Dawnrest Compact of 523

Preamble

In the year 523 Post-Liberation (PL), in the wake of shared victories against the tyrannical Hedezzenar and the looming threats of external conquest, the Circle of Sildur, the City-State of Dawnrest, and the Republic of Lucisia came together to forge a lasting bond. This bond, enshrined in the Dawnrest Compact, is founded upon the principles of mutual defense, cultural preservation, economic equity, and the unwavering sovereignty of its signatories. The Compact recognizes that unity, rather than mere survival, is the path to prosperity in a world fraught with external and internal challenges. It is the will of the leaders — Graham Lightbringer of Dawnrest, Archdruid Dagda of Sildur, and President Eleyna Crestfall of Lucisia — that this Compact serve as the foundation for the Confederation of Independent States (CIS), ensuring lasting peace and cooperative growth for all future generations.

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Section I: Sovereignty of the Signatory States

Article 1: Recognition of Sovereignty

• Each member state — the Circle of Sildur, the City-State of Dawnrest, and the Republic of Lucisia — retains full sovereignty over its internal affairs, governance structures, cultural practices, and legal systems.
• No external body, including the Confederation Council, shall have the authority to interfere in the internal matters of a signatory state unless explicitly agreed upon by the state in question.

Article 2: Protection of Autonomy

• The Compact guarantees the autonomous governance of each member state. Decisions impacting the internal governance of any member state require unanimous consent by the affected state's governing body.
• Any proposal that may affect the sovereignty of a member state must undergo a thorough review by the Confederation Legal Council and be subject to a unanimous vote by the Confederation Assembly.

Article 3: Right to Self-Determination

• Each member state reserves the right to leave the Confederation should the Compact be violated. A two-thirds majority vote of the affected state's legislative body is required to initiate a withdrawal process, followed by a mandatory two-year transition period for negotiations and peaceful exit.

Section II: Mutual Defense and Security

Article 4: Mutual Defense Agreement

• An attack on one member state shall be considered an attack on the entire Confederation. All signatory states agree to provide military and logistical support in the event of external aggression.
• The Republic of Lucisia shall maintain and command the CIS Navy, responsible for the defense of shared coastal waters and trade routes. The Navy will include contributions from all member states, with shared oversight through the Confederation Defense Council.

Article 5: Establishment of the Confederation Defense Council

• The Confederation Defense Council (CDC) is hereby established to coordinate the defense efforts of the CIS. It shall be composed of military representatives from each member state: the Crusaders of Lonysus (Lucisia), the Wardens of the Light (Dawnrest), and the Wardens of the Wild (Sildur).
• The CDC is responsible for developing joint defense strategies, coordinating military operations, and advising the Confederation Council on matters of national security.
• The CDC shall operate on a consensus basis, with decisions requiring approval from all three representatives.

Article 6: Emergency Protocols

• In the event of a direct existential threat to one or more member states, the Confederation Assembly may authorize the activation of Emergency Unity Protocols, temporarily consolidating command of the combined military forces under a single appointed Supreme Commander. This role rotates between the leaders of each member state's defense council representatives.

Section III: Economic Fairness and Trade Equity

Article 7: Fair Trade and Economic Integration

• The Confederation Trade Bureau (CTB) is established to oversee all trade agreements and economic policies within the CIS. The CTB will ensure that trade practices do not disproportionately benefit one member state over the others, maintaining a balance of wealth and resources.
• The gift economy of the Circle of Sildur shall be respected and protected from exploitation. Any trade involving Silduran resources must be negotiated directly with the Sildurian Collectives, with a focus on sustainability and mutual benefit.

Article 8: Shared Revenue and Contributions

• Each member state shall contribute an equitable share of its revenue to a Common Defense and Development Fund (CDDF), managed by the Confederation Treasury. This fund will be used to finance joint defense initiatives, infrastructure projects, and disaster relief efforts.
• Contributions shall be determined based on the economic capacity of each state, reviewed every five years by the Confederation Economic Council.

