Pharaoh’s Day Questions Event

[Cretanja]

This Pharaoh’s Day, I’m super excited to be bringing back our Pharaoh’s Day Questions event where you [our citizenry] get to ask our beloved Pharaoh and revered Hasal-Pharaoh’s any and every burning question(s) you’ve ever had! A collection of these answered questions will be collected and posted below.

Do note, that while you are encouraged to sign your name on the form, I will not be disclosing who asked which question when delivering them; retaining anonymity in observance of how we did things last year. This does not mean to ask rude or inappropriate questions, however. I reserve the right to not deliver such questions, and our Pharaoh + Hasal-Pharaoh’s likewise do not have to answer any specific question, for what ever reason. Please feel encouraged to submit multiple questions to many different Hasal-Pharaohs throughout the two-week span leading up to Pharaoh’s Day! If you would like to ask a question not directed at any single person, just leave an “X” or “Any” in the “To whom is this question for?” field.

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1Lr24mB ... vH4_a_zijk
^ Google Form for submitting your questions.

https://www.nationstates.net/page=dispatch/id=1867282
^ Onsite dispatch.

[Cretanja]

Pharaoh Hazel-Malphe [incumbent, 24th Pharaoh]

Q : When do you plan to continue the sacred work of squeezing the Eye of Horus on official documents of the Osiris Fraternal Order until it is so squished as to be entirely illegible, as the gods intended?
-I am satisfied with the current degree of flag squeeze, though certain parties should be careful that I don't alter the deal.

Q : Do consider your time as pharaoh as being successful?
-I've accomplished almost everything I set out to do prior to my delegacy, although there's a few niggling projects I haven't found the time to tackle. Mostly gameside outreach and military recruitment related, the two areas we've needed to further develop for a while now.

Q : Yearbook when?
-The yearbook is pushed back by a week every time someone asks. In seriousness, whenever spending a day to sit down and design the graphics isn't going to risk biting my education in the ass.

Q : Who has been your MVP since Inheriting the throne?
-I can't name one singular, I'm glad to say that it's been pleasingly collaborative below the Pharaoh. Tethys 13's work in gameside is highly appreciated, delegates the site over envy Ministers that are able to function in their sphere on autopilot proficiently and professionally. BB and Wasc are the real power behind Sekhmet, the org wouldn't be where it is without them, and Cretanja is a true successor to Draco as Vizier of Community Affairs in his enthusiasm and energy. I've also appreciated the work of citizens like Maadi and Ghazi, perceiving that I have a second pair of talented eyes on everything I do is reassuring that I can see the reality of my decisions.

Q : What is one thing you want your reign as pharaoh to be remembered for?
-Competence. I've likened my role in regions to a janitor for a long time, you'd be surprised at how few people are interested in the writing of dispatches, designing graphics, outreach, documentation. It doesn't take much, it certainly doesn't take a delegacy, even just one player with a brush and a few hours a week can contribute to a region dramatically.

Q : If you were to create a regional honour in your name ( or just connected to you ), what would it be?
-Mousewheel of Malphe

[Cretanja]

Pharaoh Skies [23rd Pharaoh]

Q : Which hasal pharaoh do you think is the most important?
-I think there are good lessons to be learnt from Hasal-Pharaoh Lynxi, which may be a strange statement to make considering the length of her reign. However, I greatly respect and admire the way she handled no longer having the time to give Osiris the attention she thought she would be able to give.

Q : What is your personal key to happiness?
-I’ve been doing a lot of existentialism reading lately, a bit for class, but also out of genuine interest, notable regarding this- The Death of Ivan Ilyich, and Man’s Search for Meaning were my last two, and those definitely color my response here. For me? The key to happiness isn’t so much happiness itself, but embracing those things we are truly genuinely passionate about when we can. Not a passing interest, but things that pull you from your soul. I don’t think I would ever find happiness if I was just searching for it instead of searching for things like service and meaning. Happiness isn’t the be all end all goal.

Q : 3 - 3 - 6 + 2 = ?
-( -4 )?

