Zibythides

Zibythides, officially the Zibythi Confederacy, is a country in western Yoju, bordered by Nukigurun, Esia, Norikhwum, and Barthia. Occupying 648,405 square kilometers, it is a relatively flat country with rolling hills to the south. The traditional homelands of the Zibythi people include present-day Zibythides, as well as parts of Nukigurun and Esia.

The territory that now constitutes Zibythides was previously home to several ancient cultures, including the city-states of Tirizi, Kastobaci, and Zaieli; the Saldeni League; and the Kingdom of Tylias. The area was subjugated by Nukigurun in 1613. As Nukigurun faced political, social, and economic collapse in the 1930s, Zibythides declared independence in 1936, beginning the Zibythi Rebellion. The nation was granted independence in 1942 following the disintegration of Nukigurun. A civil war was fought immediately after independence, and ended with the establishment of the Zybithi Confederacy in 1947. Following the war, peacetime stability and foreign aid allowed Zibythides's economy to grow quickly.

Since 1968, the country has been governed by the Eliopoulos family, a political family that rose to prominence in the 1950s and 1960s. Like most other neighboring West Yoju countries, Zibythides, led by President Pyraechmenes Eliopoulos since 1996, has been criticized by several non-governmental organizations for leadership, rampant crime, corruption, and civil rights violations. The nation's leadership has received criticisms for its associations with international crime families, leading allegations of Zibythides being a.

Zibythides is a of nine states whose leaders are elected through a process of. The nation's president is aided by three Federal Councilmen, who are elected by the public and assist in governmental duties. It has a transition economy that is heavily dependent on commercial fishing, mining, and heavy industry. It is a member of the Council of Nations.

Etymology
The name "Zibythides" comes from the Bolythi word meaning "the most holy/the most beautiful." The name was used to refer to the region as early as the 12th century, and refers to an alleged missionary visit by the obscure Christian philosopher and saint Ahmet. Ahmet's letters to early churches in the area were widely influential, and many citizens of the Tylian kingdom regarded him as a brother. Ahmet reportedly commended King Masilius the Great for having a "most holy kingdom," after which many citizens of the kingdom began referring to themselves as "zibythides--" the most holy of people.

Prehistory
The earliest evidence of humans in Zibythides dates back to around 7,600 BCE, and skeletal remains of proto-Yojunese people have been found in present-day Cioclovina. Evidence suggests the earliest permanent settlements in Zibythides were founded along the Pystiri River, likely founded by nomads from present-day Esia. By 3,500 BCE most of modern-day Zibythides was inhabited and home to several distinct cultures, most notably the Bolythi of the Pystiri River delta, the Drasda of Pergamos Island, and the Rhinoni and Beda in the northern Sirra Plains. By 1,000 BCE, the Beda had achieved ascendency and had consolidated into a kingdom.

The Beda expanded southwest along the Pystiri River; though they kept no written records, it is suggested they had expanded into a regional empire by 500 BCE and had asserted control over most of the region, apart from Pergamos Island. Around 400 BCE the Beda empire had rapidly collapsed. This was likely caused by a severe famine that struck the region, combined with aggressive expansions into the kingdom by neighboring tribes. By 350 BCE the region was fragmented into hundreds of small tribal units. Jewelry found in Tristolos suggests that these tribes had despotic rulers who styled themselves as kings, but their power was limited and it is likely the position of king was only held as long as one could hold it.

Nuki Conquests
By the late 16th century, much of Yoju to the east of Tylias had been subjugated by Nukigurun. In 1598, King Ziselmius the Foolhardy received an envoy from Nukigurun demanding Tylias surrender peacefully; in exchange, the Tylian royal family would be allowed to march peacefully out of their holdings and be granted minor governmental positions under the Nuki government. In an act of defiance, Ziselmius ordered the envoy to be seized, and liquid silver was poured down his throat. The envoy was returned to Nukigurun, who, in outrage, assaulted the border city of Sucae and famously slaughtered every soldier down to the last man, set the city ablaze, and salted the nearby fields. The Tylians pushed back, and fought a series of losing battles against the Nuki army. Finally, on May 20th of 1600, King Ziselmius VI met the Nukigurun armies on the banks of the Dromichae River. The Tylian army was crushed, and Nukigurun marched into the city. The region was incorporated into Nukigurun on October 23rd of 1600, signaling the end of the Tylian Kingdom.

