Tree of Parting Geography

The Tree of Parting

The Tree of Parting sits halfway between the Emerald Kingdom and the Kingdom of New Elenna nestled in the northeast corner of Izen. Beginning as a Way House for those traveling from one to the other, it was called the House of Parting. It got its name from a strange looking little tree that marked the side trail leading to the house. This tree appeared as if it was two trees that grew from a single trunk. The Wayhouse was run by Ilyndrathyl the elf and his extended family. When two of his great grandchildren were slain by orcs and the house burned, Ilyndrathyl made the site a memorial. He then journeyed into the Heart of Culverwood to beseech his patron The Culver for help. The Culver, a very ancient group of gargantuan treants, are collectively a power and worshipped by many of the elves of Culverwood. The power listened to Ilyndrathyl’s tragic tale and was deeply moved.

So moved was Deeproot, one of the elder treants, that he followed the Druid to see this place. The Culver tried to dissuade him, but Deeproot was determined to witness this event and help the Ilyndrathyl family in their grief. Deeproot knew that at his age, this would likely be his last such journey. There he rooted himself and entered what is known as the “eternal sleep.” Ilyndrathyl gathered his family and built a grand treehouse in Deeproot’s branches to keep the new Way House out of the reach of those who would harm travellers upon the road.

The Head Greenmage Loendir, who tends to the health of the Elder Trees of The Culver, has adopted the surname of Deeproot in honor of the treant’s sacrifice.

A thousand feet tall, the Tree of Parting has stood in slumber for more than a century. Ilyndrathyl’s descendants still manage the treehouse, which has grown from being a small bed and breakfast on a dangerous road into the most important waystation for all east-west trade on the peninsula of Elenna. No price is ever quoted to any visitor. Instead, the Ilyndrathyl family lets visitors pay or not according to the service they feel they have received. Usually, their generosity is reciprocated far and beyond what would have been charged.

Ilyndrathyl, who is ancient even for an elf, is still alive, but is not the active manager, having retired years ago. However, each day the greenmage still walks among the branches of the tree to examine the health of the tree as well as the supports of the Waystation.

Folbre, Ilyndrathyl’s son, is very much the elf in charge of the Tree these days. Folbre is blind. Only the family knows the story behind this. However, do not mistake his abilities. As with many blind folk, his other senses have expanded to make up for his lack of sight. Many think that he enhances his other senses with magic. Many also wonder why he can’t have his blindness cured. A fastidious person, Folbre craves neatness and organization. He is esteemed among all elves everywhere and has served in various capacities of elven leadership within Culverwood. However, as with many things involving Folbre, the story of how he became so revered with the Culverwood elves is a cultural and racial secret. Before he took over for his father in the Tree, he was served by a dozen elven maidens, each from a different elven village. However, by his request, only one remains with him unless he chooses to travel.

The staff of the tree are mostly part of the Ilyndrathyl family. Each is cross-trained to work in more than one area of the tree. The tree is huge, but the living areas are more restrictive. The permanent population of the tree are all involved with the maintenance of the tree, and the running of Waystation within the tree. They usually number between 75 and 100 people.

The Tree has become a vacation destination for many from both the Emerald Kingdom and the Kingdom of New Elenna. Acting as a Waystation for travelers is still its primary focus, however. There are several businesses and services that have been a part of the Tree since the beginning. There is a stable for horses, an expansive inn and pub, and a repair shop for broken wagons and other equipment for travellers. The entirety of the Tree of Parting is owned by the Ilyndrthyl family. So most of the permanent population works with the family.

There are three levels within the Tree of Parting. Each level sits on a platform that circles the tree and is supported by the stronger limbs in that part of the tree.

Upper Level

The upper level is solely for the sprawling Treetop Inn and Pub.

The Treetop Inn and Pub

The Treetop Inn has dozens of rooms and suites of different sizes and prestige for different numbers of patrons. The motif is done in royal red and polished wood. The wood of the tree is allowed to show in places and is highly polished. All furnishings are crafted locally and the style is “borrowed” throughout the region. Ciyradyl, the oldest of Ilyndrathyl’s great-grandchildren, manages both the inn and the pub. She is sweet of heart and a shrewd judge of character.

The Treetop Pub is done in the same style. The head chef is Raedriel, Ciyradyl’s younger sister. The pub is known for catering to all manner of guests, and has both fine wines and stout ales. The food is first rate. One can order a common meal or a feast to compete with the best pubs in the Floating City. Rooms of varying style and luxury are available, all with a view. According to family policy, customers pay what they feel things are worth. The inn usually has room for everyone, but there are times that late arrivals must bunk in the common room.

Middle Level

The mid-level is mostly residence cottages. There are also two small places of worship. One is for The Culver. The last is the Cathedral of the Sky, a building full of shrines to various gods and powers.

