Arcane Lords

Sava-Ruel is ruled by a council of eight powerful mages called the Arcane Lords. Their will is absolute in Sava-Ruel, and they keep a tight leash on who is allowed to learn and practice the arcane arts. While they keep a mostly hands-off approach to daily life under their rule, their agents and potentates see fit to oppress the people in their name, causing most to see the Arcane Lords as faceless tyrants. The Arcane Lords themselves pay little attention to the people beneath them; so long as the many strange and arcane components they require for their research keep pouring in, they couldn't care less what happens to anyone who is not directly in their thrall. The Arcane Lords meet once a season to decide on the direction to take their magical research, to settle disputes over resources, and to discuss matters that relate to the land as a whole. Otherwise, each of the Arcane Lords spends time in his tower, training apprentices, reading reports from his agents, and sending back orders. Each of the Arcane Lords controls a part of Sava-Ruel and has all rights to the resources within, including the people.