Athel Loren

In Warhammer Fantasy, Athel Loren is the ancient, magical forest that is home to the Wood Elves.

It is portrayed as being somewhat sentient and aware of itself, and those beings who dwell within its bounds. Athel Loren uses the Wood Elves as its defense during the winter months when it slumbers and is weak against invaders.

It is not known whether the forest actually favours the Wood Elves wholly or is simply employing them as a convenience, as it has not fully opened itself up the them, as is evident in the forbidden quarter known as the Wildwood. Any who pass into these dark glades are not ever seen again, and has to be bound by magical Waystones to keep its shady energies contained.

The Wildwood is also the place where the Elves' Avatar-Queen, Ariel, imprisoned the violent and malevolent Treeman Coeddil. The mortal-hating Branchwraith Drycha frequently visits this portion of the wood for counsel with Coeddil.