Post by Nathan on Oct 23, 2006 14:28:44 GMT -6
I. Geographic Regions
Natopia is the fifth largest nation on Micras in regards to size with an area of 1,092,637 square miles (about the size of Libya) and has two distinct geographical and cultural divides. There is the "Mainland" and the "Continent." The Mainland has several names, including "the Island" and "Natopia Proper." The geographic divisions of the Mainland have altered in name since the acquisition of land on Tapfer. However, the "Coast" refers to the demesnes on the east of the Mainland, Flaventia, Robland, Tasneemia, and Muckypuckyland. That leaves Ziegeland and Punkrock to make up the "Bay area" demesnes on the Mainland. "Bay" refers to Borders Bay, which was once the western limit of the Empire. However, with Natopian expansion now encompassing all of Borders Bay's shores, many Mainland Natopians have taken to calling it the "Natopian Lake" to foster solidarity with the settlers and new citizens on the Continent. The demographics of Continental Natopia are diverse. The Continent has two very distinct geographic divisions. The Southern Penninsula and the West.
1. The Mainland
Natopia Proper has contained the entire Natopian nation for all of Natopian history until just very recently. The demesnes are divided into Coastal and Bay regions. However, common geography is the only thing demesnes share. The traditional autonomy of the demesnes comes down from the Supreme Sovereign Republic of Natopia and its constituent Regions. During the Demesnial Reorganization of the Sovereign Imperial Republic and through the Natopian Transition and finally the Birth of the Empire, Natopia subdivisions have always enjoyed autonomy and cultural seperation. The largely east-west division of the Mainland today replaced the north-south division of the old Republic. Parallel to the collapse of the Republic, the vacuum of centralized power resulted in the War of Ziegish Aggression. This civil war divided the Mainland along north-south lines with Ziegeland leading an alliance of southern regions and annexed areas, and Tasneemia leading the remainder of forces, in the north.
2. The Coast
The eastern most demesnes are all heavily involved in naval and maritime industry. These demesnes are on the South Raynor Sea, with no land or ports between them and the far off continent of Eura. Merchants from Cibola, Benecia, and western Apollonia frequently make stops at Coastal ports on their way to Eura and beyond. Muckypuckyland, Tasneemia, Flaventia and Robland are considered Coastal demesnes. Usually the city of Hazelwood is considered a Coastal city despite it being in a demesne on the Bay. This unique attribute has given Hazelwood the nickname of "the Bay city on the Coast."
3. The Bay
Bay demesnes include Punkrock and Ziegeland. These demesnes control the entire Mainland shore of Borders Bay, hence their name. Natopia Proper is an island, thus all regions of the Mainland have deep maritime roots. While the Coast focused on deep sea marine endeavors, the Bay focused on freshwater fishing. Borders Bay contains ample fish. The shore of the Mainland is dotted with tiny fishing villages dating back to the foundation of the Republic. Andiopolis is a medium sized city that grew out of several large fishing villages and expanded into each other and joined into a larger city.
4. The Southern Penninsula
Lavalonians, an old and proud nationality, occupy the entire Southern Penninsula and administer it themselves within the Empire. The Principality of Lavalon is very distinct from both the Mainland and the continental West. Lavalon enjoyed total autonomy for years before coming under Natopia control, and even now they exercise considerable autonomy and feircely guard their culture for fear of contamination.
5. The West
The West is made of the three Crown Territories, unincorporated as demesnes, protectorates, or colonies. This land was secured by the Imperial Government as a buffer zone between the rest of the continent and Mainland Natopia and Lavalon. Many cities in the West were pre-planned, such as Borders City, which was designed to be a secondary "continental capital" of the Empire. Western culture is almost impossible to generalize. The glistening and modern cities built by the Government all carry the place names of the old Republic. However, the people who inhabit the cities and country side are of varied nationality. There are scattered concentrations of Anthelians who did not make the Great Giess Migration, but now resent their new Natopian rulers. Other indigenous peoples reside in the countryside. The cities are cosmopolitan, being new they attract foreigners and Mainlanders alike. If any of the unifying Natopian culture can be found in the West, it is in the large cities where Mainlanders have settled. The rest of the West clings to their cultures almost as closely as their Lavalonian neighbors.
