Duskwood



D uskwood is a vast, gnarled woodland. This darkened forest is located in the south-central region of the continent of   Stormwind. It is south of the Elwynn Forest, east of Westfall , west of Deadwind Pass , and north of the Stranglethorn Vale. It borders two rivers, the  Nazferiti River and an unnamed river to the west.

Although this landscape is darkened, and seemingly gloomy: The landscape did not only appear this way. Only until a few years back did this decrepit taint loom over the woodland. Infact, this forest used to be as lush as it's northern counterpart, the Elwynn Forest.

Long abandoned by Stormwind, Duskwood is inhabited by a defiant people who still cling to their holdings in the face of overwhelming adversity. On all sides lurk dangerous creatures, from skeletal warriors and ghouls  to ferocious Nightbane Worgen  and, before the Cataclysm, some of the most powerful members of the Defias Brotherhood. The militia of Duskwood, known as the Night Watch Militia, patrol the main thoroughfare and protect Darkshire , wary of anything moving through the shadows.

The most prominent geographical feature of Duskwood is an ancient and long-dead volcano crater. The crater teems with life, and features one of the Great Trees  with a portal leading into the Emerald Dream. The sleeping druids'  influence can be seen on the surrounding land, which is cloaked in a twilight quite different from the rest of Duskwood. The woods also feature several abandoned farmsteads, as well as the prominent Raven Hill Cemetary, which holds the gr

aves of the numerous people who have been killed by wild beasts and undead since the darkness fell.

History
Duskwood was not always the way it appears now. Located in the southern reaches of the Kingdom of Stormwind, the southern part of Elwynn Forest was the location of two sizable towns, now called Darkshire  and Raven Hill , (Formerly known as Grand Hamlet and Sunny Glade ) before the area was overcome by shadow.

A night elf by the name of Velinde Starsong  came to the woods carrying the Scythe of Elune. Unknown events occurred and the Scythe found its way to the mine now known as Roland's Doom. What exactly happened to her after that is unclear, but it is likely she was killed by something that did not approve of her actions. The powerful weapon was later found by a man who was part of a team of men who had entered the mine looking for the source of its darkness. Jitters picked up the weapon, triggering its effect of summoning. The mine was immediately filled with Nightbane Pack worgen, who then proceeded to rip the men apart. Jitters escaped with the weapon, but was hunted by the worgen across the woods, which were steadily darkening with the scythe's released curse.

In an attempt to rid himself of their chase, Jitters disposed of the weapon nearby at the Yorgen Farmstead , whereupon he encountered the Black Riders  from Deadwind Pass. The riders slaughtered Sven Yorgen 's family in front of Jitters' eyes. The frightened man then escaped to Raven Hill. The darkness lingers in Duskwood, although it is unclear whether the Black Riders claimed the Scythe of Elune and took it with them back to Karazhan. Now the people huddle in, Darkshire , battling the undead and wolf men who inhabit the murky woods