AOCAF LXX...AOHC...and the AOMG
Welcome to the Kingdom of Al-Tamazgha for the seventieth AOCAF, as well as the AO Hockey Championship (?) and the AO Medieval Games (!) !
Few logistical things:
Cutoffs and subsequent scorinations will be done every 48 hours, with any extenuating circumstances that require a delay to be announced on the OOC thread. Xkoranate with NSFS formula and Additive mods will be used. Third party scorination will be requested for matches involving Al-Tamazgha.
RP bonus will be fully cumulative. It will be set to ensure that an unranked nation's max to near-max RP bonus can equal that of a middle top-seed nation without RP bonus by quarterfinals stage (approximately 6-7 cutoff windows).
Please post your roster. 66% No-Roster penalty will be applied to AOCAF ranks until the roster is posted, after which full rankings will be restored - I have decided to make it two-thirds instead of halving, which I don't feel to be enough, or complete zeroing, which while preferred may not be optimal considering downturn in activity atm. That said, the deadline for roster bonus will be at the end of the group stage, after which ranking point will not be restored even with a roster posted.
AOHC and the AOMG
The current residents of Atlantian Oceania are welcome to sign up for the AOHC and the AOMG. Both competitions, which were selected after output from the regional members themselves, will commence after the group stage. Signups for both competitions will be set in alignment with the MD2 cutoff, which is 23:59 EDT, 16th of September.
More information will be provided in the coming days, likely via a separate post but I will try to provide adequate update on the OP where needed as well.
Groups
The groups are now drawn, ICly in Maisonbleue. Prior to the draw, Al-Tamazgha was automatically placed on Group A as a fourth pot nation.
Group A
Squornshelan Remnant States (3)
Gyatso-kai (10)
Qasden (12)
Jabal Akhdar (19)
Al-Tamazgha (25 - HOST)
Torisakia (49)
Group B
Banija (1)
Farfadillis (6)
Equestria (15)
Cordia (20)
The Jovannic (34)
Sea Dome (48)
Group C
Valanora (2)
Milchama (8)
Canadian Dominion (17)
Sarzonia (22)
Busoga Islands (23)
Eshialand (UR)
Group D
Vilita and Turori (4)
Sultanate of Oontaz (9)
Demot (13)
Tropicorp (18)
Romsten (31)
Corporate City One (UR)
Group E
Commonwealth of Baker Park (5)
Kimi-Suomi (7)
Fort McKinley (16)
Hapilopper (21)
Carpathia and Ruthenia (37)
Azhaar (UR)
IC Information
Kingdom of Al-Tamazgha is a long, medium-sized semi-constitutional monarchy in mid-western Atlantian Oceania.
Consisting predominantly of mountains and coastline, geographically Al-Tamazgha spans from extensive coastline on the west and the north, the rocky Sebou mountains for most of the inland territories, and the desert on the south that directly border Sunset Shimmer. It also faces the Sea of Wonders to the west and the Vilitan Cove to the north, which have contributed to its historic reputation as the 'Celestial Gateway', and sees most of the population live in the major cities including the capital in Kajaïa and the economic centre in Maisonbleue along the coast. It is also located near the archipelago of Zafran Islands, an overseas territory of Quebec and Shingoryeo located four hundred kilometres from Al-Tamazgha. Currently discussions are being in place for the Zafran Islands to join Al-Tamazgha.
Featuring ancient archaeological sites dating back to the classical antiquity, Al-Tamazgha spans a large area of 580,500 km2, with a population of 31 million people. Geographically Al-Tamazgha spans from extensive coastline on the west and the north, the rocky Sebou mountains for most of the inland territories, and the desert on the southeast that directly border Sunset Shimmer. Its territory is largely arable, though environmental conservation remains a challenge and a work in progress. The far-western tip of the country, Lamaneland, is tropical and is considered to be culturally and ethnically different from the Ismailites or Tamazghans predominant in the east. Al-Tamazgha's official religion is Sufi Islam, and there are two official languages in the country - Arabic, Tamazghan (Berber) - while French, Tamazghan-Arabic and to lesser extent Judaeo-Arabic dialects, are used on regular administrative and educational capacities. Tamazghan culture and identity derives from geographically diverse nature of the state, as well as centuries of conflicts and influences from historically intersecting forces. Its capital is Kajaïa, one of the three ancient cities of Al-Tamazgha, while the largest city and economic capital is Maisonbleue.
