Post by austria on Jan 6, 2011 23:35:15 GMT
• R E P U B L I K . Ö S T E R E I C H
Name --- Roderich Edelstein
Nation --- Republic of Austria
Aliases --- Österreich, Ostarrîchi, Marcha orientalis, Osterland, Ostmark, Kaiserreich Österreich, k.u. k. Monarchie, Donaumonarchie, Deutschösterreich, Specs, young master, coddled brat
Apparent age --- 24
Actual age --- 1034; he is one of the few nations given an official birth year.
Gender --- Male
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Eye color --- violet blue
Hair color --- chestnut brown
Height --- 175 cm
Weight --- 67 kg
Skin tone --- light
Defining features ---
Austria has neatly combed dark brown hair that would be long enough to hang in his eyes. His curl – Mariazell - is a prominent feature, as well as the mole below his lower lip. His eyes are a deep violet blue and his skin is very pale, especially in the winter. In the summer his skin darkens a hue and his hair lightens a shade, even though he spends most of his time indoors. His stature is slight and his fingers are especially delicate, befitting of a musician. Although he seems frail and delicate most of the time, he can appear intimidating to younger nations when angered as his gaze can be very stern.
His appearance changed a little over the years, coinciding with his change in personality. When he was very young, his uncombed hair would fall into his face. Frequently his knees would be scabbed and his body bruised, for reasons ranging from being beaten up by other children to his own clumsiness when playing outdoors. As an older child his hair was strictly combed back, making him appear older than he was. His violet eyes were icy and distant and he began to wear glasses regularly. He maintained a high personal hygiene and his fingernails were always cared for. When he grew older his hair was combed to the side instead of back, and on occasion it will fall into his face again. He still wears glasses and keeps himself prim and proper, though his features have become much milder again.
Additional features ---
The Austrian’s attire varies with the ages, as both fashion and his own wealth undergo changes. At first, his clothes consisted of little more than a pale tunic tied with a small ribbon around his neck. It was often besmirched with moist earth or stained by grass and berries whenever he played in the forests, and he was generally known to be a messy child. Although usually barefoot, he would wear leather shoes when treading on snow and cover himself with a wool cloak. Hidden beneath his tunic he wore an unremarkable metal necklace of a cross to show his devotion to the Church even at such a tender age, and he has kept it to this day.
Once he gained importance within the Holy Roman Empire, his garments began to change. He donned spectacles and finer robes which were always in pristine condition. Austria liked to dress for the part he wished to obtain, that of leader of the Holy Roman Empire. In this time he could be seen wearing a hip-length doublet worn over a shirt and padded hose, sometimes with a fur-lined houppelande and cape. Once the House of Hapsburg had been securely established, he adopted garments of royal magenta shades, with brown breeches and white stockings. As soon as neckcloths came into fashion he donned them, and he favors cravats to this day. In the 18th century, teenage Austria settled for less ostentatious garments of a noble musician and garbed himself in a dark brown coat, amber waistcoat and dark breeches with pale stockings. Finally, a century later, he began to wear his familiar double-breasted dark blue frockcoat with cravat and he has stayed loyal to this style despite the turn of time. Although he will dress appropriately to any occasion, the blue coat and cravat are still his favorite.
|-|-The Internal-|-|
Personality ---
Adult Austria follows three basic principles: Obedience, frugality, politeness. Unlike most nations, he doesn’t represent his country's stereotypes but strictly those of his capital, Vienna. Although he strives to project an elegant aristocratic image to those around him, he is in fact stingy and does not always succeed in being as graceful as he aspires to be. He is a man ruled by contradictions and what he says will not always be what he does. Roderich desires for people to hold him in high regards and he will attempt to cover up his "unsightly" flaws in front of others. At first glance, he appears to be a tidy and orderly man. He will preach neatness and he cannot stand it when others lack order. However, he himself is a master of chaos. His own quarters are a mess and many of his belongings appear to be misplaced, especially his undergarments are scattered all over the place. To complete his list of self-contradictions, the Austrian will frequently seem to have a nagging, negative nature when in fact he is an optimist at heart. To those who learn how to decode his conflicting character, he can be a light-spirited and dedicated friend. To all others he will likely seem to be a snooty, irritable young man.
Although he is prone to act pretentious and aloof, he is very concerned about the opinions of others. His cold front is easily breached and he can prove to be a good listener despite his social awkwardness. Roderich cares more about other people than he allows himself to show, for he fears this kind of trait can be exploited. Despite his stoic exterior, his emotions are easily triggered and once he is upset it is difficult for him to calm down. Nevertheless, he abhors violence and prefers diplomatic reasoning, for he believes only through conversation can problems truly be fixed. Although he is socially awkward, he is generally sensitive enough to read the atmosphere correctly and will use a more gentle approach when he feels someone might be hurt or offended.
