The Pact of Abstention

What do I do? The devil I know or the devil who thinks he knows me? If these Structuralists lose, Honoroe will surely be cross with us, as such a treaty can't remain a secret. But if they win they say they fight for the workers. The farmers. Then men and women that make this land. Maybe they do. Let's get this over with and see.
-A Jayu dignitary moments before signing the Pact of Abstention

The Pact of Abstention was signed in the village of Kakaris by heads of the Structuralist Church and the Jayu territory government. It decreed that Jayu forces would stay out of the impending battle between the Structuralist Church and the Honoroe Dynasty.

Before the Pact

The Structuralist church had been gaining support, despite being outlawed by the ruling Honoroe family. Citizens related to the Structuralist emphasis on hard work and community. Under the Structuralist doctrine, The Articulation, the working class had access to upward mobility, and wealth was no longer reserved for a select few. This was a stark contrast to the more feudal structure of government the Honoroe family imposed, in which one's station in life seemed immutable.
Structuralist-led revolts in the capital city of Goroma caused the Honoroe family to react harshly, which only galvanized the laity's belief in the Structuralist ideology and increased their ranks. As tensions continued to boil, Structuralist leaders found themselves with enough men and women willing to bear arms for them that a coup was possible. However Framer Eliasen felt that managing a pact with the neighboring Jayu territory would give soldiers and citizens enough confidence in a possible Structuralist government that they would switch sides.

The Signing

Framers met with dignitaries of the Jayu territorial government and their request was simple: Stay out of it. The Jayu had a benign relationship with the Honoroe Dynasty, and were hesitant to support any type of change even through abstention. However, Framer Eliasen convinced them by expressing how trade between the two territories would change under Structuralist rule. Jayu leaders ultimately believed the risk was worth it and signed the document.
The Pact of Abstention was signed in Kakaris, and they say Framer Eliasen turned to his fellow Framers when it was over and said: "With this we can win. Not a throne. Not a castle. But hearts and minds."

Aftermath

The Structuralist succeeded in usurping the Honoroe family and for over a century, The Church has ruled its people effectively. However, not long after the passing of Framer Eliasen, the church looked to expanding Eastward, and encroaching on the Jayu territory. Their first bloody encounter broke a peaceful relationship but ended in a stalemate. As of now, the two sides are at peace, but tensions continue to flare up.

Type

Treaty, Diplomatic