Check out my pet's profiles. They are a work in progress, but all will eventually include stories and a custom drawn pet header created by myself.
Augh is my Gourmet Pet
Wiki is my Book and Play Collections Pet
FM is my CD and DVD Pet
Magiu is my Magazine and Newspaper pet
Xu is my Battle and Musical Instruments pet.
If you need to battle these or any of my other pets, I'm happy to lend, but most of my pets have stats so they can be somewhat expensive.
Note: Apologies in advance if this is a huge information dump! I know there's a ton of exposition and world building here and not every detail is going to be important, but this may help you develop your characters and give some background information to the world itself.
Audalania is a land established on and deeply connected to magic. Despite being more mundane and less gifted than other races and magical creatures connected to magic, almost all humans possess at least some magical connection.
[img]https://i.imgur.com/klo1Rld.png[/img]
- The Goodlands -
Plentiful freshwater rivers and underground springs have made this land the the breadbasket of Audalania. Most of the human population lives here, towards the middle and east of the continent. The kingdoms here have been historically peaceful and prosperous, but recently there has been a plague of demon energy known as shadelings. This demonic outbreak has subsided by the time our story takes place. The city of Kuvilos was destroyed by demons two years ago.
The Spring Tree is located here
- The Greenlands -
- Consists of Upper, Lower, and "Middle" Greenlands. The Middle Greenlands are a part of the Goodlands. These are forests. Though there are some small pockets of human population here, for the most part this is untamed wilderness; home to fairies and wood-dragons. The large trees on the map are all believed to be connected. These trees and the areas around them are protected by powerful magic, and few humans have ever seen them.
- Agonei -
- A desert continent. Many celebrated white magic users come from this barren realm.
- The Orcono mountains are an extremely dangerous place for humans. The island off the east coast is surrounded by whirlpools and storms, making it impossible for humans to get to.
- The Aquani Channel separates The Goodlands from Agonei. The waters here flow from west to east and are quite calm.
- The Dragon Isles -
An island populated mostly by outlaws and dragons. A rough place with varied landscapes including active volcanoes and lush forests.
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The Great Trees
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The three most important landmarks of Audalania are known collectively as The Great Trees. These three trees are separated geographically by hundreds — even thousands of miles, but they are believed to be connected by a vast root system which spans the entire continent. Each of these trees radiate with intense magic and it is believed they are the source of most of the magic in the world.
Human knowledge about the Great Trees is limited mostly to accounts by creatures who are able to get closer to them.
Under normal circumstances (before the Spring Tree's sign of decay), strange things happen to humans who venture too close to any of the Great Trees. Humans who venture too close become just another part of the scenery, turning into trees or stone.
If something were wrong with one of the Great Trees, it would effect magic around the world. These effects may be small at first, but could have a dire effect on magical creatures, humans, and the world as a whole.
The Great Trees include The Faetree, The Life Tree, and the Spring Tree.
The Faetree - This tree is located in the Upper Greenlands, the northern most land of Audalania. No humans live on or are permitted/able to visit this large island. Instead it is the homeland to Audalania’s humanoid fairy population. This tree has a large concentration of faestones; wondrous but dangerous magical objects which are zealously guarded by the fairies of the Upper Greenland. The other trees have fairies and faestones as well, though their populations are considerably smaller.
The Lifetree - Thousands of kilometers to the south of the Upper Greenlands sits the Lower Greenlands. This island is covered in a tropical forest and it is believed that each tree on this island is directly connected with The Life Tree, which means that the canopy of this tree extends for hundreds of kilometers. This island is largely undeveloped and home to many exotic creatures.
The Springtree - Located on a western peninsula of The Goodlands, The Spring Tree and its surrounding forests is where our story takes place.
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The Spring Tree
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Hundreds of kilometers of the land surrounding the spring tree is full of lush forests. Under normal circumstances, not many people tend to travel to what are considered the Spring Tree's forests, even on the outer edge, out of fear of enchantment. Despite the forests being unusually healthy and green, these areas are no more unusual or dangerous than any other forest in Audalania.
