Theo looked at Saskia's phone and shook his head, it was such a shame that people seemed to lack an understanding of the culture of his homeland. That would be something they'd have to change. "Do your people pay much attention to social media. We've more or less made the decision that our family will avoid the thing, always seems nothing but lies and drama." As the Prince spoke with Saskia butlers mingled with the crowd and right on cue one was next to Henrietta as she enquired about Mulled Wine. The servant handed her a steaming glass of the deep red rich liquid and then was away. Princess Constance had got a glass herself and approached the Prime Minister of East Moreland.

"I hope you're enjoying the drink" She voiced. "I myself find this mulled wine a little heavy but its not the festival without it and I have to say it does warm you through once back on dry land. I understand you and your King helped draft the CETO treaty. Its something we're going to get mother to join, can you though tell us a little more about it?"


With the Achkaerin Empress slightly soggy one of the Naval officers on land had been dispatched to bring back a huge fleecy blanket in addition to what everyone else had. A young female Naval officer also had appeared carrying a wooden box. "Your Majesty we've a box here with things you may...erm...require." She handed over the box containing a hair dryer, make up and various hair products. It was not the first time that someone had fallen in and the Navy were pretty old hands on sorting this out.

With everyone seemingly engaged it was about half an hour later that a white coated chef appeared. "Your Majesty, honoured guests" He announced loudly. "If you would care to follow me we have some food prepared for you." He lead the group into the rather intimate court yard of the castle. There was arrayed several large trays suspended above small heaters each filled with food. "We did not like to assume your selections. So we had some fine Cod, Haddock and Halibut. All swimming in the Mhorish just this morning. Each is coated in either regular batter or our special beer batter which gives a lighter crispier texture. Next we have traditional chips, thick cut from potatoes grown on the island. We can then offer you mushy peas, marrowfat peas cooked until they almost liquify. We can also offer a choice of sauces, curry, gravy or my personal favourite some mint sauce, lovely drizzled on the peas." As each of the guests approached the food a young naval cadet appeared next to them carrying a plate on which a basket had been arranged. "Oh and of course as tradition in any Medusalin fish and chip shop dictates served on newspaper." The paper lining the basket was not in fact the pages of yesterdays news papers recycled but was in fact specially made sheets of paper with photos from the days proceedings on and hastily made by some IT team behind the scenes. "Should we have any vegetarians we have vegeterian sausages and everything else is free from animal products." The cadets followed behind their designated VIP and as they made their selection held the plate for the chef before following them to a table and carefully placing the plate down before pulling out the seat for them. 

Elisabeth had gone last down the line, she took a seat among her guests. "This may not be a state banquet the likes of which you are used to but it is very popular Friday night food in Medusalin and on various other holidays. It explains why it was selected. We wanted you to see what our people are like. Later if any of you wish we can go to the various beach parties, although I suspect thats more something the young may enjoy" She grinned, "They get a little....over the top." She explained. "What I'd like to have you all think about though while we eat is this. We have here on the island two big problems. The first is our population. With 3.8million of us and an island that I'm told by experts can accommodate around double that number we have room for development. I am therefore going to make each of you an offer. We will, if certain conditions are meet, accept all refugees or asylum seekers your nation gets until we reach a population of 5 million people. Our conditions are that the individual must be aged between 18 and 40, be able to vetted and capable of work. We will of course allow each worker to bring their immediate family. Our second condition is that we would expect a payment of $35,000 per person, the equivalent of their first years wages. After that point they become our responsibility. The second issue we have here on the island is that we have so far no existing trade arrangements. I therefore am offering each of you a deal of reciprocity. For the next two years you will have my guarantee that whatever level of tariffs you set on trade from our nation we will match. You remove all tariffs for us, you get tariff free trade for two years here. Now please consider these matters while we enjoy some tasty food."

Crown Prince Theodor had been warned to expect the Morelanders first. They may be practically neighbours but Theodor had never been to East Moreland and seeing plane after plane land it made him think of how much of Mundus he had yet to explore. As he poured the first of what was to become several coffees he spoke to the King of East Moreland. "My mothers doing very well thanks. I think she's more excited about today than anyone." He picked up the serving jug with cream in and offered it towards Stasya's cup and poured slowly until she indicated that there was sufficient. "As for your library I'd be more than happy to help you fill it." He handed the pair their saucers and cups.

