Slyvorin(Wood elves, elf-nymphs) and the Deepwoods

“A realm of beauty equal part fascinating and terrifying” - Unknown Rodanin philosopher.

The Deepwoods

The deepwoods are a series of large, impenetrable magical forest spread out across Allurian. Each of these large forests or jungles has had the feywild itself infused into these vast lands. It is wildly debated between even the Slyvorin of whether the land itself is even part of the Feywild, for within each lands lay strange, fey magic that are beyond understanding. For it’s lands are like no other, save maybe the fey realms.  It’s lands change with a mind of its own, dictated only by the all powerful forest spirits

History

Before the time of the humans, these forests were large, uncontrolled wild lands that even the Varduin at the height of their power struggled to break. It is said Arilorin herself, the goddess of nature, created these forest as natural bastions to protect Allurian’s nature against the Varduin and neither the Varduin’s technology or magic could break these fortress fully. Even as they burned thousand of square kilometers of forest, it resisted, often with fey magic that the Varduin could not comprehend fully. Leaving a scattered few but extremely potent forests centered on a a singular Heart Tree, a massive, ancient tree planted and cultivated by Arilorin herself. The gods poured enormous power into these forest, treating them as footholds in the realm of Allurian to launch their attacks against the Varduin, and unleashing Sogomere, through the feywild to strike.

When the war against the Varduin ended and various mortal races expanded, their power waned. Arilorin exhausted much of her power to clean these lands of the scars of war  while the other gods moved on. With that the forests were the first victim of first the dwarfs who grew into empire, and later the Hurdin races, Humans, Halfings and Gnomes whose need to grow consumed many woods surrounding these Heart Trees. The forest resisted with all their might at times, but it’s magic was too dispersed and weak and may of the tree spirits were unwilling to bring themself to war.

It was for this it is said that Arilorin made a deal with Lirineoix, Ashenya for the creation of the elves. Though such a decision woul take nearly a thousand years to bear fruit. At the height of the Imperial Era, the power of the deepwoods began to recover as the inner forest of each heart tree had been too much trouble to be deforested. It was then that elves in large numbers began to be drawn to the deepwoods. Tens of thousands of elves entered the deepwoods drawn by the spirits and Arilorin’s manipulation. Many set up villagers and small towns in the outskirts of the forest or inside, but the forest spirit waited and watched to see if the Elves could be trusted. Unlike the other races however, the tree spirts realised the Elves were far less needy for wood and other resources that humans had traditionally plundered the woods for

The shattering of the elves, a mass genocide against elvenkind however set things into motion, Hundreds of thousands of elves fled back to the isles, but many also fled to the deepwoods, fleeing inside to avoid the onslaught of the Imperial military. With Imperial forces in pursuit, the tree and fey spirits in a greet meeting agreed to ally themselves with the elves.

The fleeing elves were then brought forth the spirits who agreed on a pact to defend the deepwoods against the pursuing imperial army and with the signing of the Slyvorin Pact, they threw back the Imperial army together, killing nearly 90% of their pursuers. 

The deepwoods following the alliance era have begun to be more welcoming of non-elves though on the strict conditions they are fully devoted to the forest protection and traitors are mercilessly killed.

The various deepwoods

Atorlian 

Atorlian is the largest of the deepwoods and the first home of the Slyvorin. The 1000 year pact of green steel with Rodan ever since the second incursion had disastrously failed has maintained peace

Laurolen 

Laurolen is the second largest deepwood and has a similar story to Atorlian in its founding, having founded during the shattering. It’s very similar to Atorlian though it is arguably the most open to the deepwoods with trading outposts and a free port. There has been occasional skirmish with Naskrimni Lords but an unwritten understanding has formed between Naskrim’s government that open war will be devastating following a series of wars at the end of the imperial era

Fedyn 

Fedyn was a deepwood sparsely populated by Slyvorin travelling through the roots of the world. During the Alliance Era, Slyvorin began to settle in large amounts and it became a hub for Lizardfolk Slyvorin relations which improved even after the dissolution to the Faisuran Dominion

