[✓] [Lore Addition] Druidism - Elder Trees & Ents

[marsloll 1384]

 

Spoiler

Should this lore be accepted, all druids that are T5 in Communion and Blight Healing will be grandfathered the knowledge of the creation of an Elder Tree.

 

Spoiler

 

 

“The amber in the tree and blood in my veins are the same.” - Magic: The Gathering

 

[Source]

 

“It is said there was a great forest.  It was mighty and bountiful, filled with life and nature flourished.  The wildlife stirred, and the trees swayed in the wind, and the Druids sang songs beneath the canopy.

 

Greater still, are the tales of the trees flourishing here.  Strong, mighty, and protected.  It is said that the oldest tree of the forest had sprung them from its own seeds, and within its trunk its mind began to flourish.  Some say that Cernunnos and Cerridwen slept beneath the tree in their travels to bless the land.  Still some say these trees were the Aspects themselves in different form.  Still, whatever the reason, something sparked thought beneath the bark, and the trees ascended into something more than just wood and leaf.

 

And so after many millennia, these trees older than time became Elder, and gave wisdom to the Druii, and protected their forests with their Ent children.  Some have given prophecies that were granted to them by the Aspects.  Others served as homes for great groves, some even as cities.

 

To speak with an Elder Tree is a rare and wonderful privilege.  Cherish it, for the Aspects have deemed you special to hear such wisdoms.”

 

~Druii’ithirn, Arcanum of Ancient Secrets

 

Elder Trees have long existed on the plane of existence, flourishing in the heart of forests that they have spawned - a mother to her children, that make up the jungles and greenlands across the realm. Due to their age and their influence by nature or upon nature, they have gained a higher level of sentience like one would expect from a Sentient Staff, but much stronger and unique to itself rather than reliant on a singular druid’s personality. Having seen much and experienced much in their lifetime, an Elder Tree was heavily relied upon in days past for their wisdom and guidance to the Druidic Groves that called them home. Some have been given names, titles, and reverence as true Elders of their communities.

 

In the past, Elder Trees were known to create wandering sentient creatures of wood and bark - Ents. Creatures the size of houses and buildings, they bore unknown ferocity and unbordered strength when it came to defending the forests they too called their home. It had been some time since any true Elder Tree or Ent had been seen wandering the woodlands, but wiser and older Druids do cling onto the hope that someday, somewhere, an Elder Tree would awaken once more.

Creation

Natural Formation [Event-Only]

Elder trees only get their name from that of their status, being Elders. Forebearers of their forest and keepers of natural knowledge, it is not uncommon for these goliaths of trees to become greater than what they were - to further extend their reach and might to the lands they inhabit. 

 

In such cases, there is often some sort of trigger for this sudden change in their demeanor and physical form whether it be a sudden influx of druidic presence around it by the means of a Grove, or even the influence of the Fae Realm itself may act as a catalyst - a reawakening in itself. With this sudden resurgence of energy, it is unable to be contained within and thus explodes outwards in a shockwave within the song as it too explodes in height and strength. Animals hold their breath, nature stands still and all those able to hear the song are overwhelmed with the change in the song within a [100 Block/Meter Radius] of the tree in question.

 

 In the coming days, it’s believed that the forest that surrounds the newly-birthed Elder Tree, explodes with abundance with the new presence amongst the trees. Animals from the very edges of the trees come to gather in the heart of the forest at the Elder Tree’s roots to receive even a sliver of wisdom from its leaves, or to find newfound safety within its branches. A new beacon had formed in the heart of its wood, with its roots spreading far and beyond to ensure the safety of its kin.

 

Rite of Elderhood [Player Ritual]

While druids do not possess the ability to create new elder trees through normal means, it is still possible for them to bring forth a new generation of elder trees through saplings gleaned from extant ones. Despite elder tree saplings being inherently dormant outside of particular conditions, a large gathering of competent druids can utilize a ritual to trigger the growth of an elder tree.

 

Requirements: At least [9] [T5] Druids that know Infusion and are [T5] in Blight Healing, the likes of which will form [3] groups of [3] Druids. Each group will possess a leader who must know Awakening. 

 

Spoiler

[First Step - All Participants] [Pre-RP / No Emote Requirement]

The gathering of druids plants the Elder Tree Sapling in the desired location. Once a location is selected and the sapling is planted, three rings of druidic glyphs must be carved into the terrain using a mix of druidic energy and Kuila dust. The druids will then split into 3 groups, each group positioning themselves upon a selected ring. Druids within these groups will powershare to their group leader, who will perform the emotes for the following steps.

 

[Plant Sapling] - [Prepare Glyph Rings] - [Take Position]  - [Powershare]

 

[Second Step - Outer Ring Leader] [Destabilize & Gather Regional Mana - 1 Emote Minimum]

 

The groups of druids activate their KUila rings in phases, beginning with the outer ring. As the glyph ring starts to activate, the surrounding natural energies within a [10 Block/Meter Radius] will become unstable in response. When the ring is fully activated, the unstable energy will temporarily gather around the ritual site.

