NationStates Jolt Archive

Sophia rose from her seat with a smile on her face. "I would not mind dancing with you, Tarren."

"Are you left or right handed?"

"I am left handed, Tarren."

"Then this should be a harder dance than usual. I'm also left handed."

He asks you a very stupid question.

"Who'll be leading?"

"Then this should be a harder dance than usual. I'm also left handed."

He asks you a very stupid question.

"Who'll be leading?"

"You can lead, Tarren."

"You can lead, Tarren."

He begins to waltz.

He begins to waltz.

Sophia joins in the waltz; she is able to keep up with Tarren as she relied on her skills as a dancer that she developed over the years. "Where did you learn how to dance, Tarren?"

"I've been learning for the past six years. One of Cole's sons, I think he's one of the ones called Cole, has been teaching me. In exchange, he's not going to be executed. He did a crime that no one still remembers."

OOC: Seeing as the translator can't dance with us, Tarren is temporarily fluent in American English.

"I have danced for many years; I remember dancing when I was fourteen at one of the balls I attended. My family is quite wealthy and I remember the galas I attended with my mother. As for Cole's son, it was nice of him to teach you; do you think he taught you only to avoid his execution?"

Sophia joins in the waltz; she is able to keep up with Tarren as she relied on her skills as a dancer that she developed over the years. "Where did you learn how to dance, Tarren?"

"I've been learning for the past six years. One of Cole's sons, I think he's one of the ones called Cole, has been teaching me. In exchange, he's not going to be executed. He did a crime that no one still remembers."

OOC: Seeing as the translator can't dance with us, Tarren is temporarily fluent in American English.

"He has over six hundred sons? He must have had plenty of wives in order to produce all of those sons."

"He only has one, and has only been called out on three lovers."

"It would be interesting to learn about how he produced all of those sons. Do you know how he did?"

"I have danced for many years; I remember dancing when I was fourteen at one of the balls I attended. My family is quite wealthy and I remember the galas I attended with my mother. As for Cole's son, it was nice of him to teach you; do you think he taught you only to avoid his execution?"

"His father made him. He's supposedly his favorite out of his 637 sons. Or maybe it was 673. He named them all Cole Miner II, so there's no real way to tell."

"He has over six hundred sons? He must have had plenty of wives in order to produce all of those sons."

"He only has one, and has only been called out on three lovers."

"It would be interesting to learn about how he produced all of those sons. Do you know how he did?"

"Biologically, I believe. His oldest and youngest are something around 40 years apart."

"Biologically, I believe. His oldest and youngest are something around 40 years apart."

"He must have had plenty of time on his hands in order to have over six hundred sons. Did he have any daughters?"

"He must have had plenty of time on his hands in order to have over six hundred sons. Did he have any daughters?"

"Eighty six."

"I only have one son and eight daughters."

"I only have one son and eight daughters."

"I don't have any. Not married, so I don't have children, and because of that, by the laws set in by my cabinet, I'm not allowed to have a lover."

"I don't have any. Not married, so I don't have children, and because of that, by the laws set in by my cabinet, I'm not allowed to have a lover."

"Do you desire to be married? Do you want a lover? I ask out of curiosity." Sophia said calmly. "Why would they forbid you to have a lover if you are not married with children?"

"Do you desire to be married? Do you want a lover? I ask out of curiosity." Sophia said calmly. "Why would they forbid you to have a lover if you are not married with children?"

"Eventually. I'd have to be in a different country for the latter, though. And if any Miners received word, there'd be a scandal, and I'd likely be shoved away from power."

"Because they are genii (idiots). They just decided to make genocide lawful, and they're limiting free speech. I am now only a figurehead and the leader of the army. I am still the most powerful man in the Mines, but they overrule my every decision, and pervert it to be more harmful to our country."

After a while of silence, he asks an awkward question.

"Could we build an embassy in Phanar? You could have that one mansion underground (aboveground). It's the only building on the surface."

OOC:

Bump.

[FONT="Century Gothic"]

"Eventually. I'd have to be in a different country for the latter, though. And if any Miners received word, there'd be a scandal, and I'd likely be shoved away from power."

"Do you personally think that you will ever find love or do you resign yourself to the belief that you will be a bachelor for life?"

"Because they are genii (idiots). They just decided to make genocide lawful, and they're limiting free speech. I am now only a figurehead and the leader of the army. I am still the most powerful man in the Mines, but they overrule my every decision, and pervert it to be more harmful to our country."

