Kyte Forest

A Reclaimed Land

The Kyte Forest rests in the southeastern corner of Eldurgrund, bordering the territory of Saint's Maar to the East. Originally home to logging villages before The Silence, it quickly became abandoned when Eldurgrund's subsequent revolt against the Augury was crushed by the Saltkrigere navy (ca. 1801 NG).
While most settlers had abandoned the region in favor of the well-defended lordships, a congregation of "half-folk" began establishing settlements in the region; satyrs and centaurs alike thrived uncontested in the region, deconstructing abandoned sites and repurposing the resources for their own needs. By the year 1860 NG, Governor Rembold Überbach agreed to give the half-folk lordship over the forest if they would open trade of their esteemed Markhor mountain goats, which could be utilized in mines across the mountains.
Today, ca. 1960 NG, the half-folk still dominate the region. Travelers claim that nearly all structures built by their prior human inhabitants have been deconstructed to their foundations while the forest denizens live a semi-nomadic lifestyle. Under the Hellstrom Governy, the half-folk have stayed independent from the nation's politics, though they've begun attempting outreach toward smaller half-folk tribes across the distant planes.

Wildlife and Natural Resources

The Kyte Forest, being a temperate forest, has robust wildlife diversity and natural resources. However, given most forests throughout the nation share the same trait, most of its resources can be acquired elsewhere. While its lack of unique resources is unfortunate for commerce, its downtrodden half-folk inhabitants are able to self-sustain without the need for external trade.
Common wildlife includes badgers, deer, opossums, raccoons, wolves, turkeys, wild pigs, bobcats, and moles. Beyond those are dozens of reptiles, amphibians, and fish that rely on natural bodies of water. Aside from animals are a plethora of fungi and plants, though the Kyte Forest seems spared of the more bizarre species found in the western Lyslure Woods.

The forest provides many healing remedies for its inhabitants. Bark from the willow tree, for example, can make tea capable of lowering fever and alleviating pain. Various species of mushrooms are used for subsistence, medicine, and religious purposes. Perhaps the most widely used (and broadly significant) mushroom is the "high cap," which can serve almost any need. The cap of the mushroom is nutrient-rich while the stalk has mind-altering effects when eaten. Alternatively, if the stalks are ground into a paste and applied to wounds, they are protected against infection.
Unfortunately, the wide consumption of high cap has threatened its population. Cultural behaviors also play a role, as the half-folk attempt to recycle old structures and prioritize the consumption of resources that are already dead or dying (be it animals for food or lumber for housing). As a result, dying and dead trees are a prized resource, yet high cap requires such decaying material to grow.
Some initiatives have been developed to recover the high cap population, but results have been lackluster. The most promising plan is delivering it to other forests in Eldurgrund and leaving it to spread, as rotten material is typically ignored abroad; this idea was proposed by Rembrandt Armonis, who was tasked with resolving the issue in hopes of limiting Euvurcrest's interactions with half-folk. Still, Hathor Osman (wife of Governor Hellstrom) is dubious of this plan, as her niece often preaches on the dangers of invasive species. While the fungus's future is uncertain, the Kyte Forest still holds other valuable resources to take advantage of.

The two most valuable animals are perhaps the Kyte Alligator and Elduri beaver. Local alligators are used to produce water-resistant armor and clothing, but the beavers provide multiple benefits to their hunters. Beaver fur is used for insulation, be it in clothing, bedding, or living quarters. Given Eldurgrund's harsh winters, the beaver has become an iconic animal for most natives. Alternatively, beaver dams create natural reservoirs for locals to fish and hunt. Conveniently, Kyte Alligators aggregate around these reservoirs for the same reason as half-folk, allowing for the easy cultivation of both crucial species.

Local Legends

The half-folk within the kyte forest have a litany of myths, folklore, and legends; perhaps the most prominent in recent years is that of the Umgekehrte. Just like humans, half-folk share a disdain for that which is uncanny: similar yet different. The Umgekehrte wholly embody this for the half-folk, as these forest demons display themselves as the reverse of satyrs and centaurs. Typically having the torso and heads of goats or horses, their appendages are that of humans; some sightings claim the human traits can be replaced with that of orcs or reptilian folk.
Those who have seen the creatures swear by their existence, yet the majority of Kyte natives and outsiders still equate the beasts with tall tales, used to scare children by the campfire. Outside of Kyte, the Elduri people joke about the half-folks' paranoia, given standard half-folk are considered uncanny themselves by humans. The lack of understanding is indicative of cultural differences between half-folk and other sapient races. After all, appearing as a mix between species rather than your own has proven to drive misunderstandings, discrimination, and belittling of culture. Unfortunately, the outlook for this legend is dim at best, even through the lens of other half-folk locals who don't partake in the consumption of high cap.

The main cause of skepticism around the Umgekehrte legend is the quality of alleged sightings: most half-folk claim to have seen them while mentally altered by high cap tonics. While outsiders have followed up with their own research, be they Eldur Monks, Professors of Euvurcrest, or Rembrandts, the mind easily plays tricks on those who expect to find monsters in the shadows. As a result of such inherent biases, broader scholarly organizations have deemed the Umgekehrte nothing more than a rumor.
Some half-folk who still have yet to see the Umgekehrte believe they may be an omen sent by ancient gods. The message conveyed is unclear but has been theorized to mean the half-folk are barreling toward the bastardization of their intended purpose (what that purpose would be is unknown). working with the nobility of Euvurcrest in relation to high cap populations could be the culprit, as few are further from nature than the inhabitants of Euvurcrest.
Other theories place the Umgekehrte as simple dream demons, determined to prey on paranoid minds. This is the most promising theory, as the creature's visage efficiently disturbs half-folk in ways that only amorphous spirits could.

Type

Forest, Temperate (Seasonal)

Location under

Eldurgrund

Ruling/Owning Rank

Governor

Owning Organization

Hellstrom Governy

Related Professions

• Tenant

*All art generated by smokingbat7906 in Midjourney*