Vanguard Edict, A celebration! Options

[Revanche]

Vanguard Edict
First Birthday Celebrations

The 11th of July is a momentous date for the members of Vanguard. One year ago today, a small collection of nations, whose combined strength barely surpassed 100,000, rallied together under one banner. Those nations were committed to the ideals of quality over quantity, activity and contribution, efficiency and productivity, and diplomacy and tact. From the beginning, we sought to offer something new and exciting to the Cyberverse; creating the unique and often plagiarised Document of Vanguard, developing distinctive emblems and banners, avoiding cliché approaches to politics and towing party lines, and fiercely protecting our independence and sovereignty. From our humble beginnings, Vanguard has risen to a medium-sized power with strong friendships and formal pacts with some of the most powerful, influential and historically vivacious alliances in our world. Within our great community, we have had the privilege of collecting a group of talented, dedicated and urbane people, who have each played a significant role in propelling Vanguard to where it is today. Like many alliances, we have faced adversity and challenge, but after each hurdle, Vanguard has remained standing; victorious, triumphant and with hardened resolve. We are wholeheartedly dedicated to the success of Vanguard, pursuing our interests, and vehemently defending our ideals and those of our allies. For me, it has been an absolute honour to lead such an amazing collective for twelve months.

I will also take this opportunity to announce Vanguard’s passing of the 1.5 million combined strength milestone. We have reached this goal while maintaining an average strength of almost 25 thousand, a nuclear arsenal of more than 300 missiles, and what I believe to be the greatest and most enjoyable community of the Cyberverse. I would personally like to thank all Vanguard members, particularly past and present Architects, in driving our great alliance to the exceptional position we currently, and will continue to, stand in.

Now let’s all get drunk and play ping-pong.

[QuiteTheUserName]

Today we celebrate the anniversary of the introduction of Vanguard to the world. Three hundred and sixty five days we have graced the shadows of the Cyberverse - developing our nations, observing the political drama, and above all, forging everlasting friendships. It is those friends that Vanguard holds dear who have helped shape the very foundation of Vanguard into the entity that it is, one year after its birth. Allies both large and small have left their imprint on us - from the elite powerhouses of ODN and TOP to the ferocious, battle-hardened nations of Universalis. On this day, we not only observe our date of birth, but also the resolve, commitment, and camaraderie our allies have invested in us. We honor those allies past and present:

Tell me who your friends are, and I'll tell you who you are

Ascended Coalition of Liberty:
The ACL, spearheaded by foreign affairs man Magnum T. Gundraw, was the first alliance Vanguard treatied. Within this similar-sized alliance many relationships flourished, spam-a-thons hosted, and egos broken. Though ACL has since disbanded, many of the bonds remain today as evidenced by our ties with Ragnarok and Ascended Republic of Elite States.

FOK:
The warm-hearted Dutchmen of the Orange Sphere were the first alliance to organize foreign representation on the Vanguard home boards. They welcomed us with open arms, invited us to bask in the friendliness and ambiance of the orange team. And that we did. Their diplomats had a knack for comedic gold and filled our boards with laughter and fun times, not to mention their penchant for nonsensical treaty names. If only there were a way to get that rascal Ugjer back here...

The Shadowhood/Echelon:
When Revanche settled down with TSH's own RossGarner to discuss political ideologies and philosophies, the bond was settled. Those discussions led to Vanguard signing its first obligatory defense pact, a decision Vanguard is still proud of to this day. Echelon and Vanguard have bulldozed common diplomatic targets, braved the same war grounds, and have even opened their respective coin vaults for the other. With leaders such as Ross, Caffine, and Tela (who I envision as the embodiment of loyalty itself,) Vanguard has truly outdone itself in terms of ascertaining true and valuable allies.

Ragnarok:
When two fine gentlemen sat down to talk about their hometowns, they found out they not only shared the same metropolitan area (a place famous for fountains, great BBQ, and embarrassingly awful professional sports teams since '85,) but an affinity for the other's alliance. We started small, in both alliance size and treaty obligation, and have grown to where we are now - a mutual defense pact and Rok being quite a bit bigger now after digesting every other alliance in the world. Hoo is a leader that I can most definitely call both friend and ally, in part because of his charming charisma, but also because of his devout loyalty to longtime friends. I am glad to have been able to see Rok grow from a branded "\m/ cell" to the well-respected alliance it is today; even more, I am happy to have been a part of the ride with you all.

