Hydlaa

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The City of Hydlaa at Dawn

Hydlaa (pronounced Heèd-láh), is the capital city of Yliakum and is mainly the home to the Ylians and Xachas of Yliakum. The sprawling city is found on the first level of Yliakum, the level that is closest to the Azure Sun. Hydlaa is protected by giant stone walls and gates and defended the City Militia. Famous landmarks define Hydlaa's skyline. The Windowless Tower juts out, a huge mysterious hollow tower, containing only stairs and ladders for one to climb to the top. The Iron Temple of Laanx can also be seen as the second tallest structure in Hydlaa. There it houses the clergy of Laanx and The Book of Names. Underneath Hydlaa can be found the dungeon, a labyrinths almost as vast as the city and full of gems and precious ores, as well as the sewage systems, a place where many dark creatures live and feed on what falls in the sewage. Hydlaa is where all races except the Enkidukai will spawn for the the first time and when they die.
This page will guide you through the setting behind the city and the names and purposes of some places. This should help people be able to roleplay their character with more ease after knowing the setting behind their home and so new players will be able to get their bearings.

History and Mythology


The Origin of Hydlaa

Hydlaa is said to have been constructed by the original natives of Yliakum, comprising of the Kran and Lemurs. It was named after the powerful Glyph that Laanx and Talad had used to create their people. Under Talad's guidance, Hydlaa was soon populated by Ylians and Enkidukais who had recently migrated to Yliakum from their lands via the Stone Labyrinths. After the appearance of the portals, more races made Hydlaa their home. The buildings that were built in the city were made in the Ylian and Xacha style, with the exception of some, like the Dermorian garden in East Hydlaa.

The Ylian Takeover

At the beginning of the fifth epoch it is noted that the new races of Yliakum quickly realized that there was no food for them all to share. The top two levels were regarded as the only levels that were fertile enough to farm. Ylians soon claimed the first level for themselves, refusing to share with other races. They built fences and walls, and began to look at books about armies and armed defense. The Enkidukai that lived in the same area were driven away and this was considered an intrusion in their freedom. Hydlaa became a Ylian city for a short while before Talad was able to stabilize the conflict.

The Followers of Laanx

During the fifth epoch, a group of Xachas, led by a young man named Galeran Tarbius, created a faith based around the Book of Names that was supposedly written by Laanx. Galeran was blessed with endless charisma and willpower and was able to transfer the fanatical religion of his group to others. Galeran led the Xacha cult to Yliakum were they settled on the first level and erected the Iron Temple of Laanx in Hydlaa.

Geography

Hydlaa is located on the first level. It is found south of the Eagle Bronze Doors and west of Ojaveda, the Enkidukai's city. It is surrounded by large cliffs and is actually found on the innermost rim of the level, where giant Winches can be found as transportation from level to level. Hydlaa is on the level closest to the Crystal, meaning it has more light than other levels, it also is more susceptible to the crystals radiation.

Points of Interest


Hydlaa Plaza

The Hydlaa Plaza is situated in the middle of the city. The Iron Temple of Laanx is situated near it as well as many small shops. Many gathering also take place there for special events.

Harnquist's Smithy

Hydlaa's most experienced and most famous crafter, Harnquist, runs the smithy in the Hydlaa Plaza. There, ores and metals can be crafted and refined to create weapons and armour, Harnquist also buys and sells these products. Along with mining and smithing tools.

The Windowless Tower

The Windowless Tower

The giant mysterious tower sticking out like a sore thumb. Many theories have been made about the towers origins, none can be proved. Some say that it was built and houses the Octarch Engineering Academy. Due to its iron structure, another theory suggests it was built by a Xacha sect that did not follow Laanx.

The Iron Temple

The second largest building in Hydlaa. The Iron Temple is home to the clergy of Laanx and the Book of Names. Followers of Laanx gather in this building to pray and worship their god.

The Kada-El Tavern

A bar in the higher levels of Hydlaa. Good food, drink and bedding can be found and purchased there. Owned by Kada-El and run now by the citizens and the new bartender that has been appointed there.

The Emporium

Boralis Voladrand and his wife, Rinna own a general store known as The Emporium. It is advertised as a place to buy "excellent adventure trinkets underneath the Azure Sun".

East Hydlaa

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If you head east from the main plaza, you will come across East Hydlaa. Template loop detected: Template:ListArticle Template loop detected: Template:ListArticle Template loop detected: Template:ListArticle Template loop detected: Template:ListArticle


See also: People of East Hydlaa.

The Hydlaa Winch


View over the Winch

The Winch is an economically important district of Hydlaa. Access to this area is strictly controlled. The Winch, as one would expect, is also a name for the central building within that district and the mechanism it houses, the most important part of Hydlaa, and all of Yliakum's infrastructure, that serves the purpose of mostly heaving goods and important people from one level of Yliakum to another.

Magic Shop

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The Magic Shop

If you exit Hydlaa from the North Gate (from the centre plaza with the Laanx Statue, look toward a tall brown tower and make your way towards it) continue through the forest path and then take the right fork, soon you will come across Levrus Dahrenn's Magic Shop. While the shop is outside the city, and nestled in the forest, it is considered to be part of the Hydlaa community.

Levrus sells many magical glyphs there, and the area around his home/shop is also a popular spot for miners.


Hydlaa Arena

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The Hydlaa Arena

A giant fortress can be found just off the Hydlaa Plaza through an old and long tunnel known as the Old Quarry Road. There can be found many people from all over Yliakum who come to the Arena to train their skills. It houses many savage creatures such as Trepors and Tefusangs. Mercenaries and the more ferocious gladiators can be found, some employed by the Arena, some there of their own volition and bloodlust. It is a dangerous place that is for not the weak-hearted. Merchants can also be found within the walls, selling a variety of items.

See also: People of the Arena.

Underground


The Hydlaa Sewers

A gobble in the sewers. Lightened to reveal true appearance

The sewer system of Hydlaa is full of a variety of creatures, such as rats, gobbles and tefusangs. These sewers run all around the bowels of Hydlaa, dripping with sewage and decaying monsters that have been fought and killed. Many seasoned warriors today started out by killing even the rats in this structure.

Newb Note

The Sewer is full of rats and easy prey, it is recommended that you start there if you are looking to be a warrior.

The Laanx Dungeons

A labyrinth found underneath the Iron Temple. The dungeons spread all around the foundations of Hydlaa. This maze of tunnels lead to all kinds of places, such as the Windowless Tower itself. It is full of creatures such as Clackers and Grendols, and inhabited by Thugs and Rogues.

Links/Bibliography

Gameplay FAQ - The Gameplay FAQ page in this Wiki
PlaneShift Settings - A story behind PlaneShift
PlaneShift History - A history of Yliakum and Kadaikos
Windowless Tower - A discussion on the forums about the Windowless Tower
Yliakum D.C - A discussion on the forums about the capital of Yliakum

Due to the changing PlaneShift settings, this information may become out of date and is only gathered from the current setting history as of June 2007