Er Alaþ

end record

Er Alaþ & Tu-Irni Alaþfha

Author: C. Barendi

       Section 1. | Er Alaþ

Er Alaþ (tr. The Great Tree) is considered to be the first individual of a species (Alaþ alaþ) of quasimythic titanofloral trees sacred to the Alaþilhinë (tr. Herbalist or People of Er Alaþ). Individual specimens are referred to as Alaþirn (tr. Honoured Great Tree) and multiple are referred to as Tu-Irni Alaþfha (tr. Honoured Great Trees). Though it is correct to refer to Tu-Irni Alaþfha in the singular as an Alaþirn, specific Alaþirn are always called by name (e.g.; Alaþirn Asjoþ, Tu-Alaþirn Dexine-4).

The name Er Alaþ is a unique identifier in Alaþi, referring strictly to the Alaþirn of Alaþ Fasjël. Though there is no accurate translation for the word-phrase Er Alaþ, close conceptual transliterations into Galactic Asteri include terms like ‘Cosmic Tree’ ‘Dea Tree’ or ‘Allmother Yggdrasil’, with “Great Tree” being the most commonly used and accepted. From Er Alaþ the endonyms for both the Herbalist language and peoples derive1. This article will use endonyms where applicable.

Though Alaþ Fasjël and, by extension, Er Alaþ are off-limits to outsiders, certain details about Er Alaþ may be extrapolated from other Tu-Irni Alaþfha2 as well as from writings and oral descriptions by Alaþilhinë (see Further Reading). 

Er Alaþ is a Verding-type quasi-mythic titanofloral. Its archetype is deciduous with a chimeric morphology resembling multiple taxa of Terran bioforms. Er Alaþ possesses a significant quantity of large buttress roots supporting a trunk with a diameter of between eight hundred and eleven-hundred metres. Its root-depth is estimated at between six hundred and nine hundred metres and its primary root plate extends for several dozen kilometres beyond the trunk. Estimates of this radius range from three thousand to upwards of eight thousand metres based on studies of similar Tu-Irni Alaþfha3. Its dripline radius is estimated to exceed twelve kilometres, with a crown height estimated at three thousand five hundred metres4. 

Er Alaþ’s leaves are widely regarded among the Alaþilhinë to be the largest of their kin. From descriptions and illustrations, it can be inferred that the leaves of Er Alaþ are similar to those of Terran Magnolia trees5. Drawings of Er Alaþ’s flowers match closely to the long-extinct species of Magnolia liliiflora as well as Magnolia soulangeana6.  Its branch and root structure is more closely analogous to the extinct Kapok (Ceiba petandara)7 and its crown is described as having a shape similar to that of a “mountain having been weathered like the remnants of Terra’s Aplashan Range”8. From drawings, it can also be determined that Er Alaþ’s crown is roughly dome-shaped, though in a manner inconsistent with any known species of tree9.

Extrapolating from other Tu-Irni Alaþfha, it may be determined that Er Alaþ is a chimerotype quasimythic hybrid of various species of Terran flora—both banal and dreamborn10. It is believed among Alaþilhinë that Er Alaþ is a living seed bank and possesses the complete genomes of all Terran flora11, past and future. There is some evidence to suggest these rumours may have some validity. Notable species lost to disease, environmental catastrophe, or blights have been restored by Alaþilhinë of the Forester-caste (Ereher Lafhæë) despite no seed banks possessing the species, strain, or engineered subspecies12. Without access to Er Alaþ these rumours can neither be confirmed nor dismissed.

Tu-Irni Alaþfha’s classification as quasimythic is mainly due their Anomalous Trans-Causal Phase Signature (ATCPS)13. Studies of Alaþi bioforms and their respective ATCPS correlate to no phenomena associated with Glitch-Type ATCPS. Despite this, all Tu-Irni Alaþfha and Alaþilhinë are considered as Dreamborn Phenomena under the Mythic Treaty and categorised as Grace-Class Mythica14.

       Section 2. | History & Cultural Significance.