Q : If you were to create a regional honour in your name ( or just connected to you), what would it be?
-Ooo this is a fun little thought exercise. Tethys would be a lot better at this one. We already have a temple named after Nut, and something named after Horus iirc. Could go the ironic route and name it after Set? Would have it be based around work to better the community environment in general. Like, contributes to the vibes . That sort of thing goes undervalued in NS in my opinion compared to like…. fancy regional positions and titles. But it is something that makes places worth sticking around, and we in Osiris have got a lot of good people for that.

[Cretanja]

Pharaoh Ark [22nd Pharaoh] Q : What are some of your goals for when you become pharaoh?
-Number one goal would most likely be to take inventory of how the citizenry feel about various topics relating to things like raiding, regional security, and interregional relationships. While I feel confident that I know where our people land on most of these topics, I would like to get details down on paper that I can use to craft a public mission statement for what they can expect from me. This would make everything we do traceable, accountable, and consistent in a way that will hopefully encourage more folks to get directly involved.

Q : Of the five days that you served as pharaoh, which day was your most favorite?
-Probably day 3. Long enough for the news to have spread and for many allies, friends, and generally good people (many of whom I had lost touch with over time) to reach out and offer their support in both material (endorsements) and immaterial (moral support, advice, logistical help) forms. It almost felt like a trust fall, in a stressful-but-good way.

Q : What is your most favourite video game?
-This is a tough one. Probably Destiny 2 for sheer time spent playing and enjoying a game, but Hellblade: Senua’s Sacrifice has definitely had the deepest and most longstanding emotional impact on me. Spiritfarer, Elden Ring, and Crusader Kings 3 are all runners-up though.

Q : With meritocratic values in mind, why do you think Hazel considers you to be the best choice in moving forward for the pharaohship?
-I think the answer to this one is pretty straightforward: because I’ve been here. Sometimes I’m quiet, or distracted by real life, but when Osiris needs me, I show up ready to do what needs doing. I’ve also proven that I can be trusted to get Osiris through tricky situations, as with my 5 day pharaohship. I also genuinely care about our people and ensuring that they can enjoy a pleasant, safe place when they spend time in Osiris. Although in that regard, I am not very different from most Osirans.

Q : If you could add one feature to the NationStates website, what would it be?
-Serious: more/better customization options for nations and regions. Things like more/custom classification fields and such. More themes too. Also a “Delete Res” button so I can free him from his eternal servitude.

[Cretanja]

Pharaoh Salem [21st Pharaoh] Q : Would you ever accept the position of pharaoh again?
-I would probably not accept the position of Pharaoh again unless we were in an emergency and needed a Pharaoh to step up, but that would be a position I would only want to temporarily take. I would however be willing to be a Guardian again if we were ever short guardians needed one. (Res no, you can not use this is an excuse to find yourself a replacement. You're trapped)

Q : What/Who’s contribution to Osiris do you think was the most memorable during your reign?
-I'm a bad Hasal-Pharaoh, but I was really going through it when I was Pharaoh and so my memory is a bit shaky >.> However I remember being really impressed and happy with BB/Phoebe getting involved, and then I remember directly after my Pharaohship being happy to see Cretanja step up Having new people join the community and become key parts of it is something any Pharaoh is happy to see.

[Cretanja]

Pharaoh Rigel [20th Pharaoh] Q : What is your most precious memory in Osiris?
-The VERY big N-Day voice chats that we participated in. When we were all laughing and goofing off while totally destroying our enemies!

Q : What the story behind your forum avatar?
-XD My avatar is actually a joke from Altino. For a couple of months way back when, she was putting beards on everything. And before that, my forum avi was just the blue supergiant that is Rigel (the star) and in order to put a beard on it, it needed a face! So she put a face and beard on the actual image of the star Rigel

Q : Are you satisfied with the work and accomplishments of your successors?
-I am. I am SO beyond proud of Osiris. The Pharaoh's that have come after me are the best of our best and they deserve so much praise.

[Cretanja]

Pharaoh Anabelle [19th Pharaoh] Q : What is the best advice you could offer our pharaohs of the future?
-You can't do everything or be anywhere. When your charged with the health of an entire forest, you can't spend all your time studying individual leaves. Also, having people you trust and a good team around you is imperative.

