History Main / FictionalGenevaConventions

There are obviously rules of magic, making certain spells impossible (such as resurrection in an AllDeathsFinal setting). In addition to those, there are certain customs that regulate the use of spells in war.

! Laws within a Science Fiction Setting

* [[VulnerableCivilians No killing civilians.]] Even more so forbidding the use of superweapons on civilian populations.
* Weapons that could [[NegativeSpaceWedgies screw around with the laws of physics]].

!Laws within a Fantasy Setting

! Laws and Customs

[[WarIsHell Even the chaos of war]] [[EvenEvilHasStandards has standards]]. You can't go around killing innocents, you can't kill medics, you probably can't rape villagers or set fire to villages (at least not without orders), and you can't use certain weapons. After the First World War, hollow point bullets, some types of gas, possibly barbed wire, and in general much of the methods employed in that war were outlawed. For more information on the weapons that can't be used, see UsefulNotes/TheLawsAndCustomsOfWar and [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Convention_on_Certain_Conventional_Weapons the other Wiki]].

Now, what happens when you have a fantasy setting? There are obviously rules of magic, making certain spells impossible (such as resurrection in an AllDeathsFinal setting). But in a war, there must be certain rules, or people would be doing unthinkable things in a battlefield with nothing to stop them. For weapons, the rules are possibly the same as above (with the change that there is a larger likelihood of having swords than guns), so this article will mainly discuss magical laws.

! More Common Rules
* Generally, no {{Necromancy}} (this doesn't include resurrection, which is a task of high-level priests): Having obedient mindless soldiers is creepy and [[GameBreaker a single person with this power can use it against his own government]].
** No [[GrandTheftMe possession/body snatching]].

* No [[FateWorseThanDeath permanent curses]], [[TakenForGranite especially not petrification]] [[TouchOfDeath or soul-sucking]].
** No usage of TheDarkArts, in general. This includes the more inhumane scientific things, in a sci-fi setting.
* No RealityWarper abilities. RitualMagic also may fall into this category, since rituals involving multiple casters can qualify as a FantasticNuke.

* No summoning beasts from the Otherworld (angels/demons are okay, but most magical settings draw the line at an EldritchAbomination).

* There is some overlap with the Science Fiction genre:
** No [[SyntheticPlague poisonous or biological weapons]] [[TyphoidMary (or magic)]].
** No [[EarthShatteringKaboom destroying inhabited planets]].
** [[VulnerableCivilians No killing civilians.]]
** No orbital destruction [[KillSat technology]] or [[PillarOfLight spells]].

* The Harry Potter Universe has the unforgiveable curses which will get you life in Azkhaban.

Ordinary war has rules. You can't go around killing innocents, you can't kill medics, you probably can't rape villagers or set fire to villages (at least not without orders), and you can't use certain weapons. After the First World War, hollow point bullets, some types of gas, possibly barbed wire, and in general much of the methods employed in that war were outlawed. For more information on the weapons that can't be used, see UsefulNotes/TheLawsAndCustomsOfWar and [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Convention_on_Certain_Conventional_Weapons the other Wiki]].

* In his review of [[Series/StarTrekTheNextGeneration The Next Generation]] episode "Chain of Command", WebOriginal/SFDebris refers to the Seldonis IV Convention as the "[[SpaceX Space Geneva Convention]]".

* In ''Series/StarTrekTheNextGeneration'', the Treaty of Algeron defined the limits of the Romulan Neutral Zone (namely violating the Zone without adequate reason could start a war). It also prohibits the use of cloaking devices for the Federation. It proves a plot point in the episode "The Pegasus".
** By ''[[Series/StarTrekDeepSpaceNine DS9]]'', the Romulans made an exception to the treaty, and loaned a cloaking device for Starfleet use, in exchange for intel on the Dominion.
** Another plot-relevant agreement is the Federation-Cardassian Treaty. It establishes a Demilitarized Zone, in which no military forces could be deployed, nor bases established. It also redrew the map, which resulted in colonies landing in each other territories. The Cardassians begin the undermine the treaty, and begin to oppress former Federation citizens. The Federation, on the other hand, fear another war and end up doing little to nothing to resolve any issues. The result is the zone becoming the sight of constant fighting between the two groups of colonists, with a number of Star Fleet defectors forming the heart of the new Maquis rebellion. The Maquis have the Cardassians on the ropes until the Dominion, who don't care about PR, come in and wipe them out.

* In ''FullMetalAlchemist'' (Brotherhood) one military scientist tells one of the protagonists an alternate reason why messing with human alchemy is forbidden (besides it being creepy, generally tampering with life, and the fact the Homunculi are using it as energy for their own ritual). It's also forbidden by the military, because a person could create their own invincible army to use against the state.

* The Mercenaries Code in the ''Literature/ChildeCycle''. It works much like the Geneva convention, but also provides guarantees and responsibilities of Merc officers to their men. For example, if a Officer fails to do his duty or wanton endangers his men, that officer could be court martialed and executed.

