The Dead Forest

The Dead Forest If one were to keep walking north-west from Puerto Dorado, the lush green jungle suddenly gives way to gray, dead tree trunks. Where plants and fallen leaves covered the floor, there're now pits of sand between cracked earth. A dark, looming presence presses down on those who approach.

If one tries to cross the sand pits, rotten, humanoid hands reach out to grab them and drag them below. The sand crawlers turn the ground into quicksand beneath the feet of their victims, allowing them to drag their prey down more easily, where they drown and devour them. Only hands and arms ever break the sand's surface. The only safe way across is without touching the sand, either by building a bridge, flying across, or something similar.

Once safely crossed, one is now truly inside. Despite the bright Caribbean sun burning above, no warmth reaches the floor of the cursed forest. The cold air cralws into every crevice and seeps into one's very bones. Some days, thick mist obscures all sight. But between the dark remains of lifeless trees, there is movement. Glowing figures, like humanoids, wander around. These are the victims of the Dead Forest, restless spirits filled with anger at their death. These can be pirates, redcoats, natives, or anyone else who fell to the cursed place. They attack anyone in sight, condemning them to the same fate. The spirits, ghosts, or spectres can be destroyed by various means, including burning sage or throwing salt, salt water, or holy water.

If one has survived the spirits, a sweet scents beckons them, luring them towards a circle of dark green berry bushes. They are the only splash of colour in a landscape of greys and blacks. Creamy white flowers grow on the plants, their decadent scent luring hungry travelers closer to the shiny back berries. While consuming a single berry is dangerous, it isn't deadly. It causes dizziness, nausea, blurred vision, and stomach cramps.

Consuming two or more berries causes severe symptoms. Light becomes painfully bright, severe stomach cramps and headaches wreak havoc on one's body, while fatigue makes them unable to move. The victim's heart beats faster and faster with every passing moment, until it goes too fast and stops beating, causing death. The more berries consumed, the swifter it is.

Then, roughly in the middle of the Dead Forest, there's a crater that's roughly a hundred metres in diametre and with walls about five metres tall. One can safely slide in, but it's hard to climb out. The inside of the crater is empty and filled with grey dust, except for one thing. A pile of gold and treasure at least four metres tall lies at the middle, with a giant, metallic snake curled around it. The snake is usually asleep, content to rest upon the gold, gemstones, jewelry, and other shiny things it has collected over the centuries or received through offerings.

The snake, named Ferros the Silver-scaled, is roughly thirty five metres long, head to tail, with fangs that are two metres big. Its scales are so thick no blade or bullet appears to pierce it. It is also capable of spitting acid that burns through almost everything, up to ten metres away. The snake only returns to sleep if all enemies have been slayed, or it has received an acceptable offering.