Preface:

According to Alaþilhinëri lore15, Er Alaþ was the birthplace of the Alaþilhinë, making it an especially sacred cultural and spiritual site. For this, as well as other reasons, the whole of Alaþ Fasjël falls under the Mythic Treaty’s List of Forbidden Sanctums16. As a result it is absolutely forbidden for non-Alaþilhinë to enter Alaþ Fasjël17. 

Like The Shrouded Vael, the precise location of both Alaþ Fasjël and Er Alaþ are unknown to all Alaþilhinë, even to their Ahanë-Nirti, Sjora Eliyn. Alaþilhinë are able to go back and forth from Alaþ Fasjël and, by extension, Er Alaþ through similar methods as to the inhabitants of The Shrouded Vael, possessing an instinctual knowledge of how to get there through their own, individual, anomalous spacetime tunnelling phase-suspensions.

Attempts have been made by various organisations and individuals to either extract this pathway or to brute force their way to Alaþ Fasjël and/or Er Alaþ. All of these have ended in failure, with most efforts being ended by the intervention of Valkyries, forces committed to the Mythica-Human Joint Enforcement Battalion, or both. Though unethical, illegal, repugnant, and condemnable, these attempts have nevertheless provided researchers with a wealth of data regarding how Alaþilhinë are able to go to and from Alaþ Fasjël. It can be stated, conclusively, that, except for those the knotworx permits, there is no accessing either Alaþ Fasjël nor Er Alaþ18.

History:

Interviews with Aisling, Ahanë of the Dawnstar Order of Alaþilhinëri Witches, have revealed some partial details surrounding the creation of Er Alaþ and its history preceding the Alaþilhinë’s reintegration into the wider web of Humanity in The Way19. Much of this history remains a closely guarded secret among Alaþ Fasjël’s First Flowers, with most individuals ascribing not much consequence to that period of time and considering it to be, in the words of Aisling, “Not as important as it’s made out to be.”20 As the First Flowers, or First Generation Alaþilhinë, dwindle in numbers, opportunities to study this period of Alaþilhinë history do also.

Aisling, in the aforementioned interviews, described Er Alaþ as being a throwaway name prior to their conversion at the hands of the Herbalist Goddess, originally referring to the serial designation of a planet. Research into the Archives of the River21 and further digging into The ArQives22 and ArqTerra23 have not shown any record of an engineered planet with a serial designation beginning Er-ALÞ. From other details provided during this interview, as well as bioanalytical data provided by First Flower Fënæ, the inception of the Alaþilhinë can be confidently determined to have occurred during the 5th Aion roughly coinciding with the outbreak of the 5th Aion Incursion. Other studies have also indicated a potential Paradox Reconciliation Event sometime in the Pre-Reintegration Era of Alaþilhinëri History which may partially account for the inconsistencies between accounts of First Flowers and the available records from the claimed time period.

Besides the origin of the name and the shipwreck account, the only other detail known of this period is that Er Alaþ and the Garden of the Goddess were the only parts of Alaþ Fasjël reported to have been directly manifested by the Herbalist Goddess herself. The remainder of Alaþ Fasjël was, according to Aisling, seeded by the First Flowers24.

Cultural Importance:

Er Alaþ serves as a sort of combined religious and governmental headquarters for the Alaþilhinë. Though the Alaþilhinë do not have explicit heirarchies, governing bodies, or recognisable systems of authority analogous to human social systems, they nevertheless do recognise several organised collectives which are widely respected among Alaþilhinë. (Most organisations formed by Alaþilhinë exist out of practicality and operate autonomously to one another, each adhering to a specific mission or objective its members collectively assent to.)

Among the branches of Er Alaþ exists the meeting grounds of some of the more noteworthy collectives25. Collectives which call Er Alaþ home include, but are not limited to, the Elder Conclave26, The Council of the Ahanë-Nirti27, and The Dawnstar Collective28. Additionally, being that Er Alaþ is the birthplace of all Alaþilhinë, Orkidean mothers traditionally return to its roots to give birth beneath Er Alaþ29, excepting Elders Ascendant consecrating a new Cathedral World.

Outside of the Sacred Forests30, Tu-Irni Alaþfha are sparsely scattered across The Way. Though the Alaþilhinë do not have a specific name for such worlds, the exonym Cathedral World and Cathedral Alaþirn are the most common and accepted31. Several factors are involved in the establishment of a Cathedral World which will be outlined below.

