Imperial Chronicles (News and Random Events)

by **Tarasovka** » Tue Nov 12, 2013 1:44 pm

EVENTS TO KEEP TRACK OF
as of 12/11/2013 RL calendar

PUBLIC KNOWLEDGE

CHARACTERS:

TARASKOVYAN REGIONAL:

by **The Ctan** » Wed Nov 13, 2013 8:46 am

Council Room 18, Northern Senate House, Duat

Lygngarma watched the breadcrumbs fall on the plate as the roll’s crust fragmented under the knife’s action, he held it in one one hand, filling it, and sawed the blade outward away from his palm, the action making flakes of the harder outer shell pitter-patter onto the plate below his hand, exposing its soft, brown innards as he sliced it in two, placing them back on the saucer, and buttered the bread. He looked upwards as the doors opened to admit a man whose outfit was for once, something other than workaday, coloured in bright oranges and yellows over a basic red, the shirt was loose and left his sleeves bare, the printed aloaha shirt giving him a very different look.

“Good evening,” he said, raising his eyebrow in surprise.

“I came from a party,” De Vere said.

Lygngarma realized he had never really found out about the spymaster’s personal life, beyond working with his wife, he had no idea what kind of home he lived in, or how he really deressed when off-duty, if he ever was. He had imagined the same kind of total commitment that he himself had, and he realized within a moment’s thought that this style of dress didn’t really reveal much about De Vere after all, considering that it was dress for the benefit of others, not to his own tastes.

“Have a seat,” the woman to the left of Lygngarma said, waving to an empty seat in the meeting room, “Shall I send for some refreshment?”

“No, thank you,” De Vere said, it was late night, and Lygngarma had felt inclined to take her up on the offer, “I’ve just eaten.”

“Are we waiting for anyone else?” Lygngarma asked.

“I don’t believe so, no, unless our esteemed Arnstorana wishes to turn up, but I’ve heard from his office that he’s not,” Lygngarma said. Ranisath’s absence from many meetings lately was almost to be expected following his refusal to stand for re-election this year was almost to be expected. Apparently he was pretty much considering himself already on a retirement-sabattical from any kind of public office, though he still ostensibly had a position to fill, he’d limited himself mostly to the activities of Supreme Justicar until his term expired, and the Vacta Council, an advisory position he held by virtue of appointment on personal experience, not the elected office of Arnstorana. Sitting in Ranisath’s customary seat on the Senior Directorate of Foreign Affairs council, was Telissat, his – in Lygngarma’s opinion – far superior replacement.

“Then we should get started.”

“I agree,” Aiyana said, “This meeting is called to order, twenty three fourteen Duat time, in attendance, Patrast Lygngarma nos Dunnaealc, Aldaconcion Nahast Mu,” she went on briefly, ending with, “Special Guest Telissat Amris, Chair; Aldaconciga Aiyana Tiercean… Okay, so we’re shot of the hamster.”

“Never liked him anyway,” Lygngarma said, “diplomatic immunity indeed.”

“Well the successor will have that too,” Aiyana said.

“Lamentably,” the elf said. “So what do we know about this Solan fellow?”

“For the record, I liked the hamster, he was cute, shame he was a diplomat, or I’d have hung out with him.” Nahast Mu said, with a grin as he leaned on the desk, looking tired.

De Vere sorted through his documents, “A whole lot of nothing, he’s a Vareil, which is apparently a near human race endemic to parts of the country, but beyond that, we have no records on him.”

“Helpful as ever Paul,” Lygngarma teased.

“Well, if that’ll be it, I’ve a party to get back to!” De Vere said with jocular indifference to the tongue in cheek insult.

“It’s not, sadly, we need to at least look at our Taraskovya policy,” Aiyana said.

“As an aside,” Eithne Ni Beigan, one of various consultants, said, “We’ll have to dust Ranisath off and prop him up to receive the fellow’s credentials in state, it’s quite important to the Taraskovyans to do it right.”

