Risban
21-09-2006, 23:59
((OOC: Aha! Yes, after a year-long siesta, I have decided to return to activity. While I will not be as active as my former tenure was, I will nevertheless will be far more active than I have been recently.
Before we get into my In-Character return, we'll have a brief review of history prior to my departure, and I will also remind those individuals involved in the Passion Play and throughout Greater Dienstad that, once Risban struck the Havenite pirates back for their attack on Retreat Island, Risban declared neutrality in the War of Golden Succession and has been existing as an isolationist state since.))
Memoirs of the Past....
Founded by ten wealthy aristocratic families in the year 1705 and first ruled by the Emperor Julius Castor Dolohov, the Empire of Risban had become a regional power by the nineteenth century. However, corruption had gripped the kindom, and in 1897 half of the ten aristocratic families overthrow Emperor Peter Pollux Dolohov and instated the Line of Graffia onto the Imperial Throne. Alas, the Graffia Family seemed to be even worse than its predecessor, resulting in a period of little economic and technological growth in Risban. This paved the way for the greatest emperor in the nation's history to rise.
Count Robinson Antares Scorpius, of the Noble Scorpius Family, was a young and ambitious aristocrat who, at the age of 24, had proven enough skill and guile to become Grand Admiral of the Imperial Navy, in addition to a seat he held in the Imperial Parliament. Upon securing alliances with leaders of the other powerful families in Risban, Scorpius led a successful coup d'etat against the Emperor Julius Ilia Graffia, deposing of and executing the cruel leader. The country was engulfed in a civil war, with Graffia Loyalists fighting against an assortment of enemies, most in support of the new, young leader. Eventually, the Graffia Loyalists attempted to flee en masse via the sea, and were hotly pursued by the Imperial Navy. The largest convoy of Loyalists, alas, had the unfortunate circumstance of sailing too close to the waters of the Fiefdom of Nemh. The Risban Empire sent a message to Nemh warning them that the fleet approaching them were hostile traitors of Risban, and Nemh subsequently opened fire on the transports, missiles killing the majority of the Graffia Loyalists. Scorpius rounded up the remaining leaders of the Loyalist resistance and publicly executed, sending a message to all that treason and insubordination would not be accepted under his reign. Then, he led Risban into a golden age, muddled by internal strife and descrution....
Under Emperor Scorpius, Risban was reorganized into the Grand Imperium of Risban. The nation officially accepted a seat in the United Nations, and an ingenius diplomat named Alexander Perkins was elevated to the position of Imperial Minister for Foreign Affairs, leading Risban onto the international stage. Embassy swaps with approximately fourty other nations took place, and Risban participated as a leader in several major organizations. The economy boomed and military expanded, Risban's power being focused primarily on its navy.
Diplomatically, extremely close ties were established with the nations Green Sun, Upper Xen, and Willink. Risban was represented in organizations like the Committee for Vigilance, the New World Order, the Imperial Confederacy, the Empire of One, OPEC, the United Defence Fronteir, the Alliance of Greater Imperial Powers, and the Council of International Imperial Powers.
Risban narrowly avoided conflict several times with foreign nations, usually managing to get pacts of friendship signed instead. Pacitalia and Risban exchanged monuments to each other; Exetonia and Risban exchanged gifts and non-aggression pacts; ties were strengthened with mighty empires like Praetonia, the Macabees, and Euroslavia; profitable deals were struck with nations like A Few Rich People and Roach-Busters; military bases were exchanged with the Borman Empire, Golencia, and Willink; alliances were signed with Aligned Planets, Culex, Golencia, Gryson, and Ratheia. It was, indeed, a golden age diplomatically as well.
