Adventures in Arcadayn
The Blackwood

By Tim Emrick

The Blackwood is a dense, sinister forest located in Feria. It forms a practically impregnable barrier between the Bogmoors to the west, Riversmidst to the north, Visala to the east and the Great Sea to the south. All nations bordering on this wood have a healthy respect and fear for the place--this forest is infamous for the strange monsters which occasionally leave its borders to terrorize the lands outside. Over the centuries in which humans have lived near the Blackwood, many such creatures have appeared, some of them never seen elsewhere in Arcadayn: evil, twisted creatures of Faerie, malevolent walking trees, huge fiery hounds, intelligent giant spiders, and worse.

Because of these dangers, few sane people wish to explore the Blackwood. Adventurers still dare enter from time to time, but few return, and most of the ones who survive have been crippled in mind or body. The last large expedition was about 30 years ago, sponsored by the king of Visala, Elminar V (father to the current ruler, Hamir). This small army (nearly 100 men) was led by Jamis Savante, a famous warrior and scholar (now in Hamir's service). Jamis returned two weeks after entered the forest, with a mere handful of his men still alive. After a private report to His Majesty, he has refused to speak of the adventure. The other survivors have been loathe to speak of their experiences. Rumors abound that some mortally wounded escapees died while babbling about "shadow-spirits" and a demonic dragon.

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