Thistledown
Demographics
Humans, half-elves, halflings.
Government
A self-governed settlement that has always operated on a system of honor and integrity, where the greater good of all supersedes individual ambition. Peace and prosperity are all-important. The people of the town appoint an Elder, who is primarily responsible for acting as a liasion and spokesperson with neighboring settlements. Should the need arise, the elder will settle any manner of dispute.
The appointed position of Elder of Thistledown is more of an honorary title, and does not hold true power of the residents of the village.
Defences
Placed at distantly-spread-out increments around the perimeter of the village are wooden totems, engraved with runic symbols and imbued with druidic magic. These totems are used to ward off minor creatures by emitting suggestive magical spells in an aura beyond the perimeter. Beastlike creatures, wandering fey, and undead have been periodically spotted wandering near the edge of one of the totems and pausing, before turning around and calmly leaving.
Industry & Trade
Thistledown is a small village whose economy is based on bartering, small-scale agriculture, trade with nearby towns, and regionally inspired crafts.
Infrastructure
The village consists primarily of small homes built around trees, bushes and foliage. Rather than clear away the natural flora and fauna, the homes mirror the design stylings of their neighbors to the north, the elves.
A singular shared town hall exists just off the main path that leads to The Grand Oak, the name given to the village mercantile area.
The path extending from the marketplace area leads past an intersection, to a dead end, where the villagers have erected a shrine to the goddess Irise.
History
A village based on the premise of peace and solemnitude, Thistledown is actually believed to have been originally formed by a troupe of exiled musicians who were ridiculed and driven from Edinbury because of the physical appearance of one of it's members. A popular musical entourage united in solidarity when the ridicule and belittlement from the regular patrons of a tavern in Edinbury became excessive, and turned to violence. One of the musicians, who was born with a defect that caused him to have one leg shorter than the other, had a noticeable wobble in his gait. When he would perform, he would become wrapped up in the spirit of the music and he would dance as he played. This would cause some of the patrons to laugh and mock him, some would even throw things at him. He was called a freak, a mutant, and made to feel entirely unwelcome in the city. Rather than tune the noise out, the musicians, who themselves felt unappreciated by the local scene, sought a quieter life of peace and serenity. They left the city and traveled north, where they settled outside The Jade Forest and created what is now Thistledown. Over time, they invited others to join them, under the promise of a life of peace where acceptance was given to all.
Points of interest
The Grand Oak, as it is called, is the name of the marketplace in the village. A singular large oak tree stands in the center of the village, with shops and tents set up around the large trunk of the tree in a small concourse market area. Banners and streamers hang around the trunk of the tree along with floating lanters imbued with simple elven magic, that give the marketplace a festive, vibrant feeling.
Architecture
The homes in Thistledown are emblematic of the three different demographies that exist in the village. Human homes are typically small and square or rectangular, and made out of wood or stone, with thatch roofing. Halfling homes tend to be round, made of stone, and heavily obscured by grass and other varieties of overgrowth (roots, ivies, grass). Elven homes are almost exclusively crafted from wood, but are more elaborate in their craftsmanship, and tend to be elevated and show off some sort of grand staircase leading to the front door. A common practice in Thistledown is to showcase the locally-abundant flora either on the home itself, or in carefully manicured gardens around the home.
Geography
The terrain is mostly flat with a gentle rolling hill on the south edge of the village. The village is nestled on the edge of The Jade Forest.
Climate
The climate mirrors that of much of Lothlonde, as Thistledown is centrally located, it experiences a fair range of seasonal variety.
Natural Resources
Wood aplenty from the nearby forest, grain from the fields, stone from nearby quarries.
Founding Date
1764 AD
Population
~120
Inhabitant Demonym
Thistlers
Location under
Owner/Ruler
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