The Saltwood Forest

The Saltwood forest is a vast field of vegetation that spans approximately 12,000 square kilometers (~4,600 square miles) of the northeastern coast of the continent of Westenra. Its land breaks through hills and short cliffs caused by the erosion of constant rainfall. Streams of saltwater from the Saline Sea flowed into every corner of the forest, with most of it concentrated on the coastal side of the land to the west. On that edge of the forest, you can take an uninterrupted view of the vast storm-bearing ocean of the Saline Sea. Eroded rocks make their waves violently crash into land, which makes standing there somewhat dangerous. The treeline of the forest is considerably spacious, allowing for easy travel between trees. However, due to erosion from streams and rainfall, one must exercise caution during storms, as deep mud, flowing water, and strong winds can impede movement.

The Saltwoods have a vibrant ecosystem that is dominated by its sea-borne weather and rich nutrients. Saltwood trees, the predominant flora of the landscape, readily absorb saltwater from the running streams and rainfall from the Saline Sea on the eastern coast, creating plant life that produces sap from the Saltwood tree. This substance enriches the life force of the trees and other plants that absorb it, allowing floral life to grow rapidly, the more sap is present. The sap is so rich that it can be used as a source of nutrients for both animal and native life. It slowly hardens when exposed to air, crystallizing into salty ambers that are rich in flavor and efficient in culinary applications, such as cooking oil and seasoning. It can even be consumed in its pure form to replenish fatigue and starvation. However, its use for hunger is only temporary, as digesting too much of it can lead to sickness or delusions. Despite this, many illegal trades have been reported by the Kingdom of Owenar. The main suspect is the Hollow Syndicate, which has made a reputation for using high-dose tree sap as a recreational drug that is inhaled through smoke. Similar to the burning fumes from the Sorchwood Forest. Another unique flora of the land is the White Marigolds. A beautiful flower with rich colors and nutrients. Capable of breaking down into a medicine that aids people's need for sleep. However, too much of the medicine can force one into a coma.   In the sky, salted-beak sparrows dig into tree bark to consume this sap after their long migrations across the continent of Westenra. As they dig into the bark, they also catch small insects that sustain themselves on the tree sap. Particularly insects like the salt bees that regularly turn the sap into saline honey, a well-sought-after delicacy in westenra. Other insects include the salted leaf bug, which can camouflage; the marshworm, which digs through deep mud for nutrients; the mountain beetle, which gathers sap crystals for its nests in the north; western flies, which swarm humid areas eating tree sap and decomposed flesh; and the deadly Azenveld wasp, which uses its venomous stingers to eat other insects. Whitetail squirrels mix nuts and seeds they gather with the tree sap to both store for hibernation and enhance the taste of their food supply. The bears consume the sap through their claws as a treat between their omnivorous meals. Even more interesting are the bug-consuming saltwater frogs that scavenge sap to collect for their reproductive cycles. After gathering enough sap, they encase their eggs in it, which slowly hardens and protects the offspring. They are then placed in bodies of water until they break free from the softened amber, completing their amphibious life cycle as the sap becomes their food supply. These ambers are sought after by natives as both a delicacy and a traditional item of ritualistic consumption for the druids of the Saltwood Grove. Deeper within the forest, you may find packs of warthogs who consume wildflowers, salted moss, and shrubs. Their sharp tusks act as a defensive trait against the more carnivorous species. The less defensive herbivores, the Westenra deer, are better known for their speed and reflexes. Found in every corner of westenra, their ability to adapt to unique environments, even magical ones, makes them a heavily populated species in the Saltwood Forest. These growths are balanced by both the druids of the Saltwood Grove and the predators of the forest.   The carnivorous species of the forest are a mixture of domesticated, timid, and aggressive predators. One of the most dangerous among them is the mountain lion, which migrates from the northern mountains in search of larger quantities of food to consume before hibernation. They are known to hunt alone, but it is not uncommon for them to be found in pairs. Consequently, they are strong and equipped with lethal features, such as their claws and fangs, which have been sharpened through their time in their mountainous habitat. A habitat that has made them capable of climbing trees with relative ease. Due to their hunger during the hibernation cycle, they are exceptionally aggressive towards any living creature and have been known to attack animals and people larger than themselves. To protect the wildlife from these violent hunters, the Saltwood Grove works tirelessly to protect the forest from any imbalance or harm to nature. As druids, they hold an unbreakable belief in the constitution of nature. Nurturing animals and managing plant life. So much so that they have domesticated the northern foxes to aid them in their endeavors. True to their beliefs, they conserve the consumption of meat for themselves and others who reside in the forest. This includes the research and exploration conducted by citizens of the small town of Janetown, which lies deep in the forest. Other carnivorous animals include the iconic white-stream falcon. So named for its magically-enhanced speed that allows them to attune to the wind and leave a stream of white smoke in its aerial trail. Their lethality stems from the same speed at which they accurately strike their prey during a moment of rapid acceleration, catching small targets off guard and capable of hitting larger ones with their sharp talons, both as a means of defense and attack. Other carnivorous animals include the moonlight wolves, which migrate from the Sapphire Forest in packs during the summer, and the northern foxes, which prey on insects and small animals, such as the whitetail squirrel.