As the delgeation from Achkaerin arrived Theodor was surprised to see Peter here. "We're honoured you've managed to attend." He said addressing what he assumed was the former Emperor. "I know mother will be as delighted to see you overcoming your illness as she was with her own victory. I hope you're feeling well." He extended a hand before handing over more cups and saucers. Having ensured they'd been free to mingle with the Morelanders it was the turn of someone he knew well.

Theodor had been rather formal with the Morelander King and Achkaerin Empress however now it was time to greet a friend. He enjoyed the warm embrace of Crown Princess Charlotte and spoke as they let go of each other. "I'm glad he's let you come. I've missed you." He didn't ask how she wanted her coffee, he'd seen her drink it that often he just simply made it. "I hope you'll be staying a few days. We need a catch up." He then watched her head off and say hello to the others.

The arrival of a "Death Cult" was rather an odd choice to send to a festival that was in a way celebrating the victory of life over a disease. Theodor was a little taken aback by the theatrics and was a little at a loss of how to react. "T..t...thank you for the kind gift" he stammered still mentally trying to work out exactly how he should respond. He began making her a coffee while he tried to figure out exactly what was in the boxes, it took him a moment but at least the gift was fitting for a celebratory festival. "I'm sure the wine will be a welcome addition to today but there was no need." He said as he handed the beverage across "Just having guests from across Mundus is all we needed but I hope you enjoy your time here and your Imperial Family are invited any time they wish." He was relieved the strange old woman made her way towards the Achkaerin delegeation and so he could turn to the next arrival.

Thankfully the arrival of Empress of Rokkenjima was more routine. He thanked her for attending and ensured she and McKenna were well equipped with china cups of coffee on pretty saucers. Finally it was the turn of Emperor Eijiro and his entourage. "Its an honour to meet you Empress" he bowed slightly to Mayumi before smartly sahking the Aide/Valets hand. "Mother is doing well, I think being on the sidelines have made her bored and she is looking forward to today basically being a come back tour." Everyone was now ready to go and with a toot of a whistle followed seconds later by the sounding of the ships horn sent the ship into a frenzy of activity. While the group sat and socialised on what was effectively the flagships landing pad  Admiral Johannes Heim returned with a group of seaman carrying chairs.

"Your Majesties, Highnesses and honoured guests" The Admiral began. "It was take us about half an hour to get going and get to the Throne Castle. You are of course more than welcome to sit and enjoy the morning sunshine with His Highness Prince Theodor or if anyone has a mind I can show you around the Bayer." Those wishing for the tour left with the Admiral pleased that he had a chance to show of his boat. It was not as grand as the flagships each of those nations here had but he was proud at how well run his corvette was. They went into the bridge and from there the galley where chefs were busy preparing various dishes for the day. Then down to engine rooms, across to the maintainence hanger and then back up to the front of the ship where three great big buckets, big enough to put a man inside were being filled with a combination of sea water, vinegar and food dye. "The crew will be needing those later" he did not explain but knowing the ship was now close to the Palace returned to the landing pad. There Theodor had been given people a quick run down of what to expect.

"The day began being celebrated as a festival in the 1700's. As trading had become more effective and while not yet fully understood the dangers of lepresey had declined the day stopped being one that was needed to one that was a celebration of another year of defeating death." He looked nervously at Saskia then continued. "Luckily for us our good friends from Valen had been our most reliable supply of food and goods during those years the disease stalked out island and we basically became a dumping ground, mainly for Alba Karinya. The traders of Valen had one condition to trading with us, that once a year on this date the vinegar boxes be given a "damn good clean" according to a verbal agreement between King Robert IV and a Valen trader.....who may have been more like a pirate." he shrugged his shoulders. "So every year the people would rather than just put tiny amounts of vinegar into the boxes and leave coins in it they would take vats of vinegar, fill them to the brim and using salt and heavy duty brooms give them a good scrub. They would then leave them filled with a mixture of vinegar and cloth dye in the hope it would show they'd done the deep clean. Today thats kind of re-enacted." Theodor explained.

"And now we must be busy" a voice called from behind, it was Queen Elisabeth IV being accompanied by Princess Constance. Both were dressed not exactly for a day of meeting VIPs from across Mundus. Both wore what looked like a military flying suit in grey with their names sewn on the breast pocket flap. "I hope my son has explained that today can get a little messy. For those who want to get a little , how shall I say, hands on we have overalls for you, those who just wish to observe then that's fine too. Anyone wishing to change we have rooms in the Palace" the Queen went around and introduced herself to everyone as they made their way to the Palace down the walkway. "The tide is nearly perfect" The Queen said excitedly as those wishing to change re-appeared in their grey all in one with their names tagged. Theodor had himself got changed and now lead the way down towards a fleet of small rowing boats. "Anyone who is feeling energised after coffee may wish to take an oar. Anyone not in overalls I suggest you take the trip in the motor boat." A pair of large wooden boats capable of around ten people sitting either side of a fixed table. "Everyone set?" She asked before taking to the rudder of one of the rowing boats.

