Grovedwellers
Residing within the Foul Grove, the Grovedwellers are unknown by most people living in the Middle Realm, but those who are familiar with them consider them to be, for all intents and purposes, deranged. Within the larger area, the Grovedwellers have created tiny villages that frequently interact with each other to share knowledge and resources. They live with little idea that the people of the wider world would hold them in contempt were they aware of the way they live their lives.
Culture
A significant number of Grovedwellers' lives revolve around caring for the flesh trees and documenting what they say. The other Grovedwellers who live in their communities devote their time to ensuring that their peers are able to continue their studies without interruption.
Demography and Population
The Grovedwellers are almost exclusively Southeastern Suktu, unlike many other communities, which are comprised of a variety of different races and ethnicities.
Territories
The Grovedwellers claim the Foul Grove and some of the surrounding forested mountainous area as their own. Nobody wants to contest them.
Technological Level
The Grovedwellers are not as technologically or scientifically advanced as many other communities. Their priorities lie elsewhere, namely in documenting and experimenting with the things the flesh trees whisper to them.
Foreign Relations
The Grovedwellers (and the Foul Grove as a whole) are generally unknown to most beyond the region. Those who do know of their existence aren't fond of them. They're seen as frightening and freakish for their seclusion, lack of adherence to common Suktu traditions, and love for the horrifying flesh trees growing in the Foul Grove. Because of this, relations between the Grovedwellers and "outsiders" are strained at best.
The Grovedwellers don't particularly have favorable opinions about those living beyond the Foul Grove either. They view "outsiders" as ignorant and judgemental, and they generally choose to have as little to do with them as possible.
Laws
Few official laws or rulings exist among the Grovedwellers, though there are common standards they expect each other to live by. These are fairly basic and mostly consist of discouragement against knowingly doing harm to someone else. Punishment is minimal and usually comes in the form of ostracism or disdain from other members of the community.
Agriculture & Industry
Most crops don't grow well in the marshy Foul Grove, but the Grovedwellers have found some that do, including rice, rushes, water chestnuts, and watercress. They keep small groups of animals that can thrive in wet areas, such as cattle, sheep, and pigs for their milk, wool, and meat. Trapping and hunting produces meat and pelts. Gathering plants is a way to supplement the yield from cultivated crops.
Trade & Transport
The only trade taking place between the Grovedwellers is on a small-scale and entirely contained within the bounds of the Foul Grove. Each small village within the Grove manufactures their own goods and trades them among themselves and the other communities.
Infrastructure
Compared to the Suktu living in other settlements, particularly larger cities, the Grovedwellers' infrastructure is very basic. Their buildings, bridges, and other constructs are simply-made (while still remaining sturdy) and their roads are little more than broad paths. There is no plumbing. Despite their homes and surroundings being what others would consider "crude," the Grovedwellers are content with and appreciate them.
Type
Geopolitical, Tribe
Government System
Meritocracy
Power Structure
Semi-autonomous area
Economic System
Barter system
Major Exports
Even if the Grovedwellers cared to export any of their goods, it's doubtful that outsiders would want to trade with or buy from them.
Major Imports
New resources do sometimes enter circulation when adventurers from the outside world die nearby or accidentally wander into the area and are killed, but this is relatively uncommon and usually isn't willing on the part of the people bringing those resources in.
Location
Controlled Territories
Manufactured Items
Notable Members
Related Species
Related Ethnicities
