The World of Thornvale

Thornvale is a border county on the edge of the Kingdom of Averlund. This is the world your character is born into.

Thornvale

A border county on the edge of the Kingdom of Averlund, held by Lord Baelric Thorn. Its coin comes from three places: the Deepdelve mines, the wheat of the valley, and the trade road that runs through Market Square toward the capital.

The Great Chain

Everyone here is born to a rank — serf, peasant, freeman, guild craftsman, burgher, gentry, noble. It's meant to hold you where you started. It doesn't always. Trade, the sword, the Church, or the knife can each move a person up it.

The Church of the Radiant Dawn

The faith teaches that work is holy and the poor are watched over. Its bishops are as rich as any lord. A lowborn child who can read and knows when to smile can climb a long way inside it.

The Guilds

The Smiths', Merchants', and Masons' guilds run the towns and guard their trades jealously. Rise as a craftsman or trader and sooner or later you'll need the guild's blessing — and you'll pay for it.

The Shadowrows

Under the respectable town sits a second one. The Thieves' Court settles scores among cutpurses, smugglers, and worse. Two rules only: pay what you owe, and keep your mouth shut.

The Border War

East of here, Averlund has been grinding against the Duchy of Kravn for years. Every few seasons the levy is called and Thornvale's young men march off. Most come home poorer. A few come home knights. Many don't come home.