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Issue XIV
#1

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Top Story: Massive Earthquake Strikes Ciria

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A neighbourhood on the slopes of Khardo nyaveo has been all but flattened by the quake.

On Saturday 31st December 2016, in the evening, the city of Ciria was much like any other across the globe, preparing for the New Year through acts of revelry and release. Partygoers filled the streets, bars were so packed as to leave no room for new customers and, as the clock struck twelve before the gates of Draqin Syarkhod millions of pounds worth of fireworks were sent up into the skies above the ancient citadel; a gesture of hope and anticipation at the birth of a new year.

Less than eleven hours later, before many of those revellers were even out of their beds, the city of Ciria lay in partial ruin, many of her ancient treasures torn from their foundations to bury over a thousand citizens in rubble.

The earthquake hit at 10:42am on Sunday 1st January, 2017. Measuring 8.1 on the Richter scale, with an epicentre just 50km south of Ciria, in the heart of the Khardar nwikhear, this massive seismo-volcanic event was heard as far south as Zadiner and shook parts of Ciria’s historic old and new towns, Cata vanyea and Cata pulea, to their foundations. Hundreds of listed buildings collapsed and the northern wing of the Mena Parlid, the seat of Erinor’s government, fell in, injuring the Ura’sia[i] who had been working early that day. Many of the embassy buildings on [i]Vallano Parlid suffered major damage and 17 Vallano Parlind the home of the GI-landian embassy to Erinor, collapsed completely, killing the ambassador, a Ms. Helena Guben.

Nations across the South Pacific rushed to offer aid and help in clearing the rubble to save those trapped beneath, but continued aftershocks lasting well into the afternoon slowed down any rescue attempts and resulted in further casualties. The rescue operation would continue for over a week, with many hundreds of people pulled alive from the rubble. Nevertheless, the death toll was high and a memorial service was held on Thursday 12th January at the Mena Tacirid for the 687 people who lost their lives in the disaster. Vallano Menad was filled to overflowing with those who wished to attend the service and screens had to be put up in parks across Ciria to accommodate for the demand.

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In some parts of Cata vanyea, Ciria’s Old Town, there is hardly anything left standing.

At the time of writing, rubble continues to be cleared from Ciria’s ancient streets, but life does go on. The Erinoran government has begun meeting in the Ciria Conference Centre whilst restoration work on the Mena Parlid and the embassies of Vallano Parlid is due to commence before the end of the month. Of the millions of Sicari given in aid by wealthy benefactors and foreign governments alike, large sums have been set aside for reconstruction and archaeologists and experts in historical architecture at the University of Ciria have begun planning how to restore some of the most damaged buildings, including Draqin Syarkhod, the castle of Erinor’s first king: for many, a defining symbol of the nation.

The road to recovery will be long and hard for Ciria and experts have warned that the city may not have seen the end of it’s troubles either. Seismologist and vulcanologists are keeping a close eye on Khardo nyaveo, the long dormant volcano that overlooks the city, in case it should choose to wake once more and bring about a disaster to eclipse the destruction of Cata varsea, the fabled city of gold, which ended Erinor’s first great civilisation thousands of years ago. It’s no surprise that Cirians are glancing at the mountains that shelter their city with more than a hint of fear and suspicion, but only time will tell.

Special report from the Sky Festival Committee
By Rez Eir

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The Frost Empire’s Winter Sky Festival was a resounding success with guests from around the region attending one of the largest festivals within the Empire. The air filled with joyous laughter as local vendors enticed tourists and other Frosts with food, drinks, games and other activities. The skies above were filled with planes from many different eras, showcasing the indigenous history of flight. There was even a surprise visit by the Venerable Monarch of the Imperial Union. Frost Sky Festival committee members were extremely humbled that several VIPs attended the event and hoped that they, including his majesty from the Imperial Union, had enjoyed the festival.


Aerial enthusiasts watched with glee as they saw local planes, such as the infamous Phantom, drop low below the clouds. The Phantom’s iconic roar filling the skies as the twin engine jet performed many death defying stunts that left many on the ground with their mouths wide with awe. The accompanying music elicited many different responses ranging from laughter to tears of joy as some of the elderly remembered their days testing out some of these planes. Between aerial performances many of the attendees flew their kites, and on the ground, many of the guests ate traditional Frost cuisine ranging from sushi to ramen. Peonic lanterns decorated many of the high lamp posts giving the area a nice contrast with other Frost Lanterns.


On the last day of the festival the Kingdom of Sedunn graciously allowed two of their planes to join. The Sedunnic planes flew many aerial stunts before being accompanied by 2 Aces of the 118th in a mock dogfight showcasing the respective skill of both the Frost and Sedunnic pilots as they weaved in and out of a deadly dance.