Nukigurun established a client state led by King Spargaethepes, a Rhinoni nobleman. While chosen for his loyalty to the Nuki government and his willing to fight alongside Nukigurun in the war against Tylias, Spargaethepes was married to a distant member of the Tylian noble family, and saw himself as a mediator between the needs of the Zibythi people and the demands of the Nuki government. His ability to cater to both parties was most clearly demonstrated in 1615, when Nukigurun ordered the destruction of the High Church of Astopolis, the center of Christian leadership in Zibythides. Spargaethepes interceded on behalf of the Christians, and convinced the Nuki leader to relent. Spargaethepes died with the reputation of a hero and savior of the Zibythi people, and was canonized as a saint in the Church of Zibythides.

Spargaethepes's efforts would eventually be undone by his great-grandson Sporatocos the Unready, a Tengri worshiper who was married to a Nuki noblewoman. His leadership saw the defamation of the High Church in 1736, and the establishment of Tengri worship as the dominant religion. It was also under his rule that conscription requirements were broadened, leading to many Zibythi men being drafted for Nukigurun's conquests. Sporatocos's unpopularity led to riots, which were violently suppressed by Nukigurun. In 1744, the client state was abolished, and Zibythides was absorbed into Nukigurun proper.

Zibythi Rebellion
By the late 19th century, social unrest throughout Nukigurun had weakened its grasp on its client states and territories. The concept of an independent Zibythi state was first introduced around 1898, when a riot broke out in Maedion in protest of increased taxes. This riot escalated into the Maedion Incident, in which thousands of Zibythi men armed themselves with farming implements and torches, and set Nuki manufacturing centers ablaze. The conflagration spun out of control, destroying large portions of the city and killing thousands. In response, the government of Nukigurun sent in a contingent of troops to suppress the rebellion, culminating in the Slaughter at Posae River in which hundreds of Zibythi citizens were killed. The battle sparked revolutionary zeal in the population, and the Zibythi Freedom Council was formed in 1901. Founder and statesman Zoutula Anaxes said of the council, What we have established this day is nothing short of the first step of the monumental journey towards sovereignty and freedom for the Zibythi people. This journey is one that can not be undertaken peacefully--it it is one that must be undertaken with no little trepidation, with one's sword arm at the ready. The independence granted us by God himself is self-evident; had Nukigurun not trifled with God's holy people, God would not have sent us to remind them of the consequences of such sins.

The movement for independence grew slowly throughout Zibythides; modern historians estimate roughly 3% of all Zibythi citizens wanted independence, and these people were predominately city-dwellers. Rural Zibythi people and minority groups tended to sympathize with Nukigurun, who they saw as a source of stability in the region and protection from outside threats. Resistance demonstrations were isolated to urban centers and were spread far apart. Between 1901 and 1920, the Zibythi Freedom Council primarily targeted Nuki military camps, places of Tengri worship, and government buildings with firebombing attacks. Small skirmishes were also fought by small contingents of soldiers, often resulting in defeat for the Freedom Council. In 1928, three members of the Freedom Council were captured and publicly executed in the streets of Maedion, which alarmed and infuriated the Zibythi people. The Freedom Council twisted the news into a recruitment tool, and by 1930 the Freedom Council numbered over 100,000 people, mostly militia members.

