The Kingdom of White Thorns

in: Races

## The Basics

* **Other Names:** White Thorns, Thorns
* **Appearance:** The citizens of White Thorns tend to be more fair in appearance. Their skin tones range from cream colored to deep sun kissed flesh. While also boasting a variety of natural hair colors and eye colors. Often they wear their hair long with practical clothes for the task at hand.
* **Lifespan:** 75 Years
* **Height:** 170 cm (5'7") - 190 cm (6'3")
* **Regions Found:** The Kingdom of White Thorns is contained on an island off the eastern coast of the Jazirians. Salvador lies to the south of the island.
* **Culture:** White Thorns is governed with a Kingdom System. The King of Thorns and Queen of Thorns rule over the kingdom with advisors as well as the Arch-Duke and Arch-Duchesses of the six duchies that make up White Thorn.. They seek perfection above all else, hard work, finding what you are best at, community, familyArtisans and skilled craftsmen are valued over the less skilled “common” folk. And while the nobles hold artisans above commoners, you will not find slaves in the kingdom.Trade is important and protected by Knights that guarantee commerce can move freely.
* **Common Character Roles:** Artisans, Tradesmen, Scholars, Knights
* **Common Allies:** Good-natured Beastkin, Dwarves, Elves (except Dark), Good Witches
* **Common Enemies:** Dark Witches, Evil Natured people, Orcs, Dark Elves
* **Architecture:** Great Castles and keeps of solid stone surrounded by sprawling manors. Simple homes and farms dot the island further away from the capital and the seats of dutchies.
* **Religion:** There is no main religion in the Kingdom of White Thorns, unless you consider their devotion to perfection and giving back to the island they live on their religion. Religion is considered by many to be a chain that holds back artists and provides a narrow mindset of the world. Some hold the Malakht, the god of death, in particular favor. He is known as Grandfather Death within the kingdom.
* **Views on Magic:** As one can imagine magic is simply seen as another skill to be learned and perfected just like everything else. Those who study the arcane arts tend to stay and live in the Lexian Archives or travel to Sath Tirion before bringing back the knowledge they acquire to their homelands. Increasing the vast collection of books and knowledge kept in the archives.
* **Quirks:** Position in the Kingdom the thread of social order that holds the culture together. Royalty holds the most respect, with artisans falling between them and the common folk.

## Appearance

The citizens of White Thorns tend to be more fair in appearance. Their skin tones range from cream colored to deep sun kissed flesh. While also boasting a variety of natural hair colors and eye colors. Often they wear their hair long with practical clothes for the task at hand. With the vast differences between the duchies you can find all manner of style of dress, from the almost pirate like sea-farer appearance of Astalic, to the studious robes of the Lexican Archives. It is often joked that if you put a member from each duchy next to each other none of them would look as if they came from the same kingdom. However, due to immigration you can sometimes find citizens of White Thorns who seem to be from all parts of the world, including elves, satyr's, dwarves and beastkin found living in the kingdom.

## History & Culture

### Origins

The adventuring group that ended up settling upon the island that would become known as the Kingdom of White Thorns never had the intention of setting root. While some have found records stating the ship was run aground as they were running from an unknown party chasing them, others speculate that it was a bad storm that made their ship unfit for the sea. The seven adventurers found a strangely untouched Island of plenty. One that had not been inscribed on any cartographer map or shipping lines. Feeling they had finally found the one adventure they sought after, the young seven began to explore the islands.

They quickly made their way through the island finding strange abandoned towns and villages along the road. While animals seemed to be living and flourishing on the island normally, the settlements were nothing that had been written in any history books. When they made their way to the center of the island they found a massive abandoned castle town with a wall of overgrown thorns protecting it. Following one of the unkept stoned pathways through the thornbush they explored every nook of the town.

