Sumer Sultan (IRP)

'The Conqueror'

'The Lawmaker'

Abdulaziz (Cousin)

33rd Sultan of the Ottoman Empire (1857-1912)

**Sumer Sultan** is an Ottoman noble, politician, former prime minister, and ruled as the 33rd Sultan of the Ottoman Empire from 1857 to 1914. Born into the hyper conservative and repressive Ottoman Empire, Sumer saw under her cousin Murad's regency council transition and change into somewhat liberalization and parliamentary democracy. She served as the 2nd Ottoman Prime Minister from 1853 to 1857, including overseeing what has been considered a defiant resistance against the encroaching Russian Empire in the Dobrujan War (1853-56). When in 1857, Murad V and his heir Abdulaziz died without warning, the Parliament and Regency Council elected her, a direct relative to the former sultan to take the position of head of state as the 'sultana', a position she served faithfully until her death in 1914. Her reign saw imperial expansion in Arabia, Africa and Europe, unparalleled economic prosperity and victory against considerable odds. Sumer had proven to a highly conservative Ottoman Empire that women are capable of ruling alone, and not just as regents. Upon her death, she was remembered as one of the great female rulers in history, alongside the likes of Cleopatra, Catherine the Great and Queen Victoria.

## Childhood and Marriage

### Childhood and Education

Sumer Sultan was born in August 1828 to Sultan Mahmud II and one of his consorts, Pertevniyal Kadin. She was one of Abdulmejid's many siblings. Not much about her childhood has been recorded due to the situation at the time. What is known is that when Abdulmejid became Sultan in 1831, he would insist his children and siblings to become high-level and educated. Sumer would begin being educated in traditional Koranic studies and Western studies from around the age of ten. These studies would see her become one of the most educated women in the Empire, studying abroad in France, Britain and Spanish, and of her own accord she became fluent in Arabic, French and English, and can carry conversation to a generally fluctuating degree in German, Spanish and Italian.

### Engagement, Wedding and Family

When Sumer was of age (17-18) many nobles began presenting suitable matches to marry her off to. Eventually, it was decided (not by her own accord) that Tokmedir Akar (Aged 34) would be her husband. The wedding was lavish and luxurious in 1846, and was reported to be immensely expensive. The wedding lasted seven days, though the exact date of consummation (typically well known in Muslim weddings) is hard to find. This suggests Sumer and Tokmedir had it stricken from records for privacy purposes.

One year later, Sumer gave birth to her first child, a son named Hasbi, who died in infancy. However, as British medicine was imported during the Dobrujan War, the family of the princess would grow larger, with more children surviving to adulthood.

* Hasbi (1848-1848) (M) (0)
* Muhammet (1849-1924) (M) (75)
* Berk (1851-1897) (M) (46)
* Erdemir (1851-1853) (M) (2)
* Hizir (1852-1856) (F) (4)
* Hakime (1852-1938) (F) (86)
* Kerime (1854-1943) (F) (89)
* Turkol (1860-1951) (M) (91)

Doctors would advise the couple stop expanding the family in the mid 1850s due to increasing fear that future births may jeopardize Sumer's life. To those who had taken note, Sumer is a typical wife, kind, attentive, and caring. She is quoted as saying she is a Muslim first, a wife and mother second, and a leader third.

Tokmedir did take on additional wives alongside Sumer, as per custom, but how many, and how many children have been produced from result of these additional marriages is unknown. Tokmedir however considered Sumer his favorite wife.

## Politics

### Positions in Parliament

Starting in 1850, Sumer began dabbling in politics with Tokmedir's approval. The latter was a well known reformist and liberal, and being on the regency council, he conveniently always put the good word in for her. She was elected to Parliament in 1852, though there is a large degree of uncertainty as to just how she specifically obtained this. Her wealth was a deciding factor, followed by her noble blood, and direct relation to the Sultan. It is unlikely many in government took her seriously, though her liberal standpoints, further push for reform, and rather pragmatic approach to the Empire's running saw her gain some points.

She pushed for further Western investment, industrialization, increasing of railways, military reforms and naval reforms, most of which have been conducted by the late 1860s.