Dating back to the early antiquity period, Al-Tamagzha was inhabited by various ethnic groups, in particular, the Tamazghans to the east and the Lamanes to the west. Over the course of the centuries, it was ruled by various dynasties, with Islam arriving in the 9th and the 10th centuries through the Malikid Dynasty, which set the brand of pluralism and tolerance commonly found in the Tamazghan religious traditions. From the 16th to the 19th century, Al-Tamazgha had to fight against external forces that threatened its sovereignty. The dynastical change from the Sharifian to the current Ismailite Dynasty in 1712 coincided with economic and cultural prosperity, which saw a Quebecois-aided expansion foray into the Lamaneland on the early 19th century. The strategic significance of the Al-Tamazgha's location, as well as the increased expense to maintain a much larger Banija, had seen the Quebecois interests resume in the state. From 1894 to 1948 Al-Tamazgha had the Protectorate status under the Shingoryeoite Empire, under which its sovereignty had remained, but the foreign affairs handled by the Quebecois. In 1948, Al-Tamazgha regained full independence after a series of negotiations following year-long riots that included a blockade of the Maisonbleue Port, as well as the post-war realities of maintaining the expanses of the Shingoryeoite Empire.
In the contemporary era, Al-Tamazgha remains a relatively stable country. Al-Tamazgha is a semi-constitutional monarchy with a Monarch, a Prime Minister and the two-levelled legislature consisting of the Senate and the House of Commons. Traditionally the Monarch, elected under Male-preference primogeniture, enjoys significant legislative and executive power and is technically the Commander of the nation's three armed forces. The Privy Council, consisting of the members of the Cabinet, the Parliament and significant members of the community, also holds significant power and offers advice, though their overreaching power, alongside that of the monarch, is being reduced in an effort to further democratise the country. Considered to be an economically-emerging market with significant middle power influence relative to its economy, Al-Tamazgha holds significant power in both the Quebecois Commonwealth and its southern bloc of nations in Atlantian Oceania. It holds significant economic and cultural ties with Quebec and Shingoryeo, Busoga Islands and Banija, and enjoys amicable to growing relations with fellow Arabophone nations across the Multiverse.
Stade-Alphonse-Diawara, Maisonbleue
To Host: Group A, R16x2, Final
Built in the late-1700s as a trading port by then-emergent Ismailite dynasty, the port city would soon subside Khenikech, Kajaia and Sakane as the main nation of the Tamazghan domains. Developing a peculiar reputation as the 'Celestial Gateway' between southwestern AO, the Vilitan Cove and the Salamantics during those years and fifty-year time period as a Quebecois protectorate, Maisonbleue would develop into an economic centre driving the country's economy around heavy industry and port. Over a century after its independence it remains a cosmopolitan city, with about one-fifth of the population considered to be foreigners and significant Christian and Jewish population residing on the outskirts - nevermind their stance on Banijan Mormonism, which remains to be hostile as a 'foreign element) - and this is reflected in the city's multitude of architectural styles and neighbourhoods. This includes a conflicting mixture of its historic Mellah in the centre, the glass-dominant Cite Financiere de l'Ouest (CFL) on the western end, and centuries of housing policy that would include painting the roofs and walls blue and white, driving with it a pictoresque appearance. Not to mention continuing sprawls.
Stade-Alphonse-DiawaraLocated in the nation's largest city and economic capital which is also famous for its blue houses and streets best remembered for the 1943 Quebecois movie 'Maisonbleue', the national stadium is home to the city's two AOPIC Ligue Professionelle 1 football teams, Taqwaa AC and l'Etoile Rouge. With around twenty years old it does look a little bit aged but the Tamazghan FA, the owners of the stadium, has constantly updated the venue over the years to allow the stadium to host international-standard matches.