II. Demesnes
1. Ziegeland
Ziegeland also has vast fields of cotton, and Imperial subsidies made possible the continuation of manual cotton picking. Workers continue to hand pick the cotton, which increases the value of Ziegish cotton world-wide. Imperial subsidies only allowed landowners to begin to pay their field hands and further legislation from the Ziegish Ducal Assembly has made slavery illegal. Any visit to a Ziegish plantation will reveal a culturally diverse work force.
Cities of Interest:
Lindstrom City: Capital of the Empire and Ziegeland.
Hazelwood: Largest city in Natopia, minor Konigreich Richelau Shiffbau headquarters, named for an old Region of the Republic.
Macon: Major production facility for Aeronautics and Space Shipyards. Named for an old Region.
Andiopolis: Named for the first Consul of the Grand Natopian Senate.
Vice City: Pleasure city where most "indulgement" laws have been suspended by the Ziegish Ducal Assembly and remains untouched by Imperial law.
2. Tasneemia
Tasneemia is the oldest Demesne to endure the chaotic regional and demensial reorganizations of the Empire. The capital is Tasneemia City, which is also the second largest city in Natopia. Tasneemia is the largest producer of beef and dairy products. It is named for the first Prime Minister of Natopia.
Cities of Interest:
Tasneemia City: Second largest city of Natopia and capital of Tasneemia. Large port situated on Gaeos Strait. Named after its demesne.
3. Punkrock
The present county is the result of the joining of Lochhatonia and Punkrock into a single demesne. It is named for the favorite genre of music of the first Lord. The new county took the demesnial name of Punkrock and Anmutstadt was selected as the demesnial capital. Punkrock is the largest producer of spice in the continent.
Cities of Interest:
Anmutstadt: Capital of the demesne. Former capital of the old barony of Lochhatonia.
Avenged City: Former capital of the county of Punkrock. Location of the International Yards, shipyards that are made available to all friendly ships for docking and repair.
4. Muckypuckyland
Muckypuckyland occupies Crystal Island. Its capital is Azingrad, named for the barony's first Lord. Muckypuckyland is vital to the Imperial Navy as the port of Rostock is the home berth to the Expeditionary Fleet. The barony has grown rich despite size and isolation due to its ample supplies of gems and precious jewels around Azingrad.
Cities of Interest:
Azingrad: Named for the first Lord of the barony, capital of the demesne.
Rostock: Major naval base for the Expeditionary Fleet.
5. Robland
Robland was named for the first Lord of the demesne, Robert Davis, who served as Grand Judge under the Republic and Imperial Advisor under the Empire. Robland is a major extractor of natural gasses. The capital is Choloeopolis, named for Robert Davis' daughter. During demesnial restructuring, Robland was extended to the western coast by way of the Capelle Corridor, which ends at Capellaville on the shore of the small bay, named for the current Lord of the County.
Cities of Interest:
Chloeopolis: Capital of the demesne, named for Chloe Davis.
Capellaville: Named for the second Lord of the county.
III. Special Demesnes
1. Alrodria
Alrodria occupies a small, ice-locked island in the antarctic region south east of Tapfer. However, Alrodria is key to the Empire's wealth and power. Vast amounts of uranium are under the Alrodrian frost as well as precious jewels. Alrodria was a sovereign nation that was annexed into the Empire for its protection. It still enjoys almost total autonomy as the Imperial government has adopted an unofficial policy of not involving itself in Alrodrian affairs aside from defense.
Cities of Interest:
Alrodria: The capital of the Kingdom, the city of Alrodria enjoys considerable wealth from its mines and uranium refining industries.
2. Flaventia
The Commonwealth of Flaventia is composed of several baronetcies which are small parcels of land given to friends of the Emperor.
