The Ataraxi

History
The Ataraxi are the survivors of the fall of the Hands of Talos. That ancient order concerned itself with the simple doctrine that the strong survive and that the strongest prevail over all others, but never could get around to agreeing on whom this "Strongest" was. After ages of infighting and abandoning the other needs of the civilization, the wilds grew unkempt and began to reclaim the structures and cities that they had built there. This overgrowth and discord left the people in great dismay and starving, raids, and constant changes in rulership were constant facts of life in the lands.

This went on for some time until Noelani Mistwalker "The Heartseer" arrived. She discovered that the rapid growth of the woods was caused by fey creatures, and went out to explore their lifestyle. She contacted the benefactor what brought these fey into the world, the spirit of those woods "Fysis", and formed a Quasi-symbiotic relation with them. After performing this Noelani, now called "The Heartseer" began making invitations which coaxed people away from their towns and civilized lifestyles and into Fysis' embrace.

Over the years of growth, Fysis established redoubts called "Great Groves" for the people that came to live with her. She had Noelani and kin teach the people how to live with the fey and throw aside worries, inhibitions, and cares. The people concerned themselves only with enjoying themselves and the wood's bounty in the presence of Fysis, in perfect cohesion with her fey children, which pleases the spirit greatly. Over the years, these inhabitants began to display signs of Fysis' pleasure and approval in the form of mutations.

These mutations have various forms and degrees. Humans often bear prehensile tails, beastlike teeth, and apexed eyes. Elves often have antlers or horns alongside greenish skin. Shifters are a somewhat regular if not common phenomenon here.

Living alongside the fey promoted an aloof, carefree, and promiscuous lifestyle among the people. Over generations, most people shared Fysis' blessings, lived off of the materials she provided, and acted in accordance with her will.

The Paths:
The paths in the jungle are guarded by sentinels called Reach Rangers, volunteers of all shapes and sizes that keep them safe. Rarely do people who travel the roads old roads which once connected the cities come to harm, as these rangers do their utmost to ward off dangers from the road. The jungle surrounding the path is PERILOUS, filled to its brim with monstrous plants and general monsters that seek the cover of it's shaded canopy. Every person who attempts the paths is given two simple rules above all others. Carry only a low, covered flame from your lantern. Never stray into the deeper wood from that paths. Few people stray from these guidelines, and there is hardly ever a need for a ranger to go and fetch a forlorn traveler from the perils within

"You’ve been at it for weeks. The path is old and cobbled, lit only by the occasional light magic from the Ataraxi rangers that watch the way. At least you think that’s who casts it, you can never seem to see them. You always feel watched, but never see anything that ought to be able to watch you. 

''The trail is lonely and WOULD leave you in total darkness were it not for your lantern. You were advised STRONGLY against bringing an open torch long before you got onto the path, and provided with this alternative. Occasionally along the path, hooded figures sold or even gave away more fuel for your green-glassed lamp, and you are grateful for it. You can feel that this place is angry at you for even the bit of contained fire you DID bring, and were you to carry anything more open, you would feel very unsafe. ''

''You travel losing track of days as you go. You make camp in small clearings along the road when tired but otherwise trudge on endlessly. It’s so cold here in the southlands, and with no sun to warm you, you can ALWAYS see your breath. You pull your coat tighter, take another look over your shoulder, and press on"''

— from a traveler's description of walking the path

The Groves:
The Grottos (the current big ones being in Bjornes and Mitvault) are scenic “clearings” in the jungles, some of the only places where sunlight reaches the surface in good quantities. Here massive trees are “shaped” and “weaved” to house dozens of creatures. These are the hubs of culture and life for the Ataraxi, and the people are convinced that they exist as Fysis' designated land for them. Humanoids at various stages of Fysis' blessing interact carefreely with various fey, plant creatures, and beasts. Bands of adventurers carouse, court sylvan attention (e.g. dryads), and plan foolhardy excursions against perilous creatures spotted deep within the woods. The Groves' bounty is such that the residents eat their food directly from the branch, or take a share of the meat produced by bountiful hunts. The temperature in these areas is such that one can (and often does) sleep at high elevations, within the boughs of one of the many superlative trees that dot the jungle usually, with nothing more than a small fur to warm them.

''“The road, cobblestoned and decrepit before begins to smooth. Soon you are walking on what, upon closer inspection, seems to be a series of roots grown together such that they reach an even height and facilitate walking. You go on still longer like this until you turn yet another bend in the path to find the first rays of sunshine you’ve seen in days. ''

''Within minutes you’re bathed in it, in a plazza dotted with unnaturally tall superlatives, all abuzz with creatures which tend to, sleep upon, or eat from the boughs. Creatures from sprites to Orks dismount the spires of wood yawning and holding their stomachs, while others stroll to take their rest in old buildings and enveloping pods (not unlike Mantrap pods) some happily strolling alone, and others in giggling pairs. ''

''The air’s odor seems to change with every step you take; floral, then sweet, then meaty, then simply "outdoorsy" with wood and soil. Everywhere things are moving; children with the nubs of new antlers chase tiny flying creatures in chaotic games of tag, bands of adventurers jostle and playfully shove each other around telling tall tales of the conquests that they've made in this place, normal-sized trees walk on their own with children holding onto their branches and climbing their trunks shrieking with glee as they keep fast to their handholds.''

''Herbivorous game graze freely upon grassy meadows and Carnivores walk between and among their hordes, seemingly disinterested in the prospect of the hunt. Some of these creatures wrestle with each other and their masters, playful as domestic dogs.''

''It's utter erratic chaos, but not a fruitless one. In one wondrous way or another, all of the people living in these places gets their fill of what they need without hindering each other, all from the hands of Fysis"''

— from a minstrel's wondrous tale of Mityvault