Dogs of the Deadwood

Axial farmers who live on the Ada plains live in fear of the Deadwood. This strange forest sits close to the mountains north of the Pass of Ruin along Gvain's River, and it is avoided by all with any sense thanks to the monstrosities that roam its pale trees. Legend holds that long ago there was no forest or river near the pass. In these days the Adlain, people of the Ada plains, were at war with invaders from the north. These invaders had built mighty stone fortresses along the pass and were gathering forces to sweep across the plains and kill or enslave all Adlain they encountered. The Adlain were not prepared for such a fight and knew they had to face the army at the pass where together they could face their foes before they were surrounded and their homes were burning. It was a farmer, Ralnyer, who would carry the day. When his people seemed broken against the numbers arrayed against them from the north, Ralnyer took up his spear and cut a path through the ocean of better armed foes. Some claim he was a demon, others that the blood of the wilds took his heart, and still other tales claim he was an avatar of Krumas. Whatever the case, a change came over Ralnyer. His arms were stronger than those of other Adlain, his eyes more fierce, blood flowed from his mouth and ears and many wounds yet he did not slow. He moved with the speed of beasts and tore men to pieces in his path. Behind him the Adlain burst through the enemy lines and slaughtered their would-be invaders. The horde broke and fled behind their stone towers. The day was won, but Ralnyer who had slain more than any other man fell. His lover Gvain raced to his fallen mate's side, his hunting hounds alongside. It is said no living thing, neither Adlain nor beast, made a sound as Gvain's agony was screamed to Vædra and the pain of that cry frightened any remaining invaders from their fortresses and back into the north from whence they came. He laid Ralnyer down and took up the spear of his lost love. Ralnyer's body and all those enemies torn and broken about him sank into the land. Gvain and his hounds walked north into the mountains, with no words only his cries of loss. There among the high stones he struck Ralnyer's spear into the mountain itself as a monument then wept endlessly. From this place Gvain's river flowed down through the plains and to the sea. Some can hear still his cries echoing among the rocks. From the battlefield where so many had fallen beside Ralnyer rose a pale forest. A gray-barked tree grew for every invader's bone that lay upon the land and Gvain's river cut the forest in two. This forest was filled with the souls of dead men and from within it could be seen felled enemies walking again. Gvain's dogs raced into the trees and tore these creatures apart. Here they met a mighty hound, a beast unlike any seen since before the Children were banished, and he led them and tore at these dead that walked like lost men with ferocity. Now the hounds and their great leader ever stalk the deadwood, guarding the borders and river that no dead things may escape. And that is why the Adlain to this day keep their hounds well fed, for no dead things will risk the sight of a hound of Ralnyer's kin.