Kingdom of Sherby Hoodwounds

The Kingdom of Sherby Hoodwounds was the first iteration of the Sherby Hoodwounds state. The Kingdom was established by King Izzacton Serbut and Queen Rapzianel Hoodvounz, the descendants of the founders of Hoodwounds Isle, Ozzuvit and Tenzynzyl la Serbut and Ourazm and Picult Hoodvounz. The capital was located at Sylvia, currently Sherbian City. During the kingdom's rule, there were seven generations of leadership, ending upon the assassination of Enduva and Rose Serbut.

During this period of time, the nation expanded from a small seaside town to the eastern coast of the Kingdom. There was rapid growth in the population, from a substantial few thousand to five million by 1550. Growth stalled in the 14th century when the Great Fish Famine killed several hundred thousands, but growth grew doubly as hard during the First Golden Age of Sherby Hoodwounds, in which many historians believe begun at around the late 15th century.

The kingdom of Sherby Hoodwounds was superseded by the Dark Age, where Jenson Jay Fouvier took over the reins. Fouvier was in turn killed by Enduva and Rose's son, Henri, who would establish the Principality of Sherby Hoodwounds in its place.

Beginnings and Establishment
The first known tribes to migrate to Hoodwounds Island were from Pengolian and Rockhopper tribes from current-day West Pengolia, Antarctic Peninsula, Trans-Antarctica and UnitedTerra. These tribes settled on the eastern coastline, where there was plenty of food and facilities to house them. Historians trace the oldest record of a seaside port to what is now Jeranda.

By the end of the 12th century, there were approximately 50 tribes with 10,000 penguins inhabiting the island in total.

The tribes were often isolated from each other and many penguins lived in poverty. The tribe leaders decided to meet up at Sylvia, a small port town to the south-east, to discuss the dire situation. In the years leading up to 1200, various tribes discussed about appointing a new leader to lead the island. The most popular candidates were Ozzuvit Serbut and Ourazm Hoodvounz. By the time there was a unanimous agreement to nominate them, they both died of typhoid.

Prior to their death, Serbut's son Izzacton, commonly referred to as Isaac, and Hoodvounz's daughter Rapzianel, colloquially referred to as Rachel, married in seclusion. When they were nominated to ascend to the throne, the tribe leaders could do so with ease thanks to the bond between the couple.

The kingdom was officially created on first day of the Magnolia tribe's lunar calendar. That day corresponds to September 22, which is now designated the independence day of Sherby Hoodwounds. The name "Sherby Hoodwounds" was derived from the first King and Queen. The Constitution was signed on October 1, and was put into order on October 11. The capital was placed in Sylvia.

First years
During its first years, there was relatively little progress in the Kingdom. Several cities were built, but at an extremely slow pace. When Izzacton, the king, died in 1256, the throne was handed over to to his son, Garon-a-Bajulę. Garon tried to establish a feudal system, but was rejected wholeheartedly by the tribe leaders.

The Kingdom introduced a new currency, the Barker (ß), in 1210, replacing the traditional barker trade system. The government also unified the country under a single language known as Sherbian, a combination of tribe languages and dialects with elements of Penguinian and English.

An irrigation system was also built in Sylvia. It covered the entire city and was renowned for its efficiency and innovation. Future nations would later credit the Kingdom for this invention. The irrigation system is still in place in modern-day Sherbian City.

Great Fish Famine
With the turn of the century, fishermen from the northeastern coastline reported drastic decrease in catchment of fish. The government dismissed it as "sheer unluckiness", but in reality, fish populations were rapidly dwindling. This led to the Great Fish Famine of the 14th century.

The Great Fish Famine was officially declared in 1307. A lack of fish, which makes up the bulk of penguins' diets, led to the deaths of up to 80% of the population. 70,000 penguins had died by 1307, and a further three million became casualties of the famine. The rest of the penguins lived in starvation, and had to consume fruits and crabs to fight off starvation. The famine also led to a stall in the economy, as fishing covered a huge sector of the economy at the time.

After the death of Garon-a-Bajulę, who died from starvation and drastic change in diet as part of the famine, his son, Majito Serbut, led an extensive investigation to discover the cause of the famine. Initial reports speculated on overfishing on the part of the High Penguin Confederacy. Tribes believing in religions believed that the gods were unhappy with the unification of the country, and called for an immediate separation to try and salvage the situation. Eventually, the cause was pinpointed to an invasive species from the southern Pacific that entered Sub-Antarctic waters, endangering many local fish.

