Introduction

The Leicester Alliance, unlike its neighboring realm of Faerghus or the ancient Empire to its west, is not a nation forged by a single ruler, dynasty, or divine mandate. Instead, it is a political experiment—an association of influential noble houses bound together not by monarchy, but by mutual benefit, mercantile ambition, and a shared distrust of centralized authority.

This chronicle recounts the rise of the Alliance from its earliest roots under imperial rule to the political landscape of IY 1180, concluding at the dawn of the Great Tree Moon.

I. Eastern Adrestia Before the Secession

— Before Imperial Year 901

For centuries, the eastern regions of the Adrestian Empire were known as prosperous trading territories. Their lands contained the fertile Grancvalle plains, the river routes to the ocean, and the ports that connected Fódlan to foreign nations across the sea.

The nobles of the east were:

• Wealthy

• Independent-minded

• Skilled in diplomacy and commerce

• Less bound to military tradition than their western peers

Close relations with traders from Morfis, Albinea, and foreign archipelagos fostered a culture of openness and cosmopolitan refinement. As the Empire became increasingly centralized, these eastern lords resisted imperial taxation, restrictions on trade, and the growing bureaucracy dominated by western and southern ministries.

Tensions grew for generations—quietly at first, then openly.

II. The Great Eastern Revolt and the Birth of the Alliance

— Culminating in Imperial Year 901

The conflict reached its apex in the late 9th century. A coalition of influential eastern houses united in defiance of the Empire’s heavy-handed governance. Some sought greater autonomy, others full independence, but all rejected imperial control over trade privileges.

The Empire attempted to bring the region to heel through force and negotiation, but neither approach succeeded.

Finally, in IY 901, the eastern nobles formally seceded, founding the Leicester Alliance.
Unlike Faerghus, the Alliance rejected monarchy entirely. Instead, its governance was entrusted to a Roundtable Council composed of its most influential lords.

Each lord swore an oath to uphold:

• Mutual protection from outside threats

• Free trade within Alliance borders

• Autonomy of each noble house

• Representation in shared diplomacy

This system was unprecedented in Fódlan and became the defining characteristic of the Alliance.

III. The Age of Trade, Rivalry, and Political Maneuvering

— IY 901 to ~IY 1100

The early centuries of the Alliance were marked by remarkable prosperity.
With no emperor or king, the nobles wielded full control over their territories, resulting in:

• Strong commercial networks

• A thriving mercantile class

• Diplomatic ties to distant nations

• The rise of powerful merchant guilds

However, decentralized rule brought challenges. The nobles often feuded—sometimes with armies, more often with trade embargoes, political maneuvering, or diplomatic sabotage.

Multilateral conflict was common:

• Border skirmishes with Adrestia

• Inter-house disputes

• Rival trade leagues vying for dominance

The Roundtable Council mediated these conflicts, though its authority varied with the strength and charisma of its elected Leader of the Alliance.

IV. Cultural Flourishing and Secular Governance

— IY 1100 to 1160

As the Alliance matured, it developed a distinctive cultural identity.

Its key characteristics included:

• A strong merchant and artisan class

• Intellectual exchange with foreign cultures

• Secular political structures, with less reliance on the Church than Faerghus

• A competitive academic environment that later fed into Garreg Mach's student body

• A tradition of dueling and non-lethal contests to settle noble rivalries

The nobles embraced personal ambition and shrewd diplomacy over strict knightly codes. Unlike the Kingdom’s rigid hierarchies, the Alliance prized cleverness and adaptability.

During this era, the Regan family, descended from one of the Alliance’s earliest leaders, often served as mediators and stabilizing figures.

V. Modern Shifts and the Rise of the Vere Family

— IY 1160 to 1175

Over time, political concentration shifted. Certain families—especially those holding key trade routes, ports, or agricultural heartlands—gained disproportionate influence.

The most notable of these was House Riegan, traditionally chosen as Leaders of the Alliance.
But in recent decades, House Gloucester challenged this dominance, creating a tense but influential rivalry.

In IY 1175, a political restructuring elevated several houses with strong connections to the Church or to foreign economies, creating a more complex distribution of power at the Roundtable.

VI. The Alliance Raids, Piracy, and Border Troubles

— IY 1170s

The Alliance’s control of coastal regions made it vulnerable to foreign piracy and border clashes. Raids by Dagda vessels, Albinean privateers, and even stray pirates from Brigid’s coasts became increasingly frequent.

Some noble houses pursued their own diplomatic arrangements with these foreign powers, often without consulting the Council—a testament to the region’s decentralized nature.

These incidents underscored the need for military coordination, prompting calls to strengthen the Alliance’s internal command structure.

VII. Noble Houses of the Leicester Alliance

— Updated to Imperial Year 1180

The Alliance is composed of many noble families, but the most influential form the backbone of the Roundtable.

1. House Riegan

Seat: Derdriu
Crest: Major Crest of Riegan
The traditional leaders of the Alliance. Their territory includes the central plains and the strategic port of Derdriu, the capital. Known for diplomatic prowess and military balance. Claude von Riegan is the current heir.

2. House Gloucester

Seat: Eastern Heartlands
Crest: Crest of Gloucester
Famed for fertile farmlands and political ambition. Their wealth makes them indispensable to the Alliance, and their rivalry with House Riegan shapes much of contemporary politics. Lorenz is the house’s heir.

3. House Goneril

Seat: Western Marches
Crest: Crest of Goneril
Guardians of the western territories against Albinean and Sreng incursions. Renowned for military strength, particularly heavy infantry and armored cavalry. Hilda is of this house.

4. House Ordelia

Seat: Eastern Coast
Crest: Minor Crest of Riegan
A smaller but historically significant house. Suffered greatly due to experimentation and political pressure from neighboring territories. Lysi­thea is the gifted heiress.

5. House Holst and the Minor Confederates

Seat: While technically part of Goneril territory, some lands function independently
Crests: None or varied
These lesser houses contribute to the Alliance’s military and agricultural output. Many hold private contracts with mercenary companies.

VIII. The Situation in Imperial Year 1180

— Up to the Great Tree Moon

As the new year begins, the Alliance faces both opportunity and instability.

1. Claude von Riegan’s rise as Leader of the Alliance

Claude’s charisma and foreign connections set him apart from past leaders. His inclusive vision clashes with traditionalist nobles but attracts the younger generation.

2. Ongoing rivalry between Riegan and Gloucester

Economic debates, border tariffs, and influence at the Roundtable are frequent sources of tension. Political maneuvering grows more intense.

3. Increased pirate activity

Attacks along the Fódlan’s Throat and coastal trade routes threaten the Alliance’s lifeblood. Some nobles demand a unified navy; others resist the idea of centralization.

4. Sreng incursions

The wild tribes of Sreng continue to test the Alliance’s northern defenses. Goneril’s forces are stretched thin.

5. The Officers Academy term begins

Heirs of major houses—including Claude, Lorenz, Hilda, and Lysithea—journey to Garreg Mach Monastery. Their presence symbolizes both the hope and the uncertainty of the Alliance’s future.

Conclusion

As of the Great Tree Moon, Imperial Year 1180, the Leicester Alliance stands at a delicate balance. Wealthy, strategically placed, and culturally vibrant, yet politically fragmented, its strength lies not in unity but in the negotiation and ambition of its nobles.

With Claude von Riegan now guiding the Roundtable through subtle influence and unorthodox thinking, the Alliance enters a transformative age—one poised to challenge old assumptions and redefine Fódlan’s future.