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| Background
information |
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| Gnarley
Forest |
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| Woodsmen |
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| Some 4,000 woodsmen live within the
Gnarley, predominantly on the fringes (within 15 miles of the edge of the forest). They are generally sympathetic to Greyhawk and welcome both rangers and militia as protectors (many rangers are woodsmen by birth, in any event). Most dwell in small villages or outlying hamlets (20-50 folk) and they live by woodcutting, yarpick nut harvesting, and basic subsistence farming (chickens, goats, a few cattle and the like). This is supplemented by some trapping, hunting (most woodsmen have trained dogs), and netting of birds for food. Woodsmen take care not to clear large areas of the forest, since they are well aware that elven eyes watch them. Only in larger villages will woodsmen have artisans among their number- carpenters, blacksmiths, tanners and leatherworkers, and the like. Such larger villages may sometimes be semi-fortified or have good defenses, especially to the south. The woodsmen are very respectful of the rights of other races. A small handful are lucky enought to have a brownie living at the borders of their homesteads, or a killmoulis in ther barn, and they prize the little folk. Likewise, they know the bravery of gnomes in combatting their mutual enemy- humanoids. They are wary of elves, but they usually offer such hospitality as elves may accept. The society of the woodspeople is usually democratic, although some of their larger settlements are owned by nobles or other landowners. While Greyhawk's rule is accepted by some, local communities elect their own sheriffs or mayors (in larger villages) to enforce the peace. Woodsmen generally don't pay taxes to anyone, because they usually have no money; most transactions happen by barter. Rather, whatever trade surplus a few of them can offer head off to swell either Dyvers or Greyhawk's volume of trade, and militia are offered such food and accomodation as they may need. This simple picture is muddied to the south where the Gnarley borders on the Wild Coast. Traditionally, the lands here have been regarded as part of the Wild Coast, and no few bandits still hide out in the forest. If anything, these bandits are even more inclined toward evil than before, since they include those who have fled Greyhawk's amnesty and rulership in Narwell and beyond. Here, the woodsmen are tough, suspicious, surly men who survive on what they grow and trap, and avoid travel. Visitors are not well received here, save for bandit-hunting militia. |