Astrasia

Umu Alnusuri Welcomes Open Arms to Astrasia
Previously a named nation first started in Balder, The new upcoming nation was then thoroughly passed thru Astrasia services to officially join the society, all in one.

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In a historic move, the Kingdom of Jarlborg has officially expanded its developed borders eastward, integrating a significant eastern region into its domain. The Treaty of Integration, signed yesterday in the royal palace, formalizes this acquisition, marking the culmination of months of negotiations. While officials hail the agreement as a triumph of diplomacy, the move has sparked both celebration and contention across the nation and beyond.

The newly integrated territory, long regarded as a frontier region with untapped potential, boasts vast natural resources, including rich mineral deposits and fertile plains. The integration is expected to bolster Jarlborg’s economic prospects, with projections suggesting an increase in the kingdom’s GDP over the next decade. Trade officials described the expansion as “a visionary step toward securing Jarlborg’s economic future,” emphasizing plans to invest in infrastructure and resource management in the newly acquired territory.

However, critics of the expansion warn of potential pitfalls. Opposition voices have questioned the financial and social costs of integration. “The cultural and political structures of this region are vastly different from our own,” some argued during a heated parliamentary debate. “Without careful planning, this could lead to unrest and strain on our national budget.”

Prime Minister Jakob Brännvall, in a televised address, sought to reassure both his citizens and the global community. “This expansion is not an act of conquest, but a union built on mutual respect and shared prosperity,” he said. “The people of this new region are now Jarlborg’s people, and together we will forge a brighter future.”

The coming months will test the kingdom’s ability to manage this ambitious venture. With infrastructure projects slated to begin soon, the world will watch closely to see whether Jarlborg’s eastward extension heralds success or stirs further challenges.

Dong Hai presence in Jadirah

The Sultanate of Bihran has become aware of the newly founded colony belonging to Dong Hai on the Southern coast of Jadirah. Whilst the port city in Northern Ban'afi was known of by the Bihrani government and for a time we have not expressed our attitude towards it, it is this new and frankly enormous claim from the Dong Hai colonists that has forced our hand. Jadirah is an ancient land and our people, just the same. Bihran may be caught up in the largest war of our history, but we will not ignore such an obvious disrespect to our peoples lands. Jadirah may be an unstable and not necessarily united region however the one thing that brings us together is that we do not take kindly to foreign powers trying to take advantage of us because we are technologically behind the rest of the world. Bihran may have a close relationship with the Jiang and subsequently positive attitudes toward the Dong Hai people but this is something we do not appreciate at all and we will not stand for it.

Bihran calls for the withdrawal of Dong Hai people from this colony effective immediately and this is taking the situation lightly. We will allow the port city in the Ban'afi Emirate to remain, as it has been there for quite some time however this has pushed our boundaries of acceptance quite frankly. If Dong Hai refuses to withdraw from this land as soon as they are made aware of this message, Bihran will be forced to escalate the situation further. Jadirah will not be colonised by foreign powers.

We hope Dong Hai sees sense and responds reasonably for both of our peoples sakes.

Ariel: a friend?

In a surprise declaration, Royal Vizier Deuloprater, Voice of the Panaukrator, stated the government's official stance of support towards the newly established State of Ariel.

"Their history shares a distinct similarity to ours", the Vizier said, "Wrought in the struggle of warfare, united by a shared culture, and led towards greatness by faith. In truth, for as misguided as the Arielite creed may be, they are our brothers and sisters in spirit, and His Celestial Majesty has decided to aid the newly-born state in their establishment by investing into their infrastructure, incentivizing companies to expand their operations towards Ariel, and extending the opportunity for the Arielite government to file for loans at low interest rates with Markian financial institutions."

The news came to a lukewarm reception across the Panaukratia. Though none dared question a direct edict from the Panaukrator, many worry about the implications that sending so many financial resources to Ariel may cause in the long term. It is worth doing a brief historical overview of the Markian-Arielite relationship: for centuries now there has been a small Arielite minority living inside the Panaukratia, with over 20% of said minority being located in the coastal cities of Strydeon and Allodapzikon. Allodapzikon, in fact, is the only major urban establishment in the country to have over 50% of its population identify as Arielite (either by ethnicity or religion), and was founded by Arielite missionaries under the original name Kiryat Or. This, however, does not mean that Arielites have been necessarily accepted across the broader Panaukratia. It wasn't until the Edict of Kapsos, decreed in the aftermath of the Night of Broken Tails, that Arielites began to be accepted as more than second-class citizens, or gioivarvaron. In 1565 they were granted the right to practice their religion in public spaces, and in 1793 Panaukrator Lenzenouloxos III funded the construction of a synagogue inside the Acropolis of Rouainai. Today, Arielites are recognized as people who work highly specialized trades, and many cities maintain small minorities within them.

