The Crown of Fire

The Legend of the Crown of Fire   The Soul Oaks, the great trees of Veltingard, stand tall and strong. They are unchanging throughout the seasons, the years, the centuries. White of bark and broad leaves of dark purple that never wilt, never turn colors, never fall. Except once.   Once in an Age, at a time of greatest need, a Soul Oak will be anointed with tears and its canopy of leaves will turn, first gold, then orange, then bright scarlet. In that month, the Soul Oak will sprout many giant nuts, which will fall and break open, revealing Treefolk with rough skin and leaves of red. They grow quickly and fiercely, becoming valiant warriors. And they shall protect the Soul Oaks and destroy the enemies of the Wood.   This has happened before, in the Second Age. In the last moments of the War of the Oaks, after the betrayal of King Herne, one Soul Oak grew the Crown of Fire and birthed a legion of Treefolk paladins that pushed back the Rotted and Dun Sidhe, finally defeating the bestial Herne and his bloodfiends.

Much of this legend is believed to be true history. What is vague and unclear is what steps prompted the Soul Oak of manifest the Crown of Flames and give birth to so many fierce Treefolk.

While not a widespread legend, most Treefolk learn the story, as well as many Veltingarders, especially those who live in close proximity to Soul Oaks in the Great Forest. Copies of the written legend can typically be found in the libraries of universities.