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"Vine-hung trees knot together to form walls in ascending circles, narrowing as they reach its peak. A formidable citadel stands at the top, bristling with thick thorns and bulging with poisoned fruit. It is part castle, part malevolent hedge-maze."[1]
The Castle of Forests is a verdant fortress of the Fingerkings, located deep within Parabola.
A Letter to My Dearest[]
"OPEN ARE THE DOUBLE-DOORS OF THE HORIZON..."[2]
The Castle's foliage.
"The Castle of Forests: an enormous fortress of the Fingerkings, more like a hedge-maze than any castle I've ever seen. Its walls are built of knotted trees and vines, rising into the horizon in concentric circles; at the center is a citadel. The flora here is hostile, bristling with thorns that tear skin like paper, and teeming with poisonous fruit.[3][4] A far cry from Tyrant's Gardens indeed."
"This place was formed from ancient dreams of forests that stretched on forever, and shaped by the dreams of architects and maze-makers to confound anyone who enters uninvited.[5] The outermost trees of the Castle are oak; further within, pine; near the center, rosewood.[6] They say the Castle was once much less verdant than it is now, when its vines were little more than husks. They say red mice nestled under ivy growths, under ancient trees that overlooked stone structures.[7] I wish I could see such a place, but for now the greenery covers all."
"During my time here, I've come to notice certain things about the Castle that an average passerby may miss. For instance: the Castle always seems to face the Coiling Spire that leads up to the Skin of the Sun.[8] Do the Fingerkings have a fondness for that sunset glow?[9] For another thing: in Parabola, the dead may rise again, and in the Castle of Forests, anything organic may grow. If I could find the bones of a fierce enough creature,[10] would anything in Parabola stand in my way?"
The Hedges of War[]
"The verdant fortress, formed from strangling vines. At its emerald heart stands the impenetrable citadel of the Fingerkings."[4]
A Fingerking.
"The Castle of Forests seems to be the foremost stronghold of the Fingerkings.[4] I've caught glimpses of their warring in my dreams,[11] and to this I now bear direct witness. The thorny hedges that form the Castle are more than enough to deter the average interloper,[4] but the Castle holds a location of great strategic importance that may interest a more motivated enemy."
"At the very center of the Castle lies the Citadel of Vineyards, the Fingerkings' seat of power in this place.[1][12] The only way to reach the Citadel is through a net of hanging vines, filled with protrusions which all contain coils of snakeskin - the remains of failed possession attempts.[13] The Citadel itself is protected by three walls and seven gates, called the Gates of Remembrance because they are decorated with the relics of deceased Fingerkings.[14] If all the Castle's defenses still don't deter you, however, the Castle's palace guards and defenses certainly will, once they've been primed and readied.[15][1] Pray that you do not meet them directly. I've seen the aftermath."
A Cat.
"I've heard whispers that the Castle also hides the Fingerkings' treasures from the Fourth City,[16] which they managed to take over during its twilight years.[17] Easily visible from here is the Tower of Ivy and Loathing, which spans the very height of the Castle.[18] And over there is what remains of the Palatinate, a structure that was once ruled by cats before they lost it to the snakes. They say it was once a paradise,[19] but after it fell, it was overrun and consumed by the Castle's greenery.[20][21] Beyond the Castle's rear flank is a field of yellowing grass,[22] but I do not know what power presides there,[23] if any."
The Prison of Thorns[]
"The Castle is a forest; its spread wild and grand. Its dungeons, sunk deep into its roots, are similarly vast."[24]
"The Fingerkings collect prisoners here like gold in a Viking's hoard. Most are swiftly forgotten, some linger still."[24]
Most leave weeping.
"I suppose I would be a fool if I did not mention the Castle's true purpose: it functions as a giant prison for the Fingerkings.[24] Certain prisoners are locked in briar-cages,[25] while others are trapped within the Castle's dungeons.[24] These dungeons extend far beneath the Castle's grounds, and they swell with rot and fungus.[26] This is where the enemies and victims of the Fingerkings go: those who betrayed them,[25] or agreed to a deal with them without knowing the full consequences.[27] A common mistake, when tempted by one's greatest dreams coming true."
"But there are other prisoners, too: lost missionaries, devils, tigers, blinded Rosers.[24] Sometimes the Red-Handed Queen herself shows up here,[28] but I can't tell whether the Fingerkings are her gaolers, guards, or subjects.[29] The fate of all these prisoners varies; some are forgotten, while others still linger within their cells.[24] A few are slated for possession by the Fingerkings.[30] Whether this fate is more dreadful than the others, I do not know."
There's a chapel in there, too; once upon a time, many holy individuals were lured in and possessed by the Fingerkings, and their bones now litter the floor of this place.[31] Many other individuals who found themselves in the Castle were silenced forever here, but they say that the Castle remembers its victims.[32] A comfort, I suppose, as I doubt anyone else on the other side of the glass does."
A Confession[]
The following writing is not strictly canon, but is primarily based on canon sources and information.
Open the door to your destiny...
"I think now would be a good time to inform you that this letter is no guide; rather, it is a confession. I bargained with the Fingerkings for knowledge, but, like many of the other fools chained here, I did not know I would be giving up my freedom in the process. Now, I stand within my briar-cage, as the days led to weeks, then months."
"I have seen many prisoners depart in one way or another; when I first came here, I gripped my thorned cage until my palms bled. Have I always known my skin would be superfluous, wrapped around my true self like a glove or a suit? When the Fingerkings take my body, will they lead my visage to higher glories than I could ever imagine, or will my face inflict countless horrors on the dreams of the innocent? I do not know if I will have time to ponder for an answer; the last of the cells around me have already been emptied, discarded, or vacated. Soon, I will know what end awaits me."