The Imperial Atlantean Empire - An Empire of the stars

[Yoder7652]

Excellent work Michael...everything is so detailed and on such a large scale! I haven't forgot about your building...I just haven't had any time for SC4 or batting (although I have been doing some rendering of other projects recently). At any rate, this is a top shelf MD and your work is to be congratulated.

[nova vesfalo]

yeah the masterplan is quite magnificent and show all the power of the EMpire ! LIke the pot pourris of style for the embassy ! (btw where did you find the Phenoia one ? is a Swi31 one ?)

Great update !!! (could we have a regional view of the imperial quarter)

[kwakelaar]

Nice views on the embassies and I am looking forward to see your new updates for 2008.

[Russell]

I think the gods need a building in Atlantis, just to spread their wisdom further. I shall seek one out for you 

It would be a tremendous honour for the Gods to have a haven in this grand Atlantis... an honour and a privilege.

[Emperor Stormont]

Joan - Thank you very much Joan, your words are always greatly appreciated and indeed always very supportive

Threestoges - I'm so pleased you have decided to stop by and comment and indeed hope you continue to visit. I always enjoy hearing from readers. I hope you like this update just as much as the previous

Kimcar - Thanks mate, so glad you liked it

Bat - Thanks! Very pleased you enjoyed, I hope you also like this update Bat

Sebes - I'm looking forward to this new year also Sebes, so very important new stuff to be showcased.

Revol - I'm so happy you liked it

Yoder - Wonderful to have to visit and comment Ryan and as I mentioned take as long as you need with the BAT's

Nova Vesfalo - Thanks Nova, so pleased you liked Yeah we will have further Imperial Quarter updates in the future.

Kwakelaar - Thank you, I hope you enjoy this update

Russell - Thanks mate, will be an honour for Atlantis to host one. I shall update in a couple of weeks

Strangford


(Note - The nation of Caledon is the great country that pre-dated the Imperial Kingdom of Atlantis)


Located on the far eastern coast of the Imperial Kingdom, it is the oldest inhabited settlement in the Kingdom.

Very little is know of the people if any that inhabited this land before the last ice age, the ice destroyed any trace of settlement. During the last ice age we formed part of a large north European continent connected to what is now known as Ireland and Ireland was in turn connected with Britain. As such much of the Imperial Kingdom of Atlantis shares many of the same plant and animal species as the island of Ireland and like Ireland the Imperial nation also does not have any snakes J

With the melting of the ice, the nation to be known as Caledon and later Atlantis became an island nation. The first settlers from Ireland arrived on the eastern shores roughly around 3000BC. The first sailed into a sea inlet which was to become Strangford (literally meaning Sea-Inlet). These new settlers brought with them pottery and agriculture as well as sheep and cattle that had been imported into Ireland from southern Europe.

Over the next 1000 years the population grew and expanded westward to explore what was to be a large land. The age of Bronze heralded new advances and helped develop trade routes to Europe and the Isle of Britain.

In roughly 500BC Celtic settlers arrived from Ireland and with them came the most important changes in the entire history of the Caledon nation. The Celts brought a new language, learning, new technology and one of the most important was the goal to define boundaries.
Leading this new wave of settlement was the second son of the High Chief of Caledon. As the population matured and developed a new nation was to be formed and would be named after the influential Caledon family. In 200BC the nation of Caledon was born and its capital was to be Strangford............

The first High Chief of Caledon was entombed at Stranmillis Fort (a grassy mound to the west of the current city of Strangford. It remains one of the most historic sites in the kingdom and the location for the new Strangford Museum of History.



From this historic town a nation grew and developed. Expeditions were sent out to the furthest coasts and for the first time the nation was mapped. A new social structure was established with the Caledon family as the Chief Clan. Christianity was also introduced to the new nation and all other pagan rituals were banned. The first Christian church and Abbey were build just north of Strangford in a place called Brehon. This period of growth and developed continued till 1245AD.


(Normans clash with Caledon forces north of Strangford)

In 1245AD the Normans invaded from their stronghold in what is known today as Galway, Ireland. They landed north of the capital Strangford and were met with strong resistance. They continued to push south toward the capital and after 4 years defeated the forces of Caledon. The nation was however spared widespread anarchy when Chief Dermott Caledon agreed to allow his daughter marry the Norman Commander, Raulfe Fitz-Amadeus.


(The Norman built Royal Keep - formed part of the large palace complex)

King and Queen Amadeus were so crowned the divine rulers of Caledon and so started the rule of the Amadeus family in Caledon which would last till the nation itself fell in 2150AD. The Normans built Strangford into a defensive city and port and the first Norman castle was constructed.


