When Eskeria Walked

‘Neath Eskerian boughs the centaurs roam, and their hooves scarce leave a mark.
Masters of forestcraft, their skill is unmatched. To the whispers of the wood they hark.
They speak to the trees, the flowers and weeds, and many secrets are taught.
They speak to the birds and the seeds in the dirt. No life, in Eskeria, is forgot.
Of peace, they dream, and though peaceful it seems, ill will to Eskeria came.
On the shoulders of men, who were nothing the, but who longed for power and fame.
When the Sundering came and tore Alkurah in twain, Praestan elves sang to the trees.
They sought sanctuary and Eskeria helped them, for the wide wood aids those in need.
The canopy of ancient trees, like an emerald sky above,
Shelters the weak and strengthens the meek, and so, by many, is loved.
But discontent breeds evil intent, and that which is good may be tainted.
Evergreen boughs that never froze, with death their leaves were soon painted.
Far and wide, Eskeria died, and with it many souls.
The verdant sky, once whole and high, wept tears of leaves turned gold.
The centaurs waned, and as men came, they hacked, and built, and burned.
They listened not to what they were taught, and for power alone, they yearned.
Eovan wisdom they did not heed, and Eskeria weathered their greed.
But not for long, as the old wood is strong, and the trees do not beg, or plead.
So the humans hacked until the wood fought back, and the treants woke from deep slumber.
No more to be cut, axed, or sawed, and hewn to splinters and lumber.
Mighty boughs dealt mighty blows, and the ancient forest stirred.
Raging trees brought men to their knees, and from Eskeria the humans were purged.
As it had been before, the wood was no more, and Alkurah suffered for it.
Now men say it’s cursed, or evil, or worse, and by their own hand learned to abhor it.
The whispering woods hide secrets plenty, and some are best left unfound.
Many who seek Eskerian wisdom, soon find themselves deep in the ground.
While many trees there show little care to the goings-on of fleshlings,
Some are old, corrupted, and bold, and evil will they bring.
Treants tall, and older than all, have roamed Alkurah since before.
They remember the days before flesh and blood came, and brought with them death, and war.
Eskeria gave and humans dug graves, and built homes, and walls, and tools.
But they thanked not the wood for her bounty, and should, and in fear, acted like fools.
The treants marched with creaking bark, and had no need for aid.
For nature’s wrath had come at last, and her pain would be repaid.
Men paid the price with blood and cries until the treant’s fury was spent.
Finally the humans retreated, defeated. The wood, once more, slept.