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Messages - Tytor

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31
International Organisations / Re: Cultural Exchange Treaty Organisation
« on: April 30, 2022, 09:45:13 PM »
The Kingdom of Tytor also supports the Holy Kingdom of Samantra's application to join the Cultural Exchange treaty Organization.

(OOC: And with two endorsements, Samantra should now be in.)

32
Conference Hall / Re: Proposal for a Constitutional Amendment
« on: April 30, 2022, 09:15:54 PM »
There's been a lot of good feedback given in this thread so far, in between the endless recriminations.  I'll take a closer look and see if I can consolidate the suggestions that have been made later, when I have a bit more time.  In the meantime, one possible solution I've thought of (inspired by C's note that we're gearing up to devote an inordinate amount of space to the OotP) is to remove it from the constitution entirely, and replace it with a clause allowing the Grand Chancellor to simply establish whatever orders are found necessary, with maybe a few ground rules.  At that point, B could reestablish the OotP from scratch and this whole dispute could be laid to rest.  If, of course, this isn't preferable, I'll go ahead and tweak the existing amendment proposal anyway.

In the interim, I'd greatly appreciate it if certain of us would stop acting as if our complaints are divine law and start working with the rest of the community.  Stop reposting your complaints over and over again; you've crossed the line into spam, in my opinion, and you're literally the only person who cares deeply enough about your grievances to insist that every comma be responded to.  The rest of us are trying to develop a workable solution; surely you've noticed that literally no one has joined your anti-Beatrice crusade.

33
Conference Hall / Re: Proposal for a Constitutional Amendment
« on: April 29, 2022, 10:07:20 PM »
Quote from: RobertAgira on April 29, 2022, 09:43:38 PM
I agree broadly that this will solve the current issue.

I would however make one change. My understanding is that the Order of the Pen was going to specifically be used as a reward for RP. It would therefore be parallel to nobility unless I've missed something. So for example if the region ever became active in Gameplay again someone could be given a title of nobility for that whereas someone who wrote consistently great RP would be in the Order of the Pen. 
That seems to be a subject of some debate, yes.  I know Nova's of the opinion that the Order of the Pen was meant to replace the nobility, and you're not the first person to express the opinion that the two were meant to exist in parallel.  However, the nobility always had place for RP, gameplay, and government all, so it seems a little silly to merely split one of those off into its own thing.  Personally, I'm taking the position that since the nobility was never meant to be a position of power, the Order of the Pen is what it was meant to be.  Add to that the fact that there is no reference to the nobility in the new constitution (as well as the fact that the nobility masking here on the forum has been renamed), and I feel it makes better sense just to combine the two into the new organization rather than complicating things by making then separate.

Quote from: Nova on April 29, 2022, 09:56:13 PM
Bis on RobertAgira's comment. Even if the last paragraph don't add anything but bureaucracy and is futile since such shall never happen. Except section i) under Chancellory, since that basically removes any authority the Order of the Pen has, meaning that basically it's the Chancellor appointing again members of the Order of the Pen, so ultimately changing nothing and removing a part of the constitutional reform.

Clarification also: won't solve the current issue in any manners. Since there were already nobles, and even with the process getting clarified well Beatrice decided alone as Chancellor.
I don't think you actually read the last paragraph, since it in no way adds bureaucracy.  All it does is fix the issue whereby the Grand Chancellor is required to seek instruction from an organization which may not have any members able to instruct them.  Also, the Chancellory's section i) is not *new*, merely *amended*, and there only to bring it into alignment with the later inclusion allowing the Order of the Pen to vote to expel existing members.

As for your evident determination not to let the issue rest, well, I'm sorry, but the constitution didn't originally include the nobility in the Order of the Pen.  You and I aren't technically members of it yet.  Now, you need to recognize that folks are trying to fix the issue you've brought to our attention.  Continuing to be combative doesn't help anything.

34
Conference Hall / Proposal for a Constitutional Amendment
« on: April 29, 2022, 09:14:29 PM »
In light of the ongoing controversy being pursued by some members of this community in regard to appointments to the Order of the Pen, and in light of certain shortcomings I feel that the organization has, I am proposing the following amendment to the 2022 Constitution.  As I am ignorant of any officially required format, I will simply list my proposed changes and additions below in bold:

1. Under "The Chancellery", section i) shall be amended as follows: "Inducting (and removing when inactive or when otherwise advised) members of the Order of the Pen upon instruction of the Order."

2. Under "Order of the Pen", the current paragraph shall be amended as follows: "- this is a non authority role, it is available to all players and is granted for contribution to Roleplay, Gameplay, and/or regional government.  It is formally awarded and revoked by the Grand Chancellor on the instruction of existing members of this order."

3. Under "Order of the Pen", the following paragraphs shall be added after the present one (as amended):

"- Instruction by the Order of the Pen shall be considered legitimate if (a) a proposal for induction of new members or revocation of existing titles is presented to the general membership of the Order of the Pen, (b) at least seven (7) days elapse for debate thereof by the general membership of the Order of the Pen, (c) at least two (2) days elapse for vote by the general membership of the Order of the Pen and a majority of voters approve the instruction, and (d) formal notice of the vote is delivered in writing by a chosen representative of the Order of the Pen to the office of the Grand Chancellor.

"- The Order of the Pen shall have leave to govern its own internal affairs, aside from the aforementioned process for inductions or expulsions, including leadership, oaths of office, and any other procedures or regulations the Order of the Pen shall determine is necessary.

"- All individuals who hold titles of nobility at the time that this article comes into effect shall be inducted automatically into the Order of the Pen, without further action being necessary either on their part or on the part of the Grand Chancellor.  In the event that the Order of the Pen finds itself without active membership, as determined by the Grand Chancellor and confirmed by the Lord Chief Justice, the Grand Chancellor shall be empowered to make any inductions as they consider necessary, without being required to follow the process herein indicated for instruction by the Order of the Pen.  This article shall be considered to apply retroactively to any inductions performed by the Grand Chancellor between the approval of the constitution and the adoption of this amendment."

I hope that these measures may be found acceptable and that we can stop with these attempts to tear the Independent Order apart over petty grievances.

35
Office of the Chancellory / Re: The Order of the Pen
« on: April 29, 2022, 07:37:52 PM »
I am appalled that this is still going on.  This back-and-forth is getting us nowhere, and seems to serve absolutely no purpose aside from stoking one person's ego at the expense of the entire rest of the region.  So, to that one person, I have one thing to say:

Let.  It.  Go.

This is not constructive.  This is not beneficial.  This is serving only to inflame divisions that ought to have begun to heal with the new constitution.  You are not helping anything.  Your vendetta against the Grand Chancellor has officially gone too far.  The Lord Chief Justice is right when he says that, since the procedure is presently undefined, the Grand Chancellor is perfectly within her rights to interpret the advice requirement however she wishes.  Furthermore, it has been noted accurately that when the Grand Chancellor made these appointments to the Order of the Pen, it was brand new and so technically had no members to advise her.

Long story short, there has been no violation of the constitution, this debate is entirely pointless, and your vendetta needs to stop now.

36
Fiction / Re: For Want of a Nail
« on: April 20, 2022, 07:28:36 AM »
The Winter of Our Discontent

Tokyo, Japan
1965 February 13
2:19 PM JST

General Kuribayashi Tadamichi listened to the elderly Prime Minister of Japan as he went on yet another rant about the Germans and their evil desire for world domination.  Honestly, he'd heard the same rant on at least a dozen prior occasions, usually at briefings for the Emperor like this one.  Tojo Hideki had been Prime Minister on and off for twenty four years, including for almost all of the Pacific War with the United States, but he was eighty years old now, and it showed.  There were rumors in the General Staff Office that Tojo was becoming senile; Kuribayashi didn't exactly encourage the rumors, but he did more or less agree with them.  Secretly, of course.

