I recently received an invitation from a being known as the Elder, regarding the Forest of Souls. As a collector of stories this one was a prize I had long wanted. Besides, you don’t turn down anyone who has the audacity to name himself the Elder. Doing that will shorten your lifespan considerably.
The Elder transported me deep within the Forest of Souls and well, I can admit I was awestruck by his presence. This was the closest I ever felt to standing near a god. Draen is powerful, but the Elder? IS power. He told me the story of the forest, how it came to be and what happened to its inhabitants. It was only a piece of the story. To seek out the rest I had to travel the haunted forest and find it for myself.
So let’s begin at the beginning.
The Forest of Souls was once known as the Forest of Dreams. A mystical place, time worked differently there. A few hours could pass while inside, and only a few minutes would outside it boundaries. This also made it very popular for secret trysts.
There is a spire elf city Kor’Korai, hidden somewhere in the forest. It was once a floating city, but when that magic was lost centuries ago, it plummeted to where it now sits. Among its magical mysteries was a branch of the schools of magic. Elves have always been particular about teaching their own. It’s still pretty rare to see any elf walking around the magical city of Eldar, were the greatest wizards and sorcerers have trained.
The forest itself was well guarded. The ranger company known as the Wyldefires had a base in the southern part of the forest near the swamps. The druid circle known as the Oakenshields maintained their base in the northern part. This of course leads to speculation that Kor’Korai is hidden somewhere in the middle. The forest was also patrolled by a pair of mated unicorns Truhart and Lighthope.
Of course the enigmatic being known as the Elder made his home there too. However, as he put it, he rarely if ever had to take a direct hand in anything. He preferred to work through his agents, most of which were members of the Wyldefires or the Oakenshields.
Now thirty years ago, a massive explosion ripped through the heart of the forest. A foul violet colored mist shot into the air and began to envelop the forest. Things that had been dead, began to rise and attack the living. If the living died while within the mist, then they too joined the army of the dead. The mist began to grow, and was named the Corruption.
The Wyldefires and the Oakenshields sent out a call for aid. Hundreds of adventurers heard the call. King Armer the VIII sent out a squadron of Ironguards. All of the would be heroes entered the forest. None ever returned. What is known is that the Corruption was stopped. While it filled the forest to the borders, it didn’t move any further. In fact, the mist solidified, barring exit or entry. It defies magical divination as well.
Recently though the Corruption walls have begun to clear. While the mist remains at the borders, travel is now possible. Unfortunately the dead have been known to come out and attack nearby settlements.
So now I am here, in the Grove of the Ancients, having spoken with the Elder. And I realize that I have at least three more stories to gather. What happened to the Wyldefires, and the Oakenshields? What of the unicorns? What of Kor’Korai? Only by gathering the stories will I be able to piece together what caused the Corruption, and what halted it. It still exists, in some fashion. Perhaps there is a cure for it as well.
There is a final question. Why did the Elder choose me?
Always take time to enjoy some music.
Chord, the Ivory Bard
A Darkness Rising 