Within a seemingly misplaced forest of old oak and elm west of the central desert is located a glade containing the ruins of a tower forgotten by the civilised world. Constructed from blackened stone and failing spellwork, the tower originally served as the research site of a now long-dead wizard who attempted to combine and enhance the natural capability of various flora and fauna from across the discovered world.The current residents, a somewhat isolationist circle of druids who, perhaps unimaginatively, refer to themselves as 'The Circle of Blackstone', claim to originate from several research assistants who became appalled by the methods of experimentation employed by the towers' wizard. Such methods apparently include infecting subjects, and in one instance, a fellow researcher with alchemically treated spores found in a cave system to the west of the forest reportedly near the north-western coast.
What exactly became of the wizard is unknown and considered a taboo subject by the druid circle members. In modern times, the descendants of the rebellious researchers, along with chosen willing travellers, and passing locals, now populate the glade. Such races primarily include a number of trolls, fey, and a large number of beastfolk.