The Tyberion Covenant

[jstep]

The Tyberion Covenant

Official Site:Tyberia

IRC Channel: #tyberia at irc.coldfront.net

Application Instructions at: Tyberion Registration

The Tyberion Philosophy

The basic seed from which the concept of Tyberia originally sprung, and which has guided its development from a dream into a reality, is simply this: success. The Tyberion Covenant is designed for the sole purpose of delivering success to its membership. Granted, there's typically some disagreement as to what exactly constitutes success in Planet Bob, but the cold, hard fact remains that everybody knows it when they see it.

In the low-level buzz of chaos that constantly surrounds international politics, it's inevitable that alliances will routinely experience conflicts with one another. Perhaps a rogue member will step out of line, or perhaps some harsh words get out of hand. Most often such individual issues are smoothed over quietly, behind the scenes. But when that doesn't happen, the alliance that gets its way - the alliance that forcefully advances its sovereign claims and enforces them without fail - is rightfully seen as the winner. This is true whether the issue was settled in back rooms, through public media, or on the battlefield. That's success.

This alliance was born from a desire to achieve success for its own sake, as well as a clear-eyed analysis of why some alliances invariably win while others fail. Everything else follows naturally and inevitably from this simple approach.

Victory

From time to time, someone starts a discussion on what factors are involved in winning at large scale inter-alliance war. Typically a variety of things get suggested, with more and more added to the list as things go along. But no matter how detailed or wordy the analysis, there's still one glaring answer which we've never seen publicly mentioned:

Faith.

It's faith that wins wars.

The alliances that are invariably successful in war and in politics are those who enter it with supreme confidence, carrying with them the unquestioned assumption that they will be victorious, and that they will rapidly recover from any damage suffered.

Regardless of relative NS, member experience, organization or the many other factors involved, any conflict ultimately comes down to this: you win when you keep logging in to fight every update, night after night, for as long as it takes. The other guy loses when he gets tired of fighting you and gives up on it. When your enemies lose their nerve and you don't, they surrender and the victory is yours. That's all there is to it.

Everything else is just details. Target lists can be drafted, attacks can be coordinated, supply chains can be organized, nations can be rebuilt, and so forth. Those things are all important, and we intend to do an exceptional job at them. But regardless of such details, the fact remains that any alliance that enters into war with the absolute faith that they shall prevail will nearly always defeat an alliance that isn't so sure.

Culture

Given the central role of an alliance's faith in itself, one of the key steps that any successful alliance must focus on from the beginning is to create a coherent internal culture. Then it must constantly reinforce that culture among its members, so that they are endlessly reminding one another why they fight, explaining to each other what their alliance stands for, and discussing why that's important.

This development and reinforcement of alliance culture is hardly just "frills." Rather, it serves to create an environment conducive to fostering a dedicated, engaged and confident membership base. And that is central to success in everything else that an alliance needs to do. As such, it should be done intentionally, with as much forethought, planning and purposeful drive as any other program.

As with everything else we do, our culture will be focused on achieving success. To that end, we will be uncompromising in everything that we do, reaching for no less than perfection in our thoughts, words, teamwork and actions. No hyperbole can be too much when describing the standards that we expect of ourselves. We reject the notion that an alliance can't excel in all areas of activity equally; there are no trade-offs, no choices to be made between being effective in this way or that. We will have it all, completely.

A strong alliance culture also enhances the CN experience of each member, helping each get as much enjoyment and fulfillment out of their participation as possible. Immersive titles and terminology will help to define a "language" of our own, which will bind us together in thought as well as by oath. A constantly evolving and developing, coherent body of native political theory will help to guide us in line with our founding ideal.

Charters, Rights and Democracy

A great many alliances attempt to import an alien ideology from the so-called "Earth" and apply it to the political realities of Planet Bob. With some of them, such as the so-called "Leftist" alliances, this agenda is obvious. But even concepts such as individual rights and democracy are not native to Digiterra, nor are they a good fit - at least, not if success is your goal.

No matter what any charter says, regardless of how magnificent its legal subclauses are, it can be nothing more than a mere collection of words. It always begs the question - who decides? Who interprets it? Who is responsible for executing it, and who decides whether they did so correctly? The answer, of course, is that you have to trust people to do these things. And if they're not trustworthy, then your charter will fail no matter what it says. However, if your leadership is trustworthy, then you didn't really need a charter to begin with! The word of a truly trustworthy person that they will dedicate themselves to your well being would do just as well, and in fact better in many circumstances.

