Clans of Foresthome
by John CalvinI've been going through Bruce's Blog again recently, trying to pull together an expanded Alphatian timeline when I got to the articles on Foresthome. There is a lot going on in that kingdom, so to try and help me get a better handle on it, I started pulling out information on all of the non-human clans that have banded together with Alphatian nobles in order to create that nation.
Bruce's Blog articles:
(F1 = Eyes in the Woods: Foresthome)
(F2 = Foresthome: Suthermore & Tutleby)
(F3 = Foresthome: Burwyn, Orfeander, & Rathmore)
(F4= Foresthome: Llynmouth & the Queen's Lands)
(F5 = Foresthome: Hârnmayne & Grünfold)
(F6 = Foresthome: Ashbury & The Clan Lands)
(F7 = Foresthome: Wessith with Mersey & Weil)
(F8 = Foresthome: Tarston-Wall & Llynsey)
(F9 = Foresthome: The Duchy of Westford)
(F10 = Foresthome: The Barony of Shielldon)
(F11 = Foresthome: The Marches of Ogresfell)
(F12 = Foresthome: The Big Picture)
(G1 = Greenwood: City of Fairy Magic)
(G2 = Greenwood’s Folio of Faces)
Please note this is a compilation of Bruce Heard's material organized in a different way than it is originally presented (so I can start to better understand it). These are the clans of non-humans which help to make up the nation of Foresthome:
Treants
There are several groups of treants within the boundaries of Foresthome, both extinct and extant.
Lonely Forest Treants [Ancient]
Tales mention a treant that had a run in with a renegade woodsman near Axe-in-the-Fyr in the County of Wessith. Being mortally wounded that treant returned home to the Lonely Forest, presumably to die amongst its kin. Forest giants also come here to die, becoming giant trees in the process. Nuts from these trees may produce treant saplings (and more rarely gakarak). This forest may be one of the few locations left on Mystara where treant are born and as such it is vigorously guarded. Only wild creatures and beings favored by treantkind are allowed within the woods.
Woodsman (Modified Treants) [Ancient]
These treants evolved into the modern woodsmen of the Thumping Woods. While maintaining their relative large size, the treants evolved a more humanoid shape. The practice of “sharing sap” may have also led to the creation of both the Blackroot treants and the bushmen.
Blackroot Treants
These treants are more malevolent than their common brethren, and must feed off of the blood of living creatures. Legends say that Woodsman treants infused with the blood of elves gave birth to this breed. If true it would mean that the humanoid Woodsmen reverted back to a more primal form (that of a tree). They inhabit the Blackroot Forest.
Mumbling Treants [Ancient]
Not much longer for this world, most of these treants have begun to go dormant and merge into the Mumbling Forest that they once protected. While not completely docile, most of their activity is restricted to a constant background whispering that only the local hsiao can hear.
Elves
It is unclear how many different clans of elves live in Foresthome, but there are probably several distinct variants who have migrated into this area over time.
Gray Ones
With pale skin and gray hair, they Gray Ones hailed from Shiye-Lawr before venturing forth into Foresthome. They had turned from the ways of their brethren and instead developed an affinity for rocks and stonework. After several failed migrations the elves finally settled near the Ogre Crags in northern Foresthome. Having defeated the ogre queen in battle, the elven champion Lord Daeron was elevated to marquis and given the Ogresfell as his domain.
Other Elven Clans
It seems likely that there were other elven clans in the area predating the arrival of the Shiye from the Sylvan Realm. How many and who they were is unclear. The woodsmen of the Thumping Woods “shared sap” with some elves thereby creating the bushmen clans. It is said that the remnants of those elves moved on to pursue other goals and vanished from the land. Other clans may inhabit the interior of the nation. Forest elves are made mention of dwelling in the Faerie Woods, but it is unclear if this is a unique clan, or simply elves of other clans dwelling there.
Bushmen (Thumping Woods)
Legends say that the bushmen are descendants of elves infused with woodsmen sap. They have the appearance of elves with gray-brown skin and twigs in place of hair. The bushmen of the Thumping Woods are loosely associated with the Baronies of Burwyn & Orfeander, though little love is shared among them. Rumors abound that it was the bushmen who started the feud between the two baronies (or at least fueled its fires) in an attempt to discredit and remove their human neighbors.
Bushmen (Brierhills)
The bushmen of the Brierhills were one of the very first clans to associate themselves with the newly emerging kingdom of Foresthome. They are allied with the County of Llynmouth.
Fey
Fey have inhabited these lands, probably from time immemorial. Though driven back to the most primal territories by the encroachments of the Alphatians, they still represent a major population within Foresthome.