His Majesty the Emperor sat quietly at the head of the table, looking for all the world like a man who was totally engrossed in Tojo's rambling impromptu speech (or, at least, as impromptu as a speech written out on several pages got), but Kuribayashi knew the Emperor had heard it all far more often than he himself.  Kuribayashi was the Chief of the Army General Staff, as he'd been since Tojo named him to that post in 1962 (something the Prime Minister had been able to do since the enactment of 1951's Military Control Law), but naturally Tojo had been around much longer.

Kuribayashi glanced at the admirals sitting on the other side of the table - Nagumo Chuichi, the Navy Minister; Mikawa Gunichi, the Chief of Naval Operations; and the venerable Yamamoto Isoroku, the Chief of the Navy General Staff - and realized with a start that the emperor was the youngest man in the room.  Kuribayashi himself was in his sixties, and yet was the youngest officer present.  Because Tojo was concurrently serving as Army Minister, General Ushijima Mitsuru, the Chief of Army Operations, was the only member of the General Headquarters not present - the man was home sick with the flu - but he wasn't exactly young either.  No, Tojo evidently wasn't looking for young talent; he was carefully crafting a gerentocracy centered on the so-called "heroes" of the Second World War.

As Kuribayashi completed this analysis, Tojo finished a sentence, and Admiral Nagumo spoke up.  "Mr. Prime Minister," he said slowly, "Excuse me, but I distinctly remember this speech.  I do believe you delivered it to this council just last week."  Tojo bristled, but Nagumo wasn't finished.  "In fact," he continued, "According to my notes, I believe the next line is, 'With the incessant danger presented by the German dogs, it is imperative that we continue to bolster our nuclear arsenal.  There is otherwise nothing to stop the villains in Germany from wiping Japan from the face of the globe.'  It was a powerful line last week, but I fear it will seem rather repetitive today."

Tojo glared at Nagumo, but then put down his speech, which was something.  "I shall conclude my remarks, then," he said, a note of forced calm in his voice, "This is a dangerous world, and the Japanese people must-"

The Emperor abruptly stood up, and Tojo shut up at once.  The other officers present rose to their feet as well, aside from Nagumo, who was wheelchair-bound.  "We are thirsty," His Majesty said softly, "This meeting shall have a fifteen minute recess, beginning now."  And with that, the Emperor left the room.

Tojo stood stock still, looking as if he'd been slapped.  Nagumo and Mikawa resumed a conversation they had been engaged in when the meeting started twenty minutes earlier.  Yamamoto met Kuribayashi's gaze, and nodded slightly at the door the Emperor had just used.  Kuribayashi's eyes widened despite himself, and he nodded slowly in acknowledgement.  Yamamoto strolled out of the room, and Kuribayashi followed.  Once in the hall outside the council room, Yamamoto turned to face the younger general.  Kuribayashi bowed in deference to his elder.

"Oh, stand up, General," the admiral said impatiently.  Kuribayashi straightened immediately.  "We likely do not have much time, so I will make this quick," Yamamoto continued, that same note of impatience remaining in his voice, "Tojo is endangering not just the Empire, but the world, with his rhetoric and his aggressive behavior.  Surely you have noticed this."

Kuriyabashi said nothing.  He wondered if Yamamoto, hero of Pearl Harbor, Midway, and the Coral Sea, was saying what he thought he was saying.

"He must be removed," the admiral went on, a touch of desperation joining the impatience in his tone, "He will become suspicious at our collective absence, so we will say nothing more at present.  I will find you after; do not go too far."

"How do I know this is not just a ploy to expose disloyal officers?" Kuribayashi asked, breaking his silence at last, hardly able to believe his ears.

Yamamoto's eyes flashed dangerously.  "I have heard rumors that you are trustworthy," he said, "That you are discontented with the present regime.  If this is not true, I promise that I will deny anything you say about this discussion, and because I have seniority, you will not be believed."

"I merely wanted assurance that I was not walking into a trap," Kuribayashi said steadily, "I feel my concerns have now been addressed.  Perhaps we-"

He broke off suddenly as the Emperor appeared around the corner at the end of the hall.  The two senior military officers bowed deeply, but His Majesty merely gestured at the door into the conference room.  Kuribayashi and Yamamoto glanced at each other.  This would have to wait, then, until after the meeting concluded.  There was nothing else for it.

37
Conference Hall / Re: My thoughts
« on: April 19, 2022, 02:04:28 AM »
My impression was that it was the latter.

38
Sporting Hub / Re: Rugby World Cup 2022 - OOC Sign Ups
« on: April 12, 2022, 04:01:44 AM »
Tytor and Floodwater will both participate.  If having both is a problem, include Floodwater and drop Tytor.

39
International News Networks / Re: Tytorian Broadcasting Service (TBS)
« on: March 31, 2022, 08:04:33 PM »

Tytorian Broadcasting Service
Providing Tytor with Quality News Since 1929


Opinion: Those Who Frame Interfaith Dialogue as a Competition Are in the Wrong

BY RICHARD VALANCE -- In recent days, much has been made of perceived oppression of some faiths by others, as well as debates about relative ages of faiths and their abilities to call themselves "traditional".  In particular, much has been made of a practice among Rokkenjimans of faith to syncreticize Rosarity with other faiths like Christianity or Islam.  With so much impassioned debate exacerbating traditional divides between faiths, I feel it to be my responsibility to set some things straight.

First, I shall spend some time addressing the complaints by some that the current world order is "too liberal", especially in regards to things like women's rights.  This has been a debate for decades, so it is not a new thing.  It was once socially permissible for Tytorian husbands to control most if not all aspects of their wives' lives; since the 1960s, however, Tytorian culture has shifted toward equality between the sexes, and now most men and women in Tytor would find the idea of a husband having that much control over his wife to be abhorrent.  Clearly, the 1960s did not have quite the same effect on other countries like Samantra or Rayyu, and traditionalists in these countries likely see themselves as justified in protecting what they see as womankind's rightful place in society.  The Emir of Rayyu is, in fact, perfectly justified in reminding the world that men and women were created by God in different physical forms and given different roles.  Where he is not justified is then using that fact to justify restrictions on the rights of women.  As the Bible says, "neither is the man without the woman, neither the woman without the man, in the Lord" (1 Corinthians 11:11).  As the Apostle Paul taught, men and women are both part of God's plan, and that means that, even though they are not the same, they are equal, and as such deserve equal rights.

Second, I want to address the controversy that has recently enveloped those whom the Rosari call the "hyphenated" - those who embrace Rosari principles on top of their adherence to another religion.  As a strong Christian - the formal head of my church, no less - I find it a little disturbing that fellow Christians would choose to abandon the purity of their faith like this.  I am solidly of the opinion that, as Jesus Himself taught in the Sermon on the Mount, "No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other" (Matthew 6:24).  Some of my parishioners have expressed a worry that this is, in fact, the Rosari faith's intent with the practice of hyphenation, that those who choose to hyphenate their Christianity or their Judaism with Rosarity will one day be compelled to drop all but the Rosari values that they have adopted.  I cannot comment on intent; I can only comment on what I see as the inevitable spiritual result of trying to balance two faiths, and that is confusion at best, going up to outright apostasy and a renunciation of Jesus and His teachings at worst.  The Rosari are somewhat mistaken when they say that truth is universal.  Yes, it is, but not in the way they mean.  Jesus Himself is "the way, the truth, and the life: no man [or woman] cometh unto the Father, but by [Him]" (John 14:6).

