Celestial Accords Treaty Organization

The Celestial Accords Treaty Organization, commonly abbreviated as CATO, is a multi-national military and political alliance on Eldham and Rathnir which comprises four of the largest nations on Eldham with a notable presence on Rathnir. The Celestial Accords Treaty binds together the signatory nations politically, economically and militarily, serving as both a full military alliance network and political hegemony to enforce the politics of its member states.

The current composition of CATO includes the Kingdom of Anglunia, the Ashtrokan-Wandenreich Empire, Iversteiya, and the Imperial Archonate of Sylvania.

Ashai was a founding member however left the alliance in after a conflict of interest regarding the city of Qadakh. Redoriv was also one of the founding members, however ceased to be a formal member state after joining Sylvania as a province.

Founding of CATO
The Celestial Accords Treaty Organization is composed of member states who have shared long and deep cultural ties to each other, with member states all having shared treaties and alliances with each other for years before. With its official founding taking place during the Mars Exulte crisis, all of the founding member states had been involved in opposing the previously dominant Eldham Alliance in the Vulperium War. Notably excluded from this is Sylvania, who would defect from the Eldham Alliance. The alliance was made with stability in mind, as it was composed of some of the oldest nations of Eldham history.

During the Mars Exulte crisis, the anti-imperialist forces in Mars Exulte reached out to these friendly states, particularly Anglunia and the AWE, in partnership against the Eldham Alliance. These nations, while not themselves anti-imperialist, shared a common enemy with the Eldham Alliance and Velerian Empire in particular. The AWE and Anglunia would join Mars Exulte and join the war against the Eldham Union in Zaidan. After the ashes of Phoenix had settled, the nations which had opposed the Eldham Alliance in Zaidan had met together and recognized the changing world.

Zuko of Redoriv would organize together the nations of Sylvania, Ashai, the AWE, Anglunia, and his own country of Redoriv with a common alliance. Without a political hegemony on Eldham, these nations who had all shared a past together could make the future. Sirlad of Sylvania would draft the Celestial Accords Treaty which outlined the obligations and vision of the alliance.

Beginning Years
The collapse of the Eldham Alliance had come sooner than anticipated. The Eldham Union had fallen after the battle of Phoenix, and the Velerian Empire had dissolved without a battle. Mars Exulte would move to Rathnir in the Second West March War, and dissolve shortly later. Upon the signing of the treaty, CATO was left without cohesive opposition to counter them.

The early years of CATO would see expansion in the Northwest, with the Rattican joining the Crownlands of Ashai to form a triumvirate. While the membership of a bustling empire would be a boon to CATO’s control, it set the stage for one of CATO's first conflicts. The Rattican had recently annexed the territories of eastern Aristios, as many of its leaders such as Azriel and Bogie shared in the faith and culture of the Rattican. While the majority of Aristios’ territories would accept the annexation, forces loyal to Otto Olea’s empire of the past would return at this time to the fall of Aristios. Taking control of many of their cities, these Aristios territories would jointly declare independence from the Rattican as the Imperial Provinces of Aristios. They issued an ultimatum to the Rattican for their independence, which the Rattican would reject. The Rattican had in fact joined Ashai in anticipation of this war, independence of Aristios was non-negotiable. This conflict would simmer for months, with hostilities building but outright war being avoided.

In the meanwhile, the AWE would look to the fallen territories of Velerin for expansion. Gardenia and the Verenigde Vrijmasten Raden both declared independence from the fallen empire and contested the same territory. The AWE with many friends in the VVR would join the war on their side, taking them in as a secret vassal. The AWE would not call in their alliance with CATO for this war, seeing it as a personal favor rather than a national obligation. The war would turn to a quagmire, and the AWE would eventually withdraw from the war entirely. They would instead move to Rathnir and declare war against the sleeping nation of Aezenfjord. This would end successfully for the AWE, taking in the entire nation as a vassal.

Eventually, the Rattican would attempt to quell the Aristios Rebellion, striking at the city of Perdin. This would be the first official CATO war, and by far the largest war of all of the member states since the founding. Two battles would be fought over Perdin, with initial success followed by a sinking defeat. The offensive capabilities of CATO were not developed to the time, and allies of Ashai encouraged them to withdraw from the war after the defeat at the second battle of Perdin. A peace deal which recognized the territories loyal to Otto Olea was signed, and the Rattican fully annexed the territories which they controlled. A bitter resentment would last over the status of Akirashalam, originally a neutral city which betrayed their treaty with the Rattican and joined the Imperial Provinces of Aristios. Despite the peace, the resentment and antagonism continued without a conclusive resolution to the betrayal.

