Achkaerin - Sand Castle
Achkaerin - Brave

Best International Song Featured in a Motion Picture 2025

Tytor - Kiss the Sky from Wild Robot
Achkaerin - The Rider from The Lord of the Rings: War of the Rohirrim
Jincheon - Teardrop from Mad Max:Fury Road
Mktvartvelo - It's Not Possible from Daily Dose of Dawn

The Ostlake Film Awards now mark the 6th year of international involvement. 

As with last year nominations will be open until the 27th of Febuary at which point voting will begin with the winner announced on the 6th of March in a glittering award ceremony hosted in Ostlake.

We look forward to welcoming you all soon

Jocelyn Hopkins
Hostess of the "Ossies" 2025


OOC - OK This is how it works there are various categories that people can enter with rules for each. You fill in your form, post your nominations and then a poll will be created to determine the winner of each category. Try and keep your nominations culturally relevant, so for example I wouldn't expect Nya Aland to be nominating a Bollywood film or soundtrack. I may have also missed some past nominations where people have claimed things. Also don't think about claiming whole studios.

BEST INTERNATIONAL FILM

You can nominate any film from the last 10 years or one you have created yourself (but not like Fast & Furious 72 or Titanic 2:Return of Jack) .It can be in any language, genre etc. You may not claim whole movie studios but you may claim a single franchise, so in the past I believe Dartfordia had one of the Harry Potter films meaning the whole Harry Potter franchise is Dartfordian, this however doesn't mean they own the whole of Warner Brother. In terms of cross over stuff like Marvel by claiming say Iron Man, you don't then get the whole Marvel world, I'd personally stick clear of such "Universe" films.

Each nation may nominate two films using the form below, please check what was claimed last year (if the person nominating has since left I'm freeing up the stuff they claimed), also if in terms of news posts someone has claimed a film that someone nominates could they please POLITELY tell them and post a link to where.  Thank you.

Check past winners here


BEST INTERNATIONAL FILM

Name of Film
Genre
Nation
Brief Outline
Link to the trailer


In terms of trailers please use legal ones.


BEST INTERNATIONAL SHORT FILM

Time to randomly watch YouTube Stuff. You may nominate any Short Film (classed as less than 7 minutes), by that I mean the whole film, it can't be a kickass six minute section from a longer film. It must be legally viewable on YouTube.

You may nominate up to three films. I'm also aware we have a few YouTube video makers in the region and there would be no barrier to you nominating your own stuff or making something for this, in fact in my opinion I'd be voting for you for sure.


Name of Film
Genre
Nation
Brief Outline
Link to the trailer


BEST INTERNATIONAL SONG FEATURED IN A MOTION PICTURE


Basically you may nominate one song from a motion picture. It can even be from a film claimed by another nation because I mean in RL you get people from outside America doing stuff for Disney, what I will say however is if the artists has already been claimed then its off limits and I'll rely on people POLITELY pointing it out. So for example if The Who had done a song for say James Bond as I've claimed The Who no one other than me could use them. I hope that makes sense. Usual rules about posting YouTube applies. Instrumentals are permitted


Name of Artist
Nation Nominating
Song
From the Film
YouTube link



BEST INTERNATIONAL DOCUMENTARY

Essentially it could be anything from a historical documentary to a science talk. If it's factual, cool or interesting then it can be entered. Only two rules 1) No longer than 15 minutes 2) Must not break YouTube terms and conditions.


Name of Documentary
Nation Nominating
Topic Covered
From the Film
YouTube link

BEST ANIMATED SHORT

Can be any type of animation but may not last longer than 5mins.

Name of Animated Short
Nation Nominating
YouTube link

As part of an attempt to keep better track (for myself) of economic stuff on Mundus I've created an AI that has allowed me to do a few calculations etc of Mundus. It means I've a list of every nation as of today on the maps GDP based on their stated factbook data. It may be useful to share.

Total GDP of Nations in Mundus

Continent: Alba Karinya
East Moreland: $4,811,100,000,000
Irtref: $1,541,926,360,143
Valen: $880,896,000,000
Vaguzia: $2,861,786,964,226
Zimalia: $1,800,000,000,000

Continent: Aranye
Altona: $448,800,000,000
Gusano: $775,000,000,000
Lakhzovia: $816,000,000,000
Seaforth: $6,520,000,000,000
Neu Urburzis: $3,000,000,000,000
Charterlands: $2,198,601,032,429
Hozland: $2,421,056,000,000
Rosieland: $180,000,000,000
Abydos: $1,209,600,000,000
Mktvartvelo: $2,480,080,550,000
Vanora: $317,131,826,280
Tamora: $2,674,076,365
Royal Seleucid: $1,750,000,000,000
Rayyu: $450,000,000,000
Kizad: $32,963,033,962
Safraen: $53,022,000,000
Clysperis: $376,617,800,000
Kodima: $2,438,760,000,000
Wadden: $47,500,000,000
Centralia: No GDP data available
Kaitaine: $840,000,000,000
Chistopol: $2,120,000,000,000
Rodinha: $3,980,570,000,000
Matthelon: No GDP data available
Kemerovo: $828,498,226,400
Kritamala: $273,600,000,000
Renaku: $2,664,000,000,000
Revana: $2,465,000,000,000
Achkaerin: $6,144,000,000,000

Continent: Ardia
Bakkermaya: $1,622,301,354,638
Lymm: $3,292,800,000,000
Ui Cenneslaig: $12,250,000,000,000
Jargalant: $399,300,000,000
Lijiang: $573,600,000,000
Zolo: $2,399,187,100,000
Nassau: No GDP data available
Quintelia: $3,598,000,000,000
Asadal: $177,830,675,098
The Iwi: $1,264,800,000,000
Cassiopeia: $1,513,520,000,000
Abertone: $1,530,116,505,000
Rokkenjima: $11,943,169,050,000
Fusan: $11,913,000,000,000
Toshikawa: $3,360,000,000,000
Neuva Ardia: $277,375,140,000
Allied States of Ardia: $2,064,000,000,000
Phuebra: $6,219,000,000

Continent: Albion
Abertone: $1,530,116,505,000 (carried over)
Paracambi: $1,437,896,388,300
Kermah: $1,146,740,882,255
Tytor: $3,530,515,196,434
Rhand: No GDP data available
Drakensjolund: $2,019,600,000,000
Nya Aland: $950,000,000,000
Acquitaine: $57,619,154,000
Marseille: $724,000,000,000
Aosta: $2,494,224,029,000
Lodja: $3,936,000,000,000
Eboracum: $1,950,000,000,000
Barracano: $645,362,400,000
Tanith: $5,004,813,157,426
Holmvik: $833,304,973,000
Weissenwald: $582,675,882,610
Samoslavia: $1,006,348,048,000
Drenovia: $1,434,000,000,000
Smaragdfalt: $1,670,088,771,520

The following google doc is a live document that allows you to search up commonly used abbreviations for our RP Universe. Please feel free to add any that are relevant to the whole region.

