The Weald makes for a kind of people who are always prepared for the worst and deathly attached to the best. They recognise that they have struggled hard to have the lives that they do and are willing to do whatever it takes to protect it, even if what they are protecting can seem quaint to others.
While originally ruled over by a hereditary line of Barons and their families, a high mortality rate and citizenry that is deadly proficient lead to frequent turnover over these Barons and noble bloodlines can only be traced so far, even with the greatest augury. Over time this role became an elected leader, somewhere between a regional sheriff, town mayor and local warlord. It is the duty of the elected Baron (sometimes Baroness or Baronite) to ensure that the local area remains safe, to organise the local militia, take taxes and generally lead the township. Notably, each Baron requires both a majority of the local vote and approval by the local church. The church gives a single yay or nay, rather than priests of each sphere providing feedback. Often, gaining the ‘Holy Mandate’ can take as long as the actual election does.
Greenweald life is focused around these townships, with people almost entirely living inside their walled safety. Inside these settlements you will find many of the standard landmarks of most Concordian settlements; taverns, churches and guardhouses abound. What is different is the large size of the churches, the commonality of apothecaries plying their wares, the frequency of armed bystanders and the lack of major industry. For the real wealth of the Baronies lies outside their walls.
The Greenweald forest has a bounty that is paid in blood, but pays out well. Arcane reagents, crafting supplies and even rare minerals can be found above and below the surface. Many Wealders own vast stretches of wilderness where they earn their livelihood, either by retrieving its wealth themselves or owning a share of the bounty. These plots tend to either be held by family trusts or by common agreement, with recognition that working them is generally too dangerous for individuals.
Personally, Wealders tend to be serious individuals, well versed in the dangers of the world and difficult to shake. The term ‘to fear a Wealder’ describes an impossible task. And while this is a pretty serious exaggeration it serves the point that Wealders tend to be dour and thorny appearing to most people. In reality Wealders deeply value things, care and hope to full extents. It is the nature of their lives that they value a personal strength of will, which does not translate well to gregariousness or friendly charisma. However a Wealder who is won over as friend is likely a companion full of dark humour, worldly knowledge and arcane skills.
Names
Wealders use German and other central European names for their first and surnames. Shortening of names for close friends is common, but true nicknames are rare. Individuals are often referred to by their titles when in positions of authority unless they say otherwise, so ‘Baron’ ‘Mother’ ‘Priest’ or ‘Captain’ are common. Referring to a superior by their name without their permission is seen as a social misstep, similar to being overly friendly with an unwanted hug.
Many Wealders also refer to themselves with reference to their township upon introduction, helping to locate themselves in the minds of others. So an example may be; ‘My name is Siegfried Reimann, Wolstad’ or ‘I’m Franka Erlichman, Eisen and that's Otto Naglein, Wolstad.’
Place in the World
The sparse, almost friendly southernmost reaches of the Greenweald are little more than three days ride north of Lerona Mere, quickly become the deep and treacherous forest that is well known to legend. The Weald stretches many thousands of miles northwards in one way or another. Generally viewed as the largest forest in all of Esterra, it is theorised that all of the continent’s woods were once connected to the cursed place.
Prior to recent maladies and defeats, the Baronies encapsulated a larger area, with twelve townships and six regions. The corruption of the Zekartaal and the flanking threat of the Onyx Aristocracy have pushed the Wealders back to a single region with two townships, the other holdings falling to the forest or their foes. The refugees from these failings fleeing to Bordevar, Lerona Mere or the new Concordian capital of Passage.
The region is known as Resinderholz, known for its winding forest roads, well patrolled by Wealder mercenaries, that keep the paved paths safe for merchants from outside the forests. The roads stop at the larger township of Wolstad, a trading settlement that is as friendly to outsiders as a township in the Baronies can be. To the North and East, nearer to the border of Resinderholz where Wealders still clash with Zekartaal warbands is the settlement of Eisen, what was once a training camp for Wealder mercenaries has become the realms second largest settlement, known for holding the line against attack and for its rootmines, that harvest Sun’s Iron from beneath the roots of massive trees.
For more information, see Almanac: Resinderholz
Economic Concerns
The Greenweald is a source of wealth that is often traded elsewhere. Supplies of arcane reagents such as Blacksap, Essencite, Sun’s Iron and Shimmering Scales are common but by no means their only export. Beyond this it is often skills and knowledge that are in high demand. Wealder townships are often repositories of important arcane and strategic knowledge, preserved in local superstition, their churches house powerfully protective relics and their warriors are skilled in all manner of combat. After their exports, it is their people that are their greatest wealth.
Eisen Orchard - Thunder Oak Orchard
South of Eisen, along the river that runs through town towards the Border, Powerful Thunder Oaks grow. These massive trees are essential to maintaining the great structures found across the world and are said to be particularly hardy against magic. This makes them immensely important to The Concord strategically. The Concord has taken ownership of the orchard and auctions it off at the first Summit each year.
The Eisen Orchard is a Thunder Oak Orchard held by The Concord.
See also: Commissions
Military Concerns
Maintaining a strong barrier against the Zekartaal and Onyx Aristocracy threat is a matter of survival for the Baronies. Thankfully both groups appear to have found new prey in Andash and Bordevar, but it is inevitable that one or the other try to consolidate in the Weald. With this in mind, many Wealders have considered the construction of a fortress in Resinderholz or the concept of a campaign pushing north to retake lost Wealder townships. These possible futures will help ensure that the way of the Wealders does not get swallowed by the roots of the forest, but amidst the chaos of the new Concord or the individual threats to each realm, it remains to be seen if they will be able to get their way.
