Alliance of States

The Alliance of States is a confederation of city-states west and southewest of the League of Nine. Its borders are determined primarily by the Krinner Mountains and the Astral Gate network.

The Alliance was formed in response to League aggression late in 1659 and recruited member states until 1666, unlike the League's single founding. At its peak, the Alliance contained 14 city-states, though it contained 11 for most of the War of Nine. The Alliance was composed of:
 * Goethelberg, joined 1659.
 * Pritannia, joined 1659.
 * Bertaeyn, joined 1659.
 * [TBD], joined 1659.
 * Carlolingia, joined 1659, four months after initial founding.
 * Kalmarsburg, joined 1661.
 * Reme, joined 1661
 * [TBD], joined [TBD]
 * Hellenopolis, joined [TBD]
 * [TBD], joined [TBD]
 * [TBD], joined [TBD]
 * [TBD], joined [TBD]
 * [TBD], joined [TBD]

Culture
Much like its counterpart, the Alliance is a group of states with widely varying culture and language. That said, the states of the Alliance are more traditional and socially conservative, having not been exposed to the mass liberalization instated by the Consuls of the League.

Gender roles are strongly enforced in the League, varying between social pressures and actual law. The Alliance military does not allow females to serve in combat roles, with the exception of wizards. The Church of Baruc generally enjoys more influence within the Alliance than the nominally secular League. Sodomy laws limiting the rights of LGBT people are common among the Alliance's member states (though the Pritannian navy somewhat infamously suspends all sodomy laws after 90 days at sea).

Magic is tightly controlled within the Alliance, monitored by the Circle of Solace and its inquisition. All wizards must be sanctioned under Alliance law, with unsanctioned wizards turned over to the Circle or executed as necessary. Black Magic is strictly illegal. As a result of its stranglehold over magical power, the Circle also exerts considerable political influence within the Alliance.

Alliance cities have a longer history of international contact, owing to the Astral Gate network easing trade--and warfare--between the states. Also owing to the relative ease and speed of travel, the Alliance has time zones.

Government
The member states of the Alliance use a plethora of different governmental styles. For example, Carolingia is an absolute monarchy, Pritannia a constitutional monarchy, and Goethelberg is led by an assembly elected by the aristocracy.

Signing onto the Alliance charter requires that at least 60% of the city-state's military be contributed to the unified Alliance military. The Alliance military is led by Supreme Commander Valor of a Vanished Age.

In addition to the various national governments within the Alliance, the Circle of Solace and Church of Baruc command political influence across the Alliance on a level equivalent with some member states.