ForestBoard

The most serene republicans wrote:

To change the subject, we haven't talked about music in a few months... What kind of stuff have you been listening to? Anything new?

(Sorry for double post) I've been listening to some Velvet Underground and Bowie lately (not really new to me, but more than usual).

West Barack and East Obama wrote:

Congrats to The Forest of Aeneas for passing their resolution!!!

Sorry, just practicing for 4 days time.

Lol, you never know.

The most serene republicans wrote:

To change the subject, we haven't talked about music in a few months... What kind of stuff have you been listening to? Anything new?

I’ve been listening to a lot of Doctor Prats lately. Only music new now. Could be more in the future, but who knows! I’ll maybe find some more new music eventually.

Einswenn wrote:

It's Eurovision time so most of the new music in my playlist are from the contest. This year Hold Me Closer by Cornelia Jacobs (Sweden) was my winner after my [former] love of the year - Sekret by Ronela Hajati (Albania) - changed their music and made stage performace worse than I could imagine so they didn't even qualify to the Grand Final. Other notable entries were from Finland (Jezebel by The Rasmus), Spain (Slow Mo by Chanel), Estonia (Hope by Stefan). Fun pop-rock-folk song made a fuss with Moldavian entry Trenulețul by Zdob şi Zdub & Advahov Brothers.

Oh, I love Eurovision too! My top 6 have been my recent Spotify loops from this year, comprised of:

saudade, saudade - MARO (Portugal)
Sentimentai - Monika Liu (Lithuania)
Disko - LPS (Slovenia) failed to qualify and they came last :(
That's Rich - Brooke (Ireland) failed to qualify
In Corpore Sano - Konstrakta (Serbia)
Lights Off - We Are Domi (Czechia)

Lura wrote:

Oh, I love Eurovision too! My top 6 have been my recent Spotify loops from this year, comprised of:

saudade, saudade - MARO (Portugal)
Sentimentai - Monika Liu (Lithuania)
Disko - LPS (Slovenia) failed to qualify and they came last :(
That's Rich - Brooke (Ireland) failed to qualify
In Corpore Sano - Konstrakta (Serbia)
Lights Off - We Are Domi (Czechia)

That's literally my anti-top this year :D It's always interesting to observe the wide range of tastes during the contest. Regardless of preferenes, this year was quite nice in regards of number of entries that I generally liked or liked quite much. But regarding overall organisation and maintenance, the only good thing Italy provided was digital arts/graphic designs of the show. Even the postcards were poor and boring :( The best host among the latest was Israel which made it all be fun except for the cringe Madonna's performances

Dragging back to the music itself, I also liked the vibe Romania had on stage, the pleasant voice of the Swiss guy (I find 0 televoting points unfair), the general staging of Australia, the lights of Greek performance, and the softness of Icelandic song. It was sad to see Israel (among some others) not to get qualified because he can actually sing good.

You also mentioned Ireland which, I believe, was also robbed by not to get into the Final.

The most serene republicans wrote:

To change the subject, we haven't talked about music in a few months... What kind of stuff have you been listening to? Anything new?

FFXIV soundtrack blasting

Also utaite groups.

The most serene republicans wrote:

To change the subject, we haven't talked about music in a few months... What kind of stuff have you been listening to? Anything new?

Lately I have been listening to what I assume is a rock band (not a style I'm very used to listen to) from Brazil called Rosa de Saron. Some great songs I like of them are Baile das máscaras, Marcas or A Fênix.

Regarding Eurovision, even if I didn't like Spain's song (my own country XD) I was very surprised to see how many 12 points we got from the jury, it has been 10 years since Spain has had a decent position and I had absolutely no hope in getting to the top 10, much less top 3. I have to recognize however the great performance she did, even if I don't like the song.

Alcantaria wrote:

I have to recognize however the great performance she did, even if I don't like the song.

As a non-Spanish viewer I enjoyed her performance, it was really descent and glorious for me. Maybe too vulgar for more conservative folks but nevertheless she did share the energy and has been shining brighter than Rihanna’s diamond. I truly think Spain may be rightfully proud of Chanel.

