Overview

The Arland Forest is the largest and most enigmatic woodlands in eastern Kildar, sprawling from the coast inland for many leagues. It is an ancient, living wilderness of towering trees, shifting paths, and dangers both mundane and otherworldly.

The forest is both a source of wonder and dread. For elves, it is sacred ancestral land; for mortals, it is a resource to be exploited, albeit carefully; for adventurers, it is a crucible of peril and opportunity. Though Arland's people depend on it for timber, alchemical ingredients, and hunting, no one mistakes the forest for tame or conquered.

Arland itself is sometimes called the 'Gate to the Forest', providing the only relatively safe access to this otherwise hazardous wilderness. The terrain is easy to get lost in, full of poisonous plants, dangerous fungi, and unpredictable wildlife. Certain regions are enchanted, with magical traps, illusions, or spirits that confuse and mislead intruders. Only skilled guides from Arland or knowledgeable elves can safely navigate these areas, and even then, survival is never guaranteed.

Firbolg Village ruins

The Firbolg Village Ruins mark the site of a once-peaceful settlement in the Arland Forest. Today, only crumbled structures and scorched earth remain, standing as a grim reminder of the village’s violent destruction.

History

During the Orc Wars, a wartribe of Orcs advanced south from the Orclands, destroying the Firbolg village in their path. The survivors fled, and the site was never resettled. Over the decades, the ruins have persisted as a haunting testament to the conflict and the fragility of the once-quiet community.