“I don’t think we need a policy do we?” Aiyana said, nodding her head at Eithne’s remark, “they’re very much irrelevant to our current concerns, as much as we are to theirs,” she said.

“Perhaps, but they’re still hurting over past interactions,” Lygngarma said, “And to be honest, they’ve not been exactly hostile, much as they positioned themselves with the Knootians, they were the first to congratulate us on the OHTO gambit, and they were supportive of Ranisath’s effort at rapproachment with the Knootians, which was ultimately to our benefit. That nothing came of it is hardly their fault.”

“Wasn’t that a private citizen?” De Vere asked.

“It’d not have happened had their government opposed it at least, but we should look at making positive steps in a more productive relationship with them in the future, and possibly with our allies too…” Lygngarma said.

“There’s some bad blood there,” Aiyana warned.

“Perhaps there is, but it’s unproductive to keep them frozen out, when we’d get far more benefit from closer relations. I say we make that a development goal for the future,” Lygngarma said. “As for the ambassadors, perhaps find out where they’ve sent Timur. He’s one of their best, I believe, and keeping our ears pinned back with regard to him will probably give us an idea where their intentions lie.”

“I still think the hamster was cool and we should ask for a new hamster,” Nahast said, not entirely seriously.

“Oh, didn’t you know, there’s a Praksan restaurant down on the Illuminated Waterfront now, you can get your fill of hamster there.”

“Okay,” he said, leaning back.

“I wonder what our esteemed Arnstorana makes of all this?” Eithne said, a little sarcastically. Ranisath was not especially popular.

“Probably thinking of the Vethara woman, I expect,” Lygngarma said, “her domestic actions are interesting too, but we hardly need to care about them.”

“The one that got away, eh?” De Vere said shaking his head. He was a long term ally of Ranisath’s, but he had never shared Ranisath’s interest in… personal relations.

“The inauguration can’t come soon enough,” Lygngarma said, “I’m still amused they spent so long calling us a ‘conservative monarchy,’” he said.

Ranisath’s successor held up a hand in a warding gesture, as if demurring, “You’ve only yourselves to blame there…”

by **Tarasovka** » Wed Nov 13, 2013 12:26 pm

PUBLIC INFORMATION

THE GUIDE TO PRAKSA AND PRAKSANS

PRAKSA (Planet Praksa-Prima-4, Praksa-Prima-et-Secunda System)

Praksa is the fourth planet of the system of the same name (astrological classification by the Taraskovyan Academy of Astrophysical Sciences: [placeholder]), discovered by a mission of the Chief Deep Space Exploration Directorate of the Ministry of Defence of the Taraskovyan Empire. The system is a dual-star system consisting of two stars, seventeen planets and numerous satellites, asteroid belts and other astrological objects. In such a fashion that in fact the main star Praksa-Prima has along its orbit eleven of the planets, with Praksa-Secunda orbiting a gravitational centre with Praksa-1 perpendicular to the plane formed by the eleven planets, trailing with it the remaining six planets.

The planet “Praksa” (Praksa-Prima-4) itself being the fourth planet oribiting Praksa-Prima. The planet can be classified as largely arid, with surface areas predominating over water areas. The main landscape of the planet are its vast barren steppes.

The ocean is disconnected, with tropical and temperate climate zones concentrated largely along the the various seas that, together with the sutteranean waters connecting the seas, is sometimes called as the « Joint Praksan Ocean ». In the Great Black Desert the climate is extremely rough and the strong winds blowing without interruption consistently shift the dunes. This in turns leads to the unique « migrating seas » whereas the large « internal seas » spread over the Great Black Desert get buried from one side, but extend towards the other, thus migrating along with the winds and the dunes.

The Northern Temperate Zone is located closer to the north pole of the planet and is the main area of Imperial settlement on the planet.

