Thistlethorn

Thistlethorn is an area in The Lowlands province, which encompasses the Imperial county of Chrichheim. It is located in the south-east of the province and marks part of Chrichheim's border with Konigheim.
Thistlethorn is one of the smaller areas in The Lowlands in terms of both land area and population. Indeed, much of the area is unsettled frontier and open countryside. This makes it a popular area for the training of Chrichheim's local section of the Imperial Army.
The name comes from the areas natural defensive position as well as the above-average numbers of forts and other military outposts that dot the landscape.
== Geography ==
Thistlethorn's geography is defined by its strategic and somewhat inhospitable terrain. The area is comprised of a mixture of open countryside and unsettled frontier, alongside a landscape of rolling hills, dense thicket patches, and sparse woodlands that offer natural defensive positions. These geographical features are interspersed with man-made fortifications and military outposts. The weather in Thistlethorn tends towards the cooler side, with frequent mists and downpours that add to the challenging conditions for both the stationed troops and the local flora and fauna. The temperature of the area hovers at around 5-10 °C on average all year long. As a result, snows are quite rare - especially settled snow. Rain and wind, on the other hand, are significantly more commonplace.
== Economy ==
Thistlethorn's economy, though modest in comparison to more populous regions, is significantly influenced by its role as a military training hub. The presence of the Imperial Army and various military outposts stimulates local businesses, from blacksmiths and armourers providing necessary supplies and repairs, to inns and taverns catering to the needs of stationed troops and visiting officials. Agriculture, while not as extensive as in more fertile regions, focuses on sustaining the local population and military personnel, with farms producing hardy crops and livestock suited to the cooler climate. Additionally, small-scale craftsmanship and trade, particularly in goods made from wool, leather, and timber from the surrounding woodlands, contribute to the local economy, with artisans finding a steady demand for their work both within and outside the military community.
== Wildlife ==
=== Flora ===
Thistlethorn's rolling hills and open countryside are adorned with a mix of heathland vegetation, including heather, gorse, and bracken, which thrive under the temperate, often misty climate, providing a burst of colour and a vital habitat for local wildlife. Sparse woodlands dot the landscape, with native trees such as oak, birch, and rowan offering shelter from the elements and contributing to the area's natural defences. In the more cultivated areas and around the forts and outposts, one might find carefully managed patches of crops and medicinal herbs, cultivated to support the needs of the local and military populations. Wildflowers, including the emblematic thistle, add to the rugged beauty of Thistlethorn.
=== Fauna ===
Thistlethorn's open countryside and wooded patches are home to a variety of mammals, such as red deer, foxes, and badgers, which navigate the terrain with ease. Birdlife is particularly rich, with the dense thickets and tree canopies providing nesting grounds for species such as buzzards, kestrels, and a myriad of songbirds, their calls echoing through the air. The presence of military training grounds has led to a cautious coexistence between the local wildlife and human activities, with the more remote areas serving as refuges for shy or nocturnal creatures. Streams and small bodies of water scattered throughout the region support amphibians and a modest variety of fish, contributing to the local biodiversity and offering a food source to the inhabitants of Thistlethorn.
=== Atypical Species ===
Like all parts of Magnula, there are various kinds of creature that live here that don't conform to typical bestial classifications. It is said that Thistlethorn has an increased presence of undead. However, these undead are not the typical zombies and ghouls found near the Vampiric-border areas, but the wandering spirits of the deceased. These ghosts are not usually malevolent in nature and very much reflect the people they were in life. This is only one notable example, of course, as there are various other creatures that roam the expansive frontier and isolated caverns of Thistlethorn.
== Trivia ==
* Thistlethorn is very loosely inspired by Inverclyde, one of Scotland's council areas.