Introduction

The land of the Forest, a wide realm with vast forests of oak, pine, ash, yew, and others. It supplied all of Adalmearc and beyond with timber, and its woodworkers were considered second to none. To the north-east of the realm stood a holy oak around which Austre’s main temple was built as well as a town that grew into Hareik, capital of Vidrevi. The widespread woods did mean that although large in size, Vidrevi was not densely populated; it had limited farmlands. Forests could be cleared to provide more, naturally, but the foresters, as people of Vidrevi were called, considered such sacrilege. While the priestesses of Austre did not involve themselves in politics, they were protective of the forests and generally ensured they were not threatened in any way. For this and their many kindnesses that they exhibited, the Order of the Hart was very popular in Vidrevi and shown the utmost respect. The banner of Vidrevi also closely resembled the emblem of the Order of the Hart; the head of a great, brown stag upon green. is said that once the stag was crowned, but not since the days of Arn of Old.

Vidrevi had countless towns scattered across the realm, but very few cities as such; Hareik was the only true city with great stone walls and buildings in the manner of the southern realms. There was also on the west coast a smaller city named Trehaf, which was the principal port of Vidrevi. With trade being almost exclusively the domain of the islanders, Trehaf was mainly used as a shipping point for the timber being transported south or west.

Relations with Saelnar

Vidrevi often had strained relations with its two neighbours, Adalrik and Thusund. Both realms were always richer and more populated and natural allies against Ealond; thus in matters concerning Vidrevi, Adalrik and Thusund typically aligned themselves as well. In response, Vidrevi and Ealond ended up unlikely allies; both had an interest in curbing Thusund and possibly take over some of the lucrative trade with the South Cities. Their ability to aid each other was hampered by the Weolcan Mountains, however, separating the two realms very effectively; in order to reach other, they would have to either march through Adalrik and its capital Middanhal, or alternatively it was necessary to cross the Western Sea, dominated by the fleet of Thusund.

Vidrevi was the only realm that actively resisted joining the Alliance of Adalmearc under Arn of Old; thanks to their woods and how widespread their towns were, subduing the forest realm was difficult. Hareik itself was seized after a long siege by Arn himself while his new vassals of Thusund captured Trehaf from the sea; but the king of Vidrevi, named Folkmar, escaped the fall of Hareik and carried out a lengthy resistance for many years, striking unpredictably and retreating into the woods. This prolonged the war considerably, but ultimately it was in vain; Arn’s forces were simply too numerous and well-supplied to be whittled down in this manner, and only decisive defeats in open battle might have turned the war.

Arn eventually extended an offer of peace whereby Folkmar would keep his crown as Arn’s vassal rather than be replaced on the throne by a puppet of Arn’s choosing; realising the futility of further struggle, Folkmar accepted this and returned to Hareik. Arn kept his word; this magnanimous gesture was true to his character, and Folkmar reigned as Arn’s vassal in Vidrevi for the rest of his days. He remained a popular figure, and tales of his exploits during the War of the Dragon were often told, keeping his legend alive.