The planet was inhabited by a race of technologically advanced insectoid creatures that disengaged from the planet approximately ten thousand years ago. The civilization, referred coloqually as the Praksan Builders, left impressive ruins and traces of its presence, now mostly buried beneath the steppes or swallowed by the migrating seas.

It is not known if the Builders are the original creators of what we nowadays know as the Praksan Gerbils, or simply the Praksans, or the Hambils.

IMPERIAL PRESENCE ON PRAKSA

The planet Praksa is a Closed Military World in the Taraskovyan imperial jargon. The reasons for this will be discussed more fully in the part dealing with the physiology of the native Praksans. The total Imperial population on the planet's surface is less than 10'000 souls, mostly military, research and logistics and support personnel, a mixture of TNDF personnel and civilian contractors on contracts through the Ministry of Defence.

The TNDF Security & Quarantine Forces maintain an impressive presence in the entire sphere around the planet, restricting any unauthorized entry or exit of spacecraft to or from the planet. Praksa-Prima-4 is fully captured by a Dyson swarm of protective sattelites. Craft refusing to abide orders can be disabled or even destroyed, depending on the severity of the resistance.

Additionally, the TNDF Engagement Forces maintain on constant rotation not less than one full Independent Operational Fleet in the Praksan system.

PRAKSANS

The native Praksans would remind Earth dwellers of hamsters. The coloqual term « gerbil » hails from the Russian appelation of the creatures due to them living in the arid areas of the planet upon initial contact. However, nowadays it is known that Praksans are settled all over the planet, except for several remote islands (one of which houses the Fort Novoarkhangelsk, the seat of the Imperial administration).

Native Praksans are sapient mammals. Whilst all Praksans have fur, the density and length of the coat varies depending on the region. The colouring of the fur seems to depend on the area of the planet, with the Praksans dwelling in arid regions having a more sandy-brown texture and the ones living in the forests by the seas tend closer to dark brown / dotted black.

Praksans are bipedal, even if they can move efficiently on all fours, and have opposable thumbs. The average height of an adult Praksan is of 25 cm, but regional varieties do exist. The average lifespan is of 20 to 30 years.

Praksans are highly immune to poisions and disease. Their immune system uniquely combines a two fold approach by producing « decoy » cells upon which a plethora of bacteria and virii feed and « combative » cells that destroy any virii and bacteria deemend « over the safe limit ». Studies have shown that Praksan organisms adapt nearly instantenously to the injection of non-native disease. Every single Praksan is, thus, a walking biological weapon of mass destruction whose blood and saliva are enough to cause a nightmare to the healthcare system of any, even the most advanced civilization. Additionally, the organisms of the Praksan combat chemical and non-natural toxins by rejecting them and isolating the molecules and atoms in the immune system for subsequent evacuation.

It is speculated that the Praksans were created by the Builders as either biological weapons, or as test subjects in trying to find cures to disease. It is not known whether the Praksans were gifted with sapience by their creators or developped it over the course of the many millenia since the disappearence of the Builders.

For this reasons Praksans are not allowed off planet without undergoing quarantine and a complex treatment process to « disinfect » them. This is also why the TNDF prevents even the slightest attempts to smuggle any Praksans (alive or dead, in whole or in parts) off planet. Any interaction with Praksans on the planet is highly restricted to qualified Imperial military personnel.

There are currently less than a hundred Praksans that have been issued with Imperial citizenship, with nearly all of them living off world. All of those are male. Imperial citizenship is not granted to all Praksans at once and, in fact, the exact number of Praksans on the planet is not known and shall not be known for a long time. Any census would run into a logistical nightmare and was not even undertaken.

Praksans tend to live mostly underground in vast colonies that, depending on the level of social and political organisation, function as cities. Praksans are separated into numerous political entities on various stages of political and social development. Some of the larger nations, such as the Kingdom of Karaboomerr (literally « People of the Black Forests »), have an established administrative system, with underground high ways linking the various cities and outposts of the Kingdom. Surface agriculture and even some limited industrial production (mining and reprocessing of ores for weapons and items of civilian use are present).

