Laurelin

The last true bastion of elvenkind in the world, Laurelin is the home of most of the expatriate elves, left homeless after the dragons Korinthar and Talvi devastated the ancient lands of Vansiriel. Originally an outlying forest colony far from the land, Laurelin has since become a home for most elves of the mainland, particularly the rare Lumidar and the more territorial primal elves.

People
The people of Laurelin are, with a few exceptions, elves. They normally fall into the general guidelines of appearance that are described in the various elven headings. The few humans and half-elves living in the forests are typically of average height, with slightly leaner builds than the Men of Verkant or Taldara, which border the great forest. Their skin tones tend to be welltanned, in comparison to other elves, from their lives within the forest. Even among the Men and half-elves, beards are a rarity, and often hairstyles among both men and women are worn long, though they are bound back typically outside of formal settings. Lightweight and natural clothing is preferred, and borrowing from customs of the Elaidar, often it is something that is hunted and caught yourself that is a hide you use for clothing purposes. Thus, the more skilled hunters, particularly among the primal elves, will use exotic creatures, such as dire badgers, or even some primal lizards, as their hides for cloaks or boots. Makeup is rarely seen outside of the courts of the Lumidar, where formal dances and celebrations are held, and even then only among the ladies of the court. Both men and women are trained equally well for battle, and typically they wear light or medium armors, often of mithril if it can be found for added mobility and speed. They prefer utilizing the traditional elven weapons: longswords, rapiers, longbows, and (for the Elaidar) the deadly compound bow. For the cavalry, horses are the most common, though there is an order of female elven paladins that utilizes unicorns as their 'special mounts', and rangers or druids are known to use dire badgers, dire wolves, massive elk, and even some primal lizards as steeds.

Culture
The predominance of the elven mindset, as this nation is comprised mostly of elves, is the main distinction of this realm. The other is the dispersal of the population throughout the woods of Laurelin. While the population is high, it is extremely spread out, with a plethora of small towns of Sildar and Lumidar the norm, while the Elaidar migrate and patrol the outskirts of the woods. Ironically enough, the Elaidar in this case have the most contact with the outside world, though it is not always the friendliest of encounters. While non-elves are allowed in Laurelin to live, in theory, the truth is that a non-elf living within Laurelin is expected to live their life in the elven manner. With the exception of rangers and druids, this is far too difficult for most of the other races to manage. The other exception are the wolfkin halflings, who mesh perfectly with their Elaidar brethren in spirit, if not in body. It is not unheard of (though it is rare) for a wolfkin to be fully accepted within an Elaidar tribe, and those that are can be trained in the use of the compound bow (though with their shorter stature, they can only use the shortbow, naturally). In addition, many of the elves (and other races) that live in the woods will be descended, or mated to, various members of the fey. These individuals often have abilities or traits that differeniate themselves from their normal kin. The isolationism of Laurelin is also something encouraged by the outside world, and their own circumstances. While Laurelin could interfere and do things about Taldara, Verkant, and the Empire, the guiding council of the Lumidar refuse to do so, remembering their own ancient follies with the dwarves that brought about the Mistwar, and the devastation of the Chaos Age later. Thus, they act with strict neutrality towards the outside nations. Several Elaidar tribes, however, act on their own against Verkant in particular, as Verkanti raids for 'conscripts' and 'indentured servants' are not uncommon. Most of the time, these raids result in death for the raiders, resulting in an outcry from Verkant in the councils of the Empire, to little avail. Magic, unlike most areas of the world, is welcomed and embraced within the woods of Laurelin. Even the shamanistic attitudes of the Elaidar embrace magic and enchantment, and many arcane archers hail from the ancient woods. Of course, the Elaidar make little distinction between sorcery, wizardry, and clerical magics, but the Sildar and Lumidar welcome all forms of magic, with one exception: necromancy. Practicing the foul arts of death magic, even for good purposes, is too close to the Dracolich for their tastes, and any elf who does such feats is banished from the woods, while non-elves are typically slain, or exiled as well.