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1_Sv_XxI8pQkCNMTfTPZVxo3cyT7nTtjvEAK78JZ-ozY/edit

The ISSI was established in July of 2024 following an agreement to bring the CNN alliance to an end while maintaining two key elements. Each of these elements saw their relevant sections of the CNN charter rolled into a new body and membership opened to the wider body of Mundus.

1.1 The ISSI shall be located in Claith, Ui Cenneslaig and be made up of the original four founder members and any nation admitted by a majority vote of the membership at time of application. A founder nation may veto membership.

1.2 The ISSI shall maintain a council of members and this shall be made of a scientist from each nation and shall meet a minimum of four times a year to discuss ways of promoting Scientific studies.

1.3 The Council shall collect and distribute funding for projects involving at least two ISSI members. These projects may not have any direct military purpose.

1.4 The Council shall make recommendations on situations they feel relevant.

1.5 The Council shall be informed of all member nation space missions.

1.6 ISSI members are encouraged to include at least one other ISSI nation in any space project.

1.7 -  All projects undertaken by the Council which produce new patents shall see those patents become the property of all member nations at the time of their filing become equal owners. Work undertaken by corporations on behalf of the Science Council shall be exempt from this.

1.8 - All members will be signatories of the Outer Space Standards Convention.

Membership

Ui Cenneslaig - Founder
East Moreland - Founder
Lodja - Founder
Unified Iwi - Founder
Aosta
Eboracum
Rokkenjima

At the age of 18 I was fortunate enough to be accepted as a reservist into what became my beloved Alpine Cadre. I still technically carry a commission within that Regiment and I do my best to keep up to date with the workings and functions of equipment at their disposal. While also being commander in chief of the East Moreland Armed Forces I like to think my knowledge of the systems utilised by the Cadre go above and beyond that expected of a normal commander in chief having had oppurtunities in Mavrosia and beyond to actually use them. While I am grateful to have equipment at the disposal of my forces that limit their exposure to danger I am also concerned that we, as humans, are allowing computers and in particular AI to make more and more decisions as to how we fight wars and ultimately how we strike targets. As a result we are making ourselves less accountable and I fear a time will come when nations will violate the Uppsala Convention due to actions outside human control. As such I am looking at putting together the Robotic and Autonomous Weapons Declaration. Just as we have committed ourselves to just measures in conventional warfare, outlawed chemical and biological weapons and thankfully scrapped nuclear ones we must now examine the next frontier of weapons that could potentially become a problem on Mundus. With this in mind I intend to invite delegations from all nations of Mundus to Chamwick to discuss the matter and review proposals to ensure we as humans retain our responsibilities.

May The Gods Watch Over You and Your Nations Know Peace

King David III of East Moreland.

---

Chamwick was the newest city in East Moreland and was one that was less accustomed to foreign conferences. The Universities campus had several buildings that would be more than adequete for such a conference and hopefully the creation of a treaty or decree of some sort. The King had several ideas in mind but naturally it would be important to try and bring the global community together. As such the King had arranged for each nation to take over a suite of rooms within one of the many new hotels that the city had and he'd even encouraged people to come early. There had been various dinners, shows in the threate and the like to help people meet before the conference, pre meeting diplomacy so to speak. Now though it was time to get started and the King and his Minister of Defence, Sir Harry Samuelson stood ready to welcome the various delegations who arrived. Inside the venue, a large room within the Faculty of Engineering, was usually used to host conferences between various businesses that meet as part of the conditions of having economic breaks for being in Chamwick. Companies had to undertake joint collaborative projects and here many deals between the likes of EMAC, SmartWar, OsmanTech and various others had taken place. A large lounge sat just outside the room where Queen Stasya, Princess Freya and Admiral James Thompson, the nations most senior military officer, were ready to mingle before the business of the day took place.

It had been two weeks since the assassination of "King" Kyle Barren, the figurehead of the Borlanders, the group committed to what they aw as the restoration of the official bloodline of the throne of Northfort and more importantly the truest heirs of Raimond Unasson the most beloved of Helus' humans. There had been tense meetings across the Alps between the various cells that Barren had so carefully arranged and managed over his time as their leader and while some living intermingled with the Morelanders the vast majority of Borlanders preferred to live in the cold Alps close to the border giving them an escape route made up of hundreds of zig zag alpine roads to escape on. Today though was special, today the group found itself at Maresbrook, a small village high up in the foothills beneath East Moreland's highest peak Highmoor. The large castle that was imposing on the hill over the village was owned, at least if you dug around, by a Charles Menworth, a businessman who owned several large properities across East Moreland that were holiday lets and spas. It was a useful front for meetings, just block out the ability to book for the general public and the Borlanders had a useful meeting place. They also had an income stream to help support their actions against the Morelanders. There today several of the high ranking Borlanders had already gathered and in the large dining room it was clear there were two factions forming as each huddled to their side of the large wooden panelled walls. At the head of one was Robert Wallis-Campbell the brother of Kyle Barrens third wife Alice. His sister was not there today preferring to mourn in her hiding in Zimalia. Across the room from him was Thomas Edward, a tall square shouldered man who was a cousin of Kyle Barren. As Borlander, and also ironically East Moeland tradition dictated at the death of a King an appointed Duke would ensure the coronation of the next King, in East Moreland this was the Duke of Ostlake, for the Borlanders this would be the Duke of Keepton (OOC- Borlanders maintain their own nobility and so for some places there will be a East Moreland (official) and a Borlander (secret) Duke/Duchess etc).

