Difference between revisions of "Listeneisse"

From NSwiki, the NationStates encyclopedia.
Jump to: navigation, search
(→‎Current Roleplaying)
(→‎Regions)
Line 44: Line 44:
 
* Bas Chanticleer - 5 Million
 
* Bas Chanticleer - 5 Million
 
* Haut Chanticleer - 7 Million
 
* Haut Chanticleer - 7 Million
 +
 +
==Geography==
 +
 +
'''Listeneisse: Inland Cities'''
 +
 +
* '''Castle Carbonek, and the City of Carbonek''' - The capital of Listeneisse, in the heart of the original Kingdom. A great percentage of the population of Listeneisse surrounds the ancient site of Castle Carbonek. Castle Carbonek is comprised of the actual Castle which is the residence of the King (who lives in the Palace of Adventures) and the see of the Archbishop of Carbonek (who presides over the Temple of the Holy Grail), and a very small community of residents that serve the King and Royal Court, plus the residential district of Lion's Gate adjacent and just below it by the river. It is wholly surrounded by the corporation of the municipal City of Carbonek, ruled by the Lord Mayor, and ministered as the metropolitan see of the Bishop of Carbonek. Castle Carbonek is a 'city within a city;' the vast millions live in the City of Carbonek itself, plus surrounding smaller cities and towns that occasionally get swallowed whole as the municipality grows. Castle Carbonek is the international hub of business. Finance, entertainment, fashion -- it all flows through the capital. Behind the scenes, power brokers try to arrange royal audiences with the King or members of Royal Family or the court.
 +
 +
* '''Isle of Joy''' - A very old island, once said to be inhabited by giants. One of the wealthiest cities in all Listeneisse, populated by many aristocratic families, bankers, and professionals. It is situated in the middle of the River Listeneisse, surrounded by treacherous currents that flow past it on all sides. Modern bridges and tunnels safely span the water in many places, but it remains somewhat aloof from the rest of the nation in its high-minded attitude and its lofty or aspiring social classes. If Carbonek is 'cosmopolitan,' then the Isle of Joy is more conservative and insular. Middle and lower class suburbs have grown around it across the river on both banks; these districts are called 'the Commons.'
 +
 +
'''Listeneisse: The Port Cities'''
 +
 +
* '''Castle of the Galleys''' - Traditionally the main coastal port on the west coast. It lies 110 km west and a little south of Carbonek in the midst of the Perilous Forest, facing the broad ocean to the west. Castle of the Galleys is the port at the mouth of the River Listeneisse which flows past both Carbonek and the Isle of Joy. It is the major container port on the west coast. It is the home, unsurprisingly, of major shipbuilding for the Kingdom. Sheltered further away from foreign powers than Galafort, it is the home port of all the major naval ships, including the carriers and submarines. The army and air force military bases which protect it are set off a little ways, hidden in the forest. It is also renown for being the main headquarters of the Royal Forestry Service. South of the Castle of the Galleys, the coast is far shallower than it is to the north. It is off the coast south of the Castle of the Galleys that most of the off-shore wind turbines that produce power for the Kingdom can be found.
 +
 +
* '''Longtown''' - The northernmost port on the west coast, 95 km up the coast from Castle of the Galleys. Fishing remains a mainstay of its traditional industry. (Listeneisse is in the top 10% of worldwide fish industries, famous for its steelhead trout). Longtown has a good deep harbor, but it is along an exposed rocky coastline. It was more a favorable anchorage than a true port. In the modern era, a large artificial breakwater was sunk to provide harbor from the harshest of winter squalls and gales. It has a newly renovated port facility, since it is deep enough to take in major ('panamax'-rated and larger) container vessels and the larger naval ships. Because of its deep draft and remote location, it is where most international tanker vessels come to deliver their cargos of oil and gas. Major rail lines and pipelines run from Longtown to Carbonek and Castle of the Galleys.
 +
 +
'''Galafort'''
 +
 +
The Duchy of Galafort is more of a 'city-state' than anything else. Most of the population resides in the industrial port city of Galafort, though a substantial regional population is scattered in towns that do most everything to service and support the regional capital, from food production to heavy manufacturing.
 +
 +
* '''Galafort''' - The main port along the east coast, and seat of the Duchy of Galafort. It is about 95 km from the central city and capital of Carbonek. It is an industrial and financial center, where all international container vessels arrive on the east coast for customs. It rivals the City of the Galleys for shipbuilding, but specializes in commercial vessels only. It is also the home of the automotive and aerospace industries. It is a major army fort, air force and naval base, with docks capable of supporting the largest naval vessels in the fleet, which often make this a port-of-call. However, it is only home port to smaller patrol and coastal defense ships and some troop transport vessels keep in ready reserve.
 +
 +
'''Duchy of the Western Isles'''
 +
 +
The Western Isles were ceded long ago to the kingdom through a claim of indirect inheritence. The claim goes back to a contestable story. They were said to have been conquered by Sir Lancelot du Lac, the son-in-law of King Pellam, the King of Listeneisse in the 6th Century A.D. After the death of both Sir Lancelot and King Pellam, with no clear heir at the time to either realm, the Kingdom's stewards took the isles in as a protectorship. In time they were formally ceded to Listeneisse and declared to collectively comprise a duchy.
 +
 +
Oriande and the Island of the Elephants make strong forward defensive bases to guard the commercial shipping to be found closer to the coast near the Castle of the Galleys and Longport. See how geography played a role in '''[http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showthread.php?t=441102&page=3&pp=15 Defense Spending: The Naval Secretary's Plan]'''
 +
 +
* '''Oriande''' - The most-populous but geographically second-largest island, at about 600 square km. By air it is 200 km west of Carbonek, 110 km west-by-northwest of Castle of the Galleys, and 130 km southwest of Longport. It is surrounded in many places by deep water, and became a very heavy industrial port site. It is famous for its consumer goods and electronics manufacturing, as well as its locally-brewed whisky. Practically any off-shore shoals and banks that could be found are being swiftly turned into sites for wind turbine construction, though they also remain rich marine fisheries.
 +
 +
* '''Island of the Elephants''' - The largest island at 715 square km. It is about 125 km southwest of the Castle of the Galleys, and 105 km nearly directly south from Oriande. Surrounded mostly by shallow draft waters, for a long while the island was impractical as a good harbor, but it recently found itself a natural location for wind power production. Sea traffic is mostly barges and ferries. After a fair bit of construction, a major port was finally opened, but it can only support more modest ('feeder' class) container vessels, used mostly to transport agricultural and seafood products. The Island of the Elephants, for its small population, is disproportiately influential on the rest of the nation. It is renown for its progressive university, which remains the nation's leading research center into energy (fossil fuel, nuclear power and renewable), natural biology and medicine (some of the first cloning experiments were conducted here), plus religion and philosophy. Being a spot further south than most of the rest of the nation, it is considered a vacation getaway. It used to be a sleepy island where wealthier families kept summer homes, including the Duke. Now it is the site of executive retreats, and boasts some of the finest golf courses. Many service industries are starting to make their headquarters on the Island of the Elephants.
  
