World Cup 100 | RP thread

by **The Kytler Peninsulae** » Fri Oct 17, 2025 7:13 pm

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Welcome to history.
Welcome to the centennial NationStates World Cup!

This is the roleplay thread for the tournament (both qualifying and finals), where participants are invited to provide in-character (IC) posts covering the tournament; out-of-character (OOC) posts (e.g. relating to administration) go in the WC Discussion Thread linked above. These IC posts can relate directly to the sporting action, but they really don't have to!

What can I expect?
For those of you who've been here before: the same fun we've been having for an absurdly long time, but more of it.

For those who haven't, or who need reminding: here you go! In this tournament, and all other NS Sports events, results are generated using tools called scorinators that input a rank for each team (to which hosts then apply a roleplay (RP) bonus to each participant for their RPs during the event) and then add randomness. These three factors of rank, roleplay, and randomness are referred to as the three Rs of NS Sport, with randomness sometimes personified in the form of a fickle goddess of random chance known as Margaret (sometimes shortened to "Maggie" - which isn't the reason the scorinator used for this tournament is called LISA...)
The hosts fire up the scorinator on a regularly-scheduled basis - in this tournament, every 48 hours - and then post all the results. Then it's up to you, the participants, to react to them in your roleplaying - assuming that's the direction you're going...
For much more on what to expect, check the Welcome to NS Sport guide and the World Cup FAQs factbook (some details of which are outdated and in the process of being revised).

IMPORTANT NOTE: Policy on machine-generated (“AI”) content
Roleplays with significant machine-generated text intended to substitute for human-generated text will receive no bonus, and repeat offenders may be subject to the loss of their entire rank (both bonus and preexisting rank) or expulsion from the competition. Note that the user behind Tikariot has professional experience editing machine-generated text to make it less generic, and as such is particularly adept at spotting its use.

Machine-generated translations of text written in a language other than English are acceptable if the original-language text is also provided (as illustrated here). Machine-generated non-text content (including but not limited to images) is acceptable if clear attribution is provided (as illustrated here).

These 48 teams are your history makers...

GROUP A The Kytler Peninsulae (29) The Holy Empire (45) United States of Nova Calania (35) Vdara (21)	GROUP B Tikariot (4) Banija (19) Reçueçn (36) Stewartika (96)	GROUP C Kwrpania (40) Busoga Islands (38) Pasarga (16) Indusse (42)
GROUP D Qusmo (58) Tanirinthia (10) Chromatika (17) Crpostran (30)	GROUP E Eshialand (27) Saint Eleanor (7) Mertagne (64) Kelssek (12)	GROUP F Kamijiro (8) Commonwealth of Baker Park (28) Pyazhnaya (46) Zenic (23)
GROUP G Cobrio (63) Audioslavia (6) Farfadillis (11) Juvencus (25)	GROUP H Kanzlia (31) Auprussia (59) HUElavia (20) Valanora (2)	GROUP I Paradystopia (54) Siovanija and Teusland (13) Squornshelan Remnant States (3) Zwangzug (45)
GROUP J Flavovespia (1) Aleirave (22) The Ko-orenite Constellation (85) Oberour Ar Moro (33)	GROUP K Valentine Z (37) Edsmontik (5) StrayaRoos (14) Darmen (44)	GROUP L HOT-DAMN (26) Aphrilia (15) Kimi-Suomi (56) Ko-oren (9)

The top two from each group advance to the 32-team knockout bracket alongside the top eight third-placed teams by record. It's a single-elimination bracket from there, partially seeded by group record with adjustments to prevent rematches earlier than is strictly necessary (the so-called "Qusma seeding" process).

What's the schedule?
During qualifying, two sets of matches will be scorinated every 48 hours. When the World Cup "proper" starts, it's one every 48 hours.
All scorination windows will take place in the North American evening of the date listed; east of the Atlantic Ocean, this will be the morning of the following day. The hosts will jointly start the process of assigning RP bonus around 1730 Calgary time, making an announcement on the NS Sport Discord when they do; once this process ends, there will be a "cutoff" to end that RP window and start the next, and then the scorination process will begin.

These dates are all provisional and subject to change:

Qualifying
26 October: MD1 (2v9, 3v8, 4v7, 5v6, 1 Bye) / MD2 (7v5, 8v4, 9v3, 1v2, 6 Bye)
28 October: MD3 (3v1, 4v9, 5v8, 6v7, 2 Bye) / MD4 (8v6, 9v5, 1v4, 2v3, 7 Bye)
30 October: MD5 (4v2, 5v1, 6v9, 7v8, 3 Bye) / MD6 (9v7, 1v6, 2v5, 3v4, 8 Bye)
1 November: MD7 (5v3, 6v2, 7v1, 8v9, 4 Bye) / MD8 (1v8, 2v7, 3v6, 4v5, 9 Bye)
3 November: MD9 (6v4, 7v3, 8v2, 9v1, 5 Bye) / MD10 (9v2, 8v3, 7v4, 6v5, 1 Bye)
5 November: MD11 (5v7, 4v8, 3v9, 2v1, 6 Bye) / MD12 (1v3, 9v4, 8v5, 7v6, 2 Bye)
7 November: MD13 (6v8, 5v9, 4v1, 3v2, 7 Bye) / MD14 (2v4, 1v5, 9v6, 8v7, 3 Bye)
9 November: MD15 7v9, 6v1, 5v2, 4v3, 8 Bye) / MD16 (3v5, 2v6, 1v7, 9v8, 4 Bye)
11 November: MD17 (8v1, 7v2, 6v3, 5v4, 9 Bye) / MD18 (4v6, 3v7, 2v8, 1v9, 5 Bye)
13 November: Playoffs

World Cup
20 November: MD1 (1v4, 3v2)
22 November: MD2 (1v2, 4v3)
24 November: MD3 (2v4, 3v1)
26 November: Hexadecifinals (round of 32)
28 November: Octofinals (round of 16)
30 November: Quarterfinals
2 December: Semifinals
4 December: Bronze final and FINAL

Good luck, have fun... and may Margaret be with you!

by **Tikariot** » Fri Oct 17, 2025 7:13 pm

Tikariot Information

Tikariot is a nation in Rushmore of approximately 49 million people, bordering The Kytler Peninsulae to the west, Græntfjall to the north, Weatherdon to the northeast and Nyowani Kitara to the southeast. Its 15 provinces stretch from Nordic and partially tundra climates in the north eastern province of Viljamark to hot and humid Acrassia in the far west and the tropical Cardannon Archipelago, with both majestic mountain ranges and fertile grasslands providing for a big variety of industries. Despite having a thriving economy, Tikariotian businesses are bound by strict environmental laws to preserve the country for generations to come.

Tikariot's by far biggest and most popular sport is football, with the Tikariotian Premier League as its highest level with the national team also enjoying some successes. They won Copa Rushmori 42, 47 and 48 as well as the 6th and 7th editions of the Brevity Cup. In the World Cup, their best results to date were World Cups 9 and 99, where they finished 3rd, together with nine consecutive qualifications at the point of writing.

Before you arrive

While being a quite liberal country, there are some restrictions on what is allowed to be brought into the country. Hard drugs are forbidden as are any kind of weapons or endangered animals (dead or alive). Alcohol and tobacco can be brought into the country in limited quantities. It is also advised you familiarize yourself with the climate of the region(s) you travel to as the weather and temperatures can be very different.

Main port of entry is Port Rhovanyon International Airport, also the hub for Tikariot Owlways, with Alcassar and Tikariot City the two other major airports.

Getting around

Tikariot is a fairly large country with a very well-developed transportation network. Tikariot Owlways operates several daily flights between all provincial capitals with some provincial subsidiaries taking care of flights to smaller destinations. There also is a high-speed train network connecting the larger cities, mostly powered by solar energy, making them a viable alternative to aviation. Most big cities have very well-developed public transit with both underground and light rail trains, buses, bike rentals and more, encouraging Tikariotians to leave their cars at home. In the more rural areas trains and buses will connect with smaller communities as well.

Wildlife

Large parts of Tikariot are wilderness, be it the large forests of Viljamark, the plains of Taeria or the subtropical forests of the Emerald Coast. There are clearly marked roads and paths in these areas, straying from them could result in encounters with wildlife, friendly or hostile, the worst of which is the dangaroo. Breaking environmental laws is met with strict fines, especially in designated natural park areas.

Cuisine

The Tikariotian cuisine is as diverse as its climate, ranging from hearty Nordic stews and roasts in Viljamark and Xark to the exotic dishes of Acrassia. Street foods are an important staple of Tikariot, with vendors selling all kinds of delicacies off carts or take-out windows. The diversity also has seen an influx of vegetarian and vegan options, so almost any tourist should be able to find something to their liking. You can find a wide variety of independent restaurants as well as chains across all of the nation.

Quesadillas, tacos etc:
A Case of Dilla

Pub grub:
Black Rook Beer House

Submarine sandwiches/regular sandwiches:
Bread Zeppelin
Das Brot
The Tactical Sandwich
The Sandwitch

Burgers:
Burgatory
Inferno Burgers (you order burgers based on heat level)

Coffeeshop/teahouse:
Caffeine Bomb
Qualitea Teahouse

Sitdown Restaurants:
Carbmageddon (pasta, potato, pizza)
CónDorado (Huayramarquino cuisine)
Margaret's
Ravenstone
Valhalla Seafood

Food trucks:
Corn on the Curb
Curry in a Hurry
Poultry in Motion
Release the Clucken

Pizza:
Inferno Pizza (you order pizza based on heat level)

Fried chicken:
Motherclucker

Cities and stadiums

Alcassar is the capital of Tikariot's westernmost province, Acrassia, and Tikariot's third largest city behind Tikariot City and Port Rhovanyon. It is known for its hot and unforgiving climate, which can make games a little challenging. Therefore, Alcassar's architecture is dominated by light colours and stone buildings to repel the heat. It is also known for its many street markets and street vendors, where you can literally buy (almost) anything.

After the ancient Jassan Al Nuur Stadium was deemed unusable, the city built a modern temple to football: the Alcassar Arena. With a façade that is taking inspiration from traditional Alcassar's architecture, its inside combines the same traditions with cutting-edge technology, interactive displays, cooling oases, misting arcades and a retractable roof to ensure players and fans alike will not turn into roasted chickens.

Matches staged:
Day 1, 2100 IsT: Tikariot v Stewartika
Day 12, 1330 IsT: HOT-DAMN v Aphrilia
Day 20, 1700 IsT: Hexadecifinal
Day 28, 1700 IsT: Octofinal
Day 41, 2000 IsT: Final

Avanaroch is the fourth largest city in Tikariot and also the capital of the province of Paladon. It is one of the five major sea ports of Tikariot, heavily involved in the export of both ores and manufactured goods from the heartland of Paladon and beyond. It is known for its canals in the old town, which are a remnant of the old transportation seaways that would connect the port with the Maheya River. Nowadays, they are picturesque with small tourist boats and bridges across.

Another IFCF Category 1 stadium, Avanaroch's Paladon Park combines modern amenities and technology with incorporating wood into its façade and has won several awards for this. Inside, it uses holographic technology to instant replay goals and other happenings.

Matches staged:
Day 5, 1600 IsT: Paradystopia v Zwangzug
Day 11, 1330 IsT: Zwangzug v Squornshelan Remnant States
Day 15, 2000 IsT: Squornshelan Remnant States v Paradystopia
Day 23, 2000 IsT: Hexadecifinal
Day 32, 1700 IsT: Quarterfinal

The Balkash province is often called the "liquor store" of Tikariot and it has the by far highest concentration of distilleries, vineyards and breweries, which supplement the also strong agricultural sector of the province. Baraldhur is the capital of the province and central hub for the distribution of all of these products and with that is one of the strongest Tikariotian cities financially. Baraldhur itself is built around the old walled city with the old baronial castle, which is connected by the massive Kashar stone bridge to the newer town. The bridge does not allow any traffic and attracts artists and vendors.

Creighton Park is the home of Baraldhur AFC and is a bit of a visual statement with a striking pattern of geometric panels with a mix of silver and coloured panels, which during match days light up with a glow that can be adjusted to the team playing, which can give the stadium a tranquil or even angry appearance. This continues on inside the stadium with the glow features bringing this very unique atmosphere. The stadium also has a big multimedia museum of Baraldhur AFC inside.

Matches staged:
Day 7, 2100 IsT: Tikariot v Banija
Day 12, 2100 IsT: Ko-oren v Kimi-Suomi
Day 16, 2100 IsT: Aphrilia v Ko-oren
Day 24, 2000 IsT: Hexadecifinal

Carathyr is one of the oldest cities in Tikariot and the biggest port of the nation. Long before Tikariot itself became a thing, its location on the southern coast of the Emerald Coast made it a trade hub, connecting different parts of Rushmore. It is also one of the most diverse cities as merchants from across the region and beyond settled here throughout the centuries. The old mercantile district now is a mix of trading companies and historic buildings that are open to the public. It also is the location of Tikariot's largest daily indoor and outdoor market, where you can buy fruits, vegetables, meats, fish and other foodstuffs, as well as general merchandise.

Carathyr's Jewel of the Coast constantly ranks very high in fan surveys for best stadium. It strikes a great balance between tradition and modern design, creating a great atmosphere. The location right on the coast likely also helps with fan perception.

Matches staged:
Day 10, 1600 IsT: Cobrio v Audioslavia
Day 15, 1700 IsT: Audioslavia v Juvencus
Day 28, 2000 IsT: Octofinal

Dhun Lagarr is located on the edge of the large Dhunmoor, which is the largest of its kind in Tikariot. Within city limits lies the old Fort Dhun Lagarr, which even the oldest available records label "old" already. The city is located on the crossroads of old trade routes to Port Rhovanyon in the west, Tikariot City to the south, Veriasod and Lake Neyvis to the east and Xanark in the north. The fort is a popular tourist attraction thanks to its great preservation.

Dhunmoor, fittingly located at the edge of the Dhunmoor, is beautifully flowing stadium that incorporates the team's colours. It is a luxurious stadium, which has the fan experience at its centre, with great views and acoustics.

Matches staged:
Day 4, 1600 IsT: HUElavia v Auprussia
Day 16, 1400 IsT: Auprussia v Valanora
Day 22, 1400 IsT: Hexadecifinal

Fort Viljan is the capital of the Viljamark in the northeast of Tikariot, bordering Lake Viljan. It is one of the most picturesque towns of Tikariot, with the old town and its cobblestone streets, and it's grey granite houses. The biggest tourist attraction of town is the fort itself, which is built on a peninsula leading into Lake Viljan and is one of Tikariot’s oldest still fully functioning structures. The name of the city translates to "Fort of the Will," which is testament to the strong will (and stubbornness) of Viljan people. It is also known for its big winter festival when Lake Viljan is frozen over.

The Citadel of the North is the coldest stadium in the TPL, built on an island out in Lake Viljan, just off the coast of Fort Viljan. Exposed to the often frigid winters and cold winds off the lake, the stadium is unique in that it doesn't only have a heated pitch, but also heated seats to make the cold more bearable.

Matches staged:
Day 3, 1600 IsT: Eshialand v Kelssek
Day 9, 1600 IsT: Kelssek v Mertagne
Day 14, 1400 IsT: Mertagne v Eshialand

The capital of the Saburnia province, which is also known as the grain chamber of Tikariot, is dominated by its old fort that throughout Morannon's history has been the site of many sieges, attacks and defences, and to this day is one of the best preserved fortresses in Pavola. What makes the fortress interesting as well is that it is the seat of both the Morannon and Saburnian government. Parts of the fortress is open to the public.

Despite its name, The Granary is a state-of-the-art stadium with a unique façade that resembles the hewn rock of the fortress. The inside offers stunning views of the pitch from the concourse that have cobblestone passages and vendor stands also resemble street market stands.

Matches staged:
Day 6, 1330 IsT: Kimi-Suomi v Aphrilia
Day 13, 1700 IsT: Banija v Stewartika
Day 16, 1400 IsT: Aphrilia v Ko-oren
Day 21, 2000 IsT: Hexadecifinal

Oriannor is a quite special city in Tikariot as the capital of the Khazagh province. What makes it so special is that pretty much the whole province is covered by the gigantic Khazagh mountain range. Mining is THE economy of the province and a huge contributor to the Tikariotian economy overall. Oriannor itself is built into the mountains, giving it a truly unique character. Khazaghians are a quite unique breed, stoic, not very talkative, but ultimately very friendly unless you display rude behaviour. In that case, you'll literally bite on granite.

The Mountain Fortress is just as special, as it is one of the most iconic stadiums, not only in Tikariot, located on the edge of Oriannor. It is surrounded by high mountain peaks and is feared for the dense atmosphere and the altitude. Its edgy, modern design has won several awards. It is also another one of Tikariot's IFCF Category 1 stadiums.

Matches staged:
Day 4, 2100 IsT: Kanzlia v Valanora
Day 10, 1330 IsT: Valanora v HUElavia
Day 15, 1400 IsT: HUElavia v Kanzlia
Day 24, 1400 IsT: Hexadecifinal

Port Rhovanyon is the capital of Tikariot and, as the name suggests, is one of Tikariot's large port cities. It is one of the oldest cities in Tikariot with a beautiful old city core around the old port that still exudes the old atmosphere, while the city grew outward, becoming more modern. Nowadays, the juxtaposition between the historic old town and the modern parts of a metropolis creates an interesting effect.

The main national stadium of Tikariot, Oceanview Stadium is a modern, state-of-the-art stadium next to Rhovanyon Bay and is part of Oceanview Sports Park, which unites a series of sports venues on a peninsula in the east of the city. The stadium has won several awards for its innovative design, incorporating trees and bushes into the structure and has been heralded a poster-stadium for sustainability and organic design.

Matches staged:
Day 4, 1330 IsT: Farfadillis v Audioslavia
Day 10, 2100 IsT: Kanzlia v Auprussia
Day 14, 2000 IsT: Tanirinthia v Crpostran
Day 20, 2000 IsT: Hexadecifinal
Day 26, 2000 IsT: Octofinal

Port Tacassam is a port city in the east of the Acrassia province, which is located in the very west of Tikariot, bordering The Kytler Peninsulae. It is the main point of export for Balkash's (neighbouring province) grains and other goods as one of Tikariot's largest bulk cargo ports. Port Tacassam markets itself as "the large city with the small city charm," and with the exception of a relatively small modern core with highrises, the city is known for a very wide urban sprawl with smaller buildings and houses, giving it a very unique feel.

Dragonscrest Stadium is an iconic landmark in Port Tacassam, located next to a large rocky ridge called the Dragonscrest that dissects the city. It is situated right at an inlet from the Gulf of Yavash, giving it a unique ambiance of a mountain on one side and the gulf on the other. It is a modern stadium of IFCF category 1. It is known for its dense and energetic atmosphere with great acoustics.

Matches staged:
Day 6, 1830 IsT: HOT-DAMN v Ko-oren
Day 13, 1700 IsT: Reçueçn v Tikariot
Day 16, 2000 IsT: Aleirave v Oberour Ar Moro
Day 32, 2000 IsT: Quarterfinal

Despite the name hinting at it, Tikariot City is not the capital of Tikariot. It is, however, the largest city of the nation. It was the centre of the freedom movement against the communist rule, with the majestic citadel that is throning above the old harbour and old town having played a major role in rallying the citizens. While a very large and modern city, it is the old town that is attracting countless tourists every year. Nestled against the large hill of the citadel, you can find narrow alleys, cobblestone streets and the old port with its wooden piers and restaurants.

The Dhaencunor Arena is one of the most modern, and largest, stadiums in the nation. Top of the game in terms of hospitality, luxury and amenities, it is one of Tikariot's national stadiums hosting national team games. It is marked by generous, flowing curves, giving the whole stadium a very dynamic feel.

Matches staged:
Day 4, 1330 IsT: Cobrio v Juvencus
Day 10, 1830 IsT: Juvencus v Farfadillis
Day 15, 1700 IsT: Farfadillis v Cobrio
Day 24, 1700 IsT: Hexadecifinal
Day 36, 2000 IsT: Semifinal

Tovaca is the capital of the Taeria province, which has the hottest climate in Tikariot. It is built atop the Tovaca cliffs, overlooking the eastern parts of the Xandrian Sea, making it a sight to behold. It is the Tikariotian centre for the oil and gas industry, given Taeria’s rich deposits.