The government immediately took action at this new revelation. They promoted the catchment of invasive species to be sold as exotic wares, and for the local populous to try and take up farming. Relief efforts were also sent to the worst stricken areas, although corruption diverted relief funds to the Ministers and Governors. Eventually, by 1390, fish populations were no longer endangered, and the famine was declared to be over. The famine would have long-term effects, shaping Sherby's agricultural industry and changing the mindset of many penguins.

Other nations were not directly affected by the famine as they gathered their food from Weddell, where the invasive species dare not enter in fear of another predator residing there.

Post-famine
After the famine, Bandi Serbut, the new leader of Sherby, relocated all his efforts into rebuilding the stricken economy and starting diplomacy with neighbouring countries. Bandi foresaw Sherby to be a major player in Antarctica's agricultural industry, thanks to its much more suitable climate. The Ministry of Crops was set up as a result. Diplomacy also begun with the HPC in 1400, officially heralding the start of exports and imports in and out of Sherby Hoodwounds. This greatly helped in rebuilding the economy.

Also around this time, the construction of the new capital city, Majoria began. The city was to cost ten percent of the country's GDP, and it took a total of 40 years to complete the framework of the city.

The Dark Age
In the aftermath of the Great Fish Famine, rumours spread that the government was embezzling funds for the relief effort and many had died because supplies never made it to them in time. This sparked anger in much of the population, and the government was routinely criticised, particularly the inner pillars. When Damil Serbut took over as King, he executed a harsh crackdown on corruption that eventually led to the abolishment of the Ministers and Governors. This lead to widespread unhappiness and Damil was, after seven unsuccessful attempts, poisoned at only twenty years into his reign.

When Enduva took over as King, he imposed taxes on the rich, including officials and governors still holding on to their wealth, leading to even more outrage by the upper classes. It was not long into his reign when opposition groups sprung up. All had the aim of overthrowing the King to implement a feudal state. In all, there were seventeen attempts to overthrow/assassinate Enduva, spanning over 41 years.

On May the 30th, 1550, Enduva Serbut was leading a procession in Sherbian City, the new name for Majora. As he passed by the Old Thomson Castle and Leinrich Hall, Jenson Jay Fouvier fired an arrow towards him, only to be blocked by his beak. A second arrow shot him in the chest. He was rushed to the physician but died on the journey there. Other members of the Royal Family were exiled to mainland Antarctica by Jenson's followers, whom outnumbered the army 3 to 2. The numbers did not matter though as Jenson had apparently signed an agreement with the Highest Royal Guard that ensured that he would be ascended to the throne upon Enduva's death.

Thus was the end of the Kingdom of Sherby Hoodwounds as the Thirty Days of Mourning, or the Dark Age, began.

Government
The government was separated into three pillars: the King and Queen and their advisors, the Ministers and the Governors. The King and Queen governed the entire nation, the Ministers handled the affairs of each sector of the government, and the Governors were appointed tribe leaders that took care of their own tribes or towns.

The first king and queen, Isaac and Rachel, ruled from 1200 to 1256. Their son, Garon-a-Bajulę, ruled from 1256 to 1311. Majit The order of kings on the throne in chronology follows:


 * Izzacton - 1200 to 1256
 * Garon-a-Bajulę - 1256 to 1311
 * Majito - 1311 to 1372
 * Bandi - 1372 to 1412
 * Majorê - 1412 to 1489
 * Damil - 1489 to 1509
 * Enduva - 1509 to 1550

There were a total of 16 ministers and 205 governors at any one time according to the Julë Montosœ, which contained the list of ministers and officials.

Corruption
There were many reports of corrupt activities committed by the Ministers and Governors. The King and Queen were usually unaware of this as all feedback by the public was sent through the Ministry of State Matters. Corruption was most evident during the Great Fish Famine, where relief efforts were often embezzled by the Ministers and Governors, never making it to the populous. With the reign of Damil Serbut, though, there was a huge crackdown on corruption and much power from the Ministers and Governors were taken away.

However, when the power of these two pillars are removed, there was much outrage by them. Damil survived seven unsuccessful assassination attempts, but eventually died when he ingested poison from dinner. Enduva's attempts at trying to calm the tides only resulted in further resentment to the aristocracy. Jenson Jay Fouvier, who murdered Enduva, was rumored to have been a previous Minister who was sacked after scandals.