Friends, foes and everything in between, the Defender Awards are now reaching their glorious end and we can announce our winners.

Firstly thanks again to the South Pacific as our hosts, thanks to Omega for their warm welcome on behalf of the Foreign Affairs team:

"I am very excited that TSP is hosting the defender awards and I extend a sincere welcome to all of those visiting us for the event."

I would like to personally thank Roavin and Twobagger for helping make these awards happen. Now onto the awards!

Defender of the Year

We had four very worthy candidates for this important award, and voting was close, but the award was ultimately won by Haku, First Warden of the Order of the Grey Wardens, who has been a relentless presence over the year and has shown ingenuity in stopping raids even with the odds stacked against us.

The Ananke Award

The Ananke Award is given to the nation that has been most effective at spotting invasions so defenders can respond. The award goes to Kanta Häme of the Ten Thousand Islands Treaty Organisation (TITO), who also wins the award for teaching me how to write an umlaut on this keyboard!

The Anarchotopia Award

This award was merged with the Eagles Disobey Award this year and is awarded to the best defender region or organisation this year. The two candidates for this award would both have been worthy winners but the eventual winner was the Ten Thousand Islands Treaty Organisation (TITO), who have won the award for the fourth time!!

The Blackbird Award

This awards has been controversial this year with some nations not wanting to recognise the raider region considered our most worthy opponent over the last year, but the award has been a tradition dating back to the Second Annual Defender Awards in 2007. 

However, despite three previous winners being nominated, our most worthy opponent this year is a plastic plant in the corner of Max Barry's office. Better luck next time folks (seriously though its an invasive species and needs to be dealt with...)

The Sir Lans Award

This award is given to the best updater, and recognises the individual sacrifice of nations who have given up significant time to be available when called upon (often at short notice).

The winner of the Award this year is Twobagger of the Ten Thousand Islands Treaty Organisation (TITO), who has willingly assisted in so many operations regardless of the region leading them. Congratulations Twobagger!

The Karputsk Award

A relative newcomer to the Defender Awards, the Karputsk Award recognises nations that excel at leading liberations, often requiring significant expertise, preparation and tact. This award had the join most nominations but the eventual winner was Frattastan of the Rejected Realms Army!

The Eluvatar Award

This award recognises the vital contribution nations have made to improving the technology available to Defenders and the unique skillset those individuals bring to our community. There was only one person who was going to win this award this year and the consensus pick was Vincent Drake, who continues to refine and improve the Breeze extension used for chasing invasions.

The Numero Capitan Award

Clearly the most important award, the award is given to the nation that has contributed the most to Defender intelligence and used it in a way that benefits the community in our ultimate goal of keeping free regions free.

The winner of the award is Frattastan of the Rejected Realms, who takes home his second award of the event!

The Operation of the Year Award

This award speaks for itself and there was a clear winner, the siege and eventual liberation of Anontia in early July.

The region was taken by a large group of raiders as part of the 'RaiderCon' event, but was liberated by an even bigger group of defenders and independents jumping in at update. The liberating force was a combined group largely from the Rejected Realms, the South Pacific, the Order of the Grey Wardens, 10000 Islands and the North Pacific - so this ones for all of you who were involved!

Best Newcomer Award

Our only two-way tie of the event! The joint-winners go hand in hand, Matthew/The United Vex Imperium of Hartfelden and Hartfelden itself!!

The region announced its new defender policy only a few months ago and has made a significant contribution to update operations since. Matthew has embraced his new role as a key part of the update squad.

The World Assembly Security Council Award

This has been a relatively quite year for Security Council activity with very few liberation proposals required, but when they have been Kuriko of 10000 Islands has been a persuasive voice in the Council, most recently authoring the resolution to liberate Aurelia.

The Worst Invader Group

We get to see some fairly laughable attempts at raiding from time to time, and other times are amazed that regions that should know better haven't learnt basic things. Our light-hearted jab this year is won by the Confederation of Corrupt Dictators!

The Meltdown of the Year Award

The award most people don't want to get but some have a personal affinity with. The easy winner of the award this year was Fedele's short-lived coup of the East Pacific, which was dealt with decisively by natives and foreign actors alike.

The Best Defender Quote Award

Despite some strong (ridiculous) individual efforts, the award goes to our only double act, award winners Kanta Häme and Haku for this:

Quote:Kanta Häme: https://www.nationstates.net/#
Haku: sorry that looks undefendable

The Lifetime Achievement Award for Dedication to Defending

The biggest award of the event, this award recognises a nation that has given years of service, committed to the Defender cause across their Nationstates career and has led the way in their own way.

In a packed field of five candidates, the winner this year is responsible for the success of so many other award winners this year and in previous years. I had the privilege to serve alongside them in my own military in 2016, until they went on to revive the Order of the Grey Wardens, having previously been a key player in the Ten Thousand Islands Treaty Organization and the Founderless Regions Alliance, amongst others. 

They were omnipresent during some tough years, leading hundreds of victories even during the events that lead to the Predator scandal and did so with class and resilience. I am sure this winner needs no introduction to many of you, so congratulations to Benevolent Thomas for being the latest recipient of this great award.

And with that this year's awards have come to a close, thank you so much to everyone for making this event happen and for voting for the eventual winners. Until next time!