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 Posted: Sun Nov 21, 2004 2:05 am
THE DEAD FOREST DESCRIPTION - LOCATION - PEOPLE - CLIMATE FLORA - FAUNA - RESOURCES  The forest extends as far as the eye can see from the top of the raised area that the stadium sits upon. It is thick, though there are clearings in some areas; mainly composed of oak, but interspersed with other conifferous types. Inside there are few paths that lead through, even though the shade from the canopy has deprived the undergrowth of enough sunlight that it cannot propperly grow there, save for a few patches in clearings. It would be easy enough for a traveler to become lost in the vast expanses of wooded land, were it not for the ever-present form of the Leviathan Stadium that stood on the eastern horizon, visible for miles.. Description:
The Dead Forest stands as one of the most enchanting in Gaia almost rivaling that of Barton Forest. Though, upon entering the forest, the trees seem to grow sparingly about in casual tranquility, the deeper one journeys into the forest, the more mystic and haunting the scenery becomes. The tall trees close to one another, and some may entwine their branches with another. The roots of trees can sometimes make travel dangerous, slithering crookedly across the ground before diving into the earth, only to angrily surface again. Vines travel up the trunks of many a baych or oak that has chosen to make the forest its home.
The thick canopy sends pools of light dancing across the ground whenever a zephyr chooses to wander through it. Because of the denseness of the forest, the rustling of leaves seems to echo off the tree, and the sound of a distant bird may seem like the seducing song of a dryad or the haunting prayer of a lonely elven spirit. The lullaby of the forest is one that tends to stay with people long after they have departed from the forest. The inner forest is shaded in dark greens, blues, browns, and blacks. Moss grows over the trunks and branches of many trees, while on the outer reaches of the forest, the trees grow with trunks and leaves of lighter hues.
Because of the forest's previous inhabitance, there are some distinct attributes that separate the forest from any other. The Elves were known for their gorgeous tree weaving and vine-training, forming from the forest beautiful homes and exquisite living tapestries from the forest. As though sewn together, the creepers that entwine about the branches of the trees and about one another make out elegant yet haunting designs, the leaves making patterns that change and mold with the passing seasons. Many of these mystifying houses now stand gnarled and knotted, terribly unkempt, and give the wood the eerie feel, as though the empty and twisted homes still hold ghastly spirits. Many birds and rodents may make their homes within these hauntingly beautiful structures.
Also, because of the recent monster infestation, the forest is not a place that one should trek through alone, unless they are experienced enough. The orcs that have taken residence within, make sure of that.
The terrain of the forest can be deceiving: the large numbers of trees that make the forest appear to be trapped within a perennial twilight drop their leaves in fall and may hide dangers on the ground, such as ditches or pits within the ground caused by some burrowing animal or run-off from the nearby High Fores. Overall, though, the ground maintains a fairly flat quality. However, this does not necessarily make traveling through the forest an easy task. One must remember to place his or her steps cautiously as the roots of twisting trees may have roots that break the surface. Vines and low branches can crowd the path. Some travelers find the herin�s way safer; that is, they journey through the treetops along the stronger branches of the trees.
The forest is not easily accessible to many. A small north and south entrance is available. There is one passage to the northwest, cutting through the High Fores. The path is called Firetrail, and was used during the war between the Elves and the Orcs. The path is more commonly used for trade, but is a small path, for while it starts out around 12 feet in width, once well along the road, it has an average of hardly five feet in width, and may offer many dangers from the new inhabitants.
Location:
The forest lies almost tucked away within the natural boundaries of the surrounding landscape. Just northeast of the forest lies the portside town of Latent; to the north lie the Mithral Moutains; to the west the plains of Gaia lay; to the east lies Leviathan Stadium, as well as the sea. The sea also keeps the climate of the forest rather mild.
People:
The only race known to fully inhabit this forest now, are the Orcs.