Cities of Interest:
Urflaven: The central city of Flaventia serves as a conference city for the baronets of Flaventia to coordinate matters of the desmesne with the Lord Protector.
3. Lavalon
Lavalon occupies the Southern Penninsula of Tapfer. Ironically, wheat from Lavalonian fields are the preferred ingredient of the traditional Natopian bagels.
Cities of Interest:
Lavisitya: Capital of Lavalon and center of the Lavalonian nation and culture.
Bagelston: Natopian stronghold in Lavalon after the Lavalonian Schism.
IV. Territories
1. Klaasiya
The territory of Klaasiya, named in honor of the old Lavalonian province that served as the home of displaced Natopians on the Southern Penninsula after the Lavalonian Schism. That province was named after the first president of the Republic of Lavalon. The capital is Klaasisitya. Borders City is an entirely planned cosmopolitan megapolis constructed on the shore of Borders Bay within the past few years. It is the technology capital of the Tapfer continent.
Cities of Interest:
Klaasisitya: Capital of the territory, named for the territory.
Borders City: Large, modern city, a "continental capital." Named for Borders Bay.
Frieden Mine: Named after one of the original Five Regions. Large quantities of semi-precious gems.
2. New Dracoheim
New Dracoheim Territory is located on the main continent and is named in honor of one of the original Five Regions of the Supreme Sovereign Republic of Natopia. The original Dracoheim secceded from the Republic and functioned as a country whose sovereignty was severly dependent on Natopia. The capital of New Dracoheim is Hoheit, also named for one of the original Regions. The large port city of Mehlville connects the interior of Tapfer to the world's ocean.
Cities of Interest:
Hoheit: Capital of the territory. Small town in the highlands.
Mehlville: Large southern port city, named in honor of the lost overseas colony of New Mehlville.
3. Konigsee
Named after a lake in the Bavarian Alps that His Sovereign Majesty visited on vacation. The capital of Konigsee is Port Mills. Konigsee is also the largest extractor of natural gas in the Empire.
Cities of Interest:
Port Mills: Capital of the territory. Named for the first elected Chancellor of the Frenzy.
V. Natopian Culture at a Glance
Natopian culture is characterized by a general sense of aloofness, immaturity, and irreverance. All these traits are held in high regard and people tend to ostracize anyone perceived as "mature" or "overly serious." In official capacities, most Natopians will make concessions and keep their jibes to themselves when confronted with foreign nationals who take themselves too seriously, especially diplomats and heads of state enjoying the hospitality of the government. However, should a foreign national venture into the common areas of the Empire, they do so at their own risk. Visitors from professional and serious nations with governments incessantly pursueing protocol may feel out of place in Natopia at first due to complete abandon of protocols. However, travelors should take note that Natopians are by nature friendly, accessible, and playful.
The Empire is ruled by the pervasive and pointless Free Juice and Bagels Party. The Emperor, Prime Minister and Foreign Minister are all party members. According to party policies, all state occasions serve bagels and juice. The party adopted several other policies that never gained popular consent. Despite the party holding a monopoly in the executive branch and a majority in the Royal Frenzy, activity of the party is nonexistant. Party members proudly proclaims themselves as Bagelcratican, which speaks nothing to their political views on a "left-right" continuum and today proclaiming Bagelcraticanism is nothing more than a patriotic saying.
If there is one thing the Bagelcratican Party has achieved even during its dormancy, it is the fostering of Natopians' love of bagels and juice. While imperial laws only mandate that state occasions provide bagels and juice, the idea caught on in the private sector. You would be hard pressed to find a wedding reception, birthday, anniversary party, graduation, or even business meeting that did not have at least a platter of plain bagels and pitcher of cheap juice set on a table against the wall. Walking through any major city of Natopia, one will pass numerous bagel and juice shops and even the tiniest village will have bagels and juice available at the local diner. Due to a concession to Zachary Klaas in the formation of the Lavalonian Bagelcratican Party, tea is usually found alongside juice at most events.
