Illivere, also known as the Illivere League or Illivere Federation, is a mage-state located in northeastern Chandrar. They are known for their golems.
Overview[edit | edit source]
Illivere is a prosperous and powerful nation, on par with other dominant nations in its area, like Nerrhavia, Savere and (formerly) Tiqr.
Their current ruler Crafter-Magus Femithain is a dangerous opponent in the field of politics,[1] thoughtful and not committing to anything easily.[2] The [Artificer] Antielle d’Elin is his designated replacement.[3]
History[edit | edit source]
The nation of Illivere has roots in previous golem-crafting powers, and its states have been united for for several thousand years. The old empire of Illivere existed when golems were widespread, and ended when their creations rebelled, losing most of their knowledge with its collapse.[4]
Illivere was either conquered or neutralized during Flos Reimarch's conquest of Chandrar, but after Flos went to 'sleep', it supposedly returned to its former glory.
After Flos' awakening and subsequent declaration of non-aggression, Crafter-Magus Femithain claimed a neutral stance at the Conference of Pomle, not pressing for war. Nevertheless, Femithain agreed to join the alliance of Savere, Nerrhavia and six other nations (among them Deimos, Xern, Lamult and Relaaquil) to invade Tiqr.)
The invasion force sent by Illivere was 8000 [Soldiers] and 400 war golems - the smallest of all nine invading countries, but still a powerful one. Almost 200 golems were disabled in the fights, but replacements were marched to Femithain's position, so that he could start the siege of Oliphant.[5]
Seeing the forces arrayed against her, Tiqr's Queen Nsiia "dismissed" her army away and capitulated towards Illivere. Femithain accepted her capitulation and defended her against the other forces of the coalition army - both Nerrhavia's [Queen] Yisame and Savere's [Queen] Revine wished Nsiia under their own control.[6]
Afterwards, Tiqr's territory was to be distributed between the invading countries. Nsiia was kept as a political prisoner in Illivere.
In the latest Test of Mirrhen, Dellva emerged victorious with their entry, Domehead.[4]
Industries[edit | edit source]
Illivere's wealth is based on magical commerce and regulation. It's people are almost all craftsmen or scholars, only few laborers, since the workforce of the country consists of Golems. Illivere is one of few nations that manufactures them. The country thus makes its fortunes from its golem-based industry and the high number of artisans. The Crafters act both as artisans and as businesspeople.[4]
Illivere is able to export its good cheaply: cut stone and processed ore, but also food, delicacies and wine.[2] The Purifier of Illivere in Elbe provides 47% of Illivere's salt.[4]
Culture[edit | edit source]
Class Status[edit | edit source]
[Golem Artificers] comprise the nation's elite class. The golem-obsessed culture as created in the upper class a drive to improve the nation, if only through the production of more high-end golems.[7]
Not owning a golem is a sign of poverty in Illivere. There are institutions in place to provide food, lodging, and work for the poor.[7]
Gladiatorial Combat[edit | edit source]
The crafter-states of Illivere pit combat golems against one another in a yearly competition called the Test of Mirrhen. It is meant to pit the designs and workmanship of the Crafters of the different states against one another. The winning state receives funds, prestige, and may make a case to use their designs to improve Illivere's golems, having their innovations added to other workshops. The old Testing Champions are greatly respected and enshrined when they are destroyed or cease functioning.[4]
The Testing operates like a tournament. Golem matches are selected via random lottery, and then the winners would face off, until one finalist emerged victorious. As it is a competition of designs, the weapons used are unenchanted, and attack spells and others like [Haste] are forbidden. The winners of the previous Testing have an advantage as they still have their Golem, even if it's damaged, which they can immediately improve upon instead of having to create a new golem entirely like the losing states, giving them a head start on the competition. It is possible for a state to forfeit during the match when the outcome looks obvious to save their golem. There is time to repair the golems between matches.
Due to the popularity, gladiatorial combat with golems continued, and they also forced criminals to fight golems in arenas. This was to test their killing efficiency and entertain bloodthirsty citizens.[8]
Education[edit | edit source]
Illivere possesses a standardized education system available to every citizen. Their academies enrol thousands of students each year, though schooling is not compulsory and the tuition is free of charge up to a certain level, where a modest admission fee was charged. This practice is not adopted by most nations due to a perception that it reveals the secrets of a trade while lacking the specialized long term apprenticeship of some trades and splitting classes with [Student], but it allows the next generation have a wider pool of knowledge when pursuing a trade, gain uncommon Skills in those trades, and to avoid being trapped in a class that doesn't suit them.
Government[edit | edit source]
The Magus-Crafter of Illivere is periodically elected by the Crafters of the crafter-states. A Magus-Crafter will remain in power if the states have faith in their leadership. Otherwise, they will elect a new Magus-Crafter. The turnover can be as often as replacing the Magus-Crafter within six months.[7] The nation's capital changes to whichever city-state the current Magus-Crafter resides in.
The Crafters of the member states, elites of society, are themselves democratically elected to positions of authority.[4] Breaches in conduct by the Crafters are overseen by either the Magus-Crafter, or the First Crafters of the respective states.
Military[edit | edit source]
The Illivere League has a powerful, but slow army centered around a core force of war golems. The sizes vary with each creation, but the large steel golems of Femithain's personal guard[5] are 14 feet tall (4.25 m).[2] The golems are slow on the march.[5]
However, most of the golems that were sent against Tiqr, were made out of stone, wood or simply sand. The techniques to create more advanced golems had been lost, or is too expensive to use for common wargolems. There are also more advanced golems from older times, which stay to defend Illivere.[9]
The overall military of Illivere is approximately larger than 20,000 men, and might include more than 1000 golems,[5] not including the golems that do not leave Illivere.[9]
Locations[edit | edit source]
State Cities[edit | edit source]
- Delicrel[7] / Demarsel / Dellva - Currently the temporary ‘Capital’
- Elbe
- Unst
- Ziozem
Rivers[edit | edit source]
- Aleyss
People[edit | edit source]
- Crafters:
- Dellic - [Armsmaster of Steel] and leader of all of Illivere's armed forces[4]
- Oracle of Elbe - Cognizant golem[9]
Trivia[edit | edit source]
- Illivere has strong connections to Wistram.[3]
- As non-Humanoid shaped Golems are hard to make, there are currently only 14 Golem Horses working in all of Illivere.[4]
- Foreign [Diplomats] and [Emissaries] are annoyed that Illivere frequently changes its Capital.[4]
- Illivere does not build Golems out of cloth, due to the sensibilities of Stitchfolk and predominantly Stitchfolk nations. They also make few golems out of bones.[4]