Forest Kingdoms
Centuries of human colonization and the great wildfires of 2496 I.R. were not enough to deforest this swath of the Great Akadonian Forest that once covered most of central and southern Akados. High elves and wood elves still hold sway within these woods, leading scholars to deem it the last true remnant of the great elven kingdom despite the numerous schisms and infighting among the high elven houses and wood elves who control the area. For many centuries, the indigenous elves tenaciously beat back humans trespassing into their lands until they came to the stark realization that they could not win a war of attrition against such a prolific foe. They retreated deep into the twilit depths of the forest and established the fabled Kingdom of Parnuble, while maintaining wary eyes on the invaders. Much to their surprise, the humans treated the land they settled with dignity, prompting the half-elves among them to reach a peaceful accord with the newcomers, though some elves still clung to their isolationist beliefs. The queen of Parnuble ultimately ended the conflict by allowing the wood elves to maintain their own clans in the forest’s interior. She also granted them the legal right to forcibly resist human incursions. Conversely, the high elves entered into an era of increased cooperation with their human neighbors.
The Kingdom of Parnuble, governed by Queen Tuiliar, controls the city of Arendia, the forest areas bordering the length of the Tradeway, and large interior portions of the woodland. Several smaller high elven houses rule their own fiefdoms within the realm, the most noteworthy being the High House of Jarlax, which claims sovereignty over the northern section of the forest at the headwaters of Glimmrill Run. These high elves hold the queen and her house in contempt, deeming them to be traitors to their race for collaborating with the humans. Their warriors occasionally raid the Tradeway to express their displeasure, though their activities never rise above the nuisance level. The emissaries of the queen and Bard’s Gate remain committed to amicably solving these problems.
Several self-proclaimed baronies and counties have taken root in the forest’s southern and western edges near the Unclaimed Lands, while free settlements, brigand holds, and at least one full-fledged bandit kingdom occupy the woodland’s eastern fringes. These human-dominated territories avoid interfering in the affairs of Bard’s Gate and the Kingdom of Parnuble. They instead focus their ire at the wood elf clans scattered throughout the forest’s interior. Despite the wood elves’ fierce independent streak and their dislike for humans, many still claim allegiance to the high elf queen. The clans frequently clash with the brigands and bandits in the region, accounting for the lion’s share of blood spilt upon this lush green tapestry.
Region
Forest Kingdoms (Forest of Parna)
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