Nyxumbra - Politics

INTERNAL:

The Shadow Sovereign (synonymous with the Lich Queen) reigns over Nyxumbra as the most potent necromancer, ascending via ritual challenges where rivals are slain or raised as servants, embodying absolute control through fear and undeath. Nyxumbrian society is hierarchical and ritualistic, with loyalty enforced by blood oaths and undead enforcers, and internal power struggles resolved through arcane assassinations. Necromantic lords, masters of dark arts, comprise the Coven Council, convening in shadowed crypts to dictate policies on rituals and slave acquisitions. Positions are seized through displays of power, and the Sovereign maintains dominance by animating dissenters. Alchemists and ritualists provide specialized counsel, their roles vital but precarious, often ending in sacrifice if they fail to deliver results.

EXTERNAL:

Nyxumbra approaches other nations with calculated malice—trading for unique specimens while undermining rivals through curses and spies, adhering to the Veilsea Accords only to avoid isolation. They use Thaloryn's neutrality for covert dealings but frequently skirt rules with shadowy infractions.

With regard to individual nations:

Duskreef: Nyxumbra profits from Duskreef's large supply of slaves, especially the more unqiue ones. They maintain a distrustful but beneficial trade, avoiding direct conflict while occasionally pilfering back items and teaching horrible lessons to pirates that target Nyxumbrian assets.

Ironcrag: Nyxumbra trades alchemical reagents for Ironcrag's adamantine, limiting interactions due to distrust of necromancy, with any encroachments reported to Thaloryn.

Korathis: Nyxumbra acquires captured foes from Korathis for rituals in exchange for undead for the Crucible, but mutual suspicion over foul play leads to tense, Thaloryn-mediated relations, as Korathis keeps a close eye on them without direct dealings by choice. Korathis' frequen clashes with Kragvost often leads to more captured slaves than can be used in The Crucible, so Nyxumbra remains a buying for bulk sacrifice purchasing.

Kragvost: Nyxumbra deals with Kragvost by acquiring thralls for rituals in exchange for dark magical artifacts that enhance clan chiefs' power, leveraging their close proximity and populous nature for a dark alliance tinged with distrust over potential sacrificial targeting of Kragvostians.

Lumivale: Nyxumbra competes fiercely with Lumivale as the largest rival in magical prowess, attempting thefts of knowledge and artifacts via agents and saboteurs, while enduring public denunciations; they secretly facilitate rogue trades of information or artifacts, knowing Lumivale claims to destroy them but suspects covert study.

Sylvara: Nyxumbra raids Sylvara for elven bloodlines suited to undeath, viewing druidic magic as corruptible, but suffers countermeasures from wild twists. Plenty of undead have been landed on Slyvara's shores only to vanish into their groves, but the disposable nature of the undead mean's raids can still be profitable.

Thaloryn: Nyxumbra exploits Thaloryn's ports for hidden trades, resenting their oversight but complying minimally to prevent Accord-wide isolation. Nxumbra will often abstain from votes in the accords to remain inconspicuous, and hoping to leverage it into concessions from Thaloryn.

Valthorne: Nyxumbra buys exotic slaves from Valthorne for experiments, partnering in black-market deals but betraying when superior specimens are at stake. The Black Markets most consistent and notorious patron, Nyxumbra keeps a close eye on artifacts coming and going, and is not afraid to acquire them by less conventional means if they find them interesting.

Zephyris: Nyxumbra publically ignores Zephyris as if they are beneath notice, having nothing of value to Nyxumbra besides some unique slaves from races not found abundantly elsewhere.