Staghelm

One of the settlements in eastern Staghelm.

A nation with a history of rebirth and destruction, Staghelm in its current incarnation was forged after the conclusion of The War of The Keys, where it was burned to the ground by Ser Edward The Eighth. It now serves as home to the Wolfborn people, as well as displaced peoples from all over Forestsedge. Led by Baron Romulon Greymane, Staghelm is growing from the small hamlet it once into a powerful player in Veiltouria.

## History and Culture

### Village of Ash

Prior to The War of The Keys, Staghelm was a small hamlet of villages at the foot of The Saigan Wall. Destroyed and rebuilt many times, its history and culture had never been consistent or given room to develop, leaving it as simply just another small place on the map. When Edward and The Godfall Pact destroyed the town in search of The Nine Keys of Anvilguardius, many assumed Staghelm had seen its last days.

But during the chaos and disarray that followed the war, and the long troubled process of forming the Guardians, the many Wolfborn wanderers and wild men from south of The Saigan Wall and began to claim the land for themselves. Seeing an opportunity to rebuild this place into a home for those who had never had one in Forestsedge, the many settlers got to work.

Buildings made from hastily hacked down trees were thrown together, and walls of sharpened sticks laid out. This period of Staghelm's history was tumultuous, its leadership changing day by day as many sought to assert their claim on the young nation.

It was not until the Wolfborn warrior, Romulon Greymane, emerged from the forest that stability arose. Flanked by his many warriors, he quickly asserted his claim to the Staghelm's traditional title of Baron, and set about ordering the new cities.

### The Guardians

After years growing their nation, and putting down dissidents and rebellions, Baron Greymane approached The Guardian Council with an offer to help aid their cause. This offer was spawned after Jaq Maelstrom, a possessed adventurer, attacked the capital of Teallaigh. During this conflict, hundreds of civilians were enslaved, as was the Baron and his eldest son Remus, a powerful spell used to force them into an artificial sleep from which they could not wake.

After a group of adventurers called The Chaos Hounds, arrived in the city to stop Jaq, the Barons daughter Tamika aided them in freeing her father. Tragically, Remus was killed, and while the Baron aided the adventurers in eventually defeating Jaq, he knew his people needed more support to develop. Thus, his desire to join The Guardian Council, to better protect his people.

Staghelm is now a nation on the rise, their unique culture borne from their centuries in the forest proving a welcome destination for many travelers. The cities of the Wolfborn are also home to many strange and unique wares traded and sourced from further south past The Saigan Wall, resources only found in Staghelm. This has helped to generate income and trade with many other Guardian Nations. The warriors and woodsman of Staghelm are also highly skilled, many joining The Rangers of Staghelm, a large collective group of Guardians that operate in the forests and woods within the borders of the nation. They are sought after as guides and protection, their enhanced senses and unyielding physical prowess making them unmatched trackers and sentries.

## Wolfborn

The Wolfborn of Staghelm still carry on many of their more nomadic traits. Their youth must battle someone dear to them in combat to prove themselves worthy to start their own packs, in a ritual practice known as Throwing The Claws. The warrior testing themselves must show they can battle any threat, even one they love, to protect the pack. If they cannot bring themselves to fight, or worse lose themselves in the battle and go to far, they are deemed not yet ready to form their own pack.

Wolfborn are known for their extreme emotions, often being considered unpredictable by those unfamiliar with their people. In truth, the animal within them causes a great struggle, and they must constantly suppress their bestial and wild emotions.