Vimak's Canal

If Vimak can successfully complete his canal, Sol is going to be much better off with increased sea trade.

— Alicia Ravenwood, Historian

Overview

One of the largest construction projects in the history of the Kingdom of Helia, this canal is designed to connect the Radiant City of Sol with the vast and highly active trade routes of the Occulus Sea.
The canal was commissioned by King Vimak II, but difficulties in construction and the sheer scale of the project proved too much and the project was left incomplete. Part of the issue lies in expanding a shallow river enough to allow passage of merchant vessels. Elevation differences in the terrain also have to be taken into account and so a complex series of locks to manage the volume of water has proven to be especially challenging. The canal was later resumed under King Vimak Helia III.
Many have come to believe that Vimak III regards the canal as imperative to the goals of the Kingdom since the bid to take the Western Occulus Gate failed. While Helia has been making progress to the Eastern Occulus Gate, it is well known that shipping traffic there is not as active as it is in the west. If the Kingdom can successfully construct what would essentially be the Southern Occulus Gate it would put the Kingdom in a strategically advantageous position with regards to trade from the Deshret Continent. It may impair the value of the Western Occulus Gate by drawing away some trade activity. This is something that the Queendom of Lunaria is aware of as that state exerts a controlling influence over the Western Occulus Gate.

Raiding Parties

The ambition of the project explained why it was abandoned under Vimak II. The new effort under Vimak III, in addition to encountering the same difficulties in construction, has the added difficulty in suffering occasional raids by bandits. The existence of these bandits within Helia's borders is something of a mystery to the Helians. Additionally, these bandits seem to have no problems procuring weapons despite the iron grip of Helia's laws. There is a growing sentiment that some outside party is supplying these raiders and that their expressed purpose is to sabotage Helian projects. The canal seems to be an increasingly preferred target and as such the frequency of the raids have been increasing.

Type

Canal

Note(s) from the Archivists:

If this canal is ever completed it will change the balance of power on the continent. - Archivist Savitri
I'm surprised that Lunaria hasn't been more aggressive because of this possibility. - Archivist Theta
They have been supplying the bandits and directing them to attack the canal. Who else would? - Archivist Enna
Maybe the Azumanami? - Archivist Edward
I think the Azumanami would rather control such a canal than destroy it. - Archivist Enna 
I think the eastern states such as Seda or Xeta would be motivated enough. If there ever is a Southern Occulus Gate then it would render Eastern Occulus Gate useless for all intents and purposes unless someone really doesn't want to travel in Helian territory. Only trade from the Planus Continent could revive the eastern route. - Archivist Taenya
Maybe Helia isn't quite the unified front they want the world to believe they are? It could be rebels. - Archivist Bob