Stade de l'Esperance, Cap-Vert
To Host: Group B, R16, QF, Third Place Match
Hot, dry and far away in the volatile western province of Lamaneland. Cap-Vert is a relatively recent city originally established as trading post and slave trade location under an old empire of Lamanes (Wolofs), and would see rise in significance as a port city, though to greater interest in fishing and military purposes, following the Tamazghan annexation of Lamaneland in early-19th century. Heavily urbanised and compact, driven around the peninsula of land in the city proper, Cap-Vert remains a major economic centre and military outpost, with the Royal Quebecois Navy maintaining an overseas base there.
For most part, it is not exactly a tourist destination outside of few attractions such as the Neverend Point Museum, and the continued instability of Lamaneland relative to the rest of country would mean that usually most of the inbound demand there is for more consistent, business traffic. But the city's 4 million population and the significance of Stade de l'Esperance to the Lamaneland serves well for the competition, and thus is included there.
Stade Olympique de Khenikech (Cap. 56,000), Khenikech
To Host: Group C, R16x2, QF, SF
Located inland, halfway on a major trades and transportation route between Lamaneland and rest of the country, Khenikech is one of the three ancient capitals of the city. It is in particular known for the city's Medina (Fortress) date back to the times of medieval dynasties and the famed Jardin Bellemare on the outskirts of the city. While the city's significance has slightly declined since then, its continued relevance among the Tamazghans and the status as a popular tourist destination has meant that Khenikech was an easy choice for the AOCAF. Stade Olympique is a modern, multi-purposed stadium with international-regulation tracks. Home to local clubs Racing Club and Renaissance, its sole downside is that it does not have an open roof, but being an indoor city with high altitude, the climate should remain favourable enough for the fans to attend the matches in early-autumn anyway.
Stade Ismail II (Cap. 20,000), Bni Drar
To Host: Group D, R16, QF
Located on the eastern end of the nation directly facing Nojika on the other side of treacherous, narrow strait of water used for trading, Bni Drar is known for arid, cool climate. Due to its position as a gateway to more inland corridor of the northern Southwest, the city has seen government-led revitalisation projects that so far, have led into interesting results with slow progressions meaning that both modern high-risers coexist with old-world buildings and industrial sites. That strategic significance, ironically enough, is also why the Stade-Ismail-II is included to host matches of the AOCAF 70. Stade-Ismail-II, which hosts Père-Benjelloun AC, is a 20,000-seater stadium with decent pitch conditions and less-than-ideal seats.
Stade de la Paix (Cap. 48,000), Kajaia
To Host: Group E, R16x2, QF, SF
Kajaia is the country's capital and one of three ancient capitals, though it trails behind Maisonbleue and Cap-Vert as third-largest city. Being the seat of both the Islamilite dynasty since 1700s, and the Parliament that sees limited but still substantial functions, its boundaries between the suburbs and the Centreville, best established by the red walls of the city's Qasbah (Fortress) and neatly-paved roads. Unlike much larger Maisonbleue about two and a half hours west by car, the city's population is split between Ismailites (Arabs) and Tamazghans (Berbers) and is considered to be the entryway to the deserts on inland.
Stade de la Paix, located just outside the heart of the city, is on the western side of the bay directly facing the city's famed Green Mosque. The Green Mosque, commonly considered to be the symbol of the city and the more religious, conservative nature of the country, holds the nickname due to the green colour of the Minaret made from the Emerald walls. As for the stadium itself, it is a rare, football-specific stadium that has drawn controversy for putting Kajaia's QComm heritage site status on risk. Built to be completed in time for the AOCAF 70, the Stade is expected to serve as primary home of the Tamazghan national team in future cycles.
Fixtures
Cutoff window will be set to 23:00-01:00+1 EDT (Toronto-New York Time).
Everything Thread: 8th September
Group Draw and IC Information: 13th September
MD1: 16th September - 1v6, 2v5, 3v4
MD2: 18th September - 6v4, 5v3, 1v2
MD3: 20th September - 2v6, 3v1, 4v5
MD4: 22nd September - 6v5, 1v4, 2v3
MD5: 24th September - 3v6, 4v2, 5v1
Second Round: 26th September
Quarterfinals: 28th September
Semifinals: 30th September
3rd Place Match & Final: 2nd October