Vrijsteden

The Vrijsted Confederation (Acenotian: Vrijsted Confederaate, Kescherian: Vriišted Kanfideratsii, "Confederation of Free Cities"), or the Vrijsteden (Acn.: ðe Vrijsteden, "the Free Cities") is an intercontinental union and confederation of city-states from across Abexilas. Its President is currently Xaeron II of Acenoty.
The Confederation was founded in 19 VE by New Acenoty and Cheesegorod.
== Etymology ==
The Vrijsteden's original name, in its infancy as a concept in Acenoty, was the Vrijland Federation, meaning "Free Land" in Acenotian. However, after its official foundation and , the leadership agreed that the name Vrijland no longer fit their vision for the future, and the name was altered to the Vrijsted Confederation, or the "Free City" Confederation.
The formal name of the nation is the Vrijsted Confederation and the government refers to itself as the Confederation in official documents. However, the informal term for the Free Cities as a whole is the Vrijsteden (FRI-shtay-den).
== Members ==
==== Acenoty-Corrigan ====
The oldest of the Vrijsteden, and the former capital city, the Kingdom of Acenoty-Corrigan is a merger of the first Vrijsted, the Independent City-State of New Acenoty, which was founded in the years prior to 0 VE by exiles from another dimension, and its neighbour, the Kingdom of Corrigan. It is located in western Tiberia, on the west coast of the Bay of Fangs. The nation was absorbed into the Holy Imperium of Soleaquil following pressuring from their emperor.
The former Mayor of New Acenoty is Xaeron II. Acenoty-Corrigan was additionally ruled by a diarchy; the King of Corrigan, Charles I Humboldt-Dee, and the King of Acenoty, Doulos I.
==== Cheesegorod ====
The Free City of Keschogorod (more commonly known as Cheesegorod) is a founding member of the Vrijsteden along with New Acenoty, and the second Free City, located in western Halinn on the borders of Zarilyia. was founded by a group of Cordovin refugees and newcomers to Abexilas in 12 VE. The primary language and culture of Cheesegorod is Kescherian, a pidgin of many extremely different languages from within and without Abexilas.
The present Lord Mayor of Cheesegorod is Sasha Suvorov, who governs the city with fellow Triarchs Von Krahen and Doctor Televisor.
==== Imberania ====
The Free City-State of Imberania is a small peaceful democratic nation located on several small islands in the Imber Sea, near the continent of Caerus.
The Mayor of Imberania is Rayne Droop. Deputy Mayor Scratch T. Círdan is Imberania's primary representative in the Vrijsted Councils.
==== Estella ====
Formerly known as Reikland, Estella City or Estellagrad is a small city in the Calisto Sea half a day's sail from Cheesegorod. Originally the capital of the Calradic Empire when its ruler Lord Stolarz was devoured by shapeshifters, it fell into the hands of Stolarz's Cheesegorodian deputy Von Krahen, who assumed responsibility over the city as Calradia disintegrated. Reikland was at first taken under the Vrijsteden's protection and eventually integrated as a full Vrijsted. In 55 VE, Krahen renamed the city to Estella, meaning "star".
Although its still-small population prevents it from holding separate council seats or political power as of yet, grand plans for development forecast a prosperous future.
==== Port Dusk ====
A new townsite near Acenoty-Corrigan, owned by Mayor Willow Midbloom.
==== Rapture ====
Rapture is the future ceremonial capital and a trade hub for all Vrijstedians. It is located beneath the waves of the North Sea. It has been under construction by Sasha Suvorov and Charles Humboldt-Dee for the past thirty years. 
== History ==
# 0 VE: Founding of New Acenoty (Naav Acenoti)
# New Acenoty becomes vassal of Lyskirja
# 12 VE: Founding of Cheesegorod
# 16 VE: Acenoty and Cheesegorod form alliance
# Lyskirja grants Acenoty independence
# Vrijsted Confederation formed
# 25 VE: Realms of Phocea formed
# Marengard secedes from Anrolya and joins Phocea
# Cheesegorod declares intent to leave Confederation and form alliance instead
# 26 VE: Ellie revealed as imposter
# Corrigan reasserts independence
# Phocea dissolved
# Marengard joins Confederation
# War with Anroyla narrowly avoided
# Treaty of Marengard signed, Marengard re-annexed by Anroyla
# 30 VE: Corrigan merges with New Acenoty
# 34 VE: Suvorov steps down as Lord Mayor of Cheesegorod
# 35 VE: Rozul purchased by Sorath
# Sorath gives possessions to Suvorov and Charles and departs
# Rozul obtained by Anroyla
# Spring 58 VE: Acenoty - Corigan absorbed by the Holy Imperium of Soleaquil
== Government ==
As a confederation, each Vrijsted is a sovereign entity, and has its own government and manages its inner politics. The official government of the confederation makes the decisions that affect the whole Confederation.
President: The President of the Confederation is chosen between the members of the leader council by democracy, he or she has a seat in both councils and acts as a mediator to ensure peace in them. In addition to this the president is the representative of the confederation when having diplomatic relations with other countries or in the case that someone has to be punished.
Council of Mayors: the leaders of a Vrijsted, who cannot be a part of the council of burghers at the same time.
Council of Burghers: They are chosen between loyal and trustful members of each city, according to the population of it to ensure that each city can decide according to its power. In the case there is a Vrijsted with more than one city the leaders of the other cities will be made burghers.
== Media ==
==== National Anthem ====
====== "Ride All Storms" by Sasha Suvorov ======
[Chorus]
We bow to none
We fight as one
Our roads, the seas
Of our cities free
Our spirits wild, we ride
All storms and the rising tide
Through the darkest night
We always bring the light
[Verse 1]
From cold Norvinia to Halinn green
We sail the great blue line to lands unseen
For the salt of the ocean's in our veins
A taste for adventure and the tropic rains
Till it's finally time to sail home again
[Verse 2]
I met a man who said, "fear not the mist,
'Tis for us wanderers the ocean's kiss
May the dolphin's grace speed you on your way
May you find your fortune beyond the bay!"
As he walked away into the mists so grey
Category:Abexilas Nations
Category:Abexilas