If Natopians have one collective weakness as a nation, it is their passionate nationalism. This passion first surfaced after the Lavalonian Schism, when most Natopians felt Lavalon was directly responsible for the collapse of the Venerable Union of Aligned States, an organization used as a facade for Natopia's imperial asperations. Natopians desired empire, and Lavalon denied them that. Thus, following the collapse, the government only contributed to the common Natopian's eventual hatred of Lavalon, both that state and that nation as a whole. All diplomatic ties were ceased between Natopia and Lavalon, and a public holiday was established to demonize Lavalon. The holiday, Purification Day, celebrates the collapse of VUAS because Natopia was rid of Lavalon. This also shows Natopians' willingness to be persuaded by government policy for the ultimate goal of maintaining Natopia's good name. The VUAS collapse embaressed Natopia, despite people's desire for domination. The word "Lavalonian" is sometimes used in Natopian speech to describe something that does not work, despite many attempts to get it right, each time starting over. This refers to how following the Lavalonian Schism, that country went through several constitutions, each time throwing the old government out.
The second occurance of this viscious passion surfaced on a global scale. As Lavalon was relativly isolationist in its foreign policy, its falling out with Natopia caused minor ripples on the international scene. When every other nation on Natopia's continent suddenly left Micras and the Micronational Cartography Society and relocated to a new planet, Giess, and joined the Geographical Standards Organization, Natopia was outraged. No notice had been sent to the government despite all the nations being allied with Natopia through the Novasolum Treaty. Natopians were expected to ignore this oversight because it was an honest mistake. However, Natopians felt that while the mistake was unfortunate and no one's fault, not enough was done to ensure Natopia's inclusion in such an important matter. Public opinion of Novasolum dropped and opinion of the Republic of Anthelia dropped even lower as the Imperial government pegged Anthelia as the leader of Novasolum and its president as the primary force behind the creation of the GSO. The public was furious. Any member of any other Novasolan or GSO nation was greeted by either barbed remarks by officials or full-blown threats by citizens. Things were smoothed over with practically all nations except Anthelia. Frenzy legislation was proposed to create social programs that would force Anthelian hatred into Natopian society. The legislation never officially passed but received wide support and little to no opposition. The word "Anthelian" is not in common usage but generally describes someone who is a puppetmaster, or hegemon.
One all-but-forgotten aspect of Natopian culture is the very first cultural initiative. The Natopabet is the creation of Nathan Shepard in late 2002. The new alphabet was designed to mainly be a code, creating new characters that paralleled the Roman alphabet. Nathan Shepard and Sherry Lochhaas are officially recognized as the only two people to be able to actually read the Natopabet. The original characters were complex and difficult to make, resulting in at least 2 revisions and simplifications. The current official Natopabet is further simplified so that characters can be produced on a computer. While it is generally held that the integrity of the unique characters largely survived the simplifications, typing these characters is very cumbersome and appears unbalanced and rather ugly on screen. The Natopabet has since been abandoned by the government, which used the Natopabet to print the motto on the first coat of arms.
The language of Natopia is offically Natspeak. Grammar and vocabularly are identical to American English, however the Natspeak Dictionary suppliments the language. Most words merely allude to citizens' inside jokes and verbal quirks. Spelling of some words, expecially easily contracted or slurred phrases is simplified and improper spellings are officialized. For example the sentence "I do not want to know what you ate," would be spoken thusly by a true Natspeaker, "I dunwano you ate." While legislation stipulates Natspeak as the only official language, all government business is conducted using standard English.
The national animal of Natopia is the second oldest symbol of Natopia, following the Cross of Sovereignty. The goat represents resourcefulness and steadiness and the people proudly embrace their national animal despite its quirkiness. The most popular eatery in Lindstrom City, which is famous for its famous clientele, is named the Wild Goat Pub for the national animal.
