The Siconze Dominion
The History of the Dominion
The Siconze Dominion is a collection of city states located to the east of the shores of Althea. Throughout much of the region's history the area was dominated by the Old Raimanzan empire, which under the Zampari family, ruled from the capital city of Raimanza. With the four other major cities of Siconze, Trusco, Contarini and Malatesa bowing to their authority.
Historically reclusive, the Old Raimanzan empire had a keen interest in magic and magical artifacts, with a college of mages exerting a large amount of political influence - almost equaling that of the Zampari family. In year 1298 the heir to the empire displayed magical talents. Instead of sending him to study with the college as was expected, his father, jealous of the college's power had him trained by a number of mages who were loyal to him and him alone.
Emperor Trivuzio proved to be exceedingly arrogant about his own power and yet paranoid that the college would attempt to overthrow him and upon his ascension to the throne he exiled the college to the city of Siconze. Throughout his reign Emperor Trivuzio became more and more paranoid, paying less and less attention to ruling the Empire and instead focusing on a magical artifact that had come into his possession. Just over a decade ago this obsession became his undoing, while what happened is not exactly known, the artifact exploded, taking most of the capital city and it’s populace with it.
This event brought about several years of turmoil with the remaining major cities attempted to form a provisional government. All attempts at co-operation were however continually undone by infighting and a number of nobles with links to the old royal family declaring themselves as the new emperor or empress. This would not last, within a few years of the destruction of the capital the shaky alliances between the four major cities deteriorated into an all out war for dominance.
The conflict (later known as the war of reunification) would last for a further 6 years with the city of Siconze eventually claiming victory. In the period since the end of the war the newly formed Siconze Dominion has brought peace and prosperity to the region (often by secretly eliminating those that would oppose it) and has swiftly rebuilt much that was destroyed in the conflict.
In the wake of the cataclysm the Siconze Dominion took up a hard line position on magic - magic was to be strictly controlled. Mages of the Siconze Dominion must go through a rigorous training and registration process to use their magic. Even simple battle field healing must be authorized by the college, and more powerful spells are reserved for desperate emergencies. To the Siconze Dominion the nations of Althea are reckless when it comes to their use of magic - with untrained mages conducting dangerous rituals via blood magic, opening chaos portals and making pacts with devils and demons. For the safety of the Siconze Dominion (and to a lesser extent the citizens of Althea) these practices should be regulated.
For the first time in generations the people of the Siconze Dominion are able to turn their attention to the wider world. Althea represents vast opportunities for trade, for alliances, and for power. The Siconze Dominion, while able to defend itself, has no illusions regarding it’s ability to conquer Althea. Nor do they have a desire to burden itself with the administration of other peoples and nations. Instead it operates via diplomacy, stealth and subterfuge. The Siconze must come first.
Historically reclusive, the Old Raimanzan empire had a keen interest in magic and magical artifacts, with a college of mages exerting a large amount of political influence - almost equaling that of the Zampari family. In year 1298 the heir to the empire displayed magical talents. Instead of sending him to study with the college as was expected, his father, jealous of the college's power had him trained by a number of mages who were loyal to him and him alone.
Emperor Trivuzio proved to be exceedingly arrogant about his own power and yet paranoid that the college would attempt to overthrow him and upon his ascension to the throne he exiled the college to the city of Siconze. Throughout his reign Emperor Trivuzio became more and more paranoid, paying less and less attention to ruling the Empire and instead focusing on a magical artifact that had come into his possession. Just over a decade ago this obsession became his undoing, while what happened is not exactly known, the artifact exploded, taking most of the capital city and it’s populace with it.
This event brought about several years of turmoil with the remaining major cities attempted to form a provisional government. All attempts at co-operation were however continually undone by infighting and a number of nobles with links to the old royal family declaring themselves as the new emperor or empress. This would not last, within a few years of the destruction of the capital the shaky alliances between the four major cities deteriorated into an all out war for dominance.
The conflict (later known as the war of reunification) would last for a further 6 years with the city of Siconze eventually claiming victory. In the period since the end of the war the newly formed Siconze Dominion has brought peace and prosperity to the region (often by secretly eliminating those that would oppose it) and has swiftly rebuilt much that was destroyed in the conflict.
In the wake of the cataclysm the Siconze Dominion took up a hard line position on magic - magic was to be strictly controlled. Mages of the Siconze Dominion must go through a rigorous training and registration process to use their magic. Even simple battle field healing must be authorized by the college, and more powerful spells are reserved for desperate emergencies. To the Siconze Dominion the nations of Althea are reckless when it comes to their use of magic - with untrained mages conducting dangerous rituals via blood magic, opening chaos portals and making pacts with devils and demons. For the safety of the Siconze Dominion (and to a lesser extent the citizens of Althea) these practices should be regulated.
For the first time in generations the people of the Siconze Dominion are able to turn their attention to the wider world. Althea represents vast opportunities for trade, for alliances, and for power. The Siconze Dominion, while able to defend itself, has no illusions regarding it’s ability to conquer Althea. Nor do they have a desire to burden itself with the administration of other peoples and nations. Instead it operates via diplomacy, stealth and subterfuge. The Siconze must come first.