Fragments of the Tozholleronesi Tapestries

Imade made by me at some point in Jan 2014 or late 2013 of my forum country 'Zaudibaum'.

-In the years following the Second Witzerbien Civil war, Zaudibaum was not a stable, prospering republic that the rest of the international community expected it would be. Instead, Zaudibaum had turned out to be classified as being the first "modern" case of an fragile state. Economical decline, the sharp rise of left and wing politics, divided government, and an population crisis that came as a result of the two internal conflicts are defining factors regarded by historians as being causes for Zaudibaum's low stability. Try as any one consul could might, turning around the republic's decline was almost an impossible task, thanks to the various political factions whom restrained the consul with their political problems. Yaveh Wasi Yilmaz, one of the few successful consuls summed up the unstable government in his closing farewell speech, "[..] The task of governing a nation is preposterous when her dissenting parties cannot even come to a agreement on the most fundamentally basics of any one topic."

-Although Zaudibaum was all but neutral in the Great War, the conflict still had serious ramifications for the republic. Counter-revolution fever was at an all time-high amongst almost every social class, who were no supportive for the very republic that championed for them all these years ago. The most influential were the Anticoziots (commomly Jabirists), sympathizers for the Kunkel royal family whom had exiled themselves to the Spanish peninsula in the conclusion of the First Witzerbien Civil War. The Anticoziots aspired to restore the Witzerbien Empire under the House of Kunkel, with the prominent allegiance leaning towards Jabir Ghayth Kunkel. Although in practice, they had almost no means to do so, since the republic had tight laws regarding the availability of weapons to citizens (in fear of rebellion). However, in 957, just seven years after the end of the Second Witzerbien Civil War, Jabir received word of the ongoing social upheaval reaching it's boiling point in Zaudibaum. As if by luck, both of his parents died leaving him with an incredible amount of inherited wealth, Jabir realized this was his opportunity to finally achieve something that no other post-revolution Kunkel had ever had the chance to do before him. He rasied a large army, consisting of foreign mercenaries and second (often third) generation exiled Loyalists, Jabir was rather impressed by this army, going on to later calling it the Magnasanc Army. With this powerful force under his wing, he secrelty meant with Anticoziot representatives and arranged for an invasion of the Zaudibaum republic. In October 958, Jabir sets sail from Spain and makes land in the port-city Al Munasair, formally sparking the Jabiran Civil War.

-The Jabiran Civil war was an period of infighting fought from October 26th 958 to June 1st 964 between the forces of Jabir Kunkel and supporters of the republican regime in force. Historians regard this episode as the most bloodiest and most violent up until that time, due to the breakdown of law and order, and the merciless attitude that both sides had towards the civilian populace. Although historical estimates are far and in-between, various scholars published essays depicting realistic numbers of civilians executed through the war to be as high as 116,000 and as low as 47,000. Gunpowder weaponry had become more widespread, although they consisted explicitly of hand-me-down donations from other countries. Many republicans knew the war was a lost-cause from the beginning and lamented that continued resistance was a waste of time. Others ignored the defeatism attitude and fought the good fight, but proved to be inevitable anyway when the republic collapsed on August 28th, and formerly ending with the Treaty of Orthoneo on June 1st, dissolving the republic and establishing the Second Witzerbien Empire under Jabir I.

-Many republicans (now labelled as revolutionaries, enemies of the state, etc) fled into hiding, chiefly mountains and such remote areas that imperial authority had no influence over. Many mountains were turned into complex fortresses, one famous example was Valicoll, the largest one and also the most heavily fortified of them all. Due to it's sheer size and proximity to society, it served as a launchpad for frequent rebel offensives.

-Under Jabir's early reign (964-980), the empire prospered. No longer would instability hinder the efforts for progress, as Jabir enjoyed popular support from all across the board. Perhaps, as many armchair philosophers pandered, monarchical rule was a justified form of rule, afterall. Aside from the periodic assaults from pesky revolutionary scum, Witzerbien enjoyed the longest uninterrupted peace since before the Witzerbien Dark Ages of times past. It would not last, however, Jabir was an incredibly ambitious man, and since his early lass days had always dreamed of materializing his ancestor's (Charpentier I & II) dreams of a unified North African Empire. Since he had the empire's vast wealth and the seasoned Magnasanc Army at his dispoal, he planned for just that. With public standing sternly beyond him, Jabir launched an simultaneous invasion of Phoenican proper and the diversion invasion of Malta in 974.

