In 3677 four local Tajabad police officers beat and killed an unarmed Zaqraami teen. After the officers were cleared of any wrongdoing by the courts and their subsequent release, thousands of student protesters stormed the street in the new capital. This steadily grew to millions of protesters and spread to dozens of cities across the Commonwealth. A majority of the protesters were of Zaqraami or Rajasthani ethnic backgrounds. Those two ethnic groups, despite being the majority in the Commonwealth, have little political power and have faced much discrimination from the Asli and Hulstro-Talmor ruling coalition. on December 31st, 3677 troops entered the capital of Tajabad as well as other major cities and essentially crushed the protest movement. Hundreds were imprisoned while thousands more were slain in the streets. This was dubbed the December 31st Massacre. This was followed by a even harsher crackdown on dissent. Protest leaders vowed to return.
Dead protesters lined the streets of the Commonwealth
In 3678, despite the political upheaval, the twin princes of Talmoria-Aslistan wed two Kafuri princesses in a lavish ceremony. Then Crown Prince Karl of Talmoria-Aslistan wed Princess Asma bint Hamza of Kafuristan and Prince Maximilian of Talmoria-Aslistan wed Princess Aisha bint Jama of Kafuristan. The following year Princess Aisha gave birth to a son who was named after his father Maximilian.
The newborn prince now 8 is nicknamed Max Jr.
In 3680 on the third anniversary of the December 31st Massacre, thousands of students from Tajabad Universtiy returned to the streets. They occupied Tajabad's infamous Rajani Square outside the Royal Palace and demanded for greater political power and representation in the government. The Royal Government again acted with great brutality massacring thousands in the process. The protests and massacres in the Commonwealth have had a deep effect on the economy. Foreign investors once swooning to take advantage of Talmoria-Aslistan's cheap oil, have mostly abandoned the country in fears of greater violence.
The massacre in Rajani Square
Things have remained quiet for the next six years until the recent death of Franz II who was the most reviled monarch in recent history. With his death the protesters have once again taken to the streets and many have armed themselves. Franz II's son Karl I is said to sympathize with the protesters. If Karl I makes the wrong moves he will most likely face a civil war not unlike the Asli war of Succession. Nevertheless the country enters a new age with he ascension of a new monarch. It remains to be seen whether his reign will be one of blood or one of peace.