Climate:
Because the forest is so close to a body of water, the climate stayed fairly mild. Most mornings, fog from the sea will cover the eastern part of the forest like a blanket until the midday sun burns the clouds away. The morning mist gives the forest an mystic feel, and one might expect a unicorn or some other wondrous beast to come wandering out of the forest or to arise from the surface of the sea.
The winter and summer seasons tend to be equal in a year. Usually light showers will start the autumn season, as well as some chilly eastern winds. In the winter, the storms may become violently windy, and though there may be lightning storms over the sea, these storms tend to break up before reaching the eastern shore. Snow is rather rare in the area, though cold winters may produce one or two in a year. In spring, the great storms of winter become gentle showers mixed with an increasingly warm sun. Eventually these showers lessen and lessen into the summer months, which tend to be warm and quite enjoyable for the inhabitants and the travelers who wander through the wood.
Flora:
The forest is a place filled with ancient trees and elegant vines and flowers. Large black oaks grow as though sculpted out of the very earth itself. Their branches, gnarled and twisted, wrap about each other and form into strange structures and grotesque figures. Their entwining branches and thick canopy provide the endless twilight that shadows the forest floor, where nightshimmer vines creep along through the roots that stick like thick worms out of the ground, these vines climbing up various tree trunks and wrapping about them in a shadowy embrace.
Baych and ashwude trees also stand tall throughout the forest, a strange contrast to their more wildly growing brethren. Within the middle of the forest, the shadows rip away most of their light coloration, along with moss, which may turn their elegant trunks a dark blue, sometimes appearing black, usually in the autumn months then the air grows thick with moisture. Near the outer limits of the wood, however, the trees will appear in their natural color, often flourishing into beautiful living statues that give the forest an insidiously tranquil aura.
Bushes such as the goldenbell bush grow about the forests together, sometimes in massive congregations till they appear like waves of leaves and winding branches. In the case that the massive trees of the forest provide a small space of earth, or even a crevice of a tree, shade grasses will grow up elegantly, their soft blades flourishing in the dull light of the wood. These grasses provide food and a nice resting spot for those lucky to not get eaten.
Fauna:
The wildlife in the forest is almost nonexistant, only a few herbivores and insect-eating creatures remian, as anything large enough to be bothered with has already been hunted down and eaten by the newest inhabitants: monsters, demons, and those who are mindless. The power-hungry beings who have been drawn towards the three cities, yet were too inhuman or uncivil to be able to survive within the walls of the city. Now they simply lurk, watching and waiting so that they can prey upon travelers in the hopes of aquiring some fragment of power for themselves and their kin.
Resources:
The dense forest provides a plethora of trees with which furniture, housing, tool handles, and other such products may be made. The oaks that grow within the forest are indeed strong and can be used to build sturdy abodes. The black birch can be used to make elegant bows, though it is more commonly used to make arrow shafts and furniture.
The soil of the forest is very rich due to the ever-active movement of life through the forest. Things that die provide the essential nutrients for things new to flourish in the ever-changing forest. Most anything can be planted to grow within the forest if it is planted in the right place.
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Posted: Sun Nov 21, 2004 2:09 am
Idolwise set forth from the steps of the front entrance of the Leviathan Stadium. His black curly toed boots made small crunching sounds on the forest path as the elf strode slowly down the way. He listened attentively to the sounds of the forest, birds chirping, the wind rustling the leaves in the air, the sounds of wild life scuttling through the foliage.
"Quite a pleasant day for exploring, isn't it Juuni?"
He directed the question to the top hat on his head. From underneath poked out a feline tale and nose, hiding beneath the hat like some sort of strange turtle.
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Posted: Sun Nov 21, 2004 2:12 am
Juuni poked her head further out from under the top hat and blinked as she looked around inquistively, snuffling at the fresh forest air as her tail swished to and fro across Idol's neck as she let out a mew of agreement.
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Posted: Sun Nov 21, 2004 2:31 am
Idol simply nodded as he continued his way down the path. The elf took note of the direction he was traveling and the distance away from the Stadium as he walked on, to ensure a safe route back.
