Misty Forest

Despite being so close to the Trade Way, very little is known about the inhabitants of the Misty Forest.

Aaronarra

The largest of several dragons to find roost in and near the Misty Forest, Aaronarra, also known as the Quarreling Drake was a very old copper dragon said to roost somewhere in the shale cliffs of the High Moor's forested slope. Encounters with the dragon are either spotting him on the wing from afar or, rarely, by merchants on the road who are forced to contend with a cantankerous dragon who has chosen to splay his bulk across the Trade Way in enjoyment of a particular patch of sunlight... hence his nickname.

The Brambleblight

The dreaded Brambleblight are a collection of corrupted green elves, fae, goblinoids, and seemingly sentient plant creatures that roam the mists of the forest in service to their dark mistress's will. Swearing fealty to the enchantress Melithcara, the poison blasted minions of the Brambleblight wage an eternal war against the Faern from their stronghold within the Grove of Dreams.

Leader

Melithcara the Beautiful, an enchantress of such surpassing loveliness that her very sight is said to cause men to lose their will. She is served by Somnusathon, a scheming and vengeful green dragon.

Symbol

The rosy apple.

Signature

Dark Dryads or Tree Folk

Faer'tel'quessir

The ghost faced copper elves and centaur of the Faern claim the entirety of the Misty Forest, as well as the Laughing Hollow on the North side of the River Delimbyr as their domain. They are elusive and highly protective of the sacred sites and rituals of their ancient homes, with the long memory of their people to instruct them on the destructive capability of humans alongside that of the orc or the goblin. Only the Starstride Rangers of the Barony of Starnaer have been known to parley with them.

Leader

The Melandrach, a mysterious creature said to bear the head of a stag and the body of a lion.

Symbol

The leaf of a shadowtop tree.

Signature

Ghost Faced Elven Hunter or Gray Centaur Warrior

Starstride Rangers

The Starstride Rangers form the elite hunting force of the Barony of Starnaer. Composed mostly of humans, many among them claim elven blood and a deep reverence and respect for the so-called Fallen Lands. Though technically charged with the advanced protection of the Barony of Starnaer, the pursuit of their duties often takes the men and women of the Starstriders as far afield as the High Moor, the Trollbark Forest, or the even the Forlorn Hills.

Leader

Taera Shimmerstar, the baroness of Starnaer who can be found as often riding the marches with her men as conducting business in the court of Starnaer.

Symbol

A silver longsword with a mithril star in the crossguard.

Signature

Half-Elven Ranger

Lom'raamdiel

Deep within the heart of the Misty Forest legends speak of a being known as Duskwing, an immense seemingly intelligent moth whose wings shed silver light from between silk strewn pines. Those who seek the creature often come into conflict with the Faern or the Starstriders, as Lom'raamdiel is a sacred creature to these forest dwellers.

The Bough of the Saenedhal

The bough of the Saenedhal is not so much a place as a dangerous occurrence within the Misty Forest. The locus of the Bough seems to move with the seasons, the time of day, or even the wishes or desires of those who travel the wood. Experienced rangers of the Starstriders spread warnings of the signs of the Saenedhal, including strangely bloated and sickly looking trees, sap that appears disturbingly like blood, a rising crimson tinge to the ever present mists, and the sickly sweet smell of fresh rot in the air. Unlucky or foolish travelers who ignore these warning signs can find themselves swallowed by the "Vampire Wood".

Dragonspear Hold

Completed by Daeros Dragonspear in 1288 as a fortification to protect the northern border of the growing power of the Duchy of Dragonspear, the hold did not long serve its intended purpose. The hold was corrupted by the overthrow of Daeros and his allies and soon served as an advanced outpost of the darkness that seized all of Dragonspear. The forces of evil that held the hold were swept out in 1315 during the first routing of Dragonspear, and the moathouse was again mostly destroyed by the Lords' Alliance in 1356 DR during the second Dragonspear War. The keep now stands as a fen choked ruin some distance off the Trade Way in the flooded southern eaves of the Misty Forest.

The Grove of Auglatha

The ways and path to Grove of Auglatha are known only to the ranks of the Faern and to select veteran Starstriders who have been named ''sha'quessir''. The few bards who have spread descriptions of Auglatha among the taverns and inns of the Fallen Lands have described a beautiful forest grove surrounding a ring of 11 immense stone menhirs which in turn surround a large pool of deepest black that seems to reflect the light of the stars even on the darkest and overcast nights. Around them are scattered a small collection of grey wood buildings of elven design built among and within the immense shadowtop trees at the heart of the wood. An aura of melancholy serenity seems to permeate the very air of the grove, draining even the slightest will to violence.

House of Lingering Memory

Built by the elven realm of Illefarn in the waning days of that doomed realm, the House of Lingering Memory was the last of the chapterhouses of the Holy Armathors of the Sacred Song. Once it was a place of laughter and music, it's myriad portals ringing to the compositions of some of the greatest bards and troubadours of both Illefarn and later Ardeep. Now, it is a forlorn ruin, shunned by the remaining inhabitants of the Misty Forest and its animals alike.