Great Forest of Tob (トブの大森林) or more commonly referred to as Tob Forest is a dense woodland area located at the southern borders of the Re-Estize Kingdom.
Background
Tob Forest is considered to be a hazardous place where only adventurers and explorers dare tread. Frontier villages such as Carne Village act as outposts for such expeditions to gather materials and resources necessary for magic casters and other clients.
At one point in history, dark elves were once the original rulers of the Great Forest of Tob. They were then driven out of their homeland when Zy'tl Q'ae came to make its home there. During the Evil Tree's hibernation interim, the forest was collectively ruled by a trio of three strong monsters called the Three Monsters. The period of their rule is estimated to be at least about two centuries long.
Chronology
The Undead King Arc
- Main article: The Undead King Arc
The Great Tomb of Nazarick was transported to the New World, specifically underneath the grasslands area near the northern part of Tob forest. Momonga realized the situation that he was no longer in the game world and ordered a high alert status to all the Floor Guardians. He had Mare cover the walls of Nazarick and cast an illusion spell over the cemetery to conceal its presence. After learning more about this world from the local village and assisting the kingdom's strongest warrior, Gazef Stronoff, Momonga, rechristening himself as Ainz Ooal Gown, made it his goal to use the forest as his base of operations and seek out his fellow guild members.[1]
The Dark Warrior Arc
- Main article: The Dark Warrior Arc
As Ainz goes out into the world under the alias of Momon, he leaves Albedo in-charge of Nazarick's defenses and has Aura explore and construct a safe house in the southern forest and recruit the local monsters that were willing to join Nazarick. Her activities force many wild demi-humans such as ogres and goblins to move out of the forest. While Ainz travels with the Swords of Darkness and Nfirea Bareare, they encountered the migrating demi-humans and eliminate them. He then learns of the existence of the Wise King of the Forest that rules the southern part of the Tob Forest.[2]
Thinking the beast to be a unique existence and wishing to raise his status as an adventurer, Ainz sets out to capture it. He sends out Aura to draw the creature out of its lair and combat him in one-to-one. Ainz discovers much to his disappointment the creature is merely a giant hamster. Although its strength is significantly higher than the kingdom's strongest warrior, it is quite inferior to the creatures Ainz commands. He easily subdues the beast with magic and contemplates on either destroying it or enslaving it. Upon hearing its pleas for mercy and reminding Ainz of fond memories about his former guildmates, Ainz spares the Wise King, making it his mount and pet.
The Wise King is then rechristened as Hamsuke and becomes the first creature of the New World to join the Great Tomb of Nazarick, and with his inclusion, the area of the forest he commands becomes the territory of Nazarick.[3]
The Sealed Evil Tree Arc
- Main article: The Sealed Evil Tree Arc
With the annexation of the Wise King of the Forest's former territory, the denizens of the southern Tob Forest live in relative fear of the invaders. Especially Aura, who nears completing the warehouse facility. Ainz Ooal Gown and Hamsuke, returns to the forest once more under his adventurer's alias, Momon, seeking a healing herb. He summons Aura to aid them in their search, as she had already scouted and mapped most of the geography of the forest. Upon discovery, it turns out that the herb Ainz is looking for is located in the northern forest, where an area of strangely dead trees and decaying plants exists. After traveling for hours, the trio had finally reached their destination being the northern forest. As they make camp, the three encounter a dryad by the name of Pinison Pol Perlia, who warns of the evil treant, Zy'tl Q'ae.
As he is seemingly interested in the creature, Ainz decides to investigate it. Soon afterwards, the dryad then takes the trio to the area, where Aura was originally guiding them to. As it turns out the evil treant had been siphoning all the life force from the area in order to prepare for its awakening, which happens immediately when the group entered its lair. The creature is said to be quite impressive, as its health power far exceeding the range of even Aura's abilities. Seeing an opportunity for an experiment, Ainz summons the Floor Guardians and have them work cooperatively as a team to bring the monster down. The Floor Guardians execute Ainz's order, bringing Zy'tl Q'ae health low enough that Ainz deems it proper to use his mastery over magic to stop time and summon explosive meteors, decorating the tree monster like a Christmas tree. In the end, Zy'tl Q'ae is destroyed, as its potential threat to Ainz's base became voided and thus, bringing peace to the northern forest.[4]
The Two Leaders Arc
- Main article: The Two Leaders Arc
Due to Momon's taming of the Wise King of the Forest, it is revealed that the villagers of Carne Village now can operate and forage the forest for its bounty with greater productivity. However, it also upset the power balance with the Three Monsters, with the disappearance of Hamsuke and the emergence of the Monument of Ruin, the two remaining lords of the forest and massing for war, their eyes set on defeating the invaders. The tribe of Gigu was a victim during this time, as most of the tribe was forcibly conscripted into Guu's army. Some survivors managed to escape and spread the word of the crisis in the forest to Enri of Carne Village. Word of this disruption caught the ear of Ainz, who decided to personally settle the matter.[5][6]
The Craftsman of Dwarf Arc
- Main article: The Craftsman of Dwarf Arc
Most of the Great Forest was mapped by Aura Bella Fiora and was now within the Sorcerer Kingdom's area of control. After eliminating the low-intelligence monsters and beasts, the new nation has taken control of several demi-human and heteromorph settlements in the forest. There is also a large underground cave, but Ainz had no intention of messing with it for the time being. Currently, it's under the administrative control of Cocytus.[7]
The Half Elf God-kin Arc
- Main article: The Half Elf God-kin Arc
It was mentioned several times by Ainz that the Great Forest of Tob had relocated some of its inhabitants to the 6th Floor of Nazarick.[8] And its also revealed that the forest's levels of danger were under the complete control of Nazarick, which allowed the kingdom to conduct training there for the adventurers to gain experience.
