Kalistan

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Princess Nicolette Claims the Triple Crown
Final Wave at Luxon "Victory Lap" for new Queen of Surf
Luxon, Grand Duchy of Ananto
August 25, 5671


Princess Nicolette takes "Victory Lap" on a 19.5-foot face at Luxon

Ahead of a large early season storm that later rolled into Southern Ananto, Her Highness, Princess Nicolette Ananto-Collins took the Luxon Swell Invitational title and has earned the coveted Triple Crown of Surfing, completing a life long goal, at just before the age of 25. The victory at Luxon was not an easy win, as massive waves and skilled performances kept the contest close until well into the Princess' final round, after which she distanced herself from the pack and showed her true athletic prowess on the water.

"The Princess was blessed with a strong score coming into the finals and a particularly set of long, strong straight waves that allowed her to milk as many points out of her four big runs in the last round as she possibly could," said guest judge, and incidentally the last winner of the Triple Crown, Mike Dawson, who flew in from his adopted home in Xsampa to judge the competition. "She surfed faces that many pros would avoid, because they would be considered too gnarly and too dangerous, or they broke right on the shallow reef, which makes them especially dangerous for surfers, because one mistake could be more or less deadly. But she showed she wanted it more than every other surfer in this competition, and she went out and took it. I'm super proud of her."

The Princess wracked up enough points by her third run in the finals to overtake the two men at the top of the leaderboard, last year's men's champion Wren Tellari, who was second over all going into the finals, and her main competition, Zeke Phillips, who was in the lead up until then. "When I saw her pass Wren after that first run, I thought, 'well, maybe I still have a chance...' but by the end of her second run, which was super long, was so well done, with so many moves and all this carving, and she just stayed on the board, and almost went out of bounds she was on there so long, I knew I was done."

Her last two rides were some of the longest rides in the sport's coemption, with the swells starting farther out than normal and growing to 15, 16 and sometimes 20 feet before breaking. "Yeah, she took everything she could and rode them to death," said Phillips. "That really flat, superfast tube on her third run, I thought for sure she was gonna wipe out on that, but here she comes, with her short ass, flying out of the tube at like a thousand miles an hour just as it collapses. We were watching a dream. No dude could ever flatten out like that."

Having won the competition on the third run, the Princess could have called it a day, but she still had time on the clock for a final wave, and was presented a real doozy with just three minutes left in the competition. "That wave must have been twenty feet high," said Dawson. "And it just wouldn't break, so she saw it coming, and went all the way up to the top of it, dropped down into it, and carved the f--- out of it. It seriously looked like she was dancing. If there are ocean gods, they smiled on her today. and then-- it started to roll and she just looked like she was in her element. Such a massive run, there's no doubt, she's it: Queen of Surf, for real."

Dawson added that photos taken of the Princess during her final runs at Luxon will likely end up on countless boys' and girls' walls as life size wall posters this fall. "Can you blame them? Women want to be her, and men just want her," declared Dawson, who notes also that the Princess seems to be leading a trend in girls' hairstyles. "This year at Luxon, like half the female fans had that same pixie haircut with sweep bangs like she has. She's got quite the fan base--way more than I had when I won."

Princess Nicolette, for her part, seemed to not have come to full realization of what she had accomplished. Interviewed after the competition, she simply said, "I'm pretty tired. It will be nice to have some time to recover." And left it at that. In the final ceremonies, when she received her trophy and a bouquet of poppies from the judging staff, she smiled and waved, but only took one interview where she said she would like to start mentoring young surfers to kind of encourage more people to get into the sport. "My contract with Dah Surf Co. is up for renewal soon, and I might go a different way. Next year is the Coronation, and I have more of a role. I'm just about to turn 25, maybe I'd like a family, that would be nice. A bunch of stuff I want to do, so I might decide to maybe take a break on competition for a while, because I've done what I came to do."

Asked if she will still surf, the Princess said, "Of Course. Always." To back it up, Princess Nicolette says she has purchased a home near the harbor in Luxon. "On these waves, it's really where I am happiest."

Congratulations to Her Highness, Princess Nicolette Ananto-Collins, and long live "Her Majesty, the Queen of Surf."

@TheRepublic

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Crown Prince Prepares for Coronation
Hints at major shake up in Government later this year
Kaliburg, Grand Duchy of Ananto
January 15, 5672


His Highness, Crown Prince Fredrick Ananto-Collins prepares for Coronation in Kaliburg

As the His Highness, Crown Prince Fredrick Ananto-Collins enters the last half a year before his Coronation, the future monarch seems more at ease than he has been in recent month. "I think I am ready," he said, following a meeting with Her Imperial Majesty's Government at the National Assembly. "There will be some major changes following the coronation, especially in the composition of the Government. Several of my mother's ministers have indicated that they wish to retire, including Lady Alvarez, who is coming up on the normal retirement age, and has served my mother as her chancellor for nearly a quarter century and wishes to devote more time to her faith and practice."

The Crown Prince has not indicated who will be his next Head of Government, but observers speculate it will be a member of the Institutional Party leadership who is oriented toward a more internationalist perspective. Some names who have been guessed are Rodney Gilman, of Vrassa City, Marta Ynez of Sulari, and Sir Vernon Pullman of Dah, but no official statement has been made from either the Crown Prince or the Government in regards to who is being selected. "Just settle down on all that," said the Crown Prince. "We aren't going to make any decisions until we've had the opportunity to interview the members we are considering, and Lady Alvarez hasn't even retired yet."

Though other changes are also in store, the Crown Prince is keeping his cards close to his chest with regard to what those changes could be. "I value my mother's long service to this Empire," said the Crown Prince. "She came to her Power under very difficult circumstances. I've had the opportunity to read about her successes, and also unfortunately, some of the missteps of her administration, but she had to learn a lot on the job and did not have the benefit of formal training as I did. What was more regrettable was the international press' treatment of her inexperience in the position. I feel if the foreign press had granted her a bit more grace and understanding in her difficult situation--she was denied higher education and formal instruction on public administration and had to rely on people it turned out, in many cases she couldn't trust-- these last forty years would have likely looked much different. But as it is, I'd say she did very well despite her limitations and the general antipathy she received from the world, which even felt to me to be very personal. And she made it to the time where she can hand off the crown comfortable, and finally live how she likes. And she was wise enough to teach me how to not repeat her mistakes."

Some speculate that the Crown Prince may take an interest in opening Kalistan's economy. There is a rumor going in Kalistan's financial circles that the Crown Prince is much more liberal minded than any previous Anantonese Emperor. But others, speaking on the condition of anonymity believe this to be erroneous. "No, the Crown Prince is every bit an Ananto. He is ultra conservative on the role of Government, and has zero interest for capitalism or the free market," said one person close to the Crown Prince, who opted to not provide their name. "I know a lot of people believe he will privatize a lot of the economy, and do something like revise the single Party Act again. I would say people shouldn't bet on that. He received almost his entire political education at the feet of his mother, who was a bona fide reactionary on questions of the state and the economy if there ever was one, and to think that the Prince could be any different is a real mistake."

Another major change is that the Crown Prince has confirmed that Kalistan will have a co-Sovereign for the first time since 5558, when Fredrick II was assassinated. "My great great grandfather named his wife, the Black Empress Pavlina I Ananto, as co-sovereign, because many in Kalistan hated the notion of a foreign National, especially one from Kundrati Union being married to a Kalistani Emperor. He named Pavlina Empress to protect both her and her daughter, my great Grand mother, and the Future Empress Carolina I Ananto from people who sought to do them harm. Today, I'm saying I wish my wife, the Duchess Jennifer Ananto-Connor to rule with me, more for my own protection and benefit than hers. I saw what the burden of having the entire burden of state laid solitarily on my mother's own shoulders can do to a person. My wife, who has been by my side since we were married, has learned with me, has sat with my mother who has offered her instruction as well, and has carved her own unique role out for herself within the Imperial System. And I am perfect happy, and grateful to share the authority of State with her."