"They should be watched closely if they do such things; soon they may try to overthrow you and seize control of the nation from you."

After a while of silence, he asks an awkward question.

"Could we build an embassy in Phanar? You could have that one mansion underground (aboveground). It's the only building on the surface."

"You can build an embassy in Phanar but you would have to build it above ground. As for the mansion, I am sure that it will be suitable for us. You should send a message to Phanar's Foreign Minister: Siegfried von Kreuzberg so he can prepare an ambassador to be sent to the Spice Mines."

"Do you personally think that you will ever find love or do you resign yourself to the belief that you will be a bachelor for life?"

He seems nervous.

"I believe there is someone out there. Not in the Mines, though. But I'd have to leave the Mines, which means that the Cabinet might try and seize power.

"They should be watched closely if they do such things; soon they may try to overthrow you and seize control of the nation from you."

"Exactly."

"You can build an embassy in Phanar but you would have to build it above ground. As for the mansion, I am sure that it will be suitable for us. You should send a message to Phanar's Foreign Minister: Siegfried von Kreuzberg so he can prepare an ambassador to be sent to the Spice Mines."

He trips over his own feet, and falls to the ground. He picks himself up and resumes dancing.

"That will be a very stressful change for the Miners. It took all my courage to get to the surface, and come to this ball. I'm glad I did, though. I'm now the third natural citizen still living to get out of the mines to visit another country. The first was Cole."

At this, Cole II walks up in his suit, and gives Tarren another note. The dance is paused for a moment, as he reads and pockets the note.

OOC [I hopes it's not too late to join this. if not.....]

IC: From the main entrance, a person walked in wearing an elegant long sleeved, neck high red silked vest. Behind him, a man-servant come walking in. This was the Dictator of Diasair, Zeferin Kruwski. Seeing the others, Zeferin walked closer. He wasn't sure if he should interrupt their conversation or just wait. He decided to just wait until they acknowledged his presence.

OOC [I hopes it's not too late to join this. if not.....]

IC: From the main entrance, a person walked in wearing an elegant long sleeved, neck high red silked vest. Behind him, a man-servant come walking in. This was the Dictator of Diasair, Zeferin Kruwski. Seeing the others, Zeferin walked closer. He wasn't sure if he should interrupt their conversation or just wait. He decided to just wait until they acknowledged his presence.

The translator walks up to you, and offers his hand.

"Cole Miner the First, Vice Foreman of the Spice Mines."

OOC [I hopes it's not too late to join this. if not.....]

IC: From the main entrance, a person walked in wearing an elegant long sleeved, neck high red silked vest. Behind him, a man-servant come walking in. This was the Dictator of Diasair, Zeferin Kruwski. Seeing the others, Zeferin walked closer. He wasn't sure if he should interrupt their conversation or just wait. He decided to just wait until they acknowledged his presence.

Noticing a new guest's arrival, Grand Duke Constantine walks towards Zeferin with a smile on his face and his hand extended; ready to give a firm handshake. "I am Grand Duke Constantine of Phanar. I must say that it is nice to meet you, sir."

Constantine points to the woman talking to Tarren. "That is my wife, Grand Duchess Sophia. I am sure she would be interested in meeting you when she is finished with the guest she is talking to. Until then, may I ask you for information about your nation and yourself?"

He seems nervous.

"I believe there is someone out there. Not in the Mines, though. But I'd have to leave the Mines, which means that the Cabinet might try and seize power.

"I am sure you have some supporters back in the Mines, Tarren."

"Exactly."



He trips over his own feet, and falls to the ground. He picks himself up and resumes dancing.

"That will be a very stressful change for the Miners. It took all my courage to get to the surface, and come to this ball. I'm glad I did, though. I'm now the third natural citizen still living to get out of the mines to visit another country. The first was Cole."

At this, Cole II walks up in his suit, and gives Tarren another note. The dance is paused for a moment, as he reads and pockets the note.

Sophia watches Tarren fall to the ground and sees that he is able to get up and resume dancing. "I wonder if they will be able to restrain the stress within them as they visit another nation. You, I am sure, would be able to visit Phanar. You just need to notify Mr. von Kreuzberg so he can arrange an adequate reception."

Sophia watches Tarren read the note before putting it in his pocket. "What did the note say?"

"I am sure you have some supporters back in the Mines, Tarren."

"My only true influence I have ever had on my nation was taking over the military. The military supports me, but that's about it."