However, there were those who opposed Risban's slow rise to power. Among these was a small, violent, and radically-communist nation known as Muru. Muru launched terrorist attacks within the heart of Risban city, attacking the financial district as well as Legatio Forum--the heart of Risban's diplomatic relations. The attack allowed for a rogue general to launch a coup d'etat, bombing the Imperial Palace and kidnapping Emperor Scorpius as well as the visiting President of Upper Xen. Nations of the Committee of Vigilance worked with the Risban Imperial Defense Forces to stop the small rebellion, and then Risban and their network of allies let hell fall upon Muru for their use of biological weapons on a civilian population. Backed by nations like Green Sun, Upper Xen, Golencia, the Island of Rose, and Cherry Ridge, Risban led an invasion of Muru-- the very first time Imperial forces attacked a nation outside of the region. Muru was occupied and its government completely wiped out. Risban took control of some island outposts off of its coast, satisfied with its revenge, while the other invading nations split the newly-conquered area amongst themselves.
Since then, Risban has come close to going to war with Call to Power, Terronian, Kravania, and Safe Haven. Diplomatic and trade embargoes were instead declared on the former three, and things were settled with the Havenites.
Things were, indeed, going well. But the brief golden age had to end. Under Emperor Scorpius, civil liberties were expanded more in the Grand Imperium than they had been in history, mostly in thanks to the Emperor's wife, Countess Nora Courtney-Scorpius, who was also the first woman to ever serve as High Chancellor of the Imperial Parliament. But there were those that disagreed with the young emperor's actions and plans. They conspired, along with several other prominent figures in different nations, to overthrow the Emperor of Risban and stage coup d'etats in countries like Green Sun, Upper Xen, New Dornalia, and Willink as well. This group, called the Society of Shadows, was commanded by a man named Lord Richard Gaius Zorag, descended from one of the ten founding families of Risban, appointed as the Imperial High Minister for Industry, CEO of the large Zorag Company, and an influential member of the Imperial Parliament. He launched his coup, neutralizing the Imperial Lictors--sworn bodyguards of the Emperor--and seizing control of Parliament. Many prominent and loved leaders throughout Risban were assassinated. The Empress Nora and the heir to the throne, Viscount Lucius Myles Scorpius, managed to successfully flee the country with Foreign Minister Alexander Perkins, seeking refuge in Green Sun. Emperor Scorpius retreated with some of his advisors to the Lictor Citadel, where Lord Zorag and his allies laid siege and nearly captured the Emperor. Fortunately, he managed to flee via helicopter, but half of his personal advisors and friends were captured and butchered. Emperor Scorpius headed to Retreat Island, off the coast of The Macabees.
Greater Dienstad, the region where Risban is located, heavily ignored the happenings in Risban, being preoccupied with the War of Golden Succession, which Risban has declared neutrality in after Havenite pirates attacked Retreat Island. Under Lord Zorag, the Grand Imperium transformed into an isolationist police state, engaged in a civil war between a select and corrupt few individuals and those loyal to the true Emperor and Risban!
Modern Day
After two years of civil warfare, Lord Richard Gaius Zorag had finally been defeated. Grand Admiral Count Robinson Antares Scorpius, the 26-year-old Emperor of Risban, had led the Imperial Loyalist Navy in a decisive victory against Zorag's forces, seizes control of the capital, Risban City. Zorag and the traitors who had joined him were seized at the Imperial Palace, and slowly their troops throughout the Imperium had fallen. Zorag was exiled to Retributed Island, the military outpost off of the coast of Muru. His follows were either imprisoned or executed.
Empress Nora Courtney and the Crown Prince, who had since been living in exile in an Imperial military base in Green Sun, were reunited with the Emperor. Alexander Perkins, who had been heading the Government-in-Exile at the United Nations headquarters, returned as well. Scorpius assembled his cabinet and those important individuals who had remained loyal to him throughout the revolution...
"My fellow Risbanians, the Grand Imperium has come out victorious in this two-year conflict against Lord Zorag and the Society of Shadows. But the state of our country is poor, indeed. While our military remains powerful and our economy strong, our foreign affairs have been completely disrupted. Our neighbors are engaged in a long and violent war. Our former allies have been cut off from us. Our trade surpluss has declined. Many of our friends, family, and countrymen have died. We have a good deal of work ahead of us, but we will rise above these obstacles. The Grand Imperium of Risban will, once again, become the power it once was," cried the Emperor, his voice rising with emotion. "Let all who are our enemies know that we will not stand for further impudences on our sovereignty. Let all who are our friends know that we are ready to have them back if they will accept us. Let all know that Risban is again alive and thriving. Imperium et Libertas!"
