The Aalen forest was first discovered in modern times by Haidion, the Wanderer.
Geography
The Aalen is a massive forest of colossal redwoods, nestled below the Western Vashnar range. In the center of the forest lies the racial home of the Tsol'aa, a village of tree houses, built right into the trunks of large redwoods. To the southwest of the forest lies the Muurn river valley, where adventurers can purchase ferry rides to the islands of the Sapphire Sea. The forest is bordered on all other sides by the treacherous Vashnars, and there is only one known path that leads over the mountains. A small stream makes its way through the trees just south of the Tsol'aa village, and a small Shrine of the Hunt can be found in the northern trees.
Inhabitants
- Stlerin, the guard
- Furze, the lumberjack
- Sherily, Furze's wife
- Celaabi, the overweight queen
- Zeuris, the baker
- Ta'hena, librarian
- Tsalinas, the weaver (not the Weaver)
- Tsellias, the alchemist
- Selaana, the huntress
- Thaa'lis, elder druid
- Tu'eras, the Tsol'aa king
- Keleyn, the sexy guard
- Kallion, the obligatory rude teenager
- Tremayn, the forager
- Ranthal, the druid
- Ti'lanen, the Mitran priest
- Telemnar, the Tsol'aa teacher
- Terpischore, spirit of the Aalen
Culture
The Tsol'aa village is headed by a royal family. The current king and queen are Tu'eras and his mother Celaabi. Tu'eras' father is dead, which resulted in his taking his position at a rather young age. The elder druid, Thaa'lis watches over the forest home of the Tsol'aa. The other villagers have various occupations ranging from baker to librarian to alchemist.
Outside of the village, few people inhabit this forest. A small shack can be found in the northeast corner, where Furze and his wife make their home. Furze is often at odds with the Tsol'aa, because of his desire to cut down the trees for lumber. Also, the a small Mitran chapel is home to the priest Ti'lanen.
Shops
There are a few stores within the Tsol'aa village. The commodity shop sells wood, cloth and elemental ice. Zeuris' bakery is famous for its waybread, which will last much longer than normal food and is useful for long journeys. Zeuris is also known for his rare fishcakes, of which the queen is a very big (no pun intended) fan. The clothing store sells a few traditional Tsol'aa garments, including gloves made from the pelts of the rabbits which live in the forest. The local stables sells a mighty boar, and a majestic stag.
Flora and Fauna
The Aalen forest is primarily a redwood forest, it's trees are old and very tall.
A variet of animals make their home in the forest, including rabbits, foxes, mighty grizzlies, tiny faeries and the feared basilisks. Additionally, two unique species of butterflies, the funeral duskywing and the morning cloak, make their homes here, remnants of the days of Landmarking.