Sitting some 200 meters off the coast of the city of Haven is Throne Castle a small fort that sits a short row boat ride from a huge stone container built on a sandbank. The "Royal Vinegar Bank" is the largest in the Kingdom and back at a time when the nation was a Leper colony served as one of hundreds, if not thousands, of drop boxes around the coast. Today it would be the final one to receive its annual clean but first there was the need to welcome the first foreign guests to the festival since perhaps the boxes had served their initial purpose. The journey would be rather straight forward, aircraft could land at Haven International Airport, it ran parallel to the coast some kilometers outside the capital on the Eastern coast of the island. The coast was so close by that a small terminal had been built in the 1980's to allow pre-approved visitors such as those expected today, to leave the airport by boat. Today the FGS Bayer, the small nations flagship sat at the end of a short pier waiting the guests arrival. Back on the island castle Queen Elisabeth sat on the roof terrace peering at the Bayer through her telescope as a variety of boats began gathering around the Isle, various nobles and well to do citizens keen to take part in the royal celebrations. Further down the coast you could see other small boats amassing, the cities own floatilla where each small group of boats would be assigned a handful of the old ancient dropboxes to clean. The fient hum of music already reached the Palace.

Onboard the Bayer, Crown Prince Theodor sat on the small rear deck where the entry ramp was located. He was dressed in a smart white linen suit and sat with Admiral Johannes Heim, the ships captain, enjoying a freshly brewed coffee. A square table had been set up to allow the guests to have refreshments before making their way over to the Throne Castle to meet his mother. The young man was releaved his mother was over her recent illness and now, for what he hoped was a long time, he bore no real responsibilities. Infact he was now at a loss of what he would do with his time. He had considered rejoining the military or going to University but neither of those were really what he dreamed of. He'd served 18 months in the Navy as he felt he had to and he was bright but not an academic. For now he was content to just relax a bit after having been regent for around a year. He sipped his coffee happy to be in the company of the Admiral as they looked forward to what was a day of fun and celebration. A small radio sat on the table as the Admiral listened to the Air Traffic Control tower and his own ship chatting back and forth about various movements. It transpired the first aircraft was incoming. From the ship Theodor watched it land and come to a halt, he could see in the distance figures in the white uniform of the Navy greet the guests however the sound of the airport drowned out the band playing the national anthems. He tried to imagine the Minister of Foreign Affairs making small talk as he showed the guest to a waiting car, the trip may only be a few hundred meters but it wasn't the polite thing to do to make your guest hike off an airfield. The Admiral peered through binoculars and confirmed the identity of the guests long before the car arrived at the foot of the ramp. The ever efficient Admiral had already had his men smarten the table up, lose the radio and get the guard detail out. The Prince positioned himself at the top and the guards hurriedly made an honour guard. The Admiral waited by the car door for a young seaman to open up and then snapped a salute to the guest. "Welcome to Medusalin. If you follow me I'd be honoured" He turned and smartly walked up the walkway until they reached the top where he introduced the Prince to the arrival.

"Its wonderful to meet you. My mother is so excited you have agreed to come celebrate with us." He extended a polite hand, "For now we must wait for a few others, hopefully you'll know some of them. Then the Admiral here will ferry us over to the castle there and we can begin the real purpose of the day. Can I offer you coffee?" The Prince picked up the still steaming pot and set up a pretty white tea cup on a saucer with a pretty pale blue edge ringed in gold.

To His Majesty King David III of East Moreland (OOC-If anyone else wishes to attend they may assume a similar letter was sent to them)

I read with some interest that you have a keen interest in history and have several times shown a desire to witness traditional cultural events in person. With this being the case I would like to extend to you an invitation to an annual event here in my nation known as the "Cleaning of the Banks Ritual". Each year in in September we undertake a ceremony where the old stone boxes used as a form of commerce drop box in the time we were a leper colony are cleaned and thanks given for our nations survival during those difficult times. The ritual involves nobles taking responsibility for ensuring the maintainence of these boxes on points around our coast and a ritualistic cleaning of them. Following this communities come together and enjoy a traditional fish supper together while celebrating the day.

