Stevie supplies the group with drinks while they tell their tales. I listen closely as Bert describes the area.

“The Western Wood is the northwestern section of a vast forest extending from the ocean on the west coast all the way to the Dragon’s Tail Range in the east. It stretches east to the Western Trade Road, following the route south to Noxport and north to Brookhaven. East of the trade road—out to the Dragon’s Tail and south to the southern wastes—are the Greater and Lesser Warrens.”
Bert points to the area on his hand-drawn map.

“What kind of forest are we talking about?” asks Julie.

“Ever seen an old growth forest?”

“I don’t think so.”

“Examples are the Great Smoky Mountains of Tennessee, or parts of the Appalachian range that runs from Alabama up to Newfoundland in Canada.”

“You mean like the redwoods in California?” asks Mac.

“Yeah, that’s another one. There are also places in the Cascades in the Pacific Northwest.”

“Okay, I have a better picture now.”

They discuss old-growth forests and how they differ from most of the woodlands found in America today. I build the Western Wood around Bert’s descriptions and populate the area with the flora and fauna the group would expect to find. The land of Adaran will feel as ancient as Bert imagines once they arrive.

“Questions?” asks Bert.

“Not yet,” says Yvonne. “I suspect I’ll have some when we get started.”

“I have one,” says Sandra. “Will our entire adventure be wilderness?”

“No. You’ll spend part of your time in a nearby town.”

“So, what’s that place like?” asks Chuck.

(to be continued)