The Grove of Raithean
The seasons of time shift within the very essence of the stones, should one of them fall, they all shall fall to the sands of time.
The Grove of Raithean is a point of particular interest for the Seelie Court within the . It is said to be where the seasons themselves shift and change at the whim of a deific like figure and is theorized to be in the center of the Seelie domain.
Description
Named for its unique connection the seasons, The Grove of Raithean is a domain deep in the Seelie domains of the . Its mostly comprised of different forested elements around a single spring in the center of the domain. Some have described the area as lush greenery in the bloom of spring, others the oranges and reds of autumn.
These diverse seasonal changes are caused by a sense of wild magic within the domain where it constantly shifts and experiences the seasons in an unpredictable manner ever changing. You could enter the domain in spring and leave in winter, despite having spent only a few minutes traversing the domain. This leads to confusion from many as they see the seasons of the year flow by so quickly and strangely.
Some have claimed that they know how to predict the seasons of the domain, but even those who live within the realm are not sure how to predict the seasonal change. It has been said that four of the Demigod children of The Lovers, Uvalian, and Yldrivon seem to have a better sense of the changes, holding the four seasons in their domains.
| The Grove of Raithean |
|---|
| General Information |
|---|
| Also Known As | Ever-Shifting Grove |
| Terrain | Forest Hills |
| Fauna | Toads |
| Flora | Various Fungi Various Tree Moss |
| Location Information |
|---|
| Plane | |
| Points of Interest | Fenterath Manor The Equinox Pool |
Placeholder Flower by Owen Davies
Notable Locations
While most of the domain is covered in greenery and flora, there are two main structures that act as both a home for those in the domain but also an area of communal gathering and reprieve from the effects of the domain.
Fenterath Manor
A beautiful manor designed from a strange nearly white stone that has been carved to look like the roots of trees across each of the walls. Embedded into the arches of the manor seem emblazoned with a sigil recognized as devoted to Yldrivon. Each of them are an inlaid silver that seems to shine with a strange arcane glint. The Manor only seems to be a two-floored house from the exterior, but those who have been inside have found themselves in a much bigger manor house.The Equinox Pool
Built in the center of the Grove, The Equinox Pool is sourced from the spring that is said to be the magical source of the domain. It is a circular pool that is divided into four sections, each of which seem to demonstrate the waters of the domain in each of the four seasons. Spring is tepid and soothing, Summer is warm and welcoming, Autumn is cold and changing, and Winter is a frozen skirting of ice.Notable People
| Name | Pronouns | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Bardaithean | She/Her | Archfae Warden of the Grove. For as long as memory can serve, Bardaithean has been in the Grove, a counsel for many members among the Seelie Court and a keen observer of the Unseelie Court. She fairs from politics, with some believing that she helps to guide the seasons themselves. |
| Scorpia Beechbottom | She/They | Fairy Seeker for Bardaithean. Many years ago Scorpia arrived into the Grove during its winter season and found herself lost in the forest. For many of the Grove's seasons, Scorpia found a way to survive stuck. Until Bardaithean found her upon the turn off Spring. From then on, Scorpia vowed to assist Bardaithean as a Seeker, someone that seeks and retains knowledge that might be useful later. |
History
The Grove has remained mostly a secret from those living on the mortal plane, with only a rare few aware of its existence. This is due to the protections placed upon the domain by both Bardaithean and Queen Leandra, believing that mortals would struggle to comprehend and deal with the magic that is contained within the domain. However, an enchantment by Tral'Vokar has made it so in the dreams of mortal beings, they may visit the Grove and witness the many seasons.
It is said that sometime in the last 100 years, a nobleman from the Ossalimarian Empire found himself within The Grove of Raithean. During this time, he found himself drinking from each of the quarters of the Equinox Pool. This slowly made the nobleman go mad as he stumbled through the lands of the Grove for at least a few months before Bardaithean found him and returned him to his home. Though he seemed to have lost most of his understanding of reality by the time he arrived home.
Placeholder Flower by Owen Davies
It must be really disorientating if you don't know what to expect. I like that there's a place to go for reprieve.
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