Saint Mark

No problem. I hadn't cast my own vote earlier because I didn't want to influence anyone's choice. I cast my vote for China, breaking the tie between the two.

That explains a lot, West. Thanks!

Badger, please mask @Amberlewis012 as a citizen.

You are right, Fujai. This is all about activity. After having listened to the discussion, and before voting had started, I had started to plan out how we would implement the theme change. I wanted the implementation itself to generate activity and I wanted it to be as inclusive as possible, so I had decided to hold a contest open to all of the residents of TWP. Teams would be tasked with developing ideas on how to implement whatever theme is chosen. They would be given certain guidelines, one of which would be to be respectful of TWP's character. This isn't the only program that we are going to put forth to try to generate activity. We have a lot that we're working on. I can't believe the fuss over some fun window dressing. Does Osiris enslave Hebrews? Is Balder raiding monasteries? Is The Pacific feeding Christians to the lions? All of these regions, and many more (and us many times in the past) have themes and are still the kinds of regions they are because of the people there.

You were the one who set up the current government structure based upon what already existed in TWP, Badger.

No. The vote will be in The Hall.

West, it was your choice not to participate in the government by not becoming a citizen. You still have been not only allowed to express your opinion, but listened to with respect.

Dark, please mask @Shaustria as a citizen. Thank you!

There were twenty different players discussing this here, of which twelve were definitely for the themes, six against and two it's hard to say from posts here. That is more input than we've had in anything that has happened here as far as I can remember. I have also had dms and tgs from players and many other conversations. I also sent a region-wide tg telling everyone what was happening and asking them to become citizens so that they could take part in the discussion. This was also discussed in the Cabinet for weeks. Several other options were discussed. I never said the support was massive, but it is clearly in favor.

Congratulations on your anniversary!

No, this was discussed at length here and elsewhere and most were in favor of a theme change, or at the least not opposed.

I will have a runoff among the top two. We've had a lot of participation so far! Woo hoo!

I promise that whichever theme is chosen, I will take my time implementing it, using it only as a starting point to come up with something that is uniquely TWP. My thought is that I will form an implementation committee to advise me on this so that I receive a broader range of ideas. No plan will make everyone happy, but my goal will certainly be to put in place something that at least most of us can be proud of.

Dark, would you please renew the citizenship masking for @Nairthien? Thank you!

I agree with you, Dave, that The Hall of Nations could use the work and also that this would most likely pass, but I'm not presenting The Hall of Peers to the Hall for approval because I don't want to start the precedent that all Manners changes have to be approved by The Hall of Nations. I did want everyone's input, though, which is why I brought this all up for discussion in the first place.

Thanks, Dark. Yes, I re-worked the Manners changes from what I originally had to make it quite clear that the Hall of Peers is advisory only. I do not want a situation like what happened in the past. ... and we will not go with anything weeb or anime, even if Japan is selected. That's all too much for me too!

The reason is that things are getting stale in the region. Your changes were terrific, but that was about two years ago. TWP is, in my opinion, the best region in NS, but we are not retaining the new players and we are having problems with TWPAF recruiting as well. A new theme ... among other things ... is our attempt to spur interest and reverse the course before it slides too far.

As much as I like the pirate theme for TWPAF, I don't like it for the region as a whole. It makes us seem like a military organization and we're more than that. I do love the dragons. Dragon theme for TWP and dragoon for TWPAF? Maybe something along those lines? Names might be difficult to come up with that made any sense to outsiders, though. While there is still more support than not for the themes that were already presented, maybe we need a fourth option. We'll think about that.

Thanks, Medio! Let's just continue the discussion here, since most of the comments have been here.

Please mask @Dinar Red King as a citizen. Thank you!

OK. Welcome!

stocks the wine cellar and pantry

Yay! Welcome to the best region in NS!

I have another one for you, please, Badger ... @Danlina .

Yep. As I said, those are very valid concerns. I hear you. If unusual titles are used, we will find a way to make sure the meaning is clear.