Chapter 261 Magic Kingdom Halua
The wind blows from the sea, and the sails of the ship flutter with the wind.
The rain of needles hit my face like tiny hailstones, causing bursts of pain.
The water pouring in from Lake Halua is shiny and undulating in the wind and rain.
“Dear guest, please come this way, the boat is ready.”
Hearing the captain's call, the ranger Puranda from Mokou Town sighed. He was tired of traveling on the sea. As long as he could step on a stable embankment and paved road, even for a short time, he would be happy. mad.
But the thought of returning to the swaying deck made him feel sick to his stomach.
He set off from Dragon Lake in the Kingdom of Cormyr, took a boat along the Sea of Fallen Stars, passed through many chaotic sea areas and canals ruled by pirates, and passed through the vast Sea of Glory and the desolate coast.
For most of the year, he spent aboard various ships, facing wild storms, deep-sea monsters, and even many dangers that were enough to drag the ship into the deep sea.
But he had to do this. He had to deliver the letter that the Lord had given him personally to the Mystra Temple in Halua, the Magic Kingdom.
Haligad, the former capital of the Kingdom of Halrua.
It is completely different from other capitals in the world. At the port of Haligad, travelers arriving by sea will immediately board the next ship after landing at the port. It is a ship with a very high bow. A slender ship with a much shorter stern, it moves by using magic to drive several pairs of oars.
Pulanda stepped onto the ship and was immediately greeted by the captain who was waiting for him.
Their boat left the port and set off towards the new capital Halayah on the shores of Lake Halua. The oars cut through the water neatly and the boat began to move, gradually increasing in speed.
Pulanda stood on the bow of the ship, staring at the sky ships that passed leisurely in the sky from time to time, remaining silent.
Since the next stop would be the destination of his trip, his mind began to recall what the lord told him about the Magic Kingdom.
Halua is located in the southeast of the continent. It is a mysterious area full of magic, rumors, and legends.
For Puranda, who once did not know.
The myths and stories of the South are incredible. Every resident here is a wizard? Halfling kingdom? A surface kingdom ruled by dark elves?
But in the South, these are not only real facts, but there are many more unknown things.
Even so, in the impression of the world, the southernmost part of the mainland is still a remote, remote country with a harsh environment and full of hostility.
In the kingdoms of Cormyr and Sembia, some people will say "Go to Chult Jungle and Tindor!" instead of "Go to hell!" The master will say to a disobedient apprentice: "If you If you don't like me, go and be a wizard in Harua, no one will stop you." The professor would reprimand the unruly students: "Don't bring the etiquette of the Dambreth pirates here, even if it's a peasant! When a son criticizes the plowing and fallowing system of his ancestors, he is often retaliated with: "You are so capable, why don't you go to Harua and become a wizard?"
In short, who doesn't like tradition? Just go to the south of the mainland.
In Puranda's impression, the magical kingdom of Halrua, a kingdom established by the remnants of Netheril, was once a magical country that was secluded from the world.
They are warlike and old-fashioned, very conservative, and very defensive against outsiders.
However, in the introduction of their Lord, he understood what the real Magic Kingdom was.
During the ‘Arcana catastrophe’ of the last century, the Kingdom of Halua was once thought to be destroyed by this disaster.
In fact, the fundamental reason why the world thinks so is mainly because the prophets of Halua foresaw this disaster in advance. After the death of the magic goddess Mystra, their own wizards took advantage of the raging Blue Fire teleports his country safely to Toril's twin world of Abel, as well as other smaller worlds in the realm's sky.
After the end of the ‘Arcana catastrophe’, the Halua people returned to their homeland in order to understand what happened to the world during the century when they disappeared.
They no longer closed their doors to the country, and the famous Halua skyships and water vehicles began to set sail from their homeland again and again, looking for other forces and races everywhere, and proactively establishing trade routes and political connections.
It is for this reason that the Magic Kingdom gradually becomes more powerful and wealthy after reform and opening up.
The most obvious sign of their improvement in national strength is the increasing export trade volume.