If you would like to visit I would be honored if you would join my family aboard the nations flagship FGS Bayer as we journey to three large Vinegar Banks outside the capital of Haven.

I am hopeful that you accept this request.

With Deepest Respects

Her Majesty Queen Elisabeth IV

The Medusalin Defence Force (MDF) was formed in its current guise in 1933. Previously the military had been split into four defence forces, North, East, South and West, with each being managed by a Duke. These had fallen under the command of a central administration in 1827 but remained as four separate forces almost militia like in design. There was no central training programme or procurement.

Today the military is open to any individual who has lived in Medusalin for five years. Any foreign born individual who has resided on the island for five years and then serves two years in the military is given citizenship. The military is all volunteer however upon reaching your 18th birthday every citizen is issued a green ID, this is an official ID Card that must be carried in public (at age 12 all citizens are issued a blue ID). On the Green ID is a six digit number and two letters which can be used in the event of a draft in wartime. Until 1999 men could only be drafted into the military while women could be drafted into "other" work. Now however full gender equality exists and "other" work is only an option to people considered not "Grade 1" in terms of fitness or education.

The MDF is split into four branches

Land Service: 15,000 Soldiers
Naval Service: 2,000 sailors
Air Service: 2,500 airmen
Coast Guard: 1,000  staff

Stock of Equipment

20 Light Tanks
10 IFV's
15 APC's
300 Mobility Vehicles
150 Light Mobility Vehicles
5 Self Propelled Howitzer
10 x Towed Howitzer
5 x Tacticl Helicopter
3 x Medium Helicopter
5 x Attack Helicopter
10 x Multi-Role Fighters
5 x Transport Planes
10 x Attack Aircraft
3 x Corvette
6 x Patrol Boat

Basic Outline

The majority faith of the island is known as Gorgonism. It is thought to be a relatively young religion with its first recorded mention coming at some point in the first century AD. There is however clear indications that the faith merged existing folk religions with mythology created around the idea of the island becoming an island for those cursed with leprosy


Introduction

The faith is one that could be described as polytheistic as the faith worships three Gods but also has the belief that there is a world of spiritual power beyond human comprehension and that this is communicable. The faith is largely confined to the Kingdom of Meudsalin however this is to be expected as many nations of the world refused visitors from Medusalin until more was known about Leprosy. This isolation due to health reasons has also largely meant that there were very little in the way of long term missionaries as they either died and had no consistent long term missionary work or post becoming a Kingdom the faith was used as a way of the monarch controlling the people in some manners and as a result dissenting religious views were at times outlawed but almost always shunned.

Creation Story

In the beginning of time there was just black chaos however swirling in this chaos were the energies of spiritual beings. Over a long period of time three of these beings absorbed the others, took physical form and emerged from the swirling chaos. Once free from this the three sisters, known as the Gorgons named Medusa, Stheno, and Euryale wished to live in a well ordered and structured world and set about creating what we today call the Universe. They were able to literally look into what was left of the swirling chaos now the other spiritual beings had been removed and conjure anything they wished. Initially beautiful and loving the three Gorgons became slightly more twisted and malformed with each act of power they performed, sacrificing their perfection to create the Universe we live in. Eventually their need to keep the living world ordered and balanced caused them to go insane. Texts say that the strongest of the Gorgons, Medusa, even began to be so resentful of losing her beauty and sanity that rather than using her gaze to conjure life she used it to turn people to stone.

Eventually realising that by keeping the world perfect they would be destroyed, and thus bring about the destruction of all creation the three sisters determined that they would hide themselves away until such a time as humanity had created a perfectly ordered world which would restore the Gorgons to their former power.

Holy Texts

The followers of the faith utilise two sacred texts. The Book of Chaos is the stories of the Gorgons creating the Universe and their rules for maintaining order. The Book of Stone is a series of warnings of what awaits if we do not create order in the world. There is the belief that the Book of Chaos was written by Euryale while the Book of Stone was written by Medusa. Both books are relatively short compared to many sacred texts, for example an average KJV Bible contains 1,200 pages both the Book of Chaos and the Book of Stone contain less than 200 pages in total with the Book of Chaos being around 120 of these. There are many examples of adherents of the faith that have actually memorised the whole of both books.

