One cannot say that Nocturnalya has always been stable nor on good terms; indeed, to say such a thing of any corner of any world is rather more likely than not an extravagant lie, and this particular corner of the world still is not. But it is the natural way of things to grow, and for the seeds of warm relations to burst onto the earth as the flowers of pacts and alliances. The six nations of Amalfi, Auroya, Bemberna, Emperor Myric, Kylarnatia, and Tradona have evidently been smiled upon by the one they call Lady Luck, for the conditions were created for such a seed to grow quickly into a mighty oak. Five are located in East Nocturnalya, the logical center - but not necessarily the focus - of the alliance; these are Auroya, Bemberna, Emperor Myric, and Kylranatia.
In Auroya, it has for a long time been seen as desirable to forge such an alliance, both by people and government. It is certainly a proud nation which likes to revel in its achievements and which does not take well to the concept of any great modesty; but international cooperation is not frowned upon; centuries of imperialism and activity on the world stage, even when its empire declined, have left the nation open to international ties and friendships.
In Auroya, it has for a long time been seen as desirable to forge such an alliance, both by people and government. It is certainly a proud nation which likes to revel in its achievements and which does not take well to the concept of any great modesty; but international cooperation is not frowned upon; centuries of imperialism and activity on the world stage, even when its empire declined, have left the nation open to international ties and friendships.
 From HIH Empress Julia Alexandria II of the Greater Auroyan Imperial Federation, To whom it may concern within:
As the first point of this letter, allow us to extend a warm hand of greeting to our regional friends and neighbours, new and old alike. We are delighted that our relationships with our neighbours take the form of close friendships and not rivalries, and that now the last of them has discarded its shackes of oppression. And therefore, we have seen it as highly desirable to cement a proper and formal alliance which will doubtlessly bring economic, diplomatic and military benefits to us all. It is for this purpose that I invite representatives of all recepient nations to the Imperial Palace in our fair capital city of Crystmont, to attend diplomatic talks on this subject, on the eleventh day of October. It is most preferable if said representatives arrive at Crystmont International Airport on the morning of the day between six in the morning and noon; they will be awaited by our officers there and driven to the Palace. We sincerely hope that these talks shall be fruitful and that they shall create a powerful force for protecting our common interests on the international stage and for bettering us all.  HIH Empress Julia Alexandria II. |
Imperial Palace, Outside Crystmont
1:37PM Local Time
The convoy of cars finally reached the Imperial Palace - a massive, imposing, and garishly decorated assortment of buildings, spires and towers constructed in the neoclassical style with as much elegance and immodesty as could be mustered. Its exterior was a bright, vibrant white, decorated with gold. Huge white marble panels displaying complicated carvings lined the base of the front building while marble pillars lined the entrance. A multitude of flags hung above the entrance, its grand stairs leading to several large oak double doors.
A figure stood at the entrance, the figure of a rather young woman - the Auroyan Empress herself, clad in her majestic royal robes. She was certainly young, perhaps in her early twenties, having sat on the throne for only three years since her father had passed away, but having made quite the impact nevertheless.
Royal guards flanked her, in their long dark blue robes lined with gold, swords hanging by their sides and modern but highly decorated assault rifles slung on their backs. At the end of the line of men stood an officer, dressed similarly but sporting a few more medals and a grand peaked cap.
The Empress's long, shiny, straight black hair blew a little in a gust of wind, as if the comfort of a breeze was reserved for her only; even on this day when the air was unbearably still and the sky unbearably clear and the sun unbearably harsh. Summer's time was over, it had been over for a time, but its last desparate hope of clinging on made itself felt. It could not last; by All Hallows' Eve it would be far into autumn. The trees had already turned red and yellow and brown and their leaves had already begun falling to the ground and covering it in a blanket, like snow surely would in a month or two also. All Hallows' Eve, and the days surrounding it, were considered a major festival here. In this strange land, there was something that an unknowing outsider would call an obsession with the supernatural. In this strange land, the forces of magic were all too real and all too usable by anybody with talent for them. In this strange land, supernatural beings which otherwise - even in this land - would not be able to, came to the world of the living on that night. But that did not stop it being a great source of merriment - it was associated with everything which one may expect it to be. Children dressed as witches, aliens, spirits, axemen, anything, and knocked on every door which displayed in its windows a jack-o'-lantern. Not to mention the enormous and varied array of supernatural beings that existed here, in this land, naturally - they too loved to join in such celebration and trick and frighten people. In this time, large festivals and celebrations were all too common and attending such with one's friends or family was practically a cultural obligation.