After visiting the Great Forest of Evasha, Ainz considered using the other forest to conduct final exams for the adventurers in preparations for them to explore the New World for him.[9]
Layout
The forest used to be divided into four cardinal directions, each with its own dangers and wonders. Before Ainz Ooal Gown's domination of Tob Forest, each of these areas were ruled by a creature that were regarded as a myth.
Northern Forest
It is home to the Evil Tree, having resided there for years until Ainz killed it for good. Unofficially, the boss of the northern forest in terms of power, it was an evil treant given the name of Zy'tl Q'ae, who took refugee in the forest long ago. However, this creature mostly stayed in hibernation, so even the inhabitants of the Re-Estize Kingdom had no current awareness of its existence. Pinison Pol Perlia, the resident dryad of the forest, could, in fact, be called the northern forest's caretaker.
Southern Forest
This place was once ruled by the Wise King of the Forest before Ainz captured it. The creature, despite having never been seen, has made a name of itself to commoners and adventurers alike. For nearly two hundred years it was regarded as a myth and is venerated as one of the strongest creatures in the entire kingdom.
Western Forest
The western part is controlled by the Naga clan that is led by the Demon Snake of the West, who is the strongest of the Nagas and a magic caster.
Eastern Forest
Trolls are the dominant force to the east and they are led by an especially strong troll known as the Giant of the East.
Central Forest
The Monument of Ruin constructed by Aura Bella Fiora to act as a reserve base of operations in case of emergencies is located here.
Underground Cave System
A very extensive Cave Network discovered by Aura Bella Fiora underneath the Great Forest of Tob. Currently unexplored, the location of its entrance has not been mentioned.
Known Inhabitants
Tob Forest is home to many creatures and wild demi-humans such as alraunes, barghests, goblins, hobgoblins, giant snakes, ogres, trolls, hanging spiders, forest worms, jumping leeches, giant beetles, wargs, and nagas. It also hosts some heteromorphic creatures such as dryads, treants, mandrakes and alraunes, some which regarded as myths and legends by inhabitants of the New World.
- Hamsuke (Formerly)
- Pinison Pol Perlia (Formerly)
- Zy'tl Q'ae (Deceased)
- Guu (Deceased)
- Ryraryus Spenia Ai Indarun (Formerly)
- Violet (Formerly)
Trivia
- There is a rumor that a dark elf village is located somewhere deep in the forest.[10] It would later be revealed that the Forest was indeed the original homeland of a community of Dark Elves who the migrated to the Great Forest of Evasha.
- In the Web Novel, there was a large gathering of goblins that potentially could become its own country, but it was destroyed by the Slane Theocracy.[11]
- Aura Bella Fiora created a detailed map that covered the interior of the forest.
- There seems to be a lake in the north with all kinds of races. It was also said that twin witches reside in the swamp.
- In the Mass for the Dead, the Supreme Odor Flower is found in the Forest of Death and hailed as "The Legendary Tree."[12]
- According to Ian Als Heim, the forest occupies a fifth of the Re-Estize Kingdom.[13]
References
- ↑ Overlord Volume 01 Epilogue
- ↑ Overlord Volume 02 Chapter 2: Journey
- ↑ Overlord Volume 02 Chapter 3: Wise King of the Forest
- ↑ Overlord Volume 04 Special Drama CD: The Sealed Evil Tree Arc
- ↑ Overlord Volume 08 Side Story 1: Enri's upheaval and hectic days
- ↑ Overlord Volume 08 Side Story 2: A day of Nazarick
- ↑ Overlord Volume 11 Chapter 1: Preparing for the Unknown Land
- ↑ Overlord Volume 15 Chapter 1: To Take a Paid Vacation
- ↑ Overlord Volume 15 Chapter 2: The Travelling Scenery in Nazarick
- ↑ Overlord Volume 03 Chapter 3: Confusion and Understanding
- ↑ Overlord Second Half Chapter 28: The Academy Part 8A
- ↑ Mass for the Dead Special Event: Supreme Hanami
- ↑ Mass for the Dead Chapter 02: Wise King of the Forest
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