Republic of Tobuck

**Republic of Tobuk** — a state located in the west of Zebraland, with its foundation being the major city of Tobuk, which has become a trading port and a refuge for refugees from around the world, along with several adjacent territories.

## Lore

### Early History, Storm Lord’s Invasion

The bustling port city of Tobuk is an ancient place that has changed hooves many times over the centuries. It was first built by the  Maregyptians in ancient times and later fell under the hooves of the  Warzenan monarchy which failed to fully suppress or integrate the region so they decided to give away the city. After fruitful negotiations with the  Imazeeb tribes approximately half a century ago, Tobuck and the surrounding lands were integrated into the new tribal confederation of  Zarantia proper for the purposes of modernising the otherwise tribal society. Their best laid plans were cut short with the rise of the Storm Lord and his war across Zebraland. Tobuk was sacked and destroyed and the Storm Lord squatted in the ruins until his reign abruptly ended with a premature death at sea.

### Pi Shooter's Arrival

Now Tobuk is a state and a city and a nation. It is a land filled with all manner of cultures, races, languages and every denomination of society from the richest to the poorest of creatures. What national identity there could have been as a core part of  Zarantia was largely shattered when Storm Lord swept across Zebraland. A relatively popular movement to re-join the tribes plagues the current administration, but the top brass will not be deterred so easily. Pi Shooter, a born  Severyanian brought up in  Equestria, has plans involving the Storm Lord’s weapon stockpiles that were originally to be used for the invasion of his homeland; his one goal is to make a fortune selling them before returning home a far richer pony. Once he departs, successful or otherwise, the  Zarantians will try to take over Tobuck once more as stipulated in his deal with them; but nopony else knows that just yet. At his side is Vasile Cel Tradat, a griffon hailing from far away  Prywhen who is as intelligent and capable as he is skilled in slimy business and maintaining his personal power base. His goals extend far beyond PinShooter's, having no intention of leaving in the near or far future; he simply has to wait for his boss to leave, or 'help' whoever takes over in his stead.

### Present Day - The Blank State

In addition to his patient aide the informal military in Tobuk is composed of three warlords who, should they discover Pi Shooter's plan, will be none too pleased with his machinations. Wallant Drive, Alesia Snowy, and Baragzen all have their own ideals for Tobuk; but they will need to secure their own power before they move on to greater things.

Who will write upon the blank slate that is Tobuk? You?

## Geography

Situated between Chiropterra, Warzena, Zarantia and the Green Bay lies the small Republic of Tobuk. Most of its land is desert, although plains can be found along the coast. Tobuk can be divided into two parts, the mainland which houses the capital and namesake of the republic. The other part is the island of Manerba situated between the city of Tobuck and Chiropterra.

## Starting Situation

The situation at the start is not promising. You have a total of 4 divisions, three of which have a decent template consisting of 7 infantry battalions, level 12 experience, and equipped at 70%. The remaining division consists of four infantry battalions and artillery support, with an experience level of 8. Apart from these divisions, you have a template of pegasi, consisting of four battalions, and a garrison template with three infantry battalions. For the next six months, these are your only troops due to the national spirit "Rely on Military Commanders," which prohibits the training of new divisions. The industrial capacity is also subpar — 4 military factories, 2 occupied with the production of bolt-action rifles, 1 producing pre-industrial artillery, and 1 for additional equipment; 3 free dockyards; and 3 factories producing consumer goods. Additionally, you have a fleet of three destroyers and an air fleet of 8 medium airships.

### Politics

All your starting territories are national, but there are claims on them by the  Kingdom of Warzena and  Zarantia. However, a serious threat from these countries is not expected until victory over  Chiropterra is achieved.

## National Focus

### Initial Focus Tree

Playing as Tobuk is divided into three stages: Tobuk under Pi Shooter, Tobuk before the war with  Chiropterra, and Tobuk after this war. In the first stage, you have a small focus tree. Primarily, these focuses provide you with new decisions, money, weapons, and political power. The focus tree is divided into three branches: the left one, leading to the focus "Goodbye, and Thanks for the Bits," upon completion of which you transfer your lands to  Zarantia and can continue the game as them; the middle branch, helping you sell weapons more efficiently; the right branch, aimed at extending the duration of the "Suspicion of Military Commanders" task. In the right branch, it is worth noting the mutually exclusive focuses "Cunning Festrals," "Exiled King," and "White Northerner." If your "Suspicion of Military Commanders" task expires, completing one of these focuses will change your government to Dominion with one of three possible leaders: Wallant Drive ("Cunning Festrals" focus), Baragzen ("Exiled King" focus), or Alesia Snowy ("White Northerner" focus). If you have not completed any of these focuses, but the task deadline has passed, then your government remains Neutral, and the leader becomes Vasile sel Tradat.

