book_online Glossary

Agora

The central public space in ancient Greek city-states, often used as a marketplace and meeting spot. In Atlas, it's where rexals gather to trade, socialize, and discuss community matters.

Insulae

Multistory apartment buildings that housed most of the urban residents of ancient Rome, especially those of little means. In Atlas, they're the common dwellings for the majority of the city's population.

Cloaca

Ancient underground sewage systems. In Atlas, besides its primary function, the cloaca often serves as a gathering spot for the city's more shadowy inhabitants.

Colosseum

A grand amphitheater used for public spectacles, including gladiator contests and battle reenactments. Atlas's version is a hub of entertainment and proof of the arts of rexal engineering and architecture.

Temple of the Elders

A grand structure dedicated to the revered elders of the rexal society. It stands as a spiritual center and social hub, with its obsidian walls and beautiful offerings.

Cor

The expansive river that serves as the lifeblood of Atlas. It provides water, transportation routes, and a scenic beauty to the city's landscape.

account_balance Atlas, the Soul of the Dome

As the houses around you grow denser, their designs more ornate, and the street beneath your feet expands in both width and grandeur, you realize you've transitioned from the suburban outskirts into the pulsing heart of Atlas. The atmosphere is immediately richer, charged with an energy that only a great city can produce.

To your immediate right, the expansive marketplace bustles with life. Stalls overflow with fresh produce, exotic spices, and finely crafted trinkets. A symphony of haggling voices fills the air, as merchants entice customers with tales of their goods' origins and qualities. Just beyond the marketplace, the gentle sound of lapping water of the river Cor reveals the city's dockyard. Here, ships of all sizes unload their wares, while the melodious calls of sellers echo, announcing fresh catches from the depths of the Posian Trench.

Sprinkled throughout the city are smaller, yet no less majestic temples. Their ornate pillars and golden rooftops pay homage to the ones that came before.

Your journey takes you past the colossal Colosseum, an architectural marvel where rexals gather for thrilling competitions, and the grand amphitheater, where stories of old and new are played out under the starlit dome above.

The towering insulae, rising like giants from the ground, house many of Atlas's citizens. Their multiple levels, each adorned with intricate carvings, showcase the city's architectural prowess and the wealth of its inhabitants. Yet, it is whispered that beneath the surface lies the cloaca, an underground network where water flows and where those with less honorable intentions might lurk, plotting and scheming in the shadows.

Your senses are then greeted with the inviting warmth of the city's bathhouses, steam rising in gentle curls from their roofs, signaling relaxation and respite within. The aroma of essential oils wafts through the air, tempting any weary traveler to indulge in a moment of rejuvenation.

Above all, what strikes you most is the towering nature of Atlas. Every building, every structure seems to reach for the very top of the dome, casting shadows that dance with the movement of the sun. And there, in the heart of it all, stands the Temple of the Elders. Though you can't see it up close just yet, its magnificence is undeniable, beckoning all to discover its secrets.

hive The Temple of the Elders

As one approaches the Temple of the Elders, the world subtly changes. There, standing with a profound presence, is the striking edifice of deep obsidian, catching and reflecting the soft lights around it. Its iconic Ionic pillars rise with elegance and authority, as if silently watching over all who come seeking solace or wisdom.

The temple grounds are awash with vibrant blossoms in countless hues, each telling a silent story of gratitude, hope, or longing. Thanks to the enchantment of an elder, these floral tributes remain perpetually fresh, their delicate scent filling the air.

Once inside, a sensory embrace awaits. The comforting feel of fur pelts underfoot, the intoxicating aroma of incense wafting from strategically placed bowls, and the eternal fragrance of flowers combine to transport one to a realm of contemplation and peace.

