Thimble

### Anthem

Thimble is a small gerontocratic state on the eastern border of Thel'Darion. Thimble is the homeland of all halflings, harengons and russets, an intelligent beaver people. Thimble is known for humble villages,cozy huts, tranquil nature and kind spirits where evil seemingly cannot thrive.

Thimble is ruled by The Respected Elder, the oldest and most respected member of Thimble. Historically this role was stylized as King or Queen but in recent years the people of Thimble have chosen to rid themselves of royal titularly in an attempt to appear more humble in a world of vanity.

## The Cannies

All throughout Thimble a unique type of structure called a Cannie can be found which is a housing pillar that contains an entire family lineage typically as large as 30-100 meter tall

Within the Cannie, only complete families are welcomed. Each Cannie serves as a home to an extended family unit, consisting of parents, children, grandparents, and sometimes even great-grandparents. The whole family unit, encompassing multiple generations, lives together under the same roof, fostering a sense of togetherness and shared responsibility.

At the helm of every Cannie stands an esteemed Elder, a respected figure who first founded the Cannie before starting their family. This Elder carries the wisdom and experiences of their lineage, guiding the family through decisions and offering counsel. Their leadership ensures the harmonious functioning of the Cannie, and their role is revered by all.

As new members are born into the family, the Cannie expands to accommodate them. Additional floors are added to the pillar, with each generation contributing to its growth. The youngest members reside on the upper levels, while the elder and their spouse occupy the ground floor. This organic expansion symbolizes the ever-evolving nature of family and kinship.

The Cannie follows a matrilineal lineage, with daughters remaining within the family unit, while sons are sent to join other Cannies. This practice ensures the establishment of connections between different Cannies and promotes interweaving bonds among the wider community. Sons, as they leave their birth Cannie, bring with them the traditions and stories of their family, enriching the cultural tapestry of Thimble.

The biggest cannie is Brandon Tealeaf's, the Respected Elder of Thimble and it's de-facto leader. Towering at a height of 130 meters, it is the largest Cannie in all Thimble. Elder Brandon Tealeaf, a figure of great reverence, is the sire of over 500 children and boasts an astonishing 800 grandchildren all who live with his colossal cannie.

As the population within a Cannie grows too large, two Elders from different Cannies will come together and select their youngest generation to establish a new Cannie in a fresh location. This practice ensures the continuation of kinship ties and prevents overcrowding within a single Cannie. The young halflings embark on a new journey, carrying with them the traditions and legacy of their respective families while forging new bonds in the process. Leaving their familal cannie for halflings and russets is a terrifying and daunting prospect but an essential one all the same.

The Cannies of Thimble are vibrant hubs of activity and love. Within their cozy interiors, generations live, learn, and support one another, sharing tales of the past and dreams for the future. They represent the interconnectedness and resilience of the halfling community, where the wisdom of the Elders and the warmth of kinship weave together to create a tapestry of cherished memories that will be passed down through the ages.

Halflings, Russets, Humans all construct cannies while Harengon and Kobolds build cannies in the same fashion as Halflings and Russets, except they are constructed underground and sometimes called burrows instead of cannies.

## Religion

The way of life in Thimble is highly agricultural, with over 90% of the population being farmers or clerics of Tanat. Pastoral living is not only the chief mode of subsistence amongst the people of Thimble it is also an excercise in religious devotion. For the pople of Thimble tending to a farm is a natural experience that brings them closer to their goddess, Tanat the Green Lady. Whilst the working life is related to Tanat, the life within the Cannies are tied to Meriala due to her relationship with joy, music and dreams. The people of Thimble worship both Meriala and Tanat as a balance between working dedication with the natural world and the personal time of relaxation with family in the Cannie. Music, much like farming is also seen as an act of devotion. Bellowing banjo tunes radiating from the Cannies late at night is a common sound in the hills and forests of Thimble as families engage in their worship of Meriala the Maiden of Music in a vibrant song and dance.

Thimble has the highest concentration of mazes on Moro.

## Russets

Russets, sometimes called Beaverfolk are an intelligent species native to Thimble that values craftsmanship, humility and family. They are only species capable of constructing the cannies of thimble.

### Appearance

Russets typically range from 3 and a half feet up to around 4 feet. Their fur is a thick brown coat that is well suited for swimming and staying dry. They have two webbed feet and two very dexterous hands. their tails are flat and wide that acts as a rudder when swimming.

