Selucia

[dannypk]

Consuls Silvianus and Dominius cancel elections indefinitely and warn Lodamun
February 5641

Following the international reactions over the tariffs applied by Selucia in the Migrant's Pass through the 3rd Point Federation, as well as Lodamun's recent decision to defy the regulations of the 3PF and Valruzia's decision to ban all trade with the 3PF members, followed by pressures from Amudim and a clear indication of ineffectiveness and escalation of international conflicts - something Selucia wanted to avoid - the tariffs have been removed from the Migrant's Pass altogether. However, passage of certain vessels (more specifically, military vessels) that are unauthorised by the 3PF will be stopped and shot down on sight if they do not listen to warnings of turning around.

The Consuls Silvianus and Dominius decided to cancel elections indefinitely to deal with this current situation, predicting a worsening of relationship with Lodamun: "Majatra is in a detrimental state, especially northwestern Majatra, and we are not going to let external powers exert their influence over our region, taking advantage of the current weakness, chaos and instability. That was the purpose of the tariffs, and so we are fine with doing away with them if they prove ineffective. However, we are not going to tolerate Lodamun's defiance of 3PF regulations, and we warn them that if they continue to ignore our rules, they will be shot down on sight, with no warning whatsoever. Let this be our last warning to them, we are not to be messed with. We will not bow down to some barbarians that think they are over us. Leave Majatra untouched from external powers, or face the consequences."

The speech from Consul Silvianus was aggressive, threatening, and firm - but also compromising. The last thing Selucia seeks, according to him, is to affect the rest of members of the 3PF. Yet, defiance of 3PF power and influence cannot be accepted nor tolerated, especially in these times. The objective is, more specifically, to protect Amudim, Pontesi and Selucia's sovereignty and stability, and promote their recovery. Were these regulations to prove ineffective or counter-productive for it, "we are open to discussion of alternatives and doing away with any problematic regulation," said Dominius.

[dannypk]

Selucia sends an ultimatum to its Yeudi overlords
February 5643

After the crisis with Lodamun over the Migrant's Pass was resolved by Selucia doing away with the tariffs, while retaining a restriction of armed vessels, mostly due to pressures coming from Amudim (quoting Silvianus: "the weak goat-fuckers have pressured us to remove the tariffs because they were afraid that their trade would drown them even more than they have already been drowned."), the two Consuls of Selucia have gathered today in front of the Senate to make an emergency announcement to not just Selucian citizens, but Beiteynu:

We have tried to do everything in our hands to maintain the 3rd Point Federation, our allies, and ensure they remained in pieces whenever we could. Naturally, since we have always been kind to the Yeudi regime, despite them interfering in our interests several times - just like now again with the tariffs and their affinity, like the submissive little goats they are, to more powerful regimes like Lourenne, Luthori, or Lodamun over its own allies - we have decided to give Beiteynu one last chance: apologise and promise to never meddle in Selucian interests, especially if in the detriment of Selucia's sovereignty and influence, or we will not ensure the safety of the nearly 900.000 Yeudis living in Selucian territories... was an accident to happen one day. This is not a threat!

The ultimatum was received with a mixture of shock, fear for the consequences, and a lot of uncertainty. Selucia and Beiteynu/Amudim have been friends for so long, and Selucia has always been content with supporting Beiteynu/Amudim loyally. Whether the government of Selucia was insulted and tired of Beiteynu's meddling, or there is an ulterior motive in play, is still unknown to most, and how Amudim will react to this ultimatum, even more so.

[GreekIdiot]

Amudim
Selucian-Yishelem negotiations fall short after more than 2 decades of "intentional stalling"
May 5661
https://forum.prtcy.com/thread-3-post-8960.html#pid8960

[dannypk]

Senate attacked mid-session - Senatorship declared
June 5652

In the middle of a session discussing the next step regarding Selucia's ultimatum against Amudim, the whole building was immediately immersed in chaos: a third of the Senators took out knives and started indiscriminately attacking every other Senator. A few managed to escape - however, most of them have perished, and the rest are in critical state. The two Consuls are among the perished victims. In the meantime, the attackers seized the Senate and blocked any entrance. Not much has been told about this incident: whether it was an organised coup or not is still unknown, although all sorts of theories have spawned through the nation. The attackers remained in the Senate for several days until a public announcement was made, ending the Consulship and declaring a Senatorship.

