Newport–Blartsburg relations

"*Your barbaric transitions of power result in the coronation of those who have the tools to survive rather than those who have the mind and heart to help others thrive. And it is because of this culture that Newportians and Blartsburgers are fundamentally different.*" —MalachiBrown523.
**Newport–Blartsburg relations** are bilateral relations between the First Newportian Empire and the sovereign Province of Blartsburg. The two countries share an east-west land border stretching from the Corrupted Sea to Harding Highway. As the first two incorporated states on the server, Newport and Blartsburg maintain close diplomatic and economic ties. The two nations also share a long and complex history; their diplomatic relationship has varied from friendly to fairly hostile.

Since late June (c. 4 BK), Blartsburg has operated an embassy in Downtown Newport. The Empire, on the other hand, has yet to establish its own embassy within Blartsburg, despite Newportian Empress crustyceans's decree calling for one on August 3, 2020 (Day 5, Year 4 AK).

## Country comparison

* Standard
* Orthodox

\*Newport data does not include Mooshroom Island.

\*\*Blartsburg data does not include the former Nether Confederation.

## History

Diplomatic relations between Blartsburg and democratic Newport began in late May, after the former was officially established. Many Newportians quickly claimed permanent residency within the new province, resulting in the significant portion of the Blartsburg populace which claims citizenship in both countries to this day.

In mid-June (c. 7 BK), the government of Newport found itself at odds with two anarchists: Mstar009 and Mak Mini, who were constructing The Floating Tree southwest of Newport in defiance of its City Council. While the duo claimed permanent residency within Blartsburg, Earl MalachiBrown523 was quick to align himself with Newport. On June 10 (-7:1), he told *The Newport Report*, "These radical idealists do not act with the support of the Blartsburg government." Blartsburg joined Newport in issuing the *Ultimatum of Letona*, which demanded that Mstar009 and Mak Mini destroy The Floating Tree. The two nations fought alongside each other as allies during the brief Floating Tree Crisis on June 17 (-6:3).

During Newport's first Purge Night on June 20 (-5:1), many Newportians evacuated to Blartsburg. The refugees were met with food and lodging in exchange for manual labor toward Pahud Hall, a massive excavation project undertaken by Blartsburg. "Reliance of Newportians on Blartsburg as a safe haven was a great moment of pride for my people," the Earl commented after the Purge.

Following warm relations in June, the relationship between the neighboring countries first became strained when Newport began its transition from a democracy into a constitutional monarchy. The reign of Empress crustyceans saw a heightened Newportian interest in territorial expansion, which was mirrored by the Empress's imperialistic foreign policies. On July 29 (3:5), her third Imperial edict expanded the borders of the Empire to meet Blartsburg's— a move which was quickly disputed by Earl MalachiBrown523. As a result, a small area of land on the Letona River is now claimed by both countries, and it remains disputed to this day. Tensions between Blartsburg and the Newportian Empire escalated again on August 2 (4:4), when Empress crustyceans annexed the nearby Kingdom of Petra as a province of the Empire.

The apparent "cold war" between Newport and Blartsburg began to thaw– at least temporarily– on August 3 (4:5), when both countries ratified the HIGH GROUND Initiative. The bilateral initiative established HIGH GROUND, an intergovernmental organization tasked with sending a player to the Far Lands. "After several passive attempts to annex Blartsburg, I wasn't sure Newport would ever have friendly diplomacy during the reign of crustyceans," the Earl of Blartsburg commented. "I'm so glad Her Highness has decided to develop a foreign policy aside from conquering my people."

Prior to the Carrot Revolution on August 19 (8:1), Blartsburg granted asylum to ratatoing8990, a political refugee whom Newportian Emperor Rage6838 had exiled from the Empire on charge of "thievery, animal abuse, and assaulting the Emperor". Earl MalachiBrown523 commented on the situation: "[The exile] seems quite extreme, but Blartsburg is always willing to serve refuge to those who have nowhere else, so we welcome ratatoing8990 with open and loving arms. While Blartsburg does not agree with this edict, we respect it."

On September 18 (14:1), Earl MalachiBrown523 joined other world leaders in condemning Colt Establishment after the religious commune declared independence from the First Newportian Empire. The Earl criticized secessionist leader IITheRecyclerII for claiming "land that has already been claimed".