Padovese History: Ancient Athomo

### Foundation Myth

In the realm of Athomo, the origins of their great empire are shrouded in mystery. Legend tells of two tribes, the Kesi and the Ossi, who resided on either side of the mighty river Athomi. These tribes were believed to have descended from a common ancestor, the Kesi from Kes and the Ossi from Os. Despite their separate beginnings, the Kesi and Ossi viewed each other as one people, bound by a shared heritage.

Recognizing the strength in unity, the tribes merged into a singular entity, forging a powerful nation that would come to be known as Athomo. Inspired by the river that flowed through their lands, they adopted the name Athomo Empire. However, in the day-to-day speech of its inhabitants, the empire was commonly referred to simply as Athomo.

### Rise of The Athomo Empire

The Athomi, while blessed with the fertile lands along the river Athomi, faced a scarcity of resources necessary to sustain their growing population. Seeking to negotiate with neighboring villages renowned for their abundant iron and other valuable resources, the Athomi attempted to bargain. However, they soon realized that their neighbors held the advantage, forcing the Athomi to find an alternative path to prosperity.

Embracing the power of agriculture, the Athomi dedicated themselves to mastering the art of farming. Over generations, their relentless efforts bore fruit, and they became adept at producing an abundance of food. Their agricultural prowess led them to outgrow some of their neighboring villages and towns.

To avoid deadly conflicts, the Athomi reluctantly became a tribute state, providing food to their larger neighbors in exchange for protection and peace. However, the Athomi grew weary of sustaining the unbalanced relationship with their tribute recipients, yearning for fairness and reciprocity.

Gathering their resources and resolve, they marched towards the town of Porra, seeking a change in their terms. The Athomi representatives were met with disdain and disrespect by the leader of Porra, who beheaded them and callously displayed their heads atop the city walls. Fueled by rage, the Athomi unleashed their fury upon Porra, tearing down its gates and exacting revenge upon its inhabitants. The leader of Porra met a fitting end, drowned in the very river that flowed through the heart of Athomo.

With Porra under their control, Athomo adopted aspects of its architecture, religion, and culture which they did for every other peoples they conquered. The Athomi grew stronger, allowing them to confront their neighboring cities that had once demanded tribute. City after city fell to the might of the Athomi, either opening their gates willingly or facing the dire consequences of resistance. The borders of Athomo expanded as they conquered and assimilated, their reputation marked by both fair agreements and the echoes of brutal atrocities.

### Power Struggle

However, the Athomo was not immune to the chaos and internal strife that plagued the Aerondite Wars. Factions and power struggles emerged within Athomo that caused their enemy, Karthadasht, to eye the rest of the nations that was in league with Athomo that checked Karthadasht, tearing at the fabric of the once-mighty empire. Civil war ravaged the land, draining its strength and resources.

### Distant Memory and Ruins

Despite their triumphant conquests, Athomo faced a tumultuous period of decline. The empire never fully recovered from the internal conflicts that consumed it, and as time passed, its grandeur faded into history. Today, the ruins of Athomo stand as a somber reminder of its former glory, scattered across the northern reaches of the Aerondite Sea, a testament to the rise and fall of a once-powerful empire, born from the merging of the Kesi and Ossi tribes, and the rivers that flowed through their lands.