Settlements and Sites of the Four City-States #217

Settlements and Sites of the Four City-States #217 

August 5th, 2023 

• Number: 217 

• Name:  Deep Dive on a Settlement of Interest: Village of Forest’s Edge – Part 7

• Location: Eastern edge of the Lolot Forest, east of Berien Manor in County Berien 

• Population (approx.): 235 

• Brief:  Throughout Lolot Forest there are many unusual locations, some magical in nature while others are samples of the inhabitants working closely with nature:

• The Calendar Tree - This is a mystical site where a singular tall tree appears to experience all 4 seasons at once. The tree appears to have been grown specifically for this purpose by perhaps a druid or magically-oriented arborist whose identity is lost to history. The tree lives in this altered state to this day.

• Shadow of the Dead One - It is the nature of the Kin and Aenwyld that battles are fought across all of history and the world. One, of many, took place centuries ago in Lolot Forest and left a permanent scar across the landscape, resistant to all attempts to remove the mark or regrow the flora to cover it, which suggests perhaps the tiniest taint of Corruption remains therein.

• Hidden Ranger Base - The Lolot Rangers are divided into small groups assigned to sections of the border and associated woods. In that area they maintain a base sometimes known to the locals and sometimes hidden from view. Some Rangers maintain a public place for contact and a second secret base in time of need.

• Garden Gateway - The Kin of Lolot are fond of creating wondrous gardens of flora and fauna hidden from view and known only to the creators and loved ones. These highly personal places tend to be religious in nature but might also be celebratory or simply a site for a measure of solitude and reflection. 

• Geography: 

•  The Calendar Tree - The tree sits toward the center of Lolot Forest just off of a main road through the woods. The tall tree is divided into 4 equal sections: bare of leaves (winter), budding (spring), full bloom (summer) and brightly colored (fall). The quadrant of each season appears to rotate about the trunk so that the entry path, at the top, points to the current time of year.

• Shadow of the Dead One - An ancient altar to the forest sits in a deep wooded dell. Some evil was chased to this spot, pinned against the altar stone on the raised platform and obliterated. The blast scattered the enemy's remains leaving a 100 yard long shadow to the southwest. No flora grows within the shadow and animals avoid the area.

• Hidden Ranger Base - This example of a hidden Lolot Ranger base is concealed within a ridge running parallel to a local game trail. It features two exits onto the path and a third into a ravine leading into the woods. A pair of excavated chambers are used for living quarters and storage of supplies.

• Garden Gateway - A narrow tunnel, whose entrance is concealed from view, leads back and forth through a ridge before reaching the exit at a large circular hidden garden. This example features colorful grasses dotted with red wildflowers and small spherical bushes of vibrant greens.