Atithe, Knowledge (Ah-teeth)

"The Region of Knowledge"

REGION DESCRIPTION

Atithe is a Druid or a Ranger's paradise being covered in a blanket of ancient oak trees. Throughout the region, the forests are thick with the occasional clearing, very little underbrush, and teeming with wildlife. Mushrooms pop out everywhere; on fallen logs, in circles, and climbing up the trunks of the old trees. In the night, the woods glow with soft blue, pink, green, and other miscellaneous colors from both the mushrooms and the moss that make up the floor of the land. Tiny creeks and larger creeks alike cut through the land at a trickling pace, leading to the numerous large lakes and rivers scattered through the land. Trees grow much faster than normal here as well, allowing an oak tree to sprout from seedling to ancient in just five years. Due to the prominent logging industry, clearings may sporadically pop up but be taken over once more by the end of the year. Wood, truly, is an unlimited resource.

Despite the lack of foliage besides the occasional bunch of ferns sprouting in the rare open spots of sunlight, the woodlands of Atithe are teaming with wildlife. Bird song chirps from dawn to dusk, and fey-squirrels and fey-rabbits dash among the floor and trunks, and the incredibly large fey-stags and deer prowl proudly with their large, branch like racks. (*) Small game is not difficult to come by, but the large fey-stags are incredibly difficult to kill, leaving them to the most experience hunters. Travelers through this land are advised to avoid fey-bears and fey-foxes at all cost, due to their overly aggressive and territorial nature. On the rarest of occasions, an Owlbear or a Gryphon may decide an uninhabited chunk of land as their own territory. It is also advised to look for signs of these creatures and report it to the nearest authorities.

(* In further reading of Atithe's animals, all animals can be assumed to be fey-counterparts of the animals they are related to and may simply be referred to as "animal" at some points. They are interchangeable.)

Due to the large canopy obscuring most land from sunlight, plant matter can be difficult to find. Moss is plentiful by the backpack load, mushrooms are also plentiful but could be dangerous, and low-light herbs may also be found hidden nestled in a safe place. Almost every single vegetable available to citizens of Atithe are grown in Fellier if they are not imported from other regions. Occasionally in the cities, their may be small community gardens that citizens tend to for a supplement supply. Due to this, the diet of Atithe consists of small game, fish, mushrooms, potatoes and carrots (that can easily be grown in low-light conditions), and bread. Fruits are a rarity granted by imports or some sort of magic, and vegetables are scarce. The people here, however, has adapted to this diet over the centuries.

The large livers and lakes are all connected, allowing for a ferry system to easily be installed and for fishing to be both an active past time and industry. These rivers drain from and into the neighboring regions, Rylos and Vontri, as well into a small patch of wavy and tumultuous ocean. Standing on the shoreline to this ocean, simply referred to as "Launtrel's", a barrier of the same foggy smoke that sometimes blocks the region is seen only two miles out. This is the end of Launtrel's realm and impossible to pass.

IMPORTANT LOCATIONS

• Citadelis, Capital of Atithe: The capital city of Atithe is a very large, expansive city that has the charm of old stone buildings with the feel of being in the forest. The city is circular, and is surrounded by a towering stone wall. The streets are almost a maze, and can be confusing for outsiders. In the center is a large, cylinder shaped tower holding the Atithe Center; a renowned and prestigious organization of researchers, developers, and their security forces. A large array of shops and vendors can be found to sell any item a traveler may need. Magic and oddities shops are common, and weird and strange objects and obscure ingredients can be found hiding in these walls. Running underneath the city are three rivers that converge into a lake upon which the city draws its water from.
  

• Dellium: Dellium is a medium-sized city that is crowded on the left wall of Citadelis. It is mostly populated by poorer shop-keepers, artists, and the working class of Citadelis. Many of the prominent artists and shop-keepers have their roots here and eventually built their business up into affording the more affluent shops of Citadelis. The city also features many market spaces to allow hobbyists of the craft or traveling business owners to set up a temporary stand.
  

• Uncass : Uncass is a medium sized city located directly across the river from Citadelis. It is a perfect square, laid out in a perfect grid. This industrial city is dirty, grimy, and reeks of burning metal and smoke. The city was developed for the sole purpose of providing tools and materials to Citadelis in its development and remains the home of many forges, metalsmiths, and other metal workers. Additionally, there is a growing criminal element rising up in the streets of Uncass.
  

• Cellatalla's Grove: A person looking to seek an audience with Cellatalla will travel to her grove near the capital city of Citadelis. Typically, the Arch-Fey is very receptive to visitors and is extended hospitality in a time of need. The grove is surrounded by large, glowing trees and hosts a simple building with a few beds and other accommodations, as well as Cellatalla's more private cave home nestled in the roots of the two largest trees of the realm.
  

