Stormhaven
Ruler: Govenor Eldspar
Government: Town Council
Population: 15,000
History
Stormhaven is the oldest of the new human settlements in the
North. The harbour was first discovered by Captain Ernwest of the
Druthnian whaling ship the Dauntless some forty winters
ago. The Dauntless was being driven before one of the
fierce storms that sweep across Iceclaw Bay and was about to run
onto one of the many reefs on the rugged, rock strewn northern
coastline when the lookout spied a narrow opening in the reef
ahead. The captain deftly manoeuvred the ship through the channel
and through a passage in the cliffs that led them into a
sheltered deep water harbour where they were able to shelter from
the storm. The harbour was protected from the fierce northern
gales by steep cliffs above which (in fairer weather) cormorants,
albatross and other sea birds soared. While the storm raged the
ship was securely anchored and safe from the oceans fury.
After spending several weeks refitting their vessel, exploring and mapping the harbour and surrounding area the Dauntless returned south with glowing reports of the harbour and its suitability for settlement. Prior to this the whalers had been forced to travel far to the south to process the oil which they hunted the whales for. Stormhaven Bay, as they had named the harbour would be an ideal location for a northern whaling station. Soon many ships were using this sheltered harbour as a base from which to launch their whaling expeditions into Iceclaw Bay and seasonal whaling station had been established.
By the year 189 WR Wolgar II, King of Druthnia was planning to establish a colony in the far north to take advantage of the many resources available in this area and the reports flowing in from Stormhaven made this bay the first choice to locate his new settlement. The stands of northern pine were extremely tall and supple making them the ideal material for making ship masts while he'd also received reports that the area surrounding Stormhaven Bay contained many areas of flax, a plant used to make sail cloth. If he could establish a colony in the North he alone would be able to control both the whaling and fishing vessels using the Northern Banks and the supply of the above mentioned resources for there was nowhere else along the coast that seemed so suitable for a new colony. His spies had also sent word that the King of Wesmark, a long time rival of Wolgar's, was planning an expedition of his own to the North to claim the harbour as his own. Alarmed and vowing not to be outdone Wolgar ordered the baron of Reydenfarn to organise a fleet and set sail at once. The race was on.
The baron's ill equipped ship had many harrowing experiences at sea, including a run in with a Drakkar longship, but it arrived bruised and battered at Stormhaven in time to raise Wolgar's flag and claim the land for the king. But not a moment too soon, for the following morning the ship the EarlsPride of Wesmark entered the port, only to find their rival's pennant flying from a flagpole on the foreshore and the territory already claimed. The disillusioned Marklanders stopped for several weeks to refit their ship, which too had been battered by storms, before heading north in search of a suitable location for a settlement of their own. The Earlspride's was never seen again.
Population
Over the years the port of Stormhaven's population has steadily
grown. The city as it is now called is home to about fifteen
thousand permanent residents, most of whom come from Druthnia.
During the summer months the population swells by another 5,000
or so with an influx of sailors and ships from throughout the
Western lands using the port as a base for their expeditions into
Iceclaw Bay. As winter approaches most of these ships sail home
with their holds full of goods but a few of the braver captains
winter over in the city. Almost all the city's population are
human abut there are occasionally dwarven merchant or gnomish
artisan plying their wares in the busy market as well. In fact in
recent years small communities of these two races have begun to
emerge and even flourish. Elves are a rarity in Stormhaven as are
half elves. In recent years there has been growing tension
between the settlers and the elves on the colonies borders as the
clearing of forest lands to provide timber for housing and ship
building is leading to a decline in the already tenuous
relationship between the settlers and the wild wood elves that
call the forests home. In fact several outlying homesteads have
been attacked in recent months and the tension on the frontier is
rising.
Economy
Since the founding of Storrmhaven there has been growing trade
between the dwarves and the nations of the south. This trade must
pass through the port of Stormhaven and this continual flow of
gold and iron goods has made the city extremely wealthy. But the
flow of trade is not only one way and the dwarves are now able to
purchase superior human made goods that were formerly unavailable
to them- wool which for some reason was unavailable in the
kingdom until recently is especially prized by the dwarves and a
flourishing trade has recently developed for woollen goods.
Government
Stormhaven is a colony of Druthnia and is ruled by a governor
appointed by the King. The average length of governorship is five
years but the king can appoint, or dismiss a governor whenever he
chooses. The Governor is assisted in his duties by a council of
prominent merchants, guild leaders, and the Captain of the Watch.
Together these people make up the town council. The council's
role is purely advisory in nature but the governor listens to
their advice before making his decision and also has the power to
delegate responsibility to the various councillors and their
guilds. The council leaders therefore play an important role in
maintaining the day-to-day running of the city while the governor
usually deals with more important matters.
Armed Forces
Stormhaven has a permanent garrison of 500 troops who
are responsible for maintaining law and order in the city and
surrounding area. The soldiers are well trained, led and equipped.
Troops usually wear chain mail, carry shields, long swords and
crossbows. It is becoming fashionable amongst the emerging upper
class in Stormhaven to have their sons commissioned in the Watch.
This page was last updated on
Wednesday, 10 October 2001