BALIC’S SORCERER-KING TAKES CARE OF HIS CITY, and the citizenry’s civic pride is genuine. Dictator Andropinis has established a democratic, at least in appearance, system of governance, and Balic’s strong ancestral tradition pairs well with the populace’s love of theater and high culture.
Andropinis fancies himself a statesman, and the prosperity of his city-state is a testament to his success. Balic is orderly, clean, and well defended. The templars of the city-state, called praetors, are elected to their office. Its people enjoy more freedom and luxury than those in other city-states.
A powerful defiler, the dictator has connected himself to Balican land, giving him influence over its psychic echoes and ancestral spirits. Andropinis teaches these techniques to initiates into his arcane tradition. Thus, Balican templars share in the sorcerer-king’s power and do anything for him.
Despite being a defiler, Andropinis encourages love of Balican land and the use of primal power to strengthen its environs, making Balic ripe for later defiling. Balican civic myth praises heroic and dutiful ancestors who honored the land and protected the city-state.
Like any sorcerer-king, Andropinis has an entourage of guards and sycophants. He relies most on the high praetors and a few pet mages for protection. He also has powers and rituals to call forth allies from other planes.
The dictator appears to be an elderly yet fit human with a noble bearing and sharp eyes. When his ire is raised, however, his features turn golden and take on a reptilian shape.