To Our Fellow Members

As some of you are already aware East Moreland have begun utilising an island in the Central Alucard Island Chain as an airfield in the ongoing crisis in Lodja. Our concerns over the use of the island saw us contact the ambassador of East Moreland.

Following our meeting with the ambassador from East Moreland we have learned of the following facts.

1. East Moreland have, with the support of Ui Cenneslaig and Lodja, constructed a makeshift airfield designed for temporary use on an island in the mid Alucard Island Chain. This island had no official name but is current using the name Cobble Field.

2. Cobble Field is being used as a base of operations for East Moreland's Air Force to conduct air patrols in search for the AWOL HMDS Morelander which has been effectively stolen by former King of Lodja, Leopold Hamsik. In addition to air patrols small boat patrols by special forces are also being undertaken.

3. Cobble Field sits in international waters but has effectively been turned into an East Moreland outpost.

4. We have made it clear to East Moreland that the manner in which this operation has taken place is disrespectful to the TUNA nations and should have happened only after consultation with other nations.

5. We have agreed with East Moreland that a Paracambian prescence on Cobble Field and in the waters surrounding it will be in order to observe the actions being taken.

6. East Moreland have agreed that within 48 hours of the HMDS Morelander being neutralised they will cease operations at Cobble Field. Should TUNA nations make arrangements for Cobble Field to be used for non military means they are prepared to leave it in tact. Should TUNA not reach such arrangement they shall dismantle their equipment and remove it within 72 hours of cessation of actions.

It is my belief that the Morelanders will stand by these agreements however we would appreciate any information you have utilising the words Cobble Field shall be passed on to ourselves.

With this in mind I believe this organisation should begin talks about what to do with the facility once East Moreland operations have been completed.

With this in mind I would like to invite the membership to suggest ideas for how we could make use of this island.

While Dixon made her phone call the Emperor waited in his office, he had plenty of other things to be doing and had lost track of time when she returned to the meeting. He was of the belief that it would be difficult for any military purpose to work on the rock anyway, it was too small for international co-operation and the fact that there were CNN, TUNA and even Cross Staits interests in the region it would never come about. He could think of several useful civilian uses, a search and rescue outpost, a scientific study base, even a way station for the Alucard Clean up and so when Dixon asked for the final concession from him regarding the site then the Emperor was happy to agree. "Ambassador thank you for your time, I believe we have an understanding in good faith." He looked at his watch, "I believe your 48 hours of grace can begin." He offered his hand, "I hope the next time we meet it is for something much happier."

Benson had been aware for some time of the Morelanders and their abilities and accomplishments with these temporary airfields. He was also aware of the issues stemming from the previous Illumic incidents. "I believe when it came to our actions in Zimalia however we were on the same page. You didn't wish to see Zimalia's sovereignty diminished, we ensured it wasn't. This however is seeing you creating something completely new. As a result the two are not really the same. I must make you aware that we have already asked our SUN partners for information regarding your activities, so they clearly know you are up to something already. We will though grant you 48 hours of silence on three conditions. The first is that we are permitted to have three fighters there. This will allow us to monitor you round the clock, a single fighter could not achieve this. The Second is that we shall be parking a Frigate on the deadside of your airfield. It will monitor flights and communications and provide berths for a small maintainence crew for our aircraft. Finally 72 hours after the HMDS Morelander has been either recaptured or sunk we expect an East Moreland withdrawal of the airfield to begin, it took you only a few days to set it up and therefore once you begin the withdrawal it must be finished within 72 hours."

Bensen showed Natalia a seat across from him at his desk. It was a rather imposing dark wooden affair inlaid with a gold colour but topped with a dark green leather on top. Photos of the Emperor's family stood on one corner while a wooden pot of various pens at the other. Normally Benson would have offered the guest a drink but today was no matter for niceties. "Thank you for coming so quickly." The Emperor at least began politely. "We have over the last 24 hours witnessed East Moreland aircraft crossing the Alucard towards Lodja. That is a situation I had expected, one ally helping another during a time of crisis. We then had some of our naval patrols witness on radar these aircraft seemingly land in the Alucard. Now upon interviews with various water nomad groups the word on the street is that you're running some kind of makeshift air force base off of one of the islands in the Central Alucard Chain. To the best of my knowledge that island is in international water and I am therefore concerned that you are claiming these islands, home to the Water Nomads from time to time, for your own designs. As your King has stated on many occasions those native to a region should control what goes on there. If East Moreland are building air-bases in the region I want to know where, why and there should be controls put on it. Now is this information you can furnish me with or do we need to send our fleet further south to extract the information ourselves?"

