Herne's Wood

Herne's Wood was a forested area in the Utter East, lying on the northern edge of the great Sempadan Forest.

Description
Described as an enchanted forest, it was a rough, wooded area of scattered firs and pines. There was a creek that ran down from a hill and a river that together fed a small lake.

In the south stood a ruined settlement of wood and stone, ringed by a thick stone wall. This was penetrated by a gatehouse flanked by large pots holding fires.

Here there were cottages built of stone with wooden beams and supports and bearing thatched roofs. There were also treetop communities, with treehouses built around the trunks of tall trees and linked by bridges.

Reputation
Local people warned travelers to stay away from Herne's Wood.

History
During the time of the Bloodforge Wars (648–657 DR), Herne's Wood was the site of a bloodforge battle fought between Roxanna, princess of Edenvale, and Bryan the Bold, one of the suitors who sought to win her hand in marriage in the conflict known as Matchmaker Mayhem. At one point, Roxanna camped deep in Herne's Wood to avoid her suitors until she could be crowned queen alone, but her suitors allied and struck together from the ruins.

Some time after, a squatter and bloodforge mage called Sean Mulhaven made his camp close to Herne's Wood, but harassed and insulted everyone who came past. Finally, the commander of the Legendary Campaign arrived and demanded Sean give it up. When Sean only hurled abuses, the commander decided to teach him courtesy, through bloodforge battle.

Although warned to avoid Herne's Wood, the Legendary Campaign commander was forced to camp by its edge. The mage Darah Thorne marshaled bloodforged forces against them, insisting on being given tribute, but the commander chose to fight instead.

At last, an itinerant bard told the commander that a great mage known as Tyranis Shagal, whose achievements were impressive. Seeking to win glory by defeating a worthy opponent, the Legendary Campaign commander issued a challenged to Shagal to fight a bloodforge battle.

Appearances

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