Snippet #956329

Two years have passed since that horrid day, when the dragons scorched the earth and let the skies bleed ash. Every mortal capital has been destroyed save for the human, elven and dark elf capitals as well as the gnollish and lamian capitals...which were renamed the Paragon. Nearly each and every small town, fiefdom and city aside from those five within the Paragon have been razed by the Children of Flames, the dragon faction. Barely a month after their emergence the Children seemed content with controlling a majority of the mortal race's major cities and ceased their mass attacks. Given the amount of disposessed people and the fact that the capitals could ony hold the richest and most important, the lost, the homeless and the mercenaries and soldiers without purpose slowly drifted together. These men and women of every race, from across the continent began to amass and rebuild. Dwarves and minotaur, halflings and goblins worked side by side to shape stone and build foundations. Lamia and elves, nightmarians and deep humans, your race didn't matter as long as you contributed in some way.

The speed at which these makeshift cities arose and grew in popularity was astounding, the first of these "Havens" popping up after only a couple months of having been practically destroyed. They functioned like normal cities, for the most part, trading and bartering, living in houses, gambling and everything else inbetween. It wasn't like these places were resistance stronghold erected to oppose the dragons...no...they were simply places to live. To survive. There was an unspoken truce between races, that nobody would discriminate or attack out of ignorance...not publicly anyways. A senate made up of a representative of each race was usually the law of the Havens, and since things were about equal there were surprisingly few complaints. The largest Haven at this point in time lies in the ruins of a once great orc city in the lands between the Imperian and the Jurial Plains. This megapolis, a melting pot of every race, is known as Gia. The city has been rebuilt from the ground up with a thriving marketplace, city hall, libraries built to preserve lore and even a red-light district. Needless to say, there are several thousand homes of varying size and make packed all throughout and even under the city.

It was founded almost exactly five months after the Day of Ashes by a Shokunen Helvaras, who abdicated the title as monarch in favor of a council soon after. He was offered a seat within the lamia capital, safe from the outside world and reluctantly accepted. For now, the council rules and things go well...

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"Mel! I need three roast boar specials for four, hold the sauce on one of 'em!" the dark elf at behind the bar worked at a fevered pace, calling back the customer's orders and sliding froth-topped mugs of ale down the long table while scooping up handfuls of coin all at once. Belsius Avaran caught a slight moments reprieve and surveyed his tavern. Well, partially his. Still, it felt good to have a purpose again, however minor. He and his brother now owned the largest inn in Gia, the Holy Hannah.

Back in the kitchen Melianth flipped over two frying pans filled with meaty smelling vegetables along with small bits of pork. He flipped around within the tiny cooking space and opened up a clay over filled with several roasts and pulled a large slab of meat out. After a couple cuts and curses the food was prepared and the tall darkling pressed a waiting bell. "Sweets, order goin' out! Table four!" he set the trio of plates down on the counter within easy reach and leaned against the wall for a moment catching his breath. It had been a busy day, considering it was only afternoon. He wiped his hands on a rag and checked the bandanna in his long hair to see if the thing was still tied back. He glanced outside and noticed the sun was high in the sky, it was nearly midday! Melianth's suspicions were confirmed when a beefy orc boy squeezed past him into the kitchen.

"Sorry boss! I slept in! I'll get to work on the double." the young orc, Lo, immediately began working and checking on what was cooking and reading out the orders.

Mel grinned and shrugged, moving out into the tavern area to see Belsius removing his own apron and handing it to a scarred, rather tattered looking grey furred gnoll woman. She may not have been the most pleasing thing to look at, but the old bitch was as nice as they come. Having gotten their replacements, the two made their way to the middle of the eating area where Miralight and here animated servants were handing out platters of food. We're going out to buy pick up the shipment of barley and venison." he said, kissing the halfling on the cheek as he passed.

Belsius followed close behind and pointed towards the bar. "Ferana has your lunch, make sure you eat before taking your break to...study..." he scowled slightly. "Seriously, you forget to eat so often it's no wonder your so small." he smiled now, leaning down to peck her other cheek before jogging out after Melianth. "We'll be back by sundown at the latest! Oh, and tell the little ones that their food is behind the bar too!"

"Bye luv!" they both called out just before striding into the crowded streets. Today was a good day.