Encyclopedia Silva
Posted: Tue May 05, 2009 3:03 am
TREE ELDERS
Tree Elders (the word for themselves in their own language is Schraa) are a peace-loving race of stout tree-like beings resembling old stumps, blessed with tremendous affinity for Forests and Jungles. They are also largely unknown to the world's inhabitants, and are usually thought to be the stuff of fairy-tale by those who have heard the term Tree Elder. However, they do exist. Their absence on the world scene is due to the simple fact that they are profoundly unlike nearly every other race. Mentally and emotionally, Tree Elders are vastly more akin to Trees than to any other living thing. Communication is never less than extremely difficult, and often impossible. How does one talk to a Tree? And what would a Tree say to, say, a human? After, "Please don't chop me down," there is little that interests both species enough to bother continuing the conversation. (Indeed, the speech of Tree Elders cannot be translated perfectly into any other language. Nor can the few languages that can get a glimpse of it get more than a glimpse. Therefore, any translation must be, as the saying goes, taken with a grain of salt. No attempt to explain or teach the language of the Schraa will be made in this opus.)
Tree Elders are territorial. Not for the usual reasons (mating, resources, etc.), but because of their ability to commune with their Forest. Being rather Tree-like, they are able to achieve levels of stillness far greater than most species. (The Nhruuk are a well-known exception.) During these times of meditation, they are able to join their minds to the Forest for a certain distance around them. This lets them feel what is going on around them. It also lets them control the Trees and plants to a degree. For example, they can encourage growth, whether for repairs or other reasons.
It is possible for more than one Elder to manipulate a single Tree, even at the same time. And, in fact, such does occur when necessary. However, it seldom is necessary, and, so, seldom occurs. Each adult Elder has a territory, the size of which depends on a combination of the area of Forest each Elder is capable of effectively communing with, and the number of Elders in the Forest. Each Elder is strongest in the heart of its territory, what they call their "root-spot." For up to several yards around its root-spot, a middle-aged Elder knows every Tree; every vine; every blade of grass by name. Their familiarity with individual Trees and plants diminishes the farther they are from their root-spot. However, the borders between territories are not firm, definite lines. There is some overlap, so the lesser-known Trees and plants are cared for by more than one Elder. Still, although an Elder may not know Trees and plants on the edge of his or her territory as well as those at the root-spot, this does not mean that Elder is less able to commune with it, or manipulate it. It is merely that the Elder can call on more Forest-power more quickly at the root-spot.
Just as some humans are better musicians than others, and some Houka are better fighters then others, some Tree Elders are more powerful than others. They can simply commune with a greater number of Trees and plants - a greater area of Forest - than others can, so their territories are bigger. The Elders in a given Forest come to a balance. If they are too few and/or not powerful enough to adequately care for the Forest, then they do the best they can. The fringe areas may not get enough attention, but all do what they can. If the Elders in a Forest are more than numerous and/or powerful enough to care for their Forest, then even the fringe areas get more than enough care.
Aside from the very rare individuals of other species who have a much greater affinity for Forests than is typical for their species, Tree Elders avoid contact with non-Elders. Their lives, their very being, are too different from others' to make socialization desirable. Indeed, even communication is all but impossible with a few species. However, Tree Elders are very social among themselves. They are, in fact, very "close-knit." There is not as pronounced a difference between family bonds and community bonds among Tree Elders as among most other sentient species. This is not because they have weaker family bonds, but because they have stronger community bonds. To a much stronger degree than most species, Elders feel about all members of their species the way other species feel about first cousins. They have a saying: It takes a Forest to raise a Tree. This attitude is likely the result of their communing. When individuals who are not biologically related commune - that is, become intimately connected - with the same area of a Forest, is it possible for them to not feel as closely related as sap-kin?
This attitude also means that Tree Elders can be in each others' territories without causing any problem. In fact, one may easily ask others for help in a fringe area that needs some attention. Elders who do not have a territory of their own (see Non-Rooted Tree Elders below) are very often lending a helping branch in this manner.
Tree Elders are welcome in each others' territories. Visits, gatherings, and wanderings are common reasons.
