Kagubatan

Kamahalan

Among the forest dwellers, there are sometimes those born who are known as Kamahalan — 'the chosen ones of the forest'.

From the moment of their birth, an invisible magical bond exists between such a being and the forest. It cannot be precisely measured or explained, and it manifests itself differently in each individual. The forest may, as if by chance, come to a Kamahalan's aid in a moment of danger, lead them to the right place, hide them from pursuers, or save their life.

It is believed that every Kamahalan has their own mission, but it is by no means always grand or heroic. Some are destined to safeguard an ancient artefact, others to protect a specific creature, to find a lost place, or to reveal a long-forgotten living species to people.

Kamahalan are neither rulers nor saints. They are simply regarded as those to whom the forest has entrusted a particular task.

And sometimes even the Kamahalan themselves do not know exactly what that task is.

There is no single way

The forest dwellers have no supreme leader, prophet or sage who lays down rules for everyone. Their communities are small and independent, so traditions can vary greatly.

One group might hold night-time dances around campfires, another might preserve ancient rituals, while a third might live almost entirely in the city and only return to the forest from time to time.

For them, this is normal. Their culture has never been uniform — it is constantly changing along with the people themselves.

Body art

Body art is an important part of culture, but it does not have a single meaning for everyone. Symbols can be interpreted differently across different communities and families.

Special pigments are used for permanent body art - they literally become part of the skin and remain for life. Such symbols may signify one's origins, a significant event, a personal vow, membership of a particular group, or simply hold deep personal meaning.

For festivals, there are temporary designs made with henna and other natural dyes. These can be applied to anyone simply for the sake of beauty and to create a festive atmosphere.

Dragons

The forest dwellers hold dragons in special esteem. Their forests lie close to the mountains where these ancient creatures dwell, which is why dragons feature in their legends, symbols and art.

For them, a dragon is not necessarily a god or a sacred creature. Rather, it is one of the world's most ancient peoples, treated with respect and a certain sense of reverence.

The Legacy of the War

During the Great War, the forest dwellers became partisans. They used their knowledge of the forest, caves and mountain passes to hide people, transport supplies, attack the enemy and defend their settlements.

After the war, some places associated with their resistance became unofficial sites of remembrance and celebration. These include old caves, cliffs and camps, around which the wreckage of military equipment still lies.

Nature is slowly reclaiming these places: metal is becoming covered in rust and moss, trees are growing through the hulls of vehicles, and former positions are turning into meadows for festivals. For the forest dwellers, this is a symbol that the war is over and life has gone on.

Forest Dwellers

The Forest Dwellers are not a distinct race, but a diverse group of people who have chosen to live among the wilderness or lead a double life between the forest and civilization. Among them, one may encounter humans, beastmen, anthropomorphic animals and rare creatures that are difficult to classify as belonging to any conventional race. They are united not by blood, but by their way of life, a shared culture and a love of the forest.

In everyday life, they are often almost invisible. Their clothing is simple, practical and natural, while their appearance may resemble the fairy-tale travelers from children's illustrations: masks, hats, capes, scraps of fabric, natural materials and small personal symbols. But if you look closer, a whole culture unfolds behind this simplicity.

A modern festive style - open, free and somewhat boho - is particularly popular among young people. It can be vibrant, adorned with fabrics, beads, paints, feathers, plants and personal symbols. The line between everyday clothing, jewelry and body art is rather blurred for them.

The forest as part of life

The forest dwellers do not have a single religion or a mandatory nature cult. They simply perceive the forest as something alive and worthy of respect - almost like a person with whom humanity and other creatures share a single home.

Therefore, they do not need a special reason to celebrate. Festivals may arise due to a change of season, a good harvest, the return of a traveler, the birth of a child, the discovery of an ancient artefact, or simply the desire to come together.

Their attitude to life is best summed up by a simple phrase:

'Life! Life is the reason for everything!'

For them, a celebration is not necessarily a religious ritual. It is a way of reminding themselves that they are alive.

The Forest That Conceals
The most remarkable feature of the forest is its paths.
It seems to decide for itself who is allowed to see what lies within. For the ordinary traveler, the path may vanish amongst the undergrowth, split into several identical trails, or imperceptibly leading back to the very same spot.
At the same time, for those who know the forest, those very same thickets can reveal a completely different path.
Because of this, the forest's most beautiful places often remain unknown to civilization: hidden lakes, ancient ruins, caves, blossoming valleys, mountain viewpoints and places where nature seems almost unreal.
The forest's inhabitants do not regard this as magic that needs explaining. For them, it is simply one of the characteristics of their home.
The forest does not hide its secrets from everyone. It simply does not reveal them to everyone.

The Forest
The forest where the forest dwellers live is unlike an ordinary wild forest. It is vast, ancient and has a strange, almost mythical aura. It is hard to call it dangerous — rather, it seems unsuitable for those who do not know it.
The trees here are centuries-old and extraordinarily large. Their roots, fallen trunks and dense undergrowth form an uneven, complex landscape. The terrain is constantly changing: in a matter of minutes, a level path can give way to a steep slope, a stony ravine, a precipice or an entire field of rocks. In places, natural stone passages, caves and hidden gorges form amongst the trees.
Due to the dense canopy, many areas remain in semi-darkness even during the day. Sunlight filters through the foliage in scattered rays, mist lingers for a long time amongst the trees, and sounds are often lost in the thicket. Because of this, distances in the forest feel strange: a place that should be an hour's walk away might take a whole day to find.