Thornwatch

Introduction

Thornwatch is a rugged settlement on the eastern coast of Alyrath Island. Far from the watchful eyes of Port Vengeance, it serves as a refuge for exiles, wanderers, and those seeking a second chance. Governed by its own rules, Thornwatch is neither a lawless den of criminals nor a bastion of order; it is a place of survival, where past deeds matter less than present actions. Thornwatch is a village of the forgotten and the forsaken, a place where past sins are drowned in salt and ale, and where survival is the only true law.

Geography

Nestled between a calm, sheltered coastline and the dense, thorn-choked woodland that gives it its name, Thornwatch exists in relative isolation. The village’s small harbor is its lifeline, offering safe anchorage and serving as the closest crossing point to Wavestone Island and the city of Anderfell- the gateway to the Keraian mainland. To the west, the forest looms like a wall of twisted branches and razor-sharp thorns, a place both vital and foreboding. It provides timber, game, and the occasional lost soul who underestimates its dangers. Some say the forest keeps its own secrets, but the villagers know better than to ask.

Goverment

Captain Derrek Harrow

Thornwatch is governed by a loose, unwritten set of rules shaped by necessity rather than law. There is no central council, no rigid hierarchy of authority- only the unyielding hand of Captain Derrek Harrow, the village's de facto ruler. Harrow’s rule emerged not through a noble lineage or political maneuvering, but by force of will and bloodshed. As a former Keraian navy officer exiled for mutiny, he rules with a mixture of pragmatism and iron-fisted control, ensuring the village remains functional amid the chaos of exile.

The village operates on a system of mutual dependence, where everyone has a role, and everyone knows the cost of failure. For the villagers, survival is a shared responsibility, and every citizen has their part to play- whether in the fishing boats, the black markets, or the guard towers that keep watch over the village and its secrets. While the Captain holds the power, Thornwatch is not without its factions. Smuggling syndicates, old rivals from the former lives of its inhabitants, and even disillusioned citizens occasionally push back against the Captain’s rule, but these dissenters rarely last long. Whether through intimidation or exile, Captain Harrow ensures that the village remains a place of survival, not chaos.

Daily Life

Life in Thornwatch is harsh but predictable. Fishing and hunting sustain the village, while trade- and the occasional act of smuggling- keep coin flowing. The docks are the heart of Thornwatch, alive with the steady rhythm of arrivals and departures, the scent of salt and fish mingling with the ever-present murmur of hushed deals. Trust here is a currency harder earned than gold, but once given, it is not easily broken.

As dusk falls, the village gathers at The Broken Mast, the infamous tavern and pleasure house where coin buys more than just ale. Here, bargains are sealed with a handshake or a blade, grudges smolder until they ignite, and fortunes are made or lost in the roll of a die.

Traditions & Customs

Storm’s Vigil

Before the worst tempests of the season, the villagers gather at the docks, lighting lanterns and tying charms to the weathered posts, whispering prayers to the sea. Some claim the charms keep the storms at bay; others believe they simply mark the souls that will be taken. Either way, none dare to set sail before the ritual is done.

Blood and Salt

Every exile who sets foot in Thornwatch faces a choice before making it their home: swear loyalty to the village with a drop of blood in the saltwater or turn back and never return. The ritual binds them not just to the village, but to those who share their fate. Those who refuse are watched closely, for a stranger without ties is a danger waiting to happen.

The Silent Hunt

The forest does not forgive the careless. Any who venture into Thornwood forest must return in absolute silence, for it is said that speaking aloud invites something unseen to follow. Some call it superstition, but the wise know better; those who break the silence often wake to find their doors marked with strange symbols, or worse, never wake at all.

People of Thornwatch

1. Captain Derrek Harrow: Once a decorated officer in the Keraian navy, Harrow’s exile came at the cost of mutiny, a scar that has never faded from his past. Now, as the de facto ruler of Thornwatch, he enforces a brutal form of order that blends cold pragmatism with the sharpened edge of steel. His rule is built on survival, not law, and those who thrive in Thornwatch know that loyalty to him is both a lifeline and a weight that can break a man. His gaze is unyielding, and his word is the only law that matters in a place where every day is a fight for survival.