Non-Rooted Tree Elders
There are two major groups of Elders who are non-rooted. That is, do not have a root-spot; a territory. The larger group is children. A pair of mated Elders often visit each others' territories, even if they are not adjoining. And their children may live equally in both. As they get older, they may discover a specific location in one of those territories that attracts them more than any other, and that may become their root-spot when they become rooted. (It also happens often enough that a child finds their root-spot in a territory not of either parent. As mentioned above, Tree Elders are welcome in each others' territories, and non-rooted children are likely to wander quite a bit. Territories are not inherited from a parent simply because they are sap-kin, but because spending more time in a parent's territory means a better likelihood of finding a "comfortable" place. But that place can be found anywhere.)
The smaller group of non-rooted Elders are the adults who are simply known as the non-rooted. For various reasons, some are free. Wanderers. Perhaps they did have a territory, but there was a disaster. Perhaps they never found anything that might become a root-spot. Or other reasons. Whatever the reason, the non-rooted often wander far and wide, though almost never has one moved to another Forest. Others stay in one general area, becoming well known to the Elders of a few or several territories.
The non-rooted are the first called when any particular territory is threatened. Rooted Elders of adjoining and nearby territories remain in their own territories when they can, making sure whatever the threat is is not also threatening them.
Philosophy
Philosophically, as in most other ways, the Tree Elders are very homogenous. There are not vastly different schools of thought among them, as there are among, notably, humans. To be specific, they live very much in what other species often refer to as the now-moment. This seems to be due, once again, to their ability to commune with Forests. Communing with Nature is a state as profoundly meditative as any, and it infuses all aspects of their lives. It also makes their knowledge of Forests, which is generally considered to be complete, a spiritual thing. They instinctively commune. Which means they instinctively learn about the vast, intricate web of life, the earth, and the elements that makes up the Forest; their homes; their lives. Learning so much about the thing that defines them, and learning it so instinctively, so Naturally, ties the aspects of their lives together. Self, home, and knowledge of both are all one thing. Those able to communicate with Tree Elders quickly learn this. Tree Elders do not conceive of themselves as separate from the Forests, and do not imagine living outside the Trees. In truth, they could, so it is not a case of a fish out of water. But, even able to wander freely throughout the rest of the world, they would be much like a human in a stone cell only several paces square, with no light.
It is often thought that Tree Elders worship the Forest, or individual Trees. Such is not strictly the case, although it is difficult to explain. Who could live a life such as they live: an intricate part of a Forest; unable to conceive of existing outside it; intimately and completely aware of all aspects of it - and not consider it holy? Is this worship? Not in the usual sense. It is the now-moment. Every moment; every Tree; every other Tree Elder; every rainfall - is sacred.
Origin
The origin of the Tree Elders is shrouded in mystery. Their own earliest writings (Which, it should be noted, are not decipherable by those who do not have Forest affinity.) do not mention any origin. Schraa means Tree, and they have not attempted to discover the origin of themselves or the Trees.
For those who have tried to discover the origin of Tree Elders, there are two main schools of thought. The first is the Unbinding of Bhakti II. The Second Age ended when the Allfather began his Interdiction. Knowing he would not be able to protect Shakari from whatever was coming, and hoping to help it recover from the damage of the World Breaker, Bhakti II sacrificed himself, merging his essence with the Forest. Since the Tree Elders are peace-loving, as Bhakti most assuredly was, it seems plausible that his essence clung in some particular way with some particular species of Tree, and spurred the evolution of the Tree Elders.
The second is Nor Yekith. The peace-loving attitude of the Tree Elders would seem to rule out the possibility of Nor Yekith having contributed in even the smallest way to their development. However, it is widely believed that he created the race of Satyrs. The Satyrs came into being as a happy, cheerful, loving species. The long-range thinking of Nor Yekith is legendary, so the possibility that they have great evil implanted deep in their DNA, ready to spring up at the most unfortunate moment for Eiran’s safety, cannot be discounted. However, such is merely speculation. The only thing we know thus far is that Nor Yekith created the Satyrs, and the Satyrs are good. And if he created good in at least one instance, it is possible that he created good in another. Of course, the Satyrs, by themselves, are not reason to consider the possibility that Nor Yekith had any role in the creation of the Tree Elders. What is significant is the fact that he mutated the Forest of Nor Pupae to a considerable degree. Little is truly known of what he did, but it is known that he had sentient Tree-like beings; the Entka. The fact that they were hideously evil makes the theory that they are the ancestors of the Tree Elders difficult to credit. However, he may have given sentience to other Tree-beings. It is also possible that some of his mutagens found their way to Shakari, and combined with the Bhakti-infused Trees there.
