Defenders of the Forest - Liber Fanatica

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Chapter IX: The Hinterglades Ch a p t e r IX: Th e Hi n t e r g l a d e s The large influxes of Elven colonists and refugees that founded the woodland realms of Athel Loren and Laurëlorn ensured that they would become the largest Wood Elf enclaves. However, scattered throughout the Old World’s forests are remnants of smaller colonies that once flourished along trade routes. These “hinterglades” were formed by Elves who withdrew into the relative safety of the forests when advancing Dwarf throngs sacked their colonies during the War of the Beard. A few Hinterglades were also founded by subsequent migrations from the larger woodland realms. Hinterglade cultures are similar to the Asrai of the two major woodland realms, but they also provide GMs with an opportunity to develop unique differences informed by local experiences. De s i g n i n g a Hi n t e r g l a d e When creating a Hinterglade, the GM should consider its location within the Old World and answer the following questions: Hi s t o r y a n d Origins • Where did the Elves come from originally? • What compelled them to settle this Hinterglade? • Are there other Hinterglades like this one, or is it unique? Cu l t u r e a n d Cu s t o m s • How did the Hinterglade’s history shape its culture? • Have the Elves maintained contact with Athel Loren or the Laurëlorn Forest? • Which Kindreds are dominant, and how do they differ from the other woodland realms? • Do the Elves have a unique approach to the worship of Asrai gods and Brúidd spirits? Fr i e n d s a n d Fo e s • Who are the Elves’ main enemies, and why are they in conflict? • Who are the Elves’ main allies, and why do they cooperate? • What is the Hinterglade’s relationship with local forest spirits? • Is the surrounding forest generally safe for Elves, or is there an element of danger? Pl a y e r Ch a r a c t e r s • What would compel an Elf PC to leave the Hinterglade? • Which Kindreds may PCs from this Hinterglade join? • Which magical traditions are available to Treesingers and Spellsingers? • Are there any restrictions upon the starting Careers available from the default Hinterglade Career table (pg. 5)? 87
Chapter IX: The Hinterglades Hi n t e r g l a d e 1: Lo s t Ki n d r e d o f t h e Wy t h e l Tr e e The Asrai known as the Lost Kindred are descended from Athel Loren Elves, but no longer remain loyal to their ancestral realm. Instead, they live in scattered woodland communities established around the rare and sacred species of conifers known as Wythel trees. The exact location of their Wythel groves remains a secret, even to most other Wood Elves. The Lost Kindred isolate themselves from the civilizations of Man and maintain infrequent contact with their Elven kin. GMs therefore have the flexibility to situate the Lost Kindreds’ Hinterglades in whichever Old World forest best suits their campaign. Hi s t o r y a n d Origins Long ago a species of tree called the Wythel pine grew in Athel Loren’s northeastern glades. The Asrai who dwelt amongst the Wythels grew fond of the tree since its large cones, needles and bark fulfilled nearly all of their material needs. Those resourceful Elves were known as the Kindred of the Wythel. In -1000 IC Bretonni horse tribes migrated across the Grey Mountains and settled in the lands surrounding the Loren. The barbarian tribes felled many trees and waged devastating battles against the greenskins. Elders claimed that these destructive campaigns altered the delicate balance of green and purple magic beneath the Wythel groves and lead to their extinction within the forest. At first, the Wythels merely sprouted fewer saplings and yielded smaller harvests, but then Cyanathair’s arrival and defeat at the Battle of Anguish in -830 IC wrought drastic changes upon the forest ecosystem. As the surviving Wythel trees began to sicken and die, the Kindred of the Wythel dispatched explorers and Warhawk riders to scout faraway lands for healthy groves. By -700 IC barely any Wythels remained in Athel Loren, but messengers returned with tidings of a glade many leagues east of the Grey Mountains. Upon receiving this news, several hundred of the Wythel Kindred departed Athel Loren forever. Today, Elves of Athel Loren refer to the emigrants’ scattered descendants as the “Lost Kindred”. Cu l t u r e a n d Cu s t o m s Although the Wythel trees never returned to Athel Loren, the winds of magic at certain locations within the forests of the Empire, Tilea and Border Princes provide suitable habitat for small groves to flourish. Of course the Lost Kindred who inhabit these groves do not consider themselves to be lost at all. In fact, they claim that Ariel appointed their people to the sacred task of preserving the surviving Wythels. As a result, their culture and religion is based upon a strange hybrid of tree worship, ancestor spirit worship and reincarnation. The cycle of life, according to the Lost Kindred, is a process of renewal and evolution. They believe that the first Elves were born from the oldest Wythels, each of which has a distinct name, so infants are named after the specific tree from which they were presumed to have been seeded. Spirits of deceased kin are said to dwell eternally within the Wythels, also known as “spirit trees”. In Lost Kindred lore, the birth seed germinates from the spirit tree and is consumed by husband and wife to enable procreation. By this means, each new generation inherits the wisdom of its predecessors. Clothing, tools and weapons of the Lost Kindred are primitive by many standards. Loincloths are fashioned from leather, Wythel bark or spider silk, and are adorned with beads, Wythel needles and hawk feathers. Flint or bone is often substituted for metal, and the largest Wythel cones are fashioned into maces. Fr i e n d s a n d Fo e s Wythel trees are regarded as more than just spirit vessels by the Lost Kindred – each one also has its own unique name and identity. In times of crisis, certain Wythels are awakened as Treekin (pg. 76) to impart sage advice to the Lost Kindred and fight when the grove is threatened. The Lost Kindred also maintain strong friendships with descendants of the Warhawks who once carried their forebears across the world. The Lost Kindred oppose all who threaten the flow of green and purple magic upon which their sacred trees depend. Spellsingers soar high above the forest on Warhawks, surveying the magical winds for signs of tampering. Their greatest threats are Beastmen who taint the wind of Ghyran with herdstones, and Human necromancers who turn Shyish to Dhar by defiling burial sites and waystones. In the southern forests, Goblins and Giant Spiders are sometimes known to compete with Elves for the delicious Wythel nut. 88
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Defenders of the Forest Cr e d i t
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Chapter I: Playing Wood Elf Charact
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Chapter II: Kindreds Ch a p t e r I
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Chapter II: Kindreds Ve n g e a n c
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Chapter II: Kindreds Beastfriend Pr
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Chapter III: Wood Elf Religion Ch a
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servants, fallen gods or aspects of
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Viydagg Viydagg, the Laurëlorn Br
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Principles • Give thanks to the s
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Outdoor Survival +20, Perception +2
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To r o t h a l , Wi t c h Qu e e n
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Pr i e s t s o f Va u l The Asrai o
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Ch a p t e r IV: Wo o d El f Ma g i
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Chapter IV: Wood Elf Magic Spellsin
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Chapter IV: Wood Elf Magic Forecast
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Chapter IV: Wood Elf Magic Ri t u a
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