The Spiritwood
Jan 16, 2017 22:11:27 GMT
Post by Breenhin Mhaoilan on Jan 16, 2017 22:11:27 GMT
Image Source: Pinterest
NAME: The Spiritwood
KINGDOM AT A GLANCE: East of Ashdell, and West over the mountains from Silverclaw Valley, the Spiritwood sits, an ancient sentient forest. In years past, it was beset on all sides by corruption, and humans fleeing for their lives from undead and vampires sought to retreat through this wooded area. They never emerged. The few who sought to enter after their prey were slaughtered by the woods themselves, and those who survived were deemed mad, for there are no trees capable of vengeance. These humans still live in harmony with their savior, as without it, they would perish - but now, as new kingdoms grow, so too does the forest realize it will need cooperation to survive.
SIZE AND LOCATION: Medium. It's located near mountain's edge east of Ashdell.
WEALTH: Low. Staunchly isolationist, trade is nonexistent. They live well, but are not wealthy.
STABILITY: High. With a small human population and immortal spirits of nature working together, crime is essentially nonexistent and while in this partnership nature reigns supreme, the citizens of this forested nation maintain a powerful voice in handling affairs.
DANGER TO TRAVELERS: High. The Spiritwood has been called many names over the years. First it was simply the Spiritwood, and then The Thicket of the Damned. In modern times, it's been called the Fickle Forest, because those who enter and survive often seem to be chosen at random. But not all who wander are slain, as some caravans simply report entering, only to reemerge at their exact point of entrance many hours later.
FORM OF GOVERNMENT: Council. Woodland spirits maintain the deciding voices in all affairs, but the humans are a powerful minority not often ignored; the human portion of the council is primarily female.
FREEDOM AND OPPRESSION: Monarchal Council - The King and Queen of the forest were once human, but have since melded with the woodlands as a sign of cooperation with their ancient environmental neighbors. They help head a council of ancient tree spirits, a minority of which is made up of humans. The ruling humans are often voted in, but as the spirits never die or change, it would not be inaccurate to term their rule a dictatorship. Regardless, all are bound by the will of the Council.
COMMON SPECIES: Humans, Treants, Tree Ancients, Dryads, Woodland sprites and various fey drakes attracted to the residual magical power of the woods.
MILITARY FOCUS: The military might of the humans is primarily focused on small, elite units that are either heavily armed and armored, or extremely mobile. Their frontline is often heavily clad knights - of primarily human blood - with sword and shield, preferring discipline and formation assault over any massed charge. At their back are their archers and spellcasters - with more elven blood in their veins - known for their accuracy, magical might, and beguiling spells. This small corps of highly trained vanguard is supplemented by the wilderness around them.
Their heavy support comes in the form of ancient Treemen, spirits of the woods whose roots have been pulled from the ground to extract vengeance upon intruders. They are slow, yet hard to kill, and often are used to break enemy formations or pierce holes in their line. Tree Knights are smaller, but no less vicious, forming another nucleus of 'heavy' infantry upon which the enemy may break.
Riding in on the flanks are often Pack Riders, the Greatwolves of the forest their mount, each beast standing half again as tall as a human male at the shoulder. With dryads to help mend the wounded, gryphon riders help to round out the units on the field, each raised from birth with a similarly aged boy so that they come to act as one unit - should one die, the other is often put down, as they're known to go insane and start attacking any who come near. They will attack the enemy support units by flying over the battlefield, landing amidst the backline to sow carnage and terror. There exist special warriors, however, whom when they take the field all others are emboldened.
Should the time arise, the current Knight-Captain and the King and Queen of the Woods meld with the most ancient tree spirit, becoming the Avatar of Life. It's name is a misnomer, for it exists only to kill, and will not cease until it feels the wood is safe, at which point a new King and Queen commune with the woods, a new Knight-Captain is born, and the Ancient Avatar returns to it's roost in the center of the Spiritwood.
TECHNOLOGY: Medieval.
PLAYER CONTROLLED: Yes