It is believed that the Empress will have very specific roles within the dual monarchy. "Jenn obviously has certain gifts and talents that I do not possess. She is more outgoing and more personable than I am, for example. She has a very winning personality. Her smile lights up a room, and when she enters, all heads turn her way. I on the other hand, am pretty rational and reasonable, and level headed. I get a lot of that from my mother. So there will be times when it is either myself or Jenn, but not both, who act in this capacity. But she is my partner in all things, and I mean for her to be a full partner to me in this as well." Kalistan, during the 4th Dynasty, was far more frequently had dual sovereigns than single sovereigns. For example, when Nicolette I Ananto the Great became Empress, there was a question about what the husband of the Empress who is not himself an Emperor should be called. Consort, whether it be Emperor or Prince was eventually settled on, but it was strange enough that nobody knew what to call hum for a good part of her reign.

Many would be critics who might complain about extravagance of the Monarchy from having two monarchs when one is, in any other cases, too expensive to maintain, are routinely silenced by the reminder that the Monarchs accept only a Single Kalistani Imperials Ruble a year for a salary. House Ananto fully funds the Monarchy, including the maintenance and staffing of all imperial residences, all Imperial travel, and all operations of the Monarchy, the Royal Family's pensions, stipends to the Nobility, and etc. "All things considered, the money stays almost entirely within the family," said Crown Watcher Kristy Uvalle. "Nobility stipends are the larges expense from House Ananto, and they amount to less than 20 million Imperial a year, which is less than the operating budget of Motor Vrassa. All things considered, we have one of the world's most efficient monarchies, which is one of the reasons there is not some well of resentment in the nation: People know they are not taxed to pay for these wildly extravagant lifestyles of these elites."

The Crown will transfer to the Crown Prince and Duchess Jennifer Ananto-Connor in exactly 6 months. "We still have a million administrative things to do to make sure the crowns transfer seamlessly," said the Crown Prince. "So this is where we will be focused from now to then. The official Abdication and Coronation will occur in Eveari at the Meeting House, as per tradition, and then we will return to Kaliburg to unveil the new Imperial Seat and take the official portrait." When asked if he and the Duchess have been fit for their Coronation robes, the Crown Prince laughed. "They have taken our measurements. Jenn said she is working to get back to her pre-baby weight for the coronation. But either way, they will be making adjustments until Coronation day, and they are not allowing even Jenn or I to see the robes. Word has it that my mother is overseeing the project though, so, lord knows how insanely gaudy she will make them. It will be a surprise for us too."

@TheRepublic

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Grand Duchess' Kaliburg "Going Out Party" called "Social Event of the Winter"
Ladies Party features Who's Who of Kaliburg Society
Kaliburg, Grand Duchy of Ananto
February 20, 5672


Grand Duchess Jennifer Ananto-Connor with Supermodel Markie Jones at Going Out Party

Her Highness, the Grand Duchess of Ananto, Princess Jennifer Ananto-Connor celebrated Kaliburg Ladies Society this month with her "Going Out Party." Held at the National Theater, this women's' only event welcomed all levels of Kaliburg Formal Society. Rather than presenting young women as debutantes, the Duchess' twist marked Her Highness' eventual departure from the Formal Society of the Capital as she prepares to become Empress. "I wanted to throw a social gathering, not unlike a cotilion, I suppose, for my friends and their friends," said Duchess Jennifer Ananto-Connor. "I feel that after June, I won't ever be allowed to be this informal with my girlfriends as I am now. So rather than mourning it after the fact, I wanted to take advantage of the time I had now to kind of let my hair down a bit, shed some of the formality and the protocol, and just be one of the ladies again."

Not only were all of Kaliburg's Social trendsetters, fashion tastemakers and aristocracy on full display at the event, but Her Highness specifically invited her former Kauffman colleagues, Juana Jimenez (who was the Princess' Maid of Honor), Allie King-Digioia, Markie Jones and Greta Bauer-Jackson, who she has stayed close with over the years. "These ladies are like my family, it's like a sisterhood. Some of us have gotten married, some of us have stayed single, but they still are modeling while I have different responsibilities now. But at events like this, we can all have our little reunions. It's a lot of fun to see all my best friends together all at once! It was a real treat for me that they could all make it."

Of course, the event was also attended by Her Imperial Majesty, Mary I Ananto, Her Highness, the Lady Companion Victoria Jensen, Lady Helen Ananto-Reynolds, Princess Margaret Ananto-DeLaurentis and Princess Nicki Ananto-Collins. "Having so much royalty in the room turned a lot of heads," laughed Duchess Jennifer. "But: These women are all completely classy, and, I guess we should say more accustomed to dealing with the Upper Crust than most people are. There were far more commoners there than members of the Aristocracy, but at formal Society events like this, that distance, at least, gets erased to some degree." There were a plethora of other women of social status, mostly of the Gentry form Eastern Ananto and Suldanor who were invited to the event as well. The Going Out Party was deemed the Social Event of the Winter.

Men were not invited to the event. Often the Married women of Formal Society will invite their partners to the events as their escorts, but at this one in particular, the Grand Duchess made sure to explicitly, but politely, exclude men. "I wanted to make all the women here feel welcomed and comfortable. A lot of times at these social events, the conversations often devolved into triviality concerning who is seeing whom, who is sleeping with whom, who is maintaining relationships outside of their marriage. Those conversations are distractions from more or less everything productive or enjoyable, so it was just better to tell the men to have their own party somewhere, so we ladies could focus on spending our time with one another." The Duchess stated that few men raised any objection to the invitation to do something else. "Fred is at home with Willie, for example," said the Duchess.

The event started with a social hour, where the Ladies arrived and were announced. When it was time for dinner, the entire Party entered the grand dining room a the National Theater. The gathering consisted of a formal dinner, catered by Connie's Banquets in Kaliburg. Tea and shortbread cookies were served as a formality to maintain Imperial Protocol, and a toast was made to the health of Her Imperial Majesty, and to the Successful tenure of the Grand Duchess. The entree for the evening was pasta and marinara with roast seasoned chicken and asparagus spears, and a tofu Istalian Wedding Soup for the vegetarians, with a vegan lemon tart for desert. The after dinner drink consisted of either a Sweet wine, espresso and amaretto, or cocktails. ODEN also had a bar there, but moderation was highly encouraged during the event.

Following the dinner, the ladies took their seats in the National Theater Auditorium, and a series of One Acts were performed by the travelling company of the Imperial Opera, who performed an enjoying revue for the ladies. The revue was a satirical parody on the six most popular productions that year from the Imperial Opera, and was dedicated to the Late Princess and Dame of the Opera, Monica Ananto-DeLaurentis, who Princess Margaret, serving as MC for the evening, declared, "would have loved the production." The last part of the evening's program was live music provided by Kaliburg rock and dance band Cultess, who are one of the Duchess' favorite current bands.

The event was attended by more than 200 members of Kaliburg and Kalistani formal Society and about four dozen invited guests. Also in attendance were fashion and society writers and photographers from across the Empire, as well as number of reporters from Gaduridos who came to cover the event. "I suppose the eye candy was all over the place at this event," laughed Duchess Jennifer Ananto-Connor. "From the Kauffman girls, to the royalty, every last one of these women here were dressed to the nines. Every picture taken here was worth a thousand Imperial. But it was so nice to see all of use gathered here: 250 of my closest friends," she added with her signature megawatt smile flashing in full display.

@LaModa

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Empress delivers farewell Address
Coronation of New Emperor will signify "Appropriate Change" across Empire, said Sovereign
Kaliburg, Grand Duchy of Ananto
May 31, 5672


Her Imperial Majesty delivers farewell Address to nation she has led for 40 years

Speaking slowly and in a measured tone Her Imperial Majesty, Empress Mary I Ananto delivered her farewell address in Kaliburg this week, as she prepares for her last couple weeks in office.  The Empress is set to abdicate her throne and Imperial titles in two weeks in Eveari, and took this opportunity to say a final few words before the National Assembly.  In attendance were both the Deputies, as well as the Peers, who packed the Assembly Chanber to hear the speech. 

Below is a transcript of the speech.

Deputies, Peers, Members of the press and People of our Nation, we thank you for this opportunity to come before you to say a final few words, before the end of our tenure.  We do not have the opportunity to speak publicly much any longer, and though this is more or less how we have long wanted it, now that it is upon us, it brings a melancholy to our heart.  We have carried this burden of state upon our back now twice as long as we had lived without it before, and it has gotten to the point where we have to be reminded, mercifully that very soon it will no longer be ours to bear.  After that point, the last remaining battle to fight will be the battle with our own irrelevance and extinction.