Some remote tribes still practice slavery, a practice indirectly fought by the Taraskovyan administration through the use of the local allies. Of those allies, the Kingdom of Karaboomerr is certainly the most important.

KNIGHTS OF PRAKSA

The Knights of Praksa are the military arm of the Worship of the God-Vasilevs, a new religion that appeared on Praksa with the coming of the Taraskovyans. The adherents of the Worship believe that the Taraskovyan Vasilevs, as ruler of those who came from the skies, is a living God.

The Knights are extremely fanatical in their devotion and, to somehow manage their fanatism and prevent them from crusading their less zealous, are being folded into a special military formation under the authority of the Emperor's Household, in the shape of power armoured infantry formations with accompanying vehicles. Needless to say, the development of weapons and armor systems specifically for the zealous Knights is a bonanza for select actors in the Military Industrial Complex.

FAMOUS PRAKSANS

Teerathe Soint Kweedrat Menek, Prince of Karaboomerr: sixteenth son of King Soint of the Karaboomerr. Famous diplomat in Imperial employ, served as the Imperial representative to various organisations. Initially as representative to the Necrontyr Empire led a policy of rapprochement that culminated in both countries signing a formal diplomatic relations agreement, extending the principle of diplomatic immunity to each other's diplomatic representatives. Whilst for most nations this seems logical, to the Taraskovyans and the Necrontyr it was a good step. Whilst the "New Trenton Fiasco" was not overcome under his tenure, both nations managed to not make their relations worse and even improve them somewhat. Currently appointed as the Vasilevs'es special ambassador at large. Known colloquially as Timur.

Karabom Soint Kweedrat Menek, Prince of Karaboomerr: seventeenth son of King Soint of the Karaboomerr. Rich Taraskovyan entrepreneur overseeing a chain of restaurants serving Praksan-themed cuisine. Known colloquially as Kirill.

IKNORITE

Iknorite is a rare spacedy mineral, of which strategic deposits are located on Praksa-Prima-4. Iknorite is a vital ingredient in certain classes of advanced computing systems, particularly electromechanical predictive machines. It is also used as a psychic enhancer, a toothpaste enamel whitener, and competes with Illudium Q-36 as a shaving cream emulsifier.

by **Tarasovka** » Fri Nov 15, 2013 3:59 pm

EVENTS TO KEEP TRACK OF
as of 15/11/2013 RL calendar

PUBLIC KNOWLEDGE

INTERNATIONAL

T01RTSE

by **Tarasovka** » Wed Nov 20, 2013 9:15 am

PUBLIC INFORMATION

THE GUIDE TO THE TARASKOVYAN SANGLANTI COAST

CONTEXT

Os Sanglants (the Taraskovyan Sanglanti Coast) is a protectorate territory of the Taraskovyan Empire on the planet Mars. It was established by a tripartite agreement between Der Angst, the then Grand Duchy of Taraskovya and the Zeppelin Manufacturers Inc. when the three powers, assisted by the Martian community at large, moved in to protect the territory and its population against overtaking by the Osage. Each country was granted a portion of the territory under its responsibility.

Over the years, with the integration of parts of former Der Angst into the Taraskovyan Empire, the Angstian part of the protectorate also came under Taraskovyan responsibility, granting the Empire two votes out of three on the Protectors Council and, thus, rendering the body rather symbolic. Additionally, under the Imperial Statute on the Governance of the Taraskovyan Sanglanti Coast, the portion of Os Sanglants under Taraskovyan occupation was cemented as a dominion of the Empire.

Overall, Imperial administration has turned the territory from a den of mercenaries and privateers into a respectable place where legal and legitimate business could flourish.

