Wildheart Blight- Description and Locations

Region History, and Unique Features

The Wildheart Blight, named after the Druid Bran Wildheart, encapsulates a dark tale of sacrifice and war. Bran, a key figure among the legendary "15" who opposed draconic rule hundreds of years ago, met his fate during a dire battle at the city of Augustus. As draconic forces overwhelmed the city, Bran and his druidic warriors held the line. In his desperate final act, Bran invoked a ritual of lichdom, transforming into a Blight—a druidic lich intertwined with nature itself. This powerful magic unleashed devastating forces that obliterated both the dragons' army and Augustus itself, giving birth to the sinister forest now known as the Wildheart Blight.
Over the past 375 years, the Blight has consumed much of the continent in its relentless expansion. What once were bustling towns and cities now lie swallowed and reshaped into haunted ruins under its canopy. The forest, predatory by nature, advances as if driven by a dark will, with even mountains succumbing to its creeping vines and twisted trees. Rumors persist that finding and destroying Bran’s remains within the ruins of Augustus might halt the Blight’s expansion, but the forest protects its secrets well, with creatures and anomalies that deter even the bravest souls.
The Blight is not just a natural disaster but a poignant reminder of the dangers of wielding forbidden powers. It stands as a haunted symbol of sacrifice, where the twisted ruins of Augustus bear witness to Bran’s tragic fate. The forest, with its eerie paths and spectral guardians, remains a perilous realm filled with legend and peril, a testament to the enduring impact of Bran's desperate final act.
Entering the Blight

• As one first steps into the Wildheart Blight, the air thickens with a palpable, eerie stillness, pierced only by the occasional distant, unsettling echo.
• The forest canopy, a dense tapestry of twisted branches and withered leaves, filters the sunlight into a perpetual, murky twilight.
• Vines, thicker than a man's arm and covered in thorns, snake across the forest floor and up the gnarled trunks of ancient trees, binding the woods in an oppressive grip.
• The ground itself feels unnaturally soft and spongy, damp with the decay of countless fallen leaves that have turned into a dark, composting mulch emitting a faint, musty odor. Fungi of unnatural sizes and colors—luminous blues and sickly greens—cluster around the bases of trees and along the decaying wood, adding an otherworldly glow to the shadowy undergrowth.
• Every so often, the silence is broken by the crack of a branch or the rustle of leaves, suggesting the presence of something watching you from deep within.

Additional effect

• While in the blight, they do not receive all benifits of a long rest.
• When having a long rest, make a con save, DC 15. If they fail, they have to roll hit dice to regain health, and their hit dice do not regenerate until a sucessful Con save the following night.
• If they roll a 1, they are possessed by a Whisper, and are forced to try and extinguish any nearby light sources.

Random encounters- Wildheart Blight Random Encounters

Inhabitents

• Whisper - These malevolent entities prey on lone travelers and small groups during the darkest hours of night. Legend says the original Whispers were once Bran Wildheart's fellow druids, transformed into these ethereal predators through the same dark magic that birthed the Blight. They are ghostly figures that glide silently through the forest, their forms barely visible. Their victims are turned to stone, capturing their last moments of horror, and from these statues, new Whispers emerge, ensnaring the souls of the petrified.
• @grove - Tall, sentient beings, Grove Sentinels are tree-like creatures that have evolved a high level of intelligence and the ability to communicate through rustling leaves and the creaking of wood. They are fiercely protective of the Blight, considering it their sacred home. These guardians are capable of mobilizing the forest’s flora to defend against intruders, making them formidable opponents to any who threaten the sanctity of their domain.
• Moss Crawlers - These creatures are small, insect-like beings covered in a thick layer of moss that allows them to blend seamlessly into the forest floor. They hunt in packs, swarming over anything that disturbs their territory. Their bites inject a paralyzing toxin that slowly turns the victim's flesh into a mossy growth, eventually integrating them into the forest floor.
• Feral Shadows - Appearing only in the absence of light, these amorphous, dark creatures are like living silhouettes. They stalk the darker parts of the forest, drawn to fear and despair. Their touch causes disorientation and deep chilling fear, often leading victims to flee blindly deeper into the Blight.
• Stoneheart Beasts - Giant creatures with bodies resembling rough, jagged stone; these beasts were once normal forest animals that drank from the Obsidian Pools. The tainted waters transformed them into hulking monstrosities that roam the forest, causing tremors with their every step. Despite their fearsome appearance, they are mostly solitary and avoid contact unless provoked.
• The Veil Wraiths - These spectral figures are the tormented spirits of those who died within the Blight, unable to find peace. They float through the woods, partially visible in the moonlight, forever reliving the agony of their last moments. They are not inherently malicious, but their presence is a grim reminder of the Blight’s deadly reach.
• Night Hags
• Ogres
• Troll- CR 5, regeneration can not be killed except with fire. MM pg 291. CR 13,9,11,7. MTF 242
• Darklings- CR ½, 2, Fey who serve as thieves and assassins, often working for Drow. VG pg 134.
• Myconids- CR 0-2, mushroom creatures, created by dead corpses being absorbed into the colony and remade. Mostly neutral creatures unless provoked. MM pg 230.
• Nothic- Cr 2, stalker enjoys watching and waiting, the result of corrupted wizards trying to use rituals to gaze into the future or unearth forbidden secrets. Have magical insight that makes them secret keepers, which they may share for a price. Live in places with high magical concentration. MM pg 236.
• oozes
• Slaadi- CR ⅛ to 10, give birth by infecting humanoids Alien style, can sometimes shape change into their original hosts, have gem stones in their brains that if captured allows you to control them, semi intelligent monsters that can cast spells. MM pg 274.

