Whitemount
23-04-2006, 10:27
Formal greetings to the established nations of the world from the Republic of Whitemount. On this day, the Unteenth of No-Never, our Republic has formally come into existence from a previously unclaimed wilderness of fractured communities. We would like to extend the olive branch to every nation in turn; we are small and new, but willing and eager to commit our resources into healthy business and trade with our neighbors, for mutual benefit.
About ourselves:
History/Culture of Whitemount:
Our republic takes its name from the towering, snow-blanketed mountain overlooking our capital city of Belledandytown. Amidst an expanse of virgin forest at the foot of this mountain, Belledandytown was the first settlement established in the mid-16th Century by English-speaking colonists. Other early settlements include Plumsdale and Dustford. Although largely autonomous, each city had good relations with a focus on trade and industry.
The odd savage incursion or land dispute between neighboring towns aside, Whitemount's history has been mostly peaceful. The communities are characterised by a strong conservative, homogenous character and a focus on private business. The population is almost totally Caucasian, from an Anglo/Norman or Germanic background.
Whitemount was unified not by political or social revolution, but pure economic interest. Several companies had risen to dominance over their particular parcel of land, which was resulting in stagnation and a flagging local economy. The Boards of these groups met in what Whitemount's history books refer to as the "Unification Summit," and agreed that to create a competitive atmosphere of economic growth, the dispirate towns should politically unify. The nobility of this action--where the Barons of Business chose the gain of the whole over their personal gain--is ironically lauded by Whitemountians despite their anti-charity attitudes.
Interestingly, Whitemountians do not practice the traditional Abrahamic monotheism typical to Euro-descended cultures, but have retained older, polytheistic beliefs. Whitemount venerates a pantheon of no less than 111 deities, of varying spheres of influence and interests. Each deity has its own distinct body of clergy, with some being more affluent and prominant than (many) others.
The culture of Whitemount is geared towards a strong business ethic and religious character, and does not see the two as mutually exclusive. In fact, the Churches of Whitemount are considered businesses, with the "Religion Industry" focused on material profits as much as any Telecom Company or Production Plant. Supplicants are expected to donate offerings ("pledges") of cash with each prayer, with profits trickling up the pyramidal hirearchy of each Church. In fact, "mergers" between churches are not unknown. There are 111 Gods in Whitemount but there used to be 120.
Government influence in Whitemount is very small. It is mostly considered an entity separate from social affairs, and rather dedicated to national defense and policework. The military and police of Whitemount are not privatised, although they rely heavily on corporate backers. This has given certain Corporations a strong leeway with the law, while at the same time jumping through hoops to get their latest weapon design approved by the military.
Whitemount's constitution is largely set up in the traditional model of a Democratic Republic. (Instead of a "President," however, there is an "Executive Officer," and in place of Congress a "Board of Trustees.") However, the Right to Freedom of Speech and Assembly only applies to Corporations that produce an Annual Profit. The idea of a Nonprofit Organization is not only illogical to Whitemountians, it is obscene and immoral.
Likewhise, Freedom of Religion is somewhat less observed than the average nation. This is not normally a problem in such a strongly homogenous society, where minorities hardly exist. Whitemount defines itself as a "Republic of Faith," and the traditional Pantheon is backed by the government, and in turn the government is regularly funded by Church donations.
Whitemountians are not a militaristic people, though they have legalized private gun ownership and take a hard stance against domestic crime. They much prefer dialogue to war, and would rather strike a mutually beneficial partnership than dominate relations. Insofar as "national character" can be typed, the average Whitemountian is an amicable and friendly--if prudish--individual. They have little use for "fancy speech," and tend to be plainspoken, if blustery and perhaps longwinded. (It has been said "Whitemounts love to talk. And talk, and talk.")
National Energy Supply is also a private industry, and Whitemountians have little respect for their natural environment. They long ago converted what was once a temperate forest region into arid (cold) desert through over-deforestation and irresponsible agriculture. Since then they have shifted away from agriculture almost entirely into the communications industry, but such damage was done that the natural environment of Whitemount has not recovered. Only the hardiest (and ugliest) trees now dot its plains.
Energy is primarily supplied by Nuclear Plants. Characteristically headstrong, Whitemountians are not intimidated by the threat of meltdown, and tend to be lackadaisical about the large supplies of nuclear waste stored in remote reaches of their High Desert. There has not been a major breakdown in the half-dozen plants dotting the small country, but the implimentation of nuclear power is only forty years old at this date.
One natural curiosity about the environment of Whitemount is its beastiary of predatorial lifeforms unlike anything seen elsewhere. Typically dwelling in the remoter regions of arid desert or a remaining stand of forest, or perhaps at the bottom of a lake, these beasts defy any description other than "Lovecraftian." Death by Tentacled Horror is the #3 cause of unnatural death amongst Whitemountian males under the age of 30, as young men often tempt fate by trying to hunt these abominations. It has been observed that gazing upon these creatures directly often causes madness amongst human beings.
International Relations
Whitemount is willing and eager to accept delegations into its capital city from any interested nations. They are particularly keene to establish trading treaties and export their own businesses to neighboring states, in the spirit of mutual benefit, healthy competition, and expansion.
