The Great Swale Path, Chapter 2

Approaching Sertia by ferry from Nofoaga is not necessarily a straightforward route. Between the two islands lie three active underwater volcanoes which must be avoided because they were in the process of forming their own island.

Luckily, however, this route means that the ferries must hug the Sertian coast for about two hours. This offered a lovely view of the Sertian island, which for many of us on the ferry was our first time seeing Sertia from this close.

I was able to finally see why I was going to walk the Great Swale Path, not the "Great Mountain Path", or even more preferably the "Great Path with Lots of Cheap and Delicious Restaurants".

To the North of the Sertian island lies a large, ancient marsh known as Tremaras. At one time, about 250,000 years ago, it is thought that Tremaras covered what made up most of the Sertian Empire. Now, due to dredging and building, Tremaras stretches from the capital of Hemberdale to the city of Plariaras, where it is briefly interrupted, then continues around the stretch of coast nearest the West Olves.

Tremaras is vast, and scant of anything naturally taller than a cattail. The villages within the marsh are elevated by stone or wood planks spare the areas where the boats are launched. Houses are built level with these long, surprisingly wide footpaths, in a circular fashion, many of them having roofs of terracotta or the like. Between the villages of Tremaras that we passed, there was nothing to be seen but wilderness and the sound of the sea.

Then, suddenly dominating our view from behind the planks of the village, were the old stone ruins of a Sertian castle. Candalyyth, I heard people murmur. It was a lonely, ominous figure. Hardly anything was left of its foundations except for a tall, thin watchtower partially submerged in the marsh. The highest window of the watchtower reflected no light from inside. A slight drip, drip, drip could be heard echoing from its depths.

Even after the castle faded from view, all of us on the ferry were left with an obligation to reflect on the times that have been lost to us. It's always a strange feeling, when you see something that you can't touch, but was once so significant. Unspoilt by our sight, Candalyyth sits in its glory, the master and the lady of the castle lying, perhaps, comfortably inside.

The marsh eventually receded and the outskirts of Plariaras began on the other side of a hill. Sertian homes are miniscule. Realising that they didn't have enough money to build regularly-sized homes for all of the residents of Plariaras, the Braetha decided that in order to give everyone the best quality homes, they would limit the size of publicly-funded houses to one room for every family. Thus, whilst the houses were of the quality you might see in a wealthier part of Europe, they were far too small for me to imagine anyone living inside of them. Some people had built conservatories or extra rooms on the side, but that appeared to be a privilege.

More and more buildings came into view as we approached the port of Plariaras. Yellow, green, and red painted stone buildings, and an absolute cacophony of noise greeted us.

RESULTS OF THE APRIL 2025 ELECTION REFERENDUM

Question Presented: Do the Braetha schedule a general election on 14 August 2025?

% votes

YES: 43%
NO: 57%

Result: The Braetha do not have public permission to call an election on 14 August 2025.

The next election referendum is now scheduled for 14 August 2025.

ERE BACH'AIR DUN

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.

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!

Sertia prepares for tourism growth this summer

and, no doubt, tourism politics.
26 April 2024

The government and businesses are getting ready to accommodate high volumes of tourists this Summer season.

With the Summer tourist season due to officially start on 1 May, the government have expanded train, Sertia HorseRail and coach service timetables, as well as scheduling more ferries between Sertia and Nofoaga for ease of accessibility. Business owners are also finishing up winter renovations on their properties and are preparing to open in just four days.

The West Olves are also readying to welcome visitors by air, land, and sea. The provisional government of the West Olves have ordered expanded ferry timetables from Plariaras, Sertia to Icaserch, WO.

Tourism is the second largest industry in Sertia, next to textiles (the 3rd) and fishing (the 1st). To many, this Summer will determine how well they are able to get through Winter.

Arts and culture

Summer is a time for celebrations of fine art and culture in Sertia. Most notably is the Baelo Arts Festival held in the Erdais district of Osperfey, which attracts world-renowned writers, artists, and cultural icons. This year, a record number of people are due to attend, making Erdais the place to be in the Caribbean this summer for lovers of fine art.

