The Cragswood

A dark, thick mountain forest, mist covered and cold, the edges barely brushed along the Pine River, or the outer reaches, by civilization. The rest, it is unsettled, the terrain vicious, horrible, cracked and fractured stone, hidden cliffs and drops, 'dead ledges' and worse. To say nothing of the near perpetual fog and smokey mist, fed by Mount Cerberous, the massive volcano's smoke and steam flowing down constantly, flowing through the valleys. Sometimes, many times, these clouds have a level of sulfuric toxicity, making living further in, and therefore closer to the volcano, a dangerous and deadly proposition. With that said, however, it seems the forest is uneffected, as if the trees here evolved to contend with this. One can travel here, but it is unadvisable. The risk of being caught in a sulfuric bank is great. This is to say nothing, of course, for the foul Fell Fey, the Ursi, or the nightmarish swarms of the Restless Dead that make this region their home. It is a brutal and dangerous place.

Local warnings about the Cragswood within the Baraz Duicacht.

Following the Pine RIver up through The Steppes, this forest is well known amongst locals in the Baraz Duitacht for its many dangers, but also home to some of the finest softwood timber in the nation of Suranth. As such, there is a constant drive and push to settle, to figure out ways to expand, to tap into that resource. This is why a few villages, despite the dangers, the negative effects on health and life, have popped up on the fringes and edges of this woodland. Beyond all the other dangers of course, one must also remember and contend with the knowledge and fear of a visit from the Leshen, an old, perhaps even ancient Fenbeast that seems to guard these woods, hunting those whom dare bring axes or fire into its realm. On top of this, the thicker parts of the woods are home to a particularly vicious and....Void sensitive tribe of the Ursi, bearmen, bestials that are oft referred to as yeti. It is a harsh and dangerous place to live near or on the fringes of, and is considered damn inhospitable by all sapient and civilized folk.

Geography

The Cragswood, tho referring to the forest that follows the various rivers that slice through the eastern edges of the Steppes, in particular the region known to be inhospitable and a dangerous and deadly place is nestled south east of Mount Dshaelishimh, a large and well known volcano within the mountain range, extending out from the mountains and through the hill lands south-east of the volcano, shrouded thickly by the sulfuric smoke from the mighty mountain. This particular stretch of forest is feared as a almost supernatural place, for though surrounded on all sides, the dark things that call it home seem to find ways to interact from quite far away. Visually the region is stunning, if not a little terrifying. The trees are somehow alive, but their green needles all have a yellowish pallor to them, from the sulfur in the air. The mist is a near constant factor, and any food growing here, even wild plants that normally would be quite edible to most people, are toxic to most here, the sulfur content potentially deadly. The constant mist and fog of course, means visibility is a near impossible dreamm adding even another layer to the danger, as you are not likely to see a threat before its nearly on top of you.

The terrain is cracked, uneven, with many ledges, cliffs, and sudden drops. It is rough, hard to transverse terrain, where you will likely need to climb as often as walk.

Ecosystem

It is not well understood how the native populations of creatures that live within this woodland manage it. It is unknown how, it is unknown what sort of traits they possess that allow them to survive and even thrive here.

Localized Phenomena

Ashfalls: These are similiar to snowfalls, but are when volcanic ash from Mount Dshaelishimh is picked up by the right air currents and falls like snow upon the forest

Suffocation Mists: on thankfully rare days, this region gets covered by a fog that well...the name says it all. This fog rolls in from Mount Dshaelishimh, a green-yellow haze of sulfur and other harsh and dangerous chemicals. These mists get their name from their killing potential, and from how unfortunate beasts or men caught in it die. Choking, gasping for clean air that just is not available.

Type

Forest, Boreal (Coniferous)

Location under

Baraz Duicacht

Owner/Ruler

Lord Protectorate Gnolundi Gormniade Barazbarak

Ruling/Owning Rank

Lord Protectorate

Owning Organization

Suranth