Helmfried would describe their exploration of the town— that would later become known as Thornscrown— as “The sleeping town, awaiting our arrival to awaken it.” Stating that he could tell where they had been in the town, as it simply seemed more alive from where they walked. The streets and alleyways full of shops and homes that did not seem to have been in use for years, and at the same time were not in disrepair. Helmfried was the linguist of the group, and yet he would describe the text written in books, journals, or signs hanging on shops as different than any he had ever seen before. At the castle barracks were full of beds and armor, but as with the shops and homes in the village they were both untouched and usable. The castle lay silent in the center of town with all the rooms furnished as if simply waiting for someone to move in. While the city was its own mystery to the adventuring group who felt they had discovered their greatest adventure, what lay in wait for them at the center of the Castle became the reason for the end of their adventure.

*“I am not a man of many words, but to say we felt compelled would be an understatement. Those objects were simply waiting for us and I still do not know if we were the fools for touching them.” —Degore Burnshrath*

Sitting in the center of the castle was a table that the light in the room seemed to fall perfectly upon. Unlike the rest of the town, or even the island, there was no dust on it but seven pristine objects. In all of the accounts from the adventuring party, they felt drawn to the objects. D’Artagnan Thorns, the leader of the group, was the first to pick up the glittering golden crown that sat at the head of the table. The crown was a ring of golden thorns to encircle his head with a ruby, spessartite, heliodor, diamond, emerald, sapphire, and an amethyst all held at the front of the crown with the golden thorns. No one questioned it as he took the crown, nor did anyone object as one by one the objects were picked up. A blacksmith hammer with rubies embedded into the handle was claimed by Dendulk Stronghammer who had been a simple blacksmith nord. Degore Burnshrath who had been a leatherworker that joined the adventuring group to hone his skills more claimed the set of Spessarite knives which seemed to sit in a kit of other leatherworking tools. Next to them sat a silvered set of scales decorated with heliodor gemstones. They were quickly claimed by Titiana Alic who had been the one to handle all the bargaining and trade deals for the group when they were purchasing supplies. Commenting that all of the items seemed almost designed for them was Surenia Alia who had been the ship builder and now held a set of emerald chisels perfect for carpentry. The sapphire quill would be the tool Helmfried Lexius used to write down the records of events during that day, and for the days going forward. Sheena Oaks picked up the last item, a silvered goblet encrusted with amethyst around it. Holding it aloft in the air to give thanks to the Kingdom of White Thorns.

At the time it had been a joke to reference the massive white thorns surrounding the castle town. However, as they decided to settle there, feeling that they had found where they were supposed to be, the name ended up sticking. Setting up the kingdom seemed to happen quickly on the island, as after they claimed the items they were able to quickly repair the ship and begin bringing others to help them live on the island and build up the kingdom. With D'Artanian becoming the King of Thorns and the others becoming Dukes and Duchess of the towns they founded in setting up the kingdom.

Once the adventuring group had the isle artifacts they set out to achieve a new goal. Having decided to settle on the island and make it their own they quickly repaired the ship and brought others to help with the island. Astalic was the first town to be built, or more accurately inhabited, as a trade hub was needed to help facilitate the influx of people to the kingdom. It seemed whatever was needed in the kingdom they were able to easily find. Sometimes ships would crash onto the island, the crew confused on how they got there. Other times people would arrive on the island having seen it in their dreams. If a place was needed then the scouts of the island would seem to find a new abandoned city or place. Each with different architecture and designs than they had known, and all with the strange text that Helmfried would spend years attempting to decipher, though later would claim the text always changed when he went back to it.

Eventually the citizens of White Thorns would stop questioning the gifts the island seemed to bring to them. However, they were not ungrateful or took advantage of what they had or found. Instead, D'Artanian and the other founders decided that since they found the perfect island, perfection was needed to honor it. Each of them doing their best to perfect their own roles as the leaders of the Kingdom, it was not hard for their own citizens to do the same.

