View from Benacia/Issue 71: Hurmu To Become Hyperborean

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This imported article was originally posted at http://viewfrombenacia.blogspot.com/2005/03/issue-71-hurmu-to-become-hyperborean.html at 03/22/05.

Discussions over the extension of the lease that places Elwynn in Arminy and the Van Aujoen Islands in Hyperborea has led to an interesting turn: what if a transfer of Baronies occurred instead? The Arminian Barony of Hurmu, of which Elwynn is now a part, could be exchanged with the recently created Hyperborean Barony of Lothlaria.

Despite some initial enthusiasm, the idea seems to be running out of steam. The Baron of Lothlaria and the Duke of Arminy have both noted that neither Barony would be particularly more suited to its new Duchy in such a deal, with neither historical nor geographical links. The Count of Elwynn is currently supporting a simple extension of the old lease.

BLASPHEMY!!!

There is a discussion ongoing at the Landsraad Front Gate about a suggestion for a bill concerning secession from Shireroth.

It bagan with a proposal to clarify the land situation when an annexed subdivision chooses to to secede from Shireroth (in those cases where there was a treaty of annexation that provided for secession). Although the proposal went so far as to note that secession by just any entity would not be made legal, it drew some fire for bringing up the matter in legislation at all. It is argued that Shireroth, traditionally an expansionist nation, should not encourage secession by projecting a sense of indifference or support of such matters, and that land issues are properly decided by the Kaiser.

Don't &#$% With Antica

Antica, in a rare but impressive display of might, proceeded to crush the small nation of Avalonia... or, at least, to inflict an attack upon it with some sort of low-grade spam weapon.

The attack resulting from an escalating diplomatic row between the two nations. Antica had received a request for diplomatic relations from the tiny Avalonia, a splintering faction of dissatisfied citizens of Lavalon wishing to preserve what they see as the endangered Lavalonian culture. The one to bear the request was the apaprent leader of Avalonia, a Mr. Vasroixe (aka Xon). Initial annoyances were caused by alleged attempts to woo away Antican citizens, and then to convince Antica to exert influence over and protect the nation from its hostile parent micronation of Lavalon, an ally of Antica.

When the Avalonian request was rebuffed, Xon responded by stating that

"Any support of the Lavalonian government by Antica against Avalonia in the coming weeks and months will be regarded as an act of aggression and action will be taken, since there is no treaty preventing any defensive actions on our part.

Otherwise we continue to invite Antica to consider signing a treaty with Avalonia, or recognizing it at the very least."

Tensions escalated afterwards, with some Antican residents considering this a threat of war. Talk of war in turn prompted Xon's insistence that one of the citzens involved be censured, and that failure to do so would be construed as an intent on the part of the Dinarchs to declare war.

To this, Dinarch Delphi Augustus remarked:

"Xon, that's your opinion, and you'll find out just how wrong you are if you continue this nonsense. From this point forward we're putting you on notice that we will not hesitate to enforce censure on you within Antica, and that we are currently in no likelihood of pursuing relations with Avalonia for a good long time. The next step is what you're so brazenly daring us to do, and take this as you will: that's a bad idea. Antica and its military capacities are currently poised, and unless you start making communiques in a far more intelligent fashion (i.e. not threatening us and daring us to declare war), conflict will be inevitable."

The dramedy continued with a new thread in which Xon proclaimed that he considered a semi-humorous "Delphi Says" announcement to be an intent to proceed with war, and, citing also a suspicion that the Lavalonian acting President might also declare war, noted that Avalonia's military would be seeking to strengthen its defenses. Subsequently, Antican usernames were banned from the Avalonian forums, and as a result of this, the Dinarchs authorized a military strike on the nation's forums.

Although Xon acknowledged defeat, he persisted in his attempts to get Avalonia recognized in return for unbanning of Antican logins, which led to his banning from Antica. Delphi also added that "attacks may commence in the near future."

But this, as it turns out, was not the end of the story, for although two other apparent attacks occurred, Antica denied responsibility for either of them. The true source of these attacks remains obscure, with Xon claiming that they were Antican, and Delphi claiming that Xon himself staged the attacks in order to frame Antica and gain publicity.

For what it's worth, one of Xon's fellow Lavalonians said this in a thread at MNN concerning the arguments and the first attack: "I am really annoyed with Xon right now. He should never have gone abroad and acted like such a jerk. Not only that, Jon Christophe and I, the other members of the Provisional Governing Council, which is currently in charge in Avalonia, were never informed of the situation."