Sophia watches Tarren fall to the ground and sees that he is able to get up and resume dancing. "I wonder if they will be able to restrain the stress within them as they visit another nation. You, I am sure, would be able to visit Phanar. You just need to notify Mr. von Kreuzberg so he can arrange an adequate reception."

"Oh, they can restrain the stress. They just have to have explosives, pickaxes, and shovels. Protects them, and keeps feeling them right at home."

Sophia watches Tarren read the note before putting it in his pocket. "What did the note say?"

"Cole has been slipping me notes about the current situation with the cabinet. And, er, this one person that, um, I've been, uh, interested in for, ah, a little while now."

"My only true influence I have ever had on my nation was taking over the military. The military supports me, but that's about it."

"Do you think the military can handle a rebellion?"



"Oh, they can restrain the stress. They just have to have explosives, pickaxes, and shovels. Protects them, and keeps feeling them right at home."

"They can use shovels by building the embassy themselves; if you would like."

"Cole has been slipping me notes about the current situation with the cabinet. And, er, this one person that, um, I've been, uh, interested in for, ah, a little while now."

"If I may ask; who is the one person that you have been interested in?"

"Do you think the military can handle a rebellion?"

"I'm not sure. They have the same weapons as anyone else. Shovels and pickaxes."

"They can use shovels by building the embassy themselves; if you would like."

"They probably would hate (like) that."

"If I may ask; who is the one person that you have been interested in?"

"One of the cabinet members that I believe might be one of the leaders of the political *rebellion* against me."

Bump.

"I'm not sure. They have the same weapons as anyone else. Shovels and pickaxes."

"I am sure that they can be accomodated, Tarren."


"They probably would hate (like) that."

"You should notify Mr. von Kreuzberg about it; so he knows."

"One of the cabinet members that I believe might be one of the leaders of the political *rebellion* against me."

"You could just have him arrested and charge him with planning to commit treason."

"I am sure that they can be accomodated, Tarren."

"You're welcome (Thank you)."

"You should notify Mr. von Kreuzberg about it; so he knows."

"How could I contact him?"

"You could just have him arrested and charge him with planning to commit treason."

"I need to find if that's actually true first. I know several who are involved, but they were at one time loyal to me. Ashl- er, the minister, has been against me from the start. I'm not as much a dictator as everyone thinks I am, and I don't want to be. I'd rather be more democratic than that. That hasn't turned out too well so far."

"You're welcome (Thank you)."

"It is no problem to me, Tarren."


"How could I contact him?"

"If you have a piece of paper and pen, I would gladly write down the contact information for you. He should be able to meet you."


"I need to find if that's actually true first. I know several who are involved, but they were at one time loyal to me. Ashl- er, the minister, has been against me from the start. I'm not as much a dictator as everyone thinks I am, and I don't want to be. I'd rather be more democratic than that. That hasn't turned out too well so far."

"You could bug their phones or have spies watching them; I guess those could be two ideas that you could consider."

"Well, I have managed to take total control of the Scandinvan Empire, though sadly a large number of people had to be sacked from office in order to allow for my rule to be firmly established."

“It is unfortunate that it is sometimes necessary to dispose of capable officials for loyalty reasons; but one certainly couldn’t have disloyal officials throughout the civil service. That would be even worse than incompetents. But at least that matter is finished with, then, yes?”

"If you have a piece of paper and pen, I would gladly write down the contact information for you. He should be able to meet you."

He steps away from the dance, and gives you a piece of charcoal rolled in a piece of paper, and what looks like a mining charter encased in Wite-Out.

"You could bug their phones or have spies watching them; I guess those could be two ideas that you could consider."

"Cole, the one that is teaching me dancing, is her translator, and currently is spying on her for me. She's been talking to one of Cole I's mistresses, the Minister of Mining, Katie Greene, about a certain thing. The thing is though, Ashley- uh, the minister, is native (foreign), and everything she says goes through Cole. She's making an attempt at speaking to Kate herself, so it's a bit harder to get information."

bump.

As they danced the Scandinvan nobles took notice of how royals from another nation were giving heed to people of such lowly birth.

OOC: By the by if you are interestded in a newly put together quasi-Harry Potter world rp here is a nice little link.

http://z9.invisionfree.com/A_World_of_Wonder/index.php?act=idx

As they danced the Scandinvan nobles took notice of how royals from another nation were giving heed to people of such lowly birth.

OOC: By the by if you are interestded in a newly put together quasi-Harry Potter world rp here is a nice little link.

http://z9.invisionfree.com/A_World_of_Wonder/index.php?act=idx

OOC: In my country, the poor are all wearing Armani, and the rich are wearing Dickey's coveralls. The girls choose what they want to look like.

