Thornvale is a quiet and wealthy village situated north-west of Stormhaven in the center of the Thornwoods. The town is surrounded by vast brambleberry farms that extend as far as the eye can see. The village derives its name from the thorny blackberry bushes that are the backbone of its economy.
Known for its blackberry pies, wines, and ales, Thornvale is an agricultural hub of activity centered around these beloved fruits. The village’s landscape is picturesque, with cultivated blackberry fields gradually giving way to wild & dense, thorny forests, with swampland scattered in between.
The ancient Thornwoods surrounding the village are thick with massive wild brambleberry bushes, their thorny branches make off-road travel very difficult, creating a natural barrier that protects the town against the outside world. Most travelers stick to the two main routes into the town: The well traveled and patrolled main road and the Caelorn river, both of which lead to and from Stormhaven.
Economy (agriculture & lumber)
Thornvale's economy is centered around agriculture. The town is the largest producer of Brambleberries in Kildar. The berries are put it into almost all the products they produce: fresh berries, jams, pies, wine, spirits, dyes etc. The Thornton Brambleberry Company (T.B.C.) is the singular employer of the town. The company has a cooperative structure with it's shares that for 51% in the hands of the townsfolk and the remaining 49% are in the hands of the Thornton Family. The profits of the company are shared among the villagers and reinvested in the town, which has become quite wealthy.
Goods other than agriculture and lumber the town has to import.
Rivalry with the Farmers Guild
While the Brambleberry Company is a member of the Farmers Guild, their company culture of shared- & responsible ownership clashes hard with the other, more 'exploitative' members of the Farmers Guild. The other members of the Farmers Guild have been circling the Thornton Brambleberry Company like sharks for years, looking for a way to obtain shares in the company and disrupt up the 51%-49% ownership structure.
Population
Thornvale has a population species-mix similar to to Stormhaven, but the total population is this little town is obviously considerably smaller. With humans, elves, halflings, dwarves, gnomes as the most prominent species.
Culture
Authors note: (the culture of Thornvale is heavily inspired by Tolkien's; the Shire and the stereotypes of Mediterranean life)
With wealth, safety and very fertile soil, the citizens of Thornvale have little to worry about. Life is good and and there is little need to hurry. "A Thornvaler is never late, nor are they early, they arrive precisely when they mean to..."
Visitors are greeted with food and lodging, but don't overstay your welcome, the townsfolk don't need outsiders uprooting their idyllic lives (too much).
In it's history the town has had an unusually high number of run-in's with hags. Most therefore have a positive view of the Eldritch Inquisition, at least when it comes to all Hag related business.
To earn the right to live and work in Thornvale, you'll need to prove that you're a net positive addition to Town and pass a 66% approval vote at a town-gathering. For when you become part of the town, you'll also share in their 51% ownership of the Thornton Brambleberry Company. So you can imagine that it's citizens will think twice before they transfer over a portion of their shares to you.
Prominent Families
The Thorntons (halflings)
The most prominent family in town are the Thorntons, founders of the Thornton Brambleberry Company with still a 49% share in the company. An old-money family that have long acted as the towns good-faith stewards, claiming ancestry to a long line of heroic adventurers (such as Thalos Thornton) that chased off a hag and founded the town.
The Darkflames (black-scaled dragonborns)
Another prominent in Thornvale family are the Darkflames. Don't let the ominous name fool you, while this family of tall- and black-scaled dragonborns may look imposing and intimidating, they've clearly inherited their joyful demeanor from their ancestor the heroic adventurer 'Vexorath Darkflame' a bard & sorcerer. Their family legend claims that they hail from black dragon named 'Darkflame', who was supposedly slain by hags long ago, leading to a longstanding inherited hatred for all things hag-related.
History
Rumors about its early days
Though the company today is celebrated as a pillar of Thornvale's prosperity, rumors persist that in the early days of its rise, the Thornton family absorbed neighboring fields to expand their holdings. Whether true or simply guild gossip, the story lingers as a shadow beneath the polished image of shared ownership and communal wealth.
Below is the description of the town 80 years ago:
Thornvale is a quaint village nestled near the east coast, surrounded by vast blackberry farms that extend as far as the eye can see. The village derives its name from the thorny blackberry bushes that are the backbone of its economy. Known for its blackberry pies, wines, and ales, Thornvale is a hub of activity centered around these beloved fruits. The village’s landscape is picturesque, with cultivated blackberry fields gradually giving way to dense, thorny forests, which eventually transition into a mysterious swampy land.
Notable Buildings & Locations
Bramble Inn
Description: The Bramble Inn is the heart of Thornvale's social life, where locals gather to enjoy blackberry-themed food and drink. The inn's interior is warm and inviting, with wooden beams and blackberry-themed decor. The smell of fresh blackberry pie and ale permeates the air.
Notable NPC: Bram Bramson
An elven barkeep, Bram is known for his easygoing nature. He doesn’t mind what patrons do as long as they pay for any damages and keep the peace. Regular patrons include William Blackwood, the local OPS leader, who frequents the inn despite the large burn scar on his head from a past bar fight.