Quoting the spokesman, "Century after century we have seen our nation fall under the hands of tyrants who seek to destroy our state of wellbeing, and we say no to that! What has happened recently is a tragedy, one that will surely be remembered in our history, but you should all know that tragedy is sometimes necessary to resolve even bigger tragedies. Now, it is not a Consul, a Princeps, or anything else whatsoever that will rule indiscriminately for us. It's the time to bring back the power to the Senators... and here we are to bring it back!" 

The new state of things, as it seems is, consists of: 1) removal of the position of Consul and all other positions of power, 2) equal distribution of power among Senators, for now unelected and consisting of the remaining Senators in the building, 3) all executive functions to be democratically taken to the Senate. Lastly, the Senators have said that they will not open the Senate nor enact any reforms officially until the army submits to the new order. However, the army has refused to: they've remained outside the Senate since the incident waiting to make a decision. If they act against these Senators, Selucia will be rid of any Senator and the army will be forced to take control of the State; however, the army knows that such decision will be largely unpopular. Thus, the Senators and the army are competing for power: either the army submits to the Senate, or the Senate falls and the army takes over.

[dannypk]

The army seizes the Senate - end of the Republic? 
March 5653

For the first time in many centuries of Selucian history, the nation is deprived of Senators, not just symbolically, but physically. The army has finally launched an offensive against the Senators and occupied the Senate of Selucia, ending their rule. This has led to a temporal military dictatorship to protect the nation from foreign interference, as well as internal actors. However, as usual, Selucians are sceptical of moves like this: a dictatorship by a soldier has, historically, always involved the end of the Republic, sooner or later. Some see it as a calm after the storm, but most see it as a calm before the storm; a bad omen that the Republic is, once again, dead. 

The highest figure in the army, the Legatus Legionis, Sextilius Scipio, has proclaimed himself "Imperator Seluciae" (or simply "Imperator"). While merely an honorific, this already puts Scipio in a figure of absolute authority. The use of this new title as well as the establishment of a military dictatorship has been, logically, met with plenty of opposition in the streets. In order to assert more authority over the people and eradicate any possible counter-revolution, Scipio ordered the execution of all the remaining Senators that had caused the coup earlier. This has calmed down the waters, but only worsened the opposition towards Scipio and the army.

How the events will unfold is yet to be seen, however, it seems likely that things will not end good for Selucia at this rate.

[dannypk]

The Imperator voices his opinion on Amudim: "They are a threat to our nation and we will not rest until they are buried deep underground" | New policies put into place
July 5662

Imperator Scipio has been ruling for a decade, ensuring the stability of the nation considering the recent changes. While the nation has remained under a military dictatorship, and even though it had started out with extreme measures such as the execution of Senators, the Imperator has tried to be benevolent ever since. The Imperator has tried to continue the policies of Silvianus and Dominius, being particularly fond of Silvianus and what used to be the Fideī et Mātriae, which counted with the support of most Legionaries. This, in fact, reflects the offensive taken by the army against the Senatorship, which was overtaken by a bunch of Senators mostly linked to the Adflātūs Aureī. FeM demanded more control from the state, protecting tradition, and a strong militarisation - the complete opposite of what AdAu sought: democratisation, liberalisation, and progress. 

However, the Imperator has announced a new set of policies that mark the entry of Selucia into a whole new stage of its history. First of all, the most immediate policy taken was the further nationalisation of sectors of the economy, something that had already been happening under Dominius and Silvianus and that the Imperator is strengthening further. This, however, reflects a major key policy and plan from the Imperator: to isolate Selucia from the international community further. Imperator Scipio was asked about the relationship of Selucia with Amudim, and he stated the following:

"I'm aware that our ancestors benefitted from Amudim, and previously Beiteynu. However, times change, and Selucia can no longer consider it a friend of ours. They are a threat to our nation and we will not rest until they are buried deep underground. Selucians have no intention of going to war with Amudim, but we can no longer deal with them as if they were our friends. They have not been there for us when we needed them, yet we have been there for them when they needed us. It is fair to say, there is a distaste towards Yeudis in Selucia now, and it is all thanks to Amudim's poor decisions. 