 
==Religion==
 
==Religion==

Revision as of 23:07, 2 October 2005

Listeneisse
england--64.jpg
Flag of Listeneisse
Motto: "I Seek the Holy Grail"
No Map Available Yet
Region Warzone of the Defenders[1]
Capital Castle Carbonek
Official Language(s) English, Arimaic, French (regional)
Leader King Parzival XIV
Population 148 Million (as of 02 Oct 2005)
Currency Librum 
NS Sunset XML

The ancient Kingdom of Listeneisse was founded long ago in a hidden area of the world by Joseph of Arimathea and his followers. It became the homeland for the Holy Grail. Many said that it could not be reached except by the grace of God.

Once the Holy Grail departed the world, ascending to the hereafter with King Galahad I of Sarras, the purpose for Listeneisse changed radically. It was no longer the place where the actual Grail was kept, but its holy, solemn traditions and secret rites continued.

Over the centuries, Listeneisse has been challenged, and has failed to adopt to the modernistic traditions of a 'secular democracy,' preferring its theocratic aristocratic hereditary monarchy. The lineage of the followers of Joseph of Arimathea, and the bloodlines of the Grail Companions and Grail Knights who achieved the Quest of the Holy Grail, are paramount to national identity and key to one's life-long religious devotion.

The kingdom is not isolationalist though. Now, without the Grail to safeguard zealotously, many visitors are welcome to Listeneisse. There is a great burgeoning of Tourism. Most bookstores are packed with whole sections about the Grail (alongside the usual Harry Potter displays), gift shops sell replicas of the chalice of all shapes, sizes, and artistic qualities, and tourists eager to see the miracles of the Chapel Perilous and the wild Questing Beast come from all over the globe.

The country is highly militaristic. Many seek to destroy this 'hidden kingdom,' either out of spite for religion, or because they adhere to religions opposed, or at least, are percieved to be opposed, to the faith of the Grail Kingdom.

Regions

The original provinces of the Kingdom of Listeneisse were the areas around Castle Carbonek and the Isle of Joy. Galafort was allied to the Kingdom long ago, and was a land Joseph of Arimathea travelled through even before settling in Listeneisse.

Centuries ago, the Duchy of the Western Isles was added, but until very recently, it was always considered the 'new' part of the realm. Protecting the Western Isles was at the heart of the Kingdom's decision to focus more on its Royal Navy.

