Zamore
Culture
Zamore is a pure Magocracy. Those with magical prowess sit at its helm and those with no magic sit at the bottom of the societal pyramid. The nation is broken up into 3 primary classes of people. Within those classes their are subgroups as well. They are as follows:
Magically Gifted:
- People of this class are either born with powerful magic, or earn it sometime during their life. They are granted special consideration in society and if they desire it, have a fast track to Zamorian nobility. People of this class also have the unique opportunity to conduct research that they are personally interested in or even become professors in their specific field at the academy. The class is broken up into the following subgroups:
- Royalty - The only ruling family Zamore has ever known is the Kronus Family. The nation's founder Alexandra Kronus pronounced herself Wizard Queen and while as time has passed, the Zamorian Wizard Council holds more day-to-day power, the royals are still known to be immensely powerful sorcerers and have the last say in all decisions made by the nation's government if they choose to involve themselves.
- Nobility - On even standing with the higher ups in the academy, the nobility of Zamore are also very powerful magic users. Although, similar to the academy and different from the royalty, their specializations are wide and varied. Sorcerers, Clerics, Wizards, Bards, Warlocks, and even some Druids make up the nobility of this nation. Their ability to influence the public as well as the royal family is primarily dependent on the current head of the family's power as a magic user.
- Members of Academia: On even standing with the nobility of Zamore, there are those who instead chose a life of quiet education and study. While often as strong and sometimes considered stronger than the nobility, people of this group dedicate themselves to one or two fields of study and contribute to the knowledge of those fields for the rest of their careers. The head of the academy holds large sway over both the royal family and the council. His words are never taken lightly as he is regarded by his fellow academics as the best among them.
- Mage's Guard: Led by the Royal Court's Archmage, the Mage's Guard acts as both the police force and the military army of Zamore. This organization has an extremely rigorous entry process as only those at the peak of magical prowess can be given the opportunity to protect the crown of Zamore.
- This class of Zamorians includes most of the nation's population. It includes those that are capable of using minor magics whether acquired as a born talent or through basic study. It would take some time to find a citizen of Zamore that is incapable of casting magic in some form or another. Even the poorest and worse off are able to cast a cantrip or two. Everyone from shopkeeps to students to merchants that call Zamore home, fall into this category.
- This group of Zamorians reside primarily in the wide expanses of Zamore's territory as well as in the lower city under the chunk of earth acting as the nation's capital. This class of people do not have the ability to use magic and have not committed themselves to wizardry as most Zamorians do that aren't born with magic. There are rumors in recent times of the growing discontent of this group toward the ruling class of Zamore. They are thought to believe that Zamore should be a meritocracy rather than a magocracy and that there is inherent value to be provided by those that cannot use magic. The royal family has made attempts to crack down on this retoric but it has not helped ease flaring tempers.
Public Agenda
The primary goal of Zamore at large has stayed the same since it's founding. Educate the talented and pursue magic to its absolute limits. The academy facilitates this pursuit better than any organization in the world and is coveted as the obvious first choice for anyone wishing to study any form of magic or hone abilities that they have already gained in their lifetime. On the world stage, Drake Kronus, the current Wizard King, has outwardly supported the thought of maintaining the staus quo of society in Sylvestris. He believes wars should be resolved quickly and peacfully and that borders should not be violated or changed unless aboslutely necessary. Outside of trade agreements he has also pursued a more isolationist stance towards other nations and often only looks to import those with magical talent to work or study at the academy.
In light of these views, there is growing discontent with the current King especially among those within Skyfall's circles of higher society. They view him as weak and some even go as far as to say he is too caught up in his studies to rule the kingdom proplerly. These viewpoints only serve to exascerbate the growing divide between those in the lower and upper cities of Skyfall.
Assets
Skyfall is said to be the only asset Zamore needs to succeed in the long term. That always and forever, the pursuit of knowledge will be a valuable resource for the world and will therefore lead Zamore to always have an inherent value as a nation. The vast fields of wheat and other crops are also a powerful asset of the nation as it allows the King and Wizard Council to weigh significant pressure on other nations as the world's primary food producer.
