 |
Beware the Darkwood, the Wilwaro. There a heedless step hastens a grisly end, and even a careful woodsman may never pass through safely. Every tale you've ever heard, boy, about cursed woods and dark forests? They're the Wilwaro. Cursed, haunted, plagued by monsters... only a fool would venture there. Best to take the coastal route around, and if you absolutely must pass through the forest, take a boat along the Telliosan river... and pray to the Brilliant Cosmenia that you come through safe. |  |
| — Old Beren Pathwalker, veteran explorer |
The Wilwaro Forest is a stretch of woodland located north of Altur and the Great Lake of Telliosan, stretching from there as far north as the Astorian River and the Kenngoth Mountains. It surrounds cursed Mount Tainirl, the blasted peak, and touches the edges of the Spiral Bog. There is no clear border between the Wilwaro and the Black Forest to the west, nor the woodlands of Sylvania in the southeast, but despite the lack of clear physical landmarks one can easily tell where the edges of the forest are. In the space of a mile or so along each border, one can feel the dark power of the Wilwaro fading as one passes into more normal, healthy woodlands.
The Darkwood is filled with cursed ruins, deadly terrain, hostile monsters, mysterious spirits, and ancient magics. Indeed, it would seem unwise for any but the bravest -- or darkest -- souls to venture here...