As the pair continued on they found themselves at an interstection of sorts. A wooden sign post bearing arrows marked the direction that they came from as the way to "Leviathan Stadium". In another direction, the arrow was labeled "Ye Olde Stadium Ruins". The next path did not have the benefit of an arrow or a sign which caused the elf to pause.
"Hmm... I don't remember this path at all. Do you know anything about this, Juuni dear?"
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Posted: Sun Nov 21, 2004 2:33 am
The kitten blinked and cocked her head tot he side slightly as she squinted down at the signs before shaking her head and withdrawing slightly back underneath the top hat, her tail swishing from side to side slowly, tapping her paw on Idol's head, in the direction of the unmarked path.
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Posted: Sun Nov 21, 2004 2:46 am
Taking the gentle tapping as a suggestion, the elf smirked at the thought of himself as some impromptu kitty taxi.
"Right... the path less traveled it is then."
The elf made a turn for the unmarked path and continued walking.
***
A while later, the elf was still walking the unkown path. Yet, he was still in the familiar region of the forest so Idol had no cause for alarm for fear of being lost.
"Just a nice refereshing stroll... what could go wrong?"
As the elf spoke to himself, the sky above the forest canopy darkened a little as grey clouds moved to cover what little light filtered through. Some rumbling could be heard overhead, making the elf a little wary.
"Uh oh... I hope that's not what I think it is...
As if an answer to his reply, the sounds of rain started pattering against the leaves of the trees. Birds flitted for the saftey of their nests and the local wild life scampered for cover. A drizzle started leaking all throughout the canopy and the forest took on a different mood and ambience. The air took on the smell of rich wet soil as the forest quietly drank in the life giving water. A hazy mist rose from the ground, cloaking the forest in dream like fog.
The elf simply stood there, watching it all happen, slowly dampening in the rain. Some random drops plinked off his top hat, which caused Idol to chuckle lightly for the occupant inside.
"As much as I walking in the rain... we should probably find some shelter."
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Posted: Sun Nov 21, 2004 2:49 am
Juuni knew the rain was coming well befor Idol did. She could smell it. The small kitten gave a small and rather irritated mew as a rain drop fell down on her nose, causing he to sneeze in surprise at the sudden cold before she withdrew completely under the hat, mewing in annoyance at the rain drops falling on to the top hat.
"Myuah!" stressed
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Posted: Sun Nov 21, 2004 3:04 am
"Well hold on then deary..."
Idol placed one hand on the rim of his tophat to keep it steady and started running through the rain. His pounding feet on the path kept in rhythm with the steady pitter patter of the rain as the elf hurried down the path.
After a while, the elf came to a stream. Only, the continuing rain had brought more to the waters that the stream had swollen to twice it's size and had taken on the characteritics of a small river. Looking first upstream, then down, Idol caught sight of a foot bridge over the water.
"Hmm... how convenient."
The elf then scampered for the bridge, and slowly made his way across it so as to no slip and fall on the wet lumber. After making it across, the elf continued his running down the path.
Soon after, the elf burst into a small clearing in which a small encampment was built. A big cottage like building, coupled with a small shack and what looked to be a blacksmith's forge stood out in the rain. Idolwise paused, trying to figure out what he had stumbled onto.
"S'funny... this place seems familiar somehow."
The elf thought quietly to himself for a while, before remembering his passenger in the tophat.
"Don't worry Juuni... we'll be dry in a moment."
The elf then ran up to the cottage and peeked inside through the windows. Idol tried to make out whether anyone was home or not but couldn't see a thing in the dark interior of the building. He stepped gingerly to the front door and tried knocking, but to no avail. He gave a slight push against the door and found it unlocked.
"Hmm.... this adventure keeps getting more interesting by the minute" Idol thought to himself as he opened the door and slipped inside.
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Posted: Sun Nov 21, 2004 3:07 am
Juuni jiggled about unsteadily as Idol ran, mewing slightly with each bump. When they finally stopped she poked her head out from underneath the top hat and happily leapt down, onto the cottage floor. She shook herself off and then blinked, looking around her surroundings before turning and sitting back, her head cocked to one side in question as she looked up at Idol.
