The Neo Byzantinian Empire of Stropon

[Yoder7652]

Strech...WOW! Where do I begin with such a large update? Well....I'm loving your neighborhood shots of the city, your selection of government buildings (I'm not at all biased either  ) and your detailed description of their history and purpose is phenomenal as always! I love all the squares and gardens that you've created in the city (I'm taking notes of your gardens for my own use in Osturland  ). I also  like what you've done with the canals and the city walls, I really like the wall base texture that you are using, it looks wonderful. Kudos on a great update....as always, you leave me wanting to see more!

[Strechnitz]

bat Thank you and a new update is on the way

rooker1thank you for the compliments. I like the mix with RL pics too/ it is quite difficult to get the pics that have the right atmosphere.

sebes Thank you for the big pink dancing guy! it is an honor to receive one.

kwakelaar Well the exams are over now. 

I'm glad you enjoyed the leaflet so much. It was real fun to make at the time. and we share the interest in architecture and history. and don't underestimate the importance of royal bedrooms my friend  The sun kings bedroom is at the heart of the viewing axis of Versailles as you may know

russel I'm glad you like the square, and that you found the buildings as well

belfastuniguy You can have them soon. but first I want to finish and showcase another palace before  share them. I hope you don't mind waiting a little more.

snaper Thank you very much for your compliments. I'm glad you like Strechnitz city.

Patfirefighter Thank you so much for your kind words. And ther is more to see now

Yoder Biased? you? indeed not, why should you?   taking notes are we? beware of the copyright monster   all I'm saying is, I'm glad you like it!



Ah the sun sets over the Stroponian Empire. The proles eat their meals while watching tv. The middle classes try their very best to live up to the joneses and the upper class indulge themselves in their pleasures with a cultivated  phlegm or badly concealed boredom. Not a very romantic picture perhaps. But allas nothing is perfect.  Christine is called away on family business so she can't be here tonight. The Stroponian Imperial Bureau of Tourism has arranged a scenic walk along the quays of Strechnitz  with a very peculiar host who....oh why not let him introduce himself?


Right, Good evening you all. My name is Theodore Sprenklemayer. I am the director general of the diplomatic department of the ministry of foreign affairs. With only 2 diplomatic relations I have oodles of time to spend in leisure while cashing my fat salary every  month. Haha. Well with the wee wife away on some holistic therapy in Badt Florentia in the Ostro-Apennines and my miss... I mean children safely tucked away in their frightfully expensive boarding school I am delighted to show you our glorious capital by night. Haha. Right!


Here we see the old fish market. It provides the capital every morning with fresh fish and fruit the mer caught during the night. Right? Right! Have a look over the bay towards Industriopolis. Don't the lights of the industry look enchanting from this distance?


It is Damned hot is it not? Right.  Let's stick close to the shoreline in the hope of a refreshing evening breeze. Strechnitzians love to walk along the boulevards in the evening. It is a game of seeing and being seen they all like so much. I usually get quite some attention. It must be my angelic eyes or perhaps the too expensive suit I wear. You like my attire by the way?


Right! Here we see the so called Firenze Pallace. It resembles the Rotes Rathaus somewhat but ours is much prettier of course don't you agree? Don't nodd no! I said don't you agree? Right! That's better. The building houses the Customs House of Strechnitz. Not bad eh for those overpayed lazy basterds! I should now, I was their Director general before my promotion to the  Diplomatic department. Haha. Right!


Ah yes, Nepune Square. A great place to live. Here you see the museum ship the HHIMS Titania. Isn't she beautiful? This is the old Imperial Yacht. It is decommissioned a few years ago. The floating palace has become too small to accommodate the court. A new ship is built and this serves as a museum. The Art Deco interior is exquisite! Shall we move on? Right!


If you liked the Old fishmarket. Than you'll love the new Fishmarket. In the nineteenth century  the old building had become too small or the city too big. Whatever you prefer. So outside the walls, where we are now, a new building was erected to service the new city outside the city walls. We love our fish we do. Speaking of which. Let's eat a hering or two with a Stroponian Vodka over at yonder grand café with the red awnings. It is a Strechnitzian delicacy. Right? Right!.


Wasn't that delicious? I say it was. Well as you may have noticed this fine restaurant borders a large square. It is called Dynasty Square and is graced with the Cathedral of Holy Redemption. It again has that Italian renaissance theme just like the Customs house. Shall we have a look inside? Let's see if the door's open.....nope. what a shame. Well perhaps during the day we'll have another chance.

