Shanvér Woods
Shanvér Woods was the name of the rich but dark forest that used to lie within a few Urs walk from the North of Shevezz City. It was almost as wide as the city and was more than equal in its length too, and provided home to myriad woodland species of animals, birds and plants.
Only experts, or those equipped with bug repelling "smoke bombs" were authorised to pick Vérian Wild Ginger, but its appearance in expensive restaurants made its acquisition worth its cost. Usually.
Meaning of Its Name
This forest's name was derived by combining two languages, an exceedingly rare occurrence in any records we've seen from that period. We know that Foyiitùn was the language of choice for the Aevyormii and, while Shevezz has its own historical language, the Common Tongue has been its official language almost from its founding. This was because they wished to be able to communicate with its neighbours in a way that meant language was not a barrier. While some in their number would learn the languages of other nations, they never imposed an expectations on foreigners to learn theirs. Thus the only word requiring translation is "Shanvér", which roughly translates as "Green Field" or "Green Fields" (which may also be rendered Vershànii or Shanvérii).Which Trees Were in Shanvér Woods?
According to Shevezzi records, there were three species:- Bycha Zylva: (pronounced bee-ka, seel-vah), which should not be confused with the modern Silver Birch, as the Bycha is a documented ancestor of the beech trees. Despite the way its name sounds, this tree was also called the "Golden Beech", due to the yellowy-brown hue its wood took on when worked and polished. As trees were so rarely felled, the cost of acquiring this wood meant it only appealed to the wealthy and was therefore mostly used in homes, and occasionally jewellery.
- Petae Kerkae: (pronounced pet-aye kairk-aye), also known as the Stone Oak. This is not because it has a rocky appearance, but because it seems to grow best in stony ground. Its trunk is known to be rough, however. The Shanvér's ground undulates, but at its lowest points, there is a much harder layer comprising different classifications of stone. It is in these patches that the "Stone Oak" mostly grows.
- Acé Ru'aszi: (pronounced: ass-ay ru-ash-ee), also known as the "Purple Maple". The wood used to be the only place East of the Grànousii-an-Ormàszil where purple leaves could be found, and thus also Violet Tea could be made. This tree is named in Foyiitùn, so was likely of Aevyormi origin, rather than Shevezzi.
Caring for Its Resources
Not wanting to abuse their access, even Shevezzi Alchemists, who were always on the lookout for herbs, spices and flowers, were reluctant to take much from the woods for fear of disrupting its natural cycles.Ownership
Access to the forest was free for all and, by agreement with the Aevyormii, was declared "unowned territory". In this way, the ancient Shevezzi and the residents of the Nectar Glen considered themselves neighbours, even though the forest could take up to a day to fully navigate.Navigational Challenges
Being a wild wood, untamed and largely unmapped, the forest offered some challenges to those entering it:1. The Shade
As the trees within Shanvér created a dense canopy, the main difficulty in traversing it, especially at night, was the darkness. Even in the daytime at full sunlight, certain areas, particularly the lower-lying ones, would appear grey. The lack of colour is a problem for any Paràntite wishing to traverse, or even explore the forest, as it made distinguishing between beneficial and poisonous plants much harder. Another challenge caused by the lack of light was in cloaking escape routes. It is natural for some species - particularly Parànti - to need to flee when faced with a great danger. But if one cannot see where to flee to, then panic can set in. A proper guide and a dim source of light is usually recommended, if a would-be visitor cannot be dissuaded from entering.2. The Echoes
Whether due to the surfaces of the trees reflecting sounds, or some other influence, noises often echoed through Shanvér. With its various populations of potentially-aggressive wildlife, the echoes were a blessing and a curse. A blessing, as hearing a predator was easier, but a curse because they could more easily find you. The advice given to those who listen was to whisper or learn hand gestures for communicating within the woods. But few remember, and fewer still take so called "scare-stories" to heart, however truthful they are.3. Wildlife
While here is not the place to discuss every species of creature that could have been found in the forest, Shanvér had well-documented dangers. The primary two were:Black Bears
To any who have previously scoffed at the idea of a stealthy bear, the Black Bears of Shanvér were to be feared, especially during springtime, when cubs were born. Preferring the quietness of the forest and using its dim light to its advantage, any creature considered "meat" was its prey. While the "stepping on twigs" is somewhat overused in certain stories, too many such noises in the vicinity of a Black Bear caused it pain. Its reaction to this pain involved a vicious attack on the one causing the noise, followed by a swift retreat to its den to recover.Vérian Wild Ginger
Before the reader collapses in laughter, the Wild Ginger in Shanvér was highly sought after, but highly dangerous. Its stamens were barbed, which ironically hindered its own propagation. But if it was threatened it could issue a scented spray that drew the attention of large swarms of biting insects.Giant Spiders
There have been few depictions of Shanvér's spiders, but all of the written records speak of their size - both their height and the thickness of their legs. Unlike Black Bears, the spiders are not attracted to sounds, but they do smell possible prey and are drawn to light. This causes wanderers a double problem: without any light they could stumble and attract the bears, but with light they could draw the attention of the Giant Spiders.A Beautiful Hazard
While objectively beautiful and almost endlessly studied, Shanvér was rife with danger. If you add to the above the effects of insect venom, infection from animal bites or cuts, extra noise from cries of pain attracting predators - all this and more created extra danger.In short, visitors were warned that the primary danger they should be careful of inside Shanvér Woods was themselves.
The First Destruction: Shanvér's Last Gasp
When war between Shevezz and Qal'ath raged at what would become the Year 0 AFD, the precious, rich woodland was all but decimated. Trees were felled as barricades, or to make replacement weapons, or to take ground. During the War of the First Destruction, the Queendom never once authorised the felling or burning of natural resources in Shanvér, but they do not claim it never happened either. But given Qal'ath's reliance on more traditional weaponry and their brutal use of fire, it is reasonable to assume at least they used more wood than Shevezz.Reclamation Project
Only those species taken for special cultivation to the laboratories of Shevezz survived. That was only possible due to the brave actions of "Armed Pacifists" - researchers who had to train to defend themselves, but whose task it was to take cuttings, saplings, bulbs, seeds and even capture some animals where possible.From Shanvér to Shan da San
It is said that the battles in that area were so hard-fought, that the ground itself became saturated with the lifeblood of the fallen. Many species of plant which may have survived burning, or regrown from stumps, were poisoned by blood, or because their root systems were cut off from purifying streams. The land itself, once alive with myriad shades of green, became a reddy brown. Once the war was over, the new rulers of Qal'ath and Shevezz acknowledged with sadness that the area needed a new name. Shanvér, the Field of Green, would become the Shan da San the Field of Blood.Despite the use of Foyiitùn in its name, many species mentioned here are in their Shevezzi-documented identifications. Being its closest neighbour, the Queendom of Shevezz kept - and still do keep - detailed records of their discoveries here.
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Acé Ru'aszi (Purple Maple)
Type
Forest
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Shànver Woods will feature in The Cleansing of Zykyrn Pilkarrz. You can start the story here: Prelude: The LandingRelated Articles
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Great article; very through and descriptive. Thanks for sharing!
Haly, the Moonlight Bard
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