When the people of Illiad first started to interact with the people of Sancstoryl, nobody was entirely sure about what they would do. Was their talk of peaceful study, trade and cultural exchange just a ploy? Would they bide their time and study them to conquer their lands? Instead, the people were in for a pleasant surprise, as the Illiadian people engaged in what they called "True Illiadian Neutrality". They'd engage in cultural exchange, trade and study, but they'd never militarily support any sides in any conflicts they'd encounter, unless they were threatened themselves.
This was fine and good for a good while. And with the new technologies and insights that the Illiadians brought slowly making lives for everyone better, it wasn't long until a couple of nobles in the Great Liwilai Empire thought "Hey, we have some unused land. Let's give it to the Illiadians, to better engage in trade and cultural exchange"! It was with great reluctance that the Illiadians would eventually accept, with a proper agreement being brokered, but the results were quite good; the three Illiadian city states that were formed made trade, scholarly exchange and even general contact much easier. And more and more Illiadians started moving to Sancstoryl from their homeworld, even immigrating to the Kingdoms of Liwilai to find work, love and new opportunities... And many Sancstorylians even went to Illiad to trade, study and work... Until The Great Wasting brought it all crashing down.
The City States were Argentis, The Silver City, Khrusia, The Golden City, and Aesil, The Bronze City.