lore

Some argue they represent the oldest and truest of the Elven civilisations, closest to the primordial Fae. Their fate is entwined with the forests they call home, and the spirits dwelling within, both nurtured by and allied to the Elves beneath the canopy. Those same spirits are murderous when roused, and Sylvan archery is feared across the earth.

Since the withdrawal of the Highborn across the seas, they are what remains of the Elves in Vetia, occupying the forests of our great continent. Their disregard for human borders often causes strife with their neighbours; many a woodsman has met a grim fate and every missing child is “lost to the fairies”.

Like their brethren, the Sylvan Elves have an affinity with magic. Their mages feel the impact of it upon the land around them, and know how to shape the natural world. The Land Speaks to the Sylvan Elves where other races might just hear a whisper; hills, lakes and rivers, but none more than the trees. With many trees inhabited by supernal spirits, and others residing alongside, the Sylvan Elves have learned intuitive ways of coexisting and harmonising with nature, nudging it instead of breaking its laws.

The sylvan elves, who call themselves Trewi, are now known to be far more widespread than originally thought. Though their power is undoubtedly centred on Wyscan, there are many different tribes and cultures of faerie folk found across the forests and jungles of the world, and it is unclear to what extent they are connected. It is theorised that they can travel great distances by magic linking these woodland realms. Many are the tales of a terrible mist that appears from nowhere, often leaving death in its wake - or vanished children and livestock. Those to whom I spoke could offer no explanation except that the spirit of the forest had a vengeful lust. Other stories feature corpses peppered with arrows of unknown provenance, be they beast, orc, dwarf or human, but always the same look of confused fear on their faces.

We do have some sources of information about the Trewi, including the ancient knowledge of the Highborn, or the testimony of those who have survived captivity, as in the celebrated case of Thomas the Bard. We know that they have a rudimentary economy based not on money or barter, but gifting. They live as closely with nature as possible, and demonstrate no social distinction between genders. They have a highly developed calendar quite alien to our own. Within Wyscan, we also know of a class system, ranked as nobles, scholars and commoners.

Some groups, such as the fearsome Blade Dancers and Wild Huntsmen operate outside of this system. By all accounts, the sylvan elves are also unique architects, building their homes for function, beauty, and defence. Called groves, they are woven from trees and clinging plants. Druids and others from the scholarly class patiently encourage the boughs and branches to develop into the forms they desire. These “buildings” move and grow with nature; the grandest constructs, normally occupied by the elite or set aside for ceremonial purposes, are also the oldest.

The King and Queen barely move for much of the year, nor do they often speak. Their will is the will of the forest, their programmes art the seasons and their laws - the laws of nature. Tis a thing unique unto this world: supernal beings that ruleth over mortals. In Wyscan’s heart does there lie some fey source of th’eternal power of the Realm Beyond; the which sustaineth them while they art near. And yet sometimes they depart: the King on great hunts, to claim his trophies mighty, and the Queen to tend unto her gardens of the world. Thereafter, they are lost upon the Veil - returning again, it is hoped, when they are summoned.

Not knowing well good the sophistication of the civilised, nor the learnings of th’enlightened, the Trewi doth content themselves with these uncouth, yet potent rulers. Their concerns hark unto a simpler time, when all were primitive and savage. Their greatest foes art those fallen under the Gods of Darkness; in equal measure do they loathe and spurn the saurian disciples of order pure. The Trewi carrieth the deepest memories of the Dawn, the oldest songs of our kin, half-glimpsed knowledge more ancient even than that of the masters of Canrac Tower. Oh great pity: their simpleton minds can fathom not how to use it.

Cold Blood
Waves as tall as sky,
Mountains in the wind,
Light that burns and breaks
And then came cold blood.
No people did they scorn,
Vengeance bright as flame,
Gave sanctuary as prison
And did it in cold blood.
Oh bring harmony ye gods
Balance to their wrath
We will tend these gardens always,
And protect them from cold blood.

I’m not from around here - thought the forest was nothing but a plain old forest. Didn’t know well enough to be afraid. Sill, could hear my heart like a beating drum, cos there weren’t no sound or movement in the trees. But there was something in the air that I couldn’t right describe. After what felt like years I finally heard something. It got closer and closer, til I realised it was the sound of heavy hooves. It seemed to come from everywhere at once, echoing around the forest. I was paralysed, stood waiting for the gods know what to happen. Then it stopped, and I turned and saw the most beautiful creatures, ridden by tall men and women holding long spears. Least I think they were men – there weren’t no expressions on their faces. Looked right past me. I was so shocked I stumbled forwards and must have hit my head, because the next thing I know I came around and I’m in the middle of a field. And I tell you, it took me some time to find the nearest pub.

Herr Gottlieb:
Gentlemen, there is no longer any doubt that the so-called Tree Spirits are real creatures. Accounts of their activities are too numerous to deny. It falls to our esteemed company today to determine what nature of beast they are. I believe them to be kin to the woodland elves, the child-stealers and guardians of Wyscan. I have heard that the faerie folk themselves hold the living trees to be their own ancestors. I propose these “spirits” are little more than the most ancient of the long-lived elven race, who have been so long among the foliage that they have merged with-

Herr Eisenberg:
Preposterous! Do not listen to this ignorant nincompoop! I have researched the matter extensively, having obtained no fewer than four specimens from Wyscan itself! I can tell you conclusively: the Tree Spirits hail from the Immortal Realm. We know that people and things can be possessed by the denizens of that land beyond the Veil – here they have merely inhabited the bodies of trees and thickets, turning themselves to living creatures. I submit they were bound to our Realm in one of the great cataclysms of eons past, and have since become one with the forests of their birth.