August 2015 Issue
Interview with Pierconium, Delegate of The Pacific
Jakker: When did Krulltopia let you know that he was stepping down as delegate and that you would be taking over? How did you feel about that?
Pierconium: The transition has been planned for quite a while now. We intended it to take place prior to the anniversary of the New Pacific Order.
Jakker: During the transition of delegacy between Krulltopia and you, I saw that Krulltopia ejected and banned Feux from The Pacific. You said in the GP thread that it was done to “use up Krulltopia's Influence. Feux will be unbanned after the next update.” Why is removing Krulltopia’s influence a goal? Wouldn’t it be beneficial to have a trusted nation with influence in the region? Why the wait to unban Feux? If the goal is to diminish Krull’s influence, this is accomplished as soon as Feux was banned. It sounds more like an additional goal was to diminish Feux’s influence in The Pacific. Why wait to unban Feux? Why was he the only one to be ejected and banned?
Pierconium: No, I believe it is best for the security of the region to maintain the bulk of Influence within the Delegate nation and possibly one or two members of the Senate. Since Feux is no longer a part of the Senate, it is not necessary for him to maintain any Influence at all. He was banned for this reason, and has since been unbanned and returned to The Pacific.
Jakker: Since you have taken over, you removed the mention of”Founded by Francos Spain” in The Pacific’s WFE. When asked on Pacifica’s RMB, you answered: “The time for hero-worship has ended.” Can you talk more about that? What is your reasoning for this mentality? Will Francoism no longer be a driving forcing in NPO?
Pierconium: Francoism was a tool put in place to characterize the separation of the GCRs with the rest of the NationStates world. But, it is not outmoded and while I still maintain that the dichotomy is important, I do not see Francoism as having current or continuing relevance to this world.
Jakker: Krull has been the delegate of The Pacific for longer than many players have played NS. He was also in power longer than many Emperors of Pacifica. Do you plan on staying in power for just as long?
Pierconium: No. I am not likely to rule The Pacific for six years.
Jakker: Elegarth was reinstated as a Senator of Pacifica. Would made that decision? What made Elegarth decide to return to a leadership role after he left because of dislike of the region’s direction? Did he want to return earlier, but was denied?
What other changes should NationStates expect in Pacifica from your leadership?
Pierconium: I made the decision. The Emperor is the only authority in The Pacific that has the power to appoint to the Pacific Senate. Elegarth was offered the position and it was explained that it would correspond with the transition. I will not divulge when it was offered to him. As far as other changes go, we will all just have to wait and see.
Jakker: What goals do you have for The Pacific both internally and outside of the region?
Pierconium: First, we are going to revamp the military, which has stood defunct for quite a while. Second, we will be reintroducing the provincial system within the region, which allows for a more direct method of community, communication, and governance for the region as a whole.
Jakker: The Pacific’s relations with many regions took a hit in the last year. Is there are plans to mend any of those relations lost? Any goals to build relations with new allies?
Pierconium: As far as external relations are concerned, it is my hope that Senator Elegarth will be able to mitigate any damage I might do with my forthrightness and blunt force style of diplomacy. We shall see.
Jakker: What do you look forward to the most as Emperor?
Pierconium: Pissing people that see The Pacific as a target off.
Jakker: Any final thoughts you’d like to share?
Pierconium: Not really, I am generally a man of few words.
Opinion Piece
The Stigma of “The Switch”
By: Severisen
As a bit of a pre-text to this article, since the readers may or may not be aware, I recently switched back to raiding full time. I spent the last year, almost to the day, hanging out with the EPSA, which entailed almost exclusively defending. I’ll discuss my own experience in switching first to defending, and then back to raiding.
