W_A_R

It has been some time, Jason 8. And indeed, Optimum from Old Guard has represented the Old Codgers Coalition with aplomb.

OOC: Not Shania! I have some potentially misplaced feeling for Shania; spawned from being in a pub where a band was playing, doing a cover of 'Feel like a Woman'. The attractive female lead pulled me up on stage and was, let me say, very suggestive. My blushing would have powered half a City. But enough of that. IC: I acknowledge your splendid retort. I look forward to our ongoing interaction. I will hone up my skills by chatting to the halfwit in our stables.

My fond greetings to you, jerdge. I suspect our paths have crossed in the past and I know only too well the important but often mundane burdens we carry in the other world. Thank you for your comments. A well crafted missive is seemingly a lost art. You raise a good point. There are many nations of our vintage that have deep ties with Alliances. While my duty and honour lies with the Black Rose, I have whistful feelings for my earlier times in CON and GOLD. I also note that emnities of the past can often fade, and I have often had the chance to enjoy the company of those that I may have crossed swords and words with all those years ago. For any that may have a wish to join the Old Codgers Coalition, to share in comradeship and delivering out some geriatric justice; don't hesitate, you know where I am.

That is the quality response I expect from you, Al. Full of intelligence, charm, wit and bonhomie. You should be mindful that inspiring a bunch of geriatrics to get out of our chairs to go out and do something sociable is an exceptionally challenging task. You should consider it an honour that we are even bothering to do so for the likes of you.

Nice to see you, TBB and thank you. I believe that OBR and OG can still bring a little gravitas to the world, even when other may consider us anachronistic reflections of the past. And given I consider you one of, if not the most astute observers of the political play in Digiterra, you have summed up the response accurately. There is pain behind those snarls.

OOC: Thank you. All credit to @Lyanna. This digitally deficient individual asked a favour from a fellow Palomino Blackwing aficionado.

Why hello, FL. Did you read the announcement? Comprehend it? You seem to think that actions in the past are immune from consequence. In fact, I feel you are shifting slightly uncomfortably in your seat. Your threats are idle. Empty words from an empty vessel. I suspect that there will be pain, probably for certain. But that will be shared pain, and OBR has a high tolerance and threshold. Others, not so much.

Eerie strains of music drifts on the air. Snatches of a melody, an indistinct vocal fades in and out. It is familiar, your head slightly nods in time with a building rhythm. Your hands and fingers try to snatch at the song. Your mouth is trying to imitate the cadence of the lyric to the gradually intensifying vocals. It is on the tip of your tongue. That voice, you are trying to picture the lead singer in your mind…. …world serves its own needs, listen to your heart bleed Tell me with the Rapture and the reverent in the right, right You vitriolic, patriotic, slam fight, bright light Feeling pretty psyched … It's the end of the world as we know it It's the end of the world as we know it It's the end of the world as we know it and I feel fine! Greetings. I am Sir W_A_R of Vijar, Knight XXI of the Order of the Black Rose. I am joined with Arminius of Festung Germania, Triumvir of Old Guard. I think we may have met before. Our memories may fade but our home security cameras take damn good still shots of you meddling kids. We have read the runes. The prophesy has come to pass. As the bard of the song suggests, it is the end of the world as the Order of the Black Rose and our friends in aging decrepitude, Old Guard know it, and we feel far better than fine. On behalf of the Knights Council of the Order of the Black Rose and the Council of Old Guard, hear us. All great things come to a point where you think “It’s time”. It is that time for Old Guard and the Order of Black Rose. We see the ‘End of the World’. Fittingly Digiterra’s most exclusive retirement homes are allowing some of the old folk go on an outing before our time comes. We are calling it the ‘Old Codgers’ Coalition’. We had a banner made for it. I think it is knitted. This means that some of our memberships have been doubling up on their medications, and our general irascible nature needs an outlet. As for the Black Rose, we like to think of the Black sphere as our home. It is in our name. Needless to say, we are very, very, very disappointed with some of you. We repeatedly asked you to “keep off our lawn” and you chose to reply with obscenities and a raised finger. Eventually there would be consequences. The nub of it is that we are tired of DOOM coming in and raiding our garden, stealing our fruit and vegetables, trampling our garden beds; Why they even stole our seat on the porch from where we looked over and cared for our yard, the Black sphere. We remember https://forums.cybernations.net/topic/133613-dbdc-announcement/#comment-3582035 with prejudice. The ‘Old Codgers’ Coalition’ hereby declares war on DOOM. We are tired of you showing us old folk disrespect. Welcome to the end of the world, as we embrace it. … Light a candle, light a motive, step down, step down Watch your heel crush, crush, uh oh This means no fear, cavalier, renegade and steering clear A tournament, a tournament, a tournament of lies Offer me solutions, offer me alternatives and I decline … It's the end of the world as we know it …. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oIdPPVkkHYs

Nice, welcome back, Stewie.