The Thunderdome, while not an actually roofed stadium, is one of Tikariot's most modern stadiums, which, conversely to the Citadel of the North, has some air conditioning features due to Tovaca's often hot climate. When it was built, it was also done with the acoustics in mind, meaning that it is one of the loudest stadiums in the country, which the fans are taking full advantage of.

Matches staged:
Day 5, 1830 IsT: Squornshelan Remnant States v Siovanija and Teusland
Day 9, 1830 IsT: Eshialand v Saint Eleanor
Day 15, 2000 IsT: Siovanija and Teusland v Zwangzug
Day 25, 2000 IsT: Octofinal

by **The Kytler Peninsulae** » Fri Oct 17, 2025 7:14 pm

The Kytler Peninsulae information

The Kytler Peninsulae is a nation of around 24 million people on the western edge of the Rushmori continent of Pavola, one arguably characterised by being a relatively ordinary place in an extraordinary world. Whilst having only recently come out of the multi-decade Kytlerian Isolation - a period of withdrawal from multiversal sporting competition sparked by moral panic over the effects of "Recognised Performance Drugs" (RPDs) whose use in high-level international sport is not only legal but actively encouraged - the Kytlerian nation has quickly returned to being a central part of multiversal sporting administration, with the current WCC presidency based in Zube and this the second time in three cycles the Kytlerians have co-hosted the World Cup with neighbouring nations.

The regions and their origin stories
The titular peninsulae - though the southern one, for the most part, really isn't much of one - are separated by Kytler Bay, and this (and by extension the nation) are named after James Kytler, an explorer who stumbled across this land. The northern peninsula was formerly the Kytler Peninsula, singular; it remains somewhat rural in character, with rolling chalk hills dotted by traditional villages and market towns, and its northern coast faces onto the windswept Komodo Channel. The southern "peninsula" - which in practice is defined as the land south of Kytler Bay - has rockier, spikier terrain that in some places bears the scars of uranium mining; this area once had a significant aboriginal population that was largely wiped out by the second nation-defining migration wave, primarily from Vircais (now Sabine and Caddonia) with the majority being from the former Vephrall. The modern nation - and its current title - was formed out of the wreckage of a chaotic low-level civil war, its constitutional foundations laid by the Zube Agreement signed in the Jamison Farmhouse just outside what was then a village called Zube; that name would be given to the purpose-built capital of this newly-formalised nation.

The land along the eastern shore of Kytler Bay between Zube to the north and the large port of Kytler Bay City in a sheltered pocket in southeastern Kytler Bay is known as the Eastern Corridor, and is the most heavily urbanised part of the country, one that has effectively become a singular polycentric metropolis since the two cities cohosted the Games of the IX Olympiad (ironically the biggest single proximate cause of the Isolation after the Games were blighted by terrorism); a chalk headland known as the Eastern Downs is effectively the rural playground of that metropolis. The Eastern Corridor once had a very tightly-drawn boundary, but with the collapse of Albundania to the east fresh treaties allowed the nation to expand to the east; this area is referred to as the Eastern Corridor Expansion and has its own character, a mixture of modern planned cities and a more rural area in the foothills of the Græntfjaller Alps, with a large Kytlerian-Græntfjaller population. (The border with Græntfjall is - was? - largely drawn along the 1,093m contour line for much of its length).

There are also just over a million Kytlerians in the exclave of Bitternea, which briefly competed as an independent nation in World Cup qualification before its own localised civil war was effectively settled in favour of Kytlerian forces.

Transportation
Most visitors to the country by air will arrive into Zube International Airport, which serves as the country's main aviation hub and to an extent (especially with the newly-built Sunset Coast rail link) also Kwrpania's too. This is in part because it is connected to not only central Zube but the heart of Kytler Bay City by the "Olympic Maglev" link. Built (as the name rather gives away) for the Games of the IX Olympiad, it connects the airport to the Bay City Olympic terminus in just over 25 minutes via Zube Olympic Park and the Zube Centrepoint domestic rail hub at the heart of the capital.

There are also international flights to Santa Mordana and Roddens, the two host cities in the west of the country, from various parts of western and central Rushmore; Alaer to the south has a small airport and a large international ferry terminal, and Santa Mordana also has some international ferry links (and the occasional cruise ship).

A reasonably extensive road and rail network connects the various Kytlerian towns and cities, and all mainland Kytlerian host cities are on major railway lines - but Kytler Bay itself does not have a major road crossing west of the Cluitt Bridge crossing the Sharke Inlet at the bay's eastern tip near Zube. Instead, various ferry links cross the bay, notably including one from Santa Mordana in the southwest to Carmina (a 15-minute rail journey from Roddens) in the northwest. Connections to Cobden, in the country's eastern exclave of Bitternea, are largely from Tikariot (and this is reflected in the scheduling).

Culture
The Kytlerian nation was once described by the Kytlerian sociologist Dr. Dings Whootung as "almost like ten smaller states in a trenchcoat" - but not in the warring-tribes sense of (say) Mytanija, but rather in the origin story of "several different, distinct migration waves that have integrated really - it's not been awkward in the sense of social tension or violence in recent decades at least, but each of these different groups have kept their own identities, ways of living, ways of speaking, and there's not been the sort of blurring of lines you might expect from a peacefully integrated country." For instance, the significant Vephra and Icelander communities tend to marry internally - not out of hate, but out of a preservation of their naming traditions (Dr. Whootung being a product of the former).

Sport is, like in so many parts of Rushmore, the great unifier - albeit it's historically also been the exact opposite sometimes, at least when it comes to the idea of international sport and if the Kytlerians should even be in it. As much as the isolationists have lost that culture war, there's still a groundswell of opposition in the conservative southern region of Varn that has occasionally turned violent, and Varnian extremists are considered a key specific threat in the security operation for this tournament.

One legacy of the RPD moral panic that has stuck around; a broad wariness of recreational drugs in general. Alcohol remains widely available, but it is heavily taxed and even those enjoying Kytlerian nightlife frequently stick to fruit juice or alcohol-free beers and wine; considering that golf simulators are popular Kytlerian nightlife venues, that may be for the best. After all, you shouldn't drink and drive...

Other things associated with Kytlerian culture: game shows, especially quiz and/or push-your-luck formats; the Gregg's casual restaurant chain and in particular its signature chicken burger; karaoke; heavily-orchestrated "symphonic pop" often sung by classically-trained singers.

Climate
The World Cup will take place during the Kytlerian summer. Expect average daytime high temperatures of around 27-30C, falling to the low 20s for evening kickoffs, and moderately high humidity. There is some potential for variation; Zube is relatively exposed to cooler, gusty northerly winds from the Komodo Channel from time to time, while at other times a southerly flow from the Xandrian Sea can bring sporadic thunderstorms to the southern peninsula. Most often, though, Kytlerian summers are dry and broadly pleasant, if a little too warm for optimal high-intensity soccer.

Note that the stadia in Cobden and Roddens are retractable-roof venues and as such can be protected fully from the elements if needed.

Host cities and stadia

Note that groups at this World Cup work differently from many recent tournaments, which have allocated two stadia to each group. To ensure no team plays all group matches in one place whilst rivals travel, groups are split between three or four venues, many of which will host games in multiple different groups. Also, due to the use of Qusma seeding, the knockout bracket will not be confirmed until after the group stage.

Alaer - pronounced al-eye-AIR - is the largest city on the southern peninsula, third-largest in the country, and a significant seaport including and especially for passenger ferries across the Xandrian Sea. Many of its 460,000 inhabitants are descendents of Vephra immigrants from the former Vircais; one of them is Clituleng Giisost. Not only the most famous manager of perennial Kytlerian soccer powerhouse FC Alaer, he is inarguably the most influential man in recent Kytlerian history - the sporting figure who became not just a politician, but the Prime Minister who led the country out of decades of sporting isolation. Upon his resignation as PM following an epileptic seizure on his return from World Cup 97, the government declared the anniversary of the passing of the legislation that ended the isolation as a public holiday, Reopening Day - and just as it did in World Cup 98, this centennial World Cup starts on that day, with the Clituleng Giisost Stadium once again part of the opening day’s schedule.

At the heart of the stadium design is an open corner that reflects both the old centrally-located FC Alaer ground with its glass opening to the city streets and Giisost's legacy to the country; that outward-looking ethos made it an apt host for the last IFCF Challengers' Cup final. What it now looks out to, at least in part, is not just the Xandrian Sea but the winged exterior of Angel of Liberation Park, the new Kytlerian national baseball stadium and recently home to a World Baseball Classic Championship Series that somehow featured the host nation in it. That's not the only thing that's changed since World Cup 98 of course; most of the Kytlerian side who were beaten here by Baker Park in that tournament's first hexadecifinal were tragically killed aboard Flight 134 soon afterwards. It will be quite the scene if the Kytlerians end up playing here again...

Matches staged:
Day 1, 1830 IsT: Reçueçn v Banija
Day 7, 1600 IsT: Stewartika v Reçueçn
Day 16, 2000 IsT: The Ko-orenite Constellation v Flavovespia
Day 19, 2000 IsT: Hexadecifinal
Day 31, 2000 IsT: Quarterfinal

The Kytler Peninsulae, as the name of a nation, is increasingly a misnomer; the majority of its 24 million inhabitants do not live on either of them, but in the highly urbanised “Eastern Corridor” that connects the two. The collapse of the former Albundania (most of which latterly became Græntfjall) allowed the nation to add new land to its east - the so-called Eastern Corridor Expansion - where several purpose-built cities were built to cater for population overspill. Carroll Lewiston was the largest, and with over 425,000 people it is now the country’s fourth most populous city.

It is perhaps still best known as the site of the Kytlerian Wonderland theme park, the largest in West Pavola and known to thrillseekers across Rushmore for the Margaret’s Revenge “gigacoaster” with its 109.3m drop at a beyond-vertical 98.4 degrees. A 23,500-seat stadium was built on the edge of the theme park itself, and named after it; it has since been expanded significantly, first when main tenants AFC Carroll Lewiston became the first and so far only team from the Expansion area to win the Kytlerian league title with their pioneering “Girl Power” mixed-gender team - a feat they repeated again last season to become the first team from anywhere in the Eastern Corridor to claim an NSL title in the International Era - and latterly for World Cup 98, where it staged four matches including the "Owl Derby" Tikariot-Eshialand hexadecifinal.

Matches staged:
Day 3, 1830 IsT: Pyazhnaya v Commonwealth of Baker Park
Day 7, 1330 IsT: Vdara v United States of Nova Calania
Day 13, 1400 IsT: The Holy Empire v Vdara
Day 23, 1700 IsT: Hexadecifinal

The one-time independent state of Bitternea, bridging Tikariot and Nyowani Kitara on the eastern side of the Xandrian Sea, was absorbed into the Kytlerian Federal Republic following a civil war decades ago, and remains an oft-forgotten corner of West Pavola - not least because its sporting clubs have not been fully integrated with either the Kytlerian leagues or those of its two neighbours. When Bitternean sport was thrust onto the map recently, it was through the success of the Kytlerian basketball team reaching the last eight on IBC debut; basketball is the most popular sport in these parts, and Kytlerian IBC representation was delayed by the thorny issue of Bitternean representation when, despite the civil war resolution, not all Bitterneans are keen on a Kytlerian identity.

The CBDN Bowl - complete with hipster abbreviation of the Bitternean capital lit up on its iridescent metal facade - was built as a means of bringing the exclave of around 1.1 million people to international attention as a venue for significant sporting events, and has a hidden retractable roof for multi-purpose use to reinforce this potential. It quickly secured hosting rights to the Liga B Champions Trophy and Rising Stars Cup finals, and later became the country's first home of NSCF collegiate gridiron courtesy of a hastily-assembled team from Bitternea International University that was promptly smashed to bits. Now, just as it did in World Cup 98, it welcomes the multiverse for its most popular sport.

Matches staged:
Day 3, 1330 IsT: Mertagne v Saint Eleanor
Day 11, 1830 IsT: Paradystopia v Siovanija and Teusland
Day 14, 1400 IsT: Saint Eleanor v Kelssek

The colonial-era capital of the predecessor Kytlerian nation, “Bay City” - as it is universally shortened to locally - remains the largest city in the country, with over a million people within the city limits and many more in dormitory towns nearby. An ongoing process of regenerating the city’s central docks - once notorious as a hub of illicit trade - was accelerated by Bay City and Zube hosting the Games of the IX Olympiad, with the Carva Dock being transformed into the foundations of an entirely new district jutting out to Kytler Bay along two strips of land that formed not only the site of the Olympic Village but shelter for a lake that staged rowing, canoeing, and open-water swimming.

The shoreline also featured a temporary beach volleyball arena that staged part of the pioneering split-site opening ceremony; this site was turned into a public beach initially, but now holds a stadium befitting the status of the city and its Bay City United club, with a capacity exactly 10,930 more than double the symbolic 21,093 of the Carva Beach Arena. An opening to two corners provides a clear path of light between the bay and the city that bears its name - and in particular the Margaret Bridge, a 10.93m-wide pedestrian bridge linking the Carva Dock shore with the Bay City Olympic station at the end of the Olympic Maglev line that connects Bay City to central Zube in under 15 minutes and has helped turn the Eastern Corridor into effectively one large polycentric metropolis.

Matches staged:
Day 1, 1600 IsT: United States of Nova Calania v The Holy Empire
Day 9, 1330 IsT: Kamijiro v Commonwealth of Baker Park
Day 14, 1700 IsT: Commonwealth of Baker Park v Zenic
Day 21, 1700 IsT: Hexadecifinal
Day 25, 1700 IsT: Octofinal

The “capital of the north,” Roddens is by far the largest city on a northern peninsula dominated by rolling chalk hills and small market towns where cricket is the summer sport of choice. It likes to call itself “Birthplace of Kytlerian Sport” on the grounds that the first ever Kytlerian international sporting home game was a World Lacrosse Championship pool phase game on the Roddens University Field, and the grass amphitheatre at the Roddens Winter Gardens has been a renowned public viewing fan zone for generations of supporters as well as an occasional open-air concert venue.

Also hosting the odd concert is Roddens Stadium (for which a naming rights deal with Kytlerian insurer Barstone is elided for the World Cup). The first of the new wave of Kytlerian stadia following the Giisost Reopening, it is notable for its glowing facade, usually the red of Roddens City but capable of any colour. It also has a retractable roof, but a plan to use this as the basis for making it double up as the national cricket stadium (thus preventing any matches from being rained out) were thwarted due to the way this would have compromised the seating arrangements for soccer use; instead, the old soccer ground was renovated and reconfigured into the National Oval, with its former built-in stage at one end becoming the pavilion (and its role as a concert venue transferred to the new stadium). Roddens Stadium was the temporary home of Atletik Težia in their Champions’ Cup title defense in exile from Mytanar political violence - either due to the retractable roof being seen as a security feature against potential drone attacks, the relative isolation of Roddens geographically, or simply Atletik’s existing ties with Roddens City - and hosted a Kytlerian group match at World Cup 98, a role it will repeat this time around.

Matches staged:
Day 8, 1330 IsT: Indusse v Pasarga
Day 13, 1400 IsT: United States of Nova Calania v The Kytler Peninsulae
Day 23, 1400 IsT: Hexadecifinal
Day 27, 1700 IsT: Octofinal

The southwestern port city of Santa Mordana is home to much of the country’s Hispanic population - and a traditional siesta-interrupted workday is widely observed here, not only out of respect for tradition but because late evening working has facilitated business connections with the western Rushmori continent. Their most famous exports of late, however, have come out of the Real Santa Mordana academy - and in particular Vicente Bautista Oleandro (usually known either simply by his first name or as Vincent), the defining player of this Kytlerian generation and now a key player at Q-League giants Mipojoseon following a move that he could not have imagined would literally save his life.

The Estadio Santa Mordana Stadium - so good they named it twice (a bilingual naming structure that has held through both sponsored and unsponsored incarnations) - was built shortly before the Bay City-Zube Olympics and staged key soccer matches in those Games. Largely unchanged since then aside from general interior renovations, it has a semi-open side behind one goal - allowing for optimal capacity in concert use, a big deal in a city that has long been as significant a hub of Kytlerian popular music as Bay City and Zube - with a three-tier U-shaped main bowl.

Matches staged:
Day 3, 2100 IsT: Kamijiro v Zenic
Day 9, 2100 IsT: Zenic v Pyazhnaya
Day 16, 1700 IsT: Pyazhnaya v Kamijiro
Day 22, 2000 IsT: Hexadecifinal
Day 27, 2000 IsT: Octofinal

Zube - pronounced ZOO-buh - is the purpose-built Kytlerian capital, known as “Snowflake City” for the aerial appearance granted by the light colours used for roof and road surfaces in order to reduce the urban heat island effect. The current administrative home of the World Cup Committee, it is the second-largest Kytlerian city by population with around 850,000, and (possibly, the numbers are close and disputed) the largest by number of jobs based there.

The city planning incorporated a large city park - Donaldson Park - that was explicitly created as the sporting hub of the nation and as a potential future Olympic Park. That potential, of course, manifested - and, as the name rather gives away, Zube Olympic Stadium lies at the heart of it. Expanded to around 70,000 for those Games, internal modernisation (and the removal of temporary seating) since then has reduced its capacity to the symbolic 61,093 it seats today. The stadium is best known for its suspended upper bowl with a pillar-supported gap around each bend of the athletics-led oval shape; almost certainly the most well-known architectural symbol of the country (and another protected national landmark in itself), the space between the pillars provides views out across the Olympic Park, and once memorably held a temporary ramp that WSRC rally cars used to literally jump into the stadium at the end of a West Pavola Rally stage. Host to the bronze final of World Cup 98 where Tanirinthia edged out Edsmontik by the odd goal in seven, this time it will host the first of the two semifinals along with five other matches.

Matches staged:
Day 1, 1330 IsT: The Kytler Peninsulae v Vdara
Day 7, 1830 IsT: The Kytler Peninsulae v The Holy Empire
Day 13, 2000 IsT: Busoga Islands v Indusse
Day 20, 1400 IsT: Hexadecifinal
Day 26, 1700 IsT: Octofinal
Day 35, 2000 IsT: Semifinal

by **Kwrpania** » Fri Oct 17, 2025 7:14 pm

Kwrpania Information

Bezpem myb Kwrpanrwz! The Riverine State of Kwrpania and the Kwrpan Football Federation are delighted to welcome you for this centennial edition of the World Cup! Kwrpania is a nation of just over 4 million people in West Pavola in Rushmore, sharing borders with the Kytler Peninsulae to the west and Græntfjall to the east, with the Komodo Channel off the northern coast. The country is dominated by a broad, major river, known only as Mother River by the Kwrpan, with a width upwards of several miles through most of northern Kwrpania. The North and Capital provinces in the north of the country are the most densely populated areas, with the Tydebwg-Kwrpanmap Capital Metro Area alone accounting for approximately half of Kwrpania's population, while the central River Province accounts for another quarter due to dense river traffic surrounding natural resource and agricultural industries. The West is dominated by Bezbenpam and the Sunset Coast region, with the drier interior areas being comprised mostly of rural ranching and herding communities, while the rough highland terrain of the South limits its population to the smallest of the six.

Before you arrive

Kwrpania is a society that would describe itself as "collectivist". Social values generally only vary between communities, not within them, as the overriding principle of Kwrpan social mores is "what is best for us, as a whole". This usually manifests itself in what are commonly seen as positive values - kindness towards others, tidiness towards surroundings, respect for the environment and for the rights of people living there. In smaller communities, however, insularity leads to an attitude towards the rights of minorities best described as "active indifference", which at worst manifests as a form of shunning. Therefore, it is generally recommended that foreigners stick to larger cities, such as those used as World Cup 100 host sites, or to areas along Mother River which are used to tourism, such as the Thundering Falls or Mist Valley regions in the River Province.

