Haven

Written by Shadow87

The largest city in Abanasinia, the Lordcity of Haven is a farming comunity centrally located between Solace and Gateway. Haven has been declared a Lordcity by its inhabitants, who naively believe their city rivals the great Lordcities of Solamnia. Still, Haven is an important hub of activity in Abanasinia. Its fertile farmlands yield many crops that help sustain the local people. In the past, even the Qualinesti elves purchased their grapes from Haven vineyards, making a wine that became famous throughout Ansalon.
Haven arose in Abanasinia from the ruins of an elven city that was destroyed in the Cataclysm. A number of human families built the city with the aid of the elves and set themselves up as the rulers. Many laws and privileges were created at the whim of the founders, and any person who wishes to have any say in the Lordcity of Haven, must be able to trace their lineage back somehow to the city founders. The mayor who governs the city is of foremost importance in being able to do this. The most important city in Abanasinia, Haven has a very important part spreading new religions, including Belzor's, the old gods, and the Seekers. Rule of the city was taken by the Seeker priests, who set themselves up as the Council of Highseekers. The Seekers' headquarters was erected in Haven and they setup their own militia, using the mayor of that time as their puppet. From a political center, it quickly turned into a religious center. During The War of The Lance, the city is currently captured by the Red Dragonarmy, who has quickly suppressed the false religions, forcing fake priests to convert to Takhisis or be slain.
Haven is located southwest of Solace, northwest of the Darken Wood and northwest of the Qualinesti realm.
Post Invasion :
The Lordcity of Haven has been taken by the Dragonarmies. Its once mighty walls have been pulverized; many of its once proud spires are collapsed. Half the town lies in ruin, burned to the ground. In the remaining part of town, hundreds, maybe thousands of dragonmen, goblin and hobgoblin mercenaries, and armed ogres mill around, performing all manner of labor. Supply wagons are everywhere. Many humans, obviously enslaved, assist the draconian soldiers with their work. An equal number sit in large cage-carts, awaiting transport to Pax Tharkas. It seems to be the new hub for the Red Army

Pre Invasion :
Government: The Highseekers Council are religious zealots who claim to seek religious truths. They label as heretics anyone who does not follow their beliefs, creating an atmosphere of secrecy and paranoia among the local population. Some of the Highseekers have lately fallen under the influence of the Dragon Highlord Verminaard and are increasingly surrounded by strangely-cloaked clerics.
Defense: Dressed in red and white tunics over chain shirts, the Holy Guard are under the direct orders of the Council of Highseekers. They are typicall armed with longswords and heavy shields.
Commerce: Almost any goods or services are readily available in the street markets, or the makeshift shops set up by refugees outside the city walls desperate to earn money for food.
Organizations: The Highseekers have driven all competing religions out of the city, or at least into hiding. They, and their Holy Guard, are the most prominent and powerful group in Haven. Citizens and merchants alike are careful not to get on the wrong side of Highseeker law.
The New Haven Road is the primary route into the so-called Lordcity. The only other route is through Darken Wood; if the heroes have managed to brave that sylvan realm and won the trust of the Forestmaster, they might be able to avoid the refugee-choked road. Haven may also be reached from Qualinesti, but the White-Rage River is a formidable barrier.
Features of Haven :
Although Haven is geographically large, its population has been relatively small in the past, numbering around five thousand people. However, with refugees flooding the city, the population has swollen to just under fifteen thousand. With such a massive influx, thieves and other people of dubious profession walk the streets. Holy Guards are stationed throughout the city, viewing everyone with suspicion. The city is surrounded by a low marble wall that was originally constructed to keep out wildlife. A guardhouse stands at the city gates, which until recently were left open during the day, welcoming people from across the land. The gates are now closed to bar the entry of more refugees.
 Haven (large city): Nonstandard; AL LN; 40,000 gold limit; Assets 29,778,000 gold; Population 14,889; Mixed (82% humans, 8% kender, 3% draconians, 2% elves, 2% dwarves, 2% goblins, 1% hobgoblins).
Holy Guard :
Dressed in red and white tunics over chain shirts, these city guards are under the direct orders of the Council of Highseekers. They are typically armed with longswords and heavy shields. Holy Guards: fighter 6 (1), fighter 5 (2), fighter 4 (6), fighter 3 (10). Haven

Six tall marble towers stand at even intervals along the wall. The town boasts a grain mill, street markets, and a blacksmith.
Places to Visit in Haven :
The following entries correspond to keyed locations on the map of Haven and represent the most significant places to visit for the purposes of this adventure. For more details about other city locations, refer to the War of the Lance
H 10: Steel Tankard Tavern
Calling the Steel Tankard a dive would be charitable. They serve lousy ale and watery dwarf spirits at prices that don’t encourage moderation; they have a loyal clientele of drunkards and ne’er-do-wells. Unfortunately, it’s also the only inn in town with any rooms remaining—the Ivy Inn and High Hand Tavern are both full, and almost every private house has rented out space to refugees. The Steel Tankard will rent space on the floor of the common room for a copper a night; after last call, those who’ve paid up can bunk down on the beer-stained floor and try to catch some sleep. “It beats sleeping outside,” the barman will admonish the heroes if they balk at the offer. “With all these refugees in town, the Holy Guards are having a hard time keeping the peace. Sleep outside only if you want your pockets picked and maybe your throat cut.

Buildings of Haven :

Blackrock Bakery The Blind Chandler Daft Gnome Ale House The Fine Cobbler's Shop Grinning Goat Tavern The Happee Ohgr Haven Arms Haven Council Hall Haven Grand Market Haven Jail Haven Livestock Exchange Haven Mageware Shop ( Lemuel ) Haven River Docks Haven Trade Guild High Hand Inn The Ivy Inn Andre the Blacksmith The Masked Dragon Old Keep Pryce Davil, Purveyor of Pigments and Dyes Red Slipper Rose Hall Seven Centaurs Inn Sharl Weaving Steel Tankard Tavern Swan's Musicians Roads and Streets of Haven Blade Street Crooked Street Cross Street Herbalist Street Hostlers Walk Market Street Mill Street River Way Three Forks Wrackham Street Geographical Areas Haven River Haven's Vale Seeker Reaches

Type

City

Population

14,889