Not all is bleak, however.  Even the potential of irrelevance is not so bleak after all.  We have done enough.  We have shepparded our Nation through this period of time, where nothing looks any longer as it did when we took up this role of state.  The world has changed around us.  The dinosaurs of the past have gone dark before us.  And new species have replaced them.  We have helped Kalistan remain through the turbulence in the world, and for this alone, we shall be remembered.  It is a point of pride for us:  Kalistan has not forgotten who it is, nor have we forgotten our rightful place in this world.  That is far more than the governments of many liberal nations can say for themselves.

But now, there is change coming, even for Kalistan.  This change, in our estimation, is perhaps the only legitimate and appropriate form of political change that can occur in this world.  We will be passing off the responsibilities of government to our son, who is far more able to carry that burden forward than we are any longer.  This is the hallmark of the Anantonese Monarchy:  Few of our Emperors and Empresses wear the crown into death.  Centuries of traditional example have shown us that the monarchy should pass from us to the next generation as they are ready, as they are trained to take it up.  There is nothing more we can share with our son, and so it is now our turn to follow the traditions of our forebearers and peacefully transfer our authority, our privilege, and our responsibility to our successor.

We know our son's attitudes very well.  In many ways, they our very similar to our own.  The future Emperor shares our view about the proper order of this society, and like us, like all those of our family, he will continue to maintain the proper dignity, etiquette, and protocol around the monarchy.  We have no concern that his actions will bring anything other than credit and honor to his throne.  Our son is an Ananto after all:  He can be no other than our son, and it is has been our responsibility to impress upon him since the date of his birth what it means to be an Ananto in this Nation and in this world.  His wife, our future Empress, also understands her role, and matches him in terms of zealotry for the Monarchy.  He could want no better partner than the Lady Jennifer Ananto, and her service to the Nation will most certainly be a credit to the Nation.

But there are also several areas that we shall differ.  Perhaps not disagree so much, though we are sure that something will eventually come up as it always does.  In many cases, our successor will see through projects that we have set in motion, but were unable to accomplish.  He shall have our most ardent support in those endeavors.  But he is also a young man with his own mind on things, and in those instances, he will have the love and care of a mother and the support of a loyal subject, with a unique perspective, but with no more or less power to influence the decisions of the Emperor than is fit for a subject.  We shall remain his loyal subject until our last breath is drawn, and hope our actions in retirement model for all citizens the dignity and respect that we will have expected while we governed.

He seeks to reach further out to new partners.  He may seek to explore new administrative models.  He may seek to expand infrastructure, or privatize certain aspects of the economy.  If it is his estimation that this is the way forward for our nation, we shall support him in this, even if that support comes in the form of silence from us.  We will take up all projects he assigns to us, or be content to live in peace and retirement with our Companion, as our Sovereigns will it.  Because this is the correct relationship between the Sovereign and their Citizens.

We fully endorse our successors in their new role, and know the weight of carrying the entire nation, as our sovereign must, on their shoulders so to speak.  We ask you all to help them as they get situated.  Reach out, schedule meetings through the chancellor to get to know them, and work with them as they themselves work through this transition.  Kalistan is not only known for its steadfastness in regime, but also its unity of government.  We are successful to the degree that all the wheels in our system spin as they are directed.  We remain strong as a society this way.  We are able to ensure civil liberties and civil rights and a stable society and economy this way.  This requires all of our work to guarantee it.

We thank you for allowing us to serve you as your Sovereign, and next time you see us will be as private citizens once more, and then, god willing we will finally get the opportunity to speak to one another as equals again, which is something we very desperately want for ourselves.  From the bottom of our heart, thank you so much for your grace and patience over the years.  Goodbye for now."

The members of the Assembly rose as one as the Empress was helped off the rostrum by Lady Victoria Jensen, and walked out of the chamber.  Several commentators said she looked far older upon leaving than she did coming into the chamber, "... like her years caught up to her all at once," said one observer.  "She looks every bit of 62 years old," said another.  "I know that but it was striking that when she came in, I was remarking to my fellow how young she still looked."  As she left, the crowd bowed respectfully until she had departed the chamber, and then there was a loud ovation and applause from the assembled Deputies.

"I am sure she heard that," said the Deputy we spoke with.  "I hope she did."

@TheRepublic

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Emperor and Empress are Crowned in Eveari
Brethrenist Ceremony attended by Foreign Dignitaries
Eveari, Grand Duchy of Ananto
June 15, 5672


Emperor Fredrick IV Ananto and Empress Jennifer I Ananto at the Imperial Seat in Kaliburg

The new sovereigns of the Anantonese Empire have been officially crowned in Eveari. His Imperial Majesty Emperor Fredrick IV Ananto and Her Imperial Majesty Empress Jennifer I Ananto have been handed all formal and political authority in Kalistan by the new Princess of the Empire Mary Ananto-DeLaurentis in a Brethrenist Meeting for Business with attention to Coronation.

The Crown Prince and Princess arrived in Eveari the day before the ceremony and the Royal family held a private reception for visiting dignitaries. Among those who attended are: His Highness, the Grand Duke of Kalistan, Craig Alvarez-Suldanor; Imperial Viceroy of Gaduridos, Lord Javier Treviño; Sir George Alvarez, Former King of Baltusia; Chancellor of Valruzia Iwan Nowik and former Chancellor Szymon Nowik; Sangmo, Premier of Xsampa, and Xsampan Custodian of the Democratic Republic, Dhargay Allemand; His Majesty, Khan Nurhaci and Foreign Minister Taksi Gioro of Bianjie; His Majesty, King Artemio and Queen Anastasia Alexanderova of Egelion; Triad Foreign Minister Konrad Burschenschauer; Luthorian Prince of Orange William; and His Majesty Emperor Tommaso, Empress Melissa, His Excellency Minister of Foreign Affair Lucio Dallara and consort, and Istalian Ambasador to Kalistan Daniela Santarelli and consort from Istalia. The dignitaries all stayed at Ananto Estate in Eveari Saturday afternoon, and indulged in various recreation and relaxation throughout the afternoon. An excellent supper in the evening of chicken and pasta was served for the guests.

Early the next morning, the dignitaries were driven from the Estate two miles through town to the Brethrenist Meeting where they were shown their seats and the meeting began. The silent worship began as the Clerk of the Meeting explained the expectations of the Community, and then silence was settled into for 30 minutes. The silence was broken as the Chancellor of the Empire, Lady Jennifer Alvarez-Miller spoke up and said "Friends, as the Chancellor of the Empire, the responsibility falls upon me to serve as the collective voice of the People and ask you, Prince Fredrick Ananto-Collins, and Princess Jennifer Ananto-Connor to rule over your people with unyielding mind and persistent attention to Justice and to the Common Good of the people of your Nation." Both Prince Fredrick Ananto-Collins and Princess Jennifer Ananto-Connor both stood and affirmed that they would. And with that, political authority and legitimacy of rule descended upon the new Emperor and Empress of Ananto and Kalistan and Co-Sovereigns of the Anantonese Empire.

Her Highness, Princess of the Empire, Mary Ananto-DeLaurentis had submitted her formal Letter of Abdication to the Chancellor earlier in the day. She was in attendance at the Eveari Meeting with the Lady Victoria Jensen, The Princess' Companion, along with Count Martin Collins of Sulari. They both looked proud of their son.

Her Highness, Princess Nicolette Ananto-Collins was present and was charged to represent the Peerage of Ananto and Kalistan. "I have been asked by the Lords, Ladies and Land Peers of Ananto and Kalistan to request His Imperial Majesty and Her Imperial Majesty to serve as our Lieges for as long as they may, and in exchange for our perpetual fealty, to always work to protect the Order and the Institution of Aristocracy, do nothing to imperil or impoverish your Peers, and always protect your people from avarice, enemy, or oppression." Both Emperor Fredrick IV Ananto and Empress Jennifer I Ananto affirmed they would. The meeting continued for another 20 minutes as members of the Brethrenist Meeting offered blessings for the new Monarchs, as well as admonitions for the Royals to encourage them to govern justly and fairly and remind them that the hopes and prayers of the nation are with them.