This "collectivist" attitude does lead to significant social pressures, even within large cities. Littering is extremely frowned upon, as are other "social nuisances" (public drunkenness, being noisy on public transport or other public confined areas, public smoking), especially in areas where children are present. This rarely results in criminal prosecution, especially of foreigners, but locals will make their opinions known about such behavior, and not always peacefully. World Cup Fan Zones have been set up in the three host cities, focused around their respective nightlife districts, as to provide a space for those visiting from abroad who are used to engaging in those behaviors during the tournament.

It would be incorrect to get the impression that Kwrpan people do not know how to have fun, however. Alcohol, especially the potent local spirit known as "mapokab" (literally "stomach explosion"), is readily available throughout the country, and there are very few restrictions on foreigners importing alcohol or edible marijuana for personal use, though hard drugs are still strictly prohibited. The use of fireworks is also extremely socially accepted, to the point of not even being considered a "social nuisance" (at least until deep into the night), with a vibrant summer night in a Kwrpan city being marked by hours of bangs and flashing (and the orange-and-white lights and sirens of ambulances).

Regarding currency, Kwrpania is an essentially paperless society. Upwards of 80% of payments nationwide take place using digital or contactless payment methods, as the complications of the Kwrpan currency, the tynev, make digital money significantly easier, both for consumers and for merchants. There are four "types" of tynev, only two of which are relevant to tourists arriving for the World Cup. The "stamp" or "depreciating" tynev applies to what paper money still exists, as well as the digital money that most commonly changes hands throughout the country. Stamp tynev "loses" 1% of its value every month, payable virtually and automatically through Kwrpan banks or physically through the purchase of stamps at government agencies (post offices, police stations, city/town halls, specially designated kiosks), essentially functioning as a tax on spendable but unspent currency. The more relevant form for foreigners, however, is the "convertible" tynev. This can only be bought at ports of entry or specially designated and restricted locations in provincial capitals, and only with foreign currency, but it does not lose its value over time. It is also de jure illegal to give convertible tynev to Kwrpan citizens for any reason other than payment for goods or services, though in practice it simply reverts to stamp tynev in all situations where it passes from a non-Kwrpan to a Kwrpan citizen. Thus, paying digitally is highly encouraged for foreign visitors, as partnerships between foreign and Kwrpan banks (or, at worst, the loading and use of a temporary Kwrpan card) greatly ease this process.

Getting around

The Kwrpan government has invested tens of billions of tynev into infrastructure in preparation for the World Cup, with the construction of high-speed rail lines between Tydebwg and the Sunset Coast, and from the Sunset Coast to Zube (in cooperation with the Kytler Peninsulae). This provides for high-speed connections between the two major urban areas and to Zube International Airport, the largest airport in this area of West Pavola by some distance and the likely easiest destination for Kwrpania-bound travellers (though Sunset Coast and Tydebwg International Airports also provide service to many destinations around Rushmore).

For those wishing to see the rest of the country, however, a variety of modes are recommended, as the rural West and South are only easily accessible by road, and the areas around the Mist Valley and Thundering Falls suffer from slow and unreliable rail services, extremely slick and occasionally windy roads, and slow but absolutely beautiful boat services up Mother River. City-wide public transportation is only excellent in the Tydebwg-Kwrpanmap Capital Region Metro area, with the eponymous metro/light rail system serving the entire region with frequent service, especially on matchdays. The Sunset Coast Metro is also present, but lacks the frequency to act as a truly excellent service. Cycling is also generally encouraged, with Sunset Coast regional authorities providing free bike rentals points around downtown Bezbenpam for visitors and commuters alike.

Host cities and stadia

Note that groups at this World Cup work differently from many recent tournaments, which have allocated two stadia to each group. To ensure no team plays all group matches in one place whilst rivals travel, groups are split between three or four venues, many of which will host games in multiple different groups. Also, due to the use of Qusma seeding, the knockout bracket will not be confirmed until after the group stage.

Tydebwg is the largest city in Kwrpania, and the most historic - "Tydebwg", literally translated, means "Old meeting hill", a reference to its historic site as the meeting point for the various Kwrpan clans and later the first regional and national governments. With an incorporated population of just shy of a million, the city is like any other across Pavola, with a vibrant international community and nightlife district, even nicknamed "the city of a thousand sparks" thanks to iconic images of fireworks on the riverside.

The National Stadium is the pride and joy of Kwrpan football fans. Host to the Kwrpan Cup Final, as well as Bright League clubs (and fierce rivals) Ironworks and Central, the stadium is the country's largest, with an expansion of 12,000 seats making it suitable for World Cup knockout matches. Served by the Bomsygmwk (Stadium District) metro station, and just ten minutes from Tydebwg Central Station, the stadium is also the easiest to access for foreign visitors. While the renovations have improved the overall quality of the facilities, it is does not quite match the modern cathedrals used elsewhere in the tournament, but the relatively steep stands and the dense surrounding district will provide an extremely vibrant atmosphere, especially when the Electric Eels are in town.

Matches staged:
Day 2, 2100 IST: Kwrpania vs. Indusse
Day 8, 2100 IST: Kwrpania vs. Busoga Islands
Day 12, 1600 IST: Darmen vs. StrayaRoos
Day 16, 1700 IST: Edsmontik vs. Darmen
Day 22, 1700 IST: Hexadecifinal 9
Day 31, 1700 IST: Quarterfinal 1
Day 40, 2000 IST: Bronze Final

While Tydebwg may be the old capital, Kwrpanmap, literally "Kwrpan capital" is the new one. With construction having finished three-quarters of a century ago, Kwrpanmap is a planned city, with the quirks and nuances that those have. It is not quite as vibrant as the other two host cities, with a rather staid air throughout much of the city from the presence of imposing government buildings, but the uniqueness of the stadium allows it a charm envied by many other Kwrpan football fans. Built at the mouth of Mother River, a narrow channel separates downtown Kwrpanmap from the stadium district, with both a system of traditional ferries and an underground metro line providing cross-channel access.

Capital Park is, fittingly, the stadium of the capital, and also the Kwrpan host venue to receive the most transformational modifications. With the two main stands being completely rebuilt to add over 10,000 seats, the stadium retains its most notable charm - the southeast end of the stadium, facing downtown Kwrpanmap, is entirely open and just tens of meters from a cliff-edge, providing a stunning view of downtown, backlit by the setting sun during an evening kickoff in a breathtaking way. The stadium itself remains a rather traditional one, with a roof only covering the main stand and part of the opposite stand, and the shallower, bowl style of seating providing a more comfortable, welcoming atmosphere.

Matches staged:
Day 6, 2100 IST: StrayaRoos vs. Edsmontik
Day 12, 1830 IST: Valentine Z vs. Edsmontik
Day 16, 1700 IST: StrayaRoos vs. Valentine Z

Bezbenpam, literally "Sunset gate", is the tourist mecca of Kwrpania, as the anchor of the Sunset Coast region. The West is traditionally the driest part of the country, and Bezbenpam is among the sunniest, with beautiful sandy beaches even through downtown leading to a non-stop party atmosphere. Sharing a metro area with the city-state of Frjálshöfn, the suburb of Debfyzpep is also the home of Vegetbez, Kwrpania's largest producer of mapokab and occasionally foreign spirits.

Where the National Stadium is the grand cathedral and Capital Park is the old traditional bowl, Sunset Coast Arena is the peppy, vibrant, colorful new kid on the block. With all stands covered by a roof, an LED ring provides support for holographic light displays in the open area high above the pitch, while 1,093 "scales" around the facade illuminate it in various colors, providing a beautiful rippling effect or all sorts of other designs to the surrounding city and those entering the ground. Located just meters from the beach, it's not uncommon to see people walk directly into the ground in their beach shorts and sandals to support their hometown Sunset Coast in the Bright League, before walking back out and jumping in the ocean to celebrate a victory.

Matches staged:
Day 2, 1830 IST: Pasarga vs. Busoga Islands
Day 6, 1600 IST: Valentine Z vs. Darmen
Day 13, 2000 IST: Pasarga vs. Kwrpania
Day 21, 1400 IST: Hexadecifinal 5

by **Qusmo** » Fri Oct 17, 2025 7:16 pm

Qusmo information

Fuzpon Qusma, Visit Qusmo, and the Qusma government are excited to welcome you to Qusmo for World Cup 100. This will be the third major tournament hosted in Qusmo, and the second World Cup in quick succession, following Copa Rushmori XXXII and World Cup 98. This time, however, only nine World Cup matches will be staged in Qusmo, all in the group stage and confined to groups D and J. Nevertheless, though you may have your sights set on the big prizes to be had to the northeast, the whole country hopes that the time you do have in our nation is pleasant and exciting, and we wish you luck in the West Pavola World Cup.

Origins
Qusmo is a nation encompassing the whole of a volcanic island within the Xandrian Sea of Rushmore. The volcano that created the landmass, Gor Qusma, has long been extinct and poses no threat to visitors or inhabitants today. Found in the Rushmori subregion of Pavola, the nation can be found roughly equidistantly between Nangang, the capital of Yuezhou, and Zube, the capital of the Kytler Peninsulae, to the southwest and northeast, respectively. The interior of the nation is very mountainous, as Gor Qusma dominates the geography of the entire country. Qanz, the capital, is nearly three kilometres, or nearly two miles, above sea level. However, many of Qusmo’s other major cities, including the World Cup host city of Atlem and the Qualifying Playoff host city of Polan, are all found at or around sea level on the nation’s coast.

Governance
Seventeen cycles ago, a fractious debate in Qusmo over the Common Rushmori Community, immigration, foreignness, and an essential Qusma national character precipitated one of the most dramatic events in the nation’s recent history. The pro-CRC camp was roiled by a massive bribery scandal which scattered the pro-CRC vote among several rival parties, allowing the anti-CRC People’s Alliance to ease to a commanding election majority.

Anti-Alliance protests were designated by the Qusmi Bez, Drolx-Dalox Aka, to be threats to national security. Martial law was declared during World Cup 83. It was one of the darkest moments in the nation’s history. Supporters of Drolx-Dalox refer to it and the ensuing sweeping changes to Qusma government as the Reforms. Their opponents call it the Collapse.

Qusmo is still ruled by Drolx-Dalox Aka. Their title is Qusmi Bez, which historically had been akin to the role of a prime minister in many other countries before the Reforms, but which now designates Drolx-Dalox as a unitary executive. Qusmi Bez translates literally as “first Qusmi.” Elections have resumed recently, but Drolx-Dalox and the Alliance have neutered any real opposition by banning many dissident political parties and politicians as threats to the Qusma nation.

Drolx-Dalox campaigns as a populist and governs in a competitive authoritarian system. They cultivate popularity as a defender of traditional Qusma values, society, and culture against a wider world that they cast as hostile to Qusmi’y, nonbinary people, and the epicene writ large. Opponents, then, are portrayed in state-run media as willing and existential threats to the Qusma nation itself. Open dissent is rare, though the government has consolidated enough support to no longer have to rely on violence.

Culture
The most distinctive feature of Qusma culture to many outsiders is its unique relationship to gender. The vast majority of Qusmi’y are androgynous and nonbinary. Qusmo has long prided itself on its nonbinary gender system, as many feel it defines the nation as inherently more just than the gendered societies which populate much of the rest of the Multiverse. Their typical argument is that those gendered societies tend to take on at least some degree of a patriarchal or matriarchal character at the expense of those in its population who do not belong to the privileged gender. More recently, an epicene radicalism movement has emerged which itself places nonbinary individuals atop a hierarchy defined by what may seem to much of the rest of the Multiverse like startlingly traditional gender roles: men as the physical, women as the emotional, epicenes as the rational. For the moment, this movement remains somewhat fringe.

Another highly visible aspect of Qusma culture is names. Traditional Qusma names include a compound surname, usually taking one name from each parent in two-parent households, followed by a given name. There is an extremely short and strict list of names which are considered traditionally Qusma. Family names include a pair of five-letter units, on either side of a hyphen, and given names are three letters long. Unlike the name order systems of many other nations, given names are preceded by family names, as is the case in Qusmo’s neighbor of Yuezhou. However, nontraditional names and gender identities have emerged in recent years in particular, as some Qusma expatriates who fled the country during the Reforms have started families with non-Qusmi’y or otherwise been exposed to foreign culture, and the children of these families are much likelier to adopt a binary gender identity or nontraditional name.

Finally, Qusma demonyms can be confusing to outsiders. Qusmo is the noun for the state, the nation, and the landmass. Qusmi is the noun for a person from Qusmo. Qusmi’y is the plural noun for people from Qusmo. Qusma is the adjective for something of or from Qusmo. Qusmu is the language native to Qusmo. Many Qusmi’y have relaxed attitudes towards demonym mishaps, but it remains a potential point of offense for some traditionalists, including those in Qusmo’s government.

Host cities and stadia

Note that groups at this World Cup work differently from many recent tournaments, which have allocated two stadia to each group. To ensure no team plays all group matches in one place whilst rivals travel, groups are split between three or four venues, many of which will host games in multiple different groups. Also, due to the use of Qusma seeding, the knockout bracket will not be confirmed until after the group stage.

Atlem
Mastad Atlova (61 125)
Atlem is Qusmo’s third-largest city, and it is currently undergoing a metamorphosis. Long a working-class city built by the city’s dockyards, a burgeoning tech sector has been attracted to Atlem, seeking a city with a large population and both cheap land and labor. The city has been gentrifying as a result, with long-tenured, deep-rooted members of local communities being priced out by new-money newcomers. The government accepts this as a necessary cost of growth — and, privately, a way to make powerful, monied allies.

Mastad Atlova was newly built for World Cup 98, and it is being used again for World Cup 100. The home of KF Atlov — the winners of Qusmo’s only-ever international trophy (UICA Youth Cup 25), and the reigning champions of Qusmo and grand champions of the Federation of the Single Sun — this venue is designed to maximize revenue in every way possible. The gleaming stadium can host football, gridiron, concerts, and anything else for which promoters can sell tickets.

Though its generic name is Mastad Atlova, it has sold its corporate naming rights to uni·q, a sportswear and kit design brand led by Ibilx-Irtix Ono, a recently-retired former Atlov player who has become the club’s co-owner, chair, and manager, and who has made their ambitions to manage Qusmo’s national team quite clear. Mastad Atlova previously hosted five matches, including a hexadecifinal and a quarterfinal, at World Cup 98.

Matches staged:
Day 2, 1330 IsT: Chromatika v. Tanirinthia
Day 5, 1330 IsT: The Ko-orenite Constellation v. Aleirave
Day 8, 1830 IsT: Qusmo v. Tanirinthia
Day 11, 1600 IsT: Flavovespia v. Aleirave
Day 14, 2000 IsT: Chromatika v. Qusmo

Qanz
Mastad Qusma (80 000)
Qanz is not just Qusmo’s largest city and capital. It is the political, economic, geographic, historic, cultural, and mythological heart of the nation and of its people. Qanz proper was originally constructed on an island in the caldera lake of a massive, extinct supervolcano called Gor Qusma. Qusmi’y from all across the country take immense pride in their legacy as a people which emerged from the Caldera, but many outside the capital also wish that Qanz didn’t dominate the nation’s culture and the priorities of its governance.

Mastad Qusma can be translated as the Stadium of the Nation. In keeping with the spirit of Qanz itself, Mastad Qusma is the largest and most historic stadium in the country, and it is the home of its national team. No club team is a tenant of the stadium, to help make it a truly neutral, unifying ground for the whole nation. The stadium, therefore, relies primarily on concerts and other special events to generate revenue when not hosting national team matches or domestic finals.

Mastad Qusma has previously hosted the finals of all Fuzpon Qusma and some Federation of the Single Sun domestic cups, as well as the finals of UICA Youth Cup 24, UICA Series B Champions’ Cup 68, FSS Copa del Ganso 2, CRF Copa de Campeones 45, and CRF Copa Rushmori XXXII. It hosted five matches at World Cup 98, including Qusmo’s opening match, one of the hexadecifinals, and the Crpostran–Edsmontik semifinal.

It has been outfitted with plenty of luxury suites and amenities for celebrities, VIPs, and deep-pocketed individuals as a result of all these high-profile events. However, at nearly 3000 metres above sea level, Qanz’s precipitous altitude may have a noticeable effect on the ball’s flight or on players’ lungs. Despite its long history, impressive features, and high capacity, both the city’s elevation and its comparative remoteness from the rest of the tournament’s cohosts have resulted in the stadium’s complete absence from the tournament after matchday two.

Matches staged:
Day 2, 1600 IsT: Qusmo v. Crpostran
Day 5, 2100 IsT: Flavovespia v. Oberour Ar Moro
Day 8, 1600 IsT: Crpostran v. Chromatika
Day 11, 2100 IsT: Oberour Ar Moro v. The Ko-orenite Constellation

by **Tristan de Cunha** » Fri Oct 17, 2025 8:15 pm

Welcome to Tristan de Cunha!

If you are receiving this message, then you are one of a select number of visitors chosen to visit our island home as part of the Tristan de Cuhna Sporting Association's first ever international sporting outreach. The Tristan de Cunha Sporting Association, in cooperation with the Ministry of Commerce, and our international partners in the UK Foreign, Commonwealth, and Development Office and the NSWC Development Fund, are pleased to receive you and hope that you enjoy your time among us.

This pamphlet is provided by the Ministry of Commerce, to serve as a primer for new visitors to Tristan de Cunha and better prepare first-time travelers for the process involved in visiting the island.

What is Tristan de Cunha?

(View of the northern outskirts of Lambert's Town)

Tristan de Cunha is a remote micro-state in the South Atlantic inhabited by 4,045 Tristanians, mostly the descendants of British, Irish, and Dutch settlers who first settled the islands in the early 19th Century. It has been culturally and politically tied to the United Kingdom since the first British occupation during the Napoleonic Wars, and remains a Commonwealth Nation in special association with the United Kingdom on matters of foreign policy. Tristan de Cunha maintains a close relationship with the United Kingdom and South Africa, and has consulates in both London and Capetown.

How do I get to Tristan de Cunha?

(The MVF Edinburgh)

Tristan de Cunha is one of the most remote nations in the world, located 2,437 kilometers (1,514 mi) from the nearest British colony in St. Helena, and 2,787 kilometers (1,732 mi) from South Africa. Due to the distances involved and the mountainous nature of Tristan de Cuhna, the island is unable to support international air travel, and the only connections for international travelers are by boat. The Ministry of Commerce operates bi-weekly trips to and from Cape Town (via MFV Edinburgh, capacity 12 passengers, and MFV Lance, capacity 14 passengers) and St. Helena (via MFV De Winn, capacity 8 passengers). The South African SA Tristan also makes bi-monthly transits to/from Cape Town (capacity 10 passengers.) UK and South African mail and supply ships also periodically visit, but berthing space is limited and weather-dependent. Prospective visitors are encouraged to contact the Foreign Ministry, Cape Town Consulate, 1 Upper Thistle St., Cape Town, SA (phone +21-27-455-5000) for a detailed schedule of connections.

Members of foreign National Football Teams participating in the NSWC 100/BoF 87 qualifications and international friendlies will be guaranteed 24 seats on Tristanian-flagged vessels, and these berths are guaranteed by the NSWC Development Fund, free of charge to participants. Non-player visitors from abroad are welcomed, but space is limited and the Foreign Ministry advises that no more than 42 visitors from any one nation will be admitted during the games, to prevent foreign sports fans from overwhelming local amenities and disrupting the Eco-tourism industry. Because of the limited availability of berths and visas, prospective visitors should make their applications promptly, and also be aware that visitors will also have to pass through UK or South African territory. Expedited visa processing will be guaranteed for foreign football team members and their entourages, and will be serviced though Windsor House, 5 Heathfield Gardens, London, UK (phone +44-20-7950-5310), through the support of the NSWC Development Fund and the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office.

Because of the bi-weekly schedule of regular transport to/from Tristan de Cunha, visitors are advised that the process of visiting Tristan de Cunha will require six days of travel to/from Cape Town or St. Helena, and that most visitors will be required to remain on-island a minimum of 8 days before outbound transport can be secured. Where necessary, the Ministry of Commerce will guarantee berths to foreign football teams and their entourages, and transport for other visitors may be subject to disruptions.

What should I expect when arriving?

