Verdant Cradle

The invention of the Verdant Cradles was a stroke of genius by the Augalai, one that stands unmatched - and one that may have saved their entire civilization from extinction. These are growth chambers used by the Augalai for their offspring. Before their invention, a significant percentage of infants - or rather, saplings - died every year. The mortality rate was so high that in the year 105 of the 3rd Age, the Augalai government officially called for a solution to the problem.

History

Process of the creation of a Verdant Cradle

According to Augalai records, the first prototype of a Verdant Cradle was completed in the year 112 of the 3rd Age, marking a pivotal moment in their history. The groundbreaking invention was the result of a collaboration between Woodwhisperer Oakem Emberroot and botanist Brancho Thornvale, two visionaries dedicated to solving the sapling mortality issue that plagued their society. Their work began in the year 105 of the 3rd Age and spanned nearly a decade of tireless experimentation and innovation.

Oakem Emberroot focused on integrating magical components to enhance the nurturing environment of the cradle. Through meticulous testing, he discovered a unique mixture that reacted to environmental changes with a visible shift in color. This property became a key feature of the Verdant Cradles, serving as an early-warning system for environmental imbalances that could endanger the saplings.

Simultaneously, Brancho Thornvale delved into the study of symbiotic plants, seeking natural examples of harmonious partnerships where no party was disadvantaged. Drawing inspiration from these relationships, Thornvale designed a system within the cradle that mimicked symbiotic processes, ensuring a balanced and self-sustaining growth environment.

Their collaboration bore fruit in the year 110 of the 3rd Age, when they achieved their first major breakthrough. By combining Emberroot's magical advancements with Thornvale's botanical insights, they developed a functional model that drastically improved sapling survival rates. Two years later, after rigorous refinement and testing, the first working Verdant Cradle was unveiled, revolutionizing Augalai society and solidifying its inventors’ legacies.

They must have been really smart.

Structure and Function

Verdant Cradles are living trees intricately transformed into nurturing chambers designed to sustain young Augalai saplings. A carefully carved hollow, created using a specialized gouge, serves as the cradle's interior. Inside this cavity, a bed of nutrient-rich humus is prepared to host the sapling, forming the foundation for its growth. This unique arrangement fosters a symbiotic relationship between the sapling and the host tree, enabling an exchange of nutrients and energy that benefits both.

To protect and monitor the sapling, the hollow is sealed with a convex plate crafted from Luzidium wood, a material known for its remarkable strength and transparency. This plate, functioning as a door, undergoes a secretive treatment with a specially formulated liquid, the composition of which remains a closely guarded Augalai secret. This treatment imbues the plate with its unique ability to assess and reflect the health of the sapling inside.

Through subtle changes in coloration or texture, the lucidium plate provides real-time indicators of key environmental factors such as humidity, temperature, light exposure, and nutrient levels. These visual cues allow Bloomwardens to reliably monitor and adjust the conditions within the cradle to ensure optimal growth.

Sketch of the structure of a Verdant Cradle

That is a rather simple sketch. Probably they don't want people to know the details?

This ingenious design, blending natural and magical elements, not only safeguards the sapling during its most vulnerable stages but also embodies the Augalai’s deep respect for nature and their remarkable ingenuity in harmonizing with it. The Verdant Cradles stand as a testament to their commitment to life, tradition, and innovation.

Spread

After the introduction of the Verdant Cradles, couples wishing to nurture offspring faced the challenge of traveling to the capital city, Canopyra, the only location where these groundbreaking devices were initially available. While the cradles offered an unparalleled solution to the long-standing issue of sapling mortality, their limited number and centralization created significant logistical hurdles. Families often had to undertake long and arduous journeys, and many endured extended stays in the capital while waiting for their turn. Recognizing the immense demand, Augalai leadership and the Bloomwarden community prioritized expanding cradle availability. Efforts were quickly undertaken to construct more Verdant Cradles, a process requiring extensive resources, skilled craftsmanship, and the careful selection of compatible host trees. However, due to the intricate nature of cradle production and the need for quality assurance, it took several years before the supply was able to meet the growing demand fully.

Once an adequate number of cradles had been crafted, a distribution plan was implemented to ensure accessibility across Helionde. Cradles were allocated to settlements based on their population size, ensuring that even the smallest communities had access to this vital resource. Larger settlements, with their higher concentrations of families, were equipped with correspondingly more cradles, reflecting the community-focused ethos of Augalai society.

An Augalai near the completion of its growth cycle by Tyrdal via BING Image Creator

Today, every Augalai settlement within Helionde boasts at least one Verdant Cradle, serving as a symbol of hope and continuity. In larger cities, these cradles are often housed in dedicated arboreal sanctuaries, where families gather to celebrate new life and honor the traditions surrounding the growth of young Augalai.

However, for Augalai who have settled outside Helionde, the situation remains more complex. These individuals must either undertake the journey back to Helionde to access a Verdant Cradle or take the considerable risk of raising a young one without its assistance. According to Augalai officials there is a simple reason for this. The Verdant Cradles are deeply intertwined with Augalai traditions and cultural identity, and their creation involves closely guarded knowledge. The treatment applied to the lucidium plates, for instance, is a secret recipe known only to a select group of Bloomwardens and Woodwhisperers. This secrecy is both a measure of cultural preservation and a safeguard against misuse or misrepresentation of the cradles.

Although this sounds really inconvenient, it totally makes senses.