View source for Halas

Halas is a city like its inhabitants, simple and to the point. Only barbarians would even consider swimming in the lake that provides them protection instead of waiting for the raft to carry them across, swimming without fear in the frigid waters. The city is relatively small, but has everything that any larger city has in half the space. Barbarians are usually the only ones in the streets, but you can occasionally see a human or half-elf, or even other more tropical races. Frequent snowstorms keep the streets and rooftops white year-round. 
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{| class="zoneTopTable"
! ''' City Races: '''
|[[Barbarian]]
|-
! ''' Guilds: '''
|[[Beastlord]], [[Berserker]], [[Rogue]], [[Shaman]], [[Warrior]]
|-
! ''' Tradeskill Facilities: '''
|Brew Barrel, Forge, Kiln, Oven, Pottery Wheel, Fletching Kit
|-
! ''' Related Quests: '''
|[[Gnoll Fur]], [[Goblin Caster Necklace]], [[Langseax Quest|Langseax]], [[Mammoth Calf Hides]], [[The Cigar]], [[The Seax]], [[Initiate Symbol of the Tribunal]], [[Cindl's Wristband Collection]], [[Cindl's Polar Bear Collection]], [[Magic Elixir for the Warriors]]
|-
! ''' Adjacent Zones: '''
|[[Everfrost Peaks]]
|-
! ''' Name in /who: '''
|halas
|-
! ''' Zone Spawn Timer: '''
|24:00
|-
! '''Succor/Evacuate:'''
| 0, 0 (Pier across the lake from the zone line to Everfrost)
|-
! [[Recommended Levels and ZEM List | ZEM]] ''' Value:'''
|<s>75</s> '''100''' (133%)
|}
|}

== Map ==

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[[Image:Zone_halas.jpg|right|frame|City of Halas]]
'''Halas

<ol style="margin-left:1.5rem; padding:0;">
<li>'''Pit of Doom''' - the Warrior guild w/ merchants selling adventuring supplies and weapons.</li>
<li>Rose McDowell, the bags and boxes merchant.</li>
<li>'''Temple of the Tribunal''' - Shaman guild w/ alchemy ingredient merchants and the Halas Soulbinder.</li>
<li>'''Dok's Cigars''' - General supplies and pottery supply merchants.</li>
<li>'''The Golden Torc''' - Tailoring supply merchant, armor merchant selling steel and iron torques, and a pottery wheel inside with a kiln out back.</li>
<li>Rogue's guild behind the Bank.</li>
<li>'''Bank''', General goods merchant on ground floor w/ weapons merchant and Rogue trainers up top, and [[Constructed Potential]] outside.</li>
<li>'''Mac's Kilts''' - Tailoring supplies merchants (including [[Cindl]]) selling cloth and leather armor w/ small sewing kits and patterns.</li> 
<li>'''McDaniels Smokes and Spirits''' - Merchants selling alcohol, baking supplies, smithing supplies, and a Warrior trainer. There's also a smithing supplies merchant and an oven out front.</li>
<li>'''McDonald's Fire Cider''' - Merchants selling alcohol, brewing, and general supplies w/ a brewing barrel inside.</li>
<li>'''McPherson's Bloody Blades''' - Merchants selling chain and plate armor, fletching supplies, and weapon molds w/ a forget outside.</li>
<li>'''McQuaid's Dark Stout''' - Brewing Barrel w/ bartenders selling alcohol inside and a smithing supplies merchant out back.</li>
<li>'''Yee Magik''' - Merchants selling alchemy supplies, blunt weapons, medicine bags, dufrenite, turquoise, and various potions and crystals.</li>
<li>'''The Bonny Mermaid''' - Fishing supplies merchant.</li>
<li>Baking and Pottery supplies merchants.</li>
<li>'''The Kennels''' - Beastlord and Berserker guilds with pens housing [[A Sled Dog|sled dogs]].</li>
</ol>
|}

== History ==
[[File:Halas Entrance.jpg|alt=Halas entryway|thumb|500x500px|Halas is home to the Barbarians, located in the northern most part of Norrath.]]
For many years, the Barbarians (or Northmen as they call themselves) were ruled by a king, from the capital city of Dun Lir.  The king was chosen, not by heredity, but by merit decided upon from a council of fourteen elders.  This powerful centralized government caused the fourteen scattered tribes of Northmen to unite and flourish, which resulted in retaliation from the Northmen's enemies.  Ice giants weakened the walls of Dun Lir, goblins destroyed the road system that connected it to all the other villages, and finally the gnolls invaded and razed Dun Lir to the ground, killing the last king and utterly destroying the kingdom.

The Ice Giants ruled the Northmen for many years, until the fleet-footed and aptly named Burke Wingfoot began to organize a resistance.  He went from village to village spreading news and battle plans, and at last the giants were defeated.  The Council of Elders was reestablished, but Wingfoot refused the title of King and spoke eloquently against the perils of centralized government.  He devised a new plan, where the fourteen elders would loosely unite the Nation but would remain with their tribes during most of the year, and meet at a randomly selected location when needed.  Communication would take place via a system of scouts and messengers.  It took some time for other races to stop trying to conquer the seemingly disorganized lands, but soon it became apparent that the Northlands were, in fact, a Nation.

Some time, not long after the new Council of Elders was formed, a shaman by the name of Bran had a vision of a city that would belong to no tribe, but instead to all Northmen.  It was built with the aid of the dwarves near the ruins of Dun Lir, designed as a meeting place and trading center for all tribes and foreigners.  Named Halas, the city was set up to appear to be a capital city, thus making it clearer to would-be invaders that the Northlands were a strong nation.  There is even a building set up for the Council of Elders (though anyone who investigated would discover that it is rarely occupied).  The word Halas, as pronounced by foreigners, means "focus."  But the slightly different intonation given by a native Northman changes its meaning to "diversion".