Government
To say that Laurelin has a government is a generous thing. There is a council of Lumidar families, called the Luminos, who meet and state their opinions to the outlying communities. However, each community of Sildar and Lumidar, or tribe of Elaidar, is free to live and develop as they wish, with two main rules governing conduct: To live life in the elven manner, and to not conflict with each other. When there are conflicts that occur, say when a tribe of Elaidar feel that a community of Sildar are intruding on their hunting grounds, then the matter is referred to the Luminos, whose seven members will negotiate out a settlement for both sides. While there is some strife, typically the elves realize that they have too many enemies outside the woods to seriously quarrel. While Laurelin is not a member of the Taldaran Empire, they do have an 'advisory representative' to the Imperial Council, and their voice is often respected and heard. Typically, the relations with the Empire are chilliest when an Emperor sits that has Forstorelse as his matron goddess. Conversely, when the Emperor follows Tuli, relations with the Empire are quite warm. Meloria, with its high population of urbanized Sildar, is the most welcome trading partner, as are the humans of Mastana. Taldara itself is not terribly liked, though it is not disliked that much either. Verkant, however, is regarded as a major thorn in the side of Laurelin, and more militant factions of Lumidar (backed, it is said, by secret cultists of Korinthar) would like nothing better than to wipe that nation off the face of the world. Even though the military might of Laurelen is nothing in terms of numbers to Verkant, or the other imperial nations, the elves have mighty allies, particularly in the fey, and other supernatural woodland inhabitants, that make their power far greater than it would otherwise appear. And the elves like being underestimated in this case, for while they are rather individualistic, they have been known to band together when the occasion calls for it.

Race Relations
Of course, as the realm is founded by elves, and run by elves, it reflects elvish views. In particular, only wolfkin halflings are truly welcome among the non-elves, as mentioned earlier. Humans, actually, are more welcome than half-elves, the latter regarded as flawed half-breeds, and an uncomfortable stain on elvish heritage. Gnomes are barely tolerated, while dwarves and half-orcs are almost never allowed into the woods, except under the most unusual of circumstances.

Class Preference
The elves of Laurelin are exceptionally diverse in their backgrounds, and almost any class can be found within the borders. Barbarians are most often found with the Elaidar, running with their tribes and defending them against Verkanti raiders. Bards, typically fire elves, are message bearers, spreading song and tale throughout the forest. Clerics, particularly of Tuli, are cherished, no matter what their race, in an exception to the typical racial attitudes towards outsiders. Druids, likewise, are held in respect, and the majority of the non-elven population are members of druidic circles dwelling at the outskirts of the Great Wood. Fighters and rangers are given equal respect, though a greater amount of the latter can be found. Monks are rare, with the exception of the Guardians of the Fir order, which was rumored to have been started by Elaidar of Laurelin. Likewise, there is a small order of elven female paladins, with unicorn mounts, that patrol the woods and are sworn to its protection. Rogues are common as scouts and envoys to the outside world, often spying on the world of Men and keeping alert for threats. Wizards and sorcerers are quite common, often existing in relative harmony, as the elves of the woods do not hold the same prejudice towards magic that others sometimes do. In addition to all these, bladesingers and arcane archers, both prestige classes relating to the elves, are quite common.

History
Laurelin was originally a small and vibrant colony of elves, founded shortly after the initial conflicts with the ancient Dwarven Empire were heating up. Far from the common border of the dwarven people, the dwellers in Laurelin had little concern that the war would ever reach them. However, they were little prepared for the treachery of the Varsidar, and the release of the primordials which laid their ancient homeland to waste and ruin. The ancient elves of that time rallied in Laurelin, one of the few realms left of theirs that was at all intact. Gathering their troops, they were led by the Primordial Green, Skogen himself, as he aided their efforts against the foul Sslira the Black, leading her armies of undead dwarves and other minions. In a massive battle, Skogen defeated Sslira, crushing her and sending her to the Dark, while the elves and their allies defeated the undead army, through not without cost. Then, the Chaos Years began. The dark times at the start of the Third Age were not so dark for the elves, though they were already organized and exceptionally prepared for such things. Withdrawing into Laurelin, most of the elves there sealed their borders, keeping the halfdragon marauders and their monstrous armies at bay with superstition and fear more than actual battle-prowess, though when that was needed, it was available as well. And so it passed for several centuries, then millenia, until the fledgling human nation of Taldara approached, under a banner of truce, in the year 3962. Curious, the Lumidos received the messenger, and realized that this nation that was forming had great potential for good and for tragedy, if the lesson of Vansiriel was any indicator. However, the Lumidos agreed to limited trade, opening their borders a crack for the Taldaran presence, seeing the opportunity to deal with the outside world and to see what had happened beyond the woods. It was through Taldara that they later learned of the other nations, and opened extended ties to their lost Sildar brethren in Meloria, as well as the faint traces of Lumidar blood in Mastana nobility. When Taldara became an Empire, the Lumidos decided not to sever ties, but instead maintain their 'association' with Taldara, for it would be easier to guide the growth of such an entity from within, as opposed to becoming an enemy for them. They encouraged peaceful resolutions to conflicts, and even attempted to deal peacefully with Verkant. However, that has not been the most successful endeavor, so that quandary remains to this very day. Having seen the unchecked devastation of the first Mistwar, the Lumidos are quite intent to make sure that such a folly could never happen again, and are willing to do anything to keep that from happening.