** The Charter also forbids [[ColdBloodedTorture nerve]] [[AgonyBeam stapling]] as a means of controlling civil disturbances; the punishment is 10 years of (enforced!) trade sanctions and possibly suspension from the Planetary Council, which can be devastating if you're running a wealth- or diplomacy-based strategy. Strangely, the Charter says nothing about [[{{Room 101}} Punishment Spheres]], which are [[WordOfDante apparently]] very similar.

** The Charter also forbids [[ColdBloodedTorture nerve]] [[AgonyBeam stapling]] as a means of controlling civil disturbances. Strangely, it says nothing about [[{{Room 101}} Punishment Spheres]], which are [[WordOfDante apparently]] nerve-stapling applied continuously for hours or days or even months or years on end.

* ''VideoGame/SidMeiersAlphaCentauri'': The UN colonial charter prohibits the use of [=WMDs=], though it is possible for factions in game to use chemical weapons and [[FantasticNuke planet busters]]. Using the former will impose trade sanctions on the offending faction while the latter will cause every other faction, including allies, to declare Vendetta.

* No RealityWarper abilities. Ritual magic also may fall into this category, since rituals involving multiple casters can qualify as a FantasticNuke.

** Another plot-relevant agreement is the Federation-Cardassian Treaty. It establishes a Demilitarized Zone, in which no military forces could be deployed, nor bases established. It also redrew the map, which resulted in colonies landing in each other territories. The Cardassians begin the undermine the treaty, and begin to oppress former Federation citizens. The Federation, on the other hand, fear another war and end up doing little to nothing to resolve any issues. The result is the zone becoming the sight of constant fighting between the two groups of colonists, with a number of Star Fleet defectors forming the heart of the new Maquis rebellion.

** Another plot-relevant agreement is the Federation-Cardassian Treaty. It establishes a Demilitarized Zone, in which no military forces could be deployed, nor bases established. It also redrew the map, which resulted in colonies landing in each other territories. The Cardassians begin the undermine the treaty, and begin to oppress former Federation citizens. The Federation, on the other hand, fear another war and end up doing little to nothing to resolve any issues.

* HarryTurtledove's DarknessSeries is largely based on WWII. This troper hasn't read them all, but based on this fact, one can assume something similar to the Geneva Conventions.

* ''StarOceanTillTheEndOfTime'' has a rule about not interfering with the technology of developing planets. Which is ridiculous for two reasons: first, between Crafting and Fayt's impact during the plot, this law is already broken if not shattered; and second, [[spoiler: all of these worlds are effectively part of a game]].

* In ''Film/StarTrekInsurrection'', the Second Khitomer Accords bans the use of Subspace Weapons - devices capable of creating very unpredictable [[NegativeSpaceWedgie Negative Space Wedgies]].

* In the ''{{Babylon 5}}'' 'verse, mass drivers (weapons that bombard planets with large objects such as asteroids) are forbidden by treaty. In the instance where they are used in the show however, none of the other powers have the will to enforce this treaty.

* On ''DoctorWho'' the Shadow Proclamation covers several scenarios (besides the ones we haven't seen yet). Convention 15 deals with the cessation of hostile activities while parley is taken. Article 57 prohibits the destruction of a Level 5 planet if no laws were broken.
* In ''StarTrekTheNextGeneration'', the Treaty of Algeron defined the limits of the Romulan Neutral Zone (namely violating the Zone without adequate reason could start a war). It also prohibits the use of cloaking devices for the Federation. It proves a plot point in the episode "The Pegasus".
** By ''[[StarTrekDeepSpaceNine DS9]]'', the Romulans made an exception to the treaty, and loaned a cloaking device for Starfleet use, in exchange for intel on the Dominion.

* Terran Bonding Authority in ''Literature/HammersSlammers'' exists to enforce contracts between Mercenary companies and governments, as well as to prevent atrocities. The backstory mentions that the [=TBA=] origins began when a planetary government massacred a mercenary unit. Seeing a major opportunity, the escrow firm that handled the unit's contract began working with the major banks. Using the Laws of War as a justification, the new cartel blockaded the planet into "stone age savagery" for their violations. With their new power, the cartel grew in wealth and influence, and founded the Authority to deal with the paperwork and oversight.

* Less fantastical than some, but in ''Literature/{{Dune}}'', almost the only rule of warfare is that using nukes against people is ''absolutely forbidden''. Paul gets around this by using nukes against a mountain range, opening up a new pass to an enemy fortification.

* Terran Bonding Authority in ''Literature/HammersSlammers'' exists to enforce contracts between Mercenary companies and governments, as well as reduce or prevent atrocities.

