The Spanish Inquisition Say:

New Forums

Fri Dec 31, 2010 9:09 am

NOBODY EXPECTED THAT VOTE WOULD ACTUALLY PASS. But it did, and now Gralus is packing up their bags and moving to their shiny new home on the Bastion Union forums.

Here is the Gralan part, which you will note looks almost exactly like the original.

These forums will of course remain perpetually here as an archive, and as a place we can return to if we need to. In the meantime, there will be a transistion period for the next couple weeks. Please put new stuff on the new forums; but if there old threads that need to be finished off here, that can happen too. You may continue to yell at Andreas about forum permissions here and there to do things like guilds and stuff if you want that transferred over. While you're copying posts, why not put it on the new wiki which is now at the old address, as it's been up there long enough. Seriously. It would be great to see more up on the wiki, and you'll get paid for it too

Series of Storms Devastate Australian Micronations

Fri Dec 17, 2010 6:18 pm

A series of deadly storms have swept through the Australian Belt of Micronations. Nations from the Australian Belt include Novatainia and Aeterna Lucina generally in isolated clusters. Meteorologists have previously identified Australian Belt Nations as having drought-style weather in the winter and cyclonic weather in the summer, regardless of biome. Most major trading centres in the belt suffered significant losses due to stock damage and early closure. Trading in Shelsa was largely undisrupted today, as it borders the much more stable Americana Belt.

Stocks in major Novatainian Trading Companies oscillated wildly today depending on their bases of operation, particularly for international trading.

Forum Sharing?

Sun Dec 05, 2010 6:21 am

If you haven't done so yet, VOTE on the proposal to share a forum with Nelaga and Shireroth (and possibly some others). If the vote passes, we'll be moving over to the remarkably similar-looking Bastion Union boards. Voting will end soon, so check out the new boards and voice your opinion! (If you're not sure what's going on, read Andreas' summary of the whole proposal).

Chaos in Relaram

Mon Nov 22, 2010 3:09 pm

"The Gralan province of Relaram is in chaos today as Triumvirate officials move in to clean up the mess left by it's largely dysfunctional government. Earlier in the week, their leader, Uvurith, killed 500 citizens in a protest outside the palace in Miedo. This sent shockwaves over Gralus, leading some to call for the re-banning of Necromancy. Unconfirmed reports suggest that the Imperial Police infiltrated the palace and attempted to arrest him, but he evaded arrest and is on the run. Lucifer, his mentor and the previous leader of Relaram, has been found dead. Though government sources deny any connections with the attempted arrest of Uvurith, it is believed he is responsible for this murder.

Miedo itself is in further strife as it is under attack by an as yet unknown force. Some claim to have seen spaceships in the sky. There are also reports of strange sightings in the Tokian countryside. The Lord General's Office has asked people to remain calm. This is Linda Brown, VBN - Gralus Edition."

Wanted Terrorist Nargoth Turns Himself In

Sun Nov 14, 2010 12:40 pm

Across Gralus, televisions on all channels flared to life.

"Breaking news from Gralan authorities! We have just received confirmation that the suspected terrorist, Nargoth, has turned himself in today to Imperial authorities, and is awaiting his trial. He made no attempt to resist arrest, even though he made the trip into Shelsan airspace on his dragon, Tecc. Accompanying him was a little girl, as of yet unidentified. We have, as of yet, no information on what role the girl played in finding and/or apprehending Nargoth, but as you can see by the video on your screen, she is of a rather young age."

"Nargoth is now being held at a maximum-security Imperial prison to the south of Shelsa. No attempt was made by authorities to apprehend his dragon or the girl, though we suspect they will be contacted later during further criminal proceedings. There is no word yet on the date of the trial. It is suspected that a few weeks may pass while evidence is properly retrieved and cataloged. More on this story later at eleven. This has been an important news update from the GNN."

It's all new

Sun Oct 17, 2010 7:45 pm

Everything seems bright and new in Gralus at the moment, from the news feed next door to the Gralan Wiki. Why don't you head over the shiny new wiki now, and use some of the shiny new infoboxes to do up some shiny new articles? There could be a shiny dollar in it for you, or at least 10 GELT/article + bonuses for certain classes of articles. There's even a new island, jointly controlled with Nelaga and Babkha.

