Baptism of Fire 45 Rosters/RP/Scores Thread (IC)

by **Equestrian States** » Wed Jan 04, 2012 6:41 pm

The Equestrian Post

Equestrian States National Soccer Team Roster Released

CANTERLOT - Everypony has been going crazy in the Equestrian States for the past day as the nation was accepted into the Baptism of Fire International Tournament. In the last day alone, the number of ponies registered for the Equestrian Junior Soccer League has doubled, and ticket sales for the young National Equestrian Soccer League (NESL) have increased tenfold. But the news that everypony had been waiting for was just released this afternoon.

The roster for the National Team. The list of the twenty-three ponies was released by also newly announced Head Coach Twilight Striker. Among the lucky few were such stars as Fire Dash, Lunar Night, and Spike Smith. Included below is the full roster:

Number, Name (Type of Pony - Gender), Age, Team
*- Starter as of 1/10/2012

Staff
Twilight STRIKER (Unicorn - Female) - Head Coach - 37
Mad DASH (Pegasus - Male) - Assistant Coach - 39
Fire BLOSSOM (Unicorn - Male) - Goalkeeping Coach - 36
Dinky PIE (Earth Pony - Female) - Fitness Coach - 29
Hat TRIX (Unicorn - Male) - Coach - 41
First STRINGS (Pegasus - Female) - Coach - 38
Golden HOOVES (Earth Pony - Female) - Trainer - 45
Solar NIGHT (Unicorn - Male) - Trainer - 48

Goalkeepers - 3
1 - High SOARIN (Pegasus - Male) - 24 – Cloudsdale Flyers*
33 - Sandy SHORES (Unicorn - Female) - 22 – Canterlot Royals
27 - Ellie NIGHT (Pegasus - Female) - 23 – Ponyville United

Defenders - 7
14 - Good OATS (Earth Pony - Female) - 21 – Appleoosa FC*
6 - Fight NIGHT (Unicorn - Male) - 22 – Fillydelphia FC*
9 - First MARE (Earth Pony - Female) - 22 – Ponyville United
21 - Pearly SHORES (Earth Pony - Female) - 21 – Canterlot Royals
20 - Subtle TRIX (Pegasus - Male) - 23 – Cloudsdale Flyers
3 - Glowing MANE (Unicorn - Female) - 21 – Ponyville United
4 - Spike SMITH (Baby Dragon - Male) - 3 – Everfree Forest FC*

Midfielders - 8
19 - First DAWN (Pegasus - Female) - 21 – Canterlot Royals*
29 - Apple PIE (Earth Pony - Female) - 21 – Appleoosa FC
25 - Starlight SPARKLE (Unicorn - Female) - 21 – Ponyville United*
5 - Eagle SOARIN (Pegasus - Male) - 23 – Cloudsdale Flyers*
8 - Steel SMITH (Unicorn - Male) - 22 – Manehattan Dragons
30 - Glow MANE (Pegasus - Male) - 23 – Whitetail Foresters*
2 - Carrot CAKE (Earth Pony - Female) - 25 – Appleoosa FC
23 - First BLOOM (Earth Pony - Female) - 20 – Appleoosa FC

Strikers - 5
10 - Fire DASH (Pegasus - Male) - Captain - 22 – Ponyville United*
12 - Shoe STRINGS (Earth Pony - Female) - 21 – Appleoosa FC*
13 - Lunar DAWN (Unicorn - Male) - 21 – Whitetail Foresters*
37 - Rapid DASH (Pegasus - Female) - 23 – Canterlot Royals
22 - Goal BLOSSOM (Unicorn - Female) - 22 – Baltimare Broncos

Included on the team and staff are 11 Unicorns, 10 Pegasai, 9 Earth Ponies, and 1 Baby Dragon (Spike Smith).

To our readers outside of the Equestrian States, some knowledge on the characteristics of each type of pony could be needed. Unicorns possess the ability to move objects and achieve other objectives using magic. Generally, they are agile and able to dodge attacks more easily than other ponies, but are also not as strong physically as Pegasai or Earth Ponies. They are considerably more intelligent however, and can be very cunning when plotting scoring strategies.

Pegasai possess the unique ability to fly. However, as the Equestrian States’ Board of Sports acknowledges that this may give them an unfair advantage over humans and other land-bound species, the Pegasai on the team have agreed to use their wings to give them a slight advantage in jumping rather than the entirely airborne passes common among leagues in the Equestrian States. Pegasai are also extremely fast, as they can use their wings to go faster on the ground and in the air. Additionally, they are strong in the legs as a result of cloud-control employment and other related jobs. A common weakness is that Pegasai can sometimes be very aggressive and can take unnecessary risks at times.

Earth Ponies (or more commonly just referred to as Ponies) are extremely strong and fit physically. Some Earth Ponies are speed demons, others are strong kickers (as a result of applebucking), and still others are powerful defenders. Appleoosa FC is one of the finest teams in the Equestrian States, and is comprised manely of Earth Ponies. As athletes, Earth Ponies are great defenders and can muscle their way into species of greater size with ease. However, they are also stubborn at times, resulting in possibly wide-open players who were uncovered to begin with.

Finally, there is Spike Smith, the only Baby Dragon and non-Pony on the team. He is currently a backup due to his very small size, but he can easily slip under other players and steal the ball from them. But unless a major injury to another defender occurs, he will likely see little playing time.

It is hoped that the above section has clarified the pony players to other species. As a Pegasus myself, I hope that we of the Equestrian States might teach you all something of the magic of friendship and international cooperation during our time in the tournament. Good luck to all, and may the best team win!

By Lunar Cavalry

Group-Play Schedule (Updated throughout the tournament):
Equestrian States 2, Baltskandio 0 at Avazhughij Arena in Pkethat Šede, Pazhujebu
Sjovenia 2, Equestrian States 1 at Yuzhniy Veter Stadion in Gelendzhik, Kagdazka
Equestrian States 1, Stockton-on-Tees 0 at Sampa Gumbada Stidiyama in Juvapanam, Pazhujebu
Zona Azul 2, Equestrian States 1 at Sampa Gumbada Stidiyama in Juvapanam, Pazhujebu
Trafalgar 1, Equestrian States 1 (Draw) at Yuzhniy Veter Stadion in Gelendzhik, Kagdazka

Permissions
My opponent, if they RP first, may do the following:
-Choose my goalscorers: Yes
-Godmod scoring events: Yes
-RP injuries to my players: Yes (If you plan on one, clear it with me first)
-Godmod injuries to my players: No
-Hand out yellow cards to my players: Yes
-Hand out red cards to my players: Yes
-Godmod other events: Yes (No killing/seriously wounding any of my characters though)

by **United Kingdom of the Southwest** » Wed Jan 04, 2012 6:46 pm

My opponent, if they RP first, may do the following:
Choose my goalscorers Y
Godmod scoring events N
RP injuries to my players N
Godmod injuries to my players N
Hand out yellow cards to my players Y
Hand out red cards to my players N
Godmod other events Y

by **United Kingdom of the Southwest** » Wed Jan 04, 2012 7:58 pm

Newscast:

Good Morning UKS, I'm Sarah Fisher. In the last couple days, a flurry of activity has gone throughout the fan community as the National UKS Team, commonly known as the UKS Stallions, will participate in their first Baptism of Fire, an international soccer competition. We go now to Robert Callaway, live from the nation's capital. What's the news, Bobby?

Morning, Sarah, I'm here in a throng of Stallions fans gathered outside the their stadium, where the Stallions have won the UKS Soccer League. That was last night, but the mob of tailgaters are still partying and I've joined them. Here's a young fan here. Son, what's your name?

My name's Rich, and I'm a Stallions Fan!!! WHOOOO!!!!!!

Okay Rich, how well do you think the Stallions will do in the competition?

Oh, I have total confidence we'll go very far! They've had an awesome season! I like pink!

Wait, did you just say you 'like pink'?

Yeah! Sorry, I guess I'm a little tipsy, havin' drunk a massive amount of beer!

Well, there you have it, Sarah. Hopefully the Stallions will win a lot in the Baptism of Fire, I'm Robert Callaway, reporting from our nation's capital.

MY LITTLE PONY, MY LITTLE PONY, YOU'LL ALWAYS --- BLAAAUUURRRGHHH!!!!

Good God, you've hurled all over the place!

Heh heh. . . looks like Bobby's got a situation over there. I'm Sarah Fisher, reporting for UKS News at Seven.

by **West Angola** » Thu Jan 05, 2012 6:52 am

The reigning king of West Angola, August II, pushed away the latest administrative reports from the northern mining districts and rubbed his eyelids. He'd been so full of hope when he'd begun his reign, fully intending to reform the corrupted system left to him by his father, but events had spiraled out of his control. The radicals in Parliament had slipped in byline decisions that had hamstrung reform efforts and turned his country into a state of oppression. He knew he had one realistic chance at turning the nation off the path down which it was so quickly slipping: The Baptism of Fire. If Parliament and the people could be distracted by a good showing, he would be able to save the nation without answering to the radicals.

He'd already spoken with Peter Warren, the head coach, about what was at stake in this tournament, and Warren was wholeheartedly on board. With a sigh, August stood and walked out of his opulent office, it was time to see off the football team, hopefully to the victory that would help him restore the honor of West Angola and turn the nation around.

by **Cascratia** » Thu Jan 05, 2012 6:56 am

CASCRATIA SQUAD FOR THE 45TH BAPTISM OF FIRE

ARCOVA, Cascratia: Cascratia is set to play its first ever international game. The build up to this game is huge and thousands of Cascratian is expected to travel to Astograth or Kagdazka and Pazhujebu for the historical game. Fortunately, Cascratia is not going to play against the big guns like Aguazul, Sorthern Northland or The Holy Empire and be humiliated. Cascratia is merely taking part in the 45th Baptism of Fire, a tournament for newly formed national teams to take part. While the question of being humiliated is still uncertain, the excitement is there for sure. Winning or losing, it doesn’t matter. What matters for Cascratian is to make their mark on the international scene and let the whole world know the existence of this newly birth nation. A team of 18 has been selected. Let’s see who is the players being trusted to fly the red, white and blue flag of Cascratia.