The Empire of Paracambi stands squarely behind our friendship with the QUEENDOM of Lodja. We have been presented with no evidence of wrong doing by the legitimate authority of Lodja that would justify actions taken by Leopold Hamsik and as such believe he should be hunted down and brought to justice along with any of his co-conspirators. With immediate effect we will be changing our ambassador to the Queendom with Cayden Stephens stepping aside during this period of crisis to be replaced by Prince Christian this change has been made to allow for swifter decision making regarding the situation in Lodja.

We are confident that all members of TUNA shall stand firmly behind Queen Klara and we wish her a speedy recovery.

Signed
Emperor Benson of Paracambi
Grand Hougon of the Vodou Faith

The final duo to arrive were the brothers Olayinka and Albin Brinley. Olayinka was a former journalist who was now a member of the province of Castires local government. His younger brother Albin was a Squadron Leader in the Imperial air-force who served in an intelligance squadron. They greeted the others and prepared to board for the journey.

"While I think we certainly need the government of Topri to agree to come to the table we also need to try and put in place a ceasefire while that happens. This potentially will require assets in the region. I therefore propose that we begin mobilising a small force, nothing to heavy to undertake the mission. Mobilising forces takes time and we need to be ready. I think therefore we begin this process, send the letter and then undertake the talks if successful. If we each assign assets accordingly we could potentially use them for humanitarian operations if need be."

THE ASSEMBLY OF SOVEREIGN NATIONS (ASN) FLOOR

Paracambian Representative Stands

"As the assembly is probably aware we have today got word from Parbhani of a request for us to try and facilitate talks between their Empire and the nation of Topri who they are currently fighting in a war that started with a dispute over a river. I think we should discuss the request and determine whether this is a situation we should get involved in. That all being said I open the floor for discussion."

Today the Empire welcomed the new flagship of the Imperial Navy the 6th reincarnation of HIMS Insolent. The last ship to have the name retired in 2017 following a fire onbard the Destroyer that carried the name. The latest ship is being called by many a "Hybrid Multi Purpose Ship" and will be called the Hybrid Class as a result. The ship maintains part cruiser and part helicopter carrier capabilities allowing it to undertake a wide variety of operations. The ship was launched at Alemba Dockywards and drew a huge crowd to see off the ship which is named after the ship captained by famed sailor Jebadieah Braithwaite in 18th Century. The original HIMS Insolent was famed for freeing a large number of slaves from Seleucid and Ardian ships before being retired having barely limped into harbour in 1751. The ship also became famous for the story of young musician called Thomas being part of a boarding party which became trapped aboard a Seleucid ship and being sure to be captured flung his harp into the sea before igniting the ships powder store allowing the HIMS Insolent to escape. From this point forward the story has become part of the nations heritage and even gave birth to the national anthem.

The Emperor blessed the boat with the sacrifice of a cow and blessed the 350 strong crew during a short ceremony before being given a tour of the ship. The ship will now head out on a tour of the islands to show the vessel off and will meet a detachment of 200 Marines who will serve on when it reaches Roseau where the Marines have been undertaking a recent military exercise. The ship is crewed by naval personnel who have had ancestors who served on the previous ships to have carried the name. This includes its new Captain Gabriel Clyde whose grand-father was a gunner on the 4th ship to have held the name. There has however been one issue identified with the introduction of the Hybrid Class is that navies large helicopters capable of serving on the Insolent are few in number, already committed to the HIMS Linguetor and entered service in the 1960's. It is therefore expected that a batch of at least 20 new helicopters will be purchased with Emperor Benson considering looking at the nations of the newly formed Sovereign Union of Nations for a supplier. The Emperor stated, "SUN is a group of nations committed to working together to help each other progress, sadly the Paracambian aviation industry does not at the moment produce what we need and so we will look first to Cassiopeia, Drenovia and Chistopol to manage the situation, beyond that we'll see what else can be acquired."