Article 9: Prevention of Economic Exploitation

• The CTB shall establish a Fair Trade Commission tasked with monitoring economic exchanges for signs of exploitation or coercion. Any violations will be subject to immediate arbitration by the Confederation Legal Council.
• Penalties for economic exploitation include fines, trade sanctions, and, in severe cases, suspension of trade privileges within the Confederation.

Section IV: Cultural Preservation and Unity

Article 10: Respect for Cultural Identity

• The distinct cultural practices, religious beliefs, and societal norms of each member state are to be respected and celebrated. The CIS recognizes the unique contributions of each state: the druidic traditions of Sildur, the innovative spirit of Dawnrest, and the resilient faith of Lucisia.
• The Cultural Exchange Bureau (CEB) is established to facilitate intercultural events, education programs, and shared festivals, fostering unity and mutual understanding.

Article 11: Protection of Religious Practices

• The Confederation shall not impose any religious doctrine upon its member states. The Church of Lonysus, while an integral part of Lucisian society, shall hold no authority over the Circle of Sildur or the secular governance of Dawnrest.
• The CEB will work to mediate any religious disputes between member states, ensuring respect for diverse beliefs and practices.

Article 12: Cultural Heritage Preservation

• A Confederation Heritage Fund shall be created to protect and preserve sites of cultural, historical, and spiritual significance within the member states. The Fund will support restoration projects and educational initiatives to ensure the continued legacy of the shared and distinct histories of the CIS.
• Section V: Establishment of Intra-Government Organizations

Article 13: Confederation Assembly

• The Confederation Assembly is the primary legislative body of the CIS, composed of elected representatives from each member state. It is responsible for drafting Confederation-wide laws, overseeing the intra-government organizations, and maintaining the principles of the Dawnrest Compact.
• The Assembly operates on a proportional representation basis, with seats allocated based on population size and economic contributions. All legislation requires a two-thirds majority to pass.

Article 14: Confederation Legal Council

• The Confederation Legal Council (CLC) serves as the judicial branch of the CIS, interpreting the Compact and resolving legal disputes between member states. The CLC shall consist of three Justices, one appointed by each member state, serving staggered six-year terms.
• The CLC has the authority to review and nullify any Confederation laws that violate the sovereignty clauses outlined in Section I of this Compact.

Article 15: Confederation Economic Council

• The Confederation Economic Council (CEC) is tasked with overseeing the economic policies of the CIS, including the management of the Common Defense and Development Fund. It consists of economic advisors from each member state, meeting quarterly to review trade practices, contributions, and shared financial strategies.

Article 16: Confederation Cultural Exchange Bureau

• The Cultural Exchange Bureau (CEB) is established to promote understanding and unity among the diverse peoples of the Confederation. It organizes cultural festivals, educational programs, and intercultural workshops, celebrating the unique heritage of each member state while fostering a shared identity.

Final Provisions

Article 17: Amendments to the Compact

• Any amendment to the Dawnrest Compact requires unanimous consent from the legislative bodies of all three member states. Proposed amendments must undergo a review by the Confederation Legal Council before being presented for a vote.

Article 18: Withdrawal from the Confederation

• A member state may initiate withdrawal from the Confederation by a two-thirds majority vote of its legislative body. A two-year transition period will follow, during which the state’s obligations and contributions to the CIS shall continue as normal, allowing time for negotiation and peaceful separation.

Article 19: Ratification and Enforcement

• The Dawnrest Compact is ratified by the governing bodies of the Circle of Sildur, the City-State of Dawnrest, and the Republic of Lucisia. It shall be enforced by the Confederation Assembly, the Confederation Legal Council, and all other established intra-government organizations.

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Signed on this day, 523 PL, in the city of Dawnrest, by:

Graham Lightbringer, Steward of Dawnrest
Dagda, Archdruid of the Circle of Sildur
Eleyna Crestfall, President of the Republic of Lucisia

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Type

Decree, Governmental