2. Jara the Wingless: An Eaglor healer and local herbalist, Jara bears the weight of a punishment etched into her very flesh- her wings are paralyzed, bound by powerful magic, a constant reminder of a past she refuses to speak of. Despite the scars, she has carved out a life for herself in Thornwatch, raising her daughter Zara, Half-Eaglor, with a quiet strength. In a world that condemns both of them, Jara teaches Zara to survive by the unspoken rules of Thornwatch; trust no one, but fight for what matters.

3. Ben "Salt-Tooth" Merrick: A rough ex-pirate turned village guard, Ben is as weathered as the salt-crusted docks he patrols. Often seen nursing a flask and quick to anger, his gruff exterior hides a deep, unshakable loyalty to Thornwatch. His past is full of blood and betrayal, but now his sword serves one purpose: ensuring the village survives another day. Few understand the weight of loyalty like Ben, and fewer still would dare to test it. Ben is very close to Jara and is often seen training with the young daughter of the healer.

4. Marcia Bellhaven: The village’s most captivating presence, Marcia is the belle of Thornwatch, a young half-elven woman who plays the role of charm and intrigue with effortless grace. Working at The Broken Mast, she wins hearts with her smile, while gathering secrets that could change the course of Thornwatch's future. Whispers suggest she could one day rule the village, but beneath her beauty lies a mind as sharp as a dagger. No one has yet figured out if she’s a puppet or the puppeteer.

5. Elias Bellhaven: A man of few words, Elias is the hermit hunter who knows the Thornwatch forest like the back of his hand. Estranged from his daughter, Marcia, and haunted by his own past, Elias is a solitary figure whose presence is a constant reminder of the secrets Thornwatch keeps hidden. He trusts no one and shares little, but his knowledge of the land and its dangers is unmatched. Some say he’s waiting for something- or someone- to come, but he’s never said a word to confirm it.

Key Locations in Thornwatch

1. The Broken Mast: A rough-and-tumble establishment that serves as the beating heart of Thornwatch, The Broken Mast is more than just a tavern, inn, and brothel- it is where the village’s pulse is felt most strongly. Beneath its crooked sign, a place of both shadow and light, visitors come for shelter, warmth, and the promise of fortune or folly. The air is thick with the scent of salt, ale, and secrecy, and the creaking of the old floorboards keeps time with the murmurs of whispered bargains. Here, alliances are forged with promises and broken with blades; passions are kindled in private rooms, and grudges are nursed in dark corners. The Broken Mast is as much a home to those seeking refuge as it is to those seeking to manipulate or betray.

2. The Docks of Thornwatch: The docks are the village’s lifeline, where the salt of the sea mingles with the sweat of survival. From here, ships come and go, bringing in both goods and danger. The sound of creaking wood, seagulls’ cries, and hushed conversations fills the air, as the steady rhythm of the tides echoes the pulse of Thornwatch’s trade. Every crate hauled onto the weathered piers could carry anything from supplies for the village to contraband from distant lands. For those with the right coin or the right connections, the docks are a place to barter not just goods, but information, rumors, and favors.
3. The Thornwood Forest: An ominous stretch of land that encircles Thornwatch, the Thornwood Forest is a place of twisted trees, gnarled roots, and unyielding thorns. The forest’s dense canopy casts everything beneath it in eerie twilight, where the path is often lost, and the air thickens with the scent of decay and mystery.
   
   The forest is not just an obstacle for travelers- it is alive, both hostile and ancient, a silent sentinel over the village. It provides wood, game, and shelter for those brave or desperate enough to seek it, but it exacts its toll in return. Some say the forest holds a secret older than the village itself, and those who dare to discover it are seldom the same again.

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Founding Date

712 ADA

Type

Village

Population

300

"Loyalty in this place is a blade; sharp, unforgiving, and only as good as the hand that wields it."

— Captain Derrek Harrow

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