Thornhill

Hiding in the depths of the Hool Marshes , Thornhill is a miserable, hard place of soggy grass, grasping thorns, and criminal refugees. Established by a small band of escaped convicts, the unorganized collection of stone ruins, wooden hovels, and canvas tents stands as a testament to outlaw persistence and ingenuity that has lasted far longer than anyone planned or expected. The occasional adventurer will be lured to Thornhill seeking the treasures promised in several flooded tombs that lie in the abandoned tower, though those foolish enough to follow such rumors rarely reach their destination.

Leadership

To lead Thornhill is a declaration of strength and power, and as such turnover is somewhat commonplace. Leadership is often decided through direct, public challenges. Quiet assassinations often lead to murky claims of succession. Historically, leaders are wanted in surrounding communities for serious crimes. Despite holding a rank of visibly and notoriety, the dangers of the Hool marshes combined with the defensive measures taken to repel unwanted visitors deter law enforcement and other bounty-seeking individuals from coming directly in to Thornhill. Most arrests occur outside the stronghold's boundaries.

Current Politics

Following the recent arrest of Mannu Eronen, Atti Butra has assumed temporary stewardship. Her dramatic deviation from Hannu Eronen's aggressive yet profitable style has led to division within the camp. Ambitious bandits looking for personal power have been talking about creating a shift in leadership, though any such attempts are unlikely to succeed.

Buildings and Locations

1. Mud Bridge: At first glance the wood on this bridge looks unable to bear any serious load. On closer inspection, the rot is a painted illusion to discourage unwanted visitors.
2. The Drunken Lizard: Thornhills only tavern is a dark, drab place designed to discourage public conversation and questions. The food and drinks are adequate at best. A wanted board located next to the tavern entrance is covered with autographs.
3. Wennell's: A small wooden trading station filled with miscellaneous goods and run by a family with the same name. There is little here that would interest the average villager, though a perceptive eye would catch a faded etching of the thieves guild.
4. Hodge's: Passed down through several generations, calling this place a structure would be quite generous. The torn cloth coverings and worn patches can only highlight the impressive skills the owners have to draw out the life of any one piece of leather.
5. The Lodge: This stone building is one of the oldest in the area. A remnant from the old fort, vines and ivy grow over the building. The interior is devoid of things that would catch unwanted attention, but the walls proximately display sharpened weapons and skin and skull mounted taxidermized trophies promoting the strength and prowess of Thornhills various criminal leaders.
6. Crumpled Ruins: Judging by the moss and ivy, this older stone structure appears to have collapsed several hundred years ago, and lies toppled, half-sunken into the marsh. Camp members take great care to not draw attention to it, citing the risk of hasting the swamps consumption of other nearby buildings. In reality, an underground tunnel connect a preserved room to the lodge. Smugglers use this room to store illicit goods that would draw unwanted attention from the rest of the village and remains one of the villages carefully guarded secrets.
7. Haeck's: This modest bake house provides one of the few comforts from the nearby settlements. Grain is covertly acquired twice a year. Great care is taken to make sure the swamp floods do not damage any of the goods.
8. Blacksmith Shop: A testament to the town's required self-sufficiency, the large building features a modest workshop at the front, a small well in the back, and a tanning rack for leathers off to the side.
9. Yonwin's Dock: The stench of the small fishing station wafts through the eastern side of the settlement. Though the area is available for everyone to use, there is a small wooden box for users to depose a modest user fee that Yonwin uses for upkeep costs.
10. Aneth's Tower: An ancient crumbling wall of some forgotten ruin partially swallowed by trees, brambles and weeds looms near the camp. Once a precious link of magical research, the tower has fallen into disrepair and has largely been lost to time. Traps throughout the structure have discouraged camp members from exploring the rumored crypts below.

Maps

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  Crumbled Tower

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  Thornhill 2.0

Location under

Hool Marshes

Ruling/Owning Rank

Captain Bandit