Introduction
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Overview
Orcrest is its own world, and while inspiration is drawn from various sources (including the Forgotten Realms), Orcrest lore is separate from those inspirations. If something isn't mentioned on this website, do not assume that it is canon within the sim's lore. If there's something specific you want to know about, please ask on the Discord and staff would be happy to clarify.
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Orcrest
The province of Orcrest stands on the brink of collapse. Once the western stronghold of the Empire of Aer Arnad, the province was held together by the brutal foresight of Imperial Governor Natyli Elosriad - a feared bladesinger and diviner who mysteriously vanished before the Empire’s first major defeat in centuries. Without her leadership, the forces of Aer Arnad were driven back across the Eol River, sparking rebellion and unrest. Now, nearly two centuries later, the Legions of Aer Arnad are withdrawing from Orcrest, leaving a power vacuum on the border of the Kingdom of Elm. Harvest Elves seek independence, men rise against their High Elven masters, and dozens of factions - loyalists, rebels, and opportunists alike - descend upon the fractured province to claim what remains of the empire’s legacy.
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Redford Village
Nestled along the western banks of the Eol River, Redford Village stands as both a testament to Elmish resilience and a thriving hub of trade. It grew around a large roadside inn, built to serve the merchants and travelers crossing the fortified bridge built to keep out the legions of Aer Arnad at the Red Ford. Over time, the inn became the heart of the village, drawing traders from distant lands seeking Elm’s prized heavy furs and sheep-skins, exchanged for rare luxuries from across the river. At the village's center stands a weathered stone etched in memory of the Elmsmen, Harvest Elves, Dwarves, and many others who gave their lives to secure Elm’s freedom - a quiet reminder of the sacrifices that shaped the village’s proud legacy.
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Rosewood Vale
A former outpost of the Empire of Aer Arnad, Rosewood Vale stands as a quiet jewel on the border with the Kingdom of Elm, where the lush vineyards along a tributary of the Eol River produce some of the finest elven-aged wines in Orcrest. The keep of House Rosehand, built to control the river, now serves as a militia training ground, its stout Elmish foundations holding firm despite the passage of time. The late Countess Gwendolyne-Julia is remembered as a defender of the innocent - both man and elf alike - and though the elven magics that sustain the castle’s gardens are slowly unraveling, the Vale remains a place of quiet beauty and subtle tension, as the legacy of House Rosehand lingers in the hearts of its people.
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​Garden of Alimáqa
Perched on the eastern banks of the Eol River in the province of Orcrest, the Garden of Alimáqa is a sanctuary of quiet elegance and ancient reverence, perfect for the summer palace of the Imperial Governor. Originally named after its first occupant, a half-elven daughter of the vanished Natyli Elosriad, the garden’s marble pathways and flowering terraces reflect the grace of elven artistry. Delicate carvings of blooms and stars adorn the pale stone walls, whispering of Alimáqa’s fading influence. Though once a stronghold of elven devotion, the exodus of Imperial forces has lead to the waning faith - both practical and spiritual - in the Imperial Truth. Here, the heart of a people lies at a crossroads, and the quiet rivalry between gods lingers.
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Blackwood Forest
The Blackwood stands as a dark and untamed heart between the shattered Kingdom of Nuumalon to the west, the Empire of Aer Arnad to the east, and the Free Cities of Beleri to the south. Its ancient boughs grow tall and strong, coveted for their sturdy wood, yet the forest itself bends to no ruler. Whispers of forgotten powers and hidden dangers linger beneath its dark canopy, where few dare to tread. Even so, Elmsmen oft risk the crossing of the Eol River, drawn by the strength of its timber—and the lure of its secrets.
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Dokduraz
An outpost in the mountains created by dwarves who travelled from the Kingdom of Grimgaud to fight alongside the Elmsmen at the Red Ford, Dokduraz has long stood as a marker of friendship (and makeshift embassy) between Grimgaud and Elm. In the chaos of the Imperial withdrawal, however, the outpost was attacked and its occupants slaughtered. What security the dwarves brought to the region has fled with the perpetrators, and now the dangerous peaks hold little but chaos and bloodshed.
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