Gracemeria, Democratic Holy Empire of Phonencia
Emperor Shelton stood in front of the full length mirror in his quarters, carefully smoothing the wrinkles from his ceremonial cloak. It was long and black with a hood that was usually left down to display the Imperial Crown something he rarely wore.
Normally, the 21 year old Emperor would wear a snazzy looking (and kevlar padded) black suit and red tie, looking like any president or prime minister. This was a ceremonial occasion however and he and all of his close friends were dressed for the part.
Hundreds of years ago during the late 1290s, rogue members of the Knights Templar discovered Phonencia whilst fleeing the violence of the closing days of the Crusades. They had left the Knights Templar and the Crusades based on the beliefs that one could do more good by accumulating wealth and using it charitably rather than committing to a life of poverty. A secondary belief that led to their fleeing the Crusades was that the slaughter of innocent people be they Muslims or not, was wrong and would be frowned upon by God as murder. Upon settling in the desert nation of Phonencia, the knights and their families met with the local tribes, some friendly and some not.
Sir Matthew Shelton the First or, Matthew The Great as he was known, befriended the chiefs of the local tribes and learned from them how to survive the harsh desert. When their rival tribes would attack, Matthew Great would lead his knights into battle to repel the attackers.
After finally settling in around the area that is now the border between the provinces of Esenet and Gracemeria, Matthew Great decreed that his men and their families should have a say as to who would lead them and their new nation, dubbed The Holy Empire of Phonencia. Matthew the Great was elected by a wide margin with only a handful of people voting in favor of several other knights. Matthew The First then became the first Emperor of Phonencia...
The exact date is unkown, but it is believed that the Knights founded Phonencia February 27'th or 28'th and has been celebrated on the 28'th for hundreds of years.
To: Nations of the World
From: Emperor Matthew J. Shelton III
Encryption: none
Dear sir or madam,
you are cordially invited to the parade in celebration of the founding of the Democratic Holy Empire of Phonencia. The Parade will take place in the capitol city of Gracemeria on February 28'th, 2012 at
3:00PM Phonencian Time. All people of all ages, races and religions are welcome and alcohol, marijuana or similair herbs, tobacco products and firearms are all allowed for posession and may be brought with you or your companions into the country under the condition they are not sold without obtaining the proper licenses and are not given to persons under the age of 18.
Security Teams will be permitted as well but may not contain more than 15 personnel and may not carry explosive or flame based weaponries.
Your native currencies can be exchanged for Phonencian Tiberiums at Gracemeria Air Force Base. Gold or Silver coins need not be exchanged as they are equally valuable here.
If you would like a display of some kind in the parade please include in your reply the details pertaining to the display including number of performers, type of display and the specifics of the performance itself.
Happy Phonencia Day,
Deo Et Patriae
Emperor Matthew J. Shelton III