The Baleful woods: a place where no one sets foot, where kids are taught to avoid like the plague; but why?

Well, a long time ago the woods were considered the biggest empire in the southwest, with a species known as the Baelifs being its inhabitants. They were peaceful diplomats, keeping ties with the humans and the avians and in turn keeping the three peoples in peace, and together, no enemy could defeat them.

The Baelif woods stretched far, each being a home to a family. On each branch hung beautiful lanterns that shined a golden light. At night, fireflies flew, leaving an ever gentle light at all times of day. At the center lay a magnificent tree, belonging and shared by the rich and noble, it housed a multitude of books, scrolls, and other history that the Baelifs clutched onto; to them history was sacred and every moment was special. The tree was also home to small fountain-like artifact that allowed the user to look into the past and relive it as if they were there. Many visited the empire, and the natives were inviting to all, often welcoming the lost or homeless strangers to a bed or meal. The people had bountiful food and everyone was satisfied and at peace.

But as the years went on, tensions grew between the avians and humans, resources plummeted during a long drought, and crops fell victim to disease, leaving the three peoples to rely on each other’s strengths to get by. The avians provided food, and in turn, the humans kept up with the crop growing water supply, but the woodland diplomats suffered greatly, only being able to grow little food, and often relying on the generosity of the sister tribes.

Things got worse every passing minute, when one day, without warning, they were attacked. Unknown invaders slaughtered almost every Baelif, leaving very few who went into hiding. All the writings, homes, and memories were destroyed leaving only normal trees intact.

The avians and humans were devastated at the loss of their ally, and each who tried to fight back were killed without hesitation by the monsters. They lost all who visited the woods. Eventually the avians moved up into the mountains, and the humans built a series of gates and walls to protect their low-sitting city.

Time passed, and while no one would return from the woods, the creatures who took it over would never set foot outside the shadow border. Generation after generation learned to fear the woods and never venture into them, but little know the truth of its past or what happened to the lost people.

To this day, tensions are high. The only thing keeping the other from declaring war is their dependence on the other resource. But the line is thinning, and it's only a matter of time until it snaps...