== Local Color ==

==== '''Places''' ====
The city of Halas has more than its share of bars, probably to keep these tundra dwellers warm on a winter night. These are humming with life during the drinking festivals, carried out regularly across Norrath on the same evenings every week. Armories are also a common sight, and frequented almost as much as the bars. Most of the inhabitants of this city know well how to use a sword, and one must almost feel badly for the gnolls to whom they are mortal enemies. You'll also find the Beastlord guild tending their warders, the Berserker guild sharpening their throwing axes, the Rogue guild plotting and scheming behind the bank, the Shaman guild advocating for justice at the Temple of the Tribunal, and the Warrior guild training in the Pit of Doom. 

==== '''People''' ====
The people of Halas generally keep to themselves. Their life requires a great deal of what others might term menial work, so their days are consumed with the process of survival. This is not to say that there aren't very frequent brawls in the streets as young (and old) warriors demonstrate their skills for others, or drinking bouts ending in dozens of unconscious champions. The Barbarians could be seen as a simple people overall, but yet for an age beyond reckoning they have managed to hold back the orcs, gnolls, and goblins - many of which owe their allegiance to the northern dragon, [[Lady Vox]].

==== '''Dangers''' ====
The unwary traveler, upon entering the city walls of Halas, might quickly find themselves on the wrong side of the locals (of differing faction) that dwell within. It is imperative that one be sure to either stay out of sight of the local guards, or work towards gaining favor with them through a simple quest involving snow orcs.  The merchants will deal with you if the guards are at a minimum dubious. The banker, on the other hand, is aligned with the local rogue guild; [[Rogues of the White Rose]] and in the blink of an eye you may just find yourself on the wrong end of a rogues dagger, so approach with caution.

== Surrounding Areas ==

The area surrounding Halas, the Everfrost Peaks, is an area deceptively teeming with life as many creatures have adapted to living in the cold by constantly roaming to keep warm.

In the western part of the region, the narrow valleys nestled between the steep mountain faces, you will find the smaller creatures, but make no mistake, the tight spaces and low visibility leaves inexperienced adventurers with nowhere to flee if need be. Perhaps this is why the barbarians have developed into one of the bravest races in Norrath, standing their ground while a lesser man might flee.

In the eastern part of the region lies a frozen tundra expanse, bisected by a Y-shaped river. Here roam the giant wooly mammoth that the people of Halas hunt for food and trade goods. However, who must stay ever vigilant of the snow orcs, giant wooly spiders, and other dangerous inhabitants roaming these wastes. Across this tundra lies the scattered ruins of an ancient civilization whose mysteries and treasures may be lost to time or buried deep beneath the snow. Many adventurers, often from far off lands, can be found braving the wastes east towards the dangerous area of Permafrost. Rumors of glory and treasure to be had from the grips of fierce creatures bring in many a curious, treasure-seeking explorers from across all of Norrath.

To the south, through the canyons, an intrepid explorer can find the cavern home of the Blackburrow gnolls. Though a vicious enemy of the Barbarians, the Blackburrow clan have their own culture and pride. They're known for their particular brew of stout ale and the fierce defending of their humble home against any intruders. It is rumored that they are conspiring an alliance with the gnolls of Splitpaw, but their goals are unknown. Through this cavern, dangerous as it may be, lies the connection to the rest of Norrath.

== Traveling To and From ==

The only way to get to the city of Halas from the south is to brave both the gnoll-infested cavern of [[Blackburrow]] as well as the bitterly frozen [[Everfrost Peaks]]. If you're coming from Halas, passing through these lands will lead you south to the [[Qeynos Hills]]. From there you'll find passage to [[Surefall Glade]], the Karana plains, and the great city of [[Qeynos]] itself. 

== Newbie Quests ==
You can obtain 2 containers by talking to the NPCs associated with the following first two quests in Halas before you head out to Everfrost Peaks, which can help until you can collect better bags. Most of them only hold tiny or small items, but when you are a broke level 1 every bit of carrying capacity helps!

'''<big>[[Wooly Fungus Quest|Wooly Fungus]]</big>'''

Talk to [[Waltor Felligan]] in the Shaman guild for an 8-slot [[Empty Jar|jar]], in which you can combine 8 [[wooly fungus]] from wooly spiders/spiderlings in Everfrost. (Caution: You will eat them unless you have other food above them in your inventory!)

'''Reward:''' XP, money, low-level Shaman spell, and faction.

'''<big>[[Ice Goblin Necklaces|Ice Goblin Necklace]]</big>'''

Talk to [[Lysbith McNaff]] in the Warrior guild's Pit of Doom for a bag, in which you can combine 6 [[Goblin Ice Necklace|ice goblin necklaces]].

'''Reward:''' XP, money, and faction

'''<big>[[Cindl's Polar Bear Collection|Polar Bear Pelts]]</big>'''

Bring [[Cindl]] a [[Polar Bear Skin]], dropped off both the low-level cubs and the higher-level polar bears in Everfrost.

'''Reward:''' XP, a random piece of leather armor, and faction.

'''<big>[[Goblin Caster Necklace|Goblin Caster Beads]]</big>'''

Bring [[Shamus Felligan]] who stands outside the Shaman guild any beads from ice goblin casters in Everfrost (in the igloos on the edge of the tundra). If you find non-shattered beads, you should get the Shaman weapon [[Gavel of Justice]]. You need 4 per turn-in.

== What's in this zone? ==

{{Special:DynamicZoneList/Halas}}

[[Category: Zones]]
[[Category:Loc_Mapped]]