The Steppe Accord

The Steppe accord was an agreement between the two sea-faring nations of Tabard and Trinsulae on one side and the Khanate of the Council of the Horselords on the other. It established total hegemony in the steppe for the Council of the Horselords in exchange for giving up support for the Laurelorn claim of the forested island in the Midland Sea. It also established a non-aggression pact and free-trade between Tabard and the Council.

## Background

The Emerald Crisis and the consequent battle of Jugurtha's crown saw the two island nations involved in a short war over control of a small town on the coast of the Steppe. This angered Gekke I, the Horse King, who wanted no powers to intervene in the matters of the Steppe. As a result the Horse King made a proclamation, warning all other powers to henceforth stop intervening in matters of the steppe or otherwise the Khanate would destroy them. Gekke I then announced his support for the Laurelorn claim of the island to his north, which meant that he did not recognize the earlier signed treaty of Utrond. Soon after this proclamation Trinsulaean and Tabardan diplomats arrived in the Citadel.

## Content

### Article 1

In article one the two maritime nations proclaim to not intervene, meddle or settle in the Steppe. This region is to be completely controlled by the Council of the Horselords. Establishing total hegemony of the region.

### Article 2

In exchange for article 1 the Council of the Horselords withdraw their support for the Laurelorn claim on the Midsea islands, effectively recognizing the treaty of Utrond, but not officially at all as it is clearly left out from the agreement. Laurelorn has yet to react to this particular article.

### Article 3

A non-aggression pact and free trade is established between the Republic of Tabard and the Council of the Horselords. Both states implemented this article for their own reasons. Tabard guarantees its independence by not having to worry about a Council invasion whereas the Horselords have their flank secured in any expansion northwards towards Tir.

### Clause 1

Clause 1 states that the treaty remains even if one signatory breaks the treaty, this does mean that the breaking part will lose all benefits of the treaty. It also states that the breaking party will be shamed for eternity.

## Significance

This treaty is significant since it provides complete hegemony of the steppe towards the Council of the Horselords, this means the Council is safe from attack from its north-west and south and can focus on expanding without having to worry about going to war as of yet. Gekke I has expressed his desire to unite all the tribes and can continue to do so without any interference.

Laurelorn loses an important ally in its struggle to gain the forested island in the Midland Sea. With the threat of any land attack on Tabard removed and without a navy big enough to counter the maritime powers, Laurelorn is in a disadvantaged situation where it only has support of Apowidu, the position of the Deutschmeister empire in the conflict remains vague.

In Tabard the treaty was met with great approval since it provided peace with the power Council to the south. This gave traders more confidence and trade was established with the Dragon island. It is also the first time a treaty was signed by Polleander, not mentioning the other Igetos or the Builandon, effectively seizing control over foreign affairs. Political opponents of Polleander are not amused but his popularity had become to great for them to deal with Polleander as of yet.