The Concordance of Aligned Realms
In the Name of the Broken Choir, Preservers of Humanity
Preamble
We, the representatives of the sovereign nations—Halen, Rasza, Shavi, and Vector—united in purpose and bound by the sacred memory of the Broken Choir's sacrifice, do hereby establish this Concordance to ensure the mutual protection, prosperity, and advancement of our peoples.
Whereas the Endless Maw once threatened to consume all of humanity, and the divine beings known as the Broken Choir sacrificed themselves to grant us survival and magic, we solemnly declare our commitment to unity, preservation, and collective progress.
Article I: Sovereignty and Mutual Respect
Of National Governance
Each signatory nation shall retain its fundamental form of governance:
- The Kingdom of Halen, a traditional patrilineal monarchy.
- The Republic of Rasza, governed by its Triarchic Council and Grand Assembly.
- The Commonwealth of Shavi, maintaining its matrilineal monarchical traditions.
- The Imperial Dominion of Vector, preserving its imperial governance.
No provision of this Concordance shall supersede the internal governmental structures of these nations, save where explicitly outlined herein.
Of Borders and Occupation
- Member nations shall defend their borders from external threats at their discretion.
- In the case of disputes or imminent war between member nations, the High Magus Council shall mediate, and failure to comply may result in sanctions.
- No member nation may occupy foreign or external territory, except as a temporary measure for the defense of its homeland.
Article II: Magical Governance
Of Magical Aptitude and Responsibility
Magic, the profound gift of the Broken Choir, shall be recognized as both a fundamental right and a solemn responsibility. Approximately two in every hundred persons shall manifest magical abilities. Such individuals are hereby declared:
- Free citizens of their respective nations.
- Mandated to complete comprehensive training at the Dey Academies.
- Bound by the magical regulations established by the High Magus Council.
The Ten Currents of Magic—Pyromancy, Hydromancy, Aeromancy, Terramancy, Electromancy, Vitamancy, Animancy, Luxmancy, Psychomancy, and Chronomancy—shall be the recognized disciplines of magical practice.
Of Rare Currents and Special Provisions
- Chronomancers: Born once per generation, Chronomancers are to remain in their home nations to preserve peace and prevent conflict. However, member nations must provide comfortable dwellings and access to representatives from other nations.
- Psychomancers: Given their ability to read minds and evade detection, Psychomancers must submit to mandatory membership in the Cerebral Covenant, a subsidiary of the High Magus Council. Their free citizenship is revoked to ensure safety, and they operate solely as tools of the Council.
- Animancers: Due to the risk of summoning the Endless Maw, Animancers are strictly regulated. Communication with non-corporeal entities is punishable by immediate execution. Animancers are primarily employed in judicial roles within their home nations, though some practice in secret.
Article III: The High Magus Council
Of Formation and Duties
The High Magus Council shall consist of Magi selected by special election from a pool of nominees provided by member nations. The prerequisites for eligibility are:
- Practitioners of one of the Ten Currents of Magic.
- No prior service in political office or affiliation with aristocracy.
The Council’s primary duties include:
- Maintenance of the Aegis Tongue, the sacred language of the Broken Choir.
- Oversight of magical education and regulation.
- Mediation of inter-national disputes.
- Preservation of historical knowledge.
- Coordination of mutual defense and economic support.
- Management of the common currency, the Aurum Shard.
The Council shall appoint representatives to act on its behalf, including emissaries, regulators, and advisors, as needed.
Of Martial Matters
- The Council shall mediate disputes that threaten peace and stability within the Pactlands.
- Member nations engaging in unprovoked aggression against one another may face sanctions or coordinated response measures.
- The Disputed Lands, shared by Halen and Vector, are recognized as a neutral territory, not under the jurisdiction of the Pact. Citizens may emigrate there freely, though return to the Pactlands is prohibited.
Article IV: Economic Cooperation
Of Trade and Currency
- Trade between nations shall be open and unrestricted, fostering mutual prosperity.
