The Lady of the Tree

The Fall from the Stars is a myth, now widely believed to be nothing more than a fairy tale, that says that Humans fell from the heavens onto Derkomai in a great disaster. In that disaster, most of the Humans died, but some survived through their own efforts and with the help of people of other species, like the Elvirim and Dwarvirim.
In Danyund and especially in Danhabn, the myth of the Fall from the Stars takes an unusual turn, saying that the Humans were saved by "The Lady of the Tree." In Danhabn, across the channel from Danhabn Castle at the heart of the city, is a shrine to The Lady of the Tree. There is also a park at the center of which is an enormous cedar tree. The huge cedar, though obviously ancient, shows no signs of rot or decay and is seemingly unaffected by even the most powerful storms. The people of Danhabn revere the enormous cedar, calling it "The Tree," "Our Lady," or "The Queen of the Forest." Nearly all weddings in Danhabn are performed under The Tree, and brides carry small cedar branches and leaves collected from the ground under The Tree in bridal sachets. The sachets are believed to bring blessings to the marriage and an abundance of children - of importance in a cold and harsh environment. Whether that is true or not, it is a fact that bits of bark, leaves, and small cones gathered from the ground under The Tree have powerful healing properties and are used by doctors and Agapyel Healers to treat diseases and illness of many kinds.
The Tree is protected by guards throughout the day and night, all year round, and in all weather. The guards are stationed in the Shrine to The Tree, which is adjacent to the park. Though the weather in Danhabn is often cold and damp, the area immediately under The Tree is unusually warm and comfortable, even when just 100 yards (meters) away, it may be snowing. No one really knows why, but the people of Danhabn believe it is because the Lady of the Tree makes it so. Citizens of Danhabn leave offerings of flowers to the Lady of the Tree at the shrine and pray for good fortune and blessings, and on Yat Yat (the first day of the first month), the day traditionally believed to be the day of the Fall from the Stars, people pour out offerings of fertilizer under the tree made from composted vegetables, fish meal, and animal droppings, after which they water The Tree with pure water from mountain springs.

Summary

At the time of the Fall from the Stars, many of the people of Danhabn were killed and many more were injured. It was winter, and the weather was very cold, with snow falling. The water of the bay where they crashed was frigid, and many people were drowning and dying of the cold. Hearing their cries for help, the Lady of the Tree waded into the water, gathered hundreds of people to her, and took them to shelter under the Tree. There, under The Tree, it was warm, and the Lady healed many. She summoned the Dwarvirim, and they helped the Humans to build their first homes at Danhabn. Later, they taught the Humans where and how to mine and make their own tools. The Humans and Dwarvirim established a mutual friendship, but as the Human settlement grew, and they began to spread throughout the region, the Dwarvirim moved further up into the mountains. Nevertheless, Humans and Dwarvirim of Danyund are still generally on friendly terms.
As for the Lady of the Tree, after the Dwarvirim arrived and began to help the Humans, she disappeared without a trace. Some of the oldest stories say she was a Radrandrim, a kind of Dryadrim, and she merged with the Tree. Others say she was a Shisharrim, a messenger angel, and she returned to the Elysium. Whatever the truth may be, it is lost to the ages.

Historical Basis

Though now believed by most Humans to be just a legend or a fairy tale, the Elvirim and Drow Elvirim know that the Fall from the Stars is based on historical events, though those events occurred so long in the past that no Elvirim living today was alive when they occurred. Since Elvirim were not living in the area around Danhabn, none witnessed what happened there. If the Dwarvirim have any records of the Lady of the Tree, they have not said.

Spread

The particular version of Fall from the Stars that describes The Lady of the Tree and how she saved the people of Danhabn is unique to Danyund and especially to Danhabn.

In Literature

The legend of the Lady of the Tree appears in many children's books of Danhabn and Danyund, and is known in Nodyund as well.

Tujania - the Lady of the Tree by Peter Nelson (Zero Sum Games)

Tujania - the Lady of the Tree

Date of Setting

The events of the people of Danhabn being saved by the Lady of the Tree took place at the time of the Fall from the Stars.