Forest

Beyond our borders, Einswenn’s government falls over cannibalism and Nittany Hollow buys Bermuda. Infinitta finds two lost capitals beneath Lake Kanoa, and we head into cheetah country in Crinadia. We also remember seven nations that have fallen silent.

Z-Day: the zombies are coming! What do we do with them?

Last year, Forest finished 19th in the Z-Day survivor rankings. With the undead returning this Halloween, we’re looking back at how the region fared and how more Forestians can join this year’s cure effort.

Having spent September launching nuclear missiles at one another, Forestians will soon face a different sort of existential crisis. This time the threat comes from infected populations and the troubling possibility that your neighbours might start looking at you as a convenient afternoon snack.

Z-Day returns on Halloween, offering another chance to test regional cooperation (or the lack thereof) and make questionable medical decisions in the name of public health.

Forest has a considerable history with the event. The region finished third in the survivor rankings in both 2017 and 2020. Last year’s 19th-place finish was respectable but some distance from those results.

Lessons from the apocalypse

One advantage of surviving a zombie apocalypse is being around to discuss it afterwards.

Forest has traditionally favoured curing the infected, attempting to restore them to something resembling their former selves. It’s a humanitarian approach, although one that still involves launching a remarkable number of missiles.

As recorded in The Forest Leaf’s Best of 2025 retrospective, Anequina-Pellitine helped lead last year’s cure effort, with participants coordinating through Discord and the RMB. The event also inspired some creative writing, including Dest Oritio’s in-character Z-Day Command transmissions.

Much of Forest’s established strategy is documented in Garbelia’s Z-Day Survival Manual, published in 2024 and based on earlier guidance from Terrabod. It remains the main reference for participating nations.

The strategy begins with researching a cure as soon as the event starts. Once research progresses far enough, nations can produce cure missiles to treat infected populations elsewhere. The aim is to contain the outbreak and keep as many survivors as possible.

Target selection matters. Receiving a cure missile temporarily prevents a nation from launching missiles of its own, so repeatedly treating an active player can stop that nation from helping others. The manual recommends concentrating on inactive nations with significant infections and leaving active participants to run their own cure efforts.

Another consideration is knowing when to move on. There’s no need to cure every last zombie in a target nation. As the infected population shrinks, cure missiles become less effective and each launch saves fewer people. At that point, switching to a nation with a larger infected population makes better use of the available missiles.

Both decisions depend on coordination, particularly when several Forestians are launching at once. Posting on the RMB or Discord lets players flag nations where infections are growing and call out their intended targets. It also gives anyone who can’t stay online a way to ask for help.

More specific targeting guidance is expected closer to Z-Day, so keep an eye on the RMB for instructions.

A Halloween weekend outbreak

Halloween falls on Saturday, October 31 this year, so more Forestians should be able to take part without competing with weekday commitments.

Forest also comes into Z-Day with September’s N-Day campaign fresh in its memory. As part of the Canopy faction, Forest helped coordinate more than a thousand nations, contributing to over a million missile strikes and interceptions and an eventual fifth-place finish.

That campaign showed how a large group could contribute effectively under a shared strategy. Experienced players set the direction while others took part without having to master every detail of the game. Z-Day has different mechanics, but the same approach can bring newcomers into the event and build on last year’s result. What remains to be seen is if that level of coordination surfaces.

So what do we do with them?

Getting involved is straightforward. When the event begins, select Research Cure from your nation’s response options. Research takes time, so an early start helps. Once cure missiles become available, follow regional guidance on which nations need treatment.

For newcomers, Garbelia's survival manual provides more detailed gameplay instructions. Additional advice can be found in Europeia's guide to curing and New Fakeland's Z-Day guide.

Z-Day doesn’t need large collections of puppet nations. Older nations with larger populations produce more effective cure missiles, and even occasional participation helps the regional effort. The event is optional and doesn’t permanently affect population figures or other statistics.

When the outbreak begins, the Forest RMB and regional Discord will be the places to coordinate treatment and share updates.

The zombies are coming. Forest could use a few more people willing to save them.

Rhodevus: a matter of life and death

Rhodevus has discovered an alarming consequence of its domestic policies: involuntary euthanasia now accounts for roughly 80 to 85 percent of deaths in the country.

