Grande Ile

[TRHQ Agent]

Grande Ile (Grande Île) is an independent country created and designed by Suudonym for use in TRHQ. As with all other canon countries and regions, roleplay in Grande Ile will be limited to important plots only. Kodo is and always will be where the vast majority of roleplay takes place. However, it is another region from which characters can originate if their players so choose.

If you have any questions about Grande Ile, feel free to post them here.

 

[TRHQ Agent]

:: Geography ::

xxxGrande Ile is situated a ways off the coast of France, connected to the mainland and to other regions by thriving ports. The island enjoys an oceanic climate that offers cool summers and mild winters, though it's not terribly uncommon to see snow in the northernmost areas of higher altitude. The western coast is swallowed up by steep mountains, tall, dangerous cliffs sinking into the ocean below. The foot of the mountains is occupied by a shallow valley with a large lake that feeds out of an underground reservoir in the mountains. The valley is bordered by a large system of forests that fills the central and southwestern land. Devoirue stands at the northeastern edge of the island on a fortified peninsula, making it the island's largest and most active port city. The area around Devoirue is a popular destination for the country's small tourist industry due to its temperate beaches. The rest of the island is occupied by plains and hills dotted with various towns.

1. Devoirue (from route du devoir, lit. "path of duty") - Dehv-wa-roo
xxx The capital, as well as the busiest city in Grande Ile. It has a large private university, and also the most active ports, which are the only ones on Grande Ile to have ships bound to or from Kodo. This is where Parliament convenes, and thus where all the noble houses are located. Devoirue is separated into various sections, including a community of interconnected piers over the ocean that serve as residential areas for ethnic communities, as well as markets. Small boats travel between these piers and the nearby town of Mervelle.

2. Mervelle (from nouvelle mer, lit. "new sea") - Mare-vell
xxx A small fishing village on an island off the coast of Grande Ile. The residents all work as fishermen; those that want to work in the capital doing something else don't bother to commute but move there permanently instead. While Mervelle has its own schools, some residents send their children to the schools in Devoirue for a better education than their own schools can provide. While not impoverished, the village overall isn't exactly wealthy, with the locals making enough to get by but not much more than that.

3. Haunde (from grande hauteur, lit. "great height") - Hoond
xxx A small town mostly occupied by people who work in the mining and foresting industries there. The town exports a large number of resources to other cities for processing. It attracts tourists on occasion due to its location in the mountains.

4. Petite Eau (lit. "small water") - Peh-teet Oh
xxx The lake and rivers around Petite Eau make the surrounding land excellent for high quality agricultural pursuits, and consequently the town is inhabited primarily by farmers. Crops grown there are exported all over the island, some of which are sent specifically to Fleuraison for processing.

5. Terreval (from vallée terres, lit. "valley land") - Tear-vall (tear as in rip)
xxx An average-sized town nestled in the middle of the valley between two expansive forests. Terreval in and of itself is an average town overall, though its location makes it a fairly popular spot in the summer months due to its milder temperature, especially for camping trips.

6. Ventair (from vent clair, lit. "clear wind") - Vuhn-air
xxx Located on Grande Ile's east coast, this port city is the second-busiest in Grande Ile and is mostly a commercial port. This is also where the public university is located.

7. Fleuraison (from maison de fleurs, lit. "home of flowers") - Fluhr-eyes-on
xxx Another agricultural city that grows but also processes its own crops, unlike Petite Eau, though like it this city also exports its goods all over the island. Due to its proximity to the military base in Yeuxarquilles, Fleuraison is also one of the only places in Grande Ile where Pokémon, primarily Ponyta and Growlithe, are bred and trained for military use.

8. Yeuxarquilles (from yeux écarquillés, lit. "wide eyes") - Yooz-ar-key-eh
xxx Originally a watch-post city created to keep an eye on the southern seas in case of attack, Yeuxarquilles is now a fortified city where the military carries out most of its training. The ports there are mostly in use by the military, though some commercial ships do dock there on occasion. Yeuxarquilles is the only city where it's common to see Pokémon on the streets.  

[TRHQ Agent]

:: General Information ::

xxxSomeone or something from Grande Ile is called Grande Insulaire (île meaning "island", insulaire meaning "islander").

xxxGrande Ile enjoys a rich agricultural industry due to the many rivers that run through it. It has decent access to resources with many minerals available in the mountains and cliffs. Grande Ile had been largely isolated for much of its existence, trading mainly with the nearby France. Recent efforts to create more jobs, however, have brought the country to reach out to other regions, most notably Kodo, a place that attracted attention for its similarities to Grande Ile and relative success in sustaining itself. Ships now run between the Devoirue and Camphoreon ports on a regular basis.

xxxBecause of its origins as a French people, the national language in Grande Ile is French. However, much of the country is bilingual in French and English, especially the younger generations as even public schools now begin teaching English at a young age. There are also notable Spanish and Italian populations in the capital, though they're rarer the further one gets from the coast. The plains towns are mostly agricultural, though the closer one gets to the coast in any direction, the more urban the cities become. Poverty is at its worst at the northernmost and southernmost ends of the island.

