the sanctuary application;
THE PLAYER
THE CHARACTER
Name; Bulgaria [ Dimitar Kostov ]
Personality; Bulgaria is a very hospitable nation; a Bulgarian themselves would traditionally be happy to provide for a guest if the circumstances permitted. Said circumstances are whether or not they have ample supplies to spare - as it stands, Bulgaria is the poorest country in the EU, with the average salary per year being a mere 220 euros. Thus, he is certainly used to not living in the lap of luxury and is quite accustomed to being nearly broke and having to simply get by in life; an eternally pessimistic individual-- his history, and present situation suggestion a key factor: One of his utmost skills is survival. Through-out the years, he has proven to be more than capable of such a feat, despite the events and rulers he has suffered under. Whether this be from political cleverness, or sheer endurance and will, it his surely one of his most profound traits that he is extremely tolerable.
Bulgaria obtains a deep respect for education and religion, being a very religious nation in itself. He is a generally kind, determined and fun loving nation; drinking and then sleeping in seem to be one of his hobbies. Though, he loves to do things his own way, and often looks down on any course of action other than his own. Quite frankly, he sees others (especially foreigners) as being dumb and not quite-on-par to his standards. Because of this, and always thinking he knows best, he is not a team player and thus does not work very well in groups - only preferring to be solitary.
In particular, he is known for his craftiness. He is indecisive and distrusting. This also goes back to the subject of survival and how to get by in life. Sneakiness and often scheming for money is something he is completely unabashed about. He will accept a bribe easily; as well as be paid for certain deeds and work that may (probably) be seen as... questionable. A Bulgarian national sport seems to be “law-breaking”-- eager to cross the line and see how long he can get away with it. Because of this complete disregard for rules, one of the main things he needs primarily is discipline ; which, socially, is also another reason for his membership into the E.U.. It was thought that perhaps this would decrease the levels of crime, though considering, it could also just be seen as another set of rules to get around of and break. . (note: I understand the didn't exist E.U. from when the time-period in this RP takes place, but it adds to his character.)
History; The first Bulgarian state was established in 635 A.D. About two hundred years later, Bulgaria adopted Orthodox Christianity as its official religion. Around the ninth and tenth centuries, Bulgaria went through a golden age, in which art, literature, and education flourished. An early form of the Cyrillic alphabet was even formed during this time, the alphabet itself originating in the area, and at its extent, under Simeon I the great, its territory spread from from the Black Sea to Budapest and Ukraine, to the Adriatic Sea.
However, after Simeon's death, the empire soon went into a slow decline. In 1018, the Byzantine Empire conquered Bulgaria. In 1185, the Vlach-Bulgarian Rebellion took place. It is named appropriately so for being a revolt of the Bulgars and Vlachs against the Byzantine empire. It was a success, and in that same year Byzantine was forced to recognize Bulgaria as a free independent state: The Second Kingdom of Bulgaria, with Tsar Peter IV inheriting the Bulgarian crown.
Unfortunately, the empire once again entered into decline and began to lose territory to its neighbors. In 1396, Bulgaria was completely conquered by the Ottoman Empire. It would be under Ottoman rule for nearly five centuries. During this period, Bulgarian people were vehemently oppressed. They were not even allowed to wear the same color of clothing as their Muslim occupiers. Several failed rebellions took place, all being suppressed with unheard of brutality. It finally accumulated to the April Uprising of 1876; one of the largest scale rebellions the Bulgarians held and, regrettably, also poorly planned and executed. The uprising failed; with the Ottoman irregular bashi-bazouk units, known for their disorderly conduct, used to suppress it. Estimates of up to 30,000 Bulgarians were killed and 58 villages destroyed. The largest massacre occurred at the town of Batak; in which 5000-6000 people were killed. It was the catalyst for Russo-Turkish War which took placed a year later, ending with the Treaty of San Stefano, and likewise ended in Bulgaria's liberation from the Ottoman Empire.
Later, Bulgaria entered into the First and Second Balkan Wars in order to gain more territory; both having various territorial gains and losses. With the beginning of World War I, Bulgaria allied the Central Powers. Following the World War II, Bulgaria allied with the Axis Powers. In regards to initial passivity, Bulgaria eventually entered into action with its invasion of the Aegean region. Bulgaria never declared war against the Soviet Union; despite his side doing so. It also refused to give-up its some 50,000 Jews to the Third Reich; though, in the face of this, it rounded up all Jews in the Greek and Vardar Macedonian regions and sent them Auschwitz. On August 28th, 1943, the then current leader of Bulgaria, Tsar Boris III, after meeting with Hitler, died mysteriously one week later. The winter of 1943-1944, the Allied forces inflicted heavy damage with bombings on Sofia and other major towns in Bulgaria. Anti-war sentiments swiftly rose, and even communist guerrilla actions took place against the then fascist government. At virtually the last minute, Bulgaria sought peace with the allies, even declaring war on Nazi Germany, but agreements could not be reached. Consequently, it became the only nation to ever be at war with Russia, America, the United Kingdom (but don't forget the rest of the allied nations!) and Germany at once. Russia then invaded Bulgaria, and before WWII had even ended, communist leaders had already seized control.
