Haven

"Living out here is the greatest challenge one could endure, but it taught me that the bonds of frozen ice is far stronger then the bonds of steel." - Haven citizen, referring to connectedness with others

Haven is the most northern settlement in all of Targonia, and is the coldest place on the Material Plane, with temperatures reaching nearly -30 Celcius for 9 months out of the 10. It was once just a territory inhabited by a dozen smaller clans until the white Dragonknights and ice giants began populating the area. Haven is Zidatzu's official capital and is run by a democratically elected government consisting of representatives headed by a Corfinaught, or "head chief" in the ancient Nordic language. It relies heavily on its fishing industry, with plentiful troves of cod, bloodletters, and shrimp, of which it mostly consumes itself in order to survive. It also has a minor hunting scene, with the herds of caribou and elk being hunted down by the wolves of the area. However, Haven is mostly known for its ongoing war against the white Dragonknights and their white Dragonlord leader, who routinely sends our raids and attacks against the capital for no known reason. Because of this, nearly all able-bodied citizens are enlisted in the Havien Guard for at least 5 years, and each member is properly trained with basic weapons like spears, clubs and even pikes. Despite this, the people of Haven (and to a lesser extent Zidatzu itself) are kind-hearted folk that takes care of each other, especially during disastrous months of the Targonian year.

Demographics

Haven is predominantly human, mostly outlanders, hunters and tradesmen who can find a business in the coldest corner of Targonia.

Government

The government consists of representatives of which the people vote for, and these terms generally last for about 5 years. There's the Corfinaught, which acts as the figurehead of the government and makes some of the executive decisions with a panel of representatives coming from different domains, like Economy, Security and Education.

Defences

Haven is surrounded by a giant wooden wall, 40ft tall, with guard posts spaced out every 70ft or at every entry point into and out of the city. Each tower is always guarded by the city's local guard and has regular shifts to ensure there's no lapse in secuirty.

Industry & Trade

Most inhabitants either hunt or fish to survive in Have, and whatever they bring enables more skilled workers like leatherworkers, blacksmiths and stonecutters to work here also. Haven heavily relies on its fish mostly, since a dozen species of fish only live in the northern cold waters that Haven touches, and while it consumes mostly what it finds, some of it is exported to friendly nations like Albish Granova and Eursia.

Infrastructure

It's predominatly a port city, with a well-established and well-funded fish industry catching cod,, bloodletters, and Northern Dykefish, since it cannot rely on agricutlture for sustainment due to the cold climate of Zidatzu. Most other industries have a minor presence here, a few forges, coopers, and quarries. Everything is connected somewhat to the main road that heads directly south of the city.

Assets

It holds warehouses of fish that need to be processed before consumption or exportation. It holds on to a minor store of basic minerals like iron, copper, and granite. The surrounding wildlife, as rare as the herds are, also supply Haven with a store of hides, pelts and fur plates.

Guilds and Factions

The White Dragonknights have the general presence in Zidatzu, but their relationship with the citizens of Haven is hostile, launching regular raids and attacks against the capital. There's also longhouses for the Divine Order and the Arcanic Essembly, should the need ever arise and is home to the few representatives of each faction. The Northern Fishing Guild is a guild that specializes in fishing, and works in cooperation with the House of Soldi as the guild responsible for the trading, transporting and communication with the rest of Targonia.

History

Haven was once a territory that consisted of multiple clans of Nordic humans that lived in the area. That changed when the frost giants began to populate the area and the invasion of the white Dragonknights reached to Zidatzu. When both events occured, a Nord by the name of Zidias Bearwalker of the Northwind Clan called upon the other clans to form into a megaclan to increase their chances of survival. The clans were united, and they fought against both the giants and the Dragonknights, until they recieved help from the human sages that would bring about the unification of Targonia. When the sages helped, they agreed to helping the clans build, and in cooperation with them, renamed the city Haven and its country Zidatzu in Zadias' memory.

Architecture

The architecture is inspired with a mix of Viking-era Nordic culture and Inuit culture. Most of the large houses are built with either wood or stone, and the smaller buildings and shops were built with snow and ice, and some have been tunneled underground and used the natural permafrost, white ice and granite as permanent structures. Despite the harsh conditions, many people attempt to adorn their houses and shops with either animal remains like skulls or hides, or with family heirlooms like family crests and wishwalkers.

Geography

The land is very flat, with a few small hills rolling through the city of Haven. It is a small in-wall river that leads directly to the Redemption Coast and then the Palicfier Ocean. It is mostly featureless, with a few odd patches of shrub and rock dotting up from the snow and ice.

Natural Resources

The northern portion of Redemption Coast is home to many arctic fish like cod, bloodletters, and Northern Pykefish. The wildlife living around here include caribou, elk, foxes, hares, buffalo and wolves

Alternative Name(s)

The Snow Rose of Zidatzu

Type

City

Population

Approx. 100,000

Inhabitant Demonym

Havien