Shelterwood is a thriving forest that forms a semi-circle around the southern half of Homestead lake and goes all the way to the foothills of the Ashen Mountain Range. The trees are a mixture of broadleaves and conifers with green foliage. Broadleaved trees typically produce edible, sweet fruit and the conifers produce nuts that are highly nutritious but slightly bitter in taste. In the foothills of the Ashen Mountains, the foliage and bark of the trees turn silver due to exposure to the minerals that are unique to the Ashen Mountains. Other plants that grow in Shelterwood include bushes and vines that produce berries, edible tubers that are identifiable by the flowers they sprout on the surface of the ground, and other plants and herbs that often have medicianl properties. Most of the plants of Shelterwood are useful to the inhabitants of the forest.
Wildlife is plentiful in the forest, too. People brought with them deer, rabbits, and turkeys and introduced them to the forest. Before then, there had not been enough game to support the human population via hunting. After just a few years, the population exploded and now it is easy for people to hunt and eat plenty without endangering the numbers of the introduced game animals. Native Iwanese animals are limited to birds of varying sizes and reptiles that range from the size of a small lizard to the rare specimen about the size of a horse. Luckily, the big lizards are vegetarians that preper to dig up roots and tubers, but they can be deadly if provoked or threatened.
Most of the people of Landing live in Shelterwood. Villages are small clusters of humble wood and stone structures. Sometimes, there will be a larger building that houses multiple families. In these villages, there may be one or two businesses. Most people are taught to be self-sufficient and make their own supplies. Homes will usually have a small barn off to the side where chickens and hogs are raised and another building that serves as a workshop. Some have gardens for food or herbs, but it's not entirely necessary, as most useful plants can be picked straight from the forest.
Wildlife is plentiful in the forest, too. People brought with them deer, rabbits, and turkeys and introduced them to the forest. Before then, there had not been enough game to support the human population via hunting. After just a few years, the population exploded and now it is easy for people to hunt and eat plenty without endangering the numbers of the introduced game animals. Native Iwanese animals are limited to birds of varying sizes and reptiles that range from the size of a small lizard to the rare specimen about the size of a horse. Luckily, the big lizards are vegetarians that preper to dig up roots and tubers, but they can be deadly if provoked or threatened.
Most of the people of Landing live in Shelterwood. Villages are small clusters of humble wood and stone structures. Sometimes, there will be a larger building that houses multiple families. In these villages, there may be one or two businesses. Most people are taught to be self-sufficient and make their own supplies. Homes will usually have a small barn off to the side where chickens and hogs are raised and another building that serves as a workshop. Some have gardens for food or herbs, but it's not entirely necessary, as most useful plants can be picked straight from the forest.
