the appointment of new Charter Council Members. The issue of an informed electorate was a particular sticking point in the Assembly, and many days of planning and work were put into producing a viable solution. The solution exists in a slightly different form of the current Federal Council, albeit with much less oversight and power - the Meritocratic Council. The aim of the Meritocratic Council is to inform and educate the Citizens Assembly in an unbiased way, as well as to oversee the Government Departments so that that they are free of direct government corruption. The National Forum will still appoint the nominees to the Council at the start of a government's term, and can repeal and replace them at any time with a simple majority, and the National Forum is also in charge of setting the agenda for the Meritocratic Council, which it in theory is mandated to follow.

This idea is certainly the most mature of the three, having the benefit of being composed of elements from a variety of plans that had floated around before the Assembly was called. And while it certainly has the broadest base of support, even from FMAG types that feel that they can stuff the Meritocratic Council if they hand enough 'merits' out to corrupt NFMs, it's still very much seen as the compromise option between all of the currently debated options. As such, I believe many people are hiding their hands as to their true opinion of this idea until their favoured idea is dead in the water.

Ultimately, there is merit in every idea that has currently been pitched to the Assembly. We're certainly in the weeds now to find the good parts of each, and Statesman Roper has been rather impressive in his command of the room in particularly divisive debates, serving as both a chair and a moderator all at once. Two delegates were thrown out of the chamber last week for unruly behaviour after a particularly impassioned argument surrounding the responsibility of the provincial governments in the provincialist plan to fund federal departments. The argument, in which one delegate argued for a flat fee, and another argued for a fee in line with their provincial domestic product. Sadly, both sides quickly devolved into a shouting match, which luckily wasn't recorded by any cameras, and before too long the speakers had moved from their podiums and stepped into each other in the middle of the room.

Since, members of security detail have been operating in the chamber to ensure that such an impassioned debate doesn't rear its head again as the Assembly continues. It's certain that the air in this hall has not only stagnated due to the fact that we have to remain inside for hours at a time lest we go through a security check again, but also that the Assembly has moved to a new stage, a slightly stagnated stage, as fewer new ideas are thrown into the ring, and the combatants of democracy instead seek to armour up their existing, battle-hardened ideas. It will be hard to seek effective compromise if these trenches continue to be dug, and so I have decided to make it my mission to break apart some of the cliques that have formed, and encourage the free flow of new ideas and a focus on what would be best for the country. I will start with the corporate FMAGs, not through personal grievance (some of their firms have been my clients in the past, others have sat across the court), but because their ideals serve to take us ever closer to the Insulation we are trying so hard to avoid.

by **Pasarga** » Sat May 28, 2022 10:13 am

For an early spring afternoon, the weather was rather peaceful with no chance of precipitation in the forecast for the day. The sun was out but was occasionally obscured from a dotted sky of clouds that seemed to be moving at a leisurely place across the great canvas of the sky. The grass had started to gather green in it again as the winter snows had melted and the spring showers had given renewed life into the foliage of the dual islands, that a new year was well underway. One way or another, there was going to be a new dawn in Pasarga as well, with today being the day that the late King Jakob was being put to rest in the ground, a burial mound had been located and procured outside the city limits of Pasarga just on the edge of the mountain chain that was prominent in Pargis' north central area. Most Pasarga leaders were cremated, following the traditions of the religion of the nation that believed cremation returned the body to where it originated, but King Jakob did not follow Zoroastrianism and instead was chosen to be buried in the secluded spot that had been procured.

The Princess and Prince had to commend the staff that had located the spot and for all the aides who had assisted them and their mother in making sure the service would be able attended by all who had decided to attend the service. King Jakob had been dearly loved within the dual islands, despite having not been born in Pasarga or to Pasargan parents, but had been adopted by Queen Julia and Queen Consort Sophia before they had passed away. However in his time as the King of the Pasargans, he had carefully navigated the Pasargan people through a trying modernization process with Eura, had the creation of a military for Pasarga to properly defend themselves and interests, as well as instituted a parliament that the citizens of the islands could vote for their representatives. The formation of that representative branch of government had been a promise made by the king in his early days as the monarch, when Pasarga was applying for and granted membership into the Common Rushmore Community, which had been a desire of his adopted mother that Jakob saw through to its conclusion.

The deeds of the king had been well recognized by the foreign community as well, with many different dignitaries and heads of state having chosen to attend the funeral. Naturally their closest ally in Eura had their Prime Minister attending but the biggest shock came when the President of Sargossa, a nation that Pasarga has had cool relations with for some decades now, also showed up in attendance. The royal family itself though was split, as only a handful of the extended Majistar family were in attendance, the most notable of them being Aslan Majistar, who is a distant claimant to the throne of the dual islands themselves, though their older brother of Ezid having a more solid claim being the eldest sibling in that branch of the family. Despite the family split, the service went on as expected, dozens of people coming up to speak about the deeds and demeanor of the late King Jakob and many wishing the family well in the trying times that they had in front of them, with the reported alleged contested succession between Azra and İskender.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The Next Day

In front of the Parliament building in Torgos, a dozen parliamentarians including the Minister of the Interior were gathered outside the entrance with a gaggle of press assembled to hear what announcement that the Parliament had come to when it had come to the succession between the heir apparent in Azra and the more parliament favored İskender, if the rumors were to be believed. The late King Jakob had named Azra the heir but for reasons that could only be speculated at, there had been a faction within the elected government that had allegedly backed the younger of the siblings to be crowned the next monarch of the dual islands, an event that was sure to cause trouble in the governing body and the nation at large as it would have broken heavily from the tradition of the oldest child's line being made the new monarch.

