Sylvia, Atlas’s mother, was from Ravenna. She sailed to the Eari Isles to pursue a better life, and she would later give birth to Atlas there. Shortly after, the poisoning took place. Ravenna was wrongfully blamed by Uthan.
Even with its ethnic mixing, the Eari Isles were rampant with ethnic discrimination at the time due to the rising tensions between nations and fear of war, and obviously, hatred for Ravenna. Atlas’s childhood was full of hostilities because of this: his language was mocked, his traditions shunned. He at some point started to feel disgusted with himself because of his ancestry.
The sea was always Atlas’ friend. When he was down, he liked to sit at the shore and watch the waves and water play with the fish and algae. He waved, and it waved back. This interest in marine subjects led him to devour entire books about the sea. Atlas became a sailor.
Even into his adulthood (20 years after the poisoning) he continued to face hatred, internal and external. He had developed an indifferent attitude because of this, but secretly, it still stinged. To prove himself to others — but actually just to himself — he now works as a sailor for Eari’s navy. Though secretly… he still resents the people of the Isles. Or fears them? He isn’t quite sure.
(TYSM TO CHIP YOU COOKED)