Not only did the kingdom grow rapidly, but as they dedicated themselves to perfecting whatever craft they sought to do it was not long before they made a name for themselves. Understanding that with names and an island that seemed to be abundant D'Artanian quickly realized the need for defense. Calling for those who knew how to fight to help form the military armies. Thus the Thornguard was established. The Barracks and guard houses that had long been abandoned were now full of people moving about, just as the towns became filled with citizens training day in and day out in wielding weapons.

Knights and steeds were outfitted with weapons and arms provided by Hammersong, and the Lexican Archives found ancient fighting manuscripts with images to study, as the text was still indecipherable.

The King’s worries were soon confirmed as Nocturnim attacked the island. Hoping to take the prosperous and budding Kingdom in their western expansion. The war took place on the lands of White Thorns, destroying the first town of Astalic as the armies began to march into the kingdom. Titiana Alic had managed to get most of her town to safety, including her daughter who now possessed the Heliodor Scales, staying to fight with the Thorn Knights to buy the citizens in her Dutchy more time to flee to Thornscrown. Her last recorded words come from her final message sent to D'Artanian . “I always tip the scales in our favor.” They were unable to recover her body after she snuck into the occupied Astalic and blew up the powder kegs hidden underneath the docs. She managed to wipe out the vast majority of the Nocturnum fleet as they had been using the docs since occupying the town.

The death of Titiana Alic was not the last major loss to the Nocturnim nights who now found themselves trapped upon an island. While they had outnumbered the citizens of White Thorns, before the explosion of Astalic, their numbers were quickly dwindling and facing an army who now fought with more conviction. Not only that, but they were facing knights and calvarymen who had spent all of their training perfecting the art of war on their home turf. D’Artanian himself dressed in stark black armor with thorn-like spikes sitting on top of his steed in similar armor to lead his army after the death of his friend. They tore through the remaining armies, making use of their cavalry and speed to run down every last soldier that attempted to flee from them, only to find there was no escape from the knights on the island.

The government of Nocturnum was not so easily swayed, though the few soldiers who had managed to steal a boat and returned to the island begged for them to stop the march. Claiming that after their victory over the Minotaurs they would defeat a small kingdom. Deciding to send minotaur and satyr slaves to raid the island. D’Artanian sent back the corpses of Minotaurs with thorns dug deep into their flesh, even going as far as hanging the bodies of fallen soldiers upon the white thorns that surrounded the castle town. There were many who speculated that his friend's death drove him mad with rage as he ordered Woodalia and Hammersong to work together in order to build battleships in order to take the battle to the rules of Nocturnum who hid in their golden palaces.

Though the war ended before the battleships could be finished being built. The amethyst encrusted chalice that Sheena had acquired she found to be a great tool to scry with, especially when using the wine that was produced in Oaken Fields. Eventually she came to begin scry on the rulers of Nocturnum. Realizing there was a quicker way to win, she went to D’Artanian to ask for people in order to create the Briars. Using the Amethyst Chalice as a basis and along with research from the Lexican Archives they were able to create a Lunar Chalice for their spies. It was not long till, dressed in the clothes of Nocturnum soldiers, the Briar’s descended upon the mainland for their first mission.

The rulers of Nocturnum found their lives invaded with sharp thorns. Instead of taking on the massive country, they had opted to simply kill those the rulers seemed to care for the most. Women, sons, daughters, slaves, mistresses, and other such people were all killed, being choaked out with a bundle of thorns. The message was clear, and the next ship sent to White Thorns held an appeasement as well as a peace treaty. Neither of with D’Artanian would sign until they arrived at the castle. Eventually as they started to find more and more thorns in their day to day life, the Rules of Nocturnum traveled to White Thorns, finding themselves surrounded by the Briar’s while on the ship. The treaty was signed with Nocturnum declaring to never attack White Thorns again, as well as opening up trade routes and gifting a statue of Titiana Alic for her sacrifice to help save the people.

