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Posted by: Democratic Republic Of Eiria
08-15-2023, 05:49 PM
Forum: Voting Floor
- Replies (6)

I hereby call a vote on the LIDUN applications of the following nations:

Aredoa;
Legionas;
Misumi (Puppet - Haesan);
Glanainn (Puppet - Lauchenoiria);
Gesthenia;

The initial voting period shall be 72 hours, and may be extended.

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Posted by: Gesthenia
08-14-2023, 05:32 PM
Forum: IDU Newswire
- Replies (1)

Rosa Chapman listened to the buzz of voices from the hall next door. For a moment she suddenly felt all of her 47 years. It had been a long few months and a gruelling election campaign.


“Are you ready, Rosa?” Her campaign manager Annabelle Fisher appeared beside her.


“Give me a second please, Annie.” Rosa took a couple of slow deep breaths, cast one last look at her notes and pushed open the door. A loud cheer greeted her as she walked to the microphone. She forced a broad smile on her face and raised a fist. A fresh round of cheers and applause rose from the crowd.


“Well, here we are! I would like to congratulate all my fellow candidates for a well run, if at times tough, campaign. I also extend my profound thanks and gratitude to my campaign team and the thousands of volunteers and activists whose hard and tireless work helped make this victory a reality. Today marks a new chapter in Gesthenia's history. As a nation we have undergone many trials and tribulations in our past. But today we take a step towards putting them behind us.


“Gesthenia is a proud nation made up of proud people. I am grateful and humbled that the people of Gesthenia have entrusted me to guide this great country. I will repay this trust by working for the many, not the few! For too long have the poor, the disenfranchised and most vulnerable members of our society been left to fend for themselves. This must not be allowed to continue. I promise to everyone here, and also watching and listening across the country, to implement a series of comprehensive programs of reform and development, as promised in my manifesto. Something which would not be needed if not for the years and years and years of corruption and incompetence of the previous administration!”


She paused. “I apologise. I sometimes forget I'm not still on the campaign trail.” A smattering of chuckles drifted around the room.


“But on the subject of my predecessor, Mr Anthony Malvern... While I may fundamentally disagree with many of his views and policies, I have found him to be a worthy opponent, a man of strong convictions, both in the Chamber and on the campaign trail. However, like all of you by now, I too have been paying attention over recent months to the accusations and rumours surrounding Mr. Malvern and the activities of members of his government. Therefore, I am announcing that my first act as President will be the formation of a judicial commission into the actions of my predecessor.”


She stepped back from the microphone. There was a moment of hushed silence in the hall. Then the noise started. A cacophony of journalists all shouting questions, a sizeable amount of applause Rosa was pleased to hear and a few angry shouts and boos. Anthony Malvern grasped her hand and smiled for the assembled cameras.“You bitch!” he said.


Rosa leaned down to his ear. “Now, now Tony. You of all people should know the dangers of saying 'unfortunate' things in the presence of microphones.” For a brief moment a look of absolute hatred flashed across his features before he forced a grin back towards the crowd. After a few minutes, Rosa stepped forward and raised her fist in celebration then turned and headed for the steps off the stage. Annabelle, her campaign manager was waiting for her offstage.


“Well, Annie, let's see if they are still calling me 'bland and moribund' in tomorrow's papers now!” said Rosa, and strode off down the corridor.

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Posted by: Aramantha
08-14-2023, 04:11 AM
Forum: International Affairs
- Replies (8)

Letter addressed to the Branchian capital, published in the Branchian Bugle (The BB) on August 10th, 2023:

Quote:Dearest Mr. Levensky, and for that matter whoever else it may concern,

My name is Lily Nils. For eighteen years I have worked as a professional hitman, assassin, and torture artist for the Branchian government. But you already probably know that. What you don’t know is that six years ago, I began a campaign to take down this corrupt and fraudulent excuse for a government from the inside. With the invaluable help of Mr. Andreas Holgersen of Zongongia, I have gathered concrete evidence of this government’s misdeeds and intend on releasing them in a public exposé in three days. 

So why write this letter then? I write this to petition Mr. Levensky to reveal his crimes and repent to the world of his own free will. Even the evilest of men must know when they’ve been defeated, and I allow you now one last chance for some kind of redemption in the eyes of the law. If not, you will meet your downfall, I promise you that. 

I hope this nations burns and both of us know exactly why, Mr. Levensky.

Best wishes,

Lily

•••

Tulen Levensky tapped his fingers against the desk.

“Get them.” he growled to the council gathered in the room

The room sprang into action. Seven phone calls were initiated, two men went downstairs to collect weapons, three computers began tracking locations. Cogs in an endless and lovely machine. God Tulen loved this place. 

