Bashinori (bash-ih-nor-ee)

"Bashinor, Bashinor keep watch where you tread.
Bashinor, Bashinor caref'ly lay your head.
Bashinor, Bashinor quick! evade the sights.
Bashinor, Bashinor of your neighbors' lies." — old Bashinori poem

Caught in the border disputes of Cryhton Kingdom and Hezhish Councilnori and on the dividing lines of the Belagoe and Dagtakor peoples, survive the Bashinori in their forests and ravines.

History

Antebellum Forests

About a few hundred years ago the Bashinori (sing. Bashinor) lived in moderate peace in the forests on the border of modern-day Hezhz and Cryhton. The Bashinori are elves with deep-set, but arguably justified, xenophobia. They tended to their forests and fought border disputes for hunting grounds. They had close ties to the druids of the Greattree of Sinufellish in the Mountaines. While the world changed around them, they withdrew further away from advancement and technology, preferring the simple and mundane.

First War

A little after the turn of the Era of Humanity, the recently sparked humans proliferated the surrounding areas. This disturbed the Bashinori much, and they retreated further into their forests, breaking trade with the druids in the west. It wasn't enough, however, for the Hezhono people soon invaded the norther parts of their forest. A war was fought and the Bashinori lost. Trade deals were signed, granting rights of the Bashinori to their land and forest in agreement of peace. The peace, however did not last when the valuable timber saw the eyes of appraisers.

Second War and Dispersal

Not 200 years later the rivals of the Hezhono, the Dagtakor, rose from the east and raced against the Hezhono for the lush timbers of the forests. The Bashinori retreated again as more forest fell to axes of greedy kingdoms. Another peace, and another breaking of treaties when the Dagtakor marched in and killed the Forest Lord Melitheld. Here, the Bashinori fled and broke up into their smaller tribes, shunning even each other.

Subjugation and Humiliation

Not long after this the forests shrank more. The Bashinori met with kings of Hezhz and Cryhton to fight for their continued existence. When it was declined and Cryhton people began felling the forests, skirmishes broke out. These left many dead and the Bashinori felt a sense of victory. These skirmishes lasted for decades as the kingdoms couldn't spare any resources to handle them. Elven diplomats tried to reason but they were turned away or killed.
Eventually, the combined forces of the Belagoe, Hezhz and Dagtakor united on three fronts to squeeze the Bashinori into a small section of forest, almost making them extinct. During peace talks, the Three Friends, as the alliance called itself, settled the disputes in their courts, demanding reparations of damages. With no other way to escape, they accepted. Thousands of square miles of forest were felled for timber for homesteads. The Bashinori were left alone in the center of the decreasing forest.

Resurgence

Another few hundred years passed. The Three Friends made their own countries and left the Bashinori alone. During this time the Bashinori developed their own language similar but apart from ancestral elvish. Bashinorish it is called and none can understand it, like druidic or thieves' can except those well versed in it. With a new language on their lips a revitalized spark came into them not unlike a new Revelation. Their stunted culture flourished again, though they kept it to themselves.

Current

These days the Bashinori enjoy peace, though they wholly shun outsiders. The forests have grown back up and since the treaties specified "whatever forest" they are expanding their borders and influence. Entirely self-serving, they may or may not pose a problem for travelers and traders. Due to their uncommunicative language, their disputing and neighboring kingdoms claim ownership but cannot bring themselves to gather an army against the unknown enemy. Mystery is their greatest strength.