The Ironpine Curse
In the North lies the Ironpine Woods, where high quality lumber is often exported from. However, there persists a myth by the locals to the region about the forest, and penalties that outsiders may fall prey to should they choose to lumber there.
Summary
Ironpine wood is rather famous, being higher quality for conventional items than even the Elven-reared wood of the Windsong Woods, though Elvish lumber is generally better for arcane items. Its quality makes the export of Ironpine throughout Eidos a lucrative trade for both the locals and any enterprising lumbermen. However, the locals have pervaded a myth that surrounds the woods and often discourages those who come to make a quick and small fortune from the sale of the trees.
Supposedly, centuries ago, a number of prospective lumberjacks made their way to the Ironpine Woods to harvest some of the lumber for their own use. Before they entered, a local witch warned them that disrespect of the woods - by taking too much, not following the proper rites, and having greedy intent - would result in their downfall. The woodcutters ignored the woman, dismissing her ravings as jealous fearmongering intended to keep the wood and its value for herself. The group entered and began to harvest, taking several logs in total. Such an amount created an empty patch of the forest, and the group intended to come back at a later date to pick up more of their hewed lumber. As they readied their haul to depart South, their pathfinder suddenly grew ill with fever. The group were unable to navigate out of the forest, its leaves and branches melding to form an impenetrable cover over the sky, whilst the trees themselves seemed to uproot and move to block their exit. As the hours turned to days and rations grew short, the group went at each other's necks until finally they resorted to cannibalism to survive. One man of the party survived by slitting the throats of the remaining two in their sleep before he ate them both. Supposedly, the man's own form shifted and changed until he no longer resembled himself, and he became a wendigo, cursed to live on manflesh for the rest of his miserable days.
Supposedly, centuries ago, a number of prospective lumberjacks made their way to the Ironpine Woods to harvest some of the lumber for their own use. Before they entered, a local witch warned them that disrespect of the woods - by taking too much, not following the proper rites, and having greedy intent - would result in their downfall. The woodcutters ignored the woman, dismissing her ravings as jealous fearmongering intended to keep the wood and its value for herself. The group entered and began to harvest, taking several logs in total. Such an amount created an empty patch of the forest, and the group intended to come back at a later date to pick up more of their hewed lumber. As they readied their haul to depart South, their pathfinder suddenly grew ill with fever. The group were unable to navigate out of the forest, its leaves and branches melding to form an impenetrable cover over the sky, whilst the trees themselves seemed to uproot and move to block their exit. As the hours turned to days and rations grew short, the group went at each other's necks until finally they resorted to cannibalism to survive. One man of the party survived by slitting the throats of the remaining two in their sleep before he ate them both. Supposedly, the man's own form shifted and changed until he no longer resembled himself, and he became a wendigo, cursed to live on manflesh for the rest of his miserable days.
Historical Basis
Whilst it is seldom confirmed whether those who don't observe local rites will indeed meet a terrible fate, enough anecdotal evidence exists that it is generally accepted something lurks in the very bark of the Ironpine Woods - something best respected, and feared. Some theorise the blood of any animal or man killed within the woods is absorbed by the trees, from which they gain their strength.
What is known is that Spooks regularly comb through the woods for strange creatures and man-monsters that have a tendency of making the forest their home. Whether these creatures emerge from unfortunate woodsmen is another question. Also, whilst almost every forest or small collection of wildland has a druid attempting to commune with it, the Ironpine Woods are a marked exception in that no druid will willingly commune with the land there.
What is known is that Spooks regularly comb through the woods for strange creatures and man-monsters that have a tendency of making the forest their home. Whether these creatures emerge from unfortunate woodsmen is another question. Also, whilst almost every forest or small collection of wildland has a druid attempting to commune with it, the Ironpine Woods are a marked exception in that no druid will willingly commune with the land there.
Variations & Mutation
Some locals believe to appease the wood and not entice their children within to become monsters, they must sacrifice an animal to a large tree that lies at the centre of the woods, and place its meat within its vast hollow. The only tale of this tree known is an account by a woodsman who travelled with with the blessing and supervision of local witches.
"Some of my lumberjacks tell stories about a strange tree that towers all the others in the middle of the forest. They say that bears pray to it, and some even saw them putting berries and pieces of meat into its hollows as an offering. One of the men once went to cut this tree as a bet. He no longer cuts trees."
Cultural Reception
The locals follow a strict policy for tracking the trees that are safe to cut. First, their witches will seek certain parts of the wood that lie more peaceful than the rest that day. Then, within that part of the wood, a small number of trees will have been marked. It is a strange process and the locals do not actually know who or what marks the trees - only that the sign of a carved nought into its bark means that tree is viable for lumbering.
Related Locations
Related Organizations
Remove these ads. Join the Worldbuilders Guild
Comments