I joined The Black Hawks in April of 2012. This was my home for just over two years, and I made some really great friends. I knew some defenders, particularly those who had switched and had been raiders previously, but most of my contacts in gameplay were, understandably, raiders. TBH fell to inactivity and I tried out other organizations, but for the most part, it was not the same because the people I enjoyed spending time with were busy in “Real Life.” I was in TBR for a while, but then I was asked to join the OFO and become its inaugural Marshal General, and that got my attention for the time being. It was in this capacity I was first introduced to Xoriet, then the to-be Overseeing Officer of The Eastern Pacific Sovereign Army. We established a working relationship over the course of the next several months and I was elected Pharaoh. Some time around May 2014, she inadvertently began the slow process of helping me make the decision to switch to defending. Oddly enough, it was during a raid she was participating in that was the genesis of my conversion. We discussed it a lot over the coming months, as I still had a region to lead.
Fast forward to end of July 2014, and I was finally done as delegate. I decided to make “The Switch” from raiding to defending. I posted/gave resignations in my former homes of DEN, TBH, Sekhmet, Jomsvikings, BoM, TBR. (I think that’s it.) I wanted to defend, and I wanted to be part of the EPSA, but mostly I wanted to have fun again in GP, and Xoriet was the driving force behind that motivation. I introduced myself around to some defender friends, or acquaintances, that I had made over the previous two years as a raider. Most were reluctant to believe I had actually switched, and was interested in defending at all. I was met with less than open arms, and I suppose that’s understandable. The first time I joined one of the operations channels, I was immediately banned as a “raider” and had to have EPSA vouch for my presence. It took some time before I felt like I was welcomed among them on a personal level, and longer on a professional level.
I tried to reason with myself as to why this was the case. It made sense, I guess, that it would take a while to gain their trust, but it seemed like they would at least give me some benefit of the doubt. I didn’t want them to trust me completely, but I wanted a chance at the very least. My raider friends were upset that I had left, but they understood. Other raiders were less than pleased. I was removed from histories by some groups, and essentially blocked from all communications with them. I mean, I get an IC shunning, but the OC bit kind of took me by surprise. I suppose it made sense, in some ways, but I hadn’t really expected it, I guess. I should say, I didn’t expect it to happen to me.
I had watched people switch before, including one of my closest friends, Cormac. I always felt he got a rough end of the deal, and he has switched a number of times, granted. He wasn’t the only one, though, and yet he became the poster child for switching. It’s almost comical--in that “Is this even funny at this point?” kind of way-- that some people seem to cling to that as their go-to insult. Why was it that he caught so much flak, when others before him and since have had relatively painless transitions?
I spoke to other friends who mentioned that how often one switches can have an impact on the general reception by either side. Someone who switches once, or twice, given enough time between, will generally have an easier time than someone who changes more regularly. It also depends on how the person left their side. There are some circumstances that seem to be more forgivable, like whether or not there is a personality conflict with fellow raiders or defenders. Personality conflicts are understandable. Ultimately this is a game, and if you feel stuck on a side and don’t enjoy the company, the game is not enjoyable. It would make sense to be where your friends are.
Leaving one side for the other can be messy. If you give your former compatriots a one finger wave on your way out the door, exploding and airing dirty laundry, burning bridges as you go, this makes it more difficult to have a homecoming. On the other hand, making a public display can potentially work in your favor, earning you points with your soon to be friends.
Another thing that makes it easier to switch, but can increase the flak received is the skill level and value to your potential new team. A really skilled player switching is more easily accepted by the new side, and more bitterly taken by the former side. In addition, it can be bitter to lose someone whose personality blended well, and is a friend, or well liked in the community. The receiving side will generally be welcoming of such a person, and the former side may be sour at the loss. Common sense.
I recently returned to TBH. I did it relatively quietly, having faded out of the defender community for the last several months. It felt right, and I reasoned that it had been a year since my last switch. I was going back where I felt I belonged, to my home in TBH, and I was welcomed with open arms, and even celebrated. I haven’t had the chance to talk to many defenders since the news was released, but I would hope that any ill will was kept to an IC level, because I certainly hold no contempt for most of them.