The short speech was met with a standing ovation. The Grand Imperium was back, and they were all going to work at returning Risban to glory.
~Proclamation of the Grand Imperium~
To the Nations of the World
The Grand Imperium of Risban has risen above civil strife, the true and just Emperor returning to power. The Imperial Age of Isolationism is now at an end, and our doors are once again open to the nations of the world. Legatio Forum in Risban City will be rebuilt, and the Imperial Ministry of Foreign Affairs will once again be open soon for relations to boom. Risban International Airport, Imperial Airways Airport, Plutonian Shores Airport, New Dublin Airport, Copmol Flights Airport, and Tomnaboley International Airport are all now open once again to commercial and personal travel.
The Grand Imperium reaffirms its neutrality in the War of Golden Succession.
It is a new era of peace and productivity in Risban; we look forward to the establishment or reeastablishment of relations with the nations of the world.
Signed,
~Emperor R.A. Scorpius~
~Alexander Perkins, Imperial High Minister for Foreign Affairs~
~Lord Kenneth Fowl, Imperial Ambassador to the United Nations~
~Countess Nora Courtney-Scorpius, Empress and High Chancellor of the Imperial Parliament~
~Lucius Thrantir, High Minister for Trade~
~Julia Ormiv, Press Secretary of the Office of the Emperor~
~Duke Sargas Caecus Lesath, Chiliarches of the House of Aristocracy~
~Count Richard Pelias, Consul of the Imperial Senate~
~Senator Paul Gomez, Plebicola of the Imperial Senate~
~Grand General Charles Skops, Minister of War~
~Grand Admiral Eric Tarda, Minister of the Navy~
~Brenn McBone, Minister of Defence~
~Lord Justinian Fowl, Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs~
Before we get into my In-Character return, we'll have a brief review of history prior to my departure, and I will also remind those individuals involved in the Passion Play and throughout Greater Dienstad that, once Risban struck the Havenite pirates back for their attack on Retreat Island, Risban declared neutrality in the War of Golden Succession and has been existing as an isolationist state since.))
Memoirs of the Past....
Founded by ten wealthy aristocratic families in the year 1705 and first ruled by the Emperor Julius Castor Dolohov, the Empire of Risban had become a regional power by the nineteenth century. However, corruption had gripped the kindom, and in 1897 half of the ten aristocratic families overthrow Emperor Peter Pollux Dolohov and instated the Line of Graffia onto the Imperial Throne. Alas, the Graffia Family seemed to be even worse than its predecessor, resulting in a period of little economic and technological growth in Risban. This paved the way for the greatest emperor in the nation's history to rise.
Count Robinson Antares Scorpius, of the Noble Scorpius Family, was a young and ambitious aristocrat who, at the age of 24, had proven enough skill and guile to become Grand Admiral of the Imperial Navy, in addition to a seat he held in the Imperial Parliament. Upon securing alliances with leaders of the other powerful families in Risban, Scorpius led a successful coup d'etat against the Emperor Julius Ilia Graffia, deposing of and executing the cruel leader. The country was engulfed in a civil war, with Graffia Loyalists fighting against an assortment of enemies, most in support of the new, young leader. Eventually, the Graffia Loyalists attempted to flee en masse via the sea, and were hotly pursued by the Imperial Navy. The largest convoy of Loyalists, alas, had the unfortunate circumstance of sailing too close to the waters of the Fiefdom of Nemh. The Risban Empire sent a message to Nemh warning them that the fleet approaching them were hostile traitors of Risban, and Nemh subsequently opened fire on the transports, missiles killing the majority of the Graffia Loyalists. Scorpius rounded up the remaining leaders of the Loyalist resistance and publicly executed, sending a message to all that treason and insubordination would not be accepted under his reign. Then, he led Risban into a golden age, muddled by internal strife and descrution....
