Holy Bovic League

The Holy Bovic League is an international agreement establishing and governing the relationship between Eastern Natopia and the Pentheral State of Athlon. It formalized the state of affairs that existed by custom from 1537 to 1615. Athlon was a sovereign state that survived the collapse of Natopia by joining with Gralus. When the Natopian state was restored and Athlon rejoined it, the status of Athlon's sovereignty was ambiguous. Nathan Waffel-Paine served as king of Athlon, pentheros of the Bovic Church, and Natopian emperor, so the separation between Natopia and Athlon was blurred. When Nathan died and new pentheros and emperor were selected in 1607, the relationship was less clear and a de facto dependency or protectorate status was applied to Athlon until 1615, when the customs were codified into a treaty that recognized Athlonic sovereignty and church independence, while obligating Natopia to protect the islands.

It was ratified by the Frenzy of unified Natopia in 1615. It recognizes Athlon as a protected sovereign nation to protect the independence of the Pentheros and the Dozan Bovic Church. It has been invoked several times by Natopia, when the Natopian Defense Force mobilized elements of the Holy Order of the Armored Goats during the Euran War and War of the Lost Brothers. It was notably not invoked for the Crusade of Saint Lazaros, when Nathan II donated a strip of land form the colony of Waffel Plains to Athlon to allow for the genocide against the Goetics to happen on Athlonic, not Natopian, soil.

Text

The Holy Bovic League

as established between
The Pentheral State of Athlon
and

The Bovic Tapferite Empire of the Natopian Nation

The Pentheral State of Athlon (Athlon) and the Bovic Tapferite Empire of the Natopian Nation (Natopia), recognizing the ancient and entwined history of their two nations, do hereby enter into this holy covenant, subject to the terms as laid out in this treaty:

1. Athlon and Natopia are united together as two nations bound together by the yoke of this Holy Bovic League.
2. Athlon recognizes that international law, tradition, and treaties consider the Athlonian archipelago to be under Natopia's authority.
   1. Natopia recognizes Athlon as a "protected sovereign nation," not a territory, colony, or demesne.
   2. The foreign policies of Athlon are aligned with Natopia.
   3. Athlon will not expand its borders unless the Frenzy consents. Internal borders, city names, and their locations remain the exclusive decision of Athlon itself.
   4. The current territorial claim of Athlon will not be reduced by Natopia for any reason. Any attempts to do so will result in Athlon removing itself from all legal association with Natopia and asserting its sovereign right to independence.
3. Athlon binds itself to follow all applicable sections of the Caprine Code, except when such sections would violate church doctrine.
4. Natopia recognizes that Athlonian land exists outside of and distinct from the Empire, but still within Natopia's sphere of influence.
   1. Athlon may participate as a separate nation in non-governmental organizations such as sporting leagues.
5. Natopia recognizes that the Pentheros of the Dozan Bovic Church is the absolute ruler of Athlon.
6. Athlon forfeits the right to send a voting Representative to the Frenzy; instead, Athlon may send a non-voting observer to the Frenzy and to represent Athlonian affairs in Lindstrom City.
7. The Most Holy Order of the Armored Goats is the distinct and separate military of Athlon, under the exclusive command of the Pentheros.
   1. The Emperor of Natopia may request the Order to assist the Natopian Defense Force in defense of the Empire.
   2. The Pentheros may request the NDF to assist Athlon in states of emergency and under threat of invasion.
8. No trade or customs barriers will exist between Natopia and Athlon.
   1. Athlon will use the Natopo as official currency.
   2. Eligibility for Natopian citizenship is extended to residents of Athlon.
9. The Emperor and Pentheros may meet from time to time, or as necessary, to discuss the affairs of the League and to suggest amendments or additions.
10. This treaty will come into force upon approval of the Frenzy and assent of the Pentheros.

Signed for Athlon
Pentheros Neoptolemus

Signed for Natopia
Christo Eucalyptos