Zamotz Union (Abexilas)

The Zamotz Union is a country located in Abexilas, centered around the subcontinent of Adramis in eastern Cathrámis. It is the successor to the Zamotz Union from Eldham.
The country consists of Elatsania, Celandon, Shirokaneza, Limuria, Kadus, Occulusia, Auberon, Ateburu, and Jokuku. Under the interim constitution of Zamotz — the Summer 18th Ordinance — the State was formerly led by the provisional National Salvation Government, the body responsible for coordinating efforts to reestablish the Zamotz Union and laying the groundwork for long-term governance. Since the passing and ratification of the new Constitution, however, the NSG has been disbanded in favour of the more long term Zamotzian government.
==Etymology==
The Zamotz State's namesake originates from the island of Zamotz, in the world of Eldham. The name is derived from the Bibshmibbian word "Zmtz", or "mainland."
==History==
By the time that the Iristor's Comet had passed by and transported all Eldhamites into Abexilas, the Zamotz Union had declined considerably in strength, but retained its population and culture. Much of the founding leadership had passed away and their descendants were left with little more than stories of a bygone era. Raised with tales of exploration and participating in an international society, the Zamotians were raised with ambitions but inherited an island that had already explored the world and enjoyed its time in the international spotlight. The Comet, in a sense, answered the prayers of the Zamotians who wished to start anew.
=== Background ===
Isildor's Comet transported much of the population of Zamotz to Adramis, in a taiga flanked by more temperate forests. One of the native groups of the island, the Dasanans, coalesced under the leadership of Tiessert and migrated south to establish an independent settlement. The remaining natives spent some time living nomadically along the forests and taiga, reverting to a lifestyle similar to the Indusi peoples during the Tesutsayi in early Zamotz history.
===Founding===
In the Fall of 13 VE [June 3, 2024], one Indusi native, Hannibal Alaric, brought much of the native population together to form a settlement. As much of the surrounding areas became settled, Alaric and other Indusi feared a repetition of the Tesumasima should the people not settle rapidly enough. The home of the Indusi people, Elatsania (Traveler's Tongue: Riverside), would be founded on that Fall, named after their native country and province within the Zamotz Union. Following communication between the Elatsanians and the Lemur nomads, the Winter of 14 VE saw the founding of the settlement of Limuria, a direct successor to the Eldham city and country of Limuria.
==== The Great Massacre ====
The founding of Elatsania came with a herd of chicken and sheep gathered by Alaric and some of the island's natives. In what has been interpreted as a bad omen, a man described by Alaric as the "incarnation of the Devil" entered the town and slaughtered the livestock. Alaric and a native chased down the man, killing him in the forests. 
===Prelude to Government===
Throughout the ensuing years, Elatsania developed considerably and was able to house much of its citizenry, alongside a quarry mining operation by Adranus Murphy II, a rising political figure in the city. Despite the town's growth, independent raiders hailing from Qynthos-Centuria would occasionally enter the town and kill citizens unprovoked, reminiscent of the Tesumasima-era raids on Indusia. This forced the hands of the Elatsanians and Limurians to organize a formal government structure. 
At this point in history, the Elatsanian and Limurian populations broadly supported the governance of the old Zamotz Union, a constitutional triarchy where three popular rulers oversaw a democratic government. Traditionally (though not always), the triarchy was composed by one member from each of the three largest groups in Zamotz Island: the Elatsanians, Limurians, and Shirokanezans. However, with few Shirokanezans being located and the successor to the Elatsanian throne, Tokoda Hokan, uninterested in the throne and hardly participating in politics at this point, only the Limurian king remained. This would be Draphonaris Morshu, the successor to Draphonaris Limunaris and who already served as the leader of Limuria and aided in the foreign affairs of both Limuria and Elatsania.
In the lead up to the formation of a council, several foreign groups arrived to Zamotz. The first of these were the Kopreus family, hailing from the distant lands of Zuritan. Descendants of the late Zamotz politician and God to some, Zwoert, the Kopreus family had a vision telling them to embark on a voyage to Zamotz, telling of a bad omen around the time of the Great Massacre. They arrived on the shores sometime prior to the council's convening, providing material and political assistance. Kieyrah Aurelian, by this point a major political figure in the state of Vinovia, also arrived to Zamotz upon hearing of the country's formation as he had ties to the Elatsanian government in Eldham. Two mages from the Sparkstone Academy were given seats at the council due to past cultural ties with Zamotz.
=== Summer 18th Ordinance ===
Note: Vote tallies in this article are formatted in a Yes-Abstain-No format. For example, "3-2-1" signifies that 3 people voted yes, 2 abstained, and 1 voted no.
Hannibal Alaric, in conjunction with Adranus Murphy II, thus moved to convene a council of 15 individuals sometime in the Fall of 18 VE. The council of 15 was comprised of a variety of representatives, though the majority were Elatsanian. The council includes:
* Hannibal Alaric (Elatsania)
* Adranus Murphy II (Elatsania)
* Aote Hokan (Elatsania)
* Tokoda Hokan(Elatsania)
* Marthiren (Elatsania)
* Seivyr Ares Carthagena (Elatsania)
* unseenshadow (Elatsania)
* Kieyrah Aurelian (Elatsania, Vinovia)
* Draphonaris Morshu (Limuria)
* Banana B. Kopreus Brian 'The Great' of Zuritan and Great Builder of Walls and Cheesemaker (Zuritan)
* Ashren Kopreus (Zuritan)
* Shmobbothy Kopreus (Zuritan)
* Cril Snapper (Sparkstone Mage)
* Molaac (Sparkstone Mage)
The council sought to establish a provisional government in the midst of the raider emergency. Adranus Murphy II had already written a hasty constitution with this objective in mind. Known as the Summer 18th Ordinance, the constitution bestows emergency powers to an Overseer which is elected by the council. Upon the council's convention, two council members — Carthagena and unseenshadow — were absent. The quorum was set with 12 present and 7 members constituting a majority.
