The Accords of Advent

One of the most commonly seen documents across all of Isesda is the trade agreement called the Accords of Advent, though locally it is sometimes known by different names as noted below. While the actual text is rather extensive, in brief it is a mutual agreement regarding the rules of maritime travel and trade, the recognition of regions of ocean controlled by different nations, and assuring that the Federation of Advent has jurisdiction to enforce the policies and procedures outlined therein. It is considered required reading for anyone who travels or works at sea and has been translated into nearly every language spoken along a coastline in Isesda.

Purpose

The accords were formed in order to cease hostilities between the seafaring powers of Raiven and Derathain and the allied forces of the Federation of Advent and the Reman Empire. Prior to the accords, the federation were regularly assaulting Axian, Vellan, and Derathaini ships in retaliation for their incursions into the open seas as part of the colonization of Aranel.

Document Structure

Caveats

As the existing ruling body of the open oceans, and the entity of greatest mlitary power involved in the agreement, the accords name the Federation of Advent and all entities acting with their authority to enforce the guidelines laid out herein by whatever means deemed necesary at the time of enforcement. This caveat is the single greatest concession made by the continental nations to the oceanic forces. However, there is little the land-based forces can do about it as they cannot hope to successfully wage war against the federation in their natural environment, even were the continentals to unite against them (which is all but impossible anyway).

References

Legal codicies of all signatory nations are vaguely referenced within the document, but no specifics are laid out beyond some strictures put into place based on Adventi law.

Publication Status

Replicas of the accords are one of the few documents widely available across all continents, with translations existing for most languages common along the coasts. The original documents are ensorcelled metal disks which are kept magically protected in the keeping of the Federation of Advent. Their actual location is not known outside the upper government of the Federation.

Legal status

The accords were initally drawn between the Federation of Advent, the Axial Empire, and the Kingdom of Derathain. They have been ratified by all three and have additionally been ratified by subsequent powers including the Reman Empire (in accordance with an existing alliance between them and the Federation), the Vellan Dominion, the city-state of Avalier, and the indpendently acting Dutchy of Lestra (though Derathaini envoys have contested the right of the Dutchy to sign the accords as they do not recognize the soverignty of the Lestran government, and as such Derathaini copies of the documet do not include Lestran signatories).

Historical Details

Public Reaction

For the most part the peoples of the continental, coastal nations are greatly appreciative of the accords as it affords them the ability to trade, travel, and harvest from the oceans in peace. The accords have also greatly reduced piracy along the western and southern coasts of Raiven and Derathain, though some has been known to happen in the waters closer to Aranel.
The citizens of the Federation mostly do not engage with the accords as they have no interest in the land, but they are pleased to not be at war with the surface.
Both groups enjoy a level of peace and comfort that neither is quite ready to sacrifice.

Legacy

The document has lasted with little modification for over two hundred years as of the current era and seems likely to last for many decades, if not centuries, to come. There are those, especially within Vel and Derathain, who would be pleased to see the accords broken, but their support is still very thin and neither is likely to work with the other further weakening the movement.

Type

Treaty, Trade

Medium

Paper