The revelation drew understandable disbelief from Jutsa, while For Sque offered a concise diagnosis: “Geronticide.”

Ownzone had a more imaginative solution. Rather than attempt to explain the mortality figures, perhaps Rhodevus could establish a death cult, complete with elaborate rituals to ease the transition to the afterlife.

When a routine policy decision produces a national mortality crisis, sometimes the only reasonable response is to invent a religion.

The colonies nobody knew about

Some Forest nations have apparently been expanding their territories without informing their governments.

Rogue River was surprised to discover that NationStates had classified its country as practising colonialism. Aadonatins reported a similar discovery, leaving both nations with the awkward question of where these supposed colonies might be.

Valan Prala offered an elegant explanation: perhaps they were space colonies. Rogue River readily embraced the idea, which neatly resolved the mystery without requiring anyone to redraw their national borders.

Whether the colonies have populations or even habitable planets remains to be established. For now, Forest's accidental colonial powers can at least claim to have boldly gone… somewhere.

Tsatsakkh: a map of questionable distances

Tsatsakkh's latest cartographic update has produced a small geographical complication.

While adding a new neighbour to the national map, Tsatsakkh resized the legend, inadvertently changing the map's scale in the process. The neighbour is now represented, but the distances shown on the map are no longer reliable.

It's a familiar hazard for anyone who's wrestled with a map editor, although the consequences are rather more entertaining when an entire country is involved.

Travellers are advised to admire the updated borders and exercise some discretion when estimating how long it will take to reach them.

Every nation needs a Florida Man

Majalangka invited Forestians to identify their nation's equivalent of “Florida Man,” the internet phenomenon built around bizarre news headlines involving residents of the American state of Florida. The phrase has become shorthand for spectacularly strange behaviour.

Station 8's answer was rather less sensational: “A trainspotter.”

Apparently, some countries prefer their local eccentrics to come equipped with notebooks and a railway timetable.

For Sque's search for a political identity

For Sque has been through something of a political transformation, at least according to NationStates' national classifications.

The country has travelled from Capitalist Paradise to Compulsory Consumerist State and finally to Benevolent Dictatorship.

It's an impressive journey through the political spectrum, although the classification system offers little explanation for how a nation makes the transition from enthusiastic consumerism to benevolent authoritarianism.

Whatever For Sque becomes next, its citizens may wish to hold off on ordering new government stationery.

Dest Oritio's influence hits a plateau

Dest Oritio recently noticed that its regional influence graph had flatlined, prompting some concern about its political prospects.

With no apparent reaction from the rest of Forest, the nation was left to contemplate the significance of a horizontal line.

The graph's subsequent recovery suggests the whole affair was a temporary statistical blip. Dest Oritio remains hopeful of advancing beyond Squire, maybe, at some point in the foreseeable future.

A good argument builds culture

A discussion between Rhodevus and Canaltia recently demonstrated how a passing observation develops into a thoughtful exchange of ideas.

What began as a disagreement over oil prices and current RL international events became a detailed examination of global energy markets. Both nations took the time to explain their reasoning, challenge assumptions and provide supporting sources. Canaltia even included a section labelled “Dubious Math” before concluding with a suitably self-deprecating reference to a “crackpot theory.”

The conversation eventually drew in Station 8, Chan Island, Candlewhisper Archive and Sierra Brava, expanding the discussion to the practical challenges of reducing dependence on fossil fuels.

It's a good reminder of why the Forest's RMB such an interesting place and a showcase of our posting culture. A conversation can begin with a disagreement, wander into unexpected territory and leave everyone with something more to think about.

Twenty trees a day keeps a Forestian in good standing

Apparently, Forest membership comes with an environmental obligation. Pletho recently informed a newcomer that residents must hug 20 trees every day.

Jutsa admitted to falling considerably short of the quota, managing only a few hugs during regular nature hikes. It also owned up to occasionally shaking hands with tree branches and lying on moss, imagining that the roots might appreciate the gesture.

The trees probably have no idea what’s happening, Jutsa conceded, although greeting a strange tree is generally easier than greeting a strange human.

Whether Pletho intends to enforce the quota remains unclear.

Forest’s great unfinished novels

A simple question from Candlewhisper Archive about whether anyone in Forest writes fiction revealed a surprising number of aspiring authors, along with an impressive collection of unfinished manuscripts.

