Editing Ataropolis (section)

== 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 results in a defacto annexation to merfolk control and displaces the native elf population.

Displaced elf peasants often responded with resentment and anger. Elf commoners have tried to petition their new landlords to prevent land conversion, and on several occasions these demonstrations have resulted in violence. There now exists a large amount of animosity between merfolk and elves.

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. A military build up has been occurring on both sides, as they each race to occupy disputed territories. There are monthly skirmishes along the borders which threaten to explode into all out war. 
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