| Category | Governments |
| Type | Syndicate |
| State | Paradomea |
| Leaders | The Syndics |
| Formed | 1 Hollow 1290 |
In 1290, the heads of the largest and strongest merchant houses of Paradomea, a governing body called the Merchant League, reformed under a new business charter. They created another company called the Council of Nine. As part of becoming a leader of this organization, each had to give up their mortality, a sacrifice to prove their worthiness. Over the rest of 1290, each gave up their mortality, embracing lichdom. They swore oaths to undertake affairs that were for the economic good of Paradomea. Ever since then, to become part of the Council, and be a Syndic, one has to become a Lich.
Even as liches, with their tendency to be evil, these Syndics have done extremely well for Paradomea City and the empire's other holdings. For centuries, they have maintained unity with only a few periods of internal conflict. Some say the presence of the Ebon Bedrock under the Palace of Nine is the reason for their ideals of strong law and order.
In 1292, the Council of Nine formed an agency called the Paradomea Consortium. This trade group was established to take over a lot of the mundane responsibilities once performed by the Merchant League.
When the Council of Nine are not dealing with running an empire, they create magic and do magical experiments. In the Year 1312, a few Syndics used parts of the Ebon Bedrock in the making of the Prisms of Worlds.
The charter of the Council of Nine requires that the Council always have nine members, that they be from a leading merchant house, the profitability of Paradomea always override private interests, and that they be a lich.
The Council's syndics are generally neutrally aligned with their primary interest the growth and prosperity of Paradomea City, Aggis, and other holdings. They have allied with many empires, good and evil, fought in many wars, yet never sought outright territorial aggression. They unusually get the latter by making a deal; usually with the other party at a disadvantage (c.f. Aggis). This is not to say that some of the Synics don't have a wickedness about them. They are undead, so they can never truly escape it - only quell it. If a Syndic proves to be too evil or too self-serving, they are permanently retired.
In the Black Tide War (1465 - 1504), Paradomea stayed neutral to the conflict around them. They covertly sponsored some groups, like the Gray Matrix, but not to a degree to threaten their 1466 neutrality pact with the Dead Council.
The Council of Nine is a based out of an obsidian fortress called the Palace of Nine.
The complete defeat of an enemy and subjugation of their people can cause more harm than good. Civil unrest and sabotage will usually occur, and the population is less likely to contribute to the growth of your economy. Instead, let the defeated keep some of their institutions and pay tribute to your government.
- The Arbiter, from his book Making War Profitable - "Maxim of War"
Tearberon is a clandestine guild sponsored by the Council of Nine.
The Syndics
The governorship of Paradomea is overseen by nine syndics. Their decisions are not made alone, they follow the empire's Merchant Code where business interests are of highest concern.| Syndics | Position | Joined | Other |
|---|---|---|---|
| Belecthorn of the Woods | Syndic of Resources | ||
| Caraldrarg the Firebender | Syndic of the Arcane | ||
| Lorkiee | Syndic of Defense | 1554 | |
| Hidrist the Unforgiving | Syndic of Internal Affairs | Police Chief of the Gilogoth Magistrate | |
| Lasestrov | Syndic of Special Projects | 1453 | |
| Sarurkane | Syndic of Commerce | 1290 | Westerlies Agreement, Nullattîm Balance |
| The Arbiter | Syndic of Economic Defense | ||
| Tome | Syndic of Records and Legislation | 1290 | |
| Umgitharg the Psi Stealer | Syndic of the People |
| Syndics | Position | Joined | Separation | Other |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bind Izudîm | Syndic of Defense | 1290 | 1554 | 1468 Black Tide Report |
| Cryanus | Syndic of Commerce | 1456 | 1497 | |
| Lainómë | Syndic of Special Projects | 1456 | 1453 | found giving excessive preferential treatment to her home city of Dhaunril'yraen, killed by Sarurkane Branda |
| Kloidan | Syndic of the Arcane | 1552 | killed by a weave spider in the Artery War | |
| Nargontou | Syndic of Internal Affairs | 1295 | 1392 | killed by thieves under the Palace of Nine |
| Razzir | Syndic of the People | wanted for treason |