Wilted Hollow

The Wilted Hollow is situated on the western edge of the vast silt-salt desert, where the winds from the desert have transformed an ancient forest into a petrified landscape. The terrain is characterized by blue-grey, barkless trees standing motionless in cracked, salt-encrusted clay. Delicate layers of silt are constantly blown in from the sea, coating everything with gritty dust.
Deeper: Once a thriving forest, the Wilted Hollow has long since turned to stone. The trees, preserved by time and salt, form a petrified woodland. Over the centuries, the roots of these trees have created natural cavities and chambers beneath the surface, some large enough to be used as tombs. Great Lords of the Clinchin Fold know the naturally dry, stable conditions and have used these chambers for torpor tombs, where ideal conditions should indefinitely preserve their bodies and wealth.
The first and most infamous burial site is the Tomb of the Lost Lord, a crypt hidden deep beneath the petrified roots of one of the giant trees. While the tomb has remained untouched for centuries, over the years, rumors of treasure and lost riches have drawn the attention of adventurers, robbers, and the curious to the Hollow - many of whom would never return.
The Wilted Hollow’s dry, cracked terrain makes travel difficult. The silt and salt from the desert cause frequent dust storms, which can obscure vision and treacherous navigation. Additionally, the root chambers, while stable, are often hidden beneath layers of silt and clay, making them hard to locate. Some chambers have become unstable over the years and may collapse if disturbed.
The Hollow is also subject to persistent exposure to extreme temperatures, with scorching heat during the day and cold at night. Adventurers should be prepared for the harsh conditions before venturing into the area.
Recently, the Wilted Hollow has become a concern for the nearby villages. Strange animal tracks have been discovered near the Hollow’s edge, suggesting recent activity despite its reputation as a desolate place. Villagers have reported hearing sounds from the wind and the unsettling noise of shifting stones at night. Though the Hollow is largely avoided, these signs suggest that someone—or something—is digging among the petrified trees.
The discovery of disturbed grounds is cause for concern. Colossal moles have begun expanding their tunnels to the Hollows, opportunistic feeders feasting on helpless dreamers within the tombs. Additionally, several livestock have gone missing from nearby farms, leading some to believe that the Hollow may be concealing more than just old graves. Anxious lords will pay well for answers.

Supplemental

• Animal Tracks: Strange tracks near the Hollow suggest a recent activity, raising suspicion that creatures may disturb the petrified landscape.
• Colossal Moles: Large subterranean creatures expanding their tunnels into the Hollow, feeding on buried tomb occupants and contributing to disturbed graves.
• Cracked Terrain: The ground is a mix of fine silt and salt-crusted clay, with deep cracks running through it, making travel treacherous and unstable.
• Dust Storms: Frequent storms blow in from the desert, carrying fine silt that reduces visibility and makes navigation through the Hollow hazardous.
• Extreme Temperatures: The Hollow experiences scorching heat during the day and cold at night, making it a challenging environment to survive.
• Livestock Disappearances: Nearby farms report missing livestock, with tracks leading to the Hollow, raising fears of predators or other dangers.
• Petrified Trees: Barkless, blue-grey trees stand frozen in time, their roots forming the caverns and chambers beneath the surface of the Wilted Hollow.
• Root Chambers: Hidden beneath the silt-crusted ground, these natural cavities serve as tombs, some of which the Clinchin Fold uses to preserve bodies and wealth.
• Shifting Stones: Villagers report unsettling noises of stone shifting at night, suggesting activity deep beneath the ground, possibly from the Colossal Moles or other forces.
• Silt-Crusted Ground: The ground is coated in a fine layer of silt blown in from the desert, contributing to the eerie, silent atmosphere of the Wilted Hollow.
• Tomb of the Lost Lord: This is the most famous burial site in the Hollow. It is a crypt hidden deep beneath the roots of one of the largest petrified trees, rumored to hold treasure.
• Unstable Chambers: Some root chambers have weakened over time and may collapse if disturbed, posing dangers to anyone who explores the Hollow.
• Villager Concerns: Nearby villagers are increasingly worried about the strange activity, missing livestock, and disturbed graves around the Wilted Hollow.