The Keep

The keep is large, crumbling, and dangerous to any who try to get through the thorns at its base. Human bones hang among the sharp branches as a reminder when seen from the right angle.

The History
The keep was home to a count who insulted a witch, though many say he did so unknowingly. Despite this, he never apologized for the offense.

The witch and the count met on the count's daughter's christening. The witch cast a curse, saying that the girl would be the last of the count's line. He would have no more children, and she would die by pricking her finger on a spindle at the age of sixteen. Then, before the guards could catch her, she laughed and vanished.

At first, the count mocked the curse, until he realized that it was real. He could no longer have children. This angered him but it did him no good. The count became fearful of the second half of the curse. He decided to end the curse on his own, without moving himself or his daughter from the keep. He burnt every spindle in the castle, and he exiled all spinners and weavers from the land. His daughter was not allowed to go more than a bow shot from the outer wall.

However, the count's wife knew something of magic, and put her love against her daughter's death. Though she could not undo the curse completely, she was able to alter it just enough. Her daughter would no longer die, but she would be in an enchanted sleep. Her daughter would never age, and anyone who entered the briars during the century of protected sleep would die.

One hundred years to the day, a prince or knight of great nobility will manage to pass through the magical barriers without harm. He will kiss her and break the curse.

Naturally, on the eve girl's sixteenth birthday she found a spindle and pricked her finger. The curse took hold. The curse held for more than a century. Due to the countess being too specific on the methods of breaking the curse, the curse has held on for far too long. The young girl is stuck in suspended animation until all requirements are met.