- The Aurum Shard, forged by Terramancers, is the standard currency, equivalent to the cost of one day’s sustenance. Each Shard can be divided into four smaller units, colloquially referred to as quarts.
- All goods must be priced in whole quarts to maintain consistency across markets.
Of Contributions
- Each nation shall provide resources and personnel to maintain the High Magus Council, Dey Academies, and associated infrastructure.
Article V: Preservation of the Aegis Tongue
Of Regulation and Education
The Aegis Tongue, the sacred language of the Broken Choir, is central to the preservation of humanity’s heritage. The Aegis Lexicon, overseen by a subsidiary body of the High Magus Council, shall regulate:
- All printed materials, ensuring linguistic integrity.
- The incorporation of new terms and phrases into the official Lexicon.
- Public education efforts to maintain fluency across all generations.
Violation of Aegis Tongue regulations, such as unauthorized publications or misrepresentation, shall result in fines or punitive measures.
Article VI: Judicial Principles
Of Law and Mutual Accountability
- A comprehensive extradition treaty ensures perpetrators of crimes are returned to face justice in their home nations.
- Violations of the Concordance may result in:
- Economic sanctions.
- Coordinated military action.
- In extreme cases, soulreaving, overseen by the High Magus Council.
Of Border Stability
The borders established by this Concordance are inviolable, save for actions necessary for defense.
Article VII: Cultural Preservation
Of Heritage and Innovation
- Nations shall honor traditional practices stemming from Auralist ceremonies, while fostering innovation in art, language, and storytelling.
- Commemorations of the Broken Choir’s sacrifice are to remain integral to all cultural developments.
Concluding Declaration
Let this Concordance stand as testament to our shared history and collective hope. May the memory of the Broken Choir guide our actions, and may unity be our greatest strength.
Signed and Sealed on this Day, by the Authorized Representatives of Halen, Rasza, Shavi, and Vector
“Unity through Understanding, Strength through Cooperation”
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I really liked this article. I do have one question: Why can't people return from the Pactlands?
Due to the structure of the Concordance generally being about controlling the flow of information and ideology, it's generally assumed that people outside of the Pactlands would bring with them heretical or otherwise dissenting ideas, creating discord within the Pactlands. As such, in order to satisfy their promise of allowing autonomy for citizens who wish to expatriate themselves, they also wish to prevent the dissemination of anything heterodox to their grand narrratives, up to and including linguistic mutation in order to preserve the sanctity of the Aegis Tongue and their interpretations of the parables of the Broken Choir. In a way, while this does, in a superficial sense, grant citizens the illusion of autonomy, the underlying message being that if citizens choose to exercise this right, they will be "unpersoned." There are, of course, particular exceptions to these regulations (which are not necessarily reflected in the founding document of the Concordance) in that certain excursions into the Disputed Lands, and in some cases, the Tribal Confederacy of Caede, are allowable with strict oversight regarding the nature of the event. Conquest and occupation is generally forbidden, for instance, but may be allowed provided certain conditions are met. Certain traders may be granted exceptions by their host nations to trade along the coasts of the Disputed Lands or Caede with strict regulation and only in approved goods and resources. There are also circumstances in which the leadership of any particular state may send a group into these territories for private purposes, but even then the length of their stay, their activities there, and their conduct have a specific set of conditions they must follow. For instance, while the Empire of Vector may occupy the Disputed Lands in an effort to quell the Free Folk uprising along their borders, the Kingdom of Halen may also choose to send a group to perform reconnaissance on Vector's activities at the behest of the King or the King's Council. In some rare cases, even Free Folk may cross into the Pactlands, but only under strict supervision by state officials, and only for a specific purpose, after which time are seen to the border and may not return under any circumstance. If a member state is seen to be allowing this, they will be subject to sanctions at the very least, and in extreme situations, declared as a rogue state by the Pactkeepers, upon which time they will, at least temporarily, have all protections and rights as a member nation be revoked.