Veltmeria
16-11-2005, 08:38
The sun shone down brightly over the Veltmerian capital, Dubois, and over the tens of thousands of revellers who had crowded on this perhaps most special day of the year. From inside his urban palace, the Sovereign of Veltmeria peeked through a veiled window over the crowd below. The huge group spanned out over the horizon, filled with people with all four corners of the country, cheering, screaming, whistling, waiting patiently yet loudly for their Sovereign. Dotted around the crowd were several hundred soldiers and special forces personnel, their presence selected for their experience and devotion to the Sovereign. He smiled and moved away from the window, approaching a marble barrier leading to a staircase and looked below. The chamber below was a grand affair – a huge, octagonal room, spanned out over a large amount of space. Six marble columns rose from the floor like trees to the very top of the room, spanning seven storeys. The large, ornate skylight above glazed down sun onto the dignitaries and guests below as they spoke amongst themselves, separated by tables of expensive food and drink. Amidst this all was the grandest structure in the room – a gigantic golden statue of the first Sovereign of the House of Möriàrtè, Samuel Möriàrtè, stood bolt upright in a majestic confident pose, his eyes glaring down over the exit of the room watching over those who enter his domain. Although this had been done many times, this first day of August was particularly special – the 170th Anniversary of a unified Veltmeria, decadial celebrations were always the largest.
Even this late into the proceedings of the celebrations, loyal subjects streamed into the city to take part in the festivities. On the streets, the mood of the crowd was jovial. Laughter, yelling and singing were the voices of the people that day, the usual traffic of cars and trucks replaced with floats, confetti and streaming groups of people making their way to the palace. The crowd grew by the minute as all work and school had been called off for the day – this was a national event and an annual effort to unite the country in contentment and happiness. The troops kept a watchful eye over the proceedings, armed and fearless yet lightly armoured. Royal orders, they said, protect the crowd and the officials, but keep the crowd cheerful by not appearing as strong-armed enforcers. Several ruffians frequently used the occasion to rob, mug and thieve their way through the rabble. Some of them think they would get away with their actions, but sooner or later the authorities would capture them. They often did.
The aide interrupted his thoughts. “ Excuse me, your Excellency, the foreign dignitaries are due to arrive soon.” He nodded his head, not turning away from the spectacle he was observing. He slowly turned away after a few seconds and slowly made his way down the stairs of the circular staircase of the imposing room, preparing to greet the visitors.
OOC: If anyone would like to send a diplomat, they are more than welcome to.
Even this late into the proceedings of the celebrations, loyal subjects streamed into the city to take part in the festivities. On the streets, the mood of the crowd was jovial. Laughter, yelling and singing were the voices of the people that day, the usual traffic of cars and trucks replaced with floats, confetti and streaming groups of people making their way to the palace. The crowd grew by the minute as all work and school had been called off for the day – this was a national event and an annual effort to unite the country in contentment and happiness. The troops kept a watchful eye over the proceedings, armed and fearless yet lightly armoured. Royal orders, they said, protect the crowd and the officials, but keep the crowd cheerful by not appearing as strong-armed enforcers. Several ruffians frequently used the occasion to rob, mug and thieve their way through the rabble. Some of them think they would get away with their actions, but sooner or later the authorities would capture them. They often did.
The aide interrupted his thoughts. “ Excuse me, your Excellency, the foreign dignitaries are due to arrive soon.” He nodded his head, not turning away from the spectacle he was observing. He slowly turned away after a few seconds and slowly made his way down the stairs of the circular staircase of the imposing room, preparing to greet the visitors.
OOC: If anyone would like to send a diplomat, they are more than welcome to.