Trees of Power
Origin
When the Gods walked the world of Visctheria, there was destruction. When the Titans were born, there was annihilation.
As the Gods and Titans battled, the Gods slowly fractured, spread too thinly over their realms of power. They left behind Shards, fragments of their former power still present and worshiped to this day.
The largest of these Shards - called their Prime Epithets - made their homes on the surface of Visctheria, and grew into massive magical trees. These trees offer power to those who come across them, as they are able to restore the shard to the deity and redeem massive favor... or use the fragment of raw magical energy for their own means.
The Trees of Power contain shards of the Gods' remains. Huge trees scattered about the globe, each Tree holds a small remnant of a being that walked this world, aeons before you or I were even thoughts in our mothers' guts.
Locations
Many of the Trees of Power were to remain undiscovered until after the impact of the Strutheo Star, but there are a few that are recognized, and even worshiped around Visctheria.
Favorable Gods
The Tree of Adtia, goddess of the Sun, is located in Evlagos, Shaca. One half of the magical deposit sunk deep below the surface of the sea between Shaca and Shiaca, the Tree of Adtia is worshiped by most of the country. The few visitors to Shaca are often on a pilgrimage to the Tree itself, and while it's a difficult journey, many claim it is always worth the trip.
Deep in the caves below the city of Inasta, Xertophin, rests the Tree of Antar, god of peace. Buried beneath the surface of one of the colonies of Meskaovania, the Tree of Antar is mostly forgotten by much of Visctheria, painting a dark picture of the world's priorities.
The Tree of Athos, god of fire, is located in Zhonio, the capital of the war-torn country of Ucla. Despite the country's battle-riddled history, Ucla's culture has remained strong, and yearly bonfires are held to celebrate the changing of the seasons. The center of the city becomes a matchstick, lit afire while the parties rage through the night.
Hidden in the southern reaches of Reacia, in the small village of Shosta, lies the Tree of Eva, goddess of love. It is theorized that the Tree of Eva vastly influenced the Reacian Revolution, due to the future Queen's exposure during her extended stay in Shosta.
At the front of the courtyard in the Gates Estate in Lumia, Salman, the Tree of Brodea makes it home. While many other Trees of Power do their best to blend in, the Tree of the goddess of the moon is pure white with soft blue leaves and its Shard exposed. The black crystal has given the Gates family a leg up in their competition against the other ruling Salmanian families, whispering secrets of the universe into their dreams.
The Tree of Ilotl, goddess of the sea, is found in Shoria, Skaolia. The city was built into the trading hub of Skaolia, a protected cove turned pirate haven. The entrance to the cove is fiercely protected by the Crescent Council, since the city acts as their base of operations. From the top of the cliffs, they rule the seas with an iron fist, controlling trade all over Visctheria's oceans.
The Tree of Lothar, god of earth, is also buried deep beneath the planet's surface in Aklarith, Oshor. At the center of the underground city, a massive network of tunnels is built into the root systems, allowing for larger transportation systems for the tiny Vacinae. Less of a tree and more of a living city for its tiny citizens, highway systems travel through the roots of the underground tree, huge caverns carved into the trunk making room for agrarian society, and homes built into the canopy at the top of the massive cavern.
The royal Twinguard of Asmor hold the Tree of Thadum sacred, protecting the Tree and continually paying homage to the god of the sky. Egrenshire houses the magical tree in their massive structure that acts as both palace and temple, and holds their Oath rituals under the canopy. Many citizens of Asmor will make a pilgrimage to the Tree of Thadum at least once in their lives, and prayers to the Tree are hosted every morning in schools.
Unfavorable Gods
The Tree of Adia rests at the edge of Pleka in Priquish, and sits as empty as its god. The goddess of the void left behind a tree that was destroyed in the early days of Priquian history, leaving a gap in the religious timeline that will likely never be recovered.
The Tree in the garden on the Evergreen Estate in Meskaovania holds the Prime Shard of the god of stars - Esbius Amatensta. When the Shard was taken from the tree by Eletha Evergreen Kingslayer, the Tree withered and died, forcing a transition of power in Meskaovania. One of the few Trees that were emptied before the end of the Deific Age, the Shard of Esbius was eventually reunited with the god at the end of the Meskaovanian Revolution.
At the center of Lycen, Reacia, lay a Tree of Power, unidentified until the Reacian Revolution of 2423 BI. It was revealed to be the Tree of Festher, god of hatred, when Queen Antarah Rolfe lost her mind - and her life - at the base of the Tree. The Tree's power twisted the Queen, forcing her down a dark path that almost tore the country in two; only the actions of Ruith Liaore and Princess Eadlyn Wydia saved Reacia from certain peril.
The apocalyptic cult of Proatho finds its center of power at the Tree of Maghena, goddess of ash. While Proatho has no capitol, Yelty is one of the larger towns, built around the Tree of Power. The Doomdawn protect the Tree fiercely, not even letting worshipers near.
The Tree of Ninana, goddess of monsters, rests in Iylovis, Estrana. The Tree regularly deposits monsters on the streets in front of Zareya's Academy for the Magically Inclined, creating what the teachers call "learning experiences" for the many students who attend every year. The fights often draw crowds, giving the already difficult city an even darker energy.
In the churning social climate of Broca, the town of Midmery houses the Tree of Thegyn, goddess of storms. Since the Brocan Secession in 582 BI, Broca has been both a powerhouse and nearly irrelevant in Visctherian history, choosing to keep to their own and hide from the world. Despite their quiet tendencies, their revolutionary attitude could change the world as we know it - if they ever decided to act on their power.
The Tree of Ureus, god of the dark, is the other half of what powers the magical deposit sunk deep below the surface of the sea between Shaca and Shiaca. Located in Vophia, the diverging energy of the two Trees has kept the countries at war since time in memorium, forcing many travelers and traders to avoid the islands. No one knows what rests beneath the waves, but few have ever dared search - and survived.
The Tree of Zaohr, god of war, finds its fitting home on the grounds of the Voltiar fortress in Hiexpus, Meskaovania. Margehnoth is located directly next to Gurentahg, the royal palace and home of the Meskaovanian government, in the shadow of Mount Archeros. From these shadows, the Voltiar puppet both the Meskaovanian royal family and their citizens, leading the country with a delicate, hidden touch.
Tree of Udis
Udis created us, child. Udis birthed us from her mind. The Sage of Visctheria created us from nothing and will return us to nothing at the end of time.
The Tree of Udis herself rests at the top of Mt. Udis, Everia, since her Shattering alongside her children when the Titans took over. While her true power rests in the Tree, the whole mountain has taken on her energy, forcing the local wildlife to adapt to the extreme magical energy flowing through the stone. Many Godsent make their home around Mt. Udis, creating a fertile hunting ground for those who dare take on the massive beasts.
Trees are awesome, dude.
More on the Gods
The Visctherian Pantheon, now broken into Shards and left behind in the Trees, were once a great powerful force that ruled Visctheria.
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