The Order of the Grey Wardens: Summer Update

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[size=220][color=white][font=georgia]The Order of the Grey Wardens: Summer Update[/font][/color][/size]
[size=120][font=georgia][url=https://www.nationstates.net/region=the_order_of_the_grey_wardens][color=white]Region[/color][/url] [color=white]|[/color] [url=https://www.greywardens.xyz/forum/][color=white]Forum[/color][/url] [color=white]|[/color] [url=https://discord.gg/eNUepjS][color=white]Discord[/color][/url][/font]
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[box][sidebar][center][size=150][font=georgia]Leadership[/font][/size][/center][hr]
[b]First Warden:[/b] [nation]Tim[/nation]

[b]High Constable:[/b]  [nation]Sir Merlin[/nation]

[b]Chamberlain:[/b]  [nation]Grea Kriopia[/nation]

[b]Warden-Commanders:[/b] [nation]Altmoras[/nation] [nation]Benevolent Thomas[/nation] [nation]Deadeye Jack[/nation]  [nation]Haku[/nation] [nation]Roavin[/nation] [nation]Vincent Drake[/nation]

[b]Warden-Constables:[/b] [nation]Matthew the Man[/nation] [nation]Nakarisaune[/nation]

[b]Delegate:[/b] [nation]Frilless Islands[/nation]

[b]Warden-Lieutenants:[/b] [nation]Alfonzo[/nation] [nation]Birdkeeper[/nation] [nation]Hades[/nation] [nation]Lucabaduka[/nation] [nation]Moon II[/nation] [nation]Pyrohy[/nation]

[b]Guardian Officers:[/b] [nation]-Allemeine[/nation] (Silverite Guardian) [nation]Pangaea-Panthalassa[/nation] (Guardian Champion) [nation]Eshialand[/nation] [nation]South Akia[/nation]

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[align=center][font=georgia][size=190]Growth & Retention[/size][/font][/align]
Summer has proven to be an exceptionally busy time for the Order, bringing in countless new recruits, new regional developments, and leadership changes. During a period when most see a lull, The Order found continued growth through the unified efforts and skills of our community members. As the Darkspawn foe shrunk and slunk back to its caves, we looked to establish more outposts, more Warden presence, and more overall efforts to eliminate The Blight that threatens founderless regions.

Improving retention and integration methods between onsite and offsite have been a top priority in recent months, in addition to seeking to grow outreach done via the GP forums or through other means. We've seen this play out in a variety of ways including more onsite polls and engagement, increased recruitment efforts, cultural events, and so many individual welcome telegrams sent. In addition, the competition for Darkspawn Kill Points (DKP) continues fiercely between the three factions (The Anderfels, Ferelden, and Nevarra) named for the Kingdoms of Thedas.

From June until now, the Wardens gained [u]5 new recruits[/u] who passed fully through The Joining and [u]2 returning Wardens[/u] while the Guardians flourished with an average of [u]11-12 Guardians[/u] per detag operation throughout this entire time. New recruits, whether Warden or Guardian, are essential to the Order's growth and development as a whole so recruitment has been at the forefront of idea generation lately.  Look forward to far more recruitment drives in the coming months, as we look to grow further and set forth our bold vision for the future!

On the World Assembly side, Delegate [nation]Frilless Islands[/nation], better known as Sarah, stepped into her new role with ease in June and started stacking endorsement counts higher than ever before. Delebread [nation]Frilless Islands[/nation] had this to say about their rise into a new role in the Order:
[quote=frilless islands;0]I'm very excited for this opportunity. I think it's gonna be a lot of fun and challenging and more community stuff. But that's totes mAh jam :-D[/quote]

Combined with bolstered recruitment efforts and retention programs, the Order has seen explosive growth. The latest wave of nation creation brought about by Youtuber Drew Durnil saw us break all past population records and rise to record levels of WA Delegate endorsements; now resting at a comfortable sixty-five endorsements. Having an active and engaging Delegate has proven incredibly positive for the overall retention of the Order and WA endorsements continue to be an area of interest for further development.

[align=center][font=georgia][size=190]Significant Operations[/size][/font][/align]

While raiding activity may have been completely devastated by the hard work of The Order and its allies, we still had plenty of notable operations take place over the summer months that saw overwhelming turnouts (record-breaking ones, too!) and major successes across the board. 
[align=center][b]April 18/19 - North Africa/Prima Victoria Liberations[/b]
[url=https://forum.nationstates.net/viewtopic.php?p=38568526#p38568526]Forum Report[/url][/align]
[list]Technically before the start of this summer, we couldn't skip over this legendary series of back-to-back liberations that drew over 50 defenders for each operation at minor and major update. LWU thought they could pull a fast one by targeting Prima Victoria as defenders prepared to liberate NPA's tag target occupation in North Africa, only for both occupations to get absolutely crushed by defenders in a single 24-hour span. Not to mention that the Order contributed [u]17 Wardens[/u] at each liberation, for a total of 22 overall![/list]
[align=center][spoiler=Participating Wardens]

