Calbain Troubles

WRITING IN PROGRESS

The Fall of Calbion of 1730-1731 marked a pivotal moment in the history of the Calbain people, Aeronesia, and the Calbain overseas territories. The fall was characterized by a convergence of political upheaval, cultural tension, and societal disintegration. Triggered by the succession crisis following the death of Prince Arthur III and exacerbated by the controversial ascension of Deiniol to the princely throne, Calbion's collapse unfolded amidst a backdrop of intense opposition, nationalist fervour, and internal strife. As divisions deepened and allegiances fractured, the realm descended into chaos, with conservative factions seizing control in certain regions while others succumbed to anarchy and violence. The human toll exacted by Calbion's demise was profound, leaving untold suffering in its wake and laying bare the fragility of governance structures in the face of societal discord.

Background

Calbion was rocked by turmoil and uncertainty as news spread of the untimely demise of Prince Arthur III. With the passing of the beloved monarch, the principality found itself thrust into a state of mourning and apprehension. Whispers of succession loomed heavy in the air, casting a shadow over the once-stable realm.

Amidst the somber atmosphere that enveloped Calbion, the mantle of leadership fell upon an unexpected heir — Deiniol, a distant relative from Hurmu, who did not speak the Calbain language well, nor was considered a child of Calbion by the people there. As the newly crowned prince took his place upon the throne, murmurs of uncertainty rippled throughout the country, and questions lingered regarding the moral legitimacy of his claim to power. Much of the difficulty for Deiniol also lay in the media's outing of him as gay, which further strengthened the opposition against Deiniol in this rather homophobic country.

The ascension of Deiniol was thus met with a cacophony of dissent and opposition from segments of the Calbion populace. Protests erupted across the realm, with banners emblazoned with slogans denouncing the new prince and his rule. Across Calbion, voices clamoured for change, their grievances echoing through the hallowed halls of power.

As tensions reached a fever pitch, nationalist fervour swept through Calbion like wildfire, igniting the flames of resistance against external influence. Conservative factions rallied around the banner of cultural identity, fiercely protective of their traditions and heritage. The spectre of secession loomed large as regions sought to assert their autonomy and resist loyalty to the Prince, fearing the new Prince's leadership would lead to the erosion of their way of life.

Against the backdrop of escalating discord, allegiances within Calbion began to fracture along lines of loyalty and defiance. While it became evident that certain territories pledged their support to Prince Deiniol – such as Ynys y Calbain, Ura'Bos, the Brettish Isles, Sant Paula, and Blackstone, as well as the Calbain Church, for various reasons for themselves – the rest of the country withheld its allegiance, casting doubts upon the unity of the realm. The once-unified principality now stood on the precipice of fragmentation, its future hanging in the balance.

In regions such as Kilkelly, Aerys, Ingavia, Cybwlach, and mainland Andilaria, conservative factions seized upon the tumultuous climate to consolidate their hold on power. Draconian laws were enacted, dissent quashed, and opposition silenced as autocratic rulers tightened their grip on authority. The once-thriving communities of these strongholds now found themselves under the iron fist of oppressive rule, their freedoms curtailed in the name of preservation.

Despite the initial veneer of stability maintained by conservative strongholds, this soon descended into a state of chaos and despair. Internal power struggles and factional rivalries tore at the fabric of society, leaving communities fractured and vulnerable. As the central authority waned, criminal elements seized the opportunity to exploit the vacuum of power, plunging the realm into a protracted era of lawlessness and violence.

Faced with the specter of anarchy and societal collapse, Prince Deiniol embarked upon a desperate bid for survival, seeking refuge in his birth country of Hurmu. Diplomatic channels were opened between the Prince, with the support of the areas he had secured allegiance, and the Order of the Holy Lakes. Negotiations were initiated, as the beleaguered prince sought to secure the integration of the core of Calbion into the Hurmu realm, without which, he feared for a Calbain auto-genocide. Yet, amidst the chaos and uncertainty, the fate of Calbion hung precariously in the balance, its future teetering on the brink of oblivion.