What he did not love was the job ahead. 

The threat was hogwash of course. Whether or not such evidence had been gathered, they must have known that publishing a warning in advance could not, under any circumstances, end well for them. What was far more important was dealing with everything else. Tulen had spies in the BB, how had they not stopped that letter from being published? If the supposed co-writer was in fact a real person, how on earth was he expected to deal with the foreign affairs debacle that was bound to come out of that? Not to mention, if the Zongongian government had somehow been funding a project to take down Thousand Branches from within, how on earth had his spies there not figured this out?

In theory, some of these questions were things for his lackeys to answer. His spy connections were already hard at work gauging the Zongongian response. The editor of the BB had been taken into “questioning” aka interrogation (aka torture). The defacto control of the BB had then fallen to his plants there, who were now tracking the letter’s path to the offices of BB, a search that had already revealed it was sent from inside the country.

His team of investigators were at work, tearing apart the Nils woman’s home. His hitmen had assembled and were ready to go on a moment’s notice. Internet access had been restricted across the country to filter every user through the surveillance department. Everything working at maximum efficiency and yet he still had one major problem facing him. The public.

This country stood for freedom of information, right? Such was the facade that must be kept anyway. So the article has to continue to be allowed to run. By the time it made it to the public, an attempt to cover it up would only made them more suspicious. So the question was how could Levensky give the public something to chew on without breaking the facade? What crime could he reveal to pull the curtain over the eyes of 13 million people? 

It was just the way his brain worked. Ever logical in the face of infinite strain. Which isn’t to say Levensky was a man to look up to in any way, shape, or form, but to say that he was damn good at what he did. 

The next morning he would have a press conference. He would cry and admit something, some small crime, and suddenly he would be the victim in the eyes of the Branchian peoples. He would attend a religious ceremony to cleanse his crimes. He would shed his blood for the people of Thousand Branches and they would cheer for him. They would believe him the epitome of morality. He was just that good.

Or so he believed.

•••

Lily Nils was so very glad to not be alone.

Even as a professional murderer and a longtime underground agent of a corrupt organization, she was terrified. She was sitting, contemplating her death, knowing the end would be here soon. But at least she wasn’t alone. 

And damnit if she didn’t have one last adventure in her.

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Posted by: Holokovoy
08-13-2023, 05:15 AM
Forum: IDU Newswire
- Replies (4)

Vazyl Ilevyahn Becomes Vlastodrzhatz-Elect:

"And I'll even make the election administration work!" The vlastodrzhatz-elect[1] finished off his address from the balcony of the Hastrul Iuliyanatz[2], and the crowd below erupted with another wave of screams of joy and excitement and threats to bury him alive[3].

The process had taken an entire month, when even the law of what became that day the old regime mandated that results for the election of the head of state be produced within 5 days of the latter taking place[4]. There had ostensibly been five such votes since Hvalemyr Anastavyahn's liberalising reforms[5] to the state three decades ago, though it had always been evident that not even the 'good dictator' would allow for a real threat to his power.

Now, it could be confirmed that Holokovoy had never had a legitimate election in its history, as the entire fiasco that was the 2022 election revealed that Holokovoy barely had any of the infrastructure necessary to hold such an election to begin with: no designated workers to actually count the votes, no offices to make the tallies throughout the regions. The only institution relating to it that seemed to function — and not be composed entirely of ceremonial positions and vacant chairmanships — was the waste disposal undersecretariate of the Organ for the Interior, as its employees throughout the country had to be kept from reflexively incinerating the ballot boxes before they could even be examined. The modus operandi of the regime had apparently been no more complicated than having citizens cast their votes, incinerating the whole, and then choosing a number between 60 and 80% at random.

That this election had been unlike the rest, though, was not something everyone could agree on.

Much like the Ploshtat Revolution[6] a decade prior, the one on the Vyalah'Ved[7] had started with protests against the latest series of anti-dissident raids by the police in Vladekovor[8], escalated with the first application of undue force by the officers, and come to engulf most of the south of the nation with generalised anti-regime riots. However, when this same thing had occurred some days before Ploshtat, it had been the then strongman vlastodrzhatz of the country — Niholoz Horozatz[9] — to order the mass arrests, in a coordinated operation which was well-prepared to clamp down upon any sort of instability which might ensue.

