Coronation for new the High Pope(Open)

[Hobbiest Republic]

Obligatory OOC plug

This is open to allies of the country, if you wish to try to crash the coronation for some reason please TG me so you don't accidentally side step all of the contingencies in place which would give rise to godmodding accusations and retaliatory strikes.

You are considered invited if:
We've established an embassy in your country
You've established an embassy in my country
Our forces were allied in another RP

You can come as an 'unexpected' guest as long as:
You haven't engaged the Hobbiest Republic in an RP
You promise to behave yourself during your visit

Additionally I will have limited access for the next 3 days, so that should give everyone ample time to announce their representatives arriving. To note, if you are unfamiliar with my country, please read up on the Factbook linked under the spoiler labelled 'links' in my signature

The ceremony which is to be held at the Peak Monastery will be precluded by the ceremonies for the four most outstanding Platoons from the various theatres in which the Republic has recently won.

Captain Raal'Suul(Vorradian Intervention)
Cardinal Jeeves(Asbekistan Front)
General Weeping Heart(Flow of Misery)
Cardinal Jackson(Fanatic Rising)

The 100 distinguished men and women of the Glorious Theocratic Hobbiest Republican Empire will greet foreign dignitaries while in Dress uniform after being presented their medals for outstanding service to the Empire by none other than the High Pope Catherine herself.

The uniforms of the HRAF and Domestic Legionaires decorated for their outstanding performance is well... the same uniform. Heavy, thick, blue and green Trench coats with color coded garrison caps. each unit will be formed up into five by five squares along the primary promenade leading into the Monastery.

Impressions Celestia Origins
Deae Lunae

High Pope Catherine, addressing the 100.

" Our proud nation has survived its trial by fire. Not only that, but we have successfully aided our allies and avenged ourselves against those who would betray us. Each of your Platoons has performed admirably in the fields of combat and aid. It is my great honor to personally bestow upon you the highest decoration possible in our country. The Plague Mark. For you were such a bane to our enemies that they should flee from you to better survive your scouring strength." She began to pin the little black obsidian medals on the uniforms of her soldiers, continuing her speech. " Were it so that we could celebrate this time with our comrades, some of you were companies and battalions before making it to the peak. Now you are but a Platoon. 25 of the survivors of some of the most deadly conflicts to steal our people from us in these last two years."

" It's been an honor to serve." Raal'Suul said as she reached him.

" It has been an honor to be your leader, you have made this Republic proud with the restraint and conduct that saved tens of thousands of Vorradian lives."

" We'll do better next time. I will use all of my power to prepare us for another such eventuality." Cardinal Jackson said when she got to him.

" With any luck, there won't be a next time."

" Cardinal Valance should be here in my place Ma'am, She's the one that cared for the New Lesicans, not I." Cardinal Jeeves said solemnly.

" We all bled for that country Jeeves, even I. You will have to accept the honor on her behalf, and on the behalf of the Toms that went with her."

" High Pope, We did what had to be done. I don't take pride in it, but it happened, and the region is at peace now." General Weeping Heart said, bowing once the medal was affixed to her uniform.

Following the medal awarding ceremony There was a couple hours before the arrival of the rest of the House of Cardinals and another hour before the arrival of foreign delegations.

When the Cardinals from the various regions finally arrived, the five hundred seats which were set aside for the House to observe the coronation only emphasized the devastation caused by the abdication of High Pope Horn. With fewer than 170 Cardinals in attendance. There were many faces that the old Guard did not quite recognize and they were the newly appointed Cardinals which High Pope Catherine had ascended during the civil war. Tek-Nour, Ayllna, Silver Belladonna, Demetri Sukanov, Elaya Hurni, Maize, and Hergnal. Ahead of them was a rough road ahead, as regions had to find eligible candidates for ascension to fill the gaps left by rebellion and exile. These seats were off to the sides of the hall. Which resembled a rather wide version of the house of lords in MT England. With visitor and guest seating in the center facing the platform where the coronation speech would be given by Catherine.

The vestments of the office of High Pope were simple, a thicker mantle in relation to the Cardinals, as well as a simple silver circlet. This being the first transferal of power it was thought fitting that a new circlet be crafted to symbolize the new office in relation to the old one. This new one, which would be bestowed upon Catherine by the greatest smithy in the country had a more floral design, with a Rose Quartz gemstone crafted into the shape of a blooming rose in the center.

arrival_theme_for_delegates

[Hobbiest Republic]

Bartholomew Jones sat idly at his chair in the control tower for the Mary's Redoubt Air Force Base, where delegates not already here were expected to arrive.

