Elaniens

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The Elanien logo and motto.

Area Description

The dense and endless forest of the Elanien kingdom might remind you of an eerie folktale. Predators with razor-sharp tongues lurk in the underbrush, charming water-maidens called Vodyanitsya lure in unsuspecting passersby, and the crowns of trees abound with nests woven of bones. But underneath the creepiness of it all, you’ll find that everything falls into a natural order. To survive in these lands, you must respect the interconnections that make this ecosystem work, you ought to watch each other’s back, and you need to guard these dreadful woods - with all your elanien might - from something far more terrifying.

Origins

The story began when the Elaniens fell from a portal in the middle of a forest. A few survived and found a home, but they were unsafe from the murk at night. The rangers learned to communicate with nature and discovered new homesteads for the community. They created various light-emitting contraptions, forcing the murk to retreat.

Sometimes, dangerous beasts came out of the portal - but they are usually dealt with. One time, however, everything went haywire. Beasts of all kinds fell out, tearing apart everything and drenching it in blood. The rangers gathered up survivors and led them to the safety of the river. Overcrowded boats and rafts set off downstream for many days. Many refugees from all over Elan gathered on rocky islands. Starving, they gathered the last of their supplies and feasted together, as a community. At that moment, the Elaniens crowned their leaders - the heroes who led them from the clutches of death. The Elanien King's crown was a hoop from a wine barrel during the feast. At that coronation site stands Leitana - the community built atop the cliffs. The king rules the Elaniens to this day. He can often be found leading a detachment of his most experienced comrades in the forest.