Timberland Thicket

Nestled to the south of the Cragclaw Heights and flanking the eastern banks of the Timberbrook River, Timberland Thicket forms the southern reach of the great northern pine belt. Though technically part of the wider Tallpine system, the Thicket has a distinct character—less severe, more livable, and deeply entwined with human presence.   The forest stretches wide but not deep, offering a more forgiving terrain than the towering woods to the north. Pines still dominate the canopy, but birch and alder appear more frequently here, their pale trunks catching light between the evergreens. The ground is softer, dotted with glades, mossy hummocks, and small animal trails that are used year after year.   This is settled woodland. Hunters, trappers, and gatherers live in small villages along the forest’s edge, venturing into the trees with practiced ease. They build with the forest’s gifts, forage without fear, and speak of the Thicket as something familiar—not tamed, but understood. Unlike the deeper Tallpines, where paths vanish and silence reigns, Timberland feels knowable, even if still wild.   To the north, the land rises sharply into the Cragclaw Heights—a spine of rugged hills and jagged stone that marks the true threshold into Tallpine Territory. Crossing these heights is no small feat, especially in colder seasons. To the west, the Timberbrook River draws a clear boundary, its waters running cold and fast from the northern slopes. While the tree line continues, those who know the land agree: once you cross the Timberbrook, you are no longer in the Thicket.   Timberland Thicket is not a place of legends or silence. It is a forest of passage and practice, of traplines, root bundles, and watchfires. Yet its quiet importance is not lost on those who live nearby. It is the last step before the true north begins—and the first breath of relief for those returning from it.