Factbook: Almajoya

[Almajoya]

(OOC: This is a CLOSED thread. Please read, but do not post here. Thanks!)

The Everlasting Dominion of Almajoya

Ayala! Welcome to Almajoya's factbook!

Overview

Almajoya is a constitutional monarchy led by Her Ladyship the Empress Melisma Ramijozana:



The official language is Almajoyese, which sounds and looks like a mix among English, Spanish, and Japanese. Most of the population also speaks English. Acceptable demonyms are "Almajoyese" and "Almajoyan."

The nation have several embassies, which will be listed below. It also has an international student program hosted by the country's foremost postsecondary institution, the University of Almajoya.

The flag is black, green, and yellow, and should not be allowed to touch the ground or be burned. This is considered highly unpatriotic and disrespectful.

The nation's currency is the jaya, and its national animal is the Almajoyese white tiger. Kickball is the nation's national pastime.

[Almajoya]

On the map



Almajoya is a small island nation. Its capital is Jade, in Aralia District. Other major cities include Ruby, Opal, Sardonyx, and Amethyst. (District names are underlined; cities are italicized.)



Almajoya is renowned for its stunning landscape. From the Snapdragon Mountains to the Wisteria Depression, nature is a top priority for the nation's lawmakers. Water is shown in blue, land in green, and mountain peaks in brown. The black dots are the cities.

There are also seven smaller islands in the Anthurium River Delta. These islands are protected by Almajoya's government. Ludwigia is home to Caja Vierda, the home of one of the national heroes' descendants. Caja Vierda, or "green house," remains unchanged from when it was built in 1908, with the exception of updates to the indoor plumbing and electrical wiring.

Almajoya enjoys pleasant weather year-round, although it is prone to hurricanes. For this reason, most houses in Almajoya are built out of concrete. The nation is usually well-prepared for dangerous weather, with planned escape routes to nearby countries and strong storm shelters in every major city. Almajoya has not been devastated by a hurricane since 1920.

[Almajoya]

The flag



Almajoya's flag is black, green, and yellow. It is sometimes referred to as "The Black & Green." It was designed by the Seven Saviors, or Almajoya's national heroes, in 1907. It has been flown ever since, with the exception of "Uncle" Aaron's reign, during which the dictator flew a flag of black and be, with a yellow star at center. That flag is now viewed much as the Confederate "Stars & Bars" are viewed in the United States.

The black represents the past, and the skin of the people (medium to dark brown). The green leaf in the center represents Almajoya's beautiful, lush landscape. The yellow circle in the upper left corner represents the sun, of which Almajoya gets quite a bit!

National costume



Almajoya's "national costume" is basically the flag draped over the body in any style. As shown above, there is usually a cloak or cape, and while traditionally women wear the main piece as a long dress, it has become fashionable to wear it as two pieces, as shown above.

Almajoyans are very proud of their flag. It can be seen everywhere- flown outside houses and businesses, hung from rearview mirrors, even on cell phone and laptop cases. Many companies have made large profits based only on the sale of flag-inspired products!

[Almajoya]

Her Ladyship the Empress Melisma Ramijozana



The Empress is the traditional leader of Almajoya. To most, she appears to be a mere figurehead, a relic of the past, but there have been events that suggest her infuence is far greater than most would suspect.

Ramijozana was born and raised in Sanctus Aidenn, the Palace of the Emperor of Almajoya, which is located on the outskirts of the capital city, Jade. Life was quite pleasant for her and, indeed, for all of Almajoya.The Ramijozana family had ruled Almajoya since Almajoya became a nation in 1907; the first Emperor, Jemani Ramijozana, was crowned by Sylvia Finn and Robert Craig.

Ramijozana's father, Emile, was widely considered to be a wise and capable ruler. However, his rule lasted only seventeen years, when he was killed in an uprising led by "Uncle" Aaron Rineharto. Rineharto then seized control of the army, dissolved Parliament, and declared himself absolute ruler of Almajoya. The Ramijozanas were forced to work as slaves in their own palace. Whenever one Ramijozana acted up, Rineharto would kill another.

