Thorn

Geography
Thorn is a growing town on the southernmost edge of Hearth and tucked neatly alongside two sizable lakes. The land they built on is flat and grassy, but farming is made difficult by the hard clay composition of the dirt.

History
The history of Thorn starts a thousand miles east where the town's founding orc tribe originated from. A conflict of ideologies saw their tribe split in the early days of the plague. Those who sought peace and cooperation were cast out by those who saw the plague as an omen to begin a reign of death on their neighbours. With no home and sickness hot on their tails, the peaceful orcs headed west until they hit the coast. Wary of the ocean, they settled a days march inland on the lakes' edges.

In recent years the town's modest population has swelled as more orcs from barbaric tribes arrive in hopes of joining a civilized community among their peers.

Government
The governing body of Thorn consists of three shamans who create a small council that makes most decisions on behalf of the tribe. One of the first shaman leaders recently passed on and his apprentice, a half-orc, has taken his place. While most are willing to accept this new leader within Thorn, a vocal minority is enraged that a half-breed has been given a seat on the council.

Inhabitants
Thorn's population is massively dominated by orcs, with a small number of half-orcs mixed in. The few others who count themselves as citizens are primarily human and halfling merchants and dedicated fishers.

Longhouse Tavern and Inn
Aptly named as the building itself is considerably long. It was one of the first buildings to go up in Thorn and was a communal living place for the tribe before individual homes were established. The Longhouse is popular for its glazed salmon and garlic stuffed potatoes. Asking for any drink but mead is basically blasphemy.

House of Spirits
Open to orcs and half-orcs but barred to all others, this grand structure is where offerings are made to various spirits and where the shaman council meets.