But the most exciting news have got to be the new magic and recwar system. What started as a fear we were getting nowhere turned into a stimulating discussion cross two continents which resulted in fleshing out broad new paramaters for magic (within which people can make their own system) and a brand new approach to recwar. Gone are the days of endless disputes over the flying range of the F298-C2 Mk VI and whether the KMV126-B Class Alpha Mk III ~~anti-air~~ SAM (modified) can fire high enough to hit them. Gone is having to count each and every man before he dies, account for every spell, tick off every missile. Enter the exciting new division based, points balanced, tactics focussed recwar system. Feel free to throw your two GELT into those discussions too. While you're doing that, why not invest in the SCX, with their all new dividends functionality?

And while the nation innovates, individuals continue to get on with the important task of exciting backstory. Special mentions go to Gerk (for finally finishing his backstory), Harvey (for finally becoming a citizen and starting his) and Claire (for finally tracking down Nargoth). EVERYBODY EXPECTS HER TO CATCH NARGOTH.

Breaking News 0.2

Sat Oct 09, 2010 11:51 pm

Conspiracy theorists rejoiced today when the mysterious towers that appeared all over the Empire last month subtly altered their appearance. Each tower now proclaims the motto 'Siaroc et palos est / Calis et Kahie'. Doctor John Wardfood of the Northern Novatainian Research Institute claims that these prove that the towers are a communication platform from another planet or dimension.

In other news, a minor fracas broke out in Relaram Square today in which several people were injured. Tensions are also mounting in Toketi over the union strikes in the administrative and trade sectors...

In other news...

Sat Oct 02, 2010 9:11 pm

Linda Sytan Reporting,

Outraged citizens marched in Laranel Square today over the revealed plans to increase privatisation of the Tokian government. Mob spokesman, Darrel Twain, had this to say:

"I don't even understand how privatising the civil service would work! We were told that details are available from our local administrative offices, but when you ask them they just tell you to fill in form 385c, and that's a request for an aged carers' licence..."

So far there has been no comment by the Tokian royal family, possibly because the King was tied up with negotiations between the civil servants union and the executives union...

Breaking News 0.1

Thu Sep 23, 2010 5:01 pm

BREAKING NEWS:

A minor scuffle in Öarna has lead to a major investigation by Imperial Police. Although Sir Wiess declined to comment, a spokeswoman for ImpCop told reporters today that a knifefight had broken out in the City Centre earlier today. Rumours abound that the fighters were accountants from large rival firms, and several eyewitnesses have attested that most of the men in grey suits were killed in the chaos. Strangely enough, no city businesses have reported missing employees, and so the identities of the dead men are unknown to all but ImpCop, presumably. I have here with me, a Mrs Katherine Walker, who say the fight break out, Katherine?

"Well, I was having lunch, then suddenly the square was full of these guys in grey. I hadn't really noticed them before, and they didn't have astral spirits, so I don't think they teleported in... Anyway, there were two big groups of them and then, suddenly, they all had knives. I didn't see much, 'cause everyone started running, but they just began brawling. It was kinda weird to watch, they all looked so similar in their big grey suits and the same haircut and everything. It was just, yeah, weird..."

Still there?

Mon Aug 02, 2010 7:39 pm

It's all new in Gralus. We've got a new citizen (welcome Aurora!) who has now become our first new student in MANA in over a year. There's an all new, improved everything-store in town (pick up your sonic screwdrivers here, boys, you've got an awful lot of running to do) courtesy of VBNC, and a new DZ game, courtesy of Fides.

There's new ideas for reform, and new members in the SCUE (welcome Antica). But most of all there are new visitors from beyond the stars. Let's hope they don't start a new war.

New Improved Gralus, now with 10% more sass.

Back in Action

Fri Jun 04, 2010 9:39 am

Gralus is back in action with Fides located (with help from Manuel and Rafel) and awaiting sentencing for killing himself. The restoration of magic leads to an interesting confrontation with King Lachlan; while VBNC flexes it's muscles and secures a lucrative Alexandrian investment contract while at the same time restoring 'New' New Myzoria. What's the deal with their call centre? How long until NNN (coming soon to a Novatainian style near you!) becomes VBNNN? NISB have got suspicious and asked Manuel round for a 'little chat'. Who knows what those NISB boys are up to? Antica certainly wants to, as they come to make diplomatic contact and incidentally request some of the Kendall Isles. Do they actually love us, or do they just want our stuff? Only time will tell.

