Osiris Fraternal Order

The International Newsletter of The Independent Order.
3rd Edition, June/July 2014.

Our Forum is at w11.zetaboards.com/Independent_Order_NS!
Our IRC room is at #Independence on irc.esper.net!

Our Current Government

Grand Chancellor: Beatrice

Premier: CGJ
Minister of Culture [VP]: DaveIronside
Minister of Accountability: Aeviternus
Attorney General: Achkaerin
Minister of Foreign and Imperial Affairs: Matthew Vinage
Minister of Home Affairs and Integration: Dijel
Minister of Defence: KaiserAdolf

Speaker: Dijel
Senator: CGJ
Senator: Hypothetical Genius
Senator: DaveIronside
Senator: Achkaerin
Senator: KaiserAdolf
Senator: Matthew Vinage Executive News Another electoral cycle came and went, lasting from July 11th-18th, though it was no different to the last. Again, the two candidates for Premier were Matthew Vinage of the Progressive Democratic Alliance (PDA) and CGJ of the Orderian People's Alliance (OPA). Many citizens knew that they were both extremely strong candidates. Campaigning was similar to the previous election, with both candidates working day and night to try and win the elections. Matthew Vinage again based his campaign around experience and decreased isolationism, whereas CGJ's campaign was again focussed on internal development.

The outcome was the same, too - CGJ won a second term as Premier in an extremely close election, defeating Matthew Vinage with 12 vote compared to Matthew's 9, though Matthew did gain a seat in the Senate as a consolation. The OPA still controls the Executive and has a majority in the Senate.
The Ministries have been making some progress, too:

The Ministry of Culture has set up a Cultural District in what citizens are informally referring to as the "cultural revolution". It has built on some of the plans which Beatrice's administration left unfinished and finally established a Library for the region, as well as an archive section, an Art Gallery and the "Mundus Prize" scheme. The latter is a series of regularly-held contests with varying themes, and the entry which is deemed the best is given an award. (Well, we say award, it's a moral victory more than anything else.)

The Ministry of Foreign and Imperial Affairs has set up an Ambassadorial Corps to help citizens get more involved in the region - though it's mostly so people like the Grand Chancellor and the Minister of Foreign and Imperial Affairs can keep their cushy jobs whilst doing as little work as possible (the lazy sods). As you may have guessed, an ambassador is delivering this update to you right now, after going through the diplomatic visa application process:



The Ministry of Home Affairs and Integration has continued work on the Independent Mentors Corps, and has introduced a "Welcome Package", which will help newcomers hit the ground running. Furthermore, the Independent Mentors Corps is being reformed with the implementation of a newcomers' curriculum and an IMC panel, so this is expected to increase activity in the previously stagnant Ministry.

The Ministry of Defence has, unfortunately, been somewhat inactive due to the RL committments/issues of the Minister. Nevertheless, they have been able to issue promotions to various troops and new recruits are still coming through. All that remains now is to train said recruits. Additionally, both the Independent Dragoons and Independent Militia are now open for hire as film extras.

The Attorney General's Office (a.k.a. the Ministry of Justice) has fortunately had little work to do, though they have tried to ram some judicial experience down everyone's throats by holding a mock trial. The Attorney General is also planning to implement a proper Judiciary and a Prosecution Service, as well as a number of other institutions and schemes. Finally, the Attorney General's Office/Ministry of Justice is getting off its bum and actually doing something.

And the Ministry of Accountability, like the Ministry of Defence, has been inactive due to a combination of the absence of the Minister and a general lack of work. Nevertheless, once a new Minister is brought in, the Ministry of Accountability should be revitalised.

Addtionally, and on a rather sad note, Avakael has chosen to abdicate as Grand Chancellor, leaving Beatrice, his Vice Chancellor, to take the reins. Avakael officially abdicated on 30th July with his signing of His Excellency’s Declaration of Abdication Act into law. Beatrice has now taken over and is establishing a dictatorship gladly leading the Order.
Legislative News A new Senate was elected during the last elections in July, with the OPA still holding a majority in the Senate and the PDA remaining as the official opposition Party. The new Senators are as follows:

Matthew Vinage
DaveIronside
Elpidia
CGJ
KaiserAdolf
Achkaerin
Dijel

Or rather, they were, as Elpidia has been removed from his position as Speaker, as well as his seat in the Senate as a whole as he has gone AWOL. A by-election (the first administrated by new Grand Chancellor Beatrice) was held with Hypothetical Genius winning the empty seat.

In terms of actual legislation, the Senate has passed two Bills this term and is currently voting on a third. His Excellency’s Declaration of Abdication Act and the Judicial Procedures, Sentencing and Evidence Act have already been passed by the Senate this term, with the Succession Act currently being voted upon. The Senate certainly seems to be active this term - hopefully this trend will continue (unless some silly bugger decides to go AWOL again). No more Bills have since been submitted to the Senate Docket but we can guarantee that in time, there will be.
Roleplay News The new convention centre forum hit the ground running as a huge host of role-players gathered at the Conference for Universal Rights. The nations gathered with the combined aim of working in unison to improve access to inalienable human rights worldwide. Much progress was made though the absence of some of the worst abusers of Human Rights was noted, and it is unsure as to whether they will abide the resolutions of the conference.

The most major event by far was kick-started by a Soviet-lead coup d’état in Themata. A hotspot for international conflict, tensions in Themata had been high and areas such as Sunlit had already been in open rebellion for some time. The USR established Themata as a vassal state, and was supported in doing so by her Warsaw allies. The Cross-Straits Treaty Organisation saw this as a breach of the Ardian Entente and acted by issuing a joint ultimatum to Warsaw states demanding primarily their withdrawal from the continent. This ultimatum was flatly rejected by Warsaw nations Thomradia and the USR as both sides mobilised for war.

As the ultimatum expired Caeledia launched an offensive in Themata, as Warsaw retaliated by attacking the CSTO state of Novincia. Warsaw has mirrored CSTO’s Themata strategy, imposing a naval blockade to render their target isolated and vulnerable. With all the major powers at war, this devastating Mundus-wide conflict could tear the region apart and is being watched intently by all.

In more peaceful role-play there have been a flurry of sporting events in Mundus. The IFFA World Cup came to a dramatic close with Quinntopia winning with a dominant 4-0 victory. The Formula Mundus tournament got underway, with the East Moreland Grand Prix having took place, with Quinntopia Racing taking the chequered flag.

On a more concerning note, a plague has been spreading rapidly across Coft Aranye. Not a conventional plague as such, but one with symptoms such as impulsive movement and unsatisfiable urges to dance in time to music. Initially chastised by many nations it has since developed into an major international issue to which many nations have put in place measures to combat.
Thank you for reading!

This newsletter was written by:

Matthew Vinage
Major_Thom