Important NPC’s

Bran Wildheart- Blight Litch

• Bran Wildheart presents a haunting figure, deeply entwined with the corrupted forest of the Wildheart Blight. His body, elongated and twisted, now mirrors the gnarled trees that surround him. His fur has thickened into a bark-like texture, rough and crisscrossed with the scars of his tumultuous change, dotted with moss and small patches of lichen that make him seem part of the undergrowth.
• His once alert and vibrant eyes now glow with a somber, eerie green light, reflecting the deep sorrow of his cursed existence. Roots and vines bind him to the earth, emerging from his limbs and rooting him to the spot, symbolizing his permanent bond with the Blight. These vines occasionally produce thorns and pallid flowers, pulsating with the same dark magic that suffuses the forest.
• long, sensitive ears that droop sadly, and a once twitching nose now still and overtaken by sprouts. Bran's expression is one of profound remorse and resignation, haunted by the knowledge of the devastation he continues to cause yet powerless to stop the relentless expansion of the Blight. Trapped within this dreadful pact, Bran embodies both the guardian and the prisoner of the cursed forest, a somber reminder of the price of desperate magic.

Others

• Thalrysian- Thalrysian is an ancient topaz dragon whose lair is nestled in the mountains now being slowly consumed by the Blight. Fascinated by the magical corruption of the forest, Thalrysian studies the Blight's effects from a realitivly safe distance, using his ancient knowledge to understand its origins and potential weaknesses. Although wise and powerful, Thalrysian remains cautious, knowing that even he could fall victim to the forest's insidious growth.
• Moss Wing; A corrupted Emerald dragon, now consumed by the blight and one of the greatest threats in the forest.
• The Windigo- Once the ranger known as Saradin, it isnpw a mindless creature that only exists for the thrill of the hunt. It is known to pick off party members one by one, leaving only a single person to tell the tale. 
• Morgweth the Night Hag - Morgweth is a cunning and powerful Night Hag who has made the outskirts of the Blight her hunting ground. She collects the tormented souls of those who perish within, using them to fuel her dark rituals and spells. Morgweth often appears as a twisted, elderly woman, offering cursed bargains to those desperate enough to seek her out. Her knowledge of the Blight is unmatched, and she may possess secrets to navigating its dangers— for a price.
• Branok the Lost - Once a noble ranger sworn to protect the forest, Branok was corrupted by the Blight's influence. Now, he exists as a half-living, half-undead guardian, roaming the Blight's periphery and attacking all who dare enter. Despite his corruption, flickers of his past heroism surface occasionally, making him a tragic figure who might be redeemed or could serve as a guide through the twisted forest.
• Iyara- Iyara is a druid who believes that the Blight can be healed or at least contained. She camps at the edges of the forest, studying its patterns and experimenting with spells that might reverse or harness its growth. Iyara is young but determined, and she seeks allies to aid her in her quest. Her optimism and bravery make her a beacon of hope in a region otherwise devoid of it.