With the war concluded they worked on rebuilding the broken and damaged parts of White Thorns, as well as eventually removing the bodies decaying upon the thorns. Though they made sure to not waste things, the bodies were eventually used for compost to fertilizer for Oaken Fields. Eventually making a special red wine that Sheena labeled as Fallen Drops, the first batch of it was gifted to the rulers of Nocturum with a letter arriving later describing how it came to be. It was not long before the kingdom began to prosper again as Astalic was rebuilt and the scars from the wars slowly began to fade away.

Lena, the daughter of Titiana Alic, who now held the Heliodor scales proved to be just like her mother, if not eventually surpassing the skills of her mother. With the help of the aging Helmfrid, and with White Thorns noticeably on the radar of all the kingdoms after beating Nocturnum, she was able to bolster the trade route connections her mother had started to forge with the nearby civilizations. Most notably with Jaziran, Khemet, Salvador, and eventually the Arcelian City States. With Astalic rebuilt and more trade routes established, peace had begun again in White Thorns.

The original founders eventually passed down their island artifacts to their children. Lena followed in her mothers footsteps of helping foster trade deals for the kingdom. Neilina followed in her mothers quick thinking footsteps, inviting and helping to domesticate satyrs in order to help Oaken Fields improve their ability to make wine. When Dendulk’s son returned from travels around the world he passed on the hammer knowing his son had learned how to improve the craft more and better the country. James Burnsharath and Karina Alia worked with the wood elves who visited to improve their craft to prove to their parents they were willing to keep up the legacy, eventually inheriting the spessarite knives and emerald chisels. Helmfried had grown on in his years, many eventually thinking he would never turn over the sapphire quill to his daughter. However, she eventually managed to provide enough research to her father on why she was qualified to replace him, he consented. Though many speculate the consensus was simply because he knew the sickness he had contracted would kill him in the coming weeks.

As part of the peace treaty D'Artanian was betrothed to Lucia, The Bright who was the eldest daughter of the Nocturnum’s Emperor. Their betrothal had started off rocky as they tried to adjust to the arrangement. Many assumed that D'Artanian had been in love with Tititana Alic secretly due to the rage and malice he showed on the battlefield. However, eventually Lucia and D’artanian seemed to fall in love. Eventually she became known as the Lucia, the Rose, for their marriage seemed to help D'Artanian bloom into the King he always could be. Together they ruled the kingdom, eventually passing on the crown to their eldest son Lysander. With the passing of the mantels peace seemed to reign as the citizens of White Thorns continued to endure an era of peace and prosperity.

All of which lasted until the Shadow consumed the world. White Thorns began to take in more and more refugees from the mainlands. Including those who were not welcomed in other locations. However, eventually the darkened skies and corruption made their way to White Thorns. Housing as many as they could in Duchies and Thornscrown, eventually managing to survive through the madness of the shadow. The land and crops began to rot and decay around them as their numbers slowly began to dwindle either from starvation or the actions of madness. When the blackened sky shattered, blinding those who remained they found themselves much like everyone else. Nonetheless, as with the other civilizations that survived, they did not give up. Word reached them by Dendulk Stronghammer, the Fourth, who had managed to make it to Bastion Island during the Era of the Shadow. He recounted the tales to his King and Queen the tales of the Grove, Fort, the Guardians who gave up their lives, as well as those who lived on the island. Hearing tales of how the people worked together helped to inspire White Thorns to continue to strive forward.

They rebuilt their Kingdom just as quickly, if not faster, as before as well as accepting more creatures from various races, having housed many of them for decades during the Shadow and growing accustomed to living with them. Though White Thorns remains a predominantly human society. As they began to prosper they also reached out to the other civilizations to see what remained of them, re-establishing trade routes in order to help supply other kingdoms, as well as get supplies for the things they could not obtain on the island. With themselves being once again established White Thorns continued to prosper. Always seeking to perfect themselves in remembrance of those who established the Kingdom, as well as give thanks for all that the island had, and continues to provide.

