Brecilian Forest
The Brecilian Forest is the second largest forested region of Ferelden, found in the nation's south-east. Many Dalish clans can be found here. According to Dalish legend, this forest was once a revered place for their ancient ancestors, prior even to the rise of the Tevinter Imperium.
History
According to storytellers, many wars and battles have been waged over the Brecilian Forest. Even prior to the Alamarri occupation of this land, elves fought against Tevinter mages to protect this sacred land. It is believed that so many have died in these forests during the countless number of conflicts that visions of the Fade can sometimes slip through.
Several times in Ferelden's short history, teyrns and banns have proposed invading and conquering the Brecilian Forest. King Calenhad has never acted on such intentions, likely due to the fact that fighting the Dalish would lead to so many deaths and bring little to his nation in terms of resources.
Legends
When regarding this forest, Fereldens make note of two things: the Dalish refugees and the mysterious atmosphere. If legends are to be believed then possessed flora walk the forest grounds, werewolves are cursed to dwell in the shadows, and groups of people dream into the Fade and never come back.A Dalish Tale
"There are places in the Brecilian Forest where the barrier between our world and the Fade is so thin the difference between awake and dreaming is next to nothing. In one such place, a wood-shaper was born under such unfortunate starts this his mother named him Abelas, which means 'sorrow'. He lived up to his name. He could keep no apprentices, and lost his stock of bows in mishap after mishap, until finally he had nothing. The rest of the clan began to fear that his ill luck would harm them, too, and whispered among themselves of casting him out. Abelas heard them and resolved to change his luck, and so went into the forest alone to seek a suitable tree from which to make bows. At last he spied a young tree growing beside a stream. He drew his axe and the tree cried out in fear, begging to be spared. But Abelas said, 'If I do not take your life, mine will surely end.' With two strokes he felled the tree. From the tree, he made the finest three bows he had ever crafted. Pleased, Abelas returned to camp and gave his bows to the hunters at once. By nightfall, however, the camp was in an uproar. The hunters had returned with braces of hares which, when cut open, revealed only worms and sawdust. The elder said it was a sign that the hunters had robbed some demon of its host, for it is well known that beings from the Beyond do not go about the waking world on their own, but inhabit another creature's body. The elder worked a charm to banish the demon back to the Fade, and the clan went to sleep hungry. The next day, the hunters brought back a doe, and again the beast bled sawdust. Now the clan began to fear the demon would starve them, and wondered what they had done to deserve it. Abelas came forward then and told of the young tree. The elder considered for a long time before declaring that they must replace what Abelas had taken from the spirit. So he sent the hunters to dig up a young tree and bring it, living, to the camp. There the elder ordered the sapling planted, and appealed to the demon for forgiveness. There was a terrible sound then, as if the whole forest were crying out in protest. Darkness fell upon the camp, though it was just past midday. And when the darkness passed, a grove of the young trees grew where the camp had been, every tree bearing the frozen face of a terrified elf. From then on, it was forbidden in every clan to cut living trees in the Brecilian Forest for demons know nothing of forgiveness or mercy."
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