Council of the Woods

In the years after the Cataclysm and the fall of the Empire of Nerath, many lands struggled to have an identity. So many had been subjugated by the Empire for so long, their culture had evaporated. Not so with the Elves of the Greenlands. Their nomadic lifestyle afforded them the luxury of maintaining their culture, even while Imperial garrisons dotted their lands and impacted their daily life.

Once the Empire fell, and the Elves had their allies in the Crystal City, the Elves fell back into their normal routine, minus Imperial interference. Yet there was a lasting effect. The years of relative peace left them vulnerable, and that was shown when Ghrom'dol the Butcher led his horde out of the Sandstone Mountains and into the Greenlands.

Preoccupied by their studies, the Crystal Wizards did not see the problem until too late. They helped, but not until Ghrom'dol had rampaged for months, terrorizing the Elves and destroying much. Once the threat was eliminated, the surviving Elves banded together more closely than ever. They realized that while the Crystal City would protect them, they could not always be counted on. Thus the wisest of the Elves gathered together and discussed how to avoid a catastrophe like Ghrom'dol from happening again.

As the talks went on, it was discovered nearly all of the wise were devotees of a handful of gods. They sought more information, and came to the conclusion that nature itself could take care of the Elves, if shepherded correctly clerics and priests of certain gods. Corellon, Melora, and Sehanine were the most represented, with a small number of priests of Pelor and Kord, and the smattering of devotees of exarchs.

The chief clergy members of Corellon, Melora, and Sehanine formed the Council of the Woods. They became the de facto rulers of the Greenlands, although the term 'ruler' would be used very, very loosely. They maintain a small military force and most of the permanent buildings within the Greenlands, including the Oakstone Library.

Since they took control, the Greenlands have been one of the safer and more stable regions of Rhonnos.