08-02-2013, 08:37 PM
The Tangled Green
Through gates from the Nexus and Kingdom lies the Tangled Green, a massive forest filled with mystery. While some areas are drier and cooler, others are hotter and more humid. Similarly, some areas are dark, with almost no sunlight seeping through, whereas in other areas it can be bright even despite the trees, particularly around Yggdrassil, the World Tree, where magical wisps light up the air. Unlike many of the other more desolate verses, the Tangled Green is home to innumerable plant and animal species. Unfortunately, many of these are predators who survive by being the greater hunter.
The Green is home to the elves and the ninjas, who serve as its most civilized denizens. These two, both neutral in the conflict between Kingdom and Empire, only work together when it comes to combating the more barbaric denizens of the Verse. Various tribes of orcs and goblins inhabit the Tangled Green. The population is estimated around ten thousand, and despite constant warfare, the numbers continue to grow. Should all the tribes of orcs and goblins unite, it would be an end to both the elves and ninjas. While they will sometimes band together temporarily for greater plunder, petty squabbles and arguments tend to shatter these alliances almost as quickly as they form.
There are some tribes of peaceful, intelligent orcs and goblins, but they are few and far between. The vast majority are a warlike people, taken to fighting whoever for whatever reason. Their shamans have been known to summon creatures to the forest, with a particular fondness for dinosaurs. Unfortunately, they are less skilled at keeping the creatures captive. As a result, the wildlife in the Tangled Green can be somewhat … unpredictable.
The further you go from the gates, the denser and darker the forest becomes, to the point where passage becomes almost impossible, not least because of the things that lurk in the shadows. As one approaches the fringes of the Tangled Green, the forests and jungles give way to a dark, foreboding morass. It is said that these swamps will sap even your will to live. But should you progress beyond this point, it may well be worth your while.
Status
Although the Blight has stopped to spread, its effects are still felt in the extremes of the Tangled Green.
Efforts to heal the Scorched Grove have gone slowly, with Camelot's Mage Guild started to become preoccupied with issues back home.
Even so, the settlements of the Tangled Green continue to boom, with the gradual development of Ambrosia, a settlement for wayward individuals. Led by Guu, of Dataverse and Dante's Abyss fame, Ambrosia's influence is on the rise.
Sub-zones
[anchor=Yggdrasil]Yggdrasil[/anchor] - “The World Tree.” This gigantic tree, rising high above the rest of the forest, is filled with mazes of passageways and large enough to house the hundreds of elves that make it their home. Led by the high priestess Tyrande Whisperwind, they have officially remained neutral in the war between the Kingdom and the Empire, but unofficially support Aragorn in his struggles. While secular by nature, they have been forced to accept assistance from the outside world due to the sheer impracticality of maintaining the safety of their home.
The following non-player characters are centered at Yggdrasil: Tyrande Whisperwind
[anchor=Mokugakure]Mokugakure[/anchor] - Somewhere in the forest lies the ninja city of Mokugakure (literally meaning Hidden Village in the Forest). They are led by the great ninja Tsunade (officially titled the Morikage, meaning Forest Shadow). Mokugakure is officially neutral in the war and has been hired by both sides. Incredibly, ninjas from the village have even faced each other in the war. Assassinations even happen with regularity in the town, proving that even within Mokugakure there are many factions secretly at war with one another.
The following non-player characters are centered at Mokugakure: Tsunade
[anchor=Ambrosia]Ambrosia[/anchor] - Just a twenty minute mount ride due south from the Nexus gate, you’ll find the city of Ambrosia. Formerly a colony of Camelot, the architecture of main part of the city has the rustic feel reminiscent of an American settlement from the 1800s, but due to the current populace, the buildings become more modern and off-the-wall as you near the outer reaches of the city limits. In the direct center of town is Pokute Palace, a large pink mansion with hundreds of rooms and a jungle sanctuary that forms a ring around the palace. Surrounding the city is a number of orchards, a chocobo ranch, and farms where exotic fruits are grown. Due east is a haunted forest full of spirits of varying alignments.
The city itself serves as a safe haven for unusual people and creatures. Because of this, the population is full of oddities like animal humanoids, fairy-type Pokemon, and Moogles that live peacefully amongst the human populace. The city is currently ruled by Princess Guu, who has proven to be mostly benevolent towards her people. Parties interested in helping Ambrosia should reach out to the princess.
[anchor=HiddenTemple]The Hidden Temple[/anchor] - No one is quite sure when the Hidden Temple was erected, but most would place it near the creation of the Tangled Green. The style seems to come from historical jungle kingdoms, although the temple was empty on discovery so one can only guess both its origin and inspiration. Littered with effigies of strange gods, the temple has become host to a cult of orcs who consider the place the crypt of some sleeping god. The Cult of Tlaloc is as cultured as orcs can get, and while they are more than happy to welcome travelers and discuss their beliefs, their religious practices nevertheless include live sacrifices and a zealous dedication to warfare.
