Abyssal Dominion

Abyssal Dominion is an aquatic civilization comprised of two species - Aquarix Spectrals and the Shellbound, with the Leviathans serving them both.   Initially, the Aquarix Spectrals, with their superior intellect and advanced technology, dominated the Shellbound. The Aquarix, with their advanced intellect and magical prowess, had used the enchantments and magical coercion to exert control over the physically stronger Shellbound, creating a caste system where the Shellbound served as enforcers or laborers. However, over time a more balanced power dynamic emerged. The Shellbound, with their long lifespans, are living vessels of ancient knowledge that possess ancient, primal magic of their own. This has lead to a tense balance of power where both species coexist without major outbreaks of violence, but vie for dominance through arcane and political means.   The Shellbound's physical prowess lead to them taking on roles that require strength and endurance, such as construction, resource extraction, and defense, while the Aquarix, being more intellectually advanced and shorter-lived, focus on roles requiring higher cognitive skills, planning, and social organization, mostly maintaining a form of leadership and intellectual dominance. The political structure evolved to include representation from both species, ensuring that the needs and perspectives of both the Aquarix Spectrals and the Shellbound are considered in decision-making. However, given the historical lack of trust, the governance of the joint civilization is a complex web of intrigue and magical pacts, with factions and cabals constantly vying for control.   The disparity in lifespans historically has lead to a form of temporal politics, with Aquarix manipulating the long-lived Shellbound through binding pacts or curses that span generations in relationships of servitude or forced allegiance. At the same time, having the advantage of longevity, the Shellbound could steer and manipulate the generations of Aquarix according to their vision - a dozen generations and thousands of Aquarix offspring would pass in one Shellbound's lifetime. So a mentorship culture emerged as a delicate balance, with the long-lived Shellbound serving as guardians or advisors to multiple generations of Aquarix, ensuring the vision, strategy, and stabilty for the society. At the same time, Aquarix still might employ magical coercion and mind control to avoid the slow subjugation over the centuries and generations.   The physical dominance of the Shellbound, combined with the strategic minds of the Aquarix Spectrals, creates a formidable military force, leveraging the strengths of both species to protect and expandtheir shared civilization. The joint military force is a terrifying spectacle of dark magic and brute force, with enchanted Shellbound serving as the vanguard of an army led by cunning Aquarix spellcasters. Leviathans, under the joint command of both species, serve as a powerful deterrent to external threats, with the Shellbound capable of managing their care and training over long lifespans. Leviathans, twisted by dark enchantments, have neen known to serve as living siege engines and carriers of devastating magical plagues.   The Dominion is ruled by the Council of eight members, in which one representative of each of the two species holds the military, economic, diplomatic, and cladestine advisory positions.