The Forest

The Forest is one of the seven regions of Appalachia. It is the first region the Vault Dwellers explore after emerging from Vault 76.
==Background==
The Forest region of Appalachia is characterized by forests growing on rugged terrain, winding rivers, and diverse wild and plant life, providing scroungers with food and water.Fallout 76 loading screens: "The region surrounding Vault 76 was known as “the Forest” to the survivors of Appalachia. Still rich in plant and animal life, it is an ideal place to scrounge for food and water." The area is the location of several pre-War settlements including Charleston, Flatwoods and Point Pleasant, as well as landmarks such as Landview Lighthouse. Likewise, the area encompassing the region is mostly that of in and around , named for its river, the Kanawha River.Fallout 76 Vault Dweller's Survival Guide p.284: "REGION 1: THE FORESTMostly untouched by the ravages of nuclear fallout, the gigantic Appalachian forest area comprises the central, western, and northwestern parts of the map (mainly areas in and around Kanawha County). This area offers exceptional scavenging opportunities, remote places to hide out in or near, numerous strange settlements, and many towns, including Point Pleasant (to the west), Morgantown (northeast), Sutton and Helvetia (toward the center), Summersville (north of the large dry lake), and the capital itself, Charleston, which has almost been razed to the ground. Expect some lengthy explorations across the New Gorge Bridge and through the Kanawha Nuka-Cola Plant, battling Super Mutants at Wade Airport, losing your footing at Horizon's Rest...and that's just scratching the surface! Stay here if you want to scavenge more easily, in less inclement weather conditions, with enemies that are still a threat but usually won't cause you to flee in terror (especially if you have a friend or three along for the romp). Check the various Public Workshops for areas you can claim and mine the resources just a little more easily than elsewhere in Appalachia. And finally...did you see those glowing eyes staring at you from the woods? Beware the Mothman!"(Fallout 76 Vault Dweller's Survival Guide Atlas of Appalachia)
This region of Appalachia was less impacted by the Great War than others, but mutated plants and animals are still found in the area.Fallout 76 loading screens: "Although relatively untouched by the bombs, the Forest is still home to the mutated beasts that now roam the countryside. Survivors even reported finding mutated plants with unusual properties..." Vault 76 is located near the northern climbs of this undulating forest valley, which encompasses some rich farm and logging land.Fallout 76 Vault Dweller's Survival Guide p.285: "ZONE A: VAULT 76 AND FLATWOODSVault 76 is located near the northern climbs of this undulating forest valley, which encompasses some rich farm and logging land, as well as the river that leads to the town of Flatwoods (make this your first settlement to explore). You are in relative safety if you remain in this zone. There's plenty to scavenge, and there are odd and interesting locations to visit (including a landlocked lighthouse and many Bobbleheads and Magazines), as well as some secondary location points of interest that don’t show up on your map. Remember you can flee back to the Overseer's Camp or Vault 76 if you need workbenches or safety, respectively. Now get exploring; there’s people to see, places to visit, and a Flatwoods Monster to hunt!"(Fallout 76 Vault Dweller's Survival Guide Atlas of Appalachia) The area following the Ohio River, the western boundary of Appalachia (and the State of West Virginia), is mainly comprised of wooded and mountainous terrain. It is more remote and has fewer large settlements, with the exception of Point Pleasant. This is where a cult began its worship of Mothman.Fallout 76 Vault Dweller's Survival Guide p.294: "ZONE B: NORTHWEST FOREST AND POINT PLEASANTThis sliver of the Forest follows the winding Ohio River, the western boundary of Appalachia, and is mainly comprised of wooded and mountainous terrain. It is more remote and has fewer large settlements, with the exception of Point Pleasant, where a strange band of cultists have started to worship a possibly apocryphal shadow creation known as the Mothman. Thoroughly explore this wilderness, and you may find evidence of cultist totems built to honor this cryptid. Journey farther north to reach a disused lumber mill and scattered dwellings well off the beaten path. Elsewhere, there are small farms, cabins to ransack, and a large fairground with an adjacent dirt track, where all the fun of both the fair and resource gathering come together. That fun might be short-lived if you venture too close to the aptly named Deathclaw Island and aren't prepared to repel savagery!"