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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.
★★✩✩✩
Lachyrte
They cost absolutely nothing.
Of course everyone would love to stay at the famous resort which has made Galdin such a household name in recent years. To dine at its excellent restaurant, be treated to its luxurious massages, stay in high class rooms. It is a vacation spot which is hard to be unaware of, considering the many radio ads and billboards which boast its qualities.
When one finally arrives at that lauded destination, however, they may come to realize that perhaps their funds are not quite up to snuff as they may have thought. In which case, it soon becomes a crossroads as they are left to ponder which of their expenses should be left out to dry. In my experience, the answer is simple: a night underneath the stars with the sea breeze winding through your hair is a luxury all its own not to be ignored.
After all, it is not as though the natural beauty around Galdin Quay is lacking in any way to those manmade delights upon the water. Strolling through its fine green hills offers a sense of relaxation which reaches deep into the soul as much as the smell of the ocean, and serenity will lay comfortably in your pocket right alongside the Aegir root and funguar which you will find on such a hike. Those especially inclined to longer walks may even find the most beautiful shells laying there amidst sand and grass.
Yet best of all, at least for those who truly thrive in the sport and were left to suffer in the arid landlocked areas of Leide (which is most of it), Galdin hosts two wonderful fishing locations where they may cast their line. Vannath Coast is the most obvious one, with a fishing shack right there in plain sight from even the parking lot. Its cousin, the Galdin Shoals, takes a little more hunting to find... but so long as you follow the beach east, you will find its little dock soon enough. For a skilled enough fisherman, they may find even more ways to save money than merely staying at Lachyrte.
A skilled enough fisherman, or a skilled enough cook. Needless to say, if one's funds can handle the hit, then indulging at Galdin Quay is certainly encouraged, even if they try nothing else. Yet for those who would rather the luxurious massage than a table with all the stops, they needn't worry, for a creamy crustacena omelette is just as decadent a meal as anything else. A single Shieldshear has enough meat in its claws to layer upon creamy birdbeast eggs to no end, and adding in Eos green peas adds a delightful textural element.
For those who can relax on their preconceived notions of what a luxurious vacation must look like...
5/5 stars
the peanut gallery
chocobro: i think the salt is permanently in my hair now. :( just scrounge up the moolah for a hotel room. pls. 1/5 stars
womenwantme: There really aren't a lot of Havens on many other beaches anywhere else... and some place like Galdin Quay would probably always open up along them anyway. So I guess you take what you can get here, even if you're literally looking at a parking lot full of tourists jusst a five minutes walk away, if that. 2/5 stars.