Trees of River Crossing (book)

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The Trees of River Crossing
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1. Introduction
2. The Forests of Zoluren
3. Trees used in Industry
4. Our Gardens and Boulevards
5. Trees in History
6. About the Authors
7. Afterword

1. INTRODUCTION

The Province of Zoluren is blessed with an abundance of beautiful, valuable and useful trees of many different varieties.

Our children climb them, our homes and weapons are built from their wood, and we eat their fruits and nuts. They shelter us from danger in times of need.

In this book, a collaborative work, we the authors hope to present a compelling picture of the forests, the orchards, the gardens and the boulevards of the River Crossing area. We hope to show the importance of trees to our hearts and souls, as well as to our industries. And we hope to show that trees have an important part in history, both as witnesses to it and as actors in it.

This volume will concentrate upon the Crossing itself, the areas to the north and west of the city, as well as the forests lying immediately to the south. Unfortunately it would not be possible to do justice to Leth Deriel in a book primarily about the trees of the Crossing area. Therefore we must regrettably leave that subject for another time.

2. THE FORESTS OF ZOLUREN

TO THE WEST

Extending from the western gate of the Crossing into the Mycthen- gelde is a wooded area of wyndewood, oak, cedar and juniper trees in bunched groves broken by grassed areas of wildflowers. Farther west and north lies an arid plain. Just as the Crossing disappears from sight behind the trees, one stumbles across a little hollow containing a lake surrounded by trees with metal- bearing leaves. Such are described in detail in "Notes on the Mineral Bearing Trees" by Moonshadow Palantiri. To the southwest of that, beyond a row of alders, lies Siergelde's Meek, an area so heavily forested the trunks and limbs nearly blot out the sky and humidity drips from every leaf. Flowering red vines grow upon the trees, climbing above a dense ground cover of foliage and wildflowers. This is the wondrous sight that greets those who make their pilgrimage to seek the favor of the gods atop the cliffs in that area.

More directly west of the Crossing, one travels through a broad grasslands first then encounters forest. Hemlocks mark the trans- ition, followed by thorn trees, willows, bamboo (technically a large grass) and pine. Cut through by a babbling brook, the forest resumes anew on the other side, its tall trees silver-grey- leaved and pebble-barked, home to cougars, foxes and the occa- sional exploring young ogre.

TO THE NORTH

The northernmost gate of the Crossing lies in dilapidated ruin, little more than a crumbling arch. There is no evidence that any foul play was involved, only a gradual decline due to lack of use or attention. Immediately beyond the walls a thick pine forest has grown, though farmlands still lie past that. Other trees out the northern arch include oaks, laurels, white birch and sourwood.

On the Northern Trade Road, one travels through a series of farm- lands, grasslands and varied degrees of forest made up mostly of pine and deobar. Approaching the volcanic area near the Greater Fist most of the trees appear to have been damaged or killed by fire, being little more than burnt stumps or bowed shapes under heaps of ash. A band of forest between this area and the healthy forest to the south appears oddly sickened, perhaps by proximity to the large number of undead beasts found in the area.

TO THE EAST

A quiet path extends eastward from Crossing's northeast gate, entering a deep forest. While it is mostly made up of pine, this forest's thick needle bedding and loamy soil are also home to blackwoods, oaks and aesaigo trees.

Between the northeast and east gates, along the east wall of the city, lies a forested area of mostly poplar and deobar. Further east, however, are the Middens slums, which, whatever they may have been before, are mainly mud and refuse now with very few trees.

TO THE SOUTH

The Crossing's southern border is the Segoltha River, beyond which a floodplain extends east and west. South of that lies the Endrus Forest, which surrounds the Elven stronghold of Leth Deriel.

The northern edge of the Endrus Forest is made up of oak, beech and whitethorn with a thick, prickly underbrush. As one travels farther south the Endrus becomes extremely dense, with old growth oak, pine, deobar, sana'ati, ironwood, rowan, vedda and remeka trees. At one point off to the east-northeast one can see a section of unnervingly twisted and blackened trees in the distance. This is the Forest of Night, home to Blood Dryads, Blood Nyads and Death Spirits.

The outskirts of the Leth Deriel area are marked by a prolif- eration of purposely planted exotic trees of all types, many growing outside of their natural habitat in perfect health.

3. TREES USED IN INDUSTRY

The most important woods harvested for industry in Zoluren prov- ince are yew, elm, ebony, birch, willow, oak, maple and ash. Oak in particular has been a mainstay, as the wood of choice for the fitting out of most home interiors, and is often seen in public works such as bridges and park benches around the Crossing. Also import- ant are fir, spruce, pine, hickory, apple, cherry and alder.

