"I’ve heard the backwoods nobles near Laurelorn have strange dealings with the Elves. First... What’s-his-name, and now this! It’s treason I tell ya!"
Map of Laurelorn Forest
Laurelorn Forest is a magical forest that lies on the northern coastline of the Empire of Man, home to reclusive communities of Eonir, a distinct community of Wood Elves. While both Middenland and Nordland claim the forest as theirs, the so-called "Wood Elves" dare either to try to enforce their claim.[1a] Laurelorn lies west of Salzenmund and the Silver Hills above it, and stretches west to the Imperial borders with the Wasteland.[1c]
Although most people would call the Eonir "Wood Elves," they are quite different from the Asrai of Athel Loren who also bear that common appellation. In fact, the kingdom of Laurelorn is older than Athel Loren and retains elements of Asur culture from the original Ulthuani colony. Eonir regard the Asur as hypocrites who abandoned their colonies in the Old World, and then had the audacity to dispute Laurelorn's independence from Ulthuan. On some level, Eonir sympathise with the Druchii of Naggaroth because they were also ostracised by the Asur. Most citizens of the Empire who live along the border of the Laurelorn respect the Eonir and fear the forest's nature spirits.[3a]
However, Men do not consider Eonir "alien" in the same way that the Asrai are perceived as fay spirits in Bretonnia. This inter-species understanding has enabled Laurelorn to establish stronger ties with the Empire than with Ulthuan or Athel Loren. Elven scouts, spies, and diplomats from Laurelorn are frequently encountered in Nordland, Middenland, and the Wasteland. Nordland's nobility have negotiated multiple treaties with the Queen of Laurelorn, and Graf Boris Todbringer of Middenland employs two Eonir in his court.[3a]
History[]
Human-drawn map of Laurelorn Forest
Originally, the High Elf colonies of Elthin-Arvan in the Old World were ruled by lords from the kingdoms of Ulthuan, all allied to the Phoenix King. The cataclysm known as The Sundering resulted in 600 years of isolation, during which the High Elven colonies united and declared themselves the eleventh Kingdom of Ulthuan, ruled by a High Council of lords from the largest princedoms.[3a]
During this period, only a few Elf outposts existed in the Laurelorn. The Laurelorn's nature spirits appeared less hostile than those of Athel Loren, which had refused to share the woods with Elf settlers. A Handmaiden of the Everqueen launched an expedition to study the forest spirits, leyline network, and lost Old One ruins in the area.[3a]
Before long, two large settlements grew at Tor Lithanel and Kor Immarmor, and a road network connected the Laurelorn with the other colonies. The Elves of Elthin-Arvan viewed the beautiful forest as a retreat comparable to Avelorn, the spiritual home of Elves in Ulthuan. When diplomatic contact was eventually restored with Ulthuan, the High Council reluctantly capitulated authority to the Phoenix King. Several Elf lords were expelled from Ulthuan for conducting unsanctioned experiments, and withdrew to the Laurelorn to continue their work. These disgraced ‘Grey Lords’ built villas and hidden magical laboratories deep in the forest’s heart.[3a]
War of the Beard[]
The War of the Beard between the High Elves and Dwarfs strained the relationship between the court of the Phoenix King and the High Council of Elthin-Arvan. The colonists' strategic priorities were different from those of Ulthuan, meanwhile generals from Ulthuan were given command of the colonial armies. The Phoenix King’s final decree to abandon the colonies was taken as a betrayal, for without assistance from the Dragons and legions of Ulthuan, there was little hope to defeat the Dwarfs. The Laurelorn was amongst the last colonies to hold out when Kor Immarmor was destroyed and Tor Lithanel placed under siege.[3a]
The Eonir feared that without reinforcements, another Dwarf assault would end with the woodland realm being destroyed. In desperation, they turned to the disgraced Grey Lords, who summoned a spirit army from the forest’s depths. The advancing Dwarf throng marched into the forest to meet this new foe and was never seen again. With the Dwarf threat gone, the Laurelorn provided sanctuary to Elf refugees from other colonies who refused to abandon Elthin-Ervan. Refugees were given assistance and allowed to settle in the woods, but were always regarded as guests in the Golden Wood. The original colonists grew arrogant and considered themselves to walk the true path of elven tradition. It was during this time that a distinct Eonir culture emerged.[3a]
