Close to the boarder of Bellris, this region is known for having a long history with both countries. Legend has it that this was the site of the original population of phoenixes, but there is little more than that to go on. In Ethe's formative years, it was often a navel battleground, pivotal on more than one occasion.
During the recent decades the region has taken on a new face. Instead of being a contested plot of land, it has been secularised to the point of becoming completely innocuous to both nations. Thanks to that, it has become a vacation destination for all in the realm, especially those of phoenix blood--regardless of origin.
Economy:
Tourism and vacations take the forefront of this region's economy, bolstered by some mines, a boating industry (with contracts to the Navy (there is a small operation that patrols the river in order to help secure the boarder)), a few dairy farms and fruit plantations, and sponsored artists.
AVG Annual GDP/Cap.: 2,500 EC (This number is very skewed, since the majority of the "residents" are wealthy visitors.
Weather:
Sunshine and green abound in this paradise. The winter, however, brings with it typhoons and furiously quick snowstorms. Spring and Fall are moderate, providing a bevvy of colors to inspire every emotion on the spectrum.
The people:
The native population having been bred out long ago, there is no memory of what an actual Titanian looks like. What we see now are simply a mosaic of other ethnicities. People here are nearly always in a terrific mood, and war appears to be as distant as the rain clouds over Etelan.
Maps:
Map of Ethe
North Titania
East Titania
West Titania
South Titania
Quote:
Ecology
Many escaped pets--exotic or otherwise--have been seen as integrated/introduced species to the the diverse but small region. It has very regular seasons, making for an even distribution of prey and predatory animals. The bird population has exploded, led by the rare Golden Pheasant. Pig and wolf populations insure a lively winter scene, and the occasional amphitere has been rumored to be spotted roaming the Bellris border.
Plants seem to be mostly bright flowers, lending to the state's beauty and likely stemming from its biodiversity in pollinators. Large conifers dot the landscape, with some colorful maples in the fall.
Azazel followed his dreams toward Ethe, he had had enough brains working between the heat of the sickness he fought to know to fly fast in a straight line though the mists around Palude and Etherland. He felt the choking mist across his throat, but in his fever he had one place he wanted to go. It was when he spotted that place that he started to fall. Like a comet the might dragon took a nosedive, his wings plastered against his back scales as his large frame plummeted from the skies.
He would land, his draconic body causing a BOOM to echo as his frame landed in the river at the very edge of the world, his tail hanging off the edge of the world, the water starting to build up behind him. He felt the effects of the mist in his system. He had very little Ethen blood, 1/16th from his mothers side, though he would not die from being in Ethe, his sickness wouldn't alleviate, and it would feel harder to breath and take in air the longer he was here.
Slowly his dragon form would dissipate, the water from the river make it look like it was being washed away as he shrunk into his human body, his clothing torn. The Emperor's eyes opening slightly, he pulled himself forward just enough so that his head was resting on the bank "Evangeline...." he whispered, his hand digging into the rocks and mud as if he was grasping for someone hand, his eyes glassed over as if was not seeing this world.
Cotton Shorts Kid
OOC: I know you're not here, but you know, his land and all
Needless to say, there cannot be a bang like that without something of a ripple-effect. Thing was, this was something of a small pond; the waves hadn't room to dissipate too much by the time they reached the edge--rather, people could hear the cometine dragon crash from inside.
"Ah! Good to see you back before too late, my lo--" The wave, a butler, who mistook the Emperor's clamourous landing for one of Dixon's typical entrances (there were craters throughout the territory), had come back to the epicenter. "--I-I-I-I beg your pardon, my liege," he stammered. "Is everything alright?"
Azazel looked up at the bearded man and then back down at the mud, finding that his beloved Evangeline was not their but instead he was clutching at the dirt like a commoner. Azazel slowly stood up "Your pardon is not necessary" he said as he grabbed hold of his sword just in time and pulled it from its sheath and he stabbed it into the riverbank just as he began to loose his balance once again.
He gripped the hilt and pushed himself back up while reaching into his pocket and pulling out a golden plated EC with his face upon it, it was clearly an Epsilon Coin, but under a new mint and yet to be in rotation. "Am i near the Titanian pauper graveyard, for those to poor to be buried in the Maude's Necropolis." he asked as he held the coin out to the man.
What to do... The immediate choices seemed to be to let the Emperor pay him or to refuse him, asserting his security and that he needn't be fussed over by someone of Azazel's superiority--the latter, by the way, might be seen as something of an insult to the Emperor, who might have been trying to give face. The helpful butler smiled and thought as quickly as he could; he decided it best to refuse the offer.
"Of course, my lord. I shall take you there without payment. Please, this way." The help motioned for the Emperor to follow, turning and walking off toward the small foothills off the side of the trail.