The Animus River - The Animus river and its tributaries run throughout the entire Tangled Green, forming the sole water basin for the giant forest verse. It is from the Animus that all life in the Tangled Green sprung, and more often than not, much life returns to the river due to its violent currents and the host of ferocious wildlife that call its depths home. The headwaters of the Animus are unknown, although most travelers believe they are somewhere beyond the current boundary of the verse. The river itself snakes through almost every part of the Green, with the night elves, ninjas, orcs, and every other settlement usually located somewhere close to the river or one of her tributaries. At its widest, the banks of the river are miles apart, and even at its shallowest, the river presents a challenge to travelers. During rainier seasons, the river swells uncontrollably, and while this can lead to destruction and death, the receding banks leave behind nutrient-rich soil, allowing for life to renew itself.
Sierra Silme - Non-elves call this long stretch the mountains the 'starlight peaks.' A long mountain range that snakes its way through the three different biomes of the Tangled Green, these peaks never rival those that one can find in the other verses. At no point are they tall enough to accumulate snow, even in the more moderate regions of the verse. Even so, the Sierra Silme is beautiful and picturesque, with its rolling green mountains and waterfalls. The headwaters of the Animus are located in these mountains, as well as a variety of ruins that may have been left behind by long-lost civilizations (or perhaps they were just created by long-vanished prime, who knows). At a few points along their range, the Sierras break above the canopy that otherwise covers the majority of the Tangled Green, providing some of the only 'aerial' views of the Green outside of Yggdrasil.
The Blighted Dell - Some of the furthest reaches of the Tangled Green have been ravaged by 'the Blight,' a corrupting and mutating disease that causes most trees to waste away and turns most living creatures into monsters. The Blighted Dell is a dangerous and forlorn place, and most ill-equipped travels would do well to avoid traveling through the area. Darkspawn, both intelligent and otherwise, are known to prowl the area, particularly once the sun sets and the region is bathed in starless night.
The Scorched Grove - A few miles from the Nexus gate lays about a half square mile of forest burned down as a part of large fire from earlier in the year. The cause of the fire is unknown, although accounts link it with a small group of travelers attempting to combat the effects of the Blight. While efforts to restore the forest have been launched, they are slow and not many parties outside the Green are willing to exhaust the resources.
Roaming NPCs
Whompt - The orc mercenary known as Whompt has been spotted hanging out in the Tangled Green as of late, enjoying himself and casually looking for profitable work.
Through gates from the Nexus and Kingdom lies the Tangled Green, a massive forest filled with mystery. While some areas are drier and cooler, others are hotter and more humid. Similarly, some areas are dark, with almost no sunlight seeping through, whereas in other areas it can be bright even despite the trees, particularly around Yggdrassil, the World Tree, where magical wisps light up the air. Unlike many of the other more desolate verses, the Tangled Green is home to innumerable plant and animal species. Unfortunately, many of these are predators who survive by being the greater hunter.
The Green is home to the elves and the ninjas, who serve as its most civilized denizens. These two, both neutral in the conflict between Kingdom and Empire, only work together when it comes to combating the more barbaric denizens of the Verse. Various tribes of orcs and goblins inhabit the Tangled Green. The population is estimated around ten thousand, and despite constant warfare, the numbers continue to grow. Should all the tribes of orcs and goblins unite, it would be an end to both the elves and ninjas. While they will sometimes band together temporarily for greater plunder, petty squabbles and arguments tend to shatter these alliances almost as quickly as they form.
There are some tribes of peaceful, intelligent orcs and goblins, but they are few and far between. The vast majority are a warlike people, taken to fighting whoever for whatever reason. Their shamans have been known to summon creatures to the forest, with a particular fondness for dinosaurs. Unfortunately, they are less skilled at keeping the creatures captive. As a result, the wildlife in the Tangled Green can be somewhat … unpredictable.
The further you go from the gates, the denser and darker the forest becomes, to the point where passage becomes almost impossible, not least because of the things that lurk in the shadows. As one approaches the fringes of the Tangled Green, the forests and jungles give way to a dark, foreboding morass. It is said that these swamps will sap even your will to live. But should you progress beyond this point, it may well be worth your while.
Status
Although the Blight has stopped to spread, its effects are still felt in the extremes of the Tangled Green.
Efforts to heal the Scorched Grove have gone slowly, with Camelot's Mage Guild started to become preoccupied with issues back home.
Even so, the settlements of the Tangled Green continue to boom, with the gradual development of Ambrosia, a settlement for wayward individuals. Led by Guu, of Dataverse and Dante's Abyss fame, Ambrosia's influence is on the rise.
Sub-zones
[anchor=Yggdrasil]Yggdrasil[/anchor] - “The World Tree.” This gigantic tree, rising high above the rest of the forest, is filled with mazes of passageways and large enough to house the hundreds of elves that make it their home. Led by the high priestess Tyrande Whisperwind, they have officially remained neutral in the war between the Kingdom and the Empire, but unofficially support Aragorn in his struggles. While secular by nature, they have been forced to accept assistance from the outside world due to the sheer impracticality of maintaining the safety of their home.