Nettie’s Herbs and Spices (N.H.S.)
Description: A small, cozy shop filled with the scent of dried herbs and spices. Nettie, the non-magical healer, runs this establishment, offering remedies for ailments like hangovers and bar fight injuries.
Notable NPC: Nettie
A wise and kind-hearted healer, Nettie is well-respected in the village. She often tends to the injuries of locals, including those incurred in the frequent brawls at the Bramble Inn.
Thornton Estate
Description: The Thornton Estate is the grand home of the Thornton family, owners of the Thornton Blackberry Company, which holds a de facto monopoly over the blackberry farms in the region. The estate is a symbol of wealth and power in Thornvale, surrounded by well-manicured gardens and towering blackberry bushes.
Notable NPCs: Theodore and Thalia Thornton
Before their untimely deaths, the Thorntons were influential figures in Thornvale. Theodore managed the business, while Thalia was known for her love of hunting.
Notable NPCs & Factions
Master Corvel Danthar
Guildmaster of the Merchant's Guild and representative for the Thornvale region.
Professor Prattleton
Goblin inventor in an ink-stained waistcoat, usually dragging a satchel full of cracked crystals and scrolls. From the Intellectual Institutions, Department of Arcane Infrastructure and Other Things That Go Boom.”
William Blackwood
Description: The leader of the local Owlbear Protection Society (OPS) and a blackberry farmer, William is a well-known figure in Thornvale. He bears a large burn scar on his head from a fight with a dragonborn. William is a passionate defender of owlbears and fiercely opposed to anyone who threatens them.
Elara Redwood
Description: A blackberry farmer and a member of the OPS, Elara was severely injured and is now confined to a wheelchair. Despite her injuries, she remains a strong-willed and respected figure in the community.
Hazel Greenleaf
Description: Hazel is a big, strong woman who runs the local bakery with her husband, Aelen Mosswood, a small and fragile man who makes jams. Hazel is known for her delicious blackberry pies, which are a local favorite.
Fahrlanghn Justiciars
Description: A group of paladins from the Fahrlanghn Messenger Guild who arrive in Thornvale to investigate the mysterious death of Ser Tristan Swiftblade. The justiciars include Ser Sylas Dawnbringer, a combat-focused paladin; Ser Corbrin Wardenbrook, an elderly and wise investigator; and Ser Ivy Swiftstride, a nimble and skilled reconnaissance expert.
Stories and Events
Missing Children: The Tragedy of Lily and Ethan Brownwood
Two local children, Lily and Ethan Brownwood, went missing, leaving their parents, Suzanna and Thadeus, in despair. The adventurers who came to Thornvale discovered that the children had been turned into soup by a local hag named Malvana. The adventurers killed the hag, but the tragedy left a lasting scar on the village.
Messenger Guild Hijinks
Ser Tristan Swiftblade, a paladin of the Messenger Guild, was tasked with transporting cargo from Stormhaven to Thornvale. During his journey, he encountered goblins and was ultimately killed by members of the Owlbear Protection Society, who were aided by the adventurers. The cargo was found to contain valuable loot and owlbear hunting gear, which was destroyed by the OPS. Ser Tristan’s death has led to an impending investigation by the Fahrlanghn Messenger Guild.
The Judgment of Thornvale
Following the death of Ser Tristan, three justiciars from the Messenger Guild arrived in Thornvale to investigate. The adventurers, frantically trying to cover up their murder of Ser Tristan, were caught red-handed and were branded as murderers. Creating a tense standoff between the adventurers, OPS and the justiciars. The adventurers set fire to a building as a distraction, but failed to free the OPS members, and instead were also captured and imprisoned by the justiciars.
Resurrection of Malvana the Hag
During their first night in prision, the adventurers managed to break out of the cells, but couldn't get the OPS members out in time. After their escape, the adventurers fled to the swamp where they encountered Bjorb the Goblin, who told tales of ressurecting a dead hag who could become a powerful ally. So the adventurers did just that, and resurrected the hag Malvana using dark magic. In exchange for her protection and power, they agreed to make her the ruler of the lands, provided she only feasted on criminals and protected the innocent. Malvana’s resurrection led to the formation of her undead goblin army, the Marshhowlers, and set the stage for a new era of darkness in Thornvale, as she put a powerfull polymorph curse on the lands turing all the inhabitants into forrest animals.
Return to Thornvale
In the aftermath of the chaos, Thalos Thornton, the nephew of Theodore and Thalia, returned to Thornvale. Accompanied by Vexorath Darkflame, a dragonborn sorcerer, and Viana Valenwood, a ranger, Thalos vowed to free Thornvale from Malvana’s curse and restore his family’s legacy. However, his deep-seated hatred for goblins threatens to push him down a path of vengeance.
A battle ensued with the adventurers, their friends and the villagers on one side, and malvana and her undead goblin army on the other.
In the end the adventurers emerged victorious finally defeating Malvana and lifting the curse on the village.