 

[Third Step - Middle Ring Leader] [Siphon  in Natural Energies - 1 Emote Minimum]

 

The middle ring will be activated once all nearby energies have been gathered near the rite, rapidly absorbing them into itself. Upon absorbing all the gathered energy, the ring will shine vibrantly to indicate its fully charged. Once the ring is fully charged, nature in the vicinity of the rite will have their song excited, becoming near-cripplingly intense druids who aren’t participating in the rite and attracting fauna from the nearby region.

 

[Fourth Step - Inner Ring Leader] [Imbue Sapling with Energy - 1 Emote Minimum]

 

The inner ring will be activated after the middle ring is fully charged, siphoning its absorbed energy into itself before transferring it directly to the elder tree sapling in the middle of the rings. The sapling will awaken once  the final bit of energy is transferred to it, catalyzing an instantaneous growth spurt which cannot be stopped. While the growth cannot be stopped, the path of growth the Elder Tree takes may be influenced by the will of the Inner Ring Leader during the processes of activating the inner ring.

 

[Fifth Step - Inner Ring Leader] [Elder Tree Grows - 3 Emotes Minimum]

 

The sapling will begin to swiftly grow once the ritual is finished, its form tearing through any terrain or structures which may inhibit its path of growth as if they were paper. The kuila rings used for the rite will shatter one by one as the tree grows, dispersing whatever energy that may remain within them into the surrounding area.

 

[Begin Growth] - [Continue Growth] - [Finalize Growth]

 

All emotes for the Fifth Step should be performed by the Inner Ring Leader, who should also be the one to submit the SREQ of the ritual once it's been completed.

 

In the case that an Elder Tree is required to move entirely and be ungrown to do so, the Rite of Elderhood may be done again but in reverse. With the rings of glyphs all set up, each group of druid must begin to draw out the energy from the markings, starting from the innermost ring and heading outwards. With each ring that is powered, the Elder Tree will shrink accordingly until it becomes that of an Elder Tree Sapling.

 

Spoiler

REDLINES

- Elder trees require ST signatures.

- In the case that there are no active Elder Trees via saplings or otherwise, ST Management may intervene and allow a new one to be made. This is not an excuse to withhold saplings to get a new Elder Tree.

- Natural-created Elder Trees may only be achieved through Grandfathering or an event done by ET.

- Growing an Elder Tree requires the participants of the ritual to have T5 Blight Healing.

- Druids who participated in the creation ritual enter a [1] day cooldown, in which they may not use any druidic gifts besides Passive Communion.

- Elder Trees cannot be used to metagame any players, event or otherwise without OOC consent of those involved.

- Elder Trees must be placed within a tile owned or inhabited by a valid realm or lair, claiming the tile its within and all adjacent tiles as its domain upon ST signing. Elder trees may not overlap domains.

- Upon a realm or lair’s destruction, ST will decide whether or not an Elder Tree will remain.

- The glyphs must be made utilizing Kuila dust most appropriate for the region the sapling is being grown within (i.e an Elder Tree grown in the north must utilize Glacial Kuila, etc etc)

- To ungrow an Elder Tree requires the same amount of druids as the Rite of Elderhood, and each participant must have  the knowledge of Ungrowing.
- Should the ritual be disrupted before the Fourth Step is finished, then all nearby natural energies will be violently disrupted and the kuila rings will have their stored energy burst out, dazing all druids who’d been participating in the rite for [1 Emote]. All participants of the failed rite will be subjected to a [1] day cooldown where they may not utilize any druidic gifts beside passive communion.

- A tree which meets the size requirements of an elder tree must be already present or ready to create via any available means prior to RP submission for the convenience of the ST. This redline may be ignored as called for  so long as the situation is discussed with ST prior.

 

Progression

As the greatest influence over the forest, an Elder tree may still be young in terms of its awakening. Its consciousness not yet fully developed, the tree will require more time to grow and unfurl to truly be able to harness all that it can. Despite this, Druids and the forest around it are still extremely protective of the Elder Tree - for the children of the forest feel a sense of duty to protect their parent.

 

This cultivation of its strength and abilities takes time, as much of nature requires patience and care in order to bear the most fruit. That is not to say that it is not formidable even in its smallest stage, but there is always more sky to claim with its bountiful branches and leaves. As the Elder Tree grows, so does its power and dominion of the forest around it. With it’s growing strength, those attuned to nature too grow in power within the presence of the Elder.

 

Tier I

At this budding state, the Elder Tree is still young despite its title - it is young in comparison to its other counterparts, and what it could be in turn. Despite its newly-acquired size and power, it has yet to truly understand how to use it at all. In this stage, the Elder Tree is but a giant centerpiece within the forest - able to upkeep its immediate lands but nothing more. Not yet.

 

Spoiler

Build Size Minimum Height | 40 Blocks

Tier Duration | 5 [OOC] Weeks

Tier Effects

[Elder’s Respite] The elder tree emits a unique song that calms flora, fauna, and fae within a [10 Block/Meter] range from its trunk.

