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I thought it would be nice to start the delegate discussion with some questions for the candidates! These are a few questions that I hope will explore each candidate's ideas and thoughts on everything from the role of the delegate to their specific plans to what sets them apart. If anyone else would like to ask a question, I certainly don't have a monopoly on this...please feel free to ask on here, the RMB, or the Discord! I will do my best to ensure questions asked on Discord or the RMB are included here.

With that said, here we go!

1) What is Wintreath to you?

2) What does the role of delegate mean to you, and why do you want to be our next delegate?

3) What is your plan for maintaining the most endorsements in the region?

4) What is your plan for determining how you vote on resolutions?

5) How would you handle a resolution that's contentious within the community?

6) Is there anything at all you would do differently from our current delegate, The Age of Dystopia?

7) What knowledge and experience would you bring that sets you apart? (This doesn't have to be previous delegate experience, it can be anything that you feel sets you apart)

8) There are a number of other candidates. So why you?

(1) What is Wintreath to you?
Wintreath, in its purest form, is a place where no matter who you are, you can come here and feel accepted and make freinds within the community, allowing you to just step back from the chaos of the real world and just relax with your freinds.

2) What does the role of delegate mean to you, and why do you want to be our next delegate?
The role of delegate is to represent our community in the WA as well in NS politics and everywhere else. It isn't a position of power, it's a position of representation.

3) What is your plan for maintaining the most endorsements in the region?
Let me say this first, no, I won't place an endo cap. I find them to be a waste and another way to keep power. I will, though recommend that people who are within 30 endos of me to try to keep it around that number as to not trigger a delegacy change when the game updates.

4) What is your plan for determining how you vote on resolutions?
I'll vote by taking 3 factors into account; My personal opinion, Community opinion and the writing of the proposal.

5) How would you handle a resolution that's contentious within the community?
If it is likely to cause controversy if I were to vote upon it, I would not vote and try to understand why it causes so much controversy.

6) Is there anything at all you would do differently from our current delegate, The Age of Dystopia?
No, as Dystopia has done an amazing job as the delegate.

7) What knowledge and experience would you bring that sets you apart? (This doesn't have to be previous delegate experience, it can be anything that you feel sets you apart)

There are a number of other candidates. So why you?
Why me? I represent parts of the newer generation who have much different views on politics, democracy and our world at large, yet also have some of the views of the last generations. I'm not a perfect candidate, I'm flawed and so are others, but I may not be the best, we'll just have to see.

1) What is Wintreath to you?
Wintreath to me is a calm, perfect digital world, where no matter who you are, where you come from (unless you're an invader from TBH), you can come and be accepted into a blissful realm of peace and joy. NationStates is designed to be a calm, fun game and that would be reflected in Wintreath.

2) What does the role of delegate mean to you, and why do you want to be our next delegate?
The role of delegate is to represent the whole community and to be an ambassador at the WA stage. I want to be the next delegate as I would be a very open, liberal delegate.

3) What is your plan for maintaining the most endorsements in the region?
No endorsement cap. Just no. Although if you're getting to the 40/50/60 level please try to stay there if possible.

4) What is your plan for determining how you vote on resolutions?
I would vote based on four key points and maybe other factors as well. I'll say them like percentages in a pie chart. 25% personal opinion, 50% wintreath's opinion, 7.5% The RSS' personal opinion, 12.5% the wording of the resolution, 5% the simplified version of the resolution. I will alter this if necessary.

5) How would you handle a resolution that's contentious within the community?
I would take time and talk with people from both sides of the argument, and not vote if necessary. I know that some newer people will just vote based on the delegate's opinion, and so I will try to prevent or convince these people to be themselves.

6) Is there anything at all you would do differently from our current delegate, The Age of Dystopia?
No, except for activity, as mentioned on Discord. Dystopia has been the most capable delegate I have ever seen (also the only delegate I have ever seen)

7) What knowledge and experience would you bring that sets you apart? (This doesn't have to be previous delegate experience, it can be anything that you feel sets you apart)
Well, apart from the aforementioned knowledge in #5, I may not be the oldest or wisest candidate, but that is where my openness would come in. The NS community would be a big influence for me, and I think even the newest countries or people may have knowledge to share, and I am all ears!