In 1935, Nukigurun was drawn into the Great Eulhae War. While many Zibythi men were drafted into the Nuki military, and several battalions of exclusively Zibythi soldiers were formed, the Allied forces funded Zibythi independence movements. In 1936, Zibythides formally declared their independence, the Freedom Council believing that adding another front to Nukigurun's war would weaken it to the point it would quickly concede. In practice, many Zibythi loyalists, aided by the Nuki government, fought against the revolutionaries, resulting in a chaotic civil war. By 1940, the revolutionaries had decisively defeated the loyalists, due mostly to support from the Allies. When the Great Eulhae War ended in the disintegration of Nukigurun, Zibythides had organized itself into a transition government, and it was formally granted independence in 1942.

The new state elected Zoutula Anaxes as its leader, but there was popular support for both Rholes Thiamarkos and Cotizo Denzibalos, two popular leaders of the Freedom Council. The newly formed government under Anaxes was capitalist, but Thiamarkos and Denzibalos supported a socialist and fascist government, respectively. Just months after independence had been granted, Thiamarkos marched on the new capital with a personal battalion of soldiers demanding that Anaxes abdicate. Anaxes declared war on the socialist movement, and the fascists soon joined the war. After five years of fighting, the Zybithi Civil War ended in a capitalist victory in 1947. Following the war, a new charter was passed establishing the Zybithi Confederacy.

Government and Politics
Zibythides is a  under a. Unlike most nations in Tiandi, the nation practices direct democracy on all levels of government. Citizens may challenge laws made by the legislature, and may seek amendments to the constitution. Amendments to the Federal Constitution of Zibythides, the joining of international organizations, or changes to federal laws that have no foundation in the constitution must be approved by the majority of the people. Suffrage is ostensibly universal and equal, open to permanent residents and citizens age sixteen or older. In practice, many people groups in Zibythides are disenfranchised by poll taxes and educational and character requirements. The voting restrictions most severely affect ethnic Nukis.

The President is both and  of Zibythides. The president is elected by the general public to six-year terms, and can serve no more than four terms. The Federal Councilmen serve the President as advisers and councilors, and have limited powers. They are elected by the public to no more than three four-year terms; however, candidacy is not open to the public and Federal Council candidates are chosen by the President.

Legislative power is vested in the bicameral Federal Assembly. The Council of States contains 36 seats, and the Chamber of Councilors contains 220. All seats are elected directly and elections are held every four years. 218 of the 220 seats in the Chamber of Councilors are held by members of the Conservative Party, the Labor Party, and the Evangelical Peoples Party, the largest political parties in Zibythides.

Law Enforcement and Crime
The judicial system is independent of the executive and legislative branches. The Supreme Court is the final instance in all civic and criminal cases. The system is also composed of civil courts, which judge civil and penal cases, and administrative courts, which judge disputes between the citizens and the Zibythi administrative authorities. The legal system of Zibythides operates on a common law at the federal level and in every state.

A study conducted by the Tiandi Health Organization concluded that homicide rates are 5.6 times higher in Zibythides than in countries of a similar income level, especially those in West Yoju. Homicide by firearm rates are 12.4 times higher. Gun ownership rights continue to be a contentious political issue. Citizens are forbidden by law from owning assault-style weapons, while hunting rifles and shotguns are legal; however, the high rate of arms smuggling in the region has enabled easy access to high-powered weapons, and the government is lax in enforcing this policy.

In 2018, the murder rate was 6.6 per 100,000. Regarding method of murder, 71% were committed with a firearm, 18% with a knife, and 11% by other means. Violent crime rose sharply in the 1960s until the 1990s, and then decline in the late 90s and early 2000s. Since 2010, the homicide rate has steadily increased. Of the murders committed in 2018, 96% were committed by ethnic Bolythni, Drasdi, Rhinoni, and Bedi; homicides committed by Nuki people accounted for less than 1%, but received significantly more media coverage.

