Halla

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Halla is the name given to the theorized parallel dimension/alternate reality/metaphysical plane (see: Theories) from which stranded gods and Mu radiation originate. The term was gradually reconstructed from multiple languages across Viranos and supported by the testimony of several stranded gods who claimed this was the "true name" of the dimension. Although accounts of Halla have been collected from many stranded gods, they tend to be inconsistent at best and nonsensical at worst, leading many to believe that Halla possesses properties different from our own universe which hinder or prevent mortal understanding of it, especially without the opportunity to empirically observe it.


Inhabitants[edit | edit source]

"Hallans" (not to be confused with, but distinctly related to, the Hallanite races who inhabit Viranos) is a catch-all term to refer to sapient peoples, entities, and beings who originate from the dimension of Halla. They tend to take wildly differing forms and appearances, but generally all have significant magical potential far exceeding that of Virans. They are sometimes described as "gods" or "immortals", given their ethereal status compared to the "mortal", typically unmagical races of Viranos.


History[edit | edit source]

Nothing is known about Halla before circa 6000 BCE, when its inhabitants, henceforth called Hallans, discovered and began to explore and colonize Viranos's dimension, beginning the Antediluvian World. It is known that Viranos was seen as a "backwater" to Hallans, hindering rapid exploration and exploitation, and often used as a "dumping grounds" for "undesirable" groups and individuals from Halla, such as criminals, rebels, and even political rivals. The fact that antediluvian Viranos, even at its peak, was seen as primitive to many Hallans suggests that the civilizations of pre-Collapse Halla were of a scale and sophistication largely incomprehensible to modern Virans.

The only other major, widely corroborated event directly involving Halla in Viranos's folk history is that of the Corruption and the ensuing Collapse. The Corruption was a condition of unknown origin which, at some point before circa 4000 BCE, began to ravage Halla. Details of its progression are lost, but it is known that an increasing numbers of refugees began to flee Halla to Viranos, until all links between Halla and Viranos were somehow severed. There are two leading theories about the Corruption: the first posits that the Corruption was an apocalyptic plague which swept through Hallan society, leading to a swift collapse; the second theory suggests that Halla was the victim of an invasion from either a different part of Halla or a separate dimension altogether, resulting in either the conquest or extermination of the Hallans who were responsible for colonizing Viranos. Both theories believe that the severing of connections was due to either the simple inability of Hallan society to maintain the infrastructure required, or a deliberate act of self-quarantine to prevent the plague or invasion from spreading to Viranos.

With the severing of connections between Halla and Viranos, Mu radiation levels in Viranos plummeted and magic use with it, ushering in the collapse of society into a Bronze Age and beginning of Viran history as we know it.


Theories[edit | edit source]

There exist three prevailing theories about the "nature" and "form" of Halla. Both theories have been supported by various stranded gods throughout history.


Planetary theory[edit | edit source]

The planetary theory suggests that "Halla" is simply a planet in another universe, akin to Viranos in its own, and that the Corruption is possibly limited to this planet or its immediate area. In this theory, Halla's universe is not inherently different to Viranos's, with the presence of magic in the form of Mu radiation being the primary difference.


Maelstrom theory[edit | edit source]

The Maelstrom theory suggests that "Halla" is in fact a collection of many different dimensions, a nexus of many planes of existence and realities, all of which are tenuously connected to each other and constantly shifting in a greater Multiverse.