Some small mention of these unusual structures has been made from time to time in discussing the Great Forest, but we have yet to delve into them to any detail.

As previously discussed the Hydenimoi is alive as few forests can claim to be, so heavily choked with life that the actual geography of the forest itself can change overnight, even the trees may move. The sole exception... and this is to include the fabled 'city' of the Siti Elves deep inside the forest... are scattered, rare, ancient mounds that seem to be immune to strange geography of the forest, remaining forever bare of all but low grass.

The origins of one such permanent clearing/barrow mound is recorded, being the site where the Yih Siashi was activated long ago, though there is some evidence that the site was already one such clearing before being co-opted.

A second barrow is known to have been excavated, near the southern edge of the forest by men some six centuries ago.  Aside from providing a rather unique Codex covering the Underworld, much was learned from the excavation, though how much was lost in the crude techniques of the early explorers and treasure hunters can not be known.

Interestingly, the ancient reports of this excavated barrow show that non of the 'intelligent', or as some would say 'Soulled Dead' could be found in the barrow, which is a terrible loss to those seeking to understand the secrets of the ancients.  This is most unusual as burial is now understood to be a singlurly difficult way to enter the underworld after death. The barrow was guarded by ancient, obscure curses and simple, often broken traps.  

Only a handful of artifacts can be authoritatively placed within that Barrow, and resemble nothing so much as ordinary, mundane grave goods of gold, silver and other simple wealth.  The most pertinant clue they provide is that they resemble no known artifacts in form and decoration.  It may be authoritatively stated that they are not of Titanic origin, for example, though all evidence suggests they are at least that old, if not older.

Of the occupants what can truly be said?  Those ancient excavators paid too little attention to the bones, excepting only the fantastic beast of burden which carried the Codex, which was eventually given a new skin and stuffing in an attempt to see what it would have looked like in life.  It has been suggested that the ancient taxidermist was a fantasist as it appears as nothing so much as a massive walking table.  

However, we at least have some simple sketches and crude verbal depictions of the owner of the barrow itself, cold comfort when faced with the real probability that the barrow was a unique slice of antiquity unlike it's fellows... and the equally real probability that no new barrows will be excavated during our lives.

The occupant was not human, certainly. Taller and thinner of bone, with unusual formations suggesting a truly alien species, marked by horned and spines of bone and a generally predatory aspect.

It does suggest that there is a wealth of unknown history that predates the Titanic era.

Quote from: Spike;311527However, we at least have some simple sketches and crude verbal depictions of the owner of the barrow itself, cold comfort when faced with the real probability that the barrow was a unique slice of antiquity unlike it's fellows... and the equally real probability that no new barrows will be excavated during our lives.

Why not?  Is that meant to be an adventure hook, because it seems like something most characters would want to do if they come across the barrows.

Written from the perspective of an Academic in the world of Haven that would be a comment lament.  An adventurer is a seperate sort of creature.

Recall that the Hydenimoi is so incredibly chaotic and hostile that it is literally 'trackless', even with an entire elven 'city' within its confines... and a tribe of elves that do not take kindly to lesser races on 'their' turf...

The vast majority of the Barrows lie much deeper in the forest than the one outlier that was excavated.  

I wouldn't have written of the Barrows at all if I didn't expect people to want to USE them