Wood Imps
These evil fey live in the Ruffletuft Woods and are loosely allied with the County of Mersey and Weil. Publicly they adhere to imperial law, but in private they disdain the royal hierarchy and are just as likely to harm the monarchy as help it. They sometimes visit the Blackroot treants, where they are treated as honored guests.
Nixies
Nixies live along the eastern coast of Shiell Lake and have allied themselves with the County of Shielldon. They keep vigil across the lake, preventing unwanted visitors from Frisland and Blackheart from entering Foresthome. On occasion they help merchant vessels (and the sailors on them) in distress, bringing most of them safely to shore.
Pixies
The Pixies dwell in the Faerie Woods where they construct villages high in the tops of trees. Few visitors are trusted enough to be welcomed into the pixies’ homes, but those that are are shrunk down to pixie size before being invited up into the treetops.
Wood Nymphs
The Feywoods are dominated by wood nymphs. Nymphs look like beautiful elven women, and are bound to the trees and forest that sustains them. Their visage and demeanor changes with the seasons.
Shargugh
Deep in the center of Foresthome, in the Riddlesnatch Woods, lies the domain of the shargugh clans. The shargugh care little for political machinations and have not formally allied themselves with any of the kingdom’s domains.
Actaeons
Actaeons live along the border between Foresthome and Bettellyn, and have a long history of protecting the forest (and any who ally with it) from the proselytizing encroachment of their southern neighbors. They are allied with the County of Tarston-Wall.
Others
Other fey also dwell in this kingdom, many of them in the Faerie Woods. These include aerial faeries who dwell in the skies above the forest, as well as satyrs, dryads, unicorns, flitterlings and coltpixies.
Monsters/Monstrous Humanoids
Hsiao
Traditionally enemies of the Frislanders, the hsiao are allied to the Duchy of Westford and have been protectors of Foresthome’s eastern borders for quite some time. Their main domain lies within the Mumble Woods where they spend most of their waking hours listening to the dream induced whispers of the ancient treants inhabiting the area.
Centaurs
Centaurs have been living in Middle Weald since time immemorial, and are adherents to the Cult of Ekwos. Since becoming allies to the Duchy of Westford, the centaurs have been able to reclaim their ancestral lands from monstrous invaders (most likely tribes of ogres). Since then they help to serve as some of Foresthome’s few cavalry units.
Wemics
Wemics are strange creatures with the bodies of lions and humanoid torsos, who live in the forested areas and highlands of the County of Tutleby. Aggressive and warlike, they are one of the major reasons that Bettellyn missionaries have not been able to get a foothold in the region.
Gulons
Remnants of an ancient race afflicted with the curse of lycanthropy, the gulons appear to be half-human, and half-wolverine. Violent and unruly, the gulons living in Hârnmayne and Rumblesnap resisted any authority that tried to pacify them, be it the woodland clans or Alphatian royalty. Now that they have joined the Kingdom of Foresthome, life in gulon territory has regained some normalcy. Most gulons live in small hamlets, making lives as farmers or fishermen, but should they be wronged in some way gulon ferocity and retribution follow swiftly.
Broggas
Five-foot-tall humanoids, with webbed hands and feet, and faces that look vaguely frog-like, the broggas have lived on Alphatia for eons. Amphibious, they are able to live both below Llyn Lake as well as along the surface of its shores. The broggas quickly allied with the Principality of Llynsey, mostly in exchange for support against their current oppressors, a group of kopru living in the deeper recesses of the lake. It is possible that the broggas were some of the original inhabitants of ancient Shog. [- that’s my supposition, though little is found in the articles to support this.]
Sasquatch
It took very little to convince the sasquatch to ally with the County of Grunfold against their ancestral enemies in the nearby Kingdom Ar. Even before that union, the sasquatch and the local folk of Grunfold were on friendly terms, due mostly to the custom of leaving sasquatch generous offerings of vegetables, fruits, and ale.
Ravensfolk
Mystical creatures that live in the Spine-Ridge Mountains, the ravensfolk have bird-like heads and wings growing from their shoulders. Though allied with the County of Rathmore, it is rumored that the ravensfolk never do anything for free. Many speculate the Rathmore must be indebted to them in some sinister way. Soothsayers, seers, and tellers of portents who speak in riddles, those that cross them (as the wemics of Tutleby discovered) soon live to regret their choices.
Giants
Some say that giants have dwelt on Mystara for far longer than the smaller races. They have definitely settled on most if not all of the continents across the world, and Alphatia is no different. There are several giant clans currently living in Foresthome.
Hill Giants
Mostly pacified, the hill giants live in the Spine-Ridge Mountains. Although they no longer raid the countryside, it is wise not to enter their lands without good cause.
Mountain Giants
More considerate and thoughtful than their hill giant cousins, the mountain giants of the Spine-Ridge Mountains are allied with the County of Suthermore. They interact with the smaller races mostly through intermediaries (the Foresthome Rangers), but will come to the aid of allied settlements when necessary.
