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World Notes

 

Geography and Climate

Atlantis rests in a southern clime, meaning that the weather is mostly hot and humid. While there is a spring, summer, autumn, and winter, the distinctions between these seasons are not as pronounced as they would be in a more temperate area. Spring means rain almost daily; by the time summer comes around citizens are more than eager to see sun, though the unflaggingly heat can be punishing. Things begin to cool off around fall, making it arguably the most pleasant time of the year, and winter is mostly cloudy and somewhat colder still.

            Atlantis is sectored by a series of canals, the largest being the moat-like Sun Canal that divides the Outer Rim from the inner city, and is spanned by the giant Bridge of Atlantis. Numerous other canals criss-cross the island in a spoke-like pattern leading out from the center.

            A large island, the center of Atlantis is taken up by the historic walled city. While the Outer Rim technically refers to all areas outside of the walls, it is mostly used to mean the sprawling area centered around Thalassa harbor in the south-west where the Etrani have traditionally resided. Both these old and new metropolitan areas are hemmed in by Mount Taman, an intimidating and especially craggy mountain that presents a challenge for even the best of climbers. While Atlantis proper rarely sees snow, the very tip of Taman is perpetually frozen.

            While there is a small area of land on the other side of Mount Taman, it is uninhabited. Crossing over the mountain or through the complex network of caves that honeycomb its core can be treacherous, and craggy beaches and perfidious currents makes access by boat nearly impossible for even the most experienced sailor.

 

The Temple

            One of the most powerful and influential sects of Atlantis, the Temple has traditionally dealt with the appeasing of the deities through sacrifice and the teaching and usage of magic. In recent years, especially since the closing of Atlantis two-hundred years ago, it has also grown in power politically. The High Priest and Priestess, mostly by reading the mystical indications of the island’s “soul” through the Spirit, determine the need for sacrifice as well as whom the unknown Gods demand. While they are rarely as specific as an actual name regarding the next sacrificial victim, race, age, and sex are usually fairly precise. Except for extremely important occasions, Atlantean blood has historically rarely been spilt—but now the Temple has begun to order more and more Atlantean sacrifices, heightening the feeling of dread that is creeping through the streets.

 

The Spirit of Atlantis

            With the death of the Spirit comes a frenzied search for a new one, and any Atlantean child under seven is ordered to come to the Temple for inspection by the Priests and Priestesses. After administering a series of tests the High Priest and Priestess announce who they believe to be the new reincarnation of the Spirit of Atlantis, and this child is immediately seized from his or her parents and instead resides in the Temple for training.

            Perhaps historically the search for the new reincarnation of the soul, or Spirit, or Atlantis was a literal one—but now it is widely believed (though few dare to voice the opinion openly) that the choice of who will be the next Spirit is actually a political, rather than religious, one.

            The face of the Spirit is rarely seen by anyone outside the Temple, as he or she is generally masked and so heavily costumed and done up with makeup in public that it is almost impossible to recognize a true identity. Drugs in the form of perfumes are used to make the Spirit go into a heavy trance, during which he or she dictates the sentiments and wishes of the island of which he or she is the physical manifestation. These utterances can take on the form of decrees, regulations for sacrifices, foretellings, warnings, and almost anything else until the Spirit eventually collapses. However, as the Spirit is unable to remember any of these discourses when revived and his or her trances are usually only witnessed by the High Priest and Priestess, it is impossible to verify these claims.

            While generally encouraged to remain in the Temple and to avoid mundane matters, some Spirits have managed to use their position to their advantage and become politically or socially influential. However, the degree and concentration of this power varies from Spirit to Spirit, and so there is not one specific standard.

 

Lira University and the Council of the Light

           Even in a civilization renowned for its art and education, Lira University is a famous center of learning and knowledge. The third of the three buildings that frame the Palace Gardens in the center of Atlantis (the other two being the Temple and the Palace of Neptune), the University is very deserving of its prestigious location. Aside from its marvelous library and advanced facilities, it is also famous for its connection to the Council of the Light.

            All leaders need a thorough education, and so it was only natural that almost from its conception members of the Council of the Light were recruited from the ranks of scholars studying at the University. This tradition continues today; though there is the occasional rare exception when a Council member is chosen who is not a Lira Scholar, it is very rare, and anyone seeking to eventually become a member of the Council of the Light would do well to join the University’s exulted ranks.

            Note: While Etrani may become Lira Scholars, they are still forbidden by law to become members of the Council of the Light.

 

Magic

            As of yet, Atlantis is the only known area in the world where magic is prevalent. Almost all Atlanteans have magical abilities—some to a greater extent than others—and it has been noted that even those Etrani who come from non-magical lands and ancestry begin to develop some small skill after living on Atlantis for a great many years, and that many of their children who are born on Atlantean soil also posses this power. Generally, those children whose families have lived on Atlantis for more generations are found to have greater magical ability.

            However, many scholars now believe that the gift of magic may be genetic as well, citing the many examples of the offspring of Atlanteans living abroad (before the banning of Atlantean-foreigner interaction and the recall of Atlanteans to their homeland) who had magical abilities despite never having even set foot on Atlantis. While the sudden distrust of foreigners by the Temple meant that sure evidence is now difficult to obtain, many sources indicate that this magical power grew weaker and eventually vanished over the generations if the blood was not strengthened by more magical influence or if these Atlantean offshoots did not migrate to the island of their ancestor.

            The use of magic is standard training for any Atlantean child who shows ability, and teachers are beginning to crop up among the Etrani as well, to help that small but growing percentage learn to manage their powers. It may be fairly said, however, that these Etrani tutors, having less instruction and knowledge of magic then their Atlantean counterparts, are generally less competent and well-equipped to train their charges, meaning that the standards or magical expertise are much lower among the Etrani.

            Despite this widespread ability, however, magic does not come without its dangers—or its price. While minor usage is accompanied by no ill effects, those who use magic excessively upon themselves or to change the natural order of the world eventually fall prey to insanity, at which point they usually destroy themselves or are killed by Temple magic users to prevent them from causing havoc. To stop anyone ever reaching this point, several laws banning the use of some spells—most notably necromancy, shape-shifting, making elements work out of their natural spheres of influence (for example, making fire burn cold), or tampering directly with the mind when creating dreams or illusion—have been enacted and are strictly enforced.

 

Economy

            Historically Atlantis did have a basis in agriculture, gifted as it is with volcanically rich soil, but as the population began to grow the fields shrank, so that now Atlantis mainly depends on imports for foodstuffs. While west of the city, between the densely populated area of the Outer Rim and at the base of Mount Taman there are still some fields and orchards that grow native Atlantean fruit—the like of which can be found no where else—these crops are all owned by wealthy Atlanteans to serve as exotic delicacies.

            Thriving on trade instead of agriculture, Atlantis is the wealthiest civilization today. In addition to serving as the prime trading post between a plethora of nations, peoples, and economies, the Atlanteans also demand heavy tolls on merchants coming to trade on its shores and on foreign ships transversing its territorial waters, which extend for many kilometers beyond the island itself. Many artisans import huge amounts of large materials and rework and refine them, securing a heavy profit when these valuable goods are exported.