Favor Haven is a bit of an anomaly. Chance founded Dragonstail the middle of nowhere, and the other Kraglander cities were brand-new as well, meant to bring together scattered settlements full of squabbling nobles. Favor Haven, though, has been a bustling little village for centuries.
Bounded by the Black Hills to the north and the Blackwood to the south, the newly made city has the potential to access vast resources. Its near neighbor of the ladies also makes potential trade with the dwarves a possibility. It is primarily for these reasons, it is believed, that the High Prince made Favor Haven a city and appointed his uncle, Charles the Dark, its Viceroy.
There are problems, however. Despite its cheerful name, the city is plagued by undead roaming the hills and fields nearby. Vampires, in particular, are unusually common. Lycanthropes of all kinds occupy the Blackwood, and walk unknown among the citizenry. Add to this a few verified occasions where doppelgangers replaced high-ranking citizens, and the Haveners are a paranoid and superstitious bunch.
Haveners favor drab, shapeless clothing in black or gray to avoid drawing attention. Women and men alike cover as much skin as possible, leaving little for evil creatures to bite or scratch. Women even veil their eyes with gauzy cloth to ward off the evil eye, and men keep huge, messy beards to cover their necks.
Burrowmen are treated as little better than property here. They are forced to live in shantytowns outside of the village proper, and considered good only for hard and distasteful work. This includes the building of the new Viceroy's residence, a squat and ugly fortress of gray and black stone. The complex is honeycombed with passages, tunnels, blind alleys, and hidey holes, the better to protect Charles the Dark from his enemies. Many halflings have lost their lives in its construction, and rumors say that they were murdered to keep secrets of the palace that they had built. There were even darker whisperings, like the use of halfling blood in the building's mortar.
The populace is famous for its soups and stews, and every home has its kettle always on. The base is usually one or more root vegetables, many grown in colors not found elsewhere. These are invariably served with dark, sweet bread containing dried, chopped fruits, vegetables, or nuts.
Root vegetables and scraps are fermented and then distilled into a strong, clear, flavorless alcohol which is steeped in herbs and flowers. The resulting liquor is called Guto, and each household makes their own. Men carry a supply at all times in a hip flask called a Gutalo, and use the liquid to ward off evil, ill luck, and sickness. While it can be sprinkled for the purpose, the usual method is to drink a small nip. Sips are also taken by men and women throughout a meal during frequent toasts and blessings.
Every Favor Haven Festival includes a bonfire, and folk add bundles of plants and metals that burn with bright colors. Music favors a combination of wind instruments with bells and chimes, and frequently changes tempo. This makes dancing a challenge. To help, most dances are group affairs, with each person in the crowd helping the others to keep up. These events often feature demonstrations with the whip, a weapon with which the locals are famously skilled.
Thieves and rogues of all kinds are treated poorly here, and masks are against the law. These are all seen as symbols of Leto, goddess of undead, an unwelcome presence to people wary of vampires.
Type: City
Parent: Kragland