Third and most importantly, I want to address the tendency toward competition between faiths that has triggered the two controversies I have just touched on.  This "us versus them" mentality has caused many problems in our modern world, from the Rosari/Christian conflicts in Rokkenjima, through the Odinist supremacist policies of Nya Åland, to the present organization of pro- and anti-Abrahamic conferences in different countries.  This is a mentality which will undo the gains we have made over the years in our attempts to lessen interfaith conflict in the 21st century.  As Grand Maester Yuna has reminded us, there were attempts to stamp out Rosarity in prior years, but that does not excuse intolerance toward Christians today.  As the Emir of Rayyu and the Patriarch of Samantra have noted, there have been attempts to suppress Abrahamic faiths, but the answer is not intolerance in our turn.  Most countries are not Fleur or Nya Åland, where only one or even no faith is tolerated.  We can live in harmony with one another, even if we do not agree with the opinions of our neighbors.  As long as we do our level best to serve whichever God or gods we believe in, we have no reason to complain about others doing the same.  It is not our place, whether we be Christian or Rosari, Muslim or Helusian, Jewish or Odinist, Manist or Namist, to dictate to others how they must worship, insomuch as the dictates of their consciences do not lead them to harm or oppress others.  We are all children of a loving God; let's allow those around us the same consideration we wish for ourselves.

His Eminence Richard Valance has served as Archbishop of Tsargrad since his election in 1991.  His tenure as the head of the Church of Tytor has been marked by such milestones as 2011's Tytorian Interfaith Council, which established the ecumenical dialogue which has governed interfaith relations in Tytor in the years since.  Archbishop Valance resides in Tsargrad with his wife, Katherine.  The opinions in this article are his own, and do not necessarily reflect those of TBS.

40
Vignettes / Re: Tytorian Vignettes
« on: March 25, 2022, 02:42:16 AM »
Scrabble Night

Tsargrad, East Crownlands
March 24, 2022
7:18 PM

"I don't think 'pasterly' is a real word."

   "Of course it is, darling.  Do you really think I would make this up?"

"Yep.  Now hand me that dictionary."

   "Ouch.  I am deeply hurt.  I can't believe you have so little trust in me."

"Well, after your attempt to pass off 'landwart' as a word, I've decided that I'd better keep a closer eye on you."

   "Heh.  Touche."

"Ahem.  Dictionary.  Chop chop."

   "Fine.  You know, while we're on the subject, how can I be sure 'actuary' is valid?"

"I have a second cousin who's an actuary.  You want to look it up when I'm done?"

   "I'm tempted, but whatever."

"Aha!  Right where 'pasterly' should be, there is absolutely nothing!  Take back your tiles."

   "Gah.  Fine.  I still think we should have used that Dartfordian dictionary instead."

"'Pasterly' wouldn't be in there either, honey."

   "You don't know that.  What if it's a word in Dartfordian English?"

"It's not, Charles.  'Pasterly' isn't a real word in any language, least of all Dartfordian English."

   "Worth a shot."

"What was that, oh losing husband of mine?  Oh, look, 'breadfruit' for 16 points, and it's on a double word score, so that's 32 points total."

   "Sorry, 'breadfruit'?"

"Uh-huh.  It's a staple food in Floodwater."

   "No way.  Let me see that dictionary."

"Okay.  Your funeral."

   "There's no way that's a thing.  Let's see... 'B'... 'bread'... the heck?  How is this a thing?"

"Told you.  So, I think that means I get to go again, right?"

   "Dang it.  Yeah, you do."

"Wonderful.  Oh, I should draw some more tiles, huh?"

   "Oh, yeah, rub it in, why don't you?  Go ahead.  Gloat."

"Ooh, yes, that's a good one.  'Gloat', for six points, with the 'G' on a triple letter score square, which ups it to ten."

   "Me and my big mouth..."

"I love you too.  Now, isn't it your turn?"




OOC note: This is a bit of an experiment in a slightly different style than my vignettes have been so far.  The basic premise is intended to be a Scrabble match between Prince Charles, Duke of Parksfield, and his wife Theresa, Duchess of Parksfield (a.k.a. the two featured in "Joy").  Theresa speaks first, and then it alternates.  The idea came to me on the fly, and I just kind of... went with it.  I realize it may not be everyone's cup of tea, but... well, I enjoyed writing it, and I suppose that's kind of the point.  I don't know whether I'll do something like this again, but it was good to try it once at least.

41
Fiction / Re: For Want of a Nail
« on: March 22, 2022, 07:58:22 AM »
Quagmire

Touggourt, Algeria
15 January 1968
10:44 AM CET

It was overcast, which, for a small city deep in the Sahara, was fairly unusual.  Less so, perhaps, was the sound of gunfire growing ever closer.  Jens stared bleakly out of his rudimentary cover, which had, once upon a time, been a market stall.  Though the carpet merchant had long since been chased off, his wares were still scattered across the square.  This was a fine way to start a tour of duty, Jens thought, pinned down by partisans thousands of kilometers from home.  The partisans weren't the worst of it either.  Based on the way regular people here treated him, you'd think Jens had personally killed their favorite camel.

If he was honest with himself, Jens supposed it wasn't really all that surprising.  Here he was, a foreigner in their country, propping up a minority government that nobody liked (well, aside from the Pied-Noirs, but they were the minority in question).  Worse, he was a German, and evidently everyone knew all Germans considered non-Aryans subhuman.  Jens was too young to have been directly influenced by that particular part of Nazi philosophy, which had been largely trimmed out of the Party's rhetoric after Hitler died.  Still, it wasn't like he wasn't aware of it, as silly as it seemed now.

Next to Jens behind the makeshift bunker was Oberleutnant Goebbels, who was serving his third tour in Algeria.  He was the son of some major Party leader who had fallen out of favor after Hitler's death, but you wouldn't have guessed based on Goebbels' demeanor.  The man was generally pretty quiet, almost as if he was just another shell-shocked veteran, but rumor had it that he'd always been that way.  Still, if you could get through his outer shell, Goebbels was as talkative and friendly as anyone.

"Looks like rain, sir," Jens commented, in German.  The soldiers under Goebbels' command had been practicing Arabic, the local tongue, but the OKH had passed down orders only the previous week banning such "extracurricular activities".  Perhaps some hint of the old Aryan supremacist theories still lurked in high command.

"Ja, it does at that," Goebbels replied, "Ironic, wouldn't you say?"

"My first time out in the real desert, and it rains on me," Jens chuckled, "Yes, definitely ironic."

Silence fell for a moment, and then more gunfire broke out.  A couple of stray bullets struck the stall, and Jens ducked momentarily before returning fire down the street.  He didn't hit anything, but the fighters he was aiming at were forced back under cover.  Then, all of a sudden, there was a flash of fire from the partisans, and a split second later, Goebbels was shouting and pulling Jens down.  A loud explosion, and then... darkness.

When Jens came to, it was to hear a medic he didn't recognize yelling at him, demanding to know if he was all right.  Dazed, Jens nodded weakly and looked around.  The overturned stall was unrecognizable, charred, and shattered into splinters.  Pieces of broken wood were scattered everywhere.  Jens realized, almost as an afterthought, that he couldn't move his left arm, and he looked at it.  It was bent unnaturally outward, and he decided it must be broken.

