Galdria

Heraldry of Galdria

Galdria is the name of both the province in which the city of Galdrin lies, and the nation that is ruled from Galdrin. It is an Oligarchy ran by the Wizard Hierarchy, who believe that magic is reserved for wizard, and those of a good standing, and noble bloodline. Galdria is known for its hatred of 'innate' spellcasters.

## Geography

### Galdria

Galdria is a province that is backed up against the Dragon-Scarred Cliffs, and flanked by the Dual Lakes, the Final Frontier, and the Dead Mountains. It consists mainly of grasslands, rivers, and forests.

* **Galdrin:** The only city in the region, and the capital of the province. It houses the famous Galdria School of Wizardry and Arcana.
* **Rotorwall:** A village that was burnt down, presumed by an incompetent blacksmith. The birthday of Mazdarian Pyralspite.

## History

### Formation

Roughly in the middle of the First Era (1E), a powerful collective of wizards were looking to create a commune where wizards could come to study and discuss the arcane arts. They settled the city of Galdrin in 538 1E, feeling a deep connection to the Weave.

### Fear of Dragons and Sorcerer

With the defeat of the Pentarchy of Tiamat occurring within the region, Galdria as a region was the first location in Karandor to notice both an increase in sorcerers with draconic bloodlines, and Dragonborn. Fearing what sorcerers with draconic heritage could do, in the wake of the near summoning of Tiamat, the Arcana Republic of Galdria was forced into taking an extreme stance against both Dragonborn and Sorcerers.

Fearing Dragonborn with a Chromatic Dragon look, they were shunned and run out of the region; this fearmongering spread to all Dragonborn over the next decades, resulting in all Dragonborn being displaced from the region. Meanwhile, fearing that a sorcerer would gain their abilities from the bloodline of Gaularyzelden, more commonly referred to as Balefire, and attempt to bring the Ancient Red Dragon back, Galdria took a policy of requiring all 'innate' spellcasters registering with the newly founded Wizard Hierarchy. The Wizard Hierarchy were asked with keeping tracks of all sorcerers in the region, and monitoring their actions. As time went on, this fear continued to spiral, alongside the treatment of the Dragonborn. The Wizard Hierarchy continued to demand more and more power, and more and more requirements be placed upon sorcerers. As public opinion swayed towards the Wizard Hierarchy being the protectors of Galdria, the council at the time felt like they had to relinquish power and instate the Wizard Hierarchy as the new government, and thus the Arcana Republic of Galdria became, simply, Galdria.

### Oppressive Rule of the Wizard Hierarchy

After taking over as the governing body, the Wizard Hierarchy made quick work of securing their position and tackling the 'sorcery threat'. A wizard originating from Fareden suggested establishing an organization akin to the Witcher Hunters. This organization ultimately became known as the Spellbreakers; the police force of Galdria that would put an end to their fears, at least that is how it was framed. In reality, the Wizard Hierarchy used their newly formed police force as a means to bring about class division, and ensure that the 'noble' art of wizardry was kept within a closed knit group of families within Galdrin, or accepting those with enough coin to pay for their children's tutelage at the newly established Galdria School of Wizarding and Arcane Arts.

The Wizard Hierarchy had an easy time suppressing any early opposition to their changes, labelling them as sorcerers hell-bent on bringing the "end of days", and having the Spellbreakers arrest or execute them. Overtime, as the threats of actual sorcerers grew larger, the Wizard Hierarchy realized that they needed to better equip their Spellbreakers. They came up with a process of 'magical protection' to provide to the initiates of the Spellbreakers. In reality, it was closer to torture, exerting a gruelling mental and physical tribute from the Spellbreaker that will ultimately result in their early demise. The process involved the forcing the body to process and absorb lead and other heavy metals, disconnecting the individual from the Weave. Using this, alongside magical brainwashing, led to a steady supply of willing recruits to "do their part" for Galdria.

### Repurposing of Sorcerers

As the Second Era (2e) began, the Wizard Hierarchy and people of Galdria had long forgotten what the original purpose of their organization was, and the purpose of the Spellbreakers. Instead, the Wizard Hierarchy took a new approach to handling sorcerers. Instead of incarcerating them for life, or killing those who resisted, they tried their process to create a Spellbreaker on sorcerers. The results varied at first, often ending in the fatality of the sorcerer. But after years of trial and error, they finally managed to refine the process to a science. Now, the Spellbreakers were tasked with capturing Sorcerers alive, with the purpose of 're-training' them.

## Politics

Under the rule of the Wizard Hierarchy, Galdria has become an isolationist city-state. As a nation, it rarely engages with its neighbours, unless it has to for resources of materials; and even then communication is kept to as little as possible.

Due to the long held belief that the practice of becoming a Wizard should be reserved for the noble and wealthy, Galdrian nobles treat the farmers and working class with contempt, looking down upon them every chance they get. Even for the common folk, being integrated into the nobility, or even the city of Galdrin, is not desirable; for being seen to be accepted by a 'snob' results in social exclusion within the working class.