Out of all the hidden places in Azeroth, Feralas is truly the most wild. When you walk between the mountains of the twin colossi, you can catch a glimpse of the sun peeking over the wildflowers crowning their tops like halos - before looking ahead into the deep green of the forest.
The paths are old, but…somehow remain untouched. Grass seems to bend respectfully from it, vines find ways to loop over it without becoming distracting - thee forest seems to be doing it’s best to keep travelers on their way and out.
It has seen it’s fair share of action. Cities and civilizations that rose and fell, nations that vied for control of nature’s very forces - but once the lands were sundered, the wood was quick to secure its home. Roots ate through carven stone, and soaring canopies obscured their enemies’ sun.
And quietly, slowly, as all things do, they faded beneath the leaves.
Stray from the path friend, and you will find beauty unlike anything you have seen. The carefully cultivated orchards of Ashenvale, the arcana laced forests of Quel’Thalas - they are the visions of elves.
Here, the grass is soft and long. Here, the branches creak in the wind, letting it carry their words to their brethren. Here, the water is clear, and food is plentiful.
But be wary traveler. Take only what is given, for if you seek more, you shall be swallowed like everything else.
Only one place attempts to resist the advancing army of trunks and vines - Eldre’thalas. It sits defiant atop a forested mountain, standing like a stone against a tide of green. The ogres have long left, and all of the Shen’Dralar have left…or passed. It is a quiet place - but not a peaceful one. Walking through, the air seems…heavy. Tense. You don’t belong here - nothing does. The light that filters in through the grand square, unlike the warm glittering light in the forest, is cold. It seeks to strip you of everything, to lay you bare before the works of the old elves.
But even old magic fades. Roots and branches creep over the edge of the great walls - fingers ready to close a chapter on an old book.
Stay on the road, traveler, and if thee stray, take all that the forest giveth, and nothing more.
@Saithis,
For you, my friend.