(Fallout 76 Vault Dweller's Survival Guide Atlas of Appalachia) In the northern part of this region is the area that borders the Toxic Valley. This northeastern forest features both lower, more peaceful areas and toxic border areas (the boundary of which is Route 92).Fallout 76 Vault Dweller's Survival Guide p.304: "ZONE C: MORGANTOWN AND EASTERN FORESTThe northeastern part of The Forest comprises the lower, more manageable terrain stretching from the poisonous wastes of the Toxic Valley to the north (the boundary is Route 92), as well as all the waste to the outer reaches of Charleston. This zone is dominated by the large settlement of Morgantown, with its airport, school, warehouses, and even a Vault-Tec University, which seems to admit anybody these days. Trek farther south to discover a multitude of interesting places, from the hilltop chem complex of Arktos Pharma, to the gigantic green New River Gorge Bridge (a trek so long, you end up in another zone!). Don't miss visiting the town of Sutton, the hifalutin mansion at Bolton Greens, and the clifftop crash site of a passenger plane. Head east, and you can start the treacherous ascent to the mountains demarcating the Savage Divide—though you're wise to level up a few times (and travel via road for an easier ascent) first."(Fallout 76 Vault Dweller's Survival Guide Atlas of Appalachia) 
Part of the region surrounding Vault 76 cannot be nuked. Three sides of the Forest are surrounded by rivers, and the southwestern part features wooded terrain.Fallout 76 Vault Dweller's Survival Guide p.327: "ZONE D: SOUTHWEST FORESTThough The Forest is technically a gigantic island, its southwestern area features hilly wooded terrain across the central spine, with slopes toward the rivers on every side. It is in this zone that you'll explore the wonders of the large Nuka-Cola Plant and will learn the hard work it takes to keep an arable farm Public Workshop going. You will also discover the terrors of wandering around a Giant Teapot and a Creamery at night when Ghouls (or worse!) are prowling about. Take time to pay your respects at the local church on the western side of this zone (though the church and cemetery have seen an uptick in cultist activity before humans disappeared from the region). If you have a considerable amount of time to kill, investigate the colossal Poseidon Energy Plant, which dominates the southeastern part of this region. If you need an endless supply of Fusion Cores, want to stake a claim to a workshop in the biggest location in Appalachia, and want to restore power to part of the region, it's well worth the trip."(Fallout 76 Vault Dweller's Survival Guide Atlas of Appalachia) Following the Christmas Flood of December 25, 2082, Summersville Lake now lies almost completely dry, at its heart is the shanty settlement of "New Gad". After the flood (not including the damage from the bomb), the remains of Charleston went down the Kanawha River. Its remains are a flooded ruin; to the northwest is their Fire Department, and along the lake's southeast shores are opulent mansions.Fallout 76 Vault Dweller's Survival Guide p.335: "ZONE E: CHARLESTON AND SURROUNDINGSThough you should make time to explore the north lakeside community of Summersville, and the shanty dwellings scattered across the deceptively dry Summersville Lake, you'll probably spend most of your time surveying the damage the city of Charleston suffered after the dam broke, sending the contents of the Kanawha River rushing through town (and that’s not counting the bomb damage). The unscathed gleaming gold dome of the Capitol may fill you with hope, but the debris, collapsed tenement buildings, fallen skyscrapers, and ruined city blocks may put a damper on your thoughts of rebuilding: Better to sift through the debris for good quality junk (especially at the Landfill workshop), then trade it at the Fire Department, before finally investigating the cluster of imposing mansions on the lake's southeast shores. What secrets are contained within these once-opulent dwellings? Don't get lost in that hedge maze!"(Fallout 76 Vault Dweller's Survival Guide Atlas of Appalachia)
==Layout==
The Forest is in the center-west portion of the Appalachia map, to the north of the Ash Heap, south of the Toxic Valley and west of the Savage Divide. Locations within the region include:
Locations
==Quests/events==
==Quotes==
 
==Notes==
Prior to patch 1.7.8.8, legendary enemies couldn't spawn in the forest.
==Appearances==
The Forest appears only in Fallout 76.
==Gallery==
FO76 Magnificent Forest.png
Landscape-E3-Fallout76.png
Forest-E3-Fallout76.png
Fallout76 E3 Vault76.jpg
Plane-E3-Fallout76.png
WatchTower-E3-Fallout76.png
Vault76Exterior-Fallout76.png
F76 The Forest CA.jpg|Concept art
FO76 191020 Forest overview.png
FO76 Row row row your boat.png
The Forest DOI poster.png|Regional poster
FO76_01_welcome_to_west_virginia_001.jpg|Picture from the Fallout 76 guide
76 uprooted tree near Kanawha.png
==References==
 
de:Der Wald
es:El Bosque
fr:La Forêt
pt:A Floresta
ru:Лес
uk:Ліс
zh:原古森林