The Emerald Forest

One of the old mining tunnels the Nomads used, this wellspring was left with tools, carts and even a worn mining track is still visible a few meters into the tunnel from the entrance. The tunnel is dark for Nomads, but wolves can see through easily, being mindful that this tunnel is still visited by the Nomads. The tunnel is usually avoided during the warm seasons when Earth breakers come and go with gleaming stones. Seven has decreed the location an unsafe area and forbids wolves to venture here when Earth breakers are near. The tunnle cuts into a fork deep within the mountain and opens into a central cavern that connects the East wellspring.

Still spotting a few Nomad campsites, the East Wellspring is still considered the main entrance into the mountain caves below. Tools and old benches spot the open area before the entrance. A carved path leads into the caverns within. Along the walls, it seems that some objects have been left dangling that some Nomads seem to admire. Wolves might not know, the tunnel is like a museum of sorts. The path itself seems to sink in the middle, likely from a large wheel traveling the tunnels. Nomads will camp here on occasion and leave with sacks of heavy stones.
Fauna: Rodents, mountain goat, bobcat

The Frozen Pond is a hole that was previously dug by Nomads during the Gold Rush to keep fresh water closer to those who camped on the river. The pond shines in sunshine and is left to be know for its shining stones deep beneath the surface. Because of the ponds depth, Nomads couldn't mine the water as easily as the banks of the river. Nomads may be seen swimming in the pond or digging on her banks for shining rocks. The animal life, especially the old Lynx that treks here tends to keep most Nomads away before slinking back into the Forest. Seven knows this lynx and calls him friend to the pack.
Fauna: Hares, coyotes, trout, mountain goat, lynx

Surrounding the Wellsprings and the North Star den is a vast forest leaning on slopes that rise up into the mountains. Frost Riders scream and shout down these slopes on wooden contraptions led by dogs during the winter months. During Cinder Season, the slopes are barren red dirt and weeds and scattered patches of grass. The pines provide plenty of shade and cover from sunlight so the temperatures here are lower than other areas of the pack territory.

To cross the river, Nomads built a wooden bridge to cross into the wood beyond. This bridge was built with sturdy oak hence the reason it has survived throughout the Gold Rush and beyond. Poles dogging deep into the earth keep her stead though the bridge itself dips low to the river after a storm destroyed the middle column years before. Nomad rode horses and bikes across this bridge in current day, though tracks on the bridge indicates wagons had crossed too in the earlier years of the Rush. The bridge is dangerous during the rainy seasons when the water of the river rises and fills the dip with rushing, white water.

A series of rising cliffs, Grizzly Flats earns it's name for the Grizzlies who trek this area and slumber in the Old Dig during the Winter. The path that leads the wolves to the Emerald Moon is a dangerous one, but Seven has chosen this place for it's challenging trek when Rogues attempt to spy on the pack. Newcomers and pups are accompanied by a member of the pack during this trek up the Flats to avoid encounters with the grizzlies who trek here as well. Trees provide decent cover. During the rainy seasons this area can be treacherous and a hazard for mud slides.

In the early years, the ancestors camped at the Old Dig before a meeting at Emerald Moon to rest from their journey up the cliffs. When Seven returned from captivity, the cave had been taken by a Grizzly family. Seven has left the bears to their devices on the agreement that she lead her pack on a track away from the cave itself. Hence, the zigzag route was decided. When the bears hibernate, Seven sees to it to leave the bears be but the zigzag path is loosened during the cold times.

Nestled at the top of Grizzly Flats, the Emerald Moon is a meeting place Seven had chosen for the pack just as the previous packs did before her. It is a clearing before a old pine believed to be one of the biggest in the Emerald Forest. The circle rises slightly to meet the tree. Small water carved streams provide the landscape some depth but what provides the wolves with a sense of height are the large tree roots and logs from trees long weathered over the years that seem to provide seats for the pack; handy in times when the rains come. An arched root rests just in front of the tree where Harbingers of old have rested and where Seven takes her place in the current generation.