The Minster of the Interior, Azad Günaydin, stepped forward to the podium and began to speak. "I am sure that all of you as well as all of the dual islands are eagerly waiting for the announcement of who will succeed our dearly beloved but passed King Jakob as the new monarch of the dual islands. The Majistars have ruled over Pasarga from its founding, having been the family that guided the Pariis from our homeland and the dangers that forced us from those ancestral lands and to this new paradise that we have called home for centuries now. The line of Takilian the First has always sat upon the throne, have watched over and protected the Pasargan people and allowed her and her people to flourish under their leadership. That all changed when Jakob was crowned king, having no Pasargan blood, although adopted into the family and eventually marrying into the line of Takilian the First, so that both the crown princess and prince continue from that line. However that line should never have been broken and when Queen Julia passed away, the crown should have gone to the closest relative but she was denied. Today we can right that wrong and so we are pleased to announce the Ezid Majistar is to be crowned the new King of Pasarga!"

by **Valanora** » Sat May 28, 2022 10:49 am

People of the Eternal Empire
Part 5: Dragonkin

In the last of this documentary about the sentient species of that inhabit the Eternal Empire, we come to the most mysterious and the least well known of the group, as well as far as we are able to ascertain, the least populous as well. Unlike the contested origin of the dwarven populace of the Eternal Empire, there is no contested origin for the Dragonkin, as they are indeed an indigenous species to Arrosia. What is debated is the evolutionary manner of their being, whether they are a crossbreed of Dragons and some other bipedal creature or if they are an offshoot branch from the dragon's evolution that developed into a bipedal and losing their wings in exchange for the ability to walk upright. Like the dwarven populace of the Empire, Dragonkin are found in the Spine of Arrosia mountain chain, but unlike they dwarves they are almost never seen outside their own small villages and encampments in the mountain, with the number of Dragonkin being seen in the wider parts of the Empire only in two digit numbers across the entire history of the Empire itself, down to the founding of Gladerial by the original seven elves.

Physically speaking, Dragonkin are an intimidating race that stand at over seven feet tall at full maturity and are covered in scales across the majority of their body, with the exception towards the snout/mouth area, the palms of their hands, and the base of their feet. They have a tail that it is believed to be used as a balance mechanism for their large bodies and are the most naturally muscular of all the different species that inhabit the Empire. With a population that is estimated to be in the tens of thousands, they are believed to be slower to breed and mature than even the elves are with elves being known to take over a century to become full mature according to elven standards and most elven families only have one or two children. Their lifespans are currently unknown due to their secluded nature but it is widely to be believed to be in the thousands of years, if the rest of the information that is known about their physiology is true.

Culturally speaking, they are a more secluded and isolated group than even dwarves or elves tend to be and seem to only grow their villages and tribes small family units of no more than four to five different family groups banding together. Despite their intimidating appearance and clear dragon ancestry, they are surprisingly omnivores though with a preference for meat over vegetables and fruits, with mullers found at the end of their teeth for mashing and chewing vegetation. With no formal government to speak of, only tribal elders, they operate much like the Templara in that they are semi-autonomous, if only because there is no officials for which Raynor City can coordinate with for governance. Very little else is known about this intriguing species that lives in the eastern part of Arrosia, making them something of an enigma when you consider the Empire as a whole and how they fit into it. Nevertheless Raynor City has never tried to force the Dragonkin to adopt a more formal style of governing and seems to content to allow them their ways, as like the dwarves and templara, the dragonkin have sworn to defend the Empire in times of need.

by **Tumbra** » Sat May 28, 2022 10:49 am

Legalese 1-0 Tumbra

TMB (4-2-3-1): 1 - Barker; 25 - Kemp, 4 - Kerr, 14 - Ashburn, 3 - Harris; 37 - Finnemore (6 - Harrison, 72'), 16 - Fisher, 10 - Cole; 7 - Hilton (17 - Wells, 85'), 9 - Vaughn; 11 - Riordan (22 - Erskine, 64')

TMB goalscorers: Nil

Player of the Match: Untitled LGL Player (LGL)

Tumbra 5-1 Sajnur

TMB (4-2-3-1): 1 - Barker; 18 - Moss, 5 - Henderson (14 - Ashburn, 65'), 4 - Kerr, 27 - Crozier; 6 - Harrison, 8 - Hicks, 23 - Monaghan (10 - Cole, 75'); 17 - Wells, 9 - Vaughn, 11 - Riordan (22 - Erskine, 79')

TMB goalscorers: Susan Monaghan (4'), Vincent Hicks (18'), Nick Riordan (22'), Robin Vaughn (84'), Phil Cole (90' + 1')

Player of the Match: Vincent Hicks (TMB)

Ceni 4-2 Tumbra

TMB (4-2-3-1): 1 - Barker; 2 - Hughes (18 - Moss, 65'), 26 - Perry, 14 - Ashburn, 27 - Crozier (3 - Harris, 65'); 6 - Harrison, 8 - Hicks, 23 - Monaghan; 17 - Wells, 9 - Vaughn, 11 - Riordan (22 - Erskine, 83')

TMB goalscorers: Robin Vaughn (12'), Valerie Wells (28')

