The Witch Wood

Dense foliage mixed with coniferous trees deeper within depict this forest to the northeast of Atalan. The southern outskirts of the woods are shaped by small clearings, protruding into the forest and probably stemming from Halmorian colonists, now residing in the city of Atalan, who lumbered the trees for firewood and material for new tools and furniture after their arrival.

Farther north, the wary traveler might catch a glimpse of deer, rabbits and other wild animals milling about in this part of the forest which resembles a seemingly untouched piece of nature. Significantly less often a lonely boar or brown bear can be observed. However, even though the northern parts of the forest seem inviolated, they do not appear to be peaceful: Sun rays seldom manage to pervade the treetops, giving the forest a rather gloomy and dun character. The bloodcurdling howling of wolves at night, who roam the woods and help nature taking its course by preying upon their herbivorous cohabitants, only confirm that impression.

Here and there a spot of mushrooms adorns the moss and stinging-nettled ground. Though just as the fern entwines some of the trees, surrounding them; a rumor surrounds this forest as well. Aside from the road, among tendrils and leaves, a small wooden cottage is hidden and while some say that it has been abandoned long ago, others firmly believe that its occupant is a witch.
And forsooth, some of the trees around the cottage seem to have marked similarities to human faces: grotesque distortions of barked noses and even eyes, as if something or someone imprisoned human features into these herbal cages of bark and timber and thus giving superstitious people all reason to believe that it was indeed witchcraft. Moreover, it seems that this peculiarity also attracted some human druids who have chosen to investigate this oddity of nature. When asked about the mysterious cottage or the eerie trees surrounding it, they choose not to answer, but their expressions hint of a burden they do not wish to share, as if they knew of a dark secret that is not meant to be shared.

Whether there is more behind it or if is actually true or not, no one knows. Be that as it may, even now parents warn their children from entering this forest, now named the Witch Wood.