Cedar, walnut and deobar have also been important in the past, though they are currently much more difficult to obtain in Zoluren than they once were. This is due to a variety of factors which might include overharvesting, difficulty of physical access, protected status or the availability of cheaper imports.

Silverwood, rosewood, redwood, osage, mistwood, mahogany, copper- wood and bloodwood have not seen major harvesting in Zoluren due to rarity.

While it would be impossible to go into the entire extent to which native woods are used in industry in Zoluren, here is an overview:

HOME CONSTRUCTION

Lower class housing in the Crossing area reflects the roots of both our relationship with the forests and the architecture of our cities. The best-built of these little houses are properly framed with wood shingling on top. Others are constructed of logs, if skill is short to hand but labor is in ready supply. Locally available woods such as yew, pine, fir, birch or poplar are most commonly seen. (The so-called "olivewood" sometimes found on such houses is no such thing, but in fact local logs of various types that have turned olive-green after being treated). Alas, for those with extremely limited resources, mud and twig structures such as those along Goodthwaite Pike may be all that is possible, or at worst case the boughs of trees arranged into the rudest of shelters.

Whether cozy and snug or knotty and rustic, the homes of the middle class in the Crossing area tend to be of considerably better construction than those of the lower classes. Again they use local woods for their planks, half-timbers and logs -- typi- cally oak, pine, yew, cedar, fir, maple or hickory. Doors and casings may be of the same woods or of locally obtainable ash, walnut, willow, myrtle or laurel. The more well-to-do might display a front door of a more difficult to obtain wood instead, such as teak or burl olivewood.

Within the Crossing itself, the urban middle class are more likely to live in homes of block or stucco construction, but you will still find those with trim, shingling or half-timbers of local cedar, oak, pine, yew or hickory. The doors of such houses and apartments echo those of their rural cousins in the types of woods used, but are much more likely to be painted bright colors and sport brass, bronze, or copper trim.

The gated manors of the Crossing's most elite citizens are most often constructed of stone or brick for a lasting impression and increased permanence. Even so you might find shingling of oak and ash, as hardwood shingles can last upward of fifty years with proper care. Elegant gables of local ebony, cedar, oak and walnut are also seen. Gables of cypress, mahogany or teak, however, will have been made from imported wood. Doors on Crossing's upper class domiciles are ostentatious, utilizing such exotics as rosewood, sandalwood, silkwood, holly oak or pear and displaying ornate workmanship in the form of fine metal and stone inlays. Middle class homes regardless of location are typically finished out with walls, flooring and window-casings of local oak, pine, maple, walnut, beechwood, ebony or blackwood.

While upper class homes may be finished out with local woods, there are also sawmills that import logs of exotic flamewood, copperwood, satinwood, mahogany and rosewood in order to be able to produce walls, flooring and window framing of these materials for sale in local housing shops in the Crossing.

As a note, some also choose to use a living tree as the home itself. This is not seen so commonly in the Crossing area as it is farther south in Leth Deriel, but one might see a few examples of tree-houses along the Southern Trade Road and on the training fields of the Mews.

HOME FURNISHINGS

Tables and chairs of maple, oak, cherry, ebony, birch, walnut, beech, silverwillow and wicker are locally produced. Those of flamewood, copperwood, satinwood, mahogany or rosewood that are sold locally may have been made here but would need to have come from imported wood.

Most furniture in the houses of River Crossing has been purchased abroad, although some of it might well be constructed of Zoluren- exported lumber -- particularly furniture of yew, elm, ebony, birch, willow or wicker, oak, maple and ash.

FIREWOOD

Firewood is readily gathered in the Crossing area and such gather- ing is a primary form of income for those too poor or unskilled to hunt their living with weapons. Firewood is sold at the bazaar in the central part of the Crossing, and no doubt spent all too soon on debt repayment and the costs of daily life in the city.

Firewood also makes a ready source of heat during wintertime for those homes and businesses with hearths, and wood charcoal is the primary fuel for cook stoves in the Crossing area.

AGRICULTURE

Tree crops of the Crossing area include vreeland pears, cherries, sicle fruits, dwarf and Berengaria apples; juice apples, oranges and lemons; walnuts, chestnuts and other nuts; maple sugar and acanth bark.

