Abyss
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Contents
Places of Interest on Government Isle
Department of Defence
The Department of Defense, located on Governmnet Isle, is made up of two buildings, Building One, also known as the Crimson Building and Building Two or The Galaxy Building. They are separated by a pedestrian walkway, just named during a special session of Foreign Affairs Committee (FAC), Neider Way.
The FAC held a special, closed-session metting for the purpose of naming several buildings, parks, attractions, and the walkway, on Government Isle. We know the other members of the Abyss Directorate are busy with other government actions and duties, and we also knew it would be difficult for a member of the Abyss Directorate to vote in the affirmative for naming a building, park, pond, etc., after themselves. So, since all of these properties have to do directly with the duties carried out by the directorate member or their nation's foundation, the FAC did not feel as if we over-stepped our duties. This was also true because the FAC was negotiated the purchase of the island we now call Government Isle. As you read on about each government statue, place, building, etc., you will learn how and what the FAC voted on. All of the votes by the FAC were unanimous.
The Crimson Building and The Galaxy Building are connected by a highly secure underground tunnel. No one, except those with the highest clearance are allowed to use the tunnel passage.
Although the two buildings may look very similar from the outside, but inside they are very different. Crimson Building, houses most of the civil servants. While the building is secure, security measures are not as stringent as they are in Galaxy Building.
Public tours are offered in The Crimson Building; the general public cannot get past the lobby in The Galaxy Building.
Neider Way
Neider Way, was at one time, a road. It has now been closed to all traffic except emergency vehicles and vehicles that may be in a parade. The decision to close the one-time road and make it into a pedestrian plaza was done to attract visitors to the area and it has been more successful than the original architects of the plan could have imagined. Since disallowing motorvehicles on, the newly named, Neider Way, foot traffic to Government Isle has increased at least ten-fold. We've seen an increas in citizens of Abyss attending ceremonies to honor the military; we've also had a number of requests from member nations to use the area for a specific occassion. Of course, the government of Abyss always agress unless there is some other event scheduled.
Neider Way is lined with trees, flowers, and we've recently added a number of benches along the walkway for guests to the area to rest on. Since Neider Way has become more beautified and a very popular destination for visitors to Government Isle, in recent weeks we've gotten a number of requests to use the area, and the government sites at either end for weddings. Depending on the time of year, day of week, or time of day or night, visitors to Neider Way will find a variety activites to view and/or participate in.
Neider way is a dynamic location because from week to week, month to month, different events and celebrations occur on the walkway. It's very easy to access Neider Way, The Crimson Building, The Galaxy Building, and all of the other attractions in Government Center because the Metro, Abyss' public transportation, has several stops in the area.
As noted above, Neider Way, was just named. This was done in a special, closed-session metting of the FAC. The FAC chose to name the popular walkway after the founder of Abyss, Auel Neider as a way to honor, recognize, and thank the great man and his nation for founding and settling the region we all now call our own! The decision to name the walkway Neider Way was done because the walkway seems to be a destination many tourists visit Government Isle every day.
The FAC has also taken the initative to commission a standing plaque that tells the story about the founding of Abyss and our founder, Auel Neider. We plan to have the pedestal installed at the entrance of Neider Way.
Also, the FAC wants to recognize Auel Neider's service and dedication to the people of Abyss by creating a holiday to honor him. This new regional holiday to commemorate Auel Neider would be named be " Founder's Day; Auel Neider Regional Day."
Our hope is it will make it past all three committees, and to a full vote of the Abyss Regional Council with no resistance. We feel all nation's in Abyss should celebrate our great founder, Auel Neider!
Crenshar Arch
At the North End of Neider Way is Crenshar Arch. Crenshar Arch holds a very special place in the hearts of all who enter and serve in the military. The arch is used in all military ceremonies,it is north, and closer to the shores of Government Isle. Abyss' Military uses Crenshar Arch as a rite-of-passage. A new enlistee or will walk through the arch, north to south, down Neider Way, and toward the center of Government Isle. An officer receiving a promotion goes through the same tradition, walking past government officials watching the event from an observation deck, with citizens from member nations of Abyss lining the the entire way of Neider Way.