First Warden Tim
High Constable Sir Merlin
Chamberlain Deadeye Jack
Commander Altmoras
Commander Haku
Commander Vincent Drake
Constable Grea Kriopia
Constable Nakari
Lieutenant Alfonzo
Lieutenant Matthew
Guardian-Captain and Warden Eshialand
Senior Warden Atlantica
Senior Warden Melody
Senior Warden Moonfungus
Senior Warden Fauxia
Warden Aschente
Warden Ian Fleming
Warden Merni
Warden Sarah
Warden Sovreignry
Warden SwiftyGamer
Warden Vara

[/spoiler][/align]
[align=center][b]May 2 - Japan Liberation[/b]
[url=https://forum.nationstates.net/viewtopic.php?p=38611039#p38611039]Forum Report[/url][/align]
[list]NPA-TBH wargames turned occupation brought out the best in defenders who were excited to finally have a liberation to do and subsequently nailed the liberation the following minor update. Variance in minor update made the operation tricky, but, with the help of Warden-Constable Nakari, defenders jumped into the target with ease and sent the raiders packing from their brief 12-hour hold. Once again, the Order brought a hefty [u]17 Wardens[/u] to the operation, including 3 of our amazing Guardian leaders who always answer the call of need.[/list]
[align=center][spoiler=Participating Wardens]

High Constable Sir Merlin
Chamberlain Deadeye Jack
Commander Altmoras
Commander Haku
Commander Roavin
Constable Grea Kriopia
Constable Nakari
Lieutenant House of Cards (now Hades)
Lieutenant Matthew
Lieutenant Pyrohy
Guardian-Captain and Warden Eshialand
Senior Warden Moonfungus
Warden Aschente
Warden Merni
Warden Sarah
Silverite Guardian Allemeine
Guardian Chamption pan²thalass
[/spoiler][/align]

[align=center][b]June 11 - Australiasim / The United Caribbean Island Alliance Defenses[/b]
[url=https://forum.nationstates.net/viewtopic.php?p=38729203#p38729203]Forum Report[/url][/align]
[list]This joint defense was a routine LWU occupation attempt that was spotted early by defenders prior to the start of update and defended with ease. Expectations were high as it was the largest raider force actively updating in a couple of months with 6-7 updaters, however, both attempts at occupations were unsuccessful against the Libcord defender stack. Despite it being a casual update evening, the Order brought [u]8 Wardens[/u] to the defenses and made quick work of the wolves alongside their defender friends.[/list]
[align=center][spoiler=Participating Wardens]

First Warden Tim
Commander Vincent Drake
Commander Altmoras
Commander Haku
Constable Grea Kriopia
Constable Matthew
Lieutenant Moonfungus
Senior Warden Fauxia
[/spoiler][/align]

[align=center][b]July 25 - Nasunia[/b]
No Report[/align]
[list]Nasunia was a highlight liberation for the summer after the occupation was orchestrated by a TBH member who infiltrated TITO to seize control of the region while defenders attempted to block incoming raiders. After all their effort, the raiders ran afoul of foreign affairs blunders after failing to inform their allies of their infiltration activities for the raid and lost significant pilers as a result that would only go on to aid liberation efforts. Defenders sailed into the region and easily overturned the diminished raider pile just 12 hours after the initial occupation. The Order brought [u]15 Wardens[/u] to the liberation attempt out of 47 total liberators in Nasunia.[/list]
[align=center][spoiler=Participating Wardens]

First Warden Tim
High Constable Merlin
Commander Vincent Drake
Commander Haku
Commander Roavin
Constable Nakari
Lieutenant Birdkeeper
Lieutenant Moonfungus
Lieutenant Pyrohy
Guardian-Captain and Warden Eshialand
Senior Warden Merni
Junior Warden Ike
Junior Warden Izon
Junior Warden Vis
Silverite Guardian Allemeine
[/spoiler][/align]

[align=center][b]August 8 - Chaylia[/b]
[url=https://forum.nationstates.net/viewtopic.php?p=38886977#p38886977]Forum Report[/url][/align]
[list]Chaylia was yet another puzzling foreign affairs move by raiders, after abandoning a fascist raid for an occupation in a region belonging to the Augustin Alliance Joint Task Force Commander. This, mind you, is before the Augustin Alliance torched all of its good will and the JTF disbanded, so it’s a decently big deal at the time. The occupation lasted barely 24 hours before being soundly liberated after siege efforts from the previous update. It also set a record for the amount of Wardens attending a single update, with [u]18 Wardens[/u] attending the major update of the liberation! Don't worry, though, we'd break it again later :)[/list]
[align=center][spoiler=Participating Wardens]