GOVERNANCE

The Taraskovyan Sanglanti Coast within the Taraskovyan Empire has a special status :

Imperial military and police presence is minimal to non-existent within the Sanglanti cities themselves, but is quite heavy along the rail links between the New Gardarikan provinces (which are part of the Empire itself), as well as along the seaboard in those areas placed under direct Imperial supervision.

The Empire is represented in the Taraskovyan Sanglanti Coast through its Namestnik (something akin to an Overseer), who has vast executive and legislative powers and who is the point of contact for all Sanglanti interactions with the Empire and beyond. Pirate and mercenary activities are outlawed as per special Imperial decrees for the Taraskovyan Sanglanti Coast and the locals are encouraged to develop honest business as traders and merchantmen, profiting from the territory's tax laws.

CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION

Whilst Taraskovyan military occupation of the area did indeed dent Sanglanti pirate operations and served to increase the general level of legality in the area, not all is as fine and nice as the official sources indicate.

When the Taraskovyans moved in, they had the choice to terminate Sanglanti pirate operations once and for all and certainly had the military means sufficient for this. However, given that such an operation would have negative outcomes on all possible levels (including, but not limited to: international protestations over wanton destruction, wars of revenge by those Sanglanti who survived upon Taraskovyan commercial shipping, potential loss of lives and material for the TNDF in any operation), another approach was chosen. Officially, the Taraskovyan Empire encourages the locals to do honest business as traders and merchantmen and businessmen.

Non officially, a silent pact exists between the Taraskovyan intelligence services and the various Sanglanti pirate captains. Under that silent pact the Sanglanti behave within Os Sanglants and Mars in general, and do not attack Taraskovyan shipping or disrupt Taraskovyan trade. In return, they are left alone to do their dirty business elsewhere and to pass those goods plundered off as products of trade.

The various Imperial armed crackdowns on “illicit and criminal activities” within the Sanglanti cities usually happen as reprisals against those Captains not abiding by the “do not touch Taraskovyan trade” rules. Investigations into allegations of smuggling, trafficking or pirate activity can start off from tip offs from allied governments, but even in those cases they would very often be directed against those Captains the Imperials need to settle a score with or make an example of to the others.

by **Tarasovka** » Sat Nov 30, 2013 1:17 pm

PUBLIC INFORMATION

RETALLIATORY MEASURES AGAINST THE UNITED STATES OF ALLANEA

In light of Allanea's open hostilities against the Pantocratorian Empire and more specifically in light of Allanea's lack of diplomatic tact and adherence to one-liner diplomatic missives, the following measures are enacted, and will be expanded upon as deemed fit and proper at the whim and mood of the time:

by **Tarasovka** » Sun Feb 16, 2014 4:15 am

Linked to: Taraskovyan Entry Into Triumvirate Confirmed

From the Empire’s Diaries:

* - * - *

Veche Ratifies Accession to Yut

In a historic vote, the Duma of the Taraskovyan Empire approved the instruments of accession of the Taraskovyan Empire to the Triumvirate of Yut. Deputies present at the Duma chambers stood up to applause as the final vote tally showed an overwhelming majority of 814 in favour of the accession. In protest, members of the Handalarian Alliance staged a walk out upon the results. Members of the National Patriotic Christian Alliance, who also voted against the instrument of accession, have remained seated with gloomy faces as the jubilation erupted. With the Senate having already approved the instrument of accession in yesterday's vote, the Taraskovyan Empire is set to adhere to the closely knit international alliance within weeks.

Polls conducted by various media and social research institutions have shown that a majority of those polled are either in favour, or indifferent to the accession, whilst only a minority is firmly against. Unlike with most Imperial legislation, accession to international organizations and military alliances is left solely to the Veche, with no referendum foreseen for the issue.

Taraskovyan exchanges mirrored their Yut counterparts by closing higher on the news of the impending accession.