Residences

Most of the cottages are small and colorful which keeps things bright within the dark browns and greens of the tree. All are one story so as to allow a view from most places within the Middle Level. Houses or lots are rented from the Tree’s Building Supervisor, Layondryll. His office is near to the trunk on this level from which one may obtain housing, or a business location on the Lower Level.

Chapel of The Culver

Painted in light green and bright yellow, the Chapel of the Culver sits on the northern edge of the middle level. Clever gems in the walls let in fractured light of all colors. A carved set of five treants at the end of the room represent all the trees of the Culver. There is no back to the temple so one can look out upon Culverwood to the north. Traditional music plays from an upper balcony within the temple at times during the day. Logs cut in half and highly polished form several rows for worship gatherings. Small as it is, this chapel is viewed by some as more holy than Culver’s main outdoor temple near the center of Culverwood.

Cathedral of the Sky

On the southern end of the Middle Level sits the Cathedral of the Sky. Larger than the other temple, it is traditionally designed with large arches covering the front entrance. Inside are two areas. The outer area has shrines to various powers such as Eberyon, Maab and Visaura. The inner area contains shrines for the Gods of Wold. Each god in the pantheon has a 5’ area with a few carved wood benches before each shrine. Between the outer and inner areas is a small office and store that offers holy symbols and jewelry, incense, mini statues, and more.

The Overlook

An extended trip along a southern branch gives a great view of Izen to the south known as The Overlook. It is a well loved place to just sit and ponder the day. It is also used to keep an eye out for threats along the road to the east and west.

Lower Level

The Lower Level contains the stables and travel related locations. It also has a small marketplace where the “family” rents space for small businesses and services. The market also contains the usual organizations. Facing Culverwood is a cemetary. Finally, and perhaps most importantly, the lower platform is where the The Wardens adventuring group has their home and headquarters.

The elf in charge of this level is Hiflanyl, one of the younger grand-grandchildren. He runs the warehouse, stables, and the lifts. He is the lead repairman for anything that needs fixing within the Tree. He is a virtuoso at repairing anything and has blacksmithing, leatherworking, as well as carpentry skills.

More money is earned from the storage of animals, wagons, and supplies than any other venture within the tree. He makes it clear to each and every traveler that chooses to camp next to the tree, that the tree cannot come to their rescue if they are attacked and that the lifts will not lower at night under any circumstances.

The lifts, stable and the warehouse are on the western side of the tree. The Free Trade Market is on the east side. The Wardens’ Home and Headquarters faces south. A cemetery overlooks the northern edge facing Culverwood.

The Lifts and The Stairway

Hiflanyl has designed a stairway that circles the trunk of the tree, which can be mechanically lifted and compacted when the denizens of Izen come calling. He also has four lifts that can raise and lower anything that can fit up into the safety of the tree for the night. All guests have the option of climbing the stairs or taking the lift. All wagons and animals are lifted up into the tree with their guests. The Tree Lifts are wooden rafts with a rope on each corner, similar to the ones that are used to ascend and descend the Plateaus in the Kingdom of New Elenna. Weight is added to the raft to keep it from blowing in the wind as it is used to raise horses and other animals into the tree and animals don’t much like being raised into a tree or blown by the wind. There are four lifts in a square formation that are situated on the Lower level between the Stables and the Wagon Warehouse. A custom permanent spell is used to power them and lifts and lowers only when Hiflanyl or one of his employees gives the command word. A backup mechanical method is also available.

Lift One is just for animals. It has sturdy stalls and pens of varying sizes permanently built onto the lift and staff with lots of experience in calming animals. This lift can be configured to fit the load and types of animals being lifted. Lift Two is reinforced to lift heavy wagons and supplies to the Lower Levels. It can hold two standard wagons at a time. Lift Three is designed for The Noble Races and contains seats and seat belts. Around the edge is a wooden ledge and attached to the ledge is a wire cage to help people feel secure and to help prevent anyone from accidently falling overboard. Lift Four is all purpose and is closest to the trunk of the Tree. It is designed to rise through and past level one continuing on to the top two levels so cargo may ascend all the way to the top without using the stairs.

A final Small Lift is next to the stairs, some distance away from the other four lifts. It will lift two guests from the Lower Level upwards. It is for those who cannot climb the stairs.

The Stables

On one side of the lifts are the stables. It is filled with stalls and pens to hold animals overnight. Guests who wish may have their animals housed, groomed, exercised, and fed for a price of their choosing. A path leads in a circle around the edge of the Lower Level to exercise the animals.

The Warehouse

On the opposite side of the lifts from the stables is the warehouse. All wagons, and things that guests wish stored are kept here. The warehouse is locked and secured after the lifts close each night. Each item is labelled with a number that matches the number tag given to the guest. Items of great value may be put in a vault.

