by Vandellia » Tue Nov 15, 2022 11:07 am
by Vandellia » Wed Nov 16, 2022 9:42 am
by Beric » Wed Nov 16, 2022 10:34 am
by Vandellia » Wed Nov 16, 2022 12:04 pm
Beric wrote:Nearing the terminal some officials stuck out to Jack and he lifted his hand in a gentle wave.
“Halo!” Forcing a smile Jack felt but could not see Grace’s exaggerated eye roll to him having fallen back into his Berician dialect.
by Asucki » Wed Nov 16, 2022 12:10 pm
by Vandellia » Wed Nov 16, 2022 12:36 pm
Asucki wrote:Nathaniel Carr was, indeed, a very tactful man. It had been quite some time since he was on an assignment, but he was able to hide the excitement he had for this one while on the phone with Minister Henry. He had always been particularly invested in religion, philosophy, and sociology, so he knew that he'd have the opportunity to observe the Vandellian religious culture while also fulfilling his role as ambassador. He gave the brief that the Department of Foreign Affairs had prepared for him a second look, before heading out the door towards the Novaera International Airport.
He was met there by his daughter, who had asked to tag along on his endeavor as soon as she heard the news. Her father had instilled in her similar interests, and she was now in the process of writing her college thesis for a degree in anthropology. The New Saints weren't particularly relevant to it, but the trip did offer a nice break from her work on the ancient religious practices of Asuckian natives. At least it was easy to figure out what these guys actually believed, she thought.
Both Carrs were fast asleep by the time the diplomatic plane touched down in New Jerusalem. Like father, like daughter. Once sufficiently startled awake, they were escorted down the plane's steps by two agents of the Asuckian Department of Investigation, Intelligence and Security clad in smart suits and unarmed as requested by the Vandellian government.
by Beric » Wed Nov 16, 2022 1:10 pm
Vandellia wrote:
"Hello!" The other man's enthusiasm helped to calm Orson's anxieties. "Welcome to Vandellia. I am Orson Kimball, a member of the Ministry Foreign Affairs. I'm pleased to meet you."
by Asucki » Wed Nov 16, 2022 2:13 pm
Vandellia wrote:When the Asuckians stepped off their plane and approached him, William Lyman took a step forward. He took the younger woman for a daughter, or possible a junior assistant, and so he focused his attention on the man. "Welcome to Vandellia, sir. I am William Lyman, Deputy Secretary for Foreign Affairs. I've been asked to come and make sure you get to where you need to go."
by Vandellia » Wed Nov 16, 2022 7:15 pm
Beric wrote:Glancing past the reception committee Jack noticed the mighty structure overlooking the city.
“Wow.” The Temple was truly a sight to behold even at a distance. No stranger to Cathedrals as a staunch Catholic he struggled to think of a Church in Beric that could compete with the scale.
“That is nothing if not inspiring. Can we expect to meet the Prophet before the inauguration?” Jack asked as he thought past his awkward arrival. He had watched the short war and secession with a ideal curiosity that brought the Prophet to power.
Asucki wrote:Nathaniel was somewhat surprised at how they had been welcomed. He had half expected something more energetic, an attempt to win the Asuckians over, as tended to be common with these kinds of groups. William's polite and restrained greeting was a pleasant surprise. Amanda was similarly surprised and equally pleased.
"Please," Nathaniel said with a smile, "take us where we need to go, then. I'm sure we're all eager to meet with President Matthews and participate in the inauguration ceremony."
by Beric » Thu Nov 17, 2022 12:33 pm
Vandellia wrote:Orson Kimball was obviously proud to hear the foreign dignitary expressing such admiration for the Temple, even from this distance. "It was one of the first structures built when the New Saints arrived in this land," he explained. "And it remains the center of the faith. If you are interested, I can try to arrange a tour while you are here?"
"I'm afraid the Prophet won't be appearing in public until the inauguration ceremony," Orson said in response to the second question. "However, there will be a levee afterwards, where he will make an appearance, and I'm certain he will want to meet you then. And several other members of the government will be at a reception prior to the ceremony."
