Second Unification of T'vaqi
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The Second Unification of T'vaqi was an island-wide reform event in 244 TT that officially established the Nation of T'vaqi. Regarded as the most important event in the island's recent history, the Unification was accompanied by the creation of systems such as the Cognitive Capacity Scale, now a pillar of T'vaqi society. The Second Unification of T'vaqi marked the start of an era defined by economic and scientific growth, and the development of modern T'vaqi civilization.
History
Background
After the collapse of Qoa Lihi civilization around 1900 TT brought an official end to the First Unification of T'vaqi, the island once again divided into factions not dissimilar to those of prehistory. Records of these factions are plentiful; while there were established borders between faction-states, intermingling between different factions was common, and very few groups appear to have been extremely territorial or hostile. Those living further inland worked in agriculture, and those in coastal areas were predominantly fishermen. Trade between factions was common and resulted in mutual growth. The invention of steam-powered machinery around 500 TT led to an island-wide industrial boom, further linking the factions together as transportation infrastructure expanded. By 301 TT, a time when most areas had access to electric power, divides between faction-states were thin; though physiological differences between central and coastal regions existed, the T'vaqi race had largely homogenized.
The ease of communication provided by electrically powered machines (such as the signal puncher) allowed the island's scientists and engineers to exchange ideas, leading to a rapid increase in scientific understanding. Efficient transportation combined with the island's abundance of natural resources allowed for the rapid construction of cities to take place; by this time, the area now encompassing Ishiq had expanded to become the island's largest and most populated settlement.
Grand Unifier
The Grand Unifier was a legal document composed by the Unification Committee, a group consisting of one representative from each recognized faction-state. The Unification Committee was formed in 253 TT after it was agreed that the dissolution of existing faction-state boundaries was necessary for the island's growth. The most important physical record of the Second Unification, its official adoption by the newly-formed Nation of T'vaqi was heralded as the beginning of a new golden age of progress and prosperity. The Grand Unifier established the nation, its government, and named Ishiq as the capital. The Grand Unifier was issued on 1-2 244 TT, now recognized as T'vaqi's creation date.
Establishment of government
The Grand Unifier provided a general outline for T'vaqi government:
It shall then be made evident that:
- The contiguous landmass inhabited by the people and walled by the rain shall henceforth be known as Q'ar T'vaqi;
- The divisions between established faction-states are to be legally dissolved and removed from all relevant documents;
- Q'ar T'vaqi shall henceforth be presided over by exactly three men of exceptional intelligence, each given the title of Grand Magister;
- The three Grand Magisters, known as the Grand Council, shall be given and will maintain jurisdiction over Q'ar T'vaqi;
- The longest-reigning member of the Grand Council shall be replaced by democratic process exactly once per three q'so'hi, with the first q'so'ho beginning on the date the Grand Unifier was issued.
The highest level of government described by the Grand Unifier has remained largely unchanged, save for the abolishment of tri-annual elections issued by the Death Decree of 53 PC. The Unification Committee held frequent deliberations regarding who should become the nation's first Grand Magisters, as there was no reliable method of quantifying intelligence at the time. It was eventually agreed that the Committee's three oldest members would be selected. Thus, Grand Magisters Satoshi Novo, Marilis Pili, and Qovi Qa'pa comprised the nation's first Grand Council. As the first three men to hold power over a unified T'vaqi, their period of rule was largely focused on enforcing the reforms established by the Second Unification; notably, the first Grand Council was the only to lack any Senior Magisters, as the position would not exist until after their rule had ceased.
Further developments
Hrso Vinshasi, a mathematician now renowned for his landmark contributions to T'vaqi society, created the Cognitive Capacity Scale in 243 TT. The CC Scale was considered the most accurate tool for quantifying intelligence; other similar scales had been created, but were deemed unreliable and non-comprehensive. The adoption of the CC Scale into T'vaqi society marked a nationwide shift towards more comprehensive and rigorous education. This shift would lead to the creation of the prestigious High Institute of the Sciences and High Institute of the Arts. Vinshasi served as headmaster for both institutes until 226 TT. The T'vaqi Qho was also standardized as the nation's official currency at this time, and the modern T'vaqi alphabet was made the official alphabet of the T'vaqi language.
The last major reform associated with the Second Unification of T'vaqi was the establishment of the Unilateral Unit System, also in 243 TT. The creation of the system of measurements was the last action of the Unification Committee, which dissolved shortly afterwards.