 

[Verdant Vigor] The Elder Tree boasts an abnormal amount of vigor, standing strong and healthy regardless of the conditions so long as it remains unblighted.  

 

[Wisdom of the Wilds] The Elder Tree gains sentience, becoming capable of developing its own thoughts and opinions on its surroundings and interactions.

 

Tier II

At this sprouting state, the Elder Tree has gotten stronger and grown taller to show for it. With its song bolstered and reaching even farther into the woods that surround it, druids and nature alike can hear the gentle song emanating from the Elder Tree’s core - soothing those near it. The peace of its presence reflects in the flora around it, as the plants within its vicinity appear to be brighter, livelier, even in the shade - just being near the tree is enough to keep them healthy.

 

Spoiler

Build Size Minimum Height | 55 Blocks

Tier Duration | 5 [OOC] Weeks

Tier Effects

[Elder’s Respite II] The song’s calming range is increased to [20 Blocks/Meters] from its trunk.

 

[Verdant Vigor II] The density of the Elder Tree’s energy tempers its form to become near-impervious to mundane flames, additionally being capable of warding off standard malflame attacks. At this point, all pointed blades find difficulty even piercing its bark, though blunt weapons like maces or hammers or axes might still dent and crack its surface.

 

[Wisdom of the Wilds II] The Elder Tree’s consciousness grows from simple sentience to sapience, gaining emotions and greater complexity in its thoughts.

 

[Gift of Overgrowth] Flora within [25 Blocks/Meters] of the Elder Tree’s trunk passively gain the benefits of the [Blooming] in which the plants within that vicinity adopt the same strong and healthy quality as the tree itself.

 

Due to its large size, an Elder Tree is typically only able to support itself and not continue its expansive growth. In these cases, Druids may help aid the Elder Tree into a final push. To do so, [9] separate Druids must come to ‘water’ the Elder Tree with infused energy, similar to Powersharing but with the tree itself instead. These may be the same druids that helped grow the Elder Tree in the first place, should it have come from a sapling.

 

Tier III

At this final state, the Elder Tree has gotten as big as it possibly could and truly cemented its role as the protectorate and heart of the forest. Its mind and song has matured and changed, allowing Druids to have full conversations with it as if it were another person. It’s trunk and roots had been bolstered with it’s own song, growing much stronger than the average tree, 

 

Spoiler

Build Size Minimum Height | 75 Blocks

Tier Duration | Max Tier

Tier Effects

[Elder’s Respite III] The song’s range is increased to [30 Blocks/Meters] from its trunk. 

 

[Verdant Vigor III] The Elder Tree’s energy is bolstered to the peak of natural life, its energies able to resist abnormal assault of alchemical, natural and infernal nature as well as warding off Azdrazi flames for up to [5] emotes before beginning to burn. Voidal Fire requires at least [5] continuous emotes before the Elder Tree begins to burn. That specific area will become blighted after [3] emotes, but it will not spread to the rest of the Tree as a whole. All mundane weapons of sorts become more like distractions than anything truly dangerous; most projectiles merely plink off its surface and weapons bounce right off against the Tree’s bark.

 

[Wisdom of the Wilds III] The Elder Tree fully awakens, developing its own unique ego and personality traits. It additionally gains comprehensive awareness of the [Region Tile] it’s rooted within, gaining a rough awareness of the general health of the ecosystem and environment within the tile.

 

[Gift of Overgrowth II] No longer utilizing its energy for growth, the Elder Tree may utilize its energy stockpile to mend its own wounds over the course of [1 OOC Week] should it survive an assault.

 

[Guardian’s Grove] All druids are granted passive communion while within a [15 Block/Meter] range of the Elder Tree’s Trunk. Druids who are T5 are instantly connected to active communion instead and may bring forth Ents from the Elder Tree with ST approval.

 

Spoiler

REDLINES

- Elder Trees require ST Signature.

- Elder Trees should be updated and kept notified with ST to raise tiers.

- An Elder Tree build must be access to the sky, and it’s location should be left up to ST discretion.

- Materials from an Elder Tree may not be utilized for the creation of items, armor, or weapons, additionally lacking any benefits or special properties equivalent to open or ST-signed materials.

- The Elder Tree’s interactions with players, including factors such as its  intelligence, personality, and memories, are to be maintained by the creator of the tree, who must have an interaction sign posted upon the tree. The Elder Tree may only be interacted with when the creator, or one they approved of to perform interactions, is available, although any ST can  play them as required. 

- Elder Trees may possess general awareness of the tile they’re placed upon and share information regarding it for the purpose of player-events, such as requesting druids to solve a disturbance in a nearby forest. They may also remember druids and individuals they’ve interacted with or have been told about at the discretion of the players maintaining the tree.

- Player-ran interactions with an Elder Tree may not be used to metagame players, events, or any other sensitive knowledge without the explicit OOC consent of those involved, such as for the sake of player-ran storylines.

-Players may not attempt to utilize Elder Trees to spread ‘lore-important secrets,’ such as knowledge about Druidic Shapeshifting or Seers. Any Elder Trees who may become informed about these will ignore the information and promptly forget it, deeming it not worth paying attention to. The only exception to this is when an ST controls the tree themself, or when they approach a player to give them approval to share such. 

