Briar Green

Briar Green is a small agrarian village located in Soralean territory in Caerus. Founded long ago by the first Fayrines, Briar Green has since developed its own identity, complete with a rich history, culture, and people. Briar Green relies on the River Almerthow for irrigation, trade, drinking, and more; the river is also responsible for separating the temperate forest surrounding Briar Green from the cold tundra just north of it. The nature of Briar Green is sacred to its residents, especially the Druids of the Emerald Sun, who represent one side of the religious strife that now underscores Briar Green's once-peaceful existence.
== Religion ==
Although it is not enforced as a state religion, the villagers of Briar Green almost all follow the Tir Dúal faith. Centuries of tradition have embedded this religion into their culture: the history of Briar Green and Fayrines can often be considered the history of Tir Dúal. Virtually every aspect of Briar life can be traced back to Tir Dúal, whether it be magical practices, social norms, or clothing.
=== Knights of the Bleeding Crown ===
The Knights of the Bleeding Crown, or simply the Knights, compose one sect of the Tir Dúal church. They primarily worship Rhoth, the King of Twilight: one of Tir Dúal's two gods.
The foundational text outlining the Knights' belief system is titled War and Honor, written by Connelly Puddlefoot. Although Rhoth worshipers existed long before War and Honor, this book connected all the legends and folklore surrounding Rhoth into one cohesive narrative. In effect, this common lore enabled the Knights to develop their own shared sense of identity, purpose, culture, social hierarchy, and more.
=== Druids of the Emerald Sun ===
The Druids of the Emerald Sun, otherwise known as the Druids, compose the other sect of the Tir Dúal church. They primarily worship Faeh, the Queen of Dawn: one of Tir Dúal's two gods.
The Druids are comprised of four paths, three of which focusing on craftsmanship, brewing, and performing. While the first three paths worship through their arts, the fourth path is far more dedicated to Faeh, acting as prophets and dressing in ivy, moss, and bones to revere Faeh's dominion over life and death.
== Politics ==
 Guild of Briar Green
Guild 	Leader 	Description
Build Guild 	Connelly Puddlefoot	The Build Guild is responsible for the planning and construction of buildings across Briar Green.
Fine Arts Guild	Claire Puddlefoot 	The Fine Arts Guild is responsible for promoting a culture of artisanship: painters, musicians, and bards all gather during the Fine Arts' meetings in the town library.
Roleplay Guild 	Soren Puddlefoot 	The Roleplay guild is in charge of orchestrating Epic Fights and Legendary Backstories.
Briar Green was founded on Tellian land and was quickly absorbed into it, and later the states of Aethos and Soralae. Since then, it has enjoyed relative geopolitical stability, with only minor disputes with settlers across the River Almerthow. Currently, Briar Green does not involve itself much in national affairs, with many of its residents preferring a simple life farming grain in the countryside to politicking in Tennyoku.
Briar Green is ruled by a Lord or Lady of the Green, currently Connelly "Connie" Puddlefoot. Although the powers of the Lady are vague on paper, in practice they exercise dictatorial power and have historically handled such power responsibly. Connie, however, considers herself a regent ruling on behalf of Rhoth. As such, she often restricts her powers based on the will of Rhoth and acts as his subordinate.
Beneath the Lord or Lady of the Green is the Great Hall: an advisory body composed of various citizens who lead Guilds across Briar Green.
== Architecture ==
Although Briar Green has long inhabited the shores of the River Almerthow, the bulk of the town's development has happened in recent years. Connelly Puddlefoot's leadership and her ownership of the Build Guild have proven vital to not only the completion of major construction projects, but the continued harmony between Briar Green's man-made buildings and the nature around it.
The Heartlands of Briar Green are the southern shores of the River Almerthow, where the rocky coastline flattens out into smooth, calm hills, mossy forests, and dirt paths. It is here that Briar Green was founded, and it is here that its oldest buildings still stand.
==== Ferryman's Dock ====
Although official records are lost to time, legend says that the ferryman's dock (and his accompanying shack) was the first thing ever built on Briar soil. Thanks to the depth and width of the River Almerthow, the ferryman serves a vital role to the community of Briar Green: transporting people and products across the river's banks. The dock itself is seemingly always falling apart but never quite collapsing: generation after generation, the ferryman insists that it should not be repaired. The ferryman lives nearby in a shack carved into one of the steep, stony cliffs that straddles the River Almerthow. Outside, a bell can be rung to alert the ferryman that someone's waiting to travel across the Almerthow.