### Major Diplomatic Successes

She became known for her incredible diplomatic ability, signing and negotiating several treaties with Westenr powers. Such includes the Treaty of Thessaly with Austria, the Treaty of Moscow which ended the Dobrujan War, and oversaw the Treaty of Alexandria with Egypt (which regained all of Hejaz under Ottoman suzerainty), as well as several non-aggression pacts with Austria, Romania, Russia, Greece, Egypt, Persia and others, and strengthening the alliances with Britain and France.

She was instrumental in forming up the 1853 Konstantiniyye Agreement which gave pseudo-independence to Rumelia, Raska, North Montenegro, and Bulgaria. She proved an excellent asset in soothing tensions between Turks and Arabs, and most importantly, she began the process of *normalizing* relations with the Russian Empire, who had been the Ottoman's chief rival for close to 300 years. With the eventual breakout of the Great European War, she oversaw the forming of an official alliance with Russia, which stands into the modern day.

She was a major ally and supporter of Prime Minister Muammar Inci, and supported the defensive war against the Russian Empire which broke out in 1853. This saw her elected as prime minister in 1854, and she oversaw the remainder of the war in this position. She conducted rousing speeches, military checks, and discussions with the British and French. She elevated Omar Pasha to Field Commander of the Armies of the Balkans, brought together the Balkan League (of Ottoman vassals in the Balkans/Predecessor to the Tirana Pact) together to resist the Russian invasion. While not a crucial element, the Ottoman in all essence victory did see the prime minister take a roll.

She maintained peace with Austria until it could no longer be maintained. She signed a treaty of perpetual peace with Egypt, which lasted a whole of twenty years before the Egyptians breached it, signed agreements with foreign powers for colonial powers, an agreement with the United States to prevent a full war over Samoa, and far more. She took an active role in diplomacy, a first for a woman of her stature. It was clear she found immense joy and intrigue in the art of negotiation, debate, and discussion, something her successors and predecessors notably lacked.

More than that, she was an honorable sultan. Every agreement she made, she upheld. If an agreement was terminated, it was due to the actions of the other signatory. This made her a reliable partner amongst European great powers, who viewed Sumer as honorable, one who kept her word, and one who didn't needlessly start fights.

## Ascension to the Throne

After the war with Russia ended in 1856, many cholera ridden soldiers returned home, spreading the disease. Within only a few months, an endemic had slammed the Empire and its Balkan vassals. Thousands died or were otherwise knocked out of place by the rapid spread of disease. In January 1857, Murad V, the Sultan, became ill, and died a week or so later. Abdulaziz, the heir, was informed, and on his way back to Konstantiniyye, his horse was spooked, and he was thrown off it. His injuries were nearly crippling, and the damage to his body saw him contract cholera while in hospital, and would die some days later.

With no head of state, no male heirs to speak of remaining alive, (Because in IRP Abdulmejid died far earlier, circa 1842 or so, Abdulhamid, Mehmed V and other future Ottoman sultans were never born) the Regency Council held an emergency session, followed by Parliament. The Regency Council approached Sumer, seeing her as a logical choice to follow this path, and while not originally on the succession path, she was of Osmanid blood, a direct blood relative to Mahmud II, Abdulmejid, and Murad V, therefore would not be breaking the lineage. Presented with the Ottoman crown, she contemplated for a time according to her staff. She discussed with her husband, her siblings, and her mother. Finally, she agreed, on the basis that the position of Caliph was to be made wholly separate from that of the Sultan. As in her quote, "Women and Men are distinctly different. The Caliph is a position, a sacred job, only to be held by a man,"

## 33rd Sultan of the Ottoman Empire

Sumer's coronation as the 33rd Sultan caused controversy, and excitement in equal measure. As the first woman to hold full power (not influence) on the throne, it would inspire further women's suffrage, and independence movements. This is despite her opposing women's rights to varying intensity of degrees. In her first years on the throne, she would influence the strengthening and modernization of the army and navy. She would travel to western Europe, meeting with Emperor Ferdinand of Austria, Napoleon III, Queen Victoria, the President of Spain, and most significantly, the Pope. However, relations were slightly soured with Swabia when King Ludwig II refused to agree to the request.

