THE FEY REALMS OF VERITH
The Gift of Midra, the forests support life and hide many secrets on Verith. They have played an important role in the development of the Verith over the eons. The Welsunne, being the third race of beings on Verith. (Although they consider themselves the second, some even the first.) Nevertheless, the forests have always been their sanctuary, livelihood, and the center of their belief and culture. At their original inception, all the lands were covered with trees. however, over the centuries, both immortals and men have helped to make this fact a legend.
ANORN WOOD: The Anorn is a small thin group of groves. The shallow pines grow only 6’-8’ from the ground and are very plush. The natives leave brightly colored fabrics and other totems hanging on the trees for good luck and protection from the spirits of the wood. The Anorn is a few days ride from Caladrial in the Nygar Mountain range.
STARLIGHT FOREST: the Starlight is located on the Isle of Baneor Charak. It is composed mainly of Bandar and Blacktop trees. The natives here protect this wood as a resource given to them by Astra and not to be used by others. Many of the dwellings here are huts dug into the earth with roofs of moss and woven leaves. Idols to the elemental powers are often scattered throughout the woods as offerings.
FOREST OF TRAGADON: Located along Ice Wyrm Bay and Eagles Cove. The Tragadon is home to the high elves of the White Eagle. These elves patrol the thick coniferous forest on the backs of giant eagles. On the ground, they use Cooshee trackers. The forest is a rich source of game and lumber for the men of Primehaven. This creates a problem between the two factions, which is kept in check by the threat of the Gamalean wizards taking the forest. The Lord of the White Eagle bears the Orb of Yar-Al-Ells and wears it around his neck on a band of woven mithral.
ALCENE FOREST: One of the oldest remaining stands of trees on Verith, located coreward of the Crags of the Viper. Once a warm, exciting place for the fey folk it is now turned grey as the ice of Iccendria advances from the core.
THE ALFARN: A wild wood covering the rimward edges of the Spine of the World. Populated with Sylvan elves, most of this forest has been lost to the advancing ice from the core.
ASTER GROVE: A small forest, protected by the mercenaries of the Gates of Aster. It is a resource that they prize highly. The main trees are all apple, pear and nut. There are over 25 varieties all growing with abundance. Used to feed the citizens and as a main income of the trade caravans that pass through.
THE STRIPED FOREST: Once a part of the Alfarn; now separated by the desert of Burnt Amber a desolate place full of scavengers and parasites.
SUNARA FOREST: Composed of Willow trees, Ironwood and Rare Candor Bush, which is poisonous to humans. The cover of this wood provides shelter to elves, dwarves, gnomes and other fey creatures. The forest also fills the valley in which the main pass leads through the Great Spine above Drazillia.
CHANGORIN FOREST: This dense yet small forest is home to the Celleneron elves. Just off the coast one can see the Sahaugin teeming in the red colored bay. They raid the forest and the Wyvern Foothills for plunder and slaves. The elves are constantly battling the red menace.
SCARNWOOD: Mainly composed of Elm, Birch and several pine varieties. Inhabited by several goblin tribes; the wood is full of evil parasites and giant spiders abound. All sane people stay far away from this wood. The dwarves are constantly warring to rid the forest of this evil scourge.
CAMBRALWOOD: Home to the elves of Eronson and the courts of the Wyrmking. The Cambral is a collection of all the trees and plants that once were before the destruction of much of Verith’s forests. Many of the trees date back over 2000 years. This forest has been managed since the dawn of the Welsunne. It has the appearance of a well-manicured and maintained landscape. With hedges trimmed trees circled, paths in bark dust and cobblestone. The elves here take pride in their section of land and each tries to outdo the other in perfection and beauty. Archers and sea elves heavily patrol the land surrounding the Forbidden River.
ARON’S WOOD: A semi dense expanse of deciduous trees of all kinds. The animal life is well maintained by the citizens of Drazillia who live here. The edges of the forest have been heavily logged, with a 30-mile gap now open to the Cambral wood. Beasts from the Horn come to the forest looking for food.
