Dead Forest

Located to the South-East of Cier between the Aegis Fields and Magmus Ridge, the Dead Forest is a vast, corrupted expanse of rot, and twisted trees, home to monsters both hideous and terrifying. Even long before the Great Downfall, this region fell under decay and corruption. Once none but a quiet forest, over time the region grew blighted and sickly as the darkness spread from the Shadow Hold; transforming all it touched into malign abominations. As a result, the land became hostile and in-traversable to normal people, with the terrain itself becoming a series of difficult marshes and harsh swamps. Nobody lives in the shadow of the Dead Forest; the people you may find are either lost or dead. This place is a home for monsters, not men.

Geography

The Dead Forest is a bleak place, seeming to be eternally choked in grimy mists and gray, overcast skies. The forest is subject to acidic black rainfall due to the volcanic gas and ash blowing in from the Magmus Ridge, giving the forest its darkened hue. Most of the forest consists of the skeletal, twisted remains of withered trees, blocking off most of the light from the outside world. Other areas that see more rainfall can see biomes that include boggy swamps filled with warm eternal rot and death, creating a foggy atmosphere that feels heavy and suffocating.

Architecture

There is none here but death and ruins, the remnants of a civilization long vanquished by the ungodly horrors that reside here. A countless number of expeditions and colonisation efforts by foolish outsiders, lie rotting in the muck. Those that seem to inexplicably grasp to their mortal coil must remain nomadic, as most attempts at permanent settlements are overwhelmed by night’s end. As such, these futile existences must opt for mobile campsites and bases in order to outrun their inevitable demises. As such camps are usually small, light and fast to allow quick disassembly in order to flee when danger presents itself. It is still, however, quite frequent that entire convoys of these frail, helpless nomads will eventually meet their end under the dark canopy of the Dead Forest.

Technology, Wealth, & RICE

Seeking power from the depths of this cursed land is a pursuit undertaken by either the desperate or the insane; but of what has been recovered from the bowels of this eldritch forest, many have found to be blighted and unholy. Materials from this region have been known to be fashioned into twisted weapons of devastatingly necrotic effect, often sapping the life of their users just as much as their victims. Foul magics born from the utilisation of Dead Forest components are powerful but often go awry, causing malformation, corruption, and death. For this reason it is often a key component for forbidden spells and necromancies.

People and Culture

Like maggots to a rotting corpse, one can find the most unsavory of characters scouring the wastes for whatever valuables that catch their eye. Many outsiders consider those who choose to call this place home to be either insane, desperate or touched by the Shadow’s corruption. Hardened mercenaries can sometimes be seen camping the outskirts of the Dead Forest to escort the occasional trader or caravan through the forest. Hunters and scavengers dare to enter the forest to harvest rare ingredients from the monsters dwelling in the area. Those who enter the forest often come out soiled with decay, wounded by the claws of unknown beasts, and mentally scarred for life.

Government & Religion

This desolate region, by virtue of its nature, does not lend itself to ordered hierarchies of power. The closest semblance of which is that of a loose scrap set of unwritten rules the terrorized inhabitants themselves have set, and almost uniformly follow. It seems that the constant threat of brutal and bloody massacre inspires the best in mankind; adopting a general attitude of courtesy born from shared hardship, or at least a weary tolerance.

In regards to what little can be considered within the classification of religion, those that have not abandoned their faith are ones who cling to the dark icons of gods both eldritch and unholy. For obvious reasons, it is safe to assume one should avoid people of these characteristics, as they tend to range amidst the spectrum from devoutly murderous to fanatically insane.

History

Despite its reputation, the Dead Forest was not always filled with death and despair. During the times of ancient Cier, this region was lush with life and massive trees. This impressive forest was once part of the powerful Kaihon Empire, however the ancient war between the Seraphists and Somnians five centuries prior transformed it into the necrotic nightmarish hellscape that it is now. The source of this dark energy originates from The Shadowhold, spawning inumerable masses of abhorrent abominations, spilling into the forest and have since absorbed the region and its native wildlife.