As a result, it is said that this opinion of Scipio about Amudim and the Yeudis is what has led him to take a decision: to localise each of the nearly one million Yeudis residing in Selucia and deporting them to several military bases of the nation, where they are locked indefinitely, although not treated particularly bad beyond what treatment one would expect from soldiers towards prisoners. Nonetheless, only a few thousands have been located and locked up thus far. The Imperator announced that new facilities would be built throughout the nation for holding prisoners - however, while he never implied they would be for Yeudis, the nation believes it is but implied. Regarding the 3PF, the Imperator stated that he "does not think of the 3PF at all, it is dead and it must remain dead - all thanks to Amudim." The Migrant's Pass is but a lawless area with no owner for the Imperator now, and as one would expect of someone from the likes of Silvianus and Dominus, it is unlikely that Selucia will not try to take over the pass, taking advantage of a weak and dying 3PF.

Due to this, another important measure taken is that military service has been made obligatory for all, men and women alike, between the ages of 16 and 30. This will consist of basic training and education for two years.

[dannypk]

Summary of Selucia's new system and policies
January 5684

Ever since the army took over the Senate and eliminated it completely, the Legatus Legionis, Sextilius Scipio, proclaimed himself Imperator. This new system, which the experts have named a Military Autocracy, has its special characteristics. While some have made a comparison with the Principate under Maximianus, and there are certainly similarities (overtaken by force through the Legion, centralisation of power, and militarisation), there are several key differences between the two systems: 1) Imperator Scipio frames himself as a temporary leader to restore order in Selucia, not as a new leader with a new vision for the nation; 2) under the Principate, the Senate remained (even if reduced to 100 loyal Senators) and the Princeps sought to act as a "neutral arbitrator of all the Selucian classes" and thus keep stability this way, whereas the Imperator seeks to rule with an iron fist independently of the other classes, and in fact, got rid of the Senatorial class. 

The system of Imperator Scipio can be described as an autocratic, military figure put by the army with the purpose of restoring order under a vacuum of illegitimacy of power - thus, a political crisis. This is done by centralising power, strengthening unity (which can lead to persecuting those who are seen as a threat to unity, such as anyone who defies the authority of the Imperator or certain minorities such as the Yeudi diaspora in Selucia), the strengthening of the military (through policies such as mandatory military service), promotion of self-reliance and nationalism. 

Up until now, however, the centralisation was done through the authority of the Imperator. As of March 5565, the Imperator founded a military junta consisting of his most trustworthy allies in the Legion, each one assigned to different roles, such as the supervision of the economy, culture, religion, and so on. The Imperator was to have, however, absolute political and military power. This replaces, in some way, the vacuum of power left by the eradication of the Senate, and distributes the tasks of the Imperator efficiently. To ensure further loyalty to the new government, the army disposed of any officers that did not submit to the new order or were seen as suspicious by depriving them of their positions and locking them up indefinitely, seeing them as a "potential threat to national stability". To end further instability and division, Imperator Scipio formalised something that had already been implied but never confirmed: the ban on political factions. "Factionalism was the source of division, was the source of the state we are currently in; democracy is a threat to Selucian stability, and thus, we will ensure the removal of any democratic element, and forbidding anything that allows division, such as political factions." The Governors of each province have been replaced by non-elected army officials, also trusted by and close to the Imperator.

Since the announcement of nationalisations, the government has expanded it further, leaving the economy completely under control of the Imperator and the junta. The government has promised the creation of new jobs, expansion of key industries, and reactivation of the economy for the next five years, among other minor objectives such as raising the salaries, reforming the market system, and starting a transition towards renewable energy. The government has also already announced a reduction of taxes temporarily and relative; the focus seems to be on reactivating the economy first before focusing on generating profit.

