The Home Tree is an oak (although other flora grows happily on it), measuring about 60 feet high to the top of the Tree trunk, and then around 30 feet more of just canopy. The canopy is also very large and has an (offset) diameter of approximately 70 feet.
The Tree's thickness varies, as it has a very large base and slightly twisted frame, but the hollow inside is is about 4 feet in diameter, with a 12,5 feet circumference.
The massive roots around the Tree weave around some rocks or just curve out of the ground, creating little nooks and crannies for both animals and Adventurers. Some of them have been carved to house little fireflies and glow-worms for lights, and a couple of them have been altered to work as fun slides for younger (or childish) Adventurers.
There is a rabbit borrow under a few roots on the east side of the Tree, which hosts the Adventurer's wagons and the non-bird mounts. It is also generally a good cover for any animals the size of a rabbit or smaller, so there might be surprises at times.
Circling the Tree about 15 feet from the trunk are a bunch of white mushrooms, creating the Faerie Circle that protects the Tree. There's a glimmering, soap-bubble like shield rising from these mushrooms, and they glow slightly at night. Many creatures do not seem to be able to see through the Faerie Circle, although they can definitely hear through it. Others pass through easily, including most herbivores and other passive, friendly animals.
The rest is mostly grass and tiny mushrooms, as well as cycling plants that seem to be randomly sprouting and wilting at the will of Blue Rose.
The previous Adventurers built an outdoor kitchen/forge near the Faerie Ring edge, powered by a huge, fat firefly that is able to get a lot hotter than the ones inside the Tree. It does not work in rain or cold weather, as the insects all retreat into the Tree during the winter months.
first floor (entrance)
At the very bottom of the Tree is the door that serves as the entrance. It's rather large and opens upwards with rope, like a portcullis. Said ropes are too high to be opened by someone without wings, to prevent new Adventurers from leaving without gaining their wings.
When entering the Tree, there are two uncut gems on rocks on either side of a golden stream of warm, comfortable light. These gems are yellow and blue, measuring a whole foot long and about four inches high - through more seems to be hidden deeper into the rock. These are the gems of Night and Day, holding the power of the fairy wings of the Adventurer's choice.
Here and there on the floor are holes that lead down into the Tree's roots. They are water-filled and quite dangerous to dive in, as you can get lost and drown. They span quite far, but currently do not seem to lead anywhere special. They are the main source of drinking water in the Tree.
In the middle of everything is the Life Stream, the ray of light that goes through the entire Tree and represents its life force. It is what keeps the oak alive even if it has been hollowed out and inhabited by little invaders. Following the ray upwards for eight whole feet reveals a large hole leading to the next floor. Since it is so very high up it can only be accessed by flight, which gives Adventurers a chance to try out their wings for the first time.
second floor
At the next floor of the Tree, we find the first living quarters. Houses here are large enough for about four people, and a door of bark is used as the entrance to the small dwellings. There is enough space between the houses and the middle of the Tree to make a nice walking path.
In the upper right corner, a large hole leads out onto the first branch of the Tree. It is shut by a bark door, similar to the one at the entrance (though this one's ropes are accessible from the floor). The branch is large enough to comfortably accommodate three Adventurers walking side by side, and is fairly sturdy. About three feet from the Tree is the Food Altar. It is made from a stone slab and surrounded with smaller branches, vines and leaves woven into what looks like railing.
A mix of nuts, berries, and other tasty forest treats appear there at about mid-day, but it does not seem to ever carry meat. The amount of offered food seem calculated to be enough for everyone to get a full meal - however, it's quite possible for people to take more than they need and leave others starving.
third floor
The third floor includes the public bath house, a place for everyone to clean up and wash. Two large pools are carved in the floor, and water drips into them from a root in the wall. More of these roots exist around the room to act as water sources for the Adventurers and can be turned on by little spigots. Several smaller 'tubs' made out of hollowed burls can be used as private baths or to wash your clothes in. The water is lukewarm most of the time, but can get cold and even freeze during winter.
In a the upper area where nothing else can be found, mushroom tables and little chairs have been placed for characters to sit, relax and talk to each other between soaks or chores. The foliage around can be used to hide in when you change!
fourth floor
This floor is a copy of the second floor, complete with the four little houses and a hole that leads out to a branch - this time at the lower left.
However, this floor has a rather large crack in one wall and might be a lot colder in the winter than the first floor. It has been patched with a little bit of Tree sap and sawdust, but still leaks cold air.