Forest Giants
Forest giants inhabit the woods from the western fringes of the Blackroot Forest to the eastern banks of the Argolan river. Allied with the County of Ashbury, the forest giants represent one of the more powerful woodland clans. Their life cycle is tied directly to the health of the forests in these lands, and in their old age they migrate to the deepest part of the Lonely Forest, transforming into giant trees.
Enemies of the Forest
Green Queen / Decapi
The decapi and their Green Queen are only recent denizens of Foresthome, having first appeared in the Mourngrim Thickets shortly after the burning of the ancient city of Shog. Decapi seem little more than ravenous monsters, but the Green Queen can be reasoned with, at least by some. Blackroot treants may have dealing with her, and in addition she employs her own sect of dedicated (some would say corrupted) druids to do her bidding in clan lands outside her reach.
Kopru
The kopru of Llyn Lake have dwelled in this land for eons, although at one point in time their dominion must have been much greater than what it currently is. Now they content themselves mostly by harassing the broggas on the lake shore. Some follow muddy subterranean passages leading all the way to the Blackroot Forest where they can converse with their erstwhile allies the Blackroot treants.
Giant Spiders
Giant spiders inhabit the Silkspider Crags. More intelligent, and malevolent, than their mundane brethren, it is nonetheless very difficult to communicate with them. Intermittent trading with the spiders happens on occasion, but foolhardy merchants are just as likely to meet with a gruesome end as they are to leave the endeavor with precious silk goods in tow.
Ogres
Ogres from the Crags have been terrorizing the inhabitants of the region since long before the Alphatians even arrived in this land. Their last major invasion was thwarted by a combined effort of the clans, Alphatian settlers, and refugees from Shiye lands, and was a major trigger for bringing those groups together to form the Kingdom of Foresthome.
Monsters/Monstrous Humanoids
Hsiao
Traditionally enemies of the Frislanders, the hsiao are allied to the Duchy of Westford and have been protectors of Foresthome’s eastern borders for quite some time. Their main domain lies within the Mumble Woods where they spend most of their waking hours listening to the dream induced whispers of the ancient treants inhabiting the area.
Centaurs
Centaurs have been living in Middle Weald since time immemorial, and are adherents to the Cult of Ekwos. Since becoming allies to the Duchy of Westford, the centaurs have been able to reclaim their ancestral lands from monstrous invaders (most likely tribes of ogres). Since then they help to serve as some of Foresthome’s few cavalry units.
Wemics
Wemics are strange creatures with the bodies of lions and humanoid torsos, who live in the forested areas and highlands of the County of Tutleby. Aggressive and warlike, they are one of the major reasons that Bettellyn missionaries have not been able to get a foothold in the region.
Gulons
Remnants of an ancient race afflicted with the curse of lycanthropy, the gulons appear to be half-human, and half-wolverine. Violent and unruly, the gulons living in Hârnmayne and Rumblesnap resisted any authority that tried to pacify them, be it the woodland clans or Alphatian royalty. Now that they have joined the Kingdom of Foresthome, life in gulon territory has regained some normalcy. Most gulons live in small hamlets, making lives as farmers or fishermen, but should they be wronged in some way gulon ferocity and retribution follow swiftly.
Broggas
Five-foot-tall humanoids, with webbed hands and feet, and faces that look vaguely frog-like, the broggas have lived on Alphatia for eons. Amphibious, they are able to live both below Llyn Lake as well as along the surface of its shores. The broggas quickly allied with the Principality of Llynsey, mostly in exchange for support against their current oppressors, a group of kopru living in the deeper recesses of the lake. It is possible that the broggas were some of the original inhabitants of ancient Shog. [- that’s my supposition, though little is found in the articles to support this.]
Sasquatch
It took very little to convince the sasquatch to ally with the County of Grunfold against their ancestral enemies in the nearby Kingdom Ar. Even before that union, the sasquatch and the local folk of Grunfold were on friendly terms, due mostly to the custom of leaving sasquatch generous offerings of vegetables, fruits, and ale.
Ravensfolk
Mystical creatures that live in the Spine-Ridge Mountains, the ravensfolk have bird-like heads and wings growing from their shoulders. Though allied with the County of Rathmore, it is rumored that the ravensfolk never do anything for free. Many speculate the Rathmore must be indebted to them in some sinister way. Soothsayers, seers, and tellers of portents who speak in riddles, those that cross them (as the wemics of Tutleby discovered) soon live to regret their choices.
Giants
Some say that giants have dwelt on Mystara for far longer than the smaller races. They have definitely settled on most if not all of the continents across the world, and Alphatia is no different. There are several giant clans currently living in Foresthome.