Ildari 

Nicknamed the frozen woods, Slyvorin likewise travelled to it during the end of the Imperial Era but only really was populated during the end of  the Alliance Era for fear of threatening Shurin with a large force. In return, Shurin has agreed to live it alone.  The Ildari is the least populated and the coldest of the deepwoods and often is a place of deathly silence in winters. Even then frozen forest spirits keep vigil then and intruders never leave’

Society:

“It is a simple pact and yet one so few outside the realms understand, a simple matter of symbiotic relationship.”  - Treeent Mossbeak to Wise 

The society of the Slyvorin and the deepwoods at large is very different to those lived by any other.  The Slyvorin are a civilisation of both chaotic wildness and strict order. Wood elves are known to be free spirited, wild people, often emotional and capable of great outburst of emotions. There are no taxes,  strict hierarchy are organised society found in the Eladari or later drow. Yet at the same time strict rules govern certain aspect, every gift from the deepwoods must be repaid in kind.. This rule is one enforced, conditioned since a elf child is out of their mothers wound. Those who stray from its path and banished from the woods, though such actions are extremely rare.

Another aspect is of the defence of the deepwood, which is considered the highest and most important task of a Slyvorin. The rich resources, and powerful magic have made the Slyvorin a target for many kingdoms, organisations and darker power who often attempt to steal from it. Even a small, negligible piece of theft must be retaliated with, for the Slyvorin would want to send a message that such an act is so deeply unacceptable they will strike back with horrible retribution.  Entire kingdoms have been devastated for the actions of a few greedy lords. For this, every Slyvorin must make themself available and capable to defend it. In this regard they are similar to the Eladari and Drow who have large civilian military.

Every Slyvorin’s job is expected to contribute to the deepwoods as well as capable of acting as warrior in some capacity in war. As such every druid is trained in war, dancers become forest dancers and every Slyvorin are trained in the longbow, forming various groups of highly elite archers

Culture:

“One blink tells of a culture with little noticeable difference to ours and another brings the shock at the unrecognisably of it all.” Eladari diplomate

The Slyvorin enjoy parties, feast and celebration. Dancing and songs are commonplace in every Sylvorin's life. The Art’s are a cornerstone of Slyvorin life. In this regards they are very similar to their Eladari brothers and sisters. 

The main difference being that of course, with the Slyvorin there is no what they call a "facade" of nobility and order. While the Eladari are more reserved and elegant, the Slyvorin can often be wild, loud and at times, to their Eladari cousins debaucherous.  Tree spirits roam freely and often intertwine themselves with the Sylvorin culture. 

Military

“Only a fool would dare to step an unwanted foot in the deepwoods.” Rodanin Officer Cadet School Textbook - Factions

The Slyvorin have a relatively small standing force, often consisting of rangers known as Pathwatchers patrolling the deepwoods for any attacks. Often the tree spirits, known as the guardian spirits themself simply twist and turn pathways to trap or throw out intruders. With these pathwatchers and tree spirits, most intruders can be easily beaten back.

However when the deepwoods come under serious invasion or a threat develops that may seriouslyu threaten them, the deepwoods would muster its full might. Every elf are skilled, capable warrior, often with hundreds of years of training. Treant and forest spirits such as nymphs, dryads rise while every animal of the forest follows the command of the forest itself. Every druid and wizard of the deepwoods who number a significant chunk of the population are called forth. The result is army formed of nature itself and few have been known to survive it.  Yet such an event is extremely rare and often require a sizable threat to manifest itself. 

The Slyvoirn are highly elite army, relying on small groups of elite archers and infantry who are fast,maneuverable and highly independent. The wood elves are the best archers in Allurian and none can match their skill and weapons.  Slyvorin infantry are comprised of stalwart highly trained core of wardens backed up by fast and graceful forest dancers who are without equal in speed.  Elite Slyvorin Archers then harass and skirmish hostile foes, taking out key targets such as artillery and commanders. The Slyvorin finally have some of the fastest cavalry in Allurian, lightly armored, they are the masters of traversing impassable terrain and outmanouvering foes. Finally, tree spirits are some of the most terrifying foes, as large as building, their strength means they can pulverize any foe.