Silent Forest
The Silent Forest is an example why no one should try to utilise chaos magic. Once it was a prosperous area inhabited by Gnomes and Dragons. When the Selefer tried to take the area they tapped into powers they did not fully understand. If you want to see what hubris can lead to, look no further than the Silent Forest.The Silent Forest is believed to have been the site of an ancient battle that went terribly wrong. Today it is a haunted place filled with petrified trees, permanent mist, and according to surviving adventurers, untold horrors.
Extra Information
Continent
The Silent Forest is located on the southern edge of Farlis on the border between Eprus and Kevarim.Geography
The climates is very unpredictable with frequent storms. One aspect that never changes, however, is the never ending mists throughout the forest.Controlled by
No one, most likely inhabited by mutated creatures and humanoidsResources
Many types of Falls (Elemental Crystals) can be found here but the Chaos type is by far the most commonImportant Landmarks
Craters, ancient ruins, gigantic chaos crystals, petrified treesHistory
Although details have become lost after many millennia, some things are still known about the origin of the current Silent Forest. The area used to be inhabited originally by Gnomes and was settled during their westward expansion. At some point the Dragons and Dragonborn also settled in the region and the groups seemed to have coexisted peacefully.
When the ancient Selefer race decided to expand their territory, however, a war ensued. Many of the events that happened afterwards are unknown or not distinguishable from myths. Gnome legends even tell of their main god, Tanajin, fighting alongside them in his Divine Golem. Dragonborn myths focus on how the Selefer made pacts with devils.
Silent Forest by Kefkejaco with Assassins Creed Odyssey
Jade Wind by Guild Wars: Factions
Whatever the actual course of the war was, it is well known how it ended. The Selefer, who were on the losing side, resorted to using Chaos magic which gave them the upper hand at the start. At the final battle however they could not contain this power and a sudden magical cataclysm washed over the entire region. It petrified the vast majority of the forest, destroyed all settlements and either killed or mutated the inhabitants. Adventurers who survive an expedition into the forest tell tales about monstrous Gnomes, Dragonborn, Snakelike creatures and even Dragons.
Hidden in the mist
Many things can be found within the Silent Forest. It is believed to be a place of many riches for those who dare to venture inside. Many don't return at all though. This is mostly caused by the many aberrations which have either mutated from existing creatures or crawled out of the Primal Chaos.Landmarks
Ancient Ruins
Before the cataclysmic event that forever changed the Silent Forest, the region was inhabited by many Gnomes. It is known that in ancient times the some Gnomes migrated from Oneraga and settled along the southern coasts of Farlis. The region of the Silent Forest was no exception since many settlements were founded along its coastline. The Gnome civilization in this area was advanced and rich. Over time the neighboring Selefer started a war which for quite some time was going favorably for the Gnomes. However, due to the use of Chaos magic by the Selefer and the resulting Cataclysm the Gnome civilization there came to an end. The ruins of this era can still be found in the Silent Forest and due to the believed riches they are prime target for expeditions. Nonetheless most of the adventurers return empty handed or not at all. Survivors records show that the ruined areas are filled with mutated creatures and that some areas are too saturated with chaos to travel through.
Silent Forest Ruins by Kefkejaco with Assassins Creed Odyssey
Craters
Near the center of the Silent Forest a large clearing can be found where many craters can be found. Historians assume that this was the site of the final battle between the opposing forces prior to the final cataclysm. What exactly caused the large craters is still unknown. Many assume this could have been caused by advanced Gnome weapons of the time while others believe it could have been caused by magic. It is deemed the most dangerous place to visit in the Silent Forest due to the large concentration of lingering Chaos magic. Most people who have travelled there became horribly mutated.Zerevil
Zerevil is the most southern city of the country Kevarim but still operates as a semi city state. The city's main inhabitants are Gnomes who are believed to be descendants from slaves who were captured during the war with the Selefer. In current times the city is home to the largest amount of Gnomes in Kevarim and even in the whole of Farlis. Due to its close proximity to the Silent Forest a lot of research about the region is done here. The Gnomes themselves created several protection measurements over time which makes Zerevil almost untouchable by anything coming from the Silent Forest. Magitech is the main export of the city and many of the weapons or protections are tested on monsters south of the city. Additionally many expeditions are undertaken from here to learn more about the Silent Forest. A lot of resources have recently been spent on creating armors protecting against the mutating effects of the worst areas of the region. So far these trials have not been successful.Kavaldri
On the other side of the Silent Forest the fortified town of Kavaldri can be found. The fortress is built along the south western border of the country Eprus and was created to ensure that no large scale attacks from creatures in the Silent Forest would ravage the lands further north. It is the main hub for all patrols that regularly follow the edge of the Silent Forest. Any watchtowers and other smaller forts alongside this border are also resupplied from Kavaldri. The supplies to the town either arrive from the main road north or from the small harbor town to the south. Since its main purpose is to protect the border there are not a lot of people living here who are not related to the military or at least sustaining it.Environment
Chaos Crystals
Inside the forest many gigantic Falls can be found. These are just like the regular Falls found around the world except that these are of the Chaos Crystals kind, the most dangerous form of magic. The area around each of these crystal has been warped beyond recognition. Additionally the area is too dangerous to be around for a regular humanoid. Anything that comes to close to the Chaos Crystals is likely to develop mutations and those that stay long become shells of their former selves and mutate in grotesque ways.
Chaos Crystal by Guild Wars 2, Dragonfall art
Guild Wars 2 concept art by Kekai Kotaki
Very mysterious forest! So do all the chaos comes through portals linking back to the primal chaos?
Well the Chaos originally comes through portals which creates chaos crystals. And the areas such as silent forest are mainly created due to people 'attempting' chaos magic in a bad way xp Which in can create more portals :p