Capital:
none
Population: unknown
Government: unknown
Religions: The forest god
Imports: none
Exports: none
Updated Through: 2806
East of the Skane March and north of the Frostrim Mountains
lies a vast and ancient forest known as the Aldwood. The forest is
home to many creatures, natural and fantastic, and is perilous to
man, orc or elf. Little is known about the deep interior of the
Aldwood, since few have ever gone there and returned, and those
that have returned refuse to speak of it. It is believed that the
Aldwood is the home of an ancient forest god, never driven out by
the Conorrians or Miletians. Both the Skane and the Rhanalorian
tribes used to leave offerings in the eaves of the wood on certain holy
nights, but few ever remained to witness the sacrifice’s
acceptance.
The Skane consider the lightly-wooded moors east of the river
Gundramming to be part of the old god’s domain, but they do not
fear to hunt and fish there regularly, because of a pact made
centuries ago between their people and the god. They also
regularly log these moors for timber to build their ships and
longhouses, but will never cut down a living tree in the forest
proper. North of the Aldwood lies a broad tundra, home to the
vicious Ice Trolls and vast herds of caribou and reindeer.
The emergence of the Empire of Frost has not
changed the Aldwood. The armies of Hoarwinter share the same
strong fear of the ancient forest as their Skane slaves.
Hoarwinter itself has chosen to ignore this challenge to its
supremacy in the North...for now.
There is a legend that Cerindalôme, the great elven hero, came
to the Aldwood on a quest for a rare herb to heal the dying Queen
Varomiel. There he met and wed a beautiful dryad princess, Nemueth.
But the magic of Nemueth was such that no mortal could look upon
her form without being entranced. When Cerindalôme awoke from his
trance, a hundred years had gone by, and the Queen was long dead.
He struck Nemueth in anger on realizing that he had failed, and
she fled from him into the And now he wanders the Aldwood, singing
songs of regret and loss, seeking for Nemueth in vain.
MAJOR POPULATION
CENTERS
Varinghost (Temporary encampment; population 24,000)
Once every three years, the tribes of Rhanalor hold a vast
gathering under the eaves of the Aldwood. There, they invoke their
ancient treaties, propitiate the Forest god, celebrate marriages
and trade all manner of goods. Traders from Tirgonia, the
Harkorian League, and even the Empire come here in caravans to
trade for Rhanalorian horses and furs.
IMPORTANT SITES
The Well of Memory - Somewhere in the Aldwood lies a
deep spring of pure waters. Legend says that whoever drinks from
this spring shall gain great insight and wisdom. The spring is
said to be guarded by seven maiden knights who serve the god of
the forest.
The Lair of the Green Worm - The great green dragon
Nomentharis once terrorized the Skane March and the plains of
Rhanalor from her forest lair in the Aldwood. She is said to have
collected a great fortune in tribute before she was killed in a
duel with the red dragon Thyaxis more than a century ago. No one
has ever reported finding her lair. |
