The Sylvan Exodus

The Sylvan Exodus was the mass exodus of Fey creatures from their homeland. They traversed the Feywild until eventually reaching a grand gate that was opend by the Shepherds, who would later be canonized as Saint Gods of their own faith. Upon the opening of this gate, these Fey would be introduced to a new world away from the destruction aand chaos the Courts had laid upon the realm. Numbering in the thousands, these fey creatures left but were forever changed by forsaking their home. The colorful and eccentric Eladrin lost their bright enchanting hues as their skin took on more muted tones. Small spirit creatures who dwelled in the trees and stones known as the Grinkuilla grew slightly taller and their barklike skin or stony complection turn to a fleshier tone. Several other races stayed the same to how they looked before exiting the Feywild. The Satyrs, Rakin, Goblinoids, and others maintained much of their similar traits. However, as the gate closed behind them, their ties to the Feywild were forever severed and this new realm was to be their home. Not like their was much to go back to anyways.

The Third Courts War

The Third Courts War had destroyed a large amount of the Feywild. As the large courts of Seelie and Unseelie went to blows after centuries of skirmishes, spats, and insults thrown at each other, the Courts saw that their only was to solve things was war. Each of the smaller courts either picked a side, or were forcefully thrown into the conflict as the war swept over the entire plane. The Archfey served as generals and their Fey servants were the footsoldiers of their sweeping armies. To those courts who picked a side early on, they had to deal with the slow attrition of the war as it took a toll on its populace. For those who wished to stay neutral, their homes became battle grounds as destruction swept across their domain. It eventually got so bad that an experimental weapon was used on the frontline of their stalemate. No one quite knows the true purpose of the weapon, or even if it fulfilled that purpose. But what it created was the Teorainn na Gruaim. Also referred to in common tongue as the Border of Gloom, this place is a realm of tall trees, shadowy spires, and terrifying creatures who swear fealty to neither court. Cruel hags live in their cottages feasting upon the flesh of those who travel near. Fomorians hunt and roam through the woods claiming their own realm.

The Shepherds

As the Third Courts war raged on and more fey saw the destruction it caused, a pair of Eladrin saw that change was necessary for the survival of their people. They joined forces to open negotiations between the two sides. This group included Ardgalias, a Summer Eladrin scholar and poet, and Tagdariel, an enchantress and witch who was renowned for her healing skills and intellect. This pair met at an underground soiree and immediately hit it off. They began expressing their shared interest in art, magic, and music. They also shared their distaste for the war and sought to end it. Ardgalias believes he could lead his people away and inspire them to turn their backs on the courts. However, they had no where to go once that was done. Tagdariel had mentioned how she read of a way to leave the world entirely. To create a bridge that would lead them to a new and untouched realm ripe for a haven. They banded together, but knew they could not do it alone. They gathered supporters, and eventually were visited by an Archfey. Eochaidh was a Seelie Court Commander. He watched enough of his men die and abandoned the courts, but brought his battalion with him. Thus Ardgalias was the Leader, Eochaidh the protector, and Tagdariel the Architect. Their plan began picking up steam and followers joined their cause in the hundreds. The Courts however, did not approve of this large mass simply leaving the Feywild. They sought to crush this minor rebellion led by the simple folk. However, every time they met on the battlefield, Eochaidh and his troops were always one step ahead, covering the escaping refugees. Once the enemy realized they had been duped, the army would escape shortly after. Sheer luck and blessings from some otherworldly power graced the Shepherds as they slipped away again and again. Eventually, Tagdariel finished the gate. A massive construction of stone, living wood, and inscribed with arcane sigils. The gate spun to life and opened to a stunningly beautiful forest. The Shepherds Ardgalias and Tagdariel entered first, followed by their thousands of followers. Once everyone was inside, the army followed them, finally followed by Eochaidh. The gate closed behind them, stranding them in the unknown world.

A Brand New World

The refugees and their Shepherds had arrived in a new realm. However, they were forever changed by their abandonement of the Feywild. The Eladrin changed drastically shifting from their brightly colored skin and hair to less vibrant tones. Some were pale as a pond's reflection, others were dark like the beautiful wood of oak. They were no longer creatures of summer, spring, winter, or fall. Simply creatures of the mortal realm, and their connection to the Feywild was splintered. The Elves were not the only ones to change. Gnomes, Satyr's, Goblins, and more followed the Eladrin out of the Feywild. However, some changes were more drastic than others. No record remains of what they looked like before they stepped across the threshold of the gate.
Once the fey refugees had arrived, they began building their new lives. Many of the newcomers stayed in the very forest they crossed over to. The Shepherds founded a kingdom in the forest with Ardgalias as their First Crowned King. He founded the Dy Pwud, and made a home for the Fey people. However, some other groups wished to seek out their own way, spreading across the world and delving into new and untouched lands. Many Gnomes encountered another species. The met with the stout and sturdy Dwarves, making a quick alliance with them and integrating into their societies. Many Elves encountered the adaptable and quick Humans, forging alliances and starting conflicts.
The Shepherds did what they could to secure their new home. They secured Dy Pwud and each dedicated themselves to protecting their project. Each of the Shepherds died. Eochaidh perished during a duel with an Orc Demigod, Muzhgol. He fell after dealing a fatal blow, bringing Muzhgol with him. He was the first to be elevated to Sainthood as a respected, near-godlike figure. Ardgalias died of old age, having ruled the kingdom for nearly 650 years until his death. He died with his family beside him and his son taking over as the next King of Dy Pwud. Tagdariel was the last to perish. She died having become one of the greatest arcanists in history, as well as becoming a beacon of family values with her dynasty still remaining to this day. Her mastery of the arcane is debatably unmatched to this day. Each were given status as Saints in the culture of the Fey Refugees.
However, the Fey had made some enemies. The nearby Kingdom of Attyras had set their sights upon the knowledge, resources, and power of Dy Pwud. They began a brutal and furious campaign. When the Dy Pwud capital of Geata Iontas was under siege, it seemed as if the Elven Kingdom would collapse and everything they had worked to build would be torn asunder. However, in their darkest hour a glimmer of light shone from above as a flash of magic and an army of golden horsemen charged from the treeptops. The Saints had returned from the dead in the form of gods. They repelled the Attyran army and the Dy Pwud was saved by their old heroes.

Spread

The effects and results of the Sylvan Exodus are widely known to the common populace of Omeath. Some small pockets still are unaware of the effects, but you can scarcely find a group of people who have never seen an Elf or Gnome. Even fewer who are been threatened by a nearby tribe or keep of Goblins. One of the largest religions on the planet is tied to the very event itself. The Shepherdic Sainthood is a faith that has canonized and uplifted the three shepherds into a godlike status, with hundreds of thousands of worshppers.

In Art

In the primeival forests of the tall cedars that the Wood Elves of Dy Pwud call home. There stands the gate that brought the Fey to the Mortal Realm. A tall wooden construction of branches, strong trunks, and tough fibers. Around this gate is the massive city of Geata Iontas, the home of the Dy Pwean Wood Elves. Around the gate it an intricate contruction of wood, stone, and glass to shelter their antexodan portal. Long has it laid dormant as the magic was sucked away, but the construct is still a gorgeous sight and the shelter around it is home to many pieces of Fey and Shepherdic art. Above the gate is a large mural depicting the three Saints as they took their first steps on the solid ground of the Mortal Realm. Their followers en masse behind them as they step into what would become their new home.

Date of Setting

10698 AP (Little Over 15,000 years before 4356 AS)