The Edge Woods

Set to the north, it’s deep woods are a result of the closeness of the Deitree’s roots. The Edge Woods make for difficult living due to strong monster presence, and the rapid speed in which trees and plants grow. This speed only increasing if the tree is damaged or cut. In the early days, settlements would spend their lives battling with the forest to maintain a clearing long enough to expand. The forests are littered with the remains of early attempts to build homes. Covered in roots and plants, their forms slowly being subsumed by the woods. Viability came once settlers began to build their homes around the trees, incorporating them into their designs. Edge Woods settlements are typically tree fortifications. Their height off the ground provides some protection and saves them from battling back the rapid growth of any trees felled.

Though the fast speed of regeneration was their biggest hurdle, the Woodsmen have turned it to their advantage. Producing plentiful lumber through targeted felling. Smaller amounts are gathered by careful cutting of specific branches, and the woodsmen pride themselves on their ability to graft the trees together to produce rare and unusual woods. Because of the limitations of their surroundings, they're entirely reliant on the City-Ruin to provide metals and stone. But can hunt game and gather berries and fruits to supplement their diet. Woodsman diets are typically simple, but are greatly expanded by access to the nearby Root bridges and make frequent raids into Dryad territory or act as the staging ground for trade expeditions.

The high numbers of Elves and half elves amongst their people might be considered stereotypical. But it was purely practical in the early days. Their shorter sleep cycles was a must when the forests would attempt to grow over any settlements if left alone too long. Now their long lives have afforded them plenty of time to practice in the best ways to try and shape the woods to their needs.

The Edge Woods's most untapped resources are it's Old world Ruins. But no one has yet managed to access them due to the overgrowth. What secrets could they yet hide?