The Dark Forest first came to widespread attention when it manifested in the North West Forest in Winter 2502. But it has always existed, and always will. It is a manifestation in the Otherworlds of the Dark Side of Nature and is a Realm of Madness and of Nightmare, which is generated by the Dark Dreams of Trees (especially conifers, which are prone to brood) and of Animals (especially those most preyed upon by predators).
There are Ways open to the Dark Forest in the depths of certain forests, in particular the great coniferous woodlands of the North West Forest and North East Forest, but it may manifest elsewhere when the power of the Dark Side is strong. Dark Circles are often located in it when not physically constructed on the Real.
The Dark Forest lies mostly within MORCOR's Realm of Despair at Levels of Madness 1 to 10 but extends into KASHAT's Realm of Nightmare at Level of Madness 0. Most Beings in it are present Spiritually but some are present Physically, having mostly wandered in through the open Ways. These include Nature Spirits which have become Insane, the numbers of which increased significantly during the 2502 manifestation in the North West Forest.
Being an Otherworld, the Dark Forest has no defined map or boundaries and may manifest in a number of ways. These are usually characterised by Darkness, the sinister forms of trees, thorned, poisonous and/or carnivorous undergrowth, corruption, decay and unpleasant predators. The Undead forms of Creatures of Nature may also be encountered.
A few Druids, who have either been driven Insane by the Dark Forest or take an interest (possibly Evil or perverse) in such matters instress from the Dark Side of Nature as manifested in it and use the Magic of its Insane Nature Spirits. They are the so-called Anti-Druids, which some consider to be a Druidic Cult in its own right. A select few, mostly in the Underworld, but notably also amongst the Sandwalkers and the Aldalië study and even practise Anti-Druidism in its own right, as a way to understand and deal with the delicate balance between Light and Dark. But such students risk Madness and permanent corruption to the Dark Side.
Back to the Realm of Madness