Korth'an Forest

Separated from the north of Lasair by the Horned Peaks , sheltered from The Broken Midlands by the same, the Korth'an Forest lays along the southeastern coast of the continent. Nurtured by moist winds blowing up from Mina'Satie Bay , the tall Crimsonwood Trees of the forest tower into the air, the misty canopy far overhead. The forest is the second largest on the continent, second only to the cold and unforgiving Il'yria far to the north, full of wildlife and harboring many small villages within its borders. These borders tend towards the edges and southern end due to two main reasons: Minotaurs frequently come down from the Horned Peaks seeking battle and plunder, and deep within the center of the forest lays the entrance to the otherworldly Fae Realm.

Anchor of the Southlands

The Korth'an Forest is in a central location across the southern reach of Lasair, surrounded by the Southern Wastes to the west, the Horned Peaks to the north, and rich coastal grasslands around the remainder of its borders. The primary tree within the forest is the Crimsonwood, which grows enormously tall and broad, leaving space under the canopy for rich growth of smaller plants. The winds that blow from across the Wastes are generally very dry, but the inset of Mina'Satie Bay allows those winds to pick up a huge amount of moisture which is then carried directly into the forest.

The forest is used by several species that live around it for building structures, especially those that have come together to build the small city of Conclave , the capital of the loosely organized Korth'an Conclave. This organization serves to maintain peace and integration of many peoples around the forest and along the coast, including Centaurs , Felidasi, Lizardfolk and even a small population of Humans. One of the chief laws of the Conclave forbids excessive exploitation of the forest for which it is named, so logging is light and is expected to be followed by replanting. In this way, the forest has only slightly shrunk over the last centuries.

Living in the Forest

In addition to common forest creatures such as Spiralhorns, Leapingfurs, and many birds, there are a number of sentient species that make their homes here. The most common are the many small families of Felidasi that live in isolated homes built from fallen Crimsonwood trees. The catlike beings explore through the forest, often ranging for many miles, following their curiosity.

That curiosity sometimes leads them to prey (a number of medium-sized flightless birds make their home in the forest and are prized by felidasi) but also sometimes to uncover mysteries. The forest is dotted with objects of interest - if little modern relevance - including the ruins of shrines dating to the pre-Dragonscourge age. They may also come across wandering Fae , as the Southern Throne of The Fae Realm is anchored within the forest. These fae are more outgoing towards mortals than most of their cousins, but they will still delight in leading an overly curious felidas on a merry chase into the deep woods and causing them to lose track of hours, weeks, or months.

Finally, in the extreme north reach of the forest, where the trees wither and the hills have narrow winding valleys, is a dark, small, almost unnoticeable cave entrance. While it appears entirely unremarkable, the area around it exudes a feeling of absolute dread. Minotaurs never approach it, and only the most stalwart from the Conclave even approach it but do not enter. That dread is a manifestation of the enchanted will of an enclave of Elves that retreated under the mountain after the Dragonscourge - a group that had taken refuge in the forest before the final fall, and decided to simply leave the surface world. What lays deep inside that cave is unknown, as nobody from the surface has gone in - or if they have, they haven't returned to share the tale.