"There are also buses and trains for travel around Vandellia," Orson explained as the car moved through the city. "The farmers in the countryside have small trucks and such, but sedans and the like are less common. Fuel scarcity is a big reason for that."
by Asucki » Thu Nov 17, 2022 4:08 pm
Vandellia wrote:"It is a pleasure to meet you," William Lyman told the pair. "The President-elect has reserved several rooms at one of the city's hotels for the use of foreign delegations." He gestured to the waiting car. "After you've dropped off any personal effects or luggage, there is a reception planned with some of our top government officials before the ceremony. And afterwards, President Matthews will make an appearance at a levee - he'll certainly want to meet you, and thank you for coming himself."
"No doubt you noticed the Temple on your descent," the Deputy Secretary continued as they got into the car and began to travel into the city. "This city was the first settlement founded by the New Saints Church in this territory, and one of the Prophet's first concerns was building a suitable place of worship. That Temple stood as testament to the faith, and perseverance, of his faithful."
"Of course," he hastened to add, "This is not a theocracy. Robert Matthews was insistent, from the beginning, that all faiths would be protected here. Our flock has suffered enough from ignorance and bigotry to inflict such things upon others."
by Vandellia » Fri Nov 18, 2022 11:37 pm
Beric wrote:With a quick and eager assent to a tour of the Temple structure Jack and Grace eagerly began their journey into the city. It was no big surprise that the Future President would not have time for a meeting.
“Did you know that the Cathedral of Prince of Peace is the largest church in Beric?” Without pausing for a response Jack continued; relieved to be sitting again. “It was actually built as a small congregational church in the 1870s and not many people know that the original church is still there in the basement. They built it over and around it! Oh they have spent decades trying to preserve the wood but it gives you a real sense for the constancy of the place. What year was the Temple construction started? “
Beric wrote:“Shortages you say? Yes I fear Beric has felt the squeeze on that account. Of course for us its a matter of working together more often than not. I didn’t leave Renner county until I was sixteen. What kind of hunting do you have around here?” Still inebriated, Jack found it hard to contain his enthusiasm. “The country certainly looks beautiful from above. Shame you are landlocked. 90% of our trade is by sea you know? I am sure you have some good lakes though. Nearly as good most of the time. And much easier to slip back on the weather turns.”
Asucki wrote:"Noble goal, but how are you going to back it up?" Interjected Amanda suddenly and harshly, as if assaulting the poor Minister with a verbal blunt instrument. Nathaniel tensed. In and of itself the question wasn't anything especially offensive, but given the overall situation and the way she said it, her father felt as though she was almost trying to provoke the Vandellian. He wasn't surprised that her thoughts were somewhat in line with his, but he was a bit shocked at her forwardness. He had long been aware that his daughter didn't have quite the tactfulness that he did, it was part of the reason she didn't choose to pursue a career in the diplomatic field, but this seemed very drastic.
He quickly attempted to apply a splint to the proverbial blunt-force wound. He loudly cleared his throat and shot Amanda an icy glare before turning to William and attempting to reconcile the situation. "Please excuse my daughter, Minister," he began, after taking a moment to compose himself, "I'm sure proper measures are being taken. It is a noble goal indeed, and I'd very much like to discuss the matter with the President himself. Perhaps Amanda would like to express her concerns to him as well." Putting her hand up in exasperation, Amanda began to say something in protest, but another, equally as cold glare from her father led her to give it up for the time being. Satisfied with his apology and his daughter's dropping of the matter, Nathaniel turned back to Minister Lyman with a smile, although this one was noticeably more strained than the one he had offered at the airport.
by Beric » Sat Nov 19, 2022 1:38 pm
Vandellia wrote:
"Planning for the Temple began almost as soon as the first members of the Church arrived in the area," Orson Kimball recounted. "The initial construction was completed around two years after the establishment of the city, but the whole thing wasn't really finished until a few years after that. And of course, with the Lord's blessing and protection, the structure came through the reckoning with Mareyland unscathed."
Vandellia wrote:"Lacking a seaport does create some difficulties," Orson admitted. "But we have negotiated navigation rights along the rivers which flow out of Vandellia, and pass through other nations before reaching the ocean." He had actually sat in on some of those discussions, though in a purely assistant role to more senior diplomats. "But many people who came to Vandellia sought to distance themselves from the hyper-connected world, with all its greed and stress. The prophet has taught that honest work is far more rewarding than the mindless pursuit of riches."
