The Ravenwood

The Ravenwood is a large forest in the south of Kharsaag. It is located to the hamlet of Halawak, though the wood existed long before the town did. In fact, the Ravenwood was one of the reasons the southern regions of Kharsaag remained unexplored for so long.
The Ravenwood is a place of powerful and ancient magic. It is vast,so vast that only portions of it have been explored, and no one has been able to unlock all of its secrets, though many have tried since the founding of Halawak.
The forest got its name due to the nature of the trees growing there; they are dark as a raven's feathers. No ravens have actually been spotted in the forest, though it is possible they have just not been discovered, due to the size of the place.

Geography

The Ravenwood is a sprawling forest that ranges for several hundred miles in all directions. Three large rivers run through it, making it an excellent place for fishing and hunting.
There are many caves in the Ravenwood, and the vampire Alstrade lives in one of them, about a half a day's walk from Halawak. Alstrade generally keeps to himself, and the townsfolk tend to leave him alone, though recent events have led to increased tension between the vampire and the towns people.
Along the northern border of the Ravenwood is a deep ravine, and at the bottom there is a large network of caves and tunnels that have been only slightly mapped. Many expeditions have traversed the terrain and attempted to map it, but they have only succeeded in discovering a small portion. Some of the adventurers who returned from such expeditions claim this series of tunnels circumnavigates the entire Ravenwood, though they have not found any concrete evidence to prove that claim.

Fauna & Flora

The trees of the forest are black as night, making navigation through the place difficult even at noonday. The wood of the trees is of high quality and is excellent for construction and burning; however, removing trees from the forest kills the land.
The first residents of Halawak discovered this, and soon it was decided that the trees were to be left alone because there was no telling how much the dead ground would affect the rest of the wood. To this day, there are still barren patches of land where trees that were harvested for the Halawakan's used to stand.
The Ravenwood is home to a variety of flora and fauna, some of it dangerous. Deep within the confines of the place dwell the carnivorous trees. These trees have eyes and mouths and can move use their branches like arms. They appear as normal trees until they strike, and by then it is usually too late for their prey. Their level of intelligence is unknown as they have remained silent in the face of communication. Their bark is petrified, making them extremely resistant to fire and weapons. The people of Halawak and other nearby settlements should count themselves lucky that the carnivorous trees are unable to move around, otherwise they could be facing a dangerous invasion from these deadly plants.
There are other plants in the forest that can be harvested for food and herbalism. The Ravenwood is a treasure trove of useful vegetation.
Many animals, such as the three tailed vapor cat (so named for its ability to transform into mist under the light of the moon), Umber bears, jacaklopes, and more live in the wood and are hunted for their meat.
Large birds and other beasts also call the Ravenwood their home. If it lives in the area, chances are it can be found in the Ravenwood.
There is even some evidence that tribes of people live there, or other humanoid creatures. So far, no one has actually encountered any, but tools, old shelters, and cave paintings indicate that the Ravenwood is not entirely uninhabited by intelligent life.

Natural Resources

Due to its size and ability to support life, the Ravenwood is plentiful with resources. The trees may be off limits, but there are many plants that can be harvested and used for medicine, clothing and other textiles, and for food.
The three large rivers and many lakes make it good for fishing, hunting, and a valuable source of irrigation. Already, the Halawakans have diverted some of the water from the Yongut river to water the small crops they have planted on the Western edge of the forest as well as to fill the wells in town.
Gold, copper, silver have also been found in some of cave systems, as well as emeralds, rubies, and iron. The Ravenwood holds uncountable riches, along with immense danger. If you go exploring, be ready for anything.

Alternative Name(s)

The Darkwood, The Cursed Wood

Type

Forest