The walk was long. Azazel would certainly be taking all risks by embarking on the trek. About half-way through their journey a violet streak could be seen overhead. The count was heading back to the castle, to report on what had transpired between himself and Roland Bellris.
"What's all this?" muttered the count to himself, seeing his own help out where he ought not to have been. He came to land near the party, changing back to his human form.
"Good evening, Raymond," nodded the count, and, giving the Emperor his due, "and good evening to you, Emperor. To what do we owe this... Surprise?"
"So be it" the emperor said as he used his sword to keep himself up, the golden plated coin falling from his hand and into the dirt, the coin flipped a few times before landing face down, the seal of the Drosselmeyer house, four swords, shown upward.
The Emperor followed the peasant despite his fever, his hand finding refuge upon any spot that could help support the lumbering giant of a man. As they walked he began to see the graveyards in the distance and started forward a little faster, but he was stopped by the count. The count. He had been gracious enough to NOT kill the Drosselmeyers forces when they had camped out near the river almost in Titania a year ago when they were fighting against the tyranny of Empress Catherine. "I've just come to visit a friend." he said to him, turning his head back to the graveyard "you may join me if you like, im sure you have family buried within the ground up in the graveyard" he said to him before he began walking, the Emperors mind wasn't all working at this time, it showed in the way he used his sword for support and the slightly glassy look in his eyes, the beads of sweat on his brow as he continued.
*edited.
Cotton Shorts Kid
I did not mean for it to say that Titanus supported the Drosselmeyers. Obviously I miswrote something. It has been edited.
So that's the way it was, then, mm? Dixon wasn't quite ignorant of the Emperor's manner. Indeed, he may have been easily spellbound of confounded by somewhat simple intellectual themes, he was a darn good judge of character.
"I see... Your respect is admirable, your Excellence." And on they would go. The butler, decent with his sword-cane, would be monitoring the Emperor with his other senses; he kept his eyes on the road ahead, walking ahead of Azazel.
"I'll hear your proposition as we walk, my liege," prompted the count. "We are as one council here at House Titanus."
The Emperor finally managed to make it to the grave he was looking for, it was a fairly new one, but it was still a poor mans grave. The Emperor sighed and lowered himself to one knee and put his free hand on the grave "I do not naturally have respect for people." the Emperor wheezed out, pulling his hand back from the grave to give his ribs a few swift punches in order to keep himself breathing in the mostly toxic air that the goddess had put around the boarder (not that hew knew of the goddesses existence) it was that single ancestor generations ago that kept him from just out right keeling over.
He placed his hand back upon the grave, a simple stone marker with the name of Evangeline Orro "My respect for people grows and wanes with the actions they take. Though we have never met face to face Count Titanus, I have a certain base line respect for your actions... Though you did not side with me when the Empress reigned, the fact that you did not act against me... at least to my knowledge, makes me come to you" he said, keeping himself on one knee, this thumb caressing the grave marker of Evangeline "I would ask your advise on a few matters regarding my children. I have married two of my daughters off, one is now a queen in Zalto, the other is a Duchess in Phobos... If I remember the numbers correctly, I have five that are of marriageable ages. Is anyone alive in Ethe that you would suggest for one or two of them?"
Cordial if not curt, curious if not bizarre, the Emperor seemed to be possessed. He couldn't stop, wouldn't be deterred; he went to such a length as punching himself in the ribs... The count was beginning to put it together. The Emperor wasn't from Ethe. This was the same thing affecting him now. Dixon wondered if he might end up inhaling the toxic mist at an accelerated rate due to his method of coping.
"To marry your daughters...?" Dixon was caught off by this. He remember though: "My liege, I would think your heir would tie you to Ethe tightly, but..." He couldn't even imagine. All of them had to be dragons, right? I couldn't think of dirtying the pedigree that were his house's namesake. "I will keep it in mind and give you a strong recommendation."
Face stamped with worry, the count reached out for the Emperor's shoulder. "What has brought you hear in such a state? I must say, you look terrible." Dixon would help the man out if at all possible. A death here was dishonorable.
I think I know what's going on here--I'm okay with it, but I just want you to know that any subsequent actions should be cleared with me first. ... Carry on! ^.^
The Emperor shook his head "I will not make a choice for my son, though I will give him options to choose from and he will marry or loose his title as my heir. he said as he slowly stood up "I have two daughters Tatiana and Esther that still have yet to marry, Though in truth I doubt Tatiana would feel at home here with her mothers phobian heritage being someone of a rarity here" and that was putting it lightly "My son Alistair's mother is from here so he would probably feel the most at home"
The Emperor chuckled slightly "You are right, I am not feeling well. I have been feverish since yesterday night." he admitted, after all it wasn't a confidential fact that he had been struck ill. "I awoke from nightmares of watching perhaps the only woman I will love with my entire heart drown, and how I was unable to do anything." he said, looking at the grave again.