"Hunting is very popular in the countryside," he told the Berician. "Deer, turkey, different types of birds, and then there's fox and wolf hunting to keep the predators from killing livestock."
by Sombreland » Sat Nov 19, 2022 4:29 pm
by Brettenwald » Wed Nov 23, 2022 10:07 pm
by Vandellia » Sat Nov 26, 2022 1:28 pm
Beric wrote:“I watched the reckoning you contented with with an interest and was thankful did not go on longer, though I am sure many of your people remember the toll enacted Mareyland. Bravely done.”
Beric wrote:“I can understand the need to disconnect from the world. Even in Beric the day to day life can feel too disconnected with God and nature. And forgive me but I meant do You find time to hunt? Or the President elect for that matter?”
Beric wrote:“It is a shame the toll war can take. It wasn’t until the 80s we found the balance and started harvesting the bounty of our land properly. Why back in the 40s they were clear cutting forests and forcing people out of their homes. It is always hard though isn’t it? We only have so much but when you are isolated you use what you have. “
Beric wrote:“If I might?” Grace broke in as casually as possible. “Might we be provided with copies of the New Saint Testament? It should be a shame to come all this way to leave ignorant.” Grace finished.
Sombreland wrote:And with that, he was joined by a carefully selected entourage of advisors, servants and security, and headed to the conference. He also was given a gift to present to the new President in honour of his inauguration.
by Beric » Sun Nov 27, 2022 8:50 am
by Vandellia » Sun Nov 27, 2022 12:11 pm
Brettenwald wrote:His Lordship, dressed in a dark blue three-piece suit and sporting a freshly trimmed beard and side-part hairdo, stepped out of the silver Bombardier business jet with a level of confidence surprising even to himself considering that the culture shock of coming here from his homeland was best described as a cross between the Rapture and a Trinity atomic bomb test. A plain but not unattractive gray-haired gentleman of 57 years with the placid, reserved demeanor of an old hunting dog, the Duke had honed his diplomatic skills to an extremely fine point first as an ambassador then as Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, before being handpicked as part of His Majesty's unofficial bureaucratic dream team (which was usually but not always separate from the Cabinet, one reason that the Crown's organizational charts needed their own organizational charts) and settling into a comfortable, highly paid routine as one of the most important cogs nobody paid attention to in the great governmental machine. House Askinen being the aristocracy's redheaded stepchild due to a persistent alignment with Christianity (more specifically the Roman Catholic Church) had its advantages when it came to this particular assignment, though it did have a tendency to get his family funny looks.
"Duke Harald Askinen, representing the Empire of Brettenwald. Very pleased to meet you."
by Asucki » Tue Nov 29, 2022 3:50 pm
by Sombreland » Wed Nov 30, 2022 4:35 am
by Brettenwald » Thu Dec 01, 2022 10:39 pm
Vandellia wrote:OOC: Posting a response to Brettenwald just to get them from airport to City Hall. Replies to people arriving at the reception will be coming soon.Brettenwald wrote:His Lordship, dressed in a dark blue three-piece suit and sporting a freshly trimmed beard and side-part hairdo, stepped out of the silver Bombardier business jet with a level of confidence surprising even to himself considering that the culture shock of coming here from his homeland was best described as a cross between the Rapture and a Trinity atomic bomb test. A plain but not unattractive gray-haired gentleman of 57 years with the placid, reserved demeanor of an old hunting dog, the Duke had honed his diplomatic skills to an extremely fine point first as an ambassador then as Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, before being handpicked as part of His Majesty's unofficial bureaucratic dream team (which was usually but not always separate from the Cabinet, one reason that the Crown's organizational charts needed their own organizational charts) and settling into a comfortable, highly paid routine as one of the most important cogs nobody paid attention to in the great governmental machine. House Askinen being the aristocracy's redheaded stepchild due to a persistent alignment with Christianity (more specifically the Roman Catholic Church) had its advantages when it came to this particular assignment, though it did have a tendency to get his family funny looks.
"Duke Harald Askinen, representing the Empire of Brettenwald. Very pleased to meet you."
Brettenwald was not as unfamiliar a name to the diplomatic corps of Vandellia as some of the other countries sending emissaries to the inauguration. They had been trade partners of Mareyland, so there were many among the New Saints who had some experience doing business with, or at least related to, that country. That familiarity, coupled with Brettenwald's economic stature, made them similar to Asucki in the evaluations of the Foreign Ministry - a nation worth showing a slightly higher level of recognition in their reception.
