Post by netherlands on Oct 8, 2010 21:16:14 GMT -5
(((My Reflection)))
Nation: Netherlands, to be politically correct
Name: Lucas van Leeuwen
Gender: Male
Appearance Age: 23
Hair Color: Ash blond
Eye Color: Blue
Height: 182
Weight: 66kg
Appearance: Lucas is a tall, striking man with a somewhat rugged countenance. He has a vertical scar that runs across his forehead, a mystery he is not willing to divulge to anyone. Geography has made him pale, and his hair remains a dirty ash blond. There are arguably green tinges in his eyes, but they are otherwise blue. Lucas doesn't care for fashion, but he will gladly run with whatever trend is passing through. The gel he uses in his hair is purely to keep the hair out of his eyes, and though he prefers for his appearance to be neat, that is not always possible. At times, he is simply above caring.
He often wears a striped blue and white scarf, even during warmer months of the year. Any teasing about this is usually just dismissed with an offhand wave and maybe a scowl.
(((Know Thyself )))
Personality:
Lucas has a cool temperament, and his usual lack of obvious expression can be rather intimidating. He doesn’t come off as ‘nice’ and has an attitude to further accentuate this point. If you talk to him, his responses are often curt and to the point. He hates wasting time will quickly become irritated if you attempt to engage him in small talk for a long time. There are more important matters to get to (and even if there are none, he will pretend there are). The more chattier nations continue to baffle him with just how long they can go on about nonsensical or trifle topics like how their day went. Lucas could probably work on his patience and though outbursts from him are sparse, his mood can dampen very easily.
Not one who can be described as an open book per se, Lucas can bottle unwanted emotions and thoughts quite well. He believes that knowledge begets power and his emotions can easily be used against him. Having known Denmark for so long, (the one who is almost esteemed for wearing his heart on his sleeve) he comes to doubt that any of his careless words are sincere.
He doesn’t sit well with authority. His seemingly innate tendency to rebel has often landed him in trouble. He hates being told what to do, and this irritates him to no end, even if it’s for his own benefit.
Another point is that Lucas isn’t the most eloquent man that you’ll meet – at least, that’s what it would seem at first glance. Many famous European writers, artists and painters had Dutch roots; Rembrandt van Rijn, Johannes Vermeer, Jan Steen, Jacod van Ruysdael, P.C Hooft, Jan Wolkers, Simon Vestdijik and Gerard (van het) Reve to name a few. Due to his brusque nature, most people never this more romantic and creative side to him. He would like it to remain as thus. (If one did try to paint him as a fool, he would be quick to remind them of which Dutch scientist was the father of modern biology. He’s proud of Leeuwenhoek.)
Likes:
★ Smoking
★ The sea
★ Having control
★ Gardening
★ Cycling
★ Football
Dislikes:
✖ Ignorance
✖ People or nations with bigoted attitudes
✖ Tourists who make a mess
✖ Loud noises
✖ Not having free will or independence
✖
Fears:
☣ Humiliation
☣ Having his colonies taken away from him. He cares for his family dearly, and this extends to those across the seas. The sentiment was one-sides, it seems.
☣ Global warming. He realizes that his country will be one of the first to be submerged.
Secrets:
♦ There is no sentimental value to his scarf as everyone presumes. He just likes it.
♦ He has a love for fairytales.
♦ He enjoys simple pleasures such as taking a walk around his gardens, gardening and sometimes cooking for himself.
Strengths:
Physical strength ( Lucas is by no means weak
Dexterity
Ability to keep calm and composed in times of panic or widespread strife
Tolerance
Weaknesses:
His reliance on tobacco and drugs
Impatience
He can come off as somewhat rude
(((The Pages of History )))
History:
Ancient times: Geographically a difficult area to live, the ancient Netherlands had for its inhabitants Celtic and German tribes, one very important feature - safety. Its rivers, lakes, wetlands, and woods were impossible to cross for the invaders.
It is only in the 1st century BC, that the ancient Roman Empire conquered the southern part of these lands establishing an important military post in Nijmegen. North of the today’s Netherlands remained not conquered nor even invaded. Under the Roman administration, prosperity grew for almost three hundred years.
Early Middle Ages: As the Roman state got weaker, barbaric Germanic tribes started to invade the land. Most powerful of them, the Franks invaded the territory in the 5th century and brought the Christianity with them. By 800 today’s Netherlands was a part of the powerful Franks Empire of Charlemagne. It is in Nijmegen that Charlemagne built one of his palaces. Tradition says that Nijmegen was his favorite residence, while Aachen (today in Germany) was the empire’s capital.
