1. On the passage of the biannual budget, a two-thirds majority of voting members in favor of the budget shall be required for enactment. Should the Council be unable to pass a budget with the required majority, the previous biennium’s budget shall remain in place.
2. LIDUN shall have the authority to require dues from its members, and the Budgetary and Internal Affairs Committee shall decide a formula to set such dues based on factors such as national wealth, contributions to international peacekeeping operations, and other factors which the Council may find relevant. Should a member state fail to pay such dues in full for a period of three consecutive years, unless a temporary waiver of dues is approved by the Budgetary and Internal Affairs Council, the member state’s voting privileges shall be suspended until all dues owed are paid.
   
3. The Budgetary and Internal Affairs Council is charged with establishing or dissolving specialized organizations within LIDUN, which shall be placed under the remit of one of the four committees of the whole for the purposes of overseeing and regulating the agencies’ operations. These specialized organizations, as well as the permanent organs of the League, may employ such staff as are necessary in order to fulfill their mandates, to be collectively referred to as the League Secretariat.
   

Sancha Groenbärd tapped her fingers on her desk, glaring at the map on the far side of the wall. She turned out the chatter of the various techs within the war intelligence room at Västergäd Military HQ in the Central High Command building. Upon the digital map sat various readouts including the locations of intelligence assets, aircraft, and the relative positions of friendly and confirmed non-friendly units. In particular, she paid special attention to Eïkangärd's eastern border. In particular, the area which should be Eïkangärd's eastern border.

She scowled at the area marked 'DMZ' on the map in cross-hatched lines. A national embarrassment is what it really was. One borne of the revolution over five decades ago. Back then, a weak and divided Eikangärd had failed to take rightful control of it's sovereign territories as it chased the traitorous former government forces towards The Brother Nations. The same Brother Nations who had intervened on the old regime's behalf and halted the rightful advance of the Eïkan people in the liberation of their homeland. The same Brother Nations who now held the Royal Family and former Regime in Exile within their capital city. The same Brother Nations who had allowed traitors to resettle beyond the reach of the Eïkan state.

The same Brother Nations who even now denied Eïkangärd their rightful claim to their territory.

With a deepening scowl, she resolved to end this national embarrassment. Eïkangärd was far stronger that it was all those years ago. The military had expanded, both in troops and equipment. Brave young Eikans now stood ready to fight and - if necessary - die for the pride of their nation. Xiomera further distracted the erstwhile allies of the Brother Nations with their interventionist and destabilizing policies, turning their attention elsewhere. Now would be her time to make a play.

She picked up the phone on her desk and punched in a quick extension.

"Get me the National News Agency." She ordered the person on the other end. "Tell them I have an announcement to make."

---------------------------------------------------

Within 12hrs of the phone call, an official demand was printed by the Eïkan National News Service, calling for the immediate return of all lands held within the Eïkan DMZ to the State of Eïkangärd. The terms were simple; acquiesce or else. What "or else" meant was deliberately vague. At the time, Marshal Groenbärd didn't want to broadcast anything specific. In the end, it would depend on what the Whetosonghneans would do...

PREVIOUSLY in the IDU...

“So, Gabriel. How far will you go? Is there anything you will not do?” Calhualyana looked Fleming squarely in the eyes, not even blinking.

"If I was not willing to do what needs to be done, I'd have stayed in Lauchenoiria," he met the Empresses eyes easily. "So to answer the question: I will go as far as you wish me to go." - Stories from Huenya (11 June 2021)

*

"There are three individuals Lauchenoiria is currently holding that we would accept in exchange. Their names are Dina Redondo, Xavier Everett, and Mariano Serrano. We will accept a trade for these three individuals - but only these three. Prime Minister Alvarez will know of them, and why we want them. If the Lauchenoirians refuse the trade, we will not release the three detainees, and they will go on trial on terrorism charges. I look forward to their response." - WOE Is Me (13 Apr 2023)

PREVIOUSLY in the IDU…
 
“Prince Kristofer would like to invite you to attend this evening’s dinner in the Sunflower Room at seven o’clock,” the servant informed her and then walked away. (This Damage Won’t Heal, 28 Mar 2021)
 
*
 
She pulled her hand out of his and stepped back. “We are cousins, Your Highness. Any such relations between us would be inappropriate.”