VI. Lavalonian Culture at a Glance
VII. Abridged History of the Empire and its Constituent Nations
Natopia is the fifth largest nation on Micras in regards to size with an area of 1,092,637 square miles (about the size of Libya) and has two distinct geographical and cultural divides. There is the "Mainland" and the "Continent." The Mainland has several names, including "the Island" and "Natopia Proper." The geographic divisions of the Mainland have altered in name since the acquisition of land on Tapfer. However, the "Coast" refers to the demesnes on the east of the Mainland, Flaventia, Robland, Tasneemia, and Muckypuckyland. That leaves Ziegeland and Punkrock to make up the "Bay area" demesnes on the Mainland. "Bay" refers to Borders Bay, which was once the western limit of the Empire. However, with Natopian expansion now encompassing all of Borders Bay's shores, many Mainland Natopians have taken to calling it the "Natopian Lake" to foster solidarity with the settlers and new citizens on the Continent. The demographics of Continental Natopia are diverse. The Continent has two very distinct geographic divisions. The Southern Penninsula and the West.
1. The Mainland
Natopia Proper has contained the entire Natopian nation for all of Natopian history until just very recently. The demesnes are divided into Coastal and Bay regions. However, common geography is the only thing demesnes share. The traditional autonomy of the demesnes comes down from the Supreme Sovereign Republic of Natopia and its constituent Regions. During the Demesnial Reorganization of the Sovereign Imperial Republic and through the Natopian Transition and finally the Birth of the Empire, Natopia subdivisions have always enjoyed autonomy and cultural seperation. The largely east-west division of the Mainland today replaced the north-south division of the old Republic. Parallel to the collapse of the Republic, the vacuum of centralized power resulted in the War of Ziegish Aggression. This civil war divided the Mainland along north-south lines with Ziegeland leading an alliance of southern regions and annexed areas, and Tasneemia leading the remainder of forces, in the north.
2. The Coast
The eastern most demesnes are all heavily involved in naval and maritime industry. These demesnes are on the South Raynor Sea, with no land or ports between them and the far off continent of Eura. Merchants from Cibola, Benecia, and western Apollonia frequently make stops at Coastal ports on their way to Eura and beyond. Muckypuckyland, Tasneemia, Flaventia and Robland are considered Coastal demesnes. Usually the city of Hazelwood is considered a Coastal city despite it being in a demesne on the Bay. This unique attribute has given Hazelwood the nickname of "the Bay city on the Coast."
3. The Bay
Bay demesnes include Punkrock and Ziegeland. These demesnes control the entire Mainland shore of Borders Bay, hence their name. Natopia Proper is an island, thus all regions of the Mainland have deep maritime roots. While the Coast focused on deep sea marine endeavors, the Bay focused on freshwater fishing. Borders Bay contains ample fish. The shore of the Mainland is dotted with tiny fishing villages dating back to the foundation of the Republic. Andiopolis is a medium sized city that grew out of several large fishing villages and expanded into each other and joined into a larger city.
4. The Southern Penninsula
Lavalonians, an old and proud nationality, occupy the entire Southern Penninsula and administer it themselves within the Empire. The Principality of Lavalon is very distinct from both the Mainland and the continental West. Lavalon enjoyed total autonomy for years before coming under Natopia control, and even now they exercise considerable autonomy and feircely guard their culture for fear of contamination.
5. The West
The West is made of the three Crown Territories, unincorporated as demesnes, protectorates, or colonies. This land was secured by the Imperial Government as a buffer zone between the rest of the continent and Mainland Natopia and Lavalon. Many cities in the West were pre-planned, such as Borders City, which was designed to be a secondary "continental capital" of the Empire. Western culture is almost impossible to generalize. The glistening and modern cities built by the Government all carry the place names of the old Republic. However, the people who inhabit the cities and country side are of varied nationality. There are scattered concentrations of Anthelians who did not make the Great Giess Migration, but now resent their new Natopian rulers. Other indigenous peoples reside in the countryside. The cities are cosmopolitan, being new they attract foreigners and Mainlanders alike. If any of the unifying Natopian culture can be found in the West, it is in the large cities where Mainlanders have settled. The rest of the West clings to their cultures almost as closely as their Lavalonian neighbors.