In the last century, people always said that "the only wealth in Halua is sand and sea water".
But after the wizards established a salt factory through alchemy and magic technology, this joke was no longer a joke: the Kingdom of Halua almost monopolized the glass and salt market in the southern and central parts of the continent.
Tens of thousands of people of all races began to use glass containers with the logo of Halua Magic Workshop to season soups with the fine salt they produced.
This magical kingdom also has many spellcasters who insist on so-called 'unrealistic' and 'crazy' theories.
There are machinists and inventors who firmly believe that they can break the stereotypes of mainstream opinions and create revolutionary new machines and equipment; there are wizards who believe that using magic to build dams is not blasphemous; there are also people who believe that seeking profits is not sacrilegious. Regardless of national boundaries and races, we must abandon the complacent mentality and short-sighted wizard businessmen.
There are even farmers and ranchers who believe that barren land can be turned into fertile land through magic, and that even in hot climates, large numbers of livestock can be raised.
Even the miners and geologists of Halua believe that since the outside is so barren, there must be treasures hidden inside, because nature has always been known for its balance.
This is indeed the case. The Wall of Halrua surrounding the kingdom and the desolate and inhabited mountains and hills are conclusive evidence.
There is indeed such a treasure hidden there.
A quarter of a century later, Halua's benefits from using mineral resources exceeded the sum of the southern countries of the entire continent.
They use mechanical puppets, a highly efficient constructed creature, to mine and process iron ore, second only to the golden dwarves of the Great Rift Valley.
However, even the dwarves of the Great Rift Valley must import the precious metals of Halrua to make alloys.
Just like the slogan when the Wizard Tower in Mokou Town recruits apprentices: Knowledge changes destiny, magic creates the future.
The fundamental reason why Halrua can become powerful and wealthy is their large group of spellcasters.
The Halua people receive public education from an early age until at least the age of thirteen.
At the age of five, magic talents are also screened, and students with magic talents, even those with the least talent, will master the most basic zero-ring magic around the age of fifteen.
While practicing magic is not necessary to live comfortably in Halua, it can still be helpful.
Because people who can cast spells are regarded as 'gifted people', even if they do not use their talents.
It is this education system that allows one-third of the Halua people, with a population of about 1.6 million, to have the ability to cast spells, and about two-thirds of them have some knowledge of magic.
So, life in the city of Halua is touched by magic in many ways.
Their houses have at least some built-in magical enhancements, such as magical streetlights, and a favorite practice in coastal cities is to create 'walls' of magically spawned coral via coral growth spells.
Spells that produce flashes of light and melodious sounds are often woven into fine fabrics to enhance their beauty.
Exotic modes of travel, such as flying carpets or airships, are commonplace.
In Halua, there are people everywhere who go to great lengths to show off their abilities and wealth.
"You should pay attention to the route, captain, not the spaceship in the sky, otherwise your small boat will sail to the shoal." A young wizard dressed as a scholar interrupted Puranda's deep thoughts.
"Oh, we are close to Halayah. Look, you can see the big barrels!" The wizard hugged the book and shouted.
The fog in Halua Lake had become much thinner at this time. Puranda followed the little wizard's gaze and saw the hills and swamp meadows on the right bank of the river, as well as the mountains higher up. A part of the aqueduct is called the "Big Barrel".
"Gentlemen, that is a set of magical experimental sewer purification equipment and an automatic sediment trap." The Halua wizard holding the book boasted:
"It is a great success in magic science and an important achievement of our Arcane Academy. We invented magic purification devices and automatic sediment traps, and placed them on lakes and canals. These magic devices have begun to contribute to the academy, The sewers in towns, surrounding villages and farms have been popularized. This magical device that looks like a large wooden barrel is an automatic sediment trap. This is a huge success in magical science..."
"Hey! Little guy, stop showing off, lower your head, lower your head!"
