Atlas
Imarel Travel Guide - by T.A. Saunders ©2010 v1.2
The city of Storm Haven was founded by some of the refugees of Blackgate's fall that returned despite what had happened. Seven of the twelve that survived and a handful of mercenaries made the return voyage north, intent to lay claim to a new land, despite the horror of what happened at Blackgate. Harrowed by Masoq almost the entirety of the voyage the very ground the city sits on was the place where the mercenaries decided to make a stand against them. Despite being out-numbered nearly three to one, the superior tactics and skills of the mercenaries won out. Recognizing the area as a particularly defensible one that resides somewhat close to the sea and hills sloping to the south and north, it was decided that a new settlement would be made here.
It didn't take long for the Voraath tribes to find this new settlement of Humans, but upon establishing that they did not keep any of the Shar'Vaire artifacts buried under Blackgate, nor had dabbled in the demon-worshiping rites of Khavos, a tentative peace was struck. Since that time Storm Haven has become perhaps the most prosperous of the freeholds of Zoda, with Zodastag a distant second. This prosperity has, in recent years prompted talks with the Republic of Windsong to add Storm Haven as part of the republic for the vast mineral wealth and bustling fishing trade it enjoys. Whether this comes to pass or not remains to be seen.
Storm Haven's main industries are mining boromandite, iron and copper, which is particularly lucrative and deep sea fishing. A great many talented Northlander smiths reside here who have made a small fortune fashioning iron weapons for the Voraath tribes that visit to trade with the freehold, gaining in return Voraath relics that sell for a great deal of gold on the open market. Storm Haven is also a popular jump point for mercenaries and adventurers new to Zoda that may wish to explore further or chance the Ruins of Blackgate.