The Free States

The Free States of Clamund are is a collection of Petty Kings, Barons, Dukes, Earls and Freemen that are not aligned with any kingdom of Clamund. Banding together in the southern regions of Clamund. Many of the cities that are within the Free States are usually survivors of barbarian assimilation or were previously in service with the Holy Empire of Visimar but either paid for their independence or fought for it. Many of the cities thrive in the trade since the Free states are along the route that leads to the Iron Gullet. And because many of the cities are owned by merchant guilds. They are always involved in trading deals with foreign realms. Although trade thrives in these realms, there also lies a level of jealously that triggers deadly wars between these free states in an attempt to grab land and trade. Conflicts between noble and merchant states are common in bitter attempts to gain more land and profits, these greedy states usually culminate into short-lived states that are burned out by coalitions fighting to regain territory. There are some exceptions, however, The State of Altobello still remains one of the largest and most successful of the Free States after conquering its neighbors.

History
Many have come to believe that the Free States didn’t have an epic history as many other Kingdoms had. Instead, the Free States was started by a few merchant guilds and foreign traders that wanted their own towns and cities unaffected by Kingdom warfare and politics. So with a hefty bribe. Many nobles of their towns either resigned to watch over their many other estates or joined the guild with a high rank. Rises to power for the free states in the Eastern Regions mostly violent as many of the free states demanded to adopt feudalism instead of the brutal clan systems they were subjected to. This did not go well with many other clans and tribes in the region which sparked the tribal assimilation crisis. This led to many new Free States in the East Region constantly harassed by tribes close to them in an attempt to eliminate any sign of society evolving from tribalism.

This went on for years up until the States were able to pay for mercenaries and their professional standing armies that we're able to repel the tribes. Those who couldn't pay for armies were eventually raided and sacked of all of their property and land. This led to many northern cities and towns that wanted to be free from the grasps of the clan system and tribalism to be destroyed and left in ruin for many years.

As centuries passed. The Free States grew in size, so big in fact that freedom was granted to many towns and cities that were tied to the Holy Empire of Visimar. This enraged the Emperor of Visimar (Karl II (865-924)) at the time, to the point of declaring war upon all the Free States in the Mid Region. During this war, many towns were sacked, their guilds in ruin. This went on for more than a year with success and military victories only being given to the emperor as his superior fighting force going against meagre militias and small professional armies

Once the free states were cut down to only the southern regions, that’s when many of the states came together to pay the Empire to cease hostilities and end the war, And so he did. After the war was over. The Free States once again flourished. Only this time, they were less intact than they were only years prior.