The Howling Marsh
A wetland region that the Everstorm passes over every few seasons, turning the marshland into a raging sea. Some say the storm awakens spirits of the drowned, creating wraith-like figures of mist and lightning that roam the flooded land.
The Howling Marsh is a forsaken land where no kingdom dares lay claim. However, it is not entirely uninhabited. Several factions operate in and around the marsh, though none can truly control it due to its dangerous nature.
- The Drowned Circle – A cult of warlocks and shamans who believe the Everstorm is a divine entity that awakens the dead. They live in stilted huts along the outskirts of the marsh, performing eerie rituals to commune with the spirits that roam the flooded lands.
- The Fenstalker Clans – Small bands of nomadic hunters, rogues, and outcasts who have learned to navigate the shifting waters. They are experts in bog warfare, utilizing traps and ambush tactics.
- The Mistbound – A group of spectral entities, possibly the souls of those lost to the Everstorm, that roam the marsh in wraith-like forms. Some claim they are merely a strange weather phenomenon, while others insist they are sentient beings seeking revenge.
Though these groups exist within or near the marsh, no faction truly rules the Howling Marsh, for it belongs to the storm and the dead.
The Howling Marsh is a land of mystery, death, and supernatural power. It is a forbidding, ever-changing place, where both nature and the spirits conspire against intruders. Those who dwell here do not control it—they survive it.
Geography
The Howling Marsh is an expansive, treacherous wetland, stretching across a lowland basin where rivers from the mountains slow and spread into a labyrinth of bogs, islands, and floodplains. The land is in a constant state of change, shifting between deep water, thick mud, and tangled vegetation.
- The Drowned Flats – A massive stretch of half-submerged land that alternates between being a shallow lake and a muddy wasteland, depending on the season. This is where the Everstorm’s fury is strongest, and many travelers have perished in its unpredictable tides.
- The Whispering Reeds – A dense region of tall, hollow reeds that emit an eerie, flute-like sound when the wind blows through them, creating the marsh’s infamous howling wail. Some believe the reeds contain trapped spirits, and locals avoid cutting them.
- The Sinking Ruins – Ancient stone ruins of an unknown civilization, slowly sinking into the bog. Some believe the ruins contain forbidden knowledge, but they are guarded by spirits and unnatural creatures.
Ecosystem
The Howling Marsh is a land of contrasts, teeming with both vibrant and eerie life. The creatures here have adapted to unpredictable flooding, unstable ground, and the Everstorm’s occasional passage.
- Flora:
- Ghostwillows – Pale, gnarled trees that grow out of the water, their drooping branches covered in spectral moss. At night, they glow faintly, attracting both insects and unwary travelers.
- Blackwater Lilies – Rare flowers that only bloom under the light of the full moon. Their nectar is a potent hallucinogen, used by the Drowned Circle for their rituals.
- Bogvine – A creeping vine that grows aggressively, ensnaring animals (and sometimes people) in its sticky tendrils.
- Fauna:
- Fen Wraiths – Creatures of mist and lightning, believed to be the spirits of the drowned. They emerge after the Everstorm, drifting aimlessly or attacking the living in fits of rage.
- Marrow Gators – Gigantic, skeletal-looking alligators that lurk in the marsh’s deeper waters. They are silent hunters, ambushing prey before dragging them into the murky depths.
- Will-o’-the-Wisps – Small, floating lights that dance through the marsh, leading travelers astray. While some are natural bioluminescent organisms, others are rumored to be manifestations of trapped souls.
Ecosystem Cycles
- The Everstorm’s Flood – Every few seasons, the Everstorm descends upon the marsh, turning it into a roaring inland sea. Lightning crackles across the water, and the drowned spirits rise from their graves.
- The Mistwake – Every dawn, a thick mist rolls over the marsh, obscuring sight and altering the landscape. Some say the mist moves unnaturally, shifting landmarks and causing travelers to become hopelessly lost.
- The Howling Nights – On particularly stormy nights, the entire marsh wails as the wind rushes through the Whispering Reeds. The sound is said to drive people mad, making them wander into the bog never to be seen again.
Natural Resources
Despite its dangers, the Howling Marsh holds many rare and valuable resources, sought after by alchemists, mages, and traders.
- Stormglass Shards – Formed when lightning strikes the bog’s mineral-rich waters, these shards hold latent storm energy and are used in magical crafting.
- Wraithroot – A root that only grows where spirits manifest. It is used in potions to enhance dream magic and is a key ingredient in necromantic rituals.
- Bog Iron – Deposits of iron found in the marsh’s peat beds, valuable for forging durable weapons resistant to corrosion.
Comments