Another problem with charters is that you withhold something of yourself when you sign them. To sign a charter is to say "I'm loyal to the alliance provided it works the way this document says." The trouble is that no language is perfect enough to cover all eventualities. Loopholes occur, the alliance missteps, and (provided it survives) it revises its charter. Over time, the evolving and growing body of complicated legal documents binding the leadership of most longstanding democratic alliances can become enormous, as well as enormously complex. Those alliances which enshrine the demands of their members in a binding charter inevitably handcuff their leadership to such a degree that they simply can't serve their membership at all well in return.

To maintain individual rights is also to withhold part of yourself. In doing so, you say "you can have only so much power from me, but this I reserve for myself." As the strength of any alliance is only the sum of the dedication invested by its membership, an alliance based upon the expectation of total loyalty from its members will always have a distinct advantage over any alliance that can only ask for some.

Alliances that function democratically are at worst laughingstocks, and at best irrelevant. Most of them fall somewhere in between those two extremes. But in neither case is their membership well served by this state of affairs. Democracy takes an inordinate length of time to produce a decision which is nothing more than an average of all its members' opinions, typically uninspiring. But sometimes, swift, decisive and drastic action is required. It's during such times that the flaws of democracy on Planet Bob become glaringly evident.

It's also a common feature of many democratic alliances to end up becoming essentially "internet communities that happen to have a game attached," rather than engines driving towards the single purpose of real success in Digiterra. Their activity inevitably turns inward upon itself, and away from the realm of global politics. In the end, they become little more than another discussion group, such as can be found anywhere, except one which has allowed itself to become isolated from its topic of discussion.

The Tyberion Covenant

We categorically reject the concept of power for its own sake. In the Tyberion Covenant, autocracy exists only to serve the individual to the greatest extent possible. Each member is not "ruled," but is rather served by the Keeper and his appointees. They exist for no other reason than to support and promote the success of each member. The power they wield is nothing more or less than a tool to be used for that purpose.

Our covenant, the agreement that transfers authority to the alliance, is breathtakingly simple. It doesn't specify or guarantee any rights. It doesn't explain how the government is structured, or lay out the rules by which it will all work. It merely expresses the unreserved and unconditional transfer of power from member to Keeper. The Keeper then delegates that power, establishing the alliance structure by edict.

As that power flows back to the membership through delegation, it becomes transformed. No longer is it undirected, or without purpose. Now that member has a reason to fight, as well as to get the most satisfaction possible out of ruling his nation on Planet Bob. Now that member has been given something in which he can have faith.

Not only that, but each member will find that their power has been vastly magnified through this process. Each individual Tyberian receives not a small portion of its glory, but rather all of it; for glory, like love, is not diminished or lessened by sharing. Tyberia's successes are your successes, because you are Tyberia.

All that we ask is that you give us your all, and we will give you the world.

Edict of Establishment

In order to most effectively leverage my authority to the defense and welfare of all current and future Signatories of the Tyberion Covenant, I hereby proclaim the following Edict of Establishment.

A. Relations

1. Due to our admiration of the success and principles of the New Pacific Order, it is illegal for any Signatory of the Tyberion Covenant to war with them or their allies for any reason at any time.

2. To ensure transparent government and positive relations with both the New Pacific Order and the New Polar Order, we will offer representatives appointed by them unrestricted access to all Tyberion forums and IRC channels.

3. In appreciation of their early guidance and support, Dilber, Z'ha'dum, and Bakunin's Dream are recognized as honorary Members of this alliance.

4. At this time, no color sphere is mandated for Signatories of the Tyberion Covenant.

B. Membership

1. To be accepted as a Signatory of the Tyberion Covenant, applicants must register and follow the instructions in our forum.

2. Acceptance is based on a review of your history as a ruler, in accordance with section 3 below. Withholding relevant information may earn rejection.

3. All accepted Signatories of the Tyberion Covenant are to place "The Tyberion Covenant" in the alliance affiliation for their nation. Removal of this Alliance Affiliation will be considered as resignation from the alliance without notice.

4. Accepted Signatories will be placed in the provisional status of Initiate for a period of 7 days. Promotion to full membership will be conditional based on their behavior and revealed history during this period, as well as a review of their knowledge and attitude.

C. Rules

1. The following offenses may earn members expulsion and possibly Condemnation:

1a. Treachery: Violating alliance policies or refusing to execute orders.