It has also been announced that for the next 15 years, it is planned to 1) fix existing highways and build new ones connecting the three islands, 2) expanding military and naval bases, as well as building new prisons throughout the nation, 3) focusing on the production of steel, arms, and ships, 4) focusing on the extraction of silver, gold, and other minerals found in our mines, 5) consolidating our relationship with likeminded or favourable nations (such as Egelion and Kundrati) as well as ending relationships with those that do not suit our interests or pose a threat to our existence and stability (such as the 3PF). 

The Imperator has also been attempting to promote Selucian culture within the borders, reducing the influence of minor national cultures - that is, Olerian, Calatian, and Sadarian - in the name of national unity. Using any of their respective languages outside the private sphere will lead to fines, and any cultural events must reflect Selucian customs and traditions, rather than Olerian, Calatian or Sadarian ones. 

Lastly, as of now, January 5684, the situation with the Yeudi diaspora in Selucia has but worsened. The amount of Yeudis locked up in Selucian prisons have gone up to around 250k - far surpassing the "few thousands" from two decades ago, although it only represents around a 20% of the Yeudi population in Selucia still. It is clear that the government is intending to take all of them, in a slow and gradual way. It has been reported that the Yeudi prisoners suffer more discrimination and abuse, and face worse conditions, than the rest of prisoners. Any protest or complaint about the treatment of the Yeudi prisoners has been met with violence from the army, which have overtaken the police force. Not just that, but the government has done an efficient propaganda ensuring many Selucians started showing disdain towards Yeudis, with non-imprisoned Yeudis reporting that they face more discrimination, insults, and even violence, from citizens themselves, rather than just from soldiers, than they ever did before.

[dannypk]

West Aquilonia mass protests for Calatian rights | The Imperator answers to international backlash
July 5688

The region of West Aquilonia, found in the northwestern island of Selucia, was historically the home of the Kingdom of Calatia, with a distinctive culture that eventually evolved into Canrillaise culture, as it was Calatia which owned the Canrillaise colonies that later on would be unified with the nation of Selucia. The prestige of Canrille paired with the economic richness of the region, however, managed to keep Calatian culture more or less alive. The Calatians are proud of their language, history and traditions, and they are willing to do anything to defend it. When they joined the Regressīvī during the Selucian civil war, they did so knowing they defended tradition, and not just Selucian tradition. This was respected not just by Consul Sylla, but also by the successors of the Regressīvī, the Principes Maximianus, Cantius, and Valentinus. To them, Calatian, Olerian, and Sadarian cultures were equally Selucian, and thus were to be respected and protected. 

However, Imperator Scipio deems them as a threat to national stability. As a result, he has forbidden the public usage of their respective languages, as well as holding any cultural events that included elements from their cultures rather than Selucian ones. Olerian and Sadarian cultures have been more integrated into Selucian culture than Calatian culture has, and it doesn't help that Sadaria is, overall, a poorer and weaker region, and Oleria is the homeland of left-wing progressives that do not give as much importance to culture as they do to combatting inequality and promoting technological progress. West Aquilonia, however, being a rich and traditional territory, has taken these new measures by Scipio much differently and with less passivity.

Thousands of Calatians have marched on the streets to protest against the oppression of Calatian culture and Imperator Scipio's rule, with some adding messages against the oppression towards the Yeudis in Selucia. Together with West Sadaria, the ideology of the Regressīvī, and by extension, the Principate, have remained strong even after the fall of the Principate. It is logical, thus, that among these Calatian protestors, a wide majority are still supporters of the old Principate. 

The Principate consisted on the centralisation of rule by a single figure - the Princeps. The Princeps, however, does not rule alone and is not opposed to Republican and democratic elements: in fact, the basis of the Princeps is to act as a class cooperator, one that seeks to stabilise and strengthen the nation by ensuring all Selucian classes' meets are equally met. Princeps Maximianus ensured that the symbolic elements of the Republic remained: the Senate was left operating, although subjected to the Princeps' will and limited to a hundred loyal Senators; the Consul also remained as a figure, mostly meant to be the Princeps' second hand. It was a deeply traditional regime, as it came from the radical traditionalist programme of the Regressīvī (who opposed the modernisation of Selucia). It also included a progressionalised Legionary army, which is the basis of the current army, and while it certainly engaged in isolationism, the Principes always cooperated with other nations and ensured Selucia was on good terms with everyone as long as possible. 

