Thistlefort
Thistlefort is a settlement on the King's Road in Jegoria, between Moorsworth and Norford. Thistlefort is a haven of banditry, acting largely independent of the King's decrees and laws, but as long as the King's men are able to pass through without issue and the taxes are paid, the royalty in Norford pays little mind to what goes on in Thistlefort.
The current lord of Thistlefort is Lord Tormand Audhart.
Government
The fort is ruled by Lord Tormand Audhart. He cares little for the day to day goings about of the town so long as the gold continues to flow into his coffers. He taxes all the trade that comes through the town, but other than that, doesn't pay much attention to what is being traded. His guards are more concerned with keeping the trade flowing than actually detering the criminal element.
The Lordship of Thistlefort (and by that extend, the Enchanted Woods) is not always handed down via family lines. Killing the current lord is enough to take his place, provided the killer can keep control and the King happy.
Defences
Thistlefort is well defended, having stone walls and guard towers, as well as being situated on top of a hill. The hill is surrounded by two rivers. The rivers are walled off, and require drawbridges to cross and enter. The guards are used to combat, having to fight off the various threats of the forest when they try to attack the fort. The Lord is known to employ adventurers to go out into the woods to thin out the numbers of goblins and other dangerous creatures.
Guilds and Factions
The Black Spade Company - A mercanary guild that provides protection services for the various mercantile interests in the town. They employ ruffians and thugs to strong-arm businesses into providing protection, and are suspected to be the cause of the "accidents" that befall those who do not pay for their protection. It is an open secret that they are also the local thieves guild. The guildmaster is a man named Miles Grayson, who operates the largest store and trading post in town, Thistlefort Trading Company.
The House of Battle - The only remaining temple in Thistlefort, it hosts a small arena where people can spectate and gamble on fights. It is run by Battlemaster Daclan Whitaker, a cleric of The Warrior.
The Hunter's House - The local guild of guides, hunters, trackers, and trappers. They have a small guildhall in town, used mostly for meetings as the nature of their business means they are often outside the town. They prefer to stay out of local politics, keeping to themselves and using their various talents to ensure none of their members are coerced or cheated.
The Junkburn Tribe - A tribe of goblins that between the lower walls at the bottom of the hill and the walls around the fort proper toward the top of the hill. They are tolerated by the town, as they gather up trash and refuse and take it back to their lairs, they can be quite handy with crafting things from junk, and what they cannot use, they normally burn. They also help to keep the rodent population down, using the local rats and pigeons as a food source.
The Red Eagles - A band of mercanaries, they focus on protecting caravans, escorting important travelers, and have also taken contracts to drive off monsters and outlaws in the woods. A more respectable group than The Black Spade Company, they often find themselves at odds for contracts.
The Standing Bear Tribe - A tribe of barbarians that inhabit the Enchanted Woods. They have many villages scattered across the woods, but none close to Thistlefort. They do however have a small encampment to the north of the city walls, where they hunt game and catch fish, and trade with the town.
The Violet Fire Order - This branch of the Violet Fire Order has five wizards, all who live in the tower, and sell magical goods and services. Led by Illiana Mooncape.
Geography
Thistlefort is built atop a large hill, and under that hill is a series of deadly halls and other dungeons that adventuers come to explore. Two small rivers converge outside the fort, creating a natural moat that goes around the hills.
Type
Town
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