the Grotto

The Grotto is odd for a town: instead of building with brick and mortar, the Druidic residents built with the still-living wood of trees. Some of the trees are hundreds of years old: some are even older than that.
Its original purpose was as a place of meeting for the elves, who flocked to the space as a holy site for the Old Religion. The town still acts as a holy site, hosting rituals and pilgrims from all over who wish to commune with the Ancient Tree, the central tree of the Grotto. But as the world grew darker and meaner, it was slowly built upon and now is thought of as the natural roost for Druids and rangers, many of whom abandoned older Forest villages for the relative safety of the Grotto. A majority of the residents are still elven or gnomish in nature, and many who grow up there take up the mantle of Druid.

Demographics

Primarily elves, half-elves, and gnomes dwell in the Grotto, with a small smattering of human rangers scattered throughout. The majority of the populace belongs to the Druid Circles, and work to maintain and protect the Forest that surrounds them. The Druids also work as farmers, shepherds, or craftsmen, as they see fit. Very few members of the Grotto are traders; the economy is majority bartering, but a small group of outsiders peddling wares that can't be procured in the forest can usually be found in the old marketplace.
Many of the families of the Grotto originally come from all over, and therefore several different ethnicities of elf and gnome are found living in the Grotto; however, the original families are primarily Wood elves.
A small contingent of forest rangers are also found in the Grotto. While normally the profession is a solitary one, as denizens of the Dread Forest the Grotto is always welcoming to those rangers who wish the company of others.

Government

The Grotto is a democracy, where each member of the town is allowed a vote in major matters. A ring of leaders from each of the major factions occasionally meets in order to exchange information and deal with issues as they come up. Otherwise, the Grotto runs by the law of the Old Religion: if you harm nothing, do as you will.

Defences

As the town is above the forest floor, most of its defense involves the stairs that allow entry. These stairs can be raised, lowered or completely removed if needed. The town also enjoys the benefit of blending into the surrounding forest, which provides camouflage for an otherwise obvious town.
Other defenses include detachable bridges and hidden rooms in most houses, for shelter if necessary.

Industry & Trade

The Grotto is almost entirely self-sufficient, and most of its people contribute to the maintenance of the treetop gardens and herds. Other professions include identification and documentation of the forest's flora and fauna, protection of endangered species, healing of both animals and injured residents, and various crafts.

Infrastructure

The Grotto is built of living wood, which makes up most of the buildings and roads. Bridges between trees are made of woven branches and melded bark, and may sway gently in strong breezes. The Grotto is multi-level, with the major buildings found in the middle levels.
As the town is built above the forest floor and therefore casts the floor into deep shadow, the majority of their farms for food crops are on the tops of the trees. Using druidic magic, squares of floating earth grow most of the plant-based food the town requires; the rest is gathered from the surrounding forest.
Pens are also found on various levels of the Grotto, which house various animals. Most of the pens are used primarily for injured or ill animals, which are carefully nursed back to health. Animals that are used for food are kept in herds in the nearby large clearings, and brought into pens below the town at night.

Assets

The Grotto is almost completely self-sustained by its tree-top gardens and herds of animals, and does not often want for things from the outside. It also boasts some of the most skilled healers and animal handlers of the world, who occasionally will journey out in order to pursue new knowledge and honing of their crafts.

Guilds and Factions

The Grotto is made up of various types of Druid, who all have purposes they believe are the most important. Currently there are 9 factions (8 recognized as separate factions, with one considered a prominent sub-faction), with upwards of 50 sub-factions.
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The most prominent factions include:

the Association of Defense, a group of mostly Druids whose primary job is to protect the Grotto and its denizens. Led by Grenich Vollback.

Major sub-faction: the Nightwatch, Rangers who keep an eye on suspicious activity in the Forest, led by Len Leafling.

the Beastlords, Druids and Rangers, often with companion animals, who tend to the wild animals of the Forest. Led by Ilphas Sylvyre.

the Garden, Druids who tend the treetop gardens, and who also may venture out to tend to the rest of the forest. Led by Corym Virhana.

the Herdwatch, guardians of the flocks and herds that help to sustain the Grotto. Led by Clarice Orifaren.

Seed Folk, Druids who believe that the shrinking of the forest requires direct intervention by way of planting new trees. Led by Pemdick Scyddast.

the Seekers, Druids and Rangers who seek out little-known creatures, plants, and places for studies and documentation. Led by Aerin Leafling.

Ministers of Faith, a group of deeply religious Druids, mostly elves. Led by Fenzeiros Nurasindi.

the Peacemakers, Druids and Rangers who do their best to keep the people of the Grotto in some sort of order. Led by Leena Raloquinel.

Architecture

The entirety of the town is built out of living wood, which gives it a very organic type of architecture. Major buildings are often open to the elements, with large windows that can be covered in storms by watertight mats of grasses. Houses are often identified by the door coverings, which can range from wooden doors of fallen branches to elaborate tapestries.

Type

Town

Population

3,000

Location under

Dread Forest