Oak of Ages
Yn Edri Eternos, the Oak of Ages, is the spiritual heart of Athel Loren. [1a]
It was here that the realm of the Asrai was truly founded at the Great Council and it is here that the yearly rituals of Orion's death and rebirth see their completion. The Oak itself is a mystery to all save Ariel, the Mage Queen of Athel Loren. The Asrai tell how she passes the winter months and times of great hurt within its embrace. However they do not know whether she does so literally within the body of the tree or in grand halls woven into its roots, certainly none have the temerity to ask.[1a]
Beneath the Oak's ancient boughs that countless generations of Athel Loren's Spellsingers have learned their sorcerous craft. Magic lies heavy about the Oak of Ages and its aspect subtly changes as the Winds of Magic rise and fall. It is at its most glorious when Ghyran sweeps through the forest and at its most twisted and sinister when Shyish is ascendant. Few artifacts forged by mortal races contain as much magical power as a single acorn from the Oak's branches. Many a Spellsinger that travels the lands beyond Athel Loren does so with such a treasure bound tight above her heart to serve as a protective charm, a lodestone to hearth and home and at a time desperate need even a reserve of power.[1a]
Many Asrai believe that the fate of the Oak of Ages governs not only the rest of Athel Loren but of their entire race also. For this reason no matter how terrible the times become or how dire the peril facing them the Asrai will never suffer invaders to despoil the Oak of Ages.[1a]
The Oak is described as an immensely massive tree more akin to a mountain made out of root and branch and not entirely anchored in the world of flesh. Its roots were bottomless deep giving home to spirits of the departed. Its trunk was the world with oceans, mountains and deserts spiraling around each other in an endless dance of death and rebirth. Its crown rather than containing leaves bore the heavens with daemons and gods cavorting in its branches.Needs Citation
History
It was planted by the Old Ones long before the Coming of Chaos. It formed the heart of truly unique forest that spread its Worldroots through the world and over time trees and forest spirits began to think and feel.[1b]
Gallery
The Oak of Ages in Total War Warhammer III
Sources
