Ældrassil

Ældrassil

Born from a wish, this massive ‘tree’ takes root at the heart of the basin carved into the Myrkvior mountains.

Description

Ældrassil is the size of a small mountain on its own, and the wood is a rich, dark, cool toned brown. If one shines light onto it, it will glint with a subtle, opalescent patina, giving it an ethereal look. The leaves are a deep, bluish green in Summer, shifting to warm tones in the Fall, purplish in Winter and lighter greens in Spring.

There are various structures built onto and into the boughs of this massive tree, most of which play host to varying offices of the Æld'Norai government including the courts and the highest government officials also make their residences here. There are also several locations which serve as ritual sites accessible to the public.

History

Ældrassil is no ordinary tree– nestled within it lies the body of an ancient dragon. Now a hybrid between flora and fauna, it remains alive in a state of suspended animation, and ultimately, the tree and the dragon are one and the same, with the tree inheriting the dragon's name. Ældrassil derives its vibrant vitality from what became of the beast's Grist, and in turn, the flora of the region will always remain lush and full of life. It is said that the dragon influences the land around it, though in what ways and to what extent it is uncertain. The Ælves who call the tree home struggle to tell where exactly their influence ends and the dragon’s begins, for they consider their relationship to it to be wholly symbiotic. The Ælven populace which calls the Myrkvior mountains home have built their capitol around Ældrassil. Their settlements include simple to elaborate structures built out of wood, stone, and built into the surrounding trees themselves.

Ældrassil, in Life

Long ago, the name Ældrassil belonged to the dragon from which it had grown.

Aspect of Grist

During its long life, Ældrassil had ascended, becoming an Aspect of Grist; a Meridian.

Three-Among-Many

Each concept the Aspect embodies seeps into and influences the land around Ældrassil- the tree- and the Æld'Norai who inhabit it to this day.

To Govern Imber

Drawn to the free flowing, adaptive nature of water, Ældrassil would use his connection to Imber to help and heal those around him, often found going out of his way to conjure the best waters with which to nourish his favored biofluorescent botanicals.

Through what remains of his Outer Alchemy and amplified by the arcane tree of Ælphyne with which he was combined, the waters that flow through the Myrkvior mountains are infused with the gentle, cyan glow of his magic, helping the plants to grow strong and the animals- including the Ælves- to thrive.

To Seek the Nocturnal

In life, Ældrassil was drawn to all things that thrived at night. Fungi, flora and fauna all included. Because of his Outer Alchemical influence and the tree's own magic, the Myrkvior mountains have become a haven to all three of these things and over time, the Æld'Norai themselves became nocturnal as well.

To Embody Biofluorescent Flora

While he lived, Ældrassil's body gradually shifted, and eventually, he became a hybrid of dragon and the glowing flora he Embodied. By the end of his long life, he was covered in myriad species, all of which carried with it some form of biofluorescence. This allowed him to Incite Draoidh for himself, eventually mastering that Glamour as well.

Now combined with a tree of Ælphyne, the living things within the Myrkvior Mountains also share this Embodiment through what remains of Ældrassil's Outer Alchemy. Because of his potency as a Meridian, the Æld'Norai to which he is bound are also able to utilize it to Incite and become Draoidh themselves, though only within the confines of the tree's territory.