The Wooden Heart

The Wooden Heart is the commissioned leader of the division of The Arm of the Empire that maintains peace and law in the Western Wilds. The Wooden Heart makes their headquarters in the regional capital of Vale where they oversee every aspect of the function of The Wooden Arm.
The title of 'Wooden Arm' and 'Wooden Heard' derive from both the landscape of the Negresti controlled areas of The Western Wilds, which are largely forested, but also from the chief reason for Negresti expansion into the region: the harvest of timber. Thus, one of the primary mandates of the Wooden Heard is to ensure that lumber harvesting continues smoothly and the milled timber is transported safely back to the central provinces of the Empire. Especially important is the timber harvested from the gigantic evergreens that grow on the western slopes of the Wyrmwall Mountains as single uninterrupted beams is required for the construction of Negresti Liveships.

Qualifications

The Wooden Heart must demonstrate a successful career as a member of the Arm of the Empire in the same fashion as any other Heart. However, given the unique tensions surrounding the Negresti expansion into the Elven lands of the Western Wilds, the Wooden Heart must also learn the Elven language, know the history of Negresti interactions with the Elven communities, and have a passing knowledge of diplomacy to navigate the expansion of Negresti interests without initiating armed conflict that would disrupt those interests.

Accoutrements & Equipment

Steelgrain

Steelgrain is an armored breastplate that serves as the symbol of office of The Wooden Heart. Gifted to the Negresti by the Elves as a gesture of peace at the end of The Gate Wars, Steelgrain appears to be made from lacquered wood but is as hard a tempered steel. The plates of the chest piece seem to shift and form to the body of the wearer as if it was custom fit by a master armorer. Steelgrain's chestpiece is emblazoned with the insignia of the Wooden Arm of the Empire and the supple leather that protects the rest of the wearer is tooled with whorls and lines to appear as wood grain.

Type

Civic, Military, Commissioned

Form of Address

Heart

Source of Authority

Negresti imperial mandate

Current Holders

• Cirilla Anborn, The Wooden Heart

Related Organizations

• The Arm of the Empire
• The Negresti Empire