[Canyon]
See also: Lake of Regret | Lake of Sorrow | Silver Forest | Chakka-Kandr | Escarpment
The Trail of Tears is a desolate canyon through the Escarpment. Ages past, during the Racewars, the majority of the surviving Elves, and many Dwarves, fled through this canyon while a small group fought to hold the Teshian armies between the Lake of Sorrow and the Lake of Regret. Hundreds died of thirst and hunger on the trek through the canyon. The survivors were forced to leave the fallen where they lay. Finally, those who were left reached the cool safety of the Silver Forest. Years afterwards, the Elves and Dwarves returned to the Trail to bury their fallen.
Tombs and crypts dot the walls of the Trail, most for the Dwarves, though there are a few for the Elves. Ash and oak trees can also be found here and there, near springs brought forth by Corellon's grief, or created through the genius of Dwarven engineering. The Dwarves guard the walls of the trail, while the Elves patrol the canyon floor heavily, ensuring that no one ever again threatens their people beyond. Non-Elven travellers are escorted back to the Corinian Forest, unless they are known and welcome guests.
Witch's Forest, Azza's Green [Forest]
Once a small forest growing in Aldakar and home to the centuries-old witch Azza Nickneven, Witchwood was a quiet place frequented by travelers and avoided by the locals. The forest is untouched by woodsman's axe, save with the Witch's permission (rarely given). Most people avoid the place, unless they have business with the Witch.
Some years ago, Tizorn Jek visited the forest, killed the witch, and then burnt it down save for a small copse protected by a dryad. No one knows why Jek slew Azza yet left the Dryad alive. Legends abound that a great wall of thorns is slowly rising from the forest ashes.
Copyright 2000-2001 by Guardian.