Posts from Actaea

Why? Your Persians did quite well in the future. If it weren't for the Chinese, who knows...

My character was killed for no reason. That's the new, harsh world we live in.

I hope that one day my country will be able to live up to this description even halfway.
Once upon a time, there was the mighty state of Leoscarlet, which owned half of the world. A vast territory with many peoples was successfully ruled by a great emperor. Strict and precise rules of succession, combined with the divine status of the ruler, prevented prolonged disputes and made most court intrigues pointless, but the idyll could not last forever.
Leo VIII, the last emperor of Leoscarlet, was born severely ill and also insane. At first, his advisors carefully concealed this, but soon the truth came out. For the first time since its founding, a struggle for power broke out in Leoscarlet - everyone who was dissatisfied with the current system of government had a reason to act, but there were also many supporters of the imperial dynasty. Court intrigues escalated into bloody clashes, and then into a full-scale civil war.
The farthest provinces of Leoscarlet did not think twice and almost immediately seceded from the dying empire. Other parts of the country were seized by neighbors who had long been envious of the powerful state. Immersed in chaos, the country could not resist external invaders and was rapidly shrinking. The deadly carnage spared neither old people nor women nor children; every meter of what used to be Leoscarlet was soaked in blood. At some point, the mad war ended... along with those who could fight.
Only a handful of children, old people, and disabled people remained of the once great nation – it seemed that everything was already lost. Therefore, when a twelve-year-old girl expressed her desire to lead the remnants of the people of Leoscarlet, no one objected – they simply didn't take her seriously. But time showed how wrong they were. Despite her young age, the ruler drew some conclusions from the devastating war and vowed to herself that never, under any circumstances, would any threat, external or internal, prevail over the new country. Her country.
Many years have passed. Leoscarlet remains only in history textbooks, but on its ruins arose a formidable force, striking with its power - the dominion of Kittypink. Now it is difficult to deceive anyone with an adorable kitten on the flag - everyone knows that behind the harmless appearance lies a strong, intelligent, and dangerous predator. The best soldiers, the best technology, the best equipment - the government of Kittypink does not spare money for defense, and none of its neighbors even thinks about attacking; those who tried are still sorry for their decision, for their territories, and for their resources, which Kittypink seized rightfully as the victor. The Dominion does not share secret technologies even with its most loyal allies for the largest sums of money, but readily provides troops to protect allies from external or internal threats - of course, not "just like that." A military career is considered the most honorable, and all officials hold ranks no lower than colonel. And at the head of the state is a person who seeks to protect his people from all troubles and dangers, Great Leader Amelia Whiteclaw.

Much has changed since she took control of an entire country at the age of twelve. Then she was foolish and did not yet understand what this would lead to and how hard it would be for her. Behind her lie many defeats and victories, many tears and sweat, and now Amelia proudly looks every morning at the creation of her hands from the Tower of the Leader, the tallest building in all of Catpaw and, indeed, in all of Kittypink. The apartments of the ruler of the country are not luxurious, although they are somewhat more comfortable than the usual dwelling of a Kittypinkiian. The Great Leader firmly holds the huge military machine in her slender hands. Not always does she act correctly; not always do her decisions benefit her subjects, but as long as Amelia has the strength to move forward, and the people of Kittypink unanimously support the leader, the dominion will remain the most dangerous and invincible power. And the Leader will have enough energy for a long time...
When the bravest and most desperate foreign diplomats ask Amelia Whiteclaw about the secret of her healthy and radiant appearance, she half-jokingly replies that she simply preserved herself well for her age. And it would be better if the brave man bit his tongue at this point, even if he perfectly understands that at such an age, an ordinary person would be at best an ancient ruin, long ago and reliably fallen into senility. And those who still risk stammering and continuing the topic of the Leader's appearance are never heard from again. Sometimes people whisper vague rumors to each other that the ruler of Kittypink has an entire underground laboratory that keeps Amelia eternally young and healthy, but these rumors don't go far...

Regional Poll • Proposal on banning religion across Actaea.
The Colony of Rex Ventorum wrote:
Rex Ventorum believes that religion is nothing more than a remnant of the past and must be forbidden. - Religion is totally antiscientific and therefore has a negative impact on the intelligence of Actaean citizens. - Organized religion uses its influence to manipulate people.

Please vote.

-And who are you to dictate your will to us, the steel people? - Don Jormont was indignant - personally, I am not a religious man, but in our country, everyone is free to do what they want and, more importantly, is ready to die for the right to do what they want. My clan is strongly opposed to this initiative, and I am convinced that the heads of other families would support me, as would the citizens of our country.

