Of Austral Lands [IC/ South Orkney Only]

[Scotias]

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Of Austral Lands
IC | South Orkney only

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The poster above has been plastered in many cities of the world in the first days of April 1904. The reason is thrilling and spread whispers in all Royal and Offal Courts of Europe, all temples of mighty Asia, all factories, forges and fields of the known world. Antarctica, the southernmost continent, once thought to be barren and ice-covered is in fact habitable for human civilization. King William Ist of South Orkney, willing to unite the continent in a cohesion contrasting with the frequent wars that take place on other lands, promises to offer to anybody who has the means and courage to reach the islands of South Orkney a title of Earl, a plot to build a city, and resources necessary for the construction of civilization from wilderness. Yet, this is not accessible to anybody less than the strong minded, as the Earls will be expected to rule their city, find solutions to the problems hitting them, dodge the political game of the House of Lords set on the islands of South Orkney and governing the continent, and master the inter-city diplomacy and trade relationships needed to grow greatness out of Antarctica. Will you survive the challenge?

SETTING

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The Role play takes place in a deglaciated Antarctica and starts off in the year 1904 AD following an international call by the King of the islands of South Orkney for courageous leaders to settle on the continent and light it up with the civilization it never enjoyed.

The climate in each city is up to you to decide, but as an indication the average Antarctic climate will be very similar to Scandinavian climate, with very to extremely cold temperatures in mountainous and landlocked localities, whereas seaside places located far from the South Pole could pass the winter with temperatures just below 0 Celsius and the summer with averages of 25 degrees Celsius. These are ideas of upper limits, though a well roleplayed and explained reason (such as a Gulf Stream like current) can justify higher temperatures.

POLITICS

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Antarctica is set to be ruled as a Commonwealth, where each city is granted a high level of independance but must abide by the rules of the House of Lords. Each player is allowed a seat at the House of Lords, where decisions are taken with majority votes.

The base rank for players are Earls, though Earls who have demonstrated great achievements can be promoted to Duke, which allows them to control two cities instead of one.
Though the Head of the Commonwealth is technically King William Ist, the King is a Constitutional Monarch with very little power such that the true masters of Antarctica are the nobles who sit in the House of Lords.

MEMBERSHIP

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To become a member of the Role-play, send the following information to Scotias by telegram:

Code: Select all

[b]City Name:[/b]
[b]City Location on Grid Map:[/b]


Click here to see grid map
To notate where you are on the grid map, specify the horizontal then the vertical coordinates. For example, Laurie Island is situated on 5,2.
You do not need to wait for any approval before you post. It is expected that you post at least once about how you arrive in Antarctica, as it is a bit isolated. The more detail you post, the more the other players will be familiar with your character, their background and their motivation, therefore the more enclined they will be to role play with you.

Currently on the map:

Nation	City Name	Rank	Colour	Location on grid
Scotias	Laurie Island	King	■	5,2
Savoy-Habsburg	Coldwater	Earl	■	11,22
Finnugoria	Hohenfort	Commoner	■	15,21
Laurie Island	Orcadas	Earl	■	4,2
United Democratic Christian States	New Benbrook	Commoner	■	21,9

RULES

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1. Only members of South Orkney may post here. If you really want to play but aren't a member become one by joining the region!
2. The OP is Scotias, their word is law.
3. Godmodding, which is creating unrealistic situations that suit you, is forbidden
4. Flawless characters are prohibited.
5. Metagaming, which is using knowledge acquired Out of Character in an In Character setting without an plausible reason, is prohibited.
6. Spamming, which is numerous irrelevant posting, is forbidden. One-lined posts are frowned upon
7. It is expected that everyone remain civil. Whereas attacks, light insults etc... on IC characters and cities are allowed when within reason, OOC offenses are not.
8. Posting here is expected to be done In Character (IC)
9. Respecting all other forum rules, such as PG-13 posting, refraction from trolling , flaming etc... apply here. This should not even be stated.
10. Telegram any and all questions you may have to Scotias
11. Have fun! For this is, truly, a game.

