The Black Shore Pact

Structure

The Black Shore Pact is overseen by the Chieftains of the tribes involved, of which there are 5. These are:

• Runui Kaipuru Raana, Chieftain of Tokapango (a large whero Toa'ana male, known for wielding an ornate, but strong tewhatewha [warhammer]) known as Skull-shatter)

• Marino Kiakauhua Kakiri, Chieftain of Kaitiawhā (a star-shelled Honu'ata female, known to be adept at storm magic from a young age)

• Whetuhinga Taitoa Parehine, Chieftain of Parere (a kikorangi Toa'ana female of average build, known for her love of song and her bewitching way with words, as well as her unique string-instrument)

• Whatiri Atamai Nuitaki, Chieftain of Kokoro Nui (a muscular kākāriki Toa'ana male, known for his temper as well as his skill with the taiaha)

• Anake I Tohua Wāhiraki, Chieftain of Wāhiraki (a diamondback Honu'ata male known to be a servant of Moawhaea, whose visions were the impetus behind the pact)

While governance of the tribes is left to their respective Chieftains, matters that threaten the safety of Kohoruna's northern shores (and thus any of the Pact settlements) are discussed between them. Each Chief has equal say in matters discussed at a pact Marae, and acting against the wishes of the majority is both considerably disrespectful, and may result in the offending chieftain's removal from power. Wāhiraki serves as something of a capital for the tribes within the Black Shore Pact, if only because it's where the pact was initially agreed upon, and it's Marae serves as the official meeting place for the most crucial gatherings of the Pact. Otherwise, correspondence between Chieftains is carried out via their individual emissaries, known collectively as the Moa Guard. The Moa Guard, so called for their giant flightless bird mounts, are not only expedient messengers (due to the aforementioned mounts), but also serve as the Chieftain's most loyal and skilled warriors, similar to foreign knights (or Rangatoa, in Toa'anan). The Pact ensures a standing military force between the cooperating tribes, referred to as the Black Shore Guard (or simply the Shoreguard), with each tribe housing an equal division of the forces, who are then overseen by their respective Chieftain. In the Chieftain's stead, these forces are led by a general (for land forces) and an admiral (for naval forces), both of whom are selected by the chieftain, a choice usually driven by prior military service.

Public Agenda

The Black Shore Pact exists to safeguard the involved settlements, predominantly from foreign or supernatural threats, but also from tribes in the south who might seek to expand their reach, or pirates who pose a constant threat to villages so close to the water. The conditions of the pact ensure that a standing military force remain on hand in the relevant settlements, acting as law enforcement during times of peace, and often patrolling the routes between settlements. The pact also ensures that the tribes involved are obliged to come to the aid of one another, for should one settlement fall, then so might they all.

Assets

The Black Shore Pact survives financially from a tax imposed in each of the relevant settlements. This tax covers coin, food or even equipment, and tribe members are encouraged to share what they are able, for the greater good of the region. This tax has funded the training, arming and payment of the Shoreguard predominantly, though each Chieftain claims a percentage which is fed back into their settlement in a variety of ways. Across all five settlements that currently count themselves as members of the pact, there are roughly 800 warriors in total, with 20 war waka to patrol the oceans bordering them. Each division of the Shoreguard also contains a small contingent of Moa on hand, for use as cavalry (usually around 20 at most).

Founding Date

9/7/230 PCE

Type

Alliance, Generic

Alternative Names

The Allied Tribes of the North

Demonym

Black Shorians

Government System

Tribalism

Power Structure

Confederation

Economic System

Barter system

Related Ethnicities

• Kohorunan (Culture)