IC: A man wearing a resplendent suit sits down, and is quickly joined by a pretty girl. They talk and laugh. The former gets up after a while, and heads to the refreshment table. There is a pickaxe on his back, and he looks relatively well groomed.

OOC: In my country, the poor are all wearing Armani, and the rich are wearing Dickey's coveralls. The girls choose what they want to look like.

IC: A man wearing a resplendent suit sits down, and is quickly joined by a pretty girl. They talk and laugh. The former gets up after a while, and heads to the refreshment table. There is a pickaxe on his back, and he looks relatively well groomed.Though the man was a step above the various men that they had so far from that country the nobles still believed them to be little better then commoners.

Though the man was a step above the various men that they had so far from that country the nobles still believed them to be little better then commoners.

OOC: He is a commoner. One of the lowest commoners. He's not even allowed to mine, unless he's in an embassy. Cause he's a guilty convict.

IC: He sits back down with the girl, who begins asking him various questions. As Tarren and Sophia pass him, he jumps in surprise.

"I think we're in the wrong room, Ashley."

"No, I'd rather stay Cole. Learn more about you. Tell me. What number son are you?"

"Five hundred twenty and eight."

"You're just so, well, different than your father, or the rest of your brothers."

He laughs.

"And you're very kind."

She shifts her weight, and says,

"I don't know how you can stand that boorish Tarren."

"Oh, I don't. My dad's making me do this so I don't have to be electrocuted or burned at stake or something."

"You know you're the only person I know besides your father that doesn't speak so strangely?"

"I spent a year in the Oil Mines. Up to my knees in the ****, and surrounded by foreigners. I got used to it."

"Maybe, you could teach me to speak like they do."

"No. No, I won't. You're not convincing enough, and very, very ugly."

"How rude!"

"I was being honest! You are very pretty."

He steps away from the dance, and gives you a piece of charcoal rolled in a piece of paper, and what looks like a mining charter encased in Wite-Out.

Trying her best, Sophia uses the Wite-Out to write the Foreign Minister's contact information on the piece of charcoal. After she finished, she handed the charcoal to Tarren. "Here you go; keep this handy."



"Cole, the one that is teaching me dancing, is her translator, and currently is spying on her for me. She's been talking to one of Cole I's mistresses, the Minister of Mining, Katie Greene, about a certain thing. The thing is though, Ashley- uh, the minister, is native (foreign), and everything she says goes through Cole. She's making an attempt at speaking to Kate herself, so it's a bit harder to get information."

"Do you think that Katie Greene will betray you? Does Katie have influence over people?"

Trying her best, Sophia uses the Wite-Out to write the Foreign Minister's contact information on the piece of charcoal. After she finished, she handed the charcoal to Tarren. "Here you go; keep this handy."

He pockets it.

"Do you think that Katie Greene will betray you? Does Katie have influence over people?"

"Very much so. But I don't believe she will. At least, I hope not."

As they pass Cole, Tarren smiles when he sees him jump.

"That redhead he was with? That was the girl I'm trying to spy on. She's very tricky. I think she's trying to get Cole on her side. If he does give in, I hope he doesn't expect to live very long."

The waltz ends, and a different song begins.

"Hello (goodbye), Sophia. I look forward to our next meeting. For now, I must go. It was a disgrace (great honor) to meet you."

He curtsies once more, and walks off, leaving a mining charter with the coordinates of the Embassy behind. The empty embassy.

He pockets it.



"Very much so. But I don't believe she will. At least, I hope not."

As they pass Cole, Tarren smiles when he sees him jump.

"That redhead he was with? That was the girl I'm trying to spy on. She's very tricky. I think she's trying to get Cole on her side. If he does give in, I hope he doesn't expect to live very long."

The waltz ends, and a different song begins.

"Hello (goodbye), Sophia. I look forward to our next meeting. For now, I must go. It was a disgrace (great honor) to meet you."

He curtsies once more, and walks off, leaving a mining charter with the coordinates of the Embassy behind. The empty embassy.[/font]

Sophia watches the redhead briefly before she focuses her eyes on Tarren; a smile growing on her face. "You will have to wait and see what will happen with Cole. It was nice to meet you, Tarren; make sure that you remember to contact Mr. von Kreuzberg."

Sophia watches Tarren walk away before she takes the mining charter and begins searching for more people to talk to. She notices a Scandinvan noblewoman in the distance and thinks about talking to her; perhaps she could make a friend amongst the ranks of the Scandinvan nobility.