DYES AND COLORS

The dyes used in the manufacture of clothing and other fabric, leather and wood products in the Crossing area utilize ingredients from many different local trees. Orange dyes can be produced with pear leaves, and brown dyes with wild plum root, oak bark, sumac leaves, walnut hulls, juniper berries, or boiled acorns. Cherries can be used to make pink dyes. For blues and purples: mulberries, elderberries, cherry roots, red cedar roots and red maple inner bark. For red dyes, various red leaves can be used, as well as sumac fruit, chokecherries and dried hibiscus flowers. For yellows and golds, willow leaves, sumac bark, osage wood, salted hickory leaves, White mulberry bark, apple tree bark and pear tree bark have all been used.

WEAPON AND ARMOR CONSTRUCTION

Native woods are used as the hafts and hilts of many if not most weapons, from oaken axe handles and ironwood quarterstaffs to ebony-hilted daggers. Wicker, made from the withies or drooping narrow branches of willow trees, makes an excellent lightweight protective shield or chest protection that is less of a hindrance to some of the smaller races than leather armor would be. Locally available maple, spruce and pine are considered sub- standard for longbows and suitable only for the training of apprentices. Cherry, oak, hickory, apple and elm of reasonable quality are available however, as well as fairly decent birch, fir, willow, ash and alder. Pfanston Melgorn, a Human Ranger, now lives in Ilithi but originally apprenticed near the Crossing recalls that the first truly good longbow he produced in his youth was made from Alder.

The best materials available locally for the construction of bows and arrows are ebony and yew. Unfortunately the most highly sought-after woods for longbow construction Elanthia-wide are not readily available anywhere near River Crossing, so local master bowyers must make long journeys should they desire to challenge themselves by building a weapon using, for example, copperwood or silverwood.

SHIPBUILDING AND MILITARY USES

Lumber is used extensively in the building of navy (and civilian) ships, including locally produced oak, spruce, fir and cedar and imported mahogany and teak. Masts are typically made of ash, ironwood or teak. In addition to the framing and planks of the ships themselves, large amounts of local lumber form the cradles, supports, scaffolding and jigs used in the shipyards during the building process. Other military uses for local wood include guard shacks, wooden barricades and stockades, and the heavy bases of siege weapons such as onagers and ballistas.

MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS

Instrument-makers in River Crossing offer oak, maple, pine, willow, wyndwood, deobar, ebony, ash and ironwood instruments. Also available are rosewood and lunat, which in quantities small enough for the making of instruments were probably harvested in Zoluren as well. The other major source of musical instrument production in the province of Zoluren is the Leth Deriel area, where more exotic woods are available in abundant supply.

HEALING PROPERTIES

Aside from the restful nature of trees' shade and beauty, much study has been made of the magical or alchemical healing properties of tree roots, bark, sap and leaves. Sufil sap is well-known to aid in the healing of eye scratches. Muljin sap helps with abdominal troubles. Some also believe that apple bark tea is good for a sour stomach; willow bark tea for sore throats, colds and toothaches; white oak bark for bleeding gums; birch tree sap for cleaning wounds; and laurel leaves for sore joints. Linden leaves, flowers and fruits have been used to reduce inflammation and headache, for colds, and for anxiety and hysteria. Alder bark is said to be good for insect bites.

"Flying trees", from seeds dropped by birds into high places such as in other trees, are thought to have magical healing powers as well, and tribes once inhabiting the Endrus Forest would eat the bark of vedda trees, which provided a hallucinogenic effect. There is good practical information about the healing properties of tree and herb parts in "Healing Reagents" by Baishir and Bashrah Almi.

HOLY USES

Clerics use wood of various types in the carving of devotional beads in the symbolic animal shapes of the different gods. Some woods are more diff0 icult than others to use for this purpose, so the initiate clerics use pine, maple or scrapwood while ebony is reserved for those with greater skill.

Wood is also found in the construction of some altars, such as the dark wood altar in the Crossing Cleric Guild's chapel, or the small sandalwood altar in the Shrine of Thought on the Crossing temple's Iris Rim. Crossing's great temple is built mainly of stone but uses mahogany extensively in its flooring and seating, and its grand staircase features a silverwood banister carved to resemble a flowing stream.

There is a wiir tree on the Northern Trade road purported to be used in a Clerical ritual. Sometimes a sirese flower can be spotted growing at its base, due no doubt to seeds of this holy flower clinging to the vestments of those come to visit the tree.

MAGICAL USES

Warrior Mages use wood for the carving of the talisman with which they summon their animal familiars from the elemental planes. For this reason there are special trees to which the mages travel in the course of their studies, at least two of which, a fir and a sanrisi tree, can be found in the Crossing area.