In sadder news, Toketoshal is over so we have to figure out what to do with Laranel. NOBODY EXPECTED COREY TO GIVE UP. At least Toketi's made it to it's fourth birthday, with no signs of stopping. Happy birthday Toketi! In other news, EGaD has been officially upgraded from "coming soon" to "coming very soon", and MANA has been upgraded from "desperately in need of a Lord" to "Sakat no, who let Fides take control?" Will he be able to stand up to King Lachlan, deal with the Krynii Fist and bring MANA back to it's former glory? We're certainly hoping so.

The Spanish Inqusition: NOBODY EXPECTED AN UPDATE!

Feeding the World

Mon Apr 26, 2010 8:38 am

Noticed that exciting orange button at the bottom of the announcement box yet? It leads to our brand new RSS Inquisition Feed, broadcasting the Spanish Inquisition day in and day out. NOBODY EXPECTED WE'D GET OUR OWN CHANNEL! We even have the MNN live feed, courtesy of Shireroth.

On the topic of unexpected things, Nargoth has given the orbs back to the races; the Bill of Rights has finally been passed; Uvurith is acting strangely and Fides is missing, presumed dead. Perhaps our new and improved safe private militaries can help, or perhaps he'll just languish in captivity until activity picks up.

Don't forget to invest all your money in the amazing new Small Commonwealth Exchange. Gralan stocks are already doing great - why wouldn't you invest all your spare money there?

New Triumvirs

Fri Mar 26, 2010 9:27 pm

The results are in, and after a surprise pull out, we have our new Triumvirs and new heirs sorted, if not officially appointed. Congratulations to Kara, our new Empress; and Vincent Waldgrave, our new Lord General. The Lord General has already got into his proposed program - ending SCOWL, beginning negotiations with Toketoshal, and closing down the private militaries.

Talking of elections, Lachlan has unveiled his brand new election system, which looks to be fun; and Fides has unveiled his ideas for making the heirs do work. Meanwhile, the current triumvirs have argued over citizens living outside the country, with the immediate result that those in Laranel are not (not citizens, that is, not not in Laranel).

And Nargoth (as quite possibly the only remaining Lord of Magic) has called for a council on the future of magic; and it looks like many are attending. What will result (and what comments will be made on the recent ban on public magic in Novatainia) is anybody's guess.

Elections

Sat Mar 13, 2010 7:47 pm

Al'Magroth is dead, all hail ... but wait, we don't want another Dark Lord. That's fine, because we haven't got one. What we have gotten is a sudden slump in activity now nobody's fighting for their lives; but peace is beyond price.

It's also provided a pause to rebuild the nation; including elections for the position of Lord General, the newly vacant position of Emperor, and heirs for all three positions. For an empire not used to democracy, the constitutional changes enacted before all this have been taken up quite happily, with arguments emerging on preferential voting vs range voting. NOBODY EXPECTS AN OPTIMAL VOTING SYSTEM.

What we do expect is for the role of police to be sorted out (which it has); and for EGaD to soon replace SCOWL. Maybe the magic system will finally be agreed upon, even.

In other news, eating meat is frowned upon, formal designs are cool, and wikis are good places to post stories (even if not particularly popular for forums).

Magic!

Mon Feb 22, 2010 9:29 pm

Magic. What started as a minor CCM update has developed into discussions on the fundamental theory of magic; and various subtopics on different magical elements to allow easy discussion. If you have opinions on the Astral Plane, Teleportation, magicing vehicles, mind influence, casting times, persisting spells, the Planes, Antimagic, costing magical things or even Animate, now's the time to make your views heard (generally in easy poll form, for your convenience)!
NOBODY EXPECTED BAYEN AND FIDES TO AGREE ON SO MUCH. Nor Fides to have such a good idea about shifting. Bayen's back in magic system creating mode and trying to work the idea into everything. If you don't like it, better tell him fast.

In the meantime, our favourite Dark Lord is not going to run and hide, despite losing his factory, demon horde and most of his Fiery Demonic Man Eating Locust Swarms. Everyone is looking forward to the epic final battle, as soon as people actually get to the Ocean Palace. NOBDOY EXPECTED TRAVEL TIME TO TAKE SO LONG.