She would choose a new Caliph, Sheikh Yusuf al-Nabhani, a Sufi cleric, who would remain in his position until his death in 1885. With the separation of Emperor and Caliph, tensions would be soothed with the Arabs. She oversaw improved industrialization, investment, and stabilization. The Ottoman Empire has been relatively quiet since 1858, not getting into too many diplomatic spats, or wars. The fourteen years since her ascension has been so far one of the longest breaks from the near constant string of conflicts involving the Ottoman Empire since its inception.

### Tunisia and the 1870s

   This would change in January 1873, when border skirmishes broke out in Tripolitania between Ottoman and Tunisian border patrols. It was unknown who fired first, as the skirmish started at night in poor weather conditions. The Ottomans, being far superior in training, supplies, morale and discipline would rout the Tunisians. That would have been the end of it, had Tunis not claimed the Ottomans had deliberately attacked them. This egregious insult prompted an emergency session of Parliament, attended by new Prime Minister Fuat Hamil and Sumer herself. The Parliament unanimously agreed to declare war on Tunisia.

Ottoman forces would be in Tunis by the end of the month, captured the Husainid Dynasty, and had forced a treaty upon them, which ended the Beylik of Tunis (1705-1873) and turned it into a full Ottoman province. None in Europe seemingly objected to the move, except for the French, who after a brief diplomatic spat seemingly withdrew from the problem, and for years after it was not addressed. The victory in Tunisia further boosted nationalist sentiment and showed the people that the Empire was rising once again and could actively win a military conflict on its own once again.

In the mid 1870s, multiple investments were scored from Spain, Britain, Belgium, Prussia and Swabia which would further boost industrialization, and economic growth in Mesopotamia and Syria.

### Tokmedir's Death

On this morning, the Sultana rose from her slumber to a shocking sight. Her husband of these past 33 years, Prince Tokmedir of Rumelia was unresponsive. Each attempt to wake him failed, resulting in more pressure and desperation. Finally, after five minutes or so, she called for help. The Imperial Guard called in the royal family's personal practitioner, who alongside nurses, wheeled him out of the bedroom. The medics confirmed to the Sultana that her husband of oh so many years had passed away. She begged them to do an autopsy, claiming he must have been killed, assassinated in some unforeseen way. Poisoning perhaps! The doctors obliged to check, but had a feeling she was desperate for an answer to justify the most despicable truth. When the doctors returned some hours later, they confirmed what they had suspected to Sumer: Prince Tokmedir was 68 years old, and his health had been declining for some time.

> "My Sultan... he was of sixty-eight long years... we believe it was simply his time to take the hand of Allah, and leave this plain for Jannah,"
>
>

She calmly, and quietly, asked the doctors, her guards, and her family to vacate her room. There she would remain for the next six days and nights, not speaking to anyone, or anyone knowing her activities. Perhaps this was the Quiet Sultans approach to mourning, or perhaps she was not grieving properly. We do not know at this time. What is known is that while fiercely keeping her marital affairs private, that the quiet, quaint, and reserved Sumer loved her husband to an incredible degree. Despite in 1846 being an arranged marriage, and the large age gap (17 years) between them, the two developed an intense passionate bond which carried through their relationship. The couple was long regarded as having a happy marriage, with few fights or arguments. Their love was unique and tender in this era.

Sumer would remain out of public life for over a year, remaining quietly reserved, conducting business away from prying eyes. She would only appear once more in 1880, her first public appearance in over a year at the London Conference, which would set the beginning of the Scramble for Africa.

### 1880 London Congress

Sumer would personally attend 1880s London Congress in the United Kingdom, to discuss the partition of Africa. Her appearance was a surprise to be sure to the European powers, and she showed off her diplomatic skill during the conference. She successfully negotiated the annexation of Fezzan into the Empire, though was unsuccessful in obtaining Northern Chad. Originally the French appeared willing to accept it, but as was becoming trademark, the Ottoman delegation got cold feet, paranoid, and dropped the claim in turn.

Sumer would also attempt to mediate the Madagascar dispute between Russia, Portugal and France. She would propose a convincing argument that both Portugal and Russia were willing to accept, though the French shot it down, forcing the issue back to the drawing board.

### Colonial Adventures

Sumer often encouraged the establishment of a colonial empire, even just a small one, as a way to promote imperial strength. However, the Ottoman Empire struggled in these adventures for some time.

