Admission to the College of Arms: Béneditsch Ardpresteir

As Squirrel King of Arms for the Royal Talossan College of Arms, I do hereby grant the Jolly Good Fellowship of the Royal Talossan College of Arms to S:reu Béneditsch Ardpresteir, who has satisfied myself and the College of his abilities and interest in the field of heraldry.

Rouge Lobster Herald
Squirrel King of Arms

Vacant Position: DSoS

Attention, people of Talossa!

It's come to the Secretary of State's attention that he may need a Deputy, so the Chancery is now accepting applications for the aforementioned position. Any takers?


Secretary of State Iustì Carlüs Canun

Notiçieir Revives

Since it fell into disuse, Notiçieir has now been converted into a record of government announcements.  Ideally, in the future this will help liberate Talossa from complete dependence on Wittenberg.  More information can be found here.

Alexander Davis
Editor

Joint Announcement from King John and Miestrâ Schivâ Regarding Reunion

Seven and a half years ago, the Kingdom of Talossa suffered the loss of a number of valuable citizens, who (provoked by the misbehaviour of the King of Talossa) left the Kingdom to form the Talossan Republic. Since that time, many newcomers to Talossa have joined the Republic and have lived and flourished there, together with the original "rebels", proudly identifying themselves as Talossans even though they were never citizens of the Kingdom. This division in our nation, however necessary it was, has always been a matter of regret and sorrow to patriotic Talossans in both groups.

On this 32nd anniversary of the establishment of the Kingdom of Talossa, we the undersigned, the King of Talossa and the President of the Talossan Republic, are very pleased to reveal publicly that last month, at the initiative of leading citizens of the Republic — an initiative which was immediately and warmly welcomed by the leaders of the Kingdom —, informal talks began, with the aim of finding ways to facilitate the unification of the Talossan people in a single state by the admission of the Republic's citizenry to citizenship in the Kingdom. The talks, thanks to great goodwill on both sides, have gone very well. We are happy to announce that, pending the successful conclusion of these discussions, the Talossan Republic will be formally dissolved, and every one of its citizens who desires it welcomed into full citizenship in the Kingdom of Talossa. Some of the details have yet to be worked out, and some enabling legislation passed by the Ziu and by the General Assembly of the Republic, but both Governments are enthusiastically behind the plan. Our aim and intention is clear — one Talossan people, and one Talossan state.

Each of the former Republicans will be admitted as a citizen of the Province of his or her own choice; but it is our mutual intention that those who desire to maintain something of their "rebel culture" within the Kingdom will organize an eighth Province, which will serve them as a sort of local center of their Talossan activity. Regardless of Provincial citizenship, they will all be full citizens of the Kingdom, living under the King and the Organic Law, and participating fully in all aspects of our joint national life — cultural, political, and social.

This rapprochement is not to be regarded as some kind of conquest or surrender or Borg-like assimilation, but rather as the reception into the Kingdom of a group of good Talossans who have been, up until now, politically separated from the larger group of their co-nationalists. We fervently hope, and we firmly believe, that the "reunision" of the Kingdom and the Republic will usher in a new era in the history of our beloved nation, and allow us to reach unprecedented heights in our pursuit and enjoyment of our shared Talossanity.

John Regeu and Miestrâ Schivâ

Royal Proclamation on Forgiveness and Apologies

ROYAL PROCLAMATION

I John, King of Talossa, speaking for myself and on behalf of my Crown and my Kingdom, hereby apologise most sincerely for the unconscionable acts and writings of Robert I, my predecessor on the Talossan throne, which he committed against all the citizens of Talossa, thereby staining the honour of the Kingdom and of his Crown, and causing many faithful citizens to feel impelled to rebel against the Kingdom and, renouncing their citizenship, to establish the Talossan Republic. Most especially are apologies due, and I therefore most especially and most sincerely apologise, to Sir Chirisch Caveir (known recently as Sir Tamoran Curt Gödafrïeusefiglheu dal Nava) for the gross slanders, lies, and abuse so unjustly, crassly, and dishonourably heaped upon him by the malice of the former King.

Furthermore, I hereby promise as King of Talossa to introduce in the Ziu, and to work energetically for the earliest possible passage of, an Act of Oblivion, forbidding the Talossan judicial system from taking any notice of any allegedly criminal act taking place in or before the year 2004 and connected to or stemming from the rebellion of that year or the establishment of the Talossan Republic. And should the Prime Minister issue a similar act of immunity or oblivion in the form of a Prime Dictate, I will ratify it.

And lastly, I hereby promise on my honour as King of Talossa, that if – notwithstanding these barriers to prosecution, and the Statute of Limitations enacted into Talossan criminal law by 42RZ11, etc. – anyone should ever be convicted of any offense for his participation in, or activity stemming from, the rebellion of 2004, I will issue him a full and free pardon; at the same time stating that I feel quite sure that no such pardon will prove necessary.

These apologies and promises I make freely, and post simultaneously on the forums of the Kingdom of Talossa and the Talossan Republic, in the pursuit of simple justice, and in the hope of promoting goodwill among all Talossans.

Done under Our hand royal, this 6th day of December being the Feast of Saint Nicholas the Wonderworker of Myra, in the year of salvation 2011, of the independence of Talossa the 32nd, and of Our reign the 5th.

– John Regeu

Final Report of the Reunision Commission

My fellow Talossans --

As you are all aware, on 1 December of last year, representatives from the Talossan Republic approached me and our nation's government with a confidential "modest proposal". This proposal inaugurated discussions to determine a basis for the "reunision" of the two groups of Talossans under the flag of the Kingdom. The government and I were immediately receptive and a plan was formed to create a six-member Commission that would discuss and decide any preliminary issues, discuss relevant details, and topple any preliminary hurdles.

As for what those details are, the "modest proposal" laid out three guiding principles, which the Kingdom immediately embraced.

Discussion on the first of these principles, a guarantee that all Republican Talossans be welcomed, centered on the issue of citizenship dates for citizens whose first date of entry into the Talossan culture differs (as is the case for some Republican Talossans) from the date of Kingdom citizenship. This detail was recently decided in favour of recognising this first-date for all persons of all Talossan heritage, and indeed, all Republican Talossans, when "reunision" occurs, will carry with them their acknowledged Talossan tenure.

The second principle, concerning the right of Republican Talossans to continue their peculiar culture, led to discussion around planning for the possibility that an eighth province might be established after "reunision", to provide a possible "territorial autonomy" for those Republican Talossans who wish to become citizens of such a new province. Since there are a number of different possibilities as to how such an eighth province could be formed, and since the creation of a new province is already possible under current law, the members of the Commission have decided that any action on this issue will be taken by the united citizens of Talossa after "reunision" has occurred. To this end, the Commission asks for the inauguration of an open discussion, so that all Talossans can present any ideas or proposals regarding these possibilities. While "reunision" need not wait, such discussions will perhaps form a basis for actions that will be taken at a provincial level at some point in our common future. To help best achieve this goal, the Kingdom has modified the Immigration law to allow that Republican Talossans be permitted to choose their province of citizenship, so that those who wish to congregate together to form a new province from an existing one might work together with citizens of any province that might be "split".

The final principle surrounded the rescinding of the indictments for treason against the leaders of the Revolution/Secession of 2004/xxv which were handed down by the previous Rouerguian regime, and the Kingdom was only too happy to take all possible steps to put the unfortunate incidents of those years decidedly in the past, quashing and condemning the acts of King Robert I, and making it clear in no uncertain terms that no charges regarding the events sparked by those acts are to be contemplated.

Thus, with these details resolved, and with agreement that the ground is now fully prepared, it is my happy privilege to come before all Talossans today to report the successful conclusion of the business of this historic Commission. All six members of the Commission lift their glasses to toast its success with you, as, with the details hammered out, we now proceed as a united people to the actual accomplishment of "reunision".

