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The '''City-States of Jowston''' (ジョウストン都市同盟, ''Jousuton Toshidōmei''), also known as the Jowston Alliance or simply Jowston, | The '''City-States of Jowston''' (ジョウストン都市同盟, ''Jousuton Toshidōmei''), also known as the Jowston Alliance or simply Jowston, is a decentralized alliance of five cities and one knightly order, formed in year 314 of the [[solar calendar]] to counter threats from the Highland Kingdom and the Scarlet Moon Empire. | ||
Known for its cultural diversity and democratic governance, the alliance played a key role in regional stability until its transformation following the [[Dunan Unification War]] in 460. It is the primary setting for [[Suikoden II]], [[Genso Suikogaiden Vol.1]], and [[Genso Suikoden Card Stories]]. | Known for its cultural diversity and democratic governance, the alliance played a key role in regional stability until its transformation following the [[Dunan Unification War]] in 460. It is the primary setting for [[Suikoden II]], [[Genso Suikogaiden Vol.1]], and [[Genso Suikoden Card Stories]]. | ||
Revision as of 16:13, 22 February 2025
The City-States of Jowston (ジョウストン都市同盟, Jousuton Toshidōmei), also known as the Jowston Alliance or simply Jowston, is a decentralized alliance of five cities and one knightly order, formed in year 314 of the solar calendar to counter threats from the Highland Kingdom and the Scarlet Moon Empire.
Known for its cultural diversity and democratic governance, the alliance played a key role in regional stability until its transformation following the Dunan Unification War in 460. It is the primary setting for Suikoden II, Genso Suikogaiden Vol.1, and Genso Suikoden Card Stories.
In the 1999 English language localization of Suikoden II, it was called the City-State of Jowston (singular).
Overview
The City-States of Jowston was a coalition of city-states and knightly orders formed in the year 314 (solar calendar) to counter the threats posed by the Highland Kingdom to the north and the Scarlet Moon Empire to the south.
Centered around Lake Dunan, the alliance initially consisted of the city-states of Muse, South Window, Two River, and the Matilda Knights, with Greenhill and Tinto joining later in 378 and 366, respectively. The alliance was named after Jowston Hill, where the pact was signed under a large tree, though its name also unofficially honored Jowston, a heroic mayor of Muse who defended the hill against Highland's forces for two months.
The City-States also had its own calendar, beginning in 314 of the solar calendar, when the City-States of Jowston was established. The Dunan Unification War took place in the year 147 according to this calendar.
History
Founding and Structure
The alliance was established in response to the constant aggression from the Highland Kingdom, which had long sought to expand its territory into the Dunan region. The cities and knights united under a decentralized governance system, with policies decided by voting rights allocated according to each member's population.
Muse City, the alliance's capital, served as its political and cultural center, while the Matilda Knights provided military strength. Due its lack of a unified army, the alliance relied on the combined forces of its member cities and occasional mercenary contracts to defend its territories. This loose structure allowed for cultural diversity and economic prosperity, making the City-States a hub for trade and cultural exchange.
Conflicts and Key Events
The City-States' history was marked by frequent conflicts with both the Highland Kingdom and the Scarlet Moon Empire. In 428, King Robert Blight launched a major invasion of the City-States. The defense was spearheaded by Genkaku, a legendary commander from Muse, who later negotiated a ceasefire with Han Cunningham, a Highland general and his childhood friend. This peace, though short-lived, was highly regarded and demonstrated the alliance's resilience.
Members of the Jowston Alliance also fought wars of expansion. In 447, forces of Tinto and South Window attempted to take advantage of the War of Succession in the Scarlet Moon Empire by invading only to be eventually repelled the following year.
A similar situation would happen in 456 where those same City-States invaded again during the Gate Rune War, occupying the region of Senan. Following the war, the new Toran Republic would lead a force to reclaim the territory, succeeding by 458.
In 460, the Dunan Unification War erupted after Prince Luca Blight of Highland orchestrated a false flag attack to incite war. The Jowston Alliance, weakened by internal divisions and the invasion of Muse, swiftly collapsed in the face of Highland's aggressive advance.
The former members of the Alliance would be revitalized by the rise of the New State Army, under the leadership of Genkaku's adopted son. This army ultimately unified the region, ending the war and reshaping the political landscape by reforging the fractured City-States into a new Dunan Republic.
Legacy
During its history, the City-States of Jowston played a crucial role in maintaining regional stability and resisting external threats. Its decentralized structure and cultural diversity made it a unique political entity, though its lack of centralization also left it vulnerable to internal strife. Following the Dunan Unification War, the alliance's legacy lived on in the newly formed Dunan Republic, which sought to build a more unified and peaceful future.
Geography and Flag
The City-States of Jowston was located in the center of the Northern Continent, around Lake Dunan. Jowston shared land borders with Harmonia, Highland, the Grasslands and the Toran Republic. Its capital was Muse City, located in the nation's main province, Muse Principality.
In addition to the flags used by each city, there was also a flag for the City-States itself. It was blue with a yellow circle, three swords, and six feathers. The six feathers symbolized the five cities and one knightdom that comprised the City-States.
Other languages and releases
| Japanese kanji | ジョウストン都市同盟 |
|---|---|
| Japanese romaji | Jousuton Toshidōmei |
| Chinese simplified (HDR) | 裘斯顿都市同盟 |
| Chinese traditional (HDR) | 裘斯頓都市同盟 |
| Chinese pinyin | Qiúsīdùn dūshì tóngméng |
| English (S1) | United City-States of Jowstone |
|---|---|
| English (S2) | City-State of Jowston |
| English (HDR) | City-States of Jowston |
| French | Cités-États de Jowston |
| German (S2) | Jowston-Städtebund |
| German (HDR) | Stadtstaaten von Jowston |
| Italian | Città-stato di Jowston |
| Spanish | Ciudades-estado de Jowston |
References
- Genso Suikoden II Art Works, page 29
- Genso Suikoden I&II Official World Guide Book (ISBN 4-471-36033-7), pages 54-5
- Genso Suikogaiden Vol.1 World Guide Book (ISBN 4-575-16237-X), pages 61, 73, 87
- Genso Suikoden Encyclopaedia (ISBN 4-575-16297-3), pages 136-7
- Genso Suikoden Kiwami Encyclopedia, pages 165, 255