## Government

White Thorns is governed with a Kingdom System. The King of Thorns and Queen of Thorns rule over the kingdom with advisors as well as the Arch-Duke and Arch-Duchesses of the six duchies that make up White Thorn. The crown is passed down following the eldest child born to the kingdom, whether they are a prince or princess. While each duchy is responsible for maintaining order within their own borders, the King or Queen is responsible for the rules that span the whole kingdom. Helping to ensure that the lands are safe from invaders and miscreants. While the Kingdom is known for the arts and trades that can be found crafted in the various duchies, it does not mean they are to be trifled with. The rulers strive for perfection and mastery in all various forms of arts and trades. Including the art of war and subterfuge. Those who underestimate the Kingdom and attempt to harm it quickly find themselves dealing with the Briars, the spy network for the Kingdom, or the Thornsguard, the fierce soldiers for the kingdom. The Kingdom of White Thorns is a land that strives to be the best in all things accomplished. Often people leave their home lands or home duchies for others if their skill set ends up fitting with that of another duchy. As such the people easily move throughout the kingdom with the Thorn Knights guarding the roads. As their livelihood depends on arts and trades people who are more skilled are looked upon more favorably by the nobles of the land. Those who are not very skilled find life in the Kingdom harsh, though not everyone can be the best of their trade. They are considered the common folk instead of the artisans, and tend to be ignored by the nobles of the land unless they egregiously step out of line. Or for some poor common folk they find the nobles look at them as excellent fodder for practice for the rising knights and briars. You will not find slavery to be a practice in the kingdom however, at least not openly practiced slavery. While at times there are those who become indentured servants to pay for crimes or slights against others, slavery is not accepted in the kingdom. It is believed that if you have a slave do the work for you, then you have not truly perfected the task. However, this is sometimes worked around with servant contracts. If a contract is signed then a duty to fulfill the contract out perfectly is seen to both parties. The citizens also cast similar views upon familiar and demonic bindings.

The Knights of the realm are known as being chivalrous and always seeking to prove their skills to the land. Often participating in spars, tournaments and jousts held in the kingdom and nearby cities. While one would expect them to wear armor that sparkles and shines the opposite is in fact true. While they do have details and designs over their armor, for the Thorn Knights a knight in shining armor is untested. Leading to them often sparing for days on end when they get new armor to break it in. Briars are often thought of as only a rumor amongst some people, though knowledge of them has led many people to not test their luck. They are the spy network of the Kingdom and are known to always find the information they desire. Either from being able to blend into the background to gain the information, or through more intimate means. People often claim to hear screams from the dungeons that run beneath the castle. The nobles of the lands live lascivious decorative lives. Filling their keeps, forts, castles, summer homes, whatever they go is full of fine arts and beautiful decorations. Eating only the best prepared foods with every aspect of their life covered in art. They live in the lap of luxury only second to the nobles of Thornscrown. The castle of Thornscrown is full of arts from all over

## Religion

There is no main religion in the Kingdom of White Thorns, unless you consider their devotion to perfection and giving back to the island they live on their religion. Religion is considered by many to be a chain that holds back artists and provides a narrow mindset of the world. Especially as religion is not seen as needed in order for one to have morals and strong values. For many of the citizens religion and worship to the gods can not be perfected, and thus it is not something they worry about. Though many of its citizens tend to say prayers to the original founders, most namely the one who founded the duchy they live in. However, despite the lack of a central religion there are a few places that are dedicated to various gods of the world. Especially after the Era of Shadows more religious sites were constructed, though they are found more commonly in Astalic and Thornscrown for the visitors to the kingdom. The churches tend to be smaller affairs for personal worship and the artisans of the kingdom use it to show off their skill set in translating religious themes into artwork. Though, the citizens are not barred from practicing a religion of they feel the desire to do such. There are some who worship Naruli, the nature goddess, believing her to be the creator of the island. The worship of the Beast King had also gained favor, mostly amongst the forested duchies like Woodalia and Burnisanthe. In the growing years there have also been rumors and whispers of a cult of death hidden amongst the Kingdom. With many rumors of hearing secret prayers to a Grandfather Death before a gurgled scream sounds out. Many believe the Briars are a part of the death cult with their calling card being a black thorn left upon their victim. There are not many who worship Solarium after the war with Nocturnum. However the first King D’Artanian did build a small place of worship for Solarium. It is located underneath the castle, where the only beam of light that enters the room is choked and covered by massive shadows from the thorns over the hole in the wall.