- Memories are to be recorded in a similar way that Singing Trees hold them, OOCly either through a codex of forum pages, or through a separate document that can be shared whenever required.

- The builds are set at a minimum height - thus a [T1] Elder Tree may be mechanically as tall as a [T3] Elder Tree to avoid the need to constantly rebuild the tree itself. Additionally, an Elder Tree may be limited to a certain tier by keeping its build below the size requirements for higher tiers.

- T1-T2 Elder Trees cannot be turned into Gatrov unless MArted and/or through an event. T3 Elder Trees cannot be turned into Gatrov at all.

- Players must provide proof of infusion RP to ST when going from T2 -> T3.

- Elder Trees may be healed and or cleansed through Blight Healing.

- T5 druids under Guardian’s Grove may still be disconnected through means of magic or mundane methods, however will be able to reenter active communion after [1] emote unless unconscious or affected by magic-tampering objects (Thanium, etc).

 

Saplings

Due to their nature as an apex of flora, Elder Tree’s hold an innate quality to their natural energies that cannot be mimicked or replicated through common means. As such, the only manner in which more elder trees can arise is by obtaining saplings from an extant Elder Tree. While each sapling gleaned from an Elder Tree possesses the potential to become one on their own, they require a reliable source of druidic energy to remain healthy before being rooted, after which they can sustain their own energy intake. This often requires druids to keep the saplings by their side, giving it energy on a semi-consistent basis akin to watering a plant.

 

To produce an Elder Tree sapling, three druids with mastery over their communion must band together to communicate to the Elder Tree. Establishing a link of communication between them and the Tree, the druids may be able to convince it to give up a part of itself for the sake of self-preservation or otherwise. Once such is granted, they can Glean a sapling from the Tree and take it under their care. The sapling itself bears a strong song despite its size, which can be detected by druids of all experience. Saplings often develop differently than its parent, with each Elder Tree developing uniquely as they establish themselves.

 

Should an Elder Tree find itself in a situation in which it is ungrown, its memories will be sealed within the sapling it becomes. These memories will remain dormant until regrown, in which case it will slowly reawaken memories over the course of a decade or so following its regrowth. Saplings gleaned from their parent trees are able to retain the information of it's predecessor, though gain it back twice as slowly as compared to newer memories once regrown.

 

Spoiler

REDLINES

- Elder Tree saplings require ST signature.

- Sapling may only be taken from [T3] Elder Trees.

- Only [1] sapling may be gleaned from an Elder Tree per week. Any attempt to garner another sapling during this time will result in the request being denied from the Elder Tree.

- The assumption is that the memories are regained gradually, in the form of bits and pieces until everything is properly remembered. If the sapling is asked about any events its predecessor may have recalled with communion, it will only answer in vague confusion and forgetfulness until regrown.

- Any sapling garnered from an Elder Tree must be kept alive through being fed druidic energy.

- When grown, saplings retain vague memories from its progenitor - this cannot be used to metagame players, events, or otherwise without OOC consent of those involved.

- One cannot glean another sapling from a pre-existing sapling, it must be taken from a grown and signed Elder Tree.

- In the case where a sapling is already gleaned and the Elder Tree is ungrown into another sapling, the previous sapling is still considered valid.

- To get a sapling requires [3] T5 druids who possess the knowledge of Gleaning.

- When obtaining a sapling by ungrown an elder tree, it must have the username of the player responsible for its interactions included in its description. When the tree is regrown, that player will be the one marked down on the tree as its interaction lead rather than one who submitted the SREQ.

 

Unique Interactions and Weaknesses

Blood Magic

While most druids treat Elder Trees with reverence, that does not stop some from attempting to take command over their woodland boons. Should the Rite of Elderhood be performed in a scenario where the three ring leaders are additionally Blood Mages, then they may influence the sacred rite with their warped arts, contorting into something more nefarious. When done in this manner, the total number of druids needed drops from [9] to [6], only requiring the druidic blood mage and one helper in each ring rather than two helpers. An Elder Tree grown this way will appear gnarled and corrupted, stripped of its ability to truly synchronize with the nature around it. Its personality will become temperamental and aggressive, but ultimately subservient to the likes of its creators, enabling them to twist its magnanimous boons to whatever goals they seek to achieve.

 

Necromancy

Depending on the tier, a various number of Necromancers may be utilized to perform the Rite of Malediction, only targeting the Elder Tree. For a T1 Elder Tree, [3] Necromancers minimum are required. For a T2 Elder Tree, a minimum of [6], and for a T3, a minimum of [9]. Once blighted, the Elder Tree, regardless of tier, will release a sudden wave of pain and agony before falling inert until it is cleansed. Nature reels from the Tree’s injury and draws quiet in mourning and grief during this period. Whatever disease is chosen alongside the Rite is confined to [10] blocks of the afflicted tree, given the physical build’s inherently large size.

