The Flooded Forest

The forest was not always so dark

In the time of relics, the water spirits within the Aegis Sea raged against the shores when they pleased. Of special fun to them were the trees of the west, a forest then known as Furgenung. The spirits took great joy in ripping up trees close to shore, and drowning trees further in.

But one spirit of great power, who roamed often inward, fell in love with a maiden of the treents. Fueleon was he, and Thalia changed his heart. They grew close, until his love he could not keep secret. The treents had no love of change, but he knew not their secret thoughts and they said little when told. The water spirits, ever fleeting, changing, ebbing, flowing, rejoiced. Alas one day, he flowed to where his beloved should be, and found her in the endless slumber of trees, into which elder oak would sometimes fade. He then knew the treents had cast it upon her, disapproving of their bond.

Fury like no spirit before him yet had known consumed him, and he called the water of the Aegis forth in mighty power. From the depths of the sea crashed water and flood, utterly submerging the forest. The trees then knew the folly of their choice, for even they were powerless to push the water back, and without their roots to breath, they would all of them die.

Yielding to this furious tumult, the elders took back their spell, and Thalia was made to reawaken. Too late, Fueleon realized he too could note abate the waters. Now alive, she would die by his own doing.

In a final act of love, Fueleon sacrificed himself, calling forth ancient, dangerous magic and imbuing the trees with the life force of water. From that day, the forest changed. The water greatly receded, yet never fully removed, and the trees grew wild, wisdom and gaiety turned to madness, it was said.

It is further told that Thalia still roams the Flooded Forest, looking for her lover, and woe to those she finds who cannot help her.