In addition to promotional ceremonies, the ARAF uses Crenshar Arch for military funerals, presentation of medals and honors, and it's always the starting point for military parades. When visiting regions come to Abyss to partake in military maneuvers, the visiting military marches through Crenshar Arch as well before returning home in a joint presentation of colors to leaders from both regions.
Visitors to Abyss can purchase tickets to go to the top of Crenshar Arch. They can either ride an elevator to the top or climb the forty flights. There are several observation decks on the way up and visitors can get on and off as they like. Climbing Crenshar seems to be popular with teenage boys. Taking the stairs down is more popular with all tourists than taking the stairs to the top. The hours of operation are from 9:00 a.m. until midnight. The only time Crenshar Arch is closed to the public is when the arch is being used for an official event, but as soon as the event is over, Crenshar opens again to the public.
The Arch was named Crenshar after General Crenshar by the FAC during a special, closed-session meeting in a way to honor, respect, and thank the general for his service to the Region of Abyss. This is just one, small way to pay tribute to General Crenshar and to recognize his contributions to the Region of Abyss. We also have commissioned a plaque to be attached to Crenshar Arch giving visitors now, and in the future, history about the general and why the arch was named after him. This is to make sure that all those who visit the arch in the future will understand the history.
Another way to honor General Crenshar, and the military as a whole is to have a soldier's holiday. For that reason, the FAC is submitting legislation to the Directorate to have a region wide holiday for men and women who have served in the military. The FAC hopes there will be no objection to this legislation and that it will pass with ease.
Nova Park and Panoptik Pond
Soldiers, cadets, and officers begin at Crenshar Arch, march down Neider Way, into the newly named Nova Park and across the ornate footbridge over Panoptik Pond. The park is an attraction to residents of Government Isle, tourists, etc. There are bike paths, a skateboard park, a dog park, non-motor boating, fishing, and in the future we hope to build a swimming pool.
Nova Park and Panoptik Pond are south of Crenshar Arch and can be easily accessed by walking up Neider Way. The other government buildings are also build arround Nova Park and a lot of the Abyss government employees can be found enjoying their lunch in the park on a nice day. The park is often referred to as the center of island because of its central location and because so many important buildings are accessable through the park.
Tourists also enjoy Nova Park and Panoptik Pond and find it to be a safe and relaxing place in the heart of the city. They may come to see the variety of trees, plants, verdurous and colorful. They may seek umbrage under the branches of the trees, choose to feed the birds, or hike around the Panoptik Pond. Flowers and trees are selected to bloom three of the four seasons and in the winter evergreens are easy to see in the snow; some are even decorated for the holiday season.
Recently Abyss added Swan Boats, like those seen in Boston, Massachusetts, and they have quickly become a favorite of of people visiting the park. It's not unusual to wait in line for a ticket to ride the swans. Abyss has just added real swans to the pond to swim along with the ducks, Canadian Geese, and Heron's, that have already taken sanctuary in Nova Park. It's hoped the swans, like the other birds, will decide to make Panoptick Pond their permanent home, and will nest in the bird house over the winter and enjoy the indoor heated pond, made to entice the birds into staying.
This winter, a skating rink is also planned for Nova Park. The hope is by offering skating in Nova Park it will truly become a park for all seasons and not just a three-season park. We would like to have the people of Abyss enjoy Nova Park in the colder months more than just walking through fast, and glimpsing at the decorated trees in a rush. The chair of the FAC is trying to come up with an idea for using the park in the winter as a way to raise money for foreign aid to buy vaccines for third-world nations.