Where Horozatz had been filled with a brutal resolve, his successor, Malamyr Gregurovyah[10], was not only not aware of the ongoing suppression — local commissaries being given carte blanche to act out on their own, paranoid whims was a hallmark of the late Vlast's[11] dysfunction — but also blinked, when it came time to quell it: reticent to have the army intervene in the capital, Gregurovyah decided that Strala Stravyahn's security corps[12] was to bring the operation it had launched — and which had precipitated this chain of violence — to term, and that 'all the mess it had caused was his to mop up'.

This laissez-faire, imprudently delegatory attitude — also a recurring approach of Gregurovyah's — disgruntled and had been disgruntling hardliners within his government for four years by then, and let the capital devolve into an inferno, but it was only by the very end of the Week of the Barricades that someone would be given the pretext to act: in a failed attempt by the Vyalah'Ved revolutionaries to emulate the Siege of the Palace of the Watchers in Eiria, skirmishes had started to take place at the Petron Munitions Factory, on the periphery of the capital, with the aim being to dislodge the Commissariate's men from there.

Citing the triune threats to its supplies, to the infrastructure neighbouring the plant, were it to be the location of an accident, and of the mob arming itself, were it to overwhelm the commissaries stationed there — as it had done at many points throughout the week — the military launched a unilateral intervention, with three entire brigades occupying the PMF, and then established a cordon sanitaire, running first through the northeastern portion of Vladekovor, with this area abruptly expanding in the afternoon, and then taking up most of the city, outside of the Hastrul Iuliyanatz where the vlastodrzhatz still resided, by nightfall.

Only when Stravyahn fled northwards — and as a military tribunal began to issue orders for the executions of the agents of the 'Commissariate for Peace and Order', on grounds of "unpatriotic incompetence" — did Gregurovyah come to feel targeted by the movements of his armed forces, and flee the country to seek refuge in Lehvant.

The next morning, the news was relayed to the nation, the transition of power being officialised with Vladan Ohnzvyah — commander of the Western Military Circle[13] — proclaiming himself vlastodrzhatz pro tempore, until free and fair elections — overseen by the military under his command — could be organised.

What followed was a long year of eerie silence. Under Ohnzvyah's stewardship, no heads were chopped — not even the ones one would have expected to be chopped, not even the ones one would have wanted chopped — and the sudden abolition of the death penalty even became the one, noteworthy event of the transition period. Still, the ubiquitous media personalities of the old regime seemed to fade from public view, mayors and councillors retired in droves, and the hundredists of the commissariate littering every street became a thing of the past.

In an unexpected turn of events, a year later, on the first day of Holy Week, the promised, free and fair elections did actually take place.

A stooge of the imperiled old regime — Hatamyr Uhtorvyah[14] — was pitted against one of those members of a small, underground and dissenting party, which had just a month prior risked imprisonment — Vazyl Ilevyahn from Vostane[15] — and was promptly beaten by a 30% margin, after a pathetic campaign consisting solely of platitudes for 'stability' and by then non-relevant accusations that his enemy was a 'puppet of the generals'.

Ilevyahn, meanwhile — during his campaign and during his address atop the Hastrul Iuliyanatz — kept to his Four-and-Four slogan: against the old guard, against the oligarchs, against the feudatories, against the paramilitaries, for democracy, for dignity, for the people, and for Holokovoy.

Foreign observers have commented that the reason the country tends to have rather bad political slogans is due to no elections having been truly competitive, and as such public relations and campaigning in politics having remained primitive.


[1] "Vlastodrzhatz" or literally "authority-holder" is the head of state and government of Holokovoy. It was introduced by Hvalemyr Anastavyahn during his reforms of the state, and replaced the previous title of "vladar" used by Iozias Lazar.

[2] Hastrul Iuliyanatz is a hastrul — a Holokovan stronghold, traditionally acting as both a castle and administrative center — in the capital city of Vladekovor, acting as the seat of the country's executive. Both the largest and newest hastrul in the country, its construction was ordered by the vladar Iozias Lazar in the 1940s. Its name comes from Iuliyanatz, the month it was completed on, and which itself is named after Honstantan ot'Iuliyan, the first egzarh (emperor) of Holokovoy.

[3] Following the Luciyanic Reformation of the Middle Ages, live burial replaced skinning as the preferred method of execution in Holokovoy, with it remaining in use until the 1960s, at which point it was replaced by the simpler hanging. Many Holokovar death threats reference it, still.

[4] The Holokovan calendar is divided into 12 months of exactly 30 days each, with the remaining 5 days making up 'Holy Week' or 'Small Week' at the end of the year, during which time occur both feasts and festivals, but also, traditionally, peaceful transitions of power. Votes begin to be cast on the first day of Holy Week, and the vlastodrzhatz-elect is meant to be revealed on the last day before the New Year.

