Just a brief outline of the political institutions of the Republic, starting from its creation.
When the Exiled fled across the sea and eventually found the islands, they were made up of many entities.
1. Principality, chinese (25%) 2. Empire, africans (5%) 3. Kingdoms, caucasians (20%) 4. Other tribes, mainly arabic/indian (20%) 5. Original natives of the islands, malays (30%)
This is just a general classification. The Exiled termed themselves as Settlers, while the natives took the title of Islanders. BUT, there were still race politics, but the Settlers united themselves against the Islanders in terms of politics.
So its Settlers(dominated by the chinese) against the natives (malays)
the natives were not primitive, but content with their way of life. its the chinese and the caucasians that have lived in rigid, complex structures that started all the politicking and such.
Frontiercity was the original settlement of the Settlers, and it was clearly divided between each entity.
the chinese took the areas of the port, the caucasians took the center of the city, and natives settled around the outskirts. so very naturally, the different entities took on different roles, the chinese as traders, the caucasians as administrators, the natives in charge of agriculture, the arabs constantly exploring and the africans in the every part.
as Frontiercity grew, the Senate, modelled after the informal leadership of the Exiled, was created.
FIRST POLITICAL SYSTEM:
***THE COMMON SENATE*** Senate Elders: 3 elected senators Senators: 10 per entity
The Republic was created, now the Settlers and the Islanders were formally an entity. this system was in place for a while till the chinese attempted to take over more power in terms of trade, as the rest were starting to interfere. The Consulate was proposed, based on the trading power of the Principality(chinese).
SECOND POLITICAL SYSTEM:
THE COMMON SENATE same
***THE TRADE CONSULATE*** First Consul: Chinese the whole thing was dominated by chinese anyways
as the Republic grew from strength to strength, and with the establishment of another 5 cities, the people agreed to reform the military, to retake the trading routes that are now being threatened by the Empire.
THIRD POLITICAL SYSTEM:
THE REPUBLICAN SENATE same, based in Capitalcity
THE TRADE CONSULATE same, based in Frontiercity
***THE WAR TRIBUNAL*** Supreme Tribune, elected by the Senate Tribunes, commanders of the military
in essence, the leadership of the Tribunal were regarded as even lower in prestige than junior senators and consuls. this was especially so after the Muntiny, when the Republic Navy supported a failed coup by the Royales. however, when Empress Joyce swept into power, and the invasion of the Republic began, the Tribunal gained almost absolute power, seen as liberators of the people. **Gregori**, a very talented Tribune became Supreme Tribune. After the Empire was defeated, Gregori proposed his radical plans that the other Tribunes did not agree with. When the Senate offered greater powers for the Tribunal in return for the dismissal of Gregori whom they viewed as dangerous, the Tribunal immediately dumped Gregori.
FOURTH POLITICAL SYSTEM:
THE REPUBLICAN SENATE same, diminished power
THE TRADE CONSULATE same
THE REPUBLICAN TRIBUNAL same, informal power more than Senate
Gregori adopted Phelan, chinese/islander stock, to prove his ideas of state planned training of the children. Phelan eventually becomes the youngest Tribune ever. When the Empire rose again, Phelan was the only Tribune that recorded successes, some due to sheer luck, and the Tribunal and the Senate exonerated him so as the distract the people from the defeats. Phelan was eventually bold enough to ignore direct orders from Gregori and the Tribunal, refusing to retreat with his 5th Capitalcity Cavalry so as to let more citizens flee back to the islands. This act propelled Phelan to hero status. When Phelan returned, Gregori had already set his plan into motion. The young officers all supported Phelan and his ideal of a united Republic, without any race alignment and so on. Black was chosen as the color of the revolution, as every color is assimilated into black, and as a symbol of unity, hair were blackened to cover the different hair colors and everything was in black, flags, uniforms etc. This was against the gold, red and white of the Republic at that time. The Black Revolution against the Tribunal and the Senate was successful, backed by nearly all young officers, NCOs and men plus the full support of the people. Gregori reformed the entire Republic.
FIFTH POLITICAL SYSTEM:
THE STATE CHANCELLORY Chancellor of the Republic: Phelan more of a figurehead role, real power with Gregori
THE STATE DIRECTORATE Director of the Republic: Gregori in charge of everything, health, trade, police.
THE STATE HIGH COMMAND Commander of the Republic: Phelan in charge of war, industry
Gregori started his scheme, assigning all children to specified roles. For example, if a child passes the physical part of the State Selection very well, he or she would be assigned to the military, ending in a branch like Cavalry after more internal selections. Also, parents who are unwilling to care for their child can transfer their authority over the child to the State Directorate, along with orphans. Phelan took a personal interest in this aspect as he was an orphan and these children would grow up as fanatics of Phelan.