Moon Mages also use carved woods in their work with magical devices, most notably the making of burin handles, usually of oak.

OTHER USES

As mentioned before, the extent to which tree woods, leaves, roots and fruits pervade our lives would be impossible to describe in full in a single chapter. Furniture, baskets and trellises come from trees, as do brooms, boxes and whistles. Hickory and walnut wood smoke our foods. Fir needles scent our soaps. Cherry leaves and sassafras roots flavor our teas. Tree fruits fill our tarts and pies. Tree saps are used as adhesives and sealants on everything from boats to toys. Our ales are aged in kegs of oak and alder. It would not be an exaggeration to say that everything we have today, we owe to the versatility and usefulness of the noble tree.

4. OUR GARDENS AND BOULEVARDS

The west side of the town of Crossing is almost without trees, perhaps because of the lower class and more industrial nature of that part of the city. However the east end is remarkably lush.

THE SOUTHEAST QUARTER OF THE CROSSING

Trees provide an important calming and meditative effect, so perhaps it is no surprise that some of the oldest, most numerous and most developed tree areas in the Crossing are clustered near houses. The Gull's View Terrace and Riverpine Circle housing areas in the southeast quarter are forested with many tall cedars and pines, lending these neighborhoods a peaceful, shady atmosphere and the scent of these fragrant trees. The earth between the houses is covered with pine needles, ferns, dark green mosses and river stones, giving a pleasant impression of deep forest though it is in reality only steps away from the center of town. Closest to the shore of the Segoltha river, the trees are stunted and twisted into shapes by the forces of the river and weather, giving an entirely different feel to the urban forest.

Not far from there, in the same part of town, is a tiny garden at Tamsine's Rest -- a shrine to the Crossing's patron goddess. Sicle saplings surround the shrine itself, while the tea garden contains a red maple tree used in remembrance rituals.

On Immortal's Approach near the entrance to the Crossing's main temple, cherry trees in carved stone planters line the road.

TOWN CENTER

The campus of Asemath Academy is beautifully landscaped with woods and flowers, its trees having been subtly lifesculpted to bring each garden arrangement into perfect harmony. According to Nuark Craylys, a Mentor and Elothean Empath, the lifesculpting also aids in readying students' minds for success in their studies.

Not far from there the residential neighborhood of Smithy Lane opens out behind the armor shop. The narrow cobbled lane wends between neat cottages and tall trees can be found throughout: fast-growing aspens, silverwillows, and weeping willows, along with quite a few older mature oaks.

Lunat Shade Road, the site of Crossing's Town Hall, is lined with stately Lunat trees donated by the city's richest merchants to beautify the town. The trees continue west to border the south side of the Town Green.

An ancient oak tree is planted in the northeast corner of the Town Green, shading a water trough and bench. Commander Worrclan Deathadder, a rather gruff Dwarf whose interest in trees initially appeared to revolve around which woods are good for ale-aging kegs, turned out to have a great knowledge of the history of the Crossing area. He said he remembered the tree when it was a sapling, and that it had been planted there by an Emperor whose name he seemed to have mislaid. It was placed there, he said, in order to have some more green in such a large city. A young oak tree in the southeast corner of the Green appears to have been planted much more recently.

Not far from there is the Midton Circle housing area, a quiet neighborhood of cottage style housing that is home to many mature oaks and maples as well as a large, centrally located apple tree.

THE NORTHEAST QUARTER

Flamethorn Way is another treed avenue. The scarlet-leaved trees lining this road are just one of several demonstrations throughout town that the Crossing, unlike some other municipalities, allows the planting of thorn-trees on public boulevards.

A covered alley connects Flamethorn Way to Truffenyi place, where vigorous stands of sicle trees crowd the intersection and line both sides of the road. Sicle trees also grace the courtyard of the Cleric's Guild nearby, and the aptly-named Sicle Grove Lane that joins Truffenyi to the property of the Ranger Guild. The Ranger Guild itself is located in a grove of wild pine.

In the northernmost part of town, Eylhaar Bane Road becomes Gildleaf Circle, so-named because of its shrubs with gold-bearing leaves, but this road is also lined with ornamental fruit trees near the gate of Jadewater Mansion, home of the Mentor Society.

On the Jadewater west lawn, an ancient Mimosa tree shelters a seating area, and a winding path leads away through more shade trees. At the other end of the lawn, a ring of redwoods encircling a firepit provides another spot for students to sit and learn.

Also off Eylhaar is the Alhamara Arch, leadomg to the exclusive neighborhood of Fayl'Shar Court. Inside, Baluster Boulevard is broad, lined with mature copperleaf trees and shaded estates. A big oak at the end of the boulevard shelters a quiet seating area.

