Strigian Confederation

[Margrave]

*Assembly Hall, Corinth, The Noble Demesne Of Strigia*

The Great Assembly Hall, a rather grandiose name for a recently reconverted massive discotheque, was abuzz with the conversation, speculation, and argument of a grand gathering of the most powerful men and women in Strigia. The Premier of Constantinople, Francis Guiscard, had called a great conference of the regional powers together, and as it was his Border Rangers that were keeping the peace on the far ranges and suppressing foreign expansionism, the Lords And Ladies of the Interior were readily convinced it would be a good idea to attend. Amongst the number were the greatest leaders of the various social and political movements: Edvard Et Varange, Duke of the Duchy Of Varange, in which the ancient soldiers of the Varangian Guard had once made their home. They had moved out of the quieter parts of the minority rather quickly, those families who had retained their heritage through rule by other powers suddenly coming in to fortuitous circumstances. His lords, a collection of Banneret's and Viscounts, had gathered up the base level of troop strength, and were busily training up their Household Guard forces, loaning their warriors out to peace-keeping and bandit suppression as they wished. Having become the de-facto ruler of Greece through fire and sword, he was less convinced of Guiscard's methods than most, but understood far too well that the Premier was one of the few things standing between the territories and the march of foreign armies. He perused a political book describing the wars of Europe from the German perspective, Das Krieg, waiting for the council to be formally called to order.

In between him and the Throne of Corinth, sat The Lady Of Veils. It was uncertain how she had risen to power in the dark days following the fall of the Kingdom; word was that she was from Arabia, or perhaps a daughter of Asia. Still some thought she was merely a small landowner in Thessaloniki who had risen up to defend her land, shotgun in hand. Whatever the truth, though her face was hidden, her voice was not, and she had been elected by the Confederated Territories of the Balkans to represent them, and represent them she did, speaking on matters of democracy and fairness to all people. She was in favor with Guiscard, from all accounts, and she had been promised a right to speak before the gathered rulers.

The Cretian Assembly had gathered near the throne, a group of elected officials and merchants guarding the safety and prosperity of Crete. They would be the most important to sway, their stability, advanced weaponry, and manpower a must in order to unite the territories. They spoke to Guiscard with passion and vigor, attempting to secure for themselves a better life. The Lady was especially popular with them, and would find favor in their councils should she wish.

At the epicenter of all this sat Francis Guiscard, Premier of Constantinople and sometime Lord of Strigia, a rather politically unstable and uncertain position. He'd been instrumental in restoring the capital, and gathering the weapons and soldiery needed to fend off and even destroy the larger bandit operations. He'd used his blood ties to the Varangians to secure their help against outsiders and to convince them to stop breaking away to form their own country. He'd convinced the Lady that he was fighting for the people, and the Cretians that he was motivated by a desire to create happiness and security in the country. Though loyalty was tenuous at best, he would use that base to create something beautiful, a shining country of strength and honor.

He waited for the discussions to ease, and then he began.

"My lords, my ladies, concerned citizens and subjects, we have gathered here today to discover by what means we may create a strong and unified country out of the ashes of the old world. As we have all desire to speak, we will also hear speech. Today, we ask the Lady of Thessaloniki to step forward and give us her word."

[Sarah Tintagyl]

The Lady of Thessaloniki stood up from her seat and looked through the black veil covering her face, she smiled, though no one would be able to tell as she walked towards the center of the Congress Hall, her tan arms displayed proudly from a sleek black gown, while the veil was attached to a large black hat that covered most of her head. People in Strigia, or what would eventually become Strigia knew who she was, but they had never stared at her face, she was infamous and influential, but did not desire power. Guiscard would have the power, which was fine, he was a worthy leader, but the nation was divided and that would need immediately changed.

"People of Greece." She held her arms high. "People of Strigia. We are a divided nation beset by foreign expansion, rebellion from within our own borders and whats worse, no true national identity. We are Greeks, Varangian, Cretans, civilizations of the ancient world that were able to conquer vast territories of land and not only conquer, but civilize them into what we know today as the Western World. Today our world stretches from the Nordic Confederacy with the successes of Germany, Prussia, and Russia. To the nations of the Americas as Lubeck, Canada, Tahoe, and Viniland and to the Pacific where Aotearoa and the Hansa stake their claims. These nations are all our children, children of the the greats, Alexander, Aristotle, Achilles, and the ancient gods. But while we can look back at our ancestors for greatness, how are we to look to ourselves for the same greatness when we feel defeated between ourselves?

People of Strigia to become again like our ancestors we must first unify ourselves. I stand here now and look at you around me and see division. Division between Greeks, Varangians, and Cretans. The world is a dangerous place my friends where people seek to dominate one another with the drop of a pin. If we do not stand united first then we have no hopes of ever becoming like our ancestors. That is first, first you must unite. First you must become Strigia and Strigians. Then we can move out beyond our borders and befriend the world. But first and only first, we must unite."

She put her arms down and silently returned to her seat, her smile still on her face. It was in Guiscard's hands now.

[Margrave]

Guiscard made his way to the center of the meeting hall, giving the crowd ample time to consider the Lady's words as he prepared himself. Without much ado, he began to speak.

"Ladies and Gentlemen, this conference is already a sign of our unity of purpose, of our desire for nationhood. I see my friends, my neighbors, my would-be brothers amongst the representatives of this conference. I have great hopes for all of you, great hopes for the future of this nation and our desires, both here and abroad."

Guiscard looked around, then continued. "We have heard many intriguing ideas here...we shall hear many more before the conference is out. But my proposal is this; let the villages, cities, and towns of our nation hold elections, to choose their mayors, and let the Lordly houses rule the provinces. Set one man at the top to keep the ship of state afloat, but allow cities to grow and expand naturally without interfering too much with the rights of the citizens. Properly mark off our borders and protect them with our lives. Allow our citizens every freedom and comfort they deserve. I propose that we create the Margravate of Strigia, in which one man will rule as chief leader, while the citizens are encouraged to vote for nearly every other role."

[Sumeragi]

OOC: More please!