## Perception of Magic

As one can imagine magic is simply seen as another skill to be learned and perfected just like everything else. Those who study the arcane arts tend to stay and live in the Lexian Archives or travel to Sath Tirion before bringing back the knowledge they acquire to their homelands. Increasing the vast collection of books and knowledge kept in the archives. While it is not a requirement to be in a specific duchy with specific spheres, the wielders of such magic tend to find themselves drifting to the places that fit their spheres of magic the best. For example you will find most of the pyromancers in Hammersong, using their skills to help heat the metal they work with. Likewise many of those with nature magic tend to work in Oaken Fields to help grow the crops throughout the land. The least practiced spheres in Nocturnum are Holy Magic and Dark Magic.As mentioned above there are known cases of familiar and demonic bindings in the Kingdom which are accepted throughout, though the demonic bindings less so due to the nature of the participants in the bindings. It can even be seen as a way of perfecting your abilities and treated the same as servant contracts.

## Settlements

### Hammer Song

*“I’m just a simple blacksmith...” —Dendulk Stronghammer*

Located against the mountain that run along the south side of the island is Hammersong. When Dendulk Stronghammer traveled here, guided by instinct as he held the ruby-hilted blacksmith hammer, he found an old abandoned dwarven forge town built into the mountains. It did not take him long to establish a duchy around the abandoned forge as he brought it back to life. Soon the mountains were filled with the sounds of hammers and pickaxes singing out as they began to forge new materials for the kingdom. The sound eventually led to Dendulk to name the duchy after it as he crafted songs to sing with the beats of the hammers for him and his citizens.The Dutchy is now home to mostly the miners and master blacksmiths of the regions. It is marked on the crest as a red thorn. Many of the citizens of Hammersong spend their lives growing up amongst the rocks and forges; and they seem to have an almost dwarven-like sense on how to work the stone.Dendulk also started a legacy with his descendents, giving the first born son his name of Dendulk Stronghammer. Before he can receive the ruby-hilted blacksmith hammer that is their family heirloom he must travel the world as a simple blacksmith to learn what he can before returning home.

### Burnisanthe

*“May your arrows strike true, and your blades glide with ease.” —Degore Burnshrath*

Located along the northern woods of the Kingdom lies Burnisanthe founded by Degore Burnshrath, marked by an orange spike on the kingdom’s crest. When Degore was out hunting in the woods he came upon an old abandoned hunters village. Finding all the tools one could need for leatherworking, from tanning hides to simple tools. Eventually he named the duchy after the practice of burnishing, which is the practice of polishing the finalized leather. Claiming that becoming a Duke had burnished him into becoming the man he could be.The citizens of Brunisanthe are skilled hunters, tanners, and leatherworkers. Their wares can be found all over the world. From artistic items like bags, belts, and sashes, to practical items like saddles, bows and arrows. The spessarite knives are also still in use by the current ruler of the Duchy.

### Astalic

*“I always tip the scales in our favor.” —Titiana Alic*

The first established city in White Thorns was Astalic represented by a yellow thorn.. Founded by Titiana Alic who had received the heliodor scales, which were perfectly weighted. The first Astalic was destroyed during the war with Nocturnum, taking the fleet of invading ships along with it. With the efforts of her daughter Lena it quickly became a bustling town, rivaling the size of Thornsrown due to the nature of trade hubs. It is located along the northern coastline of the island, easily reachable by all who visit, and is often seen as the gateway into the kingdom. All who visit the coastal town of Astalic are greeted by the shimmering Golden Statue of Titiana Alric, holding aloft a golden replica of the scales.The villages of the duchy are full of various arts. Using the ports to trade the wares of the kingdom throughout the world. Painters and potters are found in this duchy making use of the various items that come on the ships from the other cultures in order to elevate their arts and passions. There are also a few taverns and cafes, specially in the port cities of Astalic, as well as brothels.

