Hi all,

From about 10pm tonight, I will be moving the forum over to CloudFlare in order to counter the drastic increase in the annoying bots that are crawling through the website.

There shouldn't be an extended outage, though the site may go down for a couple of hours as namservers switch over.

Kind regards,
CGJ

Hi all,

As most of you will be aware, we suffered a major multi-day outage this week. As the administrator (and it is literally my only job here) I wanted to be open and transparent about what happened, why, and what’s now in place.

To be clear: this was in no way related to a hack or data breach; no personal data has been affected by this week’s events.

So, what happened?

For my current employer, we are holding a conference and I volunteered to run the website. The website is hosted on the same account as TIO. Tickets for this event were released yesterday.

We had very high demand on the website from approx 10:50 onwards. Despite having used the hosting provider for almost 10 years, I'd never experienced the (still relatively low compared to what Glastonbury gets!) demand that the ticket registration generated. The website hosting plan, which cost about £4 a month, was not enough.

During frantic discussions with the hosting provider, we moved to a dedicated hosting platform at a slightly higher cost of $20 per month. Credit to the support team who did this in about half an hour.

All should be back to normal. There was a teething error as I had to point some of the internal addresses to new places as the paths had changed.

So once again apologies for the inconvenience. Please let me know if you notice any new issues.

Thanks,
C

Please note the Forum will shortly go offline for a few minutes, as install an urgent update.

Please note here for more information on this update.

NOTICE OF FORUM MAINTENANCE

From 10pm GMT/UTC onwards, we will be updating the Forum software from version 2.0.15 to 2.0.16. This will include a number of adjustments, particularly in relation to the General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR). While the Forum already complies with GDPR the best it can, Simple Machines have now embedded our current feature-set within the Forum software itself. For more information on SMF 2.0.16, please see here.

I will post a second notice on the Discord chat when the Forum is 5 minutes away from going offline.

Thanks,
C

Dartfordia is happy to sign.

His Majesty's Government formally notes that the Kingdom of Dartfordia will not be recognising the Confederation of Water Nomads, nor any of its tribes, as a sovereign entity.

While the Government fully supports the right to self-determination, the islands claimed by the Confederation are regarded by Dartfordia as being part of the long-term sovereign territory of the Empires of Paracambi and Bakkermaya. This is therefore an internal matter for the respective governments.

John Lankly MP
Foreign Secretary

Congratulations, I haven't heard the Pen Island joke since I was 13!

Also congratulations, you've been banned.

Statement on the Recent Agreement by the First Empire of Rokkenjima and the Holy Kingdom of Cabbagelandiet

His Majesty’s Government formally notes its concern between the recent deal agreed between the First Empire of Rokkenjima and the Holy Kingdom of Cabbagelandiet, and its obligations to the members and associate members of the Treaty of Unity for Alucard Nations (TUNA).

The First Empire has announced, without any prior consultation from either the First Empire or the Holy Kingdom, that they have ‘purchased’ the investment grant given to the Holy Kingdom by the member and associate nations of TUNA. This grant, which was used for the significant development of the Holy Kingdom’s largest port, was not a traditional loan, but rather a form of payment-in-kind. This enabled businesses and entrepreneurs to invest in the Holy Kingdom in exchange for a free rate on customs and port fees until the fees and duties added up to the cost of the grant. This was felt by both the Holy Kingdom and the member and associate member nations of TUNA as a fair and reasonable investment in the Holy Kingdom’s economy.

We are therefore seeking reassurances from the Holy Kingdom that the recent agreement will not jeopardise businesses and entrepreneurs in favour of those from a non-Albion and non-Alucard nation. We may be willing to consider allowing the Dartfordian share of the investment grant to be invested in other regenerative projects, but seek assurances from the Holy Kingdom that the terms of access for the original agreement are honoured.

Earlier today I was alerted on Discord to the fact that the founder account, Littlebrook, had ceased to exist. I took immediate action and ensured that founder access was fully restored to that account.

Maintaining founder account access is essential in securing the region and protecting it against the risks of raiding, I can only apologise to members of the Independent Order that this occurred.

I have reviewed the account settings and it appears no email account was associated with it, hence why I did not receive a reminder from NationStates. I have now added an email account to ensure this incident does not occur again.

Location: Queen Katenka Naval Base, Dartfordia
Time: 25 December, 19:20 AST

It had been another week in Dartfordia, Beatrice working in visits in between her schedule as time permitted, but victory was finally hers. Well, if one could term it that way, but she felt at least one area of her life was being restored.

“I can’t believe I’m letting you do this,” Alex murmured as the car carrying the couple to the Rokkenjiman naval base in Arendelle, the city of the former headquarters of the Cross-Straits Union. The two had spent a festive morning with the Royal Family at Winchester, first a Church service, then a grand feast. The feast was full of turkey, trimmings, stuffing, potatoes, parsnips, Yorkshire puddings, and, at least for Alex, lots and lots of gravy. It was both an annual get-together and a family send off for the pair, who were being driven to Dartfordia's busiest port.

“It’s only been what, 2 years?” Beatrice smirked at him, giving his hand a squeeze as the car rolled to a halt. The pair got out, greeted by a couple members of the grew in the distance. Otherwise, they were alone - a contrast to the usual fanfare that accompanied their arrival aboard the vessel.