In order to cleanse a necrotically-blighted Elder Tree, the same amount of druids is required per tier as was required for the initial blighting. However, this does not mean that every druid participant has to be simultaneously healing the tree - it may simply be one person with the knowledge of Blight Healing, and the others powersharing to them.

 

Thanhium 

Typical swords and pointed blades of Thanhium will do little to physically destroy an Elder Tree, however it will be enough to disrupt its hold upon nature. Should any Thanhium weapon break an Elder Tree’s bark - regardless of tier, it will make the Elder Tree ‘regress’ in tier for 1 narrative day, disabling its highest tier’s abilities for the period of time.  Should the afflicted Elder Tree only be T1, it will simply go inert for 1 narrative day instead, where none of its abilities are active and communing with it will only elicit the more basic responses of a regular tree. 

 

Azhl 

Azhl may blight a section of an Elder Tree but never all of it, covering the surrounding 3 metre radius of attack with rotted plant life and bark. This blight may also aesthetically bleed into the nearby flora, visually turning them sickly and weak to reflect the pain the Elder Tree is in as if in mourning. During this time, the Elder Tree will be completely inert regardless of tier during its blighting - attempts to commune with it during this time will only elicit a sad song of pain and agony. 

Two druids with the ability Cleansing from Blight Healing may remove the blight from the Elder Tree, causing the Elder Tree to remain inert for 1 OOC hour after, as if recovering itself from the injury. Afterwards, it will regain its abilities of its appropriate tier, and the nearby flora will return to normal.

 

Spoiler

REDLINES

- Any attempt to blight or harm an Elder Tree requires the creator of the Elder Tree to be contacted, and or ST oversight. 

- The songs of nature changing due to blight cannot be used to metagame what has or has not happened to the Elder Tree. Find out organically through roleplay.

- The ‘gnarly’ appearance that comes from a Blood Magic grown Elder Tree is for AESTHETICS only, and cannot be used to metagame its creation.

- To reference what may be used to break an Elder Tree’s bark, please refer to the Progression portion of the lore.

- The ‘blighted’ flora near an Elder Tree’s azhl affliction is for AESTHETICS only. The plants themselves are not blighted in any sense, and are simply for show.

 

---

Spoiler

Should this lore be accepted, all druids that are T5 in Communion and Blight Healing will be grandfathered the knowledge of the summonings of an Ent.

 

Spoiler

 

 

 

“Roam as you will, your roots remain in the strong earth of your rising.” - Magic: The Gathering

 

[Source]

 

Blight and destruction is an inevitable fate for those in nature, whether it be through deforestation, dark magics or corruption. In the heart of the forest, an Elder tree hears all, and feels all. The hurt and pain of its denizens, animal and plant alike, would not be allowed to continue - not under its watchful branches. It falls almost in a near-silent slumber, where winds could move not a leaf in sight. 

Over time, nature began to bend and anticipate something. Animals alike all gather at the sight of the Elder Tree in eagerness to bask within the thriving energy. Flora all around flourish and indulge in “... the presence of the Aspects themselves.” (Lost Druid, 1434). 

When the moment arrived and the Elder Tree was ready, the ground underneath its roots began to split and rumble with thunderous noise that rippled over the forest. Everything was quiet. The hollow earth was silent before a groan and creak of wood echoed from below. A gnarled mass of wood and branches shot out and grasped at the dirt, then came another. Slowly, a figure of giant proportions pulled itself out of the ground - wrought of roots, leaves and wood. Towering over the nearby trees and animals, the thing creaked with each movement - each marching step taken resulted in a shudder of the earth and a loud thud. A true Ent had been born.

Formation

              Born from the heartfelt calling of an Elder Tree, whether by its own will or by the request of druids, an Ent is the incarnated will of an Elder Tree to defend its domain against dire threats. When deemed necessary to bring forth, an Ent will be formed from the warped, twisting roots of an Elder Tree, quaking the ground in its vicinity as it pries itself from its earthen cradle. These goliath guardians are not entities brought out upon mere whims, however, as they draw an immense amount of energy from the Elder Tree to form. This process causes the Elder Tree to fall dormant while the Ent is manifested, only reawakening should the Ent fulfill its duty or perish, both cases causing the ent’s form to fall apart and disperse into a shockwave of druidic energies which scatter across the region. This dormant period lasts [1 OOC Week] until an Ent is ready to be emerged. Ent Formation typically requires the forest around it to be in some modicum of imminent or present danger, though several adept Druids may convince an Elder Tree to create an Ent in preparation.

 

              The Elder Tree will be rendered unable to reawaken another Ent for [2 OOC Weeks] once it's summoned one, the tree left strained by the energy spent on its creation. The Elder Tree will temporarily receive a [Tier Debuff] for the duration of this cooldown, its various boons being treated as if it were [T2] rather than [T3] until the cooldown ends. If an Ent has yet to be deployed, the Elder Tree cannot be convinced or made to create another Ent until the current creation has been let out to do its duty.

