Dreadwood
Summary
The Dreadwood is an extremely large forest within the Saltmarsh Region. The trees of the Dreadwood grow so thick that light can't breach the innermost portions of it. It is overrun with deadly monsters, such as jackalweres and owlbears, most of whom choose to follow the bidding of an extremely powerful night hag called Granny Nightshade. Long a home of horrid monsters and vicious raiders, the Dreadwood hides within its borders a multitude of terrors. Keoland maintains ranger patrols that sweep through the outer reaches of the forest periodically, as do clans of elves from the Silverstand. The two forces are generally successful at keeping the monsters of the Dreadwood in check, but at times a threat that avoids them or overcomes them emerges to wreak havoc across the land.Layout
The Dreadwood is split into three distinct layers.Outer Fringes
The outermost reaches of the Dreadwood are as lightly wooded as those of any other forest and extend five to ten miles into the woods. This part of the forest is safer than the rest, thanks to frequent Keoland Army patrols that keep the denizens of the deeper forest at bay if they try to encroach here. owlbears, wolves, and the Crimson Crows represent the most common threats to explorers or travelers.Middle Reaches
Inside the outer fringe, the forest takes on an increasingly sinister character. Even on the brightest days, the thick canopy of greenery threatens to devour the sunlight. Throughout this middle area, bright light extends no more than 20 feet from any source of illumination, with the normal area of bright light beyond that range reduced to dim light and dim light turned to darkness. Those who travel without a source of light during the day find that the thick canopy casts everything in dim light, and in some areas the growth overhead is so thick that the area below is dark.Dreaded Deeps
In the heart of the forest, natural light is unknown. Each step a traveler takes when moving through the middle reaches toward the center seems to dim the sun’s light a little more, until one enters the dreaded deeps, where the forest growth is so heavy that it blots out the sky. Sources of bright light shine out to only a 10-foot radius, with any normally bright illumination beyond that turned to dim light and dim light made dark. Even darkvision suffers, since it functions here at a maximum range of 30 feet.Monsters & Enemies
Dreadravens squat and dense black birds that resemble ravens but with four glowing red eyes, are indigenous to the area. Granny Nightshade's inner circle of high-echeleon agents is known to include 17 oni who will fight to the fierce death to carry out her will.Geography
The Dreadwood has three distinct layers.
Outer Fringe
The outermost reaches of the Dreadwood are as lightly wooded as those of any other forest and extend five to ten miles into the woods. This part of the forest is as safe as any other woodland, thanks to frequent ranger and elf patrols that keep the denizens of the deeper forest at bay if they try to encroach here. Owlbears , wolves, and a few bandit gangs that elude the notice of the patrols represent the most common threats to explorers or travelers.Middle Reaches
Inside the outer fringe, the forest takes on an increasingly sinister character. Even on the brightest days, the thick canopy of greenery threatens to devour the sunlight. Throughout this middle area, bright light extends no more than 20 feet from any source of illumination, with the normal area of bright light beyond that range reduced to dim light and dim light turned to darkness. Those who travel without a source of light during the day find that the thick canopy casts everything in dim light, and in some areas the growth overhead is so thick that the area below is dark.Dreaded Deeps
In the heart of the forest, natural light is unknown. Each step a traveler takes when moving through the middle reaches toward the center seems to dim the sun’s light a little more, until one enters the dreaded deeps, where the forest growth is so heavy that it blots out the sky. Sources of bright light shine out to only a 10-foot radius, with any normally bright illumination beyond that turned to dim light and dim light made dark. Even darkvision suffers, since it functions here at a maximum range of 30 feet.Fauna & Flora
Dread Ravens are native to this region, and are believed to be spies of Granny Nightshade.
History
The inner depths of the Dreadwood are a place where the planar bindings between Loria and the Shadowfell are thin. Undead creatures and villainous monsters that seek to tap into the essence of the Shadowfell thrive deep in the forest. Its innermost reaches mingle with that dark realm, forming a warped mirror version of the Dreadwood that extends into that plane.
Type
Forest, Boreal (Coniferous)
Location under
Included Locations
Owner/Ruler
Characters in Location
Inhabiting Species
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