Sunday 15 December 2013

News: Kildare-Siseran Tègōng Agreement Case Commences

SHIREKEEP, IMPERIAL COUNTY - Legal arguments and presentations of evidence have begun in earnest in a constitutional case in the Judex. Arbiter Benkern has been asked by the Steward of Elwynn, Tokaray al-Osman, to rule on the legality of an alleged relationship between the Dutchy of Kildare and the League of Nations for the Advancement of Purity. The Steward argues that the deceased Dutch "form[ed] [an] alliance" with an organisation of disputed origin called the Siseran Tègōng, related to the Count of Tè Gōng Lĭ.

The nature of the LON is disputed, though central to the case
These allegations are hotly contested by
the Emperor of Jingdao-at-Sea, while the incumbent Dutchess of Kildare, Sophia Myksos, whose father was killed under disputed circumstances, has appointed the Count of Tè Gōng Lĭ as her representative.

Al-Osman has applied for the relevant measures to be declared contrary to the Charter and therefore null under its terms. On acceptance of the case, the Arbiter brought its prosecution under the authority of the Imperial Republic, with the Steward of Elwynn as an interested party. This is the first such application under the new Charter, decreed into effect by Kaiseress Mira Raynora Major last December,  which established the former subdivisions of Shireroth as 'sovereign Imperial states'. They are now subject to few fetters except the Charter, the interpretation of which is the responsibility of the Arbiter, who is head of the Shirerithian judiciary.

The case continues. Judgment is scheduled for Tuesday.


Sunday 27 October 2013

Comment: Raynor Village #2


Welcome to the second edition of the funny corner of Shirekeep - and we're not talking about Lichkeep!

South Catavian arrival looked on pawsitively

Detractors: "You have cat to get kitten me"
The foundation of the a new state on Bastion was originally met with mixed felines, but purrhaps the tide has turned for the Empire of the Heavenly Kitty. Though their swipe at an MCS claim is currently on hold, their government expects no cat-astrophic denial. Said Master Diplocat & Chief Furnancial Officer Jezza Rasmus, "We were pawsibly considering being whiskered away to another distinguished cat-ographic organisation like the OIK but only because of the pun opportunities presented by the German word 'für'. After much purrcrastination we decided that beclaws Micras has such a strong litter-rary tradition our journalistic effurts would be better spent here." Pawdyguards removed our repurrter from the press confurrence before he could claw any meore out of Rasmus.

LIVE: Breaking News Footage From Eliria

Osmanli Economic policy lauded as mature response to 
humanitarian crisis, grounded in sound theory

Gralans reach milestone of 'almost doing something'

Micran governments across Micras today were shocked to learn of exciting developments in the thaumic corridors of power in the Gralan Empire: something might be happening soon, or not. Hush and a magic-powered indoor stormcloud gathered over the assembled journalists before Waldgrave the Wise made a special announcement, which the RV Magazine reproduces exclusively here in full:
Death and pestilence stalk the land. Poverty and impecuniousness affect the majority of our Empire's citizens. Inactive governments have led to a breakdown of social order, and normlessness is the word of the day, not least because it is so fun to say.

Therefore the Triumvirate has decided to make this special announcement: we might be getting on with something soon. It might happen, it might not. We're all very busy, you know. Why don't you estimated 1.5 billion citizens of varying magic and experience levels get up of your butts instead of giving us, what, three guys a hard time? Sorry, I didn't mean that. Let's talk about this over dinner.
The reconciliatory dinner will take place next Losday at the full-capacity venue of the Hypercube.

MicroWiki user Interview: "Blah blah blah"