 

Should several master Druids find it needed that whatever duty outside of the forest calls for the Elder Tree’s assistance, at least [5] [T5] druids may summon that Ent from the earth with the Elder Tree’s permission in a ritual similar to how an Elder Tree sapling was cultivated. Rings of Kuila and glyphs are placed on the ground betwixt the large roots of the elder, while the druids begin to power the symbols in the ground. The sheer amount of energy funneled into the earth replicates the energy that the Elder Tree itself would use to power up the creature, allowing it to pry free out of the ground. 

 

Ent Formation Example

 

Spoiler

[!] Ahng the Angler Druid communes with the Elder Tree, indicating that there is an imminent, overwhelming threat at hand! The Elder Tree acknowledges the threat, coalescing its energy at its roots as it prepares to form an ent.

 

[Elder Tree Prepares] [1 Emote]
The Elder Tree begins to condense its energy deep within itself, shifting a large portion of its strength towards its roots. In response to the influx of energy, the roots begin to writhe and contort, spurring to life as they’re called upon to take form.

 

[Formation Starts]  [1 Emote]
A thick branch would spurt out from the root, rapidly shaping itself into an arm. Its hand smashed down onto the root, pushing down upon it as a shoulder would take form, and then a head, the Ent prying its goliath form from the tree. Its body shivered as natural energies reinforced its body, granting it density and durability akin to its parent.

 

[Ent Becomes Independent]  [1 Emotes]
The ground shook as its body was fully pried from the root, the ent dragging itself across the ground on all four limbs akin to a gorilla. Its joints creaked with every move it made as it took full command over its form, readying itself to perform its duty and decimate whatever threat would come its way.

 

Spoiler

REDLINES

- Ents are Event Creatures, meaning that they can only be utilized and played in events.

- Ents must be summoned prior to any combat occurring in anticipation of the fight to come. With ET permission, however, it may be summoned in the middle of an event’s combat.

- Ent formation is done as an environmental emote from whoever initiated the Elder Tree’s summoning of it, although players approved to host the tree’s interactions may take priority for summoning emotes.

- Players are in charge of placing a mundane sign on an Elder Tree when an ent is created to indicate its cooldown, and should be updated whenever needed.

- Ents are extremely rare in the world, near impossible to find especially near an urban nation. They are dependent on their Elder Tree and will not stray more than 500 blocks away from such. Only a T5 Druid may try and convince them to leave their post temporarily.

- Once summoned, the Ent may be treated like a player-controlled combat summon.

 

Mentality

              Ents are creatures unique to their Elder Tree, being incarnations of the tree’s will to defend its domain and itself. This incarnation, however, is separate from the tree itself, although it derives several things from it. Ents bear intelligence on par with descendants, although they only learn effectively through actual experiences, theoretical or philosophical discussions serving as an ineffective means for them to learn. Each Ent bears a personality similar to that of their Elder Tree, although Ents bear far more diluted and rigid emotions. Ents progressively learn with each iteration of their summoning, retaining memories from the previous times they’ve awoken. That being said, an Elder Tree’s first Ent may be extremely crude and lacking in skill - requiring druids to guide it and command it around. More advanced forms of the Ent will be able to fully act on its own without instruction, and even develop the ability to speak or recall things as if it were accessing the Elder Tree’s own memories.

 

              Despite their capacity to learn, Ents still have a strong preference for straightforward behavior. Where they can help it, they will always attempt to use the simplest solution to achieve their goal, which tends to be utilizing brute force against whatever threat caused their awakening. This is furthered by the fact that ents lack any care for the concept of death, for their sole duty is to defend their host tree, granting them an inherent nature of being reckless and destructive in order to trample over their foe rather than temper their intents with strategy.

 

Physiology

              Ents take on the appearance of goliath mass of gnarled roots, although they vary based on the tree they source from and the iteration of their creation. They often develop preferences for traits that work best in their environment or that have proven useful in prior lives, uptaking these traits upon their next formation such as eyes for better sight, or heavier limbs in the case of melee. While ents vary in size and weight, the most common proportions tend to put them on par with a large olog, ranging from [9] to [10] feet. Should an ent’s iteration reach the end of the line then its body will crack and splinter, crumbling away as a shockwave of druidic energies is released from it. The energies dispersed will carry a joyous, calming melody if the Ent has fulfilled their purpose, but they will inversely carry a sorrowful, despair-filled melody should it have fallen without achieving such. Regardless of success or failure in their objective,  the corpse of the Ent’s body will degrade into a behemoth pile of nutrient-rich mulch, the remnants of an Ent’s body being able to easily supply a small forest with enough nutrients for years.

 

              Ents are blessed with an array of unique strengths to help them overcome whatever challenge they are tasked with handling. Their primary boon, their strength, lets them deliver punches with destructive capabilities much like an olog's, additionally able to lift mass equivalent to their own weight. Their durability is on par with an Elder Tree itself, although this comes at the cost of greatly inhibited mobility, an Ent typically moving at [4 Blocks/Meters per Emote] at most.

