Bzan
22-02-2007, 22:26
((OOC: Just a quick foreword - in the highly unlikely event you are unaware: yep, I'm new here. The "The Wide World of Diplomacy" thread convinced me this is a good starting post, so here it is. Open to all, I recommend if you join you first write a reply to the letter and then [either in the same or a following post] post the arrival. Enjoy!))
TO: <recieving nation name>'s Appropiate Official
FROM: Illan Aya of Bzan
SUBJECT: An Invitation
A thousand blessings of honour and happiness, <name>!
My name is Illan Aya - I am the Imperial Minister of Foreign Affairs for the Empire of Bzan. I doubt you are familiar with our nation or people, and if not we forigve your ignorance. We are a tiny nation that has only recently emerged from a long period of isolation, during which we have only contacted the outside world enough for our technological and internal commerical survival.
As a result of our recent emergence into the world, it is the decision of his Imperial Majesty that an invitation should be extended to the nation's of the world to attend a great feast within the halls of the Imperial Palace itself. Although this may not seem like much, to be admitted into the Palace is a great honour in our culture. The Emperor and his Regent hopes you will not decline his other.
May the wind carry your response swiftly to his ears,
A thousand blessings!
Illan Aya
Imperial Foreign Minister
Empire of Bzan
Ministry of External Affairs
***
Emperor Hijzan I lowered the letter to the desk before him, satisfied with what he had just read. He placed it upon the polished wooden surface and released his hand from it, observing for a moment as the top of the letter curled backwards from being folded so much.
"You approve, your majesty?" Imperial Regent Jinhow asked nervously. Despite the contents of the letter, it had been difficult to persuade Hijzan to make the leap into the huge world that surrounded the small nation. The Emperor remained motionless for a minute or two before delivering his verdict.
"I approve. Dispatch the letters at once." he replied at last, talking in his usual quiet tone. Jinhow bowed respectfuly to his superior before taking the letter from the desk and scurrying from the room.
***
The Great Hall was full of activity. Servants scurried here and there making last minute adjustments to the arangements as Princess Hyla requested. The Great Hall was truly an impressive sight now - ofcourse, it always was, but the Emperor had spared no expense in preparing for the arrival of the foreign guests.
The hall had a ceiling roughly four times the height of the average man Bzanian man (5ft 4inches average height). The ceiling was pointed like the roof of a house, but instead of being perfectly straight, it sloped down and outwards. Four huge metal chandeliers hung from the ceiling, each with twelve large paper lamps dangling down from them. Within each lamp was a large burning candle - the Great Hall was close to the center of the Palace, and had no windows, so lighting was essential. The cieling itself was a giant painting of a huge, red Eagle - the banner of the Emperor - which was carefuly detailed.
A large, wooden table spanned the lenght of the room, with enough seating for twenty four individual guests. Crockery and cutlery had been laid out across the table, ready for meals to be served. Past the head of the table, towards the end of the room, was a large wooden throne on a raised platform. It was not actually seated at the table, but several feet away from it. Infront of the chair was a very short table, barely higher than half-way up the bottom leg. Between the chair and the table was a rich red cushion, on which the Emperor would kneel when dining. The layout was designed so that the Emperor could show respect to his guests, whilst still showing to them that he was their superior within the Palace. At the head of the actual main table was an ordinary chair for the Imperial Regent.
A loud banging noise suddenly echoed throughout the hall, as a small side door close to the Emperor's chair was flung open. The activity in the room drew to a sudden halt as the figure of Hijzan I emerged from the small corridor the door led to. Everyone in the room bowed as he approached his chair dressed in rich red and yellow ceremonial robes. The Imperial Regent Jinhow followed behind him. Only once the Emperor had sat down upon his seat did the servants raise from their bow and resume their duties.
Within a few minutes the final details were added and the army of servants had fled the room. The richly decorated doors slowly drew open, and a well-dressed man enterred along with two richly dressed servants. The two servants were carrying a series of of triangular posts made from metal, upon which the names of the delegates were carved. When the guests entered one by one, the man would introduce them and a servant would hand them the post to place infront of their seating in order to avoid confusion with names.
In the courtyard of the Imperial Palace, a series of cars drew up. One car for each delegate from any nation. Once the first delegate had left the car, s/he would be led by a servant towards the great hall, be announced and take a seat of their choice. The proceedure would be repeated with each delegate, untill all of them were inside. In the kitchen, the menu was ready to be served in a classical Bzanite fashion: the main course would first be served, followed by a traditional sauce wrapped in a tender slice of meat and then finaly desert.
Hijzan and Jinhow braced themselves. The success or failure of this night could mean the rise or fall of the Empire of Bzan.
