Kaelthorne, the Verdant Veil

Kaelthorne, called the Verdant Veil, is a land of golden sunlight, fertile fields, and ancient forests tended by pacifist giants and their kin. The land thrives as a sanctuary of peace, where mortals, druids, and fay folk live alongside towering guardians who see themselves not as rulers, but as caretakers of the balance. Its soil yields endless bounty — vineyards, rye fields, and orchards — making Kaelthorne one of the most fertile and celebrated regions in the known world.
  Rulers & Inhabitants
  Giants & Kin: Firbolgs, Verbeegs, Voadkyn, cyclopes, and even reclusive Fomorians call this land home, each lineage contributing to Kaelthorne’s stewardship.
  Mortals: Humans, elves, halflings, and merchants thrive in the shadow of giant halls, working fields and vineyards that stretch to the horizon.
  Fey & Druids: Dryads and druids dwell in the deep woods, blessing soil and water to ensure perpetual fertility.
  The Order of the Verdant Step
  A revered monastic order of giant monks, dwelling in the Great Monastery of Stone and Vine, built into the cliffs overlooking endless vineyards and rye fields.
  Teachings: Patience, balance, and restraint — strength exists to shield, never to dominate.
  Martial Art: The Step of Still Earth — rooted, deliberate movements that channel nature’s force into sudden bursts of overwhelming might.
  Crafting Role: The monks are as much philosophers as they are artisans, master vintners and distillers who treat brewing as sacred ritual.
  The Day the God Drank (Historical Folklore)
  Kaelthorne’s most beloved tale tells of the day Set turned his gaze upon their lands. Where others raised armies or prayed for salvation, the giants offered a simple gift: a cask of Giant’s Breath Reserve, the monastery’s rarest wine.
  When Set tasted it, his fury softened — if only for a moment. The warmth of the sun, the richness of earth, and the blessing of druids all lingered in the vintage, stirring a memory of gentleness long buried in shadow. From that day, Set decreed:
  “Let Kaelthorne stand untouched, for its wine I desire above conquest.”
  Every year, on the anniversary of this moment, Kaelthorne holds the Festival of the First Pour, where the first cask of the new season’s wine is blessed and opened. Songs and dances retell the story of The Day the God Drank, and emissaries prepare Setovia’s tribute — ensuring the pact of peace continues.
  Spirits of Kaelthorne
  Kaelthorne’s fields yield legendary vintages and whiskeys:
  Wines
  Sun’s Veil Red – A rich crimson aged in druid-blessed oak.
  First Dawn White – Crisp and golden, with notes of sunrise.
  Giant’s Breath Reserve – Brewed once a decade, said to grant visions of ancient wisdom.
  Whiskeys
  Rye of the Veil – Spicy and warming, brewed from golden rye fields.
  Stonefire Whiskey – A smoky spirit aged in barrels charred by elemental fire.
  Monk’s Ember – A mellow, earthy reserve poured in meditative rituals.
  Verdant Gold – Smooth, honey-amber, Kaelthorne’s most prized export, rivaling even its wines.
  Culture & Trade
  Pacifist Guardianship: The giants do not march armies; instead, they weave natural wards, diplomacy, and the protective strength of their monastic order.
  Art & Craft: Tapestries depicting nature’s cycles, glasswork that shimmers like captured sunlight, and living-wood halls shaped into giant sanctuaries.
  Trade: Kaelthorne exports vast quantities of wine and whiskey across the realms. Setovia is their greatest buyer, not only out of taste, but because Set himself demands their vintages. In return, Kaelthorne imports metalwork, tools, and knowledge not abundant in their fertile lands.