 There are a number of other candidates. So why you?

Why me? If you think someone else should be delegate, vote them. I may be a fairly new and inactive citizen, but I am levelheaded, open and I feel that I would represent the newbies and the oldies, and that they stand alongside me. I would just be the delegate, a representative for the community that everyone has an influence in. I am not the perfect candidate, and I can be seen as inferior and tiny to the candidates with bigger nations like Mania Sims or Saarenmaa, but I am a young, kindly person who will aid the community whenever possible. We shall see who the community thinks is the best candidate.

1. What is Wintreath to you?

For me, Wintreath is a community of tranquility, kindness and harmony. When I moved here, I felt at home. I have traveled to different regions, but it was here that I felt the difference in the perception of the Nation States. There is a friendly atmosphere here, and particularly misunderstood personalities are not as much of a problem as in other regions.

I share many of the ideas of the region, such as the protection of minority rights, friendship, a hobby as a game of Minecraft, and most importantly the understanding that the nation is a formality, but the most important thing is the people, a community in which it is pleasant to socialize and bond.

2. What does the role of delegate mean to you, and why do you want to be our next delegate?

Being a delegate is a responsibility, a status, a new stage in Nation States. I believe that I can benefit my region in this position, make it more influential in the international arena, in the sphere of international relations.

I believe that I have grown to this position and I am ready to take this responsibility.
In addition, I am interested in law and I am studying to be a lawyer. I have experience in working with legal documents and drafting complex legal acts, for example, the constitution of my nation. This kind of work is not very difficult for me. I hope I have been able to demonstrate my skill in this area.

3. What is your plan for maintaining the most endorsements in the region?

I will provide you with compelling evidence of my competence in maintaining the highest number of endorsments. I ranked second in the region for endorsment in less than 1 week of being in the region.

In addition, if you briefly analyze my endorsement statistics, you will learn that I am able to maintain a high level of endorsement even in large regions where I am the leader, regardless of the region.

I also believe that I need to implement more of the initiatives I have in place, one of them being the need to include a mention of the delegate endorsement on the region's homepage in the  most prominent place. In addition, I have many similar ideas to maintain and increase endorsement in the region that I will implement as a Wintreath delegate.

4. What is your plan for determining how you vote on resolutions?

I plan that my main approach will be as follows: voting should be approached carefully, thoughtfully, responsibly and, most importantly, in the interests of the region and its residents. After all, as we know, democracy is the power of the people. And I will pursue my policies only in the best interests of Wintreath and its residents.

I will make it a point to vote on almost every resolution as far as possible, taking into account the power the Delegate has, but I will have the right to have my own opinion considered. I will write that every decision in such a position requires a balanced and impartial approach. I believe that before making a choice, one should evaluate the idea, quality, value of the resolution, consider it from different sides, take into account the facts and arguments that are most often present in the discussions of resolutions that take place on the forum. If I notice that a resolution is against the interests of the region and its residents, I will definitely take this into account when voting and vote against it.

5. How would you handle a resolution that's contentious within the community?

I believe that in any discussion, it is essential to take into account different points of view. I believe that each one should be thoroughly researched, weighing the pros and cons, and considering the context and implications for our region and residents.

If one viewpoint is clearly favorable or not at all favorable to the region, then I will support it or write against it. However, if there are no sufficiently convincing arguments or consequences for our region's decision, then remaining neutral is a reasonable approach.

What matters is the well-being of the region and the conduct of sovereign policy in accordance with the interests of the region and its inhabitants.

6. Is there anything at all you would do differently from our current delegate, The Age of Dystopia?

I believe, yes, I would initiate more active involvement of the region's residents in WA. I would more actively participate in the discussion of draft resolutions, express the opinion of the region and residents, if it is necessary in specific cases and would be in our interests.

7. What knowledge and experience would you bring that sets you apart? (This doesn't have to be previous delegate experience, it can be anything that you feel sets you apart)

I plan to bring an endorsement culture to the region so that residents are more active in WA. My goal is to create an environment where the voice of our region will be heard and our opinion will be taken into account in the field of WA. I believe that the region needs a responsible, sensitive and experienced legal specialist, who is able to represent the interests of the region in the international arena according to his moral principles and thus contribute to the increase of its prestige and influence.

