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Walla-Walla-Bing-Bang
The stately kingdom of Walla-Walla-Bing-Bang stands as one
of the oldest and most prominent nations in the world. Established
hundreds of years ago, Walla-Walla-Bing-Bang has grown and
thrived over many generations under the strong leadership
of a prestigious royal lineage. The kingdom's current ruler,
Queen Grace, has restored strength and honor to the throne
— as well as the ancient token of rulership, the fabled
Ruby Wings of Queen Maureen.
Unlike most other countries, Walla-Walla-Bing-Bang does not
rely heavily upon modern technology. The nation's roots are
firmly in the past, as evidenced by the classical architecture
and fashion styles displayed throughout the kingdom. However,
the nation does have an extremely strong economy, based mainly
on the Walla-Walla-Bing-Bang national currency known as the
"wuble". Stable and highly valued, wubles are among
the few currencies unscathed by global inflation, and thus
are widely used in many business transactions, both in Walla-Walla-Bing-Bang
and abroad.
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Queen Grace of Walla-Walla-Bing-Bang,
wearing the fabulous Ruby Wings and presenting a royal
reward of wubles.
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The beautiful Royal Palace of Walla-Walla-Bing-Bang —
situated on the edge of the Walla-Walla-Bing-Bang Rockies
— is the kingdom's landmark and the place from which
Queen Grace governs her subjects. Although the peaceful people
of Walla-Walla-Bing-Bang prefer negotiations to fighting,
they are well equipped to handle military situations with
their armada of airborne battle ships, representing a mixture
of old and new technologies and ideologies. Next to Usland
and Thembria, Walla-Walla-Bing-Bang is a major political power.
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A "STWANGE DIAWECT"
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Inhabitants of Walla-Walla-Bing-Bang speak with a peculiar
accent, replacing R's and L's with W's
in ordinary conversation. One of the more interesting
dialects in the world, this unique accent (often mistaken
for a lisp) can be quite confusing to outsiders, who
cannot discern, for example, between the words reading
and weeding when spoken in Walla-Walla-Bing-Bang.
Some subtle distinctions must exist, however, as those
who do speak Walla-Walla-Bing-Bang seem to have
no difficulty understanding which word is meant.
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Like the floating white castles in children's fantasies,
the Royal Palace of Walla-Walla-Bing-Bang seems a world removed
from the petty squabbles and difficulties of other nations.
Perched atop the cliffside at the very edge of the capital
city's canal, the palace impresses upon one's mind the stately
grandeur of a centuries-old kingdom unbowed by age or affliction.
It is from this alabaster aerie that Queen Grace exercises
the duties of her noble birthright on behalf of her royal
subjects, the people of Walla-Walla-Bing-Bang.
PALACE WATERWAYS
On the shores at the far end of the Walla-Walla-Bing-Bang
Rockies sits the capital city, site of the Royal Palace. The
ocean coastline opens to a narrow canal or channel, around
and in which the royal city is nestled. The waterways reach
a dead end at a small wharf; a staircase winds its way up
the palisade to meet the palace entrance above.
PALACE COURT & THRONE ROOM
The palace grounds begin at the outer court, a tiled arena
encircled by collonades. Pointed shrubs adorn the periphery
of the outer court, while artistic works such as an exquisitely-sculpted
water fountain beautify the broad patio.
Wide steps lead up to the palace's main rotunda — the
throne room. Its dome roof, upheld by marble columns reminiscent
of neoclassical architecture, bears scenic paintings on its
concave underside. Pedestals around the court show off suits
of armor once worn by proud knights of the realm. At the end
of a carpet of royal purple rests the throne of Walla-Walla-Bing-Bang,
whereupon the newly-crowned Queen Grace presides over palace
affairs, including social galas such as grand balls and costume
parties.
ROYAL TOWER CHAMBERS
This tower, tallest of the pavilions in the residential wing
of the palace, serves as the Queen's quarters. Royal pennants
stream proudly from the ivory pedestal; palace guards keep
vigilant watch below. The Queen's bedchamber lies at the tower's
top, sheltered under a canopy fringed by hanging curtains.
Above: Queen Grace confers with an old chum from finishing
school, pilot Airplane Jane, in the privacy of her royal chambers.
THE READING ROOM
Directions to the palace library are easy enough to get if
you manage to grasp the odd vernacular of the locals —
otherwise, you might guess the "weeding woom" is
some kind of garden. The only cultivating that occurs here
is that of the mind, as the reading room holds plenty of food
for thought (written, thankfully, in plain English). An exceptionally
nosy reader might find the safe concealed behind a false front
in either side of the bookshelf's bottom row; royal imposter
Prince Rudolph once hid there the map to the location of the
Ruby Wings.
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Above and left: The palace reading
room.
Below: A concealed safe can hold many secrets, such
as the map to the Ruby Wings.
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