NationStates Jolt Archive

Lying in Eastern Europe, The Holy Republic of Hortulus purports to be one of the oldest republics on earth, though in truth it has spent much of its life "under ground".

The Pontiff and Court Of The Republic are even now negotiating the precise borders of the modern state, with a view to securing territory of perhaps a few dozen square kilometers.

In this little area there exists a population recently listed as comprising 52,407 individuals of primarily western European and Slavic extraction.

The population is a very proud one, interested mainly in preserving their heritage, eating well, and showing off to tourists- provided that they stay out of the sleepy native quarter.

A midday siesta is often observed in spite of the fairly indifferent climate, a habit that perhaps says much about the national temperament.

Vines creep across the limited countryside, and the little towns (all but one) are quite over-run by swallows, which often find their way into liqueur-laden cooking pots.

In addition to engaging in retail and restoring furniture, the people are surprised to learn that they apparently mine uranium in some significant quantity. It is suspected by some observers that this is done simply to get rid of the stuff, or else as a byproduct of the many archeological efforts afoot.

As the Pontiff is protected from pollution by the outside, the republic's first communiqué in God knows how long was delivered by the Court Of The Republic.

It stated simply that, "Erm, hello!" ..Well done the Court Of The Republic.

As a foot note, the republic is interested in establishing something of a Swiss Guard like institution for the protection of the republic's Pontiff. His faith, as the nation's, is another regional take on the vaguely Christian line, including its own share of legends and local saints along the way.

Of course there is no question of hiring mercenaries, as such. The republic would seek converts to the local faith who are willing either to relocate, or else "migrate" on some sort of rotational basis. They would parade about a lot for the benefit of tourists, take part in the odd ceremony, and so forth.

(I'm not sure that having a couple of dozen ceremonial guards in an insignificant foreign nation appeals to anyone.. but.. why not, eh?)

The Roanians might send Inquisitors, if the exact beliefs of the nation could be explained further.

OOC: The Roanian Guard. I like it.

The Roanians are heretics of the foulest form!

-Pope Indolence I, from his bomb shelter in Cyro.

The Roanians are heretics of the foulest form!

-Pope Indolence I, from his bomb shelter in Cyro.

"We'll get that heretic yet, Cardinal. Don't worry, and stop throwing knives!"

~Recently heard in the Pana Sophia

Inquisitors of the horack faction

the emperor is god!!!!- horack founder of the horack faction

(Being as it's all brand shiny new, I haven't come up with all that many details yet, so much as a general concept of the nation's character)

The Hortulun faith has in its long history been influenced by a great many sweeping changes across Europe. Along the way it has acquired its fair share of fantastical myths -demons and angels, heroes and monsters- much of the faith is folklaw before Church law.

However, the Pontiff in his own little world is influenced significantly by Rome's Pope, and the Church is enthusastic about the pomp and splendor of many Roman Catholic cathedrals and European Protestant royal palaces. Early on the republic absorbed some Jewish influence and has a minority Jewish-extract population, though their faith is by now just a marginal variation on the national norm, including a few different heroes and villains here and there, and emphasising a few events more or less than others.

The Court Of The Republic, on the Pontiff's wisdom, will attempt to address any more specific questions as desired.

"We'll get that heretic yet, Cardinal. Don't worry, and stop throwing knives!"

~Recently heard in the Pana Sophia

Not if we get him first.

-Francis Crabtree, Chief of Police in Cyro and Vice President of the National Socialist Worker's Party of Dyelli Beybi.

http://www.nationstates.net/images/flags/uploads/dyelli_beybi.jpg

The Rogue Nation of Metzenerstein sends welcome to Hortulus, and extends hope of future peaceful interactions.

Hortulus returns Metzengerstein's greeting, and thanks them for refraining from ..threatening to kill any note worthy religious figureheads in the process of that introduction.