The captain hid at the door of the cabin, shouting at the top of his voice to the guests on the deck: "That thing exploded last year, and it was shit! It collapsed to the mouse island in the center of the lake. The taste was so sour. It actually wiped out the mutant rat infestation on the island that gave wizards a headache. "
The barge traveled on the lake, like a tower. The automatic sediment trap disappeared into the mist, and everyone breathed a sigh of relief.
After about an hour, they finally arrived at the port.
Stepping into the capital of the magical kingdom of Halua, Puranda was immediately shocked.
This city is completely enveloped in a magical atmosphere, and the street scenes are incredibly bright. More than a dozen majestic towers reach straight into the sky. The tower bases are made of pure white rocks, and the violet spires are surrounded by gold trim.
There are shining stones circling and dancing around many spiers, and large mosaic glass windows bring bright sunlight into the room.
Flowers were in full bloom in the garden, and various exotic flowers and plants exuded bursts of rich natural fragrance, which made him almost dizzy.
Or was it the strong pulse of magic in the air that made him feel this way?
As soon as he entered the city, Puranda immediately felt that he was so ordinary and extremely dirty.
He also saw the Magic Kingdom’s most famous Academy of Arcane Arts.
The college is surrounded by high walls, and the vast, noisy and busy city is centered on the college and built around its walls.
This is a colorful magical city with narrow streets and pointed roofs.
Halayah, the capital of the kingdom, relies on the Arcane Academy, its students, lecturers, scholars, researchers, and the twelve most powerful Halua elders of the Council of Elders.
Those people rely mainly on magic and knowledge, as well as everything related to the magic learning process.
In Halayah, it is the by-products of those magical theories and experiments that bring business opportunities and huge profits.
Pulanda walked on a busy street, heading towards the temple of the goddess of magic Mystra, passing magic workshops, research laboratories, stalls and large and small magic shops.
There is no doubt that thanks to the magic of the Arcane Academy, tens of thousands of wonderful products that are difficult to find in the world are produced and sold in these places, and their functions are either incredible or meaningless.
He passed by hotels, taverns, stands, magic cabins, counters, and portable magic grills. Those places were filled with exquisite dishes that were both delicious and delicious. Under the influence of magic, not only the dishes themselves, but also the condiments, garnishes, and spices were transformed. All unique in the world.
This is Halayah, the capital of the Magic Kingdom of Halua.
The shrewd and wise wizards absorbed bit by bit the seemingly boring and useless theories in the Arcane Academy, and built such a colorful, cheerful, noisy and pleasant-smelling magic city.
It is also a city full of all kinds of pastimes, with never-ending celebrations, never-ending festivals and never-ending carnivals.
The streets here echo day and night with music and singing, and the crisp clash of goblets and tankards, for as we all know, there is no job more thirsty than the acquisition of knowledge.
Although the headmaster of the Arcane Academy strictly forbids students and tutors from drinking and reveling before dusk, the Halua people drink and revel day and night, because as we all know, if there is anything more thirsty than the acquisition of knowledge, it is probably it. A partial or complete prohibition on alcohol consumption.
Pulanda continued to move forward, passing by the tall 'Fairy Witch' brothel. He knew that there would be some exquisite magical services that could not be enjoyed - or were not welcomed - at other places.
For a moment, his reason was at odds with his instinct for pleasure.
In the end, reason won.
Pulanda, who had spent more than half a year sailing, sighed and continued walking in the direction of the Arcane Academy, trying to avoid the tavern where laughter and laughter were heard.
The beliefs of the Magic Kingdom of Halua are mainly based on Mystra, the goddess of magic, and Azuth, the god of wizards. The large group of spellcasters makes it home to the largest Mystra temple in the world.
But Puranda learned from their lord that the largest temple was not in the Arcane Academy, but Mount Talas on the Wall of Halrua.
It includes a majestic place of worship designed to inspire awe, and a complex of vast caverns where the magical knowledge of Halrua wizards has been safely stored for centuries.
It is said that this composite temple has a certain degree of organization-any wizard, when conducting research on any magical things, only needs to stay in a mysterious cave in the temple and work diligently for no more than five years. Research and you'll find the answers you want.
