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History - In Depth

random excerpts from: The Time After, by O. Scots Herald, and the Chronicles of the Wood, by Alowishus

In the early years following Maladi's demise (?), a few of the gods took to comforting their followers by walking amongst them. They partook of forms most appealing to those that held their teachings sacred, and often created creatures of awe inspiring beauty and devotion to give their followers focus.

Ehlonna was one such deity, and she pranced among the woodland folk for a great many years. Shifting in forms from that of a golden elven maiden, to the shining platinum unicorn for which she is most oft remembered. She persisted with her followers until she felt they could benefit no more from her presence, and she "passed on" back to the heavens from whence she came. Her unicorn body persisted in its final resting place until the druids of the forest of Dendar (Dendor) found her, and administered their last rights. Upon completion of the ritual, her unicorn form faded and seeped slowly into the soft earth of the forest floor. Only a simple lock of her golden mane remained, and the druids collected it as a holy artifact.

In the years after her passing, the grove in which she was "buried" began to undergo rapid "plant growth and genesis activity." Animals and plants found within and around the grove soon underwent an "unusual state of growth and learning."

The druids of the wood flocked to the region, and soon developed a small enclave of learning which they called Pyrengrythos [PIE-ren-GRIE-thos], or to many "the burning growth." Not long after the enclave's creation, the Council of Trees arose within the druids encampment, and a government was born. The neutrality which persisted made the Council complacent, but it was still many years before non-druids were able to hold any council positions.

Of the original members who settled at the Grove of Ehlonna, the family of Olizathander (later shortened to Olizath) seemed to possess the greatest urge to commune with with their deity. And while most of the original founders of the enclave passed on in the first year and went to be with their goddess, the Olizath family were seemingly granted unusually long life - and many believe some of the original Olizath family members live to this date, making them older than many of the elves of the wood.

Over the many ages of men and elves, Pyrengrythos changed to Pyr Grythen, and it slowly grew up, literally. Harnessing the strength of the trees for support, many of the visitors to the city departed from the ground to live within the quiet confines of the branches. Walkways seemed to grow as though directed by a greater power, connecting the city outward and upward. Not until the Army of Ulas came to Pyr Grythen, for refuge, was defense a major concern. Giant walls of thorns, wooden stakes, and stone pilings were soon constructed - most believe to protect Ulas and his army from the imaginary foes of the woods, and to keep Pyr Grythen from overtaking too much of the natural woods.

And now Pyr Grythen sits in a time of plenty and peacefulness maintained by the great druids of the wood, and the beneficent of Ehlonna. Although she has relinquished some control to her fellow deities, she still commands the majority of the populace.

As the sound of the lark and morning dove float amidst the scents of the dogwood and cherry blossoms, as a new day dawns on the wood, a new day to make all others, all history stand still.

Important Structures:

Birchbark Academy - is the local school for wizards and bards. It was constructed at the far end of Pettylorn Walk as to give the Great Pine Tower a wide birth. Has been forbid to sell arcane items on school grounds, as per the zoning restrictions of the city. The school is run by the Otillan sisters, Lucen and Rallee. Rallee holds the "Great White Birch" Council position.

Courtsmane - is the name given to the Councilate building, the original building of Pyr Grythen, and the closest to Ehlonna's Grove. Repairs are constant, but most overlook it as simply a pile of writhing vines and dirt. Olizath and his druids maintain it, and the surrounding gardens.

Ehlonnas Grove is a small grove where Ehlonna is said to be buried, and banded by small saplings. No building can be found within 100 feet of the groves edge, or built directly above it. Followers of Ehlonna are the only ones who claim to feel nothing out of the ordinary when entering the grove.

Flickering Fawns - is the local entertainment establishment, and has the largest nightly dispensing of alcoholic beverages. Just as easy to find a good ale here, as you are to leave with a lucky lady, but tread well - drunken brawls can often breakout.

Great Pine Tower is the local arcane establishment, and has made quiet a name for itself amongst denizens of the wood. The Great Pine member of the Council of Trees is Loddoss (Asyrian) Quayne, the half-dragon (red) sorcerer master of the Tower.

Holy Temple of the Wood - is sprawled within the Beech stand not far from the grove, and is simply platforms located within the branches of the beech, around and above the main ground garden sanctuary. Offerings are most often made in the form of seeds, and planted cuttings, thus making the gardens here very diverse. The "building" is the shared worshipping place of both Ehlonna and Obad-hai.

Jadderville [ YA-der-vil ] Court is the local shops and can be found stretching from the ground to nearly the highest level in the trees, all directly above each other. The Court forms a quarter circles with the fronts facing the grove.

Mulloxey Manor - is a large mansion occupied by the "Great Elm," Manfred Maximum Mulloxey the third. His lineage is truly unknown, but he has an arrogant aristocratic air about him and the denizens of his manor. Few people bother visiting with him since he has isolated himself within the highest confines of the trees.

Rootbound - is the region of Pyr Grythen inhabited by subterranean races. The majority of the city's dwarfs can be found residing here. ONLY three entries into the Rootbound can be found within the city, and inquiry with city guards often yields their location easiest.

Sassafras Root - is by far the largest inn and "restaurant" within Pyr Grythen. Portions of this building can be found in 4 levels of the city, and it was originally constructed in the Rootbound, but grew up as the city thrived.

Temple of Ryos is one of the few stone structures within the city, and the largest one at that. The structure itself resembles a small fort built of wood, but this was merely cosmetic additions to blend in.

The Oak Quarters - is the small military establishment of Pyr Grythen. It contains a small barracks and training facility for the defenders, and is the only structure with any direct connections to the city walls and/or towers.

Thank you - Desty and Shoplifter, I appreciate the fact you enjoy my league of writing, and I have learned - can never tell someone enough, but oft better to tell them just enough...

Hope to hear from more people, players prospectus, and soon to have Pyr Grythen up and running... if only DragonMajesty would check his email as often as I do somedays , we would be all set j/k. I still owe DragonMajesty a few of my own creations . . .

<grins with a beacon of the most corrupt evil known, darkness emerging from between the gnarled toothy maw of the beast, and a roar of laughter escaping. . . *sniff sniff sniff*> oh my word, did you really have to do that?

Alright - source materials, not to be mistaken for sorcerer materials, I mean components....you get the picture.

currently the jury is between 3e and 3.5e core books, with some still bidding on 3e, but with change to 3.5e to soon come.

other allowed materials - Class Splatbooks, with entertaining thoughts from other spell containing source books of the 3e DnD variety (ie Savage Species, Manual of the Planes, etc.), almost forgot, Arms and Equipment Guide (A&EG).

Review given to splatbook PrC's given either 1) desire to change, or 2) a revised edition from another source (such as Dragon Disciple revised in 3.5e DMG).

sirChadrick - never actually stayed in Northern Michigan much, but western mich and the thumb (my home region) inspired me.

Always been a nature buff, and I am glad everyone is enjoying so far -

Currently, the group is looking to be something of this nature:
Player Name: character idea ( Align RACE Class )
DestyNova1 - CG human Ftr2
Shoplifter - ? ? Brd2
S-theClown - a) ? half-orc Bbn1/Ftr1; b) ? halfling Rog2; c) ? human Clr2
Kyle - a) ? halfling Rog2; b) ? human Ftr1/Rgr1 or ? half-elf Ftr1/Wiz1; c) ? human Wiz(Div)2

Just waiting to hear from Rhyyss sometime, if anyone sees him....