Heartwood Glade

The symbol of the Heartwood Glade.

Heartwood Glade are the Sylvaneth worshippers of the hunter god, Kurnoth and welcomed the appearance of the Kurnoth Hunters, they are often first to heed the call to war. Sylvaneth of Heartwood are often a fulsome green with a glittering blue sigils.^[1]

Characteristics

Heartwood are said to be the most courageous of all the glades. They have ever been at the forefront of the Sylvaneth's wars, and since Alarielle's rebirth this is truer than ever.^[3]

In appearance, those of Heartwood glade tend towards fulsome green foliage and glittering sky-blue sigils.^[3]

War

Since the arrival of the Kurnoth Hunters and the Arch-Revenants, the clans of Heartwood have made every effort to welcome them and facilitate their missions if they can. It is common to see the wargroves of Heartwood led into battle by whole hunting parties of these Free Spirits.^[3]

Diplomacy

Heartwood Glade are long-standing allies of Oakenbrow, and lately have found themselves championing the aggressive behaviour of Harvestboon. Several of their clans have also made alliances of convenience with aelves, but they are leery to do so again after betrayal by both the Idoneth Deepkin and the Daughters of Khaine. Those of Heartwood not only distrust Dreadwood, but also despise them.^[3]

Religion

This glade has long worshipped Kurnoth as Alarielle's spirit-consort. None celebrate the periodic Hunter's Moon festival as do they, and when a Wild Hunt is called, many members of Heartwood heed the summons.^[3]

Locations

Heartwood enclaves can be found throughout Ghyran, but their capital and queen can be found in Hol'leath in the lands of Kurnotheal. Despite the enclave being invaded many times during the Age of Chaos, the brave defenders never once allowed the foe to penetrate its inner forests, launching fierce counter-attacks to drive back the enemy every time they threatened to break through.^[3]

History

Like the Oakenbrow Glade, they were sown by Alarielle in the Age of Myth and the traditions that have formed since then are upheld and guarded. Whilst they are suspicious of strangers or new concepts, they are also seekers of knowledge, especially with regard to the arcane.^[1]

Early in the Age of Chaos the glade lost Verdantia in the Realm of Ghur to the minions of Tzeentch. However with the Seraphon at their side and over the course of a decade, the glade took it back, but reduced to nothing more than glittering rubble.^[1]

It was Heartwood wargroves that engaged the Chaos forces at the disastrous Battle of Tears and recovered the spear of the fallen Hunter God, which they brought to the Everqueen.^[3]

Known Clans

• House Il'leath: They are part of Brocelann, a Wyldwood. Its spiritual centre is the Evergreen, the Heartglade, a clearing at peak of the woods uplands and in turn at its centre is the Kingstree where the noble families gather in council and muster wargroves.^[2]

Notable

• Felyndael: Guardian of the Waning Light, a Noble Spirit of the Heartwood Glade who fought in many conflicts during the Age of Chaos. ^[1]
• Nellas the Harvester: A Branchwych of House Il'leath, she saved the Wyldwood of Brocelann from Skathis Rot, a Daemon Herald of Nurgle. ^[2]

Quotes

None braver are there, and none more true. Never was a name more apt, for they are the surging heartwood of their race entire ~ Heartwood Glade. [1]

When the realmroots throb with the song of war, we shall always answer. Even if the foe outnumber the leaves in a forest, we will march forth to meet them. Nothing shall stay our spirit, for we are the Heartwood, and we stand ever ready to fight. ~ Thorma, Branchwych of House Hol [3]

Sources

• 1: Battletome: Sylvaneth (2016), ^{Specify Source}
• 2: Hammerhal & Other Stories - Heartwood by Robbie MacNiven
• 3: Battletome: Sylvaneth (2019), pg. 29