Dread Forest

The Dread Forest is a expanse of forest that stretches from the foothills of the Fiery Summits to the Sea of Songs in the east, and extends upwards from the river Melor. At this point in time, the Forest is shrinking, and has already lost a substantial amount of wood.
The Forest is home to many beings, including elves and beasts of many kinds. It earned its name due to the number of expeditions into its depths that end in disaster or disappearance, and to the vast number of monstrosities that call it home, including owlbears, griffins, and gnolls. Most who venture into the Forest stick to the portions that are thinning out, which are usually more sparsely populated with Forest denizens and therefore safer to traverse.

Geography

A large forest north of Pinar that was never fully conquered by the kingdom. It is approximately 80 miles at the widest portion north to south, and 330 miles east to west. It contains the usual seasons for the region, with a temperate spring and summer, a crisp fall, and a cold winter, often reaching below freezing temperatures.

Fauna & Flora

The Dread Forest is a temperate forest composed of a large variety of tree types. The majority of this forest is made of deciduous trees, which begin to turn colors in Likki and lose leaves in the beginning of Myst. The forest also contains many shrub and vine species.
The fauna of the Dread Forest is comprised of both typical animals for the region, including deer, squirrels/other rodents, and various predators, and also monstrosities such as owlbears and griffins. Sentient species include elves (usually of the wood culture, although all kinds live in the area known as the Grotto), gnomes, and gnolls.
Since the opening and widening of a Feywildian portal within the Forest, many denizens of that planes have crossed over and begun to make their home in the forests, including blink dogs, will o' wisps, hags, and other fey creatures. Caution is strongly advised while traveling, as many of these creatures are not friendly.

Natural Resources

As a forest, the Dread Forest's main resource is timber. It also boasts many plant species with medicinal qualities, as well as wild game, and many animals who are valuable either in whole or in part.

Type

Forest, Temperate (Seasonal)

Location under

The Material Plane

Included Locations

• the Grotto

Related Ethnicities

• Drow
• Wood Elves