This continued until only Melisma and her mother, Joanna, were left alive. Rineharto did not kill Joanna until Melisma was seventeen. It is reported that Melisma witnessed this death- along with many others- with her own eyes. For this reason, many Almajoyese psychologists argue that Melisma suffers from posttraumatic stress disorder or depression.

Finally, when Melisma was twenty-five, Shawn Johessman and Rayleigh Johnsen arrived in Almajoya. With Paterre Mercer's help, they deposed Rineharto and restored the Ramijozana family to power in what is now called the Reyolucion da Paj, or "peaceful revolution." By then, however, only Melisma was left.

Today, Ramijozana is widely known for her ambition, fearlessness, and courageous conviction. Her name itself includes the Almajoyese words rami, or "power," and jozana, "salvation." These traits shine in the present Ramijozana even more brightly than they did in her father, who was, in his prime, the most loved of all the Emperors.

Ramijozana has her failings. She has perfect etiquette- too perfect, which makes her seem standoffish. She is often impetuous and personal in her decision-making- take, for example, the outlawing of smoking outdoors, which passed because Ramijozana is asthmatic. She sometimes uses her power for personal game, as when she wheedled Rattel Inc. to make a Barbara doll version of her. Also, as far as anyone knows, she has never dated, which can only mean she does not want to give up her power, which she would were she ever to marry.

However, Ramijozana is also strong, intelligent, and quick-witted. She cares deeply for her people, and does her best for them. She is also interested in other cultures, and has learned several languages. She is an excellent rome model for young girls (Barbara doll notwithstanding). She will most likely lead Almajoya on to the world stage.

[Almajoya]

Living National Heroes: Shawn and Rayleigh Johessman



Shawn Johessman is a direct descendant of Richard Craig, one of the Seven Saviors. He was born in Seattle, Washington, United States of America and is Almajoyese only by nationality, not by race.

Rayleigh Johessman (Johnsen at the time of the Reyolucion da Paj) is likewise not Almajoyese, but American (Acacia, Georgia, USA).

The pair were visiting Almajoya to research Shawn's family history during the reign of Uncle Aaron. They "managed to get mixed up with the wrong, or right, people" (as Shawn later put it) and found themselves acting as secret agents for the old Almajoyese monarchy.

By stealing and falsifying records, keeping out of Aaron's sight, and, eventually, winning a shootout, Johessman and Johnsen executed what is now known as the Reyolucion da Paj, or "Peaceful Revolution." They restored Parliament and to power and crowned Melisma Ramijozana, the only remaining royal, the Empress of Almajoya.

Johessman and Johnsen are now married and living somewhat quietly in Acacia, Georgia. They visit Almajoya often, as Shawn has inherited Caja Vierda from his forefather, Richard Craig.

[Almajoya]

The Seven Saviors

The Seven Saviors are the seven refugees who landed on Almajoya in February 1907. Before their arrival, the natives had no weapons other than hunting spears and no forms of communication or government. The Seven Saviors helped the natives to develop a defense system. By July 1907, the natives had a strong defense for the size of their island- and not a moment too soon, because in July, a small contingent of soldiers stumbled upon the island.

Between July and November 1907, the aggressors tried unsuccessfully to take over and annex the small but resource-laden island. The Seven Saviors led every major battle, and the natives, who knew the land better than their attackers, practiced extreme guerilla tactics and fought hard. By November, the Seven were able to negotiate for the team to leave the island alone.

That day- November 7, 1907- is called Dia da Paj, or "Day of Peace." The next day, the Seven began to organize the first islandwide government. The Senators and Representatives were elected on November 28, and the Constitution was approved on December 8. Almajoya declared itself a nation at midnight on December 9, 1907.

[Almajoya]

Robert Craig

In 1907, Robert Craig and six of his friends abandoned their home using a small boat, determined to find better lives. After a long, winding trip, they came across an island.

The island's natives welcomed them and helped them settle. Craig, widely considered the "leader" of the group, helped develop the form of Almajoyese that is spoken today. Additionally, he was instrumental in teaching the natives to fight, which helped them defend the island against the American invasion a few months later.

