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by Tmr editor. . 170 reads.

Issue I - The Mariner Review

Editorial

Welcome to the first issue of The Mariner Review! These are exciting times for the Mariner Trench as our population swells and our future opens to so many possibilities. In this issue we begin with a short interview with Vippertooth33, who is currently leader of The MT Army, Founder and Chief Elder of the Mariner Trench. It includes only a few questions by which to introduce the Mariner Trench; perhaps in the future we will be able to produce more in-depth interviews with the Elders. Next up we have "In the Spotlight" a regular section that will feature a Trenchian nation. Hopefully this will allow us all to get to know each other better. This week Earthly Delights is featured, a Trenchian and MT Army Reservist. Finally we come to a recap' of the flag competition that was recently held, and take another look at all the wonderful creations. Looking forward, I understand that the region is gearing up to establish its first elected government, who will preside under the careful watch of the Council of Elders. Ambitious nations better start proof-reading their speeches and ironing their best suits. Also we are looking to expand the roleplay lore of the Mariner Trench, building up the region's backstory and adding some colour to our fantastical deep-sea world. Those enticed by the infamous anti-fascist struggle, to which the Mariner Trench has born many warriors, might look to joining the MT Army Reserves. Of course we hope to print further issues of The Mariner Review, so get out your typewriters and send in your stories! Beyond such prospects, all residents of the Trench should feel empowered to set out on new initiatives, for such sparks of creativity are the future.

~Kassimo~




Slowly we arise, renewed and with fresh eyes. The time has come. The time is now.

Welcome to the new age, my friends.
We are Mariner Trench!

~NessAmber~




An Interview with Vippertooth33

Can you share with us your own vision for the Mariner Trench?

Mariner Trench was a civilian community set up in 2003, once we became aware of the formally formidable Nazi raiding threat on NationStates every single civilian nation in Mariner Trench took up arms, forming The MT Army. As such, Mariner Trench’s rebirth has a strict no Nazi/Fascist policy.

Outside of this we hope for a fun and interactive regional government, run as our Trenchians see fit. To create a fascinating role play history (Mariner Trench Extended Universe) for our region and its interactions with the world over the past 5,000 years. Foster The MT Army Reserves for regional entertainment (War Games: friendly inter-regional raiding/defending conducted in Protectorate regions) and training/piler support for MT Army Anti-Nazi/Fascist operations.

After so many years of raiding and defending, what has motivated The MT Army to repopulate the Trench?

A conversation between myself and former second in command of The MT Army, Glugs (NessAmber) in December 2016 led to the exciting prospect of creating something fun and new (to us) utilising our former home region of Mariner Trench. However due to NationStates military game play and RL commitments, we had to delay the project. In early 2018, whilst hunting for Star Wars planet regions, I met Hesskin Empire (HE). HE had a good reputation as a region builder and rekindled my interest in kick-starting the repopulation of MT. Although HE is no longer our MT Architect, he provided me with a wealth of knowledge for region building and helped write the MT government constitution which was completed in July 2018.

What balance of powers do you expect between the Council of Elders and the elected government?

Ideally the Elders will help set up the region and then take a step back once the elected Trenchian government is formed. The Elders will only interfere if things really get off track, e.g. forming embassies with Nazi/Fascist regions.

Let's be honest, is this not just the next phase in the antifa-communist-terrorist plan for world domination?

Yes, as Fascist Anti-Fascists/Communists (what Nazi regions actually label us) we plan to take over NationStates and brainwash the masses into believing that attacking a person or group on the basis of attributes such as race, religion or non-religion, ethnic origin, national origin, sex, disability, sexual orientation, or gender identity, is not ok!

Well, thank you for your time!




Painting: Eyvind Earle, Reflections (1984)

* * *

The place of legend, lost for aeons in the depths of a great chasm, the Mariner Trench is once again returning to life.

Ferocious currents and phantoms of the dark need not be feared, for beneath the precipice a civilization as old as time endures.

Enter... enter... and make of it your home.

Warm hearts keep at bay cold waters, the light of truth fends off the gloom, all enemies of the trench invite their doom!




In The Spotlight: Earthly Delights

The Player: I first played NS maybe 8 years ago. Since then, my participation in the game has been... patchy, to say the least - I've been out more than in. When active, I've been interested in creating interesting nations more than in interacting with other players. However, in RL I am a person with strongly held political opinions- I am a Libertarian Socialist who really does care a great deal about democracy, civil liberties, equality and the environment. So in the past, I've sometimes been an independent anti-fascist piler - for example, helping out at ICU. Gameplay isn't something that I have much experience in, though.
In one of my previous bouts of activity, I tried my hand at writing issues - came up with 3 or 4, and one based on the Syrian Civil War got accepted. So my nation Interzone inc is an issues author. In real life, I've done quite a bit of academic stuff, and also written a fair number of policy documents, so this is the kind of thing that I'm good at. I'd be interested in writing more issues, and maybe also WA resolutions. Collaboration with fellow Trenchians would be welcome.

The Nation: My main nation is based on the painting by Hieronymus Bosch, which is also the nation's flag. This is a complex and fascinating work of art by one of the great painters of the 15th century. The painting is clearly some kind of religious allegory, but sadly its precise meaning is now lost, and is now a matter of fierce dispute among scholars. Read the wiki article on the painting Linkhere.
With the nation, I've tried to create something like the world that is shown in the central panel of the triptych. So... Earthly Delights is deeply devout (its a religious painting after all); it isn't very industrialized; public nudity is normal; drug use is encouraged; pretty much anything goes - including cannibalism and ritual sacrifice.

Earthly delights




Regional Flag Competition

A first activity for our new-found community has been choosing a standard. Several flags were submitted for consideration, but in the end it was the Chief's own design that won the vote.

The winning flag:

And the runner-ups:

From left to right: Caelapes - The maryland alliance - Cryspus - Stonesticks




Tmr editor

Edited:

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