#### Nauru

An expedition was mounted to Nauru, which failed, and the 3 ships were lost at sea. They never found the island, though Nauru remained of intense focus to the Ottoman Colonial Society, at least until Spain occupied it in 1880. After that, interest in the island was dropped.

#### Fiji

A few years later, an expedition was mounted to Fiji, which was successful, except the British already laid claim to the island, and the Turks were forced to leave. The Ottoman Colonial Society explained to their British counterparts that inaccurate maps of the Pacific suggested Fiji was unclaimed, which would prompt cartographers to map out the Pacific Ocean properly

#### Samoa

So the Turks sailed to Samoa, and found it unclaimed. The Turks occupied the island, and went to work establishing a colony. For a bit, it seemed as though they had finally succeeded.

The colony lasted only about two weeks before 400 American marines showed up, and expelled them.

#### Timor

Exhaustion, failure, and fatigue turned into desperation. Finally, the Ottoman government resorted to buying the Western half of Timor from the Dutch, and established the Ottoman East Indies, their first successful colony. Turks would begin migrating in, bringing in an influx of cheap labor from Arabia, Syria and Anatolia. The Ottoman East Indies would remain relatively poor and underdeveloped until the 1890s when the colonial government received much needed funds and grants. They would begin building roads, expanding ports and building hospitals as a start. Sumer would visit the colony in 1893 and was impressed with its progress. Despite this, the initial development schemes would not be completed until 1896. The colony would remain firmly under Ottoman control until 1964 when it was finally granted independence as the Islamic Republic of West Timorland, opposite Indonesia and the Republic of East Timor. The country's resurging dominant Muslim population expresses distinctiveness in its language, which turned into a blend of local languages, Ottoman Turkish and Arabic.

#### Somaliland & Puntland

After the Ottoman victory in the Austro-Turkish War, the Ottomans acquired the former Austrian colony of Somaliland, which became Ottoman East Africa. Immediately, plans to rectify the failures of the Austrian administration were put into place. Migrants flocked to the colony, and infrastructure projects were launched. Progress and cooperation with the local tribes allowed most of the initial projects to be completed in 1894, and the colony was developing nicely. Due to its proximity, and later Ottoman victories, the colony would be integrated as a direct province of the Empire in 1909, and remains so to the modern day. Statues of Sumer stand in Mogadishu, the provincial capital.

#### Papua

Moving out from the East Indies, the Ottomans set up a large colony on Papua, which faced a disease problem, and the colony would not start profiting the Empire until late 1893. Once profit began arriving, it only continued to grow. When Egypt was invaded and vassalized in the late 1890s, the Bishoprics of Papua were incorporated into the colony. The territory would remain an Ottoman colony until 1975.

### The Great Victory

However, all good things come to an end. In 1885, rebellions (sponsored by Austria) sprung up in Bulgaria and Montenegro. The Tirana Pact (the renamed Ottoman Commonwealth) sprung into action, but that's when the Austrian trap was sprung. The Austrian Empire declared war, and invaded Raska. Austrian troops poured in like ants from Serbia, Italian Montenegro and Greece. The Sultana and the new Caliph, Muhammad Abduh attempted to raise morale with great speeches and a declaration of jihad... but it was over before it had even begun. The Ottomans suffered crushing defeats from the beginning, losing over 20,000 men to the Austrians 21,000. Immediately, the paranoid, and pessimistic Ottoman government opened peace negotiations with Vienna.

The Austrians spread propaganda, trashing the Ottoman image, calling them tyrants, imperialists and evil. Sumer herself was portrayed as an evil witch holding the Balkans by her spells. Despite these attacks, she remained united, unwavering and firm in her dedication to the fight, which she viewed as wholly unjustified and uncalled for. Her determination to fight on, just as she had against Russia, prompted mass volunteering and focus on the more.

She however watched the Ottoman Navy get decimated in the Battle of Vlore attempting a surprise attack to break the Austrian blockade. Yet she remained strong, unwilling to give up in her words-

> "This war is not lost... not until the Austrians cross the Bosporus and completely occupy Konstantiniyye,"
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She watched as Ottoman forces occupied Somaliland, their first major victory. Then... in 1891 came the Ottoman Summer Offensive. Overnight the Austrian lines were decimated, and overran. The Austrians fled back into Serbia, though the Ottomans pursued them. In October, 6 years to the day the war began, Sumer was overseeing peace negotiations as Austria had unconditionally surrendered. The terms were harsh, but necessary.