[Almajoya]

Sylvia Finn

Sylvia Finn was one of the most influential of the Seven Saviors. She helped to organize the natives into a more solid group, and later, developed the original Constitution and governmental layout. Because of her, and because of the general nature of Almajoyese culture, Almajoyese women never had to fight for their rights, while most other countries of the world had women's suffrage movements.

Rumors abound that Finn was Craig's lover. So far, no one has been able to prove or disprove this. Craig and Finn were very close, but each married and had children separately.

[Almajoya]

The Prime Minister



The Prime Minister serves as the Head of Parliament. He or she is appointed every four years by the Empress. A PM can serve up to four terms. Appointment of a PM can be vetoed by a majority vote in Parliament, but the Emperor or Empress can exercise his or her "Royal Prerogative" and place the PM in power. However, this is inadvisable, as it leads to distrust and angry feelings among the populace.

The current Prime Minister is Paterre Mercer. However, he was not appointed by Empress Ramijozana: he was appointed by Shawn Johessman after the Reyolucion da Paj. However, he has been a "good" PM, with a consistent approval rating in the sixtieth percentile or higher. (The Empress herself has had some ups and downs, from a low of 30% to a high of 75%.)

The wife of the Prime Minister also traditionally has considerable power. She is usually a public figure, often more so than her husband, as Almajoya has always been a matriarchal society. She can influence the PM, and thus is held in high regard.

The current Lady Prime Minister is Rajkya Mercer. She is not as well known as some of her predecessors. She has not made many of her political stances well known, and it is not known how much influence she has over her husband's decisions. It is rumored that Paterre Mercer has had at least one affair, possibly with the Empress herself. However, this is just speculation.

[Almajoya]

National Anthem

La Ticya To Ramiba, as performed by the Dahlia Philharmonic Orchestra:

Audio only
Audio with video


La Ticya To Ramiba is based on Almajoya's motto- Ticya, ramiba, jenita. It is written primarily in the key of F Major, with passages in F Aeolian and F Pentatonic, representing the different influences on Almajoyese culture.

The song is sung in New Almajoyese, which is a mix of Old Almajoyese, English, Spanish, and Japanese.

The lyrics (follow the melody in the trumpets and alto saxophone):
La ticya to ramiba to jenita so desi
la isada mejor sechio de saoula no mi
De le timepo no usi to ushi meda
tica de mino uchi, te brasi adeka
La ticya to ramiba to jenita kakuha
eterna de mino ama, mino Almajoya!

English translation: Justice, Truth, and Honor
Justice, truth and honor will hold
the best place in this soul of mine.
Through bad times and good, I will stay
true to my home, those welcoming arms.
And justice, truth, and honor will live
forever in my love, my Almajoya!

[Almajoya]

Economy: Exports
Almajoya exports the following products:
-Fruits: guavas, mangoes, Almajoyese apples, bananas, coconuts
-Bauxite
-Metals: gold, silver
-Several jewels, including amethysts, garnets, diamonds, emeralds, sapphires, and rubies
-Pearls
-Jewellry
-Shrimp, crawfish, crab, lobster
-Sugarcane

Imports
Almajoya imports the following:
-Timber
-Steel
-Wheat
-Automobiles
-Oil and coal, though they are rarely used

[Almajoya]

The military

Almajoya's military*, designed primarily for defense, consists of:

-Almajoya Army Defense Force (AADF): 90,000 personnel
-Almajoya Army Air Wing (AAAW): 40,000
-Almajoya Maritime Wing (AMW): 50,000
-Joint Staff Office- 1,200
Total personnel: 181,200
Percent of population: ~1%

Military service is: not compulsory.


*Military designed and outfitted by Tanaara.