Today that job fell to Richard Hollins, the 70 year old had fulfilled this sacred duty on a previous occasion, today though was different to those as he had no Priestess here as so far the High Priestess of The Cult of Helus (OOC- Also different to the "official" one) had failed to arrive and any communication had to now been impossible. It was a situation though he had considered and now he was prepared to start without her which was already bringing protests from Thomas Edwards and his supporters. "No King may rule unless authorised by Helus, and that needs the Priestess." He yelled across the room to cheers.

"Needs must" Hollins said as he climbed the steps to what at one point, and soon would again, be where a throne would have sat. "I'm sorry but we must press ahead. Helus has more than enough power to stop us if what I do is not his will." He retorted which saw the Campbell-Wallis' nod their approval. "Today we must crown a new King to ensure the connection to our ancestors is kept unbroken. As the appointed Duke I name William Barren as the new King of Borland and the Borland Folk, Duke of Northfort and beloved of Helus."

"He's not a Barren" Edwards yelled. "He's a bastard". There was a smartly dressed 7 year old boy clinging to a womans hand, almost trying to hide behind her white skirt. "Look at the boy" Edwards continued, "He can't lead us and the Campbell-Wallis lot haven't picked up anything other than their skirts to help our cause in decades." Across the room the woman, Alice Campbell-Walls stepped in front of her son.

"He is the rightful heir" The room fell silent, it was Beatrice Barren, the first wife of Kyle Barren. She looked ill, her face was pale and there were large bags under her eyes. Since the news of her husbands death she had not been eating or sleeping well. While first the young girl Rebekah had become a wife also to her husband that was only ever to father an heir, after her execution by the Morlanders there had been Alice and that too had been nothing more than a loveless convenience. Beatrice though was a devout follower of their cause and knew the bloodline had to be preserved so had both relented to her husbands involvement with both women but also supported young Williams cliam. "The blood of Unasson flows through those veins full bodily, deep in the love of Helus. Yours..." she scowled at Edwards, "Is merely a poor polluted trickle" there was another chorus of shouting. This shouting however soon stopped when the sound of a bugle filled the air.

Mary Sutton, the lady whom the Borlanders considered the true High Priestess had entered the room backed by a group of around ten men wearing ceremonial uniform in Black. "This is why we lose." She pointed first at Edwards then at Beatrice. "When things go wrong we shirk away, we hide, we point fingers and we rebuild. Kyle knew that and did his best to create permanence for us, you failed him and now you fail Helus. Kyle will be watching us, once he has paid his penance for turning his back on some of our laws, alongside Helus united with Unasson and he will feel shame." The room this time did not erupt. It didn't matter what side of the metaphorical, and in this case actual, divide in the room you supported this was the High Priestess and her word in the absence of the King was enough for most. "Both of you are right, but for very different reasons" She walked forward dressed in a red dress a black shawl over it with the hood pushed back. She was just the wrong side of sixty but was still a woman you could say was beautiful. Her face carried a kind of stern elegance and her piercing pale blue eyes scanned the room. She walked slowly and deliberatley as though trying to make eye contact with everyone in the room at least once and in her wake came the Black jacketed men, each with a sword at their hip and an assault rifle on their backs. "I bring with me the Black Riders, the men most loyal to the Barren cause. Each has dedicated their life to the pursuit of getting the Morelanders to be nothing but history. Each of these ten men are more important to our cause than anyone in this room at this moment for they don't stand around talking, they take action. Just like Kyle did." Mary took the steps up to the awaiting throne and sat down. "Duke Richard" She said turning to Richard Hollins who was still in a state of uncertainty. "You're task is done, get down" she pointed to the floor and the man poddled down to stand with the Campbell-Wallis group. "My decision is this, while not a true heir in the sense of the word, William is of the bloodline. He however has no chance of being King while simply a child, and he certainly needs some toughening up looking at him" the boy was still peering out from behind his mother. "Therefore I will be ordering a regent until the boys turns 18 years of age. That regent will not be the Campbell-Wallis." her glare silenced the protests even before they began. "That regent shall be myself and Giles Gedding." The room began to murmour again but by raising a sword and clanging it on the throne the room once more fell silent. Giles Gedding was something of a myth among the Borlanders, he had once been inseperable from Kyle Barren but an arguement 15 years ago had seen him leave the group, only to resurface in Bakkermaya five years ago as Giles Cameron, a rich IT tycoon who was investing left, right and centre in business there. All filtering money back to fill the "royal treasury" In truth he had lead several hacking attempts and was linked to many of the major hacks of the 21st Century. The door opened and rather like a scene in a movie in walked the 40 year old setting foot in East Moreland for the first time in 15 years.

To:- His Holiness the Archbishop of the Blood

I am writing to you to inform you of the tragic death of Bishop Quintius Piovene, the leading Bishop of the Christian Prophets in the Allied States of Ardia. While our faith lacks the support of the vast majority of the people here our community is close knit and supportive of each other. While we number perhaps less than 70,000 individuals we are determined to continue to spread the truth of our faith and submit ourselves to the tradition that the holder of your title select the new Bishop to lead our nations true faithful. I am also writing to you to ask that you visit us in person and present the Bishop with his vestments thus giving our faith a much needed spiritual uplift while helping draw the media's eyes towards our Church family. It would mean a great deal to us here for you to visit in person and bless us with your guidance.

Your Servant in Faith
Cassian Corti
Chief Steward of the Christian Prophets in the ASA.

To:- His Majesty King Tshepo

The people of the Afolayan tribe of Zimalia would like to ask for a meeting between our two people. Our tribe is the largest in the nation of Zimalia and we have several ties to your Kingdom as during the height of Seleucid slave trading many Zimalians who were liberated from captivity opted to find a home amongst your people in Kinjanja. While those ties between our people may have never become formal, nor can they now, we believe that it is important that we show both our gratitude and respect for those ancestors of ours your people so readily took in. We would like, if possible, to explore these connections and if possible establish cultural ties between us.

