Starkhaven

Starkhaven is an independent and prominent city of the Free Marches which lies close to the Minanter river.



Background
In 2:15–2:45 Glory Starkhaven arose and prompted its king, Fyruss, in attempt to unite the Free Marches under his banner and build his own empire. In 2:80 Glory, Fyruss was betrayed by his Tevinter allies and ousted from Starkhaven; the Tevinter Imperium conquered his city in result. This led the Chantry to declare an Exalted March to liberate Starkhaven from the Imperium. The following battle for the independence of Starkhaven was short, but bloody.

Now, the largest city in the Free Marches, the independent city-state of Starkhaven is ruled by the Vael family and has strong ties to the Chantry in its governance. It sits on the Minanter River in the northeast and borders with Antiva. Starkhaven has had its share of memorable events in Thedas history, such as being the site where the Second Blight was ended with the Archdemon Zazikel's destruction by Grey Wardens, and in the Steel Age, when it was besieged by Qunari invaders who hoped to cut off trade to the north, only to be repelled. It is known to have had at least one Champion rise to prominence who participated in the Battle of Ayesleigh.

It is a place of wealth and opulance, with many kingly estates with fountains of marble and paths of granite. It is also famed for its superb cuisine, with its most famous dish being fish and egg pie. It is made with three deboned fresh fish, boiled eggs, dried fruit, spices, and thickened cream, topped with a light crust.

Starkhaven was the location of one of the two Circles of Magi in the Free Marches (the other being in Kirkwall), but it was destroyed in 9:31 Dragon.

According to Sebastian Vael, Kirkwall is the city's largest trading partner.

Governance
Being the largest of the Free Marches' many city-states, Starkhaven is governed by a prince. Starkhaven has been ruled by the Vael family since the ousting of the self-anointed "King Ironfist," the last in a series of low-born warlords claiming sovereignty over the city. The first Prince Vael was proclaimed prince when he refused the title of king.

Trivia

 * According to Varric, Starkhaven is "pretentious".
 * If in Act III female Hawke rivals and flirts with Sebastian, he says "The prince of Starkhaven and the viscountess of Kirkwall? It would be the strongest alliance the Free Marches ever had".