8. There are a number of other candidates. So why you?

1. High level of influence, by this indicator I am ranked 1st in the region, which of course gives me the right to run for a delegate position.
2. 2nd place in the region on the indicator of endorsement in the region, I have shown that I can get and, most importantly, maintain a high level of endorsement, regardless of the time of stay in the region.
3. Responsive, empathetic, hardworking, my approach to any responsible business is always based on attention to detail and striving to achieve the best possible result.
4. I have experience in drafting and, accordingly, criticizing legally executed documents. This will enable me to effectively represent the interests of the region and its residents in the international WA arena.
5. I am quite active in the region, willing to continue to contribute and support community development.
6. I like everything about the World Assembly, I regularly vote in the General Assembly and Security Council and at least familiarize myself with the drafts of pending and upcoming resolutions.
7. In a short time I felt that I have found a region where I feel comfortable and cozy, so I want and strive to make the region better.

Thank you for your attention,
Saarenmaa.

I thought it would be nice to start the delegate discussion with some questions for the candidates! These are a few questions that I hope will explore each candidate's ideas and thoughts on everything from the role of the delegate to their specific plans to what sets them apart. If anyone else would like to ask a question, I certainly don't have a monopoly on this...please feel free to ask on here, the RMB, or the Discord! I will do my best to ensure questions asked on Discord or the RMB are included here.

With that said, here we go!

1) What is Wintreath to you?

2) What does the role of delegate mean to you, and why do you want to be our next delegate?

3) What is your plan for maintaining the most endorsements in the region?

4) What is your plan for determining how you vote on resolutions?

5) How would you handle a resolution that's contentious within the community?

6) Is there anything at all you would do differently from our current delegate, The Age of Dystopia?

7) What knowledge and experience would you bring that sets you apart? (This doesn't have to be previous delegate experience, it can be anything that you feel sets you apart)

There are a number of other candidates. So why you?

As the outgoing delegate, I feel it would offer some insight if I answered some of these questions about my term.

3) How Have I maintained Endorsements?
The primary way I have maintained endorsements has been endotarting. People very often endorse you back when you've endorsed them, so by endorsing everyone in the region I've been able to keep my endorsement levels high.
I've also set up a few dispatches that ask people to endorse me and to join the WA and endorse me. These dispatches have a table of pings so as to get the attention of people not endorsing me. The tables are assembled by bots and I've updated them every so often to ping people who aren't endorsing me.
I've also, a few times during my term, TGed people not endorsing me to try and get their endorsement.

4) How have I determined how I vote?
When I was chosen as delegate, I promised to vote according to the majority of Wintreath's WA nations, and if I were to do anything differently I would have not done this. Most of our WA nations just vote according to how the delegate votes, meaning that if I vote early, everyone follows suit. If I don't vote early, everyone votes according to the WA majority. In my opinion, the most important thing to consider in how to vote in the WA is if any nations explicitly voice their opinions on their opinion of the proposal.

5) Contentious votes.
Largely contentious votes are able to be solved via discussion on the topic. If the votes of our WA nations in general are tied, then I think that the best course of action is to start a discussion. Most people won't be involved in said discussion, because that's just how things are (you can't force anyone to be active), but the voices of those who explicitly talk about a resolution is 100 times more valuable than just the WA votes of people who mostly don't really read the resolution.

1. High level of influence, by this indicator I am ranked 1st in the region, which of course gives me the right to run for a delegate position.

I would like to clarify that the influence stat is largely meaningless. Influence is really only useful for r/d and mechanical security, neither of which are important in Wintreath (we don't have a military, and we have a governor). Influence has no bearing on whether anyone can run for delegate, it's a mechanical tool, not a measurement of experience. Lastly, most of your influence is from the region you were in before XKI (I assume to be Europe?), so it wouldn't even be mechanically relevant here.

I may not be the oldest or wisest candidate

...

I can be seen as inferior and tiny to the candidates with bigger nations like Mania Sims or Saarenmaa, but I am a young, kindly person who will aid the community whenever possible. We shall see who the community thinks is the best candidate.

