Hallume

Hallume is controversial, to be kind.

The capital city of Hallume is Thel Asari.

Location and Climate
Hallume, despite being one of the northernmost territories, maintains a moderate warm climate year round. This is widely believed to be the influence of Solariel. However, in the Varenmouth Peaks and the ruins of Dwarvish cities, the weather shifts alongside the rest of the world, seemingly absent from Solariel's light.

Races
Hallume is populated almost exclusively by Elves and Tieflings. All others who live there experience a daily sense of being faintly unwelcome. Most Tieflings from Hallume are characterized by their red-orange skin and sun colored eyes. Hallume Elves almost all have golden skin, with some dipping into the redder end of gold. Hallume Tieflings have broad, sturdy horns. Black, red-orange (for Tieflings: matching skin color), or golden hair are most commonly seen in both Elves and Tieflings. Another shared trait is skin that appears almost shimmery or glittery under sunlight.

Industries and Exports
Mainly speaking, Hallume exports lumber, mined gems, and quarried stone. However, their mining techniques are centuries inferior to that of the neighboring Dwarvish territories. A staple export is sun uté from the northern peninsula, which is the only known location where sun uté grows.

Imports
Hallume, despite bordering the ocean, imports a large quantity of fish. They also import lots of tropical fruit.

History and Culture
Formerly, a good portion of modern day Hallume was the Dwarvish kingdom of Nen Tharim, which sat between its brothers to the west and south. Hallume’s border sat even with the Brimgar Highlands. Seeing the joy and success the dwarves possessed, Solariel decided that his people deserved that gift, too. He armed his creations and told them that the land to the south belonged to them, and that they were entitled to every inch they took. Following the order of Solariel, the Hallume expanded downward and Nen Tharim was completely wiped out. This expansion was named the War of Alabaster.

The Hallume people have a rich appreciation for the arts. The cities are known for their beautiful architecture, and murals and mosaics litter the walls of the civilization. Many devotees to Solariel or their kin learn to play the kalimba, as its mellow sound is said to appease the spirits.

Holidays
Though the Hallume are a joyous and decadent people with many holidays and celebrations year-round, there are two annual celebrations that surpass the fanfare of the others.

The first is the summer solstice festival. It is a raucous celebration where the people of Hallume celebrate their god, Solariel. Each family celebrates a little differently, but the themes of paying respect and tribute to Solariel is consistent.

The second festival, though not as cheerful, is no less important to Hallume culture. It is called the Day of Ashes.

Government
Hallume is a theocracy. They listen to the word of Solariel over any king. However, a government still exists, and is led by an order of priests. The current Justiciar is Hansara Paleflame, who is a cousin to Lady Zyltris Selthore, the conqueror of the Crestmoon Isles. Paleflame claims no affiliation with Lady Zyltris, however there are strange coincidences that cannot be explained by this.

Zanar’danas Military Academy
The Zanar’danas Military Academy is a government funded school for training prospective soldiers. It’s an elite school for the best and the brightest- or the wealthiest, because training is incredibly rigorous, and tuition is incredibly costly. However, some of the best military strategists, generals, healers, mages, and likewise teach here. Attending the Zanar’danas Military Academy is all but essential if one would want to become a member of the Solarguard, Hallume’s most elite military force.

Solarguard
The Solarguard is the highest ranking military division in the Hallume military. There are five main divisions: the Howlingflags, a band of elite druids and shapeshifters, the Sunmantles, mages trained from birth to master the arcane, the Ebonflags, an order of deadly rogues and spies, the Goldenstriders, paladins and clerics well versed in healing and spreading the name of Solariel, and the Sunblades, who are elite soldiers, archers, and cavalry. Members of the Solarguard are known for their brutality and loyalty to the crown. They are brutal assassins, elite mages, and fearsome warriors, but above all else they're loyal to their god and their commanders. They listen to the word of their superiors before their own thoughts.

The Tash Solthaal
The Tash Solthaal, both a religious order and political faction, originated in Hallume. Their symbol, which is displayed on banners and armor, is a golden sun split through by a glaive. They worship the Sun God Solariel, and pride themselves on being devout and pure of blood. Their legends teach how Solariel, a horned, devil-tailed elf with skin made of gold and eyes brighter than the sun, created both High Elves and Tieflings in his likeness. They speak of how Solariel commands that their bloodlines are kept clear of the other races, as high elves and tieflings are the most holy races. Hybrid races, especially half-elves, are seen as unclean and sinful, and are scorned by the Tash Solthaal. Legends also depict Solariel being at constant war with the Moon Goddess Selûne, leading to natural discord between worshippers of the two deities. Generally speaking, both followers of Selûne and Solariel agree that both deities must be recognized to uphold universal balance. This belief is not shared by the offshoot of the Tash Solthaal, called the Solan Solthaal, that slaughtered the former Sheedori government and took their place. Critics accuse the Tash Solthaal of being, at best, elitist, and at worst, genocidal.

Religion
While there are exceptions, most residents of Hallume are of the Tash Solthaal and worship Solariel.

Weapons and Armor
Hallume armor is generally lightweight metal decorated in red and gold accents. The same is true of the weapons.