After the Meeting ended, the Brethren gathered to greet the new Monarchs and to wish them well. They were also formally greeted by the distinguished visitors from abroad. The formal air around the two new Monarchs was reinforced by several formal bows and courtesies by attending Peers, including the entire Royal Family. Afterward, the guests returned to Ananto Estate as the new Emperor and Empress, along with the Chancellor of the Empire, Princess Nicolette Ananto-Collins, the Grand Duke of Kalistan, and several of the peers went to the train station where they boarded a train to Kaliburg. Upon arrival, a Formal Audience was initiated by the Chancellor of the Empire, and the Coronation Ceremony began. It was said to be far more formal than it has been in the past, by order of the former Empress, acting upon the requests of the Government. Few details of the ceremony were released at the time, but the process involved a ritual disrobing of both monarchs, likely down to their underclothes, so they could be dressed in new Coronation Robes created specifically for this occasion. As they were each assisted to their Consort Throne in their gem encrusted robes, the Chancellor of the Empire placed a gem encrusted crown on each of their Heads.

Immediately following the Coronation, an official photo was taken of the Monarchs, and they once again received proxy declarations of Loyalty and Fealty from the Chancellor, speaking on behalf of the People of Kalistan, the Princess Nicolette, who spoke on Behalf of the Nobility, and the Grand Duke of Kalistan, who spoke on behalf of the Aristocracy and the Gentry. The ceremony was reportedly meticulous and formally rigid, as all read their parts from prepared cards provided by the Chancellor of the Empire.

Following the Fealty Declaration, the new Sovereigns were assisted once more in removing their respective robes, and in dressing in new Clothing by their attendants. The Coronation Robes and the new Crowns were escorted from the Seat, and were returned to Eveari where they will be displayed in the Crown Jewels Museum next to Mary's Coronation Dress and Crown. Then, also new to the Coronation, the two were escorted to the Front Steps of the Imperial Seat, where a large crowd of Kaliburg's citizenry had gathered. As the new Emperor and Empress stepped forward, the Chancellor read the Official Styles of the Monarchs as:

People of Ananto and Kalistan, May I be the first to present you:

"By the Consent of the People, His Imperial Majesty, of the Ancient House of Ananto, Emperor and Sovereign of The Anantonese Empire, Emperor of Ananto, Kalistan and Gaduridos, King of Vintalli, King of Andalay, King of Karzon, King of Sekowo, Grand Duke of Ananto, Grand Duke of Isle of Sutton, Duke of Icehaven, Duke of Athosia, Duke of Outannais, Count of Davon, Count of Dah, Commander in Chief of the Regular Forces of Kalistan, Sovereign and Grand Master of the Ancient Order of the Grey Smoke, Sovereign and Grand Master of the Excellent Order of the Anantonese Empire, Sovereign and Grand Master of the Order of Vintalli, Sovereign and Grand Master of the Order of Andalay, Defender of the Realm, Formal Head of the Anantonese Government, Embodiment of the Anantonese Nation, Arktouros, Guarantor of the Anantonese Ocean and Ananto Strait, Fredrick IV Ananto."

And

"By the Consent of the People, Her Imperial Majesty, of the Ancient House of Ananto, Empress and Sovereign of The Anantonese Empire, Empress of Ananto, Kalistan, and Gaduridos, Grand Duchess of Ananto, Grand Duchess of Isle of Sutton, Duchess of Icehaven, Countess of Davon, Countess of Dah, Baroness of Zappa Defender of the Realm, Formal Head of the Anantonese Government, Embodiment of the Anantonese Nation, Evenstar, Guarantor of the Anantonese Ocean and Ananto Strait, Jennifer I Ananto."

The New Sovereigns waved at the crowd, who cheered loudly, and chanted "Viva! Viva! Viva!" to the Emperor and Empress. The Emperor then stepped forward to shake the hands of those in front of the throng, but this move caused a panic in both the Chancellor and the new Empress, and the Chancellor quickly stepped forward, positioned herself between the Emperor and the people of Kaliburg, and, with eyes and head lowered, spoke to the Emperor something inaudibly. The new Emperor stopped short, looked at the Chancellor, lowered his hand, smiled once again, and bowed his head to his people instead. The Crowd, who knew precisely what had happened, cheered even louder for the sign of respect and dignity offered by the Emperor. The Emperor was quickly joined by the Empress, who also waved at her new subjects from this close proximity, but did not attempt to reach out to the people.

"It was such a display of courtesy and respect by the new Emperor and Empress to approach the crowd like that," said one person who attended the viewing. "His Imperial Majesty seems like he may be a man of the people," said another. "This was a mistake on his part, approaching the crowd like that, because if they had touched him, that would have made them criminals," said a third, "but then he turned it into a show of respect for his people. I wasn't in the front row there, but I saw him bow to all of us, and I just thought, he's ours. He will really be for the people. That's what I want from my leaders." Others noted that the Empress appeared to be glowing during the ceremony. "Oh well, of course, she's a supermodel," said one witness. "She's a knock out. That's who I want representing this nation. Her smile lit up the whole street in front of the Imperial Seat. It was stunning to see."

Following a few brief remarks, the bells at the Imperial Seat chimed, and the Emperor and Empress returned to the Seat to sign their first documents using their new Seals, one which formally accepted the Abdication of the new Princess of the Empire Mary Ananto-DeLaurentis, and her entitlement to Princess of the Empire. Another confirmed her possession of the County of Eveari. The third document was a proclamation declaring June 16-June 20 of this year a National Holiday for the purpose of celebration, and closed all government buildings for a week. The Emperor and Empress then returned to Eveari where they met the Family and guests once more for a reception with live music from the Eveari Chamber Quartet. The People of Everai were welcomed to the Estate where a second party ensued.

The Emperor and Empress will continue to live at their home in Lolla for the remainder of June, as they take possession of Cliff House. In July, the Lolla townhome will be sold, and it is expected that the new Monarchs will remain in Kaliburg permanently, though will use both Playa de Paz and Ananto Estate in Eveari as their vacation homes. Her Highness, the Princess of the Empire Mary Ananto-DeLaurentis will return to Wood House in Odufaray, which she will retain possession of, and she and Lady Jensen will split their time between there and Playa de Paz.

And thus begins the dual monarchy of Emperor Fredrick IV Ananto and Empress Jennifer I Ananto.

Long Live the Emperor and Empress!

@TheRepublic

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Commentary:  The Imperial Titles
New Emperor and Empress have wildly different Titles
Kaliburg, Grand Duchy of Ananto
July 1, 5672


The New Emperor and Empress, with the Chancellor of the Empire, at Imperial Seat after Coronation

Many readers have written in to ask about the variation in Imperial Titles applied to His Imperial Majesty, Emperor Fredrick IV Ananto and Her Imperial Majesty Empress Jennifer I Ananto.  One reader sums up most of the confusion in her Letter:

"Dear Editor of The Kalistani Republic

I read the titles of both the Emperor and the Empress following the Coronation.  It seems he has way more titles that she does.  I thought they were co-sovereigns.  So shouldn't they have the same titles?  I guess I just don't quite understand why they have different titles, and some are missing all together.  Can you explain, please?  Sincerely Megan, in Eveari"

Well, yes, actually, we can Megan: for you and all the other readers who are writing in asking similar questions.  These titles are all part of the new Emperor and Empresses’ official “Style”.  The Official Styles are literally their official names.  The same way we would be called Mr. Tom Zimmerman or Ms. Donna Howard, the Styles are their legal names— the entire thing.  They are required, by law to carry these names their entire tenure in office.

But the law also allows everyone to shorten them to His and Her Imperial Majesty, Emperor Fredrick IV (or the Fourth of that Name) Ananto and Empress Jennifer I (or First of that Name) Ananto. We are permitted by law to shorten the Formal Style to the Shortened Style, for obvious and practical reasons. Informally (and further shortened) they are either His and Her Imperial Majesty, or The Emperor and The Empress. House law dictates when and how each of these can and is used legally.

So, lets break this informal part down even more.  Emperor Fredrick IV Ananto is named this because three Fredrick Ananto's preceded him.  His given name is Fredrick-Martin David Ananto-Collins.  Imperial tradition has a hyphenated first name, a singular middle name, and a hyphenated last name.  The hyphenated first name is his real first name and then an honorable name, in this case, its his father's, while his Middle Name is usually assigned as a nickname, though it is really only used during his youth, and the last name is hyphenated to put the most prestigious name first, in this case its Ananto, received from his mother, and the lest prestigious name second, in this case, its his father's name.  It does not necessarily go father-mother order as it does in Gaduridos, but signified the more important family name.

