Ataropolis

Ataropolis is a half submerged maritime city-state whos population consists mostly of Coastal Merfolk. It is a major commercial power due to its place at the center of a large maritime trade network. It is a young upstart nation whos success and expansion has disrupted the established local hegemony, which has caused much concern and hostility from its neighbors.

Geography

Ataropolis lies on and around an island in the middle of a bay and estuary that connects the main continent to the large Calistrian peninsula. Its territory includes most of the shoreline around this body of water. The bay has two narrow mouths and is fed by almost 150 rivers and streams which creates an estuary. The the influx of nutrients from the rivers creates an extremely productive environment for marine wildlife and plants. The estuary also provides access to many rivers which flow for hundreds of miles inland and lies on a major ocean going trade route. The bay is wide and shallow. The average depth of the bay is about 20 feet, while 25% of its area is less than 7 feet deep.

Ataropolis is bordered by several other nations that control territory inland along the major tributary rivers. To the southwest, is the human kingdom of Mirack. To the northwest lies the elf kingdom of Calistria. Out west towards the open ocean, beyond the continental shelf lies a nation of Abyssal Merfolk called the Barony of Dagobus.

History

Ataropolis is a young upstart nation, which has disrupted the established hegemony in the region. It began as a small colony from a far away merfolk nation, and slowly grew in size as more colonists arrived and traders settled. The unusually rich waters allowed rapid population growth. As the city grew, merfolk began colonizing the shoreline of the bay, and expanding up river.

In recent years, Ataropolis has come into conflict with the elf nation of PLACEHOLDER. Ataropolis has been able to wrestle away control of local trade from Calistria. every year more ships and merchants prefer to stop at ataropolis rather than Calistria. The Merfolk's resulting financial success has allowed the them to purchase land on the edges of ataropolis territory. This land is often converted into aquatic farmland which effectively annexes it to merfolk control and displaces the native elf population.

Displaced elf peasants often responded with resentment and anger. Often, elf commoners have tried to petition their new landlords to prevent landconversion.

The elve's leaders have become jealous of ataropolis' success, outraged at its expansion, and resentful of its newfound status as a cultural epicenter. The competition between elves and merfolk has escalated into a barely contained cold war. There are monthly skirmishes along the borders which threaten to explode into all out war.

Economy

Ataropolis and its surrounding territories have a strong and diverse economy that includes many industries. These industries include agriculture, shipping, fishing, magical services, blacksmiths, and even universities.

Most of the area around Ataropolis is dedicated to agriculture. The rich waters of the bay allow for very productive fields of aquatic crops such as kelp, seagrapes and shellfish. The inhabitants have constructed large cages that serve as pastures for fish hatcheries, and preserved fish is one of ataropolis' major exports as a result. A typical farm around the city consists of an oyster bed on the bottom of the sea floor, a canopy of kelp at the surface with columns reach down to attach to the floor, and fish swimming in the water in the middle.

Shipping and trade is one of the most important industries in Ataropolis. The cities merchant fleet has trade routes for hundreds of miles. Although Merfolk are powerful swimmers, ships are still the best way to move large amounts of cargo. The portion of the city that is above water is mostly dedicated to docks and markets, where ships from all over the region come to trade their goods.

Ataropolis possesses indiginous mining and blacksmithing industries. Instead of using corrodable iron, merfolk smiths have developed the corrosion resistant alloy stellite

Government

Ataropolis has a complex oligarchical government of aristocrats and industry leaders combined with a constitutional monarchty. The parliament is technically elected into office by voting citizens. In practice, the same families are elected for every election.

Notable Locations

Temple

spring

Palace Congress and Government

Palace

Congress

Chamber of commerce

Plantations

Black

Related LInks

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Coastal Merfolk