There are human villages deeper in the the forest, though these have a reputation of harboring outlaws and outcasts: desperate people who do not care that the land surrounding them is enchanted. This very large region of the forest is known informally as Rogue's Woods. To assume that everyone here has a criminal background or are of poor character is untrue. People who live here tend to be more tolerant of groups that may be outcasts or persecuted elsewhere. There are a few elvish villages here. These villages that are deeply connected to nature and appear like something out of a story book. While other elves prefer to live in lands untouched by humans, closer to the tree, these elves live side by side with humans, even having families together.
Aroot, one of the largest towns in the world is located in an area that is considered to be part of Rogue's Woods.
There is a stretch of forest (between around 75 to 80 kilometers to the Spring Tree) which is known as The Forest of Lost Souls. Normally, this is the point of no return for any human who is foolish enough to travel here. The land is so enchanted, any human who sets forth here is permanently transformed (Normally into a tree or a rock) and never able to leave. Locals say that only cursed trees grow here because the normal trees want nothing to do with it.
These woods are spooky and even races who can withstand the magic and live even closer to the Spring Tree avoid it. Even if magic is turned off or severely reduced, many people would lose their nerve and go back to where they came.
Between the Forest of Lost Souls and The Spring Tree, the forest is always green and the land is rich. Though some of the elvish villages do have small gardens for the benefit of their communities, most who live here live almost entirely off the bounty of the forest. It is an enchanted paradise. As one gets closer to the faetree, there are less elvish villages. Wood elves and wood trolls live here. These beings are more connected to the magic of the tree and would be the first (beside the fairy race) to feel the effects if something were to happen to the tree. They may turn hostile
There are natural, sometimes winding and small roads or paths that lead to the Spring tree.
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Races
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Besides humans, other races include, but are not limited to elves, trolls, dragons (both humanoid shapeshifters and feral), fauns, werewolves, and other fantasy creatures. (Just because it's not listed here, doesn't mean doesn't exist in Audalania.)
Some have assembled into human society while others stick to the forests. Fairies especially tend to stay with their own kind and rarely venture away from the Great Trees.
=Humans=
Humans are the dominant/most numerous race of the world of Audalania. However, other races may outnumber them in the forests. Humans have the broadest potential for magic, but they also tend to be some of the weakest when it comes to magic use. Half-Elves are humans with one high-elf parent or grandparent. Their magic takes after their human parent, though they tend to have a sightly higher capacity for magic than the average human.
=Elves=
High-elves: The most human appearing of the elves. Their lifestyles and lifespans can vary widely. High-elves that live closer to the Spring Tree may be centuries old. They live a tranquil, unchanging life and tend to be more in tune with nature. Other high-elves prefer to live among humans and live shorter lives and may be less magically inclined than their counterparts.
High-elves tend to have a much higher magical capacity than humans, but their magic tends to only be nature, illusion, or shapeshifting based, with a some having white magic abilities. Not all high elves are shapeshifters or users of illusion magic, but most have at least some connection to nature magic, even if it is weak.
=Fairies=
Fairy kind includes a wide variety of creatures. Some have a physical body, while others are a projection of magical energy (this phenomena is discussed in greater length in the faestone section). Some fairies look like elves with wings while others look more like slightly humanoid insects. The elves listed here are basically humans/elves with wings.
Fairies: Sometimes called high-fairies, these fairies appear at first glance to be high-elves with wings. Not all fairies are the same. Some may be the same height as an average adult human while others are similar in size to imps at just a few inches tall. The largest population of fairies in the world live in the Upper Greenlands, the island where the Faetree is located. Naturally, the only other places in the world fairies are native to is the Spring Tree and the Lifetree. Some fairies have left their trees and traveled the human realms and will send warriors to investigate if there is a threat to their trees or the world as a whole. Fairies guard and protect the Great Trees and the faestones with their lives. When any of the Great Trees suffer, fairies everywhere suffer.
=Other races and notable creatures=
Wood-elves: These elves are so deeply a part of nature, they have tree bark for skin and grass or moss-like hair. They live almost exclusively in an area of the forest near the Spring Tree. (The only other place in the world they naturally live is near the Life Tree, where they are found in even higher numbers.) All wood-elves are experts in nature magic. This is as natural to them as breathing. They prefer not to interact with other races.
