Forbidden Woods of the Wychlaran


This forest north of the Sunrise Mountains is dense and wild. It could be considered the mystical heart of Rashemen, for the Witches hold their most secret meetings in this place and allow no person to enter who is not part of their sisterhood. The penalty for violating this prohibition is death, and the Witches are not lenient to anyone, even first offenders, the lost, or the ignorant. Because of this extreme law, warriors and scouts of the Iron Lord patrol the perimeter of the forest to warn away those who might brave its dangers. The Witches are not cruel; after questioning (not torturing) violators, they put them to death in a quick and humane manner (often using sleep spells or drugs first). They confiscate any property and then take the bodies to the edge of the forest for disposal by the perimeter guardians.

Normally, the Witches do not have to slay intruders themselves. All the native Telthors are absolutely loyal to the Hathrans and either attack those who cannot prove themselves to be Witches or inform larger Telthors or the Hathrans about them. In the cold season, the Telthors are aided by orglashes. Large sections of the forest are warded by alarm spells enhanced by circle magic, and particularly secret areas are guarded with dangerous glyphs, similarly enhanced.

In addition to their private councils, the Witches come here to commune with the guardians of the land, make offerings, bind and control excessively hostile spirits, and brew the famous Rashemi firewine. In meetings, they discuss happenings within Rashemen, receive reports from Hathrans returning from abroad, use scrying magic on the Red Wizards, and plan for the needs of the people in the upcoming season. Young Ethrans who have come of age are ordained within the Urlingwood before taking their first journey outside of Rashemen, and young men who are to join the Old Ones "Vremyonni" are brought here to receive the blessing of the spirits before going into isolation in the Running Rocks. When not in council or traveling, most of the Witches live in the nearby town of Urling.

During the Time of Troubles, in the Year of Shadows, 1358 DR, dead-magic zones sprung up around the land and the Wychlaran had trouble contacting the spirits. Some witches and artisans went mad and were slain; some warriors also went mad, and it was thought they should also be slain. A few years later, Liriel Baenre utilized the Windwalker amulet to set free the spirits and the land to normal.

As of the Year of Lightning Storms, 1374 DR, the easternmost cell of the Eldreth Veluuthra operated within the Urlingwood. It composed those members of the organization that committed crimes not serious enough to warrant execution. The cell was tasked with ridding the wood of its resident witches.

Geography

Stay out of it. That is the exclusive domain of the witches, and outsiders aren't welcome. Most of them live in Urling city, but they go there to perform their ceremonies and rituals. The witches are not bad women, mind you...they help keep our land free. But they value their privacy and anonymity, and are quick to punish anyone who violates it.

The Guide Ygsvard to Sigurd