[Almajoya]

Basic New Almajoyese

Common words:
Hello- Ayala
Goodbye- Acheyeli
Yes- Ye
No-No
I/Me- Mi
My or Mine- Mino
You- Je
Your or Yours- Jeno
"Thank you"- Adigato
Love- Ama
"I love you"- "Je amara"

Verbs
Verbs can be found anywhere in a sentence. The dictionary form is the root of the verb- for example, des, or "to be"; med, or "to stay"; and kauh, or "to live."
Present tense: Add an i to the end of the verb.
desi, medi, kakuhi- "is/are," "stay/stays," and "live/lives."
Past tense: Add an e.
dese, mede, kakuhe- "was/were," "stayed," "lived."
Future tense: Add an a.
desa, meda, kakuha- "will be," "will stay," "will live."
Irregular verbs are very rare and hardly used.
Therefore: "I live in Almajoya." Mi kakuhi de Almajoya.
"You lived in America." Je kakuhe de America.

Adjectives and Adverbs
Adjectives and adverbs can come before or after the nouns they modify, as long as they are adjacent, except for chain modifiers, which may be surrounded by other modifiers.

Pronunciation
When a j occurs at the beginning of a word, it is pronounced as a z in English would be. When it occurs in the middle or end of a word, it is more of an h sound.
Rs are often pronounced as ds.

[Almajoya]

Notable Legislature

Almajoya has had some interesting bills suggested (and passed) in its recent history (read: during Melisma Ramijozana's reign as empress). They include:

Duelling Act
This act literally passed through Parliament overnight. The next morning, it was discovered that Samuel Jakama had been killed in a swordfight, possibly by then-Senator Sullivan Yuki. Whether Jakama's murder and the Duelling Act really are related is unknown.

The next evening, Yuki proposed to Empress Ramijozana, but was rejected. This caused speculation that Jakama and Yuki got into a fight over Ramijozana,as Jakama was a known suitor of the Empress'.

Crawfish Act
Note: At this writing, the Crawfish Act has not passed in the House of Representatives.

The Crawfish Act is a prime example of what is called the Royal Prerogative. Its existence is not on the part of any particular House or Senate member, but on that of the Empress herself. It is widely expected that, if the Act fails in Parliament, the Empress will use her Right of Prerogative to pass it into law anyway.

Crawfish (or "crayfish," "crawdads," or "mudbugs") are widely produced and consumed in Almajoya. They are primarily harvested in the Anthurium River Delta, where harvesting crawfish is commonly the only means of survival. Families in the Delta tend to be poor and only get by through selling the crawfish they harvest in their backyard swamps.

It is widely known that Empress Ramijozana hates crawfish. She recently attempted to ban the common and popular crawfish festivals Almajoya is renowned for. The attempt failed in Parliament, but rather than use her Prerogative to pass it, she rewrote the bill to ban all production of crawfish in Almajoya. This version of the bill has cleared the Senate but is currently stalled in the House of Representatives.

The eventual Act is fiercely opposed in the Delta region. Protesters there have gone so far as to call for Ramijozana's removal or a decrease in the Empress' power. Ramijozana's popularity is currently very low, but for unknown, personal reasons, she continues to push for the Act.

[Almajoya]

Senator Sullivan Yuki

Born and raised in Jade, Sullivan Yuki was the Senator representing the parish of Aralia. He attended University of Almajoya and earned his MA in public policy three years before Empress Ramijozana earned her bachelor's in music and international relations. Yuki was a teacher's aide for one of Ramijozana's science classes, which is probably how they met.

Yuki later became the mayor of Jade, then its Representative. Yuki probably ran for Senator because of the longer terms and then-higher pay. He was endorsed by Ramijozana and won easily.

Yuki was probably best known for his involvement with the Duelling Act, mentioned above. Despite his dealings with Ramijozana, Yuki was fiercely opposed to the Crawfish Act, which will severely impact the economy of his district. He had an excellent track record regarding following the wishes of his constituents, and was fairly popular in Almajoya.

The events surrounding Yuki's death are still shrouded in mystery. When Empress Ramijozana was kidnapped, he decided to pay her ransom himself. Although he was heavily guarded and constantly being watched by Interim Emperor Shawn Johessman, he managed to slip out to meet the ransomers at a parking garage in Jade. Later, he was found there, dead. He had been shot several times with a military assault rifle.

[Almajoya]

"Uncle" Aaron Rineharto

Aaron Rineharto was born and raised in Beryl, Aloe District, Almajoya. Beryl is a coastal fishing town that has since become a world leader in the production of shrimp.