II. Demesnes
1. Ziegeland
Ziegeland also has vast fields of cotton, and Imperial subsidies made possible the continuation of manual cotton picking. Workers continue to hand pick the cotton, which increases the value of Ziegish cotton world-wide. Imperial subsidies only allowed landowners to begin to pay their field hands and further legislation from the Ziegish Ducal Assembly has made slavery illegal. Any visit to a Ziegish plantation will reveal a culturally diverse work force.
Cities of Interest:
Lindstrom City: Capital of the Empire and Ziegeland.
Hazelwood: Largest city in Natopia, minor Konigreich Richelau Shiffbau headquarters, named for an old Region of the Republic.
Macon: Major production facility for Aeronautics and Space Shipyards. Named for an old Region.
Andiopolis: Named for the first Consul of the Grand Natopian Senate.
Vice City: Pleasure city where most "indulgement" laws have been suspended by the Ziegish Ducal Assembly and remains untouched by Imperial law.
2. Tasneemia
Tasneemia is the oldest Demesne to endure the chaotic regional and demensial reorganizations of the Empire. The capital is Tasneemia City, which is also the second largest city in Natopia. Tasneemia is the largest producer of beef and dairy products. It is named for the first Prime Minister of Natopia.
Cities of Interest:
Tasneemia City: Second largest city of Natopia and capital of Tasneemia. Large port situated on Gaeos Strait. Named after its demesne.
3. Punkrock
The present county is the result of the joining of Lochhatonia and Punkrock into a single demesne. It is named for the favorite genre of music of the first Lord. The new county took the demesnial name of Punkrock and Anmutstadt was selected as the demesnial capital. Punkrock is the largest producer of spice in the continent.
Cities of Interest:
Anmutstadt: Capital of the demesne. Former capital of the old barony of Lochhatonia.
Avenged City: Former capital of the county of Punkrock. Location of the International Yards, shipyards that are made available to all friendly ships for docking and repair.
4. Muckypuckyland
Muckypuckyland occupies Crystal Island. Its capital is Azingrad, named for the barony's first Lord. Muckypuckyland is vital to the Imperial Navy as the port of Rostock is the home berth to the Expeditionary Fleet. The barony has grown rich despite size and isolation due to its ample supplies of gems and precious jewels around Azingrad.
Cities of Interest:
Azingrad: Named for the first Lord of the barony, capital of the demesne.
Rostock: Major naval base for the Expeditionary Fleet.
5. Robland
Robland was named for the first Lord of the demesne, Robert Davis, who served as Grand Judge under the Republic and Imperial Advisor under the Empire. Robland is a major extractor of natural gasses. The capital is Choloeopolis, named for Robert Davis' daughter. During demesnial restructuring, Robland was extended to the western coast by way of the Capelle Corridor, which ends at Capellaville on the shore of the small bay, named for the current Lord of the County.
Cities of Interest:
Chloeopolis: Capital of the demesne, named for Chloe Davis.
Capellaville: Named for the second Lord of the county.
III. Special Demesnes
1. Alrodria
Alrodria occupies a small, ice-locked island in the antarctic region south east of Tapfer. However, Alrodria is key to the Empire's wealth and power. Vast amounts of uranium are under the Alrodrian frost as well as precious jewels. Alrodria was a sovereign nation that was annexed into the Empire for its protection. It still enjoys almost total autonomy as the Imperial government has adopted an unofficial policy of not involving itself in Alrodrian affairs aside from defense.
Cities of Interest:
Alrodria: The capital of the Kingdom, the city of Alrodria enjoys considerable wealth from its mines and uranium refining industries.
2. Flaventia
The Commonwealth of Flaventia is composed of several baronetcies which are small parcels of land given to friends of the Emperor.