Player of the Match: Andrew Arrowsword (CEN)

Tumbra 2-1 Adab

TMB (4-2-3-1): 1 - Barker; 2 - Hughes (18 - Moss, 69'), 5 - Henderson, 4 - Kerr, 3 - Harris; 6 - Harrison (8 - Hicks, 77'), 16 - Fisher, 10 - Cole; 7 - Hilton (17 - Wells, 87'), 9 - Vaughn; 11 - Riordan

TMB goalscorers: Nick Riordan (36'), Andrew Fisher (80')

Player of the Match: Andrew Fisher (TMB)

Blackleigh
Straton, Tumbra

The summer sun seemed to weigh heavily on the Straton streets; all around the streets of the city centre there were people attempting to dodge out of the way of the sun, seeking refuge instead in the trees that had been planted around the city. Yet this street in particular had a particular air of importance about it. Perhaps it was the white, classically-built buildings that enveloped this particular street; perhaps it was the greater proportion of black-coloured Ryder sedans that were spotted on the street.

Or, perhaps, it was the black-tiled signs that hung above the entrances of the buildings, starkly informing visitors which building they were entering. For this was, of course, the brains of the Tumbran government. Often metonymously referred to as Blackleigh — named after an old palace that was destroyed in the revolution — this was the where the halls of power truly were. The Houses of Parliament, just down the street, was all just sound and fury. Here, policy was formulated, tweaked and enforced. Keeping things going, stopping anarchy, stopping society falling to bits, still being here tomorrow.

It was here that the prospective future Ambassador to Nova Anglicana, Rachel Watkins, found herself. It was a rather low-key affair; ambassadors were usually treated with more respect than being asked to find their own way to the Foreign Ministry building. But times were tough, and the Premier of Straton was committed to making the city undriveable, and here she was.

The cool breeze of air-conditioning hit her in the face as she stepped into the building; thankfully, despite having been built in the days of the Empire, the federal government buildings had been modernised along with it. A few short words with the on-duty receptionist later, and she was being shepherded down long corridors, past doors with fanciful names and numbers — evidently the concept of the open office hadn't taken flight here, which was on measure a good thing —; until finally she was directed into a room with a rather harried-looking civil servant. The room was chock full of documents; and several manila folders were on the table, ostensibly ready for briefing.

"Greetings, Madam Ambassador. Have a seat. Would you like some tea? I'm sorry for the mess; it's been rather a busy week, I'm afraid, and most of my colleagues have gone on vacation."

"That'll be fine. I don't expect to be here for long, anyway."

"Ah...the situation's changed; there's been more content. Operations decided all new Ambassadorial staff needed a fresh brief on the Northlands situation, given recent developments and all that. I've been briefing a few people today already; the new Azurean ambassador and the Gortoleki one."

The civil servant looked up at Rachel's unimpressed face.

"I understand, Madam Ambassador, none of them were particularly pleased, either. I'll be here if you have questions; but otherwise, the files are for you to peruse. I did try to make them concise...after all, it's not like you've never heard of it all before." He gestured towards the folders on the desk.

"Apparently, we need to be supervised like children these days."

Allowing herself a sigh of resignation, Rachel sank into the armchair, and picked up the first manila folder.

TOP SECRET
GOVERNMENT OF TUMBRA
FILE N.1966-0007
IMPROVEMENT OF FINANCIAL SITUATION AND EFFICIENCY OF PROVINCIAL GOVERNMENTS

This didn't seem like the correct folder. But she opened it anyway. What ended up greeting her was an image she didn't really expect to see. Once again, she looked up quizzically at the civil servant, who'd noticed and almost yelped as he snatched that particular manila folder.

"Apologies, Ambassador. My mistake. This should be with the Home Office, really," he chuckled, nervously. Sorting through one of the stacks of folders adjacent to his desk with much aplomb, eventually he found the folder he was looking for. "This one's the correct one. Sorry."

~~TOP SECRET~~ RESTRICTED
GOVERNMENT OF TUMBRA
FILE N.1966-0091
NORTHLANDS

Last updated May 2028

This one sounded a bit more like it. She opened it, and began reading.

INTRODUCTION

note: map not up to date

"The Northlands", as they will be henceforth referred to in this document, refers to a parcel of land to the north of Tumbra bordered by the southern exclave of the Hinodejin Empire and the nation formerly known as Damukuni. Current estimates place its population at about a million and a half; though that population is extremely decentralised, and reports suggest that they are exceptionally bound to tribal-bound conflict [see below] and have a low level of technology, with the Industrial Revolution not having reached them. Ground surveys carried out in secret have shown that there is a high possibility of rare materials located in the Northlands; therefore, control over it would provide a new source of revenue to the Tumbran government. Additional benefits to having control over the Northlands include being able to secure a greater foothold in Shintochi Bay; which would give the Tumbran Navy an additional harbour to dock at.

As of 2024, the Tumbran government has begun a military operation in the Northlands; two settlements, Port Willoughby and Blackthorn, have been established along the coast of the Northlands. As of 2028, the Tumbran government controls an estimated 75% of the territory of the Northlands; though progress has been severely hampered by recent events, including a claim to sovereignty via a declaration of self-determination that has brought the conflict to wider international attention.

