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[Rewrite] Ents


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The Ents of the Forests

 

 

OOC Disclaimer;

With this rewrite, ents will no longer be a playable creature. This is because it made no sense to be a playable creature. It requires intense knowledge of not only the world, but druidic history. As a playable creature, they’re extremely restricted, difficult to play, and simply unappealing. Instead, they will be restricted exclusively to events, and player events (with LT permission) only. Any and all current personas with an ‘ent’ tag are to be abandoned, and the creature passed on to the active lore holder (who will then pass it on to LT), or the LT management.

 

The ent rewrite is inspired from the original lore done by YifengZhong (Song Druid Arik). The section on ‘entlings’ is a written version of an unwritten lore piece that has existed through druidism for years; often being described as ‘smaller ents that druids can summon’.

Enjoy the read!


 

Story

 

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"The silence.. The echoing silence of that forest makes you go mad." (Lumberjack, 1498)

 

The aged lumberjack set out through the deep forests. Dawn light piercing through the orange canopies. Each step beneath his boots ringing a ‘crunch’ from the stray twigs and brush. The nature around was quiet and melodic. The faintest buzzes sounding from luminescent blue beetles that scoured branches in search of a home.

 

The grizzled dwarf hoisted the lumber axe atop his shoulder. His calloused hands running against the bark of some trees. Though the deeper he delved into the forest, the more curious his pace became. The trees were different. Not malformed, or misshapen. Just different. He felt eyes upon him with every move, though he did not hesitate; he was armed after all. The air around felt thick, and the light fading from above as he was met only with guidance from the glowing insects.

 

It wasn’t long until this lumberjack spotted a small clearing. The thick canopy still blockading the light. Though through his years he had never seen such a tree. Magnificent in stature, and ancient. Despite the moss and vines hanging from its form it showed no sign of weathering. The dwarf stepped forward, palm pressed firmly to the hardened bark as he grinned ear to ear. The potential in this. The gold he could make from this material.

 

Nature grew almost completely silent around the dwarf, eerily so. Though Urguan’s greed overwhelmed his senses, and instead he heaved the axe up. His shoulders straightened, and the axe pulled back on his right. He gritted his teeth as he forcefully sent his form towards the tree’s centermost area with the axe in tow. Though he was not met with what he had expected. A loud ‘ring’ echoed the deep forest. Metallic shards soaring past his widened eyes as the axe’s iron head had completely shattered. The only mark left in the tree being a small indent.

 

A deep thrummed groan escaped the isolated tree. The soil dropping beneath it as it begun to move slothfully. The dwarf had fallen onto his rear, scrambling backwards as his large eyes lifted to the goliath of a moving tree. He witnessed the vines and leaves dropping from a face-like figure, forming a beard of sorts. The leafy canopy overhead dropping akin to a mane against its back. The rooted arms erupted from the earth as it begun to pull its form upwards. The trunk-like legs stepping out from the hole it was once in. The dawn light beamed down past its figure as the canopy was broken. And soon enough, green fire-like orbs flared to life within the sockets of the ent’s face as it stared down to the fallen dwarf.

 

“Greetings.. Child .. of .. Urguan.”

 

Scribed by Wisteria Druid Renn.

Written by (Murlocs).

 


 

Creation

 

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The scarce ents are considered the offspring of great Elder Trees. Only to be called when the Elder Trees deem them necessary. Or as a way to vocalize the stories of time.

 

It is uncommon to even see an ent, let alone behold its creation. When the Elder Tree deems itself in need of a guardian, it will go into a state of similar to hibernation. A dormant state that makes even the strongest of winds create not a single sound from the elder’s leaves. As time passes, years at a time, signs of nature flourish around the site. Animals and fae creatures alike gather, drawn into the natural energies that thrive within the area. Fauna and flora alike flourish as they indulge in “... the presence of the Aspects themselves.” (Lost Druid, 1434).

 

When the time is finally right, and the Elder Tree has named its matured sentient successor, nature stills and lulls into absolute silence. The earth around the base of the tree falls loose as a creature of unimaginable size, strength, and wisdom is conceived, growing thereafter. This creature being the ent of the forests. Nature rejoicing at such a miraculous event.