“We’re fourth cousins at best,” he snorted in response. “My parents were third cousins; closer than you and I. It’s just the way things are here. We’re not Kerlile.” (This Damage Won’t Heal, 8 Jul 2021)
 
*
 
"You'll be stripped of your title," she continued, "and your position on the Council. But I've asked for leniency. The punishment for treason is torture and death but I don't want you dead. I want this to end. You saved them, you sacrificed your own life to save them. And now I'll save you. I'll help you, you can go and be with your daughters in Zongongia. I'm sorry, Carmen. I've been wrong for so long." (Echoes of a Hidden Past, 23 May 2022)
 

April 20, 2023
National Assembly, Hwagang, Haesan:
As soon as the gavel dropped on the vote of no-confidence and the parliamentarian read out the lopsided result, a wave of nervous energy swept over the deputies.  Just 15 months after they took their oaths of office, they were back into the campaigning circus.  For their political futures, these first two weeks were the most crucial, an intense internal political networking battle to see who can rise the highest on their party's regional deputy lists.  The tension was palpable as the deputies huddled in their party groups, as they made tentative convention plans and frantically snapped up plane tickets back to their home provinces to start the frenetic campaign season, in what media pundits were already labeling the "most unpredictable election in Haesanite history."

For the Conservative Party and Liberty!, the two core constituents of the governing coalition, Jan van Deventer's fiery speech split their parties in twain.  Their struggle would be to determine just how exactly they planned to reform and reunite their parties after the chaotic fallout.  Perhaps that lofty task was too much to ask of junior deputies who entered the National Assembly on a miraculous tidal wave of popular anger at the "corrupt elites" just a year ago, but they would be forced to undertake it nonetheless.

As for Jan himself, the ousted PM was already headed home to his seaside estate in Ryujang.  The man whose public tantrum started this fiasco was set to decamp and determine his political future.  However, as he landed in Gyeongseong, his face was perfectly still and calm, as if nothing was amiss.  Perhaps the outburst was more calculated than it initially seemed.

In Haesan, they say that the moon will guide you home.  However, that night, a new moon rose over Haesan, and in the countryside the brilliant sunset transformed into an uneasy pitch black.   The headlights of Jan's sedan cut through the inky darkness on the winding coastal roads, charting a murky path into the unknown.

The Harmonious Academy of World Students

Welcome to The Harmonious Academy of World Students, or THAWS! THAWS is a brand new, state-of-the-art boarding school located in Murdarbe Province, Eiria. This location allows students to access both the famous forests of Murdarbe Province and the stunning beaches of Northeastern Eiria, providing suitable recreation and relaxation opportunities for its students. THAWS is close enough to local cities to make urban excursions easy, and yet far enough from these areas to maintain a tranquil, calming environment. In addition, students at THAWS will be able to gain university credit from their studies, both through local colleges and the Eirian High Rigor Course Program. 

This will be the first academic year ever held at THAWS, and as such, the initial class will be a smaller class of 16 and 17 year olds, carefully selected by their home nations from among the best (or perhaps richest) students. 

The roster of top-notch international faculty of THAWS is as follows:

(OOC: Not all of these positions must be filled, some are spares, in case of big interest. Likewise, additional positions can be added if a large number of applications are entered.)

