Cruel Wood

The Cruel Wood is a deciduous forest found on Pathriam in the Tritos Dominion.   Located between the Trident and the Voris rivers, the woods are comprised of towering oaks and fruit trees. Sections of the forest are boggy, becoming impassable in the rainy seasons. A large sect of druids resides deep within, purposefully making their home as uninhabitable as possible.   The area was referred to as the Drakewood for centuries until it gained its new name in the late 5,000s. Before the change, a dragon known as Scaborous the Pure ruled over much of the region and used the forest as its lair. A structure called the Red Keep exists in the western portion of the wood. The keep has changed ownership and function many times over the years.   Recently wild dogs have begun to overrun the forest, raised by a large population of gnolls. Ground game has become scarce but birds and snakes are still plentiful. Since the end of the Demon War rumors have spread in the surrounding territory of a demonic presence inside the forest.

Lairing in the Cruel Wood

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Every villain needs a place to rest your head.   The Cruel Wood is deeply shadowed, with a dark nature linked to magical creatures, including dragons, kobolds, gnolls, and demons. What dwells inside are isolated beings, seeking the quiet and hidden. A dense forest, its twisting paths provide natural defenses, while the influence of ancient power attracts those who seek it. The Red Keep, a dragon lair from long ago, harbors exiles, drawn to the small underground bastion of Oldtown. Secure inside the keep, the Civil Legion and other authorities avoid entering.

A Place of Power

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While the Red Keep was the original spark of power in the Cruel Wood, the impact has spread. These effects make the area an ideal place for creatures seeking a hidden and fortified lair. The forest adapts to whoever holds power. Currently, Smolderthorn the Reclaimer's presence dominates the area. The land reacts to his magic, with tremors, fissures, and bursts of heat appearing throughout.   When a dragon is not present, the woods are torn between demonic influence, lingering from the Demon War, and druids who live on the northern side. Spontaneous alchemical interactions, overgrown or hostile plant life, and invasive oozes are common in dank and boggy spots. Along trails, points of wild magic draw creatures like Essencebane to absorb what they have found.   Shifting dynamics lead to a place of unpredictability. Warnings against entering the area are posted along the rivers, and residents of the Tritos Dominion know to take the long way around.

Current Residents

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Smolderthorn the Reclaimer
An adult red dragon currently claims the Cruel Wood as his lair. His presence has reshaped the region, amplifying the natural hazards and magical effects left behind by Scabourous the Pure. Smolderthorn has broken away from the Covenant and is determined to take back his birthright. The land will know his dominance, and be under dragon rule once again.

Demonic Influence
Since the defeat of the Demon Lord Lucca, demons have hidden in the darkest parts of the Cruel Wood. The infernal incursions here are a persistent threat to mortals in the region. Blighted scars spread from their manipulations, creating patches of brittle and dying land. Rumors speak of a demonic gate sequestered somewhere inside the forest, spreading corruption.

Druid Grove
Centaurs control much of the northern wood, sheltering within their druid grove. They are the longest-tenured residents of the area and are highly territorial. Hostile toward outsiders, they’ve shaped the forest to suit their needs. No one understands the current state of the Cruel Wood better than they do, as they can alter its weather and atmosphere at will.   The effects of a druid grove, such as rolling fog, awakened undergrowth, and nature guardians surround their perimeter. Connected as they are, the druids are capable of calling on elemental powers. Fire is most common and highly amplified by the power of the Red Keep.