With the Deputy Secretary of Foreign Affairs already committed to the Asuckian delegation, his immediate subordinate, the Assistant Deputy Secretary, was assigned to meet and Brettenwalders at the airport and ensure their smooth and quick transition to City Hall for the reception. The Assistant Deputy Secretary was a short man whose skin was a few shades darker than the complexion of most Vandellians, the physical heritage of the mixed-race family that had produced him.
"Welcome to Vandellia," he said as the foreign dignitaries descended from their plane. "My name is Willard Goodson, Assistant Deputy Secretary for Foreign Affairs. I've been sent by our Foreign Ministry to escort you to City Hall for the opening reception."
by Vandellia » Sun Dec 04, 2022 9:21 am
Beric wrote:Wine not being to his taste took the first glass of cider he could find and sipped cautiously. Grace was nearby, not so far as to discourage anyone from approaching but near enough to be on hand. With an open and practiced smile he accepted a little apprentice and held it in his free hand.
Dressed more for a day at a bank than a party Jack was aware his simple suit likely left him only a step above the servers in attire. Nonetheless everything about the New Saints seemed to appreciate simplicity. He would not try to engage past a smile and a passing greeting until the entrance announcements were complete. Knowing Grace would be taking careful note of the dignitaries Jack focused on the room. Watching the groups and who huddled around who. This would indicate who the power brokers would be in this country as it would anywhere else.
Asucki wrote:Their grand entrance made, the Asuckians slowly drifted their way through the crowd and across the floor, taking note of seemingly important people as they went. Circles of conversation gathered around these figures, and Nathaniel wondered how many would in time evolve and morph into spheres of influence. Both Carrs accepted a drinks from a passing server, and continued onwards as they sipped them, taking care to note as they went which figures seemed worth striking up conversation with.
Sombreland wrote:"Tell me Mr. Wright, is Major-General the highest rank in your nation's military right now?"
He was interested in the polygamy evident there. This was not practiced commonly in Sombreland, though a form of concubinage was sometimes. He, himself, had a wife and children, and also a concubine, as many wealthy or high born men did. However, he did not stare at the women, giving them mostly just a glance. He was curious as well about the financier's wives displaying more of their attractiveness than appeared to be noble. Was this because he was a recent convert, or was it customary around the hub of power? He glanced at other women present to compare.
Brettenwald wrote:"Thank you, Secretary, it's a pleasure to meet you." Economic ties aside Brettenwald had tended to prefer interaction with Mareyland, as it did with the vast majority of the world, on its own terms. Not as insult, of course, but as part of a generally cautious approach to foreign cultures that put order and native traditions above undue shocks to the Brettain population at large.
"This may be a somewhat premature question, but will the Prophet be meeting with us at any point? I may subscribe to a decidedly different interpretation of Christianity, but I still have an academic sort of interest, curiosity, whatever you like regarding the New Saints Church", the Duke asked after a short time during the car ride.
by Beric » Mon Dec 05, 2022 6:06 am
Vandellia wrote:"Excuse me?"
The couple that approached Jack were a study in contrasts. The man was shorter than the woman, and seemed to be quite nervous. He had short, curly blond hair and large blue eyes. He was holding a glass of cider with a napkin in his hand, as if he was trying to avoid getting any condensation on his skin. The woman, on the other hand, was a tall, striking beauty with fiery red hair and green eyes the same color as her well filled-out dress. She was smiling eagerly at the foreigners.
"Jeremy Patchrett," the man said. "This is my wife, Celine. We were curious about the country you come from."
"Beric," Celine interjected. "Is it far from here? What is it like? I've never heard of it before."
by Vandellia » Sat Dec 10, 2022 11:04 am
Beric wrote:"Jack Lestor and pleasure to make your acquaintance. And I don’t blame you. Why if our size didn’t keep us off your radar our politics certainly would have. But, truly it is a lovely country where the mountains meet the sea in the Western most North Atlantic.
I dare say we are not known as the most cosmopolitan and those who know of us, do because they holiday there. Natural beauty is something we hold dear. Something I was pleased to see Vandellia has much of. Are you both from Vandellia originally?"
by Beric » Sun Dec 11, 2022 1:14 pm
Vandellia wrote:Snip
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