Rhodevus recalled taking part in NaNoWriMo, the annual challenge to write a novel in a month. Azure Mines described an idea for a novel that has spent four years evolving without quite reaching the page.

Magna-Parva reported abandoning one project after 18,000 words and another after 26,000. Bisofeyr admitted that discussing a novel can sometimes be more enjoyable than writing it.

Sierra Brava’s historical novel, set in the late 19th century, has so far produced considerably more research than chapters.

Forest appears to have no shortage of literary ambition. Completed manuscripts, however, remain harder to come by.

Forest is greener than the world average

Forest’s environmental credentials have received fresh confirmation, with the region’s average Greenness Index score more than twice the NationStates average. Ransium retains its regional lead, and three Forest nations rank among the world’s top 10 for eco-friendliness.

The results come from two reports compiled by Garbelia. The regional Greenness Index combines several environmental measures into a single composite score. The List of Exceptionally Green Nations recognizes nations that excel in individual World Census categories. A nation can stand out in one report and struggle in the other.

Uan aa Boa returns to the top three

Uan aa Boa makes the most notable move near the top of Forest’s Greenness Index, returning to the top three in third place with a score of 0.997 after two editions outside it. Reannia holds second at 1.006, behind Ransium’s leading score of 1.217.

Its rise pushes Mozworld into fourth and Chilledsville into fifth. Ecologist Hegemony, Marthuania, Love and Nature, Verdant Haven and Bilsa complete the top 10.

Forest makes its mark worldwide

Forest’s international performance is particularly impressive in eco-friendliness, where Ransium ranks third in the world, followed closely by Bilsa in fifth and Reannia in sixth. Bilsa shows how differently the two reports can treat the same nation. It’s fifth in the world for eco-friendliness but 10th in Forest’s composite index.

Tsatsakkh has also climbed to 65th worldwide, while Mozworld holds 70th. These five nations occupy places in the global top 100, with dozens more Forest nations appearing in the top one percent.

The results are equally encouraging for environmental beauty. Uan aa Boa leads Forest in 37th place worldwide, followed by Mozworld at 46th. Ransium, Chilledsville and Reannia all rank within the top 60, while Ecologist Hegemony places 88th.

Ransium also tops Forest’s weather rankings, placing 13th globally. Uan aa Boa places 24th, ahead of Ecologist Hegemony in 28th.

In tourism, Chilledsville leads Forest at 59th worldwide, with Marthuania following at 84th. Both are proof that a strong tourist destination doesn’t need to top the region’s environmental rankings.

Not everyone has a green thumb

Of course, Forest’s environmental reputation isn’t shared equally by all its nations.

At the opposite end of the Greenness Index, Lord Dominator finishes last among the 292 nations assessed, posting a score of -0.548. Candlewhisper Archive follows at -0.285, with Klaus Devestatorie at -0.204. The Realizer at -0.095 and Seagull at -0.076 round out the bottom five.

It’s tempting to see these results as environmental shortcomings, but perhaps that overlooks the effort involved. Some nations may be pursuing their own policy priorities with just as much determination as Forest’s environmental leaders. Lord Dominator’s commanding position at the bottom might even be the result of years of dedicated work.

The bottom 10 also includes Isbjorn Maerenne Bava Paerani, which ranks 253rd worldwide for eco-friendliness. That’s a strong international result. It just isn’t enough to lift the nation in a composite index that weighs other environmental measures as well.

Whatever their ambitions, these nations have certainly distinguished themselves. Forest, it seems, has room for more than one interpretation of environmental achievement.

Sources: Greenness Index: October 2026 and List of Exceptionally Green Nations: October 2026, both compiled by Garbelia.

Forest's quiet takeover of NationStates continues

Forest's long-rumoured ambitions for world domination have taken another step forward, with Bisofeyr appointed Development Manager for both the General Assembly and Security Council.

The appointment places one of Forest's own in a senior role overseeing development of the World Assembly's two chambers. Bisofeyr has already played an important part in the General Assembly's ongoing reforms, earning praise from fellow moderators for his contributions.

The official announcement thread, helpfully titled Bisofeyr Takes Over The World Assembly, suggests that the wider NationStates community has begun to notice Forest's expanding influence.