The Rineharto family were hard-working but lower class. Beryl did not enjoy the sudden rise in the standard of living that most of Almajoya experienced during Rineharto's childhood. It is also widely believed that Rineharto's father was abusive and his mother was negligent of him.

Rineharto was not an only child; his younger brother was killed in a freak shrimping accident when Rineharto was fifteen. At age sixteen, Rineharto ran away to Ruby, Dahlia district, where he encountered people who were much better off than he was, even if they were "lower-class." This caused Rineharto great frustration; in his autobiography, penned shortly before his deposition, he wrote, "I felt as if I was trying to catch up to something far beyond my reach."

From Ruby, he went on to Jade, where he worked in construction, the only job he could get with no high school diploma. Around this time, he began plotting his takeover of the Almajoyese government.

He made friends who were high-ranking government officials and military brass; he convinced them that the Caja Ramijozana needed reform. Indeed, they helped him take the throne- and he killed them all shortly thereafter.

He also eventually killed all of the Ramijozanas save for Melisma. It is understood that Melisma suffered extreme physical and mental abuse, which she struggles with to this day.

Rinehart was removed from power by Shawn Johessman and Rayleigh Johnsen, who, with the help of future Prime Family Paterre and Rajkya Mercer, worked out a detailed plan that became the Reyolucion da Paj. Johessman, the rightful ruler of Almajoya through his relation to national hero Richard Craig, turned over the throne to Melisma and reconstructed Parliament.

Rinehart is currently sentenced to 381,779 years in prison for the crimes he is known to have committed. He resides in the Almajoya Maximum Security Prison in Beryl.

[Almajoya]

Almajoya Alternative Energy Commission

Almajoya is dedicated to the research and use of renewable fuels and materials. Most cars in Almajoya are powered by ethanol. As Almajoya produces a large amount of sugarcane each year, ethanol fuel is easy to produce and distribute domestically. The Royal Fleet of black Honda Civics are fueled in this manner. The Empress' stretch Chrysler 300s have also been modified to take both gasoline and ethanol, and the Empress herself drives a Toyota Yaris that runs on ethanol fuel and solar energy.

Also, Air Almajoya only flies aircraft that can successfully and safely fly using renewable fuels such as hydrogen. The Empress' plane, AAC Joanna (or simply "Joanna") is an Airbus A318 Elite that is powered by hydrogen fuel cells, as are most other government planes.

The Almajoya Alternative Energy Commission is headed by Joya Springer, who was given the style "Lady of Alternative Energy." She was hand-picked by and reports to the Empress herself. Lady Springer graduated from University of Almajoya with a master's in biochemical engineering and founded the college's School of Energy Studies. She also spearheaded the movement for alternative fuel options when Ramijozana was restored to power.

[Almajoya]

Sanctus Aidenn

Sanctus Aidenn is the Empress' residence. It was built in 1907, and has housed the Ramijozana family ever since.

The palace contains a total of 64 rooms on 4 floors. Most of these rooms are bedrooms, and are rarely used. There are kitchens on the first and third floors, and it is said that the Empress has a mini-kitchen hidden somewhere on the second floor.

There are offices on the third and fourth floors. Empress Ramijozana's office is on the fourth floor, and has a stunning view of the Anthurium River and downtown Jade in the distance. Other offices in Sanctus Aidenn include those of Shawn and Rayleigh Johessman.

The Empress' bedroom is on the second floor. It is rather small, as it is the same room she lived in as a child. When Ramijozana was crowned, instead of moving int the master bedroom, which was her father's and remained in the same condition that he left it in even after his death- Ramijozana opened the room to the public, as a memorial. Guests can now see the room as part of a tour through Sanctus Aidenn.

During his rule, the tyrant Aaron Rineharto lived on the fourth floor. That room has since been converted into a lounge for the palace workers. Although she is quite friendly with the workers, Ramijozana has not set foot in the room since Rineharto's deposition.

[Almajoya]

Almajoya Coat of Arms



The motto of Almajoya, "Ticya, ramiba, jenita" ("Justice, truth, honor"), is located at the top.

