State of Veralin

The Mage State of Veralin, home to the most powerful and influential mages and home to the legendary Spires of Knowledge and the admired (and feared) Council of Mages.   The Mages of Veralin enjoy prestige and safety, and though the Mage State is a poweful state and institution, it is so because of it's peculiar political position. It has sworn to never align it self with any one nation or country, and must always remain neutral in political conflicts and never aid it's recourses in the name of war. However, should the Mage State be attacked by any nation, that would be a declaration of war against all other states and countries who recognise the Mage State of Veralin (and as such can send it's mages to the state for education).
It is due to this agreement that Veralin enjoys the stability and safety it has procured. It must never speak or act in favor of one nation against another, it must not express political affiliations, and must not create a militia under the banner of Veralin.  

Structure of Authority

The seats of authority in Veralin are split into three, there is the Spires of Knowledge who is governed by the Council of Mages, there is the State Council who are directly engaged with the city of Veralin and the residents (and most non-magical law and rule in the state). The last authority is external from the City State and is made up of all the leaders from the nations and realms, who have entered the alliance with Veralin, this is the Assembly of Rulers, the only council who can allow for Veralin to interfere in international disputes.  

Agenda and Purpose

The State's purpose it two-divided. First, it is to regulate and safeguard magic and magic use, second, it is a place of education, research and betterment of mages and magic. It is the responsibility of the Council of Mages to oversee both of these purposes.   All allied countries are, as part of the agreement, allowed to send any number of mages (either with prior education in magic or none at all) to the Spires of Knowledge to recieve an education in magic. And, as part of this agreement, should a mage during or after their education decide to stay and become a resident of Veralin, they must be given leave to do so.
Very few of the mages that reside in Veralin were born there, and most of the citizens have moved to the city and decided to stay after finishing their studies (but most of students return to their home countries).  

History and founding

The City State of Veralin was founded by the third Council of Mages nearly five-hundred years ago in an effort to keep mages safe - and magic safe with them.
It was build on the teachings of the first Council and founded in an era were mages suffered from violence, by association with witches (as people were not proficient enough in recognising spellcraft from witchcraft - and the first Council condemned witchcraft, which let to violence against witches and mages alike). To keep mages safe the third Council proposed to the twelve nations that the Council it self would regulate magic - as they as proficient mages might better recognise misuse of magic - and in exchange for safety and security they would educate their people on magic.
Eight of the countries agreed to this proposal, promising to protect the mages of Veralin in exchange for magic - and protection against it. The original eight countries are still part of the Assembly of Rulers, but more have since alligned themselves with the allied countries and is made up of twentyseven countries. Now the Assembly is larger than it has ever been before, and the world of Elodia exploding with magical ingenuity and progress.