The Highbank Forest
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The Highbank Forest A last important factor in the effort to build this community A Settlement of Elves in the Vast centered around a dangerous adventure the Coronal and some By Kenn Boyle and Rick Brill trusted Elves of the area undertook. Delving into the depths of Converted by Aaron Martin and Joe Harney the Underdark, this group was beset upon by a force of Drow and minions of overwhelming power. Forced to flee, the group of Located just two days north and east of the city of Ravens Bluff, Tel’Quessir used powerful magic to flee to the one place no the Highbank Forest has become the center of Elven culture in servant of Lolth would follow, the Elven Realm of Arvandor. This the Vast. Under the patronage of the Tulani Lord Glantherius of trip changed the lives and focus of most all the Elves there, Arvandor, the leadership of Coronal Semmitsaul Silverspear, redefining their views of and roles in the world. Most importantly, and the guidance of the Highbank Council, the Forest has the new settlement in the Highbank Forest gained the blessing of flourished. They strive to make the Forest a better place for the a powerful Eladrin Clan from Arvandor. Their leader, a legendary Elven people and the sylvan races. Eladrin Tulani Lord known as Glantherius offered the Highbank Elves a place in Clan Calarrii, and promised to be a voice of The Highbank Forest is a community established by Elves and assistance and wisdom for their task ahead. He praised their for Elves, to sustain the Elven way of life. To aid the growth of dedication and agreed to grant aid in numerous forms, both the Highbank, followers of the Seldarine are encouraged to spiritual and worldly. Some of the band of Elves remained move to the forest and promote its Elven culture. The Highbank behind for lessons in the ways of lost Elven magic, skills, and strives to generate a feeling of community and belonging, a fighting. Others returned to Faerun and began their new lives. place any Elf would be proud to call home. It is designed to protect Elves and provide them with a home that is unique and - Today - tailored to their Elven beliefs. Aside from the Highbank Forest Despite the devastation the Highbank Forest suffered from the there is not a strong Elven community on Faerun in the area war that ended outside Ravens Bluff a few short years ago, known as the Vast and the main goal of this effort is to remedy nature is quickly restoring itself. With the help of the druids of the that condition. Additionally, the Highbank Forest is designed as a Vast, life is returning to the area at a steady pace. The temporary resting-place for Elves seeking Retreat to Evermeet emergence of the Elven presence, in addition to the influence of or Arvandor. their druids, is once again shaping the Forest into a beautiful and serene spot, one that should exceed its former condition if it is The assumption behind the development of this new Elven allowed to heal. Roughly fifteen miles long and eight miles deep, community is that most Elves would prefer to live in surroundings the forest is more than large enough to sustain this settlement dominated by Nature and the Weave. Formed with ideas and the traditional forest creatures living there. promoting the Tel’Quessir’s bond with the world and the magic around them, this community is designed to bring back some of Popular misconception seems to say that the Elves living in this the influence and culture of the Elven peoples. It is understood forest turn away any unwanted visitor. This is simply not true. that many of the Elves living here will continue to travel and The Elves of the Highbank are a peaceful and good community, adventure in many areas, but that this will become and remain devoted to the development and security not only of their own their new home. homes but also the well being of the whole of the Vast. It is their belief that what affects one group will affect the entire region. - Background & History - Many founding members of the Highbank community were, and This community sprang from a few important events. in many regards, still are active adventurers that held positions of respect and influence within Ravens Bluff or other Burned almost completely to the ground during the war with communities. This new community is devoted to promoting their Myrkyssa Jelan and her humanoid army in DR 1369, the race’s way of life. It is not designed to prove they are “better” Highbank Forest became a series of large, barren spots that than any other race, instead it is intended to protect their unique were once sections of beautiful forest. Anything that tried to culture to make the entire Vast a better place, for all. Because remain in the forest during this attack was either burned or killed. the Elves here understand that their time on this world is limited, Most creatures fled. Left a broken shadow of its former self, the they seek to provide a refuge for those who remain and maintain Highbank was almost entirely abandoned by any good creature a shelter to preserve portions of their culture that is so missing while the threat of war remained. With the ending of the war from this world. Corellon himself bid this community be started some people and creatures that had lived in the Highbank Forest and did so with the blessing of the Seldarine. Those Elves who returned, determined to regain what was lost. feel the greatest need to re-establish their ties to Elven heritage are heeding this call and moving back to traditional ways and The most important factor in the emergence of this Elven places of the Tel’Quessir community came when a leader for the Elven people was chosen by the Seldarine and given the heavy task of beginning a Visitors to the Highbank are not summarily turned away. Most place of peaceful living, worship, and sanctity for the Tel’Quessir visitors approach from the south and stop at the Highbank of the Vast. The ranking priests of Corellon were also granted Village to let the Elves there know why they are continuing on visions filled with the wishes of the Seldarine. For too long had into Al’esia. the region been denied a strong Elven presence, for too long had no effort to unite the Tel’Quessir been made. These high It is true that most beings entering the forest are watched, at priestesses were instructed to take the temple dedicated to least for a time, to ensure their intentions are good. The Elves Corellon and the Seldarine in Ravens Bluff and move it to the have learned that they have many enemies and groups wishing Highbank Forest. There a new temple was to be built, and there them harm. They are guarded in many ways but not to the point a new life was to begin for the Elves of the Vast. With the they attack any or all unknown people they see. Those entering inclusion of a large group of active adventuring Elves in the from a direction other than the Highbank Village will be noticed region and a solid foundation in place, the evolution began. and approached by a representative of a patrol. Unless the The Highbank Forest Expansion v2.80 p. 1 visitors are obviously evil, the patrol will simply ask them their intent, then guide or accompany them to their destination. Those who are regular visitors to or living in the Highbank but are not Coronal Semmitsaul Silverspear citizens of the community will typically be recognized as such Leading the Tel’Quessir of the Vast and left undisturbed, to go about their personal business. Evil By Kenn Boyle and Rick Brill beings or those bent on harm will be met with more severe actions. Since the days of Cormanthyr, the title Coronal has meant, "He who speaks in the woods with the weight and wisdom of Another popular misconception is that the Elves of the Highbank Corellon Himself." To be named Coronal is a serious issue and are or have forced any and all creatures out of the forest. This is one Elves, as a race take very seriously. Corellon himself simply not true. More than a few good beings and creatures live chooses a Coronal, and all good Elves respect and venerate the in or around the Highbank Forest. Rangers and druids are the Great Protector for what he has done for the Tel'Quessir. To commonly found inhabitants. Most of the forest area is under the insult the Coronal is to insult Corellon. The Coronal's purpose is protection of the Elves, but they understand that they do not to lead and guard his people, much like a king, but from an Elven need nor have to monitor every area of the forest. They rely perspective, less with an iron fist and more with the needs and upon those beings that have similar beliefs of how to live with well being of the Elves under his charge in mind. The Elves are a nature to do their part. fleeting and persecuted race on this world, and from their view, the time to leave is not so far away. Thus, the Coronal seeks to An exciting recent development, politically, was the emergence protect and preserve the ways of the Tel'Quessir while they of a small embassy in Ravens Bluff that belongs to the Highbank remain on Faerun.