Aquaris

The cities of Aquaris are a technocratic monarchy, situated in the sea between Aristios and Redoriv. They reside on islands, nestled between stretches of sea. There are four cities in total. Atlaris, the capital, and three abandoned cities surrounding it. The technocracy is completely homogenous, with 100% of the population made up of the Altarians. The Altarians are a seafaring species, and are descendant's of the builders who made the Sea Temples.

History
Millenia ago, the Altari were a blossoming species, spread across the region of Astios in Eldham. However, during this time, the Empire of Qwe'tsn was a rising power in the region. They were human supremacists, and with a few exceptions, annihilated all species who they deemed to be unfit to be in the Empire. Eventually, they reached the Astios peninsula, and attempted to launch a siege on the Altaris cities.

However, the Altaris, having the ability to breathe underwater and their ancient guardians, held the upper hand and drove the Qwe'tsn forces back. But, the cost of life lost in the Qwe'tsn invasion of the Astios peninsula greatly reduced the male population of the Altaris, which slowed birth rates. This would eventually lead to the event known as "The Great Splinter", which refers to the split in the Altaris.

The first group decided to permanently seal themselves underwater, and created the Kingship of Altaris. For over a thousand years, this group began constructing massive temples to their gods. These monuments are a testament to the dedication these Altaris had to building the temples, and can still be found all over the oceans of Rathnir and Eldham. The second group instead decided to adapt to the land, and settled on islands. They too built temples and monuments to their gods, however, these were much less grand. This splinter group became known as the Technocracy of Aquaris over time. Good things, however, rarely last. The first group who constructed the underwater temples were killed by their own creations, the Guardians.

The second group continued to dwindle in population, almost going extinct. This was not due to underpopulation, but instead a loss in the species' ability to reproduce. Altarian scientists finally developed a solution to this: Cloning. However, with the discovery of Eldham by Athaz the Traveler, this brought the species and nation to a renaissance. The settlers brought new goods and materials to the islands, and in return, the Technocracy began selling native plants to the settlers.

Dark Age
After the arrival of the species during the early Regolithic period when the Battlecruiser Leviathan crashed into a sea. Survivors later become the ancient builders of the ocean monuments and ancestors of the Altari. Which resulted in a dark age lasting one million years during the time they were able to connect a end portal for a brief one year. Which allowed a few scientist to study the native plants. Once the portal was cut off during a unexpected event they were left stranded a group left and later formed smaller kingdoms in the area. During the time they lost most of their technology during the dark age and only regained the knowledge after 10,000 years.

Hierarchy
The Technocracy is a Monarchy, meaning the ruler known as the Crowned Sovereign has absolute control over the nation. Historically, this position has belonged to the leader of the state-mandated religion, but in recent years, this position has been split up. There are three princes who are tasked with running smaller cities on the Outer Islands, which encircle the inner island. While some islands are traditionally under the princes the Governing Curators are able to control cities as Governors and to preserve the culture and history of the Altaris people.

Old Religion
The once state-mandated religion is Aquatic Enlightenment, which is centered around the study of the stars. Each constellation in the night sky represents one god. Constellation Ursa represents the God of Enlightenment. She is the patron goddess of thinkers. Constellation Vaelus represents the Sea, and bountiful harvests. He is the patron god of fishermen. Constellation Miado represents war and bloodshed. He is the patron god of soldiers and commanders. Lastly, Constellation Glenis represents life and peace. She is the patron god of everyday travelers.

These four constellations were formed years ago when the four gods sacrificed themselves to stop a war. They performed a powerful spell that turned them into nothing but solar dust and slowly formed the constellations as we know it. There are also thousands of minor gods, and most don't even have names.

Aquatic Enlightenment
However recently scientist studying the activity after death proposed a theory that gods are just ascended beings that were advanced enough to be uplifted into a higher plain of existents either through millions or billions of years of evolution. Scientist are a highly renowned class in the Altaris culture and religion they prefer logic and reasoning. And have been keeping the traditions of there ancestors in worshipping the four main gods in there religion. But the once state-mandated religion was a cultural symbol instead of a religious one. Freedom is highly respected in the Altaris way of life and they are devote conservationist respecting all forms of life while staying out of any affairs. This is only a mere theory at this point but has shed some light upon how gods and goddess exist and so many at once.