The small villages of the Greenweald are the latest in a long history of attempts in claiming the sprawling forests for civilisation. These woods do not react kindly to intrusion and until now the cursed creatures in this dark forest have pushed out all comers. But this confederation of Woodland Barons and their people have held firm against the dark and look to continue. To the people of the Greenweald (called ‘Wealders’) the forest is equal parts prison and protection. Very few would consider this malignant region a place worth conquering but it also causes the people who do reside here to face a sharp choice. Either overcome the dangers or let them swallow you up. The Baronies have become adept at holding onto their diminutive slices of civilisation.
By steel and by knowledge the Baronies have carved out homes for themselves, protected from the forest’s grasping tendrils by arcane wards, divine guidance, stout defenders and guile. When these fail it is unspeakable diplomacy with the things that beat at the forest's heart that keep their lanterns lit and their homes standing. To the Wealders, the forest is something to be respected and feared, not loved.
This has led to the Baronies controlling a lucrative supply of powerful magical resources and knowledge, for the forest does have its bounties if you can retrieve them. This allows them to supply themselves with the goods and luxuries to bring civilisation to the darkest places in the forest. Wealder mercenaries are also respected for their knowledge and skill, particularly when engaging arcane foes.
It is this connectedness that brings the Greenweald Baronies to the Concord, as outside forces push them further from the forest that protects them, and without support for the things it cannot provide for itself, the Baronies would fade beneath the roots, like all who came before them. But the Baronies are a place of hard choices and when it comes to survival will the things they have done come to light? Or will they be truly trustworthy when they must suffer for others?
The Baronies recent decline is most easily placed at the feet of the Zekartaal, a coalition of violent tribal peoples and luddites that believe in a return to primal nature. They draw from the powerful magic of the Greenweald to destroy what they see as the corrupting influence of civilisation. A massive Zekartaal war march coincided with a plague that spread through the Baronies along trading lines, this one two punch broke the back of the Realm, which has been on the retreat ever since. The Doktors of the Weald, well known for their bird masks and herbal skill have done well to eliminate much of the Blasserstreit disease, but there is still concern among the Wealders that the Zekartaal might continue to push south upon the holdings of the Baronies, once they conclude their work in the west.
See also Greenweald: Tales of the People for further reading.
Regions of Greenweald
The forests of the 'Weald are expansive, and make up the region of Resinderholz
Five things about the Greenweald Baronies
A danger prepared for is a danger watched
The Wealders are aware of the dangers that their home poses to them. As such they are always preparing for the worst, always learning about what the world has against them.
Bones beneath our feet
The land of the Baronies is rich in arcane history, with the failures of peoples both similar and alien all around them. Welders tend to being a little arcane in all ways, with many having a passing knowledge of magic and its dangers.
A magic of our own
The past and future of their civilised lands relies on their ability to hold onto it. This has caused the Wealders to be more than a little superstitious. Their dedication to the Church is powerful and many Wealders have many small rituals in pursuit of protection from the darker forces of the world.
Steel for monsters, thoughts for curses
Where possible, Wealders will face the world with steel and intelligence. They recognise the value in being well trained, equipped and prepared. But the wise people among the Wealders are of immense import. Mages and Priests weave the wards that keep the Baronies safe, while merchants and diplomats forge the connections that make their lives worth living.
Our hearts glow brightly in darkened rooms
To survive, you must show only your strength to the outside world. But in private, celebrations that are deserved are had. Outwardly the Wealders are cold and dour. But in private they are deeply hopeful and loving people.
What the Greenweald Baronies are not
Naturalists or Nature-haters
The Forest is not something to be loved or accepted. Neither is something to be burned to the ground. It is a wall and a jailer. It can only be survived. This is the Wealders approach to everything, survival.
Zealots
The slice of civilisation in a darkened evil forest drives the Wealders to believe in their religion and overcome the trials, not put them to righteous flame. They are a people of intelligence and hope, not radicalism and absolutism.
Why you should play the Greenweald Baronies
You like your fantasy fantastical
More than many realms, the fantastical nature of the world is front and centre for the Baronies. Curses, monsters and ancient magick is everywhere for them. Be wary.
You like a darker tale
The Baronies are not a place where good things happen. They are a place where good things are fought and bled for, and may be a dark kind of goodness. If you like your stories with deep shadows and hard choices that make the lights all the brighter, step into the woods.
You want to look badass
With inspiration from late medieval Germany, Stirland from Warhammer Fantasy and the world of The Witcher, the Baronies are full of monster hunters, deepwoods rangers and veteran soldiers. Plague doctors in their masks or cunning smuggler-merchants with a hundred pouches. A place where too many scars isn’t enough.
You enjoy private roleplay and public professionalism
The Wealders are a stoic people who see sharing a drink and a joke as a great sign of friendship. If you want your roleplay to carry meaning in every step you take, then they are for you.
Further Reading
- Greenweald: Tales of the People
- Greenweald Baronies Archetypes
- Greenweald Baronies History
- Greenweald Baronies Recent History (Game Events)
- Greenweald Baronies Look and Feel
- Greenweald Hospitality
- Greenweald People and Culture
- Greenweald Traditions
- Resinderholz
- Player Groups in the Greenweald Baronies