The climate of the Saltwood Forest is defined by a duality of influences: the generous, moisture-laden winds sweeping eastward from the Saline Sea, and the bitter, chilling winds that descend from the northern mountains. This interplay creates a dynamic environment, one where periods of flourishing growth give way to harsh, enduring winters. The Saline Sea, situated to the west, is the primary source of the Saltwood's abundant precipitation. As marine winds travel inland, they release their moisture, nourishing the forest with frequent, heavy rainfall. This constant influx of water, particularly rich in saline content, fosters the growth of the unique Saltwood trees. These trees, adapted to the brackish conditions, thrive in this humid environment, their vitality enhanced by the saltwater they absorb. The humidity of the rain leaves a strong smell of seawater even in the deepest parts of the forest. The plentiful moisture not only sustains the Saltwoods but also shapes the soil's composition. A combination of deep mud that sinks to the ankles and water bearing streams. Counterbalancing the temperate influence of the sea are the cold winds originating from the northern mountain ranges. During the winter months, these winds become dominant, ushering in a period of intense cold and snowfall. The temperatures plummet, creating long, harsh winters that test the resilience of the forest's flora and fauna. This seasonal shift imposes a rhythm upon the Saltwood Forest, a cycle of growth during the warm and wetter summers and dormancy during the frigid winters.

Name	Type	Description
Moonlight Wolves	Omnivorous Mammal	Migrating ash-fur wolves who travel in moonlit hours.
White-Stream Falcon	Omnivorous Magical Bird	High-speed and wind-attuned bird that leaves trails of white smoke. Found in an array of naturally colored feathers.
Salted-beak Sparrows	Herbivorous Bird	Aerodynamic black-feathered birds that soar above the tree canopy. Originating from the Saline Sea Isles
Westenra Deer	Herbivorous Mammal	A brown fur mammal with adaptive capabilities, high reflexes, and a species variant in the Sapphire Forest
Northern Foxes	Omnivorous Mammal	Orange-fur mammals that live in burrows and are domesticated by the native druids.
Warthogs	Herbivorous Mammal	Defensive brown-fur mammals with sharp tusks and sizable strength
Forest Bears	Omnivorous Mammal	Brown fur bears are found in packs in illuminated habitats.
Mountain Lions	Carnivorous Mammal	Exceptionally dangerous carnivores with short yellow fur, and who migrate from the Northern Mountains
Saltwater Frogs	Amphibian	Pale-White frogs that collect tree sap crystals to bear their offspring.
Whitetail Squirrels	Rodent	A black squirrel with a white tail that nests in tree burrows.
Azenveld Wasps	Insect	A red and Black wasp with a venomous stinger. Originally from the continent of Azenveld
Mountain Beetles	Insect	Mountain climbing beetles that collect sap crystals for nesting.
Marshworms	Insect	Mud-swimming worms that mix nutrients into the soil
Salted Leaf Bugs	Insect	Camouflage bugs that hide in branches to safely reproduce.
Salt Bees	Insect	Collective-driven insects that produce Saline Honey through tree sap.
Western Fly	Insect	A swarming insect with a black body that scavenges decomposing organic matter

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Name	Type	Description
Saltwood Trees	Coniferous Trees	Autumn leaf trees that contain enriched tree sap with a variety of natural uses
Wildflowers	Perennial Flower	Randomly growing white petals with no significant use other than as a food source.
White Marigolds	Flower	White flowers with rich nutrients and medicinal uses
Spider Grass	Flower	Spider-like plant that spreads quickly through the soil bed. The most common vegetation.
Salted Moss	Flower	Saline-rich moss with a green and white hue.
Shrubs	Perennial Flora	A large plant with small branches and leaves.

