Connects to: 23.11, 29.07, 38.06 and 40.06.
Winds notoriously fears elves. The stake in the center of town erected specifically for burning them justifies this reputation. Many, locals included, are baffled by the extreme stance Winds takes against their neighbors. More often than not, humans have lived peacefully on the edge of the Kingswood as long as they respect its boundaries.
At one time, the treeless hills east of Winds were within the borders of the Kingswood. But when Tiamat’s black head fell here during her last battle (40.06), it corrupted the land. The trees that survived the deluge of poisonous blood became warped and depraved creatures. The Bloodied King (29.07) himself obliterated the trees by summoning a creature of shadow and flame. As for Tiamat’s severed head, some say the King traveled beyond the World’s Edge to bury it, or that a member of the Unseelie court absconded with it.
Winds almost reluctantly claims this cleared stretch of land. The humans who farm the hills are a tense, paranoid lot who seldom speak above whispers. The hedgerows that divide their pastures and fields are exclusively hawthorn (38.06). They never open their doors after dark and fear of uncovering elvish artifacts and grottoes prevents them from digging cellars. Even with these measures, everyone here knows they live on borrowed time. Because someday the King will return and take what was his.
Hooks:
- Do elves ever venture into these hills? For what purpose?
- Did any of the corrupted trees survive? Where are they now?
- Tell me about the creature of shadow and flame.
- What became of Tiamat’s black head?
- The local farmers fear accidentally discovering up elf artifacts and grottoes. What can a dedicated digger find here?
