Where will the summit be taking place? Part 1 of 3

Heard about the upcoming arrival of Mr. Aguilar to Sertia? Whether you're a fan of politics, or are endlessly in love with the Spanish leader, we've made a guide to help you follow the two leaders on their three day adventure through Sertia.

Day 1:

• Drive to Hemberdale Railway station
• Meet with Ms. Dina while on the train to Slalium
• Meet Head Braetha Fornithias Cranst, inaugurate the new spaceport in Slalium
• Get the train to Araguas House in Esterey, home of Head Braetha Fornithias Cranst
• Join Mr. Cranst for a Seeing In the Masts Ceremony and traditional dinner in the evening in Esterey

Your first question might well be: when the devil did we get a railway?
Good question! Technically, about 150 years ago, when Sertia Horserail began operations. But actual trains? Not yet. In fact, our very own European Councillor and Mr. Aguilar will jointly inaugurate the rail system with its first ever train before it is to be open to the public.
Hemberdale will service all routes which were formerly Sertia Horserail, including, Esterey, Osperfey, and Uggold. It will also service Blenawen and Slalium.
Here is an earlier picture of Hemberdale horserail station:

Hemberdale General Horserail station, 1866

Here is Hemberdale Railway station, after significant renovation:

Railway? Sorted. What's next for these two leaders?
Well, they will be on the train for most of the day. Their first destination is the beautiful new Spanish spaceport, by the lovely seaside village of Slalium.

Slalium from the sea, 30 January 2023

After the inauguration, Mr. Aguilar will get back on the train to the bustling town of Esterey. While Esterey is a bit inland from the sea, it boasts the largest railway station in Gadalland and Aspern, and is where you can find Araguas House, or better known as the home of our very own Head of Braetha, Fornithias Cranst.

Esterey railway station, 1 January 2023

Araguas House, 2 December 2023

At the end of today, the two leaders will head to Esterey Harbour, where a private Seeing in the Masts will be held. Seeing in the Masts is a traditional practice of many Sertian villages and it is a celebration of sailors coming home.

Stay tuned for part 2!

ASPERN AND THE WEST OLVES DECLARE INDEPENDENCE FROM SERTIA

Good evening. We have an urgent report for the people of Gadalland and Aspern.

About 20 minutes ago, it was communicated to the Order of the Braetha, in an official statement, that the Informal Kingdom of Aspern has declared independence from Sertia to start a new Republic.

The West Olves has joined the Aspernian separatism.

This announcement comes after the escalation of tensions as the former Head Braetha Guthrun Wond was banished from the Triumvirate of Holy Cities of Hemberdale, Osperfey, and Plariaras. Additionally, the holy city of Aspern, Osperfey, has resisted much of the drastic industrialisation which the rest of Sertia has experienced.

Osperfey has experienced a large number of protesting, some of which has turned violent, as well as civil disobedience.

The letter was addressed from the city of Osperfey, written by Mr. Guthrun Wond. The letter has not been released to the press, but we are aware from Mr. Wond's address that the Kingdom of Aspern has the following demands:

• that the people of Aspern are recognised as a legitimate, sovereign republic by the government of Sertia, the relevant bodies of the European Union, and the governments of each individual EU nation,

• that the Order of the Braetha is no longer the official government of the Republic of Aspern,

• that the Order of the Braetha permit the Kingdom of Aspern to form its own, sovereign republic under Mr. Guthrun Wond.

• that to maintain the peace between the Republic of Aspern and Sertia, provisional borders are drawn and the freedom of movement be protected.

The Order of the Braetha has not released any official statements, but have convened an emergency session in the War Rooms, which is open to the public.

Is it safe to go to the Aspernian territory?

It is unclear how border crossings will take place in the future, or whether there will be a border at all. However, due to increased civil and violent unrest in the areas around Osperfey we advise against any unnecessary travel.

Does Aspern have the right to independence?