Glancing around with a bit more purpose, Jens saw a body draped in a white cloth not far from him.  The medic noticed the direction of his gaze.  "The Oberleutnant did not make it," he said gruffly.

"B-but... how?" Jens stammered.

"You blind, kid?" the medic laughed, "Your position got hit by an RPG.  Huge, jagged splinters everywhere.  It's a miracle you didn't snuff it too.  Heck, we found the Oberleutnant's body on top of you, so I suppose you have him to thank."

Jens stared once more at Goebbels' body.  So that was it.  The unassumingly quiet man had given his life to save Jens.  Jens had to blink back tears at the thought.  "What happened with the rest of the firefight?" he asked, trying to distract himself from the pain welling up inside him.  Surely they'd won, if there were medics here now.

"Oh, it was hit-and-run," the medic said, nonchalantly, "By the time my group got here, the rebels had gone.  Faded back into the city's population, probably."

It began to rain lightly.  Jens had been wrong; they hadn't won.  They'd simply not lost.  If anything, that made the loss of Oberleutnant Goebbels worse, because his death was, aside from Jens's survival, entirely in vain.  Jens couldn't hold back any longer, and tears began streaming down his face in earnest.

This was such a stupid war.

42
War and Conflict / Re: Terrible Swift Sword (Centralian Civil War IC Thread; Open)
« on: March 19, 2022, 01:13:15 AM »

Announcement on Behalf of the Workers of Centralia

Philipsburgh - March 18, 2022, 6:16 PM CST (Centralian Standard Time)

Partially in response to the recent "Declaration to the World" made by the Evangelical fanatics in the north of Centralia, and partially because of the People's Liberation Army's recent successes against the oppressive federal government in the south, it has become necessary to put forth an announcement of our own.  For too long, the good people of Centralia have suffered under one oppressively neglectful capitalist government after another, but at least neglect has been almost their only sin.  If the fundamentalists and their "Providential Republic" are allowed to conquer Centralia, life will become infinitely worse for all Centralians.

Thus, is my responsibility to proclaim the establishment of the People's Democracy of Centralia.  We too claim New Providence as our capital, and we shall fight to the end in defense of the rights of the proletariat in this country, and around the world.  We call upon advocates of progress, equality, and freedom everywhere to support us however you can, for we fight for the working man.

Workers of the World, Unite!

-John Browder, Chairman of the People's Democracy of Centralia

43
War and Conflict / Re: Terrible Swift Sword (Centralian Civil War IC Thread; Open)
« on: March 19, 2022, 12:50:16 AM »

Declaration to the World

Ashboro - March 18, 2022, 3:44 PM CST (Centralian Standard Time)

To the People of Centralia, and the International Community at large, greetings.  The past year has been one of brutal conflict and fog of war.  There has been much confusion about the goals and methods of the Lord's Resistance Army as it has waged its crusade for the liberation of Centralia.  This must end now.

It is for this purpose that I declare the establishment of the PROVIDENTIAL REPUBLIC OF CENTRALIA as the true heir to the Christian ideals of this nation's founders.  The hypocrisy of the Federal Government lies exposed, and the self-serving atheists and heretics in the blasphemously-named city of "New Providence" shall fall, like all tyrants who deny the Everlasting Word of God.

We claim New Providence, henceforth to be renamed ZION, as the center of our government and faith, and call upon good Christians everywhere to come to Centralia and take up arms in this most Holy of struggles.  May the Godless meet their end at the hands of the Servants of God in the modern era.  May the Lord's Resistance Army triumph over all of His foes.

-Nehemiah Godfrey, President and Protector of the Providential Republic of Centralia

44
War and Conflict / Re: Terrible Swift Sword (Centralian Civil War IC Thread; Open)
« on: March 18, 2022, 11:37:42 PM »
Reply to the First Empire of Rokkenjima

Empress Evanthe,

It would be this government's pleasure to host IRV Guardian.  This war has been hard on many people, especially Centralian civilians, and humanitarian assistance would be appreciated.  It is the opinion of those with the responsibility for these matters that it would be best to direct Guardian to the port of Providence, just south of the capital.  Due to its status as the largest civilian port currently under government control, and its central location, we feel that this destination will be of the greatest value to those who would benefit from a hospital ship's presence.  It must be said that Centralia's territorial waters have become somewhat dangerous in recent weeks, so an escort from the Centralian Federal Navy will be provided once your vessels cross into this country's exclusive economic zone.

We thank you again for your kindness; Rokkenjima has become a valued partner in naval matters, and we hope to work together more in future.

Regards,
-Lance Pullman
Secretary of Homeland Security




Reply to the Holy Kingdom of Samantra
PRIVATE

Dear sir or madam,

I am hugely gratified by your offer of support in the midst of this war for the soul of Centralia.  I shall, of course, be certain to keep your secret, for as long as it is the will of God that I do so.  Attached to this message is the coordinates of a potential rendezvous, not far from the northern border of Centralia; I will be happy to receive your support here, if you are agreeable.  I hope that we shall, in the end, find ourselves collectively in harmony with the will of God in future.

May God prosper you,
-Godfrey

45
War and Conflict / Re: Terrible Swift Sword (Centralian Civil War IC Thread; Open)
« on: March 16, 2022, 03:07:58 AM »
HTMS Monarch

Lt. Col. Gerry stood at ease as the RIS analysts went over his high-altitude photos one more time.  Also in the room was Admiral Richardson, overall commander of the Kyne Fleet; he'd flown to the carrier via helicopter a few hours ago.

"Well, gentlemen?" the admiral prompted the analysts after a moment.

"Sir," one analyst (Gerry believed the man's name was Todd something) replied, "From what we can see, it looks like we've a large massing of LRA fighters in and around New Eastland City, which is more less what we'd expected.  What we did not expect was the fact that the CFA appears to have pulled back to defensive positions south of the city rather than launching any sort of counterattack against the rebels."

"It is entirely possible that we're looking at the total collapse of the Federal Republic in a matter of weeks," the other analyst (something Williams, Gerry believed) cut in, "The really strange thing, though, is that the photos of New Providence don't appear to have any of what we would consider the hallmarks of invasion panic or evacuation, and that just corroborates what we've been hearing from our guys on the ground."

"You'd expect the place to be swarming with civilians trying to get out," Todd said, "But there doesn't appear to be any of that.  It's almost like the people of the capital don't believe the war is really coming their way."

"Of course, sir," Williams concluded, "The more information we can get the better.  Keep flying observation missions, and soon enough we'll know enough to properly plan the intervention Parliament is demanding.  And that will get them off all of our tails."

"Very well," Admiral Richardson said, nodding, "Thank you both, gentlemen.  That will be all for now.  Colonel Gerry, you heard the men.  Go get some rest; you'll be heading out again first thing tomorrow."

"Yes, sir," Gerry said, snapping to a salute, and with that, the meeting concluded.




Ashboro

The few people on the streets of Godfrey's temporary seat of government paid little notice to either the motorbike or its rider.  Many assumed she was another one of those "resistance fighters" who had taken over here, as well as in neighboring states.  As she approached the church, however, someone finally took real notice of her.

"Excuse me, ma'am," a custodian said to her, "I don't believe we've met.  I'm Daniel, the head custodian, and I find it helpful to get to know all of the pastor's friends when they pass through.  How long have you been with the Lord's Resistance Army?"




