Lumbee Tree Monuments

The Lumbee Tree is a remarkable and sacred species that can grow in virtually any environment, from dense jungles to barren wastelands, from floating islands to subterranean caverns. Unlike most trees, the Lumbee lacks branches along its trunk, growing into a towering monolith with roots burrowing equally as deep as its height. At its peak, the tree forms a vast and dense canopy, thick enough to block out the sun and create a cool, shaded refuge beneath. This natural sanctuary serves as a place of contemplation, rest, and ancestral reverence, reinforcing the Lumbee’s role as a living monument to history and lineage.

More than just a tree, the Lumbee is a sacred canvas, used by Stripes, Gens, and Houses—collectively referred to as a "Family"—to inscribe their symbols, histories, and ancestral legacies upon its surface. Families carve, paint, and etch their lineage into the bark, ensuring their heritage is preserved for generations. Over time, when an entire Lumbee has been covered from root to crown, a new one is chosen, leading to the formation of an entire Family Forest—a privilege reserved for the greatest and most enduring lineages.

The Lumbee Tree as a Family Monument

A Family Forest is composed of Family Trees, where each Lumbee is dedicated to chronicling the triumphs, tribulations, and legacies of a noble line. Each tree is sectioned into horizontal Segments, each representing a person, event, or ideology. The size and number of Segments devoted to a person depending on their significance within the family, such as:

• Impact on the family’s status or power (political, military, or economic achievements).
• Number of descendants (ensuring legacy continuation).
• Personal victories (duels, leadership, intellectual contributions).
• Significant historical events (wars, alliances, betrayals, or discoveries).

A Segment can take multiple artistic forms, depending on the culture and traditions of the family.

The creation of a Family Tree is an ongoing process. A lineage that stands the test of time will cultivate an entire grove of Lumbees, forming an extensive ancestral archive, shrine, and sanctuary. Beyond their role as historical and ancestral monuments, Lumbee Trees serve various practical and magical functions:

Janusian Doorway Guardian Totems

One of the most common magical applications of Lumbee Trees is their use in the creation of Janus Door Gods—ancestral spirits bound to protect thresholds, gates, and sacred spaces.

• A Lumbee Totem serves as an anchor for these guardians.
• Since most noble families maintain their Family Forests near their estates, this means their strongholds are protected by layers of Janus Door Gods, forming an impenetrable spiritual fortress.
• The more Lumbee Totems exist within a domain, the stronger the collective magic of the protective enchantments.

Death Markers & Memorials

• When a person of great significance falls in battle or meets an untimely end, a Lumbee Tree can be planted at the site of their death.
• The entire tree is then inscribed with a retelling of their final moments, their life story, or a depiction of their last battle.
• Over time, these memorial trees form Sacred Groves, marking the sites of legendary battles, duels, and heroic sacrifices.

The Lumbee Guhya: A Mask of Bloodline and Memory

The Lumbee Guhya is a unique and highly revered variation of the Guhya mask, crafted from the timber of a Family Tree, a Lumbee Tree inscribed with the history and legacy of a noble lineage. Unlike standard Guhyas, which can be crafted from various mystical materials, a Lumbee Guhya is intrinsically tied to the soul of the family from which it originates. These masks serve both a ceremonial and functional role, acting as both a spiritual anchor for the ancestors and a formidable defensive tool against SOUL-based threats.

A Lumbee Tree that has reached the end of its natural life is not discarded; instead, it is honored by being transformed into a powerful artifact.

• The timber of a Family Tree is used to craft a Guhya, a soul-linked mask that enhances magical protection.
• This special type of mask is called a Lumbee Guhya and is considerably more potent than ordinary Guhyas.
• A Lumbee Guhya only functions properly when worn by a member of the family lineage, reinforcing its ancestral bond.
• These masks are traditionally reserved for ceremonial use, diplomatic engagements, or high-stakes conflicts.

There exists a rare and exceptionally powerful version of the Lumbee Guhya, created under very specific circumstances:

• When a Lumbee Tree that was previously used as a Janus Door God Totem is felled and repurposed, its timber is used to craft only two masks—one for each Janus Door God.
• These masks are known as Janusian Lumbee Guhyas.
• Whoever wears one of these masks becomes a conduit for the respective Janus Door God, inheriting their abilities, wisdom, and personality.
• When both wearers are present simultaneously, their combined power exponentially increases, effectively allowing them to channel the full might of their ancestral guardians.

Cultural & Philosophical Significance

The Lumbee as a Symbol of Endurance

• The Lumbee’s ability to grow anywhere represents the unyielding strength of lineage and heritage.
• It reflects perseverance through adversity, mirroring the struggles of noble families who fight to maintain their legacy across generations.

The Sacred Duty of Preservation

• To neglect a Family Tree is considered one of the greatest dishonors, signifying a disconnection from one’s ancestors.
• The act of continuing to inscribe, carve, and maintain the Family Forest is a ritual of remembrance, ensuring that history is never forgotten.

The Balance Between Life and Death

• The transformation of a fallen Lumbee into a Guhya reflects the cycle of death and rebirth.
• Ancestral spirits live on through the Janusian Door Gods and Lumbee Guhyas, creating a direct link between past and present.