HEAD COACH: Glevin Vawdrey
Glevin Vawdrey is the current head coach of Knoxcrest, the Cascratian champion. Difficulty in signing a reliable foreign coach panicked the Cascratian Football Association (CASFASCIA) that leads to the decision of hiring an unknown coach whose only accomplishment is winning the amateur league of Cascratia. In his short one year career so far, Glevin Vawdrey seems to prefer using the 4-5-1 formation.

GOALKEEPER:
1. Chameli Leventhorp, 27, Corinor, Goalkeeper
Corinor concedes the least goal in the Cascratian First Division and it is safe to say that Chameli Leventhorp is the best goalkeeper in Cascratia. Actually, NO. Chameli Leventhorp benefits from a very solid backline and a very defensive minded coach. Most of the goals conceded by Corinor is because of Chameli’s lack of focus. His selection in the national team might be helped by the number of goals (or the lack of) he conceded with Corinor but Glevin Vawdrey might be making a mistake here.

13. Boroi Verney, 25, Montaire, Goalkeeper

DEFENDER:
2. Pachelle Manston, 24, Knoxcrest, Right Back
Pachelle Manston is an athletic player, capable of lung-busting runs back and forth the right channel. His versatility is also a major bonus, with Pachelle able to play anywhere along the back four. He is tall, at 6' 3'', meaning he is also an aerial presence on defensive and attacking set-pieces.

3. Ruelada Funteyn, 20, Corinor, Left Back
The combative Ruelada Funteyn is in his element bursting forward, is brilliant at executing a quick one-two, crosses a good ball and is extremely dangerous from direct free-kicks. The defensive side of his game is questionable and he has a tendency to take pot-shots.

4. Cretrix Beauchamp, 19, Corinor, Central Defender
Despite being only 19, Cretrix Beauchamp has proved that he can be the leader of the back 4. Led the backline of Corinor that conceded the least goals in Cascratian First Division. Height is obviously a key attribute and his aerial ability matches his frame. A decent ball player, he also has strength in abundance.

5. Ralea Grey, 28, Arcova, Central Defender
Ralea Grey is the captain of Arcova. He led the team to finish as runner up in the first edition of Cascratian First Division. Physically imposing at 6' 3'' and dominant in the air. He is strong in the tackle and has the ability to out-muscle most strikers he marks.

15. Brolina Coke, 31, Montaire, Right Back
16. Vynava Elyot, 29, Arcova, Central Defender

MIDFIELDER:
6. Zyskar Sparrow, 22, Arcova, Right Midfielder
Zyskar Sparrow has made a name for himself in the Cascratian First Division as an excellent crosser who scores his fair share of goals, and is seen as one of the best Cascratian midfielders around. A versatile player who is happy on either wing, Zyskar's crossing is excellent and he uses his pace and skill well down the flanks.

11. Glorini Carsten, 27, Carlayne, Left Midfielder
An incredibly quick player, Glorini Carsten offers something different in attack and his ability to beat his man has elevated him beyond his rivals. One of the fastest players in the Cascratian First Division, Glorini's game is based on pace. He has excellent skill on the ball and a keen eye for a pass but his final ball is not always on the spot.

7. Rokonara Aylmer, 18, Knoxcrest, Central Midfielder
Rokonara is one of the three Aylmer brother in the national team. He is also the older twin brother of Rolinara. Together with Rolinara, they are the youngest players in the squad. Rokonara is a defensive midfielder who can also slot in at centre-back. He is tipped to be in the starting eleven despite his young age and has been tipped for the top. Good positioning and tackling skills make him an excellent defensive midfielder and he is strong enough and versatile enough to slot into defence as well.

8. Rolinara Aylmer, 18, Knoxcrest, Central Midfielder
Rolinara is one of the three Aylmer brother in the national team. He is also the younger twin brother of Rokonara. Together with Rokanara, they are the youngest players in the squad. Seen as one of the most promising young players in the Cascratian game. His distribution is excellent, reads the game well and has an eye for goal but lacking in pace.

10. Feelalnee Underhill, 29, Veyracova, Attacking Midfielder (CAPTAIN)
An attacking midfielder with an eye for goal and great vision, Feelalnee Underhill is very instrumental is Veyracova bid for promotion from Cascratia Second Division. Tricky and intelligent, he is an excellent dribbler and possesses great technique. He is hot-headed but lacks the physical strength to back it up. Feelalnee can be prone to theatrics.

12. Oindri Dunham, 26, Arcova, Central Midfielder
14. Hammar Holtz, 32, Elkopolis, Right Midfielder
18. Bettandra Mayne, 20, Ceylitona, Left Midfielder

FORWARD:
9. Nianara Aylmer, 20, Knoxcrest, Striker
Nianara is one of the three Aylmer brothers in the national team. He is viewed as one of Cascratia’s top strikers despite being only 20 years old. Made a name for himself at his debut season with Knoxcrest and won himself the Cascratia Golden Boot for being the league top scorer. Nianara is very skilfull and attack minded, he can make all the difference for his team when he has the ball but he can lose focus easily and his concentration levels are very poor. He doesn’t bother to defend much and his work rate is also questionable.

17. Giazia Rampston, 24, Arcova, Striker

* Shirt Number, Player Name, Age, Club, Position
* Starters in bold.

Modifier: +1

Choose my goalscorers: Y
Godmod scoring events: Y
RP injuries to my players: Y
Godmod injuries to my players: Y (Excluding deaths)
Hand out yellow cards to my players: Y
Hand out red cards to my players: Y
Godmod other events: Y

by **Cascratia** » Thu Jan 05, 2012 7:42 am

A new country needs many things: passports, stamps, a currency, an international dialling code, to name a few. For The People’s Republic of Cascratia, there was a further urgent priority, a football team. The newly independent Cascratia has Rushmore’s newest football team. The players have been training for the past 15 days, their work starting at eight o’clock in the morning.

On the pitch, there is not a blade of grass while the tarnished goal posts have no net. The ground resembles a drought hit cabbage patch. But it is football with a smile and no shortage of resources will stop the spirit and commitment of the players. All have come from local teams across Cascratia and have been in training for the 45th Baptism of Fire in Astograth/Kagdazka And Pazhujebu.

Among them is Feelalnee Underhill, a barrel-chested 29-year-old from Veyracova, who was also the team captain. He spoke no English – the official language of the new republic – but was apparently prolific in front of goal.

"We are ready to tell the world that Cascratia is around," he said.

The last line of defence is goalkeeper Chameli Laventhorp. He plays for Corinor, though not for money. "Here we play for the love of the game," he said.

But this competition – Cascratia's first – was about more than love. It was about forging unity, he said. For all its togetherness, Cascratia is made up dozens of ethnicities and still lacks a real national identity. "Football is a medium to bring people together," Chameli said, sitting under a tree, a dozen footballs and stacked orange cones at his feet.

Glevin Vawdrey is the head coach of Cascratia national football team and he explained their ambitions.

“I think now we have a golden chance where we need to express and also maybe focus on some of our talented players, because we know we are like Candelaria & Marquez, Nethertopia, Queer Poco el Mono Ara and other Rushmori countries."

‘We feel we have the potential, we have the players so I think its a very big chance for us to tell the world that Cascratian has all the potential whether politically or in sports and other arenas,” he said.

Was he nervous? "Yes. I'm a coach. I am supposed to win."

by **Swalenia** » Thu Jan 05, 2012 7:47 am

Lawrence Thomas Blog: Sport & Life: Edition 5

After the Elven-Based high jinks in Valanora where the young dragons crashed out in a group where four teams were on the same points. I know we could have done a lot better, I was expecting at least a round of 16. But no. Congrats to Polar Islandstates for winning. Good on them.

Eventually, some two weeks after the tournament had ended, I arrived back in Llandugan Airport, after stopping in three Rushmori nations. My Journey took 43 hours, on plane, train, bus, goat-back etc. I arrived at my Carmarthen flat with tired eyes and no clean underwear, only to find that my news agency had left a letter on the mat.

I picked it up and cut it open. Inside was a letter, ten tickets to something, and press passes. Ooooh, exciting I thought. I read the letter, and it read back:

Dear Mr Thomas

Brenfid News Agency
188-192 Begwyn Lane
Carmarthen
Brenfid
BN7, PQ2

We apologise for the such short notice of this letter. As you probably aren't aware, our regular International Football corespondent, Gaby Wells, is Ill, and will not be in to work for at least two weeks. As you are almost certainly aware, Swalenia's national football team is competing in the 45th Baptism of Fire. Normally, Gaby would cover this, but because of her position, we are asking you to step in and travel to Astrograth and cover Swalenia's games. We are also sending you with a photographer. Your flight is on Thursday 5th, at 17:30 from Carmarthen International. When you arrive, you must travel to your hotel and cover the group draw. You will be sharing a room with your Photographer, find match tickets, W£5000 in bank checks, Press Passes and the Swalenian News Hard Drive.

Yours,

Editor Mitchell Williams

It also had an address in downtown Carmarthen where I was to pick up my Photographer. I gathered my stuff and took my car down to the address.

Turns out my Photographer is a gorgeous 26 six year old named Gwen. I'm now writing in the airport Lounge. I think this is going to be good...

by **Bruyn** » Thu Jan 05, 2012 8:47 am

No	Pos	Name			Age	
1	GK	Hartford Sisley		21
12	GK	Art Harris		22

2	RB	Aloysius Witten (c)	32
4	CD	John McReynolds		29
5	CD	Mark Manet		24
13	CD	Blake Nordenskjöld	21
3	LB	Alan Battaglia		31
6	LB	William Wright		26

11 	RM	Matías Holguín		23
15	DM	Ed Burke		22
18	DM	David Cutts		20
23	CM	John Cross		27
8	LM	Tony Negri		29
7	AM	Manuel Watson		28
16	AM	Leon Nemeios Grendel	25

9	ST	Jay Bundren		18
10	ST	John Damon		22
14	ST	Meyer Churkin		21

Manager: Erwin Barrett (age 61)
Formation: 4-4-2 (diamond)
Modifier: +4

Bolded names will start - see spoiler below.