HISTORY

Most historical sources (see: Ministry of Culture report, Annex B) place the control of the Northlands as either marginally independent or under the control of assorted feudal lords throughout most of the medieval periods. The borders of the Empire of Tumbra, however, did not include the Northlands, who were deemed to be too savage to be taken over. When the Federal Republic was instituted in 1864, the claims to the lands of the Northlands were nominally put forth; but plans were abandoned after public opinion proved to be against the beginning of another conflict.

Modern plans for the takeover of the Northlands were formulated in the 1960s after a military exercise went wrong. Eight troops had accidentally strayed too far north in their vehicle into the borders of the Northlands. They were later found, three days later, murdered and their vehicle set on fire. These plans, however, were always kept secret; and until the government of Kenneth Everett decided to adopt these plans, the invasion was widely regarded as a non-starter.

EVENTS SINCE 2024

Since the passage of the Northlands Act of 2024, the Tumbran government has begun the process of taking over the Northlands. This has resulted in significant internal fracturing within Parliament; while both major parties, who have been in government before, understand the strategic imperative of the Northlands, a significant minority of Members of Parliament have decided to leave their parties and set up new ones, ostensibly aimed at showing their opposition to the events going on in the Northlands.

Political parties that have expressed a stance against the Northlands include: the Green Party, the Social Democratic Party, the Progressive Party (a splinter party from the Labour Party, comprised of MPs who voted against the Government on the Northlands), and the Moderate Party. Most of their opposition comes from ideological leanings; the Moderates have since softened their stance on the issue, and are now calling for a moratorium on all current operations. The first three parties, however, remain resolute in their opposition to the Northlands.

Both major parties in power, however, having been briefed on this matter by the Civil Service, are in favour of the operation in the Northlands.

The above two settlements mentioned — Port Willoughby and Blackthorn — have been rapidly built since the passage of the Act. There are an estimated 180,000 Tumbrans that have moved to the Northlands since 2024; and with the provision of generous stipends to would-be inhabitants of the Northlands, more are expected to follow as the cities expand.

Currently, the Northlands is administered by the Minister for Northern Affairs, who is also the Prime Minister. The former Prime Minister, Kenneth Everett, delegated day-to-day control of the Northlands to former Minister for Immigration Kevin Steinmann, who is currently based in Port Willoughby. Steinmann, who holds the post of Chief Executive of the Northlands, was appointed to a five-year term in 2025; the post is not subject to Senate confirmation, as advised by the Civil Service.

NATIVES

The natives of the Northlands — herein referred to as Northlanders — are, as mentioned above, largely low-technology and subsist on old methods of farming. Numbered at one and a half million, they are mainly split into clans; and intra-clan fighting has been the main activity documented by historians. They seem uninterested in expanding beyond their current borders, and do not seem to have any aspirations of exposing themselves to the modern world. A large diaspora of Northlanders, however, have also made their way into Tumbra's northern cities. Most of these immigrants (see: Ministry of Immigration report, Annex E) form an underclass, and are most plentiful in the northern cities of Franport, Ridgewell, Colbrook, Teignford, Millsburgh and Foxchester. Most of these immigrants also work in lowly-paid jobs.

The Northlands Act explicitly included a legal path to citizenship for Northlanders, as part of a hope to assimilate them into Tumbran culture. This path is also available to the above-mentioned diaspora, as a means of getting them proper Tumbran citizenship. This option, so far, has been undertaken by a disappointingly low number of people. Plans for this programme to be expanded have also been put on hold due to recent events in Blackthorn.

The Northlands invasion was subject to increased scrutiny and complications after it was announced that the various disparate clans would unite together in the hopes of forming their own nation. This nation, called "The United Clans", has been recognised by the government of South Newlandia, and were voted into the regional football confederation, CONESPIO, against Tumbra's will.

"Reached that part, have you?" the civil servant asked. "That's one of the new bits. A new responsibility of yours is to try and get the government you're responding to not recognise the United Clans. Obviously we failed with South Newlandia, that's why we withdrew our ambassador from the country."

As of the current report, not many other governments have expressed support for the plight of the Northlands; support has mostly been limited to far-left political parties in various other countries, like Bollonich.

The United Clans are led by a Ceannard, who exercises the powers of an absolute monarch. The current Ceannard is one Kendra aep Clan MacLaren, who was seemingly elected at a meeting of the Clans. She is assisted by a Coitcheann, who has responsibility for most military decisions. The current Coitcheann is Fergus aep Clan MacDonald.

STRATEGIES TO DEAL WITH THE UNITED CLANS

The intelligence community of Tumbra is currently working on a long-term infiltration strategy of the United Clans. Currently, contact has been made with one of the Clans, who have been granted extra resources in return for information. Further provision of resources looks likely to need to convince the Clans to conduct more clandestine operations. ..............................................................................................................

The next few pages were completely blacked out.

BLACKTHORN BOMBING

The Blackthorn Town Hall was bombed on xx April 2028. While investigations are still ongoing, it is currently suspected that a Northlander terrorist cell was involved in the bombing. Loss of life was minor, due to the bomb going off at 2am; but the building has been rendered completely unusable. In retaliation, a bombing campaign has been put on the table; troop build-up has also accelerated, though the value of this strategy is questionable, due to the usage of asymmetrical warfare tactics against the Tumbran Army. It seems right now that this build-up of military capability is but security theatre.

The aforementioned citizenship program has also been put on hold due to a suspicion that the program was exploited to give Northlanders direct access to the town of Blackthorn.