[5] Hvalemyr Anastavyahn was the first vlastodrzhatz and second leader of the Holokovan Republic, officially taking office upon the death of Iozias Lazar, though not without his first years of rule being contested by the then chief of the Commissariate for Peace and Order. The rest of his vlastodrzhatzship was dedicated to liberalising reform of the state, with a focus on creating a balance of power and checks and balances in a system that remained deeply undemocratic and elitist.

[6] The Ploshtat Revolution was a series of anti-regime protests that took place in Vladekovor in 2012, with the aim of ousting the incumbent vlastodrzhatz, Niholoz Horozatz, and of uprooting the system entirely. "Ploshtat" means "city square" in Holokovar, where the main concentration of riots was located. These protests were violently suppressed by the HzMiR (Commissariate for Peace and Order).

[7] The Vyalah'Ved Revolution — or 'Great Avenue Revolution', named after the Great Avenue of central Vladekovor where it mainly took place — was a series of anti-regime protests that succeeded in ousting the vlastodrzhatz Malamyr Gregurovyah from power in 2022.

[8] The 2022 Vladekovor raids were organised by the then chief of the HzMiR, Strala Stravyahn, targeting mainly members of the 'Vostane' or 'Uprising' liberal-democratic political movement, namely its leadership, Vazyl Ilevyahn, and Hristofor Hrestuzvyah. They would end up sparking the Vyalah'Ved Revolution and subsequent dismantling of the Vlast regime.

[9] Niholoz Horozatz was the second vlastodrzhatz and third head of state and government of republican Holokovoy, succeeding Hvalemyr Anastavyahn. Categorically opposed to most of the reforms put in place by his predecessor and which constrained the office of vlastodrzhatz, he worked to undermine them mainly through privatising state assets and placing them in the hands of friends and subordinates, single handedly leading to the formation of both the Holokovar oligarchy, and the paramilitaries which plague the country. Horozatz would end up falling from political grace, after his efforts to circumvent the 3-term limit for his office proved too far even for an administration he had filled with lackeys.

[10] Malamyr Gregurovyah was the third vlastodrzhatz and fourth head of state and government of republican Holokovoy, succeeding Niholoz Horozatz. Already a member of what had become a nigh-hereditary line of regional governors of the region of Syrh — with his father and grandfather before him having been loyal to Iozias Lazar — privatisation would allow Gregurovyah to rule the broadbasket of Holokovoy like a feudal lord, with his family being judged trustworthy enough by Horozatz for large portions of its vast graineries and farms to be made his property.

The following decade would see him further monopolise tobacco, as well as mining in the eastern mountains, and then become a representative for the region in the Konklava, leaving the governorship up to his brother. While never enthused by the idea of becoming head of state, Gregurovyah — as the representative of the most populous subdivision of the country — would take on the vlastodrzhatzship as the reluctant, politically-though-not-financially unambitious candidate for stability, following Horozatz' shambolic sortie.

His hands-off approach would cause a rift with the national-patriotic authoritarians of the army and inner party, as well as a general 'rush towards autonomy' of the regions and institutions, with the Commissariate for Peace and Order in particular attempting to reimpose itself as an independent actor in politics, after having been quashed severely by Anastavyahn. The political dysfunction his rule caused would directly lead to the collapse of the regime during the Vyalah'Ved Revolution in 2022.

[11] "The Vlast" or "the Authority" was the unofficial name of the authoritarian regime governing Holokovoy from the end of the Holokovan Revolution and the overthrowal of the monarchy, until the 2022 Vyalah'Ved Revolution. Iozias Lazar, the first head of state of the new regime, ran the country on a policy of "total unity between land, folk, and state" and as such worked to erase "any terminology which communicated some vast distance between the state and people", which the word "government" did, while "authority" was more personal and direct. Since 2022, the Holokovan government is referred to as the "vladu" and no longer the "vlast".

[12] The "Commissariate for Peace and Order", or the "Homesaryat'z'Myr-i-Rad" (HzMiR, often called simply "Hazimyr", as if it were a person) was the main security force of the Vlast regime in Holokovoy, being established as a behind-the-lines guard for party members by its first Vrhovnah, Vihtor Tharnavan. Due to Iozias Lazar's incessant and paranoid attacks on the bureaucracy and army, the organisation would continue to amass power towards the end of his regime, almost succeeding in usurping his successor, Anastavyahn, before being partially contained and curtailed. After this, it would continue to be used as force against dissenters until its final dissolution by the army in 2022. It's last Vrhovnah was Strala Stravyahn.