Under Emperor Scorpius, Risban was reorganized into the Grand Imperium of Risban. The nation officially accepted a seat in the United Nations, and an ingenius diplomat named Alexander Perkins was elevated to the position of Imperial Minister for Foreign Affairs, leading Risban onto the international stage. Embassy swaps with approximately fourty other nations took place, and Risban participated as a leader in several major organizations. The economy boomed and military expanded, Risban's power being focused primarily on its navy.
Diplomatically, extremely close ties were established with the nations Green Sun, Upper Xen, and Willink. Risban was represented in organizations like the Committee for Vigilance, the New World Order, the Imperial Confederacy, the Empire of One, OPEC, the United Defence Fronteir, the Alliance of Greater Imperial Powers, and the Council of International Imperial Powers.
Risban narrowly avoided conflict several times with foreign nations, usually managing to get pacts of friendship signed instead. Pacitalia and Risban exchanged monuments to each other; Exetonia and Risban exchanged gifts and non-aggression pacts; ties were strengthened with mighty empires like Praetonia, the Macabees, and Euroslavia; profitable deals were struck with nations like A Few Rich People and Roach-Busters; military bases were exchanged with the Borman Empire, Golencia, and Willink; alliances were signed with Aligned Planets, Culex, Golencia, Gryson, and Ratheia. It was, indeed, a golden age diplomatically as well.
However, there were those who opposed Risban's slow rise to power. Among these was a small, violent, and radically-communist nation known as Muru. Muru launched terrorist attacks within the heart of Risban city, attacking the financial district as well as Legatio Forum--the heart of Risban's diplomatic relations. The attack allowed for a rogue general to launch a coup d'etat, bombing the Imperial Palace and kidnapping Emperor Scorpius as well as the visiting President of Upper Xen. Nations of the Committee of Vigilance worked with the Risban Imperial Defense Forces to stop the small rebellion, and then Risban and their network of allies let hell fall upon Muru for their use of biological weapons on a civilian population. Backed by nations like Green Sun, Upper Xen, Golencia, the Island of Rose, and Cherry Ridge, Risban led an invasion of Muru-- the very first time Imperial forces attacked a nation outside of the region. Muru was occupied and its government completely wiped out. Risban took control of some island outposts off of its coast, satisfied with its revenge, while the other invading nations split the newly-conquered area amongst themselves.
Since then, Risban has come close to going to war with Call to Power, Terronian, Kravania, and Safe Haven. Diplomatic and trade embargoes were instead declared on the former three, and things were settled with the Havenites.
Things were, indeed, going well. But the brief golden age had to end. Under Emperor Scorpius, civil liberties were expanded more in the Grand Imperium than they had been in history, mostly in thanks to the Emperor's wife, Countess Nora Courtney-Scorpius, who was also the first woman to ever serve as High Chancellor of the Imperial Parliament. But there were those that disagreed with the young emperor's actions and plans. They conspired, along with several other prominent figures in different nations, to overthrow the Emperor of Risban and stage coup d'etats in countries like Green Sun, Upper Xen, New Dornalia, and Willink as well. This group, called the Society of Shadows, was commanded by a man named Lord Richard Gaius Zorag, descended from one of the ten founding families of Risban, appointed as the Imperial High Minister for Industry, CEO of the large Zorag Company, and an influential member of the Imperial Parliament. He launched his coup, neutralizing the Imperial Lictors--sworn bodyguards of the Emperor--and seizing control of Parliament. Many prominent and loved leaders throughout Risban were assassinated. The Empress Nora and the heir to the throne, Viscount Lucius Myles Scorpius, managed to successfully flee the country with Foreign Minister Alexander Perkins, seeking refuge in Green Sun. Emperor Scorpius retreated with some of his advisors to the Lictor Citadel, where Lord Zorag and his allies laid siege and nearly captured the Emperor. Fortunately, he managed to flee via helicopter, but half of his personal advisors and friends were captured and butchered. Emperor Scorpius headed to Retreat Island, off the coast of The Macabees.
