Nidean Magocracy's Corruption & The Great Purge

Despite their mastery of Magic, the ruling elite in Nidea became increasingly detached from the rest of society. The elite saw themselves as above the rules and norms that governed the common people, leading to a growing sense of entitlement and indulgence in luxury and debauchery. The focus on magical knowledge also led to a neglect of other important areas of governance, such as infrastructure development and education promotion. This obsession with magic created a significant power imbalance, with the wealthy elite holding immense power and resources while the common people had little control over their own lives, resulting in widespread poverty and inequality.   The relentless pursuit of magical power and knowledge led to a moral decay among Nidea's ruling elite, with many magistrates and mages engaging in unethical practices to maintain their dominance. As they became increasingly isolated and focused on their obsession with magic, they relied more on slave labor to sustain their lifestyles and further their research.   Slavery in Nidea. Nidea inherited the practice of slavery from the ancient Ak'teshi Empire, and it became deeply ingrained in the society over time. Slaves were often captured in wars or purchased from neighboring countries, and they worked in various industries such as agriculture, timber harvesting, and mining. The use of magic allowed a small number of elite mages to control a large number of slaves, further exacerbating the power imbalance. Some Mitoni humans earned their freedom through hard work and proving themselves to be loyal to the magocracy, or useful members of Nidean society.   Nidea became a major center for the slave trade, with markets established in many cities and towns. Despite the acceptance of slavery in Nidea, some recognized the injustice of the system, and rebellions by the Mitoni people were met with brutal repression by the ruling elite, who used magic to quell dissent. The Nidean knights were established as an order of mage-warriors and bodyguards to protect the Crimson Mages from potential assassins and rebellious slaves and maintain the power of the ruling elite.   The use of slaves in Nidea was deeply ingrained, with the Mitoni people often captured or bought from neighboring countries and forced to work in agriculture, timber harvesting, and mining. Slaves were controlled by a small number of elite mages, which further cemented the power imbalance in Nidean society.   In response to the growing discontent among the Mitoni people, the Nidean knights were established as an order of mage-warriors and bodyguards. Their primary responsibility was to protect the Crimson Mages from potential assassins and rebellious slaves. The Crimson Mages, who had become the de facto enforcers of the Council's will throughout the peninsula, relied heavily on the Nidean knights to maintain their power and suppress dissent.

Vauldis

It was during this time that Vauldis arrived in Nidea as a fugitive from the Tahosian Dynasty, where he had served as the High Shaman. His flight was prompted by accusations of treason, which had resulted in his death sentence. Vauldis was a skilled practitioner of the dark arts, including blood magic and dark shamanism, and he soon discovered that these abilities were highly valued in Nidea.   Using his skills, Vauldis quickly established himself as a powerful Crimson Mage. He demonstrated his mastery of blood magic, and many of the elites of Nidean society were impressed by his knowledge and power. Vauldis found a ready audience for his teachings, and soon began to attract a following of like-minded individuals.   As Vauldis's influence grew, he began to make his move to secure a position on the Crimson Council, the ruling body of the Crimson Mages. He assassinated the previous Archmage of hemomancy, eliminating his competition and securing his place as a member of the Council.   With his newfound power and influence, Vauldis became a key player in Nidean politics. He used his knowledge of blood magic and dark shamanism to gain leverage over his rivals, and quickly rose to become one of the most influential figures in the Crimson Council. Despite his checkered past, Vauldis had found a new home in Nidea, and was determined to make the most of his second chance.   Vauldis' arrival in Nidea not only marked a significant turning point in his life but also in the magical trade of the region. As a highly skilled Crimson Mage with expertise in blood magic and dark shamanism, he quickly established himself as a valuable asset in the acquisition and creation of magical items. Using his knowledge and connections, Vauldis began to stimulate the trade and sale of enchanted items from Nidea, building a network of craftsmen and dealers to meet the growing demand for such items. Vauldis himself became well-known as a skilled creator of powerful magical artifacts that he sold to the highest bidder.   Vauldis' success in the magical item trade didn't go unnoticed by the Crimson Council. Recognizing the potential for profit in this burgeoning market, they saw Vauldis' role in driving its growth and granted him a seat at their table. From his position on the Council, Vauldis continued to expand his influence in the magical item trade. He secured rare and powerful ingredients for his creations and established relationships with other magical communities across Nidea and beyond. The success of Nidea's magical trade led to its becoming the nation's primary export. The Crimson Mages' reputation for exceptional skill and expertise in various schools of magic, combined with the discovery of Orichalcum, a magical metal with unique properties, paved the way for the creation of high-quality and powerful magical items. The Nidean elite quickly realized the commercial potential of magical items, resulting in their exportation to other nations. The demand for these items resulted in substantial profits for Nidea and contributed significantly to the nation's economy and power, surpassing even its timber and agriculture industries.   Magic & Slavery. Slave labor was crucial in the production of magical items in Nidea. The Crimson Mages harnessed the magical potential of slaves, using their life force to imbue magic into crafted items. This practice was widely accepted in Nidea, with many considering it a good use of the slaves. The slaves were trained from a young age in the art of crafting magical items, and the most talented and magically sensitive were selected for the projects.   Creating a magical item was a dangerous and grueling process, and slaves were forced to work in poor conditions for extended periods, pouring their magical essence into the items being crafted. Many slaves died in the process, unable to withstand the intense magical strain. Despite this, the Crimson Mages continued to use slaves, viewing them as disposable resources.

