Wild Magic and the Great Forest

When the denizens of the world refer to magic within the Great Forest, they call it Wild Magic. The abundance of magic energy that seeps into all things within that area creates wild and fantastical effects, especially in terms of plant and animal growth. Since The wild is considered by many to be a divine presence of nature itself, it is therefore fitting that the forces which control the great forest be called Wild Magic.

The effects of Wild Magic on the Great Forest are myriad. From the unrestricted growth of plant life to the mutation of forest creatures into monsters, Wild Magic is as chaotic as nature. Wild Magic also sustains the life of the forest and the people within it, and so, while also being the creator of chaos is also the sustainer of life.

## Wild Magic and Plant Life

The Great Forest is a massively over-grown, temperate, forest. The effects of Wild Magic on the forest are pervasive, causing trees to grow taller, shrubs to grow thicker, and moss to hang farther. The mutative effects of Wild Magic cause the trees to tower towards the sky, and in most areas, the canopy their thick branches and full leaves generates block the light of the sun and darkens the area underneath. The trunks of trees bend and spiral and many are tens of feet thick at the base. When wandering through the forest at dawn or dusk, it is very dark under the canopy and almost impossible to see. However, some plants in the forest are bioluminescent and give off soft glows of green and yellow light. The eye shine of forest creatures can be spotted peeking out from tree branches, and the flickering of fire flies mesmerizes in the darkness.

Most of the forest floor is actually relatively clear except for gnarled roots and the occasional shrub. The dark canopy of the trees blocks sun light to the forest floor, preventing growth. However, mosses and ferns that grow in low light still grow wildly, some so big that you could hide inside of them. Occasionally, The Wild creates hidden wonder, glowing flowers, arching tree trunks, and fantastic carpets of mossy ferns. Occasionally, it creates horrors with thorn vines carrying dagger sized thorns or carnivorous plants with gaping maws like monstrous fly traps.

Streams and rivers that run through the Great Forest are also full of magic. Some give off a sheen or even glow softly in the darkness.

In short, the effect of Wild Magic on the forest is to create a true, natural wonder.

## Wild Magic and Animal Life

The effects of Wild Magic on animal life in the forest is as varied as on the plant life. Many creatures in the forest are filled with magic energy and are fueled by it. It is not uncommon to see wondrous changes in common creatures. A fox with a blue coat my streak by. A giant firefly with a bulb the size of a fist may buzz past your head. Ants as big as your toes may be seen scattering up an enormous tree. Wolves may be faster. Bears may be bigger. The effects of Wild Magic on creatures in the forest is diverse, creative, and chaotic.

Animal life can also grow monstrous and even deadly to humans due to the effects of Wild Magic. Monstrous creatures prowl the forest. Wild boars have been reported to be taller than a man. Bears have been seen that walk upright with huge fangs that stretch like tusks. The teeth of such monsters are collected by the Tribesfolk, and they use them as badges of pride and fashion weapons out of them. The presence of such monsters prowling the woods make the entire area very dangerous. It is the purpose of the Rangers to hunt down such monsters and end them to protect the Tribes.

## Wild Magic and Humans

Wild Magic can have the same mutative effects on humans, and it often does. Druids serve to protect the Tribes from the mutative powers of The Wild, but they are not always successful. People who become possessed by Wild Magic often become feral. They wander into the forest and disappear. Their bodies have been known to mutate completely into half-man, half-beasts. They have been known to prowl the forest, hunting the Tribes, and this sad realty sits on the minds of the Tribes as their sons and daughters may become those monsters. One of the darkest and saddest jobs of the Rangers is to enter the forest and put down those that have become completely possessed by the Wild.

Wild Magic effects humans in different ways. While grotesquely mutating some, for others with bodies and minds capable of resisting some of the mutating changes, they only partially succumb to The Wild. These individuals may also wander into the forest, but they become inexorably connected to the Magic, almost as if called to it. Their bodies may also show signs of mutation, growing stronger musculature, fangs, fur, or claws. Some experience skin color changes to wild, chaotic colors of blue and orange. Those that enter the wood due to the change but who do not fully succumb and become monsters are known as the Wilders. They live in packs, drawn to each other by the attractiveness of the magic energy within them. No longer human, but not beasts, they maintain most of their humanity.

Still other humans who become possessed by The Wild have the make-up of magic users and overcome it. Typically, these are Bear Shamans. They may also grow small mutations like fangs or claws, but overall, they learn to harness Wild Magic and develop its mutative powers to become shapeshifters.

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--Neil (talk) 17:32, 25 October 2016 (AST)