Note: Remember the 5th Capitalcity Cavalry? The unit under Phelan that disobeyed direct orders was so mauled that almost none of the soldiers remained. As a mark of respect, there is no longer any 5th Cavalry. Instead, Phelan turned it into the Templar Corps, an elite unit directly under Phelan. The best became the Templar Guards, acting as Phelan's personal guards. Most of the children transferred to the care of the State Directorate entered the Templar Corps. The Templar Corps were fanatics, often the unit called to take down the Dark Elves when the Republic invaded the mainland again. Phelan usually wears the uniform of the Templar Guards.
Okaayyy, thats the outline of the Republic political systems, and i know not many would have lasted through but those who have, please comment on it so i can improve further on it. THANKS!
snippets . @ 5:55 PM
† Monday, October 13, 2008
Here's the next part of Jabel.
He woke up with a start. The first sharp intake of breath forced him to cut the second breath short. There was a sharp pain in his right chest. Feeling for a knife Jabel felt certain was there, he eventually realised it was most probably a cracked rib. Taking shallower breaths, he tried to gather his thoughts. "Check for injuries after every fight." Elan reminded, his voice resounding in Jabel's mind. As he gingerly checked himself before getting up, he tried to force Elan's voice out of his mind, knowing that he must get out now, he can have all the time after that to cry when he was safe. His arms and hands were fine, just blistered from gripping the unfamiliar shield. He bent his legs and tried moving it about and apart from a huge throbbing bruise at the calf and a dried cut on his thigh, his legs were alright. Taking a slow and long breath, Jabel lifted himself slowly, using his hands instead of jumping straight up in case he had a fracture or a torn muscle he might have missed. Wincing in anticipation of pain, he was relieved when his legs held up well even after being thrown and tossed about. His eyes, now attuned to the darkness, noticed a small fire somewhere in the distance. Jabel took another long breath and tried to sneak towards the fire.
Suddenly, a loud noise shattered the silence of the woods. Crouching down immediately, Jabel reached wildly for his daggers but realised soon enough that someone had stripped him of his weapons and his chainmail. Cursing silently, he crept up as best as he could to the edge of a large tree just behind the origin of the noise.
Jabel almost laughed out with relief when he saw the figures. All of them sported the distinctive style of the allied Greitus Duchy, loose leather jerkins trimmed in white. Thank the gods for his grandfather, who frequently made his rounds among the nobles, even though he was technically a priest. As Jabel thanked the gods profusely, he did not notice the slim figure creeping towards him. Before he could take a step forward, a dagger was held against his throat. "And who might you be, young one?" the feminine voice whispered directly into his ears. Jabel managed to cough out his hometown, with the dagger held firmly against his throat. "Oh, a neighbour!" the voice laughed and the three figures standing in the clearing turned immediately towards them. The dagger fell from his throat and Jabel felt it instinctively, the sharpness of the blade did draw some blood. "Sisters, its alright, our friend here is from Calris!" the voice laughed again as Jabel noticed the last figure on the ground. It was one of his brother's soldiers. Before he can turn and try to comprehend the situation, a dagger hilt, his dagger for that matter, flashed down and knocked him cold again.
For the third time, Jabel awoke with a start. He groaned aloud immediately, now feeling the gash near his ear which he had picked up back at the parapet and the new gash where the hilt had connected with his head. Instinctively, he reached up and realised someone had dressed his wounds. His chest was also bounded tightly by two belts, belts from other murdered soldiers Jabel thought, so he could breath evenly without affecting his cracked rib. He swore out loud when another bump connected with his gashes and he realised how he had been waken; he was lying dangerously near the edge of a wagon that was bouncing off the dirt road at high speed. As Jabel pushed himself up against the side of the wagon, he noticed another figure beside him. It was Tomarias, the lieutenant of his brother. The giant was similiarly stripped of his weapons and armour, but was tied very sercurely. Jabel moved silently beside Tomarias. If he could wake him up, maybe they still have a chance to escape whoever betrayed them. He immediately set to work, trying to untie the knots binding Tomarias while nudging him insistently with his foot. "Morning, noble of Calris." the same feminine voice suddenly sounded from behind him. Slumping in disbelieve at his stupidity, Jabel was knocked out cold once again.
