Following news of forced deportations taking place from Nya Aland, carried out by an illegitimate force, and with the mention of an "Offshore processing centre" having been established but with no location given we are concerned about where this may be and the conditions faced by those caught up in this. As such the Heptarchy shall be placing extra naval ships into the Alucard on routine patrol to support any search and rescue efforts required by our own citizens or the wider international community. The Heptarchy shall be urging its citizens to move into areas securely under government control and will be providing military flights into Nya Aland to offer evacuation of any citizens. We estimate currently just over 1,000 citizens are in Nya Aland however our flights will have many more spaces than needed and so should any other nations citizen wish to take unfilled seats they may place their name on a short notice waiting list for evacuation.

December 19th, Ebora Imperial Guard HQ Prison Block A, 11:58pm

"Félix Hébert. You have been found guilty of the crime of rape of a minor by a jury of your peers. You have been sentenced to death. The sentence having been approved by the Emperor will now be carried out. Do you have any final words?" The Commander of the Imperial Vanguard proclaimed. It was the final execution of the 12 scheduled and for this one the commander could have filled the firing squads six spots hundreds of times over. This was the one his men had all willingly wanted to be part of because of the brutality of Hébert's crime. The condemned man muttered some words about regretting what he was and hoping Veridus would give him a second chance.

"Fat Chance" one of the marksman selected muttered under his breath earning him an awkward stare from the Commander. Hébert was strapped to a specially designed chair and a hood placed over him. His specially designed red jacket had a yellow triangle roughly where his heart would be. The Commander stepped to the side well out of the way of the six man squad. Four of them had real bullets while two had wax tipped ones that gave the feel and sound of a real bullet but would fire no projectile however all hoped they would fire the lethal shot. There would now be no verbal orders. With a white cane the Commander held the stick horizontally out from himself and then men removed their safety catches. Keeping his arm straight he swept the cane vertically until it pointed directly at the roof. The soldiers took careful aim at the yellow triangle and the Commander waited a moment or two ensuring that each of his men appeared to be squinting down the sights. Satisfied they were he swept the cane down in a fast chopping action and in one single moment six booms filled the air followed by Hébert being thrown backwards slightly in the chair. The Commander gave his first verbal order. "Safety firearms" and his men replaced the safety catch and laid their weapons down before taking a step back. The Commander and a doctor moved forward, the doctor checking for a pulse as the Commander held his pistol ready to deliver a lethal head shot should the firing squad have somehow failed. It was not needed and the death confirmed a prison officer pulled a lever and Hébert's chair reclined backwards depositing the body down a shoot where a team of Priestesses began work quickly. Ropes were attached to his feet and his jacket and hood removed. In a matter of seconds the body was hung upright, head down over a large metallic box and with a swift and well practiced motion one of the women had cut the juglar. Another Priestess added a few drops of a chemical to the blood ensuring it didn't clot or pool. By 2am eight special flasks of blood had been filled from the 12 executions and now members of the Imperial Vanguard began transporting them to the Temples throughout the Empire that needed them ready for the morning ceremonies.

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20th December 2023, Ebora Imperial Temple, 8am

The Temple was a large white marble construction in the shape of a triangle. To its point there was a large garden which in summer would host concerts of religious music but now in the depth of winter was a place largely devoid of colour and life. The base of the triangle ran along a cobbled street and was already packed with the nobles of the Imperial Province ready to take part in todays rituals. The Temple could seat about 1000 people but many more would stand outside and watch the proceedings on big screens filing through later in the day.

A procession of cars began to arrive. First there was the Emperor. He exited the car and largely ignored the crowd making a beeline for the Priestess who would be handling the days ceremony. He checked with her that all had been prepared and deemed her competent to handle the days proceedings. Dressed in black he blended in among the gloomy morning. His wife Empress Josephina accompanied him likewise dressed in black but unlike her husband she waved to the crowd acknowledging them as she made her way inside. The next three cars carried the Imperial Consorts who exited dressed in plain white dresses, their hair tied back into long pony tails. Next was Crown Prince Henrik who accompanied by his half sister Florette took time to go and visit with the crowd. He did his best to seem the Imperial heir channelling his fathers stern and serious manner but when a young school girl asked if he'd take a selfie with her the youngsters cheery smile was hard to turn down. Seeing a fleet of various other vehicles approaching he wished a happy Solstice to the crowd and walking behind his much shorter half sibling the green clad duo climbed the Temple steps.

