Apollantis
| Aftokratoria apo Apollantis Empire of Apollantis | |||
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| Motto: The power of the sun! | |||
| Anthem: People of the Sun (Unofficial) | |||
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| Map versions | 6.8.3 - 6.8.5; 7.0.0 - 7.0.1; 14.9.2 - present | ||
| Capital | Apollantis | ||
| Largest city | Apollo City | ||
| Official language(s) | English, Greek The latter is primarily ceremonial | ||
| Official religion(s) | |||
| Demonym | Apollantean | ||
| - Adjective | Apollantean | ||
| Government | Monarchy | ||
| - Emperor | Orion Ilios | ||
| - Nomothetis | None | ||
| - Legislature | Tetrapole | ||
| Establishment | 25 July 2000 | ||
| Area | 1,950,048 km² | ||
| Population | 3 million | ||
| Active population | 2 | ||
| Currency | Ana | ||
| Calendar | |||
| Time zone(s) | |||
| Mains electricity | |||
| Driving side | |||
| Track gauge | |||
| National website | None | ||
| National forum | Forum | ||
| National animal | Tortoise | ||
| National food | Dolma | ||
| National drink | Mint Tea | ||
| National tree | Olive Tree | ||
| Abbreviation | APL | ||
Apollantis, officially the Imperium of Apollantis (Greek: Aftokratoria apo Apollantis) is a nation on the south-central shores of Apollonia. Apollantis considers itself to be the heir and successor to the Audentior Independent Nation and the Union of Apollo States.
Etymology
The name Apollantis stems from the ancient name given to the continent of Apollonia, and from Apollo, the patron deity of the Empire. It essentially means The Land of Apollo in ancient Apollantean. With the founding of Audentior and the subsequent rise of the surrounding Apollo Sector, the area became the heart of Apollo's following, and as a result many place names have been derived from that of the god.
History
Apollantis began with the collapse of Middle Audentior when Orion I was proclaimed Emperor. Upon his crowning he reorganized the nation as the Imperium of Apollantis.
Government and politics
Foreign relations and military
Culture
Economy
The standard currency of Apollantis is called the ana, from the Greek word ανά, meaning at the rate of, and characterized by the @ symbol.
The @ is the comparable equivalent of the $ sign for American currency. For example, wherein the United States an item may be priced $12.00, meaning twelve dollars, a similar item may be priced 12.00@ in Apollantis.
Ana are published in denominations of @1, @5, @10, @20, @50, and @100 paper bills.
Coinage is known as Chrysafi, from the Greek word for gold, and is characterized by the letter C.
Chrysafi are minted in denominations of @0.05, @0.10, @0.25, @0.50 and @1 coins.
Geography
Apollantis occupies what is considered the Micran Cradle of Civilization; a stretch along the eastern banks of the Antya River, beginning on the shores of Lake Odlum, and then extending south to Carama Bay.
Flora
Apollonian Cypress
Fauna
Apollantean Horse
Themes
Apollonium
Telikos
Andreios
Hyperskotea
Hyperskotea was founded in the early days of the Audente Empire, back when most of Apollonia was occupied by roving tribes, and little civilization existed beyond the borders of the realm. Emperor Skotos (The Dark One), who was known for introducing democratic principles but nonetheless led a massive personality cult (Oracle of the Squid) and ruled with an iron fist, ordered that the empire expand into the wilderness east of Andreios Proper. Few wanted to leave the security of the cities and the safe protection of the armies, in exchange for a rugged frontier life. Thus Skotos enacted a program of penal colonization and forced labor in order to realize his vision.
It should be understood that the region of Hyperskotea is covered by dense forest. Trees the breadth of several men reach high into the sky, forming a lush canopy through which little sunlight penetrates. Underneath the trees grow great masses of bramble and thorn thickets, vines tangled and twisted so as to grab and tear at those who try to pass through them. Several small rivulets bisect the area, providing a small means of transit - but it is little consolation to the pioneer who needs be must clear roads, tow wagons, and drive livestock. Thus it takes little imagination to understand why the area remained uninhabited for so long.
Emperor Skotos' colonial ambition drove him to send thousands of the prisoners off into the forest at sword point. Given crude implements they began the tedious task of clearing roads and establishing a forward base for the army to build a defensive fort. Many toiled and many died in the long and laborious process. But eventually a main throughway was established connecting Apollantis to Xylasparta, the village that was growing around the army fort. Once the road was open, Skotos began sending "labor teams", a colloquial term for groups of political refugees, exiles, petty criminals, and other unwanted peoples of the inner realm.
