View from Benacia/Issue 60: News Shorts

This imported article was originally posted at http://viewfrombenacia.blogspot.com/2005/02/issue-60-news-shorts.html at 02/19/05.

As a supplement to last issue, we will finish catching up with the stuff that happened during hiatus, and the stuff still ongoing, with a series of news briefs.

- Today is V-A Day, the day commemorating the Battle of Cimmeria in which a group of valiant people helped to fend off the spam attacks of Anarchy 21 by posting on Shireroth's forums. The heroes of the battle, which occurred two years ago, were Harvey, Jadie, Johanns, and Stjepan (according to Malarbor). The first three are currently citizens of Shireroth, while Stjepan is an honorary citizen, in part due to his role in the battle.

- On Monday, Kaiser Mors IV issued Imperial Decree #154, which resulted in several internal transfers of territory. This was prompted by the resignation of the Duke of Lothlaria, who has been inactive for months, and the revelation that there was only one other citizen residing in LOTH, the others having emigrated or moved to other Duchies.

The result was the partitioning of Lothlaria among several other Duchies, with Lothlaria proper being reconstituted as a Barony under Hyperborea, Lac Glacei going to Arminy, and Cognito and Jaris going to Yardistan. Both of Lothlaria's citizens were placed in the Barony.

- In the same Decree, the Kaiser established the newly acquired land of Greater Automatica as a Territory within Shireroth. The Principality of Greater Automatica, founded by Ryan Caruso on the remnants of the Great Automatic People's Republic, was given to Shireroth after Ryan chose to leave the stagnant project behind. Rather than see it incorporated into one of the Duchies, he chose to keep it intact as a unit, thereby improving its chances of preservation as a unique entity.

As a Territory, Greater Automatica will be under the direction of the Kaiser, although the Lawbook permits him to choose a Governor to rule in his name. The Decree, however, is worded in such a manner that makes it likely that the Governorship will be reserved exclusively for Ryan, should he choose to return one day. In the meantime, the Kaiser marched today into St. Angelsk Square to announce the decree and plant the Shirerithian flag, as well as to find a mansion to use as a summer residence.

- Oddly enough, there have also been unconfirmed sightings of His Majesty in the battlefields of Blackrock Nua in Kildare, where he's claimed to have been... ahem... inspecting the stores of alcohol and ladies stockpiled by the Midget Engineers fighting there.

- We have a prospective citizen in new applicant Ryan Spencer. Wassup!