### Woodalia

*“You’ll never see the end result if you don’t keep going.” —Surenia Alia*

Located along the southern woods of the island is the green thorn of the kingdom. Alia had found a map to the abandoned town hidden in the woods inside the case of emerald knives she had obtained in Thornscrown. Massive trees span around the duchy and over the centuries have been transformed into anything a human, or any other races, could imagine. The citizens of Woodalia have long been known for their skills in carpentry and woodcarving. Creating sturdy and functional pieces of furniture that always seem like they belong no matter where you find them in the world. It is not uncommon to find the citizens carving away at small blocks of wood as they think or to pass the time. The wooden statues and furniture created from this dutchy can be found being delivered all over the world.

### Lexicon Archives

*“If you do not record your travels, you will never know how far you’ve truly come.” —Helmfried Lexicus*

The sprawling archival halls that became the home for Helmfried and represented by the blue thorn on the crest existed before the adventures had arrived on the island. It was established after Astalic and the trade routes were set when Helmfried had found a map in what looked like an old study in the castle. At the end of the map he found a large spiraling library with books written in various languages from around the world.The building soon became known as the Lexican archives and became more akin to a college for the mages and scholars of the kingdom. Knowledge is what the citizens of this duchy strive for. If there is something that they do not know, they will exhaust all avenues to find all the information about it they can. The descendants of Lexicus still head the main college, writing all their paperwork with the sapphire quill that is still in tact.

### Oaken Fields

*“Wine is great for any event: celebrations, victories, funerals, revenge, really anything.” —Sheena Oaks*

The last of the duchies to be fully established is the purple thorn of White Thorns. Oakenfileds lies between the Lexicon Archives and Hammersong on the southeastern side of the island. It is considered the gem of the Kingdom, where the best wines and food are grown throughout. The farmlands of the duchy are often speckled with various colors from the plants that are grown over there. With the rolling hills covered in massive vineyards and planes covered in rotating farms. Since there is not enough space on an island for graves, or they would quickly run out of room, the bodies of the dead are often donated to Oaken Fields to be used in helping nourishing the soil, either as compost or cremated with their ashes spread.

### Thornscrown

In the center of White Thorns, both in its representation on the crest as well as on the island is Thornscrown. A massive white stoned castle rising from on top of a hill surrounded by a large castle town. The unusual buildings have been upgraded to reflect the duchies they are closest to, creating six distinct districts around the castle. It is here that the best of each duchy is often showcased along the streets of Thornscrown. Festivals are held at the capital throughout the year, each accompanied by a tournament for the Thorn Knights. The Thorn Knights are the guards and the army of the Kingdom in times of war attacks. Their armor and weapons are produced in Hammmersong and Burnisanthe , with thorned designs running through the leather and metal. All of the Thorn Knights are trained at Thornscrown before being dispersed throughout the lands to help out the various duchies. For the citizens of White Thorns they are known as the peacekeepers in the land. Yet, for those who break the rules or try to attack White Thorns they will find themselves in an unending chase they have no hope to win. The seemingly mythical Briars are suspected to have their headquarters in Thornscrown, perhaps underneath the dungeons of the castle. Since their creation they have become legendary for their ability to seemingly blend into any culture and complete whatever their mission was. It is believed that they tend to use thorns and positions to subtly kill their assassination targets, though if the thorns are made of natural materials or metal has been debated. Many scholars not a part of the Lexican Archives believe they use both, whatever suits their needs and sends the message they want to. It is rumored that like the rest of the kingdom they have perfected the art of spies and torturing. For everything in the kingdom must be handled to the utmost perfection.