Der Angst, The Manor:

While dawn tries to bring sunlight upon DA (Of course, due to the enourmous clouds of chemical waste above the nation, the light naturally fails), Althena sits in her bureau, pondering... stuff.

Mhm... whats that? Never heard of this nation... Hortulus... of Christian faith...

She ponders again, thinks about Griffith reaction when she sends a few soldats- officers as ceremonial guards to Hortulus...

Heck, he would explode. Heretic atheist he is.

She smiles at the thought, and writes the letter:

From: Soldats, DA
To: Hortulus
Subject: Welcome

"We heard of your... return to the world from years of... isolation, and wish to welcome you to this wonderful... well, i admit, more nasty than wonderful... world.

Regarding your thought of a small 'exchange program', we would be more than honoured to send in a few of our people to learn from your faith, for the greater understanding of christianity."

Sincerely,

Althena

[ooc: Whoever wonders why an militant atheist nation like DA does something olike this has no idea of soldats history (no wonder, never explained it... yet) and should check the fact that this is a soldats offer, not a DA offer. Thank you very much.]

The Hortulun Court Of The Republic, having finally got its act together (or close enough, at least), replied to the DA Soldats, confirming that they would be welcome to make an official visit, or else arrive freely in unofficial capacity- after all, it was hoped that tourism would continue to provide an important local industry.
(With a national GDP in the area of just 2/3 billion US dollars, foreign currency was always going to be welcome)

It did appear that there was some interest in the tiny Holy Republic, and hopes were high for increased trade, tourism, and a Pontiffal Guard.


(Heh, I know.. I just couldn't resist the word "Pointiffal")

Well, since we are both christian, may I send several Bishops to spread the Neonic Orthadox Christianity Religion? It is based around the teachings of Coran, who interpreted what Our lord, and our savior have tried to teach us.

The Neonic Religion expresses freedom and equality. It also emphasizes the defense of Life, freedom, equality, and so forth.

A current Inquisistion, started by our current Patriarch, Paul Hope, is purging Neo Earth of all "blood" heretics. That is, ones who's religion orders them to kill inoccents.

The Neonic Religion already is the main religion in 12 nations that are not colonies nor puppets of Neo Earth.

We do not believe in "ever-lasting" hell. For whatever crimes you have commited, you serve a lifetime in hell. Then you are allowed into heaven, after you have been "purified."

Here is the discription of our religion from my website:

The Neonic Orthadox Christion religion is a religion that promotes Love, Life, Freedom, and the defense of it. It states that "all people deserve freedom, no matter their race, age, sex, sexual prefrences, etc."..."and to keep this freedom alive, it must be defended, no matter the method"..."the defense of life and freedom in the name of god is a ticket to heaven"..."however, no man can get to heaven for the murder of a being that did not commit any act."

This says that as long as we fight clean wars in the name of Life, Freedom, and God, we can all go to heaven. However, the bible also states:"the use of any of these true rights and powers as a weapon for anything offensive is a sin, a sin of the highest kind." In other words, if we try to use religion as a reason to invade, we are doomed.

The Roanians are heretics of the foulest form!

-Pope Indolence I, from his bomb shelter in Cyro.

Is that old antipope still around?

~Queen Seria

Hortulus Inquirer: Hortulun Defence Volunteers seek assistance

The Holy Republic, as yet still working on establishment of a small Pontiffal Guard to be drawn from a foreign nation or nations, presently relies, for at least token defence, upon the Hortulun Defence Volunteers.

From the nation's 52,407 registered nationals a force of approximately eighty effectives is drawn on a volunteer basis- thankfully there are usually between ninety and two hundred willing volunteers, so room exists for a selection process of some small merit.

Much of the support network behind the HDV force is provided by proud families of volunteers, with units often going round to Pedro's mum's house for pasta bake after drill. Uniforms are generally provided at cut rates, if not donated, by local tailors, and the Commondant's staff car is on loan from the nation's foremost show room.

