Neldorinlómë
Description
Sprawled across the forest floor, Neldorinlómë is the name of a collective group of towns and villages that used to house the Selunárima peoeple. Built beneath the mountain of Ithilarnor, the space was named Neldorinlómë by the elven people, translated to "Moonlit Woodlands" from the Elven tongue.
Unlike Ithilarnor, Neldorinlómë wasn't as prestigious nor connected to the moon. It served as the more amicable of the two spaces for dealing with outsiders when permitted, but the primary reason for it's construction and settlement was due to a deal with an entity known as The Green, who controlled the forests of Neldorinlómë.
After the fall of their civilization, Neldorinlómë too sunk into ruin, and though now a few have returned in a pilgrimage to try and reclaim their ancestral homelands, The Green has been distant, angry and hurt. This, coupled with a dark shadow that has settled into the woods, has made the road home quite treacherous, and for now has left the duties of reclamation to stagnate until further aid or strength can be found.
Geography
Spread across the forest floor, the various towns and settlements of Neldorinlómë are a cluster of rural living, overseen by a variety of individuals. The most consistent theme between towns is that most, if not all, are dedicated to the reverence of The Green, and other Druidic practices. Sacred groves and holy idols grown from the earth act as both local markers and wards against outside threats, often placed at the perimeters or just outside of the towns themselves.
The atmosphere inside the woodlands realm was once quiet and tranquil. Unlike most typical settlements, there was not a feeling of congestion or confinement, where buildings were typically grouped together. The settlements were built to be open to the sky, and a variety of wooden structures, beautiful groves, and leaf-covered pathways showcased the elves connection to nature.
A few of the outlying settlements boasted more stone-like structures, particularly the ones receptive and welcome to outside visitors. While such occasions were few and far between, the largest of these settlements was Eldrastel, translated as "Starlight Town" from the Elven tongue. Eldrastel was known for it's prominent teaching of magic to foreign students, typically humans and half-elves, though there were the occasional dwarves, halflings, and other "sophisticated" races.
More than anything however, there was little paved streets and stone paths. The reason for this was that the elves themselves knew the paths of the forest that were safe, and it was a defensive measure to thwart would-be invaders, who would often get lost, or worse, by accidentally straying off the beaten trails. The Green also manipulated the forest quite often, so that outsiders not invited in were lost in an endless maze of trees. At best, they were hurtled back out of the forest's edges, and at worst, they were never seen again.
Government
Apart from the Ithilarnor's government that Neldorinlómë follows, Neldorinlómë is the more prominent of the bunch to make use of feudal vassals and lordships. There are also a few select towns that instead have opted for a more communal approach, where there is no singular facet of authority, but instead everything is decided as a group of people. This is especially common among the settlements that are often populated with a druidic folk.
Neldorinlómë did have a single Grand Druid at one point, as well as a Great Druid, and an Archdruid. The three often oversaw rules and edicts for day-to-day life in the areas of Neldorinlómë, a sort of mirror to the Moon-Sisters own triune council, though this one was far more cyclical than they.
Trade
Neldorinlómë didn't have vast amounts of mithral or adamantine to share with the world, so instead much of their own trade and exports relied upon druidic objects of power, magical trinkets, and enchanted lumber. Wood from their groves were sacred, and could only be harvested by those who knew the secrets of The Green's wishes to allow such an exchange. As a result, the wood was considered a luxury, and many of the more short-lived races outside the woodland realm paid in quite the riches for a chance at such blessed timber.
Neldorinlómë is also known for it's production of magical scrolls, tomes, grimoires, and other magical items, as many of the artisans and craftsman within the groves were also magically inclined. Arcane and divine both were frequent enough, as well as lost esoteric traditions of primal casting, which are few and far between, as well as some ancient occult.
In return, many students who came to learn magic from the Selunárima lived within the various settlements. Some proved enough worth to be inducted into the Green Faith circles, while others were released from service and instruction upon proving masterful of their areas of interest. It wasn't common for many who came outside to stay that were not of elven kind, but there were at least a few of note, though their names are since lost to the annals of history.
Military
While predominantly defended by the same militant units of Ithilarnor, Neldorinlómë did have the added benefits of a more primordial protection force as well. Woodland animals in service to The Green defended the forests from intruders of extraplanar origin, as well as the spirits of nature. Even a number of fey lived in protection of the woods, though they were infrequently seen, often avoiding contact with the civilizations at large. Only the most powerful of Druids knew the secrets of coaxing the fey forth, and some even assisted in awakening trees and other plantlife, the repayment for such a gift being mutual protection of the settlements they called home.
Rumors & Legends
With the fall of the Selunárima, there are many rumors about the kingdom as a whole. Yet rumors that pertain specifically to Neldorinlómë are far fewer. The only rumors that tend to circulate are about The Green, and how the elven people's absence caused her to fall into a deep sorrow, that eventually led her to slumber. The forest has been overtaken with shadow in her absence, and now all that remains is rot and ruin. The trees have darkened, their hearts twisted with rage and malice. The animals have become violent and murderous, slaughtering even when they do not need the kill, as if hunting merely for sport. Always, there is the feeling of something watching from just beyond sight, a pain and hurt that is unable to be expressed, like a mouth that cannot scream.
Notable Locations
There are no notable locations presently in this area.
Inhabitants
At present, none live here.
Notable NPCs
Presently, there are none.
Holidays
Presently, there are none.
History
When the Selunárima first came to the mountain of Ithilarnor, they spent their celebratory time within the groves at the base of the mountain. It was here that The Green first made contact with them. It was here that she had come to learn their customs, their names, and their traditions. In exchange for their lives, The Green made a deal, the details unknown.
Since that time, the elves have lived in a two-fold nation. Those upon the mountaintop are often considered the more prestigious and civilized ones, drawn to the Moon's power and the enlightenment of magic and mysticism. Those who remain below in Neldorinlómë are considered often to be more rural and uncivilized by their kith and kin that live within Ithilarnor itself.
Some believe that it is because The Green demanded a portion of the elven people remain below, as living tributes to their now amicable relationship. Others believe that those who are called to the madness of the wilds heard The Green's voice, and were drawn to it, like sheep who have found their way home.
Whatever the case may be, the Neldorinlómë tend to be more amicable to outsiders and less reclusive, but they also tend to be less concerned about what is good and right than those who live within the mountains. Eldrastel is perhaps the only oddity for this, a school of magic founded to share the gifts of the Selunárima with those trusted enough to wield it. This created a bit of an odd situation, however, as the elves who called Eldrastel home often yearned to be upon the mountains, yet understood their sacred duties were important, and equally distrusted their fellow Neldorinlómë-dwelling kin to teach magic as gracefully as they might.