((OOC: Not too good is it? Anyway, I hope all who join enjoy. If you wish, you can simply come, but it would be preferable if you include your nation's official reply. Oh, and I promise, no more big OOC notes :P.))
TO: <recieving nation name>'s Appropiate Official
FROM: Illan Aya of Bzan
SUBJECT: An Invitation
A thousand blessings of honour and happiness, <name>!
My name is Illan Aya - I am the Imperial Minister of Foreign Affairs for the Empire of Bzan. I doubt you are familiar with our nation or people, and if not we forigve your ignorance. We are a tiny nation that has only recently emerged from a long period of isolation, during which we have only contacted the outside world enough for our technological and internal commerical survival.
As a result of our recent emergence into the world, it is the decision of his Imperial Majesty that an invitation should be extended to the nation's of the world to attend a great feast within the halls of the Imperial Palace itself. Although this may not seem like much, to be admitted into the Palace is a great honour in our culture. The Emperor and his Regent hopes you will not decline his other.
May the wind carry your response swiftly to his ears,
A thousand blessings!
Illan Aya
Imperial Foreign Minister
Empire of Bzan
Ministry of External Affairs
***
Emperor Hijzan I lowered the letter to the desk before him, satisfied with what he had just read. He placed it upon the polished wooden surface and released his hand from it, observing for a moment as the top of the letter curled backwards from being folded so much.
"You approve, your majesty?" Imperial Regent Jinhow asked nervously. Despite the contents of the letter, it had been difficult to persuade Hijzan to make the leap into the huge world that surrounded the small nation. The Emperor remained motionless for a minute or two before delivering his verdict.
"I approve. Dispatch the letters at once." he replied at last, talking in his usual quiet tone. Jinhow bowed respectfuly to his superior before taking the letter from the desk and scurrying from the room.
***
The Great Hall was full of activity. Servants scurried here and there making last minute adjustments to the arangements as Princess Hyla requested. The Great Hall was truly an impressive sight now - ofcourse, it always was, but the Emperor had spared no expense in preparing for the arrival of the foreign guests.
The hall had a ceiling roughly four times the height of the average man Bzanian man (5ft 4inches average height). The ceiling was pointed like the roof of a house, but instead of being perfectly straight, it sloped down and outwards. Four huge metal chandeliers hung from the ceiling, each with twelve large paper lamps dangling down from them. Within each lamp was a large burning candle - the Great Hall was close to the center of the Palace, and had no windows, so lighting was essential. The cieling itself was a giant painting of a huge, red Eagle - the banner of the Emperor - which was carefuly detailed.
A large, wooden table spanned the lenght of the room, with enough seating for twenty four individual guests. Crockery and cutlery had been laid out across the table, ready for meals to be served. Past the head of the table, towards the end of the room, was a large wooden throne on a raised platform. It was not actually seated at the table, but several feet away from it. Infront of the chair was a very short table, barely higher than half-way up the bottom leg. Between the chair and the table was a rich red cushion, on which the Emperor would kneel when dining. The layout was designed so that the Emperor could show respect to his guests, whilst still showing to them that he was their superior within the Palace. At the head of the actual main table was an ordinary chair for the Imperial Regent.
A loud banging noise suddenly echoed throughout the hall, as a small side door close to the Emperor's chair was flung open. The activity in the room drew to a sudden halt as the figure of Hijzan I emerged from the small corridor the door led to. Everyone in the room bowed as he approached his chair dressed in rich red and yellow ceremonial robes. The Imperial Regent Jinhow followed behind him. Only once the Emperor had sat down upon his seat did the servants raise from their bow and resume their duties.
Within a few minutes the final details were added and the army of servants had fled the room. The richly decorated doors slowly drew open, and a well-dressed man enterred along with two richly dressed servants. The two servants were carrying a series of of triangular posts made from metal, upon which the names of the delegates were carved. When the guests entered one by one, the man would introduce them and a servant would hand them the post to place infront of their seating in order to avoid confusion with names.
In the courtyard of the Imperial Palace, a series of cars drew up. One car for each delegate from any nation. Once the first delegate had left the car, s/he would be led by a servant towards the great hall, be announced and take a seat of their choice. The proceedure would be repeated with each delegate, untill all of them were inside. In the kitchen, the menu was ready to be served in a classical Bzanite fashion: the main course would first be served, followed by a traditional sauce wrapped in a tender slice of meat and then finaly desert.
Hijzan and Jinhow braced themselves. The success or failure of this night could mean the rise or fall of the Empire of Bzan.
((OOC: Not too good is it? Anyway, I hope all who join enjoy. If you wish, you can simply come, but it would be preferable if you include your nation's official reply. Oh, and I promise, no more big OOC notes :P.))