The Starting XI

Hartford SISLEY
Though younger and less experienced than Harris, Sisley is the first-choice stopper. He can get ruffled in the air and one-on-one. These are his only weaknesses. Lithe and flamboyant, Sisley can be expected to pull off more than a few flying saves and will look to keep out any penalties.

Aloysius WITTEN (c)
Witten is not a naturally gifted footballer, but is tough, has bags of stamina and a huge work rate. His throws are among the longest in Bruyn and he possesses a great tactical mind too. Witten will be a cornerstone of the team, and its first captain.

John McREYNOLDS
McReynolds is as no-nonsense as centre halves come and can score goals to boot. Peerless in the tackle, opposition attackers will have a job on their hands. However, rumour has it that McReynold's legs are slowing down. He would eat you for suggesting it.

Mark MANET
Tall and fast, Manet is an imposing presence at the back. He has irrepressible attacking instincts, and his positioning often suffers for it. On the up side, Manet has tremendous vision, a great boot and a greater head. It will be interesting to see how he and McReynolds combine.

Alan BATTAGLIA
Battaglia is a bulldog. He tackles hard, runs fast, and kicks hard. He will do those things all day. However, he is not a great technician, and has a hot head. Wingers will look to take advantage. However, Battaglia is not afraid to bomb forward, so opposition fullbacks will have to be wary.

Ed BURKE
Burke plays in the centre of midfield for his club side, but will drop back for the national side to temper the aggression of the men behind him. He is a supreme passer of the ball and has a good work rate. He doesn't score much, but that criticism is of lesser importance at defensive midfield.

Matias HOLGUÍN
Holguín could be great. He is lightning fast and has great touch and vision. He is a dead ball expert. In spite of this, he is not the strongest of men, and complacency often sets in. When he is off, he is so ordinary. When he is firing, the team fires with him.

Tony NEGRI
Nominally, Negri is a left winger. In actual fact, he is everywhere. He can attack and defend with equal proficiency, but has a preference for the former. Negri is selfless - he is a kind of trequartista - but also a prolific scorer himself.

Manuel WATSON
Watson will become the first man to represent Bruyn in two sports. Two-footed and strong, he can elude or unlock any defence, and send forth the most powerful shots. He is criticised for his apparent selfishness and his higher-ups have given up trying to manage him.

Jay BUNDREN
18-year old Bundren's achievements have been nothing short of prodigal. He is more of a 'striker' than a centre-forward - fabulous on the ball with an eye for space and searing pace. In spite of this, he boasts an astonishing domestic scoring ratio and will look to replicate it on the international stage.

John DAMON
Damon is the target man. A finisher par excellence, he will tuck anything away - be it in the air or along the ground - if he gets the service. When he doesn't, he is innocuous and something of a passenger. He is criticised for his laziness, but one can't argue with a record like Damon's.

RP Permissions
My opponent, if they RP first, may do the following:

Choose my goalscorers: Yes
Godmod scoring events: Not if it can be helped
RP injuries to my players: Run it by me first, please
Godmod injuries to my players: Not if it can be helped
Hand out yellow cards to my players: Yes
Hand out red cards to my players: Yes, but no more than one
Godmod other events: Not if it can be helped

by **Zona Azul** » Thu Jan 05, 2012 9:41 am

THE FOOTBALL TEAM OF ZONA AZUL, REPRESENTATIVES OF THE COMPANY

In this world, there is a place where the cars, ships, planes and space vehicles can safely land and make it possible the arrival and departure of passengers and other people from several places. It is a blue airport, with a very bright blue colour which makes it possible for the pilots to easily notice it and find where they can land. After all, several spaceships can land at the same moment, and therefore they must find some space. This can get a bit difficult to organize, and due to this a company took control of the spaceport, which doesn't belong to any country or planet. It is a group called Zona Azul, which has its name due to the colour of the place they own. With a team composed by valets, flight controllers and some bureaucrats, who charge the pilots and their passengers for the use of the Zona Azul spaceport, they are able to bring full control and peace in a place where several cultures and races clash, since it is an important stop for several civilizations. Their efficiency granted them many resources, and finally they could expand their activities, becoming a chain. After centuries, the owner of a small franchise heard about the NationStates World Cup, and as a football lover has decided to form a squad representing the Zona Azul company to compete.

Calling for help of richer owners of Zona Azul franchises and the CEO of the company, finally he could receive enough funding for his plan. But, who would be the members of the squad? After all, Zona Azul is simply a group of spaceports dedicated to living beings from all possible places. The first idea was to use the staff of the spaceports, but with the right amount of money they were able to convert some better footballers in order to strengthen the squad, paying them to register themselves as members of the Zona Azul staff and, since the spaceports are located in areas which do not belong to any nation, they would then be considered citizens of the company. More than that, some eccentric users of the spaceports asked to be included in the squad, paying in exchange for being part of the team going to play in the World Cup. This provided enough funding for the transportation of the squad and other necessary costs. With this, the Zona Azul squad built is a mixture of all kinds of races one can find, all with some knowledge of football or some associated sport, since in several civilizations football as we know does not exist.

So, the list of the squad members with all the necessary information (team number, name, position, occupation, species characteristics, and other bio data):

Goalkeepers:

1- Iussni Y'Gohlrodt
The search to find the ideal goalkeeper is one difficult to complete with perfection, since some shots are really unstopabble... some humans claim that the perfect goalkeeper should have more than two arms... so, what if we take a member of a species who has twelve arms? That's right, Iussni Y'Gohlrodt has much more arms than the people you use to see on the streets, and is as tall as human goalkeepers. He has only three legs, however. Didn't have much experience in football, but was trained hard by the company and is expected to be one of the key players of the squad. It is important to point out that he has more strength in four of his twelve arms, so he prefers to use them. Also, the female fans of the Zona Azul squad consider him to be the most attractive member of the team, as he is very fashionable and good-looking. So, became one of the most requested players for autographs.
Species characteristics: twelve arms, being four of them stronger than usual; three legs, the middle one having only three toes; tall as a human and with body characteristics also similar.
Occupation: Executive secretary for the company, having to handle multiple tasks.

12- Adam Ubant
When you cannot have someone with several arms, you can always find someone big enough to give less shooting space for the striker. Ubant is extremely obese and tall, with 2,88m of height. However, he is slow and sometimes violent with the opponent, likely to commit penalties. So, even though he has good football knowledge and has practiced the sport a lot, he is on the bench. Also, his physical conditions aren't the best.
Species characteristics: 2,88m tall, close to 500kg of weight; absence of hair on the entire body; body similar to human's; skin colour is dark but like human's too.
Occupation: unemployed.

22- Hi Ijp Mabk
This female individual comes from a species with a jelly-like body, which body can easily deflect the trajectory of the ball when it is hit. Also, Hi Ijp Mabk is very flexible... well, this could be expected, and also very fast, able to mold parts of her body to reach considerable distances, moving herself and getting the ball when needed. Hi Ijp Mabk also had a child recently, so is recovering from the experience.
Species characteristics: jelly-like body, which doesn't resemble the human body, looking more like a pile of something, a mass without a determined form; dark green colour.
Occupation: primary teacher.

Full-backs:

2- Sievert Sazzavv
It is all about speed in the counterattack strategy of the Zona Azul team, and the full-backs are the quickest players available. Sazzavv himself can run at impressive speeds, and can be faster than a sports car, but in that speed he is unable to control the ball at all... however, he can still be faster than the human players and keep the ball with him, and his speed makes it easy for him to position himself somewhere on the pitch or to return to the defence after a failed offensive move. He understands football well, but is much better in offensive duties. Also, Sazzavv has wings and can fly, which makes him a good option for heading crosses, for both offence and defence. His weakness is that... he is weak, so he isn't good at shooting or tackling. He is also very talkative, although few will understand his language, and likes to play with his opponents, confusing them with his speed.
Species characteristics: long wings, body similar to the ones of huge birds; head is square, with a huge mouth; multi-coloured, and can change his colours.
Occupation: royal messenger.

6- Ob
The most enigmatic player of the squad, one can question whether this is really a rational being. It doesn't speak, but it seems to understand orders and therefore play football, but in a somewhat mechanical way, like if it was some computer program or like it follows the commands of another mind. It has the form of a huge teardrop, and can jump at long distances, controlling the ball with the wider area of its body. The narrow part of the body can be retreated to the wider part, making it look like a ball when resting. Ob is fast an excellent in dribbling and making clean tackles, since it is small enough to appear unnoticed. Studies are being performed in order to discover if it is the only one of its species, or if it is some genetic creation of a space scientist. However, the whole team likes Ob, treating it as the pet and mascot of the entire squad.
Species characteristics: light silver coloured; has the form of a ball with a long tail, which resembles a teardrop; no mouth, arms, legs or any other visible body structure.
Occupation: none.

14- Gilraen Anárion
Elves are pretty common in the World Cup already, so the presence of this female elf from a far away planet is no surprise. However, she is one of the millionaires who paid for their presence in the National Team, helping with the funding of the Zona Azul squad. She is talented, but does not possess the peculiar characteristics most of the starters have. However, she is very intelligent, and with a great tactical knowledge.
Species characteristics: she is an elf.
Occupation: owner of a pizza delivery chain.

16- Jidmund Popoopplop
He can see farther and better than any other member in the squad, but this doesn't mean that he plays better football due to this. Anyway, he is a good flight controller for the Zona Azul company, and received this place in the squad as an award. With an oval body and thousands of eyes, some on the body and some linked by long but thin pieces of flesh, surely he is a curious being to see... but don't forget that his vision is far better!
Species characteristics: pink oval body; small mouth, and body covered by thousands of small eyes, with three bigger eyes on the centre; other small eyes outside the main body.
Occupation: flight controller for the company.

Central Defenders:

3- Aux Ditryx
One of the professional footballers hired to represent the Zona Azul company in the World Cup, Ditryx is truly a terror for its opponents, especially if we consider that she tends to feed herself with several of other species which play the competition. But don't worry: she has a personal stock of slaves captured exactly to be eaten, and will be able to control her hunger during the matches, not harming any other being, unless it happens during the game in a normal move. Extremely talented in defending and then making long passes, she will perform the most defensive duty in the squad. Before every match she will perform her war cry after eating her lunch, and it will be an extremely irritating noise likely to perturb the most sensitive, which includes some members of this own squad. Not the best one to help for a positive team harmony, since everyone else fears Aux.
Species characteristics: eats humans, but will have her hunder controlled for the matches; long body, arms and legs; colour and head similar to the Alien's.
Occupation: army captain for her race.

