Wyllowwood

Wyllowwood was one of the sub-levels of the Twisted Caverns and the 5 overall level of the dungeon complex known as Undermountain. It was a magically-created temperate forest set within naturally-occurring caverns, encircled by the River of the Depths. The domain was created by the "Mad Mage" Halaster Blackcloak, to resemble the surface world, complete changing seasons, imported animals and a wide-open, illusory sky that perfectly displayed the stars and the moon as they appeared over Toril.

Description
Although its appearance was hidden with magic, the chamber that enclosed Wyllowwood had a ceiling 100' (30.5 m) and was bordered on three sides by the River of the Depths. Illusions were place 30' (9.1 m) above the ground that replaced the cavern's walls and ceiling with the appearance of the Torillian sky, complete with flawlessly-placed stars and other celestial bodies. While the illusions could not be dispelled, the true surroundings could be seen by means of true seeing or a magical item that duplicated its effects. While there was no natural gusts of wind or breeze that could be felt, Wyllowwood was warm during the day, as if it was basking in the rays of the sun, and as cold as could be expected during the night. The "seasons" of Wyllowwood changed according to the Calendar of Harptos just as they did on the surface.

Large portions of Wyllowwood's caverns were considered dead-magic zones, where spells and spell-like abilities ceased to function.

Description
The beaches of the River of the Depths were quite narrow and comprised of small stones and pebbles. The trees nearest its waters were among the largest of Wyllowwood, with their tangled branches forming a thick canopy that extended beyond the water's edge.

The trees of Wyllowwood were both deciduous and coniferous and by and large were fully matured, often standing between 30'-50' (9.1-15.2 m) in height. Fruiting bushes, shrubs and flowering plants could be commonly found. Roses were notably exempted from this selection as they displeased Wyllow.

The forest floor was sporadically littered with rusted weapons, damaged armor, empty bottles and other items that had been left by adventurers that had journeyed through, and occasionally died within, Wyllowwood. For every humanoid that was killed by Wyllow's hands, she crafted a small, totemic doll and hung it from the branches of one of her trees.

Entrances
During the 14 century DR, a number ways to enter Wyllowwood existed, although none were immediately apparent.


 * There was a magical gate hidden behind a wooden door in the basement of Twice as Nice, a shop off the Street of Lances in the Sea Ward of Waterdeep. The gate inflicted a poisonous disease on anyone who passed through it.
 * In the basement of Builders' Hall, the guildhall of the Guild of Stonecutters, Masons, Potters &amp; Tile-makers,, in the South Ward of Waterdeep, two statues of dancing figures acted as a gate to Trobiand's Graveyard. A person needed skip between the statues and focus on Undermountain in order to be transported.
 * A large stone urn in the northeast corner of Heroes' Garden in the Sea Ward of Waterdeep linked to a pool near the edge of the underground forest in Wyllowwood. The urn needed to be more than half full of water to function, and anyone being transported ran the risk of being affected by one of a number of magical conditions at random.
 * There existed an area of dead trees about three miles to the east of Waterdeep's East Torch Tower. The largest tree had a hollow trunk, and if a person stood on their left leg inside the hollow trunk, they would be transported to Wyllowwood, at the Platform of Doom.
 * There was a pair of stone arches near Seaeye's March near the Gulf Leap, 100 yards south of the Field of Triumph in Waterdeep. Anyone who walked between the arches when the full moon was shining on them was transported to Wyllowwood, but all their potions were stripped from their possession and faerie fire was cast upon them. If however the moon disappeared behind a cloud during the transportation, the person ended up being transported to a random position within Undermountain.
 * There was a circle of standing stones north of Waterdeep. If an individual walked inside the circle while clouds cast a shadow over them, they were transported to a random location within Wyllowwood's underground forest.
 * There was an old elven tune etched near the ceiling between two pale blue columns in the House of Song, the guildhall of the Council of Musicians, Instrument-Makers, and Choristers, in the Trade Ward of Waterdeep. If this song was played, a gate opened between the columns and transported those who stepped through it into the river in Wyllowwood.

Following the Second Sundering, a number of other entrances to Wyllowwood opened up:
 * The River of the Depths could be traversed from the Twisted Caverns.

Notable Locations

 * Caverns of doom:


 * Dragon's platform:
 * A giant stone platform, covered in moss and ivy, was built atop a massive mound of earth and rock that overlooked the subterranean River of the Depths. It was 70' (21.3 m) long, 50' (15.2 m) wide and stood 10' (3 m) high, and extended east into a stone bridge that spanned the river, 30' (9.1 m) above its waters. From the west of the platform, 20' (6.1 m) tall marble columns held up a stone walkway that continued northwest to a number of guardhouses and eventually, Wyllow's tower. This walkway was originally used by Yinark so that he didn't have to walk through the the trees and plants of the forest when he wished to visit his beloved. By the Year of Three Ships Sailing, 1492 DR, many of these columns had crumbled away.


 * A crumbling stone building stood 15' (4.6 m) tall atop the platform. Inside the structure was the hoard of the young green dragon Valdemar, who had claimed it as its lair.


