The Birth of Vyrewood: The Trickster's Bargain

The Legend of Vyrewood tells of Zemia, the Titaness of Earth, who was deceived by Igmut, the Trickster God, after he took the form of a treant and won her love. From their union, a child of chaos and magic was born, transforming into the sentient and untamed realm of Vyrewood. Horrified by its wild nature, Zemia banished the child to its own plane, cursing all beings born of it to speak only truth, unable to deceive as Igmut had deceived her. Vyrewood remains a realm of beauty and terror, where chaos and honesty intertwine, reflecting both the grief of its mother and the mischief of its father.

The Legend of Vyrewood is believed to have originated during the Calamity Era, an age of divine upheaval and untamed magic when gods and titans shaped Tanaria. It reflects the tension between creation and chaos, illustrating the consequences of divine betrayal and unchecked power.   While the exact timing of Vyrewood’s emergence is uncertain, scholars trace its first written record to 47 HE, during the early Harmonium Era. Fragments of ancient elven texts, attributed to the Order of Verdant Truth, describe the myth and its connection to Sylvanna and the fae. These records suggest that the legend was already deeply rooted in oral tradition long before it was transcribed.   Vyrewood’s creation is often cited as one of the defining events of the Calamity Era, marking the boundary between a time of primal forces and the rise of mortal civilizations. It serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of unchecked ambition and the balance between order and chaos.   Today, Vyrewood’s influence endures in rituals, curses, and magical practices, especially among elves and fae, who view it as both a source of power and a reminder of divine consequence.

The Tragic Romance Version

In this version, Zemia is portrayed as deeply in love with the treant she believed Igmut to be. Her decision to bear his child is framed as an act of devotion rather than naivety. This retelling emphasizes heartbreak over betrayal, focusing on Zemia’s sorrow rather than her rage. The curse upon Vyrewood’s children is seen as an act of protection rather than punishment—a way to ensure her child’s creations could never spread deceit as Igmut had.  

The Betrayal of Trust Version

A darker variation paints Zemia as a victim of manipulation and Igmut as a cruel deceiver. Here, Igmut is less a playful trickster and more a malicious force who sought to corrupt Zemia’s creations out of jealousy. Vyrewood’s birth is portrayed as a catastrophic punishment, and the curse is less about truth and more about binding the Fae to eternal servitude under Zemia’s grief and fury.  

The Test of Creation Version

This interpretation suggests that Igmut never lied but instead presented Zemia with a challenge. The creation of Vyrewood was not a trick but a test of Zemia’s ability to embrace chaos alongside order. In this telling, the curse was not fueled by anger but was a deliberate act to balance the forces of creation and chaos. Vyrewood is seen as a reflection of divine duality rather than a mistake.  

The Fae’s Perspective

Among the fae, the story shifts dramatically. They view themselves not as cursed but as blessed—beings of truth who wield their words as weapons. Some even revere Igmut as a liberator who gave them freedom from mortal constraints, while others honor Zemia for her gift of clarity and purpose. This version paints the fae as protectors of Vyrewood, guarding its secrets against outsiders who cannot handle its truths.  

The Forbidden Child Version

Some ancient cults believe the child of Zemia and Igmut still exists as a conscious entity within Vyrewood, its essence bound to the forest but not destroyed. This version portrays the child as a sleeping godling, waiting for the right moment to awaken and reclaim its power. Followers of this belief often venture into Vyrewood seeking communion with the child, though few return sane.   Each variation adds nuance to the myth, with the differences often shaped by regional culture, religion, or political beliefs. Some view Vyrewood as a divine punishment, others as a paradise of wild freedom, but all agree it is a place of power and peril.