The Free Trade Market

Laughingwater, is the human that runs the Free Trade Market for Hiflanyl. Here stalls and small shops may be rented. More trading and barter happens here than in a normal market due to the policy of the Family to not have set prices for anything. Businesses come and go, but Laughingwater sees that there is always a bowyer on site as the defenses of the tree are mostly missile based. Most of the main organizations have an office within the market. There is also a branch of the Catacombs present in the Tree.

Known current shops within the Free Trade Market include:

• Moana’s Fortunes - run by Moana, female human, crystal ball reader

• Dungarth’s Leatherworking Shop - run by Dungarth, male human

• The Big Nest - general store run by Saide Silvergraft, female half elf

• The Fletcher - arrow making shop run by Lorifir Lorhalien, male elf

• Sacred Momentos - a religious paraphernalia shop run by Liliput Muffinbubble, female halfling who also works in the Cathedral of the Sky, follower of Alemi.

• Studs and Gems - jewelry and small metal shop run by Boolia, half-orc. Resident for 12 years and a frequent merchant traveler to the Tree for 12 years before that.

• Sage Guild Library - small guild library with some rare selections, run by Faerienna, an elf who does not appear to age.

The Wardens Treehouse

Overlooking Izen on the southern end of the lower level is the home and headquarters of The Wardens, one of the most prestigious adventuring groups in the area. They have made the Tree their home and have defended it with their lives too many times to count. Respect between the Ilyndrathyl family and the Wardens goes both ways and there is a great friendship between them.

Their headquarters is simply designed from the outside with white stucco walls that are offset by red trimmed windows and door. It is a split level building, with the first half being two stories and the back half one story. Terra cotta shingles cover the roof. Entering the building visitors are usually greeted by James, the steward/butler/cook and general caretaker of the residence. The rooms and walkways are built on a large scale to accommodate a variety of sizes in guests. The interior is comfortably outfitted and unpretentious. For all their travels the Wardens have done little to make the place more than a home and meeting place for themselves. The small pool in the first half of the building is filled with coy. There is a small garden in the rear half that is designed not for food but for viewing and contemplation.

The Wardens are available to hire, when they are home and not out adventuring. They are known far and wide for their willingness to help in times of need. They have participated in saving the Wold from the Bloodroot Infection, assisting Eclyndryl ne Lidrly Ortandanara, Senior Sister of House Dul'g in establishing her claim as leader of the Surface Drow in the Scab, saving a village in the Red Hills from enslaving Duergar, and Slaying the red dragon Temorianalis (in Fire Mountains).

[More information on the Wardens is available here: Tree_of_Parting

Cemetery

On the northern edge of the Lower Level is a cemetery looking out to nearby Culverwood. Due to weight concerns with soil, the departed are not buried. Instead their ashes are in stone urns that are embedded into the gravestones to prevent tampering. A cobblestone path winds through the area with sculptured flower pots on both sides. Many days, soft harp music plays nearby. It is an appropriately peaceful place and many come here to mourn, remember, and find peace.

Security

The “Head of Security” is a friend of the family named Miles Raynor. He and his assistant coordinate all defense efforts within the Tree. Miles was a career officer with the Emerald Kingdom’s Armed Forces until he saved the life of Laughingwater during a trip to Emerald City. Miles was hired on the spot and though Like Laughingwater, he ages faster than the elves he works for, he is very effective at his job. He is on hand with every “lift” to explain the behavior expected of all guests of the Waystation and Inn, much to the consternation of Ciyradyl, who thinks it harms her hospitality. He also runs regular drills for all able-bodied residents of the Tree as “Everyone, and I mean everyone,” helps to defend the tree on the rare occasion it is attacked.

The Tree of Parting is considered “neutral ground” and is not part of either the Emerald Kingdom, nor the Kingdom of New Elenna. It is used as a site of negotiations, even among the vile and ignoble. There have been formal meetings in the Tree of Parting between feuding orc tribes, between giants and halflings, and even between dragon and adventurers. Thus most kingdoms, tribes, and organizations do not want to ruin their ability to parley at the tree by attacking it. However, this “neutral ground” does not seem to apply to the rest of the East-West Road. There is a tale that orcs came to the rescue of the tree against another orc tribe to keep their ability to parley from being removed.

The East-West Road

The road that passes by The Tree of Parting runs from New Elenna in the east through northern Izen to the Blackbird Lake and Aisildur in the west. It is a very dangerous road to travel and few do so alone. There are two other way station forts on the road besides the Tree of Parting. They are more traditional in nature, being built on the ground with walls for protection. The road stays just south of the Emerald Kingdom and the dangerous Culverwood. Most traders travel in a caravan and hire a few guard mercenaries for protection.

Wonder of the Wold

The Tree of Parting is definitely one of the Wonders of the Wold. It is known far and wide for its hospitality, its neutrality, and the incredible beauty of its views in all directions. From the Upper Level, one can see Culverwood, Izen, The Red Hills, the Emerald Kingdom, and on a clear day offer a far off view of the plateaus of the Kingdom of New Elenna.