Cities of Interest:
Urflaven: The central city of Flaventia serves as a conference city for the baronets of Flaventia to coordinate matters of the desmesne with the Lord Protector.
3. Lavalon
Lavalon occupies the Southern Penninsula of Tapfer. Ironically, wheat from Lavalonian fields are the preferred ingredient of the traditional Natopian bagels.
Cities of Interest:
Lavisitya: Capital of Lavalon and center of the Lavalonian nation and culture.
Bagelston: Natopian stronghold in Lavalon after the Lavalonian Schism.
IV. Territories
1. Klaasiya
The territory of Klaasiya, named in honor of the old Lavalonian province that served as the home of displaced Natopians on the Southern Penninsula after the Lavalonian Schism. That province was named after the first president of the Republic of Lavalon. The capital is Klaasisitya. Borders City is an entirely planned cosmopolitan megapolis constructed on the shore of Borders Bay within the past few years. It is the technology capital of the Tapfer continent.
Cities of Interest:
Klaasisitya: Capital of the territory, named for the territory.
Borders City: Large, modern city, a "continental capital." Named for Borders Bay.
Frieden Mine: Named after one of the original Five Regions. Large quantities of semi-precious gems.
2. New Dracoheim
New Dracoheim Territory is located on the main continent and is named in honor of one of the original Five Regions of the Supreme Sovereign Republic of Natopia. The original Dracoheim secceded from the Republic and functioned as a country whose sovereignty was severly dependent on Natopia. The capital of New Dracoheim is Hoheit, also named for one of the original Regions. The large port city of Mehlville connects the interior of Tapfer to the world's ocean.
Cities of Interest:
Hoheit: Capital of the territory. Small town in the highlands.
Mehlville: Large southern port city, named in honor of the lost overseas colony of New Mehlville.
3. Konigsee
Named after a lake in the Bavarian Alps that His Sovereign Majesty visited on vacation. The capital of Konigsee is Port Mills. Konigsee is also the largest extractor of natural gas in the Empire.
Cities of Interest:
Port Mills: Capital of the territory. Named for the first elected Chancellor of the Frenzy.
V. Natopian Culture at a Glance
Natopian culture is characterized by a general sense of aloofness, immaturity, and irreverance. All these traits are held in high regard and people tend to ostracize anyone perceived as "mature" or "overly serious." In official capacities, most Natopians will make concessions and keep their jibes to themselves when confronted with foreign nationals who take themselves too seriously, especially diplomats and heads of state enjoying the hospitality of the government. However, should a foreign national venture into the common areas of the Empire, they do so at their own risk. Visitors from professional and serious nations with governments incessantly pursueing protocol may feel out of place in Natopia at first due to complete abandon of protocols. However, travelors should take note that Natopians are by nature friendly, accessible, and playful.
The Empire is ruled by the pervasive and pointless Free Juice and Bagels Party. The Emperor, Prime Minister and Foreign Minister are all party members. According to party policies, all state occasions serve bagels and juice. The party adopted several other policies that never gained popular consent. Despite the party holding a monopoly in the executive branch and a majority in the Royal Frenzy, activity of the party is nonexistant. Party members proudly proclaims themselves as Bagelcratican, which speaks nothing to their political views on a "left-right" continuum and today proclaiming Bagelcraticanism is nothing more than a patriotic saying.
If there is one thing the Bagelcratican Party has achieved even during its dormancy, it is the fostering of Natopians' love of bagels and juice. While imperial laws only mandate that state occasions provide bagels and juice, the idea caught on in the private sector. You would be hard pressed to find a wedding reception, birthday, anniversary party, graduation, or even business meeting that did not have at least a platter of plain bagels and pitcher of cheap juice set on a table against the wall. Walking through any major city of Natopia, one will pass numerous bagel and juice shops and even the tiniest village will have bagels and juice available at the local diner. Due to a concession to Zachary Klaas in the formation of the Lavalonian Bagelcratican Party, tea is usually found alongside juice at most events.