Elves (Sylvaren, Umbravar, Aelvaren)

For the elves, Vyrewood is deeply tied to their identity, particularly among the Sylvaren and Umbravar. The Sylvaren, or Wood Elves, see Vyrewood as sacred—a living embodiment of nature’s balance between order and chaos. They honor Zemia as a nurturing force and view her sorrow as a reminder to respect the cycles of growth and destruction. Seasonal rituals and offerings are central to their traditions, reinforcing their reverence for natural cycles and the untamed beauty of Vyrewood.   The Umbravar, or Dark Elves, focus more on Igmut’s role as a trickster and creator. They admire his cunning and see Vyrewood as both a warning and an opportunity—a place where magic’s raw power can be harnessed. Some Umbravar seek to bend the chaotic energies of Vyrewood to their will, while others regard it with caution, fearing the consequences of uncontrolled ambition.   The Aelvaren, or High Elves, approach the legend with intellectual curiosity, treating Vyrewood as a subject of study rather than reverence. They interpret the curse of truth as a metaphor for the weight of knowledge and the pursuit of wisdom. For them, Vyrewood is a symbol of the delicate balance between brilliance and madness, a place that demands respect but inspires endless fascination.  

Fae and Creatures of Vyrewood

For the fae, the legend of Vyrewood is not just history—it is their origin and identity. Born from the chaos of Vyrewood, they see themselves as children of both Zemia and Igmut, inheritors of divine power and primal truth. Bound by the curse of honesty, the fae do not view their inability to lie as a weakness but as a tool to shape truths into riddles, traps, and illusions.   Some fae revere Igmut as a liberator who gave them freedom from mortal constraints, celebrating his mischief and creativity. Others honor Zemia, seeing her gift of clarity as a mark of purpose and protection. To the fae, Vyrewood is not a prison but a sanctuary—alive, unpredictable, and fiercely protective of its own. Outsiders are both guests and prey, welcomed and toyed with in equal measure.  

Druids and Nature Worshippers

Druids and followers of Sylvanna view Vyrewood as both sacred and dangerous. To them, it represents the duality of nature’s beauty and savagery, serving as a lesson in respecting natural balance. Many druids make pilgrimages to Vyrewood, seeking visions or enlightenment within its shifting paths. Others act as its guardians, protecting its boundaries and ensuring that its magic does not spread unchecked into the mortal world.   Rituals performed near Vyrewood often invoke Zemia’s sorrow and strength, acknowledging the power of creation while warning against recklessness. Druids see the curse of truth as a divine law, reinforcing the importance of honesty and harmony within nature.  

Humans and Outsiders

For most humans, Vyrewood is a place of fear and fascination. Tales of adventurers who entered its depths seeking treasure, only to be ensnared by fae riddles or vanish entirely, dominate Human folklore. In Eouma, the legend serves as a cautionary tale, warning against ambition and the dangers of meddling with magic. Parents often tell their children stories of Vyrewood to keep them from wandering too far into the unknown.   In Jou’lunn, the legend is twisted into a narrative of dominance, portraying the fae as treacherous and dangerous beings who must be controlled or eradicated. This belief reinforces their distrust of non-human races and fuels their drive to conquer what they do not understand. Traders and explorers, however, often see Vyrewood as an untapped source of magic and resources, willing to risk its dangers for profit.  

Kalros Clans

Among the Kalros clans, Vyrewood is viewed as both a challenge and a test of worth. Warriors tell tales of those who ventured into its depths to prove their strength, returning marked by its magic or not returning at all. For them, Vyrewood is a symbol of primal power, a place where survival depends on wit and strength.   Shamans and mystics among the clans see Vyrewood as a gateway to deeper truths, treating it with reverence but also wariness. Some believe that it holds secrets capable of uniting the clans, while others fear it as a corrupting force that could divide them.  

Zemanii Tribes

The Zemanii, particularly the desert-dwelling Xar'vek and the icy Zhu’khondar, regard Vyrewood with both respect and fear. The Xar’vek, accustomed to harsh environments, view the forest’s shifting nature as a reflection of survival’s unpredictability. They avoid its depths but respect its power, believing it teaches resilience.   The Zhu’khondar, on the other hand, associate Vyrewood with forbidden magic and spirits, treating it as a cursed place best left undisturbed. They tell stories of those who entered and returned changed, carrying shadows in their eyes and whispers in their hearts.  