During the Age of Ancients, the First-born ruled all of Ixala as wardens of life itself. In their wisdom, they created loyal Dragons who made their home on the continent of Westenra. Gifted with world-shaping magic, they formed the Saltwood Forest and many other unique landscapes. During this time, the dragons developed a great affection for this particular land above all others. They called it "Tibe Di Harvik,' or "Forest of Salt." Man would eventually call it "The Saltwood Forest." Their love for the wind-bearing forest led them to willingly act as its protectors, much like the artificial dragons of the Sapphire Forest. They monitored and enacted the balance of nature. The First-Born respected the dragons' favoritism and created powerful ward stones that protected against afflictions caused by nature. The salt-enriched tree sap became such a beloved nourishment for the dragons that it became almost addictive. Before this addiction became an issue, however, the First-born vanished from history as the Fuxenarian Empire expanded its territories across the mortal lands of Ixala, ushering in the Dark Ages.   During these Dark Ages, the Fuxenarian Empire quickly reached the Saltwood Forest, where the dragons fought valiantly to protect the land they cherished. Unfortunately, the empire's overwhelming strength forced the dragons to flee to the northern mountains. The empire forcefully occupied the forest they sought to defend. Those dragons, influenced by their addiction to the Saltwood tree sap, motivated one among them to take drastic measures to save it from the Fuxenarian hands of destruction. The black dragon known as Athreos, the Scorcher, cast a world-shaping curse that in 5 DA would destroy the forest rather than allow it to fall into the hands of the empire. Recognizing the severity and potential danger posed by the curse, the ward stones unified at the afflicted section of the forest, planted themselves into the earth, and activated a veil that repelled world-shaping curses. While the forest overall was saved, almost half of it had been afflicted with the Sorchwood Curse. A dark magic that causes plant life to burn from the inside out slowly. The sap of the afflicted trees created an anomaly, allowing its fluids to keep the trees from breaking apart into ashes. A balancing flux of burning and restoring bark, which turned half of the forest into an endlessly burning wasteland, releasing toxic fumes on the western winds. After the fall of the empire, the forest remained untouched by mortal hands for several centuries through the Dark Ages. The untamable nature and the danger of the Scorchwood Curse influenced the neighboring human tribes to avoid venturing into, let alone settling into. That was until the foundation of the Kingdom of Owenar.   In the year 575 of the Dark Ages (DA), Jane Gainevere came to the Saltwood Forest under the banner of the Royal House of Owenar. Seeking to start her grove in the woodlands, she explored every corner of the forest, looking for a place to establish her community. A kind-hearted and nature-loving individual, she saw the danger if the veil protecting the forest were to fade. In addition to her worries, she was asked by her friend King Utheos Owenar to find a suitable area within the forest where the kingdom could establish a settlement known as Janetown. A small town for citizens of the kingdom to explore and research a way to cure the forest of the Scorchwood Curse permanently. During the town's founding, Jane gathered her druidic allies to form the Saltwood Grove, a grove that strictly and lovingly protected the forest as their home.   In the year 83, after the Dark Ages (ADA), the land was threatened by an invasion from the Salted Steel Tribe, who attacked the western region of the forest. Janetown was nearly burned to the ground while the Saltwood Grove struggled with raids and ambushes. The heroic actions of the sword mage Sargon Killgrave and the elderly druid Emma Gainevere brought the invading tribe to heel as Queen Lauren Owenar led naval battles, cutting the tribe's conquest. In 235 ADA, a resident botanist named David Ferom was brought before the Saltwood Grove for damaging one of the ward stones by pulling on a vine that held the structure together, threatening to destroy the veil. After the legal conflicts, the Saltwood Grove passed judgment and decided on the punishment of exile, as it was an accident, albeit a grievous one. After a while, peace and the balance of nature had been kept together, but would once again be interrupted by the appearance of the Hollow Syndicate.   In 622 ADA, a group of dangerous criminals known as the Hollow Syndicate infiltrated the forest seeking to incite discord. They constantly teased the destruction of the ward stones and harvested tree sap for illegal drug trades. Calling this high-dose of the tree sap, After-Burner, it quickly became an addictive substance on the black market. All to enrich themselves and to distract the druids, making it easy for them to sneak out of Hollow Canyon from the south to other parts of the continent, slipping past Owenarian eyes. This continues to trouble the Kingdom of Owenar even to this day as the grove tries to slow their harvesting while the king's military polices the black market trade. While these disturbances have slowed progress toward a cure for the Sorchwood Curse, researchers and druids created a sizable artificial ward stone in 566 ADA. It was designed to create a massive veil to purify the entire forest. However, it showed no magical activity until 627 ADA, when the druids managed to channel energy through it. By 820 ADA, the stone was able to purify recently afflicted plants. Despite this slow progress, the town's ingenuity led to the creation of ward stone glass that can contain afflicted samples and prevent their spread. The stone can purify afflicted vegetation for a few miles, but there's still a long way to go before it can heal the entire forest.   When the 2nd Salted Steel War began in 979 ADA, the Saltwood Grove created a nature-born defense that tore apart landing boats from the Salted Steel Tribe. Blocking raids compared to the last war, in which the druids learned how to counter their movements. When the war ended in the kingdom's victory, the grove continued to keep the balance of nature and help the people of Janetown in the completion of the cure for the Scorchwood Curse.