Menelmacari & Kajali Votes Surprise Many

The votes cast by Menelmacar and Kajal in favour of Taraskovya's accession to Yut has surprised many within both Yut and Taraskovya. Foreign policy experts unanimously welcomed the news as a sign that past disagreements are being put behind in favour of more productive future relations. The votes have also allayed fears and speculations on what would happen if Taraskovya would join Yut against the objections of Menelmacar and Kajal and, in fact, whether such an accession was at all realistically feasible even in a scenario where the Empire would have gotten a sufficient number of votes on the Council regardless of the objections.

News Welcome in New Gardarika

The Kingdom of New Gardarika, which groups Taraskovya's possessions on Mars (except for the Taraskovyan Sanglanti Coast), has welcomed the news. The Kingdom consists of four parts geographically remote between themselves and interconnected mostly through Triumvirate members (exception yet again made of Daedalia and Cimmeria which can be connected through the Taraskovyan Sanglanti coast). Taraskovya's accession to Yut is seen as a potential boost to the Kingdom, a way to streamline transportation and trade arrangements and reverse the trend of the past few years during which New Gardarika suffered a great emigration drain to more "greener" pastures the Empire has to offer.

Handalarians to Stage Boycott of the Veche

The seven Lords of Handalar have released a joint statement, declaring a withdrawal of the joint Handalarian delegation from the Imperial Veche (at this time 2 Senators and 6 Deputies) in protest at what they have called a betrayal of national interests. The Handalarian Alliance, an umbrella political party grouping all seven Lordships for the purposes of Imperial elections, has for years been part of the Conservative-led Loyalist Coalition, until a rift caused the Handalarians to leave the Coalition over the issue of mechanoid sapiency. Joining Yut, it would seem, has been a step too far for the Lords.

Her High Excellency the Chancellor of the Empire has already released a formal reply, noting the Handalarian boycott: "[P]artaking or not in the work of the Veche of the Taraskovyan Empire is a decision taken by political movements, individual representatives or the delegating Realms. Such a process does not contravene the Imperial Constitutional and Legal Order. However, it shall be reminded to all that the Imperial Order is one and indivisible within all Realms of the Empire." Whilst the Handalarian Lords did not explicitly say they would prevent the implementation of Imperial law within their domains, many experts have noted the preemptive nature of the Chancellor's message and as a warning sent directly to the Lords themselves.

Experts who were approached by the editorial for a comment on whether the Handalarian boycott could lead to anything more serious tried to calm any fears. "The Lordships were made Realms and not Dominions for one reason: to ensure the Lords don't run astray," commented Gennady Riazantsev, professor of political history with the Amal University and author of numerous works on the history of the Handalarian lordships and their interactions with Taraskovya. "The Lordships were founded by the Traditionalists after their exile during the Strife. And if you remember history correctly, the Lord Darth who still rules over the lordship he founded and conveniently called Dartheun, was famous during the Strife for systematically immolating the Abolitionist Tarathians whenever he could toss a fireball at them. So to say there's some grievances between Vigvar and the Handalarians is to say nothing. However, the Handalarians simply do not have the demographic weight or the political clout to challenge the Empire's grip upon the region. And the Empire will keep a tight leash on the Lords as otherwise it could spell chaos and foreign interference into Tarathia. The Lords will speak out against the Empire, but will not act against the Empire."

Overall, experts are keen to not overestimate the importance of the boycott.

by **Tarasovka** » Mon Mar 17, 2014 3:51 am

EVENTS TO KEEP TRACK OF
as of 17/03/2014 RL calendar

PUBLIC KNOWLEDGE

CHARACTERS:

by **Tarasovka** » Fri Mar 20, 2015 4:20 am

From the Empire’s Diaries:

