unyasi [Lore] The Brakenweald

[RarityDash]

The Brakenweald - The Unexplored Wood of Mysteries

 

The sprawling rainforest known as the Brakenwald is one of the most noteworthy of Unyasi's features, but also one that remains the most enigmatic. All who have attempted to map out the depths of the dark, overgrown wood have either been forced to turn back or vanished without a trace. As such, details pertaining to all of what the dense wood contains remain incredibly scarce, leaving the experts only to guess at what might be found at the heart of it. Due to the inherent mystery of the unexplored wood, it has come to be quite popular for the most ambitious of would be adventurers.

 

The Brakenweald extends across the entirety of the northeastern areas of the Unyasian continent. The wood is largely isolated from the rest of the continent--mountains, hills and rivers separating it from the Veld to the east and the Amani region to the south. The region itself seems from overhead to be fairly uniformly covered in very dense, thick rainforest. The tree density is said to be greater even then the thickest parts of the larger Everfree Forest in Equestria, making the wood close to impassable. Many purport that the wood has similar magical qualities to the Everfree and in fact is home to a comparable number of dangerous and unusual creatures; all experts agree that countless undiscovered species can invariably be found in the depths.

 

The zebras both respect and fear the wood immensely and seldom elect to venture very deep into it. As the Brakenweald contains a number of very valuable plants and herbs, zebra mystics and potion makers do make regular excursions into the more navigable stretches on the outskirts of the wood to collect ingredients. Additionally, the unique forest city of Mti Nguvu-a very significant city in the culture of the zebras--can be found at the westernmost point in the wood, nestled in the mountains. Virtually no zebras are known to permanently reside elsewhere within the wood.

 

The Brakenweald is thought to have once supported great zebra tribes, which were perhaps lost as the forest grew denser and less hospitable with time. Unusual ruins have been confirmed to exist somewhere within its vast depths, though little from them has been recovered. Legends of one particular site, known as El Coltrado--among other names--are particularly prevalent. This "lost city of gold" comprised of beautiful golden temples and pyramids is said to be lost somewhere in the wood, though no attempts to locate it and unearth its riches have proven successful. These legends help make the Brakenweald irresistible for adventure loving ponies, the forest having even inspired popular fiction such as the well known Daring Do novel series.

~Unyasi and its Mysteries: A Pony's Guide