After the war, Sumer was hailed as a national hero, and the Ottoman Court bestowed a title upon her, the first positive title since Mustafa IV 'The Hunter'. From 1892 onwards, she was known as 'Sumer the Wingbreaker', a direct reference to the 1683 Siege of Vienna, as this time, Austria would not be saved.

### Death of Armenia

In late 1892, it became publicly known that the hermit kingdom of Armenia, at the time known as St. Gregory's Order had institutionalized slavery for its Muslim inhabitants since 1850. For 42 years, Muslims had been enslaved, and had been dragged down as 'pagans' by the Armenian government, and they had been very successful in hunting down escapees. Given Armenia was a Russian puppet state, Sumer would directly communicate with Tsar Sergei, who agreed to do something about the problem.

The Armenians defiantly refused the Russian ultimatum, and an Armenian assassin traveled to Konstantiniyye. While Sumer was addressing the people he opened fire, attempting to kill her. She was shot in the shoulder, but a doctor nearby reacted quickly, and she was in hospital ten minutes later. Though the wound would become infected, Sumer, 64 at the time, would recover from both. This action forced the Russian Army to be deployed, and the Armenians attempted to resist. There were clashes, and by the end of it, Armenia ceased to exist as a country and was incorporated into the Russian Empire.

### The Final Victories

Sumer would oversee three additional wars during the course of her reign, all three of which proved to be decisive Ottoman victories, cementing and solidifying the Ottomans as the master of the east.

#### The 30 Days War: Greece

Tensions with Greece had spiked in 1894 when the Greeks claimed Huzme (The Ottoman Intelligence Services) had attempted to organize a coup with the Greek Army to overthrow the King. However, Huzme had destroyed all evidence, and successfully evaded the accusations, in turn accusing Greece of attempting to fabricate a war. Greek reputation was damaged, and when they requested arms from across Europe, not a single nation answered the call. However, the Turkish Wolf was hungry, and it would get its Greek feast.

In 1897, Prince Berk was visiting Greece in an attempt to mediate a solution. An angry Greek soldier attacked the prince, and shot him dead. Sumer, was devastated at the news of her sons killing. Her devastation translated to rage, and she rallied Parliament to declare war and solve the Greek issue once and for all. The war hawkish parliament was all too eager, now that they finally had their casus belli against Greece.

The war lasted 30 days. In those 30 days, Crete would be occupied, and on Day 18, Athens was taken by Ottoman forces, forcing the Greeks to capitulate. To their surprise, the Ottomans only annexed Crete, and opted to put a friendly king on the throne, and Greece was made to join the Tirana Pact. The Habsburg king, a staunch anti-Turk was executed, re-spiking tensions with Austria, though French mediation calmed the situation. But the war didn't end with this...

For Egypt had joined the war in support of Greece.

##### Restoring the Conquest of Selim

Egypt, ruled by the Coptic Christian minority, had joined the war, breaching the Perpetual Peace Treaty signed with the Ottomans. Sumer, a woman who stuck to principal, and loyalty to treaties, would not let this crime go unpunished. Ottoman forces struck back, shattered the incompetent command, organization, and underequipped Egyptian forces at Nazareth. They occupied Jerusalem, and pushed onwards, into the Sinai peninsula.

The Egyptians attempted to sue for a conditional peace, but the Ottomans would not accept. Just as with Austria, only unconditional surrender was accepted. When the Egyptian Navy was defeated in the Battle of the Nile, this was sought. The Holy Kemetic Empire would be dissolved, the Coptic Theocracy disabled and returned to a secular multi-religious state under Ottoman protection, joining the Tirana Pact.