(Welcome sign outside Anchorstock Pier)

Upon arrival, foreign visitors will be subject to a brief interview, which may include an inspection of luggage, by a representative from the Foreign Ministry and the local police, to ensure that local import restrictions, including a ban on transporting pets or foreign plants to the islands. For most visitors, this will be a simple matter, as Tristanian law largely follows that of the United Kingdom. Visitors traveling through South Africa are advised that South African law regarding cannabis is substantially more lenient, and attempting to transport even small amounts of any illicit drugs can result in a denial of entry and criminal penalties.

Once you clear customs, you are free to explore the island of Tristan de Cunha. You may find the local residents more reserved than in other countries you have visited, but this is simply because the island is so rarely visited. You may find yourself an object of curiosity for some locals, while others are reluctant to speak with you. Please be understanding, and know that Tristan de Cunha is pleased to welcome you into our homes.

Tristan de Cunha is a quiet island, and expects a certain level of decorum from guests. In particular, visitors are reminded that a noise ordinance is in effect after 22:00 across the island and noisy, disorderly, or dangerous behavior may result in fines and penalties, up to and including expulsion from Tristan de Cunha. Public drunkenness and consumption of liquors and spirits greater that 10% ABV are likewise penalized across the island.

What is the weather like?

(A typical rural home on the western interior of Tristan de Cunha)

Tristan de Cunha is classified as a Cfb, wet oceanic climate, according to the Koppen system. While temperatures never reach below freezing, summers are likewise mild and temperature tends to hover around 10-18°C as a daily mean throughout the year. Sunshine is limited, especially in the May-September winter period, and rainfall is common year round. Fog is frequent year-round, particularly at higher elevations. Visitors, especially from warmer climates, are advised to bring warm clothing and outerwear which is wind and water resistant, especially if you are visiting outside the normal November-March summer period.

What amenities are available in Tristan de Cunha?

(The Grand Turk Hotel, in central Lambert's Town)

Most visitors to Tristan de Cunha, including all foreign football teams, will be housed in the Grand Turk Hotel, the oldest and most prestigious hotel in the country, located in central Lambert's Town. The Grand Turk one of the largest buildings in the country, a three-story 24-room hotel, first laid down in 1872 as a single-story building and expanded to its current three-level form in 1938. The Grand Turk also hosts a popular traditional Tristanian kitchen, open to hotel guests and the Tristanian public from 13:30-21:00 each day. As well as the Grand Turk, hotel beds are available at the Lambert's Inn and the Cull Trap Youth Hostel, although space is limited and meal services are not guaranteed to guests at these hotels. Finally, some Tristanian citizens have opened their homes to foreign visitors for the duration of this World Cup qualifying cycle, and one- or two-person parties of visitors may be required to be boarded in Tristanian homes as required by weather, shipping schedules, and availability of private hotel accommodations.

(A traditional rural Tristanian Home)

Tristanian cuisine may be considered simple and monotonous by some outsiders. Local dishes mainly consist of potato or turnip based soups, stews, chips, and mashes, supplemented by cold-resistant crops like beets, currants, parsley, scallions, and sorrel, all of which are commonly grown in the ubiquitous family gardens across the island. Seafood, especially lobster and mussels, is the staple protein, supplemented by mutton or goat. Tristan de Cunha also imports large amounts of food, mostly non-perishable canned and dried goods from UK and South African retailers, and some canned goods such as canned fruit cocktails and canned meats have become luxury or prestige dishes among locals. Tea is far more popular than coffee, and is traditionally served in the British style with milk and imported biscuits or digestives. Although alcohol consumption is less common in Tristan de Cunha than in the UK itself, the island is home to a distillery (Copper Pot Distillery, TdC) which produces a spruce-tip flavored liquor sometimes called Tristanian Gin, and one pub (The Albatross) which brews a distinctive oat stout with a mix of imported and local ingredients.

(The national dish, Tristanian Burgoo)

There are five public restaurants, a cafe, and two pubs in Lambert's Town which offer prepared food and drink for visitors and locals. Additionally, prepackaged food are available via the Lambert's Town Supermarket and Desi Asian Market, and raw produce is available weekly at the Lambert's Town General Market. In addition to the aforementioned locations, the Tristan de Cunha Ministry of Commerce is sponsoring a meal sharing program, whereby up to 40 qualifying foreign visitors will be provided with home cooked meals from participating Tristanian families free of charge.

There are several entertainment venues available for visitors to Tristan de Cunha. In addition to the two aforementioned pubs, there is a public dance hall (operating Wednesday-Friday 17:00-23:00) and a public arcade/bowling alley (operating Tuesday-Saturday 18:00-23:00). Walking and driving tours of Tristan de Cunha Island are available Monday-Saturday, and interested visitors can also charter several boats for fishing and general sightseeing around the island. Visitors interested in seeing the sights farther afield can also charter transport to Nightengale Island (population 105) and the Gough Island (population 17), both of which offer have limited lodging for adventurous eco-tourists interested in the local wildlife, or charter boats from Lambet's Town to visit uninhabited Inaccessible Island, designated a wildlife sanctuary and home to several rare endemic species.

(The Inaccessible Island Rail, the smallest flightless bird in the world)

Transportation around Tristan de Cunha island is available through a daily shuttle bus service, which provides transport from central Lambert's Town across the island to the settlements in Snell's Beach and Stonyhill Point. On the days of scheduled international football matches, regular bus service will be suspended and both shuttle buses will operate special service to/from Frank Hardy Field at a cost of £1.50. Additionally, several local Tristanians have offered their services through a ride share operated by the Tristanian Ministry of Commerce. Information on scheduling and rates for this service is available at http://MoC.tdc.gov/NSWC_outreach/transport or by calling (+870-832-00-59).

Where will matches take place?

(Hardies Point Field, viewed from the Field House)

All matches will be held at Hardies Point Field, an open-air football pitch located 3 km south of central Lambert's Town. Hardies Point Field has a total capacity of 1,100 people, with covered bleacher seating for 200 on the western (interior) side of the field. There is also space for an additional thousand visitors available sitting or standing on grass-covered berms surrounding the field from the north and east of the field. On the eastern (seaward) side of the field, there is a two-story fieldhouse, which provides 25 indoor box seats for press and other special visitors. The field house also holds a staff office, nurses station, press room, and locker rooms for both teams, with an adjoining shared weight room, as well as a public toilet. It is surrounded by a small gravel athletic track. In preparation for international visitors, the Ministry of Commerce has announced plans to provide additional portable toilets, and raise several large tents outside to give local merchants a place to operate.

Transportation to/from Hardies Point Field will be provided by shuttle bus from Lambert's Town, as well as by volunteer drivers from among the Tristanian community, however space is limited and physically fit visitors are encouraged to walk the short distance to the field if able. Attendees should be prepared for the climate and the possibility of moderate winds, light rain, or sea-spray, and should dress accordingly. Blankets and tarpaulins are recommended to improve the experience of those who can not secure themselves bleacher seating. Food and drink concessions will be available, but may not be sufficient to meet total needs, so visitors will be permitted to bring outside food and drink to the game. Visitors are reminded that public drunkenness or the public consumption of hard spirits are fineable offenses, and bags may be checked for hard liquor, firearms, and drugs by volunteer staff or local police prior to admission to the Field.

Returning home?

(Farewell to Tristan de Cunha)

In order to facilitate the fastest turnaround for international football teams visiting during the NSWC 100 Qualifying cycle, berths are reserved for foreign footballers on the next available transport, guaranteeing a turnaround period of 3-8 days on the island for foreign teams. Unfortunately, this means that visitors without special status may be required to remain on-island for up to 30 days before outbound berths become available. Prospective visitors should schedule return trips prior to visiting Tristan de Cunha, and should be prepared for possible delays due to weather and other extenuating circumstances, particularly in the winter (June-August) period. Return trips will require six days from Lambert's Town to either St. Helena or Cape Town, making the minimum transport time 9 days (exclusively available to foreign footballers with special status, and requiring both UK and South African visas), or 15-18 days (for normal visitors traveling exclusively via either UK or South Africa).

by **Free Republics** » Fri Oct 17, 2025 9:15 pm

OOC: The Imperator's Cup is a highly prestigious 6 team tournament between my nations held in Republica in the leadup to this World Cup. It is highly prestigious because I say so. It was scorinated in 1 go by me. You can also find rosters for all 6 nations in the Sporting World thread. Nations that aren't mine may or may not be allowed to participate in future editions that may or may not even happen so long as their owners are fine with me operating the tournament however I so please based on my whims at the moment.

Sporting World

Free Republics, Nordernious victorious on Matchday One of Imperator's Cup
By: Clarice Chaussee

The first matchday of the first prestigious edition of the Imperator's Cup is in the books and the results were exactly what was expected going in. In the main event, Republican National Soccer Team, LLC defeated Acedonia 3 goals to 2 in their first match in 15 years. The opening match was the expected Nordernious rout of their northern neighbor Sudernius by a score of 3 goals to nil. This opening matchday featured an appearance by the Grand Immortal Imperator, who took in the action at the Imperator Stadium in Republica from his personal luxury suite. Surrounding him was a capacity crowd of Republicans from all walks of life celebrating the grand reopening of our glorious Federation to the rest of the multiverse.

For the benefit of our international readers, I should start by explaining that the Imperator Stadium used to be called the Gem of the Oceans Stadium. It was damaged during the years of chaos but was restored by the Grand Immortal Imperator out of his personal fortune shortly after he restored our Federation Constitution and our traditional system of government. So we renamed the stadium, home of the opening and closing ceremonies of the Games of the Thirteenth and Greatest Olympiad, in his honor. For he is truly the First Citizen of our Federation and protector of our Constitution.

The Nordernious match started with Stephan Eichmann's usually defensive-minded side immediately going on the attack to test their opposition. A Niklas Unger shot in the first minute was deflected out by Sudernian keeper Fadime Spel for a corner. Nordernian captain Jonas Peters quickly took the corner to the far box where the 6 foot 4 center back Marcel Farber was waiting to head it into the back of the net. The Nordernian pressure was intense until the half hour mark with the ball rarely reaching the Nordernian half of the pitch. Sudernius looked clearly overmatched from the start but they did get a counterattack in the 36th minute as Mattheus Luinge launched a route 1 attack reminiscent of the Sanctii teams of old. Rian Fransman was on the other end of it, clearly onside, and she charged for the goal with only the keeper Jens Krueger to beat. Krueger did not have to make a save as Fransman's shot hit the post and bounced to Leon Meister who immediately kicked it into safety around midfield. That would be Sudernius's best scoring opportunity of the match. The first half would end with Sudernius conceding a penalty on an accidental Cornee Handels handball inside the box which Mathias Pfaff easily converted to send Nordernious into the half up 2 goals to nil.

The second half of the match was much less eventful. The biggest highlight was Unger finally scoring a goal just after the hour mark off of an incredible Peters assist. With the 3 goal lead secured, Nordernious would park the bench for the final 20 minutes or so as much of the crowd got a head start on the bathrooms and the concessions lines in hopes of seeing as much of the intermission entertainment as possible. After all, those Yay/Nay signs aren't going to participate in democracy on their own! Nordernious would hold on for a 3 goals to nil victory that was never close setting them up with a win and in scenario for matchday 2's main event against Saintland.

The main event began after a performance of both anthems with the Republican National Team on the wrong foot to start. The new team, made up of an all star team from the 4 houses of Barjavel Academy, was playing a competitive international match for the first time ever. The 20 year old Acedonian captain Aggelos Agnatos would open the scoring in the 12th minute after Peter Savage had already saved 4 Acedonian shots amidst a defensive meltdown. Agnatos scored on a rebound of a Stylianos Vallas shot that had hit the post. Savage had dived for the shot, leaving the net momentarily empty. A player of Agnatos's quality was always going to convert that chipshot. On the restart, the Republicans were once again put on the defensive but they obtained some momentum in the match as it hit the 20 minute mark. Dennis Hoffman and Mattia Dellucci would each get decent shots on goal that were denied by spectacular Aristidis Markilis saves. As the match hit the 42nd minute, an ill-advised pass by Hippolyte Vargas set up an Acedonian counter attack that ended with Agnatos earning his team a corner. The Nestoras Remides corner would land right at the feet of Stylianos Vallas who hit it off the bar allowing Prokopis Mareas to put it into the net off the rebound. Acedonian had a 2 goals to nil lead at the half which virtually guaranteed a "Yea" result for the halftime election. The crowd booed the home team off the pitch as they went into the tunnel.

Whatever Senator Koby Theodore said to his team at the half must have lit a fire under them as it was a completely different match in the second half. Hippolyte Vargas would make up for his earlier mistake with an amazing cross that set up an easy Louie Pugh goal in the 47th minute. Moments later, the Republicans would get their opportunity to equalize after Zacharias Arvanitoulis deprived Dennis Hoffman of a clear goal scoring opportunity with an extremely reckless challenge. The official did not hesitate to show the red card and award a penalty to the Republicans. Sebastian Andersen would take the penalty and hit it into the upper left corner for an 50th minute equalizer. The match slowed down a bit until Rainer Savage came in as a 67th minute substitute and scored a true golazo with a Pay-Lay Kick off set up by a perfect Andersen pass. The partisan Republican crowd erupted at the elder Savage brother's flashy goal. The Republicans would not turn off the gas for the remainder of the match but the fourth goal would prove elusive. The Acedonians, down a man, made few serious challenges down the stretch. The Republicans held on, without much difficulty, for a 3 goals to 2 victory.

The Imperator's Cup will continue with Matchday 2. Tickets are already sold out and resale is not permitted for this event but you can watch on the Imperator's Broadcasting System (IBS). The day will begin with South Libertopia vs Acedonia at 5 PM followed by what is sure to be a highly competitive main event fixture between Saintland and Nordernious at 8 PM.

Nordernious 3-0 Sudernius

Nordernious goals: Marcel Farber '3, Mathias Pfaff '45+4 (penalty), Niklas Unger '61

Free Republics 3-2 Acedonia

Free Republics goals: Louie Pugh '47, Sebastian Andersen '50 (penalty), Rainer Savage '70
Acedonia goals: Aggelos Agnatos '12, Prokopis Mareas '43
Acedonia red card: Zacharias Arvanitoulis '49

Clarice Chausee is Sporting World's new international soccer correspondent starting with Imperator's Cup 1 and World Cup 100. She is a recent graduate of Ren Rep University and the former editor of their student newspaper The Collegian. She is married in a lesbian marriage to her husband and national championship winning quarterback Rule Chausee and their wife and former Ren Rep cheerleading captain Elisa Chausee.

National Anthem of the Free Republics: Rise from the Ruins

OOC Inspiration and Tune

Rise from the Ruins
To the future, we turn
Let us restore your former glory truly,
Republica, our fatherland.
Triumph over bygone horrors,
Can in unity be won.
Oh what we can obtain tomorrow,
When over our Federation,
The sun shines again!

May both peace and joy inspire,
Republica, our fatherland.
Peace is all the Federation's desire,
To our Imperator lend your hand.
In brotherhood united,
We shall crush the Imperator's foes.
Let all paths to peace be lighted,
That no mother shall again
Mourn her son in woe!

Let us grow and build our nation,
Learn and work as never before,
For a free new generation,
With faith in its own strength again!
Republican youth, for whom the striving
Of our people is at one,
You are Republica's revival,
And over our Federation,
The sun shines again!

by **Kita-Hinode** » Sat Oct 18, 2025 6:48 am

Guy de Persson was a normal bureaucrat. He had spent the past couple of years hired by the prefecture of Harumi, his hometown and the capital of the province of Mido-Hinode. Single. No close relatives. Hated cigars and beverages. His passion was playing games on his phone, preferably ones with cute anime characters.

Guy de Persson went missing last week.

...

All he could see were metallic walls and a cold floor. Not a soul in sight as far as he could tell, which was particularly odd as all he remembered was being inside a somewhat full bus playing his favourite mobile game before some source of light blinded him. When he went to check whether he still had his phone with his self, his clothes had been changed. Gone was his suit, including his custom-made Cutie Magic-chan tie; all replaced with some sort of white tracksuit. No possessions or anything. Just as he noticed it, he felt a burning sensation on the back of his hand.

He turned to look at it. Three red lines in the shape of a circle. They weren't made by blood as far as he could tell; licking them didn't give off any sort of strawberry taste as he expected it to. Thankfully, it also didn't make his hand burn more, so that was a plus. Faced with that outcome, he chose to walk ahead, figuring that he would eventually find something.

It didn't take ten steps for it to happen. All he could feel was a heavy slam pushing him down to the ground after a bit of girly screaming. It was a girl wearing a black overcoat and some overly elaborate dress that clearly signified she was going to stick around in the plot for quite a while.

[??????] - Ah, crap! Another- Wait, wait. You're not one of the mad ones, right?

He dusted himself off while getting up, confusion on his face. Mad ones?

[??????] - Look, if you want to keep alive, you'd better follow me. There's a mad beast following me, and I doubt she's going to let you be!
[Guy] - Tsk, nonsense. Given where I'm at, I'm sure that it's going to be the start of my harem.
[??????] - Ah, crap. Not another one of these. The reason we got into this mess was a jerk with that same mindset. Come on, let's go.

She dragged him, bolting down the hallways.

[??????] - You're at least quick on the uptake about where you're at, but that girl ain't interested in you. She's interested in one guy, and he's not around anymore.
[Guy] - ...Oh, so this isn't an Isekai with a Harem? Well, that's just pointless, then. I wanna go back home.
[??????] - Oh no, you don't! It was hard to even get one of you who had the perfect combo of hopeless devotion and impeccable luck. You're staying here until we get this solved!
[Guy] - And who are you?
[??????] - I'm the great Ol- Wait, wait. No. Uh... Just call me Miss OMA.
[Guy] - ...Like those horsegirl things?
[Miss OMA] - No, you idiot! OMA! Not UMA! OMA! Look, let's just get going already!

A bloodcurdling laugh stopped them on their tracks.

[Miss OMA] - Crap, Charlotte caught up to us!
[Guy] - You sure say crap a lot, don't ya?
[Miss OMA] - Quit with the bullshit!

A lady with a white dress and a somewhat goofy-looking black top hat walked towards them from a distance, blood dripping from her dress, a knife she held and a makeshift homunculus that she had just slashed the throat of, disguised as a black-haired man.

[Charlotte] - Where is he, Olga? Where. Is. He.
[Miss OMA] - You killed him, why are you asking where he is?!
[Charlotte] - You know full well that this wasn't him. I did the inventor in as well. That's what she gets for trying to fool me. I mean. Us.

She twirled her knife in her hand, a mad, bloodied grin on her face.

[Guy] - ...Yeah, I don't think she's joining my harem.
[Miss OMA] - Drop the harem bit and jet out of here!

The two ran further, going as far as their legs could take them. Alas, they ended up finding a dead end.

[Miss OMA] - Oh, no! That's it, we're gonners! I can't even believe that I wasted my one shot at a saviour on you!
[Guy] - Hey, don't knock the product before trying it. Isn't there any way to, I dunno, summon someone to save me or something?
[Miss OMA] - You got your command codes?
[Guy] - I got these things on my hand. Do they count?
[Miss OMA] - Yes! Shout that you need a hero, and they'll draw someone! Just... anyone!
[Guy] - Alright... Please, command codes, give me a hero at this time of need!

A blue sphere formed above them, causing Olga to flash a smile... only for a pair of cards to drop onto the ground, eliciting nothing else. Guy grabbed the cards and showed them off to her.

[Guy] - ...I don't think getting a Failure is a good omen.
[Miss OMA] - Drat! It's acting up! Try it again!

As they prepared to do so, Charlotte darted towards them, knife in hand. Olga quickly leaped to the side while Guy somehow dodged it, his torso going back before whipping itself forward, somersaulting.

[Charlotte] - Tch. Close but no cigar. You'll be finished regardless, so stay still and let me kill you!
[Miss OMA] - I swear! Try it again!
[Guy] - Please, command codes, give me a hero at this time of need! And stop screwing me over, the lady's gonna kill us all!

Charlotte's eyes caught the orb forming itself once more and leaped directly at Guy, brandishing her bloodied knife, tracing the proper slash to end this new arrival at the cursed organization they were in. Her knife, however, was stopped on its tracks... by a surfboard. What stood now in front of her was a surfer. Golden hair, a proper surfing bodysuit, bare feet and a large surfboard he more or less wielded as a shield at the moment. Once she yanked it off, he was able to place it between one of his arms and his hips, grinning.