From there, Goldstone Square opens up, with several arches each leading into a different section of the impressive Goldstone Arboretum. The Ban-Minahle, Tulvora and Peregan arches are so- named for the rare trees of those types planted next to each. Two splendid fir trees stand near a statue also found on the Square. The extensive Empath Garden and housing area at Willow Walk has a number of trees among its specimens. Willow Walk is named after an enormous Weeping willow that towers protectively over the end nearest to the guild itself, and there are two smaller weeping willows located either side of the gate. An ancient sugar maple has had its bark lifesculpted to represent a unicorn. The garden is also home to cherry trees, lindens and silverwillows.

IN THE AREAS SURROUNDING

At the altar in Siergelde's Regard, the original buildings are in ruins. Nothing is left of them but an arch and some rocks. How- ever, there also remain two giant juniper trees on either side of the arch, apparently planted long ago when the building was a thriving temple or other center of activity.

The grounds of Zoluren's Royal Mews, out of town on the north side, are laid out formally with rosebushes and stately gravel walks. Tall boxwood trees line the main path, and a ring of oaks surrounds the jousting area. Curiously enough, a couple of tree houses can be found on the training field, home to a lucky few.

ARTHE DALE

Flowering and fruiting trees abound in Arthe Dale, the Halfling population of which favors planting food-bearing and colorful crops along the roads. The main road, Taffelberry Path, is lined on both sides with sicle trees, and nearby Apple Blossom Lane alternates sections of apples and cherries. Farther back on Apple Blossom Lane are stands of tall poplars and firs and a pond surrounded by weeping willows.

The Berry Knolls neighborhood is dominated by oak trees, some quite massive. One yard contains a curious sight: a boysenberry trained to grow in tree form, with its branches trailing down.

Arthe Dale is also known for the giant oak tree on its public green, from which young people enjoy diving into a swimming hole.

KAERNA VILLAGE

Near the village well, a copse of oak and aspen trees surrounds the path. Back in the housing areas, neatly trimmed hedges of hawthorn and beech and small firs and poplars planted in buckets give the impression of in-town living, despite being surrounded by deep forest all around.

A WORD ABOUT LETH DERIEL

A book of this length, focussed on the Crossing area, cannot do justice to the wonder that is Leth Deriel. However, something of it is included here so that readers may see if their interest is piqued and, if so, perhaps investigate further on their own.

Leth is filled with and surrounded by trees. The heart of the town of Leth Deriel is a massive Sana'ati tree known as the Sana'ati Dyaus. Its limbs and roots glows with phosphorescence as do the veins of the leaves, illuminating the area below it. Oramiwe Tasare, a Forest Elf, explained that the tree was origin- ally a fortress for her ancestors. This would have been at least six thousand and possibly as long as ten thousand years ago.

As Leth was built up around it, the tree's function changed and it now houses the mayor's office, a public meeting hall and the debt repayment office.

The Sana'ati Dyaus is far from the only tree of importance in Leth; in fact, an entire volume could be written on the subject. The Alder Bower Gate, through which travelers from the Crossing first enter Leth Deriel, is formed entirely of living alders.

5. TREES IN HISTORY

THE VREELAND HUB

Vreeland pear trees are grown in domestication out the west gate of the Crossings. There is one particular specimen, however, that has quite a history behind it. If you ever hear of 'the' Vreeland pear tree, this would be the one. The tree in question is located in an agricultural grassland area currently overrun with goblins and hogs. It is a notable landmark in the area, being exception- ally large and leaning over in such a way that the trunk can be easily climbed. Once up inside, there is an excellent resting place in the shady dome of the tree.

"Vreeland tree is home of my ancestors," said Cherone, a Mentor and Prydaen. "We moved from Vreeland tree to a tree out north gate because of the constant attacks on our Hub. That was when the elders still walked with us."

Worrclan related the story of his bear familiar having hunted down an enemy of Stone Clan to that tree during the Sorrow War. That enemy was Darkensi, a Prydaen lieutenant to Lord Sorrow. Because of an oath they had rendered to Darkensi, the Vreeland Hub remained neutral during the Sorrow War.

In volume two, issue five of Waerd Aev, Farrowlin Pasant writes about the Hub in an article titled "Interview with the Vreeland". In this interview, which took place in a tree in the Brambles area out the north gate, the group's leader at the time described the purpose of the group thusly: "To keep the old traditions of our western lands alive, and to never forget our true history as a race."

