Dunweald
The Dunweald is an ancient and spralling forest that stretches from the Skaldafoll in the north to Planes of Arnath in the south. While the Kingdom of Usk marks its eastern edge, no one who has dared venture into it has found its westernmost extents and returned.
The Skidafolk claim that Yaunävä can often be found dancing among the towering northern pines, and that elf-haunted hollows guard gateways to the Winter Queen's palace. Other tales tell of forgotten ruins swallowed by nature from before the Starfall.
To the Uskings, the Dunweald is a place of dread amd terror. It archtrees form a living palasade against the encroachment of civilization. Beyond that wall, unrestrained nature rules its demesne with a bloody fist. Monsters lurk behind every rock; spirits haunt untrod paths. They even say the trees amd plants move - and thry remember days before the Starfall when Man wronged them.
The Dunweald is primarily a boreal forest with it transitioning to a temperate forest in its southern regions. This means it is dominated by towering pines and firs, with scattered oaks, ash, yew, and birch trees. further south, these grow in number, and elms and maples join their ranks. It is common to find a wide variety of berries along the forest margins, and clearings are often covered in vibrant flowers during the spring and summer moons.
Among the trees, a great many migratory birds can be found, imcluding swallows amd starlings. The many lakes and rivers of the Dunweald teem with waterfowl - ducks, geese, and swans, and hawks, flcons , and owls rule the skies.
On the ground, typical rodents and small game abound, with lesser predators including lynx, otters, wolverines in the north, and foxes. Greater predators include brown bears, wolves, leopards, and tigers, but these mostly hunt large game, including deer, boar, bison, sheep, goats, amd people.
There have been some discoveries of tin in the foothills and lower reaches of the Skaldafoll, which are still covered by the Dunweald. However, being nestled in the virgin wilderness, these sites are difficult to protect against the forest and its denizens. This has hampered their exploratio and development greatly.
It is also said that great and forgotten treasures lay hidden among the ancient, vine-choked ruins long swallowed by the antediluvian wood. While less of a draw, treasure hunters do venture to the forest, but few ever return. It would seem the weald is a jealous and protective guardian.
Myth and Folklore
Many legends and myths about the Dunweald exist in Skidafolk and Usking cutlure.The Skidafolk claim that Yaunävä can often be found dancing among the towering northern pines, and that elf-haunted hollows guard gateways to the Winter Queen's palace. Other tales tell of forgotten ruins swallowed by nature from before the Starfall.
To the Uskings, the Dunweald is a place of dread amd terror. It archtrees form a living palasade against the encroachment of civilization. Beyond that wall, unrestrained nature rules its demesne with a bloody fist. Monsters lurk behind every rock; spirits haunt untrod paths. They even say the trees amd plants move - and thry remember days before the Starfall when Man wronged them.
Flora & Fauna
Flora
See also Dunweald FloraThe Dunweald is primarily a boreal forest with it transitioning to a temperate forest in its southern regions. This means it is dominated by towering pines and firs, with scattered oaks, ash, yew, and birch trees. further south, these grow in number, and elms and maples join their ranks. It is common to find a wide variety of berries along the forest margins, and clearings are often covered in vibrant flowers during the spring and summer moons.
Fauna
See also Dunweald FaunaAmong the trees, a great many migratory birds can be found, imcluding swallows amd starlings. The many lakes and rivers of the Dunweald teem with waterfowl - ducks, geese, and swans, and hawks, flcons , and owls rule the skies.
On the ground, typical rodents and small game abound, with lesser predators including lynx, otters, wolverines in the north, and foxes. Greater predators include brown bears, wolves, leopards, and tigers, but these mostly hunt large game, including deer, boar, bison, sheep, goats, amd people.
Natural Resources
It is known in the northern lands of the Trollenmere that the Dunweald is rich with furs. This has drawn many to Alnwich seeking riches and causing a boom in the small town.There have been some discoveries of tin in the foothills and lower reaches of the Skaldafoll, which are still covered by the Dunweald. However, being nestled in the virgin wilderness, these sites are difficult to protect against the forest and its denizens. This has hampered their exploratio and development greatly.
It is also said that great and forgotten treasures lay hidden among the ancient, vine-choked ruins long swallowed by the antediluvian wood. While less of a draw, treasure hunters do venture to the forest, but few ever return. It would seem the weald is a jealous and protective guardian.
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