Vekaiyun Trade Leagues

From the 10th century to the early 15th century, Vekaiyu was divided into three trading leagues: Vesteri to the west, Sakeyuz in the center, and Listura to the east. Such leagues were loose bindings between the city states of Vekaiyu, governing over territory and overseeing the progress of cities within the league. Its main purpose was to create some form of defense from other cities and territories and establish better trade across the land, which was instrumental in the longevity of the Era of Good Feelings. Each league had a 'capital' city: Eldura, Provinsk, and Ye'leli respectfully.

Explanation

Demographics of the three leagues.

Cities marked on the map are ones that had a presiding bishop. Only select cities could have a bishop exclusive to their limits. Requirements were at least two cathedrals and one monastery, though typically an additional requirement of the Vayan Pope's approval was needed as well, which was usually met through ceding lands to the papacy or donating money to it in the hopes of supplying cash to the crusading cause of the time.

Some Vekaiyun cities lay outside of the three league boundaries and, thus, outside of the Vekaiyun kingdom proper. Such cities remained independent for a time, though were highly vulnerable to attack. All three leagues tried to gain favor with the Vayan Pope, not only for a blessing, but for added defense and the potential of gaining favor over another league. All cities listened to the Pope, and all cities listened to the King. Yet, each city in Vekaiyu during this time was ruled almost like a separate kingdom in its own right - ever-competitive, it would attempt to find any advantage it could over other city-states. Consequently, many advances were established during this time in Vekaiyun history. The steel plow would be invented in Cestinglavoiga fifty years later, for example, to gain an advantage over Ye'leli and its abundant farming.

The common Vekaiyun peasant would often refer to the residence of their city over that of their nation. The Vayan Catholic faith was the center of their lives. But, all three leagues tolerated other religions (due to their desire to have more minds working together and advancing their league and city further). Most peasants, however, were uneducated past grade school. Some who were lucky enough or who showed promise were accepted into a university or learned the ways of a sword or staff.

Despite the implications, Vekaiyun city-states rarely fought. This is due to the problem that any city-state would make itself vulnerable to other city-states if it chose to attack and its armies became displaced. There was always the possibility that a loss could lead to multiple losses. Furthermore, the church often had more leverage with the people than the king; most would obey a Pope or bishop over a king or noble if a call to war was made or canceled. The power-struggle between church and royalty often made Vekaiyu confusing to outsiders. Leaders from other lands would find difficulty in determining who to send a peace treaty or a trade agreement to: anyone from the Pope, to a bishop, to a king, to a magistrate, to a noble could handle the matter. It was this confusion that led to the close of the Era of Good Feelings.

What kept the city-states together during this time was their heritage and their faith. Many scholars believe that without the church having immense power during this time in Vekaiyun history, the nation would have distanced itself. The power struggle would end in the early 15th century, when the perfect storm of a peace-loving Pope and the hard-fisted king Kaslo I would unite the cities and abolish their separate identities.