Deepwood is the only city (though smaller settlements and forts are throughout) of the Northern Forest. Primarily dominated by Wilderlander Clanfolk, it also is home to smaller numbers of Yveralisyr and Faelinyr.
History
Age of Settlement
As the Wilderlanders moved into the Northrealm frontier ahead of Aergosian expansion, they eventually discovered Fyrelight Glade. While some stayed to learn the Druidic ways, many of their fellows simply settled on the edge of the Northern Forest. These would form the initial core of Deepwood and Bilberry Hearth.
Age of Knowledge[]
By the time the Aergosian Empire caught up to the Northrealm, and built Carpath, Deepwood was a fortified settlement, and able to resist efforts to add it to the Empire, aided by its distant location to Aergoth's main base of power.
Age of Wars[]
Deepwood would continue to resist attacks from the now independent Carpath, and occasional skirmishes with Obsidian City. When Alexander “The Destroyer” Tumyich led his Felborne army, Deepwood was one third of the Trifecta Army (joined by Telholme and Obsidian City) that defeated his forces and imprisoned him.
Age of Cataclysm[]
Deepwood sustained significant damage in the Night of Falling Stars, losing a large swath of the town to an out of control forest fire ignited by the cataclysm. Despite this, the Clanfolk still fielded an impressive force into the Second Daemon War.
Age of Reclamation[]
Valdrent and the New Church would launch several attacks on Deepwood, but bolstered by allies from Ivory Vale and Yveralym, as well as backed by the Druids of Fyrelight, it proved resilient against the attacks. The Cannoch clan would join the New Church, but was defeated and cast out, reducing the rulership to the present trio of clans.
Age of Mortals[]
Deepwood continues to maintain its independence from the growing Kingdom of Valdrent, refusing even the largely unconditional treaty that was offered to Delwynvale. While potentially capable of fielding a fairly large force itself (more so if it draws on external clans), the squabbles of the three clans prevent them from undertaking such a large effort.
Government[]
Deepwood is governed by a loose “council” consisting of the heads of the three clans that maintain their Holds there. Clan Donnell tends to favour trade efforts, and serves as a diplomatic (relatively) arm of Deepwood. Clan Jaerl is renowned for its fighting men (and equally for its brawling skills and vast consumption of mead), and often serves as the unofficial guard force of the city. Clan Aidyn is more reclusive, but maintains strong ties with Fyrelight glade, and open relations with Ivory Vale.
Resources[]
Deepwood has an obvious advantage in the trade of lumber, residing in the largest tract of forest in all of Idryllia. Using its loose governance of the scattered clan-holds and settlements in the Northern Forest, it also controls a sizable trade in game meat, furs, and other exotic goods from the forest or the northern coasts and sea.
People of Note[]
Argus Donnell[]
Clan Donnell's chief is middle-aged man and a former sea trader. Fluent in the customs of a various regions, and generally likeable, he is nonetheless a shrewd businessman. He is the nominal head of the council of three, and representative at diplomatic affairs, lacking the hotheadedness of Erik Jaerl or the unsettling nature of Morgan Aidyn
Erik Jaerl[]
The youngest of the three clan chiefs, Erik graduated to the position after his father died leading a crusade into the Frostfangs to seize potential mines from the Coldars. While he relies on his more senior advisers for tactics, he is a charismatic leader, and often found at the forefront of conflicts. He also has a noted passion for hunting, and often is garbed in rare furs from his exploits, with more trophies decorating much of the Jaerl Clan-hold.
Morgan Aidyn[]
Morgan Aidyn holds the distinction of being a rare female clan chief. While physically unimposing, she is a skilled enough warrior. More unsettling to most, she has a famed reputation for magic. A former student of Fyrelight, its unclear whether she uses Druidic or Arcane magic. Even odder, she openly maintains an Ursalim adviser named Naiur'Sa. Rumours also circulate that the Aidyns may have dabbled in intermarriage with the Faelinyr and Ursalim of Ivory Vale, though such is unproven, and implying it publicly often leads to ill consequence.