The Summer 18th Ordinance was voted on and passed with little verbal opposition, with an 8-2-1 margin. The elections for Overseer were more contentious. Three members of the council were nominated to be Overseer of the Union: Adranus Murphy II, Banana B. Kopreus Brian, and Hannibal Alaric. The first round of voting ended with the tallies as:
* Murphy II: 5 votes
* Alaric: 4 votes
* Kopreus Brian: 3 votes
Kopreus Brian was eliminated, and a run-off vote was held between Murphy II and Alaric. The vote ended in a 6-6 split, but a last-minute vote change by Hokan put the vote at 7-5, in favor of Alaric. Though Alaric was declared Overseer of the Union, a proposed amendment to the constitution created a Lieutenant Overseer role (8-2-1 — passed), and Murphy II was appointed to this post by Alaric. 
Following this, it was now Alaric's job to appoint ministers to various roles. Draphonaris Morshu was selected as the Minister of Foreign Affairs. Kieyrah Aurelian, a seasoned commander and soldier, was selected as the Minister of National Defense.
===The Emergency===
After the signing of the Summer 18th Ordinance, the National Salvation Government entered a period of urgent development and territorial expansion. The Astorvia Bridge - also known as the Limurian Peak - was opened on Summer of 19 VE. Later, another bridge connecting Limuria and the newly-integrated Province of Paraíso was opened on Fall of 26 VE. Several towns were established - east of Elatsania, the three towns of Eyristelea, Auberon, Occulusia were created. To the north, Jokuku and Ateburu, and to the south, the city of Kadus. 
====Restoration of Shirokaneza====
On Spring of 23 VE, the city of Meldrynn collapsed, leading to its occupation by Zamotz. On Spring of 24 VE, ancient Shirokanezans led by Drigon were granted ownership of the land as they swore loyalty to the new Zamotz State. Meldrynn's decrepit architecture was torn down and Shirokanezans began creating their new hometown. A terraforming project by Shirokaneza had the peninsula turned into an island as a canal was constructed.
====South Adrámis Border Treaty====
With Qynthos-Centuria in decline, and unable to stop the rapid expansion of Zamotz, their leadership decided to have peace and concede parts of the territories it once claimed. On the Winter of 25 VE, Qynthos-Centuria recognized the independence of the Zamotz State, signing a border treaty with their former enemies. Regardless of this groundbreaking event, the Zamotz State, not expecting peace to come so quickly, was not ready to adopt a new constitution. Therefore, the period known as "the Emergency" formally continued with the Summer 18th Ordinance still in effect.
====Integration of Paraíso====
On Spring of 12 VE, the Kingdom of Paraíso seceded from the Qynthos-Centuria. However, overtime, Paraíso came to decay, with many of its citizens dying from the plague. On the Winter of 26 VE, to remedy the rapid and constant population decline of the Kingdom, Paraíso officially joined the Zamotz State as the Province of Paraíso.
====New Constitution====
On the Fall of 27 VE, Aote Hokan proposed a draft for a new constitution to the National Assembly. The Assembly proceeded to vote on changes to the draft until its passing on the Summer of 28 VE, with the vote on it passing almost unanimously. The Constitution of the Zamotz Union established Zamotz as a republic with a parliamentary system, wherein 7 of its 17 seats would be chosen provincially, and 10 elected with an open list system. The 27-page Constitution guaranteed basic civil rights and clarified electoral, executive, legislative and judicial procedure. The Constitution, as agreed on, would only take effect a week after its passing through the Assembly.
====Joining the United Vinovian Commonwealth====
On the Winter of 28 VE, Hannibal Alaric proposed accession of the Zamotz Union to join a federation under Vinovia. After the formation of a coalition from members who opposed the union altogether and those which wanted to wait for the Constitution to be passed first, the vote to join was defeated with 11 for, 1 abstention and 12 against. A revote after the passing of the Constitution saw accession to the United Vinovian Commonwealth pass with 14 for, 3 abstentions and 3 against.
==Government and politics==
The Zamotz State is a provisional government that operates as a democratic republic. It functions nearly as a direct democracy, with the vast majority of its citizens enfranchised in the legislature. 
===Government===
The Zamotz State is governed by the Chamber of Representatives.
The executive body is headed by the President (currently Banana B. Brian) who is in turn aided by the ministers.
The legislative body consists solely of the Chamber of Representatives.
=== Political parties ===
The Zamotz Union's first elections were held in July 2024 with three main parties emerging: the United Zamotz Party or UZP (led by Banana B. Brian), the National Party or NP (led by Adranus Murphy II and Aote Hokan), and the Partij der Kaaskoppen or KP (led by Draphonaris Morshu). The KP soon fell and, with the UZP having a landslide victory and Banana B. Brian winning the presidential elections, the NP soon collapsed due to accounts of brainwashing made by party members, soon being replaced by the more reformed Heritage and Progress Coalition (HPC) headed by Seivyr Ares Carthagena (in addition, a minority of former NP members left to become Independents). The UZP also experienced some minor decline as Hannibal Alaric chose to leave the party along with some other members.