ASTRAL CRUSADE CONVENTIONS

Ratified: Year 966 of the New Era, on the flagship Astral Storm, port of Kvatokh

Signatories: The Great Mage Skrakan (Representing the League), The Great Mage Nezeb (Representing the Empire)

PREAMBLE

The sovereign states, motivated by the desire to secure the continued existence of Sarnout against the encroaching threat of the demonic invasion; desiring to establish the limits of arcane and martial conduct in the wake of the Great Astral Crusade; and recognizing that the preservation of the world supersedes the territorial ambitions of the League and the Empire, have agreed upon the following Articles:

ARTICLE I Prohibition of demonic collaboration

The sovereign states solemnly declare that the summoning, binding, bargaining with, or employment of entities native to the deep Astral (including creatures of the Reflections), hereinafter referred to as demons, is strictly prohibited in all theatres of war. The penalty for such violation is immediate execution by any available means, without regard for the possibility of resurrection.

ARTICLE II The freedom of will

Recognizing that the usurpation of volition is the primary characteristic of demonic possession, the sovereign states agree to prohibit the use of methods that violate the freedom of the sentient mind. The employment of mind control, or any technique that overrides the free will of a combatant is classified as demonic methodology.

ARTICLE III Restriction of mutagenic weaponry

The sovereign states agree to abstain from the use of agents that transmute matter akin to the Astral transmutational properties. The utilisation of raw Astral energy designed to induce rapid, uncontrolled mutation of the flesh, is forbidden.

ARTICLE IV The armistice against invasion

In the event of a confirmed invasion by demonic forces within a contested sector, all hostilities between the Astral and ground forces of the League and the Empire shall immediately cease. It shall be the duty of the commanding officers of both parties to prioritize the elimination of the demonic threat. Upon the neutralization of said threat, a period of not less than 72 (seventy two) hours shall be observed to allow for the recovery of the wounded before factional hostilities may resume.

THE KVATOKH-IGSH ACCORDS ON CIVILISED WARFARE

Ratified: Year 1008 of the New Era, on Eldjun, Bear Lea

Signatories: The Council of Namestniks (The League), The Great Mage Yasker (The Empire), Oligarch Club (Free Merchants)

PREAMBLE

Desiring to mitigate the severity of war and prevent the permanent loss of the Spark; and seeking to codify the rights of the common soldiery in the conflict for the Holy Land, the sovereign states have agreed to the following provisions:

ARTICLE I Prohibition of True Death

The intentional infliction of True Death upon a combatant capable of resurrection is hereby declared a crime against the Light. It is especially forbidden to employ arms, projectiles, or material calculated specifically to cause the permanent severance of the Spark from the body. Specifically prohibited are execution styles or combat manoeuvres aiming to sever the Spark from the body; magical rituals targeting the destruction of the Spark; and the use of disintegration magic upon an incapacitated foe.

ARTICLE II Treatment of the defeated

The Spark retains the trauma of the flesh. Therefore, the infliction of torture, physical or magical, upon prisoners of war, hereinafter referred to as POWs, is prohibited. POWs must be treated with humanity and safeguarded against violence. POWs must be granted permission to perform daily liturgies and, if possible, access to an altar or chapel, and counsel from a cleric of the Light.

ARTICLE III Neutrality of resurrection sites

The premises of a teleporter, a chapel of the Light, and a resurrection site are designated Holy Ground. It is considered a crime against the Light to attack these locations. Furthermore, it is a violation of these Accords to engage an enemy combatant immediately upon their materialisation from Purgatory, before they have regained their full faculties and combat readiness. The sabotage of Myrrh supplies necessary for the resurrection circle is strictly prohibited.

ARTICLE IV Protection of non-combatants

The sovereign states acknowledge the presence of sentient indigenous populations within the contested territories who are not citizens of the sovereign states. Any forcible or deceptive conscription of these populations to serve as combatants is strictly prohibited. It is forbidden to exploit the spiritual beliefs or lack of political understanding of such peoples to incite hostilities against the opposing party. The belligerents shall respect the neutrality of these populations and ensure their and their lands immunity from the direct ravages of the conflict, provided they do not take up arms of their own volition.