The Uncharted West
Origin and last safe-haven of the Fey, final territory of the elves.
Geography
On the west side of The Divide, the Wilds are a vast, rich expanse of forested hills and plains. This region reaches from the base of the mountains to the far western shores, and from the edge of the The Dry South to the thin stretch of land leading up to The Everwinter.
Many rivers flow through this land, most originating from the mountains. There are some areas with natural hot springs, and small, lonely lakes that seem to perfectly mirror the sky above.
The landscape is deceiving. As a land of fey, it is easy to become lost and lose track of the hours. The weave is strong here, and magic seeps through the life veins of nearly everything in this place.
Fauna & Flora
The region is divided into smaller territories ruled by Fey. While the fair folk will be separated depending on which Fey rules over a certain territory, the more mundane life is also influenced by whomever is in power.
These are just some of the species one can find in this region:
- The Mei'nimlen, or "Thousand Trees", can grow to unprecedented sizes. Often resembling a large oak or willow tree, these giants grow from large groves of trees that sit over pools of magic power and coalesce into a single large organism. Reaching upwards of 1000 feet into the sky and hundreds of feet in diameter, these trees have entire ecosystems that live solely in their branches, and often find themselves becoming home to elves, fairies, and various other beings.
- Felwynti are the shy fox-like Fey creatures of the forests. Living in hollows beneath tree roots, they turn invisible during certain phases of the moon and hunt small creatures with their agility and magics. An unwary traveller can quickly find themselves lost for good if they disrespect a felwyn or their territory.
- Graspers are semi-sentient vine-like plants that live in forested wetlands. Being carnivorous, they extend their leafy tendrils to snag unsuspecting prey and drag them towards the main body to be digested. Most are small and only capable of handling creatures no larger than a fox, but some are known to be large enough to bring down a fully-grown stag, or a wayward adventurer.
- Merfolk can live in salty or fresh water as long as it's deep enough. With appearances varying based on their environment, they are very good at blending in, until they find something they wish to lure into their waters.
Natural Resources
Aside from the obvious and mundane resources like wood that is available here, a vast array of alchemical and medicinal reagents can be found as long as one knows where to look. Exotic foodstuffs and creatures are also abundant, useful for both food and for decorative purposes. Fresh water is abundant, and many minerals can be found beneath the surface.
History
The land wasn't always so steeped in magic. Over a thousand years ago, it was only small patches of forest that had fey oddities and doorways to other realms. Even as little as 100 years ago, it wasn't so mystic.
The elvish pact with the Arch-Fey Lord and Lady gave them the power to influence more of the world, and they made the lands to mimic their own. When the humans of The Eastern Arm region began expanding their borders, creating the Kingdom of Cynia in the process, the elves were pushed back. The weave followed, strengthening it further in the west and giving the Fey more hold over the land.
Today, the weave and the Fey's dominion over the west are the strongest they've ever been. Spells cast in this region are stronger here than in all but a few unique areas of the world.
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