4- Marvin Varginha
A Martian! Of course such a talented species couldn't have been forgotten in this squad. He is a member of the hollywood species of Mars, since there are tons of Martian races. His appearance is the dream of every B-side science fiction movie director: green, huge eyes, body organs appearing through the semi-transparent flesh... some may even mistake him for someone wearing a costume, but he is real! Well, about his footballing abilities, he is very talented in controlling the ball and marking his opponents, but gets easily tired. People in Mars are usually very lazy, and Marvin is not an exception: will be likely to complain and ask to be substituted if things started to be too tiring. Ah... people in Mars love to complain about things... so, he can also get into trouble with the referee, and since he is able to speak several human languages, he can easily speak things that wouldn't be nice...
Species characteristics: green colour; tall, thin; three fingers on each hand; huge black eyes; two antennas; inside organs are visible.
Occupation: heavy worker in space constructions.

13- Dottbri-Ulaq
Half-man-half-scorpion, the members of Dottbri-Ulaq's species are ferocious warriors and with a huge determination, being perfect to become dedicated defenders in a football squad. Very intelligent, Dottbri-Ulaq was able to easily learn how to play football to join the squad, and can become a very important member of the team, as it is likely that Varginha won't play the full ninety minutes of some matches.
Species characteristics: upper body is of a human; lower body is of a scorpion; orange colour.
Occupation: economist.

21- Petrus Neander
Came from a distant place in order to find a work in a Zona Azul spaceport as a member of the gas station's staff. He is a humble person, whose species closely resembles some of the earlier human species. Not very intelligent, he compensates this with his strength, after several years of workouts, and on a football field works more as a guardian for the defence, using his physical advantage to defeat the opponent attackers.
Species characteristics: similar to homo habilis, but a strong individual.
Occupation: works in a gas station.

Defensive Midfielders:

5- Ergmax Linda Prlnin
This female individual is another of the most loved players of the squad by the fans. This is because she, for most of the existant species, is seen as extremely beautiful, with her appearance being considered as hypnotic and magnetic for many, who simply can't resist her. And this is not just a myth. There are some species that really get hynotized by people like Prlnin, being unable to challenge her. Her wings and short tail make people of some cultures think of her as an angel or a demon, but she is just someone from another planet. Although she has wings, can't fly well, and performs much better running. Plays without using any kind of shoes, and with minimal clothes. She needs a daily dose of blood to keep her full energy, but this blood can come from any species with warm blood. In general, is a lovely person with a good heart, and likes to help other people in need.
Species characteristics: similar to a female human, but with a short tail and fragile wings; a single horn that can has its size changed at will; extremely long hair.
Occupation: actress.

8- Fagnd Biafra
This one is ugly, but a fine football player. Vegetarian, his appearance make people believe that he is menacing, but he comes from a peaceful civilization. There was a time when he had some limited success as a singer, and was able to live thanks to the money won in the artistic career. But nowadays is remembered only thanks to a single music, and works as a car salesman. Since he always loved football and played it for a hobby, became a natural choice for the Zona Azul squad, and he saw this as an opportunity to win some extra money. He is not very fast, but has some impressive ball control and technique, and will be one of the creative minds of the squad. Another of his weak points is that his body isn't as strong as it used to be, due to his advanced age: therefore, he is more prone to injuries than any other member of the team, and can be rested in some matches.
Species characteristics: pale white skin; long tongue, which stays out of the mouth all the time; several horns, deep blue eyes; four arms and four legs, two of each smaller.
Occupation: car salesman.

15- Rdbnmks Tzdfghjmn
You can speak his name anyway you want. After all, this isn't even the correct way to write it, since his nation uses some different alphabet, of which is difficult to understand. Tzdfghjmn looks like a giant wasp with three heads, each of them with independent thoughts and desires. This makes the life of this person extremely difficult, since sometimes there are even arguments between the heads.
Species characteristics: a giant wasp with three different heads.
Occupation: liquor producer.

20- Eun
This fairy-like male individual is very intelligent and good at controlling the ball. But, since he is smaller than the ball, he can only send it forward or intercept it by using some kind of paranormal force, in which he can apply strength at the ball from distance. However, he has to be close enough to the ball in order to perform this movement, which completely destroys the great advantage he would have with this ability.
Species characteristics: fairy-like.
Occupation: general manager of a Zona Azul spaceport.

Offensive Midfielders:

7- Po'ud K-M'il
This one hasn't been paid due for being a very talented player, and also hasn't paid to be part of the squad... he threatened the team organizers to participate. Coming from one of the most dangerous civilizations still existing, his supernatural abilities are what people from places where it is uncommon call magic. He can summon fire, water, animals, and usually use these talents to induce harm to other people. However, as an agreement made with the Zona Azul managers, he promised to not do harm to any opponent and to respect them, in exchange to becoming a starter. And, surprisingly, he showed talent enough with the ball in order to be seen as a key player. He hides his face, so no one can see very well how he looks like, and seems to be always levitating. He doesn't participate in the team trainings, going to the pitch only minutes before the beginning of the match.
Species characteristics: wears a robe that fully conceals his body; if seen, it looks rotten, with bones and blood visible, similar to a badly wounded zombie.
Occupation: mafia leader.

10- Misswahss Eçañes
Another hired footballer for the squad, with impressive speed and talent in controlling the ball and performing strong and accurate shots. Eçañes comes from an isolationist civilization, and became an enemy of her clan after leaving it to pursue her dream of travelling all around everything that exists. Her leg, which looks exactly like a wheel, supports a long and black body, with a huge head filled with menacing teeth. Curiously, her two arms are very small and she doesn't use them very much, preferring to handle things with her body, much flexible. Even though she had a lot of future as a professional footballer, she abandoned the career in exchange for a life in the arts career, and only accepted the offer of the Zona Azul company due to the fact that this will allow her to meet new places and people. Very kind, if you can understand her language.
Species characteristics: body similar to a snake's; a single big wheel as her leg; head with several teeth; black colour.
Occupation: travel photographer.

17- A872HD
Of a hermafrodite species, A872HD's body is composed by a cirular centre surrounded by tails, which work to give him movement by moving like in steps. However, for playing football he uses a mechanical body, which allow him to control better the ball. This species is extremely rational, and prefers to follow strict strategies and tactics. When not playing, is the right-hand of the coach, helping to see the best way to improve the team.
Species characteristics: uses a mechanical body to play.
Occupation: engineer.

18- Tarmac Folwick
Can hibernate for centuries, only waking up when there is something useful to do, such as to play football in an important competition. When sleeping, Folwick and the others of his species tend to stay standing up on gardens and other places. Yes, that is right, he is a gnome, and one of the race that usually decorate the gardens of human residences. But don't let it fool you, he can play some quality football.
Species characteristics: he is a gnome.
Occupation: garden gnome.

Strikers:

9- B'dim Gbxiinefralpn Hromdzitklecvau
The most talented member of the squad, is the huge salary of the squad by an enormous distance. Hromdzitklecvau's career as a footballer is a complete one, winning many prizes in several planets. He is a specialist in precise finishes, being able to send the ball to exact places with his shots. So, he is the main target man of the team inside the area, even though he plays for the team and won't feel bad in giving an assistance to a team mate. His body is completely formed by geometric forms, without a single curve line in the full body. Therefore, his extremities are pointed, and one time or another they can pierce the ball, delaying the game. He has just overcame a serious depression, due to the fact that his home planet cannot sustain life anymore, but with the help of his family, which has moved with him to another place, he is getting the motivation back.
Species characteristics: body formed by geometrical forms, light blue colour.
Occupation: professional footballer.

10- Neco Miller
The single human of the squad, Miller entered in the squad thanks to a bias of the team's organizer, the owner of the small Zona Azul franchise who first got to know about the World Cup. Since he is human, he also wanted to have one of his species in the squad, and Miller was the selected one due to having reasonable talent with the ball. Yes, he is a good footballer who could even play for some other nations if possible, so won't destroy the team's potential. Also, due to his condition as the preferred player of the team's owner, he is the captain of the squad, but in truth no one obeys him. He enjoys holding the ball, and can be precious to waste time when possible. Also, due to have seen all kinds of people and incidents in his life, he can easily handle the pressure of playing important matches or provocations of the opponents. Miller is short, but compensates this with technique.
Species characteristics: he is a human.
Occupation: television presenter.

19- The Unity
Composed by several small parts, The Unity is in fact a single being. Several other living beings, similar to small insects but extremely different from each other in form, colour or any other characteristic apart from the small size, get united in order to form a bigger being, which can adapt itself to any form... and when we say any form, we really mean it. The Unity can take the form of a human, a weapon... anything.
Species characteristics: union of other small beings, can take any possible form, in order to achieve different objectives.
Occupation: a professional criminal.

23- Dri Icomprile
The sentient and rational keyboard is a member of one of the most respected species that exist, known for their ability in music, being able to compose some of the most touching songs ever. Icomprile composed the anthem of Zona Azul, and in exchange asked to be included in the squad, as she has some ability. Since she really has the exact form of a keyboard, no one really knows where her face is, but she can communicate.
Species characteristics: she is a sentient keyboard, the instrument.
Occupation: music composer.

Coach: Telescreen
Although many see it as a computer program which knows the correct tactics that the team should use after analyzing the opponent, the Telescreen is in fact the engineered representative of a huge council of football experts, who discuss what to do with the team and then transfer these informations to the telescreen. However, it is slowly getting independent, as it was created to evolve and start thinking by itself.

Assistant: Crystal Kavanagh
She is the daughter and heir of the owner of the Zona Azul franchise who decided to create the squad. She doesn't know much of football, but was sent by her father in order to keep an eye on the team and to not bother him with other issues. She is very smart, and is looking to learn as much as she can from the World Cup experience, in order to perhaps became a professional coach or a player.