It would take an hour to get everyone inside but once the ceremony was ready it was a rather swift affair. It began with a song celebrating the fact that they had all survived the winter so far and praising Veridus for giving them the strength. Next the Emperor and Empress lit candles before the Emperor took an oath on behalf of the whole Empire. This done it was time for the blood ritual. Members of the Vanguard carried an ornate golden vase between them to a large stone circular pit in the centre of the temple. The pit had a statue of a wolf similar to that on the Empires flag built into it and carefully the soldiers poured the blood collected from the executions over the wolf until it pooled in the bottom. Once the vase had been emptied the Emperor approached and using a cloth cleaned the wolf before tossing the blood soaked rag into a fire. "Today we ask Veridus to bless my family as we help guide you to the promise of a better world in the next life. Join with us as we do the work of our loving God." He spoke before motioning for his wife to join him. He bent and dipped a finger into the blood and marked her forhead. She walked to a bank of seats and sat. Next the three Consorts lined up and dipping a hand into the blood once more the Emperor left a bloody hand print on the lower stomach, a sign that he was asking the God to make them fertile. Their white dresses now bearing the bloody outline made their way to their seat next came the Crown Prince who did not immediately receive the expected blessing from his father. "Today is a special day. Today I announce that my beloved son Henrik will become an official part of the government. Today he will prepare to take on the role of Consul from the 1st of January. He shall serve his term alongside myself and together we shall guide the Empire. He today becomes the owner of the Heirs Wing of our Imperial Palace and I expect and demand that he fulfil all his obligations as a future Emperor. I ask that Veridus bless him with wisdom." He pressed his blood soaked hand into the dark buzzcut hair of his son. "Give him the courage to be a leader" He pressed his hand on his son's heart before pressing a blood print onto his own sons lower stomach "and the virility to father countless vessels for the volunteers of Veridus." His father referred to the belief that the extended Imperial family were all the elite from their faiths version of heaven who had volunteered, selflessly, to return to Mundus to guide others to paradise. Henrik though simply blushed as he accepted his fathers proud embrace before taking his own seat. His two older sisters came next, followed by his half siblings his father had bred with the three consorts. The serious work done the Imperials left leaving the rest of the congregation to file past the blood pit and dip into it a piece of cloth. They would take this home and in their own fire place burn it casting the Gods blessings through their own home. People filed past until several hours later a young woman, not even the last in line, had to run her embroided cloth around the rim of the pit to get the last drops.

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20th December 2023, Ebora Imperial Palace, 1pm


The religious aspects of the day done it was time to enjoy the festivities. The Imperials who had been coated in blood quickly changed into smart suits or dresses and gathered in the rear of the Palace. They had discussed inviting various dignitaries from across Mundus to the event because of Henrik's ascension to Consul being part of the day however Lucius had said no, today was a day for his family. Now though there was at least some relaxation as a few ambassadors and others had joined the gathering, probably on the promise of champagne, fine food and dancing. First though in a wide circle around a bonfire Lucius and his large extended family held their clothing from earlier ready and on the count of three threw them into the fire.

Lucius is the eldest son of the former Emperor, Alfred IV, and his wife Empress Madeline. He has seven siblings, most of whom are half brothers and sisters from his fathers various consorts. He was born in the capital of the Empire, Ebora, in 1968.

The Emperor was home tutored from the age of four in a class of nine other noble boys who had been selected because their families had demonstrated great dedication and loyalty to the family. The Emperor was not though too gifted academically but his father was exceptionally strict and forced young Lucius into endless of hours of extra study, in particular on matters of the Veridusian faith. Whenever Lucius made a mistake in life his father forced him to first find a sacred passage that would correct the mistake and then he was forced to write it out hundreds of times. His fathers strict discipline has left significant marks on him today. His father was also though keen to remind the young future Emperor that he was special and had been sent to Mundus for a special task and that this came with responsibilities and significant rights.

At 16 Lucius was struggling to pass his national exams in all subjects except Religious Studies. When his results came in he had failed most subjects and his father sent him off to a construction company for six months to be shown just how privledged his life was and how he needed to work harder. In 1986 he joined the Army for two years as is expected as a minimum of all male members of the Imperial Family.

In 1988 he began taking part in various Imperial Affairs and served as Consul for the first time in 1989 after his father all but insisted the leaders of the seven Kingdoms select him. During that time Lucius had very little to do other than rubber stamp what his father wished. He has held positions of ambassador to various nations, as a envoy to some of the seven Kingdoms and held various ministries.

In 1990 his father organised his marriage to Josephina, the youngest daughter of King Theobold of Cyrain. He was never fully committed to the marriage but understood that it was a political matter as the people of Cyrain had felt some dissatisfaction with the Empire after Josephina's sister Mariabelle had been passed over for an important position within the Priesthood. The marriage between Lucius and Josephina was merely a good way to keep Cyrain from causing mischief.

The two have three children, Princess Anaïs (born in 1993), Princess Astrid (born in 1997) and Prince Henrik (born in 2000).

