Buckwood

Buckwood is a heavily forest covered country, the capital city of Rosewood is situated around the base of the Tree of Ceres, a gigantic tree, said to have been planted by Ceres herself. The country has two cultures coexisting, those being the common Cervidan culture and the Wild Folk culture. Modern Cervidan society still holds great reverence for The Forest, and any actions seen as harmful to The Forest are greatly offensive; although, this society has warmed to many modern amenities and is generally trusting of outside people and technology as long as it can be shown to be generally harmless to The Forest. Wild Folk culture is seen by many to be more primitive, due to the at times deeply territorial nature of many Wild Folk, alongside the unique and old language spoken by many. In their own language, the Wild Folk are seemingly referred to as "Ainimm Dé Allaidhe" which is thought to roughly mean "Wild Spirit".

## Overview

The Cervidans of Buckwood are a notoriously peaceful people, only tending to fight when their land or lives are threatened. Cervidan architecture varies across Buckwood, with some living in houses built from wood willingly given by the forest, others living inside of trees grown specifically with large interior hollow spaces and others by the coast using more imported materials such as stone to build their houses. A constant across virtually all Cervidan settlements are the beautiful arrays of flowers covering much of the ground, along with the more winding paths built to avoid harming the plant life.

The landscape of Buckwood is full of rich colours amongst a sea of beautifully lively green grass, the country has a vast range of different plants of all different types. It can be difficult to navigate the country due to the thick forests, although a number of safer paths have been made, along with a specially designed Landshark line with additional features to ensure that it does not disturb The Forest. It can be dangerous to get lost in the countryside of Buckwood due to the territorial Wild Folk, with many recorded cases of wild Centaur capturing those who travel too far into their domain, along with reports of the Fae Folk using their abilities to further confuse and toy with the lost.

## Government

Buckwood is directly governed by The Forest itself, though an individual is chosen to be the Elder Dryad, a shared vessel for both a Cervidan mind and the Mind of The Forest, a powerful gestalt entity formed from the Forest Spirits. This individual is assimilated into the Tree of Ceres where they become a functionally immortal being who provides a connection between the Cervidan people and The Forest. An elected individual is chosen as the public facing leader of the country, serving as a mouthpiece for the people of Buckwood to communicate with the Elder Dryad.

In times of absolute crisis, an Elder Dryad may give themself to The Forest in order to protect all life within the country, or to bring life back to destroyed areas of the forest. This Elder Dryad becomes a part of the Mind of the Forest and a new Elder Dryad is chosen. In the year 1520, an event known as The Sacking of Elderton, during which the city of Elderton was attacked by Inferneids controlled by a strange Demon, took place. The city was razed in scorching fire leaving many dead, captured or without a home, after the incident, the previous Elder Dryad gave herself to The Forest to bring life back to the region; although, Elderton is no longer inhabited and has become a monument to the many people lost in the event. The new Elder Dryad chosen was a child from Rosewood.

## Culture

### Cervidan Culture

#### Language

In Cervidan culture, the primary language spoken is Basic, the shift to this language provided easier collaboration with neighbouring countries such as Mashara. A few remnants of their old tongue remain in use, though these are generally present in the names of less well known towns or landmarks. Many Cervidans do not retain the ability to speak in the old tongue.

## Locations

### Rosewood

The capital city of Buckwood. The city is made up of primarily naturally hollow trees, centred around the Tree of Ceres. Rosewood is home to the Forest Gate and is relatively expansive. The Tree of Ceres bears fruit every year on the day of the Festival of Love, many people from all over the world visit on this day to take part in the festivities and obtain a heartfruit to express their love for another.

### Elderton

Formerly a bustling city further towards the heart of Buckwood, the city was sacked by Inferneids in 1520. While the damage to the forest was repaired by way of the sacrifice of the former Elder Dryad, the city remains mostly uninhabited. Most life in present day Elderton is made up of Wild Folk who maintain the area and protect the monument sat in the midst of the ruins.

### Doeport

A coastal town on the west of Buckwood, the buildings are primarily formed of stone and wood. The town is used to export goods across the ocean and as such has a large port, it is also one of the furthest areas serviced by the Buckwood Landshark.