[Miss OMA] - W-Who is that? I don't know any hero from the thro-
[Northern Sunrise] - Hey, uh... Name's Northern Sunrise. No idea about this thing you were speaking of, but I ain't from it.
[Guy] - Oh, come on, how do you not know this guy, miss?
[Miss OMA] - Of course I don't, who is this?
[Northern Sunrise] - Like I said. Northern Sunrise. Jeez, man, you slow on the intake or something?
[Miss OMA] - Whoever you are, Charlotte's on a rampage, do something about it!

He then looked towards the assassin, who by now was licking the blood off the knife to pose a threat. The surfer then stared back at Olga with an expression akin to a shrug.

[Northern Sunrise] - ...Uh-huh. Lady's a nutjob, ain't she? But alright, I guess I'll have to bring my a-game.
[Guy] - Alright! The PokéCards champion is ready to show what he's made of.
[Northern Sunrise] - You do know I don't have any Pokémon with me, right? I do have this, though.

He spun the surfboard around like a shield, using it to slam it hard against the knife-wielding mad lady.

[Northern Sunrise] - Also, I'm not from PokéCards. I'm from Radio Esportiva, different series. Name's Northern Sunrise, the prodigy of Esportiva!
[Charlotte] - Die!

She recovered quickly, twirling her knife as she was able to find her footing. Her knife soon turned to slash towards Olga, who naturally flinched and pulled back, only for the surfboard to stop it again. The newly summoned hero used the momentum to deliver a strong kick to the ribs of Charlotte, who, in turn, got slammed into the metallic wall, causing her to briefly collapse to the ground. Both humans proceeded to move back, staying behind the surfer who flashed a little grin.

[Northern Sunrise] - I'm a pacifist by heart, lady, but if you keep doing this, I might just have to cut your participation short, if you catch my drift.
[Charlotte] - You'll treat me seriously, damn it!
[Northern Sunrise] - Why am I not convinced?

This enraged the Assassin, her knife delivering a series of stabs and slashes that were countered with the rim of the board while he pulled back, gaining ground while also letting his two chaperones get enough space of their own to flee if things went poorly.

[Northern Sunrise] - Hey, Missie, any ideas on how we can go on the offensive? Don't think slamming her with this is gonna calm her down.
[Miss OMA] - Why don't you use your Noble- I mean... Final Crushendo?
[Guy] - Do I just need to tell him to do it?
[Miss OMA] - No, it should charge enough with those blocks. Hold strong, Northern Sunrise!
[Northern Sunrise] Ugh! Sure, but what do I do when it charges! Damn it, stop slashing!
[Charlotte] - Die!
[Miss OMA] - You'll know it in your heart!
[Northern Sunrise] - Alright, screw it! Lady Iemanjá, give me strength!

The noise of a tidal wave stopped Charlotte, puzzling the duo. Northern Sunrise kept his focus on her, holding onto his board.

[Northern Sunrise] - Say uh, you guys know how to swim, right?

A wave crashed against the wall in the distance, quickly approaching them.

[Guy] - A little bit?
[Miss OMA] - Not at all.
[Northern Sunrise] - ...Learn it now.

With that, he refocused on Charlotte.

[Northern Sunrise] - Maré Alta, Iemanjá!

A flood of water filled the hallways in the shape of a wave. He was able to quickly use his surfboard to ride it, slamming the tip of it hard against her head. In the end, nothing could stop the wave as it dragged all four off. While Guy struggled for his life amidst the water, he wasn't yet aware of the journey he was to take. ...The Great Onslaught Project begins!

TEAM IC and TYPE IOCA present...

(Sunrise/Great onslaught)
all worlds come to a shared point

...

He could vaguely make some sounds in the distance. The cries of birds in the distance, the waves peacefully coming to rest against the ground. The floor was coarse and rough, grazing against his pale skin. Voices talked around him.

[Drummer] - There we go. That's the guy I found washed ashore.
[Fox Lady] - Oh, dear! And you just let him lie there against the sand? Don't you know that thing gets everywhere?
[Drummer] - Well, lady, considering we don't have a bed with flowers and all sorts of soft material, he will have to make do.
[Magician] - O-oh, I could summon one just now and-
[Drummer] - Last time you tried to summon something, it spawned a bomb that blew up our hut, so let's not do that.
[Magician] - Hmpf. Your loss.
[Drummer] - Look, we'll just... Ah, here he is.

Guy could feel a heavy pressure in his stomach, causing him to spew water out and his eyes to open. Shaken, he could then see a surfboard being raised in front of him.

[Northern Sunrise] - Rad. Guess that did the deal. You OK?

He slowly lifted himself from the sand. Around him, the familiar sight of the surfer was complemented by a girl dressed as a magician, an older lady with fox ears over a green cap and a man wearing a plain school uniform with a red tie serving as the only really relevant feature to note.

[Guy] - ...Where are we?
[Northern Sunrise] - Good question. All I remember is summoning that flood and then ending up here. No signs of the whackjob or that girl with the pissed off face.
[Tumbra] - We've been here since we woke up the other day. I'm Tumbra of the Beltanes. Tell me you have anything that can help us find a way out of here.
[Guy] - Name's Guy, gacha extraordinaire.

The quartet fell in silence, judging him.

[Guy] - Hey, don't judge, I'm the protagonist of this tale.
[Kitsunia-Déesse] - Right. I'm Kitsunia-Déesse, but you can call me Kitsunia for the sake of brevity. I was the first one to wake up here, and I've been gathering those I can find. Thankfully, we've had an easy time finding food, but I feel that this stay here made us a bit... different from what we're used to.
[Guy] - Like so?
[Kitsunia-Déesse] - Well... back where we're from, we used to fight with Pokémon. Also, my hubby here has no recollection of me.

The surfer looked to the side, rubbing the back of his head. Something was clearly up, and it wasn't just a retcon.

[Dreamplanet] - And I'm Dreamplanet, your friendly magician!
[Tumbra] - And the reason we no longer have a hut to rest from the sun.
[Kitsunia-Déesse] - Calm down. I'm sure we'll eventually find somewhere safe to rest.
[Guy] - This place looks safe enough. I mean... It's not great for the skin, but I'm sure nothing weird will happen like, uh... us aging to death out of nowhere or something.
[Tumbra] - Oh, please, the writer might be a bit washed up, but he's not that washed up. But really, we keep finding things every half an hour or so. These weird card things, sharks... and now, you.
[Dreamplanet] - Maybe he's some sort of deity.
[Northern Sunrise] - Nah, he's a Summoner. I mean, that's what I think he is. He's not like us, basically like a trainer and stuff.
[Kitsunia-Déesse] - ...Wait, so we are the Pokémon now?
[Tumbra] - Let's not go with that, sounds too demeaning.
[Dreamplanet] - Why don't we call ourselves contractees?
[Northern Sunrise] - Eh, beats being a servant.

The "contractees" were apparently talking inside a huddle by that point, Guy watching into the distance. He could see some mounts in the distance, plenty of trees, but no easy sight of any human construction. And then, a high wave of energy blasted past them to the side, followed by that familiar sight of Charlotte being sent flying. Slowly, a knight walked towards her, heavy sword in hand. Following him was an elf with an air of superiority.

[Elf] - I see she's still standing up. That won't do. Pasarga, do her the honours.

With a handwave, energy conducted from her into the knight, who let out an unreadable growl as he boosted forward against the knife-wielding lady. Charlotte tried to hop away from every slash of the sword, countering with her own slashes, some of which connected as she hopped side to side, almost twirling in ballet as she did so. Eventually, as she managed to close in towards the elf, the knight slammed the base of the sword against Charlotte's stomach, lifting her upwards into the sky before delivering a heavy downward slash. What followed was blood.

[Charlotte] - ...I...
[Elf] - We owe you no right of listening to your final words, for you attacked us since we arrived. Please, die with dignity. Pasarga, please.

The French assassin could only raise a hand, her knife dropping against the sand, as the knight finished her off. With that, Charlotte Corday, the first of the vice-captains, fell. The elf sighed, patting the knight in congratulations. Guy turned around, looking back at the crew that gathered near him and before he could say anything about it.

[Northern Sunrise] - Ah, hey, it's Granny Valanora from up the road. Heya!

The surfer dashed forward to meet with the elf, who clearly heard him and apparently didn't mind the comment about her age. The rest of the gang motioned for Guy to follow them as they made their way there. Eventually, they stopped in front of the knight, who still had plenty of energy to go through.

[Valanora] - Be careful, boy. Pasarga here has had a big fight ever since we've been here. I don't know what is happening, but he still needs to cool off.
[Northern Sunrise] - Wait, that's him? Didn't he have... You know, a goofy hat and all?
[Valanora] - Whatever this realm is based on, it seems to have adjusted our existences accordingly. After all, I don't remember you having that surfboard from where we're from.
[Northern Sunrise] - Eh, what do you mean? I always had this, just... didn't use it as much.
[Tumbra] - So we really aren't at our home, then. Man, that's rough.
[Valanora] - I'm sure that our existence here is not perpetual. Say, who's the young man there?

Guy looked with a smile, preparing to hit her with the charm.

[Guy] - Hi, milady, my name is Guy and-
[Valanora] - You're not impressive, but I do see something on your hand. Are those...?
[Guy] - ...They're command codes, milady.
[Valanora] - Hm. I guess they're tied to whatever's going on. Let us go ahead, then. I'm sure if we keep going, we'll find some sort of habitation where we could then rest.
[Northern Sunrise] - Eh, grandma, how do you know that?
[Valanora] - I've spoken with the flora of this beach. It's a long trip, but we'll find something eventually, if they're to be believed.
[Guy] - ...Well, we got nothing better to do, right?

With that, their newly built party marched on. On to whatever they would find at the end of the beach.

... PART ONE END ...

GUY DE PERSSON'S PARTY

NORTHERN SUNRISE
Height/Weight: 172 cm, 67 kg
Origin: Radio Esportiva (alledgedly)
Region: Esportiva
Alignment: Neutral-Good
Gender: Male

"No worries, no cares, all that matters is a proper beach to surf on and plenty of coconut juice to avoid dehydration." He wouldn't decline for some quality meat, though.

Generally lackadaisical, usually somewhat on the lazy side, charismatic and generally easy to like, Northern Sunrise spent most of his youth working hard to improve conditions back at his hometown, engaging in hijinks with his childhood friend and rival Apox. Whenever he could take the time to relax, however, he would be spotted surfing on the beach, letting the sun wash his eyes and the ocean wash his body. A good friend, if a bit unreliable. Supposedly, he's Kitsunia-Déesse's husband, but he can't quite remember anything about that, making it seem likely that this Northern Sunrise is either from before that point in life, or he never did so in the reality he's from.

What really ties him to the Unified Sunrise of legend is a heart of gold, willing to sacrifice his own well-being if the situation needs it. Very rarely does he ever have to risk his own life for it. But if it does come to be, you shouldn't worry about it. "If it means the sun will rise another day, then I'm not truly dead. Because if the sun rises once more, that means the waves will come in due time. And when they do, you'll be sure to see a surfer enjoying it. That's me, even if it's not really me there. That's a bet."

His Final Crushendo, "Maré Alta, Iemanjá" has him summon a strong tidal wave, regardless of where he's currently located. It has, however, to be somewhere he is currently at. Otherwise, it will not work.

DREAMPLANET
Height/Weight: 165 cm, 55 kg
Origin: PokéCards DX
Region: Esportiva
Alignment: Chaotic-Neutral
Gender: Female

"The best magicians are those who never teach you the truth about their tricks. Otherwise, they're just charlatans, and that just won't do." Supposedly has a pet lion.

A bubbly magician with a penchant for trouble, she went to battle with the Hinodejin Empire once and failed miserably, causing her to become hasty and too focused on pleasing others to avoid further humiliation. Her duplicitous nature hides away fairly well, but those who know her well know better than to fully trust her at any moment. Her screw-ups are likely deliberate. Her expertise lies in bomb-related warfare, but her defence is frail and hard to rely on.

Historically, the nation her vessel is tied to was a former independent state that collapsed to the Hinodejin Empire after an attack went impressively wrong. One has to wonder exactly what would entail if she were to meet up with one of the Empire's many past rulers, given her generally closeted antagonistic role.

KITSUNIA-DÉESSE
Height/Weight: 170 cm, "mind your own business"
Origin: PokéCards
Region: Esportiva
Alignment: Lawful-Neutral
Gender: Female

"I'm more of a contributor than a star player. Nothing wrong with that, it does ensure that I'm worth your while, just don't single me out."

Resolute to the core, Kitsunia-Déesse (or Kitsunia for those who are friendly enough with her) is a talented housewife-to-be, generally avoiding the line of fire by her self-belief that she should "hold the family together", but often getting herself into things through her sense of justice. While not stellar when it comes to conflict, she can be the voice of reason when needed and has often encouraged those in need. "It's what you earn from dealing with a bunch of kids, especially an overgrown one." According to her, she's married to Northern Sunrise, but he fails to recognize her, causing her plenty of annoyance.

In true Archer fashion, Kitsunia-Déesse is more adept at long-distance combat, using volleyball strikes to snipe at opponents from a distance without risking her safe spot. Her close combat talents are questionable at best, meaning that any smart summoner should make sure to keep her behind burly warriors or, if the event allows it, a Shielder that can sustain damage to allow her the time to snipe opponents accordingly. One has to wonder what exactly tied her to the sport of volleyball, though it appears to be the result of trying to match her husband's existence as a beachside native.

TUMBRA
Height/Weight: 174 cm, 65 kg
Origin: PokéCards
Region: Esportiva
Alignment: Lawful-Neutral
Gender: Male

"I can handle situations of danger and all, but I prefer smoother stuff. Leave to the other two to throw caution to the wind and all."

Former drummer of the band The Beltanes, Tumbra is a very talented musician, but his straightlaced nature was often overruled by his bandmates and their sense of the silly and fantastic. While they went their separate ways, Tumbra went on to become a session musician and enjoy a fairly peaceful and successful life before waking up at the beach where he and others are currently at. He can fight using his sticks and drums that magically appear whenever he conjures them. Currently having a hard talk with his agent over certain aspects of the tale he finds himself in.

by **Seeberg** » Sat Oct 18, 2025 11:42 am

“They told me to do some commentary about current events, like how surprisingly well our lads got on amongst the talking horses, who are coming to visit our Gemeinschaft or the general vastness of World Cup qualifying,” said Sigismund Schiltze and adjusted his feathered green felt cap, “but how can you say something about today and tomorrow without firstly discoursing protractedly on the many yesterdays of time gone by,” he continued and took a long swig from his stein while crossing the bridge over the great Fluss dividing the western parts of fair Brinterberg. “So while you might expect a small treatise on baptismal triumphs or challenges ahead, I instead invite you to sit down and properly digest the story of How The Horkenheimers ended up here.” Herr Schiltze devoured his last bite of some particularly chewy Gummibärchen and smacked his lips in contentment, before continuing: “Now, if you’ve been paying attention, you’ll know that the tale of Seebergundian FußBall - which for all intents and purposes is the story of how the Horkenheimers ended up here - is not necessarily one of linear fortschreiten. Rather, you could say it is a dance of creativity, repression, foreign influences, rebellion, and more than a little bit of bureaucratic handicraft. I do hope you have been paying attention, but I see a few new faces in the crowds, and for those of you who have been with us from the start, I have my suspicions that some of you have been distracted by the talking puppies and raging spacelords, or perhaps the scandalous new opera on Quietscheentchen Straße. So, call me old fashioned, but when the soup is thick, you stir from the bottom, and so before we continue our story I suggest we now proceed to an intermission of sorts, wherein we summarize the many yesterdays that brought us to the point where we left off, on our journey towards today.”

”As I said in Part 1, it all began with children kicking rolled-up lederhosen in the mud. The timestamp here is not formally dated, obviously, but I prefer to think about it as those folkloric ancient and timeless days. This childish activity eventually evolved into the anarchic and gloriously violent game of HändeFußy, which over time became a treasured pastime for the workers, minor craftsmen and lesser academics of Seebergundia. The game spread like wildfire through the valleys, with no real rules, no distinct organization, and no regard for physical integrity. Spectators were often just injured players, and affiliations changed mid-match just for the craic of it. Society, of course, was not amused about all this. They preferred their violence institutionalized and their chaos repressed, preferably with a side of string quartet and a well-pressed waistcoat. They chose, however, not to acknowledge it - because acknowledging deviance was equal to admitting its existence - as long as it stayed in the shadows, which it of course didn’t.

While this new game was very much present in all of the Gemeinschaft, even the lesser towns of the northern and western valleys, we need not dwell on those goat-infested hamlets more than absolutely necessary, and our summary will primarily deal with developments in our capital of fair Brinterberg.

Then came the infamous Gneisbänderung debacle, where a rogue HändeFußy tournament of sorts upstaged the annual wrestling championship and caused a collective societal aneurysm. Society demanded action. Some advocated releasing the purpleshirts of the Seebergundian Sicherheitsabteilung (ßa), but the majority opted for the standard methodology of outlawing unwanted behaviour by weaving an intricate legal tapestry around it, which accomplished banishing something without actually acknowledging it. It was one Doktor Gugelhupf, who, in a masterclass of legislative maneuvering, spearheaded the effort to outlaw the game without ever mentioning it. His initiative banned private athletic organizing altogether, unless sanctioned by already certified associations. Naturally, they would never touch something as uncouth as HändeFußy. This was all chronicled in Part 2 and Part 3, should you be interested.

In Part 4 we learned that HändeFußy did in fact not die, but went underground. Organized from smoky brauhausen, by cabinetmakers like Wolfberg Konstanzer and violin bridge specialists like Helmut Dünkelbrotkopf, the game itself was played in forested glens and on mountainslopes outside of the city. These clandestine gatherings laid the groundwork for logistical and organizational innovations, and brewing crosstown rivalries, all while society pretended not to notice. This all changed when the renowned critical theorists, Jürgen Klinkenklossstein and Albrecht Diggerdeigerschtroumph, of the Institute for Sozial Research, down in the St. Paulina Quarter in the western parts of fair Brinterberg all of a sudden torpedoed the silent consensus of mutual ignorance by declaring HändeFußy a radical force capable of dismantling hegemonic structures.

Part 5 taught us how this uprooting of the status quo and making everything previously implied utterly explicit made society uncomfortable, and after some elite infighting over whether or not to release the purpleshirts, it ended with a new commission being formed, led by the diligent Doktor Meersburgenheimstadt, with a mission to seek a societally acceptable legalization.

In Part 6, we learned that the commission struggled with both understanding the core of HändeFußy and coming up with a suitable way of transforming it into something fit for society. Their salvation came in the form of a strange foreign man in a tweed dress and burgundy tophat, who, between absinthe shots and opium-laced cigarettes, laid out the blueprint for what would become a more socially acceptable version of the HändeFußy, which would eventually be called FußBall. The Tinkerteilmann Notes, scribbled in a haze of intoxication by, and named after, the commission's young secretary-of sorts Florian Tinkerteilman, became the foundation for a new ruleset: no handballing (except for the Torwart), standardized fields, time limits, rules outlawing aggravated violence and a rainbow of disciplinary cards ranging from philosophical misconduct to tactical nihilism, etc. etc.

In Part 7, we detailed the swift and brutal transition. HändeFußy was stamped out by the purpleshirts, while FußBall was ushered in with grants, playing fields, and mandatory woolen socks. Laws and rules regulating who could establish sporting associations were liberalized and new associations dedicated to FußBall sprang up like mushrooms after rain all over town—for instance Knackwurst FußBall, BSV Gneis, Felina FußBall, and many more. Soon enough, there came calls to elevate the new sport’s status and institute officially sanctioned competitive arenas, and eventually we saw the establishment of the Brinterberger Cup.

And so, dear reader, we find ourselves here, on the cusp of Part 8 of the story of How The Horkenheimers Ended Up Here.”

by **Atymnius** » Sat Oct 18, 2025 12:29 pm

AD ASTRA PER ASPERA!

To the Stars and Beyond!
— Buzz Lightyear

Many spectators have wondered—what happened to Dēmos after their demise in the Baptism? This commentary hopes to illuminate one’s fears that the team is indeed OK and more often than not—

Are climbing from star to star, unbridled and unabashed.

