Hornwood

Hornwood: The Hornwood is a fair sized woodland within the Grand Duchy of Geoff. It is the Grand Duke's favorite hunting place despite (or possibly because of) the ferocious creatures often found there (many making their way down from the Crystalmists). Several groups of Sylvan Elves dwell within the Hornwood. The area is named for the hornwood tree whose straightest limbs are specially treated and seasoned to make the finest of elven bows. Hornwood is exceptionally tough and resilient, but first grade wood is not common and is hard to prepare for use in bows.

The Hornwood, once the favored hunt ing place of Geoff's nobility, now teems with savage monsters. When the giants and nonhumans invaded during the Greyhawk Wars, refugees sought sanctuary within the depths of the forest. Those willing to abide by the strict code of a circle of druids known as the Ashmeet were taken in. Others joined forces with sylvan-elf foresters, but most were slaughtered by fero cious predators and evil invaders. The woodland is named for the highly valued hornwood trees here.

This modestly-sized forest in the former Duchy of Geoff would not merit much discussion here if it were still in its pre-war state. In those days, it yielded hornwood of moderate quality and was home to a thousand or so sylvan elves, but was avoided by many due to the presence of lurking giants and humanoids from the Crystalmists. However, over a thousand human soldiers and a like number of peasants were driven into its depths during the giant troubles. They were largely saved by elven bowmen, druids, and mages, and now there is a sizeable enclave of Geoff folk here, surrounded by humanoids.

The natural resources of the forest will not sus tain these folk indefinitely, since even with druid ic guidance, forage here is not abundant. It is also some 200 miles to the nearest safe haven (the eastern Oytwood), and those trapped here do not know of the peace that has settled on the central Flanaess. Obviously, the elves do not want to leave these woods, and the humans will find it hard to mount an escape on their own. Hu manoids and giants also raid the margins of the wood from time to time. Something must give here before long.