xxxGrande Ile is a land steeped in tradition, and much of the nobility learn to use archaic weaponry for recreational purposes, though the current duke and many of his friends take the skill more seriously and consider them tools of self defense rather than of recreation. It's popular for children to play with toy weapons like swords and bows, though few come to take the art very seriously.

xxxWhile there are Pokémon on Grande Ile, they are mostly treated as wild animals, and those that are kept are mostly considered pets. The Guarde breeds and trains Rapidash as mounts and Growlithes for tracking, but not much else. Breeders of these specific Pokémon, and very rarely others, can be found in Fleuraison. They mostly sell Pokémon to the Guarde, though they sometimes sell Pokemon privately to interested parties.

xxxOlive or tan skin is common of Grande Insulaires, as well as dark hair and unnatural or bright colored eyes (such as pink, purple, cyan, and sometimes even multicolored). The nation's phenotypes are, however, highly variable, and it isn't uncommon to see individuals occupying the entire spectrum of hair, skin, and eye color types.  

[TRHQ Agent]

:: Culture ::

xxxSociety is stratified based on occupation, lineage, education, and residency. Residents of, for example, Merevelle are assumed to be of a lower social standing than residents of the capital.

xxxGrande Ile is traditionally a very social culture, with neighbors often forming ties as close as family. The idea of looking out for one another is highly valued, and communities tend to create tight bonds amidst themselves. These communities can be either welcoming or hostile towards outsiders depending on the attitudes of the people that comprise them. This group mentality is strongest in the lower social classes and weakest in the higher.

xxxNational pride is high, so joining the military-police is considered an admirable goal and is often pursued by members of lower classes as a way to improve their family's standing.

xxxGrande Insulaire children are considered adults at age 20, and their full range of rights and privileges become available to them at that time. The occasion is often marked by a coming of age ceremony, an event that can be roughly equated to a quinceañera. The entire community usually contributes to throw a grand party full of food and dance, though the event is markedly more structured and formal (and, arguably, less fun) in higher classes.

xxxGrande Ile's fashion branched out of the Art Nouveau movement, and it has evolved and modified into its current state. Key characteristics include layers, panels, and trim. The style tends to be reliant on line as a design element, having an almost fantasy-like feel. The average clothing becomes more elaborate the closer one comes to larger cities, and higher class individuals can usually be easily distinguished by the quality of the fabric.

xxxThe nation celebrates the standard range of holidays as well as holidays to mark the beginnings of the seasons and a day of memorial for the Gold Purge each January. The duke's birthday, though not an official holiday, is often celebrated nationally due to his popularity amidst the country's citizens.  

[TRHQ Agent]

:: Government, Politics, and the Military ::

xxxGrande Ile is governed by a Parliament assembled by the twelve noble houses: Astier, Chevalier, Croisseux, Fabre, Fournier, Gauthier, Lachapelle, Lanvaldear, Savoy, Valois, Vigneron, and Voltaire. House Valois is the family of the duke, whose official authority is only as great as any other noble house but whose prestige and history make him an unequally influential voice. Duke Leon de Valois II is the country's primary representative, and responsibility for the consequences of Parliament's decisions often come back to him more harshly than any other house. Parliament convenes at least monthly in Devoirue, so the governing houses reside in the city's noble quarter around the capitol, which doubles as the home of the duke.

xxxWhile each noble house has a say in all matters that come to Parliament, each one specializes in certain areas as follows (those listed as Support don't have a particular specialization, and are for all intents and purposes jacks-of-all-trades):
xxxxxHouse Astier: Lady Noel Emilie Astier - International Justice (military/security)
xxxxxHouse Chevalier: Lord Matthieu Ramel-Chevalier III - Communication and Information
xxxxxHouse Croisseux: Lord Garin Bryant Croisseux - Support
xxxxxHouse Fabre: Lord Crimson Harzog fon Fabre - Foreign Policy
xxxxxHouse Fournier: Lady Lucette Alaina de Fournier - Domestic Justice (police/legal)
xxxxxHouse Gauthier: Lord Reve Montgomery Gauthier IV - Public Policy (housing/transportation)
xxxxxHouse Lachapelle: Lord Absolon Ermenegilde Lachapelle - Public Policy (social/health)
xxxxxHouse Lanvaldear: Lord Ingobert Kimlasca-Lanvaldear VI - Environmental/Energy Policy
xxxxxHouse Savoy: Lady Emeraude Arlette Savoy - Education Policy
xxxxxHouse Valois: Duke Leon Augustus de Valois II - Duke House (must be prepared to address anything and everything)
xxxxxHouse Vigneron: Lord Christophe Aubry Vigneron - Support
xxxxxHouse Voltaire: Lord D'arcy Aldrick Voltaire - Economic Policy

xxxIndividual towns run on a mayoral system centered around a governor elected by the city's residents. This individual has the liberty to select his or her aides and is responsible for delivering regular reports to the relevant Parliamentary lords.

