Tauramarth, The Forest of Doom
Pronunciation: TAR-a-marth
Map Index: C-5, D-4, D-5
Location: Southeast Aorlan
Geography: The forest of Tauramarth, also known as the Forest of Doom, occupies the southeastern region of Aorlan.
Tauramarth's towering, primeval trees bear witness to epochs long past; some have roots reaching back to the Great Cataclysm. These colossal hardwoods, including oak, hickory, and chestnut, form a dense canopy that shrouds the forest floor in perpetual gloom. Limited sunlight and the ancient canopy result in sparse undergrowth, facilitating crosscountry travel.
Tauramarth's landscape varies, but little is known about the forest’s interior. Few have dared to venture deep into its heart, so knowledge of this hidden realm relies upon old tales and legends, which suggest the inner forest is a land of gentle hills and rolling terrain.
The forest's reputation as a place of malevolence is countered by the elves' belief that it is driven more by deep-seated anger than inherent evil. However, whispers of dark nature spirits dwelling within, corrupted by the Great Cataclysm, circulate among the Valtauri elves. While Tauramarth emerged largely unscathed from the Great Cataclysm, it has become even more perilous since that fateful event, an enduring bastion of nature's fury and vengeance against those who threaten to destroy it.
Primary Population: None
Secondary Population: None
Minor Population: Valtauri
Climate: The forest experiences a temperate climate marked by harsh winters with frequent snowfall and warm summers occasionally punctuated by heat waves. Rainfall is distributed fairly evenly throughout the year, and it is rare for the vegetation of the forest to feel the stress of drought.
Wildlife: Wildlife in the forest appears twisted and corrupted, with black and gray birds replacing their colorful counterparts. Crows, in great multitudes, squawk incessantly at outsiders, adding to the eerie ambiance.
Humanoids: The forest, home to many fae of the Unseelie Court that launch sudden ambushes against intruders.
Monsters: Dangerous forest creatures cause great fear when encountered by timber cutters from the kingdoms of Venn and Pelarr. The forest teems with deadly creatures that strike without warning when trees of the forest get cut. Sinister dark treants roam the woods, while black huorns await unwary trespassers disguised as trees.
History: A relic of ancient times, Tauramarth stands as a large resilient remnant of the once-sprawling primeval forest of Aortaur, which was relentlessly cleared by humans following the large population shifts caused by the Great Cataclysm. Due to this destruction of this once mighty forest, Tauramarth now has an unrelenting hostility towards outsiders, particularly humans, surpassing even the infamously dangerous forests of Hornwood, Gortaurtillion and Dreadthorn Forest, Gorereg Taur. The old forest of Tauramarth survived the Great Cataclysm relatively unaffected although many elves believe that the forest grew more hostile afterward.
Today: This forest rates as a deadly place for humans to travel in. Hostile reactions await anyone who travels within the forest.
Map Index: C-5, D-4, D-5
Location: Southeast Aorlan
Geography: The forest of Tauramarth, also known as the Forest of Doom, occupies the southeastern region of Aorlan.
Tauramarth's towering, primeval trees bear witness to epochs long past; some have roots reaching back to the Great Cataclysm. These colossal hardwoods, including oak, hickory, and chestnut, form a dense canopy that shrouds the forest floor in perpetual gloom. Limited sunlight and the ancient canopy result in sparse undergrowth, facilitating crosscountry travel.
Tauramarth's landscape varies, but little is known about the forest’s interior. Few have dared to venture deep into its heart, so knowledge of this hidden realm relies upon old tales and legends, which suggest the inner forest is a land of gentle hills and rolling terrain.
The forest's reputation as a place of malevolence is countered by the elves' belief that it is driven more by deep-seated anger than inherent evil. However, whispers of dark nature spirits dwelling within, corrupted by the Great Cataclysm, circulate among the Valtauri elves. While Tauramarth emerged largely unscathed from the Great Cataclysm, it has become even more perilous since that fateful event, an enduring bastion of nature's fury and vengeance against those who threaten to destroy it.
Primary Population: None
Secondary Population: None
Minor Population: Valtauri
Climate: The forest experiences a temperate climate marked by harsh winters with frequent snowfall and warm summers occasionally punctuated by heat waves. Rainfall is distributed fairly evenly throughout the year, and it is rare for the vegetation of the forest to feel the stress of drought.
Wildlife: Wildlife in the forest appears twisted and corrupted, with black and gray birds replacing their colorful counterparts. Crows, in great multitudes, squawk incessantly at outsiders, adding to the eerie ambiance.
Humanoids: The forest, home to many fae of the Unseelie Court that launch sudden ambushes against intruders.
Monsters: Dangerous forest creatures cause great fear when encountered by timber cutters from the kingdoms of Venn and Pelarr. The forest teems with deadly creatures that strike without warning when trees of the forest get cut. Sinister dark treants roam the woods, while black huorns await unwary trespassers disguised as trees.
History: A relic of ancient times, Tauramarth stands as a large resilient remnant of the once-sprawling primeval forest of Aortaur, which was relentlessly cleared by humans following the large population shifts caused by the Great Cataclysm. Due to this destruction of this once mighty forest, Tauramarth now has an unrelenting hostility towards outsiders, particularly humans, surpassing even the infamously dangerous forests of Hornwood, Gortaurtillion and Dreadthorn Forest, Gorereg Taur. The old forest of Tauramarth survived the Great Cataclysm relatively unaffected although many elves believe that the forest grew more hostile afterward.
Today: This forest rates as a deadly place for humans to travel in. Hostile reactions await anyone who travels within the forest.