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FROM NOW ON, PLEASE POST IN CHARACTER

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[Finnugoria]

Upon hearing of the call by King William the Ist the Emperor of Finnugoria immediately took the opportunity and launched an expedition to antarctica. After a long journey, the Finnorins landed on the continent and established a city named after the leader of the explorers: John Hohenfort. John impressed the Emperor by making this long journey and was chosen as mayor of the city. he also hoped to earn the title of Earl by the King of the islands of South Orkney so that he could have a seat in the House of Lords.

[Laurie Island]

The initiative of the occupation of Laurie Island as a base for scientific observations was due to a Scottish sailor and expeditionary: Captain William Speirs Bruce, who is now HRH King William Ist. of Scotias and the Commonwealth of South Orkney. His Royal Highness, commanding the Scottish expedition embarked on the ship Scotia, had installed an observatory in that place in 1903, and proposed to President Julio Argentino Roca, that the continuity of the program of observations, was in charge of the Argentine Republic from of 1904. Roca accepted the offer and donation of the existing facilities, dictating the historic Decree of January 2, 1904.

After three months of intensive work preparing the boat, since Robert C Mossman (English) heard the news that HRH King William Ist of South Orkney offerd land a title to all who accepted the challenge to go south, Mossman and his men (Hugo Acuña - Argentine, Luciano Valette - Argentine, Edgar Szmula - Argentine and William Smith - English), set sail for South Orkney.

Before they sailed from the port of Buenos Aires, the President of Argentina Julio Argentino Roca,wish them well in there journey. The corbeta (corvette) ARA Uruguay set sail.

[Savoy-Habsburg]

April 05th, 1904
In Sight of Laurie Island

Edward was more than glad to see the twinkling lights of Laurie Island as dusk fell on the Southern Seas. He had been told that, in the Southern Hemisphere, the winter starts in June. And, as a former merchant captain, he knew better than to sail anywhere in the winter.

To trace the reason why he and some 35 others were sailing to Antarctica, one had to remember times lasting a month before and not too glorious circumstances. Edward, guilty of disagreeing with the local baron, was boarded on the ship bound to South America, where he was to be sold into slavery. Indeed, whereas the Government publically executed real criminals such as murderers and rapists, it deported its political criminals, which can be anybody from a democratic revolt rebel to a disgraced Duke who made the mistake of sitting next to the King's mistake on a theater evening. Notably, there was a woman judge here for not having ordered the hanging of women seeking abortion, an architect who had forgotten to add a third wing to the Palace of some highly favoured Count, some peasants having revolted, builders who did not respect a delay for a mildly important local project to build a statue of a viscount (which was seen as profound disrespect to the Viscount). Even children did not escape the terrible fate, with some being here for nothing but having touched the hand of Her Grace the Princess at some procession. All 30 ex-prisoners were inoffensive but considered dangerous to a crumbling regime.

As for the reason they were not picking cotton and cleaning staircases in some Latin American Country was a mutiny, which had happened 2 weeks before, as Brazil was in sight. He, Edward, had led a flow of prisoners vomiting out of the jails. No musket could fire quickly enough to endanger the human wave that fell on the guards. Soon enough the ship had surrendered, except the Captain, who attempted surprising the leaders of the mutiny... Edward wiped a tear off his face remembering this event... the Captain was none other than a former friend... but he had attempted to deliver Edward to slave owners... so Edward...stabbed him...
All he got from this was the recognition of all the others, who immediately and unanimously agreed that he would become the Earl once they reach Laurie Island, and a stack of guilt. He had fought to keep his friends alive, not kill them...

Edward stepped away from what had become his private balcony, crossed his bedroom and appeared on the ship's deck. The deck was animated as the evening was falling. Children were lighting up lights and a flavour of fish was evaporating towards the indigo starry sky. On the deck, a couple of men and women were discussing around a large plank where architectural drawings for building a city were being planned. If anything, being imprisoned together and bound for the same miserable fate had united men and women, dark and light skinned, nobles and commoners under one and unique goal: freedom.

-" My Lord, we should be there in an hour or two" mumbled the new Captain besides him
- "I already told you not to call me like that yet. I have not been crowned. Besides you are a friend..."
- "Just getting used to it, my liege sad the Captain in an ironic tone, smiling and mimicking a curtesy. That made Edward laugh a lot. He was not born noble, and instead was born into a rich bourgeois merchant family in Savoy-Habsburg. This was going to be his first experience of nobility.