Empire Reborn[]
Centuries of peace followed the War of the Beard, during which the Eonir lived in relative isolation. Dwarfs gradually abandoned their forts in the Silver Hills, allowing the Eonir to settle in the previously contested glades of the Laurelorn. Occasional confrontations with the Teutogen tribe defined the borders between elven and human lands. As the Empire grew, its citizens learned to fear and respect the Elves. The Eonir became temporary allies with the Empire in 1109 IC, when the neighbouring Drakwald province fell to Beastmen. Fifteen years later, an army led by Emperor Mandred ‘Skavenslayer’ was permitted to march through the Laurelorn to intercept a Skaven invasion.[3a]
Over the last 800 years, the counts and barons of Nordland have been able to negotiate limited settlement and logging rights on the Laurelorn’s perimeter. To this day, mutual defence treaties are signed whenever a major Beastman migration threatens the region. Relations with other Elf realms have improved as well. When the beastlord Morghur appeared in the Forest of Shadows in 1337 IC, the Eonir aided their Asrai cousins in tracking the creature. Dialogue with the Phoenix Crown resumed in the 21st century when King Finubar of Ulthuan finally acknowledged Tor Lithanel’s independence, millennia after its secession. In recent years, Eonir envoys have sailed to Naggaroth with trade offers in exchange for a cessation of raids on the Laurelorn’s coastline.[3a]
A New Age[]
Despite the relative security of the Laurelorn in recent years, dangerous days are ahead. Norsemen raid the coast with increasing frequency, and Dark Elves covet the region’s rare herbs. Seers predict a major invasion in the future from Norsca, Naggaroth, or both. The spirits of the Laurelorn grow weaker every year as the forest’s magic ebbs away. If Nordland settlements continue encroaching on the Eonir heartland, violent conflicts between the allies will leave both sides vulnerable to Beastman and Greenskin attacks. The Queen of Laurelorn has foreseen a great cataclysm that threatens to tear the entire world asunder, but she has not yet shared her revelation.[3a]
Notable Events[]
- ca. −4119 IC - Elven colonies are established on the coasts of the Old World and trade flourishes with the Dwarfs. Small outposts are established in the interior, including in the Laurelorn Forest.[3b]
- −2748 IC - The Sundering. Ulthuan breaks out into civil war while the Laurelorn remains sheltered from the inter-Elven strife.[3b]
- −2723 IC - Tsunamis devastate the coastal settlements of the Elves in the Old World. Lothlakh and Ildenfane are lost and refugees flee to the interior, settling Tor Lithanel and Kor Immarmor. Forest spirits withdraw deeper into the Laurelorn.[3b]
- −2174 IC - Ulthuan restores contact with the Elf colonies. Dark Elf agents infiltrate the colonies, spreading propaganda against the Phoenix King.[3b]
- −1997 to -47 IC - Dwarfs attack the colonies following Dark Elf raids on their caravans. A contingent of Elves leaves the safety of the Laurelorn to join the War of the Beard, but few return. Brok Stonefist, Lord of the Tunnels, destroys Kor Immarmor and besieges Tor Lithanel.[3b]
- ca. −1589 to –01 IC - The Phoenix King withdraws High Elf armies from the Old World. Many Elven colonists refuse to leave and seek refuge in the forest. The Laurelorn council declares independence and a High Priestess of Isha is chosen as Queen of the Woods.[3b]
- ca. −50 IC - The rise of Humanity in the Old World. The Eonir attempt to manipulate the warlike Teutogen tribe.[3b]
- 738 IC - The Treaty of the Leaf is signed. An agreement with the baronies that would later become Nordland allows settlement between the River Salz and River Demst.[3b]
- 1106–1110 IC - Fall of the Drakwald province to Beastmen. Count Vilner's Runefang is sent to Middenheim. The Eonir fight alongside the forces of the Empire.[3b]
- 1124 IC - The Eonir aid Count Mandred "Skavenslayer" of Middenland, guiding his army to a decisive victory against the Skaven during the Skaven Wars.[3b]