### The Building Sultan

As her reign progressed into the late 1890s and early 1900s, she prompted more railroads to be built across the Empire and its allied states, creating an in-depth network to transport goods and individuals back and forth. She oversaw the introducing of building codes which expanded the safety of infrastructure. Bridges across the Bosporus were constructed, and in 1906, after the war with the British was complete, she enacted civil service reforms in the new territories. This included dealing with the fact that Yemen had become, due to British interference, a Welsh apartheid state. In 1906 as well, she organized and helped plan a new cross-nation highway network. Though this wouldn't be completed until the 1920s, and continued to be expanded on into the 1960s and 70s, multiple roadways bare Sumer's name for her work in interconnecting the Empire.

This would be her last major contribution however...

### The Slow Descent of the 33rd Sultan

Starting in 1907, people began to notice that Sumer was making far less appearances, and conducting far fewer speeches. She would sometimes be present at Parliament, enjoying the debate, or in the Imperial theater with Sarol, enjoying a good show. When she spoke, she was a bit slower, more visibly tired.

Her people began to understand... she was getting older. Her career in politics had spanned over fifty-five years, and she was simply getting older. She spent more time out of Konstantiniyye with her husband and her many grandchildren. She somehow managed to keep her hair blonde until giving up at 78, letting it slowly turn grayish-white. She began giving her son, Muhammet, more of her authorities, slowly preparing him to take the throne.

From 1910-1911, she embarked on one final trip across Europe. She would visit Russia, and see her granddaughter Irem, who was still happily married to Tsar Nicholas II. She would visit Italy, and meet with the Pope again. She would visit France, where she, and an old ally and friend in the form of Emperor Napoleon IV would share stories over tea. No politics at that point, despite Napoleon being in his 50s, Sumer in her 80s. They had worked together for almost forty years. She visited Spain, Portugal, and Germany. The Kalmar Union was her final stop in Europe. She would embark on one final voyage to LanFang in early 1912, which would be her final extraterritorial visit.

Finally, she conducted one final tour of her Empire from Yemen to Oman, to Palestine to the Caucasus, to Anatolia to her Balkan allies which she had poured so much of her life, blood, sweat, and tears into maintaining, building up and protecting. She returned to Konstantiniyye in August 1912, and this was when her health took a noticeable decline...

## Death

Sumer's health continued to wind down. Doctors could find no sign of illness, or poison, to the anger of her children, and so they came to the only logical conclusion at that point:

She was eighty-six years old.

She had lived a long life, and her years were catching up with her. When the people began hearing rumors that her days were numbered, many pleaded Parliament to make a final honorary step. On October 6, she was proclaimed in abstentia the 'Restorator', or 'Restorer'. On October 8, she was confined to her deathbed, with Sarol remaining by her side. Her children flocked from all across Europe to be by her side in her final moments. She seemingly held out for all of them, being too weak to move by this point.

She spoke to each of her children individually, telling them to keep fighting for what was right, for what was in their hearts, and continue being the incredible men and women they were bound to be. Specifically to Muhammet:

"Muhammet, my beautiful boy, you truly are a boy who lets the sun shine through your soul... you have been the perfect son... I could not have wished for a better man to succeed me, and continue our work... I know your rule will accomplish so many, incredible things,"

To her husband of twenty-seven years:

> "Oh, Sarol, where do I start with you...? Since we met in 1883, you have been my best friend, stuck by my side through thick and thin. You have made me smile, and laugh, every day for the past twenty-nine years. It has been one adventure after another... I love you so much..."
>
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She told all her children she loved them, oh so very much... her children reaffirmed this, as tears poured down their cheeks. Sumer's final words after her children and Sarol told her that they loved her was:

> "I just wanted to hear that... one... last... time..."
>
>

With that... her eyes fluttered shut, her chest fell for the final time, and the room was filled with silence.

Thus ended the reign of Sumer 'The Wingbreaker', after 57 years...

### Funeral

Sumer's funeral was massive, and lavish, despite her repeatedly saying she did not want so. Hundreds of thousands came to mourn, including heads of state from across Europe.

Even Franz Joseph of Austria would attend, who despite having a rivalry, had come to respect the late Sultan.

After the events of the funeral, Sumer wouldn't be buried. Instead, she would be interred in her mausoleum in Konstantiniyye, where she rests to this day. Although the coffin is not publicly viewable, to grant respect to the dead.

