Tepest

At the edge of Viktal lies a patch of forest that locals avoid—the Withered Grove. Once a thriving part of the woodland, this grove is now a twisted, decaying area. The trees are gnarled and blackened, with no leaves or life, as if the land itself has been cursed. The villagers whisper that this was where the first Tithe took place, the ground forever scarred by fey magic. Despite the fear surrounding the grove, desperate villagers sometimes visit, leaving small offerings in the hopes of diverting the fey’s attention from their families. Active NPCs/Events: Madis Whisperwind, a reclusive herbalist, can be found here collecting strange herbs for fey dealings, claiming the area still pulses with fey energy. Children speak of seeing shadows moving among the trees, and the air is thick with whispers that feel like the wind carries distant voices. Rumor: Locals say anyone who ventures too deep into the grove may hear the voice of those lost to the Tithe, calling out to be freed.

Twisted trees with gnarled roots and blackened trunks, devoid of leaves, surrounded by a thick mist under a dusky sky, with faint shadows flitting between the trunks.