Genesis:
The Genesis-Vanguard relationship was really quite ideal in the beginning; a scenario where one says to the other, "Hey, I really fancy you," and the other responds, "Wow, I really like you too!" Things hit off extremely well with both leadership and membership, which resulted in random drunken kickbannings and/or random humping sessions. An independent but reliable ally.

Orange Defense Network:
Orange. That's really all that needs to be said about this relationship. Our mutual fascination with the well-being and success of the orange team brought us together. After ODN's declaration of the unilateral defense pact, Vanguard felt honored to reciprocate by upgrading to a mutual defense pact. Nowadays though, it seems the only real topic of conversation between the two alliances is something about vegetables and slugs. :psy:

Fifth Column Confederation:
A very much 'quiet but deadly' type of alliance; quiet by nature, but enough average strength and nukes to be a wrecking force. We had both taken notice of each other from the big boards as well as some activity on IRC, but Methrage really sparked things up with the treaty proposal. When the treaty had passed, Vanguard was exuberant to be allied with such a fine group of people. Really just a spectacular alliance, I can't say much more about them that you all haven't already heard.

Universalis:
Vanguard came to know Lemeard and friends from our associations with Genesis, and as such, immediately passed a MDOAP as quickly as possible after Univeralis formed. They may not have the scariest numbers for an alliance, but their diplomatic bite and military expertise more than make up for it. They have grown to be a dependable and stalwart ally of Vanguard.

The Order of the Paradox:
One of the hardest treaties I've ever had to endure, literally and figuratively. ( Bodvar ) I've heard enough stories of the Paradoxian past from Mr. Jarl himself that I almost feel that I've been with them since the beginning. A selective membership, quality leaders, a steadfast commitment to orange, and of course, Bodvar and his horror fiction have helped us become that much closer to Paradoxia. Regardless, TOP is another historical alliance that Vanguard is honored to have befriended.


This group of alliances whom we call allies have done their share to make Vanguard the 1-year old growing, fascinating alliance it is today. With their combined input, thoughts, suggestions, and cultures mixed into the Vanguard melting pot, we come to you as a much more diverse group than we were 365 days ago. It is because of them that we have done as well as we have. And with our friends and our allies at our side, Vanguard will continue onward towards success.

[Tinmar the Beard...]

Congrats on the anniversery!

[Anka Mori]

Took a year for me to get on here, but I came to say.

Happy Birthday to Vanguard!

Been a long and fun ride so far.

To many more!

[TruthElixirX]

Fifth Column Confederation:
A very much 'quiet but deadly' type of alliance; quiet by nature, but enough average strength and nukes to be a wrecking force. We had both taken notice of each other from the big boards as well as some activity on IRC, but Methrage really sparked things up with the treaty proposal. When the treaty had passed, Vanguard was exuberant to be allied with such a fine group of people. Really just a spectacular alliance, I can't say much more about them that you all haven't already heard.

Thanks. We like you too.

Also, congrats on a year!

This post has been edited by TruthElixirX: Jul 11 2008, 10:01 PM

[Deus Vult]

/me makes an appearance just for QuiteTheUserName

Congratulations Vanguard!

[Lady Gaga]

Awesome, Vanguard.


Thank you for the kind words, QTUN, and congratulations on the anniversary. Here's to another year!

[Emperor Marx]

Congratulations Vanguard. You've got some mighty fine allies

/me winks at FOK

[Strykewolf]

congrats...and party on!

[Pomiel]

HAPPY BIRTHDAY VANGUARD!!!

you guys are definitely in my top 10 5 3 favoritest alliances

This post has been edited by King Pomi: Jul 11 2008, 10:07 PM

[rishnokof]

<3 Vanguard

Happy Birthday guys

[Narmer]

Congratulations,

Happy birthday!

[Van Hoo III]

Oh you guys know I will post in anything that has my name in it!

All joking aside, Vanguard have always been and will always be one of our very closest allies. Congrats on your accomplishments, guys. I am proud to be able to say I have been here for most of it.

[Methrage]

Congrats on the anniversary, now lets get some drunken ping-pong started.

[Lord Chort]

Happy Birthday to Vanguard! I can't believe it's only been a year since I signed on to what was at the time a fledgeling alliance, not even out the door yet. Perhaps that's because it's been much more than that, but I'm proud to be a part of this wonderful and glorious alliance.

[Magnum T. Gundra...]

Congrats on a big year Vanguard and here's to another one. Good luck in your future successes that are sure to come

[RomeroLand]

Congrats Vanguard

[panfilo]

congrats

[captain captain]

Happy birthday, Vanguard.

[tolkheleknar]

Congrats, Vanguard!