"The almenvâhn, Nival's breath. Within its leaves lay the dreams of Summer as it slumbers, and within its roots rest the shadows of Winter as it spreads across Dálnaes."
The "winter-root" tree, native to the
Enchanted Wood and cultivated by the
elves to make their seasonal
Diinian Wine.
Where They're Found
Almenvâhns are exceptionally rare, found only in a few groves near the elven city of
C'Oros Diin. The specific locations are a closely-guarded secret, as almenvâhns are one of the two trees held sacred by the
dryads. Specially-chosen
floryvs are allowed to tend and harvest them.
There is one almenvâhn currently growing outside of the
Wood. It is located in the
Sky Garden in
Araniae.
Life Cycle
Almenvâhns "bloom" only during the winter months. During spring and summer, they are leafless and have flaky, pale gray bark. As autumn begins, their bark begins to fall off, revealing glimmering pale gold wood underneath. By the end of autumn, their branches are filled with pale, silver-blue leaves that shimmer, giving them the appearance of being covered in frost. It is only once they are fully in bloom that their sap can be harvested. It seeps freely from the trunk, creating icicle-like formations as it hardens. In its liquid form, a taste of almenvâhn sap can inflict a hibernation-like state upon its taster that lasts anywhere from a few minutes to a few weeks. Once fully crystalized, it becomes as cold as ice.
Cultivation and Uses
Almenvâhn sap is harvested by elves in both its forms. While it's still liquid, it is sent to a special
evridani that brews
Diinian Wine. The secret to making the "winter wine" has been passed down through the family for generations, and none but the
King and
Woodspeaker are privy to it.
Cultural Significance
Like its cousin, the
ambulwüld, the almenvâhn is a sacred tree for the
dryads, and by extension the
elves. Though the Enchanted Wood experiences only mild winters, elves cherish the almenvâhn as a physical manifestation of
Nival's presence. Each year, a circlet is made from the leaves of the first almenvâhn to bloom and worn by the
Woodspeaker at the elves' annual
Nivalatiivas.
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