Grand Aetheria
Grand Aetheria, by "modern" standards, is a modest city constructed around, within, and atop the Grand Aetheria Tree that marks the convergence points of the 4 Evad regions: the symbolic and literal point where the 4 seasons converge. Grand halls and walkways are carved directly into the tree or "woven" together by those blessed of the Druidic arts. Moss gardens cover the larger branches and water flows among the tree's sprawling roots. Once, the light emanating from the fruit of the Aetheria tree was vibrant. Now, as the Mind Blight encoraches, its light has dimmed and the city itself forced to withdraw to its innermost ring.
The Rings of Grand Aetheria
The settlement of Grand Aetheria was originally composed of 5 major rings. The outermost, the 5th Ring, was primarily pasture, where herds of creatures would graze. Occasional homes or inns (often "woven" together with plant life) dotted the landscape, providing respite to the Bestial Aetherians and Eladrin who were often more inclined to animal handling and the semi-nomadic lifestyle. Once a land filled with a vast array of colorful flora and fauna, this ring has long been consumed by the Mind Blight.
The 4th Ring was primarily agricultural fields, most of which were naturally ocurring and were merely tended to by the Aetherians and Eladrin. Fields that did not occur naturally, were gradually changed to produce the desired foodstuff through druidic rituals that often took decades. Farming "villages" were often located near rolling hills between the fields. Here, locals dug their homes into the hills, growing personal gardens on top. Once a land filled with abundance, this ring has long been consumed by the Mind Blight.
The 3rd Ring was considered the outer ring of the formal city. However, most of it was still dedicated to naturally occurring groves, mineral-infused pools and lakes, and a variety of orchards and parks. The presence of larger trees meant that most homes and buildings were constructed within the trunks, strung between the trees, or attached amidst a cradle of branches. Bathhouses were built near the pools and lakes and were once of the few buildings in this ring that used stone and marble. Meaderies and breweries were often nestled beneath the roots of trees with walls composed of "braided roots" to shield patrons from the dirt. Once a land filled with activity and harmony with nature, this ring has long been consumed by the Mind Blight.
The 2nd Ring saw the rise of man-mad structures (though still intertwined with nature) and directly surrounded the base of the Grand Aetheria Tree. Groves of smaller Aetheria trees provided homes for most of the populace and it was common for multiple families to share a single Aetheria tree. Here, the streets were often lined with stone, though ample dirt or moss-covered paths persisted. Groves, orchards, and parks were common, creating massive patches of green amidst man-made structures. Where nature parted, the Aetherians constructed sprawling markets, amphitheaters, tracks for races and games, and outdoor art galleries. Although they were rarely used, a wall of bramble and thorn could be raised to defend this ring, if needed. However, as the Mind Blight advanced, it pushed past the wall of thorn with relative ease. Once a land filled with celebration and laughter, this ring was relatively recently consumed by the Mind Blight.
The innermost ring includes the Grand Aetheria Tree itself: a massive tree with a quarter mile diameter at its widest point and a towering height of nearly 4 miles. The canopy of the Grand Aetheria Tree is particularly dense, but strands of emerald capture light from the sun and share it with plants and creatures below. The fruits of the Aetheria tree, which shift and change with time, also provide modest light. Rings of structures – homes, social spaces, businesses and other establishments – have been carved and "woven" into her trunk. Far higher up, when the trunk splits and divides, buildings have been nestld within the branches or strung upon sturdy vines in the open spaces between. The roots of the Grand Aetheria Tre serve as dams and barriers for pools of water at her base.
However, the edges of the massive roots have begun to curl up, wither, and disintegrate. The great canopy has dimmed; many of her leaves near the distal branches have fallen or hang limp and dead. To comat the loss of space, much of the area shows signs of being repurposed to support agriculture of any kind. Abandoned bulidings have been half toppled or hastily converted to greenhouses. It is not uncommon to find a moss field spilling out of what was once someone's parlor.
Within the Grand Aetheria Tree
Despite being carved into, the Grand Aetheria Tree is alive and, perhaps at one point in time, was also thriving as it lived alongside the Aetherian people in nearly perfect harmony. Long before the Dremoran calendar, the druids of the Evad learned how to "weave" the wood, bark, and living tissue of the Aetheria trees and mold them into livable spaces without compromising the integrity of the Aetheria tree itself.
The Aetherian Druids worked carefully and meticulously to carve around the important and vital vasculature of the Aetheria trees and the Grand Aetheria Tree is the greatest testament to their skill. Rooms, chambers, and arched hallways line the inner layer of the tree's bark. The druids have guided the inner vasculature to grow in spirals that continues to support the tree while simultaneously serving as an interconnecting series of walkways. Given the tree's massive height, enchanted vines serve as "swing elevators", moving individuals up and down the tree. Various taps are wedged directly into the vascular for those that need a drink of fresh water or a bit of unfiltered sap (popular among children and those with a sweet tooth).
Symptom of the Blight
At the top of the main trunk – where the Grand Aetheria Tree first begins to branch – is a mass of dark, gnarled vines the twist and wind around the circumference of the tree. Up close, it is possible to see the gnarled mass undulate with a steady rhythm, almost as if breathing. This is the interwoven mass of the Seasonal Blights, which have bound the Evads to their dreams. They undulate in time with their breathing… and hold the Mind Blight at bay.
Type
Large town
Location under
Included Locations
Owner/Ruler
Additional Rulers/Owners
Related Reports (Primary)
Related Reports (Secondary)
Map of the Grand Aetheria Tree
- Hall of Seasons
- Hall of Sprawling Roots
- Sih'Tava School of Magic and the Druidic Arts
- Plant Nursery, Green Houses, and Moss Park
- The Bennu (Sparring Hall)
- The Anyasat ("Mothers Quarters")
- The Watering Grove
- Aetheria Ballroom
- The Aetherian Archives
- Shrine of the Fallen
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