FUTURE PLANS

The planned introduction of democracy to the Northlands has gone ahead of schedule, with the Prime Minister committing to an election of three non-voting delegates in the 2029 election against the advice of the Civil Service. All precautions, including vetting, have been stepped up, particularly with fears that the United Clans might try to elect a candidate friendlier to their interests.

Other future plans include the proper search for valuable natural resources, most vitally crude oil, and following up on that with a state-owned oil company...

"That's all. Your other job is to try and get nations to not support the United Clans, materially. Any news comes out that might be linked back to the Northlands, you make noise. Any similiar territorial expansion projects, you support; that's why we're throwing our full support behind Cassadaigua in their own little territorial expansion of their own."

"Is that all?"

"Heavens, no! You see..."

by **Adab** » Sat May 28, 2022 10:54 am

THE ADAB TIMES
The Most Trusted Voice in the Nation, Est. 1878

FOOTBALL
Sunday, February 27, 2039

Interview Excerpts: Saad Kaykali

By Elymur Amwan

Adab national football team manager Saad Kaykali sat down with The Adab Times for an interview over two days in early February. Originally intended to last a day, the interview went double its planned length, during which the manager discussed a variety of topics, some of which – being close to his heart – he had been reluctant to talk about before. Here are some excerpts from his interview.

On the state of Adabian football:
I think all signs point to the fact that our football is heading in the right direction. There is healthy – but not overly hooliganistic or violent – competition between our clubs in the Premier League, and foreign clubs are increasingly looking towards our stars. Satchit [Chandrasekar] is in Vilita, Emma [Arthur] in Chromatika. I think that is an indication that the quality of our domestic football is improving with every season. It helps that we have an increasing number of foreign players in our league who bring in a different perspective on how to play and help raise our standards. Combine this with our national team’s performance in international competitions and I can confidently say that Adabian football is more than able to hold its own when judged by international standards.

The best Adabian player he had ever seen:
Oh man, this is tough, and I don’t like appearing as if I’m applying favoritism towards certain players. We’ve had many, many great players throughout our history and I’ve had the privilege of watching many of them, playing alongside some, and even managing some throughout my life. But if I had to choose, I would say Enlilbani Yargab is the best Adabian player of my time, probably of all time. What he has done for Baghdad City and the national team, it’s hard to beat. He is truly a once-in-a-generation player.

The next big thing in Adabian football:
We have a lot of up-and-coming stars in this country. Kasti[liasu Akaptaha] and Nadje [Barzani] obviously have made their mark both for club and country. The scary thing is that Kasti should only be entering his prime now, and Nadje may still be a few years off her prime. I think they are two of the biggest young talents we have right now, but there are so many potential players around here, and frankly I don’t believe in a single “next big thing” idea. If anything, we have many next big things.

On Adab’s World Cup qualifying rivals:
See, the thing is that when your group is stacked with a bunch of great teams, there’s always this feeling that it’s a bit unfair, because some – if not all – teams deserve to qualify for the World Cup but some inevitably won’t, because obviously we don’t have that many spots in the World Cup. From our group alone [Group 3], I would say Tumbra and Zwangzug both deserve to go straight to the World Cup. But as things stand one of them will probably have to go through the playoffs. Admittedly it’s our fault too, but when you have a job, you do what you must.

Getting older (Kaykali turned 65 on January 20):
When I was young, I wondered sometimes how I would feel, how healthy I would be when I got old. People often associate old age with wisdom and authority and all that, and they are right, but with the passing of every year comes the increasing specter of frailty, decline, loss of independence, and ultimately death. When you are old you might be wiser, but you are also more decrepit. I don’t mind getting old, I just don’t want to be a burden to others or unable to live and function independently. Now that I am entering that stage, I still feel very much healthy, thankfully, and happy, and I try to keep myself in good shape by exercising and eating right. But most importantly I am not afraid of what comes next. Whatever happens, I am at peace with it.

Favorite music:
As a young kid I consumed whatever was on the radio. So it’s mostly mainstream rock and pop, things like those big-sounding arena rock and glam metal songs, Van Halen, Whitesnake, and whatever Prince was. Those were the soundtrack to my formative years. When I got a bit older I started going to record stores in my spare time, and there I found albums from genres I had never seriously listened to before. If you ask me what my favorite album is, well that’s a tough call, but if I had to choose I’d say Blue by Joni Mitchell. Just a gorgeous, gorgeous album and a gorgeous voice.

His late wife, Princess Maria Assurbanihabal:
In a way it’s hard to believe she’s been gone 28 years. I can still remember her clearly, her face, her voice, everything, but with every passing year she gets further away from me. She’s almost like a figure from another time now. She was here so long ago, but I can still clearly remember her as a living figure, and not just a figment of my increasingly distant memories. I’ve changed so much since she passed, but she’s still the same to me. I wish she were here. I remember sometimes she liked to talk about what she’d do when she was 50 or 60 or something. But she would never have that opportunity.