Raynor Village: We're pleased today to welcome a randomly generated MicroWiki user today. Said user, a pillar of his community, has only agreed to this interview provided we treat his sector with an open mind and in return he says he will attend to a degree of respectful candour. Is that right?
MicroWiki User: Blah.
RV: Can you explain to us a brief history of your sector and just quickly - if possible - tell us a little about its contemporary membership?
MWU: Ah, blah. Blah blah blah blah blah blah. Blah, blah blah 2003 blah blah. Blah blah Monsterfurby blah blah blah blah. Blah blah blah blah. Blah however, blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah, philosophy of the Quiet Area blah blah blah! Blah blah blah blah; blah, blah, blah, blah. Blah blah blah, blah: blah; blah; blah; Вультёьве; blah, and blah. So blah blah blah. Blah blah blah Rafghanistan.
RV: Fascinating. And tell us a little about the daily life of a MicroWiki user - I trust it doesn't revolve around forums as in our sector?
MWU: Hahaha, blah. Blah blah blah blah blah blah blah. Blah blah worse than Hitler, blah blah blah blah irridescent glow. Blah blah blah blah learn to syntax scandal blah blah blah, blah blah blah blah. But in real terms blah blah blah blah blah vexillological murder blah blah. Blah blah blah blah! And when you blah blah blah, it all comes down to blah, really, doesn't it? Blah blah blah blah blah blah genuinely interesting blah blah blah, blah blah blah blah. But it's not all blah and blah - blah blah money blah blah blah, for blah to blah is as blah to a blah. But I've blahed on about this for too long already.
RV: Not at all, but we'll move on. Do you think that there is enough contact between MicroWiki and the Micras sector.
MWU: If the blah blah blah blah blah, A1 through to A4 blah blah blah blah pixels blah. Blah blah blah blah breadth and depth of exchange blah, then blah blah blah. But as I see it the blahest blah blah blah blah blah blah blah, and blah that blah blah blah. Anyway I'd very much like to blah Craitman's hand, for my part.
RV: This has been a uniquely informative experience - blah so much for participating.
MWU: It's no blah off my rosey blah.

Friday 26 July 2013

Report: Batavian Queen's coronation masks instability

KONINGENWAARDE, BATAVIA - Dignitaries from across Micras yesterday descended on the Cathedral of s' Koningenwaarde to witness the coronation of the new Queen of the Batavians, Anna. Gazette reporters witnessed the moment of coronation amongst a crowd packed with foreign dignitaries. Those invited included representatives from Bastion nations such as Shireroth, Gralus and Natopia, as well as others such as Gotzborg and Alexandria.

A commemorative spoon
of Queen Anna III -
Does Micras swallow the
story of a stable Batavia?
The ascension of Anna Windsor-Rosendaal, child of Queen Fränzi-Ferdinanda I des Vinandy and Constantijn Windsor, to the throne of Batavia solidifies the constitutional arrangement of the Benacian empire which will henceforth be known as the Sixth Kingdom. A new constitution is planned but requires the signature and approval of the new monarch. Anna is the first ruler of the Batavians to follow Sisera, also known as the Heavenly Light, who ruled both Batavia and South Batavia (Zuidbatavie) as part of the Jingdao Empire. Since Jingdao collapsed, Batavia has been without a monarch, and Anna brings to an end a period of great instability for one of the great powers of Micras.

However, the stability presented by the coronation and the new constitution is undermined by the co-existence of another state claiming to be the true successor to the Batavian national legacy. Known as the 'St. Anna government' because of its capital city and claiming islands marked as a dependency of the Democratic Republic of Flanders, this Kingdom of Batavia is currently seeking full recognition by the Micronational Cartography Society. It is supported by Flanders as well as the Viking Empire of Stormark, who recently ratified a Treaty of Assistance providing direct military support to the fledgling 'Free Batavian' government. What is clear from a recent public claim of copyright infringement regarding the Batavian coat of arms made by Batavian Jonas - unofficially but not formally settled by Stormarker provision of a new one - is that this long-running clash will only produce more bad blood on Micras before the matter is settled as non-Dutch sector micronations form ranks and ally with either government. This was demonstrated by the recent, still-unresolved dispute between both Batavias and the new Micran State of Haifa, caused by the latter's attempt to recognise both states.

Monday 22 July 2013

Comment: Vale, Batavia Post

It is with much regret that the Editor is given the opportunity to offer a valedictory homily in this special edition of the Gazette in dour recognizance of the decline and extinction of one of the greats of recent micronational journalism, the Batavian Post (BP), which was discontinued today. A simple one-word statement cross-posted on both the Bastion and Hub.mn BP threads by its long-time editor, Simon ben Erasmus, was succeeded by the deletion of the paper's online records, formerly located on their Blogspot site. Pressed by a commenter on Bastion, ben Erasmus' representative cited the "shrinking market" of Micran journalism as being a determinant factor in the closure of the paper.

