Show pageOld revisionsBacklinksBack to top This page is read only. You can view the source, but not change it. Ask your administrator if you think this is wrong. ====== The Heartwood ====== > It is said that those who enter the Deep Woods without a guide are doomed to wander the forest forever… ---- Sprawling across the southern parts of the [[mydreign|Kingdom of Mydreign]] lies the Heartwood, a verdant forest known for its fruit orchards. This land is primarily home to the [[beastkin|Beastkin]], who revere and receive the blessing of the [[religion#karu|Guardian Beast, Karu]], within the woods. But many other folk from Mydreign visit now and then, whether to get away from the hustle and bustle of [[myddul|Myddul]] or to avoid the harsher climates of [[lizardsfangs|The Lizard’s Fangs]] and [[sunshade|Sunshade Desert]]. Each year, the folk of Secha Town band together to complete the harvest, in order to have a tribute to give to the Guardian. That time is fast approaching. ==== Secha Town ==== Follow the sounds of music and chatter through the outskirts of the Heartwood, and you’ll soon come across Secha Town. Spanning a few clearings, the town has been built in a way to exist in harmony with the natural world, not to take from it. The people of Secha Town hold celebrations a number of times throughout the year, the most important of which is their Blessing Festival, an annual event dedicated to worship of the Guardian. These are times when all of the townsfolk come together as a community, putting aside any lingering resentments to celebrate as one. There are feasts, performances, decorations, stories, and much more, and the festivals tend to last a few days. The clearings that form the town each have their own unique identity, with some being mostly residential, while others are primarily used for crafting and production, commerce, or farming and tending to plants. The main clearing is home to the elder, as well as being the seat of the Secha Town council. This clearing is often used for discussions and debates about the matters affecting the people of the town, with the townsfolk visiting the elder and council members to raise the issues most important to them. The current elder is Barke, who is always willing to lend an ear to anyone who may want to talk to him. ==== Orchards ==== {{:orchards.jpg?nolink&300 |}} The trade of fruit is an important part of relations between the people of Secha Town and the rest of Mydreign. To accommodate this, the town is surrounded by a number of orchards, stretching into the forest. Row upon row of fruit trees stretch as far as the eye can see. A number of different fruits are grown within the orchards. Each orchard is run and managed by its own orchardkeeper, who is responsible for all of the tasks that need to be done to ensure a successful harvest. The orchardkeepers, in turn, are managed by the orchardmaster, who co-ordinates between the orchardkeepers to reallocate resources and workers when needed. This position is currently held by Plumm Orchardmaster. The various orchards are vital to the Blessing Festival; the lead-up to the events requires volunteers from all over the town in order to gather the fruits. Following the harvest, a tribute is prepared for Karu, and the start of the festival is marked by its successful delivery. ==== Deep Woods ==== {{ :deep-woods.jpg?nolink&300|}} The trees twist and writhe as they vie for the whispered promise of light above. Roots and brambles sprawl across the floor threatening to drag down any traveller who missteps. A cold mist pools around your feet as you walk. The Deep Woods confuse and disorient. The paths (if they can be called that) seem to turn back on themselves and the sunlight does not pierce the canopy. The only light comes from strange luminescent plants. Without a guide, one who enters the Deep Woods may never find their way out again. There are many such stories of that sort, often used by parents to make sure their children don’t stray too far out into the forest. ==== Karu ==== Deep within the Deep Woods, at the heart of the Heartwood, lies the home of [[religion#karu|Karu]]. The location of this shrine has been passed down from elder to heir for centuries, since the days of the first Beastkin. It is their Blessing that keeps the people of Secha Town from the [[monsters|Stingers and Vinelings]] that lurk within the Deep Woods. It is their teachings, passed to the elders throughout the years, that encourage the people of the Heartwood to live alongside nature. It is said that it is the reason for the bountiful harvests of the Orchards. The route to their home is kept secret; it is said that Karu hibernates for long stretches of the year and shouldn’t be disturbed. As such, few people have actually seen it themselves. However, old drawings displayed in the elder’s home depict the Guardian as a large bear. ===== Notable NPCs ===== ^ Name ^ Pronouns ^ Species ^ Description ^ | Barke Elder | he/him | Beastkin (wolf) | The leader of Secha Town. Cares deeply for the traditions of the Heartwood, and is under pressure to prepare the next tribute to the Guardian. | | Rute Elderson | he/him | Beastkin (wolf) | The eldest child of Barke, and heir to his position as leader. Responsible for delivering the tribute to the Guardian, but has doubts about his ability to do so. | | Plumm Orchardmaster | they/them | Beastkin (deer) | Head of all of the orchards around Secha Town; individual orchardkeepers answer to them. | | Karu | it/they | ??? | The Guardian of the Heartwood, responsible for the Blessing that gave rise to the Beastkin and keeps the forest safe. | heartwood.txt Last modified: 2026/07/04 20:59by gm_aric