The release of The Wind from Faerie has been a time filled with excitement, dread, and a host of as yet unidentified emotions. I’m happy to report that almost all feedback I’ve received has been positive, and that even my critics still enjoyed the book. If you haven’t picked up a copy yet, then you should pick one up from Amazon. I think the album art alone warrants a purchase, and I fully intend to ride Randall Good’s coattails for as long as I can.
After a long and unwarranted break from our tour of the Empire, I’d like to continue with the capital province of Halystria. Halystria is bordered to the northwest by Tythia, to the northeast by Ephyria, to the south by Abydia, and to the west by Rhegia. The Gray Mountains rise high on its eastern border, while the Illydia River runs through its heart.
Halystria quickly emerged as one of the more powerful kingdoms during the early days of settlement in the River’s Cradle, and has only increased its position since those days. Halystria long vied with neighboring Ephyria for dominance in the east, a stalemate that was eventually broken by the founder of the Empire: Aurelius Denarius. The would-be emperor changed the balance of power through alliance with the fierce Rhegian horse lords and the subjugation of Abydia. Aurelius’ conquests eventually gave him the strength to defeat the proud Ephyrian state.
Halystria’s military and political dominance has made the region attractive to trade. The imperial capital of Parthicum has become the primary recipient of Halystria’s trade. Parthicum lies within a bend of the Illydia, and is the most populous city in the Empire. It receives imported goods from the ports of Abydia and fine treasures from Ephyria. Halystria is renown for having the best wine in the Empire, and for having a wealth of olive orchards alongside their vineyards. Halystrian wine and oil is not only coveted throughout the Empire but is a sign of wealth and status throughout Purovus.
Parthicum is also one of the Empire’s eldest cities; its oldest manifestations lost beneath the surface of the modern streets. The age and importance of Parthicum has also made it the center of religion in the Empire. The temple to the Myri dominates a district of the city, while the numerous older shrines are found across the east bank. In the early days of the Empire, the waning religion of Gulthor made a bid for relevance by making the Emperor and Parthicum the center of their faith, though their most important religious centers had lain further south. Aurelius allowed Gulthor to die, instead sponsoring the growing strength of Myriendism. The presence of the Myri temple brings many of the faithful to Parthicum, especially during the holy festivals and feast days.
Halystria benefits from fertile lands lying along the banks of the Illydia, and from the sunbathed foothills of the mountains. The wealth of the land coupled with the importance of the province has led politicians from other provinces to seek out holdings in the Halystrian countryside. The status that even a small Halystrian estate provides is well worth the exorbitant prices the local nobility charge. Of course, the grandest and wealthiest estates are held by the native aristocracy, who tend to divide their time between their country villas and their homes in metropolitan Parthicum.
Parthicum can boast of many things; the imperial residence, the Senate chamber, and the great temple of the Myri are all shining jewels in her crown, but it is also home to a different sort of gem. The Lyceum, a school dedicated to the study of the arcane arts, has been a firm feature of Parthicum since the days of Aurelius. The Lyceum mages long kept to themselves, not even allowing agents of the Emperor within their walled district, but they eventually fell within a loose imperial governance. The Halystrian Empire provides the Lyceum with funds, reputation, and applicants in return for the dedicated service of its famed mages. Lyceum mages played a pivotal role in the Expansion Wars and have only seen increased patronage since the war’s end. Kellan the Fey would become the Lyceum’s greatest pupil, though his time there was fraught with danger and other obstacles.
The Sensiahd word of the day is “tegaloch”, meaning “city”. Example sentence: Nes ean eaide et eth tegaloch belian. We will go to the white city.