The Compact

Heraldry of the Compact

The Compact is an international economic, political and/or military bloc, in alignment with the will of the Athalmar Empire. This Hegemonic institution was created to achieve an economic and cultural monopoly over the Galactic East, by the Athalmar Empire and subsequent economic and financial development of this region. Combined with direct annexations, the creation of puppet states and establishment of alliances and other dependencies, the Athalmar intend to utilise their powerful economical and military potential to dominate the multitude of Galactic nations that dot known space.

## A Confederation

In **3570**, during the age of the Khan, the Athalmar established the **Hadamar Confederation**. Back then, it was labelled as a defensive alliance and customs union, so to unite the purposes of the **Pythias Republic**, **Jhassanar Alliance**, **Foll Assembly**, **Kasur Council** and the **Athalmar Empire** against the expansionist and dictatorial Dismos Imperium. This alliance withstood the test of time and war, thriving long past the defeat and annexation of the Imperium by the Athalmar, in **3639**, declaring the birth of a new federation underneath the Athalmar Empire, known as the **Compact**. After this monumental victory, the Athalmar would shift their doctrine within the Compact to something more akin to their modern applications. The power of the Compact would rise, as smaller micro-states would be introduced and incorporated by force or mutual agreement, such as the Kingdom of Galvius and the Iridon Regime, respectively.

## A Pact

During the following century of Athalmar rise, competition grew between the ruthless Athalors of Ataros and the benevolent and influential Elder King of Eldarus. In this game of spheres of influence, the Athalmar and Eldurasi reach out to nation's military and economic interests, having them **side with either the Athalmar's power or Eldurasi cooperation**. By the year **3766**, the spheres were defined as follows:

* **Eldurasi**:
	+ The Sambul Wanderers, to the North East, had aligned themselves with the Eldurasi in the interest of achieving a standardization of commercial exchange between the two nations, as well as gaining Eldurasi mediation between the nomadic Wanderers and the xenophobic Forloren State.
	+ The Rethulian Republic, Evidoll of Pthum and Fassan Settlement had long ago established contact with the Eldurasi. Despite their initial hostilities, they now are nations of peace and prosperity, aligning economically with the wealth of Eldarus.
	+ The Belmacor State, having settled in an important trade lane and straight, control one of the main entries into Eldurasi space. From the beginning, their relations flourished, with both nations profiting greatly from the huge swathes of wealth that transit through Belmacor. They are also the main frontline against the Athalmar Empire and, as such, are one of the most staunch military allies of the Eldurasi.
	+ The Philavolence of Beleril and Sobon Synergetics had aligned themselves with Eldurasi goals in order to counter the growing influence of the Athalmar in the Galactic Core. Despite it not being a military alliance, the economical favour of the Philavolence and the Sobon greatly expanded Eldurasi interests and influence in the region.
	+ Hesulkor Empire, Yarakir Continuance, Meccuran Communion and Sypran Collective all joined to supplement and benefit from the Solicistanian trade routes, which traversed through the all four nations. Solicistania, known as the Great Wastelands, is a breeding ground for pirates, raiders and warlords, perpetually threatening trade in this region. The influence of Eldarus upon this region ensured that Eldurasi ships would assist in guaranteeing the trade routes in exchange for standardization of customs.
	+ The Golden Assembly and the Caltharic League both joined to prevent economical isolation. On another note, the Caltharic League was renowned for its internal instability and separatist movements, of which Eldurasi influence and mediation could help to quench.
	+ In an effort to normalize relations and sustain perpetual prosperity in the Norther Regions, Eldarus was responsible for maintaining a tenuous yet profitable agreement with the Thelvannu Hegemony and the Yinarim Consulate, the latter being a secessionist state from the former. Despite neither being capable of full alignment with Eldarus, both were satisfied with the Status Quo brought upon by Eldurasi military power and economic aid.
	+ The Haldros Hierarchy, historically being an isolationist nation, only performing trade exchanges through its self assigned 'treaty ports', on its borders, were invited by the Eldurasi to join the wider sphere, in an attempt to thwart the Athalmar's growing influence. The Haldros' economic might was a gargantuan boon to the Norther economy, as well as a new political and diplomatic weight in favour of the Eldurasi, in the Galactic Council. They became the Eldurasi's most powerful economic partner and military ally.
* **Athalmar**:
	+ The Alalarih Clans had been in talks with the Athalmar Empire for a long time. Given tensions within the Galactic West, the Alalarih facilitated the passing of Athalmar expeditions into the war torn region. The strengthening of relations would reach its height when the Athalmar Empire brokered an alliance between the Elithian Empire and the Alalarih Clans, representing the first stepping stones towards the Clans officially joining the Compact.
	+ The Elithian Empire is a long standing ally of the Athalmar. Brought together by their ideological views, military and economical goals, the two nations quickly sought to strengthen their ties. The Athalmar had always desired to expand their power and influence, but in the Elithians they had found a rare occurrence where true amiable relations were established, with the Elithians being one of the few nations in the Galaxy that openly praise the Athalmar, as well as regularly fight alongside them. This relationship has awarded the Elithians with countless funds and military expeditions from the Athalmar, in exchange for providing the Athalmar with a permanent place within Western politics.
	+ In days of old, the Zatuu were a roaming horde of warmongers. Their nation had entered in decline after having faced the fleets of the Dismos Imperium, in **3620**, and as such have kept to their present borders for centuries. In **3731**, however, they were approached by the Athalmar to join their efforts in a revitalization of their economy and nation. The Athalmar provided councillors and vast swathes of funds to this effort, quickly gaining great influence among the Zatuu's economy. In cooperation, both nations had secured trade lanes between them and aligned both economies' customs. Despite this, many in the Ascendency deeply despised the Athalmar's influence within their markets.
	+ The Alvothari Transsellar was a nominally neutral nation, only trading lightly with its far away neighbours through means of commercial caravans that would travel long distances to reach new markets. This network of caravans had solidified under edicts of a trade focused naval doctrine, as well as creation of many corporate waypoints between markets. This, however, attracted the interest of Ataros, who's Empire desired a direct connection to their allies in the West, the Elithian Empire. With the help of the Elithians and an Athalmar battlegroup, the Alvothari were coerced into joining the Compact, becoming an inferior dependency within it and profiting very little through. The loss of any foreign policy was one of many constant reminders of Athalmar tyranny.
	+ The Almos State and the Kingdom of Carvos both joined the Compact in an effort to sustain their market competitiveness within the Core. Standardization of customs with the Athalmar Empire, as well as its military guarantees, greatly advanced this goal.
	+ The **Eastern Core** states had all joined the Compact in an effort to partake in the growing economical might of the Athalmar Empire, and their subsequent increase in political influence and military might. All but the Toyar Kingdom. It had joined for internal stability, instead of the usual benefits brought along by the Compact. Its king, Milarnos IV, was young and had been in the throne for too few years, quickly loosing support among his stronger aristocracy, resented by the people and unsure of his military's loyalty. In a bid to save his position, the greedy king aligned his nation to that of the Athalmar's will. The Imperial representatives and ambassadors that arrived experienced an unending game of intrigue and factionalism, barely holding the Kingdom together enough for Milarnos to retain his position and the Empire to break a profit and finalize the alignment of the Eastern Core.

