Note: Only to be edited by phoenixandashes and Fanny. Fanny's plays that Prince guy that may or may not end up ruling this place and phoenixandashes plays his dogsbody.
History[]
The largest city in the Free Marches, the independent city-state of Starkhaven is ruled by the Vael Family and has strong ties to the Chantry in its governance. It sits on the Minanter River in the northeast and borders with Antiva and the Tevinter Imperium. Starkhaven has had its share of memorable events in Thedas history, such as being the site where the Second Blight was ended with the Archdemon Zazikel's destruction by Grey Wardens, and in the Steel Age, when it was besieged by Qunari invaders who hoped to cut off trade to the north, only to be repelled.
It is a place of wealth and opulance, with many kingly estates with fountains of marble and paths of granite. It is also famed for its superb cuisine, with its most famous dish being fish and egg pie. It is made with three deboned fresh fish, boiled eggs, dried fruit, spices, and thickened cream, topped with a light crust.
Starkhaven was the location of one of the two Circles of Magi in the Free Marches (the other being in Kirkwall), but it was destroyed in 9:31 Dragon around the same time as the Vael Massacre.
The Vael Family[]
Being the largest of the Free Marches' many city-states, Starkhaven is governed by a prince. The ruling family is the Vaels, though the majority of them (including the ruling member) were murdered in 9:31 Dragon by Flint Company mercenaries in the employ of Lady Johain Harimann of Kirkwall. The Harimanns intended to usurp the Vaels, placing the maleable Goran Vael on the throne.
Before the slaughter of the Vaels took place, they exiled their youngest son, Sebastian, to Kirkwall, in order to live a chaste life in service to Andraste's Chantry. The young Vael avenged his parents, killing both Johain Harimann and the Flint Company sell-swords.
Timeline[]
- Transfigurations (TBD)
Trivia[]
- It is known to have had at least one Champion rise to prominence who participated in the Battle of Ayesleigh
Starkhaveners[]
- Sebastian Vael
- Elysia Brennan
- Maximillian
- Catriona Argrave
- Finley Argrave (NPC)
- Grace
- Alain