First Warden Tim
High Constable Sir Merlin
Commander Altmoras
Commander Grea Kriopia
Commander Haku
Commander Roavin
Constable Matthew
Constable Nakari
Lieutenant Alfonzo
Lieutenant Moon
Lieutenant Pyrohy
Senior Warden Atlantica
Senior Warden Merni
Senior Warden Melody
Senior Warden Moe
Warden / Guardian Captain Eshialand
Junior Warden Izon
Junior Warden Tivarn
Junior Warden Vis
Silverite Guardian Allemeine
Guardian Lorum Ipsem
Guardian Sandwichs
[/spoiler][/align]

[align=center][b]August 28 - Liberal Democratic Union[/b]
[url=https://forum.nationstates.net/viewtopic.php?p=38934680#p38934680]Forum Report[/url][/align]
[list]Liberal Democratic Union had defender numbers pushing the 100s after a stealth raid attempt slid into the region. Questionable banning practices by the raider leads gave defenders a sizable beachhead of 60~ in the first siege attempt at the region, leading to flawless liberation efforts the following major update. True to our word, The Order smashed its previous Warden update attendance record with a staggering [u]20 Wardens[/u] attending a single update for the liberation, and [u]26 Wardens total[/u] participating across both updates. Also, it was a catgirl themed liberation–don't ask why[/list]
[align=center][spoiler=Participating Wardens]

First UwUrden Tim
High Conyanstable Sir Merlin
Warden-Cowommander Altmoras
Warden-Cowommander Benevolent Thomas
Warden-Cowommander Grea Kriopia
Warden-Cowommander Haku
Warden-Cowommander Roavin
Warden-Cowommander Vincent Drake
Warden-Cowonstable Matthew
Warden-Cowonstable Nakari
Warden-Lieuwutenyant Hades
Warden-Lieuwutenyant Moon
Warden Lieuwutenyant Pyrohy
Seniowor Warden/Guwurdian Captain Eshialand
Seniowor Warden Fauxia
Seniowor Warden Melody
Seniowor Warden Merni
OwOrden Aschente
Juwunior Warden Comlogical
Juwunior Warden Ike
Juwunior Warden Izon
Juwunior Warden Luca
Juwunior Warden Tivarn
Juwunior Warden Vis
Warden-Recruwuit Thatrandomguy
Guwurdian Champiowon insupekuta-
[/spoiler][/align]


[align=center][font=georgia][size=190]New Initiatives[/size][/font][/align]

As previously mentioned, the attention of the Order has increasingly shifted towards internal development with focuses on culture, retention, and integration being a top priority for future growth. In particular, with a potential Technical Change known as Frontiers/Strongholds on the horizon, we are looking to set ourselves up with an infrastructure that thrives in the new meta and is ably to rely on a plethora of Residents, Guardians, and Wardens contributing within it. At the end of the day, our priority here is to create a community in which people can have fun through a variety of interests. While the military will always be at the forefront of The Order, our continued dominance on the battlefield has led to a reduction of update activity that needed to be countered with new activity avenues elsewhere. Therefore, with all that fun stuff have come some new initiatives, and updates on existing ones, from leadership! In addition to these, more looms on the horizon, so make sure to stay tuned

[align=center][b]WA Program[/b][/align]
[list]With the rise of Delebread [nation]Frilless Islands[/nation], the region saw its first-ever World Assembly program come into being for both gameside and offsite communities. Having been disinterested in WA Affairs in the past, the Order is expanding into a new area in hopes of prompting more WA discussion and familiarity as the defender faction grows its influence in the Security Council as a whole.

Residents of the Order can sign up for this program by selecting the appropriate reaction role in the WA Discussion channel in the Discord, or by informing [nation]Frilless Islands[/nation] about their desire to signup on the RMB or by TG. Read the full dispatch [url=https://www.nationstates.net/page=dispatch/id=1566592]here[/url].

This is also a good reminder to endorse Delegate [nation]Frilless Islands[/nation] if you are not currently! Endorsing our delegate is incredibly important to strengthen our voice in the World Assembly, which you can join at [url=https://www.nationstates.net/page=un]https://www.nationstates.net/page=un[/url] if you haven't already.[/list]

[align=center][b]Onsite Roleplay Region[/b][/align]
[list]One of the many anticipated cultural initiatives was the introduction of an onsite roleplay region dedicated to nation roleplaying, found in the region of [region]Amaranthine[/region]. Roleplay has been a significant part of the Order's culture for many years, but there was recognition that the current roleplay mediums were not wildly popular to our residents and often were not friendly to onsite-only members of the Order.