As part of the agreement, the Panaukratia and the Arielite Government have made a joint declaration in which they both guarantee the rights of any Arielite wishing to return to their ancestral homeland to do so. Furthermore, elements of the Markian Imperial Navy have been granted docking rights inside Arielite ports.

Magae convene at the Rouapagos: Vatracalia declared!

Ready your vatracaeidolae, friends, for it's that time of year again! At the 322nd Ecumenical Synod of Vatraca, Magae from the Occidental and Oriental Sanctuaries met at the Rouapagos in preparation for the festivities of Vatracalia. Received into the city with furor by the public, the Magae spent the first week of their residency at the Acropolis of Rouainai within the Pagoravmnopalas as members of the Panaukrator's host, where the Kyriarchos-Magae performed a lengthy declaration reaffirming the Kolegio Magae' fealty to the Celestial Throne and the Panaukratia and the supreme authority of the Panaukrator over all matters of the Earthly Sphere. For the following month, the Magae isolated themselves in solemn prayer at the Rouapagos, with many undertaking new Vows of Sacrifice to Vatracaphon. Today, with the ceremonial burning of incense at the Hall of Voices, officially begins Vatracalia, which, for our foreign readers, is the festival of Vatraca, God-Frog of the Human Spirit.

Vatracalia is celebrated every olympiad, and consists of public displays of veneration for Vatraca, the loyal Second-in-Command of Nash'Hahr's Heavenly Host who rules the Third Sphere, realm of those who perished beyond Nash'Hahr's embrace and couldn't be returned to be buried in His holy land. Furthermore, Vatraca is famous for being associated with the Human Spirit, specifically its ingenuity and resourcefulness: one of the most popular parables of the Ca'theoml retells how, during the first year of Nash'Hahr's song on the Rouapagos, an evil djinn appeared to Him in the form of a frog to deceive Him into believing it was His trusted Vatraca. The djinn then convinced Nash'Hahr to stop His singing to talk, only to then steal His voice and mock Nash'Hahr. He-Who-Is then conveyed Vatraca, who went up to the djinn and pleaded for it to return Nash'Hahr's voice. The djinn then transformed into a mighty snake, threatening Vatraca with eating him, to which he responded that it wouldn't be honourable to eat something as helpless as himself, but that if the djinn gave him the Voice, then it could prove its might over Nash'Hahr once and for all. Guided by its hubris from having fooled Him once, the djinn accepted, but as soon as Vatraca had the Voice he lept to Nash'Hahr's lap and sang for Him, returning His powers. Following this, Nash'Hahr condemned all djinns and all wights and all others who may be of wicked spirit to spend eternity trapped in the shape of snakes, and He rewarded Vatraca by granting him immortality at His side and the ability to change shapes.

Citizens of the Panaukratia are encouraged to partake in traditional Vatracalia activities. Such as: playing board games or partaking in gambling (legal in agoras during the period of Vatracalia only), exchanging gag-gifts, eating at communal tables during the Feast of Vatracalia, and enlisting in the armed forces of the nation.

WE REMIND YOU IT IS PART OF YOUR NATIONAL DUTY TO SERVE YOUR PANAUKRATOR AND YOUR NATION. ENLIST TODAY AND BECOME ONE WITH THE GREAT BALANCE.

Markian Companies go abroad.

Extract from the Markian Royal Companies Act.

Dong Hai response

After receiving the message from Bihran, the government has much to say. Firstly, Torrelia historically is not, in fact, part of Jadirah. Referencing maps from Bihran shows that Jadirah stops at the southern borders of Askhan, with Torrelia being excluded. When the colony of Dramish Torrelia collapsed, Dong Hai simply went in to restore order to the major port cities. As Torrelia is not part of Jadirah, the government of Dong Hai sees no reason to have to hand it over to any nations of Jadirah. Furthermore, even if Torrelia was part of Jadirah, the government of Dong Hai noted that no one had made a single sound when it was under Dramuth, yet complaints flooded in the moment Dong Hai took over a small part of it. The government of Dong Hai would like to make it clear that even though they still pay tribute to the Jiang, we are still an independent nation that will not be pushed around by other nations, however for the sake of stability in the region, Dong Hai may be willing to reach an agreement depending on the requests of Bihran.

