Rebuilt Mansion of the Lord Governor

The southern peninsula of the Setab Empire was dramatically different now. What was once a large flat expanse of farmland was now a salty sea marsh or simply a swamp. The tidal wave that had destroyed Lower Skanse had traveled many miles inland, while at the same time the land itself had been sinking. Lower Skanse was not the only place to suffer. The prosperous Archipelago of Kyth had been completely wiped out by a tidal wave. Every man, woman and child had been killed and only the largest island still remained above the surface.

Even so, people returned to Lower Skanse. The weather was mild, resources from the ocean were abundant, and the Setab Empire had already sent people to rebuild. Slowly the Imperial Road was completed, and with it, wood and stone were brought from the heart lands. Although she would no longer be the major sea port she once was, there was still demand in the Empire for herbs, perfumes and pearls that could only be found in this area.

As the walls went up, and debris was cleared, the people began to return. The Imperial builders constructed the new Grand Dukes Mansion, and magically fortified it. As this construction was going on, they unearthed the Coral Gate. It still stood as it was, with the darkest night beyond its iron gates. The new Duke wanted to pay homage to this icon of the past and ordered that the very gates of his keep be built just as those were. He asked for it, therefore it was done. Next large walls mimicking the Coral Gate were built. Military men said that such walls were not defensive, and could easily be scaled. The Imperial builders assured them that the magical defenses would prevent any such climbing. When they were done, the walls were nearly 20 feet high, and covered in sharp edges. These pieces of Coral were magically hardened to never break or dull, and simply brushing against one was sufficient to cut a passerby or careless guard. This quickly discouraged any burglars who were scouting the Mansion.

With the Grand Duke’ s mansion done, other wealthy people from the Empire made their way here. Some wanted to try to capitalize on future business opportunities. Others had fallen in disfavor with powerful Imperial Nobles and needed to lay low for a while. They used the same style of building as the Duke, and soon their residences were walled and gated as well. Soon 10% of the population was taking up 70% of the useable land for the city! The other 90% were being crammed into a very small area.

The outer walls of the city were then constructed. Soon after merchants and craftsmen began to build wherever they could, with property inside the walls fetching a premium. A few inns and taverns opened, as well as all manner of shops. Tanners, Blacksmiths, Alchemists, Gold Changers, Jewelers, just to name a few, opened shops. Although the quality and availability wasn’t the same as in the Great Setab Empire, there was enough to at least make the place feel civilized.

Finally the rebuilding was done, and the city was christened Coral Gate, in homage to the gate that had forever changed this entire region.
Life progressed for several hundred years. Ever so slowly the Empire ate itself, too big and bloated to be run effectively. It’s Emperor a shadow of the great visionaries of her past. The seven Dukes of the Empire effectively became Kings of their own, and seldom dealt with the Emperor. Trivial amounts of taxes were sent, but they at times fought amongst themselves in land and resource disputes.

As the Empire decayed, the mountains to the south gained new residents. Savants who had survived the destruction of Lower Skanse (Coral Gate) moved out of the Empire. They formed a council to forward magical research. Little did they know what they would find. They were not the first magical peoples to live there. The Scorched Mountains had been the home to another race, maybe extinct now, or possibly a third “tribe” of elves. Some catastrophic event had occurred, and seemingly wiped them out. The very mountains had been cracked and burnt, with stone heated to the melting point in places.

In these mountains they found traces of Lost Magic, and also secure chambers that had survived whatever happened. There were no signs of the residents, they must have long since died off or departed. Books of research indicated they were humanoid in appearance, but little other direct knowledge was to be found. The Savants of what was to be called The Mageocracy also found pockets of strange magic, where their spells had different effects, and areas of null magic, where spells didn’t work at all. Numerous Tomes and Scrolls were found, and those there made a considerable leap in power.

The Council met, and decided that the Empire could never gain control of this place. They had shown what happens in Lower Skanse when they meddled with magic they couldn’t understand. From this day forward The Mageocracy worked to prevent knowledge of their magic from being discovered, and they also worked to slow down the magical gains of the Empire. They were successful in this for almost 900 years.

The Savants here assumed the roles of mountain men and gold miners, eking out a living as best they could. They acted eccentric and crazy, attempted to scare off trespassers and keep the Empire away.  They were to a large degree successful, but with a price. They cut themselves off from the outside world mostly, and after many years the insanity may not have been a complete act in some cases. They really started to believe with fervor that the Empire was coming for them. This led them down the path of summoning fiends. Once started this path is not easily changed.

The ruling council became little more then a name after a time, but the greed for magic in many residents didn’t change, if anything it grew. They began seeking out magic in the Empire, and other places. They would attempt to buy it, and if they possessor didn’t agree, they would take it by force. Over time they became the self appointed overseers of all magic. Only those who had earned the trust of The Mageocracy would be allowed to possess magic items, everyone else would be asked or forced to hand them over for “study.” From time to time they even show up in the Shanty Town.

Thus did the world continue for centuries. What was bad in people became worse. What was bad in the Empire became worse. What was greed in The Mageocracy became envy and coveting. So goes the nature of man.

Change had to come and it did. In the form of Emperor Cair Setab. His war with The Mageocracy is detailed elsewhere, but he took the first steps to uniting the Empire, and bringing her back from the dead so to speak. His untimely death was a blow, and Bale Gaithan is Regent until one of eligible blood comes forward. Bale has forbidden the use of Corruption Magic within the Empire in an effort to combat the Fiends and Undead which run unchecked in parts of the south. He has repaired much of the Central Trade Road, and ordered posts to be manned and the road to be patrolled. He has required the Grand Dukes to attend Court twice a year, and frequently dispatches orders through messengers. He has sanctioned Schools for Savants, and training for Defenders to fight the Fiend threat. All in all, despite the set back of the war, the Empire at least feels a bit of hope for the future.

Now his eyes turn towards Coral Gate….