-Both had ended up in utter disaster, though. For one, the Imperial fleet was largely inexperienced and inadequate compared to their Federation counterparts, and although they had managed to actually land an invasion force on Malta, putting up a fight and providing support was another matter. In a mere four months, the bulk of the Imperial Fleet was annihilated, leaving many Tozholleronesi stranded and encircled. They held out for a remarkable two month period before all perishing to disease and execution. Meanwhile, the continental invasion had seen more success, but the Phoenicans brought down the full might upon the Tozholleronesi and completely turned the tide winning one battle after another, culminating in the year-long siege of Witzerbien's new capitol, Socipaleo. Near the end of the siege, distraught citizens and soldiers rebelled and formed the Congressional Assembly. From this a chain of rapid events occurred, resulting in the emperor being deposed. Faced without a functioning government, the Congressional Assembly authorized the creation of an provisional government (which at the time, had influence over a quarter portion of the city in of itself) to negotiate peace with the Phoenicans. Consul Iqbal Abdullah Attar was unanimously elected whom quickly went to favourable to both sides. It worked out in the end, and the war concluded in 979. Soon after, a new constitution called the Masoud Constitution of 979 is introduced by consul Iqbal Abdullah Attar (drafted by famous political philosopher, Ercole Norbert Cucinotta), and ratified by sitting members of the Congressional Assembly. It shaped the provisional government into the current Second Zaudibaum Republic, the constitution also established the Congressional Assembly as an official unicameral legislature body.

-Surprisingly, and much to everyone's shock, Valicoll did not submit to the republican government upon it's restoration in 979. Instead they went rogue as the ideologies of the republicans in force clashed with that of their own. The Valicollis zealously denounced the constitution and the Congressional Assembly, claiming that both significantly weakened the historical powers of consulship. With tensions growing hot, and unable to come to a compromise with the Republic, leaders of Valicoll fortress met with representatives from others and formed the Grand Valicontra Confederation, consisting many of the insurgency groups that opposed the previous imperialists. Once more, Zaudibaum became embroiled with internal strife as Confederates fought Constitutionalists for power. It lasted for eight years, concluding with the three-year long siege of Valicoll fortress and disbandment of the confederacy.

It has been seventy-one years since Emperor Jabir has been deposed of. His allies, the Anticoziots, are now nothing more but a shell of it's former self. During his reign, they culminated remarkable power that rivalled even the Emperor himself, but Jabir's sudden overthrow effectively marked the end of all that. The Anticoziots were eager to reclaim what was rightfully theirs and planned to topple the regime in order to install him once more. During the Eight Years' War, they initiated a insurgency deep within the heart of Pro-Federalist Zaudibaum, tying up desperately needed forces and generally putting a strain on the Federalist military. Though upon hearing the ill news that Valicoll fortress fell to Federalist forces in 989, the great majority of Anticoziots ended up surrendering unconditionally. In the ensuing years, many members faced prosecution and dozens more fled to other countries as émigrés. Those that remained beyond resigned to their fate in defeat, albeit in disgrace. The Anticoziots still in Zaudibaum were unable to coherently rebuild their numbers, and the émigrés elsewhere could not gather foreign support to restore imperial rule. Despite the hardships the Anticoziots were still fervent in their goal; the restoration of the Imperial monarchy.

