From SFWiki

Atlantis is both the name of a large island within the Terracopian archipelago and the name of a city on that island. For information about the city-state, see Atlantis (City).

Atlantis is a large island, situated in the south-west of the archipelago. To the north lie the islands of Terra Lusa and Catala. It is the farthest south of the known islands.

The word "Atlantis" is elven in origin and, like all elvish words, takes its meaning from context. Normally, it is translated as "Homeland" or "Elfhome", but it can also be translated as "The Elven Kingdom" - this especially when referring to the island as a government. For purposes of clarity in this article, the term "Atlantis" will refer to the island while "Elven Kingdom" will refer to the government.

Atlantis is the ancestral home of all Elvenkind and its humanoid population is almost entirely comprised of that species (any others are either slaves or, more rarely, raiders). Due to the political ideologies of the Elven Kingdom, non-elvish humanoids found upon its shores are either enslaved or executed.

[edit] Government

The Elven Kingdom is a constitutional monarchy. In all matters save that of foreign policy, the monarch (King Xius) has free reign to do as he chooses. However, he may not make war upon or allow trade with other nations and lands without the express orders of the Olarchix, a type of senate with 21 members drawn from all areas of the Kingdom (though most are wealthy or influential). The Olarchix also serves as a Court of Advisers. They wield considerable economical and intellectual influence if not legal influence, and the King usually follows suggestions even in non-foreign matters.

The Olarchix (elvish: Council of Males, though females comprise 50% of the council) has its origins as a council designed to serve as a moral and religious compass, and was made up entirely of the Priesthood of Haephus. Over time, however, as elven belief in the gods waned, non-priests were permitted to the Olarchix, and after the establishment of the Atlantean constitution, the Olarchix was granted real legal power.

[edit] Geography

Atlantis is an old island - perhaps the oldest. It was formed from the ashes of a single, enormous volcano named Mero-Carith (or "Sleeping Mother"). Mero-Carith is an active volcano, though it has not erupted with any violence in hundreds of years.

Atlantis is a temperate island, filled with lush forests, lakes, and rivers. While much of its land is arable, very little has been farmed or tilled by the Elves.

[edit] Settlements

By far, the largest Atlantean settlement is the city of Atlantis itself. However, the island is home to several other settlements of note:

[edit] Atlantis

The capital city of the Elven Kingdom, Atlantis is a unique city set upon several "ringed" islands inside of a bay.

[edit] Mariqueth

The city of Mariqueth is perhaps larger than the capital of Atlantis in terms of geographical lay out. It is the home of the old cult of Haephus. Mariqueth was nearly burnt to the ground during the Fourth Elvish War (853 PR), but has since been rebuilt.

[edit] Armoth

Armoth is a medium-sized settlement notable for the presence of the elven shipyards. It has a heavy military presence.

[edit] History

Non-elvish lore about the history of Atlantis is sparse at best due to the genocidal tendencies of the island's primary inhabitants.

The common story, however, is that Mero-Carith was created by the god Haephus and he commanded it to form Atlantis to serve as the home for his favored children, the "Highborn" Elves. He placed the Elves on the island to hide them from the rest of the world, so that they would grow in peace.

Atlantis has been invaded twice during its recorded history: once during the First Elvish War and again during the Fourth Elvish War. The latter event was a terrible blow to the Elven Kingdom, as much of the great forests were set ablaze.

In or about -82 PR, an infestation of Lac Beetles forever altered the artistic and military development of the Elves. The beetles produce an ichor that can be processed into an incredibly resilient laquer - laquer which, when applied to certain types of hard wood, increases its strength to that of steel.