Right, well, those of you who now something about Stroponian nistory know where we are if they look up that hill to our left. Can you see it? Right!







The Church of Holy Wisdom. The first new structure built when the Empire was founded. And more importantly the mausoleum and restingplace of every Emperor and Empress that has sat on the Throne of Stropon. The area was neglected and run down up and until a month ago. They have revamped the site totally and now decent folk come here on moonlit nights instead of the scum of the earth who seemed to have taken over this important site completely. Doesn't it look grand? Let's climb up the hill shall we?

Wasn't the view from up the hill not spectaculair? We can count ourselves lucky with the full moon tonight. Now we have descended on the other side of the Mausoleum hill and enter the more lively district. Teeming with bars and restaurants. And of course that beautiful pearl of the fine arts...


The Imperial Music Theatre. With the golden dome made by an artist chap from Quitaniana....er I forgot his name. Good chap though, so they say. Makes a nice addition to Strechnitz beach shoreline eh? Right. But they play "Die Planeten" by Holst tonight. Gruesome music. But the wee wife loves it. Glad she is away though. Or I sat in there instead of out here with you. Ah look at the fun joy and general gayety on the beaches. This is living, is it not? Let's have a wine on that terrace yonder. I could use a drop. Right? Right!


Further along the Saint Judas Beach Boulevard we see the Collonial Memorial celebrating the acquisitions of our 2 colonies in the east and west. Isn't it grand? It marks the end of the Allee of Heroes leading up to the Arch of glory. But that is for another tour. Right. To our right we see the Grand Colonial Hotel. Their hotel bar is renowned for their planters punch cocktail. Let's have a drop to cool down before we continue Right!

Wight! Those wewe delicious. On the left we see the Colonial Twheatwe. Wenowned for the cabawet. Shall we have a small dwink in the the Tweatwe lobby? No? Wight! I will!


AAAHHH Wondewfull Cocttailzz. Quite Aztonnizjing. Hewe we hawe the Swechnitz Cazino. A fun zpot fow uz, Uppew Clazzians of the Wowld. Cozmopolitanz like uz. You know what I'm zaying?  Wight!

Talking of Cozmopolitanzzz. Letz hawe one in the Cazino.... zhall we?



Wight. Wazznd dhad lowely? You guyzz look like you hadd doo much to dwink. Hikkup. Silly Foweignewz. Hikkup. Ah dhe Beaumond Hodel. Widh a vvvvamouz baw. Anyone in for a wee dwink? Hikkup!

WHad??? Endrance Denied? How zo? Cand you zee we are all pewfecdly zzobew man? Damned Pwole!. Oh well. Whad Hodel do you guyz zday in anywhay? Whighd! Leds call youw caws, Do come and Vedch uzz. Dhan we have a wee Nighdcap at youw hodel......Wighd....Hikkup!  Enjoyed dhe Walk? Yezzz? Good.

Ahh Dhere are dhe caws. Good. I wazz beginning do ged Dhiwsty. Hikkup!






My My, that tour finished more like a frat party than a decent city walk with one of Stropons finest. Oh well as long as everyone enjoyed themselves, than it is all O.K.
BTW this is not meant to promote the use of alcohol. It is just a humorous twist to my MD

Strechnitz

[sebes]

ROFL 

BTW this is not meant to promote the use of alcohol.

Wight? Wight!  .. I knowwwzit wetter by now  !    Lezzhav another of wooze zelicious cowsmowbolizzanz   

[Pat]

LoL ROTFLMAO 

I think some one had one tooooooooo many 

[kwakelaar]

This tour was the hardest part, but surely the most enjoyable, except for the following morning of course. A day spent in bed is not at all a bad day.

The Colonial Memorial is a real gem, don't know if it is one of yours or not, but a very nice square. The picture taken from uphill of the Church of Holy Wisdome is a great shot, also like the newly styled hill. It still is looking a bit barren but I think that is just the thing you are after here.
Your beach boulevard is another highlight of Strechnitz, they should be proud to have something like that within the citylimits. I think the designer has made a good job making this into a kind of urban space on the border between city and sea.

[nova vesfalo]

Killer update ! What can I say ! Beautiful one. I like the new design of the hill. The sea-line is well designed with all the plazas, specialy love the Memorial one. YOur custom lot are like always so 1900'ss styled ! (the casino is a jem of loting !). The old market district is charming (btw what is the name of the white tower -diagonla enabled ?) to clonclued : Wonderful udpate and all the informations are a really great adition !