I haven't decided yet how I feel about religion; I'll think about it.

The first priest of the Council of Shylion, Kraice the First, expresses his protest against this initiative:
- We will not allow anyone to interfere with the way of life of our citizens. Religion is the foundation of our culture; it allows us to reach new heights and overcome adversity. We promise political support in a similar situation to those who support the Theocracy of Shylion in this decision. Strength lies in unity!
Having finished his speech, the priest retired to a special room for solitude and meditation.

-Religion is evil, an unforgivable foolishness, the cause of many reckless acts and bloody wars, - Quazard the Great stated dryly. -It is the complete opposite of common sense and personal development; it is degradation and utter nonsense. Religion harms any prosperous state. And God... - the dictator paused briefly. -I am God.
-Of course, of course, your Excellency, what wise words, - the servant stammered obsequiously.

If I weren't so lazy, I would have written something similar to what the Shaman has.

The representative of the Tarpaulin community maintained a calm demeanor, and only his fingers, nervously fiddling with prayer beads made from the finest pearls that the Tarpaulin land could offer, betrayed his anger.
- This Ventorum... feeding off the corporations that ruthlessly exploit their people, dares to talk about manipulating people? What do these godless people know about spiritual development? What do these greedy creatures, killing their own land for worthless pieces of paper, know about unity with nature? What can they know about our relationship with science and nanotechnology, which the community has been developing since its founding? They are just waiting for us to lose our spiritual foundation so they can seize and exploit our resources. That won't happen! We will fight for our beliefs! With weapons in hand, if it comes to that, although we don't like to solve problems with barbaric methods.
The deputy resolutely pressed the "NO" button.

A representative of Saenskreesia voiced his country's position regarding the proposal put forward by the government of Ventorum.

Our society was founded on the ideas of a scientific worldview. And in this world, there is no place for an unnecessary entity, such as a god, or any other character from the tales of ancient people. Religion is not only an outdated and distorted view of the world, but also a dangerous phenomenon for the people, leading them astray. Religious figures are liars and hypocrites, masking their power ambitions with morality and God. We will never allow such people to confuse the minds of our citizens, torment them with unfulfilled hopes and unrealizable dreams. There are no gods, there is no life after death, there is no soul. There is only our future and present. Which we must build for ourselves and our descendants. The government of Saenskreesia is ready to support any initiative regarding restrictions on the spread of religion.

Following new legislation in The Great Water, the government's religious works are headed by a New Age guru.

Rex Ventorum believes that religion is nothing more than a remnant of the past and must be forbidden. - Religion is totally antiscientific and therefore has a negative impact on the intelligence of Actaean citizens. - Organized religion uses its influence to manipulate people.

The spiritual mentor of the Kingdom of the Great Water took the floor:
— It is no wonder that many rulers are full of distrust towards Catholicism. This religion is still the same as it was hundreds of years ago. It is hopelessly outdated and has ceased to keep pace with the times. More and more people are paying attention to other teachings, the teachings of the New Age, which can show them the real path in life.
Our religion is based on modern methods, such as dynamic meditation, working with sensations, understanding the spirituality of other people, tantric practices, healing, and methods for strengthening the body, mastering Eastern martial arts (sometimes also Northern and Northeastern).
Every believer in our kingdom knows that the ruler is blessed by God for his reign, and any laws are met with enthusiasm. Moreover, religion is the only guide in the modern world; it is the only thing that shows people the right path and the meaning of life. Without it, we would have to allow drugs, gambling, or start a war with some neighboring state. But with religion, people already have something to do.

Amelia kept to herself the observation that religion is a very serious unifying and motivating factor. Aloud, she said:
- The Celestial Cat showed me the way in a difficult hour for our country. He chose me as his earthly avatar and gave me the strength to raise Kittypink from the ashes. Neither I nor my people will cease to offer prayers to him at someone's behest.
Yes, they really believe it.

The blue face looked even more pleased than before. -- Oh yes! Yes! Who needs this stupid religion? Certainly not the Free Republic of Champignon! Ban religion, I'm all for it! Suddenly, a man in a bathrobe runs into the hall. -- You shall not! You cannot abolish the worship of the Giant Kraken-like Amoeba with Wings and Jack Sparrow, Her prophet! -- But why? -- the blue face wondered. -- Because I have three kilograms of dynamite with me. The blue face thought for a moment and said. -- Okay, guys, so, I'm against the resolution.

I suggest imposing sanctions on the supply of Mentu tea.

What kind of tea? It’s mushroom tea…