A series of towns and villages located primarily along the fringes of the Silverwand Forest and in the valley of the River Ulse, a successful
adventurer has created the beginnings of a new state. Or at least, so it appears… Little is known of the "founder" of this land, and
of his son (who apparently is the current ruler) even less is known.
This much is clear. First, some trade has been coming out the region (selected lumber, some rare woods, nuts and so forth), in particular a
Bywood "Flower Wine" which has been hugely successful in the Ylthic lands on the eastern seaboard. Second, a number of adventurers
have been reported to be going there, not to get rich or kill monsters, but to apparently to "retire". Little effort has been made
to trade or contact lands to the west (Golden Realm of Pelorm, etc.) despite the challenges the Mendosian Straits present to eastward shipping,
but why this should be so is unclear.
Similarly the nature of any troops or defenses to this so-called Principality of Bywood is largely unknown. Only the capital Solnek and 2-3 other
larger towns (e.g. Norfen) are known to be walled, but it appears that solid relations with the local Hao Tribes serve as one of the strongest military
forces in the area. Recent visitors report seeing small forces of medium foot (chain mail and mace) training with leather-clad long bowmen, but whether
these were merely elite Guards or true regular army forces was not clear.
BACKGROUND
It is not clear whether the founder of this land was a Hao Tribesman himself or not, but it is obvious they he was able to establish a rapport with the
people who have lived here for many thousands of years. Two generations ago a lot of gold was paid to have supplies and builders shipped east from
Pelorm. Other than the builder’s safe return two years later and their tales of creating a new town called Solnek from scratch, little is clear. Since
then this first town has grown quite a bit, and another walled manor and village called Norfen has also been reported. Smallish villages of local Hao
Tribes have been encouraged by the provision of free building materials to those settling near the established towns.
STATISTICS
CAPITAL: Solnek (7,000)
TOTAL POP.: 25,000
POLITICAL STRUCTURE: Confederacy
LANGUAGE(S): Valish (see: [human languages]), Common
HUMANS: 30% Sapoy cognate, the remainder Mantaten cognate or of mixed descent
DEMI-HUMANS: Comprise just over 5% of total population (largely Halflings and some Dwarves)
HUMANOIDS: Few
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