The Ironvine Swamp

Near Occia's side of the Arisol land-bridge, what had once been fertile plains were shattered by an ancient cataclysm that also drove several hot springs to the surface, turning the land into a swampy, overgrown morass known as the Ironvine Swamp.
The Swamp gets its name from its unique flora, an unexpected side-effect of its cataclysmic creation in the days after the Earthfall. When the land was shattered in a battle against a massive War Golem, the explosion that destroyed the Golem reduced its body to mere dust, and the overwhelming magic frayed the barrier between realms. With tiny pinholes linking the area to the Elemental Plane of Metal, the land's new marshy nature dissolved the dustinto the water and then drew it into the newly-growing greenery. Over time, the plant life in the Swamp slowly became infused with metallic essence, and eventually creating the tough and dangerous plant-life that gave the land its name.
Nowadays, the Ironvine Swamp is known on most maps as an extremely hazardous area, and most trade simply goes south around it. Both the flora and fauna in the region are extremely dangerous, not in least because both tend to have infusions of elemental metal in their makeup; wild metal-elemental creatures also tend to be common, as well as creatures with Talos blood. Indeed, it's fortunate for the surrounding lands that these creatures rarely leave their elementally-attuned home.
The terrain inside Ironvine is, as one might expect, generally swampy. The water depth varies from area to area, generally growing deeper the farther north and east you move, and large patches of solid ground become more sparse. The very center of the swamp, though, is actually a fairly large area of solid, arable land; this spot is in fact the site of the Dowuari capitol, Hearthwater. Vegetation is thick just about everywhere, however, and the semi-metallic nature of the flora make it difficult to carve paths without the proper preparation; even a breeze can be dangerous when ironwood leaves have bladed edges, and bismuth fungus can turn a simple strolls on solid ground into a serious tripping hazard.
The area is home to The Dowuari Iruxi, who - while not actively hostile - are reclusive, and intolerant of outsiders wandering into their lands. They claim the main body of the Swamp as their territory, though they are less concerned with the lands at the Swamp's border. Outsiders with proper permission may sometimes be allowed into their outlying towns (particularly if they bring useful trade), but none are allowed into their capitol.
The northeastern side of the Swamp butts up against the continent's coastal mountains. The area where they meet is known as Horrors' Hide, and there are stories about ghosts, demons, and other monstrosities that lurk in the deepest parts of the swamp there. Known to very few, the are is actually a hidden enclave of the extremely secretive Goloma people; they use the remoteness and danger of the area as a bulwark against other races, and are almost never seen.

Nations

Dowuari

Magocracy

Capitol: Hearthwater (10,000)

Horrors' Hide (Goloma)

Commune

Capitol: Deepshade (1,000)

Peoples

Nearly all sapient peoples in the Swamp are the Dowuari Iruxi, in their villages or small outlying settlements. They claim the Swamp as their own, and don't suffer intrusions gladly. There are a few small outposts from Arisol and other states on the borders of the Swamp, generally to warn people away or help stranded travelers. While the Horros' Hide Goloma are also present in the swamp, they only very rarely leave their tunnels and are almost never seen by outsiders.

Languages

• Iruxi
• Taldane

Threats

Wild animals including dire breeds, hostile fey, dark spirits, lone trolls, and the Flintknapper (or "Darkblood" tribe.

Encounter List

Tierfolk Hunting Party

2-4 Tierfolk Hunters. They will generally begin with the Indifferent attitude, but may be Friendly or Unfriendly depending on player actions in the region. If at least Indifferent, they will be willing to provide food, shelter, and guidance in exchange for things they consider valuable (furs, weapons, gems, or iron), but not money.

Taldan Hunters

2-3 Taldan Hunters and their Elite Tierfolk Hunter guide.

Spite Fox Skulk

2-4 Spite Foxes.

Wolf Pack

3-6 Wolves

Dire Beast

1 Elite Dire Wolf or 1 Elite Moose or 1 Elite Giant Eagle or 1 Elite Grizzly Bear or 1 Daedon

Mated Dire Pair

2 Dire Wolves or 2 Moose or 2 Elite Leopards

Fey Odd Couple

1 Twigjack and 1 Dryad who are having an argument after the Twigjack did something loutish trying to impress the Dryad which has merely made her angry. They ask whatever unfortunate soul happens along to hear the tale and decide who is in the wrong. Whoever they side with will sit out the fight and the other will attack in a rage. It is possible however to settle this romantic dispute and earn neither of their ire.