As dinner was ready the whole crew assembled on the deck under the sound of a violin jig. The last kegs of beer were to be opened tonight, as tonight would be the last night.

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An hour and a half later
Laurie Island

The ship finally entered the harbor under the might watch of the guard towers and the powerful canons posted to avoid an unwanted entry. Once at shore, the whole crew put foot on ground and walked through the city under the light of torches, towards the King's Palace, where they were to arrive. When arriving at the doors of the Palace, Edward announced his arrival to a servant, who ran inside the glorious building to deliver his message...

[Finnugoria]

When John was chosen as mayor of the "city" it was nothing more than a couple of tents and a campfire. He knew that to gain the recognition of the king and of the other cities he had to build a city that rivals the capital of the empire. Taking the first steps he ordered his men to gather some wood for buildings. the first of these buildings was the city hall. soon after several civilian houses were built. The next step was making roads in and around the city and a road leading to the docks. Lastly he built basic wooden walls that provided defense. After everything was completed he walked to the balcony and looked at the city that was to become a true jewel of the empire.

[Scotias]

King William Ist was sitting on his throne, contemplating the officer who was kneeling at his feet, coming to announce the news that new arrivers had responded to his call to sail to Antarctica and populate the continent. When the officer was finished rapidly mumbling the text he had prepared himself for most of his journey back, he silenced and dared a look at the King.

-"Finnugorians, you say?"
-"Absolutely, your Majesty"
-"I will write them a letter that I would love you to deliver there."

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Addressed by His Majesty King William Ist of South Orkney, King of South Orkney, Duke of Laurie Island and the Unclaimed Lands, Earl of Laurie Island, Baron of Powell

to

John Hohenfort, Mayor of Hohenfort

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Dear Mayor,
It has come to my knowledge that you have responded to my call and have set forth to Antarctica, settling at the mouth of a river on the mainland.

Whereas you would be in no way mandated to accept, I wish to invite you to Omond House on Laurie Island where, should you come, you would be crowned as Earl Hohenfort and be awarded the title, arms, House of Lords seat and other privileges associated with noble members of the Peerage of Antarctica that I preside.

Most Sincerely,
His Royal Highness

The King then added to his officer "Make sure to bring some battleships there, just in case they are hostile. We can't afford having a hostile power on the continent. Other news before you leave?"
-"Yes, Your Majesty. A man from Savoy-Habsburg has arrived".

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The King ordered his herald to open the doors of Omond House and let the stranger from Savoy-Habsburg in. Once arrived, the latter knelt before recounting his voyage and aims. William listened carefully, fascinated by the mutiny story. Once the man was done with the recount, William unscrolled a map of Antarctica and asked the stranger where he wanted to settle. After some revision the stranger pointed at a small island in a chenal between mainland Antarctica and the Antarctic Peninsula. If that was where he wanted to settle...

"Edward, commoner arriving from Savoy-Habsburg, I will ask you to swear the following oath:

I, Edward, pledge that I have accomplished this voyage in bona fide for service of Antartica and the Crown of South Orkney. I swear that, as an Earl, I will appreciate yet not abuse the privileges that will be conferred upon my person and descendants. I swear allegiance to the current bearer of the Crown of South Orkney King William Ist, and any subsequent bearer who shall carry the Crown with his blessing. I promise that, should such bearer be in need, I will present any armed forces, financial or natural resources, and energy that I have accumulated and can produce and cede. I give my word that I will do what is right for the prosperity of my Earldom and Antarctica at large, and that I will work tirelessly towards the objectives of creating a better life for my subjects, and that whether my reign be short or long. I, at last, swear to obey the rules set by the House of Lords to which I shall be entitled to sit, and that by the Grace of His Majesty the King. "

Once the oath was repeated, King William declared:

"And I, King William Ist of South Orkney, King of South Orkney, Duke of Laurie Island and the Unclaimed Lands, Earl of Laurie Island, Baron of Powell, swear to protect you should you be threatened, listen to you should you ever need, and consider you as a Noble of Antarctica. I shall allow you the right to sit in the House of Lords, bear arms, carry the style "The Honourable Earl" and choose the location, name and destiny of your Earldom.