Three new French-speaking regions were added to the Kingdom of Listeneisse since the dissolution of the adjacent state of USSM. First was the admission of Bas Chanticleer and Canardia as Crown provinces. Thereafter followed the absorption of Haut Chanticleer.

Old Provinces (English-speaking)

Royal Demesne - Ruled directly by the King

  • Listeneisse (Castle Carbonek, Isle of Joy)
  • Perilous Forest (Castle of the Galleys, Longtown)

Noble Demesne - Infeudated to the King

  • Duchy of Galafort (Galafort)
  • Duchy of the Western Isles (Oriande, Island of the Elephants)

New Provinces (French-speaking)

Crown Provinces - Ruled by the King through Crown-appointed local authorities

  • Canardia - 6 Million
  • Bas Chanticleer - 5 Million
  • Haut Chanticleer - 7 Million

Geography

Listeneisse: Inland Cities

  • Castle Carbonek, and the City of Carbonek - The capital of Listeneisse, in the heart of the original Kingdom. A great percentage of the population of Listeneisse surrounds the ancient site of Castle Carbonek. Castle Carbonek is comprised of the actual Castle which is the residence of the King (who lives in the Palace of Adventures) and the see of the Archbishop of Carbonek (who presides over the Temple of the Holy Grail), and a very small community of residents that serve the King and Royal Court, plus the residential district of Lion's Gate adjacent and just below it by the river. It is wholly surrounded by the corporation of the municipal City of Carbonek, ruled by the Lord Mayor, and ministered as the metropolitan see of the Bishop of Carbonek. Castle Carbonek is a 'city within a city;' the vast millions live in the City of Carbonek itself, plus surrounding smaller cities and towns that occasionally get swallowed whole as the municipality grows. Castle Carbonek is the international hub of business. Finance, entertainment, fashion -- it all flows through the capital. Behind the scenes, power brokers try to arrange royal audiences with the King or members of Royal Family or the court.
  • Isle of Joy - A very old island, once said to be inhabited by giants. One of the wealthiest cities in all Listeneisse, populated by many aristocratic families, bankers, and professionals. It is situated in the middle of the River Listeneisse, surrounded by treacherous currents that flow past it on all sides. Modern bridges and tunnels safely span the water in many places, but it remains somewhat aloof from the rest of the nation in its high-minded attitude and its lofty or aspiring social classes. If Carbonek is 'cosmopolitan,' then the Isle of Joy is more conservative and insular. Middle and lower class suburbs have grown around it across the river on both banks; these districts are called 'the Commons.'

Listeneisse: The Port Cities

  • Castle of the Galleys - Traditionally the main coastal port on the west coast. It lies 110 km west and a little south of Carbonek in the midst of the Perilous Forest, facing the broad ocean to the west. Castle of the Galleys is the port at the mouth of the River Listeneisse which flows past both Carbonek and the Isle of Joy. It is the major container port on the west coast. It is the home, unsurprisingly, of major shipbuilding for the Kingdom. Sheltered further away from foreign powers than Galafort, it is the home port of all the major naval ships, including the carriers and submarines. The army and air force military bases which protect it are set off a little ways, hidden in the forest. It is also renown for being the main headquarters of the Royal Forestry Service. South of the Castle of the Galleys, the coast is far shallower than it is to the north. It is off the coast south of the Castle of the Galleys that most of the off-shore wind turbines that produce power for the Kingdom can be found.
  • Longtown - The northernmost port on the west coast, 95 km up the coast from Castle of the Galleys. Fishing remains a mainstay of its traditional industry. (Listeneisse is in the top 10% of worldwide fish industries, famous for its steelhead trout). Longtown has a good deep harbor, but it is along an exposed rocky coastline. It was more a favorable anchorage than a true port. In the modern era, a large artificial breakwater was sunk to provide harbor from the harshest of winter squalls and gales. It has a newly renovated port facility, since it is deep enough to take in major ('panamax'-rated and larger) container vessels and the larger naval ships. Because of its deep draft and remote location, it is where most international tanker vessels come to deliver their cargos of oil and gas. Major rail lines and pipelines run from Longtown to Carbonek and Castle of the Galleys.

Galafort

The Duchy of Galafort is more of a 'city-state' than anything else. Most of the population resides in the industrial port city of Galafort, though a substantial regional population is scattered in towns that do most everything to service and support the regional capital, from food production to heavy manufacturing.

  • Galafort - The main port along the east coast, and seat of the Duchy of Galafort. It is about 95 km from the central city and capital of Carbonek. It is an industrial and financial center, where all international container vessels arrive on the east coast for customs. It rivals the City of the Galleys for shipbuilding, but specializes in commercial vessels only. It is also the home of the automotive and aerospace industries. It is a major army fort, air force and naval base, with docks capable of supporting the largest naval vessels in the fleet, which often make this a port-of-call. However, it is only home port to smaller patrol and coastal defense ships and some troop transport vessels keep in ready reserve.