As he is now Emperor, His Imperial Majesty is required by law to drop the Hyphenation, which signified that he is now Sovereign and not just royalty. Having a non-hyphenated last name, just Ananto, is a Royal privilege belonging only to the monarch: all others using Ananto must hyphenate their name. This is to signify that the Monarch is “THE Ananto”, or the holder of the title Ananto, and all other Ananto’s are not. It’s like modifying nouns with adjectives. There’s a Wall, and there’s a short wall. You modify it to suggest that there is a general concept, and specific types of that general concept. In this case, Ananto is the general concept, while the hyphenated name is a specific type of that. Kinda confusing but there is an internal logic there.

Empress Jennifer I Ananto was born a commoner, so her name is technically Jennifer Antonia Connor, though she could claim Connor-Albertson (her father and Mother's name in that order.)  Instead, she kept Connor when married, but took Ananto because she was married to the Crown Prince and officially joined the Royal Family in doing so, and she kept her own last name in hyphenation, and then lost the hyphenation again when she became Empress Last month.

(Incidentally, the Children of this couple then can and do go by her hyphenated name Ananto-Connor, as their official hyphenated Last Name. The name is Ananto from their Father (the more prestigious name comes first), and Conner from their Mother, and they will carry that their entire lives.)

Now, let's look at their Formal Styles.

"By the Consent of the People, His Imperial Majesty, of the Ancient House of Ananto, Emperor and Sovereign of The Anantonese Empire, Emperor of Ananto, Kalistan and Gaduridos, King of Vintalli, King of Andalay, King of Karzon, King of Sekowo, Grand Duke of Ananto, Grand Duke of Isle of Sutton, Duke of Icehaven, Duke of Athosia, Duke of Outannais, Count of Davon, Count of Dah, Commander in Chief of the Regular Forces of Kalistan, Sovereign and Grand Master of the Ancient Order of the Grey Smoke, Sovereign and Grand Master of the Excellent Order of the Anantonese Empire, Sovereign and Grand Master of the Order of Vintalli, Sovereign and Grand Master of the Order of Andalay, Defender of the Realm, Formal Head of the Anantonese Government, Embodiment of the Anantonese Nation, Arktouros, Guarantor of the Anantonese Ocean and Ananto Strait, Fredrick IV Ananto."

And

"By the Consent of the People, Her Imperial Majesty, of the Ancient House of Ananto, Empress and Sovereign of The Anantonese Empire, Empress of Ananto, Kalistan, and Gaduridos, Grand Duchess of Ananto, Grand Duchess of Isle of Sutton, Duchess of Icehaven, Countess of Davon, Countess of Dah, Baroness of Zappa Defender of the Realm, Formal Head of the Anantonese Government, Embodiment of the Anantonese Nation, Evenstar, Guarantor of the Anantonese Ocean and Ananto Strait, Jennifer I Ananto."

We'll take this apart title by title below, and explain a little bit about the source and the meaning of the title. These appellations in the formal Official Styles are listed in order of “precedence”, summarized as “more important, or senior comes first” meaning king comes before Duke, Duke comes before count, domestic comes before foreign, peerage comes before non peerage, and etc., according to Kalistani House Law. Bolded titles are those held by both Emperor and Empress, while Bold and Italicized belong to one or the other, but not both.

"By Consent of the People"
This is a reminder that the Monarchy was instituted by the People of Kalistan.  It remains technically possible for the people to abolish it if they wish, and the fact that they do not suggests that their consent is still present.  The popularity of the Monarchy ensures consent remains.

"His/Her Imperial Majesty"
The first Part of the Main title, this is the equivalent of our "mr." and "ms."  It is a title of polity.

"of the Ancient House of Ananto"
The House of Ananto, or the hereditary owners of the title of the Grand Duchy of Ananto, legally controls the Imperial Crown.  All Emperors and Empresses are Nominal Heads of the House of Ananto, though recently House Ananto has been in practice, run by a close member of the Family.

"Emperor/Empress and Sovereign of The Anantonese Empire"
This title places the Emperor and Empress as Sovereign of the Anantonese Empire, which includes Ananto, Kalistan and Gaduridos, formerly Lodamun, and all the nominal claims in the Crown Lands, or any other member states who should seek to join the Anantonese Empire.

"Emperor/Empress of Ananto, Kalistan and Gaduridos"
This title belongs to the Head of State of Ananto, Kalistan Proper and Gaduridos.  Gaduridos is functionally a Constituent Member of the Anantonese Empire, and its acting Head of State is The Emperor's Direct Viceroy.  Gaduridos is therefore governed indirectly by the Emperor and Empress:  in Practice, the Viceroy acts on guidance from the Emperor in Kaliburg, but coordinates with the Gaduri Government independently, especially in all matters of domestic policy.  This is the title of Primacy for both Emperor and Empress, and sets them as equals in terms of power and Sovereignty.  If the Empress was not co-ruler, her title would contain Consort, whatever other titles she possessed.  Empress Jennifer I Ananto is not a consort.  Her fiat therefore carries as much weight as Emperor Fredrick IV Ananto, and disagreements will need to be worked out between the two before the Government may act.

"King of Vintalli, King of Andalay, King of Karzon, King of Sekowo, Duke of Athosia, Duke of Outannais,"
The Emperor only may claim Crown Lands titles.  They are inherited directly from Mary Ananto.  The titles are controversial and disputed, as they assert Imperial claims over lands that are at present administered by other nations.  The only one that is even close is the Kingdom of Vintalli, but Gaduridos does not recognize that title, and therefore, Kalistan is not permitted to split the Kingdom of Vintalli off from Gaduridos and add it to direct control from Kaliburg.

"Grand Duke/Duchess of Ananto, Grand Duke/Duchess of Isle of Sutton, Duke/Duchess of Icehaven"
The Grand Duchies are equivalent to kingdoms in most nations, however, they have been subsumed in larger entities, Ananto in Kalistan, and Sutton and Icehaven in Hutori.  These are hereditary titles to these sub national entities, and are attached to the Crown, rather than the Individual.

"Count/Countess of Davon, Count/Countess of Dah"
The Emperor and Empress retain claim to the County of Davon Traditionally, as it is the location of the Seat of Government.  Cliff House, the Imperial Residency, and previously Wilson House, falls just outside of the Free City of Kaliburg/Port Davon and therefore is also the seat of the County of Davon.  The Emperor also holds the County of Dah, and the Empress receives Countess as a Courtesy Title due to her marriage to the Count.

"Baroness of Zappa"
The Empress alone possess this title, having been named Baroness by the Previous Empress, as a prerequisite to her joining the Peerage.  It is a formal and a personal title, and the Emperor may technically claim it as a courtesy title, due to his marriage to the Baroness, but he has opted not to, allowing her to administer her demesne herself.

"Commander in Chief of the Regular Forces of Kalistan"
Unified Chain of Command requires a single authority at the top.  The Emperor possesses this title by virtue of his line of succession.  The Empress married the Commander in Chief, but this role is not eligible for Courtesy Title because it is not a peer title.

"Sovereign and Grand Master of the Ancient Order of the Grey Smoke, Sovereign and Grand Master of the Excellent Order of the Anantonese Empire, Sovereign and Grand Master of the Order of Vintalli, Sovereign and Grand Master of the Order of Andalay"
The Emperor is Sovereign and Grand Master of the Chivalric Orders due to his induction and line of direct succession from the previous Grand Master of the Order, in this case, Mary Ananto.  The Empress is only a member of the Ancient Order of the Grey Smoke, and did not receive the promotion.  These titles are not eligible for Courtesy Titles as they are not peerages.

"Defender of the Realm, Formal Head of the Anantonese Government, Embodiment of the Anantonese Nation"
These titles are formally attached to the Crown, and are not personal.  So both the Emperor and Empress hold them.

"Arktouros/Evenstar"
A recent addition to the Official Style, meant to provide a bit of grace and beauty to the Style.  Arktouros is Kalopian for "Watcher of the Bear," or in the more modern sense, "Guardian of the North" while Evenstar refers to the Evening and Morning Star, and the Selucian Goddess of Love and Beauty.  Evenstar was first adopted and used as a title by Mary Ananto, and Arktouros was adopted as the male equivalent by His Imperial Majesty, Emperor Fredrick IV Ananto.

