Black Leagueism

== Core Tenets ==
Black Leagueism is an inherently reactionary system whose main goals are achieving justice and vengeance from an adversary who is actively persecuting or had wronged its believers in the past. These two goals are achieved by total war.
To realize these goals, Black Leagues are highly centralized politically, while they use the most efficient economic model to speed up development, using both centralized and decentralized systems. They are highly militarized, patriotic and revanchist in nature, however not expansionist or aggressive towards third party states and members.
== Governance ==
=== National Level ===
Every Black League is headed by a Commander, who is simultaneously a military and sometimes religious leader. The Commander can employ a number of Advisors to assist in developing and running their Black League, their roles span from finances and building projects to military and diplomacy.
The Commander is a nonelective position which has the power to appoint and dismiss Advisors at will. More democratic Black Leagues may hold popular elections to select some or all Advisors, however their position can never be hereditary as in a monarchy.
Political parties and any such organizations which are not Black Leagueist in nature are unconditionally banned as they sow needless divide between members and the government.
=== Regional Level ===
Black Leagues which own large territories may split them into provinces to ease governance, however must remain strongly centralized. These provinces are to remain under direct control of the Commander and only carry out basic duties such as providing housing and producing materials. Tasks such as accepting members, creating new projects, mobilising armies as well as coordinating resource distribution and organising events are to remain within the Commander's scope of responsibility to keep in touch with citizens of all regions.
Provinces mustn’t be given large amounts of autonomy to prevent separatism and needless conflicts which are distractions from the main goals of a Black League. Different religions and nationalities should become Black Leagues themselves if they desire to do so, core parts of a nation mustn’t split.
Black Leagues which are a province within a nation of another polity should strive to either increase autonomy and become independent or, if possible, take control of the nation. They are aided in this by other Black Leagues which are already established and capable of providing support.
== External Politics ==
=== Warfare ===
Internal and external combat is the only way of reaching the main goals of a Black League.
Through the development of economy and diplomatic cooperation between Black Leagues, the primary goal of vengeance is to be reached solely by warfare. A Black League, its Commander and its members must prove unyielding, determined and certain of their goal.
Total war is not simple victory over an adversary, but their absolute destruction, including their towns, their organization and their leadership. Black Leagueism views this as the only way of achieving true justice and vengeance for the harms done to its followers by an adversary.
The Commander is the main leader of their Black Leagues’ armies, the expansion and training of which is their main responsibility at all times. Self-sufficiency in regards to offensive action against an adversary is the primary aim of each Commander, although support from other Black Leagues may prove necessary. It is desirable to minimize dependence on foreign mercenaries, as they are not loyal to the goals of a Black League and may prove traitorous during critical stages of a war.
For this reason, Black Leagueist societies are often heavily militarized, as the Commander is the head of the government and the army, the warriors are seen in high regard since they will be the ones to administer justice and instil fear in their enemies.
=== Diplomacy ===
Black Leagueism, although built upon the idea of economic autarky and self-sufficiency, views cooperation between Black Leagues as a core tenet. This is especially true in regards to military pacts, where mutual support is crucial to obtaining various goals. This cooperation can happen between nations but also individual Black Leagueist provinces and organizations within countries with different regimes.
Teamwork between Black Leagues is important for a wide range of purposes, be it defending against enemies, supporting the development of fellow Black Leagues or jointly attacking an adversary.
Diplomacy with nations of different ideologies is permitted and encouraged as a way to spread Black Leagueism and improve the geopolitical situation in many regions.
In regards to an enemy or their allies of any Black League the principle is one for all and all for one. Any relations with an adversary are prohibited and strongly frowned upon as it can seed dissent and rivalry which could benefit them.
Black Leagueist nations, provinces and organizations may also ally themselves with political entities of similar views or interests, however they mustn’t be prioritized over other Black Leagues.
== Internal Politics ==
=== Social Hierarchy ===
By default, all members are equal inside of every Black League. Different social ranks such as nobility or religious leaders serve purely ceremonial purposes with as little privileges over the common member as possible.
There are only two exceptions to this rule, which are senior members of a Black League, including the Commander as well as their closest advisors. This also encompasses distinguished members of a Black League, mostly important warriors, revolutionaries or other players.
