Iwakita Alliance

The Iwakita Alliance was an alliance between the two city-states of Sokjin and Iwakita in **371PR**. It formed the foundation for the eventual nation, Hashin.

## History

In **298PR** the town of Sokjin was settled by Sokjin Do-Heyon, along with his family and followers.

Looking elsewhere, some of the citizens from Sokjin and travellers that passed through ventured out and settled the town of Iwakita in **312PR**.

Both populations continued to swell though it was Iwakita that grew more, having access to more rich and fertile lands. Being so close, the two formed an informal defensive alliance.

By **340PR** both settlements had reached a population of 5,000 or higher, adapting their leadership to fit. In Iwakita, they named Sun Jun-Ho as Emperor. Sokjin named their leader, Ishidou Yukitoki, City Head.

Meeting in **342PR**, the two joined in a military alliance, formalising the positive relations between the two city-states. They extended a hand out to the city of Tanju to join but were declined.

The military alliance was first activated in **365PR** by Sokjin, unable to deal with a small-sized monster invasion from the Jave Woods. Sun was happy to help, leading his men into battle in a successful cavalry, defeating the monsters and saving the city.

The two continued to grow in relations, holding free trade agreements and travel through the city-states.

## Negotiations

In **370PR**, Sun presented Sokjin City Head, Ishidou Shigehiko with an offer, stating that the two should federate similar to a nation, while remaining mostly independent. This would mean that they become an alliance both militarily and economically, holding the same currency and ideas. Any issues that related to the both would be voted upon by both the City Head and Emperor.

Negotiations began soon after, discussing the topic of combining their military forces, having a representative of each city in the court of the other, Sokjin’s access to the Iwakita docks, the threat of the unconquered tribes uniting in the area and taxation on the border settlements.

The two city leaders continued their discussion for weeks, bringing in officials from both cities to help discuss and give insight.

### Public Reaction

By adding people outside the two city leaders into the mix, news about the offer spread out into the public. Being so close with the other city already thanks to the free travel and military alliance, the public reaction was supportive of the idea.

### Opposition

Some of the opposing factors to the Iwakita Alliance were in relation to the military and title of Sun. The city of Sokjin had mainly elected their officials, so having a blood-born Emperor in their midst was concerning for the citizens, not liking the idea of non-democratic centralised power.

Another concern was the economic power of Iwakita, which could be worsened by the less-powerful city of Sokjin, who required their docks to sell most of their trade.

## Alliance

Despite the opposition, the two came to an agreement in **371PR**, creating the Iwakita Alliance, naming it as Iwakita was the bigger city at the time and it was Sun who came up with the idea.

Holding the more powerful economy, Sun and Iwakita had to forgo some things, including losing the taxation on the border settlements to Sokjin and letting the city use its docks but gained more in terms of the combined army, letting them conquer the border tribes and take control.

## Hashin

*See: Hashin*

In **401PR** after the death of Ishidou Shigehiko, current Iwakitan Emperor Kitajo Takanaka peacefully seized control of the city of Sokjin through the election, placing himself as candidate for City Head. After scaring off all his opposition, Kitajo was elected City Head, converting the role into his role as Emperor and founding the nation of Hashin.

The seizure of power actually swayed some guilds to turn on Kitajo in the Iwakita Guild Uprising, wanting revenge for losing their independence.

Dealing with some uproar from the citizens, he showered them in gifts, mainly slaves, to help improve his reputation. After his eventual death in **425PR**, the role of City Head in Sokjin was changed to become a Count, electing a sort of mayor instead.