World Society Headquarters, Messelia, Sartoria, 2132

A normal day for work, in the diplomatic center of Artemis. Diplomats, bureaucrats, public figures and more, scurrying about the many hallways and hundreds of conference room and offices. Perhaps an occasional shouting match as the passions of the few reach a high. Nothing was terribly out of place, and so a Septiman diplomat wandering around, looking for her correct room was nothing much to worry about.

What gives more food for thought is the content of the briefcase she held, and her mission here in Messelia on behalf of an entire world power. That of decades of space-related research and data, alongside several personally penned letters by Septiman leadership, with a goal of unifying dozens of early warning and detection satellites into a single harmonious system.
At last, the room revealed itself to her, and she unceremoniously entered. Offering an apology, she traveled to her seat, and began her set-up for the presentation.  Dozens of blurry images, predicted orbital trajectories, rows and rows of statistics concerning computers and their processing power. Intermittent handouts for a potential organization under the World Society. She came prepared, at least on paper, if not for the upcoming presentation as well.

“Again, I offer my apologies to the conference. My name is Szófia Fekete, Minister-Counselor within the Seven Republics' Mission to the World Society, and I am here today to present the case for consolidating all space-related early warning, search and track, and long-range detection satellites and radars into a single entity, under the overall supervision of the World Society. In addition, a case will be made for bringing all related computing systems under the same organization, to assist in the processing of all acquired data and produce a more efficient early warning system.”

A projector, set up in advance and now displaying a bland title screen, clicked, and revealed a map of Artemis, her moon Apollo, and the myriad collection of satellites operated by individual nations within the World Society. “This, as clearly labeled, is a collection of all non-military satellites currently operated by the member nations sitting in this room. Some of the information present on the table is a much more comprehensive look at all of them, if you are interested.”

“What the Seven Republics desires for an early warning system, more specifically, is to remove some of the administrative red tape and data delay between member nations, so that we are better equipped to detect and engage any potential threats to Artemis. It is no secret that our off-world counterparts are as space-capable as we are, if not moreso, and thus, it is becoming more and more necessary to be able to search for threats and know of them sooner.”

“The primary consideration for unifying the satellites is the different protocols in place for collecting data. This can be solved with a team sent to all satellites to perform reprogramming at their source, with member nation consent and assistance of course, and would be of great use to the secondary, and perhaps far more important component to the entire system: the computers that process all gathered data and generate orbital path predictions off of it.”

“A similar consideration exists in the form of protocol and operating systems, but just as well, there is simply not enough processing power currently used for early warning to match the data we are receiving. The pages on that topic are of course available in far greater detail on the table. The World Society, or at a minimum all nations not matching their data input, should without a shadow of a doubt be pouring far more resources into expanding their processing capabilities so that we can more accurately form a comprehensive defense picture for space threats.”

“That is the position of the Seven Republics. Are there any questions concerning the presentation?”

Opetra, Duchy of Vordeis
Kingdom of Ardinat

The people of Vordeis were an oppressed minority. Always discriminated, their traditions were viewed by Ardinat as inferior, and their ancient religion as forbidden. But they had enough of the tyranny over the centuries.

In the 19th century, the Vordeis revolted many, many times. At the last revolt, the Ardinatans were so brutal that the people remembered that and never rose up again. Ardinatan rule here is more dystopian than in the rest of the country, which itself suffers under an almost orwellian regime. But now, they will never forget.

“...We are good to go. Our leader has affirmed our event”

This was the spark of the revolt. An uprising to change everything.

The rebels rose up and took the town of Opetra in the western Vordeis. The surrounding villages, also filled with secret rebel cells, followed suit and revolted.

The Opetra Uprising had begun.

Representatives from Kapel and Vallen met today to ratify the Kapelgian Archipelago Treaty. The ceremony, held in the Kapelgian capital of Belarion, marks the creation of a political and economic alliance between the two countries.

The negotiations for what would become the treaty began in the closing days of the Second Kalve War. Kapelgian nationalists sought to ally the newly independent Kapelgian state with Vallen, to protect against future Akarusian threats. Negotiations in the following months would see the scope of the treaty expanded into its present form.

Major points from the Kapelgian Archipelago Treaty include:

• The establishment of a mutual defense pact between the signatories of the treaty.
  
