A meet, a gift, and a root

A meet, a gift, and a root

Year 73 Month 11 Week 2

The chiefs finally meet. Its their first time in Freeka. Three from each of the three camps.

The treefolk instantly prostrate themselves before me, and sing some kind of song, from the moment they see me. It sounds a bit like aboriginal songs, if that makes any sense.

What are they doing? I mentally ask Jura.

Some treefolks worship tree spirits. They are like a crazy version of elven tree huggers. Jura chuckles at that. "They are everywhere after all."

The young elf chief glance at the treefolk and shakes his head. Its just a tree spirit...

The elder elf next to him ribs him with his elbow, and whispers. Shh. Not so loud.

What? It's pathetic. It's just a very large tree with magic, and absorb our elvish souls. It cant even protect itself, and needs us elves to fight for it. He speaks back to the elder, his voice is a little bit softer, despite his defiant words.

The treefolk though ignore his words, and continue to sing their songs and hymns. It's rather pleasing, actually, once I got used to it.

The centaurs, the two chiefs and one older centaur that seems to be the shaman or mage of the tribe are unperturbed by the acts of the treefolk or the elves.

Hello. I speak directly to their mind. And please stand.

The treefolks stand. It feels like they jumped, at how fast they moved. I think their limbs have some kind of spring action in it. Not exactly.. trees.

Im TreeTree, tree spirit of Freeka. All of you are here because Id like to set some norms and processes, on conduct between us, to minimise conflict with me, the elves, and each other.

I spent the whole night thinking what to say, without coming off as too asshole-ish. I thought of starting it by saying I am Lord TreeTree of Freeka, but then again, I'm not a lord.

The centaurs nod, So, the purpose of this meeting

Is to just tell you all, I exist, and as the entire valley and forest is within my influence, I hope we can all coexist peacefully. I have no intention meddling in your respective affairs, if all of you do not meddle in mine.

The young elf chief shakes his head. My priority as chief is the safety and survival of my people. If it suits us, but no promises.

What are your affairs, Tree Spirit? Would it not be better to set certain boundaries of each of our territories? The centaur male instantly, with a wooden stick, starts drawing on the ground. I cant see it, my vision is after all a spiritual/magical one, but Jura helps to explain. In short, the Centaur claims the entire left slope, the Elf claims the far side of the forest and a big piece of the lands after, and Treefolk a circle around the pond. Anything not covered is mine.

At this point, I feel like a host that suddenly has guests, and now the guests are demanding a room. Their boundaries will still cross with my roots, after the last expansion of the eight subsidiary trees. And I can extend even further. So carving up 'my' territory feels not really nice.

That boundary drawn is nothing more than a 'designated area' for each of you, such that you don't unnecessarily create conflict. But this entire valley, remains under my care, as my roots extend everywhere. And no chopping of trees."

"Uh....."

The elf chieftain shakes his head.

Well, I want to grow the trees in the valley It wont help if all these new people are chopping down trees, right?

That, is not reasonable. You, are a tree spirit. Nothing more. What gives you the right to dictate what we do?" The elf chief stands forward. "We may need to chop some trees to survive, and we will need to hunt. Restricting us, you may as well chase us away."

I pause. So do the centaur and treefolk. Strong words.

The elf chieftain turns to face the other chieftains. Look. We are just dealing with a few elves and a tree spirit. I say, our needs are more important. Theres a few hundred of us! Why should this tree spirit and a few elves be allowed to say what we can or cannot do. I say we do what we want, regardless of what this tree spirit wants. It's just a foggy old tree.

We just started the conversation and the elf is already so hostile. Why?

The centaur look back at the elf, and then look at Jura and myself.

They want to see my response.

It feels like the elf's words is intentional. He means to provke me, to test me, and pretty much force me, so, a display of power is necessary. If I back down now, I will look weak, and I will not be able to protect the elves and my home from their ransacking. I cannot allow that.

Sigh. Although I know force is right, but I still feel a bit reluctant. I wish these elves did not force me. Refugees, after all.

I felt like being nice. I mean, these elves, centaurs and treefolk, they are all refugees, fleeing from the non-human slaughter in their home kingdoms. But this sort of entitled behavior is unwarranted, unreasonable.

This is my home and these are my people.

No. I say no.

A [root strike] shoots out of the groynd, and it flies just next to the elf chieftains head. The force of it root creates a loud swoosh, and the elf chieftain falls down onto the ground.

Huh. The elves react in shock. They probably did not expect that, seeing how the elf chieftain's reaction is a mix of shock, horror, and probably fear, a sudden realisation that I could kill him. I think.

If that is meant to be a test of strength, I think I passed. The root strike made all of them sweat.

Jura, though, smiles. He stands, and opens his two hands. Our tree spirit here has survived many creatures, including demon champions. If you think you could just walk in and do what you want, in this valley, you are wrong.

The centaurs share an awkward, uncomfortable glance. The three treefolk instantly prostrate themselves.

