Crossroad Havens

I suppose technically, in great desperation, you could survive on a Haven's hardtack, but usually there are more palatable alternatives. Grass, going-bad trail rations, possibly-poisonous berries, old boots...

— Osborn Brightmoon, "With Tarp and Towel"

Crossroad Havens can be found across the world, usually but not exclusively at crossroads. The exact design and function of the havens varies across the lands, but their core purpose remains. They are structures dedicated to Fharlanghn, God of Horizons and Travel, and offer respite to travellers. All travellers are welcome to make use of a haven they encounter, with the understanding that they clean up after themselves and leave the haven usable for others. Precisely how much this code is respected varies. Although the buildings are dedicated to Fharlanghn, and usually have a small shrine set aside for him, all travellers are welcome in a haven. The worshippers of Fhlarlanghn take after their god in being rather relaxed and open, and to their minds any traveller is automatically a welcome member of their fellowship.

The most common form of a haven is a small but sturdy building built in the style of the area. They will usually consist of a single medium-sized room containing a fireplace, cots, a stove, and other basic necessities. Some havens even have outhouses or multiple rooms! In richer lands, or on larger roads, the havens may be larger and better-equipped, though not to the level of a proper inn. On backwoods roads in poor lands the havens may be little more than four bare stone walls, which at least is better than sleeping outside. Havens have stocks of firewood and hardtack for travellers to use should they need to - though many seasoned travellers joke it is better to starve than make use of a haven's hardtack. Havens are usually kept deliberately sparse and merely functional in order to avoid attracting looters and squatters.

Havens are maintained by the itinerant clergy of Fharlanghn on a rather ad-hoc basis. From time to time passing priests will check in on a haven as they pass, making sure it is still intact and habitable. They will also restock its supplies of firewood and hardtack, and even clean out the outhouse. A rare few of the larger havens even have a clergy member permanently stationed there to see to the needs of travellers. Priests of Fharlanghn do not like to stay in one place, so such havens usually have a rota system that sees each priest stationed in the haven for no more than a week at a time. Sometimes a haven will gain a semi-permanent caretaker in the form of an elderly priest who can no longer travel as well as they used to. In some areas maintaining the local havens is seen as a communal responsibility, and villagers will take it upon themselves to maintain the nearby havens and keep them stocked - sometimes even with foodstuffs more palatable than hardtack.

Location

Worldwide

Owners

Priesthood of Fharlanghn