 


 

Appearance

 

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"Monstrous beasts- beings, I should say. Though they show some .. similarities." (Unknown, ???)

 

Ents are enormous sentient beings made from the elderwood of their tree. They generally share distinct humanoid features, though replaced with materials of the forest. Such as a beard of grass or leaves, arms and legs woven from entwined roots and trunks, and so on. They represent nature, and share striking similarities with the trees that surround them; they can easily be mistaken for a tree themselves if one does not have a keen eye. They will often feature a glowing set of orbs where their eyes would commonly be, and faint green mist surrounding it. With each slow movement, they would creak similar to a tree swaying.

 

Most ents can be seen around heights of 50 to 55 ft (though there have been exceptions). The weight of an ent approximately at this height would be around 13 to 15 tons. This can be dependent on age, and the conditions of the Elder Tree that sprouted it. The size of an ent is unparalleled by any other natural creature, and makes them formidable opponents to anyone senseless enough to challenge the otherwise passive beings.

 


 

Language

 

1b555b047422a6fe296e8b0f733d2867--enchan

 

Ents are known to be quite sluggish. Their worn elderwood frame and large stature comes at a price of unwilling slothful movement. These great beings of the forests are able to speak in any language they so desire (with exceptions of ‘darker’ or more unknown tongues). However, their voices come across as slow, elongated, and deep. Described as a ‘deep, throat-like thrum’ with each and every syllable as they ponder over words for extended periods. As they are wise, they are also naive of mortal time, and tend to take a bit too long with speaking.

 

These guardians are able to communicate with one another and, in comparison to their normal speech, can do so with swift ease. The ents do this by rustling their leaves and offering subtle physical gestures to express their ancient language. Each Elder Tree is knowledgeable on this language, and passes it on to their guardian.

 


 

Traits

 

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The ents of the forest are as wise as they are immortal. Said to be the Keepers of Time, or even the Bastions of Knowledge. They stem from the eldest of druidic trees, and contain wisdom unparalleled by most. With this, they have learned that they best persist and survive through a passive nature. A life of peace, tranquility, and observing through the countless millennia they exist for.

 

However, when an ent’s Elder Tree, themselves, or the area that they swore to protect is put under danger they show no restraint to attempt in erasing the threat. And they do so effectively, being able to challenge most without any trouble. But it is rare to see these beings resort to any level of violence.

 

The ents’ personality matches that of one who has witnessed both the whimsical wonders of life, but also the atrocities committed. Despite this, they are slow to anger or even irritate. They may show sympathy, mercy, or sometimes even distaste. They will never speak concisely, and treat most situations without haste. Though each of these creatures may differ in their approaches.

 

Each elder ent will have a specific appearance or set of traits that define them. Such as some being conceived from a cherry tree, others wearing features like a beard, mane, or even differing in the shape of a body. They are also characterized by name, usually of ancient druidic origin, and the region of both themselves as their Elder Tree.

 

Ents are not common knowledge. Their existence is legend and myth to most. Their locations even moreso as a majority of their time they spend idle, existing identical to a tree. However, they cannot travel too far from the tree that conceived them due to their oath of protection; this is limited to (500 blocks), with the exception that masterful druids may influence them to leave their post temporarily. Elder Trees are extremely uncommon, and within one continent there will only exist a couple or few at any one time - with some notable exceptions. Not all Elder Trees find need to produce an ent of their own either. And so it is only within the deepest of forests or groves, to a select few fortunate individuals that they witness the ancient immortals of the forests.

 


 

Death, Rebirth, and Corruption

 

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As natural as ents are, this also opens them up for corruption. Anything that may affect natural flora may also afflict these creatures. Blight can wither their forms, necromancy can drain them dry, and magics that can turn the wilds wicked may also plague the ents. There have been one or two seen cases of corrupted ents; turning against druids, destroying the wilds, and becoming a machine of chaos. This torment can be healed, though with the severity of their damage they will almost always want to return to the earth instead.