FOREST OF LENDAR: Named for the Village of Lendar in its midst this woodland is home to archers, lumberjacks and druids of Atros. Poaching is forbidden here and the druid’s enforce this for Greyclaw.
OPAL WOODS: Thick mountain forests, located in the rimward pass out of Atros. It is unpatrolled and full of evil creatures, parasites, and giant spiders. Ogres have also been reported to live here. The men of Arden often come here for sport to prove their manhood. Also in this forest, grow s a special plant, the Piney melon. Many Treants now patrol this wood although not all of them are good.
THE GRIMOIRE: The remains of the burnt out forest in the Blackfist. It is full of brackens, bogs, and briars. The dub-tropical undergrowth makes it a perfect place for creatures to prowl. The military patrols the outskirts and the nearby roads looking for rebels. However, those who enter the green walls of the wood are on their own.
HORNWOOD: Commonly called the Horn. The remains of this wood are home to rebels and puritans to the demi-human existence that existed before the dawn of man. This forest is off limits to all humans. Blacktop trees can be found here in small stands. The Blackfist has been burning this wood for over 20 years trying to drive out the rebels. However, it has only made them stronger. It is not uncommon to come upon a skirmish between Blackfist soldiers and the demi-human rebels.
THE BURNED FOREST: This land is the charred remains of the old forest. Massive logging and burning have turned the landscape into a forest of black charred sticks and ashen pools of goo. The ground is covered in burnt debris. Charred animal skeletons littered everywhere. The elves here have been fighting an all out war against the Blackfist, but are on the losing side for now. Several forces heavily patrol the area.
FOREST OF TEARS: the largest single body forest left on Verith. Neranvel act as a “police force” for the great forest and have posted warning along the long road. The fight to weed out the Bloodseekers, dwarves and the vermin that wanders down from the mountains. The region closest to Blackwater-Port has a heavy population of human settlers. The treaties between the several nations who inhabit this forest are very intense and always on the verge of collapse. The elves hold it dear to their heart, considering it a holy refuge. To destroy it means war. They have set up very strict guidelines for all who pass through the forest and call it home. The triple canopy brings rain often. Called the tears of Assune or tears of Midra, they say she cries because her gift is being destroyed
WYLDES OF THE BLOODSEEKERS: The coreward portion of the Forest of Tears. Separated by the sporadic mounts of the Upper Kalins. The Bloodseeker Gnolls rule this land with an evil militant arm. They have a highly advanced system of government. All based on strength and the number of heads one has scalped. The Wyldes are full of traps, pits, and snares designed not only to catch intruders but to maim them as well. Many carnivorous plants inhabit this region of the forest especially near the mountains.
THE GRUE BRACKENS: Totally enclosed in a mountain valley. Full of carnivorous plants, giant spiders and other giant monsters making it a brutal place to all who dare enter. Not to mention dragons that live in the center of the forest on Skull Mountain.
FOREST OF THE SUNE: the Sune is a rarity on Verith. Only eight centuries old yet due to the minerals and magic of the Fallen Moon, the trees and undergrowth are enormous. The trees reach to the clouds and range anywhere from 15’-100’ in diameter. Fungus and mushrooms grow to heights of 40’ or more. Giant moss groves are everywhere. It is if nature had gone haywire and everything is in giant form except the elves that live here. Many of the insects are giant sized as well. Some a threat some have been tamed. The elves consider this a gift of Assune and do their best to preserve the beauty as they see it. Although travelers are allowed to enter, nothing may be removed from the great majestic forest.
GREATER MOONWOOD: On the high bluffs above the Swamp of the Spire druids and the Luna, elves rule this forest. This forest contains much wildlife and has several species of unique trees cultivated by the druids.
LESSER MOONWOOD: This region of Moonwood is full of briars and thorns, quicksand and bubbling bogs. Home to the Ilthguard and the Greyling Pits. It is a dangerous place. Along the water’s edge live several tribes of Tasloi.
