**Type**: Irregular, water **Size**: 100 miles **Population**: 100,000 **Primary Inhabitants**: [[Antilan Empire|Antilans]] **Natural Resources**: Water, vegetation **Exports**: Water **Imports**: Building materials, meats **Seen From Orbit**: Atalan is an amorphous conglomeration of water globules that orbits a huge city. The city is Atalan proper, and is the primary gravitational body in the area. Atalan was the original AntiIan trading post, established in order to serve as a watering station for Antilan crystal ships headed back to [[The Golden Girdle]]. Since that time, it has become one of the primary trading ports in the Ring. The water around Atalan has been added to over time with the addition of ice asteroids which melt this close to [[Firefall]]. Numerous ships can be seen around Atalan, but most are crystal ships. There are no [[Thoric]] trading vessels to be seen, but a couple of [[Calidians|Calidian]] lanceships and neogi spider-class vessels are usually about. ## Description: Atalan is not the largest of the three main trading ports, but it is one of the most famous. Atalan is the center of Antilan influence in the Ring and as such has impressive defenses. It is also fondly thought of by most other trading ports for its soldiers. On leave, Antilan soldiers frequent other ports, many of which have come to cater to Antilan tastes in order to attract this clientele. Atalan itself is a favorite stop for visitors to the Ring, despite the oppressive air given by the numerous crystal ships and masked warriors. Atalan has become known as the premier culinary delight of the Ring, and famous chefs from all over come here to sample dishes and guess at their secret ingredients. Warriors also frequent Atalan, either seeking mercenary work or admiring the fine weapons of the Antilans. Some have been known to study with Antilan war-masters, but this practice has died down considerably for fear the illithids would discover Antilan warfare secrets. The other draw to Atalan is the ability to trade in magical goods with the mages of Antila. This is one of the few ports where such trade is sanctioned, and goods and knowledge move briskly. Characters in search of magical knowledge should begin their search here.