In 1032, Jabir I of House Kunkel, Emperor of Witzerbien and all of Africa, dies in his Spanish home at the age of ninety-six. His death is mourned by many Tozholleronesi, friend and foe alike. The final burial site for his remains remained a conversational issue for five years. Seeing that back in the mid-late 1020s', Spanish-Zaudibaum relations soured in the aftermath of an incident involving the accidental sinking of a Spanish freighter, and Zaudibaum's refusal to pay full compensation for the lost profit. The Spanish government saw Jabir's death as a way to acquire his estate to cover the losses for the freighter incident. When Zaudibaum ambassadors demanded the recovery of Jabir's body, Spain refused to do so. After numerous summit meetings between the two countries, Spain finally agreed to give up his remains on the condition that they nationalize his assets in exchange, which Zaudibaum reluctantly agreed to. A state funeral was declared when Jabir's remains reached Bertuliai and made it's day long procession to Socipaleo. The journey, with the number of accompanying observers estimated to be anywhere from 450,000 to a million, was described as being a very emotionally patriotic one. Upon reaching Socipaleo, his body was finally laid to rest in an elaborately beautiful tomb designed specifically for him. For quite some time, the question to Jabir's successor to the Imperial throne remained disputed among the various Anticoziots factions. The eldest in line of succession was Jabir's third surviving son, Saturnino, who was in his late fifties at the time of his father's death. Having said that, a multitude of Anticoziots did not support him. Saturnino had an arbitrary sense of administrating in comparison to his relatives, moreover he lead a very carefree life much to the monarchists' chagrin. Additionally, due to living in Arhonia, he expressed no desire to pay respects to his deceased father, further tarnishing his standing with the Anticoziots. Saturnino did not sir any legitimate children, yet he did have a bastard child by the name of Helmuth. Helmuth, if he were not an bastard, would've made for a perfect claimant. He was a charming lad with a charismatic voice, and was only in his mid twenties. He, unlike his father, also had the skills to be a excellent administrator.

In 1055, shortly before retiring to a local monastery, Saturnino renounced his succession rights to Witzerbien's defunct throne. Thus leaving the second in line, a seven year old Frankish Marcelline, to be recognized as the Crown-Princess of Witzerbien. News of Saturnino's resignation was positivity well received by the Anticoziot community, in like manner they were truly enticed by the young Marcelline. Whereas she was but a lass still, her abilities continued to burgeon, and many held high hopes for her future.

Near the end of 1058, Marcelline's family made their way back to Zaudibaum, where they settled down in Senarpont.

1071-1072 were tense years for the Republic. Upon winning the election in 1069, Consul Benoit Parviz was immediately faced with the dilemma of the progressive rise of monarchism in his country. Namely in the Saharan frontiers and the Western states, where

In the consulship election of 1205, consul Jamshed struggles to win over support to achieve another term in office. Although, he faces tough opponents such as Aryamand Modarres, the successful mayor of Socipaelo, and Suhrab Golzar, a new face in Tozholleronesi politics. What turns out to be a run-of-the mill election year quickly turns out to be a controversial one; unknowingly to many, Suhrab Golzar was actually an Maggaqarist. This was a big deal at the time, since a Maggaqarist had almost never held any form of office, and back in the pre-republic era a Maggaqarist could not have the right to do so. This sparked one debate after another, until finally someone had the bright idea of bringing this issue to the Congressional Assembly. For nearly a week they sat in session and discussed about overruling the ancient custom that forbade Maggaqarists from holding office. It all came to no avail, since there could be no settled ground for compromise. Suhrab realistically faced the risk of being disqualified from candidacy. He argued that regardless of what his religious background was, Ecekdorist or not, he should be allowed to run for office since it was against democratic ideals. One member of the Assembly, well known for his radical thinking, suggested an amendment to the constitution of some sort, allowing for an Maggaqarist the right to hold public office. The crazed nut also went on to suggest that all people, regardless of their religious ethic, be allowed to hold office; in essence secularization. This did not flow at all with the others, but they agreed in an popular vote to ratify a amendment that finally allowed Maggaqarists the right to run (and hold) office.

Sadly, Jamshed did not live to see the first amendment ratified in late 1205. He succumbed to cardiac arrest and died, just days before it finally came into force. Not all was in vain though, several inspiring Maggaqarists followed in his steps and ran for office. The first of whom, Khurshid Amirzadeh, became consul thirty years after Jamshed's death.

The late 1240s' saw the ratification of a new constitution, laying the groundwork for the Third Zaudibaum Republic. It emphasised stronger powers for the consul, and also split the Congressional Assembly into a bicameral system to balance the former. The constitution also addressed citizenship and complete overhaul of the electoral system. Among other changes introduced in this document was an territorial based state structure achieved by better defined regions and a centralized administration.