Tarren sets about to the same task.

IC2: Several of the other Miners are escorted off the premises, having begun to fight. The few that are left all seem to be cabinet members.

Bump.

While Constantine was busy speaking to several Scandinvan noblemen about Phanar, Sophia had decided to find some noblewomen to talk to; hoping to make new friends who she could one day invite for tea; have social gatherings with basically. Walking around, she eventually finds some noblewomen gathered at a table and introduces herself with a smile that shows her pearl white teeth and an accent that shows she is refined and of noble birth.

"Greetings, it is a pleasure to meet you. I am Grand Duchess Sophia of Phanar. May I join you?"

“It is unfortunate that it is sometimes necessary to dispose of capable officials for loyalty reasons; but one certainly couldn’t have disloyal officials throughout the civil service. That would be even worse than incompetents. But at least that matter is finished with, then, yes?”

:)

“It is unfortunate that it is sometimes necessary to dispose of capable officials for loyalty reasons; but one certainly couldn’t have disloyal officials throughout the civil service. That would be even worse than incompetents. But at least that matter is finished with, then, yes?”"For the time being it is at least, though I may face some future trouble with elected officals who maintain the power of the old guard."

"For the time being it is at least, though I may face some future trouble with elected officals who maintain the power of the old guard."

“How regrettable,” he responded, “I feared the very same issue some years ago with our own civil war. The people were very polarized, and crafting an effective and civil administration would have been very difficult. This turned out to be less of a problem, however. The war was particularly bloody, to the extent that one side of this polarization was effectively eliminated, through the sword, so to say, and through emigration. This latter option was largely exploited by the remains of culturally alien groups, which had universally supported the PSDO.

“It seems strange, but the extent of the destruction of the war allowed for a better peace.”

“How regrettable,” he responded, “I feared the very same issue some years ago with our own civil war. The people were very polarized, and crafting an effective and civil administration would have been very difficult. This turned out to be less of a problem, however. The war was particularly bloody, to the extent that one side of this polarization was effectively eliminated, through the sword, so to say, and through emigration. This latter option was largely exploited by the remains of culturally alien groups, which had universally supported the PSDO.

“It seems strange, but the extent of the destruction of the war allowed for a better peace.”"Well, the threat of internal conflict and alien invansion to turn himself into the sole 'hope' of the Empire to be preserved and used the ancient cultural identity of maintaing the racial purity of our people."

"Well, the threat of internal conflict and alien invansion to turn himself into the sole 'hope' of the Empire to be preserved and used the ancient cultural identity of maintaing the racial purity of our people."

The Emperor tilted his head very slightly, “I beg your pardon?”

The Emperor tilted his head very slightly, “I beg your pardon?”OOC: Sorry lonnnnggg weekend.

IC" "My father, Emperor Olaf IV, was able to use the fear of foreigners and the fear of the non-Europeans within the Scandinvan Empire to manage to hold the Empire's various factions together by fueling the racial tensions within the Scandinvna Empire. If my father truly believed in the racial superirorty is a question that may never well be answered."

OOC: Sorry lonnnnggg weekend.

IC" "My father, Emperor Olaf IV, was able to use the fear of foreigners and the fear of the non-Europeans within the Scandinvan Empire to manage to hold the Empire's various factions together by fueling the racial tensions within the Scandinvna Empire. If my father truly believed in the racial superirorty is a question that may never well be answered."

OOC: No problem. Me too.

“I don’t suppose there is any way of knowing. He did seem to be quite politically astute, though it a negative side effect of this strategy that led to his murder, yes?”

“Let us again express our commiseration for your loss, Ingolf,” the Empress broke in, her tone consoling.

OOC: No problem. Me too.

“I don’t suppose there is any way of knowing. He did seem to be quite politically astute, though it a negative side effect of this strategy that led to his murder, yes?”

“Let us again express our commiseration for your loss, Ingolf,” the Empress broke in, her tone consoling.OOC: This is why I wonder are school clubs, be it high school or college, are really worth all the effort?

IC: "I thank you, but I do personally believe that the murder was a direct result of his actions against the various miniority groups in my Empire."

OOC: This is why I wonder are school clubs, be it high school or college, are really worth all the effort?

IC: "I thank you, but I do personally believe that the murder was a direct result of his actions against the various miniority groups in my Empire."