But while Summer tried to cling on desparately, sacraficing the last of its strength for this one day, the land seemed to be trying to resist it. The capital city had grown in an enormous flat valley, and the forests which covered the hills and mountains around it were no longer green. The flowers were dying and the water that flowed in the springs, rivers and waterfalls had turned icy cold. Any chance of a typhoon - which the eastern coasts of the Auroyan archipelago were all too accustomed to - had now passed with the rapidly dropping temperatures. Even now, a light breeze was beginning to lift, to comb through all the blades of grass that had been dried by the sun and rejuvenate them - even if it was only to let them die under a blanket of snow later. Clouds were to be seen on the valley's edge. They were thin, but one could seldom but help getting the impression that they were hovering there ominously until the very moment that Summer's power dimmed entirely - at which point, they would decend in their enormous masses, drown out the sun's rays, and drown the land in rains. It was fortunate, then, that the palace was equipped with roofing and heating.
The Empress's robes consisted of her royal military uniform - a neatly decorated dark red long overcoat which reached below the knees, below which were a bright white shirt, riding breeches, and tall boots. Every feature on her red coat was outlined with golden and white threads and materials. Three golden braided cords over the right shoulder. Tight white horizontal and diagonal belts, the latter over the right shoulder also. A sash over the left shoulder. An array of royal orders and some military medals on the chest. A sabre by her side. This was the uniform of the Commander-in-Chief of Her Majesty's Crowned Armed Forces; which, for the Empress, also occasionally doubled up neatly as formal dress. She carried an oak wooden cane with her also, into the front of which was engraved the coat of arms of her family. A cape covered her back, predominantly white in colouring with silver lining. Physically, she was not tall; but she was graced with a certain physical beauty, or so most would say. The guards, in their neat lines, were all taller than her by perhaps three-quarters of a foot. And yet, she commanded a certain obediance by her presence.
Another row of guards marched forwards in line as the convoy of black cars ground to a halt, while those that flanked the Imperial Majesty parted to reveal the doors, which more guards dressed identially opened from the interior before standing to attention. As the cars halted, the guards that had approached them opened the passanger doors and saluted before standing to attention.
"Welcome and greetings, ladies and gentlemen; we certainly hope that you shall find yourselves comfortable." The Empress spoke, one arm behind her back and the cane under her shoulder. She stepped aside, thus inviting them to enter the enormous, grandly decorated front hall visible through the grand doors; with its garish golden chandeliers and countless more doors. Its ceiling was hugely tall; and in the center of the room was positioned an elegant, complex, grand water feature, made of white marble. At its towering top stood a statue of Auroya herself; the grand personification of the Empire, culture and peoples from Auroyan mythology. She held high a sword wrapped in oak leaves and olive branches; and in the other hand a shield with the Imperial Eagle engraved onto it.
Lining the walls were countless paintings of varying sizes, all in elegant wooden frames. Some were older, some newer; at a guess, one might have said at a guess that they were portraits of Auroyan royalty, aristocracy, nobility, admiralty, and otherwise distuiguished invididuals. At the far end of the hall was a portrait of the current Empress, Imperial flags all around it.
A figure stood at the entrance, the figure of a rather young woman - the Auroyan Empress herself, clad in her majestic royal robes. She was certainly young, perhaps in her early twenties, having sat on the throne for only three years since her father had passed away, but having made quite the impact nevertheless.
