Watchwoods

To the south of The Split lies The Watchwoods, so named for the feeling of being watched when one enters the deadened tree line. Once a verdant, lush forest infested by a large population of creatures, it now lies quiet and dead, the locals blaming the mining out of the Spellstone in the area. No wind passes through here and the area is preternaturally cold. The Dragonstream passes through here, and many boats full of Iron ore and other minerals make their way from Ironrock downstream to Deepwell. To further deter brave souls there have been rumours of magicks being performed, with Mindless Ones seen waiting in the dead branches, eager to perform dark deeds from the boughs of the trees.
With Deepwell on it's fringes, some head to the edge to gather lumber or harvest the few herbs that still grow in the fields nearby. The inhabitants have erected a number of stone markers, signalling the edge of the forest and warning travellers of the dangers within. Rumours have it that an Elven Tower appears in the depths during moonless nights. Duskwood is sometimes harvested from deeper within, for those who wish to risk the wrath of whatever lurks within.
Villagers leave unwanted babies and their dead out in the woods, to be collected by unknown forces.

Watchwood Dangers
Gröryn is one but of many names that the thing that lurks in the Watchwood has taken throughout the years. The books and scholars in Meridith have drawn links between it and the seasons, forests and many disappearances over the last several decades. His mark is known to be a goat’s skull, slashed through the middle and adorned with a third eye.
Gröryn is known throughout the land as the great guardian of the forest, though belief in the spirit has faded over time, although he has never had any idols built in his name, he has always been a thing thought better left outside of civilization.
Farmers would sacrifice youthful animals to Gröryn to guarantee a prosperous winter, and help prevent their farms from dying out in the summer. While the rituals are complicated, and require a certain finesse with the iron stomach to go through with it, most farmers swear by the results of their prosperous households. Hunters would skin animals and leave their hides out in the wild for Gröryn to collect, then return to find the land more abundant with fresh prey.

Type

Forest

Location under

The Heartlands

Included Locations

• Deepwood Tower