Provisions for the Defense of Kithira
as issued by the Royal Consort First Admiral Cruim McHenry and the Board of Admirals of the Kithiran Royal Navy, and approved by Her Royal Highness Queen Anne
To ensure the common defense of the great nation of Kithira, it is hereby ordered that a Navy Auxiliary Unit be created, so that citizens committed to the security of the nation may be protected by the Accords of Honorable Warfare, and rewarded for their service to the nation. Naval Coordinators will travel to each municipality and solicit volunteers from the citizenry. Such volunteers will be issued a sash (to identify them) and 10 ducats per season of service (payable at the festival), and organized into a unit with an elected leader. Auxiliaries are expected to follow the leader into battle against any attacking Tiyagan forces, ensuring the defense of their municipality. As free citizens and not commissioned members of the Navy, Auxiliaries are not subject to the traditional chain of command, and cannot be tried for insubordination, but will be subject to a military tribunal for matters of desertion or the commission of war crimes.
and
A Declaration of Commitment to the Accords of Honorable Warfare
Kithira is a signatory to the Accords of Honorable Warfare Between Nations and hereby reaffirms her commitment to the outlined rules and modes of conduct.
For those opting to aid in the defense of the nation:
- All those who would attack us, or lend material aid to those attacking us (including medical and logistical aid) are considered enemy combatants and should be repulsed by all necessary force, until such time as they cease their aggression and withdraw. While medical personnel are considered combatants, those presently engaged in life-saving surgery are not to be interrupted.
- If captured, enemy combatants are to be treated with respect, dignity, and all required medical care. Their personal effects shall remain their property and to take them is thievery and looting. Fallen enemies are to be treated with all military honors until the bodies can be returned to the enemy.
- Goods belonging to the Tiyagan crown, be they in encampments, warehouses, or ships, when seized, are to be turned over to the Navy, which shall calculate and reward the seizing persons with an appropriate share of the value.
- Ships and forces belonging to neutral parties are not to be engaged, although customs inspections and seizures of illegal goods will continue as normal.
- If one is engaged in hostile action against the enemy nation, one should identify oneself as a Kithiran soldier, including wearing the Kithiran uniform if possible.
For those who wish to avoid any conflict:
- Civilians should try to clear conflict areas with all possible haste. Their possessions are not to be taken or destroyed, nor their persons assaulted.
- Non-combatants should avoid carrying or brandishing weapons, as soldiers are allowed to act in their own self-defense.
- If one does opt to take up weapons (or render non-lifesaving aid), one will be considered a combatant by the enemy and treated accordingly.
—------------ Out of Game Clarification—--------------------------------------------
These are not the absolute comprehensive rules of war, these are the guidelines the public is expected to find useful. As a general rule, if something feels “dishonorable”, it’s probably going to reflect badly on Kithira and have consequences. Likewise, if a particular action feels “honorable”, it will probably reflect well on Kithira. The Rules of War system is (from an OOG standpoint) not a legal set of rules, but a general vibe the PCs can set about how they go about fighting, and in general, Tiyago, Kithira and others will respond to that vibe.
- These are the rules of combat with Tiyago. Pirates, monsters, etc. are not going to follow them.
- Fight only people who are fighting back/contributing to the fight (medics, scholars, engineers reloading, etc).
- You can crit a downed enemy or capture them (done by dragging them off to the side of the battlefield) as you see fit. The “I throw you in prison” call is not going to work in the chaos of a large battlefield.
- Once you have captured someone, you are responsible for their wellbeing. No corpse desecration.
- In large engagements Tiyagans may capture you. You will be returned at the end of the battle, at some cost to Kithira.
- If you are caught in Tiyagan territory (without a Kithiran uniform), or in Tiyagan uniform, you are not protected by the rules of war and are therefore subject to Tiyagan law. This may include punishment for spying, in which case the Kithiran government will officially disavow you.
- No looting individual combatants.
- If you don’t want to fight, try to clear the battlefield. The Tiyagans will try to avoid attacking you unless they think you are a threat.