[13] The Western Military Circle — or "Zapadan Stratan Ohol" — is one of the four military circles of the Holokovan Armed Forces, encompassing the capital, Vladekovor, as well as the rest of the marshy lowlands of the country's west, and Nad'Belzagh, the traditional headquarters of the military. It was first established in 2014 by General Vladan Ohnzvyah's military reorganisation, and he headed it as Vuyvod — supreme commander.

[14] Hatamyr Uhtorvyah was the governor of the Azadvana region, an Old Lazarist hardliner of the Vlast regime, and a foremost critic of Malamyr Gregurovyah's vlastodrzhatzship. While he remained steadfast in his anti-democratic and national-agrarianist ideals, Uhtorvyah still did see the corrosive effects the previous two heads of state had had on the functioning of the country, being the among the first to call for Malamyr's ousting, and accepting to legitimise the elections organised by the army through his reluctant participation, eventually losing to his radical liberal opponent, Vazyl Ilevyahn.

[15] Vazyl Ilevyahn is the founder of the liberal-democratic parry 'Vostane' and a radical democrat in Holokovan politics. His small party was catapulted into relevance by the 2022 Vladekovor raids, with him finding himself at the right moment at the right time to become the face of the Vyalah'Ved Revolution, and become the fourth vlastodrzhatz-elect of Holokovoy with a resounding 61% of the votes. Still, he has yet to be sworn in, with the constitution requiring a simple majority vote in the legislature, the Konklava.

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Posted by: Aredoa
08-08-2023, 01:42 PM
Forum: International Affairs
- Replies (3)

Theater of Visions, Caronia
Friday, 13th January 1872

“Another fantastic performance, Fabián. You’ve outdone yourself once again!” Fabián Pesina hurriedly brushed through the long row of fat cats sitting in the front row of the theater as applause rang out all around. The world-renowned playwright had just debuted his latest performance and it did not disappoint.

But with every successful play of his came the floods of aristocrats who wished to spin Fabián’s works as one of the many achievements of Costenan colonial rule of Aredoa, which could not be further from the truth. In fact, the only contribution of Costeno to Fabián’s brilliance is that most of his antagonists resembled what he saw as the stereotypical Costenan elite- wealthy, powerful, obnoxious, stupid, complacent.

Not that any of them got the reference. They had been born as the successors to their fathers’ wealth, a ‘career’ that did not require much intellect. Most attended elite schools in the capital where teachers were scared into giving all the aristocratic children nothing but the top grades.

“Congratulations, Fabián. I’ll be in contact with those ministry links we discussed.” The men were all just empty suits to Fabián as he sped through, giving each one a brief handshake and an ingenuine smile. He was in a rush. Normally he would be attending a post-show party with his cast, but not tonight. He had a prior engagement that was firmly in the center of his mind.

Fabián exited the theater. He did not take one of the many horses and carts waiting for passengers. Instead, he set out walking through the dimly lit streets on the pleasant January evening, taking in his surroundings as he strode. Fabián left the city center and headed towards the impoverished outskirts for the fortnightly meeting of the Aredoan Cultural Congress.


Ministry of State Security, Vahania

“So, a ‘Cultural Congress’, they call it?” Under-Secretary Segura smoked a fine Aredoan cigar, filling the room with the light mist of smoke, as he posed the question to the intelligence agents standing in front of him. A number of officials were gathered to hear the details of the intelligence briefing.

“Yes, sir. A ragtag group seeking to undermine the state’s cultural reforms that have brought Aredoa firmly under the sphere of Costenan influence. It is their stated goal to restore a bespoke Aredoan national identity.”

“Well, why haven’t we shut them down yet? These things inevitably lead to notions of separating from the empire. I’d rather that it doesn’t get there, Colonel.” The Under-Secretary made no effort to hide his frustration. He had much better things to do on a Friday evening than to listen to the ramblings of fools.

“We have spent months gathering information on the group, sir. It is a collection of socialists, communists, suffragettes, trade unionists, self-determinationists, you name it. A recipe for treason. Our goal is not just to ban the cultural movement, but to cut off the heads of the various undesirable political movements. In one fell swoop, we will be able to seize their leaders and have them imprisoned for their sedition.”

“How much longer do we have to let this group fester while you gather intelligence? Decisive action is no good if it is not swift.”

“You misunderstand, Under-Secretary, we believe we have all the information we need to act now. The Cultural Congress is meeting in Caronia tonight. With your blessing, we can move into their meeting place in a matter of hours.”

Chief of Police Javier Murillo spoke up this time. “Caronia? We don’t have much of a presence down that far south. The logistics of mass arrests just don’t make sense with our manpower.”

