Without a doubt, the most dangerous location in all of the Kingdom of Cheshire (aside from the Royal Magistrate’s Office) is the Forest of Souls. The stuff of nightmares, only the foolish dare to enter its borders. The ones that return are forever marked, haunted by what they see. The ones that return alive at any rate.
Once known as the Forest of Dreams, the forest was the epicenter of what sages have taken to call The Corruption. How it started is unknown to most and many rumors have sprung up. The most common is that somehow a rift to the Pit was open. Another rarely heard one (anymore) cropped up in a border village between Cheshire and Cerak. Apparently the locals there like to jabber on, and placed the blame squarely on the Archmage Draen Do’Gra. Draen took offense to the rumor and obliterated the town. No one sane has uttered those words aloud since.
Thirty years ago, the Corruption started as a massive explosion in the heart of The Forest of Dreams. Many believed it to be from the spire elf city of Kor’Korai. Magic could not penetrate it, which set everyone on edge. When the energy, a purplish black seething thing, began to spread it was cause for alarm. When members of the Wyldfires, a ranger unit stationed in the forest, and the Oakenshields a druid circle arrived in Shire to beg for aid, King Armer XI agreed.
An army of Ironguards, the name of the royal army as well as adventurers and mercenaries entered the forest. The plan was to meet up with the rest of the rangers and druids before venturing towards Kor’Korai. What occurred is not quite clear. The Corruption was stopped, but it sealed the borders of the forest. No living thing could enter or exit. The barrier blocked all efforts of all but the most powerful of mages, and even they could not bring it down.
Renamed the Forest of Souls, mainly after the undead that would belch forth from the barrier from time to time, it has been sealed off from mortals. Until now. For reasons yet unknown the barrier has fallen. Like moths to a flame, many adventurers have journeyed into the dark forest looking for treasure, knowledge, fame. Like moths to a flame, most have not returned.
Among the stories the survivors have babbled are these tidbits of interest:
- Horrible screaming can be heard every night.
- Brighthope, the unicorn guardian of the Forest of Dreams is alive, although her mate has not been seen.
- The city of Kor’Korai appears to still be standing.
- There are only a few places in the forest the undead refuse to disturb, including a clearing beside a massive oak.
- The druids appear to have taken up protecting the Forest of Souls.
- Something hunts the living in the forest. Victims have been found pierced through the heart from behind.
If all that sound exciting, then by all means enter. Perhaps you may find out the truth behind the Corruption. As for me, I received a curious missive from the Arcane Gryphon, the magic school once based in Kor’Korai. Perhaps I too shall find out truths, perhaps more secrets. If I return, I expect I shall have news to tell.
Always take time to enjoy some music
– Chord, the Ivory Bard
A Darkness Rising 