The Legend
Introduction
October 1, 2025
Tribes of the Xaltherean People in the Xalthera Glowing ForestThe Xaltherean tribes are nomadic groups of ethereal, bioluminescent-skinned humanoids who dwell deep within the Xalthera Glowing Forest, a vast, ancient woodland on the fictional continent of Elyndor. This enchanted forest is illuminated by perpetual, soft-glowing flora and fungi that emit a perpetual ethereal light, creating an otherworldly canopy under which the tribes live in harmony with nature's magic. The Xalthereans revere the forest's glow as a divine gift from ancestral spirits, and their tribal names often reflect themes of light, shadows, flora, and mystical guardianship. These tribes are known for their shamanistic traditions, intricate tattoos that mimic the forest's luminescent patterns, and a deep-seated aversion to outsiders who might disrupt the delicate balance of the woods.Based on lore from Xaltherean mythology (drawn from expanded fantasy world-building sources), here are eleven prominent tribal names, along with brief descriptions of their customs and roles within the forest ecosystem. These tribes frequently ally or feud over sacred glowing groves, but they unite against external threats. I've added a new tribe, the Arboril, who are arboreal specialists living among and traversing the treetops.
The “Glowing Forest Tribes”
The names blend Elvish with ideas from the Glowing Forest, evoking an aura of old mystery and magic.
1. Lumivari
The "Light Weavers" masters of crafting luminescent threads from glowing vines. They act as healers and artisans, using their woven garments to camouflage and protect the tribe during nocturnal migrations. Known for their peaceful diplomacy among tribes.
2. Shadeglade
Guardians of the forest's shadowed underbelly, where the glow dims. These warriors specialize in stealth and ambush tactics, wielding curved blades infused with bioluminescent sap that glows faintly in darkness. They are often seen as mysterious scouts.
3. Mycoril
"Fungus Whisperers," deeply attuned to the glowing mushrooms that form the forest's natural lanterns. This tribe excels in alchemy and poison-making, using fungal spores for both medicine and defense. They live in symbiotic harmony with massive, cap-like dwellings.
4. Sylvandor
Ancient tree-shapers who bond with the massive, glowing elder trees. Their shamans perform rituals to "awaken" the forest's roots for protection. Renowned for their long-lived elders and intricate wooden armor etched with glowing runes.
5. Elowenari
"Starbloom Kin," named after the rare flowers that mimic starlight in the canopy. This matriarchal tribe focuses on prophecy and divination, reading patterns in the forest's glow to predict dangers. They are nomadic herbalists, trading rare elixirs with other tribes.
6. Thornveil
Fierce defenders of the forest's thorny borders, using bioluminescent thorns as weapons and traps. They are the most territorial, often clashing with encroaching tribes, but their venomous barbs are prized for crafting. Marked by thorny tattoos that faintly glow.
7. Aurithane
"Glow forged," blacksmiths who temper metals with the forest's radiant essences, creating weapons that shimmer in low light. This tribe values strength and honor, hosting annual glow-lit duels to settle disputes. They roam the forest's metallic ore veins.
8. Nethervine
Underground dwellers who tend to the root systems beneath the glowing surface. Experts in earth magic, they cultivate hidden grottos and emerge only during full moons. Known for their reclusive nature and symbiotic bonds with glowing worms.
9. Radiqor
"Light Hunters," skilled trackers who hunt nocturnal beasts drawn to the forest's glow. They use bows strung with vine fibers and arrows tipped with luminous crystals. This tribe emphasizes communal feasts around bonfires of glowing wood.
10. Zephyril
Wind-guided nomads who navigate the forest's breezy heights via vine bridges. They are storytellers and messengers, carrying tales between tribes on the wind. Their cloaks, dyed with petal extracts, shift colors to blend with the glowing foliage.
11. Arboril
"Treetop Nomads," who dwell in elevated villages woven from living branches high in the canopy. Masters of arboreal travel, they glide between trees using enchanted vines and bioluminescent gliders, serving as aerial scouts and gatherers of rare high-altitude fruits. Their agile, lightweight builds and glowing wing-like tattoos allow seamless movement through the upper forest layers.
12. Faunari
Beast Whisperers," attuned to the glowing forest's fauna, communicating telepathically with bioluminescent creatures like shadow wolves and luminous deer. They form pacts to control and ride beasts for protection and hunting, acting as the forest's mobile guardians. Their tattoos pulse in rhythm with animal heartbeats, and they often mediate disputes involving wildlife.
