[hider=Nation Application][b][u]1. Nation Name:[/u][/b] The Empire of Grenaza

[b][u]2. Head of State & Age:[/u][/b] Emperor Matenosen Brezaran de Naza (First of that Name, 31 years of age.)

[b][u]3. Political Alignment during the Most Atrocious War:[/u][/b] [b][color=red]Defeated Power[/color][/b]

[b][u]4. Culture:[/u][/b] Grenaza is a not a unified ethnic bloc by any means or stretch of the imagination, although those of Grenaza would argue that this is a benefit more than any detriment to their state. Formed in days past of political marriages and conquests of local nobilities and of the myriad of cultures, the Empire has a culture all its own, one of a union of the disparate cultures but also of the connections with the still very much alive progenitor cultures. 

Only relatively recently throwing off the shackles of the Empire's feudal past the high culture is still dominated by the Elite, even if now they are without large estates and personal power. This means that most trends are set through those noblemen and women; from the Imperial Family in Empire-wide means to the lowliest noble family in their traditional lands. Generally, the Imperial family has maintained their power although some of it has fallen out with the times.

Food tends to focus on meats with additional fruits and vegetables to compliment the central meat of the dish. As well the traditional large meal has been the midday meal although this has shifted in recent times to a later meal. Local variations are myriad on the many national dishes, each region adding or removing various pieces to the dishes as is to their cultural tastes. 

In fashion, while national trends are followed they rarely are very specific, with each region adding its own local flare, as a matter of cultural pride but also in what is more appropriate for the region. Generally, dress in Grenaza is very colorful and bright, something followed in general Grenazan optimistic attitudes, often with local flares of various styles and adornments of great variance.

Art is mostly focused on the visual, in fact, fashion and visual arts are often viewed as primary artistic pursuits while others like music are often considered secondary or best left only to compliment the primary pursuits. This varies amongst regions, as do most things in the Empire, however, most regions have a lower opinion of music over visual arts. This does contribute somewhat from the still prevalent social elites to cause music to be viewed as more common and lower class if not accompanying another medium.

When it became clear that war was coming, the Grenazan people and their young Emperor was not just hopeful, they were sure of a quick victorious war. While realities may have been different, and the cost had been high in the six-year grind that was the war, Grenazan optimism has dimmed but it is not extinguished in the injured realm.[/hider]