The Imperial Republic of Elytheria (Updated: 14/04/2007)

[Gaston]

M,
   Just wanted to see if you are still here my friend.   Oh yeah , and ask where you got that maze from?   


---Gaston

[M4346]

Thanks for the concern Gaston! I just wanted to reassure you that I am still here (and provide you with a link to the maze -> Click!).

I will respond to all of your comments a.s.a.p. but I also wanted to express my appreciation and that I am incredibly flattered (right word? lol) by the moving of this MD to "Best Sellers." 

This does however put more pressure on me to churn out those updates, which I am working on by the way.

Thanks for your (pl.) support, it couldn't be done without all of your input and incredible comments! Thank you very much!

[thundercrack83]

You deserve to be a Best Seller, M! I'll be looking forward to your next update!

[NikNik]

Thank you for the Marche en plein air:



Great parc. Very well done and very well positioned. The bridge is just awesome but the marche is superb.... 

oh yeah and congrats with being a bestseller and of course with the good marks (in RL I mean).

Nik-Nik

[Heinz]

nothing since april 2? i'm starving for the imperial republic. hope everything's fine, M. see you soon, i hope.

[praiodan]

Ah... so this is under the Best Sellers now...
Le Parc De Cedric looks fabolous Love it... Great...

[Mulefisk]

Looks like a beautiful park.
I also really like how you cropped that second image.
Great work! 

[M4346]

Even though I made the above image, I am unable to respond to each and every comment due to time restrictions. I am really sorry, but it's already 23:00 (11 pm) as I start to type this out, and Varsity opens again tomorrow (after the April recess) and I have class at 8:30 (and an assignment due  ).

So, thank you very much for your kind words, inspiring comments, and concern. I am yet to be proven wrong with regards to my initial impression of this community - that it is a kind of home away from home, where the people are always friendly, kind and helpful, and of course, very supporting. I do not regret "moving" here one day, and I'm sure the feelings that I have about this community is echoed by many others here. So, thank you very much for everything thus far. 

About this update, I don't think it can be called an "update" as it has a measely 20 images and doesn't really show much. But, I guess it's appropriate to discuss why I am so "slow" in updating, and almost secretive and mysterious in my updating ways.

The thing is that I do not believe in plopping residential and commercial lots if there are growable versions. I do not have anything against anyone that plops, but it's just not for me. I have been experimenting with it, as I believe that it would increase my 'efficiency' in the game (although decreasing the game's functionality and efficiency itself, in my opinion) and will get back to you with my findings. 

So, that having said, I wish to explain why growing can be such a strain, and not to mention time-consuming. As I've mentioned elsewhere (I think it was at ST), I play with the "bulldoze" tool in hand, i.e. it is my default tool. Therefore a city has to grow according to my 'standards' and expectations, and if I don't like something it's bulldozed. Needless to say, it takes forever to get RCI zones to my liking and therefore I am slow in showing urban areas. I hope this is understandable.

Anyway, enough blabbering (I need to get to bed. ) On with the update, yet another section of Siyasebenza (Zulu: We are working).

Way back, on page four I think, I promised Kokopelli something for turning the page, and, here it is.

The Kokopelli Institute for Culture and Heritage Studies, as the name implies, specialises in the study of Cultural and Heritage phenomena, with specific emphasis on African cultures. The name, derived from the North American Native fertility deity, Kokopelli, was picked by the Emperor due to his interest in North American native culture. He did his PhD on the subject. The Institute's emblem depects Kokopelli, visible in the lower right corner.

The Flag Plaza features the National Flag and the National bird, the African Fish Eagle, on the column, along with Our Lady of Elytheria [see below]. The column's base features four women - the daughters of Our Lady - depicting Justice, Welfare, Security and Order - the four responsibilities of the Elytherian Government.

Another feature of the institute is the Fountain of Our Lady of Elytheria, the symbolic figure that is said to not only protect the Imperial Republic, but also ensure that justice and order be maintained. The fountain plaza has ample shaded seating and a bus and underground rail station enabling easy access to the institute and it's various public exhibits for not only the curious public but it's countless workers. Kokopelli Institute is one of the largest employers (currently) in Siyasebenza, and the surrounding area, known as Kokopelli Borough provides accommodation and commercial services to some of its workers.

Kokopelli Borough is home to the Kokopelli Apartments, as well as a few commercial services and offices.

The Jambalaya Room is an up-market restaurant, bar and jazz café.

Queen's Corner, a favourite shopping location among Siyasebenza's wealthy, is home to many international retail stores, boutiques and fashion outlets. Right across the street is the EPM Building, prime office space in the city. Its most prominent occupant is the EPM (Pty) Ltd., or, Elytheria Print Media - the country's largest print media company.

Prior to the intensive development in Siyasebenza the, then town, had a significant level of development now known as "the old town." Four Oaks Guest House is one of the many buildings that testify to the region's colonial occupancy. Formerly the residence of the City Clerk, it is now a museum and guest house.