Naturally, Forest denies any coordinated attempt to seize control of NationStates. There are no plans, no secret committees, and certainly no conveniently placed Forest operatives awaiting further instructions.

We congratulate Biso on this well-deserved appointment.

Phase two is proceeding nicely.

Forest map updated with new arrivals and a familiar return

Forest's Ministry of Cartography has released its October 19 map update, adding three nations to the Old World and restoring a familiar name to the New World. Tscharva has been removed from the continental map.

The latest changes, announced by Roless, bring Great Lakes Municipalities, Infinitta and Brush Tsanglu onto the continental map.

Great Lakes Municipalities has been placed south of the Errinundera Wildlife Reserve, while Infinitta now occupies territory north of Lausazia. Brush Tsanglu joins the map east of Tsatsakkh.

Tscharva's removal leaves a gap in the Old World's political geography.

Across the ocean, Kelipnia has been restored to the New World map. Its return is a reminder that Forest's cartography reflects the changing fortunes of its nations, with former residents sometimes reclaiming their place.

For nations still hoping to establish themselves on Forest's maps, the application process remains open. Nations must have resided in Forest for at least 12 days before applying to Roless. Applicants should provide their preferred location and details about their territory, including notable geographical features and major settlements. A sketch is helpful, although Roless can assist with creating a nation's shape.

Existing residents can also request changes to their mapped territory, provided any alterations affecting neighbours have been discussed with them.

Forestians can explore the continental and oceanic maps, or apply for a place of their own, through the Forest Regional Map dispatch.

Forest seeks players for interregional chess tournament

Forest is looking for players to represent the region in the Userite Olympiad Chess Tournament, scheduled for November 6.

The competition brings together teams from Forest, 10000 Islands, The Leftist Assembly, Starlight, Horizon, The Frontier Sea and The Region That Has No Big Banks, with regional bragging rights on the line.

Teams of up to four players will compete on Lichess using a 5+5 blitz format, giving each player five minutes to start and an additional five seconds after every move. Players will face opponents of comparable standing within their respective teams, with results contributing to their team's overall score.

The tournament begins November 6 at 4 p.m. Eastern Time and is expected to last up to two hours.

You don't need to be a chess grandmaster to take part. The competition welcomes players of different skill levels, and those who don't make their regional team can still participate through a wildcard team.

Whether you're a regular player or someone who enjoys the occasional game, this is a chance to represent Forest in some friendly interregional competition.

Interested players can register here. For more information about Forest's participation, contact The Realizer, or consult the official tournament dispatch.

Einswenn heads to early election after political crisis

Einswenn is heading to an early election following the resignation of its leader, Jarline Agnetta Sofit, amid a political crisis over bodily autonomy legislation.

The crisis began when Sofit's governing coalition repealed a longstanding ban on body modifications. Opposition parties subsequently exploited a legal loophole to introduce controversial measures legalizing cannibalism under certain conditions and requiring post-mortem organ harvesting.

The backlash was immediate. Polling cited by the Einspostr newspaper found 98 percent of respondents opposed cannibalism, while 56 percent opposed mandatory organ harvesting. The dispute has also divided the opposition, with parties blaming one another for the political fallout.

Sofit defended her government's repeal of the original restriction but accepted responsibility for failing to anticipate the loophole. She announced her resignation while calling on voters to support progressive parties in the coming election.

The election will take place two months earlier than originally scheduled. Sofit will remain in office during the transition, while parties across the political spectrum face an electorate increasingly skeptical of their leadership.

Read the full report in the Einspostr.

Pletho steps back from war with Phasedoria

A threatened war between Pletho and Phasedoria has been averted through a negotiated settlement following a confrontation over support for rebel forces.

Pletho accused Phasedoria of supplying rebels with weapons and food, prompting a military operation against the shipments. The dispute escalated after Phasedoria's Tsar reportedly shot Pletho's prime minister during an attempt to negotiate peace.

President Luke initially threatened war but later withdrew the threat, citing the potential loss of life. Under the agreement, Pletho will pay three trillion zippos, while Phasedoria will limit trade with the rebels.

The settlement spares Pletho another conflict, although the agreement leaves questions about the continuing rebellion and Phasedoria's involvement.

