Wilder's Reach Settlement in The Ashen Star | World Anvil
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Wilder's Reach

Nestled on the far edge of the Free State's territory, Wilder's Reach is a self-sufficient community founded by pioneers who sought to embrace a life closely connected to nature. The settlement is characterized by its unique blend of rustic charm and a deep appreciation for the natural world. Surrounded by lush forests, meandering rivers, and diverse flora and fauna, Wilder's Reach is a haven for those who wish to live in harmony with Yrrde's untamed beauty. The structures here are covered with vibrant vegetation, and residents have built their homes using natural materials, blending seamlessly with the landscape. Treehouses and elevated platforms are common, offering both practical living spaces and a vantage point for observing the surrounding nature.   Wilder's Reach is known for its skilled hunters, gatherers, and herbalists. Residents have mastered the arts of survival in the wilderness, making use of the flora and fauna for sustenance and medicine. The settlement's artisans create practical tools, clothing, and art using materials sourced directly from the natural surroundings. While Wilder's Reach doesn't focus on formal magical studies, the residents have an innate connection to the magical energy that flows through Yrrde. Some individuals among them might possess unique talents tied to nature, such as the ability to communicate with animals or harness the magical essence of plants. These practices are frowned upon by the Empire, and many of the settlement's inhabitants fled here to avoid capture.  

Locations of Note


The Sunstone Grove


Perched on a hill overlooking Wilder's Reach, The Sunstone Grove is a collection of ancient standing stones arranged in a circular pattern. Each stone is carved with intricate symbols and runes by some long forgotten peoples.   At dawn and dusk, the Sunstone Grove comes alive with a subtle glow, as the stones absorb and reflect the light of the rising and setting sun. It's a place of power and mystery, where the boundaries between the physical and the spiritual seem to blur.   The residents of Wilder's Reach believe that the Sunstone Grove is a sacred site, a place where they can connect with the ancient forces of nature and tap into the flow of magic. Some use the grove for meditation, seeking to harmonize their energies with the natural world. Others conduct rituals, offering prayers and sacrifices to the spirits of the forest and seeking guidance or blessings.

Weaver's Path


Winding through the lush forests surrounding Wilder's Reach, Weaver's Path is a network of trails and hidden pathways known only to the settlement's most skilled hunters and gatherers. It's a place of natural beauty and hidden abundance, where wild herbs, edible plants, and elusive creatures can be found.   The Path is named for the intricate patterns woven by the roots, vines, and branches that crisscross the forest floor. It's said that those who walk The Weaver's Path with respect and awareness will be rewarded with the bounty of nature, but those who stray from the path or disrespect the forest may become lost forever.   At the end of one branch of Weaver's Path lies the entrance to the Mystwood. Few master hunters know the correct path to take, and even fewer are willing to show it.

The Mystwood

Deep in the forests at the edge of town lies the Mystwood, its dense canopy shrouding the forest floor in perpetual twilight. Towering trees with thick, gnarled branches loom overhead, their leaves casting shifting patterns of shadow and light upon the forest floor. Vines and creepers snake their way up the trunks, creating a tangled undergrowth that is nearly impassable. The air is heavy with the scent of damp earth and moss, and the occasional calls of unseen creatures echo through the woods.   Despite its beauty, the Mystwood holds an air of mystery and danger. Travelers who venture too deep into its depths often find themselves disoriented, as if the forest itself is alive and actively working to confound their senses. The few explorers daring enough to enter speak of elusive chimera clans that have sought refuge within the dense foliage, their presence known only by the occasional glimpse of a shadowy figure darting between the trees.   One of the most enduring legends of the Mystwood is that of the great temple hidden deep within its heart. Said to be the sanctuary of a long-forgotten god, the temple is rumored to hold ancient treasures and powerful relics. Many have sought to uncover its secrets, but none have returned to tell the tale, leading some to believe that the temple is nothing more than a myth. Yet, the allure of the Mystwood and its mysteries continues to draw adventurers and explorers from far and wide, each hoping to unlock the secrets hidden within its shadowy depths.
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The Mystwood

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