Section 1.1Constitutional Supremacy
This Constitution is the supreme governing document of the Covenant. All subordinate laws, regulations, divisional policies, and military orders must operate within its provisions.
COVENANT LEGAL ARCHIVES
How these documents relate
The Constitution is the foundational governing document. It is not merely ceremonial: applicable provisions can be enforced as binding rules, and conduct may breach the Constitution even where Martial Law contains no identically worded provision.
Document record // Foundational governing document
The Covenant stands as a unified military and political organisation founded upon loyalty, discipline, honour, and the pursuit of collective strength.
This Constitution establishes the supreme principles of governance, the hierarchy of command, the responsibilities of its institutions, and the rights and obligations of its members.
All members, officers, divisions, and governing institutions are bound by this Constitution. No individual may disregard its provisions solely by virtue of rank or appointment, except where authority is expressly granted herein.
ARTICLE II
The Covenant's principal chain of command shall be organised as follows:
The Arbiter's position is extraordinary and shall only exercise its emergency command powers when formally activated according to this Constitution.
Officers within the same rank or command tier hold equivalent precedence unless additional authority is specifically delegated.
The Warmaster exercises supreme command and is responsible for the Covenant's strategic direction, leadership appointments, institutional oversight, and continued stability.
The Warmaster possesses final executive authority in disputes between governing institutions and may issue binding directives throughout the Covenant, subject to the legislative and amendment procedures established by this Constitution.
The Warmaster may appoint an Arbiter in times of crisis and authorise extraordinary command powers.
The Prophet of Truth, Prophet of Mercy, and Prophet of Regret comprise the highest advisory and governing leadership beneath the Warmaster.
They are responsible for advising on major policy, supervising senior leadership, and assisting in the governance of the Covenant.
The Prophets may exercise delegated executive authority, oversee important institutional matters, and issue directives within their assigned responsibilities.
They may not independently amend the Constitution or remove the Warmaster.
The three Kaidons form a senior ruling class within the Covenant's government.
They are entrusted with preserving the stability, continuity, and authority of the Covenant's governing institutions.
Kaidons may supervise subordinate command, oversee significant administrative and military matters, resolve governance disputes within their jurisdiction, and implement directives issued by the Warmaster and Prophets.
Their governing authority extends across subordinate institutions where appropriately delegated.
Kaidons remain bound by this Constitution and may not unilaterally enact legislation or override the High Council's established legislative procedures.
The Arbiter is an extraordinary military and executive authority appointed by the Warmaster during times of crisis, severe military emergency, or threats to the Covenant's continued stability.
When formally activated, the Arbiter is granted comprehensive operational authority over the Covenant's military forces and subordinate command structure.
The Arbiter may:
While activated, the Arbiter's operational directives take precedence over those of subordinate commanders.
The Arbiter's extraordinary authority is subordinate only to the Warmaster and the supreme provisions of this Constitution.
The Arbiter may not independently amend the Constitution, permanently abolish governing institutions, or exercise the High Council's legislative powers.
The Warmaster determines when an Arbiter is appointed, when emergency authority becomes active, and when that authority ends.
Outside an officially declared crisis, the Arbiter shall not exercise extraordinary emergency command powers unless specifically authorised by the Warmaster.
Supreme Commanders are the Covenant's highest-ranking strategic military commanders beneath the Arbiter.
They are responsible for planning, organising, and overseeing major military campaigns and extended wars involving multiple operations across several days or longer.
Their authority includes:
Supreme Commanders are expected to exercise sound strategic judgement, ensuring that the Covenant's strongest military resources are deployed where their presence is most valuable.
A Supreme Commander may delegate individual operations to Field Marshals, Generals, and Commanders while retaining overall strategic control.
Supreme Commanders remain subject to the authority of the Arbiter when emergency command is active, as well as all superior constitutional authorities.
The Field Marshal is a senior military commander responsible for coordinating major operations involving multiple simultaneous engagements.
The Field Marshal possesses authority to organise and oversee an Invasion, defined as a coordinated military operation in which Covenant forces deploy against multiple opposing factions or installations at approximately the same time.
During an Invasion, the Field Marshal shall:
Individual raids shall ordinarily be commanded by their assigned Commander or General.
The Field Marshal retains authority over the wider Invasion and may issue strategic adjustments to subordinate raid leaders.
The Field Marshal may coordinate operations of this scale under the authority of the Supreme Commanders or other superior command.
