Country of Ombrellia, In the Shade of Olive Trees

When Paradox was destroyed during the summoning of Tiamat, much of the spellcaster cast refugees from the city when to the closest port town of Ombre in Bordeaux. For a moment they found respite there before the Inquisition began. Over the years, lesser spellcasters and students of magic flocked to Ombrellia as that's where they heard the prestigious remains of Paradoxian elite where. They hoped they would be protected there. Mobs of commonfolk, righteous soldiers and radicals of the Ashen Creed were led by delusional Arcane Prosecutors. The city was under siege in an event known as the Purge of the Shadowall. These mages had to fall on only themselves for defence. But at the end of the Inquisition, Ombre and those that fought in the Purge denounced the tier previous affiliations. The city declared independence during the Game of Names from Bordeaux. It was then that the survivors of the Purge quickly installed a king sympathetic to their cause. Ombrellia from that point became the new Paradox. The new mage centre for the world.

## Overview

The city of Ombre is the crown jewel of the nation. Its where the seat of the king and the infamous Nine Towers reside. The surrounding settlements within the borders of the kingdom all support and funnel their contribution and tribute to the city. Large swaths of orchids and olive trees encircle the city. After all this place was once part of the enchanting and beautiful land of Bordeaux. Its aesthetic beauty has remained. Since many League Chapters were overrun during the Inquisition, no nation on the continent after the Tiamat Crisis hosted a magical school of learning. The survivors of Paradox pulled their resources together to construct a new premises of learning. But also a bastion of defence if another Inquisition was to ever threaten them again.

***The Nine Towers:*** The king has a council of nine mages that guide and aid him in his ruling duties. These nine mages have constructed nine towers that loom over the city of Ombre. In reality however the king is but a face to the rest of the world. The nine mages are the ones that truly rule the nation. These mages are either direct survivors of Paradoxian nobility or their descendants. They dictate the strict magic rules within the nation as well as its political aspirations.

**The Lyceum of Arcanum:** The Lyceum remains as one of the few places on the continent for magical study in an institutional styled fashion. The school is more grand and gaudy than the palace of the king. Admittance into the Lyceum however is strictly regulated and various tests and trials have to be undertaken just at a chance of becoming a first year student. However some don't get a choice. Young children that have a ''catalyst event'' where they demonstrate magical potential are urged to join the Lyceum. More often than not these children are abducted or indoctrinated into the Lyceum. And put into ''specialized'' lectures and classes. These special cases become agents of the king and the nation. This is all gossip and word of mouth of course. Once regular mages graduate from the Lyceum usually they are free to travel and do as they wish. But must provide back to the country in some form of tribute through tax, or information.

## Economy and Culture

The main attraction of Omrellia is its enchanting nature. The beautiful landscape, fine foods and magical aesthetic draw the wealthy and adventurous types here. Many come here in search of magical services or specialists in various fields. As well as successful adventurers or mercenary soldiers coming here to spend their hard earned coin on enchanted weapons, armor and items. While the world is scared of mages themselves, enchanted items don't carry the same stigma or taboo. The average person in Omrellia live in a simple life of awe, being surrounded by all this.

***Elven Influence:*** Much of the old Paradoxians were elvish. The influence shows in the personality of the nation now. Elves especially have their typical arrogance heightened, which the common folk follow in turn. In some parts of the city and its surrounding areas, elven mages have tried to recreate a semblance of their ancestral home that was corrupted thousands of years ago. With the aid of arcane and druidic magics, large overgrown olive trees stand tall and act as abodes for the wealthy and elven pure bloods. And many of the newer structures built have the soft, curved angles of elven design. Much of this non-human influence is to the disdain of their Tristan neighbours. These two nations are often at odds in politics and on the battlefield.

## Politics, Perception and Magic

As stated, the ruling class of the nation are truly the magical mages that gave the nation its new identity. The common folk have no real say in what laws or policies are past. The ''king'' and his Nine Towers have first and final say. Their agents are often put into foreign courts posing as diplomats and such but in actual fact could be spies, saboteurs or assassins. The Kingdom of Trisdan as it stands now are their biggest threat. The realm of pro-human supremacists often meet the forces of the Omrellians on the battlefield. Particularly one war stands out to both sides not too long ago. Where the king forgoed his usual military generals in the favour of tactical mages to lead his forces against the Tristans. The lines of infantry and destructive power of powerful magics rained fire and ice from the sky, while the Tristans were prepared with new kinds of artillery. The Ruin of Marburg is what they named that battle. It wasn't too long ago and it reminded the world of the supreme power of magic, but also the immense potential on new technology.

## Grymheim Activity

Ombrellia's influence and involvement in the Interregnum of Grymheim is mainly a pursuit of curiosity and knowledge. While its clear that the land of Grymheim is old and ancient in its own right. Which means what kinds of arcane or metaphysical secrets does it hold. Old temples? Places of power? Resources that are magically sensitive? Herbs for new potions? New magical beasts to be tamed or researched? All this and more. Ombrellia sees Grymheim as a font of new knowledge that it wishes to explore. The natives are split fifty fifty on whether to trust the Ombrellians but for the most part they stay out of each others way or tread carefully. But every now and then you get a researcher that's just a bit too excited and too impatient.