OOC: Meh. I’m working on a Congressional Campaign

“Have affairs on that front improved? Errikland has been quite fortunate as to not have any substantial ethnic minorities in the heartland, though we have had demographic issues in the colonies, particularly in Africa."

OOC: Meh. I’m working on a Congressional Campaign

“Have affairs on that front improved? Errikland has been quite fortunate as to not have any substantial ethnic minorities in the heartland, though we have had demographic issues in the colonies, particularly in Africa."OOC: Well, I finally registered to vote for the presidential, though I didn't take part in any of the primaries because I live in IL and do not like Obama that make or the dog any either.

IC: "Affairs are quite strong, though to state nearly all the strife comes from the exterior provinces which have only been conquered within the last hundred years or so and were not subject to genocideor enslavement like the other ethnic groups which ones existed in the Empire before they were conqurred in the centuries of old Valgard's expansion."

OOC: Well, I finally registered to vote for the presidential, though I didn't take part in any of the primaries because I live in IL and do not like Obama that make or the dog any either.

IC: "Affairs are quite strong, though to state nearly all the strife comes from the exterior provinces which have only been conquered within the last hundred years or so and were not subject to genocideor enslavement like the other ethnic groups which ones existed in the Empire before they were conqurred in the centuries of old Valgard's expansion."

OOC: Gah, Computer crash.
Anyhow, my 18th is at the end of June, so I am in the unfortunate position of being able to vote in one of this year’s three elections (the second being the June 3rd Congressional Primary). I compensate for this by working on campaigns (first Giuliani, who was honestly probably my fourth choice but the only Republican organizing in San Diego, and now Brian Jones (http://www.electbrianjones.com/)).

“I see. Errikan Imperial expansion has generally been more along the lines of your old Valgard’s, out of military practicality, of course, as well as the goals behind the expansion itself being as much for room for populating as resources and international influence. Of course, in our earliest expansion, we did face some international reaction to our practicality.”

"War is war. In order for a nation to grow, land must be forced open from time to time."

"War is war. In order for a nation to grow land must be forced open from time to time."

Christian silently half chuckled, deciding that he very much liked Ingolf.

“Amen.”

After a brief pause, Helen broke in once again, “So what is the occasion for the ball, Ingolf?”

Christian silently half chuckled, deciding that he very much liked Ingolf.

“Amen.”

After a brief pause, Helen broke in once again, “So what is the occasion for the ball, Ingolf?”"Well to be frank, I was hosting it in order to openly show the world that I was now the one, true, Emperor of the Scandinvan Empire. Also, because before I choose a bride I wanted to meet women from outside the Empire, yet I sadly am rather limited in my choice of brides as ancient laws mandate that I marry a woman of pure blood, which in my nation is a woman of noble blood and has the blood of the North, Nordic, unmingled. Though to note I will not go around the ball myself saying this due to the fact that people will be offended by this and say that there daughers are just as worthy as any Nordic woman to marry me."

"Well to be frank, I was hosting it in order to openly show the world that I was now the one, true, Emperor of the Scandinvan Empire. Also, because before I choose a bride I wanted to meet women from outside the Empire, yet I sadly am rather limited in my choice of brides as ancient laws mandate that I marry a woman of pure blood, which in my nation is a woman of noble blood and has the blood of the North, Nordic, unmingled. Though to note I will not go around the ball myself saying this due to the fact that people will be offended by this and say that there daughers are just as worthy as any Nordic woman to marry me."

OOC: Prior to the next IC post, I have a question: about how old is Ingolf?

OOC: Prior to the next IC post, I have a question: about how old is Ingolf?OOC: I have been changing it a couple of time for kicks and laughs.:p But he is somewhere between the ages of 22-26.

OOC: I have been changing it a couple of time for kicks and laughs.:p But he is somewhere between the ages of 22-26.

OOC: Good. :)

"Well to be frank, I was hosting it in order to openly show the world that I was now the one, true, Emperor of the Scandinvan Empire. Also, because before I choose a bride I wanted to meet women from outside the Empire, yet I sadly am rather limited in my choice of brides as ancient laws mandate that I marry a woman of pure blood, which in my nation is a woman of noble blood and has the blood of the North, Nordic, unmingled. Though to note I will not go around the ball myself saying this due to the fact that people will be offended by this and say that there daughers are just as worthy as any Nordic woman to marry me."

With his explanation, the Empress became visibly more interested.

“You know,” she began, “Errikland has plenty of daughters who fit those criteria, if your laws recognize our historic nobility.”

OOC: Good. :)



With his explanation, the Empress became visibly more interested.