In 2016 Emperor Alfred died after contracting a virus which he initially seemed to be recovering from but then died suddenly.

As Emperor he has been very inward looking. He considered his father a good Emperor but he lacked the ability to fully unite the seven Kingdoms in his plans. Lucius however took great steps in ensuring that both the Veridust faith and the Empires needs were front and centre. While his father had paid lip service to many traditions Lucius insisted they be done with no compromise.

In the Imperial Household he has ordered strict adherence to rules and strict discipline. He maintains a large staff as he believes this is reflection of his power. In addition he has inisted that each of the Kingdoms provide a consort and has fathered several children with them, several of whom he has installed ready to take positions of influence with both the Priesthood and management of the various Kingdoms.

EMPERORS ISSUE


1990 - Renaud - Currently a Naval Officer on a Destroyer. Mother is Eloise Roy
1993 - Princess Anais - Currently serving in diplomatic office in Ui Cenneslaig. Mother is Empress Josephine
1994 - Cyrille - Currently he is serving as a diplomat in Aosta. Mother is Eloise Roy
1997 - Princess Astrid - Currently serving in diplomatic office in East Moreland. Mother is Empress Josephine
1999 - Florette - Currently studying Chemical Engineering. Mother is Eloise Roy
2000 - Crown Prince Henrik - Mother is Empress Josephine
2003 - Axelle - Currently studying Law at University. Mother is Clara Girard
2005 - Jean-Michelle. Joining Army summer of 2024. Mother is Clara Girard
2014 - Isidore - Mother is Astrid Traver
2016 - Blaise - Mother is Astrid Traver
2018 - Marcelle - Mother is Clara Girard
2020 - Felix - Mother is Astrid Traver

While the history of Eboracum is one filled with centuries of internal conflict punctuated by brief periods of unity to face down foreign aggression it was not until the 1750's that the nation was truly formed. The Ebora people have throughout their history embraced war and bloodshed almost as a birth right as the seven tribes of Ebora have always been at war in some way, in the early days it was over farmland, then raids on livestock, control of the river Moraca which flows through the nation and more recently the desires of monarchs to extend their power. In 1750 Geoffrey Archambault was able to utilise his wife's control of the Ebora's religion in her role as Grand Matriarch of the Temple to cause the faithful to raise up across all seven kingdoms. Controlling this rebel army he brought all the region under his command and proclaimed himself Emperor. Since then the Archambault families bloodline has ruled both the religious and political elements of the nation.

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POPULATION - Approximately 50million as of the last census
GDP - Approx $1.95 trillion.
GDP per Capita - Approx $39,000
BIGGEST EXPORTS - Wine, Cosmetics and Perfumes, Automobiles, Raw Agricultural Produce and Refined Metals.
BIGGEST IMPORTS - Petroleum products, electronics, industrial machinary, processed chemicals, textiles.
UNEMPLOYMENT RATE - Approx 7.5%

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POLITICAL SYSTEM

The nation is run by the Emperor with each of the 7 Kingdoms having a monarch who is selected by the Emperor upon the death of their former one. Much has been done to ensure that these titles stay within the family.

No law may be passed without the signatures of two Consuls. This has never been a problem as one consul is selected by the Emperor while the other is selected by the seven monarchs. The Emperor and the seven monarchs can be Consuls thus ensuring the Emperors will is done.

There is a small elected assembly who must approve all changes in taxation and may overrule the Consuls. They do this by each Kingdom having three representatives, making 21 in total. When trying to halt a law they must get each of the seven Kingdoms to approve the blocking with 2 of their 3 candidates voting to block.

This assembly is called the Heptarchic Council and everyone over the age of 21 may vote. Those over 18 may vote if they pay taxes above a certain threshold.

The Kingdoms are each ruled by either a King or Queen who is selected by the monarch. They rule until death or the Emperor forces them to abdicate.

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CULTURE

Eboracum is heavily influenced by its adherence to Veridusism. This is a faith that believes humanity is actually a test for spirits. They believe there is a spiritual world in which just pure spirits exist in one of two places. The first place is a dark and cold place where spirits live in isolation. The second place is a paradise where everyone of your desires is meet and the God Veridus protects and cares for you. To earn a place in this paradise you must demonstrate your obedience and loyalty to Veridus and so your spirit is sent to the physical world. There you must live a life dedicated to maintaining the good order established by the God, care for his creation, posses discipline and seek to better yourself.

At death you are transported to the gates of paradise and there a gatekeeper considers your entrance into paradise. Those successful are admitted while the unsuccessful are cast back into the darkness for 1000 years before they may be given another chance.

The faithful believe in the Gatekeepers Code which is a set of rules to get them into paradise.

The religion has been said to make Eboracians a race seen as ultra-disciplined, often cold and harsh.