Deity Inspiration: God of Fire

The region known as Cormanthor lies south of the Moonsea and north of the Dalelands.

Depending on pronunciation, Cormanthor can mean "The King's Vow Forest", "Ruler of the Forest True" or "Place of Great Promise" in Elvish. It is also known as the Elven Woods or the Northern Forest.

Meanwhile, the drow saw a chance to lay claim to vast swaths of the surface. They moved into the forests of Cormanthor, both to raid and to seize the mythals in Myth Drannor. They were never able to control the city, though they became a major presence elsewhere.

Finally, an Elven Crusade returned to Faerûn from Evermeet to reclaim Myth Drannor. In their success, Ilsevele became the new coronal and began to restore the city. Over the next century, Myth Drannor became a flourishing city once more, with many of its ancient artefacts recovered. The Crusade also fought off the drow, defeating their primary leader: House Dlardrageth.

The Drow that stayed in Cormanthor lost much of their direction at the death of their god, Vhaeraun, died in the 1370s DR.

The woodlands that stretch from the Moonsea to the Desertmouth Mountains vary in their make up. Upon the edges of the forest, you will find the Rimwood, known as Srinār in Elvish. Blueridge and needleleaf pines scatter across the outer reaches of Cormanthor. In the sandy soil of the Rimwood, these only grow about twenty feet tall. The pines drop needles on the forest floor, where only softwood ferms peak through.

Deeper into the forests, you will find the Midwood, known as Aegār in Elvish. In the region that is called "Shadowdale" is part of the Midwood, though on maps it will be marked as part of the Dalelands. Along the Tarkhen Hills and into the forest proper, you will find chestnuts and red maples. Some of the weirder vegetation you will come across include: beetle plam, foxberry and roseneedle pine.

At the heart of these woods, grows the Starwood, also known as Neiār. Giant oaks and maples loom large in these woods. Some oaks grow as large as 400 feet tall. The soil is rich and dark, with wildfire growing thick and prosperous. It isn't easy to trek through these woods, nor to keep your way without a guide. It should not be underestimated, either, the variety of wood you will find across the vast forests. In the woodlands that stretch into Mistledale, you will find spruce and hemlock trees, but other places with the Starwood are home to cedars, maples, and firs.

Beware, as you travel through the Starwood, of the various animals you might come across. Not all are friendly.

Manticore, dire wolves, and emerald constrictors stalk these woods. You are also likely to find an abundance of animals to hunt: deer, elk, finches and wood rats are all found here. Interesting flore such as medquat, chime oak, hinnies, and zebra grass also grow in the Starwood.

Unlike many of the other Elven community in Cormanthor, Semberholme has continued to thrive, though many of its settlements were abandoned in the Retreat. It has a large mix of human and half-elven residents due to its close promixity to major trade routes. For this reason, many elves choose to stay, some becoming citizens of Deepingdale.

A network of limestone caves connect the forest, forming secret passages and hideaways. These caves are used to store supplies and travel without discovery when Semberholme is threatened. Aquatic elves dwell within these caves and the Sember Lake to which they are connected.

While Cormanthor compases much of the forests in this area, there are plenty of smaller woods nearby.

These are: Border Forest, Dagger Wood, Spiderhaunt Woods, Archwood, Yevenwood, and Velarswood.

Border Forest

To the north of the Desertmount Mountains, on the far side of the River Tesh, lays the Border Forest. A mixture of oak and pines grow in this area. Its abundant undergrowth makes travel difficult. It is inhabited by wolves, orcs, trolls, and fey. Members of the Eldreth Veluuthra have been known to reside here.

Dagger Wood

A land of wild ridges. Steep cart tracks link overgrown farms. It lies northwest of Shadowdale, along the River Ashaba,. Even further northwest, you will find Daggerdale proper.

Spiderhaunt Woods

Found to the west of the Tethyamar Trail. These woods have earned their name. A large population of spiders dwells within its trees. Many spellcasters and cunning traders travel to this place to collect supplies. Only one settlement can be found here: Stormpenhauder, a village of forest gnomes. Lake Melishar, at the heart of the forest, provides fresh water to the region.

Archwood

This is a dense forest will a thick canopy casting the undergrowth in entire gloom. Oak, ash, elm, shadowtop and duskwoods all grow here. Long ago, elves has a school of wizardry here, though it has long since fallen into ruin.

Yevenwood

Also known as Battlewood, Satyr's Run, Forester's Freehold, and Wood of Many Names. It has an abundance of relshar mushrooms.

Velarswood

Located with Harrowdale, these woods may be claimed by the Harrans but they are not solely ruled by them. To the north of the forest rises the Shadetop Glade, a temple to Eilistraee. Drow and elves alike worhsip here. They were not aligned with the drow who revere Vhaeraun.