Brought to you by the Anthoran Ice Hockey Federation, and its many fans!
A Traveller's Companion to the Kingdom of Anthor:
The Kingdom of Anthor is a constitutional monarchy consisting of some two hundred million souls within the borders of Atlantian Oceania; headed by her King, Samuel III, and her duly elected Prime Minister, Thomas Dalen, the average Anthoran of the better part of two decades has been able to enjoy freedom, peace and comfort; with the levels of all three of those, as well as the standards of living rising at large paces in more recent years, thanks to modern innovations created in Anthoran labs or across the multiverse, and brought into daily life by the Anthoran businessman or entrepreneur.
The Kingdom itself prides itself on it's relative safety and freedoms, though the two are usually carefully balanced. If the WCOH was to return to Anthor for the second time, most travellers would more then likely find themselves in the northern city of Kirkwall, the provincial capital of the Ebele Province and one of the first major cities if you crossed the kingdom's northern border. Home to some 5 million people, and a further one million in the nearby suburbs, towns and fringes of the city, Kirkwall is one of the most modern cities one could visit in Anthor, without losing the scenic countryside views that traditional Anthorans love seeing on postcards and pictures. Freedoms afforded to visitors are parallel to those of our citizenry, though they may not be as wide as some other nations; you are free to express your opinion and yourself, but ownership of firearms and weaponry is regulated, and while the police presence is not overwhelming, it would be unusual to not see one of the protectors of the King's people during the course of a day. Travellers could also find themselves arriving in Tharsius, particularly if they're entering from southern realms, where they would be greeted with the most developed and largest urban metropolis in the Kingdom, home to some seven million souls it has every feature of a stereotypical big city; one of its iconic features is the heavily developed public transportation, which users able to get bus, rail, metro, high-speed rail and other options to any part of the city, or any part of the Kingdom.
Thanks to recent economic success, though slow at first, the Anthoran pound is on pace with most other currencies, or close enough that visitors would get equal or near-equal value in their exchange of their native monetary amounts, and some banks will even cover any money you may have lost, depending on which company it is. Additionally, hotels are usually more styled on offering larger options and packages, at a far cheaper price; the standard package usually includes free room service, access to the hotel's shuttle service and facilities, as well as other similar perks.
Hockey within the Kingdom is governed by the AIHF, or the Anthoran Ice Hockey Federation, which helps guide and lead the largest sport in the kingdom, which generates an total attendance of fifteen million fans each season . Founded approximately thirty years ago in an effort to modernize and reform ice hockey within the Kingdom, the Federation oversees a professional league of 16 teams, and then two lower level leagues which aid in youth development. In the north, hockey is just as much a part of daily life as food or water, and you can find a major league team in any of the northern big cities, and everywhere else will at least have one junior or pro-am team, if not more. Kirkwall itself is home to a CJHL team, the Kirkwall Panthers, and is only a thirty minute ride from the city of Yarmouth, which is home to the professional level Yarmouth Ducks who are the reigning dynasty within the Federation. In the south, Toussard would be your mecca for hockey, their local pro level team the Daemons have made every playoff for the last eight seasons and are one of the most competitive teams in the entire Federation. Other cities such as Furness and Inverness also possess major league teams and offer plenty of hockey for tourists to consume.
Consult with your foreign affairs department now before booking a flight, or the closest Anthoran embassy. A bit in the outskirts of town and not close to either? Contact us at (18)100-541-8171, or visit us at experienceanthor.gov.ath for quick, easy help and advice for your visit to Anthor.
Pots and Groups:
Group 1
Mercedini (8)
Neu Engollon (12)
Free Republics (30)
Austrakia(53)
The South Falls (UR)
Detroit-Sud (UR)
Group 2
Elejamie (1)
Alpine Union (17)
Tobiasia (18)
Ko-oren (41)
Neo-Romanum (UR)
Kilaguni (UR)
Group 3
Abanhfleft (3)
South Covello (16)
Kita-Hinode (21)
Cassadaigua (47)
Halfdansodal (UR)
Ranoria (UR)
Group 4
Valanora (6)
Banija (14)
Equestrian States (26)
Thibaea (46)
Jebslund (UR)
Lycrabon (UR)
Group 5
Anthor(7)
Cosumar (9)
The Sherpa Empire (32)
Gergary (47)
Benin-Togo (UR)
The Authoritan Republic of Lochario (UR)
Group 6
Savojarna (5)
Qasden (15)
Razenthuria (19)
North Prarie (35)
New Jarwel (80)
Krenorus (UR)
Group 7
Vilita and Turori (2)
Cosneolta (13)
St. Saratoga (29)
Northwest Kalactin (34)
Mapletish (UR)
Routcher (UR)
Group 8
Novaya Zemlya (4)
Royal Kingdom of Quebec (11)
Siovanija and Teusland (20)
United States of Devonta (36)
Schutzenphalia and West Ruhntuhnkuhnland (UR)
Maryloupe (UR)
Scorination will be conducted using xkorante, with the Saintland modifiers. RP bonus will be a cumulative and generous, with judging being based on originality, effort, and using information relevant to the Cup, such as opposing rosters, etc. There will also be a roster bonus for those who contribute one. In the event Anthor makes it to the playoff round, third party scorination will be requested.
Schedule:
Cutoffs will be around 1:30 AM - 3 AM EST every Match Day. The odd times are due to my work schedule, and I apologize for the weirdness; users can expect for the cutoff to be on the later end of that window then the earlier end.
Wednesday, August 8 - Championship Game