Silshade

Silshade is the name of a druidic elven community residing in a mangrove swamp in the center of the world. It is dedicated to the nurturing and protection of the eponymous Silshade, the tree which serves as the origin of life.

Geography and Climate

Silshade is located in a marine mangrove swamp anchored in a shallow patch of ocean dotted with fecund islands. To the northeast lies the sunken and cursed First Kingdoms of Humanity. The climate of Silshade varies highly with the seasons, but could generally be described as subtropical.

Culture and Magic

Spiritism, Chimerism, and Chloromancy, the magical manipulation of life spirits, bodies, and plant growth, serves as magitech to improve conditions for the community. Silshade is a community of approximately one-thousand elves who live in giant mangroves shaped and connected with Chloromancy. They nurture and worship the Silshade, an enormous mangrove in the center of the world. High Priestesses are the closest approximation to royalty in Silshade, but anyone sufficiently skilled in spritism can join the order of priestesses, and many do as a secondary role. A well-kept secret is that the Silshade is the home of the world's primordial life spirit.

Silshaders (the people of Silshade) are generally relaxed and outgoing, but outsiders are uncommon because of the proximity of undead kingdoms, dangerously powerful elementals and wildlife, and a curse of misdirection which tests the mental fortitude of anyone trying to pierce into the heart of the swamp. Spiritism, cultivated beasts and plants, and a martial order of Green Knights protect Silshade from those same threats. Other roles in high demand in the community include Cultivators, who breed specialized magiseeds suited for particular purposes, and Tamers, who ward off and/or domesticate beasts and monsters to reduce their threat and employ their strengths.

Politics

Silshade has generally been spared the burden of international politics thanks to its secret existence. Silshaders on the edge of the swamp trade with undead merchants from the First Kingdoms of Humanity. Historically, Silshade has contributed its people and magic during times of extreme strife to protect the balance of the world, giving rise to legends of ageless hermits of untold power.

Historical Events

Silshade was one of the first nations of mortals in Raytalia. The elves are a subset of human who have been magically cultivated as conduits for Spiritism by Silshade. Silshade taught the Silshaders the art of Chimerism: manipulating one's own spirit to mimic the swamp's wildlife. Chloromancy was invented by a mage who expanded on the field of spiritism of their own volition, allowing the people to manipulate the growth and magic of plants directly instead of mimicking them.