## A Hegemony

During and after the war of The Scourge, the Athalmar dismantled the Eldurasi sphere in its entirety, having forcefully or diplomatically added nations into the Compact. It is fair to note that the Scourge was so devastating to the Galactic economy and stability, that entire nations left the Compact, due to internal pressure, whilst others joined willingly for future gain:

* The Massanids and Merdos, during the events of the Scourge, has lost vast amounts of territories, either to foreign invaders, secession or internal instability. They militarily align with the Athalmar in the hopes of recovering their lost territories and eventually gain full benefit from the Compact's economical facilities, with the Athalmar participating to achieve this goal in order to secure themselves another strong ally against the Bastramor Confederation.
* The Vanak and Alalarih join the pact to preserve their independence and military strength in the western turbulence. The Athalmar support this to maintain the Galactic West in decline, so that the Athalmar's Hegemony may rise.
* The countries in the South Eastern Core were added into the Compact with the interest of surpassing their western and northern kin in economic growth. Now, in the year **3780**, the Eastern core is mostly complacent, yet there is a destabilizing factor within this rule: the United Protectorates of Ansion, who have sought to elevate themselves among their peers within the Athalmar's favour. This has caused division among their ranks, and not a small amount of disdain by the remaining members towards the Protectorates.
* The Hesulkor joined as partners in the Partition of the Haldros' territories, aligning themselves fully with the Athalmar Empire to secure their gains and their flanks, given that both the Sobon Synergetics and Meccurans had also joined the Compact, though these two was in the hopes of securing the trade routes that now lay unguarded, since the fall of the Eldurasi.
* To the North, the Gleaming Union had broken free from the Caltharic League, a pro-Eldurasi nation. Seeking protection from their previous overlords, the Gleaming Union aligned themselves with the Athalmar, offering major concessions in return for military protection and economic sustenance.
* The Forloren State and the Sambul Wanderers had, for many decades, been engaged in small skirmishes along their border territories. By the end of the Scourge, both nations were aware of what had happened to Havollus Cora, as well as how the Athalmar were scooping up the territories in their eastern half of the Galaxy. They, however, were approached by Athalmar representatives to settle economical issues, to standardize trade operations across their borders and to cease hostilities between them. Effectively, both were coerced into joining the Compact.

This Hegemony, however, would be tested greatly during the coming years after the Scourge, where economical crisis, instability and new threats would quake the integrity of the Compact and the Empire, as a whole.