Erdais Politics

While tourists are a necessary part of Sertia's economy, there was quite a bit of uproar last year when the Erdais District Braetha ordered an additional tourist tax to be included in accommodation fees. This came after local residents complained of disorderly behaviour from tourists, a group of whom had been arrested and charged for criminal damage to private property.

Local festivals

Major Sertian destinations are not the only place for this, however. Around the country, local arts festivals will also be showcasing their homegrown talent to passers by and locals alike. The village of Tyr'n Bever, about 20 miles north of Rowsperch, is proud to present an exhibition by local artist Benjamin Tyr. It is an art installation which concerns the fleeting state of Sertia's natural, pastoral landscape, much of which is part of the ancient marshland known for generations as Tremaras. While the majority of people now live in Sertia's major cities, many of them hail originally from the towns and villages of Tremaras, of which Tyr'n Bever is one. Tyr's project is one that he says "comes from the heart".

"My family, the Tyrs, have lived around this area for over 400 years. Tyr'n Bever has shaped me", Tyr says. Indeed, around 1597 the Tyrs purchased the land where Tyr'n Bever is now.

When asked about what tourists should look for in Sertia this summer, Tyr says "come out to Tremaras and see how the Sertians really live. We are very welcoming and kind and not like the city-dwellers. Here you will have it easy, you can take it slow and enjoy yourself".

Sertian tourism season runs from 1 May to 31 August 2024.

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.

14:29

Ms Nacar's amendment was unsuccessful.

Braethan are now voicing their concerns about what a Sertian government would look like if political parties were to be legalised.

Mr Draynooth, the Braetha for Internal Finance and Development, has said that "the democratic process will be protected if we both allow political parties to exist and allow the people to decide when an election should be held", but not one or the other.

But, Mr Draynooth also asks, should there be a term limit for a sitting Braetha? How long should that be?

The Great Swale Path (extract 1)

this is a travel journal of an English-speaking man visiting modern-day Sertia, who walked the 300 mile Swale Path across the country.

Few would underestimate the cultural diversity of the European Union. Even fewer would underestimate our economic success or our championing of free trade and movement. The vast expanses of the EU make for a seemingly endless world of various opportunities. And, in various ways, these superlatives apply to every single nation on the European continent, if perhaps in different ways.

And only a few years ago, much to my surprise, my overwhelmingly (if not slightly biased) positive assessment of the European continent found its way to the Caribbean with the addition of the République de Nofoaga to the ranks of the EU. This was, in my opinion, and speaking for all EU travel writers, the best decision both the EU and Nofoaga ever made. The little island of Nofoaga is one to which I return very frequently, for in such small proximity endless beauty for all the senses awaits.

We've all certainly heard about the eruption of Mauga'afi in 2021, and the endless gloomy statistics around it: the deaths of hundreds and injuries of many, many more; and more than lives lost, millions of livelihoods and generational businesses crumbled before the eyes of their loving makers; monuments buried, possibly forever. It is events like these which are humbling to travel writers like myself, reminding me of the fragility of what is beautiful about our world, and the uniqueness of it in the span of what we have explored of the place beyond our Earth.

It is events such as these that many travel writers and media publicists attribute to underdeveloped nations. There is a pervasive narrative that nations who experience such large-scale disasters are doomed to forever be developing or poor. And if not actually developing or poor, then at least in the eyes of the people on the Continent who live a high-tech, high-speed and high-quality life.

However pervasive, this narrative is entirely baseless. In fact, Mauga'afi didn't dredge the Nofoagans deeper into their own mud. It brought out the true spirit of the Nofoagan people: neighbours housed neighbours, families helped families, chefs cooked for those who had no food, builders and humanitarian workers searched tirelessly for those who had gone missing. Buildings were rebuilt, and life went on.

Nofoaga had always been a country I loved to visit. But it was the events after Mauga'afi, and witnessing the kindness of the Nofoagan people, that really drew my attention to the Caribbean, a powerhouse in its own way.

It was in Nofoaga that I heard about the application of Sertia to join the EU for the first time. I was with my tour guide Rémy, who was equally as surprised as I was at this news. For many years the borders of Sertia had been completely shut to all citizens of the EU, the Sertians opting instead to manage their own empire of surrounding islands. The last ferry between Nofoaga and Sertia was in 1861, when the ferry redirected from Sertia to the West Olves.

I recovered a journal of a Nofoagan traveller to Sertia from April 1861, about a month before the last ferry departed for Nofoaga. They detailed their travels by rickety train across the country, the vast wind-swept marshy flats, castles in the distance and various wild birds captivating their imagination. Nofoaga certainly has its fair share of these things, but for such a close neighbour to describe their neighbouring country as so wholly different to their own amplified my Sertian intrigue to another level.

So for many years, myself and many Nofoagans would stare out the southern coast to the towering cliffs of the Sertian island, so close and yet so far away. Had I tried to swim there, I would have been eaten by a shark or eaten by the Sertians. For all we knew, there was nothing there!

When Gadalland and Aspern announced its first visa policy for EU citizens, I finished my online application and was approved within three days. I travelled via ferry into the city of Plariaras, a storied medieval city I recalled from reading News from Dróinstea, where Sarpara Manniach must travel to Plariaras whilst being pursued by her former lover and sworn enemy.

And me, naturally being a new-age Sarpara, also travelled to Plariaras where my Sertian adventure began.

Introduction

The War Rooms--Sertia's official chamber of government, Hemberdale

It was Sunday evening in Hemberdale. The day markets were closing, and the restaurants, auction houses and casinos were only getting started. Tourists went inside as the wind from the sea blew cold. Locals simply put their coats on, and continued working.

Life went on.

All the while, in the War Rooms, members of the Braetha had been seated for approximately 36 hours, discussing the possibilities of the referendum outcome, and what was to be the government's official stance.

They'd decided to allow a referendum for fear of being tone-deaf, a fear that had only recently taken hold. For a long time the Braetha couldn't give a crumb what many of their people thought.

But ever since the Aspernian rebels were threatening the very order of Sertia...

To say it had been a 36-hour "discussion" of politics is essentially to deny that you are in Sertia. There are no discussions about politics in Sertia.

There is only silence, or a shouting match. Why else would the official seat of government be called the War Rooms?

The full Braetha was in session.

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".

Conference begins with VAS questions

09:45

Paula Hessà, Braethan correspondent for the VAS, has asked what the government is doing to improve support for rural areas.

Press Secretary Síl Maneiasan has said the government is continuing to fund the construction of public transport routes into major cities, and provide enlistment opportunities into the merchant marine and other maritime careers. He has also emphasised the continued funding of cultural and public works in small towns and villages, which can offer jobs in marketing, museum studies, archival jobs and many more opportunities.

Hessà also mentioned the recent announcement by the government of Leagio about the proposal of creating a European Union University, and asked the Brætha what they were doing to incentivise higher education to Sertians and students from around the EU.
Maneiasan has replied that the government has been working on an education policy for the last few months, and it is due to be unveiled within a few weeks.

Braethan official press conference to begin shortly

9 June 2025
09:31

Welcome to our live coverage of the Braethan press conference, which is due to begin shortly.

The government will implement more press conferences from now on as part of an effort to comply with the Democracy in Sertia report, published last month. As much as possible, VAS will cover these press conferences.

RESULTS OF THE APRIL 2025 ELECTION REFERENDUM

Question Presented: Do the Braetha schedule a general election on 14 August 2025?

% votes

YES: 43%
NO: 57%

Result: The Braetha do not have public permission to call an election on 14 August 2025.

The next election referendum is now scheduled for 14 August 2025.

ERE BACH'AIR DUN

Announcement of random school inspections

Effective 5 May to 30 June, Coqas* will carry out random inspection of the quality of curriculum delivery at schools across the country. This does not include schools which are not subject to the National Curriculum due to a legitimate exemption.

Guidance for school leads

You will be notified no more than 24 hours before a Coqas inspection. Coqas is entitled to continue an inspection even if the school lead is absent, as long as there is a competent peer on the premises for the duration of the inspection.

If there are no competent peers available on the day of the inspection, the Coqas inspector will issue a new date, no more than 14 days after the original inspection date, for a new inspection.

Repeated absence of competent school officials, which hinders a Coqas inspection, may result in fines or a downgrade in school quality rating.

Guidance for pupils and families

You may attend school and carry out all school activities as regularly scheduled. You may be asked to complete a brief questionnaire by a Coqas inspector. You retain the right to refuse a questionnaire.

*Coqas - Central Office for Quality Assurance of Schools

Antem Combever: The fairy tale Sertian village taking an avant-garde approach to tourism

Illanas Bever and his family walk to the supermarket on a bright Sunday afternoon to buy some vegetables for their supper. It is unusually warm today, and there is a gentle stir on the stone streets. A woman drinks from the well in the centre of the Fratoi Aldain (Aldain Plaza). You would think this is how it has been in Antem Combever for centuries.

But recently, the village with a population of only 6,000 full-time residents has experienced immense tourism and economic growth. Known for a long time as an insider's secret, Antem Combever holds a good deal of history and a growing artistic scene. The Marasketa (city hall) was once the ancient University of Andamois'Acod'var, opened in 1502, which was retired in 2000 and transformed into flats for the growing population of wealthy Sertians.

In 2015, Antem Combever received a grant to expand its tourism advertisement and industry, but due to lack of transport many tourists to Sertia were unable to reach the town. Now, though, the railway has arrived, and so have the town's admirers.

Famously the birthplace of Sertian postmodern writer and artist Yaras Hermini, you can tour his office and art studio, and even the cafe where he wrote his most famous work: Parae Fesh (On Humour).

Hermini was never recognised for his work during his lifetime, and thus the tourism scheme takes a rather innovative approach to attracting economic growth: namely, the romanticism of the 'tortured artist aesthetic'. Signs read: '

...you are misunderstood; Come to Antem Combever';

'Do your bit...resist the establishment and come to Antem Combever'.

Having recently received electricity services (in 2023), Antem Combever is experiencing an influx of tourists

Johannes Fischer, a recent arrival to the village in 2024, told us he's just purchased one of the flats in the Marasketa. In 2017, the average price was £ 90,000. Now, it's £ 2.5 million.

Fischer said he 'rather enjoys' Antem Combever and what it has to offer:

"Growing up, it was really hard to fit in anywhere. I came from a working class family of solicitors. We kind of inherited a failing law firm in central Hemberdale and the emotional toll of that on my childhood was immense. You can tell through my art. Both my parents had a stable income throughout my youth, but it never felt like that, you know?"

"When I came to Antem Combever, I thought: wow. Cigarettes for 99 cents? I've just got to come here".

Fischer, now retired at 34, works as a florist in the village centre, but is an author and artist by trade and is currently writing and painting. "I've got a very humble studio of 3400 square feet" in Marasketa, he told us. "My skylight is my only source of illumination, so I only write in the day".

The tortured life is clearly the sought-after one, too.

Antem Conbever can be reached on the Hemberdale/Opserfey ---> Rowsperch railway. Tickets are bookable online or on the train.

Office for the Braetha - Government of Sertia
11 March 2025

On the Spanish endeavour for Nofoaga

The Braetha have taken careful consideration on all fronts to reports about the possibility of Spanish annexation of Nofoaga. We, and the people of Sertia, have concluded our deliberations and are ready to deliver our response.

As a part of our deliberations, we have considered the following factors:

1. (by referendum) do the people of Sertia consent to the further Spanish occupation of Nofoaga as a collective? and

2. (by deliberation) do the Braetha condemn such Spanish occupation?

SECTION I: Public Referendum

The referendum results are as follows.

TO THE QUESTION:
Will Sertia endorse any efforts by the Kingdom of Spain to annex, or take, or possess as one of its own, the Republic of Nofoaga?

% Respondents replying "YES": 46.7%
% Respondents replying "NO": 53.3%

The Sertian public have voted to condemn the actions of the Spanish in regards to their annexation of the Republic of Nofoaga.

SECTION II: Decision of the Braetha

We, the Braetha, condemn the effort by Spain to annex Nofoaga.

We have considered, as an aggravating factor, that the Spanish already have substantial influence in the Republic of Nofoaga;

We also consider as an aggravating factor the very wide-ranging influence the Spanish already wield in the Caribbean region;

As a mitigating factor, however, we are aware that an attempt by any other country to annex the Republic of Nofoaga would be condemned more powerfully. The Spanish are close allies to us, and their support has been paramount to the development of the Caribbean.

Nonetheless, we are not convinced that there is any reason other than selfish gain to seek further power, by an already imperial nation, over a sovereign one. Nofoaga is itself Sertia's closest ally, and with us they freely trade people, goods, services, culture and ideas through our free trade agreement.

We are not convinced that Spanish annexation of Nofoaga will not hinder this free trade.

POSITION OF THE KINGDOM OF SERTIA

The Kingdom of Sertia condemns any present or future Spanish effort to annex Nofoaga.

ERE BACH'AIR DUN

PART I:Hour 36 of discussion

The War Rooms consist of eight adjoined chambers running horizontally. There is one room for each member of the Braetha themselves, then one communal meeting room: Room 4.

Room 4 was in complete tatters. Before the meeting began, attendants removed all the ancient valuable relics to prevent them from being destroyed. All the rooms were decorated with ancient artwork, except for Room 4.

Berra Nacar, the Braetha for infrastructure, was screaming at Head Braetha Fornithias Cranst:

"Why won't you listen to me? Eh? I've said about a million times now, NO!" Groans followed from the other members.

"We are not," Berra said, "and I REPEAT, we ARE NOT, letting ONE MORE person from Spain into this country, EVER AGAIN!"

"Berra, calm down!" barked Thomas Ilgras, the Braetha for mechanical industries. "In the past 36 [nearly 37!] hours, you have contributed nothing but a sniffly and upturned nose to this discussion."

"Oi!" said Cranst. "That's your fifth ad hominem attack this session, Thomas. I must expel you after the next one".

"Stop threatening me, Fornithias--"

"MASTER Cranst. Mr Ilgras, we are public representatives, certainly not friends. You will not address me by my first name if you do not want to be chucked out by your suspender braces", Fornithias said.

"Yes," Berra continued. "I can SNIFFLE, all I WANT! As I was saying, we must remove all Spanish forces from Sertia regardless of--"

"regardless of the results of the referendum?" Thomas interrupted, "regardless? Master Cranst, I must remark that at this point in the discussion, we have allowed Ms Nacar to barrage us with Aspernian Spanish-hating propoganda for 36 hours.

"Need I remind you all", Thomas looked around at the members of the Braetha pacing the margins of Room 4, "that Ms Nacar was Mr Guthrun Wond's pick to be European Councillor? That ought to speak louder than anything more I can say".

"Oh my goodness, really?" said the Braetha for Energy and Sustainability with a yawn. "That's groundbreaking, Thomas. Tell us again, for the 6,000th time, would you?"

"Thomas, need I remind YOU that I denounced Guthrun almost immediately after he'd said that. I just didn't know the EU rules about choosing a councillor, so I accepted his offer," said Berra Nacar.

"That is exactly my point, master Cranst. All Wondites are incompetent and lazy enough to allow dictators to simply do what they want. That is what democracies do, Ms Nacar. We are not a democracy here," Thomas said, pointing at Berra, his very long finger nearly touching her forehead.

Berra gave Thomas a very long, condemning scowl. "Oh," Berra said snidely, "you're a hypocrite too, are you?"

Thomas went for Berra's hair. Shouting erupted, and then--

A well-dressed intern rang the dinner bell. It was time for dinner.

Berra and Thomas sat down, huffing and puffing. There was finally stillness in the War Room.

Finally, Cranst spoke: "I am making an executive decision for everyone's benefit".

"36 hours later," groaned the Braetha for Education and Welfare.

Cranst glared at the Braetha for Education and Welfare. Then he spoke: "I propose we contact Spain about this after we receive the referendum results. Only then do we make a statement".