I hope that you will therefore permit me to visit your Kingdom and that we may meet to discuss these matters.

Yengwayo Thembelani
Elder of the Afolyan People.

Professor Marcus Merriman made his way into the conference centre put aside for the Scholars meeting. A chance for those professors and their teams appointed to represent their nation. This was a kind of passing of a torch, while Marcus had been perhaps the most respected of East Moreland scholars for the past few decades he was reaching 80 years of age this year and while his passion for study had not slacked one bit his body was becoming more frail. Dr.Maddie Howard, one of his young protege's was alongside hi, providing not just moral support but also what Marcus referred to as "Logistical" support that being opening doors for him as he plodded forward with his two walking sticks, each carved out of deep aged wood and adorned with small shields nailed to the sticks showing places he'd visited. Marcus took a seat and then waited for all the other scholars to arrive. Once everyone was seated he stood.

"My fellow history geeks" he began with a smile "I am delighted to once again see you all. I am excited to see what, if any, matters people have to bring before us this year be it the inclusion of new sites for the register, the presentation of new papers or any other such matters. I believe the first issue on the table is about sites. I'm grateful that our colleagues from Daito have forwarded two sites. We shall obviously take them a site at a time." He shuffled some papers until Maddie handed him the correct one. He kept two copies and then passed them to his right. "Just like being in class, take one and pass them on" he explained as he continued to talk. "The first site we have is Hatsukaichi Peace Memorial. I'll give you a moment or two to consider any questions we have." He paused and had a quick rescan of the information they'd been given. "Any questions?" he asked the assembled group giving them a chance to scrutinise the delegation from Daito before a vote.

---

OOC- I suggest we have 48 hours real time (so 10pm UK time on Thursday) for people to post any questions for Daito. Should there be any then Daito can answer them and then we can look at a vote.

There were many day to day things that King David had staff for but as far as possible he had always ensured he packed his daughters bag for school and despite having told her most evenings since the school year began in September she had failed to empty it. David had picked up the backpack next to the door that lead to their rooms within the palace at Northfort and headed towards the kitchen, no doubt Rhiannon would have stuffed her half eaten bag of oatcakes into a pocket into which they would have disintegrated into crumbs over the course of the rest of the day. David unzipped the side pocket and the offending crumbs tumbled onto the kitchen floor, today they had been particularly squished into nothingness. He cleaned them out and was thankful they'd opted for a backpack that had an easy clean interior. He went through the other pockets and found the detritus of the day, a Capri-Sun packet, three pencil crayons and a battered and torn envelope. It wasn't uncommon for his daughter to be given letters for trips, reports or even for school events but normally the assigned Security Detail would make sure word got back to David that such a message had been handed out. The King looked at the envelope and immediately realised it wasn't any of those. On the front of the white envelope was his own handwriting, "Shelly Madden" written onto it. The name didn't mean anything to David, nor did he remember writing on the envelope but he opened it anyway. It was an invite, David had written them for all forty of the girls at the school who were members of the Swordsmanship Club. For the New Years celebrations they'd planned a small tournament in the Palace grounds and David had invited the club members and their families to come as his guests. He'd told Rhiannon to hand them out and it appeared she'd done so, all with one exception. The way it had been crammed at the bottom of her bag though had surprised him and so after he'd finished chopping the carrot sticks for tomorrows snacks and then packed the bag ready for the morning he'd made his way into his daughters bedroom with the letter in hand. His daughter was laying on her bed as her small pet Fennec Fox, Goldie, was curled up next to her. Rhiannon gently petted her as the fox contendly munched away on pieces of boiled egg it was offered periodically. Rhiannon was focusing on a book she'd brought from the school library.

"What you reading?" David asked as he sat down on the edge of the bed and gave Goldie a gentle head rub much to the foxes delight.

"I got a book about Neu Urburzis." The Princess said, "I know Augustin told me about some thing with his uncle but it didn't make sense to me. I then heard Stasya talking about the same thing on the web with someone. I got even more confused. So I got this." She rolled onto her back showing her father the glossy front cover of a popular book series called "Young Traveller" which was designed to teach youngsters about foreign culture. Rhiannon enjoyed reading and knew that when she asked questions about other countries more often than not her father would just give her a book. The King was happy his daughter had been trying to find out about the upcoming bride competition herself but sensed he'd have to explain it himself to her, but that was for another day.

"Well once you've finished the book we'll explain anything you still don't understand" He smiled at his daughter who remained on her back so she could see her father. Goldie left her spot and went and sat on Rhiannons stomach curling into a warm ball of fuzz that Rhiannon ran a gentle hand through. "I found this in your bag." David held up the letter and saw his daughters eyes look away slightly nervously. "Was..." David had to look at the name again to refresh his memory, "Shelly not at school today?" he asked. He noticed his daughter didn't answer straight away and seemed to shift uneasy on her bed. "Rhiannon, why did you not hand out the invite to this girl?" He sensed something was not quiet right.

"I didn't see her at practice" She lied. Shelly had been there and in the changing rooms after Rhiannon had almost taken delight handing out the invites to everyone else, even the girls she didn't really know that well, and almost skipped her way past Shelly empty handed. Rhiannon had been pleased that it looked like Shelly was upset because she'd been left out of something and as the other girls opened their envelopes and then talked excitedly about the invite to see a big competition in the Palace grounds Rhiannon saw Shelly look at her forlornly in the hope that Rhiannon was rummaging around in her bag to find the obviously missing invite. Instead the Princess produced a silver packet of Capri Sun, threw her kit into the bag and almost triumphantly thrust the orange straw into the packet before striding out. The invite now lay crumpled under her blazaar and skirt, left there until discovered by her father now. She'd actually considered ripping the envelope up in front of Shelly as revenge for her managing to steal one of Rhiannons strawberry laces as they'd been sat in the bag next to her on the bench she liked to sit and read on under the tree. Shelly had made a grab for the whole bag but Rhiannons attention had been off the Neu Urburzis book just long enough for her to spot and with speedy reflexes from several years of sword training she'd managed to grab the bag and save all but one lace which was protruding from the bag and taken as a kind of spoil of war by the victorious Shelly. Rhiannon had yelled after her drawing the attention of one of the security detail who, wearing a high-vis jacket to blend in with the break time duty teachers glanced over. Seeing the Princess was not in any actual physical harm they let the matter slide, their instructions were to let Rhiannon be as normal a student as possible.

