DMs Only: Tree of Parting

Overview

Tree of Parting The Tree of Parting sits halfway between the Emerald Kingdom and the Kingdom of New Elenna. Beginning as a Way House for those travelling from one to the other, it got its name from the strange looking little tree that marked the side trail leading to the house. When two elves, were slain at the “House of Parting” and the site burned as well by Orcs, their great grandfather, Ilyndrathyl, made the site a memorial. Traveling north, he beseeched the Culver, a grove of ancient treants who are the heart of the Culverwood forest, to give him a seedling for his memorial and told them the tragic story of his great-grandchildren.

So moved was Deeproot, one of the elder trees, that he followed the Druid to see this place, knowing at his age, that this would last journey. The Greenmage of Culverwood has forever since taken on the surname of Deeproot in honor of the great Elder tree so that he shall never be forgotten. There he rooted himself and entered the eternal sleep. Ilyndrathyl gathered family and built a grand treehouse in Deeproot’s branches to keep the new Way House out of the reach of those who would harm travelers upon the road.

Making this his new family home, The Tree of Parting has stood for generations. Ilyndrathyl’s descendants still manage what has grown from being a small bed and breakfast on a dangerous road into the most important waystation for all east-west trade on the peninsula of Elenna. No price is ever quoted to any visitor. The Ilyndrathyl family instead lets visitors pay or not according to the service they feel they have received. Usually, their generosity is reciprocated far and beyond what would have been charged.

Ilyndrathyl, who is ancient even for an elf, is still alive, but is not the active manager, having retired years ago. However, the greenmage can still be seen daily walking among the branches of the tree each morning examining all the supports as well as the health of the tree.

The manager and very much the man in charge is Folbre, Ilyndrathyl’s son. Folbre is blind. Only the family knows the story behind this. However, do not mistake his abilities. As with many blind folk, his other senses have expanded to make up for his lack of sight. Many rumors abound that he enhances his other senses with magic. Many more rumors are told as to why he can’t have his blindness cured. A fastidious person, he craves neatness and organization. He is very esteemed among all elves everywhere and has served in various capacities of elven leadership both in the Emerald Kingdom and Culverwood. However, as with many things involving Folbre, the story of how he became so revered with the Culverwood elves is a cultural and racial secret. Before he took over for his father in the Tree, he was served by a dozen elven maidens, each from a different elven village. However, by his request, only one remains with him unless he chooses to travel.

The staff numbers around 25 people, mostly descendants of Ilyndrathyl. Each is cross-trained to work in more than one area of the tree. There are also between 7-10 permanent residents present at any time, renting stalls in the tiny market or staying in the Tree for other reasons. 5-10 wagons of traders stop here each night to rest and have a safe place to stay, recover from the road, and make important repairs to wagons and other equipment. The Tree’s Inn and Tavern are large enough to cram them in, but there are times that late arrivals must bunk in the common room.

Ciyradyl, the oldest of Ilyndrathyl’s great-grandchildren, is sweet of heart and a shrewd judge of character. She manages the inn and pub. The pub is known for catering to all manner of guests, the inn has both fine wines and the stoutest ales. The food is first rate and the prices reasonable. One can order a common meal or a 5 star feast to compete with the best pubs in the Floating City. Rooms of varying style and luxury are available, all with a view.

Hiflanyl, one of the younger grand-grandchildren, is in charge of the warehouse and stables. He runs the “lifts” to raise up the trade wagons into the tree and is the lead repairman for anything that needs fixed. He is a virtuoso at repairing anything and has both blacksmithing and leatherworking skills. Hiflanyl has designed a stairway that circles the trunk of the tree, which can be lifted and compacted when the denizens of Izen or the Red Hills come calling. He also has several lifts that can lift anything from a pile of crates, to livestock, to an entire wagon up into the safety of the tree for the evening. More profit is collected from the storage of caravans than any other venture within the tree. He makes it clear to each and every traveler that chooses to camp next to the tree, that the tree cannot come to their rescue if attack comes.

