At the heart of a great dark forest lies a pond formed by a family of beavers at a river bottleneck. Within this pond exists a small, lush island dominated by a tree that towers above all others. Its sprawling branches gather awkwardly near its top, 200 feet above the pond. The canopy is a verdant umbrella of great wonder. The treetop appeals to many species of birds and creatures who live in and protect the tree. The leaves of the Deepwood Tree are of many different species: poplar, maple, birch, basswood, oak, and more. It is known to the druids as the grandmother of all trees. They are sure it communes with all the trees in its realm.
A small, carefully tended path leads to the base of the tree from across the water. Only when elder druids make their final life journey does the Deepwood Tree reveal its doorway to them. The tree welcomes the druid in to inhale their last breath of the mortal world and become part of the Deepwood. With each new elder within the tree, the Deepwood grows a little more, expands its power a little farther, and strengthens the roots of the entire forest under its care. Some druids travel for years through treacherous journeys in an effort to ask Deepwood for her acceptance in their final days.
Upon entering, the druid makes their way up a spiraling stairway as high as they like to find their final resting place. When the druid feels they have found their place in the tree, they immediately go blind, no longer needing eyes. They view the entire forest through the roots of Deepwood from this time forward.
Companions of druids making the journey have never been allowed to stay long at the base of the tree. Those companions report an assurance that their druid friends truly became at peace and part of the Deepwood Tree. Those attempting to remain more than a night or two find themselves at the edge of the Deepwood forest domain, and all paths to the beaver pond are confoundingly confusing and impossible to find again.
Possible Adventures:
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- A frail man offers you his life savings to escort him to the Deepwood Tree. It must be with some haste as his days are clearly numbered. The journey will be fraught with danger, but he promises a sight of such a wonder will remain in your eyes for eternity…. And his life savings are significant. He must guide the way.
- A frail man offers you his life savings to escort him to the Deepwood Tree. It must be with some haste as his days are clearly numbered. The journey will be fraught with danger, but he promises a sight of such a wonder will remain in your eyes
for eternity…. And his life savings are significant. He must guide the way. - After a trying battle in the forest with an owlbear, the party discovers a very unusual nut in the lair. All others of its kind have been lost to the world, and any wizard worth their salt can tell it’s rare and worth attention. They discover the legend of
the Deepwood Tree. If they have no druids with them, the nut itself guides the way to Deepwood via will-o-wisps. Once joined with the Deepwood Tree, it can be planted anywhere in the world to create a Deepwood sapling. This sapling cleanses
its area of influence of all dark and evil energy. Wherever they plant the nut, the party must guard the seed for three months. All evil creatures in the area instinctively seek out the seedling to stop its rooting. - The Deepwood Tree is dying. A traveling druid has heard the call and offers you everything she has for you to join her in a journey to Deepwood. She tells you the tree contains many grand druid souls and cannot be lost. Once there, it is
discovered that a large clan of brutish hobgoblins has killed the beaver stewards of the pond and smashed through their dam. The tree is dehydrated, and its leaves are falling. The hobgoblins must be removed, and some very special beavers recruited to take up the job of rebuilding the dam and pond to restore the balance.