"So if I go and see your security detail they'll tell me the same right?" David asked sensing Rhiannon was not being entirely honest.

"I...maybe" Rhiannon squirmmed. She sighed and put Goldie on the floor. The fox sensed its comfy time with Rhiannon was over and so trotted over to its crate where it slurrped at the water bowl before snuggling into its bedding disappearing beneath the folds of a warm blanket. Rhiannon sat facing her Dad crossed legged. "She's mean Dad." Rhiannon almost pleaded as though the explanation would make her father agree and bin the envelope.

"Thats not fair" David explained. He shook his head wondering exactly what he should say next. "Look, I'm not saying you have to like everyone. You don't even have to be friends with everyone, but it would be good to. Sometimes in life there are people that we just won't get along well with and thats OK. Just because you don't like someone though doesn't mean its OK to be disrespectful to people. This girl is part of your team and that means you need to stick together and help each other. You can train together, you can compete together but then just go seperate ways but it doesn't help the team if you leave someone behind. I need you to give her this tomorrow." David held the envelope out towards Rhiannon who looked glum.

"But she doesn't respect us" Rhiannon said, "Today at practice she took Millie's chalk bag without asking, she hid Alana's gloves so she was late getting out the changing room and had to run laps and every single break time she tries to steal my strawberry laces." Rhiannon sounded extremely angry at the thought of the beloved confectionary being stolen.

"Is this the same girl you got detention for kicking last month?"

"Yes" Rhiannon admitted but leaving out the fact that the swift kick to the shin had seen Shelly all but double over and Rhiannon was about to reign an absolute haymaker of a backhand across her face before she was stopped by a teacher yelling at her. "I'm just fed up of it Dad." Rhiannon began to cry. "She's a bully and always stealing people's things but she gets away with it because she's sneaky and never gets caught." Even though David should probably be reprimanding his daughter he in a way felt a little bit of pride that she was standing up for people and couldn't resist giving her a hug.

"You have to remember sweetheart that one day you're going to be a Queen dealing with real bullies. Shelly stealing strawberry laces is nothing compared to Stalin invading Safraen and even though I'd have loved to send my army into Rodinha and destroy him I knew it was the wrong thing to do because it would have caused so many more problems. We have to do the right thing, not the thing that we think will make us happy. For the sake of my soldiers I didn't send them to Rodinha, for the sake of your team you can't leave someone out." Rhiannon pulled away and looked up at her Dad.

"But you do those sancty things when people upset you. Like you did that time you told everyone they can't buy stuff from like Smellycuid because they'd hurt our religion." David couldn't help but smile at the way his daughter had used her nickname for Royal Seleucid after she'd learned a little about the genocide attempt there. "This is my sancty.....no strawberry lace thieves shall set foot on royal palace grounds" She said rather regally making her father chuckle.

"Sometimes bridges need to be built and that means someone has to make the first move. You are a Princess, you are a noble and nobles act nobly that means they do what is best for the most people. The team would be a happier place to be if everyone came to the party." He was about to unleash his secret weapon, his daughters own competitive streak. "Look, if Shelly feels she's not part of the team you're going to have someone in your melee team that feels like they aren't part of the team, a shield wall needs to act like one living being. You don't make that leaving her out." Once more he held the envelope towards his daughter and this time as she used one hand to wipe away her tears she took the envelope. "Thank you" he kissed her on the top of her blonde head.

"But she doesn't get to sit near me!" Rhiannon said adamantly. "She can come but she stays away from me and Millie." David nodded that he would concede to these terms. He looked at the large clock on her bedroom wall.

"Its getting close to bedtime. Twenty more minutes with your book, put Goldie to bed, brush your teeth and then come and say goodnight. OK?" Rhiannon got back to book reading position as her father headed towards the door leaving the envelope on the bed, Rhiannon was in half a mind to just slide it into the folds of her book and forget about it but she knew her father would check up on it and so resisted the urge. Just before her Dad left he stopped and turned back. "And tomorrow try not to leave half eaten oat cakes in your bag." His daughter cracked a smile.

"I'm hoping if I half eat them you'll give me some of that chocolate flapjack instead" Her father simply shook his head and made his way out the room. He gave her bag a final once over, slid a new pen into her pencil case which was as well stocked as any in the Kingdom, and then went to the fridge and broke off a small slice of the flapjack and put it into the plastic lunch box. His fatherly duty done for the evening David made his way to the lounge. Stasya was sat on the sofa her feet half up on the black leather flicking through a book of various designs, already picking out her outfit for the party from those various designers had offered her. A baby monitor sat on the table next to her the other end in the happily sleeping Llewellyns room. David sat down and picked up his wife's feet placing them on his lap eliciting a satisfying purr as he gave them a gentle rub.

"Rhiannon OK?" Stasya asked turning her gaze away from fashion.

"Yes" David said, "I think she may have her first enemy" chuckling.

"Girls schools can be like that sometime. Unless she's trying to send Red Legion in just let them get on with it." Stasya offered her advice. "Beside I can't see Rhiannon not being very popular. The girls just jealous." The Lodjain side of his wife clearly coming out.

"I think it'll be sorted tomorrow but just do me a favour, next time you go shopping don't bring her any of those laces." David asked, "Think of it as a peace strategy."   

The Kingdom of Seaforth is a country in north eastern Cotf Aranye.  The Kingdom is divided into six provinces. The coastal provinces of Caledonia, Northumbria, Seaforth and Scotia and the interior provinces of Strathcona and Arc-Royal.




