Thistledown

Not everyone in Thistledown is has an animal side, however. Many elves and humans call the city home, as well as a conclave of owlin. The city prides itself on being a place where any can rest and rejuvenate, so much so that many bounty hunters will take the longer road east to Hemlock Bastille just to spend a day or two in Thistledown. The Cavalcade Lament is the true test of the city's welcome, however. King Cadogan and his entourage are celebrated and pampered after their long journey throughout the kingdom. It is a time all of Thistledown looks forward to.

City Landmarks

Inn of the Last Leaf - an Inn which prides itself on catering to all shapes and sized, with a specialty in providing comfort to those therianthropes who do not yet have full control of their bodies. It is a place of acceptance and learning, as well as rest.

Blood Gardens - not a garden in the traditional sense, this is the area of Thistledown people can give into their more primal nature and enjoy the thrill of the hunt or the thrill of being hunted. Many outside the city think of the Blood Gardens as a training ground for bringing up killers but they don't understand the needs being met, and the connection to the other part of oneself that can be all so important. Non-shifter or therianthropes are welcome in the Blood Gardens but regardless of ability or race, if one is being hunted, the city does not question their disappearance.

Pinion's Recall - the nest of Lucien Oberyn, only special guests are invited within this enchanted place of beautifully crafted wood and down. A meticulous man, Lucien loves nothing more than hosting people of importance and picking their brains on the state of the world. Pinion's Recall is home to the owlin in Thistledown, and they don't take kindly to others prying into their business.

Well of Wishing Well - famed to be a bottomless well, this large circular stone structure near the center of Thistledown brings up pure, clean drinking water which tastes unlike any other water in all of Vault is the people in the city are to be believed. They claim it comes from the heart of the world, and no one has ever delved to the bottom to dispute it. It's said one can drop a copper in the well and wish, and if the copper sinks, the wish will be granted.

Ol' Bernard's Mansion - the oldest home in town, Ol' Bernard was the first therianthrope to decide he'd rather not master his primal side and instead allow his duel nature to run free. Not surprisingly, he was locked inside his massive home and grounds, considering the multiple killings. Now the mansion is the focus of rumors and stories, including the idea that Ol' Bernard has untold treasures for those who risk trespassing.

The Oak and Vine Inn - lauded as the Inn where King Cadogan stays when he passes through, the Oak and Vine is the most high end pampering one can receive in Highcroft. Protected by ancient magics unique to the Nimblewick Woods, this Inn acts as a sanctuary for any in danger; and not just in theory. It is said staying here and entrusting oneself to the magic of the place can cause one to be completely removed from harm. Though few know what that actually means.

Lifepool - the rejuvenating waters of Thistledown can even extend to reviving the dead. Far from necromancy, there have been rare occasions where the recently killed have been bartered back to the realm of the living. The town has as many stories about these occurrences as there are people to tell them, so the truth is somewhere between tall tales.

People of Note

Nastasha Volkov: Female Shifter, proprietor of the Inn of the Last Leaf and head of the conclave for primal embrace

Kimari Shaan: Female Were-Lion, lauded Blood Gardens hunter and outspoken proponent of abandoning restraint concerning volatile neighbors

Lucien Oberyn: Male Owlin, seeker of secrets and famed egotist, he sees people as tiered in their ability to provide for him

Ol' Bernard: Male Were-Bear, one of the oldest and dangerous therianthropes in Vault

Shay: Non-binary Fairy, proprietor of the Oak and Vine Inn, is an incredibly powerful magic user, especially in the realm of fey magics