Alcantaria wrote:

Lately I have been listening to what I assume is a rock band (not a style I'm very used to listen to) from Brazil called Rosa de Saron. Some great songs I like of them are Baile das máscaras, Marcas or A Fênix.

Oh yeah I've heard of them, they're kind of a big reference in brazilian christian rock/metal. Never actually listened to their stuff though.

The Forest of Aeneas wrote:

Right now, Titanium by David Guetta :P

Wooow, here's a name I haven't heard in a while...

West Barack and East Obama wrote:

Congrats to The Forest of Aeneas for passing their resolution!!!

Sorry, just practicing for 4 days time.

I’m always happy to see another successful WA author grow out of Forest. :)

Hey there my friends!

I'd just like to remind you that you still have 2 weeks to submit a text or story about your NS country as part of the Lusitanian Games (remember you can make a submission in english and another in portuguese). This part of the interregional contest we designed with other regions like Europe, 10000 islands and Forest is directed to those who love RP and wish to tell a short but insightful tale (or any other type of text) about the idealized country you've built and its people which you, as their beloved leader, rule.

You also have time to submit photos in our photography contest and a flag as part of the flag design one.

You can read all about it here:

Lusitanian Games

by The Navegante da Lua of Portugal Digital

Para consultares a versão portuguesa deste despacho clica aqui

Is the camera rolling? Let's do this then!

Welcome to the First Edition of the Lusitanian Games (or Lusitaníadas in our oh so tongue-twisting Portuguese). In a never-seen-before attempt, Portugal, Europe, Forest and 10000 Islands came together to offer a fun and engaging time for all the NationStates multiverse: a cultural competition! Consisting of three seperate competitions - Writing, Photography and Flag Design - we hope these games may bring forth some peaceful banter and aid in the strengthening of bonds during such turbulent times. Without further ado, let the games begin!

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How can I participate?

Regardless of your region, status in the WA, heck as long as you have a pulse you may join any of the three competitions we have in store for you!
But first, please read the rules below (click the images) and, when your project is finished, send it in the appropriate medium via telegram to each competition's judges.

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Tournaments

Submission's Deadline FINISHED!

Jury: Ofiussia (Portugal); The Union Empire (XKI); Logar (Europe)

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Submissions:

For the English Competition:

• Book of Facts about Dorne Cheenzer by Dorne Cheenzer

• The Furnifest by Gurdenia

• The Political case of Mr. Van and Helligobolus by Herya

• The Whippoorwill and the Pupil by Northern Wood

• Echoes of Alora - A Memoir by Queen Tal'Navi by Skedoria
  

For the Portuguese Competition:

• Hermes e Apolo by Alentejo and Algarve

• Um grito corujense by Arquipelago da Coruja

• Livro de fatos de Dorne Cheenzer by Dorne Cheenzer

• Presidente de Olarista by Olarista

• O Amor by Ofiussia

• Grito Corujense: desta vez é pessoal! by Piatinum bees
  

The nations who wish to join must write a story regarding either an event or a simple story set within their NS countries. This part of the competition will be divided in two seperate sections: one for English-written stories.

Regarding the texts themselves, these must be written out in a dispatch in the respective language of the competition the writer wishes to join (they can submit up to 1 in each). All text formats are allowed (poetry, prose...) and there is no word limit. Plagiarism and hate speech will not be tolerated in a submission (though hateful topics may be explored in the narrative).

In the English competition a jury composed of players from different regions will give out four different thematic awards to the best texts: best scenery, best story progression, best character development and best plot;

As for the Portuguese one, a poll will be conducted in Portugal for its citizens to choose the best text out of the bunch.

Once finished, submissions must be sent via telegram in a dispatch to:

• All the judges, for the English competition

• Our Minister Alentejo and Algarve, for the Portuguese competition.