It is a honour for me to hencefort crown you Earl."

The King posed a coronet on Edward's head, who left the Throne Room.

[Finnugoria]

"It is a beautiful day" John thought to himself "i should go to the park or go fishing or..." But as he was wondering about what to do a guard approached him with a worried look on his face and said "Sir. Several battleships have been sighted coming our way." John grabbed his telescope and indeed there was a smaller ship followed by three bigger ships equipped with guns. John noticed that the flag of The King was flying above the ships and was horrified "Why would the King send battleships here?" But after calming down he saw that the Ships were flying the flag combination of "Peace". He told the guard of the flag combination and went with him to welcome the ships. The Ships arrived in the docks and a man came down from the smaller ship and said to John "Official letter from the King of South Orkney" and handed it to him. John opened the letter and after reading it he turned to his men "Ready the ships, sailors we are going to Laurie Island.

[Laurie Island]

After two days at sea, one morning, Edgar Szmula went out for a smoke. There was smog all around that made visual impossible, but Edgar didn't pay much attention, cause he was reading "Faust" from his german countrymen Johann Wolfgang von Goethe. But suddenly, he looks up and at the distance he could see land. He took his glasses thinking he might be just tierd of reading and put them back on, but he saw the same thing, land. He went running to the bridge where Mossman was and told him what he saw. Mossman took his binoculars and started looking. After a few minutes, he shouted "LAAAND HO!", almost leaving Szmula deaf.



After a few hours of sail, they reached Scotia Bay. The argentine Hugo Acuña was responsible for raising the argentinian flag first (this is an actual fact, Acuña did raise the flag and that day, Argentina celebrates the day of Antarctica) and Mossmann then raised the flag of the United Kingdom. While everyone unloaded everything from the ship, Mossman went to the Royal Palace of Omond House, to meet HRH King William Ist, and announce there arrival and claim what is rightfully his.

[Scotias]

King William was in his bath when the announcement came that a man had arrived at the gates of the Royal Palace of Omond House. William ordered that the arriver be served tea and biscuits until they would meet.

He then jumped out of his bath, grabbed his ceremonial clothes and tossed them in in a not so royal fashion. Seeing it in the mirror, he reajust his ermine cape and was pleased to see in front of him a real Majestuous King... With wet hair. Oh, whatever.

Once back on his throne, he was ready to receive the man like any self respecting recieving what was to be a self respecting Earl.

Once the visitor entered the Throne room, William declared in a voice full of gravitas:

"Good day, brave sailor. What has brought you here, where do you want to settle and how would you wish to be known as?'

[Laurie Island]

HRH, It's an honor for me to meet you. I came to Laurie Island at your offer of land and title and the possibility of being able to become a noble of these lands and be able to help them grow.

He kneels before him and says "I wish to become Earl of Orkney".

[Finnugoria]

After a days sailing John and his entourage arrived on Laurie Island. He formally introduced himself and his reason for coming here: to respond to an invitation by the King. He made his way to Omond House and waited to be granted entrance.

[Savoy-Habsburg]

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Four Days Later, Morning
In sight of Coldwater
For two days and a night Edward was confined in his cabin on his ship that was now gliding South on the pristine Antarctic Waters. At least he was not alone, as he and his companions had stayed two days on Laurie Island, where they recruited 120 new citizens and bought four boats that constituted a five boat navy. Better than nothing. Edward looked forwards to arrive to his Earldom, an island in the middle of a strait Edward felt would on day be important for trade. He would have a respectable village built before returning to Laurie Island to claim his seat in the House of Lords, though not before designing himself a coat of arms he would use to seal a letter he would send back to Savoy-Habsburg where his wife and nine year old daughter dwelt, so that they could come and become a true noble family. Edward was interrupted in his thoughts by one of his companions who slid his head through the cabin door and announced:
-"My Lord, your Earldom is in sight"
-"It is your s too in a way, as you will be living there" chuckled Edward before following the man on the deck.