Zibythides has received criticisms for its alleged associations with the Zibythi Mafia. The Mafia arose in Zibythides in the 1950s, primarily in impoverished Etruscan and Bedi neighborhoods. The Mafia is currently most active in southwestern Zibythides, and operates in low-income communities in major trade cities. The Eliopolous family have long been associated with the Zibythi Mafia, having been one of the original Three Families that make up The Contingent, the governing body of organized crime in the country. Despite the Eliopolous family having distanced itself from the Mafia in the 80s, allegations of the family's activity in the organization persist. The three Federal Councilmen serving under President Eliopolous are suspected mob members, as are most state governors. As of 2018, 20% of seats in Legislature were held by a suspected member of the Mafia.

Gang activity in Zibythides is exceptionally high, even outside of organized crime. As of 2016, a suspected 600,000 people were members of street gangs, with more than 14,000 gangs in operation. Studies have reported that Zibythides is a "breeding ground" for gangs, given the presence of many identified risk factors that predict one's chances of being in a gang. The nation's numbers of socially marginalized groups, regular poor academic performance among youth, youth unemployment, lack of effective social programs, and high rate of violent crime are all contributing factors to the nation's high gang population. Of the gangs in Zibythides, the Mafia has the highest membership; this is followed by ethnic gangs.

Capital punishment is sanctioned in Zibythides for certain crimes at the federal level, as well as in four states. Historically, it has only been employed in instances of homicide. Despite its legality, the death penalty has not been imposed since 1993.

Criticisms
Zibythides is officially a republic, operating under a presidential system. It is, however, a dominant-party system, where the Conservative Party holds the majority of seats in the Federal Assembly. Pyraechmenes Eliopoulos has held the office of President continuously since 1996. The Federal Councilmen election of 2017 aroused many accusations from international observers that President Eliopoulos manipulated the election processing by choosing candidates who were known close friends and business associates. Election observers have noted that Zibythi elections on all levels of government are influenced by vote-buying and threat-making, and that the elections "fail to meet many basic democratic standards." The government routinely investigates their elections and reports that "few to zero violations regularly occur, and any that may occur do not affect the will of the Zibythi people."

Elections in Zibythides are often criticized for disenfranchising non-Zibythi people. The 1996 presidential election infamously instituted poll taxes that many people, primarily ethnic Nukis, could not afford. The nation also institutes employs "character tests" at all levels of government that are administered to citizens registering to vote. These tests have received allegations for favoring ethnic Zibythis while excluding minorities.

Freedom of press is ostensibly guaranteed by the constitution. In practice, independent press outlets are restricted, as is a substantial amount of web content. Journalists are not obstructed from reporting on controversial events, and public criticism of the presidential administration is tolerated; in reality, however, several high-profile reporters have been reported missing after criticizing the government. It is generally speculated that most public opposition is met with quiet suppression and threats, but the government has denied this.

Zibythides is notorious for its ties with organized crime elements. Several mafia families exist in the country, and many politicians are suspected to have mafia ties. A Jeongmian news report in 2018 stated that many diplomats view Zibythides as "a corrupt, autocratic kleptocracy centred on the leadership of Pyraechmenes Eliopoulos, in which officials, oligarchs and organised crime are bound together to create a virtual mafia state...this is not a frivolous metaphor...Eliopoulos has effectively established himself as a capo, diving spoils and preventing turf wars between rival clans of an essentially criminal elite." This view is reinforced by the high amounts of drug and weapons trafficking that occurs along the borders of the country, as well as the known affiliations many politicians have had with the Zibythi Mafia since the 1950s. The government has argued that accusations of Zibythides being "a heaven for arms trafficking" and "the black hole of Yoju" are a calculated defamation campaign started by political rivals in Yoju. Investigations backed by the Zibythi government have reported no link between the Eliopoulos administration and the trafficking of arms or drugs.

Demographics
The Bolythni language is the mother tongue of roughly 50% of the population of Zibythides. The Drasdi and Rhinoni languages roughly make up another 40%, and are linguistically related to Bolythni. The Beda people of Paltoi State, though considered to be a part of Bolythni ethnicity, are nevertheless linguistically and culturally distinct from the Bolythni, and speak a number of Elysian languages, being isolated to the X mountains between Elysia and Zibythides. They have retained many ancient cultural traditions and folk arts that have otherwise been lost to time.