“I have men from the capital that are stationed down there in anticipation, Chief Murillo. All I need is the Under-Secretary’s signature and we’re a go.”

Under-Secretary Segura let out a deep sigh. He wasn’t known for being a very inspiring leader. “Well, if you insist, Colonel. Just know that any failure and the blame will be placed squarely on you. I have no time for incompetence." He was handed a piece of paper by one of the intelligence agents and, after giving it a brief scan with his eyes, placed his signature on it.

Under the Protection of the State Ordinance (1836), I, the undersigned, do authorize any and all means of force to suppress the seditious and treasonous activities in the region of Caronia.

X      Anton Segura       

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Posted by: Aramantha
08-07-2023, 01:53 AM
Forum: Nations of the IDU
- No Replies

A Quick Summary of my Ideas Big Grin

Sunil Shi, the mythological founder of the nation, arrived to the land many years ago, discovering what she described as an untouched paradise of the earth. According to legend, she came from a far-away tribe on a journey to seek out a new land away from the constant floods and disasters of their own land. Some modern bits of culture would support this theory including advanced flood barrier technology and alarm systems. That being said, despite there being no doubt that the woman herself existed (her journal entries are quite well documented), there is a considerable amount of argument over the validity of what was contained within her story. Her descriptions of the land and its inhabitants seem mostly accurate, many of them being linked to documented creatures and landmarks today, but her mental health continued to deteriorate as the journal went on and many of her entries become less and less based in reality. At one point she claims that she has reproduced asexually in her sleep without pregnancy or a male member of the species. She speaks of herself repopulating the island with people created from her own essence. The general theory surrounding this is that in fact her asexual reproduction was simply the arrival of the rest of her tribe, having been forced from their homeland waiting for the return of Sunil. One of the more recent proponent arguments in favor of Sunil’s journals centered around genetics and the historical record of early peoples of the land, a group that was entirely women. If each historical event, election, and obituary was centered around a woman, perhaps that was due to asexual reproduction and a dominant gene. Historians and anthropologists however believe otherwise, claiming that the cultural gender roles of the tribe that arrived on the island likely simply regarded everyone as women, regardless of sex. Several sculptures and drawings from old society depict male genitalia nearly as prominently as they depict female genitalia. Of course, further rebuttals have been cast between the believers and the non-believers, but to write out the whole argument would be unnecessary and convoluted. 

Instead, we should move on to the land itself. Sunil’s early theory of a land untouched by man was accepted for many years. The creatures and animals were of a kind not documented or seen by anyone in the nation before. Even once contact had been re-established with exterior nations, the living things of Thousand Branches were in a class entirely their own. In addition, the habitat seemed perfectly balanced and devoid of human structure. That theory prevailed until just the last hundred or so years when a foreigner had arrived in the land and was shocked to discover high levels of radiation across the entire country and even into the woods beyond. The question became: how can such levels of radiation exist in a land that was thought to be never habited? An early theory was that deep veins of radioactive material existed beneath the land but nuclear scientists brought in from outside the nation quickly dismissed that theory as impossible. The radioactivity present in the nation clearly had enough power once upon a time to mutate the creatures and plants of the land. Some trees had even evolved to use radiation as part of their photosynthesis process. That kind of radiation could only be caused by fallout and fallout necessitated the existence of some nation before this one many years ago. As the nuclear scientists explained the effects of nuclear fallout on a region, more parts of the story clicked into place. The psychological and biochemical effects on bodies, brains, and hormones could have been a partial cause of the insanity that grew in Sunil’s journals and the mental health issues that have plagued the nation for many years. The mutations and odd creatures had evolved and changed over many years in a unique environment. The long-time presence of cancers and thyroid problems that had baffled medical scientists for years could finally be explained.

A launch in nuclear research began in the nation, young and old being sent to foreign schools across the world in search of more research into fallout. Some wanted to know where the fallout had come from and instead opted to become foreign historians or diplomats. Others wanted to test the radiation and whether it was still affecting the population today. Even the ones who disagreed with many of the radioactive theories wanted to prove it was wrong and ventured out to schools of often dubious credibility. Today, a lab exists in the capital dedicated entirely to a cure for radiation sickness and to mitigating and blocking the risks associated with living in a land fraught with a new danger. And tomorrow, citizens of Thousand Branches look to a brighter future and further cooperation with outside nations, if they could only get people to come visit.

Obvs seeking any sort of critique or ideas from folks ^^ Always looking for ways to improve upon my ideas! Also want to know if this idea is acceptable/approvable by the folks in charge. Thanks all!

