The Fall of the Grove

Overview: #

The Fall of the Grove is the tragic tale of Sylthara, once a nurturing deity of nature, who turned into a vengeful spirit of darkness after her sacred grove was defiled. This event marks her descent into shadow, transforming her from a protector of the wilds into a terror of the forests, forever casting the Eldergrove Woods into an eternal twilight.

Date: #

Early Age of Divergence

Participants: #

• Sylthara (The Shadowbark) – Goddess of nature, corrupted into shadow
• Invaders from an unnamed rival kingdom
• Shadow Druids – Worshippers of Sylthara

Cause: #

Sylthara’s grove was considered a sacred, untouchable place. However, a group of invaders sought to conquer the forest and plunder its natural resources. Their desecration of the grove enraged Sylthara, leading her to succumb to the darker forces that had long lurked in the shadows of the forest.

Story: #

Sylthara was once a goddess of balance and life, ensuring that the forests thrived under her care. Her sacred grove was a haven of peace and beauty, protected by druids who revered her as the Mother of the Forest. When invaders seeking to control the forest violated the grove, cutting down trees and disturbing the ancient magic within, Sylthara’s fury awakened.

Unable to bear the destruction, she turned to shadow magic to exact revenge. Her transformation into the Shadowbark occurred swiftly, as she absorbed the dark energies of the forest. With her new powers, Sylthara unleashed a curse on the Eldergrove Woods, casting it into an eternal twilight. The invaders were slaughtered, but the grove was lost, and Sylthara became a twisted, vengeful deity of shadows.

Outcome: #

• Eldergrove Woods was plunged into permanent twilight, its trees gnarled and dark.
• The Shadow Druids, who worship Sylthara, grew in power, spreading her influence across the forest.
• Sylthara became a symbol of vengeance, warning against the desecration of nature.
• The forest became a place of fear and legend, with travelers avoiding it at all costsuption of the Isle** (Volkris)