Although it no longer contains the Prydaen, the Vreeland pear tree is good for climbing and has a safe place to sit above while escaping the ravages of the goblins below.

THE PIRATE TREE

In southeast Crossing, the Strand extends along the water's edge. It is a ritzy area of Estate Holder vacation spots and sandy beaches. One of the most striking landmarks in the area is an enormous banyan tree split down the center by a large rock.

Banyan trees, a type of strangler fig, are fertilized by fig- pollen-covered gall wasps that climb inside of the flowers and die there after laying their own eggs. Trader Ahnoui, a merchant who has long run a stall in the bazaar tents of the Crossings, spoke earnestly on the subject of figs. "Half the time when we eat them and crunch on what we think are their seeds, they are really bug pieces," she explained.

The fruits are eaten by birds as well, which then drop the seeds while flying overhead. The seeds grow wherever they fall, even on top of rocks or in the clefts of other trees. From there the new tree extends its roots downward to the ground, until the host tree or other object is completely enclosed. So the sight of a boulder suspended in mid-air by the roots of a banyan tree isn't exactly unheard of.

The particular tree on the Strand, however, did not come by its giant rock through the usual means. The wood is splintered and damaged all around the boulder, as if by a great impact, and pieces of the tree are dying from the blow.

Sortny, another Trader with a long history in the area, explained that pirates did that damage with a ship-mounted mangonel. Accord- ing to her, the boulders that rained down also destroyed a nearby resort cabin killing two honeymooners. After the bombardment, their leader Jourok led a crew of cutthroats through the city.

Jourok is a Red Sash pirate who appears quite often in Crossing history -- and not in a good way. Rather, he's usually found connected with pirate invasions, sea battles, loss of large pieces of public property and as the ally of other attackers. Markhor, a longtime resident of the Crossing area who has served military duty and belonged to the Lorethew Mentors at various times in his life, commented that it was pirate bombardment that damaged the old city temple, requiring the temporary use of a tent set up amongst the rubble. According to Sortny the pirates also stole the Seerah, a ship which used to travel regularly between the Crossing and Ratha before the Skirr was commissioned. The unfortunate Seerah is now in pieces on the shores of Ratha. To those thinking of going to investigate the wreck, be aware it's reported to be full of ochre la'heke!

According to Ranger Pfanston, the incident in which the Banyan Tree was damaged was Crossing's first-ever encounter with Jourok.

A TALL FIR TREE

Not far outside the northeast gate of the Crossing lie the ruins of the old Warrior Mage guildhall, destroyed by fire. A tall fir tree next to it was damaged by the fire, but lives to this day.

The ruins themselves are evidence of great events, for guildhalls are never destroyed by forces that are easily forgotten. A great fire mage named Mibgluc was using a volcano to extort money, explained Worrclan Deathadder. He summoned a great burst of lava and fire and it hit the tower. The tree had been planted a bit before that and was still a sapling at the time. Warrior mages, who use the bark from the tree to make fir talismans, were unable to get any bark off the tree for some time after the fires.

Mibgluc was also responsible for the destruction of Sicle Grove, a small town that once existed on the North Trade Road between Riverhaven and Dirge. One of its residents, the empath Timothy Burrows, lost his mind when his home was reduced to swirling lava and dancing Fire Maidens, and he has wandered in confusion and insanity ever since.

As for the fir tree, Worrclan witnessed its planting by an old Human teacher from Shard named Oxfre Pepel. It was placed there specifically to aid War Mages in their work. Accurate information on what to do with the fir bark once collected is difficult to come by. Worrclan remembers knowing he was supposed to head south, but as to destination he'd heard every suggestion from Adan'f territory to the Ice Caverns. After many days of living in Ilithi and searching in vain, he finally found his fir familiar -- only to lose it again almost immediately when the Outcast Raenilar invaded Shard.

LESSONS LEARNED

A nondescript fellow by the name of Arclest spoke up when we reached the Crossing's bustling northeast customs gate. It seemed he too had a tale to tell, only this one was on a much more personal level. He was speaking of first days in the Crossing, and said that a helpful person led him outside the gate and told him to "just search around here, look for hiding people and see if you can learn something." He went about doing so and learned that he could point at folks hiding in the bushes and such. At one point, however, he pointed someone hiding in the wrong tree and had his arm shot off by an arrow for his troubles. "Been my experience not to point at people hidin' in trees," added Arclest.

Earlier in the tour, Galren Rippentropp had related a similar tale of experience learned.