The hope is that this revived RP region will bring new activity for the gameside community and breath new life into regional roleplay for all those who enjoy it![/list]

[align=center][font=georgia][size=190]Recent Promotions[/size][/font][/align]

The last few months have also brought many promotions in leadership, which should come as no surprise given the amount of growth undertaken in the region these last few months. Promotion of capable future leaders of the region and cultivating that talent is an ever-present challenge for most organizations, though we're beyond excited to see how these individuals continue to contribute to the Order with the broad range of skills they bring to the table.

[list][*]In late May, we saw the [url=https://forum.nationstates.net/viewtopic.php?p=38684992#p38684992][b]Promotion of Warden-Constable [nation]Matthew the Man[/nation][/b][/url] from Warden-Lieutenant to Warden-Constable following recognition of growing technical skill and leadership in defending that warranted a well-earned promotion. Matthew continues to bring high-energy contributions to the social aspect of the Order combined with expanding wisdom on day-to-day operations that will no doubt serve him well in future opportunities.
[*]Following closely in early June was the [url=https://forum.nationstates.net/viewtopic.php?p=38708589#p38708589][b]Promotion of Warden-Lieutenant [nation]Moon II[/nation][/b][/url] entering leadership as a Warden-Lieutenant after joining the Order a mere 3 months prior. Moon's eagerness to learn and constant presence at updates made them an undeniable candidate for leadership (and also probably upcoming defender of 2021) as they continue to impress with their enthusiasm and talent.
[*]In August came the [url=https://forum.nationstates.net/viewtopic.php?p=38880131#p38880131][b]Promotion of Warden-Commander [nation]Grea Kriopia[/nation][/b][/url] from Warden-Constable to Warden-Commander. I think it's illegal to write nice things about myself as the person writing this, so I'll copy and paste some stuff Tim said: "Grea Kriopia provides drive and passion, particularly towards larger event organization, internal affairs, and regional development... We are a military-oriented group, and TGW has traditionally been a military-oriented region. However, it is clear when talent is available to fill gaps that we might have, and GK absolutely fits that."
[*]Lastly, in September came the [url=https://forum.nationstates.net/viewtopic.php?p=39020828#p39020828][b]Promotion of Warden-Lieutenant [nation]Lucabaduka[/nation][/b] as Luca entered leadership a month after joining with extensive past training and experience in the defending sphere. This promotion was of no surprise to anyone as Luca quickly became one of the most constant presence at update, rivaling for the title of fastest chaser, and dedicated herself to recruiting and logistics which left no doubt for the level of appreciation for her contributions.[/url][/list]

[align=center][font=georgia][size=190]Faction Competition Update![/size][/font][/align]

Back in February, The Order changed our previous Darkspawn Kill Point system out of an individual based one and into a more unified team-based system. With three factions representing three Kingdoms of Thedas, the place where our Dragon Age universe takes place, members of the faction compete in a plethora of regional initiatives throughout the month to earn points for their faction. Read more about it here: https://www.nationstates.net/page=dispatch/id=1529801

Since the establishment of the competition, The Anderfels faction has held a dominant chokehold on the scoreboard, consistently outperforming rival factions Ferelden and Nevarra. However, in the month of September, the tides would change significantly. After six months of dominance, The Anderfels were outscored by an extremely dominant Nevarra faction. Bolstered by the increased points brought to them by Warden-Lieutenant Luca’s sorting into the faction, Nevarra went to outscore The Anderfels by nearly 400 points. Ferelden sat a further 500 points behind that. 

[align=center][table][tr][td][b]Month[/b][/td][td][b]Winning Faction[/b][/td][td][b]Top Scorer[/b][/td][/tr]
[tr][td]March 2021[/td][td]The Anderfels - 1602 pts[/td][td]Grea Kriopia - 377 pts[/td][/tr][tr][td]April 2021[/td][td]The Anderfels - 1856 pts[/td][td]Grea Kriopia - 341 pts[/td][/tr][tr][td]May 2021[/td][td]The Anderfels - 1282 pts[/td][td]Moon - 290 pts[/td][/tr][tr][td]June 2021[/td][td]The Anderfels - 1003 pts[/td][td]Moon - 284 pts[/td][/tr][tr][td]July 2021[/td][td]The Anderfels - 920 pts[/td][td]Moon - 256 pts[/td][/tr][tr][td]August 2021[/td][td]The Anderfels - 1417 pts[/td][td]Eshialand - 373 pts[/td][/tr][tr][td]September 2021[/td][td]Nevarra - 1838 pts[/td][td]Luca - 788 pts[/td][/tr][/table][/align]

As the competition heats up into a spooky season, only time will tell if The Anderfels will retake their crown, if New Kings Nevarra will maintain their control, or if underdog Ferelden can unleash its hidden strength. For those wishing to get involved, check out the #factions-sorting channel on our Discord, open for participation to all Residents and above! Contribute points to your team through participation in games, updates, Guardian Missions, Recruitment, and more!
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