School Head: Dr. Minerva Greenswald (Doatia)
Assistant Head: Choi Ji-yu (Haesan)
Counselor: Emilē Stanton (Eiria)
Psychologist: Rosita Gonzalez (Doatia)

Math (Dept. Head): Jenny Oxford (Novella Islands)
Math (JR): Dr. Iwasaki Hiromi (Misumi)

Science (Dept. Head): Dr. James Cartwright (Novella Islands)
Science (JR): Dr. Alistair McEwan (Haesan)
Science(JR): Dr. Évelyne Ana-Philomène (Wosteaque)

History (Dept. Head): Jim Teeley (Thousand Branches)
History (JR): Sebastian Duval (Eiria)
History (JR): Choi Ji-yu (Haesan)

Global/Civic Studies (Dept. Head): Serenity Garrett (Doatia)
Global/Civic Studies (JR): Penelope Rivers (Novella Islands)
Global/Civic Studies (JR): Kevin Lucey (Eiria)

Art (Dept. Head): Hanna Haroldson (Zongongia)

Band Director: Marē Tomlin (Eiria)
Choir Director: Karlis Marat (Auria)

Physical Education/Health: [OPEN]

Computer Technology: Tomas Andreu (Lauchenoiria)

Industrial Technology: Dr. Alistair McEwan (Haesan)

English Studies: Dr. Emma Seo (Haesan)

Eirian Studies: Dr. Alis Rakē (Eiria)



—

Here are the applications for this RP:

-Main Application:

Nation Name:
Puppet?: Y/N
Total Number of Enrolled Students:


-Main Character Student Application: (1-2 per nation)

Student Name:
Student Age:
Basic Description:
How was this student selected for THAWS?:


-Staff Application (0-5 per nation)

Staff Member Name:
Job Title:
Basic Description:
Qualifications (Completely Optional):

Promethean Sea, International Democratic Union

Ordinary Seaman Jon Kristoffersen was on his break, thankfully. The merchant ship he was working on had just emerged into the open Promethean Sea after navigating through narrow waters past nations like Tearvan, Buckingham, and Arizcara. In addition to the ordinary worries of obstacles and bad weather (he'd spent a lot of time pumping water off the ship as waves crashed over it), these nations had an eerie feel to them. They felt half-abandoned, as if ghost ships bearing their flags could come rushing out of the fog at any time. Only 17, he'd joined this merchant ship after his three-month mandatory military service training following his graduation from Jonsen Hospitality Institute. Jon liked people, helping people, and to be honest, he wasn't a great student, and so hospitality seemed both easy and a way to meet people. But he wanted to see the world, maybe get a job at a foreign hotel, and the shipping services were always hiring. So he signed on for GD360/week and the chance to visit Caxcana. 

As he rested on the rail of the ship, one of his bunkmates, Able Seaman Mikkel Bornesen, walked up to him and clapped him on the back. "It was a good job you did back there, Jonling. Navigating the Spøgelsesstrædet (Ghost Strait) with your sanity intact is no easy task for a landkrabbe like you. 'Tis a strange place."

Jon grimaced a bit at the backhanded nature of Bornesen's comments, but if the man one class and a few years ahead of you gave you a compliment, you took it. "I won't lie, Mikkel. I half-expected the Forhekset skonnert (Bewitched Schooner, Grundhavish Flying Dutchman) itself to come out and fix its hex-light on us. I thought I was used to sailing, but that gave me the shivers."

Bornesen laughed loudly. "Jonling, even the Forhekset skonnert itself couldn't get past our security! Those are hard-bitten veteran sailors and not even a ghost ship would faze them."

"I guess naval ships have seen a lot, huh?"

"Naval ships? Bless your heart, no! We've got pirates escorting us to Cape Auria. Sure, they've got markings that look an awful lot like official markings, and they might call themselves Søfartsbeskyttelsestjeneste (Seafaring Protection Service), but they're pirates through and through. When you're a pirate, you're prepared for anything."

"Mikkel, why the hell are we entrusting pirates to escort an aid convoy instead of actual naval ships? Won't they rob us and take the aid?"

"Jonling, the first thing about being a pirate is maximizing your profit. If pirates rob their customers, they lose their customers. Better to stick to preying on ships from small, unobtrusive nations and picking up the occasional contract from the government. Besides, I'm sure they, just like everyone else in this endeavor, are being compensated handsomely. Except us, that is!" He threw back his head and laughed. 