[emilin]

I have always had a softspot for night pics, and that is a very good selection. You seem to have an issue with the park fences though, maybe you should try jeronij's rural walls instead (they are better for slope conforming)?

[Snaper]

It's very beautiful, I love particularly the Church of Holy Wisdom 

It's a pity that you have many abandoned buildings but that does not withdraw of anything your talent 

Bravo 

[Strechnitz]

Hi,

Thank you for your comments. unfortunately I have no time to reply them at this moment. So I will do so later today or tomorrow. but here is a little update.


Stropon Herald, recording the news as it happens since 1893.

DIPLOMATIC BLUNDER SPECIAL.

The Stropon connection?
From our chief editor                                   june 14

There was the splendid jubilee in Payens last week. A wonderful, flawless celebration of the 50 years reign of the King Gardannes. Flawless? Not quite! OBN correspondent Latt Mauer told the world during the live coverage of the arrival of the Stroponian Imperial Delegation that her Highness the Marchioness of Listerfeldt happened to be the mistress of  His Holy Imperial Majesty Jerome Victor IV. Naturaly this is not based on facts but mere assumption. An assumption threatening the young and fragile diplomatic relations between our two great nations. His Holy Imperial majesty was not told before returning to Stropon about the little "slip of the tongue" and was infuriated. How could this happen? Why could it happen? And Who is to blame? Who is to pay for this? We have brought all the facts and angles together for your scrutiny.

archive footage of the jubilee provided by the Osturland Broadcasting network.


Off with their heads!
From our palace correspondent                  june 16

Lady Caroline von Steuben, was seen being a re-incarnation of one of Wagners Walkure when she heard the news. A spokesman of the palace announced that she called Lord Francis Dragomirov Blauheim, our ambassador in Payens insisting that the perpetrators had to be dealt with. To Stroponian customs this means that they would have been executed on the spot for high treason. But in this case we deal with a delicate matter of international affairs. Indeed the Emperor wanted this affair to be sorted out to the very bottom of it. For apart the hurt pride of the Marchioness the real issue is that a foreign national has accused our Wise and Nobel ruler to be an over aged unscrupulous womanizer! This can not be true!

Lady caroline. very close to the Emperor but not close enough to sit on his lap.

Fuse taken out of the diplomatic conflict!
From our political correspondent           june 20

The Osturland ambassador was summoned to the Citadel palace earlier today to explain why the Emperor had been insulted in front of the entire world. His Excellency could not answer immediately but did say that the matter concerned the Osturland government as well. They wanted to be the perfect host, and did not anticipate on such a blunder. King Gardannes had already ordered an investigation to look into the matter. But to show the good will of Payens a combined investigation was offered. This offer was accepted by the Emperor thus diffusing the strained tensions that arose last week. Lord Francis Dragomirof Blauheim announced on a press meeting in the crispy new embassy in Payens that this matter should be resolved as soon as possible. "I dare say chaps. This does not only damages the Emperor but also stains the good name of  Osturland! And we won't have that now will we? Once the perpetrator is hunted down and dealt with both governments can wash their hands in innocence and go on ruling their nations as they should." As a result of this a full scale inquiry is started. The first ever cooperation between the Osturland police force and the Imperial Civil Guard in history. The Lord High minister of Justice, The right honorable High Prelate Georg Meckler expects to see results soon.

Lord Francis is very glad that this little incident has strengthend the bond between the 2 nations rather than weakening it.

The Mistress-gate continues!
From our correspondent                              june 27

The joint investigation of the Osturland police force and the Imperial Civil Guard has booked some results in the "Mistress-gate" scandal. After the use of selected and controlled physical persuasion techniques approved or not specifically forbidden by the Geneva convention protocols. Latt Mauer the OBN news correspondent admitted to the investigators that he deliberately said those words during the arrival of the Imperial Delegation. It was not an Auto queue mix op or mistranslation or anything else. But what surprised the investigatorsmost was  that Mr. Mauer told them that he was paid by the most respected newspaper of our Empire, the Stropon Times, to say those words!
A spokesman of the Civil guard confirmed that the Stropon Times has payed 500 000 Stroponian crowns into mr. Mauers account a week previous to the jubilee. The focus of the investigators now shifts towards Stropon in general and the offices of the Stropon Times in particular! How will this end?