" Sally, anything on radar?" He asked the other controller who was busily working at the radar terminal with fervor.

" If there was anything on radar I would've told you, no one has come yet so put your mouth to rest and let me do the thinking for the both of us before you strain something." She snapped at him, preoccupied with the air patrols and murmuring flight instructions to the units in charge of security for the event. It was a unique and busy time for the Air Controllers. Sally alone was in charge of keeping two Witch training Squadrons, four Pegasus flights, and several of the LY909's that the Republic had purchased to replace the aging and inadequate fleet of F-15L and F-15s. There was all of this to keep track of in her quadrant as well as the fly overs of the Aries units which had been repaired for service over the Capital since the IFF suppression in the early days of the war.

" I'm sorry, not all of us can opt for implants you know." Bart said leaning back in his chair to watch his co-worker whose hands were a blur of activity and her mouth moving without speaking to him.

" I know, it's just that all of the augments are required to be working at full capacity with all of the activity expected as well as the civilian diplomatic flights expected. I have to approve the flight paths dynamically as well as keep an eye out for their planes. Your queries don't exactly lessen my loads either."

" I traded three days worth of pay to get this shift. So I really hope some fancy pants dignitaries show up soon." Bart explained.

" I'm giving the radar my full attention, and your constant interruptions only increase the odds that I will miss any arrivals. So shut up and let me work." she retorted.

[Hobbiest Republic]

Upon the nationwide announcement of the Coronation, all along the road from Bronyville to St. Craftian, towns brought out their corrupted that they'd accepted from the Greater Pony Herd. Anyone over 18 who'd been found guilty of Corruption was lined up for the funeral processions of the valiant dead. 21 were executed at a time in sets of 7. Parents and children were separated, the townspeople were gentle enough to explain to the children why their parents had to die.

" To a Hobbiest giving up your weapons is tantamount to sacrilege in any other country. If you are unwilling to take the defense of your life and kin into your own hands you do not deserve life. These people did not just surrender. Surrender implies honor. They were worse than that. We are held to a higher standard than the foreigners. Your parents knew the consequences, but still imposed upon our honored guests, sent to help us against the rebellion. They became parasites, feeding on the healthy, unwilling to take responsibility for their actions. We spare your lives so that you can learn from their errors. Know that if you follow their example, the same fate will befall you." A chaplain told the children as their parents were executed.

Throughout the Republic as the various celebrations were held, so were thousands of funerals for the honored dead who gave their lives so that the Republic would not fall under the shadow of political ideologies, and so that the Shadow Emperor would not hold dominion over them. Memorials were being constructed at the various battle sites, where heroes were made and legends were born.

Funeral Dirge

[Urmanian]

The Herd passage diplomatic passage passed through the bustling streets of St. Craftian. The choice of vehicles was quite peculiar: instead of limousines one would expect from your average diplomatic passage the Herdites have arrived in APCs, straight from the front lines. But one wouldn't expect Hobbiests to pay much attention to the heavily armed escort, of course, after all being heavily armed was the norm of life in the Republic and that was all the more apparent in the city of St.Craftian today as thousands of people of all species left their homes to celebrate on the streets, every single of them armed, many carrying a squad worth of weapons and equipment on themselves.

Morning Star wiped off the sweat off his forehead, his horn glowing faintly as he used his specialty weather control spell to cool up the hot, humid air around him. The grey unicorn looked up at the overcast, cloud-filled grey skies as several powerful fireworks exploded into beautiful crackling flowers above him. The APC the Chancellor was riding towards the Peak Monastery soon entered a winding mountain path and, after some time, was on the eponymous peak together with the rest of the passage. Morning Star jumped off the vehicle, brushed his mane and dusted himself off before heading towards the monastery building.

[Hobbiest Republic]

Morning Star was greeted by a couple of Initiates at the gates, who in turn led the delegate into the courtyard, where four platoons saluted and the proverbial 'red carpet' showed the way into the Convening chambers of the House of Cardinals within the Monastery. High Pope Catherine was just inside of the walls of the Monastery greeting the delegates as they arrived.

" So good to see you Chancellor Morning Star, I am sorry about the weather, it is a day of rest for all, even our valiant Pegasi in Wyndholt." She said, gesturing to the cloud city which remained high above the mountain.

" We're very happy that the Herd has seen fit to take us under its wing. But with all of this help you've given us... I am sorry, this isn't exactly the time or place to speak business. Thank you for coming to my coronation ceremony, the initiates will show you to your seating. We'll begin once the other ambassadors have arrived." Catherine said, offering to shake Morning Star's hoof.