New Providence

Matt was confused with it all.  He and Parker had finally tracked down Korso and his "Sons of Liberty", but now there was a war on.  But it wasn't just any war, either - this war promised to define the course of Centralian history for the next few decades.  The really weird thing was how little the government was talking about it, and it seemed like they were leaning on the press to keep it that way.  The SOL had assigned the pair to observe comings and goings at the Capitol a few days ago, and since then, Matt had become rather familiar with all the staffers who frequented the front steps.

Suddenly, Matt noticed something odd, and he grabbed Parker's arm.  "Hey, look over there," he said, pointing at a pair of staffers who were heading into the building, "Those two, they don't look familiar to you, do they?"

"Huh, you may be on to something, Grasshopper," Parker said, pushing his fake glasses farther up on the bridge of his nose, "They look a bit out of place, almost like spooks... but why would the OSS be spying on Congress?  Let's shadow them when they come back out; chances are they'll come back the way they came."




Philipsburgh

As dusk fell, nobody really noticed the sniper up on the roof.  The first to really notice was a hapless security guard checking the rooftop before locking up.

"Um, excuse me, ma'am," he called out to the woman's back, "I need to get this door locked, so I'll have to ask you to..."  He trailed off, noticing the sniper rifle.  "Oh, excuse me, I didn't realize," he said quickly, "I mean, if you're on official PLA business, don't let me stop you.  I'm just the guy in charge on security here.  Didn't mean nothin', I swear."




Reply to the Unitary State of Mktvartvelo

Ambassador Arsenidze,

It would be my pleasure to accept your nation's offer of aid during this conflict.  I invite you to meet me at my office for formal discussions, perhaps over a light lunch.

Sincerely,
-R. Edward Young
Secretary of State

46
Office of the Chancellory / Re: Statement From The Chancellery: On Recent Turmoil
« on: February 23, 2022, 05:51:09 PM »
Though I'm not the one these comments have been directed toward, I want to address a few misconceptions I see.

First, as the one who's been seeking a retcon for inclusion in the nuclear disarmament storyline, I want to note that I've not seen anybody advocating for rule changes like what has been suggested.  Nobody is asking for a seventh territory - closest you get is B considering swapping Clysperis for Rishiri (which would then become an independent nation) as her secondary.  The thing with nukes would be a retcon affecting what is now canonical history - no rule change, just a change to canon.

Second, assuming the reference to "constant moans about maps" is talking about discussions of the possibilities of map expansion, well... I don't see the issue.  After all, the Discord server is meant for discussions, and map expansion is a valid topic of debate.  Or would some people prefer to be unable to voice concerns about the current state of the RP?

Third, as one of the players Nova doesn't "have affinities with", I want to address his comment directly.  As has been pointed out many times on Discord, Nova's complaints about godmodding have little if any basis in fact.  The targets of his complaints have acted entirely on what is public knowledge IC, and any and all mistakes have derived entirely from miscommunication.  The only person making attempts at godmodding in this conflict (which wouldn't even be a conflict if Nova hadn't made it one) seems to be Nova himself, namely by trying to dictate to other players that they are somehow required to find his nation's actions acceptable no matter what.  In short, the dispute Nova is referencing as the Discord server's flaw is actually exactly the sort of thing the Discord server is meant to prevent.  The only reason it hasn't is because he has refused to take the time to actually work things out with those he insists on quarreling with.

And now my point.  The Discord server is meant to be a place where Orderians can discuss stuff, from RP collaboration to far-fetched canon proposals.  While it is perfectly true that the server can become a little toxic at times, I am confident that everyone in it ultimately means well, even if I happen to disagree with them from time to time.  So it really falls to us, as members of this region, to work on making the Order into the kind of community that is welcoming to everyone, and if that means thinking a little longer about what we type before we post it, then so be it.  Lack of proper communication got us into this mess.  Let's not exacerbate the issue by refusing to communicate properly now.

47
Press Offices / Re: Press Office of the Prime Minister of Tytor
« on: February 17, 2022, 09:48:59 PM »
Statement to the Press from the Prime Minister's Office

17 February 2022

I have two announcements to make in regards to recent developments in Cotf Aranye.  Each involves the issue of slavery.

First, and more happily, it is my pleasure to announce that I shall be dispatching Sir Gregory Major, Minister of Foreign Affairs, alongside a team of diplomats and economists to evaluate the veracity of recent claims made in Clysperi state media regarding the abolition of slavery in Clysperis.  This is at the invitation of the Clysperi government, and I must say that Sir Gregory is already looking forward to the trip.

Second, and more dire, in light of recent disclosures from Pharaoh Seti of Clysperis, former Vice Governor of the Tamoran Imperial Bank, and from Crown Princess Serenity of Achkaerin, it is my responsibility to announce that, effective immediately, all business conducted by Tytorian companies and other interests in Elysium is hereby ordered to cease.  Furthermore, all Tytorian business dealings with the rest of Heyra are to be placed on hiatus until such time as the Heyran government can show complete compliance with anti-slavery measures such as the Freestone Mark.  Wittingly or not, Heyra has made itself a state sponsor of slavery, by providing a backdoor into the global economy for Tamoran businesses that rely on slave labor.  These sanctions shall be updated with more precise measures in the near future, and shall remain in place until the Heyran government can prove itself to be entirely disassociated with any business or interest which profits from the evils of slavery.  It is the 21st century; there can be no tolerance for slavery or its supporters if Mundus is to move together into the future.

-Madeline Thatcher, Prime Minister

48
Sporting Hub / Re: Winter Games 2022 - OOC Sign Ups
« on: February 10, 2022, 07:50:56 PM »
Tytor votes for Vigil (duh), and encourages all other nations to do the same.

49
Fiction / Re: For Want of a Nail
« on: February 09, 2022, 05:42:31 AM »
The World Turned Upside Down

Washington, DC, USA
August 7, 1974
8:44 PM EDT

President John F. Kennedy stared at the three men standing in front of him in the Oval Office.  So that was it.  The gig was up.  Carl Albert, the House Minority Leader, looked grim.  Mike Mansfield, the Senate Majority Leader, was shaking his head.  Senator Mansfield had just got through telling the president that he did not have the votes to prevent a conviction in an impeachment trial.  The Republicans were furious, of course, but this... this was ridiculous.  The Democratic Party controlled the Senate, for goodness' sake!  What good was controlling the Senate if the party couldn't even keep its own senators in line?

The third congressman in the room still hadn't said anything, but Kennedy knew why he was there.  Senator Lyndon Johnson might be getting old, and he might not be the Democratic caucus leader anymore, but he was widely respected in Congress as a man who could get things done.  Even now, at the age of 65, the man had an undeniable presence in the room.  The Johnson Treatment was legendary; if he couldn't stop this from happening, perhaps nobody could.

"Well," Kennedy said at last, "I guess this means I'm pretty much screwed."

"Yes, Mr. President," Albert replied, "I'd say you are."

"Isn't there anything you folks can do?" Kennedy pressed, not really wanting to accept this.

Mansfield started to respond, but Johnson broke his silence at last and cut across him.  "President Kennedy," he drawled slowly, "If I thought there was any way to save your presidency, I wouldn't have agreed to come along.  And there is no way.  These two can't stop it, and I can't stop it.  If you're determined to stick this out, we can have the impeachment fight, but you'll lose, and you'll damage far more than your own reputation in the process.  So go ahead and fight it, but remember this.  If you do, I'll be voting in favor of conviction too."