What he saw there froze his legs and widened his eyes. In front of him laid an island crowned with mildly high mountains, at the feet of which which a lush rainforest was clinging, broken only by a pristine bay whose waters were shining from the rising of the sun. When the boats finally entered the bay and were approaching the shore, one man dove into the crystalline waters. His had popped out of the concentric rings he had caused seconds later.
-"That water is cold" he yelled. The crowd cheered
_"Let's name the place Coldwater!" suggested a voice somewhere in the crowd. More cheering, but now all eyes were on Edward, who understood that he was expected to decide. And he knew that whatever he decided would form a massive precedent. He looked at those with which he had fled absolute monarchy and tyranny...could he be worse than those he fled?
-"I hereby order the citizens united to form a consultative vote" he declared with as much gravitas as a commoner born man could.
The people voted, with hands going up. A majority was for naming the future town "Coldwater". The n so it would be and he, Edward, would be The Honourable Earl Coldwater. Soon enough everybody was ashore, and while amateur lumberjacks were collecting wood, others were starting to erect the first house foundations. Meanwhile, Edward decided to climb the smallest mountain to get a better view. The climb was not challenging, and once up there Edward was ravished by the view. He sat down, drew a pencil and booklet from his vest and proceeded to draw a coat of arms fitting for his rank of Earl:

[Scotias]

HRH, It's an honor for me to meet you. I came to Laurie Island at your offer of land and title and the possibility of being able to become a noble of these lands and be able to help them grow.

He kneels before him and says "I wish to become Earl of Orcadas".

"Robert, British commoner arriving from Argentina, I will ask you to swear the following oath:

I, Robert, pledge that I have accomplished this voyage in bona fide for service of Antartica and the Crown of South Orkney. I swear that, as an Earl, I will appreciate yet not abuse the privileges that will be conferred upon my person and descendants. I swear allegiance to the current bearer of the Crown of South Orkney King William Ist, and any subsequent bearer who shall carry the Crown with his blessing. I promise that, should such bearer be in need, I will present any armed forces, financial or natural resources, and energy that I have accumulated and can produce and cede. I give my word that I will do what is right for the prosperity of my Earldom and Antarctica at large, and that I will work tirelessly towards the objectives of creating a better life for my subjects, and that whether my reign be short or long. I, at last, swear to obey the rules set by the House of Lords to which I shall be entitled to sit, and that by the Grace of His Majesty the King. "

Once the oath was repeated, King William declared:

"And I, King William Ist of South Orkney, King of South Orkney, Duke of Laurie Island and the Unclaimed Lands, Earl of Laurie Island, Baron of Powell, swear to protect you should you be threatened, listen to you should you ever need, and consider you as a Noble of Antarctica. I shall allow you the right to sit in the House of Lords, bear arms, carry the style "The Honourable Earl" and choose the location, name and destiny of your Earldom.

It is a honour for me to hencefort crown you Earl." He placed an Earl's coronet on the new Earl of Orcadas head.
"Once you step out of the room, my King of Arms will produce an armorial achievement worthy of your new status".

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Soon after, a herald announced the arrival of John Hohenfort, and William ordered that the gates of Omond House be opened, while sending for another Earl coronet.
When John entered the Throne Room William greeted him:

"Welcome, Mr. Hohenfort, and please pardon me for the battleships, but I am somebody dedicated to my vasslas' security. Anyhow, how did your journey go? Also, I assume you are here to respond to the offer for an Earldom?"

[Finnugoria]

John kneeled before the king and said:

"Greetings your majesty. My journey was wonderful especially my arrival here. Your majesty's city is the best i have seen in a while. And yes i am indeed here to accept the earldom you offered me.

John again kneeled before the king ready to say his oath

[Laurie Island]

The cook William Smith presented to The Rt. Hon. Earl of Orkney a flag he just have made. A yellow field with a red Nordic cross. St Magnus (Magnus Erlendsson) was Earl of Orkney from 1108 to 1117. Lord Orcadas approved the flag.

Next morning, at seven o’clock, they all stood in front of the pole. Hugo Acuña took down the argentinian flag he hanged the first day, to replace it with the new flag. Once the new flag was at full mast, they sang “Auld Lang Syne”, a Scots poem written by Robert Burns in 1788, and set to the tune of a traditional folk song, it became the national anthem of Laurie Island.