Founding of Nidea & The Crimson Mages

Legend has it that the nation of Nidea has its roots in a time before recorded history, when the Keshiir people, a tribe of oceanic nomads, stumbled upon the vast peninsula of Kalkaross. The peninsula was unique because it rested upon a convergence of subterranean ley-lines that were imbued with an incredible amount of magical energy. As the Keshiir people settled upon the peninsula, they unknowingly absorbed this energy, which altered and changed them, granting them the ability to conjure and utilize Magic with ease.   With their newfound magical abilities, many of the Keshiir people became skilled shamans, and their magic allowed them to prosper and thrive in this new land. The first villages and settlements grew rapidly into bustling towns and cities, as the Keshiir people expanded their influence across the peninsula. The leyline magic infused within the soil of the peninsula made crops magically fertile, producing rapid abundance to feed the growing populace. As the Keshiir people continued to thrive and prosper, they began to form a distinct culture and society, which laid the foundations for what would eventually become the nation of Nidea.

The Crimson Mages & The Crimson Council

With the introduction of Kusatta's teachings, the perception of magic in Nidea changed dramatically. What was once a tool used by shamans and healers became a source of power for a select few. The idea that the power to all things was in blood magic spread through the most elite spellcasters in Keshiir society, leading to the rise of the Crimson Mages. These spellcasters were revered for their ability to wield magic with ease and precision, and they donned crimson robes as a symbol of their power and status.   Over time, the Crimson Mages formed a network, sharing their knowledge and teaching others the ways of magic. They became advisors to local leaders, and their counsel was sought on matters of magic and governance. As the settlements grew into towns and cities, the Crimson Mages gained more influence and respect, leading to the formation of the Crimson Council, an order of leadership that governed the proper use of magic within Nidea. Sekkar, the largest city on the easternmost tip of the Kalkaross Peninsula, became known for its towering spires of black marble and was the center of the Crimson Council's power.   Under the guidance of the Crimson Council, Nidea expanded its influence across the peninsula, building great cities and establishing a powerful military. However, this led to arrogance and isolationism among the Nidean magocracy, causing tensions with neighboring kingdoms. Despite the growing tensions, the Nidean magocracy continued to experiment with dangerous forms of magic, which led to significant advances in magical knowledge and power but also posed a risk to the people of Nidea.   As Nidea's power grew, the Crimson Mages became more entrenched in their positions of influence and authority. Some saw this as necessary for protecting Nidea, while others saw it as a dangerous concentration of power. Magic grew in sophistication, leading to the development of eight distinct schools of magic: abjuration, evocation, conjuration, divination, enchantment, illusion, invocation, and hemomancy. The Crimson Mages specialized in these areas of study and contributed to the development of Nidea's magical knowledge.   As the Crimson Mages specialized, the most knowledgeable mages rose to the top as Archmages, respected and consulted by others. However, as Nidea's magocracy grew, the ruling class became increasingly isolated, with the Crimson Mages seeing themselves as superior and indulging in excesses of luxury and debauchery. The pursuit of magical knowledge became an obsession, leading to neglect of other important aspects of governance and creating a power imbalance within society, resulting in poverty and inequality.