Defenders of the Forest - Liber Fanatica

Chapter XI: Flora, Fauna
and Foes of the Forest
Fo e s o f t h e Fo r e s t
The natural world is threatened by many foes, some malicious,
some exploitative and others simply expansionistic. Wood Elves
look upon almost anyone who harms the forest as despoilers
lost to corruption; only a select few are given a pass for merely
being misguided or greedy. Regardless of motives, the Asrai will
defend the forests vigilantly from its foes.
Gr e e n s k i n s
Greenskins revel in destruction, often burning trees simply for
the pleasure of watching the mesmerizing glow. It is rumoured
that the legendary Black Fire Pass was actually named for the
black smoke that rises from the area when Greenskins burn
trees and shrubs for their idle amusement. The Asrai will actually
change their course to hunt down Greenskins, should they
come across a trail in the forest. The goblinoids’ love of wanton
destruction is appalling to Wood Elves.
Hu m a n s
Although the realm of Athel Loren has an alliance of sorts
with the nobility of Bretonnia, Wood Elves prefer secrecy and
solitude from humans. In the Empire, civilisation and industry
have put greater strains upon the natural resources. Across the
Old World, deforestation has nearly caused some Elven settlements
to become exposed. Once-remote Wood Elf communities
are now interacting with human settlements, which sometimes
leads to open conflict or the abandonment of ancient traditions,
as newer generations of Wood Elves adopt the culture of their
human neighbours.
Dw a r f s
Dwarfs frequently send logging teams into the forests, seeking to
replenish stocks of fuel for the furnaces of their workshops. The
situation is further exacerbated by existing bitterness between
Elf and Dwarf dating back to the War of the Beard millennia
ago. Wood Elves believe that Dwarfs actively seek to destroy
the sacred glades of the forest in order to satisfy their “stupid
grudges”.
Sk a v e n
The Skaven take great measures to avoid the woodland realms
of the Asrai. However, on occasion the two races clash in parts
of the forest where vast amounts of Warpstone have fallen from
the sky and tainted the land. While the Asrai seek to remove the
taint or contain it with waystones, the Skaven seek to recover
the Warpstone and use it for their own nefarious schemes.
Be a s t m e n
The greatest danger to the Asrai’s woodland realms is the endless
Beastmen menace. The natural balance of the world is threatened
by their corrupting nature, and Wood Elves have waged a
secret war within the forests of the Old World. Humans are unaware
of the magnitude of danger that the Beastmen represent
within the confines of their “borders”; such is the success of the
campaign waged by the Wood Elves. The Beastlord who seems
most intent upon destroying Athel Loren is known by the Asrai
as Cyanathair the Corruptor. Although he was destroyed twice
in ages past, the Corruptor always rises again.
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