Lesson: The Elyrian League

8 Whitemoon, 2E 222

The Elyrian League is the largest polity in Thelisan. It consists of a loose collective of city-states, twenty-three by last count, each of which is governed by its own ruler. The ruling lords of the League meet to discuss policy, trade, and support, but outside of special circumstances, the League doesn't meddle in individual state politics.

As said, by my last count, there were twenty-three member states. This number, however, is highly variable; new members join, existing ones leave over some petty concern or another, the typical cycles of diplomacy and intrigue. To be admitted to the League, a state must be approved by at least 75% of voting lords; to vote on this, they must represent a state that has been part of the League for at least a decade. This decade of membership was added as a requirement after a failed attempt by a rival alliance to take over the League back in 177.

The Elyrian League is, to my knowledge, the only extant union that still uses traditional titles of aristocracy, though the definitions have loosened; Countess Cerise and Duchess Eleanor are approximate equals rather than one outranking the other.

Yes, this is why I am Lady Suncrest. The League calls us nobles-errant; we have done work for the realm or its people, and have been ennobled for it. Most of the benefits of this title are somewhat nebulous, ill-defined; more a social matter than a legal one. However, we have greater access to the rulers of the city-states and can ignore certain legal provisions related to travel, bearing of arms, and some others. Some nobles-errant, myself among them, are also offered a chance at rulership; we may found our own city, which will automatically be granted admission into the League. I have declined this.

To be a noble-errant is technically a privilege, but more properly a duty; we are expected to continue doing the work that we were first recognized for, and the privileges we are afforded are expected to be used to that end. I am yet unaware of any formal provisions for stripping the title from a disgraced noble-errant, but there are few of us; they may not yet have been needed.

Returning to governance, there are a number of townships that are within League territory but are not members, such as Stonebridge. Exactly how these are handled varies from case to case; Cerise of Stormhaven has taken Stonebridge as an informal protectorate, which I believe is at the request of a friend of hers, Nerezza of Shadecrest. While Stonebridge is not officially a member, in legal practice it is treated as an extension of Stormhaven, with the protective and economic benefits that come with that. Hilltop, on the other hand, was refused entry near-unanimously, unusual enough in itself. They still trade with the League, but otherwise are broadly on their own.