Northern Wilds
The Northern Wilds is the home territory of the Merchant's Conclave, its borders run along those of the Evergreen Forest to the East, the Southern Badlands to the South, the Frost-Cap Mountains to the North, and the Sapphire Sea to the West. The territory is covered in rolling hills and temperate forests with the walled cities and towns of the Conclave dotting its landscape. Long winding roads cut paths of trade through is forests and valleys, in order for its guilds to hasten their business across the territory. However, much of the Northern Wilds remains just that...Wild. With the thick White Timberlands to the North and the Hollow Veil Forest to the South, much of the Northern Wilds stay unexplored or settled do to the creatures that lay in both.
Once the Northern Wilds belonged to the Ravain Kingdom of the High Elves, however, after they were defeated by the Valodorin Empire in the Great Land War. They were forced to release any claim to the territory and grant it to the Humans of the Valodorin Empire. However, the Valodorin Empire's sovereignty of the territory would be short-lived as only three years later their own people would fight a war of independence against them and form the Merchant's Conclave.
Many remnants of these years of strife can be found all across the Northern Wilds, deep within is darker corners. Long forgotten forts and abandoned outposts are only a few and most recent of the ancient relics of the past that a would-be adventurer could find. As the Northern Wilds has been the seat of power for many kingdoms and empires, and some parts of these forgotten eras still stand today within its borders.
Geography
While largely a temperate grassland and forested area there are some areas of the Northern Wilds that have gained a reputation of overtime for the various dangers or mystery surrounding the area. While some feel these areas are no more dangerous than any others, most tread carefully through these areas or avoid them altogether.
The White Timberlands
Covering most of the Northern edge of the territory the White Timberlands sits at the base of the Frostcap mountains and gets its name from the white-barked birch trees that make up its forest. While beautiful to look at due to the colorful flora and rays of sunlight that pierce the thin canopy of the forest; The White Timberlands have stayed largely unsettled over the years and most travelers know better than to travel to deep within its borders. This is due to the many dangers that can lurk within its seemingly welcoming appearance. These dangers can be anything from a hungry predator coming down from the nearby mountains for an easy meal, to one of the many bandits that lurk within the forest's edge looking for easy targets. However, the Timberlands is also known for its quality of game for the experienced hunter and rare natural herbs that most alchemists would love to get their hands on. It is these reasons that many a brave adventure have dared to explore its confines. While some of them do find success in their endeavors, most, however, come back empty-handed, or not at all. While attempts have been made in the past to settle within the White Timberlands to take advantage of these resources. They have all ended in failure either due to constant bandit raids, attacks from wildlife, or the settlement was simply found abandoned with no trace of what happened to anyone.The Hollow Veil Forest
Resting at the southernmost edge of the Northern Wilds is the Hollow Veil Forest. A dark and foreboding place, travelers avoid going within its shadowed border and with good reason. If the rumors of the various wandering spirits, shambling undead, and vile witches that infest the forest are not enough to dissuade would-be explorers. The very real threat of the twisted and feral beasts that roam the woods provide a good reason in themselves. However, the biggest threat that an explorer will come across is the forest itself. It's thick canopy blocks out any light the sun or moon above would provide and it's tightly packed trees make it easy to quickly become lost with the lack of visible landmarks. No one really knows why the forest is as corrupted and twisted as it is. Some believe that the veil that separates the Material Plane and the Shadow Veil is thin within the forest, and that allows the Shadow Veil to slightly influence and change the forest. This is even where Hollow Veil Forest gained its namesake. Others believe it is the by-product of dark cult rituals done within the forest, these rituals tainting the forest with the energies of their twisted magic. No matter the reason Hollow Veil Forest remains unsettled and largely unexplored as most feel this is for the best.
Type
Forest, Temperate (Seasonal)
Included Locations
Included Organizations
Owning Organization
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