Results of the English Competition (Mean of the Judges' Scores, 1 to 10 scale)

Text by Author	Scenario	Story Progression	Character Development	Plot
The Political case of Mr. Van and Helligobolus by Herya	7 🥈	9 🥇	8,3 🥇	7,7 🥇
Echoes of Alora - A Memoir by Queen Tal'Navi by Skedoria	9 🥇	8,3 🥉	6,3 🥉	7,3 🥈
The Whippoorwill and the Pupil by Northern Wood	7 🥈	8,6 🥈	7,3 🥈	7,3 🥈
The Furnifest by Gurdenia	6	4,3	1	2,3
Book of Facts about Dorne Cheenzer by Dorne Cheenzer	5	3,7	2,3	2

Results of the Portuguese Competition

Text by Author	# of Votes	Place
Hermes e Apolo by Alentejo and Algarve	4	1st 🥇
O Amor by Ofiussia	3	2nd 🥈
Um grito corujense by Arquipelago da Coruja	2	3rd 🥉
Presidente de Olarista by Olarista	2	3rd 🥉
Livro de fatos de Dorne Cheenzer by Dorne Cheenzer	1	4th
Grito Corujense: desta vez é pessoal! by Piatinum bees	0	5th



Submission's Deadline FINISHED!

Jury: Astartia (Portugal); Totaristan (Portugal); Uan aa Boa (Forest); Wille-Harlia (XKI)

You will be able to compete in 4 different categories, submitting up to 2 photos taken by you in each one:

• Black and White photos

• Photos of national monuments and landmarks

• Animal photos

• Free category

Filters will be permited for the photos, but their impact on the quality of the pictures will be taken in account. Plagiarism won't be tolerated.

The 3 best pictures from each category will be chosen by a multirregional juri, to whom you must send your pictures with links (you might wanna use imgur) or in other available mediums that facilitate the jury's work.

Results for each competition

Black and White photos

Contestant	Best Photo	Remaining Photos	Place
Herya			1st 🥇
Caxina			2nd 🥈

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Photos of national monuments and landmarks

Contestant	Best Photo	Remaining Photos	Place
Ofiussia			1st 🥇
Herya			2nd 🥈
Caxina			3rd 🥉

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Animal photos

Contestant	Best Photo	Remaining Photos	Place
Caxina			1st 🥇
Herya			2nd 🥈

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Free category

Contestant	Best Photo	Remaining Photos	Place
Ofiussia			1st 🥇
Caxina			2nd 🥈
Herya			3rd 🥉



Submission's Deadline FINISHED!

Jury: Alentejo and Algarve (Portugal); Jutsa (Forest); Pilipinas and Malaya (Europe); Markanite (XKI)

The participants will be encouraged to submit one original design - and with absolute thematic freedom - with the following limitations:

You can only use up to 4 colours and in this set of 4 you can only use one of the following {green, red, blue}. Coat of arms and others like it must abide by the same rules.

The submission of the flag design must be done in the same way as the photography one, sending the design to all the members of the jury, which will select the 3 best designs.

Results

Flag	Contestant	Portuguese Judge's Score	Forest Judge's score	European Judge's Score	Islander Judge's Score	Average	Place
	Nordustra	8	9	8	10	8.75	1st 🥇
	Ankuran	10	8	7	8	8.25	2nd 🥈
	Ecologist Hegemony	7	10	6	6	7.25	3rd 🥉
	Caxina	6	9	7	3	6.25	4th
	Herya	7	5	6	7	6.25	4th
	Station 8	6	6	2	9	5.75	5th
	Ofiussia	8	2	5	5	5	6th
	Zakrya	5	4	4	4	4.25	7th
	Caxina	5	0	2	2	2.25	8th
	Ofiussia	5	1	1	1	2	9th
	Codyn	---	---	---	---	---	Disqualified

Judges's Comments on the top 3

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Nordustra


Jutsa wrote:

9/10. My actual favorite. xD But the only reason I'm scoring it lower is because, though it uses only two colours absolutely beautifully, I'd argue it's probably slightly too detailed. Nonetheless, an absolutely beautiful flag.

Pilipinas and Malaya wrote:

8/10. This flag is amazing, I love how it uses the contrast between white and black to its advantage. The only setback it has is its details, they're too much and would be too indistinguishable from afar.

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Ankuran


Jutsa wrote:

8/10. It's a truly beautiful and unique flag - no doubt about that! It displays a solid and unique emblem and has good colours. My main qualms with it are a) complexity (again lol) and b) the amount of light-on-light colouration makes it lack contrast and a little murky (if you imagine it from a distance). Still, it's very unique and pleasant, overall, and it genuinely pains me to put it so relatively low on this list.

