Defenders of the Forest - Liber Fanatica

Chapter VII: The Forest of
Athel Loren
Coeddil’s own bark-skin that was left behind afterwards. Coeddil
eventually succumbed to Cyanathir’s corruption necessitating
his banishment to the Wildwood.
The Glade of Woe’s dense thickets entwine the bones of past
trespassers to Loren who were lured here for ambush. Spellsingers
use moss, plants and blood-red berries from the glade to mix
their potions.
Cyanathair the Corruptor: The tree’s pitch black hollow contains
a deep void into the earth, and is haunted by a soul-chilling
apparition that appears as a warped reflection of the visitor
– as if corrupted by Cyanathair. Oftentimes, the apparition is a
Beastman that morphs to resemble the visitor’s likeness after it’s
been slain. Elves sometimes send their wayward younglings here
as a cautionary lesson. Pure-hearted visitors who succeed in their
personal trial may glean a secret to Cyanathair’s weakness.
17. Tower of the Eternal Wood
Navigation: Routine (+10)
Forest Disposition: Neutral (0)
Magic: Lore of Shadow (+1)
Kindreds: Eternal, Glamourweave, Spellsinger
This multi-spire tower of white marble was constructed in -400
IC by an eccentric Spellweaver named Ranu. When the tower
was completed, Ranu withdrew to its inner sanctum and magically
sealed the doors behind him. No other Elf could enter the
tower until the year 1400 IC, when the doors finally opened by
themselves. No trace of Ranu was found within.
Elven mages believe that Ranu discovered forbidden secrets of
the Shadow Walk. Ranu had once proven his mastery of the
aethyric pathways by besting a daemon in a bet, and then banishing
it to Naggaroth as a condition of its defeat. Perhaps Ranu
will one day return when Athel Loren needs him most.
18. Glade of Eternal Moonlight
Navigation: Average (0)
Forest Disposition: Congenial (+10)
Magic: Lore of Heavens (+2), Lore of Life (+1)
Kindreds: Eternal, Glamourweave, Spellsinger
Female devotees of Isha’s cult guard this sacred glade of ash trees.
Males are not permitted to enter the inner glade unless invited
by Ariel herself. Warrior Elves from the region are expected to
serve a season’s term each year in Ariel’s honour guard at the
Oak of Ages. The surrounding forest has been shaped into labyrinthine
halls and passages.
19. Halls of Anaereth
Navigation: Average (0)
Forest Disposition: Neutral (0)
Magic: Lore of Life (+1), Lore of Shadow (+1)
Kindredss: Eternal, Glamourweave, Scout, Spellsinger, Wardancer,
Warrior, Waywatcher
The enchanted yew trees of Athel Loren’s westernmost hall are
held sacred by Elven mages. At the Halls of Anaereth, magically
gifted Bretonnian girls are trained in prophetic magic so
they can eventually return to their lands as Damsels of the Lady.
Damsels-in-training are taken to the nearby Mirror Pools, where
they learn to scry across great distances through the element of
water. Exceptionally beautiful (or astute) damsels are sometimes
pulled into the water by jealous Naiads, and confined to an
aquatic Otherworld realm. The secret of aquatic translocation is
withheld from Damsels.
20. Feast Halls of the Wardance
Navigation: Challenging (-10)
Forest Disposition: Neutral (0)
Magic: Lore of Life (+1), Lore of Shadow (+1)
Kindreds: Wardancer, Warrior
This region is the center of Loec’s cult in Athel Loren. Every
summer, Wardancers from around the forest come to participate
in prestigious dancing ceremonies. The feast halls’ ancient yew
trees are saturated with magic that imbues Loec’s dances with a
natural grace and purpose. Mages, pilgrims and students often
visit these groves on their travels, either to learn from the dances
or channel magic from the yews.
21. Waterfall Palace of the Naiad Court
Navigation: Average (0), Magical Sense only
Forest Disposition: Congenial (+10)
Magic: Lore of Heavens (+1), Lore of Light (+1), Lore of
Shadow (+1)
Kindreds: None
Bridging the river Grismerie is a majestic crystalline palace that
houses the Naiad Queen and her court. Although Naiads usually
manifest as deadly water elementals when defending Loren’s
rivers, here they appear as nymphs of captivating beauty. Crystal
walls refract airborne celestial magic through waterborne Azyr,
making the Waterfall Palace invisible from a distance to those
without magesight. Below the cataract, Isha’s magic solidifies in
the form of Moonstones (page 39).
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