World Tree
The World Tree is a singular, large tree of incredible width and height in Haradren Gaer Arnad. It is a major place of holy significance that was created in the First Age: The Age of Creations. It was gifted to the race of the elves and is said to be where all of elven heritage draw their long life.
The World Tree is under the protection of the Sacred Guardians, an ancient organization sworn to protect the World Tree against any and all threats.
Description
The World Tree is an incredibly large and ancient tree. As it was created in the First Age, it is at least four thousand years old, however its exact age is unknown. Its size is such that it dominates the area of Haradren Gaer Arnad known as the Valley of the World Tree between the ring formed by the Padequia Mountains. It is a large hardwood decidious tree. It has large and broad flat leaves, and unlike other trees it does not shed these leaves in the winter, but instead it is green year round. Many branches spread throughout the upper reaches of the tree. The World Tree blooms yearly in late Jeden, and a celebration called The Blooming takes place to coincide with this event. Some of the sections of the branches and leaves are currently corrupted into a form of black glass as a result of Esturk, The World's End, attack on the World Tree in the Third Age. The roots of the World Tree are wide ranging. They can be found in the caverns beneath the Padequia Mountains surrounding the Valley of the World Tree. The roots have a unique property which can grow unique leaves with great medicinal properties. These are called panacea leaves, and they can bud underground with no access to light. There is a theory that the roots of the World Tree extend even beyond the borders of Hardren entirely. Indeed, some of the oldest wood elves who’ve spent their whole lives around it say they can sense the tree’s reactions to world events happening beyond the elven borders. It’s theorized that the great forests of the Azimuth may in some way be connected to the World Tree, possibly through these roots. The bark of the tree is hard and thick. Sections of it have grown in large outcroppings, which are wide enough to be ridden on horseback. These have formed a kind of pathway leading up to the first branches of the tree. At this first branching, a wide area between the fork can be found. Above this area, the branches spread and separate, and any pathways leading higher are less stable.Morazar's Temple
In the upper reaches of the tree and located within a split in the bark of the trunk, a small opening just wide enough for a person to enter can be found. This split leads to the top of a great internal cavern. It is unknown if the cavern was created or if it was a natural occurance in the formation of this part of the tree. In the Fourth Age, inside this vast cavern was a large growth of tree in the likeness of an eight-petalled flower. These petals withered and rapidly faded away when the associated Chain Devil that protected the Zenethian Swords were defeated. This left just the center column remaining.History
The First Age: The Age of Creations
At the willing of the first gods, the first races of humans, elves, and dwarves were gifted places of holy significance, so that they might give worship to the divine. The elves were given the World Tree and their longevity was tied to the fate of the tree. A great city of the elves was formed at the base of the tree.The Second Age: The Age of the Severance
It is said the ancient order of the Sacred Guardians was formed in the wake of the Severance by elves that swore their lives to the protection of the World Tree after the loss of the first gods.The Third Age: The Age of Zenethia
In the middle of the Third Age, Esturk, The World's End, attacked Azimuth. His ire was focused on the three holy places of the world, and Esturk brought fire and fury to the World Tree. Great swathes of the branches and leaves burned in dark divine fire and segments were warped into iridescent glass. Many elves of Haradren were slain in the fighting, and the first city of the elves at the base of the tree was lost. As a result of this damage, all elves felt an instinct to return and protect the World Tree. Many elves became isolationist as they felt an internal pull to return and defend the source of their extended life. At some point after the attack, the World Tree bloomed once more. The elves marked the occasion with a holiday, The Blooming, which has become a yearly celebration. In the late Third Age was the Great War. The elves expended much to protect their World Tree from destruction during this conflict, and much death and destruction was caused elsewhere in Haradren as a result of this focused defence.The Fourth Age: The Age of Shadow
At some point after the end of the Great War, the Zenethian Champion Morazar travelled to the World Tree. There, she created a temple to house the Zenethian Swords until such a time that they would be needed. It is unknown if the cavern was created or if it was a natural occurance in the formation of this part of the tree. In 4A 995, the Zenethian Heroes came to the World Tree on their quest to gather the lost Zenethian Items. The Heroes battled through the Sacred Guardians at the base of the tree and entered Morazar's Temple in the upper reaches of the tree. The Hero Gruknock died in battle and the Hero Trip claimed the Zenethian Swords. After they emerged from within the tree, the Heroes were swiftly arrested by Sacred Guardian Quarivon and a unit of Sacred Guardians, including Ilmendwyth.The Fifth Age: The Age of Beginnings
On 23 Madaet 5A 352, Ilmendwyth released Rudok from Lothered's Lighthouse. Before escaping, Rudok recovered a satchel of panacea leaf. On 26 and 27 Madaet 5A 352, the "Temperance and Peace" showing at the Watermill Gallery included an art piece that showed a depiction of the World Tree. On 14 Adroth 5A 352, Ilmendwyth received a satchel of panacea leaf from Rudok in New Keeleon. Rudok said this was sent to him via Celanoth Thoromel.
Type
Natural Wonder
Valley of the World Tree Continent
Haradren Gaer Arnad Plane
Material Plane