Symbols and Icons

The Triform is the officially recognised symbol of the faith. It features a circle with three female symbols coming off of it. The circle is said to symbolise the chaos while the female symbols represent the three Gorgons who emerged from the chaos. The symbol is traditionally always red to represent the sacrifices made by the three to allow mankind to exist.

Other symbols used often include images of the three Gorgons often shown with snakes as hair.

Rituals and Practices

It is expected that every Friday the faithful gather at a Temple to pray and conduct sacred ceremonies.

Every Friday the faithful with gather inside a circle. There they shall ritualistically wash using salt water and vinegar (thought to be a connection to the times of leprosy). Once pure the faithful make three offerings, food, drink and wealth, to the Gorgons. At this point they begin praying for a world of peace, order and discipline. A priest then gives advice on how the Gorgons can be restored and then the community shares food together.

Weddings within the faith can only take place with the approval of three priests. Once a wedding has been approved the couple pick a temple and arrange the ceremony. The ceremony sees the symbol of the faith drawn on the temple floor by the couple. Once the symbol has been drawn the guests can enter and sit in a circle around the symbol. The bride and groom then ritually wash the feet of their partners parents (if the parents are dead or otherwise unable to attend then that person nominates a stand in). Once this has been done the priest has two lengths of rope, one red the other white. The priest begins by joining the ropes with a reef knot. The couple then take it in turns taking oaths to each other. While there are traditional oaths a couple may take any oaths they wish so long as their are six in total. With each oath the rope is twisted around itself so by the time all six are done a kind of braid has been made. The priest then asks the couple a final time whether they wish to marry and if they both say yes he completed the braid by tying another reef knot. The length of now braided rope is handed to the bride who wears it as belt. The ceremony then finishes with the parents whose feet were washed at the beginning washing the feet of their new family member.

When a child is born it is expected to be taken to Temple on the forth Friday after its birth. Here it is given its first ceremonial wash by a Priest and given a name by the Priest based on omens, traditions and any other factor. This name is then written down on a piece of cloth which is kept by the family who will add a name of their own choosing. As such each child has two names. Usually after the ceremony it is tradition the family host a party to celebrate the birth.

When a person reaches the age of 12 a coming of age ceremony takes place. The cloth they were given at birth is brought to the Temple and at the end of that weeks service the child is asked to pick which of the two names on the cloth they wish to carry for the rest of their lives. The cloth is then cut, the one with the name they rejected is burnt while the one they choose to keep is soaked in vinegar and salt water to purify it before being tied to a tree outside the temple.

When a person dies they are expected to whenever possible have a funeral before the next sunset. This practice is thought largely to have begun as a way of controlling disease. The family gather wood and various other fuels and on a rocky outcrop next to the sea the body is burnt as Priests say prayers for the persons soul to find its path to return to the swirling chaos. Once the funeral pyre is out the ashes are collected, mixed with vinegar and salt water and poured into the sea. If possible the scrap of cloth with the persons name on it is buried in the Temple's garden as a way of ensuring that a persons journey to the afterlife has a definite start and end point so the soul can not get lost.

Leaders

The religion utilises a system a little like an army in terms of organisation. There is a clear chain of authority. At the top is the monarch who as well as having the title King or Queen also holds the title Keeper of the Triform. In this role they are the ultimate authority on matters of religious doctrine. They are also responsible for overseeing the "College of the Three" which is where all priests within the faith train.

Priests may be male or female and no distinction is made between their roles. Once graduation from the College takes place a person becomes a Guardian of the Dead for 12 months. It is their responsibility to ensure those who have died over the previous 12 months are memorialised and remembered. On the completion of this year they become a fully fledged Priest and the faith assign them to a Temple. Usually they serve in a role supporting a more experienced priest for the next five years. After this they are often dispatched to less populated areas which may require them travelling to tend to the spiritual needs. After at least seven years in the faith a person may apply for any of the vacant positions of "Speaker for the Gorgons" these are Priests who in many ways could be considered managers of Temples. After completing this task for at least two years a Priest may apply for a vacancy as a "Bringer of Order" which is responsible for the oversight of several Temples. Finally there are three "Voice of the Gorgons" who act as chief advisers to the monarch on spiritual matters. All promotions to Voice of the Gorgons are made by the monarch.

Nation Name: Medusalin

Nation Link:https://www.nationstates.net/nation=medusalin

Provinces you wish to claim:
1:R12

Proposed colour of your nation on the map: Black or Red (any other if need be)

I, Medusalin, have read the rules set down above, and agree to follow them.