While population is a useful determiner for experience, its usefulness drops off very quickly after a few months and experience is better determined looking more closely at what people have done.

I would like to clarify that the influence stat is largely meaningless. Influence is really only useful for r/d and mechanical security, neither of which are important in Wintreath (we don't have a military, and we have a governor). Influence has no bearing on whether anyone can run for delegate, it's a mechanical tool, not a measurement of experience. Lastly, most of your influence is from the region you were in before XKI (I assume to be Europe?), so it wouldn't even be mechanically relevant here.

The influence is undoubtedly there, and this is an undeniable fact. It is better for the region to have an influential delegate.

We need to take a broader view and be prepared for all possible scenarios, even if this is the situation at the moment. 

I will write that every resident of Wintreath is eligible to run for delegate. And the experience I mentioned in my post is based on something else - my knowledge of the law and a few other aspects, you are misinterpreting it.

I would like to clarify that the influence stat is largely meaningless. Influence is really only useful for r/d and mechanical security, neither of which are important in Wintreath (we don't have a military, and we have a governor). Influence has no bearing on whether anyone can run for delegate, it's a mechanical tool, not a measurement of experience. Lastly, most of your influence is from the region you were in before XKI (I assume to be Europe?), so it wouldn't even be mechanically relevant here.

The influence is undoubtedly there, and this is an undeniable fact. It is better for the region to have an influential delegate.

We need to take a broader view and be prepared for all possible scenarios, even if this is the situation at the moment.

I will write that every resident of Wintreath is eligible to run for delegate. And the experience I mentioned in my post is based on something else - my knowledge of the law and a few other aspects, you are misinterpreting it.

Yes influence is good, and you have influence, but it doesn't really matter here. As delegate anyone will gain enough just by having a lot of endos. Influence really isn't that important. And most important, influence is per region, most of the influence you have is useless mechanically in Wintreath as it was gained in another region. Influence gained in other regions can't be spent here. Notice how despite your high influence stat, your influence level is only "Shoeshiner". The influence stat is the total amount of influence you have across all regions.

I thought it would be nice to start the delegate discussion with some questions for the candidates! These are a few questions that I hope will explore each candidate's ideas and thoughts on everything from the role of the delegate to their specific plans to what sets them apart. If anyone else would like to ask a question, I certainly don't have a monopoly on this...please feel free to ask on here, the RMB, or the Discord! I will do my best to ensure questions asked on Discord or the RMB are included here.

With that said, here we go!

1) What is Wintreath to you?

2) What does the role of delegate mean to you, and why do you want to be our next delegate?

3) What is your plan for maintaining the most endorsements in the region?

4) What is your plan for determining how you vote on resolutions?

5) How would you handle a resolution that's contentious within the community?

6) Is there anything at all you would do differently from our current delegate, The Age of Dystopia?

7) What knowledge and experience would you bring that sets you apart? (This doesn't have to be previous delegate experience, it can be anything that you feel sets you apart)

There are a number of other candidates. So why you?

1) The only place I bother paying attention to in NS anymore, and a good reason for why I haven't just quit the game outside of force of habit. Plus I own everything anyway.

2] It's the only job in NS I ever want. It's always been my favorite role, I see it as easier than other NS government jobs, while still involved enough to matter. Why Wintreath? Why not? Would t be to much to say it be my greatest achievement in NS in nearly 20 years of playing?

3} Legal Harassment?

4) Ideally post them all on the forum with a poll and also take into account the in game voting numbers. It depends how many people actually vote in the forum poll, I could also do one on discord.

5] Is dumping the blame on Moot an option? Because it would totally be his fault for anything contentious, since he's just so OLD! I don't think I've ever seen a region have a major issue internally over WA resolutions, but I suppose anything is possible. Still voting one way or another is a majority rules thing is it not?

6} I honestly can't say if I would or wouldn't. I assumed they've done a great job, prove me wrong!

7) Playing this game for 19 years at the very least has to put me in rare company, but I could be wrong. Most people don't seem to think much of that fact, so I am likely just mental for even thinking it matters. Though you could take it as me saying I'm not likely to disappear anytime soon. 