Section 3. | Alaþirn, Cathedral Worlds, and Ascension

           Section 3.1| Cathedral Worlds

Cathedral Worlds arise from very specific sets of circumstances, all of which are dependent on the Alaþilhinë’s Orkidean-caste (Alaþi: Lolhinælhi). When an Lolhinæ exceeds an age threshold determined to be roughly between three and five Aions, she will experience a phenomenon known as a Calling32. Details are limited on how or when or even what causes the manifestation of a Calling, but once a Lolhinæ receives it, she is drawn compulsively to a specific world33.

As multiple Lolhinælhi must be Called to the same world for an Ascension to occur, there exists a wide degree of variability in ages at which any given Lolhinæ will Ascend. A called Lolhinæ is referred to as an Elder-Ascendant (pl. Elders-Ascendant)34 with the youngest recorded Elder-Ascendant being one hundred forty-one thousand Tanno (1 Aion) of age at the time of her Calling, and the eldest seven hundred and sixty-four thousand Tanno (7 Aions)35. Most Lolhinælhi will ascend between the ages of three and five Aions36.

Once she has arrived at her Calling, she, alongside other Elders-Ascendant, will form what is called an Ascendant Moot to begin the process of Ascension. Most Ascendant Moots are made up of two to three individuals, typically a bonded pair or triple37. Larger clusters of Lolhinælhi have been known to form, with each additional Lolhinælhi amplifying the end-results38. The largest known Ascendant Moot—the Ascenscion of Tk Sr Extraction Node DX98407—comprised sixteen individuals and resulted in the terraforming of at least twelve distinct bodies, each of which possessed a minor Alaþirn bound to the central Alaþirn at what would later be designated Dexine-439 and is the largest Alaþirn outside of The Sacred Forests40.

There are many forms of Ascensions but, much like Cathedral Worlds, their classification and nomenclature is almost exclusively performed by and for the convenience of those outside their orders. While the nature of Ascensions makes it difficult to precisely identify differences in procedure and methods, there are distinct differences in the manifestation of an Ascension depending on the state of an Ascendant Moot’s Calling. Because of this most Ascensions fall into the category of Phoenix Ascensions.

               Section 3.2 | Phoenix Ascension

Callings to worlds with extant ecosystems and/or large human populations are rare and account for less than 2% of all Ascensions. Within this 2% of Non-Phoenix Ascensions (NPAs) exists the greatest diversity of manifestation, procedure, and Lolhinælhi behaviour41. Much study has been put into NPAs in an attempt to better understand both the Alaþilhinë as well as the nature and mechanics of their underlying transcausality. It is sufficient for the purposes of this article to state that the internal diversity of NPAs is as a result of the extant human population and ecosystems, and the Elders-Ascendant’s accommodation of the same. Due to the scale and complexity of this research, this article will focus exclusively on the Phoenix Ascension (PA).

As stated above, study of these phenomena is performed exclusively by non-Alaþilhinë for the benefit and education of the same. For this reason, all nomenclature used in this section will be in Standard Exonymous Nomenclature. Reference materials for this section, except as otherwise notated, are The Complete Compendium of Elders, Ascensions, and Cathedral Worlds (Barendi, 819 1.XII) [notated Ref. A], or The Complete Compendium of Orchids, Lilies, and First Flowers (Barendi, 807 1.XII) [notated Ref. B].

The name Phoenix Ascension derives from both the metaphor of the specific type of world it occurs on as well as the more specific connotation of the transfiguration process that occurs to Phoenix Graces during the seeding of a Gaian Well. Phoenix Ascensions occur on barren worlds which either once hosted ecosystems; were exclusively exploited for their resources and subsequently abandoned due to resource depletion, extreme toxicity, and/or other factors related to resource exploitation; sterilised through war, cataclysm, or other apocalyptic events, natural or manmade; were uninhabited but geologically interesting; hosted hostile or uninhabitable xenobiospheres; or combinations of those and/or other factors.42

88% of PA Callings are to worlds previously containing ecosystems but were rendered uninhabitable by human activities, cosmic events, war, or other cataclysms. This is in contrast to Gaian Wells as the Gaian Well phenomenology follows the conclusion of a Lords of Loss ReFreezing. Like Gaian Wells, Phoenix Ascensions involve some terraforming activities, though the scales of these activities can vary depending on local conditions. This is where the Gaian Well and Phoenix Ascension diverge.

