The Great Forest

The Great Forest surrounds most of Syoll, with only three Aspects (Ellion Dula, Amridge and Miennach) having no direct border with it. Though it is categorised as a single forest, the trees, animals and climates differ depending on the region. Even at the edge of the forest, the trees tower above any others, starting out rather sparse but getting thicker and darker the further you go. Pretty soon, no more sunlight can reach the ground and the only light source available—if any—are bioluminescent plants or animals.  Nobody knows what caused the trees to grow so high and thick. Many scholars and adventurers have travelled into the Great Forest, some returning within weeks, months or even years, seemingly terrified of what lurks within. Most, however, never return from their travels. Although there are theories that other lands and civilisations lie beyond the Forest, not one excursion made has discovered these, or lived to tell the tale.

Geography

The trees of the Great Forest get taller and denser the further into it one travels (much like an ocean gets deeper). In the southern jungle area—the farthest known biome—the lowest layer of branches become so thickly intertwined that most can walk on them with no issue. However, these paths are often hard to spot, especially with no source of light, and falling off them would surely mean death. There are a lot of rivers flowing through the Great Forest, but their origins remain unknown, seemingly appearing out of nowhere. 

Life

The wildlife in the forest remains almost entirely undocumented. It varies from region to region, with the western expanse of the forest being moderate but the south getting warmer and wetter the further one travels. There have been countless stories of creatures as tall as towers and predators that lurk in the shadows, blinded and twisted by the darkness of the forest. There are also some rumours of tribes of people living in the forest, snake-people who capture and kill those who trespass on their domain. These rumours have never been confirmed.
It is estimated that 99.7% of the forest’s wildlife is currently unknown.

Type

Forest

"Have you ever gone further than a mile into the Great Forest? The trees grow so high they block all light and all around you you hear the cries and calls of creatures yet to be named. You're not the first to enter, and you certainly won't be the last. Many adventurers have tried to find hidden worlds or long-lost treasures and none have ever returned."

—Eldan Whittlebeard, unknown