A foot prodded him gently. The nudging became more insistent after a while. "Aw, forget it." a deep voice sounded from above him and someone trod on his bruise. Jabel screamed to conciousness, jerking up and tucking his thigh under him. reaching for his rib and the bruise at the same time. As he gasped for air at the pain, the bastard laughed and his heavy footsteps thudded away from him. Tearing his blindfold off, Jabel was helped up simulteneously from both sides. "Sire? You alright?" the soldier on his left asked quietly as the other soldier took the blindfold from his clenched fist and retied it firmly around his eyes. "sorry, we have to convince them you're blinded so we can stay beside you." the other soldier hastily whispered as he pushed Jabel's hand away from tearing off the blindfold again. The soldiers started supporting Jabel firmly as they started walking.
"How long have I been out?"
"A whole day sire, since the Rogues turned you in."
Oh, they were Rogues. Jabel thought dully as the pain from the gashes started throbbing again. The Rogues were an ancient guild allied to the Empire after Empress Joyce came into power. But the diversity of its members prevented them from being eradicated fully.
"Managed to sneak your daggers back though sire." the soldier who had blindfolded him sniggered as he slid the daggers into Jabel's belt. Jabel suddenly recognized the slimy voice.
"Theadin?!" Jabel hissed out immediately, turning to strike the thief.
Theadin laughed as he dodged the blindfolded Jabel easily, all the while still gripping tightly to his shoulder.
"Sire, is this the thanks I get for returning your daggers?" Theadin asked in a mock affronted tone.
"And who are you then?" Jabel turned abruptly towards the soldier on his left.
"Kanean, sire. And please stop resisting, we have no other choice." Kanean replied dejectedly as he held Jabel's left arm and guided him along at a faster pace.
"Get away from me Theadin!" Jabel spat as Theadin grabbed his right arm.
"Alright, alright..." Theadin muttered, amused, as he slinked behind them.
Great, Jabel thought, a thief and a gambler out of the hundreds of men that should have made it out.
"We did not betray Calris sire, we were still locked up when they attacked." Kanean sighed, reading Jabel's thoughts. "They thought we were condemned and made us follow them until they can find what to do with us. They are gang-pressing every man they can find to prevent your brother from escaping." Kanean continued.
"Aye, he was knocked out by Tomarias, some of the men escaped with him." Kanean confirmed in a happier tone. "By the way sire, you're supposed to be a cook's boy, the rogues tried to convince them otherwise but thank heavens you look too young for any right-minded baron to send his young son to the frontline." Kanean muttered darkly.
"What use is a blind cook's boy?" Jabel asked incredulous at their stupidity.
"Don't worry, they evidently lack someone who can even boil potatoes, if those were the black lumps in our soup the barbarians cooked yesterday." Theadin replied from behind.
"Those were'nt potatoes Theadin, I've checked." Kanean laughed as Theadin pretended to retch.
Jabel could already feel the warmth in their relationship, and was glad nonetheless that even though they were scoundrels, the Calrisian loyalthy still burn in them and that was enough for Jabel to be thankful for, now that he is amidst the enemy with no clear way out.
snippets . @ 7:20 AM
† Thursday, October 9, 2008
okay, to better help you guys understand, there will be a brief intro before the actual snippet. Cause everything is everywhere in my brain and my inspiration runs dry if i have to force myself to continue something. thanks for everyone who had read and commented!
______________________________________ This is just a brief outline of the novels. The next part of Jabel is stuck in my locker so...
1st Book: Detailing the rise of the Empire. From the viewpoint of Maran, a defeated general of the Principality who leads the refugees to the southern edge of the mainland where it is rumored that boats are being constucted to flee from the Imperial forces.
2nd Book: Set 100 years later, detailing the rise of the Republic. From the viewpoint of Zavier, a Republican navy captain, who is dragged unwillingly into the Mutiny, where the Navy revolted in favor of the Royales, who believed a monarch was needed for the Republic. The Royales and the Navy were eventually forced out of the Republic, and they settled northwards on a huge group of islands Zavier had found. The Royale Confederation is formed. The Republican plans for invasion of the mainland thwarted by the Mutiny.(no ships left)
3rd Book: Set 30 years later, detailing the ascension of Empress Joyce and The War. From the viewpoints of a few, Tribune Inaen for the Republic, Lord Milus for the Empire, King Joel the Third for the Kingdom for now. The Republic rejects the Senate and the Tribunal rose into power, eventually destroying the Imperial Expedition and the invasion into the mainland.
4th Book: Detailing the ending phases of The War. From the viewpoints of a few. Not confirmed yet. The rise of Phelan, a brilliant Tribune who rise to lead the army and is elected Chancellor by the jubilant masses. Total militarization of the Republic.