Shade-elves: Driven to near extinction ages ago, shade elves are one of the rarest races in the world. Most people are not even aware of their existence. Their skin is grey and eyes are black. It is common for them to have either one or two small horns on their head. The only magic they are capable of is black/dark magic. They attract shadelings and are almost constantly swarmed by shadeling particles. They feed on these particles, making them the only native Audalanian race that receives any benefit from them. Other races feared them, believing them to be demons, leading to most of them being killed in massacres that happened several millennia ago. There may only be a few dozen left in the entire world. While most people have never even heard of this race, some brave shade-elves like to live in crowded towns/cities where they can stay hidden, only coming out after nightfall, feasting on the shadelings that are drawn to these places.
Imps (aka lesser fairies) :
https://i.imgur.com/qVxwSjh.png
It's arguable whether or not these creatures are actually fairies. In fact, they probably aren't closely related at all and just get lumped together because they are magical creatures with wings. Most humans have had no experience with true fairies, but everyone has at least heard stories about imps. Imps are the creatures they warn you about before heading into the forest. They're small in size, usually averaging between three and six inches. They live in hives, protecting their territory. One by itself would be an annoyance... but if you anger a colony of them, you would be done for. These are the type of fairy that would feast on your eyeballs or turn you into a tree if you fall asleep in their territory. They are commonly found in swamps, and they are one of the few creatures that live in the Forest of Lost Souls, probably because they get sustenance from the collective misery there and probably enjoy pulling humans into the forest as they realize they've gone too far. They prefer to live in the forests while still being somewhat close to humans. They enjoy watching people, especially people who behave as maliciously as they do. If they especially like them, they will gobble up the person's body as a swarm, converting whatever is left into another imp for the hive. This is as nightmareish as it sounds. They are sometimes capricious and instead of doing a person harm, they may give a person something that was left in the woods by another person as if to say "Get this trash out of here."
Once, a woodcutter went out gather firewood and never returned. A search party was formed but the man was never found. A few years later, his son, who was traveling to a nearby village, was lured by the imps into the woods. He was vastly outnumbered and unable to get away as they tugged at his limbs and clothing, forcing him to go with them. When they finally stopped, the frightened man opened his eyes to see a skeleton on the forest floor with an axe in its hand. The imps disappeared as though they were never there to begin with.
Pixies: Pixies are small creatures made of pure magic. They appear to have no physical body, but in reality, their physical bodies are rocks which are a type of faestone and they are an astral projection. While they seem completely different than high-fairies, they are similar beings and much closely related to them than they are imps, despite being a similar size. Pixies and faestones are native only to the three Great Trees. If the Spring Tree (or any of the other Great Trees) languishes, so would the the faestones.
-Dragons-
Dragons in this world are varied. There are some that are nothing more than feral beasts and others which can shapeshift into human or human-like beast men. Some only use this form when needed to communicate with other races while others prefer it. There are many species of dragon who live in Audalania, but only three that have colonies in the Spring Tree's forest.
Forest dragons: These dragons are found only in the woods closest to the spring tree. They are large, ancient, and almost completely immobile dragons that "guard" the tree. They are nearly as old as the forest itself and are covered in moss, plants, and trees. Though they do not take on a human form, they are sentient beings and can speak most languages. With permission from the dragons and great respect, elvish craftspeople use tree branches or scales from the dragon's to create incredible magic items such as wands, staffs, or amulets. These dragons live close to the Spring Tree canopy, and they are as close to the tree as non-fairy beings tends to go. They are so in tune with the tree, they are the first to feel the tree's pain. Sadly, by the time any outsiders would make it to these dragons, they would be incapable of speech and would seem like little more than non-living statues that happen to be covered in foliage.
Gnome dragons: Native to the woods surrounding the Spring tree. They are one of the smallest of dragon species and their beast form is around the size of a cat or medium sized dog. They can shapeshift into small gnome-like people and are quite inquisitive and intelligent, often having intelligence beyond that of a human, though they do not speak human language. Some elves can understand them though, specifically wood-elves and some high-elves. Some of these dragons prefer to live in the woods, while others live in elvish villages. They are more common in the forests closest to the Spring Tree, but some also live in Rogue's Woods. It is not unheard of for these dragons to "adopt" families. They sneak inside homes at night and tidy their surroundings or do forgotten chores before leaving in the morning.
