The Pact of Silence
The Pact of Silence
The Pact of Silence is a legendary, yet largely undocumented, diplomatic agreement that defines the boundaries between the burgeoning Kobold Great-Network and the territorial Ancient Dragons who claim the Aether-Peaks. While most surface-dwellers view kobolds as mere pests or dragon-worshippers, the Pact reveals a much more complex relationship: one of mutual respect and cold, calculated non-interference.
Origins
The Pact was struck nearly two centuries ago, shortly after High-King Zik-Zik unified the disparate warrens of the deep mines. As the kobold tunnels began to reach the roots of the Aether-Peaks, they inevitably disturbed the slumber of Vorithrax the Gilded, an ancient dragon of immense power. Rather than the expected slaughter, Zik-Zik presented Vorithrax with a "tithe of silence"—a promise that the kobolds would provide the dragon with intelligence on all surface-world movements in exchange for being allowed to tunnel beneath his domain.
Terms of the Agreement
The Pact consists of three primary tenets:
- The Sub-Terran Bound: Kobolds may expand their network anywhere beneath the 5,000-foot mark of the peaks, provided no smoke or sound reaches the upper eyries.
- The Information Tithe: Every lunar cycle, a "Whisper-Priest" from Zik-Zik's court delivers a scroll detailing the political maneuvers of Steamfort and the Arcane Ascendancy to the base of the peaks.
- Non-Interference: Dragons will not hunt kobolds within the Network, and kobolds will never assist "Dragon-Slayers" or provide maps of the mountain passes.
Modern Implications
In recent years, the Pact has come under strain. The expansion of the "Obsidian Scale" faction within the kobold ranks seeks to serve the dragons more directly, while the "Gear Grinders" believe the Pact is a form of slavery that holds back kobold technological advancement. If the Pact were to break, the resulting war between the Network and the Dragons would likely shake the very foundations of Aethervale.
Hidden Clauses
Rumors persist among the kobold elders that the Pact contains a "Final Clause"—a secret agreement that should the Aether-Engines of the world ever fail, the Dragons will descend to carry the Kobold High-Court to safety, leaving the rest of the world to fall into the void.