Haafnar

Haafnar's population is a volatile mix, reflecting its divided nature. While dwarves and elves make up the majority (roughly 45% dwarves, 40% elves), significant minorities of gnomes (5%), halflings (5%), and even a few orcs (5%) reside within its walls. These smaller groups often find themselves caught between the two dominant powers, facing discrimination and hardship. Precise numbers fluctuate due to constant migration and displacement, but recent censuses put the total population at approximately 20,000.   The gnomes, with their knack for tinkering and engineering, often find employment maintaining the city's infrastructure, working alongside both dwarven and elven artisans. However, they are often overlooked in political matters, their voices rarely heard amidst the larger conflict. The halflings, known for their trading skills and neutrality, often act as intermediaries between the two factions, running small businesses and facilitating trade. But this neutrality also makes them targets of suspicion from both sides. The small orcish population, mostly descendants of mercenaries who fought in past conflicts, struggles to find acceptance in either community, often relegated to the poorer districts and facing prejudice from both dwarves and elves.

A sturdy stone wall, scarred by old siege engines and hastily repaired breaches, encircles the city. However, it's the division within the city that truly defines its defenses. The Bo-Asha River, once a source of prosperity, now serves as a de facto border, its bridges heavily fortified with checkpoints manned by both dwarven and elven guards. These checkpoints are tense, bureaucratic affairs, where documents are scrutinized, and travelers are subjected to suspicious questioning.

Being an important trading city for both the Elves and the Dwarves, Haafnar's warehouses are large en plentiful. Facilitating storage for all kinds of wares and resources.   The following shops and establisments are currently in operation:   Dwarven Side:

• Grimnir's Forge: A dwarven blacksmith, specializing in tools, weapons, and armor.
• The Stone Hammer: A dwarven stonemason, selling building materials, sculptures, and other stone goods.
• Deep Mine Provisions Ltd: A dwarven general store, selling food, supplies, and other goods for miners and other workers.
• Tonal Ajustments: A dwarven jeweler, specializing in crafting and selling jewelry made from precious metals and gemstones.
• The Axe and Tankard: A dwarven tavern, serving traditional dwarven food and drink.
• The Copper Kettle: A dwarven bakery, selling freshly baked bread, pastries, and other treats.
• The Stone Carver: A dwarven woodcarver, specializing in crafting and selling wooden goods.
• The Wandering Merchant: A traveling merchant, selling goods from all over the world.
• The Exchange: A dwarven bank, offering a variety of financial services.
• The Tipsy Dwarf: A dwarven bar, serving a variety of alcoholic beverages.

  Elven Side:  

• The Whispering Tree: An elven fletcher, specializing in crafting and selling bows and arrows.
• The Silver Branch: An elven jeweler, specializing in crafting and selling jewelry made from precious metals and gemstones.
• The Greenleaf Apothecary: An elven apothecary, selling herbs, potions, and other remedies.
• The Dancing Sprite: An elven tavern, serving traditional elven food and drink.
• The Rune and Quill: An elven bookstore, selling a variety of books and scrolls.
• The Gilded Lily: A high-end elven clothing store, selling fashionable clothes for the wealthy.
• First Bank of Dungol: An elven bank, offering a variety of financial services.

The city of Haafnar is a city that is both in the Utrimar Kingdom and the The Free State of Dungol. On the edge of the Dungolian side of the city starts a large wooden fence with a heavily secured gate, allowing the Dungolians to travel to the other cities. On the mountainside of the city is a large entrance to the tunnels going back to Kalzomaruk and other dwarven cities. A small dock allows boats to travel up and down the Bo-Asha River.   The infrastructure reflects the division. The dwarven side (south) is characterized by sturdy stone buildings, many showing signs of damage. The elven side (north), bordering the river, features more wooden structures, often hastily constructed and sometimes even built on stilts or platforms extending over the riverbank. This gives the elven districts a ramshackle, almost precarious feel, especially compared to the solid dwarven construction. The river itself is dotted with small docks and piers, mainly on the elven side, where smaller boats and river barges dock. A larger, more fortified dock exists at the city's eastern edge, shared by both factions but heavily guarded.

The city has several districts:  

• Dwarven Districts (West and South): These areas are more orderly and militarized, with a strong presence of dwarven guards. Many buildings are under repair or show signs of past damage.
• Elven Districts (North and East): These districts are more crowded and chaotic, with a large population of refugees and displaced persons. There's a visible tension between the elven citizens and the newer arrivals.
• Haafnar Square: Located at the citycentre, this square is meant to be a neutral ground, but it's often the site of tense standoffs and protests. The government building, a hybrid of dwarven and elven architecture, stands as a symbol of the city's divided nature.

Haafnar's history is intertwined with the rise and fall of the Onallis Empire, the vast elven realm ruled by the revered Emperor Onallis Mo'Salisun. During his reign, Haafnar flourished as a vital trading hub, its grand temple a testament to the Empire's power and influence. It is said that Onallis himself visited the city, further cementing its importance. However, after his death, his son Wavanil proved unable to maintain the vast empire. Internal strife and neglect weakened its foundations, leaving it vulnerable to a cataclysmic event that shattered its power. Haafnar, like much of the empire, suffered greatly, the temple reduced to ruins. Centuries later, dwarves and elves arrived, drawn to the region by its resources and the imposing ruins. They built their own city upon the remnants of the past, the government building rising from the foundations of the fallen temple, a constant reminder of the Onallis Empire and its tragic end.

The city's existence is the most interesting point of the city. Besides this, the main government building of the city is an interesting point. Situated on the middle of a large square, it overlooks the city and is composed of both elven and dwarven architecture. The building is the oldest building in the city and is believed to built on the ruins of a The Forgotten Empire building.

The Bo-Asha River feeds on to the Flodamiel River, providing access to other cities through the use of boats, there are several boats making round trips to the other cities. The city doesn't receive many tourists through these channels, mostly traders, or people on bussiness trips. People who would consider themselves tourists, go to the city for a taste of the other culture's food or customs. Or perhaps to visit family.

Situated at the root of the Blubbermountains and next to the Bo-Asha River. The city has ample supply of fresh water and minerals from the mountains. The region receives a lot of rain however, with clouds, formed above the forest cooling at the moment they reach the mountains and forming the forementioned rain.