The Satyrs of Silgate

The Danoffson District of the city of Silgate, Oswia, has a certain reputation. Often called the "Satyr Slums" by the human residents of that city but to a well-traveled bard like myself a place like this presents a unique opportunity to study satyr culture. As the satyr people are well-versed in the art of oral tradition, it was easy enough to integrate myself among their storytellers and trade tales for several nights. In this way I was able to receive a greater understanding of the struggles and challenges this community has faced to reach this point.

This nameless clade began as a scattered population of satyrs living within the borders of Ria'Tal'Uth. You see, this nation is known for its ruling population of elves, but there are also a great deal of gnomish cities hidden within its forests, and it is here that the satyrs attempted to put down roots. Satyrs and gnomes have remarkably similar lifestyle preferences. They enjoy living close to nature in cool, temperate forests with distinct seasons. They share a taste for pastries, fatty fishes, and foraged fruit. Unfortunately for the satyrs, however, gnomes are far more friendly to visitors than neighbors. The gnomes of this region had been becoming more hostile towards the growing satyr population within their walls for decades and inevitably it all came to a head in a conflict that I was unable to ascertain the details of. The satyrs were forced out, and as a group they made the tough decision to travel south to the muggy climate and the more welcoming human population of Oswia.

For all our flaws, humans cities are relatively safe for satyrs. Our stereotypes towards these noble people tend to be much less xenophobic, treating them as fanciful, even mystical creatures that bring with them the aura of the wild gods, Whillip and Xengral. Indeed, it is a myth among Humans that satyrs are attracted to lands of order to create pockets of the wild for all to enjoy. These are, according to my hosts, completely unfounded rumors, but beneficial at times. They say that they are willing to put up with the more negative representations as well as long as they are allowed to remain.

I would be lying if I claimed to be blind to these stereotypes. Indeed, in my travels I have witnessed no less than a dozen human inns and taverns with names that were some variation of "The Drunken Satyr". Additionally, the connection between satyrs and dryads has led many to view satyrs as being particularly "open" romantically. I've seen young, often intoxicated human men and women proposition satyrs on these very streets without so much as a 'well met'!
   
Still, it was impressed upon me by these gracious elders that, although they would welcome the ability to resettle up north eventually, their current dwellings are more than suitable for their current needs. I strive to be as content and optimistic in my travels as the satyr people have been with theirs.