Revision as of 05:05, 30 March 2024

Everwood is a living, sprawling organism that manifests as a primordial forest that hums with ancient magic, and serves as the sanctuary for the Wilder Fey. Unlike the regimented fairytales of human lore, the Wilder Fey are a chaotic tapestry of Fae creatures, each born from the essence of Everwood itself.

Here's a glimpse into the secrets that lie beneath its emerald canopy:

The Four Realms

Everwood isn't a homogenous whole. It's divided into four distinct realms, each with its own unique character and the Fae races that call it home:

The Whispering Wilds: This ancient, primeval heart of the forest is shrouded in perpetual twilight. Towering redwoods pierce the sky, their gnarled roots harboring bioluminescent fungi that cast an eerie glow. Here, the Ferals dwell, living in harmony with the untamed wilderness.

The Verdant Glade: Bathed in perpetual sunlight, the Verdant Glade is a haven for the Sylvans. Lush meadows teem with life, crystal-clear streams wind through the landscape, and vibrant wildflowers create a mesmerizing tapestry.

The Glimmering Grove: A network of bioluminescent caves and underground rivers forms the Glimmering Grove. The Fungari thrive here, cultivating bioluminescent flora and tending to enormous caverns filled with pulsating mushrooms that house the Wellspring itself.

The Faelight Bluffs: This realm of windswept cliffs and hidden waterfalls is home to the Pixies. Crystal formations jut from the earth, catching the sunlight and creating mesmerizing displays of rainbows. Here, the air crackles with mischievous energy.

Hidden Wonders

The Spiritwood: Deep within the Whispering Wilds lies the Spiritwood, a grove where the veil between the material world and the spirit realm is thin. On moonlit nights, ghostly figures flit between the trees, and whispers of forgotten memories echo on the wind.

The Forgotten Library: Legend speaks of a hidden library deep within the Glimmering Grove. Its shelves are said to be lined with books written in luminous fungi, holding forgotten lore and powerful spells. However, the library is guarded by riddles and treacherous caverns, deterring all but the most determined seekers.

The Wyvern's Spine: A jagged mountain range known as the Wyvern's Spine cuts across the western border of Everwood. It's rumored to be the resting place of an ancient wyvern, its slumber keeping the forest safe from outside threats. Though no living creature has ever witnessed the wyvern, tremors and sudden gusts of wind sometimes emanate from the mountains, fueling the legend.

Threats to Everwood

The Blight: A creeping darkness occasionally threatens the forest's edges. Twisted trees and sickly flora mark its presence, and whispers speak of a malevolent entity at its heart, seeking to corrupt the Wellspring.

The Ironmongers: From time to time, greedy humans, known as the Ironmongers, breach the veil in search of Everwood's magical resources. These ruthless intruders cut down trees, disturb the delicate balance, and pose a danger to the Fae.

The Unraveling: A more subtle threat is the Unraveling. As the human world encroaches on Everwood's borders, the magic separating the realms weakens. This can lead to unpredictable consequences, from Fae magic leaking into the human world to the veil weakening and allowing monstrous creatures to enter Everwood.

Beings Within Everwood

Sylvans

Among the Wilder Fey, the Sylvans stand as the unyielding guardians of Everwood. Tall and androgynous, their very forms embody the forest itself. Their skin, often resembling aged bark or sun-dappled earth, blends seamlessly with the environment, granting them natural camouflage. Hair that flows like wind-tossed leaves changes color with the seasons, and their eyes, pools of emerald or molten amber, reflect the forest's ancient wisdom.

Sylvan Sub-Races

Sylvans aren't a monolithic race. Centuries of adaptation to different parts of Everwood have resulted in three distinct subraces:

The Wardens of Oak and Ash: These Sylvans are the most common. Towering and strong, they dwell within the heart of the forest, fiercely protecting the ancient groves. Their connection to the Wellspring is particularly strong, granting them potent nature magic for defense and nurturing the forest's growth.

The Whisperers of Willow and Reed: Found along the banks of Everwood's rivers and hidden waterfalls, these Sylvans are more slender and graceful than their Oak and Ash kin. They possess an affinity for water magic, using it to cleanse and heal, and are known for their calming presence, often acting as mediators within the Wilder Fey.

The Weavers of Bramble and Thorn: Dwelling in the tangled undergrowth and thorny thickets, these Sylvans are smaller and more agile than others. They are masters of camouflage and illusion, using their magic to blend with the undergrowth and create illusions to mislead trespassers.

Sylvan Society

Sylvans live in loose-knit communities centered around ancient groves or hidden waterfalls. Leadership falls to the Eldest, Sylvans who have lived for centuries and embody the forest's wisdom. Decisions are made through consensus, with each Sylvan having a voice, but the Eldest's counsel holds significant weight.

Sylvans are skilled hunters and gatherers, living in harmony with the forest. They build their dwellings from living trees, shaping branches and roots into comfortable yet organic structures. Clothing, when worn, is fashioned from leaves, bark, and animal hides, further blurring the lines between Sylvan and forest.

Sylvan Magic

Sylvans are innately magical, drawing their power directly from the Wellspring. This connection allows them to manipulate the very fabric of the forest:

Growth and Decay: Sylvans can accelerate the growth of plants, mend wounds in trees, and even control the direction of growth for vines and branches. They use this power to maintain the delicate balance of the forest and nurture rare flora.

Earth and Stone: With a touch, Sylvans can manipulate the earth, creating bridges of rock over chasms or causing tremors to deter intruders.

Animal Kinship: Sylvans have a deep connection to the forest creatures. They can communicate with animals, forming strong bonds with the creatures of the land.