"I was once bludgeoned to death with a maple limb by Portense years ago," he recounted. "I had just learned Smite Foe -- this was during my Paladin days -- and I knew of Portense, but not much else about him. I decided to test my luck and see if I could Halt him. I was feeling mighty big just learning a new spell. Though then you couldn't use such magic against other Paladins. Well, needless to say, he dragged me out back and just smacked the daylights out of me. He told me afterwards. He said, 'Galren, the trick is to swing really hard.' I just nodded in amazement".

THE OAK TREE IN ARTHE DALE

The giant oak tree standing alongside Arthe Dale's water hole has done a lot more than show young people how to climb and swim. Ranger Pfanston related how it had once saved his life.

"I woke up here and six line soldiers, three archers and a snaer hafwa were immediately advancing on me. So I did what any intelligent Ranger would do: I climbed the tree. To my great relief I found out the line soldiers and the hafwa could not a climb a tree."

Unbeknownst to Pfanston, the Gorbesh War had begun and Arthe Dale was already sacked. He himself had awakened behind enemy lines. When he thought to ask on the gweths why there were Gorbesh in Arthe Dale, the response was immediate: he was joined up in the tree by what he describes as hundreds of War Mage familiars.

"Birds, cats, bears, gerbils, all asking me how I got there. It's astonishing to think that tree survived all that weight! Well, I did not have too long to chat with all them animals as the three archers were not so encumbered as the others and started to come up the tree one at a time. Fortunately for me, I could barely handle an archer and getting 'em as they came up gave me the upper hand. Soon there were three dead archers in the tree with me, including by this point 700-plus familiars."

It is unclear whether he meant literally seven hundred familiars or simply meant an impressive number. Even more unclear is exactly what happened next:

"Well I woulda died up there but the owner of a certain shrine in Arthe Dale appeared and helped me to escape the town through a secret path to the outside world."

Was this a visitation from Glythtide himself?

Trader Sortny's life was also saved by an oak tree in Arthe Dale, but this was years later during the Outcast war, and the tree was a different large oak located on the Berry Knolls neighborhood green somewhat to the east. She and several others spent nearly a half a year hiding at the base of the tree, sheltered by its limbs. Since they were not strong enough fighters to harm the invaders, they kept quiet about where they were. The Outcasts never thought to check for survivors there.

"I used to go out and see if I could spot people and let them know we were alive," she said. "Mostly dragged in dead people." Once the all clear was given, she said, they finally came out.

Pfanston was considerably older by the time of that war and no longer lived in the Arthe Dale area. Even so, he found himself living under similar conditions. "So few could fight 'em I think we only had three folks left in Shard."

The huge old oaks of Arthe Dale look peaceful and untroubled, but they have survived a lot. "Gorbesh, Sorrow and Outcasts," said Pfanston.

THE HANGING TREE

Trees do not always survive the history that they have seen. For a long time a hanging tree at the side of the North Trade Road existed for the execution of those so fated. There was a platform under it where the doomed stood before they were hanged.

"I used to use that platform to hide many things," said Worrclan Deathadder. "After the Outcasts were removed from Dirge, I stowed all their stores at that platform till Sortny here could sell them for me at the commodities pits."

Now, the platform is gone and all that remains of the hanging tree is a charred stump, the result of events surrounding the untimely death of one Lady Natashya.

"She was ... controversial," said Markhor of Natashya.

"Natashya was one of the courtesans that lived in the Keep," said Rainea Rippentropp, a Zoluren citizen who was one of the first to come upon the scene at the time. "She was frequently a guest of the Baron Gyfford as well."

"I met her once at a ball," said Sortny.

Worrclan grunted. "She was an assassin hired by Lord Sorrow as well."

Markhor says, "The noblemen were quite fond of her -- the Baron, Prince Vorclaf. Some suspected her of charming them. We'll never know now though."

Rainea preferred not to speak of rumors about Natashya's life and deeds, but instead described the death itself.

"On a return journey from Theren, she was ambushed in this area and killed," Rainea explained. A rescue was staged but the seemingly routine attempt to resurrect her was interrupted. "Her corpse was in the [Crossing] Clerics' Guild area when she was dragged off by someone invisible. Ruffians attacked as well. A bunch of us, Exiar [Fyrethorne] and myself included, looked all over town for her."

The search soon led back to the same area where the body was originally found. "Alrina, her handmaiden, was closer to Kaerna. She was a wreck and we couldn't get much out of her. I ran a little further north and came to here to help someone who said they were being attacked by ruffians, and I saw her hanging from the tree."

Rainea glanced at the charred tree stump. "I won't describe what I saw."

