Republic of Alliogens

Alliogens is a fairly unique city-state, even considering the diversity of the Alcediner and despite their cultural similarity to the other nearby city-states. The city takes its name from Gens Allio, an elven gens which led the venture to found the city under the hegemony of the Empire of Oleandron and ruled as hereditary mayors. Despite the expulsion of the majority of the family due to their aristocracy, some of their illegitimate Eldritch scions would remain in the city and continue the family's rule until their conquest by the Kingdom of Sunþiruda in 919.

At the time a minor town, despite its defensive location on the Alliogens peninsula, Alliogens would host the main regional port for the Sunþirudan garrison, though their main fortifications eventually moved to the south bank of the nearby river. It continued to grow thanks to investments by the Sunþirudans and the remaining garrison in the city. Still, during the collapse of Sunþiruda, Alliogens remained in Sunþirudan hands for several years longer than the other nearby cities thanks to the presence of the garrison and its easily defended stature. However, Alliogens and Gens Allio would finally declare independence in 1031, establishing itself as an independent power from the Sunþirudan garrison, which itself became the independent city-state of Sunhwa in turn. Unfortunately, by 1045 Alliogens would fall definitively under the sway of the rising power of the Principality of Mediolene, which conquered Sunhwa and continued to project power north, forcing the city to pay tribute.

Using their trade contacts in the north, especially with the nearby nations of Bhur Drizl and Isileum, Alliogens soon carved out a niche for itself and commanded significantly more trade than their suzereign, raising their funds above their nominal overlord. By 1100, Gens Allio and the city in general was wealthier than the rulers of Mediolene, and declared independence, leading to the First Mediolene-Alliogens war. This was would be won by Alliogens, and actually saw Gens Vicitini, rulers of Mediolene, deposed for a brief period, though they returned to that city by 1115. The second war between the two would soon break out in 1124, and when it ended in 1128, Alliogens was once more reduced to their peninsula, with the strategic town of Sunhwa back in Medioleni hands. Mediolene would continue expanding inland, and by the late 13th century came to control much of the northern coast, even reaching Bhur Drizl in the north and cutting off Alliogens from overland trade routes.

Alliogens would then look to markets further afield, tapping into the young Telrai trade routes and becoming the first Alcediner state to establish proper relations with them. This allowed the nation to stave off conquest by the Medioleni, thanks to Telrai mercenaries and trade. The nation also established comemercial links with the cities of the southeast, and further, into Blazennia. Thanks to all this foreign exchange, cultural expression boomed, artistic evolution occured, and new ideas began to spread. Among these ideas was a new religion- Blazeology. The Blazennian Empire had become a major trade partner of all the cities, and their faith soon began spreading to the people. As the memory of the elves faded, and Gens Allio began to be seen as just another family, rather than the rightful leaders of the nation. Increasing wealth of merchant families saw them gain more influence in most matters, while Gens Allio tried to jealously guard their authority in the state. Essentially, they saw the city as theirs to manage and as the duty of citizens to contribute to their coffers. This was in contrast to the views of the merchants, who saw themselves as the most critical people in the continued survival of the city. Overseas trade ventures were the only lifeline, and all that kept the city from the hands of Mediolene.

Eventually, they were fed up, and overthrew Gens Allio, which fled to Mediolene. In fury, seeing them as betrayers, the merchants were spurred into action and began a campaign of escalation with Mediolene. Alliogens would even organize an anti-Medioleni league which toppled the nation in 1401, and this led to a golden age for the nation, as they could now dominate the Bay of Alliogens. As for Gens Allio, they were once more exiled, and fled to Isileum, where they remain as a member of the lower nobility. The merchants, now in total control of the nation, woudl establish a complex system known as sortition in order to elect one of their number as the nation's leader. While nominally a republic, this system essentially made Alliogens just another Tyranid state, with the difference being that there were multiple Gens Tyrani, rather than just one.

Still, the system developed in Alliogens would see the nation prosper- there was real competition in the city and cronying up to the ruling Gens was not a surefire way to succeed. Under mercantile influence, the nation would expand overseas, setting up a system of factories and establishing trade with Telrai across the western seas. They even managed to corner the trade with several important Giriþiudan tribes, and Giriþiudan men would come to hold many important military posts in the republic, with the onetime city-state of Sunhwa becoming the hub for the defense of Alliogens and a center of Giriþiudan culture to this day. Alliogens, focused on overseas trade, rarely engaged in wars of conquest against the Erleting, instead expanding factories, especially after the discovery of minerals on Ifyrial. Despite being the furthest Alcediner nation from the continent, Alliogens carved out a respectable system of factories and mainland possessions, becoming a major trader in metals. Multiple violent and long-lasting wars with the Tritons would see the Alliogenner military and marines well-tested and skilled at conflict on the high seas and in amphibious manners. They also clashed with Voðeren raiders on the waves of the north sea during the Golden Age of Raiding, performing admirably, which earned Alliogens a reputation as a navy to be feared.

However, in the 1930s things began to grow bleaker. The Telgrener Time of Troubles meant that commerce declined, and with it so did funds. Then, the powerful Dragan Ivar's Army began threatening the coast. Though Alliogens did not have as extensive inland possessions of the other states, they were forced to pull all available forces to stem the invasion, especially as they had multiple important coastal sites to defend. This would lead, in turn, to wars with the Tritons, who sensed weakness and seized most of the Alliogeni factories. War taxes strained the people, and those on Ifyrial soon joined the other colonies in calling for independence, leaving Alliogens with even less of a commercial presence. The death of Dragan Ivar' in 1956 was a blessing, but Alliogens was then forced to deal with the scattered tribes in their hinterland- honor demanded it. This locked them into wars on the interior for the foreseeable future- but the worst was yet to com. Even as the Dennonian Wars continued, the end of the Þaru Wars saw another pulse of raiders attacking in the north, and a long and costly war against the Konuger of Jøkath alongside their Giriþiudan allies. The defeat of Alliogens in this war saw the loss of trade connections with Giriþiuda and wrecked the republic's finances.

Though the nation actually has more land under their control now (excluding Ifyrial) than they did in the 1930s and 1940s, things are quite bleak. Only the oppressive tactics of the Gens Tyrani have kept the poor from revolt, and the city is deeply indebted. the common people are needed to resettle the interior, but so too is consciption a necessity if the overseas lands are to be reclaimed. Though Alliogens yet stands as the strongest Alcediner state, their nation is in deep danger from foes on ever side.