Zuri Tu'Aruc (Unified Sera)

Her Majesty Zuri N. Tu'Aruc
Queen Zuri's official portrait painted shortly after her ascension to the throne
9th Monarch of Unified Sera
Deceased
In office February 8th, 1919 – October 22nd, 1956 Serving with King Hakeem Bahadur-Tu'Aruc
Prime Minister	Farrah Hargreaves
Preceded by	King Shaz Tu'Aruc
Succeeded by	Queen Zola Tu'Aruc
Personal details
Pronunciation	Zer-ree
Born	Zuri Nekeisha Tu'Aruc April 11th, 1879 Kito'Bahari, Kado, United States of Sera
Died	October 22, 1956(1956-10-22) (aged 77) The Palace of Kings, Kito'Bahari, Kado, Unified Sera
Cause of death	Natural Causes
Resting place	Tomb of the Kings
Nationality	Seran
Political party	The Koga Party
Height	5'11"
Spouse	King Hakeem Bahadur-Tu'Aruc
Children	Zola Tu'Aruc, Shaheen Tu'Aruc, Marcus Tu'Aruc, Farrah Tu'Aruc
Parents	King Shaz Tu'Aruc (father) Queen Emory Eteme-Tu'Aruc (mother)
Alma mater	Kado Military Academy
Known for	Leading the nation through the Seran Secessionist War, Unifying the country, solidifying federal rule, kickstarting Seran economy
Military service
Branch/service	Seran Royal Army
Years of service	17
Rank	Colonel
Unit	13 Cavalry Company (prior to promotion to Colonel)
Commands	2nd Mounted Rifle Brigade
Awards	Royal Commendation, Iron Sigil, Officer of the Year (x2), Exemplary Conduct Award, Campaign Sigil, Bronze Star, Gold Star, Silver Service Medal

Zuri Nekeisha Tu'Aruc was a Seran noble and member of the Seran royal family who served as the ninth Monarch of the United States of Sera. She ascended to the throne after her father King Shaz Tu'Aruc died of consumption (pulmonary tuberculosis) on February 8th, 1919. She was best known for her fierce personality, aggressive pursuit of Seran exceptionalism, leading the nation through civil war, establishing federal authority, and instituting conscription in the United States of Sera.

Before becoming Queen, Zuri served in the Seran Royal Army for 17 years after enlisting (to her family's disapproval) at the age of 18 in 1897. She would remain in the military from that point forward and even served in several skirmishes against hostile tribes in the Seran frontier. However, Zuri would make a name for herself when the outbreak of the Zanjana War against the Islamic Republic of Emmiria threatened Seran sovereignty. A Staff Sergeant at that point, Zuri disobeyed the wishes of her family and remained in the military to lead a squad of soldiers into war. It is in this series of battles that she began to build a reputation for her ferocity, bravery, and patriotism. Although the United States of Sera was eventually defeated due to a host of extenuating circumstances, the conclusion of the war had a profound effect on her outlook on life and her attitude towards service. Zuri remained in the military before retiring after 17 years of faithful service to the Royal Army.

After defeating her siblings in the trials for the throne, Zuri was forced into the unenviable position of leading the federation against the Union of Secessionist States during the Seran civil war. Her aggressive pursuit of rebuildling the Seran economy that had been crippled at the end of the Zanjana War and the constant attempts at stagnating the nation's growth by conservative forces would become one of the biggest influences on the war. Despite the difficult and costly war, Zuri's total defeat of the Secessionist forces would go down in Seran history.

Her commitment to the nation, fearlessness in the face of adversity, pursuit of social, economic, military, and political growth, and tireless efforts in laying the foundation for what will become Sera in the present day would forever mark Queen Zuri's reign. Moreover, her actions during and before her reign would be enough for many Serans to consider Queen Zuri the greatest Seran leader to ever lead the country.

Early Life and Childhood

Zuri Tu'Aruc was born on April 11th, 1879 in Kito'Bahari, Kado, the United States of Sera to the reigning monarchs King Shaz Tu'Aruc and Queen Emory Eteme-Tu'Aruc. Her father King Shaz was a strict disciplinarian and instilled a sense of duty and discipline that permeated throughout Zuri's life. By the time Zuri reached 15 years old, she allegedly was already sick of the royal life. Attendants close to her make note in personal diaries that: "...the princess seems more interested in the goings on of the commoners than that of royalty". A diary entry by the young princess' nanny stated that Zuri would routinely wish that she was not born into the royal family and instead could have lived as a "normal girl."