The branch is also similar to the first, but instead of leading out to a food altar, it goes to a larger open area made from weaving several small branches together. It seems ideal for meetings, and also houses a large shard of mirror glass deeply embedded in the wood. This mirror is known as the Quest Mirror, a strange connection to the Tree's mysteries that give the Adventurers riddles, quests and pointers on how to unlock more areas, get rewards, and maybe even learn more about the Tree they live in.
fifth floor (chime's)
The fifth floor belongs to the spirit Chime, who rents out mounts for the Adventurers, stocks extra things already in the Tree (beds, bowls and other necessities) and holds several market stands for Chime's Shop.
There is a large sliding door that leads to a cluster of branches with bird's nests in them. These house the flying mounts for rent, while the ground mounts are found in the burrow.
The small building next to the door holds all the tack for the mounts, as well as treats and grooming supplies.
sixth floor
The sixth floor is yet another floor with housing; this time with two normal homes and a larger one about twice the normal size. This large house works as an inn and community gathering spot. There's a seating area with one big table and four small ones, and four small rooms with actual walls - but they only fit one bed and a bedside table.
The inn is currently unnamed.
seventh floor
From the sixth floor, the hole goes straight up for several feet, and the sides are jagged with crystals. These appear to be normal quartz in mostly clear and blue colors, rainbow-shimmering in the right lights. It's a bit dangerous to fly here, and Adventurers should take care.
It eventually opens up into the seventh floor. This space has another set of four houses, but of more uneven sizes and nestled between the huge crystal clusters that cover the walls. Some of these crystals even grow through the walls of the homes, creating a beautiful art piece but possibly dividing the house oddly. These houses have no balconies.
Leaving this floor, there's another long flight up covered in these crystals.
the bug garden
This floor is full of greenery, mulch and even dirt. It is the birthplace of the Lightbingers and the Canopy Crew, and is monitored by the Servant known as Buzz. She takes care of eggs and larvae, and even the huge grubs of the canopy beetles.
In one side of this room is a small branch hole hollowed out to house wild honey bees that treat Buzz as their queen. They're more than happy to share a bit of honey and wax, but as usual any candles made from it will not light up inside the Tree and Faerie Ring.
the ruins
The ruins is a floor of the Tree filled with broken-down stone tablets and old but beautiful carvings depicting animals and plants. A lot of answers to the mysteries of the Tree could possibly be found here, but the runes used in the etching is unknown. Sigh, a grey spirit-like Servant of the Tree, takes care of things here.
On each side of the room are large stone shrines in the wall, lit by a quartz-like shining gem. The first has the names of all the Adventurers carved into it by Sigh, by their most commonly used name. These names normally glow a bright blue, but there are also names that do not glow - symbolizing former Adventurers from another version of the story, and Adventurers that have gone home.
(You can check the game tags for former characters in the game, by finding at the ones marked with a mushroom. This is just flavoring and a way to see if someone disappeared for good.)
The second shrine has this inscription:
The Guardian The Canopy Crew The Lifestream Soul of Night & Spirit of Day The Servants of the Tree The Lightbringers The Builders The Adventurers
the dust fountain
Above the ruins are the dust fountains, taking up the whole room with their winding sets and 'waterfalls' of different-colored dust. The two largest fountains hold gold and silver dust, while the smaller ones have other colors in them. It is all beautifully framed by greenery and flowers, and you might find a lost Lightbringer here and there.
This wondrous place is overseen by the blue Servant known as Tone, and he will teach Adventurers all about fairy dust!
the heart of the tree
This last chamber in the Tree holds the massive ball of energy that is known as the Heart of the Tree, which is the source of the Life Stream. This is what gives a hollow tree the ability to live and thrive, and used to be the place where you could hear the Guardian's voice.
These days it is quiet, aside from the low hum from the Heart itself. Flying up here is usually a bit frowned upon by the Servant in charge of the Heart, Thought, but he allows some time for Adventurers to bask in the light and be filled with the concentrated version of the Life Stream's effects of calm peace and happiness.
Perhaps with time, the Guardian will be heard again.
the canopy
A few small tunnels lead from the Heart's chamber up to the very canopy of the massive oak. The branches here are long and heavy, some leaning so far that they almost reach the ground again. Others grow straight and proud, far above the rest of the trees around it.
There are no bird's nests here aside from the ones down by Chime's Shop, but there are a few balconies built on branches that can be accessed by Adventurers. Some are large enough to have small gatherings in, while others only have room for two to three people.
Most importantly, this is the home of the Canopy Crew, a bunch of colorful beetles that work to bring energy to the Heart of the Tree. They climb high into the canopy and soak in the light of the sun and the moon until they start glowing, and then crawl down to deliver it.
During moonless nights, they slowly get covered in silvery dust and seem to fall asleep for the rest of the night. The next morning, they bring this dust to the Bug Garden, where Buzz feeds it to their grubs. It seems to be what is needed for them to change into adults.
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thecanopycrew) wrote2013-12-20 04:26 am
Second Floor 
