The Land of the Ten Tribes

A great forest sprawls across the land, reaching slowly out to extend its borders. From the outside, it looks like nothing more than a peaceful setting. But from the inside, it is an entire world, full of life, conflict and song- a world populated by birds.   The forest has been at war for ages, only recently falling into a restless peace. The forty clans involved in the battle were united into ten tribes, divided according to population. Each tribe, however, is wary of the others. And the clans are often divided among themselves, as well. There is also the ever-present threat of the Raptor raiders that swoop down, stealing supplies, food, and sometimes chicks or eggs. It is a chaotic world, always hovering on the brink of war.   The First Tribe, entirely made up of Grouse, is by far the largest and most powerful. They oversee an annual Gathering in the center of the forest, when all the tribes and clans are given their allotment of food for the coming year. For most clans, it is a time of fellowship and reassurance of peace. But for a few, it is a symbol of the fact that they are no longer in control of their forest, and there are those who would try to overthrow the alliances and treaties, plunging the Great Forest back into war.