President Kennedy slumped back in his chair, defeated.  He gazed at Johnson, his last hope in the world, the only person who could possibly prevent his administration from going down in flames.  It was over.  It was most definitely over.  Not even Johnson was willing to stick by his president.  "Well, gentlemen," he said, "What should I do, then?"

"Resign," Johnson said simply.

"Step down from the presidency," Mansfield put in, "Let McCarthy take the oath of office, and hope he pardons you.  We can put this whole business behind us and let it blow over, but first you need to leave."

"Mr. President," Albert said kindly, "This is for the good of the country.  The longer you stay in office, the further divided Americans will become.  I'm sorry, but you're going to have to go."

"And what if I don't care?" Kennedy demanded mutinously, "I can swear I didn't do anything actually illegal."

"Nobody believes that," Johnson reminded him, "Not even you.  You'll be impeached and removed, and McCarthy will become president anyway.  You'll simply destroy the Democratic Party in the process, and you'll probably go to prison."

Kennedy sighed.  There really was no other way out, was there?  "Fine," he said, "You win.  I'll resign.  I'll announce it tomorrow, and leave office on Friday."

The three Democratic congressmen nodded, and began filing out.

"Lyndon," Kennedy called after the elder statesman's retreating back, "Where did it all go wrong?"

Johnson turned back to the crumpled-looking man behind the Resolute Desk, a hard anger in his eyes.  "Mr. President," he said, "It all went wrong the moment you got yourself caught with your hand in the cookie jar."

And with that, the tall, brash Texan turned on his heel and left the room.

50
Fiction / Re: For Want of a Nail
« on: February 05, 2022, 05:56:52 PM »
Not With a Bang, But a Whimper

Germania, Friestaat Preussen, Germany
25 December 1991
6:49 PM CET

Alois Mock gazed out the window of his office in the Reich Chancellery as the snow fell thick and fast.  The fact that it was Christmas Day scarcely registered with him, even as he listened to a long, obviously memorized speech from Helmut Kohl, Minister-President of the Free State of Prussia.  The Reich was coming down; that much was certain.  In fact, Mock intended to formally resign as Fuehrer before the night was over, though that was technically a formality.

In the months since Kohl had played such a large part in foiling the August Coup, Mock had found his own power rapidly declining.  Kohl was determined to have his way, after all.  Initially, he'd been content to follow along with Mock's New Reich proposal, federating the German states into a union not dissimilar to the United States, but that had changed.  As of this morning, only Bavaria and Hamburg had not yet formally declared independence from the Third Reich - even Prussia herself had announced her intention to split from Germany, leaving the Chancellery a lone, dismal island of old Nazi "grandeur", surrounded by a bustling modern city that no longer cared for such things.

Mock thought back on his six years in power, since the death of his short-lived predecessor, Adolf Eichmann.  He'd tried so hard to reform German society with his programs of Offenheit and Wiederaufbau.  It wasn't supposed to end this way at all.  Openness and restructuring were supposed to bring the Reich together, to forge it anew and further recover from the dangerous stagnation that marked the Bormann years, not to end the dream of German unity which Bismarck had made reality well over a century ago.

Ah, Bismarck.  Mock wished the Iron Chancellor could see him now, presiding over the final end of Germany as one country.  It was fitting, perhaps, that the one to formally end the dream was an Austrian, after all the issues Bismarck himself had had with the Habsburg empire.

With a start, Mock realized that Kohl was wrapping up.  What would Kohl do with an independent Prussia?  It was clear he intended to claim the Reich's place as a permanent member of the League of Nations Security Council, and he likely also intended to assert control over Germany's outdated nuclear arsenal.  How would he address territorial claims by the Poles and the Czechs?  Oh, the Czechs had more issues than just Prussia, but they were bound to try to get the Sudetenland back, after all was said and done.

Whatever Kohl intended, and however he planned to address the challenges ahead for his newly independent country, his speech was about done.  Mock was scheduled to appear on... well, German national TV in only a half hour or so.  He would announce his resignation as Fuehrer, and leave what was left of the Reichstag to formally disband the Reich.  A vote to that effect was already scheduled for tomorrow.  As Mock began gathering himself in preparation for his address, he found himself longing for Euratsfeld, the Austrian town of his birth, and he could almost hear the words of T. S. Eliot, as shared with him by former US President Schweiker on one occasion:

This is the way the world ends
This is the way the world ends
This is the way the world ends...

51
Fiction / Re: For Want of a Nail
« on: February 05, 2022, 06:38:09 AM »
Bulldog of the Lord

Salt Lake City, Utah, USA
April 6, 1963
11:55 AM, MST

"...And so, my beloved brothers and sisters, I repeat once again my conviction that national socialism and other forms of fascist doctrine must be resisted in those parts of the world that yet remain outside the grasp of the heirs of Hitler and his ilk.  To those within Nazi-controlled Europe, I say, keep the faith and be of good courage, for the Lord will, in His own due time, bring down any who oppress His children in these latter days.  Of this I bear a most solemn testimony, in the most sacred name of our Lord and Savior, even Jesus Christ.  Amen."

A murmured "Amen" rose in response from the congregation in the Tabernacle as Elder Spencer W. Kimball concluded his remarks.  Elder Kimball's topic came as no surprise to Dale, seated about seven rows back from the pulpit; he'd heard the same message repeated in General Conference many times before.  Elder Kimball had been sent to the United Kingdom after its revolt against fascism in 1959, in order to visit with and minister to the faithful Saints there.  When he'd returned, he had had absolutely nothing good to say about fascism, and seemed to have made it his mission in life to tell as many people as possible about its evils.  Dale wasn't complaining, mind; he too had had occasion to visit Europe, and it wasn't a pretty sight, even now.

"You know how they say that Brigham Young was 'the lion of the Lord'?" he whispered to his wife, Betty, as the choir rose from their seats for the Saturday morning session's closing hymn.

"Yes, I do," Betty whispered back, "Why?"

"Well, I figure that if Brigham was the lion of the Lord, then Spencer W. Kimball is His bulldog."

Betty looked at him sharply.  "How do you mean?"

"Well, I've been thinking about it.  You know the Fredericksens, down the street?  And their dog, Jeeves?"

"Of course."

"Well, Jeeves is a bulldog, right?  And he's the sweetest animal you ever did meet, right up until you threaten someone he loves - or at least make him think you're threatening them.  And then he'll sink his teeth into you and by golly, he won't let go for any reason until the threat's been removed."

"Why, have you tested this out?"

Dale laughed.  "No, not me personally.  But you remember that break-in the Fredericksens had a couple years back?  When the cops got there, they were greeted by Jeeves, still holding on to what looked like half the burglar's trousers.  Anyway, my point is that I think Elder Kimball's the same way with the Nazis.  He loves the people of Europe, Saints and nonmembers alike, and darned if he hasn't decided to take a huge chunk out of the rear of the folks who're threatening them."

Now Betty was laughing too.  "I see your point, Dale," she whispered, "Now shush, I think it's about time for the closing prayer."

