The First Tree
The First Tree is a massive grandfather tree sitting at the center of the city of Giltbough. It is the largest known specimen of grandfather tree in the world and is widely considered to be the oldest tree in existence. Standing at nearly a thousand feet tall feet tall with a trunk measuring 150 feet across, its golden branches stretch out across the city. The lowest of these branches stand 60 feet above the ground, and every one is as thick as the trunk of a normal grandfather tree, its needles the length of a grown wolf's forearm. The needles and cones of the First Tree rarely fall, but when they do it is considered a good omen for the harvest and many times these events are followed by a festival within the city. First Tree needles, for those that are lucky enough to find them before someone else scoops them up, are highly prized both as family heirlooms and are even used like currency. Wealthy families may even have their needles carved into jewelry or made into functional implements like pens or even ornamental swords. First Tree cones are considered sacred by the Church of the Trees and are used in their replanting rituals.
Surrounding the First Tree is a large grove of smaller grandfather trees also considered sacred by the Church as they are believed to be the descendants of the other grandfather trees planted by Esi-kurre as he made his way across the reaches. Also near the First Tree, built directly next to the trunk, is the royal palace of Giltbough, the Court of Golden Needles. The homes and businesses of many of the nobility and other wealthy families of Giltbough can also be found in a series of rings around the tree in the shadows of the branches.
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