Pilipinas and Malaya wrote:

7/10. Fairly great design, heavily dislike the colour choices. It blends together too much.

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Ecologist Hegemony


Jutsa wrote:

10/10. Arguably it's not even my personal favorite (I love Nordustra's), but it ticks all the marks for good flag design: simple, straightforward imagery, relatively unique; it's just a really solid flag tbh.

Pilipinas and Malaya wrote:

6/10. It's alright, I suppose. The eye and the recycling symbol being two different shades of green makes me feel a little unsettled.

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Medals per Region*:

Region	🥇	🥈	🥉	Total
Portugal	3	1	0	4
Forest	1	4	1	6
10000 Islands	1	1	2	4
The Glorious Nations of Iwaku	0	1	0	1

*Photography medals weren't taken into account given only Portuguese nations participated

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Anything else?

Portugal Digital wrote:

We highly recommend you join our discord server where you can keep up with the latest news on the event!

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Read dispatch

We'd really like if there were lots of you participating and hope that you will try and have fun with us!

Welcome to the region, XXURBANXX, Jongun, Yuban, Drone 10, and Ecolaria. btw, Ecolaria, your flag looks sooo cute~

It’s time for geese

Republic of honk wrote:

It’s time for geese

Yeah, it's geese time

Republic of honk wrote:

It’s time for geese

Lofia wrote:

Yeah, it's geese time

*honk?*

Lofia wrote:

Yeah, it's geese time

Honking time.

Rhodevus wrote:

As a Canadian, we must both to our goose overlords

Indeed bow to the overwhelming might of the Branta canadensis goose!

*Drops a goose into Forest in return for the one Prusmia dropped in TNP*

*Runs away*

Grr

Republic of honk wrote:

It’s time for geese

Honk.

peace was never an option🔪

The most serene republicans wrote:

To change the subject, we haven't talked about music in a few months... What kind of stuff have you been listening to? Anything new?

I'm currently going through another Led Zeppelin phase, so I almost constantly have their songs playing in the background. I also listen to a lot of music by Muse, though their style of progressive/space rock is a bit niche.

Nation of ecologists wrote:

I'm currently going through another Led Zeppelin phase, so I almost constantly have their songs playing in the background. I also listen to a lot of music by Muse, though their style of progressive/space rock is a bit niche.

Speaking of music, I was thinking of setting our regional anthem recently. I'm leaning more towards Celtic music that has forest vibes like https://youtu.be/akt13KLnJyg "Forest Folk" by Adrian von Ziegler . Though Celtic rock would be nice too.

By the way, congratulations to The Forest of Aeneas for their passed GA resolution #611 "End Collective Punishment"!

Lofia wrote:

By the way, congratulations to The Forest of Aeneas for their passed GA resolution #611 "End Collective Punishment"!

Thanks :D

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On another note, I'd urge a vote against the at-vote GA proposal. It's rushed, needs more work, and also partially plagiarised. I'd support a proposal like this in principle, but as I said on the forum: Firstly, 1.a mandates 'the right to be tested for serious illnesses the crime victim may have been exposed to during the act of the crime'. However, the exposure during that crime may have had nothing to do with the crime. For example, if someone tries to shoot someone at a mall but fails, and a bypasser happens to have a serious transmittible illness, the crime victim is likely to have been exposed to that serious illness during that crime, even to a bypasser having a serious transmittible illness had nothing to do with that murder attempt. Moreover, I am concerned by the use of the word 'may'. I may have been exposed to Transmittible Serious Illness 69420 because there is the off chance that my neighbour has it. That is unlikely, but I still 'may' have, and it is certainly within the realm of probability. This is impractical and cries for the moon.

1.c is also a meaningless requirement. While the accused cannot 'directly' contact the crime victim, they may do so 'indirectly'. For example, they may hire someone to pass a message to the accused, while this resolution stands in blissful ignorance. Moreover, I'm confused as to why the definition excludes those who are charged with 'another crime that occurred as a result from the same occurrence or incident'. In nations where self-defence is illegal, for example, a member state can exclude crime victims from their mandates if they make even the smallest effort at self-defence.

Good morning