 

Death is possible for an ent, as timeless as they are they are not invincible. Through a number of exploitable weaknesses these creatures can be brought down, most notably being dragon fire. Once the ent has been properly ‘destroyed’ their Elder Tree will wail in distraught and distress. A call heard by all connected druids across the realm.

 

Ents can be reborn, with their memories and all still intact. This process requires the original ent’s body to not be completely destroyed. If there are some remnants that remain, a large tree will grow in place of where the being once was. Through time, this tree will form into the ent again, and resurface from the soil.

 

 


 

Entlings

 

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"..." (Squashed grove assailant, 1504)

 

Entlings are a simple minded, smaller variety of ents, created by druids themselves (and roleplayed by that creator). The tale stems from druids of the past bringing about these beings in a desperate attempt of defending a grove or otherwise. The process of an Elder Tree awakening an ent requires intense connection to the Aspects over long periods. While a druid is unable to mimic this, they can perform a smaller ritual for an entling to serve a certain purpose. These creatures exist only temporarily due to the constant energy demand, after which they will return to the earth.

 

To create one, a druid must connect to any mature tree. It takes a minimum of four (4) emotes for a Tier 5 druid to perform. This would be: focus, connection, communing, and growing. This ritual can be done also with gift-sharing among druids, hastening the process by reasonable amounts.

 

Entlings are often smaller than spriggans. Their strength can be defined as ‘... the punch of a brute orcish warrior.’ (Lost Druid, 1434). They are more exposed to any type of flame, and cannot use any druidic gifts themselves. These creatures cannot speak, and will only exist to fulfil the purpose they were summoned for (In the case of combat, once the combat concludes they would return to the earth). Once an entling is summoned, they must remain within view distance of their summoner, otherwise they will automagically return to the ground. Their existence requires a druid's focus after the initial summon. This focus does not disable the druid completely, however it will render any further druidic abilities impossible as well as complex physical actions (such as, no advanced fighting, no sprinting or intense climbing, rapid dodging, etcetera - feel free to ask on further situations!). With this mandatory constant connection, a bond is also created between the semi-sentient entling and druid. When the entling is destroyed before completing its task, the druid will feel fatigue upon their physical form until they rest.

 

 

 

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(More accurate depiction of an entling's body)

 


 

Redlines

 

  • Ents are naturally very slow. Their lumbering size and wooden tree body results in sluggish movement. A good reference point is how ‘ents’ are often displayed in movies or TV shows.

  • Ents are extremely rare. It’s near impossible to see one located in an urban area. They are dependent on Elder Trees; which are highly scarce as it is. If an Elder Tree believes it’s needed, an ent would be created.

  • Ents remain only within 500 blocks of their Elder Tree. Only a Tier 5 druid is able to influence them to leave their post temporarily.

  • The creation of an ent takes at least a decade (in roleplay) to completely go through the process.

  • Ents have drawn-out, slow speech. They cannot speak hastily even if needed.

  • They are sworn protectors of their Elder Tree, and will not shy away from combat if their ward is put in danger.

  • While ents cannot be harmed by mundane or even basic fire magics, they will light up a like a torch if met with dragon fire. Voidal magic doesn’t have as much of a destructive effect on them, though with applied force it can be harmful.

  • Ents are exposed to any and all type of magics that affects flora (the natural environment). They may be blighted, drained, and even corrupted.

  • Unless every remnant of an ent is destroyed, they will be reborn. Though this process takes extremely long periods.

 

  • Druids may summon an entling, from a matured tree, with a minimum of four (4) emotes and are required to be tier five (5). This process can be gift-shared, and will take less time (within reason).

  • Entlings exist to fulfil a certain purpose, which is conceived during the entling’s creation. This task can only relate to serving the Aspects. Once this task is complete, they will find a spot to root and lose their conscious permanently.

  • Entlings require mandatory focus upon them from their druid. This does not disable the druid completely, but will render all druidic abilities impossible (no further communing), and complex physical actions (advanced fighting, sprinting, intense climbing, rapid dodging, etc).

  • Due to a rather simple mind, entlings must stay within viewing distance of their creator.

  • Entlings cannot speak, are vulnerable to any type of fire, and do not possess any magical abilities.