Greater Dienstad, the region where Risban is located, heavily ignored the happenings in Risban, being preoccupied with the War of Golden Succession, which Risban has declared neutrality in after Havenite pirates attacked Retreat Island. Under Lord Zorag, the Grand Imperium transformed into an isolationist police state, engaged in a civil war between a select and corrupt few individuals and those loyal to the true Emperor and Risban!
Modern Day
After two years of civil warfare, Lord Richard Gaius Zorag had finally been defeated. Grand Admiral Count Robinson Antares Scorpius, the 26-year-old Emperor of Risban, had led the Imperial Loyalist Navy in a decisive victory against Zorag's forces, seizes control of the capital, Risban City. Zorag and the traitors who had joined him were seized at the Imperial Palace, and slowly their troops throughout the Imperium had fallen. Zorag was exiled to Retributed Island, the military outpost off of the coast of Muru. His follows were either imprisoned or executed.
Empress Nora Courtney and the Crown Prince, who had since been living in exile in an Imperial military base in Green Sun, were reunited with the Emperor. Alexander Perkins, who had been heading the Government-in-Exile at the United Nations headquarters, returned as well. Scorpius assembled his cabinet and those important individuals who had remained loyal to him throughout the revolution...
"My fellow Risbanians, the Grand Imperium has come out victorious in this two-year conflict against Lord Zorag and the Society of Shadows. But the state of our country is poor, indeed. While our military remains powerful and our economy strong, our foreign affairs have been completely disrupted. Our neighbors are engaged in a long and violent war. Our former allies have been cut off from us. Our trade surpluss has declined. Many of our friends, family, and countrymen have died. We have a good deal of work ahead of us, but we will rise above these obstacles. The Grand Imperium of Risban will, once again, become the power it once was," cried the Emperor, his voice rising with emotion. "Let all who are our enemies know that we will not stand for further impudences on our sovereignty. Let all who are our friends know that we are ready to have them back if they will accept us. Let all know that Risban is again alive and thriving. Imperium et Libertas!"
The short speech was met with a standing ovation. The Grand Imperium was back, and they were all going to work at returning Risban to glory.
~Proclamation of the Grand Imperium~
To the Nations of the World
The Grand Imperium of Risban has risen above civil strife, the true and just Emperor returning to power. The Imperial Age of Isolationism is now at an end, and our doors are once again open to the nations of the world. Legatio Forum in Risban City will be rebuilt, and the Imperial Ministry of Foreign Affairs will once again be open soon for relations to boom. Risban International Airport, Imperial Airways Airport, Plutonian Shores Airport, New Dublin Airport, Copmol Flights Airport, and Tomnaboley International Airport are all now open once again to commercial and personal travel.
The Grand Imperium reaffirms its neutrality in the War of Golden Succession.
It is a new era of peace and productivity in Risban; we look forward to the establishment or reeastablishment of relations with the nations of the world.
Signed,
~Emperor R.A. Scorpius~
~Alexander Perkins, Imperial High Minister for Foreign Affairs~
~Lord Kenneth Fowl, Imperial Ambassador to the United Nations~
~Countess Nora Courtney-Scorpius, Empress and High Chancellor of the Imperial Parliament~
~Lucius Thrantir, High Minister for Trade~
~Julia Ormiv, Press Secretary of the Office of the Emperor~
~Duke Sargas Caecus Lesath, Chiliarches of the House of Aristocracy~
~Count Richard Pelias, Consul of the Imperial Senate~
~Senator Paul Gomez, Plebicola of the Imperial Senate~
~Grand General Charles Skops, Minister of War~
~Grand Admiral Eric Tarda, Minister of the Navy~
~Brenn McBone, Minister of Defence~
~Lord Justinian Fowl, Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs~