The Moonlit Clearing
The Moonlit Clearing occupies a perfect circular space at the heart of Eldwatch Isle's densest forest, a small grove of white-barked trees that remains untouched by time. These unusual trees—taxonomically unrelated to any known species—form an exact circle thirty-three meters in diameter. Their bark possesses a luminescent quality, absorbing daylight and releasing a soft silver glow after sunset. The trees maintain identical height and circumference despite apparent age differences suggested by ring patterns, creating an artificial-seeming uniformity that defies natural growth processes.
The clearing itself demonstrates several anomalous properties. Temperature remains constant regardless of seasonal variations, maintaining a perpetual spring-like climate. Snowfall never accumulates within the circle despite sometimes reaching significant depths in surrounding forests. Most notably, plant and animal behavior within the clearing follows patterns corresponding to lunar cycles rather than solar ones—flowers opening only during specific moon phases, animals appearing exclusively during particular lunar alignments.
On some nights, ghostly figures are seen gathering beneath the trees—transparent, ethereal Fey. These manifestations perform elaborate ceremonies involving synchronized movement, ethereal music from invisible instruments, and interaction with energies visible as colored light patterns. Attempts to record these phenomena yield inconsistent results—magical observation methods reveal details invisible to normal perception, while mundane documentation efforts often produce distorted or empty results.
For students who discover this location, experiences vary dramatically based on timing and approach. Those who enter respectfully during significant lunar events sometimes receive visions offering insight into personal questions or academic challenges. Others report subsequent dreams containing information they could not possibly know through conventional means—ancient languages never studied, historical events not documented in accessible texts, or magical techniques absent from current curricula.
Comments