Adab lineup for World Cup Qualifiers MD21 (March 1, 2039 vs. Zwangzug at home) and MD22 (March 8, 2039 vs. Montesina away)

Starting lineup: Chandrasekar, Altun, Enmerkar (C), Issou, al-Maliki, Arthur (VC), Samanu, Emmita, Akaptaha, Yissakar, Yargab

Substitutes: Shulgi, al-Tikriti, Akshak, Thomas, al-Muntar, Orlev, Uhwan, Zambiya, al-Kufa, Barzani

by **Brenecia** » Sat May 28, 2022 10:59 am

Brenecia 4 - 2 Polkopia
(4-3-3) 12 - Tanner; 17 - Lovibond, 18 - Killen, 5 - Shrine, 3 - Seeler (22 - Culpepper 87'); 8 - Conway (23 - Sitko 67'), 19 - Mikoliunas (4 - Briggs 81'), 11 - Covolan; 15 - Wake, 21 - Lofthouse, 10 - Byrne
Goals: Lofthouse 12', Byrne 33', Killen 58', Wake 76'

Falmorgen Palace
Rozelle

Few things in this world did Princess Etain of Brenecia's House of Vortigern hate more than 'high tea'.
All that faffing. All that waste. All that ritual. It was inconceivable, to her, that ordinary, real people would want to do this in their spare time. For 'fun'!
High tea. All her bloody life she'd tried to escape high tea. Her Masters in History at Directus University? So far from high tea, in her mind. Etain was intelligent, but still blinded to certain perspectives to a point that going to a hyper-gentrified foreign university surounded by the scions of oligarchs counted, to her, as living like regular people.
Still. It wasn't high bloody tea.
But high tea was a prerequisite to meeting with her mother, who lived on this sort of ritual. That suited Etain fine normally; meeting with her mother was generally very low on her priority list, but right now, she needed it. She needed her. Even just for her name.
In a time like this.

THE ROZELLE OBSERVER
General strike paralyses progressive cities of Westpike and Falkner
Corwen Rourke

CAPITAL DAILY
"We call it like we see it"
WEST COAST TRAITORS ARE STEALING THE BREAD FROM YOUR CHILDRENS' MOUTHS
by Sarah Stubbs

She watched scone-crumbs cascade from her mother's thick lips. It was good. An opportunity to talk uninterrupted.
"I think it's time, mother, we stepped up as royals. I think that's what the country needs. If you look at the headlines -- look at the pictures of riots, even just look outside. The people are suffering."
Mairin choked down a scone. "The people are always suffering," she observed, before starting on another.
"Not like this. Or... it's been a long time, since they were like this. You remember Clarisse Ward?"
"Strong woman. Lot of backbone. Not like any of this lot."
"Yyyyes," said Etain, glibly switching tracks. "It's a pity we don't have another like her."
"Mm!" Mid-scone. At least they were doing their part stimulating the baking sector. "She'd sort 'em out! Weak generation, we've got."
"Right."
"No 'get-up-and-go'. No 'bouncebackability'." The Queen sucked her fingers. "They need sorting out."

THE ROZELLE OBSERVER
Treasurer Cordwood denies 'completely' Brenecia on verge of defaulting on loans, resigns
Danita Kevan

"... What do you think you'd do?" Etain asked, slowly, agonisingly leading the horse to water. "If you had the power."
"Hah. 'Power'." Mairin focused her squinty eyes on Etain. Not for the first time, Princess Etain thought about the fact that many decent and good people, and indeed, intelligent and charming people, looked like bloated walruses who'd come out second-best against a poor taxidermist. There was no actual correlation between her appearance and her lack of virtues. Holy hell, though, was Etain glad her apple fell far from the tree on every count. "They won't let us have it."
"They haven't. In the past." Etain traced the rim of her mug coyly, letting interest build up. Only when she sensed the intensity of Mairin's stare had grown thermonuclear did she look up. "But what if I told you we had friends?"
"Friends?"
"Citizens concerned with the direction of the country. Citizens with power. Who remember what Ward was trying to do..."

THE
BRENECIAN
WARD: "A decisive patriot" may be needed to resolve crisis
Monica Bayliss, Political Correspondent

"Well. Do we?"
"Some may have made me overtures." Etain sighed. "Those who could entrench our-- your position. I think the argument could be made we've kow-towed to Corvistone long enough."
"To who?"
Etain stared for a time, before realising her mother probably hadn't looked at a map since childhood. "To Sabrefell," she amended. "The marchers--"
"Ah, the bloody shags!"
"-- whose shadow still runs over our constitution. Because, really, a lot of nations out there thrive with a single, strong leader at the top. And just one look outside tells you people are sick of the status quo. No?"
She let that sit. She let Mairin's imagination carry her the rest of the way.
Gears grinding, the Queen said, "If the government, say, were to prove incapable of ruling the country..."
"In times like that," Etain said, sipping her tea. "the people would expect someone to step up. And they might well look to us."

