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Thrain

  • Writer: Victoria McKinnon
    Victoria McKinnon
  • Jun 5, 2022
  • 2 min read

Updated: Jul 6, 2022

The city of Thrain is full of people from all walks of life. The streets are lined with vendors selling their wares, and the air is filled with the smell of fresh bread and roasted meats. Grand, imposing buildings of neatly-cut marble and sandstone sit amongst open-air gardens.

Thrain: A Multicultural City

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A Sun Elf in traditional Thranic garb (by victoria_fantasy_art)

Many Sun Elves and Star Elves call Thrain home, despite its main population of Thranic Humans.


They each bring aspects of Verunism and elven artistry to the city. To accommodate both sun and moon worship, Thrain has temples dedicated to Verunism and "silent shrines" for Seluna. The silent shrines are excellent at blocking noise from the streets and are a place for Star Elves to pray and meditate. A small population of Snowfell Dwarves live in Thrain. They brew beer and practice smithing, carpentry, and masonry.


As a result of its multicultural population, Thrain is a great place for traders, merchants, and artisans of every kind to stay. Many languages are spoken in its streets. Thrain has several trade guilds that oversee commerce in the city.

Politics

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Thrain's nobility (art by acacia_toons)

Thrain is full of noble lords and ladies. Those who oversee merchant and artisan guilds are of particularly high status, but everyone from the varying social castes of Thrain can find the promise of success and prosperity within Thrain's walls.


Every human of Thrain belongs to a caste. Members of different castes freely interact despite the definitions for where they belong. Each caste wears a particular color to designate their station at formal events. The castes and their corresponding colors are listed below:

  • The governing caste: Purple

  • The military: Red

  • The elite and middle caste: Black

  • The agricultural and rural caste: Green

  • The poor and unemployed city masses: Grey

One’s caste is a badge of pride. Humans understand that every single caste is needed in a great society, and that not everyone can be the ruling class. Due to their democratic systems, every member of Thrain has a voice regardless of caste. A common phrase humans use to indicate this harmony between castes and their kin is “Thrain invincible, Thrain forever”. To humans, all fellow humans are family, no matter what they look like or how much money they have. Bastard children are no exception; they are given the surname 'Thrain' to denote their lineage. They typically serve as ambassadors, because they are both important yet expendable.

Notable Locations in Thrain

The Gladiator Arena

This large, open-air stadium was built for the purpose of hosting Thrain's gladiatorial games. The arena is surrounded by a high wall lined with rows of seats. A special VIP box is where royalty and nobility get an excellent vantage point.


Games between skilled fighters serve as entertainment in Thrain, and on the arena's dirt floor other sports take place (such as discus, chariot racing, and spear-throwing). Athletes are well-paid and bet on by their fans. Gladiatorial games are typically held until one side yields. Ancient custom upheld fights to the death, but gore and gruesome battles are not held in as high esteem as tactical and strategic battles full of intrigue and depth in Thrain. Gladiator fights are often used to settle disputes between rival factions.

The Hanging Gardens of Remedia

The Hanging Gardens of Remedia were planted long ago by the now-extinct wood elves as a gesture of peace. The plant life still flourishes today. The Hanging Gardens are filled with lush greenery, colorful flowers, and bubbling fountains. The air is always fresh and fragrant, and the sun shines down upon the gardens in a warm embrace. Visitors can stroll through the winding paths and admire the variety of plant life. Butterflies and birds make their home here. During Spring, Thrain's streets are filled by migrating butterflies. It's said that those who spend time in the Hanging Gardens will be blessed with good fortune.

Baldan's Bathhouse

Baldan's Bathhouse is a vast and opulent structure, built of white marble and gleaming gold. It is said that only the richest and most powerful citizens can afford to frequent this luxurious establishment. The interior of the bathhouse is equally as impressive as its exterior. There are several large pools, each filled with steaming water that is perfumed with the finest essential oils. There are also several saunas and steam rooms, where guests can relax and rejuvenate their skin. The bathhouse also offers a variety of spa treatments, such as massages, facials, and body wraps. Whether citizens are looking to relax and pamper themselves, or to rub elbows with Thrain's governing caste, a visit to Baldan's Bathhouse is sure to be an unforgettable experience.

Guild of Artistry

The Guild of Artistry is a prestigious one. It is made up of artists of all disciplines – painters, sculptors, architects, and more. The artists in the guild push the boundaries of their craft, and are always coming up with new ideas and ways to create even more beautiful works of art. Humans, elves, and even some dwarves make their homes in the Guild of Artistry's lush green grounds full of cabins and cottages for artists to stay in. They produce lots of handcrafted, custom items that are sought after throughout the Crescents. Artists typically receive sponsorships from wealthy members of Thrain's upper castes to continue creating art, or work off commissions assigned to them by the Guild.


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Thrain (art by nextmars)

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© 2023 by Victoria McKinnon

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