52
War and Conflict / Terrible Swift Sword (Centralian Civil War IC Thread; Open)
« on: February 04, 2022, 11:08:17 PM »
HTMS Monarch, Sea of Kyne
February 4, 2022
12:15 PM, local time

Lieutenant Colonel Frank Gerry went through the preflight checklist for his Tri-Star AR-12 Thrush three times before firing up the engines.  He'd done the same with his full-body flight suit (or space suit, as those in the know tended to call it) before heading out to his aircraft.  Gerry might be a lieutenant colonel in the Royal Air Force, but today he was flying as an agent in the Royal Intelligence Service.  In fact, that was about the only excuse for an airman like him to be aboard the carrier HTMS Monarch in the first place.  Technically, his plane was an AR-12N Sea Thrush, the cold war-era spy plane's naval variant.  Being carrier-capable meant the Sea Thrush could be deployed farther afield than the larger and more modern, but land-dependent, AR-12S.  Fortunately, this mission should be just fine with the older AR-12N.  Gerry checked his instruments one more time and flipped on the radio.  "Tower," he said, "This is Mockingbird 1 requesting clearance for takeoff, over."

"Roger, Mockingbird 1," came the reply, "You are cleared for takeoff.  Good hunting, over."

"Appreciated, Tower," Gerry said, "Commencing takeoff.  Over and out."

Takeoff went rather smoothly.  As always, the steam catapult was a little rough, but that was to be expected.  Gerry quickly ascended to a cruising altitude of 70,000 feet, and struck out for Centralia.




New Eastland City, New Eastland
Federal Republic of Centralia
February 4, 2022
2:35 PM, local time

Nehemiah Godfrey, Pastor of the Lord's Resistance Army and aspiring ruler of all Centralia, gazed upon the bombed-out shell that once was Grant Tower, one of the most important buildings of New Eastland City's war-ravaged financial district.  Grant Tower had been the headquarters of Centralia's largest bank, Phineas Grant and Sons.  PGS was one of the primary bankrollers of the Centralian Federal Army, and now... now the bulk of its reserves had been captured by the LRA.  Godfrey smiled grimly.  With PGS's former wealth now in his hands, he could start looking abroad for aid - purchase propaganda broadcasts, reach out to sympathetic governments, and buy better weapons off the global black market.  And with New Eastland in his hands, he had a port from which to receive any such goods.  In fact, the best part of the fall of New Eastland had to be the capture of the cruiser FNS Catawba and the destroyer FNS Roundrock.  Sure, they were both pretty old, and the Federal Navy still had more ships, but it was a start.

Godfrey remained transfixed by the smoldering ruin for a little longer, then turned to a lieutenant standing just behind him.  "All right, Todd," he said, "It's time."  And indeed it was.  Time to finish the redemption of this people.  Time to establish legitimacy in the eyes of the world.  Time to open the next phase of his crusade against the godless bureaucrats of New Providence.  And time to film a declaration to the world, announcing the establishment of the Federal Republic's successor as the lawful government of all Centralia.

A distant motion caught his attention, and he looked up into the sky.  There, far, far above the great city, was a solitary black airplane.  Perhaps a lost airliner?  Or, less benignly... perhaps even a government reconnaissance flight?  No matter.  The LRA's positions in the city were dug in and well hidden.  No, the LRA was not going to be pushed out of New Eastland easily, if at all, regardless of how many aerial pictures that blasted government in New Providence took.  Godfrey smiled again.  Now, on to the film studio.

All was well.




Philipsburgh, Mazeltovia
Federal Republic of Centralia
February 4, 2022
6:30 PM, local time

The Insurgent-in-Chief.  That's what everyone had called him for ages.  It had been his codename for as long as the Communist Party had been forced underground.  It wasn't his real name, of course; just imagine having to walk around your local high school with a name like "Insurgent".  No, his real name was John Browder.  When he wasn't skulking around between underground meetings (or, for that matter, leading a revolution against the current government of Centralia), he was Mr. Browder, a grocer who ran a small shop in central Philipsburgh.  He'd been a Mazeltovia resident most of his life, except for a brief internship in New Providence when he was in college.  Browder was rather older these days, and he'd been fighting the good fight for decades.

The sunset wasn't visible from where Browder was standing, but the clouds overhead were varying shades of pink and orange.  He pondered the symbolic significance of it all.  The sun was setting on the Federal Republic, and soon a glorious red dawn would rise over all of Centralia.  Surely it would.  And Comrade Browder would be there to lead the way into the future.

His People's Liberation Army controlled parts of several southern states, and all of Mazeltovia.  Perhaps tonight, Browder would record an address declaring the establishment of the Federal Republic's legal replacement.  And then... who knew what the future would bring?




OOC: This thread is intended to consolidate related storylines associated with Centralia's civil war.  Anybody is welcome to get involved; I ask, though, that anyone who does remembers that not everything we as roleplayers know is known by the general public, or even by the different actors in this conflict.  If there's any confusion regarding what is or is not public knowledge, please feel free to DM me here on the forum or ping me on the TIO Discord server.  If there is sufficient call for it, I will set up an OOC thread.

53
Diplomacy and Events / Re: A Letter From a Friend
« on: February 01, 2022, 04:22:42 AM »
Ed Bush, Vice President of Centralia, sat in his office and stared at the letter in his hand.  It had been such a long time since he'd received any mail from... but it couldn't be, could it?  No, there wasn't any other explanation.  Not for that handwriting, at any rate.  But if Chambers was writing to him, then that meant...?  Hm.  He glanced around for a pen and some paper, and began thinking of a reply.

Within a few days, the response had been discreetly placed in a dead drop used by Achkaerinese intelligence by an agent of the OSS who was personally loyal to Bush.  With any luck it would make its way back to Valtheim without further issue.


Dear Richard,

I'm sorry to hear that the fishing trip won't work out.  My youngest had been looking forward to it so much.  She even went and got herself a new, deep red swimsuit just for the occasion - had to have it mailed in from Mazeltovia in the south.  Perhaps we can reschedule the outing?  I'm pretty busy these days, but I think sometime this summer should work.  June or July, perhaps?

Oh, this will interest you.  My wife's found this new church, supposed to be pretty big in Ashboro, and in a lot of the northern states.  Maybe you heard about it on the news.  Well, she's been poking around, and word is that while the pastor's a local, a lot of his staff and material come from a smaller church in St. Elmo's City, Tytor, that was forced to close down a while back.  Something about a private jet.  Funny I hadn't made the connection before; now that I think about it, the two are very similar in outlook.

Anyway, thanks for the heads up about the fishing trip.  Let me know when you and your family can visit - and maybe see if some of those southern friends of yours can join us, would you?  They're always a blast to have around.

Yours most sincerely,

-Ed

54
Convention Centre / Re: Ostlake Movie Awards 2022
« on: January 31, 2022, 03:24:18 AM »
For Best International Film

Name of Film: Free Guy
Genre: Action/Comedy/Science Fiction
Nation: Tytor
Brief Outline: "A mild-mannered bank teller named Guy learns he's really a background character in an open-world video game.  Every day, Guy is under assault by players and objects within the game, where he's robbed, hit by cars, and otherwise mistreated as a 'non-player character' (NPC).  To make matters worse, the game's owner has decided to end the game.  Teaming with a woman who's both a human and a character in the game, Guy decides to become the hero of his own story.  Now, in a world where there are no limits, he is determined to be the guy who saves his world his way before it's too late."
Trailer: Linky

Name of Film: Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle
Genre: Fantasy/Adventure/Comedy
Nation: Tytor
Brief Outline: "When four high schoolers power up an old video game console, they suddenly find themselves transported into the jungle world of Jumanji as their four avatars."
Trailer: Linky


For Best International Animated Short

Name of Short: Dinosaurs: The True Story
Genre: Science Fiction
Nation: Tytor
Link: Linky


(OOC Note: The difference in the length of the two film outlines is due entirely to the fact that I "borrowed" them from the films' current streaming locations.  As it happens, Disney+ does a far better job summarizing films than Hulu.)

