Forest Folk

The Forest Folk

The Forest Folk are a tribal people who inhabit the vast and ancient Penmark Forest. They are a resilient and self-sufficient society, living in harmony with nature while maintaining a strong warrior tradition. Though they do not function as a formal kingdom, they have a central settlement known as Ferrington, a large forested town situated along the river. This river serves as a crucial trade route, allowing them to send boats carrying goods to the Lion Kingdom and as far east as Falconia.

Leadership and Governance

The Forest Folk are led by Willar, a respected warrior and chieftain. His leadership, however, has been tumultuous due to personal and political events that have shaped his path. Though the Forest Folk follow his guidance, their society is not as rigidly structured as the Lion Kingdom or Dragonia. They are bound together by a shared culture, tradition, and a strong connection to their land rather than by noble titles or centralized rule.

The Love Story of Willar and Cecelia

Willar fell deeply in love with Cecelia Faelthorne, the princess of Falconia. Their love led to the birth of Robert, a child born out of wedlock who carries the lineage of both the Forest Folk and Falconia. Initially, Cecelia’s father, King Oskar of Falconia, was furious and sought to have Willar executed. However, over time, Oskar came to see Willar as a son, forming an unlikely bond between the two.

Tragedy and Revenge

Years later, tragedy struck when Cecelia was ambushed and killed by Cillian Valcroft, a former ruler of the Lion Kingdom who had allied himself with the brutal Orc tribes. Overcome with grief and rage, Willar abandoned his role as chieftain of the Forest Folk to seek vengeance. His quest eventually led him to slay Ichabod Valcroft, Cillian’s monstrous and mutated brother. This forced Cillian into hiding, but the conflict left scars that have not yet fully healed.

The Future of the Forest Folk

With Willar focused on vengeance and his personal journey, he has placed much of his hope in his son, Robert, who stands as heir to both the Forest Folk and Falconia. However, Robert’s mixed heritage and powerful claim to leadership have made him a target. Several assassination attempts have been made on his life, the most recent being a gunman’s attack in the Lion Kingdom, where Robert was shot in the head but miraculously survived. He was nursed back to health by the elves of the Lion Kingdom, specifically under the care of Wryn, the mother of the legendary Lion King Arthron.

Relations with Other Factions

Lion Kingdom: The Forest Folk have a longstanding trade relationship with the Lion Kingdom, though their alliance is informal. Given their ties through Robert’s recovery and Wryn’s assistance, there is a growing bond between them.
Falconia: Due to Robert’s bloodline and Willar’s past relationship with Cecelia, the Forest Folk and Falconia are deeply intertwined. Robert’s future may determine whether the two factions grow closer or remain distinct.
Orcs and Dragonia: The Forest Folk have long been wary of both factions. Their enmity with the Orcs is well-founded, given Cillian Valcroft’s past alliance with them. As for Dragonia, they remain cautious but not outright hostile, keeping an eye on Kaedric’s attempts to reform the once-warlike nation.

The Forest Folk stand at a crossroads, with their future hanging in the balance of Robert’s survival and Willar’s legacy. Whether they will remain an independent tribal people or become further entangled in the politics of the world remains to be seen.