Defenders of the Forest - Liber Fanatica

Chapter VII: The Forest of
Athel Loren
Common Asrai citizens consider fire magic anathema to nature
and Elves who labour at Vaul’s Anvil are considered eccentric.
Many are unaware of the smith-priests’ lifelong ambition to
forge a weapon capable of slaying Cyanathair and wonder why
the smiths are so obsessed with their craft. Even fewer know of
the historical scandal which compels their master smith, Daith,
to pursue this ambition himself.
Lost Heir of Duke Tancred II: If Tancred’s lance, Étoile de
Chêne, is brought to Vaul’s Anvil, Daith is visibly moved and
thanks the adventurers. The lance is delivered to King’s Glade
and Daith provides the PCs with a guide home if needed. He
regretfully informs the PCs that Einhard is probably lost forever,
and cautions them not to interfere with the Naiads’ grand
designs.
Iron Orcs and Southern Men: PCs who arrive at Vaul’s Anvil
after conducting diplomacy with the nobles of Equos are told
that the Iron Orcs were spawned by a creature known to humans
as the Shadow-Gave. Daith is willing to teach Duke Huebald’s
court prophetess an iron-breaking ritual that will defeat
the Shadow-Gave’s new creations. Only Ariel’s chosen may learn
magic of the Asrai. In exchange, Daith requires a rare ingredient
(Power Stone of Hysh) to complete an unfinished masterpiece.
Th e Wr a c h a n d t h e Da r k Pa t h s
10. Deep Forests of Durthu
Navigation: Hard (-20)
Forest Disposition: Cold (-10)
Magic: Lore of Life (+1D), Lore of Shadow (+2), Lore of Light
(+1)
Kindreds: None
At the heart of Athel Loren is a murky forest of such density
that Elves rarely attempt to navigate its depths. Within the Deep
Forest dwells one of Loren’s oldest guardians; a tree lord named
Durthu who is occasionally roused from his demesne by the
distant clamour of warfare. Although Durthu has at times allied
with Elves, his only true friends are the countless Spites and
Treekin that thrive within his sanctum. Elven scholars believe
the Old Ones originally channeled green magic (Ghyran) to the
Deep Forest using arcane obelisks that have since been cocooned
in heavy foliage.
To avoid rousing Durthu needlessly, Elves only enter his realm
for pilgrimages to the Blessed Grove. The grove is a place of
purification where Cyanathair was destroyed by Durthu in 1137
IC, after elven mages had lured the Corruptor from the Forest
of Shadows via hidden aethyric pathways. Elven outcasts are
sometimes told to purge their souls at the Blessed Grove. In
2202 IC, a reclusive Spellweaver named Railarian was appointed
by Durthu as guardian of the Blessed Grove after helping to
repel refugee Greenskins who’d found their way into the forest.
In the deepest hollows of Athel Loren, ancient, obsidian
waystones form a network of magical pathways called the
Dark Paths, which allow travellers to navigate both space and
time. The Dark Paths are guarded by a Brúidd spirit called
The Wrach, or the “Blind Guardian”, who appears as a hooded
man surrounded by obscuring mists. Underneath his robes, the
Wrach’s body is actually formed by hundreds of white snakes
that can detach themselves to attack opponents.
The Wrach carries a magical staff topped by a polished black
stone which grants him the power to open the Dark Paths. Even
the most powerful Spellsingers consider it a privilege to walk the
paths of time. Applicants must convince the Wrach that their
actions will benefit the Council of Beasts. The Wrach’s influence
has made him smug and overconfident.
Dark Path Guidelines
The Dark Paths (also called “the Gyre”) provide a “4th way”
for Elves to navigate Athel Loren. Only Wood Elves may travel
the Dark Paths, and only by passing an Opposed Charm or
Intimidate Test against the Wrach’s Willpower 62%. Successful
applicants may travel backwards in time to any location within
Athel Loren, but if they deviate from their declared intentions
they might not be allowed to return.
Attempting to navigate the Dark Paths without the Wrach’s
aid requires a Very Hard (-30) Common Knowledge (Athel
Loren) Test. Those who fail the test become Lost in Time and
Space! (pg. 58).
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Although non-Elves are unwelcome in the Deep Forests, perceptive
PCs may uncover Loren’s sacred mysteries by observing the
Spites. These diminutive spirits sometimes appear as lost travellers,
or perform miniature re-enactments of historical encounters
that transpired within the forest realm.
Treachery in the Wildwood, Cyanathair the Corruptor: Over
the past decade, Branchwraith Drycha has been sowing seeds of
rebellion within the Deep Forest. Elves who learn of Drycha’s
plan might wish to prevent Durthu from joining her uprising.
Ill-conceived arguments will raise Durthu’s ire, for he does not
take kindly to elven manipulation. Only by persuading Durthu
of Cyanathair’s imminent threat can the tree lord be mustered.
Unbeknownst to Durthu, the corrupt Treeman Coeddil is
counselling Drycha from his prison glade in the Wildwood, and
Coeddil is in turn influenced by Cyanathair himself.
Railarian has overheard discussion between Durthu, Drycha
and even Ariel recently. The mage senses a taint creeping into
the Deep Forest but has sworn loyalty to Durthu. Elves who undergo
purification at the Blessed Grove receive a pointed warning
from Railarian, disguised as a cautionary sermon recounting
Coeddil’s corruption by Cyanathair. Because Railarian’s position
as Guardian of the Blessed Grove requires the dryads’ blessing,
he will not accuse Drycha of treachery outright. However,
Railarian will name Drycha’s most loyal sisters so that others can
expose her wicked schemes.