Dong Hai Colony

Bihran has received the response from Dong Hai surrounding the question of their new colony in place of the former Dramish colony of Torrelia in southern Jadirah. Clearly, Dong Hai is not well versed in its Jadirahn history although, it is not exactly a surprise that once again a foreign power hasn't the simplest idea of the place they will be taking advantage of. Torrelia was established as a colony when the land was wrongfully taken from the Askhan people by the Dramish military. Torrelia, prior to this, had been the majority of their southern coastline and a prosperous region in the Askhan realm. Now that Torrelia is no longer under the tight grip of the tyrannical Empire in Apolus, it rightfully belongs to the Askhan people and once more should be returned to them as is willed by God.

Before, Dong Hai scrapes for an excuse for their imperialism, perhaps they should pick up a history book and research the place in which they intent to exploit underdeveloped communities for economical reward. We still expect a withdrawal from the region and the rightful and lawful returning of Torrelia to Askhan immediately. Again, Bihran desires peace in the region but this is a matter we are willing to break peace for most certainly. Leave Torrelia or face the consequences. We will not ask a third time.

The Jadirahn Question...

NO GREATER HONOUR. NO GREATER DUTY. ENLIST TODAY AND BECOME THE PANAUKRATOR'S CHAMPION.

As tensions rise on the subcontinent, it seemed as though the Regency of Dong Hai and the Sultanate of Bihran were preparing to strike the firsts fires of war, a most dire outcome for all parties included -- and potentially the nearby colony of Markian Askhan. Worried about the developments, many calls began to ring across political observers of the Panaukratia, calling for the Government to intervene and mediate a solution to the conflict. The Panaukrator, in His Infinite and Celestial Majesty, heeded the plight of His subjects, and swiftly convened an emergency council composed of expert diplomats and the greatest military masterminds in the Panaukratia. The solution they found was unorthodox, to say the least, but one most welcomed by the general public and experts alike: the Regency of Dong Hai was contacted with the intent of purchasing their portion of Ashkan at an inflated price (which ended up totaling to VIMM, or 60M000T000, Merhestes). After careful deliberation, the Regency showed infinite wisdom by agreeing to the most generous terms His Celestial Majesty presented, and a treaty was signed the week after finalising the handing over of the colony to the Panaukratia.

The Panaukrator then delivered a public speech, which was then reprinted in all morning newspapers of the Panaukratia, in which He stated: "I am thy Panaukrator and thy Lord, listen to My Command and enact My Will; unwavering firmness on the unanimity of Balance, which is born from the bosom of our Panaukratia, is the fundament of our Union. Thee, My subjects, have signed and done Covenant to the Celestial Throne and I, Your Panaukrator. This is thine duty. It is not to be questioned, it is not to be impugned. It is to be followed, at all times, under any circumstance. Heed My Word, subjects; the Enemy is unshakable, hearts of' stone who art felt naught but pain and blood. The Adversary marches with them, at their tails, whispering spurious deceit to their ears. Thou art wrought from fire and brimstone, quell the rot and purify the sickness from our Panaukratia -- return sanctity to the Covenant of Man and God. Any who darest affront the Balance shall be made penitent, and of his or her family, three generations shall perish. This is My Word. Heed it, My subjects. Defend the Panaukratia. Rejoice, Champions of the Panaukrator!"

It was quickly clarified later by Royal Vizier Deuloprater, Voice of the Panaukrator, that this was not, in fact, meant as a declaration of war, but as a warning: any nation who attempts to infringe on the sovereignty of any Markian territories will be faced with the wrath of the Panaukrator and His Legions, regardless of the scale of the infringement.

Thousands rallied at the call of the Panaukrator's Celestial Might -- though conscription is, by law, prohibited in the Panaukratia, males between eighteen and twenty-one years of age are severely encouraged to join the Celestial Legions and become an Empeiroion Tisorgeibelicum (Markian for Adepts of Wrath) through great benefits to them and their families, including advanced placement on the Nash'hahr's Frontidais, government class-6 housing for active military personnel's families and a lifetime 35% subsidy on rent for veterans, pensions for career soldiers as well as disability compensations for those injured in the frontlines, access to better education, etc. It is a commonplace and very popular custom across the Panaukratia for boys and their friends to enlist as a coming-of-age rite, especially across Rouaun Country.

