The Military Horse Statue in Oasis Springs

(Year 232, Summer) At Desert Bloom, the community park at Verde in Oases Springs, we find a huge horse statue. This is far from random, as the old Verde was a center of equestrian masters and military support. In those early years Horses played a major role in this district, and the statue was erected to remind us on the history.

The tallest monument of Mazaloom kingdom is located at Verde in Oasis Springs.

Verde barony was created as early as Year 5 by King Baltazar, and the first Baron was the king's Knight, Wilhelm von Donnersmalt. He was known as a warmonger, building up an impressive system in Oasis Springs, where horses were bred and trained for military purposes. To some extent, this activity also spread to Chestnut Ridge.

Ward Park 25 Years Anniversary

(Year 232, Summer) A smaller event took place in Del Sol Valley last week, as Judith Ward invited the press to celebrate that Ward Park has been a public venue since 25 years. Obviously, locals did not care a lot, but if they had attended, they would have been treated with a surprise visit by HRH Queen Venezia!

Ward Park was established 25 years ago by film director Simerin Ward.

Ward Park was donated to Del Sol Valley residents in Year 207 by Film Director Simerin Ward (Y122-208). The park is quite spacious, but only a tiny square is equipped to be enjoyed by visitors. Hardly any improvements were made over the decades. So, Judith was proud to announce that she now has great plans! Although the lot is owned by community and she can not decide bigger changes just like that, she is still associated with the park and is allowed to minor administrative matters. Her plan might need regional approval, though.

The 15th Queen Evez Championship

(Year 232, Summer) Every other year Mazaloom's society enjoys a day with show jumping, and mingling along with some punch and cake in hand. This is the 15th competition, and a new Champion is to be found!

Queen Evez Championship is originally intended for the finer families. All Houses gets invited, and some of them will even participate in the show jumping contest. Check back a couple blog posts for more details on preparations.

San Myshuno split or not? Final Vote!

(Year 232, Summer) Our capital city, San Myshuno, has literally been among the bigger challenges of the ongoing Regional Reform Y233. The goal is to avoid both the very large regions, like the current Region 12 Mazaloom which includes San Myshuno, as well as the tiny ones, like Region 8 Ticktop. The People Chamber already decided that a region needs 200,000 residents to qualify for one extra seat at the Chamber, and that no region shall have more than a total of five seats.

Splitting the city? This is San Myshuno's old Myshuno district.

Therefore, Ticktop's 4,000 residents must merge with a bigger neighbor, and if San Myshuno forms a new region it will get only 5 seats. But as those seats will only serve 1,000,000 the remaining 420,000 citizens of San Myshuno will not get the extra two seats - unless the city split. Technically no region should count much more than 1,000,000 residents because bigger units are harder to administrate.

It all boils down to one remaining question: Shall San Mysuno split in order to form two regions, or shall the city stay one region but miss out on a couple seats at the People Chamber?

Queen Evez Championship is coming up!

(Year 232, Summer) Social season is here and next weekend the high society will gather for the traditional Queen Evez Championship. This bi-annual equestrian show jumping contest takes place at Queen's Stables in Newcrest, and is strongly connected to Mazaloom's aristocracy. This is where the nobles mingle, while showing off their hats as well as jewelry. You won't only run into dukes and countesses, but even the royal family attends this great happening!

Queen's Stables is located by the water at Rivercrest in Newcrest.

And of course: It does matter who wins the show jumping contest! Today the list of contenders was released, that is - the list itself is never meant to be of public interest, but we thought it would be fun seeing who will participate this year, as well as giving you a brief look into the rules.

It's a Comeback: Vivian is back!

(Year 232, Summer) Howdy! Country artist Vivian is back! Uhm... you need a reminder? Okay, don't worry! That's quite understandable, it's been a while!

This Summer Hauxham Nectar Farm can be yours!

Vivian, or Vivian (Elderberry) Hauxham (62) which is her full name, built quite some popularity 20 years ago. She performed country music mainly at the local pub in Chestnut Ridge, but also was played on the national radio. Well, at least twice, that is.

Nobility Descending from Kings

(Year 232, Summer) Mazaloom kingdom has a wide aristocracy including a level of high nobility. Today this level includes 12 Houses, but come the Regional Reform Y233 the exclusive list shall count only 8 high nobility Houses, one for each region. Let's have a look at the current 12 Peers; Who can track their lines back to our kings? And, will those royal lines affect what 4 Houses that will shortly drop to regular nobility (often referred to as low nobility)?

Let's check the House by House. There are 5 dukedoms, 4 counties and 3 baronies. Only the dukedoms are secured a position as high nobility. Here is how they rank by royal heritage:

Birthday at Shiningham Hall

(Year 232, Summer) This weekend there was a celebration at Shiningham Hall, Henford-on-Bagley. The occasion was Robin Hump celebrating his young adult birthday.

Left to right: Dr. Nivert Hump, Robin Hump, Lady Elvy Rab-Saxor Ross, and local Mayor Chopra.

Despite residing Shiningham Hall, Robin is considered a commoner. Young adult birthdays will normally not get a mention here, but let's spend a moment to look into this household and to learn why Robin might fare a bit better than most of same age youngsters.