Barony of Briarwood

## About

A small territory located in the heart of Duskwood, it is held and overseen by Lord Aleron of House Grimm. Once a center for prosperity, it has since fallen into disrepair, with much of the woods itself invading all human settlement. The territory is generally hostile to those who wish to live there, and as such the few who do are rather reclusive.

## Settlements

### Greyfell

A sprawling village tucked between the hills at the heart of the territory, unfortunately most of Greyfell is in ruins and taken over by the foliage of Briarwood. Some of the buildings on the east end of the village are in better shape, and there are a few inhabitants that live there, though they are not generally the welcoming sort. A large mansion overlooks the village from the hills above--or did, before a fire demolished it to little more than the foundations.

### Quietwater

Once a part of Greyfell, this section of the village has since become cut off from the rest by the encroaching forest. This is a very small settlement against the lake's edge, part of which has become more of a marsh in recent years. The people are very reclusive, and it is rumored there may be a criminal element present here.

### Stonehearth

A much smaller village to the south, tucked among the forest wilds. Stonehearth is quiet but alive, vibrant, and almost serene. The people that live there keep to themselves, though they are not hostile to travelers. There is no formal schooling or hospital, and nature is more the major religion than the Church of the Light.

## Features

### Briarwood Lake

A river and small lake that runs through the heart of the territory. The lake floods at certain times of year, turning the surrounding landscape into a thick marsh that would be unwise to traverse inexperienced. The lake itself has a black, glassy surface, and the lake is surprisingly deeper than one might expect. It does not host an abundance of fish, but does have varied foliage.

### Thornwold

A thorny vine has invaded part of the surrounding forest, choking the trees there and leaving them bare. This tangle of dead branches, thorns, and twisting roots has spread into much of Greyfell, causing considerable damage to the infrastructure.

### Caverns

A complex cave system runs underneath Briarwood, host to some curious species of fungi, insect, arachnid, and blind fish. It is easy to get lost in these caves, as it is believed to run exceptionally deep underground. For the most part people only delve close to the surface. It is rumored to link up to an old catacomb or necromancer's lair, but that is mostly just stories. Kobolds are not unheard of, though they are rare.

### Leyline & Runestones

Older than the barony itself, there is a circle of standing stones located in a clearing higher up in the hills. It is not known who placed them, but it is known that the location is an intersection for powerful leylines. The location has been used for rituals and local celebrations, integrated into regional folklore as well as superstition.

## Assets

Although the most abundant resource is wood, there is a thorny vine that has infested much of the forest to the point that harvesting much of the forest is a tiresome endeavor. Rather, the most valuable assets in Briarwood are medicinal herbs and exotic spices. Rare herbs and fungi grow in the forest ravines as well as an underground cave network that winds beneath. As far as major game, large spiders can be farmed for silk or killed for meat, and there is a rich population of roe deer. A river and small lake run through the center of the territory. Although these waters do provide fish, the populations are not as abundant as they were in times past. Perhaps something in the water is making the fish unwell. It is thought that the underground cave system might host some precious metals or gemstones, but it is dangerous to delve very deep and thus far the caves are mainly used for harvesting the mushrooms that grow closer to the entrances.