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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.
★★✩✩✩
Emmelle
However, blog articles rating the various Havens which can be found throughout the land is not the place in which one will find such detailed discussions. Rather, I mention them merely to showcase those who are most likely to grace Emmelle with some company: the Hunters. Balouve has a never-ending goblin problem which requires regular cleaning out, like ridding one's clothes of cat hair. So for those outside Emmelle's regular visitors, be prepared to potentially share your campfire alongside a dustry and tired Hunter stumbling out from Balouve's depths.
Some might dismay at unexpected company such as this. I implore such individuals to reconsider their notions, and instead approach any such Hunters with compassionate generosity. This is both because it is simply the correct thing one should do as a human being sharing this world with others, and also because the knowledge of a Hunter is truly indisposable for those seeking success out in even mild wilderness such as the cliffs overlooking the rest area.
Of course, some of that success I reference is the culinary kind. As one begins to move away from the Weaverwilds and the Three Valleys, they begin to move through Saulhend Pass - a greener area that benefits from the sea not too far off. Emmelle and the other surrounding areas about the Balouve Mines are right there at the mouth of the pass, so the benefits of this can often be plainly seen with an intermingling of the Leiden mainstays sweet peppers and Leiden potatoes alongside fresh Eos green peas.
That is the practical success. For those desiring a little extra spending money on their journey, and with the right Hunter spoken to, they may find themselves directed to all sorts of little nooks and crannies there along those cliffs. A product of the mine's resources slowly filtering out through time or weather? Stolen goods left behind by scurrying goblins? It's impossible to say the origins of any such treasures, but they will be sure to benefit those who find them.
So whether you are enjoying the view of Longwythe's peak and the gathering below its base all on your own, or should you stumble upon shared company, it is best to do so with a good bite to eat. No matter the occasion, you cannot go wrong with with what is dubbed a Fried Rookie on Rice. Saxham rice and eggs should be easy enough to procure from down below at the rest shop, thanks to the ever present stalls of local grocers who make sure to drop by every morning, and from there, you need merely add in native ingredients. I recommend sweet peppers myself for that pleasant little kick which elevates the dish.
4/5 stars, although I admit my bias for having to fall into Emmelle's embrace after dragging myself from Balouve's.
the peanut gallery
chocobro: view would be so killer if there weren't the clanging and banging and screaming of goblinified souls weren't constantly echoing lk all the time 1/5 stars
womenwantme: Normally I would give a Haven like this a pretty low score, because it barely classifies as camping in my opinion, but, yeah. I think anyone would appreciate Emmelle Haven after having to dodge fifty mine carts for 12 hours. 3/5 stars