The Crystalline Forest

The silence of the forest was broken by the sound of her feet crunching through the thick crust of frost on the grass. Around her, the tall trees rise up marching off into the distance. The lack of underbrush giving the forest with an unnatural, cultivated feel, but with few people ever venturing this deep, it was truly just a feeling.
Allison paused, and pulled her cloak tighter around her. It couldn't just be the exposure to the cold. It was defiantly far colder than it had been just a few minutes ago. Something broke the silence. Allison whirled around guilt clear on her face, but no one was there: the sound caused by a drop of silvery-blue liquid falling from a tree. She took a breath, and glanced back down at the ground to orient herself. Apart from the slight trail she followed, the grass was untouched, each blade perfectly preserved in thick glittering frost. At her feet, the frost was cracked and broken by feet that had previously traveled this path. With a steadying breath, Alison continued deeper into the depths of the forest.

~The Frozen Lady

Located in the norther reaches of the Kingdom of Spades, The Crystalline Forest is a location that feels frozen in time. It is a relic from an earlier age of the world, and is an important location for practitioners of water magic. Today, the forest functions as both a national park, and as the center of worship for the Goddess of Water Valaria.

History

Back ages ago, the world of Tarrot was significantly warmer than it is today. In the northern reaches of what would become Spades a deciduous forest flourished. Suddenly, the world climate shifted and became significantly colder. Eventually, the entire forest was encased in a a thick coating of hoar frost. From that point the forest seemingly has not changed.

Significance

The forest is one of the most sacred sites to the Water goddess Valaria, with the deeper reaches of the forest being considered the most sacred. While the outskirts are considered open to all, and even used for several holidays, including the Crystalline Ball. However, the deeper reaches are generally considered off limits to everyone, but higher levels of Valaria's priesthood. It is however, not considered unusual for potentially mages to sneak in as a right of passage, even if most do not make if far past the public areas of the forest.

Geography

Despite the fact that everything is deep frozen, the forest is very similar to other forests. There are rolling hills, streams, and ponds. Several clearing exist, The farther into the forest one goes, the flatter the terrain becomes.

Fauna & Flora

The Crystalline Forest is an old growth deciduous forest. There are tall trees, little underbrush, and a thick carpet of grass. However, due to the coating of ice on everything, it is difficult to tell anything more about the nature of the plants.
It is unknown if any animals live within the Crystalline Forest. If there are, no signs of them have been found.

Natural Resources

The Crystalline Forest is the only known location for Cryonine, an important element in high level water magic, which condenses and falls from the trees like dew would in a traditional forest.

Type

Forest

Owning Organization

The Kingdom of Spades