The structure of a Black League is one based on merit instead of inheritance. As opposed to theocratic, monarchist and even democratic systems, which often end up enabling kleptocracy and corruption among the highest classes. Black Leagueist society also stands in opposition to various leftists movements which advocate for total egalitarianism and anarchism, both of which are also rejected due to seeding a lack of cooperation and distrust between citizens.
=== Terraforming ===
Following the philosophy of returning previous entities, both political and natural, Black Leagueism generally opposes terraforming. It is accepted that towns should adapt to their terrain and biome instead of attempting to do the opposite, although it is recognised that undevelopable terrain can be altered.
This viewpoint is also supported by the numerous examples of claim owners failing to terraform their towns, resulting in awful results and a general waste of resources which could be diverted elsewhere.
=== Religion & Culture ===
Any form of faith is viewed as very important for the community of a Black League. It is desirable that the Commander is simultaneously the religious head of their people.
Many benefits can be gained from adhering to a local religion. It eases the task of upkeeping activity, social cohesion, fervour and devotion in a Black League.
All cultures are equal in Black Leagueism does not see any customs as inherently inferior or superior, save for the Chalonese and their followers whose brutal and destructive practices in history have caused the very creation of Black Leagueism as a reaction to their wrongdoings. This view is the core of any Black League as their main goal is to seek justice and vengeance.
== Economy ==
=== Peace Time ===
“Peace is preparation for War” is the mantra of the economic idea during peacetime.
The main goal of each member is to increase the efficiency of gaining materials and money. Black Leagueism heavily opposes any form of taxation as it stifles economic growth of citizens and decreases spending in return for few profits.
The main goal of each Black League is achieving self-sufficiency from other nations or even towns. Through cooperation between Black Leagues, such a state can be achieved rather easily and with many benefits for all involved.
Black Leagueism does not advocate for a singular economic model during peace, choosing to pick the most efficient one. This decision heavily depends on the situation of each Black League, the larger and more active ones being able to afford a more decentralised approach.
Laissez-faire economics are often adopted in order to promote drastic economic growth, viewing less regulated trade as more profitable. High numbers of players ensure constant flow of all kinds of materials without the need of much intervention to keep supplies going.
Central planning is predominantly used to direct parts of the citizenry towards an initiative, such as creating new houses, farms or other forms of organised labor. Black Leagues with smaller populations may adopt these as a means of gaining specific materials and achieving goals.
=== War Time ===
Total Devotion is the most important aspect of wartime economies.
During war, Black Leagues adopt heavy centralization of the economy, aiming for the highest level of mobilization possible. All forms of labor, trade and work are directed towards the war effort, previously personal properties can be seized, including materials, equipment, money and anything else deemed fit by the Commander of each Black League.
Cohesion of all members is crucial. Similar to peacetime economics, citizens are directed towards various tasks to support the war effort. The Commander is responsible for all such initiatives and may be aided by other government members if such ranks are established within their Black League.
Once a war is finished, the Black League reverts back to a peacetime economic model, Commanders may not elongate a state of war as it leads to totalitarian rule. Personal property is returned either by returning seized possessions or reimbursement with war spoils.
== Black Leagueist Organizations ==
=== Black League of Pikulia ===
The Black League of Pikulia, often referred to as simply “Pikulia” is by far the dominant Black League, led by Richart Pikulowsky who is also coordinating the actions of any other Black Leagueist entities. Initially centered around the town of Pikulia in Rathnir, it now operates in Nova Pikulia, a town in Ashkavar.
Although it was established in 227 TE, it traces its history all the way back to 133 TE when a border conflict between Pikulia and New Chalon, a newly created city, began. The latter, headed by Hunter Osmund, sought to expand beyond its borders and into the lands of Pikulia. Due to Pikulowsky’s connections and planning, the city of New Chalon had to abandon their claims against Pikulia, which was a tiny hamlet at the time.
This incident would mark the beginning of nearly 100 years of animosity between the towns. Mines were blocked off resulting in shortages, items were stolen slowing down development, all while Hunter finally seized control over Adaen. His rule was marked by incompetency and ruthlessness, driving the old Pikulik and Huitcan towns into ruin, poorly executed terraforming attempts, baseless hostilities against foreigners as well as hindering the creation of new towns.