Rise of CATO
The middling success of CATO’s initial months did not dissuade its members. They were unphased by their defeats and noted the lock on political connections they had. This is not to say everything was perfect, as when the AWE and High Kingdom of Soolia marched to war, multiple members of Ashai’s leadership were present on the side of Soolia. Large amounts of infighting would ensue, but would be cut short by the full surrender of the Soolian government to the AWE This incident would be forgiven, but not forgotten. The lesson learned would be to highlight the priority of CATO over all other treaties.

CATO would see continued hegemony as the scattered opposition blocs which presented a challenge would dissipate. The Kingdom of Scylding - the last independent member of the Eldham Alliance, would dissolve after its capital Valhaim was put under threat. On Rathnir, the Vinovian Horde would become embroiled in a monthslong war against the Parahands, resulting in their defeat. The Crownlands of Ashai would take a particular interest in the downfall of the Horde, with Raiyuna losing large amounts of territory to the Horde months prior and seeking its reclamation.

Ashai would work closely with the Parahands in the war against the Horde and began expanding their holdings in Haven. Through the Kingdom of Aragotha, numerous of Haven’s most historic cities and territories would unite under a common banner. Hapatimas, Scallaga, Sanctuary and Lenoria would all join the banner of Aragotha - the latter of which less willingly than the others. Montroig, Alfheim, Defir, Stoylisk, Paloro, and Brewholm all joined the Crownlands of Ashai. The territories of Aragotha and Ashai would eventually unite, forming a significant Rathnir presence for CATO and Ashai on Rathnir.

The collaboration between CATO and the Parahands on Rathnir would lead to the normalization of relations with Eleanor, who shared leadership with the Parahands. Sylvania and Ashai would sign a mutual defense pacts with Eleanor, and Eleanor would partner with CATO in numerous wars - noteably assisting Ashai in the Aristios and Vinovia rebellions.

Modern CATO
The collapse of a unified opposition, rather than leading to a decline of CATO’s ambition only furthered it. CATO would be in its strongest position yet, and wasted no time on the offensive. The Rattican would restart the war against Aristios, citing numerous instances of subversion and agitation from the Imperial Provinces against the Rattican. They would strike Akirashalam - the capital of Aristios and site of Aristios’ betrayal. This would be a swift strike, and the capital of Aristios would fall and be conquered by the Rattican. With the loss of their capital, the remaining cities of Aristios would splinter off, agreeing to leave Aristios’ end at Akirashalam then degrade it further. For the Rattican, the betrayal had been avenged and the saga concluded.

The swift strike against Aristios encouraged the other members of CATO to take initiative. The proactive nature of CATO would be most strongly exemplified in Atlechia, where CATO declared war against the whole of the nation after it became clear they were attempting to build themselves as the primary CATO antagonist. They had acted against the AWE, so the AWE responded with war. The war against Atlechia would be the most prolonged campaign of the Alliance, seeing 11 battles over three months. The war would see the annexation of over half of Atlechia by CATO forces, including the capital city holding the namesake of the nation. The prolonged nature of the war is noted, with individual battle results being a split between wins, ties, and losses.

CATO would have its first defensive war in this time as well, with Morladron declaring war against Sylvania for the third time. This attempt would be significantly less funded than their prior attempts, and with Sylvania being off the frontlines of other wars they were in a strong position to hold against the invasion. The war would end with Morladron’s territories being annexed by both Sylvania and Ashai, removing them from the map entirely.

On Rathnir, the Crownlands of Ashai would be threatened by the return of Vinovia, who had regained control of their Haven city. Ashai declared war on Vinovia and the largest CATO war to-date occurred over the city. Ashai would defeat the rebellion, bringing Vinovia back into the fold, but her neighbor Dara-Lumonde had openly backed the Vinovia rebellion and refused the ultimatum to cease their support. Ashai declared war against the Kingdoms of Dara-Lumonde after the refusal of Ashai’s ultimatum, and fought over the historic city of Accordo. After the war declaration, many of Dara’s kingdoms defected from Dara to join Ashai - including Aetheria and Nebulae. After Ashai defeated Dara-Lumonde, all of Dara’s remaining kingdoms except Kutaiyara would join Ashai. The conclusion of Ashai’s Haven campaign would leave them and Aurora as the only two powers on the continent.