Silverleaf: Map and Storyline

OVERVIEW: Once a small elf sponsored city state, after the wars against the invading Kingdom of Thane 1000 years ago, Silverleaf expanded its territory as far south as the city state of Elnarnan, which - with a very different history and ethnic make up than Silverleaf - declated indepedence a couple of hundred years after the demise of the DeathKnight and the foundation of the Empire.

These days Silverleaf is a prosperous, peaceful and refined place - trading overland with the Empire and by sea with the Elven Homelands and maintains excellent relations with the Empire as a Suzerian state.

Due to its proximity and close ties to the Elven Homelands, Silverleaf has a very natural, elf inspired feel to it - some of the older buildings were made with high elf magic and it is a city filled with many beautiful parks, botanic gardens and trees line the streets as far as the eye can see. The original human inhabitants of Silverleaf are distantly related to the Northmen - blond, red or even white hair is common, but due to over a thousand years of relations with the elves, are of slighter build and tend towards less body hair.

NAMED AREAS

SILVERLEAF CITY: The city of Silverleaf has a population of approx 150,000 souls, and maintains a census along Imperial lines that has determined that 5% of the population are of elven blood, 15% half elven, 2% halfling and the rest primarily human. It is a trade hub overland to the Empire along the Great Western Road, which was completed with Imperial assistance to link Silverleaf to the Empire - and via sea to the Elven homelands mysterious port city (one of which, only friendly, known merchants can actually find..)

SILVERWOOD: Just outside of the city, the Silverwood gives the region its name - for the leaves of the rare Silverleaf tree, found only in Silverleaf, turn literally into silver during the winter months. Groves of silvertrees are rare and the majority of the forest is made up of oak, birch and willow.

PUREWELL: A large coastal town bordering on a city in size, Purewells primary industries are logging and fishing as well as trade. Recent disagreements with Silverleaf has seen the town forming closer bonds with Elnarnan and there are rumors that it too may wish to become an independent city state.

BURNESIDE STRONGHOLD: Once the primary bastion against the inading Thanish army over 1000 years ago, in these times of peace the Stronghold, which was gifted to the people of Silverleaf by Elf magic, is barely manned and used as a training ground and has grown a small town around it that acts as a nexus point for the surrounding farmlands.

AMBERMEADOW: These are some of the most fertile lands anywhere on the continent producing a huge surplus that is exported to the Empire and beyond. It gets its name from the beautiful spring blooms of Amberflowers - which rejuvenate the soil and have special healing and relaxing properties when smoked - which is legal in Silvermeadow, but outlawed in the Empire.

ELNARNAN: Actually an independent city state, Elnarnan was founded during the Thanish invasion and became the home for the homeless regugees fleeing the devestated Kingdom of Thane after its fall. With a much lower elven influence than Silverwater, it declared independence 800 years ago and while not hostile to Silverleaf, is suspicious of Elven influence. It is also the scene for the tale of the Forever Prince. Has some inland trade with the Empire, but the majority of its trade is actually via sea to Karamentonen, Ankarath, Escia, Pomedica and even Lhasa with their fast trading ships - which ironically are purcased from the Elven Homelands..

GRIMEVALLEY: a collection of mining towns and villages extracting silver, nickel, copper and platinum.

THE DISTANT PEAKS: So called because when you walk towards them, they don't seem to get any closer.. This is because the peaks of the mountain range separates the realm of men from the realm of the Fay and only an invited guest may make progress and find one of the many hidden passes.

WAERHAM KEEP: Acts as the last point of defence if a force from the Badlands manages to break through. Human constructed.

WAELCOMBE KEEP: Serves as the final checkpoint along the Great Western road into Silverleaf and used as a base to protect against incursions from the Badlands and surrounding areas. Currently garrisons the main body of Silverleafs armed forces.

BELANORE: A large town/small city that serves as a nexus point for the numerous farms surrounding it. Farms in this area produce the widest variety of crops anywhere on the continent.

TREEHOLD CITADEL: Originally build by the inading Thanes, Treehold Citadel was rebuilt and now serves as a safety point to check any possible incursions from the lawless lands to the South and South East.

MYTHHARBOR: In addition to the surrounding fertile farmland, Mythharbor is a large fishing town.

TURQUOISE LOCH: Named after the beautiful color of its waters, the Loch is home to all manner of fish - many native only to this body of water. The plains to the West of the Loch are home to wild centaur tribes who do not trouble the people of Silverleaf and often mop up any monsters or fell beasts that find their way into the lands from beyond the mountains.

THE PEACEFUL WOODS: A huge natural forest, it is the home to Druids, Wood elves and other Sylvan folk.

STEELCLIFF: Tucked in at the base of the towering mountains, Steelcliff sits near a huge deposit of iron ore, the quality and purity of which is unrivalled in the known world. The mountains surrounding it are impassable.

THE NAMELESS TEMPLE: This one will need some input - it is positioned in a wild area that can and does see incursions from the Badlands and beyond. It is off the beaten path so to speak, and should put a dark stain on this otherwise pristine land.

WOOD ELF NATION: Actually, should be called the 'Wild Elf Nation' as it is an independent state of 'back to nature' high elves who left the elven homelands and who live like Wood Elves. But Wood Elves they are not. They utilize only natural materials, dislike visitors and have a wild, unkept appearance with long tangled, leaf speckled hair, tribal Celtic style tattoos covering almost every inch of their body and file their teeth to sharp points. They only wish to be left alone, and anyone who deviates from the road to the Elven Homelands will receive a warning shot arrow that will graze their cheek - and if ignored, the second shot will be to the heart or to the eye, as there are no better archers anywhere on the continent. It is said that a wild elf archer can shoot an apple of a mans head blindfolded from 150 yards..