Halamshiral

Halamshiral is a city in Orlais and the former capital of the Dales. It is situated in the eastern part of the country south of the Waking Sea and close to the border with Ferelden.

Demographics

Halamshiral is mostly populated by City Elves and therefore has no alienage. Humans that form the privileged minority live separately in the High Quarter instead.

History

Halamshiral was built by the elves at the end of The Long Walk many, many centuries ago. The city's name translates to "the end of the journey" in the Elven language. It was built just off the Imperial Highway so that the elves from all corners of the world could find it easily by simply following the Highway. The city was under Dalish control for several centuries. It was annexed by Orlais during the Second Exalted March.
The Winter Palace is the most prominent structure in Halamshiral and the seasonal retreat of the Orlesian Empress Celene Valmont I and the highest members of Orlais' courts.

Architecture

Winter Palace

Following the "glorious" reclamation of the Dales, the Dalish capital laid empty and in ruins for years. During one of the coups against Emperor Xavier Drakon, Alphonse Valmont — the head of the Valmont family at the time — bested Drakon's armies. To revel in his glory as he took the title of Emperor for himself, he built Chateau Lion in Halamshiral. This chateau was later renamed to be the Winter Palace.
The Winter Palace is a palace in the heart of Halamshiral. Less than a decade after the Second Exalted March, the site where the Winter Palace would eventually be built became a popular seasonal retreat for those of extremely high status in Orlesian culture.

The inner-ballroom of Halamshiral's Winter Palace

Alternative Name(s)

"End of the journey"

Type

Large city

Location under

Dales

Owner/Ruler

Celene Valmont I

Owning Organization

Orlais