Sources: Pletho's declaration of war | Peace settlement announcement

Nittany Hollow purchases Bermuda

Nittany Hollow has announced the acquisition of Bermuda from England for £65 billion, establishing its first overseas protectorate under the name Felinya Key.

The agreement, announced October 9, follows economic difficulties in England and months of negotiations. The transfer took effect October 10, placing the islands under the authority of the Nittany Lion and its High Council.

For Bermuda's residents, the change is particularly consequential. Those unwilling to accept Nittany Hollow citizenship and its assimilation policies have been given 14 days to leave. Remaining residents face compulsory integration into Nittany Hollow's political and cultural system.

Hamilton will be renamed Cyrus, while foreign tourism will be restricted in favour of Nittanese visitors. The government also intends to develop transport infrastructure and convert Bermuda College into a new university campus.

The acquisition extends Nittany Hollow's influence into the Atlantic, with the government citing the islands' strategic naval position as a further advantage.

Sources: Announcement of the Bermuda purchase | Declaration establishing Felinya Key

Longingland opens its borders while banning alcohol

Longingland has introduced two sweeping policy changes, ending its longstanding immigration ban while imposing a nationwide prohibition on alcohol.

The immigration reforms will permit entry for skilled workers, students and refugees under a new quota system. The government hopes the changes will address labour shortages and encourage economic growth.

At the same time, Parliament has banned the production, sale and consumption of alcohol. Bars, pubs and liquor retailers must close or change their business model, while enforcement agencies have been granted powers to seize alcohol and prosecute offenders.

The measures represent sharply different approaches to social policy, with greater openness to immigration accompanied by tighter restrictions on domestic behaviour.

For readers following Longingland's earlier developments, the latest legislation suggests another significant shift in the nation's political direction.

Source: Longingland's alcohol ban and immigration reforms

Forest nations join international aviation network

An international aviation initiative organized by Einswenn is bringing together national airlines from Forest and Europe under the International Aerospace Alliance (IAA).

The alliance's published directory lists 13 participating or associated nations, including Forest members Einswenn, Roless, Sehir, Lumiose and Nordustra. Its membership includes airlines and designated hub airports across both regions.

Einswenn's Einsair and Air Roless are listed as IAA members, while several other Forest airlines have signed on to the initiative.

The directory provides a foundation for cross-regional aviation cooperation, although details of operational routes and joint services remain limited in the published information.

For Forest's aviation-minded nations, the initiative offers another opportunity to connect national worldbuilding through shared international infrastructure.

Source: International Aerospace Alliance directory

Hiy Skogur, hvore jul Anxebre med Kian?

(Hey Forest, where is Anxious And Kevin?)

Imagine discovering an entire European country that nobody outside its immediate neighbourhood knew existed. That's effectively what happened in 2001, when Anxious And Kevin emerged from centuries of isolation on a previously unknown Arctic peninsula bordering northern Norway.

For the Anxiousiins (pronounced anx-yos-eens), however, life had been carrying on quite nicely without the rest of the world's attention.

Situated entirely above the Arctic Circle, Anxious And Kevin is a land of snowy forests and long polar nights, with its settlements gathered along the coast. Its capital, Ansburn, sits on the Arctic Ocean and is home to approximately 410,000 people. Despite its remote location, the country has developed into a modern European democracy, although its approach to government remains distinctly Anxiousiin.

A country without kings

Unlike most of its European neighbours, Anxious And Kevin never had a monarchy. For centuries, its communities existed as independent villages governed by elected elders known as äldre.

Those villages organized themselves into seven regions, eventually forming today's Arctic Confederation. The tradition of elected elders survives in the national parliament, the Myndigyolpi, where communities elect representatives according to their size. The country's leader, the Korkeäldre, is currently Ester Sundby, elected in 2025.

Its economic philosophy is equally distinctive. Although Anxious And Kevin operates a heavily regulated market economy, its people consider themselves an ecological collective. The government has adopted market mechanisms to facilitate international trade while maintaining a strong commitment to environmental protection.

Getting around, Arctic style

Visitors expecting conventional European transportation may be surprised. Petrol-powered cars are banned, although electric vehicles are permitted. The country's road network was originally designed for snowmobiles, which remain popular for transporting people and goods.

In rural communities, dog sleds are still a practical means of travel. Some sleds even have a motorized, dog-free mode.