8: Honestly, I just want the job. I'm not likely to win, but it be nice. Plus I could torment Moot more. Always fun.

Sorry, I'm a bit late, but here's the relevant chat from the Discord!

The Age of Dystopia's Questions

The Age of Dystopia (Delegate) — 12/12/2024 11:28 AM
How much experience do you have with the mechanics of proposals before they make it to vote? Do you lean raider or defender? If raiders have submitted a queue stuffer or their own libjunct would you be able to spot that? (edited)

The Age of Dystopia (Delegate) — 12/12/2024 11:32 AM
Also do you plan on setting up/maintaining the endorsement campaign dispatches that I have, and if so would you need help with them (e.g. using a bot to get people who aren’t in the WA/ aren’t endorsing you?)

The Age of Dystopia (Delegate) — 12/12/2024 11:46 AM
Additionally how do you plan on casting your WA vote? And are there exceptions (e.g. if there’s a discussion that occurs)

Mania Sims' Answers to Dystopia's Questions

Manilia Sims
To answer this, I lean defender and partially neutral. I have experience with how proposals get to voting, as I've read some factbooks on them. A proposal requires 6% of all delegates to support before it reaches quorum alongside it being deemed legal,in which it will come up to vote. If I see something for liberate X region or something useless, I'll look at what region it targets, who wrote it and what it wants. I would most likely be able to spot all, if not most of them.

Manilia Sims — 12/12/2024 12:06 PM
I would plan to maintain, and I'd most likely require help as I only have so much free time to devote and keep everything up and running, alongside my other leadership duties on other games.

United Holiness Lands' (U.H.L) Answers to Dystopia's Questions

PixelPizza — 12/12/2024 12:24 PM
Same military leanings and I am unsure on proposals, I will admit, but I have time and energy to find out. I do have some knowledge of the WA. If I see a Lib or Inj resolution, I'd analyse it and probably talk about it on the RMB. I should be fairly apt at spotting defender and invader-written ones.

PixelPizza — 12/12/2024 12:26 PM
I would try my best to maintain the NS side of Wintreath to the best of my ability, but will probably need help as I am a teen. School exists for me ;-;  although I shall devote as much time as I can.

PixelPizza — 12/12/2024 12:37 PM
If I was chosen, I would probably take on another candidate from the five as my advisor or co-delegate (not on NS, just for decisions or community issues)

Saarenmaa's Answers to Dystopia's Questions

Serebrianskii — 12/12/2024 1:52 PM
I wouldn't have a problem creating a dept asking you to " endorse a delegate", and I'd make it nice and intuitive.  But I may well borrow a bot from you that pings people who aren't in WA, I think that would be useful.

Serebrianskii — 12/12/2024 1:54 PM
Relying on the interests and opinion of the region and its residents. But at the same time, of course, making their own decisions.

Nox's Questions

The Prettiest Axolotl — 12/12/2024 2:19 PM
where do the delegates stand on fish?

Mania Sims' Answer to Nox's Questions

Manilia Sims — 12/12/2024 3:59 PM
Fish are very cute, I don't eat fish.

Saarenmaa's Answer to Nox's Question

Serebrianskii — 12/12/2024 5:16 PM
I love fish, they are so mesmerizing and beautiful

Mania Sims Elaborates on Handling Controversial Proposals

Manilia Sims — 12/12/2024 5:26 PM
I would like to expand upon this, as I would try to understand why it's controversial, and it's impacts if I were to vote, being misaligned with the values of the community is something that I don't want to happen. If there can be no rough agreement upon either side, I will not vote, showcasing the neutrality of the community. With one exception, if it's a proposal that will have a direct impact on wintreath, or one of its protectorates, I will vote according to what I believe helps wintreath the most.

Discussion on Mania Sims' Knowledge of NS Updates

The Age of Dystopia (Delegate) — 12/12/2024 5:31 PM
Do you know how updates work?

Manilia Sims — 12/12/2024 5:32 PM
Yes. There are two uodates.
[5:32 PM]
One is the main one, for endos, stats and other things, while the other is a minor one that effects nation populations.
[5:32 PM]
I believe.