When he was very young, he was a calm and quiet child and could occupy himself without need of external help to keep him busy. Nevertheless, he was not shy. He had absolutely no inhibitions to approach people and to attempt to befriend them in a naïve, childlike way. The little Austrian was a carefree and untroubled optimist, acting on impulse. Despite repeatedly being beat up, he wasn’t very timid or afraid. He was open and friendly even toward the children who hurt him and he didn’t hold grudges, for he was quick to let the past rest and didn’t dwell on it. The young Austrian was not known to respond angrily to anything or sulk, because his feelings of upset were usually fleeting.
This changed drastically when he fell out with his best friend, Switzerland, and it would take centuries for him to trust another person like that. From now on he was irritable and grumpy, often taking out his ill temper on smaller nations. Only music seemed to soothe him and only when sitting by the piano was he easily approachable. He grew up witnessing countless political marriages to gain territories and he neglected his military training in favor of learning etiquette and tending to political relationships. In his view, marriages were not a bond of love but served a greater purpose. Nevertheless, after being treated with kindness by those in his Household for many years, he softened up and learned to trust again.
Likes ---
• Classical Music;; Roderich is a piano virtuoso and a talented composer. He has mastered many of the classical instruments and finds music to be the best method of expression whenever words fail.
• Chocolate, cake, and coffee;; Skilled at making confectioneries and pastries, he has a faible for such sweet treats.
• Ballroom dancing;; Hosting hundreds of balls each year, he feels truly in his element when entertaining ballroom guests.
• Perfectionism;; Although he dislikes any kind of hard work, once he decides to do something he is compulsively dedicated to do it perfectly no matter how long it takes or how bloody his fingers may become.
• Rules and order;; A strong believer in hierarchy, he demands absolute obedience of subordinates. Nothing irritates him as much as disorder.
• Nature;; He may not be an outdoorsy person, but he loves the scenic Alps and strongly prefers homegrown biological products to synthetic or genetically manipulated foods. Most of his country is rural, and his only large city – Vienna – consists to 50% of greenery.
• Snow;; Even though he is not a very athletic man, he becomes quite adept when placed on a set of skis.
Dislikes ---
• Violence;; Battles and wars are simply barbaric pastimes to him, even though they are so often unavoidable. He considers concerts of renown musicians to be of greater significance.
• Wastefulness;; Frugality is a virtue. If it can be patched, it shall not be discarded.
• Lewdness;; Roderich can’t stand vulgarity, obscenity or anything else of salacious nature. He reacts allergic to sexual innuendos should he detect them and does not appreciate public display of affection.
• Rudeness;; Etiquette is very important to him and bad manners offend his aristocratic sense of conduct.
• Disobedience and Disorder;; To him, these two things go hand in hand, and he cannot stand either of them.
• Work;; He would much rather pursue his hobbies than sit down and do the paperwork, or any other kind of work for that matter.
Fears ---
• Being laughed at or ridiculed, because he is flustered easily
• Marine animals and the vast ocean; he is certain they will only bring him harm
• Rejection; he was expelled by his best friend in childhood, and he still carries the fear that it will happen again
• Long distances, because he completely lacks a sense of orientation
• Walking outside after dark; crooks can hide in the shroud of darkness, and he has already been mugged before
Lesser known facts ---
• His skills of orientation are so horrible that he requires a map to find the phone in Germany’s house
• Austria has a sweet tooth, especially for chocolate and Torte
• His curl Mariazell expresses his true emotions, so it is near impossible for him to lie (or play poker)
• His mole is an erogenous zone
• His glasses represent his musical talent, but his vision is actually fine. He simply feels plain without them
• Austria’s flag is the second-oldest flag in use (since 1230). According to legend, the white uniform of Duke Leopold V was covered in blood after a fierce battle. When he removed his belt, the cloth underneath was untouched. Impressed by this color scheme, the red-white-red stripes were adopted as his banner.
• Austria was the only Empire not to travel the seas to colonize in the time of Imperialism
• Austria’s most popular classical piece, the “Blue Danube Waltz” by Johann Strauss II, is originally a song parodying Austria’s defeat at the hands of Prussia
• The word "Edelstein" is German for "gemstone" or "jewel"
• Austria owns the oldest known Torte recipe in the world, for the Linzertorte
• Maria Theresia's father was Old Fritz's godparent, who pleaded for Fritz's life as the boy’s own father considered executing him
• After the first World War, Austria spent several years in a wheelchair
• Although he has always tried to appear and act mature, he is in fact younger than Hungary and Prussia
Goals ---
• As a child: to become a large and glorious Empire
• As a teen: to maintain his status and keep his influence over the German-speaking territories
• As an adult: to peacefully promote the prosperity of all nations
|-|-The Past-|-|
History ---
"Strongly feuded for, fiercely hard-fought for, you lie in the middle of the Continent like a strong heart. Since the early days of the ancestors you have borne the burden of a high mission, much tried Austria." – Second stanza of the Austrian anthem
Birth – 7 years
• 976 - Austria's birth; marchia Carantana is formed as a buffer for the HRE against the Magyars. However, he is repeatedly defeated and beaten by young Hungary and he relies on Switzerland’s aid.