Scholars and Mages

For scholars and mages, Vyrewood is an enigma—a source of endless fascination and fear. Many believe its creation offers insights into the origins of magic and divine power, while others speculate it may hold the key to unlocking new magical potential.   Some researchers risk entering Vyrewood to study its flora, fauna, and magical energies, though few return with their sanity intact. The curse of truth and the fae’s manipulative nature make such studies dangerous, yet the pursuit of knowledge continues to draw ambitious minds into its depths.  

Significance and Legacy

Across Tanaria, the legend of Vyrewood endures as a symbol of creation, chaos, and consequence. It serves as both a cautionary tale and a source of inspiration, reminding cultures of the delicate balance between order and wildness. Whether viewed as a place of divine punishment, untamed freedom, or hidden power, Vyrewood’s influence stretches far beyond its borders, shaping rituals, beliefs, and the ambitions of those who dare to approach its mysteries.

This account was preserved in fragments of ancient elven texts attributed to the Order of Verdant Truth, a sect of scholars and druids devoted to Sylvanna and the natural world. These writings, etched into living trees and stone tablets, were discovered deep within the heart of the Emerald Grove, a sacred site believed to have once bordered the Vyrewood.   Some claim the story existed long before this written record, passed down orally by early elves and fae who feared and revered Vyrewood’s power. Others argue the legend is far older, its origins whispered by the fae themselves, woven into their songs and riddles long before mortals dared set foot near the realm.   The fragmented nature of the earliest texts leaves room for debate, but scholars agree that Vyrewood’s myth continues to shape beliefs about truth, chaos, and creation, particularly among fae and those who revere Sylvanna’s teachings.

Elven Art

Elven depictions of Vyrewood focus on its beauty and divine origins. Sylvaren artists often illustrate it as a lush, untamed paradise brimming with vibrant colors, twisting trees, and glowing flora, capturing its connection to nature and magic. Murals and carvings in elven groves emphasize Zemia’s sorrow, portraying her as a grieving mother surrounded by vines and thorns, her tears giving life to the forest.   The Umbravar, however, take a darker approach, depicting Vyrewood as a shadowy, shifting maze filled with eyes in the dark. Their art often highlights Igmut’s influence, showing him as a trickster smiling among twisted branches or lurking behind Zemia, his features half-hidden in shadow.   Aelvaren works tend to focus on symmetry and geometric beauty, treating Vyrewood as a symbol of balance and chaos. Tapestries depict its curse as golden chains binding fae figures, their expressions serene despite their confinement to truth.  

Fae Art

The fae’s art reflects their chaotic and unpredictable nature, often featuring illusions and layered meanings. Their sculptures and carvings use materials like crystal, bone, and wood, mimicking the twisting patterns of Vyrewood’s branches.   Paintings and murals depict Vyrewood as alive, with faces hidden in bark and eyes peering from flowers. The fae themselves are shown as both graceful and terrifying, bound in beauty but wielding sharp edges. In some works, Igmut is shown laughing while Zemia watches in sorrow, but other pieces reverse the roles, depicting Zemia as a vengeful force and Igmut as a misunderstood creator.  

Human Art

Human interpretations of Vyrewood tend to emphasize fear and danger. Paintings often depict the forest as dark and foreboding, with roots like claws and mist hiding unseen threats. Adventurers are shown battling monstrous fae or becoming ensnared by vines, reinforcing the legend’s cautionary tone.   In religious art, particularly in Eouma, Zemia is portrayed as a sorrowful figure, her arms outstretched as she banishes her child. Igmut is often painted as a demonic figure, his grin mocking her anguish. These works warn against defying divine order, reinforcing moral lessons.   In contrast, Jou’lunn art portrays Vyrewood as something to be conquered, with paintings of human warriors cutting through its tangled depths, subjugating fae, and bending the forest to their will.