Shora
Many might confuse the forest territories of Shora and Langollyn as being just one track of woodland- but they are actually quite separate for a number of reasons (one of which is a river- The Siannath River). The wildlife within each is different, as are the trees. Even the temperature is different. Langollyn is warm and semi-tropical much like the land around it. Shora, however, is strangely cool and temperate, and the trees go massively, impossibly tall. This is mostly due to the fact that the Shorawood is directly connected to the Grove of Astrithyr through the mountains of Andun and Khorez, and that forest originated in the feywild. The coastline outside of the forest has a big of a reputation in this region- it's called "Smuggler's Coast for a reason. The only non-elf settlements around here are the four small ports that dot this coastline. The shallow sea bed along here is home to one of E'ahnas largest coral reefs (the Red Sun Reef) and it produces probably half of all pearls in circulation. It's biggest rival in this regard are the reefs around Geddri.
The Wood Elf Clans
Shora, or The Shorawood, is a deep dense forest which is all connected by one massive root system. This root system is connected to The Grove of
Astrithyr. Astrithyr has spread out like an invader, slowly taking over this portion of E’ahna- especially the original forests of
Langollyn and much of the Direwood pine forests of
The Wild South. Each year the forest creeps ever deeper into the material plane, disrupting the natural order of things. Only a spell by the druids of Shora keeps the forest from passing the river that separates it from Langollyn. Shora is home to various nomadic clans of Wood Elves that all hold counsel atop a mountain at it’s center-
Eriliath, highest of the Star Mounts. These elves left Astrithyr early in E'ahna's history because they disliked the early kingdom's growing obsession with arcane magic and preferred the old ways. They are opposed to the way the high elves dominate nature instead of co-existing within it. The clans are mostly led by archdruids, and each clan is represented by a different animal whom many can or prefer to shapeshift into. They even go so far as to see themselves as unnatural invaders to this plane, though they now feel it their duty to maintain control of the fey forest's continual growth. The largest of the clans are the
Koelkiir (Wolf),
Luedrei (Boar),
Naerannis (Snake),
Alvantha (Owl), &
Quilathri (Elk) clans. There are a number of other smaller clans but most are not headed by a proper and powerful arch-druid and so therefore they hold far less influence among wood elf "society". Though many druids are often atheist, worshiping nature itself instead, The Wood Elves are largely dedicated to Elyra, goddess of the hunt, as well as Ceralae, goddess of the stars and destiny. They do not, however, worship the large plethora of elvish deities found in Astrithyr or elsewhere. They pay their respects to Sinarah and occasionally Dalanis or Mythelea, but not many more than that.
In times of turmoil or important religious festivals they all meet atop the Star Mounts to discuss the state of their realm. They also do so at the solstices. Individuals from clans generally only come to live here permanently if they are rearing very young children or they are ill or disabled in some way and unable to keep up with their clan. Often, wood elf children are left here with clan elders to be raised while their parents continue on with their usual duties. Anyone who is not suited to the nomadic requirements of their clan is sent to Eriliath and fitted with a vocation that suits them that can be useful to any clans passing through. It is considered a somewhat shameful occurrence, though no one would likely admit that openly. Wood elf individuals respect strength, skill, instinct, resourcefulness, wisdom, and druidic talent. Those who are naturally clumsy, lack common sense, lazy, or who must be coddled for whatever reason often face social backlash from their fellow elves. Usefulness to the clan is extremely important. Other than Eriliath, there are a number of small treetop "pit stops" known to the elves where they can safely bed down for the evening. These psuedo-villages are hardly ever permanently lived in. One day they will be bustling with elves and the next day left a complete ghost town as the clan moves on.
Strange Happenings
Most of the non-elf inhabitants of Shora are the same found in Langollyn- forest gnomes and firbolgs. These woods do not have the huge number of fey crossings as found in the east. It does, however, lie on an arcane leyline which has sustained great damage due to
the Event. As a result, a great many strange things occur here, including the birth of wild magic sorcerers and so-called "
Green Elves" who have natural born druidic abilities. These energies also affect the local flora and fauna, making them more dangerous and often much larger. The trees here are significantly taller and wider than those in Astrithyr, despite being directly connected. The region also has a strange tendency to pull people towards barbarism and savagery- including the elves themselves at times. This is a problem the druids are actively trying to solve, but as few know of the arcane or the functions of the weave of magic, it is a slow process. The main humanoid threat in the area are the gnoll packs and more recently, kobolds, who are unnaturally viscous (if such a thing is possible). These elves work to cull their numbers before they get out of hand, just as they did to the goblinoids that once lived here. In fact, one might say these clans of druids live in a perpetual state of warfare against gnoll kind. They just cant seem to finish them off and they seem to procreate and grow unnaturally fast.
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