Varanius

Operation starting date: 25.12.1305
Agent Number: 2578349987
Assignment: Infiltration of “OT”
Assignment status: Active
 
Date: 25.12.1305
Agent 2578349987 reporting from the bunker at 35°24'15"S, 17°E 10'30", infiltration has commenced. My application as a professor at the Cangham University was accepted last week. Today was my first day of work and I was introduced to the members of the faculty under my persona Professor Agustin Normalor . The faculty was, as reported, a group of well educated individuals who have degrees in different areas of what they call “hard sciences”. When I went into the headmaster’s office I did not notice anything of interest when I took a glance around the room. As to go along with my persona, I had to teach astrophysics classes to freshmen at the university. It was frustrating as many of them were not paying attention, but when I looked at the list of students, I saw a name that was of interest, ........ ......., the daughter of the head of the Ministry of Technology. I will see if I can get closer to her to see if I can learn more information on the potential rocket engine that is being developed here. However, today I was not able to be given my key card to access the research lab here at the university but I have seen where the entrance to the lab is. That is my report for today, I will report again when I am able.
 
Approved for release 12.5.1420

Nation name: Varanius
3-Letter Code: VAR             2-Letter Code: VN
Capital City: Zygotia
Government Type: Parliamentary Republic
 
The population of my nation is: Above average (a tad)
  
The GDP per capita of my nation is: Above average (a tad)
  
Government Spending - Which statement best describes your nation?
  My nation provides moderate social programs, or a small selection of social programs. 
 
x
My nation has an extensive social safety net, or provides multiple programs like universal healthcare, welfare, and free tuition for its citizens 
 
My nation does not provide social programs beyond bare necessities and/or high school educations. 
  My nation does not prioritize social spending, but engages in some large-scale government or public spending projects. 
  My nation’s government spending is a vast majority of our GDP, such as having to coordinate our import-dependent economy.
(this option is subject to Cartography Board approval)
 
Military Indicator - Which statement best describes your nation?
  My nation has made a commitment to security, and maintains a moderately sized modern armed forces within our means. 
x
My nation has little incentive or political drive for military spending, but maintains a small-to-moderate modern armed forces. 
  My nation has prioritized military spending at the expense of other key areas and may have been criticized for lack of freedom or human rights issues. 
  My nation does not prioritize military spending due to other priorities, the belief we are safe, or we don’t have enough money left over to fund it. 
  My nation is heavily embattled and we believe we face an existential threat. 
(this option is subject to Cartography Board approval) 
 
Any other inspirations or concepts you want to share: The Parliamentary Republic of Varanius is a largely urban and progressive nation, with an enormous government, largely due to its social safety network and infrastructure programs. The unicameral parliament, with a total of 501 seats, is elected every 3 years. The multi party system involves voters registering a vote for a party, and said party can choose representatives to fill each seat they win. For the choosing of Prime Minister, a system similar to the American Caucus system is implemented, though only Parliament votes. Specifically, each member of Parliament votes for a candidate. In order for a candidate to qualify, they must receive a certain number of votes. Then members of Parliament vote once again, but for one of the remaining candidates. The candidate with the majority, or at least plurality, wins.  The capital city, Zygotia, is found on the northern coast, and is largely known for its extensive ports and large skyscrapers in the western segment of the city. Due to the size of government, the public sector also takes up enormous sections of the GDP.

The New Varanius News Publication is glad to announce that the Varanian elections are over. The results stunned many political experts, as the more socialist political party, the Cortexic Party, has acquired astounding numbers of seats in parliament, taking up a record breaking 176 seats of the 500 person parliament, over 30% of the available seats. While their main opposition party, the Hypothalmian party, falling to 68 seats. considering parties with similar positions, it is very likely that the Cortexic party will virtually be able to control Parliament, possibly bringing in a new age for Varanius.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Varanius - VN - VAR - .var

As the sun rises in a cloudless sky over The West Pacific, slumber ends for most of its residents. This is the day they celebrate the Enthronement of The Second Dragon-Emperor! Preparations that began as soon as Bran Astor was named Heir Apparent come to fruition today. No school or work! Real life is suspended! Everyone who isn’t part of the ceremony will dress in their finest and hurry to claim a prime vantage point for witnessing this historic event.
 

 
One resident greets the sunrise wide-awake. In a meditation chamber off the throne room, guarded by Sir Fujai, Xia of The Benevolent Order of The Three Perfections, and Dilber, a Guardian and close aide, Bran Astor, Delegate of The West Pacific, has been praying and fasting since the previous dawn, eager to gain The Mandate of Heaven. While The People’s Mandate had, through their endorsements, secured his power as regional Delegate several days prior, and even though he is more comfortable with a casual approach to governing, The Second Dragon-Emperor is happy to play his part in this ritual in order to affirm his allegiance to the principles and traditions of The West Pacific. His most fervent wish is that his Delegacy will serve and honor his people. He has risen to this region’s Delegacy and is now ready to ascend to The Dragon Throne. 
 

