Jaereth

Jaereth is a legend of folklore in the regions of Southern Aras Dor and Northern Carth. Little is known about him or whether or not he actually exists, since he is said to be the ruler of the Forbidden Forest, a forest avoided by most but the bravest adventurers. He is said to be a High Elven king of old who lost his mind, secluding himself in the forest, leaving no trace of his existence for hundreds of years. In the most common telling of the Legend of the Mad King, Jaereth enchanted the forest with powerful magic and using some sort of magical servants constructed the Labyrinthine Fortress, a magical maze designed to trap hapless explorers.

The loremaster of Riverthrone had this to say on the subject:"'The thought that one of the great Elven Kings of old had lost his mind and cloistered himself within the Forbidden Forest is preposterous. First of all, it is well known and documented that all of the great Elven leaders sailed away with their armies, and second, the Elves were well known for putting their brethren out of their misery at the first sign of the Fey Blight.'"The famous Ranger Aulduil Silverspear had a differing opinion on the subject, as recorded in his book, A Ranger's Guide to the Northern Realms:"'I have traveled deep into that realm [The Forbidden Forest], and I have seen the fabled Labyrinthine Fortress. I felt the most unsettling sensation that a being of great power were peering into my very soul. The temptation to enter that place was overwhelming, but through some miracle I managed to resist the urge and escape. I vowed to never again delve so deep into that forest, and I urge all explorers to do likewise.'"