• Recognition of the 1922 Armistice Line as the formal border between Kapel and Vallen. Both nations agree to renounce any territorial claims on the other.
  
• The creation of a customs union and free trade area between the signatories of the treaty.
  
• The establishment of open borders between the signatories, allowing freedom of movement between them. This move is particularly aimed at reducing ethnic tensions in the divided Kalve region.
  
• The establishment of joint regulation and coordination on the extraction of oil and gas in the Kapelgian Archipelago.
  

PSELLUS DYNASTY (Dynasteia I)

Theodosius I Psellus "the Almighty" (1404-1442)
Constantine I Psellus (1442-1449)
Constantine II Psellus (1449-1471)
Constantine III Psellus (1471-1497)
Gregorius I Psellus (1497-1509)
Calixtus I Psellus "the Weak" (1509-1513)

Throne usurped by rebels

VATATZES DYNASTY (Dynasteia II)

Mercurius I Vatatzes (1513-1530)
Mercurius II Vatatzes (1530-1540)
John I Vatatzes (1540-1559)
Michael I Vatatzes (1559-1581)
Michael II Vatatzes (1581-1607)
Michael III Vatatzes (1607-1643)
Theodosius II Vatatzes (1643-1675)
Constantine IV Vatatzes (1675-1681)

Constantine IV dies heirless, Eskaeban Civil War (1681-1686) ensues

INTERREGNUM

Eulalius I Bardas (claimed) (1681-1683)
Constantine V Zimisces (claimed) (1681-1684)
Ambrosius I Glycas (claimed) (1681-1686)

DIOGENUS DYNASTY (Dynasteia III)

Michael IV Diogenus "the Warrior" (1681-1712)
Michael V Diogenus "the Fearless" (1712-1755)
Michael VI Diogenus "the Pious" (1755-1790)

Danaeism adopted as state religion under Michael VI (1757)

Sergius I Diogenus (1790-1797)
Constantine V Diogenus (1797-1812)
Constantine VI Diogenus (1812-1844)
Gregorius II Diogenus (1844-1867)
Volusius I Diogenus (1867-1882)
Constantine VII Diogenus (1882-1888)

Constantine VII dies at the age of 21 from disease, heirless, cousin claims throne

THEIKOS DYNASTY (Dynasteia IV)

Theodosius III Theikos (1888-1903)
John II Theikos (1903-1917)
John III Theikos (1917-1936)
John IV Theikos (1936-1956)
Michael VII Theikos (1956-1994)
Theodosius IV Theikos (1994-2019)
Michael VIII Theikos (2019-)*

Theodosius IV dies heirless, acting Crown Advisor Proclus Luscaris usurps throne

LUSCARIS DYNASTY (Dynasteia V)

Proclus I Luscaris (2019-)**

*Claimed
**Usurper

Michael Theikos looked out of the tall window of his palace, looking down onto the parade of citizens swarming into Andronikos Square in downtown Vetranopolis. The city had just received the word of the Basileus' assassination, and also of Luscaris' ascension to power. The city (and the south of Eskaeba, for that matter) had always despised Luscaris, his politics, and everything he stood for. 

Michael turned and faced the exquisite marble craftsmanship of Neptune in his foyer, as Theodosius' cousin, he now had a decision to make, but he couldn't bring himself to a unanimous decision.

He summoned his butler, a long and trustworthy friend of Michael's, and asked him.

"Well, I do believe you have a valid claim to the throne, my good S-"

"HEAR! HEAR! LUSCARIS SUSPENDS SENATE AND ASSUMES BASILEUS TITLE! HEAR! HEAR!"


Proclus I Luscaris

The screams of the news boy sprinting down the street rung in the ears of Michael, he had to contest the throne to prevent the country from devolving into a brutal authoritarian regime. The now-titled Basileus Proclus I announced his coronation date to be two weeks away, in the centre of Palimpela.

Michael ordered his butler to fetch his guard, and all available volunteers to his cause. Around 30,000 active military personnel had sworn fealty to Proclus after his succession, while Michael only had his guard of 200, well trained albeit, but not enough.


Michael VIII Theikos

He broadcast his message far and wide, targeting districts who voted for Labour or the Crown Party during the election. He styled himself as Michael VIII Theikos and officially laid claim to the Eskaeban throne, challenging Proclus' claim. Thus began the second Eskaeban Civil War.