Region: Bleakwoods

The Bleakwoods

The Bleakwoods is a vast boreal forest that covers most of northern malteria. The forest is largely uninhabited, as it is filled with hostile creatures from Dire Spiders to Feral undead. The area has not been fully mapped by the nations of malteria as a result of the hostility of the territory. It is a hot spot for adventurers and treasure hunters however as it contains a considerable amount of ruins scattered about the forest from early malterian kingdoms. 

The Bleakwoods are an important barrier on the continent as the woodland crawls all the way up to the northern coastline of the Bay of Gleshmere meaning any overland route from the River Lords to Sanctum or the Fae-Flats must cross through it. It became apparent after the conclusion of the Scintillian Crisis that this overland route must be made at least partially safer.  Lordsmen were unable to come to the aid of  Raileys Folley, as the Bleakwoods were nearly untraversable because of the increased undead activity there in the wake of the 2nd Scintillian Legion.

The construction of the "Saviors Road" was completed as one of the first joint large-scale construction projects between the Lordsmen and Sanctum. A symbol of mutual aid, the two nations have not forgotten their differences, but a road through the Bleakwoods at the very least means they are committed to ensuring each other survives long enough to settle them.

In the most recent developments in the River Lords war with the Dark Wardens, the Warden's established footholds in defensible areas of the Bleakwoods, knowing the forest would provide a natural defense against Gleshmerian cavalry, and that the creatures within the wood could supply the ranks of their servitor guardians. Lordsmen forces have advanced on multiple occasions thus far to dislodge the Wardens but to little effect. What is certain is that the mystery and vital role that the Bleakwood plays in Malterian politics will continue on into the foreseeable future