Schmalkaldischer Bund (SchmBund)

Der Schmalkaldischer Bund is named in honor of the defensive alliance of Lutheran princes during the German reformation. Der Schm. Bund in the SFC universe is a league (not an empire).

Declaration of Values

We, the members of Der Schmalkaldischer Bund, hold the following to be the core values which inform and undergird this alliance.

• Mutual security -- none of us wants to get whacked. We know that the sharing of intel and ideas about how best to play the game increases mutual security. Group defense also advances mutual security. Even commerce advances mutual security as it aids the power to develop.
• Peerage -- we reject hierarchic or paramilitary forms of organization, command, and control, affirming instead that we come into this alliance as equals.
• Legal Minimalism -- Der Bund will only promulgate those policies and insist upon those SOPs which advance mutual security.
• Voluntarism -- we come to this alliance as volunteers. No one is forced to join and no one is coerced into remaining. As such, members voluntary submit to the policies and SOPs of Der Bund, recognizing that they are free to disaffiliate at any time.
• Self-restrained Autonomy -- we affirm that each member of the Bund is free to pursue that course of action which the member believes to be in his/her best interest, bounded only by fraternal concern for the mutual security of Der Bund and each of the other members.

Protocol

• Name: Der Schmalkaldischer Bund
• Listing in SFC: Schmalkaldischer Bund
• Tag: SchmBund

Organization

Simply because the game mechanics require some structure, the following "ranks" can be found among us.

• Mitglied -- member
• Neuling -- a new member
• Vierstelligemitglied -- a member with a rank under 10K
• Hauptmann -- Officer
• Oberhauptmann -- Leader

And three special offices which are assigned on an as needed basis

• Kriegsführer -- War Leader
• Vizekriegsführer -- Deputy War Leader
• Bevollmächtigte -- Plenipotentirary

It is important to understand that these sundry "ranks" do not violate the value of peerage. The Oberhauptmann, e.g., is a moderator not a dictator. Similarly, Die Hauptmänner facilitate the activities of Bundischers, providing assistance, guidance, counsel, and advice. No one lords over anyone else. This fact, coupled with the values of volunteerism and legal minimalism, forms the basis of the freedom of Bundischers. The glue which holds Der Bund together are the values of mutual security and self-restrained autonomy. Of course, fraternal spirit cannot be discounted, but fraternal spirit cannot be legislated, programed, or demanded. There is an excellent fraternal spirit in Der Bund, but it is organic not forced.

Player Development

Der Bund values player development, encouraging experimentation, the swapping of ideas, the asking of questions, and the sharing of experience. Der Bund's message board is used extensively, and Neuling, in particular, are encouraged to use it freely. The message board is also used to share information about potential targets, diplomatic news, and joint military ops.

Policy :: NAPs

Formal Inter-Alliance NAPs

Der Bund holds Non-Aggression Pacts (NAPs) with approximately 15 different alliances. To qualify as a NAP under this policy, it must be a NAP registered through the Alliance Page interface provided in SFC. In its observance of these NAPs, Der Bund is scrupulous. A NAP is assumed to prohibit attacks by any member of Der Bund upon any member of the NAP counterpart alliance. Probing is not considered an attack by Der Bund as a Hermes Probe has no weapons. Furthermore, it is assumed that the NAP does not apply to a member of the NAP counterpart alliance who has fallen into inactivity (i/I). Should a member of Der Bund mistakenly attack a member of a NAP counterpart alliance, Der Bund will attempt to rectify the situation with all deliberate haste upon notification of the infraction. Special NAP provisions which go beyond these points or alter them, are negotiated on a case by case basis.

Informal Inter-Personal NAPs

Members of Der Bund are free to enter into private NAPs with members of other alliances or non-aligned powers. Such NAPs may include whatever terms the parties deem expedient. Such NAPs are not binding upon other members of Der Bund.

Joining der Bund

Individuals

Der Bund is accepting new members. If you are interested in joining Der Schmalkaldischer Bund, we ask that you review the "Declaration of Values" (supra). If you find that these values are consistent with your own, please look us up on your "Alliance | Relationships" search feature under the tag "SchmBund" and apply. Include in your application message that you read this wiki.

Alliances

Der Bund has been privileged to unite with other alliances. If your alliance is interested in unification with us, please contact the Oberhauptmann. Agreement in the "Declaration of Values" is a sine qua non. The details of unification are negotiated on a case by case basis. Because of the great freedom provided under the Bund ethos, it is possible for an alliance to unite with Der Bund and yet retain its own internal relationships and structures so long as those participating in those relationships and structures do so voluntarily.

Under Construction

We are still developing this wiki entry. As time becomes available, we'll add now material. Please feel free to visit again. If you have any questions, contact your local Bundischer or message our Oberhauptmann. You can find us through the search feature on your Alliance Page.