Humblewood (Sunday)

Humblewood is an ancient and magical place that hums an endless song, sung to the Great Rhythm of life and death. The wood, as it is known to its inhabitants, is not like any forest you’ve seen before. The trees are powerful and old, with rare specimens that reach as tall as small mountains. Here familiar beasts grow to unusual sizes, bearing markings and patterns unique to the Wood. This region is also home to two groups of animal-like humanoid races, the birdfolk and the humblefolk. Together they share the Wood and its bountiful resources. In previous times Birdfolk and Humblefolk lived in tandem but apart. Sprawled in separate villages around the forest they were vulnerable to attacks from organised brigands and murderers who united under a banner and called themselves the “Bandit Coalition”. The birdfolk in a bid to protect themselves built fortified cities in the forest canopy and lent the aid of their “Perch Guard” to the Humblefolk to push back the bandits to bring peace and security to the region. Over time the culture of the birdfolk spread, and the capital city of Alderheart became the most politically influential place in the wood. Not all stories end in such victory though… Not long after Alderhearts founding a massive forest fire known now as “The Great Calamity” burned away an entire portion of the wood. The origins of this fire are unknown to this day however the remains of the damage are now known as “The Scorched Grove” which has been left barren, aside from the flame infused creatures that now stalk the land. An organisation of druids and mystics known as “The Tenders” have dedicated themselves to trying to heal the grove. Set up in conclaves around the wood they provide aid whenever forest fires strike however there has been remarkably few fires ever since the first burning ages ago. With the spark of a new age in the making, forest fire reports have been on the rise and it’s said the fury and rage of these burning instances rival the fires of ages past.. Humblefolk are being displaced from their homes and Birdfolk are focusing on barricading the way up to their perches rather than opening up. Relationships between the people are tense and reaching a boiling point. None of this is helped by a past enemy rearing its ugly head. The Bandit Coalition is back from the brink and swelling in number. With their sites set on the capital where many are fleeing too looking for aid. With all these threads intertwined into a wick that’s ready to light at moments notice… which if any strangers will find each other in these dire times and forge new annals in the history of Humblewood?