St. Steven's Cathedral (in honour of my boyfriend, who I have known for a year on the 6th of April - our anniversary is on the 18th though) is also a landmark in the older district of Siyasebenza. Right across the popular Le Parc De Cedric, it is often the destination of many citizens before heading off to enjoy the rest of their Sundays in the park.

The main building was recently renovated and restored and opened on Good Friday (2007). The late Emperor's remains were also moved to the Crypt, fulfilling his last wishes of being laid to rest in Africa. The Emperor was laid to rest in a private ceremony for his family and the now Emperor, Jean-Jacques Sangrael, on Good Friday, and quite a few (shall we say fanatical?) supporters of the late Emperor believed that he will be resurrected on Easter Sunday. They were, unfortunately, disappointed. Although one such supporter fervently claimed that the late Emperor has a remarkable resemblence to Jesus Christ.

The Cathedral, although a former Roman Catholic Cathedral, is now presided over by the Bishop of the Diocese of Siyasebenza of the Anglican Church of the Province of Elytheria. The Roman Catholic Church abandoned the Cathedral when the Portugese colonial powers withdrew from Mozambique.

Along with the economic prosperity of the region, inefficient city planning has led to the development of an informal settlement, known as Siyaphuluma Township (Zulu: We are resting). The Township, a stone throw away from Le Park De Cedric negatively effects the land value of the surrounding areas and the government has announced that the inhabitants will be moved in the near future. The site will be the future home of the Elytherian National Zoological Gardens.

Despite the fact that the township is considered an informal settlement, the government nonetheless laid down rail and built a train station for commuters heading into the city.

The township has a vibrant night life though, and a well-developed Central Business District (CBD) that is home to some of the city's famous Jazz Musicians (who perform at the Jambalaya Room from time to time.)

Provision is already being made for the current inhabitants of the township.



I guess that's all for tonight folks. 

I'll leave you with an "Artist's Impression" (a very bad one at that) of the Old Town:

Thanks for reading, and viewing, and all that. 

Regards,

- Marius

EDIT: Sorry about that... it's now fixed.

[thundercrack83]

Love the update, M! The Kokopelli Institute looks outstanding, I love the mosaic (Congratulations, Kokopelli!)! I can't wait to see what else you have planned for us.

[Heinz]

About this update, I don't think it can be called an "update" as it has a measely 20 images and doesn't really show much.

if this, to you, isn't an update... i don't know what is! but i would definitely love to see an update!!!  seriously. each time you put something up here, it's a treat. i love the feeling of every tour you give us. 

in the 3rd to the last and 2nd to the last pictures, the ones before the artist's impression, can you direct me to those houses on dirt paths? they look nice. the church and fountain of our lady look very nice. and.. no roman catholic churches in elytheria anymore?

[M4346]

To, in a speedy fashion, respond to Heinz' request:

The lots you've mentioned are CSX Housing Mamelodi, 6x6 R$. They used to be on the STEX, but I can't seem to find them on the LEX. I'll find out from Colyn.

[Heinz]

thank you so much my friend. it would be nice to get my hands on those  again, great "measely update" if you want to call it that. see you around 

[pipishere]

Ohhh a very nice update indeed -M-. I agree with you in regards to having things grow and using the bulldoze tool if it's not what you want as i myself do that! I do use plopables but they are mainly RCI and very,very few landmarks. (I'll prove it if no-one believes me!)

That township is really cute and i like the way the government is not just shutting them out and providing transport etc.

[Badsim]

Great update Marius , I love the Kokopelli ( What's a username ! ) Institute even if it looks a bit .... austere  , and K. Apartments is my favorite picture ...or maybe  Queen's corner , I can't choose  ;  both are stunning ...
Siyaphuluma Township is really good by itself but looks a bit unachieved with this shore too straight to be natural but without seafront walls ...

You  can try the Extra Cheat DLL (actually on the first page of STEX as "All Buildings Ploppable" from gizmocity) to plop growables ... I'm not sure you already know that if you plop residential buildings on existing ones the commute time functions will not work but the building will be never abandoned and the residents number is working well ... without any "No roads" or "No jobs" signs .

Have you solved your LE/SC4Tool problem ?

[kimcar]

  Love this update .Nice mosaic and your park too. Great job

[Pat]

WOW -M- great and fantastic update,  that artistic shot is awsome i loved it.  see ya's soon - pat

[kwakelaar]

Nice update, I especially like the pictures of the township

[M4346]

In response to Heinz' request, Barby has most graciously sped up the uploading of the above-mentioned CSX lots to the LEX, and thus CSX Housing Mamelodi is now available here -> Click!



Thank you very much Barby!  And of course, Colyn, for creating the original. 

[Kokopelli]

Wow!!! I don't know what to say. I am deeply honored. Thank you Marius. I'm sitting here looking out my window at a really ugly dust storm and what do I see on my computer, but a beautiful Kokopelli Institute!!   Thank you again, and I hope your studies are going well.

[sebes]

Wow M - what a great update from someone without time! Congratz on the anniversary