Defenders of the Forest - Liber Fanatica

Be c o m i n g Lo s t in t h e Fo r e s t
Characters who become Lost in the Forest find themselves completely
disoriented by the shifting foliage. Subsequent Navigation
or Magical Sense tests may be rolled only for the purpose
of “Escaping Loren”. Being Lost in the Forest should be a truly
harrowing experience; in addition to making Outdoor Survival
Tests, the PCs will probably be threatened, stalked and attacked
by Loren’s deadly flora and fauna.
Escaping Loren
Travellers who enter Loren are rarely permitted to leave. Those
who aren’t captured or killed by the Asrai must contend with
wild creatures and the forest’s vindictive spirits. Parties attempting
to get home can only declare “Escape Loren” as their destination.
Roll on the Navigation and Magical Sense table (pg. 54)
and use the Lost in the Forest result. Native Athel Loren Elves
who Escape Loren may return to their home glade or Kinband
instead.
Tr i a l s o f t h e Fo r e s t
Chapter VII: The Forest of
Athel Loren
GMs are encouraged to modify Trials of the Forest table results,
or invent their own using the listed entries as guidelines for difficulty.
Navigation Trials
Once the travellers’ sense of purpose has been judged by the forest,
they must undergo a test of character. The GM rolls either
1d5, 1d10, or 1d5+5, and consults Table 7.1.
Success: Parties who pass a Navigation Trial may proceed to
their declared destination, at normal overland Movement rates
with no terrain penalty. Passing a Trial of the Forest does not
guarantee the travellers’ safe passage, but it does allow them to
reach their destination without becoming lost. Wild animals,
Dryads and Elves might still hamper the party’s progress.
Failure: Parties who fail their Navigation Trial suffer one or
both Consequences, depending upon how badly they failed.
Travellers must sometimes undergo multiple Trials until they
either become Lost in the Forest, Lost in Time and Space!, or
Loren’s guardians finally deem them worthy of passage.
Diplomacy Trials
In special cases, Loren may demand a Trial of the Forest to measure
the PCs’ suitability as allies. PCs who pass Diplomacy Trials
may travel to designated glades without fear of Forest Spirits
or animals (but might still be opposed by Elves). PCs who fail
Diplomacy Trials are spared from the full Consequences listed
below; they are usually just left alone instead. PCs who pass
Diplomacy Trials are usually given a quest that ultimately serves
the interests of Loren.
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Ma g i c o f At h e l Lo r e n
Loren’s unique magic originates from three major sources.
Somewhere in the Grey Mountains, the mysterious Tears of
Isha infuse the rivers’ headwaters with the prophetic magic of
Azyr. Earthbound streams of Ghyran are channelled into Loren’s
glades by ancient obelisks of Old One and Elven design. The
primal magic of Ghur permeates Loren from the Wildwood,
flowing along the paths between worlds.
Although Azyr (blue), Ghyran (green) and Ghur (brown) are the
most abundant magicks found in Loren, every colour of magic
coalesces at various locations. The purple winds of Shyish gather
around Elven burial glades while Dhar settles amongst the cairns
on the forest’s edge. Glittering Chamon collects at Vaul’s Anvil
and in the wooded foothills to the south and east. Mists of Ulgu
drift within Loren’s shaded hollows, pierced by occasional rays
of Hysh which bathe the sacred glades in a heavenly radiance.
Red magic is typically weak outside the protective waystones of
Vaul’s Anvil, because sylvan creatures despise fire. However, even
the cleansing power of Aqshy sometimes has its place in Loren’s
natural cycles.