The formation:

-------------------------Y'Gohlrodt-------------------------
-----Sazzavv-------Ditryx----------Varginha----------Ob-----
---------------------------Prlnin---------------------------
----------Biafra----------------------------K-M'il----------
---------------------------Eçañes---------------------------
----------Hromdzitklecvau----------Miller-------------------

RP permissions: free to do anything apart from killing or harming the players.

by **Hutt River** » Thu Jan 05, 2012 10:18 am

Cymraeg

Afon Hutt yn BoF 45

Afon Hutt yn bêl-droedwyr gorau, ac yn y wlad gyfan, yn cael eu paratoi ar gyfer y twrnamaint pêl-droed cyntaf yn y, hanes gwledydd y Bedydd Tân 45. Mae'r tynnu grŵp yn cael ei wneud yn nes ymlaen heddiw, a chefnogwyr yn gyffrous eisoes. Rydym yn cyflawni ein rheolwr tîm cenedlaethol yn y maes awyr ddoe. Roedd wedi hyn i ddweud, "peidiwch â bod yn or-optimistaidd, mae ein siawns o ennill hyn yn eithaf isel. Gallwn ond wneud y gorau y gallwn, ac yn gobeithio ar gyfer rhai sy'n ennill."

Mae'r grwpiau yn cael eu llunio yn ddiweddarach heddiw, gyda phob llygaid ar y potiau. Mae un tîm Ni fyddai Afon Hutt yn hoffi cwrdd yn Yesopalithia a enillodd y Cwpan Oxen mwyaf diweddar. Bydd y raffl yn cael ei ddangos ar HR2 am 5:30 pm.

English

Hutt River in BoF 45

Hutt River's top footballers, and the whole country, are preparing for the first football tournament in the countries history, the Baptism of Fire 45. The group draw is being made later today, and fans are already excited. We met our national team's manager at the airport yesterday. He had this to say, "don't be over optimistic, our chances of winning this are pretty low. We can just do the best we can, and hope for some wins."

The groups are being drawn later today, with all eyes on those pots. One team Hutt River wouldn't like to meet is Yesopalithia who won the most recent Oxen Cup. The draw will be shown on HR2 at 5:30pm.

by **Astograth** » Thu Jan 05, 2012 11:10 am

Hello there! If you've been drawn to play in Astograth, read this short guide to learn all you need to know about the country and the stadiums you'll be playing at; make yourself at home.

The Nation

The NSWiki page is an excellent source of information, and you can find a fully-detailed map of Astograth here.

The Grand Duchy of Astograth is a nation of some 82 million people on the Goose Coast of the Rushmore region. The terrain is heavily determined by Mendilorro Ardin, the “blue mountain range” that crosses the north of the country spawning the twin rivers of Araxes in the east and Leizaran in the west, which flow south-east before joining up and spilling into the fresh-water Anzar lake. The area between and around the rivers is hilly, with a temperate climate that gets colder in the north and warmer in the south, giving way to rolling meadows in the south and east of Astograth that generally enjoy a warm climate, the Anzar lake region in particular being noted for its heat and humidity. The Mendilorro Ardin area, with the city of Echegoyan embedded in its middle, is renowned for its natural beauty; the northern coast's pristine beaches, beyond the mountains, is a major tourist destination as well, and two of the country's largest cities are located there.

For many centuries, Astograth was a fractured land of feudal domains until the duke of Rumiatzi united the nation through bloody civil war and proclaimed himself Grand Duke Aitor III, not taking the title of king only because tradition forbids anyone not from the line of the original Gesterlaki to take it. Before the unification, the duchies of Iturributa and Ituraitz were the most prominent alongside that of Rumiatzi, and strong feelings of separatism have created tension since then. Aitor III's son and successor, Aitor IV, has implemented a series of economic and civil reforms that have greatly aleviated the previously oppressive regime, but democracy is still non-existent. The nation is effectively an absolute monarchy, but visitors need not be intimidated: individual freedoms are now among the best in Rushmore and the tourism sector is booming; there is plenty of infrastructure to accommodate a world-class sporting event such as the Baptism of Fire, especially in stead of the successful 48th Cup of Harmony also held in Astograth. The language barrier is often cited as a problem, with the Astograthian language being largely unknown outside the nation's borders, but English is an official language of the State and one should have no trouble getting around with knowledge of the lingua franca.

Stadia

by **Elmonia** » Thu Jan 05, 2012 11:39 am

He clicked. Probably damn stupid, but he did. As his screen blacked out, hundreds of questions rose in his mind. "What the heck?"
"Huh"
"why me?"

He snapped back to attention as a glimmer of computer code began to creep along his screen. When his blacked-out screen was full of characters, he watched, dumbstruck, as his screen flashed back to normal. Elmonian Soccer Chat. But he now no longer needed to log on. he was taken right to a small box, containing messages scrolling at an alarming rate:

Now, after reading this, he was just a bit worried. He sighed, and shrugged. What's the worst that could happen? He clicked "reply", and started to type.

To be chillingly continued!

by **Swalenia** » Thu Jan 05, 2012 2:20 pm

Astograth Grand Hotel, Rumiatzi

The steam from the shower was slowly filling the hotel room. It was distracting Lawrence from the Television. He went over to the window and opened it. The noise of the traffic was deafening. He closed it again and went to the fan. He turned it on. It seemed to dissipate it and he turned back to the television.

The shower stopped and the bathroom door clicked open. Out stepped Gwen wearing her work dress. She medium-heighten woman with brown hair and dark eyes. She wore her hair tied up in a neat bun and wore little make up.

If she had been his friend, she would have been pretty, but becuase this was work, she lacked a certain edge.

Anyway, back to Football. It was past the official time for the draw, and the channels didn't have it on. He walked over to the bedside table and turned on the radio. He flicked through the stations until he reached a particular one. It was slightly staticy, but he could make out was being said.

"And now for the draw for the BoF45..."

by **Vettrera** » Thu Jan 05, 2012 3:05 pm

Vettrera Aéroways

It was the longest ten hours of Bryceson's life, and honestly; he couldn't take it anymore. Ever since they boarded the plain all he had heard was the constant bickering between Alejandro and Luis. "Parkway" this, and "Leopards" that; was all he had heard for the past few hours (that and the constant stream of cursing). Bryceson should have expected as much both of them were very spirited, and their team rivalry didn't make things better. Those two were always arguing. As the stewardess walked by Bryceson became extremely sheepish, after being embarrassed by the behavior of his now: teammates. "Do you request anything?" The flight attendant said, her name tag saying 'Felicia'. "A cola, and some earplugs." Bryceson said, with a small chuckle. She handed him his cola and giggled as she left the Luxury-Class compartment. "What was that about?" said Nikola. "You know now's not the time to be flirting!" "Oh come off it," he replied. "What's the harm?" "Well," she continued. "You obviously didn't noticed that she accidentally handed you hard liquor instead of cola."
"Oh," Bryceson mumbled.
--------------

by **Astograth** » Thu Jan 05, 2012 6:12 pm

The group stage draw of the 45th Baptism of Fire is as follows. Groups A-E will be hosted by Kagdazka and Pazhujebu, groups F-I will be hosted by Astograth:

Group A
Equestrian States
Sjovenia
Stockton-on-Tees
zona Azul
Trafalgar
Baltskandio

Group B
Actaris
Armed Bears
Yesopalitha
Luziyca
New Holy Roman Empire
Hutt River

Group C
The Greater Aryan Race
Ellison Island
Swalenia
Wight
Erikkesh
Karlada

Group D
Switzida
Numbadon
Elmonia
United Kingdom of the Southwest
Sigeren
Byfugland

Group E
Oasirica
Pelmany
Landereien
The Araucania
Überhölichschleissen
Puerto Candelaria

Group F
Lizland
Ancharmunn
Oliveland
Stvoto Latoli
Vettrera
Ima and Eastern Mae

Group G
Baleyaroh
Landpolis
Bruyn
French Scandinavia
Ocaterra
Newland-America

Group H
Cascratia
Herenia
Azrael
Diol
West Angola
Nifferite

Group I
PuertoRico
Naboompu
Kerblaekistan
19th Century Beards
Politik
Anglegard

The OP will be edited to include the draw and stadium details for each match. Scorination for the Astograth region will commence within approximately 23 hours, K&P's three hours or so after that. Good luck to all!

by **The Greater Aryan Race** » Thu Jan 05, 2012 7:52 pm

Manager Foresees Tough Matches Ahead.

From the Germania Morgenpost

GELENDZHIK-With the fixtures and roster having been released, this correspondent was quite worried to find that the Greater Aryan Race has been placed in Group C, right next to certain nations such as Swalenia, Wight and Karlada. Not much is known about these two nations except that they certainly have the credentials to be tough opponents for the Greater Aryan Race.

Speaking to Mr. Faust who had just landed with the rest of the national team a few hours ago at Kagdazka, the manager didn't seem to be unduly worried about the roster and the Greater Aryan Race's opponents. On the contrary, he seemed rather upbeat about the challenge.

"Every team, no matter who they are, is a formidable opponent of the national team and I accord every other team in our Group the same amount of respect. I always look forward to a challenge from any team. Wight and Karlada have good players themselves especially Wight's Masvidal. Sawlenia too has a star player in the form of Robbie Cook."

He nevertheless fired the first warning shot towards the other teams in Group C, reminding them not to see the Greater Aryan Race as a pushover.

"While they have good players, it is teamwork that ultimately counts. We of the GAR are also determined to make our mark and our opponents will have to drag us, kicking and screaming, to the exit if they have to."

When asked about the greatest danger to the team, Mr. Faust's answer was rather ambiguous.

"I wouldn't say that there is any SOLE danger to the team's chances of winning. I believe that a myriad of factors can make or break a team's chances of winning. The weather perhaps and also complacency."

The interview was cut short as Mr. Faust had to hurry to board the monorail taking the national team to their hotel at Gelendzhik.

Brave words indeed from the national manager but we shall have to see if the Greater Aryan Race can indeed survive the group stages of the Baptism of Fire.

Stay Tuned For More Reporting By Kurt Krause
Special Correspondent for the 45th Baptism of Fire.

by **West Angola** » Thu Jan 05, 2012 8:39 pm

West Angolan Football Coach Peter Warren hoped the flight never ended. He, like most West Angolans, traveled around their country on the nation’s decrepit train system, and for him and the entire team this was their first time on a plane. He couldn’t stop gawking out the window at the oceans, rivers, forests, and cities they passed over on their way to Astograth, and he could see several of his team members doing the same in the rows ahead of him.