“You know,” she began, “Errikland has plenty of daughters who fit those criteria, if your laws recognize our historic nobility.”"As long as they can prove noble lineage back twenty generations yes my nation would."

"As long as they can prove noble lineage back twenty generations yes my nation would."

“My, that is thorough,” Christian said, “But family is very important to us, and I am sure that most anyone could provide those records. And even if they couldn’t personally, there would certainly be official records kept by churches and local governments. The national government has had a program for a few years of not stopping with modern registration but going back and . . .”

“Dear,” Helen said, touching his arm, “We could certainly provide those sorts of records for our children, right?”

“Oh,” he responded, “Why yes we could.”

“In fact,” she continued, “My husband’s line traces its roots back to Errik’s eldest son, a connection which would, of course, continue to our own children.”

“My, that is thorough,” Christian said, “But family is very important to us, and I am sure that most anyone could provide those records. And even if they couldn’t personally, there would certainly be official records kept by churches and local governments. The national government has had a program for a few years of not stopping with modern registration but going back and . . .”

“Dear,” Helen said, touching his arm, “We could certainly provide those sorts of records for our children, right?”

“Oh,” he responded, “Why yes we could.”

“In fact,” she continued, “My husband’s line traces its roots back to Errik’s eldest son, a connection which would, of course, continue to our own children.”Ingolf laughed and responded," Well if you think that is bad recently my own nation's nobility had attempted to bring dishonor to one of the various Scandinvan Vassal kingdoms rulers in order to show that he was of mixed blood, a rather serious social offense in the Scandinvan society. So in order to find out about his heritage they did a genetic test on him and his ancestors up to fourteen generations in order to see if they could find any non-Nordic genes in him. Of course they failed though and proved that he was infact a pure Scandinvan and at the same managed to ruin their political carreers as a result.

On a different not though I am sure that since your own line is well respected in the Empire no merit would be given to rumors of your ancestors being anything aside from Norse and having true noble blood. So the gathering of the documents to prove your nobility back twenty generations is more of a formality."

Ingolf laughed and responded," Well if you think that is bad recently my own nation's nobility had attempted to bring dishonor to one of the various Scandinvan Vassal kingdoms rulers in order to show that he was of mixed blood, a rather serious social offense in the Scandinvan society. So in order to find out about his heritage they did a genetic test on him and his ancestors up to fourteen generations in order to see if they could find any non-Nordic genes in him. Of course they failed though and proved that he was infact a pure Scandinvan and at the same managed to ruin their political carreers as a result.

On a different not though I am sure that since your own line is well respected in the Empire no merit would be given to rumors of your ancestors being anything aside from Norse and having true noble blood. So the gathering of the documents to prove your nobility back twenty generations is more of a formality."

The importance of nobility in the Scandinvan system was abundantly clear. The Errikans, of course, placed immense emphasis on family; the typical caution in dealing with strangers, the certain degree of distrust, would quickly fall by the wayside upon revelation of even a distance blood relationship, or a somewhat closer connection by marriage. However, there was little to no similar emphasis on the nobility of one’s family. There was once great power behind nobility, akin to the feudal lords of medieval Europe (though not to that extent). That all changed, though, with the Feudal War, which destroyed the stability of the system and, through various factors such as the rise in literacy, gave rise to a degree of social egalitarianism, at least formally, in Errikan culture. The rising literacy giving rise to a better understanding of Christianity was certainly a crucial factor in this shift—the universally endorsed religion which had, with a varying degree of success, been used to cement noble power would ultimately serve to be its undoing, as the concept of all Christians being equal in the eyes of God—now a cornerstone of Errikan Christianity—became similarly universally understood. But that is a matter for examination at another time. The point is that, though they had a historic position, garnering some regard, and were commonly wealthier, carrying greater material influence, and thus gained a certain degree of respect from the (what the modern judge would deem) Socially Darwinistic Errikan people, the nobility were not to be given much regard above the remainder of the Errikans for the sake of their noble background.

“We thank you again for your respect,” Christian said, “You are looking to marry, though? What are the typical Scandinvan practices regarding marriage?”

“We thank you again for your respect,” Christian said, “You are looking to marry, though? What are the typical Scandinvan practices regarding marriage?”"Any respect I show is through your own toil and honor, so there is no need for thanks from you. As for my nation's marriage pratices the best comparison would be a standard Catholic marriage, with rites performed in a mix of Valgardian and Latin. Courting though is fairly mixed as some marry for political reasons or they are find a person whom they 'truly' love."