For the Kingdom, I must repeat to all Republican Talossans our most heartfelt welcome, and our inexpressible gratitude for the "modest proposal" on which the future of our proud Talossan culture now firmly rests.

— John R

Seneschal's Address to the Nation 10/2/10

Citizens:

There are some species of sea stars that can reproduce by fragmenting themselves. A piece or whole arm of the star is torn away by malice or accident, and is swept away in the currents. But sometimes the piece spends its remaining resources to grow a new stomach and digestive system, in a budding pouch-like body, and continues life. Eventually the piece regrows the rest of its body, duplicating the flesh it had once been a part of. The old starfish continues, while a new one has sprung up from just a scattered piece of flesh. It's a brilliant system: a tiny investment in resources for a potentially large return to the species.

According to legend, a group of fishermen - unhappy with some starfishs' impact on their mollusk catch - would wake early and trap starfish. They'd take their thick knives and cut the starfish into pieces, tossing the pieces away. But unbeknownst to them, they were really just helping the starfish, whose population swelled in response.

We can learn from the starfish in several ways.

First: have you told a friend about Talossa? Maybe not. Maybe you're afraid they'll think it's weird or think you're weird. Maybe they'll mock you?

Let me assure you that any mocking will be dwarfed by their interest. It's a fascinating, cool life we lead - one that not a lot of people ever get to experience. In all the world, we are unique. And since there are so very many people, that's often a hard claim to make. But it's true: there are only a handful of Talossans, and you are among their proud ranks. If you bear that pride with you and show it when speaking of your country, people will respond accordingly. And even if they don't decide to join Talossa, you will have spread knowledge about it. It's a small investment of your time, scattering out a little piece of yourself into the oceans. But it may repay you in a big way, with a brand-new Talossan someday coming into being. You can be a part of that. Try telling a friend, today.

Second: there has been fear over the efforts of Robert Madison, our deposed first monarch and founder. It's only a little fear and not very widespread (many new citizens know him only by the whispers and histories) but it has been heard. I say to you now that we should not fear. Conflict has always helped Talossa. The Cone War became a glorious legend. The riotous arguments of the departure of the Penguineans/Republicans spurred vast growth and brought the country out of Robert I's direct mastery. And the demands of Robert I for the membership rolls of the CLP eventually forced his abdication. We as a nation have only grown when challenged. We have the plain, unvarnished, glorious truth on our side. We have nothing to fear now except an opportunity to rise to the challenge.

Third, and finally: my father often told me a story about starfish, one that can serve us. In a low voice and with a half smile, he would speak:

Once there was a young boy who lived by the sea, in a narrow harbor. He was a quiet but happy boy, who loved the play on the shore. But he noticed that whenever there was a storm, starfish would wash up on the shore by the thousands. They'd be caught in the currents and deposited by the waves, and the next day they would die.

The boy began rising very early in the morning, every day after a storm, and going down to the shore. His breath steaming in the morning chill, he'd pick up starfish and throw them back in the water, to give them another chance. Bend down, pick one up, walk to the water, throw it in, walk back, and do it again. Over the course of a morning before school, he'd managed to throw in perhaps fifty or a hundred starfish.

An old sailor had seen him do this, many times, as he brought his boat in after a night trawling the depths with a net. It was frustrating to watch the boy's futile efforts, and even a little annoying. What was the point, after all? One day, the old sailor hurled aside his net and stalked up to the boy, demanding, "Boy, I see you do this every morning after a storm! Look at all these starfish! You could do this all day and never get them all. Nearly every one will die! What difference does it make?"

The boy threw a starfish into the water, and replied, "Made a difference to him."

Remember that you are Talossan. You are part of something very special. When you spread the word about Talossa, you are helping make the lives of others a little more special, too. It might not make a difference to everyone, but it will make a difference to some.

Long live the King, and long live Talossa!

Alexander Davis
Seneschal del Regipäts Talossan