Etymology And History
The Kingdom of Seaforth is named after Seaforth Castle, located in the capital city of Eventide in the province of Seaforth. The people of Seaforth are descendants of the people known as the Scoti and refer to themselves a Seaforthians. The Scoti themselves were a sept of Celts originating from Ui Ceinnselaig. These seafaring Celts raided and traded their way north eventually landing in what is now called Seaforth. These Celts continued to raid and pushed east from the shores, driving out the native tribes and permanently settling the area. Little remains of the original tribes, not even their names. The Celts were made up of clans and eventually organized into 6 Kingdoms. The Kingdom of Eventide, The Kingdom of Scotia, The Kingdom of Northumbria, The Kingdom of Caledon, The Kingdom of Arc-Royal and the Kingdom of Strathcona. In the early to mid 1100's, The Knights Hospitaller arrived in the Illumic. Refugee's fleeing their destruction at the end of the Vanoran Crusades. These Knights, led by Jocelyn of Rhodes, settled on the wild and uninhabited Island of Somerset. Just across from Somerset was Halifax Bay and the city of Halifax. From there ruled Ulric, King of Caledon. The King and his son, Prince Owen eventually befriended the knights and together, through war, diplomacy and marriage they united the six Kingdoms into the Kingdom of Seaforth. The former Six Kingdoms are still existing today represented by provinces of Seaforth.

Geography
The coastal mountains dominate the western edge of the kingdom. A solid wall of rock towering above the sea, only 2 natural breaks occur in the mountain chain. The northern break is located in the Bay of Eventide, where the capital city of Eventide is located. The southern break is located in a natural harbor in the province of Caledonia and where the provincial capital of Halifax sits. The area accounts for 25% of the kingdoms landmass.



East of the Coast Mountains are the foothills. Also known as the Ranchlands, these rolling hills stretch out from the Coast Mountains and are home to most of the livestock in the kingdom. These are also the original tribal lands of the Scoti people and account for 50% of the landmass in the kingdom.




At the far eastern end of the kingdom are the plains and farmlands which provide much of the agricultural produce in the kingdom and account for the remaining 25% of the landmass.



The Kingdom of Seaforth contains 8.2 % water which is made up of mountain rivers running to the sea and the foothills where it empties into a series of small lakes. Few rivers flow into the plains and the farmland is maintained by a series of irrigation canals.



The Island of Somerset is the traditional holdings of the Rhodes family, stretching back to the time of Jocelyn of Rhodes. The Seaforth section on the island contains the City of Bethesda and a joint service naval base. The eastern area of the island is leased long-term to Rokkenjima and consists of Urakawa City (Civilian) and Elpidiana a city for military personnel and dependents while the Office for Illumic and Tripartite Affairs sits semi between them. Somerset is an autonomous zone under the sole control and possession of House Rhodes. Somerset remains a part of the Kingdom of Seaforth.

The Rokkenjiman portion would then simply be known as the Rishiri Imperial Overseas Dependency.

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As a little boy David had hated the festival. To him it was pointless, Morelanders hardly went anywhere and boats were pretty boring, they just bobbed about and were slow. While he still didn't get the excitement of them the grown up David had grown to love the festival and that growth was reflected in the public too. Tickets for the showgrounds were getting harder and harder to come by and despite pressure from the local council the King had refused to charge more for the tickets, this was a celebration for all Morelanders not just the wealthy. The showgrounds had changed too, the confines of Portworth Naval Base and the nearby Royal Marina could no longer contain the festival but thankfully keenly sensed developers had built newer Marina's in David's 30 years and more of life. Even the neighbouring town of Seabrooke had begun to see some overspill and that was great for the local economy. It was though the last three or four years that had seen a huge boost globally and in some ways David put that down to his wife. She had brought the young keen eyes of the fashionable crowds on Portworth and now the marina was already filling with a variety of rich and celebrity owned yachts, a good number considering the now Queen Stasya a friend.

This morning as the festival was preparing to get underway it was pretty routine. The white water front house with the clock tower that for the rest of the year served as the Commander of the Navies home was handed over to the royals. Admiral James Thompson had instead been spending his nights tucked up onboards the REMNS King Robert as the flagship of the navy. David liked the Admirals House, the doors of the 2nd floor balcony leading directly onto a dockside which was now filling with Royal Marines who would be a large part of the days activities. While today dressed in the black tunics and red trimmed trousers they looked perfect parade ground soldiers however beneath each white peaked cap was a commando proud to serve in the Navy and looking forward to their day. The King woke when the snap of hundreds of feet coming to attention indicated that it was time to get up. He leaned over and gently kissed the shoulder of Stasya, "Time to wake up" he whispered to her and even though she said nothing he could sense she was awake. "I'll get sorted and grab the kids. We'll see you downstairs." He swung himself out of bed and into the shower before dressing in his Alpine Cadre uniform. It was not his normal festival of sail attire but today there were a few things that would be different and a more formal approach would be required in his mind. His advisers had said he should wear his own Admiral of the Fleet uniform but there was just something wrong in his eyes about wearing a uniform he hadn't fought for beside he couldn't ever imagine wearing a uniform other than the black jacket and trousers of the Alpines, he adjusted his cross belt so the rather odd locking cartridge box sat in the middle of his back. Satisfied he donned the white beret.

"Very handsome" Stasya smiled at him from the bathroom door, she crossed and straightened his epulettes before kissing him. "I'll be twenty minutes" she told him. David would have liked the believe that but knew it was much more likely to be 30. He didn't argue and instead made his way down and found Rhiannon already up and about. She was ten years old now and David knew she would have outgrown her love for the Vikings boat but she still seemed excited for the day. She gave her father a good morning hug, she was dressed less casually than she had been in previous years, even she knew today would mark something important. Llewellyn arrived being carried by her auntie, Princess Freya, who like her brother had dressed in military attire which in her case was the 2nd Light Scouts. David smiled and snapped her a salute, he himself wore the rank of a mere Captain today while his sister held Major.

