The Symphonia Atlantika

In the time before recorded history, so old that only the Ten Monarchs and the Gods themselves have memory of it, the first people of Atlantis were almost completely eradicated before their civilization had even begun. The initial settlements in the country were beset by monsters of all varieties, and the people were forced to arm and train themselves to drive back the threat. While this was happening, another race of beings were developing on the Isle of Atlantis. This race, Centaurs, came to be at odds with the early Atlanteans who, driven to desperation by the dangerous fauna of their land, wiped out the centaurs because they thought they were more monsters. It wasn't until after the genocide was complete that the Atlanteans realized their error.
In horror at what they had done, the Atlantean people prayed to the Pantheon for a way to absolve their guilt, only to learn from their oracles that the Gods intended to smite Atlantis for their callous actions. When the Atlanteans begged for a way to redeem themselves, their divine father Poseidon interceded on their behalf, inventing a pact between man and god that would prevent such an atrocity from happening again.
According to the pact, the Symphonia Atlantika, the people of Atlantis would never again launch an attack against another race or people. To facilitate this, the Gods taught their priests how to construct special monoliths that would draw on the gods' power to create a shield around major settlements. This would protect Atlantis from monsters, and prevent another massacre like what happened to the Centaurs. To ensure that the Atlanteans were not simply fodder for the first race to come across them, they were given a loophole whereby they could once again make war: they would have to wait, and defend, through twelve attacks by an enemy before they could retaliate; once for each of the gods of Olympus.

Summary

The myth is rooted strongly in meta-historical fact, and is the basis for much of Atlantean culture and religion. Atlanteans' dedication to pacifism and defense has lead to only two Kingdoms providing almost all the troops for the collective armed forces. Azium is the only kingdom that maintains a proper, standing army; while it's sister Kingdom of Diaspraea is heavily forested, and maintains a respectable navy. Despite the incredible age of the myth, the Ten Monarchs were there and they have ensured that the story of Atlantis' lowest moment of hubris and desperation was never forgotten. The text of the Symphonia Atlantika is emblazoned onto the central pyramid of all New Atlantean settlements; and it's importance is ingrained into all mortal denizens of the realm, human or otherwise.

Historical Basis

The Ten Monarchs of New Atlantis are immortal half-gods. They were alive and present for the confirmation of the Symphonia, and so the veracity of the story is not called into question.

Spread

This is one of the few myths that isn't specifically to do with the formation of the New Pantheon that literally every single person in New Atlantis knows. The genocide of the first centaurs is considered to be the Atlantean People's original sin, so to violate the pact of the Symphonia is to invite disaster. All children are taught it as one of their first stories.

In Literature

The story of the events leading up to the Symphonia Atlantika have been portrayed in literature and plays many times over the millennia.

In Art

The center of every town, village, or city in New Atlantis is a pyramid of marble, bronze, gold, and silver whose size is dependent on the size of the settlement they are meant to protect. As the settlement grows, the monument will need to be remade larger; because of this, the pyramids tend to be made much larger than necessary to allow for growth. The surfaces of the pyramid are adorned with the text of the Symphonia Atlantika, cast in symbols forged of orichalch.

Date of First Recording

1900 OW

Date of Setting

1900 OW

Related Ethnicities