Generals are high-ranking military officers responsible for commanding substantial forces and organising large-scale military operations.
They are authorised to host and command large-scale raids, including open-ratio engagements and other operations involving significant participation.
Generals may:
Generals are responsible for maintaining coordination, discipline, and effectiveness throughout the forces under their command.
Commanders are commissioned military leaders authorised to organise and command standard Covenant warfare operations.
They may independently host and lead:
Commanders may appoint subordinate Officers to assist with event organisation, team coordination, and discipline.
Commanders may lead individual raids assigned to them during larger Invasions or campaigns.
Commanders remain accountable to Generals and superior command.
Officers are commissioned members of the Covenant military hierarchy entrusted with training, supervision, and the development of subordinate personnel.
Officers are authorised to host:
Officers may supervise enlisted personnel, maintain discipline during training, and assist Commanders in military operations.
Officers may not independently organise official raids or scrimmages without authorisation from a Commander or superior officer.
The Covenant's enlisted military ranks comprise Minors, Majors, and Ultras.
Minors form the foundation of the Covenant's military forces. They are expected to develop their combat abilities, maintain discipline, and participate in authorised operations.
Majors are experienced combatants who may lead small groups of Minor warriors, assist Officers, and provide battlefield guidance during engagements.
Ultras are veteran warriors distinguished by their experience and combat proficiency. They may be entrusted with advanced responsibilities, mentoring duties, and the supervision of small combat elements when authorised.
Enlisted authority remains subordinate to the commissioned military command structure.
The powers assigned to each military rank represent the ordinary scope of that rank's authority.
Superior command may authorise subordinate officers to perform duties beyond their usual scope when appropriate.
Such authorisation does not constitute a permanent promotion or confer unrestricted authority.
All operations remain subject to Covenant law and the directives of superior command.
ARTICLE III
The High Council serves as the Covenant's principal legislative institution and possesses authority to formulate, debate, amend, enact, and repeal laws governing the Covenant.
Legislation shall be determined through formal Council voting procedures, subject to the Warmaster's constitutional veto authority.
Proposed legislation must be formally presented to the High Council for deliberation and voting.
Ordinary legislation shall pass upon receiving a simple majority of votes cast by participating Councillors, provided more than half of the currently appointed Councillors participate.
An approved law shall be formally published following the vote.
The Warmaster may veto legislation within seven calendar days following approval and publication.
During this period, the legislation shall remain suspended from enforcement.
If no veto is issued within this period, the legislation shall take effect unless it specifies a later effective date.
A vetoed proposal shall not take effect unless subsequently approved through a new legislative process and permitted by the Warmaster.
The High Council may not enact legislation contrary to this Constitution.
The Warmaster retains the authority to veto legislation enacted by the High Council.
The Warmaster may request reconsideration of existing legislation, but permanent amendment or repeal of ordinary legislation should normally occur through established High Council procedures.
The Warmaster may issue temporary executive directives within the limits of this Constitution.
The High Council shall conduct its legislative functions without improper interference from subordinate military or law enforcement authorities.
Councillors must exercise their authority responsibly, impartially, and in the interests of the Covenant.
Council members remain accountable under the Constitution and Martial Law.
ARTICLE IV
The Inquisition is the Covenant's principal internal law enforcement and security institution.
It is responsible for investigating misconduct, enforcing Covenant law, maintaining internal integrity, and administering authorised disciplinary measures.
The Inquisition also oversees security screening and the assessment of prospective members.
The Inquisition may investigate alleged violations of the Constitution, Martial Law, and other valid Covenant regulations.
Its investigative jurisdiction extends to all Covenant members and officers, regardless of seniority.
High-ranking officers may be investigated without prior approval from the Warmaster, provided the investigation is conducted lawfully and impartially.
However, the Inquisition may not impose disciplinary punishment upon a high-ranking officer without the explicit approval of the Warmaster.
The Inquisition may issue warnings, suspensions, demotions, and other authorised sanctions according to established disciplinary procedures.
Punishments shall be determined individually according to the seriousness of the offence, the available evidence, the offender's intent, the resulting consequences, and any relevant aggravating or mitigating circumstances.
Permanent exclusion, blacklisting, and removal from senior command require approval from the Warmaster or another authority expressly delegated such powers, except that punishment of high-ranking officers always requires the Warmaster's own approval.
Inquisitors must exercise their authority impartially and proportionately.
They may not fabricate allegations, falsify evidence, punish individuals for personal grievances, or knowingly abuse their office.