As of the time, the idea of communism is new and foreign to Bulgaria. Trust in Russia has only wavered slightly, as the nation had invaded it despite Bulgaria refusing to declare war on it. Russia still looks like its only option in order to move forward. The allied powers are seen with distaste, of course, as being on opposite sides during a war often does-- though, this may also include Germany, seeing Bulgaria's... unduly unique position during the war.
SAMPLES
Third person;
He pressed his knuckles against the cold, marble windowsill, his breathing seeming a great deal louder than it actually was in the otherwise unbroken silence. Outside, it was snowing. Small white snowflakes drifted passed, their movement quickened by the occasional gust of icy wind. They swirled, danced -- unaffected by the horrors the world had only recently seen, if often repeated, oblivious to the suffering. And however fairytale-like and innocent the scene most would tend to be reminded of, it held a certain sense of foreboding to it.
Bulgaria's grip tightened on it, his hands shaking; though, likewise, not entirely due to the cold. His chest hurt, his eyes burned. Unspoken, unheard of pain the nations suffered from that normal humans couldn't even begin to dream of. He was tired of this. Tired of it all. He just wanted it to end already. Like a pathetic dog to be quickly put out of its misery -- though, not quite. He still had something to fight and live for. But this... this had been much, much more than he bargained for.
Outside -- if he squinted -- he could now make out shapes. Gray shapes, standing shapes, human shapes -- the shape of soldiers and then warfare. Clutching their guns, stumbling half-alive through the snow and yet still ready to cause destruction. His teeth grit and chattered, violet-hued gaze narrowed, heart beat quickened. They were coming.
And so, this was the end that was drawing near.
(Lolfail. No idea where / when / what this is, but alas! A sample.)
First person;
What a dreary, dispiriting place.
Despite everything-- the level of comfort, the food, the hospitality, the entertainment, the presumably false setting of peace -- I can still find... dissatisfaction. Faults. Faults that I, like anyone else would, naturally, dislike.
But it's better than how things were... For one minuscule thing, I can no longer hear the sound of bombs. It's an improvement. Almost. It's... it's something.
... Yeah, almost.
THE CHARACTER
Name; Bulgaria [ Dimitar Kostov ]
Personality; Bulgaria is a very hospitable nation; a Bulgarian themselves would traditionally be happy to provide for a guest if the circumstances permitted. Said circumstances are whether or not they have ample supplies to spare - as it stands, Bulgaria is the poorest country in the EU, with the average salary per year being a mere 220 euros. Thus, he is certainly used to not living in the lap of luxury and is quite accustomed to being nearly broke and having to simply get by in life; an eternally pessimistic individual-- his history, and present situation suggestion a key factor: One of his utmost skills is survival. Through-out the years, he has proven to be more than capable of such a feat, despite the events and rulers he has suffered under. Whether this be from political cleverness, or sheer endurance and will, it his surely one of his most profound traits that he is extremely tolerable.
Bulgaria obtains a deep respect for education and religion, being a very religious nation in itself. He is a generally kind, determined and fun loving nation; drinking and then sleeping in seem to be one of his hobbies. Though, he loves to do things his own way, and often looks down on any course of action other than his own. Quite frankly, he sees others (especially foreigners) as being dumb and not quite-on-par to his standards. Because of this, and always thinking he knows best, he is not a team player and thus does not work very well in groups - only preferring to be solitary.
In particular, he is known for his craftiness. He is indecisive and distrusting. This also goes back to the subject of survival and how to get by in life. Sneakiness and often scheming for money is something he is completely unabashed about. He will accept a bribe easily; as well as be paid for certain deeds and work that may (probably) be seen as... questionable. A Bulgarian national sport seems to be “law-breaking”-- eager to cross the line and see how long he can get away with it. Because of this complete disregard for rules, one of the main things he needs primarily is discipline ; which, socially, is also another reason for his membership into the E.U.. It was thought that perhaps this would decrease the levels of crime, though considering, it could also just be seen as another set of rules to get around of and break. . (note: I understand the didn't exist E.U. from when the time-period in this RP takes place, but it adds to his character.)
History; The first Bulgarian state was established in 635 A.D. About two hundred years later, Bulgaria adopted Orthodox Christianity as its official religion. Around the ninth and tenth centuries, Bulgaria went through a golden age, in which art, literature, and education flourished. An early form of the Cyrillic alphabet was even formed during this time, the alphabet itself originating in the area, and at its extent, under Simeon I the great, its territory spread from from the Black Sea to Budapest and Ukraine, to the Adriatic Sea.