• Fellier: A medium-sized city focused on producing the majority of crop food available to Atithe. The residents here are mostly farmers working on the large fields owned by Atithe. Of course, your necessary shops for clothing and tool repair can be found here, but the vast majority is focused on farming and the amenities needed to upkeep the large and expansive fields.
  

• "The Tower": Nobody is really sure what "The Tower" is used for, when it was built, or who built it. It seemed to appear out of nowhere, and officials are tightlipped about its use. It seems vacant. A mist surrounds it, that never seems to dissipate.
  

• Milompand: Milompand is a large and industrial looking compound that houses Atithe's unified military. It is difficult to get into without proper authorization, so most citizens have not stepped foot inside. It's large and sturdy rock-based walls jut out over housing and a large stone building. Nearby, is a small outpost that is much less guarded and can be used by citizens to report any lawbreaking or other threats.
  

• The Fountain of Knowledge: An ancient piece of Atithe, there is no records of it being built. It is said to be created by Cellatalla herself, so it is common for citizens to use it as a way to give offerings to her. The legend says that anyone whom bathes in the Fountain is given great knowledge. However, nobody is really sure if it has been used.
  

HISTORY

From the beginning, Atithe has been the forefront of developing civilization. As the migrants to Launtrel spread out across the realm, a small group, declaring themselves The Atithe Center, sat down and planned what they envisioned for Atithe. Beginning construction on Citadelis , the group was mostly made out of Sorcerers, Wizards, and Warlocks. Using their magical experience, they pushed forward construction with ease and officially founded The Atithe Center in the middle of Citadelis with a large, circular tower building. The founders of this center was extremely secretive with the blueprints of the city, but since they were bankrolling the project, it was not questioned.

While Citadelis was being built, the other cities of Dellium, Uncass, and Feller started out as small towns to support the project of Citadelis. Dellium is where the builders and support teams started to live, Uncass is where the iron-workers built forges for materials with the artists, and Feller began farming for food. Once Citadelis was complete, the select few families that The Atithe Center believed to be the most beneficial to the cause (and of course, themselves) were invited to live in the luxurious houses in the capital city. This thus formed the upper class and old money of Atithe.

Milompand began construction about 100 years after the formation of Atithe. The need for this massive military compound, as well as the need for a former realm military, began when tensions began with the region of Rylos. Rumors discovered by The Atithe Center implied that there was a planned attack on Atithe to explore the construction of Citadelis. Concerned, the leader of The Atithe Center rushed to start forming a formal military. Running into complications, they also took the step to create a formal government. Until then, the cities acted as their own regions, making their own laws and bartering with the cities around them. Going to each of the elected officials individually, the leader managed to convince each of them to join together to act as one region to make Atithe stronger. Finally, when these elected officials got together, they voted in a former military for the region and Milompand began construction.

Nothing ever came from the rumors, but the region began to flourish under the connected government. Infrastructure started to be built connecting each city and protected by the soldiers of Milompand, the cities worked together to properly allocate resources, and exports allowed citizens to enjoy the whole realm. The Atithe Center began buckling down on research and development, releasing their new knowledge annually. Some time between the year 200-250, "The Tower" was quietly built. For centuries, Atithe seemed to be the epitome of an utopian civilization...

GOVERNMENT

Electocracy

The region of Atithe is the only region that has a formal government that allows any sort of election of their officials. Each major city (Citadelis, Uncass, Dellium, and Fellier) has one mayor that run the government. Each term is 10 years, unless a mayor passes away or steps down. If this happens, an emergency election is held. Together, these three mayors meet twice a year to discuss the status of Atithe and decide on any new laws to be made, old ones to be thrown out, or other statistical decisions. All decisions will be approved by a 2 to 1 vote. Additionally, each mayor will appoint an appropriate amount of judges for their city (3 in Citadelis, 2 in Uncass and Fellier, 1 in Dellium) with citizens voting for a Supreme Judge out of the pool of judges from all cities once every 10 years. This Supreme Judge holds court in Citadelis. The Supreme Judge is only used for extreme cases. There is no limit to the terms of any elected officials, and most end up holding office for 30+ years. Milompand has its own judges, appointed by the General of the military.

Major Laws

While most cities are allowed to create their own laws within their borders, the elected officials create laws for all land outside of these boundaries. These laws are policed by Atithe's organized military force. Reports of lawbreaking can be directed to Milompand's outpost. They will then be held within Milompand and await for trial by the military judges or be seen by the Supreme Judge.