55
International Organisations / Re: Headquarters of the Cross-Straits Treaty Organisation
« on: January 24, 2022, 07:24:50 AM »
"That seems a good idea to me," Thatcher said, "The Centralian OSS learned everything it knows from our RIS, meaning that Tytorian agents likely would be easier to identify and apprehend, so somebody with a different operating philosophy would be a more beneficial choice.  I'm prepared to offer full cooperation and support from the observation sources we already have in place, and with the HTMS Monarch moving to a standby position, we can have carrier-based recon planes in the air within the week.  I say we start with this and move from there.  Any objections?"

56
Sporting Hub / Re: Winter Games 2022 - OOC Sign Ups
« on: January 24, 2022, 03:12:33 AM »
Tytor shall participate.  As this is the Winter Games, Floodwater shall not participate separately, and Centralia shall sit out as well due to... well, the obvious.

Nation Name: Tytor
Three letter nation abbrev: TTR (hey, I think it's better than TYT, okay?)
Specialist Disciplines:
  • Curling
  • Figure Skating
  • Bobsleigh/Luge/Skeleton


Kingdom of Tytor
Official Bid

Important Information
Primary Location: Vigil, Province of Southmark

Venue Info:
Additional info here

Main TV Rights Holder: Albion Broadcasting Corporation

Athlete Accommodation: The University of Southmark has offered a dormitory complex to serve as the Athletes' Village for the duration of the Games; additionally, the Tytorian government will charter buses to transport athletes between venues as necessary



Open Letter from the Foreign Ministry
Regarding the 2022 All-Mundus Winter Games

The Kingdom of Tytor has long been an important part of the international sporting community, successfully hosting several sporting events in recent memory.  However, never before has Tytor had the opportunity to host the Winter Games.  Therefore, it is my pleasure to announce this hosting bid on behalf of Vigil, provincial capital of Southmark and Tytor's fifth largest city.

In addition to our long history of participation, Tytor also has a long history of respect for the political neutrality of international sporting events.  As always, if selected to host this year's Winter Games, the Tytorian government pledges to hold the neutral and internationally cooperative status of the games inviolable; no athletes, trainers, or other participants will be barred from entering the country for political or diplomatic reasons, and all will be given diplomatic immunity for the duration of the games; all events will be protected to the best of the ability of the Kingdom of Tytor to do so; and all foreign nationals wishing to attend the games will have access to semi-expedited tourist visas for the duration of the games.

It is my hope that the international community will see fit to grant Tytor the privilege of hosting these prestigious games for the first time.  Regardless of whether this bid is successful, we express our hope that the Games will succeed in their goal of bringing the world together as only sports can.

-Sir Gregory Major, Minister of Foreign Affairs

57
The Other World / Re: Just Another Blue Milk Run - A Star Wars Legends RP (IC Thread)
« on: January 23, 2022, 12:11:07 AM »
«Talz = starting fight // Tien = be careful» Threebie whistled suddenly.  A split-second later, Tien heard a crash and turned just in time to see an Imp stormtrooper decked by the Trandoshan proprietor of the stall he seemed to have been knocked into by the force of the Talz's anger.

Nonplussed at the sudden outbreak of violence, Tien turned back to the vegetables he was trying to purchase.  "Sixty five credits for the lot, then?" he asked the Bothan seller, but he didn't get an immediate reply.  Right at that moment, a blaster bolt seared past Tien's head, and sent the merchant diving for cover.  Tien jumped and whirled around, drawing his own blaster from its holster, but the shooter was not obvious.

In fact, there seemed to be several shooters, none of whom were aiming at him.  Tien reholstered his blaster and turned once more to the vegetable stall.  He pulled out a credit chit and checked the balance on it.  Seventy five credits, which was ten more than the basket of vegetables he'd collected cost.  He glanced at the display, selected one more bushel of denta beans, and tossed the chit to the merchant.  "Keep the change," he said, and then started looking for a way back to the spaceport, preferably one that didn't involve wading through the brawl now occupying most of the market.  In retrospect, Tien decided he probably should have left the two orphans back on the ship, but it was just a little too late for that now.

58
International Organisations / Re: Headquarters of the Cross-Straits Treaty Organisation
« on: January 20, 2022, 11:23:06 PM »
(OOC: Response to Admiral Cole)

"Unfortunately, no, our knowledge of military loyalties is fairly limited," Thatcher said, "Especially in regards to how that affects the apparent provenance of a second rebel group.  That said, however, I think we can be reasonably certain that the bulk remains at least nominally loyal to New Providence."


(OOC: Response to Ambassador Watson)

Thatcher grimaced bitterly.  "And there, you've nailed my predicament right on the head," she said, "The 'element of surprise', as you put it, was lost the moment certain members of the Tytorian Parliament decided to play political games with another country's civil war.  To put it bluntly, my hand was forced.  That said, there's not much my government could have done in regards to communicating with Centralia.  See, the Patriot Party regime has been firmly anti-Tytor since it first took power, and they expelled our ambassador back in 2002, though we've maintained the embassy since for the benefit of Tytorian expatriates.  Our last formal communication with the Centralian government was an official notice in 2006 that the country was shutting down its embassy in Tsargrad, and they have routinely ignored attempts by the Tytorian government to reach out to them ever since."  She sighed wearily.  "In short, I'm not sure there's all that much we can do at this point, beyond maybe establishing a no-fly zone, but again, we don't have sufficient intel to determine who would be affected.  Certainly a full-scale military intervention ought to remain off the table until we actually know more about what we would be getting into."

59
International Organisations / Re: Headquarters of the Cross-Straits Treaty Organisation
« on: January 20, 2022, 09:35:07 AM »
"The Royal Intelligence Service believes that the FMN report was largely accurate," Thatcher said, "However, there is reason to believe that the Lord's Resistance Army may not be the only rebel group.  Due to the Centralian government's studied insistence on remaining tight-lipped about its internal issues, most of our information has come from aerial and satellite surveillance, both of which Tytor has maintained in regards to Centralia since the Patriot Party regime first took power in 1999.  Based on our observations, the LRA seems to have the bulk of its power centered on the country's north and west, with a particular focus in and around the state of New Jordan.  However, an apparently unrelated group appears to be fighting separately in the south, especially in the state of Mazeltovia.  Due to the fact that we don't have resources in the country, our picture of the situation on the ground is similarly limited, but the LRA at the very least seems to have ties to Rapture, the group that perpetrated the 11/11 attacks against Tytor.  As such, I suspect we can expect little good from the LRA."

60
International Organisations / Re: Headquarters of the Cross-Straits Treaty Organisation
« on: January 20, 2022, 09:13:54 AM »
Ambassador Cox stood to introduce Prime Minister Thatcher, recently arrived from Tytor.

"Delegates," Thatcher said to the assembled representatives, "I come to you today having been directed by the Tytorian Parliament to request that the CSTO jointly intervene in the crisis in Centralia.  Most if not all of you already know the nature of the calamity which has befallen Centralia, though I will be happy to answer any questions you have to the best of my present understanding.  Due to the fast-moving nature of the civil war, I have already ordered the deployment of elements of the Tytorian Royal Navy to the vicinity, to await orders once this body has reached a decision as to how best to proceed.  I need not say that time is of the essence here.  Let us not delay."

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