The Monastery was a massive structure dug into the peak and had replaced the peak itself. The courtyards were wide and expansive, and despite its designation as a monastery, in the non-event sections, one could see exercises taking place where trainees were being instructed in hand to hand combat. The walls were patrolled by the HRAF Regiment loyal to Catherine, as it stood, the Cardinals in attendance were not wearing their distinctive armors and were simply wearing the robes of their office with their ceremonial pistols.

Catherine herself appeared not to be armed, but it could easily be surmised that the weapons were concealed for the sake of appearances.

OOC: The immense amount of aid is of no small concern to her atm so it made sense that she'd be distracted. Very few cardinals have diplomatic experience. And as such would probably want to see about 'repaying' the GPH for their kindness.

[Urmanian]

Morning Star slightly bowed his head and smiled as he shook the High Pope's hand. The ponies that stood beside the Chancellor, the commanders that have excelled during the campaign, among them Jack Hoof, who successfully led his company in the siege of both St. Craftian and Pulalni and was promoted to Major for his exploits, and Inquisitor Tomes Torque, who was overseeing the anti-slaver operations as well as humanitarian aid during the river poisoning and the deployment in Lesser Asbekistan, have bowed to the Pope as well.

"Thank you, Your Holiness." - the grey unicorn spoke. - "Aiding the Republic in the time of need was but just our humble moral duty, and we thank your for the warm reception."

Morning Star slightly bowed again and nodded his head to the initiates so they would show him and his posse to the seating.

[Hobbiest Republic]

Morning Star was seated near the front of the guest seating, the other ambassadors who'd been requested to attend sat behind him in general. Once everyone was seated, Catherine made an announcement.

" To all of our honored veterans I extend this unique opportunity. If you wish, you may join the House of Cardinals, we have need of your caliber of individual working alongside us, towards a more efficient and safe Republic."

It was shortly after this announcement which brought several of the attending veterans inside that the Smith appeared. On top of a embroidered pillow was the crown, a silver circlet with a rose quartz stone in the center carved into the shape of a rose and mounted in the center. The procession advanced with a measured pace. The smith was flanked by his four apprentices.

Smith Approaches

He gave the High Pope a curt nod before placing the circlet upon her head. Standing on equal footing with her at the top of the podium. The Coronation was broadcast for all to see throughout the Republic and recently conquered territories. The following address was to the

" As the High Pope Selected to lead the order of the Hobbiest Faith, I will continue to lead our troops and protect the rights and freedoms of our citizens. At home and abroad. As promised I will continue to oversee daily affairs in accordance with our laws and preserve the way we've fought so hard to keep. This week alone I will be swearing in 1,000 new Sheriffs and 100 Justicars. To restore order to the Republic and her Districts. I will need all of your help to rebuild this country. As it stands large swathes of the south have been depopulated. For those who seek to move, there is also the newly opened territories in former Lesser Asbekistan." High Pope Catherine announced.

" To our new citizens, I say, do not be afraid. We are not cruel rulers. But, we seek your understanding and cooperation. You know what violent oppression you faced in your homeland. Let us make you once more the masters of your own destinies. Embrace us, and we will make you stronger and freer than you were before. Before the oppression of the slavers and of the Prince." She continued.

[Urmanian]

The Herdite guests cheered with the rest as the coronation was completed and the new Pope made her speech. Tomes, Jack Hoof and other pony dignitaries shortly went to mingle and celebrate with the rest of the attendees. Morning Star just waited in his seat, smiling lightly as he clapped his hooves in applause with the rest after the speech and then just taking in the surroundings. It didn't seem like there was any other foreign dignitaries present, unfortunately unsurprisingly, but it made the invitation given to the Herd leadership even more of a honor.

After most of the formalities ended, Morning Star slowly rose from his seat and went to find the High Pope as she left the podium. Bowing slightly to Catherine as to attract her attention, he started speaking.

"High Popess, I prematurely ask for your forgiveness if you find what I am to say an unsavoury topic, but I can't help but to inquire as to the policies of your nation that have been raising brows back at Flankfurt." - the grey stallion said as he rose and adjusted his monocle. - "Of primary concern is the treatment of refugees we have witnessed, but also I would like to adress the more...questionable repopulation methods you have been employing. Now, I am not condemning your ways because I do understand in what state the Republic has been in and we still strive for friendship with the Hobbiest people, but still I would like to discuss these points and probably offer our hoof in helping you change or reverse the ambiguous policies so they would benefit you instead of irredeemably damaging your internal affairs and the international image in the long run. Please, tell me about the refugees and the repopulation programs."

[Hobbiest Republic]

Catherine approached Morning Star upon his small bow to hear him out. As he went on she grew slightly more confused, and attempted to keep it from showing on her face. Were the ways of the Hobbiest people different? Surely, but so much so as to damage their reputation?