- 1337 IC - Morghur the Shadowgave arrives in the Forest of Shadows. Queen Ariel and her Spellweavers find him with assistance from Eonir scouts and bring him back to Athel Loren through the Worldroots.[3b]
- ca. 1681 IC - Queen Terrellia's own sister, the Archmage Sinestra, conspires with Tormuk the Necromancer to abduct Princess Millandriell in a coup attempt.[3b]
- ca. 1700 IC - The first logging agreements are signed between the Eonir of the Laurelorn and Nordland.[3b]
- 2001–2051 IC - The Laurelorn is acknowledged as an independent realm by the High Elves after Phoenix King Finubar sails to the Old World and makes contact with the Empire, Bretonnia, the Asrai, and even the Dwarfs.[3b]
- 2168 IC - Border clashes with Nordland compel the Eonir to march upon the capital at Salzenmund. A great host, including ravenous forest spirits, besieges the city until the baron begs the Elves' forgiveness.[3b]
- 2302 IC - Ghost Striders from the Laurelorn help the Imperial army earn victory against the forces of Chaos during the Great War Against Chaos. The High Elf Archmage Teclis requests the Eonir's aid in watching over the growing Imperial Colleges of Magic.[3b]
Geography[]
A foolish Imperial man lost in Laurelorn Forest.
Although it has a grim reputation amongst humans, Laurelorn actually appears to be a pleasant and verdant woodland. Birds sing from oak trees, while rabbits run through the undergrowth. However, upon closer inspection, these creatures seem to possess a sentience above that of a mere animal. Inside the forest, the sun is blocked by the lush canopy, providing for a dark atmosphere. Any traveller granted safe passage by the inhabitants of Laurelorn may hear crashing and thrashing sounds from deep within the forest. They may see arm-like branches beckon to them, or hear phantom calls. Any traveller not granted safe passage, on the other hand, will never be seen again.[2a]
Like the Athel Loren, it seems that space and time work somewhat differently in Laurelorn than in the outside world. For example, Mandred Skavenslayer's army was able to travel in a matter or hours a distance through Laurelorn that should've taken days.[2a] The Laurelorn is less heavily saturated with magic than Athel Loren, therefore its spirits are fewer in number, and they’re often weak or hungry.[3c]
The Laurelorn is the homeland of the Eonir. This northern forest is predominantly coniferous and mixed temperate. The Laurelorn is less heavily saturated with magic than Athel Loren, therefore its spirits are fewer in number, and they’re often weak or hungry. Although Elf-Human relations are generally good, the Laurelorn heartland is sacred to Eonir. Humans trespass in the Laurelorn at their own peril. The outer reaches of the Laurelorn consist of three wards (Frost, Rain, and Storm).[3e]
These wards were princedoms of Tor Lithanel long ago, before the War of the Beard. Today, the outer wards are claimed by Nordland and Middenland. The Eonir don’t claim ownership of any forest land, but nor do they consider it property of the Empire. The Eonir are willing to co-inhabit the outer wards, provided logging treaties are respected. Eonir patrol the outer wards against encroachments on the capital region (Ward of the Sun).[3e]
Eonir Wards[]
Laurelorn Forest is politically and administratively divided by the Eonir into four wards. Each ward is in essence, their own independent entity, ruled over by vigilant bands of Eonirs,
- The Ward of the Sun, the heart of the Forest and the location of its capital, Tor Lithanel. The region was originally used by the Old Ones for some kind of experiment and potent magical energies suffuse the entire forest. Nordlanders refer to this independent enclave as the Protectorate of the Laurelorn and know that humans are only rarely permitted there.[3c]
- The Ward of Rain, the southern reaches, consisting mainly of swamplands
- The Ward of Storm, the western reaches , consisting of overgrown forests that are home to many mutants and chaos beasts
- The Ward of Frost, the eastern reaches. The Eonir living there are mainly nomadic, with no fixed settlements.
Human cohabitation is tolerated in the three outer wards, as long as certain treaties are respected and the elves are left alone to conduct their business.[3c]