Hanen
Where heroes are born
Hanen, the Brave City. Residing within The Free Cities of Alderun, Hanen is the smallest of the Alderian cities, but has a reputable history. During the Alderian Rebellion. The rebels of Hanen did not have the numbers that were originally needed for its defense. The rebels had overthrown the city, but were expected to lose it against the armies of Kapesh in the coming assault. Reinforcements could not cross the expanses to support the rebels within Hanen, as South Kapesh was crawling with enemy troops.
Kapesh attempted to retake take Hanen by siege, and failed. So they tried again, and failed. They even made for a third attempt and against all odds they failed. It was at this time support from Holocene arrived. Kapesh would never lay a boot on Hanen soil again.
Historians and tacticians speculated at what gave Hanen the means to defend their city for so long, but the most concrete explanation is the citizens of Hanen fought exceptionally well. The core reasoning for this exceptional fighting became prevalent over time.
Some people of Hanen posses strange abilities, locally known as ‘gifts’. A rare phenomenon, with each individual case manifesting uniquely. These abilities appear as physical or magical boons of power. Some obvious example of one possessing these powers may be able to breathe fire, climb vertical surfaces, see through walls, or manipulate the arc of a thrown object. More subtle manifestations appear as great skills. Some may not even recognize they have a ‘gift’. No individual is known to posses more than one power.
Typically these powers are passed down a bloodline with an approximate 1 in 3 success rate. However some citizens may be born with new power at a rate of approximately 1 in 100. The abilities first appear around age 10. Historically the powers have been increasing in frequency and potency. Hence the past confusion regarding the strength of those from Hanen, as the powers used to be quite simple.
Empowered bloodlines are heavily sought after in modern day. Due to this, most noble houses are ‘gifted’. Most notably House Trent. The wealthiest family in which almost all family members are ‘gifted’.
The powers of Hanen waver if a ‘gifted’ individual spends more than 10 years from the city, but return fully when near the city once again. ‘Gifts’ cannot be passed down when birth occurs away from the city. Some suspect this is because the source of the power comes from the Glass Lake.
Identifiable by its ivy covered, weathered and off-white stone walls. Hanen is a quaint place, and recommended to any who travel. Due to Hanen’s location and strong population, it has one of the safest outer wilds, allowing for expansive farms, and a sense of ease.
# Overview
| Aspect | Description |
|---|---|
| Main Opportunity | A lucky few of the city’s people are born with special powers called ‘gifts’ |
| Main Challenge | The presence of these ‘gifts’ stokes an imbalance amongst the city’s people. The ‘ungifted’ frequently experience mistreatment by some of the ‘gifted’. The city’s leadership faces many political hurdles in remedying this due to the high number of ‘gifted’ nobles. |
| Climate | Temperate |
| Cuisine | Farmed goods, hearty meat-and-potatoes meals, wild game, ales and mead |
| Export | Agriculture, Mercenaries |
| Size | Small |
| Outer Villages | Some |
| City Leader | Lord Poe Abbarand |
| Primary Language(s) | Common |
| Majority Racial Group(s) | None |
| Majority Religion(s) | Wanderer-Centric, Zolaen-Centric |
# Major Features
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Distinguishing Features | Overgrown war-worn structures, Lakeside |
| Architecture | Off-white stone walls, ivy covered, clay tile rooves |
| Color(s) | Green and Gray |
| Symbolism | A shield bearing three drops of blood arranged in a triangle |
| Defenses | Lake-Navy, City Garrison, ‘Gifted’ Elites |
# People Groups
| Group | Type | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Nobility | Social Class | The wealthy and politician class, many of which have ‘gifts’ due to their family influence over time. |
| Common folk | Social Class | The working class of farmers, craftsmen, and other service people. Most in the city live good lives, making for few beggars. The largest challenge these people face is the frequent tension cause by living in close quarters with ‘gifted’ individuals. Many of which have destructive or lethal powers, and a sense of superiority. Some common folk have ‘gifts’ as well. These individuals are frequently married into noble houses, or keep their powers relatively hidden to avoid social pressures. |
| The ‘Gifted’ | Misc. | Locals to the city who are born with unique powers that grant magical or physical abilities. |
| Church of the Wanderers | Religious | One of the largest congregations of Sworn Wanderers in all of Zol. Notable as much of Zol resists the Wanderer-Centric beliefs. |
# Goods and Services
| Name | Type | Description |
|---|---|---|
| The Citadel | Keep | The city’s keep |
| Church of the Wanderers | Church | A grand cathedral built in honor of The Wandering Gods. It is unique as most churches built to the honor of The Wandering Gods are humble in scale. |
| East District | Market | The vast market district. Packed with many small restaurants and taverns. It notably contains no clear magic shop. Magical items can be found at various vendors selling odds and ends or Artificers’ services. |
| Wagons’ | Tavern | A large and simple tavern. The most popular of its competition, frequented by the Common folk. |
| The Lucky Few | Tavern | A higher scale tavern, frequented by the ‘gifted’ |
| Sozaren Academy | Sword’s College | An exclusive institution with the aim of training ‘gifted’ into skilled warriors. Located in Last Stand. Known to export remarkable fighters. |
| Hanen Station | Train Station | The city’s train station |
| Hanen Convergence | Teleportation Circle | The City’s sole teleportation circle. Located in The Citadel. |
# Authority
The city is overseen by Poe Abbarand, the Alderian Seat of Hanen. Lord Abbarand is an old honorable Half-Elf man. Despite the cities culture and history, Lord Abbarand possesses no ‘gift’, despite his bloodline. He has always had a vision of growing Hanen. It is a small city with no shortage of resources and much potential.
Unfortunately, he spends most of his time settling squabbles amongst the noble houses and cleaning up messes caused by the ‘gifted’. Despite his honor and efforts, his inability to exercise his authority upon the ‘gifted’ has given him a reputation of being spineless.
# Laws
The city subscribes to the Alderian Laws as well as enforcing its own laws.
| Law | Severity | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Misuse of ‘gifts’ | Medium | If one uses their ‘gift’ to harm, intimidate, or manipulate another without due cause they are to be jailed in the keep’s dungeon. (Note that despite this laws existence, it is rarely enforced. If it is enforced, the sentencing is usually very lax.) |
# Modern Importance
In modern day, Hanen is known for giving rise to many strong warriors that make an impact all across Zol.
It is also known to be a nice destination to visit. This is because of its safe location between Ka’thoor and Hanen. This allows one to venture out into the wilderness with little risk. A rare thing in eastern Zol.
# Historical Importance
Known for withstanding siege during the Alderian Rebellion against impossible odds.
# Other Things of Note
- It is expected in the next centaury, the presence of ‘gifts’ and their power will plateau.
- Many ‘gifts’ give moderate power, but there are the special few who’s abilities far exceed that of their peers.