Tree Elders (the word for themselves in their own language is Schraa) are a peace-loving race of stout tree-like beings resembling old stumps, blessed with tremendous affinity for Forests and Jungles. They are also largely unknown to the world's inhabitants, and are usually thought to be the stuff of fairy-tale by those who have heard the term Tree Elder. However, they do exist. Their absence on the world scene is due to the simple fact that they are profoundly unlike nearly every other race. Mentally and emotionally, Tree Elders are vastly more akin to Trees than to any other living thing. Communication is never less than extremely difficult, and often impossible. How does one talk to a Tree? And what would a Tree say to, say, a human? After, "Please don't chop me down," there is little that interests both species enough to bother continuing the conversation. (Indeed, the speech of Tree Elders cannot be translated perfectly into any other language. Nor can the few languages that can get a glimpse of it get more than a glimpse. Therefore, any translation must be, as the saying goes, taken with a grain of salt. No attempt to explain or teach the language of the Schraa will be made in this opus.)
Tree Elders are territorial. Not for the usual reasons (mating, resources, etc.), but because of their ability to commune with their Forest. Being rather Tree-like, they are able to achieve levels of stillness far greater than most species. (The Nhruuk are a well-known exception.) During these times of meditation, they are able to join their minds to the Forest for a certain distance around them. This lets them feel what is going on around them. It also lets them control the Trees and plants to a degree. For example, they can encourage growth, whether for repairs or other reasons.
It is possible for more than one Elder to manipulate a single Tree, even at the same time. And, in fact, such does occur when necessary. However, it seldom is necessary, and, so, seldom occurs. Each adult Elder has a territory, the size of which depends on a combination of the area of Forest each Elder is capable of effectively communing with, and the number of Elders in the Forest. Each Elder is strongest in the heart of its territory, what they call their "root-spot." For up to several yards around its root-spot, a middle-aged Elder knows every Tree; every vine; every blade of grass by name. Their familiarity with individual Trees and plants diminishes the farther they are from their root-spot. However, the borders between territories are not firm, definite lines. There is some overlap, so the lesser-known Trees and plants are cared for by more than one Elder. Still, although an Elder may not know Trees and plants on the edge of his or her territory as well as those at the root-spot, this does not mean that Elder is less able to commune with it, or manipulate it. It is merely that the Elder can call on more Forest-power more quickly at the root-spot.
Just as some humans are better musicians than others, and some Houka are better fighters then others, some Tree Elders are more powerful than others. They can simply commune with a greater number of Trees and plants - a greater area of Forest - than others can, so their territories are bigger. The Elders in a given Forest come to a balance. If they are too few and/or not powerful enough to adequately care for the Forest, then they do the best they can. The fringe areas may not get enough attention, but all do what they can. If the Elders in a Forest are more than numerous and/or powerful enough to care for their Forest, then even the fringe areas get more than enough care.
Aside from the very rare individuals of other species who have a much greater affinity for Forests than is typical for their species, Tree Elders avoid contact with non-Elders. Their lives, their very being, are too different from others' to make socialization desirable. Indeed, even communication is all but impossible with a few species. However, Tree Elders are very social among themselves. They are, in fact, very "close-knit." There is not as pronounced a difference between family bonds and community bonds among Tree Elders as among most other sentient species. This is not because they have weaker family bonds, but because they have stronger community bonds. To a much stronger degree than most species, Elders feel about all members of their species the way other species feel about first cousins. They have a saying: It takes a Forest to raise a Tree. This attitude is likely the result of their communing. When individuals who are not biologically related commune - that is, become intimately connected - with the same area of a Forest, is it possible for them to not feel as closely related as sap-kin?
This attitude also means that Tree Elders can be in each others' territories without causing any problem. In fact, one may easily ask others for help in a fringe area that needs some attention. Elders who do not have a territory of their own (see Non-Rooted Tree Elders below) are very often lending a helping branch in this manner.
Tree Elders are welcome in each others' territories. Visits, gatherings, and wanderings are common reasons.
Non-Rooted Tree Elders
There are two major groups of Elders who are non-rooted. That is, do not have a root-spot; a territory. The larger group is children. A pair of mated Elders often visit each others' territories, even if they are not adjoining. And their children may live equally in both. As they get older, they may discover a specific location in one of those territories that attracts them more than any other, and that may become their root-spot when they become rooted. (It also happens often enough that a child finds their root-spot in a territory not of either parent. As mentioned above, Tree Elders are welcome in each others' territories, and non-rooted children are likely to wander quite a bit. Territories are not inherited from a parent simply because they are sap-kin, but because spending more time in a parent's territory means a better likelihood of finding a "comfortable" place. But that place can be found anywhere.)