* - * - *

Veche, Realm Parliaments Confirm Further Devolution

The Joint Committee on Imperial Devolution and Regional Powers of the Imperial Veche, comprised of representatives of both the Duma and the Senate, has come to a formal agreement with the Inter-Parliamentary Discussion Group. The JVCIDRP was set up by the Veche to study the partition of powers between the Empire and its constituent Realms. It is not to be confused with the Joint Committee on Imperial Domains Affairs, as the JVC-IDa concentrates on the relations between the Empire and her vassals, protectorates and colonies. The IPDG is a consultative body that consists of delegated representatives of the Legislative Assemblies comprised of representatives of the Realm legislatures of nearly all Imperial Realms, except for the Handalarian Lordships. The IPDG currently includes representatives from Cardino-Dakathia, Belovodie, New Gardarika, Sarval, Zoria, Tavaroth, New Crimea and The Isles, with the exact delegations decided by each legislative assembly.

Following the Imperial Reform, Taraskovya underwent a brisk centralization process as the newly created Imperial institutions took over most competences and powers previously held by the Grand Duchy of Taraskovya, the latter being reformed into the United Kingdom of Cardinia and Dakathia. In the past years, however, and especially under the current sitting Veche, a number of decentralization and devolution activities were undertaken.

The readers will most certainly remember the devolution of Religious laws to the Realm level. This, overall, had the effect of liberalizing the religious freedoms in most of the Realms, even if the Handalarian Lordships, as usual, went the other way and imposed layers of additional red tape on anything non-Tarathian.

The protocol agreed between the JVC-IDRP and the IPDG is a rather long technical document which will pave the road for further devolution in favour of the Imperial Realms, with the Realms gaining additional powers in all sorts of fields. Just some examples include:
- the issue of arms carry and the right to own firearms will be passed into Realm hands. The Realms will not decide on such matters as whether it will be lawful to own private firearms in their respective regions, matters of open or concealed carry, gun violence, etc. Many Realms have complained that the current legislation is tailored to soothe the worries of the Handalarian Lordships and is too restrictive;
- larger share of welfare and healthcare powers is being devolved to the regions, with the Empire retaining the powers over the mandatory medical insurance issues. Realms had concerns that the Empire intervenes regularly into the healthcare system of the Realms, preventing a sustainable development through excessive regulation.
- a reconfiguration of the taxation model to avoid double-taxation within the Empire, be it between the Realms, or between the Realms and the Empire. The Realms will retain a larger share of taxes, that will allow them to fund projects on their own.

There have been voices of concern that more devolution of powers to the regions will spark an intra-Realm "war of regulations", where various Realms or Provinces would seek to gain additional benefits by offering better taxation or other conditions. Proponents of devolution counter this argument by saying that Taraskovya is too broad and diverse to enforce a single view upon all, and a friendly competition within the Empire and within the limits of Imperial Order will be beneficial for economic development.

The changes will not happen overnight and there are quite a few legislative procedures to overcome. However, after three years of negotiations, both the Imperial Veche and the Realm legislatures seem to have proven that they are capable on coming to arrangements within the interference of the Council of Ministers or of His Most August Majesty in person.

by **Tarasovka** » Sun Mar 22, 2015 1:36 pm

From the Empire’s Diaries:

In Answer to: Knootoss will no longer register sex in passports

* - * - *

Knootoss Genderless Passports Spark Debate in Empire

The Hollander Knootian Republic has decided to no longer mention the holder's gender in its passports. The move, not coordinated with the Taraskovyan Empire, risks suspending the free travel arrangement between the two countries until a solution is found.

Ever since the recognition of non-human and later on machinoid sapiency, the Taraskovyan Empire has also, much to the chagrin of many conservatives, recognised the need for a "third gender" box in its passports, which is available not only to non-humans that have "specific" gender types (or none at all), but also to humans who choose to "switch" out of a more regular gender partition.

