Forest Folks
The Forest Folks are a nation of multiple clans and tribes that have lived in ancient and remote areas for generations. They are known for their intimate connection with nature and the Fæs, the powerful guardian spirits that followers of the Old Ways pray. The Forest Folks have a deep understanding of the natural world, and they see themselves as its stewards, tasked with protecting and nurturing the delicate balance of life.
The earliest records of the Forest Folks date back thousands of years to a time when the land was wild and untamed. The first clans were nomadic and roamed the forests for food and shelter, living off the ground and avoiding contact with outsiders. During that time, clans reached the far corners of the continent and settled in the Northern Mountains, the Southern Isles and the Western Dunes.
As the clans grew in size and number, they began to form alliances and come together in times of need. Over time, the Forest Folks developed a complex system of governance, with a Great Circle of Druids serving as their central governing body. The Circle is composed of representatives from each of the major clans — generally a Druid — and it serves as a forum for discussing issues that affect the entire nation.
One of the unique aspects of the Forest Folks is their relationship with the Fæs. These powerful guardian spirits inhabit the world and grant the Forest Folks powers in exchange for their devotion and protection. The Forest Folks deal with the Fæs, giving them offerings and rituals in exchange for their powers. Unlike other nations, the Forest Folks proudly show their alliances with the Fæs, embracing the Fatum as a result. It is common to see Forest Folks with antlers, bark skin, claws, or any other traits resembling the Fæs.
The Forest Folks are fiercely protective of their way of life, and they view outsiders with suspicion and caution. They are self-sufficient and self-reliant, and they have developed a unique culture and way of life deeply rooted in their connection to the natural world. Though they are small in number and isolated from the rest of the world, the Forest Folks are a powerful force in their own right, with a rich history and a deep connection to the land they call home.
Presentation
The clans of the Forest Folks all follow the Old Ways and pray to the Fæs. According to legends, in time immemorial, the Great Circle of Druids had privileged relations with the Fæs, but no one has had direct contact for generations.
Unlike most other nations, the Forest Folks readily accept the changes brought about by alliances with the Fæs and regard the Fatum as a mark of prestige. This belief is unique to the Forest Folks and sets them apart from other nations who view such changes with suspicion or fear.
The Forest Folks have many rituals and practices. They are very superstitious and incorporate the habits and customs of Old Ways into their daily lives. It is common, for example, to leave small offerings on the family altar during a visit or to make prayers to the Fæs during exchanges with others.
Another common practice is to seek the advice of the Fæs through divination. The Forest Folks believe that the Fæs can guide them in important decisions and offer insight into their future. They use various forms of divination, such as reading the patterns of tea leaves, stones, or bones, or interpreting dreams.
The Forest Folks also have a deep connection to nature and the land. They believe that everything in nature has a spirit and show great respect for plants, animals, and natural phenomena. They have various ceremonies and festivals to honour the cycles of the seasons and the natural world.
One of the most important ceremonies is the Spring Festival, which marks the beginning of the planting season. During this festival, they offer thanks to the Fæs and perform various rituals to ensure a bountiful harvest. They also have a Harvest Festival in the fall to celebrate the abundance of the crops and to give thanks to the Fæs for their guidance and blessings.
Rites and Beliefs
The Forest Folks are a unique group of people whose physical appearance is heavily influenced by the natural world around them. They embrace the Fatum as a sign of their alliances with the Fæs, and are proud to show these transformations of their bodies. These traits are seen as blessings and celebrated in their culture, so Forest Folks rarely hide them.
The Forest Folks have a strong connection to nature, and this is reflected in their clothing and apparel that are made to suit their environment. They prefer natural materials, such as leather, linen, fur, and wool; their clothing is designed to blend in with their surroundings.
Regardless of their environment, the Forest Folks always strive to incorporate natural elements into their clothing. They believe that by doing so, they can better connect with nature and honour their ancestors.
They also wear tribal makeup to further emphasize their connection to nature and animalistic traits. The makeup is often made from natural materials such as clay, charcoal, and crushed berries, and is applied to the face and body in intricate patterns. The designs of the makeup vary depending on the individual and their particular affinities. For example, those with bark skin may have designs that mimic the patterns and textures of tree bark, while those with antlers may have designs that incorporate antler-like shapes.
Aesthetics
Photo: André Langevin
Photo: Michel Hudon
Photo: André Langevin
Photo: Michel Hudon
Photo: Michel Hudon
Photo: Yves Bériault
Photo: Michel Hudon
Photo: Michel Hudon
Photo: Yves Bériault
The Forest Folks are a diverse group, with clans of varying sizes and leadership structures. The largest clans are composed of several hundred people and are home to some of the nation's greatest heroes. Most clans, however, are much smaller and comprise just a few dozen people from related families.
A variety of factors determines leadership within each clan. Sometimes, leadership is hereditary, passed down through a particular family line. In other cases, leadership is determined by the outcome of a single combat or by proximity to the Fæs, who grant good fortune and favour to those close to them. Additionally, some clans rely on factors such as reading runes, majority voting, or survival tests to determine their leaders.