" As you may or may not know, nearly 30 years ago our country was near extinction. It was shortly after the formation of the Empire that we enacted the '4 child' laws. And while we were aware that this would strain the reproductive capacity of eldar or reproductively compromised races, it was a necessary step in restoring us to our previous... wellness. In acknowledgment of the difficulties of producing these offspring, we used and manufactured cloning vats. When that could not completely fulfill our breeding requirements, we looked abroad to adopt and raise the unwanted children of other nations. When they would not give us what we needed, an order of battle sisters broke off from the main Order, forming the Sisterhood known as the Battle Mothers. They who cannot bear children and so must take them in battle. Before we turned to war in order to increase the lands and people we controlled our empire was a third of the size you see it at today. And when war could not fill the quotas we turned to less... honorable means of acquiring people. We bought children from slaver nations. Saving them from worse fates to be sure! It was after that, that we were able to meet our breeding requirements. This is the brief history of our breeding program, I myself have six children. It is something of an honor to have been able to excel at upholding the law. Now we are a bustling nation of nearly 300 million souls. What would you have me change Chancellor? compared to other countries we are still but fleas. You have helped us once, but against ourselves. What would happen if we were to anger a larger power? I do not think that we would survive it. And all we have striven for, all of our progress would be lost, and the slate wiped clean.

As for the refugees... 5 million of us were left at the end of 1984. The survivors agreed to the tenets laid down by our first leader, Richard Horn. To reside within the Republic, to continue being a citizen, you must submit yourself to be held to higher standards that the international community and citizens. No offense to the Herd, you are a strong and Verile people to be sure. But in order to live here, you must be a determined and willful person. We cannot afford to have those who would submit themselves to the mercies of strangers, and surrender their liberty. You may have heard the term... Corrupted. am I right? A term we use for those who've fallen from the path. In an ideal situation, it would be impossible to become 'corrupted' short of killing your bretheren. But these people who lay down their arms and decry their surrender, when none was asked for, or offered. are disgusting. They lack honor. At least those who were deported from the north had the sensibility to withdraw with dignity. Those southerners lacked the decency to do even that, they lingered, as a malignant entity upon our country. They shamed us before honored guests, your people. It is something everyone is taught from a very young age. To despise those who burden others without giving back. Or as you would call them, refugees. They were taught better than they behaved. Even immigrants are taught this during the citizenship process. There was no excuse for what they did, and I am sorry that you had to see it. Please, do not misunderstand though. We do not despise foreign refugees, how can anyone expect them to live to our standards? How can we possibly expect them to know what is honorable? The truth is that we cannot. And so we only hold our own citizens responsible for this crime." Catherine explained at length, her face neutral and patient throughout most of the explanation, much of the neutrality draining away as she discussed the corrupted, her face taking on the visage of deeply wounded sadness.

Even with the mantle of High Pope it was evident that she was terrified of this possibility, this specter of conflict always just out of sight. Even in being born years after the end of the terrible war that nearly wiped out her people, the underlying fear of annihilation was present and persisted in their military and cultural policies. If one tried to read her mind at this moment they'd hear a silent mental scream, "Never again." her mind cried out. And in its stressed state it lashed at one of the empty wooden chairs behind her, knocking it over. In the revelry of the festivities few noticed the movement of a solitary chair.

" What would you have us do? I am trying. I am trying to lead them to a better tomorrow the only way I know how. Paradise isn't given to you, you have to earn it. And sometimes I ask myself. Haven't we bled enough? I do not know what you will tell your people at... Flankfurt, but even I can see that we need friends. Whatever is to come, we will need friends. Even though our past may not permit us the luxury. It's all there for you to read, if your curiousity requests it. We've hidden nothing." She said, he cheerful facade crumbling as she opened up to Morning Star. Revealing more of her true emotional state.

After all, only months ago she'd been in command of a spare few thousand, and now she was to command millions, and lead them and their families to their better tomorrow.

[Urmanian]

"Well, three hundred million is more than respectable for a nation of your size. I am not saying that you should not seek to further increase your population, but now that the immediate threats to the Republic are no more and you are on your way to rebuilding you could abandon some of the policies?" - Morning Star said and nodded as he listened to the High Pope carefully, a compassionate look on his face. - "Buying slaves is what I would strongly recommend you to stop practicing as soon as possible. The practice of buying slaves to allow them freedom is often frowned upon because it fuels slaver economies and by buying freedom for thousands you can very well condemn thousands more to oppression, and not to mention that this could put you under the crossfires of the more...radical abolitionist states. Allaneans will not hesitate to attack your ships if they discover the transactions and nations like Libertarian Governance are known to take very harsh measures against those who simply visit slaver nations on tourist trips, thus fueling their economies. The four child laws, if I was you I would change them as well. What if you were to encourage and reward people for having many children or foals instead of punishing them for not having enough? Your culture already honors those with large families, and I do not think that would be that much of a change. The current law may attract ire of the international community, and fuel discontent. Those who don't want, or can't support four children may even go to such lenghts as to take up arms against you."

