Natopian Etiquette for Dummies

[Nathan]

Proper Etiquette As It Relates To Natopia and Natopians

First Edition

Authored by: HSM Nathan I

Preface

The State and Nation of Natopia has gone through many changes, but for most of its existance, it was a Republic. Now we find ourselves among kings and royalty, it is all very strange to us all, I'm sure. Now that we are a kingdom, we all must be aware that to be so requires certain rules of etiquette to be observed. However, these rules must be unique to Natopia and must coincide with our way of life. This book will break down the rules of etiquette in simple terms.

Chapter One: Greetings

The tradtional verbal greeting has been "hail" since the very early weeks of our nation. Hail, alone, is used similarly to "hello" in the American English language usage and is the most casual greeting discussed here. Joining "hail" with the Casual Salute is used when greeting a Citizen you are not familar with enough to greet with the casual hail. The Casual Salute is achieved by raising the left or right hand (depending on preference) to head-height with palm outward and all fingers together and pointing upwards. The most formal greeting is hail with a Formal, or soldier, Salute. Raise the right hand (in this instance, the left hand is not appropriate) so that the fingertips are just above your face, directly between the bridge of your nose and the inner corner of your eye. Complete the salute by extending your hand out ninety degrees straight out from your body. It is impolite to maintain the end of the Salute for any longer than one second, and the extended hand must sharply return to your side.

Greeting The King:

As a Kingdom it is paramount that citizens understand how to correctly address their King. As you approach the King bow slightly then address him verbally by saying, "Hail, Your Sovereign Majesty." At that time you must use the Formal Salute. As you extend your hand at the end of the salute, keep your hand extended for 5 seconds. If you are in favor with the King, he will embrace your hand and you will know that you can engage the King in informal conversation. If the King does not embrace your hand after 5 seconds, return your hand to the side quickly and after a brief, respectful pause (to not exceed 5 seconds) you may begin your discussion with the King, keeping in mind that the discussion is formal. While in formal discussion with the King, take care to limit your speaking to essential points and always address the King as "Your Sovereign Majesty" where appropriate.

Greeting a Titled Knight:

A Titled Knight is a Knight of the Black Hole that has been gifted a Title and Land, they are the dukes and counts of Natopia. Approach a Titled Knight by saying "Hail Your Grace" if they are a duke or archduke. If the Knight is a count or baron, greet them with "Hail Your Lordship." Then give them the Formal Salute. If they embrace your hand, begin an informal discussion. If they do not, you must be formal and follow the same guidelines when formally addressing the King.

Greeting a Knight or Noble:

A Knight without a Title is to be greeted similarly to a Noble, one who serves on the Royal Frenzy. When greeting a Knight, "Hail Sir (or Dame) ____." When greeting a Noble, "Hail Mister (or Missus) _____" where the blank is their surname.

Chapter 2: Proper Title Usage

The full title of the King is as follows and should be used when addressing communiques to him, or by the King himself when signing important documents:

His Sovereign Majesty, Nathan I, King of Natopia and Sovereign of the Black Hole.

The short title of the king is simply: King Nathan I. When rerfering to the King in the third person, address him as His Sovereign Majesty.

The full title for a Titled Knight is as follows and shall be used similarly to the King's full title.

His Lordship, Joel, Count of Punkrock.

Should a Titled Knight hold a high Imperial office, their title will reflect this:

Her Grace, Tasneem, Archduchhess of Tasneemia, Prime Minister of Internal Affairs.

The only Imperial positions that may be added to a full title is that of prime minister, minister, and high royal judge.

The short title for a Titled Knight is Lord or Lady followed by their first name.

[xon]

As I practice my Natopian "hail" with my right hand thrust into the air in the informal salute, I concentrate my eyes on the red N with diagonal legs around it that is on my computer screen. There is a suddent gust of wind. All is black.
I blink, after which I open my eyes to see a pleasant scene filled with small children carrying flowers, women dressed in their finest Bavarian dresses, and mustachioed men in plaid overalls. Our backs against the alpine air, we're all saluting. On the stage ahead, I see to whom. Flanked by der Fuhrer, Mussolini and Tojo, it's His Royal Highness. I swiftly lift my foot off the cobblestone and kick myself. I find myself sitting my room, typing this message and wondering if there's such a word as "daymare".

(The above is in jest, of course. But...you were hacked or something with that image...right?)

[Nathan]

That logo is almost as old as Natopia itself... it was made for the Black Hole Associates, a secret underground organization, unaffiliated with the government of Natopia but its goal was to serve the government in any way the government could not (i.e. bad things that would be bad p.r.). The unfortunate resemblance to a swastika is unintentional, the lines protruding from the N are to mimic a circular motion, to create the sinking/sucking feeling of a black hole (though i'm perfectly aware a black hole does not work that way). And the colors well... black holes are black, and red and white show up very well on a black background.

The Black Hole Associates disbanded, and as the term "Black Hole" is very very important to Natopia, the name was reused when the current Order was founded to honor fantastic Natopians. The Black Hole was the name of my personal website that I maintained for much of the summer of 2002. When Natopia was founded, it began as a side-page to the Black Hole and over a matter of months it completely took over and eclipsed the Black Hole.

Ha... i just thought of an awesome slogan:

"Only Natopia could ecplise a Black Hole"

;D

[xon]

The Black Shirts was Mussolini's fascist paramilitary group. Thank you for enlightening me on the logo. I guess it does look like a black hole now.

...a certain secret organization, which may or may not exist, may or may not be reviewing your candidacy for membership as a result of your ACT score....

[Tasneem]

*rolls eyes*

[Nathan]

I may or may not be confused lol

[XonnyG]

Tasneem remembers it...

Nate, the information regarding your acceptance has landed in your e-mail inbox. Don't you recall the private message you received. You replied you hadn't taken your ACT yet. Now, of course, you are eligible having met that requirement.

[Tasneem]

Of course I remember it cause I thought it was beyond lame

[Nathan]

oh yeah... now i remember. sorry, i sometimes forget to check my gmail account. ill have to think about it.