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Brockham Test
For those first stepping foot outside of Insomnia, the Brockham Haven will very likely be their first introduction to the safe havens which keep weary travelers save from that which lurks in the night. All that they need to do as they make their way past the checkpoint is turn their head towards the left, and they will see the outcropping of rock which juts out from the hillside and glows a welcoming blue.
However, while the first Haven available to most travelers, it is not often the first choice of most. Instead, it is often only chosen by Hunters venturing down into the depths of the Crestholm Channel to clear out the daemons which plague its dim waterways, or the occasional fisherman who seeks reeling in the Dawn Lucian Carp in the early hours of morn. If there are any outside of those two groups who seek shelter there at Brockham, it is a traveler who only made it out of the city far later than they could have ever hoped, and do not believe themselves capable of making it to the Hammerhead in time.
There are multiple reasons for this, although they all seem to amount to the same thing: Brockham does not have very much to offer. Squashed between the Channel and a nearby Impereial fort, it is rather lacking in any appealing views which might soothe a tired soul after a long day's journey or when they awaken from a rought night of camping. The only wild food which might help bolster their stores would be a nearby outcropping of Aegir Root, should they tire of the Reservoir's fishing.
Still, Brockham does offer a fascinating view of abandoned construction that is but across the road. When viewed from the peak of Brockham, while one is sipping at their morning coffee, seeing those would-be towers of brick and concrete leaves one with a sort of melancholy, and reminds them of how fortunate they are to have lived in a city fully formed and reliable.
This does, of course, require one to be able to be able to ignore the dead-eyed robotic stares of the Magitek Troopers stationed in the nearby fort.
Yet despite the proximity of both Fort and Channel, or perhaps because of such proximity, very few monsters actually lurk around the immediate area of Brockham. This perhaps is something that will no doubt appeal to those travelers who are not so equipped to handle the local wildlife in the way that skilled Hunters or independent fishermen are, for all they need do is make a short break from the road up to Brockham.
Still, for those whose sense of aesthetic is particular and thus will find no satisfaction in such a place where the reminders of civilization are so overbearing, the fortunate news is that Brockham has a sister Haven just on the other side of the Fort. A small drive away (or walk, if one's vehicle happens to be incapacitated) will find them at Palmaugh Haven. The view is one of the few differences between the pair.
For a meal to eat at the campside, I recommend a simple Multi-Meat Sandwich. Any well prepared traveler will no doubt have Daggerquill breast and Gighee ham in their supplies, along with some bread that should still be decent. Augment the meal with Aegir root, and one will find themselves having a nice simple meal befitting of the scenery.
★★✩✩✩
However, while the first Haven available to most travelers, it is not often the first choice of most. Instead, it is often only chosen by Hunters venturing down into the depths of the Crestholm Channel to clear out the daemons which plague its dim waterways, or the occasional fisherman who seeks reeling in the Dawn Lucian Carp in the early hours of morn. If there are any outside of those two groups who seek shelter there at Brockham, it is a traveler who only made it out of the city far later than they could have ever hoped, and do not believe themselves capable of making it to the Hammerhead in time.
There are multiple reasons for this, although they all seem to amount to the same thing: Brockham does not have very much to offer. Squashed between the Channel and a nearby Impereial fort, it is rather lacking in any appealing views which might soothe a tired soul after a long day's journey or when they awaken from a rought night of camping. The only wild food which might help bolster their stores would be a nearby outcropping of Aegir Root, should they tire of the Reservoir's fishing.
Still, Brockham does offer a fascinating view of abandoned construction that is but across the road. When viewed from the peak of Brockham, while one is sipping at their morning coffee, seeing those would-be towers of brick and concrete leaves one with a sort of melancholy, and reminds them of how fortunate they are to have lived in a city fully formed and reliable.
This does, of course, require one to be able to be able to ignore the dead-eyed robotic stares of the Magitek Troopers stationed in the nearby fort.
Yet despite the proximity of both Fort and Channel, or perhaps because of such proximity, very few monsters actually lurk around the immediate area of Brockham. This perhaps is something that will no doubt appeal to those travelers who are not so equipped to handle the local wildlife in the way that skilled Hunters or independent fishermen are, for all they need do is make a short break from the road up to Brockham.
