Siaga Forest
Pronunciation: sy-AYE-ga
Map Index: B-5, B-6
Location: Northern Aorlan, north of the Carakoros Range
Geography: Situated to the north of the formidable Carakoros Mountain Range, the Siaga Forest, remains a pristine wilderness renowned for its sprawling spruce-pine forest.
Siaga's geography is characterized by steep foothills in the south that climb up into the great Carakoros Range. Farther north, the land transitions into rolling hills with meandering streams in the valleys, creating a picturesque and undulating terrain. The forest's distinct seasons dictate the movements of its inhabitants. In late spring, mighty Caribou herds migrate northward to the tundra of Grunevor for the summer, only returning to the forest's shelter as autumn's chill sets in.
Primary Population: Draorn
Secondary Population: None
Minor Population: None
Climate: This vast expanse of wilderness boasts a relentlessly cold climate throughout the year. Winters bring heavy snowfall, with annual accumulations of up to eight feet in many areas, blanketing the landscape in a serene white embrace. As spring arrives, warming temperatures melt the snow and coax forth a vibrant carpet of wildflowers, painting the forest floor in a riot of colors.
Wildlife: The Siaga Forest's dominant spruce and fir trees form a protective canopy, their evergreen branches sheltering the land from the biting winds and cold. The Siaga Forest teems with diverse wildlife. Besides the migrating caribou, it's home to majestic and dangerous dire bears, howling packs of winter wolves, and the elusive lynx. Raptors like snow eagles and snow owls nest among the towering trees, while smaller creatures like foxes, hares, and squirrels navigate the forest's intricate web of life. The pristine streams, inhabited by trout and salmon, create a delicate balance of predators and prey, all adapted to the forest's unforgiving climate.
Humanoids:The forest's only humanoid residents, the Draorn, remain a reclusive people who find themselves well adapted and equipped to survive in this harsh environment with their long white heavy fur. They craft snow caves to shelter themselves during the frigid winter months, while subsisting on caribou hunting. In summer, they ascend into the Carakoros, visiting seasonal hunting grounds near the snow line. The Draorn live in small, scattered tribes, embracing a primitive stone age lifestyle while living in harmony with the land.
Monsters: Cold loving creatures lurk in hidden locations, waiting for their next meal to walk by. Tribes of menacing ice trolls and fearsome frost giants walk the forest and take hostile actions against any unwelcome outsiders.
History: The Siaga Forest remained largely untouched by the Great Cataclysm. Minor earthquakes did little lasting damage to the land. However, an abrupt and swift warming of the climate following the cataclysm had a notable change on the forest. The new warmer climate allowed the few spruce and fir trees that lived at the base of the Carakoros Mountains to rapidly expand northward and thrive, transforming lands that were formerly grass covered tundra into the expansive green forest that exists today.
Today: Despite the shifting world around it, the Siaga Forest remains a haven of natural beauty, an enduring testament to the resilience of its unique flora and fauna and its ability to adapt to a changing climate.
Map Index: B-5, B-6
Location: Northern Aorlan, north of the Carakoros Range
Geography: Situated to the north of the formidable Carakoros Mountain Range, the Siaga Forest, remains a pristine wilderness renowned for its sprawling spruce-pine forest.
Siaga's geography is characterized by steep foothills in the south that climb up into the great Carakoros Range. Farther north, the land transitions into rolling hills with meandering streams in the valleys, creating a picturesque and undulating terrain. The forest's distinct seasons dictate the movements of its inhabitants. In late spring, mighty Caribou herds migrate northward to the tundra of Grunevor for the summer, only returning to the forest's shelter as autumn's chill sets in.
Primary Population: Draorn
Secondary Population: None
Minor Population: None
Climate: This vast expanse of wilderness boasts a relentlessly cold climate throughout the year. Winters bring heavy snowfall, with annual accumulations of up to eight feet in many areas, blanketing the landscape in a serene white embrace. As spring arrives, warming temperatures melt the snow and coax forth a vibrant carpet of wildflowers, painting the forest floor in a riot of colors.
Wildlife: The Siaga Forest's dominant spruce and fir trees form a protective canopy, their evergreen branches sheltering the land from the biting winds and cold. The Siaga Forest teems with diverse wildlife. Besides the migrating caribou, it's home to majestic and dangerous dire bears, howling packs of winter wolves, and the elusive lynx. Raptors like snow eagles and snow owls nest among the towering trees, while smaller creatures like foxes, hares, and squirrels navigate the forest's intricate web of life. The pristine streams, inhabited by trout and salmon, create a delicate balance of predators and prey, all adapted to the forest's unforgiving climate.
Humanoids:The forest's only humanoid residents, the Draorn, remain a reclusive people who find themselves well adapted and equipped to survive in this harsh environment with their long white heavy fur. They craft snow caves to shelter themselves during the frigid winter months, while subsisting on caribou hunting. In summer, they ascend into the Carakoros, visiting seasonal hunting grounds near the snow line. The Draorn live in small, scattered tribes, embracing a primitive stone age lifestyle while living in harmony with the land.
Monsters: Cold loving creatures lurk in hidden locations, waiting for their next meal to walk by. Tribes of menacing ice trolls and fearsome frost giants walk the forest and take hostile actions against any unwelcome outsiders.
History: The Siaga Forest remained largely untouched by the Great Cataclysm. Minor earthquakes did little lasting damage to the land. However, an abrupt and swift warming of the climate following the cataclysm had a notable change on the forest. The new warmer climate allowed the few spruce and fir trees that lived at the base of the Carakoros Mountains to rapidly expand northward and thrive, transforming lands that were formerly grass covered tundra into the expansive green forest that exists today.
Today: Despite the shifting world around it, the Siaga Forest remains a haven of natural beauty, an enduring testament to the resilience of its unique flora and fauna and its ability to adapt to a changing climate.