A map showing the Forest of Arden.
The Forest of Arden spreads over the hinterland of Bretonnia and is a huge oak forest that extends up the slopes of the Grey Mountains. Because of this, it is often invaded by Orcs, Goblins and worse enemies descending from the higher peaks who pass into Bretonnia. In the depths of the forest they are able to hide and organise raids of the surrounding countryside. There are many marshes and lakes within the forest as well as dense thickets, making it difficult to track down the raiders when they are pursued.[1a]
Many vile creatures, huge monsters, Dragons and other savage beasts linger and breed here and so the forest attracts Bretonnian Knights Errant and Questing Knights eager to hunt them down, slay them, and thereby win honour. Most of these knights never return, while the remains of others are sometimes found centuries later, their rusting armour and bones scattered around the lair of some hideous beast, or glimpsed through the visor of a great helm, while swords lie embedded to the hilt in the bark of the great oaks that have grown around them.[1a][1b]
The Beastmen of this region claim that they grow larger and fiercer than others of their kind. There is truth to this boast, and it is certainly the case that the warherds of the forest contain a disproportionate number of Bestigors. The chronicles of Bretonnia recount many occasions when the warherds of the Forest of Arden have risen up from their dark abode and made war upon the surrounding lands.[1b]
It is at times like this that the knightly lords of Bretonnia must ride out to meet seething hordes swarming across their estates, only to see their finest warriors dragged from their mounts and ripped to pieces by clawed, screaming Beastmen. Many times, the Beastmen have defeated the Bretonnian armies in the field, forcing their foes to retreat to the temporary safety of their mighty castles. Even then, they are not safe. The Bray-Shamans call forth the largest beasts of the woods -- the berserker Ghorgons, lumbering Cygors or rank forest-shamblers -- to assail the fortress.[1b]
The Beastlord Morghur the Shadowgave's lair lies deep within a cave near the Forest of Arden.[2b]