Castle Town
Population: 20,000

In keeping with many of Balaia's larger towns, Blackthorne is named after the family that first claimed the territory. But unlike most of the current leading Baronies, Blackthorne is a name steeped in a dozen centuries history and lends itself to the continent's dominant feature, the mountains that run north to south.

The town itself remains the Blackthorne ancestral home and is the centre of the family's wealth. The population is largely engaged in three key industries - farming, mining and wine making. It is this latter that has made the Blackthorne's their fortune and allowed them the luxury of not being expansionist for gain.

Most famed for the rich, fruity reds grown in the sheltered sun trap vineyards near the Bay of Gyernath, the Blackthorne bottle is seen across Balaia and exports south to the elven lands of Calaius.

Despite their easy wealth, the family defend all their considerable lands with great ferocity, having a standing militia as well as a form of trained conscription for both men and women.

Blackthorne's lands cover east to the Blackthorne Mountains, north to Thornewood, east to Arlen and south to the coast. Though the family do not own Gyernath, Greythorne or Arlen, they do control most trading routes and levies can be stiff.

The family have long had the reputation for fairness, not greed and will not compromise their businesses for short term profit. Few opposing Barons or Lords would think of taking on the Blackthornes.