#### Decisions from the Tabs "Mines and Pi Treaty" and "Bits and Guns"

Throughout your gameplay while completing focuses from the first branch, decisions will revolve around these tabs. In the "Mines and Pi Treaty" tab, there is the task "Suspicion of Military Commanders" with an initial deadline of 75 days. This time can be extended by completing focuses from the right branch, focuses "Expand the Rights of the Guard" and "Do Not Trust Their Lies!" from the left branch, and decisions that appear when completing the focuses "Facade Democracy" and "Rules of Good Business" from the left and right branches, respectively. If the task deadline expires, Pi Shooter will have to leave Tobuk prematurely, leaving it at the mercy of military commanders and privateers.

The decisions in the "Bits and Guns" tab add an intriguing layer. At the start, you have access to only two decisions: "Collect and sell 5 Criminals" and "Filter the money." The first decision aims to obtain dirty money (in this case, 5 million). It requires 5 guns and 25 political power. The second decision allows you to remove 15 million of dirty money and gain 5 million in a safe location overseas. Initially, you have 100 guns, 0 million dirty money, and 5 million clean.

The more clean money you have by the end of the first stage, the better Pi Shooter's fate will be after his departure to Equestria. If the "Suspicion of Military Commanders" task expires, the remaining dirty money can be used for positive bonuses or equipment. You can also provide additional funds for Vasile depending on the remaining guns after Shooter's departure.

Efficiently acquiring dirty money will be aided by decisions unlocked by completing focuses "Each to Their Game" and "Goodies for Them" in the left branch and "Weapon Sales Business" in the central branch. Decisions like "Each to Their Game," "Goodies for Them," "Supply Inspection," and "Weapon Sales Business" help in acquiring guns for sale, while the focus "Organized Procurement" reduces the cost of decisions to acquire guns. The focus "Meeting with the Banker" unlocks a large-scale money laundering decision. The focuses "Goodies for Them" and "Efficiency Review" grant one-time dirty money, while focuses like "Goodbye, and Thanks for the Bits," "Quality Goods," "First Rule," and "Third Rule" also grant one-time clean money.

#### Save the Republic

If in the previous focus tree you did not choose any of the three military leaders, then during the struggle for power, the forces of the Republican Guard will prevail and Vasile Cel Tradat will take on the task of fixing the situation. You will receive a small branch of 9 focuses, the goal of which is to restore the country after anarchy. Then, by completing the focus "Father of the Fatherland," you will be given further choices for Tobruk's development: you can build a real republic with elections and a parliament (neutrality), or you can organize a totalitarian dictatorship of one griffon (supremacy). Both branches have three central focuses that you should complete as soon as possible. They will give you bonuses for the upcoming war with the Hippogriffs, as well as bonuses depending on the chosen path for the republic (two divisions with a front width of 10, 500 infantry equipment, 10% war support, and +0.5% conscription population from neutrals, or a division with a front width of 20 and support from unicorns and sappers, a new general, 25 army experience, and +5% attack and defense on national territories). Both branches also allow you to trade weapons and use the earned money to improve the country. It is also worth noting the focuses "Crimes of Pi Shuter" and "Release them to freedom," which can only be completed if Pi Shuter took 50 million to Equestria. The focuses "Honor the Congress," "Virtues of Freedom," "I was Born in Tobruk" from the neutrality branch and "Pragmatism has its merits," "The Greatest of all Virtues," "Republic of Free Choice" from the supremacy branch will rid you of negative national spirits.

In the neutrality branch, you will improve life in the country and cooperate with the harmonists. In addition to the previously mentioned focuses, it is also worth highlighting the focuses "State Employment Scheme" and "Party for the Poor and Deprived," which will eliminate illiteracy, the focus "Popular School," which will increase literacy in the country both in execution and resolution, the focus "Modern Industry, Modern Republic" that promotes social development, and the focus "Technological Wonders" that improves our scientific base. Most likely, when completing the focus "Referendum on Miharzehir," Varzena will refuse to accept the results of the referendum, which will lead to war with Varzena. It is advisable to avoid this until you defeat the Hippogriffs, as Varzena potentially stronger than you, and the border with her significantly complicates the war compared to the same Hippogriffs.

After defeating the Hippogriffs, a new focus tree will open up to you depending on the path of development of the republic chosen by you earlier.