Still, for those whose sense of aesthetic is particular and thus will find no satisfaction in such a place where the reminders of civilization are so overbearing, the fortunate news is that Brockham has a sister Haven just on the other side of the Fort. A small drive away (or walk, if one's vehicle happens to be incapacitated) will find them at Palmaugh Haven. The view is one of the few differences between the pair.
For a meal to eat at the campside, I recommend a simple Multi-Meat Sandwich. Any well prepared traveler will no doubt have Daggerquill breast and Gighee ham in their supplies, along with some bread that should still be decent. Augment the meal with Aegir root, and one will find themselves having a nice simple meal befitting of the scenery.
★★✩✩✩
Merrioth
Nestled right in the heart of the Three Valleys, Merrioth often finds itseslf host to many an individual hitting those dusty old roads as they deliver food to up to the Prairie Outpost, or making loops to harvest the plethora of foods which flourish naturally there in the Valleys. Sometimes, it is nice to simply take a break in a place where one is confident that they will not be bothered by the ever roaming packs of Sabretooths or the temperaments of Dualhorns. The nearby parking spot especially makes it easy to pull in, and talk that short walk up to Merrioth.
It isn't only locals who should take advantage of the Valleys' natural harvests, although admittedly it may take more than the average traveler merely passing through, considering the constant nuisance the Sabretooths possess. Still, if one is prepared for dealing with the pests, they will find all sorts of treasures within the area's namesakes. Sometimes 'treasures' may be rather literal, with plenty of old rusted ruins leaving all sorts of things to be pilfered to those who know to spot them.
More valuably, however, are the desert foods which can be found. Within the valley, nearly all of its palate pleasers are available if one only put in the hiking effort. Up to the north and east, birdbeast lay their eggs which are often fresh and delicious. The northern valley is also host to the ever present Leiden pepper, and its southwestern sister holds deliciously plump Leiden sweet potatoes. Of course, Merrioth is but a morning's walk away from Criclawe, and so the bounty of more eggs and the Leiden potato is also available there. Truly, for those who enjoy immensely filling meals, the Three Valley will not disappoint the determined forager.
It is rare to find a truly perfect camping ground, unfortunately. While Merrioth is host to so much, it is also host what used to be a small settlement. No doubt many historians could have much to say on those shattered and empty buildings there. Certainly they have worked hard on it all, for it is no doubt they contributed to the streetlights which burn bright in the heart of the Three Valleys, along with the presence of that ever important road and visits from geologists curious about the nearby Longwythe Peak.
For those who have the misfortune of scrambling through the night, these streetlights are no doubt a beacon of relief. It is only when you settle down for the night that one may find it difficult to get any proper rest as the bright lights sheer past even sturdy tents, as though civilization is knocking on your door once more.
Needless to say, getting a good view of the Peak at night is not the most ideal from Merrioth, unfortunately.
That is no reason to give up on a good meal, however. Take advantage of those bright lights and the shelter the Valleys provide by breaking out the grill for a fine steak. Dualhorn lack fat in the meat around their ribs. There's no protein quite like it, and you get a particularly nice kick when you grind up Leiden pepper seeds. With spicy long-bone rib steak filling your nose and stomach both, you won't be quite as bothered by the lights.
3/5 stars
the peanut gallery
chocobro: do ppl srsly struggle with the light thing that much? i foudn it p cozy myself. almost like being back in the city again but with less traffic and more howling from deep in the night. 5/5
womenwantme: This place is so close to being perfect that it kills me that is has the big glaring issue of all that technology right there. Plenty of animals to hunt, food to forage, items you can scrounge up in the dirt, and then, finally, Longwythe Peak, towering right there up in the sky. It's a sight to see when the sun is up in the sky, but at night? The effect is just completely ruined. It's not just the Peak that you lose the view of, either. You're practically right on top of the lights overe there, to the point that I don't think you can see anything past the Haven. Ruins the whole experience. 1/5 stars