Thousands of child labourers were employed across Micras in order to spread the journalistic truth emanating from the BP

It is worth firstly noting the nature and importance of the BP. It sat firmly on the thin borderline between satirical sniping and factual reportage. Its primary distinction was the ability of its editor to produce more frequently than any other modern news outlet on Micras. What came from the BP were articles of varying quality: from cartoons and single-paragraph news stories, to exclusive (sometimes liberally-sourced) interviews and detailed analyses of micronational events, readers usually finished articles dubiously informed but well cheered by the succinct comic style of its writers. Its importance primarily lay in bridging the gap between the small but vocal Dutch community and the rest of Micras, by offering a skewed but persistent window into the minds of those participants.

But perhaps the most important thing to take from the demise of yet another micronational newspaper - though, admittedly, with slightly more class albeit abrupt than many others, which simply fizzle out in the style of micronations themselves - is a chance to reflect on the wider problems that beset the journalistic side of this hobby. The BP represented the creative method of reporting through which micronational readers can learn about other micronations and engage with them. It was a success because it provided controversial opinions and points of view; it was able to grip the imaginations of hobbyists by making the political arguments and issues of the day seem worth reporting, by reporting them. Other outlets did not have the (semi-)professional edge to make them worth reading; others lacked the sense of humour that keeps us coming back; and others still, such as the Coprieta Standard, probably the gold standard of micronational newspaper over the years, simply do not put out articles often enough to command an active and engaged readership as the BP did.

Simon ben Erasmus is thought to be a great patron of micropatriology and micronational historical studies, and so any who may be interested in the BP and its archived articles stored on his hard-disk should contact him via the Bastion, Hub or Batavian fora.

Monday 11 February 2013

News: Something shining this way comes - Raikothin Mapping

THULE, HYPERBOREA - Cartographers from across the Imperial Republic and further abroad have been humbled by the efforts of

Clockwise from Top left: Mesyelon Neyin; Classic MCS; Scott's Quetzal; Shyriath's Gloria Mundi
many years of exploration and surveying", the Shining Garden government's press release included a significant amount of cultural information along with the geographic.

With arresting placenames such as "You-Will-Die", "Never-Go-Here" and "Further-Still", this map offers what is hoped to be a faithful depiction of one of Shireroth's most heard-of but least known subdivisions, a land of natural beauty, ancient wisdom, technological and philosophical advancement, and frozen death. Neyin has also included other cultural items along with the survey information, such as a poem about Further-Still.

News: Judex rejects CWG Jurisdiction & opens procedural review

SHIREKEEP, IMPERIAL COUNTY - Arbiter Balârak Âlaion, Duke of Elwynn, has struck out the claim made by Giles Melang for money paid to Simon ben Erasmus in expectation of shares in Commonwealth Global Ltd. (CWG) not received. After hearing legal argument from both sides, Âlaion ruled that the Judex had no jurisdiction because neither the transaction nor the defendant's bank account were located in Shireroth.

The Judex building, Metzlershire, Shirekeep
On the question of the nation in which CWG is legally based - which the claimant maintained was Shireroth, in order to ground jurisdiction - the Arbiter further ruled that "...[a] multi-national [company], for the purposes of Shirerithian law, is headquartered where its bank account is." It was submitted in evidence by Mr Krummson Lla'i, for the respondent, that the bank account for CWG is located in Alexandria.

The judgment by Arbiter Âlaion, while not making specific reference to Shirerithian precedent, does not differ from an earlier statement made in the Judex (30 October 2012, 4834 ASC) by Kaiser Ometeotl II that "[f]or [an] account to fall under Shireroth jurisdiction it must be registered under Shireroth."

Under the Imperial Code of Law, Chapter VI, Section C, subsection 6, a writ of appeal may be lodged with the court of the next highest Arbiter. However the implementation of the new Charter stated, in Article VI, that it replaces "the previous Imperial Charter of Shireroth in its entirety, including all laws passed under that Charter." However, since the new Charter describes the Judex as "the supreme court of law of the Imperial Republic" (Art IV, Section A), it is unclear if the Kaiser's Court remains a court to which failed plaintiffs of the Judex may turn.

Following his primary decision, the Arbiter also have a judgment as to the award of reasonable costs, awarding nothing. He rejected compensation for pain and suffering in court proceedings and remuneration for legal representation, the latter on the grounds that there is "no evidence indicating... [that] the normal presumption [of pro bono legal representation] should be rebutted."