Gaian Wells—excluding the [redacted] Triune Heart43—are strictly regional phenomena whose footprint is typically limited to a region of, at most, around 2,500,000km2. Phoenix Ascensions are global phenomena which have the capacity to extend to nearby bodies in the case of a Kahæëraþ Anëþa Ascendant Moot exceeding 4 individuals. Additionally, while Gaian Wells seed only after Frost-Court Dreamborn have detoxified the Ashen Wastes of a Lost World, Phoenix Ascensions both cleanse and seed their Callings.

A Phoenix Ascension may last anywhere from a dozen Tanno to over a millennium. The variability in timeframes is as a result of the unique compositions of each Ascendant Moot and the personalities and ages of the individual Orkideans. Older Elders-Ascendant tend to take longer to complete their Ascensions than younger Elders-Ascendant, though the shortest Ascension—the Docade Ascension of Yiris and Faha’in—was only possible due to the age and experience of both Elders-Ascendant.

Phoenix Ascensions begin with the seeding of a first garden, set in the most polluted place on the world. It is not understood how Elders-Ascendant cleanse these areas, as toxin levels in these areas are known to exceed the theoretical limits of even Reliquarian tolerances. Current models suggest Elders-Ascendant either receive some manner of anomalous protection during their Ascension, though some researchers suggest that Phoenix Elders-Ascendant, upon arrival, discard their bodies and continue as naked hearthcores [Ëraþ]. Observations of Dawnstars give some support to the Naked Hearthcore hypothesis, but until direct observation of the phenomenon is made, there is unlikely to be a way to confirm or dismiss any of the proposed explanations. With the Herbalists thus unwilling to disclose these details, and with close analyses of terrestrial processes proving to be impossible until after the threshold of survivability has been crossed, further technological developments or a change of information policy among Herabalists will be required to demystify the process of First Garden Seedings.

After the Seeding of the First Garden—or First Gardens depending on the Ascendant Moot—Elders-Ascendant will focus their attention(s) on other hotspots. Each of these gardens, collectively called First Gardens, will later serve either as Groves or Mythic Sanctuaries. During the Ascension, they will function as the areas around which Elders-Ascendant will expand the area of cleansed land. 

Each First Garden is, according to lore and tradition, cleansed and seeded “by each her hands tilling salt for want of loam44”. It is not clear whether the act of manual manipulation of surface materials is a part of the process or purely metaphorical, however it is universally agreed upon among Orkideans that the process of cleansing their Callings is a laborious, intensive effort involving great physical exertion45.

Once finished seeding their first gardens, Elders-Ascendant will then move on to expanding the boundaries thereof. Reportedly, this process is no less laborious than the seeding of the First Gardens. According to accounts, “we [Elders-Ascendant] walk until our feet have kissed the whole of her face and our hands have blessed the last stone yet untouched46”. This second phase is a continuous process which radiates outward from the established first gardens until the entire Calling has been cleansed.

Once the Calling has been cleansed, the seeding of a new Alaþirn begins. This process is also one shrouded in complete mystery. Though Ascension Journals are widely available, Elders either do not record in them certain secrets of their order or those sections are exclusively available internally to the Herbalists. In any case, details about certain steps and rituals have never been made available.

It is neither known how a new Alaþirn is planted, nor how long it takes to grow, nor its stages of growth. Outside observation of these events is simply not possible due to intense anomalous interference patterns which disable all forms of outside observation. Some Elders have indicated that even their memories of that part of their Ascension are hazy, unclear, or absent entirely474849.

