The Lost Forest

A mist-covered forest located at the southern end of the Kingdom of Ithaka, surrounding the Academy of Magic.

ever king academy of villains dark fantasy books

General Information

Type

Forest

Located in

Appearances

Overview

The Lost Forest is a dense woodland that borders the Academy of Magic in southern Ithaka. It is known for its perpetual mist, which reduces visibility and creates disorientation for those who enter. The forest’s trees are said to shift positions, preventing travelers from using them as landmarks. There are reports of individuals experiencing time distortion, where some believe they have only been inside for minutes but reemerge days later. Due to these unpredictable conditions, it is recommended that travelers stay on the marked paths to avoid getting lost.

Geography & Landscape

The Lost Forest is a dense, mist-covered woodland located in southern Ithaka, surrounding the Academy of Magic. Its terrain is uneven, with twisting roots, moss-covered rocks, and small, hidden clearings that shift unpredictably. The forest floor is rich with rare magical plants, thriving due to the land’s unique magical properties, making it an ideal environment for alchemical ingredients and enchanted flora.

Towering trees dominate the landscape, their branches forming a dense canopy that blocks most sunlight. Some trees are rumored to be sentient, subtly shifting positions when unobserved. Glowing fungi and bioluminescent vines can be found in deeper areas, casting an eerie light through the mist.

The forest is home to various mythical creatures. It is said that the deeper one ventures, the more likely they are to encounter guardian spirits or ancient beings tied to the land’s magic. While some creatures are harmless or even protective, others are known to lure travelers off the paths, leading them deeper into the shifting woods, where time and reality distort unpredictably.

Trivia

  • The Lost Forest was inspired by Circe’s wood in Greek mythology, a mystical forest located on the island of Aeaea. In myths, Circe’s domain was known for its illusions, enchantments, and time distortions, where travelers who entered often became lost, trapped, or transformed by magic. The forest surrounding her home was said to confuse intruders, alter their perception of time, and lead them astray, similar to how the Lost Forest disorients those who wander from the paths.
  • In Greek mythology dryads were nature spirits connected to trees and forests, often known for their playful and sometimes mischievous behavior. They could merge with trees, guiding or misleading travelers through enchanted woods. In Academy of Villains, the Lost Forest shares a similar mystique, with trees that appear to move and paths that shift unpredictably. Some mages speculate that these moving trees are dryads inhabiting the forest.