The Forest of No Return (帰らずの森, Kaerazu no mori) is one of the most heavily enchanted regions of Lodoss. The forest lies just west of the official Alanian boarder, and thirty kilometers west of Alan itself. This magical forest stretches over a hundred kilometers north-south and is about thirty kilometers wide. If the forest were not so treacherous, it would make the fastest route between Alania and Valis.
As the name implies, the Forest of No Return is treacherous indeed. The forest is inhabited by the high elves and faerie-folk who have discovered the secrets of the forest and use its magical powers help ward away unwelcome visitors. Only high elves and faeries know the secret ways through the Forest of No Return, and only such a guide can safely usher travelers through.
There is nothing hostile within the Forest of No Return. The forest is a haven of nature, home to all sorts of peaceful animals, nature spirits, elves, and faeries. But the forest itself, being empty of harsh emotions, reacts strongly to such emotions. Travelers who do dare to venture into the forest should empty themselves of strong emotions such as fear, grief, anger, and surprise. If one does allow his emotions to come forth, the trees will react by creating an illusion. Grief stricken with the lose of a loved one, they may generate an illusion of that person. Negative emotions, such as hatred or greed can cause the trees to react violently, attacking with tendril vines which can entrap a victim forever.
The forest also drains people of their strength, as it drains out their aggressive feelings and motivation to fight. This applies to all races, other than elves, other fae-races (half-elves, grassrunners, centaurs, fairies), and animals.
Time also travels at a different rate in the Forest of No Return. It is difficult to say how time flows in the forest, it seems to be completely independent. Entering the forest, travelers can make it through in a day and find that a week has past in the outside world. On the other hand, a person might stay trapped in the forest for weeks, only to discover that a mere day has pass outside. Therefore, the time it takes to pass through the forest (assuming the traveler is not trapped forever) can take hours to days, to even weeks, and time outside will pass at a seemingly random or arbitrary rate.
The elven village of Talnora is well-hidden in the forest and sits at the base of the ancient tree. They live in treehouses that are at least a tree apart, giving each elf their own individual space. It is impossible for a human to enter Talnora without an elven guide, and they will be trapped outside, utterly unaware of the village's location.
Notes[]
- The first Lodoss RPG replay published in Comptiq magazine mentions a Moor of No Return (帰らずの湿原, kaerazu no shitsugen) and a Forest of Evil Spirits (魔の森, ma no mori). The magazine did not feature maps until several later editions. It seems the Moor of No Return eventually became the Great Marsh, and the "No Return" was used in the name of the Forest of No Return, which the Forest of Evil Spirits may have been a predecessor of.