Honeymill

 

Politics

  The city of Honeymill is within the domain of House Prominere and controlled through their proxy, the minor House Dextrose. Unlike a major house, such as House Prominere, House Dextrose does not have a Rhetor, rather is led by its Patriarch alone. The Patriarch of House Dextrose chooses to delegate power over the city to a small city council, and keeps out of day-to-day managerial affairs.   The city council of Honeymill consists of three elected citizens as well as the local Vestrial Priestess and a member of House Dextrose, generally the heir.  

Historical Overview

   

Founding

  Within the territory of House Prominere, Honeymill is the main agricultural center for their portion of the Coquet Heights. When the Nine Founders had their territory divvied up by Vestria, Dennic I Prominere received the difficult marshlands of the northern Coquet Heights. There he founded The Promenade, in the first decade of the Age of Rule.  

"Heading south down The Eastern Annex displays the stark contrast between the swampy, barren, northern lands of House Promenade's capital and the scenic cliffside trek to Honeymill." - Merchants' Roadmap of the Coquet Heights

  The Promenade's population grew as the city professionalized its whaling industry and pushed the whales further from the shore. This population boom necessitated a diversified food source, far beyond what the The Promenade's Whaling Industry could provide. Thus, Allen I Dextrose was sent south in 230AR to found a farming center for House Prominere.  

Growth

  Two major factors played into the growth of Honeymill beyond its original purpose as a purely agricultural city. Firstly, as House Prominere grew more established within their geographical position, they began to tame the expansive swamps along The Mire Thoroughfare. The Mire Thoroughfare itself is one of the most crucial construction projects in Anhara's history, and made overland travel between the wealthy Coquet Heights and the fertile Vestral Downs practical. The construction of the Thoroughfare meant a shift in traffic from the expensive seafaring journey out of Port Castellion towards a growing Honeymill as a popular jumping-off spot for caravans.  

"Pious families across the city have begun the annual trek to Honeymill for this year's Haruspex Festival. Interested parties are recommended to move quickly, as the best lodgings have once again been bought up by noble families of the capital." - The Whistling Observer

  The second major boon to Honeymill's fortunes came from the College of Vestrial Priestesses. Almost immediately following the Crossing Over, the Haruspex Festival became a seasonal touristic pull for Honeymill. This festival celebrates the annual procession of Vestrial Priestesses down The Haruspal Way and into Vestria's Grounds, where they seek to augur the goddess' blessings for the year.

Landmarks

  Honeymill is a small city and features no major political structures, places of higher learning, or burgeoning seaports like many of its neighbors. However, its scenic views across Honeyo Bay and idyllic fields of golden crops inevitably spawns a number of local landmarks.  

Bourdons Acres

 

"The smell of Meliloaf wafted towards me as I passed by farms miles outside of the city. I told my companions we would need to stop soon, as any experienced festival-goer knows the food is better if you get it in the countryside." - Le Friand in Anhara

  Located outside the southeastern walls of the city, Bourdons Acres is an expansive collection of inns, taverns, restaurants and hostels. In the weeks leading up to the Haruspex Festival, on the 16th of Mistra, Bourdons Acres begins to fill with those incapable of affording better lodging within the city proper. The town comes alive with colorful banners, music, performers, and frivolity until the first week of Mae, when the last of the stragglers leave. Outside of the month-and-a-half of festival activity, Bourdons Acres serves as a waystation for caravans of traders preparing for the journey to The Promenade and along The Mire Thoroughfare.  

Caer Miel

  A massive stone fortress jutting high above the cliffs along the coast of Honeyo Bay, Caer Miel is a crucial part of the bay's defensive system. One of the oldest structures in the city, it saw considerable upgrades after the incursions into Honeyo Bay during the Waterspout War, as part of the Coquet Height's general response to the Litoric Islands' attacks. Besides its defensive functions, Caer Miel serves as the governmental center of Honeymill, hosting the city council and House Dextrose's military officials.  

Haruspal Way

 

"Rumors out of Honeymill have it that a challenger sought out and successfully bested the Temena yesterday evening, replacing her as the new Lady of the Grounds. The College has, as usual, refused to comment, but if true this is the first time a Temena has been successfully challenged this century." - The Whistling Observer

  The Haruspal Way is not solely connected with the city of Honeymill, but nonetheless forms an important part of the city's economy and culture. The Haruspal Way is a sacred path, leading east from the city into Vestria's Grounds, and travel down it is strictly forbidden save for those with permission from the High Priestess. Those who dare to intrude down the privacy of the Haruspal Way are said to encounter the Vestrial Temena, or Lady of the Grove, a specialized Priestess of Vestria tasked with protecting the sacred grounds.  

Lordfall Quay

  As with any city or town on Honeyo Bay, Honeymill's Lordfall Quay features ships of all sizes and functions. Merchants transporting cargo to and from the city, incoming tourists during festival season, or the city's own fishermen making their living in the bay, Lordfall Quay is an active center of business for Honeymill.  

Saisson Brewing

  While a city without a brewery is a rarity, that of Honeymill's is of particular note. Saisson Brewing is well-known for its light, aromatic brews, which are a popular accompaniment to Meliloaf. While Saisson Brewing does frequent business with caravans or ships heading north to The Promenade, it is particularly popular during the Haruspex Festival. Due to the influx of pilgrims and tourists, Saisson chooses to sell only a small portion of its reserves during the rest of the year, and rides the profits from the Festival otherwise.  

The Granary

  The Granary is the main market district of Honeymill. During the festival season, the Granary comes alive with bunting and seasonal vendors who move into the city from all corners of the Coquet Heights. During the rest of the year, it serves as a major distributive center for House Prominere's agriculture. Officials from Houses Prominere and Dextrose catalog and distribute the harvest from the fertile parts of their territory, and organize caravans or ships to deliver it to needy towns.  

The Marble Observatoire

  An oddity in the city, the Marble Observatoire is a jutting white spire, in the style of Meridia, rising high above Honeymill's skyline. Its original purpose is ambiguous, with some saying it existed on the site before the city itself, but regardless it is a wonderous sight for travelers, and contrasts strikingly with the low-lying farmland of the area. Access to the Observatoire is invitation-only, and for the last few hundred years has played host to an outpost of Theurgists of Altra, priestesses of the goddess of mercy who serve as healers for the area.