History

The Sylvans are the oldest civilization in Auria- as they are wont to remind everybody else. Spread throughout the southern forests, they have lived within their sprawling Carfdiniad Empire for longer than recorded history.

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The Sylvans were once far more widespread; before the arrival of the Andovri from Vatoru circa ~1500, the Sylvan empire controlled most of the lands from Meditullium to Carfdinias. Centuries of conflict with first the Andovri, and then the Sidri, would push the sylvans from the western shore to the great southern forests, where they largely dwell today.

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The Sylvans have been in a state of prolonged conflict with the Dwarrow for much of recorded history. Most of hte eastern half of the Carfdiniad Empire was carved out from the previously forest-dwelling Dwarrow, who were eventually pushed into their fortified mountains. Despite several attempts, the Sylvans have been largely unsuccesful in extirpating the Dwarrow from their new, highly defensible homeland. The most recent invasion conquered one of the highly defended entrances to the Dwarrow Underground, the furthest east the Sylvans had ever ventured- however, as their victory seemed assured, the sudden death of the sylvan emperor- some claim by Dwarrow assassins- threw any plans to capitalize on their success into disarray.

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Until very recently, almost all of sylvan civilization was part of the ancient Carfdiniad empire, spread out from the ancient tree-city of Carfdinas. This empire was steeped in ritual and mysticism, and collapsed when the royal heir was apparently rejected by the traditional coronation ritual, leading many to declare them illegitimate. Currently, the Sylvan forests are engulfed in a fierce civil war as countless cities attempt to press their claims, support one of the other princes claim to the throne, or simply gain independance.

Technology

 

Sylvan technology is relatively basic and traditional, though often has good craftsmanship. They have a strong preference for working with earth and wood, and have crafted elegant walled cities of earthworks, often using glass in innovative ways to make them appear more beautiful. Many Sylvan buildings are open-air and have large windows- with glass over them or not, as the Sylvans prefer fresh air and sun. As a natural consequence of that, they generally use heavy blankets and clothing to stay warm in their highly un-insulated homes...

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However, the Sylvans possess an unusually high degree of ritual magic, sufficient for it to make a strong impact on the structure of their society. Many of the most staunchly traditional sylvan settlements can be shaped of living wood by Sylvan Woodsingers- though this is a slow and arduous process, making it more expensive.

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Society

 

Sylvans generally have a conservative, traditional, religious society, and is largely insular, only trading in limited amounts with the Sidri and Andovri to the west.

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Sylvan civilization is highly ordered, with a focus on family loyalty and ceremony. The priesthood occupies a very powerful role in Sylvan society, as they are the traditional caretakers of the royal family, as well as speaking for the spirits and gods of the forest. Part of the conflicts that contributed to the collapse of the empire was the last emperors conflict with the priesthood.

The Sylvan's religion is a pantheon of incarnations of different aspects of the natural world. Some gods represent a specific place- a river, or a great city-tree, or a mountain- while others are far more broad. Lesser spirits are believed to be associated with these gods, however, these lesser spirits are far more visible to the average sylvan- the Tree-spirits and Woodhearts that the Woodshapers bring to the ancient cities being abundant proof of their presence. These spirits are treated as lesser divinities, some more powerful and important than others.
 

Political power in sylvan society is split between the nobility and the priesthood. The Priesthood tends to the sacred groves and temples to various nature spirits, as well as furnishing the Unicorn Knights with their mounts. The Priesthood is far from their heyday however; with the passing of the centuries fewer nature spirits are contained within the sylvan cities than once were, and the Woodsingers are no longer numerous enough to properly maintain the living wood structures.

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Sylvan Mages are traditionally inducted into the Order of the Woodsingers, who among other things commune with the nature spirits and maintain the living structures within sylvan cities. Because of this important role, the Order of the Woodsingers is under the control of the Priesthood, though the woodsingers themselves are typically lower in rank.

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Additionally, the Unicorn Knights who make up the elite of the sylvan military are also under the Priesthoods control.

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Though the Woodsingers may no longer be as numerous as they were in the sylvans heyday, they are still a potent force, and the largest coalition of magi in the known world. That the sylvans have maintained such a large number of magic users at all is a testament to their mysticism and fey nature, in a world where it is rare to be exposed to Resonant energies sufficiently to develop magical talents.