Gragin wood
Gragin Wood is a dense and vibrant forest located in the Kingdom of Wicklow on the southern coast of the Isle of Glanmoor. While it lacks the mystical reputation of the nearby Stagford Wood, Gragin Wood holds great importance to the local Daoine population. The forest is rich with towering oaks, evergreens, and a variety of smaller trees that provide a steady supply of timber for the kingdom’s industries.
The people of Wicklow rely heavily on Gragin Wood for its natural resources, using the timber to build ships, homes, and tools. However, they also respect the forest’s natural balance, maintaining sacred groves where druids of the region perform rituals to honor the Old Gods, particularly Ildross, god of the wilderness and animals. These druids, who act as protectors of the forest, call upon Ildross, The Wild King to ensure that the wood remains bountiful and that the creatures within it are respected and preserved.
Gragin Wood is also home to a wide range of wildlife, from deer and boar to more elusive creatures that many claim are touched by fey magic. Though not as fey-infused as other parts of the Moontide Isles, occasional sightings of fey creatures or strange happenings have been reported, leading some to believe that the forest has subtle ties to The Feywild.
The forest holds a quiet reverence among the locals, and its paths are well-trodden by both traders and pilgrims who visit the small shrines to Midone, The Merchantfriend. These shrines, nestled within the trees, serve as waypoints for those traveling through Gragin Wood, asking for protection and success in their journeys.
Gragin Wood may not possess the overt mystical allure of other forests, but its natural beauty and its deep-rooted connection to the Old Gods make it a vital part of the Kingdom of Wicklow’s cultural and spiritual identity.