Q : You made your abdication speech on Apr. 1st in ‘20. Did anyone think you were joking?
-You know, I don't think anyone did? I think the day might of been mentioned but no I don't think anyone thought it was a prank. On my part, I had actually started writing it like a week before I finished and posted it.

Q : What is your fav flower?
-I'm not sure that I have a favorite flower. I do like Roses, but literally anything but red Roses.

Q : If you were to become pharaoh again, how do you think the interregional community would react?
-With confusion I'm sure! Being Pharaoh is a fulfilling but ultimately exhausting experience. I learned a lot both about myself and Nationstates. That being said, I'm sure I'm not alone in the opinion that I probably wouldn't do it again unless absolutely necessary to Osiris.

[Cretanja]

Pharaoh Lynxi [18th Pharaoh] Q : If you were delegate again today, what would be the first thing you would work on?
-I would work on reestablishing the Ponytariat's Iron Hoof Grip on the region.

Q : What was your greatest accomplishment as pharaoh?
-My greatest accomplishment was pulling off Ponysiris and not having Mike, Koth, or Rigel murder me.

Q If you could add one feature to the NationStates website, what would it be?
-It's tempting to go for the meme answer here of a button that deletes all of my nations or something, but truly what I would add is a puppet list for easy switching. That's like, something that would enrich the experience for a ton of people. And not necessarily switching for r/d either- just easier logging in to nations that can be remembered by your browser.

[Cretanja]

Pharaoh Altino [17th Pharaoh] Q : Is not owls, what would be your fav animal?
-Bees for sure. I love bees! Before I loved owls I was really into penguins too. I may just be a bird person.

Q : Do you think your reign in Osiris was significant enough to be considered region-altering or generationally impactful?
-Mm, maybe not region-altering. I don't know if it's possible to be region-altering in a GCR. Those spaces just kind of are what they are and even if you make changes, it's hard to change what the place is. I like to think the work we did was generationally impactful though. The two Pharaohs in power before me were both pretty hands off and I think let the region get too quiet. I had the good help of people like Dakota, Lynxi, Rigel, Mike, Benja, etc. to really dive into things head first and bring things back to life. I think we were all creative enough that our Era in Osiris will be remembered with fond eyes. Most of the programs we started and even the leaders we invested in are still around and working.

[Cretanja]

Pharaoh Reventus Koth [9th Pharaoh - Coruler/Multiple Reigns] Q : What is something you would do differently with either of the times you were pharaoh?
-In my original tenure as Co-Pharaoh, I would have asserted myself a little bit more on the public space. Because of my depression and struggles with my difficult freshman year of college, I had shied away from being overly present on the forum or IRC while the OFO was in its infancy, preferring to keep my contributions more subtle. This led to people not taking me as seriously as a Pharaoh in comparison to Venico.

In my 2015 term, I would have tried much harder to get a hold of better people to fill my cabinet. I should have imported outsiders, I have no shame in saying that, because the people we had were just not getting anything done, and burned me out by my second month into the term. I should have gotten rid of Festavo and focused on the military myself, making the Legion the hallmark of my tenure, but instead it was just lackluster and convinced me that I should never try to be in the Osiris government again and focus on just being the root admin. And so far, I've stuck to that.

Q : What is your favourite animal?
-I suppose my answer has to be cats. They're the only animal that I've ever had as a pet, and have ever formed strong bonds with. Pretty appropriate for a Pharaoh, eh?

Q : How would you describe the political scene on the interregional stage today versus during your last reign as pharaoh?
-2015 sucked. It was just a bad year for Gameplay. I had come back to Osiris full-force to run for Pharaoh because The Brotherhood of Malice had gone to sleep yet again a few short months earlier. The Gameplay forum was awful, I hated seeing posts from people like Rifty all the time, Unibot was writing for TRT, and even Osiris was still living in the shadow of the Osiris-Lazarene War and had to deal with the fallout of the Predator Scandal. Even with all the bad aspects of today's interregional stage, I will take it ten times out of ten over 2015.

Q : If you were to become pharaoh again, how do you think the interregional community would react?
-I think a few people would beat their chests, talk about how Osiris is totally a BoM colony again, try to use it as another propaganda point against Osiris, but like all things in this game people will stop caring after about 2 weeks.