If Natopians have one collective weakness as a nation, it is their passionate nationalism. This passion first surfaced after the Lavalonian Schism, when most Natopians felt Lavalon was directly responsible for the collapse of the Venerable Union of Aligned States, an organization used as a facade for Natopia's imperial asperations. Natopians desired empire, and Lavalon denied them that. Thus, following the collapse, the government only contributed to the common Natopian's eventual hatred of Lavalon, both that state and that nation as a whole. All diplomatic ties were ceased between Natopia and Lavalon, and a public holiday was established to demonize Lavalon. The holiday, Purification Day, celebrates the collapse of VUAS because Natopia was rid of Lavalon. This also shows Natopians' willingness to be persuaded by government policy for the ultimate goal of maintaining Natopia's good name. The VUAS collapse embaressed Natopia, despite people's desire for domination. The word "Lavalonian" is sometimes used in Natopian speech to describe something that does not work, despite many attempts to get it right, each time starting over. This refers to how following the Lavalonian Schism, that country went through several constitutions, each time throwing the old government out.
The second occurance of this viscious passion surfaced on a global scale. As Lavalon was relativly isolationist in its foreign policy, its falling out with Natopia caused minor ripples on the international scene. When every other nation on Natopia's continent suddenly left Micras and the Micronational Cartography Society and relocated to a new planet, Giess, and joined the Geographical Standards Organization, Natopia was outraged. No notice had been sent to the government despite all the nations being allied with Natopia through the Novasolum Treaty. Natopians were expected to ignore this oversight because it was an honest mistake. However, Natopians felt that while the mistake was unfortunate and no one's fault, not enough was done to ensure Natopia's inclusion in such an important matter. Public opinion of Novasolum dropped and opinion of the Republic of Anthelia dropped even lower as the Imperial government pegged Anthelia as the leader of Novasolum and its president as the primary force behind the creation of the GSO. The public was furious. Any member of any other Novasolan or GSO nation was greeted by either barbed remarks by officials or full-blown threats by citizens. Things were smoothed over with practically all nations except Anthelia. Frenzy legislation was proposed to create social programs that would force Anthelian hatred into Natopian society. The legislation never officially passed but received wide support and little to no opposition. The word "Anthelian" is not in common usage but generally describes someone who is a puppetmaster, or hegemon.
One all-but-forgotten aspect of Natopian culture is the very first cultural initiative. The Natopabet is the creation of Nathan Shepard in late 2002. The new alphabet was designed to mainly be a code, creating new characters that paralleled the Roman alphabet. Nathan Shepard and Sherry Lochhaas are officially recognized as the only two people to be able to actually read the Natopabet. The original characters were complex and difficult to make, resulting in at least 2 revisions and simplifications. The current official Natopabet is further simplified so that characters can be produced on a computer. While it is generally held that the integrity of the unique characters largely survived the simplifications, typing these characters is very cumbersome and appears unbalanced and rather ugly on screen. The Natopabet has since been abandoned by the government, which used the Natopabet to print the motto on the first coat of arms.
The language of Natopia is offically Natspeak. Grammar and vocabularly are identical to American English, however the Natspeak Dictionary suppliments the language. Most words merely allude to citizens' inside jokes and verbal quirks. Spelling of some words, expecially easily contracted or slurred phrases is simplified and improper spellings are officialized. For example the sentence "I do not want to know what you ate," would be spoken thusly by a true Natspeaker, "I dunwano you ate." While legislation stipulates Natspeak as the only official language, all government business is conducted using standard English.
The national animal of Natopia is the second oldest symbol of Natopia, following the Cross of Sovereignty. The goat represents resourcefulness and steadiness and the people proudly embrace their national animal despite its quirkiness. The most popular eatery in Lindstrom City, which is famous for its famous clientele, is named the Wild Goat Pub for the national animal.
VI. Lavalonian Culture at a Glance
VII. Abridged History of the Empire and its Constituent Nations