• 1156 - The Privilegium Minus issued by Frederick I elevates Austria’s status to Duchy.
• 1278 - Begin of the ascension of the Hapsburg family, also marking the end of Switzerland and Austria’s friendship, greatly impacting both their lives.
"A. E. I. O. U. – Austria est imperare orbi universo." – Frederick III (1415-93)
8 – 12 years
• 1438 - Reign of the Hapsburgs over the Holy Roman Empire begins, as well as Austria’s training to rise into aristocracy.
• 1453 - Privilegium Maius is recognized by Frederick III; Austria ascends to the status of an Archduchy, by now well-versed in the ways of the Upper Class.
• 1477 - The Low Countries fall into possession of the Hapsburgs by marriage (Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg).
• 1496 - Spain and the Spanish territories in Italy, Africa and the New World are acquired by marriage.
• 1526 - The part of Hungary not occupied by the Ottoman Empire falls under Austrian rule and she now serves as a maid in the Hapsburg Household.
• 1529 - Siege of Vienna by the Ottoman Empire, in which Austria escapes capture due to snowy weather. Non-stop clashes with the Ottoman Empire continue for the following 200 years.
"Wars may be led by others – you, happy Austria, marry. Then what Mars gives to others, Venus gives to you." - Motto of the House of Hapsburg
13 – 16 years
• 1593–1606 - The Long War, in which the Ottoman Empire invades Hungary and Austria, enslaving thousands.
• 1618–1648 - Thirty Years' War. France and Austria fight for dominance in Europe, but disease and famine take heavy tolls. Some states of the Holy Roman Empire decrease up to 30% in population.
• 1683 - Battle of Vienna. Poland helps break the Ottoman siege, after which in 1699 all of Hungary is brought under Austrian control. It is said the croissant (Viennoiserie in French) was invented to celebrate this event, crescent shape reminding of the Ottoman flag. Furthermore, bags of coffee left behind in the abandoned Turkish camp led to the invention of cappuccino and marked the beginning of Vienna’s famed café culture.
• 1701–1714 - War of Spanish Succession.
"Those dear Austrians! They contemplate on how to unify with Germany, without unifying with Germany." - Friedrich Hebbel(1848)
17 – 20 years
• 1733–1738 - War of Polish Succession.
• 1740–1748 - War of Austrian Succession following Prussia's occupation of Silesia.
• 1754–1763 - Seven Years' War. Against his will, Maria Theresia prompts Austria to form an alliance with France and Russia in attempt to regain Silesia.
• 1778–1779 - War of Bavarian Succession. It was known as the "Potato War" in Prussia, and the "Plum Fuss" in Austria. The war consisted only of minor skirmishes, yet the casualties were high due to famine and disease.
• 1792–1802 - French Revolutionary Wars, which soon lead into the Napoleonic Wars once Napoleon Bonaparte is crowned Emperor.
• 1803–1806 - War of the Third Coalition.
• 1806 - After losing to Napoleon, the Holy Roman Empire is dissolved.
• 1809 - The Teutonic Knights relocate their headquarters to Vienna to escape Napoleon, and they remain active in Austria to this day.
1814–1815 - Congress of Vienna. Austria, Russia, Prussia, England and France negotiate after the defeat of Napoleon. A German Confederation of 38 states is created from the previous 360 of the Holy Roman Empire, under the presidency of the Austrian Emperor. Switzerland’s neutrality is guaranteed.
• 1848 - European Revolutions of 1848 also known as Spring of Nations and Springtime of the People.
• 1866 - Seven Weeks' War. As Austria refuses to abandon Hungary and his other non-German territories, Prussia unifies the German States into a new German Empire without him.
• 1867 - Due to growing dissatisfaction among the Hungarian population, Hungary’s status is lifted in the Compromise of 1867. Austria and Hungary marry, forming the Austro-Hungarian dual monarchy.
"That Germany was so immensely strong and Austria so dependent upon German strength that the word and will of Germany would at the critical moment be decisive with Austria." - Sir Edward Grey (1914)
21 – 23 years
•1914–1918 - World War I is triggered by the assassination of Austria’s Archduke Franz Ferdinand in Sarajevo.
• 1918 - At Germany’s defeat, the Austro-Hungarian Empire collapses. The Allies assist Hungary’s separation from Austria and she gains independence. His faith in marriage is lost and the crippling defeat confines him to a wheelchair for several years.
