Dendrokipos

The Forest

Dendrokipos refers to a large forest located on a lakebound inlet near the center of Vasileio. At it's greatest width, the forest measure roughly 80 kilometers in length. The forest itself is mainly comprised of cypress and olive trees, though it does have a fair amount of fig and pomegranate trees sprinkled throughout. The trees in Dendrokipos are slightly taller than those throughout the rest of the country, but are abnormally thick and twisted in comparison. The trees here create a massive twisted network of roots that make travelling the forest difficult for most individuals. The forest is maze-like in it's design, and it is said that almost anyone who enters will be lost, turned around, and end up coming right back out from whence they came, no matter the methods they use to track their trail. Many Vasileians will either steer clear of the forest or use it to trick friends and youngsters to try their hand at it and see how long it takes for them to return.
The thick foliage and variety of fruit and seeds within has led to a healthy population of fauna inside of the forest. The most commonly found being different local species of squirrels, foxes, deer, and the occasional bear. Due to the potent magick in the land surrounding Dendrokipos there is a high potency of magickal beasts, though the ones within the forest rarely venture outside or show aggression, so they are hardly seen as a threat to nearby civilians. The native Vasileians believe that the gods blessed the forest long ago when they walked upon the surface of Nora, and use this myth to justify the potent magicks within.

The Great Grotto

Many believe that in the center of Dendrokipos is a great grotto with a ring of grape trees that are only found in that exact location. Inside the grotto are three oracles - pure women gifted with the insight of the gods and their companion guardian beast. Many rumors argue over what type of beast guards them or what the individual women appear as, but they all surmise to one belief - if one makes it to the center grotto and defeats the beast within, the oracles will give them surreal knowledge about their future and destiny. Although many have tried to make their way, only a handful have been proven to have done so, going on to achieve greatness later in their lives.

Type

Forest