Nova Park and Panoptik Pond were named after our first Chairman of the Internal Affairs Committee (IAC), Nova Panoptik, during a closed-session, special meeting of the FAC as a way to pay tribute to, honor, and recognize the great nation of Nova Panoptik. This is not the first time Nova Panoptik has served our region. Nova Panoptik was instrumental in our interim government. He served as the President of Internal Affairs. When it was decided to move to a directorate, Nova Panoptik knew that his powers would now be one-third of what they were when it came to internal matters as the newly formed IAC would be made up of three members. Nova was very supportive of this change, and for those two reasons, the FAC took three actions regarding the nation of Nova Panoptik.
First, the FAC recognizes Nova Panoptik's service as the Chairperson of the DOD IAC, and members of the FAC are submitting legislation for a new regional holiday to commemorate Nova Panoptik, named "Nova Panoptik Day." We hope it will make it past all three committees, and to a full vote of the Abyss Regional Council, and all nation's will one day celebrate Nova Panoptik Day. The second and third actions were the naming of the park and the pond. As stated above, the FAC conducted a closed-session meeting to do so. It is important that in generations to come, our earliest founders and settlers are remembered for their contributions. A new plaque will be placed near the main entrance of the park, and near the Soldier's Bridge crossing Panoptik Pond stating why the park and pond are given their names so generations in the future will know the reasons
Happy Hippyville Dome
Abyss' government decided we needed a large stadium of some kind that would be available for sporting events, conventions, conventions, trade shows, etc. It was decided the best structure for Abyss was a dome. We wanted a building that could be used all four seasons, a building that could easily be converted from a "turf" to a hardwood floor to ice to a carpeted floor. This would of course, also require a lot of storage. The result is the Happy Hippyville Dome. The dome has been use for graduation ceremonies, for football, soccer, hockey, and other sports. The just named Happy Hippyville Dome has also been used trade shows, conventions, concerts, and military band competitions.
Every branch of our military (Navy, Air Force, Marines, Army, Coast Guard, and ASP) has a band. Playing in their branches military band is an honor. The Abyss bands play their music at venues all around the world. The place they consider as their "home" is Happy Hippyville Dome.
When the Abyss military plays in Happy Hippyville Dome, it is always full, even though it seats thousands, and it's necessary to have speakers pipe the music out into the streets. Additionally, the bands play for official government functions. They also go to the airport to welcome visiting dignitaries.
One of the saddest events ARAF bands participate in are military funerals. When any member of a service dies, regardless of the cause, their family is given the option of a military funeral. For the funeral the band, for their branch of service, will play; at the gravside, a lone trumpet player will play taps.
The Church of St. Cecilia
Our regional church is located south of Nova Park. It is directly across from Neider Way. The building is historical and beautiful. The stained glass windows shine colored streams into the main sanctuary.
The building has no electricity as it was built long before electricity was even imagined and adding electricity to the building could possibly harm the structure. So, the church is lit with oil lamps and candles.
People come from all around the world to view the church and light a candle on the prayer table or take part in one of many services had in the church each week. When Auel Neider first arrived in Abyss the church had been abandonded for years. Revitalizing the church was one of his many priorities.
Since the church has not belonged to any particular religion for a long period of time Abyss has decided, since it has been renovated, to open the doors to all religions. Each religion is given time to hold a service in the church if they choose.
The FAC decided, when we were naming places on Government Isle, that the church should be named after one of our first regions, St. Cecilia as a way to show honor, respect and thanks to the nation. St. Cecilia also serves on the defense committee. The nation of St. Cecilia was set up by the Catholic Church, the same as our now named church, St. Cecilia.
St. Cecilia is also given charge of the church so any nation that wants to set up a service in the church just needs to send a message to St. Cecilia.
The church is very popular for weddings because of its beauty and if any member of the region wants to marry in the church, they need to contact St. Cecilia in plenty of time ahead of the wedding date because it is so popular.
The church is open 24 hours a day and we ask all visitors who visit the holy house to be respectful to any ceremonies and/or services that may be going on when you visit. We'd also like to remind you that the church exsists solely on donations and any and all donations left at the church are greatly appreciated.