The establishment of Cathedral Worlds attracts large populations of all Three Graces (see: Three Graces, Anthousa, Naiad, Asterid), categorising Cathedral Worlds also as Garden Worlds—though under their own, unique designation. Cathedral Worlds are host to the highest population densities of Graces and Alaþilhinë outside of Terra and the Sacred Forests. As a result, Cathedral Worlds possess extremely low levels of social conflict among endemic human populations, pristine natural environments, and, as a result of a combination of Orkidean and Grace Psychic Soothe, are nearly impossible to be attacked by hostile military forces.

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Footnotes:

1 (see: Alaþi, Alaþilhinë)

2 Welzin, Z. R. (4841 2.VII). Compendium Alaþ. Nature.

3 Due to anomalous properties of Tu-Irni Alaþfha, each individual is uniquely adapted to its specific location. Despite the number of specimens available for study, and the abundance of literature published on them, extant data are nevertheless unable to predict with accuracy what properties yet undiscovered and/or unstudied or understudied Tu-Irni Alaþfha might possess. (Welzin, 4841 2.VII)

4 Records and accounts from Alaþilhinëhta describe Er Alaþ’s crown as brushing against Alaþ Fasjël’s moon’s surface. These descriptions are likely to be exaggerated. (Welzin, 4841 2.VII)

5-9 [See 2]

10 T’qadu, R. (6204 9.V 3rd Quarter) “Analysis of Anomalous Trans-Causal Phase Signatures of Dea Tree Samples.” Proceedings of the Riverine Academy of Science 6204-5[3] 22-104. 

11 Eliyn, S. et. al. (1204 3.VI, 5268 1.VII, 8135 5.VIII) Words of the Ahanë-Nirti. Var. Iss.

12 Ursiff, K. (2590 2.VII) “Observation of Restoration of 19 Extinct Species of Engineered Flora by Ereher Lafhæë Alaþilhinë on Auzigg-3(b)” Auzigg Central University Journal of Botnical Studies, 804(1672), 74-92.

13 [See 4]

14 See: Revised Mythic Treaty of Aion XII

15 Eliyn, S. (1 1.XII) The Seventh Canon of History (Abridged). (pp. 1—17) Words of the Ahanë-Nirti.

16 Mythic Treaty of Aion XII, Section 844.6

17 Mythic Treaty of Aion XII, Section 845.1(a)

18 As all Alaþilhinë are granted Full Mythic Immunity under the auspices of the Mythic Treaty, any attempts to brute force entry to Alaþ Fasjël or to extract its location from any Alaþilhinë are considered a First-Order Violation of the Mythic Treaty and will result in the dispatch of either a Valkyrie Flight or a squad of FMC Elites under the auspices of the Rimworld-Seelie Court Joint Participation Program. All responsible parties will be terminated with prejudice. Contributors to any such project not terminated during Enforcement Actions will face prosecution by the Mythic Tribunals at Soulstar. (Cit. Mythic Treaty of Aion XII Sections 845.1(a), 862.92-6(f), 914.301-28(a))

19 Eliyn, S. (1 1.XII) The Seventh Canon of History (Unabridged). (pp. A85—A104). Words of the Ahanë-Nirti.

20  [See 19]

21 Tott, Yun, Gomfijl, et. al. (8239 4.XI) Er-ALÞ & Er Alaþ: an Analysis of River Archives. Proceedings of the Alfarsstvo Historical Conclave, Corpus 4-12, 9(8329).

22 Gomfijl, Mtazkka, & Töllej (8242 4.XI) Er-ALÞ & Er Alaþ: Further Analysis of ArQive & ArqTerra Records. Proceedings of the Alfarsstvo Historical Conclave, Corpus 4-12, 9(8329).

23 Eliyn, S. (1 1.XII) The Seventh Canon of History (Unabridged). (pp. A114—A117)

24 [redacted]

25 Luz Bïrn, J. (546 1.XII) Revised Compendium of Herbalist Castes, Orders, and Collectives for the Twelfth Aion, First Epoch. TEO Group.