The rules about this are encoded in the Sertian Domex 1224, which has been removed from its archives this evening and taken to the War Rooms for discussion by the Braetha. The last time this happened was 314 years ago during the Rebellion of the Sailors.

Officially, the Domex does not say anything directly about regions declaring independence. However, the sovereignty of each of the six islands, accordingly, "is to be recognised and respected through the land".

Will there be a war for independence?

This is incredibly uncertain, especially as the Braetha have not gone public with any official statements. Experts say that, if the Braetha decides that the claim to independence is not legitimate, or will cause undue harm to the people within the new territory, they will likely attempt to take it back. But whether that taking-back will be by force we have yet to foresee.

What about getting from Aspern to Sertia?

All trains and ferries between Sertia and the Aspernian territory have suspended operations for fears of escalating violence.

Kingdom of Sertia? But there's no king!

24 August 2023

Tourism Sertia have been receiving an infinite amount of messages from our poor, confused readers about Sertia's new official title of 'Kingdom of Sertia'. They complain that it's confusing because "there is no king!"

Well, we want to address this because quite frankly, we get so many of the same messages that it's causing us much irritation we can't just get on with our day.

After the most recent Sertian schism, the Six Unions of Gadalland and Aspern which had held for over 800 years has officially dissolved. Thus, we can no longer call ourselves Gadalland and Aspern, because some of the historically Aspernian territories are interwoven with historically Gallish territories. So when Aspern separated, it took some of Gadalland with it.

Although they're now reunited, the Braetha cannot reasonably continue to call it the Six Unions of Gadalland and Aspern, as those six unions dissolve when one union dissolves.

'Sertia' is the name of the nations within Gadalland and Aspern who were formerly run by monarchs, hence the moniker 'Kingdom of Sertia'. But what about the old nations that weren't kingdoms?

Well, there weren't any of those. Before the Domex Campaigns by Verna II Osperfey in 1224, all of Sertia was run at one time by local clan leaders and princes who owned the land upon which they lived. During this time, the word 'Sertia' did not exist as a name. Instead, it demarcated the old hall where the individual kings convened each year, hence the name deriving from a corruption of Old Sertian meaning "sovereign".

When the kings convened, they would each issue a spoken statement about the state of affairs in their kingdom. The Old Sertian word for 'king' is 'ha', and the word for speech is 'Bryeh', or, in modern Sertian, "Braeh". In old Sertian, this convention within the "Serdria" became known as the "Bryeha", and is the first form of national government for Sertia, a direct ancestor of our very well-known Braetha.

So the Kingdom of "Sertia" really means the Kingdom of sovereign kings, a land which belongs to no single person but to many groups of people who have over the years lived in the lands owned by various princes and kings and other monarchs. Those kings no longer exist, but there is no other name for our nation other than the Kingdom of Sertia.

The Braetha have decided to call it the Kingdom of Sertia to recognise the significant impact of this schism on the identity of the Sertian people. But at least now there won't be any confusion as to why "Sertians" are from "Gadalland and Aspern". Sertians are from Sertia.

I agree with Cllr. Tilkanas about the grave threat that alternative medicine poses to the public, especially to those who are deemed to be a vulnerable person. However, it is important that we respect every individual's informed choices as an expression of autonomy, and thus I would like to introduce the following amendment:

III. Alternative medical providers must duly inform users of their services that practices deemed to be 'alternative medicine' under this act are not endorsed by any official health agencies, and the provider must disclose any possible consequences of undergoing alternative medical treatment.

a. All practising alternative medical institutions must apply for and obtain a licence to practise. This licence accredits appropriate compliance with disclosure requirements.

b. The disclosure, and disclosure licence, must be made public and readily available to users and to potential users.

c. The relevant government agency, determined by the government of a respective state, can request evidence of this disclosure and licence to ensure continued compliance, and issue penalties for noncompliance.

Bulletin 477: Declaration by the Order of the Braetha

We, the Order of the Braetha of the Six Unions of Gadalland and Aspern address the declaration of independence made by the Aspernian territory earlier this evening.

