Spear Peak

Legends

Legends of the Totenwald (Dead Forest)

The Tale of the Totenwald

In days gone by when a great war raged in these parts certain men came to these parts. Great and Holy, wielding mighty powers, bright Marlocius, shining Demetrius and hard Armaius, strode to battle, a hundred faithful followers at their back. They came to make war upon a user of Dark Magics, who dwelt within the dim forest, with only dire wolves and other fell creatures as his companions.

The Great Men, dressed in the armour of God, called down the fire and lightning of heaven. The Warlock raised the forest itself against them. Trees walked, the ground moved, and terrible creatures of horrible mien emerged. Giant Slugs, many-headed lizards which could not die, Cockatrice and black deer with the heads of cats assaulted the Companions and their followers.

Arrayed with Golden swords and Silver armour, these Hundred strove against the creatures, sometimes winning the day, at other times being repulsed. For seven summers did they assault the forest, and for seven winters the evil one repelled them. Bright Marlocius was cruelly wounded and forced to retire. Shining Demetrius was slain by a wolf just as the fires he wielded killed the last of the many-headed lizards. Hard Armaius resisted every assault that came against him, forcing the darkness ever back towards the heart of the forest. Falling trees could not harm him, and the slime of the great Slugs could not deter him, as ever onward he came, and with him came the last of the Silver armoured folk.

Finally did the Warlock despair, for the victory belonged to Armaius and his folk. At the last, pinned at bay in his lair, the Warlock brought down a great Curse on all living things around him, swearing that nothing should live where he could not. Against the force of this dying Curse not even Armaius, weakened as he was after so long a battle, could stand. With his last, as all life around him perished, he commanded his followers to bear him away so that he may be buried on holy ground where flowers could grow on his grave.

So great was the devastating force that few managed to escape the forest, which died behind them as they left. Even to this day no life grows there, no beasts roam across the barren ground and no birds sing among the barren branches. All avoid it, as do right-thinking men, knowing that to enter is to tempt destruction.


Ars Magica and many related terms are Copyright Trident Inc. Order of Hermes and Tremere are Copyright White Wolf Inc. Unless otherwise indicated all other material is property of Eric Grove-Stephensen, Richard Slattery, Dean Scothern and Robin Leah. Permission is given to copy it for non-profit purposes as long as due credit is given.


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