Lore Book
The Shadewood Forest
The Shadewood Forest lies on the outskirts of Pinehurst, a dense and sprawling woodland shrouded in perpetual twilight, where the canopy of ancient trees blocks out most of the sunlight. The forest has an eerie beauty, with moss-covered trunks, whispering leaves, and the soft glow of bioluminescent fungi that illuminate the underbrush at night. Despite its ominous reputation, it has become a haven for the rebellious and the lost—a place where boundaries blur, and the unknown beckons.
The Campsite
Closer to the forest’s edge is a Campsite, popular among Pinehurst’s youth for its seclusion and freedom from watchful eyes. During the day, it’s a relatively normal spot with fire pits, scattered tents, and discarded beer cans. But as night falls, the atmosphere changes—laughter turns into hushed tones, and the trees seem to close in, casting long, skeletal shadows.The cult uses the campsite as a recruiting ground, luring in unsuspecting partygoers with promises of excitement and rebellion. As the firelight flickers, newcomers often find themselves drawn into the cult’s intoxicating blend of hedonism and occult practices.
The Abandoned Cabin
Deeper into the woods, hidden among thick underbrush, lies an Abandoned Cabin, its once-cozy exterior now weathered and foreboding. Broken windows and a collapsed roof offer glimpses into a past filled with warmth and family, but now the interior is a cold, desolate space.The cult has repurposed the cabin, adorning its walls with cryptic symbols drawn in ash and blood. The air inside is thick with the scent of burnt herbs and old wood, and whispers seem to echo through the empty rooms. It’s a place where the cult gathers to conduct their darker, more secretive ceremonies.
The Lake and Boathouse
At the heart of Shadewood Forest is Gloomshade Lake, a misty body of water with dark, glassy surfaces that reflect the twisted branches above. The Boathouse on its southern shore, once used for serene weekend getaways, now stands as a decaying relic. The wooden structure creaks with every gust of wind, and its dock, partially submerged, sways ominously over the murky depths.Local legends tell of eerie lights that dance across the lake at night, leading many to believe it’s a gateway to another realm. The boathouse is a gathering spot for the cult, used for clandestine meetings and eerie midnight rituals.
The Wiccan Sacrificial Circle
At the heart of the forest lies the Wiccan Sacrificial Circle, a clearing surrounded by ancient stones etched with runes. The ground here is barren, save for the occasional wildflower growing between cracks in the stone. The air is thick with an otherworldly energy, and those who enter often describe a chilling sense of being watched.The circle is the cult’s most sacred site, where their most powerful and sinister rituals are conducted. Offerings—both material and living—are made to appease the forest’s dark spirits, and the ground is stained with the remnants of past sacrifices. It’s a place where the line between the living and the dead blurs, and where even the bravest fear to tread.
The Shadewood Forest Cult
The Shadewood Forest Cult is a loose yet fearsome group made up of delinquent teens, young adults, and a mix of demihumans, demons, and humans who have rejected the norms of Pinehurst society. Drawn together by their shared love of chaos, hedonism, and the dark arts, the cult thrives in the lawless depths of Shadewood Forest.They view the forest as their sanctuary, a place where they can revel in their primal urges without judgment or interference. The cult’s rituals range from simple gatherings filled with music and intoxication to elaborate ceremonies involving sacrifices and invocations of ancient entities. Members are marked by their feral appearance—tattoos, scars, and eyes that seem to gleam with otherworldly light.Leaders of the cult, known as the Night Shepherds, wield dark magic drawn from the forest itself. They claim to have visions of a coming age where the boundaries between worlds will collapse, and they will rule over the chaos. Until then, they bide their time, growing their ranks and deepening their connection to the forest’s dark power.
Ending Note
Shadewood Forest is a place of both allure and dread, where the natural world and the supernatural collide, and where the whispers of the past merge with the shadows of the present. It stands as a stark reminder of Pinehurst’s hidden darkness—a realm where the rules of civilization fall away, and the wild, untamed forces of the universe reign supreme.