"Any respect I show is through your own toil and honor, so there is no need for thanks from you. As for my nation's marriage pratices the best comparison would be a standard Catholic marriage, with rites performed in a mix of Valgardian and Latin. Courting though is fairly mixed as some marry for political reasons or they are find a person whom they 'truly' love."

“Akin to Catholic rites? Is the dominant Scandinvan Christianity Catholicism, or affiliated with the Catholic Church?”

“Akin to Catholic rites? Is the dominant Scandinvan Christianity Catholicism, or affiliated with the Catholic Church?”"A Church that has its old roots withim the Catholic Church, but now is somewhat distant with its own rites and traditions."

"A Church that has its old roots withim the Catholic Church, but now is somewhat distant with its own rites and traditions."

“The Errikans had a somewhat similar experience, I suppose; we were, as a people, somewhat isolated from the rest of Christendom for the first centuries of our history, and developed along different lines. By the time of our Crusade, when we were endeavoring to strengthen our ties with them, we were quite different, and the resulting conflicts resulted in long-term estrangement from the Catholic Church.”

“The Errikans had a somewhat similar experience, I suppose; we were, as a people, somewhat isolated from the rest of Christendom for the first centuries of our history, and developed along different lines. By the time of our Crusade, when we were endeavoring to strengthen our ties with them, we were quite different, and the resulting conflicts resulted in long-term estrangement from the Catholic Church.”"Aye, the ancient conflicts of my people, the Valgardians, to protect our common good and to ensure our survival resulted in us being estranged from our fellow Catholics. Though we fought to established the Catholic Church in the lands we conquered, we held the line when all others fled, we fought to the last rather then submitting to shame, and countless numbers of my people died for the Chrurch, but in the end many of my people we banished from the Church due to the fact that we were called to brutual in battle and we deemed to fight our fellow Catholics unjustly, though every time we fought any Catholic is was over matters of honor and rights. So in the end we decided to form our own Church in Union with the Pope."

"Aye, the ancient conflicts of my people, the Valgardians, to protect our common good and to ensure our survival resulted in us being estranged from our fellow Catholics. Though we fought to established the Catholic Church in the lands we conquered, we held the line when all others fled, we fought to the last rather then submitting to shame, and countless numbers of my people died for the Chrurch, but in the end many of my people we banished from the Church due to the fact that we were called to brutual in battle and we deemed to fight our fellow Catholics unjustly, though every time we fought any Catholic is was over matters of honor and rights. So in the end we decided to form our own Church in Union with the Pope."

“When did this take place?”

“When did this take place?”"Around one thousand years ago."

"Around one thousand years ago."

“Ah,” he said, “That is quite an interesting history. Is the Scandinvan Church supported by the state?”

“Ah,” he said, “That is quite an interesting history. Is the Scandinvan Church supported by the state?”"The Scandinvan Church is supported by the Imperial Branch, and has a special role in terms that in trials the Bible in Scandinvan is sworn upon and a Scandinvan prayer is said before each session of Parliament."

"The Scandinvan Church is supported by the Imperial Branch, and has a special role in terms that in trials the Bible in Scandinvan is sworn upon and a Scandinvan prayer is said before each session of Parliament."

“And the Scandinvans are overwhelmingly members of the church?”

“And the Scandinvans are overwhelmingly members of the church?”"I would say so, due to the fact that about 69.5% of my nation's population are Scandinvan Catholics."

"I would say so, due to the fact that about 69.5% of my nation's population are Scandinvan Catholics."

“It is good that secularism has not diluted your people, as it has in so many modern nations who were once devout.”

“It is good that secularism has not diluted your people, as it has in so many modern nations who were once devout.”"Aye, I also like to note that every soceity that has fallen to the sins of godlessness have entered into a state where there people have no inner peace and as such live in excess seeking to fill the holes in their souls."

"Aye, I also like to note that every soceity that has fallen to the sins of godlessness have entered into a state where there people have no inner peace and as such live in excess seeking to fill the holes in their souls."

“Yes; it would seem to be a self-exacerbating problem. Secularization and its adjoining perversions were among the central issues that destabilized the Errikan people prior to the Civil War, though those issues were largely subsided by the war itself and the following regrowth.”

“Yes; it would seem to be a self-exacerbating problem. Secularization and its adjoining perversions were among the central issues that destabilized the Errikan people prior to the Civil War, though those issues were largely subsided by the war itself and the following regrowth.”"My overall belief is, to sum it up in a relatively short phrase, is to know God, is to know peace."