The Compact of Sacred Rails
We owe our thanks to Broken Tail Magnus for giving us the Territories. We owe the Compact of Sacred Rails for our Peace.
Years after the Territorial system was established by Magnus Moonbane, the territories remained at war with one another. Infighting among the packs had all but ceased, but as human interference in their world and the destruction of their wilderness increased, the werewolves began to seek more territory. As time progressed, this resulted in territorial wars. This is the reason that, to this day, wolves are trained to be combat-ready.
This is why a representative from each Territory traveled to the Chicago Rail Hub to discuss ways to end the warring and bring unity to the territories and therefore to the packs. Their ancestors, and particularly their hero, Magnus, would not have wanted to see them fighting this way, and, after all, each of the territories was suffering the same habitat loss as the others. Why war with one another when humans were the clear problem? Moreover, there was hardly more territory to be won from one another. The solution was clearly to unify against the destructive nature of humankind.
From this historical meeting came the Compact of Sacred Rails of 1876. This foundational treaty established the eight-territory system and created the mutual defense pacts between werewolf clans across North America. It stated that clan leaders were responsible for defending their packs and that packs were responsible for defending their members. Moreover, it stated that each Territory was to defend itself against external threats while allying with the other Territories against the very real human threat.
Key Provisions
- Each territory maintains sovereignty within its boundaries
- Sacred rail lines are neutral ground - no violence permitted on or near tracks
- High Council system for inter-territorial disputes
- Mutual defense against external supernatural and human threats
- Trade agreements and resource sharing protocols
- Veterans' integration and care requirements
- Veiltender recognition across all territories
The Document
The document, written in a mix of English and Old Wolf, the compact has clauses that can only be understood by those who've undergone specific spiritual training. Each section of the document has been carved onto one of eight steel plates that represent rail ties, and each territory holds one piece. This means that in order for the document to be read, a representative of each of the eight territories must be present with their piece and a specially-trained mystic must be present to read the document in its entirety.
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