Tuesday, June 26, 2012

Elwynn, Land of Princely Elections and a People's Academy

ELIRIA, ELWYNN - Once upon a time, a long long time ago, Princes were born of nobility and generally ended up as Kings, or came to a tragic end. However, in the twenty-first century, Princes are not only not noble, but elected! Sometimes public opinion can be divided over whether such a contemporary development is a Good Thing or not. All we know is that in the Union of Elwynn, Amokolia and Hurmu, it's constitutional, and right now, nominations are being received, and occasionally withdrawn. 

We can tell you that the current candidates are the very keen Elijah Ayreon, recently abdicated Kaiser of Shireroth, Patrick "Prometheus" Monticaeae, recent immigrant, and Lord Erion, currently President of the Senate and Steward of the Elwynn Free State.

Candidates who have so far withdrawn from the princely race include another recent immigrant, Aaden Allot, and the current Regent, none other than the infamous Ardashir Osmani, Emir of Raspur.

Regent Osmani, in the face of his regency facing imminent termination upon the election of a new Prince, has already taken the opportunity to create a new job for himself, in the form of the Dean of Rhetoric at the newly recreated People's Academy of Elwynn. The Academy, comprising a remarkably swift yet extensive makeover of the former Temple of the Winds, was authorised yesterday by the erstwhile Regent in the form of an appropriately wordy Instrument of Government.

It is worth noting that, in the cultural spirit of the times, the Academy is officially called Alôqoqar Etâqon Adurellion. We don't know how that's actually pronounced, but we can guarantee that it's not as easy as it might look.

In other news...

Thanks to our recent timely intervention, the extremely moribund Benacian Conference on Standardization might actually be put out of its misery shortly, thus potentially saving it from an even more protracted death that it might otherwise have experienced. Even its creator, one Elijah Ayreon, has now reluctantly admitted that he might finally be giving up on it.

And finally...

Carl Jackson Miller, recently-elected Praetor of the Republic of Shireroth, and even more recently-rejected uncitizen of the Union of Elwynn, Amokolia and Hurmu, has nevertheless just been rather speedily accepted as a citizen of the Bovic Dominion of Natopia, even though it is still a protectorate of the Union of Elwynn, Amokolia and Hurmu. As the ancient proverb goes, may we live in interesting times.

Sunday, June 10, 2012

Shireroth Not At All Embarrassed by Failed Benacian Conference

BENACIA - It seemed such a good idea at the time. All the important flunkeys, politicians and heads of state on Benacia were invited to an all-expenses-paid week away in a secret Benacian hideaway to discuss standardization and "matters of common purpose", set up as an apparent distraction from the ongoing controversies surrounding the marriage of Kaiser Ayreon II of Shireroth.

Only two people turned up. And one of those was chairing the conference. That was Kaiser Ayreon II of Shireroth. The other attendee being the slightly embarrassed King of Batavia, Willem V.

As for the "matters of common purpose"? The history, the geography, the languages and the peoples of the Benacian continent. Not being ones to shy away from embarrassing failures at times, here's our take on how the conference should have gone.

History: It happened to every nation and the ones that survived are still here.
Geography: Most nations have it, from tiny islands to a few mountains, with some rivers and oceans just to give all the water somewhere to go.
Languages: Everyone speaks English, so that's alright then. Not everyone can spell it, though, which isn't.
People: "Everyone's a citizen!" Just not of every nation. 

And in other news...

After rapidly losing interest in the conference, Kaiser Ayreon II decided to abuse his newly-appointed position of Honorary Senator in the Union State by denouncing another version of himself over his previous pretend "death" as another another version of himself, thus instantly contributing to the already highly controversial use of micronational papels.

Friday, June 01, 2012

As One Dragon Safely Returns, Will Another Arise?

BATAVIA - A tender for interplanetary transport has been issued by the Kingdom of Batavia as the real world's first commercial space mission was nearing its end (and has since successfully returned to Earth). While SpaceX's Dragon spacecraft safely splashed down in the Pacific Ocean yesterday, thus demonstrating the potential of relatively affordable private space travel (at least compared to state space travel), some of the micronational world's foremost experts on virtual interplanetary travel were brainstorming potential solutions to a tender that is happily unencumbered by any constraints as to the limits of technology and the availability of funding created out of thin air (let alone the vacuum of space).

The Natopians have led the sessions having had previous relevant experience, and suggestions so far include using modular Imperial Class carrier ships, possibly assisted by orbital shuttles and space elevators. It may be worth noting that Natopia itself is currently a protectorate of the Union of Elwynn, Amokolia and Hurmu, which in turn includes the territory of Tirlar, the last remaining remnant of the sites of the gateways to the other four legendary elemental worlds of Tylmarinn, Eochar, Relgann and Meiridos.

