Weavewood
Nestled in the leafward tips of the lower branches is one of the most wondrous cities on Arboreus. For a traveler coming to the city for the first time, the sight is unforgettable. As travelers journey out along the branch, it gently rises. When they crest the hill, the horizon comes alive with color, as light catches and passes through a stunning mosaic of colorful silks, miles of tapestries woven through the twigs and leaves. The dizzying array of patterns stretch across every available leaf, pulling them together into one large, tented city. This is the first vision of Weavewood that most travelers see.
Weavewood began as a farming settlement, taking advantage of the sun's peculiar interest in the area. Decaying material from every level above in the tree softly fell and settled in the region, providing nutrient rich sediments between every nook and cranny of bark. Over time, Weavewood grew beyond these agricultural roots, silk shading out and connecting more of the region. Artists were drawn to the region, and the city now boasts the most robust economy for artists of any settlement in the world.
History
In its earlier days, every weather event that passed through the region would completely destroy the silk strands that were being worked. Wind and rain would buffet the webs, tearing them from their anchors and setting twigs free like massive springs cut loose. When the twigs snapped free, all progress in building the city would be lost, and the people would have to start over, guiding caterpillars to new pasture. Over time, windbreaks were set up at the outer reaches of the territory. These great flags and sails of webbing functioned like the broad leafs sheltering other regions, breaking up wind currents before they could reach Weavewood's center. As time went on, this allowed stronger anchors and cables to be set, pulling more twigs together into a protective bundle. Now, Weavewood is sturdy enough to weather most any storm, an eternal city of wonder on Arboreus.
Architecture
In its early years, Weavewood was constructed by coaxing caterpillars to spin their silks in targeted directions, rather than letting them pick their anchors at random. As people moved to the area, they brought their pack spiders and reinforced the original webs with spider silk. This began a cultural trend: the people would use spider silks for the foundations of the city, anchoring leaves together at key points with this stronger webbing. Caterpillars were used to weave the tent-like shell of inhabited areas. Other species of moths and butterflies were brought in over time, using their endless variety of natural silks to bring color to Weavewood. Now, most buildings are made of silk, except the wooden walkways throughout the city. Each is as colorful as the outer weave of the city, the silk thick enough to shelter from the rain and lingering gaze of the sun, but light and porous enough to allow for pleasant breezes to waft through the city.
Climate
The branches around Weavewood usually have a warm and mild climate. As far out from the trunk as it is, the city often has a pleasant, cooling breeze winding through the silk. Though rare, large weather events are greatly magnified here. Gale force winds can push the city miles out of place before the branch bends back, and torrential rains are not softened by leaves from above.
Type
City
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