Aeternum Forest (AY-ter-nem For-est)
Of all the mysterious places that exist within Draconia, this is the most perplexing one, even to the Dragons. This forest sprouted sometime within the first millennia of the Era of Dragons. Originally, it was just a simple forest that contained wildlife. It grew at a normal pace, and with the needs of Ruxanites it was contained at a reasonable rate that prevented it from growing out of control. Within the past few centuries, however, its growth has rapidly eclipsed the rate at which it can be controlled. The borders of the forest have spread so far north and south that it has almost crossed into the Mormento Mountains, as well as Castle Aida.
No one has any clue what caused the sudden spiral of growth. The forest is too far from any purified water source that it cannot be receiving powerful nutrients to supplement growth and there is no magical activity from any of the dragons in that area, so the main causes that could create the problem are already excluded. As such, the cloud of mystery that hangs over the forest will remain until someone is able to shine any kind of light on it. Unfortunately, the forest has garnered a reputation for being inhospitable.
Before the rapid growth, the forest was looked at as a lovely place for a vacation. The woods were thorough, but not endless. Many cabin homes and even campsites were set up within for traveling groups or merchants to rest at should they find their way into the forest. But with the changes to the way the forest has grown, so to have there been changes in how the forest "acts". Now those who are brave enough to enter find themselves assaulted both physically and mentally. While no one has yet to die from entering, what they describe seeing is enough to make them one-and-doners. They say that the forest shows you your fears, your nightmares, almost as if it can glimpse into your inner mind to show you what you don't want to see.
Theories
Of course, there are quite a number of theories that make their way across Ruxan and Chromaticos regarding the forest. Some of these are baseless and just pure speculation, while others have some backing behind them, even if it is hypothetical. There is no evidence supporting any theories so far, but that does not mean that some cannot be uncovered in the future.- The forest is a sentient being from the Feywild or other naturally-inclined plane. It has possessed the forest to make it grow and consume Draconia for sustenance to its world.
- Rogue dragons or dragonborn have created an underground base in the heart of the woods, which they are using to supply magical power and nutrients to sustain the growth.
- Some say Nedra is letting the forest grow out of control, despite her own fears over it consuming her world. They point to the exponentially increased growth that has occurred during her short reign as Overlord.
- Escaped slave Elves are going to kill us.
- Escaped slave Humans are going to kill us.
- Escaped slave "insert-lesser-race-here" are going to kill us.
- "Generic racist/xenophobic remark"
- The ghost of Simeon Tinderhoof has haunted the forest and his immense farming power and knowledge leaks into it. He seeks to change Draconia by killing it from beyond the grave.
The Truth??
Haha, get to that point in the campaign, nerds.
Alternative Name(s)
Forest of Death, Forest of Eternity
Type
Forest
Location under
Included Locations
Owning Organization
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