Culture and Customs
Erfoderlich
er-foh-der-lic
The concept of Erfoderlich or danger is a present one in the Baronies. When the dangers of the woods or some other threat reach an appropriate intensity, it is expected that the people of a township band together, using pooled resources or skills to overcome a foe or danger. Erfoderlich may appear as an additional tax levied by a Baron, an Erfoderlich request for additional guards or perhaps simply in place of ‘trust me’. Calling upon Erfoderlich is a recognition that the circumstances have grown too large to be handled alone. Calling it falsely is the simplest route to an unfortunate death at a Wealder’s hands.
Crow Doktors
Magic and the ceremonial castings of priests are powerful tools in overcoming maladies and wounds, but virulent diseases spread far and wide and both of those methods often require the presence of caster of some kind. Treating the plague known as Blasserstreit required a different approach and gave rise to the organisation of surgeons and apothecaries known as Doktors or more commonly ‘Krahes’. These healers tackled the disease as a scientific challenge to be overcome and have been quite successful, leading to Wealder medical expertise being well respected within The Concord.
Religious Beliefs
The Church of the Divine Spheres has been carried into the Greenweald with precious care. It is an artifact of light and protection in a dark and cursed place that wishes to see it pushed out more than it wishes to see the insignificant people that carried it here. At every step the priests and faithful of the Spheres can feel something old and malignant within the trees and soil that wishes them dead and gone beneath the darkness.
This pressure for survival and life has lead to a fervent support for the Church within the Greenweald, in many ways it is their whole struggle made manifest. The priests of the Church provide protective enchantment that ward the walls of the Townships. They are the arbiters of the private happiness of the Greenweald, presiding over the ceremonies that make life in the dark liveable. And they are responsible in many ways for trying to unravel the unknowable mystery that lies within and beneath the Greenweald.
Totemic Magic
The superstitious nature of the Wealders and the constant threats their home provides has lead to a need to be instilled with a belief they are not helpless. For many Wealders this equates to always being armed in some manner, or never being alone. Most notably it has lead to a commonality of totems or small trinkets associated with the church and their ceremonies. These small objects, usually blessed when a ritual is performed, help to remind the people of the Baronies the Church watches over and protects them.
Almost every Wealder ceremony would make at least one totem, if only as a souvenir that such an event occurred, as the items need not be inherently magic to serve their purpose. They are rarely more than hand-sized and take a variety of forms. Seals, small wicker figures, iron symbols or embroidered strips of cloth are common.
Diplomats of Coin - Talervocht
The primary external contact that the Baronies have had has not been diplomatic, but economic. Until recent times they have not had a need for allies and no one had a need for them. Wealder mercenaries performed their own advertising and the forest insulated them from the struggles of the world around.
But they have had an immense need for trade. For the things they could not create themselves and to sell what they have in abundance. Over time this created a diplomatic niche for Priests of Panoply uncommon to their kind in other Realms. Priests of Fools Gold are seen as great diplomats among the Baronies and while not the only ambassadors, they do commonly serve in such positions. When acting in this manner, Panoply Priests are referred to as Talervocht.
Houndpriests
The mysteries and dangers of the Greenweald are many. Some are ancient curses that are burned into the soil, others are great beasts that migrate through the trees themselves and far crueler things besides. Many priests see it as their duty to attempt to understand these threats. These individuals become known as Houndpriests. Often devoted to Lumos or Stallia, although sometimes even Arcadian or Cervitas, these Houndpriests wander the forest roads seeking out danger or signs of ancient magic. From there they attempt to quantify and control these dangers, so that this knowledge may be used to help the Baronies overall. They are known by the symbol of a hunting hound often worn as a badge or amulet.
Arcane Traditions of The Greenweald Baronies
For many of the same reasons that arcane magic is adored in Lerona Mere it is seen warily in The Greenweald. To wield such power within yourself in a place where magic is seldom used for good is off putting for many. Arcane spellcasters often find themselves relegated to ‘Village Hedgewitch’ or ‘Barons Advisor’ type positions, rather than those of more prominence normally occupied by religious, military or mercantile figures.
Those in the Greenweald who do pursue arcane magic (either out of an innate skill or desire for it) find that Greenweald traditions are interwoven with superstition and faith. Greenweald magic can be recognised for its careful preparedness (better to not be corrupted by the fell influence of the forest) and strangely interwoven traditions (as magical superstition is built upon itself). Images of the forest are common on magical items and tomes, but as common are images of civilization such as homes, walls and tools.
When drawing power to fuel their spells, most Greenwealder mages will draw from within themselves. Using their own strength is seen as more protected and controlled. In particular, drawing from the natural world is seen as dangerous and a last resort. Because of this many Greenwealder arcane mantras refer internally “By my strength…” “By my oaths” etc. Common Greenwealder Arcane implements include poppets, tomes, tattoos and iron charms.
Arcane spellcasters in the Greenweald, even those that are not Wealdsages, are viewed as necessary tools. The fire to fight fire with in many ways. But they are often kept at an arm's length, leading Greenwealder spellcasters to be quite loyal to each other over shared social distance.
Magical Items created in the Greenweald tend to be ornate without being gaudy. Often shying away from bright metals and gemstones, they prefer complex castings and inclusions of stone and wood. Greenwealders are well known for their production of magical items that augment the abilities of priests, with the Prime Hunters Bow being one of particular importance.
See also Greenweald Baronies Homepage