World Tree

The worls tree connects different realms and is the conduit through which magic is brought to the realm.

Instead, a warm breeze tickled his cheeks. The rustle of leaves took the place of waves lapping the shore.

Haydn opened his eyes.

Layers of branches grew above one another so high that the crown of the tree was lost. He stared around in wonder. Behind him a single mountain, to the left a large lake, to the right a forest of smaller trees. Beyond those, he couldn’t distinguish what there was. The silence deafened him. He strained his ears to pick up any other sounds. There must be animals or birds or something, right? But all he heard was his blood pumping through his veins as his heart sped up.

he could see patches of bark were missing, with red sap oozing out. The lowest branches bore a few leaves, which hung loose.

The realms are unbalanced. The tree is doing all it can to support them, and that drains it.

In each realm is a golden tree, which is the conduit through which the World Tree draws its strength, and through which magic flows into the realm. But the balance of power there is also important. As that maintains the tree.

Each realm holds a different microcosm. Your realm is mountainous for the dragons which rule there; the forest realm holds the fae; the ice realm is a land of giants, though they keep to themselves; the phoenix rules over a dry, desert realm; and lastly, the Mer realm is one of underwater caverns and islands.

I can offer you one boon, as a visitor to the World Tree, but each option has a cost. Take your time and choose wisely. What gift would you have?