Fairhaven
According to the Book:
The city of Fairhaven dates back to the days before the formation of Galifar. Its foundation was laid when the Five Nations were young and humans were new to the land. Today, the Royal Court of Fairhold dominates the metropolis’s impressive skyline. The massive complex, whose towers jut some eighteen stories into the sky, includes offices for the working government, public courts and halls, a huge hall of records, Aurala’s personal guards, and the living quarters for the royal family. Since the signing of the Thronehold Accords, the Five Nations have once again opened their embassies, and most of the other recognized nations have also found offices in the city. All of the dragonmarked houses have enclaves in Fairhaven, and it’s easy to do business in the city. The market exchanges of Fairhaven bustle with activity from early in the morning to well past dark. In addition to the fresh produce and magewright goods that reach the exchanges from the Aundair countryside, the great Distant Exchange constantly displays goods from around the continent. Black market and illegal goods are hard to come by in this nation, so the cost for such items is higher. The main campus of the University of Wynarn winds its way through the city’s Knowledge Ward. Though the center of learning stayed open throughout the Last War, there were times when the professors outnumbered the students. Recently, the university issued an open call to all the recognized nations, inviting students to apply for enrollment. This invitation has had the unexpected effect of bringing a large number of goblinoid and other uncommon humanoid applicants to the campus, which has called for some adjustments on the administration’s part. If the peace lasts, the university hopes to fill its halls to capacity within three years. Aundair adheres to the Galifar Code of Justice, an intricate system of laws and regulations that once helped maintain order throughout the united kingdom. The laws presume innocence, provide for judgment by peers, and establish a complex legal system. If someone winds up in trouble with the law, it is highly recommended that the subject obtain the services of a solicitor or councilor skilled in the Code of Justice. Even with laws and enforcers, the Code leaves enough loopholes and gaps in the system for experienced criminals to take advantage of. Therefore, as in all of the Five Nations, a thriving underworld exists in Fairhaven’s shadows.Lore of Fairhaven
Common Knowledge: Fairhaven has an orderly design, with brick- or stone-paved streets and stunning towers and minarets. Its grand style hints of something other than human thought, and its layout suggests careful planning. None can miss the pale towers of the city’s central fortress and royal palace, Fairhold. Elsewhere about the city, other buildings, particularly municipal ones, echo the style of these spires. Magic as much as muscle shaped numerous buildings.From the uplands about 50 miles southwest of the city spills the Aundair River. The river is wide, slow, and deep by the time it reaches Fairhaven, and then it meanders northeasterly down the plains toward Scion’s Sound. Its position on the river makes Fairhaven a trade gateway to western Khorvaire. Other cities in the region are less hospitable, and the river becomes too shallow and treacherous for larger merchant vessels to fare beyond the city. As a mercantile hub, Fairhaven is also a place full of opportunities, legal and otherwise.
Fairhaven offers much more than moneymaking prospects, however. It is a focus of adventure, learning, and magic. Fey are common here, harkening to the time when Aundair was a wilder place. The University of Wynarn also brings a diverse population into the city from across Khorvaire. Major holds of several dragonmarked houses stand in or near the city, including Cannith West. The Wayfinder Foundation has its headquarters within the city, bringing in all sorts of venturesome folk. History DC 15: After a spy loyal to the Church of the Silver Flame divulged Aundairian battle plans, Aundair lost Thaliost in 926 YK. Aundair’s citizens responded with a passion, sacking Silver Flame temples and killing priests. In Fairhaven, citizens looted the Silver Flame Cathedral and lynched any clergy who failed to renounce the Flame. The ruler of Aundair at the time. Regent Marlex, declared the religion anathema to the Crown. By the regent’s order, the Silver Flame Cathedral of Fairhaven was closed but left standing as a reminder to Aundairians of what they had lost to Thrane. As the Last War ground on, Marlex’s edict became tradition. The abandoned and crumbling cathedral still stands today. Fairhaveners avoid it and its long shadow.
History DC 20: To those knowledgeable on city building, Fairhaven has the appearance of a young city. Old cities meander beyond their original layout, becoming chaotic. Fairhaven has the geometric layout of a settlement that has yet to escape its reins.
Fairhaven started as a military installation and became a trade port. The military leaders at the time planned it from the beginning and controlled its growth. Later, when the needs of the city called for new construction, such as the recent addition of Fairhaven’s three airship towers, those with a voice in the city made a way clear to build the necessary structures.
Fairhaven has also had its share of river floods in its history. Civic magewrights and their magic keep the city dry now, even when the Aundair River rises to flood fields near the city. In the past, however, the waters washed away the old and made way for the new.
History DC 25: When the majority of Tairnadal elves abandoned their colonies to goblins thousands of years ago, a few clans of elves remained in Khorvaire. As mobile as their counterparts in Aerenal, some of these elves migrated north to put distance between them and the power centers of the Dhakaani goblins. Over time, their nomadic ways took them amazing distances and their culture changed. Sarlonan immigrants met these elves in Khorvaire and absorbed them, which led to the khoravar (half-elves) of modern Khorvaire.
Among these elves were those who plied the waters around Scion’s Sound and the Aundair River when humans and other khoravar came and established Thaliost, Aundair ’s earliest city. Fairhaven served as one of the harbors of the “river elves” in those days. Numerous half-elves of Fairhaven and western Scion’s Sound still bear the traditions and fiery spirit of these elf ancestors. The river elves are still fine riders. Many believe that the horses of Aundair might have descended from those the migrant Tairnadal elves brought with them. Some claim that the elves also influenced the dueling and singing traditions of Aundair.
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