"I... I," Dixon couldn't help but dumbly stammer. For whatever reason--honor, noblesse--the count couldn't bare to see the man like this, despite what he had done to his country's peerage. He held him up by an arm, sharing a glance at the fresh grave.
"You... tried to save her, didn't you." His face was full of sadness now. "Idiot.' And from sympathy, a bloom of incredulous laughter, accompanied, of course, by a palm to the count's forehead. "Bring her around, old boy," resolved the count. "You just might have another son, after all..." He chuckled. "But let's make sure you live to see it, mm?"
Hisoka minded the men who had gathered to celebrate on this day. It was the new year, so there was much reason to be excited. It began with the promise of life, and a great hope that came after the chaos, carnage, and a bit of growing pain. How quickly things had changed. For the first time in many months, Hisoka felt he could more comfortably look to the future. He adjusted his outer robe, ensured that the sword at his side was securely fastened, as ever it should have been, and he looked over the ensuing festivities.
However, when he saw a gleam of blue feathers aloft, he stopped looking and out of habit kept his eyes focused until those feathers landed. He drew himself together and properly bowed.
Baroness Youkimi Kai
It was a break, of sorts, to enjoy the celebration. Lord Titanus was hosting this New Year's celebration. And as long as they were within Ethe's walls, there seemed to be less fear about the populous gathering into one location.
She saw Hisoka, if but dressed in colors that suggested a rise in affluence, if but to a small degree. He was always a humble character.
"Sir Hisoka."
"It has been some time, my lady." The warrior phoenix straightened and acknowledged the knights that had accompanied the baroness here. "Will her Majesty be able to join us?"
The baroness fell quiet at this. She could not speak on behalf of the queen, but if she wished to join them, Youkimi had arranged everything so that Ophelia could be escorted to the festivities in all comfort. The servants and knights had been instructed as to the care, respect, and comfort of the queen. It was also to their benefit that all things concerning the palace had been taken care of so that all could enjoy this day of festivity, joy, and rest if it was desired.
"She may join us later. How has your work been of late?"
"It is well. I am proud of the effort these men take to make themselves stronger."
Youkimi accepted this and decided against prying further. "I should not keep you long. Thank you for taking a moment to greet me."
"Of course, Lady Kai." Hisoka excused himself with a bow. It left Youkimi and her guard on Titanus land. Oh how long it had been since she stood on this open stretch of land. It brought back memories. Even the foliage seemed different, to grant a special kind of life to this place.
There was a new year to celebrate. She smiled to her guard. "Shall we?"
Cotton Shorts Kid
yo punny nut
Posted: Sun Jul 09, 2017 5:56 pm
✺ Forgotten Son
EC: 100
The whole place was electrified. Had been since the birds started spreading the word, maybe, on what they saw as the biggest human watching event ever. Since a week ago, Dixon had gone to work--actual work; before hand he had been planning since the end of he meeting a year ago between himself and he other leading nobles in Etelan--preparing and dressing up the estate according to his design. Admittedly, he'd spent days locked in his room, taking no letters, poring over drawings and charts he made that were simple enough for a child to understand, yet outlined a complexity in thought that only came about from utter confusion; secretly, the count would not admit that he relished the mental challenge bringing together this many people and having them get along proved to be.
Bernard was not permitted to sleep the night before, and Dixon only stole quick naps in small rooms when no one was looking, when people were shifting between tasks. Maybe he could have gotten more done and had proper sleep if he hadn't paid so much attention to other's patterns. No rest until all the tables had the proper proportions of ivory and white gold and ruby--all kinds of jewels: rubies for the barons and baroness, sapphire for the earls, emeralds for the counts, topaz for the marquis and marchionesses, opal for the dukes, duchesses, and doges, obsidian for the commoners, and, of course, diamonds for the royalty who decided to drop in today--all the walkways had the proper spreading of petals, all the sculptures and urns they could find and produce in the time since the eruption were arranged with just the right density to give the best breathing room to dazzle ratio--until all the majesty of Ethe was a concentrated, intense bloom of art and prosperity here in Titania.
"Sir Amani," Bernard bowed into the periphery of the knight's vision. "Can I with anything? Show you to your seat?" The count, meanwhile, was nowhere to be found in the yard.
The knight turned and bowed respectfully to the count's attendant. He had been very busy and at work today, arranging for this rather grand New Year. Even now, he wasn't taking a break, but was actively at work, as undoubtedly, his count was invariably also.
"I am well. Would you recommend that I take my seat at this time?"
