Taint –

In most of the world, the planet's lifestream flows as a vital force, nourishing all flora and fauna with life-giving energy. This mystical essence circulates through the land like blood through veins, sustaining a vibrant ecosystem. But in places where terrible acts of violence, atrocities, or unnatural death have stained the earth, the lifestream becomes tainted. These corrupted streams collect in foul pools, cut off from the main flow, and the creatures that draw from this sinister source are twisted by its malevolence, transformed into deadly and unnatural forms.

One popular legend holds that the Dark Wood’s corruption stems from the death of a titan who fell here during the War of the Titans. Wounded beyond healing, the titan’s decaying body released a dark energy into the land. Over centuries, this decaying energy infected the lifestream, turning it toxic and transforming the forest into the dangerous and twisted land it is today. Another tale tells of an ancient betrayal within the wood, where dark rituals bound vengeful spirits into the land itself. Over time, this act poisoned the lifestream, altering the nature of the forest forever.

Dark Wood –

The largest of these corrupted sites lies beneath the vast, shadowy expanse known as the Dark Wood. No records remain to explain the origin of the corruption here, but for as long as anyone can remember, the Dark Wood has been a place of unrelenting darkness and dread. Towering trees with thick, interlocking canopies block almost all sunlight, casting a permanent gloom that seems to absorb sound as well as light. At first glance, the forest appears dead, a grim and lifeless wasteland. But look closer, and one can see it teeming with an eerie and foreboding life.

Here, fungi and lichen cover the forest floor, thriving in the shadows where most plants could not survive. Towering fungi, some of them bioluminescent, cast sickly glows among the skeletal trees. The beasts that inhabit the Dark Wood are monstrous, their forms warped by centuries of feeding on the tainted lifestream. Predators have grown massive and relentless, their senses honed to hunt anything that dares to wander into their realm. Even the branches seem to clutch at unwelcome intruders, skeletal fingers snagging on clothing and armor, as if the forest itself resents any outsiders who trespass upon its soil.

Under the Dark Canopy -

Among the inhabitants of the Dark Wood, the Beastmen are the most notorious. Once a primal but honorable race, the Beastmen have degenerated over time, their minds and bodies corrupted along with the land. Now, they are savage, bloodthirsty creatures, reveling in brutality and the thrill of combat. They roam the woods in packs, hunting any who dare enter their domain, taking what they want through strength and sheer savagery.

Spiders also thrive in the Dark Wood, some species growing to massive proportions, their numbers greater here than anywhere else in the world. Feeding on the corrupted lifestream, they have evolved into a variety of species, from small, venomous hunters to gigantic, web-spinning beasts that drape the forest in sheets of sticky, deadly silk. These arachnids stalk silently through the shadows, their many eyes gleaming in the darkness, awaiting prey both large and small.

Yet, the forest also draws another kind of inhabitant—those outcasts and exiles who have no place in the civilized world. Criminals, renegades, and those fleeing justice have carved out a harsh life within the Dark Wood, banding together in loose communities for survival. Over time, these outlaw communities have grown, forming a dangerous society where loyalty is scarce, and strength is the only law. These bandits make their homes in fortified camps deep within the forest, raiding those who pass too close and scavenging from the remnants of failed expeditions.

The Dark Stream –

With so many hostile forces within the Dark Wood, conflict should be inevitable. But the forest is vast, and each faction guards its territory fiercely, rarely crossing into the domains of others. Recently, however, a new presence has appeared at the top of the Dark Wood’s food chain. Some say that the corrupted lifestream itself has begun to manifest sentience, forming dark, writhing avatars of pure malevolence. These mysterious entities—rumored to be living embodiments of the forest’s curse—have begun manipulating the inhabitants, imposing their will upon the various factions of the wood.

These Avatars of Corruption are creatures of shadow and dark energy, able to bend the twisted creatures of the forest to their command. Under this sinister influence, the disparate forces of the Dark Wood—Beastmen, spiders, and outlaws alike—are slowly being united into an army of horror and destruction. As these Fiends extend their influence, the forest grows more dangerous, each faction forced to submit or risk annihilation.

Blackroot -

The Blackroot Trees, towering and twisted, dominate the landscape with roots that stretch deep into the earth, drawing nourishment from the corrupted lifestream. The bark of these trees is nearly metallic, tough and impenetrable, with skeletal branches that reach for those who venture too close. Their canopy is so thick that natural sunlight barely reaches the forest floor, creating a dark, dense ecosystem. Beneath these trees, life teems, but it is of a different, often dangerous, variety: bioluminescent fungi, emitting faint, ghostly light; it is hear that the more terrifying of the woods denizens flourish.