  • Entlings are generally smaller than spriggans, and much weaker than ents. Their strength could be equal to that of an orc. Though no where near an olog.

  • If an entling dies, the druid who summoned it will be taxed physically with fatigue until they rest. The effects of a shared-connection being torn apart forcefully.

 

I’m open to any questions, so feel free to toss it in the comments and I’ll reply the best I’m able to. On top of that, if the lore team requires any changes, removals, or additions to be made to the post then I’m more than willing to work with it.

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2 hours ago, Jaeden said:

Entlings are generally smaller than spriggans, and much weaker than ents. Their strength could be equal to that of an orc. Though no where near an olog.

 

2 hours ago, Jaeden said:

the punch of a brute orcish warrior.

 

2 hours ago, Jaeden said:

though it will tax the druid physically and mentally if the entling is destroyed - due to the shared connection.

 

2 hours ago, Jaeden said:

Druids may summon an entling, from a matured tree, with a minimum of six (6) emotes and are required to be tier five (5). This process can be gift-shared, and will take less time (within reason). Only one entling can exist per druid at any time.

 

Too strong with a great capacity for powergaming that simply can't be measured. Also, they're made of wood, meaning that you would need an axe or something tough as balls to kill an entling. Even if they're to fullfill a single task, I feel like it needs further explanation or weakening, because the punch of a brute orcish warrior is... quite... uh...

 

Personal insults to specific people that I truly do hope that they will identify themselves, which translates to a overwhelming massive cut of the druids, also known as powergaming or OOC discussions. An entling made of wood with 6 emotes that punches like an orc and doesn't even hurts his hand would be overwhelming to any descendant trying to fight it.

 

---

 

But I can't complain at all, since we have a lot of overpowered bullshit to the point that makes me think that all evocations should be put "on hold" for the time being, such as mages killing you with a high voltage thunderbolt that has not even a single considerable drawback and you can't dodge. This is my feedback for eletrical evo @The Pink Lion, you could even consider removing it, thanks.

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Jaeden is handsome.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Oh and +1 this was extremely well written.

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You're a bit silly if you think entlings are overpowered. When you consider druids can have regular animal companions which may offer greater physical potency. Or consider something like conjuration which conjures bears with one less emote etc. Similarly spriggans, though bound to singular trees, are basically the same except more powerful and require a comparable amount of emotes to summon. 

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Sure. If an 'Ent' event ever occurs, I'll be sure that Cal gets to ride it first.

 

+0 (I'm out of plus ones for today)

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Ents need a rework. Yes
+1

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Love the writing. I quite like the changes. Prevents a lot of potential for confusion. +1

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This lore requires changes, and will remain pending for two weeks. If it does not receive necessary edits for a secondary review by then, it will be denied.

 

We really like making ents ET only. That being said, entlings should be weakened. Also, there is an issue saying that lore holders would get control of existing ents in some way, as lore holders are merely knowledgeable representatives on pieces of lore, and do not hold any power over lore pieces. Some felt it a bit odd that ents would be player-made, ET-played creatures, something we had an issue with when a similar clause was included in a MArt. Some felt that making entlings autonomous was a problem, and that a proper balance would be removing their autonomy but shortening the summoning time.

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21 hours ago, Jaeden said:

I'm still waiting on a response here, even after contacting the reviewing LT member a couple times, and the LT lead once.

 

The changes will probably only take an hour or less, I just need indication and answers : (

 

I've been on hiatus for a bit, but I'll be looking into this shortly, toss me a PM on discord and we can chat.

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Shamans have mini spirit companions

Druids get entling companions

 

 

+1

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8 hours ago, Jaeden said:

@The Pink Lion

 

Changes have been made to the entling section, and the disclaimer corrected due to it being oddly worded.

 

The changes made to entlings is a nerf on summoning time from (6) emotes down to (4), though in exchange have lost their autonomy. Due to them having some form of simple sentience, they don't require the druid's complete focus. However, this connection is taxing enough so that the druid cannot do any further magical abilities (with tolls to their physical actions also).

 

Hope that works! If not, I can work on more changes with feedback.

 

It'll be re-reviewed shortly!

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