CBD
North Hall

Garrick Ramling had been a decent baseball player in his youth.
Sure, it was more pastime than passion in Brenecia, and there wasn't really a professional path. Still, he'd flat-track bullied in school and played a handful of games in the amateur second division as a relief pitcher. The balls from his two saves still took pride of place on his mantelpiece, even though he'd long since moved on to other pursuits. Chief among those pursuits was, like most people in North Hall, going down the mines to earn a crust.
At 37 he'd already voted for all three of Brenecia's major parties. His parents had been staunch, old labour Progressives, but the party grew weaker and weaker in Brenecia, morphed into the NPD - the New Progressive Democrats - but the only things New about them had been the depths their polling had plunged to as Ward took over.
He'd never liked Ward much. Never liked her rhetoric, never liked her scapegoats. She'd thrown regular people like Ramling under the bus, said they weren't working hard enough when they were doing it tougher than ever. But he got it. Sort of. Part of him wanted to vote for her. But he'd skipped out on the first election out of sheer apathy, then voted for the LDR when they'd put together a strong opposition.
Then the LDR took control, and the worst excesses stopped, but the economic boom they promised never made his bills any less oppressive. They'd kowtowed to the foreign multinationals, letting them take more and more of the country. Overnight, Ramling went from working for a local magnate to working for Harther.
After a decade or so of that, he felt due a change. Kearney talked a good game. Thought Brenecia could do better. Thought local infrastructure needed a comeback. And, yeah, he was out of touch, but who wasn't? Feeling uncertain, Ramling put a bunch of independents first in the running, but preferenced Kearney where it counted, above Locke.
Then Harther laid him off.
He hadn't been a lifelong radical. He hadn't even been at the forefront of the protests. But when Randall Kearney finally deigned to show up, long after the protests had become riots, and immediately started talking about how Brenecia needed to rediscover its spirit of endeavour... how the people needed to pick themselves up, gut it out at the dole and bootstrap their way to a new job, even if that meant reskilling...
There'd been a brick lying at his feet. It felt good in the hand, good size, good weight. Familiar. And he wasn't far from the stage.
"'Scuse me," he muttered to the guy behind him, winding up his arm.

Fort Hollingshead
Lastcreek Outskirts

To the sound of an insistent ringing, Dorian Blackwood rose not long after midnight. Not past bedtime for most, but he was a 10-6 kind of guy, like clockwork. A solid night's sleep was mandatory to act decisively in the day, and normally, he would not let it be interrupted by anyone.
But these were not normal times.
The phone by his bedside was a secure line to the royal family. That's what he'd told the tech-heads, anyway. But he knew which voice he would hear, as he took a deep breath, wiped his eyes, and opened the phone.
Princess Etain did not wait. "It's all in place. Kearney will make it but he's in critical care."
"You're sure you want Mairin to take the lead."
"It's her throne."
"Does she want this?"
"I have words that... could be understood as her assent. But it's all going to happen quickly. It must happen quickly."
"I understand. Shall I make the call?"
A deep, hissing breath. Four seconds of hesitation. Blackwood couldn't abide it.
"Ma'am?"
"Do it," said Etain in a rush, and hung up.

BRENECIAN NATIONAL TEAM SELECTION - FORTNIGHT 11
Goalkeepers: 1 - Anthea Finnan (Holdenberg City, EUR), 12 - Sorcha Tanner (Southern Star), 20 - Cairbre Dundalk (North Laithland, NPH)
Defenders: 2 - Clovette Bravender (Ulsa, EUR), 3 - Mynah Seeler (Southern Star), 5 - Athelney Shrine (Falourr, EUR), 6 - Casey Giltanan (Workers Union, EUR), 17 - Felice Lovibond (Kingsgrove), 18 - Iucharba Killen (North Laithland, NPH), 22 - Nimue Culpepper (Rozelle)
Midfielders: 4 - Skaidrina Briggs (Southern Star), 8 - Iseult Conway (Northern Union, c), 11 - Lienke Covolan (Vermillion Rage, NPH), 13 - Consaidin Garrard (FK Metropola Borograd, STL), 19 - Kurtis Mikoliunas (Mâ Âlâmëómë, FFD), 23 - Rajmund Sitko (Rozelle)
Forwards: 7 - Kendra Carpenter (Wirr Tsi, CMT), 9 - Cantwell Lamorak (Twin Saints), 10 - Katua Byrne (KT Itzalovalle, AUD), 14 - Danand Tristram (Northern Stallions), 15 - Maerhen Wake (1830 Cathair, AUD), 16 - Sylvia Marusak (North Hall), 21 - Jadwiga Lofthouse (Northern Union)

[size=75]Brenecia 4 - 0 Kuraita
Natanians and Nosts 0 - 0 Brenecia
Brenecia 4 - 2 Arjunnagar
Eura 1 - 0 Brenecia
Brenecia 4 - 3 Srednjaci
Mertagne 0 - 3 Brenecia
Brenecia 5 - 2 Gyatso-kai
Polkopia 1 - 2 Brenecia
BYE
Brenecia 3 - 3 Maphidon
Omerica 0 - 3 Brenecia
Kuraita 0 - 0 Brenecia
Brenecia 2 - 0 Natanians and Nosts
Arjunnagar 0 - 2 Brenecia
Brenecia 0 - 1 Eura
Srednjaci 0 - 4 Brenecia
Brenecia 2 - 1 Mertagne
Gyatso-kai 1 - 1 Brenecia
Brenecia 4 - 2 Polkopia
BYE
Maphidon vs. Brenecia
Brenecia vs. Omerica

by **Kandorith** » Sat May 28, 2022 11:10 am

Shinonome Kyoai - International

Playoff or World Cup spot guaranteed in next two matches

With only two more matchdays to go, Kandorith seems on track to qualify directly for the World Cup. The only two obstacles left are the numbers two and three; Saint Eleanor and South Newlandia. The good news, however, is that reaching the World Cup is entirely in the team's own hands. All eyes are on Saint Eleanor too. Might they lose or draw? It would put Kandorith in the perfect position, and with a win against South Newlandia, it would crown them number one in the group. Knowing Michiyu, the team will be going for two wins.
By Natsumi Miyasaki
Sports

