Ryvallites

Description

The magocracy of Ryvallen is home to a varied group of people. Many who felt their ambitions were restrained elsewhere have migrated here. They are comprised of a variety of races, but humans form the largest group, as is to be expected considering their faster reproductive rate. Elves and particularly half-elves form the second-largest group currently.

Culture

The Ryvallites do not have a classical concept of nobility, instead one's position is entirely determined by their magical capabilities (and their ability to gain the support of their superiors). This has several interesting complications. It means that rather than looking up to people in a higher position, they instead just envy them and can't wait to take that position for themselves. Their society is ridiculously competitive, and dragging others down is as viable a way of advancement as improving oneself. Although you might find your incapability catching up to you eventually. And so, the powerful tend to remain in power as they manipulate those below them.
For those without magical capabilities, they are mostly relegated to labor that, while menial, is too complex for the enslaved undead to take care of. Their best chance of societal advancement is to become a Knight specialized in subjugating mages, or to become a trader who can obtain products that are enticing to the magic-using population.

Religion

Religion within the confederacy is varied, with most of the population tending towards Gods of Knowledge or Secrets. Lydia, Larum and Verio are popular for these reasons. Worship of Hrimrur or Rimorbus is entirely unheard of considering their distaste of undead which the confederacy makes extensive use of.

Statistics

Humans originating from the Ryvallen Confederacy may use this alternative subrace upon character creation (speed, size and age remain as mentioned in the main race):
Ryvallen Magocrat
Ability Score Increase.
Your Intelligence, Wisdom and Charisma scores each increase by 1.
Arcane Talent.
You know one cantrip of your choice from either the Wizard or Sorcerer spell list. Your spellcasting ability for this cantrip is your choice of Wisdom, Intelligence or Charisma.

Once you reach 3rd level, you know the Detect Magic spell and you can cast it without expending a spell slot. Once you reach 5th level, you also know the Dispel Magic spell and can cast it without expending a spell slot. Once you cast either of these spells in this way, you can’t cast that spell in this way again until you finish a long rest. You can also cast these spells using spell slots you have of the appropriate level.
Curious Intellect.
You are proficient in the Arcana and Investigation skills.
Languages.
You can read, speak and write Common and two extra languages of your choice.