[quote=FiendishFox]
I'm one of the new players looking to join! I was thinking of taking region 19 in the North it that's acceptable? What do the two crossed swords on the borders represent? Also I know I have to stick to the races/exports that have already been created, but can I change everything else (e.g flag, government, society, history)?
[/quote]

the crossed sword is indicating that nation is in war or in dispute with the neighboring country, and for the other you can ask syrian, oh and for sure to read all related post in IC about region 19 too, for your reference