xxxThe Guarde is an umbrella term referring to the military-police who keep peace in the country, which is split into two branches: domestic and international. House Fournier, which commands the court system, oversees the domestic/police branch. House Astier, in charge of international security, oversees the international/military branch. Yeuxarquilles is the main military city, and where the Guarde trains most, if not all, of its troops; once fully trained, they're sent out to various stations in cities and towns across the island. Each House may elect to hire their own guard force to protect their home and families, but the Guarde is not typically assigned to this role by default. The military-police force is intended for the protection of the country and its citizenry, and will leave their privately paid posts if they're needed for the protection of the city or country as a whole.

xxxGuarde trainees are instructed in the use of a sword as a style of exercise but rely more on firearms for actual enforcement. Officers are awarded a sword as a status symbol but are discouraged from drawing it except for sparring as recreation or for ceremonial purposes. Violence as a whole is taught to be treated as a last resort, and Guarde members can be penalized if they're found to have reacted to a situation with unnecessary violence.

xxxGrande Ile, when it allied with Kodo, opened an embassy in Camphoreon. Official ambassadors are recommended from Houses Astier and Fabre and are reviewed and appointed by House Valois (the duke is a representative of the country as a whole and considers it his responsibility to personally confirm that each of Grande Ile's ambassadors will reflect well on the country). The embassy is a place for Grande Insulaires to get general information about Kodo and get assistance with procedures like opening businesses, buying homes, seeking employment, etc. Grande Ile citizens arrested in Kodo will have their charges explained to the standing ambassadors who will make the decision of whether or not the accused should be deported to Grande Ile to be tried under native law.

xxxIn punishment, torture is unacceptable and illegal. Grande Ile has no death penalty. Justice is exacted by the military, Grande Ile's Guarde, under the watch and command of the country's system of courts. Lady Fournier, as the nation's High Judge, personally oversees matters that come to the High Court and monitors the country's other judges. Vigilantes are discouraged and can be arrested for interfering with the Guarde's ability to carry out justice.  

[TRHQ Agent]

:: History ::

xxxGrande Ile is a small island nation founded hundreds of years ago when a dissident faction split away from France and chose to build a country of their own design. The island declared itself independent and won its right to exist as such after years of deliberation that nearly devolved into war on several occasions with isolated battles breaking out in both lands just frequently enough to keep relations fairly hostile. The Valois line stepped in to rally the budding country and managed to maintain peace through the end of the discussions. Thanks to the efforts of the various men who represented the island, the people gained independence from France and the young nation of Grande Ile came to be.

xxxA duchy sprang up to govern the country, granting dukedom to the Valois leader in recognition of his role in peacefully earning Grande Ile's identity. Houses that had assisted him in the matter became close advisers to the new duke, and from that the Parliament that would support the duchy was born. A capital was established under the name of Devoirue as a corruption of the French for "path of duty," making the capital a symbol of the newborn nobility's duty to the people.

xxxAs time passed, the duke and Parliament became more and more equal until Parliament outranked the duke. The noble houses painted this as good for the people, describing themselves as the champions of the voiceless against the tyranny of the duke. For generations the duchy was undermined by Parliament, and the noble houses took full advantage of their new power. This eventually led to dissatisfaction amongst the people, and a revolution took place to reinstate the power of the duchy. Parliament was dissolved, though the houses comprising it kept their noble status due to their wealth and political influence, and the government returned to House Valois. The nobility regained the duke's favor through the generations until they returned to the status of advisers, playing a key role in the formation of political policy even though Parliament still did not meet.

xxxIt was under these circumstances that Leon de Valois I became duke, and though he and the nobles with which he surrounded himself started out with the best intentions for the country, it quickly became clear that they were free to live in as much luxury as they allowed themselves. Corruption took root in the government once more, and when the young Leon de Valois II became aware of the conditions that pervaded in much of Devoirue, let alone in Grande Ile's less wealthy cities, he and his friends vowed not to watch quietly as ruin consumed the people of their country. What came to be known as the Gold Purge for its goal of destroying the corrupted wealth of the nobility instated the next generation as rulers of the country, his father's death leaving Leon the younger with the title of Duke. His first act saw Parliament reinstated and the power of the duke limited to the status of any other noble house, and in the coming years the new Parliament worked together to improve the conditions across the country. New jobs were created that saw Devoirue's lower quarter shrink and brought new wealth to even far-reaching towns. Poverty is still pervasive, especially in the larger cities and in the capital, and in spite of Parliament's efforts to raise the standard of living for the country as a whole, cleaning up the mess left behind by the previous nobility has become a long, drawn-out - if not ongoing - process.  

[TRHQ Agent]

Reserved.