"Guarantor of the Anantonese Ocean and Ananto Strait"
The longstanding, perhaps the most archaic title held by the Emperor and Empress, pre-4th Dynasty Kalistan referred to itself as the Guarantor of the Anantonese Ocean and the Ananto Strait.  This title is attached to the Crown, not the individual.

"Fredrick IV Ananto/Jennifer I Ananto"
As discussed above, this is their name, obviously it is attached to the person, but specifically, it means the Fourth Ananto to call himself Fredrick and the First Ananto to call herself Jennifer.  It is interesting to note that Ananto is not the family's actual last name, originally.  The Fourth Dynasty were descendants of Fredrick Guerra, and the Fifth Dynasty are all descendants of Carolina Hulanevek.  So if there were no monarchy, it is theoretically possible that Fredrick would be named Fredrick Guerra-Hulanevek, if he existed at all.  Ananto therefore is more correctly "Member of the Organization known as House Ananto" which is literally the only way to become Emperor.  In ancient times, Ananto was a title, or Emperor of the Island of Ananto.  Today, Ananto functions as a last name, but it carries with it a far greater connotation.

So you can see:  Some titles, especially those which go with the Crown are ones that both share.  Some titles are individual titles, and some titles are courtesy titles.  And the Crown Lands' titles and Chivalric Order titles stay with the direct descendants of Carolina Hulanevek by law and custom.  It can be confusing, but there is a very specific justification for each similarity and difference, and learning that is key to understanding our Monarchy!

--Charlie Goodwin, Feature Editor
@TheRepublic

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Emperor's First Major Speech Deals with Kundrati
"It could go either way, but there are promising signs" said new Monarch
Kaliburg, Grand Duchy of Ananto
September 20, 5672


His Imperial Majesty Addresses National Assembly

In his first major address before the National Assembly, His Imperial Majesty, Emperor Fredrick IV Ananto stunned the Foreign Policy establishment in the Empire of Ananto and Kalistan. When he asked for time to address the Assembly, it was believed that he was going to announce major changes to the Government that he has been teasing for months. However, the topic of this speech was not a Government shakeup but a message on Kalistan's old enemy Kundrati. Below is the text of His Imperial Majesty's brief speech:

Deputies of the National Assembly,

We approach this hollowed body to lay out our National Security and Foreign Policy priorities for the coming year. Specifically, we wish to inform the National Assembly of our intention to take an interest in the developments in Kundrati, with the aim of finally, hopefully, and permanently resolving our longstanding disputes with that nation and establish a peaceful modus vivendi with them. If the Deputies and the Government has been keeping abreast of Artanian News, it shall have come to their attention that there has been a major shift in that nation's political establishment which brooks some encouragement for a positive change there. We shall provide some details as we have learned them.

It would appear that the fascists, or as they are saying, Ordosocialists, have fallen, have been outlawed, and are currently being hunted by the National Government under the KPP. Students of history will recall that Kalistani Partisans served under KPP command during the Second Kundrati War. Following that war, though the Legion merely changed its name to the Vanguard, and remained entirely in power for another four decades, the KPP for its part went underground.

The main catalyst for KPP reactivation was the death of the demagogue Jozef Otčenáš, himself a complete devotee to the cult of Sladek, after which point his son, the most inferior iteration of the same fascist original yet, launched a reign of terror that resulted in a popular uprising against the Vanguard Party. In the midst of this insanity, the election of 5668 was held which produced a surprising result of voters turning out the Vanguard Party. The Vanguardists predictably launched a temper tantrum because they lost an election they believed they had ensured for themselves, and the subsequent reaction their shameful display of sore-loserism produced from the Government was both extremely violent and extremely destructive to the Capital and especially to the State of Lirnak.

The KPP, however showed their mettle by launching a nationwide campaign of De-Legionification, employing some of the most brutal, but absolutely necessary tactics to root out the cancer of Kundrati fascism. They did this on their own accord, with no request for or offer of assistance from any other nation. They, in short did what the Allies failed to do at the end of the Kundrati War. It was brutal. It was probably extra legal, but it was completely necessary. The last of the Cult leaders of that horrific ideology, Legionaryism, was finally killed a mere 18 months ago after terrorizing the people of Lirnak for years.

We have been watching these developments with some interest. It now appears that, though their campaign to crush all remnants of the fascist ideology and cult of personality is ongoing, they are preparing to hold this coming election in an environment of relative tranquility and social order, a condition which has not existed in Kundrati for the better part of a century, ever since the sociopath Sladek declared war on the entire national identity of Kundrati. We will watch these elections in Kundrati, and for the first time, in a long time, it would appear that there is a spark of hope coming from that eternally cursed quarter.

We would like to emphasize: We are not currently considering removing any sanctions still in place against that Nation. They are taking the first few steps toward a better future. But Kalistan has been tricked by Kundrati before, and not so long ago as a matter of fact. Nor can we resume normal relations with a nation that continues to murder its own people, no matter how justifiable those executions may be. At the moment, we are merely in the place where the Empire of Ananto and Kalistan can simply say that we appreciate the steps they are taking to burn that horrid ideology into oblivion.

Kalistan and Kundrati, if we ever get to a point where we can make peace, have a long way to go before we can call one another friends again. The people of Kundrati have been sadly brainwashed to hate and fear Kalistan for generations. And Kalistanis legitimately have numerous grievances against the people and the Government of Kundrati, not least of which include the sinking of our 4th Fleet, the chemical gas attacks on three of our Northern Cities, including our capital, in the living memory of many Kalistani Nationals, incessant harassment, demonization and beligerence, as well as the myriad moral outrages of the Legionary regime. We will not be friends any time soon, and repair of relations will take a long time, in the off chance that they happen at all.

But we have, today, ordered our Foreign Ministry to begin exploring ways to open up to that Artanian Nation, if for no other reason than to reduce the long standing tensions between our two nations and our two continents. The Kundrati Menace is still very present. Who knows what direction the upcoming elections will go? But the Vanguard Party has been outlawed, Legionary Partisans are indeed being liquidated, and Kundrati appears to be doing what is necessary to finally take steps in the correct direction, and meet the conditions of the Allies following the ceasefire in the war, of having free elections which the Legionary deadenders cannot participate in and de-legionification of the nation.

Kalistan will not be taken in again. While we have instructed our Foreign Minister to look for possible openings toward Kundrati, we have also warned Mr. Hewlet to carefully evaluate each opportunity. We wish him to determine first and foremost whether any such opening, should it present itself, is genuine using a set of criteria including who or what is to be gained by Kundrati. Our Mother, Princess of the Empire Mary Ananto-DeLaurentis, the last Kalistani to negotiate anything with a Kundrati, has been in close consultation with our Foreign Minister to provide him her impressions, and will remain in consultation through each opportunity. She is very opposed to any talks with Kundrati on any matter. But she has been asked to provide her sober and expert judgement, and Mr. Hewlett will bring every opportunity that seems genuine to us to make the final determination on.

We said we were interested in reaching out to the World. We seek to expand upon that now. While we will do nothing to jeopardize Kalistani National Security, or the security of the Anantonese Empire, we have to extend that offer as widely as possible. We will not deal with fascists. We will certainly not deal with Legionaries. Every opening from Kundrati, following their return to domestic peace and after their De-Legionization campaign has mostly done its work, will still be taken with a very healthy dose of skepticism. But the developments in Kundrati over these last four years, have demonstrated that cynicism is no longer appropriate. If we want Kundrati to return to the community of Nations, we at some point have to let them.

Trust but verify. Kundrati has had a very long history of deceit. The full break in relations between our two nation came during the time of our great grandmother, the Kundrati Empress Carolina I Ananto. It was her mother, the Black Empress Pavlina Ananto-Hulanevek who came to this nation barely speaking a word of Vrassan, from Kundrati. Our family was estranged from that nation long before our mother was born. She was a baby when Kundrati gassed our capital. We do not forget that hateful attitude held by that nation against ours and our family specifically. Kundrati could forgive a heretic, but they could never tolerate an apostate. That bad blood, those harsh feelings will be very difficult to overcome.

But for the first time in generations, we believe it could be possible to do just that. We wish to give peace a fighting chance. We will not jump blindly into peace with them. But we will also not endure any external, international critique of our efforts by foreign nations, even our close allies, the way our own mother had to endure. It is our intention to at least try, and if we fail in the effort, at least we stood up and made the effort. And those nations who feel they need to levy complaints about the effort can politely keep their opinions to themselves. We alone determine Kalistani foreign policy: this is not some sort of weird international democracy, where other nations get a vote.

