12 July 2020
Greetings, citizens of [region]Forest[/region], and of our allied regions!
In just a few weeks, Forest will be celebrating its 15th birthday. It was in the first week of August 2005 when our original founder Devdan first established a place for us all amongst the trees. Devdan predates any of our current members, and vanished completely by the end of 2005, but early 2006 saw Errinundera and several other Forest luminaries already present here in the grounds we now call home. Errin would go on to become the region’s first WA delegate, and it wasn’t long until Ransium arrived on the scene. After struggling with identity and defense, common problems for any small founderless region, a re-founding was conducted with Errin as our new Founder, and Ransium soon became our WA delegate – a position continued to this day.
In the time since its founding, a length of time that is truly remarkable by the standards of an internet game or community, Forest has grown from a small region of a couple dozen nations to a widely-recognized and commended region of several hundred players, with a distinctive personality and a respected voice at the table of the gaming community. We are going strong, and together we can make the celebration of this, our Crystal Jubilee, a warming, welcoming, and informative occasion for our citizens and allies.
While the majority of the jubilee commemoration is being developed and will be unveiled as we reach the appropriate time, the first of our Crystal Jubilee events is here – in fact, it is starting today!
Forest’s Crystal Jubilee Flag Contest
To commemorate Forest’s 15th anniversary, we will fly a special jubilee flag on our homepage for the duration of the celebration. In accordance with our tradition, this flag will be designed via a contest, with the winner voted upon by you, our citizens!
Contest rules:
1) The contest shall run for approximately two weeks, from the time of this announcement until 11:59pm Pacific Time on Sunday, July 26 (0659 GMT, July 27)
2) Submissions may be made either by A) posting in this thread here on our forums, or B) via direct telegram to me, Verdant Haven, and I will post them on your behalf.
3) A vote will be held following to determine winner shortly after the completion of the submission period. Should a design receive a majority of the votes in the first round, it shall be declared the winner. If no flag receives a majority in the first round, a run-off shall be held between the two submissions receiving the most votes.
4) The proportions of the submitted design must be a 3:2 ratio, width to height. Contestants should be aware that the final display image will be no larger than 300×200, and voting will be based off an image no greater than that size.
5) The design contest is open to all residents of Forest and of our Embassy regions
6) Voting will be open to all Native Residents of Forest (those who reside here and have more influence here than in any other region).
7) All designs are subject to approval by the Crystal Jubilee committee prior to inclusion in the vote. Please refrain from anything that might be considered inappropriate or offensive.
I look forward to seeing the designs!
Verdant Haven
Forest Keeper