Lagoon Dragons: These intelligent dragons are found in and near the largest lakes surrounding the Spring Tree. They are highly social dragons and often prefer to live in a humanoid form. In this form, they resemble humans or high-elves, but have scaly, aquatic shaped ears. They also have beautiful blue scales around their eyes that looks like a shimmering eye shadow. They are strong swimmers and have a strong affinity for water elemental magic. They have villages built in and around different lakes and the water here is quite pure. They are often weary of outsiders near their villages and are protective of their territory, but most would not let a weary traveler go thirsty.
-Trolls-
These are not the most intelligent of creatures and, while they aren't necessarily evil, they end to be territorial and are very hostile towards outsiders in their territory. Trolls in this world appear somewhat Oglue-like and each species has a mane regardless of gender. (True trolls are born from elements like rock and have no gender.) Not all trolls are capable of human speech, but ones that do usually speak with a very elementary vocabulary. They may grow frustrated when people don't understand them and lash out. They often have a "pound first, ask questions later.... or never" mindset. There are no troll villages. They mostly live in the wilderness. Trolls have been known to eat humans and livestock, but they are also capable of gentle behavior as well. There are stories of children getting lost in the woods and being led to safety by trolls. There are also just as many stories warning children "to stay out of the woods or you'll be gobbled up by trolls."
Wood Trolls: These trolls are slow and lumbering. Their bodies are made of bark and their manes are like long blades of grass. Trolls who live closest to the Spring Tree are huge creatures that are all but immobile, similar to the Forest Dragons. They look like they are a part of the landscape. Wood Trolls that live further from the Spring Tree, are more mobile. They tend to be protectors of the forest, and often harass anyone they feel is hurting the forest.
Rock Trolls: They are similar to wood trolls, with a stone-like body. They tend to live in rocky locations such as mountains, but there are a few in the forests.
As a personal character related note, my troll character is a half-troll. No, humans and trolls aren't genetically compatible, but this means she is a human who is able to shapeshift into a form that is part-human/part-troll. I say this here as a reminder that shapeshifters may only have the talent to take on a half form
Fauns (AKA Satyrs): Fauns are half human-half goat creatures of the forest. Similarly to the the satyrs from Greek and Roman mythology, some think of them as symbols of fertility. However, they aren't as lustful as people make them out to be and they may be offended by that stereotype. They are just as intelligent as any human, but they prefer to live a nomadic lifestyle, living in family groups and living off the bounty of the forests. Meeting a faun who prefers to live in villages with other races instead of living a nomadic lifestyle is an oddity, but there are some who do prefer the comforts of village life. Some of these fauns use illusion magic to fit in with human society. Illusion magic tends to be the only magic this race can use, and they tend to be masters of it. Though some are able to use transformation magic to take on the form of a goat or a human.
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Magic
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Magic of this world can be broken down into White/Light Magic, Black/Dark Magic, and Elemental Magic.
- Magic is like an individual's finger print. It is unique to every user. No one's magic is exactly the same, even if different people learn the same spells.
- White magic and Black magic are incompatible. A healing wizard cannot cast a shadow spell. If they could, the very nature of their magic would change.
- A person's magical properties are determined before they are born. Under normal circumstances, this cannot be changed.
- Genetics can play a role in magical properties as there are family lines who are more inclined to have magic of a certain type.
- Magical alignment (Dark magic or light magic) does not mean an individual is a good or bad person. An evil light magic wizard could exist who wouldn't think twice about causing an illusion that would make someone fall off a cliff or turn a human into a frog.
- Even if they have the capacity for magic, not all people can use magic or choose to pursue magic.
- Depending on the place, culture, or individual prejudices some non-dark magic may be seen as dangerous or taboo and something to be feared.
- Examples of this include fire mages who are grouped together as being destructive bullies.
- Despite not being inherently evil, shapeshifting magic is sometimes seen as taboo. This stems from a belief that shapeshifters are often murderers and thieves; committing crimes in one form and then going unnoticed in another form.
- Magic is limited by the people who use it. Even the most talented of magic users are not almighty miracle workers. Magic is also limited by the user's energy. If a magic user is tired or hungry, that would effect their magic. A magic user can only perform so much magic before fatigue sets in.
