Halruaa

Halruaa is a land of magic, renowned for its electrum mines. Ruled by King Zalathorm in the capital city of Halarahh, the fabled, quiet and wealthy magocracy is justly depicted as full of wonder. Created by archwizards foreseeing the fall of Netheril, Halruaa combines the peace and harmony of Cormyr with the magic powers of Thay. Nearly all arcane casting Halruaans are wizards, with one third of the total populous having some sort of magical powers. With such ever-present power, it is likely their strict laws or perhaps their inherent nature has prevented their entire nation from being reduced to dust and ash years ago.

Society
Halruaans congregate in numerous villages and cities scattered throughout the country's interior. Most of which are small, cozy settlements with no more than a few hundred inhabitants each. The folk in such a village can usually rely on a venerated wizard to provide both protection and leadership, while likely also serving as mayor and a member of the Council of Elders. With natural fortifications and the leadership of a score of diviners, they live in a near-perfect haven. Halruaans rarely leave except to adventure, as nowhere else in Faerûn would they find a better place than home.

Life in the cities of Halruaa is touched by magic in many ways. The quiet streets are lined with houses, both ostentatious and modest, each of which has at least a few built-in magical enhancements. While the street lamps shine at night with self-adjusting, light-producing spells; a favorite practice in cities along the coast is to produce "walls" of magically coaxed coral that grow to enclose a home or garden. Spells that produce sparkling light and pleasing sounds are often woven into fine fabrics to enhance their beauty. Fanciful means of travel, such as flying carpets or skyships, are commonplace. Everywhere in Halruaa, the people take great pains to show off their abilities as well as their wealth.

Geography
Halruaa stretches approximately 500 miles from east to west, and more than 350 miles from its southern border of the Great Sea to its northern foothills. It is divided into sections by three rivers that meet at Lake Halruaa, the northern shore of which is home to the nation's capital. The vast majority of the country consists of flat, windswept plains, broken only by broad rivers or other notable landmarks.

Halruaa is bordered by mountain ranges on its north, east and west sides. These act as natural fortifications. The Nathaghals are to the north, the Muaraghals are to the east and the Lhairghals are to the west. There is a narrow hilly piece of land in the Nathaghals called the High Aluar, and this is the only non-mountainous land entrance to Halruaa, but it can be accessed through the mountains at Talath Pass in the west, or Azhal Pass in the east.