"Poor Alrina went mad with grief," said Markhor.

"Twando was in hiding here as well," said Rainea, referring to an assassin who had been known to be after Natashya for some time. "I remember he was killed by Quawl or Jhime."

Pfanston said, "Yep, was Quawl if I remember right."

Markhor says, "[Twando] torched her body. So she couldn't be raised. Later, said Markhor, Prince Vorclaf torched the tree." Rainea says, "Aguisian painted a picture of the scene here. As well as moon mages getting visions about this spot at the time. Visions were usually of fire and a bird."

The visions she referred to were particularly memorable because some of the Moon Mages themselves caught fire upon seeing them. A bird was also seen around the time the tree was burned, but nobody had ever figured out what type of bird it was or what it had signified.

EVENTS WE HAVE FORGOTTEN

There are trees that bear the scars of things that have been forgotten to the history of the Races. Some because the events were so terrible nobody could have survived. Others, because those they happened to were unknown and all too soon forgotten. On the Northern Trade Road there is one blackened tree among the others that bears a scrap of cloth. After years of exposure it is almost illegible but it bears a scrawled warning apparently from someone who feared their life was lost, left for their lover to find later. Perhaps it was never found for it remains there to this day fluttering in the wind.

Throughout the Southern Trade Route there are signs of trade and commerce both current and from years past: rest stop areas, old slaver camps, shrines, burned trees and various stumps and logs. One tree, evocative of the one on the North Trade Route, stands blasted by lightning and fire, bearing only the engravings of the initials "S.M.".

THE TREES OF RIVER CROSSING

Many other trees in the Crossing area and the areas surrounding, have stories to tell -- far too many to enclose in one book.

There is the black willow tree, alone in a copse of stark white birches on the Northwall Trail. It saved the lives of Zoluren soldiers who climbed it after Lord Sorrow's forces cut them off. There is the giant Felenor Pine tree of the Ranger guild, which was the only way to get troops into the Crossing to try to retake control after it was sacked by the Gorbesh. Only with Ranger help could seasoned fighters be brought in, because a misstep on the Felenor Pine inevitably leads to a fall, and death from a broken back or neck.

There's the simple fallen poplar tree that provides passage over the mud and water between the north arch and the west gate and yet another, safer way into the Ranger guild.

And there is the gnarled Sanrisi tree on the dusty road to Dirge that sways and dances in accordance to its own inner wind.

We hope that you have been inspired to seek out the trees of River Crossing and see them for yourself, learn their stories and perhaps learn more of the history and lore of this place.

6. ABOUT THE AUTHORS

This was a collaborative work. A broad range of people of all races, professions and backgrounds contributed. Some had a longstanding relationship with trees and sought to join our tour out of an abiding interest:

"If I didn't know about trees I believe my family would disown me." Oramiwe Tasare blushed, the tips of her ears turning a most intriguing scarlet hue. "I'm also an herbalist and keenly interested in the medicinal properties of all plant life." "My interest in trees started with making arrows for my homemade bow," said the Trader, Sortny Quartre-Plea. "I could make some decent arrows." Her interests extend now to all the possibilities of what could be made and sold including instruments, ships and caravans, and smoked meats.

Others discovered us making our tour of the trees of River Crossing and decided to join in. Exiar Fyrethorne was one of those who ran upon our group by accident and stayed to see what he could learn. "The Prince needs to teach his soldiers to climb," he summarized afterward, "because most armies can't."

Bouillbhre said, "I only got on this tour because I was following my teacher, but I did start pondering about some thoughts of a more philosophical nature: how trees are commonly acknowledged as the symbol of life, yet they are often associated with death. From the weapon hafts and arrows we shape from them to gallows trees, to the fire that feasts on them as it brings havoc."

The Lorethew Mentor Society would like to thank all who contributed to this volume:

Ahnoui, Arclest, Barola, Bouillbhre, Breighton, Celendi, Chandore, Cherone, Esmian, Galren, Ivy, Katrinal, Leihr, Malzard, Markhor, Niaure, Nuark, Oramiwe, Pfanston, Rainea, Rigek, Rilendyr, Romeode, Ruephus, Sortny, Valkri, Valynn, Worrclan and many others. Thank you.

Edited by Barola Rosama of the Lorethew Mentor Society.

7. Afterword

"Mmm ... smells like grandma." --Esmian, after hugging the ancient oak at Town Green Northeast

"Hey, show the trees some respect. You know how they say you should respect your alders." --Markhor

"His jokes are so bad they're criminal. They should have hemlocked up." --Markhor