Ajeabis (Ah-JAY-biss)

An ajeabis is a small grove of two or more trees that were once nae'cthosai -- in other words, a graveyard of sorts where two or more individuals chose to root and thereby shift from their humanoid stage of life (a.k.a 'the Walking') to the tree stage of their life (a.k.a 'the Resting'). The term thereby literally means 'resting-wood'. Though these trees remain living and are considered to have a consciousness of sorts, they are regarded as no longer concerning themselves with the Walking/living world.
Nae'cthosai who died before their time are laid to rest in rural, often forested areas, but there is less likelihood that a tree will grow from them or an ajeabis will form. However, this likelihood is increased if they are buried in an already-established ajeabis, especially if they have close ties with the deceased there.
Ajeabisi can be the site of a crealoth revitalization, where a resting tree re-humanizes as a shadow of its former walking life.

Ecosystem

Other species typically treat an ajeabis like any other tree.

Localized Phenomena

The Ega-consciousness of the departed remains somewhat sentient and is capable of group memory and limited communication via the Ega. Living Nae'Cthosai and channelers often favor them as campsites, especially during solitary travel, for the greater likelihood of advance warning of any danger.

History

Ajeabisi are more common closer to the nae'cthosai homeland of Sahle-ve’Ebaith and the practice of group-rooting is an older one. They do not typically occur outside of Unenshuut. Now that the mild xenophobia of the nae'cthosai is wearing off and younger generations are traveling more often beyond the Unenshuut borders, solitary rootings are more common. An ajeabis is often a family graveyard, but group-rooting of close friends is frequent.

Alternative Name(s)

Resting-wood

Type

Grove