Thistletop is an old Goblin warren, set a few miles from the town of Sandpoint, after we had cleared it, we decided to use it as a base for our party's operations - which we hoped would stop other humanoid tribes moving in and threatening the town.

Phase 1 is all about making place basically habitable and functional. They concentrate on developing the main building so that it is suitable for people rather than goblins and adding a museum, which might give us a small income, but preserves our story for others to see later. It also provides accommodation for a few guards to defend the holding. Good Sir Robyn, a paladin who helped clear the warren, has agreed to manage the site, so long the finished structure include a temple to his deity (Shelyn), so the initial plans include building a shine, that can be fully developed later. Our other staff, at present, include Velma (a halfling ex-slave) we rescued from the goblin dungeons, and a reformed (we think) goblin who did us a good service. We also hope that Drusilla (Raven's sister) will join us.

Raven believes that to survive, Thistletop needs some sort of long-term community living here. While he wants to keep the 'fort' for the party, there are other areas that can be developed to make a viable community - in the same way as Skids landing was developed.

Land access to Thistletop, is via a set of goblin tunnels, that formed the goblin's out defences. There are a number of 'chambers' within the Thistle clump, and Raven thinks that if the tops were removed it would make space for one or two extra buildings. In the medium term, Raven would like to open up those chambers and invite 'outsiders' to develop small businesses there - probably starting with a lodging house or inn to house the workers. However, his plans would keep the outer ring of Thorns, as a defensive pseudo-wall.

Perhaps a tannery (to support a group of hunters) or herbalist would work best. Whatever is built there, needs to preserve the country/wilderness feeling of the place.

Off to the right of the map, there is a clear area with a potential path that leads up from the 'beach' to Thistletop. While this might just be a rock beach area (I haven't checked with the DM) it might also incorporate the mouth of the River Thistle. Raven wonders whether it might be possible to build a small fishing village there, with a pier, a couple of cottages and a couple of fishing boats? While this allows the settlement to grow, it also means that Thistletop can be supplied by boat - and that people can take a 'day-trip excursion' to visit the museum.