Hill Giants
Mostly pacified, the hill giants live in the Spine-Ridge Mountains. Although they no longer raid the countryside, it is wise not to enter their lands without good cause.
Mountain Giants
More considerate and thoughtful than their hill giant cousins, the mountain giants of the Spine-Ridge Mountains are allied with the County of Suthermore. They interact with the smaller races mostly through intermediaries (the Foresthome Rangers), but will come to the aid of allied settlements when necessary.
Forest Giants
Forest giants inhabit the woods from the western fringes of the Blackroot Forest to the eastern banks of the Argolan river. Allied with the County of Ashbury, the forest giants represent one of the more powerful woodland clans. Their life cycle is tied directly to the health of the forests in these lands, and in their old age they migrate to the deepest part of the Lonely Forest, transforming into giant trees.
Enemies of the Forest
Green Queen / Decapi
The decapi and their Green Queen are only recent denizens of Foresthome, having first appeared in the Mourngrim Thickets shortly after the burning of the ancient city of Shog. Decapi seem little more than ravenous monsters, but the Green Queen can be reasoned with, at least by some. Blackroot treants may have dealing with her, and in addition she employs her own sect of dedicated (some would say corrupted) druids to do her bidding in clan lands outside her reach.
Kopru
The kopru of Llyn Lake have dwelled in this land for eons, although at one point in time their dominion must have been much greater than what it currently is. Now they content themselves mostly by harassing the broggas on the lake shore. Some follow muddy subterranean passages leading all the way to the Blackroot Forest where they can converse with their erstwhile allies the Blackroot treants.
Giant Spiders
Giant spiders inhabit the Silkspider Crags. More intelligent, and malevolent, than their mundane brethren, it is nonetheless very difficult to communicate with them. Intermittent trading with the spiders happens on occasion, but foolhardy merchants are just as likely to meet with a gruesome end as they are to leave the endeavor with precious silk goods in tow.
Ogres
Ogres from the Crags have been terrorizing the inhabitants of the region since long before the Alphatians even arrived in this land. Their last major invasion was thwarted by a combined effort of the clans, Alphatian settlers, and refugees from Shiye lands, and was a major trigger for bringing those groups together to form the Kingdom of Foresthome.
Ok, I think I found most of the references to the Clans and other non-human groups in Foresthome. If I’ve missed any (or misinterpreted anything) please let me know. There is quite a lot to digest here, but for me there are a few very interesting items that come to the forefront.
1) Alphatia seems to be touched by the hand of the Outer Beings, and Foresthome isn’t the only kingdom where this is so.
In Foresthome the Green Queen and her decapi are clearly other worldly - possibly having escaped from a prison underneath Shog (I think) nearly a century ago. They are trying to bring about the “Green Dream” (something I haven’t touched on yet), but that is essentially a super spell that will cover all the lands of Alphatia in an otherworldly, corrupted, forest.
Kopru are also present, as are the brogga (a form of frogfolk). I’m left wondering if both the kopru and brogga (and perhaps other creatures as well) were the ancient inhabitants of Shog. If so, then the Green Queen and her decapi may be related to them.
Other Alphatian kingdoms also have some link to Lovecraftian entities. Ambur seems to have inherited some of the fell magic of the Ogam (again related to a falling star). Meteor crashes in Theranderol and Arogansa have left colossal scars upon the land (both features, the Great Gouge, and the Pits, stem from the same event) and cause unspeakable horrors to emerge from the depths.
[There may be more examples of this, but I haven’t finished dissecting all of Bruce’s work yet.]
2) I’m interested in how several of the Foresthome races came to be on Alphatia. In particular the ogres, the elves (if there are non-Shiye elves present), and the gulons. I’m also curious if other monstrous-humanoid races (the ravensfolk come to mind) have some ties in with Blackmoorian era beastmen. Could these races be other offshoots of that ancient race that began to breed true after the GRoF?
If the ogres from the Ogre Crags have a shared heritage with the mainland (Brun) ogres, then we might be able to infer a little bit about their origins. Real ogres start to breed true circa BC 2000 and would disperse from Urzud shortly thereafter. The Great Horde (which may have contained ogres) was buried in BC 1700, and resurfaces in the Broken Lands circa BC 1200. That’s a lot of years to be wandering underground. Some of the horde could have broken off and found passages leading to Alphatia. That would mark their appearance in those lands somewhere between BC 1700 and BC 1200.
Also, the Shiye migrate to Alphatia circa BC 800, but it seems likely that there were other elven clans inhabiting those lands already. I would love some insight on this, so if anyone has information or ideas about who those ancient elven clans might be, I’d love to hear it.
Of course the spiders (and phanatons) make me think of Arachne Prime on the Isle of Dawn. Bruce (in a blog comment) states that these spiders are not aranea, but could they be related to phase spiders or their ilk?