However, after Simeon's death, the empire soon went into a slow decline. In 1018, the Byzantine Empire conquered Bulgaria. In 1185, the Vlach-Bulgarian Rebellion took place. It is named appropriately so for being a revolt of the Bulgars and Vlachs against the Byzantine empire. It was a success, and in that same year Byzantine was forced to recognize Bulgaria as a free independent state: The Second Kingdom of Bulgaria, with Tsar Peter IV inheriting the Bulgarian crown.
Unfortunately, the empire once again entered into decline and began to lose territory to its neighbors. In 1396, Bulgaria was completely conquered by the Ottoman Empire. It would be under Ottoman rule for nearly five centuries. During this period, Bulgarian people were vehemently oppressed. They were not even allowed to wear the same color of clothing as their Muslim occupiers. Several failed rebellions took place, all being suppressed with unheard of brutality. It finally accumulated to the April Uprising of 1876; one of the largest scale rebellions the Bulgarians held and, regrettably, also poorly planned and executed. The uprising failed; with the Ottoman irregular bashi-bazouk units, known for their disorderly conduct, used to suppress it. Estimates of up to 30,000 Bulgarians were killed and 58 villages destroyed. The largest massacre occurred at the town of Batak; in which 5000-6000 people were killed. It was the catalyst for Russo-Turkish War which took placed a year later, ending with the Treaty of San Stefano, and likewise ended in Bulgaria's liberation from the Ottoman Empire.
Later, Bulgaria entered into the First and Second Balkan Wars in order to gain more territory; both having various territorial gains and losses. With the beginning of World War I, Bulgaria allied the Central Powers. Following the World War II, Bulgaria allied with the Axis Powers. In regards to initial passivity, Bulgaria eventually entered into action with its invasion of the Aegean region. Bulgaria never declared war against the Soviet Union; despite his side doing so. It also refused to give-up its some 50,000 Jews to the Third Reich; though, in the face of this, it rounded up all Jews in the Greek and Vardar Macedonian regions and sent them Auschwitz. On August 28th, 1943, the then current leader of Bulgaria, Tsar Boris III, after meeting with Hitler, died mysteriously one week later. The winter of 1943-1944, the Allied forces inflicted heavy damage with bombings on Sofia and other major towns in Bulgaria. Anti-war sentiments swiftly rose, and even communist guerrilla actions took place against the then fascist government. At virtually the last minute, Bulgaria sought peace with the allies, even declaring war on Nazi Germany, but agreements could not be reached. Consequently, it became the only nation to ever be at war with Russia, America, the United Kingdom (but don't forget the rest of the allied nations!) and Germany at once. Russia then invaded Bulgaria, and before WWII had even ended, communist leaders had already seized control.
As of the time, the idea of communism is new and foreign to Bulgaria. Trust in Russia has only wavered slightly, as the nation had invaded it despite Bulgaria refusing to declare war on it. Russia still looks like its only option in order to move forward. The allied powers are seen with distaste, of course, as being on opposite sides during a war often does-- though, this may also include Germany, seeing Bulgaria's... unduly unique position during the war.
SAMPLES
Third person;
He pressed his knuckles against the cold, marble windowsill, his breathing seeming a great deal louder than it actually was in the otherwise unbroken silence. Outside, it was snowing. Small white snowflakes drifted passed, their movement quickened by the occasional gust of icy wind. They swirled, danced -- unaffected by the horrors the world had only recently seen, if often repeated, oblivious to the suffering. And however fairytale-like and innocent the scene most would tend to be reminded of, it held a certain sense of foreboding to it.
Bulgaria's grip tightened on it, his hands shaking; though, likewise, not entirely due to the cold. His chest hurt, his eyes burned. Unspoken, unheard of pain the nations suffered from that normal humans couldn't even begin to dream of. He was tired of this. Tired of it all. He just wanted it to end already. Like a pathetic dog to be quickly put out of its misery -- though, not quite. He still had something to fight and live for. But this... this had been much, much more than he bargained for.
Outside -- if he squinted -- he could now make out shapes. Gray shapes, standing shapes, human shapes -- the shape of soldiers and then warfare. Clutching their guns, stumbling half-alive through the snow and yet still ready to cause destruction. His teeth grit and chattered, violet-hued gaze narrowed, heart beat quickened. They were coming.
And so, this was the end that was drawing near.
(Lolfail. No idea where / when / what this is, but alas! A sample.)
First person;
What a dreary, dispiriting place.
Despite everything-- the level of comfort, the food, the hospitality, the entertainment, the presumably false setting of peace -- I can still find... dissatisfaction. Faults. Faults that I, like anyone else would, naturally, dislike.
But it's better than how things were... For one minuscule thing, I can no longer hear the sound of bombs. It's an improvement. Almost. It's... it's something.
... Yeah, almost.