Valor’s Forest is a pine woodland in the northeast of Cimmeria on the border of the Orc Lands. The forest provides much of the construction lumber used in Eastern Cimmeria. It is home to all manner of wildlife as well as fey. The outskirts of Valor’s are dotted with elven villages, but the capital of the sylvan country is secluded deeper within the forest. Elves are commonly seen, but true faeries are a rare sight on the edges of the wood. The denizens permit few visitors into the heart of Valor.
Valor’s Forest was settled by one of the four elf kings, Valor the Boastful. After the elves left the Conclave he brought his quarter of the elven people to the forest. He led them in battle against the Dragon Hegemony, but died in the initial fighting against the silver dragons, Jimarohzaj and Falron. The forest continued to bear Valor’s name ever after in honor of his sacrifice. The elves rallied and joined the Hero side of the Dragon War when their chance for freedom came.
After the Dragon War the Valor Elves assisted the sprouting human communities in the area in defending themselves. They trained one hundred rangers to hunt and kill the various monster threats in the region. The elves were also a bulwark against threats from the east. They were the first peaceful nation attacked by Kruk-Ma-Kali‘s hobgoblin hordes. Their strong defense of ambush and magic forced Kruk to turn aside and focus on other objectives.
Today Valor’s Forest is a major exporter of elven goods and culture. Shalemstead is a trade depot carrying all sorts of forest commodities and elven manufactured goods to the rest of Cimmeria. Kruk-Ma-Kali released owlbears into the forest during his invasion and Valor’s Forest is now the best source of owlbear pelts and beaks for interested buyers. Unlike other insular elven communities, Valor Elves welcome outsiders into the tree villages on the border, as long as the guests are respectful. Many scholars visit to learn more from the long-lived race. Additionally, the Valor Elves also export their culture in more deliberate ways, such as their ownership of the arena in Bradel Fields. While the fights are a crowd pleaser, a lesser known treat is the display of elven arts of all kinds in-between bouts.
Valor’s Forest makes governmental decisions via democratic vote. After King Valor died the elves came together and decided to make collective choices. A group of fifteen elders submits proposals for Valor Elves of all ages to vote on. Votes are written on a piece of tree bark with the name of the proposal, the voter’s name, and a yes or no. These teswas, as they are called, are turned into the elders in person or collected by pixies and brought to the elders, as the voter desires. The votes are tallied by the elders and then the collective decision is carried out.
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