The team were sullen as they entered their coaches, knowing full well what they’ve done. The shame that they have committed to their nation. As the coach would then subsequently slop itself into the City-State, the night evening was quiet and the streets were all but abandoned with newspapers lying on the road-pads of the stoney canvas.

Newspapers detailing the loss of Dēmos.

The team arrived at the training grounds for what they would perceive as a hopeless, short intermission: they had the World Cup in the next few days.

Getting out, the Co-Ordinator switched on the neon lighting as the players made their way into the dressing room. It was most quiet and hums of the circuit rheostat were heard behind the walls of the room. It was quiet.

Boys, we know the last match was not what we wanted, but for-good-to-honest, you gave it your all! What more do you want us to say as coaches!

He banged the wall, emotional he was, distant he was not.

The team said nothing as they all hugged each other in one fuzz, their bodies intermingling with each other.

They really believed.

Alexi went into the lockers, pounding them as he said:

Alright boys! We are going on a camping trip!

HAH?

Astonished, they packed their extra clothing in their familial suitcases as one heartbeat after the next they found themselves at the top of Mount Olympus!

The mountain was architecture-less as only impersonal stones, jagged, stood in their path.

“How am I going to sleep here?” mumbled Tyolius.

To make matters worse!

No, not at all, commented Alexis. These stones are exactly what Dēmos’ footballing ancestors used timeless aeons ago. After embarrassment, men would come here to rest while the people would welcome them home. We, I suppose, only implement the former, the latter a fool’s errand…

Mumbling to himself, Whyatou rips open the marshmallows as they all fall to the ground, wasted.

Hah!? What do you think you’re doing!

HAH?! How am I supposed to know how these industrial packets open!

They butted heads before the Co-Ordinator clapped their hands in front of them.

Get into your sleeping bags.

They mumbled as they sludged downstairs into their warm tenants.

One Dēmosian player, however, was not quite as disparate.

You know guys I don’t care that we lost. It’s part of life.

That indeed be true. commented Tý as he snuggled himself inward.

I know you guys are sad. It was our first tournament after all, but it simply won’t be our last. The World Cup is coming. There will be some fierce rivals. Some teams have won the competition 5 times. I don’t think there even is time to waste your breath.

The team were listening.

I don’t know what may happen to us this tournament but I think it would be embarrassing for me to say our country’s national motto out loud. Look!

He laughs as he points to the stars.

They’re twinkling!

And they indeed were. They illuminated a beautiful crescent candlelight as prayers sent reached the world above.

To the Supreme Deity!

Hear, hear!

They gulped some alcohol slowly before sleeping calmly right then and there.

by **Andso Mangis** » Sat Oct 18, 2025 12:47 pm

Welcome to Andso Mangis. This is a Full guide on where to go and what to do In our lovely nation.
The first thing you need to know. WE LOVE FOOTBALL. We are dedicated with a ripe passion to the sport. Our host city is the wonderful capital of Fusa 8,530 feet in the air you best BELIEVE its hard to breathe. The weather will be rather snowy and more than likely if you're from a warm tropical area you may want to sit out. Next up is culture we have some unique cultural beliefs tipping is only for extraordinary service and don't feel weird if the guy at the bar next to you buys you a beer. Another thing is in Fusa were a small town of 230,000 people but we are rowdy and if you've ever seen the buffalo bills were essentially them. We have limited accommodations for travelers but you can stay in Andso City and fly in or enjoy some skiing while in or great mountains. We have banned tourist trap restaurants so you only get authentic and REALLY GOOD Andso cuisine. If you have a question ask anybody named Tim they ALWAYS have the answers.
Style +3.4

by **United States of Nova Calania** » Sat Oct 18, 2025 1:47 pm

We are the champions!

Nyareth Newydd, Central Warkus, Warkus - We have the World Cup where every nations from the worlds, planets and multiverse can compete. We also have regional competitions where every nations from a certain region and only from that region can compete: Copa Rushmori for Rushmore, Campionato Esportiva for Esportiva, Arrosia Regional Championship for Arrosia and, finally, CAFA Cup for Anaia. Nations who aren't in a traditional sporting region can compete in the Independent Associations Championship. Being located in Anaia, the Holy Calanian Empire of the United States of Nova calania competes in the CAFA Cup.

At the start of CAFA Cup XII, Flavovespia is the defending Anaian Champion and Audioslavia are the champions of the world. Nova Calania, who basically never won anything, is in group D with Audioslavia, Chromatika, Kimi-Suomi and Warkus. Nova Calania started with big wins against Warkus, Audioslavia and Chromatika in that order. On the final match of the group stage, Kimi-Suomi surprised the Tapirs and stole the championship belt from us (which we got by beating the Bulls on matchday 2). Kimi-Suomi was eliminated and still currently own the champions belt while Nova Calania took the 1st place in their group. After beating Bostopia twice (with a winners/losers path format), Nova Calania made the grand final against Ko-oren.

So, that's where we are: the Grand final of CAFA XII and our opponent is the Dragonflies! Nathan McCaskill received a red card in the semi final against Bostopia and was barred from playing in the final. Evan MacNeely replaced him in the starting XI on the right side. At the start of the game, Ko-orenite players looked nervous while Nova Calanian players were more relaxed and had nothing to lose. Ko-oren controlled the ball almost non stop for the first 30 minutes of the game, shooting only twice on goal, while Nova Calania had no shot on goal. Mei Qi Xiong received the ball at the 34th minute and started accelerating and dribbling past Thalek Sehorenden. She made a cross to Charlotte Gibouleau-Beaudoin who headed the ball past Ludlow Hawkfeather while two defenders were marking Frédérique Goudreau-Luneau. Nova Calania was leading 1-0 at halftime.

Ko-oren still controlled the ball most of the time in the 2nd half and took a few shots on goal that were stopped by Serge Bleau-Bean. Nova Calania also attacked in the 2nd half but Hawkfeather was more alert and blocked all shots.The final score is 1-0 Nova Calania and we are the champions of Anaia!

GAME SUMMARY

34th    GOAL NOVA CALANIA     Charlotte Gibouleau-Beaudoin assisted by Mei Qi Xiong

Paul-André Veilleux

by **Riandera** » Sat Oct 18, 2025 6:22 pm

The Rafflesias plan of 'delivering heck to their opponents' at the Baptism of Fire was working. First it was Behh in the group stage, then it went up to defeating Soviet Kem at the Round of 16. Then Super Earth did an UNO reverse on them at the quarterfinals, and made the match a living hell for the Rafflesias. But hey, this is a new tournament. The beginning of the centennial World Cup. Krishna says it will be a debut to remember. Or will it?

Many people know that Riandera made their international soccer debut at the 24th IAC, but they didn't finish far. But after an impressive result at the Baptism of Fire, the Rafflesias want to extend their 'glory period' by continuing to deliver heck. The 'delivering heck' plan had started with goalkeeper Dharmawanto, who had 'Hell to Your Doorstep' from The Count of Monte Cristo stuck in his head at the time he made the plan.

Meanwhile, Zhamanta was doing her thing of cheering the other Rafflesias up. "Go go RAFF-RAFFLESIAS!"

Krishna had called the Rafflesias the potential dark horses of WC 100, but he had forgotten something. They were still going to deliver heck to their opponents.

The Rafflesias had the first 18 days of qualifying to prove they were worthy of making it to the next stage of the World Cup. Krishna called them 'worthy of such achievement', but he knew they had to go through 18 days and playoffs to make it. He simply told them to have fun while they were at it. And for the Rafflesias, that was all that mattered. But they were also hoping that Margaret was with them.

by **Soviet Kem** » Sat Oct 18, 2025 7:41 pm

Soviet Kem Information

Soviet Kem is the premier in The Communist Bloc's footballing endeavors, with Soviet Kem winning the TCBIFC 25, and made it to the round of eight in the BoF 87.

The matches will be played in our national stadium; with a capacity of 700,000 spectators, it is one of the largest stadiums in the world. The stadium is located in the capital, Kem City, and foreign teams (Staff & Players) will be given in a nearby hotel. Traveling fans will be sent a virtual pass with their ticket to allow them to enter the country more easily, with each person being subject to an interview, instead of the normal search. The most common way for people to arrive in Soviet Kem will be by airplane, the pass will allow each fan to access public transportation for free from the airport to their hotel.

The weather in Kem City is a sub-tropical climate, being rather humid in the spring to fall months. In the winter there is a small, but noticeable drop in temperature and humidity. There is a consistent fog off the nearby ocean in the morning, and it is normal for in to mist on and off during the day as the humidity fluctuates.

If you want to check out more about our national team and the Soviet Kem Stadion National, please use this link: https://www.nationstates.net/nation=sov ... id=1691397

by **Free Republics** » Sat Oct 18, 2025 10:33 pm

Sporting World

Nordernious upsets Saintland on penalties, South Libertopia routs Acedonia on Matchday Two of Imperator's Cup
By: Clarice Chaussee

The Imperator's Cup resumed for its second matchday. While the Republican National Soccer Team had the day off, it was still an eventful day of action at Imperator Stadium that saw the first penalty shootout in the history of the Imperator's Cup. There was also plenty of off the pitch excitement including an election during intermission involving the executives of a controversial health insurance company. The clip of the election's aftermath quickly went viral across all major Republican social media platforms but this is Sporting World not News Magazine so we will not be reporting on the details of elections in these pages.

South Libertopia's all-female team was entering their first international competition since their relatively unsuccessful run in the World Cup 19 years ago. Managed by former player Rebecca Goddard, who was once detained by security in Semarland because she didn't know what a tax was, they are an all-female team because "association" is considered a female sport in their country. Their skimpy uniforms made them especially popular with male fans. Some of the more drunken fans spent parts of the match catcalling the Libertopian players. As they say, boys will be boys!

As for the match itself, it was the Paige Parkes show. Parkes is a beautiful petite brunette who wears the captain's armband for her team. She also happens to be really good at soccer, probably good enough to play for many professional sides here in the Free Republics if we still permitted women to be professional athletes like in the old days. But alas that can't be allowed anymore because of the negative impact that such role models had on our birth rate and the destabilizing effect that it had on our society. But unlike Saintland, we don't insist upon men and women wearing different clothing and we certainly don't encourage women to cover up our bodies because it is good for men to see us and to be attracted to us. Maybe I shouldn't digress with a discussion of gender roles and I should write about soccer but it is tough to avoid the topic of gender when I have to write about nations like South Libertopia and Saintland that represent extremes on the matter. I will say though that it is really hot to see beautiful talented women playing soccer and kicking the asses of some men who are their inferiors. I'm not even disagreeing that the average man is a better athlete than the average woman but individuals are individuals not manifestations of groups and some women are world class athletes. We know that girls can be better than the guys from our own history even if we cannot do so any longer because of our duty to society. I just hope we can eventually get our birth rate straightened out so that women can once again do everything that men can do. I hope to do my part soon!

Anyways, this match was a dominant performance by the black and gold. Paige would get 3 chances before halftime and convert all 3 of them. The first was in the 12th minute after Jessica Bevan won the ball from Titos Papatzis with an excellent tackle and booted it as far down the pitch as she could. Paige was well onside when it was sailed over the head of the last Acedonian defender Manousos Calliadis. All she had to do was run down the pitch to get possession of the ball and beat Acedonian keeper Aristidis Markilis in a 1v1 for the first goal. The second goal, in the 23rd minute, was a more standard buildup culminating in Claudia Sherlock setting up a header by Paige for the goal. The third goal would come off of an Ava Hunt corner kick directly to Paige's feet. She applied a quick finish and caught Markilis unprepared.

Shortly before halftime, with the lead still 3-0, Goddard substituted her captain out to a standard ovation. After the match, she told me that her decision was "because I want to preserve her for the match against the Free Republics" rather than waste her energy and risk injury playing in the second half of a blowout against a hapless opponent. This meant the remainder of the match was relatively uneventful as Acedonia appeared to have checked out of the tournament after their second half collapse against the Republicans. While many will disagree with the decision and say that letting up on the gas this early could lead to a collapse, the fact remains that such tactics worked.

The second match was a defensive battle that quickly bogged down in midfield. Both Saintland and Nordernious prefer ultra-defensive soccer. That's just their DNA. Yet, each team still managed a few shots on goal over the course of the 90 minutes. The best Sanctii opportunity was a penalty on a handball in the 58th minute that Prince Andreas sent to the sky. Nordernious's Jonas Peters had a near miss of his own in the 63rd as his long shot was spectacularly caught by Sanctii keeper Lucius Rusonius. When the match hit the 80 minute mark, there was a newfound urgency by both teams to win it in regulation and avoid penalty kicks. But that was not to be as Petrus Comnenus would be ruled offside by the officials following a rebound from the post that he had converted into an apparent goal. The offside itself was borderline and it wasn't clear whether he was even onside but the referee's decision was final. So the match went to a shootout.

The shootout started with Saintland going first. Prince Andreas went first. Once again, the veteran Sanctii captain choked. This time, he hit the left post. This was the latest sign that the mythical goddess of luck Margaret was not with Saintland on this night. Niklas Unger easily converted his penalty for Nordernious with a daring shot on the ground straight up the middle which was the last thing Lucius Rusonius expected. The second round saw Petrus Comnenus and Marcel Nacht convert for their teams. Likewise, Abraham Atilius and Jonas Peters converted with apparent ease. That left Nordernious up 3 to 2 going into the 4th round. Saintland sent right back Georgius Lusius up to take the penalty and he put it right on top of the net. This meant Mathias Pfaff had a chance to win it for Nordernious and he did, placing a shot in the top left corner, just inches out of Rusonius's reach. Nordernious immediately celebrated their upset victory as the aging Sanctii team looked completely dejected.

Saintland's captain Prince Andreas was originally supposed to make his World Cup debut for Saintland at World Cup 85. This did not happen due to an untimely injury in domestic league competition. Following the collapse of our Federation into the chaos, Saintland's economy collapsed. Thus they could not afford an entry into World Cup 86 or any other World Cup in the years since despite having what they believed to be a golden generation capable of winning a World Cup title. When the Grand Immortal Imperator announced this tournament, they only agreed to participate on the condition that the Imperator would personally fund their World Cup 100 entry if they won the tournament. This defeat guarantees that no such thing will happen as Nordernious has won Group 81 and will face the winner of tomorrow's match between South Libertopia and our Republican National Soccer Team. Now, Prince Andreas and his teammates are staring down the likelihood that they will never get to participate in the World Cup like his legendary grandfather King Andreas I. But Andreas can take solace in the fact that he will one day ascend to the throne currently held by King Paulus XVI. The bigger question, however, is how Saintland's economy ended up so dependent upon tithes from members of their "True Church of Iesus Christus" in our Federation. It also raises the question of why a church that is such an obvious foreign government asset was ever so popular in our Federation. Even with the reopening of the Federation, the "True Church" in the Free Republics no longer sees itself as under the jurisdiction of the Patriarch of St. Petrus but rather the Patriarch of Los Martires in Malifornia who is not inclined to send tithe revenues back to Saintland.

Anyways, the third and final matchday of the group stage remains. Saintland will face Sudernius in the opening match for second place in Group 81 then the Free Republics will face South Libertopia for all the marbles in Group 68. As usual, Sporting World will be covering the matches.

South Libertopia 3-0 Acedonia

South Libertopia goals: Paige Parkes '12 '23 '29

Nordernious 0-0 Saintland (4-2 Nordernious on penalties)

Clarice Chausee is Sporting World's new international soccer correspondent starting with Imperator's Cup 1 and World Cup 100. She is a recent graduate of Ren Rep University and the former editor of their student newspaper The Collegian. She is married in a lesbian marriage to her husband and national championship winning quarterback Rule Chausee and their wife and former Ren Rep cheerleading captain Elisa Chausee.

News Magazine

Executives of Health Insurance Company that refused to pay 38 thousand thaler bill Elected on Stage at Imperator's Cup soccer match
By: Urbano Ricci

One of the more anticipated elections in a long time occurred today between soccer matches at the Imperator Stadium in Republica. This involved the controversial health insurance executives who attempted to stick the parents of newborn twins with a 38 thousand thaler medical bill that they refused to pay based on a technicality. The absurd medical bill was for costs related to a pregnancy where the babies were born prematurely and needed care in an ICU. Following the news report on FBC and the resulting public outrage, the Grand Immortal Imperator ordered the executives responsible for this policy to be put up for election under the terms of the Public Electoral Execution Act. The purpose of these elections is to enable the execution of individuals who, while they may have technically broken no law, have nonetheless engaged in conduct that is considered repugnant by most people. Based on polling, this is one of the most popular pieces of legislation that the Grand Immortal Imperator has proposed and that has been duly passed by our Federation Government.

For those of you not familiar with the procedure because you are living under a rock or in a foreign country, the candidates are dragged out into the stadium or arena on a stage with their heads covered. The crowd in attendance is handed signs to vote on whether or not to "elect" the candidates and then the candidates are either elected or freed based upon the crowd's vote. There is a related piece of legislation called the Public Electoral Whipping Act whereby the candidates are publicly whipped rather than executed if they are elected. This is used for more mild offenses that are, technically, not illegal. Often, candidates who are defeated at an execution election may be brought back for a whipping election and elected there. This does not violate the "double jeopardy" provision of the Federation Constitution as it is considered a separate legal charge not a re-trial of the same charge.

Anyway, 5 executives of the health insurance company RepubliCare were brought on stage and resoundingly elected. A military firing squad summarily executed them to thunderous applause. This is a routine event but today's election was highly anticipated because the story had made national news. FBC reports, corroborated by News Magazine, uncovered that the executives had personally ordered their claims personnel to increase the number of claims denied and stated that performance reviews would be based on how many claims they denied. A denied claim, by law, has to be paid by the patient. However, the patient may appeal either to the insurance company, to their Republic's insurance regulatory board or to the Federation Government's Secretary of Health. In the case of RepubliCare, the company denied so many claims that the appeals were overwhelming the resources of the insurance regulatory boards and the Secretary of Health. Hence, the Grand Immortal Imperator stepped in to order that the executives responsible for this policy stand for election.

The decision to hold this highly anticipated election on matchday two on the Imperator's Cup was made in the interest of ticket sales which were expected to be slow with the Republican National Team not playing on this particular night of the tournament. This gambit proved successful as all 4 matchdays of the Imperator's Cup sold out well in advance of the tournament. This was considered critical as the Imperator's Cup is intended to be the debutante ball of sorts for the revived Republican National Soccer Team which won the World Cup in its last appearance 15 years ago. The team, made up of students from Republica's highly prestigious Barjavel Academy, is not expected to be a serious threat to win this year's World Cup. But it is expected to put up a respectable showing in qualifying and earn, at minimum, an invite to the Cup of Harmony. Falling short of that goal would likely cause the Grand Immortal Imperator to question the future of the Republican National Soccer program. But we are News Magazine not Sporting World so we will not spend much time discussing the prospects of a soccer team in these pages.

In response to the election result, the Free Childbirth Act was proposed today in the People's Assembly and resoundingly passed. It was then introduced in the Senate where it is expected to pass by an overwhelming and then be signed by the consuls. This law will make it a federation offense to send a patient a medical bill for pregnancy, delivery or necessary post-birth care. All such bills must be paid by the insurance company or deemed null and void. Should the hospital and the insurance company disagree, they will be able to go before the insurance regulatory board of the Republic where the mother resides. The losing party shall have the right to appeal to the Secretary of Health. However, regardless of the result, the patient will owe nothing. Given the critical importance to our nation's future of increasing our birth rate, we have no choice but to make childbirth free.

Future elections will be conducted at both remaining matchdays of the Imperator's Cup and at all home matches for the National Soccer Team during World Cup qualifying. If you purchase a ticket, be sure to do your civic duty and participate in Our Democracy. And remember, it is perfectly fine to vote either Yay or Nay. Rest assured that murderers, rapists and all those who attempt to undermine the peace of our Federation of Free Republics, our Federation Constitution or the stability of our Federation Government will simply be executed without the benefit of election. Likewise, rioters, looters, shoplifters, vandals, people who smoke on mass transit, people who trespass in governmental buildings and other petty criminal scum will simply be flogged without the benefit of election. Candidates are put up for election because the Grand Immortal Imperator is unsure whether their actions are crimes that should be punished. The purpose of the election is to allow the people direct input into our penal code to ensure that it is fair and that the bad guys are suitably punished.