5th Book: Set 100 years later, detailing the rise of the Empire again. From the viewpoint of Jabel. He ends up as a Knight General for the Kingdom, leading the remnants of the lands taken by the Empire.
6th Book: Same time period as Jabel. Not decided yet.
So these are the brief plans. Personally, the 4th book is my pet project, but many of you seem to like the Jabel... Anyways, please comment on the plans and dont hold anything back please. Thanks!
snippets . @ 7:51 AM
† Tuesday, October 7, 2008
Darkness. Suddenly, he realised he was swallowing water, his body trying desperately to gasp for air. Jabel struggled weakly, trying to break the surface, but he was already too deprived of air. suddenly, a corner in the canal slammed him against the side, forcing him up. As he tried to breath and expel the water, a pair of rough hands grabbed hold of his tunic, trying to hold him above the rushing waters. Jabel could only hear indistinctive whisperings as he felt himself being hoisted roughly out of the waters, the sharp edges of the walls of the canal digging into his back. He convulsed again as his body threw out more water and the darkness claimed him again.
snippets . @ 7:42 AM
† Sunday, October 5, 2008
"Sir, you may enter the chambers." The Senatorial guard, in the white version of the standard tunic of the Republican calvary, bowed briefly as he nudged the heavy doors open.
Tribune Inaen stiffened and took a deep breath to prepare himself for his audience to the assembled senators of the Republic. Standing outside the chamber doors did not do any good for his composure; he could actually hear the senators arguing through what he believed were 5 inches of solid oak.
"I will have order in my senate!" High Senator Maisarah's voice briefly rose over the din as Inaen started carefully into the circled ring that was the Republican Senate.
"YOUR senate, High Senator?" Senator Lagen shot back vehemently, followed by shouts of approval from quite a few senators. Before anyone could follow up with a comment, the loud voice of the guard annouced the presence of the Tribune.
The following silence was almost deafening, and Inaen strode quickly to the slightly raised podium in the middle of the circle, concious that his iron shod soles were ringing very conspicuously amidst the soft shuffling of the senators' sandals as they took their seats.
"So, what lies will the great Tribune be spinning today?" Lagen's voice echoed once more as Inaen took the stand.
"Senator Lagen, you are an official and if you do not show the proper decorum I will have you thrown out of the Senate." Maisarah answered for Inaen from the dais where the senior senators sat.
"Esteemed High Senator, I was merely pointing out the many false alarms our Tribunal have raised of late." The Senate buzzed to life again. Having acheived his purpose, Lagen sat down with a grin.
Inaen froze briefly at the comment before fumbling around looking for the report. Damn politicians. Inaen thought furiously as he opened the wooden casing. If only he could find the words to counter. But then again, the few who can are already in this room. He steeled himself.
"Senators of the Republican Senate, the Tribunal had recieved news from numerous reports that the Empire is in the final preparations of an invasion fleet and would be on its way as we speak." Inaen annouced gravely, as the buzzing grew louder amid his words.
"And where will this, this invasion fleet of yours be heading Tribune?" Lagen rose up slowly, grinning again to emphasize the absurdness of the reports. The buzzing grew even louder and only died down after Maisarah had pounded her staff of authority against the marble floor.
"The reports indicate that the fleet might be approaching Port Gorian but without ocean scouting vessels we cannot know for sure where would the landings be" admitted Inaen as several senators laughed derisively.
"So Tribune, you are expecting the Senate to call for remobilization in the middle of Harvesting to guard against your ghost fleet?" Lagen smiled patronizingly amidst the shouts of agreements by most senators.
"Senator, the Royale ports are also empty as our agents there had confirmed, you cannot deny that the only reason why the entire Confederation fleet had set sail but for war! The entire fleet had never been away at the same time before, Senators!" Inaen persisted as he beckoned towards the docks of the Royale Confederation towards the east.
"So our dear Tribune now has two ghost fleets as a basis of mobilization of our people! Well justified sir!" Lagen clapped sarcastically as he stepped onto the marbled circle.
Inaen was growing increasingly frustrated at how the senators can ignore the many reports that point towards an imminent invasion. His hand instinctively reached for his sword to check his anger but he soon realized his folly as the senators grew visibly agitated from his reaction.
Seizing the opportunity, Lagen moved beside Inaen and turned to the senators in front of him.