1b. Espionage: Releasing confidential information or misrepresentation of identity.

1c. Subversion: Attempting to coup or to develop an unauthorized subgroup of membership.

1d. Heresy: Contravening stated policy in public, disrespect of allies; also, flaming, obscenity or OOC attacks directed at anyone.

1e. Gross Stupidity: Being a complete moron. If it sounds like a bad idea, go with your instinct and don't do it.

2. Members may war with unaligned nations, upon prior approval by your Captain or Commandant. Be warned that you do so at your nation's peril. Conflicts not ordered by alliance leadership will not be supported.

3. Nuclear weapons may not be launched without authorization.

4. Members may not war with one another except under the following conditions:

4a. As part of a formal Duel authorized by the Keeper.

4b. As part of a First Blood or Half War training exercise authorized by your Captain.

D. Command Structure

1. Each member of the Tyberion Covenant will be assigned to a Fire Team, made up of four nations having a similar nation strength.

2. In all operational matters, Fire Team members work closely together as ordered and instructed.

3. Fire Teams are organized into Squads, each made up of three to five Fire Teams. Squads may include a variety of nation strengths.

4. Each Squad is led by a Captain, who is responsible for coordinating operations involving members of the Squad.

5. Each Captain is assisted by a Sergeant, who may also substitute for the Captain as needed.

E. Executors

1. To facilitate alliance-level tasks, authority will be delegated to four Executors, each with their own sphere of responsibility.

2. Regardless of any Executor's sphere of responsibility, the following decisions can be made only by the Keeper:

2a. Signing, suspending or abrogating treaties.

2b. Declaring war or peace with another alliance.

2c. Authorization of Duels between members.

2d. Merging or disbanding.

3. Executors shall each have a seat on the Keeper's advisory council.

4. The Executor positions are as follows:

4a. The Chancellor is responsible for internal affairs.

4b. The Commandant is responsible for military affairs.

4c. The Conciliator is responsible for foreign affairs.

4d. The Exchequer is responsible for economic affairs.

5. All tasks which can be reasonably divided by Squad will be delegated by the Executors to the Captains.

6. Each Executor may appoint members to Adjutant positions to assist in any other alliance-wide tasks pertaining to their sphere of responsibility.

F. Warders

1. To reward and leverage the talent, commitment and service of our very best and brightest members, the position of Warder shall be established.

2. Warders shall each have a seat on the Keeper's advisory council.

3. Warders may be asked to assist or substitute for any other role as requested.

4. The status of Warder is retained independently from any other position the member holds in the alliance.

This Edict of Establishment is hereby signed on Tuesday, January 1st 2008 by,

Margrave I, Keeper of the Tyberion Covenant

Edited January 7, 2008 by Justitia

[Margrave]

If you want to succeed, this is the alliance for you.

[Margrave]

Bump of "WE HAVE AN NPO PROTECTORATE" bump

[Shardoon]

Friendly bump . . .

[Dr.G]

bumpage.

[ppaps]

I consider this pretty much bumped.

[joe87]

Come on, join this new and promising alliance.

You know you want to

:bump:

[joe87]

Bump for great justice

This alliance is really getting rolling now

[Dr.G]

Join us. We are...the future!

[Prussian King]

Stop with the bumpage.

[ppaps]

*looks around to see that MG isn't looking*

K good. BUMP

[Shardoon]

Firefox can't find the server at ww.tyberia.net.

[ppaps]

Our forums:

The Tyberion Covenant

[ppaps]

Don't mind me...but: Bump.

[joe87]

Damn jstep only has 2 ws in the OP.

EDIT: Got a mod to fix it, thanks mod

Edited January 7, 2008 by Black Death

[Shardoon]

:awesome: Got Bling? :awesome:

[Dr.G]

bump for Tyberia!

[Dr.G]

Moving on up to the front page.

[joe87]

Things just get more by the day, be apart of it all

[Shardoon]

Join Tyberion.

or else. . . :jihad:

[Shardoon]

[ppaps]

Join today and receive free pie/cake/cakepie

[han fei zi]

Ppaps...

Anyway, bumping this.

[Shardoon]

:awesome:

[Shardoon]

From time to time, someone starts a discussion on what factors are involved in winning at large scale inter-alliance war. Typically a variety of things get suggested, with more and more added to the list as things go along. But no matter how detailed or wordy the analysis, there's still one glaring answer which we've never seen publicly mentioned:

Faith.

Edited January 12, 2008 by Shardoon