Urbano Ricci is News Magazine's Senior Election Reporter. With a career stretching over 20 years in journalism, he has been reporting on matters relating to law and criminal justice since well before the era of chaos.

OOC: I feel the need here for the disclaimer that the new FFR, obviously, does not necessarily reflect my OOC beliefs. This should go without saying but I figure it needs to be made explicit at least once.

by **Atymnius** » Sun Oct 19, 2025 3:26 am

FUTURE SELF: PART I
Alma Mater

Are you happy?
Did California give you everything that you ever dreamed?
Are you lonely?
Did you find a way to fit in all the little things
That keep your heart beating?

Should I be finding gold in the wreckage?
I don't wanna miss it, no
Wanna look back know that I mean this
Was it worth it after all?

Oh, if I could send a letter to my future self, would it ever help?
Future Self, Boehm featuring Melody Noel, 2016

Ghant: Did football give you everything that you ever dreamed?

Take a break everyone. Visit your family, and come back refreshened for next week’s training. Don’t take a Nepharan decade!

Doing exactly so, Ghant, travelling by simple ferry, arrived 4 minutes from that exact conversation. Just beneath Mount Olympus, at the temple’s feat the school he went to was present : OLYMPIA COLLEGE.

The neoclassical architecture was emboldened by the beautiful sunlight that creviced under the morning dew, every droplet getting its fair share of light. Getting out, Ghant took out his clothes and suitcases before walking to the entrance to simply reminisce as all old boys were traditioned to do.

It reflects on the Boys’ ability to introspect on their final years of College. To think about what is it that you ought to do with your lives. Make haste, Olympians!

The security tagged his card before opening the rustic gates for him. Around him, he could see the cheering and talkative antics of the currently enrolled Boys.

Hah, of course.

In a sense, he still wanted to hate the place. However, that was not affordable to afford, for it needed to have the very constituents that made the place a hell for him: his own gaffers. Those were the products of his hate? This, however, contrary to the reader’s claims, did not make for a soft landing to his College years: it made it even more facetious.

He ran down, lightly, to the east-facing soccer field. Picking up a ball, he shot against a wall. The wall, for it was known for its vandalism.

Let’s keep it that way.

But Sir! No…it’s fine. Let the Boys reminisce a little.

Just a time to reminisce—

He would subsequently put his clothing in his apartment, the College knew he was coming so it was exactly put as it was when he was a student: the miniature Copa del Rey trophy, some stickers of Noel Noa and a poster of the Dēmosian Regional Football Team.

Did you achieve everything you ever dreamed?

Ah indeed, just as it was left!

He exited the apartment buildings and was exactly on the same pitch, however, the Wall was far-facing to the front of the pitch this time as he took some volleys into the goal.

1…2…3

BAM! BAM!

Inconspicuously pieces were seen falling on the field. Piece by piece, they would make a “masterpiece”?—

Oh stop it Ghant!

He chuckled as his intrusive thoughts steered his shots. The College steered his life.

I see you still take after your years here!

Huh?

The man behind him had the College blue and gold scarf, a Macedonian Sun engraved on both ends.

Oupa!

He immediately began to hug him, squashing his intestines to reorganize them exactly as he left them. How they must be aligned like his persona would be as the greater tactician on the field, the great maestro!

How are you Oupa!?

Nah, I’m good… just cackling the old legs that’s it. The steel poles here are just as bruised as you left them! I always sometimes walk around the field and think about you.

I saw your performance in the Baptism! Well done son! Making College proud.

But never yourself…

Ghant?

Oh! Sorry Oupa! Why don’t we go to the local café?

Putting his hand up for a seat, they were led into the lit room as they both took a cup of coffee sipping life down as it went.

You know you should visit more often.

Haha, haha…Oupa knows!

They sipped once more, enjoying the stirring of local coffee brew and sweetened music as violins tremble.

You know Oupa, I think about you everyday as you led me around the park on Sunday afternoon’s watching me grow up. Sometimes I feel like I can’t every repay your blessings—

Hah don’t worry kid. Win the World Cup and consider your debts paid!

They both laughed, genuinely so. It was good times. The childish innocence of having a dream. It was a feeling like no other.

Ghant, would at that moment, begin to think deeply about what, at the College, did he really love?

by **HUElavia** » Sun Oct 19, 2025 12:58 pm

A Golden Opportunity for a Golden Tournament!

HUElavia enters the historic World Cup 100 Qualifiers with strong motivations and aspirations for a historic cycle!

Folks, we've made it to the National Team's 25th appearance in the World Cup Qualifiers. And what a historic appearance to mark this occasion than World Cup 100 (or "C" as the official logo shows). HUElavia comes into these qualifiers plenty hungry for this cycle. Coming off a very erratic and disappointing Round-of-16 exit at IAC 24, Los Amarillos/Os Amarelos are going all-in to what has become the No. 1 sporting tournament in the country: The World Cup.

At the previous cycle of World Cup 99, HUElavia managed to get 2nd Place as the Pot 2 team in Group 10, being 10 points behind Valanora. and got put as a Pot 2 team for the World Cup proper. From there, HUElavia would have a dramatic and memorable group stage, sweeping through Group I, winning each game by 1 goal, including a historic 3-2 victory over co-hosts and eventual runner-up Squornshelan Remnant States, leading to HUElavia winning the group with 9 Points. Such joy of success would be short lived, as Los Amarillos/Os Amarelos would be facing off against the familiar rival of Kelssek, which they would end up sending HUElavia back to Curumba in a 3-2 defeat in the Round-of-32. HUElavia's World Cup dreams just finished too soon.

Despite the surprise early exits from HUElavia, the HUElavian Football Association continues to express their confidence in Head Coach Ignacio Casillas, who continues at the helm of the National Team. The success from the previous cycle has shot HUElavia up to 18th in the Multiverse Rankings, not far off from the historic high ranking of 10th. HUElavia has come off as one of the more in-form teams coming into this cycle. Notably, within the past 3 cycles, HUElavia has a record of 54-14-16. The 54 wins makes HUElavia the 3rd most winningest team in these cycles, surpassed only by the likes of Valanora (65) and Flavovespia (61). HUElavia also has a win percentage of 65.5%, putting them with the 8th-best percentage within these past few cycles. A just as good stat as well is that HUElavia is the No. 4 ranked Indies team coming into these Qualifiers, despite the official IAC rankings having Los Amarillos/Os Amarelos ranked as No. 8 overall. Thus, HUElavia is a team that has serious aspirations to continue improving and make noise in this 100th cycle.

HUElavia had wanted to make their mark in this cycle by hosting the 87th Baptism of Fire, but once a large amount of teams had signed up, the HFA quickly enlisted Tikariot as part of their bid. Unfortunately, the bid lost to the likes of the co-hosting bid of Banija-Farfadillis-Equestria, which is a very respectable bid to lose to. It would've marked another hosting moment for The United States of HUElavia, but it just wasn't meant to be.

With such a large field of participants, the co-hosts have announced that at this moment, the Qualifiers groups will be groups of 9 teams each. Thus, based on current rankings, HUElavia will be a Pot 1 and a strong favorite to make the Final Tournament. The only venues that would be confirmed as of this moment will be Estadio Nacional (100,000) in Curumba and Estadio Salvador (85,000) in Sao Salvador, per the rotations offered. Although, there is rumors that the largest venues throughout the country will be the main choices due to this historic occasion. It is likely going to be the Two Curumba Venues, two northern venues where the Hueti live, Sao Salvador and San Rafael and one venue to the East and one to the West. The HFA seeks to make this the biggest qualifiers in the history of HUElavia, with getting as many fans into the stadiums as possible.

Much of the roster from IAC 24 was selected for these qualifiers, with many of the reserves being from the U21 and U18 teams. Once more, while there is experience on the team, Coach Casillas puts his faith on the up-and-coming talent in HUElavia to serve as the backups of the team. Some of the players to look out for on this team includes: Goalie Ancel, Defenders Brandt and Yepes, Midfielders Kim and Schmidt, and Attackers Milano and Serra. From the bench and reserves, Defenders Pillihuaman and España, Midfielders Sartori and Nakata, and Attackers Canales and Maeda.

In due time HUElavia will learn who will be their 8 opponents to make it to World Cup 100, and once from there, the Football Fever will take a hold on HUElavia once more.

FORCA HUELAVIA! VAMOS HUELAVIA! GO HUELAVIA!

by **TJUN-ia** » Sun Oct 19, 2025 3:38 pm

Crosshill (I) | Al Quds (II)
Giant Zucchini (III) | Dennisov (IV)
Brazillico (V) | Errinundera (VI)
Liventia (VII) | Europa Brittania (VIII)
Lemmitania (IX) | Rejistania (X)
Euaz (XI) | Kingsford (XII)
Commerce Heights (XIII) | Vilita (XIV)
Bedistan (XV) | Sarzonia (XVI)
Starblaydia (XVII) | Cesari (XVIII)
Squornshelous (+ Remnant States) (XIX) | Ariddia (XX)
Bettia (XXI) | Az-cz (XXII)
Capitaliszt SLANI (XXIII) | Valanora (XXIV)
Candelaria And Marquez (XXV) | Dancougar (XXVI)
The Holy Empire (XXVII) | Cassadaigua (XXVIII)
The Sylvanaes Queendom (XXIX) | Aguazul (XXX)
Sorthern Northland (XXXI) | Audioslavia (XXXII)
Wight (XXXIII) | Eura (XXXIV)
Polar Islandstates (XXXV) | Osarius (XXXVI)
Pasarga (XXXVII) | Nephara (XXXVIII)
Kita-Hinode (XXXIX) | Electrum (XL)
Schottia (XLI) | Brenecia (XLII)
Equestria (XLIII) | Farfadillis (XLIV)
Free Republics (XLV) | Banija (XLVI)
Turori (XLVII) | Ko-oren (XLVIII)
Græntfjall (XLIX) | Zwangzug (L)
Delte (LI) | Brookstation (LII)
Flavovespia (LIII)

These are the names of the 53 nations that have claimed the Football (Soccer) World Cup.
For some, they never came close to the crown again.
For others, it was one step towards multiple - or even a dynasty.
A lot can change in 100 Cycles, 100 opportunities to fight for a crown and for eternal glory.
In fact, out of those who finished Top 4 in the first 10 World Cups, only Liventia remains active in the sports world.
Time change, technology changes, societies rise and fall - but football remains eternal.

99 Cycles after that very first kickoff, the nations of the multiverse prepare for battle again.
They look towards the stars, towards all those who have left their Mark amongst galaxies of sporting euphoria, and hope to join the constellation themselves.
For this edition, every nation has its Mark.
For those who have won it all before, it is a chance to secure their legacy amongst those ancient titans.
For those yet to wear the crown, it is a change to claim this immortality at the biggest dance of them all.
For those returning from long absences, a chance to prove they still have it.
And for those who are new, a chance to join the party at the right time.

Nearly 300 teams will enter this dance.
It must come down to one.
Follow me. And shine bright.

by **Saint-Lazarus** » Mon Oct 20, 2025 2:30 am

GARRA SPORT RELEASES NEW KITS FOR THE UPCOMING CENTENARY WORLD CUP
Iloilo City, Federal Capital Territory

These are the 1997-99 inspired kits worn by the 1998 Asian Games team that conquered Thailand alongside the 'flag jersey'

Another set of retro kits besides the 3rd kit previously worn by the BoF team, this time it's the 1997-99 jersey from adidas reimagined by Garra Sport as a part of the "Recuerdo Histórico" collection where the golden generation of the 80s-90s were reimagined in these kits made for the national team as part of the Lazarene footballing history. The fans liked the BoF kit, but they wanted the original 'turquoise blue' and white color back. As a response, the federation get the colors back and now the colors were back in action. It was the same color as the 1997-99 kit as they say. "They're feeling nostalgic for these colors for no reason, so we decided to bring it back.", says Enrique Filongco. "So we and Mr. Sarabia made the decision to revert back to the turquoise and white jersey from 1997 as a way to treat fans better." "The reimagination has been done with some of the latest technology of SupraFit.", says Manuel Sarabia, CEO of Garra Sport. "We have combined the tradition with some new stuff that has been going on nowadays." The official jersey will be listed at ₱150-₱200 in some stores in all over Saint Lazarus. Retailers like Gaisano, SM, Robinson's, Royal, etc. have arrived those batches of the said jerseys. The third jersey from the BoF is still used for some matches, alongside the old logo used in BoF.

by **Saint-Lazarus** » Mon Oct 20, 2025 2:58 am

A MEMORABLE SONG FROM 1987 GOT ITS ANOTHER RERECORDING
Iloilo City, Federal Capital Territory

"¡Vamo' a ganar.... vamo' a ganar! ¡En el Mundial, San Lázaro ganará!" (We're gonna win, we're gonna win! In the World Cup, Saint Lazarus will win!), these are the chorus of the nation's favorite song, "Vamo' a ganar" (We're Gonna Win, in Spanish), composed in 1987 during the 1990 World Cup qualifiers and the 1988 pre-Olympic tournament for the Carabaos. It was written by the salsa composer from La Paragua, Avelino Santos, Jr. with some help provided by Puerto Rican musician, José Bernaud to lift the Saint Lazarenes up after some disastrous starts in both tournaments. When the song got accidentally played in a stadium in a game against Kuwait in 13 November, people seen dancing to the song and even the fan group started to sing along the chorus and gave life to the suffering Carabaos to take an upset against Kuwait, 2-1. The whole crowd love the song as the fan group (before the barra bravas a thing in Saint Lazarus in the mid-90s) went on to grow everyday, and even brought the chorus of the song to every sport the Saint Lazarenes play. Fast forward to 2025, a rerecording of the song will be played again by Bernaud's son's (Bernaud died from COVID in his town of Añasco, Puerto Rico) Latin orchestra, with some backing vocals from a women's group and a male duo. The lead vocals will still be sung by the mythical Raymundo Siongco, who also sang some other versions since its first recording in 1987. "I am honored to sing again for our national team.", says Siongco. "If I die, I'll give this song to the next generation." It was released with some clips of the Lazarene players playing old and new. With the barra brava cheering at the end of the music video. "This song gave me memories since I was a kid!", says a Sta. Barbara resident. "I wanna say to the generation right now, don't let this anthem die." It was popular among footballers after the sporting victory song, "Tu grato nombre", written by an Argentinean coach who is actually a River Plate fan as a way to lift the players up after a win and it was sung after some victories in the locker room by players since 1952 Olympics, starting from football.

by **Krytenia** » Mon Oct 20, 2025 3:43 am

PART ONE: THE FALL OF KRYTENIA

It started, as many of these things do, with money. Specifically, Jordans Bank, the largest commercial bank in Krytenia, and lenders to an estimated one in six mortgages in the country. When the first rumours of fraud emerged, the government wasn't too worried. After all, this is why they'd set up financial regulators, right?

Nobody knew at this point, of course, how deep the rabbit hole went.

Within weeks, it became clear that Jordans' books weren't so much cooked as completely immolated. The bank had lent billions of argentals it didn't have on loans and mortgages that either had no chance of being repaid or simply didn't exist at all, the funds siphoned off to a group of unscrupulous shareholders planning on taking the money and running. Arrests were made, and well-suited individuals brought before the courts, but it soon became clear that the money was long since gone. Jordans Bank, thanks to the actions of fourteen criminals, was insolvent.

The house of cards fell quickly after that. Individuals and companies alike began filing for bankruptcy in their droves, their earnings and profits either lost in the black hole where Jordans once was, or wiped off the balance sheets as the Emberton stock market crashed through the floor. Penelope Baker's government reacted as best they could, but the dye had been cast, and Baker's resignation followed even as the first citizens began to abandon ship. The poorest of the poor, those who lost everything with little hope of recovering it, forces out of their homes through foreclosure, began to leave the country with whatever they could salvage of their possessions and head north to Mertagne or south to Bostopia.

An emergency government was quickly set up, a ragtag combination of various parties, partisan politics forgotten as the Witting sought to restore order. By this point, though, it was too late. Hyperinflation had taken hold – not that people were buying anything anyway as major cities descended to riots and looting. The police and army alike were overwhelmed by the sheer scale of things, and all the while more and more people fled the country. In the north, the province of Hoqanuc briefly declared independence before welcoming in peacekeepers from Mertagne. In the south, meanwhile, the garrisons that had been defending the Anglian Marshes surrendered, welcoming the Bostopians across the border in the hope of bringing some form of stability.

In Altoro, meanwhile, the Krytenian protectorate of Ibixa, shielded from the humanitarian crisis to their northeast, closed their borders to their brethren as their own infrastructure came under pressure from the growing migration. Somewhere outside the city, the royal family, who had fled Emberton in the dead of night, were holed up in what had been their occasional summer residence.

Krytenia had fallen.

What nobody had noticed in all the chaos, though, was a man who looked in his fifties – who always looked in his fifties – walking down a deserted street in Avidia and then blinking out of existence with an audible “pop”. And because nobody had noticed, nobody had any idea how important this pinhole in the fabric of reality would become.

by **The North Polish Union** » Mon Oct 20, 2025 9:48 am

THE NORTH POLISH UNION WORLD CUP 100 PREVIEW

The North Polish Union returns for their second World Cup looking pretty much the same on the back end and with the same manager. However, manager Udo Kluckhohn has completely reworked the front end and opted for what is hoped to be a more potent offensive setup.

In their debut World Cup, the expectations for the Union were minimal, and as hockey reigns supreme in the hearts of most citizens, and even for the centenary World Cup expectations for the Union are likely to remain average. A quarterfinal appearance at the Baptism of Fire saw a high-scoring squad romp through their qualifying matches and Round of 16 before getting stifled by Gyaromia. By the time WC Qualifying rolled around, however, the offensive spark seemed to have died, and the Union were blanked in 7 of their 18 matches and only scored 1 goal in 8 of the remaining 11. A similarly tepid offensive performance in their next tournament saw only 2 goals scored across 5 games amid heavy criticism of Kluckhohn's tactics and player deployment.

Therefore, Kluckhohn made the decision to completely rework the front of the roster. Six players return from their last appearance in international play, with the goalie, 3 defensive backs, and 2 midfielders remaining unchanged. Goalie Hieronim Kalinowski returns as possibly the most enigmatic and iconic footballer in Union history; famous for speaking to the media only in French, despite having no known French connections, the aging goaltender brings a wealth of experience from the domestic leagues, and has been the only #1 keeper for the team in the nation's international footballing history. His understudy is 20-year-old Bernd Grunewald, who is not expected to see much playing time barring injury.

Defensively, the trio of Renard Jasiński/Feliksas Rupšas/Grigorij Dubinin were all on the World Cup 99 roster, although Rupšas saw action primarily as a substitute in that event. Kluckhohn's teams have generally been defensively responsible throughout his tenure and even with a greater focus on offense, these three will be heavily relied upon for their experience and football acumen.

In the midfield, Stanisław Adamczyk and Lubomił Radecki return from WC 99, and are joined on the wings by Jazep Pałonski and Heinz Oeming. Notable by his absence is wingback Inocenty Kaczka, long known to be a favorite player of Kluckhohn, but whose subpar performances led to calls for his benching as accusations of heavy favoritism towards Kaczka have been a major criticism of Kluckhohn's management. As Kluckhohn is known to heavily favor attacks from the wings over attacking down the middle, Pałonski and Oeming should play a more offensive role as Radecki and Adamczyk are called on to help out more defensively, although Adamczyk is known for his respectable offensive abilities.

WC 100 sees an all-new forward group, including Karł Wołoszin being left off the roster. Wołoszin, who has been called the greatest offensive talent the Union has produced, scored the Union's first (and thus far only) international hat trick against Alanis Star. Fans have objected to the inclusion of 37-year-olf Amadeus Dörfel on the team, arguing that the younger Wołoszin should've received the nod. Among the other forwards, Włodzimierz Lukaszewski is the youngest player of the starting 11 and it is hoped that he, along with Striker Ryhor Saławiej, prove capable of providing the offensive spark the Union will need for the difficult task of advancing from such a massive qualifying field.

by **Atymnius** » Mon Oct 20, 2025 11:35 am

FUTURE SELF: PART II
To the Altar!

