The Aspen of Autumnrise is not like any of its cousins in other lands. Its wood is stronger but also lighter. It can be polished to an almost iridescent sheen, and of course, it has the unique ability to be turned into songwood. — Jasper Cameron, Leader of the Bronze Ravens
The Autumnrise Aspen is, quite possibly, the oldest living thing on the planet. It is marked on some recovered Frost giant maps. It is marked on every elven map that covers anywhere near the region. The dwarves have the entire island marked as one of the few regions where mining is taboo.
As sometimes happens to very old trees, the Aspen has awakened. It is aware of its surroundings and more than capable of communicating when it wants to. The knowledge that it has accrued over the years is quite likely staggering in both breadth and depth.
Frejya Stormsong herself has said that it likely holds more secrets than combined denizens of
Hell's Half-Acre.
The tree has spread to cover nearly 400 acres. It is the same tree, there is no doubt of that. Like its younger brethren, it is able to sprout new trunks from its root system. Whether it has any natural offspring it has never said.
It communicates mostly through the humans that live in the city of
Autumnrise, having formed a telepathic bond with all of them. This bond is what allows the city to have such coordinated defense and peaceful resolution of local disputes. It is also thought to be what is behind the unique system of rule in the city. This telepathic bond appears to have no distance limit and is likely why elves the world over refer to the denizens of Autumnrise as
Honored Elder.
The tree also can communicate with people directly and is likely a spellcaster of no small ability. Those that know what it is have sought its advice and help when nearly all other avenues have led to dead ends. Others have sought to undertake quests for it, as the songwood it is able to produce is one of the most sought-after materials in the world.
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