((If you want to place an Embassy in Whitemount--and why wouldn't you?--just post in this thread. We'll send one of our own in turn, and with each nation we establish diplomatic relations with, we'll be looking to draw up some kind of trading deal, to give you whatever you don't have (or at least want more of.) Thanks in advance!))
About ourselves:
History/Culture of Whitemount:
Our republic takes its name from the towering, snow-blanketed mountain overlooking our capital city of Belledandytown. Amidst an expanse of virgin forest at the foot of this mountain, Belledandytown was the first settlement established in the mid-16th Century by English-speaking colonists. Other early settlements include Plumsdale and Dustford. Although largely autonomous, each city had good relations with a focus on trade and industry.
The odd savage incursion or land dispute between neighboring towns aside, Whitemount's history has been mostly peaceful. The communities are characterised by a strong conservative, homogenous character and a focus on private business. The population is almost totally Caucasian, from an Anglo/Norman or Germanic background.
Whitemount was unified not by political or social revolution, but pure economic interest. Several companies had risen to dominance over their particular parcel of land, which was resulting in stagnation and a flagging local economy. The Boards of these groups met in what Whitemount's history books refer to as the "Unification Summit," and agreed that to create a competitive atmosphere of economic growth, the dispirate towns should politically unify. The nobility of this action--where the Barons of Business chose the gain of the whole over their personal gain--is ironically lauded by Whitemountians despite their anti-charity attitudes.
Interestingly, Whitemountians do not practice the traditional Abrahamic monotheism typical to Euro-descended cultures, but have retained older, polytheistic beliefs. Whitemount venerates a pantheon of no less than 111 deities, of varying spheres of influence and interests. Each deity has its own distinct body of clergy, with some being more affluent and prominant than (many) others.
The culture of Whitemount is geared towards a strong business ethic and religious character, and does not see the two as mutually exclusive. In fact, the Churches of Whitemount are considered businesses, with the "Religion Industry" focused on material profits as much as any Telecom Company or Production Plant. Supplicants are expected to donate offerings ("pledges") of cash with each prayer, with profits trickling up the pyramidal hirearchy of each Church. In fact, "mergers" between churches are not unknown. There are 111 Gods in Whitemount but there used to be 120.
Government influence in Whitemount is very small. It is mostly considered an entity separate from social affairs, and rather dedicated to national defense and policework. The military and police of Whitemount are not privatised, although they rely heavily on corporate backers. This has given certain Corporations a strong leeway with the law, while at the same time jumping through hoops to get their latest weapon design approved by the military.
Whitemount's constitution is largely set up in the traditional model of a Democratic Republic. (Instead of a "President," however, there is an "Executive Officer," and in place of Congress a "Board of Trustees.") However, the Right to Freedom of Speech and Assembly only applies to Corporations that produce an Annual Profit. The idea of a Nonprofit Organization is not only illogical to Whitemountians, it is obscene and immoral.
Likewhise, Freedom of Religion is somewhat less observed than the average nation. This is not normally a problem in such a strongly homogenous society, where minorities hardly exist. Whitemount defines itself as a "Republic of Faith," and the traditional Pantheon is backed by the government, and in turn the government is regularly funded by Church donations.
Whitemountians are not a militaristic people, though they have legalized private gun ownership and take a hard stance against domestic crime. They much prefer dialogue to war, and would rather strike a mutually beneficial partnership than dominate relations. Insofar as "national character" can be typed, the average Whitemountian is an amicable and friendly--if prudish--individual. They have little use for "fancy speech," and tend to be plainspoken, if blustery and perhaps longwinded. (It has been said "Whitemounts love to talk. And talk, and talk.")
National Energy Supply is also a private industry, and Whitemountians have little respect for their natural environment. They long ago converted what was once a temperate forest region into arid (cold) desert through over-deforestation and irresponsible agriculture. Since then they have shifted away from agriculture almost entirely into the communications industry, but such damage was done that the natural environment of Whitemount has not recovered. Only the hardiest (and ugliest) trees now dot its plains.
Energy is primarily supplied by Nuclear Plants. Characteristically headstrong, Whitemountians are not intimidated by the threat of meltdown, and tend to be lackadaisical about the large supplies of nuclear waste stored in remote reaches of their High Desert. There has not been a major breakdown in the half-dozen plants dotting the small country, but the implimentation of nuclear power is only forty years old at this date.
One natural curiosity about the environment of Whitemount is its beastiary of predatorial lifeforms unlike anything seen elsewhere. Typically dwelling in the remoter regions of arid desert or a remaining stand of forest, or perhaps at the bottom of a lake, these beasts defy any description other than "Lovecraftian." Death by Tentacled Horror is the #3 cause of unnatural death amongst Whitemountian males under the age of 30, as young men often tempt fate by trying to hunt these abominations. It has been observed that gazing upon these creatures directly often causes madness amongst human beings.
International Relations
Whitemount is willing and eager to accept delegations into its capital city from any interested nations. They are particularly keene to establish trading treaties and export their own businesses to neighboring states, in the spirit of mutual benefit, healthy competition, and expansion.
((If you want to place an Embassy in Whitemount--and why wouldn't you?--just post in this thread. We'll send one of our own in turn, and with each nation we establish diplomatic relations with, we'll be looking to draw up some kind of trading deal, to give you whatever you don't have (or at least want more of.) Thanks in advance!))