Sanguis Astroism/Writings/Tenants of Astroist Warfare

-by Turin Erickson, Last true King of Iashalur, Light of The Austere Star

In the golden age of Sanguis Astroism the idea of warfare between Astroist populations was neigh unthinkable. For too long we believe naively that this would last and the day when faithful would draw the blood of faithful on the field of battle would never come. However Leopold's betrayal of the church proved that wrong. Astroist armies clashed, Astroist peasants were slaughtered by the hundreds. Thousands more perished from starvation brought on by the destruction of food stores and sabotage by enemy agents. I write the following treatise in the hopes that such brutality will henceforth be reserved only for war with heathens, heretics and apostates. There can be no doubt that one day astroists will fight one another, perhaps even a theocracy will war with a fellow theocracy. When that day comes I pray that the people fighting look to this treatise.

For the purpose of this document "astroist populations" refers to regions in which 60% of the peasants or more are members of Sanguis Astroism or Ecclesiastic Sanguiastroism. Likewise the term "Astroist" when referring to a noble applies to both members of Sanguis Astroism and Ecclesiastic Sanguiastroism.

The First Tenant, Declaration of War

A theocracy or other realm which holds Sanguis Astroism as its state religion should not move troops into the lands of an astroist adversary until war has been declared. Sneak attacks are dishonorable and fitting only for war with unbelievers.

Any ruler that violates this tenant will be demoted to the rank of Knight Penitent they must make an immediate pilgrimage to Caiyun or Mimer and donate 100gold to the temple or face excommunication, upon completing their pilgrimage and donation they will be restored to their previous rank.

Second Tenant, Champion Warfare

Upon declaration of war Astroist realms may seek to resolve the conflict by means of a duel to the death between two chosen champions. If this option is pursued first both parties must agree to terms should their champion be defeated. Once terms are agreed upon by both realms they should be announced to all rulers of Dwilight. Both rulers must then swear an oath by the Bloodstars and with all fellow rulers as witness to abide by the results of the duel. Once this announcement is made the duel may commence. Once the duel is concluded both parties must abide by the agreement they made prior to the duel or face excommunication. In the event that there is disagreement over the tenants of the agreement following the duel the rulers may request arbitration by the college of lights, swearing to abide by their ruling. Failure to abide by the ruling of the Lights will result in excommunication.

Champion warfare may also be enacted on a regional level. When a region belonging to an Astroist lord is subject to takeover or enemy occupation by an Astroist army the region lord, or one of his knights may issue a challenge to the opposing army. The challenge may be a duel to the death or to surrender, it is the challenger's choice and any counter challenge should be considered and impious act resulting in a demotion to knight penitent for one month. The highest ranking military officer on the field must put out a call to all forces in the region requesting a champion, he may also volunteer to act as champion himself, failure to issue this call will result in demotion to knight penitent for one month. If no champion volunteers then the occupation will proceed as normal. If one is found the commanding officer and the region's champion must swear an oath by the Bloodstars and before all present in the region. The Commanding officer will swear to cease all hostilities, withdraw all troops from the region for no less then one month should his champion be defeated. The region's lord must swear to surrender his land to the enemy if his champion is defeated. Once all oaths are made the duel may commence.

If either the commander or the region lord fails to honor the agreement they will be demoted to the rank of Knight Penitent they must make an immediate pilgrimage to Caiyun or Mimer and donate 100gold to the temple or face excommunication, upon completing their pilgrimage and donation they will be restored to their previous rank.

No Astroist Duke, General or Ruler may forbid regional champion warfare or order their subordinates to violate the agreement made therein. Such an act is grounds for excommunication.

Third Tenant, Acceptable forms of Looting

Destruction of food supplies and general violence against Astroist peasants is unacceptable. Only the looting of tax gold is permissible agains Astroist populations. Destruction of military infrastructure and fortifications is also acceptable.

Any individual violating this tenant they will be demoted to the rank of Knight Penitent they must make an immediate pilgrimage to Caiyun or Mimer and donate 100gold to the temple or face excommunication. Upon completing their pilgrimage and donation they will be restored to their previous rank.

Any Ruler, or military commander who orders his knights to violate this tenant will face immediate excommunication.

Addenda in light of the Gold Sea Crisis

While it delights me that this treaties, though as of yet not ratified as church law, in spite of my repeated suggestions that it should be, is being looked to for guidance and inspiration in this dark times, clearly it is not well understood and dare I say is being bastardized and misrepresented for political reasons, and so I am forced to set the record straight as to its intent.

First Addendum on Whom this Treaties Applies To

This is a code of chivalry that strictly applies between Astroists and when waging war against against Astroist populations. Nothing in this document should be construed to suggest that failure, by nonbelievers to adhere to it is somehow an attack on the church. War is hell as all who have experienced it know. The purpose of these tenants is to alleviate the added pain of a fratricidal war between brothers in faith. We reserve the right to use all means necessary to win wars against nonbelievers and it would be hypocritical if we should begrudge them doing the same.

Exception to the First Addendum

If there is evidence, that a population or its nobility are being targeted and intentionally treated more harshly on the basis of their faith that may constitute an attack on the church. However that is a matter for the Elder Council to consider. The Tenants of Astroist Warfare offer no guidance in this matter as that is not its purpose.

Second Addendum on Looting

First as it can never be completely prevented, incidental theft of food by soldiers, without orders is not a violation of these tenants.

Second, it is almost a shock that this bears clarification but the looting clause in fact only applies to looting. It is inappropriate and foolish to suggest that any time starvation happens in the midst of a war that this by nature violates the tenants. After all starvation can occur even in peacetime. The tenants are only concerned with a hostile army actively stealing or destroying food and burning fields so as to create mass starvation, a tactic widely used by both Astrum and Niselur during their tragic war. It would not, as has been alleged, be a violation if in the face of an immanent takeover, an Astroist lord made the wrenching decision to remove their food from the region so it does not fall into enemy hands, even if that means some of their peasants will die. After all the longer a war rages on the more peasants will die. This is inevitable. As nobles we have not just the right, but the duty to decide which peasants of ours must die so that others may live.