Border Forest

The Border Forest is a large forest that connects four different regions of Faerûn: the Dalelands to the south, Anauroch to the west, the Tortured Land to the north and the Moonsea to the east.

Geography
The Border Forest is a mixture of pines, oaks and other deciduous trees; the forest undergrowth is relatively thick, making the walk difficult.

History
The Border Forest was once known as Rystall Wood by the Sylvan elves that lived there for many centuries after the Crown Wars. However, little evidence remains of their civilisation as they built few permanent structures.

In -5000 DR, Rystall Wood was cut off from the rest of Arcorar during the Twelve Nights of Fire that were started by a falling meteor. Rystall Wood became a separate forest and realm after the Twelve Nights of Fire cleared away the mountain and hill trees that attached it to Arcorar. Although an independent forest after the event, its coronal still convened often with the leaders of the Elven Court.

In -4970 DR, Coronal Mhaenal of Rystall Wood was slain by monsters that were summoned into his bedchambers, ending the reign of the sixth Rysar in Rystall Wood.

In -2439 DR, drow made use of dark magic to burn clear the area surrounding the Twisted Tower (an event known as the Spiderfires), further expanding the gap between Rystall Wood and Cormanthyr. This marked the beginning of a conflict of more than two thousand years known as the Shadow War between the drow and the elves of Rystall Wood, with the Elven Court as a firm ally, that culminated in the drow's defeat in -331 DR when the Twisted Tower was rededicated as a temple to Eilistraee. In only a little more than a hundred years, however, orc hordes would ravage the area, and by -64 DR the twelfth and final Rysar had fallen, leaving behind only the city of Yrlaancel that would later become Myth Ondath.

Inhabitants
In 1372 DR the Border Forest is inhabited mostly by fey; due to heavy logging activities in the past, mostly from Snowmantle, the fey in this area tend to be more violent and hostile than in other parts of Faerûn.

Eldreth Veluuthra
Two Eldreth Veluuthra cells were known to be active in the forest around 1374 DR. One cell focused on raiding the Daggerdale border while the other concentrated on ambushing Zhentarim agents. The Eldrath Veluuthra in this area were supported by fey.

Notable locations
At the southern edges of the Border Forest lie the ruins of the Flaming Tower, once built by fire giants and destroyed by the Knights of Myth Drannor; the ruins are now inhabited by a powerful beholder, served by a force of goblins.

Not far from the northern edge of the forest, where the White Peaks extend eastward from the great desert of Anauroch, between the Tortured Land and the Ride, and toward Ilinvur, lies the blasted rubble that is all that remains of Myth Ondath.