While some may draw similarities between the Principate and Imperator Scipio's rule, it is clear that the Imperator is not trying to recreate the Principate and is barely even inspired by it. One would say, even, the Imperator would have opposed the Principate, even if not for the same reasons most would. Precisely, one thing Imperator Scipio has failed to realise is that, threatening the balance of the Selucian classes, leads to chaos and opposition. The Principate ended when Princeps Valentinus sought to eradicate the Senatorial class and seize all power for himself: needless to say, the Senators sought internal and international aid to overthrow Princeps Valentinus and install a Consulship. Imperator Scipio has eradicated the Senatorial class successfully, something Princeps Valentinus could not achieve: yet, however, both the nation and the international community don't seem to recognise the government as legitimate. Had Imperator Scipio cooperated with the Senatorial class, one wonders, maybe his government would've eventually been recognised and legitimised through the help of the Senate, and it wouldn't have been necessary to take the extreme measures taken by the Imperator.

But it is too late. Damage has already been done, and the Imperator does not intend to deter the movements he has done, even in spite of international pressure from the nations of Lodamun, Kalistan, Xsampa, Istalia, and Narikaton and Darnussia, to which the Imperator has stated that "their statements mean little to nothing to a nation that already distrusts them and seeks to move away from their poisonous fangs." Although the statement largely referred to Lodamun, Istalia, and Narikaton and Darnussia - as the Kalistani and Xsampan governments well stated, Selucia has for a very long time (or ever) had virtually no relationship with them. However, Selucia has recent clashes and disagreements with Lodamun, Istalia and Narikaton and Darnussia, and the very fact these three were quick to throw a statement against Selucia serves to feed the national hatred and distrust towards them, seeing their statements as another attempt to make Selucia submit to their wills. Ironically, while the Selucian population seems to be largely discontent with Imperator Scipio (something he's well aware of, but does not want to be remembered as a "popular ruler" but "the ruler who saved Selucia from utter chaos"), they cannot help but side with the Imperator against the involvement of Lodamun, Istalia and Narikaton and Darnussia in their national affairs. The internment of Yeudi population has already been stopped temporarily, but mostly for logistical reasons: there is little more space for all the Yeudi population in Selucia. The Imperator, however, made a statement to the Selucian public: "We have more than enough reasons to distrust the Yeudis, we cannot let them roam our lands freely as if they were not our enemies! We can ensure that we will not resort to violence towards Yeudis, we seek not to damage but to protect our nation. Any claims that we are abusing of our prisoners are lies and propaganda from our enemies."

[dannypk]

Calatian protests provoke protests in West Sadaria; Restorationist movement formalised
August 5688

Since the Calatian protests in West Aquilonia spawned last month against the oppression of the regional cultures of Calatian, Olerian, and Sadarian, the people of West Sadaria have joined them in protesting in spite of the attempts at suppression from the Selucian government. The protests have been almost constant, and while the focus of the protest has been located in West Aquilonia, the most violent incidents have happened in West Sadaria, where the protestors have launched spontaneous attacks at government offices. Paired with Egelion's statements of months ago, the situation is getting out of hand and the Imperator has begun to worry for the worst.

Evidently, in the face of such chaos and political uprising, a Patrician of West Aquilonia, of both Calatian and Selucian origins, by the name of Charlus Cornelius, has emerged from the shadows to lead an ever-growing movement in West Aquilonia, and spreading to West Sadaria, that has been referred to as Rēstitūtōrius ("Restorationist"). The Restorationist movement seeks to bring an end to the Imperatorship of Scipio and restore the Principate, although the movement is still newborn and has barely proposed real alternatives, such as who would be the new Princeps.

[GreekIdiot]

Amudim
Interim government in Yishelem confirms multilateral talks underway; declares Selucia an enemy of the state and the Yeudi People
AUGUST 5688
https://forum.prtcy.com/thread-3-post-10...l#pid10511