The Cauldron
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The Cauldron, home of the less affluent and working class non-humans of Haven, is not so much a melting pot as a patchwork quilt of different racial neighborhoods that only slightly overlap. Dwarves and elves are by far the most numerous, inhabitants, making up two-thirds of the Cauldron’s population, with halflings, centaurs, and the winged avanthari making up the remaining third. Half-orcs and tieflings are not welcome here, and must make their abodes elsewhere, usually in the ghettos of The Labyrinth.
The dwarves of the Cauldron live and work in single story structures of stone and Brick, which tend to lack the extensive underground levels that characterize the more affluent Dwarrow. Because of the stiff competition for the few eligible dwarven females in the city, the dwarven denizens of the Cauldron suffer the greatest envy toward their more prosperous kindred, and work most feverishly toward improving their status and leaving the neighborhood for better things.
The elves of the Cauldron are primarily Sindarin, by far the most numerous kindred present in the city. Unlike their Noldor cousins in Erinhir, the Sindar do not seek to avoid the influence of their non-elven neighbors, adapting to city life in ways uniquely their own. They participate actively in the manufacture of spider-silk, an uniquely elven (and highly prized) fiber, and in the import and sale of elvish herbs and wines. Several have become quite wealthy, and able to adorn their wood or half-timber homes in the area around Dancing Green with delicate woodcarving and small elaborately maintained gardens; all are viewed by their Noldor counterparts as vulgar, capitalistic, and all too human-like.
The relatively small number of centaurs residing in Haven live along the lower end of Neh Way, in extended family units, in long, low buildings with wide doors and open walled courtyards. Most of these creatures are employed in Haven’s transportation system, either on the trolley routes or pulling a hansom cab.
A smattering of halflings occupy the area of the Cauldron around West Smial Street, a neatly kept avenue of aboveground round-windowed shops and cottages. Primary professions include wood-working and coopery. Of all the neighborhoods, the Cauldron halflings maintain the closest, most relaxed relationship with their kindred in The Dell.
Humans are generally much more welcome in the Cauldron than in Erinhir or The Dell, and they are not at all an unusual sight on its streets.
Many languages are spoken and understood here, and many “imported” goods and products are available, some of which are made only a few blocks away. Taverns and inns generally feature ethnic specialties, and are far more reasonably priced than the specialized restaurants of the more affluent neighborhoods. The Dancing Green is frequently the site of elvish festivals and dancing, open to all who enjoy such moonlit revels.
The Cauldron, however, is primarily an area of small-scale light industry and small businesses, with most of the residents working out of their own homes. The figures of greatest importance in the business community here include the elven House of Flanderin, the halfling families of Miller, Baggamuffin, and Salsenpheffer, and the clan of the old centaur patriarch Jarius Gildenhoof.
Spidersilk, a rare and delicate fabric woven by the elves, is made from the silk of giant spiders, imported in bales from the deep forests of the Wold. The fragile silk is combined with flax on the distaffs (elves do not use the spinning wheel) and looms of elvish spinners and weavers in the Cauldron. This industry centers around Spidersilk Street and provides steady employment for the numerous spinners, weavers, dyers, and fullers who live in the neighborhood.
The industry in spidersilk is dominated by the House of Flanderin. The family is involved in every aspect of the production from the purchase and transport of the raw silk to the management of the spinners and weavers who convert it into bolts and cloth, to the export of finished fabric. The Flanderin family also own many of the houses in which their workers live, and use some of the profits of the business to sponsor festivals and other benefits for their workers - nonetheless, workers are only modestly better treated than their human counterparts in the wool and linen trades.
Persons of Interest
— Master Nimoyin :: A Sindar half-elf of later years, and a former adventurer and traveler, who now prefers the quiet life of his city home. To keep himself busy, he teaches mathematics and philosophy at the Institute of Mathematics and lives on South Evenstar, near the University of Haven. —
— Captain Kiroc :: A (supposedly) retired mercenary captain, a former adventurer and explorer, and still a formidable strategist and warrior. He is restless in retirement and can frequently be found working out at one of the Sworn Sword halls in The South Corridor or at The Four of Swords on Lorien Street. —
— Silverthorne (aka Prince Celebdil :: A Noldor elf with piercing grey eyes and very pale blond hair who describes himself as “a simple traveler” and appears to be a fighter of some kind. If in his company for very long, one gets the impression that there is a great deal more to this “simple traveler” than meets the eye. —
— The Companions of Silverthorne :: Silverthorne has a small band of loyal followers, who have sworn to defend him and his interests, and to help him regain his throne: Mistwood, Stagtamer, Dewleaf, Rowen, Songbird, Clearwater. —
[anchor|street_encounters]
Random Street Encounters
While a party is wandering through the area roll d1000 to determine what random encounter they may have. Note that some encounters may happen in multiple locations in the city so feel free to ignore the results if the event is a one-off and already happened.
People and Locations in The Cauldron
| People | Places |
|---|---|
| [tagged:the-cauldron-person | list |
Demographics
Government
Defenses
Industry & Trade
Infrastructure
Districts
Assets
Guilds & Factions
History
Points of Interest
Tourism
Architecture
Geography
Climate
Natural Resources
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Persons of Interest
- Master Nimoyin
- Captain Kiroc
- Silverthorne (aka Prince Celebdil)
- The Companions of Silverthorne
Type: District
Other Name(s):
Located In: The Outlands
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World Anvil Metadata
Id: 983c8fa2-3df5-46b0-91fb-3dbe004450da
Entity Type: Article / settlement
Category:
Tags: fcoh,district
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