The Umbral Forest
The Umbral Forest is a dark and forbidding place in the northernmost reaches of the country of Thanna. It is a realm of shadows and mystery, where the trees grow tall and the underbrush is thick. In spring, the air is heavy with the pollen from the dozens of species of flowering trees, while birds and beasts fill the forest canopy with their shrieks and squalls.
In the winter, the most dangerous beasts from the Ice Mountains, including the werewolves, come down to the forest, forcing the humans to fall back to the towns and farmsteads on the outskirts of the forest.
The Umbral forest is home to many strange and dangerous creatures, both plants and animals. The trees themselves are alive, and their roots reach deep into the earth, while at night they appear to glow with a gentle phosphorescent light. Species of trees such as pine, ash, beech and oak which grow all throughout Thanna and the neighbouring lands emit this glow only in the lands of the Umbral Forest, yet no apothecary, alchemist, or herbalist has uncovered the source of the glow.
There are also tales and local legends of dark forces at work in this place, forces that would do harm to any who ventured too deeply into the forest.
Those who enter the Umbral Forest do so at their own peril, for it is a place where the line between reality and fantasy is blurred. It is a place of wonder and terror, beauty and danger. And it is not a place to be taken lightly.
Locally, the forest is also sometimes known as Darkwood, The Forest of Shadows, or the Wildwood. It is a place of dark legends and old stories, a place where the plants and animals seem to have a life of their own. Even the trees seem to watch you as you move through the forest, their leaves rustling in the wind.
Geography
The Umbral Forest is located in the northernmost part of the country of Thanna, bordering the The Ice Mountains. It is a large forest, spanning several thousand square miles. The terrain is varied, with rolling hills, thick forests, and large clearings. There are also numerous rivers and streams running through the forest, with the largest body of water being Indigo Lake, and the largest river being Goldshingle River, both fed by the melting waters of the The Ice Mountains.
The climate in the Umbral Forest is colder than in the rest of Thanna, due to its proximity to the The Ice Mountains. The winters are long and harsh, with heavy snowfalls. In the summer, the temperatures are cooler than in the rest of the country, but still warm enough to support the growth of the many species of plants and trees.
Ecosystem
The Umbral forest has a unique and complex ecosystem. The trees of the forest are mostly deciduous, and they provide shelter and food for the animals. Some of the more common animals that can be found in the Umbral Forest include deer, rabbits, squirrels, and birds.
The Umbral Forest is also home to a wide variety of magical creatures. These creatures include Unicorns, Sprites, and Werewolves. These creatures are often feared by humans, but they play an important role in the ecosystem of the Umbral Forest.
Localized Phenomena
There are many strange and wonderful things that can be found in the Umbral Forest. One of the most famous is the legendary Fire Falls. These falls are located in a clearing near the centre of the forest and feed into Indigo Lake.
Legend has it they are home to a fire elemental, however, the 'fire' is actually due to a trick of the light from the glowing flora reflecting off the droplets of water. During sunrise and sunset, the falls are especially spectacular as the water cascades down the rocks, creating a wall of what looks like a liquid flame that is visible for miles.
Another phenomenon that can be found in the Umbral Forest is the so-called 'ghost lights'. These lights are often seen in the clearings and are said to be the spirits of those who have died in the forest. Some say they are helpful spirits, while others claim they are simply a cluster of Sprites.
Another phenomenon that can be found in the Umbral Forest is the fabled Valley of Mist. This valley is located in the southern part of the forest, and it is said to be the home of a horde of ghosts. The mist that fills the valley is said to be the souls of the dead, and it is said to be a place of great power. It is likely that the thick humidity of this valley is the cause of the strange mist, and that the 'ghosts' are merely wisp Sprites or phantom sprites. However, this would not explain the strange feeling of unease that many people feel when they enter the valley.
The Umbral Forest is also home to many ancient ruins. These ruins are often hidden in the dense foliage, and they are a testament to the long history of the forest. Some of these ruins are said to be the remains of a lost civilization, and others are said to be the homes of powerful wizards from past ages.
Fauna & Flora
The Umbral Forest is home to a wide variety of plant and animal life. There are hundreds of species of trees, shrubs, and other plants. Many of these plants are unique to the Umbral Forest, such as the Luminous Moss that covers the forest floor and the Giant Mushrooms that grow in the clearings.
The animal life in the Umbral Forest is just as diverse. There are dozens of species of birds, including the rare and elusive Phoenix. Mammals such as deer, bears, wolves, and even Umbral Dragons can be found in the Umbral forest.
The ecosystem of the Umbral forest is also home to many dangerous creatures, such as Giant Spider, snakes, and bats. These creatures make their homes in the dark places of the forest and can be a threat to unwary travellers.
The Umbral Forest is also home to many magical creatures, such as Unicorn, Sprite, and the Werewolf. Humans often fear these creatures, but they play an important role in the ecosystem of the Umbral Forest.
Natural Resources
The Umbral Forest is a source of many valuable resources. The trees of the forest provide wood for homes and furniture, and the animals provide fur and meat. The plants of the forest are also used to make medicines and potions.
The Umbral Forest is also a source of magical energy. This energy can be harnessed by herbalists, alchemists, apothecaries, and cunning men, and used for spells and rituals. The Umbral Forest is also a place of great power, and it is said that those who control the forest will control the world.
History
The Umbral Forest has been a part of Thanna for centuries, and it has always been a place of mystery and legend. The first mortals to settle in Thanna were the elves during The Age of Magick, and they were the ones who named the forest. The elves were the first to realise the magical potential of the Umbral Forest, and they built their homes among the trees.
The humans came to Thanna later, during The Age of The Great, and they brought with them a different understanding of magic. The humans saw the Umbral Forest as a place of danger, and they often avoided it. However, there were some humans who were drawn to the forest, and they began to explore its mysteries.
One of the most famous explorers of the Umbral Forest was a wizard named Mariel. Mariel was a powerful wizard, and she used her magic to find hidden ruins and treasures in the Umbral Forest. She also discovered the Fire Falls, and she was the first to map the Valley of Mist.
Mariel's exploration of the Umbral Forest was cut short by her untimely death, but her work has inspired others to and set off a new age of exploration and over the following thousand years, the far corners of the world were mapped and conquered. In recent years, more and more people have been venturing into the Umbral Forest, and its secrets are slowly being revealed.
Tourism
The Umbral Forest is a popular tourist destination, and there are many ways to explore its wonders. Visitors can take guided tours of the forest, or they can venture out on their own if they are brave or foolish enough to do so. There are also many adventure companies that offer expeditions into the Umbral Forest or cruises along the Goldshingle River.
The safest time to visit the Umbral Forest is in the height of summer when the Red Riders have pushed back the Werewolves to the The Ice Mountains, and maintain a constant patrol from their base in The Old King's Hunting Lodge. However, the forest can still be dangerous, and visitors should be prepared for anything.
"Those who seek its secrets must be prepared to face its dangers."
- Wizard Mariel
(Speaking of the Umbral Forest during The Age of The Great)
Alternative Name(s)
Darkwood, Wildwood, Forest of Shadows
Type
Forest, Temperate (Seasonal)
Location under
Owner/Ruler
Ruling/Owning Rank
Owning Organization
Contested By
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Notable Locations
An Ancient Ballad to Forest Travellers
In the dark of night, they set off into the wood,With only their courage to guide them,
They're seeking adventure and riches untold,
They'll face danger and death; both fools and the bold, For glory and fame, they'll risk bone and soul,
Their fate lies in the forest of shadows,
There's magic in the air and secrets in each breath,
They'll find all they seek if what they seek is death.
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