We would suggest embarking on unquantifiable expeditions to rediscover these long-unvisited planets, which would not only be interplanetary expeditions, but interdimensional expeditions, as all five of our worlds occupy different nodes of reality in the same space. No spaceships required, but there might still be dragons...

Thursday, April 01, 2010

MCS Switches to Google Maps

The Micronational Cartography Society (MCS) is to switch to using Google Maps as its technical basis. The Google Maps API will be used in a unique micronational mash-up which will incorporate the official geographical map of Micras as its base map, upon which individual micronations will be able to superimpose additional layers for cultural, political and resource maps.

The new system will include automatic monitoring of activity levels by using an updated version of the Ultimate Micronational Forumlist. Micronations will be required to designate parts of their territories which will be sacrificed should their activity fail to meet the MCS' prescribed criteria, with the map being appropriately updated automatically. New claims will also be able to be submitted automatically, with special algorithms being used to being used to determine their validity.

MCS administrator Craitman said: "this new system will take away much of the tedium associated with the manual updates while giving more control to our members and ensuring all territories are allocated on a fair and uncontestable basis. We will also offer a version of Google Earth, called Google Micras, to enable aerial and fly-through views of Micras' rendered landscape, which will take the micronational experience to a new level."

Saturday, January 30, 2010

FNORD 2010 Medals Are Here!

MCS, MICRAS - The FNORD Awards 2010 medals are now here, courtesy of Dr Spangle. Some group, front and back photos are below:

Thursday, January 28, 2010

MNN: Still Here After Eight Years

PONTES NOVI, IMPERIUM INCOGNITA - Veteran micronational news site and portal MNN celebrates its 8th anniversary today.

Founded in the legendary Barony of Treesia and Fabon on 28th January 2002, MNN has arguably become a much-valued source of news and information about micronations, and has operated continously (apart from a week's interruption in late 2008) ever since.

While it no longer has its own forum (archived here), it has expanded its listings of micronational resources and its news coverage, which, as well as blogs and journals, now includes tweets and videos. To celebrate its anniversary, MNN now has its own Twitter and mobile sites, plus a new look and logo, and a slightly revised name, the Micronations News Network, which replaces its previous twin names of Micronational News Network (for the news) and Micronations.Net (for the site).

We at the Apollo Fireball V congratulate MNN on its anniversary and wish it many more years of success.

Friday, January 22, 2010

Gralus Vanishes for Real!

(updated below)

NOTHING, GRALUS - The magical kingdom of Gralus mysteriously disappeared earlier today, leaving kings, wizards and warlocks everywhere feeling slightly miffed and tentatively apprehensive. The last time it disappeared was due to an elaborate roleplayed conflict.

However, this time the last known sign of life that we had was receipt of a private message earlier this afternoon. By the time we went to open it, the entire nation had been replaced by a seemingly innocent-looking holding page.

Have Gralus' adventures in magic gone too far this time, or is there a more mundane explanation lurking in the shadows?

Only time will tell...

Update (24th January 2010)

We are pleased to report that Gralus has now safely returned from its temporary oblivion.

Saturday, January 09, 2010

Hyperborean Ice-Demon Freezes Ireland

HYPERBOREA, SHIREROTH - It seems that, when you are researching micronational myths and legends, it may not be best to speak aloud the name of any sensitive deities or demons, just in case they see it as open invitation to wreak havoc shortly afterwards.

This unfortunate sequence of events occurred last week, apparently as a consequence of a meeting between two Hyperboreans, Scott of Hyperborea and Eoin Dornan, which took place somewhere is deepest, darkest Ireland.

It has been admitted that, during the meeting, the name of Jogri Temyyyutsion, King of the Ice-Demons, was forgetfully spoken aloud in place of his safer winter pseudonym "Oin Suilar", which was effectively an invitation for him to expand his "icy reign" across the seas to all of Ireland.

Banishment of the Ice-Demon may prove to be troublesome, as the only potential rituals are to be found in the legendary "Cold Rain Book", which itself has proven to be entirely imaginary.

In the meantime, climate experts have warned that the anticipated duration of the supernatural freeze of "three times three times three days" may prove to be rather optimistic.

