History Continued…
The archipelago contains over 1000 islands ranging in size from nearly 4,000,000 square kilometers for the largest, to a mere 1/2 kilometer hump in the ocean for the smallest (with a few submerged sand bars scattered throughout). 75% of the islands are inhabited but many of those are home to the native island people who rarely have strayed outside the area. Though most of the islands are named, the name depends upon who is giving it. Natives often name the islands after the many gods, which typically inhabit the volcanoes, while the migrants from all over Velwythe usually call them something similar to a name of their homeland. Other than the dark skinned people who worship the gods of the volcanoes (which make up only 30% of the entire archipelagos population) the islands are inhabited by a modern people comparable to Atla in technology and ideology. The two largest islands go by the names of Peretos (named after the God Peretosh) and Mogadash.
The islands of Peretos and Mogadash are home to the religious radicals that began the war against Atla. The two islands are recognized by the religions originating with the Writ of the Five, as the holy land. Disputes have plagued the area for hundreds and thousands of years over religious matters. So it goes by the Writ of the Five that the five God’s descended from their realm of pure understanding within the singularity to this point in space (the islands). The Five each formed a portion of Velwythe. Velwin, supreme God of Gods, master of the magi, is the original creator and god of electricity and Justice. Gent, water god and master of truth and determination. Vos, wind god and master of life and peace. Steyman, the master of soil and rock, is God of Strength and bravery. Desanna, the fiery Goddess is master of love and war. These five created Velwythe and everything it is made of. The conflict, which has been the cause of countless deaths over the eons, has been based off of this belief of creation. It is believed that the Gods descended upon the world of Velwythe after their work was finished to see what they had created. And it was on the archipelago that they are said to have stood. Interpretations and versions of the Holy Writ’s accounts of this event abound for each major religion. Because of this, many claim certain areas to be holy and belong to them. Often times, since all believe the archipelago to be the holy land, these boundaries and areas cross. And nothing on Velwythe or indeed the universe can cause as much conflict as the potential fate of one’s soul. Once humankind was beyond killing for food and able to think of more than the here and now, war began, and it began in the Archipelago.
Today, the archipelago is open throughout, to anyone and everyone, even the two major islands. However, these islands are under constant warfare amongst one another and Atla in a three way struggle. Currently the conflicts between Peretos and Mogadash are over a smaller island that rests between the two largest. It must be noted that the two islands have been in conflict longer than any other area on Velwythe, but the cause of the most recent battles (as of last 100 years) is over control of this island. Ruins discovered just over 100 years ago are said to be home to an artifact of spiritual significance to both sides. However, both of their gospels give them claim to the site and the object within. Because of this, the continual war between the islands heated up once again. Only within the past 40 years has Atla been involved in any of the archipelago’s conflicts. And within the past 10, it has become the most deadly non-civil war in the young nation’s history. It must be noted that many of the 1000+ islands in the archipelago are not involved the war. Atla is under attack primarily by the islands of Peretos and Mogadash, and a few others where the religious radicals are located. Most of the islands are neutral (the native people rarely come in contact with outsiders) and several have aligned themselves under Atla’s standard of justice. Few however, offer any military support unless they themselves have been attacked.
Atla is a highly capitalistic land and has the most diverse economy on Velwythe. In recent years Atlans have been spreading throughout the known world, especially to the archipelago. Because of this, capitalism has spread both intentionally and unintentionally along with the people. Peretos and Mogadash are home to the two most fundamental and strict religions dealing with the Five. The primary doctrines of both cultures view the way of life of Atla as a whole, as being an affront to their Gods and religion–a plague on the world. And as Atla’s influence continues to spread, Atla’s ideals have seeped into the two islands. Since then, both sides have declared a war of ideals on Atla. The only reason Atla has not been truly invaded as of yet (there have been attacks on the mainland but nothing large scale) is due to the fact that both sides are battling one another at the same time, and every time one side has planned a major assault on Atla, the other side takes advantage of the opportunity.
While Atla has the strongest military of any land on Velwythe, the lands of Peretos and Mogadash are both military powerhouses. Together, the two factions pose a significant threat to Atla and the people living throughout. Luckily however, it seems peace or a joining of forces between the two island nations is incredibly unlikely.
Further adding to the list of problems the war has caused, conflict has erupted within Atla in regards to the military’s involvement in a seemingly benign and distant war. Because Peretos and Mogadash believe Atla’s society to be a threat, many people feel Atlans living on the islands should simply leave the area, their businesses and residences, leaving the people to war amongst themselves once again. While few doubt that if Atla did leave the immediate area of the islands the danger and potential hostilities towards the land would slow if not cease altogether, many point out that the people of both islands, regardless of where Atlans are, will seek to eliminate them. Just because the ideals and ethics of Atla aren’t in the islands themselves, the people of Peretos and Mogadash view the way of life of the Atla people regardless of location, as an affront to their religion and something that needs to be eradicated from the world.
Yet another issue surrounding the area is that many feel the holy lands should be protected from the destruction the radicals have already done, and will do in the future. However, the mere presence of an Atlan on the lands, even to ‘protect’ them, is dangerous and has only increased the hostility of both islands towards Atla and each other.
What was once a minor side issue in the various elections or debates throughout Atla has become the main focus of any government policy or statement. Never before in the history of the provinces has Atla faced such a danger from outside and especially from within. Well before the provinces were formed and a unified government was put into effect civil wars were common. None of those conflicts however, were anywhere near the scale and range of the archipelago conflict. Never before in known history has destruction been possible and even probable for so many people. Though some people and politicians wish to remain separated from the issue, the effects of the hostilities even across the sea are beginning to reach the most remote areas of Atla. What the future holds for the conflict is truly uncertain and a major worry on the minds of the people of Atla and all of Velwythe.