Eolande Woods

Eolande Woods lies at the southern foot of the Sedirtop Highlands, where the terrain transitions from rocky ridges into densely forested lowlands. The land is uneven, marked by rolling hills that gradually ascend into the mist-shrouded slopes of the highlands. To the east, the Sedirtop mountains rise abruptly, their jagged cliffs frequently obscured by shifting fog. The presence of persistent low-lying mist makes long-range visibility unreliable, contributing to the navigational difficulties frequently cited by those who enter the woods.   "The fog in Eolande does not simply obscure. It misleads. Distances stretch unpredictably, landmarks shift between visits, and what should be familiar terrain becomes foreign in a matter of minutes." — Field Report from the Verdelan Cartography Society, Vol. VII   A dark, slow-moving river cuts through the region, its opaque waters absorbing more light than they reflect. While researchers have attempted to analyze its composition, samples degrade unpredictably outside the region, complicating study. Some hypothesize that high organic content or geological factors contribute to its acoustic dampening effects, which many travelers report as an unnatural silence along the riverbanks.   "Standing by the water, I could hear my own heartbeat, my own breath—but not the wind, not the trees. I dropped a stone into the river, and I swear the splash never came." — Excerpt from the journal of Adric Valonne, naturalist, presumed lost in Eolande, 6th year of the Chancellor’s Era   To the west, the forest thickens into an impassable bramble, a boundary rarely crossed except by those forced into it. Beyond this lies a stretch of salt marshes that extend towards the coastline, where the land becomes a network of tidal channels and shifting sandbars. The ocean’s constant motion contrasts sharply with the stillness of the woods, a contrast noted by both researchers and travelers alike.   "One can endure the whispering trees, the heavy quiet, the sense that something listens from the fog. But reach the marsh’s edge, and the wind howls through the reeds. The sea does not abide silence." — Lerna Calis, coastal surveyor, in an interview following an abandoned mapping attempt   The dominant vegetation consists of ancient cedar trees with dense, interwoven canopies. Their tightly packed branches reduce direct sunlight penetration, leaving the forest floor in a near-perpetual state of dim twilight. Thick moss coats the ground, muffling footfalls, while clusters of fungi and undergrowth thrive in the damp, shaded environment. The terrain itself is difficult to navigate, with shifting mists altering the perception of distance and direction, compounding the already-documented disorientation effect.   "The cedars of Eolande are not unnaturally shaped, not in the way the fearful claim. But their density—how they press together, how they seem to converge in places where no sunlight reaches—it fosters a tension in those who pass beneath them. The trees are not watching. They are only trees. But the mind tells a different story." — Dr. Fenris Haldar, Imperial Academy’s Natural Sciences Division, unpublished notes   Repeated attempts to produce accurate maps of Eolande Woods have yielded inconsistent results. Landmarks appear to shift, recorded routes become unreliable over time, and no single expedition has produced an identical topographical record. This instability, combined with the persistent auditory phenomena, has led some researchers to propose that the forest exhibits non-Euclidean spatial distortions—a theory dismissed by the Imperial Academy as methodological error rather than an actual property of the land.   "Eolande resists record-keeping. That is the only conclusion we can make with certainty. Whether it is human failure or something intrinsic to the land, I cannot say. But our best maps of this place are no better than those drawn a century ago." — Master Cartographer Orel Vost, Imperial Archives, in response to the Academy’s review of the region’s survey data

Imperial Academy Analysis: The Ecosystem of Eolande Woods Compiled by the Office of Eastern Woodlands Study Under the Authority of Chief Ecologist Arelis Denvah
    The following assessment represents a preliminary ecological model for Eolande Woods, constructed using extrapolated data from similar forested environments and verified observations from the periphery of the region. Given the lack of consistent field reports, this analysis serves as a baseline hypothesis rather than a conclusive study.
    Ecosystem Structure & Function
  Eolande Woods, based on its geographic location and climate conditions, is expected to follow the ecological patterns of a temperate old-growth cedar forest, featuring:   A stable, self-sustaining canopy layer dominated by Lyrivani cedar (Cedrus lyrivani) and other coniferous species, supporting shade-adapted flora and a well-developed fungal network. A complex nutrient cycle, where fungal and microbial decomposers play a central role in processing organic matter due to damp conditions and dense canopy cover. A predator-prey structure reflective of other highland forests, with large carnivores such as tigers and wolves maintaining equilibrium over herbivore populations like deer and boar.

