Hali (Ha-lee)

Hali is the main continent focused on in this world as the homeland of the main character Jade. A beautiful place soon turned into the land of an empire due to Jade's efforts. An ideal place with lush forests and large mountain ranges, it also has a vast dessert plain and connections through a series of large river channels to the sea. These rivers are wide and deep enough to house both small and large ports for inbound and outbound ships while also being safe from pirates. This is because without the large sea to enable quick and easy escapes after raiding a ship it became easy to control and capture pirates and discouraged most from trying once ships entered the river canals. Empress Jade also made deals with most of the pirate captains allowing them to pirate ships from enemy nations and help police the waters from rouge ships and traffickers. This allowed safe passage for imports and exports to the empire and assisted the pirates in gaining work and proper pay for ship repairs and food. Many captains agreed to the proposal quickly allying themselves with the empress and those who did not quickly realized their mistake. The dessert area is inhabited by many smaller roaming villages and tribes who trade crafted tools, weapons, and fruit only capable of growing in high temperatures in exchange for protection from dessert raiders and exemption from high taxes for dwelling on empire land. This deal was made allowing the kingdom to expand to this region without war and became one of Jades many accomplishments and great political feats. The forests also contain villages as well as some who traveled there to begin a quickly growing merchant enterprise harvesting large, luscious fruits and special grains that grow in the damp and mostly untouched forests. The forests of Hali consist of mostly woodlands with scattered rainforest like areas with dense rain and frequent heavy storms. This makes it almost impossible for humans to inhabit but many animal species thrive there, and some can be considered rare hunting when they occasionally wander out of their natural habitat. Most are viewed as precious and are viewed as taboo to kill. Generally, those who stray too far from their home become pets or placed in sanctuaries until they are able to be returned to their home if possible. The long flat plains are places where cities tend to be built so as to create pastures outside of said towns and cities for community livestock. Sheep, pigs, cows, horses, and goats are most commonly raised for livestock, but other animals can be raised depending on the location such as camels at plain towns near the dessert area. Hali is a word originating from Navajo, meaning sea. This refers to the vast sea protecting the Eastern border of the powerful empire. Hali is the home country of the main protagonist who also rules over the country as empress. Once a decent size country, neither small nor large, grew into a vast and powerful empire under the young empress due to swallowing up many countries that tried to invade due to the country's political turmoil at the time of her coronation as well as smart tactics greatly improving their agriculture and economy after gaining the various types of landscapes.

Geography

With a variety of different landscapes and regions see main article for more details

Ecosystem

Generally, all for seasons pass normally except for a slightly longer spring period allowing for more growth and production during the summer and fall months. Winters are also slightly colder and last a month longer than most other countries on Nula.

Ecosystem Cycles

With longer springs are larger harvests in the summer and fall months the ecosystem thrives in most parts of the continent. Many species of animals and flora can be found in every terrain inhabiting the land varying from farm animals and crops to exotic rainforest plants and wild animals such as the jaguar. This does not mean animals present the same as those on other places of Nula as the continent contains a deep reserve of a special mineral called Aurana, this mineral can take all 4 forms and can be found in all aspects of livings from the soil, water, and air creating stronger animals, larger fruits, and more fertile crops. The animals having gained more strength created the problem of making smaller animals much quicker and giving larger more predatory animals exceptionally more strength. This caused hunting seasons to become shorter as it became more difficult. This created a new culture of traditions to honor animals such as wolves and jaguars. Honoring such animals also created hunting them a widespread taboo and this also applied to animals only found in Hali such as a large animal known as the (TBA) often called the Lord of Shadows. It appears like a hybrid of a wolf and a panther with a longer slim frame with wolf like ears and yellow eyes with black slits. Generally peaceful creatures when left alone they can kill in an instant when threated, hurt, or if one enters their sacred territory without permission. These creatures are like any other as they have almost human-like intelligence and can understand complex concepts such as choosing who they allow into their territory and being able to bond and assist humans such as Empress Jade during and after her years in captivity. They are a sacred species and hunting them is strictly forbidden.

Localized Phenomena

The special mineral mentioned in Ecosystem Cycles category.

Fauna & Flora

See ecological cycles

Tourism

Many visited Hali after Jade took over as reigning monarch as the economic state improved drastically causing more imports and exports which also increased the widespread education and culture throughout the country. Many visit to push further trade, make connections with nobility and merchants, pursue further education, explore the many terrains Hali offers, etc. Despite many foreigners coming into the port cities and the capital, security is an upmost priority and even in the poorest sectors changes have been made so as few citizens as possible are exposed to danger, remain healthy, find jobs, and stay fed. Cities are safe and protected from most crimes and many of the former drug and crime rings were eradicated leaving few struggling to stay in business as patrols and investigations continually hunt to erase the rest. Not all crime can be eradicated though, so police and mercenaries work with information guilds formed by both citizens and Jade herself to help draw out those who commit crimes and lead crime rings.

Alternative Name(s)

The Shining Empire

Type

Continent

Location under

Hali

Owner/Ruler

Jade *may be renamedShaye?

Owning Organization

Hali