The Northern Forests
The vast, dense deciduous forests in the north of Zami Ramal stretch from east to west across the entire continent, providing a cooling shelter from the desert winds. Scrubby grasslands border the forest and these are inhabited by deer, cats, rodents and other small animals. The forest trees are deciduous in nature and can grow to massive size in the denser areas. Common forest animals include deer, wolves, flightless parrots and lemurs of various kinds.
Also living in the forests are native neko-kin, cat-like people who are rarely seen, being a shy and reclusive society. Since the Landing, full-blood elves took to living in the forests, finding it much like their own homes from the Far Realms. The two tribes live side by side since the Treaty; there was some raiding and ambushing of the elves when they first arrived.
The subterranean rivers run beneath the forest, creating caves beneath larger trees. The waters emerge in the Emerald Clearing as waterfalls that feed the pool in the glade. Roads lead into the forest from the main cities but become little more than tracks once the route passes into the treeline.
Also living in the forests are native neko-kin, cat-like people who are rarely seen, being a shy and reclusive society. Since the Landing, full-blood elves took to living in the forests, finding it much like their own homes from the Far Realms. The two tribes live side by side since the Treaty; there was some raiding and ambushing of the elves when they first arrived.
The subterranean rivers run beneath the forest, creating caves beneath larger trees. The waters emerge in the Emerald Clearing as waterfalls that feed the pool in the glade. Roads lead into the forest from the main cities but become little more than tracks once the route passes into the treeline.
Structure
The neko-kin live in small family groups and as such have no true leader. When the moot is called, their shaman Tuk'i usually speaks for all of the kin present.
The Elven family have a strong social heirarchy inherited from the Far Realms. The eldest, Lord Eimar, is one of the few surviving people who came from the Landing and is seen as the highest authority in the Northern Forest.
The Elven family have a strong social heirarchy inherited from the Far Realms. The eldest, Lord Eimar, is one of the few surviving people who came from the Landing and is seen as the highest authority in the Northern Forest.
History
The native neko-kin have their own story of how the great forest became.
After the Elven people arrived with the Landing, they took to the Northern Forests, naming it Tauré in their own language. At first the neko-kin tried to eject the invading elves from the forest, seeing them as dangerous, warlike invaders. However, since the Zamian treaty of peace, both kinds now live harmoniously, meeting at the Emerald Clearing once a year to discuss differences and resolve any questions.
When the world was all sands, the goddess of life, Tabasta saw that the land was bare and knew that the first neko prince and princess Kiz'a and Kit'i would not live well in such a place and would have nowhere to raise kittens. So Tabasta caused the tress to grow and the deer to come and the waters to flow. The forest tried to grow further and further south but the desert was too dry and the wind too hot for the trees to survive. The neko-kin families grew and grew, needing more trees to live in, and more animals to catch. And so Tabasta decided that the grasses would grow to keep the sands out of the north, causing the scrublands to border the great forest. All the children of Kiz'a and Kit'i live at peace with the forest, hiding in the trees, only taking what they need and giving thanks to the goddess.
After the Elven people arrived with the Landing, they took to the Northern Forests, naming it Tauré in their own language. At first the neko-kin tried to eject the invading elves from the forest, seeing them as dangerous, warlike invaders. However, since the Zamian treaty of peace, both kinds now live harmoniously, meeting at the Emerald Clearing once a year to discuss differences and resolve any questions.
Mythology & Lore
Tabasta, Neko Goddess of Life
The creator goddess in the neko-kin pantheon is Tabasta, the Cat Witch, a kind and playful entity who bestowed each neko-kin with a specific feline trait and was believed to wander the world, watching over them.
Aduna, Elven Goddess of the Forest
Aduna appears as a green-skinned elf clad in bark armour and carrying a magic staff that can cause trees to grow where it strikes the ground. Aduna is on good terms with the older Elven gods, known as the Seldarine, and considers the mythical centaur deity Skerrit the Forester a close friend.
The creator goddess in the neko-kin pantheon is Tabasta, the Cat Witch, a kind and playful entity who bestowed each neko-kin with a specific feline trait and was believed to wander the world, watching over them.
Aduna, Elven Goddess of the Forest
Aduna appears as a green-skinned elf clad in bark armour and carrying a magic staff that can cause trees to grow where it strikes the ground. Aduna is on good terms with the older Elven gods, known as the Seldarine, and considers the mythical centaur deity Skerrit the Forester a close friend.
Skoia
The name given by neko-kin to the Northern Forests. In the language of the neko, this simply means "trees" and is how they refer to the forests, meaning their home and their country.
Tauré
The Elven name for the Northern Forest derives from the word for "great wood" and is how all elves describe the place they have settled in Zami Ramal.
Tuk'i
Tuk'i is the current lead shaman of the neko-kin. She is a black-furred type with yellow eyes and wears a robe of deerskin decorated with shells from the coastal areas of the forest edge. She carries her ceremonial bow, crafted from quivering ash wood as well as a rattle made from snake tails.
Lord Eimar
At the age of 720 years, Eimar is the oldest survivor of the Landing in Zami Ramal. Eimar stands 6'2" tall and has pale skin, silver hair and pale grey eyes, as do many of his family. He came with his young family of three daughters and their husbands and children. His wife did not travel with him to the new realm. Eimar constructed tree dwellings for himself and his family, which have expanded over the years to six villages in the treetops, each home to around 30 or 40 elves.
The name given by neko-kin to the Northern Forests. In the language of the neko, this simply means "trees" and is how they refer to the forests, meaning their home and their country.
Tauré
The Elven name for the Northern Forest derives from the word for "great wood" and is how all elves describe the place they have settled in Zami Ramal.
Tuk'i
Tuk'i is the current lead shaman of the neko-kin. She is a black-furred type with yellow eyes and wears a robe of deerskin decorated with shells from the coastal areas of the forest edge. She carries her ceremonial bow, crafted from quivering ash wood as well as a rattle made from snake tails.
Lord Eimar
At the age of 720 years, Eimar is the oldest survivor of the Landing in Zami Ramal. Eimar stands 6'2" tall and has pale skin, silver hair and pale grey eyes, as do many of his family. He came with his young family of three daughters and their husbands and children. His wife did not travel with him to the new realm. Eimar constructed tree dwellings for himself and his family, which have expanded over the years to six villages in the treetops, each home to around 30 or 40 elves.
Type
Geopolitical, Province
Alternative Names
Skoia, Tauré
Demonym
Foresters
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