The History of Xalthera
The legend of the people
Xaltherean legend tells of the creation of “The Glowing Forest” as being a combined effort of the Lumivari (Creator of Light), the Faunari (Creator of Animals), and the Sylvandor (Creator of trees and plants). They say that the Xalthera ancient spirits used light to create the trees that sheltered the first Forest people. Just as God used his supernatural powers to create our earth.
These are the ancient tribes whose bloodlines were intertwined with the very birth of the forest. Elders of these tribes also created the Forest Laws; current tribes still live by. Each tribe has special spiritual gifts and abilities given to them by their God above. Among them were the creators, the hunters, the warriors, and the crafters. Finally the boaters (who commanded the great “Luminescent River,” that divided Xalthera into four distinct regions.) mountains, deserts, beach, and valleys.
Arboril, as a newer addition, often ally with the Zephyril for high-canopy expeditions, sharing knowledge of wind currents and treetop paths. Tribes gather once a year for the annual "Glow-Dance" festival, held in the dark, to celebrate the creation and beginnings of life on the planet Xalthera. A popular ritual where they exchange luminescent gifts made of forest resources. This would appease God and prevent him from extinguishing the forest's luminescence and all life upon the planet Xalthera. The forest tribes are the guardians of the forest. As time went on, the forest became a booming and loving community. Monthly festivals were natural to them. Once a month they worshipped their God. Another day was a mixture of creating and celebrating unions of tribal members under the glow of the forest, who created families and villages. The numbers grew as they thought it their duty to maintain and protect the forest and its gifts. It was a peaceful and joyous existence. Families and tribal members would take care of those less fortunate among them, and the population grew happy with little sickness and strife.
However, such is the fate of human creations; selfishness, jealousy and strife invaded the peace of the villages. Wars would break out, and the losers' excommunication was a consequence of these actions. Many of the excommunicated left the safety of the forest and struck out onto the rocky lands of the Xalthera mountains, plains, deserts and beaches by the “Xalthera Sea.” They created regions and named them after the tribe they left. Trade and sharing became a thing of the past, and the new regions would only trade and meet among themselves, vowing to get their vengeance one day.
They created their own trade and services. Many of the people who created these regions did so according to skin tone, forgetting the unity of the “Glowing Forest” and creating a divided and violent world of selfish satisfaction. These leaders, ignoring God and his covenants, dictated their own rules, while warriors and leaders would sometimes assault the forest tribes, proclaiming them a race that must be regulated and diminished.
Any leader wanting to return to the practice of the forest ways would be jailed, executed or banned from their region, forcing many to create an in-between world of people dubbed Outsiders. They lived on the outskirts of towns and on the forest boundaries, usually by themselves on the banks of the “Great Luminescent River.” Where they traded and befriended the Forest tribes, and some would enter a union with another tribe, creating a combined tribe that left some villages deserted and allowed them to decay. This was the fate of the Faunari. A powerful and loving tribe that believed in themselves as one with the forest and its species of animals. These tribes would treat the forest tribes as brethren.
This same path threatened the remaining inhabitants of both worlds. They needed each other to survive. They needed to learn to live in peace and prosperity, needing each other to survive, but could live on their own. Such was the mission that Azure Vael (the only known sole of the remaining Faunari) Takes on herself.
On the planet Xalthera in 2060, There exists two species of humans. The natives of the Glowing Forest, a mysterious region nobody dares to investigate, and the people of Aurora Plains. Xalthera's most populated region, under the control of the Aurora Council. They considered Azure an outsider and dangerous to their way of life, their religious culture, and their prosperity.
Azure Vael doesn't recall her origins, but after the brutal assassination of her family, she flees into the forest, seeking refuge. She needs a safe place to figure who or what was happening in Aurora plains.
With her husband, Xander Vael now dead, alongside of their precious little Tinder; Vexis Sablethorn would take control of the council and rule over Aurora Plains. Azure and his wife, Valtara were the closest of friends since their teens, but lately even she regarded her with envious, fearful glances. Azure and his wife, Valtara were best friends, since their teens, but even she had started looking at her with envy and fear. They would all believe she was responsible.
Things in her family history make her a likely suspect. Azure was now in the crosshairs of those she had trusted most and the only way to find the real killer and why her loved ones had to die was on her own.
Unlikely assistance comes from a source she didn't even know was there. The mysteries swirling around her start to unravel, and her life now made sense.
Watch for the first book, Fugitive Bride of Xalthera, coming soon. Be a part of Azure's amazing journey to Finding out who she really is, and what really matters in life.
Take a stroll through the famous illuminated forest of Xalthera, bordering the Aurora plains.
Stroll through the majestic, illuminated forest of Xalthera and enjoy the serenity.