Safal, Country
The Arcane Pillar present on the 5th Branch. 9 Highprinces rule effectively sovereign states within it's borders. Much of the nobility disparage the Royal Family, and disregard them when conducting themselves.
Structure
Formally, the King is to be the absolute authority over the country. They also are the Highprince of the Safal Principality. The 9 Highprinces govern their respective Principalities of Safal, but still formally swear fealty to the King, however they operate themselves with no tithe nor honored oath to the crown. While the country is formally a monarchy, the ruling King has not held much power in the nation for many, many years. Founded by a lineage portraying exemplary arcane abilities, their skills have fallen generation after generation, until the Mages suppressed by them simply began ignoring them. The decline of the Menitus Family is such that the current King Anan is frequently outmaneuvered and played in public settings by the Highprinces who act freely amongst the kingdom.
The High CourtsCulture
To maintain its arcane status, or perhaps as a result of it, the culture of Safal is centered around one’s intellectual ability. Debates are common amongst the people and scholars, and one can quickly find himself rising up the social ranks if he displays enough aptitude. However, with intelligence comes the need to be wary of others’. In the Courts of Safal it is valued, if not expected, to be able to navigate the social circles of the kingdom with dexterity and ease. The ability to talk your way through and around those you meet, to exercise your influence and authority, whether you possess either or not. If one is found outmatched in a battle of wits, he will quickly fall out of grace with the Courts and his status will plummet unless he can recover. It is for these reasons Safal does not host emissaries or diplomats for very long, and even the wiliest of Parkhani merchants know not to tally long before they find themselves talked into a corner.
Safali people value astuteness of the mind above all. From the highest of Courts to the lowest of serfs, the tendency to talk their way around others is pervasive. Debates are common, one can see them publicly around the towns and cities at all times of day. These debates often serve the function of duels in Safali society, though without the bloodshed or physical injury. The silver tongues of Safal deter many would-be orators and many merchants find themselves out of luck trying to con the common folk. Due to their penchant for intrigue and wiles for the arcane, Safali people also boast the highest level of literacy in the Branch, and more than most on the Tree.
History
There are three groups that makeup the pillars of Magical advancement in Arborea: the 6th Branch, the Court Mages of Autoch of the 3rd Branch, and Safal of the 5th Branch. Despite being the smallest of the arcane pillars, Safal is nothing to scoff at. Safal boasts the most mages per capita in the entire Mother Tree and after the fall of the 6th Branch, Safal and Autoch now contend for the title of the most magically advanced nation in the world. Safali mages enjoy a prestigious status wherever they go due to this and the general respect for the nation as a whole. Much of Safal’s status comes from the many Universities and arcane lineages that populate its landscape. Each university headed by a High Mage, the dozens of them together create a powerfully concentrated force.
Territories
Principalities
- Safal Principality
- Garidge Principality
- Lakburg Principality
- Vraemoth Principality
- Luxi Principality
- Balvyre Principality
- Xyvarn Principality
- Theril Principality
- Oripeiros Principality
Wilden Plains:
The region west of the Briar Wall, full of strange and dangerous Arcane phenomena and creatures.
Military
With the nation’s focus on the arcane, and its decentralized rule of the Courts, it is difficult for the nation to provide a collective standing army. However this does not mean Safal is without military might. The Courts that line its borders are battle hardened with many skirmishes and past wars with Aethevora and minor wars of status against Redonia, usually for an insulting wordplay. Internally, the Courts find themselves on battlefields outside of the banquet halls and on the fields of their lands, where each Court vies for supremacy and power over the others. The large proportion of mages combined with frequently fielded soldiers defending against bandits and magical beasts results in a small but sturdy array of an arcane army.
Laws
The laws of Safal are regionally set, based upon the ruling Highprince's decrees. Of course, many laws are universal, such as laws against murder and thievery. The judiciary system of Safal varies greatly based on which Highprince's territory you are in. Some Courts use an absolute judge system, others use a jury, some a mix. Each Highprince is responsible for implementing infrastructure to enforce the laws they have created. With no centralized military or policing force, it falls to each Court to keep the internal peace.
Trade & Transport
Historically, trade has been conducted between Redonia across the Cerulean River, much of it centered around Lakburgal and Arcanthal. The remaining trade is done through following the Highway that runs through Iyradena and Ktharum.
Safal has a relatively lax trade agreement with Redonia. No official agreement signed, but a mutual understanding is had that many merchants take advantage of.
Between each of the Major Cities, there are small teleportation formations maintained by the Highprinces families. These are reserved for high-profile individuals, and are a costly mode of travel.
The land of Safal, while large, is split into 9 portions and has become exceedingly cramped as each of those lands but up against each other. Due to that, Safal's main import is food, as the farmlands lack enough room to grow and sustain the populations they feed.
As one of the Arcane Pillars, Safal's main exports are skilled mages and Arcane Materials. If other countries or organizations are in need of someone to cast strong spells or to ward their precious belongings, Safal is a reliable place. The high quality materials refined through Safali magic are highly desired by the skilled artisans of Redonia. And the desire for exotic enchanted items proves high for individuals of all groups.
Education
Safal has the highest literacy rate in the 5th Branch, and one of the highest atop the entire Mother Tree. Beyond that, the many universities within the Court Cities produce a staggeringly intelligent population, not to mention the number of mages collectively within the nation.
Comments