With a GDP estimated at less than 2/3rd billion US dollars per annum, the military budget stipulates that spending is, "in times of peace, not to exceed $5,031,072, without Pontiffal or Republican Court blessing".

Usually this figure is not approached, and funds remaining at the end of the year are variously given as bonuses to the best performing volunteers and officers, put towards national Christmas and/or new year celebrations, or donated to charities.

This year, however, the Court Of The Republic has decided to update the HDV force's fighting potential by acquiring modern arms. They would like to do as much as possible with the $5,031,072, but are prepared to grant a one-off budget increase towards new equipment.

With 80 effectives and a police force of 700 odd, priority is to equip the 80 with modern assault rifles, pistols, sub machineguns, sniper rifles, and other trappings of an infantry unit. There is some debate over aquiring vehicles, as it is suggested that the electric tram and a few bicycles might not be the best way to respond to an invasion across town.

A reserve armament sufficient to equip a battalion of some 800 men is a secondary priority, as it is assumed that in the event of crisis, the police force would behave as a supporting military formation, backing up HDV operations.

In short- the Holy Republic seeks purchase of some light defensive armaments (in truth we would probably not resist invasion, deeming it a lost cause, but the principle is important, and there's always potential for anti-terror operations or other security measures).

Representatives of the Neonic Orthadox Christion Church would indeed be welcome in Hortulus. The faith sounds quite civil and agreeable to Hortulun culture.

If the Holy Republic were ever to make it official, it would of course be a regional variation on the main theme, as much of our religious folklaw is quite ingrained and held dear.

-The Court Of The Holy Republic.

Of course. The main variation of The Neonic Religion is that of Neo Moons (my frined; couldn't think of a name, so sorta copied mine). It is based around the whole "Defense" part.

Also, we are willing to donate 10,000 M16s to your budding nation.


OOC: Do you have your population of 5 million or the 50-something-thousand?

ooc:52,407 at the last census, and so it will remain roughly in that general area for generations at least.

ooc:52,407 at the last census, and so it will remain roughly in that general area for generations at least.

Ok then. that pretty much means that you are the smallest nation ever.

ooc:Hurrah! Sort of!
Oh, I think, I suppose I should have said, that since we're ever such a European nation, the people will probably look primarily to European means of defence- armaments, I mean. The sleepy little republic tends to think of the American way of doing things as a little too loud and over the top.
(Over the top? Time for a Pontiffal banquet at the ornate Church of Hortulus!)

"We'll get that heretic yet, Cardinal. Don't worry, and stop throwing knives!"

~Recently heard in the Pana Sophia

Not if we get him first.

-Francis Crabtree, Chief of Police in Cyro and Vice President of the National Socialist Worker's Party of Dyelli Beybi.

http://www.nationstates.net/images/flags/uploads/dyelli_beybi.jpg

"GAH! That's even worse!"

"Holy tiny republics, Batman! Hortulus is the second most politically free nation in Eastern Europe on the day of its first ever inclusion in a UN report!"

-Unknown member of the Court Of The Republic.

[Bump with a note to clarify that the last exceptionally long-winded post detailed Hortulus' search for light armaments for its volunteer defence and police force, suitable for use in the tiny European republic- all but a city state.
And we're still interested in generally making more ties, promoting some sort of international interest, and eventually establishing a foreign-staffed ceremonial Pontiffal Guard].

Aw.. the novelty of a nation 100 times smaller than the shiniest newbie has worn off already?
Blast! There goes the tourism sector.
How about if we establish a race- sprint across Hortulus in under five minutes, win a trip to the Pontiff's grotto?
No?

Time to catch us some swallows* then. We'll be fine. Really, see if we care.


*European, of course, 's much easier when they're in pairs with honking great coconuts to net.

(OOC)Well I'm still watching to see what goes on here. I would be becoming involved but unfortunately my country is in civil war...

Ah, that's quite alright- and it gives me an excuse to subtly bump the topic without posting directly after myself once more!

In fact, I think it's factbook time!