We are told that the bookmakers give any opening with Kundrati 42:1 odds of success at this point. These are, for those not familiar with longshot odds, very long indeed. We would say the book makers are being a bit generous in their determination of our chances of opening, any time in the near future, at any rate, with Kundrati. But: if they continue on their current path of rooting out the toxic ideology in their society and burning it publicly as an example to others who can be, shall we say, more peacefully convinced to change their mind, continue holding free elections which cannot be manipulated of captured by that outlaw cult, eventually restore the rule of law and end summary executions of Legionaries, and continue working to seriously repair their relations with their neighbors and the world, the long shot may just pay off.

And if that is the case, Kalistan stands to reap the benefits of our bet on peace. While there is a far greater chance that we fail, at least we will not fail as catastrophically as we did when we were at open war with Kundrati. At this point, It could go either way, but there are promising signs coming from Artanian. We are not even sure that Kundrati is now, or ever will be willing to speak with us. Despite their reforms, we still have no contact with that nation, in any form. But, perhaps it is time to move past the war. It is time to look for a chance to give Kundrati, the land of our Ancestors' births. It is our Will, and as such, is unquestionable.

With that the Emperor left the rostrum, while the Deputies stood and bowed to the departing Emperor, as per custom. As soon as he left, mayhem swept the chamber, as Deputy after Deputy attempted to gain the Speaker of the Assembly's attention for a floor speech.

The news that the new Emperor is looking for a way to start talking to Kundrati sent political shockwaves across Ananto and Kalistan. The KalSiE immediately reacted, gaining more than 4.5% on the day as money flooded into export related stocks, while rumors began to spread in Bozo River CATC that the 1st Fleet would be pre-emptively deployed in case things went south between the two nations. They are currently in their barracks at Bozo River, and the Command was compelled to secure early to pass word that there are no deployment orders coming from Naval HQ, nor is there any alert.

Early public sentiment was mixed, and broke down along generational lines: older Kalistanis nationwide were by and large against any opening toward Kundrati, and called the move everything from "stupid and shortsighted" to "dangerous to National Security," to "capitulation." Meanwhile, younger generations, especially the 18-35 demographic were more positive on the announcement. "We have been hostile toward Kundrati for decades," said one Sulari resident. "Why? What have they done in the past 40 years? I think it is worth it to take a chance on peace, especially if it gives Kalistan another partner in the world." Another said "The Emperor is part Kundrati. It makes sense he would want to try to find a way to repair relations. We repaired relations with Baltusia and Luthori. Let's keep that going..." First Glance online polls showed Kalistanis were 52% in favor of trying to find a way to establish peaceful co-existence with Kundrati.

@TheRepublic

[Doc]

Matthew López, Bronze medalist in Judo, hopes to Popularize Sport in Kalistan
"Judo was just something I started doing" says young Medalist
Szary, Valruzia
November 6, 5672


Matthew López, Bronze Medalist of Yoshimi, Suldanor at the Seleyan Judo Championship in Valruzia last summer

Matthew López, who took Bronze in the 5672 Seleyan Judo Championships in Szary, Valruzia last June says he wants to make judo popular in Kalistan. "The Martial Art of Judo comes from Northern Dovani," said López, who finished fourth overall, but earned the medal from winning his consolation bracket after being beaten in the semifinals by the Valruzian Chancellor, Iwan Nowick. "It's easy to get into, to learn, and you become super fit doing it. It's great exercise, both for the body and the mind, and requires a large amount of discipline."

López says the philosophy of judo should appeal to Kalistanis, naturally. "It is really the martial arts of throwing, and throttling to force a submission or a pin. It's like wrestling in a lot of ways, but there is almost no striking, or kicking. It doesn't require massive physical strength or overwhelming physical domination to win." López said that the idea is to use an opponent's strengths against them, to turn those things into weaknesses which are then exploited to the advantage of the practitioner. "I'd say that aligns with Kalistan's national thought: We are the small nation that routinely fights well above our weight class, and turns those things others do well into their weaknesses. It would seem that more Kalistanis should be completely into this martial art."

López said he only recently began doing judo. "I went through all the ranks at a fairly normal speed. I'm not some sort of prodigy or anything." The 24 year old said he began judo club in highschool, and continued learning and training during his time in the National Service Program. "During our off times, we would go into Dana and study with Sensei Daniel Matsui from Seko at the Dana Judo club. "He oversaw my belt exams, and I earned my black belt just before I got out of the NSP. Working bridge repair in the Dana brigade kept me close to Dana and allowed me and a few friends to practice in the evenings." López said he wasn't the largest guy at the contest, but that didn't prevent him from doing well.

"Now I would like to be kind of an ambassador of Judo in Kalistan," he said when he asked how he intends to turn to his success into something larger. "I live back in Yoshimi and would like to work with senseis in Kalistan to form a National Judo Association, very similar to our International Go Association." The championships he competed in were sanctioned by the Valruzian based Judo federation, and López said he would like to affiliate to make a formal Northern Seleyan Judo Association once Kalistan's federation gets up and running.

"Our judo clubs are all locally based, and are pretty widely scattered in the nation," said López. "There's no real coordination, and the few people who participate in Judo in Kalistan see it more of as a hobby than anything competitive. But I think if we formalized it all here, developed our own competitions and our own practitioners here in Kalistan, basing our rules largely upon the rules that are acceptable internationally, I think the martial art would gain a lot more credibility in Kalistan, and would become more popular. I mean, for me, Judo was just something I started doing when I was looking for a way to keep fit in High School. If I can do it, anyone can, and I think lots of people should."

López says he is encouraged. "We've already had some success: the Yoshimi Schools have already agreed to include Judo as a PE option from 7th Grade forward. They have even hired Valruzian Master Stanisław Kowalski to pilot the program at Central High School. That is a step forward. We have a lot to do before Judo hits anything like critical mass in Kalistan. But for now, even if we get some more people interested and build its popularity, I'll call that a success." López said he wants to continue studying Judo in his off time while he continues working as a longshoreman at the port in Yoshimi. "I envision, once I complete my own studies, I would like to open my own Dojo in Yoshimi. I'll need a sensei to help me though, so, there's also that."

Congratulations to Mr. López and we wish him all the luck and good fortune as he continues his work to popularize Judo in Kalistan.

@LaModa

[Doc]

Kalistani News in Brief: Empress announces that she will have her second child
New Political Chief named to Luthorian Embassy; Art Rock movement takes off in Kaliburg
Kaliburg, Grand Duchy of Ananto
February 19, 5673


Empress Jennifer I Ananto visits the Addisjah Car Show last summer checking out the new 5673 EV-12 from MotorVrassa

Empress announces that she will have her second Child
The Office of the Empress has announce that Her Imperial Majesty, Empress Jennifer I Ananto will have her second child in July of this year. The Empress, 31, said she and His Imperial Majesty Emperor Fredrick IV Ananto are excited for the new addition to the Royal Family, and look forward to welcoming the rest of the pregnancy. "Her Imperial Majesty intends to stay at home until it is time to deliver her child into the world," said the Empress' Spokeswoman Ms. Amber Dawson. "She had some early complications which have since cleared themselves up, the baby is healthy and is growing well, but her physician and obstetrician has advised her to take it easy and relax for the rest of her pregnancy."

Ms. Dawson said the Empress has insisted on remaining busy while at home, despite her light duty status. "Her Imperial Majesty is managing Imperial clerical tasks along with the Emperor, and is also studying Egelian to become more fluent. She also receives visits at Cliff House from various peers who stop in the wish her well or have her help them conduct their business. She is just not sitting at the Imperial Seat currently or holding and formal audiences."

Her Imperial Majesty has kept herself busy last summer and fall before undergoing her pregnancy related health scare. Last summer she announced a new innitiative to improve battery technology for Kalistan's EVs and made an appearance in Addisjah to talk with both her old bosses at MotorVrassa and executives from MoCo who were showing new cars. She has also began working with Nevaras to expand highspeed rail in the Duchy. Currently, they have the lowest number of miles of commuter and passenger track, and she went to Nevaras City to present the Ducal Government a grant to begin to remedy that.