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Posted by: Democratic Republic Of Eiria
08-07-2023, 01:20 AM
Forum: Security Council
- Replies (3)

Secretary-General Charles Danton walked to the podium as the assembled delegates shuffled to their seats, briefcases and folders in their hands. "Welcome back, everyone. I hereby call this session of the League of IDU Nations Security Council to order. I suggest that we get right to the debate, as we have countless other matters to discuss."

"The first topic of discussion for today was proposed by the honorable delegates from Huenya. It concerns the territory that has been labeled 'Western Xiomera,' and if the annexation of that land by the Xiomeran Empire was a violation of the Jinyu Agreement. In addition, the discussion is also meant to address, and I quote, 'Xiomeran Military Adventurism.' I will now cede the floor to the delegation from Huenya if they would like to make an opening statement."

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Posted by: Lauchenoiria
07-26-2023, 06:53 PM
Forum: International Affairs
- Replies (4)

PREVIOUSLY in the IDU…
 
“We both know that I could kill all of you before you’d even blinked. If I wanted you dead, you would be, Councillor Pierre,” Zichitla said calmly. “I respect you, and I am loyal to the Matriarchy, I swear to you. I am telling you, as the expert on this matter, what you are about to do will risk the security of yourselves and this country.” (Artists of Progress, 17 Oct 2020)
 
*
 
“You’re really an Aurora?” one of the guards asked her eventually as they walked, blurting the question out like it couldn’t be held back.
 
“I am,” she confirmed, smiling at the guard. “I am of Kerlile, as it should be, not as it has become. Don’t worry, I won’t be any trouble for you, a cell is as good a place as any to hide from the coming destruction.” (Artists of Progress, 17 Oct 2020)
 
*
 
“I am your only hope at freedom, Aurora. If I grant you your freedom, I want to know you will pay your debt to me.”
 
“No,” Zichitla said simply. (Artists of Progress, 15 Nov 2020)
 
*
 
“You lied to us,” she continued, to the walls, “and said we were safe here, that we wouldn’t be punished for our perceived failure. You took us as children and moulded us into weapons to serve your own purposes, stealing our lives, and you wonder why so many of us cannot adjust to what you consider normal afterwards. And now you will take my life, again, not as punishment but because you fear I am right.” (Secrets of the Council, 20 Dec 2020)
 
*
 
The woman in the office in front of her stood up, and spun around, alarmed. Zichitla raised her gun, and shot the woman in the head, killing her instantly.
 
“That’s for what you did to Nikita,” she whispered to herself, memories running unbidden through her mind. (Secrets of the Council, 21 Dec 2020)
 
*
 
"We have reason to believe Zichitla poses a threat not only to Kerlile, but globally," Arnott took over, glancing sharply at Porter. "We do not presently know where she is, how many false identities she has, or what she is up to. What we do know is that she has attempted to recruit several of her former colleagues in the Aurora Programme to join some kind of, well, it appears to be some kind of apocalyptic cult." (The Second Tour, 29 Oct 2022)


PRESENT DAY
 
Zichitla closed her eyes and began her exercise routine. It was her own unique blend of various disciplines; adapted from a standard Aurora training routine. It kept both her body flexible and strong, and her mind sharp. She was going to need it if she was to finally put her plan into action. It had been several years now of gathering her forces; finding wayward Auroras who rejected Yauhmi’s sanctuary or Kerlile’s supposed retirement plan.
 
There were many Auroras who felt shunned and abandoned by Kerlile. They had been used, from toddlerhood, and cast aside without a thought. They had not managed to achieve their mission, and yet they were expected to sit down, shut up and potter about a garden like they’d done a lifetime of work. Even though many of them were still in their twenties. No, that would not do.
 
You see, the Council of Kerlile had always been corrupt, of course. But they’d managed at least to advance the mission of Kerlile alongside their corruption. Now, they were neglecting even that to cement their own position. Reform was, at its heart, a ploy to keep the Council in power by placating the foreigners who wished to remove them. But some of the Auroras, Zichitla’s Auroras, intended to keep the dream alive.
 
If the Council of Kerlile would not export gynarchy to the world, Zichitla would do it herself. One Aurora recruit at a time. She had been busy gathering the willing. Now, it was time to move onto the next stage of her plan. May the world tremble in fear.

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Posted by: Cove
07-22-2023, 06:33 PM
Forum: Embassy of Europeia
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[Image: p22021798.png]


In a weekend of votes, the citizens of Europeia elected their new Senate.

62 citizens voted for the Senate seat size. With a plurality of 29 votes, citizens voted for expanding the size of the Senate from the minimum of five seats to seven seats.