Are you happy?
Did California give you everything that you ever dreamed?
Are you lonely?
Did you find a way to fit in all the little things
That keep your heart beating?

Should I be finding gold in the wreckage?
I don't wanna miss it, no
Wanna look back know that I mean this
Was it worth it after all?

Oh, if I could send a letter to my future self, would it ever help?
Future Self, Boehm featuring Melody Noel, 2016

Ghant: Did football give you everything that you ever dreamed?

Hahaha! Look at this kid! He isn’t even defending himself!

Often Ghant would go through considerable off-time beatings from the Jonas Brothers.

The Jonas Brothers, a three-way partnership to instil the motto of the College into the boys, who are otherwise not in matriculation, the gift of “rugged individualism”. Rugged individualism being the off-hand slap of a Remove Grade 8 boy or the occasional mischievous tagline seemingly ignored by the school staff. They were a sold knit: Aiden, Tyler and Ethan Jonas.

The school was terrified.

GUSH—GUSH…

Ghant’s head was immediately dunked in the school’s toilets during recess time. He was conditioned by the boys to go there. Remarking on Aiden’s abysmal goalkeeping skills—

HOW DARE YOU SCORE AGAINST ME! YOU HAVE NO RIGHT!…

He postured a gruesome, blue-whale-obese look in his Chernobyl cheeks as he pointed, vivaciously to Ghant.

NOW DROWN YOU PUNK!

Unable to breath, Ghant felt like snakes were clawing at him. Snakes of his abymsal College experience, the teachers who turned a blind eye and a principal advertiser’s mouthpiece of a College executive.

The Jonas Brothers laughed as they got their fill. Kicking his buttocks, inside the disgusting toiletry, Ghant at this point felt his heart inside their bullying.

Falling anywhere at this point.

Ghant would later compose himself, making the strictest attempt at perfect-ening his school tie. Something he was much known for: his upright elegance. A need to control.

Making sure he was unseen putting one knee behind the altar, just after his College anointment by the Jonas Brothers, he prayed:

Almighty,

I hope you give them their execution!

KILL THEM in the Gardens of Gethsemane!
PART the seas and let Lucifer’s henchmen encroach their throats
FILL THEM with viviparous cockroaches and may they lay their eggs in the windscreen wipers of eyesight that is Aiden’s soccer-skills!

Hahaha!

He laughed, blushing at the cross. He felt like he was ascending, his eyes glowing as bright as a cute blubber, whale infant!

Later that day, after the 6 pm dining, Ghant would arrive at his dorm room and making himself soothed under the sheets, he brought a torchlight under the hailing rain.

“In the realist, faith is not born from miracles,

“YES!”

—but miracles from faith.”

—YES!!!”

Ghant could not contain his joy. Dostoevsky and the Bible were his favourite past-times. He drowned himself especially in Revelation’s scriptures: the Doom-Coming of the 4 Horses of the Apocalypse and the Seven Angels at the Throne who Proclaim: the Seven Seals.

He loved it.

by **HOT-DAMN** » Mon Oct 20, 2025 7:09 pm

Ernie Stevenson’s Office, Brewery Stadium, New Hap City, HOT-DAMN
A few weeks before the World Cup 100 group draw – 8:15 in the morning

Ernie Stevenson was a football nut. Always was. If he wasn’t reviewing tactics with his team, or if he wasn’t getting them ready for the next match, he was watching a football match on television. And if he wasn’t watching a football match on television, he was reading scouting reports for the next team. So it shouldn’t have been that surprising that Ernie was relaxed in his office, reading the big HOT-DAMN book for World Cup 100, lounging in his plush office chair, while a Baptism of Fire match played in the background. He was in the office early this morning as his team of scouts were supposed to deliver the Big Scouting Book for World Cup 100 around 8:30 that morning.

Ernie turned around and looked out the window. This window had a perfect view of the natural grass field at Brewery Stadium. It was in the middle of the luxury box level of the park, between the two levels of grandstand seats. The only thing going on down on the field were sprinklers, gently sending off their showers of water, meant to keep the field hydrated and ready for play. A lot of thoughts entered Ernie’s mind as he allowed himself to daydream for a bit.

This was World Cup 100 coming up. The big one. The biggest one of them all.

This was the World Cup that his good friend Nathan Ellis had wanted to win above all others. When he opened up Ellis Football, he had written that checklist – with the goal to “Win the whole fucking thing” at World Cup 100. And now the time had drawn near.

While thoughts of Nathan made Ernie smile on most occasions, this time it made him a little bit nervous. It wasn’t as if this was any other tournament – this was a chance to win the biggest tournament in history. This was a one-time-only chance. Just like the Baptism of Fire. And Ernie did not want to let Nathan down, nor did he want to let that checklist run without being fulfilled.

Ernie sat there for a long while, staring out at the field and the 30,000 empty seats that surrounded it. The only thing breaking the silence was the commentator screaming about the match between Snestar and Saint Lazarus. But Ernie had tuned it out in his head, it felt like background noise to him. It felt like something that was a world away. Ernie was thinking instead about the pressure of World Cup 100. It had to be like 300 nations competing in the biggest tournament of them all. But yet, it seemed like the beer leaguers – HOT-DAMN – had just as great a shot at anyone at going all the way.

His silence, his concentration, his daydreaming – all of it was broken by a loud knock on a door.

Ernie pressed a button in his desk that opened the door. It was three scouts, wheeling a cart into the office. The cart had several massive books on them.

“Got the big books ready!” one of the scouts said. “Look, this one’s bigger than normal, so I don’t want to put it on your desk, but yeah… this thing’s fuckin’ massive, boss, so take your time with it.”

“How big?” Ernie asked.

“Well, there’s over 270 nations entered,” the scout said. “We got as much info as we could find of all of these nations. Some, I do apologize, we’re going to be lacking, but we’ve got as much info as we could find. Hopefully this can help us out as the World Cup gets going.”

“Sure,” Ernie said.

He took a quick look at the massive book – appropriately titled “HOT-DAMN’s Big World Cup 100 Book,” and nodded approvingly.

“All of you, go over to the diner down the road, get yourself a nice meal, and tell ‘em to put it on my tab. Y’all did yourself a damn fine job,” Ernie said. “And then get some sleep, for fuck’s sakes. Y’all look bushed.”

It was true. The scouts had not slept in three days getting the book finished. The scouts rushed out towards the Main Street Diner, an all-night diner a few blocks down the road from Brewery Stadium. It was a diner that was open all day and all night and offered huge portions of anything and everything. It was a popular hangout spot for when people were done with work, or when people were coming off a wild night drinking at Laughing Pup or one of many places around New Hap City, or when the matches at Brewery Stadium were over. Ernie loved taking his family there, and he had quickly befriended the staff there.

While the staff excused themselves, Ernie walked over to a sofa and opened up the massive book. Sure enough, the book was as large as advertised. With over 270 nations, it would have to be. Some nations had a total lack of information – with the pages of some nations consisting of just a handful of lines about the nation itself – but other nations had upwards of 20 to 30 pages of info about their national team, the players, their tactics, the strengths and weaknesses, and how HOT-DAMN could beat them.

There was even a wealth of information about certain returning nations – nations like the Free Republics and Cassadaigua. Seeing those nations in the big book made Ernie smile. The Free Republics was the site of that Baptism of Fire Hapilopper not just won, but dominated. And everyone was delighted to see Cassadaigua back in the fold. These were nations that, if they committed to a return, could be a contender again in the future.

The big book was a carryover from Ernie’s time working for the Hapilopper Football Association. The Haps felt it was a huge advantage for them to get as much information about the next World Cup as possible. And it had worked out beautifully for them. It had enabled them to get a leg up on their opponents and it enabled them to get ready for their opponents in a way they hadn’t before. The scouts behind the big book went with Ernie to HOT-DAMN, so there was nothing foreign for Ernie to learn.

It also gave Ernie a wishlist of opponents he wanted his team to face during the World Cup 100 qualifiers. At 35th in the world, it was hard to imagine the beer leaguers would get nations like Valentine Z or Hapilopper in their group. But there were others – teams he wanted to avoid. These were teams like Squornshelous, mighty Valanora, Flavovespia and Tikariot, the top four teams in the multiverse. There were others Ernie didn’t want to see. A handful of nations had their names in red text – with the words “LET’S AVOID” – not because they were great teams or possible giantkillers, but rather because they posed a possible security risk. And there were others that, for decency’s reasons, the Hapiloppian government didn’t want within their borders.

This was just par for the course. Every year the Hapiloppian government worried over who would be playing in a Hapiloppian group during the World Cup.

Ernie spent the entire day going through the book, wondering who he would want to see, who he needed to study and who he would lose sleep over. The 100th World Cup, in Ernie Stevenson’s mind, was well and truly underway.

by **Hapilopper** » Mon Oct 20, 2025 7:09 pm

The President’s House, Hapilopper City
Several weeks before the start of World Cup 100 Qualifying – 3:23 in the morning

Brett Booth never wanted this. He never wanted any of this. All he wanted to do was to tend to his small house out in the country, drive his little van around, and listen to his music. He had a penchant for helping people. It was both a blessing and a curse. His heart, that of a public servant, led to him becoming a regional councilman in the Hampton Cities, that led to him becoming a member of Parliament for North Hampton, and finally, the President of Hapilopper, economically one of the strongest nations in Esportiva.

Quietly, Brett wanted to clean up Hapilopper’s image. He didn’t want Hapilopper to be known as the nation full of idiots. He cringed every time he picked up a newspaper and saw stories of Hapiloppian stupidity. It seemed like it happened every single time, too. A man would get arrested for urinating in the big fountain in Hamilton Square in downtown Hapilopper City. Another man would put on one of those tyrannosaurus rex costumes, drive a car down the Trans-Hapilopper Highway and cause a ten-car pileup. Prank calls to pizza places were commonplace; plumbers found their most common work being the replacement of a toilet because some idiot threw a handful of cherry bombs down the bowl. It was said the most common last words of a Hapiloppian were “Hey, y’all, watch this!”

Instead, Brett wanted Hapilopper to be known for its best and its brightest. He wanted his nation to be known for the people that contributed to society in a positive manner, not because they put on elf ears, got rip-roaringly drunk and headbutted a glass wall in a bar. But sadly, those less-than-bright always got the media spotlight.

One day, when someone in a media scrum asked Brett about that reputation, his answer, while correct, was seen as unpopular among Hapiloppians. The people viewed him as aloof and stuck-up, and an unfavorable contrast from his predecessor, William Mathis. Mathis embraced the craziness. These days, as the director of the HOT-DAMN territory in Anaia, he could be seen shotgunning beers with fans in Brewery Stadium. Such an idea disgusted Brett – both the idea of shotgunning a beer and the idea of mingling with people like that.

It got so bad that, during the last World Cup qualification campaign, Brett, who had appointed Mathis to the position, considered recalling him for bad behavior. The media got wind of that and Brett’s actions were deeply unpopular with the people of both Hapilopper and HOT-DAMN. Mathis was a man of the people who enjoyed fast cars, good beer and a nice cigar. Booth, well, wasn’t.

So here he was at 23 minutes past three in the morning, sitting at his desk in the President’s House, reviewing the same documents he had been reviewing for the last three or four hours. A combination of all of this – as well as the veto of the very popular EV ban – a veto written in such a way that the ban could not be revisited, ever – had built up. A motion of no confidence was being considered in the Hapiloppian Parliament, and had the support of members of both parties. There was another document – one that suggested that two different factions of the Liberal Party were drawing up drafts urging Brett to step down.

One faction, the far-left side of the Liberal Party, wanted to take Hapilopper in a more socialist direction and wanted Brett gone. They felt Brett was too much of a milquetoast to do anything of any substance. Sure, they liked the EV veto, but that was about the only bright spot. They felt Brett was too scared, too much of a wimp to transform Hapilopper to the way they felt the Liberals needed to be. Some were thinking of breaking off into their own party.

Another faction felt the Hapiloppian government would work best with a coalition of both Liberals and Conservatives. The Conservatives felt they hadn’t had their voice properly heard – and their party hadn’t either had a majority in Parliament, nor had they had the President’s office in even longer. Maybe they could provide some new insights into what made the Hapiloppian government work, and in the process, maybe by some chance help improve the government.

And then there were the Conservatives. They weren’t interested in working with the Liberals. They were even less interested in working with Brett Booth. Leading them was a new firebrand, a right-wing populist named Tom Baxter. He was concerned that businesses in Hapilopper weren’t allowed to innovate enough. He was concerned that the nation wasn’t allowed to stretch any kind of military might hard enough. They were disgusted, too, that Hapilopper was seen as a nation of idiots, but he wanted to change that in a different way than Brett.

All things considered, it seemed like Hapilopper was going to be split in one of three or four different ways. Brett felt like he was responsible for it, and didn’t like that feeling one bit. Part of him wanted to resign and go home to that little cottage of his, but another part of him wanted to fight for what he had built. That part wanted to fight for his life, for his career, for his legacy.

Brett looked out the window of his office, overlooking a portion of Hapilopper City. For once, Hapilopper City seemed quiet, felt relaxed. The time was drawing near for World Cup 100, but it seemed like the hype wasn’t there for it. The hype for a possible Hapiloppian World Cup victory just wasn’t there in Mainland Hapilopper.

It was over in Anaia, in HOT-DAMN.

GROUP 1 Calgasia (64) Valanora (2) Orioni (336) New Zhengguo (206) The Democratic Unionist Cool Kids (408) Golfo central (283) Shin-Zetsubo (158) Txakhaxi (UR) Gyaromia (100)	GROUP 2 Oriental of Rio de La Plata (277) Aphrilia (19) Ralsalin (112) Safiloa (179) Hafamarimët (UR) Jaoaa (336) Cardenao (51) Geektopia (UR) Paradystopia (90)	GROUP 3 Efnakia (UR) Salagalu (336) Santira (283) Natanians and Nosts (76) Khachen (381) Boring Paradise (230) Auprussia (66) Biyambi (164) Eastfield Lodge (13)
GROUP 4 StrayaRoos (17) Sargossa (57) Seeberg (144) Burg land (381) ARITRAROY (305) Vixette (91) The Ferret Lands (307) Nethertopia (UR) Khaelu (222)	GROUP 5 Ko-oren (8) Qusmo (58) Shizuna Rem Misurugi (336) Carpathia and Ruthenia (75) Indo-Athena (UR) Coercia (251) Oscioru (133) Lebronsleftnut (336) Canamn (307)	GROUP 6 Phoenicia (305) Busoga Islands (63) Aethelia (381) Travanta (251) Acapais (UR) Huayramarca (32) Kronbia (143) Bostopia (78) Moon Deing (307)
GROUP 7 Mertagne (67) The Knockout Gun Gals (408) Sambuca (UR) Caerbannog (334) Damukuni (108) Brusseldorf (132) Kordavia (222) Natot (283) Crpostran (29)	GROUP 8 The Afanc Strait (UR) Skyberius (307) Sajnur (115) Ranoria (369) Vetrahjart (96) the Martian Independent Republic (68) Kelssek (10) Langenia (198) Stewartika (251)	GROUP 9 Karmosora (UR) The Ko-orenite Constellation (94) Archalit (119) Dantopia (UR) Chromatika (16) Abanhfleft (54) Atymnius (211) United States Of Alpha (300) Whispinia (336)
GROUP 10 Igratia (151) Solgavden (107) Farfadillis (9) Diollo (381) Kanzlia (40) Cassadaigua (UR) Solarampa (229) Cardonia (251) Windows 7 Bliss (336)	GROUP 11 United Hawkland (105) Milchama (55) Annestah (307) Mindhart (336) Middle Alba (152) Sector 18 (273) Vdara (25) Liberecky Krajland (UR) Grod Island (230)	GROUP 12 Francanada (408) United Adaikes (251) Dhemixia (61) The Miniona Islands (307) Baman and Juket Liberationists (UR) Squornshelan Remnant States (1) Anewkansas (110) The Batavia (273) Alanis Star (125)
GROUP 13 Jeruselem (93) Lisander (180) New Rotterdam City (UR) Macbon (155) Juvencus (24) Sernet (330) Yangchenia (307) Yuezhou (35) Free Republics (UR)	GROUP 14 Libonesia (251) Reçueçn (37) The North Polish Union (136) Kandorith (109) Shiverian Republics (UR) Soviet Kem (200) Minoptra (307) Banija (22) Kita-Hinode (408)	GROUP 15 New Eastern Roma (307) Qasden (114) Edsmontik (7) Papiv Nappon (UR) Osterhalten (69) Konstantino (235) Tremosia (381) West Vdara (85) Armeriea (283)
GROUP 16 Elmyia (89) Riandera (148) Commonwealth of Baker Park (30) Ethane (377) Orcuo (336) Electrum (UR) Saterun (43) Valladares (297) Tristan de Cunha (235)	GROUP 17 Anonymegg (UR) Kimi-Suomi (71) Bhumi Matawis Empire (208) Greater Portugaliza (381) Sel Appa (147) South Kerala (307) Sarzonia (36) Aleirave (28) Veleste (300)	GROUP 18 Grand Exultia (77) Cretian Territories (336) Denyssia (307) Snestar (186) Super Earth (168) Hapilopper (59) New Montreal States (UR) Audioslavia (5) Very totally free (408)
GROUP 19 Grego (381) Salagavanya (336) Sudilia (70) Tanirinthia (12) X Country (283) Quakmybush (138) Mytanija (60) Pichvi (241) Airannia (UR)	GROUP 20 Colmaijo (249) Sangti and the Filindo Isles (87) TJUN-ia (20) Behh (336) Choppyhausen (142) Valentine Z (49) Lignuntia (UR) New Arbuckle (381) Surne (283)	GROUP 21 Pasarga (15) Kaumann (134) Manuelian Empire (235) Katzeburg (46) Atheara (UR) Felinetopia (UR) Natkr (79) Europeasia (251) Konkert (336)
GROUP 22 Porotia (276) Bonusia (194) United States of Nova Calania (48) Bears Armed (103) The Lake Isle of Innisfree (UR) Greater Deutsche (408) Meris (307) Zenic (23) Moladea (160)	GROUP 23 Merulla (208) Ziotah & Riverside (273*) Cobrio (65) Baldorium (336) Mystris (282) Flavovespia (3) Savojarna (163) Ochre Islands (81) Draftcubic (336)	GROUP 24 Germanic Cat (214) Bruinswik (283) Knights of LUSITANIA (336) Saperetia (UR) The Osnari Federation (83) Nova Dackians (336) Warkus (129) HUElavia (18) Indusse (53)
GROUP 25 Darmen (52) Darkmania (238) Imperial Regnum (307) Hamborn (307) Rizzman Empire (408) Delitai (140) Liventia (UR) Poafmersia (98) Siovanija and Teusland (14)	GROUP 26 Tornadico (408) Andso Mangis (251) The Golden Harp (118) Kilichloom (307) Lassiah (UR) Esistan (307) Drawkland (39) Legalese (88) Oberour Ar Moro (34)	GROUP 27 Bull Sheet (224) Dixie Florida (251) The Holy Empire (44) Sibersky (381) Kamijiro (11) Sinyal (UR) Al-Tamazgha (106) Equestria (121) Equinox Auraterra (307)
GROUP 28 Zwangzug (45) Brusselstein (336) Saltstead (UR) Hanalia (185) Olastor (153) Chemicala (336) Astograth (277) HOT-DAMN (33) Vaishnavaria (84)	GROUP 29 Avote (408) Himurajima (336) Saint Eleanor (6) Saint Lazarus (251) Xanneria (102) Norway-Sweden-Finland (UR) Bythia (283) Pyazhnaya (47) Woodsmere (166)	GROUP 30 Eshialand (21) Shell Shock Troop Clan (UR) Putrasia (336) Captina Island (50) Krytenia (194) Montagne Noire (170) Britonisea (99) Nergtul (408) AJTON (251)

World Cup 100 | RP thread

World Cup 100 | RP thread

Ad Astra per Aspera!

Future Self: Part I

100 - α (Ode)

Future Self: Part II

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