==== Maebh's Pub ====
Until Connelly Puddlefoot took power, Maebh's Pub enjoyed life as the sole tavern in Briar Green. Maebh herself was a beloved resident, providing the Briar Green townsfolk with high-quality mead and ale that would come to underscore much of the town's culinary culture. Outside of the pub, seating is set up overlooking the rolling waters of the River Almerthow; candles and banners hanging overhead provide this pocket of the town with a cozy ambiance. Inside the pub, an open fire roars in the fireplace and a single dark oak log acts as the bartop. Cups and paintings line the walls - strangely, visitors of the pub sometimes say they hear laughing behind the paintings. They're probably just drunk.
==== Abandoned Amethyst Mine ====
An amethyst mine in the far west of the Heartlands has been lost to time. Once upon a time, it was used to extract crystals from deep within Abexilas; however, after accidentally breaking into an underground faerie den and upsetting its inhabitants, the miners suffered a cave-in. Nowadays, it's been overgrown by weeds and thicket, with vigils placed in front of the collapsed mine in honor of the lost souls.
==== Cup O'Marigold ====
The Cup O'Marigold, placed at the mouth of the Heartlands' market, was established following the successful annexation of the Upper Village. Acting as the only competitor to Maebh's Pub, the Cup O'Marigold has quickly become a popular destination for townsfolk and visitors alike. The pub boasts four floors of barrels used to age its drinks, with a diverse menu thanks to ingredients flowing in from the nearby Farmer's Market. Its entrance is intricately decorated, with homely cream-colored walls and an elaborate storefront designed to catch the eye of anyone entering the market. Although the romantic, picturesque Maebh's Pub has a special place in the hearts of the Briar folk, the Cup O'Marigold is certainly here to stay.
==== Briar Baubles ====
Briar Baubles, next door to the Cup O'Marigold, carries a random assortment of trinkets, seemingly willing to buy and sell anything the townsfolk bring there. While it may be small in size, the store owners make good use of the space, dedicating the shop's basement to storage of all its wares. In fact, the basement is large enough that the Great Hall has begun using it to store materials for the town. In particular, Soren Puddlefoot helps them sort through their inventory due to Connelly Puddlefoot's habit of leaving things in a disorganized mess anytime she enters the basement. Green wallpaper lines the upper floor, with the basement sporting cracked gray walls, rows of barrels, and dim, low-hanging lanterns.
==== Cillian's Weeds, Seeds, & Needs ====
This florist's shop occupies the smallest plot of land in the Heartlands' market, but is nonetheless popular among gardeners, farmers, and botanists alike. The store itself smells of flowers, with roses growing along its walls and vines bursting from its ceiling. In the back, Cillian stores a variety of mushrooms and other exotic plants for any collectors rich enough to afford them.
==== Sweet Berry Delights ====
The bakery was the last building to be finished in the market. With a menu containing everything from freshly baked breads, to berry pies, to fruit-based desserts, Sweet Berry Delights is one of the most popular stores in Briar Green. On the day of its grand opening, the bakery was gifted a magical hand-carved totem by Soren Puddlefoot, said to make their food sweeter than sugar itself and too delicious to resist! The entire interior smells of bread, with a large oven, bowls, cups, and tables filling the kitchen. The wooden walls and stone floors give it a rustic look, contrasted by the domineering presence of Soren's totem.
==== Amethyst Armory ====
The amethyst armory sits at the far end of the market, with a dark oak exterior inviting curious visitors to its doors. Due to Fayrines' natural aversion to metal, the smiths who work here have honed their ability to work with crystals instead. A massive blast furnace sits deep inside the building, plastered with warning signs. Across from it is the forge used by Briar Green's finest crystalsmiths to craft suits of armor, tools, or weapons; barrels of amethysts sit nearby, spilling out and between the cracks of the cobblestone floor. Even during the coldest hours of the night, the store is incredibly hot, owing to the burning flames used to mold crystals into swords, pickaxes, and shields.
==== Farmer's Market ====
The farmer's market is a communally owned building in the market, operated by several different families of farmers. This multi-story structure was dug directly into the side of a hill, and is home to a variety of small market stalls selling local farmers' produce. Most of these stalls are just barrels placed on the floor that the farmers guard against thieves or troublemaking faeries. Here, residents can find anything they need to cook their next meal: everything from carrots and potatoes, to melons and pumpkins, and even exotic goods like kelp and glow berries are sold here.
Category:Towns
Category:Caerus