Friday, January 08, 2010

FNORD! Again

2009 was a year of changes and consolidation. It saw the end of Babkha, a micronation that served as a pillar of our sector since before the MCS even existed. It saw the end of the hated MicroHub, which for all of its flaws served as a continuation of the MNN tradition and one of our last links to the larger micronational world. It saw the organization of large chunks of the world into the Small Commonwealth and its Small Economy, which have escaped the pitfalls of so many other organizations by expecting less.
And thus commenced the 2009 FNORD Awards earlier this evening, hosted by its eponymous and erstwhile founder, Scott of Hyperborea.

The awards, held, as ever, in honour of Emperor Norton Day and inspired by Molossia's original Norton Awards, were judged this year by Bjorn Ironfist of Stormark, Ryan Caruso of Shireroth, Emperor Edgard of Alexandria, and Guido Zambelis of Lovely.

A traditional mix of categories has been continued, with the winners of each as follows:
The winners, will, for the first time, receive real medals instead of virtual ones, courtesy of Dr. Spangle.

Sunday, December 13, 2009

Natopia to Celebrate Cowmas

LINDSTROM, NATOPIA - The Dozan Bovic Church will be officially celebrating Cowmas for the first time this year, on December 22nd.

Last year it was unofficially observed to mark the restoration of the county of Smjorkr in Shireroth, a place where Dozan Bovinism successfully sought refuge during the period known as the Natopian Dark Ages. 

At Cowmas, the faithful are expected to offer a sacrifical dairy product to the Butter Spirit, with a glass of milk generally being  favoured. His Holiness, Nathan, Pentheros of the Dozan Bovic Church, said:

"Cowmas is a time to celebrate our faith through the darkness. We celebrate this by stringing lights upon our houses and candles in our windows, to let our faith shine through the dark as those brave Natopian refuges let their faith shine through the Dark Ages. "

Friday, December 11, 2009

Istvanistan & Verac Accords Finally Take Effect

MODBURY, VERAC - After many diplomatic niceties and cartographical tweaks, the Istvanistan-Verac Accords took effect today.

The slightly mundane title disguises some fundamental changes that affect both nations. Verac relocates completely from Istvanistan Island across the world to a vacant area adjacent Gralus (although one that has been occupied by many different nations in previous years), while donating its former territory to neighbouring Istvanistan.

For the first time ever, Verac's island of Molyneux is shown on the MCS map, while Istvanistan expands for what is probably the first time in its long history, although only back to its previous fullest extent, with the new territory intended to be allocated to its own long unmapped Autonomous Oblast of Polabia..

Wednesday, October 28, 2009

"I, Nathan" - An Interview with Nathan of Natopia

I, Nathan, am one of the three original founders of the Bovic Empire of Natopia.

Introducing Natopia

In August 2002, my friends and I were bored during a new student orientation for high school, and we doodled an imaginary city on the back of a hand-out. The city floated on clouds and had advanced aerospace technology. It also had a unique fascist totalitarian eugenics regime that executed "undesirables", and presidential succession was achieved officially through assassination. However the more micronation-like Natopia was set up in September. I did this because I had a lot of time on my hands and I really enjoyed playing SimCity.

Natopia was first all off-line. Classmates were given ranks and titles and even formed rival nations. The World Domination Society (WDS) and Emilyland were Natopia's first enemies, but the WDS eventually became an ally in our war against gravity. Natopia was a novelty that was a bit of fun for imaginative freshmen. The first Natopia Day, August 23, 2003, was even celebrated with a real life party with upwards of 15 people attending to celebrate Natopia.

The Inspirations

The idea for Natopia came from many different places. Mostly from classes in school that I'm taking. Early inspirations included the American government for the original Republic during freshman year civics class. The Holy Roman Empire was a basis for the first incarnation of the Sovereign Natopian Empire during a medieval history class. Athlon was first based on a Crusader State culture, but then evolved into a Greek themed culture after I took a Greek art class in college. The new Bovic religion taking root in Hazelwood is based on voodoo after curating an exhibit on Haitian voodoo. Natopia has had so many constitutions we can hardly be called a stable nation! Each new one changed when I had a new whim to fulfill. It has been rewritten so many times - many different parts came together to form what we have now.

A fun, yet important part of Natopia is The Ministry of Silly Walks. It was created when Natopia adopted an economy. Due to the technology, the government held all the money and distributed it out via salaries. Not all citizens held government jobs, so to get the money to the people, I set up the Ministry as a type of welfare system. Basically free money and a little bit of cultural development. Another part of fun part of Natopia is the Natopian Institute for the Promotion of Primate Literature, or NIPPL. It is the "citizens only" discussion forum. Matt Ziff came up with the idea of a Natopian institution to research the "infinite monkey theorem." However, another citizen, Tom Mills, devised the scandalously appropriate acronym.

