The vast leafy forest known as the Dreadwood stretches between the Azure Coast and the Javan River near the Yeomanry, across southern Keoland. Many horrors stalk the dark glades of these woods.
This large forest stretches across the southernmost provinces of Keoland, just north of the Hool Marshes. A royal writ grants control of most of the forest to the elves, who administer and protect it on behalf of the crown. Efforts are mounted to clear this forest of evil creatures, but these have failed time and again. Raiders from the Sea Princes and nonhumans from the Hool Marshes use the wood to attack southern Keoland. The elves and royal garrisons battle these invaders at great cost. The wood is also home to the Great Druidess of the Sheldomar Valley, Reynard Yargrove, who is an ally to the cause of the elves. Furthermore, it is known that Erick Strongbow and his renegade dark elf wife Dreché Darkblade dwell within the forest as well.
It is widely believed that the reason for the seemingly endless tide of evil creatures skulking about the forest is because of the notorious Dungeon of Graves, Rappan Athuk, which lies nestled in the eastern wooded coastal hills.
A sinister figure lurks in the Dreadwood
The vast leafy forest known as the Dreadwood stretches between the Azure Coast and the Javan River near the Yeomanry, across southern Keoland. While claimed by the kingdom, it would be presumptuous to call it a true possession of the crown, as scarcely more than a third of its boughs are controlled by allies of the Throne of the Lion and chief among these are the elves of the wood, who are semi-independent. But there are places in the heart of the dark forest even the elves will not go. More than half of the great expanse is unpatrolled and is widely believed to be the home of bandits, humanoids, and even cultists. Such denizens, as well as the dark history of the place, all contribute to the origin of its name.
Those small portions of the Dreadwood contained in the Barony of Greyhill and the Duchy of Gradsul, near Sanduchar, are the only ones regularly logged and hunted by humanity. Incursions from the Yeomanry across the Javan and into the southwestern wood are still common, but the rest of the southern and central woods, where the thick canopy can often blot out the daytime sun, is virtually trackless. Only stalwart rangers and foolhardy treasure seekers are found here, though not often for very long. The northern woods are held primarily by the elves and their allies. These sylvan inhabitants of the forest have no single leader, but are divided into numerous enclaves, each led by a noble olve, variously called lord, lady, and steward.
As he is the former Baron of Greyhill, the elves of the wood are strong supporters of the current king, Kimbertos Skotti. The Great Druid of the Sheldomar Valley, Reynard Yargrove (N human female druid Obad-Hai) also makes her home in the forest, though the exact location of her hold is not widely known. While Yargrove makes no formal allegiance to Keoland, she is also on good terms with the king, as both shared a friendship in their youth. Skotti has generally followed her counsel that no further exploration or settlement of the forest should be allowed to proceed given the dangers and dark secrets of the place, which according to legend once swallowed an entire house of the Suel early in the migrations. It is a well known and deeply dreaded fact that the terrible dungeon of Rappan Athuk lies somewhere along the eastern edge of the forest, and it is believed to be the source of much of the horrors that stalk the dark glades of the Dreadwood.
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