History of FRAUT

Tsar Venotorov II (1510 -1532)
Appointing the next Tsar proved to be a difficult affair. Tsar Ventorov I appointed his son, Tyalopon Ventorov to succeed him. However, by the time Tsar Ventorov I had died, his son was only twelve years old. Instead, a council of elders was appointed to rule until the Tsar was of age. The new Council had no intention of giving over control of the country back to the new Tsar. However, in 1510, the Tsar now 30 years old decided to raise a private army to recapture control of the throne. Known as the Glorious Take, the Tsar's private army quickly captured the palace and forced the surrender of the Royal Council. The Council was then tried by the Tsar at the Royal Court for sedition and all members were killed in May of 1510. Tsar Ventorov II proved to be incompetent compared to his father. He began a period of war to attempt to regain control known as The Obedience. The Tsar's army raided villages in an attempt to extract tax revenue, mostly ending with the razing of villages who did not cooperate or refused. As word spread throughout the country of the actions, more villages began to rebel against the Tsar's army. These villages, mostly located in the western part of the country became known as The Righteous ones, and were organized under former Tsarist General Hukolof Fretolohn. The Tsar's forces were engaged in the village of Kahtula, which became known as The Battle of Kahtula. At this village, the Tsar's forces were effectively destroyed the the General's forces moved eastward into the capital and seized it in August of 1532.

Tsar Fretolohn I (1532 - 1584)
After the battle of Kahtula, the General renamed himself as the Tsar Fretolohn I, and began a period of rebuilding in the country. This period focused on rebuilding national infrastructure such as roads, and reforming the Army to effectively defend the border regions. Tsar Fretolihn re-instituted the tax collection system under Tsar Ventorov I, with some major changes. Instead of villages providing a form of tax to the traveling forces of the Tsar's Armies, to a monthly system that would be collected by local government offices, established in the major population centers. Tsar Fretolihn ruled until his death in 1584.

Tsar Fretolohn II (1585 - 1668)
Tsar Fretolohn was raised in the northern plains of what is today the province of Argovest. He was raised under the care of a godmother, as Tsar Fretolohn was occupied with ruling. From an early age, Tsar Fretolohn was academically gifted and was already maintaining key positions in his father's government at the age of 12. Once his father had died, Tsar Fretolohn quickly seized the Tsardom and banished the godmother, who he suspected was plotting against his rule. Tsar Fretolohn had two children, Antonon, and Ghotrok.

Succession to Tsar Fretolohn II went smoothly, when he officially was appointed in 1585. Tsar Fretolohn's main policy was known as the Great Sustainment, which focused on maintaining and stabilizing governance within the country. In 1597 Tsar Fretolohn II began a campaign to recapture the last of the warlord states in the west of Orda. This time, the campaign was successful and the tax collection system had ensured that the Tsar's armies did not have to resort to pillaging to fund their campaign. By the early 1600s, the campaign had ended and the armies had returned to garrison. Into the late 1500s, the country was largely governed by a feudal system. However, by the early 1600s the merchant class had begun trading, using goods from western Orda. This class only represented 0.5% of the population in 1615, but was growing quickly. By the death of Tsar Fretelohn II in 1668, the Merchant Class had gained a almost 99% of the wealth.

Tsar Grejorno I (1669 - December 1755)
The death of Tsar Fretolohn II in the fall of 1668 led to a crisis for the throne. Both of his sons, Antonon and Ghotrok had claimed rightful ascendancy, as there were no records for who was the senior son. Recognizing the crisis unfolding, a number of nobles petitioned for a royal council to investigate and appoint one of the sons. Both sons agreed, and the council convened in March of 1668. However, before the council could fully investigate, Ghotrok was killed when he was crushed inspecting a distillery by a rack of fermenting barrels. While Antonon said he was far away east of the area, it was later discovered that Antonon was also in the vicinity during the accident. Historians disagree that Antonon was responsible, as no information ordering any attack has ever been located. Antonon took the name of Grejorno I, in reference to the sacred plains in the east of the lands. The Tsar also wasted no time in abolishing the royal council, and immediately began his mandate. Although Tsar Grejorno was effective in collecting taxation, he made little attempts to relieve the peasant class. By 1720, the merchant class had reached 1.5% of the overall population, but the majority still lived in disparate poverty as subsistence farmers. Inaction on the disastrous situation of poverty led to widespread riots and famine in the countryside. However, the Tsar refused to acknowledge the plight of the peasantry, and instead focused on improving the merchant class. It is estimated that by 1740, over 3.5 million had died of starvation in the rural areas. However, because the peasants lacked any ability to challenge the Tsar, the riots generally went un-noticed, and had no noticeable impact on life in the few urban centres. Despite the widespread famine, and open revolt in rural areas, the Tsar continued ruling until his death in 1755.