In other news, government positions are up for grabs, Micras may be moving to metric (try saying that five times fast), and many of us attended the School of Pokemon and graduated with first class honours in irony.

11th February, 2010 - 2

Thu Feb 11, 2010 12:08 pm

Welcome one and all to the brand new, shiny, functional Gralan forums. Some new features that may excite you:
- Standard quick reply across all updated themes
- CAPTCHA actually works and is the really awesome type
- New themes, with the potential of more to come
- Other general phpBB clean ups
- And our all new, amazing super-feature - every new topic in the Announcement Update forum will instantly go to the announcement box. Why not give it a try?

Testing

Thu Feb 11, 2010 11:40 am

If all has gone well, we are now all on the new board. Quick reply is there but not yet enabled for all forums (sadly, I have to go through and do that manually, until I can work out where it's stored in the database).

11th February, 2010

Thu Feb 11, 2010 9:23 am

If you can see this message, you've either snuck onto the new forum software, or Andreas has succesfully converted the forum over. Let's hope it's the second.

27th January 2010

Wed Jan 27, 2010 1:27 pm

Tremble, ye mortals, and despair. I, the Dark Lord Al'Magroth, hereby lay claim to these mortal realms. Watch as your leaders support me (as if they had a choice). Marvel as their underlings figure bits of it out for themselves. Gasp at the moral dilemma of the Fides' - betray their people and gain ultimate power; or betray the character and evilness of the name 'Demon of Fides' throughout the ages; or be a double agent and attempt to betray everyone in different ways. Question whether I or Nargoth mean a word of what we're saying to eachother. Be confused at what Q is talking about. Wonder why Graham Lot is a fan of anagrams. And be really impressed at NISB's awesomeness while bemoaning their sense of timing. Don't forget about the man quietly accumulating Demon War artifacts; while helping poor Z recover his past.

And feel surprised at the suggestion we should halve the size of the main forum page. I care nothing for your forums. I only want your service, whether in life or death. Let the greatest war of this decade begin!

Jan 15th 2010

Fri Jan 15, 2010 2:13 pm

Welcome to the new year, and what a year it's shaping up to be! The secession movement continues to gain steam with the arrest of two of their high profile supporters, the blatant non-arrest of a third, and the Lord General's choice to recognise them and then resign - thereby rendering it technically illegal for action to be taken against them. However, no move by them has yet been made to forcibly assert their technical independence.

The remaining Triumvirs has been busy to combat the ill feeling, fighting off terrorists (apparently including the ex-LG), redrafting the constitution, considering your rights, and meeting to see what can be done about it all. Will the secessionists agree to a meeting in a neutral location with a neutral security company? Or will they prove they want war, not words, and reject the offer? Only time will tell.

In the meantime, prepare for the triple coronation of the century as the fabled Lachlan returns to claim the crown of Novatainia; and Gerk inherits the crown of Toketiand the currently undetermined symbol of authority of the Chief Justice.

Gralus - Now with 20% more arguments!

15th December 2009

Tue Dec 15, 2009 12:23 pm

It's summer and the smell of seccession is in the air. Or is it just the hint of death and intrigue? Whatever it is, it's got SCOWL hopping.

The Fated War Announcement I appear to have forgotten ...

Sat Nov 28, 2009 11:57 am

Midway through your flight to Gralus, you feel the plane beginning to turn. A voice crackles over the intercom.
"Flight AK474J to Shelsa, this is your captain speaking. Due to unforseen difficulties this flight has been cancelled."
"Unforseen difficulties?" one of the passengers roared. "They can't do this - I paid good erb for this flight."
The captain seemed to have realised this would be the response, and spoke again.
"Gralus is ... gone. Just gone. Look out your windows, if you don't believe me."
Immediately, there was the sound of window covers being pulled up, and then the gasps, and then the screams.

You look out the window to see ... empty land. Where the lands of Gralus should be there is a hole, going about a hundred metres down from the land on the border, and from then on is flat dirt. Perfectly flat, as if it had been cut out by a knife, going straight up to the border, and not a millimetre further.
"We have received permission from Livlandia International Airport to land there," the Captain continued. "If you were transferring from Gralus to another destination, then on behalf of Global Airways I can assure you that flights will be arranged for you from Livlandia International Airport at the earliest possible time, at no further cost to yourself. If Gralus was your final destination ... I'm sorry. I'm so sorry. But there's nothing we can do."

