Lotso Unification (Mirror)

*For the prime universe counterpart, see Lotso Unification Wars.*

The **Lotso Unification** was a culmination of nearly 50 years of continuous diplomatic talk and compromise, which eventually led to the formation of the Republic of Solaris.

## Background (before -47)

For millennia the Lotsos in the south have roamed around as nomads, a sharp contrast to the settled peoples of the north. Southern nomads would occasionally raid northern lands for their riches, but the north, for their part, were unable to put up a unified resistance.

Around -300 AY, the great conqueror "Lanertam" emerged from the south. Through effective diplomacy and conquest, he played the southern tribes against each other until they were no match against his armies. Thus did the northerners dub him "The Great Terrorizer." Despite his victories in the South, however, Lanertam was only able to reach as far north Kekar Pass, in the equator, before dying to an antimatter explosion. His Goghulid Kingdom (Great Goghul) would influence southern politics for the next few centuries.

By -55, the Great Goghul was beginning to show signs of fracture. King Lotsman XI found himself forced to gradually devolve power to local assemblies, until he had only a ceremonial position remaining. In -48, while leading an expeditionary force into the Western Wastes, he was ambushed by a commander Jewekar of Suntar from the Northern Gul kingdom. After a fierce battle, Lotsman XI agreed to be taken prisoner, and a few months later officially abdicated his throne to Jewekar.

Upon hearing this news, the High Council of Elders in the Gul Kingdom was in an uproar. Not only did Jewekar betray his loyalty to their Kingdom, he completely switched sides to be King of Goghul, a longtime enemy. A prominent official known as Tarmin was called to mediate this dispute of honor.

A brilliant diplomat, Tarmin emerged from shadowy beginnings in the early days of myth and legend. The oldest of the elders, he first served as high advisor to the King of Gul, and was beloved by the people for his wiseness and strength of spirit. In -47, he organized the great "Expedition of Peace" composed of the Kingdom's finest diplomats, and held the first of 12 diplomatic talks in the neutral territory of Kekaria, which would eventually lead to a peaceful unification of all Lotsos.

## Lotso Unification (-47 -- 0)

### The First Expedition of Peace (-47)

Though the details of this legendary talk are lost to time, we now know that both parties considered two things: the Sovereignty of the Great Goghul and the fragile balance of power between the North and South. The conference lasted 16 weeks, in which they discussed implications of keeping Jewekar in power, versus restoring a king which could potentially institute a reign of tyranny from his lust for conquest.

In the end, they decided on two conditions for keeping Jewekar in power:

* He must institute a governing council which has the ability to retract any laws made without the consent of the nobility.
* He agrees to give up all claims to the northern territories, which will form an independent buffer state with the Kingdom of Gul.

### The Second Expedition of Peace (-45)

Commonly known as "The Great Referendum," it ended the practice of throne inheritance. Thus, the King of Goghul, once he died, would not pass his throne on to a designated successor, and a new republic would be established. This expedition is noted because it is the first instance in Lotso history that a national law based on the will of the people was passed. Tarmin was among those who counted the votes to make sure there was no corruption or cheating.

### The Next Expeditions of Peace (-40 -- -8)

Over the next few decades, Tarmin acted as ambassador to the neighboring countries all over the planet. He managed to establish strong diplomatic ties and made breakthroughs in a new economic, capitalist global marketplace. The results of the Expeditions are as follows:

* Expedition III: Establish embassy with the Unitar Lotsos.
* Expedition IV: Mediate dispute between two Northern Kingdoms.
* Expedition V: Technology sharing with the Southern Tribes.
* Expedition VI: In response to Jewekar usurping power from the Governing Council, deposed the Great Goghul Kingdom and established a parliamentary democracy, the first in Lotso history, as a test to see its effects.
* Expedition VII: In response to Tertermak's Rebellion against the Goghulid Republic. Settled a peace dispute which would send him to a re-education center, and established tighter restrictions on the military.
* Expedition VIII: Settled a voting-rights dispute in the Goghulid Republic. Open voting to all male and female Lotsos, thus creating the first universal suffrage system.
* Expedition IX: Devised a world standard currency and capitalist marketplace promoting free exchange of ideas and goods.
* Expedition X: Abolished the prison system and established the re-education centers as new forms of long-term reform.

### The Eleventh Expedition of Peace (-6)

In the capital of Gul, heads of state from all over Solaris met to discuss a new super-national construct: the Union of Lotso Nations. While member states would still be *de facto* independent, they would have a standardized system for economic and political matters. A Security Council consisting of the top three nations would be in charge of the Prosperity of the People. Tarmin, in a meeting, famously called for a notion that "All Lotsos are brothers... We will achieve a new harmony greater than anything we have ever dreamed of, no war, no poverty, no disease. I foresee, possibly, a great union of creatures, big and small, which would share the universe in co-prosperity and equality."

In -5, as a result of this Expedition, the first Parliament and Security council representing all Lotso Nations convened for the first time.

### The Twelfth Expedition of Peace (0)

In response to the death of the King of Gul, an election was held to determine the first president of the newly established Republic. After Tarmin's political opponent was exposed in a lustful scandal, Tarmin won by a huge margin. He convened the ULN parliament to discuss potential planetary unification, and a few months later, the measure was approved. The various states of Solaris, most of which were republics by this point, adopted the measure; remaining Kingdoms became autonomous vassals. Tarmin was chosen to be first Archon of the new Republic of Solaris, and a new age began for the Lotso people.