Unapproachable East.pdf - The Forgotten Realms

Illustration by Vince Locke
Another notable feature is the Red Tree, a large aspen with
about half its leaves turning colors as if it were autumn. The
spirits of two Witches—Imsha (LN female telthor human
Sor4/Clr3/Hth1 of Chauntea) and Tamlith (LN female
telthor human Sor3/Clr4/Hth1 of Mystra)—are tied to the
tree and give advice to other Witches who visit them. The spirits
dislike idle chatter and only speak of important things, particularly
involving the safety of Rashemen.
In addition to the spirits described above, many telthors and
thomils inhabit the vale and vigorously defend it from aggressors.
The Witches are on good terms with the spirits and
elementals, and can sometimes convince telthors to undertake
short missions outside of the vale but within the spirit creatures’
safe distance.
Urlingwood
This forest north of the Sunrise Mountains is dense and wild.
It could be considered the mystical heart of Rashemen, for the
Witches hold their most secret meetings in this place and
allow no person to enter who is not part of their sisterhood.
The penalty for violating this prohibition is death, and the
Witches are not lenient to anyone, even first offenders, the
lost, or the ignorant. Because of this extreme law, warriors and
scouts of the Iron Lord patrol the perimeter of the forest to
warn away those who might brave its dangers. The Witches
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are not cruel; after questioning (not torturing) violators, they
put them to death in a quick and humane manner (often using
sleep spells or drugs first). They confiscate any property and
then take the bodies to the edge of the forest for disposal by
the perimeter guardians.
Normally, the Witches do not have to slay intruders themselves.
All the native telthors are absolutely loyal to the
hathrans and either attack those who cannot prove themselves
to be Witches or inform larger telthors or the hathrans about
them. In the cold season, the telthors are aided by orglashes.
Large sections of the forest are warded by alarm spells enhanced
by circle magic, and particularly secret areas are
guarded with dangerous glyphs, similarly enhanced.
In addition to their private councils, the Witches come here
to commune with the guardians of the land, make offerings,
bind and control excessively hostile spirits, and brew the
famous Rashemi firewine. In meetings, they discuss happenings
within Rashemen, receive reports from hathrans returning
from abroad, use scrying magic on the Red Wizards,
and plan for the needs of the people in the upcoming season.
Young ethrans who have come of age are ordained within the
Urlingwood before taking their first journey outside of Rashemen,
and young men who are to join the Old Ones are brought
here to receive the blessing of the spirits before going into isolation
in the Running Rocks. When not in council or traveling,
most of the Witches live in the nearby town of Urling.