The Sacred Forest of Taelsti
Taelsti is a cloud forest within the Dothar Rainforest, situated around Hiptar’s Peak.
Esoteric druids from the mysterious and otherworldly D'jo claim sacred connections to the forest, as in their tongue Taelsti is the name of the mother of Thröm. In the Ancient Feloran tongue, Taelsti is the name of an innocent Yīra of the forest, who would take the form of a panther with different eyes and protect the forest from those who would cut too much or hunt too much. It is part of the larger Dothar Rainforest, which is claimed in it's entirety by the Oyelèu Dotharic, the council of representatives for alliance members. This has caused conflict with the D'jo druids who consider the sacred forest their's to protect and inhabit.
Geography
Located in the subtropical zone in a saddle between two of the heftier foothills of the Dotharan Mountains, the Sacred Forest has a persistent cloud cover in much of it's locale. Doyèrëlɦ, the druid colony at the center of the woods is intimate and located at the widest point in Taelsti, half a day’s journey from both the road and Tìl'Ghabajùl for those who know where they’re headed.
Ecosystem
The ecosystem of the region is diverse, featuring an extensive range of flora and fauna. The forest floor is covered with a thick layer of decomposing leaves and fallen branches, creating a fertile environment for the numerous species of fungi and insects that inhabit the area. The canopy is a mix of green and yellow, with various leaves reaching upward to the light.
Climate
Taelsti is known for it's near-constant fog, which provides the source of water for most of the forest's plant life. The dense mist that covers the area, and the air is cooler than in the rest of the rainforest, with a fragrance of damp soil and flourishing vegetation.
Fauna & Flora
The Sacred Forest is home to monkeys, peccaries, ocelots and anteaters. It's trees support several species of birds, many of which are colorful. The mature trees are primarily decidous, with a few tropical evergreens dispersed across the quaint wooded valley. The dense overstory, prevents easy sightlines to the mountain ranges that couch the forest
Natural Resources
The Taelsti Forest is home to a great many natural resources, both from the forest itself and buried underneath and in the mountains the forest grows up the slopes of. Water is also among one of the prized resources of Doyèrëlh.
History
Elven and orcish peoples have lived in the forest's bounds for millennia. Earliest records of the Feloran Empire indicate that during the time of the Parì Fèl'öra the location was known through the mention of the Formen people. The term Taelsti first occurs during the Àntrepari, and is mentioned in Braìto's "Locations of the Shared Realm", a detailed description of the world as known to the ancient Felorans, and one of only 3 manuscripts of his to survive the Getninian Cataclysm. The term "Sacred" in relation to the forest does not occur until over 2,500 years later, and comes from the stories of Orc slaves in the Early Imperial Era.
Alternative Name(s)
The Sacred Woods
Type
Forest, Cloud / Water (Subtropical)
Location under
Contested By
Characters in Location
Related Reports (Primary)
Related Myths
