FOREST FOLK

 of the WILD WOOD

   The Forest Folk are far closer to nature than men, dwarves or goblins. They have a rapport with the trees, beasts and plants rarely seen in other races. This not only affects their woodcraft (which is famed) but also where and how they live. Men live on farms, in villages or towns and cities. Forest people rarely build permanent homes or residences of wood or stone. Since they are hunters and gatherers of natural fruits and foods they move from place to place and build shelters at each stop. These bowers are often in the trees for safety and security. They are secretive people and often disguise their tree houses with leaves and brush.

   Although Forest Folk do not have farming or cities, they are advanced in other ways, being magical and wise. Rather than chop or carve materials into the desired shape, they are far more likely to manipulate or take advantage of the natural characteristics of the wood. A good example is the way they tend plants and trees to grow the branches and stems into shapes that fit their purposes. So they have ‘bow trees’ where the branches are carefully tended year after year to get just the right shape for a bow stave. They also harvest another tree by pollarding the stump in such a way as to get perfectly straight arrows time after time.

Forest magic is a deep natural magic that enables them to communicate and empathise with plants, animals and woodland spirits. They love to train (coax and persuade rather than command) trees to grow into amazing latticework shapes. They make buildings, fences and so on this way, especially in their feasting and holy places.

   Fae Folk hate iron, which actually burns them if put against their flesh. In battle men or dwarves who are armed with iron weapons have a distinct advantage over the more mystical forest people who use stone-tipped wood, or bronze and (if nobility or royalty) silver weapons. Consummate wood folk, they migrate across the forests and woodland glades and are usually tribal, although their leader is a king or queen rather than a chieftain. The Forest Folk are generally peaceable except when threatened ~ you could say  laconic or laid back, even. They are fond of poetry, songs and music.

                                   Cornelius Clifford

                                           By the sign of the Monarch of the Wood Inn

A Lesser Elf from the Noggle tribe

Noggles are a kind of forest and tree house dwelling Lesser Elf, found in the Southern forests and woods

A Nisse Elf

The Nisse tribe are considered 'High' elves and they are certainly taller than their 'Lesser' elf cousins

A Lesser Elf Huntsman

There are many tribes of Lesser elves, they tend to be slight of build and are highly skilled tree climbers

Niggle tribal elder

The Niggle tribe are another kind of Lesser Elves and not an especially jolly, by all accounts

The Froob ~ Sprite or Elf?

Are the Froob tribe elves or sprites? They seem to be somewhere between the two species but are generally harmless and friendly