The elf chieftain stands again. How dare you! He feigns arrogance, defiance, but from my vision, his spirit is uncertain, his body shaking.

Should I hit the head, this time? I mentally transmit into all of them.

He gulps. Everyone also gulps. The centaurs take two steps back.

The elder stands in front of him, trying to cover for him. "No." He holds up what looks to be a wooden buckler, as if that would stop my roots.

The roots can come from anywhere. You cant protect him. In fact, I can hit anyone in this valley.

They both gulp. Everyone probably realise that if they make enemies, they wont leave this valley alive.

Jura then stands up and walk to the elf. We understand that you are refugees, and there are many of you. We want to help, and we want to share. But you cannot just march in and demand things from the caretaker of these lands. We can let you stay, but on our terms.

The elf chieftain grunts. Ugh! And he walks off.

The elder nods. I apologise, he is young and only wants the best for our people. I think I will convince our chieftain to obey your rules and I will try to convice him that as the tree spirit here, this is your home and we are... guests. We.. we can decide on the rest of the details later. For now we will stop any chopping of trees. We will speak again when everyone cools down. As you know, winter is soon to be on us, and travelling now is a hazard. May we stay through the winter at least?

Hello chieftains. Jura arrives at the edge of the centaur tents. They seem surprised to see Jura pop out of the forest.

Yes?

We would like to offer a gift, to help your people tide through this first difficult winter.

The two centaurs, the leaders ride out and see the beetles.

These are

Cloth, some food, some dried wood branches, and olive oil, which you can use to maintain a small fire for lighting.

The centaurs pause.

Jura starts unloading them, placing them at the side of the tent. Its a gift.

The two centaurs share a few whispers, before nodding.

Jura departs once all the goods are unloaded, then returns to the main tree, the beetles cargo reloaded, and once again, set out for the elves.

The elves instantly draw their weapons the moment they see Jura and the beetles.

What do you want! The elf chief shouts, defensive. He brandishes a big sword, and wears armor.

Jura smiles, his sword sheathed at the side. Im not here to fight. We have some gifts for you.

He didnt want to argue with the other elves, or talk, really. The elf chieftains probably going to argue and shout, so he just unload all the cargo, place them at the side, say what they are, and then leave.

The elf chieftain looks shocked, but then the other elves shamelessly start to grab the items. Survival comes first, pride, can be decided later on.

Lastly, Jura made a similar trip to the treefolk. The treefolk nod, and smile. I believe we have little need for such items, we are well used to rain and cold weather, due to our heritage.

Jura nods. I see, but it is only fair that we leave some for you as well.

Actually Actually we have a request to make, but it didnt seem appropriate to request it in our meeting previously.

Which is?

A few of our children are sick from the long journey, and wed like to know if the tree spirit has any healing items. We are willing to trade what we have for it.

Jura pauses, I.. I need to check.

Oh, healing fruits? Sure sure. Thanks to [winter resistance], I can make fruits all year long.

Later on, Jura returns with a basket of healing fruits, and the treefolk promptly administers them to the young treefolk.

It seems the long journey causes the younger treefolk to suffer from some kind of movement-sickness, a problem that goes away naturally for the more mature treefolk. Its nothing fatal, but it causes a bit of vomiting and slows down their natural growth. Still, as parents, it still saddens them to see their child being weak, so a simple healing fruit is all that is needed to fix it.

As a gesture of thanks, the treefolk elder passes a small wooden box.

This is?

Inside the wooden box is a root.

Its a medicine. Helps boost a persons strength. But only take it if youve never taken it before, else its not so useful.

Ah....

Jura returns to the main tree, with the box of medicine.

Have you seen this before? He shows it to everyone else.

Its a root?

How do we eat it?

Yes Thats what the elder says, but weve never eaten it before.

Eriz looks at it curiously. Ah.. its looks like a some kind of herb.

Oh? Herb? I would like to make that!

At that point, the root goes into the [biolab] pod for analysis. And after an hour, I gain a level.

[Youve gained a level. Level 116]

[Essence collection upgraded]

[Essence infusion unlocked. Essence-infused fruits, leaves and barks now available. Essence-infused subsidiary trees now available]

[Biolab : Analysis of specimen completed]

[Specimen is Low-grade ginseng root, 2 years of age. No special enhancements. Provides small permanent boost to disease-resistance and stats]

[New unique tree ability obtained]

[Limited-series Tree-type unlocked]

[Magical ginseng plant]

[Ginseng plant is limited to 3 growing plants at any one time (can be increased with level). The qualities of the ginseng depends on the age of the root, overall health throughout its life, essences infused, mana infused, materials infused, the environment, astronomical conditions etc. Ginseng roots, when consumed, give permanent boosts to various stats, resistances, skills, mana or abilities. Permanent Effect diminishes with subsequent use.]

[Warnings]

[Cultivating ginseng will slightly increase monster spawn rate]

[Ginseng plant does not share any defensive or support buffs of the main tree.]

[Ginseng does not work on Trees]