The prized possesion of Zamore is, however, the Crown of the Wizard King. Not much is known of what power this crown holds as it hasn't been used to it's fullest extent since the days of Zamore's founding. However, it is said to hold immense magical energy and grant it's bearer not only the authority to rule Zamore, but the authority to command the weave itself. Old scriptures describe the crown as a gift from the Goddess of Magic, Mystra as a sign of respect toward Alexandra Kronus for the feats of magic she achieved in her life.
History
During the Holy War, as described in the oldest of historical texts available, the Elemental Lord of Earth Grumbar hurled an asteriod-sized chunk of the earth at the gods in a vain attempt to continue his fight and proclaim his eternal opposition to them. As it flew through the air, Amaunator, a then lesser deity, used his control over the flow of time to freeze it eternally in the sky miles above the surface of the Earth. This feat solidified him a seat in the Circle of Greater Powers, but also laid the foundation for the land that would come to be the capital of Zamore, Skyfall.
10 years after the Holy War ended, a young Alexandra Kronus was traveling in the region. For the first time in her life, laid eyes upon this floating chunk of earth from a close proximity and her mind bursted with aspirational thoughts. In her early years, Alexandra was a cunning young mage with an insatiable thirst for knowledge. It is common folklore in Zamore that Mystra even saw her as a potential champion at one point. Alexandra set a goal for herself to increase her magical capacity to such a degree that she would be able to reach the top of this piece of earth that has been frozen in time and so she began her work. In a short 4 years, she managed to achieve her goal, and with the astounded eyes of her followers, she teleported herself atop it. She then proclaimed to the gods that she would found a nation with this place at it's a core. A nation fully focused on furthering magical knowledge within Sylvestris and nurturing any in the world that wished to follow the path of magic. She would call this nation Zamore and name herself the Wizard Queen, although ironically, the Kronus Family is a line of draconic origin sorcerers.
As other nations developed and the politics of the 'world stage' became relevant, Alexandra stood at the forefront of her nation and headed up all international policy that her country would adopt. In the early wars over territory with neighboring nations it is said that Alexandra led her army into battle wielding the fury of her red dragon bloodline with no regard for the ashes she left behind. She was thought of as the peak of offensive magic in her time.
In her later years, as her ability to travel waned, she realized that she had lost sight of why she founded Zamore in the first place. The pursuit of knowledge. Alexandra founded the Zamoran Wizard Council to govern in her stead and commited herself to study for the rest of her life. It is said that she died peacefully in her sleep amongst the uncountable amount of books in her personal collection.
Magic and knowledge above all.
Founding Date
14th Year of the Modern Age
Type
Geopolitical, Country
Capital
Successor Organization
Training Level
Professional
Veterancy Level
Experienced
Demonym
Zamorian
Leader
Ruling Organization
Leader Title
Founders
Head of State
Government System
Magocracy
Power Structure
Unitary state
Economic System
Palace economy
Currency
Copper Pieces (CP), Silver pieces (SP), Gold Pieces (GP), Platinum Pieces (PP)
Major Exports
Zamore's economy is heavily bolstered by 2 main exports.
Enchanting Magical Items. The academy, the government, and private industry all provide a powerful service to most that are willing to pay. Enchanting magic into mundane items. Whether delivered by mail, magic, or in person, many people entrust Zamore with their tools, weapons, jewelry, and other items with the intention of receiving their item back with powerful enchantments on it. The academy mostly provides this service for minor enchantments to allow students to learn through experience. For more complex enchantments one would normally seek out a privately funded enchanter or one sponsored by the Zamorian governement. This industry, while small, provides a large amount of gold income because of the expensive nature of even simple enchantments. Zamore heavily competes with both Gundir and Nidvar in this industry as the dwarven nations are also well-known for their ability to enchant items. The dwarven nations are thought to have a slight advantage when it comes to this because of their unique ability to also craft the mundane items their customers are requesting.
