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Tourism Sertia Weekly Destination Bulletin

Episode 1: The West Olves

Esch'kim ayr, ordro da,
Ol daqer helven wyr.

"And I sat, viewing home,
From the mighty seat of Audiimo".
-- Excerpt from The Olven Chronicles, written in Sertian by Endra of Osperfey, c. 1234 AD

The West Olves, historically known as the West Owves or Helva Madou in Sertian, is the westernmost island, across the Olven Channel. Whilst it is also called the Nay'Duns, that is a more modern name given to it by English-speaking settlers in the early 1600s, which is a corruption of 'nigh dunes'.

The main biome in the West Olves is an inland swale, which consists of low, thick evergreen plants that can withstand many drastic changes in temperature, and endure without water for weeks. However, in the valleys where the climate is more temperate, deciduous trees grow in the small medieval villages.
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In pre-Sertia, the West Olves were home to the Meisur, a nomadic population who lived in relative order and peace. They had extensive trade routes throughout the island, and, like the rest of Gadalland and Aspern, prospered off the fishing industry.

The West Olves were never truly involved in the conflicts that raged through the pre-Sertian mainland before the 1200s, due to its separation from the mainland and the fact those who lived on the mainland viewed it from the folklore they'd heard of demons and witches. Their economy, therefore, was quite insular, and much of the ancient architecture is still well-preserved.

The West Olves did not join the new Six Unions until 1240, when the Olvish people decided they would benefit from this new union, defensively and economically. However, the West Olves, known at that point as Helva, wanted to retain its sovereignty and government structure.

Verna II of Osperfey sent her eldest daughter, Endra, as the ambassador to Helva from Gadalland and Aspern. In the early 1300s, Helva joined Gadalland and Aspern and has since been called the West Olves.

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southern approach into Baral, a small village by the Olven Channel

The largest town in the West Olves today is known as Rasden, but the Olvish name is Hhaylafbakathyal. It is now a popular getaway for Sertian travellers, but was once an important military stronghold for the Olvish, built right before joining the Six Unions. This was to ensure Helva had a host city for diplomats and representatives from Sertia.
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aerial view of Rasden

The West Olves is the source of wine for Sertia, and produces the finest Sertian wine and spirit in the country. Some notable names are Avol, Copna and Old Helven, which you can find in many restaurants around Gadalland and Aspern.

Itinerary for a long weekend holiday

Never been to the West Olves? This itinerary hits all the important bits, and more, in 4 days.

Day 1: Friday

Arrive into Rasden via ferry from Plariaras or Diagonathroe, or through West Olves Airport if you're coming from somewhere other than Gadalland and Aspern. Get to your accommodation, and get sorted Go have some stewed Tilapia and a glass of Avol or three

Day 2: Saturday

Stay in Rasden for the morning to see the Parade of the Arda, an ancient Olven celebration of rest, which happens mornings on Saturdays. Then nip off to a cafe and grab a pastry.

Afterwards, grab a coach to the beach, and stay awhile! The water in the Olven Channel is notoriously Heavenly, and the Sun guarantees a fresh tan! Unlike the mainland, the West Olves have more automobile transport, which means no more of those slow horses!

Visit Henry's Beach, a restaurant (you guessed it!) right on the ocean with a lovely view, and sand for a floor.

Day 3: Sunday

If you don't get a four day holiday, file a Layeonic suit. But first, have a hearty breakfast at your accommodation, or go to Shinie's Diner before you head to the airport.

Grab a coach going West, and stop off in Baral, a small town famous for it's wine. Any age can have a taste, as there is no official drinking age in the West Olves! Have a walk along the Western Ocean trail, which goes through Baral and along the sea. Pop off to the oceanfront, which offers a more quiet, and wild, sea-going experience. Explore the ancient ruins of Perengot Castle, or in Helven, Ribahjinda, situated on a hill.

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Ribahjinda, approaching from the East

Day 4: Monday

Off you get! Time to get back to real life. Get the ferry to Diagonathroe or Plariaras, knowing in your heart you are always welcome back to the West Olves!

Apply for a Diplomatic Visa

Notice

Please use this space to apply for official diplomatic relations with Gadalland and Aspern. In order to do so, please have your ambassador or commissioner apply for a diplomatic visa (D) to come to the Caribbean. If the visa for your ambassador or commissioner is approved, you will be notified of your allocated diplomatic address(es).

Name of Applicant: Proposed Date(s) of Arrival: How many inferior outposts (high commissions, consulates) will you require? **I affirm that the information contained within this Register is fully correct to the best of my knowledge (Y/N):**

@GANIA

Your application for an embassy in the Sertian Union has been approved.

We are pleased to welcome Ambassador Sanchez to Gadalland and Aspern.
Please direct all relevant enquiries to

GANIA Embassy
78 Borbrin Street
Hemberdale 1-34-12
Gadalland
Sertian Union

Ooc non canon
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24 February, 2022

IMPORTANT UPDATE ON EMBASSY OPERATIONS AFTER THE CRISES IN THE VATICAN

The following warnings are URGENT AND EXTREME. Please read carefully:

Following the attack by international terrorists in the Vatican, all citizens of Gadalland and Aspern and the Republic of Nofoaga in the Vatican or closely neighbouring territory are advised to seek safety as soon and as effectively as possible.

Citizens of Gadalland and Aspern and the Republic of Nofoaga in the Vatican are urged to evacuate to the Republic of Spain. The Embassy of the Caribbean Common Community Commission will be open 24/7 until further notice. When you arrive at the embassy they will arrange travel for you

Citizens of Caribbean Community states who are unable to report to the embassy of the CCCC in Spain may call the embassy on 555 to arrange travel to safety.