 * Malar's Tabernacle:


 * Platform of Doom:


 * This smooth, marble platform extended out from a section of Wyllowwood's cavernous walls. It was made from dark stone that was marbled with veins of green. It featured two stone pillars that were carved to resemble the trunks of trees; in the place of branches, it was inset with a number of torches which had been enchanted with the magic of continual light. The base of one of the pillars held an inscription written in Duergar.


 * River of the Depths:
 * The dark and sluggish river came down from the Twisted Caverns and lazily circle around Wyllowwood before continuing into the depths of the Underdark by a series of waterfalls. The depths of the water ranged anywhere from a few feet (~1 m) to over 30' (9.1 m). The banks were lined by several crude, wooden signs with the word "Underdark", inscribed in goblin, with an arrow pointing downriver.


 * Statue of Sirane:
 * When the elf Sirane accidentally ventured into Undermountain she was turned to stone by Halaster's apprentice Arcturia, who was threatened by and jealous of her beauty.


 * Temple to the Destroyer:
 * Located on an small subterranean isle in a cavern that extended out from the River of the Depths, this former temple of Talos had been since taken over by the undead.


 * Trap room:
 * This precarious chamber was designed by Garrik, a thief that Halaster kept as a pet of sorts.


 * Wyllow's tower:
 * Wyllow's home was a squat stone tower that was carved to resemble the shape of a tree. A polite and intelligent tree, that been given consciousness by means of the spell awaken, stood out front. It stood three stories tall and housed the Calendar stone, the arcane device that controlled the weather and seasons as they appeared within Wyllowwood.

Exits
The following passageways led down to the deeper levels of Underdark:
 * A tunnel beneath the River of the Depths, which had been dug by umber hulks, continued to the Lost Level.
 * The caverns east of Wyllow's Tower, across the forest and the river went down to Maddgoth's Castle.
 * An archgate within Wyllow's tower connected to another portal located in the caverns of the Sargauth Level.
 * Another stone archway, located within the stone building where Valdemar kept its lair, opened a portal that connected Wyllowwood to the royal armory of a long-lost temple of Dumathoin, located within the Lost Level of Undermountain.

Inhabitants
Several natural and magical creatures lived within the forest of Wyllowwood; many of them, along with a great number of trees, had been awakened by magic and granted sentient intelligence. Among these species were naturally-occurring creatures like boars, black and brown bears, elks as well as giant wasps and giant bats.

However, it also served as home to colonies of goblin werebats, umber hulks, groups of cohabiting ettercaps and giant spiders, basilisks, will-o'-wisps and cloakers. A group of minotaurs formed their lair within one of Wyllowwood's caverns that was considered a dead-magic area.

Wyllowwood attracted many worshipers of the deity Malar during the 14 century DR, as the subterranean forest was quite private. They conducted their High Hunts within its woods and the winner was determined by whomever collected the most shields and skulls within a single month. While Wyllow originally allowed them to hunt within her domain, they abused this privilege and were turned away by the druid and her draconic ally.

This ally was Valdemar, a young green dragon that originally encountered Wyllow under antagonistic circumstances. Upon discovering Valdemar within her domain, the elven druid contacted a band of adventurers to combat the beast and turn it away. During the battle, Valdemar received a nearly-lethal injury by means of an intelligent sword that greatly changed their perspective and caused a shift in their general alignment. Following this event, Wyllow reconsidered the relationship she could have had with Valdemar, found a place for it within Wyllowwood's ecosystem and the two enjoyed a peaceful and mutually beneficial coexistence.

The portion of the River of the Depths that passed through Wyllowwood was rich with sea life including a number of lemon fishes, schools of wattley fish and even water beetles.

A group of freshwater scrags also made their home beneath the River of the Depths and stored their cache of quartz, sardonyx and other valuable gem stones in the waters beneath the Platform of Doom.

History
Before it was known as Wyllowwood, the caverns of this domain were partly inhabited by a group of Talosian priests, who established their temple on a small island. When Halaster's apprentices came to this level they leveled the followers of "the Destroyer" and the temple was abandoned. All that remained was the undead horde the zealous clerics had raised in an effort to increase their power. Afterwards, Arcturia briefly considered making it her new home, though she eventually reconsidered.

Sometime during the 13 century, Halaster's apprentice Yinark met the moon elf Wyllow while he was away from Undermountain. The two fell in love and they joyously returned together to Yinark's home, deep beneath the city of Waterdeep. However, Wyllow was crestfallen when she saw that the dungeon that her beloved called home was so vastly different from the woods she called home. Determined to keep Yinark and his new love content, and prevent them from leaving Undermountain, Halaster used multiple castings of the spell wish to create Wyllowwood — a subterranean domain of nature, named after and crafted for a single individual.

However grand, this magnificent deed was not enough to ease Wyllow's growing lethargy. Eventually Yinark outright forbade her from returning to her home on the surface and Wyllow filled with despair. Their relationship became acrimonious before turning violent, when the two fought each other in a vicious spell-battle. Wyllow slew her former lover and, wracked with guilt, remained within her domain as per Yinark's wish.

During the early 14 century, the elf Sirane went to drink some water in Heroes' Garden when she was accidentally transported to Undermountain. She was confronted by Arcturia and turned to stone. Her petrified form was taken to Wyllowwood, where it remained for at least 40 years.