The yellow of the shield symbolizes the sun, and the use of animals represents the importance of the environment.

---

Ramijozana Family Coat of Arms



At the top, the Ramijozana family motto appears in English or Almajoyese (Mi amari de mi miri).

The angel symbolizes aspiration; the moon, affection; the fleur de lis, honor; the bird, perseverance.
The purple symbolizes royalty.

[Almajoya]

Almaiya

Almaiya, or "one spirit," is a system of beliefs based on the premise that all things, living or not, have souls, and that all of the souls of the world are connected and codependent. This religion was developed by the original inhabitants of Almajoya, and has likely been practiced for millenia.

It is common for Almajoyese Almaiya to also practice another religion, such as Judaism or Islam, but especially Christianity, as the population is largely made up of nondenominational Christians.

Almaiya is composed of several rituals. Some are performed daily, while others are practiced over various time periods. The daily rituals include a yoga-like set of exercises that are designed to honor the spiritual world by toning one's body. Studies have proven these exercises, which are largely isometric in nature, to be very effective in lengthening one's life and improving one's health. The Almaiya are consistently much more flexible, much slimmer, and much healthier than their non-Almaiya counterparts, and they lead much longer, healthier lives.

During the exercises, it is customary (but not required) to face the rising sun and wear as natural and as little clothing as possible (for example, a silk nightgown or a cotton T-shirt). In addition to being more natural, it is also easier to execute the poses when dressed in this manner.

A few examples of Almaiya poses and exercises (some are more difficult than others):
Kiradi ("toward the heavens")
Guamo ("starlike")*
Buyion ("sharply") (first position)*
Buyion (second position)*
Hanawa ("offering") (first position)*
Hanawa (second position)*
Hanawa (third position)*
Hanawa (fourth position)*

*Mirror exercise: The pose is achieved using one side of the body, then the other.

Other daily rituals include abiding by a general code of conduct that encourages respect toward all beings and things. This is one reason why environmentalism is so important in Almajoya, and why most Almajoyese expect to be treated honorably and respectfully by their countrymen. The Almaiya also bathe at least once daily, as washing the body is representative of cleansing the soul.

At the changing of the seasons, the Almaiya host large family gatherings to celebrate another harvest, the blooming of the flowers, or the beginning or the end of the rainy season, as the case may be. During these gatherings, all-natural food and beverages must be served- no preservatives, no additives, and so forth. (Many Almaiya avoid processed foods in any case.) Music is played, and stories are told, as the family members and friends may not have seen each other in quite some time.

The Almaiya also have different customs regarding childbirth, weddings, and deaths. The entire family is invited to be present at the birth of a child, and those who attend are expected to bring gifts for the child/ren. The birth is done naturally, without painkillers or other drugs (except in cases when the mother's life is in danger). The birth usually takes place at home, with a fichia (somewhat equivalent to a "midwife") and possibly a doctor present.

Weddings are conducted outdoors, rain or shine. There is no custom regarding the dress of the bride or groom, but they usually follow the Western manner of dress. San tsukue (bonding songs") are sung during the procession of friends, then family. Beyond this, it is acceptable to modify the wedding to Western standards.

Funerals are also always held outside. Traditionally, the dead are buried without a casket, but the use of a casket is acceptable, as is cremation. Shichi tsukue ("exit songs") are sung as the body (or ashes) is taken to the place of burial. The family are at the head of the procession, followed by the deceased's friends, and any community members that wish to attend- much like a "second line." Passages from a holy text such as the Bible may be read.

When a body dies, it either goes to Heaven or Hell (if the Almaiya believes in those places) or remains on earth. In either case, the deceased's soul can still affect events in a relative's or friend's life. In fact, the soul is even more powerful, as it is no lomger bound by the laws of the body or world.

The following passage contains some suggestive material.

The Almaiya hold surprisingly liberal views on sexual activity. While it is disrespectful and dishonorable to commit adulterous acts, the act itself is never viewed as dishonorable. The act of uniting two bodies is equivalent to uniting two souls. It must be performed with mutual consent and respect, or one or both parties will soon face severe consequences.

