10KI Update - November 2020

Date: November 2020
Population: 1,444
Delegate Endorsement: 456
Forum: https://10000islands.proboards.com/
Discord: https://discord.gg/4uWZbNS

Has your region been invaded, or do you want to get in touch with TITO? If so, contact one of the following nations:
~Chief Executive: Markanite
~Field Commander: Kanta Hame
~Tactical Officers: Shy Guyia, Smugglers and Mercs (TITO EF), Controlitia, Grea Kriopia, Kuriko
~Executive Officers: Hakketomat, Aschente

As of this report's publication, the Government of 10000 Islands consists of:
~Chief Executive: Markanite
~WA Delegate: HumanSanity
~Senior Senator for New Republica South (Debates and Discussions): Controlitia
~Senator for Himes West (RP): Wille-Harlia
~Senator for Blue Canaria North (Emissary Report): Wischland
~Senator for Lyonnesse East (Houses): Aschente
~Minister of Education: Grea Kriopia
~Minister of Labor: Free las pinas
~Minister of Immigration: Thedairos

Information about other government officials of 10000 Islands can be found here.

Scheduled elections for Senators for Lyonnesse East and Himes West rolled around again this November.

Incumbent Wille-Harlia was challenged for the seat of Senator for Himes West by Zaberaz Hapang. WH was able to pull ahead during voting to keep his seat.

Former Senator for Lyonnesse East, Thedairos declined to run again this election, making the seat an easy grab for Aschente, who ran unopposed.

Congratulations to all candidates for a race well run! Thank you Thedairos for your service as Senator.

~Delegate HumanSanity and Secretary of State Margaux have selected Sulenia to serve as XKI's new emissary to The South Pacific, Wischland as emissary to India, and Wille-Harlia as emissary to Arctic.
~Thedairos wasn't gone from the Council of Nine for long, as Markanite appointed him to the post of Minister of Immigration following THX1138's departure.

Thank you THX for you outstanding service to the region. We wish you the best of luck and much happiness for the future.

~November's Featured Nation was Astrobolt. Though already fairly experienced in NationStates, Astrobolt recently moved to XKI and quickly made a name for themselves by joining TITO and becoming involved in the region's card community. Congratulations Astro, we're excited to see where you go next.
~Following Kuriko's new and improved Commendation, Taco-Island-Charities sought to give her the honor she deserves through a Commendation Giveaway. Islanders were able to spread the love and appreciation by posting something nice and commendable about another player, who would then receive 1000 tacos. Compliments abounded, and nearly a dozen Islanders walked away with light hearts and heavy wallets!
~The XKI Cards Co-op held a pull event in mid-November for Season 1 Sionis Prioratus. Sionis Prioratus's status as the first Islander to be Commended as well as their card's rarity and value had both the XKI card community and many friends of the region scrambling to get lucky during this event. From XKI, both HumanSanity and United States of Island land had the good fortune to pull a Sionis Prioratus card.
~Although November turned out to be a fairly quiet month for XKI, Islanders were more than happy to settle in for some of the Cultural Office's weekly events. Grea Kriopia, despite leaving the post of Cultural Officer, continued to host movie nights every Saturday, even getting into the holiday spirit with a showing of Elf. All of XKI's regional friends are invited to join us for coming movie nights on Discord. Islanders also kept their minds' sharp with Krystalveil's Weekly Riddles, following the surprisingly puzzling life of Kyle and his family. Big thanks to the Cultural Office for all their hard work!

~United Counties of Escanaba reached the historic milestone of recruiting 20,000 nations for XKI. Escabana is one of the oldest and most active recruiters in the region, and this achievement shows just how extraordinary they are. Then Minister of Immigration THX1138 added some perspective to this astonishing number, reporting that "the average population in 10000 Islands over the life of the region is about 1500 nations. This means that Esca, over the course of their recruiting career, has been singularly responsible for filling the region to its average capacity roughly 13 times". We can't thank Esca enough for their exceptional work!
~XKI was struck by an Easter Egg hunting craze this past month, with nations searching high and low, changing pretitles, and altering mottos to earn that sweet easter egg badge. Pianaville found their second easter egg, while New Kowloon Bay was quick to find their first one. Meanwhile, Grea Kriopia has worked her way up to seven eggs, and after 10 long years of searching, HumanSanity has finally managed to turn up his fourth egg. Congrats to all and best of luck in all future egg hunting!
~HumanSanity also got lucky in his card pulls, as he managed to complete Commended Islanders Cards Collection. Valued at just a little over 800 MV for only 11 cards, it's an impressive collection that contains a card from any member of XKI who has received a Commend from the SC. HS's dedication to collecting and displaying these cards in honor of the important Islanders they represent is truly impressive and is sure to lead to some great new collections come Season 3.
~November was a fruitful month for XKI's writers. Wischland became a first-time issue author when "Have Your Cake and Don't Eat It" was published. Congratualtions Wisch! Not to be outdone, Free las pinas submitted a General Assembly proposal titled Supporting People With Disabilities, which had reached Quorum, but was pulled before it reached a vote to make some last minute edits. Best of luck to FLP! All of XKI will be crossing our fingers for your success.

