Modern Day Atlantis

Modern Atlantis is a leading, perhaps the leading, force in world affairs. Its navy of well over 2,000 warships matches or beats any rival, and its army of heavy foot, heavy horse and hired Hesperian archers is highly rated, though its true size and makeup are state secrets.

Atlanteans have regained some of their old mastery of sorcery and alchemy, but much was lost in the Cataclysm, and feats once done on a grand scale, such as making orichalc, now happen only in small amounts; even so, their alchemy is judged the world's best. They lead too in the arts and the Lesser Sciences (their name for all non-magical learning): Atlantean goods fetch 10-40% more abroad, and their architects, engineers, navigators and metalworkers are sought everywhere.

It is the most enlightened state on earth. There are no classes or castes, no Atlantean may own or sell slaves, taxes are 2% of earnings, the accused get a jury and up to three appeals, and only treason and murder carry death, other crimes bringing prison or hard labor. The old ten kingdoms remain, Celaenea filling lost Autochthea's seat, under a Council led by the King of Poseidonea. Atlantis is close to Ophir and less so to Hesperia, trades widely, and counts Tartessos its chief rival, yet is truly hostile only to Gorgos, the Cymbrian corsairs and the Fomorians. Poseidon is still patron, but no faith is official, and other cults are tolerated while they keep the law.