Well, it depends where the gearstick is positioned, and who is driving the vehicle. Even if a vehicle is in neutral, it is not the same as ‘park’. Neutral just means the gears are not engaged. The vehicle can still move, depending on the slope and direction of the terrain. Of course Newton’s Law applies in respect to a force being applied to a vehicle in neutral; it will result in an equal and opposite force. It then depends on who is at the wheel, and whether gears will be engaged, at what ratio, or perhaps brakes are applied and gears are put in reverse, and what course if any, taken. I blame you for that diversion, Jerge. Back on point, I congratulate our new Knights, who now have a chance to ‘take the wheel’.

Greetings. I am Sir W_A_R of Vijar, Knight XXI of the Order of the Black Rose. I believe that we met earlier. Under the authority of Knight Protector Sir Winslow, representing the will of the Rose Commander, Queen AterAtra, I have more tidings. The Black Keep is a foreboding place. From the outside it is a dark, cold and implacable place; just how we like it. Occasionally we open it up during a clear day to air the halls and chambers, to generally freshen the outlook. We are of course cautious during these times as one never knows what might 'blow in'. But I digress. It is the people that make a place. It is the people who bring life and warmth to the Black Keep and the Order of the Black Rose. It is the dedication and friendship of these people that make us who we are. Notwithstanding the standard practical skills needed to hold a place on Digiterra, we of the Black Rose value learning, intelligent discourse, pursuing scientific endeavours and enjoy participating in a variety of arts. These are important qualities that can be found in two long term members of our Order, and while not being widely known outside of the Black Keep walls, they are dear brothers and comrades; two that define who we are. Their endeavours have shown that they are worthy of high recognition. It is my pleasure to announce the bestowal of Knighthood to Sir Lord Edward Norfolk of Freedom State Knight XXVIII and Sir Morralis of Liberated Texas Knight XIX of the Order of the Black Rose. We welcome our new Knights to the Knights' Council. Please join with us in congratulating both on this achievement. In the name of the Black Rose. Sir W_A_R of Vijar Knight XXI of the Order of the Black Rose

Don't be so modest, Ojiras. The woman who launches a thousand ships... and all that.

Despite my history of having a fundamental issue with the 'Orders', essentially from my days in GOLD and CON (OBR provides perspective), I have have harboured a soft spot for NpO, particularly for Grub. Over the course of my time with the Black Rose I endeavoured to recruit many of the former leaders of key Alliances, despite their 'Digiterra political viewpoints'. Grub would have been one I would have enjoyed a cabernet sauvignon or two in front of a fire, chatting and debating issues of the world. Note: These would not be conversations while naked lying on a rug, as entertaining that image may be. P.S. I just noticed Electron Sponge in a communique - There's another that could join us on the rug!

Agreed. A' Best Orator' post would be interesting. There are a few, with different qualities that made them stand out. Some excellent debaters. And some truly excellent trolls - Joseph Thorne, Branimir, are you still with us.

Planet Bob? I know not of this 'Bob' you speak of. In the month of August 2008 (two years after it was established) Vijar was ranked 30 of 30635 nations. I vaguely recall there were perhaps 50,000 plus nations prior to this. The world I call Digiterra will never see the same again.

I feel all aquiver, RV.

I have been a citizen of this world for (far) too many years. Rebel Virginia has been one of the constants. Those that have the skills to deliver a fine oratory are few these days. It was, and should continue to be, a skill worth a applauding. I applaud you, RV. P.S. The mere mention of LEAGUE took me back to my GOLD days.

Now there's the sparkle I was missing! Thanks, Ly!

Greetings. I am Sir W_A_R of Vijar, Knight XXI of the Order of the Black Rose. Some may have heard of me; others may know me; many may not. It matters little. Under the authority of Knight Protector Sir Winslow, representing the will of the Rose Commander, Queen AterAtra, I have tidings. We of the Order of the Black Rose have long been a presence on this world, Digiterra (Planet Bob), and while the world has changed, and continues to change, the Black Rose has endured. You may recall that over twelve months ago I came before you to announce the elevation of one of ours to that of Page. To become a member of the Order is a trial. To elevate to Knighthood, through the roles of Page and Squire, is an achievement to be acknowledged. Celebrated. It is a rare thing. Of those who are aware of the Order, many will have gained that awareness through the diplomacy and friendship of Sysiphus Maximus of Pelabos. While many of the Order choose to retire from the clamour and irritations that are inherent with Digiterran interaction, Sys embraces this enthusiastically, and represents the Black Rose with honour, dignity, respect and calmness. Sys is the Order’s presence in that world and it is only fitting that presence be appropriately titled. It is my pleasure to announce the bestowal of Knighthood to Sysiphus Maximus of Pelabos, Knight XXVII of the Order of the Black Rose. Please join with us in congratulating Sir Sys on this achievement. In the name of the Black Rose. Sir W_A_R of Vijar Knight XXI of the Order of the Black Rose

Ojiras! Well there's a lovely sight to see! It has been a long time, my CON friend.

Finally, I managed to haul my saggy armoured arse back into these forums. Also, congrats Lyanna. Blessing be upon you with Blackwing pron!

I appear to be late to this. Where is the linament?

I thought we had something special, @CrinkledStraw despite the distance between us, and my deep deep fondness of my belated destrier, Daffodil the Flatulent. I must, neigh shall make amends.

I must say this 'All your base are belong to us' approach to CN domination has appeal. @Van Hoo X Take control by saying it's so.