Emberfen
The Emberfen is an ancient forest that has a mysteriously strong connection to the elemental plane of fire. For thousands of years, giants kept it in check, and even exploited it in various ways. It also attracted red dragons who lusted after the elemental power. These days, the giants and dragons are almost all gone, and the forest is instead kept in careful check by the elves who live there. Elves who spend their whole lives within it have been affected too, with red glowing eyes.
Localized Phenomena
The fires of the Emberfen burn without cessation, though they do wax and wane in intensity due to a variety of factors. While the Emberfen always generates smoke from its smoldering trees, when it is particularly active it creates a miasma that can loom over the land for days or even weeks. The winds of the world often carry this smoke east over Islingar, just one of the many reasons that the region is inhospitable.
The heavy smoke of the Emberfen can lead to Firelung, a deadly affliction.
History
Long ago when the forests were first seeded by the Mother Tree, the western side of Valia was home to the Branheren; giants who had mastery of the element of fire. The lands were inhospitable to trees at that time, but the giants saw value in the shelter and resources they would offer. So they called forth the forces of the plane of fire to infuse and strengthen the trees, their wood becoming blackened and resistant to flame, their leaves flickering with heat like coals of a fire, releasing embers into the air around them. They were capable of growing tall and wide and were used extensively for giant construction in the area.
As the lands changed and giants receded, other plants and trees were able to take hold and intermixed to make a vast and varied woodland. However the Branheren trees still persist in the inner reaches, and inspired the name of the Emberfen.
Tourism
Every adventurer worth their salt has "witness the emberfall" on their bucket list. The ancient branheren trees found in the heart of the Emberfen and surrounding the city of Nythnymel are responsible for this event. The branheren grow tall and burn inside with the essence of fire. The heat extends to their leaves, which regularly release tiny embers into the air. As the leaves grow old, the heat eventually becomes too much and they must be burned off by the tree and shed, making room for new leaves to grow. This is called the emberfall, spanning a couple of weeks at the beginning of the year, when the air around the branheren becomes filled with leaves burning as they fall to the ground.
The branheren are inhabited by small fire spirits known as the brannie, who normally keep hidden within the trees. However they can be seen during the emberfall as they come out to ensure that no fires are started in the forest by the falling leaves. They will swiftly put out any that start, and dance around the embers to guide them safely to the ground. During the year gifts are left for the brannie by the locals at the foot of the trees to honour them and request they continue to keep the forest safe from wildfires each year. These gifts are often light flowing fabrics, tiny instruments or bells, or jewelry which the brannie like to wear while they dance in the emberfall.
Included Locations
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