Creaking Woods is a woodland at the base of Grizzly Flats and surrounds Nomad Territories and Earth Tender Fields. A less dense part of the Emerald Forest, Creaking Woods is known for the old trees growing here. When all sounds are silent, it seems the trees give warning to all nearby that Skinners roam the woods during the Harvest Season. Nomads travel through this wood on horseback and on foot down the trails and rest often at Moose Creek. Domestic dogs on sleds also travel through here and head for the Wellsprings when the river is frozen.

Moose Creek spans from Creaking woods to southeast between Nomad Territories and Seekers Lure. Part of the creak spill into one of the many pools of The Jaw. The creek flows fresh water from the river. Various species of trout can be fished from Moose Creek and serves as a food source during the winter season when larger prey have moved south for the Winter. Nomads may be seen fishing here during the Spring and Summer seasons. The bears of Grizzly Flats also fish here regularly though they keep closer to the river. During the Migration seasons, the pack will choose the lowest points of the creek to cross safely with their pups. No crossing remains in the same spot, so the pack will need to be mindful when they cross.

An old tale tells of Earth Tenders transforming into monstrous creatures they call Skinners who spit metal balls from their mouths when the pack is forced to hunt here during sparse counts of prey in the Fall and Winter seasons. The dwelling is where the Earth Tenders live and sometimes tend to their fields of produce. Not just wolves need to be careful in this region. The Earth Tenders will gather here in the Harvest Season before their comb Creaking Woods for prey. Seven instructs yearlings to visit this place with an adult to learn the dangers of this place. She would only hunt here if the pack felt desperate enough to dare a hunt here.

Beyond Seekers Lure just before Creaking Woods lays open fields of livestock and wheat. The Earth Tenders pick the wheat each year in Harvest Season and the fields are sparse barren during the winter season, making the hunt a challenge for any who venture here. In the spring, the fields are lively with newborn calves. The pack will hunt here when large herds of prey stop here for nourishments from wheat and grasses that grew in the Spring before the Earth Tender works the field barren for a new Wheat harvest. The livestock pen is near the edge of this field close to Seekers' Lure, making is a hazardous hunting ground.

In the southmost part of the Emerald Forest lies the village where Nomads lived. Horses and Wagon trains came and went from the village. Lights, laughter and music filter from this lively place. At night, the streets grow quiet in the later hours. The village can sometimes have food. When the heavy cold sets in, some of the villagers leave to other places, leaving much of the town deserted in Frost season. Animals may find their way into this place for shelter and food left by the Nomads. In the other seasons, this place is lively especially with Nomad pups playing on the outskirts of the village.

The jaw is an old path that was once used by Burrows during the Gold Rush. The road dipped and carved what the jaw is today. It is not fit to be a dirking source. The water that collects here is from rain or snow turned to mush in Root season and a dry hole in Cinder season. The remnants of a wheel protrude from one of these holes, rotting and aged with time. When it is dry here, rabbits like to make their burrows here. an Elk my stray here for the vegetation. Despite the wildlife here, Nomads still venture through here on Talu to see the rotting Burrows and signs of their comings here. Caution should be taken here, especially during Harvest season when Skinners make this place their den.

A train of old, ended wagons were left here near the end of the Gold Rush. The wood has eroded smooth over the years. Weeds and foliage snake around the wheels. Old jars and tools are still lain about inside some of the barrows. The white fabric covering the wagons are torn from animals playing in the wagon beds. Nomads visit and camp here during Cinder and Root season.

A deep ravine separates a secluded cliffside at the south western part of the Emerald Forest. The Tear is not directly part of the Rising Packs Territory. A nomad bridge long eroded and split in two stills hangs from both cliffsides. An animal trail takes a traveler into the earth and into a small ravine where Rogues have made their home. It is at the Tear that members of Rising Spirits pack must exercise caution. Seven has forbid Novice members from venturing here for their own safety. Meanwhile, Rogues haven't venture often outside the confines of the Ravine. A wolf by the name of Valentine leads the Rogues.