International connections remain deliberately limited. Ansburn Airport opened in 2023, but commercial flights are restricted to about two per day to reduce their environmental impact.

Forests, folklore and festivals

Nature occupies a central place in Anxiousiin culture. The protected Veskurra Narvskogur forest is especially revered, with local folklore holding that benevolent spirits helped conceal the country from outsiders for centuries.

Environmental protection is taken seriously. Visitors who damage protected landscapes can face substantial fines, and fireworks are prohibited nationwide to protect wildlife.

Traditional festivals reflect the country's Arctic setting. Poledalsen celebrates the arrival of continuous summer daylight, while Polenatt marks the return of the long polar darkness.

Perhaps the best-known celebration is Snøskogfest, the Snow-Forest Festival. Often compared to Christmas, it honours the natural world and features Valiskog, the Anxiousiin equivalent of Santa Claus. The festivities begin in November and continue through the New Year.

Music is another popular pastime. The annual ESN festival in Møllebro brings together electronic music and traditional Norse influences, with an emphasis on environmental sustainability and opportunities for local performers.

Football beneath the northern lights

Anxious And Kevin has developed a thriving football culture. The country operates a four-tier league system, with the season running from March through October to accommodate its Arctic climate.

Rødhus Blaverfield recently secured its second consecutive top-flight championship, winning the 2026 Arctic Coffee Toppalortig and bringing its total to four titles. Kaupunki Ansburn remains the country's most successful club, with nine championships.

Forestians may remember Anxious And Kevin as hosts of the 2024 Forest Cup, when the country welcomed regional competition to its northern football grounds.

A warm welcome in a cold country

Twenty-five years after its emergence onto the world stage, Anxious And Kevin continues to reconcile its longstanding traditions with growing international connections.

A younger generation that never knew life before 2001 is finding its place in a more connected world. Yet the country's commitment to its Arctic landscape remains central to its identity.

Visitors can expect a warm welcome, provided they respect the local customs. And perhaps leave the petrol-powered car at home.

As the Anxiousiins say, “Sammen, alltid, er vi skogen.” (Together, always, we are the forest.)

Explore Anxious And Kevin: National Factbook | The Anxiousiin Nation (RMB) | Football in Anxious And Kevin

Diadel: where language grows on trees

In the Federation of Diadel, language is considered a living thing. According to local tradition, the country's native tongue, Nyelenlaelir, grew from a divine seed of knowledge into a tree sustained by everyone who speaks it. Should the last speaker forget the language, the tree would die, and no amount of studying its grammar could bring it back.

It's a fitting belief for a country where ancient mythology continues to influence almost every aspect of modern life.

Situated in the Frontier Sea, near the Forest continent, Diadel is home to approximately 30 million people. Its name derives from the ancient phrase Dia-del, meaning “the place where the light settles” or “the dawn's dwelling.”

The country's modern identity traces back to the mysterious Sunluvlieylö civilization, whose legacy remains central to Diadelian culture.

A civilization of unanswered questions

The Sunluvlieylö, whose name translates as “Children of the Sun's Gaze,” developed a sophisticated agricultural society with considerable knowledge of astronomy and architecture.

Curiously, they left no conventional written records. Much of what is known about them comes from oral traditions and geometric carvings. Ceremonial objects add further clues that archaeologists are still trying to interpret.

Among the more intriguing discoveries are the Silent Calendars, stone carvings that appear to record astronomical events but contain unexplained gaps. Some scholars believe the missing intervals represent periods of ritual silence. Others suspect the calendars contain knowledge deliberately concealed by their creators.

Then there are the Twin Statuettes, pairs of bronze figures discovered at major ceremonial sites. Depicted facing one another in a gesture of mutual offering, their precise significance remains unknown.

The Sunluvlieylö also passed down a creation story known as the Myth of the Two Gazes. It describes a world formed through the opposing influences of the Sun and Moon. The Sun provides order and purpose, while the Moon introduces mystery and change.

Lessons from the forest

One of Diadel's most important legends concerns the Integral Grove, a sacred forest where humans and other living beings once existed in harmony.

According to the story, the first Sunluvlieylö lawgiver, known as Eyrön or the Listener, learned the principles of communal living from the silence between the trees.

Those principles still influence modern Diadelian society.

