Board Thread:Midian Ideas/@comment-4701109-20140821002122/@comment-24302820-20141107105846

I wrote the following quite some time ago, and intended to use it for Conquest. Having stumbled back across it, I realised that it's not too far off the mark from what we are trying to accomplish with the Accords.

People in power usually want to kill one another. Those with authority over an area, and that have some form of soldiery under their command, all too frequently attempt to indulge in that desire. In more civil lands under a strong central authority this urge is curtailed: in duration, scope, or frequency. That is, within most Elder Kingdoms, Formour, or the Killian Empire, an attempt by a baron to enlarge his lands at the expense of his neighbours' will be stopped--at least after some fashion--by their respective national governments. Less civil areas, or at least those lacking a unified ruling structure, will see power grabs occur more often, last longer, and cause more destruction. However much a sovereign may disapprove, there is not much that can be done explicitly to prevent violence against one's fellows, especially from those with a little power. In the Byzant Empire--enlightened as it is (and long may His Imperial Majesty reign)--this need for an occasional outlet on a grand scale, as well as a need to address otherwise insurmountable issues, is understood officially. Thus, one baron may wage war against his peer. However, certain niceties must be complied with by all parties. Failure to do so will quickly bring down the wrath of the Empire itself--terrible to behold. These particulars must be met whether the conflict is internal or occurs between a solitary province and a foreign entity. Though, in the case of those involving extra-Bizzannite powers, the phrase 'international law of war' is so absurdly silly that it shall not be otherwise mentioned save here as a cautionary note.

The tax must flow.

No additional parties outside the zone of conflict shall be forced into involvement.

At no time shall any of the involved imply, infer, or express that any of the involved is representative of the Emperor or the Empire as a whole.

A declaration of intent must be made.

A response must be made to the declaration of intent, and a suitable waiting period must be met for a reply.

An attempt to resove the conflict in a fashion that does not needlessly waste resources must be made, and all such options must be first exhausted.

Any prohibited acts must be expressed and agreed to by all involved parties beforehand.

An endgame proposal must be made.

All attempts must be made to prevent the loss of income, potential income, and resources.

The restoration of order and normal economic conditions must be the primary goal.

Only the rightful or nominal ruler of a province has the ability to initiate such an unresolvable conflict.

Involved parties might only agree to disagree, and may not even be in agreement upon that.