(Note: Magic is not necessarily limited to the specific abilities that are listed, so if your character has different abilities, that doesn't mean they're out of place in this world.)
- White/Light Magic -
This includes healing, purification, and light spells. People who can use white magic cannot use black magic.
Healing - These powers can range from being able to heal minor scrapes to being able to heal near fatal wounds if one is experienced enough.
-Even the most experienced, talented healers cannot bring back the dead.
- Healing magic cannot be cast on one's self other than very simple first aid
Purification - This is a way to exercise shadelings that plague humans, animals, or the land itself.
- When Purification and Healing are combined, this can also be a way of healing illness. This wouldn't be a way of say, curing cancer, but it can help alleviate symptoms and improve quality of life.
Light - Powers of light summoners can be as simple as being able to light up a cave or to weaken demons or even destroy shadelings.
- Black/Dark Magic -
This includes destruction magic and shadow magic
People who use black magic cannot use white magic.
- Black magic does not automatically mean evil. One of the realm's most kind-hearted, beloved kings was a black magic wizard.
- Black magic does have the most social stigma because it is fearsome and destructive.
- There are fewer wizards that use black magic versus white magic or elemental magic.
- Many who have these abilities choose not to use them at all because they fear it, but even these abilities may be used for good by the right people.
- Advanced practice of these magics are forbidden in all civilized countries.
- Most black magic users do not use magic at all or rely instead upon elemental magic.
Destruction - This power is like a bomb of black magic.
- At its weakest, this ability creates a powerful blast that stuns anyone it hits. It creates a feeling of dread.
- At its strongest, the blast can make everything and everyone it hits crumble to dust.
Shadow - Power to control dreams and nightmares.
-Advanced wizards can manipulate the shadows of living beings like a puppet.
-Elemental Magic-
These include the ability to summon and control Fire, Water, Air, and Earth.
- White magic or black magic users can also have the ability to use Elemental magic. Generally speaking, dark magic users who use elemental magic will be more powerful than white magic users.
- Elemental magic can be combined with white magic. An experienced healer/elemental user can make a healing flame or a healing potion from water, for example.
Neutral Magic/Abilities:
Other magical abilities include levitation/flight, the power to create illusions, and shapeshifting magic. These abilities are rare in humans, but common place with some species.
- Specifically to shapeshifting and levitation: The rare humans who are capable of using these abilities usually need unique magical objects to cast use these spells. There can be exceptions to this but these people would be exceptionally rare.
- Fairies and other species use illusion magic to keep people away from their homes or to give themselves the appearance of different creature without using shapeshifting magic.
- People have used illusions to trick people in a way that has caused harm or death. This can be difficult or impossible to trace back to the caster. Because of this, society tends to be wary of known illusion magic users.
- Shapeshifting magic is almost always used for the shapeshifter to freely change their own form from one species to one other species. An example being a dragon that can change into a human or a human that can change into a bird.
- This is complicated magic and the ability to turn into more than one creature is incredible. It's common for people with shapeshifting magic to be so bad at it, they can only manage features such as ears or a tail
- Shapeshifters who can alternate between multiple forms usually have a limited catalog of creatures they can transform into. Somewhere around five being the human limit, even for advanced sorcerers. (There may be exceptions)
- Shapeshifters who can alter the forms of other individuals are extremely rare and this magic is forbidden in all civilized countries.
- Most sorcerers who can use shapeshifting magic chose not to practice it. Those who do tend to keep a low profile and value their secrecy.
- There are potions that can be used to take a suspected shapeshifter out of its form. These are painful and like the equivalent of having acid poured over one’s body.
- In the past, it was not uncommon for small suspected shapeshifters, such as a rodent, cat, bird, or dog shapeshifters who committed criminal acts to be caged in a small rocky prison where the Potion of Truth would be poured on the animal. If it were truly an animal, it would remain so though likely die from the pain. If it were human, they would be forced out of their transformation inside a space too small for their body. This punishment is now largely viewed as barbaric, though some towns still practice it. Some kingdoms mark criminal shapeshifters by removing their right hand or thumbs.
Some people have the ability to see what others do not see. This power is known as soul reading, and it can be used to view "souls" and their magical alignment/abilities.