This evening, after a fortnight of tensions in the city of Osperfey, the West Olves, and throughout our nation, a final collapse of civility has occurred between the long-united kingdoms of Gadalland and Aspern, and the Six Unions.

We wish to stress to our citizens in Sertia, abroad, and the nations of the EU that, more than anything, this Braetha honours peace and prosperity, and we wish for our decisions on this night to reflect the virtues of our union, and how these virtues have remained for almost 800 years.

The Braetha recognise and appreciate bids by our citizens for independence. Because of this, we have consulted the Sertian Domex 1224 to come to our final decision, to avoid any unnecessary escalation of tensions between fellow Sertians.

The passage we have consulted proceeds as follows, in Section III, 43.12:

"Herrard-n droquea ras qerda mal-iiak pollodwy-s ynnx, masyn drobillias qerdyn fontri-istrante".

(In English: The sovereignty of these nations of old is to be respected throughout the land)

This passage communicates the right of every one of the old nations to retain their sovereignty. However, the Domex also guarantees the fundamental right of wellbeing to every Sertian.

The Domex also states that, where there is a declaration of independence, the Braetha automatically recognises it until they have decided its "status in virtue". In other words, the extent to which this declaration was made peacefully and with the best interest of all parties in mind.

It is clear to the Braetha that this declaration of independence has not been conducted in the sentiment of retaining wellbeing for all Sertians. Rather, it has manifested as a revolt against a government established in trust given to it by the citizens it governs.

Such a bid for independence would be supported by this Braetha where there is a vote by every citizen of Gadalland and Aspern to separate this nation into requisite parts.

The Braetha, with permission by Fornithias Cranst, ceases to recognise the Republic of Aspern as a legitimate state until a vote in peace-time has been conducted to this effect.

• We give permission to the Spanish military in Gadalland and Aspern to take action contrary to this separatist movement. However, they are not required to do so.

• We order the Sertian Maritime Service to cease service to separatist sailors, viz. to allow them entry to or departure from any ports of entry within Gadalland and Aspern.

• We mandate a curfew of 00:00 for all households and businesses in Gadalland and Aspern.

This mandate of the Order of the Braetha is issued with full and immediate effect.

ERE BACH'AIR DUN

Erdais to charge day tourists from 12 October

26 September 2023

The Erdais City braetha have voted to impose a tourist tax on day-trippers from outside the inner-Osperfey district.
The announcement comes as Erdais saw a record-breaking summer of tourism, with numbers reaching up to 55,000 people on 18 July of this year.

Erdais, a walled city within Osperfey, is very popular with tourists due to its narrow stone lanes, ancient religious sites, and the pristine and historic Erdais harbour, where locals and visitors are allowed to bathe and do water sports.

More recently, however, there has been an increase in misconduct including fly tipping, excessive smoking and drinking and unsightly or disruptive behaviour, which has caused locals to complain to the Erdais City braetha.

Howard Mannasith, an Erdais native who runs the Museum of Erdais, said just last week that a man shattered the door to the museum with a glass bottle. Mannasith called the police, who promptly pressed charges against him.

A spokesperson for the Erdais City Braetha said, "Many of the tourists who come [to Erdais] to be disruptive are those who come from the surrounding areas of Osperfey or beyond for the day. Our locals should not have to suffer unruly behaviour from people who do not have to complete the same day-to-day tasks as those who live in the city and pay their taxes".

On Istkalen's National Salvation Council

29 May 2023

Where the Brætha stand

The Brætha recognise the National Salvation Council as a governing body of Istkalen. This means that the Brætha, and the wider Sertian government, will consult the National Salvation Council for all official state concerns, and when addressing the governing body of Istkalen, will refer to the National Salvation Council of Istkalen as the NSC (Istkalen).

The Brætha recognise the unstable nature of this situation, and the limits of any interim government, yet we further acknowledge the need within our government to recognise an official government of each state. This is to prevent the imposition of sanctions as pursuant to Rolling Sanctions Act 2021 which we have decided are not applicable in this situation.