  Official Statement from the Imperial Academy
  On the Study of Eolande Woods and its Ecosystem
  Issued by Chief Ecologist Arelis Denvah, Overseer of the Eastern Woodlands Division
    The Imperial Academy of Natural Sciences acknowledges the persistent difficulties encountered in the ecological study of Eolande Woods. While numerous expeditions have been conducted to document its wildlife, atmospheric conditions, and environmental cycles, the data collected has been inconsistent, contradictory, and ultimately inconclusive.   Despite the challenges posed by the region, it remains the Academy’s official position that Eolande’s ecosystem operates within the bounds of natural law. The failures of past research efforts do not indicate any inherent irregularity within the environment itself but rather reflect the ongoing difficulty of conducting reliable fieldwork in an area of such inhospitable conditions.
    On the Reliability of Collected Data
  Repeated attempts to map and document Eolande Woods have yielded unstable findings, with wildlife population estimates, migration patterns, and even surveyed landmarks varying inexplicably between expeditions. Reports frequently contradict one another, even when compiled by teams operating within the same seasonal timeframe.   In some instances, specimens retrieved from the region—including soil samples, preserved remains, and water drawn from the forest’s interior—have exhibited unpredictable degradation upon removal from their source environment. However, the Academy attributes this to poor preservation methods and contamination rather than any anomalous property of the forest itself.   "It is the responsibility of the researcher to ensure that their findings withstand scrutiny. The burden of proof lies not with the land, but with those who study it."   On the Psychological Toll of Fieldwork in Eolande
  A matter of increasing concern has been the mental and cognitive strain reported by field researchers assigned to the region. Many scholars return with fragmented notes, inconsistencies in their own observations, or an inability to reconcile their experiences with established methodology.   Some common complaints include:   Increased anxiety and disorientation, particularly regarding navigation. Loss of confidence in recorded observations, with field agents frequently contradicting their own data upon review. Unexplained gaps in time, wherein researchers report arriving at a destination with no memory of the journey itself. While these issues have been well-documented, the Academy maintains that these are the failings of individual researchers, not evidence of any unique atmospheric or environmental influence. The psychological effects experienced in Eolande are believed to stem from a combination of fatigue, exposure to unfamiliar conditions, and the isolating nature of deep forest environments.   "Expeditions fail not because the land is unknowable, but because those sent to study it are ill-prepared for the task."   The Academy’s Official Position
  It is the conclusion of this department that all irregularities observed within Eolande Woods—be they biological, geological, or psychological—are attributable to human error, methodological failure, or natural environmental factors insufficiently accounted for in previous studies.   The Academy urges future expeditions to employ stricter controls, ensure more rigorous documentation, and exercise greater caution in the interpretation of findings. Until such time as a study can be produced that meets acceptable standards of academic reliability, no further funding will be allocated to research in the Eolande region.
  It is the official stance of the Imperial Academy that prolonged exposure to the visual obstructions of persistent fog, the absence of direct sunlight due to dense canopy coverage, the extreme length of isolation required for fieldwork, and the physiological effects of high-altitude conditions have a detrimental impact on objective study within Eolande Woods. These factors, compounded by the psychological strain reported by researchers, have compromised the reliability of past expeditions—much to the Academy’s continued frustration. This statement is to be considered final unless verifiable, replicable evidence is presented to warrant reassessment.   Issued under the Authority of the Imperial Academy of Natural Sciences, Eastern Woodlands Division Chief Ecologist Arelis Denvah

