Veskaren Forests

Veskaren Forests

Veskar is home to many vast and storied forests, each with its own character, history, and ecological significance. This article explores the most notable among them.

The Marn Forest

Located in the southwest of the Yavinian plain, the Marn is a sprawling forest named after the river that rises from its highlands. The people of the region, the Marnmen, in turn, take their name from the forest. The coastal edges of the Marn form a highland plateau, marked by sheer cliffs that drop into the sea. Inland, the forest descends in steep, irregular ridges into jagged, wooded foothills.

Divided Realms

These foothills form a natural division within the Marn. The western region remains independent and culturally Marnen, while the eastern half has fallen under the political control of Westingham. Despite the divide, the ecology of the forest remains the same on both sides, and the southern extension of the Marn—while politically distinct—is a continuation of the same biome. The people in the region have maintained much of their marnen culture, although they have also been significantly influenced by their overlords, especially in ways of general lifestyle, and noble customs, which have been thoroughly incorporated into the western system.

Flora and Fauna

The Marn is a broadleaf forest, dominated by birch and oak, with beech trees common in the lower regions, but many other species grow among them. It is home to the Marnen deer, related to the Yavinian brown tail, but smaller and more nimble, perfect for the jagged and uneven landscape of this forest. There is also the Marnen boar, a species that has since been domesticated into what is now known as the Marnen pig. This animal is still raised primarily in the Marnen nation and neighboring territories for the sake of meat production. These pigs are notably bigger and hairier than their Enyanian counterparts.

History

The Marn was once much larger, reaching all the way to the black mountains in the east, and the Yavin River in the north. During those days, it was dominated by the northern wood elves. Over time, the forest retreated, and the humans invaded southwards repeatedly, reducing the elves to their modern-day territories. Their presence may have been erased, but their cultural memory remains in the form of linguistic influence and regional customs.

The Black Wood

The vast coniferous forest of the north, known as the Black Wood, is primarily made up of hardy pine species well-suited to the cold climate. In summer, it teems with life and color. In winter, it falls silent under a thick blanket of snow, with only the most resilient animals remaining active.

Ecology

This forest supports numerous pine species, each competing for dominance in various patches. Wildlife includes moose, snow hares, and the elusive northern fox. Occasionally, bison from the southern plains wander here as well. They are also known for the presence of the northern brown bear, who are especially attracted to its rivers for food.

Divisions

Though the forest is one continuous expanse to its flora and fauna, humans and dwarves divide it into three regions:

Western Black Wood: Claimed by the Dwarven Kingdom of Cordyan, this region is sparsely inhabited and known for dangerous beasts. It was once dendorian land, just like the rest of the forest, something the dendorians remember well, and they remain bitter about its loss to this day.
Central Black Wood: Shared by Dendor and Westingham, with the former holding the majority. It is the most populated part of the forest, with many rivers and lakes enabling easy travel by boat. This region is vital to Dendor's economy and cultural identity.
Eastern Black Wood: Cut off from central Dendor by terrain, and lacking rivers to transport people easily, the people from this region have developed their own character, aligned more closely with the Sea of a Thousand Isles and its maritime culture.

Tensions

There have been many dendorian lords wishing to reconquer the lost western regions. However, this would be a long and bloody war, since the dwarven fortifications there are strong, and ultimately, there isn't much there to reconquer or liberate, since all the dendorians have since been either assimilated into the dwarven population or moved to dendorian-controlled regions of the forest.
Still, this issue has been a rallying cry for many dendorian chiefs, and it has been used to rally people, and there have even been attempts at reconquest, however unsuccessful.

Ancestral Significance

The Black Wood lies near humanity’s original northern homeland. The northern tundra from which humans originated was harsh and resource-scarce, but the forest offered an abundance of game and edible plants. It became the birthplace of early human civilization. Ancient cities and sacred burial sites are hidden within its depths, revered by the Dendorian religion.

According to legend, this forest was where humans first encountered elementals and awakened to the presence of nature spirits. The first of the human faith was formed when these initial explorers and settlers encountered the trees, beasts, and elementals here.

Enyanian Rainforest

The wildest and wettest forest in the world, the Enyanian Rainforest is nestled within the Caraethina Basin, ringed by highlands on all sides. This geography traps moisture, leading to frequent storms and rainfall.

Climate and Wind

Wind only enters the basin from the west or south, often swirling violently within the enclosed terrain. Storms are common, but most rivers lie in deep valleys that protect them from the worst of the weather.
Rain is common year-round, but during the rain season, which lasts around two months, the rains become so intense that water levels rise dramatically. Elven settlements have mostly been built with this in mind, though, so floods are rare.
In the mornings, the lower regions of the forest, river banks in particular, are covered in dense fog, which lifts as the sun rises.

Terrain

Despite its low elevation, the rainforest is rugged and uneven. Flat land is rare outside riverbanks, and forested plains further inland, of which there are a few. Hills rise sharply and transition into jagged ridges cloaked in dense jungle. Navigation is difficult except for specialized animals and birds.
Enyanians have created overland routes, but to this day, they primarily travel and transport goods via the river. The land routes are mostly meant for hunters, as well as emergencies where the river becomes too dangerous for longer periods of time.
There are many inland wood elven communities, but for reasons of travel and trade, they have never grown to be very large. These communities rely on hunting and farming to sustain themselves. People from these regions are respected across Enyanin as talented warriors, woodsmen, and hunters.

Flora and Fauna

There are more tree species here than one could count if they wanted to, not to mention many flowers, mosses, and molds. Within this diversity, many creatures have made their home. The most notable of which is the Enyanian wild pig, which also has domesticated counterparts. These domesticated pigs have since spread across the continent for their easy-to-raise and quick-growing nature.
The most prolific predator in the region is the jaguar, a strong, stealthy hunter, well adapted to the environment here.
These two only scratch the surface, though, since animal life here is at least as abundant and diverse as the plant life.
Many trees have been domesticated and are used by the Enyanians as important sources of food.
Read more about these trees in the following article: Popular - Enyanian Food Trees