* In the previous Age in ''TheWheelOfTime'', both sides stopped using Balefire - a weave that [[RetGone erased people from existence retroactively]] - after reality literally started unravelling from its overuse. Thousands of years later, the weave is still banned, and Aes Sedai generally have their panties in a bunch about Rand's liberal use of it.

* In ''HisDarkMaterials'' it's mentioned that even in battle, fighters do not attack or touch each others' daemons.

** ''Literature/TheDresdenFiles'' also has the [[http://dresdenfiles.wikia.com/wiki/Laws_of_Magic Seven Laws of Magic]] which forbid things like killing, necromancy, mind-control, time-travel, transformation of others, etc. Interestingly, they refer [[WhatMeasureIsANonHuman only to humans]], meaning one could perform necromancy on a dinosaur.

Ordinary war has rules. You can't go around killing innocents, you can't kill medics, you probably can't rape villagers or set fire to villages (at least not without orders), and you can't use certain weapons. After the First World War, hollow point bullets, some types of gas, possibly barbed wire, and in general much of the methods employed in that war were outlawed. For more information on the weapons that can't be used, [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Convention_on_Certain_Conventional_Weapons see the other Wiki]].

** ''Kanly'', which deal with legitimate grievances against the opposing house, and the ''War Of Assassins'', which was limited warfare conducted to avoid harming bystanders.

* The Great Houses in ''Literature/{{Dune}}'' have ''Kanly'', a set of laws enforced by the emperor's Sardaukar. The big ones include having a legitimate grievance against the opposing house, and no use of atomics on humans.

Ordinary war has rules. You can't go around killing innocents, you can't kill medics, you probably can't rape villagers or set fire to villages (at least not without orders), and you can't use certain weapons. After the first World War, hollow point bullets, some types of gas, possibly barbed wire, and in general much of the methods employed in that war were outlawed. For more information on the weapons that can't be used, [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Convention_on_Certain_Conventional_Weapons see the other Wiki]].

Now, what happens when you have a fantasy setting? There are obviously rules of magic, making certain spells impossible (such as resurrection in an AllDeathsFinal setting). But in a war, the must be certain rules, or people would be doing unthinkable things in a battlefield with nothing to stop them. For weapons, the rules are possibly the same as above (with the change that there is a larger likelihood of having swords than guns), so this will mainly discuss magical laws.

* Generally, no {{Necromancy}} (this doesn't include resurrection which is a task of high-level priests): Having obedient mindless soldiers is creepy and [[GameBreaker a single person with this power can use it against their own government]].
** No [[GrandTheftMe possession/body snatching]]
* No death shields (usually allowed forcefields, and walls of fire, but you seldom see anything where people die if they cross it)

* No RealityWarper abilities. Ritual magic also may fall in this category, since rituals involving multiple casters can qualify as a FantasticNuke.
* No TimeTravel. (To a lesser extent, other temporal spells like RapidAging are also forbidden)
* No summoning beasts from the Otherworld (angels/demons are okay, but most magical settings draw the line at a EldritchAbomination).

** No [[SyntheticPlague poisonous or biological weapons]] [[TyphoidMary (or magic)]]
** No [[EarthShatteringKaboom destroying people's planets]].
** [[VulnerableCivilians No killing civilians]].
** No orbital destruction [[KillSat technology]] or [[PillarOfLight spells]]

! Laws And Customs
* The Great Houses in ''{{Dune}}'' have ''Kanly'', a set of laws enforced by the emperor's Sardaukar. The big ones include having a legitimate grievance against the opposing house, and no use of atomics on humans.

* ''TabletopGame/{{Traveller}}'' has the Imperial Rules of War, which are an unwritten guideline as to how Imperial vassals will settle difficulties between them. Basically they boil down to, "Have fun boys, but don't make to much of a mess because The Emperor has means to punish you." "Too much of a mess" meaning no [=WMDs=] on the ground, war crimes, or excessive death and destruction.
* The Inner Sphere successor states in ''TabletopGame/BattleTech'' signed the Ares Conventions to limit civilian casualties. Rules include no nukes in atmosphere, no orbital bombardment of non-military targets, and no chemical or biological weapons. The Clans follow a more restrictive code of conduct called batchall based on highly ritualized warfare, which bit them in the back when they invaded the Inner Sphere.
* The [[http://dresdenfiles.wikia.com/wiki/Unseelie_Accords Unseelie Accords]] in ''Literature/TheDresdenFiles'' regulate the relations between various magical factions of the world, including duels and armed conflicts.

[[AC: Literature]]

[[AC: Film]]

[[AC: Live Action TV]]

[[AC: Webcomics]]
* In the Webcomic Webcomic/{{Drowtales}}, there used to be several unwritten rules of warfare to limit collateral damage. The most important rule was that innocent bystanders are not to be harmed. Other rules include no poisoning water supplies and no fighting in the city. When the Nidraa'chal attacked, they broke virtually every rule, shattering the existing status quo of following the rules and causing future battles to ignore those rules.

[[AC: Video Games]]