The Fortara Wild

*"Not even the Monumentals could tame the wild lands of the Fortara. I know this place has secrets-- but for once I prefer to keep this secrets just that. I think that's what gives the woodlands the peace that it has. "*

***- Marcario Moorehome, "The Monumental Land of Waesyn"***

The **Fortara Wild** is a region of Waesyn the lacks a unified government. It is comprised of five regions and only three of them have a capital. It is a vast wilderness shielded by great and resilient trees. Despite having a reputation for being wild and dangerous for travelers denizens of the Fortara praise it's peaceful nature.

## People

The Fortara Wild is among one of the lesser settled areas of Waesyn as much of the forest and foliage is much more resistant to those of other areas. Despite the lack of civilization some groups have made their home in the deep woods of the fortara and many hermits and naturalist hide within to find peace.

### Eladrin

*Main article: Eladrin*

Eladrin live in seclusion deep within the Fortara. While allied with Wen Anore they are often thought as being more hands on and easy-going compared to their snowy allies. Eladrin from Wen Anore rely on the fortara to shield them from intruders as opposed the arcana and have many small communities throughout their lands.

### Gnarka

The Gnarka were long known as wanderers throughout Waesyn and are thought to originally inhabit areas in southern Rhoda and Bleakburn however after the War of the Giants what Gnarka remained band together and made their home in the Fortara Wild and have adapted to life in the great forests ever since.

## Government

While the Fortara Wild is not unified as a singular entity; smaller bodies of government exist throughout. None of the counties of the Fortara are seen as allies by greater Waesyn however their are rumors that a secret council known as the "Vermillion Assembly" meets when the Fortara as a whole faces a threat.

## History

The Fortara Wild lacks Monumental ruins which is a rarity only shared with it's neighbors, Nossia and Lokradahl, to the east. It is rumored that many Sylvan ruins are located within the deep forests of the Fortara however only a few sites are speculated to actually be such. It is notable as being a barrier preventing the H'yuun from entering Waesyn for centuries until a way through the Mecoliche was found. Dahlians used the Fortara sparingly and prefer to travel through Leta due to the dangerous reputation of the woodlands as such nearly all of the Fortara's ancient, monumental and first cycle history is only known by the eladrin and the Hidden Larch-- both of which are too secretive to make it common knowledge. After the first cycle the Gnarka began settling in the Fortara but would keep to themselves and not partaking in national trade until the end of the second cycle. Nearly every other group that tried settling in the Fortara failed except for those who now reside in Certta.

## Geography

The Fortara Wild is mainly filled with temperate forest however some northern areas are much more boreal and a small fraction of the Rhodesse border is considered a montane forest. While it may not be as cold as the taiga and tundra of Villia some of the heavy forested areas are still cold-feeling in heavy sunlight due to the vast amount of shade the trees provide. The western Fortara is much more sparse in regards to woodlands but they are still deemed forest none the less.

## County Capitals

### Balda

When the Gnarka retreated after the War of the Giants they settled in the southwest Fortara at the border of Shura. The Balda expanse has more fields than any other region in the Fortara. Despite the rocky relations left with the Gnarka after the first cycle they still participate in trade and opened their roads for travelers to pass with a minor tax in the late second cycle. Balda is the only place in Waesyn where Oak-Marrow can be found-- which is one of the strongest materials used for crafting bows and other wooden goods. As such they are an important trade partner to Rhoda who uses them for their siege craft.

### Certta

After many settlers tried to build logging camps throughout the Fortara they realized the trees in the region are quite resilient. Even master arborist struggled to harvest the powerful trees and as a result many settlers abandoned any hope of a life in the Fortara. However many stubborn individuals stayed in Certta and as a result managed to live alongside the forest. While logging is still a prominent way of life it is controlled and stays within the boundaries of Certta and never extends to the Mecoliche, Larixa and Balda.

### Kes Nalore

Kes Nalore is the Eladrin Hold of the Fortara Wild. Instead of relying on magic to shield their location like their allies, Wen Anore, Kes Nalore simply relies on the geography of the Fortara. Kes Nalore is not a mega city like Wen Anore and is more natural in it's expanse. While the eladrin interest in Arcana is still dominant it doesn't dictate ones way of life nearly as much and many of the eladrin in Kes Nalroe focus on crafts and labor perfection alongisde academics and arcana use. Kes Nalore is led by a Mastro which is an inherited title. A Mastro has a council to help decide on pressing issues and their is always an even number of members.

### Larixa Forest

The Larixa is the largest forest in all of Waesyn. Eladrin scholars have long stated that the Larixa grows alongside a tear in the arcane weave that spills small amounts of arcane energy into the tangible world. As such many trees have fantastical appearances and unusual colors. The rivers that flow through the land are colorful and full of life that can only be found in the Larixa. The forest is considered sacred and is guarded by the illusive Hidden Larch, a group of forest dwellers who are sworn the protect the land.

### Mecoliche Forest

The Mecoliche is a forest expanse in the southern Fortara. The Mecoliche doesn't have nearly as much color and variety as the Larixa and looks much more like a standard woodlands. Despite it's common look the trees are abnormally tall and wide providing constant shade to the forest ground. Trees also tangle around one another creating impassable barriers for travelers making it one of the most difficult regions to traverse in Waesyn. Many bears make their home in the Mecoliche. While many are docile the horrific dire bear and legendary sun spiked bears can both be found in this region. The Mecoliche is considered the reason for Nossian activity in the first two cycles.

## Economy

Most areas in the Fortara are self-sustaining and don't rely on an economy. The exceptions are Balda and Cerrta-- both of which export many goods to other areas and have a fair share of imports if they can. While most individuals will often accept the Aur as currency many prefer barter as a source of trade instead of currency.

## Religion

While many individuals will bring various beliefs from across Waesyn to the Fortara nearly all denizens believe in the conservation of the lands and the idea of the living Fortara. While not necessarily literally "living," it is important to always give back to the lands and if possible-- give back more than you took. No life should be wasted in the Fortara and even the most vicious rivalries and hated enemies should still find unification in regards to matters of the forests. While Gnarka, Eladrin and various cosmonious believers all have their of faith they often interpret it in a way that support the "Living Fortara" as well.

## Culture

People from the Fortara often find other's of Waesyn to be more wasteful and frivolous; and of course they all underestimate nature. While Certta, Balda and Kes Nalore are all considered to have more "laid back" lifestyles comapred to other Waesyn communities-- they work hard to achieve this lifestyle. Another notable observation of Fortara culture is the unity of the diverse individuals. Gnarka, Certtan Settlers, Nalorian Eladrin and Hidden Larch members are all drastically different individuals and while they often disagree with one another they've managed to live alongside each other in the fortara peacefully.