(Cromwell's naval forces defeated and sunk in Strangford harbour)

The nation continued to develop and did not suffer the fate of Ireland. British rule never occurred. However, several English traditions were adopted, a new land owning class was established as well as a Royal Court. This was threatened in 1649 when Cromwell invaded Ireland brutally crushed all opposition. In 1653 several ships set sail from the west coast of Ireland to Caledon. The well trained and equipped Caledon forces has prepared for such an attack and on the 5th April 1653 the Cromwellian forces were defeated and their ships sunk in Strangford harbour. The English did not attempt another invasion again and instead over the years developed trade links between Ireland and Britain. Caledon benefited greatly from this new wealth and a decision was taken to built a new capital.

The move from Strangford was a severe blow for the city and its reputation. It lost its Royal Palace and houses of government. It's importance declined and Strangford itself declined, a new and larger port was also opened closer to the new capital, Queenstown.

Strangford however remained an important city, it was home to the first hospital and private university in Caledon. It was also given a Lord Mayor in 1760, the only city at the time in Caledon to have such a civic position. During the 18th and 19th Century trade was exploited with the powerful Dutch empire and the influence of the the Dutch presence can be seen by the extensive Dutch style buildings in Stangford Old Town.


(Restored Strangford Cannons and city walls)

In the early 1990's the town was revitalised when a government programme was introduced to repair and preserve the Norman castle, old city walls and historic buildings from further environmental damage and protect against modern development. The old town was given 'Historic Significance Status' and a new period of growth started.  Sections of the damaged castle and walls were rebuilt and the entire old town had roads removed and new paved walkways were put in place. The shorefront was also reclaimed and developed into a wonderful civic waterfront space.

With the outbreak of the Europa-Larisa war the town was given special air protection to prevent missile or air attack damage.
The end of the war brought national trauma when the last remaining members of the historic Royal Amadeus bloodline were killed in a missile attack on the capital Queenstown. In the period of national mourning that followed the death of King Amadeus his body was taken to Strangford to lie in state for 3 days in the former Royal Keep, the town where the bloodline started, after which King Amadeus was returned to Queenstown to be buried in the Cathedral of Kings. On the journey back from Strangford over 700,000 people lined the route to the capital from the birthplace of the Royal Family in a symbol of immense national solidarity.


(Memorial Tomb where King Andrew Amadeus was laid in state in the Strangford Royal Keep)

The towns importance in history was not yet over. In 2228 the National Movement for Reconciliation and Prosperity came to power with a mandate for change. It's leader, Caleb Stormont, came to Strangford and announced the creation of a new nation. One that would aim to emulate the power and prestige of Caledon while using the skills and technology of this era to carve a nation that would be the envy of the world. Within 100 years this vision has been achieved, a new nation, this current nation was born and grew and indeed prospered. Strangford today is a town at the very heart of the nations of Caledon and Atlantis, it has been witness to the birth, death and rebirth of a nation all the while it retains its old town charm and sense of place.

End of Part One of Strangford.

Part Two will look at the newer parts of the city and the surrounding areas

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[pipishere]

Yay first post, lol.

Fabulous update stormont. I adore the quaintness of it all and the canals are lovely.

Very good read too  

[bat]

Yes, I also like this update!
Great pictures there and wonderful work on that part of your city!

[Jmouse]

Welcome back, Emperor!
Very nice update you have here and well worth the wait. I like your use of RL photos, and the history of Strangford adds depth to the already-charming atmosphere.
The in-game photos are well done -- you've chosen some really attractive areas, especially the Monastery, the City Hall and the Old Town night shot showing the Royal Keep and North Gate.
Overall, the photos show the vibrancy and color that are an integral part of the city. Hope you'll be back with another update a bit sooner!

Until next time...
Joan

[nedalezz]

Huggggge, fantastic update! The history lesson was great, I love me a bit of back story, and the pictures were great as well. Youve designed the city in a spectacular way, and I love the way there are very little roads. Again, great update.

[dragonshardz]

A letter from the Monarchy of Jenress.



Also, the Republic of Bodhrannia is no more. Its sun went supernova. 

And great updates too.

[sebes]

Wow Emperor - this city has so many pedestrian zones that I expect it to be the most tourist friendly city between Europe and the Americas! And with all shown sights and the royal keep and that great waterfrond, I bet is also the nr 1 tourist destnation in the empire. You can expect many charter flights from Nieuw Amsterdams three international airports into this city Emperor!

[Pat]

Emporer good to see you back here and with a grand update at that as well, cant wait for more....

[NASCAR_Guy]

The Republic Of Eastern Virginia is Interested in Doing trade with your wonderus nation.


BTW, Love that first Pic.

[Emperor Stormont]

Special Update. A full and new update with replies will appear very soon.

[bat]

A really great newspaper there! And some nice articles! Looking forward to the next update...

[pipishere]

Exciting stuff!!

[Pat]

I will be waiting for that update, patiently....  Also loved that newspaper too WOW!!!!

[thundercrack83]

Congratulations, Emperor Stormont!



The Staff

[sebes]

Well done Emperor. 

[Pat]

Yes defintly Well done Emperor.