The Impenetrable Forest of Birkwud
What the hell is that noise?We have all heard the stories. Of children wandering off into the woods, never to be seen or heard from again, until their bones are found in the bottom of a hag's cauldron. Of "the deepest, darket forest" that swallows up unsuspecting adventurers whole. Well those stories...the ones about incredible beasts preying on oblivious passersby...are based upon The Impenetrable Forest of Birkwud. 'Impenetrable' may be a bit of an exaggeration, as the steadfast and presistent Wood Elves have lived there for time out of mind. And, lately, hardy souls have been carving out villages and hamlets for themselves within the resource rich forest. But now, enclaves of Orcs have taken up residence since their invasion a hundred and fifty years ago. There is also a population of Gwythaints that has taken up residence in what, to them, is the blissful darkness below the entwined boughs. The trees are so thick it is impossible to see the sky unless one were to climb up, above the canopy of leaves. Massive sequioas and oaks lord over their territories, while thick stands of birch and willow signal that one of the many creeks and rivers that run through the darkling wood are nearby. The Wood Elves live to the south of Birkwud, in an area they call Laurelindorinen Tor. It is here that they fled after the brutality of the Elven Purge, and it is here that they make their stand. The lives of the elves are long. Their memories are even longer. Humans are not welcome in Laurelindorinen Tor because of this. Indeed, any outsider is looked on with thinly veiled hostility. Wood elf hunting parties will avoid the human settlements with a fervor bordering on religious, but if they ever do cross paths with a human outside of Laurelindorinen, they will be professionally polite, even sharing their catch, if it means the humans will go away more quickly. That being said, there are humans that the elves deeply respect, and humans who have fought for the Wood Elves' right to exist however they want. The elves are not ignorant to this fact, and show their appreciation in many ways, one of them being the designation of "elf friend". Anyone who has been so annointed is instantly known to the rest of the Wood Elves as trustworthy, having gained some sort of aura that the elves can perceive. Traversing Birkwud is difficult, but not impossible. There are pathways and rough roads that criss-cross the entire area at rare intervals. The elves and woodsfolk, however, mostly use light canoes to travel the waterways, making it much more easily navigable. The locals' canoes are made of wood and animal skins; or, in some cases, they are 'dugout' canoes, made from a single log. But the canoes purchased at Canton's Stables in the east of the forest are made from the wood of the forest, but using the latest techniques and tools to create graceful curves and billowing rails made out of strips of laminated wood.
Geography
Immense sequoia and redwood trees punctuate a dense conifer forest that is still wild and untamed. Thorny undergrowth and razor-like brambles choke the spaces between the trunks in most places, and the only known paths through it are those used by the wood elves ; and one road, which the High Kingdom desperately tries to maintain. The forest reclaims its own, eventually, say the natives. It seems as if it is in a hurry to do so.
The forest covers a hilly ground surface pockmarked from a long ago meteorite that fragmented in Tellus' atmosphere. It is a rich, loamy mixture of soils, perfectly suited for growing massive trees and dense forest underbrush. Some few of the craters made by the meteorite strike are in fact radioactive, and strange flora and fauna have resulted. This has subtly changed the entire personality of the forest; it is a foreboding, dark, and gloomy place to be if the forest doesn't like you.
Ecosystem
This temperate forest ecosystem is a biome characterized by moderate temperatures and a diverse range of plant and animal species. It is typically found in regions with distinct seasons, such as Eastern Craysilt, Stilton Head, and the southern reaches of the Kingdom of Cotnor.
Forest Floor: The forest floor is covered with a layer of decaying leaves, twigs, and organic matter called leaf litter. This decomposing material contributes to nutrient recycling and provides a habitat for a diverse array of fungi, bacteria, insects, and other invertebrates.
Water bodies: Birkwud contains streams, rivers, ponds, and wetlands, which provide water sources for plants and animals. These aquatic habitats support a diverse range of species, including fish, amphibians, reptiles, birds, and aquatic insects.
Human activities, such as logging and urbanization, have significantly impacted temperate forests worldwide. Conservation efforts aim to preserve and restore these ecosystems to maintain their biodiversity and the essential services they provide, such as carbon storage, water filtration, and habitat for wildlife.
Understory:
Beneath the canopy, the understory consists of smaller trees, shrubs, and herbaceous plants that are adapted to lower light levels. Examples include dogwood, holly, ferns, and various wildflowers. These plants play an important role in providing food and shelter for many animal species.Forest Floor: The forest floor is covered with a layer of decaying leaves, twigs, and organic matter called leaf litter. This decomposing material contributes to nutrient recycling and provides a habitat for a diverse array of fungi, bacteria, insects, and other invertebrates.
Water bodies: Birkwud contains streams, rivers, ponds, and wetlands, which provide water sources for plants and animals. These aquatic habitats support a diverse range of species, including fish, amphibians, reptiles, birds, and aquatic insects.
Interactions:
Birkwud's ecosystem is characterized by complex interactions between its various components. For example, plants rely on animals for pollination and seed dispersal, while animals depend on plants for food and shelter. Predation, competition, and symbiotic relationships also shape the dynamics of the ecosystem.Human activities, such as logging and urbanization, have significantly impacted temperate forests worldwide. Conservation efforts aim to preserve and restore these ecosystems to maintain their biodiversity and the essential services they provide, such as carbon storage, water filtration, and habitat for wildlife.
Climate
Temperate forests experience four distinct seasons, including warm summers and cold winters. The average annual temperature ranges from 5 to 20 degrees Celsius (41 to 68 degrees Fahrenheit), and annual precipitation ranges from 75 to 150 centimeters (30 to 60 inches). These variations in temperature and precipitation play a crucial role in shaping the forest ecosystem.
Fauna & Flora
Wildlife:
Temperate forests support a rich diversity of animal species. Mammals such as deer, bears, wolves, foxes, and squirrels are commonly found. Birds like woodpeckers, owls, hawks, and various songbirds inhabit the forest canopy. Reptiles and amphibians, including snakes, turtles, salamanders, and frogs, can be found in the understory and near bodies of water. Insects, such as butterflies, beetles, and bees, are abundant and play a crucial role in pollination.Vegetation:
Temperate forests are dominated by a variety of deciduous and coniferous tree species. Deciduous trees, such as oak, maple, beech, and birch, shed their leaves during winter to conserve water. Coniferous trees, like pine, spruce, and fir, have needle-shaped leaves that help them retain water throughout the year. The diverse canopy of the temperate forest allows for varying levels of light penetration, creating different layers of vegetation.Maps
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Birkwud: Orc Enclave, Wolf clan
A particularly cruel and ambitious enclave of orcs. -
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Birkwud: Cunam Hahn Hive: Bae Map
The first level underground of a Cunam Hahn hive. -
Cunam Hahn Hive Village
A collection of ice and snow based construction built into the insular surrounding ground, the Hahn work in groups of six drones to a worker, and nowhere is that more reflected than in one of these forward villages. There is no queen present here, as is obvious by the lack of even the simplest ice palace. The hive lives simply and goes about its work mostly silently, communicating telepathically as they go about their day and business. They work very hard, and are aggressive to strangers. -
Birkwud: Orc Enclave, Beaver Clan
A clan of orcs who are unusual in that they value thought just as much as they do action. These are reasonable people.
Alternative Name(s)
Blackwood
Type
Forest, Temperate (Seasonal)
Location under
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Ruling/Owning Rank
Owning Organization
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