Although the temple's grandeur is for all to witness, there exists a realm reserved for the chosen. This exclusive enclave welcomes only the elite rexals, protecting its mysteries behind its guarded embrace. Yet even among these privileged few, none have ventured to descend the ethereal staircase that gleams under the watchful glow of meticulously crafted oil lamps. At its end, heavy stone doors beckon, their surfaces adorned with enigmatic symbols that move and shift, evading comprehension.

But the temple isn’t merely a place of quiet contemplation and reverence. The very air within its walls hums with life. Here, the gentle giggles of playing rexal children harmonize with the wise discussions of older generations. Its expansive grounds beckon artists to capture its beauty, poets to pen lines beneath its shade, and musicians to fill the air with melodies that resonate within its chambers.

Inside this magnificent structure, bonds are nurtured and tales from far corners of the dome are exchanged. It’s a place where shared meals turn strangers into friends. Many rexals find solace here, soaking in the tranquil environment; and amidst the grandeur, they feel a deep sense of home and unity. The temple, while magnificent in stature, is, at its heart, a warm hearth for the community.

travel_explore Notable Geographical Features

donut_small Economic System of Atlas

Common Professions in Atlas

• Farmers: Growing olives, grains, and fruits to support the local food supply.
• Traders & Merchants: Selling local products and importing goods, often running stalls in the Agora.
• Shipbuilders & Sailors: Crafting vessels and navigating the River Cor for trade and transport.
• Potters: Creating utilitarian and decorative ceramics, highly sought after in the region.
• Artisans: Sculptors, painters, and craftsmen working with materials like metal, wood, and stone.
• Philosophers & Teachers: Educating young rexals and discussing the deeper meanings of life.
• Temple Priests & Priestesses: Conducting ceremonies for the Elders and looking after the temple.
• Actors & Playwrights: Performing in the amphitheater, bringing stories and dramas to life.
• Physicians: Providing medical care using ancient techniques and herbal remedies.
• Blacksmiths: Crafting tools, weapons, and other essentials for the city's inhabitants.

color_lens Culture & Arts of Atlas

Elements of Culture and Art

• Festivals: Celebrations marking significant events, seasons, and traditions such as the annual Harvest Revel and the Spring Bloom Festival.
• Music & Dance: Traditional instruments, festive gatherings, and dance sequences passed down generations.
• Fashion: Toga-inspired garments, decorative clasps, and ornate jewelry reminiscent of ancient Greece.
• Theatre & Drama: Tales reflecting values and legends performed in the grand amphitheater.
• Architecture: Classic Grecian structures adorned with columns, pediments, and intricate friezes.
• Sculpture: Lifelike statues, many representing revered rexals or the elders, in public spaces and opulent homes.
• Pottery & Ceramics: Utilitarian and decorative pieces often showcasing daily scenes.
• Cuisine: A diet of olives, grains, fruits, communal meals, and festive feasts.
• Sports: Physical events and competitions, akin to the ancient Olympics.
• Literature & Philosophy: Discussions, poetry, and prose, treasured and handed down to younger rexals.

history_edu Historical Significance

Atlas is more than just a hub of bustling activity; it stands as the cradle of rexal history, steeped in tales, traditions, and shared experiences. The earliest accounts speak of the first rexals awakening within the nurturing confines of the dome. Surprisingly, from that moment, Atlas seemed age-old, filled with structures and artifacts that seemingly predated the very existence of rexals.

With its prime location beside the River Cor, Atlas naturally developed into the epicenter of the rexal civilization inside the dome. The river’s nourishing flow enabled trade, communication, and rapid growth. Using the old structures as foundations, the city grew and evolved into the vibrant heart of the rexal world we know today.

Distinct landmarks like the Temple of the Elders and the Colosseum didn’t just emerge out of necessity; they rose from a profound respect for the customs and the mysterious origins of the rexals. These structures serve as lasting reminders of the awe-inspiring process of rexal creation and the potent powers that sparked their existence.

While many rexals soon ventured forth from Atlas to establish settlements in other parts of the dome, Atlas has always remained the central anchor, the largest and most influential city.