The Dark Shroud
The Dark Shroud is a forest that has grown to large heights, blocking most sunlight from hitting its ground. However, once one approaches these forests, the day turns to night, to the outside person and adventurer, this is unknown why it does this.
The forest is a boreal Forest, full of tall and thick pine trees and evergreens. The fog here in these lands is so dense, that the sun, when it reaches solace without clouds, appears as the moons, giving the entire location outside the forest a twilight ambience. The forest is mostly uncharted and has become a popular place for adventurers to brave into, to uncover it's secrets.
"The Dark Shroud is one of the most creepiest places I have ever been. Surrounded and nestled by these Mountains, the fog is so great here...day appears as night, or at-least twilight. The forest itself veils even the silver light of the already dimmed sunlight. There is a road though, ancient, that leads deeper into the woods. Many have entered, and not many have left...and those who did, were changed."~Scholar Justice Simbeal, Guild of Lore
The Night Marche
There is evidence of a road that leads deeper into the woods, However this highway has its beginnings all the way to the start of the Shadowed' Lowlands. This highway, is ancient, and called the Night Marche. The name is given due to the way the environment changes the closer to the Dark Shroud one gets. This road leas into a forested highland, where the fog blocks out the sunlight. The further one walks, the darker the day gets. That is on a clear sunny day, from the enigmatic Port city known as Arbor Hallow. There are several Inns that may or may not be aligned with whatever rules Avatar, that act as Guides along the Marche. Small towns and farms also have popped up, however the people in these locations appear to be downtrodden or very kept to themselves. The only thing in common is the Gothic architecture of the towns and buildings."Its like its whole own world...with all the technology we have these days, We step upon the Marche..and are taken back to a time of more simple living. Rarly are there cars, the primary mode is horse and buggy...and the light posts are oil lanterns.... What is with this place?"~Adventurer Erik Gorehound, Mythia
Ecosystem
The environment is what one would expect in a northern forest region. Cold nights mild days, and an overall creepy atmosphere. Most of the woodlands here are old-age ever greens that have grown to gargantuan sizes, and the dense fog that rolls down hill from the Mystpeaks adds to the Eternal Night that most experience in the region. There is little to no pollution here, and is void of any heavy mechanical machines. The grass and foliage gets just enough light to grow and not die. The overall environment is humid to damp.
The Mystpeaks are the extreme northern part of the lands, the Crags are massive rocky mountains that make traveling them nearly impossible and whatever lives amongst them, also makes travel difficult. The Fog originates from these mountains and even beyond into the Lesser Mystwoods. These however are out of Avatar's Boundaries, yet almost devoid of all natural life.
The River Tears
The Tear river is the large river system that runs in the lands. The waters are a murky at times clear rough rapid that stems from the Mystpeaks and reaches across the highlands like a spiderweb. The velocity of this water makes it ideal for farms to use it for mills and agriculture. Its worth to note that the river's estuaries empties out into the Northern Ocean. Boat travel is more common ion the outskirts of the river lands, as the rapids due calm into traversal waters near the coasts. Many communities make use of a River boat or Steamship to ferry passengers, cargo and questionable content amongst the cities and towns sprawled across the Highland Fringes. These ferries are known to make a fortune, and are not checked at all by whatever the local authorities are. Its to note, they especially love adventurers and foreign visitors and are known to sometimes go overboard with how they are treated.Mt. Ossuria
"We have our first view of these lands above the fog at the top of Mt. Ossuria. What makes this place unique is the state of a dragon at it's peak. It appears to be a Memorial of Sorts...and someone..or -something- takes good care of the placard."Mt. Ossuria is a lone mountain that reaches out over the lowlands, almost as if it were a beacon to signal where Day becomes Night, However the fog here, is below, and experiences days like normal. Many adventurers try to get a glimpse of the Twilight Citadel from this vantage point. It is only visible on a very good day, and with the use of Binoculars or other optical enhancements.~Adventurer Alva MacKarrus, Northholme Guild
The Tomb of Lady Trevelixitith of the North
There is a statue of a Western dragon that stands immortalized at the mountain's peak. Many people pilgrimage here to pay respects to this dragon. Legends say she had been slain in combat with an unseen entity that came from the Mysts. It is kept by a crippled Northern dragon known as "Zephyr the Unseen". It is said this dragon had a mysterious illness cast upon them, that had them fall into a crippled state, and due to his pride and ego being damage, he resides alone atop Mt. Ossuria and claims it as his lair. Many lay gifts upon the statue to ask for good luck in their travels amongst the unsettling lands."Rarely do I speak, for I must make my claws do more than struggle to drag my carcass across these highlands... My Hero, Lady Trevelixitith, hath cured me, for I may preserve her memory with my half-life."~Zephyr the Unseen, The ponderings of a "Dracolich"
Cabal Peak
Cabal Peak is a mountain that stands high amongst The Mysts, This mountain is unusually angular and the tallest of the Crags. As it over looks the Ocean and the Lands of Avatar below, Atop sits a archaic tower, or some sort of complex. There are not many records of this building in the Guild of Lore's records, However it has been designated as a "dungeon" by the guild, for people to seek out and learn about the purpose of the Mage Tower is. However not many adventurers make the trip, as the road to Cabal, starts within Avatar itself. The Crags are simply too dangerous to scale without traveling this road. Airships and aircraft can not even properly reach this building as their engines simply stall when they get too close. It is said though, that this was the nemesis of Lady Trevelixitith.Localized Phenomena
As mentioned before, there is a dense permanent fog that rolls down from the Mystpeaks. This gives the region a twilight-to-night environment. Deep in the forests and small caves amongst the land lay bio-luminescence life forms, and fungus. The region is a candidate for an Underfoot Gateway due to the crags. Rain and thunderstorms are almost a daily thing in this land, as the heat from the oceans collides with the cold of the Mysts. Life must be hearty in this region, and sometimes the locals are more than happy to give shelter to someone who has none, or is traveling without a camp set.
Alternative Name(s)
The Shadowed Lands
Type
Forest, Boreal (Coniferous)
Included Locations
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