The Magocracy

The Magocracy was the ruling government of humanity on Callidore, evolving from the coastal colonies that survived the Inundation of Perwyn. After the sinking of Perwyn, the survivors regrouped on the mainland and the first Archmage of the Later (or Greater) Magocracy began the long process of unifying the coastal colonies. The Palace of the Archmagi was built at Reymes, and irionite witchstones became the primary instrument of political and military power.

Historians divide the Magocracy into several periods: the Early Magocracy (centered on Perwyn itself), the Middle Magocracy (the consolidation phase after the Inundation, marked by urban-to-agrarian shifts and power struggles), the Late Magocracy (the height of mainland power), and finally its collapse. The Magocracy ruled through the Archmage and a network of appointed Magelords who governed provinces as Imperial Consuls. It maintained an elite force of warmagi called the Dabersi Guards and controlled sea-lanes against pirates. A Censorate of Magic enforced magical regulations by Royal Charter.

The Later Magocracy was beset by two centuries of feuding Magelord houses using irionite against one another. The last Archmages attempted to defend their realm from the Narasi barbarian invasions. A final desperate effort produced Androbus, the great Sword of the Empire, crafted from the last stones of the Emerald Staff — but the sword was lost when the Imperial capital fell to King Kamaklavan and his five sons. With Kamaklavan's conquest complete, the Magocracy was ended and the Five Duchies began.