Master Of None

Chapter 2655: 2655. Plenty Of Greetings

One of the larger white trees stood taller than the others. Walker and the others had their theories about why but it was easiest to assume it was the main hall for the radiant light elf elders to meet in.

ʼAncient white maple

This tree is one of the oldest within the light elemental planes. It was born from the collision between a small earth elemental plane and small light elemental plane. When they collided, seeds and sprouts growing were split apart, and due to the weakness of the elemental plane at the time they were not killed when the planes separated.

As time moved on the seeds adjusted creating unique species of plants such as this white maple. The focus on light mana within the leaves changes them to a pure white while the bark and wood hold extremely dense and potent light mana considered some of the purest forms of mana that there is.

The wood is farmed and the tree healed constantly allowing for a very long term source of high quality light affinity wood to make just about anything as long as the crafter utilizing it has the right amount of skill. However, due to the larger amount of mana required to grow this tree and keep it healthy other plants and herbs growing nearby will suffer and not reach the same height or size.

Due to living for an incredible number of years, this ancient white maple has developed unique light spirits that are bound to it. They are protectors and easily can be considered guardian elemental spirits if there is a reason for them to utilize their battle forms where they condense the mana they are made of in to physical form…ʼ

The information from the all around appraisal of the ancient white maple was a lot to absorb. There was more but the focus was that this tree had lived for so long that the elemental spirits that developed around it became guardians for it. While the tree itself did not have sentience, it was part of the light elemental plane to such a depth that the spirits associated with it could take a dangerous and dense form.

It only felt even more dangerous when Walker realized that above in the branches there were what appeared to be hidden archers watching the entire city. They were very well hidden and the odds that most would not be able to see them was easy. But they were only archers in the sense that they had light arrows revolving around them. They were mages, light mages, of various forms. Gil wished they were pure archers or arcane archers like him, but he had learned their history and changes in their culture toward magic as a focus.

There were also groups of what seemed like crafters and other training mages in the higher up branches. A way for them to get closer with the tree that worked as the center of their home city and also a way to get closer to light mana.

The light mana released by the ancient white maple was calming. It was allowing for all the light mana in the area to be relaxed. Meaning it would be very hard for the mana to become chaotic or even to become erratic at all in any way. Even if there was a smaller light elemental plane added, the odds that the ancient white maple would naturally calm that mana and acclimate it to the rest of the light elemental plane was extremely high.

Between the roots of the ancient white maple, there was an entrance. It was decorated with crafted white metals all forming patterns that could be called runes but seemed closer to the ancient high elf language than anything. They were symbolic to the radiant light elves and many of them escorting the party gave small bows of respect to them. The party also did so since they wished to show respect to the elves here.

Upon entering, the light mana was denser, orbs of different colored light floated about the ceiling causing there to be an aura of calm and wonder. What was even more shocking were the numbers of radiant light elves in the room. This massive hall held over a hundred elders who were calmly speaking or watching the party enter.

One of the main elders appeared to be some form of magic caster who had two uniquely carved staffs next to him. He also appeared to not have any vision to be spoken of, something that might have been an unfortunate cost in terms of aging, or maybe it was part of his class. Regardless, he saw and felt the party enter and had his head turned toward them.

”Hello and welcome to our home. Your visit was a surprise but that is not at all an issue. It is a pleasant surprise for us and our people to be visited by our newest allies before your main emissaries came.” The warm greeting shook the light orbs in the room. The strength of this elder was enough that just speaking caused light mana to move. It attracted Alcieʼs attention. She could tell it wasnʼt the same as her abilities though, this was because of his strength and understanding of light mana itself.

”We are very glad to meet you all. Your city is beautiful and the ancient white maple a wondrous example of your peopleʼs bond to the light elemental plane as a whole. We are very glad that our adventure for knowledge to bring back to our home has allowed us to stop here and visit with you before our emissaries. We hope to trade and help find a few good spots for our emissaries to learn and share knowledge in.”

The way that Walker responded struck true to the way that the elders felt about the new alliance that was formed. It seemed their excitement was greater and greater still. There was one thing that Gil and Walker were wondering though.

When the radiant light elves had mentioned that they did not travel and were often more secluded. With how many there were, it made the pair wonder why this was the case. Especially with the fact that they had strength to move and patrol easily.

”I hope to explain one rule to you that will be imperative to follow. Not so much as law but something we here follow.” The elder didnʼt beat around the bush, he pushed forward causing every other conversation in the larger hall of lights to calm. ”We do not travel beyond the borders of our territory. It is a rule that has existed since the first guardian was sent by the light king and even though the guardian has yet to be seen in recent years, we will remain within our territory. Please respect that.”

”We are more than willing to respect your laws. We are curious why you choose not to travel outside your territory in certain areas though. If itʼs something you cannot speak of, we will hold our curiosity. I can also ask the true light sage for information about this area later, the more knowledge we can gain about the light elemental plane the safer it will be for those who travel here in the future.”

The focus on safety was enough to show the elders who were listening that there was not an intention to cause any trouble. However, Walkerʼs question still seemed to bring some shifts. Uncomfortable shifting in seats or soft murmurs made it clear that it was very deeply ingrained within them that they were not allowed outside their territory in certain areas for strong reasons.

”The guardian that once protected our small race before we were able to anchor ourselves here within the roots of the great light maple required us to stay here for things the only place safe for us. We also act as a race that protects this great tree. We have heard of similar traditions for the elves of your world. Without communication, we all value similar traditions.”

”Outside, the areas nearby are too dangerous. The shifting light grasses is a small area we can use for hunting. Other areas hold deeply dangerous monsters and terrifying slumbering beings we can not afford to annoy. It is for safety due to the location and maintenance of balance.”

It was as much as Walker expected. His nod of agreement was met with similar nods of thanks from some elders. They understood the depths that danger took for their people. If harm came to their city, it would mean harm came to all the lands of their light elemental plane not just their territory.

”Then we are excited to learn about your people and culture for a day or two before we head toward the nearest elemental plane.” The entire party gave smiles as a booming welcome came from every elder. The conversation was short but enough to make introductions.

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