Celyndor

Celyndor
	File:Celyndor Forest.jpg
Spirit	Kaelthorin
Significance	A vast • unbroken realm of deep woods and endless growth • where life thrives in the balance of nature.

Celyndor is a vast, unbroken expanse of deep forests, where life exists in a delicate balance shaped by time and nature. Towering trees stretch beyond the horizon, their roots weaving through the land, while canopies form an endless green expanse that shelters the world below. Every leaf, vine, and creature is part of a vast, interconnected web, where survival depends on harmony rather than dominion.

The northern reaches of Celyndor are dominated by dense pine forests, where mist drifts between the trunks and the air is thick with the scent of resin. The canopy here is thick, allowing little direct sunlight to reach the forest floor. In these shadowed groves, the Thryssin move unseen among the branches, and the Dralvir guard the ancient pathways.

To the south, the forests shift into a realm of broadleaf trees, winding rivers, and seasonal transformations. Here, the Velkyn dwell in deep groves, their forms entwined with the very essence of the forest, while the Kaethari roam freely between the oaks and willows, existing between the boundaries of the mortal and the wild.

Celyndor is not a wilderness in the absence of civilization—it is a living realm where the land shapes its inhabitants as much as they shape it. Its people, bound to the rhythm of the woods, serve as its caretakers, protectors, and messengers.

History

The history of Celyndor is not recorded in stone or parchment but written in the growth rings of ancient trees and the quiet passage of time. It is a realm shaped by Kaelthorin, the Spirit of Growth and Forests, whose presence lingers in every branch, root, and leaf. Unlike other lands where history is marked by war and ruin, Celyndor’s past is one of slow transformation, cycles of renewal, and the enduring patience of the wild.

The First Canopy

According to legend, Celyndor was once an open expanse of earth and sky, until Kaelthorin took root within the land, calling forth the first trees. From this act of creation, the forest began to spread, growing outward in all directions. The First Canopy, said to be formed of immense, towering trees, sheltered the land beneath, allowing life to flourish in the shadow of its boughs.

The Verdant Accord

As the forest expanded, the first inhabitants emerged—beings woven from the land itself, bound to its rhythms and balance. The Dralvir took form from the oldest trees, standing as wardens of the sacred groves. The Velkyn grew from the heart of the deep woods, their bodies entwined with vines and bark. The Thryssin adapted to the heights, becoming swift and unseen among the towering pines. The Kaethari were the last to emerge, fluid in form, existing between the mortal and the wild.

Though these peoples differed in nature, they shared an unspoken understanding—Celyndor was not a land to be conquered, but one to be tended. This agreement became known as the Verdant Accord, an ancient pact recognizing that all who dwelled within the forest were both its guardians and its children.

The Silent Bloom

There was a time when Celyndor’s growth slowed, its trees no longer spreading beyond their borders. The reason remains unknown—some say Kaelthorin withdrew into slumber, while others believe the land itself chose to remain as it was. This period, known as the Silent Bloom, was marked by a stillness in the forest’s expansion. The Verdant Accord held firm, and Celyndor endured, untouched by the outside world.

The Shadowed Roots

Though Celyndor has remained unbroken, there are whispers of places where the balance has faltered—groves where the trees grow twisted, where the land seems to resist the natural order. The Shadowed Roots are feared by many, spoken of in hushed tones as places where something other than Kaelthorin's will lingers. Some believe these areas are remnants of an ancient wound, while others claim they are simply another aspect of the forest—one that has yet to be understood.

Celyndor’s history is not one of rise and fall, but of growth, change, and endurance. While other realms forge their legacies through war and ambition, Celyndor’s past is written in the silent, steady unfolding of leaves, the shifting of the seasons, and the wisdom carried in the heartwood of its oldest trees.

Geography

Celyndor is a realm of vast forests stretching from the northern pinewoods to the southern deciduous expanse. The landscape is shaped by massive trees, deep-rooted valleys, and concealed waterways, creating an environment that shifts subtly with the passage of time.

Northern Celyndor (The Evergreen Veil)

The northern reaches of Celyndor are dominated by towering pine forests, where mist lingers between the trees and the scent of resin fills the air. The canopy is thick, allowing little direct sunlight to reach the forest floor. Here, the Thryssin move unseen among the branches, and the Dralvir guard the pathways between the towering trees.

• The Boreal Twilight – A region where the sky glows faintly even at night, creating an eerie blue-green haze above the treetops.
• The Silent Glades – A stretch of the forest where no birds sing and even the wind seems muted, avoided by most who pass through.
• The Skyroot Cliffs – A mountain range where ancient trees cling to sheer rock faces, their roots forming natural bridges across deep chasms.

Southern Celyndor (The Verdant Labyrinth)

The southern forests of Celyndor are lush and vibrant, filled with broadleaf trees, winding rivers, and seasonal color shifts. Here, the Velkyn dwell in deep groves, and the Kæthari roam freely between the great oaks and willows.

• The Autumn Expanse – A vast woodland that turns brilliant shades of crimson, gold, and amber in the autumn months.
• The Lichen Halls – A network of underground tunnels formed from ancient roots, used as gathering places for sages and wanderers.
• Erethorin’s Rest – A forgotten ruin hidden deep within the forest, believed to contain the last words of Kaelthorin.

Climate

Celyndor’s climate is shaped by its dense forests and natural isolation. The northern reaches are cool and humid, while the south experiences a milder, temperate climate.

• A Realm of Perpetual Green – The trees of Celyndor never shed their leaves completely, ensuring that the forest remains dense throughout the year.
• Twilight Beneath the Canopy – The forest floor is often shrouded in dim light, illuminated only by bioluminescent fungi and occasional breaks in the trees.
• The Ever-Present Whisper – The rustling of leaves and the groaning of old branches create the impression that the forest itself is breathing.

Native Sophants

Celyndor is home to four distinct peoples, each tied to a different aspect of the forest.

The Dralvir

The Dralvir are large, solitary beings with antlered crowns and bark-like skin. They are the oldest protectors of Celyndor, watching over sacred paths and guiding travelers through the forest. Though slow to act, they are nearly impossible to stop once they are stirred to action. They are most commonly found where the pine forests of the north transition into the broadleaf woods of the south.

The Thryssin

The Thryssin are a semi-arboreal people adapted to life in the towering pines. They possess long, flexible limbs for climbing and keen senses that allow them to detect the faintest movements in the misty forest. Their settlements are built high among the trees, connected by woven bridges and branch tunnels. They are territorial and rarely welcome outsiders into their domain.

The Velkyn

The Velkyn are a plant-like people who exist in deep symbiosis with the forest. Their bodies are interwoven with vines, moss, and bark, and they do not walk so much as grow within their chosen glades. They serve as the keepers of the land’s memory, with their sap carrying knowledge passed down through generations. Some remain rooted in place, acting as living archives of forgotten history.

The Kaethari

The Kaethari are nomadic shapeshifters, existing between the mortal and wild aspects of Celyndor. Some appear mostly human with subtle bestial features, while others take fully animalistic forms. Their connection to the forest is fluid, allowing them to move freely between its many regions. They are both feared and revered, seen as omens of nature’s will.