Ixyan

"Of course we will trade with you. There is no reason to refuse just because you are an outsider. We aren't simpletons. Unlike you."

-Caretaker of Information Azzyn

Ixyan is a secluded and isolationist island nation, almost entirely composed of high elves. They trade almost exclusively in information and are masters of divination and communication magic.

Its location in the [REDACTED] is protected by a permanently enchanted magical seastorm. The storm gains its power from the great elemental seepent, Jall-yn, bound into it. Any ship sailing through the storm, without approval of the Ixyani Nautical Commission will be invariably consumed by the sea. The lost cargo usually washes up in neatly stacked piles on the shore, 3-5 days later.

The general attitude of Ixyani towards outsiders is that of thinly veiled contempt. They view others as unenlightened and simple. Schools of magic, other than divination and especially evocation are seen as almost barbaric.

Many have internalized these sentiments and view Ixyan as a snobbish and rude, but wise and long-lasting civilisation. However, it is well known to many in the well-connected circles of the continent, that Ixyan is in perilous danger.

Jall-yn has been slowly, but surely shaking of the binding which presses it into the service of Ixyan. So, far it has only resulted in minor delays to the washed up supplies and the disappearance of a few state officials. However, the sages of Ixyan predict that these changes might only be precursors to a total freeing of the great serpent. This would mean the destruction Ixyan's only true defense and a new, and very dangerous, foe. To prevent this the Ixyan government has been diverting significant resources towards developing a renewal ritual to the seal.

The original creator of the seal, Ventri Olliann, the only Ixyani elementalist of note in history, is unavailable to help with the issue. She died and subsequently refused to help, dubbing her homeland "a bunch of damned nerds". The exact meaning of this statement is hotly debated in intellectual circles.

Due to the hyper-specialized nature of Ixyani mages, they have not been able to advance the effort in any significant way either. They have been honing their focus on the efficiency, range and accuracy of their spells for centuries, not their potential to bind world-ending dangers.

Therefore, the Ixyanis have been trying their best to source outside help for this conundrum. This process has not been helped the significant diplomatic badwill they have gathered over their history. Other nations are reluctant to help the snarky, and often manipulative nation. Not one of them have regretted striking a deal before, due to the Ixyan tendency of always having an embarassing affair or similarly strong blackmail material up their sleeves during negotiations.