The Golden Grove
Deep in the heart of the Feywood, somewhere east of the Elven enclave of Fey Haven, lies a meadow, and at the center of that meadow is a ring by trees unlike any others on Cartyrion. The grasses that grow and the flowers that bloom within that circle are also unique to this place. Its location is known to the Fey of the forest, and to the Elves of Fey Haven, but these have always been careful never to reveal even a description of the place, much less its location. For the ancient dwellers of the Feywood, the Golden Grove is their secret, special place.
The open space between the grove itself and the rest of the forest is a grassy meadow filled with wildflowers - and countless pixies, sprites, and other nymphs tending them. It has been rumored that this outer ring meadow is the home of Asterea the Limoniad of the The Council of the Feywood.
The remarkable color show put on by the Glittergem trees does not end with golden bark and leaves. The trees are fruit-bearing, and the fruits are a fascinating mixture of small soft-skin fruits - about the size of a plum. Each of these is either a deep, rich red, green, or blue. Each tree can produce all three colors of fruit. There is speculation that the "seeds" within these fruits are ruby, emerald, and sapphire gemstores, respectively. The trees do not appear to multiply by dropping the fruits or seeds; they seem to be permanent fixtures of each tree.
The Feywood Elves celebrate the grove in one other unique manner, though. Each year during the yule celebration days, they will bring a small, living tree into their homes, and decorate the branches with streamers of gold and small baubles that resemble faceted rubies, emeralds, and sapphires. Among the wealthy, the use of actual gemstones is common; for those of lesser means, colored glass is sufficient.
Description
The meadow in which the grove is located is almost perfectly circular and about 300 yds (275m) in diameter. The grove itself consists of a ring of trees approximately 100 yds (90m) in outer diameter, and half that in inner diameter. These trees, and the grassy space within the ring are the grove itself.The open space between the grove itself and the rest of the forest is a grassy meadow filled with wildflowers - and countless pixies, sprites, and other nymphs tending them. It has been rumored that this outer ring meadow is the home of Asterea the Limoniad of the The Council of the Feywood.
Unique Flora and Fauna
In addition to the countless pixies and sprites that either call the grove their home, or are simply visiting it, there are two plants and one animal species that appear to be unique to the grove.Glittergem Trees
The inner ring of trees consists exclusively of a species of tree found nowhere other than this grove. Glittergem trees superficially resemble large walnut trees - except for their color. The thick, furrowed bark of these trees is a rich brown, but as it is infused with grains of gold dust, there is a golden yellow sparkle effect when the trees are viewed in full sunlight. The leaves of the tree are a golden yellow color year-round, but are also infused with the sparkle of gold dust. When the tree rustles in a breeze on a sunny day, the sparkle effect is almost reminiscent of a firework explosion. In full moonlight, the glitter takes on a more silvery sheen, but hints of the yellow remain.The remarkable color show put on by the Glittergem trees does not end with golden bark and leaves. The trees are fruit-bearing, and the fruits are a fascinating mixture of small soft-skin fruits - about the size of a plum. Each of these is either a deep, rich red, green, or blue. Each tree can produce all three colors of fruit. There is speculation that the "seeds" within these fruits are ruby, emerald, and sapphire gemstores, respectively. The trees do not appear to multiply by dropping the fruits or seeds; they seem to be permanent fixtures of each tree.
Sparklegrass
One of the grasses that grows within the inner circle of Glittergem trees is also unique to the grove. Sparklegrass grows in tufts to a height of about 1ft (30cm), with blades of a golden-green color. These blades are flecked with tiny grains of gold and emerald dust which, like the glitter of the trees, creates a dance of sparkle and color when sunlight strikes them and they move in the breezes.Manticorn
Though the Elves and Nymphs of the Feywood carefully guard the place, the Golden Grove is not without its own defenses. The grove is the home of the Manticorn, a beast that gentle for some, but a fierce defender against those who do not belong in its home.Importance in Elven Culture
For the Elves of the Feywood, it is customary for a parent to take a child to see the grove on the occasion of their twentieth birthday. While not a formal rite of passage, most Elven children look forward to this as if it were one. For many, this may be the only time they visit the grove in their lifetimes.The Feywood Elves celebrate the grove in one other unique manner, though. Each year during the yule celebration days, they will bring a small, living tree into their homes, and decorate the branches with streamers of gold and small baubles that resemble faceted rubies, emeralds, and sapphires. Among the wealthy, the use of actual gemstones is common; for those of lesser means, colored glass is sufficient.
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