Lavenir

*“To govern means to preserve; tenacity in treaty.”*

By legend and record, Lavenir was born in 1530 (in claimance only), though its territory and premise has existed beneath other names for nearly a millenia. Before its inception as a city under its current name, the geography was typical for the Demathian church, farmsteads and meager lumbermills, often contested by minor factions within Haethis. At its birth, the land was blessed by the Woven Council, a pious collective of both humans and elves serving beneath Visni's light. Together with their families and servants they built walls around Lavenir, and expanded its culture through economical boons, heightened trading, and weaponized militias. To this day, Lavenir remains as the strongest capital in all of Haethis, presently in charge of seeing new exiles from the shores of their realm, bringing them back to their city to repair and recivilize.

## Political Structure

Lavenir is mostly feudal in political structure, however, over the years, the Duke and Her council has allowed for more voting to take place. The Duke, Wystan Vanne, is the present ruler of Lavenir, with the Woven Council answering to him. Beneath the Woven Council are representatives and emissaries accepted by Lavenir, of whom represents the noble houses and common folk. There are numerous Houses in Lavenir, ranging from wealthy families in medicine, production, religion, military, and trade. Each head of House is considered a Baron/Baroness.

Houses do not immediately signify blood relations, as it has been known in Lavenir to recruit unrelated individuals for lower ranks, allowing them to work their way up the ladder. Many houses do take pride in their lineage, and some look down upon others based on introduced bloodlines, half-breeds between humans and elves, investment and donations, and political opinion.

## Religion & Celebrations

The majority of Lavenir's population worships Visni by means of song, scripture, and speech at the Demathian Church, which was erected in the year 679 AE (After Exile). The church itself has been rebuilt and refurnished over the course of nearly one thousand years and was not the first of its kind. Other houses of worship have been demolished centuries ago, whether lost to natural disaster or funded expansion. Roughly 80% of Lavenir's population holds some form of attachment to the Demathian faith, as Visni is one of the only Gods in existance that holds the ability to communicate and bless its people. Other religions have sprouted up through time, though none have been equally comparable to the blessings and communications between man and either Visni, Genvieve, Magdelena, or Veros. The Elves of Lavenir commonly include Visni's twin daughter Genvieve in their prefered worship.

### Wystan Vanne

Wystan Vanne, aged 61. A widower with two daughters, Wystan Vanne is the Duke and utmost ruler of Lavenir. He is rarely seen in public without an escort and has lived in Lavenir since he was born. He has never seen life outside of the Isle. A Visni-fearing man, well-spoken, and somewhat mysterious. He has been elected as Duke as his birthright and intends to pass the reigns to his daughter, Laure, upon his passing.

### Gautier Allard

Gautier Allard, aged 39. A man with a wife and no children, Gautier Allard is in charge of Lavenir's council, asking as an emmissary to other settlements and self-proclaimed city-states of the Isle of Exile. He is rarely seen in the public.

### Mirabelle Innes (Deceased)

Mirabelle Innes was a woman of 46 years years old. She was the former owner and manager of the Rattled Raven and typically worked every day of the week, with Tuesdays being her one day off. She looked over the hiring and management of the Raven's employees, instructing them to various tasks including dishwashing, barkeeping, stage performances, or general cleaning. She passed after being struck by a malicious arrow during a public hanging done against a tried criminal.

### Cooper "Hawks"

Cooper Hawks, aged 39. A father of three babes and the husband to his wife, Hawks lives outside of Lavenir and remains employed as a crier. He is commonly found at Lavenir's noticeboard wearing Lavenir Charge's uniform, answering general questions and reading off noticeboard submissions to the illiterate.

### Edolie Fairbairns

Edolie Fairbairns, aged 37. A single mother of one child, Edolie manages and leads Lavenir's scholars. Originally she worked out of the town hall, but with its construction she now resides in Lavenir's Athenaeum. She is the lead journalist and editor of (Newsletter) The Athenaeum Ledger.

### The Rattled Raven (Tavern)

Built and established in the year 1621 AE (After Exile) by the great Osma Woodse, the Rattled Raven is one of Lavenir's oldest remaining buildings, where some artefacts had been torn down and rebuilt as its people grew more accustomed to Haethis's available resources. The building itself is quite large with two stories, and plentiful inn rooms for its guests. It is presently owned and managed by Jaliene Hart.

### The Athenaeum (Library, School, Town Hall, Museum, Newsletter)

Built and established in the year 1627 AE (After Exile) by Edolie Fairbairns, Lavenir's Athenaeum contains a library, museum, study/teaching area, town hall, and newsletter workings. It is here that (Newsletter) The Athenaeum Ledger is produced.

