Arc Praesidium (Pre-sidium)

Praesidium and Arcana Praesidium

Perhaps the most successful in terms of citizens and size of all of the Gemstone Realms, the influence of Arcana Praesidium has grown exponentially as more and more pupils wish to learn the arcane secrets of shielding themselves from harm and protecting those they care about. Altruistic in their ways and devoted to those they love the most, highest arch-mages of Arcana Praesidium act as councillors and advisors to the Protector's Council of Praesidium. Seen only growth and surviving near all hardships, Arcana Praesidium resides on an island that is protected by great barriers and magical feats to protect against intruders. Shores of this lake are filled with brimming settlements and they all belong to the republic of Praesidium.

Structure

Power of the Republic

Power in Praesidium is aimed to be democratic, all-including and equal (To their understanding of equal). As such, new councillors are chosen every ten years to represent the people. Each councillor is voted to power, but most often times these councillors are almost exclusively chosen from the aristocracy and nobles of the city who spend most in marketing themselves, have power to make promises to their allies in exchange for their vote and so on. The only councillor seat not voted for is the seat of Arcana Praesidium, which is chosen from the archmages of the academy.

Councillor

A role most often befallen on humans, elves and gnomes and rarely to dwarves or halflings and almost never deviating away from these races, Councillors have most political power in Praesidium. Fifteen are chosen as part of any elections, but every decision they make is made together. While there have been councillors in the republics history who have misused their power, this has become increasingly difficult as the number of councillors rose from six to fifteen. Another initiative performed by Arcana Praesidium. Politicians with their own goals and values in life, councillors tend to be more focused in the inner workings of the republic of Praesidium while only some are interested in other lands.

Advisor

While mostly remaining idle during political meetings, in truth the role of the advisor is incredibly complicated and requires a person who has a great aptitude for logical conclusions. The advisor, chosen from Arcana Praesidium, oversees every meeting and every plan the republic decides to perform, but rarely speaks their mind if not to avoid a great disaster or if the advisors council is needed. As such, to some the role of an advisor seems even more important than the many councillors and they are seen as partly the leader of the republic, even if Arcana Praesidium has tried to back away from the convoluted politics.

Arcana Praesidium

The great academy and a beacon for all of Praesidium to form around, the friendly community of the protectors has been placed strategically to a large island in the center of a large lake. The academy streets themselves act also as quarters for the greatest noble houses in republic Praesidium, even so that some of the lower-class students must begin their studies at the shores away from the academy and move up in the academys hierarchy to gain entry to the majestic island.

Grand Protectors

Adorned by robes with a golden tint, Grand Protectors are mages of high status within the academy of Arcana Praesidium who have dedicated their lives to the republic of Praesidium. Using their protective spells to defend civilians and to protect their cities from attacks, these grand protectors are greatly respected and honored among the republic.

Shields

A great shield-like crest of Praesidium covers the backs of its most common defenders. Known as "Shields" the term is more of a slang for every other mage that is not a Grand Protector. There even exists a term "Little-Shield" or  "Buckler" for those of close to no renown who have just begun their studies and the youngest students of the academy.

History

Beginnings

The great republic of Praesidium began from very, very humble and extremely small beginnings from one of the first human tribes to venture out of Phorex isles. One family, the family of Praes discovered magical aptitude in their bloodline. As the rampaging and ever-spreading human tribes continued to explore and conquer the unknown lands they came across, family of Praes used their small boats to land on a large island in middle of a lake. There, they used their magics to protect each other and to keep intruders at bay. Farms began to grow and the family expanded one children after another, who moved to the coastline of the great lake, entrusting that others of their family would protect them if they saw or heard trouble in the island.
With time this familyline grew and gained new members through both birth and marriage and their somewhat xenophobic attitude turned to that of protection. All who aimed to protect and cultivate could arrive to one of their many little estates and households to learn the ways of their magic. With enough time and many of the founding fathers of this settlement deceased, it is said that many of the sons and daughters of the Praes familyline came together to form Arcana Praesidium. Transforming the farmhold of their ancestors to a place of study and culture.

Growth

With enough time, word travelled across the land of "Gold Mages" willing to protect others and to keep them safe. Many desperate individuals and those looking for fresh start drifted towards Arcana Praesidium. Out of a hundred of those who came there was always one student, so the shores covering Arcana Praesidium saw their growth much quicker than the actual academy itself.

Trial of Fire

As small villages, at this point in time carrying their own seperate names and ways of rulership, began to gather. So did word of this safe haven reach malevolent ears. A sickness of greed began to spread with many bandits and even some ancient kings, who formed a pact and an army to amass the great wealth of Arcana Praesidium and its villages for themselves. This would mark the beginning of reign to one of the dark figures of history as Rüerik Darkgalleon, named after his fiersome war-vessel, banded together many bandit-lords and together with his army invaded the lands of Praesidium.
Terrified, many villages surrounding the great lake evacuated themselves to the academy in middle of the lake and there they held through a siege lasting a near lifetime. With this time, they saw the shores being built and great citadels take place. From year to year it seemed like the dark tyrant of Darkgalleon would unleash assaults whenever it suited him or when he thought he had discovered a new "angle" that Arcana Praesidium had not yet discovered. Raid after raid the academy finally surpassed the reign of Darkgalleon as his many enemies laid siege to the shore-cities and destroyed the tyrant for good, and being rather surprised to find Academy Praesidium still standing, even if weakened after all this time.

Republic of Praesidium

Out of this mayhem came many civilians who swore never to leave far from the great lake or the academy, as they had provided such an excellent care for the many flocks of villagers during the siege. The forces who defeated the dark tyrant had taken control of the many citadels throughout the shoreline and forged pacts of peace with Arcana Praesidium. To avoid the mistakes of the past, a republic was born and the republic quickly voted for its name to be carried on from the academy of protectors - To become the republic of Praesidium.

We Stand.

Founding Date

127

Type

Geopolitical, Republic

Location

Lake Bristrae

Notable Members

• Lady Josephine "Phine" Gyxar
• Lord Jeremiah Gyxar