The reign of Jan IV, August II’s predecessor, had been one marked with a system of immense corruption and regulation that had driven the country to its knees economically. August had come to power with the intention of reform, but was hamstrung by radicals and ultra-conservatives in Parliament. With the parliamentary elections for the majority of the Parliament still several months away, many of those who had profited under Jan’s system remained in office and were doing their best to halt any attempts at reforming West Angola’s tattered Constitution, which had been figuratively ripped to shreds under Jan.

The radicals, on the other hand, were just as bad as the old regime. They were the new blood of the Parliament, having been swept into office in just before Jan’s death in a special election demanded by the people in several key provinces, and were determined to effect change. August was a good man, but he had been naïve and far too trusting of the new legislation. Several items had been inserted into bills that looked harmless, but had in fact turned the country completely around. Where at one point the Conservative Party had quashed all opposition, the “Moderates” had made it all but illegal to be a member of the Conservative Party, and done their best to prevent the Conservatives from being re-elected.

August had clearly been in over his head, and had mobilized the Royal Guards to shut down Parliament. This had simply provoked fear of a Royal Dictatorship, and riots had broken out in several cities. August soon called off the guards, and the bitter infighting of Parliament resumed at its usual torrid pace. Last week, August had summoned Warren secretly to the royal palace at Namibe and told him of his bold plan. August needed Warren to win and win big at the Baptism of Fire to distract the people and Parliament as he prepared to circumvent both and save the nation from the bitter deadlock of Parliament.

Warren had wholeheartedly agreed and promised the king that the team could deliver, but inside he had his doubts. West Angolan football had been a joke for the longest time; an international match hadn’t been played in two years following a 14-1 drubbing at the hands of Qatar, and the international team was drawn from club leagues and sandlots around the nation. They were good, yes, he’d seen them play and had no doubt that some of them had skills on par as the teams he’d seen and coached in Germany and Italy, but he had no idea how they’d react under pressure, or how they’d play against the cream of the crop at the Cup. His mind heavy, Warren temporarily put his worries away and resumed staring out the window at the amazing aerial view out the window.

by **Karlada** » Thu Jan 05, 2012 10:45 pm

It had not been long since their last international match. Indeed not a week ago Karlada had played in the Christmas Cup, but they were still very new to the major international world of football. Mistakes had been made, learned from. They were getting a feel for it now, and their team had talent to be sure. Their defense was rock solid, with not a single weak point in the line. The goalkeeper was also top class in Ayalis. Their offense was still looking for that powerful drive they needed, though. Slobeneada's latest goal had made him somewhat of an icon in Karlada's last match. Could his luck hold out here in the Baptism of Fire? There was also a lot of buzz about the young Randolfo Wilosak. A new addition to the team, he had much to learn, but the energy he brought to the field could not be matched.
Karlada was hopeful, eager even. Everyone at home was stuck to the television screen as they awaited the beginning of the tournament. There was no previous record to go on, and no place to go but up in the world!
The coaches were interested to find, in all odds, a repeat opponent from the Christmas Cup in Swalenia. 1-0 proved nothing. The Flying Turtles would be ready this time!

by **Oasirica (Ancient)** » Thu Jan 05, 2012 11:48 pm

The Ossidiacquan Museum of The Pause Time
Cultural Wing

Curator's Note -
This account of letters is the best record we currently have the shows the panic that set in during the first 50 years or so of The Pause Time, as Lady Esmeralda Velasquez wrote letters of increasing desperation to her brother Stefano, who was abroad with the Oasirican national football team at the time, and as such was one of a handful of Oasirican nationals who escaped The Pause Time and had to remain separated from his nation for the rest of his family's life. Though not all of the letters they sent to each other have been recovered, we have arranged the correspondences we do have into pairs, running roughly into chronological order. As a result, the passing of emotions between those inside and outside the wall at the time the wall went up can be monitored.

Stefano
Dearest Sister,

Yesterday, you saw me and the rest of the team off at the docks as we set sail for the land of Kagdazka. Today, I am writing to you my first letter. Though it pains me to be away from you and the rest of the family for so long, I am excited to be taking part in the Baptism of Fire, and cannot wait to represent our fine nation of Oasirica so that the world can see finally see what we are made of. Praise the new government for dropping the isolationist policies of the old blasted powers! I know Captain Giovanni has been deposed for a few years now, but they say many of his loyal followers still hold positions of power within many government institutions. Hopefully the FA is free of his lingering taint however.

But nonetheless, we made it through, and so here we are. Twenty-three players of fine skill, the coaching staff, and the support staff, steaming to Oktyabrsk, from which we will travel overland to CMZ Metropolitan Area for our first ever appearance on the international footballing scene; how exciting! And I must say how humbled I am to be able to inform you that I have been made the captain of the squad! This is as good a team as I have ever had the privilege to be a part of, and so when Yoann Della Rocca approached me with the armband in his hand at dinner last night I was most appreciative indeed. The squad appear to back Della Rocca on his decision as well, a fact that humbles me yet further, as to hold the respect of so many gentlemen of fine upstanding is indeed a noble position to find oneself in.

There is a growing feeling amongst the team, dear sister, that we may have a team assembled here that could do quite well at the tournament. My good friends from CA Conquistadores are here; Enzo and Nuno I think you met briefly at cousin Giuseppe’s Michaelmas party last year, and of course my dear friend Enzo, whom I am sure you have met on many occasions. Enzo has many a kind word to say about you, dear sister, and talks of you often in a most favourable and respectful way. In fact, I wouldn’t be at all surprised if you found yourself in receipt of a letter with intentions to court you penned by his hand in the near future! The gentlemen from Qolo-Qolo and Condensadores also seem to be most agreeable fellows, despite our rivalry on the pitch we have all managed to get along well so far, playing games of cribbage into the night. However, the chaps in from Caballeros are exactly the cads I had expected them to be. Pity poor Enzo for having to partner a piece of work like Simeone Sbarro in defence.

The manager, Yoann Della Rocca, is not someone who I had ever heard of before, but I can see why the FA made his appointment. He seems well informed, is young and enthusiastic, and has fine motivational skills. It has been a mere twenty-four hours since we met on the dockside but already the team and I are ready to do what he asks of us. I wouldn’t want to get on his bad side however, as he gives the air of someone who isn’t far away from an explosive outburst. The assistant manager, Jeferson Moreno, is more of an enigma. He is second or generation descended from a Djocorangan refugee mother I believe, and you can see it in his skin colour. He is quiet, rarely speaks to us as a team, but appears to have the ear of Della Rocca, and I think we should just let him get on with his job as we get on with ours.

Speaking of Djocorangan refugees, how is cousin Giuseppe getting along? Last time I heard, his charity for the refugees was going from strength to strength, and for that he is surely to be commended. What a terrible civil war they continue to have in that forsaken country, and how glad I am that Giovanni’s regime at least granted the first trickle of refugees asylum in our nation. What a terrible business war must be, dear sister, pray that we never experience it first hand. Some of the shadows I see in the eyes of those who fought in the conflicts before we were born don’t bear talking about.

I also heard from Filipe that cousin Giuseppe has developed a cough, and dear sister I am fearing the worse. I have seen what happens to people that contract la Plaga, and it is a terrible way to die. The cough, the fever, the boils, the loss of sensation, the period of sleeplessness known as the ‘waking dying’, and then finally the long slow slide into death. I am praying for Giuseppe that this isn’t what he has, but like I said, and knowing his work with the refugees, I am fearing the worst. Some say that a parasite that came across with the Djocorangans was carrying the virus, that then mutated under exposure to the marshes around the atomic pumping station at Arquilio. Personally, dear sister, I think it may just be a disease to which the Djocorangans have grown immune, and that our poor, fragile, isolated Oasirican frames just can’t cope with. Either way, I am praying that the doctors at l’Hopital Centro find the cure for it when they put up the time wall next week. How alive the city must be with anticipation for that moment! I can just picture the silver domes and golden spires quivering with life and activity now. A scene I am hoping the rest of the team and I will be able to recreate with our exploits on the football pitch.

Speaking of which, Della Rocca is requesting our presence on deck for an aerobics session, so I had best round up the team. Word from organisers on the ship's communicator tells us we were drawn against the teams from Pelmany, Landereien, The Araucania, Überhölichschleissen, and Puerto Candelaria. I do not know much about any of these nations, as I'm sure nobody in our nation is thanks to Giusovanni, but I am sure we will learn quickly! Wish us luck dear sister! I shall write again once we have docked at Oktyabrsk.

I remain as ever,
your Stefano

Esmeralda
Dearest Brother,

How fine and sweet it is to hear from you and read your letter! How interesting I found the news about Enzo as well! No letter from him has been forthcoming, alas, but do let him know Stefano, that if his mind is wavering on the topic, that I would most surely be delighted to hear from him. This is all sounding frightfully forward and modern of me, but I am sorely tempted to write to him the first letter in our courting correspondence! I am blushing more than a little now, dear brother, so please do not let on to our parents.

How pleased I was to read that your team is as fine an assembled squad as you could hope for. I must admit that I still don’t know the full intricacies of your sport, but if you believe this to be true, then I am inclinced to take your word for it and trust you. The whole nation is rooting for you, and Sant’Elia in particular seems to have a different air about it at the moment. As I walk down the hill in the morning from our house in Theodora on the way to take tea with my friends and associates it seems to be all the people are talking about. That is, alongside the time wall.

Dear brother, I am sorry to be the bearer of bad news, but it appears that cousin Giuseppe does indeed have la Plaga. We are all raying him, and I hope you will be too. He claims to feel healthy for the moment, and doesn’t want to give up his work with the refugees, particular since they remain the only group of people he can’t pass his illness onto, but we fear the sleeplessness will soon catch up with him. There is a chance that the time wall will be up and down in time for it to be of use for him, and we are clinging to that.

