Forest Grove

Where the northern waters meet the wild heart of Kallonia, Forest Grove stands as a sentinel of civilization on the edge of the unknown. Perched on the coast of Lake Frothloch, 150 kilometers north of Woodhaven, this city straddles the border between Dragsa’s domain and the uncharted wilderness beyond. Known for its lumber trade and strategic position, Forest Grove supplies the great cities of the south with timber while guarding against the lurking dangers of the frontier.

Founding and History

Forest Grove began as a simple logging camp, established by Dragsan pioneers seeking to harvest the rich timber of the northern forests. As the need for wood grew—both for construction and shipbuilding—the settlement expanded, fortifications were built, and the once-humble camp evolved into a thriving city. Over the years, Forest Grove became more than just a lumber town; it became a vital outpost, the last true bastion of Dragsan authority before the land gives way to wilderness.

Architecture and Structure

Forest Grove is a city shaped by its environment. Its buildings are constructed from the very timber it harvests, with tall, wooden walls surrounding the settlement for protection. Elevated walkways weave through the city, allowing for easy movement above the sometimes-muddy ground. At its heart lies the Timber Exchange, a massive trading hall where merchants from across Kallonia come to buy and sell the prized wood of the north.

Beyond the city, the river docks extend into the lake, where boats laden with lumber set off southward. To the west, the dense forests loom—an endless source of wealth but also a place of mystery, where things long forgotten by Dragsa may yet stir.

Life and Governance

Forest Grove is ruled by a Warden of the Grove, a title granted by the Fortress of Dragsa to a leader chosen from the city’s most influential landowners and timber merchants. The Warden is responsible for overseeing the city’s economy, maintaining order, and ensuring that Dragsan interests are upheld in the north. The city’s council consists of logging guild representatives, military commanders, and trade officials, each vying for their own stake in the region’s prosperity.

The people of Forest Grove are a hardy, independent folk. Loggers, hunters, and boatmen form the backbone of the city’s workforce, accustomed to the dangers of both forest and lake. Life here is rugged, with a strong sense of camaraderie forged through shared hardship. Though officially part of Dragsa, Forest Grove’s distance from the heart of the empire gives it a streak of defiance—one that grows stronger with each passing year.

Defenses and Strategic Importance

Though it lacks the towering walls of the great Dragsan fortresses, Forest Grove is well defended. The city maintains a permanent garrison of soldiers to protect against incursions from the wild, and its militia—composed of seasoned loggers and hunters—ensures that any threat is swiftly met with steel and fire. Watchtowers line the outskirts, their torches burning bright against the encroaching darkness.

Strategically, Forest Grove is essential to Dragsan control over the region. It supplies the kingdom with lumber, maintains trade routes along the lake, and serves as a bulwark against whatever dangers lurk in the northern reaches of Kallonia. Without it, the grip of Dragsa on the north would weaken, and the unknown would creep ever closer.

Challenges and Conflicts

Despite its strengths, Forest Grove is not without its troubles. The surrounding forests are home to more than just timber—rumors speak of ancient ruins hidden beneath the canopy, of creatures that do not belong to this world, and of spirits that watch from the shadows. The lake itself, vast and deep, holds secrets yet undiscovered. Fishermen tell tales of strange lights beneath the surface, of ships that vanish without a trace, and of things moving just beyond sight.

Additionally, there are those within Dragsa who see Forest Grove as little more than a resource to be exploited. Increased logging demands threaten to strip the land bare, and not all in the city agree with the path being taken. If tensions rise, Forest Grove may find itself at odds not with an outside force, but with its own rulers.

Yet, for now, the city stands. As long as its trees grow and its waters flow, Forest Grove will remain the last light before the unknown.

"There are places where the trees whisper, where the lake hums with secrets, where the wind carries voices from the past. Forest Grove stands at the threshold of the known and the unknowable—who will dare to listen?"

— Dorian Frostquill