### Personality

Russets are highly industrious from a young age, gaining mastery in woodworking typically around the age of 6, a level of skill that would usually take a human a lifetime to reach. Much like halflings Russets value close familial relationships and close friendship ties, choosing a smaller social network that is tight knit rather than a broader system of friends and family. Russet teeth is made from a strange material that is unparralled in its strenght. Only Aatanite is stronger than Russet teeth, making them stronger than even diamonds, steel or adamantine. As a result many hunters target Russets in an attempt to poach their teeth. Those who come for one Russet however finds out rather quickly that where there is one Russet there is likely hundreds more ready to rise from lakes, rivers and cannies of Thimble to protect their kin to the bitter end. When a russet dies, their family fashions their teeth into some form of tool, such as a chisel, wood plane or pickaxe so they may still be involved in the ever moving industrious nature of the Russets.

## Harengon Hooch

While the master brewers of Dír Danhum and the expert vintners of Redwain boast the most delicious and expertly made alcholic beverages on Moro nothing however quite comes close to the potent fiery twang of Harengon Hooch. By far some of the most alcoholic and dangerous of the beverages brewed on Moro, Harengon Hooch is a concoction brew in the hills and forests of Thimble that is known for its very high proof and distinctive kick that can make some blind.

Harengon Hooch is brewed in a clandestine operation far from the Cannies due to its overbearing odour that is so potent it can even damage crops and livestock. Due to this, the people of Thimble believe the Hooch is a conduit of evil, leading to it being outlawed. This, however has not stopped the brewmasters who conduct their buisness beyond the eye of the law. It is so named Harengon Hooch due to many of the original brewers being Harengon as they were the most apt for escaping the woods if they were found. Although nowadays all manner of races attempt to cook up their own Hooch recipe. The unique and incredibly fresh produce from Thimble is essential in its distilation process making it only able to be made near the Cannies of Thimble.

The god Bobaran, former deity of Beer and Wine loved Harengon Hooch so much that one of the rivers that winds through his plane of existence is made entirely from Harengon Hooch, free for anyone to drink without the adverse effects of a hangover.

## History

Thimbly Swift was a legendary halfling and the ancestral founder of what became Thimble, named in his honour. In the early days of Thimble back in the 4th Epoch, when malevolent evil spirits threatened the mortal people, Thimbly devised a brilliant plan to safeguard his fellow halflings from their sinister grasp.

As the land of Thimble flourished with beauty and serenity, a dark presence began to cast a shadow over its tranquility. Avatars of the Akatian deities, malevolent beings seeking chaos and darkness, emerged to wreak havoc on the innocent inhabitants. Witnessing the escalating threat, Thimbly Swift knew he must act swiftly to protect his kin.

With a heart full of courage and a mind brimming with ingenuity, Thimbly devised a daring and cunning plan to lure the Akatian spirits away from the mortal people of Thimble. in honour of Meriala he constructed an intricate maze in the deepest and most remote part of the region, designed to confound and ensnare any who dared to enter.

Thimbly Swift lured the Akatian spirits into the labyrinth with his clever tricks, leading them deeper and deeper into the maze. With each twist and turn, the malevolent beings found themselves entangled in its complexity, unable to escape its grasp. Thimbly's quick wit and nimble feet kept him ahead of his pursuers, leading them on an eternal chase.

Thimbly Swift's selfless act of bravery ensured that evil could never reach the mortal people of Thimble. For eternity, the malevolent spirits would be trapped within the maze, relentlessly pursuing the halfling founder but forever unable to break free and unleash their darkness upon the land. The only Akatian spirit to escape was the spirit of Velern, the Gravedigger whose wits proved the hardest to trick.

Thimbly Swift's heroic feat and unwavering determination left an indelible mark on Thimble's history. His legacy became the foundation of Thimble's resilience and unity, inspiring future generations of halflings to cherish their kinship and protect their beloved region from any threats that may arise.

Throughout the ages, artists and storytellers have depicted Thimbly Swift's daring chase, capturing the essence of his bravery and the enduring protection he provided for Thimble. Paintings, sculptures, and songs recount the legend, ensuring that his tale remains forever etched in the hearts of the halflings and visitors alike.

As a result of this no evil permeates Thimble, or so is the legend anyway. Swear words, curses, hexes, the undead and even nightmares simply cannot thrive within Thimble thanks to Thimbly's actions. Thimbly still to this day continues his chase having being rising to a lesser deity under Meriala's guidance.