Yeroifox

**Yeroifox** forest nation of Minotaur, dwarf and human clans in loose allegiance to protect resources

Jae and Vivy

Before its ratification as a recognised nation at the first Kalev city council, Yeroifox forest’s boarders were defined simply by areas of woodland defended by mysterious forces. In some ways, not much has changed. The Dwarves, humans, satyrs, Firbolgs centaurs and perhaps most importantly Minotaurs do not have much of a national identity. All have more of a clan allegiance, most united only in a reverence for Takamul.

Jae is the home of the somewhat pejoratively termed ‘shrub dwarves’ or ‘bramble dwarves’ by their kin on the continent. Having lived alongside the wood elves before their extinction, the Jae dwarves have knowledge of some the ancient practices. Because of this they are able to communicate with the fey that lament the loss of their Elven cousins. Still subterraneanly inclined, The Jae dwarves make their homes in the deep tree roots of the Yero trees that the region is named from. The living trees grow and shift while the dwarves live their long lives in anticipation of the plant motions. One of the largest buildings in Jae is a dead stump, evidence of the trunk that must have fell is lost on the forest floor and decomposed into nothing. This Stump has been carved and lacquered from inside and out, bring the wood to a elegant lustre and preserving it. The stump, as it is unsurprisingly known, serves as the drinking hall of jae currently ran by the fifth generation tavern mistress Sarnis Greatshield. As Yeroifox hasn’t established farming cereals, it is somewhat a novelty for a Dwarf tavern to not serve ale. Vodkas of berries and forest fruits are served and thanks to some ingenious use of tree limbs as cultivated beehives Jae Mead is some of the most prized and converted across the cog. The stump also has lavishly hand-carved frieze murals depicting stories from the time of the elves, especially concerning Gerd the axewoman. Gerd was a dwarven shield maiden credited with slaying mighty beasts, fostering a relationship with the monarchy of the fey forest and founding jae itself. On holy days of Takamul, druids will often use these depicitons as an aid to sing the songs of the forest and of their history.

To a majority of travellers, the lure of braving the forests to find Jae is the ‘sunken palace of trials’ known in the old dwarven tongue as the Ailcontmen. Here those inclined can find the ‘master of the palace’ believed to be an ancient elemental spirit in a grove of standing stones. Those who have claimed to have completed, or even attempted the trials give differing descriptions of facing combat, riddles or puzzles. Some even claim it was lifting a simple weight, or drinking a large chalice. Rewards have been claimed to be boons, items or even divine epiphany. Putting aside whether or not such a thing is real, no one is sure what the elemental or the forces that control it gains from the tests.

Vivy is the deepest darkest part of the forest, mostly canvas tents and wooden huts spread across a natural clearing. Its primary folk are the forest Minotaur, of five clans: the Highmight, the Bronzethorn, the Lowstars, the Grayscars and the Bellowglades. It is rare that all the clans will be in the vivy settlement at once, preferring to migrate around the forest, with the option of a space to return to. Clan relations are fractious, and clan elders stoke fights rather than defuse them. The tempestuous young leader of the lowstars Garnark believes that the rest of the continent did not suffer enough for their forest transgressions. More and more young minotaurs are agreeing more with his cause. Dwarves are not welcome in Vivy for this exact reason, and they do not recognise Jae as an insult to their mastery of the forest. Being soundly rebuffed during invasions of the settlement though have tempered their anger.

Yeroifox is not without its humans, who often live in small family huts, distant from each other. Hermits and hunters, they can be found within either of the towns of the forest, trading fresh kills or herbs. While the population is low, the humans of Yeroifox have a sterling reputation for being resilient and alert to dangers. A noble travelling through places like merec wilderness will commonly request a Yeroifox tracker, if one can be obtained.

During the time of the elves, Yeroifox was a crossing point for the feyfolk and their strange primal dimension. It is uncommon, but not unheard of, to find fey semi permanent inhabitation in the most remote areas. The fey touched Satyrs call Vivy their home, living alongside what they term their ‘family of horns’ making the largest population after minotaurs. They are known to be able to call upon the fey known as the hidden folk, for advice and aid. Dryads, pixies and sprites are receptive and sympathetic to a satyr shaman, in a way that confirms their shared origin point. The giant descendants known as the Firbolg live amongst the forest and in Vivy. Hailing from the merec wilderness and bendattan, the firbolg have established themselves as the premier herbalists and shepherds, barely disturbing a leaf with their choice of seasonal crops and clever cattle migration. Many lost in the forest have found themselves saved by a giantkin with a bell and a herd of gentle bison.

Of course, the flora and fauna of Yeroifox are plentiful. Boar are what the region is most famous to outsiders, and the giant boar can reach enormous size, some 12ft long snout to tail. Owls, badgers, wild cats, elk, deer, wolves, bear, owlbear, treants and many many more have been seen. The majority of trees are the aforementioned Yero tree, gigantic and ancient deciduous trees with broad leaves. There are groves of fey touched blossoms, pink, teal and blue that emit a warm light. The other unique flora of Yeroifox are the ‘elf ferns’ that blanket large swathes of the forest floor. These ferns are often 7 feet or more in length. The forest is home to foxes, but not as many as one would expect. The fox in the name of the forest refers to a fox spirit in the oldest legends of the elves that lived there, most of which have been lost. Aspects still remain, most famously above the hearth of the stump in Jae is decorated with a beautifully detailed giant fox.