Following centuries of political change, the country's successor states peacefully united to form a federation founded on direct democracy and collective responsibility.

Today, citizens participate in government through community councils and regional assemblies. Elected officials face strict term limits. The economy is entirely state-owned and centrally planned, and private enterprise is prohibited.

Diadel also requires its citizens to follow a vegetarian diet, reflecting the ancient principle of avoiding harm to living beings. Tourism is its largest industry, attracting visitors interested in the country's forests, archaeological sites and distinctive way of life.

A language with roots

The Diadelian language, Nyelenlaelir, is particularly fascinating. It has evolved slowly over generations, much like a mature tree that continues to grow new leaves without fundamentally changing its shape.

Its grammar is unusually elaborate. Nouns distinguish between one object, small groups of up to three and larger groups. Different forms of address also distinguish ordinary conversation from interactions with authority figures or romantic partners.

For Diadelians, preserving their language is therefore a cultural responsibility. Losing it would mean losing a living connection to their ancestors.

The sound of silence

Diadel's traditions offer visitors an opportunity to experience its ancient beliefs firsthand.

The Festival of the Two Gazes, celebrated at the summer solstice, features communal vegetarian feasts and retellings of Sunluvlieylö myths. Two representatives symbolically reenact the offering associated with the mysterious Twin Statuettes.

Perhaps more unusual is Dag ö Tystnad, or Silent Day. Once a year, participants observe 24 hours of voluntary silence, communicating through written notes and gestures in remembrance of the Silent Calendars.

Even the country's national animal, the protected Integral Owl, carries symbolic importance. Its patient watchfulness inspired the national motto, Lnúril a hiéril, loosely translated as “Wait and see.”

For Forestians, Diadel is an intriguing neighbour to explore. Its ancient mysteries remain unresolved, but the influence of the Sunluvlieylö is visible throughout modern society.

And in a country where silence once taught a lawgiver how to govern, perhaps a day without talking isn't such a strange idea after all.

Explore Diadel: Diadelian Overview | Nyelenlaelir Language

Infinitta: Unearthing Forest's forgotten past

What lies beneath Infinitta's Lake Kanoa? According to a recent investigation, the answer may be two lost national capitals.

Their disappearance is part of a curious story about Forest's changing geography, where the arrival and departure of nations have left traces of a past largely forgotten.

When Infinitta joined the regional map in October, its cartographers were already familiar with the territory. Months before arriving in Forest, they had begun collecting historical maps, tracing the region's development through the work of successive cartographers.

Their attention eventually turned to Southwestern Abehaast, the coastal territory Infinitta now calls home. What they discovered was something of a cartographic archaeological site.

Layers of forgotten history

The first nations appeared in this corner of Abehaast in 2019. Others followed, establishing borders and settlements across territory that would eventually become Infinitta.

Over the following years, nations arrived and disappeared. At two different points, four nations occupied what is now Infinittan territory simultaneously.

Some left behind detailed records. Others are known almost entirely from old maps and the occasional trading card.

Comparing these fragments with the modern landscape has revealed some intriguing coincidences. Place names reappear in unexpected locations. Former capitals overlap present-day geographical features. Even the shape of the coastline offers clues about who occupied the territory before.

One discovery concerns a former nation whose influence extended well beyond its borders. Its surviving records reveal a surprisingly active role in Forest's political history, including involvement in movements that helped shape the region.

The past beneath our feet

Infinitta's investigation is a reminder that Forest's regional map is also a historical record. Each revision captures a moment in the region's development, preserving traces of nations that might otherwise be forgotten.

The full account is worth exploring. Infinitta has assembled a fascinating piece of detective work, complete with historical maps and comparisons that reveal just how much this small corner of Forest has changed.

And those two capitals beneath Lake Kanoa? That's only the beginning.

Read the full investigation: Southwestern Abehaast: Remembering the Ones Who Came (and Left) Before Us, by Infinitta.

Crinadia: a little something for everyone

From mountain peaks to cheetah country, Crinadia offers visitors plenty of reasons to visit.

Visitors to Crinadia may find themselves facing a difficult decision before they've even unpacked. Should they head into the wilderness in search of cheetahs, explore the country's Great Lakes or spend a few days discovering the capital? With attractions ranging from mountain climbing to seasonal festivals, the answer may depend on how much time they have.

