“The prince and the assassin did not get along, their very natures were antithetical to each other. But the same could not be said of the three in the south. The princess went to form an empire in the darkness of the rainforest, welcoming any that came.”

“The people of the gorge kept to themselves, the apparent lack of resources keeping any others away. And the valley was a haven of peace. Decadent and stagnant, but people from many continents flocked there in search of peace.”

“But this could not last. A continent far away found itself threatened by a great foe, a clan of beasts no one had ever faced before, the Typhoon Sloths. The Spirit Trees of the world waged war against these monstrosities, but the people fled. Fled right to this land. And suddenly the peace was broken.”

“The Empire grew vast, stretching throughout the rainforest as it expanded in an attempt to accommodate its growing population. The gorge knew little peace, its people unwelcoming to outsiders that refused to take no for an answer. And the valley closed its borders, allowing only those who passed certain tests.”

“The plains formed a Confederacy that sought only to lavish in gold and unearned luxury. Even the two to the north were not free of the effects of this mass immigration. A thousand Tree stage mercenaries besieged the Prince of the north, sure that a new Grand Tree could not stand their might.”

“The Trees could not have been more wrong. The entire contingent died, becoming fodder for the prince’s growth. But it came at a cost. The prince’s wife found herself attacked, and soon fell unconscious, never to wake again. The prince was furious, but not stupid. A Council was called among the six forces, and collectively they formed an alliance.”

“An alliance that would fight against all that threatened their borders. But that did not suffice, none of them were Spirit Trees, and only those of that rank could guard a continent. The six knew that once the Typhoon Sloths fell, the attention of the Spirit Trees would turn to them, and they could not stop them.”

“So the six headed out, seeking aid. Searching high and low in many continents, they labored. Finally, they heard of a tree, an ancient tree that claimed the continent as its home.”

“The tree sat in a forest that bordered the prince’s lands, yes the very same forest that now borders your lands, Altura, and so the six ventured within. The journey was hazardous, the forces within threatening, but the six endured. And reached their destination.”

“But the tree refused to listen to their plea. “Nothing will compel me to involve myself in your petty human affairs,” it said. The words struck the six hard, but the princess the most. The words reminded her of those that she had heard back in her lands, and incensed her to no end.

‘So you shall remain safe within your forest? Ignore the cries of those that live past its borders? Are you not the lord of this continent? Why do you not act then?’ The princess said, her anger getting the best of her. But the ancient tree of was not offended.

‘And there is the fire I was looking for! To answer your question, I am not the lord of this continent. I live in it, but I do not rule it. What reason have I to interfere in matters of humans? The only thing I see there is trouble.”

“Tell me, is there one among you without blood on your hands? Do any of you have any claim at all to peace with the thousands you killed to reach the stage you have? By what right do you come to my forest and demand aid? What makes you more worthy than those that come in search of home?’ The tree questioned.

The merchant then stepped forward, morality might be the way of the Dark Empire, but the Confederacy knew the ways of gain. “Rivers of Gold and wealth flow through our nations, if it pleases you then we would be willing to part with some part of it. In hopes that it will earn us your protection.” he said, trying to entice the ancient tree.

The tree laughed to her face, saying instead, “Gold? Oh, what foolishness!”- the air before the tree twisted, flashed of light occurring before a single gold coin floated before them.- “What power does something I can make at will hold over me? And wealth! Behold my wealth you fool!”

A thousand doors appeared behind the tree, opening to show great heaps of wealth. Artifacts and jewelry, weapons that seemed to glow with history all featured in this hoard. “I am older than the System itself.” the tree stated. “Do you truly think your wealth holds any power over me?”

The merchant retreated, having been foiled. But her eyes gleamed with greed, her mind already attempting to discover the secret to the tree’s wealth. The lady of the singing valley now came forth.

“I know we can offer little, but Peace has its own merit. I request that you kindly enforce it.” The lady said, kneeling before the tree. The tree stretched out a root, lifting her from her position, saying.

“I fear that is not possible, though I do admire your attempt at it. No Peace shall hold in this world. Not for as long as power may be earned only through death.”

The lady retreated, tears in her eyes. But a resolve stood in them, she had built a valley of peace, and it would stand no matter what any tree said.

“Tell me, do the rest of you have suggestions too? What of you assassin, do you offer to slay my enemies for me? Or you prince? Do you swear fealty? Or do the People of the gorge plead for aid?” the ancient tree asked.

The representative of the People of the Gorge growled at the implication. The People were prideful, much had been taken from them, but they endured still.

“I ask of you, good sir, what do you require? Surely there must be some service we can perform for you. Why else would you spend your time speaking with us otherwise?” The Prince said.

“To pass the time, why else? I grow bored in my old age. But it is true that you can do something for me. The news has yet to reach these lands, but the Typhoon Sloths have fallen. A Warrior has broken through to a stage past the Spirit Tree stage, naming it the Warring Tree stage.”

“The Warrior has since demanded the loyalty of all the Spirit Trees in the land, killing those that disagree. I have already accepted his request, but more still hangs in the balance. Each Spirit Tree must compete for their lands, the amount decided in a Tourney held each decade. I have little need of land, but my allies do.”

“The Grand Elder of the Ocean asks me for aid, for she lacks the power to retain her lands. In return, I gain nine things I do desire. So I shall make you this offer, pledge to represent me in this Tourney, and in return you shall have my protection.”

The six retreated to discuss their choice, but they knew they had little choice in the matter. The tree had just confirmed their worst fears, it would not be long before some Spirit Tree won their lands in the Tourney and claimed them as their own. At least the tree showed no greed for them.

“The six of us agree, but we ask that you draw a System Contract for the same.” The Prince said.

The tree laughed at them, saying, “The System holds too little power over me now, but if it shall calm you then I shall do so.” The contract was drawn, written in ink so expensive that the Merchant’s eyes bled at the waste. But the tree had no other ink to give, and so came into being the most valuable contract on the continent.

“What should we call you?” The lady asked, curious to know the name of a creature so old.

“I have many names, but you may call me Mauriss, Elder of Spirit.” the ancient tree replied as the six were thrown out of the forest.

“Do not encroach on this forest, it is mine and mine alone.” Mauriss’ voice told them as they arrived in their lands.

“Centuries have passed since then, and many Trees have died fighting in the Tourney, only I survived. The Confederacy grew more corrupt, the Founder went to sleep besides his wife, never to wake again.”

“The Sect’s Ancestor remains active, but even she dulls with age. The princess shaped her Empire into the most powerful force in these lands, countered only by the People of the Gorge who never allowed another in their lands again.”

“The valley remains the same as it had been, walled but peaceful. And now we come to today, Altura. I fear that you and I, we just broke the peace.”