Economical growth in the Middle Ages: After the fall of the Charlemagne Empire (he died in 814) the Low Countries territory has been divided into several smaller states – ruled by dukes and counts. At the same time, already in the Middle Ages, a strong economical development made the Netherlands one of the richest areas in Europe. Agriculture along with crafts and commerce, rich towns and important trading links reaching as far as Asia and North Africa, transformed the Netherlands into the area where the feudal power has been limited, safety of movement and economical activity established, sustained growth possible.
Renaissance and fight for independence: The neighborhood powers – first Dukes of Burgundy and later the Habsburgs (after 1477, the marriage of Mary of Burgundy to Archduke Maximilian Habsburg) tried to dominate the Netherlands and introduce its taxation there.
In 1555, Charles of the Habsburg dynasty granted the Netherlands to his son, Philip II, king of Spain. As Philip II was, a Catholic and part of the Netherlands protestant the Dutch resisted not only the new taxation, but also the intolerance and oppressive methods of administration of the Spanish king and his governor Prince Alba. A long eighty years lasting war began. Feeling of the national identity developed in the Netherlands during this war.
In 1581, the Union of Utrecht proclaimed independence from Spain. The new nation suffered a series of reverses in the war, but finally in 1648 the Spanish recognized the sovereignty of the Republic. The Dutch Republic remained until 1794 at least nominally, under the power of the Austrian throne of Habsburg.
The discoveries era: Despite all the war destructions and hardship, the Dutch continued expansion on the seas and discoveries of the new routes and lands. By the mid-17th century, the Republic was the biggest maritime power of Europe, and Amsterdam was the most important financial center of the continent. Naturally, wars about the domination on the seas with England and wars to resist growing power of France on the mainland followed.
18th and 19th Century: Beginning of the 18th century, with the domination of the big absolutist empires of France, Austria, Russia, and Prussia on the continent, and United Kingdom on the sea, the demise of the tiny Dutch Republic begins. An important economical factor has also been the fall of Poland, which lost Ukraine to Russia and was not able anymore to supply grain to the Netherlands.
Growth of the liberal and republican ideas all over the world and resistance to these ideas by the people who ruled the Dutch Republic, lead at the end of the 18th century to the creation of The Kingdom of the Netherlands, which after the fall of Napoleon included also the territories of the today’s Belgium and Luxemburg.
Belgium provinces revolted in 1830 and separated into the Kingdom of Belgium. Luxemburg although independent, has been united with the Netherlands by a person of a monarch. Luxemburg finally separated from The Kingdom of the Netherlands in 1890, when Dutch King William III died not leaving a male heir, which was a condition to rule the Duchy of Luxemburg.
Time of peace and prosperity: In the second half of the 19 century, through slow but constant economical growth end important constitutional reforms, the Netherlands became a liberal and modern state. During the WWI, the Netherlands remained neutral.
World Ward II: During World War II (1939-1945), the Netherlands was invaded and occupied by the Germans (1940). After two years of relative prosperity, when only the Jewish population has been prosecuted, the whole country began to suffer the burden of war and increasing German terror.
Dutch resistance against the attempts of the Nazi Germany to incorporate Netherlands into the Third Reich during the WWII, and the leadership of the Royal Family in the struggle with the occupants, are still alive in the Dutch people memory.
Last decades: After the difficult years of reconstruction directly after the WWII, the Netherlands sustained in the second half of the 20th century a continuous and fast economical growth. Today the Netherlands is one of the most developed and wealthiest countries in the world.
Allies:
Officially - most developed countries in the world.
Members of EU, NATO and the UN.
Historically speaking Australia, Canada, Spain, Denmark, Sweden, Switzerland and France comes up.
Enemies:
- Iraq
Many wars were waged with and against
Sample Post:
The lights on the stadium had long since gone down, signaling the end of another match. Fans both excited and disappointed left the stadium, eager to celebrate, or drink away the troubles of a losing team. The bars and restaurants were quickly becoming filled, more so than they had been during the game itself.
After the team had left the locker room, Holland had congratulated all of them with a grin, and was now making his way through the crowded streets. Seeing so many of his people clad in orange boosted his spirits just a bit. Seeing all the fans of Denmark's team also made him quite content. Not everyone could be a winner, he certainly knew that.
Squeezing through throngs of people, he quickly made his way into the bar he had agreed to meet his friend at. Like most good friends do, they had made a bet on this particular match, and the winner would buy the loser a drink. Maybe two drinks, or three, if Holland could talk his way into it. Some teasing or poking fun at Denmark never hurt either. After all, Denmark had given him quite a bit of lip before the game, he was simply returning the favor. He sat down at a table by the window, eagerly waiting for his friend, his beer, and his gloating rights.
Did you read the rules and Dark Reflections Canon?
Perhaps some Italian Pasta would be nice right now.
Random fun fact about yourself:
I sing in the shower. Derp.
Also, this too ages to write. I apologize - I usually don't take so long. >_>