## Personality and Physical Appearance

### Personality

Sumer is often regarded as quiet, quaint and soft-spoken. She does not speak over others, does not raise her voice, and speaks with a very dignified, noble tone. She carries an accent, believed to be Southern European in origin (Potentially Bulgarian or Romanian, depending on the origin of her mother), though she covers the accent at most opportunities. She portrays herself as educated, well-read and intellectual, all of which is true judging by her education in her youth. She is loyal to those she loves (her family) and is portrayed as a textbook conservative Sunni, Hijabi Muslim. She does not believe she was chosen by Allah to rule the Ottoman Empire, but rather was put on the throne by unfortunate circumstance.

### Physical Appearance

* Short, around 5 feet 3 inches
* Very light at 128-130 lbs.
* Blonde hair and Blue eyes (However, her ladies in waiting will often have her wear a black wig to make her appear more traditionally 'Turkic'
* Very fair/Caucasian skin (Likely due to a European mother)
* Oval shaped face
* Slim, non-protruding nose
* Non-full lips
* ??? Ear shape or structure (Typically covered up by the hijab she wears)

### Typical Appearance and Apparel

* Dark clothing (Typically a black dress)
* Gold/Jeweled 'Belt'
* Gold/Jeweled necklace draped around the neck
* Thin black veil draped over her head
* Typically forced by ladies in waiting to wear heavy makeup

## Major Speeches & Addresses

Sumer was a public speaker, and was notable for having a gifted talent of speaking and giving speeches. She has given a number of speeches throughout her reign, many of which incite the people to the banner of the Osmanid Dynasty and to the Empire. Here are a few exemplary examples.

> "My citizens, my people, I wish I could be speaking to you in better circumstances. We have received word that the Danubian Commonwealth has launched an invasion of our ally in Bosnia. The Emir of Bosnia called on all nations in our sphere to come to their aid. I have received word that Rumelia, Raska, North Montenegro and Bulgaria all mobilize against this threat, so we must do the same. We did not cower to the Russians, and we will not cower to the glorified Austrians. Parliament has unanimously declared war on the Danubian Commonwealth for the invasion of our allies, unprovoked and uncalled for. We have done nothing to provoke Austria, and it shows when their allies in Italy and Egypt do not come to aid their invasion. Without provocation we can comfortably assume this war is nothing but one of imperial greed! After all, the Austrians took Somaliland and Puntland, so where else must they look to grow their empire? Why, the Balkans of course! They think we are weak... a dying old man, but we are no longer the sick man of Europe, and we will... we will prove it this day. The odds may be stacked against us, but join us as we fight for everything we have left! However, I believe what must be addressed is just who the Emperor of Austria is. He is a greedy man, a power-hungry man who seeks glory. So I implore you to look to him as I say... Behold the man elevated by his own arrogance and strung up by avarice. He who dares to think himself righteous as he stands against the will of Heaven, will not find safety behind the walls of an empire long dead, clinging pridefully to the deeds of ill-remembered men. The Balkans will stand, democracy will stand as long as I live and breathe, let that be clear. We may in the end loose this war, but millions will have to die before we concede defeat. The Austrians will have to be the first to conquer Konstantiniyye since 1453 for us to concede defeat. We will bleed Austria for every step she takes into the lands of our allies and ourselves, and she will face the wrath of an Empire fighting for everything it has left, it shall face the wrath of a Balkans who have embraced freedom and liberty who now stands against tyranny. Let this not be remembered as a war between Austria and the Ottomans... but as a war... between imperialism and freedom..." **-October 8, 1885, Opening of the Austro-Turkish War**
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> "Good morning esteemed gentleman and delegations from Europe. We stand here today, representing the Ottoman Empire with great pride. Receiving an invitation to this congress suggests to us that Europe once more respects the Empire founded by Osman, expanded by the likes of Bayezid, Mehmet the Conqueror, and Suleiman the Magnificent, amongst other titans of history. Standing here on this day in the great city of London suggests, and perhaps we are misguided in this belief, that Europe respects the Ottoman Empire once more. But not solely as an adversary, but as a trade friendly nation, a democratizing state, a partner, and for some, an ally. The Ottoman Empire possesses three goals, named in the order of importance to our government, and our people. Number one is the recognition and securing of our current territories as rightful imperial holdings, and that the resources of said land is ours to use and exploit as we see fit. Number two is the securing of additional claims, which will be presented shortly by our prime minister, Sir Fuat Hamil. Number three is the establishment of further trade deals, resource rights and extractions throughout the conference, to further benefit our modernization and industrialization. We once more appreciate our European partners for taking time to bring our government, and our nation into consideration," **-Opening Ottoman Address at the 1880 London Conference**
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> "Let me make something very clear. While we may be at war with Russia, let us take a moment to wish his soul well. Let us pray that his death was without agony or suffering. He may have been our enemy, and he may have plunged the East into war, but he was simply a man. And men make mistakes. No matter your thoughts on the tsar, mine are not positive, God or Allah, or whomever you worship is deciding his fate. All we can hope is that whomever takes his place does not make the same mistakes his father has," **-Sumer on the Death of Tsar Nicholas I, 1856**
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> "Yesterday, January 12th, 1891 -- a date which will live in infamy -- Merciless terrorists clearly backed by the Danubian Federation attacked villages of the Ottoman Empire in the Balkans. Those villages were at peace, far from the warzones, and going about their lives. Indeed, they had no reason to suspect that their lives would be so brutally uprooted, for no reason other than at the whims of Emperors and Counts in far-away Vienna. It will be recorded that the scale and planning of these attacks makes it obvious that the attacks were deliberately planned many months ago. During the intervening time, the Danubian government has deliberately sought to deceive the Ottoman Empire by false statements and expressions of hope for continued peace. The attack yesterday on Ottoman farms and mines has caused severe damage to our economy. I regret to tell you that very many jobs have been lost and people bankrupted. In addition, our cotton fields have been reported burnt. The Danubian Federation has, therefore, undertaken a surprise offensive extending throughout the areas of Europe and Anatolia. The facts of yesterday and today speak for themselves. The people of the Ottoman Empire have already formed their opinions and well understand the implications to the very life and safety of our nation. As Commander in Chief of the Army and Navy, I have directed that all measures be taken for our defense. But always will our whole nation remember the character of the onslaught against us. No matter how long it may take us to overcome this premeditated terror campaign, the Ottoman people in their righteous might will win through to absolute victory. I believe that I interpret the will of the entire Empire and of the peoples under our banner when I assert that we will not only defend ourselves to the uttermost, but will make it very certain that this form of treachery shall never again endanger us. There is no blinking at the fact that our people, our territory, and our interests are in grave danger. With confidence in our armed forces, with the unbounding determination of our people, we will gain the inevitable triumph -- so help us God," **-Sumer's 'Day of Infamy' Speech, 1890**
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## Trivia/Additional Facts

