Ataroa
04-10-2005, 22:56
Wednesday, Ataroa, 8 pm.
Ataroa, Ataroa!
The drum beats rose in volume as King Sjandar and Queen Lakashti made their way to the Royal Assembly.
Land of the azure wave
Every provincial representative in the room bowed with clasped hand as the monarchs, celebrating a fith year of rule, smiled and waved.
ATAROA, ATAROA!
The rulers reached the throne, sat down and waited for the popular patriotic song to end.
Freedommmmm is whatttttt weee CRAVEEEEEEEE!
The assembly exploded with applause as the tenor finished and bowed respectfully. It was a smart choice; a song sung by peasants under foreign rule in ancient times. A...connection with the common folk. It was something the monarchy no longer had.
The assembly was all a sham of course; little more than a glorified club. Ever since the king's father's death, and the resulting riots by the anti-monarchists, the little power the people had had slowly dwindled, along with their savings. Ever since those dark weeks at the beginning of Sjandat's reign, foreign companies and tourists had doubts about the country's stability. The king grew more and more paranoid, eventually banning international travel entirely except for state purposes. Of course, that didn't stop the many defectors who escaped by overcrowded vessels every year, although storms at sea often did.
In the capital, Sdarjata, vast shanty towns had sprung up, crammed with destitute farmers looking for work. In 5 years, unemployment had gone from 4 to 20 percent. The poor were starving, the middle class (or what was left of it) were voiceless and the rich feared the masses. Riots had broken out in many towns, and fashionable town houses were often the first burnt. As such, most big employers packed up their bags, paid a hefty bribe and simply left.
In short, Ataroa was a country in shambles. Soon it would be anarchy as well.
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At about 2 AM, the king decided to retire to his bedchambers. Rising grandly from his throne, he made his way out of the room, accompanied by his entourage. About halfway down the hall, a boom was heard behind them. In seconds the throne room was engulfed in flames. The royal vizier, king and the ministers of defense and interior were killed instantly, and several provincial representatives were trampled to death in the resulting pandemonium. Informed of the attack the queen, along with her young daughter, was wisked away to a fortified island in the city harbor, Ft. Daratongi. Riots once again broke out, and within 2 days they had spread to every corner of the kingdom. The royal army entrenched itself and planned for a return to order, while the rebels sharpened their weapons, and sent out a desperate plea for foreign aid to protect the democracy they hoped to create.
ENCRYPT:
From: Ataroan Democratic Front
To: Any nation willing to help the cause of democracy in Ataroa
We the united people of the Ataroan Democratic front, in the noble tradition of freedom fighters throughout the world, plea for all compassionate countries to help us throw off the shackles of absolute monarchy and herald in a new golden age for Ataroa. STOP Requesting landings at major population centers and fortifications as well as help with reconnaissance and intelligence operations STOP
May justice and compassion guide you always STOP
The ADF STOP
END ENCRYPT
Ataroa, Ataroa!
The drum beats rose in volume as King Sjandar and Queen Lakashti made their way to the Royal Assembly.
Land of the azure wave
Every provincial representative in the room bowed with clasped hand as the monarchs, celebrating a fith year of rule, smiled and waved.
ATAROA, ATAROA!
The rulers reached the throne, sat down and waited for the popular patriotic song to end.
Freedommmmm is whatttttt weee CRAVEEEEEEEE!
The assembly exploded with applause as the tenor finished and bowed respectfully. It was a smart choice; a song sung by peasants under foreign rule in ancient times. A...connection with the common folk. It was something the monarchy no longer had.
The assembly was all a sham of course; little more than a glorified club. Ever since the king's father's death, and the resulting riots by the anti-monarchists, the little power the people had had slowly dwindled, along with their savings. Ever since those dark weeks at the beginning of Sjandat's reign, foreign companies and tourists had doubts about the country's stability. The king grew more and more paranoid, eventually banning international travel entirely except for state purposes. Of course, that didn't stop the many defectors who escaped by overcrowded vessels every year, although storms at sea often did.
In the capital, Sdarjata, vast shanty towns had sprung up, crammed with destitute farmers looking for work. In 5 years, unemployment had gone from 4 to 20 percent. The poor were starving, the middle class (or what was left of it) were voiceless and the rich feared the masses. Riots had broken out in many towns, and fashionable town houses were often the first burnt. As such, most big employers packed up their bags, paid a hefty bribe and simply left.
In short, Ataroa was a country in shambles. Soon it would be anarchy as well.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
At about 2 AM, the king decided to retire to his bedchambers. Rising grandly from his throne, he made his way out of the room, accompanied by his entourage. About halfway down the hall, a boom was heard behind them. In seconds the throne room was engulfed in flames. The royal vizier, king and the ministers of defense and interior were killed instantly, and several provincial representatives were trampled to death in the resulting pandemonium. Informed of the attack the queen, along with her young daughter, was wisked away to a fortified island in the city harbor, Ft. Daratongi. Riots once again broke out, and within 2 days they had spread to every corner of the kingdom. The royal army entrenched itself and planned for a return to order, while the rebels sharpened their weapons, and sent out a desperate plea for foreign aid to protect the democracy they hoped to create.
ENCRYPT:
From: Ataroan Democratic Front
To: Any nation willing to help the cause of democracy in Ataroa
We the united people of the Ataroan Democratic front, in the noble tradition of freedom fighters throughout the world, plea for all compassionate countries to help us throw off the shackles of absolute monarchy and herald in a new golden age for Ataroa. STOP Requesting landings at major population centers and fortifications as well as help with reconnaissance and intelligence operations STOP
May justice and compassion guide you always STOP
The ADF STOP
END ENCRYPT