Farm Crops. Zamore has hold of the largest portion of fertile soil in all of Sylvestris by a large margin. There are very few large cities in the nation because most of it's land is populated by small farming villages. Locals will say that it would be a rare sight to travel for a day in 1 direction and not see a farm. A large majority of Zamore's open plains are used for farm land. In contrast, Zamore's population is quite low. This allows them to export a significant amount of their harvest each year and supply the entire world with food, for a hefy price of course. All nations, even Drekar lying in the icy regions to the south are capable of growing their own food and they do to an extent. However, when excess food is needed, Zamore is the first name on the list of every nation, noble, or otherwise.
Legislative Body
The Zamorian Wizard Council is responsible for designing all laws pertaining to magic use and research. Each of these laws must be approved by the current head of the Kronus royal family. The current Wizard King/Queen cannot enact laws on their own but their suggestions are given priority among the council.
Outside of magical laws, Zamore relies on the churches of Bahamut and Helm to legislate when it comes to the safety of the general population. If either church wishes to change a law or make a new one, approval from the Zamoran Wizard Council and the current royalty is required.
The current Wizard King/Queen handles legislation in regards to economic and diplomatic policies.
Outside of magical laws, Zamore relies on the churches of Bahamut and Helm to legislate when it comes to the safety of the general population. If either church wishes to change a law or make a new one, approval from the Zamoran Wizard Council and the current royalty is required.
The current Wizard King/Queen handles legislation in regards to economic and diplomatic policies.
Judicial Body
For minor offenses, a subsection of the Zamorian Wizard Council interprets the laws. This is often done in cooperation with the churches of Bahamut and Helm.
For major offenses, the Wizard King/Queen typically involves themselves and have the final word.
For major offenses, the Wizard King/Queen typically involves themselves and have the final word.
Executive Body
The Royal Court's Archmage and the Mage's Guard that reports to him enforce the laws in Sylvestris. Joining this corp is not easy. Only those with a natural talent for magic and the dedication to serve the crown of Zamore can even apply. No matter what type of magic you specialize in, you can qualify for the Mage's Guard whether it be protective, healing, offensive, ect. Ultimately, the guard serve the head of the Kronus family however, the Wizard Council also has limited authority over them. Many people in the lower circles of Skyfall have a deep resentment towards the Mage's Guard as they personify the Magocracy and perceived opression of those without magical prowess.
Official State Religion
Deities
Official Languages
Neighboring Nations
Peace Treaty, Open Trade
The relations between Gundir and all other nations is heavily reliant on the dwarves and gnomes remaining neutral and all conflicts on the surface.
Non-aggression pact, Open trade
Similar to their relationship with Gundir, Zamore has trade agreements with Nidvar, however they are more strained as Fendahl lies inbetween the two nations.
Non-aggression pact
Drekar and Zamore rarely interact and almost always use Gundir as an intermediary. Most often, diplomatic envoys are sent to study in the opposite nation as Zamore tireless pursues magical knowledge which meshes nicely with the long lives enjoyed by the elves of Drekar.
Zamore's nobility have expressed great concern regarding Fendahl's political stance on the world stage following the War of the Trees which resulted in Druids ruling the nation. They are worried they could be the next nation to face nature's wrath if they are accused of immoral magical experiments.
Diplomatic relations with Gelth are not possible. For the last two decades, all communication with Gelth has been cut off. Zamore has not taken a stance toward Gelth.
Non-aggression pact
Zamore has seen Sontar's recent movements, conquering a portion of Kaj and establishing Misthelm. The nobility worries that Sontar wishes to act on its imperialistic ambitions sooner rather than later.
Stressed relations
Tempers are high between Zamore and the Tribes of Kaj. Many citizens of Zamore still hold grudges on behalf of their ancestors for the orcish invasion of Zamore which led to the founding of Bala. Kajans are often viewed as a barbaric people.
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