The following non-player characters are centered at Yggdrasil: Tyrande Whisperwind
[anchor=Mokugakure]Mokugakure[/anchor] - Somewhere in the forest lies the ninja city of Mokugakure (literally meaning Hidden Village in the Forest). They are led by the great ninja Tsunade (officially titled the Morikage, meaning Forest Shadow). Mokugakure is officially neutral in the war and has been hired by both sides. Incredibly, ninjas from the village have even faced each other in the war. Assassinations even happen with regularity in the town, proving that even within Mokugakure there are many factions secretly at war with one another.
The following non-player characters are centered at Mokugakure: Tsunade
[anchor=Ambrosia]Ambrosia[/anchor] - Just a twenty minute mount ride due south from the Nexus gate, you’ll find the city of Ambrosia. Formerly a colony of Camelot, the architecture of main part of the city has the rustic feel reminiscent of an American settlement from the 1800s, but due to the current populace, the buildings become more modern and off-the-wall as you near the outer reaches of the city limits. In the direct center of town is Pokute Palace, a large pink mansion with hundreds of rooms and a jungle sanctuary that forms a ring around the palace. Surrounding the city is a number of orchards, a chocobo ranch, and farms where exotic fruits are grown. Due east is a haunted forest full of spirits of varying alignments.
The city itself serves as a safe haven for unusual people and creatures. Because of this, the population is full of oddities like animal humanoids, fairy-type Pokemon, and Moogles that live peacefully amongst the human populace. The city is currently ruled by Princess Guu, who has proven to be mostly benevolent towards her people. Parties interested in helping Ambrosia should reach out to the princess.
[anchor=HiddenTemple]The Hidden Temple[/anchor] - No one is quite sure when the Hidden Temple was erected, but most would place it near the creation of the Tangled Green. The style seems to come from historical jungle kingdoms, although the temple was empty on discovery so one can only guess both its origin and inspiration. Littered with effigies of strange gods, the temple has become host to a cult of orcs who consider the place the crypt of some sleeping god. The Cult of Tlaloc is as cultured as orcs can get, and while they are more than happy to welcome travelers and discuss their beliefs, their religious practices nevertheless include live sacrifices and a zealous dedication to warfare.
The Animus River - The Animus river and its tributaries run throughout the entire Tangled Green, forming the sole water basin for the giant forest verse. It is from the Animus that all life in the Tangled Green sprung, and more often than not, much life returns to the river due to its violent currents and the host of ferocious wildlife that call its depths home. The headwaters of the Animus are unknown, although most travelers believe they are somewhere beyond the current boundary of the verse. The river itself snakes through almost every part of the Green, with the night elves, ninjas, orcs, and every other settlement usually located somewhere close to the river or one of her tributaries. At its widest, the banks of the river are miles apart, and even at its shallowest, the river presents a challenge to travelers. During rainier seasons, the river swells uncontrollably, and while this can lead to destruction and death, the receding banks leave behind nutrient-rich soil, allowing for life to renew itself.
Sierra Silme - Non-elves call this long stretch the mountains the 'starlight peaks.' A long mountain range that snakes its way through the three different biomes of the Tangled Green, these peaks never rival those that one can find in the other verses. At no point are they tall enough to accumulate snow, even in the more moderate regions of the verse. Even so, the Sierra Silme is beautiful and picturesque, with its rolling green mountains and waterfalls. The headwaters of the Animus are located in these mountains, as well as a variety of ruins that may have been left behind by long-lost civilizations (or perhaps they were just created by long-vanished prime, who knows). At a few points along their range, the Sierras break above the canopy that otherwise covers the majority of the Tangled Green, providing some of the only 'aerial' views of the Green outside of Yggdrasil.
The Blighted Dell - Some of the furthest reaches of the Tangled Green have been ravaged by 'the Blight,' a corrupting and mutating disease that causes most trees to waste away and turns most living creatures into monsters. The Blighted Dell is a dangerous and forlorn place, and most ill-equipped travels would do well to avoid traveling through the area. Darkspawn, both intelligent and otherwise, are known to prowl the area, particularly once the sun sets and the region is bathed in starless night.
The Scorched Grove - A few miles from the Nexus gate lays about a half square mile of forest burned down as a part of large fire from earlier in the year. The cause of the fire is unknown, although accounts link it with a small group of travelers attempting to combat the effects of the Blight. While efforts to restore the forest have been launched, they are slow and not many parties outside the Green are willing to exhaust the resources.
Roaming NPCs
Whompt - The orc mercenary known as Whompt has been spotted hanging out in the Tangled Green as of late, enjoying himself and casually looking for profitable work.
Curious about me and the characters I play? See the 'Staff' page! See also the rosters for my characters Samus Aran or Enel if you'd like to see examples of well-formatted rosters. Hope you enjoy the Omniverse!