Despite these differences, the Forest Folks are united by a Great Circle of Druids. This council meets twice a year, at the Spring and Fall equinoxes, to discuss the nation's future and its threats. The Circle serves as a forum for discussing important issues and making decisions affecting the nation.
Overall, the Forest Folks are a complex and diverse society, with a strong sense of community and deep respect for their traditions and beliefs. While each clan may have its unique customs and practices, they all share a common bond and a commitment to the well-being of their people and their nation as a whole.
Organization
Black Sea Company: Our Island Folk kins are very grateful for their naval expertise. All nations should be as open-minded as they are.
Cities of Sinai: Trade with them is always fair and efficient. They are our customers and our alchemical suppliers.
City of Septis: We had to be wary of them; now, it would be good if their secrets died with their past.
Dai Shikai Teikoku: Their culture and their relationship with the Guardians must be preserved.
Inheritors Empire: Ignorants and fanatics. Words fail to describe them.
Kingdom of Albion: Even though they still haven't established proper relations with the Guardians like us, they have a good heart, and our dealings with them have always paid off.
Kingdom of Thessaly: They talk too much and don't reveal enough. At least they're not doing anything wrong... or anything at all.
Kouznets Union: The loss of their nation is a human tragedy, but it is a blessing in disguise. Their mechanical horrors and exploitation of nature had to be quelled.
Relations with other nations
The Forest Folks originated in the forested region of the main continent, today in the Kingdom of Albion. The nomadic tribes travelled the world and set roots in different areas, adapting to the environments. They are now subdivided according to these regions, although Forest Folks remains an overarching name for the people.
MOUNTAIN FOLKS
The Mountain Folks lived in the rocky mountains of the Kouznets Union. They have adapted to the mountainous environment's difficult terrain and harsh conditions.
They are known for their rugged clothing and sturdy footwear, which allow them to climb and traverse steep terrain. They live in closely-knit clans, often organized around a single mountain or range. They have a system of hereditary leadership, with leadership passed down through a particular family line. The leaders of the Mountain Folk clans are often skilled in mining, metalworking, and other crafts.
The Mountain Folk have a deep respect for nature and the power of the mountains. They have a close relationship with the local flora and fauna, using their knowledge of the environment to survive and thrive.
The Mountain Folks believe their Fæ Guardians are their Ancestors, thinking them to be the spirits of their forefathers who continue to watch over and protect their descendants. They have specific rituals and ceremonies designed to honour and communicate with these ancestors.
Since the fall of the Kouznets Union and the invasion of undead in the Northern region, the surviving clans have lived in exile, looking for a new home.
SAND FOLKS
The Sand Folks live in the desert of Sinai. They are hardy people who have adapted to the harsh conditions of the desert environment. They wear sand-coloured clothing and headgear, which helps protect them from the sun's intense heat.
The Sand Folks live in close-knit nomadic clans, moving from place to place in search of food and water. They are skilled at finding oases in the desert and can easily navigate the shifting dunes. They rely on their camels for transportation and milk and their goats for meat.
Their unique culture and traditions set them apart from other Forest Folks. They are known for their music and dance, often involving rhythmic drumming and swirling movements. They also have a strong oral storytelling tradition, passing down tales of their ancestors and legends of the desert.
The Sand Folks call their Fæ Guardians Djinn, much like the Sinaites among whom they live. They view the Djinn as powerful and potentially dangerous entities that need to be respected and appeased through offerings.
The Sand Folks have a system of leadership that varies from clan to clan. Some clans have hereditary leadership, while others choose their leaders based on physical ability or intelligence. The Sand Folks are proud of their culture and fiercely defend their way of life against outsiders who may try to encroach upon their territory.
ISLAND FOLKS
The Island Folks live on isolated islands around the world. They are seafaring people who have adapted to the challenges of living in a maritime environment.
The Island Folks are known for their fishing skills and sea navigation expertise. They build boats and canoes from local materials and use their knowledge of tides and currents to travel long distances over the open sea. They also have a strong tradition of weaving and basket-making, using the materials of the islands to create beautiful and practical objects.
They live in tightly-knit communities, often centred around a single village or harbour.
The Island Folks refer to their Fæ Guardians as the Sea Spirits, Ocean Gods or the Elementals, viewing them as powerful entities that control the sea's winds, waves, and currents.
They have a system of leadership that varies from island to island, with some clans having hereditary leaders while others rely on consensus-based decision-making.
BLASTED TRIBES
The Blasted Tribes live in a region known as the Blasted Lands, a sterile and dangerous environment that some unknown cataclysmic event has cursed. The Blasted Tribes are fiercely independent people who have developed their own unique culture and way of life, isolated from the rest of the Forest Folks.
The Blasted Tribes are known for their aggressive nature and tendency to avoid interaction with outsiders. They are wary of outsiders and quick to defend their territory against any perceived threats, often raiding settlements near the borders of the blasted lands.
The Blasted Tribes exhibit visible signs of mutations, such as rough dark green skin, tusks, boney growth or thick fur covering their bodies. They have developed unique skills and techniques for surviving in the harsh and dangerous environment of the Blasted Lands, including scavenging and hunting the strange creatures in their land and finding sources of freshwater.