More details about the time wall were released today in fact, so I shall relay them to you here Stefano, as I’m sure you are interested now that cousin Giuseppe is directly dependant on its success. The wall will be put up by time and technology experts from Universidad Technica di Leandra, and will enclose l’Hopital Centro completely. It isn’t known precisely how much time will pass within the wall, as a wall on this cale has never been attempted before, but it is estimated that for evey hour that passes on the outside of the wall, a month shall pass within it. Praise be to Oasirican technology that we are able to even attempt such a feat! We are truly blessed to live amongst such learned countrymen. Inside the hospital will be a team of the finest immunologists and virus experts that our country has ever produced, and whilst inside the time wall they will be able to create the much needed cure for la Plaga without worrying about how many are dying as they work. How selfless of these heroes to surrender and gladly sacrifice a few years of their lives as a day or so passes for the rest of us.

So, that is the plan dear brother, pray for us that it goes off without a hitch. I hope that this letter finds you as intended, I wasn’t sure I could remember the address of the hotel you said you would be staying at, but mother ensures me it will probably be a close enough attempt that the Kagdaz postal service knows what I mean. I’m sure they are expecting a certain amount of chaos to reign during the hosting of the event. No small undertaking I am sure.

Sant’Elia is alive dear brother, her spires and domes are ringing, the towers are soaring, the bazaars are heaving with fruits and nuts, the balconies are pouring with vines and flowers, the jetties are busy, and the sailcars are arcing down the avenues. Bring joy to this great city once more!

I remain as always,
your loving sister,
Esmeralda

by **Cascratia** » Fri Jan 06, 2012 6:53 am

Rolinara never stopped to wonder at his closeness and protectiveness of his brother, as he was quite young, and in the end it was just the way it was. He accepted this in the way only a child could, and so didn't think his actions at all questionable when he broke into the hospital that night. Both twins had all come down with terrible fevers. Rolinara's had broken; Rokonara's had not. In fact, he had been getting steadily worse, thus being hospitalised. Hence why Rolinara was breaking into the hospital.

Rokonara blinked blearily as he watched his brother open the window of his hospital room and climb in. He felt overwhelmingly hot, but he couldn't stop shivering, and his mouth and throat were dry and painful, and the people here had stuck things in him and it hurt. Hospitals were supposed to make you feel better! (Even if it had, he still wouldn't like them) So why did he feel worse? The doctors even said he was getting worse, when they thought he couldn't hear, and they made his mother cry. And his older brother Nianara hadn't been there, but he didn't want Rolinara to cry either. But he was here now, and Rokonara felt better already. He tried to speak, but he could barely move save his shivering, and he was quickly becoming too weak to even do that.

Fortunately, Rolinara wanted the opposite; he wanted Rokonara to stay still and quiet, to rest and not wake mom up. She was in another bed in the room, staying close to her precious son in what the doctors believed to be his final hours. It was unlikely he would last the night, they said, but she had refused to believe it. She had been unable to remain awake after almost a week of sleeplessness, though, and if Rolinara truly didn't make it, then she would never forgive herself.

Without any kind of hesitation, Rolinara crept into Rokonara's sickbed, tugging off his shoes and coat and snuggling up to his brother. He frowned at the heat and sweat he felt, and tried to move away again so as not to make his brother hotter, but Rokonara whimpered at the perceived abandonment and he moved back again. He couldn't stand to upset his twin brother when he was as sick as this. He was always getting sick. Something to do with his “deeyenay” or something.

You see, Rolinara and Rokonara were to be identical twins. However, Rokonara's genetics suffered a few slight mutations. Nothing truly serious; uncooperative hair as opposed to his twin's easily-manipulated style and the like. However, these mutations left him slightly more susceptible to illness, and he was also pegged as the most likely to develop some genetic disorder in later life.

As far as Rolinara could understand it, life was being pretty darned mean to his twin brother, and he didn't like it one little bit.

Rokonara felt contentment rise in him, almost not feeling his raging fever anymore as he was reunited with his little brother and they snuggled together in the all-white bed that smelled icky and felt weird, trying to ignore the pipe-thing in his arm.

There were barely a few minutes between them, but young children assimilate; their mom treated Rolinara like he was two or three years younger that Rokonara, and he responded accordingly. It would be quite a while before this stopped— at Rolinara's insistence and Rokonara's indignance because one day he was going to be eight and a half and that was plenty old enough to stop calling him baby, thank you very much— but for now he was the baby of the family. And right now, he was content as he was.

The next morning, the boys' father turned up at the hospital. He had awoken to find Rolinara missing, along with his jersey and boots. Paying no heed to how he'd gotten in, as the little one surely had, the man simply knew that Rolinara would go to his brother and his brother was at the hospital so they'd both be there. He was right.

He crept carefully past his wife and looked upon his sleeping son, quashing the sick feeling at the sight of his young son's pale and sweaty face. Out of habit, he reached out a hand to brush sweat-slicked hair away from Rokonara's face, and as his fingers made contact with the child's skin, his heart soared.

Rokonara's fever had broken.

“It’s not my time to yet. I’m going to wake up and get out of this hospital today. I’ll grow up and play in the TakilQuip Champions Cup one day and be one of the best footballer in the world.” said Rokonara as his heart beats faster and his blood pumps harder.

by **Elmonia** » Fri Jan 06, 2012 7:51 am

His fingers flew over the keyboard. After his message had been typed out, he hit the small button marked "Submit". To his surprise, he had been given a username, GK23elm. He shrugged, it was good enough. His position. His number. And Elmonia's TLA. How the computer knew those bits of info, he had no idea. This was getting decidedly creepy, he thought. He shrugged, and looked down. The computer had exploded in reply to his message:

This was odd. He typed again

Now what the hell could that mean? He typed once more

Now, that was creepy. Really creepy

Now, what was this? wierd cyber-stalkers?

He had no clue what the raw yam was. He shuddered. This was all very odd. However, only time would tell, and he had some football to play. He crawled into bed, utterly puzzled.
Unbeknownst to him, however, the little chat was getting more and more interesting as he slept

by **Actaris** » Fri Jan 06, 2012 9:22 am

To the leader of the Great nation of Kagdazka and Pazhujebu,

It is with great delight that we receive the news that ACtaris will be playing it'sfirst ever football match in your nation. We would be further delighted to know the name of the city and stadium we shall be playing in.

Yours sincerely
f26cac54rt6s2 (Actaris sports delegate)

by **Wight** » Fri Jan 06, 2012 10:00 am

by **Cascratia** » Fri Jan 06, 2012 10:07 am

He still couldn't quite believe it. Here he was, standing in Ituraitz Sporting Ground, surrounded by what looked like thousands upon thousands of people. The noise was incredible, people shouting and cheering and screaming.

It is the first time. It is the first time he sets his feet on a real stadium. It is the first time he ever got to carry the red, white and blue flag of Cascratia on his chest. That just made it better. All the more real.

He could hear them, the fans of his team. "Cascratia! Cascratia! Cascratia!" He could see opponents on the other side of the stadium, staring them down with iron in their fists and fire in their eyes.

He wondered if the other team felt as he did. If the electricity in the air stood their hair on end. If the roaring of the crowd made their hearts beat faster, their blood pumps harder. If they could feel that heartbeat against their ribcage as they stood there, feel their blood pounding through their bodies. If the fire in their eyes also ignited in their hearts and souls and sent their fluxes wild 'til it filled them and they were astounded and grinning fiercely because they'd never felt like this before.

No, he realised, no they didn't. They couldn't, couldn't possibly. He was pretty damn sure his own team didn't feel like this. And, as he turned to take his position, as he saw his team, he knew that this was true; it was he who felt this way, him and him alone and not even his twin brother. And he loved it.

Rokonora had never felt so alive.

by **Armed Bears** » Fri Jan 06, 2012 11:21 am

Armed Bears
(alias ‘The Bear-Belles’...)

For the information of those amongst you who are fairly new to NS Sports: Yes, this is is a team — and nation — consisting primarily of anthropomorphic Bears.
For the information of those amongst you who have already been around NS Sports for a while: Yes, this nation does have the same player as Bears Armed… but IC, instead of this nation being a ‘puppet’ of that other country, they are actually ‘alternative reality’ counterparts of each other and didn’t even know of each other’s existence before this tournament.
The current year in Armed Bears converts into the Gregorian calendar as 2012AD, even though for footballers from Bears Armed (whose own international debut, BoF31, was in 2008AD…), it is now 2064AD instead!

This is another all-female team, for the same reason that Bears Armed’s team falls into that category: The main ball-game that's traditionally been played in their homeland so far is actually a form of Rugby, but [for several reasons] the professional league for that sport is all-male and so a few years ago (in 2006AD, actually) some of the female players decided that switching to Soccer instead -- and trying to establish a professional league for that -- might be a viable alternative.

Almost all of the players are actual Ursines (i.e. anthropomorpic, bipedal Bears), but there are also two [female] members from the Harr'aynau people -- who are physically human (more-or-less, although inclined towards heavy builds & hairyness) but spiritually & culturally Ursine instead -- as well one player from yet another non-Ursine minority.

_______________________________

Manager: Surra Rueth’hron.
(Ursine female, from Clan Urrset; formerly manager of the 'Royal Engineers' team.)

Roster

(#1) Charra o Barrdenn _ Clan = GreenWoods, home team = 'Barrdenn Barbariennes', category & usual position = Goalkeeper, 6 years experience of Soccer; age = 24, left-pawed, fur = medium brown, noted for her long reach.
(#14) Urra Thunder _ Clan = Gunnar, home team = 'King's University (U-am-B)', category & usual position = Goalkeeper, Soccer experience = 2 years; age = 19, right-pawed, fur = medium brown.
(#32) Urrth’hra o Porrwath _ Clan = Eastern League, home team = Mirron Marvels, category & usual position = Goalkeeper, Soccer experience = 3 years; age = 20, left-pawed, fur = medium-brown.

