Magic
In Atlantis, magic (called naethke in Atlantean) and technology work closely together. The very energy that supplies the city and all machines with power is magic, an invisible energy present in the whole universe. This stream connects all realms and is said to be the very reason life could exist on earth.
The origins of magic are completely unknown. In Atlantean mythology, magic is just as old, if not older than the carrier of worlds, Raesashu. It has and is always going to exist, even when the eight realms are eaten by Raesashuand the cycle begins anew. This means all memories of the past, all objects and beings that once were and are going to be, are stored within the stream of magic. Thus, drawing from magic in theory means access to infinite knowledge.
Thousands of years ago, magic was a widely accepted, but relatively unexplored concept. People saw it as something that couldn't be understood, a gift of the gods or temptation to sin. They didn't think of it as a kind of energy or fuel and even if they had, they wouldn't have had the means to use it. This only changed when Atlantean scholars discovered the great properties possessed by magic, and channelled its vast powers with the help of machines. Back then, they were simply a civilisation among others, but through magic, they were capable of inventing technology that surpassed anything the other humans could have built. They brought about a technological progress that made them the most powerful and influential nation of all.
At the nation's height, the people of Atlantis were divided; the diarchs and their supporters wanted to use their knowledge of machines and magic for the greater good by helping other nations thrive as well, but the opposition was secretive and paranoid. They were afraid of the others' jealousy and hunger for power, were terrified of theft and complots to destroy Atlantis and take away its technology. When they gained control of the city sometime around 6500 BC, they thought it best to erase Atlantis and its achievements from the world's history. They buried Atlantis deep beneath the waters of the ocean and Earth's surface, and with them, they took knowledge of magic. Over time, Atlantis became part of legends, fantasy and fiction where they stayed hidden until recently, when the city emerged again.
Attempting to use magic without technology is incredibly dangerous and deadly. Would a human attempt it, the immense energy would literally tear them into pieces. Only with the help of machines, which channel the stream of magic, can it be turned into a kind of electricity to fuel machines.
The exception to this rule are a handful of gifted humans known as conductors or neakih. Somehow, they are capable of using magic without technological help. While they cannot withstand the same amount of energy as machines, conductors can handle magic to some extent and utilise it to 'cast spells'.
Using magic means burning a lot of energy very rapidly. Consuming too much energy (and consequently life force) without enough recovery time can easily lead to dizziness, fainting, sickness, coma or even death. To counter this side effect, scientists developed a medicine called Aditdin, which serves as a compensation for the loss of energy. The blue luminescent liquid is administered via an injection directly into the bloodstream, allowing it to achieve its desired effect more quickly.
Aditdin temporarily provides the consumer with extra energy which they can use to 'cast magic'. Instead of using up their own life force, they have artificial energy at their disposal.
In Atlantis, most conductors believe injecting Aditdin is the only way to safely use their powers. Aditdin doesn't make the usage of magic possible, but provides people with the energy required to do so. Truthfully, with training and restraint, one could probably learn to counter the loss of energy without medical help. The side effects of Aditdin haven't been discovered yet.
Even though only Atlanteans know and have studied magic, conductors can be found all across the globe. In fact, of approximately 1.000.000 conductors in the whole world, around fifteen percent live in Atlantis, their number steadily decreasing. However, as most conductors outside of Atlantis have no idea what is happening to them, the majority (seventy to eighty percent) die after accidentally using their powers, due to them burning all of their energy at once.
To access one's powers, they have to be 'activated' or triggered first. Most of the time, this happens due to severe trauma; life-threatening situations, intense emotions such as rage and fear, or extreme pain and injury. The majority of all conductors outside of Atlantis never activate their powers and if they do, they die from the consequences or are left wondering what just happened to them.
In Atlantis, conductors can easily be identified through medical scans, and their powers can be activated 'gently' with the help of technology.
Thanks to technology and science, Atlanteans have found a way for ordinary humans to use magic themselves: Silitan.
Silitan is a drinkable concentrate which allows ordinary humans to use magic on their own. Mainly produced as a liquid medicine, Silitan is also available as pills, powder or vapor, and is distributed by the Atlantean government to all citizens.
The drug grants basic magical abilities, makes the consumer stronger, more durable, quick-minded and capable, as well as immune to most, if not all diseases known to mankind. It also extends one's expected life span greatly, boosts a person's intelligence and makes multilingualism much easier.
Only a selected few know what Silitan really consists of. Its key components are believed to be Ilaptan, Adenil, Matol, Zateral and Raretid, three of were created in laboratories when scientists mixed magic and matter. The two other chemicals were extracted from plants.
In truth, Silitan is actually made from the blood of conductors. Selected individuals are taken and locked away in facilities, where they are farmed for their blood until they die. This blood is then taken and mixed with a multitude of chemicals and substances, resulting in a dark blue liquid that tastes sweet, similarly to fruits.
Silitan has many side effects; most have only discovered recently with the great decline of conductors in Atlantean society, and the subsequent lack of blood to use for the drug.
Firstly, there is an enormous risk of addiction. Failing to consume Silitan regularly makes one sick, commonly leads to death or the loss of one's minds. The first signs of withdrawal are excessive sweating, nausea, emotional outbursts, shivering and a high body temperature. The longer the body goes without Silitan, the worse these symptoms get. Many have to be locked away and killed before they begin posing a threat to the community, and to the government's reputation. If more people knew about Silitan's side effects, the regime would lose its power and influence over them.
Secondly, Silitan turnes one's blood black. Excessive use of magic results in nosebleed or in black tears.
warships
machination
gigantic mechanical lobster, several times larger than the largest man-made vessels ever invented. autonomous and intelligent, able to make surprise attacks on intruders and use the underwater terrain to its advantage. exoskeleton is resistant to torpedo fire. gigantic pincers, which can easily snap ships in half. smaller mandibles closer to its face that mostly handle the tiny vessels that it destroys. shooting a powerful energy bolt, generated by wires on its face that work similar to spark plugs. quite agile and fast, manuevering around the underwater pillars to outflank and surprise enemies, and catch up with fast vessels.