A regional poll by Jabberwocky asked Islanders whether or not they believed in ghosts or spirits. XKI is apparently of scientific mind, because most Islanders responded with a strong no!

The RMB trended towards being a little edgy in November, with quite the array of dark joke:

~Speeding towards a better year
~Hello, 911?
~I think, therefore I am (a zombie)
~Couping 101
~Try kissing it better
~I'm watching…your stats
~A real mystery
~Nothing wrong with a little affection!

We managed to chase down Margaux in between diplomatic summits and get them to sit down for an interview. Margaux is a rising star in XKI, serving in TITO, as Deputy Senator for Himes West, and as Secretary of State. Here's what this multi-talented Islander had to say:

Wischland: Let's start by taking a look back at your time in NS. What made you stick around XKI?

Margaux: Probably, the people I met here. XKI has so many people who are always ready to help and push you in the right direction. They are always checking in on you, asking how you are doing. And the overall atmosphere of XKI. Everyone I have met on the forum, RMB, and discord are nice people.

Wisch: That's always good to hear! Since you joined, you've also become a big part of the community, and stand out as one of XKI's most active roleplayers. What's your favorite thing about RP here in the region?

Margaux: That different things can happen each day. And how the RP region, "A Taco Archipelago", has evolved overtime. When I first joined, wars were the main thing that happened almost everyday. But, overtime different RP scenarios evolved. Leaders meeting with leaders, trade deals, pacts & unions, etc. Also I love how one nation can make a RP scenario that can slowly snowball into a Great Island War. No matter how small a nation is, they can have an effect on the overall RPing of the larger nations.

Wisch: Sounds exciting! You've also taken on a leading RP role as Deputy Senator for Himes West. How has that affected your RP?

Marguax: Being Deputy has not really changed how I RP overall. But, from time to time arguments will break out in the RP region. Even though it is not clarified in my duties, I try to calm down the sides. Try to work for an agreement so no one gets into any trouble. And as Deputy I report to the Senator of Himes West. So, if he wants something to be done in RP. I do it.

Wisch: Is there anything you'd like to change about XKI RP?

Margaux: I would like to get more people interested in the Forum RP area. Which is why I fully stand behind Senator Wille-Harlia. He has been pushing for more RP activity in the Forum.

Wisch: And best of luck to both of you in that regard. Another government job you've taken on recently is as Delegate HumanSanity's Secretary of State. Could you describe what you do in this role?

Margaux: Well, the main job I have is keeping track of the Emissaries. If they have gotten their reports in for their assigned regions, and if they have sent the XKI Update report out. From time to time, I ping islanders about SC or GA proposals that will be at vote

Wisch: Could you give us a sneak-peek into some of the behind-the-scenes work for publishing the XKI Update Report (like this one). What's the process that goes into writing, editing, and distributing the report?

Margaux: The Senator of Blue Canaria North is the mastermind really behind XKI's Update Reports creation and overall orchestration. The Senator takes note of the numerous events and on goings in the region, and compiles them all into one report at the end of each month. As Secretary of State, I look over the report before I hand it off to the Emissaries and Ambassadors. To make sure there are no errors or if the Delegate would like something added. After it passes me and Delegate HumanSanity's inspection. I round up all the Emissaries and Ambassadors and share it with them, to give to their assigned regions.

Wisch: And that's how it ends up in the hands of our regional friends! Now, let's look forward. What are some of your plans for the future? Should we be expecting a Senator Margaux anytime soon?

Margaux: That is a good question. As of right now I have no future plans. But, my thoughts are turning towards possibly running for Senator. And if things look bright, I may ponder running for Delegate.

Wisch: Well, you're definitely one to keep an eye on! Any final comments you'd like to make?

Margaux: If you are new to the XKI region. And you are feeling overwhelmed, don't be. When I first joined, I would never have thought I would be Secretary of State. I just wanted to RP and build my nation. But, sometimes you can just find something you may be good at. Even if you are not trying to look for it.