To Michael & Tetris | With Love

A Message Forgotten
How RHINIA Has Lost Its Way

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By: Actias, Former Emperor of Westphalia & RHINIA

For Rhine media with barlomia

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............It hasn't been long since a small corner of Nation States was rocked with world changing news. In fact, the morning I found out still sits fresh in my mind. At the time, I was residing in the isolated region of Agora, more than likely the only one of its residents not engaged in Westphalia. My mind was still recovering from the failure of Circumspice, the failure of a years work in Westphalia, and some other real life on-goings. I had purposefully distanced my self from the world I'd known in NationStates since July 2016. Engaged in cultural activities in Agora (and political activities in New Western Atlantic), I felt safe and happy with my position on the site again. That would all change when a large, impressively organized coalition of raiders hit the region I was trying hard to forget. From Black Hawks to Pacificans, to my homeland of Europeia, Westphalia was razzed by the most powerful regions on NationStates. Devastated is too inaccurate to describe how I felt. Shocked too simple. My mind was blown and my new spot in NationStates was rocked.

............Smart nations pretended to know the answers, and the solutions. Once respected allies pretended their lack involvement was the epitome of protection. Distant observers cheered for what they saw as a dose of justice. Most were wrong and few were right about the situation. Fingers pointed in blame while hope seemed to dwindle quickly. A dark cloud was growing over the entire area - and all of those involved. But salvation came over the hilltops, as Tetros took the mantle of responsibility and founded a refuge for the fallen empire - RHINIA. Hope was onboard as former friends, old enemies, and displaced Westphalians fled to the new region.

............At first, an exact replica of the fallen empire was being forged - as infighting and inter-regional bickering began to plague the region in traditional Westphalian style. But my resignation as Emperor, commonsense cries for order from experienced nations, and the realization of what could be, put the RHINIAN house back in order. A common vision was coming into clarity - new systems, new values, new cultures, same old faces. RHINIA was going to be its own, independent story of NationStates success while its homeland's history would be just that - history. An unprecedented era in the world of the former Westphalia began - with friendship, positivity, and prosperity glimmering through the rough of a new region. A new and sovereign story was waiting to be written. But like all things in life, an obstacle appeared. Yet another blow to this corner of NationStates.

............The once valiant but notoriously flaky founder of Westphalia returned. The region was truly liberated and the 'masses' fled home. Along with those nations who had quietly resided in Westphalia, its former (and sole) active population up and abandoned RHINIA, most not looking back. The new, exciting story book began to close. Activity was halved, growth halted. A divide between what was and what could be became clear. "Why aren't you in Westphalia?" "What is the point of staying in RHINIA?" "Westphalia is so 'active' now! 300 nations! What are you waiting for?" The message that was forged over the past months was trampled in mere moments. A strong region buried in the shadow of the charming facade Westphalia brought back. A facade we all pretend doesn't poorly cover a dark, decaying corpse of a region that is plagued with a vicious cycle of failure - in which the founder promises activity and glory, disappears as the region falls into hopeless disrepair, then returns to wipe the slate and start the cycle over.

............The message of RHINIA was forgotten. The new empire Tetros wished to establish took a near fatal blow. But hope remains onboard.

............The state of Westphalia is not good, nor is it convincing. There is no reason to suggest that the founder won't flounder again. There is nothing to prove that come summer, nations won't be vying for power in the vacuum of a region in despair. There is nothing there that says things will change. RHINIA, however, was built on change. It was built on independence, sovereignty, and the future. Dedicated hands helped the region to pick itself up, out of the fray of thousands of minuscule regions. Those hands, and new ones, remain to turn RHINIA back in the direction it was meant to go, to remember those messages we got so close to echoing across NationStates.

............The job is tedious and the work may be hard, but Rome was not built in a day. We must trust one another, that our intentions are genuine and our dedication to the region is steadfast. We must realize that the only way forward is new, fresh, and invigorating. RHINIA must end the obsession and constant pathetic reminiscing over that ugly flower in the distance, that ugly flower which works only to poison our path. We must leave Westphalia behind. Our identity is Rhinian. Our name is Rhinia. Our message is clear: Compassion, Loyalty, Sophistication, and above all - Happiness. Do you stand with the future, with progress and dignity? Or do you stand, looking back at the wreckage, waiting for a change that will never come? I know where I stand.

............I Stand with RHINIA. Now, and forever.

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Actias is a seven year NationStates veteran, once the Emperor of Westphalia and Rhinia and currently a Senator for the New Western Atlantic. Actias can be reached directly though Telegram.

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