Following the end of the Winter Sky Festival, the Frost Sky Festival Committee led by Special Commissioner Aoi Sorano extended a special thank you to many of their sponsors. They thanked President Revan Kensei for providing the security detail necessary for ViPs like Emperor Albert to wander the streets. They also thanked the Peocracy for donating their wonderful kites and lanterns spicing up the festival. Finally, they thanked the Kingdom of Sedunn for rerouting 2 of their fighters to the festival for the epic finale showcasing the skills of both Frost and Sedunnic pilots.

Erinor Opens its Doors for Midsummer Festival

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Vamapin lanterns drift out to sea, having floated the length of the Qassar Syiranad from Ciria.

Every year, from the 14th to the 28th of December, Erinorans celebrate their largest and most important traditional festival, Vamapin Siread sutaciraduinea, or the Feast of Created Light. A Revaran festival, dedicated to the Dreamers in thanks for the long summer days, the Feast is believed to date back to the eighth century, but this year, for the first time, international dignitaries were invited to take part in the opening ceremony as part of Ura’sia Yena Yamera-Hyudo’s globalist outlook.

As Erinor is not, historically, a Christian country and as Christians make up a relatively small minority of the population, Vamapin Siread sutaciraduinea, or just Vamapin (the Feast) for short, has long been the religious focal point of the year and, whilst modern Christmas traditions have been adopted by Erinorans of all faiths, they have largely been absorbed into Vamapin. It consists of two weeks of festivities, with many family meals and parties, as well as the making of special lanterns to burn at night, many of which are set adrift along the Qassar Syiranad from Ciria at noon on the 21st December. The solstice is also the day when most families give presents to each other. The second half of the festival has more borrowed elements and often people decorate their houses in a manner not dissimilar to traditional Christmas decoration on the 22nd, with another large family meal on the 25th and the giving of smaller presents in most households.

Traditionally, the festival begins with an event at all the Menar (temples) in Erinor and there is an especially grand opening ceremony at the Mena Tacirid in Ciria, to which any international dignitaries who wanted to come were invited by the Ura’sia. Those who were able to make it included King Gianluca IV of GI-Land, the Peony, Princess Isara F. Firenze of the Frost Empire and whilst King Vimmru II of Sedunn was unable to attend, owing to the proximity of the ceremony to Sedunn’s own National Day, but Foreign Minister Hevv Gjieramm attended in his stead.

The dignitaries were personally welcomed to Erinor by the Ura’sia at Ciria international airport, before being driven directly to the Mena Tacirid for the ceremony. As is tradition, elaborately carved prayer sticks were burnt in thanks to the Revanim for the abundance of light, with the Ura’sia leading the way after Amlasso vaelyareo Adaro Syatya-Tyaniro had started the holy fire with a branch carved in intricate detail with the events of the previous year. After the Ura’sia each of the dignitaries was offered the chance to burn a prayer stick provided for them, though not all took the opportunity.

The ceremony continued with singing from the choristers of the Mena Tacirid and the winners of the Erinoran school choir of year award, the choir of the Orusyo fityeo School of Qassoro, as well as traditional readings from Decsin Revara (the Book of the Dream). Afterward, the Ura’sia and her international guests were sped off to Draqin Syarkhod for a meal in the restored 14th Century banquet hall of the ancient castle, but not before Ms. Yamera-Hyudo could give a brief speech to the press and crowds waiting outside the Mena.

“Erinor is a nation of all faiths and none,” she declared proudly, “and at no time is that more clear than when we can celebrate this ancient religious festival with our friends from other nations and systems of belief. It is no secret that I, myself, am not a follower of Revara or any other religion and yet I am so proud to have been a part of this today and look forward to joining you all here next year.”

OOO
CC

(The Official Out-of-Character Column)

Drama and Trauma Usher in the New Year, as RP Opens to the Masses!

As you can tell from the articles above, the festive period was one of colour, excitement and more than a bit of tragedy for TSP’s canon RP. Events like the Frost Sky Festival, Sedunn’s National Day and Erinor’s Vamapin kept our RPers busy over Christmas and the week of the Erinoran earthquake was full of international responses and stories of heroism and loss. Whilst the big events can only happen so often, it is these moments, just as in real life, that bring a community together and show those within it what it is truly made of and I’m proud to say that TSP RP showed itself to be in a stronger place than it has been as we embark on a new year.

But it’s not just the main canon RP that we should be celebrating in 2017. There are non-canon RPs on the forums, such as TSP 1116 (which might need to be renamed TSP 1117), our alternate history, fantasy RP, and there’s the long-awaited return of the Lampshade Galaxy RP to look forward to as well. But RP is strong even outside of the forums and it is for this reason that the All Purpose Regional Flash News thread was created to let any player join in with whatever kind of nation they happen to be running, whether it’s a modern democracy, an ancient mystical kingdom of dragons or a fleet of spaceships. It hasn’t seen much love yet, but if you have something to tell us about your nation, why not give it a visit and let us know what’s been happening?

Until next time, keep RPing!




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