"Good Morning Captain Ironside. I have a Prince for you." She handed Llewellyn over to his father and snapped a salute back. The group stood chatting until Stasya joined them. At first David had concerns about her choice of attire, which was not unusual for the Queen. Today rather than it being the rather risqué nature of the outfit it was the colour scheme. She had opted for a pale blue dress with golden stitching around the neck and sleeves. To the unfamiliar it was just a nice dress however it was similar in palette to that traditionally worn by the Queen of Lodja, Stasya's own native homeland. David knew better than to critique his wife when it came to fashion and so instead complimented on her attire and once Rhiannon had taken hold of her step-mothers hand the family exited onto the quayside. A large crowd had gathered but was kept well back by a security barrier and the parading Marines would have formed a further barrier. The King had no need to tell Stasya to wait for the press to get their shot for tomorrows front covers as she was already ensuring she had spotted the best photographers and made sure to smile directly down their camera. The Marines paid their respects which David returned with a salute and then the family walked down the quayside. At the end of the Admirals garden that ran down the quayside a series of large white marquee tents had been set up, it was here the various VIP's could get breakfast and the royals sat and waited for the REMNS Mess Stewards to take their orders and bring coffee and juices. Even Rhiannon knew today was going to be busy and eagerly tucked into her Rice Crispies, it was going to be such a busy day her father even had given her permission for Coco Pops, a treat for only the most tiring of days. While others filtered into the tent for their own breakfasts the King exchanged only polite waves and nods, there would be a chance for more in depth meetings but there was a sense of nerves in the King.

Once the Rice Crispies had been consumed and David drained the last of his Green Tea it was time to get into position. Along the opposite quayside a large grandstand had been set up, effectively turning it into a kind of makeshift arena. The seats were already filling up and unlike everyone else who had to get past a Red Legion security check, masquerading as Royal Marines much to Sgt.Olly Thomas annoyance, before they could take a seat. It was a blessed day, the sun was up and not much wind and while that could be a problem for some of the sail boats the King was confident that Port Master Timothy Doben would have everything in order. Quiet likely even now out at the rendevous point out in the Mhorish he would be moving hundreds of ships ranging from large historical sail boats to modern day aircraft carriers into position. The parade of boats was a highlight for many and while it would still be around half an hour before the ships reached the sight of those attending the ceremony people sat on the approach beaches would already be waving at the passing ships.

The sight of tall ships like RNS Aggressor and Kaiwo-maru where the audiences first clue that the ships were close. Their masts visible above some of the more modern ships like the IMS Jehoiakim gave a real sense of just how much change had taken place. Doben had placed the replica of the HIMS Insolent at the lead of the tall masted ships, he knew King David's love of history and the romantic legend that went with it would be something that would please the King. Once the historic vessels, some needing a bit of held from tugs or local trawlers, had passed the various military ships came along. For many seeing Achkaerin's INS Rhyth Icerider brought back memories of the Lodjain conflict, a ship similar in shape, the Lodjain "Morelander" had gone rogue and been one of the first Moreland built ships in many decades to sink. A few who had been there in the Alucard for that battle muttered prayers of sorts wishing the Achkaerin sailors onboard better luck. The civilian ships were headed by the twin Rokkenjiman vessels, the HMY Austrana and United States while the final ship in that section was what Rhiannon called a rather "sweet looking" Akatatsu-maru. There was one final vessel. Traditionally the last ship in the parade hung a red lantern across its stern, today however there was no need. Apollo's Beacon shone its own inbuilt red light that even in the sun of the morning light could still be seen blinking steadily on and off. As the ships got closer to shore several kayakers and entusiastic locals in their own small sail boats got close and one or two nearly came to mischief when not heeding the calls of the marshals, especially when it came to the nimble vessels of Achkaerin's Mermaids who had been given permission to ride as almost outriders doing dives and leaps like dolphins alongside the parade. As the ships made the turn towards land they formed two columns, one heading for each arm of the large naval base. Only three ships proceeded towards the centre. REMNS King Robert as the nations flagship was in the centre of the three while to its starboard the "mega-yacht", Iskorian owned by the Pelagiya family, to the portside a sight that brought delight to the King, a river steamer from Ostlake. The King had been told it would only be here if the sea was calm and even now with the help of being slightly ahead of the other two it was not looking the most comfortable of rides. The three ships were able to tie up and a single figure appeared off each. A whistle blew a series of notes indicating they could approach. The three figures moved forward and meet just in front of the grandstand, in a dress almost matching Stasya's own was Queen Natalya of Lodja, in the centre a uniformed Alex Redfern in Red Legion dress attire and the final in a a smart suit but dirty leather apron Maxwell Power, the Royal Smith. The King stood and gave Natalya a bow, she had kindly agreed to be part of this slightly adapted opening. David waited for his press secretary Malcolm Tucker to check the microphone before he could address the crowd.

"I would normally begin today by saying welcome to the many hundred and something version of the Festival of Sail. Today though is for me something much more special. Today I am able to turn the tables on Lodja. I am fortunate, not also saddened, to have been part of three coronations in Lodja, this is an honour not before extended to a foreigner and while I wish I had only once undertaken this solemn but special duty I am delighted to welcome Queen Natalya here. Today she is helping us mark a special occasion in the life of my own family. Prince Llewellyn is now 18 months old which means I have just six months to ensure my duties as a father are completed in preparing him for his childhood. To a Morelander that means having a sword, something to practice and grow with when the time is right. Llewellyn though is a first for East Moreland, he is a child born of two lands. While he is a Morelander Prince he is also tied forever to Lodja and the Queen and myself want him to know both lands, both people and both cultures. We are therefore proud to hand the proceedings to Queen Natalya." The Lodjain monarch came forward and at the foot on the steps to the grandstand took a small purple cushion off of one of her strategically placed Ladies in Waiting. The Queen ascended to grandstand stage and approached the microphone.

"The ties between East Moreland and Lodja are stronger in my mind than any on Mundus. They are ties not built by diplomacy, by politics or money, they are ties built by love. That love is symbolised by the union of King David and one of my greatest friends Queen Stasya. That bond recently played out that our forces, for the first time in history, fought side by side to defeat an evil facing my people. During that time Lodjains knew our friends in East Moreland, as well as those of our CNN friends, Achkaerin and our new friends in Aosta would not allow evil to win and we are grateful for that. This is why I was so happy to be asked to do this. In Lodja a noble child becomes upon their birth a Patrician, an individual marked by our Gods and expected to lead those in their care to a better life. Our faith may differ but that duty is one Sessifet and Helus value. Prince Llewellyn may well be a Prince of East Moreland but he is also a Patrician of Lodja and today I present him with a symbol of that rank." The cushion had a silver bracelet, much too big for the child, in its centre. A pair of small red stones were placed in its band worked to sit as eyes upon a outline of a Honeybadger. The Queen gently took Llewellyn arms and slid the bracelet on making sure it didn't fall of. She placed a brushing kiss on the childs head as David held him. The King and Queen exchanged words and then David handed her the child as she made her way to stand next to Stasya.

