Old Willow Woods

Old Willow Woods stretch across a crescent of land between the settlement of Orilon and Lake Lemosh, a once-narrow strand of willow trees has since grown into a vast and twisting forest. The woods are bordered by gentle hills and hidden creeks that vanish into the underbrush. Scarlet-hued moss carpets the ground in places, and soft footpaths weave through the gloom like memories trying to be forgotten.

At the heart of the woods lies a clearing, nearly a perfect circle, formed when the Lost Dragon Tribe unknowingly made camp there. This event, combined with the sorcery of Scarlett Forge, turned the woods into something ancient, wild, and aware.

The Old Willow Woods thrive on balance and tension. Deep within, the ecosystem has adapted to a magickally saturated environment. The towering pastel and silvery willows form a high canopy that filters unlight and channels moonlight into concentrated beams, feeding certain nocturnal flora.

The animals of the woods (foxes, deer, and midnight-feathered owls) exhibit odd behaviors, seemingly more intelligent or attuned to the forest's strange rhythm. Some creatures vanish between trees without a sound, others mimic the calls of predators to lure prey. Fungi pulse faintly with bioluminescence, and some plants react to movement or whispers.

The woods observe the seasons, but are warped by the Wild Growth. Spring arrives early and lingers; summer is drowsy and overripe. Autumn seems to stretch indefinitely, with leaves that never quite fall. Winter is quiet and thin, like a dream half-remembered.

A second cycle, less understood, aligns with the lunar phrases. On full moons, ceartian clearings glow, and deep-rooted trees "hum" at frequencies audible only to a few. On new moon, the woods are unsettlingly still. Travelers who enter during these nights often report missing time or forget where they were going.

The trees here whisper, especially when no wind stirs. Entire groves appear to murmur to one another in a language just beyond understanding. Moonlight, when it touches the forest floor, becomes solid and sharp. unmoving spotlights that do not waver even when clouds pass overhead.

A subtle pressure is felt when venturing deeper into the woods, as if something is watching. Those attuned to magick describe the forest as "awake", aware of itself and others. The strongest concentration of this presence is in the heart clearing, where the Lost Dragon Tribe vanished.

The forest has a temperate climate, though always feels slightly cooler than the surrounding countryside. Summers are humid and fragrant, full of buzzing insects and heavy scents. Autumn is long and misty. Rainfall is frequent but gentle, more like constant weeping than storms.

Flora

Willow Sentinels: Towering ancient willows with silver bark and pastel leaves.

Mourning Vines: Black-stemmed vines that wrap silently around dead trees, said to feed on sorrow.

Lantern Fungi: Softly glowing mushrooms that flicker in different colors based on lunar cycles.

Fauna

Shadow Owls: Larger-than-average owls with near-silent flight and violet eyes.

Mirror Foxes: Rare foxes with iridescent fur that seem to disappear when viewed directly.

Twilight Deer: Pale, elegant deer that are seen only at dusk, known for never leaving tracks.

Old Willow Woods offer few traditional resources. However, the arcane-touched wood, glowing fungi, and herbs with alchemical properties are sought after by potion-makers and magickal scholars. Harvesting is risky, many who enter the deeper woods never return and the forest is fiercely protected by Scarlett Forge.

Originally no more than a willow thicket just over an acre, these woods were transformed by Scarlett through her use of Wild Growth. The expansion was rapid and seemingly unnatural, turning the grove into a living labyrinth of towering willows and whispering roots.

The Lost Dragon Tribe, while traveling between Orilon and Lake Lemosh, made camp in a quiet clearing unaware of the magic swelling beneath them. As they slept, the forest closed in. The next morning, they were gone. The clearing remains empty, untouched by time.

Before the expansion, travelers often stopped along the edges of the woods for shade or to camp. Those who dared venture deeper usually didn't return.

The forest exudes a magickal pressure that unnerves most people. Still, the curious sometimes visit for stories, rituals, or to witness the glow of moonlight on the clearing. Since Scarlett claimed the woods, access has become extremely restricted. No on but her enters the deep interior now, and she has made it clear: This is her domain.