^{SHARE THIS:}

 PGroup 10                         Pld    W   D   L    GF   GA   GD   Pts
 1 Kandorith                        18   14   4   0    48   25  +23    46
 2 Saint Eleanor                    18   13   4   1    41   16  +25    43
 3 South Newlandia                  19   12   3   4    53   31  +22    39
 4 Krytenia                         18   11   3   4    36   23  +13    36
 5 Indusse                          18    8   3   7    38   26  +12    27
 6 Fort McKinley                    18    7   4   7    29   31   −2    25
 7 Ochre Islands                    19    7   2  10    36   39   −3    23
 8 Sannyamathland                   18    5   3  10    22   38  −16    18
 9 Reorganized Portugal             18    3   5  10    16   27  −11    14
10 Cheetahs and Reptiles Coalison   18    2   1  15    20   49  −29     7
11 Armbruster                       18    1   2  15    14   48  −34     55

Kandorith, Saint Eleanor, South Newlandia, and Krytenia have dominated Group 10 with very little difference in between the four teams, despite the fact that the group appears to be decided and only the fight for direct qualification remains. With a disappointing first match against Saint Eleanor ending in a draw, Michiyu will be looking to take revenge and add to the impressive win tally of the team. The Kandorese team now stands at 14 wins and 4 draws in 18 matches and is one of the last four teams standing undefeated in the World Cup Qualifiers. Michiyu stated in a recent interview that the match against South Newlandia is critical and that the team cannot afford any mistakes.

Facing the teams

The first meeting against South Newlandia during the qualifiers ended in a 2–1 home win for Kandorith, which means they will have to travel to the lion's den for the coming game. Normally, this would be enough to make anyone nervous, but Michiyu had a remark on it."Normally any manager would be slightly nervous about the home advantage of the opponent's team, yet I do not really tend to worry much." Michiyu stated. We have scored just as many goals away as we have scored at home, so I can surely say that we are not easily phased by playing away. I would have preferred a home match for both matches, but playing our last match at home was also an amazing experience. "

The last match will be played in the Empress Masumi stadium against Saint Eleanor. Here, the home advantage might prevent another scoreless draw against the rapidly rising team. With the current course of the qualifiers, this match might as well be the game which decides who goes to the World Cup directly and who will have to face the play-offs. If both Saint Eleanor and Kandorith perform as they have through the entire campaign, this will be the match to decide the number one and two of the group.

The upcoming crucial matches will most likely see Michiyu assigned the best Kandorith has to offer, but there might be a few surprises as some rumours are spreading that Takeshi Honda might be playing in both games. Another factor is the injured Eiji Mayeda, who will be replaced by Urayama Diamonds' star player, Ryu Tanji. Tanji has seen quite a success in Kandorese football, playing for the new champions, Urayama Diamonds. Tanji himself played a crucial role in the K1 League success for the Diamonds, being a quick left-back who was always looking to get the ball towards the strikers.

While the national squad and Michiyu are preparing themselves for the last two matches in the normal qualification campaign, the Kandorese fans are already preparing for the World Cup. Many are sure of Kandorith reaching World Cup 91. Tenkyo's Higakito and Gawato districts have been busy during the entire qualification campaign, but they are expected to be completely flooded with fans for the upcoming two matches. While the stadium has been completely filled during the home matches, during away matches there have been large screens for the public to follow these matches in the stadium too.

Employees fall ill after accident in Higashu's dock area

Reports of multiple employees of Kaito Corporation being diagnosed with radiation sickness caused the corporation to shut down one of its largest warehouses in the Higashu Dock area until further notice. Currently, not a lot is known about how the Kaito Corporation is handling the situation, but there have been sightings of Imperial Kandorese Armed Forces material near the warehouse.
By Hiromi Sugihara
General

^{SHARE THIS:}

Multiple employees became severely ill after handling shipments in the Kaito Warehouse, known for importing and exporting ammunition, weapon technology, and AI systems meant for military uses. In total, 17 employees have been transported to Higashu General Hospital and remain in quarantine.

The warehouse has always been under tight surveillance and protected by Kaito’s private security units as employees handle dangerous and highly valuable substances and products. One of the possibilities suggested as the source of the radioactive material is the newly developed shells intended for the Kandorese Armed Forces’ artillery units, although this is not known currently.

Hiyashi and Red Diamond Industries were two of the first corporations to immediately speak out about the incident. As a result of recent revelations about some of Kaito's weapon systems, Red Diamond Industries claims that the Kaito Corporation intended for the warehouse employees to be silenced or even killed.

With the statement, the CEO of Red Diamond Industries hinted toward a series of leaked documents earlier this month which revealed the inner workings of the Kaito Corporation. reports of forced overworking, knowingly using lower graded materials for very volatile cargo and systems, and completely ignoring radiation safety rules and regulations.

Hiyashi’s spokesperson, Tamiko Okada, lashed out in a different way. Once again, we see how Kaito Corporation has zero regards for human safety, health, or even their lives as a whole. We have reasons to believe that this was no accident but a planned event to either blackmail smaller corporations or the local government. The corporation is known for always undermining the Kandorese values and state. It would not be surprising if this was another fabricated event by Kaito Corporation to either commit insurance fraud or attempt another hostile takeover.

The authorities are currently working to determine the source of the radiation leak and are calling for any witnesses to the accident or locals who were near the warehouse at the time of the accident. Later in the day, police will start contacting people they know who have been in or near the area.

The Kaito Corporation, so far, has refused to comment on the incident but is expected to make a statement on Monday.

World Cup 91 [roleplays]

Endless, Episode 4

WC91Q - Turori Second Half Roundup

Who is online