David returned to the microphone. "The ceremony begins with me accepting my sword, today though I will be joined by my daughter for the first time." Rhiannon almost skipped forward to stand beside her father. "She one day will stand here in my place and take her own sword. Today though she will be acting as the Protector of the Sword, a position held by someone who will care for the sword of a child until they are ready to wield it themselves. My daughter has shown she's a fine swords woman herself and is an incredible big sister. When the time comes I know she will also be a great teacher for her brother." The crowd cheered loudly, Rhiannon was beloved by the people, partly because of the tragedy of her twin brother Caspian but also because of the fact she and Prince Augustin of Neu Urburzis had, at the age of six, "fought" Crocodiles in an aquarium to save Augustins pet rabbit Snufflechen. On cue Redfern and Maxwell headed towards the King with Redfern holding the Kings, a large straight edged cavalry sword ahead of him unsheathed. Max held on the flat of his palms a small sword, it would never do for an adult but that wasn't the point. The King had collected the raw materials himself from the Gods Forge here in Portworth and to the King this presentation was almost the sword returning home. Redfern offered the King his own sword and David accepted it, gave his friend a sweeping salute with it before ritualistically replacing it in the scabbard on his hip. At the same time Rhiannon took the sword from Maxwell and unsheathed it, she held it up the light inspecting it. Like her own blade had the date of birth was etched onto the blade which ran into a dark blue handle. The sword would likely last Llewellyn until he was a teenager and then like Rhiannon would soon he'd choose his own blade. Rhiannon checked the area around and her and sure no ones was closeby gave it a few swipes and swings. She then loudly spoke. "The sword is more than fitting for a Prince" Maxwell smiled acknowledging the words. Rhiannon sheathed the sword, turned and presented it to her father who attached it to his own belt and handed Rhiannon a small leather pouch which she couriered to Maxwell. "Payment in full for the work of a smith fit for Jekar" she declared and handed him the 112 silver coins.

"Thank you Your Highness" Maxwell winked at Rhiannon who had spent several hours watching him make the sword.

The crowd once again applauded and David spoke. "All that is left is for me to thank the men and women who serve in our Navy for their duty. I also want us to thank those who stood alongside them in Lodja and anyone who serves in the navies of the world ensuring the safety of the innocent on the seas. Today marks a day we celebrate the seas, for Morelanders they once stood as a barrier, a defence to keep out an imagined evil. Today they stand as a roadway leading old friends and new to join us as we try and build a better future not just for Morelanders but for the world. I wish each of you a happy Festival and fair seas." The King breathed a sigh of relief as his first task was done, the Festival was done and now he could enjoy himself a little. The family made their way back to the large tent, no doubt his Head of Household would have meetings and the like to keep him busy but that was usually more relaxed. As they returned to the tent Matilda Osman, the Kings divorced wife and mother of Rhiannon was waiting. As agreed she'd get day one of the festival this year with their daughter now that her own duties were over. The step-brother of Rhiannon, Oliver, was propped up in a wheel chair because of his Hunter Syndrome, his eyes though lit up when he saw his big sister who hugged him and begged her father to let her show him Llewellyn sword. David agreed and handed her the blade keeping careful watch as he and Matilda discussed parental matters for a few minutes, David would return to the Festival grounds each day and tomorrow he would be here with her so it was more a case of who was taking her to what, naturally as King it was David who could get access to some of the more unique parts and so Matilda was going to head to the Viking ship as Rhiannon wanted to discuss Axe V's Sword fighting but then she wanted to see Akatatsu-maru up close. Matilda first though wanted to get them drinks as she knew it could be a long day. They sat at the table next to David, Stasya and the other Ironsides and David smiled as he could hear Rhiannon gently explaining the story of Jekar making the first sword to the four year old Oliver.

The tables began to fill with various members of the East Moreland nobility, government and business worlds. It was a great chance to network but also for Sir Harry Samuelson to have his Hobbit like 2nd breakfast of grilled Mackrel on toast. On the table next to him Jocelyn Hopkins sat with a plate of toast and a sketch book in which she gently shaded a sketch as "Royal Artist in Residence" she would try and produce something for todays unique ceremony and for now was in her own little world. David would enjoy a 2nd Green Tea, wait for Rhiannon to go see her Vikings and then be about his own day, he had a feeling it was going to be a busy but rewarding day.

I am excited to once again extend an invitation to the governments of Mundus to join us for the annual Festival of Sail. The Festival has been an international event now for many years and we have been delighted to welcome vessels from across the world, both allies and new friends. This year the festival will once again open its doors to the world and we invite nations to display as wide a variety of sea going craft as possible so that we may come together and celebrate the skill, ingenuity and creativity of those who travel the oceans. As usual the festival shall begin with a huge floating parade from the town of Seabrooke, down the Mhorish coast and enter the ports, harbours and marinas of Portworth. Vessels will then be assigned a berth somewhere according to whether you wish the vessel to be accessible to the public. In the past we have been able to accomodate vessels which vendors wish to showcase to potential markets while simulationously allowing top security for those here merely to bring foreign naval service men and women to the festival.

In addition to the Festival member of the East Moreland government will be on hand should anyone wish to discuss matters of a more formal nature and as always there shall the Royal Banquet on the final evening. This year this shall take place just down the coast from Seabrooke in the Ducal Palace which since my wife and myself have restored will host its first formal event.

Should your nation wish to attend and showcase vessels please let us know.

May The Gods Watch Over You and Your Seas Be Calm

King David III of East Moreland.

OOC - As always anyone is free to come along, just would be nice to be able to have a heads up as to what is coming so I can work it into the initial posts and of course if anyone wants to meet King David or some other East Moreland person. You don't have to write a formal reply unless you want to.