With the conclusion of this case, the Arbiter has announced a review into its criminal and civil procedures, including a request for the Mango Bar, Shireroth's association of lawyers, to consider implementing a code of conduct and remuneration structure for its members. A deadline of the 23 February, 4950 ASC has been set for submissions to that review.

Wednesday 6 February 2013

Comment: Raynor Village #1


Welcome to the first issue of the Raynor Village Magazine!

EXCLUSIVE! Interview with Giles Melang

Raynor Village: We're proud to have Giles Melang with us at the Village offices this afternoon. Giles, thank you for joining us.
Giles Melang: That's quite alright.
RV: Now Giles, tell us: what's the real inside scoop on this shares sale claim? Do you have an ulterior motive?
GM: Anterior what? What on Micras are you talking about?
RV: Is this some kind of scheme to attack the personal integrity of the newly-elected Praetor?
GM: The Pra- what scheme?
RV: You do admit that you made a claim against Simon ben Erasmus in the Shirerithian Judex yesterday?
GM: No, I don't admit it. You're talking rubbish. I wasn't there, I haven't set foot in that place for fifteen years.
RV: Well, what were you doing yesterday?
GM: I was manning my stall all day.
RV: Your... stall? Is this some kind of new approach to executive commercial awareness?
GM: No, it's what I do every day. I sell fresh fish and fruit in Northshire. On the weekends I move to the front gate of the Mogbeth.
RV: Interesting revelation, exclusive to the Raynor Village! So, how's business?
GM: Not bad. I've brought some with me, if you're interested. Not wasting time with this interview without a sale.
RV: (pause) You are Giles Melang, aren't you?
GM: No, I'm Gilly Melon. How about half a dozen bream for 7 erb?
RV: 7 erb! Who do you think I am, Gilly, some interviewer who hasn't got a clue about the price of bream? I'll give you 4 erb.
GM: 5 erb, and I'll point out the one you don't want to eat.
RV: Done. Well thanks for joining us Gilly, it's been a pleasure doing business with you and our readers will no doubt see you this Saturday for the Mogbeth Theatre's new production, Rossheim and Krumsson Lla'i Aren't Dead.

Cartoon


Ode to G.M. (aka G.C. in Alexandria)
By Mr. E. Guest & Anon E. Mus

To me the sweetest gift of all is gold;
Fills me more than chocolate when you scoff it.
Though you might say it makes you harsh and cold,
The fires of my home and hearth say: "Profit!"

But lightly mayest the dew drops of your breast
Trickle from your beating heart in flutter;
For me, love's true form is a locked-up chest
Filled with cash, bright as jam and yellow as butter.

Unmoved you will not find a part of me
By sight of poor and hopeless wretched souls.
To tears I'm brought, so far from my normal glee,
By thought of capital lost, money owed.

But now my dreams have all been but fulfilled:
Earning, not working; no tax, never billed!

News: CWG stocks cause further litigation

SHIREKEEP, IMPERIAL COUNTY - The disputes over payment for and ownership of stocks in Commonwealth Global Limited (CWG) have reached another crescendo in a suit filed in the Judex by Dr Giles Melang against Simon ben Erasmus for the sum of 300 'SCUE' (value: 1:1 erb). Melang, also known as Vasroe, alleges that this sum was sent to ben Erasmus in exchange for an undisclosed number of shares in CWG.

CWG Tower in the Commercial District
Ben Erasmus has so far not responded to the substantial allegations, but his lawyer - Reverend Dr. Spraki Krumsson Lla'i, recently beaten to the Office of Praetor by his client - has responded to the Judex claim by disputing the jurisdiction of the main central court of the Shirerithian judiciary in this case.

Similar claims are at varying stages of claim procedure in Western Elwynn and South Batavia, alleging the same facts and demanding the same remedy. The Gazette's informants suggest the multiplicity of suits may be an attempt to ground the claim, since Melang is a Western Elwynnese national and ben Erasmus holds citizenship in South Batavia.

The ongoing dispute in the Judex at this time focuses on the question of whether the court has the power to hear the claim. CWG is a multinational corporation, whose shareholders include several national governments (including Babkha and Shireroth) and many of the most prominent politicians of Micras. Its legal status is contentiously disputed, but Melang has previously declared it as headquartered in Shireroth, and during the reign of Yardistanislaus it reopened its Shireroth division, located in CWG Tower (pictured).