OOC: Sorry, I realised I'd never copied this over. This is a garbled version from memory.

28th November 2009

Sat Nov 28, 2009 11:38 am

Welcome back. NOBODY EXPECTED THE FATED WAR TO TAKE THIS LONG. But hope is not lost. We've barely been back a minute and we're already over 9000!. We've survived taxes and cultural development in New Myzoria. We've got a new magic system, and there's a new recwar system floating about (though it won't replace SCOWL anytime soon, since it can't handle magic). But it sure is pretty. NOBODY EXPECTED ANYTHING PRODUCED BY ANDREAS TO BE PRETTY. AND NOBODY EXPECTED THREE SPANISH INQUISITION 'UNEXPECTED' ALL CAPS MESSAGES.
OR DID THEY?

Gralan Wiki - SCOWL - CCM - Bestiary - Bank - Services List - The Gralan Chronicle - MCS - MITO - MNN - Apollo Aurora -

23rd July 2009

Thu Jul 23, 2009 1:58 pm

War has been averted. The quick thinking actions of the man who is again acting-LG in bringing the parties of Doshtan Yokutar together appears to have brought the matter to a successful conclusion.

And just in time to - in time for the Trial of the Century! Lucifer, alleged murderer of Callidus, first Emperor of Gralus, has returned (and somewhat drunk, by the looks of things. ). And before he can reclaim his princeship, he has to stand trial. What really happened that night that Bayen and the Emperor allegedly died? All shall soon be revealed.

In other news, some new and old faces are back. Hello to everyone who's turned up since the last announcement. NOBDOY EXPECTED YOUR RETURN!

30th June 2009

Tue Jun 30, 2009 4:04 pm

The new Emperor is crowned (attempted coups aside), Lachlan is back (and already drunk ) and all is well with the world.

All? No, in a small Novatainian subforum the CoRR has been completely rearranged, but, well, that's internal stuff (as is the vast amounts of money they're offering). Externally, the SCUE is ticking along nicely; and our allies in Nelaga have bought JASO in an auction after much secret cloak and dagger business which may or may not have involved a Gralan (work it out for yourself).

And because the people who update this are dead or going away (still waiting for that will, Bayen), we've brought back a message that you all know and love, and updates itself

14th June 2009

Sun Jun 14, 2009 4:24 pm

"The Emperor is dead, long live the Emperor!"
That's the cry being taken up in Novatainia, now that time has confirmed the initial reports that Bayen and Callidus have been murdered and Lucifer and Phineas gone. BONE has disappeared too, so now we might not be invaded/zombified in our beds (at least, if the handover goes well)

In other news, a string of roberries has signalled that another Manuel's Piracy Competition is afoot; we finally have an economy and a bank (do register an account); Gerk wants your vote; historical re-enactment is on the cards (play a different character, yay ); as are mage duels; and some fool wants to reform the Gralan Intelligence Community and give power to the Triumvirate, instead of hoarding it in the hands of Novatainians where it belongs. NOBODY EXPECTS EQUAL TREATMENT FOR GRALANS.

In short, there's lots going on, so why don't you get going with it? And while you're going, get going to the Expo, where Natopia and Imperium Incognita are showing us up (or at least Fides thinks so).

29th May 2009

Fri May 29, 2009 1:21 pm

Alarm and controversy! The Emperor and Bayen may or may not have been killed! Andreas may or may not be launching a counter strike against their possible murderer! We may or may not be overreacting! NOBODY EXPECTS UNDERREACTING!

In less radical news, the magic debates continue, with MANA making a class-based counterproposal to Bayen's suggestion to further newify and simplify NCM. Will the one that already has a fancy and punny name win out against the man who's designed the last three?
Also, the economy/war debate is wrapping up. We're basically agreed what the economy will look like, apart from how we'll cost standing structures. We've also agreed to share a currency with Shireroth and Nelaga, so that we can all buy off eachother, only to have the Shirithians argue over the banking software. Maybe after the Emperor's finished being murdered, and Ari finished being creative, we'll have an economy up and running in the next few weeks ...