 

              Despite being an extension of its Elder tree, it does not bear all of its strengths. Blunt weapons are still able to break away at its bark to break the portion of the body after [3] continuous attacks, while mundane bladed weaponry will have to use [6] continuous attacks to achieve the same result. Thanhium may disable any afflicted area after [2] emotes of attack, rendering a limb slack and unable to be used during the combative encounter. Should its head be hit, it will slowly power down and be disabled - should it survive the rest of the combative encounter, it will simply wake and return to its tree.

 

              In the event an Ent sustains non-lethal injuries following a battle, druids capable of using Blight Healing may mend their form with Blooming. The mana exhausted from healing an Ent’s wounds is rather draining, a [T5] druid typically exhausting most of their energy in exchange each [Quarter-Limb] of an Ent that’s restored. This often leads to a large amount of druids being required to mend an Ent should it sustain large amounts of injuries during a battle.

 

 

Spoiler

REDLINES

- Ents are extremely slow due to their large size and heavy bodies. A good reference point would be to observe how similar giant creatures are portrayed in other visual media like TV or movies.

- If injured in any way, Blight Healing’s Regeneration may be used to heal wounds faster than the Ent’s passive healing. 

- The remains of an Ent cannot be pillaged or taken as it immediately dissolves into a mass of mundane fertile dirt and mulch.

 

Corruption

Like most natural things in the mortal realm, evil and dark magics can easily disrupt and wholly corrupt parts and beings of nature. Despite their prowess, Ents are not exempt from this foulness tainting their very being. Their mind and control are cut off from its Elder Tree in order to protect it, leaving them to their destructive lonesome. With its ties temporarily severed, the Ent would be unable to disintegrate even after its original duty was fulfilled - the Ent was kept alive against its will, with the darkness forcing it to stay. With their natural strength corrupted and in the hands of something that could not control themselves, it is an extremely dangerous situation for anyone involved. 

 

Once corrupted, the Ent’s mind is seized with irrational pain and anger, seeking to relieve itself of the agony by attacking those who it perceives may be the cause - friend or foe. Its once-majestic and healthy body becomes thorny, sickly and rotted with corruption, turning them into giants of dying flora depending on what it is that corrupted them. Blightsteel may develop in strangling red tendrils that snaked outwards from the initial wound, or a necromancer may cause the Ent to look blackened and skeletal in appearance. The very song that emitted from its body is crushed and warped into something strange and unnatural, in an eerie way that sends shivers down one’s spine. At this stage, it is near impossible to get their attention for more than a moment if it was for anything other than to destroy, rendering only two options: to heal it, or to kill it. Neither of which would be simple.

 

In order to purge it of corruption, Blight Healing is required. [3] [T3] Blight Healers or a [T5] Blight Healer can cleanse the Ent and help it to return to its senses, allowing it to finally fall away and return its essence to the Elder Tree once its purpose is fulfilled. An average Ent, however, is rather large and thus requires much more energy to fully get rid of all corruption in its wooden form. Those Blight Healers who helped in cleansing the Ent would find their bodies sapped of its energy thereafter, rendering them frail and exhausted as well as being unable to call upon any Druidic gift beyond passive communion for at least [1 OOC day].

 

 

Spoiler

REDLINES

- Naztherak, Necromancy, Blood Magic, Voidal Magic, Corrupted Dragonsflame and Azhl are all capable of corrupting Ents in events.

- When standing within the presence of a Voidstalker, the Ent would feel discomfort and annoyance, and would treat the Voidstalker as an immediate hostile even if they are passive.

- When standing within the presence of a Voidal Obelisk, anything less than a 15m radius Obelisk would have no effect on an Ent. The Ent would have to stay within the affected radius for [6] prolonged and continuous emotes to begin corrupting due to blight.

- When standing within the presence of a Voidal Tear of any maturity, the Ent would have to be within the affected radius for [4] prolonged and continuous emotes to begin corrupting due to blight.

- In order to corrupt an Ent through magic, it requires [4] prolonged and continuous exposure to targeted attacks (malflame, draining, etc). If using Voidal Magic in particular, it requires [8] prolonged and continuous exposure to targeted attacks.

- In order to corrupt an Ent with materials, it requires the object to be lodged into the being for [5] prolonged and continuous emotes.

- A corrupted Ent is nearly impossible to reason with regardless of druidic tier.

- Gatrov’kiel are event only and cannot be created by players.

 

---

Purpose

              Elder Trees have been a core lore piece to Druidism and their Groves, in which standard druidic roleplay hubs often have their own Elder tree as the centerpiece of their build and roleplay. The last lore piece concerning them had been shelved and not updated over the course of several years, despite Elder Trees still holding a level of relevance in current druidic culture and roleplay. With the addition of Elder Trees, it would only see fit that Ents were also renewed as well, as one of the main purposes of Elder Trees and being staple allies to the druids.

 

Credits

Author: @marslol

Co-author: @Pengin

Review: @DragonofTaters @Drusus @HazelWazel

 

Citations

https://www.lordofthecraft.net/forums/topic/186715-%E2%9C%93-magic-lore-druidic-communion/ 

https://www.lordofthecraft.net/forums/topic/227298-✓-magic-lore-druidic-blight-healing/ 

https://www.lordofthecraft.net/forums/topic/164719-rewrite-ents/ 

https://www.lordofthecraft.net/forums/topic/92342-lorethe-elder-tree/ 

 

Changelog

Spoiler

- Added Ent interactions with Voidal Structures such as Tears and Obelisks under 'Corruption'.

