The Charter of Ten

The Charter of Ten is a document signed by all those present at the founding of the Southern Alliance in the year 1 OCA. A total of 763 individuals, forming the delegations of all ten member nations, signed the document. Currently, the original Charter is enshrined at the Seat of the Ten in the Thronelands.  
==Edicts==
The Charter establishes many things, including the formation of the Council of Ten, the establishment of a calendar, and the introduction of a standardized southern currency. Its most important function is the description of three principle edicts, which all member nations must adhere to on penalty of expulsion from the Alliance. The three edicts are:
===The First Edict===
"No member nation may attack another member nation without immediate justification for such an action."
===The Second Edict===
"All member nations must recognize and respect the borders of the other member nations."
===The Third Edict===
"All citizens of all member nations are to recognized as citizens of the Alliance when visiting other member nations."
==Criticism==
Some southern citizens over the years have questioned the language and effectiveness of the Charter. In fact, many refer to the First Edict as "the Optional Edict" due to the number of times it has been effectively broken in the years after the Charter, espescially in the case of the Second Elf-Dwarf War. At the same time, many admit that removing a member of the Alliance at this point would be problematic to say the least (many joke that changing all of the statues and plaques throughout the south reading "Council of Ten" to "Council of Nine" would bankrupt the south). 
==Significance of "763"==
The number 763, the number of original charter signers, is often assigned a special significance in the southern nations. For instance, in Rlaysia, Charter Day is celebrated with a display of 763 fireworks. To celebrate the 1,000th anniversary of the alliance, Blackpeak commisioned 763 ceremonial swords for each nation's honor guard as a gesture of good will. 
==See Also==
*Southern Alliance
Category:Lore