## Elesport

Elesport is a small, trading port-town located north of Lavenir along the Neruse River. Lavenir presently holds claim and ruling over Elesport, taking command from its previous owner, Sir Sawyer Woode, leader of the Freebooter Brigand. As Elesport has always been a chosen home to those preferring the seafaring trespass, the architect and general ambience outstretching from the piratey ports has remained over its various owners. The people there are typically merchants, artisans, caravaneers, and dockworkers as the of Elesport prospires through trafficking and transporting imports and exports. Haethis' deepest caravan vein utilizes Elesport as its headquarters, as do a few unreputable factions use Elesport for their primary domain.

### Smoke & Shade

A small opium den that functions as a tavern for many in Elesport, both locals and travellers alike. Due to the nature of this premise, Lavenir is never quick to acknowledge its existence, as many attempts over the years to close it has lead its council and government to hold unpopular vote. The Smoke & Shade is owned by a small family and run by its hired employees. More than just opium flows through the pipes and bubblers at this opium den, including lotus and the lesser-feared tobacco. A total of seven murders have been confirmed at the Smoke & Shade over the last decade.

## Stories & Fables

Collections of work recorded and copied by the inhabitants of Lavenir.

### The Mason and His Hammer

Long ago an old mason washed up onto the shore, as many of us did, with nothing but the fabric on his body and a hammer tied at his belt. He could not remember for what crime or trespass he had committed, or accident mayhaps, that brought him to this island - nor where or if he’d ever see his small family again. But injured was he, and unable to walk, a bone broken beneath torn flesh. For five long nights did the mason wait at the shores amongst its marram brush, exhausted and weak from the elements that came into the bay, grasping in his prayers to Him that he would be saved.

On the sixth morning the mason wept, pale and hungering, quavering that none would find him; his heart shattered that he would die alone.

Again the night would march on, the lasting sun an audience for the wicked howls and terrors of the night. Once before he had seen the bare mark of man, speaking a language he knew not of and carrying a blade glistened red in the moonlight. A bated breath, his station still, the mason hid in fear. He was not a sword-baring man, nor had he the agility to truly run; he knew only how to build from wood and stone.

The mason’s prayer turned to worship, a sadness tasting the heel of service fitting to hymn. His chiseled lungs carried a beautiful song along the banks, promising one last of Visni’s grace to comfort him before as honey coating his wrath. And lo, his comely carol did bring one to his aid - two, in fact.

A delicate woman with golden brown hair, an olive branch braided on her robe, and on her arm a strong yet knowing man holding a bull’s set of horns. Together they helped the mason to their camp, gentle and listening until revealing to him the canopies and cloaks that gave them shelter. They too had been carried in from the treacherous swells, healthy enough to create but without the knowledge to build. They were scholars of the mind, not scholars of stone. Both man and woman cared for the mason, splinting his leg and feeding him with the vegetation that grew from the rich soil. They explained to him there was no possible way to return to the realm he once hailed from, and that their fate had been sealed for His purpose.

At first the mason would not believe such abhorrent news, swearing by his hammer that he’d return to his home once before. But to return to his home he would need a boat, and to build a boat, he would need a saw. Yet perhaps they were right, and the mason’s destiny was stronger than any song he could sing. Though to leave towards the sea that brought him in, the mason would need a boat. To build a boat, he needed a saw, and to find a saw he’d need to trade. In order to trade with the unknown, he’d need a defense. A month would pass and the mason decided that he would remain with the woman and man that reminded him of his own grown children, declaring that he would build them a place to rest and keep safe.

“Every house begins with the foundation.” Said the mason, clearing the brush and pulling roots near the canopies; making a spot on the forest’s edge to carry stone into the earth. But regular stone and clay would not warm them through the winter, and so he challenged the man to find him bricks. Unbeknownst to the challenge, he’d make due, no matter how wanting he was of such a basic resource. The bricks could retain the heat from their hearth, but he had not the tools to make them. Had he was to ever know, the first brick lain would sing Lavenir's inception.

By the heavens, the man did return with a stack of bricks, carried on fabric and dragged along the road to their camp. However curious was the mason, he first accepted that the man with a bull’s strength peacefully acquired the bricks. He said they were a gift from Visni himself, blessed was the clay and shale he carried to thank the mason for his generosity. But one night they shared beneath the tent, supping at their meal with conversation daring towards the house the mason was building. The mason asked the man, "-

[The rest of this tale has been missing from the Athenaeum's collections.]