Elder Trees

Not much is known about the beings called "Elder Trees", in fact most of it comes from myths and legends. However, what is known about Elder Trees is that they are the children of the ancient World Tree that have spread across the world over, as the canopy of the World Tree reaches past the clouds. This would allow the Elder Trees to spread far and wide, most of which have yet to be discovered. One thing is for certain, the Elder Trees that would have survived their very **** and dangerous childhoods and reach maturity, would be highly powerful and almost godlike in their own manner. Though, with the World Tree in mind, it is reasonable to conclude that there are no "adult" Elder Trees in the world, the lifespan of these things would be far too vast for any to exist. Rather, any Elder Trees of worthy note would be early in adolescence.

What we do know of the Elder Trees is that they "live" in a very interesting fashion. Much of the early years of their development is left up to speculation, but considering the sheer radiance of nature magic they exude, it is assumed that they require a great amount of nutrients and energy to grow. If they were to wind up in areas with little life or corrupted, it is not a stretch to imagine that they would not survive past initial growth stages. Those that do manage to survive will get to enjoy a great many bonuses and luxuries. For one, their great affinity to nature and their power allows them to shape and mold the area around them. This is comparable to their parent tree in the making of Glades. This comes with the following effects of the local environment:

1) Subjugation and pacification of nearby wildlife
2) Terrestrial landscape reshaping
3) Rapid overgrowth of local flora
4) Immense gathering of nature magic energy
5) Metaphysical manifestation akin to Planar Magic

To elaborate on the last point, it seems that Elder Trees are in fact magicians in their own right. Through means unknown to academics today, it seems that Elder Trees have developed a Nature Magic equivalent of high-level Planar spells. One of which is the making of pocket dimensions catered to the caster. It seems all Elder Trees take up residence in physical space, but once they seem to reach a certain age, they whisk themselves away into their own pocket dimension that makes up their Glade. Theoretically, the gateway to their Glade dimension is possibly still physically locked to their original home in this one, but they are incredibly difficult to find and it is possible that they young trees do not wish to be found until they have reached a proper age where they can fend for themselves or have their own following like their parent tree.

The implications this sort of being makes simply by existing is rather interesting and provides many unknowns. If any of these Elder Trees were to reach full adulthood and reemerge back into the physical realm as a possible new World Tree, what would that mean for the Aesyr and possible lands beyond the vast oceans? What is the inevitable future and the new workings of magic as we know it would these trees reach full maturity? Do these trees have the capability to fully transition other species into Fey creatures like the World Tree seems to be able to do? There are still many unknowns from these trees, but it is incredibly difficult to gather samples to be able to study.

Only other things worthy of note is that it should not be understated the lengths Elder Trees go to in order to protect themselves, if the dimension Glades aren't enough to showcase this. Parts of an Elder Tree share many aspects of the World Tree, especially in fact that they are magical in nature and superb in making magical equipment. However, while the World Tree is treated as too sacred to dismantle, the Elder Trees are not as stingy with their own parts. And this is showcased in their chosen guardians that they hand select to live in their realms and protect them from outside harm that their own magic is not able to save them from. These mythical beings are known as "Glade Wardens".