Therndale

The land of Therndale is actually a large valley. Despite the conditions being perfect for an arid desert- warm day time temperatures, numerous hills, dry climate, little 'natural' rainfall, and being found in the shadow of a mountain range- Therndale is instead a lush, fertile land, covered almost completly with forests. While it is unclear exactly how life became so abundant in such a hostile environment, it is clear how it survives now- a coven of druids watches over the land, and their magical powers have kept the forest safe and alive for generations.

These generations of magical support has had it's effect on the land- trees and plants grow fuller and larger than in other areas, and are renowned for having prettier flowers or tastier fruits. Many travelers have described times when they were lost in the forest, only to describe a 'feeling' that led them to food and water, or safety. Magical creatures are quite at home in this land, and it is not unusual to see fae or nymphs while wandering through this land. The land has a calming effect on all who enter it, and over time even the most violent of creatures will live in harmony with the land- several tribes of gnolls, for instance, have taken up peaceful residence in the forest, only attacking those who first directly threaten their survival.

The magical energy has had negative effects, too- from time to time animals will be imbued with magical energy and achieve sizes far beyond the usual limitations for their race. These 'dire' animals are unpredictable, and while they are not always overly destructive or violent, the druids of Therndale keep a close eye on their activities. While in extreme cases the protectors will destroy these creatures, in most cases the druids accept them as part of the forest, and leave them be.

Up until the last century a city of Elves could be found on the outskirts of the forest, known far and wide for their cloth exports. For reasons still unknown, and by persons still unidentified, the city was destroyed and burned to the ground. While there are some who accused the druids of having knowledge behind the attack, if they do have such knowledge they have revealed none of it.

The druid Syrin hails from this land. For as long as he can remember, the protectors of this forest has been his family, and they have taught him much. He has many friends in this forest, most notably a Copper Dragon who lives in a hill near the center of the forest. Though young for a dragon, it is the roughly the same age as Syrin, and has helped the druids on many occasions.