Duchy of the Western Isles

The Western Isles were ceded long ago to the kingdom through a claim of indirect inheritence. The claim goes back to a contestable story. They were said to have been conquered by Sir Lancelot du Lac, the son-in-law of King Pellam, the King of Listeneisse in the 6th Century A.D. After the death of both Sir Lancelot and King Pellam, with no clear heir at the time to either realm, the Kingdom's stewards took the isles in as a protectorship. In time they were formally ceded to Listeneisse and declared to collectively comprise a duchy.

Oriande and the Island of the Elephants make strong forward defensive bases to guard the commercial shipping to be found closer to the coast near the Castle of the Galleys and Longport. See how geography played a role in Defense Spending: The Naval Secretary's Plan

  • Oriande - The most-populous but geographically second-largest island, at about 600 square km. By air it is 200 km west of Carbonek, 110 km west-by-northwest of Castle of the Galleys, and 130 km southwest of Longport. It is surrounded in many places by deep water, and became a very heavy industrial port site. It is famous for its consumer goods and electronics manufacturing, as well as its locally-brewed whisky. Practically any off-shore shoals and banks that could be found are being swiftly turned into sites for wind turbine construction, though they also remain rich marine fisheries.
  • Island of the Elephants - The largest island at 715 square km. It is about 125 km southwest of the Castle of the Galleys, and 105 km nearly directly south from Oriande. Surrounded mostly by shallow draft waters, for a long while the island was impractical as a good harbor, but it recently found itself a natural location for wind power production. Sea traffic is mostly barges and ferries. After a fair bit of construction, a major port was finally opened, but it can only support more modest ('feeder' class) container vessels, used mostly to transport agricultural and seafood products. The Island of the Elephants, for its small population, is disproportiately influential on the rest of the nation. It is renown for its progressive university, which remains the nation's leading research center into energy (fossil fuel, nuclear power and renewable), natural biology and medicine (some of the first cloning experiments were conducted here), plus religion and philosophy. Being a spot further south than most of the rest of the nation, it is considered a vacation getaway. It used to be a sleepy island where wealthier families kept summer homes, including the Duke. Now it is the site of executive retreats, and boasts some of the finest golf courses. Many service industries are starting to make their headquarters on the Island of the Elephants.

Religion

Traditional faith is represented by the Church of Listeneisse, a Christian faith with deep reverence for the Holy Grail as the symbol of spiritual renewal. It uses the language of Aramaic in its high ceremonies. It is also state-sponsored; the government sets aside a 'tithing' (a tenth of all tax revenues) to grant to the religion.

A New Age 'universalist' minister, Rev. Josephus White, has been popularly altering the traditional Christian worship of the people, and has even been welcomed by the King in Royal Audience. He preaches of a philosphy called "All-in-All," and besides his television and radio programmes, has a prophetic dream interpretation telephone hotline and website.

Religion in the French-speaking regions was ostensibly Catholic, but years of neglect under the rule of the USSM has greatly diminished the religious institutions of these areas. The Church of Listeneisse, while respectful of the differences between the faiths, is heavily recruiting and overtly trying to covert failing churches to the state religion. Some are choosing to convert either for welcome difference of doctrine or for financial viability, while others prefer to keep to their separate ways.

UN Participation

The small, growing nation has become very active in UN affairs.

  • Sir Nasciens d'Hermitage is the UN Ambassador for Listeneisse and Regional UN Delegate for Warzone of the Defenders. He also sits on the Board of Trustees for the local chapter of UNA-Listeneisse.

Fact Book

Press Releases & Articles

Current Roleplaying

OOC: Listeneisse is quite a roleplaying-based state. There are a number of independent and semi-interlocking plots going on at all times. Links will try to point to entry points for those trying to follow what's going on, or to current status of the plot.

  • BOMBS WRACK MICROROOSTER! GOVERNMENT IN CHAOS! - Prince Kardiez is dispatched, along with Grail Templars, law enforcement officers and military police battalions to investigate the devastation of a nearby state's governmental collapse. (International Incidents)
  • Conference to get your foot in the door - Sir Eliazar, a member of the KOTHG, attends a rather intriguing and dangerous conference in the state of Otares. (This is Otares' plot, and I strongly suggest interested parties read from the beginning and even TG Otares before randomly dropping in. It's very cool, but very intricate.)
  • Another Red Cross? - Abbott J. D. Omnisterra of the Order of White Monks (OWM) investigates a plan to create another Red Cross agency, apart from the UN IRCO.

Past Roleplaying

Retrieved from "http://archive.nswiki.org/index.php?title=Listeneisse&oldid=99941"