---

The first Empire Games have ended in Aluhampton with the Empire's largest province topping the medal table. The games were hastily arranged once the Mundus Games were awarded to slave owning Tamora and former slave traders Royal Seleucid. The games featured many of the same events as the main games with a few added in that are popular in the Empire such as Paddleboarding. While the games were arranged to allow Paracambian athletes to participate in competition while boycotting what have been called the "Slave Games" by Paracambi and several other nations. Teams from Bakkermaya and Lodja took part in the football allowing teams from their islands to be represented for the first time. Several athletes from other nations also took place including East Moreland's Archduchess Sophie who is the niece of King David. The Morelander noble won gold in the Marathon and Cross Country saying afterwards "I've enjoyed a return to competition and perhaps this has ignited my love for the sport. We maybe have the Winter Games on the horizon and I may be tempted to put the skates on again. The games here have been a great success and I thank the Paracambian organisers for allowing me to come."[1]

With the games being hailed a great success by Emperor Benson he has hinted the games may become an annual event between the Islands of the Alucard. "We have enjoyed having the people of the Alucard come and spend time here and its been a great boost for the tourist trade. We now think we'll run these every year but hopefully next time prior to the Mundus Games using them as almost a warm up for our team. Its also nice to see people represent the provinces which at times don't get as much glory as they deserve. Friendly competition is a great way of improving the standards of our sports." The Emperor concluded the games by presenting the Aluhampton captain, 100meter sprinted Giles Tafer with a trophy known as the Freedom Cup to mark the provinces victory.

1.	Quote from Dave

Paracambi says yes

Before speaking Benson looked once more over the document.

"Paracambi is happy to join all these organisations and believes that all but the Defence aspect should be compulsory, we however will be joining that so should others think it should be compulsory we will not challenge that stance. We also support Cassiopeia housing the organisation with support from members as well as the Chistopol amendment to the Head of State Council." 

	Hadley Brownlow
Roles	Mambo at the Vodou Lodge
Year of Birth	1995, Aluhampton
Positions Held	2013 - Mambo of the Vodou Faith
Education	Higher Certificate in Education - Average Grade B+
Family	Comes from a long line of Vodou religious leaders. Four generations of her mothers family have been Mambo's Two generations of her father's family have been Hougons
Links to Important events?	Outsiders Conference
Biography	The Brownlow family have been important members of the Vodou community for well over a 100 years with both maternal and paternal lines of the family producing several well respected religious figures. Hadley began taking part in rituals from the age of three and was giving sermons at her High School by the age of 12. It was no surprise therefore that when the Emperor established a HQ for global Vodouism that she was picked out to help be one of its future leaders. She is currently one of three spiritual advisers to the Imperial Family.

Duckie Thot

Emperor Benson was determined that now he had launched the Vodou faith onto the world stage his nation would soon have to also step forward and look beyond the Alucard bubble. He valued the co-operation they had fostered with Bakkermaya and Lodja but things should have progressed further only the two nations links to people like East Moreland probably drew them towards a more globalist outlook than Benson favoured. The new Queen from Cassiopeia now seemed a rather interesting proposition with this conference and so the Emperor hoped to make a good impression. He had been torn between dressing as a Hougon or in his more regal attire and seeing as he had been invited as Emperor and so the smart black suit, white shirt and black tie had won the fashion contest. The concession to his role as the head of the Vodou faith was the emblem sewn onto his jacket pocket indicating his devotion to the Loa. He had his brother Christian with him as well as his daughter Sophia both beginning to get more involved in the politics of the Empire. From outside his family he was joined by a Mambo, a young woman with a growing reputation for communicating with the Loa. Her name was Hadley Brownlow and the people of Aluhampton held her in high regard and while the Emperor may be head of the Vodou faith he still knew he had a lot to learn and so was pleased to be seen in the young womans company for important events such as this. The Empire's delegation was rounded off with the nations new Foreign Minister Sir Chandler Ridge, he was a man from Castries who had been educated in three countries, his own, Bakkermaya and Zimalia thus making him perhaps one of the more travelled members of the Empire's diplomatic teams. It had therefore been an easy appointment to promote him when the former incumbant had resigned.