The Inquisition possesses primary authority over internal law enforcement matters, including investigations involving military personnel and divisional officers.
Military command authority alone does not invalidate an otherwise lawful Inquisition investigation.
However, disciplinary measures against high-ranking officers may only be imposed following approval from the Warmaster.
For the purposes of disciplinary approval, high-ranking officers include:
The Inquisition retains the power to investigate such personnel, gather evidence, and submit recommendations.
The Warmaster shall determine whether the recommended punishment is authorised, amended, or rejected.
No high-ranking officer shall be immune from investigation merely because of their position.
The Inquisition is responsible for evaluating the eligibility of prospective Covenant members where security concerns exist.
Screening may consider:
All screening decisions must be based on relevant and reasonably reliable information.
Personal disagreements, rumours, or unsubstantiated allegations shall not alone justify exclusion.
The Inquisition may deny entry where credible evidence demonstrates a substantial security or integrity risk.
The Inquisition may impose reasonable conditions upon applicants with documented anti-cheat concerns, including mandatory recording requirements.
Applicants who refuse to comply with an applicable and properly communicated verification requirement may be denied entry.
The Inquisition may also refuse membership to applicants with sufficiently established records of cheating or serious harmful misconduct.
Such decisions must be proportionate, documented, and open to review through appropriate superior command channels.
The Inquisition may establish reasonable technical verification procedures for military events.
Verification shall be restricted to information relevant to the investigation or anti-cheat assessment.
Inquisitors must not require members to disclose passwords, private account credentials, or unrelated personal information.
Evidence containing incidental private information must be handled confidentially, and unnecessary personal information should be redacted before retention or distribution.
ARTICLE VI
Each division shall maintain the following command positions:
The 1IC is responsible for the overall administration, discipline, readiness, and performance of their division.
The 1IC may issue divisional directives, manage personnel, and organise activities within their lawful authority.
The 2IC assists the 1IC and may exercise the 1IC's delegated powers or act on their behalf during an authorised absence.
The 3IC assists senior divisional leadership, supervises assigned personnel, and fulfils duties delegated by the 1IC or 2IC.
No divisional commander may independently alter Covenant-wide law, override the Constitution, or obstruct lawful investigations by the Inquisition.
Divisional commanders may impose reasonable internal requirements consistent with Covenant law.
ARTICLE VII
All members are subject to the Constitution and Martial Law, regardless of rank, division, reputation, or seniority.
Members are entitled to reasonable and respectful treatment by officers and fellow personnel.
Harassment, discrimination, intimidation, and abuse of authority are prohibited.
Members must obey lawful orders issued by authorised superior officers.
An order that clearly violates the Constitution or an applicable law is not binding.
Members accused of misconduct shall, where reasonably practicable, be informed of the allegations, given an opportunity to respond, and judged on available evidence.
Disciplinary decisions shall take account of the nature and seriousness of the offence, the reliability of the evidence, the individual's intent, and the consequences of the conduct.
Punishments must be proportionate to the circumstances of each case.
Members may appeal disciplinary decisions through the appropriate Inquisition or superior command channels.
An appeal should be considered by an authority not directly responsible for the original decision wherever reasonably possible.
All members must act in the interests of the Covenant, preserve operational integrity, and avoid conduct that deliberately undermines the organisation.
ARTICLE IX
Amendments to this Constitution may be proposed by the Warmaster or by members of the High Council.
All proposed amendments must be formally presented to the High Council for deliberation.
A constitutional amendment requires:
Both conditions must be satisfied before an amendment may take effect.
The Warmaster may reject any proposed constitutional amendment.
No constitutional amendment may be enacted solely through executive decree or an ordinary legislative majority.
Approved constitutional amendments must be formally recorded, dated, and published in the official Covenant archives.
Each amendment must identify the provisions changed and the date on which the amendment takes effect.
Where a constitutional provision is ambiguous, the High Council may issue an advisory interpretation.
The Warmaster retains final authority over constitutional interpretation, provided that such interpretation does not constitute an amendment circumventing the procedure established in Section 9.2.
ARTICLE X
This Constitution applies to all Covenant members, divisions, officers, and institutions.
All divisional regulations and military directives remain subordinate to this Constitution.
This Constitution shall enter into force upon formal ratification and publication by the Warmaster.
Should a senior command position become vacant, authority shall pass according to the established chain of command, subject to the Warmaster's designated succession arrangements and any applicable appointment procedures.