Difference between revisions of "Enderal:Landscapes of Enderal: Goldenforst"

Goldenforst is a sprawling mountain forest located east of Ark and the Farmers Coast. It consists of a northern and a southern valley, connected by a canyon. The region owes its name to the unique foliage growing there: the trees and shrubs carry golden and auburn autumnal leaves all year long. This type of vegetation is not found in any other area in Enderal, and the cause of this extraordinary color palette has yet to be discovered. There is some ongoing debate between scholars as to whether to consider the northeastern strip of the Farmers Coast part of the Goldenforst region, due to it - despite being geographically separated by a mountain range - displaying similar flora.

As was already discussed in the first volume of the "Landscapes of Enderal" series, which focused on the Farmers Coast, the Goldenforst region is accessible on foot from the Farmers Coast in the West via the Autumn Pass, past fortress Ark's Last Watch. From there one can find Wellwatch Valley to the South. Alternatively one can traverse the icy King's Mountain Pass northeast of Ark, or approach from the South through the Powder Desert. Both these routes will take you straight to Wellwatch Valley. The Golden Sickle stresses that the entire Goldenforst region should be considered hostile and is not recommended for travelers, and Wellwatch Valley is no exception. The known list of dangers lurking here may well be inconclusive, but sightings of Vatyrs, Lost Ones and Pathless Ones who have taken up refuge in this desolate area have been reported, as well as the presence of other, unknown monstrosities. Despite this, brave myrad riders continue to operate the Wellwatch Myrad Tower under Malphas' watchful eye, so the region can still be visited by myrad as well.

Wellwatch Valley is higher situated than Goldenforst's other valley. Most notable about this area is the river which originates from a rocky crevice and carves its way through the landscape, around the mountain range, to eventually flow into the Lake of Ark at Bridgehead Farm. In earlier times the river had a name, but nowadays the old name has been lost and opinions differ on what it should be called, as it is of hardly any significance anymore. Probably the most common current moniker for the river is "Thunderfrost". This phrase refers to the large amounts of ice and snow the river transports from the mountains down to the valley by the end of winter, causing a great deal of noise in the process.

Fortress Wellwatch and its cannon walls still stand in the valley as a testament to former times, when the region was inhabited and ensured the safe transport of powder and other goods from the Powder Desert to Ark. It was mainly erected to protect against potential threats from the desert, but after the disaster of the Sun Fire at Thalgard, Fortress Wellwatch became an essential safeguard against danger from the East as well. Although the fortress itself is of modest size, it possesses one of the highest towers in Enderal to this day. Remarkable is also the bold stone overhang of the old quarry on the other side of the river. The mountainsides are streaked with the legacy of the settlers who followed Dal'Marak here.

The eastern road from the Wellwatch Myrad Tower leads to Thalgard, but even the most hardened adventurer would be wise to never set foot there. Unlike for Goldenforst, no accounts of travelers who have returned from this region exist. The brave who wish to continue to explore can follow a narrow path on the eastern river bank going north. This will eventually take you past the old residence of the Dal'Maraks: Fortress Goldenforst. It should come as no surprise that it has long been abandoned and can only be assumed to have turned into a dangerous place. The Dal'Marak family crypt is located nearby as well. Both are roughly across Autumn Pass, so one can opt to leave the Goldenforst region at this point for the safer Farmers Coast.

It is also possible to journey even further north, all the way to Enderal's northern shore, by continuing to follow the path from Wellwatch. The coastal region is dubbed "Firerock" and features the ruins of a small, old castle and a deserted lighthouse of the same name. There is no consensus about the origin of the name Firerock. Possibly it is a reference to the fiery hues of Goldenforst's trees, which grow on the rocky coast here as well. Firerock's mountains enclose Goldenforst's second valley, in surviving records of the Dal'Maraks referred to as "Gravespath Sanctuary". According to these documents, Arcanist Dal'Marak himself explored this secluded location via an elaborate system of caves and tunnels, an entrance of which was located not far from his ancestral home. If their descriptions are to be believed, Gravespath is an ancient, unholy place that used to serve as a burial site for the Pyreans. Though the historical value of such a location is no doubt tremendous, caution is advised for those intent on following in Dal'Marak's footsteps and making their way to the Sanctuary. Even in the time of Dal'Marak, Gravespath supposedly possessed a strong magical aura. There is some speculation that it was here where Dal'Marak found inspiration for his cursed invention of the Sun Fire, dooming the entire Thalgard region to destruction.