Royal guards flanked her, in their long dark blue robes lined with gold, swords hanging by their sides and modern but highly decorated assault rifles slung on their backs. At the end of the line of men stood an officer, dressed similarly but sporting a few more medals and a grand peaked cap.
The Empress's long, shiny, straight black hair blew a little in a gust of wind, as if the comfort of a breeze was reserved for her only; even on this day when the air was unbearably still and the sky unbearably clear and the sun unbearably harsh. Summer's time was over, it had been over for a time, but its last desparate hope of clinging on made itself felt. It could not last; by All Hallows' Eve it would be far into autumn. The trees had already turned red and yellow and brown and their leaves had already begun falling to the ground and covering it in a blanket, like snow surely would in a month or two also. All Hallows' Eve, and the days surrounding it, were considered a major festival here. In this strange land, there was something that an unknowing outsider would call an obsession with the supernatural. In this strange land, the forces of magic were all too real and all too usable by anybody with talent for them. In this strange land, supernatural beings which otherwise - even in this land - would not be able to, came to the world of the living on that night. But that did not stop it being a great source of merriment - it was associated with everything which one may expect it to be. Children dressed as witches, aliens, spirits, axemen, anything, and knocked on every door which displayed in its windows a jack-o'-lantern. Not to mention the enormous and varied array of supernatural beings that existed here, in this land, naturally - they too loved to join in such celebration and trick and frighten people. In this time, large festivals and celebrations were all too common and attending such with one's friends or family was practically a cultural obligation.
But while Summer tried to cling on desparately, sacraficing the last of its strength for this one day, the land seemed to be trying to resist it. The capital city had grown in an enormous flat valley, and the forests which covered the hills and mountains around it were no longer green. The flowers were dying and the water that flowed in the springs, rivers and waterfalls had turned icy cold. Any chance of a typhoon - which the eastern coasts of the Auroyan archipelago were all too accustomed to - had now passed with the rapidly dropping temperatures. Even now, a light breeze was beginning to lift, to comb through all the blades of grass that had been dried by the sun and rejuvenate them - even if it was only to let them die under a blanket of snow later. Clouds were to be seen on the valley's edge. They were thin, but one could seldom but help getting the impression that they were hovering there ominously until the very moment that Summer's power dimmed entirely - at which point, they would decend in their enormous masses, drown out the sun's rays, and drown the land in rains. It was fortunate, then, that the palace was equipped with roofing and heating.
The Empress's robes consisted of her royal military uniform - a neatly decorated dark red long overcoat which reached below the knees, below which were a bright white shirt, riding breeches, and tall boots. Every feature on her red coat was outlined with golden and white threads and materials. Three golden braided cords over the right shoulder. Tight white horizontal and diagonal belts, the latter over the right shoulder also. A sash over the left shoulder. An array of royal orders and some military medals on the chest. A sabre by her side. This was the uniform of the Commander-in-Chief of Her Majesty's Crowned Armed Forces; which, for the Empress, also occasionally doubled up neatly as formal dress. She carried an oak wooden cane with her also, into the front of which was engraved the coat of arms of her family. A cape covered her back, predominantly white in colouring with silver lining. Physically, she was not tall; but she was graced with a certain physical beauty, or so most would say. The guards, in their neat lines, were all taller than her by perhaps three-quarters of a foot. And yet, she commanded a certain obediance by her presence.
Another row of guards marched forwards in line as the convoy of black cars ground to a halt, while those that flanked the Imperial Majesty parted to reveal the doors, which more guards dressed identially opened from the interior before standing to attention. As the cars halted, the guards that had approached them opened the passanger doors and saluted before standing to attention.
"Welcome and greetings, ladies and gentlemen; we certainly hope that you shall find yourselves comfortable." The Empress spoke, one arm behind her back and the cane under her shoulder. She stepped aside, thus inviting them to enter the enormous, grandly decorated front hall visible through the grand doors; with its garish golden chandeliers and countless more doors. Its ceiling was hugely tall; and in the center of the room was positioned an elegant, complex, grand water feature, made of white marble. At its towering top stood a statue of Auroya herself; the grand personification of the Empire, culture and peoples from Auroyan mythology. She held high a sword wrapped in oak leaves and olive branches; and in the other hand a shield with the Imperial Eagle engraved onto it.