Local Quests

• The Heartwood Heist: Adventurers are hired by a mysterious alchemist who believes that a particular flower, which blooms only within the Heartwood Sanctum, can counteract the Blight's corruption. The quest involves navigating deep into the forest to retrieve this rare flower before it wilts, all while avoiding the malevolent Grove Sentinels and other forest denizens.
• Echoes of Augustus: A group of historians from a distant university seeks to uncover artifacts from the ruins of Augustus, hoping to learn more about the early days of the Blight. They need brave souls to escort them to the ruins, protect them while they conduct their research, and help solve ancient puzzles that Bran Wildheart left behind to guard his secrets.
• Liberation of the Legion Valley: The descendants of the Roma Dwarves want to reclaim their ancestral fortress in Legion Valley. The adventurers are tasked with clearing the overrun fortress of the corrupted creatures now inhabiting it and discovering any surviving relics that could be used to fend off the Blight's further encroachment.
• Silence the Whispers: The Whispers have been growing in number, and a nearby village is suffering from their attacks. The villagers ask for help to find and destroy the source of these haunting predators. Adventurers must track the Whispers back to their origin, confront the creatures in the dead of night, and find a way to break the cycle of their creation.
• The Wraith’s Redemption: A tormented Veil Wraith has been appearing to various individuals, hinting at its desire for peace and release from the Blight’s grasp. The adventurers are tasked with uncovering the story of this spirit, performing tasks to gather the necessary magical components, and conducting a ritual that might set the wraith free.
• Bran’s Last Stand: Rumors suggest that there might be a way to communicate with the spirit of Bran Wildheart himself. Adventurers are called upon to find the ritual site and, using ancient druidic relics, attempt to summon Bran’s consciousness. The goal is to learn from Bran if there is any way to halt or reverse the Blight, or at least contain its deadly spread.

Notable Locations/Cities

• The Heartwood Sanctum - At the core of the Blight and center of Agustus lies the Heartwood Sanctum, believed to be the site where Bran Wildheart performed his transformational ritual. This area is characterized by a massive, twisted tree whose roots and branches are so interwoven that they form a kind of natural fortress. The tree pulses with a faint, unnatural glow, and the air around it is thick with magical energy, making it a place of power and peril.
• Augustus Ruins - The ruins of Augustus, once a bustling city, now stand as a ghostly reminder of the Blight's birth. Overgrown with thick vines and moss, the crumbling walls and tumbled stones are often shrouded in mist. Adventurers and scholars alike are drawn to these ruins, hoping to uncover ancient artifacts or the secret to Bran's undoing.
• The Weeping Glades - A strangely beautiful area within the Blight, the Weeping Glades are known for their silver-leaved trees whose sap glows with an eerie luminescence at night. The ground is covered in a soft moss that emits a gentle, soothing light, creating a surreal contrast to the surrounding darkness. Despite its beauty, the glades are home to spectral figures that wander silently among the trees, lost souls of those who died during the city's fall.
• Echoing Thicket - This dense part of the forest is notorious for its auditory illusions. Travelers report hearing whispers, cries, and sometimes even laughter, as if the forest itself is alive with the echoes of past battles. The thicket is a labyrinth of thorny undergrowth and deceptive paths, making navigation perilous and disorienting.
• The Obsidian Pools - Scattered throughout the Blight are several pools of dark, still water that reflect no light. These pools are said to be filled with a substance not entirely liquid nor solid, rumored to be remnants of the dark magic used by Bran. Creatures that drink from these pools are often mutated into grotesque forms, adding to the forest’s dangers.
• Legion Valley - Legion Valley hosts the remnants of a once-mighty fortress constructed by Roma Dwarves during their first incursions into the area. Built to serve as a bulwark against the spread of the Wildheart Blight, this fortress boasted formidable stone walls and deep underground bunkers. However, it was overrun by the encroaching Blight 100 years ago. Now, the fortress lies in ruins, with moss and vines consuming its once-impenetrable walls. The dungeons, still intact, are rumored to hold ancient dwarven artifacts and secrets, drawing the brave and the reckless into the depths of the corrupted stronghold.
• Magtin - On the ever-shifting edge of the Wildheart Blight lies Magtin, a herdlendic town now resembling a ghost town, slowly being consumed by the relentless advance of the forest. Once a thriving community, most of its residents have fled, leaving behind only a few stubborn souls. These remaining few, driven by reasons as varied as guarding ancestral lands or seeking power from the Blight's dark magic, stand defiant against the creeping death. The town, with abandoned homes and overgrown streets, serves as a stark frontier of human resilience. Its eerie silence is occasionally broken by the sounds of battle as the remaining inhabitants fend off twisted creatures spawned from the Blight's depths.

Other Notes