The smaller group of non-rooted Elders are the adults who are simply known as the non-rooted. For various reasons, some are free. Wanderers. Perhaps they did have a territory, but there was a disaster. Perhaps they never found anything that might become a root-spot. Or other reasons. Whatever the reason, the non-rooted often wander far and wide, though almost never has one moved to another Forest. Others stay in one general area, becoming well known to the Elders of a few or several territories.
The non-rooted are the first called when any particular territory is threatened. Rooted Elders of adjoining and nearby territories remain in their own territories when they can, making sure whatever the threat is is not also threatening them.
Philosophy
Philosophically, as in most other ways, the Tree Elders are very homogenous. There are not vastly different schools of thought among them, as there are among, notably, humans. To be specific, they live very much in what other species often refer to as the now-moment. This seems to be due, once again, to their ability to commune with Forests. Communing with Nature is a state as profoundly meditative as any, and it infuses all aspects of their lives. It also makes their knowledge of Forests, which is generally considered to be complete, a spiritual thing. They instinctively commune. Which means they instinctively learn about the vast, intricate web of life, the earth, and the elements that makes up the Forest; their homes; their lives. Learning so much about the thing that defines them, and learning it so instinctively, so Naturally, ties the aspects of their lives together. Self, home, and knowledge of both are all one thing. Those able to communicate with Tree Elders quickly learn this. Tree Elders do not conceive of themselves as separate from the Forests, and do not imagine living outside the Trees. In truth, they could, so it is not a case of a fish out of water. But, even able to wander freely throughout the rest of the world, they would be much like a human in a stone cell only several paces square, with no light.
It is often thought that Tree Elders worship the Forest, or individual Trees. Such is not strictly the case, although it is difficult to explain. Who could live a life such as they live: an intricate part of a Forest; unable to conceive of existing outside it; intimately and completely aware of all aspects of it - and not consider it holy? Is this worship? Not in the usual sense. It is the now-moment. Every moment; every Tree; every other Tree Elder; every rainfall - is sacred.
Origin
The origin of the Tree Elders is shrouded in mystery. Their own earliest writings (Which, it should be noted, are not decipherable by those who do not have Forest affinity.) do not mention any origin. Schraa means Tree, and they have not attempted to discover the origin of themselves or the Trees.
For those who have tried to discover the origin of Tree Elders, there are two main schools of thought. The first is the Unbinding of Bhakti II. The Second Age ended when the Allfather began his Interdiction. Knowing he would not be able to protect Shakari from whatever was coming, and hoping to help it recover from the damage of the World Breaker, Bhakti II sacrificed himself, merging his essence with the Forest. Since the Tree Elders are peace-loving, as Bhakti most assuredly was, it seems plausible that his essence clung in some particular way with some particular species of Tree, and spurred the evolution of the Tree Elders.
The second is Nor Yekith. The peace-loving attitude of the Tree Elders would seem to rule out the possibility of Nor Yekith having contributed in even the smallest way to their development. However, it is widely believed that he created the race of Satyrs. The Satyrs came into being as a happy, cheerful, loving species. The long-range thinking of Nor Yekith is legendary, so the possibility that they have great evil implanted deep in their DNA, ready to spring up at the most unfortunate moment for Eiran’s safety, cannot be discounted. However, such is merely speculation. The only thing we know thus far is that Nor Yekith created the Satyrs, and the Satyrs are good. And if he created good in at least one instance, it is possible that he created good in another. Of course, the Satyrs, by themselves, are not reason to consider the possibility that Nor Yekith had any role in the creation of the Tree Elders. What is significant is the fact that he mutated the Forest of Nor Pupae to a considerable degree. Little is truly known of what he did, but it is known that he had sentient Tree-like beings; the Entka. The fact that they were hideously evil makes the theory that they are the ancestors of the Tree Elders difficult to credit. However, he may have given sentience to other Tree-beings. It is also possible that some of his mutagens found their way to Shakari, and combined with the Bhakti-infused Trees there.
), and there's nobody I know or trust as much as you." He stopped talking, looking patiently at the Tree Elder.