The Butter Cow

The Butter Cow religion came about from the Natopia Day tradition to have a party "in real life." After the parties declined in popularity, and due to the nearness of dates, I took some friends to the Springfield Illinois State Fair and they always have a Butter Cow sculpture. Because it was an "official" Natopia Day outing, the Butter Cow was adopted as a mascot for Natopia in the same way Malarbor is the mascot for Shireroth. Butter Cow continued as a news mascot until, because of a constitutional crisis, Natopia collapsed. Athlon seceded from Natopia and adopted the Butter Cow as a divinity to bridge the cultural gap and declare itself the successor to Natopia.

When Natopia was reformed and annexed Athlon back, the Butter Cow religion came to the forefront of Natopia and was organized into a Catholic-style hierarchy as the Dozan Bovic Church. With myself as leader of both the church and Natopia, soon I fused the church with the state, which violated the many years of official Natopian secularization.

Citizens

New citizens of Natopia appeared somewhat sporadically. I never really "got" people to join - perhaps one of the problems with long term activity. People just sort of trickled in - some from other nations, others from out of nowhere (of course those people just could have been using fake names). I've made it a personal policy to not kick anyone out of Natopia, but there have been some I've wanted to.

Development

Natopia progressed most quickly in the very early days with Tasneem, Ryan and myself. Since Tasneem and Ryan were my friends in real life but lived too far away to hang out with, Natopia became our primary forum of communication and thus an explosion of Natopian culture. The Free Juice and Bagels Party and the legislative Frenzy are legacies of this time.

Natopia was never really a success per se. I don't really know, it was just kind of a general plateau of existing. I always remember that every time Natopia slows down to a crawl, within a month activity always picks up. If it didn't we wouldn't have been here for seven years.

Dark Ages and the Restoration

After Natopia slowed, restoring it was really a no-brainer. It had been a part of my life for so long and I was still involved in micronations, so there was no reason to not restore it. Allowing it to collapse and have Athlon and South Mehlville secede provided a very interesting historical element, however, and Natopian history fully embraces the collapse, calling it the Dark Ages, which I think adds a sense of realism to the nation.

Diplomacy and Culture

When Natopia was first settling into the Micras sector, I wanted Natopia very diplomatically involved. However as time went on I had less time to keep up with other nations, and the nations that Natopia was closely involved with closed up shop.

Our dealings with the MCS have always been favorable. In the past, we have had many comments by other nations, and I need to say that I fully endorse being called not serious but awesome. I allowed Natopian culture to grow naturally, instead of imposing a "cookie cutter culture" on it such as German, Roman, English, etc. When the population was mainly teenagers, the culture developed into that "immature" track. We have one of the most unique cultures out there and I would rather have Natopia's awesome unseriousness over way too serious with a lot of activity.

Favorite Things

I really enjoyed some special parts of Natopia. My favorite Natopia was Tasneem. She was one of the very first to join in high school and stayed for several years. During some of the slower times when I considered ending Natopia or annexing it to another nation, she always kept me on track and kept Natopia independent. It was a sad day when she left - she brought many good times to Natopia. Tasneem is now happily married and graduating from Michigan State this upcoming spring.

My favorite time was the one successful Summer Arts Festival we had. We had participants from several nations and filled the Library with some really nice works of art and literature, something I have always fancied being one of Natopia's strong points. A lot of Natopia’s own citizens have work submitted to the library through this day including Monkey Wrench, a one-act play by a former citizen, Zechariahs Azilin (Z).

Abdication and a New Emperor

Recently, the throne of Natopia was abdicated and my friend Konrad V Z (kvz) has taken over. He was crowned on October 10th, 2009. Why would I give up my throne of seven years strong? Simple answer: no time any more because of grad school.

By abdicating and showing that I am willing to let someone else shape and guide Natopia, perhaps it will encourage immigration. Natopia is, after all, named after me. It might not encourage people to join and think they can implement their own ideas. Konrad was chosen as my successor because he has acted as my Regent for many years and has been an extremely loyal and dependable citizen. He has been active and involved in Natopia long enough that I trust him with something I have spent nearly one third of my life on.

And Finally

Natopia will go forward, as it always does. With a change in leadership and the return of valued old citizens, I have high expectations for it, and I hope that soon Natopia can blossom into the active and powerful nation it deserves to be.

- Nathan of Natopia was interviewed by Sir Matthew, Baron of Hazelwood and Minister of Silly Walks