• 1919 - In the Treaty of Saint-Germain-en-Laye Austria is reduced to a small German-speaking republic as his former territories break off. France forbids Austria from entering a union with Germany, despite Austria already having chosen a new name, anthem and laws for the unification.
• 1938 - The desire to unify with Germany is still overwhelming by the time of the Anschluss. Austria willingly ceases to exist as a nation and the name "Österreich" is forbidden by Hitler. He moves into Germany’s house as the territory "Ostmark", later to be demoted to "Donau- und Alpenreichsgaue".
• 1945 - The Axis loses the war and Austria is declared an independent republic. However, he is occupied first by Russia, then by France, England and the United States for the following 10 years.
• 1955 - The occupation ends on Austria’s birthday. He declares eternal neutrality.
• 1955 – 1989 - Austria serves as neutral buffer zone in the Cold War and houses many refuges who escaped the Iron Curtain.
"I can’t give you anything for Christmas. I can’t give you candles for your tree - if you have one - no piece of bread, no coal to heat, no glass to cut. We have nothing. I can only implore you: believe in this Austria!"
- Leopold Figl (Christmas 1945)
- Leopold Figl (Christmas 1945)
24 years
•1995 - Austria joins the EU.
"In the bottom of his heart, the educated Austrian has actually to this day not come to terms with the demise of the Monarchy." – Hannes Androsch (1988)
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Roleplay example ---
11th March 1938.
Austria gazed out through the frosty window into an early gray morning, violet eyes shielded by yet another set of plain glass crafted into elegant silver spectacles. Soon will come the moment he had been waiting for so long, the moment that had slipped out of his clingy grasp once before.
He could still hear the voices of of German and Prussian statesmen echo in his memories as they discussed the future in 1849; should they support the Großdeutsche Lösung? Be united under the flag of the Austro-Hungarian Empire? Of course Prussia could never accept that. If at all, he would only tolerate Austria without his empire and under Prussian rule. But since that was equally out of question, he pushed for the Kleindeutsche Lösung, a unified Germany without Austria. And after losing the war, the aristocrat had no choice but to accept this. Nevertheless... on quiet days his glances would betray him, yearningly wandering westwards.
In conclusion of the devastating World War he had been stripped of his empire, split from his wife and weakened to the extent of being bound to a wheelchair. After enjoying centuries of grand imperialism, Austria had been reduced to a little 'leftover'. The fears of insignificance ran deep among his people. Was he even able to sustain himself on his own? After the hunger winter of 1918, few still held faith in their feeble nation. As he beheld his starving citizens, the desire to unite with the larger and more powerful brothers to the West bloomed. Yet Versailles forbade it, and so he stayed isolated within the walls of his residence.
He had waited patiently, quietly, for opportunity. Until finally Germany reached out for him and the eyes of the opposition turned blind. However, this impending union.... Something did not feel quite right. He had pined for it for over a century, yet he had imagined it to proceed very differently.
It had started with unrest. His own national socialists had attempted a putsch in 1934, and succeeded in assassinating his leader of the time, Engelbert Dollfuß. Then a treaty with Germany annulled the prohibition of Austria's Nazi party. Hitler gained influence over his government and hand-picked the head of his police and other high-ranking politicians. Roderich watched as his boss Kurt Schuschnigg struggled with a referendum, inquiring his people if they preferred a free, independent Austria. And watched as two days later Hitler replaced him with a new man, Arthur Seyß-Inquarts.
So now he waited, staring out of the window for any signs of movement. Listening for the ring of a phone or the buzz of a telegram. Anxiety twisted his innards, yet his face was set in stone. He was certain Germany's boss would move quickly. The path was paved, the time had come.
Roderich jumped at the sound of a dull thump at the door. He's here.
With careful steps he advanced toward the vestibule, adjusted his cravat and straightened his vest. He had practiced walking smoothly to hide any sign of a limp. Although he had not yet fully recovered from the World War, Austria did not want to seem weak. He wanted to appear in control of the situation and fully prepared to fulfill his duty.
With a decisively firm turn of the knob he opened the door, heart pounding in his ears. His eyes widened at the sight of the strong, vigorous young man before him, and he suddenly felt very pale and fragile in comparison.
"Grüß Gott, Deutschland. I hope you are well? Please do come in."
He ran his spoken words through his head again, double checking his tactfulness. This crucial meeting allowed no errors. He had been assigned the task to peacefully join the German and he did not intend to disappoint. With a graceful gesture of his hand, he stepped aside to allow the larger nation into the antechamber.
"As you may have already heard, the votes have turned out highly in your favor. I am prepared to discuss the matter further with you. Would you care for a drink?"
|-|-The Player-|-|
Username --- Austria
Age --- 23
Time zone --- GMT + 1