26 The Elder Conclave is a collective of Elder Orkideans whose purpose and objectives are unclear. All known members appear to be residents of Bleakheart Worlds with reputations of being deeply invested in the operations and affairs of local Groves and Mythic Sanctuaries, leading to speculation that The Elder Conclave’s purpose is to assist in the facillitation of their objectives through the sharing of intelligence, local expertise, and individual experience. (Luz Bïrn, 546 1.XII)

27 Also known as Allmothersmoot, this is the closest analogue to a governing body the Alaþilhinë possess. Though each Alaþilhinë is free to do as they please, the word of the Atlmaþræn and her Council are viewed as second only to that of The Goddess. (Luz Bïrn, 546 1.XII)

28 The Dawnstar Collective is the largest collective among the Alaþilhinë. Exclusively comprised of Glitch-Empowered Alaþilhinë—called Dawnstars—The Dawnstar Collective is viewed widely as the Fifth Branch because of its general autonomy and also the Aisling-Atlmaþræn Rift which created the Collective. The Dawnstar Collective’s primary purpose is the training and management of empowered Alaþilhinë and is led by Aisling. (Luz Bïrn, 546 1.XII)

29 Ascendant Conclaves, or the First Flowers of a new Cathedral World, are the only exceptions to this general practise. (Luz Bïrn, 546 1.XII)

30 Sacred Forests are worlds claimed as specific, exclusive territorial holdings of the Alaþilhinë. As of 09.02.8604 E9 A.XI, there are 6 Sacred Forests: Alaþ Fasjël, Anamam Dtoþúr, Moætuin, Jaa Eesjëo, Asjoþ, and Salþësæ.

31 Cathedral and Cathedral World in this context are accepted nomenclature by the Alaþilhinë more for the sake of convenience and conceptual proximity rather than accuracy in description.

32 Talvö, L. (6003 4.VIII) “Phenomenological Meta-Analysis of Elder-Ascensions 1.VI-4.VIII with Supplemental ArqTerra & Black Library Records” ArQive of the Anomalous Public Access Database. Article: 5YNS:xc09080841406736-26116003.4(7)

33-34 [See 26]

35 Aärem, K. (302 1.XII) “Supplemental Addenda to Article: 5YNS:xc09080841406736-26116003.4(7) Rev. 104 1.XII” ArQive of the Anomalous Public Access Database. Article: 5YNS:xc09080841406736-26116003.4(7)_+804ac1296d4

36 [See 29]

37 Romantic and sexual relationships within Herbalist society are viewed as discrete and separate categories. Herbalist romance is typefied by a lack of possessive ideation and an abhorrence for perceptual exclusivity. The closest conceptual equivalent to a bonded-pair relationship among Herbalists is that described by the term “anëþa”, which roughly translates to “our hearts pulse as one”. When preceded either by esræëraþ (two hearts), or kahæëraþ (many hearts), “anëþa” can be used to describe the unit formed of such bonded individuals. —Auth. Note

38 [See 26]

39 ArQive of the Anomalous (6500 6.X) “Investigative Report: Elder Ascension at Tk Sr Extraction Node DX98407” ArQive of the Anomalous Public Access Database. Article: DXNE:ep985607161-368.

40 [See 15]

41 [See 26]

42 Toht, G. (3218 8.XI) On Phoenix Ascensions. Ku-Geul, Aaht-Samh, & Eul.

43 [Data Expunged]

44 Cloud (5021 E7 A.IX) Ascension Journal (3rd ed. pp. 327). Eherer Publishing

45 This unilateral agreement of the direct physical interaction by Elders-Ascendant in the process of Calling cleansing is simultaneously one of the strongest pieces of evidence against the Naked Hearthcore Hypothesis and also for it. As Elders have been known to describe various nonphysical activities such as the manifestation of psychosensory suspensions they layer over themselves when among humans as being an “act requiring no small measure of physical exertion” this universally-held sentiment is inclusive of both leading hypotheses.

46 Ayen Layjeßi (1885 E5 A.VII) Ascension Journal (pp. 264). Words of the Ahanë-Nirti.

47 Ruçod Tohuk (3616 E2 A.X) Interview with Elder Orkidean Ruçod Tohuk. Kobu-Dno-Gamil Enquirer 12(2404)

48 Yiðkiht Inuþ (4486 E7 A.IX) Ascension Journal. Asjoþ Songbird.

49 Senuna (8891 E6 A.VI 23.06) Live Broadcast Interview, 21:00 News, NRdO Central News Network.