The enemy from within!
Special report                                           juli 1

The chief editor of the Stropon Times, Sir Maxim von Strooperen has made a public statement outside his villa in the posh Kayserbürgen district. Here we print the full text of the part he announced. Before he was interrupted by his arrest. Unfortunately the document itself was burnt accidentally by his wife who is a local Regent and firm Claw follower.

Chief editor von Strooperen and family

Good morning Ladies, and gentlemen of the press. I have just heard of my order for arrest by the Commandant of the Civil guard in Strechnitz. These gentlemen to the left will escort me to the chateau d'iffy after my announcement. We have all been witness to the affair that has kept so many of you busy the last few days. "Mistress-gate" a vulgar name for a vulgar incident. Our newspaper has been losing many subscribers prior to the scandal and I had to do something to avoid a takeover by a more successful paper. The sudden and unexpected rise of lady von Steuben has been fuel to countless rumors. And in my despair I thought. Why not fuel them some more? I have endangered the good names of everybody involved and I want to apologies for it. Especially to His Holy Imperial Majesty. But our justice system will pas his judgment for him as my sentence.
Having that said I am sorry for having actually paid the money to Mauer. I am a firm believer and follower of the Paw faction. I believe that the Doctrine must be upheld and diplomatic relations should be refrained from. It is high time this Empire must face.....

Maxim von Strooperen moments for his arrest and after an apparent shirtchange(?).

Sir von Strooperen was unfortunately arrested mid-speech. The Stropon Times is threatened with closure by the government because of this incident. Our newspaper considers a take over bid since the share price is already halved on the stock exchange. It seems the scheme has backfired royally. We from the Stropon Herald can only say to von Strooperen "shame on you" He squandered the good name of our noble profession and it is only right that he is trialed and punished according the just and holy laws of our land.
Even so his statement and actions do seem to be politically motivated, partly at least. This news paper wishes to seek out the truth of everything and anything to inform our good readers. We will look into this Paw and Claw angle for sure!


Strechnitz.

[Russell]

Skillful, clever and funny 

[kwakelaar]

Who would have guessed Christine would be in the middle of this mess 

[sebes]

Now who would expect that ?  Elimentary my dear Watson... 

[Pat]

Sebes hit right on the head here strech...
great update and i will see you next time - pat

[Emperor Stormont]

That was a very funny update, fabulous work as always.

Of course I don't mind waiting a bit longer, I've only started work on the new Imperial Quarter this week.

Looking forward to be wonderfulness from Stropon

[rooker1]

The last two updates were fabulous and funny.  Great work and your city looks very well thought out and planned.

Robin   

[Strechnitz]

Hi everybody. I don't have a real update for you now. But a bunch of personal replies and a little announcement.
following the example of some of the MD's around here whom I really admire. I have decided it was perhaps time to categorise all the different types of updates you can read here. So the first post in this thread is turned into a catalogue or table of contents where every thing is neatly cataghorised and ordered into specified groups. This can be found on page 1
Please let me now if you would like to see more things in this post.

The number of updates I have made already total to 27! not bad eh?  apart from the Stropon updates you can also find a record of the nations which have diplomatic relations with Stropon. as you will see their names are links. If you click on them they will bring you to the first page of their respective MD's I thought that would be a nice gesture towards the befriended regimes.

Well that's enough babling for now, lets start on the personal replies.



sebes Well Sebes, I'm glad you now it better now. but you are right a good cosmopolitan is deliscious

patfirefighter Indeed he had a few too many, but luckily that was at the end of the walk annd not at the start glad you liked it.

kwakelaar The Colonial memorial is Padrão dos Descobrimentos by miguelkuk I like the square so much that I only removed the portugese flag. the RL statue commemorates their prince Henry the navigator and other explorers/conquistadors in Lisboa. So the original meaning and my given meaning to the monument are not even that far apart.

I am glad that you like the way Mausoleum Hill has turned out. Bare, yes indeed. I have tried with my limitted skills to create a fusion of late 19th century kitsch and communist pomp. which explains the grassy hills directing all intention to the building on top. the four towers(who in RL are later added minnarets) are echoed in the collums with the bronze statues comemorating certain outstanding leaders. The dramatic equestrin statue halfway the hill represents (of course) Augustus Heraclius, founder of the Stroponian Empire. I'm glad you like the promenade.

nova vesfalo I am happy that you like Mausoleum hill and the Boulevard. I am often searching for that 19th century feel. not that it is ideal in my opinion. altough often interesting. The reason I painstackingly try to create that feel instead of a truly modern one is that the 19th century was one of unparalelled wealth and progress for Stropon(like many colonial or imperialist if one likes empires at that time) while it nowadays clings to those relics because it looks so reassuring, instead of using the possibilities of the modern times and go along it with the rest of the world.

