Traitor's Wood
"Traitor's Wood is a sprawling, secluded forest on the edge of the Reach. Few venture beneath its gloomy boughs, and legend speaks of a king who sleeps under the barrow at the wood's heart."
Traitor's Wood is a vast and deep forest of Bronzewood that covers almost one-fifth of the the Reach. Summerset College has established an outpost here both for the bountiful Bronzewood, and to study the ruins.
The Wood Speaks
"A glade of emerald hue, nestled between a copse of silver trees that shiver and sigh like consumptives. The trees whisper as you pass. They lie in a dozen languages, only half known to you and your crew. The Discordance shivers beneath the boughs. Correspondence ignites wood that shrieks, as though not meant to speak it. Wood burns and breaks. "
The flora and fauna that lives in the wood have one notable difference than any other: most of them have voices, and are capable of speaking various kinds of language, English and Latin included. Some can even speak in both Correspondence and Discordance. Secrets can be heard from these inhabitant, but more often they lead you astray or even will attempt to murder you.
Ravenscourt & Stamford, a lumbering company and the official retailers of Summerset college, have established an outpost here to harvest the tall Bronzewood. Most of their workers believes in a superstitions that some of the tree that are felled by storms are struck down for the crime of mumbling.
The Regent's Grave
"Three figures, draped in scholar's robes, huddle around a campfire. They are arguing about kings. A banner in the colours of Summerset, London University's most respectable college, gleams in the firelight."
Three scholars from Summerset has established a camp here to study the heart of the forest, the Regent's Grave. Legend says that the grave is the resting place of a mysterious king, or other legendary figure. Unfortunately for the scholars there, their expedition funds have been mercilessly cut by Summerset for variable reasons. Among which is their incapability to cooperate and decide over who is actually buried there.
Each of the scholars have propose three different theories on the identity of the Regent that are buried in the Grave.
The Apostolic Theory
"We left the world behind, and the stars are going out. And, just after we arrive, we discover a tomb, hidden in an ancient wood. Sometimes, we must have faith."
The Apostolic Theory is the theory that are proposed by the Feckless Theologian. He believes that St John, the Evangelist, is buried in the Regent's Grave. His reasoning behind this theory is religious in nature: he believes that the Christ's favorite apostle will rise from the Grave to face the Antichrist at the "end of the world", which he considers what the High Wilderness is.
The Sumerian Theory
"The High Wilderness is Heaven. Not as the Church conceives it, but as the Sumerians did. A place of stars and chaos and impossible powers, in proximity to and affecting our own world, but far far removed."
The Sumerian Theory is the theory that are proposed by the Vituperative Classicist. She believes that the Sumerian Queen of Heaven, Inanna, is buried in the Regent's Grave. Her reasoning behind this theory is that the chaotic nature of the High Wilderness fits with the Sumerian interpretation of Heaven and according the myth, the Ancient Sumerian Goddess descent from heaven and was trapped in the underworld in search of her husband, Dumuzid.
The Carolingian Theory
"I do not forget that we are British. But is our Queen not of German parentage? Would not her ancestor look out for her – Europe's greatest monarch – as she embarks on her most significant endeavour?"
The Carolingian Theory is the theory that are proposed by the Dismal Paleographer. He believes that the 9th century Holy Roman Emperor, Charlemagne, is buried in the Regent's Grave. The reasoning behind this theory is it is said the unifier of Western Europe sleeps under a mountain and will rise to help his people in their hour of need. The Paleographer considers that "his people" also includes Queen Victoria, as her mother is of Germanic bloodline. Thus he believes that Charlemagne will rises to assist "Europe's greatest monarch" in ruling Albion and conquering the Reach.
