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Wandering Forest

Whimsical Plane of Its Own

A handful of miles separates places that could not be more different, one a bright, colorful place of whimsy, while the other is in cool hues of frozen wastelands. The landscape here can change on a whim, from frosty tundras to whimsical forests, to red deserts that bake in the sun. That is the magic of this place, the ever-changing landscape, but it is also the madness, the creatures that must either adapt to unnatural magic or perish because someone was bored with the visage outside their window. No place exists like this one, whimsical and twisted, chaotic and refined.  
No two trips into the Wandering Forest are the same. From one moment to the next, everything can change in the blink of an eye, proving just how powerful the Ancient Fey are in their own domains.
— Unknown Traveler
  The Wandering Forest is the surface world of the Lost Paths, places that are the inverses of the world known as Isekai. Both the Wandering Forest and Lost Paths are separate planes of existence, but ones that are easily reached through gateways and doors scattered across Isekai by the Ancient Fey that once walked Isekai before they moved to create their own realms. These places are bounded by magic, defined by the Ancient Fey and the rules they have inflicted upon their territories. There is little rhyme or reason here; the Lost Paths are a place of dark and twisted whimsy, while the Wandering Forest is a bright wonderland.   Scholars and Adventurers have a difficult time traversing and studying the Wandering Forest due to its ever-changing landscape and ecosystems. Even so, the Wandering Forest is fairly well-studied and documented in places such as the Unending Scroll and the Fairy Kingdom, although much of this information becomes obsolete quickly. Landscapes quickly change with the whims of the Ancient Fey, causing flora and fauna to adapt or die, making every foray into the Wandering Forest a new adventure, no matter how long between visits.

Geography

The true size of the Wandering Forest is unknown, but it is believed to span thousands of miles in every direction, with the Lost Paths being of the same size. It is reached by entering magic circles or other entrances hidden throughout Isekai by the Ancient Fey. Many entrances into the Wandering Forest are documented, but their locations and frequency of opening seem to change as frequently as the landscape.   Each territory of the Wandering Forest is wholly different and is dictated by the Ancient Fey that claims ownership. Some areas are dense, whimsical forests, while others can mimic frozen tundras, red deserts, and tropical rainforests. Some Ancient Fey change their landscapes every few years, while others may only change every millennium. The range of landscapes is immense, causing clashing ecosystems across the Wandering Forest.   Temperatures vary across the landscapes, and with the frequent changes, different weather patterns that do not seem to make sense are common. One area could have dense fog, while another has howling winds, while another still is buried in feet of snow. Sometimes the climate and landscape changes determine which territory one may be in, but it may not.

Wandering Forest
The Wandering Forest is a separate plane from the world known as Isekai, but it is full of whimsy and wonder dictated by the Ancient Fey who call this place home. An ever-changing landscape, the Wandering Forest is not for everyone, and those who do enter may find themselves lost.

Localized Phenomena

Various phenomena occur throughout the Wandering Forest, but these phenomena are determined by the Ancient Fey that claim a specific territory. Due to their intense magic, Ancient Fey can determine everything about their surroundings, including changing the climate, geography, flora, fauna, and more. Each territory of both the Wandering Forest and Lost Paths is unique to the specific Ancient Fey, and the phenomena there often reflect the whims and personality of those fey.  
Silent Princess
The Silent Princess is one of many Butterflies that are only found in the Wandering Forest. It is believed that these creatures were created by the magic of one of the Ancient Fey and were named in honor of the goddess Ivala.

Fauna & Flora

The Wandering Forest is often considered a wonderland, a whimsical twist on the material plane, and so too do the flora and fauna represent this. Changed and more magical versions of creatures found in Isekai are common here, as well as a variety of fey creatures, including Fey Dragons and Floral Dragons. Scholars have found that most creatures are touched by the fey magic and become fey in themselves, although not wholly different from the original creature.   Flora is widely varied from territory to territory, but some of these plants are reminiscent of those found in the Fairy King's Wood. Large trees, magical bushes, and colorful flowers abound in most territories across the Wandering Forest, as well as a wide variety of mushrooms and fungi, such as the Faerie Caps and Sprite Moss. These plants are far removed from their kin on the material plane, but they thrive in this magical land. Landscapes that are more reminiscent of frozen tundras or red deserts may copy plant life from Isekai, but these plants never last long.   Butterflies are the most common insect in the Wandering Forest as they often flourish under the touch of the Ancient Fey's magic. The Silent Princess, a vibrant blue Butterfly, is considered a favorite of many Ancient Fey and is thought to be named in honor of the goddess Ivala, although Scholars have not been able to confirm this. Other colorful Butterflies fill the skies here, reminding travelers of enchanted lights in many ways.
Type
Plane of Existence
Inhabiting Species

Points of Interest

Landmarks are not commonly seen in the Wandering Forest due to the ever-changing nature of the landscape, but there are a few specific areas that rarely change and are known to all, even if their exact location is not.  

Feyfell

One of the most famous gateways to the Wandering Forest is found in the Fairy King's Wood. This gateway is a circle of mushrooms that illuminate in shades of pinks and purples throughout the day like a beacon, drawing people in. It is said that this gateway is near the Feyline in the Fairy King's Wood.  
Feyfell
Building / Landmark | Jul 22, 2025
 

Woods of Snix

An area in the Wandering Forest that corresponds loosely to the location of the Fairy capital of Silverleaf is owned by Festival Snix. An almost exact replica of the Fairy King's Wood, this area is considered a safe space for those who have become lost in the Wandering Forest, and it serves as a gateway directly back to the material plane.  
Woods of Snix
Geographic Location | Jul 22, 2025
 

Myths of the Wandering Forest

With the Ancient Fey, everything seems mythical, whether it is fact or fiction. Scholars have spent a number of years trying to separate the two, but to no avail.  

Lavender Moon

One of the more interesting myths of the Wandering Forest is the Lavender Moon. It is believed that one of the Ancient Fey wished to change the color of the moonlight and exhausted nearly all of her magic to do so. Now, once a year, the moon in the Wandering Forest shines a delicate purple, bathing the forest in its light.
Lavender Moon
Physical / Metaphysical Law | Jul 22, 2025


Comments

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Jul 27, 2025 13:18 by Dr Emily Vair-Turnbull

Definitely a place full of whimsy but also danger. I would still like to visit, I think.

Emy x
Explore Etrea | Summer Camp 2025
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