- Changed minor interactions in regards to Voidal Magic as a whole compared to Voidal Structures.

- Added Elder Tree interactions with Voidal Structures, Magic and Blight as a whole under 'Progression'.

- Added external interactions to Elder Trees in terms of magic and material.

- Adjusted strength and size of Ents.

- Adjusted how many sapling can be taken from an Elder Tree.
- Adjusted amount of Blight Healers required for the creation of an Elder Tree.
- Clarified who is required to facilitate interactions with an Elder Tree when communing with it.
- Clarified that materials gleaned from an Elder Tree are mundane.

[_Elrith_ 4525]

This is cool

[DragonofTaters 920]

Tree

[NightcastorKitty 2779]

did you seriously just use that stupid ass 'next page' function??? I'm denying just on that. 

[King_Kunuk 3022]

It doesnt make sense in my opinion that Voidal Fire would corrupt an ent since they are just fires- though magical.

 

Corruption usually is sourced from dark magics- powers that twist and warp the very material realm or call upon demons and undead to do there magic.

 

While the Void does cause some shenanigans with the world- i dont think fire evocation would cause corruption. Maybe exposure to a voidal tear or a mana obelisk- but not a baseline fire mage.

[DizzyGrey 1229]

WOO

[marsloll 1384]

48 minutes ago, King_Kunuk said:

It doesnt make sense in my opinion that Voidal Fire would corrupt an ent since they are just fires- though magical.

 

Corruption usually is sourced from dark magics- powers that twist and warp the very material realm or call upon demons and undead to do there magic.

 

While the Void does cause some shenanigans with the world- i dont think fire evocation would cause corruption. Maybe exposure to a voidal tear or a mana obelisk- but not a baseline fire mage.

i was writing it more on the base of voidal blight - as the void has had many iterations and references to making nature feel pain and be hurt. while i suppose i could understand that it would not be classically defined as inherently corruptive, most fae-based or nature-based cas and lore pieces DO in fact get corrupted by the mere presence of voidal magic (i.e epiphytes, sprites, tree lords, etc.)

[Akrasia 265]

ok!

[Tav 4336]

ummmm something something druid lore errrmmm something something fhyuck you -1

[satin 7600]

O greatest of kings, indulge me in this friendly Christmas game. Let whichever of your knights is boldest of blood and wildest of hearts step forth, take up arms and try with honor to land a blow against me. Whomsoever nicks me shall lay claim to this my arm. Its glory and riches shall be thine. But... thy champ must bind himself to this: should he land a blow, then one year and Yuletide hence, he must seek me out yonder to the Green Chapel six nights to the north. He shall find me there and bend a knee and let me strike him in return, be it a scratch on the cheek or a cut in the throat. I will return what was given me, and then in trust and friendship, we shall part. Who, then, who is willing to engage with me?

[lemonke 6014]

5 minutes ago, satinkira said:

O greatest of kings, indulge me in this friendly Christmas game. Let whichever of your knights is boldest of blood and wildest of hearts step forth, take up arms and try with honor to land a blow against me. Whomsoever nicks me shall lay claim to this my arm. Its glory and riches shall be thine. But... thy champ must bind himself to this: should he land a blow, then one year and Yuletide hence, he must seek me out yonder to the Green Chapel six nights to the north. He shall find me there and bend a knee and let me strike him in return, be it a scratch on the cheek or a cut in the throat. I will return what was given me, and then in trust and friendship, we shall part. Who, then, who is willing to engage with me?

Yapper

[satin 7600]

11 minutes ago, lemonke said:

Yapper

you wouldnt get it

[DistantCryptid 405]

Finally!! Concise elder tree lore!

[Tav 4336]

5 hours ago, satinkira said:

O greatest of kings, indulge me in this friendly Christmas game. Let whichever of your knights is boldest of blood and wildest of hearts step forth, take up arms and try with honor to land a blow against me. Whomsoever nicks me shall lay claim to this my arm. Its glory and riches shall be thine. But... thy champ must bind himself to this: should he land a blow, then one year and Yuletide hence, he must seek me out yonder to the Green Chapel six nights to the north. He shall find me there and bend a knee and let me strike him in return, be it a scratch on the cheek or a cut in the throat. I will return what was given me, and then in trust and friendship, we shall part. Who, then, who is willing to engage with me?

 

ugh! 😑 satinakira STOP!! your shitpost aren’t FUNNNYYYY 🙄 Stop trying to harvest upvotes 😒 (guys plz gimme upvotes for absolutely roasting the heck out of satinkira)

[satin 7600]

5 minutes ago, Tav said:

 

ugh! satinakira STOP!! your shitpost aren’t FUNNNYYYY  Stop trying to harvest upvotes (guys plz gimme upvotes for absolutely roasting the heck out of satinkira)