Oakenheart

## City Description

In the heart of the huge trees in the Oaken forests lives the people of Oakenheart. Build in and around a gargantuan oak tree at the center of the forest that many believe to be the heart of the surrounding nature, the town is partly built into the tree and around it with thick tree like walls protecting the city. A lot of the outer town center are in the tall trees, some build their homes into the thicker roots and others have their home hanging from strong branches of the monstrous trees. There is no governing leader as such, people who live there try their best to serve the tree as it gives life to the area around. In a way the clergymen that work inside the tree caring for it speak on its behalf. The walls are mainly for protection from the monsters on the ground and around the forest. Although the Oakenheart people are skilled hunters the huge monsters that roam can still be deadly. As a result there are a special branch of people named the Beastaliri who take care of hunting or moving dangerous monsters or beasts. However there are even some places they don’t dare go, Anyone who steps into the forbidden forest never returns.

People suspect the Oaken-trees has magical healing properties and because its roots are embedded all over the forrest the forrest is also magical. This is just speculation however anything planted in this land not only grows healthier and stronger but also a lot quicker than normal. It is creates the extremely rare 'Emeralds Lotus Flower'. A Lotus that somehow is made out of a glass like material and once fully grown, takes the colour of whatever it's around, so due to the reflection normally being the forrest it usually takes a bright green emerald colour. these flowers are very rare however and grow in the harshest parts of the forrest.

### **Geography**

All around the Oakentree is nothing hut forest in nearly all directions, some have places have smaller pocket community's such as a gnome and halfling tribe. There is however a a section of the forrest deemed forbidden as it's so dangerous. Oo one knows why if its the monsters or the land but no one ever returns and if they do they arn't the same. Regarding other towns or cities Sungshen or Baywater are the closest, Hayhill isn't too far either. Most use it for a stop off on the road to Knightsdale. Stagborn also only a week or so away, however theres not much reason to go there.

### **Weather**

Due to the thick Forrest’s there isn’t too much sunlight to reach the ground in the thickest parts of Oakenheart however it’s still quite humid. There is also a nice amount of rain to keep the wildlife healthy. The weather is quite obviously the perfect balance in allowing plants to grow.

### **Gods**

There are two main deity's people worship here, Mielikki, goddess of forests and Silvanus, god of wild nature. Surprisingly this doesn’t create a rift between the people but instead a legend has come about that the two gods have come together to make this tree and from it create life and the land. Therefore people are quite friendly and respect each-other.

## City Life

Quite a peaceful people, a lot of citizens of Oakenheart who live there are one with nature. People who live there are normally wood elves, gnomes and even Firbolg . Some stay here to learn or increase their skills as a druid, monk or even a ranger. There isn’t much work to be done around Oakenheart. A lot of people live there for a half Peaceful Life. There is still soldiers to protect the Forrest from invaders, food to grow and buildings to maintain however everything is very relaxed. A lot of the buildings in the city are made from or with the natural resources such as wood and thick leafs, there is no mining into the earth or much stone moved. Also the people live off the land, as a result mostly everyones diet consists mainly of the fruit and vegetables that grow there. They dont hunt for the sake of food the Bestiarii only hunt to protect the town. Sometimes they will try the meats of the animals endangering the town but mostly stick to their own grown food.

### **Demographic**

As stated a lot of Wood Elves (35%) live in the forrest but Gnomes (13%), Halflings (9%) and Humans (15%) also populate the town/ area and a result you come to see a lot more Half Elves (10%) recently and even a Firbolg (7%) community live here, there are also various other races that live in the city (12%) though not in the town and there are more than one community that live out in the forrest.

## Notable Locations

*Shops/ Buildings*

**The Tasty Timber Tavern**: A nicer Tavern where adventurers can get some hot food and a place to sleep.

**Albenes Herbs**: Sells herbs and crafting material for druids or herbalists, and some potions as well. Also teaches her skills or a price.

**Sandman Stal**l: Set up near the town center, this stall has dust to sell that has magical properties.

**Hop Notch Craft Ales**: A brewery, also sells its famous and exclusive Hop Notch Ale so popular the name alone brings people in.

**Rosla Compromise**: A pub that see's a lot of traffic from the locals or adventures trying to get find some work for the more dangerous tasks of the town.

**Campbells Carving**: A Wood carver that does commissions on anything you ask for. From a grand statue, to a wooden weapon or armour.

**The False Raven**: A general goods store that sells most things people would need day to day.

*Locations*

**The Oakentree**: It's pretty hard to miss The Oakentree. Due to it being what the town is built in, on, around and under. This mountainous tree can be seen for miles and believed to be the heart of the forrest. Its self the power that lies within its roots feeds and forrest and gives it life. As a result the people Oakentown have built a church inside of it and there they pray to the plant. Its by no means a flashy temple its overgrown yet clean and is designed to feel like you're in nature than a place of devotion. The only ornate thing about this temple is the two sculpture of Mielikki, goddess of forests and Silvanus god of wild nature either side of the stairs leading into the temple. It is said they they both came together to make this tree and forrest so they are respected and also worshipped here.

**Venrora Estate**: The estate is home to the Bestiarii, a monster hunting guild tasked with protecting the town of Oakenheart from creatures that would harm the city. Be that through moving the monster to a safer place but sadly due to the wild and savage nature of monster that also live in the forrest they are usually tasked with slaying the beast.

**Gemniara, Collage of Healing**: One of the only few schools of remedial study in Ellarith. Gemniara isn't the biggest or most prestigious schools but it does serve a purpose. Most of the students are clerics and holy people, and the occasional monk or even paladin attend. However some bigger cities or even armies send a few of their civilians and soldiers to learn here in the many ways of healing the purpose becoming medics. They teach a variety of methods. Some methods are with Arcane or divine magic. Others with more alchemic. They teach how to heal not just physical pain but mental, and so on.

**The Hanging Houses**: This Gnome community has constructed their small homes above the ground suspended in the air. Huts are supported by vines and other rope like tools tied to the top of huge strong branches of the trees in the forrest.

**The Stone Spire**: One of the only stone structures in this town and it has seen better days. A stone spire with strange writing inscribed/ carved on all sides. Experts have tried but no one knows what it mean, it's purpose or who even built it, only that it has always been there.

## Military

Oakenheart doesn't have the strongest military in terms of force and manpower. But they dont need it. The people in Oakenheart are there for the tree and forrest so an invasion force isn't something they need to even plan for. Their tactics also differs from conventional military. There is of course guards around the town but outside that or if ever under attack they take a guerrilla warfare approach. The thick trees and cover are perfect to set traps or ambushes and knowledge of the area and having an idea of the lay of the land holds a huge average compared to someone that doesn't.

The Tree Guards - Are fitted with a dark green and black tinted armour, to help them blend in around the forest if needed. They are also issued a long and short bows as their main weapon of choice and a short sword of hand axe as a secondary weapon for close quarters combat.

Elite Oaken Guards - Guarding the life source of the forrest, these expertly trained soldiers are instantly recognisable with their armoured made out of magically infused wood. They are prepared for any occasion. Normally you'll see a pair standing guard with a glaive each and a short sword on their side. but they also have along bow on their backs for anyone who poses a threat from afar.

## History

Planting the seed

It is said that the gods Mielikki, goddess of forests and Silvanus, god of wild nature. Came together due to their love of nature to create something unique. A tree larger than some towns.

Glara the Green

The liberation and growth