Sleeping Beauty

Background Once upon a time, in an old house in the heart of a wood was an orphan girl named Brienda and her kindly old teacher Magus Shaemes...   The tale of how Brienda Bhalaene escaped the assassins of family Ghieste with the aid of the court and now waits in magical sleep for her family or someone worthy to rescue her is known through popular nursery tales across Anuire. Reputable scholars agree that Brienda fled the house during a feud between the two noble houses and that the old mage vanished for a time around the same date before returning to aid House Bhalaene in its battles where he was slain by a mysterious sorcerer who aided House Ghieste.   Though many years have passed, and House Bhalaene (and for that matter also House Ghieste) has fallen, blood tells and anyone wedding Brienda would have a claim on her families old lands. As such anyone who rescued Brienda would have an interesting diplomatic opportunity on their hands - Baron Gavin Tael of Ghoere would see her as a threat - or as a chance to boost his families standing in the ancient imperial lines of succession, anyone opposed to Tael could use her to foment discord in Ghoere, etc.   Location This starting point is set in Anuire.   The Culture of Anuire Lords and Lady’s define their settlements. The common people strongly align with them. Witchcraft (Warlock class) is often done secretly as witchcraft is hunted and looked down upon. So you can be a warlock but while in the area keep that on the downlow.   The General Location The Northern Marches are the most dangerous and least civilised part of Anuire. This area is home to only two kingdoms from the old Empire, for the land seems hostile to civilisation. Dhoesone and Cariele lie nearly surrounded by inimical forces.   Dhoesone borders three non-human lands, as well as Stjordvik of the Rjurik. Cariele shares its borders with four non-human realms. Life in these lands is uncertain and nearly as brutal as in neighbouring Rjurik. The nobles and rulers here have little time to waste on pleasantries and pleasures. They must instead save their energies for the unceasing battles against enemies on all sides. There are the xenophobic elves Tuarhievel to the South, but there are some there that are less hostile to non-elves but tread carefully. There are Dwarfs to the north, hidden in the mountains. Then Giant's to the East. Of all the lands in Dhoesone, Giant's Fastness most often feels the tread of giants. Several nomadic giant clans winter in the province before travelling north to spend summer in the Giantdowns. Fortunately these nomadic giants do not seem overly interested in the folk of Dhoesone, unlike the Fhoimorien who raid every few years. Giant's Fastness is one of the three provinces, along with Dharilein and Soniele, where the Sons of Hjalsone have significant influence and as a result many of the people live a nomadic life.   Aubreycott is a small village on the Rudle River that separates the Giant’s Fastness of Dhoesone and the region of Dhoneaghmiere of Tuarhievel. It has a quarry on the river as its main trade with a lumber yard. They also have orchids and farming lands.