The free travel arrangement the Empire has with many countries worldwide allows the citizens of this country to benefit from fast track processing through the Imperial border control. Such fast tracking means that the foreigner does not have to drop by a Taraskovyan Consulate ahead of the visit to get a longer duration visa, but may show up at an international border crossing and get freely admitted into the Empire and issued with the necessary documents directly at the border crossing. The Empire recognises the validity and the security of physical or digital passports (or other types of ID) of foreign states that include a set of specific criteria, which are fed into the Imperial migration register. The Empire also trusts these states to provide an up to date and valid information on whether any of its citizens are on the arrest list or a watch list. One of such criteria is the gender. Taraskovyan customs and migration officers may not, by law, trust the words of the arriving person on any of the criteria specifically enumerated as having to be included in his (her, its) travel documents and being digitally readable.

The Foreign Ministry has already issued a statement that the Taraskovyan Empire will approach the Hollander Republic to work out a technical solution to the matter. In the meantime, as the hardware employed by Taraskovyan border control officers will show up a missing criterion error, Knootian citizens with new type of travel documents will not be able to enter Taraskovya without securing a proper visa through a Consulate first. Consulates do the necessary background checks and then issue a visa, which in effect serves to replace the foreign travel document for the purpose of travelling to and staying in the Empire.

The Imperial Embassy in Knootoss has in the meantime posted a warning to Knootian citizens on the necessity to arrange for a proper visa through a Consulate, lest they be refused entry at the border. In order to cancel out negative effects, the Embassy will be setting up additional "temporary" consular offices throughout the Knootian Federation to allow for a more efficient treatment of visa requests from Knootian citizens.

by **Tarasovka** » Tue Mar 31, 2015 12:16 pm

From the Empire’s Diaries:

* - * - *

Veche Lifts Foreign Service Restriction for Yut Services

Ever since the Imperial Reform and the Abolition of the Mercenariat, Taraskovyan citizens have been forbidden from serving in the military or security services of foreign powers. This restriction will now be eased after the Veche of the Taraskovyan Empire approved the possibility for Taraskovyan citizens to serve with the various services of the Triumvirate of Yut, most notably with the Triumvirate of Yut Combined Services. Whilst the National Defence Forces have already detached entire units and formations to serve with TYCS as part of the Empire’s obligations towards mutual defence, this latest move will open the possibility for Taraskovyans to seek direct employment with such services.

by **Tarasovka** » Tue Apr 14, 2015 7:05 am

From the Empire’s Diaries:

* - * - *

Lorelei Palace Does Not Comment on Grand Duchess and Count of Bar-upon-Ler

The Lorelei Palace has refused to comment on rumours of separation between Her Imperial Highness the Grand Duchess Vethara of Taraskovya and His Highness the Count Alexander of Bar-upon-Ler, also known by his stage name as Alex Black, singer and leader of the "Svyatoy Krest" heavy metal band. Her Imperial Highness'es press secretary stated that the Grand Duchess'es Household does not comment on her private life. The pair have been in a relationship for more than seven years, yet they have not been seen together in months. Alex Black and his band are currently on tour throughout the Kingdom of Belovodie promoting their latest album "Rassvet" , whilst Her Imperial Highness is leading an official visit by a Taraskovyan delegation to Athéron, capital of the Vaureneran Empire.

Alex Black and his band have stirred controversy in the past for their Slavic-supremacist songs and shows and support for the National Patriotic Christian Alliance, and has on one occasion been investigated by the National Security for suspected hate incitement. On the opposite, Her Imperial Highness was the target of NPCA criticism for holding foreign titles and adopting a liberal political line in Zoria, first as leader of the local branch of the ruling Conservative Party, and now as leader of the local branch of the opposition Constitutional-Democratic Party. Yellow press has cited other reasons for the mismatch between Her Imperial Highness and her boyfriend, namely the apparently different lifestyles and social views, some pointed to the rumoured "multiple simultaneous interests" of the Grand Duchess.

Alexander's title of Count of Bar-upon-Ler, initially bestowed upon him by the Grand Duchess from her personal domains, remains with him. The Heraldric Registrar has refused to comment on possibility of the title being withdrawn.

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