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Cetatsenia-Demoness Meeting
Topic Started: Nov 18 2013, 07:41 PM (8,175 Views)
Cetatsenia
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If one was to take a place from the nation of Demoness to Cetatsenia, one would most likely see the dichotomy that the nation was rather known for. In the southern parts of the nation one would notice the highlands, heavily forested and almost untouched by man aside from the winding roads and the occasional town. But further north, the terrain would give away to the lowlands of the Centric Basin. This land was flat, and lacked the expansive forests, though there were smaller isolated forests. But the main difference one would notice would be the level of development, it was dominated by a large amount of farmland as the lowland soil was incredibly fertile, but there was also the occasional city, bustling with people.

Albraustana-zid was one such city, and it was the primate city of Cetatsenia, the richest and most populous and most important of them all. It was built along both sides of the great Albastru River that ran through much of Cetatsenia, though most of it was on the southern bank of the river. This was because of the simple fact that Albraustana-zid had begun life as three separate forts and settlements built along the river. Albrau and Stana had been built on the Southern bank, and over time had grown together until they were finally united into Albraustana. And while Zid would eventually become part of the greater whole, for a long time it was simply considered a city separated from the capital only by the river.

Since it had grown organically over the numerous years, and had once been three separate cities, the streets and roads had a habit of being winding and could be complicated to navigate for those unfamiliar with them who had no map. Though the roads had over time been widened and revamped in order to accommodate cars, and the newest sections of the city on the outskirts actually had a gridded street plan. As it was the middle of the day, the streets were currently filled with cars and buses, and the sidewalks filled with pedestrians, while the newest addition to the city's transportation network, the subway system, ran below the streets.

While there was a number of attractions in the city, such as the museums and baths, one of the most prominent is the Palatul Regal, the Royal Palace. The site of the original settlement of Albrau and lying atop a hill, it has been torn down or otherwise destroyed and then subsequently rebuilt several times throughout history. The most recent being the ascension of Ioan I to the throne of Cetatsenia, though it has been renovated and updated since then.

The Palace itself is surrounded by a wall that rings the entirety of the hill, with only a single gate leading up to it. The wall is patrolled by a special corps of Cetatsenian soldiers, easily identified by their bright blue ceremonial uniforms and ornate, pointed helmets. After that, a road lead up to the palace proper, an expansive building with a stone exterior that shared more in common with a medieval castle than what one thinks of when they hear the word 'palace'. It was home to a fair number of servants, as well as the guardsmen, and a small number of government officials. Most of those lived out in the city, and worked in their own buildings. It was absolutely huge, and in front of it was an expansive pool of water. Overall, it was an impressive sight that could be seen from a good portion of the city.

At the moment, however, Voivode Gavril IV Suveraneshti was not at his home in the palace. Rather he was at the airport, which had been cleared of any citizens besides him, the guards arrayed with him, and those who worked there; all flights to this airport had either been delayed or rerouted to other nearby airports. Today was an important day, as this was the decided upon day of Jia Li's visit to Cetatsenia. As two nations whose relationship could be accurately described as "mutually neutral", this was a rather important meeting, and Gavril did not want to mess anything up. So he stood alongside his older sister Andreea, the Steward of Cetatsenia, in the airport, ready to head out onto the tarmac to greet the Empress as soon as her plane set down.
Edited by Cetatsenia, Apr 22 2014, 09:58 PM.
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Cetatsenia
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"I am glad zat in Cetatsenia ze families of nobles do not really hold power," Gavril said, "I mean no offense, but I feel as zough it saves me quite a few headaches." The Voivode smiled as he said this, doing his best to make it clear he was speaking in jest.

"Yeah, ze fact zat I am ze Voivode's cousin does not mean shit," Gavrila said, grinning, "At least officially."
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Demoness
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Jia Li shrugged. "Officially, they hold no power as well, but unofficially is another story and will always be. They will play their games, but I think at this point they are content in making claims that have no real meaning."
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Cetatsenia
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"I certainly hope so. It would prove a headache ozerwise, I would imagine," Gavril said, "But what exactly does making zese claims get zem if zey do not hold official power?"
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Demoness
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Jia Li paused while she thought. "I am uncertain how to explain it in your terms. It may be a cultural thing, but bloodline gives incremental power to each group and they gain or lose it based on merits or circumstances. While it is not official standing, it does affect how they are considered among their peers. The system has evolved after the 'official' standings of the Clans were solidified."
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Cetatsenia
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"Zat is explanation enough, I zink," Gavril said, nodding his head in understanding, "Granted it is not somezing I have to deal wiz, but I zink I get what you are saying."

"Sounds like it is nozing but a headache to me," Gavrila said.
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Demoness
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Jia Li shrugged. "Yes, I suppose it is, but I don't deal with it directly most of the time. My cousin does, but that is because she is the heiress. I have to deal with the matriarchs themselves most times and make certain to give them their respect, as they give me mine, but I try not to think about it too much on a daily basis."
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Cetatsenia
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Gavrila grinned in response to the Empress's words. "Out of sight out of mind, huh?" she stopped for a moment, "Zat is how it goes, right?"

"Yes, I believe so," Andreea said, nodding her head. She opened her mouth to say something more, but was interrupted by Gavrila.

"Great, now how about we look at ze damn exhibit?" the Knezinja said happily.

"Zat sounds like a plan," Gavril agreed, "It is certainly better zan standing around here, is it not?"
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Demoness
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Jia Li smiled and placed her arm around Xel. "I suppose so. Lead the way?"
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Cetatsenia
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Gavril nodded and began to lead the tour around the exhibit. It was dedicated solely to Ioan I's conquest of Cetatsenia, though the man himself was styled 'Voivode of all the Cetatsens'; Cetatsenia was not a term that would come into use until later. It told of several years of solid war as the forces of Ioan, including forces commanded by House Albescu in the Vedic Mountains, House de Gheatsa in the North, and House de Sud in the South. Ioan himself gained a reputation as rewarding those who served him, but for being incredibly harsh to those who stood against him. At several points it mentioned that Ioan probably wouldn't have been able to extend his wars on for much longer, and that so much constant warfare had several serious repercussions. The land suffered from famine and several outbreaks of disease, caused by sieges and a lack of peasants to farm the land. And the political situation was far from stable upon Ioan I's death, meaning his youngest daughter was left to deal with the rebellious former-Knezi.

"You can probably tell zat Ioan was far from perfect," Gavril said as they made their way around the exhibit, "But he was still a great man, and ze founder of a nation."

"Eh, if you are going to be honest, even ze 'good' rulers back zen were kind of assholes by today's standards," Gavrila added.
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Demoness
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Jia Li nodded. "This is true. You were a good ruler as long as you could keep some semblance of peace," she replied. As she read about the peasants, she recalled similarities to Demonessian history. Though there was no proper shortage of peasants, they and their land had been frequently abused by the Clans, who would occupy it and annex its resources for months, maybe even years, before moving on. Any peasants who resisted were killed, so most "respected" the Clans in the hopes that they would move on quickly.

"Though, reading about Ioan's daughter reminds me of something and I don't remember if I asked," she continued. "What happens if the youngest isn't 'old' enough to rule? Is there a regent? And isn't it harder for the younger siblings to gain the respect of people who are probably decades older than they are?"
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