Atiscalla
Location and Description
The City of Atiscalla is located to the northwest of the mouth of the Harstor river along the coast of the Bay of Menit. This region was once marginal coastal savanna. Today the area is crisscrossed by numerous small and large canals. The region, and much of Sarmania, has been transformed by the construction of the canals, what was once desolate savanna has been turned into lush farmland connected by tree lined canals and roads. These canals and canals roads are the glue that combine Sarmanians together. The canals carry not only water for irrigation but also boat traffic and with them commerce and news to what were once struggling and isolated villages. The city proper is a bustling center of commerce that trades with the barbarian tribes located along the northwestern coast of the Bay of Menit, other Sarmanian states as well as foreign regions like Aertepia (via overland road and by sea), Ilkara and Caulis. As with most citizen of Sarmania the Atiscallan people refer to themselves by the name of the city when among their brethren but as Sarmanians when among foreigners.
Political System
The city of Atiscalla is the only Sarmanian city that is governed by a non Sarmanian peoples. In the year 66 BCE the city was attacked by a loose confederation of tribes from the coast to the north of Atiscalla. This confederation was composed of alienated trading partners of the Atiscallans and tribes hungry for the spoils of war. This makeshift army though poorly organized and prone to bickering amongst themselves vastly outnumbered the Atiscallan defenders. The defenders, believing that the barbarians would simply lay siege to the city for a while, then demand surrender, then tribute, put up a half hearted defense of the city. Contrary to expectations the tribes stormed the city and burnt large portions during the night of looting and pillaging that ensued. The following day the leadership of the city was rounded up and executed in the city square. To add insult to injury the leaders of the barbarian invasion declared themselves the new rulers of the city. Under this new rule the Atiscallan people were subjected to terrible tyranny and cruelty as the various barbarian tribes and tribal factions used the city as a battleground. Eventually a man named Ipithas came to power and solidified his hold on power. Shortly afterwards the Atiscallans attempted several uprisings against the cities new master but these were crushed with ruthless force and eventually the city settled uneasily into the present arrangement. In the years that followed many of the barbarian soldiers drifted back to their old lives and villages up the coast but some stayed and became the new elite and soldier castes of Atiscalla. Today the city is run by the grandson of Ipithas, Atillo Ipithas III. The city is under the rule of brutal dictatorship with the family lineages of the elite all descending from the former barbarian invaders. The military is composed mainly of recruits from the elite caste who serve as military officers while the native Atiscallans serve as infantry or auxillary troops. The city also depends heavily on tribal mercenaries whom the cities current rulers trust more than the native population.
Religion
In an effort to keep the lower castes of Atiscalla content and happy the Ipithas I allowed the Atiscallan people maintain their religious traditions and customs unaffected. The upper class has adopted both the Sarmanaian pantheon of gods and those of their ancestors. These ancient tribal gods are worshiped only by the cities nobles who have built many temples to their gods to the dismay of the native Atiscallans and the Priests of Harstor who still reside in the city and the high priests in the main temple in Jaratu. The priests of Harstor have long sought to unite the other cities of Sarmania against the foreign rulers of the city but have so far failed to do so.
Trade
Atiscalla was once the largest city in Sarmania but the invasion and partial destruction of the city in 66 BCE brought an end to that. The city has been in a slow but steady decline as it's citizens attempt to escape foreign rule and oppression. The city is now the seconds largest city in the region and still does quite a bit of trade with the Aertepians by caravan via the overland trade road to that region. The city still seems to be a bustling center of commerce but undertones of discontent and hatred are evidentjust under the surface.
Clothing
Hair Styles
Education
Creator/s: Kirk Smith
