“That’s fine, I don’t mind doing some chores. The bath was … nice, and some new clothes would be, uh, nice as well. Getting out and drying off quickly, I see the clothes are actually way nicer than anything I would be able to afford. The bundle is just a tunic and pants, both are made of something that looks like leaves woven together, and yet feels durable. The tunic is a dark green with a strange snake coiling around the edges. The pants, though, are black and feel really easy to move in. I wonder what they are?
Appraisal Request Detected
Darkleaf Civilian Attire - Uncommon Level 0
Dominion Tether: 1/1
This outfit is made from Darkleaf found in Nestroot and crafted by a Verdant Tailor.
- Courts may attempt to recruit you, but will not press the issue.
- Comfortable, and will slowly repair itself when exposed to the light of a Life Tree.
Okay, that's not what I expected. Most items don’t come with System information. The last time I saw that was when Mom spent 24 hours making a dress and was bedridden for almost a week afterward. Not even the ring I swiped from that bodyguard had system info. Plus, it's Uncommon, which, based on the description, means you probably can’t find it anywhere else, but it's likely to be seen here. Not sure what the whole tether thing is about, though. Either way, the System is right; these are very comfortable. I could probably get a couple of whole golden eights from this if I sold it back home. “So you wanted some help?” I ask, lacing my boots up.
“Oh, yes. The Life Tree needs tending, a few buds are dying, some fruits need picking, some pests might be giving me trouble again, and the eggs will need checking over. Nothing a proper team of fairies can’t handle, but it's a bit much for an old woman like me.” She says, leading me upstairs. Getting a better look at the magical tree that seems to make up the center of this inn I think about appraising it.
Appraisal Request Detected
Heartwood Life Tree - Epic
This novel is published on a different platform. Support the original author by finding the official source.
Court Claim: Grovekeepers
A Life Tree grants those attuned to it a rebirth upon death.
Heartwood Life Trees takes that a step further, allowing those attuned to retain their memories without penalty, cost, or drawback.
An epic … magical … tree? Ok, the System doesn’t just hand out rarities like Epic on a whim. Granted, something like free revival would count, but that's not real. That's… not how the world works. “Old lady, that tree can’t actually bring people back to life, can it? There has to be a catch, some demon eating the soul, or a magical parasite that slowly takes over your body?”
“Hmm, old she says, as if I was some spinster too old to … well, I guess I never did tell her my name.” I hear her muttering to herself. “My name is Terili, and yes, it does, though it doesn’t quite bring you back to life. That's beyond even the power of the Patriarch to do. But the Life Trees are anchors that remind your soul where to return. Once your soul returns to the Tree, it starts growing you a new body based on what you were like when you attuned to it. The Patriarch wanted to protect the little ones, so he created the Life Trees a long time ago. Though, most of them aren’t as good as those here in Nestroot. Too far from the Heartwood, and who knows what the courts have done to the land since the Patriarch sealed Nestroot off.”
“Thanks, Terili. I can’t believe a mage would create something like this. None of the archmages back home would give something like this away to people. At best, if they could do it, a tree this powerful would be hidden away for the Family’s head and maybe a few trusted members to use. You mentioned attuning to it? What is that?” I ask as I approach this strange tree. It literally offers you a second chance, shards, more than a second, you can just keep trying forever. Beast Hunters, Mages, even Scholars would literally kill someone for a chance to use this, and probably kill their own mothers to have access permanently. Then I remember I somehow traveled here, and I have no idea how far away home is. “Does the tree have a range or something?” I ask hesitantly, honestly hoping to some degree that it does.
“Hmm, I’m not really sure about that. I know they used to work all over the Dominion, but no one has left Nestroot…well, as long as I’ve been around, and I’m one of the older ones here these days. Esme might know, but good luck getting a meeting with her unless you help the Grovekeepers out a bunch. Oh, and your other question is much easier. Just sit near the roots and listen. It's rather straightforward.” She says, fluttering around the base of the tree, where some leaf-bound pillows, I think. So, just meditate next to the tree and become immortal? It can’t be that simple.
“I guess I can try that once we finish your chores, Terili. So what's first?” I say, shaking my head and remembering that I still owe her for the bath and clothes. “NO, No, no. You sit down right there and relax. I am going to make some soup, and then we can work. Work is always best done with a full belly, I say. Plus, it's much easier to tend to a Life Tree you are attuned to anyway.” This causes me to feel some sudden concern. What if she expects me to be able to use mana or something to help with the tree? Fuck, am I going to be in debt again? Terili has been way too nice since I got here. I can’t just lie to her or anything, especially if she is about to offer me food.
In a cracking voice that I try to keep steady, I say, “Uh, Terili, I um don’t have a class or anything, so I really hope the chores don’t require anything special like a skill or mana.” I say this, fully expecting the vibes of the room to change instantly. Which is why what happens next stuns me for a solid minute.
“Well, of course you don’t have a class yet, Dearie, why would I expect a realm walker just shown up to have one? Plus, it's not like any of the classes here in Nestroot are particularly good at tending, that's what we Rebirth Fairies are for. I guess a Verdant Soul could do the job well, but that's not needed at all. I’ve trained some gold-obsessed kobolds to cultivate liferoot dear, you will be no problem to teach whatsoever.”