Hofborg, Spirit Woods (Location)

User ID: @Mithril52

House: Moonsugar Meadow

Location Name: Spirit Woods

Brief Description: The mountain pass that leads to the town of Hofborg first passes through the Spirit Wood. While scouting for a location to make their home the town's founders were likely drawn the the magical and sacred nature of this special location. The ancient walls, stone carvings, and tremendous guardian tree speak to an earlier settlement, but its deeper history has been forgotten. A temple guard is stationed in the grove at all times to guide travelers through the grove and protect the inhabitants from poachers and lumberjacks. He will explain to any that no trees are to be cut, no animals to be killed and only limited wildcrafting is permitted.

Max Population: 24

Points of Interest

Clever Cave

File:Hofborgspiritwood-clevercage.png

Carved into a hillside is the opening to an obscure tunnel watched over by an ancient stone sentinel. Winding deep beneath the foothills of Thyrfjell [Spirit Mountain], the narrow tunnel opens into a surreal ravine surrounded by tranquil waters and soothing waterfalls. Here, living with nature, one will find a modest cottage and mystical shrines among which a Nord Skaal currently resides.

Moot Henge

File:Hofborgspiritwood-moothenge.png

Erected long ago by an unknown peoples, likely to serve as a sacred gathering space, the weathered henge stones stand beneath towering pines and birch, draped with a blanket of vines. Hoary stones painted with swirling symbols further encircle the hallowed amphitheater. It is here moots of import are often convened.

Sacred Pool

File:Hofborgspiritwood-sacredpool.png

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Guardian Spirt Tree

What is Home? Talk of what Home is - snow and fir forest is Home.
From the first moment they are ours.
Before anyone has told us that it is snow and fir forests.
They have a place in us, and since then they are there, always, always.
Come home. Go in there bending branches
Go on till you know what it means to belong.

File:Hofborgspiritwood-vardtree.png

The Vard tree in the center of the Spirit Wood is associated with the guardianship of the spirits as well as the luck of the community. The locals make offerings to it, asking blessings of it, and care for it as deeply as they would the most precious member of their community. The location of the Vard Tree is also assumed to be place of meeting between the gods, the spirits and humans. It's placement in the Spirit Wood outside of the temple and beside the Moot Henge is a clear indication of its spiritual importance. This particular tree is known as She who shades our sorrow.

Hammer Hall Entrance

File:Hofborgspiritwood-hammerhall.png

Heading along the old cobbled path within the Spirit Woods one will come to a weathered wooden gate along a stone wall guarded by the rock-hewn visage of Ysgramor. Here marks the path ascending into the foothills, leading onward towards the Warrior’s Respite, the meadhall of the Companions of the Hammer of Atmora.

Entrance to the Borg

File:Hofborgspiritwood-borgentrance.png

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