Haven The Cataclysm & The War of the Lance The current year for our Dragonlance campaign is set during 351 AC "After Cataclysm". Inspired By Trampas Whiteman

Haven arose in Abanasinia from the ruins of an elven city that was destroyed in the Cataclysm several centuries ago. Over the years it has grown into a central hub for Abanasinia as a focal point for trade and commerce. Merchants from Haven utilize the river for shipping commerce in and out of the city as well as merchant wagon caravans.

The city seems to grow in size with the passing of each day. The largest city in Abanasinia, the Lordcity of Haven is a farming comunity centrally located between Solace and Gateway. Haven has been declared a Lordcity by its inhabitants, who naively believe their city rivals the great Lordcities of Solamnia. Still, Haven is an important hub of activity in Abanasinia. Its fertile farmlands yield many crops that help sustain the local people. In the past, even the Qualinesti elves purchased their grapes from Haven vineyards, making a wine that became famous throughout Ansalon.

A number of human families built the city with the aid of the elves and set themselves up as the rulers. Many laws and privileges were created at the whim of the founders, and any person who wishes to have any say in the Lordcity of Haven, must be able to trace their lineage back somehow to the city founders. The mayor who governs the city is of foremost importance in being able to do this.

During the War of the Lance, rule of the city was taken by the Seeker priests, who set themselves up as the Council of Highseekers. The Seekers' headquarters was erected in Haven and they setup their own militia, using the mayor of that time as their puppet. After the death of Verminaard in Pax Tharkas, Haven was made the new headquarters of the Red Dragonarmy. Beggars, casualties of the war, started to line the roads leading into Haven begging for food and coin.

Although Haven is geographically large, its population has been relatively small in the past, numbering around five thousand people. However, with refugees flooding the city, the population has swollen to just under fifteen thousand. With such a massive influx, thieves and other people of dubious profession walk the streets. Holy Guards are stationed throughout the city, viewing everyone with suspicion. The city is surrounded by a low marble wall that was originally constructed to keep out wildlife. A guardhouse stands at the city gates, which until recently were left open during the day, welcoming people from across the land. With the strange weather changes, the gates remain closed and anyone entering the city is thouraghly looked at and interviewed.

With the fall of the Seeker religion, rule again passed back to the mayor, and the city has continued to grow and develop through extensive trade and commerce.

As civilized humans entered the world and most elves receded into the woodlands, Haven gained more importance as a trade port on the Haven River "which empties into the White Rage River.

Thus began a new period in the history of the region, in which the people of city worked to improve and grow the city of Haven into the city it is now, not beholden to any greater power.

The trade city might have fallen from the gaze of history if not for it's development. The city of Haven is bordered to the west by the Haven River, slightly north west the White Rage River. Haven is bordered to the east by Darken Wood and due north it is protected by a series oh hills leading into a small mountain range. and the lands of Dyvers.

Over the many years, the city has grown into a beautiful, bustling city, full of life. It is on good relations with the surrounding region. The city of Haven controls much of the mining trade from various mining outposts from the nearby mountains.

It also has a large fishing economy. Haven trades mostly with the nearby cities and towns in the region. One of Havens true assets is its importance as a center of craftwork, learning, and mechanical innovation. Merchants and crafters usually practice their works in buildings dedicated for such tasks. Street vendors were rarely seen in Haven but they do exist to a lesser extent.

As part of the building and expansion efforts the city is focusing much of his resources to increase trade the neighboring cities and such and to contract crafters to help increase the city's infrastructure. The city of Haven has flourished over recent years, extracting taxes from the trade and occasionally caravans particularly those coming with silver ingots found in the hills to the north.

It is a walled city with a population that is growing to 14,889. The streets of Haven are mostly paved and cobblestone. The city has been significantly refurbished over the years, and many of its structures are made in stone by the dwarves from years past.