Sylmaneth

Day 33 We have passed the mountains. I almost forgot what the real world looked like. Days upon days upon days of... dark, dead earth and brutalised, burned trees made me and my men so vastly unprepared for the assault of colour that hit us. By the wind, Zaraj went straight for a nearby berry bush, shovelling it down his throat leaves and all. Thankfully all he got was the shits the next day. And still... I can't help the feeling that something is watching us, the deeper we go in. The days are getting colder, and soon, we will be reaching first snow. We have to be ready."

— Journal of an unknown Dorozi merchant.

Geography

Sylmaneth is a land completely cut off from the rest of the world. Situated behind the Thousand Eye mountain range, many scholars and explorers alike have described entering the northern forest as an experience akin to teleportation from a barren wasteland to a beautiful, but alien landscape of unique flora. This is largely true. It cannot be stated for certain whether the amazement of explorers is due to the magically charged nature of Sylmaneth or if the journey through the barren no-man's land required to reach it creates a contrast heavy enough to amaze.

Beyond the barren wastes, Sylmaneth presents itself as a maze of cavernous woodland. Gorgeous, colourful flora and strange, sapient beasts and pools of silver shimmering water hidden from the rest of the world. And it cannot be disputed; Sylmaneth is beautiful. The southern part of the country is a cascade of colour; trees with vibrant leaves and flowers with spotted petals. Deeper in, the trees have eyes and whisper in the wind, the flowers and roots grab hold of unassuming passers by. A little ways north from the border, the land becomes covered in snow. Vibrant reds and oranges are replaced by dark greens beneath a blanket of white. Gorgeous birds and serpents are replaced with heavy furred beasts and spindly figures of shadow.

But like the embrace of a gorgeous seductress, one would be a fool to simply take the beauty of the north at face value. As the largest arcane hotspot on Varen, Sylmaneth is as beautiful as it is dangerous. One step off the road could lead an inexperienced traveller to one of the numerous gullies or caves. There, one such traveller would be lucky to run into a wild beast.

Fauna & Flora

The animals found beyond the mountain range are as varied as the people. Some will attack you on sight, with sharp teeth. Others will stalk you through the shadows; you will never know they were there. Others still will approach and nuzzle up against your leg, maybe even perform a trick for a small treat. A horrific beast may look the innocent lamb, and crawling horrors may come to aid. In the north, nothing should be taken at face value.

This same rule applies to any flora. A beginners guide to northern herbs is more akin to a seasoned wizard's spellbook than a handy guide to use when one is unsure if a particular berry is safe to eat. Whilst some herbs and plants have the courtesy to emit unpleasant scents or have the appearance of an eldritch horror in waiting, others are much less transparent and require careful, often tedious study.

Natural Resources

The northern wood is an area rich in resources, plenty of which cannot be found anywhere else on the continent. Water from natural springs in deep Sylmaneth are said to have healing and cosmetic properties; it is believed in by Olthamites that such water can make one appear more youthful (there is no real scientific evidence to suggest that water from Sylmaneth springs has any properties which reduce ageing), and as such is drank as a delicacy by Olthambrian women.

Alchemists from other parts of the world make frequent orders (often in bulk) for herbs found in Sylmaneth. Some specimen only grow up in the north, and the plants that can be found elsewhere still tend to have a longer shelf life if they come from the weald.

Meat and fur are common place trade goods of the north; the former is consumed on a large scale, helping the Sylvar, maintain the body mass necessary to survive harsh winters. The latter is used for clothing, bedding, decorations and anything else the mind can conjure. Animal bones are utilised by the Sylvar witches in large amounts, both for personal work and in local rituals.

Alternative Name(s)

The northern woods, The White Weald

Type

Territory

Included Locations

• Armiaka
• Newy Themar

Included Organizations

• Sisterhood of Shards
• Sisters of Black Rose
• The Theocratic State of Sylmaneth

Owning Organization

The Theocratic State of Sylmaneth

Characters in Location

• Sil, The Thousand Eyed Mother

Further Reading