Berra scoffed. "This is just ridiculous. You really trust Spain to answer the phone for us? For all we know we've scared them off. You know, we wouldn't be in this malarkey if not for the free press".

"Don't you start, Berra," Cranst said. "It's time for dinner."

Introduction

The War Rooms--Sertia's official chamber of government, Hemberdale

It was Sunday evening in Hemberdale. The day markets were closing, and the restaurants, auction houses and casinos were only getting started. Tourists went inside as the wind from the sea blew cold. Locals simply put their coats on, and continued working.

Life went on.

All the while, in the War Rooms, members of the Braetha had been seated for approximately 36 hours, discussing the possibilities of the referendum outcome, and what was to be the government's official stance.

They'd decided to allow a referendum for fear of being tone-deaf, a fear that had only recently taken hold. For a long time the Braetha couldn't give a crumb what many of their people thought.

But ever since the Aspernian rebels were threatening the very order of Sertia...

To say it had been a 36-hour "discussion" of politics is essentially to deny that you are in Sertia. There are no discussions about politics in Sertia.

There is only silence, or a shouting match. Why else would the official seat of government be called the War Rooms?

The full Braetha was in session.

Why is there a referendum in Sertia?

You may have heard the reports that the polls have opened for a referendum in Sertia to determine how the government should react to Spain's purported attempt to annex the Republic of Nofoaga.

But why is there a referendum?

Well, that's an interesting question for an interesting scenario. There are no doubts, among experts on politics, that Sertia would condemn an attempt to annex Nofoaga by countries other than Spain. Furthermore, Nofoaga is Sertia's closest ally, with the two countries sharing an unconditional customs union, equipped with free movement of citizens between countries.

However, Spain is also a close ally of Sertia and Nofoaga. The two countries' militaries are supported by Spanish personnel. In Sertia, the government almost completely controls these personnel, although this is by convention rather than formal agreement.

So what is the government to do?
The underlying purpose behind this referendum is to collect public opinion not only on Spanish annexation of Nofoaga, but to determine whether there will be significant civil unrest against the Spanish military personnel. Depending on the result, the Brætha could potentially take action to limit Spanish influence in Sertia, or expel the military entirely. However, this is only likely if the referendum indicates a condemnation of Spain's actions. And the Spanish have been popular with the Sertians consistently throughout the time since they've arrived.

But a result affirming consent to Spanish annexation effectively condemns Sertia's alliance with Nofoaga.

Would Nofoagans see Sertian consent to annexation as a betrayal? Would other European powers see Sertia's consent as a symbol of it's weaknesses as a nation?

Ultimately, the Brætha has the power to override the results of the referendum. But this risks making the current government extremely unpopular and calling another election in April. And the Brætha don't want this due to the rising sympathy to right-wing Aspernian extremism.

To put it succinctly, this is an incredibly important moment for Sertian-Nofoagan, -Spanish and -EU relations. Expect the Brætha to tread very carefully around the results of the referendum.

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Key points

• The referendum, asking the public what the government stance on the Spanish annexation of Nofoaga should be, has seen quite low turnout since the polls opened yesterday, with only about 5% of eligible voters turning out to vote. Polls close at 12pm on 10 March 2025.

• The Brætha have scheduled a full meeting in the War Rooms for Monday, 10 March when the polls close, although they report they are currently meeting remotely in an emergency session. There are a few things the Brætha can do after the referendum. Will they voice the people's opinion?

• Demonstrations have begun in major cities such as Hemberdale and Osperfey, where members of the Brætha live. They have mostly been peaceful, but there are reports demonstrators have been targeting the Spanish Military peacekeepers, who are under the command of the Brætha.

• Questions in government linger, such what may happen to the CCCC free travel agreement between Nofoaga and Sertia? Where would the annexation leave the nationality of the Nofoagans? Is this endeavour by Spain simply a matter of convenience for the state, or a matter of developing good relations with the Caribbean? Finally, do Sertians in the West Olves and outlying regions have to worry about becoming Spanish?

Please watch this space.