The dominant plant species in Eolande Woods is the Lyrivani cedar (Cedrus lyrivani), a slow-growing conifer with thick, resinous bark and dense, interwoven branches that form a near-continuous canopy. The lack of direct sunlight creates a perpetual twilight, fostering an ecosystem where shade-adapted flora dominate. The cedars, some centuries old, grow in twisting, irregular formations, their roots displacing soil and stone in unpredictable ways. While some claim the trees shift positions between visits, no formal study has substantiated this beyond navigational errors.   Beneath the cedars, the forest floor is thick with moss, leaf litter, and decaying wood, forming a substrate that suppresses most new growth but allows for the proliferation of fungi and parasitic vegetation.   Flora
  Ghostcap mushrooms (Mycena chlorophos) – A pale, faintly luminescent fungus that grows in damp hollows, visible only in complete darkness. Rotbell fungus (Fomitopsis obscura) – A dense bracket fungus that accelerates the decomposition of fallen trees, producing a sharp, sour odor that attracts scavengers. Veilroot (Cuscuta funebris) – A parasitic vine that spreads through the understory, strangling weaker saplings and leaving clusters of leafless, skeletal remains in its wake.
  "The fungi here grow with a hunger. They do not wait for wood to rot—they hasten the process. Leave a fallen branch for a day, and by evening, it is soft with decay. I have yet to determine if it is a unique strain or an accelerated breakdown due to climate conditions, but the effect is undeniable." — Research notes of Naturalist Emre Dasan, abandoned at Site 4
    Fauna
  Eolande Woods supports a range of large and elusive fauna, though reliable population estimates remain elusive due to the disorienting nature of the environment and inconsistent field observations. Documented species include tigers, wolves, boar, vultures, hyenas, jackals, vipers, caracal, and owls, many of which are apex predators or opportunistic scavengers. However, surveys often return contradictory results, with some expeditions reporting abundant wildlife and others finding only sparse evidence of large mammals.
    "The wolves here move strangely. You see one and think it’s a trick of the mist, but then you see another, standing still, watching you. They make no sound. You never see them hunt, never hear them howl. But the bones on the forest floor suggest they eat well enough." — Hunter's account, recorded by traveling scribe Rasan Verik
  Beyond these, persistent but unverified reports suggest the presence of anomalous predators, creatures that defy easy classification or whose existence remains unsupported by physical evidence. These accounts, though varied, follow recognizable patterns:
  Ghul – Often described as overgrown, hyena-like scavengers, these creatures are said to linger near burial sites and abandoned clearings. Reports consistently describe them as taller and leaner than known hyenas, with proportionally elongated limbs that allow them to move in an unnatural, loping gait. Researchers attribute these descriptions to poor visibility, fear-based exaggeration, or misidentified striped hyenas, though no conclusive evidence has been recovered.
  Karkadann – Believed to be a relic species of horned bovine, often described as solitary, territorial, and highly aggressive. Accounts vary in detail—some claim to have seen a thick-skinned, rhinoceros-like beast, while others insist it was nothing more than an exceptionally large bull retreating into the mist. Despite hunters' claims of deep, singular hoofprints found along isolated trails, no carcasses have been recovered.
  Manticore – A large, elusive feline often dismissed as a misidentified tiger or caracal. However, certain reports describe unusual dentition, including elongated canines or irregular jaw structure—details that could be attributed to disease, genetic mutations, or exaggerated retellings. Despite a lack of confirmed specimens, folk accounts persist, with hunters warning that "some of the tigers in Eolande don’t bite like tigers should."
  Roc – Travelers and highland shepherds claim to have seen massive raptors soaring above the Sedirtop range, far larger than any known eagle or vulture. Most researchers attribute these sightings to mistaken scale perception in fog-heavy conditions, yet the absence of verifiable nests, bones, or corpses has done little to dissuade speculation.
  Although physical evidence remains frustratingly scarce, these accounts continue to circulate, blurring the line between persistent local superstition and a potential ecological anomaly. While the Imperial Academy maintains that no stable breeding population of such creatures could exist without clear evidence, the woods continue to resist definitive study.
  "They say the manticore is a tiger with strange teeth, nothing more. Maybe that’s true. But I have skinned tigers, and I have seen the jaws of something else. If it is a sickness, then it is a sickness that has lived in these woods longer than we have." — Kadan Surok, fur trader, recounting an encounter at the Verdant Hearth
                  Documented Behavioral Anomalies in Eolande Fauna
  General Observations
  Inconsistent Population Density – Predators and large herbivores appear to fluctuate unpredictably, with some surveys reporting an abundance of wildlife and others finding almost no trace of living creatures. No standard migration patterns explain this variability. Reduced Vocalization – Many species that rely on calls for hunting, mating, or social coordination are notably quieter within the woods. Wolves are rarely heard howling, jackals do not call, and even territorial birds such as owls and vultures remain eerily silent or subdued.   Species-Specific Observations
  Tigers
  Eolande tigers leave fewer carcasses than expected for their population size, and kills are more often scavenged than freshly made.   Unlike tigers in other regions, Eolande specimens are rarely seen stalking or chasing prey, though they maintain the same muscle mass and body condition as active hunters.
  "A tiger that does not chase, a predator that does not strike—what, then, keeps them fed?" — Excerpt from Predators of the Veilwood, Imperial Academy Press
    Wolves & Jackals
  Display minimal pack cohesion, hunting alone or in loose, shifting associations rather than structured packs. Are sometimes found standing motionless for long periods, facing into the mist or toward unseen movement.
  "A pack of wolves was observed in the southern woods. They did not howl, did not circle, did not attack. They only stood, watching something past the tree line that we could not see." — Dr. Aroven Tesk, Academy field report (Expedition II, unrecovered)
    Boar & Herbivores
  Normally aggressive, Eolande boar do not charge as readily as their lowland counterparts. Some have been observed freezing mid-motion, standing still for minutes at a time before suddenly resuming normal behavior. Carcasses found deep in the woods show no sign of predation but accelerated decomposition, as if the fungal ecosystem consumed them faster than usual.
  "The boar should have run. Instead, it stopped, as if waiting for something. When I approached, it turned, slow and deliberate, and walked away. Not fled—walked." — Account of Karven Tal, hunter, recorded in Frontier Tales of the Southern Wilds

Owls & Vultures
  Raptors circle clearings with no apparent kills below, sometimes remaining in place for hours before dispersing without feeding. Some species, such as the vulture, are not found feeding even when carrion is present, as if waiting for something else to claim the remains first. When hunters and scouts mimic owl calls using traditional whistles or throat calls, they are often answered moments later—but never from the same direction. In some cases, calls are returned before the mimicry is even completed, as if something anticipated the sound before it was made.
  "Something calls back, but it is not the same bird." — Unattributed margin note from an Imperial Academy ornithological survey