Advice to the public

Istkalen continues to be recognised by the Brætha despite this change in governance.

All Sertian nationals are advised to check the Brætha's travel advisories before going to Istkalen. Diplomatic representation for Sertians may be limited and it is important to acknowledge the risks of travelling without it.

When travelling to a place without proper diplomatic authority, you risk

• Problems entering a country, such as being detained by immigration officers

• Delays in receiving legal services if you are arrested

• Delays in, or a lack of passport renewal and emergency passport services

• Problems leaving a country if your passport or travel documents are not in order.

ERE BACH'AIR DÚN

Statement by Head Brætha Fornithias Cranst, on the capture of Guthrún Wond

9 July 2023

I am pleased to announce today that Mr Guthrún Wond, the former head of the Customary Logistics Council, and the man responsible for the breaking of the sacred six unions of Gadalland and Aspern, was taken into custody yesterday morning, while trying to escape.

I would like to take a moment to recognise how significant this is. Guthrún Wond became corrupted by his loss of power to the extent that he tore our nation apart by its fundamental core values, namely, our ancient unions so carefully administered by Verna II of Osperfey in 1224. Before that time, not only Aspern and Sertia, but all six kingdoms of Gadalland and Aspern were hostile toward one another. Imagine the misery and violence which would come with the constant fear of war, which so many good people of Sertia have had to experience over the past seven months.

I would like to thank the Spanish military for providing the forces to Sertia to carry out this operation, and to our Sertian military and police for their dedication.

Citizens, I declare this conflict over. I will restore the nationalities of those who were trapped in separatist territory. Along with our very capable Brætha, I will rebuild this country's infrastructure and culture. I will provide vital government support to workers, firms and families of Sertia. Not only will we rebuild, we will go even further.

Today, the Brætha and I have also decided to invest in access to clean water for all to celebrate this victory. We will be opening our first water treatment plant in Rowynnith (applause), and for the time being we will provide personal water treatment devices for all families, at little to no expense. It is a hallowed Sertian tradition to adore the salt of our seas, and drink our holy water in the name of Verna, but there are many who do not have this everyday privilege. And after the conflict, Aspern cut off millions of people from access to clean water. The Brætha and I are committed to restoring this right.

And finally, I would like to tell you all something about Sertia. Perhaps you already know that there are forces gathering who wish us badly. This includes countries within the EU itself. Spain has remained a true and trusted friend, but because of conflicts between continental powers, our nation remains collateral. We must show them that we're not just an island. We are an idea, a nation, and a people with powerful values capable of anything. That is why I am announcing increased investment in maritime security by opening our maritime force to recruitment and training. I have also ordered increased surveillance along the coastlines and in inland waterways.

The lesson from today being, my dear friends, we have come a long way from the island we used to be, but we have a long way to go. And I will be here along the way to help negotiate this change.

Thank you all for your time.

HB Fornithias Cranst

BY ORDER OF THE BRÆTHA
ERE BACHÁIR DÙN

Changes in entry to the War Rooms for tourism

16 August 2023

Previously, only visitors to the War Rooms who possessed Sertian nationality could enter the War Rooms when the Brætha were in session. Non-Sertians were required to make appointments through their country's embassy in Sertia.

Effective 16 August, visitors to the War Rooms in central Hemberdale may enter the War Rooms during live Brætha sessions regardless of their nationality or immigration status. If you do not have Sertian nationality you do not need to contact your country's embassy to arrange a visit. You may arrive without a prearranged tour and view the War Rooms during sessions provided there is available capacity.

Please note, capacity in the War Rooms themselves are limited to 40 guests maximum. However, you may watch a live session from the museum downstairs. Opening times and Brætha sessions will generally coincide.

ERE BACHÀIR DÚN

Travel Preclearance and Immigration E-Gates

31 August 2023

The Kingdom of Sertia will begin the use of Travel Preclearance E-Gates at ports of entry by air and sea, beginning 1 September 2023.