"But the Lord Mayor said that everyone was doing this for the good of Cape Auria and Grundhavn. Didn't the businesses give the government discounted rates on goods and wouldn't the shipping company and the SBS do the same? What does money have to do with this?"

"Money makes the world go round, Jonling. Everyone has something to sell and something to buy. The Lord Mayor wants to sell a kindler, gentler Grundhavn and buy goodwill to open up more markets. The price is free aid to an impoverished place, but there's no such thing as a free lunch. Somebody's got to pay for the aid, and it was the government. I'm sure they'll use accounting tricks to make it look like they got a discount, but they can't stay in power and ask their friends to take a haircut. Besides, I'm sure they've got something up their sleeve to make this trip worthwhile."

"Mikkel, I don't think I like this view of the world. Does being a sailor make you this jaded?"

"Aye, Jonling, being a sailor does tend to color one's view. But it's the truth in this case, I'm afraid. Only ninnies like the Justice Party or Green League believe in authentic altruism. For the rest of us, everything has a price. It's just a question of what we're willing to pay to obtain it or how much we think we can get for selling it. Enjoy the rest of your break."

Aegir Sea, International Democratic Union

Jon Kristoffersen breathed in deeply. Was he really about to do this? In his hand, he held an identical copy of the key that opened this particular shipping container. It had cost him both Grunddalers and extra work, but a fellow named Ulfesen had been only too willing to make a copy for him. Ever since his conversation with Mikkel Bornesen that day, he had tossed and turned. What if he wasn't really on a humanitarian mission? What if Bornesen was right and the Lord Mayor had some other plan for this aid? Could he handle finding that out?

Yes, he decided. If he backed out now, it would eat away at him and he was already out the cost he'd paid for the key. He unlocked the door and stepped inside the container. He clicked on his flashlight. Tinned herring. A delicious Grundhavish snack, though Cape Aurians might not think so. Still, beggars couldn't be choosers. But that was just what the box said. What if? He creaked open the box and saw tins and tins of herring. But what was that? Something else, something darker, caught his eye. Just a flash of black below the bright yellow herring tins. He brushed aside some tins and reached down. 

It was cold, metallic. He moved his hand along it. Then, recognition. Jon wasn't a born soldier like some of the guys at military training, but he'd learned enough there. There were layers and layers of service rifles below the herring. He moved his hand a little further. No serial number. He remembered the instructor saying that the Grundhavish service rifle was nearly identical in appearance to many other semi-automatic weapons manufactured by other nations. So these guns were going to be untraceable, or nearly so. This was the secret, then. Grundhavish arms manufacturers were going to be adding firepower to the Cape Aurian civil war. That wasn't right. But what should he do? What could he do?

"Hey, you!" Jon turned his head. Shit. Another flashlight filled the gloom. Jon tried to run, but there was nowhere to go. Two men grabbed him, there was a blinding light, pain, and then...darkness.

Quote:§3.7 The World Assembly Delegate is required to vote in the General Assembly, or any other body of the World Assembly with the exception of the Security Council, in a manner that reflects the region’s wishes.

§3.8 The World Assembly Delegate is required to vote in the Security Council of the World Assembly in a manner that reflects the region's wishes, with the exception of votes where the World Assembly Delegate is of the opinion that to do so would (i) harm the region's international standing and/or reputation, (ii) negatively impact the region's relationship with treaty allies, or (iii) alter the region's long-standing anti-malicious raiding position.

§3.9 The World Assembly Delegate is required to post on the Regional Message Board at the time of their vote, and the manner of how they voted; the World Assembly Delegate may, from time to time, abstain from voting if they are of the belief the region is equally, or close to equally, divided.

§3.10 During a period of voting, the World Assembly Delegate shall have the discretion to vote on behalf of the region in the General Assembly, Security Council, or any other World Assembly body, according to their own beliefs and their own position provided that their vote at the close of voting ultimately meets the requirements of the above provisions.

§3.11 The World Assembly Delegate shall have discretion to approve proposals made to the General Assembly, Security Council, or any other World Assembly body.