Kulala Canal

Some Isthmus have been eaten through by the Sea, and others cut by the spade

— Vulgar Errors by philospher Thomas Greene

The Kulala canal is an artificial waterway that connects the Sea of Fallen Stars and the Atletan Ocean and divides Kulala from the rest of Adlak. The canal follows natural ravines, crags, and is an expansion of many original rivers and lakes and is a major conduit for trade. One of the largest and most difficult engineering and ecological projects ever undertaken, the canal greatly reduces time for ships traveling from the Atletan Ocean to the Ocean of Fallen Stars to the east, enabling them to bypass the lengthy, hazardous Devil's Cape route around the southernmost tip of Kulala. In addition to trade, the canal has brought water to several plains of the desert Themmit, creating in several new floodplains which has resulted in habitable, farmable lands.
The Fjorlands and the greater Empire of Cormanthyr, controlled the territory surrounding the canal during its construction. The capital of the Fjordlans, Braxem began construction of the canal c.-3000 A.E., but stopped due to a lack of confidence in the investors of the project because of engineering problems and a high worker mortality rate. The Empire of Cormanthyr took over the project some decades later, and using magic and advanced engineering techniques the canal was finished c.-2550 A.E. (450 years later). The empire remained in control of the region for thousands of years, before returning it to the local government of the Fjords, who in c.1984 M.A. had taken full control and ownership of the waterway. When the Fjords, now mostly human and half-elves (specifically of wood-elf decent), joined the Dalelands the control of the canal was eventually transferred, and as of c.3300 M.A. is now operated and maintained by the Council of Merchants out of Carcino while still being owned by the local governments whose lands include the canal. Canal locks at each end lift and lower ships into and out of Kulala Lake, 33 m (108 ft) above sea level. The largest canal lock is named Elmhill Lock, and is named for the large, green, treeless hill whose shadow the lock sits.

History of the Canal

Early Proposals

The earliest record regarding the creation of the canal across the isthmus of Kulala was in -3066 A.E., when the explorer Sylius Bron II proposed the idea as a joint venture between the drow of the Shelf and the dwarves and humans inhabiting the Sea of Fallen Stars region, arguing to respective leaders that it would promote a growth of inland trade while also cutting out the treacherous Devil's Cape route which had claimed several large treasure fleets and the resulting occupation of piracy. In addition the canal would give whoever controlled it a great military advantage for the movement of goods, supplies, and troops. These ideas eventually fell upon a general in the employee of the Empire of Limutria, a Veldrin the Heavy who had always sought a military advantage over the Fjordians. Despite the want to build the canal the discussion of who would finance such a project would never be decided, and neither Sylius or Veldrin would ever see their dreams come to fruition.
In -2983 A.E., the eichenstadtan philosopher and physician Thomas Greene speculated in his work Vulgar Errors that "some Isthmus have been eaten through by the Sea, and others cut by the spade: And if the policy would permit, that of port of Àrd (elvish for Highport) in Kulala were most worthy the attempt".
In -2778, the dwarves suggested that the elves of the First Forest began construction on the canal since they controlled the territories and colonies that it would be built. They argued that the route would be safer than the Devil's Cape route, and that warm tropical currents from the Sea of Fallen Stars and the Atletan Ocean would naturally widen the canal over time. During an expedition of the area between -2776 and -2773, dwarven explorer Hezmear Lightfeet outlined plans for construction of the canal.
Numerous other canals were attempted and constructed over the years. With the completion of the Intracostero Canal by the Limutrian Empire and the joining of the three elven empires resulted in reigniting Fjordian interest in building the canal.

Type

River

Location under

Kulala

Owning Organization

Council of Merchants

Contested By

• Phisijic Empire