Laughingwater, Hiflanyl’s best friend, runs the Free Trade Post at the top of the stairs. Here, traders and travelers alike make arrangements to store their wagons, livestock, and other travelling supplies in the tree for the night. He also is the one to see if you desire to set up a shop within the tree. Businesses come and go, but Laughingwater sees that there is always a bowyer on site as the defenses of the tree are mostly missile based. There is also a branch of the Catacombs present in the Tree.

The “Head of Security” is a friend of the family named Miles Raynor. He and his assistant, coordinate all defense efforts for the Tree. Miles was a career officer with the Emerald Armed Forces until he saved the life of Laughingwater during a trip to Emerald City. Miles was hired on the spot and though aging faster than the elves he works for, is very effective at his job. He is on hand with every “lift” to explain the behavior expected of all guests of the inn, much to the consternation of Ciyradyl, who thinks it harms her hospitality. He also runs regular drills for all able-bodied residents of the Tree as everyone, “And I mean everyone,” will help defend the tree if attacked.

The Tree of Parting is considered “neutral ground” and is not part of either the Emerald Kingdom, nor the Kingdom of New Elenna. It is known as a site of negotiations, even among the vile and ignoble. There have been formal meetings in the Tree of Parting between feuding orcs, between giants and halflings, and even between dragon and adventurer. Thus most kingdoms, tribes, and organizations do not consider ruining their ability to parley at the tree by attacking it. However, this “neutral ground” does not seem to apply to the rest of the East-West Road. There is a tale that orcs came to the rescue of the tree against another orc tribe to keep their ability to parley from being removed.

There are two other forts on the East-West Road that leads from New Elenna through northern Izen to Aisildur. They are more traditional in nature, being built on the ground with walls for protection. The road stays just south of the dangerous Culverwood. Most traders travel in groups of two-five wagons and carry a few guards for protection. In addition, the Emerald Horsemen patrol the road between the three outposts. New Elenna has hired “adventurers” that patrol the road east of the Tree of Parting all the way to Edenmoor.

The Tree of Parting is considered by many to be one of the Wonders of the Wold. It is known far and wide for its hospitality as well as the incredible beauty of its views in all directions. From the tree, one can see Culverwood, Izen, The Red Hills, the Emerald Kingdom, and on a clear day offer a far off view of the plateaus of the Kingdom of New Elenna.

Official Items

Creatures

NPC'S

The Tree of Parting Full Time residents

Laughingwater - Male Human, runs the Free Trade Post at the top of the stairs.
Moana - Female Human, runs Moana's Fortunes and is not aware she is an actual fortune teller. ie most of the times it is like fortune tellers of today, entertaining, so broad as to fit nearly anything the listener wishes it to and a complete scam so to speak. Does not make her a bad person, just trying to make a living after all and most leave feeling better about themselves and their lot in life. But every now and then, one of the gods steps in and uses her to communicate true providence.
Dungarth - Male Human, runs Dungarth's Leatherworking Shop
Saide Silvergraft - Female Half elf, runs The Big Nest a general store.
Lorifir Lorhalien - Male Elf, runs the Fletcher
Liliput Muffinbubble - Female Halfling, Caretaker of The Leafy Chapel [a shrine to Alemi as well as a memorial to Ilyndrethyl and Deeproot.]
Boolia - Female Half-Orc, runs Studs and Gems
Miles Raynor - Male Human, Head of Security
Folbre Ilyndrathyl - Male Elf, Tree of Parting Manager. Folbre is blind though only his family knows this. DC Local 35
Ciyradyl Ilyndrathyl - Female Elf, Runs Treetop Tavern
Hiflanyl Ilyndrathyl - Male Elf, Runs the warehouse and stables
The Ilyndrathyl family– overseers non public behind the scenes DC Local 35

Other NPCS

Garret VonKlempt – Caravan captain of the Guard (Agent of the Fist)
Dubrin – older dwarf merchant from Module 1
Korbiss – older dwarf merchant from Module 1
Boy – teenaged carpenter from Module 1
Gaston – Initiate of the Chancers Club
Mikalus Dragonspell Silver Bishop of The Chancer Club Questor Committee– Sponsoring member of the Chancers Club