Great Forest of Baxbury

The Great Forest of Baxbury is an immense forest located in western Galessia, between Black Ice Bay to the north and the Senué Gulf to the south. Home to the enigmatic Princely State of Ilnith, the forest has never been mapped or fully explored, despite countless attempts at exploration expeditions. Believed to be inherently magic in some way, the forest stands as one of the great mysteries of the Galessian continent, and remains a wild, unconquered part of this otherwise politically charged landmass.

Physical geography

Due to its immense size, the forest is in truth not one continuously identical forest, as opposed to the Great Rainforest of Marfall, for example. In the north against the flanks of the westernmost Galespine Mountains, the forest's edge seems to consist mostly of evergreen trees on a hilly terrain of dry soil, whereas the southern edge of the forest near Warsenfeld is dense foliage of large deciduous trees, planted in loamy, fertile flatlands. The exact transition point between these zones is disputed, but is believed to be somewhere near the southern end of the domain of the City of Garlond.
The River Bax traverses the entire length of the forest north-to-south, though as with everything concerning the forest, its path is unknown. It is likely an important life-giving artery to the dense forest, as whether there are other rivers or bodies of water within the forest is wholly unknown. At the river's mouth, on the forest's southern coast on the Senué Gulf, lies the city of Warsenfeld, long independent, now an integral part of the Kingdom of Grasynnia. A small yet thriving port city, it sees tremendous traffic from adventurers, scholars, and magic wielders of all sorts, who seek the secrets of the forest and the princely state within.

Flora and fauna

In the north, the forest seems to largely consist of firs and pines, at least at its edge. From the slopes of the Galespine Mountains, on very clear days, mountaineers have reported sights of immense mushroom-like silhouettes near the horizon, deep within the forest. It is therefore believed that a northern section of the Great Forest consists of tree-sized mushrooms, and regular expeditions make attempts to reach the area for cultivation. In the south, the trees of the forest are largely wide trees that enjoy well-hydrated soil, such as willows. Ferns and other bottom-dwelling foliage plants are common here too.
Animals and monsters are plentiful in the forest, adding yet another reason why it is dangerous to traverse. From small critters like common squirrels, owls, and tressym, to large lethal monsters such as owlbears and displacer beasts, a myriad of creatures can be found between the trees. Evidence has even been found of the presence of green dragons within the forest, but confirmed sightings have yet to be made.
Due to the strange properties of the forest - people vanishing or reappearing at the forest's edge, the magical qualities of the River Bax, the blue fog, and the inherent vagueness of the city within it - many believe the forest itself to be inherently magical. Those attuned to magical energies report a veil of some sort hanging over the entire extent of the forest, believed to warp reality in unknown ways. The edges of the forest are therefore often visited for tests and rituals, though the chance of vanishing without a trace always exists.

Society

Somewhere within the Great Forest of Baxbury lies the Princely State of Ilnith, a mercurial principality very few have ever visited. Believed to be inhabited largely or solely by feikin, the principality has existed since time immemorial, and very rarely interacts with the outside world. Due to the confirmed presence of feikin within the princely state and therefore the forest, many believe fey magics are responsible for the forest's many peculiarities, though others are quick to point out that this would not adequately explain all the happenings.
Beyond Ilnith, it is unknown whether other settlements exist within the confines of the forest. However, presence of sentient beings does not end with the state, as the forest's magical qualities and political neutrality attract unscrupulous individuals, such as witches, necromancers, and other magically-minded hermits. They are often forced to commit to this choice for life, as finding the way out of the forest remains a challenge. Some druids and clerics serving Silvanus also seek out the forest, looking to understand or protect it.