Stoneheart Forest

Two major trade arteries, the Tradeway and the Stoneheart River, carve a path through the otherwise pristine wilderness. Traffic hustling across these thoroughfares rarely encounter any resistance from the indigenous denizens who have learned too many hard lessons about the severe consequences for disrupting the flow of goods to and from Bard’s Gate. Those who stray from these patrolled and defended routes undergo a more harrowing ordeal. The section north of the Tradeway is less dense than its swampy counterpart to the south, but no less dangerous. Stirges, wolves, manticores, giant spiders, and several types of giants infest this portion of the woodlands. The stirges are so prolific in this area that many natives refer to the Stoneheart Forest as the Stirge Wood. Rumors insist an evil wizard living within the forest breeds and controls these creatures. The stirges and other indigenous denizens periodically leave the confines of the forest to descend upon the neighboring Stoneheart Valley or even make their way toward the more distant Lyre Valley. There is a long-standing belief that a group of elven rangers known as the Farseekers of Twilight maintains a hold within the forest’s northern reach, though any concrete evidence of their existence remains elusive.
The region known as Kayden’s Swamp is the most noteworthy feature of the forest south of the Tradeway. The wetlands developed around a cluster of islands in the center of the Stoneheart River. No one can say whether natural events or humanoid intervention created the malodorous, pest-ridden bayou, but all generally agree on one fact: The swamp’s namesake dwells somewhere within its stinking confines. For the most part, the reputed necromancer allows river traffic to pass through his territory unharmed, provided they stay on course. Waterborne vessels deviating from the designated path encounter terrifying illusions, traps, mists, and other annoyances to keep the wayward traveler from venturing close to his secret island base. Those who refuse to turn back risk a personal encounter with the reclusive magician. For this reason, most ships sailing through the Stoneheart Forest hire one of the Riverfolk to lead them through the morass. The Riverfolk, who still dwell in small hamlets where they eke out a meager existence as eel hunters or peat harvesters, know the waterway’s backchannels like the backs of their hands.
In addition to Kayden, the Stoneheart Forest also teems with oppressive mosquito swarms, crocodiles, alligators, frogs, and crocodilian humanoids known as chikes (croc folk). These bipedal horrors typically dwell in huts built onto soggy ground on the swamp’s outskirts and the forest’s interior regions near ponds and streams. Trolls, hobgoblins, goblins, and the assorted ranks of the undead as well as hosts of other malevolent creatures inhabit the forest’s interior. While dimwitted, these monstrosities generally steer clear of the road and river and instead direct their anger and hunger at one another. Of course, travelers who veer away from the preceding thoroughfares are fair game in their eyes. According to some tales, an ancient green dragon named Weeping Cloud dwells within a tangle of thickets at the heart of the forest. The legends claim his lineage dates back to the bygone days when the Stoneheart Forest was a small parcel of the Great Akadonian Forest. The stories also say Weeping Cloud enforces the edict against attacking trespassers sticking to the road and the river. The dragon’s perceived merciful stance derives from the annual tribute he reputedly receives from a consortium of interests affiliated with the various guilds and merchant houses reaping the financial rewards of Akados’ international commerce. Less prevalent legends also claim a hidden portal within the Stoneheart Forest leads to a subterranean drow city, though these myths remain unconfirmed.

Alternative Name(s)

Stirge Wood

Type

Forest