Harwood Forest

Extending from an area just west of the Kal’lugus Mountains to the Principality of Olduvar and the Genev Gap, Harwood Forest is the last great remnant of the Great Akadonian Forest in eastern Akados. It is ancient, dark, and dangerous like few places in the Lost Lands. The deepest depths of the forest possess an aura of primal energy and a sense of unyielding power, as if it has an intelligence and incomprehensible drive of its own. While men and elves have hunted and lived along its edges for as long as history recalls, and have braved its darker depths, all attempts to civilize the untamed forest have failed. An unknown number of humanoids, dark fey, lycanthropes, and more sinister denizens live beneath the trees of the Harwood.
It seems that all types of woodland may be found somewhere in this forest. In some areas, the trees are widely spread, while in others the undergrowth all but makes passage impossible. Elsewhere are stands of tall, ancient trees with canopies so thick that no light reaches the ground. Some druids speculate that Harwood Forest is a vestige of the original wood where all trees originated, as it seems that any tree found throughout the world can also be found somewhere here, from tropical trees near hot springs to towering redwoods in the cool valleys.
While the Duchy of Mains lays claim to parts of the forest, in truth, there is no governance here other than simple survival. The secret demonkindred city of Novgorod stands only for itself, leaving the rest of the forest and its denizens to do what they please. Elves, humans, and halflings of Darkhollow live together for mutual protection and survival. Ruins of ancient castles and cities dot the forest, overgrown to the point that almost nothing remains. Adventurers regularly trek into its dark and forbidding confines in search of lost treasures, although most return emptyhanded — if they return at all.
In the western verges of the Harwood live a group of wild elves. They have a city in the midst of the trees called Caer Myrrdin, which is the name they use for their realm as well. Farther east is the cursed city of Novgorod, originally founded by an exile from Caer Myrrdin.
The eastern reaches of the forest, south and east of Carson’s Mill, are now known as the Barren Forest. The northernmost extent of the Barren Forest is also called the Wyld Wood (or the Wild Wood). Over the years, it has been subject to much logging and parts of it are charred from a massive forest fire that occurred many years ago. It is said that this part of the forest is home to a circle of druids, as well as a tribe of goblins and a colossal, lifeless tree reaching 500 feet into the air. This region of the forest establishes the western border of the County of Toullen.
South and west of the Wolf Hills within Harwood is a swampy region known as the Dyrgalas Fens. A few stalwart humans live here and scrounge a living through hunting, fishing, trapping, and even some agriculture. In addition to those honest folk, however, the Dyrgalas has some less-savory residents that include black and green dragons, lizardfolk, trolls, hags, escaped criminals, and a host of lycanthropes. The Drijoc River originates in these swamps and wends its way south through the Coredor Belt to Tywyl Bay.

Type

Forest