Six of the twelve candidates were elected in a first round of voting: Lloenflys, Common-Sense Politics and Ellenburg are all returning to the Senate after some absence, Senators Prim and Gem defended their Senate seats, and Elio and ICH were elected to the Senate for the first time. 

With 78 voters, voter turnout even exceeded that of the previous Presidential election.

Candidates McEntire and Ellenburg were tied for the seventh seat and entered a runoff election, which Ellenburg won with 45 to McEntires 27 votes.
The general senate election traditionally and legally marks the halfway point for the President and their government, too. 

In reflecting on his term so far, President Pland Adanna talked about the successes and struggles of his government.

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Posted by: Lauchenoiria
07-18-2023, 11:10 PM
Forum: International Affairs
- Replies (14)

PREVIOUSLY

Jointly written with Xiomera

Yousef Chaher, José, Cranston, Citlalnite, and Tlotli the parrot were all quite relieved that their three months in a Saladian jail were now over. As they signed the paperwork for their release and had their belongings returned, José was already cooking up his next scheme.

“Nah, I’m going legit,” he told the others as an official from the Salad Land Police Service pointed at another line for his signature. “Fake vegetables made of meat! Think about it; you get fake meat made of vegetables; why shouldn’t you get fake veg made of meat?”

“Arrr walk the plank,” squawked Tlotli.

“I agree with the parrot,” Yousef mumbled.

Once the paperwork was finished, they were led to the exit and swiftly deposited back into the streets of Port Salad, with instructions to leave the country within ten days. Tlotli flew up into the air in joy and glided in circles as José attempted to recruit Cranston and Citlalnite into his “carnivore vegetables” scheme. Yousef was about ready to slap one of them after three months in jail, and he planned to get as far away as fast as possible from the others.

Before he could, however, a lizard leapt out of a nearby bush onto Yousef’s chest and bit him hard on the lips, in a grotesque parody of a kiss.

“What the-” Yousef shouted, falling over onto his back in a struggle to get the bitey lizard off of him. As he fell, he caught the eye of one of the police officers… who promptly slammed and locked the door behind him.

Yousef wrestled with the lizard, whose jaws continued to move in its attempts to bite once more. Citlalnite turned and ran away, with Tlotli flying off after him. José began to whoop and cheer on Yousef in the fight, offering to take bets on who would win from passers-by. Cranston leaned over and plucked the lizard off of Yousef, and was about to snap its neck, when a man ran up shouting in Persian.

“What is going on!?” Yousef gasped.

“No! Do not kill it, please!” the man begged. Up close, the gang could see that he was dressed in the uniform of a royal courier from Zargothrax. “That lizard is the property of King Shapur! Give me, please!”

“Cool,” José said, appraising the lizard, which was being restrained quite effectively by Cranston. “Zargothrax is a great place for business! I was there a few years back with… a florist. Yeah, a florist.”

“Please give me the lizard!” the courier begged. “His Majesty is already frustrated with the delays. The Saladians, they will not allow us to leave.”

“Tell me about it,” Citlalnite said, appearing again behind where Yousef was sitting. He was now holding a giant net, and Tlotli was perched on his shoulder.

It was at this point that the door to the jail opened again, and several police officers came out. "One of those dammed lizards again," the officer in charge muttered under his breath. "I thought you lot were rounding them up," he said with a displeased look at the courier.

“We are trying!” the courier wailed. “They enjoy the taste of Thraxian blood.”

“I don’t think it depends what nationality you are,” Yousef pointed out, wiping blood off his face from where the lizard attacked.

“We’ll help you catch the lizards!” José said cheerily.

“José!!” shouted Yousef and Citlatlnite at the same time. Cranston just glared.

“As much as we’d love to,” Yousef lied,  “We’ve been told to leave the country. So, we better be going! Good luck with your lizards!”

The police officer paused, hand holding his chin. "Hmm. We could use some more hands rounding up these little bastards," he mused. "Gentlemen, your friend had an excellent suggestion. Consider yourselves drafted into the Salad Land Lizard Capture Service. Something I just thought up." He beamed at his colleagues. "Doesn't that sound nice and official?"

"Oh, it's splendid," one of the other policemen said. "That's quick thinking there. You might even get that promotion you were wanting when the Commissioner hears about it!" The officer in charge's smile grew even wider at that thought.

Yousef opened his mouth to speak, but then decided better of it. Citlalnite let out a stream of what was probably a string of profanity, but since it was in Huenyan, nobody else present understood exactly what he’d said.

“Cool, let’s get those bitey boys!” José grinned.

“Shiver me timbers,” Tlotli squawked.

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