 
The Commander of The West Pacific Armed Forces, Kawaii Schoolgirl, Countess of Junshan, reviews her troops stationed in formation outside the palace of Zijin Cheng, The Forbidden City. Soldiers know that emperors blessed with The Mandate of Heaven are assured victory. They sense greatness in the one who will soon be enthroned, and stand a little taller.
 

 
Inside the ornate gold and red Hall of The Dragon-Emperor, the throne room of the immense palace, priests and acolytes have been at work polishing and lighting incense. All must be perfect.
 

 
 
 
The hour is near. Stately melodies on the erhu, pipa, dizi and suona intermingle with the rustle of the silks of the expectant crowd, and the Past Delegates and Peers process to the palace. Many of these dignitaries, such as Mediobogdum and Big Bad Badger, Royal Dukes of The West Pacific, Darkesia, Duchess of Hainan, and Yy4u, Xia of The Benevolent Order of The Three Perfections, have already assisted the new Delegate in his transition. Others, like Neenee, Royal Princess of The West Pacific, Elegarth, Royal Duke of The west Pacific, Davelands, Wickedly Evil People, All Good People, Bhang Bhang Duc and BIteland, have helped to build the region into the powerful cultural and educational center it is. In a region that venerates its elders, the sight of all these luminaries right before them almost causes several in the crowd to swoon.

  
The procession halts at the carved great doors to the throne room. Bran Astor has arrived and waits with facing the rising sun, attended by Dalimbar, Earl of Zhifu, Arkadia Universalis, Earl of Ping, and Overthinkers, Baron of Lantau. As the hymns reach a crescendo, Saint Mark, Emeritus Emperor of The West Pacific, Chancellor of The Hall of Peers, and Celestial Sage, nods and smiles to his new Dragon-Emperor, and opens the doors. 
 

 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MiXgOQ9_-RI
The angelic voices of The Imperial Choir of The West Pacific wash over the assembled from the balcony above.
 

 
 
Bran Astor is the first to enter, followed by Saint Mark and the others in order of precedence. The ancient hall fills to capacity. When all is ready, The Dragon-Emperor ascends to his rightful place on the throne as the choir’s last triumphant stanzas ring out. In the silence that follows, the Emperor Emeritus unfurls a scroll and calls out the Imperial titles:
His Imperial Majesty,
Bran Astor,
Dragon Emperor of The West Pacific, Delegate, Son of Heaven, Builder of Worlds, Supreme Squatcher, and Duke of Hebao
 
Confident, the newly enthroned Dragon-Emperor then rises to read his ascension edict:
http://www.westpacific.org/forums/index.php?/topic/3402-honors-of-the-west-pacific/
At the conclusion, a joyful cry erupts from those present, the epicenter of a thunderous wave of celebration that spreads across The West Pacific.
 
 

Through the night and into the morning, there are parades and parties, fetes and fireworks.
A new Delegate sits on The Dragon Throne. The West Pacific is assured of continued peace and prosperity.
 

 

I nudged TWPAF for the roster.

Please mask @Varanius as Speaker, @Big Bad Badger as WA Minister, @Fujai as IA Minister

Please mask @Fujai and @Overthinkers as Guardians
If there happens to be a Chancellor of the Hall of Peers mask, please apply it to @Saint Mark
Thanks!

Once upon a time in NationStates, failure to clear the citizenship rolls of inactive members became a problem.
Entropy of Activity in NationStates is a problem that arises over and over again.  No matter how dynamic and active a region's community may be, activity eventually wanes, folks are distracted by RL, and Regional Officials get burn-out. Citizen/Players fade away.
Then newer players with their own ideas of activity come along. They find the inactivity of the existing citizenry boring.  So they write and present new Legislation to be voted upon, to shape the region with new activity that interests them.
The ideas come up for a vote, and those old inactive citizens that haven't posted in months come out of the woodwork to vote, and they vote against the new player's legislation. The idea dies.
Inactivity is thus perpetuated, and the frustrated new players go elsewhere.
To combat this phenomena of the 'Old Guard' coming out to vote when they are  otherwise inactive, Regions began to establish Activity Requirements to ensure that voting citizens are actively engaged in the regional community.
Posting requirements can be more important for Regional Officials as well. Once upon a time, there were requirements for Ministers and Deputies to post no less than every other day, and requirements to post a notice and assign a deputy if a Minister will be absent for longer than a couple days.
Activity begets Activity in NS, while the Entropy of Activity is the corrosive rust that destroys regions and communities.

Can't wait to do it again
 

NationStates Nation Name: Varanius
 
Discord User Name: Majgecko#1280 
 
Your Local Timezone: Western United States
 
Regions You Have Active Nations In:  The West Pacific, Xedas
 
Any Diplomatic Experience: I have a younger sibling, that should be enough to qualify anyone(really though no).