Fortunately, Crinadia has a little something for nearly everyone.

Explore the capital

Turananto makes a natural starting point. The capital is a multicultural city where different communities have established their own districts, including a Chinatown. Visitors can encounter a variety of cultural traditions without travelling far.

The city's relaxed approach to personal expression is a distinctive feature. Traditional clothing shares the streets with futuristic fashions, and local attitudes toward dress are notably permissive. Visitors accustomed to more conservative destinations may find themselves reconsidering what constitutes appropriate sightseeing attire.

The festival calendar also offers reasons to plan a visit around particular dates. October brings the Halloween Spookestival, complete with trick-or-treating and an unusual Crinadian innovation: specially engineered sweets intended to make Halloween a little healthier. Whether this improves the holiday is probably a matter best left to the children.

Other annual celebrations include Pride festivities, Thanksgiving activities featuring a corn maze and a December fair.

Into cheetah country

For wildlife enthusiasts, Crinadia's most remarkable attraction is its population of wild cheetahs.

According to the nation's factbook, more than two million of these animals roam the country, making them a defining feature of the natural landscape. Visitors travel to Crinadia specifically for the opportunity to observe them.

The nation's protected natural areas offer an appealing setting for wildlife tourism. A trip into cheetah country would be a particular highlight for photographers and anyone interested in seeing these animals in their natural habitat.

Crinadians have an unusual relationship with cheetahs. Under regulated conditions, captive-born animals can legally be kept as pets. That's an arrangement likely to surprise visitors from countries where the closest encounter with a cheetah involves a zoo enclosure.

For travellers, though, the greater attraction is surely the opportunity to see wild cheetahs where they belong. Few other destinations can offer anything like it.

The Great Lakes beckon

Crinadia's Great Lakes offer a change of pace for visitors who prefer their wildlife encounters to involve fishing rods.

Recreational fishing and competitive angling are established activities, while diving provides an opportunity to explore beneath the surface. Lake Hyperior is particularly impressive, with depths exceeding 500 metres.

For those looking to spend time on the water, the lakes provide a welcome alternative to the more energetic pursuits elsewhere in Crinadia. And with waters that deep, divers may find there's rather more to explore than a single holiday will allow.

A mountain worth the climb

Travellers seeking a more strenuous challenge can turn their attention to Mount Crinadia.

Rising above 5,000 metres, the mountain is an established climbing destination. At that elevation, it offers a serious undertaking for mountaineers rather than a casual afternoon walk.

Anyone planning an ascent would be wise to investigate local climbing conditions before setting out. A summit of that height deserves considerably more preparation than an enthusiastic pair of hiking boots.

Getting around

Crinadia's transport infrastructure may be an attraction in its own right, particularly for travellers interested in environmentally conscious travel.

The national factbook describes an extensive electric railway network, alongside widespread use of electric and hybrid vehicles. Shorter commercial flights can also be operated using electric aircraft.

For visitors hoping to see several parts of the country, the railway system offers a potentially convenient way to travel between destinations, although visitors will want to check routes and schedules before setting out.

A destination worth discovering

Whether it's a few days exploring Turananto or an ambitious mountain expedition, Crinadia offers enough variety to keep visitors occupied well beyond a weekend.

October visitors have the added attraction of the Spookestival, where even the Halloween sweets have received a little scientific attention.

And with more than two million wild cheetahs roaming the countryside, there's always a good reason to bring a camera.

Sources: Welcome to Crinadia! · The Cheetahs of Crinadia · The Culture of Crinadia

Seven nations fall silent

October's roll of remembrance includes seven nations that have ceased to exist since our previous edition.

• Podria in Forest

• Sanctuary Ct

• Saint Agatha and the Sasquatch Isles

• Nortallius

• Carolian Empire

• Ardesatia

• Karaa Theocracy
  

Podria in Forest had passed its sixth anniversary. Carolian empire and Karaa Theocracy had each existed for more than two years. Nortallius had passed its first anniversary, while Ardesatia had been founded earlier this year. Saint Agatha and the Sasquatch Isles had the briefest history, lasting just over three months.

Of course, a place in the Boneyard needn't be permanent. Nations can return when their owners log in again, and Forest has welcomed many such returns over the years.

Until then, we remember those who have departed and leave the door open for their return.