1. Robbery of any sort will not be tolerated. Those caught will be held in Milompand for 5 years.
2. Murder is only acceptable if used in self-defense. Those caught will be held in Milompand for life or face execution.
3. Changelings must pick one form and only use that form. Rulebreakers will be held in Milompand and will receive an appropriate amount of time.
4. Treason will be considered as giving or selling information that effects the safety of Atithe or a major city.
5. Damage to Atithe's infrastructure will lead to a fine of the cost of repair plus 1,000 gold. If the action is deemed to be terroristic, criminals may face execution.
6. All citizens must be in either former schooling or in trade apprenticeships until the age of 20. After that, they may chose to further their education or trade.

Region Relations

Atithe is welcome to political relations with other regions. As it stands, it currently imports and trades with Rylos and Falmes. Falmes is the most stable relation that Atithe holds, and they are agreed upon Allies. Rylos' is simply a relationship of mutual trade with no political ties. Despite no other official political ties, Atithe welcomes citizens from any region within its borders and allows for immigration to Atithe, with priority given to more skilled individuals.

MILITARY

Atithe holds a unified military for the region. With Milompand as its headquarters, any citizen is eligible to enlist and serve for a minimum of 5 years once they have reached the age of maturity for their race. A recruiting station can be found in each city, usually in City Hall. The military of Atithe, often just referred to as "The Military" for Atithians, is charged with upholding Atithe's Major Laws as well as preparing for and executing any military-level actions within the region, or against other regions in a time of war. The Military is currently in good operation with enough recruits and supplies to carry out its mission successfully.

INDUSTRY

Agriculture and Exports

Atithe's agriculture is limited due to the nature of their land being mostly oak forest. Fellier is the main producer of all agricultural products and grows potato's, carrots, garlic, beets, and wheat. On a smaller scale, some corn is produced when their is a particularly good season. Currently, The Atithe Center is dedicated to figuring out how to grow a wider variety of crops.

Due to the sheer amount of wood available to Atithe, their main export is wood and wood products. Trees grow back exceptionally fast, so loggers work with crafters to either export wood to other regions, or craft desirable wood products such as boats. Rylos, a close trading partner with Atithe, is not interested in wood but does frequently trade fruits for intricate wood boats, coffins, and other various skilled work from Atithians crafters.

Education

Education is a huge priority in both Atithe's laws and culture. All citizens are required to either attend former schooling or trade apprenticeships until the age of 20. Because Atithe is the realm of Knowledge, elected officials created the law requiring schooling so no one citizen lacks any basic knowledge of the region, spells, technology, science, biology, history, or a trade. Because of this, Atithe as a whole has flourished and advanced on many levels above most, if not all, other regions.

Infrastructure

Atithe's infrastructure is comprised of both roads and a ferry system using the rivers that connects all of Atithe. The roads are laid with smooth stone and pretty well upkept and guarded by Atithe's military. Using the roads are free to all, as there are no tolls to enter use the roads or enter any city. On the other hand, there is a small fee to use the ferry system depending on where you'd like to go. Region only travel is much cheaper than asking the ferry to bring you to another region. The ferries are large wooden boats that sit about ten people, including the Ferry Captain. A ferry station can be found outside every major city (except Dellium, that uses Citadelis' station as well as other important locations.

Technological and Scientific Level

Due to the education requirements, Atithe excels at artistry, trades, and scientific achievements. The Atithe Center is in the center of it all by hiring the best of the best to use their facilities for research and development. Most of the technology used in Atithe is run by magic or harnessing Launtrel's natural energy force. Weapons have remained the same, aside from enhancements like enchantments, and are basic in the sense you can find their variety of weapons anywhere. Guns, or something of the sort, has been rumored to have been developed recently in The Atithe Center. However, if they have been developed, none have been released or seen by an average citizen.

Maps

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  Atithe

  Ruled over by Cellatalla, Atithe is a beautiful forest realm with large and mysterious trees with a thick canopy. The ground in this realm is either moss, soft dirt, or lightly vegetated with ferns and mushrooms. Songbirds always seem to be singing, and the fauna is plentiful. The capital city is called Citadelis, a large and circular city filled with specialty shops and libraries for study. Atithe is largely recognized as having the most peaceful way of life, and a refuge for those seeking safety. Dotted throughout the land are transport stations featuring boat taxis to take you throughout the realm, and possibly other realms for a hefty price.

Type

Geopolitical, Country

Capital

Citadelis, Capital of Atithe

Demonym

Atithians

Leader

Cellatalla, Knowledge

Government System

Electocracy

Economic System

Market economy

Notable Members

• Mayor Avlock Lulen