Lining the walls were countless paintings of varying sizes, all in elegant wooden frames. Some were older, some newer; at a guess, one might have said at a guess that they were portraits of Auroyan royalty, aristocracy, nobility, admiralty, and otherwise distuiguished invididuals. At the far end of the hall was a portrait of the current Empress, Imperial flags all around it.
They sat around a vast white round table, the Imperial Eagle etched into the center of this too, then painted in golden colours. The Empress naturally sat at the table's head, beneath a towering window of elegant white frams and clearest glass. Above the table hung another garish golden chandalier with electrical candles; the walls were no less grandiose.
The Empress took a small sip from a teacup as the servant that had brought it departed; with a clink it was put back on its saucer and she cleared her throat.
"Welcome, esteemed diplomats, dignitaries, representatives; welcome to my palace. Should you require anything, do feel free to ask the servants; that is after all why they are here. We are all fully aware of why we have gathered here today, and thus let us not needlessly waste time but proceed immideately to the topic at hand. And, of course, here's hoping that when we all leave this chamber, we leave on a course that shall make us all stronger and more united.
But before we may begin proper negotiations, I feel that we must all be aware of what we are all here to gain."
She leaned back in her lavish chair.
"The Auroyan Empire seeks to gain a stronger position on the world stage from such an alliance. We seek to gain closer economic, diplomatic and military ties with the states represented here, and so create an alliance which will mobilize as needs be to protect the interests of its member-states against foreign threats and which resolves disputes between member-states diplomatically.
There is no question that we will be, after this is cemented, the absolute rulers of the seas in this region of the world. Amalfi, Emperor Myric, Kylarnatia, and Auroya are all major naval powers and it is my belief, and that of my advisors, that if we coordinate, none can stand against us for long. This can too extend to air power and land power, of course, but our naval forces shall be our undisputed pride.
Furthemore, by the weight of this alliance, diplomatic and economic actions may gain much more weight; embargoes for one will be much more effective if the entire alliance agrees to carry them out. Via technological and scientific ties we can further cement regional leadership in the long term.
It is my belief that, if this idea is fully exploited to its greatest potential, it can in the future bring things we will not even dream about now."
The Empress took a small sip from a teacup as the servant that had brought it departed; with a clink it was put back on its saucer and she cleared her throat.
"Welcome, esteemed diplomats, dignitaries, representatives; welcome to my palace. Should you require anything, do feel free to ask the servants; that is after all why they are here. We are all fully aware of why we have gathered here today, and thus let us not needlessly waste time but proceed immideately to the topic at hand. And, of course, here's hoping that when we all leave this chamber, we leave on a course that shall make us all stronger and more united.
But before we may begin proper negotiations, I feel that we must all be aware of what we are all here to gain."
She leaned back in her lavish chair.
"The Auroyan Empire seeks to gain a stronger position on the world stage from such an alliance. We seek to gain closer economic, diplomatic and military ties with the states represented here, and so create an alliance which will mobilize as needs be to protect the interests of its member-states against foreign threats and which resolves disputes between member-states diplomatically.
There is no question that we will be, after this is cemented, the absolute rulers of the seas in this region of the world. Amalfi, Emperor Myric, Kylarnatia, and Auroya are all major naval powers and it is my belief, and that of my advisors, that if we coordinate, none can stand against us for long. This can too extend to air power and land power, of course, but our naval forces shall be our undisputed pride.
Furthemore, by the weight of this alliance, diplomatic and economic actions may gain much more weight; embargoes for one will be much more effective if the entire alliance agrees to carry them out. Via technological and scientific ties we can further cement regional leadership in the long term.
It is my belief that, if this idea is fully exploited to its greatest potential, it can in the future bring things we will not even dream about now."