The flight was rather uneventful and Benson found himself very much out of his depth discussing Vodou theology with Hadley who seemingly had an encyclopedic knowledge of the Loa. She was just finishing the story of Maman Brigitte as the aircraft touched down and the Emperor was sad to cut her colourful story short as duty called. He lead his delegation down to meet Princess Tasia and was rather surprised at the welcome gift but wore it proudly. He would make a note on having it stored carefully on his return so it could be used anytime that the Cassiopeians came to visit. "We were delighted to be invited" he answered the Princesses greeting before making his way to the waiting vehicles.

The building selected for the meeting wouldn't have looked out of place on one of the islands but he was rather puzzled by the set up of the meeting with no conference table. He did though admire the tradition and so was pleased to go along with it. "The location is unique, but then again so is your purpose, therefore it is perfect." Benson greeted the Queen and introduced his delegation with his daughter being last. "My daughter carries a gift for you on behalf of  our Empire." Sophia bowed and handed over a replica of a conch shell made out of Silver. "Traditionally the Conch was used a little like a bugle, a call to action, within our nation particularly by the islands. With you calling for such a meeting as this perhaps it is appropriate" Benson explained as Sophia handed it over. "We look forward to seeing what you have on the agenda." 

Benson returned to the Palace and began to shower rather enjoying the feeling of getting all the sticky congealed blood from off his skin. He had been pleased the ceremony had gone as well as it did although he was rather annoyed that he now owed his brother Christian a crate of fine rum because non of the foreigners had thrown up he had put every faith into the fact that Isidora would have. He was even more pleased that his people had been so thrilled at the day. He'd spoken with many of those in attendance during the chaos and each had been falling over themselves to tell him what they liked about the Lodge, he'd tried to halt a smile though when one young man of about 18 had spoken of soon there being one in every country on Mundus. It was something his nation would need to get through their heads that not everyone recognized the truth and power of Loa as Paracambi did, why even the whole of the Empire didn't accept Vodou as their faith so why would the rest of Mundus? He hadn't dented the young man's feelings though and instead had just simply thought about how some of the younger and poorer elements of Paracambi lacked that real knowledge of the world beyond their Principalities. Refreshed and smelling more or mint and tea tree oil now than death the Emperor readied himself to meet with the guests once more.

The King arrived at the beach front restaurant and was pleased to see that his brother Christian was already arriving along with the Emperor's children Marcus and Sophia. He was happy to see everyone (OOC-Assuming everyone is here) sat enjoying a sociable drink on the terreace. "Good evening" The Emperor greeted everyone as he appeared. "I hope they've been looking after you." He began going around shaking all the men by the hand while kissing the ladies gently on the cheek. "This restaurant is a favourite of our family. Its been around nearly 50 years. I remember my parents brought us here as a special treat, or in Christians case once made him work for a week in the kitchen washing pots for getting in trouble at school. Perhaps brother they still have an opening?" Benson teased him. "I also threatened Marcus with a similar fate once or twice." The Emperor motioned to a man with a thin layer of snowy white hair cresting his head and almost immediatley the man appeared. "This is Curtis, he opened the place and can't bare to let it go." The two embraced warmly as friends as Curtis arrived. "I think Curtis we are ready for our table."

