Forest Folk
When the Forest came, refugees fled wherever they could. Most tried to reach islands in the lakes, but some either couldn't make it that far, or weren't willing to risk it.
These people became the Forest Folk. They may have originally Taalish, or Karuvian, or even Manashin, but today their existence in the Forest sets them apart. While most people in Veiama life in sanctuaries on the islands, in stable nations where they can live in cities and go days without even thinking about uhaaki, Forest Folk eke out a live within the Forest itself.
Communities
Most Forest Folk live in re-purposed ruins. Areas with paved roads have few trees, and the existing stone structures were easier to fortify or use as raw material. Old castles have been taken over by bands of Forest Folk, and opulent palaces re-purposed into communal living spaces with rough wooden fortifications. The communities are usually small, with no more than 100 people at the most, as a large settlement is likely to draw attention.Lifestyle
The culture in these communities varies wildly. Some are peaceful communes where related families work together to survive. Others operate more like gangs, raiding peaceful communities for resources and abandoning the weak. Agriculture is not possible in the Forest as there isn't enough clear space, so they survive by fishing and gathering. Few groups are willing to risk hunting - not only is there a risk of bringing back infected meat, but if they kill something that is part of the Forest's web, they risk bringing down the wrath of the woods. More aggressive groups sometimes raid settlements in the protected lakes. Even peaceful groups might sneak across to an island to steal supplies. Some Forest Folk aim to reach the islands to settle permanently, and most nations have policies in place for Forest Folk suddenly appearing and setting up a camp on one of their islands. The majority of Forest Folk, though, do not want to move to one of the settled nations. Some of them enjoy the freedom from living in the Forest and consider the dangers to be a fair trade off for having no lords or masters. Others are exiles from civilization, criminals on the run who fear punishment if they return.
Parent ethnicities
Related Locations