There have been previous disputes of this kind. In the Alexandrian High Court, Elijah Ayreon of Western Elwynn brought a claim against CWG and Melang for a breach of contract for the sale of shares worth 2500 erb. An out-of-court settlement for the full amount was reached, but Melang (known as Gustave Chevalier in Alexandria) did not fulfil its terms and the court was invited to reach a verdict. It described Ayreon's claim for damages as "founded" and ordered Melang to make the payment, which he subsequently did.

No comment has been made by the Directors of CWG, which is currently itself in a state of confusion after the total number of floated shares has been found to be over- and under-reported several times.

Sunday 3 February 2013

Report: Antican Crisis reaches boiling point

MAHAPUR, ARYASHT - The refugee crisis that has engulfed eastern Apollonia following the voluntary dissolution of the Third Republic of Antica continues to develop as interested nations recognise the problems facing that state's former citizens. A debate on the floor of the Landsraad has revealed that Shireroth has not failed to take heed of the combined threat to human life and international peace constituted by mass flight, banditry and an unconfirmed bloodthirsty artificial intelligence. The Steward, Scott of Hyperborea, reported that "[u]nfortunately the robot threat has continued to - ahem - evade our best attempts to detect it." The evidence available is mounting. The Gazette can report a hacking incident within Shirekeep linked to a terminal in former Antican territory. Information is slowly coming to light about rumours of computer revolution, but only anecdotally from Babkhan sources.

Multinational forces descend on former Antica

In addition to Babkhan interest, West Elwynn has passed a resolution in the form of a directing decree authorising their prince "to engage with the enemies of the Antican people and protect the Antican people from all terror." Noting the plurality of nations sending aid and arms to Antica, dignitaries from the government of Raikoth have appealed to the Elwynnese Union for a unified approach. They have also liased with the government of Aryasht, one of Antica's successor states, in order to co-ordinate a solution to the refugee crisis. The Dutchy of Kildare has also sent aid.

As well as mass reports of banditry on and within the borders of Aryasht, the only successor state of Antica on mainland Apollonia, local informants have told the Gazette that a new force has entered the fray in the form of the 'Godmind' led by 'the Hand'. The significance of this new group has yet to become clear but nonetheless helps to demonstrate the widespread confusion that has followed the collapse of Antican central government.

News: Praetor Election and other Landsraad news

SHIREKEEP, IMPERIAL COUNTY - The Landsraad is going to elect another distinguished citizen to its chair within the next few days. The Praetor elections are being conducted by outgoing Praetor Kai Jackson, Duke of Yardistan. After a few days of nomination several candidates were named: Vilhelm Benkern, Dirigent of Musica, Simon ben Erasmus, Count of North Absentia, Spraki Krumsson Lla'i, recently undeceased, and Malarbor, Evil Tree-God of Color -- though not without controversy.

The Election Candidates: Malarbor, Krumsson, ben Erasmus, Benkern
 The Praetor is a significant political position in the Imperial Republic. It is at the present time the only office democratically elected by the general population, and its responsibilities are to oversee discussions in the Landsraad, rule on points of order, conduct votes, record divisions and make any applicable changes to living legal documents such as the Imperial Code of Law. The Praetor is also given the power to accept or deny amendments to the Charter, along with the Arbiter.

Benkern declined his nomination and Malarbor was jettisoned early from the race during debate, being described by Benkern as impractical due to his godliness. Krumsson agreed, stating that "the respect he enjoys can unduly influence members in a direction against their own conscience." However, some controversy raged over the non-inclusion of ben Erasmus on the ballot sheet: after he was discovered missing, Benkern said "he has as much of a right to be on the ballot as Spraki". Krumsson resolved the situation by asking the Praetor-incumbent to stop the vote to determine if ben Erasmus in fact wished to be included. After responding neutrally, the Praetor re-opened the vote including Krumsson, ben Erasmus and Malarbor. The result of the election is expected in the next few days.

Other recent happenings in the Landsraad include the passage of an amendment to section five of its procedures, concerning voting. The goal of one of its champions, the Kaiseress Mira Raynora Minor, is "to ensure that every part of the bill or resolution being voted upon has been publicly available for twenty-four hours." On the Landsraad floor currently are a vote on Shireroth's entry to the intermicronational music competition, Microvision, and a debate on a resolution concerning Shireroth's stance on the crisis in Antica following that state's dissolution.