Furthermore, with the coming military expansions to the Navy and the Legions, as outlined in the Chancellor of the Exchequer's new budget, already accepted by His Celestial Majesty's Council and the Assembly of Commons, salaries for career soldiers are expected to increase handsomely, a welcomed development by the Armies of His Celestial Majesty.

The Markos-Jadirah Merchant's Company

Following the purchase of the territories, it was announced that a new company will be given a royal charter, as per the articles of the Markian Royal Companies Act of 1861, to conduct trade and commerce across the broader region of Jadirah. Jadirahn nations wishing to commerce with the Panaukratia are asked to conduct their trade through the Company, which has been granted a full monopoly. Reports indicate that the current markets are in search of spices, dyes, and other luxury commodities such as doulovarvarons (slaves) and precious metals.

WE REMIND YOU IT IS PART OF YOUR NATIONAL DUTY TO SERVE YOUR PANAUKRATOR. ENLIST TODAY AND BECOME ONE WITH THE GREAT BALANCE.

The Battle of Lake Unop

Whilst during the beginning of the war the Utalans did not resist much they would have finally gathered up their strength onto one area. Gathering around 70,000 Warriors and cavalry to fight off the southern Escuintillan advance. Using their advanced knowledge of local terrain, towns, they would begin to hatch a plan onto the now marching southern army group. As they would pass by close to a local lake the Utalan army would advance onto them. With mostly cavalry with mostly bows, and spears with a few old muskets attacking the Escuintillans head on planning to encircle them on the lake. With an attack of this magnitude not expected by army group South they would suffer heavy loses and would see why Escuintilla got absolutely pummeled in the last war. With about 25,000 soldiers in terms of casualties with a retreat being ordered from the area. Getting involved in more battles with the Utalans forcing several retreats until the army could reinforce itself enough to stop the Utalan advance.

These series of events would be a disaster to Escuintilla, shattering the myth that the second Utalan war would be an easy war. It seems that the Utalans are finally ready for a fair fight and are able to strike. But nonetheless Escuintilla continues on with the war, but will things go differently than the first time? Or will things be similar and Escuintilla will leave the war bloodied and bruised and with nothing gained?

Occupation

The job of occupation would be mostly handed out to the militia, who would become a sort of, "armed settler" people who had weapons and would try to settle and ensure Escuintillan control in the newly occupied lands. However though with recent defeats and memories of the first war some would commit some pretty heinous acts upon the local populace as their revenge. And also as a way to empty out the lands for settlement, viewing the natives as nothing more than another obstacle meant to be destroyed. However though the news would not spread and both the government and military would ensure that would happen. And deciding that the millitia would be allowed to continue their actions in the occupied areas.

Miqoysiland Develops

Miqoysiland would continue developing as the railroads would have finally finished with towns popping up around railway stops, and aformentioned towns like Wichita, Lakersfield, Yellowfield, Charloo, Miqoysitown, Miqoysifield, and Miqoysi being connected would boom. As people would seek new opportunities the lands would swell in population growing to around 50,000 people. The natural resources of the area like fertile land, forests, and deposits of natural resources would begin to be exploited more and more. However, though the explosion in immigrants to the lands begged the question of the natives. Thus, the department of First Peoples would begin to negotiate deals with the more friendly natives who were more welcome to the change. But with the more resistant tribes would be moved onto new plots of land far from any valuables, or have their lands reduced in order to keep them in check and offer more land for settlers.

It seems that the Miqoysilands are advancing pretty quickly, and that in sure time they will be integrated into Escuintilla as proper provinces.

Massacre in Talia

At 2:45 pm yesterday afternoon, a large crowd was openly fired upon by the royal guard due to a misunderstood order given by Commander Killian Dredd. Riots have drowned the capital city of Talia for weeks now as King Tommen VI abdicated the throne just last month and chaos immediately ensued in the city. Rocks were pelted toward the royal palace, smashing windows and permanently damaging the statue of Queen Melissa 'the small'. It is rumoured that the cause of this blunder was that Commander Dredd, in charge of the royal guard battalion on standby at the palace gates, jokingly muttered something along the lines of "oh bother we'd be better of shooting them all dead" to which his men misinterpreted in a large way and proceeded to open fire on the civilians within an instant.

Before the commander could cease the firing, the damage was done. More than three hundred were dead and an estimated 600 severely injured. It remains to be seen how the public in Talia will react. Will this stoke the flames of civil unrest or will the government regain their trust? The city is quiet. Mothers mourn the loss of their daughters, fathers cry out in grief for their sons. How could something so simple and pathetic cause so much damage?