(#2) Urratharra o Strongpaw _ Clan = March, home team = ‘Mighty Marchers’, category = Defender, usual position = Left Back, Soccer experience = 5 years; age = 20, right-pawed, fur = dark-medium brown.
(#3) Borrinna o HighPeaks _ Clan = Redwood, home team = ‘Free City Furies’, category = Defender, usual position = Right Back, Soccer experience = 6 years; age = 23, left-pawed, fur = light-medium brown & quite long.
(#15) Correene o SwanWater _ Clan = GreenWoods, home team = 'Heroes's Park Harlequins', Soccer experience = 3 years, category = Defender, preferred position = Right Back; age = 20, right-pawed, fur = medium-brown.
(#16) Beorra o Hrarth-Surra _ Clan = SouthWoods, home team = Harr Surrann Havocs, Soccer experience = 5 years, category = Defender, preferred position = Left Back; age = 23, left-pawed, fur = medium brown.
(#22) Harroya 'Silver' Gray _ Clan = Eastern Hills, home team = ‘Dynamo OstPort’, category = Defender/Midfielder, usual position = Centre Back or Midfield Centre, Soccer experience = 5 years; age = 20, left-pawed, fur = light greyish-brown.

(#4) Marra SunDaughter _ Clan = Sun, home team = 'Sun Valley Smashers', category = Midfielder or Defender, usual position = Centre Half or Centre Back, Soccer experience = 7 years experience; age = 26, left-pawed, fur = golden-brown, good eyesight even by human (rather than Ursine) standards. She is the team's CAPTAIN.
(#5) Marra-Urra o Redwood _ Clan = Redwood, home team = 'Mighty Redwoods', category = Midfielder, usual position = Midfield Left, Soccer experience = 5 years; age = 22, left-pawed, fur = medium brown.
(#6) Beorrtha o Parram _ Clan = WildWoods, home team = 'LakePort Lionesses', category = Midfielder, usual position = Midfield Right, Soccer experience = 4 years; age = 21, left-pawed, fur = medium brown.
(#17) Karra Thunder _ Clan = Gunnar, home team = PassPort Athletic, Soccer experience = 2 years, category = Midfielder, preferred position = Midfield Left; age = 17, left-pawed, fur = dark brown.
(#20) Zargie o Harruor _ Clan = Harruor Erruur, home team = 'LakePort Lionesses', category = Midfielder, preferred position = Midfield Centre, Soccer experience = 3 years; age = 19, left-pawed, fur = dark-medium brown.
(#21) Ilga NorthWalker _ Clan = WildWoods, home team = ‘WildFair Warriors’, Soccer experience = 2 years, category = Midfielder, preferred position = Midfield Right; a member of the Harr’aynau people, age = 19, right-footed, red-haired.

(#7) Beorra ‘The Locomotive’ o Barrdenn _ Clan = GreenWoods, home team = 'Barrdenn Barbariennes', category = Striker, usual position = Left Forward, Soccer experience = only 2 years but also has 6 years of Rugby experience from before that; age = 26, left-pawed, fur = medium brown. Her nickname comes from the fact that she's big, fast, tough, and definitely intimidating...
(#10) Urra ‘Honey’ SunBlessed _ Clan = Sun, home team = ‘Sun Valley Smashers’, category = Forward or Midfielder, usual position = Centre Forward, Soccer experience = 4 years; age = 20, right-pawed, fur = honey-brown, very good eyesight even by human (rather than Ursine) standards. She is a very accurate kicker, and therefore the usual first choice for taking free kicks & penalties; her nickname comes from her fur-colour, her very sweet nature, and (it must be admitted) the fact that she's a bit thick (but her 4 years experience of Soccer means that, by now, she's pretty unlikely to make the mistake of trying to play Rugby instead despite that thickness...).

(#11) Karramarsar Sarra _ Clan = Ostbora, home team = 'Victories of Vichr', category = Striker/Winger, usual position = either Right Forward or Right Winger, Soccer experience = 4 years; age = 20, right-pawed, fur = medium brown & fairly long. She is the identical twin sister of Karramarsar Karra, #13, with whom she has a close mental rapport that’s very useful for teamwork, and they're both pretty bright anyway.
(#13) Karramarsar Karra _ Clan = Ostbora, home team = 'Victories of Vichr', category = Striker/Winger, usual position = either Right Forward or Right Winger, Soccer experience = 4 years; age = 20, right-pawed, fur = medium brown & fairly long. She is the identical twin sister of Karramarsar Sarra, #11.
(#23) Harrya o Herrchaum _ Clan = Herrchaum, home team = 'Mighty Redwoods', category = Striker, preferred position = Right Forward, Soccer experience = 9 years; age = 31, left-pawed, fur = light brown.
(#24) Marrla o GreenWoods _ Clan = GreenWoods, home team = 'National U Tigers', category = Striker, preferred position = Centre Forward, Soccer experience = 2 years; age = 20, left-pawed, fur = dark brown.
(#25) Beorranna o Dawn _ Clan = Urrset, home team = ‘Sun Valley Smashers’, category = Striker/Winger, preferred position = Left Forward, Soccer experience = 3 years; age = 19, right-pawed, fur = light brown with a red tinge.
(#26) Burli Shassie _ Clan = Eastern League, home team = ‘Mirron Marvels’, category = Striker, preferred position = Left Forward, Soccer experience = 5 years; age = 24, left-pawed, fur = light brown; actually wants to become a professional singer.
(#32) Harroya ‘of the Rovers’ o Redwood _ Clan = Redwood, home team = Merlchester Rovers, category = Striker, preferred position = Right Forward, Soccer experience = 6 years; age = 21, left-pawed, fur = light brown; she will NOT break the rules (not even at the 'yellow card' level), managing to be an “attacking” player without being an “aggressive” one... Good at setting up goals for her team-mates, but only seems to score herself when the team really NEEDS that goal.

(#12) Ulga WestWalker _ Clan = WildWoods), home team = [just signed by] ‘LakePort Lionesses’, category = Winger or Midfielder, usual position = either Left Winger or Midfield Left, Soccer experience = 7 years; from the Harr’ayanau people, age = 24, right-footed, red-haired, very fast on her feet.
(#27) Harroya ‘She-Lion’ Lightning _ Clan = Gunnar, home team = 'LakePort Lionesses', category = Winger, preferred position = Left Winger, Soccer experience = 4 years; age = 19, left-pawed, fur = light brown.
(#30) Marranna o Westside _ Clan = WestWoods, home team = 'WestPort Wanderers', category = Winger, preferred position = Left Winger, Soccer experience = 4 years; age = 18, right-pawed, fur = dark-medium brown..
(#31) Verrina Serrnarra’s-daughter _ Clan = Verravokssur (Free Sept), home team = 'Vasrrorgrath Valkyrrs', category = Winger, preferred position = Right Winger, Soccer experience = 3 years; a member of the Verra’vokkssur people (who are anthropomorphic foxes; that’s as in fairly LARGE anthropomorphic foxes, she’s 6’1” tall), age = 22, ambidextrous, fur = orange-red.

Usual Starters = #1-8, 11-13.
Usual Substitutes = # 14, 15, 20, 23-25, 27.

They will favour a decidedly attacking style, even if ‘Style modifiers’ aren’t being used in this tournament: Consider it to be around +3.5 out of 5… “A good offence is the best defence”... and remember, that some of these players have more experience of Rugby than they do of Soccer.

Their usual formation will include a front row of at least 5 (normally as 3 strikers & 2 wingers), plus either 3 midfield & 2 backs or 2 midfield & 3 backs, plus of course the goalkeeper.

Kits
Home = bright yellow, with the bear's-paw emblem (as on the national flag) in bright green on both front & back of the shirt.
Away = bright green, with the bear's-paw emblem (as on the national flag) in bright yellow on both front & back of the shirt.
Goalkeepers = shirt “quartered” (both front & back) in yellow & green, with bears-paw emblem in maroon. Shorts yellow on left & green on right, socks vice versa.
(Identifying numbers & players’ names will be in black if on yellow, or in white if on green: Armed Bears has traditionally used base-8 arithmetic, for several reasons, so the sequence used here will be _ 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 20, 21, etc...)

________________________________

RP Permisions

Opponents may _

Choose my goalscorers: Y (but when I post the roster I'll suggest the most likely candidates for this)
Godmod Scoring Events: Y

RP injuries to my players / Godmod injuries to my players / Hand out Yellow cards to my players / Hand out Red cards to my players: Y to all, at least to start with, but remember what I've written here and keep it in limits accordingly... Any serious offences by my players would probably result in injuries to your players, and causing any serious injuries to my players would probably require such obviously-deliberate attacks that your players would get yellow or even red cards as a result too.

Godmod Other Events: Y, I suppose... but please remember that Ursines are fully sapient beings, as much as Humans are (well, almost so, anyway....), NOT instinct-driven animals. Oh, and of course female Ursines are NOT sexually interested in Humans (of either sex), and it's very unlikely that female Harr'ayanau would be either.

_____________________________________________________________________

Notes
Ursines may tend to be a bit less agile & slower to accelerate than humans on average, but this team's members were carefully selected so the gap between them & their opponents in this respect should be narrower than some people might expect. They do tend to have slightly poorer eyesight than humans, on the whole, so long-distance passes & shots at goal will be rarer behaviour for them than they are for human teams... but their size & strength mean that when they're running with the ball it will probably take a very brave human -- as well as a very skilled one -- to tackle them successfully, which should balance that factor pretty well.
They're physically robust, of course, which means that they're less likely than humans to suffer injuries in falls or collisions but also that the form of Rugby in which most of them played before switching to Soccer was even more physical than the humans' versions of that game... and unfortunately some of them might forget the change of rules, in the excitement of the match, and use those tactics here...
Forgetting that they're playing Soccer now, rather than 'Ursine-Rules' Rugby, will actually be the most likely reason for any rule-breaking that they might commit, but they're generally bright enough not to make such a mistake more than once per match per player (and after one of them has been penalised for doing so in any particular way it's fairly unlikely that any others would repeat the exact same mistake...). The females of this species are mote even-tempered than the males, and the team's members will try to stay on their best behaviour not only in order to do well in this contest (which they probably need to do in order for their planned Soccer league to become a reality) but also to impress upon the watching humans that Ursines aren't just “dumb beast”. They will not 'dive', or feign injury in other ways, because suggesting that they could be harmed so easily goes strongly against the grain.

If the organisers permit then the team's members, including subsititutes, will do a [short] traditional war-dance (similar to the [RL] New Zealanders' 'haka'...), on the pitch, just before each match begins: This is called the 'Harrdiharr'... ;-)

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