Interview Publication Date: 01 December 2013
Interviewee: Belschaft
Interviewer: Escade

Our interviewee today, Belschaft is the current delegate of the South Pacific. He's a mysterious individual who apparently likes baths
On a more serious note, Bel has served the region faithfully and worked hard to keep TSP secure and we appreciate his commitment.

1. How did you learn about Nation States? What enticed you to join?

I first learned about and joined NationStates when some of my friends discovered it, and we created a region. However, it didn't last long as I was the only one who stuck around, and after they left I drifted among a variety of regions during 2008, 2009 and 2010. The initial reason I joined was because my friends had; what made me stay was the NS forums, particularly International Incidents and NSG. I was enticed by the idea of 'running' my own country in roleplay terms, and also like arguing with people about politics.

2. How long have you been in the South Pacific?

I have been in The South Pacific since the summer of 2011, first arriving as part of a Founderless Regions Alliance liberation effort and staying afterwards - I liked the regional community, and had been getting involved in the Gameplay aspect of NS over the previous six months, but had yet to become involved in a GCR. All told I've been in TSP for roughly thirty months, starting in May 2011.

3. What positions have you held in TSP and which term\position was your favorite?

I've held the elected Cabinet posts of Minister of Security, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Chair of the Assembly and Delegate, all of them on multiple occasions. I was first elected to regional office in June 2011, and was elected Delegate for the first time in September 2011. I also hold two appointed positions; I am a member of the regions security body, The Committee for State Security, and an administrator on the regional forums.
Of the various ones I've held, I most enjoyed being Chair of the Assembly; The Assembly is very much the central and most important body in TSP, and as such is extremely active. Moderating its debates and running its procedures can be complicated - as can finalizing proposed legislation - but its rewarding and fun work. In my experience being Delegate is not as fun as most people would expect, and involves a lot of very tedious and thankless work. Second time round I've had a more enjoyable time of it, largely due to the improvements made to the TG system; it's been a lot easier to keep in contact with the region and get new people involved in the region.

So, Sandaoguo was right! CoA is the true power behind TSP

4. What do you think is your greatest accomplishment for TSP?

Having been involved as long as I have, that's quite a hard question to answer simply due to how much stuff I've done. I'm going to cheat and pick two; Firstly, our successful defeat of the Milograd coup. That was the first real coup we'd had to deal with as a region, and it was handled in eleven days via a military, rather than diplomatic, solution. I'm particularly proud of that; Milograd had brought in over two hundred external WA's by the end of it, and when at the beginning of it when we were putting together a strategy to deal with the situation we were told by some very experienced people that what I proposed - that is to say an attritional military campaign based around constant attacks each update, with the objective being to drain his influence beyond the point where he could ban anyone - was impossible. It wasn't; it worked.
Secondly, I'm proud of some of the new TSPers I've been able to recruit over the last four months as Delegate, and others I've worked to mentor and train. Their a great bunch of people and when their time comes I'm sure they'll do a great job of running the region.

Wow! I didn't even realize that the "attritional military campaign" was new. That's wonderful that it worked and in 11 days, a lot of impressive effort during that time.
I'm also really excited to hear that you've been mentoring and training new TSPers and I hope to see them active and involved

5. Cake or pie? Why?

Cake, always cake. Whilst it may be a lie, it is a delicious one.

"It is the nature of our illusions that define us."

6. Favorite book, movie, or game?

I refuse to have a favorite book, as that would probably upset all my other ones - I'm something of bibliophile, and have a lot. I have a few which are more valuable than others though, and keep them in a special section. The pride of my collection is a first edition copy of Orwell's 1984 which I found in a car boot sale for 50p; I also have rare-ish editions of Plutarch, Cicero, Camus, Foster Wallace, The King James Bible, and a few others. I have first editions of the Harry Potter books, which I'm still trying to get signed, but I intend to use those to pay off my student loan - their certainly not part of my collection. My favorite game is Europa Universalis IV by paradox, the grandest grand strategy game ever made.

Impressive, what book would you recommend that future delegates read?
I'm not sure if that was a dig at Harry Potter *Plans to get the new beautiful HP editions because my original set has worn down from overuse.*

7. What is the significance behind your nation's name?

None whatsoever I'm afraid; I think I first used it on OGame where I was looking for pseudo-Germanic names for Planets. Since then I've used it in so many different places its become my online identity, for better or worse.

8. Where do you see TSP in 10 years?

Still going strong, still the shining beacon of democracy in NS.

9. If you have to advertise the position of TSP delegate, how would you describe it?

"Awful but important job needs doing; only the power hungry or deluded need apply."

"My delusions are such that I believe the world is a joyous treasure and to maintain that delusion I willfully suppress all evidence to the contrary. " - Quoted some such odd person or other.

10. Favorite and least favorite thing about being delegate?

My favorite thing is the TG's I get, some of which are awesome. I've had people write me poems, others send me updates about any interesting astronomical activity happening that day. A lot of them are new people asking how NS or TSP works, and I always do my best to give them any help they need; a number of them who were looking for something from a region that TSP doesn't offer I've directed elsewhere, to regions that would provide what they were looking for. Inadvertently I've become a recruiter for a half dozen or so regions, though I doubt they are aware. My least favorite thing is also the TG's I get, some of which are awful. I've received all sorts of insults and obscenities from some people, and had plenty of people keep TGing me demanding that I establish embassies with their regions.

*I love this! Particularly that you are willing to "forward" nations to a region better suited to them. I think that's a huge goal for TSP - to help players find their way

11. What are some of the highlights of your tenure in TSP?

I'd go with my first and second delegacies, the defeat of the Milograd coup, the ten year anniversary of our democracy and the first time I was elected Chair of the Assembly, having previously left the region in the lurch due to health issues.

12. What is the funniest NS related thing that happened to you?

I once had someone talk to me every day for a month via IRC, under the impression that I was a girl simply as I liked baths. When she found out her mistake it was hilarious.

OMG, I love this story! I hope you stayed friends...
Thank you and great applause to Belschaft for this comprehensive and elucidating interview. We hope that you'll continue mentoring and training players and contributing to the region's sucesses