All travel arranged by the Embassy of the CCCC or other CCCC government-affiliated partners will be by air or sea travel, directly to Gadalland and Aspern or the Republic of Nofoaga and free of charge.

ERE BACHÁIR DUN

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Guthrún Wond has been captured, confirms inland Brætha

8 July 2023

Guthrún Wond has been captured by Sertian authorities while attempting to escape the country via Sharlias harbour. He was reported to be travelling with a small company of allies, who have also been taken into custody.

After evading capture in the siege laid on Osperfey, Wond headed west through the towns of Manden, Alspevarias, Sharlias, and Antem Combever. He was seen by some villagers during a detour in the town of Purrage, where negotiations during the Aspernian schism took place. Shortly after arriving back in Sharlias, he was apprehended trying to board a ship under the name of Gideon Mastricht, possessing a fraudulent foreign passport.

The Inland Brætha are expected to refer Wond's case to the Brætha for Justice, who will likely introduce charges of treason for Wond and his accomplices. Meanwhile the nation lets out a sigh of relief at the capture of a government official who descended into crime and treachery.

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26 December 2022

Declaration of war on the state of Svarna Surya

We, the Order of the Braetha, recognising the hostile and aggressive nature of the state of Svarna Surya, and highlighting the need for humanitarian relief, join the Kingdom of Reitzmag in a declaration of war against the state of Svarna Surya.

This document, here signed by all present company of the Order, evidences the provisions of the war in which our good country engages. Here are those provisions.

The Six Unions of Gadalland and Aspern, in this time of war:

will NOT engage in any direct wartime hostilities, alongside our allies, against the state of Svarna Surya

will NOT impose any mandatory military service of the residents of any domestic premises

will NOT manufacture or deliver weaponry to our allies for the purpose of wartime conflict

enacts the Wartime Refugee Scheme, and allows exceptions to any sanctions upon Svarna Surya for this reason

mobilises the Sertian Civilian Maritime Force and the Caribbean Maritime Authority for the purpose of humanitarian aid, and the rescue of civilians displaced by the war.

All EU nations are humbly requested to accept civilians who possess both a Sertian passport and a Humanitarian Licence, issued after 25 December, to their shores for a time no greater than 45 days for the purpose of wartime humanitarian relief.

BY THE ORDER OF THE BRAETHA

ERE BACH'AIR DUN

A study of the use of carrier birds as a means of communication in modern Sertia

from 'The World's Oddities Registry' by Deras Marlynn, 1958
The Kingdom of Sertia is not known well for the modernisation of its government infrastructure, which until quite recently has not seen extensive renovation since the early 1930s. The rather shameful neglect of its once brilliantly coloured ancient monuments, which to this day stand headstrong in the centres of its lively towns and cities, has experienced a steady volte-face in the direction of progress. This alternation is consistent with its changes in leadership, which are notoriously slow due to the government's reliance on the whims of its various guilds (known as Braetha, pl.).

However, a more modern visitor to the Kingdom of Sertia will notice this change of sentiment within the Braetha, especially when visiting the vast, sprawling metropolis of its capital in Hemberdale. What once was a centre for low-spirited, serious office workers and aristocrats has expanded to incorporate Hemberdale's historic and cultural significance as one of the major trade centres, alongside Osperfey, in the eastern part of the nation.

Were you to visit Hemberdale as a tourist anytime up until 1930, you would notice a spectacular sensory overload, owing to the contradicting blend of wondrous architecture and colour, combined with the unsavoury smells and characters about the streets. Should you have acquainted yourself with a resident of Hemberdale, you would notice no shortage of, first of all his family and personal business, and including this a curiously high number of birds flying in and out of his office window. The latter statement is the subject of this section, a vitality of Sertian identity, one of the only connections between modern, cosmopolitan Sertia and its curmudgeonly yet inspiring past.

Carrier birds are, in their most simple essence, birds trained extensively in the art of navigation. You may first think of pigeons before anything. Yet in Sertia, pigeons are hardly commonplace, which has forced the Internal Communications Order (ICO) to resort to the use of predatory birds. The decision to train these large flying animals was taken on the basis of their superior eyesight and intelligence, and their ability to, in their time off, keep away common disease-spreading pests. The ICO has recorded that carrier birds have been used since at least the founding of Gadalland and Aspern some 750 years ago, and ironically were responsible for multiple epidemics. Now, the ICO regulates the health and safety of these birds, and has increased focus on their individual well-being. Thus, one bid will not complete an entire cross-country journey to deliver post to a very rural area. Instead, the bird will deliver to an ICO outpost, where the post will be assigned to another bird who is based within that outpost. There, they are cleaned and fed, put up and treated for disease.

A recent vote by the Customary Logistics Council [now the Braetha] almost saw the birds out of fashion in Sertia, namely by the Councillor for Defence, who argued that this would increase the chance of internal failure during a time of war. However, he was ultimately defeated because of the sentimental nature of seeing these birds everyday. A local Sertian will be able to tell you the name of their carrier birds over the ages, the various affections they held for them, and will usually keep a record of the bird's visit. Nowadays, and undoubtedly in future this will contribute no less than seminally to the knowledge of Sertia's past.

I mentioned that the tradition of carrier birds is one of the sole connections to Sertia's past. This means that when you go to Sertia, look up and look out for the occasional swooping fowl, which croons and caws as it flies through the narrow mazes of temples, drying clothing, and into the sunset, as the chimes of Hemberdale's many bells signal the end of an idyllic Sertian day.