- This power is stronger with some people than others. One doesn't need to be able to use magic to be a soul reader.
- Using this ability and calling out someone's magical alignment in public without permission is extremely taboo.
- Some people with this power can also see shadelings that may not normally be seen. They can also see if a shadeling is plaguing a living creature.
- Soul Reading is a rare ability and people with this power may not even realize that they have it or know what they are seeing. Throughout history, people with this power have been thought to be insane because they fear things that other people would say aren't really there.
- Nearly everyone in the world has at the very least some weak form of this ability. Someone may briefly see a shadleing out of the corner of their eye and believe it's an eye floater.
Non-human magic:
High elves are capable of using nature manipulation magic. They can make flowers bloom and plants grow quickly. White magic is rare among high elves, but it is common for elves to carry seeds of healing plants and herbs which they can quickly grow when needed. While nature magic seems completely benign and even beneficial, it can be used in dangerous ways. They can cause moss or fungi to spread and spore which, if inhaled, may be lethal. Some elves are able to bend the trees to their advantage or attack enemies with vines. Fairies, wood elves, and wood trolls also use nature magic and have an even greater capacity than high elves.
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Shadelings and Demons
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Shadelings are demonic essence. Their physical form lies between energy and matter.
Dark magic such as destruction works by using this energy. Shadeling energy can be thought of like magic or anti-magic.
The weakest shadelings manifest physically as tiny fly-like or flea-like particles that tend to torment living creatures. Groups of these particles can also embed themselves inside of living hosts like parasites. Shadeling infestations can cause madness in both animals and humans. If enough shadeling energy amasses together, a demon is created, destroying the host.
Demons are a major threat and something that all Audalanians are familiar with, at least through stories.
Entire villages have been wiped off the map by shadeling outbreaks. The most notable of these is Kuvilos, a once bustling port city that was destroyed two years ago. During this time, there was a particularly terrible outbreak of shadeling energy which has thankfully subsided. Still, people rightfully fear demons and the potential for another outbreak. Some purification magic users offer their services as shadeling exterminators. Other white magic such as lighting and healing magic also has an effect on shadelings. Two years ago there was a very dangerous, widespread outbreak of shadelings, but that has since subsided. They are still a threat however.
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Faestones
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Faestones are powerful artifacts that are naturally found only around the three Great Trees. Because they are so difficult to get to and fiercely guarded by fairy kind, these stones are far rarer than gold in the human realms and are thought of as myth or a fairy tale.
There are various types of faestones.
Some stones are connected to the lives of the pixies that live around the trees. While these pixies appear to be made of nothing but pure magic or light, these stones are effectively their physical body. Anyone who holds one of these stones has access to the magic it is connected to. Some faestones allow a person to use powers they would not normally be capable of.
While one stone may allow a person to teleport to a different location, a different stone may have an elemental power. One stone may send a person's body back in time. Another stone may simply have no power other than vaporizing whoever uses it.
There are countless possibilities of powers different stones may possess, but they are extremely dangerous, unpredictable, and all but completely unknown to humans, and other races outside the fairies.
Using these faestones may result in the stone breaking, cursing the holder. The nature of such curses is largely unknown due to the extreme rarity of the stones. The only known case of this happening was when a half-troll (human to troll shapeshifter) overused a warp stone (a faestone with teleportation powers), causing it to explode and implant stone shards in her hand, arm, and body. Though these stones were mostly removed, one of her eyes was effectively replaced with a faestone. Curiously, the only thing she can see out of that eye is The Faetree; the tree where the now broken faestone was obtained.
These small pixie-linked faestones are not the only type of faestones.
There are large faestones that exist that are linked directly to the Great Trees and are sacred to the fairy race. It has been stated that the Great Trees and, by association, Audalania itself came from three faestone "seeds".
There are stones the size of boulders that can be walked through to reach the different trees or anywhere else in Audalania. There are also stones that are connected to alternate dimensions and shadeling voids.
If the Spring Tree (or any of the other Great Trees) languishes, so would the the faestones. This means that the pixie lights that hover around the Great Trees would go out and the use of faestones would be even more unpredictable and likely to fail.
Check out my pet's profiles. They are a work in progress, but all will eventually include stories and a custom drawn pet header created by myself.
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