Alliance of Free Cities

The **Alliance of Free Cities** is a coalition between eight independent city states, formed due to a military threat from the Empire of Duvos with which it has fought multiple wars. Atara serves as the Alliance capital.

Lucien serves as the industrial and military hub of the Alliance and is the location of its main defensive force. Atara serves as capital and is the leading economic center. Vega 5 and Atara are both homes to universities and are the leading scientific centers of the Alliance. Portia is located in a fertile region and relies mostly on farming. Lead by Mayor Gale, the city tries to become a commercial hub. Walnut Groove is the leading cultural center. Highwind is the leader in wind power and Tallsky has the largest supply of engines and weapons from the Old World. Tallsky is also the home to a large number of Builders. Sandrock is an oasis town in the Eufaula Desert established by Ruin Divers that extracted Relics from a buried metropolis. It is currently undergoing a crisis and must import drinking water after its oasis dried out.

## History

The Alliance of Free Cities started to take form about 80 years ago (Year 18 after Peach), after settlers from what is current day Ethea moved south and settled around the area. At that time, ruin divers from Ethea were looking for more ruins to operate, opening up new mines everywhere across what would later be known as the Free Cities landscape. The pioneer groups were all acting independently and were unorganized; many were lost to disease, monsters, and starvation in these early days.

They discovered that the weather was much more stable in these parts; there were already forests, animals, and many sources of clean water. Word spread to their compatriots back home, triggering a large migration from Ethea and even some from Barnarock. Many towns formed, eventually growing into the modern Free Cities.

The alliance was formalized hastily 67 years ago (Peach Calendar Year 31), when the Duvos Empire first set its sights on the Free Cities’ resources. Employing its superior weapons technology, the Duvos forces destroyed the city-state of Baja overnight. Formerly loose allies, Ethea and Barnarock rushed to help defend the border, and together their armies pushed back the invading forces at the city-state of Lucien, but only after losing three city-states during this two-year war (Baja, Arcadia, Mobius). The Alliance of the Free Cities Treaty was then officially signed after the war in Year 34 with the capital seat in Atara. Ever since, the Alliance has been a coalition based on equal member rights and mutual defense, as well as an economic bloc.

The Alliance fought another war with the Duvos Empire in Year 76. Due to new advancements in technology from Vega 5, the Alliance fought Duvos to a draw in this engagement. Relations between the Alliance and the Empire have since been contentious with random skirmishes on the border breaking out until a year ago when the two signed a peace treaty.

The city-state of Doss was destroyed by an enormous creature from the Peripheries 30 years ago (Year 68).

## Alliance

### Current members

* Atara (capital)
* Highwind
* Lucien
* Portia
* Sandrock
* Tallsky
* Vega 5
* Walnut Groove

### Former members

Four additional cities were former members of the Alliance.

* Arcadia
* Baja
* Doss
* Mobius

Arcadia, Baja and Mobius were conquered by Duvos in a two-year war between Duvos and the Alliance.

Doss was destroyed by a creature from The Peripheries 30 years ago.

## Religion

The Church of the Light is the main religion of the world, including the Alliance of Free Cities. The Sandrock branch is led by Minister Matilda.

## Military

The Alliance of Free Cities established the Civil Corps as a proactive measure to safeguard its member states from both local and external threats, particularly from Duvos. This organization functions akin to a police force, tasked with upholding law and order within the Alliance. In addition to their protective duties, the Civil Corps holds the authority to detain individuals who have committed crimes, further emphasizing their role as a key pillar in maintaining the security and stability of the Alliance.

The Sandrock branch of the Civil Corps is headed by Justice, serving as the Sheriff, with Unsuur as the second in command. They are also accompanied by a unique member, Captain. As the story progresses, the Builder joins the team as an honorary member.

The Portia branch of the Civil Corps is led by Arlo, with Remington and Sam as members of the branch.

A renowned guild called the Flying Pigs consists of the best fighters and adventurers from the Free Cities. First formed in the Free City of Lucien, this fighting group is committed to world exploration and the protection of the weak.

The widespread occurrence of **Martial Arts Tournaments** across the Alliance of Free Cities, including the one in Portia,  the Showdown in Sandrock, and the one held in Tallsky , could be interpreted as serving a dual purpose. While primarily a cultural and communal event, these tournaments may also function as a strategic measure to maintain martial readiness among the populations. Given the historical context of conflicts with Duvos, it's plausible that these city-states use the tournaments not only to celebrate their heritage but also to subtly ensure that their citizens are prepared for any potential military confrontations, should the need arise again. This perspective highlights the multifaceted significance of these tournaments in the socio-political fabric of the Free Cities.

## Relation to other countries

### Duvos

The Alliance of Free Cities shares a fraught relationship with the Empire of Duvos, largely due to the latter's militaristic and expansionist tendencies. Historical clashes over resources, relics, and territories, including a significant battle over Lucien for its power stones and industrial engines, have negatively marked their interactions. Although this conflict ended without a clear victor, Lucien suffered severe damage. Currently, a peace treaty exists between the two powers, maintaining a fragile balance. Nonetheless, ongoing concerns about Duvos's interest in resource-rich areas like Orzu in Ethea continue to strain this uneasy peace.

Besides Duvos, the Alliance of Free Cities shares borders with the Principality of Ethea, the city-state of Barnarock, and The Peripheries. The Alliance enjoys friendly relations with Ethea, Barnarock, and the Kingdom of Seesai. Concerns arise, however, due to Duvos's advancing influence on Ethea's territories. The strong ties with Ethea and Barnarock are historically rooted, as these regions are the ancestral homes of many settlers who later founded the cities within the Alliance. This shared heritage plays a significant role in shaping the diplomatic landscape of the region.

Its relations with Meidi, a theocracy ruled by the Church of the Light, is not known, but the church is the leading religion in the Alliance.

## See also

* Alliance of Free Cities on My Time at Portia Wiki

## References

1. ↑ My Time at Sandrock Kickstarter update 3, released on October 30, 2020.