Beastmen –

The Beastmen are the primary inhabitants of the Dark Wood, brutal and warlike creatures who have long since degenerated alongside the forest. They have a tribal society ruled by the High Blood Council, a coalition of fearsome chieftains representing clans such as the Wolf, Bear, and Serpent. Young Beastmen must survive The Rite of Blood and Shadow, a grueling test where they are left alone in the forest’s heart for a night. Many return driven mad, but those who succeed are given full membership in the tribe. The Beastmen also revere the Minotaurs, who are the strongest of their kind. They do not have the mental capacity to lead, but when a Minotaur wants something, few in the forest can stand before it.

The Bandit Kingdoms –

The Dark Wood has become a sanctuary for criminals, exiles, and outcasts. Though initially scattered and unorganized, these groups have formed various factions:

The Unseen Order—a network of assassins who are experts in the use of the forest’s toxins. They have mapped hidden paths within the wood, enabling them to strike from the shadows and evade pursuit.
The Crimson Pact—violent raiders who worship the dark lifestream as a god of chaos. They believe that by spilling blood in the forest, they draw upon its power.
The Shadow Nomads—smaller communities who constantly move within the forest, following an unspoken code of secrecy. They believe that remaining in one place too long attracts the forest’s curse.

Covens -

The witch covens of the Dark Wood are a mysterious, ancient order, bound to the corrupted lifestream in a twisted symbiosis. These covens, often comprised of three to nine witches, gather at secret locations deep within the forest, known only to their own kind. They are believed to be immortal, sustained by the dark energies they channel, though this longevity comes at a terrible price. Each witch’s physical form is warped, bearing marks of the forest’s corruption—bark-like skin, blackened eyes, or roots tangling through their veins. They are masters of forbidden magic, able to manipulate shadows, summon cursed creatures, and commune with the spirits trapped within the forest. The covens serve as protectors of the Dark Wood’s hidden power, using hexes and enchantments to keep outsiders at bay. Yet, their goals are far from aligned with one another; rivalries between covens are fierce and often deadly, as each vies for favor from the dark lifestream itself.

Beyond the Borders –

Beyond the forest’s borders, the Dark Wood is known by many names: The Shadowed Grove, The Grimwald, The Forest of Terrors. Fear and superstition surround it, and tales of missing travelers and lost expeditions are common. The forest’s boundaries remain fluid, with some claiming that its corruption slowly spreads, seeking to overtake the land beyond. Many see the forest as a cursed place, shunned and avoided, save by those with no other option.

Now, under this ominous and unnatural unity, the Dark Wood’s inhabitants have begun to rally. For the first time in history, the savage forces of the Dark Wood may soon march together, threatening all who lie beyond the forest's cursed borders. The Dark Wood has always been a land of mystery and dread, but now, it stands on the brink of becoming a force of war, as its inhabitants prepare to unleash their darkness upon the world.

Regular

Dark Wood Regular

The malevolent Beastmen are the regular all-round choice for the Dark Wood, equally good in attack and defence. Spiders have the swarm ability so even though they are not great in combat, they are very hard to hit. This added with their poison ability can really make them an irritant for your opponent. Brigands are criminals that have fled justice in their native land and now haunt the Dark Wood with their Ambush ability, allowing them to surprise attack your opponent on their turn. The wild and angry Blood Boar has the Charge ability making it very effective on the attack, but if it gets caught on the defence it is weak. Death Hawks have Fly and Scout which lets them reveal any of your opponents cards that are still hidden and within range.

Veterans

Veterans

At Veteran level the Swamp Walkers continue the Ambush theme of the army, but they are obviously a more dangerous threat than Brigands. Taking a Witch Coven will unlock the magic phase for you as their Magic ability lets you cast spells from the Dark Wood deck. Beastman Hulks are big and your close combat specialists at the level. And the Fiends may not be as strong but their Dark Stream ability lets you not only boost your own cards in contact with it but also applies a negative modifier to any of your opponents cards in contact with it.

Elite

Elite -

For Elite level the Minotaurs are powerful in close combat, with great attack and size scores and are also not bad in defence either. Although less powerful the Giant Spider not only has the Poison ability but also Web which stops opposition fliers and makes it difficult for any of your opponent cards to move away. Finally, the Leshen is a very strong defensive unit, hard to take out but it also has Heal which will help keep your cards in range on the battlefield.

Titan & Legend & Heroes & Champions

Charachters

For your Hero you can take the monstrous Green Man, a large close combat specialist. Or you could go for the Spider Queen, not as powerful but her Poison and Web ability more than make up for it and she also gives a bonus to all other Spiders. Champions include Tree Rot who has high statistics to make him a threat to any in combat. Or you could go with Gorehoof, not quite as strong but has the Magic Item ability to allow him to take an extra Magic Item than the normally allowed one. And there is also the Hexenbiest, a powerful magic user and quite terrifying. Finally in the reinforcement deck is the Dark Stream itself, strong and a devastating magic user that also boost all cards around it as the Legend card. Or the grotesque Jabberwocky as the Titan card that can smash its way through anything.