The following is an excerpt from the Journal of Khalid Johnstone – A Londoner in Stormhaven. Khalid is a young men from the London of 2024 who found himself in Stormhaven a city on a different world.
Two weeks after we heard of the death of the Adzar Emperor, Two weeks after the demons have been driven from Stormhaven and the Empire forces have retreated from Narshadow, a certain calm has descended on the city – people are coming to terms with what happened, with what was done to them and what they did. A week ago under a clear and still sky, we had come together in Citidel Park to watch Peredur’s body burn on the pyre. More than four thousand citizens, they say, too many for the Cathedral to hold.
We knew the story, Guian Starshadow told it, of how eight Paladins entered the astral realm and seven came back to their bodies, the eighth did not and his body died. More than anything else it was Peredur’s Sacrifice that saved the city from madness. The Paladin leader Farjika Pendragon had not returned from Narshadow so it was Galhadris D’Ancellus who put the torch to the pyre. It was not Morien the senior Paladin in Farjika’s absence, not Euen Mistborn Prime Administrator of the Commonwealth.
After Starshadow’s recounting of Peredur’s Sacrifice Galhadris led us in sacred songs including the one she herself has written: “Ulf Pendragon Will Return One Day”. Galhadris’s mouth was still swollen and the bruises from the stones thrown at her were still on her face. It could be seen that she had lost a tooth. But she stood straight as ever. People felt that her march through the streets of Stormhaven had chased away people’s anger and the demons that clung to it. She is certainly a celebrity now but that celebrity seems to give her more pain than her injuries. After the funeral she retreated into the Citidel when some people moved to touch her cloak and kneel before her.
This week, in the calm after the storms, I have started interviewing people for my journal ‘A Londoner in Stormhaven’. Boz has asked me to do this, and as he is effectively my sponsor, I have little choice. But I am happy to do this. I had made some notes earlier but they are too personal what I want is a who, what, where, when, how and why sketch of the people of this city. Not all the people I interview are celebrities, that’s not what I want and it wouldn’t give the ‘intimate outsider’s view’ that Boz asked for. So here are the first snapshots of the citizens of Stormhaven:
Guian Starshadow
A senior adviser to the Prime Administrator and mentor to several rising figures in the city, including Nathalie Moonglow. Known for his measured counsel and deep knowledge of Stormhaven’s political, magical, and historical currents, Guian operates largely behind the scenes, preferring influence through conversation and careful planning over public display. In addition to his advisory role, he teaches at Stormhaven University in the Citadel and at the Moonwell Academy for Divergent Students, where his subjects are Practical Ethics and Applied Metaphysics.
Where to find him: Most often within the Citadel of Governance, either in private consultation rooms near the Administrative Palace or walking the Citadel Green in thoughtful conversation with visiting dignitaries. When teaching, he can be found in the lecture halls of Stormhaven University or in the smaller, more eclectic classrooms of the Moonwell Academy.
Euen Mistborn
Prime Administrator of the Arten Commonwealth for twenty-two years, elected by the Council every five years without serious challenge. Tall, commanding, and widely regarded as one of the most capable leaders Stormhaven has known. Mistborn’s tenure has seen both stability and significant growth in the city’s influence, though his critics accuse him of political manipulation. Rumoured to maintain an extensive intelligence network across the Commonwealth and beyond, he is noted for his long-term strategies, particularly in managing tensions with the Eastern Provinces and the Adzar Empire.
Where to find him: In the Administrative Palace at the heart of the Citadel, presiding over Council sessions or receiving envoys. Occasionally seen on the Citadel balconies overlooking the city.
Nathalie Moonglow
Resident of the Moonwell District and a familiar figure at the Sleeping Dragon Tavern, where she works closely with Boz. Trusted by her employer and respected by many in the Fringe and Sprawl alike, she is known for her discretion and reliability. Nathalie’s background before Stormhaven remains largely private, though she has been seen in the company of Guian Starshadow and occasionally undertakes tasks that seem to extend beyond her duties at the tavern.
Where to find her: At the Sleeping Dragon Tavern, at home in the Dragon Harbour district, greeting patrons, managing the floor, or coordinating with the kitchen. Occasionally spotted in Moonwell’s quieter lanes.
Boz
Proprietor of the Sleeping Dragon Tavern, one of Stormhaven’s busiest and most well-regarded establishments. A towering man with a genial public manner, Boz is said to have been in the city for decades without seeming to age much. Stories circulate about him travelling through the Gates to other worlds, though he neither confirms nor denies such tales. Known for his broad connections across the city, from guild leaders to street-level informants, Boz’s influence is as much social as it is commercial.
Where to find him: Almost always at the Sleeping Dragon’s front room or private office. Occasionally seen at the Guild Houses in the Citadel or travelling the market districts.
Kal-Eranin & Brudda
Co-head chefs at the Sleeping Dragon, living together in Dragon’s Harbour. Kal-Eranin is an Elvakai man with a reputation for precision and artistry in his cooking. Brudda is an Orakai woman whose steady presence and skill in the kitchen have won the tavern’s menu much of its fame. While their personal relationship is not publicly discussed in Stormhaven, they are widely respected for the harmony of their work and the consistent quality of the meals they produce.
Where to find them: Almost exclusively in the Sleeping Dragon’s kitchen during operating hours. Outside work, occasionally shopping together in the Dragon’s Harbour markets for fresh produce and spices.