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Pax Transylvania (also The Baron's Peace or Pax Wulfenbachia) is the name for the peace built and enforced by Baron Klaus Wulfenbach's irresistible takeover of Europa after he returned from exile.
It is based on one simple subsidiarian, patriarchal principle: "Don't Make Me Come Over There". Aggression against or between his client states is not permitted, nor is the possession of any Other technology. Violation of this rule is met with swift and overwhelming force - not unlike a surgical procedure may be used to keep an infection from festering - and the aggressor's lands and property are forfeit. Through the enforcement of this policy, Wulfenbach's empire has grown from his ancestral seat - a barony, which by definition encompassed only that which was visible from the highest point of his castle - to encompass most of Europa.
In exchange, the nobles and minor royalty rule their own domains in their own manner without interference - save basic humanitarian laws forbidding discrimination based on race, religion or manner of birth(primarily because Klaus didn't want persecuted constructs trashing the landscape, and included this in the Peace[1]) - and become eligible to claim the benefits of imperially-sponsored railroads, educational institutions and other such public works[2]. Moreover, given the list of Wulfenbach military units, it's clear that the Baron also takes responsibility for the roads, fighting fires, and emergency communications (though these units serve a dual purpose as Wulfenbach's most destructive assets yet seen[3]).
Uses of the term
- Xerxsephnia talks to Gil about how long "it will take to restore the Pax Transylvania" ✣ .
- The introduction to Agatha Heterodyne and the Monster Engine uses the term Pax Transylvania for this situation.
- It is used in an alternate future in news archives read by Othar Tryggvassen referencing diplomatic activity after a Wulfenbach-Heterodyne alliance.
Possibly relevant outside information
The names "Pax Wulfenbachia" and "Pax Transylvania" are a play on Pax Romana, a name coined by Edward Gibbon in the 1770s to describe the ancient Roman Empire as it was during the first two centuries. Rome excelled at maintaining infrastructure and adopting conquered nations' technology. In most cases, they also allowed a great degree of self government to those they subjugated; the requirements were only that the Roman Emperor be given standing in the pantheon and that the taxes be paid. Pax Romana differs from Pax Transylvania in that little expansion took place during the period in question.
See also
References
- ↑ "Refreshingly, the Baron had long let it be known that blatant discrimination against constructs was officially frowned upon within the Empire, and he backed this policy up with force." (mentioned in Agatha H. and the Airship City)
- ↑ "I will donate the costs of the Corbettite terminal if they will supply the labor." ✣
- ↑ "There's more, but you get the idea." ✣