Életfa Tree
The Életfa Tree is a great tree that was believed to have branches that reached the heavens, and roots that reached hell. The first elves that separated from the Tuatha Dé Danann built their city around its light. Those elves were the Tsurīkīpā and keepers of the tree. Over time, they were conquered and ruled by Raashken Empire. Tsurīkīpā Elves were eventually separated into two categories as the Hoshi Elves became the elite among the Raashken Empire and no longer worked to keep and maintain the health of the Életfa Tree. Beliefs viewed the tree as having 7 branches that rose in height, representing the 7 layers of heaven and 7 steps to transcendence. They would often meditate on these ideas, calling the 7 levels chakras.
There was a great political event known as The Betrayal of Életfa in which Fëoraith stole 2 saplings and betrayed the Raashken Empire. This event leads to power in the rebellion against the Empire its eventual fall. Of the saplings, one was given to King Gamelet Golden-Beard while the other was planted in the Netherworld in what is now likewise named Életfa. Because of this event, the original tree split apart and burned during an event known as the Breaking of the World or The Burning Time.
While not an outright deity, the surviving sapling in the Netherworld is a beacon and sacred item to all Yoru Elves. It has properties that support healing, memory, and power. It's not worshiped as a deity, but rather something of sacred and immense power. Some scholars believe the tree to be a manifestation of the power of the arcane, divine, and spark of creation. It does not respond to spells related to plant life while also producing and influencing lay lines directly.
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