Oberemser Forestlands
The Oberemser Forestlands is the area at the upper part of the river Ems, south of the region claimed by the Chauken. The forests here are almost untouched, dark and wild, naturally teeming with dangers of all kinds. Where there is not forest, there are Moore, treacherous bogs that easily lures travelers to their doom.
This region is where several clans of the Ampsivaren settled into, after being driven out by the Chauken from the lands further north. Only a few settlements are within this region, as the Ampsivaren struggle to claim land from the deep forests.
The part west of the Ems is currently held by Isanmannen Legions, determined to hold that territory, even after their decisive losses in the Teutanes Forest. The remnants of this and other battles are all over the forests and left behind dark, dead places, haunted by the massacres of the recent past.
Since magic has awakened even in this region, this is no hyperbole. In fact especially in the eastern regions of the Heideforests several ancient ruins, originally long forgotten, are now lively with magic - creating a whole new kind of mysteries and dangers for the humans in this region.
Geography
A new home for Ampsivaren
Ever since their ill-fated alliance with the Isanmannen Empire before, after their allies got pushed back, the Amsivaren in this region struggle to have places they can call their home. Even though several mid-sized settlements and trading posts exist all over the region, almost all of them are dominated either by clansmen of the victoriousChauken or by a military leader or tradesman of the Isanmannen Empire.
Haudenfenne is one of the only settlements within the region, that is both thriving and under independent control of the Ampsivaren. With its position at the crossroads of the trading routes from the Isanmannen to the west, the Chauken to the North and other germanic tribes to the east, this settlement at the border of the Schaapen Höchte is one of the few places, an Ampsivar can safely call home.
Trading with others
After the active conflicts with the Isanmannen had died down, the opportunity to trade intriguing goods started to get trades going. Several clans to the east are seeking the luxurious goods of the Isanmannen and some trading posts have started to emerge. However, due to the lack of rulers, not all trading posts are a safe haven to rest in.
Bloodwillow Crossing is one such trading post. Here a travelling merchant can cross the Bloodwillow stream safely or chose to rest, before he travels on towards Haudenfenne. The tradingpost is fortified with pallisades and the shields on the walls bear the blood red symbol of a slain Hatir. It is difficult to believe that the shifty clans leader here ever slain such a beast, however.
The tradingpost at Heidhoft has a better standing overall. Their owner is a strong but friendly, peaceloving man who takes the rites of hospitality serious. After trading with the Isanmannen, he got inspired to create Heidewine out of the local Heideberries.The wine is becoming more famous in the region and is sometimes even mixed with mead.
The Threat of the Isanmannen
Even though the Isanmannen have been defeated at multiple battles, most notably in the Battle of the Teutanes Forest, they are far from gone. They fortified several places west of the Ems and their buildings of stone, as well as their exotic goods, are becoming tempting for the clans in the area. Still hesitant to simply try and invade, many Chauken but also other clans started trading with the Isanmannen.
One of the largest growing fortifications is Vadus Ampsivari, where the former military camp has already started to grow into a crowded village with first stone fortifications.
The other significant fortication at Vadus Emsae is completely millitary focused. Here, soldiers guard the regions of the Chauken during this fragile time when the weapons rest.
The magic of the lands
Ever since the night of Wotan's Call magic has reappeared in the world. Not only did many people, mostly Chauken gained the ability to use magic or change into completely different creatures, but also magical monsters, the Dunkelwesen, reappeared and old magical artifacts and places regained their power.
Deep within the bogs of the Easterwillow Dose, there stands a big monolith with golden glowing runes on its side. The rumor of great treasure and artifacts is known all over the region, but unfortunately, the monolith is not without its guardian. On top of the Dark Monolith a Skallik is perched, the shadowy figure having the form of an evil bird of prey. It corrupts the land around the monolith and will possess everybody trying to come too close.
The old ruins east of the Heidehövel have been there for generations and most know of the Heide-Ruins. Many old people tell stories about how a great town once stood there until one day it suddenly got destroyed. Young men dared each other to stay in the haunted ruins. Only now that magic had returned, the ruins are glowing in magical runes and from afar you can clearly see blue, translucent figures walking amongst the stones.
Remnants of a violent past
The conflict between the Isanmannen and the Chauken was bloody and with little mercy. ven today both sides tell tales about the horrors and atrocities of the battles. As they remember, so does the land. Places, where they fought, are still scarred in some way or another. The return of magic did not improve upon this fact.
In the dark Teutanes Forest there is a field of corpses half buried after a fierce battle, all laying around the terrifying Gebeynturn that was erected out of the bones of the fallen. The blood and ominous magic have darkened and twisted the forest into something evil.
At the Streemholt Passen a lone guard is upholding a sacred duty. After the battles, he stayed back at a hidden ford in the Dankenforst guarding the passage, ready for calling the alarm if the Isanmannen ever attack again. Unusual is, however, that the same guard has stood at that ford, without moving a lot or even aging for 27 years.
Hamwesen Away From Society
The events of Wotan's Call have changed some people permanently into different creatures with magical abilities. Other than in the Chaukenlande these Hamwesen are not accepted everywhere and in this region they are less integrated in the society.
A group of Wuelfen has decided to live together as a pack away from society. They settled in a large cave system in the Southern Heideforest and created a wild, slightly unlawful community there. They sometimes trade with the Bloodwillow Crossing Tradingpost but not rarely they prey on wandering traders.
Less voluntary, a small family of Oturen has been driven out of Haudenfenne to the Stavener Lake. There in the Emser Shrublands they formed a small community for the outcasts.
Maps
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Oberemser Forestlands
A heavily forested region at the upper part of the Ems, south of the lands claimed by the Chauken. This region is largely uninhabited except for a few spread out remnants of the Ampsivaren, a few camps for traders as well as an occasional Isanmannen Outpost. Large parts of this region are dotted with ruins both of recent and ancient times and since Wotan's Call plenty of these ruins have become fascinating and dangerous.
Ambience Music
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Region
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