After years of an inefficient and ungoverned system of settlement in the old continent, you are called upon to consider the changes the last year has brought. The success or failure of this long-running experiment will determine nothing less than the future of Illyriad. Although attempts to claim lands have occurred in the past, it seems to have been reserved to the people of the Broken Lands, by their conduct and example, to decide the important question: whether alliances are really capable (or not) of establishing excellent position and structure through reflection and choice, or whether we are forever destined to depend for our settlement options fully by chance or by force, as it was prior to April 8 of last year. The outcome of this experiment will affect all future players.

Because this decision extends far beyond those who will make it, our choice should be directed by a judicious estimate of true interests of players as a whole, considering the merits as it pertains to all and all future players, not our own interests. We all know that is wishful thinking, as people will tend to choose that which best suites their own interests. The scope of land claims is too broad and weakens too many ingrained institutions not to involve in this discussion a variety of personal interests outside of its own merits.

Among the most formidable of the obstacles which Land Claimers have and will yet have to encounter is the obvious interest of a certain class of player in Elgea (and now beyond) to resist all changes which may cause a diminution of the power and consequence of the offices they hold under the old continent’s establishments.

This is not to say that all who oppose land claims are of this sort. I am aware that to level such an accusation indiscriminately would be irresponsible and disingenuous. Honestly, even those who may oppose our views are often acting upon upright intentions, and I do not doubt that much of the opposition which has shown itself and which may later appear will spring forth unsullied by personal ambition from honest errors of minds led astray by preconceived notions of how this game should be run. We, upon many occasions (even outside our game), may see wise and good men as wrong simply due to their opposition of our views. I hope for moderation while considering both sides of this issue, no matter the side of the fence upon which you currently sit.

It is my true and honest opinion, and that of Rome's citizens, that our land claim is a benefit to this game. Many arguments have been made to this point in regards to the efficacy of such claims (at times by myself), and I will not repeat those here. This is a day to celebrate the beginning of the nation-state experiment one year ago, so I will not labor my reader further with arguments designed to put forth my way of thinking. Instead, Rome will take this time to come forward and offer a further benefit of Roman rule, as well as an extension of our current claim. First, the policy change. Those whose cities sit within our boundaries by our permission, who have been forthright and honest in their dealings with Rome, hereby will be under the protection of Rome's might if they are unjustly attacked. This new policy will allow any who have sought Rome's permission to settle in Westmarch, and those who seek permission to enter our lands in the future, the added benefit of feeling secure. Never before has an alliance dared to protect those within an entire continent from unwarranted siege, and I feel that this should show as an excellent example of the sort of changes this nation-state experiment will make in this game. Changes that will further peace and prosperity for all players, not just those who have already achieved it in Elgea.

As to the aforementioned extension of our claim, effective immediately, Rome lays claim to the Southern portion of the desert of Coanhara which borders Westmarch. This claim encompasses all "desert" tiles in the area from -690x to -500x, and under coordinate -2040y. The Southernmost border will vary based on the natural border as desert tiles give way to more fertile land in Southern Coanhara. We also hereby complete our claim on Westmarch, claiming the easternmost section in addition to our earlier claims. Those whose cities already reside in these newly claimed areas are hereby granted a special exemption. These cities are also under Roman protection as per the new policy announced above. This is but the first of many planned benefits to be offered by Rome. As we continue to grow and prosper we will pass that property along to who reside within our land claim.