Closer to home, the Expo is almost upon us. It's only n days to the Expo (where n is (Jun 1st - Today's Date)), and already we've had so many countries and organisations sign up we've almost run out of subforum space. Between us and our sponsors, MNN, prepare to dazzle the micronational world, Gralus.

19th May 2009

Tue May 19, 2009 8:15 pm

The claim is finally approved (the council was far more efficient when I was on it). Now we just need to get the Economy approved (and it sounds like its almost there) and we can count ourselves fully established. I know the Novatainians have moved in.

Of course, moving in means leaving the other forums as archives. NO ONE EXPECTED CHELKRAN KESH TO DISSAPEAR - but it did. We'd hate that to happen to Toketi's free forum. So Andreas has begged people to transfer important stuff while they still can [He might even pay you - Ed].

And the Expo has had huge and continued popularity, and we haven't even made the official announcement yet! MNN have asked to be our sponsors, and will be if no one objects in the very near future.

4th May 2009

Mon May 04, 2009 7:28 pm

Gralus is hosting the World Expo this year. Hurrah for us. Less than a day in and already four nations have registered. NO ONE EXPECTED THIS QUICK A RESPONSE.

In less quick response news, the Emperor has yet to rule on the Economy; and the MCS Council has yet to approve our claim. Not too long before we're fully and completely established, fingers crossed.

And Kalla is in and forumised and ..... still coordinating. And apparently their cheif language is Swedish. Swedish and freedom. The two languages they speak are Swedish and Freedom. Oh, and English. The three languages they speak are Swedish, Freedom, English, and .... oh, I'll just shut up. [Good idea - Ed]

25 April 2009

Sun Apr 26, 2009 12:44 am

GROWL has been on for nearly a week, and most people have posted an Orbat. (If you haven't, do so now!)

Economic discussion has become rather heated, with proposals dropping like epileptics at a disco. Phineas has called for a decision that could change the path this nation takes - be sure to let your opinion be heard!

In lighter news, a careless comment by Sir Gerk sparked a furious discussion about the merits (or lack thereof) of anime. And we, the Inquisition, made a cameo appearance in the Magic DZ. Huzzah!

19 April 2009

Mon Apr 20, 2009 5:14 am

GROWL is up and running! That's right, the Gralan Recreational Ongoing War League has finally been approved for domestic use. The Lord General has yet to speak, so other nations cannot yet participate, but all Gralans should figure out how to play as quickly as possible, since the faster you post your first OrBat, the sooner your Dynamic Army will begin to accumulate points.

Since war has been fixed up so quickly, it's time to deal with money, so development has begun on a Gralan economy. Andreas has created a nice form to gauge public opinion on the matter.

Plus, the new Gralan flag has FINALLY been chosen by our Emperor. The results of the poll were somewhat confusing, so luckily we had someone to just pick.

In other news, more and more members are transitioning onto the new boards, with some Andrew W. K. as well! LET'S GET A PARTY GOING!

18 April 2009

Sun Apr 19, 2009 8:05 am

The powers that be have decided that CITRA needs to be updated for the Empire, including its name. Suggestions have included CIGRA, CIGAR, and GROWL.

Meanwhile, Andreas has gone description-happy, copying over an obscene amount of topics from the Nova boards, such as this, this, this, this, and many, many more. He is also advocating use of the Wiki to make easily accessible all these descriptions and more.

Finally, the controversy rages on about board styles, with people complaining about eye damage and aesthetics. Will it come to blows?

15/4/09

Wed Apr 15, 2009 8:36 pm

IT IS FINISHED (but really its just started ...)

Gralus has been officially Established [Yes, the capital E is necessary - Ed], NO ONE EXPECTED LONGBOW TO GET CHIEF JUSTICE NOR LUCIFER EMPEROR! Sorry Nargoth, everyone knew you were getting in. Unexepcted congratulations to everyone from all of us here at the Spanish Inquisition [And me - Ed].

With the establishment [and perhaps the fact he didn't get a proper position - Ed] Andreas has gone and declared himself Admin and gone crazy putting in a bunch of forums [that look suspiciously like the old Novatainian ones - Ed]. But he needs your help to find errors and forum images. NO ONE EXPECTS YOU TO HELP HIM! [But it would be nice if you did - Ed]