12.14 The forests and woods of Avalon.

There are many forests around Avalon, a little more than a dozen of which possess what can only be classed as an independent, individualised consciousness. The greater the size of the forest, the more potent the consciousness; and the relationship between the forest and individuals (such as druids and rangers) lies at the core of sylvan lore and animism - their most specialist, powerful of skillsets. Affinity (or antipathy) of each forest is not limited to those with animism and sylvan lore. All actions, all events, all occurrences within the confines of the woodland perimeter are watched by the forest consciousness, and remembered indefinitely.

What you do within the forest, whether directly for/against it or in your interactions with other creatures or Avalonians - almost everything is used to define the opinion or "affinity" of woodland consciousness towards you. If your actions are of benefit to the forests, its creatures and its friends, then you will find you gain an affinity. If, conversely, they are detrimental then you will build its antipathy. The masters of the sylvan lore and animism are able to harness this affinity or antipathy according to their will but the forests are also able to act autonomously... little is known of its powers save that they manifest only rarely but with enormous effect.

The most ancient woodlands, as separate entities, are the Chetwood, Bedillam and G'harran. The largest is the Greenwood, followed by the Abbotswood and the Northern Greenwood. The Dark Forest, the Grey Forest, the Angelwood, the Whispering Wood, the Ash Forest and Springdale's Black Forest make up the remainder of the larger woodland consciousnesses. There are others, smaller or more remote, but these are known only to those of a more specialist background.

Those of the druid and ranger profession may be interested in HELP TENDING, and latterly HELP FALCONRY or HELP ORNITHOLOGY, then HELP ANIMISM and HELP SYLVAN. These various helpfiles details the diverse relationship twixt these guilds and the forests of Avalon.

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