These thoughts did not remain between Zuri and her attendants, however. News of her thoughts and feelings would make it to her parents who according to first hand accounts, scolded the young girl for her dismissal of royal duties. From that day onward, Zuri's tutelage accelerated and her ability to travel outside the Palace of Kings stripped. For her, the palace became a gilded cage with no escape in sight. Even though her parents loved her, they never believed her to be the heir apparent since the news about her feelings toward the monarchy came to light. Her parents lavished praise and their attention upon her other siblings. Chief among them was none other than her older brother, Prince Shaheen. Not only did the young prince show promise and interest in the trappings of rulership, he showed more maturity, wisdom, and general "majesty" than any of his siblings. For this reason, Zuri's parents groomed Prince Shaheen for the eventual day that he would take the throne from his siblings during the trials.

Behind closed doors, Zuri loathed the perceived betrayal by her caretakers. She became more reclusive and anti-social as the years carried on and all but disappeared from the public eye except for official ceremonies.

Her reclusive nature and feelings of betrayal aimed at her family would sour her relationship with her siblings and strain her relationship with her parents. Her brother Prince (placeholder) was one of the few people that were allowed around the young princess, claimed that "...[Zuri's] behavior is more akin to a wounded dog than what should be expected of an elegant princess. She disgraces the Tu'Aruc name through her self exile and desire to be among the lowborn."

From the comments made about Zuri from her other siblings, the Prince's opinion of her was shared among the royals. Zuri's desire to be treated (and to treat those around her) as equals brought tremendous stress into the royal family.

In 1896 Zuri wrote a letter to her mother while she was away on official business about her isolation and depression.

"Everyday that I remain here I feel more and more like a burden upon you all. We will never agree on how things ought to be run, and for that I know that we shall never agree on most things in life. You are my mother, but this family treats me as an offensive outsider... I hope that one day you understand that my feelings are not ill by nature, but I find myself growing in my resentment towards my own mother and father. If I cannot be allowed to live in royalty the way I wish, then I beg to be released to live among the common man."

The Queen reportedly took her words to heart and advocated for Zuri to be released from her royal obligations when she came of age. Although hesitant, King Shaz eventually approved of Zuri's release when she reached 18 and set aside money for her to get started. However, according to the future-queen's diary entries from that period, the treatment she received after King Shaz announced her future release worsened. She was ostracized and all but ignored by the King and her siblings. It wasn't until her 18th birthday and her adult status being granted did she allegedly find peace.

According to records, Zuri promptly left the palace and went directly to the nearest recruiting office where she enlisted into the Royal Army with no hesitation.

At first the King did all he could to prevent her enlistment. But to his chagrin his every attempt was blocked by the Marshal of the Royal Army herself. When the King tried to leverage his status and power, the Marshal sent an official letter to the office of the monarchy.

The Royal Army recognizes the authority of His Majesty and the power of the crown. However, I would most humbly like to remind his highness that the Seran Armed Forces do not swear fealty to the monarch but instead the notion of democracy and the individual's right to self determination as laid out in the Articles of Federation. Should our Supreme Commander - the Prime Minister of these United States of Sera - send a directive about the recruit in question, then we shall revisit this topic. May the Sky Watch you, your highness.

Zuri was allowed to enlist without further issue from the royal family and joined the Royal Army Cavalry.

Religion

Zuri was raised a devout follower of the Sky Faith. She studied the Testament for several years while being tutored in the palace, but shortly after becoming a recluse she lost her faith. She was disillusioned by her isolation and the betrayal she felt as a result of something she said in confidence. She carried this disillusionment with her for many years until a chance encounter with a travelling priest while deployed in Sera's frontier.

The priest was travelling the frontier attempting to spread the faith to uncontacted peoples when he came upon the 13th Cavalry's encampment. There, the priest held one on one sessions with the troops and gave brief sermons about god, life, and the struggles of simply being alive. It was during a sermon about isolation and loneliness that initially piqued Zuri's interest in the Sky Faith once more. She related to the pain and sorrow felt by the Great Prophet Zainab Diallo in the Strife. She felt as though Zainab's pain could easily be her own and appreciated the thoughtful and loving guidance offered by Tiyamike in the story. After spending a week with the company, the priest prepared to depart back into the woodlands. Before leaving, he left his own personal copy of the Testament with Zuri as a "gift" and reminder of the love of Tiyamike.

This chance encounter with the priest would reignite her religious fervor which she carried for the rest of her life. The tome given to her by the priest would become a family heirloom, and her most prized possession.

Education

While serving in the Royal Army's 13th Cavalry Company, Zola attended the Kado Military Academy while not deployed.

Military Career

A portrait of then-Staff Sergeant Zuri Tu'Aruc.

Zuri Tu'Aruc's