Ishlian is the first elfin settlement established on Alphos and the center of their growing presence within Umbria. Its founders arrived carrying something more precious than all the tools, provisions, and records of even their entire old kingdom: a cutting taken from the great tree at the heart of Elyiore—the Mother Tree. Rather than simply seeking land upon which they might survive, the elfin searched Alphos for a place where the cutting would flourish, even if it was more difficult for them to do so. Eventually they found a broad stretch of dense forest supplied by clean water with enough area outside the thick canopy to give sunlight. There, the cutting was planted and carefully tended until it took root, becoming the young Sister Tree around which Ishlian has since begun to grow.

Unlike the nearby elthari Grove, Ishlian does not attempt to simply disappear into the wilderness. The elfin construct permanent homes, workshops, bridges, paths, gardens, and communal spaces, but simply do so working alongside the landscape, rather than forcing the world into submission like the humans would.

At the heart of all stands the Sister Tree. Though still young compared with the ancient Great Tree from which its cutting was taken, it serves as the spiritual, cultural, and increasingly physical center of Ishlian. Important paths and communal spaces naturally gather around it, and its health is watched closely by those who remember what the Fading did to Elyiore. For many elfin, the tree represents far more than the founding of a new settlement. It is living proof that something of their homeland survived the crossing of the Great Sea and can take root in unfamiliar soil. Ishlian is not intended to replace Elyiore, nor could its people easily forget what was left behind; it exists so that, whatever becomes of the Old Lands, something of Elyiore may continue to grow.
Founding and History
Ishlian was founded shortly after the first wave of elfin arrivals reached Alphos, following a deliberate search for somewhere suitable to plant the young Sister Tree carried all the way from Elyiore. Once the tree took root, the elfin began establishing their settlement around it, viewing its continued growth as proof that at least part of their homeland could survive beyond the reach of the Fading.
Location and Surroundings
Ishlian rests within one of Alphos's dense forests, where plentiful water, woodland, and fertile soil provide ideal conditions necessary both for the settlement and the Tree to flourish.
Layout and Architecture
Ishlian radiates loosely outward from the Sister Tree, and the most important communal and spiritual spaces are naturally close to it. Roads and paths follow the terrain, while homes and workshops occupy the spaces between existing trees, waterways, and landscape features. Elfin architecture combines timber and stone with the existing landscape rather than replacing it.
Districts and Important Locations
Ishlian more or less has circular districts, with the religious sectors being nearest the tree, then the homes, then workshops, then anything that requires immense space on the most outside spots.
Government and Authority
Authority within Ishlian follows traditional elfin ideas of stewardship over rule. Leadership is granted to individuals trusted for their wisdom, service, and ability to protect the community, with major decisions expected to consider both the immediate and long-term needs of Ishlian and the land around it. The Sister Tree is always the highest priority, even above the lives of the people themselves.
People and Daily Life
Daily life in Ishlian is generally calm, split between crafts, cultivation, construction, study, gathering, hunting, and anything else necessary for the continued establishment of the young settlement. As a result, the elfin of Alphos are far less aloof than those of Elyiore due to the necessity for survival above comfort and time.
Economy and Resources
Ishlian relies upon a mixture of carefully managed woodland resources, small-scale cultivation, hunting, gathering, and skilled craftsmanship. Fine woodworking, textiles, carved goods, medicines, and other specialized crafts provide useful trade with neighboring settlements.
Defense and Security
Ishlian lacks heavy fortifications, but has more than the Grove does still. Elfin hunters often work as the defense force of the settlement as well, skilled with their bows for taking out foes from long distances. Protection of the SIster Tree is especially important. A serious threat to it would be treated not merely as an attack upon property, but upon one of the most important living connections between the elfin of Alphos and Elyiore, tantamount to an attempt at genocide of the elfin people of Alphos.
Culture and Faith
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Relations
Ishlian maintains close relations with the nearby Grove, regarding the elthari as ancient kin despite their cultural differences and independent customs. Movvement between the two settlements is relatively common, though the elthari remain outside Ishlian's government and generally prefer the deeper wilderness.

Relations with the other peoples of Alphos are generally peaceful, with trade and shared concern over the dangers of the island encouraging cooperation. Ishlian nevertheless remains strongly focused upon preserving Elfin culture and ensuring that the traditions carried from Elyiore are not gradually lost in the necessities of settlement, knowing all too well that the death of one's native culture will lead to the death of one's people, whether physically or otherwise.
Current Issues and Rumors
Ishlian's greatest concern remains the Sister Tree. Its growth is watched carefully for any indication that Alphos's unfamiliar soil, climate, or other conditions may affect it detrimentally. The settlement must also balance its continued expansion with the elfin desire to avoid unnecessarily altering the world around them.
Notable People
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Settlement Identity
Ishlian is defined by continuity above all else.Its people accept that Alphos is not and never will be Elyiore, but they refuse to allow distance or the Fading to sever them completely from their homeland. At Ishlian's heart grows a living piece of the old world, and around it the elfin intend to ensure that their people, culture, and traditions continue to grow as well.