New Political Chief named to Luthorian Embassy
With the reopening of the Kalistani Embassy in Fort William, Their Imperial Majesties' Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Jeffrey Hewlett has named a new political officer to the Embassy, as part of the process of naming a new Ambassador to Luthori. The Political Officer, a career Foreign Service Civil Servant, the Right Honorable Mr. Edward Hendricks has been with the Foreign Ministry for twelve years. This post is his first Political Officer position. Previously Mr. Hendricks served with the Viceregal Office in Ciudad de Gaduri.

"I really look forward to analyzing the changing political situation in Luthori. It seems they are under some sort of change, and this is an exciting time to be in Artania and representing His and Her Imperial Majesties" said Mr. Hendricks. "But my job is particularly important. I have to observe and report, so that an appropriate candidate for Ambassador can be named that will be the person for this environment. My reports will help the Foreign Ministry make their recommendations."

Mr. Hendricks is currently the senior member of the Embassy Staff and is therefore, technically, Kalistan's representative to Fort William. "Oh heavens no, I don't have any real diplomatic responsibilities right now. Any actual consular issues, I either refer them to the Consul General here at the Embassy, and diplomatic issues, I get Kaliburg on the phone. My staff is purely functionary. I have four analysts right now who work in this office. I suppose my position makes me the senior man, but this is hardly anything like a fully operational embassy at this point. That will change eventually, but right now, we're just talking and listening, to see who will best serve Kalistan." Hendricks said he did not expect a new Ambassador to be named for a few years. "The Consulate works well for what we need right now, and Luthori hasn't named an Ambassador either, so that's where we are at the minute. Getting this place cleaned is our first priority."

IBSI is also believed to have reopened their offices in the Embassy. Hendricks strategically ducked all questions about IBSI.

Art Rock Movement takes off in Kaliburg
The new Art Rock Movement, a collective of sonic art students who make what can best be described as Art rock, have gained prominence in the Kaliburg club scene in recent months. More and more shows are being hosted by art rock bands. The movement draws heavily on both rock, classical and jazz influences, and has, to date featured students of musical instrumentation.

Anne Jean, an art rock musician said, "Well, I got into this thing the promoters are starting to call Art Rock, because I discovered the late great Jennifer Stepanov's music when I was a teenager. She was very inspiring to me to just kind of begin to write songs of all these different kind." Jean is a guitar virtuoso and plays her instrument in a very unorthodox fashion. "I was so impressed with her kind of anti-pop ideas, and figured it was time to start doing this full time, rather than going to school." Jean is at the center of a growing movement that is adding a more orchestral sensibility to rock music, and imagining rock as performance, not only in terms of how it sounds, but also how its actually created, produced and performed.

While the Art Rock Movement still hasn't made a dent in the Albums or Singles Chart, it is the next wave of underground music threatening to add its flavor profile to the stew of Kalistani mainstream music tastes. The movement primarily remains a Capitaline movement for the time being, but Jean suggests she may be interested in producing a record at some point. "Stepanov notoriously hated record contracts. She had something to say, and didn't want it fossilized. She may have had a point. I guess its not something I have to decide right now. Our shows are still super small, and we only get any time on Radio Kaliburg anyway."

Below is her recent performance of her tune "The Darkness", accompanied by fellow Art Rockist Frank Quinlan, captured at the Lolla club Poppy's Den last week.

[Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H5CJGCbs_qA]

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New Chancellor of the Empire Named
Lady Ericka Donahue of Vrassa City replaces outgoing Chancellor Alvarez-Miller
Kaliburg, Grand Duchy of Ananto
April 12, 5673


Lady Ericka Donahue of Vrassa City begins her tenure as Chancellor of the Empire

Lady Ericka Donahue, the 26 year old political theorist and daughter of Count Maxwell Donahue of Vrassa County in the Duchy of Vrassa has secured Leadership of the Institutional Party, and has thus been invited by Their Imperial Majesties, Emperor Fredrick IV Ananto and Empress Jennifer I Ananto to form a new government. Donahue's election comes following the long awaited retirement of Lady Jennifer Alvarez-Miller, who served Empress Mary I Ananto for more than 20 years.

"When the Institutional Party was selecting their leader, they were instructed to select a leader who was internationally minded," said capital reporter Michael Hemple. "Lady Donahue certainly has an internationalist streak, and is very young, educated, and very politically conservative, all of which check boxes for both the Emperor and Empress and for the Institutional Party Membership."

Donahue received an important endorsement from Lady Jennifer Alvarez-Miller, who spoke about her credentials extemporaneously before the vote. "I knew Lady Donahue through my work with her father in Vrassa County," said the former Chancellor. "She is theory and data minded, and will be an asset to Their Imperial Majesty's Government for a very long time. She brings credit both to her family and herself, and I for one will not vote for any other person in this position than Lady Ericka Donahue."

Lady Donahue, following her election, gave a short speech emphasizing the need to cooperate with Kalistan's neighbors and the nations of Terra to improve Kalistan's relationships abroad. "If I am asked to form a new government, the Ministers who will be proposed to Their Imperial Majesties will also reflect these values. They will be people who I can trust will not only serve Their Imperial Majesties faithfully, but also people I can work with to ensure that the fiats of Their Imperial Majesties are passed in this body and implemented as intended." She stressed the importance of the Legislature in making the Imperial Fiat into law. "Every branch of our government has an over arching purpose, which is to provide a Good Society for all Kalistanis. This means correct order and temperance within our cities, towns, counties, Duchies and Grand Duchies. Every Kalistani can do his or her part to also fulfill their roles within our society: Doing our civic duties, makes us all equals, whether we are a first year conscript with the NSP, or the Emperor and Empress themselves. This is what keeps our society functional, just and prosperous."

She said she would like to increase trade volume within the Anantonese Region. "Primarily with Gaduridos, of course," she said. "That makes most sense. Gaduridos provides many goods and services that Kalistanis enjoy and in return we can provide the same to them. We also want to focus on investment in Athosia. Kalistan maintains a natural interest in that district of Baltusia, and we wish to tie them as closely as we possibly can to Kalistan, as that region is the direct land link between Kalistan and Gaduridos, and trade via Athosia is vital to much of the Grand Duchy of Kalistan." She also stressed trade with Egelion, Dolgava, Lourenne, Seko Indrala and Meriath. "We have many interests in the Anantonese Ocean, and right now, they are in Their Imperial Majesty's interests."

On Kundrati, Lady Donahue said "We've read of pushback from Luthori, but that is not necessarily our fight. Kalistan has its own policy toward Artania. But Their Imperial Majesties continue to watch developments in Kundrati, and it is possible that one day, Kalistan gets the opportunity to talk with and see where their heart and mind is at. The Emperor and Empress are not necessarily rushing that, nor are they really holding their breaths. As they said, Kundrati has suckered Kalistan before. So we're still in a wait and see period."

Domestically, the incoming Chancellor of the Empire stated "I think there is some interest at the Imperial Seat in renewing the discussions around the Ducal Council. There is fairly wide interests around the institution expressed by all four Dukes of Kalistan, and it is my understanding that His Grace, The Grand Duke Alvarez-Suldanor intends to schedule a formal audience as soon as a new Government is in place." She said the Ducal council has support among the Institutional Party, who will certainly contribute to the discussions directly through the Chancellor, and that the Party wants to pass a resolution in support of the Council as soon as the Dukes meet with His and Her Imperial Majesties.

Lady Donahue also said she intends to continue building new houses in Kalistan's free cities and continue infrastructure expansion in Nevaras. "Nevaras certainly needs a lot of attention," said Lady Donahue. "It's perpetually rural, and while I happen to know a lot of people prefer that about that Duchy, there are still probably upwards of 35 percent of the population who live on unpaved and often unimproved roads and live completely off the grid. Currently, there is no rail line between Nevaras City and any city on the Bong Plateau, and I think having both passenger and freight rail to at least Bong City would be a dramatic booster for much of the Duchy. We're gonna get it done."

Lady Jennifer Ananto-Miller has retired from the Chancellorship, but she still intends to represent Yoshimi as a Deputy in the National Assembly. "My predecessor has agreed to continue to serve the Emperor and Empress, and represent her constituents in her slot as Deputy," said Lady Donahue. "Her experience and her advice will be so welcomed and it will likely prove invaluable for the foreseeable future."

Lady Donahue is expected to be commanded to form a government within the next two months, and then will begin her tenure as Chancellor of the Empire. It is likely that most of the current members of the Government will accept retirement, making an easy path for her to name a completely new Government.

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