The Age of Dystopia (Delegate) — 12/12/2024 5:32 PM
No
[5:33 PM]
Everything the minor does the major also does
[5:33 PM]
endos and delegates are calculated at both

Manilia Sims — 12/12/2024 5:34 PM
Ah. It's been a little while, so I'm a but rusty on specifics, but I have general knowledge on how R/D works.

The Age of Dystopia (Delegate) — 12/12/2024 5:34 PM
You really don't need any knowledge of r/d for the delegate position imo

Manilia Sims — 12/12/2024 5:35 PM
It helps, but we really aren't a target for raiders.
[5:36 PM]
As we have a governor.

The Age of Dystopia (Delegate) — 12/12/2024 5:36 PM
Having a non-executive delegate, a governor, and a high endo count prevents most common types of raids (edited)
[5:36 PM]
the only thing we'd be theoretically vulnerable to is quorum raiding, but we have a big enough endo gap to stop that

Manilia Sims — 12/12/2024 5:37 PM
Yep.

Manilia Sims — 12/12/2024 5:38 PM
Yeah. Frontiers are quite vulnerable unless the delegate has a very high endo count. Even then, it's still difficult.

The Age of Dystopia (Delegate) — 12/12/2024 5:38 PM
If you're a frontier you better have either some really good security or treaties with raiders
[5:38 PM]
Being a fronteir isn't worth it
[5:38 PM]
the spawns aren't worth the security risk

Manilia Sims — 12/12/2024 5:39 PM
Yep.

The Age of Dystopia (Delegate) — 12/12/2024 5:40 PM
And if any problematic shit goes down in a frontier you can guarantee its death

Manilia Sims — 12/12/2024 5:41 PM
Yep.

Saarenmaa Asks About Wintreath's WA Views on Raiding Regions

Serebrianskii — 12/12/2024 11:12 PM
@The Age of Dystopia (Delegate)
@Mootmallow

In the context of voting on Security Council resolutions related to the release of a captured region or hypothetical condemnation/revocation of raiding regions and their representatives, how does the region view raiding groups? What is the position of the region: negative or neutral or otherwise? The region maintains neutrality, i.e., no participation of a delegate in voting on Security Council resolutions due to recusal.

The Age of Dystopia (Delegate) — 12/12/2024 11:13 PM
In the first repeal of one of TBH’s condemnations we voted for, in the second against
[11:16 PM]
For a bit of context I was a member of the SPSF (technically still am), and I am a defender
We have both raider and defender members, but I don’t think we have any active or recent raiders, and defenders are larger in number. We don’t really care much about r/d and we don’t really engage with NSGP. We do lean defender as a region tho. (edited)
[11:17 PM]
We’re not really bought into the neo-moralism around raiders deserve no condemns
[11:18 PM]
In terms of how we’d vote on a repeal of a future raider condemn, I think we’d lean towards being against the repeal, but that’s heavily dependent on the circumstances and the opinions of anyone who weighs in, so it could really go either way (edited)

The Age of Dystopia (Delegate) — 12/12/2024 11:26 PM
When it comes to defender libjuncts we’ve always been for

The Age of Dystopia (Delegate) — 12/12/2024 11:45 PM
There's not strict policy on anything, we're not deeply engaged in the politics of the SC (edited)

Aura — 12/13/2024 12:03 AM
If any potential delegate is worried about knowledge of R/C SC stuff you can always just ping me about it

The Age of Dystopia (Delegate) — 12/13/2024 12:58 AM
For those who don't know Aura is a defender commander

Kháos Pieck — 12/13/2024 9:56 PM
:PikaThink:
never heard of em

Wintermoot Asks About Mania Sims's Leadership Experience

Mootmallow — 12/16/2024 1:32 AM
@Manilia Sims You mentioned you have other leadership duties on other games...I'm not asking you to reveal details of what games exactly if you're not comfortable, but I'd like to know more about what these duties are. It sounds like it could be relevant experience.

Manilia Sims — 12/16/2024 7:40 AM
I'll list every responsibility I have.
-defensive operations to protect cities, Adviser on combat matters. (2nd In cmd)
-Corp. Ambassador (diplomacy)
-QA for a certain game, oversees tester program+ community interaction.
yeah that's all that my brain deems relevant to this.