The largest urban centers of Zibythides include Tristolos (the capital), Astopolis, Krobyzi, Maedion, Dardopolis, and Portulatensi.

Languages
The official and vernacular language of Zibythides is Bolythni, although the de facto language used in business and communication is Nuki. The government has sought to eliminate the use of Nuki in the country, to limited success. An amendment passed in 1991 removed all official roles for Nuki, but it was repealed in 1998. Today, the Nuki language is still widely spoken, but it is considered unfit for lawmaking and citizens are urged to do all official communications in Bolythni. Despite this, the use of Nuki is pervasive and it remains unrecognized as an official language.

Religion
The government of Zibythides is officially secular, and the constitution provides freedom of religion. Nearly 60% of the population is Christian, and the government has recognized two Christian holidays (Easter and Chirstmas) as state holidays. Nearly 30% of the population revere traditional Bolythni pantheism, and in many communities these beliefs have been blended with Christianity. A 2015 poll reported less than 10% of Zibythis who identify as Christian regularly attend service; less than 5% observe liturgical practices such as fasting for Lent.

Traditional Bolythni pantheism features self-mutilation, a practice that is continued by some adherents to this day. Bolythni warriors historically scarred each other in religious fervor prior to battle, and many ethnic Bolythi people scar each other in religious ceremonies, often choosing close friends or spouses as their designated "scarring partner." This practice was outlawed under Nuki rule, and is discouraged by the Church of Zibythides, and historical persecution from both groups led to decreased instances of the practice from the 17th to 20th centuries. Efforts to criminalize scarification have historically failed; a movement to outlaw the practice in 1957 was met with riots. Today, typically only deeply devout worshipers scar themselves.

Tengri worship is practiced by 8.5% of the population. Most of these practitioners include ethnic Nukis and people groups located near the Zibythides-Nukigurun border. Tengri worship is permitted under the Zibythi constitution, but Tengri holidays are not observed by the government. Other religious minority groups include Muslims and Jews, who together make up about 4% of the population.

Relationships between religious groups are generally amicable, but there is a growing fear among majority religious leaders that radical minority groups are undermining national unity. As of 2016, the radical Christian group The Lord's Sheep, a group that seeks to overthrow secular governments in west Yoju and create a unified Christian fundamentalist state, held roughly 20% of government positions. In response, citizens overwhelmingly voted for an amendment to the constitution to place limits on the ability of minority Christian groups to meet in public. By law, minority denominations are required to register with the state. Registration requires a denominational charter, a list of no fewer than thirty members, and evidence of government approval of all meeting and worship sites. Minority denominations cannot meet unless they have a registered public location. Failure to register can result in large fines and closure of places of worship. People under the age of sixteen are also barred from public religious practice.

Culture
Prior to the establishment of modern Zibythides, the region was home to many distinct people groups. Because of rapid urbanization in the 1950s and 1960s, these groups were brought together, and their cultures have blended to create something that is distinctly Zibythi. Original cultures still survive in rural areas.

Traditional cultural practices and ceremonies are widely practiced in Zibythi. One practice of note is that of polygamy, which was practiced by the ancient Bolythni and is still somewhat common outside of fundamentalist Christian circles despite its illegality under Nuki rule. Bolythni men traditionally took no fewer than ten wives, and were considered unmarried until they had at least five. In modern times, most Bolythni men typically take two to four wives. The government recognizes Christmas and Easter as federal holidays.

Art
Pottery has been found in Zibythides dating back to the 6th century BCE. The earliest vessels were likely used primarily to carry liquids for religious ceremonies. The ancient Bolythni are also renowned for their elaborate tomb paintings. The burial places of ancient kings and queens are often labyrinthine, with paintings adorning every wall. Modern Zibythi paintings are well known throughout West Yoju for their simplicity and emotion.