Travel Preclearance E-Gates will allow citizens of certain countries to be pre-cleared for travel using E-Gates to complete exit immigration checks. The use of E-Gates upon entry to Sertia (Immigration E-Gates) will also be available to these citizens in order to reduce the amount of time spent undergoing immigration checks and help passengers maximise the efficiency of their journeys.

Travel Preclearance E-Gates (TPE-Gate) will check the validity of a person's documents in Sertia to determine whether they will be allowed back into Sertia at a later date.

Immigration E-Gates will check the validity of a person's entry documents into the Kingdom of Sertia. The same citizens eligible to use the TPE-Gates will also be able to use the Immigration E-Gates.

Citizens of foreign countries eligible to use TPE-Gates and Immigration E-Gates:

Montenbourg

Fremet

Icholasen

Ineland

Brickston

Czech Slavia

United Duchies

Spain

California

Yosai

Inimicus

Angleter

Reitzmag

Mishar

Leagio

Elthize

Nofoaga*

*Citizens of the Republic of Nofoaga are subject to differential immigration arrangements, per the Carribbean Common Community Commission.

We will publish further information for official uses for foreign departments of state.

ERE BACHÁIR DÙN

Erdais to charge day tourists from 12 October

26 September 2023

The Erdais City braetha have voted to impose a tourist tax on day-trippers from outside the inner-Osperfey district.
The announcement comes as Erdais saw a record-breaking summer of tourism, with numbers reaching up to 55,000 people on 18 July of this year.

Erdais, a walled city within Osperfey, is very popular with tourists due to its narrow stone lanes, ancient religious sites, and the pristine and historic Erdais harbour, where locals and visitors are allowed to bathe and do water sports.

More recently, however, there has been an increase in misconduct including fly tipping, excessive smoking and drinking and unsightly or disruptive behaviour, which has caused locals to complain to the Erdais City braetha.

Howard Mannasith, an Erdais native who runs the Museum of Erdais, said just last week that a man shattered the door to the museum with a glass bottle. Mannasith called the police, who promptly pressed charges against him.

A spokesperson for the Erdais City Braetha said, "Many of the tourists who come [to Erdais] to be disruptive are those who come from the surrounding areas of Osperfey or beyond for the day. Our locals should not have to suffer unruly behaviour from people who do not have to complete the same day-to-day tasks as those who live in the city and pay their taxes".

Sertian News Media

Announcement of closure of the Sertian embassy in Istkalen, and the implementation of the Istkalenian parole scheme

Sunday 17 September 2023

Effective 1 October 2023, Sertian embassies in Istkalen will close.

This closure is due to the political instability in Istkalen, and the formal condemnation of the National Salvation Council (NSC). In June of this year, the Brætha named the NSC a Prohibited Government. This means that a Sertian national would face a severe risk of arrest, criminal prosecution or other cause so as to arbitrarily prevent their safe return to the Kingdom of Sertia.

Services will be available to Sertian nationals and asylum seekers only. These services will continue until 31 October, 2023.

If you are a national of Istkalen, and you are able to reach an outpost of the Sertian Civil Armament, you may be eligible to apply for emergency transport to the Kingdom of Sertia, for an emergency period of parole, for a period of two years. The nearest SCA outpost to Istkalen is in the Kingdom of Reitzmag.
Please note that we cannot guarantee your entry or passage through other sovereign territories. You will be refused parole if you have travelled to an SCA outpost through any illegal means or methods.

ERE BACHÁIR DÙN

I agree with the intentions of this act and I will support it in the vote. I think in order to improve the simplicity and attractiveness of joining the ETS, there ought to be a process to maintain the perpetuity of trademarks who must endure this change. I therefore propose the following amendment:

9.Companies with pre-existing brands before this act have 1 calendar year from the introduction of the system to apply for trademarks to the ETO after which they are served on a first come first serve basis. will have their trademarks automatically maintained under the ETO unless they would be ineligible for a trademark under the ETO, in which case they must apply to the ETO and be processed on a first come first served basis.

