The United League of the Edoamr

## Overview

**The United League of the Edoamr (abbreviated as the ULE) was an early Edomic confederation of roughly 40 tribes, villages, nations, and city-states united under the lead of the Edoamei tribe that formed around 190 AD. The confederation initially formed in roughly 181 AD out of a mutual protection alliance between the tribal kingdom of the Edoamei, one of the largest territorial powers at the time, and numerous smaller tribes, cities, and ungoverned villages that felt threatened by the kingdom of Soasei to the north, and the numerous militant groups in the region. Over time this military alliance morphed into a unified confederation as the leading Edoamei tribe wanted to consolidate trade between the neighboring territories. In around 190 AD, leaders from the territories signed a treaty known as the Edoamr, officially forming together into a confederation**

## Initial Military Alliance

**The mutual protection agreement (often called the Alliance of Edoma) initially started as individual agreements between the Edoamei and the smaller groups that bordered their territory, but eventually expanded when the Edoamei organized an official alliance with around 40 smaller territories within the region of Edoma, offering protection against the other powers in the area in exchange for their military support in the Edoamei's own conquests. The protection was very favorable to the smaller groups, as there were many other kingdoms attempting to exert control over them, as well and many other dangers they desired protection from.**

### Soasain Aggression

**Many of the individual groups, particularly the smaller Edomic Tribes, feared being conquered or taxed by Soasei, who had already shown their intention to unite all of Edoma into their kingdom. Tribes and villages bordering Soasei often reluctantly or willingly relied on Soasain held trade routes, but did not consider themselves to be a part of Soasei. However, Soasei considered many regions bordering them to be either part of Soasain territory, or simply completely dependent and thus under almost direct control of the smaller tribes and peoples. Many groups feared that Soasei may begin expanding their territory in Edoma by force, as they had already begun doing so in the Lower Gherderes region to the north. What many people feared most of Soasei was their practice of forced integration for the peoples they conquered. Tribes and micro-cultures would be forced to give up any cultural or ethnic identity and be classified as Soasain. This practice was ruthlessly enforced by the Soasain government.**

### Raiding Groups and Bandits

**Throughout the open fields of Edoma, there were many small militant groups and tribes that made their living and pillaging villages and trade caravans. Some were fully armed mercenary armies, but most were less trained bandits and raiding tribes. Regardless of how well equipped they were, they terrorized the villages and tribes of the region, raiding villages, burning crops, and stealing livestock and iron. These groups found it easy to travel and escape across the flat plains of and Edoma, and if they were ever being chased, they would often retreat south and hide out in the caves of the Hefnr mountains. While almost all of the villages and tribes would have an army, or at least some manner of militia, they were almost never equipped enough to fend off weekly or even nightly raids. On the other hand, the cities in Edoma rarely had to deal with raids. They were usually much richer, and had better armies to deal with attack, so militants avoided attacking cities directly. What the cities did have to deal with however, was raids on their trade routes. The larger cities were usually the centers of trade for the villages in and around their territory, and thus many trading caravans passed through the region. The bandits and raiders found that it was easy to attack and pillage the smaller caravans heading to the cities. The problem was, and traders coming directly form the city could usually be provided armored guards for protection, but and smaller independent trader, such as a village farmer going to sell crops, were often left to defend themselves as the couldn't afford guards. The cities were desperate for more military help to protect their complex trade network, and the villages were desperate for a more professional army to protect them.**

### Signing of the Alliance

**The alliance began to form around 180 AD when the Edoamei sent out representatives to each potential alliance member, and had them write out a statement signifying their desire to join and their compliance to the terms. It is thought that many of the members probably signed by force, as there are only records of some of the groups actively voicing their desire to join. Regardless, at least 40 villages, tribes, and cities joined the alliance, and it was made official in 181.**

### Terms of the Alliance

**The alliance terms are only partially recorded, but it is known that it included a mutual protection agreement between the dominant Edoamei and the other territories of Edoma. Originally the terms stated that if a group needed protection, the Edoamei would provide military assistance, and if the Edoamei were going to war, each member would provide a certain number of troops to their army. However, the Edoamei altered the terms to make it an alliance between all members, meaning that the territories would provide assistance and supplies to each other as well. The alliance also probably included a mutual obligation to protect trade routes, and this agreement eventually led to the creation of a region wide traders guild to help provide protection to lower level traders.**

## Formation of the Confederation

**The alliance members quickly began to form closer, mostly from the Edoamei's efforts to consolidate trade. Over the course of around 9 or 10 years, the alliance grew closer and more intertwined until there was a call, mostly by the Edoamei, to officially form a collaborative government. This idea was mostly liked by many of the alliance members, as they could reap the benefits of a unified state, while still being self governing. The vast majority agreed with this treaty, while those that didn't were pressured into signing it by other members.**

### Signing of the Edoamr

**In approximately 190 AD, representatives from each alliance member state met in the Edoamei capital of Hyosdek to sign a document called the Edoamr, thus officially forming a confederation. For the first few years, this mostly just meant consolidated trade and economy, but overtime this confederation formed into much more of a unified government, closer to a federation. The Edoamei almost always exerted the most power in the confederation, thus the Edoamic king was usually the de facto political leader. Even after the Edoamr was signed, the Edoamei were looking for an excuse to take power and form a kingdom. They would finally get this opportunity almost 100 years later.**

## The War with Soasei and the Taking of North Edoma

\*see main article *the Soasain conquest*

**In August of 253, the Soasains suddenly invaded and claimed control over ULE territory within central Edoma, sparking a 32 year long conflict between the two superpowers. This was mostly started because the Soasains felt spiteful that the league had unified potential territories away from Soasain influence, and they decided to get back at the Edoamei by taking these territories by force. Though many federation states were wary of going to war with Soasei, they ultimately had no choice as the Edoamei, possibly by force, convinced the majority to join the war. Throughout the war, the Edoamei exerted more direct control over the league members, as they were the dominant military power leading the war effort. After the war ended, the Soasei were almost fully conquered, and their remnants fled north. After the war, the ULE gained most of north Edoma, and established several kingdoms among the people to the north, bringing them in as a part of the league. The Edoamei used their newfound influence after the victory to pressure the league members into agreeing to form into a united kingdom under the rule of the Edoamei king. Though hesitant, almost all league members agreed, and the Kingdom of the Edoamr was officially formed in July of 288.**

## See Also

The Soasain Conquest

The Kingdom of Soasei (link pending)

The Kingdom of Edoamr (link pending)

Tribes and Peoples of Edoma (link pending)