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). In the late winter of 2010, Der Schm. Bund formulated the following "Declaration of Values."

Declaration of Values

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

1) 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.

2) Peerage -- we reject hierarchic or paramilitary forms of organization, command, and control, affirming instead that we come into this alliance as equals.

3) Legal Minimalism -- Der Bund will only promulgate those policies and insist upon those SOPs which advance mutual security.

4) 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.

5) 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.

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.