Travel Preclearance and Immigration E-Gates

31 August 2023

The Kingdom of Sertia will begin the use of Travel Preclearance E-Gates at ports of entry by air and sea, beginning 1 September 2023.

Travel Preclearance E-Gates will allow citizens of certain countries to be pre-cleared for travel using E-Gates to complete exit immigration checks. The use of E-Gates upon entry to Sertia (Immigration E-Gates) will also be available to these citizens in order to reduce the amount of time spent undergoing immigration checks and help passengers maximise the efficiency of their journeys.

Travel Preclearance E-Gates (TPE-Gate) will check the validity of a person's documents in Sertia to determine whether they will be allowed back into Sertia at a later date.

Immigration E-Gates will check the validity of a person's entry documents into the Kingdom of Sertia. The same citizens eligible to use the TPE-Gates will also be able to use the Immigration E-Gates.

Citizens of foreign countries eligible to use TPE-Gates and Immigration E-Gates:

Montenbourg

Fremet

Icholasen

Ineland

Brickston

Czech Slavia

United Duchies

Spain

California

Yosai

Inimicus

Angleter

Reitzmag

Mishar

Leagio

Elthize

Nofoaga*

*Citizens of the Republic of Nofoaga are subject to differential immigration arrangements, per the Carribbean Common Community Commission.

We will publish further information for official uses for foreign departments of state.

ERE BACHÁIR DÙN

On behalf of the Kingdom of Sertia, I vote for this act.

Édutitalle Dína
European councillor

Kingdom of Sertia? But there's no king!

24 August 2023

Tourism Sertia have been receiving an infinite amount of messages from our poor, confused readers about Sertia's new official title of 'Kingdom of Sertia'. They complain that it's confusing because "there is no king!"

Well, we want to address this because quite frankly, we get so many of the same messages that it's causing us much irritation we can't just get on with our day.

After the most recent Sertian schism, the Six Unions of Gadalland and Aspern which had held for over 800 years has officially dissolved. Thus, we can no longer call ourselves Gadalland and Aspern, because some of the historically Aspernian territories are interwoven with historically Gallish territories. So when Aspern separated, it took some of Gadalland with it.

Although they're now reunited, the Braetha cannot reasonably continue to call it the Six Unions of Gadalland and Aspern, as those six unions dissolve when one union dissolves.

'Sertia' is the name of the nations within Gadalland and Aspern who were formerly run by monarchs, hence the moniker 'Kingdom of Sertia'. But what about the old nations that weren't kingdoms?

Well, there weren't any of those. Before the Domex Campaigns by Verna II Osperfey in 1224, all of Sertia was run at one time by local clan leaders and princes who owned the land upon which they lived. During this time, the word 'Sertia' did not exist as a name. Instead, it demarcated the old hall where the individual kings convened each year, hence the name deriving from a corruption of Old Sertian meaning "sovereign".

When the kings convened, they would each issue a spoken statement about the state of affairs in their kingdom. The Old Sertian word for 'king' is 'ha', and the word for speech is 'Bryeh', or, in modern Sertian, "Braeh". In old Sertian, this convention within the "Serdria" became known as the "Bryeha", and is the first form of national government for Sertia, a direct ancestor of our very well-known Braetha.

So the Kingdom of "Sertia" really means the Kingdom of sovereign kings, a land which belongs to no single person but to many groups of people who have over the years lived in the lands owned by various princes and kings and other monarchs. Those kings no longer exist, but there is no other name for our nation other than the Kingdom of Sertia.

The Braetha have decided to call it the Kingdom of Sertia to recognise the significant impact of this schism on the identity of the Sertian people. But at least now there won't be any confusion as to why "Sertians" are from "Gadalland and Aspern". Sertians are from Sertia.

The government of Sertia fully support this bid for neutrality, having had no advice within or without our government to the contrary.

-Edutitalle Dina
European councillor for the Kingdom of Sertia

Sertia votes against this amendment.

Édutitalle Dína
EU councillor for the Kingdom of Sertia