"My fellow senators, may I gently remind you sirs and madams that this is not the first time our Tribunal has reports of invasion? And the full scale mobilization the previous time met with a grand total of three damaged privateers and their injured men who had lost their bearings in that dreadful storm?" Lagen motioned towards the Senate as the buzz arose again. "Since that was during the dead of winter, the gracious hearts of our people forgave the Tribunal after the Senate's gentle persuasion. However my dear Tribune," Lagen turned towards Inaen as he froze at the reminder of the humiliating incident two years back, "we are in the middle of the Harvest, I am inclined to suspect even the Senate would be unable to pacify our people when they return from guarding against ghosts to fields of runied crops.' Lagen concluded as he triumphantly swept back to face the Senate. Inaen visibly trembled with anger, his face suffused with red and his knuckles turning white from gripping the pommel of his sword.
Closing his eyes briefly, he composed himself as he swept the reports into the wooden case as calmly as he could, forcing it shut with a soft snap lost amongst the laughter and shouts of the Senate.
"Very well then," he spoke through gritted teeth, "since Senator Lagen had proven his point, the Tribunal will withdraw its request for mobilization henceforth." Lagen turned mockingly bowed towards Inaen. Before he can press home his attack, Inaen continued coldly.
"The blood of our people will be on the Senate's hands, the Tribunal cannot bear any responsibility for the deaths and suffering to come." Inaen concluded as he shoved the wooden case into the hands of a surprised Lagen. The Senate sat dumbfounded at the harshness of his words. Before Senator Lagen could emphasize the absurdity of the Empire invading the Republic, Tribune Inaen had swept out the chamber doors, ignoring the awestruck guard holding it open for him.
"Sir?" Cirulean asked politely as he held the carriage door open.
"Gather the Tribunes by sunset. And get an audience with the Grand Tribune." Inaen growled as he stooped to enter the carriage. "By sunset Cirulean." Inaen emphasized as he shut the carriage door.
Bowing slightly, Cirulean mounted his ride and rode off immediately followed by a detachment of Inaen's escorts.
To Hell with the bloody senators, Inaen thought as his carriage jerked to a start. I'm not going down without a fight.
snippets . @ 3:16 AM
† Wednesday, October 1, 2008
"Elan!" Everything slowed down to a blur. Brother Elan fell immediately, crashing down the rough stone steps like a marionette, although his hands still held the sword now embedded in his chest, pulling the shocked warrior down along with him. "NO!" As he lunged forward finally to grab Elan back from death, to grab back the last person who truly cared for him as a person, and not as a tool. Elan's soft grey eyes were set in determination, blazing with the final adrenaline rush that had propelled his two broken legs to take the sword, the death, meant for Jabel. he could feel hands now, rough hands holding him back, dragging him to his feet, away, away from the soft grey eyes, the unbelievably gentle calloused hands, away from the man who was more than his brother, his protector, more than his father. "Elan!" A final desperate scream, anything to revive, anything to bring the love back, as Jabel gets pushed further and further back into the press of men, rough hands manually forcing him into the crush and safety, until all he could see was the dark blotches of red on the armour and tunics of his men, and the glints of swords and shields battling furiously against the enemy. The shock wrestled back control of Jabel's mind, silencing him, numbing the explosion of pain and the life that was coursing through him when Elan fell. Silence. "Can you stand sire?!" Darkness. "CAN YOU STAND?!" Suddenly, the bleeding face of one of his men swarmed into sight. The noise, the smells, the speed returned in one blow, forcing Jabel to his senses. He felt the cool stone behind him, and the trickling of blood along his neck. He felt the warm and slick grip of the parrying sword in his right hand, and his left hand still clutched the remnants of the small wooden shield that had saved him twice but killed Elan. "Sire! We need you to light the fires!" A bow and a few arrows were quickly pressed into his hands, forcing the sword and the shield out from his grip. "Sire!" All Jabel could see was the hand, dripping with blood, pointing towards the cauldron of oil that he had failed to light, the cauldron that would had saved Elan. Rough hands forced him to his feet again, and suddenly Jabel stood poised, drawing the now lighted arrow back across his cheek, the years of training kicking in, removing everything else besides the target. He felt the familiar twang as the bowstring swept past him. The arrow lighted the cauldron immediately, and the flames roared to life, charging down every trickle of the oil's path, instantly consuming, overwhelming everything in its path. The enemy fell, screaming and swiping at the flames on them, as Jabel's men pressed back, trying to avoid the path of the flames and the flaming enemies now running towards them. A few of his men caught fire nonetheless, the indiscriminating flame consuming and multiplying itself over and over again on men, dead and alive, on stone, on wood, on friend and on foe. Before he could feel the wave of heat hit him, Jabel was pushed into the drain beside him, and the last he felt was the rushing waters pushing him along, under the walls, and into darkness.
snippets . @ 7:23 AM
† welcome .
please :
+give constructive criticisms .
+hold nothing back .
+write the entry title before your comment . thanks !
