The Town of Mysthaven
Geographical & Geopolitical Placement
The pre-sundering ruins scattered about the nearby woods are evidence that this area was of some import prior to the cataclysm. Unfortunately, those details have been lost to time and whatever settlement was once here has been destroyed in the wake of the Sundering.
Following the Sundering, as political tensions grew, new trade routes were needed to circumnavigate new enmities, and what was once a lonely track through the woods swelled to accommodate travelers from far and wide.
Today, Mysthaven is nestled in the wooded foothills at a natural crossroads of sorts between several kingdoms. The natural resources of the area have largely gone unexplored due to its fledgling nature and distance from the major settlements of bordering powers.
The Mists
A seemingly ever-present mist lingers in the woods and wilderness that surround the ruins and outpost. While inconvenient at times and outright dangerous at others, traversing the mists is one of the least consistently deadly risks of the wilderness and going the long way around just isn’t a feasible option for travelers. However, prolonged exposure to the mist has induced illness, vertigo, and even death in those that stay in it for too long. The exact nature and source of the mist is unknown, but it seems to be thinnest or absent entirely within the ruins and immediate area of the outpost. This is the haven in the mists!
History
Many rumors and stories abound about the places and peoples outside of the borders of the major cultures across the land.
The Veil Wars
During the dark times of the Veil Wars, The Lotus Empire tried to establish an outpost here as a show of force to intimidate the squabbling local tribes and expand its reach. Sadly, it was a reach too far and the months of travel away from Lianhua meant that the empire couldn’t maintain a steady supply chain and the outpost was deemed not worth funding further. Citizens of the empire will tell you that the outpost was attacked and sacked by raiders from Marshhelm who were no better than savage dogs.
Other stories are whispered, in fear, of the day that a tear in the Veil opened in the woods a few miles to the West of Mysthaven. The blast that radiated from that tear leveled the structures in an instant; there were no survivors.
The Blood King’s Peace
As the “peace” settled across the land, Mysthaven gained a new importance to the civilizations nearby. Serving as a buffer state between several of the major powers that have emerged since the Sundering and with swords turning to plowshares, the outpost has become a popular stop along the routes of travel between the powers-that-be. The hazardous mists and dangers throughout the wilderness naturally funnel people through the area.
Recent Years
A few brave, or perhaps foolish, souls have taken advantage of the opportunity for profit and power. In 75 AF, an expeditionary force was sent to try and establish a hold in the woods near the outpost. This group of researchers, mages, and homesteaders uncovered what they could of the ruins there and did their best to make it livable. The constant threat of attacks by twisted creatures, prolonged exposure to the mists, and other horrors drove all but the most stalwart or foolish away, leaving a core community of stubborn people dedicated to carrying on the work of living in the woods. A small population of researchers, opportunists, and wayward travelers can be commonly found in Mysthaven. The area is rife with buried ruins.
Current State
While not completely free from the persistent effects of the Sundering, each of the great cultures have made progress towards rebuilding and have begun to look for new opportunities to further their ambitions. Some wait eagerly to try and conquer their neighbors while others hope to use diplomacy to maintain peace into the future. Subterfuge and schemes abound as the major players have been limited in their ability to act, restrained by the power of the Blood King’s Peace.
The growing importance of this outpost has become apparent to the peoples of Pelolia, Fola, Piccarda, The Lotus Empire, Totemreach, Marshhelm, and even the Kafervolk. As of now, Mysthaven is important because of what and who passes through it primarily and not what’s in it.
The Mysthaven Accord
In a diplomatic summit between five of the major political powers, an accord was struck to establish The Council of Five, a representative body to rule the otherwise lawless wilderness in which Mysthaven sits. They agreed to help fund and protect Mysthaven, in order to reap the rewards of this burgeoning town and extend their influence beyond the magically enforced borders. Each power designated a leader to the cause and to represent their interests.
While a clever loophole of sorts to the limitations of The Blood King’s Peace, the concept was a tenuous one and squabbling was unavoidable. As the leaders squabbled and bickered amongst themselves over who and how to run Mysthaven, one member bailed on the agreement, leaving a hole to be filled by local votes.