Storm Haven

"As you reach the top of the switchback and pass between two tall peaks, you peer into a mist filled caldera. Slowly the mist clears and climbing the mountains across from you is a sprawling city of metal and stone spires, broad village sized plateaus, and long covered carts sliding up and down the mountain side. The cloud of mist appears to originate from thousands of small chimneys. Below in the caldera, small rope bridges create a massive lattice work holding aloft wooden structures from small shacks to large multi-level buildings. From four other entrances, much larger but similar to the one you stand in, stream countless people moving in and out of the craggy valley...
Welcome to Storm Haven!

Demographics

Predominantly populated by Goliath and Dwarves, Storm Haven hosts a number of races, many of whom have found a home there to avoid persecution or law in Web City, come to study the ancient machinery of the The Giants' Staircase , or are seeking enlightenment with the Cloud Monk Monastery. The strangest denizens of Storm Haven are the Modrons, small metallic and flesh creatures that maintain the The Giants' Staircase steam vents. Completely unresponsive to interaction, they go about their business and never seem to rest.

Government

Loosely governed by the Stone Guard, a law enforcement militia. Most crimes are dealt based on a specific set of rules the Stone Guard is sworn to follow, any other more sever or disputed crimes are taken before a triumvirate of elders. Every 3 months, the elders are reappointed.

Defences

Much of the defenses in Storm Haven come from the natural geography of the mountains and valley. With only 5 main entrances, the widest one only 20 feet across, storming the city is perilous at best. With the The Giants' Staircase to retreat into, there is little an invading force could do but pour hundreds of thousands of troops into the narrow stairways and ramps till the sheer force of erosion wore away the city's defense.

Industry & Trade

Much of the trade comes from being a hub between the lands to the north and east beyond and the other settlements in the Crag Spire Mountains, wild lands, and the civilized countries to the south. Numerous mines dot the mountainsides where Dwarven prospectors pull copper, steel, and other malleable metals from the earth.

Infrastructure

Web City

Floating above a lake of steam and mist, much of the basin is made up of tension supported bridges spanning between the surrounding mountains and a few large spires reaching up from the mists. The lowest tier of Storm Haven, known as Web City, is kept temperate and mildly humid, as well as smelling faintly of sulfur, by the geysers and hot springs in the rocky valley below. Passage into Web City is tightly controlled as to prevent the bridges and suspended buildings from becoming over encumbered and tumbling into the steam.

The Giants' Stair Case

Climbing up the northern mountain range and disappearing into the clouds is the The Giants' Staircase, a series of large metal and stone towers bristling with pipes from the valley below and large stone platforms providing space for homes and businesses.

Guilds and Factions

The Stone Guard

Primarily made up of Dwarves, the Stone Guard maintains peace and fair trade in Storm Haven. Originally founded to protect a mislead populace from Web City from storming the Giants' Stairway to slay an imagined oppressor, the Guard grew to protect the entire city and stands as one of the few active defenses.

The Cloud Monastery

The oldest inhabitants of Storm Haven, the Cloud Monk Monastery is located far above the The Giants' Staircase. The monks are a quiet group, existing in peace with the busy city below and only coming down from the mountain spires to trade crafted goods such as robes, baskets, and simple tools for food, water, and raw materials to make more goods. Focused on meditation and enlightenment, the monks are quiet and reserved and few understand their pursuits and goals.

The Primus Construct

A new comer to Storm Haven, the Primus Construct is made up of numerous Kenku and a few more dour gnomes. Disregarded by most of the inhabitants of Storm Haven, the group continues to preach the logic and order of Primus, their proclaimed god of structure. Instead of temples or churches, the group refers to its places of congregation as Nodes and most of the few founded Nodes are in the large pump rooms in the The Giants' Staircase.

Type

Large city

Population

25,000