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Posted: Sun Nov 21, 2004 3:16 am
The inside of the cottage was dark, and silent, save for the sounds of rain outside. The elf peered through the darkness, trying to make out his surroundings, his elven eyes attuning to the abundant lack of light.
Before them was the main living room, complete with fire place, huge furry bear rug, and a couple of large red faded sofa chairs. Next to the fireplace was a door with a window, showing a way out back. To their left, was a hallway, no doubt to the living quarters. To their right, a doorway to what seemed to be the kitchen. He assumed this to be so because he could make out the form of an old style oven and stove from where he was standing.
Walking up to the fireplace, Idol ran a finger along the mantle and examined it.
"Well judging by the amount of undisturbed dust I'd say this place hasn't been used in a while. What's say we make use of it and the fireplace then, eh Juuni?"
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Posted: Mon Nov 22, 2004 12:46 am
There was a snuffling out amongst the bushes surrounding the smithy clearing. Out of the bushes came a dog, crawling backwards as it dragged something across the damp and earthy floor with it. The dog was many shades of brown and tan and obviously a mongrel. Her two front paws were darker than her two back and her fur was dark with the rains moisture and her tail hung behind her, dripping droplets of water. The dog stopped pulling and looked over its shoulder momentarily as its lop-ears pricked slightly before gripping the bags straps in her jaw and dragging it towards the side of the cottage.
Then the bag was dropped once more as the dog snuffled around the right sie of the building before she started digging. The earth flew out from behind her. As the canine stepped back there was a reasnable hole leading to the foundation's of the building, though not at all serious enough to cause any damage. The dog grabbed hold of the bag and threw it down the hole, cocking her head and watching in satisfaction at where it landed before filling in the hole again.
Then the dog disappeared back into the bushes without a second glance.
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Posted: Tue Nov 23, 2004 1:27 am
The dog scampered back into the smithy clearing a few hours later and began to snuffle around the earthy floor, running her tongue acorss her lips as she panted, heading over to the freshly disturbed earth from where she had been digging early.
She sniffed lightly at the patch of disturbed earth as if making her mind up about something before beginning to dig furiously.
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Posted: Fri Nov 26, 2004 9:39 am
Juuni seemed to smile up at Idol, or smile as much as a slightly damp kitten could when suddenly her ears pricked up and her body stiffened, fully alert as to the noises outside the cabin. Scampering across the floor the small kitten pressed her nose up against the crack underneath its large wooden frame and snuffled outside furiously as she clawed at the doors underside as if wanting out.
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Posted: Fri Nov 26, 2004 5:03 pm
"I should see about looking for firewood then..." Idol thought aloud as he took a couple of steps towards the fireplace. He made for the fireplace and crouched down by the stone hearth, examining the state of it.
Then, Idol heard scratching at the door, and upon turning saw Juuni clawing at the foot of the wooden door. Mistaking it for either her natural curiousity or nature's call, the elf smiled and walked back to the door.
"Okay... I'm gonna let you out but stay close. Don't wander off to far."
The elf opened the door and watch expectantly to see if Juuni would shoot off into the rain...
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Posted: Sat Nov 27, 2004 4:34 am
Juuni mewed at Idol and continued pushed up against the crack the open door created, shooting out onto the porch of the cabin as soon as there was enough space for her small body to fit through. She let out a very loud mew of annoyance as a rain drop fell on her nose when suddenly her whole body tensed, ears pricked and her fur effectively fluffed out, giving her the trademark fluff ball appearance.
Very uneasily the kitten turned her head to the left and caught sight of the dog digging away at the side of the building. And this is where instinct kicked in. Juuni had had a few bad experiences with dogs before and she wasn't going to take any risks with this one.
Almost instantaneously the kitten shot back in doors, clambering up Idol's leg and back and zipping underneath his hat.
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