A Forest Dies

I've spent the day in Menag's cave listening to him telling me about the forest. It seems that over the past few months, the same time in fact since Yermej has come to my attention, there has been a steady decline in the health of the forest.

Menag first noticed it in the northern area of the forest. He told of a strange brimstone smell in the air some days, and an occasional drifting smog that contained a yellow tinge. Over the months, the trees to the north died off, and the poison moved deeper into the forest, until now it had killed off all but the most southerly edges. Menag even spoke of yellow rain on some days that caused the leaves and grasses to whither almost instantly.

We also spoke of the reappearance of the dreaded Goblins. Following the war of all peoples it was assumed that the Goblins were no longer a threat, and neither of us are sure of how they could have hidden away undetected for so long. Menag had seen plenty of Goblin attacks in the forest, and knew it was only time before they entered his home and took him.

I've offered him the chance to travel with me out of the forest and back to the relative safety of Kinrew. He has gone to sleep and to think about it.