Altari

The Altari are a sub-group of an ancient species going back thousands of years, and are a fairly technology-based culture and religion. Modern Altarians unlike their ancient counterparts are clones and are unable to reproduce naturally with each other.

History
The last true ancient Altarians went extinct when the curators of their Guardian Temple revolted. However, the original Altarians split off when the first humans of the Qwe'tsn Empire arrived to their cities. After the collapse of their ancient civilization the "Great Splinter" happened in which the species diverged; one group remained adapted to the water, sealing themselves in the sea temples, and the other on land but still retaining their amphibious abilities. The latter terrestrial group took on the name "Altari" as use it to this day. The Technocracy of Aquaris remains the one of the last remnants of their civilization. They also migrated around the world and developed small enclaves on distant islands which are now lost and forgotten.

After years of self-isolation, the Altari opened their borders to traders and merchants. The capital of Altaris is where a majority of the population is currently housed in facilities. After constructing a series of artificial islands around their old homes, they began to form the cities of Aquaris- a network of interconnected islands. The establishment of the Aquaris network caused a new merchant class to arise with it.

Revival
The ancient Altarians are not however completely extinct; there remains a few left. While the modern Altarians were created to substitute for the lack of population and labor. They were useful in the creation of several cities which effectively could revive the entire ancient Altari species.

Cities built on sites of mana-rich crystals or ancestral cities are common within the culture.

Biology / Origin
Unlike all the other lifeforms and species on Eldham and Rathnir they can breath in a pure nitrogen environment which is a likely trait used by their ancestors when first arriving on Eldham via the End portal (which once connected multiple worlds but has since been inactive). They were also known to have been onboard during the crash of the Battlecruiser Leviathan in the deep past, some time during the Regolithic period. This was the second Altari settlement in the world after the End portal was established. With the city of Altaris the most ancient of all of them and is currently the capital of the Sovereignty of Aquaris.

Once the connection between the End portal was served the ancient Altarian went into a dark age which was recorded by several known historians in their culture. The dark age consisted of a major technology reduction causing no innovation within the culture. The event never caused them to lose any of their knowledge but after it they were able to make major breakthroughs with their ancient machinery.

Unique Magic
Magic used by the Altarians are advanced for even master mages. They involve many powerful practices including the creation of landmasses or miniature stars with hydrogen. After their arrival to the world they were introduced to Rathnir/Eldhamite magic which was later infused into their machinery.

Star manipulation:
Involves the creation of stars which can be used to power cities and is most common in floating cities used by the Altari. Some are powerful enough to power a city for hundreds of thousands of years. The process involves a special gas which ignited by hydrogen can create stars. This method can create simple class G stars to class O on rare occasions.

Nature manipulation:
This ranges from creation of regions to enrichment of soil depending on the knowledge of the user.