Tree of Peace

Tree of Peace
Type	Landmark
Symbol	(Temple)
Located In	Fragaria (St. Curtis)
Debut
Slightly Damned #466 [HQ] Slightly Damned #836  (old village)
Image Gallery

The Tree of Peace served as the home village of the beekeeping Jakkai that lived close to a human village hundreds of years ago, before it burned down from a large fire whose cause was a mystery. The tree itself now acts as a symbol of unity for the two races that went to form their new home while the remains of the old village are consumed by nature.

Description

Exterior

The tree is considerably massive, one of the largest seen in the story, which seems comparable in size to the mountains that surround the valley it is situated in. It appears to be part of a massive network of smaller trees which cover the whole city, spreading through large roots which act as archways and bridges, and branches that provide shade and walkways over the entire town. The tree can also produce flowers that drop from the sky and signalling the sign of Spring, prompting a yearly festival for many and all for residents and visitors. Noticeable are small holes that resemble windows.

The entrance to the temple.

At the base of the tree is a massive entry-way that also serves as a temple, devoted to worshiping all the known gods of Medius. The doorway being of considerate size but dwarfed by the intricate patterns that resemble a large gate, with stars, bows and arrows. Above that are carvings of the four natural magical elements and one symbol representing harmony between the three Gods of Medius. Above those are two stained glass windows with leaf-like designs on them.

Just below the door are two sets of stairs and a zig-zagged ramp for accessibility. The long-wide pathway has stone tiles laid out in an arc-like pattern that fans toward the tree. Along the sides of the pathway are large statues of the Twelve Guardians, each with their eyes colored and their symbols matching their respective elements. Presently, a massive gathering of people who have lost their homes in the recent fire have set up camp at the base of these statues and many are seen on top of them. Three of the statues, one for Meeros, one for Melli and one for Moku, have been vandalized with paint due to them being the cause for the city's destruction.

Interior

The statues and stained glass windows inside the temple.

Most of the tree's interior appears to be hollow, but is comprised of many branches that are large enough to walk on and reach different areas of the tree. One such area is the Temple of Reconciliation that was possibly built after the city was founded, made mostly out of the same wood as the tree. The temple, naturally, has a cathedral where people gather and sit on wide wooden benches; while in front of them sits massive statues of Mother Gaia and Father Syndel, holding hands to symbolize their unity in creating the world; while above them are stain glass windows that feature Death, Drazil and Cerberus. Above the main hall is a single walkway for those to traverse to other areas of the temple.

Apart from the cathedral, the temple features a storage room that acts as another point of entry from the inside of the tree. There's also a residential area of sorts that has single-room apartments for those visiting or possibly living there. Currently, this area is being occupied by Angels who were saved during the Demon invasion. The room where Kieri and Kazai are staying is decorated with Melli the Fire Bee memorabilia; Lakritz nicknames it the "Warrior Angel suite". Pink flowers and green leaves are recurring decorations throughout the temple and rooms, seen on banners, walls and doors.

Boughs

The remains of the village.

On the boughs of the tree stands a myriad of smaller trees, which form a forest in their own right. This was the home village of the Jakkai who lived there; while long abandoned after they left to live with the Humans, the architecture appears mostly intact. As with most Jakkai villages, they would build their homes inside the trees; however, from the appearance of ladders and wooden pathways along the upper sections of the branches, this village appears bigger and more complex than the one in Fuzen'ro Forest, and is closer in size to a town. Due to time, the area has been overgrown with moss, while some of the wooden planks appear to have broken off and the ladders all but broken apart.

By the entrance of the abandoned village is a circular stone structure with broken columns and a fire pit, bearing a statue of Melli and engraved with Fire element symbols. The trees around it are decorated with triangular banners.

History

Past

Two hundred years ago, beekeeping Jakkai made their home in the boughs of the tree, neighboring a Human farmer village below. The two kept separate, until one day where the tree caught fire, and the Humans eventually helped the Jakkai. This led to the founding of St. Curtis, and the Jakkai leaving their tree to move down in the valley.

Legend kept unclear as to what exactly caused the fire, although one version proposed Melli the Fire Bee did it on purpose, as to teach both villages a lesson. This was seen as religious propaganda by most; however, Moonshade implied it was exactly what happened.

Atop the Tree of Peace

At present, the old village serves as a refuge area for survivors of the invasion that occurred recently; in particular those who are not native here like Angels, Demons and their respective company. While Angels stay down in the temple and residential floors, Demons stay up in the abandoned village, as people are still afraid of them.

Rhea was seen pilfering the temple's offerings of alcohol meant for the gods, claiming she needed it more than "those deadbeats". At night, she, Kieri, Buwaro and J gathered up with the Tamis Family by the old firepit as to talk about their situation and possibilities; they eventually decided to leave town and head to Port Dorade.