"Of course Emperor." Curtis helped slide Isidora's chair out as she was sat closest to him and offered her his arm. "It is not everyday I get to show my favourite table to such beautiful women." He headed off towards the back of the restaurant to where a velvet rope and curtain concealed a spiral stairway that lead down. He guided the ladies hand to the rail and then going before her circled his way downward the air getting slightly cooler as they went til soon the opressive heat of the night above was fading. Once they stopped their spinning descent the stairway opened up into a large cave, its walls glistening with some mineral that twinkled in the strategically placed lamps. A long table stood in the middle and to one side a small brightly illuminated pool of turquoise water. "I hope everything is to the Emperor's satisfaction." Curtis beamed proud of his hideaway table for special guests and special occasions. "Tonight we shall be serving a variety of local fish, so local that it practically threw itself out the pool" he gestured to the nearby water where it did infact appear some small fish swam but whether or not these were on the menu was another matter. "We also will be having some island specialties from our chef's homeland of Alemba." With that Curtis ascended and some white uniformed waiting staff appeared pulling out each guests chair and then placing with elegance a large napkin across their knees before a convoy of staff appeared pouring each a glass of red and white wine and of water.

The Emperor had a few things he wished to get out before the food arrived. "Firstly I'd like to thank each of you and your nations for allowing you to come. I was nervous knowing the reputation of our faith has that it would be an invitation refused. There was obviously other reasons for inviting you and while this will not apply to those of you from the TUNA nations as much I hope you will still listen to my request and if you can not give me an answer now relay it to your government and support it." He paused, "As you know my nation's heritage is strongly tied to anti-slavery. We have taken action in the past and we hope to do so now. Currently all of you who are not connected to TUNA have to pay import duties on goods being brought into the Empire. What I propose is that any of you outside TUNA have my word that these will, for the next five years, be removed on two conditions. The first is that we enjoy similar treatment by your nations and the second is that any trade you have with Tamora, or any slave holding nation is either stopped or at the worst the Freestone Silver  or Gold standard is all that is permitted. It is my dream that we can one day see Mundus devoid of slavery. The second thing I wish to ask of you is for help opening the eyes of my young people to Mundus. It became apparent to me that many of them will only ever know their island and perhaps the Empire's mainland. There is much more out there. It is my hope that in the coming days I can put in place a system to support people to travel for work experience, cultural experiences and study. I would therefore like you to agree to work with what I'm probably going to call the Emperor's Youth Ambassadors to see if I can't enrich their lives. So would a youth visa for those who are members of this group and under the age of 25 be able to be waived or fast-tracked?"

Christian nodded to his brother as the waiters appeared carrying a plate with a small silver dome atop. They placed them down in front of the guests and once all where in place removed the domes with a flourish to reveal a small plate about the size of an outstretched hand. In the centre was a soufflé, "Crab Souffle" the apparent head waiter announced, "Enjoy your first course." He and his team of white uniformed staff walked away as neatly as a regiment of guardsman leaving the dinners to enjoy the food and hopefully tell the Emperor their thoughts. 

While normally it is the done thing to congratulate a family on the birth of a newborn child and look forward to the impending traditional celebrations that inevitably follow, regardless of their culture or tradition the news from Royal Seleucid of the birth of a new Prince is something that urges me to write an appeal. We however would like to make it clear that we wish no ills on the young boy for he does not choose his family.

The Soter family have for several centuries helped perpatrate a large number of ills on Mundus. First they were instrumental in establishing the cross Mundus slave trade which put hundreds of thousands if not millions into captivity. They next attempted to conquer, then eradicate the Maori prescence in what is now the Commonwealth of the Unified Iwi, thus effectively seeking to carry out the genocide of the Maori race. The Soter's then were responsible for permitting the attempted genocide of the Cultist population of their own nation. These three crimes alone show that the Soter family are nothing more than perpatrators of suffering and evil. While the Empire condemns those that have attended the games in Midaranye we can however see that the Games have a unique impact on individuals and thus we can understand the stance of many nations. There will inevitably be soon the birth of a second Soter child and following that invitations no doubt will be sent to a celebration of sorts. We urge the nations of the world to shun this invitation and send the Soter family a direct message that their long history of evil is no longer to be tolerated on Mundus.

We hope that when the time comes we can count on the nations of Mundus to see sense and stand with us in a show of solidarity against so many of the ills shown by the Seleucid royals.

Signed

Emperor Benson of Paracambi
Head Hougon of the Vodou Faith.