Alex paused at the foot of the gangway, staring up towards the ship that had, on many occasions, served as a second home for many years. Yet not in recent times. Austrana had reminded him instantly of Rokkenjima, and of his actions, or inaction, during the Andean Genocide - and he had not since returned.

Beatrice placed her arms on his hips, leaning into him from behind. The time she had spent with Alex, the hours of talking and working through the fears and doubts which had weighed so heavily upon him, "...I'll exorcise the demons from your past..." she sang delicately into his ear.

“Your overuse of Muse songs is endearing,” he whispered, briefly leaning back into her before stepping forward towards the ship. Beatrice followed just a few moments later.

Austrana’s first destination would be Azukishima, so Beatrice could offer him an exclusive peek at the new headquarters of the Cross-Straits Union, ahead its official opening in January. Following their visit they would return to Pyrettania via train, finishing with a drive to Pyrena Castle. As what some, including a couple of mean-spirited journalists, would call his ‘bail conditions’, Alex would only be known by his royal Dartfordian title: His Royal Highness the Prince of Littlebrook.

The weight of his behaviour years earlier still haunted him, and the prospect of another political scandal terrified the Dartfordian Government. He would only perform personal, charitable and the occasional ceremonial duties. Awaiting them upon their arrival to Pyrena Castle would be Euphy, Evanthe (visiting from Somerset), and Lucinda Hadley (visiting from Achkaerin).

With the low-key festive welcomining party behind them, the couple would spend a few days recuperating with Adriana and Lucius, before Beatrice embarks on two diplomatic talks, traveling via the Austrana with Alexander remaining aboard. "You may at least enjoy the sights and sounds with me,” she told him as they agree the plans, “and I'm sure we can make each voyage more than memorable."

The engines flared into life as the couple wondered up towards the stern of the ship. As Dartfordia began to slip beyond the horizon, the two held each other as they sailed towards their new life. “Merry Christmas, Bea,” Alex whispered, before they turned in for the evening.

The Kingdom of Dartfordia supports this motion, though we note our observer status.

Hi all,

Due to a recent judgement by the European Court of Justice, we are now restricting the use of images and graphics on the forum. The ECJ ruled that “The posting on a website of a photograph that was freely accessible on another website with the consent of the author requires a new authorisation by that author.”

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Where required, you must also give credit to the relevant content producer.

Any photo or graphic that does not meet the above criteria is liable to removal on a takedown request.

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The Dartfordian delegate stood. "I'd like to thank my Achkaerinese colleague for raising this issue. Critically on the point of the referendum, we believe that the following conditions should be added: First, that the referendum is held by secret ballot, and second, that multiple referendums may be held on the same day and under the same terms. We wholeheartedly agree with the remainder of the proposal."

Lankly smiled and took a quick glance at his proposal. “We respect the Rokkenjiman position, and thank you for your proposals. We understand your concerns, particularly with regards to the developing risks abroad, we do also recognise the wider role Rokkenjiman ships have in deterring piracy and humanitarian aid.” He shifted in his chair. “However,” he lowered his tone slightly, “despite the vast capabilities of the Kyne fleet, it appears to get involved in very little. We see, 2 or 3 major uses for the fleet per year. This could easily be achieved by a smaller and more agile fleet.

“Second, Katenka is located next to the largest cruise terminal in Dartfordia, yet due to the huge number of Rokkenjiman ships from this one fleet - almost 50% larger than the entire Dartfordian Navy based at 4 separate ports - it is hogging the shipping lanes. Katenka separates the terminal from the ocean, forcing - when being used by the base - ships to travel around the base’s shipping lanes and in to the shipping lanes for Burnham. This was fine before 2014, when the Dartfordian Navy based only 15-20 ships there, and all movements were at night, but with 78 ships it is unsustainably disruptive. Cruise traffic has declined 10% in Arendelle, and the city has gone from a high reliability rate to worst of any major port on Albion besides Uppsala.

“Now this proposal takes your concerns regarding aircraft carriers and a significantly reduced Kyne fleet in to account. And below each one will be how many Dartfordian ships we will commit to the Kyne fleet, but will be based in another naval base.



“This reduces the total Katenka fleet from 78 to 36 ships, a reduction of 42. This allows the base to reduce its usage of the shipping lanes, and limit movements to off-peak periods where possible. However, 12 Dartfordian ships will join the Kyne fleet, allowing for 48 ships in the Kyne fleet - a reduction of only 30 ships.[1]

“As for the increase in ground rent, we would be willing to accept half the proposed amount to be put in a special community fund designated for Arendelle.” Lankly sat back and sighed, rubbing his eyes. “You see…the world is changing, Beatrice. You have spent a long time out of the action, and the world has quickly moved on from the days of the Rokkenjiman superpower. Albion ad Alucard nations are coming together, forging closer and more practical alliances, alliances that we want to be a part of. A huge stumbling block is the strong presence of Rokkenjima…to them, Dartfordia is sometimes seen as your Trojan horse.”

1.	Edited to fix maths.

State Visit by His Majesty The King of East Moreland

His Majesty King David of East Moreland has accepted an invitation from The King to pay a State Visit to the Kingdom of Dartfordia from 10th to 13th August 2018.

The King of East Moreland will stay at Rochester Palace.

The State Visit will include a formal State Banquet, a ceremonial procession and His Majesty the King is to be invited to deliver a speech to the House of Lords and Commons.