However, Puranda had no intention of going to Mount Taras.
Because according to the task assigned to him by the lord, he only needs to hand over the items to the priest of Halayakh Temple to complete the purpose of his trip.
He walked straight to the Arcanist's Gate, which is the main entrance of the Arcane Academy.
According to the instructions of the lord, he quickly completed the formalities and stated that his purpose of coming to the Arcane Academy was mainly to go to the Temple of Mystra to worship the goddess of magic. The people who blocked his way were relieved without any doubt.
He passed through the Arcanist's Gate, and a completely different world appeared before him.
A college is completely different from a city made up of ordinary buildings, nor is it like a town where every inch of land is worth fighting for.
Everything here is full of magic.
The spacious alleys are paved with colorful luminous gravels, and are lined with small and pleasing mage towers, as well as hollow fences, walls, hedges, canals, bridges, flower gardens and green parks.
Everything looks clean, peaceful and solemn - any form of trade and paid services are prohibited here, let alone entertainment.
Students wandered the alleys, intently reading tomes and parchments.
Others sat on benches, on the lawn, and in the flowerbeds, discussing their own magic homework, or carefully playing games that required mental use, such as "odd or even numbers."
Magic professors were also wandering around, chatting or arguing enthusiastically without losing their etiquette and demeanor, but some professors' eyes betrayed their demeanor by staring at the buttocks of female students from time to time.
Pulanda wasted no time and quickly walked through the maze of alleys and hedges to reach her destination: the temple of the goddess of magic Mystra.
The temple is located on a cliff to the west, with a rushing river to the east.
Looking from a distance, the colonnade-style temple is magnificent in shape. The north and south sides are built against the mountain wall, as if it is sandwiched between mountains.
Pulanda walked along a cobblestone path to the entrance of the temple, in front of a huge oak door.
There is a large, simple female statue to the left of the gate.
The female statue wears a ring on its head, with a circular emblem inlaid on it, and seven blue and white stars surrounding the mist in the center.
As soon as he stepped into the temple, a low-level priest about thirty years old took the initiative to greet him. He had a kind and friendly smile on his face, friendly and charming.
“Good day, friend, may Mystra’s blessings be with you.”
“If you want to follow in the footsteps of the Mother of All Magic, you can know it anywhere on the earth. The abode of the goddess.”
"Are you coming to the temple to seek treatment? Or do you want to alleviate the pain of a disease? The dedication required to pray for the goddess's blessing is very competitive in comparison." As he spoke, a look appeared on the priest's face. A smile that might be called 'tacit understanding'.
“I am an envoy from the Kingdom of Cormyr.” Puranda said to the priest according to the lord’s instructions, “I have a very important token that needs to be handed over to the Twelve of Halayah. Elder Arad, one of the Council of Elders?" "Elder Alade of the Council of Elders?" The pastor put away his amiable smile and said hesitantly, "I'm very sorry, the temple affairs are too busy. You know, it’s hard for a goddess to be distracted by ordinary worldly things..."
Pulanda quietly handed the priest a purse containing about 500 gold coins.
"Oh! It turns out to be Elder Arad, I remembered it." The pastor took the money bag and quickly changed his words, "Have you heard of his name too? The man who is famous for his wisdom and perseverance. Elder Halua of the Necromancy School is a great figure in Halayah.”
"Praise Mystra, I ask you to hand this item into the hands of Elder Arad personally." Puranda looked at the statue of the goddess of magic and said with a pious expression.
"No problem." The priest solemnly took the token and smiled, "May Mystra's blessings be with you."
Pulanda left the temple, found a hotel nearby, and started Wait patiently.
Because he knew that the mysterious Elder Halua would not be able to reply to him so quickly.
During the long wait, about half a month passed, a black kestrel appeared in his room flapping its wings.
"Messenger from the Kingdom of Cormyr, please follow me."
The little bird with amber eyes said to him in a clear voice, "My master has received the token you sent. , preparing for the teleportation magic to Mokou Town.”
…………
(End of this chapter)