"The Corrupted as you call them, I will not touch this topic much as I understand it is a sensitive one for your culture and I do not grasp it fully, but I would suggest adopting lighter measures in dealing with them, as from what I've seen of them they do not pose any realistic threat to your state. Downtrodden and miserable, if I was you I would focus on their re-education, not extermination. Another point I would like to bring up are the child soldiers I and our soldiers have seen in the Republic, and while I fully understand they were unfortunately needed when your nation was war-torn I do not really see any point for them now as all threats to you have been terminated for the time being and you have acquired powerful allies who will help you in the time of need and so I would recommend to replace military service for children below eighteen years of age with mandatory military and survival education." - Morning Star stopped and took a breath after his long speech and smiled at Catherine. - "Again, I do not mean to insult Your Holiness, and we still value the friendship of your brave people and will continue to uphold our part of the Bronyville Treaty fully."

[Hobbiest Republic]

" We've faced the mercies of the Allaneans before. I nearly lost two Cardinals to them over the slightest misunderstanding. As for the Libertarian Governance we are not familiar with them. But should they decided to hold us responsible for the actions we've taken they will drown in their blood for their mistake. The first time we were offered surrender it was a lie. So we're not as like to back down from a threat. Although I see the reason you offer. We can breed easily enough, so we shall revoke the 4 child law, and prohibit the purchase of children. But now that we will not do that, the people's hearts will be moved to slaughter. It was a small comfort to think we were helping at least a few to liberty. Will the Herd march with us when that time comes? When the time comes that we must bite at the hands that gave us our children?" Catherine asked.

She moved a strand of her long dark hair behind her ear as she considered her next words carefully.

" We are not as hard a land as we once were, but it is still a hard land. Corrupted will die sooner or later if we do not dispatch them. But what you say is true, it is a complicated matter. As for the child soldiers... at 18 years, nearly half the population is under that mark. You would cut out the legion? Even if they shifted to survival and other courses, it would not change the years of experience that many have. I myself served for 6 years in the Legion before turning 18, I bore three of my children in that time. I take responsibility for my actions in that time, as do all of my friends and colleagues. I can raise the age for service to 14 years of age, and stop accepting applications from any who do not qualify two weeks from now. Would that satisfy your needs? I can see that for us to be accepted into the international community we will be forced to change some of our ways. I will explain this at length to the House of Cardinals on the morrow." She said struggling to come to terms with the Herd's requests. She'd give up nearly a quarter of her strength, never to see it again to keep an ally that had saved her throne.

She felt her strength gradually drain from her as she acquiesced to Morning Star's suggestions. Their tactic had been to amass a large army, but this reduction in force brought about another opportunity, to better fund what they'd have left.

[Urmanian]

"Oh no, do not take me wrong, I am not requesting or demanding, I am merely suggesting." - Morning Star smiled. - "Of course the Herd would march together with the Republic when the time comes to fight the slaver. We are interested in the Hobbiest Republic possessing a powerful military, but strength does not lie in numbers alone, and you could direct the funds you would otherwise spend on feeding millions of underage soldiers on equipping the rest better, and from what I have seen the Hobbiest military frankly is in a need of a modernization in some regards. The Herd will aid you with that as well, but I see that I begin to tire you"

The grey stallion bowed to Catherine again.

[Hobbiest Republic]

" Thank you for your suggestions. I think that I will retire momentarily to regain my strength, please help yourself to the the food. We have carrots, apples, muffins and cupcakes. As well as other things." Catherine said, nodding to Morning Star respectfully.

After that Catherine wandered to the edge of the room to sit in one of the Cardinal seats to regain her composure. Along the way a number of cardinals accosted her to congratulate her on her Ascendance formally. The spread of the food was generous and had a variety of racial cuisines were on the table and being enjoyed by the ambassadors and Cardinals. Cardinal Jackson saw the High Pope leave Morning Star's side and approached with his own plate.

" So you're the pony... unicorn they sent to help us. I have to say, your people fight well. It was an honor to be able to work with the Herd at eradicating the Cult. Even if I lost most of my men." He said offering Morning Star a cupcake.