Tolomarian Confederation

The Tolomarian Confederation began as many separate Kingdoms, city states, and republics along a large island cluster. While a majority of these independent states spoke the common language of Tolomari (or at least dialects of it), they had developed many unique cultural customs. With only about 10% of their lands Being arable they were forced to look to the sea for survival. The fishing and whaling became huge industries among the Tolomarian people, only rivaled by their aptitude for trade. With such a reliance on the sea, naval strength became the key factor in the success of individual Tolimarian sovereignties. Soon trade leagues began to form, and in 1766 a league of the four largest states formed a confederation, with the leaders of each state electing King Alpay of Otal as it's first Lord-Protector (I'll post a map of the confederation members eventually). Using the united naval and economic superiority of this new confederation, Lord-Protector Alpay began pressuring the other Tolomarian states to join. Many willingly joined seeking protection and new economic opportunities. But those who refused faced economic sanctions, tariffs, and embargoes. If they still held out, they would be met with blockades and possibly full on invasions. Under Doge Refik of the Ercos Repulbic, who was the 3rd Lord-Protector, the Tolomarians were finally unified with the surrender of the Arket Freehold in 1791. The Tolomari confederation was proclaimed. The confederation saw many years of peace, until the election of the populist leader, Oscandir, King of Otal in 1867. Under his rule he sought the forceful integration of the Korintos people living on nearby islands. The Tolomarian Confederation prioritizes free trade with other nations of the world. It prides itself in the maintaining of its large fleet and relatively small but growing air-force.