Finally, in 207 TE, after another coup attempt by Pikulowsky, Hunter made it clear that he wanted the total destruction of Pikulia and expulsion of its citizens, sparking the First Pikulian War. Although Pikulowsky initially won the battle of New Chalon in 215 TE, luck soon turned against him. Despite desperate attempts to negotiate peace and rally new fighters, the war was lost after a decisive battle in 221 TE.
The fall of Pikulia was a turning point in the history of Black Leagueism as it birthed its innate need for vengeance. Pikulowsky had to witness all buildings being torn down, roads destroyed, possessions looted, citizens slayed and his beloved homeland go down in flames, a catastrophe that he vowed to avenge at all cost, which would be known as the First Trial in the future. But that was still not the end.
In the following years, while Pikulowsky was in exile in Hiarlliia, Hunter embarked on a bloody spree of total destruction. All that remained of Pikulia was a flat plain riddled with holes, ganks, trenches and tunnels. Fort Goliath, the symbol of Huitcan culture in Adaen, was torn down without a second thought. The people of Kharakesestan, once allies to the Pikulians, were slaughtered with no remorse. Armaros, a new fortified town created by the Chalonese now furthered the Berkanese rule, yet it was still not over.
Hunter, after selling Berkan to Caeli, decided to hunt down Pikulowsky due to recurring partisan attacks, resulting in his expulsion from Hiarlliia and forcing him to flee to Aurora. This, along with bad decision making, greatly postponed the counterattack he was planning, which finally took place in 314 TE. The Second Pikulian War was thus a very hastily executed operation. The Second Trial, as it would be later known, was also a failure due to the freezing of Rathnir in 320 TE.
In Abexillas, the Hunterist regime settled far away from the remnants of the Black League, forming the nation of Doravan. However for Pikulowsky, it was just another chance at seeking vengeance and justice. Following a deliberate rethinking of the past mistakes, doctrine and decision making, he reestablished the Black League in 392 TE, which was now based around the town of Nova Pikulia in Ashkavar.
Currently, the Black League of Pikulia is undergoing rapid development, growing in population and size, enriching itself and supporting fellow Black Leagues around Abexillas.
=== Black League of Synadensk ===
The second Black League ever to be founded was that of Synadensk, which like Pikulia has its origins in Western Rathnir after the fall of Huitca.
Initially known as "Snake Legion", It was founded by Ausonicis Aristei, a Bardonian with Huitcan descent, in an attempt to climb the ranks of the Huitcan Restoration Front and, consequently, into the Huitca that Vansh was trying to restore.
After the collapse of the HRF, the Legion conquered an island in the Phagosian Sea, which Ausonicis renamed "Synadenos", but it was short-lived. Ausonicis then went in exile in Hiarliia, where he met Pikulowsky himself and started to see the "Inaction" of Azeraan leadership, since he thougth they weren't trying to restore Huitca. The hatred towards them would led Ausonicis to attempting a coup, which failed miserably.
Meanwhile this happened, Synadenos grew ever closer to Pikulia, so much so that Ausonicis' son, Asgretal, was raised by Pikulowsky with the ideals of Black Leagueism.
Later on, Rathnir froze and Ausonicis, with the Snake Legion and the Uttarians, enstabilished the city of Huttaralem in Talasi. Ausonicis, who was growing older and older, was aided in the state affairs by Asgretal, which quickly became a prominent figure in Yuttara. However, Zelleth Epitchian, emperor of Epitchia, wanted to bring Yuttara into submissions. 
After conquering Huttaralem, the Epitchians would force the Uttarians into submission, but in an attempt of vengance, Ausonicis would kill, with the help of the Pikulians, Zelleth. After an attempt of liberating and rebelling Yuttara, Ausonicis would be killed and execute, making the Snake Legion flee from Talasi and with Asgretal becoming leader of it.
Some Uttarians, led by Onkel, tried to resist the Epitchians, but they would fail. A genocide ensued, and Onkel got executed. Meanwhile, Asgretal would rejoin Azeraan and started to plot revenge on the Azeranni leadership who exilied his father and, most importantly, to the Epitchian Empire. Synadensk, the name of Synadenos in Uttarian, was born anew.
While it currently exist as a governament in exile, Synadensk and Asgretal already reached the first objective in what it's know as " Azeraan Legitimacy Crisis" or, as the Synadenski calls it, " The Crisis of the Two Suns".