The most captivating domains of fantasy succeed in painting vivid pictures: Scenery that really encourages players to explore and participate in the dynamics of a world that the DM has put so much thought and time into creating. Through the power of words (and if you're blessed with artistic prowess then perhaps a few pretty doodles as well), master storytellers weave impressive webs of geography by skillfully defining the following facets of imagination within their environments: Sensory imagery, geopolitics, and the underlying possibility of magic/danger.
Within countless variations of stories and lore - spread across all mediums of entertainment - there has always been one mystic locale which consistently promises peril, mystery, and those terrified shivers that slowly creep up one's spine when they find themselves alone in its depths: The forest. Here is where the individual forfeits their power unintentionally, and surrenders to the primal. This is the place where even the gods may be too afraid to venture for fear of losing their way; for fear of losing themselves.
To a DM crafting a world of fabled intrigue for those around their tabletop, the forest serves as a rich backdrop through which to unleash all that dwells in the shadows. These are but a few fantasy forests that check all of the above boxes particularly well:
The Forbidden Forest – Harry Potter
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From a weakened Voldemort feasting on the blood of a slain unicorn as fog permeates the surroundings, to thousands of Aragog's Acromantula offspring slowly descending from the heights of the trees to feast upon Ron and Harry, to a furious tribe of centaurs - their honour irrevocably damaged - carrying off Dolores Umbridge (how did she survive that?), the danger embodied by the Forbidden Forest is all too real. It serves as the perfect location for Harry to eventually face himself, Lord Voldemort, and their collective fate during the Battle of Hogwarts.
The Forests of Middle Earth – The Lord of the Rings
Leave it to the godfather of modern fantasy to craft a world brimming with forests that are equal parts magic, equal parts political. Tolkein masterfully presents mythical realms that play host to factions, creatures, and characters that could only exist deep within the woods. The Ents in Fangorn Forest are a brilliant creation: Sage examples of nature's calm resolve – and deadly fury. As guardians of all forest life, it is very interesting that they must meet for hours to discuss marching on Isengard, especially when the threat posed by Saruman is both immediate and serious. Who would've thought tree people could be so layered.
The Lost Woods – The Legend of Zelda
Written by: Jeff Clive
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Inspiration for World Building in Dungeons and Dragons - Forest Edition
Reviewed by JADE Gaming
on
4/15/2019 10:42:00 am
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