A Council Divided

During this most decadent of times, the archmages of the Crimson Council became corrupt and desperate to maintain their power. They longed for a way to conquer death and remain in their positions of authority forever. This led to the emergence of three factions among Nidea's elite, each seeking their own path to immortality.   The Preserved. The Preserved were a faction of Crimson Mages who sought immortality through merging magic and machinery. They believed that technology was more reliable and enduring than mortal flesh, and sought to create an army of undead metal-magical constructs. The Preserved were fervent in their devotion to their cause and believed that their technological superiority would allow them to rule over Nidea indefinitely. The Preserved were notorious for their extreme measures, including kidnapping and experimenting on innocent people to perfect their magitech creations. The faction was led by a charismatic and enigmatic figure known only as the Architect, who was rumored to have undergone numerous enhancements and augmentations to achieve their own form of immortality.   Despite their questionable methods, the Preserved remained a powerful force in Nidea, thanks to their technological advancements and their willingness to use their creations to gain power and dominance over others. Their obsession with magitech and their belief in their own superiority made them a formidable foe for anyone who opposed them.   The Timeless. The Timeless were a small, secretive group of mages who believed that true immortality was found outside the mortal body. Led by Arrakhan, the Crimson Archmage of Transmutation, they studied chronomancy, the magic of time manipulation, and developed techniques for controlling time on small and large scales. Despite their incredible achievements, the Timeless remained insular and had a strict code of conduct that forbade the use of their temporal magic for personal gain or harm.   However, controversies arose within the group when some members argued that embracing the darker aspects of their magic was necessary to understand the mysteries of time. These dissidents were eventually expelled, but rumors persisted that they continued their research in secret, developing even more dangerous and unethical temporal magic.   The Timeless were highly secretive and rarely shared their knowledge with outsiders, living in isolated towers or sanctuaries. They believed that their magic was too dangerous to be wielded carelessly and that it was their responsibility to use it for the greater good. As a result, members who broke their code of conduct were swiftly punished or expelled from the group, but rumors persisted that they continued their research in secret, developing ever more dangerous and unethical temporal magic.   The Awakened. The Awakened were a secret syndicate of elite politicians and thought leaders in Nidean society. They believed that achieving Lichdom was the key to eternal life, allowing individuals to transcend the cycle of life and death. Vauldis was the leader of the Awakened and was considered its de facto leader due to his charisma, power, and influence.   Vauldis and his Awakened believed that undeath was the ultimate form of liberation from the constraints of mortality. It allowed individuals to break free from the limitations of the physical body and transcend into a state of eternal existence, which they saw as the ultimate form of ascension. The Awakened believed that those who refused to embrace this philosophy were slaves to an unjust status quo and needed to be forcibly enlightened. Their namesake came from their ritual of cutting out both of their eyes. Through a ritualistic imbibing of a potion cocktail of foul magic and mysterious, exotic ingredients, which was believed to grant them the gift of sight beyond physical reality. They were said to be able to see the raw life force of living creatures and perceive the spirit world in a way that the unenlightened could not.   Despite the taboo nature of their beliefs, the Awakened wielded considerable power and influence in Nidea. They operated in the highest echelons of Nidean society, leveraging their positions to achieve their goals and safeguard themselves from their enemies. The syndicate used an extensive network of spies, informants, and sympathizers to manipulate events and power structures to their advantage.

The Great Purge

Vauldis had long harbored a desire to overthrow the Crimson Council, whom he viewed as an obstacle to his aspirations of achieving lichdom. He cultivated a network of Awakened Crimson Mages who shared his vision of a more powerful and immortal Nidea. When the time came, Vauldis created a crisis within the Council to justify his actions.   With his loyal mages in place, he raised an undying army and swiftly seized control of the magocracy's power structures. He neutralized opposition and established himself as the first necromancer, cementing his legacy. The purge was violent and merciless, with Vauldis and his followers eliminating any opposition among the Crimson Mages.   As a result, Vauldis emerged as the High Regent around C. -3200, and the Crimson Council was shattered. The Awakened's Crimson Mages replaced the Council members, and Vauldis had the power he needed to further his plans for the Awakened. He took swift action to consolidate his control over Nidea.   Vauldis' plan to overthrow the Crimson Council had been long in the making, with years of careful cultivation of a network of loyal Awakened Crimson Mages. He viewed the Council as a conservative relic of the past and an obstacle to his plans for lichdom, and he was convinced that a new order was necessary. With a pretext of a crisis, Vauldis raised an army and seized control of the magocracy's power structures, violently eliminating any opposition to his rule.   In the end, Vauldis' plan succeeded, and he emerged as the High Regent, establishing the Awakened's Crimson Mages as the new ruling body. He wasted no time in consolidating his power and furthering his plans for the Awakened. The purge was brutal and bloody, with Vauldis and his loyalists using ruthless tactics to achieve their goals.   The Awakened's belief that undeath was the ultimate form of existence became the dominant philosophy in Nidea, leading to the suppression of dissenting voices and the establishment of the undead elite as the ruling class. Those who did not conform to the beliefs of the Awakened were ostracized and shunned by society. They were viewed as threats to the stability of the nation and treated as such, often enduring persecution and violence at the hands of the undead elite. The Awakened viewed their actions as necessary for the greater good, as they believed that the path to true enlightenment lay in embracing undeath and shedding the limitations of mortal life.   Vauldis believed that undead laborers were a valuable resource that could increase Nidea's wealth and power, leading to a dramatic increase in their use. Despite opposition from common people and religious leaders, he ordered the construction of necropolises to preserve and awaken the dead as laborers. This move made Nidea one of the most productive nations in the world, but also caused controversy and fear.   Vauldis saw the undead as a crucial element of his vision for a prosperous and powerful Nidea. He believed that they were tools to increase the efficiency of labor and speed of trade, and continued to use them as a symbol of his power and wealth. Vauldis also sought to popularize the practice of Necromancy, which had long been considered taboo and forbidden in many parts of the world. He saw it as holding great power and potential for Nidea's growth and prosperity.