Despite their aggressive nature, the Blasted Tribes have a strong sense of community and loyalty to their people. They have developed their leadership system, often centred around a single powerful chieftain or clan leader. They also have a deep reverence for the natural world and the monstrous creatures that inhabit it, viewing them as powerful and unpredictable forces to be respected and feared.
The Blasted Tribes do not have a specific name or title for their Fæ Guardians, instead viewing them as unpredictable and powerful forces of nature that must be respected and feared. They have unique rituals and customs for appeasing and communicating with these guardians, often involving offerings or sacrifices.
While they may be isolated and wary of outsiders, they are strong people who have managed to survive and thrive in one of the most dangerous environments in the world.
Other Folks Around The World
BROKEN STONE TRIBE
The Broken Stone Tribe is located in the mountain range between The Inheritors Empire and the Sinai desert. They use their knowledge of geology and mining to survive in this harsh environment, and they have a deep respect for the power of the earth.
When a member of the tribe comes of age, they break open a stone. What they find inside defines their destiny in life; an ore vein defines a warrior, different fossils represent a craftsman, druids or leaders and a geode, a powerful, but unknown destiny.
They use the earth's resources to create intricate tools, weapons, and jewellery, which other Forest Folks admire.
CLAN OF THE DUNE RUNNERS
This clan lives in the shifting sands of the desert and is known for its agility and speed. They have adapted to the desert environment thanks to their lightweight clothing and sturdy sandals. The Clan of the Dune Runners is ruled by a council of the fastest and most agile members, who can outrun and outmaneuver their opponents. They are skilled at ambush tactics and can easily navigate the dunes.
CLAN OF THE GREAT STAG
They are a smaller clan, composed of just a few dozen people from related families.
The Clan of the Great Stag is named after their sacred animal. They believe the great stag is a messenger from the forest spirits, and they revere this animal through elaborate ceremonies and rituals.
The Clan of the Great Stag is led by a hereditary chieftain, who is responsible for making important decisions for the clan. They also look up to their clan druids for wisdom and guidance.
They are skilled hunters and gatherers, and they use their knowledge of the forest to survive in this harsh environment. This clan's members are also known for their artistic abilities, particularly their skill in woodcarving. They create intricate carvings of animals and forest spirits, which other clans and tribes value highly.
Despite its small size, the Clan of the Great Stag is respected by other Forest Folks for their wisdom and deep connection to nature. They are known for their peaceful nature and willingness to cooperate with others for the greater good of their people and their land.
GREY SPEAR TRIBE
They are located in the vast grasslands surrounding Thessaly, providing ample hunting and gathering opportunities.
Members of the Grey Spear Tribe are skilled hunters specializing in taking down large game such as bison and antelope. They use their knowledge of the land and animal behaviour to track and hunt their prey, often using their signature weapon, the gray spear. This spear is made from a particular type of wood found only in their region and is known for its strength and durability.
In addition to hunting, the Grey Spear Tribe is also known for their expertise in herbal medicine. They use plants and herbs found in their environment to treat various illnesses and injuries.
The Grey Spear Tribe has a unique social structure, with leadership determined by a council of elders who have proven their skill in hunting and knowledge of the land. They are also known for their fierce loyalty to their tribe and their willingness to defend their land and people at all costs.
Despite their reputation as skilled hunters and warriors, the Grey Spear Tribe values peace and harmony with the natural world. They are known for their deep respect for the land and the animals they hunt and strive to maintain a balance between taking from the earth and giving back to it.
They maintain a peaceful and distant relationship with the people of Thessaly, often simply ignoring each other.
NORTHERN MOUNTAIN CLAN
They used to roam the northernmost mountain range in the Kouznets Union territory.
The Northern Mountain clan is skilled in combat and hunting, and they use their knowledge of the terrain to their advantage. They have a robust patriarchal leadership structure, with a council of warriors making critical decisions for the clan. To join the council of warriors, you must have successfully led a hunt for one of the legendary beasts that live in the mountain range.
The Northern Mountain clan is also known for their unique traditions and beliefs, which involve worshipping mountain spirits and using shamanic rituals to communicate with them. They believe that their connection to the mountain spirits gives them strength and protection in battle, and they perform elaborate ceremonies to honour these spirits and ask for their favour.
UNITED TRIBES OF THE BLACK WOLF
They are known for their strong sense of unity and fierce loyalty to their leader, but chaos is amongst them since the Fang took the leadership after the Black Wolf’s violent death by the undeads.
The Black Wolf was said to be a legendary warrior who had united several smaller tribes under his leadership over the last century. The United Tribes are known for their complex internal politics and their use of archery in battle. They have a strict hierarchy and a warrior code emphasizing bravery, loyalty, and honour.
The United Tribes have a complex relationship with the Kingdom of Albion. At times, they have been in open conflict with the Kingdom, while at other times, they have formed alliances or served as mercenaries for the Kingdom. The United Tribes are fiercely independent and proud of their culture and traditions and are known for their resistance to outside influence.