Thank you I am very proud on how the casino turned out! the white building with the tower is the mohawk building in Buffalo made by sergeantCM. 

emilin I am glad you like my "by night" edition. I rarely play the game in the night mode. So once I switched the mode I was hapilly struck by the mafnificent lights on some of the buildings. I do have a small issue with the fences on the slopes. But I wanted to use the coniffers together with the fences instead of massive walls. And on this zoomlevel I thought noone would notice  at least it proves that you have a good eyesight, right?

snaper Je vous remercier Snaper. The abandonment in my cities is not that high, but indeedit is there.  I do nothing against it though, like using the non abandonment mod for instance. Not that I oppose mods, on the contrary. I use every single one that benefits me or my goals in the game.

But like I told Nova Vesfalo above. The Stroponians like to cling to the spirits of the past rather than embrace the future. so behind the elegance and refinement (hopefuly ) you see in the pics and propaganda, lies the truth of this empire. behind the pretty exterior lies the reality of decline, unrest and empoverishment. Governed by a hopelesly antiquated political system and an economy that would be non existent if Stropon did not drain it's colonies resources and lives. I should not reveal to much though. but the reason Stropon tries to open up has nbothing to do with benevolence but with a strugle for survival before it is too late..........

Strechnitz Herald

russel thank you, thank you, thank you. I feel the same way about your Bliss MD  but you should know that by now

kwakelaar Hahaha, hmm yes, lady von Strooperen does look a lot like Christine, now doesn't she? but I can safely say it is not her. How ever much you perhaps would like her to be. 

sebes Elementary? well I am not so sure my dear Holmesebes. with the ways of the Stroponian elite the chances are higher that the two spitting images are indeed related by blood but one of them was conceived outside wedlock. Now which father is responsible for both? be carefull with allegations. Christines father is a Lord High Minister in the Imperial government. And lady von Strooperen's husband is already in a tight spot. A mystery which not even the illustrious and revered Holmesebes and docter Kwatsonakelaar can solve, I am afraid. Me being Sir Strechnitz conan Doyle of course

Patfirefighter Ah, my friend. you should not believe all you read here.although the empire groans and moans unde countless plots and mix ups I'm afraid this is not one of them. but If you all want twins I can easily incorporate one into the story........although I must point you three to another point of comparison between the two dames. I don't know if it has any relevance in this matter, but they are both loyal Claws...hmmmm...

belfastuniguy Thank you my friend, for your nice comments and your patience. The palace itself is made by someone else so it is not in my hands when exactly it will be finished but it won't probably be more than a few weeks. And when it is finished it will most probably surpass the awe Kayserbürgen generated. I won't say more on the matter before I can spoil the surprise.

BTW do you have a building with Atlantean Flag you want me to use as embassy of Atlantis? I am preparing  a diplomatic quarter where all embassies will be built. if so, please PM me about it.

rooker1 Hello rooker1, thank you for your kind words. I am glad you like it. I try to plan cities as much as possible. and try to plop as little as possible outside parks and monuments. please enjoy the future updates as well.



New updates are coming. But I don't know how frequent they will appear. for me the summer is filled with a lot of RL and a few holidays wedged in between. So please have a bit of patience if I am a bit slack with updates in the coming weeks.

Strechnitz

[nova vesfalo]

thanks for the link , you're right, the "belle époque" casinos have this certain charms of past glory

[Emperor Stormont]

I don't have a specific BAT I use, nor do I have any lot which has the Atlantan flag added as I can't lot, my programme constantly crashes, I will have a look at some BAT's I have and let you know which to use.

I have already placed your embassy and will feature on a diplomatic update in the coming weeks hopefully.

[Yoder7652]

whew...it has been too long since I've been able to be online long enough to read everything and catch up on Stropon...until today  What an interesting read...First, the night shots are great as is the new guide...most funny. I particularly like the area around the two fish markets, those Stroponians love their fish, eh! It is always great to see more photos from around this empire. The story and dialouge with mistress-gate was most entertaining, you do have a way with creating interesting stories. Now that the mystery has been solved, I hope that a new unbiased journalistic enterprise can regain the hearts and attention of the Stropon people...I look forward to your next update!

[sebes]

Thanks - the list on page 1 comes VERY handy!