Orphan-Tree of Godivan (gud-iva)

Tree of the Forgotten, a Gravekeeper

Mystical sight awaits those who get lost too deep in the dark, tangled woods of the north. It might begin as strange stone pilings and a cold mist crawling to cover the forest floor. Then, most conclude, an ancient stone henge surrounding a single bloodwood teak, a tree known to have sap resembling the colour of blood and that has a pale appearance. The tree spreads its many branches like a mighty, leafless roof over a stonehenge completely covered in strange stone formations. None who have replied to the questions of the tree have returned to live the tale.

Summary

Guardian-figures are familiar throughout history and have served different masters over the course of different eras. However, the existence of this "Orphan-Tree" has riled plenty of superstition. Strangest matter seems to be that unlike most horror stories, this one is missing its key components. What is the monster, what is the trees purpose, is the stonehenge a graveyard? The tale of the "Orphan-Tree" is a milieu, a setting without a story.
Many stories and campnight tales have twisted the story to the skies raining with red sap near the tree, or to sightings of spirits near the protected tree. It seems impossible to tell a satisfying story, as it seems to be in each stories nature to leave some open gaps and miss some central elements of the myth to make any grave impact to those who claim to have seen the tree themselves.

Historical Basis

First sightings of the Orphan-Tree are rather new, and started to appear only after first settlements were made near the darkened woods. Old widows of nearby villages are sure to mention how the tree is related to a curious case of missing children, dating back several years. Others see the tale as nothing else than old wives tales, while the rest see the Orphan-Tree as some form of a guardian of the wood.