If there are a few things I have noticed, it’s that limiting your switches helps make an easier transition. Being honest with your reasons, especially if you are not having fun anymore, helps a lot. Not making a splash on your way out can help alleviate the flak you get from your former side, and finally, being sought out can help and hurt you. I’m sure this isn’t earth shattering news to anyone, but it was an interesting journey, and I don’t regret the switches I made. After all, this is only a game.
Interview with Ramaeus, Delegate of The East Pacific
Jakker is on a quest to interview Osiris' allies and embassied regions. We start with TEP... Jakker: How has your current term(s) as delegate been different than your previous term(s)?
Ramaeus: Oh, that's quite the question. This term has been significantly less chaotic than previous terms. I had the unfortunate habit of getting several FA disasters involving TEP's allies. I've managed to avoid my aforementioned habit so far. I hope my luck continues.
Jakker: How has the adjustment been for the EPSA with the retirement of Xoriet?
Ramaeus: Difficult, but we're managing. She left a massive hole that will take time to fill, but I believe that Loh (her replacement) is up to the task.
Jakker: What are some awesome aspects of TEP that people may not know about?
Ramaeus: Quite a lot, I'd imagine. We're relatively isolationist. Our regional Skype chat is pretty active. But a less obvious answer would be our propensity for avoiding drama.
Jakker: What is your vision for TEP’s future?
Ramaeus: Bigger. More active. More WA nations. Pretty simple.
Jakker: What are your thoughts on the relationship between Osiris and TEP?
Ramaeus: We're pretty close. There's regular communication between Koth and I. And there's that Sev guy...
Jakker: There is current discussion for reform in the GA. As an experienced SC writer, do you feel that the SC needs reform as well? Which changes would you like to see if any?
Ramaeus: More writers (there aren't any actual writers churning out drafts at a consistent pace). That's the one thing that's needed before any talk of reform can happen.
Jakker: What would be the coolest Osiris-TEP joint event ever?
Ramaeus: I will have to plot with Koth on this.
The Scroll of Thoth
New citizen and councilor, Common-Sense Politics, has started a new initiative where the Priesthood of Apis will post "brief, frequent updates of developing stories here in Osiris and across the NationStates world and direct you to them, where appropriate, with helpful links and other information. Our goal is to promote awareness, engagement, and activity among the citizenry of the Osiris Fraternal Order."
Below is the post made on August 12th:
August 12th, 2015
Here in the OFO
- On August 4th, Scribe of War and Marshal General Festavo promoted Sekhmet Legionnaires War Wombat and Ivo to the rank of Private First Class for displayed reliability, skill, and initiative.
- The embassy request made on behalf of New Hyperion was granted by Scribe of Foreign Affairs Severisen.
- Two new citizens, Oriole Electronics and Potil, have joined us.
- Pharaoh Koth's Adventures in the Sandbox character-based roleplay continues alongside Aslpan 54 in the Temple of Khepri.
- Smenkhara, also known as Kemi, is Osiran of the Week!
- Scribe of Culture Impossible Girl has announced the next Monthly Avatar Contest will be Pokemon themed.
- Our allies in Europeia have posted the latest edition of the 'Europeian Independent' in the Temple of Foreign Gods.
- The proposal for Scribe of Justice reform led by Councilor Datford-Zyvetskistaahn awaits a second on a motion to move to a vote.
Further Afield
- The General Assemply proposal 'Access to Humanitarian Aid' was passed 10,008 votes to 1,387. Pharaoh Koth joined the affirmative vote. No other proposals are currently at the voting stage.
- Delegate of the Pacific, Krulltopia has stepped down. New NPO Emperor, Pierconium has named Elogarth Pacifican Senator of Diplomacy and Aleisyr Viceroy.
- Charles Cerebella posted 'A Critique of Imperialism' in response to OnderKelkia's piece on the future of the same in the most recent issue of the Europeian Standard.
- Our own Severisen has returned to the Black Hawks and resumes his role on the Council and as Intelligence Director. TBH successfuly tagged 20 region on last Monday's minor.
- Phazon Winter has been elected president of The Communist Bloc.
