Red Hallowed

The tree's bright red and yellow leaves are an exception among all Willowtrees. The walls around it confine its nature to earth but for the heavens, there is no limit. It stretches its branches towards the sky, stretching towards the Gods' home, to claim Rhyn's connection on its own. It is a true centrepiece of Rhyn's worship and for the tenacity of nature to find its own way...

— Everam, Teller of Nimenra

Willowtrees typically don't grow as tall and huge as Red Hallowed. It easily dwarfs any tree for that matter as it stretches branches outwards towards the sky with auburn and golden leaves of reds. The tree is located slightly off-centre in the large town of Brinnia, which has grown up around it. The first walls of the town were even built to defend Red Hallowed from burnings, attacks and other evil deeds that might target it. The tree itself is said to be connected to Rhyn, the God of Nature himself.

The Tree of Rhyn and Its Religious value

Rhyn has greater importance to Brinnia's inhabitants than any other of the Gods in the The Eight Pantheons, much due to Red Hallowed. The tree is a testament to His protection over the Rowians and Brinnia as many attackers have failed in their attempts to defeat them and attack the tree. While this was true for the early days of Rowian and Willrowia's history, the town has changed hands a few times with Red Hallowed still remaining untouched from any violence or damage.

Rhynic worship is especially strong in Willrowia and Brinnia because of the tree, which has many local varieties of names related to the God of Nature and Harmony. One such name is old and remains still in the hearts and minds of the inhabitants for the legend it relates to; the name "Rhyn's Willowhome" come from that one legend in which Rhyn lives high up inside the tree's large trunk and watches everyone below.

Rhynic worship is especially strong in Willrowia and Brinnia because of the tree, which has many local varieties of names related to the God of Nature and Harmony. One such name is old and has remained in the hearts and minds of the inhabitants for the legend it relates to; the name "Rhyn's Willowhome" come from the one legend in which Rhyn lives high up inside the tree's large trunk and watches everyone below. He listens to them and for their desires, wishes and longings. This is also why the Grand Temple, which is partly built into the trunk of Red Hallowed, has several large roots of the tree sprawling through the floor so that the priests and people can communicate with ease to Rhyn.

Willowtree in Sunset by A of Worldkeymaster (Artbreeder)

Type

Tree

Location:
Brinnia
Alternative Names:
The Rhynic Tree
Rhyn's Willowhome
Redgoldbre
Height:
30 meters

Last defence in desperation

The walls that surround Red Hallowed once defended the grand tree and still do to some extent. However, in present times it also houses parts of the Fenrir Temple, a temple to Orios and accommodations and has become less of a defensive structure. The walls are more symbolic than a defence against invaders. The last time the walls protected the inhabitants was during Orfordwhelm's successful invasion of Willrowia and was a final act of desperation from some of the inhabitants in the hopes for help from outside. The desperation did not pay off and only after three days, the gates to Red Hallowed was breached, with even the Last Stand's Keep being occupied during the same day.

The Home of Rhyn and The Grand Temple of Red Hallowed

Inside the third ring of walls, Red Hallowed stands tall with its immense 30 meters tall. It easily dwarfs the walls that surround it which stands at 15 meters. The walls were erected around the original town of Brinnia which hugged Red Hallowed with small houses. These houses are long gone after the town's expansion outwards and inside are only two temples, the Fenrir Temple and The Grand Temple, the Last Stand's Keep and a few other buildings. What one finds in this inner centre is the grounds for Rhynic worship with sacrificial grounds and the temple itself with priests and initiates dedicated to Rhyn.

The Grand Temple of Red Hallowed is both a vital religious temple for worshippers and a meeting ground for the Brinnians and a popular pilgrimage site. Inside the roots protrude into the temple floor, having been directed by Rhyn himself according to Brinnians through powerful nature and earth magic and no one is capable of moving them from their spots. The roots all are in the centre of the temple where everyone can see them when they walk in. The faintly scented incenses whisps the air with the fragrance from the burnt bark of Willowtree and a darker but light smell of resins. On the roots, during different times of the year, Rhyn's Whisks are hanging on small twigs from people who thank Rhyn for a good year of harvests or life. People might be praying seated or standing close to the roots so that they are heard by Rhyn who is said to live in the tops of Red Hallowed.