A settler was allowed to be either individual or family, and set a quota on a sliding scale according to size. Thus a family of eight was set a higher quota, such as producing a large dairy farm within three years, whereas an individual might be allowed to simply labor as a lumberjack. But forced labor and set quotas did little to sway the ancient forest, and colonization progressed at a glacial rate. The Emperor did his utmost to force the situation, but to little avail as he died most suddenly while touring Xylasparta when his horse fell in a mire near to the fort. Despite all the effort, the region was never officially named and had simply been an extension of Apollonium Theme. It was after Skotos' death that the small pioneering community petitioned for an independent theme and gave it the name Hyperskotea (Beyond the Darkness), perhaps feeling encouraged of a brighter future.
Alas Hyperskotea remained a rural area, and remains so today. Besides the main throughway (now I-5), only minor roads branch off to several small villages. Xylasparta grew to become the only city in the entire theme and eventually the seat of regional government. But the great forests and thickets that halted the progress of men ages ago remain. While development could easily encroach upon these areas many have come to admire the natural beauty of the area, and there is little incentive to industrialize, commercialize, or otherwise change Hyperskotea from the rural theme it is. Perhaps some future leader will take the reigns in a different direction; but for now the forests, like sentient guardians, keep settlement to a few small areas.
Fosavlos
Fosavlos was originally founded by the ancient Audentior Independent Nation as the penal colony of Mingapulco. During the Tetrapole Upheavals and the Secession Wars in which the Flying Islands and Shireroth broke away from the AIN, the Imperial Family and government were imprisoned there. After the collapse of the old AIN, the penal colony was abandoned and, due to the area being lush in Mediterranean vegetation, quickly reverted back to a wild state as buildings deteriorated and nature took over. During the Seventh Republic of Audentior era, the colony was briefly re-established as a tourist resort thanks to its lush scenery, coastal location, and excellent weather. Indeed, many speculate as to why it was ever a penal colony to begin with. However, as the Seventh Republic faltered, the second resurrection of Mingapulco faltered with it, and ultimately the tourist center once again was abandoned.
With the re-establishment of the Apolline government at Apollantis, the Imperial Office sought to connect with former centers of Audente administration. Mingapulco translates from the combination of the Chinese word "ming" and Nahuatl "a-pol-co", essentially meaning "Reeds of Enlightenment". When an Apollantean colonial office was built at the site of the ruins, the colony was renamed Fosavlos, which is a Greek translation of the former name. The name itself refers to the many reeds that grow along the shore, and local myth that as the sun rises and the reeds catch the light, those who sit to bask and meditate in the light that filters through shall receive enlightenment from Apollo.
With a colonial office established, the Apollantean government has removed all but the most historic of ruins, and replaced them with a small and vibrant tourist village on the Apollonian coast. Efforts have been made to limit the encroachment of development into wilderness areas by designating a number of parks and refuges, as well as placing zoning and conservation restrictions on coastal areas. This has effectively limited development to the immediate village and kept urban sprawl from occurring up and down the coast. Thanks to a renovated harbor, Fosavlos has become a popular destination for cruise ships.
Modern Fosavlos is a healthy combination of classical design and modern utility. The harbor provides a large port for cruise ships to allow tourists to disembark and visit, or stay for a longer duration at one of the many Fosavlosi resorts. At the same time, the harbor provides anchorage for many smaller recreational craft. With nearly 5,000 sq miles of surrounding land under permanent protection or conservation restrictions, the size of the village and its growth have been regulated by the availability of land - an intentional part of the design by Imperial planners. Despite its small size, the village offers many modern conveniences such as wireless internet and a variety of ethnic cuisines. Resorts are interspersed along the coast on conservation easements so as not to disrupt the natural beauty and ecology of the protected landscape.
In Fosavlos itself [the village] the cobblestone streets line the hills of the steep coast, winding their way down to the harbor. Visitors can attend lectures and tours at the ruins of Mingapulco Prison, hidden east of the village and deeper in the forested lands. Terra cotta roofs adorn many small stone buildings that bustle with the activity of local shopkeepers selling wares as varied as seashells to sky diving equipment. Hiking trails, an extensive bike path, and a sizable botanical garden provide alternate sources of outdoor entertainment. Little other industry exists besides that provided by tourism, and most food and industrial goods are shipped from Kosmopolis to the north. This has not, however, detracted from the charm of Fosavlos in any way.