Consequences for acts against nature vary wildly. Because everything has a spirit, everything can choose to punish one- a car may not start, a tree may fall, a chain of events may conspire so that one's wallet is stolen. It is not uncommon to see an Almaiya pulled over on the side of a road, walking around his car and asking aloud, "What did I do this time?"

Similarly, rewards result in the world's spirits treating one well. A visitor will often hear an Almaiya say, "Thank the Spirits!" or "By my Ancestors, that's wonderful!"

[Sskiss]

Nice, real nice. Good work all round. Well structured, good art and so on. Keep it up.

[Almajoya]

Ciaran Rachmaninoff



Born in Audubon, Snowy Egrets, Ciaran Rachmaninoff is the first foreign-born senator of Almajoya. He grew up in a family of four, with both parents and a younger sister named Clara.

Rachmaninoff studied psychiatry at Snowy Egrets University, and immediately began working at Tall Oaks Shelter for the Mentally Incapacitated. He also delved into politics, and was elected to the Audubon City Board of Health. He is noted for his vehement opposition to the construction of the oversized nuclear plant that was built to power a large portion of Snowy Egrets.

He is noted thusly because, months after its completion, a freak explosion resulted in the destruction and deforestation of the entire island of Snowy Egrets. Oddly, no humans or animals were killed as a direct consequence of the accident, but many humans developed strange special abilities, and many animals began to speak human languages.

During the chaos that followed the accident, Dr. Stuart House, the primary supporter of the nuclear plant and an enemy of Rachmaninoff's, seized power, and ordered that Rachmaninoff be put to death. Rachmaninoff fled to Almajoya, where he sought asylum. Empress Ramijozana denied him, but Parliament overrode her decision, and Ramijozana did not pursue it further.

Rachmaninoff eventually applied for, and was granted, citizenship. He was later elected mayor of Sardonyx, a position he held for roughly half a term. Following the kidnapping of the Empress and the subsequent death of senator Sullivan Yuki, Rachmaninoff expressed interest in the vacated Senate chair. He was the only person interested, so Ramijozana appointed him to Parliament.

Rachmaninoff has a penchant for patience, honor, and raw honesty. His constituents are generally pleased with his work, and he gets along well with even his most right-minded colleagues. However, as senator of Aralia Parish, the home of the Empress, he will eventually find himself head-to-head with Ramijozana herself. Whether he can hold his own remains to be seen.

[Almajoya]

OOC: And now, a light-hearted post.

The Nutria of Sewer 123

In the sewer that serves both Sanctus Aidenn and the Parliament Building (as well as many other important structures) live an indeterminate number of oddly sentient nutria. These animals may have arrived as stowaways on a Snowy Egretian ship, which would account for their ability to talk and behave similarly to humans.

Often, when a nation presents a matter that is too trivial for the Empress or her staff to answer, she will forward the message to these nutria, who return a response for her to send off. The nutria also have access to a panel controlling the nation's various IGNORE weaponry, which, once approved by the Empress, can be fired at will by the nutria.

These creatures provide an important service to the government of Almajoya, and are regarded lovingly by Her Ladyship. After all, they're soooooo cute!!!

[Almajoya]

Carnival in Almajoya

Almajoya is renowned for its Carnival celebrations. Parties, parades, and festivals are held all over the island, and tourists visit from far and wide. The season is a lighthearted "last chance dash" before the solemn period of Lent begins. (Although the season is Christian in nature, everyone regardless of religion is invited to participate.)

Twelfth Night
The first night of Carnival is observed with a ball. They range in style from cheap to expensive, small to large, and modern to traditional. Anyone willing to can host a ball, so they are easy to find. Usually, tourists are better off attending a large ball in a club or public setting, as balls held in houses are typically meant to be private.

The best-known and most prestigious ball by far is the Empress' Masquerade Ball. Held every year since the Reyolucion da Paj, the ball is hosted by Melisma Ramijozana herself in the ballroom of Sanctus Aidenn. Unlike most Twelfth Night balls, the Empress' Ball is free- but guests must be invited by the Hostess.

