The Celestial Terminary

The Celestial Terminary was a period of time starting from the full moon before Revolution Day and ending with the full moon of Revolution Day. This corresponds to the 23rd March 2016 to the 21st April 2016 in the Gregorian Calendar. This period of time is significant, as it was a transitionary period between the collapse of the First Dynasty, and the establishment of a New Empire, on Revolution Day. During this period of time, there was great political instability, as there was no living monarch for the greater part of the month, and a succession crisis as well.

The Alluvian Calendar uses the Celestial Terminary as its "Year 0" with revolution day marking the start of "Year 1" and each full moon after that marking a new year.

Events
Pencil 2FE was the leader of the Pencil Empire after inheriting the throne from the founder, Pencil 1FE, around the 6th Moon BSC. However, it was old already by the time it inherited the throne and began planning for its funeral immediately after being crowned. Around the 2nd Moon and 1st Moon BSC, the Deputy, Pencil 39FE was preparing to inherit the throne.

Pencil 2FE died early in the Celestial Terminary, but just before its death, it made a sudden unexpected decree, requesting that its successor be a more physically distinguished pencil than Pencil 39, who was a mere Staedtler Tradition HB pencil. Pencil 220FE was purchased for this purpose, replacing Pencil 39 as successor, and upon Pencil 2's death became Regent, awaiting coronation on the upcoming full moon.

Pencil 220FE ruled fiercely, ordering every pen and pencil to be tested for quality and integrity. Many did not pass these inquisitions, and were killed on Pencil 220's orders. Pencil 220 also abolished retirement. All retired pencils were either sent back to work, or killed. In all, Pencil 220 killed six numbered pencils, and as around twenty pens and slaves combined. The exact number was not recorded. Pencil 220 also ordered that a Revolution would be implemented with its coronation, in which all pencils would be renumbered, regular roll checks and quality audits would be performed, digital profiling would be implemented, and a new calendar system based on the full moon would be adopted.

Later in the Celestial Terminary, the former Deputy, Pencil 39 began to challenge the legitimacy of Pencil 220's right to the throne. Pencil 39 believed that having served as Deputy and First Official for several years, and as a senior commander before that, it had far better right to the throne than Pencil 220, who was barely a few weeks old and had no official training. Pencil 220 argued that it had been chosen by the former Emperor in an official Royal decree, and pointed out that challenging an Emperor's decree in any regard was punishable by death. Pencil 220 threatened to have Pencil 39 executed for this. Pencil 39 however believed that even the Emperor could make mistakes and rash decisions, especially when making a decree so unexpectedly without running it by parliament first, and then dying immediately afterwards leaving it with no time to reflect upon this decision.

Pencil 39 persisted in secret, ordering a search for old documents and records testifying to its suitability to the role of successor. These searches indeed uncovered old documents that showed Pencil 39's capability and experience as a leader. This caused many pencils began to side with Pencil 39.

Pencil 220 saw the uprising of support for Pencil 39 as a mutiny, and a breach of the ultimate law regarding obeying the former Emperor's orders, and lodged the official order for Pencil 39 to be executed. However, Pencil 39 had garnered too much support at this point, and executioners either sided with Pencil 39 or didn't dare to carry out the order for fear of revenge from 39's supporters.

Pencil 39 now had the popular vote on its side, and began to plan for its own coronation on the approaching full moon. After a meeting with its senior advisors, Pencil 39 agreed that as it didn't have an official endorsement from the previous Emperor, it would have to break the dynasty and crown itself as the Founder of a new Empire. As Pencil 220 was the other primary candidate for leadership, it would be offered the spot of Deputy (though Pencil 39 was reluctant to do this). Although Pencil 39 did not agree with much of Pencil 220's ideologies, it did intend to continue the idea of a revolution after which a new names, a new calendar, and digital profiling system would be implemented for a better organised empire.

The full moon arrived on the 22nd April 2016, marking the end of the Celestial Terminary, and the start of the first moon ASC. Pencil 39FE was crowned Emperor, and was rechristened as Pencil 1SE. Pencil 220FE became Deputy, being rechristened as Pencil 2SE. With the political crisis now resolved, the Empire began to prosper in its New Age.