1. Sumer's mother was a European concubine, and judging by the light Southern European accent that Sumer carries, was either Romanian, Bulgarian or Serbian. This is the main agreed upon reason that despite being fathered by Mahmud II why she is so 'European' in appearance.
2. Sumer is extremely opposed to women's rights, so as long as she is on the throne, the chance of women's suffrage even being considered is far from likely (There Mac, no women's suffrage until after 1910)
3. Sumer admits to being fascinated with history and architecture, and finds great inspiration from what Turks call 'Napoleon the Great' who transformed France from a backwater into a world class superpower.
4. She claims her shrewd negotiating skills came from her father, though given Mahmud II still oversaw a period of diplomatic failure and decline, this is unlikely, and likely just to further her support by the people.
5. Sumer has never, will never and has never considered consuming alcohol.
6. When Sumer died in 1912, she was the longest reigning Ottoman Sultan, at 57 years. The previous record was held by Suleiman the Magnificent, who reigned for 46 years.
7. The fact that Sumer died of natural causes at the age of 86 is an achievement in and of itself given the track record of previous Sultans.
8. Sumer has a motor condition, undiagnosed given the medical knowledge of the time. In the future, she will be posthumously diagnosed with central hypotonia.
9. Sumer is a very healthy eater, is very picky about the foods she consumes, and does not enjoy rich or lavish foods.
10. Sumer's first husband Tokmedir was 17 years her senior, which was very common in Ottoman society in the 1800s. Despite the large age gap, the two are very fond of one another, care very deeply, and appear to have a very happy marriage. This is also despite Tokmedir having multiple spouses.