There are traditions regarding children as well. For Twelfth Night, Almajoyese children dress up and put on their own "balls," which could be anything from a tea party to a wild night on the town. Unofficially, laws for minors are relaxed this night, and any misbehavior is dealt with by the parents- which in many cases is stricter than jail time!

Mardi Gras Preparations
Between Twelfth Night and the weekend preceding Mardi Gras, Almajoyese "krewes," or groups who sponsor or put on parades and balls, spend most of their time preparing for the main event. Smaller parades are held during this time, usually on the weekends.

Semanana Aya (The Weekend Before)
The weekend before Mardi Gras is when celebrations begin to climax. Roads are shut down as parades pass through major cities and small towns alike. These parades often contain floats, bands, dancers, and other performers. Depending on the theme of the parade, items such as stuffed animals, shoes, beads, and boas are tossed from the floats into the crowds below. These parades often last late into the night, and afterwards, merry parade-goers often continue the party at home or at clubs into the early morning.

Lundi Gras
The Monday before Lent and the day before Mardi Gras, the better-known krewes present their parades, and more balls are held in the evening (although these tend to be more modern in style). Students throughout Almajoya have the day off to enjoy the local culture and help put on the various celebrations.

Mardi Gras
On "Fat Tuesday," the best-know krewes hold their parades, particularly in the morning. The largest celebration takes place in Jade and is broadcast internationally and domestically. Dinners are "feasts," depending on the size of the household. Balls are held in the evening; while the Empress does not hold her own ball on this night, she does visit other balls.

At the stroke of midnight, Carnival officially ends, and local police forces clear the streets. (A large-scale cleanup takes place at this time, which is seldom noticed, but which should be recognized for its thoroughness.) Ash Wednesday, and, subsequently, Lent, begins, as do preparations for the next year's Carnival.

Sound familiar?

[Almajoya]

Security in Almajoya

Imperial Guard

The Imperial Guard was established after the kidnapping of Empress Melisma Ramijozana. Each Guardsman or Guardswoman was carefully selected from a pool of applicants from across Almajoya (excluding the city of Jade) by a panel of experts and officials from Almajoya's neighbor countries. Following their selection, they were trained by a professional security team from Tanaara. (Thanks to this training, the Imperial Guard is widely known for their ability to be unnoticeably present, earning the nickname "Melisma's Ninjas."

The head of the Imperial Guard, and Almajoyese security in general, is Lord Randall Braxton. While Braxton was a college acquaintance of the Empress', he was selected by the panel because of his ability and record of service, not as any personal favor.

During college, Braxton worked as an intern at Sardonyx's crime scene investigation unit. After graduating from University of Almajoya with a degree in public policy, Braxton worked as a general assistant to the senator of Amethyst. After several years with him, the senator promoted Braxton to the position on "Assistant in Charge of Security Affairs." When the senator retired, Braxton opened a private investigation firm in Amethyst. The firm is now managed by one of his partners.

The primary objective of the Imperial Guard is to protect the Empress at all costs. Under orders from the Empress, they also protect senators, visiting diplomats, and other notable persons.

Imperial Guardsmen typically carry an Almajoyese katana and a firearm, usually a .45 Magnum. In high-risk situations, they also carry assault rifles.

Almajoyese Domestic Intelligence Agency (ADIA)

ADIA, Almajoya's domestic intelligence agency, was also created in the aftermath of the kidnapping. The agency reports directly to the Empress or, in her absence, the Lord of Security (Randall Braxton). The agents were also selected in a process similar to that of the Imperial Guard.

ADIA specializes in collecting information regarding national occurrences. Personal identification markers such as DNA and fingerprints are kept in an extremely secure database. Every citizen who becomes a suspect or victim in a case must surrender samples of these to ADIA.

In addition, ADIA investigates high-profile cases. The roles of ADIA agents are always neutral.

Almajoyese International Intelligence Agency (AIIA)

AIIA is the international branch of ADIA. It investigates crimes involving Almajoyese citizens abroad, potential threats to Almajoyese security, and any other international incident that calls for it.

AIIA has limited-restriction access to ADIA's database, meaning that AIIA can request identifying material without a reason, except in certain cases. The agency also reports directly to Ramijozana or Braxton.