Konard

Konarde Boskje (The Groves of Konard)

Konard is a guarded nation, very rarely involved in politics though a common enough trade part through the Laerdt'nah. Konard was eventually formed by some of the Blaenor who did not join the Malltod, but who felt that everyone should be left to make their own decision about what was done with the land they chose to live on. Konard is much younger than Brist and Varenval, formed only 300 years ago, barely 20 years before the Great Borean War began and formed as a way to defend themselves and separate from the war. Konard is not ruled by any single ruler, but is rather guided by the Ried, which includes a representative from every village chosen at random each year. There are a small group of people, known as the Halden, who help guide Ried affairs but who have no actual power and who are kept segregated from much of the rest of society. The people of Konard are largely elves.

The People of Konard

The people of Konard want to be left to themselves, although they will not turn down trade. They value family and village ties more than anything else, though their strong Konard allegiance comes to bear whenever they travel abroad. Konardians often have leather-like skin and red or brown hair, depending on if they live in the north or south. Konard's ultimate goal seems to be to keep itself distant enough from the outside world that they will never be drawn into broader politics or wars, but remain close enough to exploit what they feel is the stupidity of those who were not born and raised in the Groves.

Indigenous Peoples

Blaenor (Brist, Konard, and Varenval)

Also known as "The Elders", or "those that came before the trees". The Blaenor were a semi-nomadic people who set up separate falls and spring camps in the grasslands that were said to stretch across Brist, Konard, and parts of Varenval long before those nations were founded. The Blaenor are said to be the ones who planted the forests of Brist and Konard, though why they did so is hardly known outside of Brist or Konard.

Malltod (Brist, Konard, and Varenval)

Also known as "The Blight", or "those that opposed growth". The Malltod were, as the story goes, once part of the Blaenor people, settling throughout the grasslands and moving each spring and fall to follow animals and natural food sources. The Malltod are said to have split from the Blaenor when it was decided that the forests would be planted, as the Malltod believed that such intervention was unnatural. After a brief war between the groups, the Malltod went quiet, but they were plotting together and they finally broke free one day, burning the forests that had been planted in Varenval and settling there permanently.